Como un ama de casa presurosa
Corre tras el pájaro que escapa
Y en su prisa a un lado deja al crío
Por apresar el ave que se aleja,
Mientras el niño abandonado llora
Por llamar la atención de quien se afana
En seguir al alado fugitivo
Sin cuidarse del llanto del pequeño,
Tú persigues a quien volando huye
Mientras yo como un niño lloriqueo.
Mas si capturas a quien buscas vuelve,
Sé mi madre, bésame y arrúllame.
Y rogaré que colmes tu deseo
Si luego acudes a calmar mi llanto.

Lo, as a careful housewife runs to catch
One of her feathered creatures broke away,
Sets down her babe, and makes all swift dispatch
In pursuit of the thing she would have stay;
Whilst her neglected child holds her in chase,
Cries to catch her whose busy care is bent
To follow that which flies before her face,
Not prizing her poor infant's discontent;
So runn'st thou after that which flies from thee,
Whilst I thy babe chase thee afar behind;
But if thou catch thy hope, turn back to me,
And play the mother's part, kiss me, be kind;
So will I pray that thou mayst have thy 'Will,'
If thou turn back and my loud crying still.