In a distant field, stood a large tulip tree, apparently of a century's growth, and one of the most gigantic.
在很遠(yuǎn)的地方矗立著一棵高大的郁金香樹(shù),顯然已經(jīng)生長(zhǎng)了一個(gè)世紀(jì),是那里最大的樹(shù)木之一。
It looked like the father of the surrounding forest.
它看起來(lái)像是附近森林的父輩。
A single tree of huge dimensions, standing all alone, is a sublime object.
一棵體積如此龐大的樹(shù)木孤零零站立在那里,是一個(gè)非常壯觀的景象。
On the top of this tree, an old eagle, commonly called the "Fishing Eagle,"
在這棵樹(shù)的頂端,一只老鷹——通常稱作“魚(yú)鷹”
had built her nest every year, for many years, and, undisturbed, had raised her young.
每年都在此筑她的鳥(niǎo)巢,養(yǎng)育它的下一代,并且已經(jīng)持續(xù)了很多年,沒(méi)有受到任何干擾。
A remarkable place to choose, as she procured her food from the ocean, and this tree stood full ten miles from the seashore.
由于它要到大海里覓食,所以要挑選一個(gè)比較醒目的地方搭窩,而這棵樹(shù)距離海邊整整10英里。
It had long been known as the "Old Eagle Tree.
長(zhǎng)久以來(lái),人們將這棵樹(shù)叫做“老鷹樹(shù)”。
On a warm, sunny day, the workmen were hoeing corn in an adjoining field.
在一個(gè)陽(yáng)光燦爛的日子里,空氣都是暖暖的。干活的人們?cè)诟浇挠衩椎乩镤z草。
At a certain hour of the day, the old eagle was known to set off for the seaside, to gather food for her young.
在一天的某個(gè)特定時(shí)刻,人們知道老鷹會(huì)出發(fā)去海邊,為它的孩子們覓食。
As she this day returned with a large fish in her claws, the workmen surrounded the tree,
這天回來(lái)時(shí),它爪子里抓著一條大魚(yú)。干農(nóng)活的人們圍到了樹(shù)邊,
and, by yelling and hooting, and throwing stones, so scared the poor bird that she dropped her fish, and they carried it off in triumph.
不斷地又喊又叫,還向上扔石頭,以此來(lái)嚇唬可憐的鳥(niǎo)兒,使得它的魚(yú)掉了下去。他們沾沾自喜地把魚(yú)拿走了。
The men soon dispersed, but Joseph sat down under a bush near by, to watch, and to bestow unavailing pity.
人們很快散去,但約瑟夫在附近一個(gè)安靜的地方坐了下來(lái),想看看會(huì)怎么樣,并且表達(dá)一下徒勞的同情。
The bird soon returned to her nest, without food.
鳥(niǎo)兒很快回到了它的巢,什么食物也沒(méi)帶回來(lái)。
The eaglets at once set up a cry for food, so shrill, so clear, and so clamorous that the boy was greatly moved.
小鷹們立刻開(kāi)始哭叫著要食物,聲音是那么的尖利,那么的清晰,那么的吵鬧,以至于男孩都被深深地觸動(dòng)了。
The parent bird seemed to try to soothe them; but their appetites were too keen, and it was all in vain.
大鷹似乎在設(shè)法安撫它們,但它們的食欲太過(guò)旺盛,一切的安慰都無(wú)濟(jì)于事。
She then perched herself on a limb near them, and looked down into the nest in a manner that seemed to say, "I know not what to do next."
隨后,大鷹飛到了它們附近的一個(gè)樹(shù)枝上棲息,低頭向鳥(niǎo)巢里看去,那姿態(tài)仿佛在說(shuō)“我不知道下面該怎么辦”。
Her indecision was but momentary; again she poised herself, uttered one or two sharp notes,
它的不知所措只持續(xù)了很短的時(shí)間;隨即,它做好了準(zhǔn)備,發(fā)出了一兩聲高亢的叫聲,
as if telling them to "lie still," balanced her body, spread her wings, and was away again for the sea.
好似在告訴小鷹們“靜靜躺著”,身體找好了平衡,展了展翅膀,再次朝大海飛去。
Joseph was determined to see the result.
約瑟夫決定要看看結(jié)果。