Lesson 17　My Good-far-nothing　第17课　我百无一用的小儿子

busy mischief looked unto glee

contriving ringlets noddle drew nun

pressing fngers carpet wise lips

embrace ponder lashes climb true

"What are you good for, my brave little man?

Answer that question for me, if you can，—

You, with your fngers as white as a nun，—

You, with your ringlets as bright as the sun.

All the day long, with your busy contriving，

Into all mischief and fun you are driving；

See if your wise little noddle can tell

What you are good for. Now ponder it well."

Over the carpet the dear little feet

Came with a patter to climb on my seat；

Two merry eyes, full of frolic and glee，

Under their lashes looked up unto me；

Two little hands pressing soft on my face，

Drew me down close in a loving embrace；

Two rosy lips gave the answer so true，

"Good to love you, mamma, good to love you."

Emily Huntington Miller

“你能做点什么好事，我勇敢的小男人？

如果你能回答，就回答我的问题——

你，有洁白如修女一样的手指，

你，戴着像太阳一样亮的发卷。

一整天，你忙于设计，

忙于各种恶作剧，并以此为乐；

动用你那聪明的小脑瓜，看看是否能告诉我

你能做点什么好事。现在好好想想。”

可爱的小脚在地毯上走过来

吧嗒吧嗒地爬到我的座位上；

充满嬉闹和欢欣的明媚双眼

在睫毛下朝我看过来；

两只小手软软地抚摸我的面孔，

让我不得不将他拥抱在怀；

两片红润的嘴唇给了如此真切的答案，

“我能做的好事就是：我爱你，妈妈，我爱你。”

艾米丽·亨廷顿·米勒