Ode to the Oak—Shu Ting
If I fall in love with you—
我如果爱你——
I will never resemble clambering trumpet creeper,
绝不像攀援的凌霄花，
To flaunt myself by your high branches.
借你的高枝炫耀自己;
If I fall in love with you—
我如果爱你——
I will never imitate spoony birds,
绝不学痴情的鸟儿，
To repeat simple melody for green shade.
为绿荫重复单调的歌曲;
I will not only resemble a wellspring,
也不止像泉源，
To bring you cool consolation perennially;
常年送来清凉的慰籍;
I will not only resemble steepy mountains,
也不止像险峰，
To increase your altitude or set off your dignified manner.
增加你的高度，衬托你的威仪。
Even not only sunlight,
甚至日光。
Even not only spring rain,
甚至春雨。
No, these are not enough!
不，这些都还不够!
I must be a kapok beside you,
我必须是你近旁的一株木棉，
As an image of tree I stand with you.
做为树的形象和你站在一起。
Our roots hold tightly in the earth,
根，紧握在地下，
Our leaves touch gently in the clouds.
叶，相触在云里。
As each breeze passes, we salute each other,
每一阵风过，我们都互相致意，
But no one understand our own words.
但没有人，听懂我们的言语。
You have your iron trunk and copper branch
你有你的铜枝铁干，
Like a knife, a sword and a halberd as well;
像刀，像剑，也像戟，