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SQUEERS’S METHOD
斯格威尔的手段
Charles Dickens (b. 1812, d. 1870). This celebrated novelist was born in Portsmouth, England. He began his active life as a lawyer’s apprentice, in London; but soon became a reporter, and followed this occupation from 1831 to 1836. His first book was entitled “Sketches of London Society, by Boz.” In 1837 he published the “Pickwick Papers,” a work which established his reputation as a writer. His other works followed with great rapidity, and his last, “Edwin Drood,” was unfinished when he died. He visited America in 1842 and in 1867. He is buried in Westminster Abbey. Mr. Dickens excelled in humor and pathos, and was particularly successful in delineating the joys and griefs of childhood. His writings have a tendency to prompt to deeds of kindness and benevolence. The following extract is taken from “Nicholas Nickleby,” one of the best of his novels.
- “Come,” said Squeers, “let’s go to the schoolroom; and lend me a hand with my school coat, will you?”
Nicholas assisted his master to put on an old fustian[1] shooting jacket, which he took down from a peg in the passage; and Squeers, arming himself with his cane, led the way across a yard to a door in the rear of the house.
“There,” said the schoolmaster, as they stepped in together; “this is our shop, Nickleby.”
It was such a crowded scene, and there were so many objects to attract attention, that at first Nicholas stared about him, really without seeing anything at all. By degrees, however, the place resolved[2] itself into a bare and dirty room with a couple of windows, whereof a tenth part might be of glass, the remainder being stopped up with old copy books and paper.
There were a couple of long, old, rickety desks, cut and notched, and inked and damaged in every possible way; two or three forms, a detached desk for Squeers, and another for his assistant. The ceiling was supported like that of a barn, by crossbeams and rafters, and the walls were so stained and discolored that it was impossible to tell whether they had ever been touched by paint or whitewash.
Pale and haggard faces, lank and bony figures, children with the countenances of old men, deformities[3] with irons upon their limbs, boys of stunted[4] growth, and others whose long, meager[5] legs would hardly bear their stooping bodies, all crowded on the view together. There were little faces which should have been handsome, darkened with the scowl of sullen, dogged suffering; there was childhood with the light of its eye quenched, its beauty gone, and its helplessness alone remaining.
And yet this scene, painful as it was, had its grotesque[6] features, which, in a less interested observer than Nicholas, might have provoked a smile. Mrs. Squeers stood at one of the desks, presiding over an immense basin of brimstone and treacle, of which delicious compound she administered[7] a large installment[8] to each boy in succession, using for the purpose a common wooden spoon, which might have been originally manufactured for some gigantic top, and which widened every young gentleman’s mouth considerably, they being all obliged, under heavy corporeal[9] penalties, to take in the whole bowl at a gasp.
“Now,” said Squeers, giving the desk a great rap with his cane, which made half the little boys nearly jump out of their boots, “is that physicking[10] over?”
“Just over,” said Mrs. Squeers, choking the last boy in her hurry, and tapping the crown of his head with the wooden spoon to restore him. “Here, you Smike: take away now. Look sharp!”
Smike shuffled out with the basin, and Mrs. Squeers hurried out after him into a species of washhouse, where there was a small fire, and a large kettle, together with a number of little wooden bowls which were arranged upon a board. Into these bowls Mrs. Squeers, assisted by the hungry servant, poured a brown composition which looked like diluted[11] pincushions without the covers, and was called porridge. A minute wedge of brown bread was inserted in each bowl, and when they had eaten their porridge by means of the bread, the boys ate the bread itself, and had finished their breakfast, whereupon Mr. Squeers went away to his own.
After some half-hour’s delay Mr. Squeers reappeared, and the boys took their places and their books, of which latter commodity[12] the average might be about one to eight learners. A few minutes having elapsed, during which Mr. Squeers looked very profound[13], as if he had a perfect apprehension[14] of what was inside all the books, and could say every word of their contents by heart, if he only chose to take the trouble, that gentleman called up the first class.
Obedient to this summons there ranged themselves in front of the schoolmaster’s desk, half a dozen scarecrows, out at knees and elbows, one of whom placed a torn and filthy book beneath his learned eye.
“This is the first class in English spelling and philosophy, Nickleby,” said Squeers, beckoning Nicholas to stand beside him. “We’ll get up a Latin one, and hand that over to you. Now, then, where’s the first boy?”
- “Please, sir, he’s cleaning the back parlor window,” said the temporary[15] head of the philosophical class.
“So he is, to be sure,” rejoined Squeers. “We go upon the practical mode of teaching, Nickleby; the regular education system. C-l-e-a-n, clean, verb active, to make bright, to scour. W-i-n, win, d-e-r, der, winder, a casement. When the boy knows this out of book, he goes and does it. It’s just the same principle as the use of the globes. Where’s the second boy?”
- “Please, sir, he is weeding the garden,” replied a small voice.
“To be sure,” said Squeers, by no means disconcerted[16], “so he is. B-o-t, bot, t-i-n, tin, n-e-y, ney, bottinney, noun substantive, a knowledge of plants. When he has learned that bottinney means a knowledge of plants, he goes and knows ’em. That’s our system, Nickleby: what do you think of it?”
“It’s a very useful one, at any rate,” answered Nicholas, significantly[17].
- “I believe you,” rejoined Squeers, not remarking the emphasis of his usher. “Third boy, what’s a horse?”
“A beast, sir,” replied the boy.
“So it is,” said Squeers. “Ain’t it, Nickleby?”
“I believe there is no doubt of that, sir,” answered Nicholas.
“Of course there is n’t,” said Squeers. “A horse is a quadruped, and quadruped’s Latin for beast, as everybody that’s gone through the grammar knows, or else where’s the use of having grammars at all?”
“Where, indeed!” said Nicholas, abstractedly[18].
- “As you’re perfect in that,” resumed Squeers, turning to the boy, “go and look after my horse, and rub him down well, or I’ll rub you down. The rest of the class go and draw water up till somebody tells you to leave off, for it’s washing day to-morrow, and they want the coppers filled.”
【中文阅读】
查尔斯 ·狄更斯(1812～1870)，英国著名小说家，出生于英国普茨茅斯。狄更斯早年进入伦敦律师界做学徒，时间不长，1831～1836年期间，他转行任职记者。狄更斯首部作品为《博兹札记》；1837年，他出版《匹克威克外传》，奠定了作家的文坛地位。狄更斯创造颇丰，他的其他重要著作随后相继出版。《艾德威 · 德鲁德之谜》为作家死前未及封笔作品。1847年、1862年，狄更斯两次访问美国；去世后，他被安葬在英国威斯敏斯特教堂。
1．“过来，”斯格威尔说，“我们去教室，帮我拿下我的校服。”
尼古拉斯帮老爷穿上衣服，那件他刚从过道衣架上取下的老式绒衣飞行夹克。斯格威尔拿起手杖，带路穿过院子，来到屋后一座门前。
“到地方了，”当他们一起走进屋内，这位校长开口说，“就在这里，尼克贝。”
2．眼前景象相当凌乱，房间里到处堆满杂物，尼古拉斯眼神一时顾暇不及，起初，他紧紧地盯看周围，可压根没看清什么，渐渐地，眼前才变得清晰真切起来。房间里仅有两扇破窗，遍地肮脏，龌龊不堪，光线阴暗稀少，堆满破旧的抄写本和纸张。
3．两张狭长颓旧的桌子摆在那里，看起来摇摇晃晃，桌上布满凹槽刻痕，桌面墨迹斑斑，难以想象的破损模样。单独摆放的那张是斯格威尔的桌子，另一张是他的助手的。教室房间的天花板由横椽和洐条支撑搭起，看起来与谷仓差不多；墙面满是污迹脏渍，颜色乌糟糟的色泽褪尽，实在看不出是否漆过或刷白。
4．孩子们脸色苍白憔悴，带着老人般苍老神情，纤细羸弱的身材，脚上带着镣铐，瘦骨嶙峋甚而畸形变态；有些孩子矮小侏儒，有些孩子胫骨极细，几乎无法撑住佝偻摇晃的躯体。一眼望去，孩子们拥挤成团，无法看到本该健康正常的面孔。那满脸愁容的晦暗脸色，顽强挣命的生存痛苦，属于孩童眼眸里的光亮早已淬息，没有天真纯净开朗美丽，只有无以言说的悲哀无助。
5．眼前痛苦扭曲的景象，却不乏荒诞无稽的悲戚，孩子们神情看起来比尼克贝还要漠然，但时而还能浮现不经意的惨笑。此刻，斯格威尔夫人站在桌边，正在掌管分发硫黄粉与糖浆，配好的甜味混合物装在一个硕大面盆里，孩子们排列成行，每人嘴里被强行灌进一大勺。斯格威尔夫人手上拿着一柄家常硕大木勺，或许当初特别出于剂量考虑，那把硕大木勺迫使男孩们竭力张大嘴巴，由于并非情愿，他们便逃不过残忍的肉体惩罚，喘息间，“啪”得入嘴一大坨。
6．“喂，”斯格威尔用拐杖重重地敲击一下桌子，多半孩子刹那间三魂吓掉个两魂半，“治疗结束了吗？”
“刚完。”斯格威尔夫人答道，她手脚慌忙地塞药，竟然让最后一个男孩噎住半晌，随后她猛地用木勺敲打孩子顶部，让他得以缓过气来，一边说，“好了，史迈克，赶快走，长点眼！”
7．史迈克笨拙地端着盆走开了，斯格威尔夫人匆忙跟在他的身后，两人走进一间好像洗衣房的地方，房间炉灶上火苗很小，垛着个大水壶，旁边木板上摆放几只小木碗。在一位饥肠咕噜的佣人帮忙张罗下，斯格威尔夫人将一盆无盖、类似粥的褐色混合黏状物分别倒进木碗内，然后逐一添加小撮面包。孩子们就这样吃完面包，喝光粥，早餐转眼草草结束；之后，斯格威尔先生走开，独自享用他的早餐去了。
8．约莫半个时辰，斯格威尔先生回来了，男孩们走到各自座位，拿出书本，大约八个孩子才能有一本书。不过几分钟光景，斯格威尔先生端出一副神色安详、知识渊博的模样。他似乎对书中所有内容领悟深透，对每一词语解释了然于胸，如果稍稍不厌其烦的话，这位先生恐怕会适时想起他的第一节课。
9．孩子们乖顺听话地在这位校长桌前列成一排，六七个瘦骨嶙峋的稻草人孩子，膝盖手肘并用地挪将过来，其中一个孩子将一本毁损的、污秽不堪的书放在校长充满睿智的眼皮下。
“尼克贝，这是我们第一节英语拼写和语法课。”斯格威尔先生开口说，示意尼古拉斯•尼克贝过来站在他的身边。“今天，我们将学习一个拉丁词，我会把这个拉丁词语教给你们。好了，班长今天在哪？”
10．“先生，他正在擦洗后面客厅的窗户。”语法课临时班长报告说。
“哦，这么回事，”斯格威尔先生继续说，“尼克贝，今天我们将采用实用的教学模式，即常规的教育体系。C-l-e-a-n，clean，一个主动动词，意思是变得明亮，清洗东西。W-i-n，win， d-e-r， der，winder，卷绕，卷起一扇铰链窗。你们在书本外学习这个单词，然后走过去卷起窗子，这种学习方法正是世界普遍采用的法则。副班长在哪？”
11．“先生，他在花园里拔草。”一个声音低声回答。
“怎么回事。”斯格威尔说道，声音坦然，没有丝毫困窘不安。“哦，他在拔草， B-o-t， bot， t-i-n， tin， n-e-y，ney， bottinney，名词性质，植物学知识。学生们学习植物学，这词表示植物类知识，学生学习后了解植物，这就是我们的学习体系，尼克贝，你觉得呢？”
“无论如何，这门功课非常有用。”尼古拉斯意味深长地回答。
12．“我相信你。”斯格威尔接着说，并未觉察到尼克贝的弦外之音。“第三个回答的孩子，马是什么？”
“一种动物，先生。”那男孩答道。
“正是。”斯格威尔说。“莫非马不是动物？尼克贝？”
“毫无疑问，马是动物，先生。”尼克贝答道。“当然，这里没有马，”斯格威尔说，“马是一种四脚兽，四脚兽的拉丁语就是兽类，这一点，每个学过语法的学生都知道，不然的话，学些语法还有什么用呢？”
“这究竟哪对哪，真是！”尼古拉斯心不在焉地小声嘀咕。
13．“既然你们表现都还不错，”斯格威尔接着转向对那个男生说，“现在就去照看我的马匹，好好将它全身擦洗干净，否则，仔细我修理你。其他的学生去提水，没有吩咐不得停下休息，明天是清洗日，所有大缸小盆都要统统装满。”
LESSON 79
THE GIFT OF EMPTY HANDS
两手空空的礼物
Mrs. S. M. B. Piatt (b, 1835,—) was born near Lexington, Ky. While still a young girl she began to write poetry, which was well received. In 1861 she was married to the poet John James Piatt. Mrs. Piatt’s poetry is marked by tender pathos, thoughtfulness, and musical flow of rhythm. The following selection is from “That New World.”
1. They were two princes doomed[19] to death;
Each loved his beauty and his breath:
“Leave us our life and we will bring
Fair gifts unto our lord, the king.”
2. They went together. In the dew
A charmed[20] bird before them flew.
Through sun and thorn one followed it;
Upon the other’s arm it lit.
3. A rose, whose faintest flush was worth
All buds that ever blew[21] on earth,
One climbed the rocks to reach; ah, well,
Into the other’s breast it fell.
4. Weird[22] jewels, such as fairies wear,
When moons go out, to light their hair,
One tried to touch on ghostly ground;
Gems of quick[23] fire the other found.
5. One with the dragon fought to gain
The enchanted fruit, and fought in vain;
The other breathed the garden’s air
And gathered precious apples there.
6. Backward to the imperial[24] gate
One took his fortune, one his fate:
One showed sweet gifts from sweetest lands,
The other, torn and empty hands.
7. At bird, and rose, and gem, and fruit,
The king was sad, the king was mute[25];
At last he slowly said: “My son,
True treasure is not lightly won.
8. Your brother’s hands, wherein you see
Only these scars, show more to me
Than if a kingdom’s price I found
In place of each forgotten wound.”
【中文阅读】
S. M. B.皮埃特夫人，1835年出生于美国肯塔基州莱克星屯附近，幼年时即开始诗歌创作，创作声誉良好。1861年，她与诗人约翰 · 詹姆斯 · 皮埃特结婚。皮埃特夫人诗歌具有人文关怀的温婉悲伤，她的诗歌思想深刻，韵律流畅。以下章节来自她的《新大陆》。
1．命中注定，两位王子在劫难逃，
让人钦羡，青春鲜活风华正茂，
“尊敬的父王，能否免我们一死，
从主那里，给您带来珍贵礼物。”
2．露水清寒， 两人同时走向死亡，
小鸟振翼， 施以魔法悄然而至，
又飞来一只， 穿过阳光下荆棘，
落在臂膀， 王子霎时全身通明。
3．嫣红玫瑰，绽放乃是最美宿命，
娇嫩蓓蕾，怎能错过世上花期，
枝蔓攀缘，拼命挣扎欲爬崖顶，
没承想到，竟然跌进他人心尖。
4．犹如仙女魔饰佩环叮当，
粉墨登场，月光流世，映亮凌乱毛发，
一位王子，触摸阴森地面，
另位发现，生者宝石耀眼。
5．佩戴龙饰王子，拼命挣抱，
施加魔法宝贝，转眼不见。
另位王子嗅到，芳香满园，
得来不费功夫，奇珍异果。
6．两人潜回，皇家宫殿门口，
各自带回，财富或是噩运，
收获丰盈者，上天馈赠礼物，
双手空空者，魂灵撕裂痛苦。
7．小鸟、玫瑰，宝石或异果，
国王悲恸不止，缄默无言，
最后缓缓开口，“儿子们，
真正宝物，并非轻易得到。
8．“你哥哥的手， 当然你也看见，
唯独那疤痕， 意义不同寻常，
良心才发现， 难道王位价值，
就能忘记或替代， 所有心灵伤口？”
LESSON 80
CAPTURING THE WILD HORSE
捕捉野马
We left the buffalo camp about eight o’clock, and had a toilsome and harassing march of two hours, over ridges of hills covered with a ragged forest of scrub oaks, and broken by deep gullies[26].
About ten o’clock in the morning we came to where this line of rugged hills swept down into a valley, through which flowed the north fork of Red River. A beautiful meadow, about half a mile wide, enameled with yellow, autumnal flowers, stretched for two or three miles along the foot of the hills, bordered on the opposite side by the river, whose banks were fringed with cottonwood trees, the bright foliage of which refreshed and delighted the eye, after being wearied by the contemplation of monotonous wastes of brown forest.
The meadow was finely diversified[27] by groves and clumps of trees, so happily dispersed that they seemed as if set out by the hand of art. As we cast our eyes over this fresh and delightful valley, we beheld a troop of wild horses quietly grazing on a green lawn, about a mile distant, to our right, while to our left, at nearly the same distance, were several buffaloes; some feeding, others reposing, and ruminating[28] among the high, rich herbage[29], under the shade of a clump of cottonwood trees. The whole had the appearance of a broad, beautiful tract of pasture land, on the highly ornamented estate of some gentleman farmer, with his cattle grazing about the lawns and meadows.
A council of war was now held, and it was determined to profit by the present favorable opportunity, and try our hand at the grand hunting maneuver which is called “ringing the wild horse.” This requires a large party of horsemen, well mounted. They extend themselves in each direction, at a certain distance apart, and gradually form a ring of two or three miles in circumference, so as to surround the game. This must be done with extreme care, for the wild horse is the most readily alarmed inhabitant of the prairie[30], and can scent a hunter a great distance, if to windward[31].
The ring being formed, two or three ride toward the horses, which start off in an opposite direction. Whenever they approach the bounds of the ring, however, a huntsman presents himself, and turns them from their course. In this way they are checked, and driven back at every point, and kept galloping round and round this magic circle, until, being completely tired down, it is easy for hunters to ride up beside them and throw the lariat[32] over their heads. The prime horses of the most speed, courage, and bottom[33], however, are apt to break through and escape, so that, in general, it is the second-rate horses that are taken.
Preparations were now made for a hunt of this kind. The pack horses were now taken into the woods and firmly tied to trees, lest in a rush of the wild horses they should break away. Twenty-five men were then sent under the command of a lieutenant to steal along the edge of the valley within the strip of wood that skirted the hills. They were to station themselves about fifty yards apart, within the edge of the woods, and not advance or show themselves until the horses dashed in that direction. Twenty-five men were sent across the valley to steal in like manner along the river bank that bordered the opposite side, and to station themselves among the trees.
A third party of about the same number was to form a line, stretching across the lower part of the valley, so as to connect the two wings. Beatte and our other half-breed, Antoine, together with the ever-officious Tonish, were to make a circuit through the woods so as to get to the upper part of the valley, in the rear of the horses, and drive them forward into the kind of sack that we had formed, while the two wings should join behind them and make a complete circle.
The flanking[34] parties were quietly extending themselves out of sight, on each side of the valley, and the residue were stretching themselves like the links of a chain across it, when the wild horses gave signs that they scented an enemy; snuffing the air, snorting, and looking about. At length they pranced off slowly toward the river, and disappeared behind a green bank.
Here, had the regulations of the chase been observed, they would have been quietly checked and turned back by the advance of a hunter from among the trees. Unluckily, however, we had our wildfire, Jack-o’-lantern [35]little Frenchman to deal with. Instead of keeping quietly up the right side of the valley, to get above the horses, the moment he saw them move toward the river he broke out of the covert[36] of woods and dashed furiously across the plain in pursuit of them. This put an end to all system. The half-breeds, and half a score of rangers, joined in the chase.
A way they all went over the green bank. In a moment or two the wild horses reappeared, and came thundering down the valley, with Frenchman, half-breeds, and rangers galloping and bellowing behind them. It was in vain that the line drawn across the valley attempted to check and turn back the fugitives; they were too hotly pressed by their pursuers: in their panic[37] they dashed through the line, and clattered down the plain.
The whole troop joined in the headlong chase, some of the rangers without hats or caps, their hair flying about their ears, and others with handkerchiefs tied round their heads. The buffaloes, which had been calmly ruminating among the herbage, heaved up their huge forms, gazed for a moment at the tempest that came scouring down the meadow, then turned and took to heavy, rolling flight. They were soon overtaken; the promiscuous[38] throng were pressed together by the contracting sides of the valley, and away they went, pellmell, hurry-skurry, wild buffalo, wild horse, wild huntsman, with clang and clatter, and whoop and halloo, that made the forests ring.
At length the buffaloes turned into a green brake, on the river bank, while the horses dashed up a narrow defile of the hills, with their pursuers close to their heels. Beatte passed several of them, having fixed his eye upon a fine Pawnee horse that had his ears slit and saddle marks upon his back. He pressed him gallantly, but lost him in the woods.
Among the wild horses was a fine black mare, which in scrambling up the defile tripped and fell. A young ranger sprang from his horse and seized her by the mane and muzzle. Another ranger dismounted and came to his assistance. The mare struggled fiercely, kicking and biting, and striking with her fore feet, but a noose was slipped over her head, and her struggles were in vain.
It was some time, however, before she gave over rearing and plunging, and lashing out with her feet on every side. The two rangers then led her along the valley, by two strong lariats, which enabled them to keep at a sufficient distance on each side to be out of the reach of her hoofs, and whenever she struck out in one direction she was jerked in the other. In this way her spirit was gradually subdued.
As to Tonish, who had marred[39] the whole scene by his precipitancy, he had been more successful than he deserved, having managed to catch a beautiful cream-colored colt about seven months old, that had not strength to keep up with its companions. The mercurial[40] little Frenchman was beside himself with exultation. It was amusing to see him with his prize. The colt would rear and kick, and struggle to get free, when Tonish would take him about the neck, wrestle with him, jump on his back, and cut as many antics as a monkey with a kitten.
Nothing surprised me more, however, than to witness how soon these poor animals, thus taken from the unbounded freedom of the prairie, yielded to the dominion of man. In the course of two or three days the mare and colt went with the led horses and became quite docile.
—Washington Irving
【中文阅读】
1．我们八点钟左右离开布法罗营地，艰难辛苦地跋涉两个小时，穿越道道山脊，路上到处是参差不齐的矮橡树林，不时可见幽深僻静的溪谷沟壑。
2．早上大约十点的时候，我们来到高矮不一的一处丛林路口，俯瞰脚下林木直抵山下沟谷，那条红河北段从脚下沟底流过。一处大约半英里宽、美丽的草原甸子缀满秋天金黄灿烂的花朵，那片草原甸子沿山脚一直伸展两三英里，抵达河对岸一侧。河两岸长着三角叶杨树，脚底踩着深浅不一的沉积物，在满眼褐色森林里穿梭良久，眼睛趋于长时间麻木倦殆，倏然看到这片浓艳树叶，眼前顿时一亮。
3．草原甸子恰好层次分明，一边是灌木林，一边是排列整齐的树木，似乎由一双艺术大手精巧分开。当我们将目光转向这片清新宜人的山谷，只看见一群野马在黢绿的草地上安静地吃草。野马群位于我们右侧大约一英里开外，而我们左侧，几乎差不多远的地方，一片三角叶杨树丛林的浓荫下，草地上牧草很高，长势茂盛，几只野牛正在草甸盘桓，有的在啃噬青草，有的在歇息反刍。牧场景色美丽寥廓，和谐安谧，宛如不失绅士优雅风度的农夫，从容悠闲地放牧他的牛群，好一派浓郁迷人的田园风光。
4．就如何捕捉这群野马，我们召开了战前会，抓住目前有利机遇乃是上策，采取最为有效的捕猎计谋，即通常所说的“打围野马”。这一计划不仅需要相当多的骑手，且需骑手技艺超群，还须拥有不同角度条件下驾驭控制马的过人能力，甚至离马相当距离也能游刃有余地掌控身体的超凡骑术。这样，才能从两三英里外形成包围圈围住马群。这种打围需要极度谨慎小心，因为野马对草原原住民最为警觉，如果顺风，很远都能嗅到猎人的气味。
5．包围圈一旦形成，两三个骑手就冲向马群，最初冲击方向往往与最后打围方向相反，直到骑手抵达包围圈边界，猎人才最终出现。这种方式逼迫马群偏转原来路线，马群在每一设伏点皆受到拦阻驱逐，因此它们就会围绕骑手布下的神奇围圈不停地飞奔疾驰，直到彻底精疲力竭。这时，猎人们才飞奔上马，疾驰飞奔中扔出套索，紧紧地套牢马匹。那些一流的马极擅奔跑，具有超凡勇气耐力，亦最有可能冲出包围圈逃之夭夭，因此，一般来说，人们捕获的多为品质稍劣的马匹。
6．现在开始为围猎做前期准备。一群马被牵进树林，紧紧地系在树上，以免等会野马冲过来，它们可能挣脱逃走。在中尉率领下，一支二十五人的队伍悄悄沿着山谷边缘进发，山谷毗邻山脚下环山的条形状树林。那二十五人大约以五十码间隔距离布好位置，藏身在树林边缘，等到野马群朝他们这边飞奔过来，他们才冒头拦阻。另有二十五人穿越山谷，在其相应地段对面，沿河岸布阵，亦藏身树林中间。
7．另外再派出大体数目相当的人排成一列，沿山谷低段延伸站开，以此连接两翼包围圈。比特还有另外一个混血儿骑手安东尼，再加上总爱管闲事的托尼斯，他们三人将穿越树林，到达山谷稍高地带，出现在野马群后面，驱赶马群向前进入我们已设伏好的布袋，而其他两翼亦应与其呼应连接，形成一个完整的包围圈。
8．同时，侧翼人马也在悄无声息地散开，消失在远方，他们将在山谷四边设好埋伏圈。最后剩下的人，将补充填实整条包围圈可能出现的缺口。就在这时，野马群发出信号，它们发现了危险临近，马群不停地嗅嗅四周，打出喷嚏，然后环顾左右，最后三三两两地缓慢地朝那条河走去，消失在那条河绿色堤岸后。
9．哎呀，假如严格遵守围猎规则，野马群很可能被树林里冒出的猎手拦阻，然后安静地后撤，然而，不幸的是，鬼使神差中，那位身材矮小的法国佬让整个打围过程变得诡异无常。他们一行设伏在山谷右面，未能保持按兵不动，从而掌控野马群走向；那家伙一看见马群朝河流那边移动，竟然从树林里冲出来，发狂地穿过草原追撵马群，从而使整个计划彻底乱套。这时，一些混血儿骑手，加上其他十多位游牧骑手，亦争先恐后地参与疯狂追赶。
10．那些骑手们飞驰越过绿色堤岸，不一会儿，野马群再度进入视线，山谷下一片喊声震天。那位矮小的法国人，那些混血儿打围者，还有那些游牧骑手们策马飞奔，吼叫声、呐喊声在马群身后响成一片。此刻，那道穿越山谷准备围堵拦截野马群的防线完全失去作用。马群遭遇追赶者的猛烈追逐，它们在恐慌中狂奔，冲破了那道防线，草原上嘈杂喊叫震地连天。
11．所有的人无不裹进这种轻率冒失的追逐，有的骑手没戴帽子，长风肆意凌乱着他们头发，还有些猎手用布条将脑后头发扎紧。一直安静吃草的野牛群觉察到不安，收拢起庞大队形，屏神凝气地聆听草地那边传来的骚动，片刻工夫掉头，尥起蹄子成群跑开。杂乱蜂拥的野牛群一泄如注，山谷那边围猎嘈杂更加剧了牛群恐惧，它们拥挤不堪，忙不择路地夺命狂奔。那些野牛野马，加上游牧骑手搅成乱团，牛群马群的骚乱炸锅，骑手鞍具的哗啦作响，各路人马声嘶力竭的呼喊嘶叫，使整个打围场面愈发喧嚣壮观。
12．野牛群一直跑到河岸绿草地，总算收住了蹄子，而此刻野马群正从山谷一处狭窄隘口发狂地夺路奔下，后面骑手们紧追不舍，他们离马群愈来愈近。比特疾驰越过好几匹野马，眼睛死死盯着一匹漂亮的北美印第安族波尼马，那马明显特征的狭长鞍形耳朵贴在脖颈后面。比特勇敢地揿着马，然而，在穿越丛林的迅速奔跑中，那马转瞬间便不知去向。
13．野马群中还有匹漂亮的黑色母马，那马趔趄着爬上隘道，却不幸绊倒在地，一位年轻骑手从马上猛地飞扑上去，抓住了它的鬃毛和牙口。另一位骑手也旋即下马，助他一臂之力。那母马狂暴地挣脱，前后尥蹄，连踢带咬，可一条套索套上它的头颈，顷刻之间，它的拼命挣扎完全失去意义。
14．然而，好大一会儿工夫，那母马狂乱地尥蹄乱跳，前蹄后蹄死命猛踢，两位骑手用两条结实的绳索死死拽住马，沿着河谷兜转，绳索很长，骑手与马匹才能保持相当距离，确保不会被马踢到。无论马朝哪边拼命挣脱，另一边绳索亦会紧紧拴着它动弹不得。最后，那马终于被驯服地安静下来。
15．那位由于鲁莽草率而打乱整个围猎计划的托尼斯，此行收获不小，他捕获了一匹大约七个月大小的奶油色马驹，那弱小马驹实在无力跟上马群。那位活泼机智、矮小的法国佬大喜过望地站在托尼斯身边，看着托尼斯收获，开怀放肆地大笑起来。小马驹后尥前踢，挣扎着想逃走，突然，托尼斯一把抓住它的脖子，朝它打个响亮呼哨，一个鹞子翻身跃到它的背上，像猴子耍逗小猫般尽情作乐，扮出一连串滑稽不堪的怪脸。
16．没有任何事情能比这更让人激动不已，看着这些可怜的野马，如此迅捷地被人们从它们无拘无束、自由生活的大草原上掳走，从此，它们不得不屈从人的意志。两三天内，那匹母马和小马驹将被牵到备用马群中，很快将接受人为残酷的驯服。
（华盛顿 · 欧文）
LESSON 81
SOWING AND REAPING
播种与收获
Adelaide Anne Procter (b. 1825, d. 1864) was the daughter of Bryan Waller Procter (better known as “Barry Cornwall ”), a celebrated English poet, living in London. Miss Procter’s first volume, “Legends and Lyrics,” appeared in 1858, and met with great success; it was republished in this country. A second series, under the same name, was published in 1860; and in 1862 both series were republished with additional poems, and an introduction by Charles Dickens. In 1861 Miss Procter edited “Victoria Regia,” a collection of poetical pieces, to which she contributed; and in 1862 “A Chaplet of Verses,” composed of her own poems, was published. Besides these volumes, she contributed largely to various magazines and periodicals.
1. Sow with a generous hand;
Pause not for toil and pain;
Weary not through the heat of summer,
Weary not through the cold spring rain;
But wait till the autumn comes
For the sheaves of golden grain.
2. Scatter the seed, and fear not,
A table will be spread;
What matter if you are too weary
To eat your hard-earned bread;
Sow, while the earth is broken,
For the hungry must be fed.
3. Sow;—while the seeds are lying
In the warm earth’s bosom deep,
And your warm tears fall upon it—
They will stir in their quiet sleep,
And the green blades rise the quicker,
Perchance, for the tears you weep.
4. Then sow;—for the hours are fleeting,
And the seed must fall to-day;
And care not what hand shall reap it,
Or if you shall have passed away
Before the waving cornfields
Shall gladden the sunny day.
5. Sow;—and look onward, upward,
Where the starry light appears,—
Where, in spite of the coward’s doubting,
Or your own heart’s trembling fears,
You shall reap in joy the harvest
You have sown to-day in tears.
【中文阅读】
阿德莱德 · 安妮 · 普罗克特(1825～1864)为布赖恩 · 沃勒 · 普罗克特（更为人熟知名字为巴里 · 康沃尔）的女儿，她是一位居住伦敦的著名英国诗人。1858年，普罗克特小姐的首部诗集《传奇与抒情诗》问世，获得了极大成功，随后再度出版。1860年，以同一书名的续集再次问世；1862年，两部诗集均增补新诗重新推出，并配有查尔斯 · 狄更斯的前言。1861年，普罗克特小姐编辑出版题为《维多利亚 · 雷吉亚》的个人诗歌选集；1862年，她编辑出版题名《花冠诗行》的自创诗歌集。除上列诗集外，普罗克特小姐还为不少杂志期刊撰写大量诗歌。
1．慷慨的手，辛勤播种，
胼手砥足，难得歇息，
毫不计较，夏天炙热，
早春淫雨，侵人肌骨。
金秋时刻，终于来临，
丰收庄稼，漫山遍谷。
2．播撒种子，恐惧不再，
一畦春苗，即将发芽，
汗滴禾下，盘中之餐，
悲喜欣集，拜赐双手，
精耕细作，播种希望，
凡尘百姓，食大为天。
3．金色种子，播进泥土，
静静躺在，母亲怀里，
滚烫泪水，扑簌落下，
惊蛰声中，睡眠结束，
绿色芽苗，破土而出，
争相报答，农夫辛苦。
4．春光易逝，不误农时，
披星戴月，犁田耙土。
前人栽树，后人乘凉，
赠人玫瑰 手有余香。
麦浪翻滚，收获稻谷，
耕者慷慨，造福桑梓。
5．不停播种，仰望前行，
繁星万点，摇曳出现，
凄风冷雨，难以畏惧，
丰满自足，持奉信念。
收获幸福，在丰收里，
播撒种子，在眼泪里。
LESSON 82
TAKING COMFORT
自我解脱
For the last few days, the fine weather has led me away from books and papers, and the close air of dwellings, into the open fields, and under the soft, warm sunshine, and the softer light of a full moon. The loveliest season of the whole year—that transient[41] but delightful interval between the storms of the “wild equinox[42], with all their wet,” and the dark, short, dismal days which precede the rigor[43] of winter—is now with us. The sun rises through a soft and hazy atmosphere; the light mist clouds melt gradually before him; and his noontide light rests warm and clear on still woods, tranquil waters, and grasses green with the late autumnal rains.
One fine morning, not long ago, I strolled down the Merrimac, on the Tewksbury shore. I know of no walk in the vicinity of Lowell so inviting as that along the margin of the river, for nearly a mile from the village of Belvidere. The path winds, green and flower-skirted, among beeches and oaks, through whose boughs you catch glimpses of waters sparkling and dashing below. Rocks, huge and picturesque[44], jut out into the stream, affording beautiful views of the river and the distant city.
Half fatigued with my walk, I threw myself down upon a rocky slope of the bank, where the panorama[45] of earth, sky, and water lay clear and distinct about me. Far above, silent and dim as a picture, was the city, with its huge mill masonry, confused chimney tops, and church spires; near it rose the height of Belvidere, with its deserted burial place and neglected gravestones sharply defined on its bleak, bare summit against the sky; before me the river went dashing down its rugged channel, sending up its everlasting murmur; above me the birch tree hung its tassels; and the last wild flowers of autumn profusely fringed the rocky rim of the water.
Right opposite, the Dracut woods stretched upwards from the shore, beautiful with the hues of frost, glowing with tints richer and deeper than those which Claude or Poussin mingled, as if the rainbows of a summer shower had fallen among them. At a little distance to the right, a group of cattle stood mid-leg deep in the river; and a troop of children, bright-eyed and mirthful, were casting pebbles at them from a projecting shelf of rock. Over all a warm but softened sunshine melted down from a slumberous autumnal sky.
My reverie[46] was disagreeably broken. A low, grunting sound, half bestial[47], half human, attracted my attention. I was not alone. Close beside me, half hidden by a tuft of bushes, lay a human being, stretched out at full length, with his face literally[48] rooted into the gravel. A little boy, five or six years of age, clean and healthful, with his fair brown locks and blue eyes, stood on the bank above, gazing down upon him with an expression of childhood’s simple and unaffected pity.
“What ails you?” asked the boy at length. “What makes you lie there?”
The prostrate[49] groveler[50] struggled halfway up, exhibiting the bloated[51] and filthy countenance of a drunkard. He made two or three efforts to get upon his feet, lost his balance, and tumbled forward upon his face.
“What are you doing there?” inquired the boy.
“I’m taking comfort,” he muttered, with his mouth in the dirt.
- Taking his comfort! There he lay,—squalid and loathsome under the bright heaven,—an imbruted[52] man. The holy harmonies[53] of Nature, the sounds of gushing waters, the rustle of the leaves above him, the wild flowers, the frost bloom of the woods,—what were they to him? Insensible, deaf, and blind, in the stupor of a living death, he lay there, literally realizing[54] that most bitterly significant eastern malediction[55], “May you eat dirt.”
(Whittier)
【中文阅读】
1．最近这两天，天气真好，我放下书本，离开沉闷压抑的家，走到户外，走进温暖柔和的阳光下，走到清新满月的月光里，正值一年中最佳季节。阴雨连绵，狂暴的秋分刚刚过去，寒冷凄凉的冬天即将到来，很快阳光稀少，晦暗难捱；此刻，我们却拥有一个短暂快乐的艳阳天。秋阳在薄霭笼罩的大地升起，光线朦胧柔和，袅袅云烟渐次散去。正午明晃晃太阳落在寂静的树林，恬美静默的水面，还有暖暖的绿色草地，清澈阳光下居然夹杂些许晚秋落雨。
2．不久以前，一个美妙的清晨，我来到图克斯伯里河岸，沿梅里马克河顺流而下悠闲散步。我不曾知道洛维尔周边风景如此美丽，沿河两岸景色娴静迷人，梅里马克河离贝尔维迪尔村庄差不多有一英里，小路蜿蜒延伸，两边缀有草地鲜花。我信步穿过山毛榉树林以及橡树林，一路临岸依立的枝干粗硕，水面波光粼粼，水流湍急。嶙峋怪石立在水中，眼前河流与远处城镇融为一体，风景如画。
3．半路走倦了，我索性在河岸一处巉岩的陡坡上坐下，周边景色开阔寥落，风光浩荡一揽尽收，只见天高地阔，河水清澈，极目望去，远处城镇安静得有点朦胧，宛如一幅画，影影绰绰，分不清究竟是庞大的磨坊砖墙还是烟囱顶端；高高的教堂尖塔，紧挨旁边是贝尔维迪尔高地，在天空衬托下，裸露阴晦的山顶上，那片荒凉墓地夹杂棱角分明的散落碑石格外触目；眼前河道崎岖，河水湍急，仿佛吟唱一曲经久不息的歌谣；我头顶上方的桦木枝繁叶茂，河边崖壁上嵌满了秋季最后盛开的荼靡。
4．恰好河岸对面，德雷卡特森林从岸边一直往上游延伸，阳光辉映下，露珠闪耀晶莹，招摇炫目极了，变幻出魔幻繁杂的色彩，比克劳德森林或普辛森林漂亮多了，简直就像夏季暴雨后一道漫天瑰丽的彩虹。右边不远的地方，一群牛站在没膝的河水中，岸边，一块片状巨石兀立而起；一群开心的孩子们，正朝那群牛儿甩石子，他们眼里洋溢着无拘无束的快乐欢情。温暖秋阳柔软地抚摩万物，天空下满是浓郁的慵懒。
5．一阵低沉的咕哝声打断了我的沉思冥想，让我略感不快，我居然看到一位半兽半人的家伙，心里并不觉得害怕。就在我身边，一簇灌丛边躺着一个人，他的四肢摊开，脸部简直就是埋在砾石里，似乎那是个孩子，不过五六岁大小，看起来还很健康，衣着干净，褐色的美丽头发，蓝色的眼睛。我站在上端堤岸上，向下打量着他，眼里满是孩子般的真诚怜悯。
6．“你哪里不舒服？”我开口问道，“你怎么躺着那里？”那匍匐在地的家伙挣扎爬起，一付醉醺醺酒鬼的污秽嘴脸，他拼命地两三次欲想站起，没想到却失去重心，脸部朝下再次摔倒。
“你到这里做什么？”我问他。
“我在自我解脱。”他咕哝着说，嘴角紧贴泥土。
7．自我解脱！他躺在那里，浑身污秽不堪。令人憎恶，一如行尸走肉，趴在一望如洗的蓝天下？自然神性和谐，河水滚滚不息，枝头树叶婆娑，漫地灿烂野花，树林里闪动晶莹的晨霜，所有这些美好对他意味着什么？毫无知觉，失去听觉，没有视觉，纯粹一个活死人的恍惚虚无世界。他僵卧在那里，恐怕最能验证那句颇为苦涩的东方咒语：“啃你的土去吧。”
（惠蒂尔）
LESSON 83
CALLING THE ROLL
点 名
1. “CORPORAL GREEN!” the orderly cried;
“Here!” was the answer, loud and clear,
From the lips of a soldier standing near;
And “here!” was the word the next replied.
“Cyrus Drew!” and a silence fell;
This time no answer followed the call;
Only his rear man saw him fall,
Killed or wounded he could not tell.
2. There they stood in the fading light,
These men of battle, with grave, dark looks,
As plain to be read as open books,
While slowly gathered the shades of night.
The fern on the slope was splashed with blood,
And down in the corn, where the poppies grew,
Were redder stains than the poppies knew;
And crimson-dyed was the river’s flood.
3. For the foe had crossed from the other side
That day, in the face of a murderous fire
That swept them down in its terrible ire;
And their lifeblood went to color the tide.
“Herbert Cline!” At the call there came
Two stalwart soldiers into the line,
Bearing between them Herbert Cline,
Wounded and bleeding, to answer his name.
4. “Ezra Kerr!” and a voice said “here!”
“Hiram Kerr!” but no man replied:
They were brothers, these two; the sad wind sighed,
And a shudder crept through the cornfield near.
“Ephraim Deane!”—then a soldier spoke:
“Deane carried our regiment’s colors,” he said,
“When our ensign was shot; I left him dead,
Just after the enemy wavered and broke.
5. “Close to the roadside his body lies;
I paused a moment and gave him to drink;
He murmured his mother’s name, I think;
And death came with it and closed his eyes.”
’T was a victory—yes; but it cost us dear;
For that company’s roll, when called at night,
Of a hundred men who went into the fight,
Numbered but twenty that answered “here!”
(Shepherd)
【中文阅读】
1．“格林下士！”执勤官点名叫着。
“到！”声音清晰响亮，
一位士兵，旁边大声回答。
“赛勒斯 · 德鲁！”一片沉默，
人群中，无人应答。
他身后士兵，见他最后倒下，
但无法知道，他死去或受伤。
2．士兵们站在， 昏黄灯火下，
一群赴死的人， 面容阴沉晦暗，
生死不足惜， 犹如必须打开的书，
鲜活生命， 集聚死亡魅影对岸。
山坡上青草， 溅满斑斑血迹，
山下玉米地， 罂粟抽出枝节，
殷红的血， 让毒蛇之吻失去颜色，
满河腥烈， 满眼心颤。
3．那天，敌人从对岸猛扑过来，
大火凶残，烧了个天昏地暗，
杀声震天， 士兵们纷纷倒下，
鲜血洇红河水， 硝烟弥漫河畔。
“赫伯特 · 克莱恩！”执勤官还在点名，
两位伤者， 坚定地走进队列，
赫伯特 · 克莱恩后面，轮到他们，
他们蹒跚前来，接受挑战。
4．“以斯拉 · 克尔！” “到！”
“海勒姆 · 克尔！”半天没有回应，
不寒而栗，风声滚过谷地，
长久叹息，殉难的同胞兄弟。
“以法莲 · 迪恩！”有位士兵报告，
“迪恩，不愧我们军团骄傲！
那时，敌人已经后退溃败，
他扛着军旗冲锋，中弹倒下。
5．“他躺在路边， 快要死了，
我停下脚步， 喂他点水，
他嘴唇嗫嚅， 或许唤着妈妈，
最后， 才慢慢闭上双眼。”
胜利到来， 我们失去多少兄弟，
点名队列中，永远不会出现。
生死离别，勇士出征几人回？
天亦无情，残阳西下慈母泪。
（牧羊人）
LESSON 84
TURTLE SOUP
龟煲汤
Charles Frederick Briggs (b. 1804, d. 1877) was born on the island of Nantucket. When quite young, however, he became a resident of New York City. In 1845, in conjunction with Edgar A. Poe, he began the publication of the “Broadway Journal;” he was also connected with the “New York Times,” and the “Evening Mirror;” also as editor from 1853 to 1856 with “Putnam’s Magazine.” Mr. Briggs wrote a few novels, some poetry, and numerous little humorous tales and sketches. The following selection is from “Working a Passage; or, Life on a Liner,” one of his best stories.
Among the luxuries which the captain had provided for himself and passengers was a fine green turtle, which was not likely to suffer from exposure to salt water, so it was reserved[56] until all the pigs, and sheep, and poultry had been eaten. A few days before we arrived, it was determined to kill the turtle and have a feast the next day.
Our cabin gentlemen had been long enough deprived of fresh meats to make them cast lickerish[57] glances towards their hard-skinned friend, and there was a great smacking of lips the day before he was killed. As I walked aft[58] occasionally, I heard them congratulating themselves on their prospective[59] turtle soup and forcemeat[60] balls; and one of them, to heighten the luxury of the feast, ate nothing but a dry biscuit for the twenty-four hours preceding, that he might be prepared to devour his full share of the unctuous[61] compound.
It was to be a gala day with them; and though it was not champagne day, that falling on Saturday and this on Friday, they agreed to have champagne a day in advance, that nothing should be wanting to give a finish to their turtle. It happened to be a rougher day than usual when the turtle was cooked, but they had become too well used to the motion of the ship to mind that.
It happened to be my turn at the wheel the hour before dinner, and I had the tantalizing misery of hearing them laughing and talking about their turtle, while I was hungry from want of dry bread and salt meat. I had resolutely kept my thoughts from the cabin during all the passage but once, and now I found my ideas clustering round a tureen of turtle in spite of all my philosophy.
Confound them, if they had gone out of my hearing with their exulting smacks, I should not have envied their soup, but their hungry glee so excited my imagination that I could see nothing through the glazing[62] of the binnacle[63] but a white plate with a slice of lemon on the rim, a loaf of delicate bread, a silver spoon, a napkin, two or three wine glasses of different hues and shapes, and a water goblet clustering round it, and a stream of black, thick, and fragrant turtle pouring into the plate.
By and by it was four bells: they dined at three. And all the gentlemen, with the captain at their head, darted below into the cabin, where their mirth increased when they caught sight of the soup plates. “Hurry with the soup, steward,” roared the captain. “Coming, sir,” replied the steward. In a few moments the cook opened the door of his galley[64], and out came the delicious steam of the turtle.
Then came the steward with a large covered tureen[65] in his hand, towards the cabin gangway[66]. I forgot the ship for a moment in looking at this precious cargo, the wheel slipped from my hands, the ship broached to with a sudden jerk; the steward had got only one foot upon the stairs, when this unexpected motion threw him off his balance, and down he went by the run, the tureen slipped from his hands, and part of its contents flew into the lee[67] scuppers[68], and the balance followed him in his fall.
I laughed outright. I enjoyed the turtle a thousand times more than I should have done if I had eaten the whole of it. But I was forced to restrain my mirth, for the next moment the steward ran upon deck, followed by the captain, in a furious rage, threatening if he caught him to throw him overboard. Not a spoonful of the soup had been left in the coppers[69], for the steward had taken it all away at once to keep it warm. In about an hour afterwards the passengers came upon deck, looking more sober than I had seen them since we left Liverpool. They had dined upon cold ham.
【中文阅读】
查尔斯 · 弗雷德里克 · 布里格斯(1804～1877)出生于美国马萨诸塞州楠塔基特岛，然而年少时便迁居到纽约市。1845年，他与埃德加 · 爱伦 · 坡开始来往，筹办出版《百老汇期刊》。布里格斯与《纽约时报》和《晚镜报》交往密切，1853～1856年期间，他曾担任《普特南杂志》编辑。布里格斯出版过数部小说，若干诗歌以及大量短篇幽默故事和作品。下列章节选自《工作片段》，又称《画线员的生活》，该篇为他最好的小说之一。
1．船上那只漂亮的绿毛龟有幸列入美味佳肴的名单，那是船长为旅客及他本人准备的。那种龟不可能在海水里喂养，因此待到鸭鸡一干家常肉类悉数消耗殆尽，绿毛龟这才引起饕餮们热情关注。轮船眼看几天后就要抵达目的地了，事情即刻敲定下来，明天船长好好地犒劳大家，这回，绿毛龟也该寿终正寝了。
2．客舱里的绅士们很久未能品尝鲜肉，随着有肉可啖的消息传开，盯着那位长有坚硬绿壳的朋友，人们眼里无不冒出饥渴绿光。那头龟却是如此不谙人事，嘴里不时发出的吧咂声响亮依然。我偶尔走到船尾，听到那些先生们兴高采烈地谈论期待中的龟汤，甚至还有喷香的五香龟肉丸。有位绅士更为大肆渲染餐宴的规格排场，尽管接下来整整一天，除了啃点发硬的饼干，船上什么吃的也没有，可他，简直为自己那份鲜美醇厚的龟煲汤急不可耐了。
3．绅士们的欢乐日子到来了，尽管周六才能喝上香槟，今天周五，大家还是一致赞同将香槟日提前，这样看来，龟汤带来的憧憬亦就不会留有任何遗憾了。更何况还有，今天海上风浪很不凑巧地比平常要大，但人们对船上颠簸早已习以为常，更何况还有厨房里喷香的美食诱惑，这些风浪亦就实在不值得计较了。
4．聚餐前一小时，刚好轮到我在驾驶室里值班，听到那些谈论龟汤的诙谐逗趣不时传来，饥肠辘辘的我，只想弄点面包干夹点咸肉打发肚子。那种痛苦难捱实在饱含诱惑，我身在驾驶舱，尽量努力地克制自己，可一晃眼，发觉眼前飘动的全是那碗美味的龟煲汤。
5．倘若能逃离这种过大节的嘈杂热闹，恐怕我不会过多计较这些家伙开心的手足舞蹈，不过，他们坐立不安的等待的确勾起我太多联想。当我仔细看着那块镀釉罗盘箱，突然发现里面另有一番天地，白色餐盘上切有一片柠檬摆盘，数片切法精致面包，一枚银汤匙，一方餐巾，三两只不同色彩、形状各异的酒杯，一只高脚杯，统统逐位摆好，最后，那道黑色浓稠、香味扑鼻的龟煲汤优雅地倒入素白瓷盘。
6．进餐原定三点开始，时间一分一秒地过去，现在已经四点，在船长带领下，一群人一窝蜂冲到舷下餐厅。一看见汤盘，他们戏谑调侃，热闹成团。“大厨，赶紧上菜！”船长朗声叫道。“来了，先生们！”大厨连忙高声答道。须臾间，大厨推开厨房的门，美味浓黏的龟煲汤终于端上来了。
7．大厨手里捧着一个大号炖煲，朝着旋梯甬道走来，我直盯盯地看着那锅馋人的宝贝，没想到轮盘突然从我手中滑落，船猛地一阵颠簸急扭；大厨刚将一只脚迈上台阶，始料不及的晃荡，使他脚下顿时失去平衡，他啪地摔倒在地，炖锅也脱了手，锅里汤汤水水径直倾入避风道里的排水孔。转眼间，船又恢复了常态行驶。
8．我畅快地大笑起来，在我看来，那种无数次观赏那只可爱绿毛龟的美妙感觉，应该超过独自喝完那锅炖汤。不过，此刻我更需不露声色，因为那边大厨很快噌噌地跑上了甲板，暴怒万分的船长紧随身后，他边跑边叫，一旦抓住那可恶家伙，就要把他扔进海里。可惜煲里汤水一点亦没剩下，可大厨还是边跑边抱着煲钵不松手，好像唯恐那汤凉了。大约一个时辰后，游客们才纷纷来到甲板，看来，他们比游船起航离开利物浦港口时清醒多了，离岸以来，他们一直以凉咸肉佐餐。
LESSON 85
THE BEST KIND OF REVENGE
最好的复仇
Some years ago a warehouseman[70] in Manchester, England, published a scurrilous[71] pamphlet, in which he endeavored to hold up the house of Grant Brothers to ridicule. William Grant remarked upon the occurrence that the man would live to repent of what he had done; and this was conveyed by some talebearer to the libeler[72], who said, “Oh, I suppose he thinks I shall some time or other be in his debt; but I will take good care of that.” It happens, however, that a man in business can not always choose who shall be his creditors. The pamphleteer became a bankrupt, and the brothers held an acceptance of his which had been indorsed to them by the drawer, who had also become a bankrupt.
The wantonly libeled men had thus become creditors of the libeler! They now had it in their power to make him repent of his audacity[73]. He could not obtain his certificate without their signature[74], and without it he could not enter into business again. He had obtained the number of signatures required by the bankrupt law except one. It seemed folly to hope that the firm of “the brothers” would supply the deficiency[75]. What! they who had cruelly been made the laughingstock of the public, forget the wrong and favor the wrongdoer? He despaired. But the claims of a wife and children forced him at last to make the application. Humbled by misery, he presented himself at the countinghouse of the wronged.
Mr. William Grant was there alone, and his first words to the delinquent[76] were, “Shut the door, sir!” sternly uttered. The door was shut, and the libeler stood trembling before the libeled. He told his tale and produced his certificate, which was instantly clutched by the injured merchant. “You wrote a pamphlet against us once!” exclaimed Mr. Grant. The suppliant expected to see his parchment[77] thrown into the fire. But this was not its destination. Mr. Grant took a pen, and writing something upon the document, handed it back to the bankrupt. He, poor wretch, expected to see “rogue, scoundrel, libeler,” inscribed; but there was, in fair round characters, the signature of the firm.
“We make it a rule,” said Mr. Grant, “never to refuse signing the certificate of an honest tradesman, and we have never heard that you were anything else.” The tears started into the poor man’s eyes. “Ah,” said Mr. Grant, “my saying was true! I said you would live to repent writing that pamphlet. I did not mean it as a threat. I only meant that some day you would know us better, and be sorry you had tried to injure us. I see you repent of it now.” “I do, I do!” said the grateful man; “I bitterly repent it.” “Well, well, my dear fellow, you know us now. How do you get on? What are you going to do?” The poor man stated he had friends who could assist him when his certificate was obtained. “But how are you off in the meantime?”
And the answer was, that, having given up every farthing to his creditors, he had been compelled to stint[78] his family of even common necessaries, that he might be enabled to pay the cost of his certificate. “My dear fellow, this will not do; your family must not suffer. Be kind enough to take this ten-pound note to your wife from me. There, there, my dear fellow! Nay, do not cry; it will all be well with you yet. Keep up your spirits, set to work like a man, and you will raise your head among us yet.” The overpowered man endeavored in vain to express his thanks; the swelling in his throat forbade words. He put his handkerchief to his face and went out of the door, crying like a child.
【中文阅读】
1．前些年，英国曼彻斯特一位羊毛制品批发商印刷了一本充满粗鄙辱骂的宣传册，文章里不遗余力地公开嘲笑格兰特兄弟机构。一位叫威廉 · 格兰特的人对此进行评价，这家伙将会为他所做的事后悔一生。这句评价被某位搬弄是非的人转告那位肆意诽谤者，后者说：“哦，我猜想，威廉 · 格兰特或许认为，或迟或早我将会欠格兰特兄弟的钱，这一点，我会格外倍加小心。”然而生意场上波谲诡异，谁也无法总能称心如愿地选择自己的债权人。那位批发商，即宣传册的始作俑者不巧破产了，于是他将债权转给一位商人，但那位商人随后同样破产，他无奈之下只好将债权以背书形式转与格兰特兄弟，于是格兰特兄弟最终成为那位羊毛制品批发商的债权人。
2．由此看来，被侮蔑中伤者居然成了恶毒毁谤者的债权人！如今，格兰特兄弟有能力让那家伙为自己的厚颜无耻埋单。接下来的情况是，如果无法获得债权人的签字认可，那位羊毛制品批发商老板将无法领取他的商业执照；如果没有商业执照，他根本无法再度经商。当时，他获得了破产法要求债权人的签名认可数，最后唯独缺少格兰特公司的签名。如果他指望格兰特兄弟公司能提供法律要求的不足名额签认，看来确实愚蠢至极。天呀！被公众无情耻笑、留作笑柄的格拉特兄弟岂能忘记过错方的肆意诽谤与行为卑劣？那位羊毛批发商老板陷入绝望之中，然而迫于对其妻儿的追索赔偿压力，最终他万般无奈提出申请，怀着痛苦的谦卑心情，来到格兰特兄弟的公司。
3．威廉 · 格兰特先生独自在办公室里，“关上门，先生。”他对品行低劣者开口说出第一句话，话语相当严厉。门关上了，那位诽谤者颤抖地站在受害人面前，他说出了此行目的，拿出了他的商业执照，遭受肆意诬陷的威廉 · 格兰特先生很快抓住了这份执照，“你写过宣传册恶意诬陷我们！”格兰特先生尖声高叫起来。那位哀求者原以为那份羊皮文稿的执照文本会被扔进火里，但事情结局大出所料，格兰特先生取出一支笔，在文件上写下几个字，然后将其递交与那位破产者。那位可怜的穷光蛋仍然认为会看见“流氓、无赖或诽谤者”诸如此类字样出现在文件上，万万没想到，他竟然看到了字体圆润的格兰特公司签名。
4．“我们立下规则，”格兰特先生说，“绝不会拒绝为诚信的商人签署证书，我们从未听说你有什么不可以。”眼泪涌入那位可怜人眼眶。“哦，我所说的是真心话，我说过你会活到你后悔写宣传册的那一天，我并不认为这是威胁，只是觉得，总有一天你会更加了解我们，并对无耻伤害我们感到抱歉。我现在看到你的真诚悔过。”“我悔过，我确实错了！”那批发商人感激涕零地说：“我实在后悔我所做的事。”“好了，好了，亲爱的朋友，你现在对我们有了初步了解，你如何经营下去？准备做什么？”那可怜的家伙告诉格兰特先生，一旦他的执照证书拿到后，他的朋友们会给予帮助。“但是，你如何从目前困境中摆脱出来？”
5．那位批发商告诉格兰特先生，哪怕对自己债权人放弃丁点利益，他也要被迫节省或压缩家庭生活最基本开销，这样才有能力支付执照费用。“亲爱的朋友，这没有用，你的全家不能受罪。从我这拿上十英镑支票给你夫人吧。请收下，收下吧，亲爱的朋友！好了，不要哭了，一切都会好起来的。振作精神，像男人那样承担责任，你一定会在我们中间重新昂起头。”这位内心纠结的汉子竭力想表达他的谢意，然而一切徒然无助。他哽咽地说不出话来，拿出手帕捂住脸，走出门后，顿时像孩子那样嚎啕大哭起来。
LESSON 86
THE SOLDIER OF THE RHINE
莱茵河畔的士兵
Caroline Elizabeth Sarah Norton (b. 1808, d. 1877) was the grand-daughter of Richard Brinsley Sheridan. She wrote verses and plays at a very early age. “The Sorrows of Rosalie,” published in 1829, was written before she was seventeen years old. In 1827 she was married to the Hon. George Chapple Norton. The marriage was an unhappy one, and they were divorced in 1836. Her principal works are “The Undying One,” “The Dream, and Other Poems,” “The Child of the Islands,” “Stuart of Dunleith, a Romance,” and “English Laws for English Women of the 19th Century.” She contributed extensively to the magazines and other periodicals.
- A soldier of the Legion[79] lay dying in Algiers, There was lack of woman’s nursing, there was dearth[80] of woman’s tears;
But a comrade stood beside him, while his lifeblood ebbed[81] away, And bent, with pitying glances, to hear what he might say.
The dying soldier faltered, as he took that comrade’s hand, And he said: “I nevermore shall see my own, my native land;
Take a message and a token to some distant friends of mine, For I was born at Bingen,—at Bingen on the Rhine.
- “Tell my brothers and companions, when they meet and crowd around To hear my mournful story in the pleasant vineyard ground, That we fought the battle bravely, and when the day was done, Full many a corse[82] lay ghastly pale beneath the setting sun;
And, ’mid the dead and dying, were some grown old in wars,—The death wound on their gallant breasts, the last of many scars;
But some were young, and suddenly beheld life’s morn decline,—And one had come from Bingen,—fair Bingen on the Rhine.
- “Tell my mother that her other sons shall comfort her old age, For I was aye a truant bird, that thought his home a cage.
For my father was a soldier, and, even when a child, My heart leaped forth to hear him tell of struggles fierce and wild;
And when he died, and left us to divide his scanty hoard, I let them take whate’er they would, but kept my father’s sword;
And with boyish love I hung it where the bright light used to shine, On the cottage wall at Bingen,—calm Bingen on the Rhine.
- “Tell my sister not to weep for me, and sob with drooping head, When the troops come marching home again, with glad and gallant read, But to look upon them proudly, with a calm and steadfast[83] eye, For her brother was a soldier, too, and not afraid to die;
And if a comrade seek her love, I ask her in my name To listen to him kindly, without regret or shame, And to hang the old sword in its place (my father’s sword and mine), For the honor of old Bingen,—dear Bingen on the Rhine.
- “There’s another,—not a sister; in the happy days gone by, You’d have known her by the merriment that sparkled in her eye;
Too innocent for coquetry[84],—too fond for idle scorning,—O friend! I fear the lightest heart makes sometimes heaviest mourning!
Tell her the last night of my life—(for, ere the moon be risen, My body will be out of pain, my soul be out of prison), I dreamed I stood with her, and saw the yellow sunlight shine On the vine-clad hills of Bingen,—fair Bingen on the Rhine.
- “I saw the blue Rhine sweep along: I heard, or seemed to hear, The German songs we used to sing, in chorus[85] sweet and clear;
And down the pleasant river, and up the slanting hill, The echoing chorus sounded, through the evening calm and still;
And her glad blue eyes were on me, as we passed, with friendly talk, Down many a path beloved of yore[86], and well-remembered walk;
And her little hand lay lightly, confidingly in mine,—But we’ll meet no more at Bingen,—loved Bingen all the Rhine.”
- His trembling voice grew faint and hoarse; his grasp was childish weak, His eyes put on a dying look,—he sighed and ceased to speak.
His comrade bent to lift him, but the spark of life had fled,—The soldier of the Legion in a foreign land was dead!
And the soft moon rose up slowly, and calmly she looked down On the red sand of the battlefield, with bloody corses strewn;
Yes, calmly on that dreadful scene, her pale light seemed to shine, As it shone on distant Bingen,—fair Bingen on the Rhine.
【中文阅读】
卡罗琳 · 伊丽莎白 · 莎拉 · 诺顿(1808～1877)为理查 · 布林斯利 · 谢里登的孙女，卡罗琳年少时就开始写诗歌和戏剧。1829年，她的《罗莎莉的悲伤》出版，当年她开始写作这部作品时尚不满17岁。1827年，卡罗琳与汉 · 乔治 · 查普尔 · 诺顿结婚，她的婚姻生活并不幸福，1836年，她最终与丈夫离婚。卡罗琳主要作品有《永恒的人》、《梦，及其他诗歌》、《爱尔兰的孩子》、《邓莱斯的斯图尔特罗曼史》和《19世纪英国妇女的英国法律》。同时她还为杂志和部分期刊撰写大量文章。
1．一位德国军团士兵，在阿尔及尔战场上濒临死亡，那里缺医少药，缺少医护照料，他的血快要流尽了。站在他身边的同伴，眼里满是悲哀，弯下身想听听他的最后遗言。这时，那位垂死的士兵抓住同伴的手，颤抖地对他说：“我再也见不到我家乡的土地了，请捎个消息回去，再带个物件，转交我远方的朋友，我出生在宾根，——莱茵河畔的宾根。
2．“当我的父老乡亲聚集到家乡那个美丽的葡萄园时，他们将听到我的噩耗，请告诉家乡的朋友们，我和我的战友们作战勇猛。今天就要消失了，夕阳下，地上到处堆满面容惨白的尸体，那些死者和濒死者中间，多少人因战争变得苍老，死亡将在他们勇敢的心里留下深深伤口，那是残酷记忆中难以愈合的伤疤。还有些战士那么年轻，他们亲眼目睹生命的遽然衰亡。一个来自宾根的战士，——莱茵河畔美丽的宾根。
3．“请告诉我的妈妈，她的其他儿子们将会陪她度过余生。我是一只逃学的小鸟，尽管家不过是只狭窄的鸟笼。我的父亲也是士兵，当我还是孩子时，总是急切地盼望他讲述过去惨烈悲壮的战斗。父亲死后，当全家处理父亲那点微薄的遗产时，我让兄弟们随意拿取他们想要的东西，只给自己留下父亲的一把剑。怀着一个孩子真挚的爱，我将那把剑挂好，挂在阳光可以照到的宾根普通农家的墙上，——莱茵河畔安宁的宾根。
4．“请告诉我的姐妹，不要为我哭泣，不要低下悲伤的头。当我们的部队重新胜利凯旋，请为他们感到骄傲。以冷静坚定的骄傲目光欢迎他们，因为她们的兄弟也是一位士兵。无需畏惧死亡。假如有位战士追求我的姐妹，我请求她们以我的名义认真倾听他的叙说，不要后悔或感到羞耻，将那把古老的剑，那把父亲和我共同拥有的战剑在原先位置挂好，为了古老宾根的荣耀，——莱茵河畔可爱的宾根。
5．“还有一位姑娘并非我的姐妹，在过去幸福时光里，从她眼里的欣喜闪光，我读懂了她。她那天真无邪的撒娇，若无其事的嘲弄。哦，亲爱的朋友！我唯恐你最为细微的心里承受太多悲哀！请告诉她我生命中最后一夜——（因为，月亮升起之前，我的身体将脱离痛苦，我的灵魂将离开囚禁之地），我梦想与她牵手伫立，一起漫步在满山葡萄藤缠绕的山巅，眺望宾根的金色日出，——莱茵河畔宏伟的宾根。
6．“我看见蓝色的宾根在飞奔勇进，我听见，哦，似乎听见，那些我们曾经反复吟唱的德国战歌，那甜蜜清澈的和声，随着欢快河流奔腾流泻。那美妙旋律回荡在风光巍峨的群山，穿透夜晚的安宁静谧。当我们手牵手依偎徜徉，她那双幸福的蓝眼睛看着我。那条镌刻下古老爱恋的幽静小路，难以忘怀的小路，她柔软小手轻轻地放到我的手上，与我互吐衷肠。然而，我们此生再亦不会在宾根重逢相遇，莱茵河畔的所有，——迷人的宾根。”
7．他颤抖的声音愈来愈虚弱嘶哑；他的手亦轻飘无力，他的眼神现出濒死之光，他怅叹一声。不再说话。他的战友急忙蹲下扶起他，但他的生命火花急遽黯淡，那位德国军团士兵最终客死在他乡！温柔的月亮缓慢升起，它冷冰冰地望着那片浸满殷红鲜血的战场，月光下，尸体纷乱杂陈，呈现出一幕可怖景象。那缕惨白月光撒在异乡的土地，如同它照耀在遥远的宾根，——莱茵河畔妖娆美丽的宾根。
LESSON 87
THE WINGED WORSHIPERS
天 使
Charles Sprague (b. 1791, d. 1875) was born in Boston, Mass. He engaged in mercantile business when quite young, leaving school for that purpose. In 1825, he was elected cashier of the Globe Bank of Boston, which position he held until 1864. Mr. Sprague has not been a prolific writer; but his poems, though few in number, are deservedly classed among the best productions of American poets. His chief poem is entitled “Curiosity.”
1. Gay, guiltless pair,
What seek ye from the fields of heaven?
Ye have no need of prayer,
Ye have no sins to be forgiven.
2. Why perch[87] ye here,
Where mortals to their Maker bend?
Can your pure spirits fear
The God ye never could offend?
3. Ye never knew
The crimes for which we come to weep;
Penance[88] is not for you,
Blessed wanderers of the upper deep.
4. To you ’t is given
To wake sweet Nature’s untaught lays[89];
Beneath the arch of heaven
To chirp away a life of praise.
5. Then spread each wing,
Far, far above, o’er lakes and lands,
And join the choirs[90] that sing
In yon blue dome[91] not reared with hands.
6. Or, if ye stay
To note the consecrated[92] hour,
Teach me the airy way,
And let me try your envied power.
7. Above the crowd,
On upward wings could I but fly,
I’d bathe in yon bright cloud,
And seek the stars that gem the sky.
8. ’T were Heaven indeed,
Through fields of trackless[93] light to soar,
On Nature’s charms to feed,
And Nature’s own great God adore.
【中文阅读】
查尔斯 · 斯普拉格(1791～1875)出生于美国马萨诸塞州波士顿，少年时代即离开学校从事商业贸易。1825年，查尔斯被选为波士顿环球银行财务高级职员，他位居高位直到1864年。斯普拉格先生并非多产作家，可他的诗歌，尽管数量极少，确实可当之无愧地选入美国最佳诗歌作品集，《好奇》为他的主要诗作。
1．同性恋男人，好一对清纯妙人，
天国辽阔， 你们在寻找什么？
当然，你们无需祷告，
原本清白， 更无宽恕可言。
2． 为什么，你们栖息这里，
凡胎肉躯，为何要向上帝赎罪？
难道说，纯粹爱恋让天主恐惧，
那位，你们未曾冒犯的天神？
3．你们不知，我们前来哭泣的罪恶，
你们并非，我们百般纠结的缘由，
祝福的人儿，御风而去，
那些身影，早已绝尘高远。
4．永恒之光，唤醒你的内心
深如天然歌声，率真本性，
云天浩渺，圣殿拱门下，
鸟声啁啾飞走， 赞美生命。
5．接着，展开每一道翅膀，
振翼高飞，越过海洋大地，
应合着， 那些天籁之韵，
飞进弯庐，见证恢宏的奇迹。
6．或者你们，盘桓于天空，
目睹，那一神性时刻的到来，
教会我， 恣意快乐地飞翔，
让我尝试令人钦羡的力量。
7．人群之上， 凡尘之上，
我无以所能，唯有乘风直上，
我向往，远方亮丽云朵下沐浴，
细数无尽，天空的繁星神秘。
8．诚然，穿越那些人迹罕至
光的原野， 穿越神奇未知，
生命本能的充满魔咒勃发，
连上帝也膜拜， 人性高贵的灵动。
LESSON 88
THE PEEVISH WIFE
暴躁易怒的妻子
Maria Edgeworth (b. 1767, d. 1849) was born near Reading. Berkshire, England. In 1782 her father removed with his family to Edgeworthtown, Ireland, to reside on his estate. She lived here during the remainder of her life, with the exception of occasional short visits to England, Scotland, and France. She was educated principally by her father, and they were colaborers in literary productions, among which were “Essays on Practical Education,” and the “Parent’s Assistant.” Her novels and tales were written without assistance, and her fame as a writer rests on them. The best known of these are “Castle Rackrent,” “Moral Tales,” “Tales of Fashionable Life,” “Frank,” “The Modern Griselda,” and “Helen.” Miss Edgeworth excels in the truthful delineation of character, and her works are full of practical good sense and genuine humor.
Mrs. Bollingbroke. I wish I knew what was the matter with me this morning. Why do you keep the newspaper all to yourself, my dear?
Mr. Bolingbroke. Here it is for you, my dear; I have finished it.
Mrs. B. I humbly thank you for giving it to me when you have done with it. I hate stale news. Is there anything in the paper? for I can not be at the trouble of hunting it.
Mr. B. Yes, my dear; there are the marriages of two of our friends.
Mrs.B. Who? Who?
Mr. B. Your friend, the widow Nettleby, to her cousin John Nettleby.
Mrs. B. Mrs. Nettleby? Dear! But why did you tell me?
Mr. B. Because you asked me, my dear.
Mrs. B. Oh, but it is a hundred times pleasanter to read the paragraph one’s self. One loses all the pleasure of the surprise by being told. Well, whose was the other marriage?
Mr. B. Oh, my dear, I will not tell you; I will leave you the pleasure of the surprise.
Mrs. B. But you see I can not find it. How provoking you are, my dear! Do pray tell me.
Mr. B. Our friend Mr. Granby.
Mrs. B. Mr. Granby? Dear! Why did you not make me guess? I should have guessed him directly. But why do you call him our friend? I am sure he is no friend of mine, nor ever was. I took an aversion to him, as you remember, the very first day I saw him. I am sure he is no friend of mine.
Mr. B. I am sorry for it, my dear; but I hope you will go and see Mrs. Granby.
Mrs. B. Not I, indeed, my dear. Who was she?
Mr. B. Miss Cooke.
Mrs. B. Cooke? But, there are so many Cookes. Can’t you distinguish her any way? Has she no Christian name?
Mr. B. Emma, I think. Yes, Emma.
Mrs. B. Emma Cooke? No; it can not be my friend Emma Cooke; for I am sure she was cut out for an old maid.
Mr. B. This lady seems to me to be cut out for a good wife.
Mrs. B. Maybe so. I am sure I’ll never go to see her. Pray, my dear, how came you to see so much of her?
Mr. B. I have seen very little of her, my dear. I only saw her two or three times before she was married.
Mrs. B. Then, my dear, how could you decide that she was cut out for a good wife? I am sure you could not judge of her by seeing her only two or three times, and before she was married.
Mr. B. Indeed, my love, that is a very just observation.
Mrs. B. I understand that compliment perfectly, and thank you for it, my dear. I must own I can bear anything better than irony[94].
Mr. B. Irony? my dear, I was perfectly in earnest.
Mrs. B. Yes, yes; in earnest; so I perceive; I may naturally be dull of apprehension, but my feelings are quick enough; I comprehend too well. Yes, it is impossible to judge of a woman before marriage, or to guess what sort of a wife she will make. I presume you speak from experience; you have been disappointed yourself, and repent your choice.
Mr. B. My dear, what did I say that was like this? Upon my word, I meant no such thing. I really was not thinking of you in the least.
Mrs. B. No, you never think of me now. I can easily believe that you were not thinking of me in the least.
Mr. B. But I said that only to prove to you that I could not be thinking ill of you, my dear.
Mrs. B. But I would rather that you thought ill of me than that you should not think of me at all.
Mr. B. Well, my dear, I will even think ill of you if that will please you.
Mrs. B. Do you laugh at me? When it comes to this I am wretched indeed. Never man laughed at the woman he loved. As long as you had the slightest remains of love for me you could not make me an object of derision[95]; ridicule and love are incompatible[96], absolutely incompatible. Well, I have done my best, my very best, to make you happy, but in vain. I see I am not cut out to be a good wife. Happy, happy Mrs. Granby!
Mr. B. Happy, I hope sincerely, that she will be with my friend; but my happiness must depend on you, my love; so, for my sake, if not for your own, be composed, and do not torment yourself with such fancies.
Mrs. B. I do wonder whether this Mrs. Granby is really that Miss Emma Cooke. I’ll go and see her directly; see her I must.
Mr. B. I am heartily glad of it, my dear; for I am sure a visit to his wife will give my friend Granby real pleasure.
Mrs. B. I promise you, my dear, I do not go to give him pleasure, or you either, but to satisfy my own curiosity.
[1]Fustian, a kind of cotton stuff, including corduroy, velveteen, etc.
[2]Resolved, made clear, disentangled.
[3]Deformities, misshapen persons.
[4]Stunted, checked in growth.
[5]Meager, thin, lean.
[6]Grotesque, fanciful, absurd.
[7]Administered, gave, dispensed.
[8]Installment, part, portion.
[9]Corporeal, bodily.
[10]Physicking, doctoring, treating with medicine.
[11]Diluted, weakened by the addition of water.
[12]Commodity, article, wares.
[13]Profound, intellectually deep, wise.
[14]Apprehension, comprehension, knowledge.
[15]Temporary, for the time being.
[16]Disconcerted, confused, abashed.
[17]Significantly, with meaning.
[18]Abstractedly, in an absent-minded way.
[19]Doomed, destined, condemned.
[20]Charmed, bewitched, enchanted.
[21]Blew, blossomed, bloomed.
[22]Weird, tainted with witchcraft, supernatural.
[23]Quick, alive, living.
[24]Imperial, royal.
[25]Mute, silent.
[26]Gullies, hollows in the earth worn by water.
[27]Diversified, distinguished by numerous aspects, varied.
[28]Ruminating, chewing over what has been slightly chewed before.
[29]Herbage, pasture, grass.
[30]Prairie, an extensive, level tract without trees, but covered with tall grass.
[31]Windward, the point from which the wind blows.
[32]Lariat, a long cord or thong of leather, with a noose, for catching wild horses.
[33]Bottom, power of endurance.
[34]Flanking, overlooking or commanding on the side.
[35]Jackolantern, a light seen in low, moist grounds, which disappears when approached.
[36]Covert, a covering place, a shelter.
[37]Panic, sudden fright (usually, causeless fright).
[38]Promiscuous, mingled, confused.
[39]Marred, interrupted, spoiled.
[40]Mercurial, sprightly, full of fire.
[41]Transient, of short duration.
[42]Equinox, the time of year when the days and nights are of equal length, i.e., about September 23d or March 21st.
[43]Rigor, severity.
[44]Picturesque, fitted to form a pleasing picture.
[45]Panorama, a complete or entire view in every direction.
[46]Reverie, an irregular train of thoughts occurring in meditation.
[47]Bestial, brutish.
[48]Literally, according to the first and natural meaning of words.
[49]Prostrate, lying at length.
[50]Groveler, a base wretch.
[51]Bloated, puffed out.
[52]Imbruted, reduced to brutality.
[53]Harmony, the fitness of parts to each other in any combination of things.
[54]Realizing, making one’s own in experience.
[55]Malediction, a curse.
[56] Reserved, kept back, retained.
[57]Licker. ish, eager or greedy to swallow.
[58]Aft, toward the stern of a vessel.
[59]Prospective, relating to the future.
[60]Forcemeat, meat chopped fine and highly seasoned.
[61]Unctuous, fat.
[62]Glazing, glass or glasslike substance.
[63]Binnacle, a box containing the compass of a ship.
[64]Galley, the kitchen of a ship.
[65]Tureen, a large deep vessel for holding soup.
[66]Gangway, a passageway.
[67]Lee, pertaining to the side opposite that against which the wind blows.
[68]Scuppers, channels cut through the side of a ship for carrying off water from the deck.
[69]Coppers, large copper boilers.
[70]Warehouseman, one who keeps a wholesale store for woolen goods.
[71]Scurrilous, low, mean.
[72]Libeler, one who defames another maliciously by a writing, etc
[73]Audacity, bold impudence.
[74]Signature, the name of a person written with his own hand, the name of a firm signed officially.
[75]Deficiency, want.
[76]Delinquent, an offender.
[77]Parchment, sheep or goat skin prepared for writing upon.
[78]Stint, to limit.
[79]Legion, division of an army.
[80]Dearth, scarcity.
[81]Ebbed, flowed out.
[82]Corse, a dead body.
[83]Steadfast, firm, resolute.
[84]Coquetry, trifling in love.
[85]Chorus, music in which all join.
[86]Yore, old times.
[87]Perch, to light or settle on anything.
[88]Penance, suffering for sin.
[89]Lays, songs.
[90]Choir, a collection of singers.
[91]Dome, an arched structure above a roof; hence, figuratively, the heavens.
[92]Consecrated, set apart for the service of God.
[93]Trackless, having no path.
[94]Irony, language intended to convey a meaning contrary to its literal signification.
[95]Derision, the act of laughing at in contempt.
[96]Incompatible, that can not exist together.
