Once a dream did weave a shade,

有一次，梦织成一个幻网，

O'er my angel-guarded bed,

笼罩着我那天使呵护着的床：

That an emmet lost its way

一只小蚂蚁迷失了方向

Where on grass methought I lay.

在我蒙蒙眬眬躺着的草地上。

Troubled, wildered and forlorn,

她焦急，踌躇又迷惘，

Dark, benighted, travel-worn,

烦恼，迷困，又慌张，

Over many a tangled spray.

在纠缠着的小枝间彷徨。

All heart-broke I heard her say:

我听见她呼唤，无限心伤。

'Oh, my children, do they cry?

“我的小孩们呵！他们可在嚷？

Do they hear their father sigh?

他们可听见天父在叹息？

Now they look abroad to see,

他们一会儿探头外，

Now return and weep for me.'

一会见又回头为我悲啼。”

Pitying, I dropped a tear;

我悲悯地掉了一滴泪；

But I saw a glow-worm near,

但我看见一个土萤走来，

Who replied, 'What wailing wight

他应声说：“谁在恸哭？

Calls the watchman of the night?

谁在呼唤守夜的更夫？

'I am set to light the ground,

“我被派来照亮地面，

While the beetle goes his round.

当金甲虫到处打转；

Follow now the beetle's hum;

现在，请跟着嗡嗡的金甲；

Little wanderer, hie thee home.'

小流浪者，赶快回家。”