Minstrels

by William Wordsworth

The minstrels played their Christmas tune

To-night beneath my cottage-eaves；

While, smitten by a lofty moon,

The encircling laurels, thick with leaves,

Gave back a rich and dazzling sheen,

That overpowered their natural green.

Through hill and valley every breeze

Had sunk to rest with folded wings：

Keen was the air, but could not freeze,

Nor check, the music of the strings；

So stout and hardy were the band

That scraped the chords with strenuous hand.

And who but listened？——till was paid

Respect to every inmate's claim,

The greeting given, the music played

In honour of each household name,

Duly pronounced with lusty call,

And "Merry Christmas" wished to all.

注：威廉-华兹华斯（William Wordsworth，1770-1850），英国浪漫主义诗人，与柯尔律治、骚塞一起合称为“湖畔派”诗人。他曾同情法国大革命，后隐居英国西北湖区。他和柯尔律治合出的《抒情歌谣集》（Lyrical Ballads，1798）以及他在诗集再版时写的序言，在诗歌内容和形式上引起了一场革命。