這條蛇曾逶迤向前，

This snake has gone on,

臂力十足，閃閃發亮，

all muscle and glitter,

遊入樹林，

into the woods,

幾片葉子粘在身，

a few leaves clinging,

紅的，黃的，褐的。

red, yellow, and brown.

哦，多麼光彩！

Oh, how he sparkled!

老樹的根莖

The roots of the old trees

在他路過時發光。

gleamed as he passed.

而現在卻沒什麼

Now there is nothing

可瞧；褪掉的皮

to see; an old skin

卡在灌木叢裏，

caught in the bushes,

鮮妍盡失，鱗片剝落，

bleached and flaking,

幾塊尖尖的石頭

a few sharp stones

已經把他刺穿。

already poking through.