4

Eftsoones1 the nymphes, which now had flowers their fill,

Ran all in haste, to see that silver brood2,

As they came floating on the Cristal flood;

Whom when they sawe, they stood amazéd still,

Their wondring eyes to fill;

Them seemed they never saw a sight so fayre,

Of fowles so lovely, that they sure did deeme

Them heavenly borne, or to be that same payre

Which through the Skie draw Venus silver Teame3;

For sure they did not seeme

To be begot of any earthly seede,

But rather Angels, or of Angelsbreede4;

Yet were they bred of Somers-heat5 they say,

In sweetest Season, when each Flower and weede6

The earth did fresh aray;

So fresh they seemed as day,

Against the Brydale day, which is not long:

Sweete Themmes runne softly, till I end my song.

注释：1.Eftsoons：〔古语〕马上，立刻。

2.brood：那对儿银光闪闪的高贵血统。

3.Venus silver Teame：传统神话传说认为，为维纳斯拉御辇的是天鹅。

4.breede：氏族，家族，家系，系统；门第。

5.Somers-heat：斯宾塞用萨默塞特姓氏玩了一把一语双关。

6.weede：植物。