O MOTHER, the young Prince is to pass by our door, —how can I attend to my work this morning?
Show me how to braid up my hair; tell me what garment to put on.
Why do you look at me amazed, mother?
I know well he will not glance up once at my window; I know he will pass out of my sight in the twinkling of an eye; only the vanishing strain of the flute will come sobbing to me from afar.
But the young Prince will pass by our door, and I will put on my best for the moment.
O mother, the young Prince did pass by our door, and the morning sun flashed from his chariot.
I swept aside the veil from my face, I tore the ruby chain from my neck and flung it in his path.
Why do you look at me amazed, mother?
I know well he did not pick up my chain; I know it was crushed under his wheels leaving a red stain upon the dust, and no one knows what my gift was nor to whom.
But the young Prince did pass by our door, and I flung the jewel from my breast before his path.
啊,母亲,年轻的王子要从我们门前走过——
今天早晨我哪有心思干活呢?
教给我怎样绾发;
告诉我应该穿哪件衣裳。
你为什么惊讶地望着我呢,母亲?
我深知他不会仰视我的窗户;
我知道一刹那间他就要走出我的视线;
只有那残曳的笛声将从远处向我呜咽。
但是那年轻的王子将从我们门前走过,
这时节我要穿上我最好的衣裳。
啊,母亲,年轻的王子已经从我们门前走过了,
从他的车辇里射出朝日的金光。
我从脸上掠开面纱,我从颈上扯下红玉的颈环,
扔在他走来的路上。
你为什么惊讶地望着我呢,母亲?
我深知他没有拾起我的颈环;
我知道它在他的轮下碾碎了,
在尘土上留下了红斑,
没有人晓得我的礼物是什么样子,
也不知道是谁给的。
但是那年轻的王子曾经从我们门前走过,
我也曾经把我胸前的珍宝丢在他走来的路上了。