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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.
在很远的地方矗立着一棵高大的郁金香树，显然已经生长了一个世纪，是那里最大的树木之一。
It looked like the father of the surrounding forest.
它看起来像是附近森林的父辈。
A single tree of huge dimensions, standing all alone, is a sublime object.
一棵体积如此庞大的树木孤零零站立在那里，是一个非常壮观的景象。
On the top of this tree, an old eagle, commonly called the "Fishing Eagle,"
在这棵树的顶端，一只老鹰——通常称作“鱼鹰”
had built her nest every year, for many years, and, undisturbed, had raised her young.
每年都在此筑她的鸟巢，养育它的下一代，并且已经持续了很多年，没有受到任何干扰。
A remarkable place to choose, as she procured her food from the ocean, and this tree stood full ten miles from the seashore.
由于它要到大海里觅食，所以要挑选一个比较醒目的地方搭窝，而这棵树距离海边整整10英里。
It had long been known as the "Old Eagle Tree.
长久以来，人们将这棵树叫做“老鹰树”。
On a warm, sunny day, the workmen were hoeing corn in an adjoining field.
在一个阳光灿烂的日子里，空气都是暖暖的。干活的人们在附近的玉米地里锄草。
At a certain hour of the day, the old eagle was known to set off for the seaside, to gather food for her young.
在一天的某个特定时刻，人们知道老鹰会出发去海边，为它的孩子们觅食。
As she this day returned with a large fish in her claws, the workmen surrounded the tree,
这天回来时，它爪子里抓着一条大鱼。干农活的人们围到了树边，
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.
不断地又喊又叫，还向上扔石头，以此来吓唬可怜的鸟儿，使得它的鱼掉了下去。他们沾沾自喜地把鱼拿走了。
The men soon dispersed, but Joseph sat down under a bush near by, to watch, and to bestow unavailing pity.
人们很快散去，但约瑟夫在附近一个安静的地方坐了下来，想看看会怎么样，并且表达一下徒劳的同情。
The bird soon returned to her nest, without food.
鸟儿很快回到了它的巢，什么食物也没带回来。
The eaglets at once set up a cry for food, so shrill, so clear, and so clamorous that the boy was greatly moved.
小鹰们立刻开始哭叫着要食物，声音是那么的尖利，那么的清晰，那么的吵闹，以至于男孩都被深深地触动了。
The parent bird seemed to try to soothe them; but their appetites were too keen, and it was all in vain.
大鹰似乎在设法安抚它们，但它们的食欲太过旺盛，一切的安慰都无济于事。
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."
随后，大鹰飞到了它们附近的一个树枝上栖息，低头向鸟巢里看去，那姿态仿佛在说“我不知道下面该怎么办”。
Her indecision was but momentary; again she poised herself, uttered one or two sharp notes,
它的不知所措只持续了很短的时间；随即，它做好了准备，发出了一两声高亢的叫声，
as if telling them to "lie still," balanced her body, spread her wings, and was away again for the sea.
好似在告诉小鹰们“静静躺着”，身体找好了平衡，展了展翅膀，再次朝大海飞去。
Joseph was determined to see the result.
约瑟夫决定要看看结果。
