THE COMMON LOT.

It is a common fate—a woman's lot—

To waste on one the riches of her soul,

Who takes the wealth she gives him, but cannot

Repay the interest, and much less the whole.

As I look up into your eyes and wait

For some response to my fond gaze and touch,

It seems to me there is no sadder fate

Than to be doomed¹ to loving overmuch.

Are you not kind? Ah, yes, so very kind—

So thoughtful of my comfort, and so true.

Yes, yes, dear heart; but I, not being blind,

Know that I am not loved as I love you.

One tenderer word, a little longer kiss,

Will fill my soul with music and with song;

And if you seem abstracted, or I miss

The heart-tone from your voice, my world goes wrong.

And oftentimes you think me childish—weak—

When at some thoughtless word the tears will start;

You cannot understand how aught you speak

Has power to stir the depths of my poor heart.

I cannot help it, dear,—I wish I could,

Or feign² indifference³ where I now adore;

For if I seemed to love you less you would,

Manlike, I have no doubt, love me the more.

'Tis a sad gift, that much applauded thing,

A constant heart; for fact doth daily prove

That constancy finds oft a cruel sting,

While fickle⁴ natures win the deeper love.

 

1 doomed   

命定的

参考例句：

• The court doomed the accused to a long term of imprisonment. 法庭判处被告长期监禁。
• A country ruled by an iron hand is doomed to suffer. 被铁腕人物统治的国家定会遭受不幸的。

2 feign   

vt.假装，佯作

参考例句：

• He used to feign an excuse.他惯于伪造口实。
• She knew that her efforts to feign cheerfulness weren't convincing.她明白自己强作欢颜是瞒不了谁的。

3 indifference   

n.不感兴趣，不关心，冷淡，不在乎

参考例句：

• I was disappointed by his indifference more than somewhat.他的漠不关心使我很失望。
• He feigned indifference to criticism of his work.他假装毫不在意别人批评他的作品。

4 fickle   

adj.(爱情或友谊上)易变的，不坚定的

参考例句：

• Fluctuating prices usually base on a fickle public's demand.物价的波动往往是由于群众需求的不稳定而引起的。
• The weather is so fickle in summer.夏日的天气如此多变。