The Bee and the Cuckoo

   A Cuckoo, near a hive, one day,

  Was chaunting in his usual way,

  When to the door the Queen-bee ran,

  And, humming angrily, began:

 

  "Do cease that tuneless song I hear—

  How can we work while thou art near?

  There is no other bird, I vow¹,

  Half so fantastical as thou,

  Since all that ugly voice can do,

  Is to sing on—'Cuckoo! cuckoo'!"

 

  "If my monotony of song

  Displeases² you, shall I be wrong,"

  The Cuckoo answered, "if I find

  Your comb has little to my mind?

  Look at the cells—through every one

  Does not unvaried sameness run?

  Then if in me there's nothing new,

  Dear knows, all's old enough in you."

  The Bee replied: "Hear me, my friend.

  In works that have a useful end

  It is not always worth the while

  To seek variety in style,

  But if those works whose only views

  Are to give pleasure and amuse,

  Want either fancy or invention,

  They fail of gaining their intention."

 

1 vow   

n.誓(言)，誓约；v.起誓，立誓

参考例句：

• My parents are under a vow to go to church every Sunday.我父母许愿，每星期日都去做礼拜。
• I am under a vow to drink no wine.我已立誓戒酒。

2 displeases   

冒犯，使生气，使不愉快( displease的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• Nothing displeases me more than loud talking. 没有比大声谈话更使我不高兴的了。
• Bill is a wise guy and displeases others by what he says. 比尔自命不凡，说的话让人生气。