Once a dream did weave a shade,

曾有一个梦编着树荫，

O'er my angel-guarded bed,

在我那天使守护的床顶；

That an emmet lost its way

我看见一只迷路的蚂蚁，

Where on grass methought I lay.

在我所躺的那片草地。

Troubled, wildered and forlorn,

她苦恼，困惑，又孤凄，

Dark, benighted, travel-worn,

夜色昏黑，她力尽精疲；

Over many a tangled spray.

她翻过许多纠结的草茎，

All heart-broke I heard her say:

我听到她心胆俱裂的声音：

'Oh, my children, do they cry?

“我的孩子啊！他们在哭泣？

Do they hear their father sigh?

他们可听到父亲在叹息？

Now they look abroad to see,

他们一定四处去找我，

Now return and weep for me.'

然后回去，为我哭泣。”

Pitying, I dropped a tear;

我流下了眼泪，为她哀恸；

But I saw a glow-worm near,

但突然看到了一只萤火虫。

Who replied, 'What wailing wight

它应道：“是谁在哀哀地哭着，

Calls the watchman of the night?

哀哀地呼唤夜的巡察者？

'I am set to light the ground,

“我是被派来照亮地面的，

While the beetle goes his round.

还有甲虫在到处巡察；

Follow now the beetle's hum;

好了，循着甲虫的声音，

Little wanderer, hie thee home.'

小小迷路者，赶紧回家。”