legends and lyrics- first series(传奇和抒情歌谣1)-第9章
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you may call it childish … So I sobbed myself to sleep。
Well； the years sped onmy Sorrow； Calmer； and yet stronger grown；
Was my shield against all suffering； Poorer； meaner； than her own。 Thus
my cruel master's harshness Fell upon me all in vain； Yet the tale of what
we suffered Echoed back from main to main。
You have heard in a far country Of a self…devoted band； Vowed to
rescue Christian captives Pining in a foreign land。 And these gentle…
hearted strangers Year by year go forth from Rome； In their hands the
hard…earned ransom； To restore some exiles home。
I was freed： they broke the tidings Gently to me： but indeed Hour
by hour sped on； I knew not What the words meantI was freed！ Better so；
perhaps； while sorrow （More akin to earthly things） Only strains the sad
heart's fibres … Joy； bright stranger； breaks the strings。
Yet at last it rushed upon me； And my heart beat full and fast； What
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were now my years of waiting； What was all the dreary past？ Nothingto
the impatient throbbing I must bear across the sea： Nothingto the eternal
hours Still between my home and me！
How the voyage passed； I know not； Strange it was once more to stand
With my countrymen around me； And to clasp an English hand。 But；
through all； my heart was dreaming Of the first words I should hear； In the
gentle voice that echoed； Fresh as ever； on my ear。
Should I see her start of wonder； And the sudden truth arise； Flushing
all her face and lightening The dimmed splendour of her eyes？ Oh！ to
watch the fear and doubting Stir the silent depths of pain； And the rush of
joythen melting Into perfect peace again。
And the child！but why remember Foolish fancies that I thought？
Every tree and every hedge…row From the well…known past I brought： I
would picture my dear cottage； See the crackling wood…fire burn； And the
two beside it seated； Watching； waiting； my return。
So； at last we reached the harbour。 I remember nothing more Till I
stood； my sick heart throbbing； With my hand upon the door。 There I
pausedI heard her speaking； Low； soft； murmuring words she said； Then
I first knew the dumb terror I had had； lest she were dead。
It was evening in late autumn； And the gusty wind blew chill； Autumn
leaves were falling round me； And the red sun lit the hill。 Six…and…twenty
years are vanished Since thenI am old and grey； But I never told to
mortal What I saw； until this day。
She was seated by the fire； In her arms she held a child； Whispering
baby…words caressing； And then； looking up； she smiled： Smiled on him
who stood beside her … Oh！ the bitter truth was told； In her look of trusting
fondness … I had seen the look of old！
But she rose and turned towards me （Cold and dumb I waited there）
With a shriek of fear and terror； And a white face of despair。 He had been
an ancient comrade … Not a single word we said； While we gazed upon
each other； He the living： I the dead！
I drew nearer； nearer to her； And I took her trembling hand； Looking
on her white face； looking That her heart might understand All the love
and all the pity That my lips refused to say … I thank God no thought save
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sorrow Rose in our crushed hearts that day。
Bitter tears that desolate moment； Bitter； bitter tears we wept； We three
broken hearts together； While the baby smiled and slept。 Tears aloneno
words were spoken； Till hetill her husband said That my boy； （I had
forgotten The poor child；） that he was dead。
Then at last I rose； and； turning； Wrung his hand； but made no sign；
And I stooped and kissed her forehead Once more； as if she were mine。
Nothing of farewell I uttered； Save in broken words to pray That God
would ever guard and bless her … Then in silence passed away。
Over the great restless ocean Six…and…twenty years I roam； All my
comrades； old and weary； Have gone back to die at home。 … Home！ yes； I
shall reach a haven； I； too； shall reach home and rest； I shall find her
waiting for me With our baby on her breast。
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VERSE： LIFE AND DEATH
〃What is Life； Father？〃 〃A Battle； my child； Where the strongest lance
may fail； Where the wariest eyes may be beguiled； And the stoutest heart
may quail。 Where the foes are gathered on every hand； And rest not day or
night； And the feeble little ones must stand In the thickest of the fight。〃
〃What is Death； Father？〃 〃The rest； my child； When the strife and the
toil are o'er； The Angel of God； who； calm and mild； Says we need fight
no more； Who； driving away the demon band； Bids the din of the battle
cease； Takes banner and spear from our failing hand； And proclaims an
eternal Peace。〃
〃Let me die； Father！ I tremble and fear To yield in that terrible
strife！〃
〃The crown must be won for Heaven； dear； In the battle…field of life：
My child； though thy foes are strong and tried； He loveth the weak and
small； The Angels of Heaven are on thy side； And God is over all！〃
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VERSE： NOW
Rise！ for the day is passing； And you lie dreaming on； The others have
buckled their armour； And forth to the fight are gone： A place in the ranks
awaits you； Each man has some part to play； The Past and the Future are
nothing； In the face of the stern To…day。
Rise from your dreams of the Future … Of gaining some hard…fought
field； Of storming some airy fortress； Or bidding some giant yield； Your
Future has deeds of glory； Of honour （God grant it may！） But your arm
will never be stronger； Or the need so great as To…day。
Rise！ if the Past detains you； Her sunshine and storms forget； No
chains so unworthy to hold you As those of a vain regret： Sad or bright；
she is lifeless ever； Cast her phantom arms away； Nor look back； save to
learn the lesson Of a nobler strife To…day。
Rise！ for the day is passing： The sound that you scarcely hear Is the
enemy marching to battle … Arise！ for the foe is here！ Stay not to sharpen
your weapons； Or the hour will strike at last； When； from dreams of a
coming battle； You may wake to find it past！
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VERSE： CLEANSING FIRES
Let thy gold be cast in the furnace； Thy red gold； precious and bright；
Do not fear the hungry fire； With its caverns of burning light： And thy gold
shall return more precious； Free from every spot and stain； For gold must
be tried by fire； As a heart must be tried by pain！
In the cruel fire of Sorrow Cast thy heart； do not faint or wail； Let th
