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第15节

ancient poems-第15节

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Now; as they returned from the church to an inn; The father and mother of Ruth did begin Their daughter to know; by a mole they behold; Although she was clothed in a garment of gold。

With transports of joy they flew to the bride; 'O! where hast thou been; sweetest daughter?' they cried; 'Thy tedious absence has grieved us sore; As fearing; alas! we should see thee no more。'

'Dear parents;' said she; 'many hazards I run; To fetch home my love; and your dutiful son; Receive him with joy; for 'tis very well known; He seeks not your wealth; he's enough of his own。'

Her father replied; and he merrily smiled; 'He's brought home enough; as he's brought home my child; A thousand times welcome you are; I declare; Whose presence disperses both sorrow and care。'

Full seven long days in feasting they spent; The bells in the steeple they merrily went; And many fair pounds were bestowed on the poor; … The like of this wedding was never before!



Ballad: THE BERKSHIRE LADY'S GARLAND。 IN FOUR PARTS。 To the tune of THE ROYAL FORESTER。



'WHEN we first met with this very pleasing English ballad; we  deemed the story to be wholly fictitious; but 'strange' as the  'relation' may appear; the incidents narrated are 'true' or at  least founded on fact。  The scene of the ballad is Whitley Park;  near Reading; in Berkshire; and not; as some suppose; Calcot House;  which was not built till 1759。  Whitley is mentioned as 'the  Abbot's Park; being at the entrance of Redding town。'  At the  Dissolution the estate passed to the crown; and the mansion seems;  from time to time; to have been used as a royal 'palace' till the  reign of Elizabeth; by whom it was granted; along with the estate;  to Sir Francis Knollys; it was afterwards; by purchase; the  property of the Kendricks; an ancient race; descended from the  Saxon kings。  William Kendrick; of Whitley; armr。 was created a  baronet in 1679; and died in 1685; leaving issue one son; Sir  William Kendrick; of Whitley; Bart。; who married Miss Mary House;  of Reading; and died in 1699; without issue male; leaving an only  daughter。  It was this rich heiress; who possessed 'store of wealth  and beauty bright;' that is the heroine of the ballad。  She married  Benjamin Child; Esq。; a young and handsome; but very poor attorney  of Reading; and the marriage is traditionally reported to have been  brought about exactly as related in the ballad。  We have not been  able to ascertain the exact date of the marriage; which was  celebrated in St。 Mary's Church; Reading; the bride wearing a thick  veil; but the ceremony must have taken place some time about 1705。   In 1714; Mr。 Child was high sheriff of Berkshire。  As he was an  humble and obscure personage previously to his espousing the  heiress of Whitley; and; in fact; owed all his wealth and influence  to his marriage; it cannot be supposed that IMMEDIATELY after his  union he would be elevated to so important and dignified a post as  the high…shrievalty of the very aristocratical county of Berks。  We  may; therefore; consider nine or ten years to have elapsed betwixt  his marriage and his holding the office of high sheriff; which he  filled when he was about thirty…two years of age。  The author of  the ballad is unknown: supposing him to have composed it shortly  after the events which he records; we cannot be far wrong in fixing  its date about 1706。  The earliest broadside we have seen contains  a rudely executed; but by no means bad likeness of Queen Anne; the  reigning monarch at that period。'


PART I。

SHOWING CUPID'S CONQUEST OVER A COY LADY OF FIVE THOUSAND A YEAR。

BACHELORS of every station; Mark this strange and true relation; Which in brief to you I bring; … Never was a stranger thing!

You shall find it worth the hearing; Loyal love is most endearing; When it takes the deepest root; Yielding charms and gold to boot。

Some will wed for love of treasure; But the sweetest joy and pleasure Is in faithful love; you'll find; Graced with a noble mind。

Such a noble disposition Had this lady; with submission; Of whom I this sonnet write; Store of wealth; and beauty bright。

She had left; by a good grannum; Full five thousand pounds per annum; Which she held without control; Thus she did in riches roll。

Though she had vast store of riches; Which some persons much bewitches; Yet she bore a virtuous mind; Not the least to pride inclined。

Many noble persons courted This young lady; 'tis reported; But their labour proved in vain; They could not her favour gain。

Though she made a strong resistance; Yet by Cupid's true assistance; She was conquered after all; How it was declare I shall。

Being at a noble wedding; Near the famous town of Redding; (7) A young gentleman she saw; Who belonged to the law。

As she viewed his sweet behaviour; Every courteous carriage gave her New addition to her grief; Forced she was to seek relief。

Privately she then enquired About him; so much admired; Both his name; and where he dwelt; … Such was the hot flame she felt。

Then; at night; this youthful lady Called her coach; which being ready; Homewards straight she did return; But her heart with flames did burn。

PART II。

SHOWING THE LADY'S LETTER OF A CHALLENGE TO FIGHT HIM UPON HIS  REFUSING TO WED HER IN A MASK; WITHOUT KNOWING WHO SHE WAS。

Night and morning; for a season; In her closet would she reason With herself; and often said; 'Why has love my heart betrayed?

'I; that have so many slighted; Am at length so well requited; For my griefs are not a few! Now I find what love can do。

'He that has my heart in keeping; Though I for his sake be weeping; Little knows what grief I feel; But I'll try it out with steel。

'For I will a challenge send him; And appoint where I'll attend him; In a grove; without delay; By the dawning of the day。

'He shall not the least discover That I am a virgin lover; By the challenge which I send; But for justice I contend。

'He has caused sad distraction; And I come for satisfaction; Which if he denies to give; One of us shall cease to live。'

Having thus her mind revealed; She her letter closed and sealed; Which; when it came to his hand; The young man was at a stand。

In her letter she conjured him For to meet; and well assured him; Recompence he must afford; Or dispute it with the sword。

Having read this strange relation; He was in a consternation; But; advising with his friend; He persuades him to attend。

'Be of courage; and make ready; Faint heart never won fair lady; In regard it must be so; I along with you must go。'

PART III。

SHOWING HOW THEY MET BY APPOINTMENT IN A GROVE; WHERE SHE OBLIGED  HIM TO FIGHT OR WED HER。

Early on a summer's morning; When bright Phoebus was adorning Every bower with his beams; The fair lady came; it seems。

At the bottom of a mountain; Near a pleasant crystal fountain; There she left her gilded coach; While the grove she did approach。

Covered with her mask; and walking; There she met her lover talking With a friend that he had brought; So she asked him whom he sought。

'I am challenged by a gallant; Who resolves to try my talent; Who he is I cannot say; But I hope to show him play。'

'It is I that did invite you; You shall wed me; or I'll fight you; Underneath those spreading trees; Therefore; choose you which you please。

'You shall find I do not vapour; I have brought my trusty rapier; Therefore; take your choice;' said she; 'Either fight or marry me。'

Said he; 'Madam; pray what mean you? In my life I've never seen you; Pray unmask; your visage show; Then I'll tell you aye or no。'

'I will not my face uncover Till the marriage ties are over; Therefore; choose you which you will; Wed me; sir; or try your skill。

'Step within that pleasant bower; With your friend one single hour; Strive your thoughts to reconcile; And I'll wander here the while。'

While this beauteous lady waited; The young bachelors debated What was best for to be done: Quoth his friend; 'The hazard run。

'If my judgment can be trusted; Wed her first; you can't be worsted; If she's rich; you'll rise to fame; If she's poor; why! you're the same。'

He consented to be married; All three in a coach were carried To a church without delay; Where he weds the lady gay。

Though sweet pretty Cupids hovered Round her eyes; her face was covered With a mask; … he took her thus; Just for better or for worse。

With a courteous kind behaviour; She presents his friend a favour; And withal dismissed him straight; That he might no longer wait。

PART IV。

SHOWING HOW THEY RODE TOGETHER IN HER GILDED COACH TO HER NOBLE  SEAT; OR CASTLE; ETC。

As the gilded coach stood ready; The young lawyer and his lady Rode together; till they came To her house of state and fame;

Which appeared like a castle; Where you might behold a parcel Of young cedars; tall and straight; Just before her palace gate。

Hand in hand they walked together; To a hall; or parlour; rather; Which was beautiful and fair; … All alone she left him there。

Two long hours there he waited Her return; … at length he fretted; And began to grieve at last; For he had not broke his fast。

Still he sat like one amazed; Round a spacious room he gazed; Which was richly beautified; But; alas! he lost 

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