雙語詩歌翻譯|鄭復光-《光與色》

鄭復光(1780—約1853)：清代著名科學家。字元甫、瀚香，安徽歙縣人。精通數(shù)學、物理與機械制造。1846年寫成《鏡鏡冷癡》5卷，集當時中西光學知識大成。在完成此書的基礎上，制造了中國最早的一臺測天望遠鏡。另著有《鄭元甫札記》（手抄本）、《鄭瀚香遺稿》（手抄本）、《安徽通志稿》有傳。

《光與色》（《鏡鏡癡》節(jié)選）

鄭復光

目睹物而知形，然形非色不見；色非光不見。故色必資乎光；畫資乎日，夜資乎月星與火。光盛則色顯，光微則色隱。色依光以現(xiàn)其形：色濃則明，色淡則藏；色立乎異，則相得益彰，色傍乎同，則若存若亡。

We know the shape of a thing when we see it, but its shape will not be seen if it has no color. The color of a thing will not be seen if there is no light. So the color for us to see has to depend on light, just as the day on the sun; or the night on the moon and stars, and fire. When the light is strong, the color becomes apparent; and when the light is dim, the color becomes obscure. A thing shows its shape by its color: it is conspicuous when its color is deep; it is invisible when its color is light. There will be a striking contrast if the colors of the things are quite different while their existence will not be felt if their colors are almost the same.