To Sleep

A flock of sheep that leisurely pass by, 

One after one; the sound of rain, and bees 

Murmuring; the fall of rivers, winds and seas, 

Smooth fields, white sheets of water, and pure sky; 

I have thought of all by turns, and yet do lie 

Sleepless! and soon the small birds' melodies 

Must hear, first uttered from my orchard trees; 

And the first cuckoo's melancholy cry. 

Even thus last night, and two nights more, I lay, 

And could not win thee, Sleep! by any stealth: 

So do not let me wear to-night away: 

Without Thee what is all the morning's wealth? 

Come, blessed barrier between day and day, 

Dear mother of fresh thoughts and joyous health!

 

头头绵羊悠闲地踱过我面前，

蜜蜂的嗡嗡营营，雨滴的声响；

河水的流淌，微风轻拂着海洋，

平野，白茫茫水面和一片蓝天；——

这些我一一想遍，却依然无眠；

不用多久，从我果园里的树上，

该传来小鸟第一阵的啼啭歌唱，

还有那杜鹃的第一声忧郁叫唤。

昨夜这样，还加两个不眠夜晚，

睡眠哪，我没使你降临我身上：

今夜请千万别再使我神疲力殚。

没有你，哪来早晨的财富宝藏？

你来吧，白天之间的赐福栅栏——

那清新思想和神清气爽的母亲！