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?