legends and lyrics - second series(传奇和抒情歌谣2)-第17章
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This was the least； for Alice Feared； dreaded； KNEW at length How
much his nature owed her Of truth； and power； and strength； And watched
the daily failing Of all his nobler part： Low aims； weak purpose； telling In
lower； weaker art。
XII。
And now； when he is dying； The last words she could hear Must not be
hers； but given The bride of one short year。 The last care is another's； The
last prayer must not be The one they learnt together Beside their mother's
knee。
XIII。
Summoned at last： she kisses The clay…cold stiffening hand； And；
reading pleading efforts To make her understand； Answers； with solemn
promise； In clear but trembling tone； To Dora's life henceforward She will
devote her own。
XIV。
Now all is over。 Alice Dares not remain to weep； But soothes the
frightened Dora Into a sobbing sleep。 The poor weak child will need
her： 。 。 。 Oh； who can dare complain； When God sends a new Duty To
comfort each new Pain！
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III。
I。
The House is all deserted； In the dim evening gloom； Only one figure
passes Slowly from room to room； And； pausing at each doorway； Seems
gathering up again Within her heart the relics Of bygone joy and pain。
II。
There is an earnest longing In those who onward gaze； Looking with
weary patience Towards the coming days。 There is a deeper longing； More
sad； more strong； more keen： Those know it who look backward； And
yearn for what has been。
III。
At every hearth she pauses； Touches each well…known chair； Gazes
from every window； Lingers on every stair。 What have these months
brought Alice Now one more year is past？ This Christmas Eve shall tell us；
The third one and the last。
IV。
The wilful； wayward Dora； In those first weeks of grief； Could seek
and find in Alice Strength； soothing； and relief； And Alicelast sad
comfort True woman…heart can take … Had something still to suffer And
bear for Herbert's sake。
V。
Spring； with her western breezes； From Indian islands bore To Alice
news that Leonard Would seek his home once more。 What was itjoy； or
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sorrow？ What were theyhopes； or fears？ That flushed her cheeks with
crimson； And filled her eyes with tears？
VI。
He came。 And who so kindly Could ask and hear her tell Herbert's
last hours； for Leonard Had known and loved him well。 Daily he came；
and Alice； Poor weary heart； at length； Weighed down by others' weakness；
Could lean upon his strength。
VII。
Yet not the voice of Leonard Could her true care beguile； That turned
to watch； rejoicing Dora's reviving smile。 So； from that little household
The worst gloom passed away； The one bright hour of evening Lit up the
livelong day。
VIII。
Days passed。 The golden summer In sudden heat bore down Its blue；
bright； glowing sweetness Upon the scorching town。 And sighs and sounds
of country Came in the warm soft tune Sung by the honeyed breezes
Borne on the wings of June。
IX。
One twilight hour； but earlier Than usual； Alice thought She knew the
fresh sweet fragrance Of flowers that Leonard brought； Through opened
doors and windows It stole up through the gloom； And with appealing
sweetness Drew Alice from her room。
X。
Yes； he was there； and pausing Just near the opened door； To check her
heart's quick beating； She heardand paused still more … His low voice
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Dora's answers … His pleadingYes； she knew The tonethe wordsthe
accents： She once had heard them too。
XI。
〃Would Alice blame her？〃 Leonard's Low； tender answer came； …
〃Alice was far too noble To think or dream of blame。〃 〃And was he sure
he loved her？〃 〃Yes； with the one love given Once in a lifetime only； With
one soul and one heaven！〃
XII。
Then came a plaintive murmur； … 〃Dora had once been told That he
and Alice〃〃Dearest； Alice is far too cold To love； and I； my Dora； If once
I fancied so； It was a brief delusion； And over；long ago。〃
XIII。
Between the Past and Present； On that bleak moment's height； She
stood。 As some lost traveller By a quick flash of light Seeing a gulf
before him； With dizzy； sick despair； Reels backward； but to find it A
deeper chasm there。
XIV。
The twilight grew still darker； The fragrant flowers more sweet； The
stars shone out in heaven； The lamps gleamed down the street； And hours
passed in dreaming Over their new…found fate； Ere they could think of
wondering Why Alice was so late。
XV。
She came； and calmly listened； In vain they strove to trace If Herbert's
memory shadowed In grief upon her face。 No blame； no wonder showed
there； No feeling could be told； Her voice was not less steady； Her manner
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not more cold。
XVI。
They could not hear the anguish That broke in words of pain Through
the calm summer midnight； … 〃My Herbertmine again！〃 Yes； they have
once been parted； But this day shall restore The long lost one： she claims
him： 〃My Herbertmine once more！〃
XVII。
Now Christmas Eve returning； Saw Alice stand beside The altar；
greeting Dora； Again a smiling bride； And now the gloomy evening Sees
Alice pale and worn； Leaving the house for ever； To wander out forlorn。
XVIII。
Forlornnay； not so。 Anguish Shall do its work at length； Her soul；
passed through the fire； Shall gain still purer strength。 Somewhere there
waits for Alice An earnest noble part； And； meanwhile God is with her； …
God； and her own true heart！
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VERSE： THE WIND
The wind went forth o'er land and sea Loud and free； Foaming waves
leapt up to meet it； Stately pines bowed down to greet it； While the wailing
sea And the forest's murmured sigh Joined the cry Of the wind that swept
o'er land and sea。
