双语童诗：小孩和蛇

所属教程:英美童诗

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2018年09月05日

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42 THE CHILD AND THE SNAKE	四十二小孩和蛇
Mary Lamb ①	玛丽·兰姆
Henry was every morning fed	每天早上，母亲用面包
With a full mess of milk and bread.	和牛奶把亨利喂得饱饱。
One day the boy his breakfast took,	一天，这孩子拿着早餐
And ate it by a purling brook.	吃着，在潺潺的溪水旁边。
His mother lets him have his way.	母亲允许他随便行走。
With free leave Henry every day	亨利就每天获得自由
Thither repairs, until she heard	走远。一天他母亲听到
Him talking of a fine gray bird.	他说起一只美丽的灰鸟。
This pretty bird, he said, indeed,	他说，这只鸟儿真漂亮，
Came every day with him to feed;	每天来跟他把早餐共享；
And it loved him and loved his milk,	鸟儿爱他，也爱他的牛奶，
And it was smooth and soft like silk.	鸟身像丝绸，柔滑可爱。
—On the next morn she follows Harry,	——第二天早上她紧跟着亨利，
And carefully she sees him carry	细心地注视着孩子端起
Through the long grass his heap'd - up mess.	丰盛的早餐穿行过草地。
What was her terror and distress	啊，她多么恐惧，焦急——
When she saw the infant take	她突然瞧见这孩子拿着
His bread and milk close to a snake!	面包和牛奶走近一条蛇！
Upon the grass he spreads his feast,	他在草地上把宴席摆开，
And sits down by his frightful guest,	挨着这可怕的客人坐下来；
Who had waited for the treat;	那家伙正等着主人请客；
And now they both began to eat.	他们俩就开始一同吃喝。
Fond mother! shriek not, O beware	深情的母亲！别喊叫，当心啊，
The least small noise, O have a care —	别发出一丁点声音，留神啊——
The least small noise that may be made	只要发出一丁点响声，
The wily snake will be afraid—	狡猾的蛇就会受惊——
If he hear the slightest sound,	假如他听到轻微的声响，
He will inflict th'envenoan'd wound.	毒牙就会把孩子咬伤。
—She speaks not , moves not , scarce does breathe,	——不出声，不动，屏息凝神，
As she stands the trees beneath.	她只是在树荫底下站定。
No sound she utters; and she soon	她一声不响；很快看到
Sees the child lift up his spoon,	孩子举起了一把小勺，
And tap the snake upon the head,	朝蛇的头上轻轻叩打，
Fearless of harm; and then he said,	一点不害怕；接着又说话，
As speaking to familiar mate,	像是对亲密的伙伴言谈，
"Keep on your own side, do, Gray Pate;"	"灰头，回到你自己的一边；"
The snake then to the other side,	那蛇仿佛受到了责难，
As one rebuked, seems to glide;	看样子像要爬回另一边；
And now again advancing nigh,	可是一会儿蛇又挨近，
Again she hears the infant cry,	母亲又听见孩子的叫声，
Tapping the snake, "Keep further, do;	他拍拍蛇头，"走远点，去；
Mind , Gray Pate, what I say to you."	灰头，我的话你要记住。"
The danger's o'er! she sees the boy	危险过去了！她看见孩子
(O what a change from fear to joy!)	（转危为安，谢天谢地！）
Rise and bid the snake "Good-bye";	站起身来对蛇说"再见"；
Says he, "Our breakfast's done, and I	说，"咱俩用过了早餐，
Will come again to-morrow day";	明儿个早上我会再来"；
—Then , lightly tripping, ran away.	——然后，他连蹦带跳地跑开。
	方谷绣屠岸译