登陆注册
1088700000027

第27章 与美丽邂逅 (9)

I continued in this way to move from tomb to tomb, and from chapel to chapel. The day was gradually wearing away; the distant tread of loiterers about the abbey grew less and less frequent; the sweet-tongued bell was summoning to evening prayers; and I saw at a distance the choristers, in their white surplices, crossing the aisle and entering the choir. I stood before the entrance to Henry the Seventh’ s chapel. A flight of steps lead up to it, through a deep and gloomy, but magnificent arch. Great gates of brass, richly and delicately wrought, turn heavily upon their hinges, as if proudly reluctant to admit the feet of common mortals into this most gorgeous of sepulchres.

On entering, the eye is astonished by the pomp of architecture, and the elaborate beauty of sculptured detail. The very walls are wrought into universal ornament, incrusted with tracery, and scooped into niches, crowded with the statutes of saints and martyrs. Stone seems, by the cunning labor of the chisel, to have been robbed of its weight and density, suspended aloft, as if by magic, and the fretted roof achieved with the wonderful minuteness and airy security of a cobweb.

Along the sides of the chapel are the lofty stalls of the Knights of the Bath, richly carved of oak, though with the grotesque decorations of Gothic architecture. On the pinnacles of the stalls are affixed the helmets and crests of the knights, with their scarfs and swords; and above them are suspended their banners, emblazoned with armorial bearings, and contrasting the splendor of gold and purple and crimson with the cold gray fretwork of the roof. In the midst of this grand mausoleum stands the sepulchre of its founder, — his effigy, with that of his queen, extended on a sumptuous tomb, and the whole surrounded by a superbly wrought brazen railing.

There is a sad dreariness in this magnificence: this strange mixture of tombs and trophies; these emblems of living and aspiring ambition, close beside mementos which show the dust and oblivion in which all must sooner or later terminate. Nothing impresses the mind with a deeper feeling of loneliness than to tread the silent and deserted scene of former throng and pageant. On looking round on the vacant stalls of the knights and their esquires, and on the rows of dusty but gorgeous banners that were once borne before them, my imagination conjured up the scene when this hall was bright with the valor and beauty of the land; glittering with the splendor of jeweled rank and military array; alive with the tread of many feet and the hum of an admiring multitude. All had passed away; the silence of death had settled again upon the which had found their way into the chapel, and built their nests among its friezes and pendants — sure sign of solitariness and desertion.

When I read the names inscribed on the banners, they were those of men scattered far and wide about the world; some tossing upon distant seas; some under arms in distant lands; same mingling in the busy intrigues of courts and cabinets; all seeking to deserve one more distinction in this mansion of shadowy honors: the melancholy reward of a monument.

Two small aisles on each side of this chapel present a touching instance of the equality of the graves; which brings down the oppressor to a level with the oppressed, and mingles the dust of the bitterest enemies together. In one is the sepulchre of the haughty Elizabeth; in the other is that of her victim, the lovely and unfortunate Mary. Not an hour in the day but some ejaculation of pity is uttered over the fate of the latter, mingled with indignation at her oppressor. The walls of Elizabeth’ s sepulchre continually echo with the sighs of sympathy heaved at the grave of her rival.

A peculiar melancholy reigns over the aisle where Mary lies buried. The light struggles dimly through windows darkened by dust. The greater part of the place is in deep shadow, and the walls are stained and tinted by time and weather. A marble figure of Mary is stretched upon the tomb, round which is an iron railing, much corroded, bearing her national emblem — the thistle. I was weary with wandering, and sat down to rest myself by the monument, revolving in my mind the checked and disastrous story of poor Mary.

The sound of casual footsteps had ceased from the abbey. I could only hear, now and then, the distant voice of the priest repeating the evening service, and the faint responses of the choir, these paused for a time, and all was hushed. The stillness, the desertion and obscurity that were gradually prevailing around, gave a deeper and more solemn interest to the place.

For in the silent grave no conversation,

No joyful tread of friends, no voice of lovers,

No careful father’ s counsel — nothing’ s heard,

For nothing is, but all oblivion,

Dust and an endless darkness.

正值深秋时节,这时的天气让人感觉冷清而忧郁,早晨的阴影几乎和傍晚的相接,这更给岁末衰落的气氛笼罩了一层灰蒙蒙的色彩。就是在这样的一天,我一个人在威斯敏斯特教堂走了几个小时。在这古老的建筑群中,有一种凄凉的感觉与这个季节的色调刚好吻合。我跨进门槛,似乎一脚迈进了古老的年代,将自己融入久远之前的夜色中。

同类推荐
  • 英文爱藏:转个弯人生更开阔

    英文爱藏:转个弯人生更开阔

    学英语不再枯燥无味——吴文智编著的《转个弯人生更开阔》内文篇 目均取自国外最经典、最权威、最流行、最动人的篇章,中英双语,适于 诵读,提升阅读能力;学英语不再沉闷辛苦——优美的语言、深厚的情感 、地道的英文,让我们在阅读这些动人的绝美篇章时,不仅能够提升生活 质量,丰富人生内涵,更能够轻松提升英文领悟能力,体味英文之……
  • 那些给我勇气的句子(每天读一点英文)

    那些给我勇气的句子(每天读一点英文)

    这是一套与美国人同步阅读的中英双语丛书,该丛书由美国英语教师协会推荐,特点有三:内文篇目取自世界上最经典、最有影响的寓言故事,适于诵读,“实战提升”部分,包括单词注解、实用句型和智慧点津。
  • 社会交往英语口语即学即用

    社会交往英语口语即学即用

    取材于人们所从事的社交活动的方方面面,范围广、实用性强。共包括7个部分:社交惯用语、家庭交往、社会生活、电话交往、商务交往、出行交往和社交语气。希望该书对具有中低层次英语水平的读者提高英语口语水平有所帮助。
  • 世界上最美的情诗

    世界上最美的情诗

    《世界上最美的情诗》从诗歌宝库中精选了百余篇具有代表性的篇章,所选篇目皆出自于名家之手,它们语言优美,意境深邃,篇篇可谓人类文明的共同财富。同时在本书内容的选择上也力求广泛,它们或讴歌大自然,或吟咏爱情,或感叹人生,可谓包罗人生的方方面面。
  • 那些难以忘怀的电影(每天读一点英文)

    那些难以忘怀的电影(每天读一点英文)

    该丛书由美国英语教师协会推荐,特点有三:内文篇目取自中外最经典、最权威、最流行的读本,适于诵读;“实战提升”部分,包括影片赏析、单词注解、脱口而出的句子,在重温经典中轻松掌握地道英语!
热门推荐
  • 网游之天下独行

    网游之天下独行

    一个被爱伤害的当代阿Q,再游戏中把这个精神继续发扬光大!看阿Q如何在游戏中展现自我!
  • 挖坑埋王爷:邪君狂妃

    挖坑埋王爷:邪君狂妃

    废材小姐逆袭崛起,绝代风华!一个狂傲霸道的王者对上桀骜嬉笑的现代异能者,腹黑对上腹黑,谁要坑了谁?……他:“拿了我的东西还说不是我的人?”她扯着手上脱不下来的镯子:“丫丫个呸,能拿下来我立马还你!”他:“哦~把手剁了!”她狗腿,笑:“哎呦,权爷您大人有大量,不用和我这个小女子计较才是。”【群号:375699229】
  • 第一弃后

    第一弃后

    她是窄巷之女,被太子夺爱与青梅竹马分开。后被奸人设计废除皇后之位打入冷宫,殊不知这一切均在她的算计之中。一代弃后,统帅六宫,造惊世传奇。
  • 护身保镖

    护身保镖

    自从叶玄当上了那个机器人女王的保镖之后,他的目标就只有一个,那就是让他那个美若天仙的姐姐过的好。
  • 明治天皇:孝明帝驾崩卷(下册)

    明治天皇:孝明帝驾崩卷(下册)

    《明治天皇》再现了日本从幕末走向明治维新的历史变革,以优美的文笔,宏大的场景,详细描绘了日本近代决定国运的倒幕运动的整个过程。本书塑造了一个个鲜活的日本近代史人物形象,以及他们的坚定信念,对“安政大狱”、“樱田门之变”等重大历史事件的描述详实生动,是一部了解近代日本不可多得的佳作。
  • 白崇禧传

    白崇禧传

    程思远编著的《白崇禧传——百年中国风云实录》不评论白崇禧个人的功过是非,唯集中记述其毕生经历。白崇禧曾在北伐、抗战帮助过蒋介石,但又三次逼蒋下野。蒋、白之间的悲欢离合,记录了国民党政权从发展、由兴到衰败的历程。
  • 网游之日久贱人心

    网游之日久贱人心

    意笑笑跟宿舍的好友丹妮都是游戏玩家。一次,丹妮在游戏中被人欺负,意笑笑不管自己极低的等级从而挑战大神。意笑笑因为这次壮举获得了该游戏公司的邀请函,成为了为数不多的新游戏体验测试员。然而这个公司的BOSS简晗就是游戏中的大神,两人相见,分外“眼红”。
  • 尸心不改

    尸心不改

    控尸门的欢乐二缺弟子江篱炼了一具美得人神共愤引得天雷阵阵的男尸,以为好日子开始了,结果没想到门派惨遭灭门。--情节虚构,请勿模仿
  • 我们三个都是穿越来的

    我们三个都是穿越来的

    我是因为看了很多的穿越小说,也很想穿越。谁想我想想就能穿越,穿越就穿越吧,居然穿成怀孕九月的待产产妇,开玩笑嘛!人家在二十一世纪还是黄花一枚呢。这也可以接受,可是明明是丞相之女,堂堂四皇子的正牌王妃怎么会居住在这么一个几十平米得破落小院子里,她怎么混的,亏她还一身绝世武功,再是医毒双绝。哎。没关系,既然让我继承了这么多优越条件,一个王爷算得了什么?生下一对龙凤胎,居然都是穿过来的,神啊,你对我太好了吧?且看我们母子三人在古代风生水起笑料百出的古代生活吧。片段一在我走出大门时,突然转身对着轩辕心安说道:“王爷,若是哪天不幸你爱上了我,我定会让你生不如死的。”然后魅惑地一笑,潇洒地走了出去。片段二当我对着铜镜里的美人自恋地哼出不着调地歌时。“别哼了,难听死了。”一个清脆的声音响起。~~~接着一声尖叫紧跟着另一声尖叫。我用上轻功躲进了被子里.~~~"我和你一样是二十一世纪来的。”“你好,娘亲,哥哥,以后要多多指教。”来自两个婴儿的嘴里,我摸摸额头,没高烧啊。片段三“小鱼儿,我可是你孩子的爹,况且我没有写休书,你还是我的王妃。我会对你好的。”安王爷霸道地说道。“你们认识他吗?他说是你们的爹?”我问着脚边的两个孩子。“不认识,”女孩说道。“我们的爹不是埋在土里了吗?怎么他一点也不脏?”男孩问道。那个男人满头黑线。“对不起,我们不认识你。”说完拉着孩子转身就走。片段四“爹爹,这是我娘,你看漂亮吧?”南宫心乐拉着一个白衣帅哥进来问道。我无语中。“爹爹,你看我娘亲厉害吧?“南宫心馨拉着另外一个妖精似地男人走了进来。我想晕。“这才是我们的爹。”“才不是呢,这个才是”两人开始吵起来了。“我才是你们的爹。”安王爷气急地吼道。“滚一边去。”两个小孩同时说道。屋里顿时混乱之中。转头,回屋睡觉去了。推荐完结文《别哭黛玉》完结文《穿越之无泪潇湘》新文,《极品花痴》
  • 飞碟探索30年

    飞碟探索30年

    将《飞碟探索》自创刊起,30年来的所有有关飞碟的尘封的或最前沿的珍贵资料悉数整理披露,首次集结成书权威曝光!40万字精华、经典记录,近百位专家、发烧友目击、研究纪录,并配有数百幅珍贵飞碟秘照,向读者系统、全面、直观地解读中外飞碟探索之旅。维基解密、霍金理论、地下实验、争议目击、神秘劫持……起源!事件!风声!秘密!真相!国内第一飞碟杂志30年研究精华结晶!为您一一探秘飞碟及外星人的前世今生。这是一本足以让飞碟“发烧友”大呼过瘾的飞碟圣经。