Text A
Washington D .C .
My very dear Sarah:
The indications are very strong that we shall move in a few days - perhaps tomorrow .
Lest I should not be able to write you again , I feel impelled to write lines that may fall under your eye when I shall be no more .
Our movement may be one of a few days duration and full of pleasure -and it may be one of severe conflict and death to me.Not my will, but thine O God, be done .
If it is necessary that I should fall on the battlefield for my country, I am ready.I have no misgivings about , or lack of confidence in, the cause in which I am engaged, and my courage does not halt or falter.I know how strongly American Civilization now leans upon the triumph of the Government , and how great a debt we owe to those who went before us through the blood and suffering of the Revolution.And I am willing - perfectly willing - to lay down all my joys in this life, to help maintain this Government, and to pay that debt .
But , my dear wife, when I know that with my own joys I lay down nearly all of yours, and replace them in this life with cares and sorrows - when, after having eaten for long years the bitter fruit of orphanage myself, I must offer it as their only sustenance to my dear little children - is it weak or dishonorable,while the banner of my purpose floats calmly and proudly in the breeze, that my unbounded love for you, my darling wife and children, should struggle in fierce, though useless, contest with my love of country ?
I cannot describe to you my feelings on this calm summer night, when two thousand men are sleeping around me, many of them enjoying the last ,perhaps, before that of death - and I, suspicious that Death is creeping behind me with his fatal dart , am communing with God , my country, and thee .
I have sought most closely and diligently, and often in my breast , for a wrong motive in thus hazarding the happiness of those I loved and I could not find one.A pure love of my country and of the principles have often advocated before the people and“the name of honor that I love more than I fear death”
have called upon me, and I have obeyed .
Sarah , my love for you is deathless, it seems to bind me to you with mighty cables that nothing but Omnipotence could break; and yet my love of Country comes over me like a strong wind and bears me irresistibly on with all these chains to the battlefield .
The memories of the blissful moments I have spent with you come creeping over me, and I feel most gratified to God and to you that I have enjoyed them so long.And hard it is for me to give them up and burn to ashes the hopes of future years, when God willing, we might still have lived and loved together and seen our sons grow up to honorable manhood around us.I have, I know,but few and small claims upon Divine Providence,but something whispers tome - perhaps it is the wafted prayer of my little Edgar - that I shall returnto my loved ones unharmed.If I do not , my dear Sarah, never forget how much I love you, and when my last breath escapes me on the battlefield, it will whisper your name .
Forgive my many faults, and the many pains I have caused you.How thoughtless and foolish I have oft-times been ! How gladly would I wash out with my tears every little spot upon your happiness, and struggle with all the misfortune of this world, to shield you and my children from harm.But I cannot.I must watch you from the spirit land and hover near you, while you buffet the storms with your precious little freight ,and wait with sad patience till we meet to part no more .
But , O Sarah ! If the dead can come back to this earth and flit unseen around those they loved, I shall always be near you; in the garish day and in the darkest night - amidst your happiest scenes and gloomiest hours - always,always ; and if there be a soft breeze upon your cheek, it shall be my breath; or the cool air fans your throbbing temple, it shall be my spirit passing by .
Sarah , do not mourn me dead; think I am gone and wait for thee, for we shall meet again .
As for my little boys, they will grow as I have done, and never know a father s love and care.Little Willie is too young to remember me long, and my blue-eyed Edgar will keep my frolics with him among the dimmest memories of his childhood.Sarah, I have unlimited con fidence in your maternal care and your development of their characters.Tell my two mothers his and hers I call God s blessing upon them.O Sarah, I wait for you there !Come to me, and lead thither my children .
Ⅰ.About the Author
Sullivan Ballou (1829 1861) , the son of a prominent New England family,Rhode Islander Sullivan Ballou left his law practice and prominent political career - as well as his adored wife, Sarah, and little sons - to join the Union Army.A week before the battle - the first battle of the Civil War, known as the Battle of Bull Run or the Battle of First Manassas.Sullivan Ballou, as a Major in the 2nd Rhode Island Volunteers, wrote home to his wife in Smithfield.He was killed a week later at the battle.In 1861 and 1862, a grateful nation honored Major Sullivan Ballou as one of the earliest heroes of the Civil War .
Ⅱ.Words and Expressions
indication n .something indicated as necessary or expedient 被表明具有必要性或紧迫性的事物。
impel v.(especially of an idea, feeling, etc .) to drive someone to take action (尤指思想、 感情等) 驱使 (某人)做某事。
thine pron.[old use] your; yours.
misgivings n.a feeling of doubt , distrust , or apprehension 疑虑,担忧, 害怕。
falter v.to be unsteady in purpose or action, as from loss of courage or confidence 胆怯;意向或行动上的不坚定。
dart n.quick sudden movement in a certain direction thee pron.[ old use ] a word meaning “you” , used as the object of a sentence (宾格)你。
omnipotence n.being able to do everything 万能。
blissful a.extremely happy or enjoyable 有福的。
gratified a.satisfied.
Divine Providence = God.
waft v.to cause to go gently and smoothly through the air or over water 飘荡。
manhood n.the composite of qualities, such as courage,determinat-ion, and vigor, often thought to be appropriate to a man 大丈夫气概。
buffet v.to force one s way with difficulty 搏 斗; 艰 难 地与??作斗争。
flit v.to fly or move lightly and quickly 飞掠。
garish a.bright.
frolic n.a gay, carefree time 一段快乐、 轻松的时光。
thither ad.to or toward that place; in that direction; there 到那里。
Ⅲ.Notes to the Text