Immortal1 Imogen, crown’d queen above
The lilies of thy sex, vouchsafe2 to hear
A fairy dream in honor of true love —
True above ills, and frailty3, and all fear —
Perchance a shadow of his own career
Whose youth was darkly prison’d and long-twined
By serpent-sorrow, till white Love drew near,
And sweetly sang him free, and round his mind
A bright horizon threw, wherein no grief may wind.
2.
I saw a tower builded on a lake,
Mock’d by its inverse5 shadow, dark and deep —
That seem’d a still intenser night to make,
Wherein the quiet waters sank to sleep —
And, whatso’er was prison’d in that keep,
A monstrous6 Snake was warden:— round and round
In sable7 ringlets I beheld8 him creep
Blackest amid black shadows to the ground,
Whilst his enormous head, the topmost turret9 crown’d.
3.
From whence he shot fierce light against the stars,
Making the pale moon paler with affright;
And with his ruby10 eye out-threaten’d Mars —
That blaz’d in the mid-heavens, hot and bright —
Nor slept, nor wink’d, but with a steadfast11 spite
Watch’d their wan12 looks and tremblings in the skies;
And that he might not slumber13 in the night,
The curtain-lids were pluck’d from his large eyes,
So he might never drowse, but watch his secret prize.
4.
Prince or princess in dismal14 durance pent,
Victims of old Enchantment’s love or hate,
Their lives must all in painful sighs be spent,
Watching the lonely waters soon and late,
And clouds that pass and leave them to their fate,
Or company their grief with heavy tears:—
Meanwhile that Hope can spy no golden gate
For sweet escapement, but in darksome fears
They weep and pine away as if immortal years.
5.
No gentle bird with gold upon its wing
Will perch4 upon the grate — the gentle bird
Is safe in leafy dell, and will not bring
Freedom’s sweet key-note and commission-word
Learn’d of a fairy’s lips, for pity stirr’d —
Lest while he trembling sings, untimely guest!
Watch’d by that cruel Snake and darkly heard,
He leave a widow on her lonely nest,
To press in silent grief the darlings of her breast.
6.
No gallant15 knight16, adventurous17, in his bark,
Will seek the fruitful perils18 of the place,
To rouse with dipping oar19 the waters dark
That bear that serpent image on their face.
And Love, brave Love! though he attempt the base,
Nerved to his loyal death, he may not win
His captive lady from the strict embrace
Of that foul20 Serpent, clasping her within
His sable folds — like Eve enthrall’d by the old Sin.
7.
But there is none — no knight in panoply21,
Nor Love, intrench’d in his strong steely coat:
No little speck22 — no sail — no helper nigh,
No sign — no whispering — no plash of boat:—
The distant shores show dimly and remote,
Made of a deeper mist — serene23 and gray —
And slow and mute the cloudy shadows float
Over the gloomy wave, and pass away,
Chased by the silver beams that on their marges play.
8.
And bright and silvery the willows24 sleep
Over the shady verge25 — no mad winds tease
Their hoary26 heads; but quietly they weep
Their sprinkling leaves — half fountains and half trees:
Their lilies be — and fairer than all these,
A solitary27 Swan her breast of snow
Launches against the wave that seems to freeze
Into a chaste28 reflection, still below
Twin shadow of herself wherever she may go.
9.
And forth29 she paddles in the very noon
Of solemn midnight like an elfin thing,
Charm’d into being by the argent moon —
Whose silver light for love of her fair wing
Goes with her in the shade, still worshipping
Her dainty plumage:— all around her grew
A radiant circlet, like a fairy ring;
And all behind, a tiny little clue
Of light, to guide her back across the waters blue.
10.
And sure she is no meaner than a fay,
Redeem’d from sleepy death, for beauty’s sake,
By old ordainment:— silent as she lay,
Touched by a moonlight wand I saw her wake,
And cut her leafy slough30, and so forsake31
The verdant32 prison of her lily peers,
That slept amidst the stars upon the lake —
A breathing shape — restored to human fears,
And new-born love and grief — self-conscious of her tears.
11.
And now she clasps her wings around her heart,
And near that lonely isle33 begins to glide34,
Pale as her fears, and oft-times with a start
Turns her impatient head from side to side
In universal terrors — all too wide
To watch; and often to that marble keep
Upturns35 her pearly eyes, as if she spied
Some foe36, and crouches37 in the shadows steep
That in the gloomy wave go diving fathoms38 deep.
12.
And well she may, to spy that fearful thing
All down the dusky walls in circlets wound;
Alas39! for what rare prize, with many a ring
Girding the marble casket round and round?
His folded tail, lost in the gloom profound,
Terribly darkeneth the rocky base;
But on the top his monstrous head is crown’d
With prickly spears, and on his doubtful face
Gleam his unwearied eyes, red watchers of the place.
13.
Alas! of the hot fires that nightly fall,
No one will scorch40 him in those orbs41 of spite,
So he may never see beneath the wall
That timid little creature, all too bright,
That stretches her fair neck, slender and white,
Invoking42 the pale moon, and vainly tries
Her throbbing43 throat, as if to charm the night
With song — but, hush44 — it perishes in sighs,
And there will be no dirge45 sad-swelling, though she dies!
14.
She droops47 — she sinks — she leans upon the lake,
Fainting again into a lifeless flower;
But soon the chilly48 springs anoint and wake
Her spirit from its death, and with new power
She sheds her stifled49 sorrows in a shower
Of tender song, timed to her falling tears —
That wins the shady summit of that tower,
And, trembling all the sweeter for its fears,
Fills with imploring50 moan that cruel monster’s ears.
15.
And, lo! the scaly51 beast is all deprest,
Subdued52 like Argus by the might of sound —
What time Apollo his sweet lute53 addrest
To magic converse54 with the air, and bound
The many monster eyes, all slumber-drown’d:—
So on the turret-top that watchful55 Snake
Pillows his giant head, and lists profound,
As if his wrathful spite would never wake,
Charm’d into sudden sleep for Love and Beauty’s sake!
16.
His prickly crest56 lies prone57 upon his crown,
And thirsty lip from lip disparted flies,
To drink that dainty flood of music down —
His scaly throat is big with pent-up sighs —
And whilst his hollow ear entranced lies,
His looks for envy of the charmed sense
Are fain to listen, till his steadfast eyes,
Stung into pain by their own impotence,
Distil58 enormous tears into the lake immense.
17.
Oh, tuneful Swan! oh, melancholy59 bird!
Sweet was that midnight miracle of song,
Rich with ripe sorrow, needful of no word
To tell of pain, and love, and love’s deep wrong —
Hinting a piteous tale — perchance how long
Thy unknown tears were mingled60 with the lake,
What time disguised thy leafy mates among —
And no eye knew what human love and ache
Dwelt in those dewy leaves, and heart so nigh to break.
18.
Therefore no poet will ungently touch
The water-lily, on whose eyelids62 dew
Trembles like tears; but ever hold it such
As human pain may wander through and through,
Turning the pale leaf paler in its hue63 —
Wherein life dwells, transfigured, not entomb’d,
By magic spells. Alas! who ever knew
Sorrow in all its shapes, leafy and plumed64,
Or in gross husks of brutes65 eternally inhumed?
19.
And now the winged song has scaled the height
Of that dark dwelling66, builded for despair,
And soon a little casement67 flashing bright
Widens self-open’d into the cool air —
That music like a bird may enter there
And soothe68 the captive in his stony69 cage;
For there is nought70 of grief, or painful care,
But plaintive71 song may happily engage
From sense of its own ill, and tenderly assuage72.
20.
And forth into the light, small and remote,
A creature, like the fair son of a king,
Draws to the lattice in his jewell’d coat
Against the silver moonlight glistening73,
And leans upon his white hand listening
To that sweet music that with tenderer tone
Salutes74 him, wondering what kindly75 thing
Is come to soothe him with so tuneful moan,
Singing beneath the walls as if for him alone!
11.
And while he listens, the mysterious song,
Woven with timid particles of speech.
Twines76 into passionate77 words that grieve along
The melancholy notes, and softly teach
The secrets of true love — that trembling reach
His earnest ear, and through the shadows dun
He missions like replies, and each to each
Their silver voices mingle61 into one,
Like blended streams that make one music as they run.
12.
“Ah! Love, my hope is swooning in my heart — ”
“Ay, sweet, my cage is strong and hung full high —”
“Alas! our lips are held so far apart,
Thy words come faint — they have so far to fly! —”
“If I may only shun78 that serpent-eye — ”
“Ah me! that serpent-eye doth never sleep; —”
“Then, nearer thee, Love’s martyr79, I will die! —”
“Alas, alas! that word has made me weep!
For pity’s sake remain safe in thy marble keep!”
13.
“My marble keep! it is my marble tomb —”
“Nay, sweet! but thou hast there thy living breath —”
“Aye to expend80 in sighs for this hard doom81; —”
“But I will come to thee and sing beneath,”
“And nightly so beguile82 this serpent wreath; —”
“Nay, I will find a path from these despairs.”
“Ah, needs then thou must tread the back of death,
Making his stony ribs83 thy stony stairs. —
Behold84 his ruby eye, how fearfully it glares!”
14.
Full sudden at these words, the princely youth
Leaps on the scaly back that slumbers85, still
Unconscious of his foot, yet not for ruth,
But numb’d to dulness by the fairy skill
Of that sweet music (all more wild and shrill86
For intense fear) that charm’d him as he lay —
Meanwhile the lover nerves his desperate will,
Held some short throbs87 by natural dismay,
Then down the serpent-track begins his darksome way.
15.
Now dimly seen — now toiling89 out of sight,
Eclipsed and cover’d by the envious90 wall;
Now fair and spangled in the sudden light,
And clinging with wide arms for fear of fall;
Now dark and shelter’d by a kindly pall91
Of dusky shadow from his wakeful foe;
Slowly he winds adown — dimly and small,
Watch’d by the gentle Swan that sings below,
Her hope increasing, still, the larger he doth grow.
16.
But nine times nine the serpent folds embrace
The marble walls about — which he must tread
Before his anxious foot may touch the base:
Long in the dreary92 path, and must be sped!
But Love, that holds the mastery of dread93,
Braces94 his spirit, and with constant toil88
He wins his way, and now, with arms outspread,
Impatient plunges95 from the last long coil;
So may all gentle Love ungentle Malice96 foil!
17.
The song is hush’d, the charm is all complete,
And two fair Swans are swimming on the lake:
But scarce their tender bills have time to meet,
When fiercely drops adown that cruel Snake —
His steely scales a fearful rustling97 make,
Like autumn leaves that tremble and foretell98
The sable storm; — the plumy lovers quake —
And feel the troubled waters pant and swell46,
Heaved by the giant bulk of their pursuer fell.
18.
His jaws99, wide yawning like the gates of Death,
Hiss100 horrible pursuit — his red eyes glare
The waters into blood — his eager breath
Grows hot upon their plumes:— now, minstrel fair!
She drops her ring into the waves, and there
It widens all around, a fairy ring
Wrought101 of the silver light — the fearful pair
Swim in the very midst, and pant and cling
The closer for their fears, and tremble wing to wing.
19.
Bending their course over the pale gray lake,
Against the pallid102 East, wherein light play’d
In tender flushes, still the baffled Snake
Circled them round continually, and bay’d
Hoarsely103 and loud, forbidden to invade
The sanctuary104 ring — his sable mail
Roll’d darkly through the flood, and writhed105 and made
A shining track over the waters pale,
Lash’d into boiling foam106 by his enormous tail.
20.
And so they sail’d into the distance dim,
Into the very distance — small and white,
Like snowy blossoms of the spring that swim
Over the brooklets — follow’d by the spite
Of that huge Serpent, that with wild affright
Worried them on their course, and sore annoy,
Till on the grassy107 marge I saw them ‘light,
And change, anon, a gentle girl and boy,
Lock’d in embrace of sweet unutterable joy!
21.
Then came the Morn, and with her pearly showers
Wept on them, like a mother, in whose eyes
Tears are no grief; and from his rosy108 bowers109
The Oriental sun began to rise,
Chasing the darksome shadows from the skies;
Wherewith that sable Serpent far away
Fled, like a part of night — delicious sighs
From waking blossoms purified the day,
And little birds were singing sweetly from each spray.
点击收听单词发音
1 immortal | |
adj.不朽的;永生的,不死的;神的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
2 vouchsafe | |
v.惠予,准许 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
3 frailty | |
n.脆弱;意志薄弱 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
4 perch | |
n.栖木,高位,杆;v.栖息,就位,位于 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
5 inverse | |
adj.相反的,倒转的,反转的;n.相反之物;v.倒转 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
6 monstrous | |
adj.巨大的;恐怖的;可耻的,丢脸的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
7 sable | |
n.黑貂;adj.黑色的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
8 beheld | |
v.看,注视( behold的过去式和过去分词 );瞧;看呀;(叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现)哎哟 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
9 turret | |
n.塔楼,角塔 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
10 ruby | |
n.红宝石,红宝石色 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
11 steadfast | |
adj.固定的,不变的,不动摇的;忠实的;坚贞不移的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
12 wan | |
(wide area network)广域网 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
13 slumber | |
n.睡眠,沉睡状态 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
14 dismal | |
adj.阴沉的,凄凉的,令人忧郁的,差劲的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
15 gallant | |
adj.英勇的,豪侠的;(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
16 knight | |
n.骑士,武士;爵士 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
17 adventurous | |
adj.爱冒险的;惊心动魄的,惊险的,刺激的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
18 perils | |
极大危险( peril的名词复数 ); 危险的事(或环境) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
19 oar | |
n.桨,橹,划手;v.划行 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
20 foul | |
adj.污秽的;邪恶的;v.弄脏;妨害;犯规;n.犯规 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
21 panoply | |
n.全副甲胄,礼服 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
22 speck | |
n.微粒,小污点,小斑点 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
23 serene | |
adj. 安详的,宁静的,平静的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
24 willows | |
n.柳树( willow的名词复数 );柳木 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
25 verge | |
n.边,边缘;v.接近,濒临 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
26 hoary | |
adj.古老的;鬓发斑白的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
27 solitary | |
adj.孤独的,独立的,荒凉的;n.隐士 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
28 chaste | |
adj.贞洁的;有道德的;善良的;简朴的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
29 forth | |
adv.向前;向外,往外 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
30 slough | |
v.蜕皮,脱落,抛弃 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
31 forsake | |
vt.遗弃,抛弃;舍弃,放弃 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
32 verdant | |
adj.翠绿的,青翠的,生疏的,不老练的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
33 isle | |
n.小岛,岛 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
34 glide | |
n./v.溜,滑行;(时间)消逝 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
35 upturns | |
n.好转,上升趋势( upturn的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
36 foe | |
n.敌人,仇敌 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
37 crouches | |
n.蹲着的姿势( crouch的名词复数 )v.屈膝,蹲伏( crouch的第三人称单数 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
38 fathoms | |
英寻( fathom的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
39 alas | |
int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
40 scorch | |
v.烧焦,烤焦;高速疾驶;n.烧焦处,焦痕 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
41 orbs | |
abbr.off-reservation boarding school 在校寄宿学校n.球,天体,圆形物( orb的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
42 invoking | |
v.援引( invoke的现在分词 );行使(权利等);祈求救助;恳求 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
43 throbbing | |
a. 跳动的,悸动的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
44 hush | |
int.嘘,别出声;n.沉默,静寂;v.使安静 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
45 dirge | |
n.哀乐,挽歌,庄重悲哀的乐曲 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
46 swell | |
vi.膨胀,肿胀;增长,增强 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
47 droops | |
弯曲或下垂,发蔫( droop的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
48 chilly | |
adj.凉快的,寒冷的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
49 stifled | |
(使)窒息, (使)窒闷( stifle的过去式和过去分词 ); 镇压,遏制; 堵 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
50 imploring | |
恳求的,哀求的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
51 scaly | |
adj.鱼鳞状的;干燥粗糙的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
52 subdued | |
adj. 屈服的,柔和的,减弱的 动词subdue的过去式和过去分词 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
53 lute | |
n.琵琶,鲁特琴 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
54 converse | |
vi.谈话,谈天,闲聊;adv.相反的,相反 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
55 watchful | |
adj.注意的,警惕的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
56 crest | |
n.顶点;饰章;羽冠;vt.达到顶点;vi.形成浪尖 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
57 prone | |
adj.(to)易于…的,很可能…的;俯卧的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
58 distil | |
vt.蒸馏;提取…的精华,精选出 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
59 melancholy | |
n.忧郁,愁思;adj.令人感伤(沮丧)的,忧郁的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
60 mingled | |
混合,混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 ); 混进,与…交往[联系] | |
参考例句: |
|
|
61 mingle | |
vt.使混合,使相混;vi.混合起来;相交往 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
62 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 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
63 hue | |
n.色度;色调;样子 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
64 plumed | |
饰有羽毛的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
65 brutes | |
兽( brute的名词复数 ); 畜生; 残酷无情的人; 兽性 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
66 dwelling | |
n.住宅,住所,寓所 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
67 casement | |
n.竖铰链窗;窗扉 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
68 soothe | |
v.安慰;使平静;使减轻;缓和;奉承 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
69 stony | |
adj.石头的,多石头的,冷酷的,无情的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
70 nought | |
n./adj.无,零 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
71 plaintive | |
adj.可怜的,伤心的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
72 assuage | |
v.缓和,减轻,镇定 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
73 glistening | |
adj.闪耀的,反光的v.湿物闪耀,闪亮( glisten的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
74 salutes | |
n.致敬,欢迎,敬礼( salute的名词复数 )v.欢迎,致敬( salute的第三人称单数 );赞扬,赞颂 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
75 kindly | |
adj.和蔼的,温和的,爽快的;adv.温和地,亲切地 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
76 twines | |
n.盘绕( twine的名词复数 );麻线;捻;缠绕在一起的东西 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
77 passionate | |
adj.热情的,热烈的,激昂的,易动情的,易怒的,性情暴躁的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
78 shun | |
vt.避开,回避,避免 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
79 martyr | |
n.烈士,殉难者;vt.杀害,折磨,牺牲 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
80 expend | |
vt.花费,消费,消耗 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
81 doom | |
n.厄运,劫数;v.注定,命定 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
82 beguile | |
vt.欺骗,消遣 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
83 ribs | |
n.肋骨( rib的名词复数 );(船或屋顶等的)肋拱;肋骨状的东西;(织物的)凸条花纹 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
84 behold | |
v.看,注视,看到 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
85 slumbers | |
睡眠,安眠( slumber的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
86 shrill | |
adj.尖声的;刺耳的;v尖叫 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
87 throbs | |
体内的跳动( throb的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
88 toil | |
vi.辛劳工作,艰难地行动;n.苦工,难事 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
89 toiling | |
长时间或辛苦地工作( toil的现在分词 ); 艰难缓慢地移动,跋涉 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
90 envious | |
adj.嫉妒的,羡慕的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
91 pall | |
v.覆盖,使平淡无味;n.柩衣,棺罩;棺材;帷幕 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
92 dreary | |
adj.令人沮丧的,沉闷的,单调乏味的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
93 dread | |
vt.担忧,忧虑;惧怕,不敢;n.担忧,畏惧 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
94 braces | |
n.吊带,背带;托架( brace的名词复数 );箍子;括弧;(儿童)牙箍v.支住( brace的第三人称单数 );撑牢;使自己站稳;振作起来 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
95 plunges | |
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 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
96 malice | |
n.恶意,怨恨,蓄意;[律]预谋 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
97 rustling | |
n. 瑟瑟声,沙沙声 adj. 发沙沙声的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
98 foretell | |
v.预言,预告,预示 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
99 jaws | |
n.口部;嘴 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
100 hiss | |
v.发出嘶嘶声;发嘘声表示不满 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
101 wrought | |
v.引起;以…原料制作;运转;adj.制造的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
102 pallid | |
adj.苍白的,呆板的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
103 hoarsely | |
adv.嘶哑地 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
104 sanctuary | |
n.圣所,圣堂,寺庙;禁猎区,保护区 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
105 writhed | |
(因极度痛苦而)扭动或翻滚( writhe的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
106 foam | |
v./n.泡沫,起泡沫 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
107 grassy | |
adj.盖满草的;长满草的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
108 rosy | |
adj.美好的,乐观的,玫瑰色的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
109 bowers | |
n.(女子的)卧室( bower的名词复数 );船首锚;阴凉处;鞠躬的人 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
欢迎访问英文小说网 |