(原版)澳大利亞語文第二冊 LESSON 61
LESSON 61 MY VISITOR
MY VISITOR
perched en-tered trim-mings
san-dals di-a-monds scam-pered
neigh-bour i-vo-ry shoul-ders
1. While, one evening, I was sitting
Quite alone, and all was still,
Lo! I saw a little lady
Perched upon the window-sill.
2. She had entered by the window,
Just to make a hasty call;
So she did not think of taking
Off her hat or gloves at all.
3. Such a pretty little lady!
And so very, very small!
I am sure my youngest dolly
Was a dozen times as tall.
4. Never could a dress be nicer
Than the simple gown of grey,
That was hanging from her shoulders
In a close and clinging 〔1〕 way.
5. On her head a little bonnet
Perched, but I could see no strings,
Though on either side the trimmings
Looked for all the world like wings.
6. For her gloves she'd silken mittens 〔2〕 ,
With her fingers peeping through;
And her feet were shod in sandals 〔3〕 ,
Neater far than any shoe.
7. Now about her face I'll tell you;
For she turned it to the light,
And I saw her eyes like diamonds 〔4〕 ,
And her teeth were ivory white.
8. Did the lady say "Good-evening"?
No, nor any other word;
If she did, she spoke so softly,
And so low, I never heard.
9. When I asked her what she wanted,
In my very sweetest tone,
Round she turned and off she
scampered 〔5〕 ,
Leaving me again alone.
10. For this pretty little lady
Was my neighbour, Mrs. Mouse,
And 'twas only hopes of supper
That had brought her to my house.
—J. STAFFORD
注釋
〔1〕 clinging: Lying close to the body.
〔2〕 mittens: Fingerless gloves.
〔3〕 sandal: Shoe made of a sole which is strapped to the foot.
〔4〕 diamonds: Bright sparkling stones of great value.
〔5〕 scampered: Ran off quickly.
