Life! I know not what thou art,
But know that thou and I must part;
And when, or how, or where we met
I own to me's a secret yet.
Life! We've been long together
Through pleasant and through cloudy weather;
’Tis hard to part when friends are dear —
Perhaps' t will cost a sigh, a tear;
—Then steal away, give little warning,
Choose thine own time;
Say not Good Night, — but in some brighter clime
Bid me Good Morning.
生命啊！我不知道你是什么，
但我懂得你我定会分离；
何时、何地、我们如何相遇
这在我还是一个秘密。
生命啊！我们曾长久在一起
携手同沐骄阳，也曾共历风雨；
亲密的朋友一旦分手别离——
也许要付出眼泪与叹息；
——还是请悄悄离去，不必做声，
由你选个时机，
不要在夜晚——而在明媚的时光里
祝我一声“早安”！