The nightingale, the organ of delight, 
The nimble lark, the blackbird, and the thrush, 
And all the pretty choristers of flight, 
That chant their music notes in every bush, 
Let them no more contend who shall excel; 
The cuckoo is the bird that bears the bell. 

夜鶯，是歡唱的名嘴，
還有伶俐的雲雀、山烏、和畫眉，
加上各色飛烏歌聲優美，
全都在樹叢中詠唱著音階，
叫它們別再較勁技高一籌的是誰；
因為杜鵑才是美聲之最。