来到我身边，可是我弄不明白
Was unto me, but why that I ne might
为什么我不能休息；在我看来，
Rest I ne wist, for there n'as erthly wight
世上没人比我的心情更平静，
[As I suppose] had more of hertis ese
因为我既不烦恼，也没有疾病。”
Than I, for I n'ad sicknesse nor disese.
——乔叟
—Chaucer
什么比夏天的风儿更加熨帖？
What is more gentle than a wind in summer?
什么比嗡嗡的蜜蜂更令人怡悦？
What is more soothing than the pretty hummer
蜜蜂在怒放的鲜花上稍稍停留，
That stays one moment in an open flower
随即愉快地从树阴向树阴飞走。
And buzzes cheerily from bower to bower?
什么比麝香玫瑰更加安静——
What is more tranquil than a musk-rose blowing
开在翠绿的岛上，远离人群？
In a green island, far from all men's knowing?
什么比山谷的葱茏更有益身心？
More healthful than the leafiness of dales?
什么比夜 莺的窝巢更隐秘幽深？
More secret than a nest of nightingales?
什么比科黛丽雅的面容更安详？
More serene than Cordelia's countenance?
什么比传奇故事更富于想象？
More full of visions than a high romance?
只有你，睡眠！合拢眼睑的纤手！
What, but thee, Sleep? Soft closer of our eyes!
低唱着温柔的催眠谣曲的歌喉！
Low murmurer of tender lullabies!
绕着惬意的枕头轻翔的翅膀！
Light hoverer around our happy pillows!
用罂粟和垂柳编织花冠的巧匠！
Wreather of poppy buds and weeping willows!
你呵，悄悄地把美人的头发弄乱！
Silent entangler of a beauty's tresses!
你愉快地谛听晨光的赐福，祝愿
Most happy listener when the morning blesses
你有幸开启千万双欢乐的眼睛，
Thee for enlivening all the cheerful eyes
让灵活的明眸迎视旭日的东升！
That glance so brightly at the new sun-rise!
但什么比你更难以想象地高贵？
But what is higher beyond thought than thee?