The widest prairies have electric fences,

再宽的草场也有通电的围栏，

For though old cattle know they must not stray

虽然老牛们知道，它们绝不能走失，

Young steers are always scenting purer water

年轻的犊子却总会嗅到更清的水，

Not here but anywhere. Beyond the wires

不只是这儿，而是到处都有。翻越铁丝网

Leads them to blunder up against the wires

会让它们撞上一根根铁丝，

Whose muscle-shredding violence gives no quarter.

那令肌肉抽搐的暴力从来不留任何余地。

Young steers become old cattle from that day,

就在那一天，牛犊长成了老牛，

Electric limits to their widest senses.

它们最辽远的意识从此有了带电的极限。