"But not in silence pass Calypso's isles1,
The sister tenants2 of the middle deep."
* * * * *
"Her reign3 is past, her gentle glories gone,
But trust not this; too easy youth, beware!
A mortal sovereign holds her dangerous throne.
And thou mayst find a new Calypso there."
Night had set in before Sir Henry reached the shore. The boatmen, in broken, but intelligible4 English, took the trouble of explaining, that they must row him to a point higher up the harbour, than the landing place towards which the commander's gig was directing its course, on account of his brother's regiment5 being quartered at Floriana. Landing on the quay6, they took charge of Delme's portmanteau, and conducted him through an ascending7 road, which seemed to form a part of the fortifications, till they arrived in front of a closed gate. They were challenged by the sentinel, and obliged to explain their business to a non-commissioned officer, before they were admitted.
This form having been gone through, a narrow wicket was opened for their passage. They crossed a species of common, and, after a few minutes' walk, found themselves in front of the barrack. This was a plain stone building, enclosing a small court, in the centre of which stood a marble bason. The taste of some of the officers had peopled this with golden fish; whilst on the bason's brim were placed stands for exotics, whose fragrance8 charmed our sea-worn traveller, so lately emancipated9 from those sad drawbacks to a voyage, the odours of tar10 and bilge water.
On either side, were staircases leading to the rooms above. A sentry11 was slowly pacing the court, and gave Delme the necessary directions for finding George's room. Delme's hand was on the latch12, but he paused for a moment ere he pressed it, for he pictured to himself his brother lying on the bed of sickness. This temporary irresolution13 soon gave way to the impulse of affection, and he hastily entered the chamber14. George was reading, and had his back turned towards him. As he heard the footsteps, he half turned round; an enquiry was on his lip, when his eye caught Henry's figure--a hectic15 flush suffused16 his cheek--he rose eagerly, and threw himself into his brother's arms.
Ah! sweet is fraternal affection! As boys, we own its just, its proper influence; but as men--how few of us can lay our hands on our hearts, and in the time of manhood feel, that the thought of a brother, still calls up the kindly17 glow which it did in earlier years. Delme strained his brother to his heart, whilst poor George's tears flowed like a woman's.
"Ah, how," he exclaimed, "can I ever repay you for this?"
The first burst of joyful18 meeting over--Sir Henry scanned his brother's features, and was shocked at the apparent havoc19 a few short years had wrought20. It was not that the cheek--whose carnation21 tint22 had once drawn23 a comment from all who saw it--it was not that the cheek was bronzed by an eastern sun. The alabaster24 forehead, showed that this was the natural result, of exposure to climate. But the wan25, the sunken features--the unnatural26 brilliancy of the eye--the almost impetuous agitation27 of manner--all these bespoke28 that more than even sickness had produced the change:--that the mind, as well as body, must have had its sufferings.
"My dear, dear brother," said Henry, "tell me, I implore29 you, the meaning of this. You look ill and distressed30, and yet from you I did not hear of sickness, nor do I know any reason for grief." George smiled evasively; then, as if recollecting32 himself, struck his forehead. He pressed his brother's arm, and led him towards a room adjoining the one in which they were.
"It were in vain to tell you now, Henry, the eventful history of the last few months; but see!" said he, as they together entered, "the innocent cause of much that I have gone through."
Sir Henry Delme started at the sight that greeted him. The room was dimly lighted by a lamp, but the moon was up, and shed her full light through part of the chamber. On a small French bed, whose silken linings33 threw their rosy34 hue35 on the face of its fair occupant, lay as lovely a girl as ever eye reposed36 on.
The heat had already commenced to become oppressive; the jalousies and windows were thrown open. As the night breeze swept over the curtains, and the tint these gave, trembled on that youthful beauty; Delme might well be forgiven, for deeming it was very long since he had seen a countenance37 so exquisitely38 lovely. The face did indeed bear the stamp of youth. Delme would have guessed that the being before him, had barely attained39 her fifteenth year, but that her bosom40 heaved like playful billows, as she breathed her sighs in a profound slumber41. Her style of beauty for a girl was most rare. It had an almost infantine simplicity42 of character, which in sleep was still more remarkable43; for awake, those eyes, now so still, did not throw unmeaning glances.
Such as these must Guarini have apostrophised, as he looked at his slumbering44 love.
"Occhi! stelle mortale!
Ministri de miei mali!
Se chiusi m'uccidete,
Aperti,--che farete?"
Or, as Clarendon Gage45 translated it.
"Ye mortal stars! ye eyes that, e'en in sleep,
Can thus my senses chain'd in wonder keep,
Say, if when closed, your beauties thus I feel,
Oh, what when open, would ye not reveal?"
Her beauty owed not its peculiar46 charm to any regularity47 of feature; but to an ineffable48 sweetness of expression, and to youth's freshest bloom. Hafiz would have compared that smooth cheek to the tulip's flower. Her eye-lashes, of the deepest jet, and silken gloss49, were of uncommon50 length. Her lips were apart, and disclosed small but exquisitely formed teeth. Their hue was not that of ivory, but the more delicate though more transient one of the pearl. One arm supported her head--its hand tangled51 in the raven52 tresses--of the other, the snowy rounded elbow was alone visible.
She met the eye, like a vision conjured53 up by fervid54 youth; when, ere our waking thoughts dare to run riot in beauty's contemplation--sleep, the tempter, gives to our disordered imaginations, forms and scenes, which in after life we pant for, but meet them--never!
George put his finger to his lips, as Delme regarded her--kissed her silken cheek, and whispered,
The slumberer56 started--the envious57 eye-lid shrouded58 no more its lustrous59 jewel--the wondering eyes dilated60, as they met her lover's--and she murmured something with that sweet Venetian lisp, in which the Greek women breathe their Italian. But, as she saw the stranger, her face and neck became suffused with crimson62, and her small hand wrapped the snowy sheet round her beauteous form.
Sir Henry, who felt equally embarrassed, returned to the room they had left; whilst George lingered by the bedside of his mistress, and told her it was his brother. Once more together, Sir Henry turned towards George.
"For God's sake," said he, "unravel63 this mystery! Who is this young creature?"
"Not now!" said his brother, "let us reserve it for to-morrow, and talk only of home. Acme has retired64 earlier than usual--she has been complaining." And he commenced with a flushed brow and rapid voice, to ask after those he loved.
"And so, dearest Emily will soon be married. I am glad of it; you speak so well of Gage! I wish I had stayed three weeks longer in England, and I should have seen him. We shall miss her in the flower garden, Henry! Yes! and every where else! And how is my kind aunt? I forgot to thank her when I last wrote to Delme, for making Fidele a parlour inmate65!--and I don't think she likes dogs generally either!--And Mrs. Wilcox! as demure66 as ever?--Do you recollect31 the trick I played her the last April I was at home?--And my favourite pony67! does he still adorn68 the paddock, or is he gone at last? Emily wrote me he could hardly support himself out of the shed. And the old oak--have you railed it round as I advised? And the deer--Is my aunt still as tenacious69 of killing70 them? I suppose Emily's pet fawn71 is a fine antlered gentleman by this time. And your charger, Henry--how is he? And Mr. Sims? and the new green house? Does the aviary72 succeed? did you get my slips of the blood orange? have the Zante melon seeds answered? And the daisy of Delme, Fanny Porter--is she married? I stole a kiss the day I left. And so the coachman is dead? and you have given the reins73 to Jenkins, and have taken my little fellow on your own establishment? And Ponto? and Ranger61? and my friend Guess?"
Here George paused, quite out of breath; and his brother, viewing with some alarm his nervous agitation, attempted to answer his many queries74; determined75 in his own mind, not to seek the explanation he so much longed for, until a more favourable76 period for demanding it arrived. The brothers continued conversing77 on English topics till a late hour, when Henry rose to retire.
"I cannot," said George, "give you a bed here to-night; but my servant shall show you the way to an hotel; and in the course of to-morrow, we will take care to have a room provided for you. You must feel harassed78: will nine be too early an hour for breakfast?"
It was a beautiful night, still and starry79. Till they arrived in the busy street, no sound could be heard, but the cautious opening of the lattice, answering the signal of the guitar. Escorted by his guide, Delme entered Valletta, which is bustling80 always, even at night; but was more than usually so, as there happened to be a fete at the palace. As they passed through the Strado Teatro, the soldier pointed81 out the Opera-house; although from the lateness of the hour, Rossini's melodies were hushed. From a neighbouring cafe, however, festive82 sounds proceeded; and Delme, catching83 the words of an unfamiliar84 language, paused before the door to recognise the singer. The table at which he sat, was so densely85 enveloped86 in smoke, that it was some time before he could make out the forms of the party, which consisted of some jovial87 British midshipmen, and some Tartar-looking Russians. One of the Russian officers was charming his audience with a chanson a boire, acquired on the banks of the Vistula, His compatriots were yelling the chorus most unmercifully. A few caleche drivers, waiting for their fares, and two or three idle Maltese, were pacing outside the cafe, and appeared to regard the scene as one of frequent occurrence, and calculated to excite but little interest. His guide showed Delme the hotel, and was dismissed; and Sir Henry, preceded by an obsequious88 waiter, was introduced to a spacious89 apartment facing the street.
It was long ere sleep visited him. He had many subjects on which to ruminate90; there were many points which the morrow would clear up. His mind was too busy to permit him to rest.
When he did, however, close his eyes; he slept soundly, and did not awake till the broad glare of day, penetrating91 through the Venetian blinds, disclosed to him the unfamiliar apartment at Beverley's.
收听单词发音 |
1
isles
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| 岛( isle的名词复数 ) | |
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tenants
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| n.房客( tenant的名词复数 )；佃户；占用者；占有者 | |
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reign
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| n.统治时期，统治，支配，盛行；v.占优势 | |
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intelligible
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| adj.可理解的，明白易懂的，清楚的 | |
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regiment
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| n.团，多数，管理；v.组织，编成团，统制 | |
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quay
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| n.码头，靠岸处 | |
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ascending
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| adj.上升的，向上的 | |
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fragrance
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| n.芬芳，香味，香气 | |
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emancipated
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| adj.被解放的，不受约束的v.解放某人（尤指摆脱政治、法律或社会的束缚）( emancipate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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tar
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| n.柏油，焦油；vt.涂或浇柏油/焦油于 | |
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sentry
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| n.哨兵，警卫 | |
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latch
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| n.门闩，窗闩；弹簧锁 | |
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13
irresolution
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| n.不决断，优柔寡断，犹豫不定 | |
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chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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15
hectic
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| adj.肺病的；消耗热的；发热的；闹哄哄的 | |
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16
suffused
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| v.（指颜色、水气等）弥漫于，布满( suffuse的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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17
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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18
joyful
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| adj.欢乐的，令人欢欣的 | |
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19
havoc
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| n.大破坏，浩劫，大混乱，大杂乱 | |
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20
wrought
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| v.引起；以…原料制作；运转；adj.制造的 | |
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carnation
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| n.康乃馨（一种花） | |
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22
tint
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| n.淡色，浅色；染发剂；vt.着以淡淡的颜色 | |
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23
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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24
alabaster
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| adj.雪白的；n.雪花石膏；条纹大理石 | |
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wan
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| (wide area network)广域网 | |
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26
unnatural
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| adj.不自然的；反常的 | |
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27
agitation
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| n.搅动；搅拌；鼓动，煽动 | |
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28
bespoke
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| adj.（产品）订做的；专做订货的v.预定( bespeak的过去式 )；订（货）；证明；预先请求 | |
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29
implore
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| vt.乞求，恳求，哀求 | |
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distressed
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| 痛苦的 | |
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31
recollect
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| v.回忆，想起，记起，忆起，记得 | |
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recollecting
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| v.记起，想起( recollect的现在分词 ) | |
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33
linings
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| n.衬里( lining的名词复数 )；里子；衬料；组织 | |
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34
rosy
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| adj.美好的，乐观的，玫瑰色的 | |
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35
hue
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| n.色度；色调；样子 | |
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36
reposed
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| v.将（手臂等）靠在某人（某物）上( repose的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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37
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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38
exquisitely
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| adv.精致地；强烈地；剧烈地；异常地 | |
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attained
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| （通常经过努力）实现( attain的过去式和过去分词 )； 达到； 获得； 达到（某年龄、水平、状况） | |
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40
bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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41
slumber
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| n.睡眠，沉睡状态 | |
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42
simplicity
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| n.简单，简易；朴素；直率，单纯 | |
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43
remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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44
slumbering
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| 微睡，睡眠（slumber的现在分词形式） | |
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45
gage
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| n.标准尺寸，规格；量规，量表 [=gauge] | |
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46
peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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47
regularity
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| n.规律性，规则性；匀称，整齐 | |
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48
ineffable
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| adj.无法表达的，不可言喻的 | |
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49
gloss
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| n.光泽，光滑；虚饰；注释；vt.加光泽于；掩饰 | |
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50
uncommon
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| adj.罕见的，非凡的，不平常的 | |
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51
tangled
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| adj. 纠缠的，紊乱的 动词tangle的过去式和过去分词 | |
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raven
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| n.渡鸟，乌鸦；adj.乌亮的 | |
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conjured
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| 用魔术变出( conjure的过去式和过去分词 )； 祈求，恳求； 变戏法； （变魔术般地） 使…出现 | |
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54
fervid
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| adj.热情的；炽热的 | |
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acme
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| n.顶点，极点 | |
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56
slumberer
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| 睡眠者，微睡者 | |
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57
envious
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| adj.嫉妒的，羡慕的 | |
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58
shrouded
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| v.隐瞒( shroud的过去式和过去分词 )；保密 | |
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lustrous
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| adj.有光泽的；光辉的 | |
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60
dilated
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| adj.加宽的，扩大的v.（使某物）扩大，膨胀，张大( dilate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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61
ranger
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| n.国家公园管理员，护林员；骑兵巡逻队员 | |
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crimson
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| n./adj.深(绯)红色(的)；vi.脸变绯红色 | |
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unravel
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| v.弄清楚（秘密）；拆开，解开，松开 | |
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retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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65
inmate
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| n.被收容者；(房屋等的)居住人；住院人 | |
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demure
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| adj.严肃的；端庄的 | |
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pony
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| adj.小型的；n.小马 | |
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adorn
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| vt.使美化，装饰 | |
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tenacious
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| adj.顽强的，固执的，记忆力强的，粘的 | |
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killing
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| n.巨额利润；突然赚大钱，发大财 | |
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fawn
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| n.未满周岁的小鹿；v.巴结，奉承 | |
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aviary
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| n.大鸟笼，鸟舍 | |
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reins
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| 感情，激情； 缰( rein的名词复数 )； 控制手段； 掌管； （成人带着幼儿走路以防其走失时用的）保护带 | |
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queries
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| n.问题( query的名词复数 )；疑问；询问；问号v.质疑，对…表示疑问( query的第三人称单数 )；询问 | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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favourable
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| adj.赞成的，称赞的，有利的，良好的，顺利的 | |
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conversing
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| v.交谈，谈话( converse的现在分词 ) | |
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harassed
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| adj. 疲倦的，厌烦的 动词harass的过去式和过去分词 | |
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starry
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| adj.星光照耀的, 闪亮的 | |
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80
bustling
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| adj.喧闹的 | |
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81
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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82
festive
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| adj.欢宴的，节日的 | |
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83
catching
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| adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住 | |
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84
unfamiliar
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| adj.陌生的，不熟悉的 | |
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85
densely
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| ad.密集地；浓厚地 | |
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86
enveloped
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| v.包围，笼罩，包住( envelop的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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87
jovial
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| adj.快乐的，好交际的 | |
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88
obsequious
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| adj.谄媚的，奉承的，顺从的 | |
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89
spacious
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| adj.广阔的，宽敞的 | |
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90
ruminate
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| v.反刍；沉思 | |
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91
penetrating
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| adj.（声音）响亮的，尖锐的adj.（气味）刺激的adj.（思想）敏锐的，有洞察力的 | |
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