LESSON 10

ROBIN REDBREAST

知更鸟

William Allingham (b. 1828, d. 1889) was born at Ballyshannon, Ireland. His father was a banker, and gave him a good education in Irish schools. He showed his literary tastes at an early date, contributing to periodicals, etc. In 1850 he published his first volume of poems; in 1854 his “Day and Night Songs” appeared, and in 1864 a poem in twelve chapters entitled “Lawrence Bloomfield in Ireland,” His reputation was established chiefly through his shorter lyrics, or ballad poetry. In 1864 he received a literary pension.

1. Good-by, good-by to Summer!

For Summer’s nearly done;

The garden smiling faintly,

Cool breezes in the sun;

Our thrushes now are silent,

Our swallows flown away,—

But Robin’s here in coat of brown,

And scarlet brestknot gay.

Robin, Robin Redbreast,

O Robin dear!

Robin sings so sweetly

In the falling of the year.

2. Bright yellow, red, and orange,

The leaves come down in hosts;

The trees are Indian princes,

But soon they’ll turn to ghosts;

The leathery pears and apples

Hang russet on the bough;

It’s autumn, autumn, autumn late,

’T will soon be winter now.

Robin, Robin Redbreast,

O Robin dear!

And what will this poor Robin do?

For pinching days are near.

3. The fireside for the cricket,

The wheat stack for the mouse,

When trembling night winds whistle

And moan all round the house.

The frosty ways like iron,

The branches plumed with snow,—

Alas! in winter dead and dark,

Where can poor Robin go?

Robin, Robin Redbreast,

O Robin dear!

And a crumb of bread for Robin,

His little heart to cheer.

Notes.—The Old World Robin here referred to is quite different in appearance and habits from the American Robin. It is only about half the size of the latter. Its prevailing color above is olive green, while the forehead, cheeks, throat, and breast are a light yellowish red. It does not migrate, but is found at all seasons throughout temperate Europe, Asia Minor, and northern Africa.

【中文阅读】

威廉·亚力汉姆（1828～1889）生于爱尔兰巴利沙侬，银行家的父亲给予他良好的教育。亚力汉姆很早就展现了他的文学审美才华，致力投身期刊杂志等文学事业。1850年，出版了他的首部诗集；1854年，他的《昼夜之歌》问世；1864年，他的一首标题为《劳伦斯·布卢姆菲尔德在爱尔兰》诗歌出版，该诗囊括12个章节。亚力汉姆的短篇抒情诗及乡村歌谣为他赢得了文学声望。1864年，他接受了文学年金嘉奖。

1．再见，与夏季挥手作别，

炎热的舞台，即将落幕，

花园里，笑声黯淡下来，

微风，吹过九月艳阳，

画眉，不再引吭高歌，

燕子，亦成群结对飞远。

知更鸟，身穿褐色衣裳，

猩红色围脖，夺目耀眼，

知更鸟，知更鸟，

那么可爱，我的鸟儿。

你婉转的歌声，清脆明亮，

落在枝头，满眼夏日灿烂。

2．明黄、艳红、亮橘斑斓，

落叶纷飞里，光影迷乱，

叙述昨天的树，繁复故事，

寒风中，即将形销骨立，

印度王子般，挺立依然。

苹果树、梨树，外皮粗韧，

赤褐色果实，点缀在夕阳苍峦，

晚秋的步履，迟缓沉重，

转眼间，迎来霁雪初寒。

知更鸟，知更鸟，

那么快乐，我的鸟儿。

温暖的秋阳，风声中消失，

你将如何，飞进浓密黑暗，

最终躲过，萧瑟寒冬难关？

3．蟋蟀，猫在壁炉过冬，

老鼠，钻进麦堆取暖，

颤栗的风，呼啸着刮过村庄，

锐利疼痛，撕裂出呻吟呼喊。

路上，泛着银色寒霜，

大雪皑皑，铺开白色殿堂，

冬天枝桠上，到处写满死亡。

知更鸟，你究竟飞向何方？

知更鸟，知更鸟，

那么可爱，我的鸟儿。

为你，我撒上面包屑，

你在枝头雀跃，报以欢欣。