There is a legend about a bird which sings just once in his life
傳說有一隻荊棘鳥一生隻歌唱一次。
More sweetly than any other creature on the face of the earth
他的歌聲委婉動聽,萬物之中無可比擬。
From the moment it leaves the nest it searches for a thorn tree, and does not rest until it has found one
自離巢的那一刻,他就在尋找著,不眠不休,隻為尋找那顆屬於他的荊棘樹。
Then, singing among the savage branches, it impales itself upon the longest, sharpest spine.
荊棘樹上,他在旁逸橫出的荊棘中放聲歌唱,至長至銳的尖刺穿透了他的身軀。
And, dying, it rises above its own agony to outcarol the lark and the nightingale
生命將盡,他超脫了痛苦,盡情歡唱,那甜美的歌聲連雲雀夜鶯都難以企及。
One superlative song, existence the price.
歌聲至美,卻是以身殉曲。
But the whole world stills to listen, and God in his Heaven smiles
然而萬物都在聆聽這美妙的歌聲,就連上帝也在蒼穹之中露出了微笑
Because only chastened bitterness, can get the best things.
因為唯有曆經磨難苦楚,方能得到最美好的事物。