evangeline-第1章

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！






Evangeline

A　Tale　of　Acadie

by　Henry　Wadsworth　Longfellow




　　THIS　is　the　forest　primeval。　　The　murmuring　pines　and　the　hemlocks；
Bearded　with　moss；　and　in　garments　green；　indistinct　in　the　twilight；
Stand　like　Druids　of　eld；　with　voices　sad　and　prophetic；
Stand　like　harpers　hoar；　with　beards　that　rest　on　their　bosoms。
Loud　from　its　rocky　caverns；　the　deep…voiced　neighboring　ocean
Speaks；　and　in　accents　disconsolate　answers　the　wail　of　the　forest。

　　This　is　the　forest　primeval；　but　where　are　the　hearts　that　beneath　it
Leaped　like　the　roe；　when　he　hears　in　the　woodland　the　voice　of　the　huntsman？
Where　is　the　thatch…roofed　village；　the　home　of　Acadian　farmers；
Men　whose　lives　glided　on　like　rivers　that　water　the　woodlands；
Darkened　by　shadows　of　earth；　but　reflecting　an　image　of　heaven？
Waste　are　those　pleasant　farms；　and　the　farmers　forever　departed！
Scattered　like　dust　and　leaves；　when　the　mighty　blasts　of　October
Seize　them；　and　whirl　them　aloft；　and　sprinkle　them　far　o'er　the　ocean。
Naught　but　tradition　remains　of　the　beautiful　village　of　Grand…Pr？

　　Ye　who　believe　in　affection　that　hopes；　and　endures；　and　is　patient；
Ye　who　believe　in　the　beauty　and　strength　of　woman's　devotion；
List　to　the　mournful　tradition　still　sung　by　the　pines　of　the　forest；
List　to　a　Tale　of　Love　in　Acadie；　home　of　the　happy。





PART　THE　FIRST。




I


　　IN　the　Acadian　land；　on　the　shores　of　the　Basin　of　Minas；
Distant；　secluded；　still；　the　little　village　of　Grand…Pr？
Lay　in　the　fruitful　valley。　　Vast　meadows　stretched　to　the　eastward；
Giving　the　village　its　name；　and　pasture　to　flocks　without　number。
Dikes；　that　the　hands　of　the　farmers　had　raised　with　labor　incessant；
Shut　out　the　turbulent　tides；　but　at　stated　seasons　the　flood…gates
Opened；　and　welcomed　the　sea　to　wander　at　will　o'er　the　meadows。
West　and　south　there　were　fields　of　flax；　and　orchards　and　cornfields
Spreading　afar　and　unfenced　o'er　the　plain；　and　away　to　the　northward
Blomidon　rose；　and　the　forests　old；　and　aloft　on　the　mountains
Sea…fogs　pitched　their　tents；　and　mists　from　the　mighty　Atlantic
Looked　on　the　happy　valley；　but　ne'er　from　their　station　descended。
There；　in　the　midst　of　its　farms；　reposed　the　Acadian　village。
Strongly　built　were　the　houses；　with　frames　of　oak　and　of　chestnut；
Such　as　the　peasants　of　Normandy　built　in　the　reign　of　the　Henries。
Thatched　were　the　roofs；　with　dormer…windows；　and　gables　projecting
Over　the　basement　below　protected　and　shaded　the　door…way。
There　in　the　tranquil　evenings　of　summer；　when　brightly　the　sunset
Lighted　the　village　street；　and　gilded　the　vanes　on　the　chimneys；　
Matrons　and　maidens　sat　in　snow…white　caps　and　in　kirtles
Scarlet　and　blue　and　green；　with　distaffs　spinning　the　golden
Flax　for　the　gossiping　looms；　whose　noisy　shuttles　within　doors
Mingled　their　sound　with　the　whir　of　the　wheels　and　the　songs　of　the　maidens。
Solemnly　down　the　street　came　the　parish　priest；　and　the　children
Paused　in　their　play　to　kiss　the　hand　he　extended　to　bless　them。
Reverend　walked　he　among　them；　and　up　rose　matrons　and　maidens；
Hailing　his　slow　approach　with　words　of　affectionate　welcome。
Then　came　the　laborers　home　from　the　field；　and　serenely　the　sun　sank
Down　to　his　rest；　and　twilight　prevailed。　　Anon　from　the　belfry
Softly　the　Angelus　sounded；　and　over　the　roofs　of　the　village
Columns　of　pale　blue　smoke；　like　clouds　of　incense　ascending；
Rose　from　a　hundred　hearths；　the　homes　of　peace　and　contentment。
Thus　dwelt　together　in　love　these　simple　Acadian　farmers；
Dwelt　in　the　love　of　God　and　of　man。　　Alike　were　they　free　from
Fear；　that　reigns　with　the　tyrant；　and　envy；　the　vice　of　republics。
Neither　locks　had　they　to　their　doors；　nor　bars　to　their　windows；
But　their　dwellings　were　open　as　day　and　the　hearts　of　the　owners；
There　the　richest　was　poor；　and　the　poorest　lived　in　abundance。

　　Somewhat　apart　from　the　village；　and　nearer　the　Basin　of　Minas；
Benedict　Bellefontaine；　the　wealthiest　farmer　of　Grand…Pr？
Dwelt　on　his　goodly　acres；　and　with　him；　directing　his　household；
Gentle　Evangeline　lived；　his　child；　and　the　pride　of　the　village。
Stalworth　and　stately　in　form　was　the　man　of　seventy　winters；
Hearty　and　hale　was　he；　an　oak　that　is　covered　with　snow…flakes；　
White　as　the　snow　were　his　locks；　and　his　cheeks　as　brown　as　the　oak…leaves。
Fair　was　she　to　behold；　that　maiden　of　seventeen　summers。
Black　were　her　eyes　as　the　berry　that　grows　on　the　thorn　by　the　wayside；
Black；　yet　how　softly　they　gleamed　beneath　the　brown　shade　of　her　tresses！
Sweet　was　her　breath　as　the　breath　of　kine　that　feed　in　the　meadows。
When　in　the　harvest　heat　she　bore　to　the　reapers　at　noontide
Flagons　of　home…brewed　ale；　ah！　fair　in　sooth　was　the　maiden。
Fairer　was　she　when；　on　Sunday　morn；　while　the　bell　from　its　turret
Sprinkled　with　holy　sounds　the　air；　as　the　priest　with　his　hyssop
Sprinkles　the　congregation；　and　scatters　blessings　upon　them；
Down　the　long　street　she　passed；　with　her　chaplet　of　beads　and　her　missal；
Wearing　her　Norman　cap；　and　her　kirtle　of　blue；　and　the　ear…rings；
Brought　in　the　olden　time　from　France；　and　since；　as　an　heirloom；
Handed　down　from　mother　to　child；　through　long　generations。
But　a　celestial　brightnessa　more　ethereal　beauty　
Shone　on　her　face　and　encircled　her　form；　when；　after　confession；
Homeward　serenely　she　walked　with　God's　benediction　upon　her。
When　she　had　passed；　it　seemed　like　the　ceasing　of　exquisite　music。

　　Firmly　builded　with　rafters　of　oak；　the　house　of　the　farmer
Stood　on　the　side　of　a　hill　commanding　the　sea；　and　a　shady
Sycamore　grew　by　the　door；　with　a　woodbine　wreathing　around　it。
Rudely　carved　was　the　porch；　with　seats　beneath；　and　a　footpath
Led　through　an　orchard　wide；　and　disappeared　in　the　meadow。
Under　the　sycamore…tree　were　hives　overhung　by　a　penthouse；
Such　as　the　traveller　sees　in　regions　remote　by　the　roadside；
Built　o'er　a　box　for　the　poor；　or　the　blessed　image　of　Mary。
Farther　down；　on　the　slope　of　the　hill；　was　the　well　with　its　moss…grown
Bucket；　fastened　with　iron；　and　near　it　a　trough　for　the　horses。
Shielding　the　house　from　storms；　on　the　north；　were　the　barns　and　the　farm…yard；
There　stood　the　broad…wheeled　wains　and　the　antique　ploughs　and　the　harrows；　
There　were　the　folds　for　the　sheep；　and　there；　in　his　feathered　seraglio；
Strutted　the　lordly　turkey；　and　crowed　the　cock；　with　the　selfsame
Voice　that　in　ages　of　old　had　startled　the　penitent　Peter。
Bursting　with　hay　were　the　barns；　themselves　a　village。　　In　each　one
Far　o'er　the　gable　projected　a　roof　of　thatch；　and　a　staircase；
Under　the　sheltering　eaves；　led　up　to　the　odorous　corn…loft。
There　too　the　dove…cot　stood；　with　its　meek　and　innocent　inmates
Murmuring　ever　of　love；　while　above　in　the　variant　breezes
Numberless　noisy　weathercocks　rattled　and　sang　of　mutation。

　　Thus；　at　peace　with　God　and　the　world；　the　farmer　of　Grand…Pr？
Lived　on　his　sunny　farm；　and　Evangeline　governed　his　household。
Many　a　youth；　as　he　knelt　in　the　church　and　opened　his　missal；
Fixed　his　eyes　upon　her；　as　the　saint　of　his　deepest　devotion；
Happy　was　he　who　might　touch　her　hand　or　the　hem　of　her　garment！
Many　a　suitor　came　to　her　door；　by　the　darkness　befriended；
And；　as　he　knocked　and　waited　to　hear　the　sound　of　her　footsteps；
Knew　not　which　beat　the　louder；　his　heart　or　the　knocker　of　iron；
Or　at　the　joyous　feast　of　the　Patron　Saint　of　the　village；
Bolder　grew；　and　pressed　her　hand　in　the　dance　as　he　whispered
Hurried　words　of　love；　that　seemed　a　part　of　the　music。
But；　among　all　who　came；　young　Gabriel　only　was　welcome；
Gabriel　Lajeunesse；　the　son　of　Basil　the　blacksmith；
Who　was　a　mighty　man　in　the　village；　and　honored　of　all　men；
For；　since　the　birth　of　time；　throughout　all　ages　and　nations；
Has　the　craft　of　the　smith　been　held　in　repute　by　the　people。
Basil　was　Benedict's　friend。　　Their　children　from　earliest　childhood
Grew　up　together　as　brother　and　sister；　and　Father　Felician；
Priest　and　pedagogue　both　in　the　village；　had　taught　them　their　letters
Out　of　the　selfsame　book；　with　the　hymns　of　the　church　and　the　plain…song。
But　when　the　hymn　was　sung；　and　the　daily　lesson　completed；
Swiftly　they　hurried　away　to　the　forge　of　Basil　the　blacksmith。
There　at　the　door　they　stood；　with　wondering　eyes　to　behold　him
Take　in　his　leathern　lap　the　hoof　of　the　horse　as　a　plaything；
Nailing　the　shoe　in　its　place；　while　near　him　the　tire　of　the　cart…wheel
Lay　like　a　fiery　snake；　coiled　round　in　a　circle　of　cinders。
Oft　on　autumnal　eves；　when　without　in　the　gathering　darkness
Bursting　with　light　seemed　the　smithy；　through　every　cranny　and　crevice；
Warm　by　the　forge　within　they　watched　the　laboring　bellows；
And　as　its　panting　ceased；　and　the　sparks　expired　in　the　ashes；
Merrily　laughed；　and　said　they　were　nuns　going　into　the　chapel。
Oft　on　sledges　in　winter；　as　swift　as　the　swoop　of　the　eagle；
Down　the　hillside　bounding；　they　glided　away　o'er　the　meadow。
Oft　in　the　barns　they　climbed　to　the　populous　nests　on　the　rafters；
Seeking　with　eager　eyes　that　wondrous　stone；　which　the　swallow
Brings　from　the　shore　of　the　sea　to　restore　the　sight　of　its　fledglings；
Lucky　was　he　who　found　that　stone　in　the　nest　of　the　swallow！
Thus　passed　a　few　swift　years；　and　they　no　longer　were　children。
He　was　a　valiant　youth；　and　his　face；　like　the　face　of　the　morning；
Gladdened　the　earth　with　its　light；　and　ripened　through　into　action。
She　was　a　woman　now；　with　the　heart　and　hopes　of　a　woman。
〃Sunshine　of　Saint　Eulalie〃　was　she　called；　for　that　was　the　sunshine
Which；　as　the　farmers　believed；　would　load　their　orchards　with　apples；
She；　too；　would　bring　to　her　husband's　house　delight　and　abundance；
Filling　it　full　of　love　and　the　ruddy　faces　of　children。



II。


　　NOW　had　the　season　returned；　when　the　nights　grow　colder　and　longer；
And　the　retreating　sun　the　sign　of　the　Scorpion　enters。
Birds　of　passage　sailed　through　the　leaden　air；　from　the　ice…bound；
Desolate　northern　bays　to　the　shores　of　tropical　islands。
Harvests　were　gathered　in；　and　wild　with　the　winds　of　September
Wrestled　the　trees　of　the　forest；　as　Jacob　of　old　with　the　angel。
All　the　signs　foretold　a　winter　long　and　inclement。
Bees；　with　prophetic　instinct　of　want；　had　hoarded　their　honey
Till　the　hives　overflowed；　and　the　Indian　hunters　asserted
Cold　would　the　winter　be；　for　thick　was　the　fur　of　the　foxes。
Such　was　the　advent　of　autumn。　　Then　followed　that　beautiful　season；
Called　by　the　pious　Acadian　peasants　the　Summer　of　All…Saints！
Filled　was　the　air　with　a　dreamy　and　magical　light；　and　the　landscape
Lay　as　if　new…created　in　all　the　freshness　of　childhood。
Peace　seemed　to　reign　upon　earth；　and　the　restless　heart　of　the　ocean
Was　for　a　moment　consoled。　　All　sounds　were　in　harmony　blended。
Voices　of　children　at　play；　the　crowing　of　cocks　in　the　farm…yards；
Whir　of　wings　in　the　drowsy　air；　and　the　cooing　of　pigeons；
All　were　subdued　and　low　as　the　murmurs　of　love；　and　the　great　sun
Looked　with　the　eye　of　love　through　the　golden　vapors　around　him；
While　arrayed　in　its　robes　of　russet　and　scarlet　and　yellow；
Bright　with　the　sheen　of　the　dew；　each　glittering　tree　of　the　forest
Flashed　like　the　plane…tree　the　Persian　adorned　with　mantles　and　jewels。