Old Masonry

 LONG, long ago in our old street

Back from the busy road,

An old deserted¹ stone house stood

Breaking beneath its load.

Such ruin that remained of peaks

Stood out against the skies.

And the memory of old things

Looked from behind its eyes.

In summer time this dead old house

Set in its flowery space.

One likened to a stranger

In a much too friendly place.

In winter time its creaking frame

With all its falling beams,

Was like a sea rocked sailor

Grown weary of his dreams.

It leaned a little westward².

And now I think it knew,

And was waiting other voices

It long had listened to.{3}

Once I was part of this old ruin

When I myself were young.

Out of pity I must leave you

And half the song unsung.

 

1 deserted   

adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的

参考例句：

• The deserted village was filled with a deathly silence.这个荒废的村庄死一般的寂静。
• The enemy chieftain was opposed and deserted by his followers.敌人头目众叛亲离。

2 westward   

n.西方，西部；adj.西方的，向西的；adv.向西

参考例句：

• We live on the westward slope of the hill.我们住在这座山的西山坡。
• Explore westward or wherever.向西或到什么别的地方去勘探。