The Reading Mother 偶得小诗一首，小译，小趣。

I had a mother who read to me                我有慈母，为我读书。
Sagas of pirates who scoured the sea.        海盗故事，历历在目。
Cutlasses clenched in their yellow teeth;    弯刀在握，黄牙粗话，
"Blackbirds" stowed in the hold beneath.     一只乌鸦，船内呱呱。

I had a Mother who read me lays              我有慈母，为我读书。
Of ancient and gallant and golden days;      柔光之下，床边轻榻，
Stories of Marmion and Ivanhoe,              男孩历险，权识善恶。

Which every boy has a right to know.         英勇奸诈，娓娓道来。

I had a Mother who read me tales              我有慈母，为我读书，
Of Gelert the hound of the hills of Wales,    格勒特犬，威尔士山，
True to his trust till his tragic death,      追求忠义，坚守信念，

Faithfulness lent with his final breath.      蒙冤而去，至死不渝。

I had a Mother who read me the things         我有慈母，为我读书，
That wholesome life to the boy heart brings-  人物人生，激励儿心
Stories that stir with an upward touch.       哲理丰富，鞭笞我行。
Oh, that each mother of boys were such!       得此母亲，儿之大幸！

You may have tangible wealth untold;          你若有运，发现宝藏。

Caskets of jewels and coffers of gold.        黄金堆砌，珠玉满堂
Richer than I you can never be --             若与我比，难及我富，
I had a Mother who read to me.                我有慈母，为我读书！