Who is this, clad in russet-brown? His distant step sounds hollow on the frozen ground; no beam of beauty is on his face, but his look is healthy, and his step is firm. As he approaches the peasant bars his door and renews his fire. The sparkling home-brewed goes round and mantles1 in the foaming2 jug3, the oft-repeated tale is told, the rain patters against the casement4, but the night passes away, and the storm is no longer heard.
Bright in his career the sun arises. Millions of gems5 seem suspended from the leafless branches. The familiar robin6 and the bolder sparrow seek the abode7 of man. Swift fly the balls of snow; the ruddy youth binds8 on his skates and gracefully9 flies over the frozen pool.
Who is this stranger? He is the first-born of his family, and his name is January.
A grave and placid10 maiden11 now advances. The crocus and the snow-drop adorn12 her brown garments, a wreath of primroses13 binds her brows, the robin, perched on the leafless branch, welcomes her approach, and the lovely[Pg 16] green of the young wheat is spread over the lately barren fields. The lambs frisk about her, they nibble14 the grass of the valley, then suddenly start and bound up the shelving mountain. But their infant coats are now wet with rain, and their sports are over. Shivering, they follow the shepherd with their bleating15 dams. And now, adorned16 with rustic17 lays and bleeding hearts, the swain sends to his favourite maid the mysterious valentine. The birds choose their mates; it is the season of connubial18 joys. Mild then be thy reign19, gentle February.
Who is this froward youth, with his loud and boisterous20 voice? He comes from the east; limping rheumatism21 and shivering ague are in his train; but his face is now dressed in smiles. The birds begin their lays, the lambs again frolic around. The daisy and the violet grow beneath his feet; he dresses himself with the buds of the spring. Vegetation displays her lovely green, and holds out the promise of future riches. Again the tempest of his passions arise; he tears the chaplet from his brows, and scatters22 it in the wind. Oh! hasten far away from us, variable and boisterous March.
Clad in a robe of light green, and decorated with lilies of the valley, a lovely maid advances. She breathes on the opening flowers, and their beauty is expanded. The leaves of the grove23 burst forth24, and the hedges exhibit their partial verdure. Nature, invigorated, smiles around her; but she weeps, and her flowerets bend, drooping25, to the earth. Mild is her mien26, and the tint27 of modesty28 is on her cheek. She smiles, whilst the tear still trembles in her eye, like placid resignation bending over the tomb of a departed friend. She is a pensive29 maiden, and her name is April.[Pg 17]
'The lambs frisk about her.'—Page 16. 'The lambs frisk about her.'—Page 16.
[Pg 19]
Hark to the sound of rustic mirth, which precede a cheerful youth! His step is light and airy, his robe is of many colours, roses adorn his flowing ringlets, health and pleasure float on the freshening gale30, exercise and mirth gambol31 before him, age forgets his troubles, quits his arm-chair, and welcomes his approach. The maids of the hamlet assemble and dance round the pole, decked with many a flower and many a streaming pendant. The village lovers loiter at the stile, or wander down the retired32 lane, where the hedges are covered with their white blossoms, and the modest wild rose, emblem33 of the blushing maid, peeps from the sheltering thorn. Season of love and delight! long may thy reign be protracted34, young and beauteous May!
Who is the maid now approaching? She arises when the lark35 first pours his melody in air. Her dress is of a darker green, her head is adorned with full-blown flowers, her face is tanned by labour. The bleating and affrighted sheep are plunged36, unwillingly37, into the pool, and now by the sturdy hand stripped of their fleecy coats. The bottle quickly passes, the simple tale goes round, the ballad38 purchased at the fair is sung; the mower39 whets40 his scythe41, and the grass and the wild-flowers fall before it; the waggon42, heavily laden43, removes the odoriferous hay; and the neat-mown fields display a brighter green. The cuckoo, with his never-varying note is heard; but let us, when the day is over, placed in some secluded44 nook, listen to the sweeter nightingale, who, as poets feign45, was once a hapless female. Industry now toils46 through the lengthened47 day, and the name of this sun-burnt maiden is June.
Who is the youth that now advances in his robe of gauze? He comes when the rosy48 morn first trembles in[Pg 20] the east. Slow and languid is his step; he seeks the damp cavern49 and the impervious50 shade. It is the heat of noon, and the kine no longer low. Not a breeze stirs: the foliage51 of the groves52, all—is still, except the insect world, who dimple the stream, or, buzzing round the head of the sleeping youth, rouses the panting dog that lies at his side.
Now the terrified birds dart53 swiftly through the air; a solemn and portentous54 stillness reigns55; the thunder mutters, the lightnings flash, and the pouring storm approaches; the traveller seeks the sheltering cottage. But when the sun again returns in his glory, the birds plume56 their dripping feathers; the gardener ties up his fallen roses, and trails anew the gadding57 woodbine. How sweetly refreshing58 is the air; we will wander over the breezy hill; we will pluck the summer fruits; and still welcome shalt thou be to us, sultry July.
Who is she, who, with the first blush of Aurora59, brushes the pearly dew from the grass? Her robe is thin and airy, and on her head is a garland of wheat-ears and poppies. How busy is the scene around her! The shining scythe cuts down the bearded barley60 and the quivering oat; the reaper61 bends over the golden wheat, and fills the plenteous sheaf.
All are employed: even old age and childhood bend, with prying62 eyes, to glean63 the scattered64 ears. The master looks on his riches, and swells65 with satisfaction; the busy housewife loads the hospitable66 board, and hands the mantling67 ale around; age tells the tale of past times; and the loud laugh and rustic song burst from the lips of jocund68 youth. Oh! ever thus return to us, with plenty in thy train, mirth-inspiring August.[Pg 21]
Who is the youth that, at early dawn, brushes the stubble with his feet? His gun is on his arm. His well-taught dogs are with him. The harmony of the groves is destroyed, and the feathered race fall before his cruel hand. The timid hare, starting at the sound of early feet, flies from the furzy brake, and she returns to her shelter no more. Content thyself, youth, with the various fruits which Nature now bestows69. The golden apricot, the downy peach, and the blooming plum, peep from beneath their green foliage. Feast on these gifts, but spare the feathered race, sanguinary September.
Who now comes, with the steady air of a matron? Her robe is of yellow, tinged70 with brown; and a wreath of berries encircles her head. She fills her barns; and the flail71, with monotonous72 sound, is heard. Labour blesses her as he turns the earth with his plough, and scatters, with a seemingly careless hand, the seeds of future harvests. She shakes the clustering nuts from the trees, and gathers the rosy produce of the orchard73, where the apple and the mellow74 pear yield their refreshing juice.
The poet wanders through the silent grove; the mournful breeze wafts75 the withered76 leaves around him; the huntsman winds his horn; exercise bounds over the plain; the sportsman rejoices in the barren fields. Season that I love, ever welcome shalt thou be to me, mild and pensive October.
What terrific form is this? Sullen77 and haggard is his face; his ragged78 garments float in the blast; a wreath of yew79 binds his head; thick fogs arise around him; he tears from the groves the last leaves of autumn; disease attends his baneful80 steps; he drinks at the stagnant81 pool; he throws himself on the beetling82 rock;[Pg 22] he courts the foaming billows; he listens to the last groans83 of the shipwrecked mariner84; he wanders through the churchyard; he seeks the abode of the raven85, and horror is in all his thoughts. Oh, hasten far away from us, gloomy November.
Who is this clad in flannel86 and warm furs? He wraps his garments close about him; a wreath of holly87 binds his bald head; he seeks the warm hearth88 and the blazing fire; he expands his hands: they are thin and shrivelled with age. The snow fast descends89; the sweeping90 blast howls over the dreary91 heath, and shakes the cottage of the aged92 man—he is the father of the year, and his name is December.
点击收听单词发音
1 mantles | |
vt.&vi.覆盖(mantle的第三人称单数形式) | |
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2 foaming | |
adj.布满泡沫的;发泡 | |
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3 jug | |
n.(有柄,小口,可盛水等的)大壶,罐,盂 | |
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4 casement | |
n.竖铰链窗;窗扉 | |
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5 gems | |
growth; economy; management; and customer satisfaction 增长 | |
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6 robin | |
n.知更鸟,红襟鸟 | |
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7 abode | |
n.住处,住所 | |
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8 binds | |
v.约束( bind的第三人称单数 );装订;捆绑;(用长布条)缠绕 | |
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9 gracefully | |
ad.大大方方地;优美地 | |
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10 placid | |
adj.安静的,平和的 | |
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11 maiden | |
n.少女,处女;adj.未婚的,纯洁的,无经验的 | |
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12 adorn | |
vt.使美化,装饰 | |
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13 primroses | |
n.报春花( primrose的名词复数 );淡黄色;追求享乐(招至恶果) | |
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14 nibble | |
n.轻咬,啃;v.一点点地咬,慢慢啃,吹毛求疵 | |
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15 bleating | |
v.(羊,小牛)叫( bleat的现在分词 );哭诉;发出羊叫似的声音;轻声诉说 | |
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16 adorned | |
[计]被修饰的 | |
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17 rustic | |
adj.乡村的,有乡村特色的;n.乡下人,乡巴佬 | |
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18 connubial | |
adj.婚姻的,夫妇的 | |
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19 reign | |
n.统治时期,统治,支配,盛行;v.占优势 | |
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20 boisterous | |
adj.喧闹的,欢闹的 | |
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21 rheumatism | |
n.风湿病 | |
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22 scatters | |
v.(使)散开, (使)分散,驱散( scatter的第三人称单数 );撒 | |
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23 grove | |
n.林子,小树林,园林 | |
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24 forth | |
adv.向前;向外,往外 | |
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25 drooping | |
adj. 下垂的,无力的 动词droop的现在分词 | |
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26 mien | |
n.风采;态度 | |
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27 tint | |
n.淡色,浅色;染发剂;vt.着以淡淡的颜色 | |
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28 modesty | |
n.谦逊,虚心,端庄,稳重,羞怯,朴素 | |
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29 pensive | |
a.沉思的,哀思的,忧沉的 | |
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30 gale | |
n.大风,强风,一阵闹声(尤指笑声等) | |
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31 gambol | |
v.欢呼,雀跃 | |
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32 retired | |
adj.隐退的,退休的,退役的 | |
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33 emblem | |
n.象征,标志;徽章 | |
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34 protracted | |
adj.拖延的;延长的v.拖延“protract”的过去式和过去分词 | |
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35 lark | |
n.云雀,百灵鸟;n.嬉戏,玩笑;vi.嬉戏 | |
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36 plunged | |
v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 );暴跌;骤降;突降 | |
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37 unwillingly | |
adv.不情愿地 | |
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38 ballad | |
n.歌谣,民谣,流行爱情歌曲 | |
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39 mower | |
n.割草机 | |
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40 whets | |
v.(在石头上)磨(刀、斧等)( whet的第三人称单数 );引起,刺激(食欲、欲望、兴趣等) | |
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41 scythe | |
n. 长柄的大镰刀,战车镰; v. 以大镰刀割 | |
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42 waggon | |
n.运货马车,运货车;敞篷车箱 | |
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43 laden | |
adj.装满了的;充满了的;负了重担的;苦恼的 | |
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44 secluded | |
adj.与世隔绝的;隐退的;偏僻的v.使隔开,使隐退( seclude的过去式和过去分词) | |
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45 feign | |
vt.假装,佯作 | |
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46 toils | |
网 | |
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47 lengthened | |
(时间或空间)延长,伸长( lengthen的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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48 rosy | |
adj.美好的,乐观的,玫瑰色的 | |
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49 cavern | |
n.洞穴,大山洞 | |
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50 impervious | |
adj.不能渗透的,不能穿过的,不易伤害的 | |
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51 foliage | |
n.叶子,树叶,簇叶 | |
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52 groves | |
树丛,小树林( grove的名词复数 ) | |
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53 dart | |
v.猛冲,投掷;n.飞镖,猛冲 | |
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54 portentous | |
adj.不祥的,可怕的,装腔作势的 | |
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55 reigns | |
n.君主的统治( reign的名词复数 );君主统治时期;任期;当政期 | |
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56 plume | |
n.羽毛;v.整理羽毛,骚首弄姿,用羽毛装饰 | |
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57 gadding | |
n.叮搔症adj.蔓生的v.闲逛( gad的现在分词 );游荡;找乐子;用铁棒刺 | |
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58 refreshing | |
adj.使精神振作的,使人清爽的,使人喜欢的 | |
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59 aurora | |
n.极光 | |
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60 barley | |
n.大麦,大麦粒 | |
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61 reaper | |
n.收割者,收割机 | |
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62 prying | |
adj.爱打听的v.打听,刺探(他人的私事)( pry的现在分词 );撬开 | |
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63 glean | |
v.收集(消息、资料、情报等) | |
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64 scattered | |
adj.分散的,稀疏的;散步的;疏疏落落的 | |
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65 swells | |
增强( swell的第三人称单数 ); 肿胀; (使)凸出; 充满(激情) | |
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66 hospitable | |
adj.好客的;宽容的;有利的,适宜的 | |
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67 mantling | |
覆巾 | |
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68 jocund | |
adj.快乐的,高兴的 | |
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69 bestows | |
赠给,授予( bestow的第三人称单数 ) | |
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70 tinged | |
v.(使)发丁丁声( ting的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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71 flail | |
v.用连枷打;击打;n.连枷(脱粒用的工具) | |
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72 monotonous | |
adj.单调的,一成不变的,使人厌倦的 | |
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73 orchard | |
n.果园,果园里的全部果树,(美俚)棒球场 | |
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74 mellow | |
adj.柔和的;熟透的;v.变柔和;(使)成熟 | |
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75 wafts | |
n.空中飘来的气味,一阵气味( waft的名词复数 );摇转风扇v.吹送,飘送,(使)浮动( waft的第三人称单数 ) | |
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76 withered | |
adj. 枯萎的,干瘪的,(人身体的部分器官)因病萎缩的或未发育良好的 动词wither的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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77 sullen | |
adj.愠怒的,闷闷不乐的,(天气等)阴沉的 | |
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78 ragged | |
adj.衣衫褴褛的,粗糙的,刺耳的 | |
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79 yew | |
n.紫杉属树木 | |
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80 baneful | |
adj.有害的 | |
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81 stagnant | |
adj.不流动的,停滞的,不景气的 | |
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82 beetling | |
adj.突出的,悬垂的v.快速移动( beetle的现在分词 ) | |
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83 groans | |
n.呻吟,叹息( groan的名词复数 );呻吟般的声音v.呻吟( groan的第三人称单数 );发牢骚;抱怨;受苦 | |
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84 mariner | |
n.水手号不载人航天探测器,海员,航海者 | |
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85 raven | |
n.渡鸟,乌鸦;adj.乌亮的 | |
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86 flannel | |
n.法兰绒;法兰绒衣服 | |
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87 holly | |
n.[植]冬青属灌木 | |
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88 hearth | |
n.壁炉炉床,壁炉地面 | |
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89 descends | |
v.下来( descend的第三人称单数 );下去;下降;下斜 | |
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90 sweeping | |
adj.范围广大的,一扫无遗的 | |
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91 dreary | |
adj.令人沮丧的,沉闷的,单调乏味的 | |
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92 aged | |
adj.年老的,陈年的 | |
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