Love is like the wild rose-briar,
Friendship like the holly-tree-
The holly is dark when the rose-briar blooms
But which will bloom most constantly?
The wild-rose briar is sweet in the spring,
Its summer blossoms scent the air;
Yet wait till winter comes again
And who will call the wild-briar fair?
Then scorn the silly rose-wreath now
And deck thee with the holly's sheen,
That when December blights thy brow
He may still leave thy garland green.
爱情就像野玫瑰丛
友谊就像冬青树---
玫瑰丛绽放时冬青黯然无光
但哪个绽放更长久？
春天里的野玫瑰丛是甜蜜的，
夏天里绽放的野玫瑰散发着芬芳；
但请寒冬再次来临
又有谁会认为野玫瑰依旧芬芳？
现在鄙视可笑的玫瑰花环
用冬青的光辉来点缀您，
尽管隆冬使您心怀沮丧
却留下您花环的绿色。
注解：这是英国著名女作家艾米莉?勃朗特(Emily Bronte)的一首诗。主题是：爱情虽然甜蜜、芬芳，但昙花一现，大难临头各自飞；友情虽然无华，但天长地久，艰难时刻送温暖。这是我自己的译文，供参考。