(1)
What does little birdie say, 小鳥說些什么呢?
In her nest at peep of day? 在這黎明初曉的小巢中?
Let me fly, says little birdie, 小鳥說,讓我飛,
Mother, let me fly away, 媽媽,讓我飛走吧。
Birdie, rest a little longer, 寶貝,稍留久一會兒,
Till the little wings are stronger. 等到那對小翅膀再長硬些兒。
So she rests a little longer, 因此它又多留了一會兒,
Then she flies away. 然而它還是飛走了。
(2)
What does little baby say, 嬰兒說些什么,
In her bed at peep of day? 在破曉時分的床上?
Baby says, like little birdie, 嬰兒像小鳥那樣說,
Let me rise and fly away. 讓我起來飛走吧。
Baby, sleep a little longer, 乖乖,稍微多睡一會兒,
Till the little limbs are stronger. 等你的四肢再長硬點(diǎn)兒。
If she sleeps a little longer, 如果她再多睡一會兒,
Baby too shall fly away. 嬰兒必然也會像鳥兒一樣地飛走。
by Alfred Tennyson, 1809-1892