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In a distant field, stood a large tulip tree, apparently of a century's growth, and one of the most gigantic.
在很遠的地方矗立著一棵高大的郁金香樹，顯然已經生長了一個世紀，是那里最大的樹木之一。
It looked like the father of the surrounding forest.
它看起來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木孤零零站立在那里，是一個非常壯觀的景象。
On the top of this tree, an old eagle, commonly called the "Fishing Eagle,"
在這棵樹的頂端，一只老鷹——通常稱作“魚鷹”
had built her nest every year, for many years, and, undisturbed, had raised her young.
每年都在此筑她的鳥巢，養育它的下一代，并且已經持續了很多年，沒有受到任何干擾。
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，所以要挑選一個比較醒目的地方搭窩，而這棵樹距離海邊整整10英里。
It had long been known as the "Old Eagle Tree.
長久以來，人們將這棵樹叫做“老鷹樹”。
On a warm, sunny day, the workmen were hoeing corn in an adjoining field.
在一個陽光燦爛的日子里，空氣都是暖暖的。干活的人們在附近的玉米地里鋤草。
At a certain hour of the day, the old eagle was known to set off for the seaside, to gather food for her young.
在一天的某個特定時刻，人們知道老鷹會出發去海邊，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,
這天回來時，它爪子里抓著一條大魚。干農活的人們圍到了樹邊，
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，以此來嚇唬可憐的鳥兒，使得它的魚掉了下去。他們沾沾自喜地把魚拿走了。
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安靜的地方坐了下來，想看看會怎么樣，并且表達一下徒勞的同情。
The bird soon returned to her nest, without food.
鳥兒很快回到了它的巢，什么食物也沒帶回來。
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.
大鷹似乎在設法安撫它們，但它們的食欲太過旺盛，一切的安慰都無濟于事。
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樹枝上棲息，低頭向鳥巢里看去，那姿態仿佛在說“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了很短的時間；隨即，它做好了準備，發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果。
