On each side, above two hundred windows let in the light to such a degree, that the eye could hardly bear its splendor2. The spaces between them were painted with that art, I have just been describing. Out of each window, was seen some part of the territory of the elementary spirits. In each picture, appeared woods, fields, seas, nations, armies, 100whole regions; and all these objects were painted with such truth, that I was often forced to recollect3 myself, that I might not fall again into illusion. I could not tell, every moment, whether what I was viewing out of a window was not a painting, or what I was looking at in a picture was not a reality.
Survey with thy eyes (said the Prefect) survey the most remarkable4 events that have shaken the earth and decided5 the fate of men. Alass! what remains6 of all these powerful springs, of all these great exploits? the most real signs of them are the traces they have left upon our canvases in forming these pictures[3].
101The most antient actions, whose lustre7 has preserved their memory, are the actions of violence. Nimrod, the mighty8 hunter, after having worried the wild beasts, attacks his fellow-creatures. See in the first picture that gigantic man, the first of those heroes so renowned9; see in his looks pride, ambition, an ardent10 desire of rule. He framed the first scheme of a kingdom, and uniting men under the pretence11 of binding12 them together, he enslaved them.
102Belus, Ninus, Semiramis ascend13 the throne, which they strengthen by fresh acts of violence! and of above thirty kings who successively reigned15, only one closed the wounds of mankind, let Asia take breath, and governed like a philosopher: his name is almost forgot. History, which glows at the sight of renowned and tragical16 events, languishes17 over peaceable reigns19: and scarce mentions such sovereigns.
Sardanapalus ends this series of kings. Enemy to noise, disorder20 and war, he mispends his time, shuts himself up in his palace, and sinks into effeminacy. 103The women, thou seest about him, neither think nor exist but for him. His looks give them life, and he receives life from theirs. What do I say? He seeks himself with astonishment21 and finds himself not; a surfeit22 of pleasures destroys his taste: he does not live, but languish18.
In the mean time, two of his generals[4] loathing23 peace, form schemes of conquests, and feed, themselves with bloody24 projects. They deem themselves alone worthy25 to reign14, because they alone breathe war in the midst of the publick tranquillity26. See where they attack and dethrone their effeminate monarch27: and forcing him to destroy 104himself, they seize and share his dominions28. Thus the Assyrian empire was dismembered, after having kept Asia in continual alarms above twelve hundred years.
Kings succeeded both at Nineveh and at Babylon; and all became famous for wars and ravages[5]. One of them 105laid Egypt waste, plundered29 Palestine, burnt Jerusalem, put out the eyes of a king whose children he had murdered, drove from their country whole nations and put them in chains; and, after such expeditions, he ordered altars to be erected30 to him, and worship to be paid him as to a beneficent God. See at the foot of his image, incense31 burning and nations lying prostrate32; and admire how far the pride and abjection33 of mortals extend[6].
The next picture represents the infancy34 of Cyrus, and the particular moment wherein he gave signs of that intolerable haughtiness35, considered by the 106historians as the first sallies of a greatness of soul, which to display itself wants only great occasions. Cyrus, both by right of birth and right of conquest, united Assyria and Media to Persia, and was the founder36 of the largest empire that ever existed.
His successors still think their bounds too narrow: they send into Greece, which was then signalized in Europe, armies infinitely37 numerous, the which are destroyed: and the spirit of conquest had on that occasion the fate which unhappily it has not always.
The Greeks, freed from these powerful enemies, turn their arms against one another: they are animated38 by jealousy39, inflamed40 by the warm and dangerous eloquence41 of their orators42, and torn by 107civil wars. Persia falls into the same convulsions. And when perhaps every thing was tending to peace, Alexander appears, and all are embroiled43 worse than ever.
This picture shows him in that tender age wherein he lamented44 his father’s conquests, and saw with grief human blood shed by wounds, he had not made. Scarce was he on the throne when he carried desolation into Greece, Persia and India. The world did not suffice for his murdering progress, and his heart was still unsatisfied. That other picture represents his death. That destructive thunderbolt is at last extinguished, Alexander expires, and casting his dying eyes on the grand monarchy45 he is going to leave, nothing seems to comfort him but the prospect46 of the 108bloody tragedies of which his death is to be the signal.
Of all Alexander’s dominions, those to whom they belonged of right, had the least share. The empire was divided among his generals[7]. War was soon kindled47 amongst them, continued among their descendants, and ruined all the countries of which they had the rule.
Among so many warlike kings, Ptolemy Philadelphus appeared like a lily 109raised by chance in a field of thorns. See in that immense library, the monarch surrounded with old sages48, who are giving him an account of the numberless volumes which are before his eyes. He was too great a lover of mankind to disturb their tranquillity; and held them in such estimation, that he collected from all countries the productions of their wit[8]. These kinds of riches seemed to him alone worthy his care. He saw them with the same eye that other kings behold49 those metals which they search for in the bowels50 of the earth, or which they fetch from the extremities51 of the world through rivulets52 of blood.
110Whilst discord53 rages amongst Alexander’s successors and their descendants; already appeared in the center of Italy the first sparks of the flame that was to spread over the universe and consume all nations. Like those bodies of a vast weight, which, not being in their just position, swing themselves to and fro for some moments, and then fix themselves immoveably; Rome, subject successively to kings, consuls54, decemvirs, military tribunes, settles a government and begins the conquest of the world.
This ambitious nation, direct at first their forces against their neighbours. In vain did the several Italian states struggle for five hundred years against the fate of Rome: one while in subjection, another while in rebellion: now 111conquerors, now conquered, they were all in the end forced to submit to the yoke57.
Italy subdued58 and calmed, that is, reduced to the state of those robust59 bodies, which by being exhausted60 fall into a consumption and weakness, the Romans cross the seas, and go into Africa in search of fresh enemies and other spoils. Carthage as ambitious, perhaps as powerful, but more unfortunate than her rival, after a long and violent contest, is overcome and destroyed. Corinth and Numantia share the same fate.
About this time, Viriatus raised himself in the same manner as the Romans. In this picture, he is a huntsman; in 112that, a robber; in the third, a general of an army; and in the fourth, he mounts the throne of Lusitania. But he was only a victim crowned by fortune to be sacrificed to the ambition of the Romans[9].
Asia is soon opened to these insatiable conquerors56. The empire daily enlarges, and that enormous power over-runs all the known world.
The first passion of the Romans was glory. During seven centuries, patriotism61, which policy cherished with 113so great success, directed the love of glory in favour of the republic; and the Romans signalized themselves no less by their attachment62 to their country, than by their warlike exploits. This space was filled with a long train of heroes, and those that followed, despairing to become famous in the same manner, sought to distinguish themselves by other methods. Rome was mistress of the world; it appeared glorious to become master of Rome. Sylla, Marius, and some others, showed that such a project was not impracticable: C?sar accomplished63 it. That boasted conqueror55, who was reproached with so many things, effaced64 them all by his virtue65: by his military virtue which destroyed above a million of men, oppressed his fellow-citizens, and enslaved his country. In vain did the republic 114exert her utmost endeavours to save her expiring liberty; she was exhausted and stretched her hands to Augustus, who, from a bad citizen, became the best of masters.
Raised to the empire, he put an end to war, and soon gave mankind a peace the most universal, they had ever enjoyed. The elementary spirits have given an idea of the pleasure of this general tranquillity, by the agreeable prospect of the landskips which are here represented.
This peace.... Pray (says I interrupting the Prefect) suspend a moment the rapid recital66 of so many revolutions; give me leave to examine this picture, and a little time to calm the perturbation of my mind. How I love 115to see that beautiful sky; those plains that lose themselves at a distance; those pastures filled with flocks; those fields covered with corn? The breath of war blows far from those climates the vertiginous67 spirit of heroism68. This is indeed the seat of peace and tranquillity. My imagination carries me to those delightful69 vallies: I behold and contemplate70 nature, whose labours nothing interrupts, producing on every side life and pleasure. My thoughts are composed and my spirits sedate71 amidst the tranquillity that reigns in those places: my blood, grown cool, flows in my veins72 with the same gentle motion as the rivulets that water those green turfs; and the passions now have on my mind only the effect of the zephyr73, which seems to play gently among the branches of leafy trees.
点击收听单词发音
1 amazement | |
n.惊奇,惊讶 | |
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2 splendor | |
n.光彩;壮丽,华丽;显赫,辉煌 | |
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3 recollect | |
v.回忆,想起,记起,忆起,记得 | |
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4 remarkable | |
adj.显著的,异常的,非凡的,值得注意的 | |
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5 decided | |
adj.决定了的,坚决的;明显的,明确的 | |
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6 remains | |
n.剩余物,残留物;遗体,遗迹 | |
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7 lustre | |
n.光亮,光泽;荣誉 | |
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8 mighty | |
adj.强有力的;巨大的 | |
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9 renowned | |
adj.著名的,有名望的,声誉鹊起的 | |
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10 ardent | |
adj.热情的,热烈的,强烈的,烈性的 | |
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11 pretence | |
n.假装,作假;借口,口实;虚伪;虚饰 | |
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12 binding | |
有约束力的,有效的,应遵守的 | |
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13 ascend | |
vi.渐渐上升,升高;vt.攀登,登上 | |
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14 reign | |
n.统治时期,统治,支配,盛行;v.占优势 | |
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15 reigned | |
vi.当政,统治(reign的过去式形式) | |
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16 tragical | |
adj. 悲剧的, 悲剧性的 | |
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17 languishes | |
长期受苦( languish的第三人称单数 ); 受折磨; 变得(越来越)衰弱; 因渴望而变得憔悴或闷闷不乐 | |
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18 languish | |
vi.变得衰弱无力,失去活力,(植物等)凋萎 | |
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19 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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20 disorder | |
n.紊乱,混乱;骚动,骚乱;疾病,失调 | |
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21 astonishment | |
n.惊奇,惊异 | |
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22 surfeit | |
v.使饮食过度;n.(食物)过量,过度 | |
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23 loathing | |
n.厌恶,憎恨v.憎恨,厌恶( loathe的现在分词);极不喜欢 | |
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24 bloody | |
adj.非常的的;流血的;残忍的;adv.很;vt.血染 | |
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25 worthy | |
adj.(of)值得的,配得上的;有价值的 | |
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26 tranquillity | |
n. 平静, 安静 | |
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27 monarch | |
n.帝王,君主,最高统治者 | |
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28 dominions | |
统治权( dominion的名词复数 ); 领土; 疆土; 版图 | |
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29 plundered | |
掠夺,抢劫( plunder的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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30 ERECTED | |
adj. 直立的,竖立的,笔直的 vt. 使 ... 直立,建立 | |
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31 incense | |
v.激怒;n.香,焚香时的烟,香气 | |
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32 prostrate | |
v.拜倒,平卧,衰竭;adj.拜倒的,平卧的,衰竭的 | |
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33 abjection | |
n. 卑鄙, 落魄 | |
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34 infancy | |
n.婴儿期;幼年期;初期 | |
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35 haughtiness | |
n.傲慢;傲气 | |
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36 Founder | |
n.创始者,缔造者 | |
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37 infinitely | |
adv.无限地,无穷地 | |
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38 animated | |
adj.生气勃勃的,活跃的,愉快的 | |
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39 jealousy | |
n.妒忌,嫉妒,猜忌 | |
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40 inflamed | |
adj.发炎的,红肿的v.(使)变红,发怒,过热( inflame的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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41 eloquence | |
n.雄辩;口才,修辞 | |
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42 orators | |
n.演说者,演讲家( orator的名词复数 ) | |
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43 embroiled | |
adj.卷入的;纠缠不清的 | |
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44 lamented | |
adj.被哀悼的,令人遗憾的v.(为…)哀悼,痛哭,悲伤( lament的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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45 monarchy | |
n.君主,最高统治者;君主政体,君主国 | |
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46 prospect | |
n.前景,前途;景色,视野 | |
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47 kindled | |
(使某物)燃烧,着火( kindle的过去式和过去分词 ); 激起(感情等); 发亮,放光 | |
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48 sages | |
n.圣人( sage的名词复数 );智者;哲人;鼠尾草(可用作调料) | |
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49 behold | |
v.看,注视,看到 | |
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50 bowels | |
n.肠,内脏,内部;肠( bowel的名词复数 );内部,最深处 | |
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51 extremities | |
n.端点( extremity的名词复数 );尽头;手和足;极窘迫的境地 | |
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52 rivulets | |
n.小河,小溪( rivulet的名词复数 ) | |
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53 discord | |
n.不和,意见不合,争论,(音乐)不和谐 | |
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54 consuls | |
领事( consul的名词复数 ); (古罗马共和国时期)执政官 (古罗马共和国及其军队的最高首长,同时共有两位,每年选举一次) | |
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55 conqueror | |
n.征服者,胜利者 | |
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56 conquerors | |
征服者,占领者( conqueror的名词复数 ) | |
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57 yoke | |
n.轭;支配;v.给...上轭,连接,使成配偶 | |
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58 subdued | |
adj. 屈服的,柔和的,减弱的 动词subdue的过去式和过去分词 | |
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59 robust | |
adj.强壮的,强健的,粗野的,需要体力的,浓的 | |
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60 exhausted | |
adj.极其疲惫的,精疲力尽的 | |
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61 patriotism | |
n.爱国精神,爱国心,爱国主义 | |
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62 attachment | |
n.附属物,附件;依恋;依附 | |
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63 accomplished | |
adj.有才艺的;有造诣的;达到了的 | |
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64 effaced | |
v.擦掉( efface的过去式和过去分词 );抹去;超越;使黯然失色 | |
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65 virtue | |
n.德行,美德;贞操;优点;功效,效力 | |
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66 recital | |
n.朗诵,独奏会,独唱会 | |
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67 vertiginous | |
adj.回旋的;引起头晕的 | |
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68 heroism | |
n.大无畏精神,英勇 | |
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69 delightful | |
adj.令人高兴的,使人快乐的 | |
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70 contemplate | |
vt.盘算,计议;周密考虑;注视,凝视 | |
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71 sedate | |
adj.沉着的,镇静的,安静的 | |
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72 veins | |
n.纹理;矿脉( vein的名词复数 );静脉;叶脉;纹理 | |
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73 zephyr | |
n.和风,微风 | |
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