Prevod
(Fame is worth nothing unless deeds live up to it.) "Be quiet, you noisy little bird," (The Swan said to the Goldfinch). "Do you challenge me to sing, when you know That the sweet melody of my voice Has never had an equal among birds?" 5 The Goldfinch went on trilling, And the Swan continued: "What insolence! See how this little musician mocks me! If I do not humble him by bursting into song, He has my great restraint to thank." 10 —"If only you would sing!" (The little bird replied at last). "How you would amaze us With those rare cadences That no one claims to have heard from you, 15 Though they win greater fame than mine!..." The Swan tried to sing, and gave a squawk. A fine thing, to win renown without skill, And lose it when put to the test.