The chain I gave was fair to view,

我给你的项链玲珑精致，

The lute¹ I added sweet in sound;

我赠你的诗琴悦耳动听；

The heart that offer'd both was true,

向你献礼的心儿也忠实，

And ill deserved the fate it found.

谁知碰上了倒霉的命星。

These gifts were charm'd by secret spell

这两件礼品有神奇法力，

Thy truth in absence to divine;

能占卜我走后你是否忠贞；

And they have done their duty well,—

它们的责任尽到了，——可惜

Alas! they could not teach thee thine.

没能教会你尽你的责任。

That chain was firm in every link,

项链挺结实，环环扣紧，

But not to bear a stranger's touch;

但生人的抚弄它不能忍受；

That lute was sweet—till thou could'st think

琴声也甜美——但你莫相信

In other hands its notes were such.

在别人手里它同样温柔。

Let him, who from thy neck unbound

他摘你项链，项链就断折，

The chain which shiver'd in his grasp,

他弹这诗琴，琴哑口无言；

Who saw that lute refuse to sound,

它们抗拒他，看来，他只得

Restring the chords, renew the clasp.

换新的链扣，上新的琴弦。

When thou wert changed, they alter'd too;

既然你变了，它们也得变：

The chain is broke, the music mute.

项链碎裂，琴韵无声。

'Tis past—to them and thee adieu—

罢了！和它们、和你再见——

False heart, frail² chain, and silent lute.

哑琴，脆链，欺诈的心灵！