evangeline-第3章

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Wiping　the　foam　from　his　lip；　he　solemnly　bowed　and　departed；
While　in　silence　the　others　sat　and　mused　by　the　fireside；
Till　Evangeline　brought　the　draught…board　out　of　its　corner。
Soon　was　the　game　begun。　　In　friendly　contention　the　old　men
Laughed　at　each　lucky　hit；　or　unsuccessful　manoeuver；
Laughed　when　a　man　was　crowned；　or　a　breach　was　made　in　the　king…row。
Meanwhile　apart；　in　the　twilight　gloom　of　a　window's　embrasure；
Sat　the　lovers；　and　whispered　together；　beholding　the　moon　rise
Over　the　pallid　sea　and　the　silvery　mist　of　the　meadows。
Silently　one　by　one；　in　the　infinite　meadows　of　heaven；
Blossomed　the　lovely　stars；　the　forget…me…nots　of　the　angels。

　　Thus　passed　the　evening　away。　　Anon　the　bell　from　the　belfry
Rang　out　the　hour　of　nine；　the　village　curfew；　and　straightway
Rose　the　guests　and　departed；　and　silence　reigned　in　the　household。
Many　a　farewell　word　and　sweet　good　night　on　the　door…step
Lingered　long　in　Evangeline's　heart；　and　filled　it　with　gladness。
Carefully　then　were　covered　the　embers　that　glowed　on　the　hearth…stone；
And　on　the　oaken　stairs　resounded　the　tread　of　the　farmer。
Soon　with　a　soundless　step　the　foot　of　Evangeline　followed。
Up　the　staircase　moved　a　luminous　space　in　the　darkness；
Lighted　less　by　the　lamp　than　the　shining　face　of　the　maiden。
Silent　she　passed　the　hall；　and　entered　the　door　of　her　chamber。
Simple　that　chamber　was；　with　its　curtains　of　white；　and　its　clothes…press
Ample　and　high；　on　whose　spacious　shelves　were　carefully　folded
Linen　and　woollen　stuffs；　by　the　hand　of　Evangeline　woven。
This　was　the　precious　dower　she　would　bring　to　her　husband　in　marriage；
Better　than　flocks　and　herds；　being　proofs　of　her　skill　as　a　housewife。
Soon　she　extinguished　her　lamp；　for　the　mellow　and　radiant　moonlight
Streamed　through　the　windows；　and　lighted　the　room；　till　the　heart　of　the　maiden
Swelled　and　obeyed　its　power；　like　the　tremulous　tides　of　the　ocean。
Ah！　she　was　fair；　exceeding　fair　to　behold；　as　she　stood　with
Naked　snow…white　feet　on　the　gleaming　floor　of　her　chamber！
Little　she　dreamed　that　below；　among　the　trees　of　the　orchard；
Waited　her　lover　and　watched　for　the　gleam　of　her　lamp　and　her　shadow。
Yet　were　her　thoughts　of　him；　and　at　times　a　feeling　of　sadness
Passed　o'er　her　soul；　as　the　sailing　shade　of　clouds　in　the　moonlight
Flitted　across　the　floor　and　darkened　the　room　for　a　moment。
And；　as　she　gazed　from　the　window；　she　saw　serenely　the　moon　pass
Forth　from　the　folds　of　a　cloud；　and　one　star　follow　her　footsteps；
As　out　of　Abraham's　tent　young　Ishmael　wandered　with　Hagar！



IV。


　　PLEASANTLY　rose　next　morn　the　sun　on　the　village　of　Grand…Pr？
Pleasantly　gleamed　in　the　soft；　sweet　air　the　Basin　of　Minas；
Where　the　ships；　with　their　wavering　shadows；　were　riding　at　anchor。
Life　had　long　been　astir　in　the　village；　and　clamorous　labor
Knocked　with　its　hundred　hands　at　the　golden　gates　of　the　morning。
Now　from　the　country　around；　from　the　farms　and　neighboring　hamlets；
Came　in　their　holiday　dresses　the　blithe　Acadian　peasants。
Many　a　glad　good　morrow　and　jocund　laugh　from　the　young　folk
Made　the　bright　air　brighter；　as　up　from　the　numerous　meadows；
Where　no　path　could　be　seen　but　the　track　of　wheels　in　the　greensward；
Group　after　group　appeared；　and　joined；　or　passed　on　the　highway。
Long　ere　noon；　in　the　village　all　sounds　of　labor　were　silenced。
Thronged　were　the　streets　with　people；　and　noisy　groups　at　the　house…doors
Sat　in　the　cheerful　sun；　and　rejoiced　and　gossiped　together；
Every　house　was　an　inn；　where　all　were　welcomed　and　feasted；
For　with　this　simple　people；　who　lived　like　brothers　together；
All　things　were　held　in　common；　and　what　one　had　was　another's。
Yet　under　Benedict's　roof　hospitality　seemed　more　abundant：
For　Evangeline　stood　among　the　guests　of　her　father；
Bright　was　her　face　with　smiles；　and　words　of　welcome　and　gladness
Fell　from　her　beautiful　lips；　and　blessed　the　cup　as　she　gave　it。

　　Under　the　open　sky；　in　the　odorous　air　of　the　orchard；
Bending　with　golden　fruit；　was　spread　the　feast　of　betrothal。
There　in　the　shade　of　the　porch　were　the　priest　and　the　notary　seated；
There　good　Benedict　sat；　and　sturdy　Basil　the　blacksmith。
Not　far　withdrawn　from　these；　by　the　cider…press　and　the　beehives；
Michael　the　fiddler　was　placed；　with　the　gayest　of　hearts　and　of　waistcoats。
Shadow　and　light　from　the　leaves　alternately　played　on　his　snow…white
Hair；　as　it　waved　in　the　wind；　and　the　jolly　face　of　the　fiddler
Glowed　like　a　living　coal　when　the　ashes　are　blown　from　the　embers。
Gayly　the　old　man　sang　to　the　vibrant　sound　of　his　fiddle；
Tous　les　Bourgeois　de　Chartres；　and　Le　Carillon　de　Dunkerque；
And　anon　with　his　wooden　shoes　beat　time　to　the　music。
Merrily；　merrily　whirled　the　wheels　of　the　dizzying　dances
Under　the　orchard…trees　and　down　the　path　to　the　meadows；
Old　folk　and　young　together；　and　children　mingled　among　them。
Fairest　of　all　the　maids　was　Evangeline；　Benedict's　daughter！
Noblest　of　all　the　youths　was　Gabriel；　son　of　the　blacksmith！

　　So　passed　the　morning　away。　　And　lo！　with　a　summons　sonorous
Sounded　the　bell　from　its　tower；　and　over　the　meadows　a　drum　beat。
Thronged　erelong　was　the　church　with　men。　　Without；　in　the　churchyard；
Waited　the　women。　　They　stood　by　the　graves；　and　hung　on　the　headstones
Garlands　of　autumn…leaves　and　evergreens　fresh　from　the　forest。
Then　came　the　guard　from　the　ships；　and　marching　proudly　among　them
Entered　the　sacred　portal。　　With　loud　and　dissonant　clangor
Echoed　the　sound　of　their　brazen　drums　from　ceiling　and　casement；
Echoed　a　moment　only；　and　slowly　the　ponderous　portal
Closed；　and　in　silence　the　crowd　awaited　the　will　of　the　soldiers。
Then　uprose　their　commander；　and　spake　from　the　steps　of　the　altar；
Holding　aloft　in　his　hands；　with　its　seals；　the　royal　commission。
〃You　are　convened　this　day；〃　he　said；　〃by　his　Majesty's　orders。
Clement　and　kind　has　he　been；　but　how　you　have　answered　his　kindness；
Let　your　own　hearts　reply！　　To　my　natural　make　and　my　temper
Painful　the　task　is　I　do；　which　to　you　I　know　must　be　grievous。
Yet　must　I　bow　and　obey；　and　deliver　the　will　of　our　monarch；
Namely；　that　all　your　lands；　and　dwellings；　and　cattle　of　all　kinds
Forfeited　be　to　the　crown；　and　that　you　yourselves　from　this　province
Be　transported　to　other　lands。　　God　grant　you　may　dwell　there
Ever　as　faithful　subjects；　a　happy　and　peaceable　people！
Prisoners　now　I　declare　you；　for　such　is　his　Majesty's　pleasure！〃
As；　when　the　air　is　serene　in　the　sultry　solstice　of　summer；
Suddenly　gathers　a　storm；　and　the　deadly　sling　of　the　hailstones
Beats　down　the　farmer's　corn　in　the　field　and　shatters　his　windows；
Hiding　the　sun；　and　strewing　the　ground　with　thatch　from　the　house…roofs；
Bellowing　fly　the　herds；　and　seek　to　break　their　enclosures；
So　on　the　hearts　of　the　people　descended　the　words　of　the　speaker。
Silent　a　moment　they　stood　in　speechless　wonder；　and　then　rose
Louder　and　ever　louder　a　wail　of　sorrow　and　anger；
And；　by　one　impulse　moved；　they　madly　rushed　to　the　door…way。
Vain　was　the　hope　of　escape；　and　cries　and　fierce　imprecations
Rang　through　the　house　of　prayer；　and　high　o'er　the　heads　of　the　others
Rose；　with　his　arms　uplifted；　the　figure　of　Basil　the　blacksmith；
As；　on　a　stormy　sea；　a　spar　is　tossed　by　the　billows。
Flushed　was　his　face　and　distorted　with　passion；　and　wildly　he　shouted；
〃Down　with　the　tyrants　of　England！　　we　never　have　sworn　them　allegiance！
Death　to　these　foreign　soldiers；　who　seize　on　our　homes　and　our　harvests！〃
More　he　fain　would　have　said；　but　the　merciless　hand　of　a　soldier
Smote　him　upon　the　mouth；　and　dragged　him　down　to　the　pavement。

　　In　the　midst　of　the　strife　and　tumult　of　angry　contention；
Lo！　the　door　of　the　chancel　opened；　and　Father　Felician
Entered；　with　serious　mien；　and　ascended　the　steps　of　the　altar。
Raising　his　reverend　hand；　with　a　gesture　he　awed　into　silence
All　that　clamorous　throng；　and　thus　he　spake　to　his　people；
Deep　were　his　tones　and　solemn；　in　accents　measured　and　mournful
Spake　he；　as；　after　the　tocsin's　alarum；　distinctly　the　clock　strikes。
〃What　is　this　that　ye　do；　my　children？　what　madness　has　seized　you？
Forty　years　of　my　life　have　I　labored　among　you；　and　taught　you；
Not　in　word　alone；　but　in　deed；　to　love　one　another！
Is　this　the　fruit　of　my　toils；　of　my　vigils　and　prayers　and　privations？
Have　you　so　soon　forgotten　all　lessons　of　love　and　forgiveness？
This　is　the　house　of　the　Prince　of　Peace；　and　would　you　profane　it
Thus　with　violent　deeds　and　hearts　overflowing　with　hatred？
Lo！　where　the　crucified　Christ　from　his　cross　is　gazing　upon　you！
See！　in　those　sorrowful　eyes　what　meekness　and　holy　compassion！
Hark！　how　those　lips　still　repeat　the　prayer；　‘O　Father；　forgive　them！'
Let　us　repeat　that　prayer　in　the　hour　when　the　wicked　assail　us；
Let　us　repeat　it　now；　and　say；　‘O　Father；　forgive　them！'　〃
Few　were　his　words　of　rebuke；　but　deep　in　the　hearts　of　his　people
Sank　they；　and　sobs　of　contrition　succeeded　the　passionate　outbreak；
And　they　repeated　his　prayer；　and　said；　〃O　Father；　forgive　them！〃

　　Then　came　the　evening　service。　　The　tapers　gleamed　from　the　altar。
Fervent　and　deep　was　the　voice　of　the　priest；　and　the　people　responded；
Not　with　their　lips　alone；　but　their　hearts；　and　the　Ave　Maria
Sang　they；　and　fell　on　their　knees；　and　their　souls；　with　devotion　translated；
Rose　on　the　ardor　of　prayer；　like　Elijah　ascending　to　heaven。

　　Meanwhile　had　spread　in　the　village　the　tidings　of　ill；　and　on　all　sides
Wandered；　wailing；　from　house　to　house　the　women　and　children。
Long　at　her　father's　door　Evangeline　stood；　with　her　right　hand
Shielding　her　eyes　from　the　level　rays　of　the　sun；　that；　descending；
Lighted　the　village　street　with　mysterious　splendor；　and　roofed　each
Peasant's　cottage　with　golden　thatch；　and　emblazoned　its　windows。
Long　within　had　been　spread　the　snow…white　cloth　on　the　table；
There　stood　the　wheaten　loaf；　and　the　honey　fragrant　with　wild…flowers；
There　stood　the　tankard　of　ale；　and　the　cheese　fresh　brought　from　the　dairy；
And；　at　the　head　of　the　board；　the　great　arm…chair　of　the　farmer。
Thus　did　Evangeline　wait　at　her　father's　door；　as　the　sunset
Threw　the　long　shadows　of　trees　o'er　the　broad　ambrosial　meadows。
Ah！　on　her　spirit　within　a　deeper　shadow　had　fallen；
And　from　the　fields　of　her　soul　a　fragrance　celestial　ascended；
Charity；　meekness；　love；　and　hope；　and　forgiveness；　and　patience！
Then；　all…forgetful　of　self；　she　wandered　into　the　village；
Cheering　with　looks　and　words　the　disconsolate　hearts　of　the　women；
As　o'er　the　darkening　fields　with　lingering　steps　they　departed；
Urged　by　their　household　cares；　and　the　weary　feet　of　their　children。
Down　sank　the　great　red　sun；　and　in　golden；　glimmering　vapors
Veiled　the　light　of　his　face；　like　the　Prophet　descending　from　Sinai。
Sweetly　over　the　village　the　bell　of　the　Angelus　sounded。

　　Meanwhile；　amid　the　gloom；　by　the　church　Evangeline　lingered。
All　was　silent　within；　and　in　vain　at　the　door　and　the　windows
Stood　she；　and　listened　and　looked；　till；　overcome　by　emotion；
〃Gabriel！〃　cried　she　aloud　with　tremulous　voice；　but　no　answer
Came　from　the　graves　of　the　dead；　nor　the　gloomier　grave　of　the　living。
Slowly　at　length　she　returned