There are some natures like the orange-tree, upon which the blossom and fruit meet at the same time. In their capacity for joy they receive more from one glowing, self-forgetting impulse, than colder and more calculating persons are able to gather in a lifetime. With such are generally permitted on earth only glimpses of ecstatic happiness, far-off sights of their promised land, the eternal future, through the never ending ages of which their affections and intellect shall steadily2 advance towards infinite Love and Wisdom, each emotion a new bliss3, and each thought a deeper current from the infinitude of divine knowledge.
Who are those that realize their hopes on earth; here find their homes, content with the present and its material gifts, without heart-yearnings for deeper, truer, and more satisfying affections; without soul-strivings to penetrate4 the mysterious Beyond? Who are such? Through the length and breadth of every land myriads5 respond, “Give us a sufficiency of treasure on earth, and we will not seek to scale[149] heaven. Our loves, our lands, our gold and our silver, our mistresses, our wives and our children; our well-garnished tables and our fine houses; the riches for which our hands and minds labor6, and which our hearts covet7; all that we can see, feel, weigh and compare; the honors by which we are exalted8 above our neighbors, the fame by which our names are in the world’s mouths; these are our desires. Give us abundantly of these that we may eat, drink, and be merry, and we ask not for more. This earth is good enough for us.”
Do they have their reward? Yea, verily! as they sow, so they reap. Few there are who steadily give themselves to the pursuit of these desires, but receive houses and lands, honor and fame, meats and drinks, handsome women or fine men, such children as such parentage can give birth to, stocks in all banks but that of Eternity9. There is no lack of wealth like this to the earnest seeker.
God is a provident10 father. He has created everything good of its kind, and bestowed11 self-will upon man that he might himself elect his manner of life. The standard of enjoyment12 for his own soul is at his own option, whether he will discipline it here for its higher good hereafter, or whether he will enjoy here without reference to that hereafter, the knowledge of which is suggested in some way or other to all men. Man is highly distinguished13. For is not creation made for him? There is neither gift nor discipline but can be made subservient14 to his moral growth; to his conquest of the kingdom of heaven. There is nothing, also, but[150] may be transformed by sensual, selfish, short sighted desire, by his weaknesses or passions; by his false logic15 or falser ambition, into a morass16 of error, into which he will ever plunge17 deeper and deeper, unless he resolutely18 bends his steps towards the firm land of hope and faith that is never wholly shut out of the gloomiest horizon.
Just in proportion to the quality of the treasure we seek, is the degree of enjoyment that springs from its realization19. All that belongs solely20 to earth has incorporated with it change, decay, satiety21, fear, and care. These are warning angels, to urge the spirit to temperance, that it may not mar22 its capacity for nobler enjoyments23. As they are disregarded, and man seeks only that which is perishable24, he finds his pleasures pall25 and his appetites wane26. Abuse extinguishes gratification. Want of aspiration27 towards the perfect development of all man’s faculties28 leaves him a monotonous29, abdominal30 animal, content with husks wherewith to fill his belly31. There is no increase in store for him, because he can conceive of nothing better than what his feeble hands or vainglorious32 mind have gathered around him. Nature reads to him no moral lesson, because he uses her only as a slave, to administer to his material wants. He sees not that there is in all things a deeper principle than mere33 use for the body.
A yellow primrose is to him,
And it is nothing more.”
The vital element that pervades35 all nature, uniting[151] it in a chain of harmonious36 progression, the eternal laws of which even his stolid37 spirit cannot ultimately avoid, however much he now seeks to bury it beneath the grosser particles of matter, escapes his perception. Guided only by his finite, perishable sensorium, in vain attempt to grasp at once the entire treasure, he often plunges39 his suicidal knife into the ovary which daily laid him a golden egg. Thus man destroys his own birthright through brutal40 ignorance and sensual impatience41. The truly wise count all things at their right worth, and find a sympathy in every natural object, in varied42 degree, according as it speaks to them the thought of a common Creator, and connects them in one common end. They have, therefore, a double enjoyment. First, that which springs from the right material use of every object or sense; secondly43, the language which both speak to them of hope and faith in more refined enjoyments and more perfect conditions of existence. The very trials and incompleteness of present experiences are so many testimonies44 of future and nobler realizations45. Thus God speaks as kindly46 through the so-called evils and disappointments of life, as through the more readily distinguished blessings48; for if they see in the latter hope and happiness, so in the former they distinguish that chastening which, through paternal49 discipline, seeks to guide and strengthen.
Few situations could be more trying to moral firmness than the circumstances under which we left Olmedo and Beatriz. Free from all external[152] restraint of church discipline, with no censorship beyond their own consciences; reason and passion both pleading their right to be united; their past by its friendship casting a bright light upon their future and closer union; doomed50 to pass their lives, while still in the flush of life, away from all that had made other homes dear; twin exiles, each sustaining the other and now alone, amid a joyous51 seductive nature, every motion and aspect of which was pleading for love;—was there not in all this sufficient temptation to have overcome them? Neither were ascetic52 by nature nor principle. No two human beings, by organization, were better fitted to enjoy lawfully53 all the indulgences wholesome54 instincts and the tenderness of united hearts craved55. The very restraint which former circumstances and the absence of love had produced, now that both were removed, but made them more susceptible56 to the reaction. We must not, therefore, judge that kiss too harshly. Less passion would have removed them from our sympathies. Now they have vindicated57 their humanity, will they be able to vindicate58 their duty? Duty as their religion taught them!
Olmedo’s heart beat wildly. His face was flushed and fevered. He would have repeated the embrace, but something instinctively59 alarmed Beatriz, and she sadly whispered, putting her hand on his forehead, and looking directly at him, with an expression of affection and alarm, “You do not love me, Olmedo!”
Had the voice of the Almighty60 called to him, as[153] it did to Adam in the garden, a greater change could not have come over Olmedo. It was the voice of the Almighty in the pure soul of Beatriz, and it spoke61 to an answering conscience. He became breathless, pale, and faint, as the full meaning of those soft words pierced through his soul. They spoke volumes. His passion was quenched62, and true wisdom descended63 upon him. In an instant he was another being, loving not less, but less selfishly—able to sacrifice indulgence to Duty, to her and to his faith; for he would not peril64 her soul through the entreaties65 of passion, or the pleadings of what might be selfish reason.
Holding her hand tenderly as might a father, he said, “Beatriz, my daughter in faith, thou art my saviour66 in action. Love thee! let me prove how I do love thee. I dare not think of what we might be to each other, were not I wedded67 to the Holy Church. No blessing47 will follow vows68 broken, because circumstances tempt38. Help me to be true to my religion and to thee! Forgive my passion thou wilt69, because thou knowest the strength of passion. Be to me sister, spirit-bride—all of woman in tenderness, love and friendship thou canst, and as I am true to thy confiding70 faith, so God deal with me. In his own wise providence71 and good time will he recompense our faith in Him and our love to each other. Had my passions overpowered us both, however much our union might have brought us pleasure, we should have sought to hide our heads in shame and confusion, as the conviction that we had purchased it by the violated[154] faith of a soul, consecrated72 to heaven, grew upon us. Heaven spoke through thee, Beatriz; angel woman hast thou ever proved to me.”
Kneeling upon the ground, with Beatriz besides him, every passion harmonized by gratitude73 and hope and faith, Olmedo lifted up his head and said, “Father, I thank thee, that thou hast spared me this crime. Thine be the praise, and not to my own feeble will, which without thee, in the hour of temptation, thou hast permitted me to see is as a broken reed. I praise thee, I thank thee, Father, that thou hast pitied thy servant, and in saving him from error hast given him further opportunity for thy service and of getting wisdom. In creating man, thou has bestowed upon him affections for wise purposes, and I now see that thou delightest no more in their sacrifice than in innocent blood. I thank thee that I am a man; that I possess from thee the desires and aspirations74 for love eternal as the heavens, and that thou hast permitted me to find, even in my solitary75 profession, a heart which makes mine beat warmer, truer and better. May it ever be a strength and a support, and this love, which I now confess before thee, our Father, be a bond of stricter service and accountability for every thought and action, and finally unite us in spirit among the just made perfect.”
Thus plead the Man with his Maker76. In his aroused emotions, the formal language of priestly prayer was forgotten, and the genuine, sincere thought of the heart ascended77 freely and welcome to God, with nature’s true eloquence78. Does the[155] Great Heart not hear such prayers? Heart to heart and soul to soul make answer! When man conquers himself and ascends79 in spirit to his eternal home in the heavens, asking from God direct, life and light to guide and keep him through his earthly trials, the sympathetic voice of the entire heavens echoes his prayer, and repeats to him the assurance of aid. Prayer is to the soul what the plough is to the soil. It opens it to vivifying rays. As the disturbed water sends circle after circle, wider and wider over its surface, so in the moral world, each thought or action for good or evil, spreads likewise, and awakes throughout its infinity80 its circle of affinities81. Angels rejoice with man in his rise, and fiends exult82 in his fall. Be cautious, therefore, fellow-man, for thou canst not calculate the extent of thy influence in either life.
Beatriz felt her power and her responsibility, and was troubled. Silently, but with deep earnestness, she followed Olmedo in his prayer. Both rose from that forest sanctuary83 dearer to each other, because there was now no secret thought between them. Each felt that the salvation84 of the other was a solemn charge from heaven.
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1
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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bliss
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| n.狂喜，福佑，天赐的福 | |
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penetrate
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| v.透(渗)入；刺入，刺穿；洞察，了解 | |
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myriads
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| n.无数，极大数量( myriad的名词复数 ) | |
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6
labor
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| n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦 | |
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covet
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| vt.垂涎；贪图(尤指属于他人的东西) | |
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8
exalted
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| adj.(地位等)高的，崇高的；尊贵的，高尚的 | |
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eternity
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| n.不朽，来世；永恒，无穷 | |
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provident
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| adj.为将来做准备的，有先见之明的 | |
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bestowed
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| 赠给，授予( bestow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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enjoyment
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| n.乐趣；享有；享用 | |
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13
distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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14
subservient
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| adj.卑屈的，阿谀的 | |
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logic
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| n.逻辑(学)；逻辑性 | |
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morass
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| n.沼泽，困境 | |
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plunge
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| v.跳入，(使)投入，(使)陷入；猛冲 | |
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resolutely
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| adj.坚决地，果断地 | |
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realization
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| n.实现；认识到，深刻了解 | |
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solely
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| adv.仅仅，唯一地 | |
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satiety
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| n.饱和；(市场的)充分供应 | |
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mar
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| vt.破坏，毁坏，弄糟 | |
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enjoyments
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| 愉快( enjoyment的名词复数 )； 令人愉快的事物； 享有； 享受 | |
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perishable
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| adj.（尤指食物）易腐的，易坏的 | |
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pall
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| v.覆盖，使平淡无味；n.柩衣，棺罩；棺材；帷幕 | |
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wane
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| n.衰微，亏缺，变弱；v.变小，亏缺，呈下弦 | |
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aspiration
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| n.志向，志趣抱负；渴望；(语)送气音；吸出 | |
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faculties
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| n.能力( faculty的名词复数 )；全体教职员；技巧；院 | |
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monotonous
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| adj.单调的，一成不变的，使人厌倦的 | |
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abdominal
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| adj.腹（部）的，下腹的；n.腹肌 | |
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belly
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| n.肚子，腹部；(像肚子一样)鼓起的部分，膛 | |
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32
vainglorious
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| adj.自负的；夸大的 | |
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mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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primrose
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| n.樱草，最佳部分， | |
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pervades
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| v.遍及，弥漫( pervade的第三人称单数 ) | |
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harmonious
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| adj.和睦的，调和的，和谐的，协调的 | |
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stolid
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| adj.无动于衷的，感情麻木的 | |
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38
tempt
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| vt.引诱，勾引，吸引，引起…的兴趣 | |
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39
plunges
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| n.跳进，投入vt.使投入，使插入，使陷入vi.投入，跳进，陷入v.颠簸( plunge的第三人称单数 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
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40
brutal
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| adj.残忍的，野蛮的，不讲理的 | |
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41
impatience
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| n.不耐烦，急躁 | |
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42
varied
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| adj.多样的，多变化的 | |
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43
secondly
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| adv.第二，其次 | |
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44
testimonies
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| （法庭上证人的）证词( testimony的名词复数 )； 证明，证据 | |
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45
realizations
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| 认识，领会( realization的名词复数 )； 实现 | |
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46
kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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47
blessing
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| n.祈神赐福；祷告；祝福，祝愿 | |
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48
blessings
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| n.（上帝的）祝福( blessing的名词复数 )；好事；福分；因祸得福 | |
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49
paternal
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| adj.父亲的，像父亲的，父系的，父方的 | |
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50
doomed
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| 命定的 | |
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51
joyous
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| adj.充满快乐的；令人高兴的 | |
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52
ascetic
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| adj.禁欲的；严肃的 | |
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53
lawfully
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| adv.守法地，合法地；合理地 | |
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54
wholesome
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| adj.适合；卫生的；有益健康的；显示身心健康的 | |
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55
craved
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| 渴望，热望( crave的过去式 )； 恳求，请求 | |
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56
susceptible
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| adj.过敏的，敏感的；易动感情的，易受感动的 | |
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57
vindicated
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| v.澄清（某人/某事物）受到的责难或嫌疑( vindicate的过去式和过去分词 )；表明或证明（所争辩的事物）属实、正当、有效等；维护 | |
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58
vindicate
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| v.为…辩护或辩解，辩明；证明…正确 | |
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59
instinctively
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| adv.本能地 | |
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60
almighty
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| adj.全能的，万能的；很大的，很强的 | |
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61
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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62
quenched
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| 解（渴）( quench的过去式和过去分词 )； 终止（某事物）； （用水）扑灭（火焰等）； 将（热物体）放入水中急速冷却 | |
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63
descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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64
peril
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| n.(严重的)危险；危险的事物 | |
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entreaties
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| n.恳求，乞求( entreaty的名词复数 ) | |
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saviour
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| n.拯救者，救星 | |
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67
wedded
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| adj.正式结婚的；渴望…的，执著于…的v.嫁，娶，（与…）结婚( wed的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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68
vows
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| 誓言( vow的名词复数 )； 郑重宣布，许愿 | |
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69
wilt
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| v.(使)植物凋谢或枯萎；(指人)疲倦，衰弱 | |
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70
confiding
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| adj.相信人的，易于相信的v.吐露（秘密，心事等）( confide的现在分词 )；（向某人）吐露（隐私、秘密等） | |
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71
providence
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| n.深谋远虑，天道，天意；远见；节约；上帝 | |
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72
consecrated
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| adj.神圣的，被视为神圣的v.把…奉为神圣，给…祝圣( consecrate的过去式和过去分词 )；奉献 | |
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73
gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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74
aspirations
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| 强烈的愿望( aspiration的名词复数 )； 志向； 发送气音； 发 h 音 | |
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75
solitary
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| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
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maker
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| n.制造者，制造商 | |
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77
ascended
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| v.上升，攀登( ascend的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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78
eloquence
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| n.雄辩；口才，修辞 | |
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79
ascends
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| v.上升，攀登( ascend的第三人称单数 ) | |
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80
infinity
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| n.无限，无穷，大量 | |
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81
affinities
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| n.密切关系( affinity的名词复数 )；亲近；（生性）喜爱；类同 | |
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82
exult
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| v.狂喜，欢腾；欢欣鼓舞 | |
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83
sanctuary
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| n.圣所，圣堂，寺庙；禁猎区，保护区 | |
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84
salvation
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| n.（尤指基督）救世，超度，拯救，解困 | |
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