登陆注册
20264900000050

第50章

To the first stranger made he now A very low and graceful bow, But quite forgot to bear in mind That people also stood behind;His left-hand neighbor's paunch he struck A grievous blow, by great ill luck;Pardon for this he first entreated, And then in haste his bow repeated.

His right hand neighbor next he hit, And begg'd him, too, to pardon it;But on his granting his petition, Another was in like condition;These compliments he paid to all, Behind, before, across the hall;At length one who could stand no more, Show'd him impatiently the door.

May many, pond'ring on their crimes, A moral draw from this betimes!

II.

As he proceeded on his way He thought, "I was too weak to-day;To bow I'll ne'er again be seen;

For goats will swallow what is green."

Across the fields he now must speed, Not over stumps and stones, indeed, But over meads and cornfields sweet, Trampling down all with clumsy feet.

A farmer met him by-and-by, And didn't ask him: how? or why?

But with his fist saluted him.

"I feel new life in every limb!"

Our traveller cried in ecstasy.

"Who art thou who thus gladden'st me?

May Heaven such blessings ever send!

Ne'er may I want a jovial friend!"

1808.

THE LEGEND OF THE HORSESHOE.

WHAT time our Lord still walk'd the earth, Unknown, despised, of humble birth, And on Him many a youth attended (His words they seldom comprehended), It ever seem'd to Him most meet To hold His court in open street, As under heaven's broad canopy One speaks with greater liberty.

The teachings of His blessed word From out His holy mouth were heard;Each market to a fane turn'd He With parable and simile.

One day, as tow'rd a town He roved, In peace of mind with those He loved, Upon the path a something gleam'd;A broken horseshoe 'twas, it seem'd.

So to St.Peter thus He spake:

"That piece of iron prythee take!"

St.Peter's thoughts had gone astray,--He had been musing on his way Respecting the world's government, A dream that always gives content, For in the head 'tis check'd by nought;This ever was his dearest thought, For him this prize was far too mean Had it a crown and sceptre been!

But, surely, 'twasn't worth the trouble For half a horseshoe to bend double!

And so he turn'd away his head, As if he heard not what was said,The Lord, forbearing tow'rd all men, Himself pick'd up the horseshoe then (He ne'er again like this stoop'd down).

And when at length they reach'd the town, Before a smithy He remain'd, And there a penny for 't obtain'd.

As they the market-place went by, Some beauteous cherries caught His eye:

Accordingly He bought as many As could be purchased for a penny, And then, as oft His wont had been, Placed them within His sleeve unseen.

They went out by another gate, O'er plains and fields proceeding straight, No house or tree was near the spot, The sun was bright, the day was hot;In short, the weather being such, A draught of water was worth much.

The Lord walk'd on before them all, And let, unseen, a cherry fall.

St.Peter rush'd to seize it hold, As though an apple 'twere of gold;His palate much approv'd the berry;

The Lord ere long another cherry Once more let fall upon the plain;St.Peter forthwith stoop'd again.

The Lord kept making him thus bend To pick up cherries without end.

For a long time the thing went on;

The Lord then said, in cheerful tone:

"Had'st thou but moved when thou wert bid, Thou of this trouble had'st been rid;The man who small things scorns, will next, By things still smaller be perplex'd."1797.

A SYMBOL.

(This fine poem is given by Goethe amongst a small collection of what he calls Loge (Lodge), meaning thereby Masonic pieces.)THE mason's tradeObserve them well,Resembles life, And watch them revealingWith all its strife,--How solemn feeling Is like the stir madeAnd wonderment swellBy man on earth's face.The hearts of the brave.

Though weal and woeThe voice of the blest,The future may hide, And of spirits on highUnterrifiedSeems loudly to cry:

We onward go "To do what is best,In ne'er changing race. Unceasing endeavour!

A veil of dread"In silence eterneHangs heavier still.Here chaplets are twin'd,Deep slumbers fillThat each noble mind The stars over-head, Its guerdon may earn.--And the foot-trodden grave. Then hope ye for ever!"1827.

ART.

Artist, fashion! talk not long!

Be a breath thine only song!

THE DROPS OF NECTAR.

WHEN Minerva, to give pleasure To Prometheus, her well-loved one, Brought a brimming bowl of nectar From the glorious realms of heaven As a blessing for his creatures, And to pour into their bosoms Impulses for arts ennobling, She with rapid footstep hasten'd, Fearing Jupiter might see her, And the golden goblet trembled, And there fell a few drops from it On the verdant plain beneath her.

Then the busy bees flew thither Straightway, eagerly to drink them, And the butterfly came quickly That he, too, might find a drop there;Even the misshapen spider Thither crawl'd and suck'd with vigour.

To a happy end they tasted, They, and other gentle insects!

For with mortals now divide they Art膖hat noblest gift of all.

1789.

THE WANDERER.

[Published in the Gottingen Musen Almanach, having been written "to express his feelings and caprices" after his separation from Frederica.]

WANDERER.

YOUNG woman, may God bless thee, Thee, and the sucking infant Upon thy breast!

Let me, 'gainst this rocky wall, Neath the elm-tree's shadow, Lay aside my burden, Near thee take my rest.

WOMAN.

What vocation leads thee, While the day is burning, Up this dusty path?

Bring'st thou goods from out the town Round the country?

Smil'st thou, stranger, At my question?

WANDERER.

From the town no goods I bring.

Cool is now the evening;

Show to me the fountain 'Whence thou drinkest, Woman young and kind!

WOMAN.

Up the rocky pathway mount;

Go thou first! Across the thicket Leads the pathway tow'rd the cottage That I live in, To the fountain Whence I drink.

WANDERER.

Signs of man's arranging hand See I 'mid the trees!

Not by thee these stones were join'd, Nature, who so freely scatterest!

WOMAN.

Up, still up!

WANDERER.

同类推荐
  • 郁迦罗越问菩萨行经

    郁迦罗越问菩萨行经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 和白乐天

    和白乐天

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 宝晋英光集

    宝晋英光集

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 征南录

    征南录

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • The Lady of Lyons

    The Lady of Lyons

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 游戏王之决斗城市

    游戏王之决斗城市

    在这个充满决斗的世界中,有着千千万万的决斗者,怪兽的召唤方式也是多种多样,仪式,融合,同调,XYZ(超量),灵摆,决斗的方式也多种多样,普通的两人站立决斗,组队决斗,骑乘决斗以及最流行的动作决斗……准备好了吗?进入这决斗的城市,一起开启奇幻的决斗之旅吧!……
  • 这样做女人最旺夫

    这样做女人最旺夫

    “旺夫运”这个话题女人讨论的很多,但相关书籍极少。只要是结了婚的女人,无论是家庭主妇,还是打工白领,都希望有“旺夫运”,能够帮老公兴旺发达,但是把命运寄托于虚无缥缈的幻想,不如实实在在地做点事情,来改变自己,改变家庭的命运。这样,才能婚姻更牢固,更长久,经济更长达,感情更深厚。女人,就是要学会利用自己的一切资本,潜移默化地“旺夫”、“旺家”、“旺自己”!
  • 十八岁,我有勇气独自旅行

    十八岁,我有勇气独自旅行

    《18岁,我有勇气独自去旅行》是一本主打“成人礼”概念的游记、小说、图文集。精选适合18岁学生独自旅行的国内景点或城市,并配以当地为背景的小说,搭配景点介绍的形式,让读者们可以够鼓起勇气,行走领略我国的好山好水。本书整体定位为积极向上,充满青春朝气及正能量。旅行是一种病,当你把身边的人都传染了,而你自己根本不想从中跑出来。人生,是一次充满未知的旅行。去了不同的地方,看了不同的风景,知道了不同的事,感悟了不同的人生。
  • 遇见,我的学生时代

    遇见,我的学生时代

    一个拥有散打和篮球双料国家一级运动员的学生徐浩扬的学生时代。
  • 恋上美少女的吻

    恋上美少女的吻

    她是个貌美如花的女子,却遇到了流氓少爷,她不小心在老虎头上拔了毛,从此被他禁锢在身边,与他出生入死,一颗心渐渐沉沦,终于有一天,他愤怒了:‘女人,坏了我的孩子,还想跑,你有问过我的意见吗?’
  • 押鬼镖

    押鬼镖

    贠大师本来是一名房产中介,每天过着朝九晚五的生活。谁知道因为一次车祸,被卷进了众多的灵异事件当中,并逐渐变成了一个镖师,不过他押的却是鬼镖。
  • 摧毁末日

    摧毁末日

    有没有那么一瞬,你也曾在夜晚抬头仰望星空。有没有那么一刻,你也曾和朋友讨论是否真的有外星人的存在。第三届星际竞技场的赛场举办地设在了地球,2020年,无数外星种族空降这座蔚蓝的星球。人性泯灭,生灵涂炭,且看乘坐半成品时光机九死一生回到过去的于小飞,如何带领地球上的勇士们捍卫地球人类的尊严,力挽狂澜。且看于小飞,如何摧毁这末日!
  • 佛说随勇尊者经

    佛说随勇尊者经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 乱世佳人倾城雪

    乱世佳人倾城雪

    许明戈和柳书菲在乱世之秋彼此相爱,而许明戈却有着极其特殊的身份,好不容易一对痴男怨女相会了,谱出了一篇生死相依的爱情战歌,但好景不长,因为宿命,柳书菲不得不再次离开许明戈,为了把父亲从大牢里赎出来,她嫁到了安家,究竟她还能不能再见到许明戈?她和许明戈的爱情还能不能重来?
  • 一欲成魔

    一欲成魔

    本应该顺利进入北大的他,竟然在办学酒的时候,一夜之间穿越了,来到了一个完全陌生的世界。不过,在这个世界,他见到了青梅竹马的爱人......造化弄人,命运坎坷,为爱入狂,一欲成魔;他从一个什么也没有的外来人,为了追寻自己的爱,一路崛起,逆天而行,神挡杀神,佛挡杀佛!