Pity would be no more，

谁还用得着怜悯

If we did not make somebody Poor：

我们若不使人贫困？

And Mercy no more could be，

慈悲将无法存在

If all were as happy as we；

若是人人一样欢快。

And mutual fear brings peace；

均势带来了和平，

Till the selfish loves increase.

直到私爱的加增；

Then Cruelty knits a snare，

于是“残忍”织了一个网罗，

And spreads his baits with care.

把他的食饵小心散播。

He sits down with holy fears，

他提心吊胆地坐下来，

And waters the ground with tears：

用眼泪把地面灌溉；

Then Humility takes its root

于是“屈辱”在他脚下

Underneath his foot.

渐渐抽出根芽。

Soon spreads the dismal shade

不久“神秘”把阴森的篷帐

Of Mystery over his head；

张开在他的头上；

And the Catterpiller and Fly，

还有毛虫和苍蝇

Feed on the Mystery.

在“神秘”身上寄生。

And it bears the fruit of Deceit，

于是他结出果子“欺骗”，

Ruddy and sweet to eat；

吃起来又香又甜；

And the Raven his nest has made

于是乌鸦把他的巢筑起，

In its thickest shade.

在它的最浓荫里。

The Gods of the earth and sea，

大地和海洋的神，

Sought thro'Nature to find this Tree

到处把这棵树找寻；

But their search was all in vain：

但他们的搜索完全落空，

There grows one in the Human Brain.

这棵树只长在人心中。