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1、【国外英文文学】Flower FablesFlower Fablesby Louisa May AlcottPondering shadows, colors, clouds Grass-buds, and caterpillar shrouds Boughs on which the wild bees settle, Tints that spot the violets petal. EMERSONS WOOD-NOTES. TO ELLEN EMERSON, FOR WHOM THEY WERE FANCIED, THESE FLOWER FABLES ARE INSCRIBED, B
2、Y HER FRIEND, THE AUTHOR.Boston, Dec. 9, 1854.ContentsThe Frost King: or, The Power of LoveEvas Visit to Fairy-LandThe Flowers LessonLily-Bell and ThistledownLittle BudClover-BlossomLittle Annies Dream: or, The Fairy FlowerRipple, the Water-SpiritFairy SongFLOWER FABLES.THE summer moon shone brightl
3、y down upon the sleeping earth, whilefar away from mortal eyes danced the Fairy folk. Fire-flies hungin bright clusters on the dewy leaves, that waved in the coolnight-wind; and the flowers stood gazing, in very wonder, at thelittle Elves, who lay among the fern-leaves, swung in the vine-boughs,sail
4、ed on the lake in lily cups, or danced on the mossy ground,to the music of the hare-bells, who rung out their merriest pealin honor of the night.Under the shade of a wild rose sat the Queen and her littleMaids of Honor, beside the silvery mushroom where the feastwas spread.Now, my friends, said she,
5、 to wile away the time till the brightmoon goes down, let us each tell a tale, or relate what we have doneor learned this day. I will begin with you, Sunny Lock, added she,turning to a lovely little Elf, who lay among the fragrant leavesof a primrose.With a gay smile, Sunny Lock began her story.As I
6、 was painting the bright petals of a blue bell, it told methis tale.THE FROST-KING: OR,THE POWER OF LOVE.THREE little Fairies sat in the fields eating their breakfast;each among the leaves of her favorite flower, Daisy, Primrose,and Violet, were happy as Elves need be.The morning wind gently rocked
7、them to and fro, and the sunshone warmly down upon the dewy grass, where butterflies spreadtheir gay wings, and bees with their deep voices sungamong the flowers; while the little birds hopped merrily aboutto peep at them.On a silvery mushroom was spread the breakfast; little cakesof flower-dust lay
8、 on a broad green leaf, beside a crimsonstrawberry, which, with sugar from the violet, and creamfrom the yellow milkweed, made a fairy meal, and their drink wasthe dew from the flowers bright leaves.Ah me, sighed Primrose, throwing herself languidly back,how warm the sun grows! give me another piece
9、 of strawberry, and then I must hasten away to the shadow of the ferns. But while I eat, tell me, dear Violet, why are you all so sad? I have scarce seen a happy face since my return from Rose Land; dear friend, what means it?I will tell you, replied little Violet, the tears gathering in her soft ey
10、es. Our good Queen is ever striving to keepthe dear flowers from the power of the cruel Frost-King; many ways she tried, but all have failed. She has sent messengers to his courtwith costly gifts; but all have returned sick for want of sunlight,weary and sad; we have watched over them, heedless of s
11、un or shower,but still his dark spirits do their work, and we are left to weepover our blighted blossoms. Thus have we striven, and in vain; and this night our Queen holds council for the last time. Thereforeare we sad, dear Primrose, for she has toiled and cared for us,and we can do nothing to help
12、 or advise her now.It is indeed a cruel thing, replied her friend; but as we cannothelp it, we must suffer patiently, and not let the sorrows of othersdisturb our happiness. But, dear sisters, see you not how highthe sun is getting? I have my locks to curl, and my robe to preparefor the evening; the
13、refore I must be gone, or I shall be brown asa withered leaf in this warm light. So, gathering a tiny mushroomfor a parasol, she flew away; Daisy soon followed, and Violet was left alone.Then she spread the table afresh, and to it came fearlessly the busyant and bee, gay butterfly and bird; even the
14、 poor blind mole andhumble worm were not forgotten; and with gentle words she gave to all,while each learned something of their kind little teacher; and thelove that made her own heart bright shone alike on all.The ant and bee learned generosity, the butterfly and birdcontentment, the mole and worm
15、confidence in the love of others;and each went to their home better for the little time they had beenwith Violet.Evening came, and with it troops of Elves to counsel their good Queen,who, seated on her mossy throne, looked anxiously upon the throngbelow, whose glittering wings and rustling robes gle
16、amed likemany-colored flowers.At length she rose, and amid the deep silence spoke thus:-Dear children, let us not tire of a good work, hard though it beand wearisome; think of the many little hearts that in their sorrowlook to us for help. What would the green earth be without itslovely flowers, and
17、 what a lonely home for us! Their beauty fillsour hearts with brightness, and their love with tender thoughts.Ought we then to leave them to die uncared for and alone? They giveto us their all; ought we not to toil unceasingly, that they maybloom in peace within their quiet homes? We have tried to g
18、ainthe love of the stern Frost-King, but in vain; his heart is hard ashis own icy land; no love can melt, no kindness bring it back tosunlight and to joy. How then may we keep our frail blossomsfrom his cruel spirits? Who will give us counsel? Who will beour messenger for the last time ? Speak, my s
19、ubjects.Then a great murmuring arose, and many spoke, some for costlier gifts,some for war; and the fearful counselled patience and submission.Long and eagerly they spoke, and their soft voices rose high.Then sweet music sounded on the air, and the loud tones were hushed,as in wondering silence the
20、Fairies waited what should come.Through the crowd there came a little form, a wreath of purewhite violets lay among the bright locks that fell so softlyround the gentle face, where a deep blush glowed, as, kneeling atthe throne, little Violet said:-Dear Queen, we have bent to the Frost-Kings power,
21、we have bornegifts unto his pride, but have we gone trustingly to him andspoken fearlessly of his evil deeds? Have we shed the soft lightof unwearied love around his cold heart, and with patient tendernessshown him how bright and beautiful love can make even the darkest lot?Our messengers have gone
22、fearfully, and with cold looks and courtly words offered him rich gifts, things he cared not for,and with equal pride has he sent them back.Then let me, the weakest of your band, go to him, trustingin the love I know lies hidden in the coldest heart.I will bear only a garland of our fairest flowers;
23、 these will I wind about him, and their bright faces, looking lovinglyin his, will bring sweet thoughts to his dark mind, and theirsoft breath steal in like gentle words. Then, when he sees themfading on his breast, will he not sigh that there is no warmth thereto keep them fresh and lovely? This wi
24、ll I do, dear Queen, andnever leave his dreary home, till the sunlight falls on flowersfair as those that bloom in our own dear land.Silently the Queen had listened, but now, rising and placing her handon little Violets head, she said, turning to the throng below:-We in our pride and power have erre
25、d, while this, the weakest andlowliest of our subjects, has from the innocence of her own pure heartcounselled us more wisely than the noblest of our train.All who will aid our brave little messenger, lift your wands,that we may know who will place their trust in the Power of Love.Every fairy wand g
26、listened in the air, as with silvery voicesthey cried, Love and little Violet.Then down from the throne, hand in hand, came the Queen and Violet,and till the moon sank did the Fairies toil, to weave a wreathof the fairest flowers. Tenderly they gathered them, with thenight-dew fresh upon their leave
27、s, and as they wove chanted sweetspells, and whispered fairy blessings on the bright messengerswhom they sent forth to die in a dreary land, that their gentlekindred might bloom unharmed.At length it was done; and the fair flowers lay glowing in the soft starlight, while beside them stood the Fairie
28、s, singingto the music of the wind-harps:- We are sending you, dear flowers, Forth alone to die, Where your gentle sisters may not weep Oer the cold graves where you lie; But you go to bring them fadeless life In the bright homes where they dwell, And you softly smile that t is so, As we sadly sing
29、farewell. O plead with gentle words for us, And whisper tenderly Of generous love to that cold heart, And it will answer ye; And though you fade in a dreary home, Yet loving hearts will tell Of the joy and peace that you have given: Flowers, dear flowers, farewell!The morning sun looked softly down
30、upon the broad green earth, which like a mighty altar was sending up clouds of perfume from itsbreast, while flowers danced gayly in the summer wind, and birds sangtheir morning hymn among the cool green leaves. Then high above,on shining wings, soared a little form. The sunlight rested softlyon the
31、 silken hair, and the winds fanned lovingly the bright face,and brought the sweetest odors to cheer her on.Thus went Violet through the clear air, and the earth lookedsmiling up to her, as, with the bright wreath folded in herarms, she flew among the soft, white clouds.On and on she went, over hill
32、and valley, broad rivers andrustling woods, till the warm sunlight passed away, the windsgrew cold, and the air thick with falling snow. Then far belowshe saw the Frost-Kings home. Pillars of hard, gray ice supportedthe high, arched roof, hung with crystal icicles. Dreary gardens lay around, filled
33、with withered flowers and bare, drooping trees;while heavy clouds hung low in the dark sky, and a cold windmurmured sadly through the wintry air.With a beating heart Violet folded her fading wreath more closelyto her breast, and with weary wings flew onward to the dreary palace.Here, before the clos
34、ed doors, stood many forms with dark faces andharsh, discordant voices, who sternly asked the shivering little Fairywhy she came to them.Gently she answered, telling them her errand, beseeching themto let her pass ere the cold wind blighted her frail blossoms.Then they flung wide the doors, and she
35、passed in.Walls of ice, carved with strange figures, were around her;glittering icicles hung from the high roof, and soft, white snowcovered the hard floors. On a throne hung with clouds satthe Frost-King; a crown of crystals bound his white locks, anda dark mantle wrought with delicate frost-work w
36、as folded overhis cold breast.His stern face could not stay little Violet, and on throughthe long hall she went, heedless of the snow that gathered onher feet, and the bleak wind that blew around her; while the Kingwith wondering eyes looked on the golden light that played upon thedark walls as she
37、passed.The flowers, as if they knew their part, unfolded their bright leaves,and poured forth their sweetest perfume, as, kneeling at the throne,the brave little Fairy said,-O King of blight and sorrow, send me not away till I havebrought back the light and joy that will make your dark home brightan
38、d beautiful again. Let me call back to the desolate gardens thefair forms that are gone, and their soft voices blessing you willbring to your breast a never failing joy. Cast by your icy crownand sceptre, and let the sunlight of love fall softly on your heart.Then will the earth bloom again in all i
39、ts beauty, and your dim eyeswill rest only on fair forms, while music shall sound through thesedreary halls, and the love of grateful hearts be yours. Have pityon the gentle flower-spirits, and do not doom them to an early death,when they might bloom in fadeless beauty, making us wiser by theirgentl
40、e teachings, and the earth brighter by their lovely forms.These fair flowers, with the prayers of all Fairy Land, I laybefore you; O send me not away till they are answered.And with tears falling thick and fast upon their tender leaves,Violet laid the wreath at his feet, while the golden light grew
41、everbrighter as it fell upon the little form so humbly kneeling there.The Kings stern face grew milder as he gazed on the gentle Fairy,and the flowers seemed to look beseechingly upon him; while theirfragrant voices sounded softly in his ear, telling of their dyingsisters, and of the joy it gives to
42、 bring happiness to the weakand sorrowing. But he drew the dark mantle closer over his breastand answered coldly,-I cannot grant your prayer, little Fairy; it is my willthe flowers should die. Go back to your Queen, and tell herthat I cannot yield my power to please these foolish flowers.Then Violet
43、 hung the wreath above the throne, and with weary footwent forth again, out into the cold, dark gardens, and still thegolden shadows followed her, and wherever they fell, flowers bloomedand green leaves rustled.Then came the Frost-Spirits, and beneath their cold wings theflowers died, while the Spir
44、its bore Violet to a low, dark cell,saying as they left her, that their King was angry that she had daredto stay when he had bid her go.So all alone she sat, and sad thoughts of her happy home came backto her, and she wept bitterly. But soon came visions of the gentleflowers dying in their forest homes, and their voices ringingin her ear, imploring her to save them. Then she wept no longer,but patiently awaited what might come.Soon the golden light gleamed faintly through the cell, and she heardlittle