LESSON 43 The mocking-bird

第四十三课 知更鸟

The sweetest musician in the American forests is the mocking-bird.

美国森林里歌声最甜蜜的音乐家就是知更鸟，

His voice is strong, and clear, and musical, and seems to fill the woods with a flood of delicious melody.

它的声音有力，清晰，并且悦耳，它就像用很多美妙的旋律充满了树林。

He not only imitates the notes of the other birds,

它不仅模仿其他鸟类的歌声，

but the song from his throat is richer and more harmonious than when it is uttered by the original songster.

而且从它喉咙里唱出来的歌曲总是比原唱歌手更加的丰满、和谐。

Full of animation, he seems inspired by his own music.

它充满活力，仿佛被自己的音乐所感染。

He expands his wings and tail, and sweeps round and round in ecstasy.

它展开尾巴和翅膀，在狂喜中，一圈一圈快速地飞着。

 

He mounts or falls, as his song rises or dies away;

它随着歌声的升降，飞上飞下；

and pours forth such streams of song, that any one, not seeing him, might fancy a chorus of birds were singing, instead of only one.

这种流淌出来的歌声，让任何没有看到它的人，都将会异口同声地认为是有很多鸟儿在唱歌，而不是一只。

Perhaps the best time to hear him is in the stillness of a moonlight night,

也许聆听它歌声最好的时间是在有着宁静月光的夜晚，

when all is silent in the forest and every bird has gone to roost.

那时森林寂静下来，所有的鸟儿都已经栖息。

Then the mocking-bird begins, and, like the nightingale, sings the whole night through.

然后，知更鸟就开始吟唱，像夜莺那样，整晚歌唱。

He is an admirable mimic, and very mischievous; for he loves to play tricks upon his feathered neighbours.

它是一个让人钦佩的模仿者，非常调皮；它喜欢对那些长满羽毛的邻居搞恶作剧。