p and two shaky legs。 So I might as well stay over here and play around the old conflict for a while。
Also Ma; I'm in love again。 Now don't get the wind up and start worrying about me getting married for I'm not。 As I told you once before; raise My fight hand and promise; so don't get up in the air and cable and write me。 I'm not even going to get engaged。 Loud Cheers。 So don't write any “God Bless U; My Children”: Not for about 10 years。 You're a dear old kid; and you're still my best girl。 Kiss me。 Very good。 Now goodbye and God bless you and write me often… So long old dear。 I love you。
Ernie
托马斯·格雷致母亲
托马斯·格雷(1716—1771),英国著名诗人;曾在剑桥大学就读,但未获文凭,随后两年漫游欧洲,遍访法国、瑞士、意大利。格雷早期受感伤主义和浪漫派诗歌的影响,他的诗歌以普通人为主人公,反映了死亡的悲哀和痛苦。1750年,格雷发表长诗《墓畔哀歌》,受到文学史家和批评家的一致赞扬。《墓畔哀歌》让格雷声名鹊起,也把“墓园派”诗歌推向了顶峰。后来创作的《诗的历程》和《吟游诗人》为格雷赢得了“桂冠诗人”的荣誉。
我们抵达这里,欣赏了世界上最美丽国家的最迷人的风景。在已逝的三千年里,它的每一个景点都举世闻名。这个季节至今都像春天般温暖,令人心旷神怡,不像传闻说的那样空气污浊、热浪滚滚。人们都说今年四季延迟,因此对庄稼、酒和石油的生产很不利;但我们却没有这些忧虑,所以感到很愉快。我们途经维勒特里、西斯特那、泰拉奇纳、卡普阿、阿韦尔萨,然后来到那不勒斯。离开教皇圣地没多久,地貌便从空旷荒芜的平原变成郁郁葱葱的树林和精耕细作的玉米地。里面穿插着几排榆树,一排排枝叶交错像悬挂在树间的花彩。高大的老无花果树,枝繁叶茂的橘子树和篱笆丛中的桃金娘交相辉映,构筑了一道你所能想像到的最赏心悦目的风景。另外,道路宽阔通畅,行人络绎不绝,我很久没有见过这样的景象了。城中景象更令人惊叹:这个城里的人比巴黎和伦敦多多了;邻街的街道相连,形成了一个大市场。摩肩接踵的人流让车马都难以行走,普通市民异常活跃,比一般意大利人要勤劳得多。他们能披星戴月地工作,然后操起鲁特琴或吉他(他们都善于奏乐),或漫步在城中,或徜徉于海滩,并且陶醉在画壁画的快乐中,还看见他们的小孩有着棕色的皮肤,赤裸着上身,稍大点的孩子则击板起舞,由别人为他们击钹伴奏。你手上的地图会标出那不勒斯的位置,它位于世界上最可爱的海湾,与最宁静的海域之一毗邻。除了自然美景,它还有许多其他美丽的地方。我们花了两天时间参观那不勒斯周边的名胜,如巴亚湾、古城遗迹、阿韦尔诺湖、硫磺温泉、卡隆的避暑洞穴等。我们去过西比尔的岩洞和许多地下奇怪的洞穴(我只说出它们的名字,因为你可以在桑德的游记中查到)。今天,我进了最奇异的一个岩洞,也就是波尔蒂奇岩洞,这里有着西西里国王建造的乡村别墅。一年前,人们在挖掘时,发现了地底下三十多英尺深处的一些古老建筑。在好奇心的驱使下,他们继续挖掘,自那时起他们就一直挖个不停。他们挖出的通道蜿蜒曲折,现在已经有一英里多长。你边走边看,可以见到一座圆形剧场的遗址,很多房子都装饰着大理石圆柱,其装潢都是一个模样;在一座寺庙的正面,好几个拱顶房间里都装饰着壁画。从这里拿走的一些画是目前为止所发现的最好作品,国王用它们来装饰他的宫殿。这里还有一定数量的雕像、勋章和珍宝;每天都能挖掘出好多。人们认为这是座提图斯皇帝统治时期的罗马古城,附近的维苏威火山爆发,淹没了整座城市。屋木横梁保存完好,能清晰地看见木纹,但它已完全炭化,轻轻一碰就化为灰烬。今天,我们去了那座火山脚下,看到火山熔岩流的物质,大概是四年前冲下山的;现在山口只冒一点儿烟。我们只能在这里逗留几天,说实在的,目睹这样胜地美景的时间真是太短了。
1740年6月17日于那不勒斯
Thomas Gray
To
Naples;
June 17; 1740。
Our journey hither was through the most beautiful part of the finest country in the world; and every spot of it on some account or other; famous for these three thousand years past。 The season has hitherto been just as warm as one would wish it; no unwholesome airs; or violent heats; yet heard of: The people call it a backward year; and are in pain about their corn; wine; and oil; but we; who are neither corn; wine; nor oil; find it very agreeable。 Our road was through Velletri; Cisterna; Terracina; Capua; and Aversa; and so to Naples。 The minute one leaves his Holiness's dominions; the face of things begins to change from wide uncultivated plains to olive groves and welltilled fields of corn; intermixed with ranks of elms; every one of which has its vine twining about it; and hanging in festoons between the rows from one tree to another。 The great old figtrees; the oranges in full bloom; and myrtles in every hedge; make one of the delightfullest scenes you can conceive; besides that; the roads are wide; wellkept; and full of passengers; a sight I have not beheld this long time。 My wonder still increased upon entering the city, which I think for number of people; outdoes both Paris and London。 The streets are one continued market; and thronged with populace so much that a coach can hardly pass。 The mon sort are a jolly lively kind of animals; more industrious than Italians usually are; they work till evening; then take their lute or guitar (for they all play)and walk about the city; or upon the seashore with it; to enjoy the fresco。 One sees their little brown children jumping about starknaked; and the bigger ones dancing with castanets; while others play on the cymbal to them。 Your maps will show you the situation of Naples; it is on the most lovely bay in the world; and one of the calmest seas: it has many other beauties besides those of nature。 We have spent two days in visiting the remarkable places in the country round it; such as the bay of Baya, and its remains of antiquity; the lake Avernus; and the Solfatara; Charon's grotto; etc。, We have been in the Sybil's cave and many other strange holes under ground (I only name them because you may consult Sandy's travels); but the strangest hole I ever was in; has been today at a place called Portici; where his Sicilian Majesty has a countryseat。 About a year ago; as they were digging; they discovered some parts of ancient buildings above thirty feet deep in the ground: Curiosity led them on; and they have been digging ever since; the passage they have made; with all its turnings and windings; is now more than a mile long。 As you walk you see parts of an amphitheatre; many houses adorned with marble columns; and incrusted with the same the front of a temple; several arched vaults of rooms painted in fresco。 Some pieces of painting have been taken out from hence finer than any thing of the kind before discovered; and with these the king has adorned his palace; also a number of statues; medals; and gems; and more are dug out every day。 This is known to be a Roman town; that in the emperor Titus's time was overwhelmed by a furious eruption of Mount Vesuvius; which is hard by。 The wood and beams remain so perfect that you may see the grain! but burnt to a coal; and dropping into dust upon the least touch。 We were today at the foot of that mountain; which at present smokes only a little; where we saw the materials that fed the stream of fire; which about four years since ran down its side。 We have but a few days longer to stay here ;too little in conscience for such a place。
西奥多·罗斯福致泰德
西奥多·罗斯福(1858—1919),美国第26届总统。他出生于纽约市的一个荷兰家庭,父亲权势显赫。1880年,罗斯福毕业于哈佛大学,后入哥伦比亚法学院继续学习。他热衷于政治活动,对法律并不感兴趣。23岁时,罗斯福就参加了纽约州议会,成为共和党领袖之一。1900年就任副总统。1901年,麦金利总统遇刺身亡,罗斯福继任总统。罗斯福为人正直,力求公正。在任期间,他主张改革,大力提倡发展经济,关心广大民众的利益,政绩斐然,是一位对美国政坛具有深远影响的总统。
亲爱的泰德:
见到你我真的非常高兴,我们一起度过了愉快的时光。我觉得你干得很不错,离开时我是这么想的。我非常满意你在学习和体育方面的名次。我希望你体育好,更希望你读书好。但是,如果得第一需要你过度用功,甚至损害健康的话,我不期望你在这两方面名列第一。我一直坚信,做任何事,都要全力以赴,无论是学拉丁文还是学数学,练拳击或者打橄榄球,但同时也要均衡适度。如果不是为了远大的目标,绝不值得把人弄得精疲力竭或去冒巨大风险。我要你继续训练本领,一旦需要,就可以拿出你的全部勇气和力量投入竞争。但我不要你滥用这些本领,只是要你尽量打好橄榄球,在拳击和摔跤上赢得一席之地,成为二线队员的领袖人物,而学习要在班上排到二三名,做到这些就足够了。如果看到你在班上仅占中游水平,那我将很伤心,因为(你不到十九岁就不能上大学,因此就要迟一年走向社会)我要你充分准备,以便弥补这种耽搁。但我知道,所有你所能做的一切就是要确保目前你在班上所处的位置。我完全相信你,因为你从未让人失望过。
1901年5月7日于牡蛎湾