按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
SET DOWN BY A GENTLEMAN
OF THE MIDDLE TEMPLE
（August 1824）
〃Referre sermones Deorum et Magna modis tenuare parvis。〃Horace。
I have thought it good to set down in writing a memorable debate；
wherein I was a listener； and two men of pregnant parts and great
reputation discoursers； hoping that my friends will not be displeased to
have a record both of the strange times through which I have lived； and of
the famous men with whom I have conversed。 It chanced in the warm
and beautiful spring of the year 1665； a little before the saddest summer
that ever London saw； that I went to the Bowling Green at Piccadilly；
whither； at that time； the best gentry made continual resorts。 There I met
Mr Cowley； who had lately left Barnelms。 There was then a house
preparing for him at Chertsey； and till it should be finished； he had come
up for a short time to London； that he might urge a suit to his Grace of
Buckingham touching certain lands of her Majesty's； whereof he requested
a lease。 I had the honour to be familiarly acquainted with that worthy
gentleman and most excellent poet； whose death hath been deplored with
as general a consent of all Powers that delight in the woods； or in verse； or
in love； as was of old that of Daphnis or of Callus。
After some talk； which it is not material to set down at large；
concerning his suit and his vexations at the court； where indeed his
honesty did him more harm than his parts could do him good； I entreated
86
… Page 87…
THE MISCELLANEOUS WRITINGS AND SPEECHES OF LORD MACAULAY
him to dine with me at my lodging in the Temple； which he most
courteously promised。 And； that so eminent a guest might not lack a
better entertainment than cooks or vintners can provide； I sent to the house
of Mr John Milton； in the Artillery Walk； to beg that he would also be my
guest。 For； though he had been secretary； first to the Council of State； and；
after that； to the Protector； and Mr Cowley had held the same post under
the Lord St Albans in his banishment； I hoped； notwithstanding that they
would think themselves rather united by their common art than divided by
their different factions。 And so indeed it proved。 For； while we sat at
table； they talked freely of many men and things； as well ancient as
modern； with much civility。 Nay； Mr Milton； who seldom tasted wine；
both because of his singular temperance and because of his gout； did more
than once pledge Mr Cowley； who was indeed no hermit in diet。 At last；
being heated； Mr Milton begged that I would open the windows。 〃Nay；〃
said I； 〃if you desire fresh air and coolness； what should hinder us； as the
evening is fair； from sailing for an hour on the river？〃 To this they both
cheerfully consented； and forth we walked； Mr Cowley and I leading Mr
Milton between us； to the Temple Stairs。 There we took a boat； and
thence we were rowed up the river。
The wind was pleasant； the evening fine； the sky； the earth； and the
water beautiful to look upon。 But Mr Cowley and I held our peace； and
said nothing of the gay sights around us； lest we should too feelingly
remind Mr Milton of his calamity； whereof； however； he needed no
monitor： for soon he said； sadly； 〃Ah； Mr Cowley； you are a happy man。
What would I now give but for one more look at the sun； and the waters；
and the gardens of this fair city！〃
〃I know not；〃 said Mr Cowley； 〃whether we ought not rather to envy
you for that which makes you to envy others： and that specially in this
place； where all eyes which are not closed in blindness ought to become
fountains of tears。 What can we look upon which is not a memorial of
change and sorrow； of fair things vanished； and evil things done？ When I
see the gate of Whitehall； and the stately pillars of the Banqueting House；
I cannot choose but think of what I have there seen in former days；
masques； and pageants； and dances； and smiles； and the waving of
87
… Page 88…
THE MISCELLANEOUS WRITINGS AND SPEECHES OF LORD MACAULAY
graceful heads； and the bounding of delicate feet。 And then I turn to
thoughts of other things； which even to remember makes me to blush and
weep；of the great black scaffold； and the axe and block； which were
placed before those very windows； and the voice seems to sound in mine
ears； the lawless and terrible voice； which cried out that the head of a king
was the head of a traitor。 There stands Westminster Hall； which who can
look upon； and not tremble to think how time； and change； and death
confound the councils of the wise； and beat down the weapons of the
mighty？ How have I seen it surrounded with tens of thousands of
petitioners crying for justice and privilege！ How have I heard it shake
with fierce and proud words； which made the hearts of the people burn
within them！ Then it is blockaded by dragoons； and cleared by pikemen。
And they who have conquered their master go forth trembling at the word
of their servant。 And yet a little while； and the usurper comes forth from
it； in his robe of ermine； with the golden staff in one hand and the Bible in
the other； amidst the roaring of the guns and the shouting of the people。
And yet again a little while； and the doors are thronged with multitudes in
black； and the hearse and the plumes come forth； and the tyrant is borne；
in more than royal pomp； to a royal sepulchre。 A few days more； and his
head is fixed to rot on the pinnacles of that very hall where he sat on a
throne in his life； and lay in state after his death。 When I think on all
these things； to look round me makes me sad at heart。 True it is that God
hath restored to us our old laws； and the rightful line of our kings。 Yet；
how I know not； but it seems to me that something is wantingthat our
court hath not the old gravity； nor our people the old loyalty。 These evil
times； like the great deluge； have overwhelmed and confused all earthly
things。 And； even as those waters； though at last t