这段文字是牛虻在行刑前夜写给他的曾经的女友的遗书的末尾，也是出现《牛虻》这首儿歌的地方，是主人公对年少情愫的追忆与告别。
话剧《牛虻》在沪上演出时，作家赵长天曾感慨道：“《牛虻》是我很久以前读的作品，读后明白了很多道理。今天再看这个戏，仍然觉得原来我们对很多东西，如信仰、爱情以及人生还很懵懂。”作家陈村也说：“这个戏涉及一些人生无法回避的痛苦、困惑和矛盾，那些事情也经常在我们身边发生。”
I loved you, Gemma, when you were an ugly little girl in a gingham frock, with your hair in a pig-tail down your back; and I love you still. Do you remember that day when I kissed your hand, and when you so piteously begged me 'never to do that again'? It was a scoundrelly trick to play, I know; but you must forgive that; and now I kiss the paper where I have written your name. So I have kissed you twice, and both times without your consent. "That is all. Good-bye, my dear." There was no signature, but a verse which they had learned together as children was written under the letter: "Then am I A happy fly, If I live Or if I die."
我曾爱过你，Gemma，当你还是个穿着格子连衣裙，梳着粉红色马尾辫的丑丫头；我现在依然爱你。你还记得我吻你手的那天，你可怜地对我说“不要再那样做了”么？虽然那样做很不得体，我知道；但是请你原谅；现在我亲吻写着你名字的信纸。我已经亲吻过你两次了，而且两次都未经你允许。 “就这样了。再见，我亲爱的。” 我不署名了，但是用一首我们儿时共同学过的诗落款： “那么我是一只快乐的苍蝇，无论是活着还是死去.” ——译文来自: labi88