Thomas Buchanan Read，1822—1872，an American poet and painter，was born in Chester County，Pennsylvania.At the age of seventeen he entered a sculptor's studio in Cincinnati.Here he gained reputation as a painter of portraits.From this city he went to New York，Boston，and Philadelphia，and soon after to Florence，Italy.In the later years of his life，he divided his time between Cincinnati，Philadelphia，and Rome.His complete poetical works fill three volumes.Several of his most stirring poems relate to the Revolutionary War，and to the late Civil War in America.Many of his poems are marked by vigor and a ringing power，while smoothness and delicacy distinguish others，no less.
The maid who binds her warrior's sash，
And，smiling，all her pain dissembles，
The while beneath the drooping lash，
One starry tear-drop hangs and trembles；
Though Heaven alone records the tear，
And fame shall never know her story，
Her heart has shed a drop as dear
As ever dewed the field of glory！
The wife who girds her husband's sword，
'Mid little ones who weep and wonder，
And bravely speaks the cheering word，
What though her heart be rent asunder；——
Doomed nightly in her dreams to hear
The bolts of war around him rattle，——
Has shed as sacred blood as e'er
Was poured upon the field of battle！
The mother who conceals her grief，
While to her breast her son she presses，
Then breathes a few brave words and brief，
Kissing the patriot brow she blesses；
With no one but her loving God，
To know the pain that weighs upon her，
Sheds holy blood as e'er the sod
Received on Freedom's field of honor！
译文 TRANSLATION
美国诗人、画家托马斯·B·里德（1822—1872）生于宾夕法尼亚州柴斯特县。17岁时，他进入辛辛那提一家雕塑工作室学习。在辛辛那提，里德成为一名肖像画家。后来，他离开那里去了纽约、波士顿、费城，旋即又转赴意大利佛罗伦萨。里德的晚年在辛辛那提、费城和罗马度过。他的全部诗作共分三卷。其中最动人心弦的几首诗是有关美国独立战争和南北战争的。里德的诗有的气势磅礴、韵律铿锵，有的则晓畅、圆熟。
给她的勇士系上肩带，
少女微笑着，掩起忧伤。
她低垂的睫毛下，
战栗着晶莹的泪。
这无人知晓的泪珠
不会使她成为传奇。
但她心田里滑落的泪，
却像原野闪耀的甘露一样璀璨。
为丈夫系好剑，
当着啜泣、惊愕的孩子，
她是那么果敢、昂扬，
而她的心却已破碎——
每夜的梦中，
她听到子弹在丈夫身旁呼啸，
圣洁的血染红了疆场。
她藏起自己的哀伤，
把儿子拥入怀中，
吻着那爱国者的眉宇，
祝福与激励都是那么简洁。
只有慈爱的上帝知道
她担负的苦痛有多重，
神圣的血灌溉着祖国
自由的土壤。
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