1775 年 4 月 19 日的零晨，雅玲現在所站的位置，正充斥著一片肅殺之氣，根據 Paul Revere 從 Boston 帶來的情報，幾個連隊的英軍，正往 concord 的方向而來，企圖消滅當地民兵的勢力，對英國高壓式殖民不滿已久的的美國人，這次決定不再忍受，打算給這些英軍來個迎頭痛擊。天剛破曉，幾縷硝煙從 Concord 市中心升起，表示英軍已經攻入，民兵們嚴正以待在 North Bridge 的一端，等候英軍的攻擊。終於兩軍在 North Bridge 正面交鋒，一番血戰之後，英軍被擊退，而這場戰役就成了美國獨立戰爭的濫觴。
大文豪愛默生 (Ralph Waldo Emerson, 1803-1882) 後來為這場戰役寫了一首詩歌 - Concord Hymn。摘錄於下：
By the rude bridge that arched the flood,
Their flag to April’s breeze unfurled,
Here once the embattled farmers stood,
And fired the shot heard round the world. <-- 這篇文章的標題來源。 The foe long since in silence slept; Alike the conqueror silent sleeps; And Time the ruined bridge has swept Down the dark stream which seaward creeps. On this green bank, by this soft stream, We set to-day a votive stone; That memory may their deed redeem, When, like our sires, our sons are gone. Spirit, that made those heroes dare, To die, and leave their children free, Bid Time and Nature gently spare The shaft we raise to them and thee.
Their flag to April’s breeze unfurled,
Here once the embattled farmers stood,
And fired the shot heard round the world. <-- 這篇文章的標題來源。 The foe long since in silence slept; Alike the conqueror silent sleeps; And Time the ruined bridge has swept Down the dark stream which seaward creeps. On this green bank, by this soft stream, We set to-day a votive stone; That memory may their deed redeem, When, like our sires, our sons are gone. Spirit, that made those heroes dare, To die, and leave their children free, Bid Time and Nature gently spare The shaft we raise to them and thee.
我特別喜歡到有歷史故事的地方旅行，因為這些地方帶給我們的，除了美景外，還有幾絲懷古的情緒，那種古今相連的感覺非常特別，是一種全方位的四維享受。
對這趟 Concord 之旅的照片有興趣的人，請點這裡。
No comments :
Post a Comment