看那边，我的孩子，看!多么漂亮的婴儿秀啊!看墙上那只小猫，在玩落下来的叶子，一片、两片、三片——从高大的接骨木树上落下来!在今晨清冷的空气中，它们一圈又一圈地旋转着，轻轻地，慢慢地下沉:人们可能会想，从它们的动作来看，每一片小叶子都在传递仙女或仙女到这里来，——到这个下界降落，每一片都是隐形的，沉默的，在摇摆的降落伞里。可是小猫，她怎么一惊，又蹲，又伸，又抓，又跑!先是一只，然后是另一只，同样的浅，同样的黄;一会儿有许多——一会儿只有一个——一会儿停住了，一个也没有了。在她那火红的眼睛里，是多么强烈的欲望啊!现在她遇到了来袭的猎物，让它以同样快的速度跑掉，然后又抓住了它:现在她和三个或四个一起工作，像一个印度魔术师;他技艺精湛，心灵愉悦，远超他人。如果她的滑稽动作在一千个旁观者的眼中上演，用欢呼和凝视鼓掌，小虎斑猫会在意人群的喝彩吗? Over happy to be proud, Over wealthy in the treasure Of her own exceeding pleasure! 'Tis a pretty baby-treat; Nor, I deem, for me unmeet; Here, for neither Babe nor me, Other play-mate can I see. Of the countless living things, That with stir of feet and wings (In the sun or under shade, Upon bough or grassy blade) And with busy revellings, Chirp and song, and murmurings, Made this orchard's narrow space, And this vale so blithe a place; Multitudes are swept away Never more to breathe the day: Some are sleeping; some in bands Travelled into distant lands; Others slunk to moor and wood, Far from human neighborhood; And, among the Kinds that keep With us closer fellowship, With us openly abide, All have laid their mirth aside. Where is he that giddy Sprite, Blue-cap, with his colors bright, Who was blest as bird could be, Feeding in the apple-tree; Made such wanton spoil and rout, Turning blossoms inside out; Hung---head pointing towards the ground--- Fluttered, perched, into a round Bound himself, and then unbound; Lithest, gaudiest Harlequin! Prettiest Tumbler ever seen! Light of heart and light of limb; What is now become of Him? Lambs, that through the mountains went Frisking, bleating merriment, When the year was in its prime, They are sobered by this time. If you look to vale or hill, If you listen, all is still, Save a little neighboring rill, That from out the rocky ground Strikes a solitary sound. Vainly glitter hill and plain, And the air is calm in vain; Vainly Morning spreads the lure Of a sky serene and pure; Creature none can she decoy Into open sign of joy: Is it that they have a fear Of the dreary season near? Or that other pleasures be Sweeter even than gaiety ? Yet, whate'er enjoyments dwell In the impenetrable cell Of the silent heart which Nature Furnishes to every creature; Whatsoe'er we feel and know Too sedate for outward show, Such a light of gladness breaks, Pretty Kitten! from thy freaks,--- Spreads with such a living grace O'er my little Dora's face; Yes, the sight so stirs and charms Thee, Baby, laughing in my arms, That almost I could repine That your transports are not mine, That I do not wholly fare Even as ye do, thoughtless pair! And I will have my careless season Spite of melancholy reason, Will walk through life in such a way That, when time brings on decay, Now and then I may possess Hours of perfect gladsomeness. ---Pleased by any random toy; By a kitten's busy joy, Or an infant's laughing eye Sharing in the ecstasy; I would fare like that or this, Find my wisdom in my bliss; Keep the sprightly soul awake, And have faculties to take, Even from things by sorrow wrought, Matter for a jocund thought, Spite of care, and spite of grief, To gambol with Life's falling Leaf.