在这儿，每当我出声吟咏

As often as I murmur here

 还没有写完的诗章，

 My half-formed melodies,

旁边的斑鸠，在柳条笼子中，

Straight from her osier mansion near,

 便应声咕咕低唱；

 The Turtledove replies:

它本来像树叶一样静默，

Though silent as a leaf before,

 此刻却咕咕不停；

 The captive promptly coos;

是教唱柔和歌曲？是给我

Is it to teach her own soft lore,

 贫乏的诗才助兴？

 Or second my weak Muse?

我却猜想：这温顺鸣禽

I rather think the gentle Dove

 咕哝着把我责备，

 Is murmuring a reproof,

嗔怪我只会别的调门，

Displeased that I from lays of love

 爱的歌曲却不会；

 Have dared to keep aloof;

它嗔怪我这山野歌手

That I, a Bard of hill and dale,

 歌唱时心中没有爱，

 Have carolled, fancy free,

斑鸠、夜莺的情意与歌喉

As if nor dove nor nightingale

 都被我置之度外。 

 Had heart or voice for me.

鸟儿呵！你若是这个意思，

 可不该把我诬枉；

If such thy meaning, O forbear,

爱，崇高的爱，这主旨

 Sweet Bird! to do me wrong;

 贯穿我全部篇章；

Love, blessed Love, is everywhere

 欧洲人认为，斑鸠和夜莺的歌曲都是倾诉爱情的。

 The spirit of my song:

在宁静炉边，在园林幽处，

'Mid grove, and by the calm fireside,

 爱拨动我的琴弦——

 Love animates my lyre—

又咕咕叫了！——这回我听出

That coo again!—'tis not to chide,

 那不是责备，是嘉勉。

 I feel, but to inspire.