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September,1815➀
While not a leaf seems faded;while the fields,
With ripening harvest prodigally fair,
In brightest sunshine bask;this nipping air,
Sent from some distant clime where Winter wields
His icy scimitar,a foretaste yields
Of bitter change,and bids the flowers beware;
And whispers to the silent birds,‘Prepare
Against the threatening foe your trustiest shields.’
For me,who under kindlier laws belong
To Nature’s tuneful quire,this rustling dry
Through leaves yet green,and yon crystalline sky,
Announce a season potent to renew,
’Mid frost and snow,the instinctive joys of song,
And nobler cares than listless summer knew.
➀这首诗,表面是歌咏眼前的秋景并瞩望行将来到的冬天,实际上还有更深一层的寓意。作者作此诗时45岁,正是中年,也正是人生的秋天,照他看来,这个秋天是“丰饶”而“壮丽”的;对于行将来到的冬天(指老年),作者也以欣悦的心情加以赞颂,说它比夏天(指青壮年时期)更为“雄伟”,更为“高洁”。和那些悲秋、叹老的调子相比,这首诗的精神境界似乎要高出一筹。过了4年之后,49岁的作者在《1819年9月(其二)》一诗中,更加明确地将季节与自己的年龄相比照,并指出秋天的欢乐不亚于春天;又过了21年之后(1840年),70岁的作者写了一首十四行诗赠给女画家玛格丽特•吉列斯,诗中仍然说:老年岁月比青年时期更美、更神圣。
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