威廉·考珀

在这里你会发现长诗致马戛尔尼小姐,后致格列维尔太太,读《求冷漠的祷文诗人威廉·考伯

致马戛尔尼小姐,后致格列维尔太太,读《求冷漠的祷文

住在一个女人的心里,宽厚的上天安排了最美妙的狂喜,让她感到最雅致;在这样的胸中有这样一种愿望,它的本性是放弃,在卑微的安息中窒息,同时快乐和悲伤?那呼吸着低微欲望的思想,那紧张,离你远远的。诗里的抱怨多么甜蜜,尽管菲比斯在弹着七弦琴。来吧,美丽的少女(天生聪明),你知道,从慷慨的同情中,你能看出灼热的胸膛膨胀的快乐;为了公正地对待你们所共有的各种令人愉快的力量,请和我一起,在你们静默的时刻,组成更好的祈祷。用仁慈的香膏,让奥伯伦从此被驱往仙境,用每一种草药,使人类从天堂得到的感官变得迟钝。“啊!如果我至高无上的作者愿意,我决不愿在昏昏沉沉的安逸中过着不幸福的生活,在盛况中长眠;生命的每一根柔弱的纽带都受到蔑视,社交的乐趣从这里产生;与周围的世界无动于衷,孑然一身。” Some Alpine mountain wrapt in snow, Thus braves the whirling blast, Eternal winter doomed to know, No genial spring to taste; In vain warm suns their influence shed, The zephyrs sport in vain, He rears unchanged his barren head, Whilst beauty decks the plain. What though in scaly armour dress'd, Indifference may repel The shafts of woe, in such a breast No joy can ever dwell. 'Tis woven in the world's great plan, And fix'd by Heaven's decree, That all the true delights of man Should spring from Sympathy. 'Tis nature bids, and whilst the laws Of nature we retain, Our self-approving bosom draws A pleasure from its pain. Thus grief itself has comforts dear, The sordid never know; And ecstasy attends the tear, When virtue bids it flow. For when it streams from that pure source, No bribes the heart can win, To check, or alter from its course The luxury within. Peace to the phlegm of sullen elves, Who, if from labour eased, Extend no care beyond themselves, Unpleasing and unpleased. Let no low thought suggest the prayer! Oh! grant, kind Heaven, to me, Long as I draw ethereal air, Sweet Sensibility! Where'er the heavenly nymph is seen, With lustre-beaming eye, A train, attendant on their queen, (Her rosy chorus) fly. The jocund Loves in Hymen's band, With torches ever bright, And generous Friendship hand in hand, With Pity's watery sight. The gentler virtues too are join'd, In youth immortal warm, The soft relations which combined Give life her every charm. The Arts come smiling in the close, And lend celestial fire; The marble breathes, the canvas glows, The Muses sweep the lyre. 'Still may my melting bosom cleave To sufferings not my own; And still the sigh responsive heave, Where'er is heard a groan. So Pity shall take Virtue's part, Her natural ally, And fashioning my softened heart, Prepare it for the sky.' This artless vow may Heaven receive, And you, fond maid, approve: So may your guiding angel give Whate'er you wish or love. So may the rosy-fingered hours Lead on the various year, And every joy, which now is yours, Extend a larger sphere. And suns to come, as round they wheel, Your golden moments bless, With all a tender heart can feel, Or lively fancy guess.