(1)

　　I was an armed warrior, but now

　　The youthful courtier covers my proud neck With twisted filigree of gold and silver.

　　Sometimes I'm kissed by heroes, and again

　　I woo to battle with my melody

　　Comrades in full accord. At times the courser

　　Bears me across the border, and again

　　Over the floods the stallion of the sea

　　Conveys me radiant with ornaments.

　　Sometimes a maiden, garlanded with jewels,

　　Brims full my winding bosom, and again

　　Perforce I lie-hard, headless, solitary

　　Upon the board. Sometimes, set off with trappings,

　　In comely guise upon the wall I hang

　　Where heroes drink. Again, horsed warriors

　　On forays wear me, glorious apparel;

　　Then, dappled with gold, I must inspire the wind

　　From someone's bosom. Whilom stately men

　　I summon to banquetings and wine; sometimes

　　My voice resounds with freedom to the captive.

　　Flight to the foe. Now find out what I'm called.

　　(2)

　　I saw a creature in the homes of men

　　Which feeds the cattle. It has many teeth.

　　Its beak is useful to it. It points downwards.

　　It plunders gently and goes home again,

　　Wanders among the mounds and seeks out herbs.

　　It always finds out those that are not firm.

　　It lets the fair ones stand upon their roots,

　　Firm, undisturbed in their established place,

　　And brightly shine and blossom and grow tall.

　　(文/刘大伟　英语辅导报大学教师版04~05学年第4期;版权归英语辅导报社所有，独家网络合作伙伴新浪教育，未经许可，不得以任何形式进行转载。)