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?