The Blackbird and the Thrush

Alfred Perceval Graves

One evening as I walked down by a green bush,

I heard two birds whistling,

’Twas the blackbird and thrush;

I asked the reason they were so merrie,

And in answer they sang back to me,

”We are single and free.”

Next morning as that green bush I passed all alone,

Two thrushes piped out of it.

The blackbird was flown;

I asked them the reason their hearts were so gay,

It was joyfully they answered me,

”We have mated to-day.”

One morning little after that bush I went by,

When O’ver me most piteously

I heard my thrush cry;

I asked why such sorrow he poured from the tree,

And he answered,

“’tis the blackbird has my love stolen from me.”

Oh,freedom it is pleasant,

Love returned is delight!

But a lover deserted must mourn noon and night,

Break my house take my goods,

I can gather fresh gain;

But love’s ruined bower who shall build up again?

八哥與畫眉

艾爾弗雷德?珀西瓦爾?格雷夫斯

傍晚我在綠樹叢中漫步,

聽見兩只小鳥呼哨嘰咕,

那是八哥與畫眉,

我問它們為何這樣眉飛色舞?

它們用歌聲作答:

"我們是自由的單身一族。"

第二天清晨我又獨自從那里經過,

兩只畫眉奏起了樂曲。

那只八哥已經飛走,

我問它們心情如此歡暢的緣故;

它們的回答充滿欣喜:

"我們今天結成了眷屬。"

一天早晨我又經過那座叢林,

聽見那只畫眉在我頭上哀哀痛哭;

我問它為何這么悲傷,

它在樹上向我傾訴:

"是八哥把我的愛偷走,"

它的回答明確無誤。

啊,自由是快樂,相愛是歡愉!

被拋棄的愛人卻會日夜悲苦;

我能夠重振家業,

即使奪走我的財產拆毀我的房屋;

可是愛巢一旦摧垮,

還有誰能重新構筑?