マザーグースの歌から「ひとりのおばあさん」There was an old woman, and what do you think?（壺齋散人訳）
ひとりのおばあさんがいたってさ
食べ物と飲み物で暮らしてたってさ
食べ物と飲み物があればご機嫌だけど
そのかわりいつもじっとしていない
パンやさんにいってパンを買って
もどってくるとおじいさんが死んでた
教会にいって鐘鳴らしてもらって
もどってくると生き返ってた
にぎやかに動き回るおばあさんのお話。内容は単純ですが、リズミカルに韻を踏んでいます。
There was an old woman, and what do you think?
There was an old woman, and what do you think?
She lived upon nothing but victuals and drink:
Victuals and drink were the chief of her diet,
And yet this old woman could never keep quiet.
She went to the baker, to buy her some bread,
And when she came home, her old husband was dead;
She went to the clerk to toll the bell,
And when she came back her old husband was well.
関連リンク： マザーグースの歌
