The Complete Poetical Works. Томас Харди
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Название: The Complete Poetical Works

Автор: Томас Харди

Издательство: Bookwire

Жанр: Языкознание

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isbn: 9788027241361

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СКАЧАТЬ style="font-size:15px;">       As Death cooled those hot blood pricked on;

       Till our cause was helped by a woe within:

       They swayed from the summit we’d leapt upon,

       And madly we entered in.

      “On end for plunder, ’mid rain and thunder

       That burst with the lull of our cannonade,

       We vamped the streets in the stifling air—

       Our hunger unsoothed, our thirst unstayed—

       And ransacked the buildings there.

      “Down the stony steps of the house-fronts white

       We rolled rich puncheons of Spanish grape,

       Till at length, with the fire of the wine alight,

       I saw at a doorway a fair fresh shape—

       A woman, a sylph, or sprite.

      “Afeard she fled, and with heated head

       I pursued to the chamber she called her own;

       —When might is right no qualms deter,

       And having her helpless and alone

       I wreaked my will on her.

      “She raised her beseeching eyes to me,

       And I heard the words of prayer she sent

       In her own soft language . . . Seemingly

       I copied those eyes for my punishment

       In begetting the girl you see!

      “So, to-day I stand with a God-set brand

       Like Cain’s, when he wandered from kindred’s ken . . .

       I served through the war that made Europe free;

       I wived me in peace-year. But, hid from men,

       I bear that mark on me.

      “And I nightly stray on the Ivel Way

       As though at home there were spectres rife;

       I delight me not in my proud career;

       And ’tis coals of fire that a gracious wife

       Should have brought me a daughter dear!”

      The Stranger’s Song

       Table of Contents

      (As sung by Mr. Charles Charrington in the play of “The Three Wayfarers”)

      O my trade it is the rarest one,

       Simple shepherds all—

       My trade is a sight to see;

       For my customers I tie, and take ’em up on high,

       And waft ’em to a far countree!

      My tools are but common ones,

       Simple shepherds all—

       My tools are no sight to see:

       A little hempen string, and a post whereon to swing,

       Are implements enough for me!

      To-morrow is my working day,

       Simple shepherds all—

       To-morrow is a working day for me:

       For the farmer’s sheep is slain, and the lad who did it ta’en,

       And on his soul may God ha’ mer-cy!

      The Burghers

       Table of Contents

      (17–)

      The sun had wheeled from Grey’s to Dammer’s Crest,

       And still I mused on that Thing imminent:

       At length I sought the High-street to the West.

      The level flare raked pane and pediment

       And my wrecked face, and shaped my nearing friend

       Like one of those the Furnace held unshent.

      “I’ve news concerning her,” he said. “Attend.

       They fly to-night at the late moon’s first gleam:

       Watch with thy steel: two righteous thrusts will end

      Her shameless visions and his passioned dream.

       I’ll watch with thee, to testify thy wrong—

       To aid, maybe.—Law consecrates the scheme.”

      I started, and we paced the flags along

       Till I replied: “Since it has come to this

       I’ll do it! But alone. I can be strong.”

      Three hours past Curfew, when the Froom’s mild hiss

       Reigned sole, undulled by whirr of merchandize,

       From Pummery-Tout to where the Gibbet is,

      I crossed my pleasaunce hard by Glyd’path Rise,

       And stood beneath the wall. Eleven strokes went,

       And to the door they came, contrariwise,

      And met in clasp so close I had but bent

       My lifted blade upon them to have let

       Their two souls loose upon the firmament.

      But something held my arm. “A moment yet

       As pray-time ere you wantons die!” I said;

       And then they saw me. Swift her gaze was set

      With eye and cry of love illimited

       Upon her Heart-king. Never upon me

       Had she thrown look of СКАЧАТЬ