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 joyfully¹ 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 deserted² must mourn noon and night,

Break my house take my goods,

I can gather fresh gain;

But love’s ruined bower³ who shall build up again?

八哥与画眉

艾尔弗雷德·珀西瓦尔·格雷夫斯

傍晚我在绿树丛中漫步,

听见两只小鸟呼哨叽咕,

那是八哥与画眉,

我问它们为何这样眉飞色舞?

它们用歌声作答:

"我们是自由的单身一族。"

第二天清晨我又独自从那里经过,

两只画眉奏起了乐曲。

那只八哥已经飞走,

我问它们心情如此欢畅的缘故;

它们的回答充满欣喜:

"我们今天结成了眷属。"

一天早晨我又经过那座丛林,

听见那只画眉在我头上哀哀痛哭;

我问它为何这么悲伤,

它在树上向我倾诉:

"是八哥把我的爱偷走,"

它的回答明确无误。

啊,自由是快乐,相爱是欢愉!

被抛弃的爱人却会日夜悲苦;

我能够重振家业,

即使夺走我的财产拆毁我的房屋;

可是爱巢一旦摧垮,

还有谁能重新构筑?