具体描述
Animportant and innovative edition of Milton's shorter verse & the first volume to presentthe poems with the original spelling and pronunciations intact, offering readers the opportunity to experience the vitality of the poems as they were experienced by Milton’s contemporaries Includes Milton's original Latin poems, with a new English translation on facing pages for cross-comparison Serves as a companion to Lewalski's Paradise Lost and Loewenstein's prose selections of Milton Features both collected and uncollected poetry in English, Latin, and Greek, the latter two with translations Retains original spelling and punctuation of Milton's 1645 Poems and his 1671 Paradise Regained and Sampson Agonistes Offers readers comprehensive footnotes, marginal glosses, chronology, bibliography, and longer discussions in introductions to sections
约翰·弥尔顿:未尽的颂歌与沉思 这部作品并非收录了约翰·弥尔顿先生那些宏大叙事、振聋发聩的史诗篇章,例如《失乐园》中关于创世之初的宏伟描绘,或是《复乐园》中基督在旷野受试炼的坚定意志。也非他那些雄辩激扬、直指时弊的政治论文,如《论出版自由》所倡导的真理之光。相反,它是一本精心编撰的书籍,聚焦于弥尔顿先生在人生不同阶段、以更为内敛却同样深邃的笔触所创作的,那些不那么广为人知,却同样闪耀着思想光芒和艺术价值的短小诗篇。 在这里,我们不会寻觅到撒旦在天堂地狱间的奔走呼号,也不会听到天使与魔鬼的哲学辩论。取而代之的是,我们将一同走进弥尔顿先生更为私人的心灵世界,体味他在青春的憧憬、成年的忧虑、以及晚年的沉思中所流露出的情感与哲思。这些诗篇,如同散落在珠玑,虽然篇幅不及巨著,但其精炼的语言、深刻的意象,以及对人性、自然、时间和神性的细腻捕捉,足以让我们窥见这位文学巨匠心灵深处更为柔软、更为真切的一面。 本书所涵盖的诗歌,展现了弥尔顿早期的才华与抱负。在他尚在剑桥大学求学时期,或是在他踏入社会、开始人生旅程的初期,他便已显露出非凡的语言天赋和对古典文学的深刻理解。我们将在其中看到他如何运用精妙的格律和丰富的想象力,描绘出诸如田园牧歌式的场景,抒发少年时期对理想、友谊和爱情的朦胧向往。这些诗篇,或许带着一丝青涩,却已然蕴含着日后宏篇巨制所共有的那种对语言的极致追求,对形式的严谨掌控,以及对主题的深邃思考。例如,他可能以一首献给恩师的颂词,表达对知识的崇敬和对智慧的渴求;又或是一首描写乡村景色的田园诗,捕捉自然界中转瞬即逝的美丽,并从中引申出对生命短暂与永恒的哲思。这些作品,如同初生的朝阳,虽然尚未完全绽放,却已然预示着未来的光辉。 随着作者年龄的增长和人生阅历的丰富,诗歌的主题也随之深化。在人生的中年,当他面临着政治风波、个人困境,以及对信仰和救赎的深刻反思时,他的诗歌便开始流露出更为沉郁和哲思的色彩。这些诗篇,不再仅仅是青春的颂歌,而是对生命意义、时间流逝、以及人类在宇宙中的位置的严肃探讨。我们可能会发现,在某些诗句中,他会用古典的神话意象,来隐喻现实世界的复杂与挑战;又或者,他会以一种近乎冥想的方式,审视个人的罪与罚,对救赎的可能进行追问。这些作品,或许不再洋溢着青春的奔放,却充满了成熟的智慧和对真理的执着追求。他可能在感叹岁月的无情,提醒我们生命的短暂,又或者在赞美那些在逆境中坚持信念的人们,传递出一种不屈不挠的精神力量。 即使在晚年,当疾病和失明逐渐剥夺了他的视觉,弥尔顿的内心世界依然充满了炽热的思想和不灭的灵感。尽管创作的数量可能有所减少,但这些晚年的诗篇,却往往蕴含着更加深沉的智慧和对永恒的向往。在黑暗中,他或许更加清晰地看到了内心的光明,更加深刻地理解了信仰的力量。这些作品,可能不再是宏大叙事的开端,而更像是对生命终极意义的最后诘问与回答。他可能在对上帝的恩典表达感激,又或者在用他那非凡的想象力,描绘一个超越物质世界的精神国度。这些诗篇,如同古老钟声的回响,悠远而绵长,触动着我们内心深处对生命、对信仰最根本的追问。 本书的价值,不仅在于它所收录的诗篇本身,更在于它为我们提供了一个观察约翰·弥尔顿这位伟大诗人,从一个充满激情的青年,蜕变为一位饱经沧桑却依然坚守信仰的智者,这一完整而动人的心路历程。通过这些短小的篇章,我们可以更清晰地看到他思想的演变,情感的起伏,以及他对于语言艺术的不断探索与超越。这些诗篇,如同一个个窗口,让我们得以窥视他心灵深处最为私密的角落,感受到他作为一个人,在面对人生种种挑战时的挣扎、思考与升华。 这些短小诗篇的魅力,还在于它们对语言的极致运用。弥尔顿以其对拉丁语和希腊语的精通,以及对英语语言的深刻理解,创造出一种既严谨又富有表现力的诗歌语言。他的词汇的选择,句式的安排,以及音韵的运用,都达到了登峰造极的境界。即便在相对简短的篇幅中,他也能够构建出层层递进的意象,引发读者丰富的联想。阅读这些诗篇,就如同品味一杯陈年的美酒,初入口时或许平淡,但回味无穷,越品越觉其醇厚与甘甜。 Furthermore, the poems present a rich tapestry of classical allusions and biblical references, demonstrating Milton's profound learning and his ability to weave these ancient threads into a contemporary poetic fabric. He masterfully employs myths and scriptures not as mere ornamentation, but as integral elements that lend depth and resonance to his explorations of human nature, fate, and divine providence. This interweaving of the ancient and the personal offers a unique perspective on how Milton grappled with enduring questions of existence, often finding parallels and insights in the narratives of the past. The collection also serves as a testament to Milton's enduring concern with moral and spiritual matters. Even in his shorter works, the undercurrent of his deep religious convictions and his unwavering belief in the power of truth and virtue is palpable. He often uses these poems to reflect on the nature of good and evil, the struggle for self-mastery, and the ultimate hope for redemption. These themes, explored with a poet's sensitivity and a philosopher's rigor, invite readers to engage in their own introspection and consider their place within the larger moral and spiritual order. The careful curation of this volume aims to showcase the remarkable versatility of Milton's poetic voice. While his epic poems are monumental achievements, these shorter pieces reveal a different, yet equally compelling, facet of his genius. They highlight his ability to distill complex ideas into concise, evocative language, and to express a wide range of emotions with both sincerity and artistry. Whether he is mourning a lost friend, celebrating a joyous occasion, or contemplating the mysteries of the universe, Milton’s pen remains sharp, his vision clear, and his spirit indomitable. In essence, this book is an invitation to a more intimate encounter with John Milton. It offers a chance to move beyond the grand narratives and engage with the poet’s more personal reflections, his subtle observations, and his enduring wisdom. It is a collection for those who appreciate the power of finely crafted verse, the depth of philosophical inquiry, and the timeless exploration of the human condition. It is a journey into the heart of a poet, a thinker, and a soul who, through his shorter works, continues to illuminate our understanding of ourselves and the world around us, long after his earthly voice has fallen silent.