THE QUADROON GIRL

THE Slaver in the broad lagoon

Lay moored with idle sail；

He waited for the rising moon，

And for the evening gale.

Under the shore his boat was tied，

And all her listless crew

Watched the gray alligator slide

Into the still bayou.

Odors of orange-flowers， and spice，

Reached them from time to time，

Like airs that breathe from Paradise

Upon a world of crime.

The Planter， under his roof of thatch，

Smoked thoughtfully and slow；

The Slaver's thumb was on the latch，

He seemed in haste to go.

He said， "My ship at anchor rides

In yonder broad lagoon；

I only wait the evening tides，

And the rising of the moon."

Before them， with her face upraised，

In timid attitude，

Like one half curious， half amazed，

A Quadroon maiden stood.

Her eyes were large， and full of light，

Her arms and neck were bare；

No garment she wore save a kirtle bright，

And her own long， raven hair.

And on her lips there played a smile

As holy， meek， and faint，

As lights in some cathedral aisle

The features of a saint.

"The soil is barren， —— the farm is old，"

The thoughtful planter said；

The looked upon the Slaver's gold，

And the upon the maid.

His heart within him was at strife

With such accused gains：

For he know whose passions gave her life，

Whose blood ran in her veins.

But the voice of nature was too weak；

He took the glittering gold！

Then pale as death grew the maiden's cheek，

Her hands as icy cold.

The Slaver led her from the door，

He led her by the hand，

To be his slave and paramour

In a strange and distant land！

混血女

奴隶贩子把帆船停在

宽阔的咸水湖中；

他要等待上升的月亮，

等待黄昏的海风。

他的船拴在岸边，那一群

无精打采的水手

注视着一条灰白的鳄鱼

游入静静的湖口。

橙花和豆蔻的阵阵香气

飘送到他们身边，

有如天国的仙风袅袅

吹到罪恶的人间。

棕叶盖顶的屋里，农场主

想着心事，抽着烟；

奴隶贩子，象急着要走，

大拇指按着门闩。

他说："我的帆船就停在

宽阔的咸水湖上；

我只等着晚上的潮水，

等着上升的月亮。"

他们面前，仰脸站着的

是一个混写女郎，

有几分好奇，有几分害怕

怯生生可怜模样。

她脖子、胳臂露在外边，

一双眼又亮又大；

身上除了那鲜明的袍子，

只披着长长的黑发。

一丝笑意浮现在唇边，

圣洁、温柔、恬淡，

有如教堂廊道的灯火，

有如圣者的容颜。

农场主想着心事，叨咕着：

"这农场，地老，田荒；"

他看看奴隶贩子的金子，

又看看身边的女郎。

他心里有斗争，晓得是罪孽：

只有他，才最了解

是谁的情欲给了她生命，

他的血管里流着谁的血。

可是天性的呼声太微弱，

他抓起亮晶晶的黄金！

女郎的双颊死一样惨白，

他两手冷得象冰。

奴隶贩子拉着她得手，

把她拉出了门口，

带她去隔山隔海的异乡，

当他的奴隶和姘头！