the vicar of wakefield-第8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！
Upon his departure； we again entered into a debate upon the merits of our young landlord。 As he directed his looks and conversation to Olivia； it was no longer doubted but that she was the object that induced him to be our visitor。 Nor did she seem to be much displeased at the innocent raillery of her brother and sister upon this occasion。 Even Deborah herself seemed to share the glory of the day； and exulted in her daughter's victory as if it were her own。 'And now； my dear；' cried she to me； 'I'll fairly own； that it was I that instructed my girls to encourage our landlord's addresses。 I had always some ambition； and you now see that I was right； for who knows how this may end？' 'Ay； who knows that indeed；' answered I； with a groan： 'for my part I don't much like it； and I could have been better pleased with one that was poor and honest； than this fine gentleman with his fortune and infidelity； for depend on't； if he be what I suspect him； no free… thinker shall ever have a child of mine。' 'Sure； father；' cried Moses； 'you are too severe in this； for heaven will never arraign him for what he thinks； but for what he does。 Every man has a thousand vicious thoughts； which arise without his power to suppress。 Thinking freely of religion； may be involuntary with this gentleman： so that allowing his sentiments to be wrong； yet as he is purely passive in his assent； he is no more to be blamed for his errors than the governor of a city without walls for the shelter he is obliged to afford an invading enemy。'
'True； my son；' cried I； 'but if the governor invites the enemy； there he is justly culpable。 And such is always the case with those who embrace error。 The vice does not lie in assenting to the proofs they see； but in being blind to many of the proofs that offer。 So that； though our erroneous opinions be involuntary when formed； yet as we have been wilfully corrupt； or very negligent in forming them； we deserve punishment for our vice； or contempt for our folly。' My wife now kept up the conversation； though not the argument： she observed； that several very prudent men of our acquaintance were free…thinkers； and made very good husbands； and she knew some sensible girls that had skill enough to make converts of their spouses： 'And who knows； my dear；' continued she； 'what Olivia may be able to do。 The girl has a great deal to say upon every subject； and to my knowledge is very well skilled in controversy。'
'Why； my dear； what controversy can she have read？' cried I。 'It does not occur to me that I ever put such books into her hands： you certainly over…rate her merit。' 'Indeed； pappa；' replied Olivia； 'she does not： I have read a great deal of controversy。 I have read the disputes between Thwackum and Square； the controversy between Robinson Crusoe and Friday the savage； and I am now employed in reading the controversy in Religious courtship' 'Very well；' cried I； 'that's a good girl； I find you are perfectly qualified for making converts； and so go help your mother to make the gooseberry…pye。'
CHAPTER 8
An amour； which promises little good fortune； yet may be productive of much
The next morning we were again visited by Mr Burchell； though I began； for certain reasons； to be displeased with the frequency of his return； but I could not refuse him my company and fire…side。 It is true his labour more than requited his entertainment； for he wrought among us with vigour； and either in the meadow or at the hay…rick put himself foremost。 Besides； he had always something amusing to say that lessened our toil； and was at once so out of the way； and yet so sensible； that I loved； laughed at； and pitied him。 My only dislike arose from an attachment he discovered to my daughter： he would； in a jesting manner； call her his little mistress； and when he bought each of the girls a set of ribbands； hers was the finest。 I knew not how； but he every day seemed to become more amiable； his wit to improve； and his simplicity to assume the superior airs of wisdom。
Our family dined in the field； and we sate； or rather reclined； round a temperate repast； our cloth spread upon the hay； while Mr Burchell gave cheerfulness to the feast。 To heighten our satisfaction two blackbirds answered each other from opposite hedges； the familiar redbreast came and pecked the crumbs from our hands； and every sound seemed but the echo of tranquillity。 'I never sit thus；' says Sophia； 'but I think of the two lovers； so sweetly described by Mr Gay； who were struck dead in each other's arms。 There is something so pathetic in the description； that I have read it an hundred times with new rapture。''In my opinion；' cried my son； 'the finest strokes in that description are much below those in the Acis and Galatea of Ovid。 The Roman poet understands the use of contrast better； and upon that figure artfully managed all strength in the pathetic depends。''It is remarkable；' cried Mr Burchell； 'that both the poets you mention have equally contributed to introduce a false taste into their respective countries； by loading all their lines with epithet。 Men of little genius found them most easily imitated in their defects； and English poetry； like that in the latter empire of Rome； is nothing at present but a combination of luxuriant images； without plot or connexion； a string of epithets that improve the sound； without carrying on the sense。 But perhaps； madam； while I thus reprehend others； you'll think it just that I should give them an opportunity to retaliate； and indeed I have made this remark only to have an opportunity of introducing to the company a ballad； which； whatever be its other defects； is I think at least free from those I have mentioned。'
A BALLAD。
'Turn； gentle hermit of the dale； And guide my lonely way； To where yon taper cheers the vale； With hospitable ray。
'For here forlorn and lost I tread； With fainting steps and slow； Where wilds immeasurably spread； Seem lengthening as I go。'
'Forbear； my son；' the hermit cries； 'To tempt the dangerous gloom； For yonder faithless phantom flies To lure thee to thy doom。
'Here to the houseless child of want； My door is open still； And tho' my portion is but scant； I give it with good will。
'Then turn to…night； and freely share Whate'er my cell bestows； My rushy couch； and frugal fare； My blessing and repose。
'No flocks that range the valley free； To slaughter I condemn： Taught by that power that pities me； I learn to pity them。
'But from the mountain's grassy side； A guiltless feast I bring； A scrip with herbs and fruits supply'd； And water from the spring。
'Then； pilgrim； turn； thy cares forego； All earth…born cares are wrong： Man wants but little here below； Nor wants that little long。'
Soft as the dew from heav'n descends； His gentle accents fell： The modest stranger lowly bends； And follows to the cell。
Far in a wilderness obscure The lonely mansion lay； A refuge to the neighbouring poor； And strangers led astray。
No stores beneath its humble thatch Requir'd a master's care； The wicket opening with a latch； Receiv'd the harmless pair。
And now when busy crowds retire To take their evening rest； The hermit trimm'd his little fire； And cheer'd his pensive guest：
And spread his vegetable store； And gayly prest； and smil'd； And skill'd in legendary lore； The lingering hours beguil'd。
Around in sympathetic mirth Its tricks the kitten tries； The cricket chirrups in the hearth； The crackling faggot flies。
But nothing could a charm impart To sooth the stranger's woe； For grief was heavy at his heart； And tears began to flow。
His rising cares the hermit spy'd； With answering care opprest： 'And whence； unhappy youth；' he cry'd； 'The sorrows of thy breast？
'From better habitations spurn'd； Reluctant dost thou rove； Or grieve for friendship unreturn'd； Or unregarded love？
'Alas！ the joys that fortune brings； Are trifling and decay； And those who prize the paltry things； More trifling still than they。
'And what is friendship but a name； A charm that lulls to sleep； A shade that follows wealth or fame； But leaves the wretch to weep？
'And love is still an emptier sound； The modern fair one's jest： On earth unseen； or only found To warm the turtle's nest。
'
