登陆注册
15681600000077

第77章

And whilst they sat themselves down, to take a little repose there, Thus the loving youth spoke, whilst he seized the hand of the maiden "Let your heart give the answer, and always obey what it tells you!"But he ventured to say no more, however propitious Was the moment; he feard that a No would be her sole answer, Ah! and he felt the ring on her finger, that sorrowful token.

So by the side of each other they quietly sat and in silence, But the maiden began to speak, and said, "How delightful Is the light of the moon! The clearness of day it resembles.

Yonder I see in the town the houses and courtyards quite plainly, In the gable a window; methinks all the panes I can reckon.""That which you see," replied the youth, who spoke with an effort, "That is our house down to which I now am about to conduct you, And that window yonder belongs to my room in the attic, Which will probably soon be yours, as we're making great changes.

All these fields are ours, and ripe for the harvest to-morrow;Here in the shade we are wont to rest, enjoying our meal-time.

But let us now descend across the vineyard and garden, For observe how the threatening storm is hitherward rolling, Lightening first, and then eclipsing the beautiful full moon."So the pair arose, and wauder'd down by the corn-field,Through the powerful corn, in the nightly clearness rejoicing;And they reach'd the vineyard, and through its dark shadows proceeded.

So he guided her down the numerous tiers of the flat stones Which, in an unhewn state, served as steps to the walk through the foliage.

Slowly she descended, and placed her hands on his shoulders;And, with a quivering light, the moon through the foliage o'erlook'd them, Till by storm-clouds envelop'd, she left the couple in darkness.

Then the strong youth supported the maiden, who on him was leaning;She, however, not knowing the path, or observing the rough steps, Slipp'd as she walk'd, her foot gave way, and she well nigh was falling.

Hastily held out his arm the youth with nimbleness thoughtful, And held up his beloved one; she gently sank on his shoulders, Breast was press'd against breast, and cheek against cheek, and so stood he Fix'd like a marble statue, restrained by a firm resolution;He embraced her no closer, thoughall her weight he supported;So he felt his noble burden, the warmth of her bosom, And her balmy breath, against his warm lips exhaling, Bearing with manly feelings the woman's heroical greatness.

But she conceal'd the pain which she felt, and jestingly spoke thus "It betokens misfortune,--so scrupulous people inform us,--For the foot to give way on entering a house, near the threshold.

I should have wish'd, in truth, for a sign of some happier omen!

Let us tarry a little, for fear your parents should blame you For their limping servant, and you should be thought a bad landlord."

IX.URANIA.

CONCLUSION.

O YE Muses, who gladly favour a love that is heartfelt, Who on his way the excellent youth have hitherto guided, Who have press'd the maid to his bosom before their betrothal, Help still further to perfect the bonds of a couple so loving, Drive away the clouds which over their happiness hover!

But begin by saying what now in the house has been passing.

For the third time the mother impatiently enter'd the chamber Where the men were sitting, which she had anxiously quitted, Speaking of the approaching storm, and the loss of the moon's light, Then of her son's long absence, and all the perils that night brings.

Strongly she censured their friends for having so soon left the youngster, For not even addressing the maiden, or seeking to woo her.

"Make not the worst of the mischief," the father peevishly answer'd;"For you see we are waiting ourselves, expecting the issue."But the neighbour sat still, and calmly address'd them as follows:--"In uneasy moments like these, I always feel grateful To my late father, who when I was young all seeds of impatience In my mind uprooted, and left no fragment remaining, And I learnt how to wait, as well as the best of the wise men.

"Tell us what legerdemain he employ'd," the pastor made answer.

"I will gladly inform you, and each one may gain by the lesson,"Answer'd the neighbour."When I was a boy, I was standing one Sunday In a state of impatience, eagerly waiting the carriage Which was to carry us out to the fountain under the lime-trees;But it came not; I ran like a weasel now hither, now thither, Up and down the stairs, and from the door to the window;Both my hands were prickling, I scratch'd away at the tables, Stamping and trotting about, and scarcely refrain'd I from crying.

All this the calm man composedly saw; but finally when ICarried my folly too far, by the arm he quietly took me, Led me up to the window, and used this significant language 'See you up yonder the joiner's workshop, now closed for the Sunday?

'Twill be re-open'd to-morrow, and plane and saw will be working.

Thus will the busy hours be pass'd from morning till evening.

But remember this: the rimming will soon be arriving, When the master, together with all his men, will be busy In preparing and finishing quickly and deftly your coffin, And they will carefully bring over here that house made of boards, which Will at length receive the patient as well as impatient, And which is destined to carry a roof that's unpleasantly heavy.

All that he mention'd I forthwith saw taking place in my mind's eye, Saw the boards join'd together, and saw the black cover made ready, Patiently then I sat, and meekly awaited the carriage.

And I always think of the coffin whenever I see men Running about in a state of doubtful and wild expectation."Smilingly answered the pastor:--"Death's stirring image is neither Unto the wise a cause of alarm,--or an end to the pious.

Back into life it urges the former, and teaches him action, And, for the weal of the latter, it strengthens his hope in affliction.

Death is a giver of life unto both.Your father did wrongly When to the sensitive boy he pointed out death in its own form.

同类推荐
热门推荐
  • 枪耀

    枪耀

    泽国江山入战图,生民何计乐樵苏。凭君莫话封侯事,一将功成万骨枯。一位普通电脑编程员,因为兴趣加入了一场史诗级的游戏巨制“中军枪魂”。他在游戏中出神入化的战斗,使得他最终成为了顶尖玩家中的顶尖玩家,还建立了属于自己的国家。后来当外国袭击中华服务器大陆之时,他率领公会成员潜伏进入外国所在大陆,重建游戏之中的世界秩序,成为一代游戏传奇玩家!{三个字,各种求!}
  • 黑空的夜

    黑空的夜

    他们是一群个坏孩子但是,他们中也有个好学生有的一个学习成绩好的坏孩子有的只是学习不好的好孩子但是,他们都顶着同一片天空,只是,不一样的夜而已。
  • 情定波尔多

    情定波尔多

    故事发生在素有“东方之珠”美称的香港和风光惹人醉的法国红酒之都波尔多,孤儿司徒柏琳被一对夫妇领养,原以为自己从此可以过着幸福快乐的生活。没想到几年之后,养父母意外有了亲生女儿梓琳,柏琳便失去了父母亲的疼爱。突然一天,妹妹闹着要出去外面玩,柏琳心里产生了个邪恶的想法。之后妹妹一直下落不明,长大后成了香港颇负盛名的金牌主持人和演员,在法国波尔多的妹妹艾丽斯·歌迪亚突然出现。艾丽斯·歌迪亚发现了事情的真相,于是展开了复仇。
  • 命运眷顾的祭坛

    命运眷顾的祭坛

    一个从天而降的掌法击中了李维的天灵盖!李维穿越了!于是,一段跌宕起伏、嘻哈不断的故事从此展开。
  • 春雨秋风

    春雨秋风

    【锦书轩】让你爱上文字的香气。他,一个普通的名字:李秋生,但他有着一颗不平凡的心。何香,一个美丽善良的女子,从小就遭遇不公平的待遇,她在坎坷中挣扎、抗争。可是,仿佛她的不幸与生俱来。责任,像一座大山一样压着他,他希望去解救所有弱者和在贫困中生活的人们。他是时代的急先锋,他一腔热血,用自己火一样的热情去开拓那片处女地,使它成为一颗璀璨的明珠。他在不屈不饶中站立起来,他在挫折中勇往直前,他唱响了自己的生命之歌。他是一个无私的奉献者,他希望为这个社会奉献自己的才能和热血,他从来没有设身处地想一想自己的得失。他和朋友肝胆相照,他和他的朋友们一起在风浪中颠簸。他是一个强者,但他也是一个生活在现实中的血肉之躯。人生如梦,只有凄风苦雨。如泣如诉,梦醒人归去。。。。。。希望名家能为我的诎作给予点评,我将不遗余力地去写好自己的作品。同时也盼望同仁们对我的作品提出批评并进行指点、收藏、推荐和支持!我也将不遗余力地去收藏大家的作品,共同支持吧!我的qq号:1028264690.希望加我为好友!同时,我是一个孤独者,每天默默无闻地创作着自己的作品,希望找到一个懂我、爱我支持我的女士牵手人生!
  • 情深缘浅:老公有毒

    情深缘浅:老公有毒

    她是正室,却被小三开车撞击,孩子抢救无效而死。她生死一线时,相爱三年的老公姜溯甩下离婚协议书,小三挺着肚子登堂入室,她被赶出家门!在她万念俱灰时,秦时景如天神降世。至此,一场契约婚姻产生。他为她灭小三,踩渣男,对付恶毒后母,为她死去的孩子讨回公道。她以为他是救赎,尔虞我诈间将身心交付。后来。他为心爱之人狠心将利刃刺入她的身体,她恍然初醒,她在荒芜悲凉中死去,在黑暗中悄然重生。总有一个人宠你入天堂,伤你下地狱。
  • 穿越古代做任务

    穿越古代做任务

    苏晨找到了一份年薪千万的工作!工作的内容就是为顶尖科技公司,试用一款智能头盔。戴上头盔的那一刻,苏晨的意识进入到一个架空的古代王朝。一个动听的女音响起:“您好!欢迎进入大晋王朝,我们会从十万个任务之中,随机的抽取十个任务给您,只有在一个任务完成的时候,才会随机触发下一个任务。您只有完成这十项挑战,才能离开这个虚拟世界!剩下的时间只有五年!如果有任何一个任务没有完成,后果会很严重!现在第一个任务开始——让江南第一才女沈梦尘,移情别恋爱上你!”
  • 戒指之万书从中过

    戒指之万书从中过

    第一次写书,望大家支持,这本书是我喜欢的一本,可惜没写完,我来续写
  • 杀手逍遥

    杀手逍遥

    从一个孤儿到成为杀手的过程。冰火大陆,这大陆很奇特,东部是一个冰雪的世界而西部却是火热的世界。冰火大陆只有4种魔法元素就是风火水土。有一个特殊群体,他们没斗气和魔法但精神力很强就是幻术师,当主角曹梦学会阵法后更如虎添翼。
  • 飞龙探云手异界游

    飞龙探云手异界游

    一个年仅十五岁,天真善良外加一点傻气的少年生怀李逍遥传于后人的绝学——飞龙探云手。为了能让重病的父亲吃上一口饱饭,少年李凯开始人生的第一次盗窃。不幸的是他竟然遇上了由盘古元神三化而成、道术的老祖宗——原始天尊!被原始天尊附身之后,李凯被送到了异世界,接受了发扬道术光大!盗取异界至宝的光荣任务。就让我们来看看,一个天真善良外加一点傻气的少年和一个诡计多端外加一点阴险狡诈的天尊拼在一起能演一场怎样惊天动地的好戏。