一个漆黑的夜晚——那是很久以前的事了，空气沉重、寂静而温暖——我和一个认识的人，要送两个女孩去她们父亲的农场。我记得当时几乎什么也看不见，我们好像在一个很深的山洞里摸索。若不是我们扶他们从地上爬起来，他们早就跌得很惨了。这两个女孩是姐妹。两个都很漂亮，但我的更漂亮(我是这么说的)。黑暗很快就把我们分开了，一对对一对，不久我们就迷路了。我们在乡间徘徊，我们把大部分的羊都吓跑了，我想我们迷路了，也没怎么努力去寻找它。那天晚上天气很好，不值得。我们穿过犁沟、谷地和草地，遇到了许多栅栏和栅栏，还有一堵堵得很紧的树篱，但我们没能通过。最后我们来到了一条她熟悉的路上; She said we were near her father's place. I heard the steps of the other two, And my heart stood still for a moment's space. Then I pleaded, `Give me a good-night kiss.' I have learned, but I did not know in time, The fruits that hang on the tree of bliss Are not for cravens who will not climb. We met all four by the farmyard gate, We parted laughing, with half a sigh, And home we went, at a quicker rate, A shorter journey, my friend and I. When we reached the house, it was late enough, And many impertinent things were said, Of time and distance, and such dull stuff, But we said little, and went to bed. We went to bed, but one at least Went not to sleep till the black turned grey, And the sun rose up, and the light increased, And the birds awoke to a summer day. And sometimes now, when the nights are mild, And the moon is away, and no stars shine, I wander out, and I go half-wild, To think of the kiss which was not mine. Let great minds laugh at a grief so small, Let small minds laugh at a fool so great. Kind maidens, pity me, one and all. Shy youths, take warning by this my fate.