legends and lyrics- first series(传奇和抒情歌谣1)-第7章
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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 thy
hand be firm and steady； Do not let thy spirit quail： But wait till the trial is
over； And take thy heart again； For as gold is tried by fire； So a heart must
be tried by pain！
I shall know by the gleam and glitter Of the golden chain you wear； By
your heart's calm strength in loving； Of the fire they have had to bear。 Beat
on； true heart； for ever； Shine bright； strong golden chain； And bless the
cleansing fire； And the furnace of living pain！
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VERSE： THE VOICE OF THE
WIND
Let us throw more logs on the fire！ We have need of a cheerful light；
And close round the hearth to gather； For the wind has risen to…night。 With
the mournful sound of its wailing It has checked the children's glee； And it
calls with a louder clamour Than the clamour of the sea。 Hark to the voice
of the wind！
Let us listen to what it is saying； Let us hearken to where it has been；
For it tells； in its terrible crying； The fearful sights it has seen。 It clatters
loud at the casements； Round the house it hurries on； And shrieks with
redoubled fury； When we say 〃The blast is gone！〃 Hark to the voice of the
wind！
It has been on the field of battle； Where the dying and wounded lie；
And it brings the last groan they uttered； And the ravenous vulture's cry。 It
has been where the icebergs were meeting； And closed with a fearful crash；
On shores where no foot has wandered； It has heard the waters dash。 Hark
to the voice of the wind！
It has been on the desolate ocean； When the lightning struck the mast；
It has heard the cry of the drowning； Who sank as it hurried past； The
words of despair and anguish； That were heard by no living ear； The gun
that no signal answered： It brings them all to us here。 Hark to the voice of
the wind！
It has been on the lonely moorland； Where the treacherous snow…drift
lies； Where the traveller； spent and weary； Gasped fainter and fainter cries；
It has heard the bay of the bloodhounds； On the track of the hunted slave；
The lash and the curse of the master； And the groan that the captive gave。
Hark to the voice of the wind！
It has swept through the gloomy forest； Where the sledge was urged to
its speed； Where the howling wolves were rushing On the track of the
panting steed。 Where the pool was black and lonely； It caught up a splash
and a cry … Only the bleak sky heard it； And the wind as it hurried by。 Hark
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to the voice of the wind！
Then throw more logs on the fire； Since the air is bleak and cold； And
the children are drawing nigher； For the tales that the wind has told。 So
closer and closer gather Round the red and crackling light； And rejoice
（while the wind is blowing） We are safe and warm to…night。 Hark to the
voice of the wind！
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VERSE： TREASURES
Let me count my treasures； All my soul holds dear； Given me by dark
spirits Whom I used to fear。
Through long days of anguish； And sad nights； did Pain Forge my
shield； Endurance； Bright and free from stain！
Doubt； in misty caverns； 'Mid dark horrors sought； Till my peerless
jewel； Faith to me she brought。
Sorrow； that I wearied Should remain so long； Wreathed my starry
glory； The bright Crown of Song。
Strife； that racked my spirit； Without hope or rest； Left the blooming
flower； Patience； on my breast。
Suffering； that I dreaded； Ignorant of her charms； Laid the fair child；
Pity； Smiling； in my arms。
So I count my treasures； Stored in days long past … And I thank the
givers； Whom I know at last！
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VERSE： SHINING STARS
Shine； ye stars of heaven； On a world of pain！ See old Time destroying
All our hoarded gain； All our sweetest flowers； Every stately shrine； All
our hard…earned glory； Every dream divine！
Shine； ye stars of heaven； On the rolling years！ See how Time；
consoling； Dries the saddest tears； Bids the darkest storm
