贝壳电子书 > 英文原著电子书 > ancient poems >

第4章

ancient poems-第4章

小说: ancient poems 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!



tness of which is very questionable; is taken from a modern  broadside; the editor not having been fortunate enough to meet with  any earlier edition。  This old poem is said to have been a great  favourite with the father of Robert Burns。'


IN prime of years; when I was young; I took delight in youthful ways; Not knowing then what did belong Unto the pleasures of those days。 At seven years old I was a child; And subject then to be beguiled。

At two times seven I went to learn What discipline is taught at school: When good from ill I could discern; I thought myself no more a fool: My parents were contriving than; How I might live when I were man。

At three times seven I waxed wild; When manhood led me to be bold; I thought myself no more a child; My own conceit it so me told: Then did I venture far and near; To buy delight at price full dear。

At four times seven I take a wife; And leave off all my wanton ways; Thinking thereby perhaps to thrive; And save myself from sad disgrace。 So farewell my companions all; For other business doth me call。

At five times seven I must hard strive; What I could gain by mighty skill; But still against the stream I drive; And bowl up stones against the hill; The more I laboured might and main; The more I strove against the stream。

At six times seven all covetise Began to harbour in my breast; My mind still then contriving was How I might gain this worldly wealth; To purchase lands and live on them; So make my children mighty men。

At seven times seven all worldly thought Began to harbour in my brain; Then did I drink a heavy draught Of water of experience plain; There none so ready was as I; To purchase bargains; sell; or buy。

At eight times seven I waxed old; And took myself unto my rest; Neighbours then sought my counsel bold; And I was held in great request; But age did so abate my strength; That I was forced to yield at length。

At nine times seven take my leave Of former vain delights must I; It then full sorely did me grieve … I fetched many a heavy sigh; To rise up early; and sit up late; My former life; I loathe and hate。

At ten times seven my glass is run; And I poor silly man must die; I looked up; and saw the sun Had overcome the crystal sky。 So now I must this world forsake; Another man my place must take。

Now you may see; as in a glass; The whole estate of mortal men; How they from seven to seven do pass; Until they are threescore and ten; And when their glass is fully run; They must leave off as they begun。



Poem: THE YOUNG MAN'S WISH。



'FROM an old copy; without printer's name; probably one from the  Aldermary Church…yard press。  Poems in triplets were very popular  during the reign of Charles I。; and are frequently to be met with  during the Interregnum; and the reign of Charles II。'


IF I could but attain my wish; I'd have each day one wholesome dish; Of plain meat; or fowl; or fish。

A glass of port; with good old beer; In winter time a fire burnt clear; Tobacco; pipes; an easy chair。

In some clean town a snug retreat; A little garden 'fore my gate; With thousand pounds a year estate。

After my house expense was clear; Whatever I could have to spare; The neighbouring poor should freely share。

To keep content and peace through life; I'd have a prudent cleanly wife; Stranger to noise; and eke to strife。

Then I; when blest with such estate; With such a house; and such a mate; Would envy not the worldly great。

Let them for noisy honours try; Let them seek worldly praise; while I Unnoticed would live and die。

But since dame Fortune's not thought fit To place me in affluence; yet I'll be content with what I get。

He's happiest far whose humble mind; Is unto Providence resigned; And thinketh fortune always kind。

Then I will strive to bound my wish; And take; instead of fowl and fish; Whate'er is thrown into my dish。

Instead of wealth and fortune great; Garden and house and loving mate; I'll rest content in servile state。

I'll from each folly strive to fly; Each virtue to attain I'll try; And live as I would wish to die。



Poem: THE MIDNIGHT MESSENGER; OR; A SUDDEN CALL FROM AN EARTHLY  GLORY TO THE COLD GRAVE。

In a Dialogue between Death and a Rich Man; who; in the midst of  all his Wealth; received the tidings of his Last Day; to his  unspeakable and sorrowful Lamentation。

To the tune of AIM NOT TOO HIGH; (1) &c。



'THE following poem; and the two that immediately follow; belong to  a class of publications which have always been peculiar favourites  with the peasantry; in whose cottages they may be frequently seen;  neatly framed and glazed; and suspended from the white…washed  walls。  They belong to the school of Quarles; and can be traced to  the time when that writer was in the height of his popularity。   These religious dialogues are numerous; but the majority of them  are very namby…pamby productions; and unworthy of a reprint。  The  modern editions preserve the old form of the broadside of the  seventeenth century; and are adorned with rude woodcuts; probably  copies of ruder originals … 


… 'wooden cuts Strange; and uncouth; dire faces; figures dire; Sharp…kneed; sharp…elbowed; and lean…ankled too; With long and ghostly shanks; forms which once seen; Can never be forgotten!' … WORDSWORTH'S EXCURSION。'


DEATH。

THOU wealthy man of large possessions here; Amounting to some thousand pounds a year; Extorted by oppression from the poor; The time is come that thou shalt be no more; Thy house therefore in order set with speed; And call to mind how you your life do lead。 Let true repentance be thy chiefest care; And for another world now; NOW prepare。 For notwithstanding all your heaps of gold; Your lands and lofty buildings manifold; Take notice you must die this very day; And therefore kiss your bags and come away。

RICH MAN。

'He started straight and turned his head aside; Where seeing pale…faced Death; aloud he cried'; Lean famished slave! why do you threaten so; Whence come you; pray; and whither must I go?

DEATH。

I come from ranging round the universe; Through courts and kingdoms far and near I pass; Where rich and poor; distressed; bond and free; Fall soon or late a sacrifice to me。 From crowned kings to captives bound in chains My power reaches; sir; the longest reigns That ever were; I put a period to; And now I'm come in fine to conquer you。

RICH MAN。

I can't nor won't believe that you; pale Death; Were sent this day to stop my vital breath; By reason I in perfect health remain; Free from diseases; sorrow; grief; and pain; No heavy heart; nor fainting fits have I; And do you say that I am drawing nigh The latter minute? sure it cannot be; Depart; therefore; you are not sent for me!

DEATH。

Yes; yes; I am; for did you never know; The tender grass and pleasant flowers that grow Perhaps one minute; are the next cut down? And so is man; though famed with high renown。 Have you not heard the doleful passing bell Ring out for those that were alive and well The other day; in health and pleasure too; And had as little thoughts of death as you? For let me tell you; when my warrant's sealed; The sweetest beauty that the earth doth yield At my approach shall turn as pale as lead; 'Tis I that lay them on their dying bed。

I kill with dropsy; phthisic; stone; and gout; But when my raging fevers fly about; I strike the man; perhaps; but over…night; Who hardly lives to see the morning light; I'm sent each hour; like to a nimble page; To infant; hoary heads; and middle age; Time after time I sweep the world quite through; Then it's in vain to think I'll favour you。

RICH MAN。

Proud Death; you see what awful sway I bear; For when I frown none of my servants dare Approach my presence; but in corners hide Until I am appeased and pacified。 Nay; men of greater rank I keep in awe Nor did I ever fear the force of law; But ever did my enemies subdue; And must I after all submit to you?

DEATH。

'Tis very true; for why thy daring soul; Which never could endure the least control; I'll thrust thee from this earthly tenement; And thou shalt to another world be sent。

RICH MAN。

What! must I die and leave a vast estate; Which; with my gold; I purchased but of late? Besides what

返回目录 上一页 下一页 回到顶部 2 3

你可能喜欢的