LESSON 18 Be kind
第十八课 善待亲人
Be kind to thy father: for when thou wast young,
善待你的父亲吧：因为当你还懵懵懂懂的时候，
Who loved thee as fondly as he?
有谁像他那样深情地爱着你？
He caught the first accents that fell from thy tongue,
当他听见你的小嘴里蹦出咿呀学语的第一个音节时，
And joined in thine innocent glee.
与你一起天真地欢呼雀跃，抑制不住满腔的喜悦之情。
Be kind to thy father: for now he is old,
善待你的父亲吧：因为现在他日渐衰老，
His locks intermingled with gray;
他的头发混杂着一丝丝灰白；
His footsteps are feeble, once fearless and bold—
他的脚步已变得软弱无力，岁月把你锻造成无所畏惧的男子汉时，
Thy father is passing away.
你的老父亲也将来日不多。
Be kind to thy mother: for, lo! on her brow
善待你的母亲吧：因为，瞧！在她的额头的皱纹里，
May traces of sorrow be seen; —
可能会看到悲伤的痕迹；
Oh, well may'st thou cherish and comfort her now,
哦，从现在起好好珍惜她、照顾她、安慰她，
For loving and kind hath she been.
因为母亲一直以来都是这么慈爱和善良。
Remember thy mother: for thee will she pray,
要记得你的母亲：因为
As long as God giveth her breath;
只要神还赐与她呼吸，她就会为你不断祈祷；
With accents of kindness, then, cheer her lone way,
用柔和的语气对待年老孤苦的她，为她带来欢乐，
E'en to the dark valley of death.
直到走入暗黑的生命尽头。

Be kind to thy brother: his heart will have dearth,
善待你的兄弟吧：如果你脸上不再挂满爱意的微笑，
If the smile of thy love be withdrawn;
他的内心也从此将失去欢乐。
The flowers of feeling will fade at their birth,
如果失去深情露珠的滋润，
If the dew of affection be gone.
刚刚绽出的鲜花也会枯萎。
Be kind to thy brother: wherever you are,
善待你的弟兄吧：无论你在哪里，
The love of a brother shall be
兄弟间的手足之情
An ornament, purer and richer by far
将会比深海里的珍珠
Than pearls from the depths of the sea.
纯净得多，富有得多。
Be kind to thy sister: not many may know
善待你的姐妹吧：很多人可能不知道
The depth of true sisterly love;
真正的姐妹之情有多么深厚；
The wealth of the ocean lies fathoms below
海洋的真正财富在于
The surface that sparkles above.
波光粼粼的海面之下那深深的内涵。
Thy kindness shall bring to thee many sweet hours,
你的善良会带给你许多甜蜜时光，
And blessings thy path way to crown;
也会为你送上踏上成功辉煌之路的声声祝福；
Affection shall weave thee a garland of flowers,
姐妹深情所编织的花环，
More precious than wealth or renown.
比财富和声名更为珍贵。