她两条手臂在胸前交抱，

Her arms across her breast she laid;

她的美用言辞没法描画；

She was more fair than words can say;

这位女乞丐赤着一双脚，

Barefooted came the beggar maid

走近当国王的科菲图阿。

Before the king Cophetua.

国王虽头戴冠冕身穿袍，

In robe and crown the king stept down,

为向她问好，忙迎到阶下；

To meet and greet her on her way;

大臣们说道，“毫无疑问，

'It is no wonder,' said the lords,

论美好，阳光也比不上她。”

'She is more beautiful than day.'

她身穿破衣裳那个情景

As shines the moon in clouded skies,

一如天上乱云间的月亮；

She in her poor attire was seen;

人们赞美她脚腕、她眼睛、

One praised her ankles, one her eyes,

她乌黑头发和可爱模样。

One her dark hair and lovesome mien.

如此美的脸，天使般优雅，

So sweet a face, such angel grace,

整个国家里谁也比不上；

In all that land had never been.

科菲图阿王立下了誓言：

Cophetua sware a royal oath:

“我要娶这女乞丐做新娘。”

'This beggar maid shall be my queen!'