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The gay belles of fashion may boast of excelling
时尚的欢快铃声也许在吹嘘
In waltz or cotillon, at whist or quadrille;
和着华尔兹或花布舞的，在惠斯特或四十张牌游戏中；
And seek admiration by vauntingly telling of drawing, and painting, and musical skill:
自吹自擂炫耀绘画和音乐才能，博取赞美：
But give me the fair one, in country or city,
在乡村或城市，请赐给我晴朗的天气，
Whose home and its duties are dear to her heart,
谁的家能让她放在心上，
Who cheerfully warbles some rustical ditty,
在优雅地刺绣时
While plying the needle with exquisite art:
谁在快乐地哼唱乡村小调
The bright little needle, the swift-flying needle,
晶亮的小银针，飞舞穿梭的银针，
The needle directed by beauty and art.
美和艺术是它的主宰。
If Love have a potent, a magical token,
如果爱有一个威力无比和迷人的象征，
A talisman, ever resistless and true,
护身符，曾经不可抗拒和那么真切，
A charm that is never evaded or broken,
绝对无法回避或破碎的魔力
A witchery certain the heart to subdue,
巫术不会制服那颗滚烫的心，
’T is this; and his armory never has furnished
他那绝不会陈设的纹章，
So keen and unerring, or polished a dart;
那样逼真，毫无偏差，就像擦亮的飞镖
Let beauty direct it, so polished and burnished,
让美来指引，装饰和擦亮它。
And oh! it is certain of touching the heart:
啊！触及心底：
The bright little needle, the swift-flying needle,
光闪闪的小银针，穿梭飞舞，
The needle directed by beauty and art.
美和艺术是它的主宰。
Be wise, then, ye maidens, nor seek admiration,
学会聪明，姑娘们，不要贪慕虚荣，
By dressing for conquest, and flirting with all;
通过穿着来征服，钓得众人心；
You never, whate’er be your fortune or station,
不论你的财富和地位如何
Appear half so lovely at rout or at ball,
你绝不会显得如此动人和愉快，
As gayly convened at the work-covered table,
在覆着刺绣图案的桌上欢快地聚在一起，
Each cheerfully active, playing her part,
每个人都兴高采烈地忙着自己手中的活儿，
Beguiling the task with a song or a fable,
哼着歌儿讲着传说，陶醉于手下的巧夺天工，
And plying the needle with exquisite art:
精巧的手舞弄银针：
The bright little needle, the swift-flying needle,
光闪闪的小银针，穿梭飞舞，
The needle directed by beauty and art.
美和艺术是它的主宰。
