第 14 节
作者:大热      更新:2022-11-23 12:13      字数:9320
  we see and hear; Let us revere the power of the Unseen; And know a world
  of mystery is near。
  68
  … Page 69…
  LEGENDS AND LYRICS … SECOND SERIES
  VERSE:                   A REMEMBRANCE
  OF AUTUMN
  Nothing   stirs   the   sunny   silence;   …   Save   the   drowsy   humming   of   the
  bees Round the rich; ripe peaches on the wall; And the south wind sighing
  in the trees; And the dead leaves rustling as they fall: While the swallows;
  one by one; are gathering; All impatient to be on the wing; And to wander
  from us; seeking Their beloved Spring!
  Cloudless   rise   the   azure   heavens!   Only   vaporous   wreaths   of   snowy
  white   Nestle   in   the   grey   hill's   rugged   side;   And   the   golden   woods   are
  bathed in light; Dying; if they must; with kingly pride: While the swallows
  in   the   blue   air   wheeling;   Circle   now   an   eager   fluttering   band;   Ready   to
  depart and leave us For a brighter land!
  But a voice is sounding sadly; Telling of a glory that has been; Of a
  day that faded all too fast … See afar through the blue air serene; Where the
  swallows     wing    their  way   at  last;  And  our   hearts  perchance;    as  sadly
  wandering; Vainly seeking for a long…lost day; While we watch the far…off
  swallows; Flee with them away!
  69
  … Page 70…
  LEGENDS AND LYRICS … SECOND SERIES
  VERSE:                  THREE EVENINGS IN
  A LIFE
  I。
  Yes; it looked dark and dreary; That long and narrow street: Only the
  sound of the rain; And the tramp of passing feet; The duller glow of the
  fire; And gathering mists of night To mark how slow and weary The long
  day's cheerless flight!
  II。
  Watching the sullen fire; Hearing the dismal rain; Drop after drop; run
  down On the darkening window…pane: Chill was the heart of Alice; Chill
  as that winter day; … For the star of her life had risen Only to fade away。
  III。
  The voice that had been so strong To bid the snare depart; The true and
  earnest   will; The   calm  and   steadfast   heart; Were   now   weighed   down   by
  sorrow;    Were   quivering   now   with   pain;  The  clear  path   now   seemed
  clouded; And all her grief in vain。
  IV。
  Duty; Right; Truth; who promised To help and save their own; Seemed
  spreading wide their pinions To leave her there alone。 So; turning from the
  Present To well…known days of yore; She called on them to strengthen And
  guard her soul once more。
  70
  … Page 71…
  LEGENDS AND LYRICS … SECOND SERIES
  V。
  She thought how in her girlhood Her life was given away; The solemn
  promise spoken She kept so well to…day; How to her brother Herbert She
  had been help and guide; And how his artist nature On her calm strength
  relied。
  VI。
  How through life's fret and turmoil The passion and fire of art In him
  was soothed and quickened By her true sister heart; How future hopes had
  always   Been     for   his  sake   alone;  And   now;what  strange   new   feeling
  Possessed her as its own?
  VII。
  Her homeeach flower that breathed there; The wind's sigh; soft and
  low; Each trembling spray of ivy; The river's murmuring flow; The shadow
  of the forest; Sunset; or twilight dim … Dear as they were; were dearer By
  leaving them for him。
  VIII。
  And each year as it found her In the dull; feverish town; Saw self still
  more   forgotten; And   selfish   care   kept down   By  the   calm  joy  of   evening
  That brought him to her side; To warn him with wise counsel; Or praise
  with tender pride。
  IX。
  Her heart; her life; her future; Her genius; only meant Another thing to
  give him; And be therewith content。 To…day; what words had stirred her;
  Her soul could not forget? What dream had filled her spirit With strange
  and wild regret?
  71
  … Page 72…
  LEGENDS AND LYRICS … SECOND SERIES
  X。
  To leave him for another; … Could it indeed be so? Could it have cost
  such anguish To bid this vision go? Was this her faith?            Was Herbert The
  second in her heart? Did it need all this struggle To bid a dream depart?
  XI。
  And   yet;   within   her   spirit   A   far…off   land   was   seen;   A   home;   which
  might   have   held   her; A  love;   which   might   have   been。 And   Lifenot   the
  mere being Of daily ebb and flow; But Life itself had claimed her; And she
  had let it go!
  XII。
  Within     her   heart  there   echoed    Again    the  well…known      tone   That
  promised   this   bright   future; And   asked   her   for   her   own:   Then   words   of
  sorrow;  broken   By  half…reproachful   pain; And then   a   farewell spoken   In
  words of cold disdain。
  XIII。
  Where   now      was   the  stern  purpose    That   nerved   her  soul  so  long?
  Whence   came   the   words   she   uttered;   So   hard;  so   cold;   so   strong?   What
  right had she to banish A hope that God had given? Why must she choose
  earth's portion; And turn aside from Heaven?
  XIV。
  To…day!      Was it this morning? If this long; fearful strife Was but the
  work of hours; What would be years of life? Why did a cruel Heaven For
  such great suffering call? And whyOh; still more cruel! … Must her own
  words do all?
  72
  … Page 73…
  LEGENDS AND LYRICS … SECOND SERIES
  XV。
  Did   she   repent?    Oh   Sorrow!   Why   do   we   linger   still   To   take   thy
  loving message; And do thy gentle will? See; her tears fall more slowly;
  The   passionate   murmurs   cease; And back   upon her   spirit   Flow   strength;
  and love; and peace。
  XVI。
  The fire burns more brightly; The rain has passed away; Herbert will
  see   no   shadow   Upon   his   home   to…day;   Only   that Alice   greets   him  With
  doubly tender care; Kissing a fonder blessing Down on his golden hair。
  73
  … Page 74…
  LEGENDS AND LYRICS … SECOND SERIES
  II
  I。
  The studio is deserted; Palette and brush laid by; The sketch rests on
  the   easel;  The   paint   is  scarcely   dry;  And   Silencewho     seems    always
  Within   her  depths   to   bear  The  next   sound   that   will   utter   …   Now   holds   a
  dumb despair。
  II。
  So Alice   feels   it: listening   With   breathless;   stony   fear;   Waiting   the
  dreadful summons   Each   minute brings   more   near: When   the   young   life;
  now   ebbing;   Shall   fail;   and   pass   away   Into   that   mighty   shadow   Who
  shrouds the house to…day。
  III。
  But whywhen the sick chamber Is on the upper floor … Why dares not
  Alice enter Within   the closeshut   door? If heher  allher Brother;  Lies
  dying in that gloom; What strange mysterious power Has sent her from the
  room?
  IV。
  It is not one week's anguish That can have changed her so; Joy has not
  died here lately; Struck down by one quick blow; But cruel months have
  needed   Their   long   relentless   chain;   To   teach   that   shrinking   manner   Of
  helpless; hopeless pain。
  V。
  The   struggle   was   scarce   over   Last   Christmas   Eve   had   brought:   The
  74
  … Page 75…
  LEGENDS AND LYRICS … SECOND SERIES
  fibres still were quivering Of the one wounded thought; When Herbert
  who; unconscious; Had guessed no inward strife … Bade her; in pride and