LXI

She is still a child, my lord.

 

She runs about your palace and plays, and tries to make of you a plaything as well.

 

She heeds¹ not when her hair tumbles down and her careless garment drags in the dust.

 

She falls asleep when you speak to her and answers not—and the flower you give her in the morning slips to the dust from her hands.

 

When the storm bursts and darkness is over the sky she is sleepless²; her dolls lie scattered³ on the earth and she clings to you in terror.

 

She is afraid that she may fail in service to you.

 

But with a smile you watch her at her game.

 

You know her.

 

The child sitting in the dust is your destined⁴ bride; her play will be stilled and deepened into love.

1 heeds   

n.留心，注意，听从( heed的名词复数 )v.听某人的劝告，听从( heed的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• You should never fight the band that heeds you. 从来不要攻击那些注意你行动的帮伙们。 来自互联网
• He who ignores discipline and shame, but whoever heeds correction is honored. 弃绝管教的、必致贫受辱．领受责备的、必得尊荣。 来自互联网

2 sleepless   

adj.不睡眠的，睡不著的，不休息的

参考例句：

• The situation gave her many sleepless nights.这种情况害她一连好多天睡不好觉。
• One evening I heard a tale that rendered me sleepless for nights.一天晚上，我听说了一个传闻，把我搞得一连几夜都不能入睡。

3 scattered   

adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的

参考例句：

• Gathering up his scattered papers,he pushed them into his case.他把散乱的文件收拾起来，塞进文件夹里。

4 destined   

adj.命中注定的；(for)以…为目的地的

参考例句：

• It was destined that they would marry.他们结婚是缘分。
• The shipment is destined for America.这批货物将运往美国。