I looked at John—John looked at me; 我看着约翰，约翰正看着我；

　　Dear, patient John, who loves me yet as well as though my locks were jet. 他对我的爱，像我头发的颜色那么黑。

　　And when I found that I must speak, 当我发现我不得不说话时，

　　My voice seemed strangely low and weak: 我的声音奇怪而微弱：

　　Tell me again what Robert said! 再说说罗伯特说了什么！

　　And then I, listening, bent my head. 我听着，低垂着头。

　　This is his letter, 这是他的来信,

　　I will give a house and land while you shall live, 我会给你一所房子、一块地，让你们过下去

　　If, in return, from out your seven, 条件是把你们七个孩子中的一个，

　　One child to me for aye is given. 永远过继给我。

　　I looked at John's old garments worn, 看着约翰的旧大衣，

　　I thought of all that John had borne of poverty, and work, and care, 想着约翰受的苦、贫穷、辛苦、生活的重担，

　　Which I, though willing, could not share; 我无法分担，虽然愿意；

　　I thought of seven mouths to feed, 想着七张等饭吃的嘴，

　　Of seven little children's need, 七个孩子的生活需要，

　　And then of this. 然后想着这封信。

　　"Come, John," said I, “来吧，约翰，”我说，

　　We'll choose among them as they lie asleep; 趁他们睡着，我们挑选一个；

　　so, walking hand in hand, 手牵着手，

　　Dear John and I surveyed our band. 亲爱的约翰和我

　　First to the cradle light we stepped, 先来到摇篮边，

　　Where Lilian the baby slept, 莉莲熟睡着，

　　A glory 'gainst the pillow white. 头枕在白色的枕头上。

　　Softly the father stooped to lay his rough hand down in loving way, 父亲弯下腰，把粗糙的手放在孩子身上，

　　When dream or whisper made her stir, 梦中的她轻轻动了动，

　　And huskily he said: "Not her!" 爸爸嗓音嘶哑：“不要把她送人！”

　　We stooped beside the trundle-bed, 我们站在小床边，

　　And one long ray of lamplight shed athwart the boyish faces there, 油灯的光照在男孩子脸上，

　　In sleep so pitiful and fair; 梦中的他们如此让人怜爱；

　　I saw on Jamie's rough, red cheek, 杰米红红的脸蛋还挂着，

　　A tear undried. Ere John could speak, 一滴泪水。没等约翰说话，

　　"He's but a baby, too," said I, 我已说了出来，“他还是婴儿，”

　　And kissed him as we hurried by. 亲了他一下，我们继续向前走。