——John Ruskin
It was New Year's Night. An aged man was standing at a window.He had already passed sixty of the stages leading to it, and he had brought from his journey nothing but errors and remorse.
The days of his youth appeared like dreams before him, and he recalled the serious moment when his father placed him at the entrance of the two roads——one leading to a peaceful, sunny place, covered with flowers, fruits and resounding with soft，sweet songs；the other leading to a deep, dark cave, which was endless.
He looked towards the sky and cried painfully，“O youth, return！O my father, place me once more at the entrance to life, and I'll choose the better way！”But both his father and the days of his youth had passed away.
The clock in the high church tower struck and the sound made him remember his parents'early love for him. They had taught him and prayed to God for his good.But he chose the wrong way.His darkened eyes were full of tears, and with a despairing effort, he burst out a cry：“Come back, my early days！Come back！”
And his youth did return, for all this was only a dream which he had on New Year's Night.
Those who still linger on the entrance of life, hesitating to choose the bright road, remember that when years are passed and your feet stumble on the dark mountains, you will cry bitterly, but in vain：“O youth, return！Oh give me back my early days！”
-remorse [rɪˈmɔːs]n.痛恨，悔恨，自责
典型例句
He has shown no remorse for his actions.
他对自己的行为没有任何悔恨之意。
最常用法
be full of remorse/be filled with remorse 充满悔恨
remorse for 对……悔恨
联想记忆
regret n.懊悔，遗憾
-painfully [ˈpeɪnfəli]adv.痛苦地；费力地
典型例句
The patient groaned painfully as he was lifted onto the stretcher.病人被抬上担架时在痛苦地呻吟着。
联想记忆
pain n.疼痛；痛苦
painful adj.疼痛的
painkiller n.止痛药
-pray [preɪ]v.祈祷，祈求
典型例句
They prayed that she would recover.
他们祈祷她尽快康复。
最常用法
pray to sb.向某人祈祷
pray for sb./sth.为某人/某事祈祷
联想记忆
plead v.恳求
-despairing [dɪˈspeərɪŋ]adj.感到绝望的
典型例句
He received the news with a despairing sigh.
他得到消息，绝望地叹了口气。
最常用法
despairing cry/look/sigh 绝望的哭泣/表情/叹息
联想记忆
despair n.绝望；使人绝望的人（或物）
-linger [ˈlɪŋgə（r）]v.逗留，留恋徘徊
典型例句
She lingered after the concert, hoping to meet the star.
音乐会后她徘徊不去，希望能碰见明星。
最常用法
linger on 一直存在，流连
linger over 慢慢地进行
联想记忆
stay v.逗留，保持
-hesitate [ˈhezɪteɪt]v.犹豫，踌躇
典型例句
I’d hesitate before accepting such an offer.
我得先斟酌一下，才能决定是否接受这样的提议。
最常用法
hesitate at/about/over sth.对某事犹豫不决
don't hesitate to do sth.毫不犹豫做某事
联想记忆
hesitation n.犹豫，踌躇，迟疑
-vain [veɪn]adj.徒劳的，无效的
典型例句
All our work was in vain.我们的工作全都白干了。最常用法 in vain 无结果地，徒然
take sb.'s name in vain 滥用（尤指上帝的）名字，亵渎上帝之名
联想记忆
effective adj.有效的，生效的
——约翰·罗斯金
新年之夜，一老翁伫立窗前，满眼悲伤，仰望天空。老翁一生，所过驿站已有六十，一生之中，唯有过失与悔恨，其他一无所获。
青春年华，有如梦幻浮于眼前。遥想过去，彼时情境颇为肃穆，父亲将其置于人生岔路，岔路有二：或通向和平宁静，阳光灿烂之地——四处花香果甜，到处歌声婉转；或通向黑暗无底之洞穴。
老翁仰望天空，泣声哀叹，云：“吁嘻，归兮来兮，我之青春！吁嘻，父兮父兮，置我人生路口，吾将择其善者而行焉！”然父亲已逝，青春不再。
教堂塔楼高耸，钟声响起，老翁忆起幼时父母之拳拳爱意。父母曾谆谆教诲，为其祈祷上帝，盼其择善道而行焉。然其逆而行恶。老翁心中愧痛，勿敢仰视天空，愧对父亲在天之灵。其眼色黯淡，满眼泪水，绝望之中，悲声痛哭：“归兮来兮，我之青春！来兮归兮，我之年华！”
青春如期而归，原来以上所见情景，乃新年夜梦。
但凡人生路口徘徊者，面对光明犹豫者，须当谨记：青春若逝，深陷黑暗群山，举步维艰之时，方痛心疾首，高喊：“吁嘻，归兮来兮，我之青春！来兮归兮，我之年华！”如是则徒劳矣。