LESSON 9 Grace darling

第九课 格蕾丝·达琳

A Maiden gentle, yet, at duty's call,

一位生性温柔的少女，然而，在职责的感召下，

Firm and unflinching as the Lighthouse reared

就如同岛礁上树立起的灯塔般坚定牢固、无所畏惧，

On the Island-rock, her lonely dwelling-place:

她的家就安在那孤独的岛礁上，

Or like the invincible Rock itself that braves,

这少女又或者像是那勇敢无畏无人能征服的磐石本身，

Age after age, the hostile elements,

年复一年，对抗着自然界所有的力量，

As when it guarded holy Cuthbert's cell.

就如它那时刻守护着的神圣的卡斯伯特的小屋。

All night the storm had raged, nor ceased, nor paused,

整夜里海面上狂风暴雨持续肆虐，无休无止，

When, as day broke, the Maid, through misty air,

当天刚破晓，少女透过朦胧迷雾，

Espies far off a Wreck, amid the surf,

看到在海浪之中远处的残骸，

Beating on one of those disastrous isles;—

在其中一个小岛上损失惨重——，

Half of a Vessel, half—no more;

整个的船舰只剩一半，另一半已不复存在；

the rest had vanished, swallowed up with all that there had for the common safety striven in vain,

其余的部分消失不见，即使被淹没到那个可怕的程度，他们为了共同的安全，依然在努力却徒劳地挣扎自救，

Or thither thronged for refuge.

也可能为了寻求避难的安全之地在那边挤成一堆。

With quick glance, Daughter and Sire through optic-glass discern,

只那么快速的一瞥，女儿和父亲借助着望远镜看到，

Clinging about the remnant of this Ship,

紧抓着这艘船的残骸上的幸存的人们，

Creatures—how precious in the Maiden's sight!

少女的视线里的这些生命是那么的无尚珍贵！

For whom, belike, the old man grieves still more

或许，相比于那些已经被海浪吞噬的遇难的船员们，

Than for their fellow-sufferers engulfed

老人对这些紧抓着残骸的幸存的人们更过难过痛心，

Where every parting agony is hushed,

在那里每一份离别的痛苦都是缄默的，

And hope and fear mix not in further strife.

希望与恐惧交织着，不再争吵和解释，

"But courage, Father! let us out to sea—

“父亲，让我们鼓起勇气，一起出海——

A few may yet be saved." The Daughter's words,

或许可以救上来几个人。“女儿如是说道，

Her earnest tone, and look beaming with faith,

她认真的语气，脸上映射着信仰的光芒，

Dispel the Father's doubts: nor do they lack

消除了父亲的疑虑：他们拥有着

The noble-minded Mother's helping hand

高贵的心灵，和圣母似的乐于施以援助的手

To launch the boat; and with her blessing cheered,

带着祝福的欢呼，敞篷船开始下水，

And inwardly sustained by silent prayer,

他们的内心不断的默默祈祷，

Together they put forth, Father and Child!

他们一起起航了，父亲和孩子！