贝壳电子书 > 英文原著电子书 > the home book of verse-1 >

第41章

the home book of verse-1-第41章

小说: the home book of verse-1 字数: 每页4000字

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页,按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页,按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部!
————未阅读完?加入书签已便下次继续阅读!




To prove the warm affection I've always felt for you?

I have; within my pantry; good store of all that's nice;

I'm sure you're very welcome … will you please to take a slice?〃

〃Oh no; no;〃 said the little Fly; 〃kind sir; that cannot be;

I've heard what's in your pantry; and I do not wish to see!〃



〃Sweet creature;〃 said the Spider; 〃you're witty and you're wise;

How handsome are your gauzy wings; how brilliant are your eyes!

I have a little looking…glass upon my parlor shelf;

If you'll step in one moment; dear; you shall behold yourself。〃

〃I thank you; gentle sir;〃 she said; 〃for what you're pleased to say;

And bidding you good morning now; I'll call another day。〃



The Spider turned him round about; and went into his den;

For well he knew the silly Fly would soon be back again;

So he wove a subtle web in a little corner sly;

And set his table ready to dine upon the Fly。

Then he came out to his door again; and merrily did sing; …

〃Come hither; hither; pretty Fly; with the pearl and silver wing;

Your robes are green and purple; there's a crest upon your head;

Your eyes are like the diamond bright; but mine are dull as lead。〃



Alas; alas! how very soon this silly little Fly;

Hearing his wily; flattering words; came slowly flitting by:

With buzzing wings she hung aloft; then near and nearer drew; …

Thinking only of her brilliant eyes; and green and purple hue;

Thinking only of her crested head … poor foolish thing!  At last;

Up jumped the cunning Spider; and fiercely held her fast。

He dragged her up his winding stair; into his dismal den

Within his little parlor … but she ne'er came out again!



And now; dear little children; who may this story read;

To idle; silly; flattering words; I pray you ne'er give heed;

Unto an evil counsellor close heart; and ear; and eye;

And take a lesson from this tale of the Spider and the Fly。



Mary Howitt '1799…1888'





THE CAPTAIN'S DAUGHTER



We were crowded in the cabin;

Not a soul would dare to sleep; …

It was midnight on the waters;

And a storm was on the deep。



'Tis a fearful thing in winter

To be shattered by the blast;

And to hear the rattling trumpet

Thunder; 〃Cut away the mast!〃



So we shuddered there in silence; …

For the stoutest held his breath;

While the hungry sea was roaring

And the breakers talked with death。



As thus we sat in darkness;

Each one busy with his prayers;

〃We are lost!〃 the captain shouted;

As he staggered down the stairs。



But his little daughter whispered;

As she took his icy hand;

〃Isn't God upon the ocean;

Just the same as on the land?〃



Then we kissed the little maiden;

And we spake in better cheer;

And we anchored safe in harbor

When the morn was shining clear。



James Thomas Fields '1816…1881'





THE NIGHTINGALE AND GLOW…WORM



A nightingale; that all day long

Had cheered the village with his song;

Nor yet at eve his note suspended;

Nor yet when eventide was ended;

Began to feel; as well he might;

The keen demands of appetite;

When; looking eagerly around;

He spied far off; upon the ground;

A something shining in the dark;

And knew the glow…worm by his spark;

So; stooping down from hawthorn top;

He thought to put him in his crop。

The worm; aware of his intent;

Harangued him thus; right eloquent:

〃Did you admire my lamp;〃 quoth he;

〃As much as I your minstrelsy;

You would abhor to do me wrong;

As much as I to spoil your song;

For 'twas the self…same Power Divine

Taught you to sing; and me to shine;

That you with music; I with light;

Might beautify and cheer the night。〃

The songster heard his short oration;

And warbling out his approbation;

Released him; as my story tells;

And found a supper somewhere else。

Hence jarring sectaries may learn

Their real interest to discern;

That brother should not war with brother;

And worry and devour each other;

But sing and shine by sweet consent;

Till life's poor transient night is spent;

Respecting in each other's case

The gifts of nature and of grace。

Those Christians best deserve the name

Who studiously make peace their aim;

Peace both the duty and the prize

Of him that creeps and him that flies。



William Cowper '1731…1808'





SIR LARK AND KING SUN: A PARABLE

From 〃Adela Cathcart〃



〃Good morrow; my lord!〃 in the sky alone;

Sang the lark; as the sun ascended his throne。

〃Shine on me; my lord; I only am come;

Of all your servants; to welcome you home。

I have flown right up; a whole hour; I swear;

To catch the first shine of your golden hair。〃



〃Must I thank you; then;〃 said the king; 〃Sir Lark;

For flying so high and hating the dark?

You ask a full cup for half a thirst:

Half was love of me; and half love to be first。

There's many a bird makes no such haste;

But waits till I come: that's as much to my taste。〃



And King Sun hid his head in a turban of cloud;

And Sir Lark stopped singing; quite vexed and cowed;

But he flew up higher; and thought; 〃Anon

The wrath of the king will be over and gone;

And his crown; shining out of its cloudy fold;

Will change my brown feathers to a glory of gold。〃



So he flew … with the strength of a lark he flew;

But; as he rose; the cloud rose too;

And not one gleam of the golden hair

Came through the depths of the misty air;

Till; weary with flying; with sighing sore;

The strong sun…seeker could do no more。



His wings had had no chrism of gold:

And his feathers felt withered and worn and old;

He faltered; and sank; and dropped like a stone。

And there on her nest; where he left her; alone

Sat his little wife on her little eggs;

Keeping them warm with wings and legs。



Did I say alone?  Ah; no such thing!

Full in her face was shining the king。

〃Welcome; Sir Lark! You look tired;〃 said he;

〃Up is not always the best way to me。

While you have been singing so high and away;

I've been shining to your little wife all day。〃



He had set his crown all about the nest;

And out of the midst shone her little brown breast;

And so glorious was she in russet gold;

That for wonder and awe Sir Lark grew cold。

He popped his head under her wing; and lay

As still as a stone; till King Sun was away。



George Macdonald '1824…1905'



THE COURTSHIP; MERRY MARRIAGE; AND PICNIC DINNER

OF COCK ROBIN AND JENNY WREN



It was a merry time

When Jenny Wren was young;

So neatly as she danced;

And so sweetly as she sung;

Robin Redbreast lost his heart:

He was a gallant bird;

He doffed his hat to Jenny;

And thus to her he said: …



〃My dearest Jenny Wren;

If you will but be mine;

You shall dine on cherry pie;

And drink nice currant wine。

I'll dress you like a Goldfinch;

Or like a Peacock gay;

So if you'll have me; Jenny;

Let us appoint the day。〃



Jenny blushed behind her fan;

And thus declared her mind:

〃Then let it be to…morrow; Bob;

I take your offer kind …

Cherry pie is very good!

So is currant wine!


But I will wear my brown gown;

And never dress too fine。〃



Robin rose up early

At the break of day;

He flew to Jenny Wren's house;

To sing a roundelay。

He met the Cock and Hen;

And bid the Cock declare;

This was his wedding…day

With Jenny Wren; the fair。



The Cock then blew his horn;

To let the neighbors know;

This was Robin's wedding…day;

And they might see the show。

And first came Parson Rook;

With his spectacles and band;

And one of Mother Hubbard's books

He held within his hand。



Then followed him the Lark;

For he could sweetly sing;

And he was to be clerk

At Cock Robin's wedding。

He sang of Robin's love

For little Jenny Wren;

And when he came unto the end;

Then he began again。



Then came the bride and bridegroom;

Quite plainly was she dressed;

And blushed so much; her cheeks were

As red as Robin's breast。

But Robin cheered her up;

〃My pretty Jen;〃 said he;

返回目录 上一页 下一页 回到顶部 0 0

你可能喜欢的