The Diverting History of John Gilpin 癡漢騎馬歌
William Cowper (1731–1800)
1.
JOHN GILPIN was a citizen 昔有富家翁，
Of credit and renown, 饒財且有名，
A train-band captain eke was he 身為團練長，
Of famous London town. 家居倫敦城。
2.
John Gilpin’s spouse said to her dear, 婦對富翁言，
‘Though wedded we have been 結發同苦艱，
These twice ten tedious years, yet we 悠悠二十載，
No holiday have seen. 未得一日閑。
3.
‘To-morrow is our wedding-day, 明日是良辰，
And we will then repair 城外好風景，
Unto the Bell at Edmonton, 願乘雙馬車，
All in a chaise and pair. 與君同遊騁。
4.
‘My sister, and my sister’s child, 阿姨與其女，
Myself, and children three, 妾偕三小兒，
Will fill the chaise; so you must ride 一家盈車載，
On horseback after we.’ 君當騎馬隨。
5.
He soon replied, ‘I do admire 富翁對婦言，
Of womankind but one, 相敬既如賓，
And you are she, my dearest dear, 若不從汝言，
Therefore it shall be done. 相愛豈是真？
6.
‘I am a linen-draper bold, 我是販布客，
As all the world doth know, 聲名馳寰區，
And my good friend the calender 有友情更重，
Will lend his horse to go.’ 願借千裏駒。
7.
Quoth Mrs. Gilpin, ‘That’s well said; 君言誠良是，
And for that wine is dear, 還當載美酒，
We will be furnished with our own, 沽市酒值昂，
Which is both bright and clear.’ 家醅旨且有。
8.
John Gilpin kissed his loving wife; 婦言良可欽，
O’enjoyed was he to find 富翁喜不禁，
That though on pleasure she was bent, 雖懷行樂誌，
She had a frugal mind. 猶存節儉心。
9.
The morning came, the chaise was brought, 詰朝將車來，
But yet was not allowed 未許直到門，
To drive up to the door, lest all 趨車出庭戶，
Should say that she was proud. 恐惹他人論。
10.
So, three doors off the chaise was stayed, 相去兩三戶，
Where they did all get in; 車馬立踟躕，
Six precious souls, and all agog 大小六家口，
To dash through thick and thin. 登車任馳驅。
