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第5章

ancient poems-第5章

小说: ancient poems 字数: 每页4000字

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RICH MAN。

What! must I die and leave a vast estate; Which; with my gold; I purchased but of late? Besides what I had many years ago? … What! must my wealth and I be parted so? If you your darts and arrows must let fly; Go search the jails; where mourning debtors lie; Release them from their sorrow; grief; and woe; For I am rich and therefore loth to go。

DEATH。

I'll search no jails; but the right mark I'll hit; And though you are unwilling to submit; Yet die you must; no other friend can do; … Prepare yourself to go; I'm come for you。 If you had all the world and ten times more; Yet die you must; … there's millions gone before; The greatest kings on earth yield and obey; And at my feet their crowns and sceptres lay: If crowned heads and right renowned peers Die in the prime and blossoms of their years; Can you suppose to gain a longer space? No!  I will send you to another place。

RICH MAN。

Oh! stay thy hand and be not so severe; I have a hopeful son and daughter dear; All that I beg is but to let me live That I may them in lawful marriage give: They being young when I am laid in the grave; I fear they will be wronged of what they have: Although of me you will no pity take; Yet spare me for my little infants' sake。

DEATH。

If such a vain excuse as this might do; It would be long ere mortals would go through The shades of death; for every man would find Something to say that he might stay behind。 Yet; if ten thousand arguments they'd use; The destiny of dying to excuse; They'll find it is in vain with me to strive; For why; I part the dearest friends alive; Poor parents die; and leave their children small With nothing to support them here withal; But the kind hand of gracious Providence; Who is their father; friend; and sole defence。 Though I have held you long in disrepute; Yet after all here with a sharp salute I'll put a period to your days and years; Causing your eyes to flow with dying tears。

RICH MAN。

'Then with a groan he made this sad complaint': My heart is dying; and my spirits faint; To my close chamber let me be conveyed; Farewell; false world; for thou hast me betrayed。 Would I had never wronged the fatherless; Nor mourning widows when in sad distress; Would I had ne'er been guilty of that sin; Would I had never known what gold had been; For by the same my heart was drawn away To search for gold: but now this very day; I find it is but like a slender reed; Which fails me most when most I stand in need; For; woe is me! the time is come at last; Now I am on a bed of sorrow cast; Where in lamenting tears I weeping lie; Because my sins make me afraid to die: Oh! Death; be pleased to spare me yet awhile; That I to God myself may reconcile; For true repentance some small time allow; I never feared a future state till now! My bags of gold and land I'd freely give; For to obtain the favour here to live; Until I have a sure foundation laid。 Let me not die before my peace be made!

DEATH。

Thou hast not many minutes here to stay; Lift up your heart to God without delay; Implore his pardon now for what is past; Who knows but He may save your soul at last?

RICH MAN。

I'll water now with tears my dying bed; Before the Lord my sad complaint I'll spread; And if He will vouchsafe to pardon me; To die and leave this world I could be free。 False world! false world; farewell! farewell! adieu! I find; I find; there is no trust in you! For when upon a dying bed we lie; Your gilded baits are nought but misery。 My youthful son and loving daughter dear; Take warning by your dying father here; Let not the world deceive you at this rate; For fear a sad repentance comes too late。 Sweet babes; I little thought the other day; I should so suddenly be snatched away By Death; and leave you weeping here behind; But life's a most uncertain thing; I find。 When in the grave my head is lain full low; Pray let not folly prove your overthrow; Serve ye the Lord; obey his holy will; That he may have a blessing for you still。 'Having saluted them; he turned aside; These were the very words before he died':

A painful life I ready am to leave; Wherefore; in mercy; Lord; my soul receive。



Poem: A DIALOGUE BETWIXT AN EXCISEMAN AND DEATH。



'TRANSCRIBED from a copy in the British Museum; printed in London  by J。 C'larke'。; 1659。  The idea of Death being employed to execute  a writ; recalls an epitaph which we remember to have seen in a  village church…yard at the foot of the Wrekin; in Shropshire;  commencing thus:…

'The King of Heaven a warrant got; And sealed it without delay; And he did give the same to Death; For him to serve straightway;' &c。'


UPON a time when Titan's steeds were driven To drench themselves beneath the western heaven; And sable Morpheus had his curtains spread; And silent night had laid the world to bed; 'Mongst other night…birds which did seek for prey; A blunt exciseman; which abhorred the day; Was rambling forth to seek himself a booty 'Mongst merchant's goods which had not paid the duty; But walking all alone; Death chanced to meet him; And in this manner did begin to greet him。

DEATH。

Stand; who comes here? what means this knave to peep And skulk abroad; when honest men should sleep? Speak; what's thy name? and quickly tell me this; Whither thou goest; and what thy business is?

EXCISEMAN。

Whate'er my business is; thou foul…mouthed scold; I'd have you know I scorn to be controlled By any man that lives; much less by thou; Who blurtest out thou know'st not what; nor how; I go about my lawful business; and I'll make you smart for bidding of me stand。

DEATH。

Imperious coxcomb! is your stomach vexed? Pray slack your rage; and hearken what comes next: I have a writ to take you up; therefore; To chafe your blood; I bid you stand; once more。

EXCISEMAN。

A writ to take ME up! excuse me; sir; You do mistake; I am an officer In public service; for my private wealth; My business is; if any seek by stealth To undermine the state; I do discover Their falsehood; therefore hold your hand; … give over。

DEATH。

Nay; fair and soft! 'tis not so quickly done As you conceive it is: I am not gone A jot the sooner for your hasty chat; Nor bragging language; for I tell you flat 'Tis more than so; though fortune seem to thwart us; Such easy terms I don't intend shall part us。 With this impartial arm I'll make you feel My fingers first; and with this shaft of steel I'll peck thy bones! AS THOU ALIVE WERT HATED; SO DEAD; TO DOGS THOU SHALT BE SEGREGATED。

EXCISEMAN。

I'd laugh at that; I would thou didst but dare To lay thy fingers on me; I'd not spare To hack thy carcass till my sword was broken; I'd make thee eat the words which thou hast spoken; All men should warning take by thy transgression; How they molested men of my profession。 My service to the State is so well known; That should I but complain; they'd quickly own My public grievances; and give me right To cut your ears; before tomorrow night。

DEATH。

Well said; indeed! but bootless all; for I Am well acquainted with thy villany; I know thy office; and thy trade is such; Thy service little; and thy gains are much: Thy brags are many; but 'tis vain to swagger; And think to fight me with thy gilded dagger: AS I ABHOR THY PERSON; PLACE; AND THREAT; So now I'll bring thee to the judgment…seat。

EXCISEMAN。

The judgment…seat!  I must confess that word Doth cut my heart; like any sharpened sword: What! come t' account! methinks the dreadful sound Of every word doth make a mortal wound; Which sticks not only in my outward skin; But penetrates my very soul within。 'Twas least of all my thoughts that ever Death Would once attempt to stop excisemen's breath。 But since 'tis so; that now I do perceive You are in earnest; then I must relieve Myself another way: come; we'll be friends; If I have wronged thee; I'll make th' amends。 Let's join together; I'll pass my word this night Shall yield us grub; before the morning light。 Or otherwise (to mitigate my sorrow); Stay here; I'll bring you gold enough to…morrow。

DEATH。

To…morrow's gold I will not have; and thou Shalt have no gold upon to…morrow: now My final writ shall to th' execution have thee; All earthly treasure cannot help or save thee。

EXCISEMAN。

Then woe is m

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