legends and lyrics- first series(传奇和抒情歌谣1)-第4章
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！
and plenty in the cottage； Peace and feasting in the hall； And the voices of
the children Ringing clear above it all！
Yet one house was dim and darkened； Gloom； and sickness； and
despair； Dwelling in the gilded chambers。 Creeping up the marble stair；
Even stilled the voice of mourning … For a child lay dying there。
Silken curtains fell around him； Velvet carpets hushed the tread。 Many
costly toys were lying； All unheeded； by his bed； And his tangled golden
ringlets Were on downy pillows spread。
The skill of all that mighty City To save one little life was vain； One
little thread from being broken； One fatal word from being spoken； Nay；
his very mother's pain； And the mighty love within her； Could not give
him health again。
So she knelt there still beside him； She alone with strength to smile；
Promising that he should suffer No more in a little while； Murmuring
tender song and story Weary hours to beguile。
Suddenly an unseen Presence Checked those constant moaning cries；
Stilled the little heart's quick fluttering； Raised those blue and wondering
eyes； Fixed on some mysterious vision； With a startled sweet surprise。
For a radiant angel hovered； Smiling； o'er the little bed； White his
12
… Page 13…
LEGENDS AND LYRICSFIRST SERIES
raiment； from his shoulders Snowy dove…like pinions spread； And a
starlike light was shining In a Glory round his head。
While； with tender love； the angel； Leaning o'er the little nest； In his
arms the sick child folding； Laid him gently on his breast； Sobs and
wailings told the mother That her darling was at rest。
So the angel； slowing rising； Spread his wings； and； through the air；
Bore the child； and while he held him To his heart with loving care； Placed
a branch of crimson roses Tenderly beside him there。
While the child； thus clinging； floated Towards the mansions of the
Blest； Gazing from his shining guardian To the flowers upon his breast；
Thus the angel spake； still smiling On the little heavenly guest：
〃Know； dear little one； that Heaven Does no earthly thing disdain；
Man's poor joys find there an echo Just as surely as his pain； Love； on
earth so feebly striving； Lives divine in Heaven again！
〃Once in that great town below us； In a poor and narrow street； Dwelt
a little sickly orphan； Gentle aid； or pity sweet； Never in life's rugged
pathway Guided his poor tottering feet。
〃All the striving anxious forethought That should only come with age；
Weighed upon his baby spirit； Showed him soon life's sternest page； Grim
Want was his nurse； and Sorrow Was his only heritage。
〃All too weak for childish pastimes； Drearily the hours sped； On his
hands so small and trembling Leaning his poor aching head； Or； through
dark and painful hours； Lying sleepless on his bed。
〃Dreaming strange and longing fancies Of cool forests far away； And
of rosy； happy children； Laughing merrily at play； Coming home through
green lanes； bearing Trailing boughs of blooming May。
〃Scarce a glimpse of azure heaven Gleamed above that narrow street；
And the sultry air of Summer （That you call so warm and sweet） Fevered
the poor Orphan； dwelling In the crowded alley's heat。
〃One bright day； with feeble footsteps Slowly forth he tried to crawl；
Through the crowded city's pathways； Till he reached a garden…wall；
Where 'mid princely halls and mansions Stood the lordliest of all。
〃There were trees with giant branches； Velvet glades where shadows
hide； There were sparkling fountains glancing； Flowers； which in luxuriant
13
… Page 14…
LEGENDS AND LYRICSFIRST SERIES
pride Even wafted breaths of perfume To the child who stood outside。
〃He against the gate of iron Pressed his wan and wistful face； Gazing
with an awe…struck pleasure At the glories of the place； Never had his
brightest day…dream Shone with half such wondrous grace。
〃You were playing in that garden； Throwing blossoms in the air；
Laughing when the petals floated Downwards on your golden hair； And
the fond eyes watching o'er you； And the splendour spread before you；
Told a House's Hope was there。
〃When your servants； tired of seeing Such a face of want and woe；
Turning to the ragged Orphan； Gave him coin； and bade him go； Down his
cheeks so thin and wasted； Bitter tears began to flow。
〃But that look of childish sorrow On your tender child…heart fell； And
you plucked the reddest roses From the tree you loved so well； Passed
them through the stern cold grating； Gently bidding him 'Farewell！'
〃Dazzled by the fragrant treasure And the gentle voice he heard； In the
poor forlorn boy's spirit； Joy； the sleeping Seraph； stirred； In his hand he
took the flowers； In his heart the loving word。
〃So he crept to his poor garret； Poor no more； but rich and bright； For
the holy dreams of childhood … Love； and Rest； and Hope； and Light …
Floated round the Orphan's pillow Through the starry summer night。
〃Day dawned； yet the visions lasted； All too weak to rise he lay； Did
he dream that none spake harshly … All were strangely kind that day？
Surely then his treasured roses Must have charmed all ills away。
〃And he smiled； though they were fading； One by one their leaves
were shed； 'Such bright things could never perish； They would bloom
again；' he said。 When the next day's sun had risen Child and flowers both
were dead。
〃Know； dear little one！ our Father Will no gentle deed disdain； Love
on the cold earth beginning Lives divine in Heaven again； While the angel
hearts that beat there Still all tender thoughts retain。〃
So the angel ceased； and gently O'er his little burthen leant； While the
child gazed from the shining； Loving eyes that o'er him bent； To the
blooming roses by him； Wondering what that mystery meant。
Thus the radiant angel answered； And with tender meaning smiled：
14
… Page 15…
LEGENDS AND LYRICSFIRST SERIES
〃Ere your childlike； loving spirit； Sin and the hard world defiled； God has
given me leave to seek you … I was once that little child！〃
* * *
In the churchyard of that city Rose a tomb of marble rare； Decked； as
soon as Spring awakened； With her buds and blossoms fair … And a humble
grave beside it … No one knew who rested there。
15
… Page 16…
LEGENDS AND LYRICSFIRST SERIES
VERSE： ECHOES
Still the angel stars are shining； Still the rippling waters flow； But the
angel…voice is silent That I heard so long ago。 Hark！ the echoes murmur
low； Long ago！
Still the wood is dim and lonely； Still the plashing fountains play； But
the past and all its beauty； Whither has it fled away？ Hark！ the mournful
echoes say； Fled away！
Still the bird of night complaineth； （Now； indeed； her song is pai
