RaleighhasagreatattemptonthePlate-fleetsinhand;hehurriesofffromChatham，andwritestoyoungCecilonthe10thofMarch，’I
meannottocomeaway，assomesayIwill，forfearofamarriage，andIknownotwhat……ForIprotestbeforeGod，thereisnoneonthefaceoftheearththatIwouldbefastenedunto。’
Thisfamouspassageisoneofthoseoverwhichthevirtuosityofmoderntimes，rejoicinginevil，hashungsofondly，asgivingmelancholyproofofthe’duplicityofRaleigh’scharacter’;asifamanwhoonceinhislifehadtoldanuntruthwasprovedbythatfacttobearoguefrombirthtodeath：whileothershavekindlygivenhimthebenefitofadoubtwhethertheletterwerenotwrittenafteraprivatemarriage，andthereforeRaleigh，being’joinedunto’someonealready，hadarighttosaythathedidnotwishtobejoinedtoanyone。ButIdonotconcurinthisdoubt。Fourmonthsafter，SirEdwardStaffordwritestoAnthonyBacon，’IfyouhaveanythingtodowithSirW。R。，oranylovetomaketoMistressThrogmorton，attheTowerto-morrowyoumayspeakwiththem。’Thisimpliesthatnomarriagehadyettakenplace。Andsurely，iftherehadbeenprivatemarriage，twopeoplewhowereabouttobesenttotheTowerfortheirfollywouldhavemadethemarriagepublicatonce，astheonlypossibleself-justification。Butitisapity，inmyopinion，thatbiographers，beforepronouncinguponthatsupposedlieofRaleigh’s，hadnottakenthetroubletofindoutwhatthewordsmean。Intheirvirtuoushastetoprovehimaliar，theyhaveoverlookedthefactthatthewords，astheystand，areunintelligible，andtheargumentself-contradictory。Hewantstoprove，wesuppose，thathedoesnotgotoseaforfearofbeingforcedtomarryMissThrogmorton。Itis，atleast，anunexpectedmethodofsodoinginashrewdmanlikeRaleigh，tosaythathewishestomarrynooneatall。’Don’tthinkthatIrunawayforfearofamarriage，forIdonotwishtomarryanyoneonthefaceoftheearth，’isaspeechwhichmayproveRaleightohavebeenafool，andwemustunderstanditbeforewecansaythatitproveshimarogue。Ifwehadreceivedsuchaletterfromafriend，weshouldhavesaidatonce，’Whytheman，inhishurryandconfusion，hasomittedTHEword;hemusthavemeanttowrite，not"ThereisnoneonthefaceoftheearththatIwouldbefastenedto，"but"ThereisnoneonthefaceoftheearththatI
wouldRATHERbefastenedto，"’whichwouldatoncemakesenseandsuitfact。ForRaleighnotonlymarriedMissThrogmortonforthwith，butmadeherthebestofhusbands。Myconjecturalemendationmaygoforwhatitisworth：butthatthepassage，asitstandsinMurdin’sStatePapers（theMSS。Ihavenotseen）iseithermisquoted，ormis-
writtenbyRaleighhimself，Icannotdoubt。Hewasnotonetothinknonsense，evenifhescribbledit。
TheSpanishraidturnsoutwell。RaleighoverlooksElizabeth’slettersofrecalltillhefindsoutthattheKingofSpainhasstoppedthePlate-fleetforfearofhiscoming;andthenreturns，sendingonSirJohnBurroughtotheAzores，wherehetakesthe’GreatCarack，’thelargestprize（1600tons）whichhadeverbeenbroughtintoEngland。ThedetailsofthatgallantfightstandinthepagesofHakluyt。ItraisedRaleighoncemoretowealth，thoughnottofavour。Shortlyafterhereturnsfromthesea，hefindshimself，wherehedeservestobe，intheTower，wherehedoesmorethanonethingwhichbroughthimnocredit。HowfarwearejustifiedincallinghisquarrelwithSirGeorgeCarew，hiskeeper，fornotlettinghim’disguisehimself，andgetintoapairofoarstoeasehismindbutwithasightoftheQueen，orhisheartwouldbreak，’
hypocrisy，isaverydifferentmatter。HonestArthurGorges，astaunchfriendofRaleigh’s，tellsthestorylaughinglyandlovingly，asifhethoughtRaleighsincere，butsomewhatmad：andyethonestGorgeshasagoodrighttosayabitterthing;forafterhavingbeen’readytobreakwithlaughingatseeingthemtwobrawlandscramblelikemadmen，andSirGeorge’snewperiwigtornoffhiscrown，’hesees’theironwalking’anddaggersout，andplayingthepartofhimwhotakethadogbytheears，’purchasedsucharapontheknuckles，thatIwishedboththeirpatesbroken，andsowithmuchadotheystaidtheirbrawltoseemybloodyfingers，’andthensettoworktoabusethehaplesspeacemaker。AfterwhichthingsRaleighwritesalettertoCecil，whichisstillmoreoffensiveintheeyesofvirtuousbiographers——how’hisheartwasneverbrokentillthisday，whenhehearstheQueengoessofaroff，whomhefollowedwithloveanddesireonsomanyjourneys，andamnowleftbehindinadarkprisonallalone。’……’IthatwaswonttobeholdherridinglikeAlexander，huntinglikeDiana，walkinglikeVenus，thegentlewindblowingherfairhairaboutherpurecheeks，’andsoforth，inastyleinwhichthevulturinenosemustneedsscentcarrion，justbecausetherosesaremorefragrantthantheyshouldbeinaworldwherealloughttobeeithervulturesorcarrionfortheirdinners。
Asforhisdespair，hadhenotgoodreasontobeindespair？Byhisownsinhehashurledhimselfdownthehillwhichhehassopainfullyclimbed。HeisintheTower——surelynopleasantorhopefulplaceforanyman。Elizabethisexceedinglywrothwithhim;andwhatisworse，hedeserveswhathehasgot。Hiswholefortuneisventuredinanexpeditionoverwhichhehasnocontrol，whichhasbeenunsuccessfulinitsfirstobject，andwhichmaybealtogetherunsuccessfulinthatwhichithasundertakenasapis-aller，andsoleavehimpenniless。
Therewantnot，too，thosewhowilltrampleonthefallen。ThedeputyhasbeencruellydistrainingonhisIrishtenantsfora’supposeddebtofhistotheQueenof400poundsforrent，’whichwasindeedbutfiftymarks，andwhichwaspaid，andhascarriedoff500
milchkinefromthepoorsettlerswhomhehasplantedthere，andforciblythrusthimoutofpossessionofacastle。Moreover，thewholeIrishestatesarelikelytocometoruin;fornothingprevailsbutrascalityamongtheEnglishsoldiers，impotenceamongthegovernors，andrebellionamongthenatives。ThreethousandBurkesareupinarms;his’prophecyofthisrebellion’tendaysagowaslaughedat，andnowhascometrue;andaltogether，WalterRaleighandallbelongingtohimisinasevilcaseasheeverwasonearth。Nowonder，poorfellow，ifhebehowlshimselflustily，andnotalwayswisely，toCecil，andeveryoneelsewhowilllistentohim。
AsforhisfinespeechesaboutElizabeth，whyforgetthestanding-
pointfromwhichsuchspeechesweremade？Overandabovehispresentruin，itwas（andoughttohavebeen）anutterlyhorribleandunbearablethingtoRaleigh，oranyman，tohavefallenintodisgracewithElizabethbyhisownfault。Hefeels（andperhapsrightly）thatheisasitwereexcommunicatedfromEngland，andthemissionandthegloryofEngland。Insteadofbeing，ashewastillnow，oneofabodyofbravemenworkingtogetherinonegreatcommoncause，hehascuthimselfofffromthecongregationbyhisownselfishlust，andthereheisleftalonewithhisshame。WemusttrytorealisetoourselvesthewayinwhichsuchmenasRaleighlookednotonlyatElizabeth，butatalltheworld。Therewas，inplainpalpablefact，somethingabouttheQueen，herhistory，herpolicy，thetimes，thegloriouspartwhichEngland，andsheastheincarnationofthethenEnglishspirit，wereplayinguponearth，whichraisedimaginativeandheroicalsoulsintoapermanentexaltation——a’fairyland，’astheycalleditthemselves，whichseemstousfantastic，andwouldbefantasticinus，becausewearenotattheirwork，orintheirdays。
Therecanbenodoubtthatanumberofasnoblemenaseverstoodtogetherontheearthdidworshipthatwoman，fightforher，toilforher，riskallforher，withapurechivalrousaffectionwhichhasfurnishedoneofthemostbeautifulpagesinallthebookofhistory。
Blotstheremustneedshavebeen，andinconsistencies，selfishnesses，follies;fortheytooweremenoflikepassionswithourselves;butletuslookatthefairvisionasawhole，andthankGodthatsuchathinghasforonceexistedevenimperfectlyonthissinfulearth，insteadofplayingthepartofHamandfallingunderhiscurse，——thepenaltyofslavishness，cowardice，lossofnobledaring，whichsurelyfallsonanygenerationwhichis’banausos，’touseAristotle’sword;
whichrejoicesinitsforefathers’shame，and，unabletobelieveinthenoblenessofothers，isunabletobecomenobleitself。
Asforthe’AlexanderandDiana’affectations，theywerethelanguageofthetime：andcertainlythisgenerationhasnoreasontofindfaultwiththem，orwithagooddealmoreofthe’affectations’and’flattery’ofElizabethantimes，whileitlistenscomplacentlynightafternight’tohonourablemembers’complimentingnotQueenElizabeth，butSirJabeshWindbag，Fiddle，Faddle，Red-tape，andpartywithprotestationsofdeepestrespectandfullestconfidenceintheveryspeechesinwhichtheybringaccusationsofeveryoffenceshortofhightreason——tobeunderstood，ofcourse，ina’parliamentarysense，’asMr。Pickwick’swereina’Pickwickian’one。
IfagenerationofKnoxesandMortons，BurleighsandRaleighs，shalleverariseagain，onewondersbywhatnametheywillcalltheparliamentarymoralityandparliamentarycourtesyofagenerationwhichhasmetedoutsuchmeasuretotheirancestors’failings？
’ButQueenElizabethwasanoldwomanthen。’Ithanktheobjectorevenforthat’then’;foritismuchnowadaystofindanyonewhobelievesthatQueenElizabethwaseveryoung，orwhodoesnottalkofherasifshewasbornaboutseventyyearsofagecoveredwithrougeandwrinkles。Iwillundertaketosaythatastothebeautyofthiswomanthereisagreatermassoftestimony，andfromtheverybestjudgestoo，thanthereisofthebeautyofanypersonageinhistory;
andyetithasbecomethefashionnowtodenyeventhat。Theplainfactsseemthatshewasverygraceful，active，accomplishedinalloutwardmanners，ofaperfectfigure，andofthatstyleofintellectualbeauty，dependingonexpression，whichattracted（andwetrustalwayswillattract）BritonsfarmorethanthatmerelysensuouslovelinessinwhichnodoubtMaryStuartfarsurpassedher。Andthereseemslittledoubtthat，likemanyEnglishwomen，sheretainedherbeautytoaverylateperiodinlife，nottomentionthatshewas，in1592，justatthatageofrejuvenescencewhichmakesmanyawomanmorelovelyatsixtythanshehasbeensinceshewasthirty-
five。Nodoubt，too，sheusedeveryartificialmeanstopreserveherfamouscomplexion;andquiterightshewas。Thisbeautyofhershadbeenatalent，asallbeautyis，committedtoherbyGod;ithadbeenanimportantelementinhergreatsuccess;menhadaccepteditaswhatbeautyofformandexpressiongenerallyis，anoutwardandvisiblesignoftheinwardandspiritualgrace;andwhiletheinwardwasunchanged，whatwonderifshetriedtopreservetheoutward？Ifshewasthesame，whyshouldshenottrytolookthesame？Andwhatblametothosewhoworshippedher，if，knowingthatshewasthesame，theytooshouldfancythatshelookedthesame，theElizabethoftheiryouth，andshouldtalkasifthefairflesh，aswellasthefairspirit，wasimmortal？Doesnoteverylovinghusbanddosowhenheforgetsthegrayhairandthesunkencheek，andallthewastesoftime，andseesthepartnerofmanyjoysandsorrowsnotasshehasbecome，butasshewas，ay，andistohim，andwillbetohim，hetrusts，throughalleternity？ThereisnofeelingintheseElizabethanworshipperswhichwehavenotseen，potentialandcrude，againandagaininthebestandnoblestofyoungmenwhomwehavemet，tillitwascrushedinthembytheluxury，effeminacy，andunbeliefinchivalry，whicharethesureaccompanimentofalongpeace，whichwarmayburnupwithbeneficentfire。
Butwemusthastenonnow;forRaleighisoutofprisoninSeptember，andbythenextspringinparliamentspeakingwiselyandwell，especiallyonhisfixedidea，warwithSpain，whichheisrewardedforforthwithinFatherParson’s’AndreaePhilopatrisResponsio’byachargeoffoundingaschoolofAtheismforthecorruptionofyounggentlemen;achargewhichLordChief-JusticePopham，Protestantasheis，willfinditusefulonedaytorecollect。
Elizabeth，however，nowthatRaleighhasmarriedthefairThrogmortonanddonewiselyinothermatters，restoreshimtofavour。Ifhehassinned，hehassuffered：butheisasusefulasever，nowthathissenseshavereturnedtohim;andheismakinggoodspeechesinparliament，insteadofbadonestoweakmaidens;sowefindhimoncemoreinfavour，andpossessorofSherborneManor，wherehebuildsandbeautifies，with’grovesandgardensofmuchvarietyandgreatdelight。’AndGod，too，seemstohaveforgivenhim;perhapshasforgiven;fortherethefairThrogmortonbringshimanobleboy。Utsisvitalismetuopuer！
RaleighwillquoteDavid’sexampleoneday，notwiselyorwell。DoesDavid’sexampleevercrosshimnow，andthosesadwords，——’TheLordhathputawaythysin，……neverthelessthechildthatisbornuntotheeshalldie？’
Letthatbeasitmay，allissunshineoncemore。SherborneManor，arichshareinthegreatcarack，abeautifulwife，achild;whatmoredoesthismanwanttomakehimhappy？Whyshouldhenotsettledownuponhislees，likeninety-nineoutofthehundred，oratleasttryapeacefulandeasypathtowardmore’praiseandpudding？’Theworldanswers，orhisbiographersanswerforhim，thatheneedstoreinstatehimselfinhismistress’saffection;whichistrueornot，accordingaswetakeit。Iftheymeanthereby，asmostseemtomean，thatitwasamereselfishandambitiousschemebywhichtowriggleintocourtfavouroncemore——why，letthemmeanit：IshallonlyobservethatthemethodwhichRaleightookwasarathermoredangerousandself-sacrificingonethancourtiersarewonttotake。
ButifitbemeantthatWalterRaleighspokesomewhatthuswithhimself，——’Ihavedoneabaseanddirtydeed，andhavebeenpunishedforit。Ihavehurtthegoodnameofasweetwomanwholovesme，andwhomIfindtobeatreasure;andGod，insteadofpunishingmebytakingherfromme，hasrenderedmegoodforevilbygivinghertome。IhavejustlyoffendedamistresswhomIworship，andwho，afterhavingshownherjustindignation，hasreturnedmegoodforevilbygivingmethesefairlandsofSherborne，andonlyforbidmeherpresencetillthescandalhaspassedaway。Sheseesandrewardsmygoodinspiteofmyevil;andI，too，knowthatIambetterthanI
haveseemed;thatIamfitfornoblerdeedsthanseducingmaidsofhonour。HowcanIprovethat？HowcanIredeemmylostnameforpatriotismandpublicdaring？HowcanIwingloryformywife，seekthatmenshallforgetherpastshameinthethought，"SheisWalterRaleigh’swife？"HowcanIshowmymistressthatIlovedherallalong，thatIacknowledgeherbounty，hermingledjusticeandmercy？
HowcanIrendertoGodforallthebenefitswhichHehasdoneuntome？HowcanIdoadeedthelikeofwhichwasneverdoneinEngland？’
IfallthishadpassedthroughWalterRaleigh’smind，whatcouldwesayofit，butthatitwasthenaturalandrationalfeelingofanhonourableandright-heartedman，burningtorisetothelevelwhichheknewoughttobehis，becauseheknewthathehadfallenbelowit？
Andwhatrightbetterwayoftestifyingthesefeelingsthantodowhat，asweshallsee，Raleighdid？Whatrighthavewetoimputetohimlowermotivesthanthese，whileweconfessthattheserighteousandnoblemotiveswouldhavebeennaturalandrational;——indeed，justwhatweflatterourselvesthatweshouldhavefeltinhisplace？Ofcourse，inhisgrandscheme，thethoughtcamein，’AndIshallwintomyselfhonour，andglory，andwealth，’——ofcourse。Andpray，sir，doesitnotcomeininyourgrandschemes;andyours;andyours？Ifyoumadeafortuneto-morrowbysomewiselyandbenevolentlymanagedfactory，wouldyouforbidallspeechofthesaidwisdomandbenevolence，becauseyouhadintendedthatwisdomandbenevolenceshouldpayyouagoodpercentage？Awaywithcant，andlethimthatiswithoutsinamongyoucastthefirststone。
SoRaleighhitsuponanobleproject;adesperateone，true：buthewilldoitordie。HewillleavepleasantSherborne，andthebosomofthebeautifulbride，andthefirst-bornson，andallwhichtomostmakeslifeworthhaving，andwhichRaleighenjoysmoreintenselythanmostmen;forheisapoet，andamanofstrongnervouspassionswithal。But，-
’Icouldnotlovethee，dear，somuch，LovedInothonourmore。’
Andhewillgoforthtoendureheat，hunger，fever，dangerofdeathinbattle，dangeroftheInquisition，rack，andstake，insearchofElDorado。Whatsostrangeinthat？Ihaveknownhalfadozenmenwho，inhiscase，andconsciousofhispowers，wouldhavedonethesamefromthesamenoblemotive。
Hebeginsprudently;andsendsaDevonshireman，CaptainWhiddon——
probablyoneofTheWhiddonsofbeautifulChagford——tospyouttheOrinoco。HefindsthattheSpaniardsaretherealready;thatBerreo，whohasattemptedElDoradofromthewestward，startingfromNewGranadaandgoingdowntherivers，istryingtosettleontheOrinocomouth;thatheishangingthepoornatives，encouragingtheCaribstohuntthemandsellthemforslaves，imprisoningthecaciquestoextorttheirgold，torturing，ravishing，kidnapping，andconductinghimselfasw...剩余内容请长按扫描二维码或下载丁香书院APP继续免费看：
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