原版英文故事与诗歌：The Sick Child

The sick childChild. O mother, lay your hand on my brow¹!
O mother, mother, where am I now?
Why is the room so gaunt and great?
Why am I lying awake so late?

Mother. Fear not at all: the night is still.
Nothing is here that means² you ill.
Nothing but lamps the whole town through,
And never a child awake but you.

Child. Mother, mother, speak low in my ear,
Some of the things are so great and near,
Some are so small and far away,
I have a fear that I cannot say.
What have I done, and what do I fear,
And why are you crying, mother dear?

Mother. Out in the city, sounds begin
Thank the kind God, the carts³ come in!
An hour or two more and God is so kind,
The day shall be blue in the windowblind,
Then shall my child go sweetly asleep,
And dream of the birds and the hills of sheep.

 

1 brow   

n.额，脑门子；眉毛，眉脊

参考例句：

• The years have set their mark on his brow.年岁在他的额上打下了印记。
• He wiped the sweat from his brow with his hands.他用手擦去了额头上的汗。

2 means   

n.方法，手段，折中点，物质财富

参考例句：

• That man used artful means to find out secrets.那人使用狡猾的手段获取机密。
• We must get it done by some means or other.我们总得想办法把它干完。

3 carts   

n.运货马车，手推车( cart的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The farm carts have worn ruts in the lane. 农用大车在乡间小路上磨出了车辙。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• All the boats and carts started off at the same time. 车船齐发。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》