1920년대
TO OUR LEADER-PRESIDENT
TO OUR LEADER-PRESIDENT
On This New Year's Day This Poor
Unrhymed Poem is Reverently Dedicated
1
He still is spry in his gait and motion,
He still is brisk in his mien and carriage.
His voice still is clear and orotund
In his grand three score and eighteen.
2
Limpid clear is his scan and judgment
And always unerring is his decision
Clearing the pricks and brambles of the way
Steering the astraying nation to a rightful path.
3
His unlimited verve and undying patriotism
That are combined to make a good President
Together with his clear thinking and righteous living
Move in the orb of a Great Aim that's deathless!
4
Though our hopes, by pitiless fate be deferr'd
And our long endear'd purpose thwart'd
Temporarily, but under his sun-bright leadership
We will resuscitate, gain our feet again.
5
So on this New Year's day we pledge anew
Our loyalty and fealty to our leader
We, his citizens, with unstint'd thankfulness
Supplicate to our Lord God his long longevity.
주석
원문 언어 변영로가 영어로 쓴 신년 헌시다. 옛 한글 표기가 없어 개정본은 영어 원문을 그대로 두고, 현대어 항목에 우리말 뜻풀이를 실었다.
three score and eighteen score는 20을 뜻하므로 '3×20+18=78', 곧 일흔여덟 살을 가리키는 옛 영어식 표현이다.
unrhymed poem 운을 맞추지 않은 시. 격식을 갖춘 헌정시이면서도 운율의 틀에 매이지 않았음을 밝힌 것이다.
deferr'd / thwart'd / unstint'd deferred·thwarted·unstinted의 시적 축약 표기. 운문에서 음절을 줄이려고 'e'를 생략했다.
심상·해설
새해 첫날, 가시덤불 같은 난국을 헤쳐 나라를 이끄는 노(老)지도자를 햇살에 빗대어 기리며, 다시 일어설 희망과 만수무강을 비는 장엄한 헌정의 분위기가 그려진다.