剛剛教了兩個第一名的女作家：Sappho 與 Queen Elizabeth I.
(可惜沒看過這個影集~~從 YouTube 片段看就知道為什麼這部影集得這麼多的獎了!)
莎芙的抒情詩美不勝收，而代表泱泱大國英格蘭的女王則只能示強不能示弱。
這一篇戰前演講文章結構和用詞都好！雖然還是一派政治官腔，不過我們期待女王說什麼喪氣話嗎？
上學年散文欣賞教過這一篇，效果不錯。隔了四百年，用字差異倒也不會太大。YouTube 上還有人幫著朗誦！很好聽！
另兩個作品是風格迥異的詩。一首是她要給蘇格蘭女王下馬威，她使用植物的意象來表明她的正統血統以及她臣民的忠心。高招！她有正根，誰也別想接枝過來！哼！看最後的兩行，我覺得我可以演得很好！霹靂火模式！或是用鳥來嬤的酸語氣唸也很好！(我最喜歡演這種變態了！「妳祖嬤太久沒踢妳，妳都忘了我的鞋幾號了！」那一種......) 呵呵!!!!!
My rusty sword through rest shall first his edge employ
To poll their tops that seek such change or gape for future joy.
最後一個作品，她和論及婚嫁的法國爵士忍痛分手，變成一個故作嚴峻/可憐巴巴的小女子。了不起！女人真的都敗在愛情和衣服上嗎？大哉問！
---------------------------------------------------------------------
http://tw.youtube.com/watch?v=cSV7zSjbrts
Speech to the Troops at Tilbury 1
My loving people,
We have been persuaded by some that are careful of our safety, to
take heed how we commit our selves to armed multitudes, for fear of
treachery; but I assure you I do not desire to live to distrust my
faithful and loving people. Let tyrants fear, I have always so
behaved myself that, under God, I have placed my chiefest strength
and safeguard in the loyal hearts and good-will of my subjects; and
therefore I am come amongst you, as you see, at this time, not for
my recreation and disport, but being resolved, in the midst and heat
of the battle, to live and die amongst you all; to lay down for my
God, and for my kingdom, and my people, my honour and my blood, even
in the dust. I know I have the body but of a weak and feeble woman;
but I have the heart and stomach of a king, and of a king of England
too, and think foul scorn that Parma or Spain, or any prince of
Europe, should dare to invade the borders of my realm; to which
rather than any dishonour shall grow by me, I myself will take up
arms, I myself will be your general, judge, and rewarder of every
one of your virtues in the field. I know already, for your
forwardness you have deserved rewards and crowns; and We do assure
you in the word of a prince, they shall be duly paid you. In the
mean time, my lieutenant general2 shall be in my stead, than whom
never prince commanded a more noble or worthy subject; not doubting
but by your obedience to my general, by your concord in the camp,
and your valour in the field, we shall shortly have a famous victory
over those enemies of my God, of my kingdom, and of my people.
****************
Notes:1. Delivered by Elizabeth to the land forces assembled at
Tilbury (Essex) to repel the anticipated invasion of the Spanish
Armada.2. Robert Dudley, earl of Leicester; he was the queen’s
favorite, once rumored to be her lover. Source:The Norton Anthology
of English Literature. 6th Edition. Vol 1.New York: W. W. Norton &
Company, 1993. 999.
***********************
THE DOUBT OF FUTURE FOES
by Elizabeth I, Queen of England
http://tw.youtube.com/watch?v=-JjsCAEf9t4&feature=related
(中間很血腥，我不敢看。非常有「伊麗莎白劇場」的特色！)
The doubt of future foes exiles my present joy,
And wit me warns to shun such snares as threaten mine annoy;
For falsehood now doth flow, and subjects’ faith doth ebb,
Which should not be if reason ruled or wisdom weaved the web.
But clouds of joys untried do cloak aspiring minds,
Which turn to rain of late repent by changèd course of winds.
The top of hope supposed the root upreared shall be,
And fruitless all their grafted guile, as shortly ye shall see.
The dazzled eyes with pride, which great ambition blinds,
Shall be unsealed by worthy wights whose foresight falsehood finds.
The daughter of debate that discord aye doth sow
Shall reap no gain where former rule still peace hath taught to know.
No foreign banished wight shall anchor in this port;
Our realm brooks not seditious sects, let them elsewhere resort.
My rusty sword through rest shall first his edge employ
To poll their tops that seek such change or gape for future joy.
ON MONSIEUR’S DEPARTURE
by Elizabeth I, Queen of England
http://tw.youtube.com/watch?v=JBRQVEQlFAE&feature=related
http://tw.youtube.com/watch?v=tv5l2Fl2Ans&feature=related
I grieve and dare not show my discontent,
I love and yet am forced to seem to hate,
I do, yet dare not say I ever meant,
I seem stark mute but inwardly do prate.
I am and not, I freeze and yet am burned,
Since from myself another self I turned.
My care is like my shadow in the sun,
Follows me flying, flies when I pursue it,
Stands and lies by me, doth what I have done.
His too familiar care doth make me rue it.
No means I find to rid him from my breast,
Till by the end of things it be supprest.
Some gentler passion slide into my mind,
For I am soft and made of melting snow;
Or be more cruel, love, and so be kind.
Let me or float or sink, be high or low.
Or let me live with some more sweet content,
Or die and so forget what love ere meant.
