「美国文学」历史与想象：品读朗费罗的《铠甲骷髅》(8)

Follow the sea-mew’s flight, 不该随海鸥飞走，
Why did they leave that night 为什么她的香巢
Her nest unguarded? 那天夜晚却无人防守？

“Scarce had I put to sea, “我带着这姑娘，
Bearing the maid with me, 刚刚上船，离开陆地，
Fairest of all was she （在所有的北欧人中
Among the Norsemen! 就数她最美丽！）
When on the white sea-strand, 我们瞧见老喜德布兰
Waving his armed hand, 带着二十名骑兵，
Saw we old Hildebrand, 挥动披甲的手臂，
With twenty horsemen. 来到白色的海滨。
“Then launched they to the blast, “他们迎着风开船，
Bent like a reed each mast, 桅杆像芦苇一样弯，
Yet we were gaining fast, 我们已接近胜利，
When the wind failed us; 风却和我们为难；
And with a sudden flaw 一阵急遽的狂飚
Came round the gusty Skaw, 把船吹向斯科角；
So that our foe we saw 我们看见追踪的敌人
Laugh as he hailed us. 向我们呼喊、狞笑。
“And as to catch the gale “船帆遇到了大风，
Round veered the flapping sail, 拍动着，旋转不停，