我把一只箭射得很高，

I shot an arrow into the air,

它落到了哪里我不知道；

It fell to earth, I knew not where;

因为它的速度太快，

For, so swiftly it flew, the sight

我的眼睛追不上它。

Could not follow it in its flight.

我唱起一支歌儿在空气中荡飘，

I breathed a song into the air,

它落到了哪里我不知道；

It fell to earth, I knew not where;

因为谁的眼力会有那么强，

For who has sight so keen and strong,

能追上歌儿的飞翔？

That it can follow the flight of song?

好久好久以后，我看见

Long, long afterward, in an oak

在一棵橡树上嵌着那只完好的箭；

I found the arrow, still unbroke;

我也发现了那个歌子，

And the song, from beginning to end,

它完整地留在一个朋友的心里。

I found again in the heart of a friend.