美国语文第五册 第151期：鹌鹑（04）
She sings not now “Bob White!” nor “Ah! Bob White!”
此刻，她不是鸣啾“鲍勃·怀特”，亦不是“啊！鲍勃·怀特”，
That is her husband's love call, or his trumpet blast of defiance.
那是她配偶的爱称，或是他挑衅反抗的恶言相向。
But she calls sweetly and softly for her lost children.
她会甜蜜轻柔地呼唤她走失的孩子们，
Hear them “Peep! peep! peep!” at the welcome voice of their mother's love!
它们则“唧唧！唧唧！唧唧！”地叫个不停，回应母亲的爱恋欢腾。
They are coming together. Soon the whole family will meet again.
全家聚在一起，终于，它们重新团圆了。
It is a foul sin to disturb them; but retread your devious way, and let her hear your coming footsteps, breaking down the briers, as you renew the danger.
倘若有人怀着狡猾奸诈之心、踏上邪恶之路去惊扰那些鹌鹑，鹌鹑母亲能听到人们走近的危险脚步，听到人们踩倒周围荆棘的声音，
She is quiet. Not a word is passed between the fearful fugitives.
她只是一声不吭。在充满恐惧的逃亡者中间，不存在任何语言交流。
Now, if you have the heart to do it, lie low, keep still, and imitate the call of the hen quail.
假若有人有心，不妨蹲下，保持沉默，模仿母鹌鹑的叫声。
O mother! mother! how your heart would die if you could witness the deception!
噢，妈妈！妈妈！一旦目睹自己的无耻欺诈，你的心会死吗？
The little ones raise up their trembling heads, and catch comfort and imagined safety from the sound.
那些小鹌鹑们会抬起它们惊颤的头寻求安抚，寻求来自呼唤声中的想象安全。
"Peep! peep!" They come to you, straining their little eyes,
“唧唧！唧唧”，它们会靠近你，晃动它们尚未完全睁开的眼睛，
and, clustering together and answering, seem to say, "Where is he? Mother! mother! we are here!"
簇拥成团地叫着，似乎在说，“你在哪里？妈妈！妈妈！我们在这里！”
