高中英语 THE GOOD PRIEST OF GOURIN课外阅读素材.docVIP

THE GOOD PRIEST OF GOURIN IN dark old Brittany linger Traditions and tales of the past, When belief was more moving than now And the world more wondrous and vast. Here is a strange sweet legend 5 That has many a time been told, But never before was written down In language new or old. Passing from lip to lip Through that province by the sea, 10 The faith-worn treasure came at last To the friend who gave it to me. In the ancient graveyard at Gourin My friend espied one stone Quite new, on top of its pediments 15 Age-worn and lichen-grown. The old old slab, they said, As a questioning look they caught, Was worn away by the feet Of little children, brought 20 By mothers to walk on the tomb. A word of amazement led To this tale of the ancient days And the goodness of one long dead. Hundreds of years ago 25 In the parish there lived a priest Greatly beloved by his people And his children—not the least. For he loved the little folk Even as the Master had done 30 When He took them up in his arms And blessed them every one. But one sad human weakness Afflicted this good curé. When he had fallen asleep 35 After his work of the day, He could hardly be roused again, But would drift back into sleep, As a vessel cut from her moorings Will drift out onto the deep. 40 One night as he slept there came A hurried knock at his door, To summon him to baptize A little one stricken sore. Yes, yes, he would come at once! 45 But frail is our flesh. The tide Of sleep engulfed him again, And by morning the child had died. Grief for the loss of a soul And remorse tore at his heart. 50 Unworthy one! He could serve No longer, he must depart! So one ni