Flemming and the Baron7 had passed the afternoon at the Castle. They had rambled8 once more together, and for the last time, over the magnificent ruin. On the morrow they were to part, perhaps forever. The Baron was going to Berlin, to join his sister; and Flemming, drivenforward by the restless spirit within him, longed once more for a change of scene, and was going to the Tyrol and Switzerland. Alas9! he never said to the passing hour; "Stay, for thou art fair!" but reached forward into the dark future, with unsatisfied longings10 and aimless desires, that were never still.
As the day was closing, they sat down on the terrace of Elisabeth's Garden. The sun had set beyond the blue Alsatian hills; and on the valley of the Rhine fell the purple mist, like the mantle12 of the departing prophet from his fiery13 chariot. Over the castle walls, and the trees of the garden, rose the large moon; and between the contending daylight and moonlight there were as yet no shadows. But at length the shadows came; transparent14 and faint outlines, that deepened into form. In the valley below only the river gleamed, like steel; and here and there the lamps were lighted in the town. Solemnly stood the leafy lindentrees in the garden near them, their trunks in darkness and their summits bronzed with moonlight; and in his niche15 in the great round tower, overhung with ivy16, like a majestic17 phantom18, stood the gray statue of Louis, with his venerable beard, and shirt of mail, and flowing mantle; and the mild, majestic countenance19 looked forth20 into the silent night, as the countenance of a seer, who reads the stars. At intervals21 the wind of the summer night passed through the ruined castle and the trees, and they sent forth a sound as if nature were sighing in her dreams; and for a moment overhead the broad leaves gently clashed together, like brazen22 cymbals23, with a tinkling24 sound; and then all was still, save the sweet, passionate25 song of nightingales, that nowhere upon earth sing more sweetly than in the gardens of Heidelberg Castle.
The hour, the scene, and the near-approaching separation of the two young friends, had filled their hearts with a pleasant, though at the same time not painless excitement. They had been conversing26 about the magnificent old ruin, and the ages in which it had been built, and the vicissitudesof time and war, that had battered27 down its walls, and left it "tenantless28, save to the crannying wind."
"How sorrowful and sublime29 is the face of that statue yonder," said Flemming. "It reminds me of the old Danish hero Beowulf; for careful, sorrowing, he seeth in his son's bower30 the wine-hall deserted31, the resort of the wind, noiseless; the knight32 sleepeth; the warrior33 lieth in darkness; there is no noise of the harp34, no joy in the dwellings35, as there was before."
"Even as you say," replied the Baron; "but it often astonishes me, that, coming from that fresh green world of yours beyond the sea, you should feel so much interest in these old things; nay36, at times, seem so to have drunk in their spirit, as really to live in the times of old. For my part, I do not see what charm there is in the pale and wrinkled countenance of the Past, so to entice37 the soul of a young man. It seems to me like falling in love with one's grandmother. Give me the Present;--warm, glowing, palpitating with life. She is my mistress; and the Future stands waiting like my wife that is to be, for whom, to tell the truth, I care very little just now. Indeed, my friend, I wish you would take more heed38 of this philosophy of mine; and not waste the golden hours of youth in vain regrets for the past, and indefinite, dim longings for the future. Youth comes but once in a lifetime."
"Therefore," said Flemming; "let us so enjoy it as to be still young when we are old. For my part, I grow happier as I grow older. When I compare my sensations and enjoyments40 now, with what they were ten years ago, the comparison is vastly in favor of the present. Much of the fever and fretfulness of life is over. The world and I look each other more calmly in the face. My mind is more self-possessed. It has done me good to be somewhat parched41 by the heat and drenched42 by the rain of life."
"Now you speak like an old philosopher," answered the Baron, laughing. "But you deceive yourself. I never knew a more restless, feverishspirit than yours. Do not think you have gained the mastery yet. You are only riding at anchor here in an eddy43 of the stream; you will soon be swept away again in the mighty44 current and whirl of accident. Do not trust this momentary45 calm. I know you better than you know yourself. There is something Faust-like in you; you would fain grasp the highest and the deepest; and `reel from desire to enjoyment39, and in enjoyment languish46 for desire.' When a momentary change of feeling comes over you, you think the change permanent, and thus live in constant self-deception."
"I confess," said Flemming, "there may be some truth in what you say. There are times when my soul is restless; and a voice sounds within me, like the trump47 of the archangel, and thoughts that were buried, long ago, come out of their graves. At such times my favorite occupations and pursuits no longer charm me. The quiet face of Nature seems to mock me."
"There certainly are seasons," replied the Baron, "when Nature seems not to sympathizewith her beloved children. She sits there so eternally calm and self-possessed, so very motherly and serene48, and cares so little whether the heart of her child breaks or not, that at times I almost lose my patience. About that, too, she cares so little, that, out of sheer obstinacy49, I become good-humored again, and then she smiles."
"I think we must confess, however," continued Flemming, "that all this springs from our own imperfection, not from hers. How beautiful is this green world, which we inhabit! See yonder, how the moonlight mingles50 with the mist! What a glorious night is this! Truly every man has a Paradise around him until he sins, and the angel of an accusing conscience drives him from his Eden. And even then there are holy hours, when this angel sleeps, and man comes back, and, with the innocent eyes of a child, looks into his lost Paradise again,--into the broad gates and rural solitudes51 of Nature. I feel this often. We have much to enjoy in the quiet and retirement52 of ourown thoughts. Boisterous53 mirth and loud laughter are not my mood. I love that tranquillity54 of soul, in which we feel the blessing55 of existence, and which in itself is a prayer and a thanksgiving. I find, however, that, as I grow older, I love the country less, and the city more."
"Yes," interrupted the Baron; "and presently you will love the city less and the country more. Say at once, that you have an undefined longing11 for both; and prefer town or country, according to the mood you are in. I think a man must be of a very quiet and happy nature, who can long endure the country; and, moreover, very well contented56 with his own insignificant57 person, very self-complacent, to be continually occupied with himself and his own thoughts. To say the least, a city life makes one more tolerant and liberal in his judgment58 of others. One is not eternally wrapped up in self-contemplation; which, after all, is only a more holy kind of vanity."
In conversation like this, the hours glided59 away; till at length, from the Giant's Tower, the Castleclock struck twelve, with a sound that seemed to come from the Middle Ages. Like watchmen from their belfries the city clocks answered it, one by one. Then distant and muffled60 sounds were heard. Inarticulate words seemed to blot61 the foggy air, as if written on wet paper. These were the bells of Handschuhsheimer, and of other villages on the broad plain of the Rhine, and among the hills of the Odenwald; mysterious sounds, that seemed not of this world.
Beneath them, in the shadow of the hills, lay the valley, like a fathomless62, black gulf63; and above were the cloistered64 stars, that, nun-like, walk the holy aisles65 of heaven. The city was asleep in the valley below; all asleep and silent, save the clocks, that had just struck twelve, and the veering66, golden weathercocks, that were swimming in the moonshine, like golden fishes, in a glass vase. And again the wind of the summer night passed through the old Castle, and the trees, and the nightingales recorded under the dark, shadowy leaves, and the heart of Flemming was full.
When he had retired67 to his chamber68, a feeling of utter loneliness came over him. The night before one begins a journey is always a dismal69 night; for, as Byron says,
"In leaving even the most unpleasant people
And places, one keeps looking at the steeple!"
And how much more so when the place and people are pleasant; as was the case with those, that Flemming was now leaving. No wonder he was sad and sleepless70. Thoughts came and went, and bright and gloomy fancies, and dreams and visions, and sweet faces looked under his closed eyelids71, and vanished away, and came again, and again departed. He heard the clock strike from hour to hour, and said, "Another hour is gone." At length the birds began to sing; and ever and anon the cock crew. He arose, and looked forth into the gray dawn; and before him lay the city he was so soon to leave, all white and ghastly, like a city that had arisen from its grave.
"All things must change," said he to the Baron, as he embraced him, and held him by the hand."Friends must be torn asunder72, and swept along in the current of events, to see each other seldom, and perchance no more. For ever and ever in the eddies73 of time and accident we whirl away. Besides which, some of us have a perpetual motion in our wooden heads, as Wodenblock had in his wooden leg; and like him we travel on, without rest or sleep, and have hardly time to take a friend by the hand in passing; and at length are seen hurrying through some distant land, worn to a skeleton, and all unknown."
点击收听单词发音
1 amiable | |
adj.和蔼可亲的,友善的,亲切的 | |
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2 beholds | |
v.看,注视( behold的第三人称单数 );瞧;看呀;(叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现)哎哟 | |
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3 twilight | |
n.暮光,黄昏;暮年,晚期,衰落时期 | |
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4 descended | |
a.为...后裔的,出身于...的 | |
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5 benediction | |
n.祝福;恩赐 | |
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6 meek | |
adj.温顺的,逆来顺受的 | |
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7 baron | |
n.男爵;(商业界等)巨头,大王 | |
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8 rambled | |
(无目的地)漫游( ramble的过去式和过去分词 ); (喻)漫谈; 扯淡; 长篇大论 | |
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9 alas | |
int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
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10 longings | |
渴望,盼望( longing的名词复数 ) | |
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11 longing | |
n.(for)渴望 | |
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12 mantle | |
n.斗篷,覆罩之物,罩子;v.罩住,覆盖,脸红 | |
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13 fiery | |
adj.燃烧着的,火红的;暴躁的;激烈的 | |
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14 transparent | |
adj.明显的,无疑的;透明的 | |
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15 niche | |
n.壁龛;合适的职务(环境、位置等) | |
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16 ivy | |
n.常青藤,常春藤 | |
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17 majestic | |
adj.雄伟的,壮丽的,庄严的,威严的,崇高的 | |
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18 phantom | |
n.幻影,虚位,幽灵;adj.错觉的,幻影的,幽灵的 | |
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19 countenance | |
n.脸色,面容;面部表情;vt.支持,赞同 | |
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20 forth | |
adv.向前;向外,往外 | |
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21 intervals | |
n.[军事]间隔( interval的名词复数 );间隔时间;[数学]区间;(戏剧、电影或音乐会的)幕间休息 | |
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22 brazen | |
adj.厚脸皮的,无耻的,坚硬的 | |
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23 cymbals | |
pl.铙钹 | |
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24 tinkling | |
n.丁当作响声 | |
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25 passionate | |
adj.热情的,热烈的,激昂的,易动情的,易怒的,性情暴躁的 | |
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26 conversing | |
v.交谈,谈话( converse的现在分词 ) | |
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27 battered | |
adj.磨损的;v.连续猛击;磨损 | |
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28 tenantless | |
adj.无人租赁的,无人居住的 | |
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29 sublime | |
adj.崇高的,伟大的;极度的,不顾后果的 | |
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30 bower | |
n.凉亭,树荫下凉快之处;闺房;v.荫蔽 | |
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31 deserted | |
adj.荒芜的,荒废的,无人的,被遗弃的 | |
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32 knight | |
n.骑士,武士;爵士 | |
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33 warrior | |
n.勇士,武士,斗士 | |
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34 harp | |
n.竖琴;天琴座 | |
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35 dwellings | |
n.住处,处所( dwelling的名词复数 ) | |
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36 nay | |
adv.不;n.反对票,投反对票者 | |
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37 entice | |
v.诱骗,引诱,怂恿 | |
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38 heed | |
v.注意,留意;n.注意,留心 | |
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39 enjoyment | |
n.乐趣;享有;享用 | |
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40 enjoyments | |
愉快( enjoyment的名词复数 ); 令人愉快的事物; 享有; 享受 | |
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41 parched | |
adj.焦干的;极渴的;v.(使)焦干 | |
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42 drenched | |
adj.湿透的;充满的v.使湿透( drench的过去式和过去分词 );在某人(某物)上大量使用(某液体) | |
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43 eddy | |
n.漩涡,涡流 | |
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44 mighty | |
adj.强有力的;巨大的 | |
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45 momentary | |
adj.片刻的,瞬息的;短暂的 | |
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46 languish | |
vi.变得衰弱无力,失去活力,(植物等)凋萎 | |
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47 trump | |
n.王牌,法宝;v.打出王牌,吹喇叭 | |
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48 serene | |
adj. 安详的,宁静的,平静的 | |
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49 obstinacy | |
n.顽固;(病痛等)难治 | |
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50 mingles | |
混合,混入( mingle的第三人称单数 ); 混进,与…交往[联系] | |
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51 solitudes | |
n.独居( solitude的名词复数 );孤独;荒僻的地方;人迹罕至的地方 | |
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52 retirement | |
n.退休,退职 | |
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53 boisterous | |
adj.喧闹的,欢闹的 | |
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54 tranquillity | |
n. 平静, 安静 | |
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55 blessing | |
n.祈神赐福;祷告;祝福,祝愿 | |
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56 contented | |
adj.满意的,安心的,知足的 | |
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57 insignificant | |
adj.无关紧要的,可忽略的,无意义的 | |
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58 judgment | |
n.审判;判断力,识别力,看法,意见 | |
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59 glided | |
v.滑动( glide的过去式和过去分词 );掠过;(鸟或飞机 ) 滑翔 | |
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60 muffled | |
adj.(声音)被隔的;听不太清的;(衣服)裹严的;蒙住的v.压抑,捂住( muffle的过去式和过去分词 );用厚厚的衣帽包着(自己) | |
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61 blot | |
vt.弄脏(用吸墨纸)吸干;n.污点,污渍 | |
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62 fathomless | |
a.深不可测的 | |
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63 gulf | |
n.海湾;深渊,鸿沟;分歧,隔阂 | |
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64 cloistered | |
adj.隐居的,躲开尘世纷争的v.隐退,使与世隔绝( cloister的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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65 aisles | |
n. (席位间的)通道, 侧廊 | |
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66 veering | |
n.改变的;犹豫的;顺时针方向转向;特指使船尾转向上风来改变航向v.(尤指交通工具)改变方向或路线( veer的现在分词 );(指谈话内容、人的行为或观点)突然改变;(指风) (在北半球按顺时针方向、在南半球按逆时针方向)逐渐转向;风向顺时针转 | |
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67 retired | |
adj.隐退的,退休的,退役的 | |
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68 chamber | |
n.房间,寝室;会议厅;议院;会所 | |
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69 dismal | |
adj.阴沉的,凄凉的,令人忧郁的,差劲的 | |
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70 sleepless | |
adj.不睡眠的,睡不著的,不休息的 | |
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71 eyelids | |
n.眼睑( eyelid的名词复数 );眼睛也不眨一下;不露声色;面不改色 | |
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72 asunder | |
adj.分离的,化为碎片 | |
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73 eddies | |
(水、烟等的)漩涡,涡流( eddy的名词复数 ) | |
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