请不要砍断我的尾巴
它是我驱赶蚊虫最好的工具
i cannot tell you when i’m thirsty
我无法告诉你我什么时候口渴
so please give me pure cold water frequently
所以请经常给我喂干净的凉水
i cannot tell you in words when i am sick
我无法用语言告诉你我生病了
so， watch me
所以，请关心着我
that by signs you may know my condition
通过症状来了解我的病情
do all you can to protect me from the sun
请尽你所能，为我遮挡阳光
and throw a cover over me
when i am standing out in the cold
请在寒风中，给我罩上马衣
don’t force an ice-cold bit into my mouth
请不要把冰冷的东西塞进我的嘴里
but warm it firstin some warm water， or in your hands
至少，请你先用温水或者你的手暖一暖
i always try to do cheerfully
the work you require of me
我总是开心地去完成你交给我的任务。
and day and night
日日夜夜
i stand for hours waiting for you
我会伫立数小时，只为等待你的归来
without the power to choose my shoes or path
我没有能力选择穿什么样的蹄铁，走什么样的路
i sometimes fall on the hard pavements
which i have often prayed might be of such a nature
我祈祷着脚底不要打滑，因为我有时会摔倒在地
as to give me a safe and sure footing
所以，请让我稳妥地走在路面上
remember that i must be ready at any moment to lose my life in your service
请记住，在为你工作的时候
我随时都有可能失去生命
and finally， my master
最后，我的主人
when my useful strength is gone
如果我没用了
do not turn me out to starve or freeze
请不要把我丢出去挨饿受冻
or sell me to a cruel owner
或者是把我贱卖给残忍的主人
to be slowly tortured and starved to death
他们会慢慢折磨我们，将我们饿死
but do thee my master take my life
in the kindest way
主人，请用最仁慈的方式来结束我们的生命
and your god will reward you here and hereafter
你将在此生和来世得到奖赏
you may not think me irreverent
if i ask this in the name of
him who was born in a stable
如果我以那位从马厩出生的主的名义向你提出请求
你应该不会觉得我无礼吧
amen——
阿门——
(本章完)