（世紀が変わった。私は孤独のままながらえた。悔いのみが
残る半生。だが諦めず愛をもとめて生きのびよう。そして早く
この目で見たい、心ときめく恋の色を！）

＊飽かでこそ：飽きるということなく、執拗に
＊思ひの色：思い焦がれる恋の色
＊見まくほしけれ：ぜひこの目で見届けたいものだ

At the beginning of the 21st century, I cannot help thinking
how odd this world is! I think of my puny life and lament over it
as if it were a big deal. But to tell you the truth, it's certainly a big
deal to me and let's think of this-there exist several billion humans
on earth and each of them has an incomparable life story. However,
no one was born in this world out of his or her wish. Are we to be
blessed or grieved to be born?

ROCHESTER

Were I, who to my cost, already am
One of those strange prodigious creatures, Man,
A spirit free, to choose for my own share
What sort of flesh and blood I please'd to wear,
I'd be a dog, a monkey or a bear,
Or any thing but that vain animal,
That is so proud of being rational.