I shot an arrow in the air，
我向空中射了一箭，
It fell to earth， I knew not where;
它已落到地面，我不知道其去向；
For so swiftly it flew， the sight
因它飞得如此地快速
Could not follow it in its flight.
视力无法跟得上它的飞驰。

I breathed a song into the air，
我向空中轻歌一曲，
It fell to earth， I knew not where;
它已落地而停，我不知其去向；
For who has sight so keen and strong，
谁有这么敏锐的视力，
That it can follow the flight of song?
能跟得上歌声的飞驰？

Long， long afterward， in an oak
很久，很久以后，在一棵橡树上，
I found the arrow still unbroke;
我发现它依然完好无损；
And the song， from beginning to end，
而这首歌，从头到尾，
I found again in the heart of a friend.
我发现又深印在一位友人的心上。