LESSON 10 ROBIN REDBREAST 红胸脯的知更鸟
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 fi rst volume of poems; in 1854 his“Day and Night Songs” appeared, and in 1864 a poem in twelve chapters entitled “Lawrence Bloomfi eld in Ireland,” His reputation was established chiefl y 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 fl own away,—
But Robin’s here in coat of brown,
And scarlet breastknot 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 fi reside 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.
Note.—The Old World Robin here referred to is quite diff erent 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·亚林汉姆（1828—1889）出生于爱尔兰巴莱山农港。他的父亲是一名银行家，为他提供了良好的教育。他从小就展现出他的文学才华，致力于期刊杂志的出版。1850年，他出版了首部诗集；1854年，他的诗集《昼夜之歌》问世；1864年，他出版了一首题为《爱尔兰的劳伦斯·布卢姆菲尔德》的诗，全诗共十二章。他主要因他的短篇抒情诗以及民谣类诗歌而出名。1864年，他获得文学年金嘉奖。
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，也已飞向远方。——
知更鸟，身穿棕色衣裳，
胸前一抹猩红，耀眼炫目。
知更鸟，红胸脯的知更鸟，
哦，可爱的知更鸟！
在秋意袭来的季节，
知更鸟唱得多么动听。
2.明黄、艳红、亮橙斑斓，
落叶纷飞里，光影迷乱；
庄穆挺立的树，如印度王子，
寒风里，即将形销骨立。
皮厚肉实的梨子、苹果，
黄澄澄地点缀在树枝上。
秋天，秋天，晚秋到了，
转眼便是寒冬来临。
知更鸟，红胸脯的知更鸟，
哦，可爱的知更鸟！
萧瑟的寒冬近了，
可怜的知更鸟该怎么办呢？
3.蟋蟀，躲在壁炉边过冬，
老鼠，钻进麦堆里取暖，
夜里，颤抖的寒风呼啸，
袭卷着大地和房屋。
结冰的道路冷硬如铁，
雪块压弯了枝桠。——
啊！在这阴冷的冬天，
可怜的知更鸟能去哪儿呢？
知更鸟，红胸脯的知更鸟，
哦，可爱的知更鸟！
在地上为它撒上些面包屑，
它便挺着那红色的小胸膛，快乐跳跃。