There was an Old Man of Vesuvius,
Who studied the works of Vitruvius;
When the flames burnt his book, to drinking he took,
That morbid Old Man of Vesuvius.
维苏威[65]有个老学究，
维特鲁威[66]的著作不离手；
书本不慎着了火，他迷上了喝酒更快活，
好一个神经的老学究。
There was a Young Lady whose bonnet
Came untied when the birds sate upon it;
But she said, "I don't care! all the birds in the air
Are welcome to sit on my bonnet!"
有一位女士将圆帽戴，
鸟儿们踩松了她帽带；
她却说：“不担心！非常欢迎
天上鸟儿都在我帽上停下来！”
There was an Old Man of Dundee,
Who frequented the top of a tree;
When disturbed by the Crows, he abruptly arose,
And exclaimed, "I'll return to Dundee!"
有个老头住在敦提[67]，
常爬上树梢呆在那里；
一有乌鸦打扰，他便起来嚷道：
“再敢吵我就回敦提。”
There was an Old Lady whose folly
Induced her to sit in a holly;
Whereon, by a thorn her dress being torn,
She quickly became melancholy.
有个老太太真荒唐，
坐在一株冬青上；
树上棘刺多，她衣服被钩破，
老太太顿时好悲伤。
There was a young person of Bantry,
Who frequently slept in the pantry;
When disturbed by the mice, she appeased them with rice,
That judicious young person of Bantry.
班特里[68]一姑娘真荒唐，
常常把碗柜来当床躺；
如果老鼠惹她烦，她就喂老鼠吃米饭，
这班特里的小姑娘真荒唐。
There was an Old Man at a Junction,
Whose feelings were wrung with compunction
When they said, "The Train's gone!" he exclaimed, "How forlorn!"
But remained on the rails of the Junction.
岔道上蹲着位老汉，
他懊悔痛苦心不甘；
人们说：“火车已开走！”他大喊：“偏把我遗漏！”
他蹲在铁道岔口哭又喊。
There was an old person of Minety,
Who purchased five hundred and ninety
Large apples and pears, which he threw unawares
At the heads of the people of Minety.
曼提[69]一老头真诡异，
又买苹果又买梨；
买了五百九十个，一个个扔掉真快乐，
砸向街坊和邻里。
There was an old man of Thermopylae,
Who never did anything properly;
But they said, "If you choose to boil eggs in your shoes,
You shall never remain in Thermopylae."
舍茅普利[70]一老丈，
没事儿做得不荒唐；
但是大伙儿喊：“你若鞋里煮鸡蛋，
就把你赶出这地方。”
There was an old person of Deal,
Who in walking used only his heel;
When they said, "Tell us why?" he made no reply,
That mysterious old person of Deal.
第尔[71]一老头真是怪，
走路只把脚后跟抬；
人们问他：“为啥？”他啥都不回答，
第尔这老头真奇怪。
There was an old man on the Humber,
Who dined on a cake of Burnt Umber;
When he said, "It's enough!" they only said, "Stuff!
You amazing old man on the Humber!"
亨伯河[72]畔一老头，
红土做的蛋糕塞满口；
他说：“不吃了！”人们说：“还有呢！”
这老头的胃口大如牛。
There was an old man in a barge,
Whose nose was exceedingly large;
But in fishing by night, it supported a light,
Which helped that old man in a barge.
有一个老头坐船上，
他的鼻子大又长；
每当夜里把鱼钓，鼻子刚好搁灯罩，
可帮了这老头的大忙。
There was an old man of Dunrose;
A parrot seized hold of his nose.
When he grew melancholy, they said, "His name's Polly," Which soothed that old man of Dunrose.
唐诺斯[73]一老头真冤枉，
被鹦鹉咬住了鼻子不肯放；
正当他要发脾气，人们告诉他：“这是波莉。”
他这才把鼻子的疼痛忘。
There was an old man of Toulouse
Who purchased a new pair of shoes;
When they asked, "Are they pleasant?"he said, "Not at present!"
That turbid old man of Toulouse.
图卢兹[74]有一个老头，
买了双新鞋在街上走；
人们问：“合脚不？”他回答：“一点儿也不！”
这糊里糊涂的老头。
There was an old person of Bree,
Who frequented the depths of the sea;
She nurs'd the small fishes, and washed all the dishes,
And swam back again into Bree.
布里[75]有一个老奶奶，
常在海洋深处待；
她喂小鱼儿吃点心，又把盘子洗干净，
然后沿原路游回来。
There was an old person of Bromley,
Whose ways were not cheerful or comely;
He sate in the dust, eating spiders and crust,
That unpleasing old person of Bromley.
布郎雷[76]一老头真可怕，
闷闷不乐又邋遢；
他坐在泥地上，把面包屑、蜘蛛尝，
这布郎雷的糟老头真邋遢。
There was an old person of Shields,
Who frequented the vallies and fields;
All the mice and the cats, and the snakes and the rats,
Followed after that person of Shields.
谢尔兹[77]住着个老头，
常在山谷和田野走；
老鼠和猫咪，还有蛇一起，
都跟着他四处去漫游。
There was an old man of Dunluce,
Who went out to sea on a goose:
When he'd gone out a mile, he observ'd with a smile,
"It is time to return to Dunluce."
敦鲁斯[78]一老头真荒唐，
骑了只大鹅去远航；
他刚走一英里，就突然笑嘻嘻：
“看来我们该返航。”
There was an old man of Dee-side
Whose hat was exceedingly wide,
But he said, "Do not fail, if it happen to hail,
To come under my hat at Dee-side!"
迪塞[79]有一位老汉，
他的帽沿儿真是宽；
但他却说：“大家伙儿，不要躲，
都到我帽沿下来玩！”
There was an old person in black,
A Grasshopper jumped on his back;
When it chirped in his ear, he was smitten with fear,
That helpless old person in black.
一老头穿着一身黑，
一蚱蜢跳上了他的背；
在他耳边叫不停，他被吓得真不轻，
这无助的老头真受罪。
There was an old man of the Dargle
Who purchased six barrels of Gargle;
For he said, "I'll sit still, and will roll them down hill,
For the fish in the depths of the Dargle."
达哥[80]河畔一老翁，
买了漱口水六大桶；
他说：“我要在这儿静静坐，把桶儿都滚下山坡，
给河里的鱼儿当食物用。”
There was an old person of Pinner,
As thin as a lath, if not thinner;
They dressed him in white, and roll'd him up tight,
That elastic old person of Pinner.
皮那[81]一老头弹性好，
身子像木板一样薄；
人们给他穿一身白，然后把他卷起来，
这老头弹性真是好。
There was an old person of China,
Whose daughters were Jiska and Dinah,
Amelia and Fluffy, Olivia and Chuffy,
And all of them settled in China.
中国有个老头，
他的女儿真多：
阿吉、阿娣和阿美、阿福、阿娥还有阿飞，
她们全都住中国。
There was an old man in a Marsh,
Whose manners were futile and harsh;
He sate on a log, and sang songs to a frog,
That instructive old man in a Marsh.
沼泽地里一老汉，
举止轻浮又野蛮；
他常坐在圆木上，把歌儿对着青蛙唱，
真是个好为人师的老汉。
There was an old person of Brill,
Who purchased a shirt with a frill;
But they said, "Don't you wish, you mayn't look like a fish,
You obsequious old person of Brill?"
布里尔[82]一老头真稀奇，
衬衫的花边像鱼鳍；
人们说：“好没趣，活像条鱼，
你这哗众取宠的老东西。”
There was an old person of Wick,
Who said, "Tick-a-Tick, Tick-a-Tick;
Chickabee, Chickabaw." And he said nothing more,
That laconic old person of Wick.
威克[83]一老头真是傻，
整天老说：“滴滴嗒，
叽叽喳。”然后就闭嘴不说话。
这吐字如金的老大傻。
There was an old man at a Station,
Who made a promiscuous oration;
But they said, "Take some snuff!—You have talk'd quite enough,
You afflicting old man at a Station!"
车站里面有个老头，
叽叽喳喳烦个没休；
人们劝他：“吸些鼻烟，——别再鬼话连篇，
好个让人心烦的老头。”
There was an old man of Three Bridges,
Whose mind was distracted by midges,
He sate on a wheel, eating underdone veal,
Which relieved that old man of Three Bridges.
三孔桥边有个老汉，
被一群虫子烦个没完；
他坐在轮子上，把生牛肉尝，
这才让他感到心安。
There was an old man of Hong Kong,
Who never did anything wrong;
He lay on his back, with his head in a sack,
That innocuous old man of Hong Kong.
香港有一个老汉，
从来不曾把错犯；
他朝天躺下来，头上罩个大麻袋，
好个一丝不苟的老汉。
There was a young person in green,
Who seldom was fit to be seen;
She wore a long shawl, over bonnet and all,
Which enveloped that person in green.
某女郎爱穿绿衣服，
把自己严严实实都裹住；
她围着个大披肩，将帽子也罩严，
裹得浑身一点都不露。
There was an old person of Fife,
Who was greatly disgusted with life;
They sang him a ballad, and fed him on salad,
Which cured that old person of Fife.
菲弗[84]有位老绅士，
他平生里最厌世；
人们把一支歌谣对他唱，又把色拉喂他尝，
竟治愈了这位老绅士。
There was an old man who screamed out
Whenever they knocked him about:
So they took off his boots, and fed him with fruits,
And continued to knock him about.
有个老头真可笑，
捶他一下他就叫；
人们把他鞋打落，又去喂他吃水果，
再继续捶得他嗷嗷叫。
There was a young lady in white,
Who looked out at the depths of the night;
But the birds of the air, filled her heart with despair,
And oppressed that young lady in white.
有位姑娘身穿白衣，
爱在夜里望东望西；
鸟儿们全都不理她，这简直要气死她，
这位白衣姑娘真压抑。
There was an old person of Slough,
Who danced at the end of a bough;
But they said, "If you sneeze, you might damage the trees,
You imprudent old person of Slough."
斯诺[85]一老头真可笑，
爱在树枝上把舞跳；
人们说：“你喷嚏一打，树枝就咔嚓，
你这莽撞的老大傻。”
There was an old person of Down,
Whose face was adorned with a frown;
When he opened the door, for one minute or more,
He alarmed all the people of Down.
多恩[86]有一个老头，
常常郁闷得把眉皱；
他一把门打开，愁眉就皱了起来，
把街坊四邻都吓逃走。
There was a young person in red,
Who carefully covered her head,
With a bonnet of leather, and three lines of feather,
Besides some long ribands of red.
有个青年他穿红装，
戴了个帽子把脸藏，
帽上插着圈短羽毛，还有三根长羽毛，
又飘着红丝带真漂亮。
There was an old person of Hove,
Who frequented the depths of a grove;
Where he studied his books, with the wrens and the rooks,
That tranquil old person of Hove.
霍伍[87]有一位老翁，
经常出没小树丛；
他在那儿把书看，鹪鹩、乌鸦与他伴，
好个心静如水的老翁。
There was a young person in pink,
Who called out for something to drink;
But they said, "O my daughter, there's nothing but water!"
Which vexed that young person in pink.
一姑娘穿着身粉衣裳，
酒瘾上来了乱嚷嚷；
店小二说：“没酒水，姑娘，要不就白开水一杯！”
这真把那姑娘气断肠。
There was an old lady of France,
Who taught little ducklings to dance;
When she said, "Tick-a-tack!" they only said, "Quack!"
Which grieved that old lady of France.
法国一女郎真糊涂，
想教小鸭子学跳舞；
她说：“顺着节拍嗒嗒嗒！”鸭子叫道：“嘎嘎嘎！”
真把这法国女郎气糊涂。
There was an old person of Putney,
Whose food was roast spiders and chutney,
Which he took with his tea, within sight of the sea,
That romantic old person of Putney.
有个老头在帕特尼[88]住，
爱吃酸辣酱和烤蜘蛛；
他边吃边喝茶，眺望着海景真潇洒，
他这浪漫真让人羡慕。
There was an old person of Loo,
Who said, "What on earth shall I do?"
When they said, "Go away!" she continued to stay,
That vexatious old person of Loo.
鲁城[89]有一个老太婆，
老问人：“我应该怎么做？”
人们说：“滚开！”她还是站着发呆，
真是个惹人厌烦的老太婆。
There was an old person of Woking,
Whose mind was perverse and provoking;
He sate on a rail, with his head in a pail,
That illusive old person of Woking.
窝金[90]一老头真古怪，
爱异想天开又脾气坏；
他坐在栏杆上，把木桶套头上，
真是个异想天开的老阿呆。
There was an old person of Dean
Who dined on one pea, and one bean;
For he said, "More than that, would make me too fat,"
That cautious old person of Dean.
迪安[91]住着个老头，
每餐就吃两粒豆；
他说：“不能再贪吃，身材要保持。”
好一个小心谨慎的老头。
There was a young lady in blue,
Who said, "Is it you? Is it you?"
When they said, "Yes, it is," she replied only, "Whizz!"
That ungracious young lady in blue.
一位姑娘穿着蓝衣服一身，
老问：“你是不是我要找的人？”
别人回答：“是的。”她却说：“去你的！”
这姑娘真是个粗鲁的人。
There was an old Man in a Garden,
Who always begged every one's pardon;
When they asked him, "What for?" he replied, "You're a bore!
And I trust you'll go out of my garden."
花园里站着个老丈，
老企求别人的原谅；
别人问：“为啥？”他答：“讨厌的傻瓜！
你在我花园里待不长。”
There was an old person of Pisa,
Whose daughters did nothing to please her;
She dressed them in gray, and banged them all day,
Round the walls of the city of Pisa.
比萨[92]有一个老太婆，
女儿们淘气得惹她火；
她把她们罩上灰衣裳，提起木棒，
打得她们满街躲。
There was an old person of Florence,
Who held mutton chops in abhorrence;
He purchased a Bustard, and fried him in Mustard,
Which choked that old person of Florence.
佛罗伦萨[93]一老头，
一看见羊排就摇头；
他买来只大鹅把它烤，涂上芥末吃了个饱，
竟不幸咽死了这老头。
There was an old person of Sheen,
Whose expression was calm and serene;
He sate in the water, and drank bottled porter,
That placid old person of Sheen.
希恩[94]有一个老头，
整天沉默不开口；
他爱坐在河水里，大口大口喝黑啤，
真是个心平气和的乖老头。
There was an old person of Ware,
Who rode on the back of a bear;
When they ask'd, "Does it trot?" he said, "Certainly not!
He's a Moppsikon Floppsikon bear!"
瓦尔[95]有一个老翁，
有一回骑上了一头熊；
人们问：“它跑得可快？”他答：“不快，
它是头傻啦吧唧熊！”
There was a young person of Janina,
Whose uncle was always a fanning her;
When he fanned off her head, she smiled sweetly, and said,
"You propitious old person of Janina!"
一女郎住在杰尼娜[96]，
她叔叔常拿扇扇着她；
有回把她的头扇落，她却开心地笑着说：
“亏有你这活宝住在杰尼娜！”
There was an old man of Cashmere,
Whose movements were scroobious and queer;
Being slender and tall, he looked over a wall,
And perceived two fat ducks of Cashmere.
克什米尔[97]一老头，
行为怪异让人猜不透；
他的身材瘦又长，攀上一堵墙张望，
看见了两只肥鸭游。
There was an old person of Cassel,
Whose nose finished off in a tassel;
But they call'd out, "Oh well! don't it look like a bell!"
Which perplexed that old person of Cassel.
卡塞尔[98]一老头鼻子长，
垂下来似流苏直晃**；
他们都嚷嚷：“看！真像个铃铛！”
这可惹恼了这位长鼻王。
There was an old person of Pett,
Who was partly consumed by regret;
He sate in a cart, and ate cold apple tart,
Which relieved that old person of Pett.
派特[99]有一位老头，
被悔恨折磨得难受；
他常坐上推车，苹果馅饼啃着，
这样子老头儿才好受。
There was an old man of Spithead,
Who opened the window, and said,—
"Fil-jomble, fil-jumble, fil-rumble-come-tumble!"
That doubtful old man of Spithead.
斯彼海得[100]一老汉，
老是打开窗户喊：
“不要乱瞧，小心摔跤！”
这生性多疑的老汉。
There was an old man on the Border,
Who lived in the utmost disorder;
He danced with the cat, and made tea in his hat,
Which vexed all the folks on the Border.
边境上住着个老头，
生活真混乱得没救；
他和小猫跳起舞，帽子里筛进茶一壶，
边境的乡亲都与他结仇。
There was an old man of Dumbree,
Who taught little owls to drink tea;
For he said, "To eat mice is not proper or nice,"
That amiable man of Dumbree.
丹伯里[101]一老头真傻，
竟教小猫头鹰喝茶；
他说：“老鼠会坏你胃口，香茶多么可口。”
真是个善良天真的老大傻。
There was an old person of Filey,
Of whom his acquaintance spoke highly;
He danced perfectly well, to the sound of a bell,
And delighted the people of Filey.
费利[102]住着一个老头，
人们对他赞不绝口；
铃铛儿一敲，他就把舞跳，
直把费利的乡亲们逗。
There was an old man whose remorse
Induced him to drink Caper Sauce;
For they said, "If mixed up with some cold claret-cup,
It will certainly soothe your remorse!"
一老头决定痛改前非，
喝着随子酱一杯又一杯；
人们告诉他：“掺些葡萄酒，一次喝个够，
一定会使您老痛改前非！”
There was an old man of Ibreem,
Who suddenly threaten'd to scream;
But they said, "If you do, we will thump you quite blue,
You disgusting old man of Ibreem!"
艾布林[103]有一个老头，
吓唬别人说他要大吼；
可大伙说：“你要敢，我们把你打出浑身紫斑，
你这惹人心烦的老头！”
There was an old person of Wilts,
Who constantly walked upon stilts;
He wreathed them with lilies and daffy-down-dillies,
That elegant person of Wilts.
威尔特郡[104]一老头，
老是爱踩着高跷走；
百合、水仙开得好，全都缠上他的高跷，
真是个步态优雅的老头。
There was an old person of Grange,
Whose manners were scroobious and strange;
He sailed to St. Blubb in a waterproof tub,
That aquatic old person of Grange.
格兰奇[105]有一个老汉，
行为荒诞脾气怪；
他驶向圣布拉[106]，把一只木桶驾，
像鱼儿一样多自在。
There was an old person of Newry,
Whose manners were tinctured with fury;
He tore all the rugs, and broke all the jugs,
Within twenty miles' distance of Newry.
纽里[107]有一个老怒汉，
发起火来脸色真难看；
他把地毯全撕碎，又把瓦罐敲成灰，
二十里内的都不能幸免于难。
There was an old man of Dumblane,
Who greatly resembled a crane;
But they said, "Is it wrong, since your legs are so long,
To request you won't stay in Dumblane?"
登伯雷[108]有一个老者，
长得活像一头鹤；
人们说：“看你这长相，腿怎么那么长，
难道不怀疑你是人还是鹤？”
There was an old man of Port Grigor,
Whose actions were noted for vigour;
He stood on his head till his waistcoat turned red,
That eclectic old man of Port Grigor.
格里格港[109]一老翁，
精力旺盛举世闻；
他爱倒立着不动，外套都憋得通红，
真是个不喜不怒的好老翁。
There was an old man of El Hums,
Who lived upon nothing but crumbs,
Which he picked off the ground, with the other birds round,
In the roads and the lanes of El Hums.
艾亨[110]有一个老翁，
靠吃面包屑为生，
他在艾亨的街巷，和鸟儿们把面包屑抢，
竟吃得一粒都不剩。
There was an old man of West Dumpet,
Who possessed a large nose like a trumpet;
When he blew it aloud, it astonished the crowd,
And was heard through the whole of West Dumpet.
西敦匹[111]一老头真可怕，
鼻子长得像个大喇叭；
喇叭一吹响，人们就惊慌，
直把西敦匹的乡亲吓。
There was an old person of Sark,
Who made an unpleasant remark;
But they said, "Don't you see what a brute you must be,
You obnoxious old person of Sark!"
萨克[112]有一个老头，
讲人坏话没个休；
人们教训他说：“你这粗鲁的家伙，
真是个惹人讨厌的贱骨头！”
There was an old man whose despair
Induced him to purchase a hare:
Whereon one fine day he rode wholly away,
Which partly assuaged his despair.
曾经有个绝望的老头，
某天买来野兔子一头；
一日天气好，他骑上野兔到处跑，
这绝望的老头才好受。
There was an old person of Barnes,
Whose garments were covered with darns;
But they said, "Without doubt, you will soon wear them out,
You luminous person of Barnes!"
巴恩[113]有一个老汉，
衣服上补丁全打满；
人们对他说：“这衣服总有天会穿破，
你这倔强的怪老汉！”
There was an old person of Nice,
Whose associates were usually Geese.
They walked out together in all sorts of weather,
That affable person of Nice!
尼斯[114]有一个老汉，
鹅儿是他的好伙伴；
他们风雨无阻，一起出门散步，
真是个和蔼可亲的老汉。
There was a young lady of Greenwich,
Whose garments were border'd with Spinach;
But a large spotty Calf bit her shawl quite in half,
Which alarmed that young lady of Greenwich.
格林威治[115]有个女郎，
菠菜当花边缝上衣裳；
一只带斑点的小奶牛，把她的披肩咬在了口，
把这位女郎吓得真够呛。
There was an old person of Cannes,
Who purchased three fowls and a fan;
Those she placed on a stool, and to make them feel cool
She constantly fanned them at Cannes.
戛纳[116]有一个老阿姨，
买了把扇子和三只鸡；
她让母鸡乘凉，放它们在板凳上，
用扇子扇得它们真欢喜。
There was an old person of Ickley,
Who could not abide to ride quickly;
He rode to Karnak on a tortoise's back,
That moony old person of Ickley.
艾克里[117]住着一老头，
走路喜欢慢悠悠；
他骑上一只大乌龟，往卡奈克[118]走一回，
真是个稀里糊涂的傻老头。
There was an old person of Hyde,
Who walked by the shore with his bride,
Till a Crab who came near fill'd their bosoms with fear,
And they said, "Would we'd never left Hyde!"
海德[119]住着个老头，
跟他老婆在沙滩走，
一只螃蟹爬上了岸，把他俩人吓破了胆，
他们说：“最好赶快就开溜！”
There was an old person in gray,
Whose feelings were tinged with dismay;
She purchased two parrots, and fed them with carrots,
Which pleased that old person in gray.
一老太穿着一身灰，
老是锁着双愁眉；
她买来对鹦鹉，胡萝卜当它们食物，
这才逗得她舒展了眉。
There was an old man of Ancona,
Who found a small dog with no owner,
Which he took up and down all the streets of the town,
That anxious old man of Ancona.
安科纳[120]有一个老头，
在街上发现条流浪狗，
他拽着小狗满城跑，跑过所有的街道，
真是个怒气冲冲的老头。
There was an old person of Sestri,
Who sate himself down in the vestry;
When they said, "You are wrong!" he merely said "Bong!"
That repulsive old person of Sestri.
塞斯特里[121]一老丈，
一屁股坐在小礼拜堂；
他们说：“忏悔吧！”他打趣道：“为啥呀？”
这惹人讨厌的老混帐！
There was an old person of Blythe,
Who cut up his meat with a scythe;
When they said, "Well! I never!"
he cried, "Scythes for ever!"
That lively old person of Blythe.
布莱斯[122]有一个老头，
把镰刀当菜刀来切肉；
人们说：“我可干不了！”
他喊着：“我就是用镰刀！”
好个生龙活虎的老头。
There was a young person of Ayr,
Whose head was remarkably square:
On the top, in fine weather, she wore a gold feather;
Which dazzled the people of Ayr.
埃尔[123]有个小姑娘，
她的脑袋真是方：
每当阳光普照，脑袋上插根金羽毛，
让埃尔的乡亲眼一亮。
There was an old person of Rimini,
Who said, "Gracious! Goodness! O Gimini!"
When they said, "Please be still!" she ran down a hill,
And was never more heard of at Rimini.
里米尼[124]一老太真疯颠，
老是大喊：“哦，我的天！”
人们骂她：“别烦！”她便跑下了山，
从此再没有露脸。
There is a young lady, whose nose,
Continually prospers and grows;
When it grew out of sight, she exclaimed in a fright,
"Oh! Farewell to the end of my nose!"
有一姑娘鼻子长又尖，
还在继续长向前；
某天鼻尖也看不到，她突然吓得大叫道：
“哦！我的鼻尖，再见！”
There was an old person of Ealing,
Who was wholly devoid of good feeling;
He drove a small gig, with three Owls and a Pig,
Which distressed all the people of Ealing.
伊令[125]有一个闷老头，
天天吃饱了就发愁；
他赶着小马车跑得快，小猪、猫头鹰车上载，
这可让乡亲们看了直摇头。
There was an old man of Thames Ditton,
Who called out for something to sit on;
But they brought him a hat, and said, "Sit upon that,
You abruptious old man of Thames Ditton!"
泰晤士迪顿[126]一老伯，
哭着喊着要椅子坐；
人们拿来顶礼帽，“坐吧，”他们说道，
“你真是个难伺候的老笨伯。”
There was an old person of Bray,
Who sang through the whole of the day
To his ducks and his pigs, whom he fed upon figs,
That valuable person of Bray.
布雷[127]住着个老头，
唱歌唱到晚没个休；
猪鸭当听众排排坐，他喂它们吃无花果，
真是个有趣的老头。
There was a young person whose history
Was always considered a mystery;
She sate in a ditch, although no one knew which,
And composed a small treatise on history.
有个老奶奶真神秘，
她的经历是个谜；
她有篇论历史的小论文，竟是在水沟里完成，
可那条沟至今是个谜。
There was an old person of Bow,
Whom nobody happened to know;
So they gave him some soap, and said coldly, "We hope
You will go back directly to Bow!"
波恩[128]有个老爷爷，
心思没人能了解；
人们给他几块肥皂，紧接着说道：
“快滚回老家去不要歇！”
There was an old person of Rye,
Who went up to town on a fly;
But they said, "If you cough, you are safe to fall off!
You abstemious old person of Rye!"
拉伊[129]一老头真稀奇，
骑着只蚊子去赶集；
人们说：“你一咳嗽，就安全降落！
你这老头可真舒服！”
There was an old person of Crowle,
Who lived in the nest of an owl;
When they screamed in the nest, he screamed out with the rest,
That depressing old person of Crowle.
克劳尔[130]有一个老家伙，
把家安在猫头鹰窝；
猫头鹰在巢里叫得响，他也跟着一起唱，
真是个绝望无助的老家伙。
There was an old Lady of Winchelsea,
Who said, "If you needle or pin shall see
On the floor of my room, sweep it up with the broom!"
That exhaustive old Lady of Winchelsea!
温查西[131]一老太真荒唐，
她说：“你若在房间地板上，
看到别针或缝衣针，全把它们扫出门！”
这老太太真让人气断肠！
There was an old man in a tree,
Whose whiskers were lovely to see;
But the birds of the air pluck'd them perfectly bare,
To make themselves nests in that tree.
树上一老头真可怜，
一大把胡子飘胸前；
鸟儿们飞过全盯上，有一天把它们全拔光，
叼回家去把窝填。
There was a young lady of Corsica,
Who purchased a little brown saucy-cur;
Which she fed upon ham, and hot raspberry jam,
That expensive young lady of Corsica.
科西嘉岛[132]一小姑娘，
买了只棕色小狗真漂亮；
她让小狗吃火腿，又把黑莓酱给它喂，
好个钱没处花的阔姑娘。
There was a young lady of Firle,
Whose hair was addicted to curl;
It curled up a tree, and all over the sea,
That expansive young lady of Firle.
费尔[133]有个小姑娘，
她最爱把头发烫；
卷发缠住了一棵树，又把大海也遮住，
好一个蓬头的小姑娘。
There was an old person of Stroud,
Who was horribly jammed in a crowd;
Some she slew with a kick, some she scrunched with a stick,
That impulsive old person of Stroud.
斯特劳德[134]一老太真神勇，
有一天被夹在了人群中；
她抡起拐杖飞起腿，众人纷纷倒一堆，
这神勇的老太真冲动。
There was an old man of Boulak,
Who sate on a Crocodile's back;
But they said, "Towr'ds the night he may probably bite,
Which might vex you, old man of Boulak!"
布拉克[135]有个老伯伯，
他爱在鳄鱼背上坐；
人们告诫道：“小心晚上一到，它就把你吃掉，
那可就惨了呀，老大伯！”
There was an old person of Skye,
Who waltz'd with a Bluebottle fly:
They buzz'd a sweet tune, to the light of the moon,
And entranced all the people of Skye.
一老头住在斯凯岛[136]，
与一只蓝瓶蝇[137]把舞跳：
伴着银色的月光，他们嗡嗡把歌儿唱，
可迷住了斯凯岛的老与少。
There was an old man of Blackheath,
Whose head was adorned with a wreath
Of lobsters and spice, pickled onions and mice,
That uncommon old man of Blackheath.
布莱克海斯[138]一老伯，
头上的花样真是多；
龙虾和香料作装饰，还插上腌洋葱和耗子，
好一个不凡的老大伯。
There was an old man, who when little
Fell casually into a kettle;
But, growing too stout, he could never get out,
So he passed all his life in that kettle.
一老头小时候真糊涂，
掉进个茶壶爬不出；
因为他身体长得快，再也不能爬出来，
只好待在壶里把一生度。
There was an old person of Dundalk,
Who tried to teach fishes to walk;
When they tumbled down dead, he grew weary, and said,
"I had better go back to Dundalk!"
丹托克[139]一老头真糊涂，
竟教小鱼儿学走路；
鱼儿们上岸都翻白眼，他也教得很厌倦，
说：“还不如打道回府！”
There was an old person of Shoreham,
Whose habits were marked by decorum;
He bought an Umbrella, and sate in the cellar,
Which pleased all the people of Shoreham.
肖翰[140]一老头真是好，
处处都表现得很礼貌；
他买了一把伞，坐上天花板，
直把肖翰的乡亲都逗笑。
There was an old person of Bar,
Who passed all her life in a jar,
Which she painted pea-green, to appear more serene,
That placid old person of Bar.
巴恩河[141]畔一老汉，
一生都住在个大口罐；
罐子被他涂成豆绿色，看他在那儿多快乐，
好个随遇而安的老汉。
There was a young person of Kew,
Whose virtues and vices were few;
But with blamable haste she devoured some hot paste,
Which destroyed that young person of Kew.
克佑[142]有个年轻汉，
好事坏事全不干；
有次吃一碗面疙瘩，囫囵吞枣全咽下，
竟噎死了这个年轻汉。
There was an old person of Jodd,
Whose ways were perplexing and odd;
She purchased a whistle, and sate on a thistle,
And squeaked to the people of Jodd.
乔德[143]有一位老奶奶，
她的行为真古怪；
她买来一只口哨，坐上一棵蓟草，
朝着人们唧唧地吹起来。
There was an old person of Bude,
Whose deportment was vicious and crude;
He wore a large ruff of pale straw-colored stuff,
Which perplexed all the people of Bude.
布德[144]住着个老汉，
行为粗鲁又野蛮；
他戴着个圆领似草帽，圆领的颜色像稻草，
人们拿他真不知该咋办。
There was an old person of Brigg,
Who purchased no end of a wig;
So that only his nose, and the end of his toes,
Could be seen when he walked about Brigg.
布里格[145]住着一老汉，
假头发买得没了完；
他全身裹在假发里，下露脚趾上露鼻，
就这样满城把步散。
There was an old man of Messina,
Whose daughter was named Opsibeena;
She wore a small wig, and rode out on a pig,
To the perfect delight of Messina.
一老头住在墨西拿[146]，
他有个女儿叫欧宾娜；
她爱将一顶假发戴，出门在猪的背上载，
这真成了墨西拿城的大笑话。
The Absolutely Abstemious Ass,
who resided in a Barrel, and only lived on
Soda Water and Pickled Cucumbers.
有一头饮食极度有节制的驴，
它住在一只木桶里，
靠着苏打水与酱黄瓜维持生计。
The Bountiful Beetle,
who always carried a Green Umbrella when it didn't rain,
and left it at home when it did.
有只慷慨大方的甲虫，
天晴时老撑着把绿色的雨伞，
而下雨时却老忘记带伞。
The Comfortable Confidential Cow,
who sate in her Red Morocco Arm Chair and
toasted her own Bread at the parlour Fire.
有头自得其乐、容易上当的母牛，
她坐在红色摩洛哥皮的沙发上，
在客厅的火炉里烤着面包。
The Dolomphious Duck,
who caught Spotted Frogs for her dinner
with a Runcible Spoon.
有一只贪吃成性的鸭子，
用一把叉匙捉了
很多花背的青蛙当晚餐。
The Enthusiastic Elephant,
who ferried himself across the water with the
Kitchen Poker and a New pair of Ear-rings.
有一头热情似火的大象，
他戴着副新耳环，用一根拨火棍，
将自己摆渡过了河。
The Fizzgiggious Fish,
who always walked about upon Stilts,
because he had no legs.
有一条稀奇古怪的鱼，
老踩着高跷走来走去，
因为他没有腿。
The Good-natured Grey Gull,
who carried the Old Owl, and his Crimson Carpet-bag,
across the river, because he could not swim.
有一只好脾气的灰色海鸥，
驮着老猫头鹰，还衔着他的红色手提袋，
飞过了河，因为他不会游泳。
The Hasty Higgeldipiggledy Hen,
who went to market in a Blue Bonnet and Shawl,
and bought a Fish for her Supper.
有只脾气急躁的老母鸡，
头戴绿帽，身披披肩去菜场，
买了条鱼当晚餐。
The Inventive Indian,
who caught a Remarkable Rabbit in a
Stupendous Silver Spoon.
有个爱搞发明的印地安人，
用一把巨大无比的调羹，
捉了只巨大无比的兔子。
The Judicious Jubilant Jay,
who did up her Back Hair every morning with a Wreath of Roses,
Three feathers, and a Gold Pin.
有只聪明又爱美的松鸦，
每天在她的黑发上戴一个玫瑰花环，
三根羽毛和一枚金色发夹。
The Kicking Kangaroo,
who wore a Pale Pink dress
with Blue spots.
有只爱蹦爱跳的袋鼠，
穿上了一件带着蓝色斑点的
粉红色长袍。
The Lively Learned Lobster,
who mended his own Clothes with
a Needle and Thread.
有只活泼好动又博学多才的龙虾，
他穿针引线，
缝补着自己的衣裳。
The Melodious Meritorious Mouse,
who played a merry minuet on the
Piano-forte.
有只能歌善舞的老鼠，
他弹奏着钢琴，
奏出美妙的舞曲。
The Nutritious Newt,
who purchased a Round Plum-pudding
for his grand-daughter.
有只体格健壮的蝾螈，
他为他的孙女儿，
买来个圆圆的葡萄干布丁。
The Obsequious Ornamental Ostrich,
who wore Boots to keep his
feet quite dry.
有一只爱臭美的鸵鸟，
为了让双腿保持干燥，
穿起了一双长统靴。
The Perpendicular Purple Polly,
who read the Newspaper and ate Parsnip Pie
with his Spectacles.
有只站着的紫色鹦鹉，
戴着副眼镜，
看着报纸，吃着萝卜馅饼。
The Queer Querulous Quail,
who smoked a Pipe of tobacco on the top of
a Tin Tea-kettle.
有只爱发牢骚的古怪鹌鹑，
立在一只锡制茶壶上，
叼着烟斗抽烟。
The Rural Runcible Raven,
who wore a White Wig and flew away
with the Carpet Broom.
有只乡下来的乌鸦，
戴着白色的假发，骑着扫把，
飞走了。
The Scroobious Snake,
who always wore a Hat on his Head, for
fear he should bite anybody.
有条盘盘曲曲的蛇，
头上老戴着顶帽子，
怕他会咬着路人。
The Tumultuous Tom-tommy Tortoise,
who beat a Drum all day long in the
middle of the wilderness.
有只闹哄哄的鼓手乌龟，
他整天在荒野里，
“咚咚”敲着鼓。
The Umbrageous Umbrella-maker,
whose Face nobody ever saw, because it was
always covered by his Umbrella.
有位爱生气的制伞师傅，
从没有人见过他的脸，
因为他的脸常用雨伞遮住。
The Visibly Vicious Vulture,
who wrote some Verses to a Veal-cutlet in a
Volume bound in Vellum.
有只心肠狠毒的秃鹰，
写了很多诗给一块小牛排，
并把诗用牛皮装订成册。
The Worrying Whizzing Wasp,
who stood on a Table, and played sweetly on a
Flute with a Morning Cap.
有只整天提心吊胆的黄蜂，
站在桌上，戴着顶小花帽，
吹奏着甜甜的曲子。
The Excellent Double-extra XX
imbibing King Xerxes, who lived a
long while ago.
有位雄才伟略、嗜饮成性的
薛西斯国王，他生活在
很久很久以前。
The Yonghy-Bonghy-Bo,
whose Head was ever so much bigger than his
Body, and whose Hat was rather small.
有位先生名叫雅笨伯，
头比身子还大，
却戴顶小小的帽子。
The Zigzag Zealous Zebra,
who carried five Monkeys on his back all
the way to Jellibolee.
有头锯齿斑纹的斑马，
它驮着五只猴子，
一路奔向吉里波里。
【注释】
[1] 士麦那：土耳其一城市旧称，现名伊兹密尔。
[2] 兰斯：法国东南部一城市。
[3] 来亨：意大利西北部一城市。
[4] 费城：美国一城市。费城人别称为“贵格(Quaker)”。
[5] 基尔肯尼：爱尔兰一地名。
[6] 特洛伊：小亚细亚西北部古城，荷马史诗所写的特洛伊战争即发生于此。
[7] 赫尔：英格兰东北部一港市，或加拿大东南部一城市。
[8] 切特西：英国一地名。
[9] 达顿：美国一地名。
[10] 提尔：古腓尼基首都，现属黎巴嫩。
[11] 伊斯基尔：意大利南部一城市。
[12] 班戈：位于北爱尔兰东部。
[13] 布达：美国一地名。
[14] 卡姆萨克：加拿大一地名。
[15] 摩尔达维亚：东欧一地区，包括了今罗马尼亚东北部、摩尔多瓦、乌克兰的局部地区。
[16] 格雷特纳：英国一城市。
[17] 埃特纳：欧洲最高的活火山，位于意大利西西里岛东北部。
[18] 赫斯特：美国得克萨斯州一城市。
[19] 赫斯特：美国得克萨斯州一城市。
[20] 多佛：英国一地名。
[21] 利兹：英国一城市。
[22] 奇德尔：英国一城市。
[23] 加迪斯：美国一城市。
[24] 阿纳利：英国一城市。
[25] 斯特兰德路：伦敦中西部的一条大道。
[26] 威尔士：英国的一部分，在大不列颠岛西南部。
[27] 贝森：美国一地名。
[28] 惠灵：英国一地名。
[29] 鞑靼地区：指中世纪时蒙古人统治的从东欧到亚洲的广大地区。
[30] 怀特黑文：英国一地名。
[31] 威敦：加拿大一地名。
[32] 马赛：法国东南部一城市。
[33] 切斯特：英国一地名。
[34] 里金：英国一地名。
[35] 伯敦：美国一城市。
[36] 埃姆斯：英国一地名。
[37] 阿普利亚：意大利一地名。
[38] 马约卡岛：西班牙东部的一座岛屿。
[39] 魁北克：加拿大东部一省份。
[40] 普尔：英国一城市。
[41] 比特：英国一地名。
[42] 法洛：美国一地名。
[43] 帕尔马：意大利一地名。
[44] 盖伊：1605年英国伦敦发生“火药阴谋案”，企图炸死国王，然而阴谋最终暴露。盖伊为此案主谋之一。
[45] 奥斯塔：意大利一地名。
[46] 克里特：希腊东南沿海的一个岛屿名称。
[47] 莫尔德：英国一地名。
[48] 克莱尔：英国一地名。
[49] 特灵：英国一地名。
[50] 杜金：英格兰南部一城镇。
[51] 合恩角：智利南部合恩岛的南角，是南美洲最南端。
[52] 克罗默：英国一地名。
[53] 阿布鲁齐：意大利中部一地区。
[54] 海牙：荷兰一城市名。
[55] 加尔各答：印度东部港市。
[56] 罗得斯：希腊东南一城市。
[57] 梅尔罗斯：美国一城市。
[58] 迪湖：英国一湖名。
[59] 尤厄尔：英国一地名。
[60] 卢卡：意大利一城市
[61] 科布伦茨：德国一城市。
[62] 波希米亚：捷克一地名。
[63] 科孚：希腊一岛屿名。
[64] 赖德：英国一地名。
[65] 维苏威：意大利一地名。
[66] 维特鲁威：古罗马建筑师、作家，公元前一世纪在世。
[67] 敦提：英国一城市。
[68] 班特里：爱尔兰一小镇。
[69] 曼提：英国一小镇。
[70] 舍茅普利：古希腊一地名。
[71] 第尔：美国和英国都有该地名。
[72] 亨伯河：位于英国。
[73] 唐诺斯：地名，位置不详。
[74] 图卢兹：法国南部一城市。
[75] 布里：比利时或爱尔兰城市。
[76] 布郎雷：英国一城市。
[77] 谢尔兹：英国一地名。
[78] 敦鲁斯：英国一地名。
[79] 迪塞：英国一地名。
[80] 达哥河：位于爱尔兰。
[81] 皮那：英国一城市。
[82] 布里尔：英国一地名。
[83] 威克：英国一地名。
[84] 菲弗：英国一地名。
[85] 斯诺：英国一地名。
[86] 多恩：英国一地名。
[87] 霍伍：英国一地名。
[88] 帕特尼：英国一地名。
[89] 鲁城：荷兰和俄罗斯都有该地名。
[90] 窝金：英国一地名。
[91] 迪安：澳大利亚和加拿大都有该地名。
[92] 比萨：意大利一城市。
[93] 佛罗伦萨：意大利一城市。
[94] 希恩：英国一地名。
[95] 瓦尔：英国和美国都有该地名。
[96] 杰尼娜：古希腊一城市。
[97] 克什米尔：印度一城市。
[98] 卡塞尔：德国一城市。
[99] 派特：英国一地名。
[100] 斯彼海得：英国一地名。
[101] 丹伯里：地名，位置不详。
[102] 费利：英国一地名。
[103] 艾布林：地名，位置不详。
[104] 威尔特郡：位于英国。
[105] 格兰其：英国一地名。
[106] 圣布拉：地名，位置不详。
[107] 纽里：英国一地名。
[108] 登伯雷：地名，位置不详。
[109] 格里格港：地名，位置不详。
[110] 艾亨：地名，位置不详。
[111] 西敦匹：地名，位置不详。
[112] 萨克：英国一地名。
[113] 巴恩：英国一地名。
[114] 尼斯：法国一城市。
[115] 格林威治：英国一城市。
[116] 戛纳：法国一城市。
[117] 艾克里：地名，位置不详。
[118] 卡奈克：埃及一地名。
[119] 海德：英国一城市。
[120] 安科纳：意大利一城市。
[121] 塞斯特里：意大利一地名。
[122] 布莱斯：英国一地名。
[123] 埃尔：英国一地名。
[124] 里米尼：意大利一地名。
[125] 伊令：英国一地名。
[126] 泰晤士迪顿：英国一地名。
[127] 布雷：爱尔兰一地名。
[128] 波恩：英国一地名。
[129] 拉伊：美国一城市。
[130] 克劳尔：英国一地名。
[131] 温查西：英国一地名。
[132] 科西嘉岛：位于法国。
[133] 费尔：英国一地名。
[134] 斯特劳德：英国一地名。
[135] 布拉克：埃及一地名。
[136] 斯凯岛：苏格兰西北部岛屿。
[137] 蓝瓶蝇：见《四小孩世界环游记》。
[138] 布莱克海斯：位于英国伦敦。
[139] 丹托克：美国一地名。
[140] 肖翰：英国一地名。
[141] 巴恩河：位于法国。
[142] 克佑：英国一地名。
[143] 乔德：地名，位置不详。
[144] 布德：英国一地名。
[145] 布里格：英国一地名。
[146] 墨西拿：意大利一地名。