legends and lyrics- first series(传奇和抒情歌谣1)-第17节
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we tread on Will outlive a word。
Yet； on the dull silence breaking With a lightning flash； a Word；
Bearing endless desolation On its blighting wings； I heard： Earth can forge
no keener weapon； Dealing surer death and pain； And the cruel echo
answered Through long years again。
I have known one word hang starlike O'er a dreary waste of years； And
it only shone the brighter Looked at through a mist of tears； While a weary
wanderer gathered Hope and heart on Life's dark way； By its faithful
promise； shining Clearer day by day。
I have known a spirit； calmer Than the calmest lake； and clear As the
heavens that gazed upon it； With no wave of hope or fear； But a storm had
swept across it； And its deepest depths were stirred； （Never； never more to
slumber；） Only by a word。
I have known a word more gentle Than the breath of summer air； In a
listening heart it nestled； And it lived for ever there。 Not the beating of its
prison Stirred it ever； night or day； Only with the heart's last throbbing
Could it fade away。
Words are mighty； words are living： Serpents with their venomous
stings； Or bright angels； crowding round us； With heaven's light upon their
wings： Every word has its own spirit； True or false； that never dies； Every
word man's lips have uttered Echoes in God's skies。
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LEGENDS AND LYRICSFIRST SERIES
VERSE： A LOVE TOKEN
Do you grieve no costly offering To the Lady you can make？ One
there is； and gifts less worthy Queens have stooped to take。
Take a Heart of virgin silver； Fashion it with heavy blows； Cast it into
Love's hot furnace When it fiercest glows。
With Pain's sharpest point transfix it； And then carve in letters fair；
Tender dreams and quaint devices； Fancies sweet and rare。
Set within it Hope's blue sapphire； Many…changing opal fears； Blood…
red ruby…stones of daring； Mixed with pearly tears。
And when you have wrought and laboured Till the gift is all complete；
You may humbly lay your offering At the Lady's feet。
Should her mood perchance be gracious … With disdainful smiling
pride； She will place it with the trinkets Glittering at her side。
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LEGENDS AND LYRICSFIRST SERIES
VERSE： A TRYST WITH
DEATH
I am footsore and very weary； But I travel to meet a Friend： The way is
long and dreary； But I know that it soon must end。
He is travelling fast like the whirlwind； And though I creep slowly on；
We are drawing nearer； nearer； And the journey is almost done。
Through the heat of many summers； Through many a springtime rain；
Through long autumns and weary winters； I have hoped to meet him； in
vain。
I know that he will not fail me； So I count every hour chime； Every
throb of my own heart's beating； That tells of the flight of Time。
On the day of my birth he plighted His kingly word to me：… I have seen
him in dreams so often； That I know what his smile must be。
I have toiled through the sunny woodland； Through fields that basked
in the light； And through the lone paths in the forest I crept in the dead of
night。
I will not fear at his coming； Although I must meet him alone； He will
look in my eyes so gently； And take my hand in his own。
Like a dream all my toil will vanish； When I lay my head on his breast
… But the journey is very weary； And he only can give me rest！
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LEGENDS AND LYRICSFIRST SERIES
VERSE： FIDELIS
You have taken back the promise That you spoke so long ago； Taken
back the heart you gave me … I must even let it go。 Where Love once has
breathed； Pride dieth： So I struggled； but in vain； First to keep the links
together； Then to piece the broken chain。
But it might not beso freely All your friendship I restore； And the
heart that I had taken As my own for evermore。 No shade of reproach shall
touch you； Dread no more a claim from me … But I will not have you fancy
That I count myself as free。
I am bound by the old promise； What can break that golden chain？ Not
even the words that you have spoken； Or the sharpness of my pain： Do
you think； because you fail me And draw back your hand to…day； That
from out the heart I gave you My strong love can fade away？
It will live。 No eyes may see it； In my soul it will lie deep； Hidden
from all； but I shall feel it Often stirring in its sleep。 So remember； that the
friendship Which you now think poor and vain； Will endure in hope and
patience； Till you ask for it again。
Perhaps in some long twilight hour； Like those we have known of old；
When past shadows gather round you； And your present friends grow cold；
You may stretch your hands out towards me； … Ah！ you willI know not
when … I shall nurse my love and keep it Faithfully； for you； till then。
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LEGENDS AND LYRICSFIRST SERIES
VERSE： A SHADOW
What lack the valleys and mountains That once were green and gay？
What lack the babbling fountains？ Their voice is sad to…day。 Only the
sound of a voice； Tender and sweet and low； That made the earth rejoice；
A year ago！
What lack the tender flowers？ A shadow is on the sun： What lack the
merry hours； That I long that they were done？ Only two smiling eyes； That
told of joy and mirth： They are shining in the skies； I mourn on earth！
What lacks my heart； that makes it So weary and full of pain； That
trembling Hope forsakes it； Never to come again？ Only another heart；
Tender and all mine own； In the still grave it lies； I weep alone！
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LEGENDS AND LYRICSFIRST SERIES
VERSE： THE SAILOR BOY
My Life you ask of？ why； you know Full soon my little Life is told； It
has had no great joy or woe； For I am only twelve years old。 Ere long I
hope I shall have been On my first voyage； and wonders seen。 Some
princess I may help to free From pirates； on a far…off sea； Or； on some
desert isle be left； Of friends and shipmates all bereft。
For the first time I venture forth； From our blue mountains of the north。
My kinsman kept the lodge that stood Guarding the entrance near the
wood； By the stone gateway grey and old； With quaint devices carved
about； And broken shields； while dragons bold Glared on the common
world without； And the long trembling ivy spray Half hid the centuries'
decay。 In solitude and silence grand The castle towered above the land：
The castle of the Earl； whose name （Wrapped in old bloody legends） came
Down through the times when Truth and Right Bent down to armed Pride
and Might。 He owned the country far and near； And； for some weeks in
every year； （When the brown leaves were falling fast And the long；
lingering autumn passed；） He would come down to hunt the deer； With
hound and horse in splendid pride。 The story lasts the live…long year； The
peasant's winter evening fills； When he is gone and they abide In the lone
quiet of their hills。
I longed； too； for the happy night； When； all with torches flaring bright；
The crowding villagers would stand； A patient； eager； waiting band； Until
the signal ran like flame … 〃They come！〃 and； slackening speed； they came。
Outriders first； in pomp and state； Pranced on their horses through the gate；
Then the four steeds as black as night； All decked with trappings blue and
white； Drew through the crowd that opened wide； The Earl and Countess
side by side。 The stern grave Earl； with formal smile And glistening eyes
and stately pride； Could ne'er my childish gaze beguile From the fair
presence by his side。 The lady's soft sad glance； her eyes； （Like star
