The Little Vagabond
流浪儿
Dear mother, dear mother, the Church is cold;
亲爱的妈妈、亲爱的妈妈、教堂可真冷。
But the Alehouse is healthy, and pleasant, and warm.
但酒店里却暖和,使人健康又开心:
Besides, I can tell where I am used well;
而且我能知道在那儿过得好。
Such usage in heaven will never do well.
在天堂里我可绝没这么逍遥。
But, if at the Church they would give us some ale,
不过如果在教堂他们肯给我们点啤酒,
And a pleasant fire our souls to regale,
再给一炉旺火让我们的灵魂享受享受:
We'd sing and we'd pray all the livelong day,
我们就会在漫长的日子里唱歌又祈祷,
Nor ever once wish from the Church to stray.
也就一点不想离开教堂到处乱跑。
Then the Parson might preach, and drink, and sing,
于是牧师就要祈祷,喝酒,又唱歌,
And we'd be as happy as birds in the spring;
我们也会像春天里的鸟儿那样快乐:
And modest Dame Lurch, who is always at church,
而那位总是在教堂的文静的跛腿女先生,
Would not have bandy children, nor fasting, nor birch.
就不会有弯腿的孩子、不禁食也不打人。
And God, like a father, rejoicing to see
而上帝就像一个父亲,他高兴地看到
His children as pleasant and happy as He,
他的孩子们都跟他一样地快乐逍遥:
Would have no more quarrel with the Devil or the barrel,
也不会再跟魔鬼或酒鬼争吵个没完,
But kiss him, and give him both drink and apparel.
却是亲吻他,给他喝酒又给他衣服穿。