此詩節將識明之美作柏拉圖式的形上學解繹:人因著「光」才能看清事物的真相,而帶有光彩的識明之美,便進入人的心中,如燭光晃動,在人心中時盈時虧。此節結尾四行書寫失去光亮(即失去識明之美、失去靈感時)所帶來的恐懼。
雪萊在〈詩辯(Defence of Poetry)〉中喻創作力為將熄的炭火,在無常之風(an inconstant wind)的影響下瞬間發光(transitory brightness)。由此可見雪萊對識明之美(即靈感)的存在雖有肯定,但卻自覺無法掌控。肯定之處在於,當識明之美「榮光(glorious)」存在於人心,人就能在名垂青史、無往不利(即此節第三行);然而識明之美「時盈時虧(wax and wane)」無法常駐人心,所以雪萊才有倒數三行的期盼。
〈頌贊識明之美〉(四)
作:雪萊
譯:Julie
愛、希望與自尊,像浮雲離去
與歸來,因著借得的某些不定時光。
人曾是永世不朽,和無所不能的,
要不是你,未知、懾人如你,
以你榮光之列伴著堅定姿態存於他的心中。
你這同情的使者,
在愛人眼中時盈時虧──
你──對人的思緒是滋潤,
像黑暗對那將滅的火焰!
莫離去像你的闇影前來,
莫離去──唯恐死亡應是,
像生命與恐懼,成了黑暗的真實。
Hymn to Intellectual Beauty (IV)
By Percy Bysshe Shelley
Love, Hope, and Self-esteem, like clouds depart
And come, for some uncertain moments lent.
Man were immortal, and omnipotent,
Didst thou, unknown and awful as thou art,
Keep with thy glorious train firm state within his heart.
Thou messgenger of sympathies,
That wax and wane in lovers' eyes --
Thou -- that to human thought art nourishment,
Like darkness to a dying flame!
Depart not as thy shadow came,
Depart not -- lest the grave should be,
Like life and fear, a dark reality.