Yet, calling up a serious look,
然而，他回忆起那严肃的目光，
His hourglass trembled while he spoke:
在说话时他的沙漏颤抖个不停：
"Neighbor," he said, "farewell! no more
“邻居，”他说，“再见，死神
Shall Death disturb your mirthful hour;
不会再来打扰你愉快的时光了；
And further, to avoid all blame
再者，为了避免对我名声
Of cruelty upon my name,
所有残忍的指责，
To give you time for preparation,
给你时间做准备，
And fit you for your future station,
好在将来收你上天堂，
Three several warnings you shall have
在召你进坟墓前，
Before you're summoned to the grave;
有三个警告要告诉你；
Willing for once I'll quit my prey, And grant a kind reprieve;
之所以答应暂缓
In hopes you'll have no more to say,
是希望你毫无怨言，
But, when I call again this way,
但是当我再来唤你时，
Well pleased the world will leave."
希望你高高兴兴于这个世界别过。”
To these conditions both consented,
待你对这些都满意，
And parted perfectly contented.
就会心满意足地永诀。
What next the hero of our tale befell,
接下来，我们故事中的英雄，
How long he lived, how wisely, and how well,
活了很久，非常明智又快活，
It boots not that the Muse should tell;
连诗神缪斯也无法形容；
He plowed, he sowed, he bought, he sold,
他耕种，他买卖，
Nor once perceived his growing old,
没有察觉到自己渐渐老去，
Nor thought of Death as near;
也没想到死神就在近旁；
His friends not false, his wife no shrew,
他的朋友没有过错，他的妻子也体贴温柔，
Many his gains, his children few,
他挣得很多，可孩子花得很少，
He passed his hours in peace.
他在平静祥和中度日。
