美(On beauty)

详细内容

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andapoetsaid,speaktousofbeauty.

andheanswered:

whereshallyouseekbeauty,andshallyoufindherunlesssheherselfbeyourwayandyourguide?

andhowshallyouspeakofherexceptshebetheweaverofyourspeech?

theaggrievedandinjuredsay,“beautyiskindandgentle.

likeayoungmotherhalf-shyofherowngloryshewalksamongus.”

andthepassionatesay,“nay,beautyisathingofmightanddread.

likethetempestsheshakestheearthbeneathusandtheskyaboveus.”

thetiredandthewearysay,“beautyisofsoftwhisperings.shespeaksinourspirit.hervoiceyieldstooursilenceslikeafaintlightthatquiversinfearoftheshadow.”

buttherestlesssay,“wehaveheardhershoutingamongthemountains.

andwithhercriescamethesoundofhoofs,andthebeatingofwingsandtheroaringoflions.”

atnightthewatchmenofthecitysay,“beautyshallrisewiththedawnfromtheeast.”andatnoontidethetoilersandthewayfarerssay,“wehaveseenherleaningovertheearthfromthewindowsofthesunset.”

inwintersaythesnow-bound,“sheshallewiththespringleapinguponthehill.”

andinthesummerheatthereaperssay,“wehaveseenherdancingwiththeautumnleaves,andwesawadriftofsnowinherhair.”

allthesethingshaveyousaidofbeauty.

yetintruthyouspokenotofherbutofneedsunsatisfied,

andbeautyisnotaneedbutanecstasy.

itisnotamouththirstingnoranemptyhandstretchedforth.

butratheraheartenflamedandasoulenchanted.

itisnottheimageyouwouldseenorthesongyouwouldhear,

butratheranimageyouseethoughyoucloseyoureyesandasongyouhearthoughyoushutyourears.

itisnotthesapwithinthefurrowedbark,norawingattachedtoaclaw,

butratheragardenforeverinbloomandaflockofangelsforeverinflight.

peopleoforphalese,beautyislifewhenlifeunveilsherholyface.

butyouarelifeandyouaretheveil.

beautyiseternitygazingatitselfinamirror.

butyouareeternityandyouarethemirror.

vocabulary:

aggrieve:令委屈，令苦恼

noontide:正午，白昼

enchant:施魔法，使迷惑

furrow:犁，耕