雙語·英美愛情詩歌選 97　墮落的姑娘

97. The Ruined Maid

——T. Hardy

“O 'Melia, my dear, this does everything crown!

Who could have supposed I should meet you in Town?

And whence such fair garments, such prosperi-ty?”

“O didn't you know I'd been ruined?”said she.

“You left us in tatters, without shoes or socks,

Tired of digging potatoes, and spudding up docks;

And now you've gay bracelets and bright feathers three!”

“Yes: that's how we dress when we're ruined,”said she.

“At home in the barton’you said‘thee’and‘thou,’

And‘thik oon,’and‘the?s oon,’and‘t’other’; but now

Your talking quite fits ’ee for high compa-ny!”

“Some polish is gained with one's ruin”said she.

“Your hands were like paws then, your face blue and bleak

But now I'm bewitched by your delicate cheek,

And your little gloves fit as on any la-dy!”

“We never do work when we're ruined,”said she.

“You used to call home-life a hag-ridden dream,

And you'd sigh, and you'd sock; but at present you seem

To know not of megrims' or melancho-ly!”

“True. One's pretty lively when ruined,”said she.

“I wish I had feathers, a fine sweeping gown,

And a delicate face, and could strut about Town!”

“My dear-a raw coutry girl, such as you be,

Cannot quite expect that. You ain't ruined,”said she.