The Complete Poems. Генри Уодсуорт Лонгфелло

Чтение книги онлайн.

      Thou sittest by the fireside of the heart,

      Feeding its flame. The element of fire

      Is pure. It cannot change nor hide its nature,

      But burns as brightly in a Gypsy camp

      As in a palace hall. Art thou convinced?

       Prec. Yes, that I love thee, as the good love heaven;

      But not that I am worthy of that heaven.

      How shall I more deserve it?

       Vict. Loving more.

       Prec. I cannot love thee more; my heart is full.

       Vict. Then let it overflow, and I will drink it,

      As in the summer-time the thirsty sands

      Drink the swift waters of the Manzanares,

      And still do thirst for more.

       A Watchman (in the street). Ave Maria

      Purissima! 'T is midnight and serene!

       Vict. Hear'st thou that cry?

       Prec. It is a hateful sound,

      To scare thee from me!

       Vict. As the hunter's horn

      Doth scare the timid stag, or bark of hounds

      The moor-fowl from his mate.

       Prec. Pray, do not go!

       Vict. I must away to Alcala to-night.

      Think of me when I am away.

       Prec. Fear not!

      I have no thoughts that do not think of thee.

       Vict. (giving her a ring).

      And to remind thee of my love, take this;

      A serpent, emblem of Eternity;

      A ruby—say, a drop of my heart's blood.

       Prec. It is an ancient saying, that the ruby

      Brings gladness to the wearer, and preserves

      The heart pure, and, if laid beneath the pillow,

      Drives away evil dreams. But then, alas!

      It was a serpent tempted Eve to sin.

       Vict. What convent of barefooted Carmelites

       Taught thee so much theology?

       Prec. (laying her hand upon his mouth). Hush! hush!

      Good night! and may all holy angels guard thee!

       Vict. Good night! good night! Thou art my guardian angel!

      I have no other saint than thou to pray to!

      (He descends by the balcony.)

      Prec. Take care, and do not hurt thee. Art thou safe?

       Vict. (from the garden).

      Safe as my love for thee! But art thou safe?

      Others can climb a balcony by moonlight

      As well as I. Pray shut thy window close;

      I am jealous of the perfumed air of night

      That from this garden climbs to kiss thy lips.

       Prec. (throwing down her handkerchief).

      Thou silly child! Take this to blind thine eyes.

      It is my benison!

       Vict. And brings to me

      Sweet fragrance from thy lips, as the soft wind

      Wafts to the out-bound mariner the breath

      Of the beloved land he leaves behind.

       Prec. Make not thy voyage long.

       Vict. To-morrow night

      Shall see me safe returned. Thou art the star

      To guide me to an anchorage. Good night!

      My beauteous star! My star of love, good night!

       Prec. Good night!

       Watchman (at a distance). Ave Maria Purissima!

      Scene IV. — An inn on the road to Alcala.

      BALTASAR asleep on a bench. Enter CHISPA.

       Chispa. And here we are, halfway to Alcala, between cocks and

      midnight. Body o' me! what an inn this is! The lights out, and

      the landlord asleep. Hola! ancient Baltasar!

       Bal. (waking). Here I am.

       Chispa. Yes, there you are, like a one-eyed Alcalde in a town

      without inhabitants. Bring a light, and let me have supper.

       Bal. Where is your master?

       Chispo. Do not trouble yourself about him. We have stopped a

      moment to breathe our horses; and, if he chooses to walk up and

      down in the open air, looking into the sky as one who hears it

      rain, that does not satisfy my hunger, you know. But be quick,

      for I am in a hurry, and every man stretches his legs according

      to the length of his coverlet. What have we here?

       Bal. (setting a light on the table). Stewed rabbit.

       Chispa (eating). Conscience of Portalegre! Stewed kitten, you

      mean!

       Bal. And a pitcher of Pedro Ximenes, with a roasted pear in

      it.

       Chispa (drinking). Ancient Baltasar, amigo! You know how to

      cry wine and sell vinegar. I tell you this is nothing but Vino

      Tinto of La Mancha, with a tang of the swine-skin.

       Bal. I swear to you by Saint Simon and Judas, it is all as I

      say.

       Chispa. And I swear to you by Saint Peter and Saint Paul, that

      it СКАЧАТЬ