双语诗歌翻译|郑复光-《光与色》

郑复光(1780—约1853)：清代著名科学家。字元甫、瀚香，安徽歙县人。精通数学、物理与机械制造。1846年写成《镜镜冷痴》5卷，集当时中西光学知识大成。在完成此书的基础上，制造了中国最早的一台测天望远镜。另著有《郑元甫札记》（手抄本）、《郑瀚香遗稿》（手抄本）、《安徽通志稿》有传。

《光与色》（《镜镜痴》节选）

郑复光

目睹物而知形，然形非色不见；色非光不见。故色必资乎光；画资乎日，夜资乎月星与火。光盛则色显，光微则色隐。色依光以现其形：色浓则明，色淡则藏；色立乎异，则相得益彰，色傍乎同，则若存若亡。

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.