VOA Learning English Presents 'A Visit from St. Nicholas'

Some believe it was written by Henry Livingston, a map maker in New York who wrote and published funny poems in his spare time.

有人認為這首詩是亨利·利文斯頓寫的，他是紐約的一位地圖繪製師，業餘時間寫作並發表幽默詩歌。

We give you the staff of Learning English reading Clement Clarke Moore's poem, popularly known as “’Twas the Night Before Christmas.”

以下由Learning English的工作人員為您朗讀克萊門特·克拉克·摩爾的詩，這首詩通常被稱為《聖誕夜前夕》（’Twas the Night Before Christmas）。

‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.

聖誕節前夕，整棟房子裡，沒有一個生靈在走動，連一隻老鼠也沒有。

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, In hopes that Saint Nicholas soon would be there.

長襪被小心地掛在煙囪旁，盼著聖尼古拉斯很快就會到來。

The children were nestled all snug in their beds, While visions of sugar plums danced in their heads.

孩子們舒舒服服地蜷在床上，腦海裡糖梅的幻影翩翩起舞。

And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap, Had just settled our brains for a long winter's nap.

媽媽裹著頭巾，我戴著睡帽，剛剛安頓下來，準備睡一個漫長的冬夜。

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.

這時草坪上傳來一陣喧鬧聲，我從床上跳起來，想看看發生了什麼事。

Away to the window I flew like a flash, Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

我像閃電一樣衝到窗前，推開百葉窗，掀起窗框。

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow Gave lustre of mid-day to objects below.

月光灑在新落的雪上，讓下面的一切亮如白晝。

When, what to my wondering eyes did appear, But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer.

這時，在我驚奇的目光中，出現了一架小小的雪橇和八頭小小的馴鹿。

With a little old driver, so lively and quick, I knew in a moment it must be Saint Nick.

駕車的是一位矮小的老人，活潑又敏捷，我一下子就知道那一定是聖尼克。

More rapid than eagles his coursers they came, And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

他的馴鹿比老鷹還快，他吹著口哨，大聲吆喝，叫著牠們的名字！

Now, Prancer and Vixen!

快，跳跳和狐狸！

On Donder and Blitzen!

前進，雷霆和閃電！

To the top of the porch!

跳上門廊頂！

To the top of the wall!

跳上牆頭！

Now dash away!

現在快跑！

Dash away all!"

大家一起快跑！

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly, When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.

就像狂風中飛舞的枯葉，遇到阻礙便衝上天空。

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.

接著，一眨眼的工夫，我聽到屋頂上每隻小蹄子歡跳和刨地的聲音。

As I drew in my head, and was turning around, Down the chimney Saint Nicholas came with a bound.

我縮回腦袋，正轉過身來，聖尼古拉斯就一下子從煙囪裡跳了下來。

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot, And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.

他從頭到腳穿著毛皮衣服，衣服上沾滿了灰燼和煤煙。

A bundle of toys he had flung on his back, And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.

他背上甩著一包玩具，看起來就像一個剛打開貨包的小販。

His eyes -- how they twinkled!

他的眼睛——多麼閃亮！

His dimples how merry!

他的酒窩多麼快活！

His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!

他的臉頰像玫瑰，鼻子像櫻桃！

His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow, And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.

他那滑稽的小嘴彎得像一張弓，下巴上的鬍子白得像雪。

He had a broad face and a little round belly, That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!

他的臉寬寬的，小肚子圓滾滾的，一笑起來就像一碗果凍似的顫動！

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf, And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!

他胖乎乎、圓滾滾的，真是一個快活的老精靈，我一看到他就忍不住笑了！

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head, Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

他眨眨眼，歪歪頭，很快就讓我明白沒有什麼好害怕的。

He spoke not a word, and went straight to his work, Filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.

他一言不發，逕直幹起活來，把所有的長襪都裝滿，然後猛地轉過身。

And laying his finger aside of his nose, And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!

他把手指放在鼻子一側，點一點頭，就順著煙囪上去了！

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle, And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.

他跳上雪橇，向馴鹿們吹了聲口哨，他們便像薊花的絨毛一樣飛走了。

But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight, "Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"

但在他消失之前，我聽見他高聲喊道：「祝大家聖誕快樂，祝大家晚安！」