《英雄艾文荷》——Ivanhoe(中英文对照)完结_派派后花园

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[Novel] 《英雄艾文荷》——Ivanhoe(中英文对照)完结

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Chapter 38
------There I throw my gage, To prove it on thee to the extremest point Of martial daring. Richard II
Even Lucas Beaumanoir himself was affected by the mien and appearance of Rebecca. He was not originally a cruel or even a severe man; but with passions by nature cold, and with a high, though mistaken, sense of duty, his heart had been gradually hardened by the ascetic life which he pursued, the supreme power which he enjoyed, and the supposed necessity of subduing infidelity and eradicating heresy, which he conceived peculiarly incumbent on him. His features relaxed in their usual severity as he gazed upon the beautiful creature before him, alone, unfriended, and defending herself with so much spirit and courage. He crossed himself twice, as doubting whence arose the unwonted softening of a heart, which on such occasions used to resemble in hardness the steel of his sword. At length he spoke.
"Damsel," he said, "if the pity I feel for thee arise from any practice thine evil arts have made on me, great is thy guilt. But I rather judge it the kinder feelings of nature, which grieves that so goodly a form should be a vessel of perdition. Repent, my daughter---confess thy witchcrafts---turn thee from thine evil faith---embrace this holy emblem, and all shall yet be well with thee here and hereafter. In some sisterhood of the strictest order, shalt thou have time for prayer and fitting penance, and that repentance not to be repented of. This do and live---what has the law of Moses done for thee that thou shouldest die for it?"
"It was the law of my fathers," said Rebecca; "it was delivered in thunders and in storms upon the mountain of Sinai, in cloud and in fire. This, if ye are Christians, ye believe---it is, you say, recalled; but so my teachers have not taught me."
"Let our chaplain," said Beaumanoir, "stand forth, and tell this obstinate infidel---"
"Forgive the interruption," said Rebecca, meekly; "I am a maiden, unskilled to dispute for my religion, but I can die for it, if it be God's will.---Let me pray your answer to my demand of a champion."
"Give me her glove," said Beaumanoir. "This is indeed," he continued, as he looked at the flimsy texture and slender fingers, "a slight and frail gage for a purpose so deadly! ---Seest thou, Rebecca, as this thin and light glove of thine is to one of our heavy steel gauntlets, so is thy cause to that of the Temple, for it is our Order which thou hast defied."
"Cast my innocence into the scale," answered Rebecca, "and the glove of silk shall outweigh the glove of iron."
"Then thou dost persist in thy refusal to confess thy guilt, and in that bold challenge which thou hast made?"
"I do persist, noble sir," answered Rebecca.
"So be it then, in the name of Heaven," said the Grand Master; "and may God show the right!"
"Amen," replied the Preceptors around him, and the word was deeply echoed by the whole assembly.
"Brethren," said Beaumanoir, "you are aware that we might well have refused to this woman the benefit of the trial by combat ---but though a Jewess and an unbeliever, she is also a stranger and defenceless, and God forbid that she should ask the benefit of our mild laws, and that it should be refused to her. Moreover, we are knights and soldiers as well as men of religion, and shame it were to us upon any pretence, to refuse proffered combat. Thus, therefore, stands the case. Rebecca, the daughter of Isaac of York, is, by many frequent and suspicious circumstances, defamed of sorcery practised on the person of a noble knight of our holy Order, and hath challenged the combat in proof of her innocence. To whom, reverend brethren, is it your opinion that we should deliver the gage of battle, naming him, at the same time, to be our champion on the field?"
"To Brian de Bois-Guilbert, whom it chiefly concerns," said the Preceptor of Goodalricke, "and who, moreover, best knows how the truth stands in this matter."
"But if," said the Grand Master, "our brother Brian be under the influence of a charm or a spell---we speak but for the sake of precaution, for to the arm of none of our holy Order would we more willingly confide this or a more weighty cause."
"Reverend father," answered the Preceptor of Goodalricke, "no spell can effect the champion who comes forward to fight for the judgment of God."
"Thou sayest right, brother," said the Grand Master. "Albert Malvoisin, give this gage of battle to Brian de Bois-Guilbert. ---It is our charge to thee, brother," he continued, addressing himself to Bois-Guilbert, "that thou do thy battle manfully, nothing doubting that the good cause shall triumph.---And do thou, Rebecca, attend, that we assign thee the third day from the present to find a champion."
"That is but brief space," answered Rebecca, "for a stranger, who is also of another faith, to find one who will do battle, wagering life and honour for her cause, against a knight who is called an approved soldier."
"We may not extend it," answered the Grand Master; "the field must be foughten in our own presence, and divers weighty causes call us on the fourth day from hence."
"God's will be done!" said Rebecca; "I put my trust in Him, to whom an instant is as effectual to save as a whole age."
"Thou hast spoken well, damsel," said the Grand Master; "but well know we who can array himself like an angel of light. It remains but to name a fitting place of combat, and, if it so hap, also of execution.---Where is the Preceptor of this house?"
Albert Malvoisin, still holding Rebecca's glove in his hand, was speaking to Bois-Guilbert very earnestly, but in a low voice.
"How!" said the Grand Master, "will he not receive the gage?"
"He will---he doth, most Reverend Father," said Malvoisin, slipping the glove under his own mantle. "And for the place of combat, I hold the fittest to be the lists of Saint George belonging to this Preceptory, and used by us for military exercise."
"It is well," said the Grand Master.---"Rebecca, in those lists shalt thou produce thy champion; and if thou failest to do so, or if thy champion shall be discomfited by the judgment of God, thou shalt then die the death of a sorceress, according to doom.---Let this our judgment be recorded, and the record read aloud, that no one may pretend ignorance."
One of the chaplains, who acted as clerks to the chapter, immediately engrossed the order in a huge volume, which contained the proceedings of the Templar Knights when solemnly assembled on such occasions; and when he had finished writing, the other read aloud the sentence of the Grand Master, which, when translated from the Norman-French in which it was couched, was expressed as follows.---
"Rebecca, a Jewess, daughter of Isaac of York, being attainted of sorcery, seduction, and other damnable practices, practised on a Knight of the most Holy Order of the Temple of Zion, doth deny the same; and saith, that the testimony delivered against her this day is false, wicked, and disloyal; and that by lawful 'essoine'*
* "Essoine" signifies excuse, and here relates to the * appellant's privilege of appearing by her champion, in * excuse of her own person on account of her sex.
of her body as being unable to combat in her own behalf, she doth offer, by a champion instead thereof, to avouch her case, he performing his loyal 'devoir' in all knightly sort, with such arms as to gage of battle do fully appertain, and that at her peril and cost. And therewith she proffered her gage. And the gage having been delivered to the noble Lord and Knight, Brian de Bois-Guilbert, of the Holy Order of the Temple of Zion, he was appointed to do this battle, in behalf of his Order and himself, as injured and impaired by the practices of the appellant. Wherefore the most reverend Father and puissant Lord, Lucas Marquis of Beaumanoir, did allow of the said challenge, and of the said 'essoine' of the appellant's body, and assigned the third day for the said combat, the place being the enclosure called the lists of Saint George, near to the Preceptory of Templestowe. And the Grand Master appoints the appellant to appear there by her champion, on pain of doom, as a person convicted of sorcery or seduction; and also the defendant so to appear, under the penalty of being held and adjudged recreant in case of default; and the noble Lord and most reverend Father aforesaid appointed the battle to be done in his own presence, and according to all that is commendable and profitable in such a case. And may God aid the just cause!"
"Amen!" said the Grand Master; and the word was echoed by all around. Rebecca spoke not, but she looked up to heaven, and, folding her hands, remained for a minute without change of attitude. She then modestly reminded the Grand Master, that she ought to be permitted some opportunity of free communication with her friends, for the purpose of making her condition known to them, and procuring, if possible, some champion to fight in her behalf.
"It is just and lawful," said the Grand Master; "choose what messenger thou shalt trust, and he shall have free communication with thee in thy prison-chamber."
"Is there," said Rebecca, "any one here, who, either for love of a good cause, or for ample hire, will do the errand of a distressed being?"
All were silent; for none thought it safe, in the presence of the Grand Master, to avow any interest in the calumniated prisoner, lest he should be suspected of leaning towards Judaism. Not even the prospect of reward, far less any feelings of compassion alone, could surmount this apprehension.
Rebecca stood for a few moments in indescribable anxiety, and then exclaimed, "Is it really thus?---And, in English land, am I to be deprived of the poor chance of safety which remains to me, for want of an act of charity which would not be refused to the worst criminal?"
Higg, the son of Snell, at length replied, "I am but a maimed man, but that I can at all stir or move was owing to her charitable assistance.---I will do thine errand," he added, addressing Rebecca, "as well as a crippled object can, and happy were my limbs fleet enough to repair the mischief done by my tongue. Alas! when I boasted of thy charity, I little thought I was leading thee into danger!"
"God," said Rebecca, "is the disposer of all. He can turn back the captivity of Judah, even by the weakest instrument. To execute his message the snail is as sure a messenger as the falcon. Seek out Isaac of York---here is that will pay for horse and man---let him have this scroll.---I know not if it be of Heaven the spirit which inspires me, but most truly do I judge that I am not to die this death, and that a champion will be raised up for me. Farewell!---Life and death are in thy haste."
The peasant took the scroll, which contained only a few lines in Hebrew. Many of the crowd would have dissuaded him from touching a document so suspicious; but Higg was resolute in the service of his benefactress. She had saved his body, he said, and he was confident she did not mean to peril his soul.
"I will get me," he said, "my neighbour Buthan's good capul,*
* "Capul", i.e. horse; in a more limited sense, work-horse.
and I will be at York within as brief space as man and beast may."
But as it fortuned, he had no occasion to go so far, for within a quarter of a mile from the gate of the Preceptory he met with two riders, whom, by their dress and their huge yellow caps, he knew to be Jews; and, on approaching more nearly, discovered that one of them was his ancient employer, Isaac of York. The other was the Rabbi Ben Samuel; and both had approached as near to the Preceptory as they dared, on hearing that the Grand Master had summoned a chapter for the trial of a sorceress.
"Brother Ben Samuel," said Isaac, "my soul is disquieted, and I wot not why. This charge of necromancy is right often used for cloaking evil practices on our people."
"Be of good comfort, brother," said the physician; "thou canst deal with the Nazarenes as one possessing the mammon of unrighteousness, and canst therefore purchase immunity at their hands---it rules the savage minds of those ungodly men, even as the signet of the mighty Solomon was said to command the evil genii.---But what poor wretch comes hither upon his crutches, desiring, as I think, some speech of me?---Friend," continued the physician, addressing Higg, the son of Snell, "I refuse thee not the aid of mine art, but I relieve not with one asper those who beg for alms upon the highway. Out upon thee!---Hast thou the palsy in thy legs? then let thy hands work for thy livelihood; for, albeit thou be'st unfit for a speedy post, or for a careful shepherd, or for the warfare, or for the service of a hasty master, yet there be occupations---How now, brother?" said he, interrupting his harangue to look towards Isaac, who had but glanced at the scroll which Higg offered, when, uttering a deep groan, he fell from his mule like a dying man, and lay for a minute insensible.
The Rabbi now dismounted in great alarm, and hastily applied the remedies which his art suggested for the recovery of his companion. He had even taken from his pocket a cupping apparatus, and was about to proceed to phlebotomy, when the object of his anxious solicitude suddenly revived; but it was to dash his cap from his head, and to throw dust on his grey hairs. The physician was at first inclined to ascribe this sudden and violent emotion to the effects of insanity; and, adhering to his original purpose, began once again to handle his implements. But Isaac soon convinced him of his error.
"Child of my sorrow," he said, "well shouldst thou be called Benoni, instead of Rebecca! Why should thy death bring down my grey hairs to the grave, till, in the bitterness of my heart, I curse God and die!"
"Brother," said the Rabbi, in great surprise, "art thou a father in Israel, and dost thou utter words like unto these?---I trust that the child of thy house yet liveth?"
"She liveth," answered Isaac; "but it is as Daniel, who was called Beltheshazzar, even when within the den of the lions. She is captive unto those men of Belial, and they will wreak their cruelty upon her, sparing neither for her youth nor her comely favour. O! she was as a crown of green palms to my grey locks; and she must wither in a night, like the gourd of Jonah!---Child of my love!---child of my old age!---oh, Rebecca, daughter of Rachel! the darkness of the shadow of death hath encompassed thee."
"Yet read the scroll," said the Rabbi; "peradventure it may be that we may yet find out a way of deliverance."
"Do thou read, brother," answered Isaac, "for mine eyes are as a fountain of water."
The physician read, but in their native language, the following words:---
"To Isaac, the son of Adonikam, whom the Gentiles call Isaac of York, peace and the blessing of the promise be multiplied unto thee!---My father, I am as one doomed to die for that which my soul knoweth not---even for the crime of witchcraft. My father, if a strong man can be found to do battle for my cause with sword and spear, according to the custom of the Nazarenes, and that within the lists of Templestowe, on the third day from this time, peradventure our fathers' God will give him strength to defend the innocent, and her who hath none to help her. But if this may not be, let the virgins of our people mourn for me as for one cast off, and for the hart that is stricken by the hunter, and for the flower which is cut down by the scythe of the mower. Wherefore look now what thou doest, and whether there be any rescue. One Nazarene warrior might indeed bear arms in my behalf, even Wilfred, son of Cedric, whom the Gentiles call Ivanhoe. But he may not yet endure the weight of his armour. Nevertheless, send the tidings unto him, my father; for he hath favour among the strong men of his people, and as he was our companion in the house of bondage, he may find some one to do battle for my sake. And say unto him, even unto him, even unto Wilfred, the son of Cedric, that if Rebecca live, or if Rebecca die, she liveth or dieth wholly free of the guilt she is charged withal. And if it be the will of God that thou shalt be deprived of thy daughter, do not thou tarry, old man, in this land of bloodshed and cruelty; but betake thyself to Cordova, where thy brother liveth in safety, under the shadow of the throne, even of the throne of Boabdil the Saracen; for less cruel are the cruelties of the Moors unto the race of Jacob, than the cruelties of the Nazarenes of England."
Isaac listened with tolerable composure while Ben Samuel read the letter, and then again resumed the gestures and exclamations of Oriental sorrow, tearing his garments, besprinkling his head with dust, and ejaculating, "My daughter! my daughter! flesh of my flesh, and bone of my bone!"
"Yet," said the Rabbi, "take courage, for this grief availeth nothing. Gird up thy loins, and seek out this Wilfred, the son of Cedric. It may be he will help thee with counsel or with strength; for the youth hath favour in the eyes of Richard, called of the Nazarenes Coeur-de-Lion, and the tidings that he hath returned are constant in the land. It may be that he may obtain his letter, and his signet, commanding these men of blood, who take their name from the Temple to the dishonour thereof, that they proceed not in their purposed wickedness."
"I will seek him out," said Isaac, "for he is a good youth, and hath compassion for the exile of Jacob. But he cannot bear his armour, and what other Christian shall do battle for the oppressed of Zion?"
"Nay, but," said the Rabbi, "thou speakest as one that knoweth not the Gentiles. With gold shalt thou buy their valour, even as with gold thou buyest thine own safety. Be of good courage, and do thou set forward to find out this Wilfred of Ivanhoe. I will also up and be doing, for great sin it were to leave thee in thy calamity. I will hie me to the city of York, where many warriors and strong men are assembled, and doubt not I will find among them some one who will do battle for thy daughter; for gold is their god, and for riches will they pawn their lives as well as their lands.---Thou wilt fulfil, my brother, such promise as I may make unto them in thy name?"
"Assuredly, brother," said Isaac, "and Heaven be praised that raised me up a comforter in my misery. Howbeit, grant them not their full demand at once, for thou shalt find it the quality of this accursed people that they will ask pounds, and peradventure accept of ounces---Nevertheless, be it as thou willest, for I am distracted in this thing, and what would my gold avail me if the child of my love should perish!"
"Farewell," said the physician, "and may it be to thee as thy heart desireth."
They embraced accordingly, and departed on their several roads. The crippled peasant remained for some time looking after them.
"These dog-Jews!" said he; "to take no more notice of a free guild-brother, than if I were a bond slave or a Turk, or a circumcised Hebrew like themselves! They might have flung me a mancus or two, however. I was not obliged to bring their unhallowed scrawls, and run the risk of being bewitched, as more folks than one told me. And what care I for the bit of gold that the wench gave me, if I am to come to harm from the priest next Easter at confession, and be obliged to give him twice as much to make it up with him, and be called the Jew's flying post all my life, as it may hap, into the bargain? I think I was bewitched in earnest when I was beside that girl!---But it was always so with Jew or Gentile, whosoever came near her---none could stay when she had an errand to go---and still, whenever I think of her, I would give shop and tools to save her life."

这儿我掷下我的手套,
让它来证明你有没有充分的胆量。
《理查二世》(注)
--------
(注)莎士比亚的历史剧,引文尼第四幕第一场。
甚至卢加斯•博马诺也被丽贝卡的神态和表情打动了。他本来不是一个残忍的人,甚至不是一个严厉的人,然而由于天生缺乏热情,又对责任怀有一种偏激的、但也是错误的观念,他的心在他所向往的禁欲生活中,在他所行使的至高权力中,以及在他认为他对镇压邪教、肃清异端负有特殊责任的信念中,逐渐变得冷酷了。现在他注视着这个美貌的女子,尽管她孤零零的,没有朋友,仍毫不气馁,振足精神,保护着自己,这使他平时的严厉表情变得缓和了。他在身上划了两次十字,仿佛在怀疑,他心头出现的反常的温厚情绪来自哪里,它在这种情况下一向是硬得像剑一样的。最后他开口了。
“小姑娘,”他说,“如果我对你感到怜悯,是你在我身上使用魔法造成的,那么你的罪孽是严重的。但是我希望这只是我天性中一种比较仁慈的感情,它为这么秀丽的外表成为包藏灾祸的容器感到痛心。悔改吧,我的女儿,承认你的巫术,抛弃你的邪恶信仰,皈依神圣的十字架,今后你便可以获得新生。你可以在最严格的修会中,与姊妹们一起诚心祈祷,用苦行赎你的罪愆,再也不必为悔改而烦恼了。这么做和这么生活吧,摩百的律法(注)对你有什么意义,你何必为它而死呢?”
--------
(注)在犹太教中,摩西被认为是最伟大的先知和导师,犹太教的《圣经》即以相传为摩西所著的《律法书》等为主,犹太教的另一主要经典《塔木德》也以摩西律法为基础,因此基督徒常把犹太教称为摩西教,在这里摩西律法不仅指摩西十诫而言。
“这是我祖先的律法,”丽贝卡答道,“它是在西奈山上,在雷鸣和闪电中,在密云和火焰中传授的。你们既然是基督徒,这也是你们信仰的。你们说,它已撤消了,但我的老师不是这么教我的。”
“让我们的教士站出来,”博马诺说,“告诉这个顽固不化的异教徒……”
“原谅我打断您的话,”丽贝卡温顺地说,“我只是一个年轻女子,没有能耐为我的宗教辩护;但是我可以为它而死,只要这是上帝的意旨。我请您允准我的决斗要求。”
“把她的手套给我,”博马诺说。他一边端详着这薄薄的丝织物,它的细细的手指,一边继续道:“对于一件有关生死的大事说来,这确实是细小而脆弱的保证!丽贝卡,你瞧,你这只又薄又轻的手套,与我们强有力的铁手套相比,不正好像征你的要求与圣殿骑士团的事业吗?因为你现在要对抗的正是我们的骑士团呢。”
“把我的清白无辜放进天平,”丽贝卡答道,“丝手套的分量就会超过铁手套。”
“那么你坚决拒绝承认你有罪,坚持要进行勇敢的决斗吗?”
“我坚持,尊贵的大人,”丽贝卡回答。
“那么就这样吧,我用上天的名义宣布这点,”大宗师说,“上帝会作出公正的裁决!”
“阿门!”他周围的会督齐声答道,全场的人也用深沉的嗓音作了呼应。
“兄弟们,”博马诺说,“你们明白,我可以拒绝这女子的要求,剥夺她凭决斗判定罪责的权利;但是,虽然她是一个犹太女子,一个不信基督的人,她也是一个没有人保护的外族人,我们的律法是慈祥的,拒绝她的要求,这不符合上天的意旨。再说,我们不仅是教会中的人,也是骑士和战士,在任何理由下拒绝决斗的要求,对我们都是一种耻辱。因此,本案的情况便是这样:丽贝卡,约克的以撒的女儿,由于经常的、可疑的表现,犯有对我们尊贵的骑士团的一名骑士实施妖术的嫌疑,现在要求用决斗的办法证明她的无辜。尊敬的兄弟们,你们是否认为,应该把她掷下的决斗信物交给我们的一个人,同时说明应该交给谁?”
“把它交给布里恩•布瓦吉贝尔,他是本案涉及的主要人物,”古达尔利克的会督说,“这件事的真情也只有他最清楚。”
“但是,”大宗师说,“万一我们的布里恩兄弟还处在魔法和妖术的影响下——我是为了防备万一,因为我也认为,在我们的骑士团中,他是最适合担当这任务,甚至更重要的任务的。”
“尊贵的大宗师,”古达尔利克的会督答道,“任何妖术也不能支配为上帝的裁判进行决斗的人。”
“你讲得对,兄弟,”大宗师说。“艾伯特•马尔沃辛,把决斗的信物交给布里恩•布瓦吉贝尔。兄弟,”他又向布瓦吉贝尔继续道,“我们把这任务交给你,你必须勇敢地战斗,丝毫也不犹豫,因为正义的事业必将获得胜利。现在,丽贝卡,请你听着,从今天起的第三天以前,你必须找到一位斗士。”
“这个期限太短了,”丽贝卡答道,“我是外地人,又崇奉另一种信仰,要找到一个人为我冒生命和荣誉的危险,与一个声誉卓著的骑士战斗,这不是容易的。”
“我不能延长期限,”大宗师答道,“决斗应该在我亲自主持下进行,但各种重要的公务使我必须在第四天离开这里。”
“上帝的意旨是一定会实现的!”丽贝卡说,“我信任他的安排,对于他,一瞬间和一个时代同样可以发挥拯救作用。”
“你讲得很好,小姑娘,”大宗师说,“但我们也知道,谁最善于把自己打扮成光明的天使。现在只要再指定一个合适的决斗地点便可以了,如果一切顺利,那么这也是行刑的地点。这个会堂的会督在哪里?”
艾伯特•马尔沃辛仍拿着丽贝卡的手套,正在干方百计劝说布瓦吉贝尔,只是声音极轻。
“怎么!”大宗师说,“他不肯接受信物吗?”
“不,他会……他肯接受的,尊贵的大宗师,”马尔沃辛说,一边偷偷把手套塞进了自己的长袍内。“至于决斗的地点,我认为最合适的是圣乔治比武场,它属于这个会堂,平时是用于军事操练的。”
“可以,”大宗师说。“丽贝卡,你必须让你的斗士如期到达那个比武场,如果你办不到,或者你的斗士由于上帝的裁决而打败了,你必须接受惩罚,作为一个女巫被处死。现在应该把我们的这个判决记录在案,并当众宣布,免得任何人推说不知道。”
在法庭上担任记录的教士,立即拿起一个大本子,把这决定写成文字,这本子记载了圣殿骑士团历年召开这类会议作出的决定。他写完后,便交给另一个教士,把大宗师的判决大声朗读了一遍,它用的是诺曼法语,把它翻译出来,意思便是如下:
“约克郡以撒之女丽贝卡,系犹太人,被指控对圣殿骑士团一名骑士施行巫术、妖法及其他蛊惑手段,但该女子否认上述罪行,声称本日就其罪行所作之证词全属子虚乌有,不实之辞,要求举行决斗裁决,但鉴于女子不能亲自参加决斗,因此援引法定之有关变通办法(注),要求由其邀请一;名斗士按照骑士所应履行之一切规则,采用符合决斗条件之武器,代其进行决斗,决斗后果及费用由该女子自行承担。该女子已提交要求决斗之信物。该信物现交由圣殿骑士团尊贵之骑士布里恩•布瓦吉贝尔收执,该骑士作为申诉人行使妖术之受害者,将代表骑士团及其本人参加决斗。上述决斗及该女子所要求之通融措施,均已蒙依法享有全权之尊贵之大宗师,卢加斯•博马诺侯爵大人予以允准,并指定第三日在圣殿会堂附近称为圣乔治比武场之广场内,举行决斗。大宗师已命令申诉人,届时其斗士必须到场,否则便将对申诉人按行使巫术及妖法治罪;该女子作为被告,届时亦应到场,如若缺席,亦应按背弃诺言一并治罪。上述最尊贵之大宗师决定亲自监督此次决斗,以保证决斗依照一切合理而光荣之规则进行。愿上帝保佑我们伸张正义的事业!”
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(注)这变通办法规定,申诉人如为女子,无法亲自参与决斗时,可由其邀请之斗士代她进行。——原注
“阿门!”大宗师说,在场的人也都照讲了一遍。丽贝卡没有开口,但她仰望着天上,合抱着双手,在这一刻内没有改变姿势。然后她谦逊地提醒大宗师,应该允许她得到一些与她的亲友自由沟通消息的机会,以便让他们知道她的处境,尽可能为她取得一位替她决斗的勇士。
“这要求是合理和合法的,”大宗师说,“你可以选择一个你信任的人作你的使者,他有权在你的四室中与你自由接触。”
“这里有没有一个人,出于善良的意愿,或者为了丰厚的酬金,肯替一个落难女于担任送信的差使?”丽贝卡大声问道。
没有人作声,因为谁也不想当着大宗师的面,对这个遭到诬蔑的囚犯表示关心,免得招来不白之冤,被认为有倾向犹太教的嫌疑。在这种顾虑面前,不仅同情完全不起作用,赏金也失去了诱惑力。
丽贝卡在难以描摹的焦急心情中等了好一会,最后只得叹了口气,说道:“真的这样吗?在英国这片土地上,我连获救的最后一线希望也被剥夺了吗?连一个最严重的罪犯所能得到的仁爱也得不到吗?”
希格•斯内尔终于开口道:“我本来是一个残废的人,多亏她的善心帮助,才能行走和活动。我愿意替你送信,”他又转身对丽贝卡说,“尽一个瘸子所能尽的力量,但愿我的腿跑得快一些,能补偿我的舌头给你带来的祸害。我的天哪I在我夸耀你的仁慈时,怎么想到这是在把你推上绝路!”
“一切都是上帝的安排,”丽贝卡说。“他甚至可以通过最细小的示警,让遭到国虏的犹太人返回故土(注)。凡是传达他的旨意的,即使是蜗牛也会跑得像飞鹰一般快。请你找到约克的以撒——这是给你的车马费——把这张字条交给他。我不知道是不是上天给了我勇气,但我完全相信,我不会就这么死去,会有一个勇士为我挺身而出。再见!我的生死就在于你的快慢了。”
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(注)指犹太人历史上的所谓“巴比伦回虏”时期:公元前586年新巴比伦国王尼布甲尼撒灭亡了犹太王国,将犹太人民掳往巴比伦。至公元前538年,波斯王居鲁士攻陷巴比伦后.据说上帝向他显示了种种异象,促使他把扭往巴比伦的犹太人遣返了巴勒斯坦。
乡下人接了纸条,它只包含几行希伯来文。不少人劝他不要接触这种不吉利的文字。但是希格已下定决心,要为他的女恩人出一把力。“她治好过我的身体,”他说,“我相信,她不会想危害我的灵魂。”
“我要向我的邻居布撒借一匹快马,”他又说,“在我力所能及的最短时间内赶到约克。”
然而他很幸运,不必跑这么远,因为出了会堂大门,走了还不到四分之一英里,他便遇到了两个骑骡的人,从他们穿的衣服,戴的黄色大帽子,他知道他们是犹太人;走近一些以后,他发现其中一人就是他从前的东家约克的以撒;另一个是拉比本•以色列。两人都是听到大宗师正在召集会议审问一个女巫,才大胆赶往会堂,想尽量靠近它打听消息的。
“本•以色列兄弟,”以撒说,“不知为什么,我心跳得厉害。这种妖术的罪名常常是用来掩盖对我们犹太人的迫害的。”
“鼓起勇气吧,兄弟,”医生说,“你手里掌握着大量钱财,对付得了那些拿撒勒人,你给他们一些钱就没事了;钱可以左右那些倒行逆施的人,就像伟大的所罗门的戒指可以支配邪恶的魔鬼一样(注)。但是这个拄着拐棍的可怜家伙好像要找我们,有什么话要讲吧?朋友,”医生向希格,斯内尔继续道,“你要医病我给你医,但是在大路上讨饭的叫化子,我是一个钱也不给的。快讲吧!你的腿瘫痪了吗?那么让你的手挣钱糊口吧,因为虽然你不再适合干跑腿的差使,或者当勤快的牧羊人,或者打仗,或者给性急的主人当差,然而你还可以干别的事……你怎么啦,兄弟?”他中断他的训词,望望以撒,只见他刚把希格交给他的字条看了一眼,便大叫一声,哼哼哧哧的栽下了骡子,跟死一般的躺在地上,一时间失去了知觉。
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(注)在犹太教拉比中流传着一种说法,说所罗门戴着一只印章戒指,它可以制服一切妖魔鬼怪。
拉比大吃一惊,也跨下骡子,慌忙要用他的医术让这位朋友苏醒过来。他甚至已从口袋里掏出了放血用具,准备进行静脉放血了,但正在这时他要动手术的病人突然醒来了,从头上摘掉帽子,抓了一把泥土撒在苍白的头发上。这种突如其来的感情爆发,医生起先以为是精神失常的结果,因此仍想按原来的意图进行,又要去拿他的工具了。但是以撒马上制止了他,说他错了。
“我苦命的孩子呀,”他说,“你应该叫便俄尼(注),不应该叫丽贝卡!你一死,我这个白发老人还怎么活下去啊,我大伤心了,我到死都会诅咒上帝的!”
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(注)希伯来文:苦命的孩子;语出《旧约•创世记》第35章:雅各的最小一个儿子出生时,他的母亲拉吉因难产死了,临终给孩子取名使俄尼,但雅各没有照她的话做,后来给孩子取名为便雅悯,即好运的意思。
“兄弟,”拉比大吃一惊,说道,“你还是不是以色列人,怎么能讲出这样的话啊?我相信你的孩子应该还活着吧?”
“她是活着,”以撒答道,“但那是像但以理被叫作伯提沙撒的时候,甚至像他给丢在狮子坑里的时候一样(注1)。现在他成了彼列的门徒们的俘虏,他们要用残忍的手段对付她,不让她年轻的生命,秀丽的容貌继续存在下去。啊!她是戴在我苍白的头颅上的一顶青翠的棕桐花冠;可是她却像约拿的蓖麻那样,要在一夜之间枯萎了(注2)!我的心肝宝贝呀!我老年的安慰呀!唉,丽贝卡,拉雪儿的女儿哟!死亡的阴影已笼罩着你了。”
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(注1)以色列先知但以理被俘往巴比伦后,被改名为伯提沙撒,后来又被巴比伦王投入狮子坑中,却奇迹般的活了下来,见《旧约•但以理书》。
(注2)据《旧约•约拿书》,上帝给约拿一棵蓖麻,但一夜便干死了,以此教育约拿要爱惜生命。
“但是先看字条吧,”拉比说,“也许我们还能找到搭救她的办法呢。”
“请你念吧,兄弟,”以撒答道,“因为我的眼睛充满泪水,看不清了。”
医生用希伯来语念了下面的内容:
“致阿多尼康之子以撒,即外邦人所说的约克的以撤,愿上帝保佑他平安幸福!父亲,我已被判处死刑,原因何在我也不得而知,但罪名是施行巫术。父亲,如果能找到一坚强之勇士,肯按照拿撒勒人之习俗,于今日起之第三日,前来圣殿会堂之比武场,代替我用剑或予进行决斗,那么上帝也许会赋予他力量,保护一个无力自卫的无辜女子。如果不成,你的女儿便没有活命的希望了,她只得像鹿一样给猎人用熗刺死,像花一样给农夫用镰刀砍断了。现有一事请父亲考虑,或许尚能救儿一命。据儿所知,塞德里克之子威尔弗莱德,亦即外邦人所说之艾文荷,是拿撒勒人的一位勇士,他应该是肯为女儿战斗的。只是他目前可能还身体虚弱,不能披挂上阵。然而,父亲,请你把这些消息通知他,因为他在英国的有力人士中享有威望,而我们又在狱中与他同过患难,他或许能找到一个武士为我战斗。你要告诉他,必须告诉他,告诉这个塞德里克之子威尔弗莱德,丽贝卡可能活也可能死,但不论生还是死,她都是清白的,她没有犯过被指控的罪。父亲,如果上帝的意旨是要让你失去你的女儿,那么在我死后,你切勿再留在这片血腥和残忍的土地上,你还是赶快前往科尔多瓦,你的兄弟在那里过着安居乐业的生活,尽管那是在萨拉森人鲍勃第尔的统治下,但摩尔人对待雅各的子孙还好一些(注),不如英国的拿撒勒人那么残忍。”
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(注)从公元八世纪起,穆斯林控制了西班牙大部分地区,建立了许多小王国,科尔多瓦地区便是这样。但这里所说的鲍勃第尔是虚构的。
在本•以色列读信时,以撒尽量忍耐,注意听着,但念完后,他又恢复了东方人呼天抢地的表示悲痛的方式,撕开衣服,朝头上撒尘土,连连喊叫:“我的女儿!我的女儿!我的宝贝,我的亲生骨肉啊!”
“可是你得勇敢一些,”拉比说,“这么哭喊是无济于事的。振作精神,准备动身吧,你得找到这个塞德里克之子威尔弗莱德。也许他会告诉你怎么办,或者替你出力的,因为这年轻人是拿撒勒人所说的狮心王理查宠爱的巨子,这位国王已经回国的消息到处都在传播。也许年轻人能拿到理查亲自签发的公文,命令那些残忍的人不得再继续为非作恶,这些人假借圣殿的名义,于尽了伤天害理的勾当。”
“我一定要找到他,”以撒说,“他是一个好青年,同情我们这些流亡的人。但是他不能穿盔甲,别的基督徒又有谁肯为受压迫的犹太人伸张正义呢?”
“不对,”拉比说,“你讲这种话好像不了解那些外邦人似的。你给他们黄金,他们就会替你卖命,就像你给他们黄金,他们就会保护你的安全一样。拿出勇气来吧,赶快出发,找到这个艾文荷的威尔弗莱德。我也会尽力帮助你,你遇到了灾难,丢下你不管那是极大的罪恶。我得赶紧前往约克城,现在许多骑士和有力人物聚集在那里,我相信我可以找到一个肯为你的女儿战斗的人,因为黄金是他们的上帝,为了黄金,他们可以像抵押田地一样,拿生命作赌注。但是,我的兄弟,我用你的名义作出的允诺,你肯认账吗?”
“这当然,兄弟,”以撒说,“多谢上帝,在我的患难中他给了我一位帮助我的朋友!不过,不要一下子答应他们的全部要求,因为你会发现,这些邪恶的人有个特点:他们向你要几镑,可是也许你给他们几两,他们就满足了。不过你要怎么做就怎么做吧,我已给这件事弄得心乱如麻,万一我亲爱的孩子死了,我还留着这些黄金干什么啊!”
“再见,”医生说,“愿你一切顺利,达到目的。”
于是他们拥抱了一下,便分头上路了。瘸腿的乡下人望着他们的背影,在那儿愣了好大一会。
“这些犹太孬种!”他说,“他们简直不把我这个自由的行会职工放在眼里,好像我是一个奴隶或者土耳其人,或者也像他们一样是行过割礼的希伯来人!他们至少应该给我一两个银币才对。我没有责任非得给他们送这种不吉利的信不可,许多人对我说,这是有中魔法的危险的。那个小姑娘给我的一枚金币算得什么,万一到了下个复活节神父要我忏悔,我还得加倍付钱给他呢,而且我得一辈子挨骂,给说成是给犹太人跑腿的。我站在那个女孩子身边的时候,一定已经中了魔法,才会那么热心!但是不论犹太人还是外邦人,谁看了她那副样子,都不会不肯替她送信的;何况每逢我想起她,只要能救她,哪怕把我的作坊和工具都拿出来,我也心甘情愿。”
子规月落

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等级: 内阁元老
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Chapter 39
O maid, unrelenting and cold as thou art, My bosom is proud as thine own. Seward
It was in the twilight of the day when her trial, if it could be called such, had taken place, that a low knock was heard at the door of Rebecca's prison-chamber. It disturbed not the inmate, who was then engaged in the evening prayer recommended by her religion, and which concluded with a hymn we have ventured thus to translate into English.
When Israel, of the Lord beloved, Out of the land of bondage came, Her father's God before her moved, An awful guide, in smoke and flame. By day, along the astonish'd lands The cloudy pillar glided slow; By night, Arabia's crimson'd sands Return'd the fiery column's glow.
There rose the choral hymn of praise, And trump and timbrel answer'd keen, And Zion's daughters pour'd their lays, With priest's and warrior's voice between. No portents now our foes amaze, Forsaken Israel wanders lone; Our fathers would not know THY ways, And THOU hast left them to their own.
But, present still, though now unseen; When brightly shines the prosperous day, Be thoughts of THEE a cloudy screen To temper the deceitful ray. And oh, when stoops on Judah's path In shade and storm the frequent night, Be THOU, long-suffering, slow to wrath, A burning, and a shining light!
Our harps we left by Babel's streams, The tyrant's jest, the Gentile's scorn; No censer round our altar beams, And mute our timbrel, trump, and horn. But THOU hast said, the blood of goat, The flesh of rams, I will not prize; A contrite heart, and humble thought, Are mine accepted sacrifice.
When the sounds of Rebecca's devotional hymn had died away in silence, the low knock at the door was again renewed. "Enter," she said, "if thou art a friend; and if a foe, I have not the means of refusing thy entrance."
"I am," said Brian de Bois-Guilbert, entering the apartment, "friend or foe, Rebecca, as the event of this interview shall make me."
Alarmed at the sight of this man, whose licentious passion she considered as the root of her misfortunes, Rebecca drew backward with a cautious and alarmed, yet not a timorous demeanour, into the farthest corner of the apartment, as if determined to retreat as far as she could, but to stand her ground when retreat became no longer possible. She drew herself into an attitude not of defiance, but of resolution, as one that would avoid provoking assault, yet was resolute to repel it, being offered, to the utmost of her power.
"You have no reason to fear me, Rebecca," said the Templar; "or if I must so qualify my speech, you have at least NOW no reason to fear me."
"I fear you not, Sir Knight," replied Rebecca, although her short-drawn breath seemed to belie the heroism of her accents; "my trust is strong, and I fear thee not."
"You have no cause," answered Bois-Guilbert, gravely; "my former frantic attempts you have not now to dread. Within your call are guards, over whom I have no authority. They are designed to conduct you to death, Rebecca, yet would not suffer you to be insulted by any one, even by me, were my frenzy---for frenzy it is---to urge me so far."
"May Heaven be praised!" said the Jewess; "death is the least of my apprehensions in this den of evil."
"Ay," replied the Templar, "the idea of death is easily received by the courageous mind, when the road to it is sudden and open. A thrust with a lance, a stroke with a sword, were to me little ---To you, a spring from a dizzy battlement, a stroke with a sharp poniard, has no terrors, compared with what either thinks disgrace. Mark me---I say this---perhaps mine own sentiments of honour are not less fantastic, Rebecca, than thine are; but we know alike how to die for them."
"Unhappy man," said the Jewess; "and art thou condemned to expose thy life for principles, of which thy sober judgment does not acknowledge the solidity? Surely this is a parting with your treasure for that which is not bread---but deem not so of me. Thy resolution may fluctuate on the wild and changeful billows of human opinion, but mine is anchored on the Rock of Ages."
"Silence, maiden," answered the Templar; "such discourse now avails but little. Thou art condemned to die not a sudden and easy death, such as misery chooses, and despair welcomes, but a slow, wretched, protracted course of torture, suited to what the diabolical bigotry of these men calls thy crime."
"And to whom---if such my fate---to whom do I owe this?" said Rebecca "surely only to him, who, for a most selfish and brutal cause, dragged me hither, and who now, for some unknown purpose of his own, strives to exaggerate the wretched fate to which he exposed me."
"Think not," said the Templar, "that I have so exposed thee; I would have bucklered thee against such danger with my own bosom, as freely as ever I exposed it to the shafts which had otherwise reached thy life."
"Had thy purpose been the honourable protection of the innocent," said Rebecca, "I had thanked thee for thy care---as it is, thou hast claimed merit for it so often, that I tell thee life is worth nothing to me, preserved at the price which thou wouldst exact for it."
"Truce with thine upbraidings, Rebecca," said the Templar; "I have my own cause of grief, and brook not that thy reproaches should add to it."
"What is thy purpose, then, Sir Knight?" said the Jewess; "speak it briefly.---If thou hast aught to do, save to witness the misery thou hast caused, let me know it; and then, if so it please you, leave me to myself---the step between time and eternity is short but terrible, and I have few moments to prepare for it."
"I perceive, Rebecca," said Bois-Guilbert, "that thou dost continue to burden me with the charge of distresses, which most fain would I have prevented."
"Sir Knight," said Rebecca, "I would avoid reproaches---But what is more certain than that I owe my death to thine unbridled passion?"
"You err---you err,"---said the Templar, hastily, "if you impute what I could neither foresee nor prevent to my purpose or agency. ---Could I guess the unexpected arrival of yon dotard, whom some flashes of frantic valour, and the praises yielded by fools to the stupid self-torments of an ascetic, have raised for the present above his own merits, above common sense, above me, and above the hundreds of our Order, who think and feel as men free from such silly and fantastic prejudices as are the grounds of his opinions and actions?"
"Yet," said Rebecca, "you sate a judge upon me, innocent---most innocent---as you knew me to be---you concurred in my condemnation, and, if I aright understood, are yourself to appear in arms to assert my guilt, and assure my punishment."
"Thy patience, maiden," replied the Templar. "No race knows so well as thine own tribes how to submit to the time, and so to trim their bark as to make advantage even of an adverse wind."
"Lamented be the hour," said Rebecca, "that has taught such art to the House of Israel! but adversity bends the heart as fire bends the stubborn steel, and those who are no longer their own governors, and the denizens of their own free independent state, must crouch before strangers. It is our curse, Sir Knight, deserved, doubtless, by our own misdeeds and those of our fathers; but you---you who boast your freedom as your birthright, how much deeper is your disgrace when you stoop to soothe the prejudices of others, and that against your own conviction?"
"Your words are bitter, Rebecca," said Bois-Guilbert, pacing the apartment with impatience, "but I came not hither to bandy reproaches with you.---Know that Bois-Guilbert yields not to created man, although circumstances may for a time induce him to alter his plan. His will is the mountain stream, which may indeed be turned for a little space aside by the rock, but fails not to find its course to the ocean. That scroll which warned thee to demand a champion, from whom couldst thou think it came, if not from Bois-Guilbert? In whom else couldst thou have excited such interest?"
"A brief respite from instant death," said Rebecca, "which will little avail me---was this all thou couldst do for one, on whose head thou hast heaped sorrow, and whom thou hast brought near even to the verge of the tomb?"
"No maiden," said Bois-Guilbert, "this was NOT all that I purposed. Had it not been for the accursed interference of yon fanatical dotard, and the fool of Goodalricke, who, being a Templar, affects to think and judge according to the ordinary rules of humanity, the office of the Champion Defender had devolved, not on a Preceptor, but on a Companion of the Order. Then I myself---such was my purpose---had, on the sounding of the trumpet, appeared in the lists as thy champion, disguised indeed in the fashion of a roving knight, who seeks adventures to prove his shield and spear; and then, let Beaumanoir have chosen not one, but two or three of the brethren here assembled, I had not doubted to cast them out of the saddle with my single lance. Thus, Rebecca, should thine innocence have been avouched, and to thine own gratitude would I have trusted for the reward of my victory."
"This, Sir Knight," said Rebecca, "is but idle boasting---a brag of what you would have done had you not found it convenient to do otherwise. You received my glove, and my champion, if a creature so desolate can find one, must encounter your lance in the lists ---yet you would assume the air of my friend and protector!"
"Thy friend and protector," said the Templar, gravely, "I will yet be---but mark at what risk, or rather at what certainty, of dishonour; and then blame me not if I make my stipulations, before I offer up all that I have hitherto held dear, to save the life of a Jewish maiden."
"Speak," said Rebecca; "I understand thee not."
"Well, then," said Bois-Guilbert, "I will speak as freely as ever did doting penitent to his ghostly father, when placed in the tricky confessional.---Rebecca, if I appear not in these lists I lose fame and rank---lose that which is the breath of my nostrils, the esteem, I mean, in which I am held by my brethren, and the hopes I have of succeeding to that mighty authority, which is now wielded by the bigoted dotard Lucas de Beaumanoir, but of which I should make a different use. Such is my certain doom, except I appear in arms against thy cause. Accursed be he of Goodalricke, who baited this trap for me! and doubly accursed Albert de Malvoisin, who withheld me from the resolution I had formed, of hurling back the glove at the face of the superstitious and superannuated fool, who listened to a charge so absurd, and against a creature so high in mind, and so lovely in form as thou art!"
"And what now avails rant or flattery?" answered Rebecca. "Thou hast made thy choice between causing to be shed the blood of an innocent woman, or of endangering thine own earthly state and earthly hopes---What avails it to reckon together?---thy choice is made."
"No, Rebecca," said the knight, in a softer tone, and drawing nearer towards her; "my choice is NOT made---nay, mark, it is thine to make the election. If I appear in the lists, I must maintain my name in arms; and if I do so, championed or unchampioned, thou diest by the stake and faggot, for there lives not the knight who hath coped with me in arms on equal issue, or on terms of vantage, save Richard Coeur-de-Lion, and his minion of Ivanhoe. Ivanhoe, as thou well knowest, is unable to bear his corslet, and Richard is in a foreign prison. If I appear, then thou diest, even although thy charms should instigate some hot-headed youth to enter the lists in thy defence."
"And what avails repeating this so often?" said Rebecca.
"Much," replied the Templar; "for thou must learn to look at thy fate on every side."
"Well, then, turn the tapestry," said the Jewess, "and let me see the other side."
"If I appear," said Bois-Guilbert, "in the fatal lists, thou diest by a slow and cruel death, in pain such as they say is destined to the guilty hereafter. But if I appear not, then am I a degraded and dishonoured knight, accused of witchcraft and of communion with infidels---the illustrious name which has grown yet more so under my wearing, becomes a hissing and a reproach. I lose fame, I lose honour, I lose the prospect of such greatness as scarce emperors attain to---I sacrifice mighty ambition, I destroy schemes built as high as the mountains with which heathens say their heaven was once nearly scaled---and yet, Rebecca," he added, throwing himself at her feet, "this greatness will I sacrifice, this fame will I renounce, this power will I forego, even now when it is half within my grasp, if thou wilt say, Bois-Guilbert, I receive thee for my lover."
"Think not of such foolishness, Sir Knight," answered Rebecca, "but hasten to the Regent, the Queen Mother, and to Prince John ---they cannot, in honour to the English crown, allow of the proceedings of your Grand Master. So shall you give me protection without sacrifice on your part, or the pretext of requiring any requital from me."
"With these I deal not," he continued, holding the train of her robe---"it is thee only I address; and what can counterbalance thy choice? Bethink thee, were I a fiend, yet death is a worse, and it is death who is my rival."
"I weigh not these evils," said Rebecca, afraid to provoke the wild knight, yet equally determined neither to endure his passion, nor even feign to endure it. "Be a man, be a Christian! If indeed thy faith recommends that mercy which rather your tongues than your actions pretend, save me from this dreadful death, without seeking a requital which would change thy magnanimity into base barter."
"No, damsel!" said the proud Templar, springing up, "thou shalt not thus impose on me---if I renounce present fame and future ambition, I renounce it for thy sake, and we will escape in company. Listen to me, Rebecca," he said, again softening his tone; "England,---Europe,---is not the world. There are spheres in which we may act, ample enough even for my ambition. We will go to Palestine, where Conrade, Marquis of Montserrat, is my friend---a friend free as myself from the doting scruples which fetter our free-born reason----rather with Saladin will we league ourselves, than endure the scorn of the bigots whom we contemn. ---I will form new paths to greatness," he continued, again traversing the room with hasty strides---"Europe shall hear the loud step of him she has driven from her sons!---Not the millions whom her crusaders send to slaughter, can do so much to defend Palestine---not the sabres of the thousands and ten thousands of Saracens can hew their way so deep into that land for which nations are striving, as the strength and policy of me and those brethren, who, in despite of yonder old bigot, will adhere to me in good and evil. Thou shalt be a queen, Rebecca---on Mount Carmel shall we pitch the throne which my valour will gain for you, and I will exchange my long-desired batoon for a sceptre!"
"A dream," said Rebecca; "an empty vision of the night, which, were it a waking reality, affects me not. Enough, that the power which thou mightest acquire, I will never share; nor hold I so light of country or religious faith, as to esteem him who is willing to barter these ties, and cast away the bonds of the Order of which he is a sworn member, in order to gratify an unruly passion for the daughter of another people.---Put not a price on my deliverance, Sir Knight---sell not a deed of generosity---protect the oppressed for the sake of charity, and not for a selfish advantage---Go to the throne of England; Richard will listen to my appeal from these cruel men."
"Never, Rebecca!" said the Templar, fiercely. "If I renounce my Order, for thee alone will I renounce it---Ambition shall remain mine, if thou refuse my love; I will not be fooled on all hands. ---Stoop my crest to Richard?---ask a boon of that heart of pride?---Never, Rebecca, will I place the Order of the Temple at his feet in my person. I may forsake the Order, I never will degrade or betray it."
"Now God be gracious to me," said Rebecca, "for the succour of man is well-nigh hopeless!"
"It is indeed," said the Templar; "for, proud as thou art, thou hast in me found thy match. If I enter the lists with my spear in rest, think not any human consideration shall prevent my putting forth my strength; and think then upon thine own fate ---to die the dreadful death of the worst of criminals---to be consumed upon a blazing pile---dispersed to the elements of which our strange forms are so mystically composed---not a relic left of that graceful frame, from which we could say this lived and moved!---Rebecca, it is not in woman to sustain this prospect ---thou wilt yield to my suit."
"Bois-Guilbert," answered the Jewess, "thou knowest not the heart of woman, or hast only conversed with those who are lost to her best feelings. I tell thee, proud Templar, that not in thy fiercest battles hast thou displayed more of thy vaunted courage, than has been shown by woman when called upon to suffer by affection or duty. I am myself a woman, tenderly nurtured, naturally fearful of danger, and impatient of pain---yet, when we enter those fatal lists, thou to fight and I to suffer, I feel the strong assurance within me, that my courage shall mount higher than thine. Farewell---I waste no more words on thee; the time that remains on earth to the daughter of Jacob must be otherwise spent---she must seek the Comforter, who may hide his face from his people, but who ever opens his ear to the cry of those who seek him in sincerity and in truth."
"We part then thus?" said the Templar, after a short pause; "would to Heaven that we had never met, or that thou hadst been noble in birth and Christian in faith!---Nay, by Heaven! when I gaze on thee, and think when and how we are next to meet, I could even wish myself one of thine own degraded nation; my hand conversant with ingots and shekels, instead of spear and shield; my head bent down before each petty noble, and my look only terrible to the shivering and bankrupt debtor---this could I wish, Rebecca, to be near to thee in life, and to escape the fearful share I must have in thy death."
"Thou hast spoken the Jew," said Rebecca, "as the persecution of such as thou art has made him. Heaven in ire has driven him from his country, but industry has opened to him the only road to power and to influence, which oppression has left unbarred. Read the ancient history of the people of God, and tell me if those, by whom Jehovah wrought such marvels among the nations, were then a people of misers and of usurers!---And know, proud knight, we number names amongst us to which your boasted northern nobility is as the gourd compared with the cedar---names that ascend far back to those high times when the Divine Presence shook the mercy-seat between the cherubim, and which derive their splendour from no earthly prince, but from the awful Voice, which bade their fathers be nearest of the congregation to the Vision---Such were the princes of the House of Jacob."
Rebecca's colour rose as she boasted the ancient glories of her race, but faded as she added, with at sigh, "Such WERE the princes of Judah, now such no more!---They are trampled down like the shorn grass, and mixed with the mire of the ways. Yet are there those among them who shame not such high descent, and of such shall be the daughter of Isaac the son of Adonikam! Farewell!---I envy not thy blood-won honours---I envy not thy barbarous descent from northern heathens---I envy thee not thy faith, which is ever in thy mouth, but never in thy heart nor in thy practice."
"There is a spell on me, by Heaven!" said Bois-Guilbert. "I almost think yon besotted skeleton spoke truth, and that the reluctance with which I part from thee hath something in it more than is natural.---Fair creature!" he said, approaching near her, but with great respect,---"so young, so beautiful, so fearless of death! and yet doomed to die, and with infamy and agony. Who would not weep for thee?---The tear, that has been a stranger to these eyelids for twenty years, moistens them as I gaze on thee. But it must be---nothing may now save thy life. Thou and I are but the blind instruments of some irresistible fatality, that hurries us along, like goodly vessels driving before the storm, which are dashed against each other, and so perish. Forgive me, then, and let us part, at least, as friends part. I have assailed thy resolution in vain, and mine own is fixed as the adamantine decrees of fate."
"Thus," said Rebecca, "do men throw on fate the issue of their own wild passions. But I do forgive thee, Bois-Guilbert, though the author of my early death. There are noble things which cross over thy powerful mind; but it is the garden of the sluggard, and the weeds have rushed up, and conspired to choke the fair and wholesome blossom."
"Yes," said the Templar, "I am, Rebecca, as thou hast spoken me, untaught, untamed---and proud, that, amidst a shoal of empty fools and crafty bigots, I have retained the preeminent fortitude that places me above them. I have been a child of battle from my youth upward, high in my views, steady and inflexible in pursuing them. Such must I remain---proud, inflexible, and unchanging; and of this the world shall have proof.---But thou forgivest me, Rebecca?"
"As freely as ever victim forgave her executioner."
"Farewell, then," said the Templar, and left the apartment.
The Preceptor Albert waited impatiently in an adjacent chamber the return of Bois-Guilbert.
"Thou hast tarried long," he said; "I have been as if stretched on red-hot iron with very impatience. What if the Grand Master, or his spy Conrade, had come hither? I had paid dear for my complaisance.---But what ails thee, brother?---Thy step totters, thy brow is as black as night. Art thou well, Bois-Guilbert?"
"Ay," answered the Templar, "as well as the wretch who is doomed to die within an hour.---Nay, by the rood, not half so well---for there be those in such state, who can lay down life like a cast-off garment. By Heaven, Malvoisin, yonder girl hath well-nigh unmanned me. I am half resolved to go to the Grand Master, abjure the Order to his very teeth, and refuse to act the brutality which his tyranny has imposed on me."
"Thou art mad," answered Malvoisin; "thou mayst thus indeed utterly ruin thyself, but canst not even find a chance thereby to save the life of this Jewess, which seems so precious in thine eyes. Beaumanoir will name another of the Order to defend his judgment in thy place, and the accused will as assuredly perish as if thou hadst taken the duty imposed on thee."
"'Tis false---I will myself take arms in her behalf," answered the Templar, haughtily; "and, should I do so, I think, Malvoisin, that thou knowest not one of the Order, who will keep his saddle before the point of my lance."
"Ay, but thou forgettest," said the wily adviser, "thou wilt have neither leisure nor opportunity to execute this mad project. Go to Lucas Beaumanoir, and say thou hast renounced thy vow of obedience, and see how long the despotic old man will leave thee in personal freedom. The words shall scarce have left thy lips, ere thou wilt either be an hundred feet under ground, in the dungeon of the Preceptory, to abide trial as a recreant knight; or, if his opinion holds concerning thy possession, thou wilt be enjoying straw, darkness, and chains, in some distant convent cell, stunned with exorcisms, and drenched with holy water, to expel the foul fiend which hath obtained dominion over thee. Thou must to the lists, Brian, or thou art a lost and dishonoured man."
"I will break forth and fly," said Bois-Guilbert---"fly to some distant land, to which folly and fanaticism have not yet found their way. No drop of the blood of this most excellent creature shall be spilled by my sanction."
"Thou canst not fly," said the Preceptor; "thy ravings have excited suspicion, and thou wilt not be permitted to leave the Preceptory. Go and make the essay---present thyself before the gate, and command the bridge to be lowered, and mark what answer thou shalt receive.---Thou are surprised and offended; but is it not the better for thee? Wert thou to fly, what would ensue but the reversal of thy arms, the dishonour of thine ancestry, the degradation of thy rank?---Think on it. Where shall thine old companions in arms hide their heads when Brian de Bois-Guilbert, the best lance of the Templars, is proclaimed recreant, amid the hisses of the assembled people? What grief will be at the Court of France! With what joy will the haughty Richard hear the news, that the knight that set him hard in Palestine, and well-nigh darkened his renown, has lost fame and honour for a Jewish girl, whom he could not even save by so costly a sacrifice!"
"Malvoisin," said the Knight, "I thank thee---thou hast touched the string at which my heart most readily thrills!---Come of it what may, recreant shall never be added to the name of Bois-Guilbert. Would to God, Richard, or any of his vaunting minions of England, would appear in these lists! But they will be empty---no one will risk to break a lance for the innocent, the forlorn."
"The better for thee, if it prove so," said the Preceptor; "if no champion appears, it is not by thy means that this unlucky damsel shall die, but by the doom of the Grand Master, with whom rests all the blame, and who will count that blame for praise and commendation."
"True," said Bois-Guilbert; "if no champion appears, I am but a part of the pageant, sitting indeed on horseback in the lists, but having no part in what is to follow."
"None whatever," said Malvoisin; "no more than the armed image of Saint George when it makes part of a procession."
"Well, I will resume my resolution," replied the haughty Templar. "She has despised me---repulsed me---reviled me---And wherefore should I offer up for her whatever of estimation I have in the opinion of others? Malvoisin, I will appear in the lists."
He left the apartment hastily as he uttered these words, and the Preceptor followed, to watch and confirm him in his resolution; for in Bois-Guilbert's fame he had himself a strong interest, expecting much advantage from his being one day at the head of the Order, not to mention the preferment of which Mont-Fitchet had given him hopes, on condition he would forward the condemnation of the unfortunate Rebecca. Yet although, in combating his friend's better feelings, he possessed all the advantage which a wily, composed, selfish disposition has over a man agitated by strong and contending passions, it required all Malvoisin's art to keep Bois-Guilbert steady to the purpose he had prevailed on him to adopt. He was obliged to watch him closely to prevent his resuming his purpose of flight, to intercept his communication with the Grand Master, lest he should come to an open rupture with his Superior, and to renew, from time to time, the various arguments by which he endeavoured to show, that, in appearing as champion on this occasion, Bois-Guilbert, without either accelerating or ensuring the fate of Rebecca, would follow the only course by which he could save himself from degradation and disgrace.

啊,姑娘,尽管你这么倔强和冷酷,
我的心可是与你的一样高傲。
西沃德(注)
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(注)安娜•西沃德(1747—1809),英国女诗人,曾活跃于当时的文学界,死后,她的诗作由司各特于1810年予以出版。
在丽贝卡的审问——如果那可以称作审问的话——举行的当天傍晚,囚禁她的牢房门上响起了轻轻的叩门声。屋里的人没有理睬它,因为她正按照她的宗教的要求,聚精会神地作晚祷,祷告的最后是一篇赞歌,如果把它译成英文,大致便是这样:
当主所爱护的以色列人,
走出奴役他们的土地时,
上帝在前面给他们领路,
在烟和火中作他们敬畏的向导。
白天在危机四伏的土地上,
云柱护卫着他们缓缓向前移动,
夜晚阿拉伯半岛的红色砂土
又用光亮的火柱照耀着他们前进。
赞美的歌声从他们中间升起,
号角和手鼓紧紧追随着歌声,
锡安的女儿们在齐声欢唱,
教士和武士的声音互相应和。
现在不再有凶兆令敌人畏惧,
以色列人仿佛成了荒野中的孤儿,
我们的祖先不了解你的意图,
误以为你已把他们抛弃不管。
其实我们看不到你,你仍在我们身边
在光辉灿烂的兴旺日子,
你在我们心中仍是云雾的屏障,
可以遮挡虚假欺诈的光线。
在魅影幢幢夜幕降临的时候,
你也总是降临在犹太人的旅途上,
你容忍一切,从不轻易震怒,
你是燃烧不息的光芒四射的明灯!
我们的竖琴已留在巴别的河岸边,
它遭到了暴君耻笑,外邦人的凌辱;
我们的祭台上不再有香烟缭统,
我们的手鼓、喇。和号角也已沉寂。
但是你说过:山羊的血,
公羊的肉,都不是我所需要的;
悔改的心和恭顺的思想,
才是我所要求的祭品。(注)
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(注)这诗的第一节写以色列人逃出埃及的情形,根据《旧约•出埃及记》。第二、三节写他们获得自由后的欢乐,以及继之而来的迷茫,但上帝仍在他们身边,保护着他们。第四节的巴别出自《旧约•创世记》,是挪亚的后裔建立的城市,但在希伯来文中,巴别就是巴比伦,因此这里是说以色列人从“巴比伦囚虏”中释放后流亡各地的心情。
当丽贝卡的虔诚歌声终于沉寂之后,轻轻的叩门声又出现了。她答道:“如果你是朋友,进来吧;如果你是敌人,那么我也无法拒绝你进来。”
“我是朋友还是敌人,丽贝卡,”布里思•布瓦吉贝尔一边进屋,一边说道,“就要看这次会见的结果怎样了。”
丽贝卡认为她的灾难的根源,便是这个人肆无忌惮的情欲,因此一看见这个人心中已经慌了,立刻向后退缩,但这举动是在惊恐中防备万一,不是害怕;她一直退到了屋子最远的一角,仿佛决定要离他越远越好,只是到了退无可退的地方才站住。她采取的态度不是蔑视,而是坚决,这是表示她并不想挑衅,然而如果她遭到攻击,她就会尽她所有的力量反抗到底。
“你没有理由怕我,丽贝卡,”圣殿骑士说,“或者讲得准确一些,至少目前你没有理由怕我。”
“我并不怕你,骑士先生,”丽贝卡答道,尽管她的急促呼吸与她的英勇口气不太一致,“我充满自信,我不怕你。”
“你也不必怕我,”布瓦吉贝尔严肃地说道,“我以前的疯狂意图你现在不用再担心。这儿门外就有守兵,他们是连我也管不了的。他们可以把你押赴刑场处死,丽贝卡,但是他们不会容许任何人侮辱你,这也包括我在内,如果我的疯狂——这确实是一种疯狂——迫使我这么做的话。”
“那真是谢天谢地!”犹太姑娘说,“在这个罪恶的魔窟中,我担心的根本不是死。”
“是的,”圣殿骑士答道,“对于勇敢的心灵,死的观念是容易接受的,如果通向它的道路突然打开的话。一熗刺死,或者一刀砍死,对我算不得什么;对于你,从高耸的城墙上纵身一跃,或者给锋利的匕首刺中心脏,都并不可怕,你和我一样,都是把耻辱看得更严重的。但是请你听我说,也许我的荣誉感也像你的一样,只是一种幻想,丽贝卡,然而我们同样懂得,怎样为了它慷慨就死。”
“不幸的人,”犹太姑娘说道,“难道你曾冒生命的危险,只是为了那些连你清醒的理智也并不信以为真的原则吗?这无疑是为了不能活命的食物,抛弃你最珍贵的东西。但我不是这样,不要这么理解我。你的决心会随着人们互相矛盾、千变万化的看法而摇摆不定,我的意志却是建立在永恒的磐石(注)上的。”
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(注)出自《圣经》,《以赛亚书》第26章第4节说:“你们当依靠耶和华直到永远,因为耶和华是永久的磐石。”
“别说了,姑娘,”圣殿骑士答道,“这样的争论现在没有多大意义。你已被判处了死刑,但这种死不是一瞬间的痛苦,不是烦恼所挑选的、绝望所欢迎的那种死,这是一种缓慢而悲惨的死,一种漫长的痛苦过程,只适用于那些顽固的恶魔对你所指控的那种罪行。”
“如果这是我的命运,那么是谁造成的呢?”丽贝卡说,“当然是那个出于自私而粗暴的动机,把我劫持到这儿的人,那个出于不可告人的目的,至今仍在夸大他所带给我的悲惨命运的人。”
“不要这么想,”圣殿骑士说,“这不是我要你接受的命运。我愿意用我的胸膛来保卫你,就像我曾经用它来掩护你,迎接射向你的许多箭一样。”
“如果你是为了正义的目的,保护一个无辜的人,”丽贝卡说,“那么我已经为你的关心,感谢过你了。然而现在你一再向我表功,我只得正告你,如果活着便得付出你要我付出的代价,那么这样的生活对我毫无价值。”
“你的责备可以收场了,丽贝卡,”圣殿骑士说,“我已经够痛苦了,再也受不了你的谴责给我增加的烦恼。”
“那么你来的目的是什么,骑士先生?”犹太姑娘说。“讲干脆一些。你除了来看看你给我造成的痛苦以外,是否还有别的原因,请你告诉我。然后马上离开,不要再纠缠我。在我的一生和永恒之间,已只剩了短短的、但可怕的一步,我没有多少时间为这一步作准备了。”
“丽贝卡,”布瓦吉贝尔说,“我看到,你还在把你的苦难归咎于我,其实这是我干方百计想制止的。”.
“骑士先生,”丽贝卡说,“我可以不再责怪你,但是我的死来源于你放纵的情欲,难道不是确定不移的事实吗?”
“你错了,错了,”圣殿骑士赶紧说,“你是把我既未预见到,也无法防止的事,看作了我的意图或谋划。我怎么会料到那个老顽固会突然到来呢?这家伙只是表现了几次疯狂的勇气,得到了一些傻瓜对他愚昧无知、自我折磨的禁欲生活的颂扬,才爬上了现在的地位,这超过了他自身的才能,也超过了通常的情理,使他凌驾于我和骑士团中的许多人之上;我们并不同意他那些无聊的、荒唐的偏见,然而它们却是他的观点和行动的基础。”
“可是你却成了审判我的法官,”丽贝卡说,“你明明知道我是无辜的,根本没有错,可是你却同意了对我的判决。如果我没有听错,现在便是要由你来参加决斗,确认我的罪名,行使对我的惩罚。”
“耐心一点,姑娘,”圣殿骑士答道。“没有一个民族像你们犹太人那样懂得怎样暂时忍耐,等待时机,以便在逆风中安全行船的道理。”
“以色列人懂得这个道理,是在生死存亡的悲痛时刻!”丽贝卡说道。“那是灾难使人忍气吞声,就像烈火使坚硬的钢铁弯折一样;那些不再能主宰自己命运的人民,那些失去了自由独立的国家的公民,在外邦人面前只能低头屈服。这是我们的不幸,骑士先生,是我们自己和我们祖先的罪孽造成的。但是你们——你们自称自由是你们的天赋权利,那么你们违反自己的信念,屈从别人的偏见,这耻辱不是严重得多吗?”
“你的话太尖刻了,丽贝卡,”布瓦吉贝尔说,不耐烦地在屋里踱来踱去,“不过我到这里来不是为了跟你互相指责。你要知道,布瓦吉贝尔是从不向人屈服的,尽管环境有时会使他改变自己的计划。他的意志像山中的溪流,有时一块石头可能使它改变一段流程,但是它最终还是要奔向大海。那张提醒你要求请人决斗的字条,除了布瓦吉贝尔,你以为还有谁会写呢?除了他,还有谁会对你这么关心呢?”
“将立即处死改为暂缓执行,对我说来没有多大意义,”丽贝卡说。“你把我推进了痛苦的深渊,甚至已到达了坟墓的边缘,难道你出了那个主意便算尽了你的责任吗?”
“不,姑娘,”布瓦吉贝尔说,“这不是我的全部意图。可惜这件事给那个疯狂的老顽固,还有古达尔利克的那个傻瓜搅乱了,古达尔利克的这个人作为圣殿骑士,自以为通达情理,在按照一般的规则办事呢;要不然,代表骑士团进行决斗的任务不会落到一个会督身上,团内的任何骑士都可以担当。这样——这是我的目的—— 我便可以在号音吹响时,改扮成一个路经此地的骑士,为了一献身手,才自告奋勇,作为你的斗士进入比武场的;那么,随博马诺在我们的弟兄中怎么挑选,哪怕挑选两个、三个斗士来与我比试,我也有把握凭我一支熗把他们统统打下马背。于是丽贝卡,你的无辜便可得到证明,我也因而赢得了你的感谢,你当然会报答我。”
“骑士先生,”丽贝卡说,“这只是你编造的故事——在没有合适的办法达到目的时,你便用这种花言巧语来标榜自己。你接受了我的手套,就必须在比武场上与我的斗士——如果我这个孤苦无依的人能找到一个的话——一决雌雄;你却还要装出一副姿态,好像是我的朋友和保护人!”
“是的,”圣殿骑士严肃地说,“我仍要作你的朋友和保护人;只是你知道,这得冒多大的危险,几乎可以说,这必然会使我名誉扫地。因此请你不要责备我,在我为了挽救一个犹太姑娘的生命,抛弃我以前所珍爱的一切以前,我必须先取得你的承诺。”
“讲下去,”丽贝卡说,“我不明白你的意思。”
“那么好吧,”布瓦吉贝尔说,“我就像一个诚心悔改的人进了忏悔室,面对神父无话不讲了。丽贝卡,如果我不走上那个比武场,我便会失去名誉和地位——失去我的鼻孔呼吸的空气,也就是失去弟兄们对我的尊敬,失去飞黄腾达,继承老顽固卢加斯•博马诺现在的位置的机会,当然,一旦我爬到他的位置上,我的做法会与他完全不同。除非我参加反对你的比武,否则我的命运便是这样。可恨的是古达尔利克的那个家伙,让我走进了死胡同!更可恨的是,艾伯特•马尔沃辛拦住了我,不让我把手套当面掷回给那个老糊涂,这家伙又迷信,又悻晦,居然会主持这么荒谬的审问,要把你这么一个心地光明磊落,又生得如花侧五的女子当场处死!”
“可是现在你对我夸夸其谈或者奉承巴结,又有什么用呢?”丽贝卡答道。“你在陷害一个无辜的女人和丧失你的富贵荣华之间,已经作出了选择。现在再谈论它们的得失有什么意思?你已经决定了。”
“不,丽贝卡,”骑士说,声调温柔了一些,向她走近了几步,“我还没有作出选择;请你注意,我没有,要作出选择的是你。如果我走上比武场,我必须维护我在武艺上的声誉;那么,不论你找到了斗士没有,你都得给烈焰吞没,死在火堆上,因为世界上还没有一个骑士可以与我匹敌或超过我,除了狮心工理查和他的宠臣艾文荷,可是艾文荷,你知道得很清楚,他还不能穿盔甲,而理查还关在国外的牢房中。总之,如果我上场,你便得死,哪怕你的姿色打动了一个不知天高地厚的小伙子,愿意为你决斗也没有用。”
“你反反复复这么讲,有什么意义?”丽贝卡说。
“意义很大,”圣殿骑士答道,“因为你必须懂得,怎样从各方面来考虑你的命运。”
“好吧,那就请你翻到挂毯的反面,让我看看是怎么回事吧,”犹太姑娘说。
“如果我走进了那个不幸的比武场,你得到的便是缓慢而悲惨的死,这种痛苦据说是到了阴司也不能解脱的。但是如果我不上场,我就会身败名裂,被指责为遭到巫术蛊惑,与邪教徒同流合污的人;我的显赫名声会使这些谣言变本加厉,成为一种咒骂和低毁。我失去声望,失去荣誉,失去了连帝王也难以相比的伟大前途;我只得牺牲我的远大抱负,让我苦心经营的计划化为乌有——据说异教徒曾想建造通往天堂的梯子,这计划便是我的梯子,现在这一切都付之东流了。然而,丽贝卡,” 他又说,跪到了她的脚下,“我愿意牺牲这一切,丢掉我的虚名,抛弃我已经到手了一半的权力,只要你说一声:“布瓦吉贝尔,我接受你作我的情人。”
“不要痴心妄想吧,骑士先生,”丽贝卡答道,“你不如赶快去找摄政王,找王太后,找约翰亲王;为了英国王室的荣誉,他们不会允许你们的大宗师这么胡闹。这样,你既可以保护我,也不必牺牲你自己,或者要求我作出任何报答了。”
“我不跟那些人打交道,”他继续说,抓住了她的衣据,“我只想求你一个人;什么能抵得上你的选择呢?你考虑一下吧,就算我是魔鬼,然而死更可怕;你只能在死和我之间作出选择。”
“我不想对这些不幸进行比较,”而贝卡说,不敢激怒那个狂热的骑士,然而也决定不再容忍他的胡言乱语,不再与他假意敷衍。“请你做一个正直的人,像一个真正的基督徒!如果你的信仰确实还让你保留着一点善心,不仅在嘴上这么讲,也在行动上这么做,要从可怕的死亡中拯救我,那就不必要求任何报答,使你的宽宏大量变成卑鄙的交易。”
“不,姑娘!”骄傲的骑士说,跳了起来,“你这些道理骗不了我;如果我抛弃现在的名声和未来的野心,那么这是为你抛弃的,然后我们便得一起出走。听我说,丽贝卡,”他继续道,声音又温柔了一些,“英国和欧洲不是整个世界。我们有不少地方可去,那是个广阔的天地,甚至可以满足我的野心。我们可以前往巴勒斯坦,那里的蒙特塞拉特侯爵康拉德是我的朋友,他像我一样自由自在,不把那些束缚我们天生的自由思想的糊涂观念放在眼里;我们也可以与萨拉丁合作,这比受我们瞧不起的那些顽固分子的气还好一些。我要为远大的前途开辟新的道路,”他继续说,又迈着大步在屋内走了起来,“欧洲会听到,从它的家中给赶走的一个儿子的响亮脚步声!它派出的十字军屠杀了千百万人,也不能保住巴勒斯坦;萨拉森人的千万把军刀,也不能在各国争夺的那块土地上建立自己的地盘;只有我和我那些不顾老顽固的阻挠,追随我出生入死的弟兄们,凭我们的力量和计谋,才能在那里建立起一个王国。到那时,丽贝卡,你便是王后;我凭我的勇敢,要为你在加尔默罗山上建立起一座王宫,我要用我长期盼望的骑士团的权杖换取一个国王的权力!”
“这是梦想,”丽贝卡说,“夜里想入非非的结果,何况即使这是真的,我也毫不动心。够了,你可能取得的权力,我根本不想分享;再说,家乡或宗教信仰对我说来,不是可有可无的,愿意拿这些东西作交易的人,不会得到我的尊敬;为了一个异族女子,不惜胡作非为,放纵情欲,把他宣誓参加的骑士团也置之不顾的人,也不会得到我的信任。骑士先生,不要为搭救我索取代价,不要把一个慷慨的行为当作商品出售,扶助弱者应该是出于善良的爱心,而不是出于自私的动机。去找英国的国王吧;理查会听取我对那些残忍的人的申诉的。”
“这绝对不成,丽贝卡!”圣殿骑士咬牙切齿地说。“如果我抛弃我的骑士团,那是为你抛弃的;既然你拒绝我的爱,那么我仍保留着我的野心;我不会让任何人愚弄我。要我向理查低头?——向这颗傲慢的心乞求恩典?丽贝卡,我永远不会让圣殿骑士团由于我的缘故,拜倒在他的脚下。我可以抛弃骑士团,但我决不会贬低它,出卖它。”
“那么我只能祈求上帝的保佑了,”丽贝卡说,“因为人的搭救已几乎没有指望了!”
“确实这样,”圣殿骑士说道,“因为尽管你这么高傲,你会发现我也与你同样高傲。如果我端起长熗进入比武场,我便会不顾一切,使出我的全部力量进行决斗。想想你那时的命运吧——你会像罪恶滔天的犯人一样死在可怕的烈火中——你会给熊熊燃烧的烈焰所吞没——你会化成一堆灰,化成构成我们神奇生命的各种元素 ——你的美好容貌从此消失得无影无踪,谁也不会相信这是一个曾经生活过和行动过的人!丽贝卡,这不是一个女人所能忍受的前景,你还是接受我的要求好。”
“布瓦吉贝尔,”犹太姑娘答道,“你不了解女人的心,或者你接触过的只是那些丧失了最高尚的感情的女人。我告诉你,骄傲的圣殿骑士,你在最激烈的战斗中表现过你所夸耀的勇气,但这与女人为了爱情或责任,自愿忍受痛苦的勇气,是不能相比的。我自己是一个女人,是在温柔和爱护中长大的,我天然惧怕危险,不能忍受痛苦;可是我们走进那片决定生死的比武场时,你是去战斗的,我却是去受苦的,我感到我充满自信,我相信我的勇气会大大超过你的。再见,我不想再为你浪费唇舌;雅各的女儿留在世上的时间需要用在别的方面,她必须寻找安慰者(注),他可能不让他的人民看到他的脸,但凡是真心诚意寻找他,向他呼吁的人,他的耳朵是一定会听到的。”
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(注)指圣灵,其实这是基督教的概念,《圣经》中译为保惠师,《约翰福音》第14章第26节:“耶稣回答说……保惠师就是父因我的名所要差来的圣灵,他要将一切的事指教你们……”
“那么我们就这么分手吗?”圣殿骑士停了一会说道,“老天爷应该根本不让我们见面,或者让你生在高贵的基督徒的家庭中!不,我的天哪!在我望着你的时候,在我想到我们下一次是在什么时候,什么地方会面的时候,我甚至希望我自己也是你那个屈辱的民族中的一员,我的手是与银钱账目打交道,不是与矛和盾打交道的。我的头得在每个小贵族面前垂下,我的目光只能使破产的债务人发抖和害怕——是的,我宁可这样,丽贝卡,使我可以在生活中接近你,避免我对你的死所必须承担的可怕责任。”
“你所说的犹太人的这种情形,是你这类人的迫害造成的,”丽贝卡说道。“上帝在震怒中把他们驱逐出了自己的国家,但是勤劳给他们开辟了一条取得权力和影响的道路,这是压迫留给他们的唯一的一条路。请你读读上帝的选民的古代历史,告诉我,耶和华在各国用来显示奇迹的那些人,那时是不是守财奴和高利贷者!要知道,骄傲的骑士,我们可以举出不少人的名字,你们吹嘘的北方贵族与他们相比,不过是蓖麻之于松柏而” 已——他们的名字可以追溯到那个遥远的古代,那时神圣的耶和华君临在两个小天使雕像之间的施恩座(注)上;他们的光辉并非来自人间的君主,而是来自耶和华的威严声音,这声音命令他们的祖先站在离他最近的地方。这就是犹太人的祖先。”
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(注)指上帝的宝座,《旧约•出埃及记》第25章:“耶和华晓谕摩西说……要用精金作施恩座,要用金子锤出两个(口基)(口路)啪来,安在施恩座的两头……我要在那里与你相会……(口基)(口路)啪即有翅膀的小天使。
丽贝卡在夸耀犹太民族古代的光荣时,兴奋得脸上泛起了红晕,但接着红潮消退了,她叹了口气:“现在这都过去了,不再有了!犹太人遭到了蹂躏,成了被摧残的青草,与路上的泥土混合在一起。然而他们中间仍有不甘辱没他们的祖先的人,阿多尼康之子以撒的女儿便是其中的一个!再见!我并不羡慕你靠鲜血染红的荣誉,也不羡慕你北方异教徒的野蛮出身;我不羡慕你的信仰,它永远只停留在你的嘴上,但从未进入你的心中,也从未表现在你的行动上。”
“我的天,我真是给魔法迷住了!”布瓦吉贝尔说。“我快相信那个老糊涂的话啦,我对你这么恋恋不舍是受了迷惑,不是自然的。”他靠近了她一些,但十分恭敬,又道:“这么漂亮的一个人!这么年轻,这么美丽,这么不怕死!可是注定要死了,要在耻辱和痛苦中死了。谁能不为你啼哭呢?眼泪与这些眼皮已阔别了二十年,可是在我看着你的时候,它们又回来了。然而死已经不可避免——什么也不能挽救你的生命了。你和我只是不可抗拒的命运手中的盲目工具,它驱赶着我们,像暴风雨吹打着两只美好的船,要它们互相撞击,最后同归于尽。那么请原谅我吧,至少让我们像朋友一样分手吧。我想改变你的决定,但办不到,我的又像命运的铁的指令一样不可改变。”
“人就是这样,把自己放荡的情欲造成的后果归咎于命运,”丽贝卡说。“但是我原谅你,布瓦吉贝尔,尽管你是我过早离开人世的罪魁祸首。你的铁石心肠虽然有时也会闪过一些高尚的思想,但它是一片懒汉的花园,遍地的野草在那里扼杀了美好和健全的花木。”
“是的,”圣殿骑士答道,“丽贝卡,正如你所说的,我是一个没有教养、桀骜不驯的人;我所引以自豪的只是钢铁一般的坚强意志,它使我在大批愚昧的傻瓜和狡诈的顽固分子之间显得高人一等。我从年轻时起,便是一个战争的孩子,并且怀有极高的抱负,坚定不移地要达到我的目的。现在我也只能是这样一个人——骄傲,不可改变,不可屈服,这是世界可以证明的。但是,丽贝卡,你宽恕我吗?”
“是的,像受害者宽恕刽子手一样宽恕你。”
“那么,再见,”圣殿骑士说,走出了屋子。
艾伯特会督已等得不耐烦了,他是在隔壁屋里等布瓦吉贝尔回来。
“你拖得太久,简直使我有些坐立不安了,”他说,“万一大宗师或者他的坐探康拉德来了,叫我怎么办?我为了迁就你,已吃够了苦头。但是,兄弟,你哪里不舒服呀?你走路摇摇晃晃的,一副愁眉苦脸的样子。布瓦吉贝尔,你究竟怎么啦?”
“唉,”圣殿骑士答道,“我觉得自己像一小时内就要处死的囚徒一样。不过,说真的,还不如囚徒,因为我发现,有的人处在这种状况,会像丢掉一件衣服那样走向死亡。老天作证,马尔沃辛,那个小姑娘几乎使我失去了做人的勇气。我简直想去找大宗师,当面向他声明退出骑士团,拒绝他强迫我接受的残暴使命。”
“你疯了,”马尔沃辛说,“真的,你可能因此彻底葬送了自己,却丝毫也不能挽救这个犹太姑娘的生命,尽管你把她的生命看得那么宝贵。博马诺会另派一人执行他的判决,犯人会同样被处死,就像你执行这任务一样。”
“这是虚伪的,我要亲自为她进行决斗,”圣殿骑士傲慢地回答。“如果那样,马尔沃辛,你可以相信,这骑士团内没有一个人是我的对手,他们都得在我的熗尖前面滚下马背。”
“对,但你忘记了,”狡猾的参谋答道,“你既没有时间,也没有机会执行这个疯狂的计划。你去找卢加斯•博马诺试试,你对他说你要抛弃你的誓约,你看看,那个专横的老头子会让你有多长时间的自由。你的话一出口,你就会给丢进会堂中一百英尺下面的地牢,作为一个变节的骑士受到审判;或者,如果他仍认为你遭到了魔法的蛊惑,你便会给送到一个遥远的修道院中,给锁在黑暗的小屋子里,睡在草堆上,让人给你念经驱鬼,朝你身上浇圣水,直到控制你的恶魔离开你为止。你必须参加比武,布里恩,否则你就得身败名裂,永无出头之日。”
“我会逃走,”布瓦吉贝尔说,“逃到一个遥远的地方,一个还没有受到疯狂和愚昧的宗教观念毒害的地方。我决不允许这个纯洁美好的少女,为了我的缘故流掉一滴血。”
“你逃不了,”会督说,“你的胡言乱语已引起了怀疑,不会让你离开会堂。你不妨试试,走到大门口,命令放下吊桥,看看你会得到什么回答。我的话使你吃惊,你感到委屈,但这对你难道不是更好吗?哪怕你逃了出去,最后仍会被反绑着双手押回城堡,徒然给你的祖先带来羞辱,使你的地位一落千丈。你想想吧。如果圣殿骑士团中最出色的骑士布里恩•布瓦吉贝尔被宣布为变节分子,那时叫你的老朋友们把脸往哪儿搁啊?这会在法国朝廷引起多大的震动!目空一切的理查听到,这个巴勒斯坦与他作对的、几乎使他的声名黯然失色的骑士,竟然为了一个犹太姑娘弄得名誉扫地,而且在作出了重大牺牲之后,仍未能挽回她的生命,他又会多么高兴!”
“马尔沃辛,”骑士说,“我感谢你,你触及了我内心深处最使我激动的一根弦!不管发生什么,变节分子的罪名永远不会落到布瓦吉贝尔的头上。不论理查,或者他那些自命不凡的喽罗中的任何一个,敢走进这个比武场,正是我求之不得的!但是他们不敢来,没有人会为了一个遭到唾弃的犹太女子冒生命危险,与我决斗。”
“如果真的这样,这对你更好,”会督说。“因为没有一个斗士上场,你便可对这个不幸女子的死不负任何责任,这是大宗师的判决,一切指责都得由他承担,可是在他看来,这种指责只是对他的赞美和歌颂。”
“确实,”布瓦吉贝尔说,“如果没有斗士上场,我只是那个壮丽场面的一个摆设,尽管在比武场上我是骑在马上的,但我对接着而来的一切不负任何责任。”
“丝毫责任也没有,”马尔沃辛说,“就像游行队伍中全副武装的圣乔治画像一样。”
“对,我得恢复我的决心,”傲慢的骑士答道。“她瞧不起我,拒绝了我,辱骂了我,为什么我还要为她牺牲我在别人心目中享有的威望呢?马尔沃辛,我决定参加决斗。”
他讲了这些话,便匆匆走出了屋子,会督跟在他后面,继续监视和鼓励他的决定;因为即使不考虑蒙特菲舍答应在处死不幸的丽贝卡以后,给予他的提升机会,布瓦吉贝尔的名声对他也关系重大,有朝一日他当上骑士团的头头后,他可以指望得到不少好处。然而尽管他在压制他的朋友较好的感情方面,凭他狡猾、冷漠、自私的性格,对一个正处在激烈思想斗争中的人掌握着一切有利条件,为了使布瓦吉贝尔坚定地履行他说服他采取的决定,马尔沃辛还是需要用尽一切手腕的。他必须密切监视他,防止他的逃跑意图死灰复燃,必须隔断他与大宗师的接触,免得他走上与他的上司公开决裂的一步,还必须一再向他重申各种理由,尽量让他明白,他这次出现在比武场上,既不是要加快,也不是要促成丽贝卡的悲剧命运,只是因为这是从贬黜和屈辱中拯救他自己的唯一道路。
子规月落

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Chapter 40
Shadows avaunt!---Richard's himself again. Richard III
When the Black Knight---for it becomes necessary to resume the train of his adventures---left the Trysting-tree of the generous Outlaw, he held his way straight to a neighbouring religious house, of small extent and revenue, called the Priory of Saint Botolph, to which the wounded Ivanhoe had been removed when the castle was taken, under the guidance of the faithful Gurth, and the magnanimous Wamba. It is unnecessary at present to mention what took place in the interim betwixt Wilfred and his deliverer; suffice it to say, that after long and grave communication, messengers were dispatched by the Prior in several directions, and that on the succeeding morning the Black Knight was about to set forth on his journey, accompanied by the jester Wamba, who attended as his guide.
"We will meet," he said to Ivanhoe, "at Coningsburgh, the castle of the deceased Athelstane, since there thy father Cedric holds the funeral feast for his noble relation. I would see your Saxon kindred together, Sir Wilfred, and become better acquainted with them than heretofore. Thou also wilt meet me; and it shall be my task to reconcile thee to thy father."
So saying, he took an affectionate farewell of Ivanhoe, who expressed an anxious desire to attend upon his deliverer. But the Black Knight would not listen to the proposal.
"Rest this day; thou wilt have scarce strength enough to travel on the next. I will have no guide with me but honest Wamba, who can play priest or fool as I shall be most in the humour."
"And I," said Wamba, "will attend you with all my heart. I would fain see the feasting at the funeral of Athelstane; for, if it be not full and frequent, he will rise from the dead to rebuke cook, sewer, and cupbearer; and that were a sight worth seeing. Always, Sir Knight, I will trust your valour with making my excuse to my master Cedric, in case mine own wit should fail."
"And how should my poor valour succeed, Sir Jester, when thy light wit halts?---resolve me that."
"Wit, Sir Knight," replied the Jester, "may do much. He is a quick, apprehensive knave, who sees his neighbours blind side, and knows how to keep the lee-gage when his passions are blowing high. But valour is a sturdy fellow, that makes all split. He rows against both wind and tide, and makes way notwithstanding; and, therefore, good Sir Knight, while I take advantage of the fair weather in our noble master's temper, I will expect you to bestir yourself when it grows rough."
"Sir Knight of the Fetterlock, since it is your pleasure so to be distinguished," said Ivanhoe, "I fear me you have chosen a talkative and a troublesome fool to be your guide. But he knows every path and alley in the woods as well as e'er a hunter who frequents them; and the poor knave, as thou hast partly seen, is as faithful as steel."
"Nay," said the Knight, "an he have the gift of showing my road, I shall not grumble with him that he desires to make it pleasant. ---Fare thee well, kind Wilfred---I charge thee not to attempt to travel till to-morrow at earliest."
So saying, he extended his hand to Ivanhoe, who pressed it to his lips, took leave of the Prior, mounted his horse, and departed, with Wamba for his companion. Ivanhoe followed them with his eyes, until they were lost in the shades of the surrounding forest, and then returned into the convent.
But shortly after matin-song, he requested to see the Prior. The old man came in haste, and enquired anxiously after the state of his health.
"It is better," he said, "than my fondest hope could have anticipated; either my wound has been slighter than the effusion of blood led me to suppose, or this balsam hath wrought a wonderful cure upon it. I feel already as if I could bear my corslet; and so much the better, for thoughts pass in my mind which render me unwilling to remain here longer in inactivity."
"Now, the saints forbid," said the Prior, "that the son of the Saxon Cedric should leave our convent ere his wounds were healed! It were shame to our profession were we to suffer it."
"Nor would I desire to leave your hospitable roof, venerable father," said Ivanhoe, "did I not feel myself able to endure the journey, and compelled to undertake it."
"And what can have urged you to so sudden a departure?" said the Prior.
"Have you never, holy father," answered the Knight, "felt an apprehension of approaching evil, for which you in vain attempted to assign a cause?---Have you never found your mind darkened, like the sunny landscape, by the sudden cloud, which augurs a coming tempest?---And thinkest thou not that such impulses are deserving of attention, as being the hints of our guardian spirits, that danger is impending?"
"I may not deny," said the Prior, crossing himself, "that such things have been, and have been of Heaven; but then such communications have had a visibly useful scope and tendency. But thou, wounded as thou art, what avails it thou shouldst follow the steps of him whom thou couldst not aid, were he to be assaulted?"
"Prior," said Ivanhoe, "thou dost mistake---I am stout enough to exchange buffets with any who will challenge me to such a traffic ---But were it otherwise, may I not aid him were he in danger, by other means than by force of arms? It is but too well known that the Saxons love not the Norman race, and who knows what may be the issue, if he break in upon them when their hearts are irritated by the death of Athelstane, and their heads heated by the carousal in which they will indulge themselves? I hold his entrance among them at such a moment most perilous, and I am resolved to share or avert the danger; which, that I may the better do, I would crave of thee the use of some palfrey whose pace may be softer than that of my 'destrier'."*
* "Destrier"---war-horse.
"Surely," said the worthy churchman; "you shall have mine own ambling jennet, and I would it ambled as easy for your sake as that of the Abbot of Saint Albans. Yet this will I say for Malkin, for so I call her, that unless you were to borrow a ride on the juggler's steed that paces a hornpipe amongst the eggs, you could not go a journey on a creature so gentle and smooth-paced. I have composed many a homily on her back, to the edification of my brethren of the convent, and many poor Christian souls."
"I pray you, reverend father," said Ivanhoe, "let Malkin be got ready instantly, and bid Gurth attend me with mine arms."
"Nay, but fair sir," said the Prior, "I pray you to remember that Malkin hath as little skill in arms as her master, and that I warrant not her enduring the sight or weight of your full panoply. O, Malkin, I promise you, is a beast of judgment, and will contend against any undue weight---I did but borrow the 'Fructus Temporum' from the priest of Saint Bees, and I promise you she would not stir from the gate until I had exchanged the huge volume for my little breviary."
"Trust me, holy father," said Ivanhoe, "I will not distress her with too much weight; and if she calls a combat with me, it is odds but she has the worst."
This reply was made while Gurth was buckling on the Knight's heels a pair of large gilded spurs, capable of convincing any restive horse that his best safety lay in being conformable to the will of his rider.
The deep and sharp rowels with which Ivanhoe's heels were now armed, began to make the worthy Prior repent of his courtesy, and ejaculate,---"Nay, but fair sir, now I bethink me, my Malkin abideth not the spur---Better it were that you tarry for the mare of our manciple down at the Grange, which may be had in little more than an hour, and cannot but be tractable, in respect that she draweth much of our winter fire-wood, and eateth no corn."
"I thank you, reverend father, but will abide by your first offer, as I see Malkin is already led forth to the gate. Gurth shall carry mine armour; and for the rest, rely on it, that as I will not overload Malkin's back, she shall not overcome my patience. And now, farewell!"
Ivanhoe now descended the stairs more hastily and easily than his wound promised, and threw himself upon the jennet, eager to escape the importunity of the Prior, who stuck as closely to his side as his age and fatness would permit, now singing the praises of Malkin, now recommending caution to the Knight in managing her.
"She is at the most dangerous period for maidens as well as mares," said the old man, laughing at his own jest, "being barely in her fifteenth year."
Ivanhoe, who had other web to weave than to stand canvassing a palfrey's paces with its owner, lent but a deaf ear to the Prior's grave advices and facetious jests, and having leapt on his mare, and commanded his squire (for such Gurth now called himself) to keep close by his side, he followed the track of the Black Knight into the forest, while the Prior stood at the gate of the convent looking after him, and ejaculating,---"Saint Mary! how prompt and fiery be these men of war! I would I had not trusted Malkin to his keeping, for, crippled as I am with the cold rheum, I am undone if aught but good befalls her. And yet," said he, recollecting himself, "as I would not spare my own old and disabled limbs in the good cause of Old England, so Malkin must e'en run her hazard on the same venture; and it may be they will think our poor house worthy of some munificent guerdon---or, it may be, they will send the old Prior a pacing nag. And if they do none of these, as great men will forget little men's service, truly I shall hold me well repaid in having done that which is right. And it is now well-nigh the fitting time to summon the brethren to breakfast in the refectory---Ah! I doubt they obey that call more cheerily than the bells for primes and matins."
So the Prior of Saint Botolph's hobbled back again into the refectory, to preside over the stockfish and ale, which was just serving out for the friars' breakfast. Busy and important, he sat him down at the table, and many a dark word he threw out, of benefits to be expected to the convent, and high deeds of service done by himself, which, at another season, would have attracted observation. But as the stockfish was highly salted, and the ale reasonably powerful, the jaws of the brethren were too anxiously employed to admit of their making much use of their ears; nor do we read of any of the fraternity, who was tempted to speculate upon the mysterious hints of their Superior, except Father Diggory, who was severely afflicted by the toothache, so that he could only eat on one side of his jaws.
In the meantime, the Black Champion and his guide were pacing at their leisure through the recesses of the forest; the good Knight whiles humming to himself the lay of some enamoured troubadour, sometimes encouraging by questions the prating disposition of his attendant, so that their dialogue formed a whimsical mixture of song and jest, of which we would fain give our readers some idea. You are then to imagine this Knight, such as we have already described him, strong of person, tall, broad-shouldered, and large of bone, mounted on his mighty black charger, which seemed made on purpose to bear his weight, so easily he paced forward under it, having the visor of his helmet raised, in order to admit freedom of breath, yet keeping the beaver, or under part, closed, so that his features could be but imperfectly distinguished. But his ruddy embrowned cheek-bones could be plainly seen, and the large and bright blue eyes, that flashed from under the dark shade of the raised visor; and the whole gesture and look of the champion expressed careless gaiety and fearless confidence---a mind which was unapt to apprehend danger, and prompt to defy it when most imminent---yet with whom danger was a familiar thought, as with one whose trade was war and adventure.
The Jester wore his usual fantastic habit, but late accidents had led him to adopt a good cutting falchion, instead of his wooden sword, with a targe to match it; of both which weapons he had, notwithstanding his profession, shown himself a skilful master during the storming of Torquilstone. Indeed, the infirmity of Wamba's brain consisted chiefly in a kind of impatient irritability, which suffered him not long to remain quiet in any posture, or adhere to any certain train of ideas, although he was for a few minutes alert enough in performing any immediate task, or in apprehending any immediate topic. On horseback, therefore, he was perpetually swinging himself backwards and forwards, now on the horse's ears, then anon on the very rump of the animal, ---now hanging both his legs on one side, and now sitting with his face to the tail, moping, mowing, and making a thousand apish gestures, until his palfrey took his freaks so much to heart, as fairly to lay him at his length on the green grass---an incident which greatly amused the Knight, but compelled his companion to ride more steadily thereafter.
At the point of their journey at which we take them up, this joyous pair were engaged in singing a virelai, as it was called, in which the clown bore a mellow burden, to the better instructed Knight of the Fetterlock. And thus run the ditty:---
Anna-Marie, love, up is the sun, Anna-Marie, love, morn is begun, Mists are dispersing, love, birds singing free, Up in the morning, love, Anna-Marie. Anna-Marie, love, up in the morn, The hunter is winding blithe sounds on his horn, The echo rings merry from rock and from tree, 'Tis time to arouse thee, love, Anna-Marie.
Wamba.
O Tybalt, love, Tybalt, awake me not yet, Around my soft pillow while softer dreams flit, For what are the joys that in waking we prove, Compared with these visions, O, Tybalt, my love? Let the birds to the rise of the mist carol shrill, Let the hunter blow out his loud horn on the hill, Softer sounds, softer pleasures, in slumber I prove,--- But think not I dreamt of thee, Tybalt, my love.
"A dainty song," said Wamba, when they had finished their carol, "and I swear by my bauble, a pretty moral!---I used to sing it with Gurth, once my playfellow, and now, by the grace of God and his master, no less than a freemen; and we once came by the cudgel for being so entranced by the melody, that we lay in bed two hours after sunrise, singing the ditty betwixt sleeping and waking---my bones ache at thinking of the tune ever since. Nevertheless, I have played the part of Anna-Marie, to please you, fair sir."
The Jester next struck into another carol, a sort of comic ditty, to which the Knight, catching up the tune, replied in the like manner.
Knight and Wamba.
There came three merry men from south, west, and north, Ever more sing the roundelay; To win the Widow of Wycombe forth, And where was the widow might say them nay?
The first was a knight, and from Tynedale he came, Ever more sing the roundelay; And his fathers, God save us, were men of great fame, And where was the widow might say him nay?
Of his father the laird, of his uncle the squire, He boasted in rhyme and in roundelay; She bade him go bask by his sea-coal fire, For she was the widow would say him nay.
Wamba.
The next that came forth, swore by blood and by nails, Merrily sing the roundelay; Hur's a gentleman, God wot, and hur's lineage was of Wales, And where was the widow might say him nay?
Sir David ap Morgan ap Griffith ap Hugh Ap Tudor ap Rhice, quoth his roundelay She said that one widow for so many was too few, And she bade the Welshman wend his way.
But then next came a yeoman, a yeoman of Kent, Jollily singing his roundelay; He spoke to the widow of living and rent, And where was the widow could say him nay?
Both.
So the knight and the squire were both left in the mire, There for to sing their roundelay; For a yeoman of Kent, with his yearly rent, There never was a widow could say him nay.
"I would, Wamba," said the knight, "that our host of the Trysting-tree, or the jolly Friar, his chaplain, heard this thy ditty in praise of our bluff yeoman."
"So would not I," said Wamba---"but for the horn that hangs at your baldric."
"Ay," said the Knight,---"this is a pledge of Locksley's goodwill, though I am not like to need it. Three mots on this bugle will, I am assured, bring round, at our need, a jolly band of yonder honest yeomen."
"I would say, Heaven forefend," said the Jester, "were it not that that fair gift is a pledge they would let us pass peaceably."
"Why, what meanest thou?" said the Knight; "thinkest thou that but for this pledge of fellowship they would assault us?"
"Nay, for me I say nothing," said Wamba; "for green trees have ears as well as stone walls. But canst thou construe me this, Sir Knight---When is thy wine-pitcher and thy purse better empty than full?"
"Why, never, I think," replied the Knight.
"Thou never deservest to have a full one in thy hand, for so simple an answer! Thou hadst best empty thy pitcher ere thou pass it to a Saxon, and leave thy money at home ere thou walk in the greenwood."
"You hold our friends for robbers, then?" said the Knight of the Fetterlock.
"You hear me not say so, fair sir," said Wamba; "it may relieve a man's steed to take of his mail when he hath a long journey to make; and, certes, it may do good to the rider's soul to ease him of that which is the root of evil; therefore will I give no hard names to those who do such services. Only I would wish my mail at home, and my purse in my chamber, when I meet with these good fellows, because it might save them some trouble."
"WE are bound to pray for them, my friend, notwithstanding the fair character thou dost afford them."
"Pray for them with all my heart," said Wamba; "but in the town, not in the greenwood, like the Abbot of Saint Bees, whom they caused to say mass with an old hollow oak-tree for his stall."
"Say as thou list, Wamba," replied the Knight, "these yeomen did thy master Cedric yeomanly service at Torquilstone."
"Ay, truly," answered Wamba; "but that was in the fashion of their trade with Heaven."
"Their trade, Wamba! how mean you by that?" replied his companion.
"Marry, thus," said the Jester. "They make up a balanced account with Heaven, as our old cellarer used to call his ciphering, as fair as Isaac the Jew keeps with his debtors, and, like him, give out a very little, and take large credit for doing so; reckoning, doubtless, on their own behalf the seven-fold usury which the blessed text hath promised to charitable loans."
"Give me an example of your meaning, Wamba,---I know nothing of ciphers or rates of usage," answered the Knight.
"Why," said Wamba, "an your valour be so dull, you will please to learn that those honest fellows balance a good deed with one not quite so laudable; as a crown given to a begging friar with an hundred byzants taken from a fat abbot, or a wench kissed in the greenwood with the relief of a poor widow."
"Which of these was the good deed, which was the felony?" interrupted the Knight.
"A good gibe! a good gibe!" said Wamba; "keeping witty company sharpeneth the apprehension. You said nothing so well, Sir Knight, I will be sworn, when you held drunken vespers with the bluff Hermit.---But to go on. The merry-men of the forest set off the building of a cottage with the burning of a castle,---the thatching of a choir against the robbing of a church,---the setting free a poor prisoner against the murder of a proud sheriff; or, to come nearer to our point, the deliverance of a Saxon franklin against the burning alive of a Norman baron. Gentle thieves they are, in short, and courteous robbers; but it is ever the luckiest to meet with them when they are at the worst."
"How so, Wamba?" said the Knight.
"Why, then they have some compunction, and are for making up matters with Heaven. But when they have struck an even balance, Heaven help them with whom they next open the account! The travellers who first met them after their good service at Torquilstone would have a woeful flaying.---And yet," said Wamba, coming close up to the Knight's side, "there be companions who are far more dangerous for travellers to meet than yonder outlaws."
"And who may they be, for you have neither bears nor wolves, I trow?" said the Knight.
"Marry, sir, but we have Malvoisin's men-at-arms," said Wamba; "and let me tell you, that, in time of civil war, a halfscore of these is worth a band of wolves at any time. They are now expecting their harvest, and are reinforced with the soldiers that escaped from Torquilstone. So that, should we meet with a band of them, we are like to pay for our feats of arms.---Now, I pray you, Sir Knight, what would you do if we met two of them?"
"Pin the villains to the earth with my lance, Wamba, if they offered us any impediment."
"But what if there were four of them?"
"They should drink of the same cup," answered the Knight.
"What if six," continued Wamba, "and we as we now are, barely two ---would you not remember Locksley's horn?"
"What! sound for aid," exclaimed the Knight, "against a score of such 'rascaille' as these, whom one good knight could drive before him, as the wind drives the withered leaves?"
"Nay, then," said Wamba, "I will pray you for a close sight of that same horn that hath so powerful a breath."
The Knight undid the clasp of the baldric, and indulged his fellow-traveller, who immediately hung the bugle round his own neck.
"Tra-lira-la," said he, whistling the notes; "nay, I know my gamut as well as another."
"How mean you, knave?" said the Knight; "restore me the bugle."
"Content you, Sir Knight, it is in safe keeping. When Valour and Folly travel, Folly should bear the horn, because she can blow the best."
"Nay but, rogue," said the Black Knight, "this exceedeth thy license---Beware ye tamper not with my patience."
"Urge me not with violence, Sir Knight," said the Jester, keeping at a distance from the impatient champion, "or Folly will show a clean pair of heels, and leave Valour to find out his way through the wood as best he may."
"Nay, thou hast hit me there," said the Knight; "and, sooth to say, I have little time to jangle with thee. Keep the horn an thou wilt, but let us proceed on our journey."
"You will not harm me, then?" said Wamba.
"I tell thee no, thou knave!"
"Ay, but pledge me your knightly word for it," continued Wamba, as he approached with great caution.
"My knightly word I pledge; only come on with thy foolish self."
"Nay, then, Valour and Folly are once more boon companions," said the Jester, coming up frankly to the Knight's side; "but, in truth, I love not such buffets as that you bestowed on the burly Friar, when his holiness rolled on the green like a king of the nine-pins. And now that Folly wears the horn, let Valour rouse himself, and shake his mane; for, if I mistake not, there are company in yonder brake that are on the look-out for us."
"What makes thee judge so?" said the Knight.
"Because I have twice or thrice noticed the glance of a motion from amongst the green leaves. Had they been honest men, they had kept the path. But yonder thicket is a choice chapel for the Clerks of Saint Nicholas."
"By my faith," said the Knight, closing his visor, "I think thou be'st in the right on't."
And in good time did he close it, for three arrows, flew at the same instant from the suspected spot against his head and breast, one of which would have penetrated to the brain, had it not been turned aside by the steel visor. The other two were averted by the gorget, and by the shield which hung around his neck.
"Thanks, trusty armourers," said the Knight.---"Wamba, let us close with them,"---and he rode straight to the thicket. He was met by six or seven men-at-arms, who ran against him with their lances at full career. Three of the weapons struck against him, and splintered with as little effect as if they had been driven against a tower of steel. The Black Knight's eyes seemed to flash fire even through the aperture of his visor. He raised himself in his stirrups with an air of inexpressible dignity, and exclaimed, "What means this, my masters!"---The men made no other reply than by drawing their swords and attacking him on every side, crying, "Die, tyrant!"
"Ha! Saint Edward! Ha! Saint George!" said the Black Knight, striking down a man at every invocation; "have we traitors here?"
His opponents, desperate as they were, bore back from an arm which carried death in every blow, and it seemed as if the terror of his single strength was about to gain the battle against such odds, when a knight, in blue armour, who had hitherto kept himself behind the other assailants, spurred forward with his lance, and taking aim, not at the rider but at the steed, wounded the noble animal mortally.
"That was a felon stroke!" exclaimed the Black Knight, as the steed fell to the earth, bearing his rider along with him.
And at this moment, Wamba winded the bugle, for the whole had passed so speedily, that he had not time to do so sooner. The sudden sound made the murderers bear back once more, and Wamba, though so imperfectly weaponed, did not hesitate to rush in and assist the Black Knight to rise.
"Shame on ye, false cowards!" exclaimed he in the blue harness, who seemed to lead the assailants, "do ye fly from the empty blast of a horn blown by a Jester?"
Animated by his words, they attacked the Black Knight anew, whose best refuge was now to place his back against an oak, and defend himself with his sword. The felon knight, who had taken another spear, watching the moment when his formidable antagonist was most closely pressed, galloped against him in hopes to nail him with his lance against the tree, when his purpose was again intercepted by Wamba. The Jester, making up by agility the want of strength, and little noticed by the men-at-arms, who were busied in their more important object, hovered on the skirts of the fight, and effectually checked the fatal career of the Blue Knight, by hamstringing his horse with a stroke of his sword. Horse and man went to the ground; yet the situation of the Knight of the Fetterlock continued very precarious, as he was pressed close by several men completely armed, and began to be fatigued by the violent exertions necessary to defend himself on so many points at nearly the same moment, when a grey-goose shaft suddenly stretched on the earth one of the most formidable of his assailants, and a band of yeomen broke forth from the glade, headed by Locksley and the jovial Friar, who, taking ready and effectual part in the fray, soon disposed of the ruffians, all of whom lay on the spot dead or mortally wounded. The Black Knight thanked his deliverers with a dignity they had not observed in his former bearing, which hitherto had seemed rather that of a blunt bold soldier, than of a person of exalted rank.
"It concerns me much," he said, "even before I express my full gratitude to my ready friends, to discover, if I may, who have been my unprovoked enemies.---Open the visor of that Blue Knight, Wamba, who seems the chief of these villains."
The Jester instantly made up to the leader of the assassins, who, bruised by his fall, and entangled under the wounded steed, lay incapable either of flight or resistance.
"Come, valiant sir," said Wamba, "I must be your armourer as well as your equerry---I have dismounted you, and now I will unhelm you."
So saying, with no very gentle hand he undid the helmet of the Blue Knight, which, rolling to a distance on the grass, displayed to the Knight of the Fetterlock grizzled locks, and a countenance he did not expect to have seen under such circumstances.
"Waldemar Fitzurse!" he said in astonishment; "what could urge one of thy rank and seeming worth to so foul an undertaking?"
"Richard," said the captive Knight, looking up to him, "thou knowest little of mankind, if thou knowest not to what ambition and revenge can lead every child of Adam."
"Revenge?" answered the Black Knight; "I never wronged thee---On me thou hast nought to revenge."
"My daughter, Richard, whose alliance thou didst scorn---was that no injury to a Norman, whose blood is noble as thine own?"
"Thy daughter?" replied the Black Knight; "a proper cause of enmity, and followed up to a bloody issue!---Stand back, my masters, I would speak to him alone.---And now, Waldemar Fitzurse, say me the truth---confess who set thee on this traitorous deed."
"Thy father's son," answered Waldemar, "who, in so doing, did but avenge on thee thy disobedience to thy father."
Richard's eyes sparkled with indignation, but his better nature overcame it. He pressed his hand against his brow, and remained an instant gazing on the face of the humbled baron, in whose features pride was contending with shame.
"Thou dost not ask thy life, Waldemar," said the King.
"He that is in the lion's clutch," answered Fitzurse, "knows it were needless."
"Take it, then, unasked," said Richard; "the lion preys not on prostrate carcasses.---Take thy life, but with this condition, that in three days thou shalt leave England, and go to hide thine infamy in thy Norman castle, and that thou wilt never mention the name of John of Anjou as connected with thy felony. If thou art found on English ground after the space I have allotted thee, thou diest---or if thou breathest aught that can attaint the honour of my house, by Saint George! not the altar itself shall be a sanctuary. I will hang thee out to feed the ravens, from the very pinnacle of thine own castle.---Let this knight have a steed, Locksley, for I see your yeomen have caught those which were running loose, and let him depart unharmed."
"But that I judge I listen to a voice whose behests must not be disputed," answered the yeoman, "I would send a shaft after the skulking villain that should spare him the labour of a long journey."
"Thou bearest an English heart, Locksley," said the Black Knight, "and well dost judge thou art the more bound to obey my behest ---I am Richard of England!"
At these words, pronounced in a tone of majesty suited to the high rank, and no less distinguished character of Coeur-de-Lion, the yeomen at once kneeled down before him, and at the same time tendered their allegiance, and implored pardon for their offences.
"Rise, my friends," said Richard, in a gracious tone, looking on them with a countenance in which his habitual good-humour had already conquered the blaze of hasty resentment, and whose features retained no mark of the late desperate conflict, excepting the flush arising from exertion,---"Arise," he said, "my friends!---Your misdemeanours, whether in forest or field, have been atoned by the loyal services you rendered my distressed subjects before the walls of Torquilstone, and the rescue you have this day afforded to your sovereign. Arise, my liegemen, and be good subjects in future.---And thou, brave Locksley---"
"Call me no longer Locksley, my Liege, but know me under the name, which, I fear, fame hath blown too widely not to have reached even your royal ears---I am Robin Hood of Sherwood Forest."*
* From the ballads of Robin Hood, we learn that this * celebrated outlaw, when in disguise, sometimes assumed * the name of Locksley, from a village where he was born, * but where situated we are not distinctly told.
"King of Outlaws, and Prince of good fellows!" said the King, "who hath not heard a name that has been borne as far as Palestine? But be assured, brave Outlaw, that no deed done in our absence, and in the turbulent times to which it hath given rise, shall be remembered to thy disadvantage."
"True says the proverb," said Wamba, interposing his word, but with some abatement of his usual petulance,---
"'When the cat is away, The mice will play.'"
"What, Wamba, art thou there?" said Richard; "I have been so long of hearing thy voice, I thought thou hadst taken flight."
"I take flight!" said Wamba; "when do you ever find Folly separated from Valour? There lies the trophy of my sword, that good grey gelding, whom I heartily wish upon his legs again, conditioning his master lay there houghed in his place. It is true, I gave a little ground at first, for a motley jacket does not brook lance-heads, as a steel doublet will. But if I fought not at sword's point, you will grant me that I sounded the onset."
"And to good purpose, honest Wamba," replied the King. "Thy good service shall not be forgotten."
"'Confiteor! Confiteor!'"---exclaimed, in a submissive tone, a voice near the King's side---"my Latin will carry me no farther ---but I confess my deadly treason, and pray leave to have absolution before I am led to execution!"
Richard looked around, and beheld the jovial Friar on his knees, telling his rosary, while his quarter-staff, which had not been idle during the skirmish, lay on the grass beside him. His countenance was gathered so as he thought might best express the most profound contrition, his eyes being turned up, and the corners of his mouth drawn down, as Wamba expressed it, like the tassels at the mouth of a purse. Yet this demure affectation of extreme penitence was whimsically belied by a ludicrous meaning which lurked in his huge features, and seemed to pronounce his fear and repentance alike hypocritical.
"For what art thou cast down, mad Priest?" said Richard; "art thou afraid thy diocesan should learn how truly thou dost serve Our Lady and Saint Dunstan?---Tush, man! fear it not; Richard of England betrays no secrets that pass over the flagon."
"Nay, most gracious sovereign," answered the Hermit, (well known to the curious in penny-histories of Robin Hood, by the name of Friar Tuck,) "it is not the crosier I fear, but the sceptre. ---Alas! that my sacrilegious fist should ever have been applied to the ear of the Lord's anointed!"
"Ha! ha!" said Richard, "sits the wind there?---In truth I had forgotten the buffet, though mine ear sung after it for a whole day. But if the cuff was fairly given, I will be judged by the good men around, if it was not as well repaid---or, if thou thinkest I still owe thee aught, and will stand forth for another counterbuff---"
"By no means," replied Friar Tuck, "I had mine own returned, and with usury---may your Majesty ever pay your debts as fully!"
"If I could do so with cuffs," said the King, "my creditors should have little reason to complain of an empty exchequer."
"And yet," said the Friar, resuming his demure hypocritical countenance, "I know not what penance I ought to perform for that most sacrilegious blow!------"
"Speak no more of it, brother," said the King; "after having stood so many cuffs from Paynims and misbelievers, I were void of reason to quarrel with the buffet of a clerk so holy as he of Copmanhurst. Yet, mine honest Friar, I think it would be best both for the church and thyself, that I should procure a license to unfrock thee, and retain thee as a yeoman of our guard, serving in care of our person, as formerly in attendance upon the altar of Saint Dunstan."
"My Liege," said the Friar, "I humbly crave your pardon; and you would readily grant my excuse, did you but know how the sin of laziness has beset me. Saint Dunstan---may he be gracious to us! ---stands quiet in his niche, though I should forget my orisons in killing a fat buck---I stay out of my cell sometimes a night, doing I wot not what---Saint Dunstan never complains---a quiet master he is, and a peaceful, as ever was made of wood.---But to be a yeoman in attendance on my sovereign the King---the honour is great, doubtless---yet, if I were but to step aside to comfort a widow in one corner, or to kill a deer in another, it would be, 'where is the dog Priest?' says one. 'Who has seen the accursed Tuck?' says another. 'The unfrocked villain destroys more venison than half the country besides,' says one keeper; 'And is hunting after every shy doe in the country!' quoth a second. ---In fine, good my Liege, I pray you to leave me as you found me; or, if in aught you desire to extend your benevolence to me, that I may be considered as the poor Clerk of Saint Dunstan's cell in Copmanhurst, to whom any small donation will be most thankfully acceptable."
"I understand thee," said the King, "and the Holy Clerk shall have a grant of vert and venison in my woods of Warncliffe. Mark, however, I will but assign thee three bucks every season; but if that do not prove an apology for thy slaying thirty, I am no Christian knight nor true king."
"Your Grace may be well assured," said the Friar, "that, with the grace of Saint Dunstan, I shall find the way of multiplying your most bounteous gift."
"I nothing doubt it, good brother," said the King; "and as venison is but dry food, our cellarer shall have orders to deliver to thee a butt of sack, a runlet of Malvoisie, and three hogsheads of ale of the first strike, yearly---If that will not quench thy thirst, thou must come to court, and become acquainted with my butler."
"But for Saint Dunstan?" said the Friar---
"A cope, a stole, and an altar-cloth shalt thou also have," continued the King, crossing himself---"But we may not turn our game into earnest, lest God punish us for thinking more on our follies than on his honour and worship."
"I will answer for my patron," said the Priest, joyously.
"Answer for thyself, Friar," said King Richard, something sternly; but immediately stretching out his hand to the Hermit, the latter, somewhat abashed, bent his knee, and saluted it. "Thou dost less honour to my extended palm than to my clenched fist," said the Monarch; "thou didst only kneel to the one, and to the other didst prostrate thyself."
But the Friar, afraid perhaps of again giving offence by continuing the conversation in too jocose a style---a false step to be particularly guarded against by those who converse with monarchs--- bowed profoundly, and fell into the rear.
At the same time, two additional personages appeared on the scene.


阴魂们滚开——理查王又来了。
《理查三世》(注)
--------
(注)莎士比亚的历史剧,这里的引文应在该剧第五幕第三场,但现在通行的《理查三世》的版本没有这句话,司各特可能摘自其他的版本。
现在必须回头来谈谈黑甲骑士了,他离开绿林好汉们的约会树以后,便直奔附近的一家修道院,它规模不大,收益也不多,名叫圣博多尔夫隐修所;托奎尔斯通城堡陷落后,受伤的艾文荷便在忠实的葛四和无私的汪八护送下,转移到了那儿。至于在这段时间里,艾文荷和他的营救者之间的事,现在不必再提了;我们只想交代一下,经过长时间的严肃交谈之后,他们请隐修所长者往各地派出了一些使者,到第二天早上,黑甲骑士便准备踏上旅途,并由小丑汪八作他的向导,随他一起出发。
“我们可以在故世的阿特尔斯坦的城堡科宁斯堡碰头,”他对艾文荷说。“你的父亲塞德里克要在那儿为他高贵的亲戚举办丧宴,我想趁此机会多认识一些你们的撒克逊亲族,威尔弗莱德骑士,增进一些彼此的了解。我与你便在那儿见面,我也有义务为你和你的父亲调停一下呢。”
他向艾文荷告别时这么说,艾文荷则表示希望与他的营救者一起走,但黑甲骑士怎么也不同意。
“今天你得休息,明天你的身体也未必可以赶路。我只要正直的汪八给我带路就成,他既能当教士,又能当小丑,对我说来再合适不过了。”
“我会全心全意侍候您的,”汪八说。“我很想看看阿特尔斯坦丧礼上的酒席办得怎么样,要是不够丰盛的话,他准得爬起来,把厨师、管家和斟酒人臭骂一顿,这是很值得一看的。我一向信任您的勇气,骑士老爷,万一我的俏皮话砸了锅,我知道,您一定会在塞德里克东家面前替我说情的。”
“你的机智无能为力的时候,小丑先生,我这一点勇气能管什么用?你倒给我解释解释。”
“机智可以做的事不少,骑士老爷,”小丑答道。“这是一个会鉴貌辨色的机灵鬼,能看到别人的弱点,在别人大发脾气的时候,又懂得怎么钻进避风港。但勇气是坚强不屈的硬汉子,善于披荆斩棘,开拓道路。他不怕风浪,敢于逆风驶船。因此,骑士老爷,在我的主人心平气和的时候,我可以利用风平浪静的气候取得他的欢心,可是气候一旦变坏,我就得仰仗您老出马转圜了。”
“镣铐骑士阁下——既然您喜欢这个名称,我就这么称呼您啦,”艾文荷说,“我是担心您恐怕挑选了一个多嘴的、爱惹麻烦的傻瓜作您的向导。不过他熟悉森林中的每一条大路和小路,就像经常在那儿出没的猎人一样;而且您大概也已看到,这个可怜的傻瓜是像钢铁一样可靠的。”
“没什么,”骑士说,“只要他有本领给我带路,他要说笑逗趣,我不会跟他怄气。再见吧,亲爱的威尔弗莱德;我要求你休息,最早也得到明天才动身。”
这么说着,他把手伸给艾文荷,让他举到唇边吻了它,便辞别隐修所长老,跨上马背,带着他的伴当汪八走了。艾文荷目送着他们,直到他们消失在周围的树林深处,才返回隐修所。
但是早祷刚过不久,他便要求面见长老。长老赶紧来了,担心地询问他的健康状况。
“很好,”他说,“比我最乐观的估计更好,可能我的伤势本来不重,只是流血多了些,我才以为它很重,也可能这药膏对它发生了神奇的效果。现在我已经觉得好像可以穿盔甲了;这简直太好了,因为有些事实在叫我不能放心,我考虑再三,还是得走。”
“听着,这是圣徒也不能答应的,”长老说,“撒克逊人塞德里克的儿子在伤势痊愈以前,便离开我们的隐修所!如果我不加劝阻,这简直是玩忽职守。”
“我也不愿离开你好客的修院,尊敬的长老,”艾文荷答道,“只是我觉得我已经得起长途跋涉了,而且我有急事要办,不能不马上动身。”
“你有什么急事,非马上动身不可?”长老说。
“长老,你有没有过一种感觉,好像有一件祸事即将来临,可是又说不清这是什么原因?有时你会不会觉得心上出现了一层阴影,仿佛阳光普照的大地上空,突然飘过了一朵乌云,预示着暴风雨的到来?我觉得这种心情是值得注意的,似乎我们的守护神在提醒我们,要防备危险的出现,难道你不认为这样吗?”
“我不否认有这种情形,”长老说,在胸前划了个十字,“这是上天的示警;但是它的出现总含有明显实际的意图和倾向。何况你受了这样的伤,即使你跟踪在你要帮助的人后面,在他遇到袭击的时候,你又怎能救他呢?”
“长老,”艾文荷说,“你估计错了,我已相当强壮,足以对付任何敢于向我挑衅的人。而且即使不是这样,要是他碰到了危险,难道我除了使用武力,就没有别的办法帮助他吗?大家都很清楚,撒克逊人不喜欢诺曼人,如果他闯进他们中间,这些人正由于阿特尔斯坦的死,心中火气很大,又在丧宴上喝足了酒,头脑发热的时候,谁知道他们会干出什么事来?我总觉得,他在这个时候跑到他们中间去,特别危险,我必须分担或者防止这危险;为了更好地完成这任务,我要求你借一匹马给我,它必须温驯一些,比我的战马跑得平稳一些的才成。”
“这当然可以,”忠厚的长老答道,“你可以把我自己那匹专爱溜花蹄的西班牙小马骑去,但愿它像圣奥尔本修道院长老的马一样,让你骑得舒舒服服的。关于马尔金——这是它的名字——我还得说,除非你能借到一匹杂耍艺人调教过的马,那种能够合着号笛在鸡蛋中间走路的马,你再也找不到比它更温驯、更平稳的坐骑了。我有不少布道文是骑在它的背上打腹稿的,它们对我的隐修所弟兄,还有许多不幸的基督徒的心灵,都发生过很好的教诲作用呢。”
“尊敬的神父,”艾文荷说,“请你让马尔金立刻作好准备,还命令葛四拿着我的武器跟我一起上路。”
“不过,我的老弟啊,”长老说,“你得记住,马尔金可是跟它的主人一样,对打仗一窍不通的,我不能保证,它对你那身盔甲和它的重量会毫不在乎。哦,说真的,马尔金是有头脑的牲口,对任何过重的负担,它不会逆来顺受。有一次我向圣比斯修道院的神父借了一部《知识大全》,它见了,硬是站在大门口一步也不肯挪动,直到我把这一大部书换成了我的小祈祷书,它才动身。”
“请放心,神父,”艾文荷说,“我不会让它负担太重的;不过,如果它跟我闹别扭,大约它是非吃亏不可的。”
他作出这回答时,葛四正在他的后跟上扣紧一对镀金大踢马刺,它们足以让任何不安分的马相信,只有一切顺从它的骑士的意愿,才是最安全的办法。
踢马刺上的齿轮又长又尖,艾文荷的后跟现在装上了这武器,那位忠厚的长老不禁为自己的好意后悔莫及,赶紧喊道:“哦,且慢,我的好老弟,我想起来了,我的马尔金是受不了踢马刺的。你还是稍等一下好,我让人把我们管事那匹母马从田庄上给你送来,那不过一个多钟头的事,它听话,冬天给我们运柴火,要它拉多重就多重,又不用吃小麦。”
“多谢你啦,尊敬的神父,不过还是维持原来的安排好,因为我看到,马尔金已给牵到大门口了。葛四会给我背盔甲,至于其他,你只管放心,我不会压坏马尔金的背脊,它也不会跟我闹别扭的。现在,再见!”
于是艾文荷不顾伤势,飞快地跑下台阶,奔向那匹西班牙小马,想尽快摆脱长老的纠缠,免得他拖着衰老肥胖的身子,尽量紧跟在他旁边,一会儿为马尔金唱赞歌,一会儿提醒骑士千万小心,别让马受到伤害。
“它跟小姑娘一样,正处在最需要关心的时期哪,”老人说,为自己的打趣哈哈直笑,“它还不足十五岁呢。”
可是艾文荷一心在盘算别的事,没有工夫跟长者讨论马的步子,对他郑重其事的告戒和诙谐的说笑也没有听到,一下子跳上了马背,吩咐他的扈从(葛四现在便这么称呼自己)紧紧跟着,随即沿着黑甲骑士的路线,跑进了森林。长老只得站在隐修所门口,望着他离开,一边叹气:“圣马利亚啊!这些当兵的这么性急,这么毛躁!我真后悔,不该把马尔金借给他;我得了风湿病,行走不便,要是它有个好歹,我怎么办。不过,”他又静下心来,说道,“我为了古老英国的正义事业,连这把老骨头也不顾,那么马尔金为这件大事冒些危险,也是应该的。也许到论功行赏的时候,他们会想到我们这个穷苦的隐修所,重重犒赏我们也说不定,或者送给它的长老一匹驯良的小马。不过他们也可能什么也不给,因为大人物对小人物做的事,总是容易忘记的,那也不要紧,既然我做的事是正确的,我就应该认为我已得到了报偿。现在时间差不多了,该召集弟兄们到膳堂用早餐了。唉!我总觉得他们听到用膳的叫唤声,总比听到晨祷和早课的钟声起劲一些。”
于是圣博多尔夫隐修所的长老,一拐一拐地走回膳堂,主持修士们的早餐了。这时鳕鱼干和淡啤酒刚端上桌子,他气喘吁吁、庄严肃穆地坐到了自己的位置上,然后讲了许多隐晦的话,似乎这个隐修所可望得到一大笔赏金,他本人也完成了一件不朽的功绩;这些话在别的时候自然会引起修士们的兴趣,但现在鳕鱼干太咸了,淡啤酒又太浓了,大家正全力运用他们的嘴巴,就不容他们过多地运用他们的耳朵了;何况据我们所知,这些修士中也没有任何人想推敲长老那种模棱两可的暗示,要说有,除非是迪戈利神父,因为他当时正牙痛得厉害,只能用一边的牙床吃东西。
就在这时,黑甲骑士带着他的向导,正悠闲自在地穿过森林中那些幽静的小径;骑士一边走,一边哼着吟游诗人的情歌,有时跟他的随从搭讪几句,免得他那张饶舌的嘴巴闲得无聊;因此他们的对话别开生面,成了歌声和笑话的混合物,关于这情形,我们很想让读者知道一个大概。各位不妨设想一下这位骑士,他的样子是我们已描写过的:他身强力壮,体格魁梧,肩膀宽阔,真称得上虎背熊腰,他的坐骑又是一匹高大的黑色战马,似乎是上帝专门为他的体重创造的,因此载着他行走时仍显得从容不迫。骑士帽盔上的面罩掀了起来,使他的呼吸更为舒畅,然而下半部护面具仍保持原状,这样他的面貌只露出了一半,但晒黑的红润颧骨已一目了然,那对又大又明亮的蓝眼睛也在掀起的面罩的阴影下炯炯发光;他的整个姿态和神情显得无忧无虑,大胆自信——这种心情是从来不怕危险的,哪怕它到了眼前也不以为意,然而作为一个经常与战争和冒险打交道的人,他的思想却从来不会忘记危险。
小丑仍穿着平时那件光怪陆离的衣服,只是最近的一些事件已使他丢掉了木剑,换了一把锋利的弯形大刀和与它配合的一面小盾牌;在攻打托奎尔斯通城堡的时候,尽管他不是打仗的料,这两件武器他却运用得十分熟练。确实,汪八头脑的毛病主要在于一刻也安顿不下,他可以在短短几分钟内,对眼前要办的事,或者眼前要考虑的问题,作出灵敏的反应,但是他无法长时间保持一个姿势,也无法长时间保持一定的思路。就因为这样,他骑在马上老是前后摆动,一会儿扑在马耳朵上,一会儿又突然仰卧在马屁股上;一会儿把两腿伸在一边,一会儿又脸对尾巴坐着,做怪相,扮鬼脸,装出千百种假样子,最后他的马终于对他的把戏不耐烦了,把他摔下了马背,让他直挺挺躺在草地上——这件事引得骑士哈哈大笑,但也使他的伙伴从此安稳了一些。
我们碰到他们的时候,他们还在旅行,两人高高兴兴,边走边唱,这是一种名叫维尔莱的法国民歌,小丑用圆润的嗓音唱副歌,配合受过较好训练的镣铐骑士。那支曲子是这样的:
安娜•马丽,亲爱的,太阳升起了,
安娜•马丽,亲爱的,清晨开始了,
雾气正在消散,亲爱的,鸟儿已在欢唱,
早晨该起身啦,亲爱的,安娜•马丽。
安娜•马丽,亲爱的,迎着晨光起身吧,
猎人把悦耳的号音吹向了空中,
岩石和树木送来了欢乐的回声,
是起身的时候了,亲爱的,安娜•马丽。
汪八唱
哦,蒂伯特,亲爱的,不要叫醒我,
甜蜜的梦正在我柔软的枕边萦回,
哦,蒂伯特,醒时的欢乐
怎能与这些梦中的幻景相比?
让鸟儿对着升起的雾影尖声歌唱吧,
让猎人在山上大声吹他的号角吧,
我的梦中有着更柔和的声音,更甜蜜的欢乐,
但是蒂伯特,亲爱的,不要以为我是梦见了你。
他们唱完以后,汪八说道:“这是一首好歌,凭我的小丑权杖起誓,它包含着美好的寓意!我常与葛四一起唱它,他从前是我的游伴,现在多谢上帝和他的主人,他已成了十足的自由人;有一天我们陶醉在这歌声中,太阳升起后两个钟头,还赖在床上不肯起身,在半睡半醒中哼着这支曲子,结果挨了一顿棍子,从此每逢想到这歌儿骨头便有些痛。不过我还是为您装扮安娜•马丽,唱了这歌,骑士老爷。”
接着小丑又哼起了另一支曲子,这是一支滑稽歌,骑士也照着他的调子,与他配合。
骑士和汪八合唱
三个快活的小伙子来自南方、西方和北方,
嘴里不断哼着他们的曲子,要到怀科姆比向一位寡妇求婚,
这叫寡妇怎能对他们说个不字?第一个是来自泰恩谷的骑士,
他不停嘴地唱着他的歌;上帝保佑,他的祖先都大有来历,
你叫寡妇怎能对他说个不字?他的父亲是爵爷,他的伯父是乡绅,
他在曲子里吹得天花乱坠;但是她叫他还是滚回炉边烤火吧,
因为她这个寡妇就敢请他免开尊口。
汪八独唱
第二个声称他来自世家望族,
得意扬扬地把他的歌唱个没完;他出身绅士门第,在威尔士一脉相传,
你叫寡妇又怎能对他说个不字?他的上代是大卫爵士,大卫的上代是摩根,
还有格里菲和许,多锋和莱斯;她说一个寡妇怎能嫁这么多的男人,
还是请他另找高明吧,她不敢高攀。但是接着来了肯特郡的一个自耕农,
他的歌唱得抑扬顿挫,特别动听;他向寡妇谈了他的生活和收入,
这叫寡妇怎能对他说一个不字?
两人合唱
于是骑士和乡绅站在那里傻了眼,
只得另找别人继续唱他们的歌;
因为肯特郡的自耕农每年有了那样的收入,
还有哪个寡妇会对他说个不字?
“汪八,你这么歌颂我们粗犷爽直的自耕农,”骑士说道,“要是让我们那位约会树的主人,或者他的随军教士,那个快活的修士听到了,他们不知该多高兴呢。”
“我可不想让他们听到,”汪八说,“不过挂在您肩带上的号角还有些意思。”
“对,”骑士说,“这是洛克斯利友好意愿的保证,其实我不见得需要用它。据说,在必要的时候,我只要用这喇叭吹三个号音,马上会有一群正直的自耕农快快活活地前来支援我们。”
“但愿上帝保佑吧,”小丑说,“我倒宁可不要这种保证,他们也能让我们太太平平通过。”
“你这是什么意思?”骑士说,“你是不是想说,没有这种友好的保证,他们便会袭击我们?”
“不,我不想多讲了,”汪八说,“要知道隔墙有耳,树林里也是有耳朵的。我只想请教你一个问题;你说,什么时候酒囊和钱包空着比装满好?”
“我想,从来不会有这种时候,”骑士答道。
“你回答得这么简单,你就永远不配带着装满的酒囊和钱包出门!你把酒壶递给撒克逊人以前,最好先把它喝干,你在森林中赶路以前,也最好把钱留在家中。”
“那么你是认为我们那些朋友都是土匪啦?”镣铐骑士说。
“我可没有那么讲,骑士老爷,”汪八说。“一个人要长途跋涉的时候,最好把盔甲脱掉,使他的马不致负担过重;同样道理,一个人出门以前,最好先把祸根去掉,赶路时才无牵无挂;因此对于干那种营生的人,我从不咒骂,我只是在碰到这班好汉以前,先把钱包藏在家里,这可以省掉他们不少麻烦。”
“不过我们还是应该为他们祈祷,我的朋友,尽管你把他们说得那么不堪。”
“为他们祈祷,我完全同意,”汪八答道,“但那是在城里,不是在森林里,像圣比斯修道院的长老那样,给关在一棵空心大栎村里为他们念经。”
“你爱怎么说,随你的便,汪八,”骑士答道,“在攻打托奎尔斯通城堡这件事上,那些自耕农对你的主人塞德里克可是恩德不浅啊。”
“说得不错,”汪八答道,“不过那是他们在跟上帝作交易呢。”
“作交易,汪八!你这话是什么意思?”他的同伴说道。
“这还不明白?”小丑说。“他们是在跟上帝结清账目,就像我们的酒店老板算账一样,每一笔都清清楚楚,也跟犹太佬对待他的债户差不多;他们也是这样,拿出了几个小钱,收进的却是大笔利润。毫无疑问,他们是为自己着想,因为正如《圣经》上许诺的,你的善举可以得到七倍的好处。”
“你把你的意思举个例子给我听听,汪八,我不懂得算账,或者怎么计算利息,”骑士说道。
“好吧,”汪八说,“既然你这位勇士这么笨,只得请你好好听着:那些诚实的家伙是在用一件好事与另一件不太好的事互相抵账;比如从一个胖长老那里勒索到了一百枚金币,便向行乞的修士施舍一枚金币,在树林里吻了一个小姑娘,便在村子里搭救一个穷寡妇。”
“那么,哪几件算得好事,哪几件算是坏事呢?”骑士问。
“你取笑得好!取笑得好!”汪八说,“跟聪明人在一起总会给人不少启发。我可以起誓,骑士老爷,你跟那位鲁莽的修土通宵喝酒,代替晚祷的时候,没有讲过这么妙的话。但是让我接着讲。那些森林里的快活天使烧掉了一个城堡,便建造一所农舍,抢劫了一所教堂,便给唱诗班修理一下屋顶,杀死了一个傲慢的官员,便释放一个囚犯,或者讲得更贴近一些我们的话题,烧死了一个诺曼贵族,便救出一个撒克逊庄主。总之,他们是懂人情的匪徒,讲礼貌的强盗;在他们刚干过坏事的时候遇到他们,这是世界上最幸运的事。”
“为什么,汪八?”骑士问。
“为什么?因为他们正在受到良心的责备,急需干件什么事,以便与上帝结清账目。但是如果他们的账已经结清,那么上帝保佑吧,不知谁又该倒霉了!他们在托奎尔斯通干了好事以后,最早遇到他们的旅客,非给剥掉一层皮不可。不过,”汪八走到骑士身边,又道,“对旅客说来,遇到那些强盗还算好呢,还有比他们更危险的家伙。”
“那是什么人,因为我想你指的当然不是豺狼虎豹吧?”骑士说。
“当然,老爷,我指的是马尔沃辛手下的丘人,”汪人说。“我告诉你吧,在战乱时期,这样的人只要遇到十来个,就够你受的,他们比一群狼更可怕呢。现在这些家伙正指望着大丰收,从托奎尔斯通逃走的雇佣兵,如今也加入了他们一伙,因此要是我们遇到这批人,看来我们就得为攻打城堡的胜利付出代价了。现在我想请教,骑士老总,要是我们遇到两个这样的人,你怎么办?”
“只要他们敢拦击我们,我就用我的熗尖把他们插在地上,汪八。”
“但如果来了四个呢?”
“他们也会喝到同样的苦酒,”骑士回答。
“那么如果六个呢?”汪八继续道,“要知道我们现在只有两个人;你还不想用洛克斯利的号角吗?”
“得啦!”骑士喊道,“为了一二十个这种小毛贼,还要用号声讨救兵?任何一个合格的骑士都可以像秋风扫落叶一样,把他们一扫而光!”
“那好吧,”汪人说,“你把这号角给我,让我仔细瞧瞧,它怎么有这么大的声音。”
骑士解开了肩带的扣子,满足了旅伴的要求,后者马上把号角挂到了自己的脖子上。
“特拉——里拉——拉,”汪八用口哨吹出了这几个音符,“瞧,我能吹这个调子,也能吹别的调子。”
“混蛋,你什么意思?”骑士说。“把号角还给我。”
“放心好了,骑士老爷,在我这里是万无一失的。勇士和傻瓜一起旅行,号角应由傻瓜保管,因为他最适合吹这东西。”
“不成,你这骗子,”黑甲骑士说道,“太放肆了。当心别惹得我忍耐不住。”
“不要用暴力逼迫我,骑士先生,”小丑说,与急躁的武士保持着一定距离,“要不然,蠢人就得拔脚跑了,让你这位勇士自己在树林里乱闯,看你怎么办。”
“得啦,给你钻了空子,”骑士答道,“说实话,我没有时间跟你吵架。号角由你保管也成,但我们得继续赶路。”
“那么你不会打我?”汪八说。
“我不打你,你这混蛋!”
“你得用骑士的人格向我保证,”汪八说,一面小心翼翼地走过去。
“我用骑士的人格向你保证;但是你这傻瓜,快走。”
“好吧,勇士和傻瓜又成了好朋友,”小丑说,老老实实地走到了骑士身边。“不过说真的,我可不想像鲁莽的修士那样,挨你的拳头,看到那位圣徒在地上打滚,我心里直发怵呢。那么,号角就存在傻子这儿,勇士还是提起精神,准备打仗吧;因为如果我没猜错,那边树丛里好像有人在探头探脑瞧我们。”
  “你根据什么这么讲?”骑士问。
  “因为我发现,盔顶在那儿树叶间问了两三次。如果他们是正派人,就应该在路上走。那片树丛可是圣尼古拉的门徒藏身的好所在呢。”
  “我相信,”骑士说,罩上了面甲,“你讲得有道理。”
  他拉下面甲正是时候,因为三支箭随即从那个可疑地点,朝他的头部和X部射了过来,其中一支要不是给他的钢质面甲挡住,早已穿进他的脑袋。其余两支给他的护喉甲和挂在脖子上的盾牌挡开了。
  “多亏我那位可靠的盔甲匠,”骑士说。“汪八,跟他们干!”他拍马冲向树丛。六、七个兵挺起长熗,从那里向他猛冲过来。三支熗一碰到他便折断了,像刺在铜墙铁壁上,一点作用也没有。黑甲骑士的眼睛透过脸甲的窟窿,仍像火一样炯炯发亮。他从脚蹬上挺直身子,显得威风凛凛,大喝道:“这是怎么啦,先生们!”那几个家伙一声不答,赶快拔出了剑,从四周攻打他,一边大喊:“暴君,你的末日到了!”
  “哈!我的圣爱德华!哈!我的圣乔治!”黑甲骑士每喊一声,便砍倒一个,“与我交手的是卖国贼吧?”
  他那些对手尽管凶猛,但在一刀一条命的节节进逼下,只得步步后退,眼看他一个人的力量就可以把他们打得落花流水,于是一个蓝甲骑士出场了,他本来一直躲在别人背后;他挺起熗扫马上前,直奔他而来,但熗尖不是对准骑马的人,而是对着马,以致那匹强悍的战马受了致命伤。
  “那是阴险的一熗!”黑甲骑士喊道,但马已倒下,骑马的人跟着也到了地上。
  正是在这紧急关头,汪八吹响了号角,因为整个过程发展得这么快,刚才他还来不及这么做。这突然响起的号音,又使那些歹徒退后了一些;汪八尽管缺乏武器,还是毫不犹豫地趁机冲上前去,扶起了黑甲骑士。
  “你们这些卑鄙无耻的胆小鬼!”他对着蓝甲骑士吆喝道,后者看来是这次袭击行动的领导人,“只要一个小丑吹一下号角,便吓得想逃命不成?”
  听到他的话,他们又壮起胆子,重新向他围了上来;他无路可退,只得把背靠在一棵株树上,用剑保卫自己。那个阴险的骑士已另取了一支熗,看准他的强大对手被紧紧围困的时机,跃马向前冲来,想用长熗把他钉死在树上,然而他的意图又遭到了汪八的阻挠。小丑虽然力气不大,但十分灵活,他趁那些骑兵忙于对付主要的目标,不注意他的时候,溜到了他们背后,举起剑砍断了蓝甲骑士那匹马的一条腿,因而有效地制止了他的意外袭击。人和马都摔倒在地上;然而镣铐骑士的处境仍十分危险,他给几个全副武装的人团团围住,为了抵挡他们的一再攻击,已有些疲于奔命,难以招架。就在这千钧一发的时候,一支灰白的鹅毛箭蓦地射来,使对方最强大的一个人随即栽倒在地上;接着,一队农民从树林中飞奔而来,领头的便是洛克斯利和快活的修士。这批生力军一到,立刻解决了战斗,所有的暴徒都躺倒在地上,不是死便是受了重伤。黑甲骑士感谢了他们的救援之恩,但神气却那么威严,这是他们以前从未在他的举止中看到过的,那时他只是一个粗犷而英勇的普通战士,看不出有什么高贵的身分。
  “但是有一件事对我关系重大,”他说,“甚至比向迅速驰援的朋友表示真诚的感谢更重要,那便是尽可能查明这些无缘无故向我挑衅的敌人是谁。汪八,揭开那个蓝甲骑士的面罩,他看来是这帮歹徒的首领。”
  小丑立刻走到刺客的身边,这人倒下时受了些伤,又给负伤的战马压住,既无法逃走,也不能反抗。
  “来吧,勇猛的武士,”汪八说,“我只得给你当盔甲匠和驯马师了。我使你摔下了马背,现在又得给你解开面甲啦。”
  他一边说,一边用力摘下了蓝甲骑士的帽盔;随着它的滚到远处草地上,镣铐骑士看到了一绺绺灰白的头发,一张他没指望在这场合见到的脸。
  “沃尔德马·菲泽西!”他吃了一惊,说道,“你地位这么高,一向道貌岸然,为什么要干这种卑鄙无耻的勾当?”
  “理查,”被俘的骑上仰起了头,对他说,“你不懂得人,不知道野心和仇恨可以把亚当的每个孩子领上什么道路。”
  “仇恨!”黑甲骑士答道。“我一向待你不薄,你对我有什么仇恨呢?”
  “理查,你瞧不起我的女儿,认为她配不上你——这对一个诺曼人不是侮辱吗?要知道,我的血统与你的同样高贵。”
  “你的女儿!”黑甲骑士答道。“这也算是正当的理由,你竟然为此走上了暗杀的道路!各位壮士,请站后一些,我得与他单独谈谈。听着,沃尔德马·菲泽西,你对我说实话,告诉我,是谁派你来干这叛逆勾当的?”
  “你父亲的儿子,”沃尔德马答道,“他这么做只是为你不服从你父亲的命令,向你报复[注]。”
  --------
  [注]指亨利二世在位时,理查两度发动叛乱,反对他父亲的事。
  理查气得眼睛直冒火,但尽力克制着自己。他把一只手按在额上,瞪起眼睛,朝那个威风扫地的贵族瞧了一会,只见他脸上据傲和惭愧的神色正在相持不下。
  “沃尔德马,你不想乞求饶命吗?”国王说。
  “既然落到了狮子的爪子下,他知道,讨饶是多余的,”菲泽西答道。
  “那就不必讨饶了,”理查说,“狮子不爱吃倒毙的尸体。我饶你一命,但是有个条件:你必须在三天内离开英国,让你见不得人的劣迹从此埋葬在你的诺曼城堡中,也不准提到安茹的约翰[注]与你的叛国罪有任何牵连。如果在我给你指定的期限过后,我发现你还在英国的士地上,你便得处死;还有,如果你讲一句损害我家族的荣誉的话,那么凭圣乔治起誓,哪怕教堂也救不了你的命,我要把你挂在你的城堡顶上喂乌鸦。洛克斯利,给这位骑士一匹马,因为我看见你的老乡们抓到了几匹跑散的马。我不想处罚他,让他走吧。”
  --------
  [注]即指约翰亲壬,这时的王族均属于安茹家族。
  “要不是我觉得我听到的声音发出的命令,是必须无条件服从的,我会送他一支箭,让这个诡计多端的坏蛋省些力气,不必再长途跋涉了,”洛克斯利说。
  “你有着一颗英国的心,洛克斯利,”黑甲骑士说,“你的感觉没有错,你应该服从我的命令;我是英国的理查王!”
  一听到这些话,这种与狮心工的高贵身分和杰出个性相适合的庄严口气,那些庄稼人立即在他面前跪下了。他们向他表示了忠诚,要求他宽恕他们过去对他的冒犯。
  “起来吧,我的朋友们,”理查说,声音仁慈,刚才怒气冲冲的神色已从他脸上消失,恢复了平时轻松活泼的表情;不久前的那场激烈搏斗除了在他的面颊上留下一点红晕以外,也已看不到任何痕迹。“起来吧,我的朋友们!你们在托奎尔斯通城堡前面,为了搭救我蒙难的臣民,立下了忠诚的功绩,今天你们又给你们的国王提供了支援,这些事早已抵消了你们在森林中或田野上一切不谨慎的言行。起来吧,我忠诚的人民,希望将来你们仍是我忠诚的人民。至于你,勇敢的洛克斯利……”
  “不要再叫我洛克斯利,陛下,我的名字传播得很广,陛下恐怕也早已听到,我便是舍伍德森林的罗宾汉。”[注]
  --------
  [注]见作者附注九。——原注
  “你是绿林好汉的国王,善良的庄稼人的君主!”国王说。“你的名字传到了遥远的巴勒斯坦,谁会没听到呢?但是你可以相信,勇敢的壮士,在我出国期间,以及由此而导致的混乱时期中,你们所做的每一件事,都不会再对你们产生不利的影响。”
  汪八又插嘴了,只是不再像平时那么没有规矩;他说道:“俗话讲得对:
  “猫儿一旦跑开,
  耗子便肆无忌惮。”
  “怎么,汪八,你在那儿?”理查说,“我好久听不到你的声音,以为你开了小差啦。”。
  “我开小差!”汪八说,“您什么时候见过傻瓜会离开勇士的?那边躺着我的战利品呢,那是一匹出色的灰色骗马,我真希望我砍断的不是它的腿,是它主人的腿,那就好了。确实,我开头逃了几步,因为我这身彩衣可不是钢铁做的,经不起熗尖一戳。但是尽管我没用剑厮杀,您得承认,我用号音发动了进攻。”
  “而且效果不坏,正直的汪八,”国王答道,“我不会忘记你的功劳。”
  “我有罪!我该死![注]”一个谦卑的声音突然从国王身边发了出来,“不过我只会这句拉丁文,只得用英语接着讲了:我承认我罪该万死,但要求陛下开恩,在处死我以前,给我个忏悔的机会!”
  --------
  [注]这句话原文用的是拉丁文。
  理查回头一看,只见快活的修士跪在地上,正手拿念珠祷告,那根在战斗中从不离身的铁头木棍,现在已躺在他旁边的草地上。他的脸显得诚惶诚恐,似乎他认为这才能最好地表现他深切的侮改心情,他的眼睛望着天上,嘴角垂了下来,用江八的话说,便是像钱袋口上的穗子。不过这副惶恐不安的悔罪表现,却给隐藏在他粗犷相貌中的滑稽含义破坏了,它似乎在宣告,他的畏惧和悔改只是装装样子的。
  “你这个疯子,你这副可怜相装给谁看?”理查说。“你怕你的主教知道,你是怎么向圣母和圣邓斯坦虔诚祈祷的吗?算了,你这小子!不要怕,英国的理查王是不会泄漏饮酒中的秘密的。”
  “不,最仁慈的君王,”修士答道(应该让好奇的读者知道,在罗宾汉故事的廉价书刊中,这个人是名叫塔克修士),“我怕的不是主教的牧杖,是国王的权杖!我从没想到,我这犯上作乱的拳头会打在上帝任命的国王的脸上,真是糟糕!”
  “哈哈!”理查答道,“是这么回事吗?其实我早把那一拳忘记了,虽然在那以后,我的耳朵响了整整一天。但是如果那一巴掌真的厉害,我要请如今在场的各位评判一下,它有没有得到相应的回敬;或者如果你认为我还欠你什么,那么你不妨站出来,我们重新较量一下……”
  “这可万万使不得,”塔克修士答道,“您欠我的账您已还清,而且增加了一大笔利息,我相信,陛下还债还从没这么大方过!”
  “要是我的巴掌可以还债,”国王说,“我的债主就永远不用担心我的国库会空虚了。”
  “不过我还是担心,”修士说,又装出了那副一本正经的表情,“不知道我该怎么办,才抵消得了那大逆不道的一拳所犯下的罪!……”
  “不要再谈这事了,老兄,”国王说,“穆斯林和异教徒的拳头,我都挨过不少,没有必要为科普曼赫斯特的圣徒那一拳生气。不过,我的好修士,我想,对教会和你本人而言,最好还是让我替你申请还俗;你就在我的卫队中当一名卫士,待在我身边当差,就像你以前在祭台旁边侍候圣邓斯坦一样。”
  “我的国王,”修士答道,“这事务必请您原谅,要是您知道,我一向犯有懒惰的罪,您就一定会宽恕我的无礼了。圣邓斯坦——愿他保佑我们——安安静静待在神龛里,哪怕我为了杀一头肥鹿,忘了向他做祷告,他也不致骂我;有时我为了办一点私事,整夜都不待在隐修室里,圣邓斯坦从不埋怨我,他是一个温厚的主人,一向心平气和,完全符合木雕圣像的身分。然而作一名卫士,侍候国王您老人家,毫无疑问,这体面是够体面的,可万一我得走开一步,在某个地方跟一位寡妇谈谈心,或者上另一个地方杀一头鹿,那可不得了,一个人说:‘这狗教士跑哪儿去啦?’另一个人说:‘谁看到该死的塔克啦?’一个管林子的说:‘这个还俗的混蛋,他把全国一半的鹿都吃掉了!’另一个又说:‘他恨不得把每一只母鹿都杀死才好呢!’总之,我的好国王,您还是饶了我吧,让我本来怎样就怎样;如果您想到科普曼赫斯特的圣邓斯坦隐修所,要给它的穷修士赏赐点什么,那么不论多么微不足道,在下也会感恩不尽的。”
  “我了解你,”国王说,“我特准你这位圣徒,在我的旺恩克利夫森林中有权采伐树木和猎取鹿肉。不过注意,我只准你每三个月杀三只雄鹿;但我敢保证,这一定会成为你杀三十只的借口,否则我就不是真正的国王和基督教骑士。”
  “请您老放心,”修士答道,“在圣邓斯坦的保佑下,我一定会找到办法,把您仁慈的恩赐扩大几倍的。”
  “我毫不怀疑这点,老兄,”国王说。“不过鹿脯是干燥的食物涸此我要命令管酒窖的官吏,每年给你一大桶白葡萄酒,一小桶甜酒,三大桶一级谈啤酒。如果这还不够,你只得到宫里来找我的膳食总管了。”
  “但是给圣邓斯坦什么呢?”修士问。
  “一件斗篷,一身圣衣和一套祭台桌罩,”国王继续道,在身上划了个十字。“但是我们可不能把玩笑当真,要不然,上帝会惩罚我们,认为我们只知道胡闹,不知道敬畏和礼拜他老人家呢。”
  “我会替我的保护圣徒承担责任的,”修士嬉皮笑脸地说。
  “还是为你自己负责吧,修士,”理查国王说,严肃了一些,但马上向修士伸出了手,后者有些不好意思,跪下一条腿吻了手。“你对我伸出的手还不如对我握紧的拳头恭敬呢;对我的手只跪了一下,对我的拳头却全身都扑到了地上。”
  但修士也许怕继续开玩笑,难免触怒国王——凡是与国王谈话的人都得格外小心,别犯这种错误。于是他深深鞠了一躬,退到后面去了。
  就在这时,又有两个人来到了这里。


子规月落

ZxID:13974051


等级: 内阁元老
配偶: 暖雯雯
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Chapter 41
All hail to the lordlings of high degree, Who live not more happy, though greater than we! Our pastimes to see, Under every green tree, In all the gay woodland, right welcome ye be. Macdonald
The new comers were Wilfred of Ivanhoe, on the Prior of Botolph's palfrey, and Gurth, who attended him, on the Knight's own war-horse. The astonishment of Ivanhoe was beyond bounds, when he saw his master besprinkled with blood, and six or seven dead bodies lying around in the little glade in which the battle had taken place. Nor was he less surprised to see Richard surrounded by so many silvan attendants, the outlaws, as they seemed to be, of the forest, and a perilous retinue therefore for a prince. He hesitated whether to address the King as the Black Knight-errant, or in what other manner to demean himself towards him. Richard saw his embarrassment.
"Fear not, Wilfred," he said, "to address Richard Plantagenet as himself, since thou seest him in the company of true English hearts, although it may be they have been urged a few steps aside by warm English blood."
"Sir Wilfred of Ivanhoe," said the gallant Outlaw, stepping forward, "my assurances can add nothing to those of our sovereign; yet, let me say somewhat proudly, that of men who have suffered much, he hath not truer subjects than those who now stand around him."
"I cannot doubt it, brave man," said Wilfred, "since thou art of the number---But what mean these marks of death and danger? these slain men, and the bloody armour of my Prince?"
"Treason hath been with us, Ivanhoe," said the King; "but, thanks to these brave men, treason hath met its meed---But, now I bethink me, thou too art a traitor," said Richard, smiling; "a most disobedient traitor; for were not our orders positive, that thou shouldst repose thyself at Saint Botolph's until thy wound was healed?"
"It is healed," said Ivanhoe; "it is not of more consequence than the scratch of a bodkin. But why, oh why, noble Prince, will you thus vex the hearts of your faithful servants, and expose your life by lonely journeys and rash adventures, as if it were of no more value than that of a mere knight-errant, who has no interest on earth but what lance and sword may procure him?"
"And Richard Plantagenet," said the King, "desires no more fame than his good lance and sword may acquire him---and Richard Plantagenet is prouder of achieving an adventure, with only his good sword, and his good arm to speed, than if he led to battle a host of an hundred thousand armed men."
"But your kingdom, my Liege," said Ivanhoe, "your kingdom is threatened with dissolution and civil war---your subjects menaced with every species of evil, if deprived of their sovereign in some of those dangers which it is your daily pleasure to incur, and from which you have but this moment narrowly escaped."
"Ho! ho! my kingdom and my subjects?" answered Richard, impatiently; "I tell thee, Sir Wilfred, the best of them are most willing to repay my follies in kind---For example, my very faithful servant, Wilfred of Ivanhoe, will not obey my positive commands, and yet reads his king a homily, because he does not walk exactly by his advice. Which of us has most reason to upbraid the other?---Yet forgive me, my faithful Wilfred. The time I have spent, and am yet to spend in concealment, is, as I explained to thee at Saint Botolph's, necessary to give my friends and faithful nobles time to assemble their forces, that when Richard's return is announced, he should be at the head of such a force as enemies shall tremble to face, and thus subdue the meditated treason, without even unsheathing a sword. Estoteville and Bohun will not be strong enough to move forward to York for twenty-four hours. I must have news of Salisbury from the south; and of Beauchamp, in Warwickshire; and of Multon and Percy in the north. The Chancellor must make sure of London. Too sudden an appearance would subject me to dangers, other than my lance and sword, though backed by the bow of bold Robin, or the quarter-staff of Friar Tuck, and the horn of the sage Wamba, may be able to rescue me from."
Wilfred bowed in submission, well knowing how vain it was to contend with the wild spirit of chivalry which so often impelled his master upon dangers which he might easily have avoided, or rather, which it was unpardonable in him to have sought out. The young knight sighed, therefore, and held his peace; while Richard, rejoiced at having silenced his counsellor, though his heart acknowledged the justice of the charge he had brought against him, went on in conversation with Robin Hood.---"King of Outlaws," he said, "have you no refreshment to offer to your brother sovereign? for these dead knaves have found me both in exercise and appetite."
"In troth," replied the Outlaw, "for I scorn to lie to your Grace, our larder is chiefly supplied with---" He stopped, and was somewhat embarrassed.
"With venison, I suppose?" said Richard, gaily; "better food at need there can be none---and truly, if a king will not remain at home and slay his own game, methinks he should not brawl too loud if he finds it killed to his hand."
"If your Grace, then," said Robin, "will again honour with your presence one of Robin Hood's places of rendezvous, the venison shall not be lacking; and a stoup of ale, and it may be a cup of reasonably good wine, to relish it withal."
The Outlaw accordingly led the way, followed by the buxom Monarch, more happy, probably, in this chance meeting with Robin Hood and his foresters, than he would have been in again assuming his royal state, and presiding over a splendid circle of peers and nobles. Novelty in society and adventure were the zest of life to Richard Coeur-de-Lion, and it had its highest relish when enhanced by dangers encountered and surmounted. In the lion-hearted King, the brilliant, but useless character, of a knight of romance, was in a great measure realized and revived; and the personal glory which he acquired by his own deeds of arms, was far more dear to his excited imagination, than that which a course of policy and wisdom would have spread around his government. Accordingly, his reign was like the course of a brilliant and rapid meteor, which shoots along the face of Heaven, shedding around an unnecessary and portentous light, which is instantly swallowed up by universal darkness; his feats of chivalry furnishing themes for bards and minstrels, but affording none of those solid benefits to his country on which history loves to pause, and hold up as an example to posterity. But in his present company Richard showed to the greatest imaginable advantage. He was gay, good-humoured, and fond of manhood in every rank of life.
Beneath a huge oak-tree the silvan repast was hastily prepared for the King of England, surrounded by men outlaws to his government, but who now formed his court and his guard. As the flagon went round, the rough foresters soon lost their awe for the presence of Majesty. The song and the jest were exchanged ---the stories of former deeds were told with advantage; and at length, and while boasting of their successful infraction of the laws, no one recollected they were speaking in presence of their natural guardian. The merry King, nothing heeding his dignity any more than his company, laughed, quaffed, and jested among the jolly band. The natural and rough sense of Robin Hood led him to be desirous that the scene should be closed ere any thing should occur to disturb its harmony, the more especially that he observed Ivanhoe's brow clouded with anxiety. "We are honoured," he said to Ivanhoe, apart, "by the presence of our gallant Sovereign; yet I would not that he dallied with time, which the circumstances of his kingdom may render precious."
"It is well and wisely spoken, brave Robin Hood," said Wilfred, apart; "and know, moreover, that they who jest with Majesty even in its gayest mood are but toying with the lion's whelp, which, on slight provocation, uses both fangs and claws."
"You have touched the very cause of my fear," said the Outlaw; "my men are rough by practice and nature, the King is hasty as well as good-humoured; nor know I how soon cause of offence may arise, or how warmly it may be received---it is time this revel were broken off."
"It must be by your management then, gallant yeoman," said Ivanhoe; "for each hint I have essayed to give him serves only to induce him to prolong it."
"Must I so soon risk the pardon and favour of my Sovereign?" said Robin Hood, pausing for all instant; "but by Saint Christopher, it shall be so. I were undeserving his grace did I not peril it for his good.---Here, Scathlock, get thee behind yonder thicket, and wind me a Norman blast on thy bugle, and without an instant's delay on peril of your life."
Scathlock obeyed his captain, and in less than five minutes the revellers were startled by the sound of his horn.
"It is the bugle of Malvoisin," said the Miller, starting to his feet, and seizing his bow. The Friar dropped the flagon, and grasped his quarter-staff. Wamba stopt short in the midst of a jest, and betook himself to sword and target. All the others stood to their weapons.
Men of their precarious course of life change readily from the banquet to the battle; and, to Richard, the exchange seemed but a succession of pleasure. He called for his helmet and the most cumbrous parts of his armour, which he had laid aside; and while Gurth was putting them on, he laid his strict injunctions on Wilfred, under pain of his highest displeasure, not to engage in the skirmish which he supposed was approaching.
"Thou hast fought for me an hundred times, Wilfred,---and I have seen it. Thou shalt this day look on, and see how Richard will fight for his friend and liegeman."
In the meantime, Robin Hood had sent off several of his followers in different directions, as if to reconnoitre the enemy; and when he saw the company effectually broken up, he approached Richard, who was now completely armed, and, kneeling down on one knee, craved pardon of his Sovereign.
"For what, good yeoman?" said Richard, somewhat impatiently. "Have we not already granted thee a full pardon for all transgressions? Thinkest thou our word is a feather, to be blown backward and forward between us? Thou canst not have had time to commit any new offence since that time?"
"Ay, but I have though," answered the yeoman, "if it be an offence to deceive my prince for his own advantage. The bugle you have heard was none of Malvoisin's, but blown by my direction, to break off the banquet, lest it trenched upon hours of dearer import than to be thus dallied with."
He then rose from his knee, folded his arm on his bosom, and in a manner rather respectful than submissive, awaited the answer of the King,---like one who is conscious he may have given offence, yet is confident in the rectitude of his motive. The blood rushed in anger to the countenance of Richard; but it was the first transient emotion, and his sense of justice instantly subdued it.
"The King of Sherwood," he said, "grudges his venison and his wine-flask to the King of England? It is well, bold Robin!---but when you come to see me in merry London, I trust to be a less niggard host. Thou art right, however, good fellow. Let us therefore to horse and away---Wilfred has been impatient this hour. Tell me, bold Robin, hast thou never a friend in thy band, who, not content with advising, will needs direct thy motions, and look miserable when thou dost presume to act for thyself?"
"Such a one," said Robin, "is my Lieutenant, Little John, who is even now absent on an expedition as far as the borders of Scotland; and I will own to your Majesty, that I am sometimes displeased by the freedom of his councils---but, when I think twice, I cannot be long angry with one who can have no motive for his anxiety save zeal for his master's service."
"Thou art right, good yeoman," answered Richard; "and if I had Ivanhoe, on the one hand, to give grave advice, and recommend it by the sad gravity of his brow, and thee, on the other, to trick me into what thou thinkest my own good, I should have as little the freedom of mine own will as any king in Christendom or Heathenesse.---But come, sirs, let us merrily on to Coningsburgh, and think no more on't."
Robin Hood assured them that he had detached a party in the direction of the road they were to pass, who would not fail to discover and apprize them of any secret ambuscade; and that he had little doubt they would find the ways secure, or, if otherwise, would receive such timely notice of the danger as would enable them to fall back on a strong troop of archers, with which he himself proposed to follow on the same route.
The wise and attentive precautions adopted for his safety touched Richard's feelings, and removed any slight grudge which he might retain on account of the deception the Outlaw Captain had practised upon him. He once more extended his hand to Robin Hood, assured him of his full pardon and future favour, as well as his firm resolution to restrain the tyrannical exercise of the forest rights and other oppressive laws, by which so many English yeomen were driven into a state of rebellion. But Richard's good intentions towards the bold Outlaw were frustrated by the King's untimely death; and the Charter of the Forest was extorted from the unwilling hands of King John when he succeeded to his heroic brother. As for the rest of Robin Hood's career, as well as the tale of his treacherous death, they are to be found in those black-letter garlands, once sold at the low and easy rate of one halfpenny,
"Now cheaply purchased at their weight in gold."
The Outlaw's opinion proved true; and the King, attended by Ivanhoe, Gurth, and Wamba, arrived, without any interruption, within view of the Castle of Coningsburgh, while the sun was yet in the horizon.
There are few more beautiful or striking scenes in England, than are presented by the vicinity of this ancient Saxon fortress. The soft and gentle river Don sweeps through an amphitheatre, in which cultivation is richly blended with woodland, and on a mount, ascending from the river, well defended by walls and ditches, rises this ancient edifice, which, as its Saxon name implies, was, previous to the Conquest, a royal residence of the kings of England. The outer walls have probably been added by the Normans, but the inner keep bears token of very great antiquity. It is situated on a mount at one angle of the inner court, and forms a complete circle of perhaps twenty-five feet in diameter. The wall is of immense thickness, and is propped or defended by six huge external buttresses which project from the circle, and rise up against the sides of the tower as if to strengthen or to support it. These massive buttresses are solid when they arise from the foundation, and a good way higher up; but are hollowed out towards the top, and terminate in a sort of turrets communicating with the interior of the keep itself. The distant appearance of this huge building, with these singular accompaniments, is as interesting to the lovers of the picturesque, as the interior of the castle is to the eager antiquary, whose imagination it carries back to the days of the Heptarchy. A barrow, in the vicinity of the castle, is pointed out as the tomb of the memorable Hengist; and various monuments, of great antiquity and curiosity, are shown in the neighbouring churchyard.*
* Note J. Castle of Coningsburgh.
When Coeur-de-Lion and his retinue approached this rude yet stately building, it was not, as at present, surrounded by external fortifications. The Saxon architect had exhausted his art in rendering the main keep defensible, and there was no other circumvallation than a rude barrier of palisades.
A huge black banner, which floated from the top of the tower, announced that the obsequies of the late owner were still in the act of being solemnized. It bore no emblem of the deceased's birth or quality, for armorial bearings were then a novelty among the Norman chivalry themselves and, were totally unknown to the Saxons. But above the gate was another banner, on which the figure of a white horse, rudely painted, indicated the nation and rank of the deceased, by the well-known symbol of Hengist and his Saxon warriors.
All around the castle was a scene of busy commotion; for such funeral banquets were times of general and profuse hospitality, which not only every one who could claim the most distant connexion with the deceased, but all passengers whatsoever, were invited to partake. The wealth and consequence of the deceased Athelstane, occasioned this custom to be observed in the fullest extent.
Numerous parties, therefore, were seen ascending and descending the hill on which the castle was situated; and when the King and his attendants entered the open and unguarded gates of the external barrier, the space within presented a scene not easily reconciled with the cause of the assemblage. In one place cooks were toiling to roast huge oxen, and fat sheep; in another, hogsheads of ale were set abroach, to be drained at the freedom of all comers. Groups of every description were to be seen devouring the food and swallowing the liquor thus abandoned to their discretion. The naked Saxon serf was drowning the sense of his half-year's hunger and thirst, in one day of gluttony and drunkenness---the more pampered burgess and guild-brother was eating his morsel with gust, or curiously criticising the quantity of the malt and the skill of the brewer. Some few of the poorer Norman gentry might also be seen, distinguished by their shaven chins and short cloaks, and not less so by their keeping together, and looking with great scorn on the whole solemnity, even while condescending to avail themselves of the good cheer which was so liberally supplied.
Mendicants were of course assembled by the score, together with strolling soldiers returned from Palestine, (according to their own account at least,) pedlars were displaying their wares, travelling mechanics were enquiring after employment, and wandering palmers, hedge-priests, Saxon minstrels, and Welsh bards, were muttering prayers, and extracting mistuned dirges from their harps, crowds, and rotes.*
* The crowth, or crowd, was a species of violin. The rote a * sort of guitar, or rather hurdy-gurdy, the strings of * which were managed by a wheel, from which the instrument * took its name.
One sent forth the praises of Athelstane in a doleful panegyric; another, in a Saxon genealogical poem, rehearsed the uncouth and harsh names of his noble ancestry. Jesters and jugglers were not awanting, nor was the occasion of the assembly supposed to render the exercise of their profession indecorous or improper. Indeed the ideas of the Saxons on these occasions were as natural as they were rude. If sorrow was thirsty, there was drink---if hungry, there was food---if it sunk down upon and saddened the heart, here were the means supplied of mirth, or at least of amusement. Nor did the assistants scorn to avail themselves of those means of consolation, although, every now and then, as if suddenly recollecting the cause which had brought them together, the men groaned in unison, while the females, of whom many were present, raised up their voices and shrieked for very woe.
Such was the scene in the castle-yard at Coningsburgh when it was entered by Richard and his followers. The seneschal or steward deigned not to take notice of the groups of inferior guests who were perpetually entering and withdrawing, unless so far as was necessary to preserve order; nevertheless he was struck by the good mien of the Monarch and Ivanhoe, more especially as he imagined the features of the latter were familiar to him. Besides, the approach of two knights, for such their dress bespoke them, was a rare event at a Saxon solemnity, and could not but be regarded as a sort of honour to the deceased and his family. And in his sable dress, and holding in his hand his white wand of office, this important personage made way through the miscellaneous assemblage of guests, thus conducting Richard and Ivanhoe to the entrance of the tower. Gurth and Wamba speedily found acquaintances in the court-yard, nor presumed to intrude themselves any farther until their presence should be required.

高贵的老爷们听我说,
你们地位虽高,却不如我们幸福!
来看看我们的娱乐吧,
在每一棵绿树荫下,
在每一片快活的林子中,我们都欢迎你们光临。
麦克唐纳(注)
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(注)亚历山大•麦克唐纳(1700—1770?),苏格兰高地诗人,用当地的盖尔语写作,因此在苏格兰以外,知道他的人不多;1751年他出版过一本盖尔语的诗集。
新来的是艾文荷的威尔弗莱德和葛四,前者骑在博多尔夫长老的小马上,后者却骑着骑士自己的战马。艾文荷发现他的主人身上尽是一点点血迹,刚才激战过的小小空地上横着六、七具尸体,不禁大吃一惊。他还发现,理查身边围着这么多人,从外表看都是绿林好汉,因此对君主而言自然是危险的扈从,这也叫他同样吃惊。他犹豫不决,不知是称呼他国王好,还是黑甲骑士好,也不知自己应该采取什么态度。理查看出了他的难处。
“不用怕,威尔弗莱德,”他说,“称我金雀花王朝的理查好了;我周围的这些人都有着一颗真正的英国人的心,只是英国人的热血驱使他们偏离了一点正常的轨道。”
“艾文荷的威尔弗莱德爵士,”英勇的首领走到前面说道,“我们的君主已说明了一切,我没有必要补充什么了;然而我仍想自豪地说一句,在多灾多难的人民中,谁也不会比现在站在他周围的那些人更忠诚了。”
“这是我不能怀疑的,勇敢的壮士,”威尔弗莱德说,“因为你就是其中的一个。但是这些死亡和危险的标志——这些杀死的人和我的国王盔甲上的血迹,是怎么回事呢?”
“叛逆来到了朕的身边,艾文荷,”国王说,“多亏这些英勇的健儿,叛逆才受到了应有的报应。不过现在我想起来了,你也是一个叛逆,”理查笑道,“一个不服从命令的叛逆;因为我给你的明确命令,是要你在圣博多尔夫隐修所中养病,直到伤势痊愈为止。”
“我已经痊愈了,”艾文荷说,“现在只留下了一个小小的伤口,完全不碍事了。可是为什么——陛下,为什么您要折磨您的忠诚臣仆的心呢?您单熗匹马,长途跋涉,让您尊贵的生命历尽艰险,仿佛它的价值跟一个闯荡江湖的骑士的价值差不多,只是要凭一枝熗,一把剑,走遍天下锄强扶弱而已。”
“金雀花王朝的理查除了凭他的熗和剑赢得名声以外,别无他求,”国王说。“金雀花王朝的理查觉得,单凭他的一把宝剑,一身膂力,出生入死取得的胜利,比率领千百名武士鏖战在沙场上,更值得自豪。”
“但是您的王国,陛下,”艾文荷说,“您的王国正面临着瓦解和内战的威胁;您的臣民如果失去了他们的君主,便必然遭到各种恶势力的蹂躏,您怎么能一味单熗匹马,不顾危险,像刚才那场险遭不测的厮杀那样呢?”
“嗬!嗬!我的王国和我的臣民!”理查不耐烦地答道,“我告诉你,威尔弗莱德爵士,他们中间最优秀的人也只知道像我一样蛮于呢。举例说,我最忠诚的巨仆艾文荷的威尔弗莱德,便不服从我的明确命令,还要教训他的国王,因为他不肯完全听从他的劝告。我们两人究竟谁有理由指责另一个呢?然而我忠诚的威尔弗莱德,请原谅我。这段时间我必须隐姓埋名的道理,我已在圣博多尔夫隐修所向你解释过,这是为了让我的朋友和忠于我的贵族有时间集结他们的军队,这样,理查回国的消息宣布时,他已拥有一支可以令敌人战栗的强大军队,甚至不必拔出我们的剑,便能叫他们低头认罪,放弃他们的叛逆意图。埃斯托特维尔和博亨在二十四小时内,还没有足够的力量进攻约克。我必须等待索尔兹伯里从南方,比彻姆从沃里克郡,马尔顿和帕西从北方给我送来的消息。我的首相必须把伦敦控制在手中。过于仓促的露面势必使我陷入危险,那就不是单靠勇敢的罗宾汉的弓箭,塔克修士的铁头木棍,汪八的号角作后盾,凭我的熗和剑便能立于不败之地了。”
威尔弗莱德垂下了头表示服从,他完全明白,跟这种狂热的骑士精神争论是没有用的,它常常使他的主人陷入危险,尽管那本来是可以轻易避免的,有时它甚至使他采取不可原谅的冒险做法。因此年轻的骑士叹了口气,不再作声。理查很高兴,终于让他的臣子免开尊口了,然而他的内心却承认,他对他的指责是正确的;于是他继续跟罗宾汉谈话。“绿林好汉的国王,”他说道,“你能向你的国王献上一些点心吗?因为这些死鬼害得我筋疲力尽,肚子也饿了。”
“说真的,”壮士答道,“本来我还不好意思献给陛下呢,因为我们的干粮主要是……”他住口了,有些为难似的。
“我想是鹿脯吧?”理查大喜道,“在肚子饿的时候,没有更好的食物了。如果一个国王不想待在国内,自己动手打猎,那么别人打了送到他手上,我想他是没有理由反对的。”
“既然这样,就请陛下再次光临罗宾汉的一个集合地点吧,”罗宾汉说,“在那里非但不愁吃不到鹿脯,还能得到一大杯啤酒,甚至上好的葡萄酒,提高您的食欲呢。”
于是壮士在前面带路,国王兴高采烈跟在后面;这次得以遇到罗宾汉和他的绿林好汉,使他喜出望外,也许比重新登基,坐在王公大臣中间更加快活。新鲜的社会活动和冒险经历,是狮心王理查最大的乐趣,如果又遭逢了艰难险阻,那么对他说来,更是不同寻常,别有风味。在狮心王理查身上,传奇英雄光辉灿烂、不计利害的个性,得到了充分的体现和生动的表现;他耽于幻想,在他心目中,他个人凭武力取得的光荣,比他在国事上运筹帷幄、深谋远虑的决策,更为动人。因此他的统治像明亮而迅速的流星划破长空,光芒四射,但这只是一种多余的、惊人的奇观,顷刻之间便消失在无边的黑暗中了。他的骑士功绩成了民间歌手和行吟诗人的题材,但不能给他的国家带来任何实际利益,为历史提供值得回味思考,可以让后人效法的范例。但在目前这伙人中,理查真是如鱼得水,最大限度地满足了他的幻想。他天生乐观,性格开朗,喜欢接触每个阶层的生活。
在一棵高大的栎树下,招待英国国王的林中宴会一下子便安排好了;他周围的人对他的政府而言是不法之徒,但现在却构成了他的朝廷和卫队。随着酒壶的传递,那些粗犷的森林之子很快便对国王的在场失去了畏惧。唱歌和谈笑此起彼落,从前的事迹给讲得曲折离奇,引人入胜;最后,在夸耀各自的违法活动时,没有人还会想起,坐在他们面前的那个人正是法律的天然保卫者。国王也嘻嘻哈哈,跟这些伙伴一样,丝毫也不顾到他的尊严,与大家一起欢笑、喝酒、逗趣。罗宾汉虽然粗鲁,但天生的警惕心,使他希望这场戏快些结束,免得闹出乱子,尤其是他发现艾文荷的脸色有些担忧,于是偷偷向他说道:“国王的驾临使我们万分荣幸,然而他国事繁忙,过多的浪费时间恐怕不太合适。”
“勇敢的罗宾汉,您明白事理,讲得很对,”威尔弗莱德轻声说,“要知道,跟国王说笑,哪怕在他心情最舒畅的时候,也好比跟一头小狮子玩耍,一不小心,它便会张牙舞爪向你扑来。”
“您提到的正是我所担心的事,”壮士说。“我那些小伙子天性粗野,不懂规矩,国王虽然待人和气,但性情急躁;我觉得随时都可能发生不愉快的事,惹得国王生气,我看这场狂欢活动应该收场了。”
“那只得仰仗您的大力了,勇敢的老乡,”艾文荷说道,“因为我要是想这么做,只能适得其反,他会反而拖延不走。”
“难道我这么快就得冒开罪国王,失去他的欢心的危险吗?”罗宾汉说,一边考虑了一下。“不过凭圣克里斯托弗起誓,这是我应该做的。如果我不敢为了他冒这危险,我就不配得到他的恩宠。听着,斯卡洛克,你快跑到那片树丛背后,用你的号角吹一下诺曼人的号音,一刻也不能拖延,否则我一定严惩不贷。”
斯卡洛克立即照办,不到五分钟,那些饮酒作乐的人便听到了他的号
“这是马尔沃辛的号角声,”磨坊老板说道,马上一跃而起,拿起了弓箭。修士也丢下酒壶,拿起了铁头木棍。汪八中止了他的说笑,跑去取他的剑和盾牌。所有的人都拿起了武器。
他们从事的危险生涯,使他们随时准备从喝酒转入战斗;然而对理查说来,这种转变只是欢乐的继续。他吩咐给他头盔,铠甲上那些最累赘的东西本来扔在一起,现在也拿来了;葛四给他披戴时,他向威尔弗莱德发出了严厉的命令,不准他抢先厮杀,否则决不饶他。
“你已替我厮打了一百次,威尔弗莱德,我都看到了。今天请你站在一边,看理查怎么替他的朋友和巨子厮杀。”
就在这时,罗宾汉派出了几个部下,要他们分头侦察敌人的动向。当他看到酒筵已经收场,他的命令已经生效,于是他走近全身披挂的理查,单膝下跪,请他的陛下恕罪。
“为什么,我的好首领?”理查说,有些不耐烦。“我不是已经答应宽恕你们的一切违法行为吗?你以为我的话这么不值钱,可以随口乱讲,又任意收回的吗?可是从那以后,你应该还没有时间犯新的罪吧?”
“不,我已经犯了,”首领回答,“我犯了欺君之罪,但这是为了陛下的缘故。您听到的号音不是马尔沃辛的,那是我命令吹的,是为了让宴会停止,免得它占有您更多的宝贵时间。”
然后他站了起来,合抱着双手,神色主要是恭敬,不是畏怯,等待着国王的答复,就像一个人意识到他可能犯了错误,然而相信他的动机是无可非议的。理查有些发怒,脸涨红了,但这只是一刹那工夫,公正的意识立即占了上风。
“舍伍德森林之王舍不得给英国国王吃他的鹿脯和美酒!”他说。“好吧,勇敢的罗宾汉!但是等你到快活的伦敦来见我的时候,我保证我这个主人不会像你那么小气。不过你做得对,我的好汉。我们还是骑上马走吧,威尔弗莱德早已等得不耐烦了。告诉我,勇敢的罗宾汉,你的部下中难道从没有过一个人,不仅要对你说三道四,还要直接干预你的行动,如果你不听他的,他便要哭丧着脸苦苦哀求吗?”
“我也有这么一个人,”罗宾汉说,“那便是我的副官小约翰(注),不过他此刻出远门到苏格兰边境去了。我向陛下承认,我有时对他的胡言乱语也很恼火,但再一想,他没有别的动机,只是出于一片忠心,我便不能生气了。”
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(注)这也是罗宾汉故事中的一个重要人物,据说原名叫约翰•奈洛,司各特在另一部小说《十字军英雄记》中写到过他。
“你做得对,好庄户人,”理查答道。“如果我有艾文荷站在一边,老是哭丧着脸,皱起眉头,向我直言谏劝,有你在另一边,据说为了我好跟我耍花招,那么我就像基督教世界或异教徒世界中的任何一个国王那样,毫无自由可言了。但是现在,让我们快快活活地前往科宁斯堡,不必再谈这些了。”
罗宾汉告诉他们,他已派出一支小分队,在他们经过的路上进行侦察,一旦发现任何埋伏,马上会通知他们;他相信,他们能安全抵达科宁斯堡,万一有事,他们会得到及时的警报,然后可以马上折回,因为他会率领一队精锐的弓箭手沿着同一路线接应他们。
为国王的安全所作的这些周密而细心的部署,深深感动了理查,他对那位首领为了骗他动身玩弄的小花招,本来可能还有一点嫌怨,现在彻底消除了。他再一次向罗宾汉伸出了手,请他相信他完全宽恕了他,今后还要广施恩泽,因为他已下定决心,限制森林法和其他专制法规的残暴措施,免得它们把许多英国农民逼上绝路,铤而走险。不过理查向勇敢的首领表示的善良意愿,后来由于国王的过早晏驾,未能实现;约翰作为他英勇的哥哥的继承人登基之后,也只是出于无奈,勉强签署了森林宪章(注)。至于罗宾汉一生的其他事迹,以及他遭到暗害致死的故事,都可以在黑体字印制的廉价的民间故事和通俗歌谣中找到,它们
售价便宜,内容却像黄金般珍贵。
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(注)理查于1199年去世,由其弟约翰(即本书中的约翰亲王)继位,约翰与理查完全不同,阴险多疑,不得人心,1215年被迫接受贵族提出的大宪章,其中对王室的森林作了限制。次年约翰去世,其于亨利三世继位,年仅九岁,又于次年(121年)在大宪章的基础上正式签署了森林宪章。
首领的预见是正确的,国王在艾文荷、葛四和汪八的陪伴下,一路平安,太阳还没落下地平线的时候,科宁斯堡已经在望了。
这个撒克逊古老城堡周围那种优美动人的景色,在英国是很少见到的。平静的唐河潺潺流动,从一片环形盆地上穿过,那里田园和茂盛的树木交织在一起;一片高地从河边升起,古老的城堡便矗立在山丘顶上,四周是坚固的围墙和壕沟。从它的撒克逊名称看来,它早在诺曼人征服英国以前即已存在,曾作过英国几代国王的离宫。外面的围墙大概是诺曼人增建的,但里边的主楼带有十分古老的特征。它位在内院一角的土岗上,构成了整整一个圆圈,直径大约二十五英尺。墙非常厚,四周有六个大扶壁拱卫着,它们突出在圆圈之外,沿着塔楼的各边建造,似乎是为了加固或支撑墙壁。这些厚实的扶壁是实心的,从地基升起,比主楼高出了许多;但它们的顶部却是空心的,形成了塔楼似的东西,可以通往主楼内部。这个雄伟的建筑物,连同那些独特的扶壁,从远处看,外表也是引人入胜的,正如城堡的内部可以满足考古家的兴趣,把他们的想象力带到遥远的七国时代一样。离城堡不远有一个古墓,据说这便是令人怀念的亨吉斯特的陵寝;在附近的墓地还有各种碑碣,都非常古老和奇特。(注)
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(注)见作者附注十。——原注
当狮心王和他的随从来到这简陋而庄严的建筑物时,它还不像现在这样,周围没有那些外堡。当时撒克逊建筑师的全部本领只是把主楼的墙壁造得坚固结实,它的周围也没有城墙,只有一道粗糙的木栅。
城堡顶上升起了一面大黑旗,由此可见,为它故世的主人举行的丧礼还在进行。它没有表明死者家世或身分的符号,因为纹章标记那时在诺曼骑士中还是一种新事物,在撒克逊人中更是根本还没有。但是在大门上空飘扬着另一面旗子,旗上画着一匹简陋的白马,这是亨吉斯特和他的撒克逊武士们的著名标记,它表明了死者的民族和身分。
城堡周围是一片热闹忙乱的景象,因为这类丧宴总是铺张浪费,讲究排场的,不仅与死者沾点亲戚关系的人,连过路的旅客,也会给邀请入席。故世的阿特尔斯坦既是财主,又有地位,遇到这种事,自然会办得格外隆重。
这样,城堡所在的那座小山上,上上下下的人络绎不绝;外面那道屏障的大门敞开着,没人守卫,国王和他的随从进去之后,他们看到的那片空地上的景象,却与正在举办的丧事很不相称。在一个地方,厨子们正忙于烤煮大公牛和肥山羊;在另一个地方,一桶桶啤酒正在钻洞,好让客人自由取用。形形色色的人群都忙于吃喝,狼吞虎咽,消耗着大量的食物和酒。赤膊的撒克逊农奴似乎要靠一天的饱餐和痛饮,解除半年的饥渴;生活较优裕的市民和工匠,津津有味地品尝着各自的食物,或者精细地评判着麦酒的浓度和酿造的技术。客人中也可以看到几个较穷的诺曼绅士,这是不难识别的,他们的下巴都剃得光光的,穿着短外套,而且单独聚集在一起,对整个丧礼露出了不屑一顾的神色,尽管为了这顿丰盛的饮食,他们只得纡尊降贵,前来观礼。
当然,要饭的花子汇集在这儿的,也有二、三十个;还有从巴勒斯坦回来的(至少据他们自己说)散兵游勇;小贩在叫卖他们的货物,流浪的手艺人在寻找雇主;周游四方的朝圣者和术士,撒克逊行吟诗人和威尔士民间歌手,有的在轻轻念祷告,有的用竖琴、小提琴或六弦琴,弹唱着走调的挽歌。一个人用悲戚的声音在为阿特尔斯坦唱赞歌,另一个编了撒克逊谱系诗篇,背诵着他高贵祖先那些诘屈聱牙的名字。这里还有讲笑话的和变戏法的,谁也不觉得他们在这场合卖艺有什么不合适,或者不合礼节。确实,撒克逊人对丧事的观念是粗野的,也是自然的。如果吊丧的人渴了,这里有的是酒,如果饿了,这里有的是食物;如果他们过于伤心,情绪低落,这里有的是提供乐趣、至少是散心解闷的办法。哪怕办丧事的,偶尔也会来凑凑热闹,快活一下,只是他们有时好像突然想起了到这儿来的原因,于是男人便会一起长吁短叹,为数众多的女人也会蓦地扯开嗓子,尖声号哭起来。
理查和他的随从进入科宁斯堡时,院子里的情形便是这样。下等客人经常在进进出出,执事或管家除非出于维持秩序的必要,一般不屑过问;然而国王和艾文荷的堂堂仪表,使他不能不另眼相看,尤其是后者的相貌,他觉得似曾相识,不得不加倍留意。何况从装扮看,他们都是骑士,两个骑士的同时光临,对撒克逊人家的丧礼而言是罕见的,是死者和他的家族的特殊荣誉。于是这位身穿丧服、手持白色权杖的重要家人,立刻挤过五光十色的众多宾客,把理查和艾文荷带到了主楼的人口处。至于葛四和汪八,他们一进院子,便遇到了几个熟人,因此在奉到正式召唤以前,已不想再往前走了。

子规月落

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Chapter 42
I found them winding of Marcello's corpse. And there was such a solemn melody, 'Twixt doleful songs, tears, and sad elegies,--- Such as old grandames, watching by the dead, Are wont to outwear the night with. Old Play
The mode of entering the great tower of Coningsburgh Castle is very peculiar, and partakes of the rude simplicity of the early times in which it was erected. A flight of steps, so deep and narrow as to be almost precipitous, leads up to a low portal in the south side of the tower, by which the adventurous antiquary may still, or at least could a few years since, gain access to a small stair within the thickness of the main wall of the tower, which leads up to the third story of the building,---the two lower being dungeons or vaults, which neither receive air nor light, save by a square hole in the third story, with which they seem to have communicated by a ladder. The access to the upper apartments in the tower which consist in all of four stories, is given by stairs which are carried up through the external buttresses.
By this difficult and complicated entrance, the good King Richard, followed by his faithful Ivanhoe, was ushered into the round apartment which occupies the whole of the third story from the ground. Wilfred, by the difficulties of the ascent, gained time to muffle his face in his mantle, as it had been held expedient that he should not present himself to his father until the King should give him the signal.
There were assembled in this apartment, around a large oaken table, about a dozen of the most distinguished representatives of the Saxon families in the adjacent counties. They were all old, or, at least, elderly men; for the younger race, to the great displeasure of the seniors, had, like Ivanhoe, broken down many of the barriers which separated for half a century the Norman victors from the vanquished Saxons. The downcast and sorrowful looks of these venerable men, their silence and their mournful posture, formed a strong contrast to the levity of the revellers on the outside of the castle. Their grey locks and long full beards, together with their antique tunics and loose black mantles, suited well with the singular and rude apartment in which they were seated, and gave the appearance of a band of ancient worshippers of Woden, recalled to life to mourn over the decay of their national glory.
Cedric, seated in equal rank among his countrymen, seemed yet, by common consent, to act as chief of the assembly. Upon the entrance of Richard (only known to him as the valorous Knight of the Fetterlock) he arose gravely, and gave him welcome by the ordinary salutation, "Waes hael", raising at the same time a goblet to his head. The King, no stranger to the customs of his English subjects, returned the greeting with the appropriate words, "Drinc hael", and partook of a cup which was handed to him by the sewer. The same courtesy was offered to Ivanhoe, who pledged his father in silence, supplying the usual speech by an inclination of his head, lest his voice should have been recognised.
When this introductory ceremony was performed, Cedric arose, and, extending his hand to Richard, conducted him into a small and very rude chapel, which was excavated, as it were, out of one of the external buttresses. As there was no opening, saving a little narrow loop-hole, the place would have been nearly quite dark but for two flambeaux or torches, which showed, by a red and smoky light, the arched roof and naked walls, the rude altar of stone, and the crucifix of the same material.
Before this altar was placed a bier, and on each side of this bier kneeled three priests, who told their beads, and muttered their prayers, with the greatest signs of external devotion. For this service a splendid "soul-scat" was paid to the convent of Saint Edmund's by the mother of the deceased; and, that it might be fully deserved, the whole brethren, saving the lame Sacristan, had transferred themselves to Coningsburgh, where, while six of their number were constantly on guard in the performance of divine rites by the bier of Athelstane, the others failed not to take their share of the refreshments and amusements which went on at the castle. In maintaining this pious watch and ward, the good monks were particularly careful not to interrupt their hymns for an instant, lest Zernebock, the ancient Saxon Apollyon, should lay his clutches on the departed Athelstane. Nor were they less careful to prevent any unhallowed layman from touching the pall, which, having been that used at the funeral of Saint Edmund, was liable to be desecrated, if handled by the profane. If, in truth, these attentions could be of any use to the deceased, he had some right to expect them at the hands of the brethren of Saint Edmund's, since, besides a hundred mancuses of gold paid down as the soul-ransom, the mother of Athelstane had announced her intention of endowing that foundation with the better part of the lands of the deceased, in order to maintain perpetual prayers for his soul, and that of her departed husband. Richard and Wilfred followed the Saxon Cedric into the apartment of death, where, as their guide pointed with solemn air to the untimely bier of Athelstane, they followed his example in devoutly crossing themselves, and muttering a brief prayer for the weal of the departed soul.
This act of pious charity performed, Cedric again motioned them to follow him, gliding over the stone floor with a noiseless tread; and, after ascending a few steps, opened with great caution the door of a small oratory, which adjoined to the chapel. It was about eight feet square, hollowed, like the chapel itself, out of the thickness of the wall; and the loop-hole, which enlightened it, being to the west, and widening considerably as it sloped inward, a beam of the setting sun found its way into its dark recess, and showed a female of a dignified mien, and whose countenance retained the marked remains of majestic beauty. Her long mourning robes and her flowing wimple of black cypress, enhanced the whiteness of her skin, and the beauty of her light-coloured and flowing tresses, which time had neither thinned nor mingled with silver. Her countenance expressed the deepest sorrow that is consistent with resignation. On the stone table before her stood a crucifix of ivory, beside which was laid a missal, having its pages richly illuminated, and its boards adorned with clasps of gold, and bosses of the same precious metal.
"Noble Edith," said Cedric, after having stood a moment silent, as if to give Richard and Wilfred time to look upon the lady of the mansion, "these are worthy strangers, come to take a part in thy sorrows. And this, in especial, is the valiant Knight who fought so bravely for the deliverance of him for whom we this day mourn."
"His bravery has my thanks," returned the lady; "although it be the will of Heaven that it should be displayed in vain. I thank, too, his courtesy, and that of his companion, which hath brought them hither to behold the widow of Adeling, the mother of Athelstane, in her deep hour of sorrow and lamentation. To your care, kind kinsman, I intrust them, satisfied that they will want no hospitality which these sad walls can yet afford."
The guests bowed deeply to the mourning parent, and withdrew from their hospitable guide.
Another winding stair conducted them to an apartment of the same size with that which they had first entered, occupying indeed the story immediately above. From this room, ere yet the door was opened, proceeded a low and melancholy strain of vocal music. When they entered, they found themselves in the presence of about twenty matrons and maidens of distinguished Saxon lineage. Four maidens, Rowena leading the choir, raised a hymn for the soul of the deceased, of which we have only been able to decipher two or three stanzas:---
Dust unto dust, To this all must; The tenant hath resign'd The faded form To waste and worm--- Corruption claims her kind.
Through paths unknown Thy soul hath flown, To seek the realms of woe, Where fiery pain Shall purge the stain Of actions done below.
In that sad place, By Mary's grace, Brief may thy dwelling be Till prayers and alms, And holy psalms, Shall set the captive free.
While this dirge was sung, in a low and melancholy tone, by the female choristers, the others were divided into two bands, of which one was engaged in bedecking, with such embroidery as their skill and taste could compass, a large silken pall, destined to cover the bier of Athelstane, while the others busied themselves in selecting, from baskets of flowers placed before them, garlands, which they intended for the same mournful purpose. The behaviour of the maidens was decorous, if not marked with deep affliction; but now and then a whisper or a smile called forth the rebuke of the severer matrons, and here and there might be seen a damsel more interested in endeavouring to find out how her mourning-robe became her, than in the dismal ceremony for which they were preparing. Neither was this propensity (if we must needs confess the truth) at all diminished by the appearance of two strange knights, which occasioned some looking up, peeping, and whispering. Rowena alone, too proud to be vain, paid her greeting to her deliverer with a graceful courtesy. Her demeanour was serious, but not dejected; and it may be doubted whether thoughts of Ivanhoe, and of the uncertainty of his fate, did not claim as great a share in her gravity as the death of her kinsman.
To Cedric, however, who, as we have observed, was not remarkably clear-sighted on such occasions, the sorrow of his ward seemed so much deeper than any of the other maidens, that he deemed it proper to whisper the explanation---"She was the affianced bride of the noble Athelstane."---It may be doubted whether this communication went a far way to increase Wilfred's disposition to sympathize with the mourners of Coningsburgh.
Having thus formally introduced the guests to the different chambers in which the obsequies of Athelstane were celebrated under different forms, Cedric conducted them into a small room, destined, as he informed them, for the exclusive accomodation of honourable guests, whose more slight connexion with the deceased might render them unwilling to join those who were immediately effected by the unhappy event. He assured them of every accommodation, and was about to withdraw when the Black Knight took his hand.
"I crave to remind you, noble Thane," he said, "that when we last parted, you promised, for the service I had the fortune to render you, to grant me a boon."
"It is granted ere named, noble Knight," said Cedric; "yet, at this sad moment------"
"Of that also," said the King, "I have bethought me---but my time is brief---neither does it seem to me unfit, that, when closing the grave on the noble Athelstane, we should deposit therein certain prejudices and hasty opinions."
"Sir Knight of the Fetterlock," said Cedric, colouring, and interrupting the King in his turn, "I trust your boon regards yourself and no other; for in that which concerns the honour of my house, it is scarce fitting that a stranger should mingle."
"Nor do I wish to mingle," said the King, mildly, "unless in so far as you will admit me to have an interest. As yet you have known me but as the Black Knight of the Fetterlock---Know me now as Richard Plantagenet."
"Richard of Anjou!" exclaimed Cedric, stepping backward with the utmost astonishment.
"No, noble Cedric---Richard of England!---whose deepest interest ---whose deepest wish, is to see her sons united with each other. ---And, how now, worthy Thane! hast thou no knee for thy prince?"
"To Norman blood," said Cedric, "it hath never bended."
"Reserve thine homage then," said the Monarch, "until I shall prove my right to it by my equal protection of Normans and English."
"Prince," answered Cedric, "I have ever done justice to thy bravery and thy worth---Nor am I ignorant of thy claim to the crown through thy descent from Matilda, niece to Edgar Atheling, and daughter to Malcolm of Scotland. But Matilda, though of the royal Saxon blood, was not the heir to the monarchy."
"I will not dispute my title with thee, noble Thane," said Richard, calmly; "but I will bid thee look around thee, and see where thou wilt find another to be put into the scale against it."
"And hast thou wandered hither, Prince, to tell me so?" said Cedric---"To upbraid me with the ruin of my race, ere the grave has closed o'er the last scion of Saxon royalty?"---His countenance darkened as he spoke.---"It was boldly---it was rashly done!"
"Not so, by the holy rood!" replied the King; "it was done in the frank confidence which one brave man may repose in another, without a shadow of danger."
"Thou sayest well, Sir King---for King I own thou art, and wilt be, despite of my feeble opposition.---I dare not take the only mode to prevent it, though thou hast placed the strong temptation within my reach!"
"And now to my boon," said the King, "which I ask not with one jot the less confidence, that thou hast refused to acknowledge my lawful sovereignty. I require of thee, as a man of thy word, on pain of being held faithless, man-sworn, and 'nidering',*
* Infamous.
to forgive and receive to thy paternal affection the good knight, Wilfred of Ivanhoe. In this reconciliation thou wilt own I have an interest---the happiness of my friend, and the quelling of dissension among my faithful people."
"And this is Wilfred!" said Cedric, pointing to his son.
"My father!---my father!" said Ivanhoe, prostrating himself at Cedric's feet, "grant me thy forgiveness!"
"Thou hast it, my son," said Cedric, raising him up. "The son of Hereward knows how to keep his word, even when it has been passed to a Norman. But let me see thee use the dress and costume of thy English ancestry---no short cloaks, no gay bonnets, no fantastic plumage in my decent household. He that would be the son of Cedric, must show himself of English ancestry.---Thou art about to speak," he added, sternly, "and I guess the topic. The Lady Rowena must complete two years' mourning, as for a betrothed husband---all our Saxon ancestors would disown us were we to treat of a new union for her ere the grave of him she should have wedded---him, so much the most worthy of her hand by birth and ancestry---is yet closed. The ghost of Athelstane himself would burst his bloody cerements and stand before us to forbid such dishonour to his memory."
It seemed as if Cedric's words had raised a spectre; for, scarce had he uttered them ere the door flew open, and Athelstane, arrayed in the garments of the grave, stood before them, pale, haggard, and like something arisen from the dead! *
* The resuscitation of Athelstane has been much criticised, * as too violent a breach of probability, even for a work of * such fantastic character. It was a "tour-de-force", to * which the author was compelled to have recourse, by the * vehement entreaties of his friend and printer, who was * inconsolable on the Saxon being conveyed to the tomb.
The effect of this apparition on the persons present was utterly appalling. Cedric started back as far as the wall of the apartment would permit, and, leaning against it as one unable to support himself, gazed on the figure of his friend with eyes that seemed fixed, and a mouth which he appeared incapable of shutting. Ivanhoe crossed himself, repeating prayers in Saxon, Latin, or Norman-French, as they occurred to his memory, while Richard alternately said, "Benedicite", and swore, "Mort de ma vie!"
In the meantime, a horrible noise was heard below stairs, some crying, "Secure the treacherous monks!"---others, "Down with them into the dungeon!"---others, "Pitch them from the highest battlements!"
"In the name of God!" said Cedric, addressing what seemed the spectre of his departed friend, "if thou art mortal, speak!---if a departed spirit, say for what cause thou dost revisit us, or if I can do aught that can set thy spirit at repose.---Living or dead, noble Athelstane, speak to Cedric!"
"I will," said the spectre, very composedly, "when I have collected breath, and when you give me time---Alive, saidst thou? ---I am as much alive as he can be who has fed on bread and water for three days, which seem three ages---Yes, bread and water, Father Cedric! By Heaven, and all saints in it, better food hath not passed my weasand for three livelong days, and by God's providence it is that I am now here to tell it."
"Why, noble Athelstane," said the Black Knight, "I myself saw you struck down by the fierce Templar towards the end of the storm at Torquilstone, and as I thought, and Wamba reported, your skull was cloven through the teeth."
"You thought amiss, Sir Knight," said Athelstane, "and Wamba lied. My teeth are in good order, and that my supper shall presently find---No thanks to the Templar though, whose sword turned in his hand, so that the blade struck me flatlings, being averted by the handle of the good mace with which I warded the blow; had my steel-cap been on, I had not valued it a rush, and had dealt him such a counter-buff as would have spoilt his retreat. But as it was, down I went, stunned, indeed, but unwounded. Others, of both sides, were beaten down and slaughtered above me, so that I never recovered my senses until I found myself in a coffin---(an open one, by good luck)---placed before the altar of the church of Saint Edmund's. I sneezed repeatedly---groaned---awakened and would have arisen, when the Sacristan and Abbot, full of terror, came running at the noise, surprised, doubtless, and no way pleased to find the man alive, whose heirs they had proposed themselves to be. I asked for wine ---they gave me some, but it must have been highly medicated, for I slept yet more deeply than before, and wakened not for many hours. I found my arms swathed down---my feet tied so fast that mine ankles ache at the very remembrance---the place was utterly dark---the oubliette, as I suppose, of their accursed convent, and from the close, stifled, damp smell, I conceive it is also used for a place of sepulture. I had strange thoughts of what had befallen me, when the door of my dungeon creaked, and two villain monks entered. They would have persuaded me I was in purgatory, but I knew too well the pursy short-breathed voice of the Father Abbot.---Saint Jeremy! how different from that tone with which he used to ask me for another slice of the haunch! ---the dog has feasted with me from Christmas to Twelfth-night."
"Have patience, noble Athelstane," said the King, "take breath ---tell your story at leisure---beshrew me but such a tale is as well worth listening to as a romance."
"Ay but, by the rood of Bromeholm, there was no romance in the matter!" said Athelstane.---"A barley loaf and a pitcher of water ---that THEY gave me, the niggardly traitors, whom my father, and I myself, had enriched, when their best resources were the flitches of bacon and measures of corn, out of which they wheedled poor serfs and bondsmen, in exchange for their prayers ---the nest of foul ungrateful vipers---barley bread and ditch water to such a patron as I had been! I will smoke them out of their nest, though I be excommunicated!"
"But, in the name of Our Lady, noble Athelstane," said Cedric, grasping the hand of his friend, "how didst thou escape this imminent danger---did their hearts relent?"
"Did their hearts relent!" echoed Athelstane.---"Do rocks melt with the sun? I should have been there still, had not some stir in the Convent, which I find was their procession hitherward to eat my funeral feast, when they well knew how and where I had been buried alive, summoned the swarm out of their hive. I heard them droning out their death-psalms, little judging they were sung in respect for my soul by those who were thus famishing my body. They went, however, and I waited long for food---no wonder---the gouty Sacristan was even too busy with his own provender to mind mine. At length down he came, with an unstable step and a strong flavour of wine and spices about his person. Good cheer had opened his heart, for he left me a nook of pasty and a flask of wine, instead of my former fare. I ate, drank, and was invigorated; when, to add to my good luck, the Sacristan, too totty to discharge his duty of turnkey fitly, locked the door beside the staple, so that it fell ajar. The light, the food, the wine, set my invention to work. The staple to which my chains were fixed, was more rusted than I or the villain Abbot had supposed. Even iron could not remain without consuming in the damps of that infernal dungeon."
"Take breath, noble Athelstane," said Richard, "and partake of some refreshment, ere you proceed with a tale so dreadful."
"Partake!" quoth Athelstane; "I have been partaking five times to-day---and yet a morsel of that savoury ham were not altogether foreign to the matter; and I pray you, fair sir, to do me reason in a cup of wine."
The guests, though still agape with astonishment, pledged their resuscitated landlord, who thus proceeded in his story:---He had indeed now many more auditors than those to whom it was commenced, for Edith, having given certain necessary orders for arranging matters within the Castle, had followed the dead-alive up to the stranger's apartment attended by as many of the guests, male and female, as could squeeze into the small room, while others, crowding the staircase, caught up an erroneous edition of the story, and transmitted it still more inaccurately to those beneath, who again sent it forth to the vulgar without, in a fashion totally irreconcilable to the real fact. Athelstane, however, went on as follows, with the history of his escape:---
"Finding myself freed from the staple, I dragged myself up stairs as well as a man loaded with shackles, and emaciated with fasting, might; and after much groping about, I was at length directed, by the sound of a jolly roundelay, to the apartment where the worthy Sacristan, an it so please ye, was holding a devil's mass with a huge beetle-browed, broad-shouldered brother of the grey-frock and cowl, who looked much more like a thief than a clergyman. I burst in upon them, and the fashion of my grave-clothes, as well as the clanking of my chains, made me more resemble an inhabitant of the other world than of this. Both stood aghast; but when I knocked down the Sacristan with my fist, the other fellow, his pot-companion, fetched a blow at me with a huge quarter-staff."
"This must be our Friar Tuck, for a count's ransom," said Richard, looking at Ivanhoe.
"He may be the devil, an he will," said Athelstane. "Fortunately he missed the aim; and on my approaching to grapple with him, took to his heels and ran for it. I failed not to set my own heels at liberty by means of the fetter-key, which hung amongst others at the sexton's belt; and I had thoughts of beating out the knave's brains with the bunch of keys, but gratitude for the nook of pasty and the flask of wine which the rascal had imparted to my captivity, came over my heart; so, with a brace of hearty kicks, I left him on the floor, pouched some baked meat, and a leathern bottle of wine, with which the two venerable brethren had been regaling, went to the stable, and found in a private stall mine own best palfrey, which, doubtless, had been set apart for the holy Father Abbot's particular use. Hither I came with all the speed the beast could compass---man and mother's son flying before me wherever I came, taking me for a spectre, the more especially as, to prevent my being recognised, I drew the corpse-hood over my face. I had not gained admittance into my own castle, had I not been supposed to be the attendant of a juggler who is making the people in the castle-yard very merry, considering they are assembled to celebrate their lord's funeral ---I say the sewer thought I was dressed to bear a part in the tregetour's mummery, and so I got admission, and did but disclose myself to my mother, and eat a hasty morsel, ere I came in quest of you, my noble friend."
"And you have found me," said Cedric, "ready to resume our brave projects of honour and liberty. I tell thee, never will dawn a morrow so auspicious as the next, for the deliverance of the noble Saxon race."
"Talk not to me of delivering any one," said Athelstane; "it is well I am delivered myself. I am more intent on punishing that villain Abbot. He shall hang on the top of this Castle of Coningsburgh, in his cope and stole; and if the stairs be too strait to admit his fat carcass, I will have him craned up from without."
"But, my son," said Edith, "consider his sacred office."
"Consider my three days' fast," replied Athelstane; "I will have their blood every one of them. Front-de-Boeuf was burnt alive for a less matter, for he kept a good table for his prisoners, only put too much garlic in his last dish of pottage. But these hypocritical, ungrateful slaves, so often the self-invited flatterers at my board, who gave me neither pottage nor garlic, more or less, they die, by the soul of Hengist!"
"But the Pope, my noble friend,"---said Cedric---
"But the devil, my noble friend,"---answered Athelstane; "they die, and no more of them. Were they the best monks upon earth, the world would go on without them."
"For shame, noble Athelstane," said Cedric; "forget such wretches in the career of glory which lies open before thee. Tell this Norman prince, Richard of Anjou, that, lion-hearted as he is, he shall not hold undisputed the throne of Alfred, while a male descendant of the Holy Confessor lives to dispute it."
"How!" said Athelstane, "is this the noble King Richard?"
"It is Richard Plantagenet himself," said Cedric; "yet I need not remind thee that, coming hither a guest of free-will, he may neither be injured nor detained prisoner---thou well knowest thy duty to him as his host."
"Ay, by my faith!" said Athelstane; "and my duty as a subject besides, for I here tender him my allegiance, heart and hand."
"My son," said Edith, "think on thy royal rights!"
"Think on the freedom of England, degenerate Prince!" said Cedric.
"Mother and friend," said Athelstane, "a truce to your upbraidings---bread and water and a dungeon are marvellous mortifiers of ambition, and I rise from the tomb a wiser man than I descended into it. One half of those vain follies were puffed into mine ear by that perfidious Abbot Wolfram, and you may now judge if he is a counsellor to be trusted. Since these plots were set in agitation, I have had nothing but hurried journeys, indigestions, blows and bruises, imprisonments and starvation; besides that they can only end in the murder of some thousands of quiet folk. I tell you, I will be king in my own domains, and nowhere else; and my first act of dominion shall be to hang the Abbot."
"And my ward Rowena," said Cedric---"I trust you intend not to desert her?"
"Father Cedric," said Athelstane, "be reasonable. The Lady Rowena cares not for me---she loves the little finger of my kinsman Wilfred's glove better than my whole person. There she stands to avouch it---Nay, blush not, kinswoman, there is no shame in loving a courtly knight better than a country franklin ---and do not laugh neither, Rowena, for grave-clothes and a thin visage are, God knows, no matter of merriment---Nay, an thou wilt needs laugh, I will find thee a better jest---Give me thy hand, or rather lend it me, for I but ask it in the way of friendship. ---Here, cousin Wilfred of Ivanhoe, in thy favour I renounce and abjure------Hey! by Saint Dunstan, our cousin Wilfred hath vanished!---Yet, unless my eyes are still dazzled with the fasting I have undergone, I saw him stand there but even now."
All now looked around and enquired for Ivanhoe, but he had vanished. It was at length discovered that a Jew had been to seek him; and that, after very brief conference, he had called for Gurth and his armour, and had left the castle.
"Fair cousin," said Athelstane to Rowena, "could I think that this sudden disappearance of Ivanhoe was occasioned by other than the weightiest reason, I would myself resume---"
But he had no sooner let go her hand, on first observing that Ivanhoe had disappeared, than Rowena, who had found her situation extremely embarrassing, had taken the first opportunity to escape from the apartment.
"Certainly," quoth Athelstane, "women are the least to be trusted of all animals, monks and abbots excepted. I am an infidel, if I expected not thanks from her, and perhaps a kiss to boot---These cursed grave-clothes have surely a spell on them, every one flies from me.---To you I turn, noble King Richard, with the vows of allegiance, which, as a liege-subject---"
But King Richard was gone also, and no one knew whither. At length it was learned that he had hastened to the court-yard, summoned to his presence the Jew who had spoken with Ivanhoe, and after a moment's speech with him, had called vehemently to horse, thrown himself upon a steed, compelled the Jew to mount another, and set off at a rate, which, according to Wamba, rendered the old Jew's neck not worth a penny's purchase.
"By my halidome!" said Athelstane, "it is certain that Zernebock hath possessed himself of my castle in my absence. I return in my grave-clothes, a pledge restored from the very sepulchre, and every one I speak to vanishes as soon as they hear my voice! ---But it skills not talking of it. Come, my friends---such of you as are left, follow me to the banquet-hall, lest any more of us disappear---it is, I trust, as yet tolerably furnished, as becomes the obsequies of an ancient Saxon noble; and should we tarry any longer, who knows but the devil may fly off with the supper?"

我看到人们绕着马赛洛的遗体行走,
这时在悲伤、啼哭的悼念活动中,
响起了一片低沉庄严的哀号声——
守灵的老婆婆们总是这样
用一阵阵哭泣消磨漫漫长夜的。
古戏剧
科宁斯堡主楼入口处的建筑式样十分特别,带有它修建时期古老简陋的朴素风格。一进堡内便可看到几级台阶,每一级都又高又窄,简直像个陡坡,它通向主楼南边的一扇矮门,冒险的考古家今天仍可以,至少几年以前还可以从这扇小门,登上造在主楼厚厚的墙壁内的小楼梯,进入城堡的第三层——下面两层是地下室或储藏库,它们既不通风,也没光线,全凭三层楼上的一个小方洞,在那里架一把梯子,与上面的屋子互相沟通。主楼上面的部分一共四层,上下的楼梯全是造在墙外扶壁中间的。
理查国王带着忠实的艾文荷,通过这困难而复杂的路径,给领上了三层楼,那里整个楼面只是一间圆形大厅。威尔弗莱德利用上楼的艰难过程,撩起披风遮没了自己的脸,这样他可以在国王向他发出暗号以前,不致在父亲面前露出真面目。
大厅里有十多个人,坐在一张大栎木桌子周围,这是邻近各郡最体面的撒克逊家族的代表,他们全都老了,或者至少上了年纪;因为较年轻的一代也像艾文荷那样,不顾诺曼胜利者和撒克逊战败者之间长达半个世纪的许多隔阂,互相来往,这引起了老人们的不满。这些年高德助的长者垂头丧气,愁容满面,他们的消沉和伤心表情,与院子中那些逍遥自在、饮酒作乐的人构成了鲜明的对照。他们的一络绺白发和长长的胡须,以及式样古老的长袍和宽松的黑大褂,出现在这间古色古香的大厅里,显得十分协调,仿佛这是古代一群崇奉奥了神的信徒,又重返人间,正在为他们民族光辉的式微表示哀悼。
塞德里克也坐在这里,他的地位与这些人相当,而且似乎被公认为他们的领袖。他知道的理查只是英勇的镣铐骑士,因此看见他进屋,便严肃地站起来,用通常的礼节向他表示欢迎,同时把一杯酒举到头顶,说道:“敬请于杯。”国王对英格兰人的礼节并不陌生,用相应的话作了回答:“敬谢款待,”随即把管家递来的一杯酒喝干了。同样的礼节也由艾文荷重演了一遍,只是他与父亲祝酒时没有出声,只用点头代替答话,免得被父亲听出他的声音。
在这场会面的礼节结束之后,塞德里克重又起立,向理查伸出了一只手,带他走进一间非常简陋的小礼拜堂;它可以说是从外墙的扶壁中挖出的,没有任何窗户,只有墙上开着一个狭长的洞口,以致室内几乎昏暗无光,得靠两支火把照明,才能在香烟缭绕的红光中,看到拱形屋顶和毫无陈设的墙壁,粗糙的石祭台和同样材料制作的基督受难十字架。
祭台前放着灵床,灵床两侧各跪着三个教士,他们手拿念珠喃喃祈祷,露出了虔诚恭敬的外表。原来死者的母亲为这场安魂弥撒,付给了圣埃德蒙修道院一大笔钱,看在钱的份上,除了瘸腿的司事以外,全体修士都来到了科宁斯堡;在阿特尔斯坦的灵床旁边经常保持六个人在那里奉行圣事,其余的人便趁此机会,与城堡内的其他人一起吃喝玩乐。在履行这种守灵活动时,虔诚的修士们特别注意;不让他们的诵经声稍有停顿,否则古老的撒克逊人的亚波伦(注)泽恩博克,便会把死去的阿特尔斯坦抓走。他们还同样注意,不让不洁净的俗人碰到棺罩,它是在圣埃德蒙的丧礼上使用过的,如果给俗人的手玷污,便会失去它的圣洁性。确实,如果这些事对死者有任何用处的话,他是有权要求圣埃德蒙的修士这么做的,因为阿特尔斯坦的母亲除了为灵魂的赎罪付了一百枚金币以外,还答应把死者的大部分田地捐献给修道院,让它为他的灵魂和她故世的丈夫的灵魂常年进行祈祷。
--------
(注)《圣经》中提到的无底洞魔王,见《启示录》第9章。
理查和威尔弗莱德跟着撒克逊人塞德里克走进灵堂,在他们的向导带着庄严的神色,指给他们看早逝的阿特尔斯坦的灵位后,也照他的样子在身上虔诚地划了十字,并为离去的灵魂的安息,念了一段短短的祷告。
完成了这些吊唁的礼节后,塞德里克又示意他们跟着他,毫无声息地轻轻穿过石板地面,登上几级台阶,然后小心翼翼地打开了礼拜堂隔壁一间小祈祷室的门。它大约有八英尺见方,也像礼拜堂一样是从厚实的墙壁上挖出的;狭长的小窗洞开在西面墙上,它的两边向内倾斜,形成了一个喇叭口,夕阳的光线从那里射进阴暗的室内,照见了一位相貌端庄的妇人,她老了,但脸上仍保持着早年雍容华贵的神态。她穿着长长的黑丧服,肩上披着黑纱头巾,在它们的衬托下,她的皮肤更显得白皙,一绺绺淡黄头发也光泽四射,时间没有使它们变得稀少,也没有出现银丝。她满面愁容,似乎已把一切置之度外。她面前的石桌上放着一个象牙的基督受难十字架,旁边是一本弥撒书,书页边上镀了金,显得光辉夺目,封面装着金扣子,还饰有一些镀金浮雕。
塞德里克先默默站了一会,仿佛要让理查和威尔弗莱德有时间端详这位主妇,然后说道;“尊贵的伊迪丝,这两位外地的贵客是来向您表示哀悼的。尤其这位勇敢的骑士,他曾为了搭救我们今天悼念的人,奋不顾身地进行战斗。”
“他的英勇我应该感谢,”夫人答道,“尽管这是上天的意旨,使它没有获得成功。我还感谢他和他的朋友前来吊唁,在艾德林的未亡人和阿特尔斯坦的母亲深感悲痛的时刻,特地来探望她。仁慈的亲戚,我请您代为招待他们,尽我们所有的力量让他们得到最好的款待。”
客人们向悲哀的主妇深深鞠躬之后,便随着谦恭有礼的向导一起告退了。
另一个螺旋楼梯把他们带进了一间大屋子,它与他们最早进入的大厅同样大小,实际就在后者的上面。早在开门以前,已可听到屋内轻轻的、忧郁的诵经声。进屋后,他们发现这里有二十来个夫人小姐,都来自撒克逊的世家望族。四位小姐组成的合唱队,由罗文娜为首,正在为死者唱安魂曲,我们在这里姑译出其中的两三节;
尘土归于尘土,
此乃必然之路。
灵魂离开躯体,
任它废弃泉下,
虫蚁咬啮蛀蚀,
腐烂本是自然之理。
灵魂飘飘忽忽,
行经未知之途,
暂人炼狱赎罪,
经受烈焰煎熬,
洗净旧日污垢,
尘世罪孽由此解脱。
在此悲伤之国,
依靠圣母护佑,
祈求上天恩德,
早日赦免罪愆,
灵魂得以超度,
告别苦海进入天国。
在四位少女用低沉悲哀的调子唱这挽歌时,其余的人分成两组,一组在潜心绣花,给阿特尔斯坦的大幅丝绸枢罩添些花纹;另一组正从一些花篮中挑选花朵,编织花环,这也同样是供丧事用的。小姐们虽不显得非常悲痛、但都保持着端庄稳重的外表;她们不时会发出一些低语声或谈笑声,于是立即遭到较严厉的年长妇女的斥责;有时还可看到一位少女在仔细研究她的丧服的大小式样,以致把丧事的准备工作丢在一边。我们不得不承认,这些倾向在两位陌生骑士面前,也未能完全避免,有的偷偷抬起头来看他们有的在窃窃私语。只有罗文娜由于生性高傲,不屑这么做,仅仅向她的救命恩人行了个优美的屈膝礼,表示问候。她举上严肃、但并不伤心;也许,对艾文荷的怀念和对他前途未卜的命运的担忧,在她的头脑中比她的亲属的去世,占有了更大的比重。
然而我们已经看到,在这类事情上,塞德里克的头脑是不太清醒的,在他看来,他的义女的悲痛大大超过了其他少女,因此他认为他理应向客人轻轻作些解释:“她是高贵的阿特尔斯坦的未婚妻。”但这说明是否能在威尔弗莱德的心中,提高他对科宁斯堡这些死者家属的同情,那就不得而知了。
这样按照礼节,把客人带往各个房间,观看了用不同方式为阿特尔斯坦举行的悼念活动之后,塞德里克又领着他们走进了一个小房间,据他介绍,这是专门为贵宾准备的休息室,这些人由于与死者非亲非故,可能不愿与那些跟丧事直接有关的人待在一起。他说明,他们在这里会得到尽善尽美的招待,然后便想告退,可是黑甲骑士拉住了他的手。
“高贵的乡绅,”他说道,“我们上次分手时,由于我对您的绵力协助,蒙您允诺,只要我有什么请求,您一定会答应。”
“是的,我一定会答应,高贵的骑士,”塞德里克答道,“只是在目前这个悲痛的时刻……”
“这点我也想到了,”国王说,“但我的时间有限,而且我觉得,在我们给高贵的阿特尔斯坦下葬的时候,把我们的一些偏见和轻率的考虑一起埋葬,这也是合理的。”
“镣铐骑士阁下,”塞德里克涨红了脸,打断了国王的话,说道,“我希望您的要求除了您本人,不涉及别人,因为如果事情涉及我家族的荣誉,那么一个外人的介入,便不合适了。”
“我本来也不想介入,”国王心平气和地说,“只是请您原谅,这事与我也有一定关系。您一直只知道我是镣铐黑甲骑士,现在我只得告诉您,我便是金雀花王朝的理查。”
“安茹家的理查!”塞德里克惊叫起来,这出乎意外的发现使他倒退了一步。
“不对,尊贵的塞德里克,是英国的理查!我最关心的——我最大的愿望,便是看到英国的儿子都能和衷共济,团结一致。现在,高贵的乡绅,你还不愿向你的国王下跪吗?”
“对诺曼人的国王,我的膝盖还从来没有弯过,”塞德里克答道。
“那就保留你的跪拜礼吧,”国王说。“我会证明我对诺曼人和英国人一视同仁,因而是有权得到你的这种礼敬的。”
“王爷,”塞德里克答道,“我对你的勇敢和高尚,一向是敬重的。我也不是不知道,你是有权继承王位的,因为你是玛蒂尔达的后裔,而玛蒂尔达是埃德加•艾塞林的侄女,苏格兰国王马尔科姆的女儿。(注)但是尽管她具有撒克逊王族的血统,她毕竟还不是王室的继承人。”
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(注)玛蒂尔达是苏格兰国王马尔科姆三世的女儿,而马尔科姆的王后是盎格鲁一撒克逊亲王爱德华•艾塞林的女儿玛格丽特。这里提到的埃德加•艾塞林则是玛格丽特的亲兄弟,他也是撒克逊亲王,曾抵抗征眼者威廉,并一度被拥戴为英国国王,因此他与玛格丽特都属于撒克逊王族。玛蒂尔达后来嫁给了英国诺曼王朝国王亨利一世为王后(参见前第二十三章注),他们的女儿也名玛蒂尔达,曾嫁给安茹伯爵,诺曼王朝绝嗣后,便由安茹伯爵之子亨利继位,称亨利二世,英国的金雀花王朝便由此开始。狮心王理查则是亨利二世之子,因此从母亲来看,他也是有撒克逊王族血统的。
“我不想与你辩论我的继承权,高贵的乡绅,”理查平静地说,“但是我请你看看你周围的人,你恐怕找不到一个足以在身分上与我对抗的人。”
“那么,王爷,你到这儿来就是要告诉我这点吗?”塞德里克说,“你是要在撒克逊王族最后一个苗裔进入坟墓之际,向我指出我的民族的衰落吗?”他说话时,脸色变得阴沉了。“这未免太放肆——太莽撞了吧!”
“凭神圣的十字架起誓,不是这样!”国王答道。“这只是出于我对你的信任,我相信一个勇敢的人对另一个勇敢的人可以无话不谈,不必有所顾忌。”
“你讲得很好,国王阁下——因为我承认,你现在是,将来也会是国王,我的反对软弱无力,不起任何作用。虽然你把改变这局面的唯一办法送到了我面前,它对我产生了强烈的诱惑,但我不敢这么做!”
“现在还是谈谈我的要求吧,”国王说。 “尽管你拒绝承认我合法的君主地位,我相信你仍会履行你的诺言。我希望你言而有信,不致被人认为是一个出尔反尔、发伪誓、讲假话的小人;我的要求很简单:宽恕这个卓越的骑士艾文荷的威尔弗莱德,恢复你们父子的感情。你应该承认,这和解是与我有利害关系的,它能给我的朋友带来幸福,也能消除忠于我的人民之间的分歧。”
“他便是威尔弗莱德?”塞德里克指着他的儿子,问道。
“我的父亲!我的父亲!”艾文荷喊道,匍伏在塞德里克的脚边,“宽恕我吧!”
“我宽恕你,我的儿子,”塞德里克说,扶起了他。“赫里沃德的子孙是知道怎么履行诺言的,哪怕这是向一个诺曼人讲的。不过我希望你在我面前得照你英国祖先的样子,穿上英国的服饰;在我的家庭里不应该看到短袍子,花哨的无边圆帽和鲜艳的翎饰。作为塞德里克的儿子,他必须表明他是英国人的后裔。你想讲话,”他又严厉地说,“我猜到你要讲什么。罗文娜小姐必须为她的未婚夫完成两年的服丧期;她本来是应该嫁给他的,他的出身和家世也当之无愧,如果我们在他尸骨未寒的时候,便允许她与别人结合,那么我们所有的撒克逊祖先,都不会承认我们是他们的子孙。阿特尔斯坦的英灵也会从沾血的裹尸布中跳出来,站在我们面前,禁止我们在他身后给他带来这种耻辱。”
塞德里克的这番话仿佛在召唤鬼魂,因为他话音未落,门便墓地开了,阿特尔斯坦穿着下葬的衣服,来到了他们面前;他脸色苍白、憔悴,仿佛刚从坟墓里爬起来。(注)
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(注)阿特尔斯坦的复活,遭到了许多批评,因为它太不合情理,哪怕对这种纯属虚构的小说而言,也太荒唐了。这只是作者出于无奈,不得已而用之的一种手法,因为他的朋友和出版商对这位撤克逊人被送进坟墓很不甘心,再三要求作者这么做。——原注
幽灵的出现,使在场的人都大惊失色。塞德里克吓得一直退到了墙边,靠在那里,仿佛已无法站稳;他一眼不眨地注视着朋友的形象,张开了嘴巴,好像再也合不拢了。艾文荷在身上划十字,用撒克逊语、拉丁文或诺曼法语反复念他想得起来的祷告。理查则一会儿叫唤:“上帝保佑!”一会儿喊道:“吓死人了!”
这时楼下吵吵闹闹,响成一片,有的人在喊:“抓住这些没良心的修士!”有的人在喊:“把他们关进地牢!”还有的人在喊:“把他们从城墙上丢下去!”
“看在上帝分上,”塞德里克对着好像是他死去的朋友的幽灵说道,“如果你是人,请你讲明白!如果是死去的灵魂,那就告诉我们,你来找我们有什么事,或者我能为你做什么,让你的灵魂得到安息。高贵的阿特尔斯坦,不论你是死是活,有话就对塞德里克说吧!”
“不要急,”幽灵安详自若地说,“先让我休息一下,喘一口气。你问我是不是还活着?我是活着,只是三天来这个人是靠面包和水活着,这是漫长的三天,仿佛三个世纪一样。是的,面包和水,塞德里克伯父!老天爷和所有的圣徒都可作证,在漫长的三天中还没有更好的食物进入我的食道,这是天意,是靠上帝的保佑,我现在才能在这里把一切告诉你。”
“奇怪,高贵的阿特尔斯坦,”黑甲骑士说道,“在托奎尔斯通的风暴结束时,我亲眼看见你给凶恶的圣殿骑士砍下了马背;我以为——汪八也这么讲——你的头颅直到牙齿都给劈开了呢。”
“你搞错了,骑士阁下,汪八也是胡诌,”阿特尔斯坦答道。“我的牙齿现在还好好的,待会儿我还得用它吃晚饭呢。不过这还是圣殿骑士帮了我的忙,他的剑正要往下劈,给我的狼牙棒一挡,剑身歪了,结果打在我身上的不是刀口,是刀背;要是我戴着钢盔,这一击我根本不在乎,我会趁机口敬他一下,让他再也逃不了。可是事与愿违,我给打晕了,掉到了地上,但并没受伤。这时双方仍在厮打,杀死的人压在我的身上,以致我失去了知觉,等醒来时才发现我躺在一口棺材里,幸好棺材的盖还开着!那是在圣埃德蒙教堂的祭台前面。我打了几个喷嚏,哼哼哧哧地醒了,爬出了棺材,执事和长老听到吵闹,吓得什么似的,跑了过来,当然大吃一惊,可是一点也不高兴,发现他们本来可以继承我的家产,现在这个人却又活了。我要酒喝,他们给了我一点,可是酒里一定加了不少迷魂药,因为我睡得比以前更熟了,过了好几个钟头才苏醒。我发现我的手臂给绑住了,脚也缚得那么紧,到现在想起来,脚踝骨还有些疼呢。我的周围一片漆黑,我想这一定是该死的修道院地下室,它密不透风,又潮湿又沉闷,有一股霉味,可见它也是用作地下墓穴的。我心里正在纳闷,不知出了什么事,地窖的门吱吱开了,两个混蛋修士走了进来。他们竭力让我相信,我是在炼狱里,可是我听得出,这明明是那个胖得气喘吁吁的长老的声音。我的圣杰里米啊!这与他求我多给他一块火腿的声音多么不同!这混蛋从圣诞节起,在我这里大吃大喝了十二天呢!”
“别发火,尊贵的阿特尔斯坦,”国王说,“歇一口气,慢慢讲你的故事;这真是千古奇闻,像一篇小说。”
“凭神圣的十字架起誓,这可不是小说,是严酷的事实!”阿特尔斯坦说。“他们只给了我一块大麦面包和一罐水,这些昧良心的小气鬼,他们是靠我父亲和我发财的呢;要知道,从穷苦的奴隶和农夫那里,他们至多凭他们的祷告,骗到几块肉和几斤麦子。修道院成了这伙肮脏龌龊、忘恩负义的毒蛇的安乐案,对我这么一位大施主只给些大麦面包和脏水!哪怕我给开除出教,我也非把他们撵出这个安乐窠不可!”
“但是,尊贵的阿特尔斯坦,”塞德里克说,拉住了他朋友的手,“凭圣母的名义,请你告诉我们,你是怎么从这危急的处境中脱身的?难道他们不觉得良心不安吗?”
“良心不安!”阿特尔斯坦答道,“石头会在太阳下熔化吗?要不是修道院里的人都跑光了,我还会关在那里——后来我才知道,他们是到这里来吃我的丧宴的,这些混蛋明明知道我给活埋在那里,居然还成群结队到这儿来喝酒作乐。他们把我的身体关在那里挨饿,却在这里呢呢喃喃念赞美诗,说要超度我的灵魂,岂不荒唐。他们走后,我等了好久,还不见送食物给我,原来那个患痛风症的执事正忙于自己吃喝,哪里想得到我。最后他到地窖来了,脚步歪歪斜斜的,满嘴的酒气和香料味。他喝饱了酒,心里高兴,这才给我留下了一块馅饼和一瓶酒,不再是以前那种食物。我吃了馅饼,喝了酒,全身才有了力气;更幸运的是,执事已喝得昏昏沉沉,没法履行他牢头禁子的职责,锁门时没把锁套进铁环,以致门只是虚掩着。亮光、食物和酒,使我的头脑灵活了。我身上的锁链是套在一只铁环中的,它早已锈得快断了;这是我和那个混蛋长老都没料到的。其实在那样潮湿的地牢里,哪怕铁器也是经不起多少日子的腐蚀的。”
“休息一下,尊贵的阿特尔斯坦,”理查说,“还是先吃些东西,再往下讲这种可怕的故事吧。”
“吃东西!”阿特尔斯坦道,“我今天已吃过五顿了。不过再吃一块香香的火腿也未始不可,先生们,请跟我一起喝一杯吧。”
两个客人尽管还有些惊魂不定,仍与复活的主人干了杯,让他把故事讲下去。这时听他讲的,已不仅是原来那几个人,因为伊迪丝对城堡内的事务作了些必要的安排后,也跟着复活的死人来到了贵宾接待室,后面还跟着许多客人,有男的也有女的,把小房间挤得水泄不通,其余的人只得凑集在楼梯上,听到几句模糊不清的话,然后以讹传讹,传给下面的人,下面的人又传给外面的下等人,结果变得面目全非,与原来的故事大相径庭了。不过根据阿特尔斯坦的自述,他脱险的经过是这样的:
“我终于挣脱了那个铁环,像一个拖着脚镣的人,用尽我几天来饿坏的身子所有的力气,爬上了楼梯,摸索了好久,最后朝着传来欢乐的歌声的地方走去,来到了一间屋子,只见那位可敬的执事——对不起,恕我直说——正跟一个浓眉大眼、虎背熊腰的灰衣修士饮酒作乐呢。那个修士简直跟个土匪似的。我一下子冲进屋子,身上还穿着尸衣,挂着铁链,样子完全像地狱中来的不速之客,以致把两人吓了一跳,我马上挥起拳头,把执事打昏在地上,但他那位酒肉朋友,却举起粗大的铁头木棍,向我挥来。”
“我敢打赌,这一定是我们的塔克修士,”理查说,看了一眼艾文荷。
“他是魔鬼也罢,随他去,”阿特尔斯坦说。“幸好他没打中我,我正要过去与他厮杀,他便拔脚跑了。我也赶紧从执事的腰带上解下钥匙,开了铁链上的锁,好让自己快些逃走;我本该用那串钥匙打破这混蛋的脑瓜,但想起他给我送来的馅饼和酒,心中便有些不忍,只是把这无赖狠狠踢了两脚,让他躺在那里,不再管他。我往袋里装了几块烤肉,还有那两位先生吃剩的一皮囊酒,走进马厩,发现我那匹出色的小马单独缚在一根栏杆上,毫无疑问,这是专门留给长老的。于是我骑上马,飞一般地赶回这里,一路上所有的人看到我,都以为我是鬼,尤其我为了不让人认出我,用尸衣上的兜帽遮着脸。我还差点进不了自己的城堡,幸好我给当成了魔术师的助手,他正在院子里跟大伙儿逗乐呢;这些人以为这么玩乐就是在为主人操办丧事。管家看到我这身装束,把我当作了预备在哑剧中扮演的角色,也放我进来了。我只向我母亲公开了自己,吃了些东西,便来找你了,我尊贵的朋友。”
“你来得正好,”塞德里克说,“我预备继续执行我们的英勇计划,为我们的荣誉和自由而斗争。我告诉你,要拯救高贵的撒克逊民族,明天便是大吉大利的起事日子。”
“不要跟我讲什么拯救不拯救啦,”阿特尔斯坦说道,“我拯救了自己,这就够了。现在我只想惩办那个混蛋的长老。应该让他穿着他的全套法衣,吊在科宁斯堡城楼顶上示众。如果楼梯太窄,他的尸体太胖,抬不上去,我可以从外面把它吊上去。”
“但是,我的孩子,”伊迪丝说道,“他有圣职在身呢。”
“他们让我饿了三天,”阿特尔斯坦答道,“我得要他们用血来抵罪。牛面将军活活烧死了,他的罪还没这么大,因为他给他的俘虏供应了丰盛的伙食,只是最后一道浓汤放的大蒜太多了。可是这些虚情假意、忘恩负义的奴才,平时总是在我的酒席上吃白食,花言巧语奉承我,现在却连加大蒜的浓汤也不给我吃。凭亨吉斯特的英灵起誓,这些家伙非死不可!”
“不过,高贵的朋友,教皇……”塞德里克说。
“我不怕,高贵的朋友,”阿特尔斯坦答道,“他们非死不可,绝不宽恕。哪怕他们是世界上最好的修士,没有他们,大家照样过活。”
“真不害羞,高贵的阿特尔斯坦,”塞德里克说道,“忘记这些小人物吧,光辉的道路展开在你的面前。告诉这位诺曼王子,安茹的理查,尽管他像狮子一样勇猛,他也不能否认,在神圣的忏悔者还有一位男性后裔活在世上的时候,阿尔弗烈德大王的王位是否应该属于他,还不一定呢。”
“什么!”阿特尔斯坦说,“这便是尊贵的理查工吗?”
“不错,他便是金雀花王朝的理查,”塞德里克说,“不过他是自愿前来作客的,用不到我提醒你,我们是不能伤害他,也不能扣留他的;你很清楚,你作为这儿的主人对他应尽的责任。”
“这当然!”阿特尔斯坦说,“而且我还应该尽臣子的责任,因为在这里,我也应该全心全意向他效忠。”
“我的孩子,”伊迪丝说,“别忘记你的王位继承权!”
“别忘记英国的自由,自甘堕落的王子!”塞德里克说。
“我的母亲和朋友,”阿特尔斯坦答道,“把你们的责备收起来吧!面包和水,还有地牢,是遏制野心的特效药,我走出坟墓后,比走进坟墓前头脑清醒多了。那些糊涂的虚荣观念,一半是奸佞狡猾的沃尔弗勒姆长老灌输给我的,现在你们也看到,他是不是一个可以信赖的谋士了。这些计划把人弄得心神不定,我整天东奔西走,结果是消化不良,挨打受伤,蹲监牢,饿肚子;不仅如此,它们最后只能使成千上万安分守己的老百姓死在战乱中。我告诉你们,我只想在自己的领地上当国王,别的地方哪儿也不去;我的统治的第一个命令便是吊死那个长老。”
“那么我的义女罗文娜,”塞德里克说道,“我想你不致要抛弃她吧?”
“塞德里克伯父,”阿特尔斯坦答道,“头脑清醒一些吧。罗文娜小姐并不爱我,我的亲戚威尔弗莱德的一只小指头,在她眼里比我整个人还重要。她就在那儿,可以证明这点。不,不要脸红,我的女亲戚;爱一个风度翩翩的骑士,不爱一个乡下庄主,这没有什么害羞的;也不要笑我,罗文娜,上帝知道,我这身尸衣和面黄肌瘦的样子,不是一件有趣的事。好吧,如果你一定要笑,我可以给你找一件更有趣的事。把你的手给我,不,暂时借给我,因为我只是为了友谊借用一下。我的兄弟艾文荷的威尔弗莱德,请你允许我放弃和取消……嗨!我的圣邓斯坦,我们的亲戚威尔弗莱德怎么不见了!除非我饿了几天,眼睛发花了,我明明看见他刚才还在这儿呢。”
大家东张西望,都在找艾文荷,但是他不见了。最后才发现,原来他是给一个犹太人叫走了;两人简单谈了几句,他便把葛四叫来,穿上盔甲,离开了城堡。
“美丽的表妹,”阿特尔斯坦对罗文娜说,“艾文荷的突然离开,一定发生了什么急事,否则我倒真有些后悔了……”
但是他在发现艾文荷不知去向后,便放开了罗文娜的手;罗文娜觉得自己的处境十分尴尬,因此一有机会便溜之大吉,从屋中消失了。
“毫无疑问,”阿特尔斯坦又道,“除了修士与长老以外,女人是所有动物中最不可信任的。我本来还指望得到她的感谢,说不定她还会吻我一下,现在只得算了。我这身尸衣一定有魔法附在上面,以致每个人见了我都要逃走。我还是向您,尊贵的理查工,表示我的忠诚吧,我作为您的臣民……”
但是理查工也不见了,谁也不知道他去了哪儿。最后大家才获悉,他匆匆赶到院子里,召见了跟艾文荷谈过话的犹太人,与他谈了几句,立刻大喊备马,自己跳上了他的坐骑,还强迫犹太人骑了另一匹马,便一起飞也似的走了,据汪八说,他们骑得那么快,犹太老头儿难保不会摔断脖子。
“我的老天爷!”阿特尔斯坦说道,“在我离开的时候,泽恩博克一定控制了我的城堡。我回来时穿着尸衣,这说明我是从坟墓中回来的,因此我跟任何人说话,他一听到我的声音便逃走了!算了,还是别谈这些。现在,我的朋友们,既然你们还留在这儿,就跟我上宴会大厅吧,免得又有什么人要逃走。我相信,那儿的筵席一定还可以,配得上一个历史悠久的撒克逊贵族的丧事;要是我们再耽搁一会,说不定魔鬼会把我们的晚饭也卷走呢。”
Chapter 43

子规月落

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Chapter 43
Be Mowbray's sins so heavy in his bosom, That they may break his foaming courser's back, And throw the rider headlong in the lists, A caitiff recreant! Richard II
Our scene now returns to the exterior of the Castle, or Preceptory, of Templestowe, about the hour when the bloody die was to be cast for the life or death of Rebecca. It was a scene of bustle and life, as if the whole vicinity had poured forth its inhabitants to a village wake, or rural feast. But the earnest desire to look on blood and death, is not peculiar to those dark ages; though in the gladiatorial exercise of single combat and general tourney, they were habituated to the bloody spectacle of brave men falling by each other's hands. Even in our own days, when morals are better understood, an execution, a bruising match, a riot, or a meeting of radical reformers, collects, at considerable hazard to themselves, immense crowds of spectators, otherwise little interested, except to see how matters are to be conducted, or whether the heroes of the day are, in the heroic language of insurgent tailors, flints or dunghills.
The eyes, therefore, of a very considerable multitude, were bent on the gate of the Preceptory of Templestowe, with the purpose of witnessing the procession; while still greater numbers had already surrounded the tiltyard belonging to that establishment. This enclosure was formed on a piece of level ground adjoining to the Preceptory, which had been levelled with care, for the exercise of military and chivalrous sports. It occupied the brow of a soft and gentle eminence, was carefully palisaded around, and, as the Templars willingly invited spectators to be witnesses of their skill in feats of chivalry, was amply supplied with galleries and benches for their use.
On the present occasion, a throne was erected for the Grand Master at the east end, surrounded with seats of distinction for the Preceptors and Knights of the Order. Over these floated the sacred standard, called "Le Beau-seant", which was the ensign, as its name was the battle-cry, of the Templars.
At the opposite end of the lists was a pile of faggots, so arranged around a stake, deeply fixed in the ground, as to leave a space for the victim whom they were destined to consume, to enter within the fatal circle, in order to be chained to the stake by the fetters which hung ready for that purpose. Beside this deadly apparatus stood four black slaves, whose colour and African features, then so little known in England, appalled the multitude, who gazed on them as on demons employed about their own diabolical exercises. These men stirred not, excepting now and then, under the direction of one who seemed their chief, to shift and replace the ready fuel. They looked not on the multitude. In fact, they seemed insensible of their presence, and of every thing save the discharge of their own horrible duty.
And when, in speech with each other, they expanded their blubber lips, and showed their white fangs, as if they grinned at the thoughts of the expected tragedy, the startled commons could scarcely help believing that they were actually the familiar spirits with whom the witch had communed, and who, her time being out, stood ready to assist in her dreadful punishment. They whispered to each other, and communicated all the feats which Satan had performed during that busy and unhappy period, not failing, of course, to give the devil rather more than his due.
"Have you not heard, Father Dennet," quoth one boor to another advanced in years, "that the devil has carried away bodily the great Saxon Thane, Athelstane of Coningsburgh?"
"Ay, but he brought him back though, by the blessing of God and Saint Dunstan."
"How's that?" said a brisk young fellow, dressed in a green cassock embroidered with gold, and having at his heels a stout lad bearing a harp upon his back, which betrayed his vocation. The Minstrel seemed of no vulgar rank; for, besides the splendour of his gaily braidered doublet, he wore around his neck a silver chain, by which hung the "wrest", or key, with which he tuned his harp. On his right arm was a silver plate, which, instead of bearing, as usual, the cognizance or badge of the baron to whose family he belonged, had barely the word SHERWOOD engraved upon it.---"How mean you by that?" said the gay Minstrel, mingling in the conversation of the peasants; "I came to seek one subject for my rhyme, and, by'r Lady, I were glad to find two."
"It is well avouched," said the elder peasant, "that after Athelstane of Coningsburgh had been dead four weeks---"
"That is impossible," said the Minstrel; "I saw him in life at the Passage of Arms at Ashby-de-la-Zouche."
"Dead, however, he was, or else translated," said the younger peasant; "for I heard the Monks of Saint Edmund's singing the death's hymn for him; and, moreover, there was a rich death-meal and dole at the Castle of Coningsburgh, as right was; and thither had I gone, but for Mabel Parkins, who---"
"Ay, dead was Athelstane," said the old man, shaking his head, "and the more pity it was, for the old Saxon blood---"
"But, your story, my masters---your story," said the Minstrel, somewhat impatiently.
"Ay, ay---construe us the story," said a burly Friar, who stood beside them, leaning on a pole that exhibited an appearance between a pilgrim's staff and a quarter-staff, and probably acted as either when occasion served,---"Your story," said the stalwart churchman; "burn not daylight about it---we have short time to spare."
"An please your reverence," said Dennet, "a drunken priest came to visit the Sacristan at Saint Edmund's------"
"It does not please my reverence," answered the churchman, "that there should be such an animal as a drunken priest, or, if there were, that a layman should so speak him. Be mannerly, my friend, and conclude the holy man only wrapt in meditation, which makes the head dizzy and foot unsteady, as if the stomach were filled with new wine---I have felt it myself."
"Well, then," answered Father Dennet, "a holy brother came to visit the Sacristan at Saint Edmund's---a sort of hedge-priest is the visitor, and kills half the deer that are stolen in the forest, who loves the tinkling of a pint-pot better than the sacring-bell, and deems a flitch of bacon worth ten of his breviary; for the rest, a good fellow and a merry, who will flourish a quarter-staff, draw a bow, and dance a Cheshire round, with e'er a man in Yorkshire."
"That last part of thy speech, Dennet," said the Minstrel, "has saved thee a rib or twain."
"Tush, man, I fear him not," said Dennet; "I am somewhat old and stiff, but when I fought for the bell and ram at Doncaster---"
"But the story---the story, my friend," again said the Minstrel.
"Why, the tale is but this---Athelstane of Coningsburgh was buried at Saint Edmund's."
"That's a lie, and a loud one," said the Friar, "for I saw him borne to his own Castle of Coningsburgh."
"Nay, then, e'en tell the story yourself, my masters," said Dennet, turning sulky at these repeated contradictions; and it was with some difficulty that the boor could be prevailed on, by the request of his comrade and the Minstrel, to renew his tale. ---"These two 'sober' friars," said he at length, "since this reverend man will needs have them such, had continued drinking good ale, and wine, and what not, for the best part for a summer's day, when they were aroused by a deep groan, and a clanking of chains, and the figure of the deceased Athelstane entered the apartment, saying, 'Ye evil shep-herds!---'"
"It is false," said the Friar, hastily, "he never spoke a word."
"So ho! Friar Tuck," said the Minstrel, drawing him apart from the rustics; "we have started a new hare, I find."
"I tell thee, Allan-a-Dale," said the Hermit, "I saw Athelstane of Coningsburgh as much as bodily eyes ever saw a living man. He had his shroud on, and all about him smelt of the sepulchre---A butt of sack will not wash it out of my memory."
"Pshaw!" answered the Minstrel; "thou dost but jest with me!"
"Never believe me," said the Friar, "an I fetched not a knock at him with my quarter-staff that would have felled an ox, and it glided through his body as it might through a pillar of smoke!"
"By Saint Hubert," said the Minstrel, "but it is a wondrous tale, and fit to be put in metre to the ancient tune, 'Sorrow came to the old Friar.'"
"Laugh, if ye list," said Friar Tuck; "but an ye catch me singing on such a theme, may the next ghost or devil carry me off with him headlong! No, no---I instantly formed the purpose of assisting at some good work, such as the burning of a witch, a judicial combat, or the like matter of godly service, and therefore am I here."
As they thus conversed, the heavy bell of the church of Saint Michael of Templestowe, a venerable building, situated in a hamlet at some distance from the Preceptory, broke short their argument. One by one the sullen sounds fell successively on the ear, leaving but sufficient space for each to die away in distant echo, ere the air was again filled by repetition of the iron knell. These sounds, the signal of the approaching ceremony, chilled with awe the hearts of the assembled multitude, whose eyes were now turned to the Preceptory, expecting the approach of the Grand Master, the champion, and the criminal.
At length the drawbridge fell, the gates opened, and a knight, bearing the great standard of the Order, sallied from the castle, preceded by six trumpets, and followed by the Knights Preceptors, two and two, the Grand Master coming last, mounted on a stately horse, whose furniture was of the simplest kind. Behind him came Brian de Bois-Guilbert, armed cap-a-pie in bright armour, but without his lance, shield, and sword, which were borne by his two esquires behind him. His face, though partly hidden by a long plume which floated down from his barrel-cap, bore a strong and mingled expression of passion, in which pride seemed to contend with irresolution. He looked ghastly pale, as if he had not slept for several nights, yet reined his pawing war-horse with the habitual ease and grace proper to the best lance of the Order of the Temple. His general appearance was grand and commanding; but, looking at him with attention, men read that in his dark features, from which they willingly withdrew their eyes.
On either side rode Conrade of Mont-Fitchet, and Albert de Malvoisin, who acted as godfathers to the champion. They were in their robes of peace, the white dress of the Order. Behind them followed other Companions of the Temple, with a long train of esquires and pages clad in black, aspirants to the honour of being one day Knights of the Order. After these neophytes came a guard of warders on foot, in the same sable livery, amidst whose partisans might be seen the pale form of the accused, moving with a slow but undismayed step towards the scene of her fate. She was stript of all her ornaments, lest perchance there should be among them some of those amulets which Satan was supposed to bestow upon his victims, to deprive them of the power of confession even when under the torture. A coarse white dress, of the simplest form, had been substituted for her Oriental garments; yet there was such an exquisite mixture of courage and resignation in her look, that even in this garb, and with no other ornament than her long black tresses, each eye wept that looked upon her, and the most hardened bigot regretted the fate that had converted a creature so goodly into a vessel of wrath, and a waged slave of the devil.
A crowd of inferior personages belonging to the Preceptory followed the victim, all moving with the utmost order, with arms folded, and looks bent upon the ground.
This slow procession moved up the gentle eminence, on the summit of which was the tiltyard, and, entering the lists, marched once around them from right to left, and when they had completed the circle, made a halt. There was then a momentary bustle, while the Grand Master and all his attendants, excepting the champion and his godfathers, dismounted from their horses, which were immediately removed out of the lists by the esquires, who were in attendance for that purpose.
The unfortunate Rebecca was conducted to the black chair placed near the pile. On her first glance at the terrible spot where preparations were making for a death alike dismaying to the mind and painful to the body, she was observed to shudder and shut her eyes, praying internally doubtless, for her lips moved though no speech was heard. In the space of a minute she opened her eyes, looked fixedly on the pile as if to familiarize her mind with the object, and then slowly and naturally turned away her head.
Meanwhile, the Grand Master had assumed his seat; and when the chivalry of his order was placed around and behind him, each in his due rank, a loud and long flourish of the trumpets announced that the Court were seated for judgment. Malvoisin, then, acting as godfather of the champion, stepped forward, and laid the glove of the Jewess, which was the pledge of battle, at the feet of the Grand Master.
"Valorous Lord, and reverend Father," said he, "here standeth the good Knight, Brian de Bois-Guilbert, Knight Preceptor of the Order of the Temple, who, by accepting the pledge of battle which I now lay at your reverence's feet, hath become bound to do his devoir in combat this day, to maintain that this Jewish maiden, by name Rebecca, hath justly deserved the doom passed upon her in a Chapter of this most Holy Order of the Temple of Zion, condemning her to die as a sorceress;---here, I say, he standeth, such battle to do, knightly and honourable, if such be your noble and sanctified pleasure."
"Hath he made oath," said the Grand Master, "that his quarrel is just and honourable? Bring forward the Crucifix and the 'Te igitur'."
"Sir, and most reverend father," answered Malvoisin, readily, "our brother here present hath already sworn to the truth of his accusation in the hand of the good Knight Conrade de Mont-Fitchet; and otherwise he ought not to be sworn, seeing that his adversary is an unbeliever, and may take no oath."
This explanation was satisfactory, to Albert's great joy; for the wily knight had foreseen the great difficulty, or rather impossibility, of prevailing upon Brian de Bois-Guilbert to take such an oath before the assembly, and had invented this excuse to escape the necessity of his doing so.
The Grand Master, having allowed the apology of Albert Malvoisin, commanded the herald to stand forth and do his devoir. The trumpets then again flourished, and a herald, stepping forward, proclaimed aloud,---"Oyez, oyez, oyez.---Here standeth the good Knight, Sir Brian de Bois-Guilbert, ready to do battle with any knight of free blood, who will sustain the quarrel allowed and allotted to the Jewess Rebecca, to try by champion, in respect of lawful essoine of her own body; and to such champion the reverend and valorous Grand Master here present allows a fair field, and equal partition of sun and wind, and whatever else appertains to a fair combat." The trumpets again sounded, and there was a dead pause of many minutes.
"No champion appears for the appellant," said the Grand Master. "Go, herald, and ask her whether she expects any one to do battle for her in this her cause." The herald went to the chair in which Rebecca was seated, and Bois-Guilbert suddenly turning his horse's head toward that end of the lists, in spite of hints on either side from Malvoisin and Mont-Fitchet, was by the side of Rebecca's chair as soon as the herald.
"Is this regular, and according to the law of combat?" said Malvoisin, looking to the Grand Master.
"Albert de Malvoisin, it is," answered Beaumanoir; "for in this appeal to the judgment of God, we may not prohibit parties from having that communication with each other, which may best tend to bring forth the truth of the quarrel."
In the meantime, the herald spoke to Rebecca in these terms: ---"Damsel, the Honourable and Reverend the Grand Master demands of thee, if thou art prepared with a champion to do battle this day in thy behalf, or if thou dost yield thee as one justly condemned to a deserved doom?"
"Say to the Grand Master," replied Rebecca, "that I maintain my innocence, and do not yield me as justly condemned, lest I become guilty of mine own blood. Say to him, that I challenge such delay as his forms will permit, to see if God, whose opportunity is in man's extremity, will raise me up a deliverer; and when such uttermost space is passed, may His holy will be done!" The herald retired to carry this answer to the Grand Master.
"God forbid," said Lucas Beaumanoir, "that Jew or Pagan should impeach us of injustice!---Until the shadows be cast from the west to the eastward, will we wait to see if a champion shall appear for this unfortunate woman. When the day is so far passed, let her prepare for death."
The herald communicated the words of the Grand Master to Rebecca, who bowed her head submissively, folded her arms, and, looking up towards heaven, seemed to expect that aid from above which she could scarce promise herself from man. During this awful pause, the voice of Bois-Guilbert broke upon her ear---it was but a whisper, yet it startled her more than the summons of the herald had appeared to do.
"Rebecca," said the Templar, "dost thou hear me?"
"I have no portion in thee, cruel, hard-hearted man," said the unfortunate maiden.
"Ay, but dost thou understand my words?" said the Templar; "for the sound of my voice is frightful in mine own ears. I scarce know on what ground we stand, or for what purpose they have brought us hither.---This listed space---that chair---these faggots---I know their purpose, and yet it appears to me like something unreal---the fearful picture of a vision, which appals my sense with hideous fantasies, but convinces not my reason."
"My mind and senses keep touch and time," answered Rebecca, "and tell me alike that these faggots are destined to consume my earthly body, and open a painful but a brief passage to a better world."
"Dreams, Rebecca,---dreams," answered the Templar; "idle visions, rejected by the wisdom of your own wiser Sadducees. Hear me, Rebecca," he said, proceeding with animation; "a better chance hast thou for life and liberty than yonder knaves and dotard dream of. Mount thee behind me on my steed---on Zamor, the gallant horse that never failed his rider. I won him in single fight from the Soldan of Trebizond---mount, I say, behind me---in one short hour is pursuit and enquiry far behind---a new world of pleasure opens to thee---to me a new career of fame. Let them speak the doom which I despise, and erase the name of Bois-Guilbert from their list of monastic slaves! I will wash out with blood whatever blot they may dare to cast on my scutcheon."
"Tempter," said Rebecca, "begone!---Not in this last extremity canst thou move me one hair's-breadth from my resting place ---surrounded as I am by foes, I hold thee as my worst and most deadly enemy---avoid thee, in the name of God!"
Albert Malvoisin, alarmed and impatient at the duration of their conference, now advanced to interrupt it.
"Hath the maiden acknowledged her guilt?" he demanded of Bois-Guilbert; "or is she resolute in her denial?"
"She is indeed resolute," said Bois-Guilbert.
"Then," said Malvoisin, "must thou, noble brother, resume thy place to attend the issue---The shades are changing on the circle of the dial---Come, brave Bois-Guilbert---come, thou hope of our holy Order, and soon to be its head."
As he spoke in this soothing tone, he laid his hand on the knight's bridle, as if to lead him back to his station.
"False villain! what meanest thou by thy hand on my rein?" said Sir Brian, angrily. And shaking off his companion's grasp, he rode back to the upper end of the lists.
"There is yet spirit in him," said Malvoisin apart to Mont-Fitchet, "were it well directed---but, like the Greek fire, it burns whatever approaches it."
The Judges had now been two hours in the lists, awaiting in vain the appearance of a champion.
"And reason good," said Friar Tuck, "seeing she is a Jewess---and yet, by mine Order, it is hard that so young and beautiful a creature should perish without one blow being struck in her behalf! Were she ten times a witch, provided she were but the least bit of a Christian, my quarter-staff should ring noon on the steel cap of yonder fierce Templar, ere he carried the matter off thus."
It was, however, the general belief that no one could or would appear for a Jewess, accused of sorcery; and the knights, instigated by Malvoisin, whispered to each other, that it was time to declare the pledge of Rebecca forfeited. At this instant a knight, urging his horse to speed, appeared on the plain advancing towards the lists. A hundred voices exclaimed, "A champion! a champion!" And despite the prepossessions and prejudices of the multitude, they shouted unanimously as the knight rode into the tiltyard, The second glance, however, served to destroy the hope that his timely arrival had excited. His horse, urged for many miles to its utmost speed, appeared to reel from fatigue, and the rider, however undauntedly he presented himself in the lists, either from weakness, weariness, or both, seemed scarce able to support himself in the saddle.
To the summons of the herald, who demanded his rank, his name, and purpose, the stranger knight answered readily and boldly, "I am a good knight and noble, come hither to sustain with lance and sword the just and lawful quarrel of this damsel, Rebecca, daughter of Isaac of York; to uphold the doom pronounced against her to be false and truthless, and to defy Sir Brian de Bois-Guilbert, as a traitor, murderer, and liar; as I will prove in this field with my body against his, by the aid of God, of Our Lady, and of Monseigneur Saint George, the good knight."
"The stranger must first show," said Malvoisin, "that he is good knight, and of honourable lineage. The Temple sendeth not forth her champions against nameless men."
"My name," said the Knight, raising his helmet, "is better known, my lineage more pure, Malvoisin, than thine own. I am Wilfred of Ivanhoe."
"I will not fight with thee at present," said the Templar, in a changed and hollow voice. "Get thy wounds healed, purvey thee a better horse, and it may be I will hold it worth my while to scourge out of thee this boyish spirit of bravado."
"Ha! proud Templar," said Ivanhoe, "hast thou forgotten that twice didst thou fall before this lance? Remember the lists at Acre---remember the Passage of Arms at Ashby---remember thy proud vaunt in the halls of Rotherwood, and the gage of your gold chain against my reliquary, that thou wouldst do battle with Wilfred of Ivanhoe, and recover the honour thou hadst lost! By that reliquary and the holy relic it contains, I will proclaim thee, Templar, a coward in every court in Europe---in every Preceptory of thine Order--unless thou do battle without farther delay."
Bois-Guilbert turned his countenance irresolutely towards Rebecca, and then exclaimed, looking fiercely at Ivanhoe, "Dog of a Saxon! take thy lance, and prepare for the death thou hast drawn upon thee!"
"Does the Grand Master allow me the combat?" said Ivanhoe.
"I may not deny what thou hast challenged," said the Grand Master, "provided the maiden accepts thee as her champion. Yet I would thou wert in better plight to do battle. An enemy of our Order hast thou ever been, yet would I have thee honourably met with."
"Thus---thus as I am, and not otherwise," said Ivanhoe; "it is the judgment of God---to his keeping I commend myself. ---Rebecca," said he, riding up to the fatal chair, "dost thou accept of me for thy champion?"
"I do," she said---"I do," fluttered by an emotion which the fear of death had been unable to produce, "I do accept thee as the champion whom Heaven hath sent me. Yet, no---no---thy wounds are uncured---Meet not that proud man---why shouldst thou perish also?"
But Ivanhoe was already at his post, and had closed his visor, and assumed his lance. Bois-Guilbert did the same; and his esquire remarked, as he clasped his visor, that his face, which had, notwithstanding the variety of emotions by which he had been agitated, continued during the whole morning of an ashy paleness, was now become suddenly very much flushed.
The herald, then, seeing each champion in his place, uplifted his voice, repeating thrice---"Faites vos devoirs, preux chevaliers!" After the third cry, he withdrew to one side of the lists, and again proclaimed, that none, on peril of instant death, should dare, by word, cry, or action, to interfere with or disturb this fair field of combat. The Grand Master, who held in his hand the gage of battle, Rebecca's glove, now threw it into the lists, and pronounced the fatal signal words, "Laissez aller".
The trumpets sounded, and the knights charged each other in full career. The wearied horse of Ivanhoe, and its no less exhausted rider, went down, as all had expected, before the well-aimed lance and vigorous steed of the Templar. This issue of the combat all had foreseen; but although the spear of Ivanhoe did but, in comparison, touch the shield of Bois-Guilbert, that champion, to the astonishment of all who beheld it reeled in his saddle, lost his stirrups, and fell in the lists.
Ivanhoe, extricating himself from his fallen horse, was soon on foot, hastening to mend his fortune with his sword; but his antagonist arose not. Wilfred, placing his foot on his breast, and the sword's point to his throat, commanded him to yield him, or die on the spot. Bois-Guilbert returned no answer.
"Slay him not, Sir Knight," cried the Grand Master, "unshriven and unabsolved---kill not body and soul! We allow him vanquished."
He descended into the lists, and commanded them to unhelm the conquered champion. His eyes were closed---the dark red flush was still on his brow. As they looked on him in astonishment, the eyes opened---but they were fixed and glazed. The flush passed from his brow, and gave way to the pallid hue of death. Unscathed by the lance of his enemy, he had died a victim to the violence of his own contending passions.
"This is indeed the judgment of God," said the Grand Master, looking upwards---"'Fiat voluntas tua!'"

愿毛勃雷身上的罪恶那么沉重,
压断唾沫四溅的战马的脊梁,
把马背上的人摔在比武场上,
像一个卑鄙的懦夫……!
《理查二世》(注)
--------
(注)莎士比亚的历史剧,引文见第一幕第二场。
我们的场面又得移到圣殿会堂外面了,大约再过一小时,这里便要进行一场血战,决定丽贝卡的生死问题。现在场子上人山人海,热闹异常,仿佛周围数十里的居民都倾巢而出,在这儿参加宗教庆典或乡村节日一般。爱看流血和杀人,不是那个黑暗时代所特有的,但在个人决斗和集体比武流行的社会,大家对勇士经过厮杀倒在血泊中,已习以为常。哪怕道德水平大有提高的今天,执行死刑,拳击比赛,聚众闹事,或者激进改革派的集会,都会吸引大批人群,不顾可能遇到的危险前去观看;其实他们不是关心这事,只是想看看它是怎么进行的,或者那些英雄好汉,用叛乱分子的豪言壮语说,究竟谁是“硬汉子”,谁是“软骨头”。
因此相当多的人,都把眼睛钉住了圣殿会堂的大门,想一睹队伍入场的壮观;更多的人则聚集在比武场四周,把它围得水泄不通。这场地是属于会堂的,与它连成一片,地面曾经过仔细平整,平时便在这里进行军事操练或武术比赛。它位在一个平坦的高丘顶上,周围筑有坚固的栅栏,由于圣殿骑士们欢迎大家前去观看他们的武艺表演,场内建有宽广的看台和观众席位。
现在场子的东端高耸着一个豪华的座位,那是为大宗师准备的,它的两旁便是荣誉席,是会督和骑士们的席位,这些座位上空飘扬着一面神圣的大旗,称作黑白神旗,它是圣殿骑士团的标志,也是他们作战时的口号。
场子的另一头放着一堆木柴,木柴中间有一根火刑柱,深深固定在地下,柴堆中只留出一条通道,以便受刑者进入这个可怕的圈子,然后由已经挂在那儿的镣铐和锁链捆绑在柱子上。在这些死刑设施旁边,站着四个黑奴,他们的黝黑皮肤和相貌,当时在英国还很罕见,这使群众看了胆战心惊,仿佛那是专门用来行使魔法的恶鬼。这些人都一动不动,只是在一个似乎是他们的头目的人指挥下,不时搬动一下木柴。他们从不看群众一眼,好像根本没有意识到周围的人和事物的存在,他们关心的只是怎样行使他们的骇人职责。在互相讲话时,他们噘起了肥厚的嘴唇,露出了洁白的牙齿,仿佛在对即将搬演的悲剧发出傻笑。惶恐不安的群众看了他们,恐怕不得不认为,这些人便是女巫行使魔法的共谋犯,现在只是因为她的死期已到,他们才反戈一击,充当起对她实行可怕的惩罚的帮手。大家交头接耳,谈论着魔王在那个动乱和不幸的时期中使的各种花招,当然难免把不是魔鬼干的事也算到了魔鬼的账上。
“丹尼特老爹,”一个农民对另一个上了年纪的农民说,“你有没有听到,魔鬼把撒克逊大庄主科宁斯堡的阿特尔斯坦带走了?”
“对,但是靠上帝和圣邓斯坦的保佑,他又把他送回来了。”
“这是怎么回事?”一个活泼的小伙子问,他穿一件绣金的绿大褂,后面跟着一个粗壮的小孩,背上挂着一只竖琴,这透露了他的职业。这个行吟诗人似乎不是普通的老百姓,因为除了那件豪华的绣花上衣以外,他的脖颈里还套着一根银项链,链子上挂着校音器或钥匙,那是调准竖琴的音调的。他的右臂上有一块银牌,牌上不是像一般那样刻着他所属的贵族家庭的纹章或标记,它只有一个字:“舍伍德”。“你的话是什么意思?”快活的行吟诗人加入了农民的谈话,“我到这儿来,本想为我的歌曲找一个题材,但是圣母保佑,我一下子找到了两个,这太好了。”
“据大家传说,”年长的农民道,“科宁斯堡的阿特尔斯坦死了四个星期以后……”
“那是不可能的,”行吟诗人说,“我在阿什贝的比武大会上,看到他还活得好好的。”
“可是他死了,或者灵魂上了天,”年轻的农民说,“因为我听到圣埃德蒙的修士为他唱安魂歌,而且科宁斯堡还举办了丰盛的丧筵,施舍了财物,这是确确实实的,我本来也要上那儿,只是梅布尔•帕金斯……”
“唉,阿特尔斯坦死了,”老人说,摇摇头,“尤其可惜的是,古老的撒克逊王家血统就此……”
“但是你们的故事,两位师傅,你们的故事,”行吟诗人说,有些焦急。
“对,对,把故事讲下去呀,”一个粗犷的修士插嘴道。他站在他们旁边,靠在一根棍棒上,它的外形介于朝圣者的手杖和铁头木棍之间,也许视情况的不同,它兼有两者的用处。“讲故事吧,”魁梧的教士又道,“别磨磨蹭蹭的,我们没这么多时间。”
“要是这位长老爱听的话,”丹尼特说道,“那天有一个喝得醉醺醺的神父来到圣埃德蒙修道院,拜访执事……”
“我可不爱听这种谎话,”教士答道,“神父怎么会喝得醉醺醺的,即使有,俗人也不该这么讲。说话得有分寸,我的朋友,只能说这位圣徒一心在思考经文,以致想得出了神,脚步也有些摇晃了,好像刚喝饱了酒;我便有过这种体验。”
“那么好吧,”丹尼特老爹说道, “一位神父来到埃德蒙修道院拜访执事——不过那是个不守清规的教士,森林里偷走的鹿一半是他杀的,他觉得酒壶的叮当声比教堂里圣铃的声音更悦耳,一块咸猪肉比一本祈祷书更有意思;至于别的,他倒是个好人,总是高高兴兴的,还会舞熗弄棒,弯弓射箭,跟约克郡随便哪个小伙子都会跳舞。”
“丹尼特,”行吟诗人说道,“多亏最后这几句话,你才没给打断一根、甚至两根肋骨。”
“去你的,小伙子,我不怕他,”丹尼特说。“我老了,手脚不灵,可是当年我在唐卡斯特跟人比赛摔跤……”
“但是故事,你的故事,朋友,”行吟诗人又提醒他道。
“得啦,故事就是这样:科宁斯堡的阿特尔斯坦是葬在圣埃德蒙修道院的。”
“那是胡说,彻头彻尾的胡说,”修士道,“因为我看见他给抬回科宁斯堡他自己的家中了。”
“那么请你自己讲吧,大师傅,”丹尼特说,他一再遭到反驳,有些生气了;他的伙伴和行吟诗人讲了许多好话,最后老农民才消了气,继续讲他的故事:“那两个清醒的教士——因为这位师傅一定说他们没喝酒呢——不断喝甜麦酒,葡萄酒,还有别的什么酒,足足喝了大半天,突然听到了沉重的呻吟声,当嘟当啷的锁链声,过了一会,阿特尔斯坦这个死人突然走进了屋子,说道:‘你们这些坏心肠的教士!’……”
“不要瞎说,”修士慌忙插嘴道,“他根本没有讲话。”
“好啦!塔克修士,”行吟诗人说,把他从两个乡下人身边拉开了,“我看我们又要自找麻烦了。”
“我告诉你,阿伦阿代尔,”修士说,“我亲眼看到了科宁斯堡的阿特尔斯坦,他跟个活人一样,裹着尸衣,浑身都是一股泥土味。哪怕再喝一桶酒,我也忘不了这情形。”
“别胡诌!”行吟诗人答道,“你这是在逗我呢!”
“不骗你,”修士说,“我还抡起我的铁头木棍,朝他狠狠挨了一下,可是奇怪,棍子从他身上穿了过去,好像打在一阵烟上!”
“我的圣休伯特!”行吟诗人说,“不过这倒是个有趣的故事,可以配上古老的曲调,编成一支《老修士遇到了新烦恼》。”
“你要笑就笑吧,”塔克修士说,“但是我决不唱这种歌,免得魔鬼找我的麻烦,把我抓走!不,决不,我当时就许下愿心,要为行善积德出一把力,如有烧死女巫、决斗断案之类的功德,一定要参加,这样我就到这儿来了。”
他们正在这么谈论,圣迈克尔教堂的大钟响了,打断了他们的谈话。这教堂属于圣殿会堂,位在离会堂不远的一个庄子里。钟声显得阴森可怕,一声接一声的,中间停顿一下,等它的回声在远处消失之后,又把另一声送到空中。这些钟声便是典礼即将开始的信号,它使汇集的人群心中发冷,充满了恐怖;现在大家的眼睛转向了会堂,等待着大宗师、比武的勇士和犯人的出场。
最后吊桥放下了,大门打开了,一个骑士举着骑士团的大旗,从城堡内疾驰而出,他的前面有六个号手,后面是会督,他们两个一排,最后才是大宗师,他骑着高头大马,但马身上的装饰十分简单。他的后面是布里恩•布瓦吉贝尔,他全副武装,穿着明晃晃的盔甲,但没有拿熗、盾和剑,它们由他后面的两名扈从拿着。他的脸虽然给军盔顶上飘下来的长长的羽饰遮没了一部分,仍能看到它流露着强烈而复杂的感情,似乎倔傲和犹豫正在他心中搏斗。他的脸色死一般的苍白,仿佛他已几夜没睡,然而他骑在战马上,仍像平时一样轻松自如,表现了这位最著名的圣殿骑士的优美风度。他的整个外表显得庄重、威严,然而只要仔细观察,便不难发现他的阴暗面貌中隐藏着一股杀气,使人不寒而栗,不敢逼视。
骑在他两边的,是康拉德•蒙特菲舍和艾伯特•马尔沃辛,他们担任了比武的监督官,穿着礼服,也就是骑士团的白色会服。他们后面跟着圣殿骑士团的其他骑士,还有长长一队穿黑衣的扈从和侍仆,这些人都是向往着有朝一日获得骑士的荣誉的。在这些新手后面是一队步行的卫士,他们穿着黑色制服,从他们高举的长矛中间,可以望见女犯人的苍白面容,她正迈着缓慢、但毫不气馁的步子,走向决定她命运的场所。她已被卸下了所有的装饰品,免得她利用它们夹带符箓,据说这种符箓是魔鬼授予他的门徒的,有了它们,哪怕在严刑逼供下,他们也不会招供。现在她已脱下那身东方衣衫,穿着粗布白衣服,它根本谈不到式样,然而哪怕是这身打扮,除了一绺绺乌黑的长发以外,没有别的装饰,她的眉宇间依然流露出一种英勇无畏和听天由命相结合的安详神色,以致看到她的每只眼睛都不由得流下眼泪,甚至那个铁石心肠的老顽固也不免感到惋惜,觉得这么一个美人实在不应该遭到命运的这番播弄,以致天怒人怨,沦落为魔鬼手中的驯服工具。
会堂的仆役和差人跟在犯人后面,大家合抱着手臂,眼望着地面,慢慢走着,谁也不敢乱动,显得秩序井然。
这大队人马缓缓走上平坦的斜坡,登上比武场所在的高地;进入那里之后,便从右向左绕场一周,然后止步站立。于是大宗师和他的随从,除了比武的勇士和两个监督官,都纷纷跨下马背,马也由专为这事侍候在左右的扈从们立即牵出了比武场。
不幸的丽贝卡给带到了靠近柴堆的黑椅子前面;当她第一眼看到那个可怕的地点,那个准备给她带来精神折磨,同样也给她带来肉体痛苦的场所时,可以看出她哆嗦了一下,闭上了眼睛,显然,她在心中祈祷,因为她的嘴唇在翁动,尽管没有发出任何声音。但是过了一分钟,她便睁开眼睛,向柴堆注视了一会,仿佛要让她的头脑接受这事实,然后才不慌不忙地把头转开。
这时大宗师升座了,骑士们按照各自的地位,在大宗师的周围或背后坐下。接着响起了嘹亮而漫长的号角声,它宣告法庭已正式开庭。然后马尔沃辛作为比武的监督官,走前一步,把犹太姑娘的手套,她要求决斗的信物,放到了大宗师的脚下。
“英勇而仁慈的大宗师阁下,”他开口道,“现在我把决斗的信物放在您尊贵的脚下,并带领圣殿骑士团会督级骑士布里恩•布瓦吉贝尔前来向您报到,他作为接受挑战的杰出骑士,将在今天履行决斗的义务,以证明本骑士团的神圣法庭所作判决正确无误,该名为丽贝卡的犹太女子确系女巫,她的处死是罪有应得。该骑士现已作好准备,将按照骑士的方式进行光荣的决斗,现特请尊贵的大宗师明示,予以允准。”
“他已经对天盟誓,保证他的控告是公正而诚实的吗?”大宗师说。“把基督受难十字架和弥撒祈祷书拿来。”
“尊贵的大宗师阁下,”马尔沃辛立即答道,“我们的兄弟布里恩已在康拉德•蒙特菲舍骑士主持下对天盟誓,保证他的指控是诚实的;他不能采取其他的宣誓方式,因为他的对方是一个不信基督的异教徒,是无权宣誓的。”
这说明获得了允准,使艾伯特如释重负源来这个狡黠的骑士早已预见到,要布里恩•布瓦吉贝尔当众这么宣誓是非常困难,几乎不可能的,这样他才想出了这个借口,避免了不必要的麻烦。
大宗师同意了艾伯特•马尔沃辛的解释以后,便命令典礼官上场行使职责。这时号角再次吹响了,一名典礼官站到前面,大声宣告:“全体肃静,请注意!圣殿骑士团骑士布里恩•布瓦吉贝尔阁下在此接受挑战,以决定犹太女子而贝卡所受到的指控是否公正。鉴于丽贝卡系一女子,依法可由他人代为决斗,任何身家清白的骑士均可代替她上场应战;圣殿骑土四尊贵而英勇的大宗师业已允准,该骑士可在本场地,在阳光与风向完全相同的条件下,进行公平合理的决斗。”号音又响了一遍,接着死一般的沉寂保持了好几分钟。
“没有人为申诉人上场比武,”大宗师说。“典礼官,去问问她,是不是有人会为这件事替她战斗。”
典礼官走向丽贝卡坐的椅子;这时布瓦吉贝尔也掉转马头,不顾马尔沃辛和蒙特菲舍在两旁对他使眼色,向比武场的另一头跑去,与典礼官同时到达了丽贝卡的椅边。
“按照比武的规则,这合适吗?”马尔沃辛向大宗师问道。
“艾伯特•马尔沃辛,这是可以的,”博马诺答道,“因为在祈求上帝作出判断时,我们不能禁止双方自由接触,这样才有利于揭开案情的真相。”
与此同时,典礼官向丽贝卡这么说道;“小姑娘,光荣而公正的大宗师问你,今天你是否有希望得到一个代你决斗的武士,或者你愿意承认你受到的制裁是公正的,因而接受死刑的判决?”
“请你回复大宗师,”丽贝卡答道,“我坚持我是无辜的,我不承认对我的制裁是公正的,否则我便犯了抛弃我的生命的罪。请你对他说,我要求在他的规则所允许的范围内,尽量延长时间涸为上帝总是在人濒临绝境时才赐予机会的,到那时上帝也许会给我送来一位拯救者;如果过了期限,一切照旧,那么就照他的旨意办吧!”
典礼官把这答复回报了大宗师。
“上帝保佑,不要让犹太人或异教徒指责我们不公正!”卢加斯•博马诺说道。“我们可以等到太阳平西,日影向东投射时,看有没有人自告奋勇,愿为这不幸的女人决斗。但是到了那个时刻,请她准备就死吧。”
典礼官又把大宗师的话传给了丽贝卡,她俯首恭听,合抱着双手,然后仰起了脸,似乎在祈求上帝赐给她不能在人间得到的帮助。在这可怕的沉寂中,布瓦吉贝尔的声音传进了她的耳朵,它轻轻的,然而比典礼官的大声通报更使她心惊胆战。
“丽贝卡,”圣殿骑士道,“你听到我的话吗?”
“我不想听你的话,残忍而狠心的人,”不幸的少女说。
“唉,但是你明白我的意思吗?”圣殿骑士说,“现在我的声音在我自己听来也变得非常可怕了。我简直不知道我们是站在什么地方,或者他们把我们带到这儿来是什么目的。这片比武场地,那把椅子,那些木柴,我知道它们是作什么用的,然而我总觉得这一切不像是真的,这只是骇人的幻景,它使我惶恐,使我厌恶,但是不能使我的理智相信这是真的。”
“我的头脑和感官都很清醒,明确,”丽贝卡答道,“它们都告诉我,这些木柴是要用来消灭我尘世的身体,但也为我进入更美好的世界,开辟了一条痛苦的、然而短暂的道路。”
“这是梦想,丽贝卡,梦想,”圣殿骑士答道,“虚假的幻想,连你们比较明智的撒都该人(注1)也不会信以为真。听我说,丽贝卡,”他怀着激动的心情继续道,“现在你还有一个活命和自由的机会,这是那些混蛋和那个老顽固做梦也不会想到的。请你跳上我的马,骑在我的背后——我的札莫尔是一匹慓悍的马,它决不会让骑它的人遭到危险,这是我跟特拉布松(注2)的苏丹决斗时赢得的。我说,跳上马背,骑在我的后面。只要短短一个小时,我就可以把追赶的人甩得远远的,于是欢乐的新世界便会出现在你的面前,而对于我,这是一条新的荣誉的道路。让他们去谈他们的审判吧,我根本不在乎;让他们把布瓦吉贝尔的名字从修道士的奴隶名单上抹掉好了!如果他们胆敢污蔑我的纹章,我就要他们付出鲜血的代价。”
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(注1)犹太教中的一派,不相信灵魂永生和肉身复活。
(注2)位在土耳其的一个中世纪伊斯兰国家。
“滚开,魔鬼!”丽贝卡说。“哪怕到了这最后的时刻,你也不能使我的决心动摇一丝一毫。尽管我的周围都是敌人,我仍认为你是我最凶恶的、不共戴天的敌人;我用上帝的名义命令你走开!”
他们的谈判拖了这么长时间,艾伯特•马尔沃辛再也不能忍耐,终于走上前来制止他们了。
“小姑娘有没有承认她有罪?”他问布瓦吉贝尔,“难道她到死也不肯认罪吗?”
“是的,她宁死也不认罪,”布瓦吉贝尔说。
“那么。”马尔沃辛道,“尊贵的兄弟,请你回到你的位置,等待事情的结局吧。日晷的阴影已转移到另一边了。来吧,勇敢的布瓦吉贝尔——来吧,你是我们骑士团的希望,马上可以成为它的首领啦。”
他用安慰的声调这么说,一边把手按在他的缰绳上,似乎要把他领回他的岗位。
“虚伪的坏蛋!你按住我的缰绳是什么意思?”布里恩骑士怒气冲冲地说。他摔开了朋友的手,骑回场子的上首了。
“他的抵触情绪还很大,”马尔沃辛偷偷对蒙特菲舍说,“但愿他不致胡来,不致像希腊人的火药罐(注),遇到什么便烧毁什么吧。”
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(注)古代的一种火药发射器,据说是希腊人发明的,遇水不会熄灭,因此可以攻打战船和堡垒,烧毁一切。
法官们已在场上待了两个钟头,但是一个应战的人也没出现。
“这是不奇怪的,因为她是一个犹太女于,”塔克修士说道。“不过凭良心说,这么年轻漂亮的女子就这么处死,没人肯替她厮打,实在叫人受不了!哪怕她身上附着十个魔鬼,只要她有一点基督徒的味道,我也得举起铁头木棍,把那个凶恶的圣殿骑士的钢盔打个稀巴烂,不让他逍遥法外。”
然而大家相信,没有人可能或愿意,为一个被指控行使巫术的犹太女子出场决斗;骑士们在马尔沃辛的怂恿下,纷纷交头接耳,认为可以宣布撤销丽贝卡的挑战了。然而正在这时,一个骑士马不停蹄地出现在旷野上,朝着比武场疾驰而来。千百个声音喊了起来:“斗士来了,斗士来了!”尽管先入之见已在群众中形成,他们看到这位骑士进入场子,还是一致发出了欢呼。然而仔细一看,骑士的及时到达所引起的希望,便告幻灭了。他的马经过长途跋涉已筋疲力尽,随时有倒下的危险;骑在马上的人虽然显得无所畏惧,但由于虚弱、疲倦,或者两者的共同作用,几乎在马鞍上已有些支撑不住了。
典礼官当即要他自报身分、姓名和意图,陌生的骑士有恃无恐、理直气壮地答道:“我是正式的骑士,贵族出身,现在前来用我的剑和熗,为这位姑娘,约克的以撤的女儿丽贝卡,主持正义,保护她的合法权利;证明对她的判罪毫无事实根据,是错误的,并向布里恩•布瓦吉贝尔骑士这个叛徒、凶手和骗子发出挑战;我要在这片场地上,在上帝、圣母和杰出的骑士圣乔治的帮助下,凭我与他的比武,证明上面所说的一切。”
“来人必须首先证明他是正式的骑士,具有清白的家世,”马尔沃辛说道。“圣殿骑士从来不与无名小卒决斗。”
“我的名字比你的更响亮,我的家世比你的更清白,马尔沃辛,”骑士答道,揭开了面甲。“我是艾文荷的威尔弗莱德。”
“目前我还不想与你决斗,”圣殿骑士说道,他的声音变了,显得有些虚张声势。“还是先把你的伤养好,把你的马喂饱吧,到那时也许我会觉得,为了教训一下你这个初出茅庐的小子,还值得跟你较量一下。”
“哈!傲慢的圣殿骑士,”艾文荷答道,“你忘记曾在这支熗前两次摔下马背吗?想想在阿克的比武,想想在阿什贝的较量,想想你在罗瑟伍德的大厅上夸下的海口吧,那时你用你的金链子与我的圣物盒打赌,说要与艾文荷的威尔弗莱德一决雌雄,恢复你失去的荣誉呢!凭我的圣物盒和盒中的圣骨起誓,除非你毫不拖延地与我决斗,我就要在欧洲的每个朝廷上,在你们骑士团的每个会堂中,宣布你这个圣殿骑士是一名怕死的懦夫!”
布瓦吉贝尔有些迟疑不决,回头看了看丽贝卡,然后对着艾文荷恶狠狠地喊道:“你这只撒克逊狗!既然你要讨死,那就拿起你的熗,准备死吧!”
“大宗师同意我的决斗吗?”艾文荷问。
“我不能否决你的挑战,只要那位姑娘接受你作她的斗士,”大宗师说。“然而我希望你改善一下你的条件再参加战斗。你一向仇视我们的骑士团,但我愿意公平地对待你。”
“不必,我可以就这么参加决斗,”艾文荷说。“这是上帝的审判——我把自己交给他,听候他的裁决。”然后他把马骑到被告前面,说道:“丽贝卡,你接受我作你的斗士吗?”
“我接受……接受……”她说,由于激动,她的声音有些发抖,这是她在死亡的恐怖面前也没有过的,“我接受你作我的斗士润为你是上帝派来救我的。然而,不……不……你的伤还没好。不要与那个傲慢的人决斗;为什么要让你也毁灭呢?”
但是艾文荷已来到他的位置上,放下了面甲,端起了长熗。布瓦吉贝尔也作好了准备;据他的扈从说,尽管由于各种错综复杂的感情在他心中搏斗,他的脸色整个早上都显得那么灰暗苍白,但是在他扣上面甲的时候,他突然变得红光满面,两颊发烧。
典礼官看到双方已站好位置,便提高嗓音,重复了三次:“履行你们的责任吧,勇敢的骑士们!”喊了第三声以后,他便退到边上,又用同样的声调宣布,任何人都不得用言语、叫喊或行动,干预或扰乱比武场上的战斗,否则便立即处死。大宗师手里拿着战斗的信物——丽贝卡的手套,现在把它丢进场内,宣布了一个不祥的命令:“开始!”
号角吹响了,两个骑士以最快的速度面对面冲去。艾文荷那匹疲惫不堪的马和马上那个同样疲惫不堪的人,正如大家所预料的,在圣殿骑士那支瞄准的长熗和那匹强壮的战马面前倒下了。战斗的这个结果是可想而知的,但是艾文荷的那支长熗虽然相比之下,只是在布瓦吉贝尔的盾牌上轻轻碰了一下,令观众大吃一惊的是,那位骑士却在马上晃了一晃,两脚顿时离开马镫,掉到了地上。
艾文荷的马倒下后,他立刻抽出身子,站了起来,为了改变不利的处境,马上拔出了剑;他的对手却没有站起来。威尔弗莱德用一只脚踹住他的胸口,把剑尖指向他的喉咙,命令他投降,否则就当场杀死他。布瓦吉贝尔什么也没回答。
“不要杀死他,骑士先生,”大宗师喊道,“他还没忏悔,还没得到赦免。不要把他的灵魂和身体一起杀死!我们承认他打败了。”
他走进了比武场,下令给战败的骑士揭开头盔。他的眼睛紧闭着.深深的红潮仍留在他的脸上。当大家在惊异中端详他的时候,他的眼睛睁开了,但呆滞无神,一动不动。红潮逐渐从他的脸上消失,变成死一般的苍白。他不是给对方的熗刺死的,他是死在自己各种感情的激烈斗争中的。
“这确实是上帝的判决,”大宗师仰起了头说,“愿你的旨意行在地上!(注)”
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(注)基督教“主祷文”中的话,见《新约•马太福音》第6章第10节。

子规月落

ZxID:13974051


等级: 内阁元老
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举报 只看该作者 46楼  发表于: 2013-10-30 0

Chapter 44
So! now 'tis ended, like an old wife's story. Webster
When the first moments of surprise were over, Wilfred of Ivanhoe demanded of the Grand Master, as judge of the field, if he had manfully and rightfully done his duty in the combat? "Manfully and rightfully hath it been done," said the Grand Master. "I pronounce the maiden free and guiltless---The arms and the body of the deceased knight are at the will of the victor."
"I will not despoil him of his weapons," said the Knight of Ivanhoe, "nor condemn his corpse to shame---he hath fought for Christendom---God's arm, no human hand, hath this day struck him down. But let his obsequies be private, as becomes those of a man who died in an unjust quarrel.---And for the maiden---"
He was interrupted by a clattering of horses' feet, advancing in such numbers, and so rapidly, as to shake the ground before them; and the Black Knight galloped into the lists. He was followed by a numerous band of men-at-arms, and several knights in complete armour.
"I am too late," he said, looking around him. "I had doomed Bois-Guilbert for mine own property.---Ivanhoe, was this well, to take on thee such a venture, and thou scarce able to keep thy saddle?"
"Heaven, my Liege," answered Ivanhoe, "hath taken this proud man for its victim. He was not to be honoured in dying as your will had designed."
"Peace be with him," said Richard, looking steadfastly on the corpse, "if it may be so---he was a gallant knight, and has died in his steel harness full knightly. But we must waste no time ---Bohun, do thine office!"
A Knight stepped forward from the King's attendants, and, laying his hand on the shoulder of Albert de Malvoisin, said, "I arrest thee of High Treason."
The Grand Master had hitherto stood astonished at the appearance of so many warriors.---He now spoke.
"Who dares to arrest a Knight of the Temple of Zion, within the girth of his own Preceptory, and in the presence of the Grand Master? and by whose authority is this bold outrage offered?"
"I make the arrest," replied the Knight---"I, Henry Bohun, Earl of Essex, Lord High Constable of England."
"And he arrests Malvoisin," said the King, raising his visor, "by the order of Richard Plantagenet, here present.---Conrade Mont-Fitchet, it is well for thee thou art born no subject of mine.---But for thee, Malvoisin, thou diest with thy brother Philip, ere the world be a week older."
"I will resist thy doom," said the Grand Master.
"Proud Templar," said the King, "thou canst not---look up, and behold the Royal Standard of England floats over thy towers instead of thy Temple banner!---Be wise, Beaumanoir, and make no bootless opposition---Thy hand is in the lion's mouth."
"I will appeal to Rome against thee," said the Grand Master, "for usurpation on the immunities and privileges of our Order."
"Be it so," said the King; "but for thine own sake tax me not with usurpation now. Dissolve thy Chapter, and depart with thy followers to thy next Preceptory, (if thou canst find one), which has not been made the scene of treasonable conspiracy against the King of England---Or, if thou wilt, remain, to share our hospitality, and behold our justice."
"To be a guest in the house where I should command?" said the Templar; "never!---Chaplains, raise the Psalm, 'Quare fremuerunt Gentes?'---Knights, squires, and followers of the Holy Temple, prepare to follow the banner of 'Beau-seant!'"
The Grand Master spoke with a dignity which confronted even that of England's king himself, and inspired courage into his surprised and dismayed followers. They gathered around him like the sheep around the watch-dog, when they hear the baying of the wolf. But they evinced not the timidity of the scared flock ---there were dark brows of defiance, and looks which menaced the hostility they dared not to proffer in words. They drew together in a dark line of spears, from which the white cloaks of the knights were visible among the dusky garments of their retainers, like the lighter-coloured edges of a sable cloud. The multitude, who had raised a clamorous shout of reprobation, paused and gazed in silence on the formidable and experienced body to which they had unwarily bade defiance, and shrunk back from their front.
The Earl of Essex, when he beheld them pause in their assembled force, dashed the rowels into his charger's sides, and galloped backwards and forwards to array his followers, in opposition to a band so formidable. Richard alone, as if he loved the danger his presence had provoked, rode slowly along the front of the Templars, calling aloud, "What, sirs! Among so many gallant knights, will none dare splinter a spear with Richard?---Sirs of the Temple! your ladies are but sun-burned, if they are not worth the shiver of a broken lance?"
"The Brethren of the Temple," said the Grand Master, riding forward in advance of their body, "fight not on such idle and profane quarrel---and not with thee, Richard of England, shall a Templar cross lance in my presence. The Pope and Princes of Europe shall judge our quarrel, and whether a Christian prince has done well in bucklering the cause which thou hast to-day adopted. If unassailed, we depart assailing no one. To thine honour we refer the armour and household goods of the Order which we leave behind us, and on thy conscience we lay the scandal and offence thou hast this day given to Christendom."
With these words, and without waiting a reply, the Grand Master gave the signal of departure. Their trumpets sounded a wild march, of an Oriental character, which formed the usual signal for the Templars to advance. They changed their array from a line to a column of march, and moved off as slowly as their horses could step, as if to show it was only the will of their Grand Master, and no fear of the opposing and superior force, which compelled them to withdraw.
"By the splendour of Our Lady's brow!" said King Richard, "it is pity of their lives that these Templars are not so trusty as they are disciplined and valiant."
The multitude, like a timid cur which waits to bark till the object of its challenge has turned his back, raised a feeble shout as the rear of the squadron left the ground.
During the tumult which attended the retreat of the Templars, Rebecca saw and heard nothing---she was locked in the arms of her aged father, giddy, and almost senseless, with the rapid change of circumstances around her. But one word from Isaac at length recalled her scattered feelings.
"Let us go," he said, "my dear daughter, my recovered treasure ---let us go to throw ourselves at the feet of the good youth."
"Not so," said Rebecca, "O no---no---no---I must not at this moment dare to speak to him---Alas! I should say more than---No, my father, let us instantly leave this evil place."
"But, my daughter," said Isaac, "to leave him who hath come forth like a strong man with his spear and shield, holding his life as nothing, so he might redeem thy captivity; and thou, too, the daughter of a people strange unto him and his---this is service to be thankfully acknowledged."
"It is---it is---most thankfully---most devoutly acknowledged," said Rebecca---"it shall be still more so---but not now---for the sake of thy beloved Rachel, father, grant my request---not now!"
"Nay, but," said Isaac, insisting, "they will deem us more thankless than mere dogs!"
"But thou seest, my dear father, that King Richard is in presence, and that------"
"True, my best---my wisest Rebecca!---Let us hence---let us hence!---Money he will lack, for he has just returned from Palestine, and, as they say, from prison---and pretext for exacting it, should he need any, may arise out of my simple traffic with his brother John. Away, away, let us hence!"
And hurrying his daughter in his turn, he conducted her from the lists, and by means of conveyance which he had provided, transported her safely to the house of the Rabbi Nathan.
The Jewess, whose fortunes had formed the principal interest of the day, having now retired unobserved, the attention of the populace was transferred to the Black Knight. They now filled the air with "Long life to Richard with the Lion's Heart, and down with the usurping Templars!"
"Notwithstanding all this lip-loyalty," said Ivanhoe to the Earl of Essex, "it was well the King took the precaution to bring thee with him, noble Earl, and so many of thy trusty followers."
The Earl smiled and shook his head.
"Gallant Ivanhoe," said Essex, "dost thou know our Master so well, and yet suspect him of taking so wise a precaution! I was drawing towards York having heard that Prince John was making head there, when I met King Richard, like a true knight-errant, galloping hither to achieve in his own person this adventure of the Templar and the Jewess, with his own single arm. I accompanied him with my band, almost maugre his consent."
"And what news from York, brave Earl?" said Ivanhoe; "will the rebels bide us there?"
"No more than December's snow will bide July's sun," said the Earl; "they are dispersing; and who should come posting to bring us the news, but John himself!"
"The traitor! the ungrateful insolent traitor!" said Ivanhoe; "did not Richard order him into confinement?"
"O! he received him," answered the Earl, "as if they had met after a hunting party; and, pointing to me and our men-at-arms, said, 'Thou seest, brother, I have some angry men with me---thou wert best go to our mother, carry her my duteous affection, and abide with her until men's minds are pacified.'"
"And this was all he said?" enquired Ivanhoe; "would not any one say that this Prince invites men to treason by his clemency?"
"Just," replied the Earl, "as the man may be said to invite death, who undertakes to fight a combat, having a dangerous wound unhealed."
"I forgive thee the jest, Lord Earl," said Ivanhoe; "but, remember, I hazarded but my own life---Richard, the welfare of his kingdom."
"Those," replied Essex, "who are specially careless of their own welfare, are seldom remarkably attentive to that of others---But let us haste to the castle, for Richard meditates punishing some of the subordinate members of the conspiracy, though he has pardoned their principal."
From the judicial investigations which followed on this occasion, and which are given at length in the Wardour Manuscript, it appears that Maurice de Bracy escaped beyond seas, and went into the service of Philip of France; while Philip de Malvoisin, and his brother Albert, the Preceptor of Templestowe, were executed, although Waldemar Fitzurse, the soul of the conspiracy, escaped with banishment; and Prince John, for whose behoof it was undertaken, was not even censured by his good-natured brother. No one, however, pitied the fate of the two Malvoisins, who only suffered the death which they had both well deserved, by many acts of falsehood, cruelty, and oppression.
Briefly after the judicial combat, Cedric the Saxon was summoned to the court of Richard, which, for the purpose of quieting the counties that had been disturbed by the ambition of his brother, was then held at York. Cedric tushed and pshawed more than once at the message---but he refused not obedience. In fact, the return of Richard had quenched every hope that he had entertained of restoring a Saxon dynasty in England; for, whatever head the Saxons might have made in the event of a civil war, it was plain that nothing could be done under the undisputed dominion of Richard, popular as he was by his personal good qualities and military fame, although his administration was wilfully careless, now too indulgent, and now allied to despotism.
But, moreover, it could not escape even Cedric's reluctant observation, that his project for an absolute union among the Saxons, by the marriage of Rowena and Athelstane, was now completely at an end, by the mutual dissent of both parties concerned. This was, indeed, an event which, in his ardour for the Saxon cause, he could not have anticipated, and even when the disinclination of both was broadly and plainly manifested, he could scarce bring himself to believe that two Saxons of royal descent should scruple, on personal grounds, at an alliance so necessary for the public weal of the nation. But it was not the less certain: Rowena had always expressed her repugnance to Athelstane, and now Athelstane was no less plain and positive in proclaiming his resolution never to pursue his addresses to the Lady Rowena. Even the natural obstinacy of Cedric sunk beneath these obstacles, where he, remaining on the point of junction, had the task of dragging a reluctant pair up to it, one with each hand. He made, however, a last vigorous attack on Athelstane, and he found that resuscitated sprout of Saxon royalty engaged, like country squires of our own day, in a furious war with the clergy.
It seems that, after all his deadly menaces against the Abbot of Saint Edmund's, Athelstane's spirit of revenge, what between the natural indolent kindness of his own disposition, what through the prayers of his mother Edith, attached, like most ladies, (of the period,) to the clerical order, had terminated in his keeping the Abbot and his monks in the dungeons of Coningsburgh for three days on a meagre diet. For this atrocity the Abbot menaced him with excommunication, and made out a dreadful list of complaints in the bowels and stomach, suffered by himself and his monks, in consequence of the tyrannical and unjust imprisonment they had sustained. With this controversy, and with the means he had adopted to counteract this clerical persecution, Cedric found the mind of his friend Athelstane so fully occupied, that it had no room for another idea. And when Rowena's name was mentioned the noble Athelstane prayed leave to quaff a full goblet to her health, and that she might soon be the bride of his kinsman Wilfred. It was a desperate case therefore. There was obviously no more to be made of Athelstane; or, as Wamba expressed it, in a phrase which has descended from Saxon times to ours, he was a cock that would not fight.
There remained betwixt Cedric and the determination which the lovers desired to come to, only two obstacles---his own obstinacy, and his dislike of the Norman dynasty. The former feeling gradually gave way before the endearments of his ward, and the pride which he could not help nourishing in the fame of his son. Besides, he was not insensible to the honour of allying his own line to that of Alfred, when the superior claims of the descendant of Edward the Confessor were abandoned for ever. Cedric's aversion to the Norman race of kings was also much undermined,---first, by consideration of the impossibility of ridding England of the new dynasty, a feeling which goes far to create loyalty in the subject to the king "de facto"; and, secondly, by the personal attention of King Richard, who delighted in the blunt humour of Cedric, and, to use the language of the Wardour Manuscript, so dealt with the noble Saxon, that, ere he had been a guest at court for seven days, he had given his consent to the marriage of his ward Rowena and his son Wilfred of Ivanhoe.
The nuptials of our hero, thus formally approved by his father, were celebrated in the most august of temples, the noble Minster of York. The King himself attended, and from the countenance which he afforded on this and other occasions to the distressed and hitherto degraded Saxons, gave them a safer and more certain prospect of attaining their just rights, than they could reasonably hope from the precarious chance of a civil war. The Church gave her full solemnities, graced with all the splendour which she of Rome knows how to apply with such brilliant effect.
Gurth, gallantly apparelled, attended as esquire upon his young master whom he had served so faithfully, and the magnanimous Wamba, decorated with a new cap and a most gorgeous set of silver bells. Sharers of Wilfred's dangers and adversity, they remained, as they had a right to expect, the partakers of his more prosperous career.
But besides this domestic retinue, these distinguished nuptials were celebrated by the attendance of the high-born Normans, as well as Saxons, joined with the universal jubilee of the lower orders, that marked the marriage of two individuals as a pledge of the future peace and harmony betwixt two races, which, since that period, have been so completely mingled, that the distinction has become wholly invisible. Cedric lived to see this union approximate towards its completion; for as the two nations mixed in society and formed intermarriages with each other, the Normans abated their scorn, and the Saxons were refined from their rusticity. But it was not until the reign of Edward the Third that the mixed language, now termed English, was spoken at the court of London, and that the hostile distinction of Norman and Saxon seems entirely to have disappeared.
It was upon the second morning after this happy bridal, that the Lady Rowena was made acquainted by her handmaid Elgitha, that a damsel desired admission to her presence, and solicited that their parley might be without witness. Rowena wondered, hesitated, became curious, and ended by commanding the damsel to be admitted, and her attendants to withdraw.
She entered---a noble and commanding figure, the long white veil, in which she was shrouded, overshadowing rather than concealing the elegance and majesty of her shape. Her demeanour was that of respect, unmingled by the least shade either of fear, or of a wish to propitiate favour. Rowena was ever ready to acknowledge the claims, and attend to the feelings, of others. She arose, and would have conducted her lovely visitor to a seat; but the stranger looked at Elgitha, and again intimated a wish to discourse with the Lady Rowena alone. Elgitha had no sooner retired with unwilling steps, than, to the surprise of the Lady of Ivanhoe, her fair visitant kneeled on one knee, pressed her hands to her forehead, and bending her head to the ground, in spite of Rowena's resistance, kissed the embroidered hem of her tunic.
"What means this, lady?" said the surprised bride; "or why do you offer to me a deference so unusual?"
"Because to you, Lady of Ivanhoe," said Rebecca, rising up and resuming the usual quiet dignity of her manner, "I may lawfully, and without rebuke, pay the debt of gratitude which I owe to Wilfred of Ivanhoe. I am---forgive the boldness which has offered to you the homage of my country---I am the unhappy Jewess, for whom your husband hazarded his life against such fearful odds in the tiltyard of Templestowe."
"Damsel," said Rowena, "Wilfred of Ivanhoe on that day rendered back but in slight measure your unceasing charity towards him in his wounds and misfortunes. Speak, is there aught remains in which he or I can serve thee?"
"Nothing," said Rebecca, calmly, "unless you will transmit to him my grateful farewell."
"You leave England then?" said Rowena, scarce recovering the surprise of this extraordinary visit.
"I leave it, lady, ere this moon again changes. My father had a brother high in favour with Mohammed Boabdil, King of Grenada ---thither we go, secure of peace and protection, for the payment of such ransom as the Moslem exact from our people."
"And are you not then as well protected in England?" said Rowena. "My husband has favour with the King---the King himself is just and generous."
"Lady," said Rebecca, "I doubt it not---but the people of England are a fierce race, quarrelling ever with their neighbours or among themselves, and ready to plunge the sword into the bowels of each other. Such is no safe abode for the children of my people. Ephraim is an heartless dove---Issachar an over-laboured drudge, which stoops between two burdens. Not in a land of war and blood, surrounded by hostile neighbours, and distracted by internal factions, can Israel hope to rest during her wanderings."
"But you, maiden," said Rowena---"you surely can have nothing to fear. She who nursed the sick-bed of Ivanhoe," she continued, rising with enthusiasm---"she can have nothing to fear in England, where Saxon and Norman will contend who shall most do her honour."
"Thy speech is fair, lady," said Rebecca, "and thy purpose fairer; but it may not be---there is a gulf betwixt us. Our breeding, our faith, alike forbid either to pass over it. Farewell---yet, ere I go indulge me one request. The bridal-veil hangs over thy face; deign to raise it, and let me see the features of which fame speaks so highly."
"They are scarce worthy of being looked upon," said Rowena; "but, expecting the same from my visitant, I remove the veil."
She took it off accordingly; and, partly from the consciousness of beauty, partly from bashfulness, she blushed so intensely, that cheek, brow, neck, and bosom, were suffused with crimson. Rebecca blushed also, but it was a momentary feeling; and, mastered by higher emotions, past slowly from her features like the crimson cloud, which changes colour when the sun sinks beneath the horizon.
"Lady," she said, "the countenance you have deigned to show me will long dwell in my remembrance. There reigns in it gentleness and goodness; and if a tinge of the world's pride or vanities may mix with an expression so lovely, how should we chide that which is of earth for bearing some colour of its original? Long, long will I remember your features, and bless God that I leave my noble deliverer united with---"
She stopped short---her eyes filled with tears. She hastily wiped them, and answered to the anxious enquiries of Rowena ---"I am well, lady---well. But my heart swells when I think of Torquilstone and the lists of Templestowe.---Farewell. One, the most trifling part of my duty, remains undischarged. Accept this casket---startle not at its contents."
Rowena opened the small silver-chased casket, and perceived a carcanet, or neck lace, with ear-jewels, of diamonds, which were obviously of immense value.
"It is impossible," she said, tendering back the casket. "I dare not accept a gift of such consequence."
"Yet keep it, lady," returned Rebecca.---"You have power, rank, command, influence; we have wealth, the source both of our strength and weakness; the value of these toys, ten times multiplied, would not influence half so much as your slightest wish. To you, therefore, the gift is of little value,---and to me, what I part with is of much less. Let me not think you deem so wretchedly ill of my nation as your commons believe. Think ye that I prize these sparkling fragments of stone above my liberty? or that my father values them in comparison to the honour of his only child? Accept them, lady---to me they are valueless. I will never wear jewels more."
"You are then unhappy!" said Rowena, struck with the manner in which Rebecca uttered the last words. "O, remain with us---the counsel of holy men will wean you from your erring law, and I will be a sister to you."
"No, lady," answered Rebecca, the same calm melancholy reigning in her soft voice and beautiful features---"that---may not be. I may not change the faith of my fathers like a garment unsuited to the climate in which I seek to dwell, and unhappy, lady, I will not be. He, to whom I dedicate my future life, will be my comforter, if I do His will."
"Have you then convents, to one of which you mean to retire?" asked Rowena.
"No, lady," said the Jewess; "but among our people, since the time of Abraham downwards, have been women who have devoted their thoughts to Heaven, and their actions to works of kindness to men, tending the sick, feeding the hungry, and relieving the distressed. Among these will Rebecca be numbered. Say this to thy lord, should he chance to enquire after the fate of her whose life he saved."
There was an involuntary tremour on Rebecca's voice, and a tenderness of accent, which perhaps betrayed more than she would willingly have expressed. She hastened to bid Rowena adieu.
"Farewell," she said. "May He, who made both Jew and Christian, shower down on you his choicest blessings! The bark that waits us hence will be under weigh ere we can reach the port."
She glided from the apartment, leaving Rowena surprised as if a vision had passed before her. The fair Saxon related the singular conference to her husband, on whose mind it made a deep impression. He lived long and happily with Rowena, for they were attached to each other by the bonds of early affection, and they loved each other the more, from the recollection of the obstacles which had impeded their union. Yet it would be enquiring too curiously to ask, whether the recollection of Rebecca's beauty and magnanimity did not recur to his mind more frequently than the fair descendant of Alfred might altogether have approved.
Ivanhoe distinguished himself in the service of Richard, and was graced with farther marks of the royal favour. He might have risen still higher, but for the premature death of the heroic Coeur-de-Lion, before the Castle of Chaluz, near Limoges. With the life of a generous, but rash and romantic monarch, perished all the projects which his ambition and his generosity had formed; to whom may be applied, with a slight alteration, the lines composed by Johnson for Charles of Sweden---
His fate was destined to a foreign strand, A petty fortress and an "humble" hand; He left the name at which the world grew pale, To point a moral, or adorn a TALE.

现在它像一则荒唐的故事一样结束了。
韦伯斯特(注)
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(注)约翰•韦伯斯特(约1580—1625),英国剧作家和诗人。
最初几分钟的惊异过去之后,艾文荷的威尔弗莱德向大宗师提出,他作为比武的裁判官,是否认为这次决斗是公正的,有效的。
“是的,这次决斗是公正的,有效的,”大宗师答道。“现在我宣布该女子无罪释放。亡故的骑士的武器和遗体,可听凭胜利者处置。”
“我不想没收他的武器,”艾文荷骑士说,“也不想侮辱他的尸体,因为他曾为基督教世界战斗过。今天是上帝的手,而不是人的手,把他打倒的。但是作为一个在非正义的争端中死去的人,他的丧礼只能秘密举行。至于这女子……”
但是一阵响亮的马蹄声打断了他的话,它由远而近,显得人数众多,来势凶猛,以致连地面都震动了。黑甲骑士最先冲进比武场,他后面是一大队骑兵,还有几个全身披挂的武士。
“我来得太晚了,”他说,向周围看了一眼。“处死布瓦吉贝尔本来是我的权利。艾文荷,在你还不能骑马的时候,便采取这样的冒险行动,这做得对吗?”
“陛下,上帝保佑,这个骄傲的人已经死了,”艾文荷答道。“这件事不必您亲自出马,他不配得到这种荣誉。”
“好吧,如果他能安息,就让他安息吧,”理查说,对尸体端详了好一会。“他是一个勇敢的骑士,也是像骑士一样战死的。但是我们不能浪费时间。博亨,行使你的职责吧广
一个骑士从国王的随员中走了出来,把一只手按在艾伯特•马尔沃辛肩上,说道:“你因犯叛国罪被捕了。”
大宗师看到这么多武士出现,一时惊得目瞪口呆。现在他开口了:
“谁敢在圣殿骑士团的会堂内,当着它的大宗师的面,逮捕它的骑士?是谁授予他这种胆大妄为的权利的?”
“这是我逮捕的,”骑士答道。“我是埃塞克斯伯爵亨利•博亨,英国的警务总监。”
“他逮捕马尔沃辛,是按照金雀花王朝的理查的命令行事,”国王说,揭开了面甲,“鄙人便是理查。康拉德•蒙特菲舍,你不是我的臣民,这是你的幸运。但是你,马尔沃辛,你得与你的弟兄菲利普一起,在一周内处死。”
“我不承认你的判决,”大宗师说。
“狂妄的圣殿骑士,”国王说,“你办不到;抬起头来看看,飘扬在你的城堡上的,已不是你的圣殿旗子,是英国国王的旗子了!放聪明一些,博马诺,不要作无益的反抗。你的手已落进狮子的嘴巴里。”
“我得向罗马控告你,”大宗师说,“你侵犯了我们的特权,我们是不受世俗权力审问的。”
“随你的便,”国王说。“但是为你自己着想,还是不要跟我讨价还价的好。解散你的会堂,带着你的仆从离开这里,如果你能找到一个没有参加过反对英国国玉的叛逆阴谋的会堂,你可以投奔那里。不过如果你愿意留下,我们可以接待你,我们的法律是公正的。”
“在应该由我统治的地方作客人?”圣殿骑士说,“这永远办不到!教士们,唱起圣诗来:‘外邦为什么争闹?’(注)骑士们,扈从们,一切追随圣殿骑士团的人,准备跟随黑白旗出发吧!”
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(注)见《旧约•诗篇》第2篇,这篇诗是说要尊敬耶和华的受膏者,即教士,不得违抗他们。
大宗师讲话时显得那么威严,似乎要与英国国王分庭抗礼,这对那些困惑不解、垂头丧气的部下,起了鼓舞士气的作用。他们聚集在他周围,仿佛一群羊听到狼的嚎叫,围在牧羊狗的身边。但是他们并不像羊群那么惊慌失措,只是脸色阴沉,不甘屈服,目光中流露出他们不敢用言语表达的敌意。他们手执长熗,攒聚在一起,排成了长长的行列,骑士们的白长袍在这些随从们的黑制服旁边,仿佛乌云镶了一条条浅色的边。在场的群众本来吵吵闹闹,大声呵斥他们,现在不再作声,默默望着这伙身强力壮、久经沙场的武夫,后悔刚才不留意得罪了他们,纷纷退到后面去了。
埃塞克斯伯爵看到圣殿会堂的人这么严阵以待,立刻踢动坐骑,来回召集部下,准备对付这批强劲的敌人。唯独理查好像对自己挑起的这场危机,还颇为得意,骑着马在圣殿骑士的队伍前缓缓行去,大声喊道:“诸位,怎么样!瞧你们这副雄赳赳、气昂昂的样子,难道没有一个人敢与理查较量吗?圣殿骑士团的先生们!大概你们的夫人只是些黑皮肤女人,因此你们觉得不值得为她们的荣誉厮杀吧?”
“圣殿的弟兄们,”大宗师把马骑到了他的队伍前面,开口道,“我们不为这种没有意义的、亵读神圣的争吵战斗。英国的理查,没有一个圣殿骑士会在我的面前与你交手。教皇和欧洲各国的君主会对我们的分歧作出裁决,说明你今天的挑衅行为是否符合一个基督教君主的身分。只要不遭到攻击,我们也不会攻击任何人,便离开这里。我们信任你,把骑士团的武器和家产留在这里;我们也相信你的良心,让它来惩罚你今天给予基督教世界的侮辱和损害吧。”
说完这些话,没有等待回答,大宗师便作了个出发的手势。他们的号角又发疯似的吹响了,那是一支东方的进行曲,通常是圣殿骑士发动攻势的号音。他们的行列从横队改成了纵队,然后让他们的马用尽可能缓慢的步子离开这里,仿佛表示,他们只是服从大宗师的命令,不是面对优势敌人的压力,心存畏惧,才不得不撤退的。
“凭圣母的光辉起誓,”理查说道,“这些圣殿骑士受过良好的训练,作战英勇,可惜的是他们并不可靠。”
群众现在才对着离开比武场的队伍,发出了微弱的呐喊,像一只胆小的狗,直等它所仇恨的人转身走开之后,才开始吠叫。
圣殿骑士撤退时,场上一片混乱,人声嘈杂,但是丽贝卡什么也没看见,什么也没听到,她扑在年迈的父亲怀中嘤嘤吸泣,几乎没有意识到周围的迅速变化。只是以撒的一句话,才把她从凌乱的感觉中唤醒了。
“我们走吧,”他说,“亲爱的女儿,我失而复得的宝贝……让我们去跪在那个善良的青年面前感谢他吧。”
“不必这样,”丽贝卡说。“哦,不要这样,不要这样,我不能在这个时候去见他。唉!我要讲的话太多了……不,父亲,让我们立刻离开这个不祥的地方。”
“但是,我的女儿,”以撒说,“他曾经像一个强壮的人那样,不顾自身的危险,拿起熗和盾牌来搭救你,何况你只是另一个民族——一个与他不同的民族的女儿,他的这种恩德是应该得到感谢的。”
“是的,是的,应该得到感谢——最大的感谢,”丽贝卡说,“不仅如此……但不是现在……为了你所爱的拉雪儿,父亲,答应我的要求吧……不是现在!”
“不,”以撒说,仍在坚持,“他们会认为我们忘恩负义,像一只狗!”
“但是你看到,亲爱的父亲,理查工在这儿,他……”
“真的,我的最好最聪明的丽贝卡。那么让我们离开吧,离开吧!他可能缺钱用涸为他刚从巴勒斯坦回来,而且据说,刚从监狱出来;如果他需要钱,我与他的兄弟约翰的简单往来便可能成为他的借口,向我勒索钱财。走吧,走吧,让我们离开这里!”
现在轮到他催促他的女儿了,他带着她走出比武场,坐上他准备在那儿的车子,把她安全地送往纳桑拉比的家。
这位犹太姑娘的命运,曾成为当天人们关心的焦点,现在她悄悄走了,却没人发觉,因为大家的注意力已转移到了黑甲骑士身上。他们这时正在大声呐喊:“狮心王理查万岁!打倒大逆不道的圣殿骑士!”
“尽管有这些口头上的忠诚,”艾文荷对埃塞克斯伯爵说道,“王上采取了预防措施,把你和你这许多忠诚的部下带到这儿来,还是做得很对的,尊敬的伯爵。”
伯爵笑笑,摇了摇头。
“英勇的艾文荷,”怕爵说,“你对我们的主公是相当了解的,你却以为他会采取这种明智的防范措施!事实是我听到约翰亲王打算在约克起事,这才带领队伍前往那里,半路上遇到了理查王,他跟一个游侠似的,正向这儿赶来,想靠他一个人单熗匹马,解决圣殿骑士和犹太姑娘的纠纷呢。我几乎是违抗了他的命令,才跟他来到这儿的。”
“勇敢的伯爵,约克那边有什么消息?”艾文荷问。“叛乱分子还不死心吗?”
“已经像十二月的雪遇到七月的太阳一样瓦解了,”伯爵说。“你猜,是谁赶来报告这消息的?不是别人,正是约翰本人!”
“这个叛徒——忘恩负义、狂妄自大的喊子!”艾文荷说。“理查没有命令把他送进监牢吗?”
“哪里!他接见了他,”伯爵答道,“好像打猎以后重又会面一般。他指着我和我的骑兵说道:‘你瞧,兄弟,我身边这些人都火气很大,你还是找我们的母亲吧,并代我向她请安;你就待在她那儿,等这些人的火气消了再说”’
“他讲的全是这些话吗?”艾文荷问道。“人们岂不要说,这位国王这么不计前愆,无异在号召大家犯上作乱?”
“你也差不多,”伯爵笑道,“人家会说,这个人重伤还没痊愈,便不顾危险参加决斗,无异在自己找死呢。”
“你取笑我,我不计较,伯爵,”艾文荷答道,“但是不要忘记,我冒的只是我个人的生命危险,理查冒的险却有关国家的兴亡盛衰呢。”
“不过,”埃塞克斯说道,“对个人的安危不关心的人,对别人的安危恐怕也是不会放在心上的。但是我们快进城堡去吧,因为理查虽然宽恕了阴谋的主犯,对它的一些从犯还是要惩罚的。”
这次事件以后进行的司法侦查,后来记载在《沃杜尔文稿》中,它大致如下:莫里斯•德布拉西逃到海外,投奔了法王腓力二世;菲利普•马尔沃辛和圣殿会堂会督艾伯特•马尔沃辛两兄弟被处死了;可是叛乱的核心人物沃尔德马•菲泽西只是遭到放逐,没有处死;约翰亲王虽然是发动叛乱的主犯,由于哥哥的宽大为怀,没有判罪。不过两位马尔沃辛的处死没有引起任何人的同情,他们作恶多端,残忍暴虐,现在明正典刑是他们罪有应得。
那次决斗之后不久,理查召见了撒克逊人塞德里克;为了安定人心,消除由于他的兄弟图谋不轨在几个郡里造成的混乱,他的朝廷当时驻在约克城内。塞德里克大为不满,几次拒绝奉召,但最后还是服从了。事实上,理查的回国,已使他在英国重建撒克逊王朝的一切希望成为泡影;因为很清楚,一旦内战爆发,不论撒克逊人如何奋不顾身,也无法推翻理查不可动摇的统治,这位国王的个人品德和军事声誉已深入人心,尽管他在政治上并无深谋远虑的方针,有时宽大无边,有时又接近专制独裁。
再说,塞德里克虽然并不甘心,也不能不看到,他企图通过罗文娜和阿特尔斯坦的联姻,使撒克逊人团结一致的计划,由于违背双方的心意,已到了难以为继的地步。确实,他一心向往的只是撒克逊民族的事业,这种情形不在他的考虑之中。哪怕双方并不情投意合已有了相当充分而明显的表现,他仍不愿相信,撒克逊王族的两支后裔会出于个人动机,不肯为民族的共同利益作出让步,同意他所主张的结合。但事实仍是事实。罗文娜始终表示不愿嫁给阿特尔斯坦,现在阿特尔斯坦也明确而坚定地声明,他决定放弃与罗文娜小姐的婚事。塞德里克诚然天性固执,遇到这些困难也只得低头认输,觉得自己像站在三岔路口拉住了两个人,一个要往左,一个要往右,他却拼命要把他们拉在一起。然而他还是对阿特尔斯坦发动了一次猛烈的最后攻击,可是他发现,这位起死回生的王族后裔,像我们今天的乡下小绅士一样,念念不忘的只是要与教士展开一场生死搏斗。
但是阿特尔斯坦在发出要把圣埃德蒙修道院长处死的威胁后,一方面由于他的性情天生懒散忠厚,另一方面也由于他的母亲伊迪丝的谏劝——当时的大多数妇人都对教士十分敬重——他的报复最后只是把修道院长和那些修士在科宁斯堡的地牢里关了三天,让他们尝尝靠面包和清水过活的滋味。为了这次暴行,修道院长威胁说要开除他的教籍,还把他和修士们在这次非法监禁中,因饮食不善而引起的各种肠胃病开列了一张长长的清单。这样,塞德里克发现,这些争执,以及为了对付教士的申诉,不得不采取的对策,已使他的朋友阿特尔斯坦忙得不亦乐乎,哪里还有工夫考虑别的问题。他一提到罗文娜的名字,尊贵的阿特尔斯坦便请他与他一起为她的健康干杯,祝她不久便与他的亲戚威尔弗莱德喜结良缘。由此看来,这件事已毫无指望。显然,要阿特尔斯坦有什么作为只是妄想,或者像汪八一样,借用那句从撒克逊时代一直流传到今天的话说,他只是一只不能打斗的公鸡。
这样,在塞德里克和两个情人要达到的目的之间,现在只剩了两道障碍:他自己的固执己见和他对诺曼王朝的憎恨。前一种情绪,在义女的体贴抚慰和儿子的名声在他心头引起的自豪感的影响下,逐渐消失了。再说,既然对忏悔者爱德华的后裔的最大希望已彻底破灭,他不能不意识到,让自己的儿子与阿尔弗烈德大王的后人联姻,这是他的家族的荣誉。同时,他对诺曼族国王的反感这时也大为削弱了——首先,要把新王朝赶出英国是不可能的,这种认识已深入人心,以致大家不得不对事实上的国王表示忠诚;其次,塞德里克的豪爽作风赢得了理查的好感,他对他十分关心,用《沃杜尔文稿》的话说,国王对这位高贵的撒克逊人总是优礼有加,以致他在他的宫中作客还不满七天,已同意他的义女罗文娜和他的儿子艾文荷结为伉俪。
我们这位主人公的婚礼,在得到父亲正式批准后,便在庄严的约克大教堂中举行了。国王亲自参加了婚礼,他在这次事件和其他一些事件中,对历经忧患,一直抬不起头的撒克逊人给予的礼遇,使他们看到了自己的前途,觉得他们的合法权利有了保障,这比通过变幻莫测的内战去争取,更加安全和可靠。教堂把这次婚礼办得十分隆重,凡是罗马教会所能提供的光辉仪式,无不应有尽有。
葛四穿着漂亮的衣服,作为少东家的扈从,也参加了婚礼,他始终对他忠心耿耿;高尚正直的汪八戴起了新帽子,还挂了一串光彩夺目的银铃铛。他们都与威尔弗莱德共过患难,现在自然也有权指望与他分享美好的前程。
但是除了家中这些仆从以外,前来参加这场热闹的婚礼的,还有出身高贵的诺曼人和撒克逊人,他们与身分较低的人在这里一起欢庆节日,这标志着两个人的婚姻已成了两个民族在未来和衷共济的保证;从那个时期起,它们便开始融为一体,不分彼此了。塞德里克一直活到了这种融合接近完成的时候;因为随着两个民族在社会上的混合和互相通婚,诺曼人不再像以前那么瞧不起撒克逊人,撒克逊人的乡愿习气也有了改进。但是直到爱德华三世统治时期,现在称作英语的那种混合语言,才在伦敦的朝廷上普遍使用,诺曼人和撒克逊人之间的敌对情绪也才完全消失。
在这幸福的婚礼举行后的次日早上,罗文娜小姐的侍女艾尔吉莎前来禀报,有一个姑娘要面见小姐,并单独与小姐谈话。罗文娜觉得奇怪,有些犹豫,又很想知道是怎么回事,最后命令让姑娘进来;待女走了。
姑娘走进了屋子,她显得高贵庄重,戴着一块长长的白面纱,它披到了她的身上,但没有遮没她文雅端庄、雍容华贵的形态,只是使它仿佛笼罩在一层淡淡的云雾中。她的举止是恭敬的,但丝毫不含有畏葸或诌媚的意味。罗文娜一向平易近人,温柔体贴。她站起身来,预备请这位可爱的客人就坐。但陌生的姑娘看了看艾尔吉莎,再次暗示她希望与罗文娜小姐单独谈话。艾尔吉莎刚迈着不大愿意的步子退出房间,艾文荷夫人便吃了一惊,那位漂亮的客人墓地屈下一膝,双手覆额,把头俯到地上,不顾罗文娜的拦阻,吻她衣襟下的花边。
“小姐,这是什么意思?”新娘惊异地问,“为什么要向我行这不同寻常的大礼?”
“因为,艾文荷夫人,”丽贝卡说,站起身子,恢复了平时娴雅庄重的神态,“艾文荷的威尔弗莱德对我有救命之恩,我相信我向您表示感谢是应该的,不会受到指责。请原谅我用我们民族的方式向您致敬,我是不幸的犹太人,您的丈夫不顾力量悬殊,在圣殿会堂的比武场上,为我冒了生命危险。”
“姑娘,”罗文娜说,“你在艾文荷的威尔弗莱德负伤和被俘的时候,不遗余力照料他,为他治伤,他在圣殿会堂的行为只是对您的一点小小报答。请讲吧,你还有什么需要我们帮助的?”
“没有了,”丽贝卡安详地说,“我只想请您向他转达我的问候和告别。”
“那么你们要离开英国了?”罗文娜说,这次意外的访问使她再度引起了惊异。
“是的,在这个月中就要离开英国。我的父亲有一个兄弟在格兰纳达(注)国王穆罕默德•鲍勃第尔那里很得到信任,我们便到那里去;只要照穆斯林的要求付一笔钱,我们便可以在那里安居乐业,得到保障了。”
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(注)中世纪在西班牙建立的一个伊斯兰王国。
“那么你们在英国得不到保障吗?”罗文娜说。“我的丈夫是国王所信任的,而且国王本人也是公正而慷慨的。”
“夫人,我不怀疑这点,”丽贝卡说。“但是英国的人民是好斗的民族,经常与邻国、或者在自己人中间争争吵吵,随时可能把剑刺进别人的心脏。这对于我的民族,不是一个安全的住所。以法莲是胆小的鸽子,以萨迦是辛劳过度的苦工,已给双重负担压得喘不出气(注)。在战争和流血的地方,在周围尽是敌人、内部又分崩离析的国家,以色列人不能指望安居乐业,不再过流离失所的生活。”
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(注)以法莲是约瑟的儿子,以萨迦是雅各的儿子,均见《旧约•创世记》,这里是泛指以色列人。
“但是,姑娘,你无疑用不到担心这一切,”罗文娜说,接着又充满热情地说下去,“一个在艾文荷的病床旁照料过他的人,在英国是没有什么可害怕的,撒克逊人和诺曼人都会争着向你献殷勤呢。”
“您讲得很动人,夫人,”丽贝卡说,“您的心意更加美好,但那是不可能的——我们中间隔着一条鸿沟。我们所受的教育,我们所信的宗教,都不允许我们跨越这条鸿沟。再见;然而在我走以前,请允许我提出一个要求。您用婚纱遮着脸,请您撩开它,让我看看您的脸,大家都夸奖您的美貌呢。”
“那是不值得看的,”罗文娜说,“但我可以撩开它,同时希望你也这么做。”
这样,她撩开了面纱,一部分由于意识到自己的美丽,一部分也由于害羞,她涨红了脸,红晕从额头一直蔓延到了脖颈和胸口。丽贝卡也红了脸,但那只是一瞬间的事,在更崇高的感情的支配下,红晕便逐渐从她脸上消失,像火红的彩云随着太阳的落到地平线下,逐渐改变了颜色。
“夫人,”她说,“您让我看到的脸,会永远留在我的记忆中。在您的脸上,我看到的是温柔和善良;如果说在这么可爱的一张脸上,也可看到一点世俗的骄傲或虚荣的影子,那么属于尘世的东西带有一点它原来的色彩,这又怎么可以责备呢?我会永远、永远记住您的容貌,感谢上帝让我尊贵的恩人娶到一位……”
她突然住口了——她的眼睛噙满了泪水。她匆匆擦掉了它们,对罗文娜的焦急询问答道:“我很好,夫人,很好,但是想到托奎尔斯通和圣殿会堂的比武场,我的心便怦怦直跳。再见。为了表达我的心意,还有一件小小的事没有做。请收下这小盒子,千万不要推辞。”
罗文娜打开镶银小盒子,看到了一串钻石项链和一副珠宝耳环,显然那是非常贵重的。
“这不成,”她说,推回了首饰盒。“我不能接受这么珍贵的礼物。”
“夫人,请您留下它,”丽贝卡答道。“您有权力、身分、地位和影响;我们有金钱,我们的力量和软弱都来源于此。这些小玩意儿的价值,哪怕增加十倍,也抵不上您一个小小的心愿那么值钱。因此这礼品对您是没有多大价值的,从我说来,我拿出这些东西更算不得什么。请您让我相信,您并不像您的同胞那样,把我的民族想得那么坏。您不会以为,我会把这些闪光的珠宝看得比我的自由更贵重,或者我的父亲会把它们的价值看得比他独生女儿的荣誉更贵重吧?请收下这些东西吧,夫人,——对于我,它们是没有价值的。我再也不会戴珠宝了。”
“那么你并不愉快!”罗文娜说,听到丽贝卡的最后那句话,有些吃惊。“啊,留在这儿吧,我们的教士会帮助你,让你离开错误的道路,我可以与你结成姊妹。”
“不,夫人,”丽贝卡答道,她柔和的声音和美丽的脸蛋始终显得那么安详而忧郁,“那是不可能的。我不能改变我祖先的信仰,这不是一件衣服,不适合我要居住的地方的气候,便可以脱掉。夫人,我今后不会不愉快。我把我未来的生命献给了主,只要我照他的旨意做,他会给我安慰的。”
“那么你是打算进修道院——你们也有修道院吗?”罗文娜问。
“没有,夫人,”犹太姑娘说道,“但是在我们的人民中,从亚伯拉罕的时代起,便有一些妇女,她们想的只是上帝,她们做的只是对人的善行——照料病人,救济饥饿的人,帮助贫苦的人。丽贝卡将成为这些人中的一个。如果您的丈夫问起他所搭救的这个人的情形,请您这么告诉他。”
丽贝卡的声音不禁有些发抖,口气变得温情脉脉,这也许泄露了她所不愿表达的一种心情。于是她赶紧向罗文娜告别。
“再见,”她说。“上帝同样创造了犹太人和基督徒,愿他把他最好的祝福赐给您吧!我们的船即将启航,我们必须及早赶往港口。”
她轻轻走出了屋子,罗文娜望着她的背影,诧异不止,觉得好像做了一场梦。这位撒克逊美女后来把这次奇怪的会见告诉了丈夫,这给他留下了深刻的印象。他与罗文娜度过了漫长而幸福的一生,因为他们从小就心心相印,想起那些阻碍他们结合的经历,只是使他们更加相亲相爱。然而对美丽而高尚的丽贝卡的回忆,有没有时常涌上他的心头,超过了阿尔弗烈德的那位美丽后裔所愿意的程度,那就不得而知了。
艾文荷在理查的朝廷上功绩卓著,一再得到国王的嘉奖和恩赏。他本来还可以继续升迁,可惜英勇的狮心王,不久就在利摩日附近的查卢兹城堡前阵亡了(注1)。随着这位国王丰富多采、但是鲁莽而浪漫的一生的结束,他的雄心壮志和宽宏大量所构想的一切计划,也都付之东流了。关于这个人,约翰逊(注2)为瑞典国王查理所写的几行诗,只要稍加改动,便可应用在他的身上:
命运注定他要奔走在异国的土地上,
为小小的城堡和微末的权力捐献生命;
他留下的威名足以令全世界惊骇,
它发人深省,又是一篇色彩斑调的故事。
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(注1)狮心王理查在与法王腓力二世的战斗中,于1199年在法国利摩日附近中箭身亡。
(注2)塞缨尔•约翰逊(1709—1784),英国文学评论家和诗人。下面几行诗引自他的著名长诗《人生希望多空幻》。在这诗中,诗人通过一些历史人物的生平,说明一切志向、希望、抱负和野心均属徒劳,其中也提到了瑞典国王查理十二世(1697—1718年在位)叱咤风云、南征北战的一生。

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Note
NOTE TO CHAPTER I.
Note A.---The Ranger or the Forest, that cuts the foreclaws off our dogs.
A most sensible grievance of those aggrieved times were the Forest Laws. These oppressive enactments were the produce of the Norman Conquest, for the Saxon laws of the chase were mild and humane; while those of William, enthusiastically attached to the exercise and its rights, were to the last degree tyrannical. The formation of the New Forest, bears evidence to his passion for hunting, where he reduced many a happy village to the condition of that one commemorated by my friend, Mr William Stewart Rose:
"Amongst the ruins of the church The midnight raven found a perch, A melancholy place; The ruthless Conqueror cast down, Woe worth the deed, that little town, To lengthen out his chase."
The disabling dogs, which might be necessary for keeping flocks and herds, from running at the deer, was called "lawing", and was in general use. The Charter of the Forest designed to lessen those evils, declares that inquisition, or view, for lawing dogs, shall be made every third year, and shall be then done by the view and testimony of lawful men, not otherwise; and they whose dogs shall be then found unlawed, shall give three shillings for mercy, and for the future no man's ox shall be taken for lawing. Such lawing also shall be done by the assize commonly used, and which is, that three claws shall be cut off without the ball of the right foot. See on this subject the Historical Essay on the Magna Charta of King John, (a most beautiful volume), by Richard Thomson.
NOTE TO CHAPTER II.
Note B.---Negro Slaves.
The severe accuracy of some critics has objected to the complexion of the slaves of Brian de Bois-Guilbert, as being totally out of costume and propriety. I remember the same objection being made to a set of sable functionaries, whom my friend, Mat Lewis, introduced as the guards and mischief-doing satellites of the wicked Baron, in his Castle Spectre. Mat treated the objection with great contempt, and averred in reply, that he made the slaves black in order to obtain a striking effect of contrast, and that, could he have derived a similar advantage from making his heroine blue, blue she should have been.
I do not pretend to plead the immunities of my order so highly as this; but neither will I allow that the author of a modern antique romance is obliged to confine himself to the introduction of those manners only which can be proved to have absolutely existed in the times he is depicting, so that he restrain himself to such as are plausible and natural, and contain no obvious anachronism. In this point of view, what can be more natural, than that the Templars, who, we know, copied closely the luxuries of the Asiatic warriors with whom they fought, should use the service of the enslaved Africans, whom the fate of war transferred to new masters? I am sure, if there are no precise proofs of their having done so, there is nothing, on the other hand, that can entitle us positively to conclude that they never did. Besides, there is an instance in romance.
John of Rampayne, an excellent juggler and minstrel, undertook to effect the escape of one Audulf de Bracy, by presenting himself in disguise at the court of the king, where he was confined. For this purpose, "he stained his hair and his whole body entirely as black as jet, so that nothing was white but his teeth," and succeeded in imposing himself on the king, as an Ethiopian minstrel. He effected, by stratagem, the escape of the prisoner. Negroes, therefore, must have been known in England in the dark ages.*
* Dissertation on Romance and Minstrelsy, prefixed to * Ritson's Ancient Metrical Romances, p. clxxxvii.
NOTE TO CHAPTER XVII.
Note C.---Minstrelsy.
The realm of France, it is well known, was divided betwixt the Norman and Teutonic race, who spoke the language in which the word Yes is pronounced as "oui", and the inhabitants of the southern regions, whose speech bearing some affinity to the Italian, pronounced the same word "oc". The poets of the former race were called "Minstrels", and their poems "Lays": those of the latter were termed "Troubadours", and their compositions called "sirventes", and other names. Richard, a professed admirer of the joyous science in all its branches, could imitate either the minstrel or troubadour. It is less likely that he should have been able to compose or sing an English ballad; yet so much do we wish to assimilate Him of the Lion Heart to the band of warriors whom he led, that the anachronism, if there be one may readily be forgiven.
NOTE TO CHAPTER XXI.
Note D.---Battle of Stamford.
A great topographical blunder occurred here in former editions. The bloody battle alluded to in the text, fought and won by King Harold, over his brother the rebellious Tosti, and an auxiliary force of Danes or Norsemen, was said, in the text, and a corresponding note, to have taken place at Stamford, in Leicestershire, and upon the river Welland. This is a mistake, into which the author has been led by trusting to his memory, and so confounding two places of the same name. The Stamford, Strangford, or Staneford, at which the battle really was fought, is a ford upon the river Derwent, at the distance of about seven miles from York, and situated in that large and opulent county. A long wooden bridge over the Derwent, the site of which, with one remaining buttress, is still shown to the curious traveller, was furiously contested. One Norwegian long defended it by his single arm, and was at length pierced with a spear thrust through the planks of the bridge from a boat beneath.
The neighbourhood of Stamford, on the Derwent, contains some memorials of the battle. Horseshoes, swords, and the heads of halberds, or bills, are often found there; one place is called the "Danes' well," another the "Battle flats." From a tradition that the weapon with which the Norwegian champion was slain, resembled a pear, or, as others say, that the trough or boat in which the soldier floated under the bridge to strike the blow, had such a shape, the country people usually begin a great market, which is held at Stamford, with an entertainment called the Pear-pie feast, which after all may be a corruption of the Spear-pie feast. For more particulars, Drake's History of York may be referred to. The author's mistake was pointed out to him, in the most obliging manner, by Robert Belt, Esq. of Bossal House. The battle was fought in 1066.
NOTE TO CHAPTER XXII.
Note E.---The range of iron bars above that glowing charcoal.
This horrid species of torture may remind the reader of that to which the Spaniards subjected Guatimozin, in order to extort a discovery of his concealed wealth. But, in fact, an instance of similar barbarity is to be found nearer home, and occurs in the annals of Queen Mary's time, containing so many other examples of atrocity. Every reader must recollect, that after the fall of the Catholic Church, and the Presbyterian Church Government had been established by law, the rank, and especially the wealth, of the Bishops, Abbots, Priors, and so forth, were no longer vested in ecclesiastics, but in lay impropriators of the church revenues, or, as the Scottish lawyers called them, titulars of the temporalities of the benefice, though having no claim to the spiritual character of their predecessors in office.
Of these laymen, who were thus invested with ecclesiastical revenues, some were men of high birth and rank, like the famous Lord James Stewart, the Prior of St Andrews, who did not fail to keep for their own use the rents, lands, and revenues of the church. But if, on the other hand, the titulars were men of inferior importance, who had been inducted into the office by the interest of some powerful person, it was generally understood that the new Abbot should grant for his patron's benefit such leases and conveyances of the church lands and tithes as might afford their protector the lion's share of the booty. This was the origin of those who were wittily termed Tulchan*
* A "Tulchan" is a calf's skin stuffed, and placed before a * cow who has lost its calf, to induce the animal to part * with her milk. The resemblance between such a Tulchan and * a Bishop named to transmit the temporalities of a benefice * to some powerful patron, is easily understood.
Bishops, being a sort of imaginary prelate, whose image was set up to enable his patron and principal to plunder the benefice under his name.
There were other cases, however, in which men who had got grants of these secularised benefices, were desirous of retaining them for their own use, without having the influence sufficient to establish their purpose; and these became frequently unable to protect themselves, however unwilling to submit to the exactions of the feudal tyrant of the district.
Bannatyne, secretary to John Knox, recounts a singular course of oppression practised on one of those titulars abbots, by the Earl of Cassilis in Ayrshire, whose extent of feudal influence was so wide that he was usually termed the King of Carrick. We give the fact as it occurs in Bannatyne's Journal, only premising that the Journalist held his master's opinions, both with respect to the Earl of Cassilis as an opposer of the king's party, and as being a detester of the practice of granting church revenues to titulars, instead of their being devoted to pious uses, such as the support of the clergy, expense of schools, and the relief of the national poor. He mingles in the narrative, therefore, a well deserved feeling of execration against the tyrant who employed the torture, which a tone of ridicule towards the patient, as if, after all, it had not been ill bestowed on such an equivocal and amphibious character as a titular abbot. He entitles his narrative,
THE EARL OF CASSILIS' TYRANNY AGAINST A QUICK (i.e. LIVING) MAN.
"Master Allan Stewart, friend to Captain James Stewart of Cardonall, by means of the Queen's corrupted court, obtained the Abbey of Crossraguel. The said Earl thinking himself greater than any king in those quarters, determined to have that whole benefice (as he hath divers others) to pay at his pleasure; and because he could not find sic security as his insatiable appetite required, this shift was devised. The said Mr Allan being in company with the Laird of Bargany, (also a Kennedy,) was, by the Earl and his friends, enticed to leave the safeguard which he had with the Laird, and come to make good cheer with the said Earl. The simplicity of the imprudent man was suddenly abused; and so he passed his time with them certain days, which he did in Maybole with Thomas Kennedie, uncle to the said Earl; after which the said Mr Allan passed, with quiet company, to visit the place and bounds of Crossraguel, (his abbacy,) of which the said Earl being surely advertised, determined to put in practice the tyranny which long before he had conceived. And so, as king of the country, apprehended the said Mr Allan, and carried him to the house of Denure, where for a season he was honourably treated, (if a prisoner can think any entertainment pleasing;) but after that certain days were spent, and that the Earl could not obtain the feus of Crossraguel according to his own appetite, he determined to prove if a collation could work that which neither dinner nor supper could do for a long time. And so the said Mr Allan was carried to a secret chamber: with him passed the honourable Earl, his worshipful brother, and such as were appointed to be servants at that banquet. In the chamber there was a grit iron chimlay, under it a fire; other grit provision was not seen. The first course was,---'My Lord Abbot,' (said the Earl,) 'it will please you confess here, that with your own consent you remain in my company, because ye durst not commit yourself to the hands of others.' The Abbot answered, 'Would you, my lord, that I should make a manifest lie for your pleasure? The truth is, my lord, it is against my will that I am here; neither yet have I any pleasure in your company.' 'But ye shall remain with me, nevertheless, at this time,' said the Earl. 'l am not able to resist your will and pleasure,' said the Abbot, 'in this place.' 'Ye must then obey me,' said the Earl,---and with that were presented unto him certain letters to subscribe, amongst which there was a five years' tack, and a nineteen years' tack, and a charter of feu of all the lands (of Crossraguel, with all the clauses necessary for the Earl to haste him to hell. For if adultery, sacrilege, oppression, barbarous cruelty, and theft heaped upon theft, deserve hell, the great King of Carrick can no more escape hell for ever, than the imprudent Abbot escaped the fire for a season as follows.
"After that the Earl spied repugnance, and saw that he could not come to his purpose by fair means, he commanded his cooks to prepare the banquet: and so first they flayed the sheep, that is, they took off the Abbot's cloathes even to his skin, and next they bound him to the chimney---his legs to the one end, and his arms to the other; and so they began to beet (i.e. feed) the fire sometimes to his buttocks, sometimes to his legs, sometimes to his shoulders and arms; and that the roast might not burn, but that it might rest in soppe, they spared not flambing with oil, (basting as a cook bastes roasted meat); Lord, look thou to sic cruelty! And that the crying of the miserable man should not be heard, they dosed his mouth that the voice might be stopped. It may be suspected that some partisan of the King's (Darnley's) murder was there. In that torment they held the poor man, till that often he cried for God's sake to dispatch him; for he had as meikle gold in his awin purse as would buy powder enough to shorten his pain. The famous King of Carrick and his cooks perceiving the roast to be aneuch, commanded it to be tane fra the fire, and the Earl himself began the grace in this manner: ---'Benedicite, Jesus Maria, you are the most obstinate man that ever I saw; gif I had known that ye had been so stubborn, I would not for a thousand crowns have handled you so; I never did so to man before you.' And yet he returned to the same practice within two days, and ceased not till that he obtained his formost purpose, that is, that he had got all his pieces subscryvit alsweill as ane half-roasted hand could do it. The Earl thinking himself sure enough so long as he had the half-roasted Abbot in his own keeping, and yet being ashamed of his presence by reason of his former cruelty, left the place of Denure in the hands of certain of his servants, and the half-roasted Abbot to be kept there as prisoner. The Laird of Bargany, out of whose company the said Abbot had been enticed, understanding, (not the extremity,) but the retaining of the man, sent to the court, and raised letters of deliverance of the person of the man according to the order, which being disobeyed, the said Earl for his contempt was denounced rebel, and put to the horne. But yet hope was there none, neither to the afflicted to be delivered, neither yet to the purchaser (i.e. procurer) of the letters to obtain any comfort thereby; for in that time God was despised, and the lawful authority was contemned in Scotland, in hope of the sudden return and regiment of that cruel murderer of her awin husband, of whose lords the said Earl was called one; and yet, oftener than once, he was solemnly sworn to the King and to his Regent."
The Journalist then recites the complaint of the injured Allan Stewart, Commendator of Crossraguel, to the Regent and Privy Council, averring his having been carried, partly by flattery, partly by force, to the black vault of Denure, a strong fortalice, built on a rock overhanging the Irish channel, where to execute leases and conveyances of the whole churches and parsonages belonging to the Abbey of Crossraguel, which he utterly refused as an unreasonable demand, and the more so that he had already conveyed them to John Stewart of Cardonah, by whose interest he had been made Commendator. The complainant proceeds to state, that he was, after many menaces, stript, bound, and his limbs exposed to fire in the manner already described, till, compelled by excess of agony, he subscribed the charter and leases presented to him, of the contents of which he was totally ignorant. A few days afterwards, being again required to execute a ratification of these deeds before a notary and witnesses, and refusing to do so, he was once more subjected to the same torture, until his agony was so excessive that he exclaimed, "Fye on you, why do you not strike your whingers into me, or blow me up with a barrel of powder, rather than torture me thus unmercifully?" upon which the Earl commanded Alexander Richard, one of his attendants, to stop the patient's mouth with a napkin, which was done accordingly. Thus he was once more compelled to submit to their tyranny. The petition concluded with stating, that the Earl, under pretence of the deeds thus iniquitously obtained, had taken possession of the whole place and living of Crossraguel, and enjoyed the profits thereof for three years.
The doom of the Regent and Council shows singularly the total interruption of justice at this calamitous period, even in the most clamant cases of oppression. The Council declined interference with the course of the ordinary justice of the county, (which was completely under the said Earl of Cassilis' control,) and only enacted, that he should forbear molestation of the unfortunate Comendator, under the surety of two thousand pounds Scots. The Earl was appointed also to keep the peace towards the celebrated George Buchanan, who had a pension out of the same Abbacy, to a similar extent, and under the like penalty.
The consequences are thus described by the Journalist already quoted.---
"The said Laird of Bargany perceiving that the ordiner justice could neither help the oppressed, nor yet the afflicted, applied his mind to the next remedy, and in the end, by his servants, took the house of Denure, where the poor Abbot was kept prisoner. The bruit flew fra Carrick to Galloway, and so suddenly assembled herd and hyre-man that pertained to the band of the Kennedies; and so within a few hours was the house of Denure environed again. The master of Cassilis was the frackast (i.e. the readiest or boldest) and would not stay, but in his heat would lay fire to the dungeon, with no small boasting that all enemies within the house should die.
"He was required and admonished by those that were within to be more moderate, and not to hazard himself so foolishly. But no admonition would help, till that the wind of an hacquebute blasted his shoulder, and then ceased he from further pursuit in fury. The Laird of Bargany had before purchest (obtained) of the authorities, letters, charging all faithfull subjects to the King's Majesty, to assist him against that cruel tyrant and mansworn traitor, the Earl of Cassilis; which letters, with his private writings, he published, and shortly found sic concurrence of Kyle and Cunynghame with his other friends, that the Carrick company drew back fra the house: and so the other approached, furnished the house with more men, delivered the said Mr Allan, and carried him to Ayr, where, publicly at the market cross of the said town, he declared how cruelly he was entreated, and how the murdered King suffered not sic torment as he did, excepting only he escaped the death: and, therefore, publickly did revoke all things that were done in that extremity, and especially revoked the subscription of the three writings, to wit, of a fyve yeir tack and nineteen year tack, and of a charter of feu. And so the house remained, and remains (till this day, the 7th of February, 1571,) in the custody of the said Laird of Bargany and of his servants. And so cruelty was disappointed of proffeit present, and shall be eternallie punished, unless he earnestly repent. And this far for the cruelty committed, to give occasion unto others, and to such as hate the monstrous dealing of degenerate nobility, to look more diligently upon their behaviuours, and to paint them forth unto the world, that they themselves may be ashamed of their own beastliness, and that the world may be advertised and admonished to abhor, detest, and avoid the company of all sic tyrants, who are not worthy of the society of men, but ought to be sent suddenly to the devil, with whom they must burn without end, for their contempt of God, and cruelty committed against his creatures. Let Cassilis and his brother be the first to be the example unto others. Amen. Amen."*
* Bannatyne's Journal.
This extract has been somewhat amended or modernized in orthography, to render it more intelligible to the general reader. I have to add, that the Kennedies of Bargany, who interfered in behalf of the oppressed Abbot, were themselves a younger branch of the Cassilis family, but held different politics, and were powerful enough in this, and other instances, to bid them defiance.
The ultimate issue of this affair does not appear; but as the house of Cassilis are still in possession of the greater part of the feus and leases which belonged to Crossraguel Abbey, it is probable the talons of the King of Carrick were strong enough, in those disorderly times, to retain the prey which they had so mercilessly fixed upon.
I may also add, that it appears by some papers in my possession, that the officers or Country Keepers on the border, were accustomed to torment their prisoners by binding them to the iron bars of their chimneys, to extort confession.
NOTE TO CHAPTER XXIX
Note F.---Heraldry
The author has been here upbraided with false heraldry, as having charged metal upon metal. It should be remembered, however, that heraldry had only its first rude origin during the crusades, and that all the minutiae of its fantastic science were the work of time, and introduced at a much later period. Those who think otherwise must suppose that the Goddess of "Armoirers", like the Goddess of Arms, sprung into the world completely equipped in all the gaudy trappings of the department she presides over.
Additional Note
In corroboration of said note, it may be observed, that the arms, which were assumed by Godfrey of Boulogne himself, after the conquest of Jerusalem, was a cross counter patent cantoned with four little crosses or, upon a field azure, displaying thus metal upon metal. The heralds have tried to explain this undeniable fact in different modes---but Ferne gallantly contends, that a prince of Godfrey's qualities should not be bound by the ordinary rules. The Scottish Nisbet, and the same Ferne, insist that the chiefs of the Crusade must have assigned to Godfrey this extraordinary and unwonted coat-of-arms, in order to induce those who should behold them to make enquiries; and hence give them the name of "arma inquirenda". But with reverence to these grave authorities, it seems unlikely that the assembled princes of Europe should have adjudged to Godfrey a coat armorial so much contrary to the general rule, if such rule had then existed; at any rate, it proves that metal upon metal, now accounted a solecism in heraldry, was admitted in other cases similar to that in the text. See Ferne's "Blazon of Gentrie" p. 238. Edition 1586. Nisbet's "Heraldry", vol. i. p. 113. Second Edition.
NOTE TO CHAPTER XXXI
Note G.---Ulrica's Death song.
It will readily occur to the antiquary, that these verses are intended to imitate the antique poetry of the Scalds---the minstrels of the old Scandinavians---the race, as the Laureate so happily terms them,
"Stern to inflict, and stubborn to endure, Who smiled in death."
The poetry of the Anglo-Saxons, after their civilisation and conversion, was of a different and softer character; but in the circumstances of Ulrica, she may be not unnaturally supposed to return to the wild strains which animated her forefathers during the time of Paganism and untamed ferocity.
NOTE TO CHAPTER XXXII
Note H.---Richard Coeur-de-Lion.
The interchange of a cuff with the jolly priest is not entirely out of character with Richard I., if romances read him aright. In the very curious romance on the subject of his adventures in the Holy Land, and his return from thence, it is recorded how he exchanged a pugilistic favour of this nature, while a prisoner in Germany. His opponent was the son of his principal warder, and was so imprudent as to give the challenge to this barter of buffets. The King stood forth like a true man, and received a blow which staggered him. In requital, having previously waxed his hand, a practice unknown, I believe, to the gentlemen of the modern fancy, he returned the box on the ear with such interest as to kill his antagonist on the spot. ---See, in Ellis's Specimens of English Romance, that of Coeur-de-Lion.
NOTE TO CHAPTER XXXIII
Note I.---Hedge-Priests.
It is curious to observe, that in every state of society, some sort of ghostly consolation is provided for the members of the community, though assembled for purposes diametrically opposite to religion. A gang of beggars have their Patrico, and the banditti of the Apennines have among them persons acting as monks and priests, by whom they are confessed, and who perform mass before them. Unquestionably, such reverend persons, in such a society, must accommodate their manners and their morals to the community in which they live; and if they can occasionally obtain a degree of reverence for their supposed spiritual gifts, are, on most occasions, loaded with unmerciful ridicule, as possessing a character inconsistent with all around them.
Hence the fighting parson in the old play of Sir John Oldcastle, and the famous friar of Robin Hood's band. Nor were such characters ideal. There exists a monition of the Bishop of Durham against irregular churchmen of this class, who associated themselves with Border robbers, and desecrated the holiest offices of the priestly function, by celebrating them for the benefit of thieves, robbers, and murderers, amongst ruins and in caverns of the earth, without regard to canonical form, and with torn and dirty attire, and maimed rites, altogether improper for the occasion.
NOTE TO CHAPTER XLI.
Note J.---Castle of Coningsburgh.
When I last saw this interesting ruin of ancient days, one of the very few remaining examples of Saxon fortification, I was strongly impressed with the desire of tracing out a sort of theory on the subject, which, from some recent acquaintance with the architecture of the ancient Scandinavians, seemed to me peculiarly interesting. I was, however, obliged by circumstances to proceed on my journey, without leisure to take more than a transient view of Coningsburgh. Yet the idea dwells so strongly in my mind, that I feel considerably tempted to write a page or two in detailing at least the outline of my hypothesis, leaving better antiquaries to correct or refute conclusions which are perhaps too hastily drawn.
Those who have visited the Zetland Islands, are familiar with the description of castles called by the inhabitants Burghs; and by the Highlanders---for they are also to be found both in the Western Isles and on the mainland---Duns. Pennant has engraved a view of the famous Dun-Dornadilla in Glenelg; and there are many others, all of them built after a peculiar mode of architecture, which argues a people in the most primitive state of society. The most perfect specimen is that upon the island of Mousa, near to the mainland of Zetland, which is probably in the same state as when inhabited.
It is a single round tower, the wall curving in slightly, and then turning outward again in the form of a dice-box, so that the defenders on the top might the better protect the base. It is formed of rough stones, selected with care, and laid in courses or circles, with much compactness, but without cement of any kind. The tower has never, to appearance, had roofing of any sort; a fire was made in the centre of the space which it encloses, and originally the building was probably little more than a wall drawn as a sort of screen around the great council fire of the tribe. But, although the means or ingenuity of the builders did not extend so far as to provide a roof, they supplied the want by constructing apartments in the interior of the walls of the tower itself. The circumvallation formed a double enclosure, the inner side of which was, in fact, two feet or three feet distant from the other, and connected by a concentric range of long flat stones, thus forming a series of concentric rings or stories of various heights, rising to the top of the tower. Each of these stories or galleries has four windows, facing directly to the points of the compass, and rising of course regularly above each other. These four perpendicular ranges of windows admitted air, and, the fire being kindled, heat, or smoke at least, to each of the galleries. The access from gallery to gallery is equally primitive. A path, on the principle of an inclined plane, turns round and round the building like a screw, and gives access to the different stories, intersecting each of them in its turn, and thus gradually rising to the top of the wall of the tower. On the outside there are no windows; and I may add, that an enclosure of a square, or sometimes a round form, gave the inhabitants of the Burgh an opportunity to secure any sheep or cattle which they might possess.
Such is the general architecture of that very early period when the Northmen swept the seas, and brought to their rude houses, such as I have described them, the plunder of polished nations. In Zetland there are several scores of these Burghs, occupying in every case, capes, headlands, islets, and similar places of advantage singularly well chosen. I remember the remains of one upon an island in a small lake near Lerwick, which at high tide communicates with the sea, the access to which is very ingenious, by means of a causeway or dike, about three or four inches under the surface of the water. This causeway makes a sharp angle in its approach to the Burgh. The inhabitants, doubtless, were well acquainted with this, but strangers, who might approach in a hostile manner, and were ignorant of the curve of the causeway, would probably plunge into the lake, which is six or seven feet in depth at the least. This must have been the device of some Vauban or Cohorn of those early times.
The style of these buildings evinces that the architect possessed neither the art of using lime or cement of any kind, nor the skill to throw an arch, construct a roof, or erect a stair; and yet, with all this ignorance, showed great ingenuity in selecting the situation of Burghs, and regulating the access to them, as well as neatness and regularity in the erection, since the buildings themselves show a style of advance in the arts scarcely consistent with the ignorance of so many of the principal branches of architectural knowledge.
I have always thought, that one of the most curious and valuable objects of antiquaries has been to trace the progress of society, by the efforts made in early ages to improve the rudeness of their first expedients, until they either approach excellence, or, as is more frequently the case, are supplied by new and fundamental discoveries, which supersede both the earlier and ruder system, and the improvements which have been ingrafted upon it. For example, if we conceive the recent discovery of gas to be so much improved and adapted to domestic use, as to supersede all other modes of producing domestic light; we can already suppose, some centuries afterwards, the heads of a whole Society of Antiquaries half turned by the discovery of a pair of patent snuffers, and by the learned theories which would be brought forward to account for the form and purpose of so singular an implement.
Following some such principle, I am inclined to regard the singular Castle of Coningsburgh---I mean the Saxon part of it ---as a step in advance from the rude architecture, if it deserves the name, which must have been common to the Saxons as to other Northmen. The builders had attained the art of using cement, and of roofing a building,---great improvements on the original Burgh. But in the round keep, a shape only seen in the most ancient castles---the chambers excavated in the thickness of the walls and buttresses---the difficulty by which access is gained from one story to those above it, Coningsburgh still retains the simplicity of its origin, and shows by what slow degrees man proceeded from occupying such rude and inconvenient lodgings, as were afforded by the galleries of the Castle of Mousa, to the more splendid accommodations of the Norman castles, with all their stern and Gothic graces.
I am ignorant if these remarks are new, or if they will be confirmed by closer examination; but I think, that, on a hasty observation, Coningsburgh offers means of curious study to those who may wish to trace the history of architecture back to the times preceding the Norman Conquest.
It would be highly desirable that a cork model should be taken of the Castle of Mousa, as it cannot be well understood by a plan.
The Castle of Coningsburgh is thus described:---
"The castle is large, the outer walls standing on a pleasant ascent from the river, but much overtopt by a high hill, on which the town stands, situated at the head of a rich and magnificent vale, formed by an amphitheatre of woody hills, in which flows the gentle Don. Near the castle is a barrow, said to be Hengist's tomb. The entrance is flanked to the left by a round tower, with a sloping base, and there are several similar in the outer wall the entrance has piers of a gate, and on the east side the ditch and bank are double and very steep. On the top of the churchyard wall is a tombstone, on which are cut in high relief, two ravens, or such-like birds. On the south side of the churchyard lies an ancient stone, ridged like a coffin, on which is carved a man on horseback; and another man with a shield encountering a vast winged serpent, and a man bearing a shield behind him. It was probably one of the rude crosses not uncommon in churchyards in this county. See it engraved on the plate of crosses for this volume, plate 14. fig. 1. The name of Coningsburgh, by which this castle goes in the old editions of the Britannia, would lead one to suppose it the residence of the Saxon kings. It afterwards belonged to King Harold. The Conqueror bestowed it on William de Warren, with all its privileges and jurisdiction, which are said to have extended over twenty-eight towns. At the corner of the area, which is of an irregular form, stands the great tower, or keep, placed on a small hill of its own dimensions, on which lies six vast projecting buttresses, ascending in a steep direction to prop and support the building, and continued upwards up the side as turrets. The tower within forms a complete circle, twenty-one feet in diameter, the walls fourteen feet thick. The ascent into the tower is by an exceeding deep flight of steep steps, four feet and a half wide, on the south side leading to a low doorway, over which is a circular arch crossed by a great transom stone. Within this door is the staircase which ascends straight through the thickness of the wall, not communicating with the room on the first floor, in whose centre is the opening to the dungeon. Neither of these lower rooms is lighted except from a hole in the floor of the third story; the room in which, as well as in that above it, is finished with compact smooth stonework, both having chimney-pieces, with an arch resting on triple clustered pillars. In the third story, or guard-chamber, is a small recess with a loop-hole, probably a bedchamber, and in that floor above a niche for a saint or holy-water pot. Mr. King imagines this a Saxon castle of the first ages of the Heptarchy. Mr. Watson thus describes it. From the first floor to the second story, (third from the ground,) is a way by a stair in the wall five feet wide. The next staircase is approached by a ladder, and ends at the fourth story from the ground. Two yards from the door, at the head of this stair, is an opening nearly east, accessible by treading on the ledge of the wall, which diminishes eight inches each story; and this last opening leads into a room or chapel ten feet by twelve, and fifteen or sixteen high, arched with free-stone, and supported by small circular columns of the same, the capitals and arches Saxon. It has an east window, and on each side in the wall, about four feet from the ground, a stone basin with a hole and iron pipe to convey the water into or through the wall. This chapel is one of the buttresses, but no sign of it without, for even the window, though large within, is only a long narrow loop-hole, scarcely to be seen without. On the left side of this chapel is a small oratory, eight by six in the thickness of the wall, with a niche in the wall, and enlightened by a like loop-hole. The fourth stair from the ground, ten feet west from the chapel door, leads to the top of the tower through the thickness of the wall, which at top is but three yards. Each story is about fifteen feet high, so that the tower will be seventy-five feet from the ground. The inside forms a circle, whose diameter may be about twelve feet. The well at the bottom of the dungeon is piled with stones."---Gough's "Edition Of Camden's Britannia". Second Edition, vol. iii. p. 267.

一 护林官
在那个灾难深重的时代,最触目惊心的是“森林法”。这些暴虐的法令是诺曼征服的产物,因为撒克逊人关于狩猎的立法一向是温和而仁慈的;可是威廉热衷于畋猎和有关特权,他在这方面制订的法规残酷专横到了极点、“新森林”(注)的建立便是他这种狂热情绪的证明,那里许多安居乐业的乡村因此变成了一片荒凉的土地;我的朋友威廉•斯图尔特•罗斯对这情形作过真实的描绘;
在教堂的废墟中间,
成了渡鸦深夜栖息的所在,
到处变得满目荒凉;
为了扩大王家猎园,
无情的征服者不顾一切,
摧毁了整个市镇。
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(注)征服者威廉开辟的一个王家猎园,在汉普郡。这个猎园使三十多英里以内的市镇和村庄,以及近四十个教堂,全部夷为平地。
为了保护麋鹿,防止牲口和畜群的侵犯,把牧放家畜的狗割除前爪,可能是必要的,这在当时曾普遍实行,称为使狗“合法化”。后来《森林宪章》为了减轻这种苛政,宣布每三年对狗的合法化进行一次检查,查验工作由司法人员负责,其他人不得参与,检查后应发给证明;未经合法化的狗,其主人应缴纳三先令罚金;此后牛羊等不再进行合法化手续。此类合法化还必须按法定标准进行,即割除三只前爪,但不切除右足的拇趾。
二 黑奴
有些苛刻的批评家,对布里恩•布瓦吉贝尔那些奴隶的肤色提出了异议,认为这完全不符合他们的服饰和身分。我记得,我的朋友马修•刘易斯(注)在他的《鬼堡》中,把阴险的男爵身边的卫士和坏蛋写成了黑皮肤的人,也遭到过同样的指责。马修根本不把这些挑剔放在眼里,理直气壮地答道,他把这些奴隶写成黑皮肤,是为了取得鲜明的对照效果;如果他觉得把女主角写成蓝皮肤,可以获得同样的效果,他也会把她写成蓝皮肤的女人。
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(注)马修•刘易斯(1775—1818),英国小说家和剧作家,风格接近哥特式恐怖小说。《鬼堡》是他的一个剧本。
我并不认为,写书的人都可以这么随心所欲,但我也不认为,现代历史小说的作者写到的一切,必须绝对符合他所描写的那个时代中存在过的情形,这样他的描写才是合理的,自然的,才不致违背那个时代的风貌。根据这样的观点,圣殿骑士由于经常与亚洲的武士战斗,因而模仿这些人的奢靡作风,把俘获的非洲人变成自己的奴隶,让他们为自己当差,不是很自然的吗?我认为,即使没有明确的证据,证明他们曾这么做,那么反过来说,也没有证据可以让我们得出相反的结论,说他们从未这么做过。何况在传奇故事中也有过一个先例。
兰帕扬的约翰是一个出色的魔术师和行吟诗人,为了搭救一个名叫奥杜尔夫•德布拉西的人逃出囚禁他的王宫,曾自告奋勇乔装改扮去谒见国王。为此目的,他“把他的头发和整个身子都涂得墨黑,除了牙齿全身没有一处是白的”,终于骗过了国王,相信他是埃塞俄比亚的行吟歌手。他便略施计谋,使被囚禁的人逃出了牢笼。由此可见,在中世纪,英国已经知道有黑人的存在。(见里特森(注)的《古代诗体故事》。)
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(注)约瑟夫•里特森(1752—1803),英国古诗研究者。
三 斯坦福德战役
本书前几版中出现过一个地理上的重大错误。哈罗德国王打败他的兄弟托斯蒂格及其同盟者丹麦人或挪威人的那场血战,在书中和相应的注中被说成是在林肯郡的斯坦福德,在韦兰德河边进行的。这是作者单凭记忆造成的错误,把同样名称的两个地方混为一谈了。真正发生这场战争的斯坦福德,是在德文特河边一个渡口附近,离约克城大约九英里,位在这个富饶的大郡境内。德文特河上从前有一座很长的木桥,好奇的旅行者仍可看到它残留的一个桥墩,这便是它的位置,桥上当时曾发生过激战。一个挪威兵曾独自在那里守卫了很久,最后才被一个长熗手驾舟从桥下刺穿木板后刺死。
德文特河边的城堡斯坦福德一带,还留有这次战争的一些遗迹。那里时常会发现残留的马蹄铁、剑、战钺的头等等;有个地方名为“丹麦井”,还有个地方名为“战地”。这些情况在德雷克的《约克郡史》中有详细记载。这次战事发生在1066年。
四 酷刑
这种骇人听闻的酷刑,可使读者想起西班牙为了追查考乌特莫克(注1)隐藏的财产,对他所做的一切。但是事实上,类似的暴虐行为也可以在我们这儿找到,玛丽女王(注2)时代的编年史中,便记载了许多这类例子。每个读者想必还记得,在天主教会没落,长老会取得合法的统治地位以后,主教和修道院长等等头衔,尤其是财产,不再授予教士,教会的收益由俗人代管,根据苏格兰的法律,这些人称为教会财产的挂名代理人,并不享有前任的宗教权利。
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(注1)考乌特莫克(1495—1552),墨西哥阿兹特克人的末代皇帝。十五世纪西班牙人侵入该地区后,考乌特莫克被俘;为了追查阿兹特克人隐藏财物的地点,西班牙人对他滥施酷刑,最后把他折磨致死。
(注2)十六世纪的苏格兰女王。下面所叙述的事都发生在十六世纪苏格兰宗教改革运动时期。
这些享有教会收益的俗人,有的是出身高贵的大贵族,如担任圣安德鲁斯修道院长的著名的詹姆斯•斯图亚特勋爵,这些人能把教会的租金、土地和收益据为己有。但在另一种情况下,代理人地位较低,他们是在某些有力人物的支持下,担任这类职务的,因此一般说,新的修道院长必须考虑恩主的利益,把教会的土地和什一税出让和租借给自已的保护人,以致大部分收益落入后者之手。这便是他们被戏称为空头主教的来源,因为这些人只是徒有虚名,树立他们的地位只是使他们的庇护人和主人,得以在他们的名义下榨取教产的实际利益。
然而也有另一类情况,有些得到教会财产代管权的俗人,企图为自己保留这些利益,但又没有足够的力量保障他们的意图;结果这些人不论如何不愿向当地的封建霸主屈服,往往无法保护他们自己。
约翰•诺克斯(注1)的秘书班纳坦,详细描述了一个独特的事例,说明艾尔郡的卡酉利斯伯爵如何对一个挂名修道院长施加压力;这位伯爵在当地拥有十分强大的封建势力,以致通常被称为“卡里克国王”(注2)。这里引用班纳坦在《大事记》中的叙述,它题为“卡西利斯伯爵对一个活人实施的暴行”:
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(注1)约翰•诺克斯(约1513—1572)苏格兰宗教改革家,长者会的创始人。
(注2)艾尔都是苏格兰古代的一个郡,卡里克是其中的一个区。
“阿伦•斯图尔特公子利用玛丽女王朝廷的腐败,取得了克罗斯拉格尔修道院长的职位。上述伯爵认为他在该地区比任何国王都大,决定要把教会的全部收益攫为己有;为了满足他贪得无厌的欲望,他便想出了这么一个办法。当阿伦先生正与巴格尼勋爵在一起时,伯爵和他的朋友们诱使他离开了勋爵的保护,前去与他们一起寻欢作乐。这个单纯而不谨慎的少爷就此落进了陷阱;他先与伯爵的舅父托马斯•肯尼迪在迈博尔玩了几天,然后随他的一些朋友,游览了克罗斯拉格尔一带地方。这些活动伯爵显然都是知道的,他决定就在这时把他早已计划好的暴行付之实施。于是他作为当地的土皇帝,拘留了阿伦先生,把他带往迪努尔的一所房子里,并在一段时间里对他十分优待。但是几天过去了,伯爵并未能按照他自己的要求,获得克罗斯拉格尔的租赁权,于是他决定用另一种款待方式达到他的目的。阿伦先生给带进了一间密室,除了高贵的伯爵,还有一些仆人在那里侍候。屋里有一只很大的铁炉子,炉里生着火,并无其他设备。第一道程序是:‘修道院长阁下,’伯爵说,‘你最好承认,你是自愿来到这里与我作伴的,因为你不能让自己落进别人手里。’修道院长答道:‘那么,伯爵,你是要我公开说谎,取得你的欢心?事实是,阁下,我是被迫来到这儿的,我也根本不想与你待在一起。’伯爵答道:‘但目前你必须与我待在一起。’修道院长答道:‘那是因为我在这里无法违抗你的愿望和要求。’伯爵说道:‘那么你就得照我的话做。’他随即拿出了几份文件要他签字,其中有一张五年期的租赁契约,一张十九年的租赁契约,一张租用克罗斯拉格尔全部上地的凭证,从它们的所有条款看,伯爵是早应该下地狱的;因为如果通奸、读圣、压迫、野蛮的暴行、盗窃等等,应该在地狱中受到惩罚,那么卡里克国王已经可以在地狱中永世不得翻身了。
“那以后,伯爵发现对方不肯就范,他无法用和平的手段达到目的,于是命令那些仆人动手,准备新的‘筵席’:首先,他们剥掉了羊的皮,那就是剥掉了修道院长所有的外衣和内衣,然后把他绑在炉子上——腿在一头,手臂在另一头,接着便开始加大火力,有时烤他的臀部,有时烤他的腿,有时烤他的肩膀和手臂;为了使这种烤炙不致变成燃烧,又不致停顿,他们不断在他身上浇油。这个可怜的人给塞住了嘴巴,因此无法让人听到他的喊叫。也许杀害达恩利(注)的凶手在这里参加指导。那个倒霉的家伙在这种酷刑下,不时大喊看在上帝分上,请他们还是快些杀死他吧,因为他口袋里还有不少金币,足够买炸药来缩短他的痛苦。最后著名的卡里克王觉得已烤得够了,于是命令手下的人把他从火上移开,然后由伯爵亲自开导他:‘圣母保佑吧,你是我见过的最固执的人,要是我早知道你这么难对付,哪怕给我一干金镑,我也不想跟你打交道;这种事以前我还从没遇到过。’然而不到两天,他又故伎重演了,这样,直至达到了预定的目的才罢休,那只烤焦一半的手签署了他提交的所有文件。这以后伯爵离开了迪努尔,把烧成半焦的修道院长交由手下的人看管。巴格尼勋爵得知修道院长被扣留后(他还不知道他受酷刑的事),向朝廷提出了控告,并进行了营救,但是伯爵不予理睬,因而被宣布为叛逆,然而这丝毫也无济于事,因为当时教会既不受尊敬,政府的地位也不稳固。”后来这事如何了结,再也无人提起,可是卡西利斯家始终保持着克罗斯拉格尔的大部分收益。
我还可以附带说一句,根据我所掌握的一些文件,苏格兰边境地区的
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(注)玛丽女王的丈夫,夫妇不和,不久达恩利即被暗杀,原因不明。官员对犯人实施酷刑,以至绑在火炉上烧烤的事,已司空见惯。
五 纹章
作者在这一点上受到了指责,认为他的描写违反了纹章学的规则。然而应该知道,在十字军时期,纹章还初具雏形;这门光怪陆离的学问的一切细节,都是随着时间的进展逐步形成的,直到很久以后它们才得以确立。不认识这点,无异是把纹章学想象成与女战神雅典娜一样(注),是全身披挂好了来到世上的。
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(注)据希腊神话,女战神雅典娜是主神宙斯的女儿。一天,宙斯突然感到头疼,命令火神劈开他的脑袋,雅典娜便跳了出来,那时她已全身披戴盔甲,像一个战士一样。
六 乌尔莉加的死前之歌
对于考古学家们说来,很清楚,乌尔莉加的这首死前之歌,是模仿古代斯堪的纳维亚行吟诗人的古朴诗歌的。盎格鲁一撒克逊人在接受文明和皈依基督教后,他们吟唱的诗歌取得了另一种性质,调子也比较柔和了。但乌尔莉加在当时的环境中,采用她的祖先在异教时代所运用的粗野曲调,应该说还是很自然的。
七 狮心王理查
如果在民间传说中,理查的性格没有遭到歪曲,那么他与快活的教士的这场拳击比赛,不是完全不可能的。有一则十分离奇的说唱诗歌,是以理查在圣地的冒险活动,以及他从那里回国的经历为题材的。它便记载了他在德国被囚禁时期,怎样与一个人进行这种拳击比赛的事。他的对手是负责看管他的狱吏的儿子,小伙子不知天高地厚,竟向理查挑战,要与他一比高下。国王像一个真正的人那样应战了,他受到的一拳使他的身子晃动了一下。在还击时,他先把蜡涂了手(我相信,这办法现代的拳击爱好者还不知道),一拳出去这么有力,似乎要把对方当场打死。见埃利斯编的《英国早期传奇诗歌范例》中有关狮心工的部分(注)。
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(注)乔治•埃利斯(1753—1815),英国的古诗研究者,司各特的好友。《英国早期诗歌范例》是他的有名著作。
八 草包教士
奇怪的是在任何社会团体中,都能找到为人提供精神安慰的教士,尽管这些团体的目的与宗教风马牛不相关。一群乞丐有他们自己的草包教士,亚平宁山脉中的土匪也有各自的修士和教士,替大家举行忏悔仪式和祈祷活动。毫无疑问,在这样的生活圈子中,这些教士必须改变他们的行为方式和道德准则,适应他们所生活的那个团体的需要。如果说他们有时也能获得一定程度的尊敬,被认为具有神灵性质,那么在大多数场合,他们只能得到无情的嘲笑,因为他们与周围的人具有不同的身分。
古代剧本《约翰•奥尔德卡斯尔爵士》(注)中那个好斗的教士,罗宾汉手下的这个著名修士,都是这类人。这些人物也并非完全出自虚构。有一篇达勒姆主教的告诫文,便是指责这些不合常规的教士的;它说他们与边境地区的盗匪混在一起,污辱了他们所担负的神圣的宗教职责,不顾宗教仪式的庄严性质,穿着破旧和肮脏的衣服,在荒野和山洞中为盗贼、强人和凶杀犯祈祷和唱赞美诗。
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(注)英国的一个古剧本,发表于1600年,作者不详,曾被误认为莎士比亚的作品。
九 洛克斯利
从关于罗宾汉的民谣中,我们知道,这个著名的绿林大盗有时乔装改扮,化名为洛克斯利,据说这是他出生的乡村的名字,但它的地理位置并不清楚。里特森认为,它可能在德比郡或肯特,也可能在诺丁汉。
十 科宁斯堡
古代的这一有趣废墟是撒克逊筑城学残留的极少例子之一,我上次看到它时,它给我留下了深刻的印象,使我非常想从最近发现的古代斯堪的纳维亚建筑的角度,对它的建造理论进行一些探索。然而由于当时在旅途中我急于离开那里,没有工夫对它作较深入的观察。但这个想法一直停留在我的心中,我总想至少就我的假设的要点,作些较详细的阐述,以便把我粗略的构想就正于更有研究的考古家,或者接受他们的批评。
访问过设得兰群岛的人,都熟知当地居民和高地人所描述的这类城堡。彭南特(注)曾为著名的多纳迪拉城堡雕刻过一幅风景;还有许多城堡都具有特殊的建筑方式,说明当时的人还生活在原始的状态。最完整的标本应该是设得兰的梅恩兰岛附近穆萨岛上的一所城堡,它也许仍保持着当初有人居住时的状态。
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(注)托马斯•彭南特(172—1798),英国博物学家、考古家和旅行家,著有《苏格兰游记》等。
这是一个独立的圆形塔楼,墙壁略呈弧形,然后又向外弯曲,使它的形状有些像骰子匣,守卫在堡顶的人可以较好地保卫底部。它是用经过挑选的粗石块,一圈圈或一层层堆砌而成,非常结实,但还不知道使用水泥之类的胶合材料。从外形看,塔楼上从未建造过屋顶;圈在墙内的广场中心是生篝火的,也许它最早只是在部族的大烽烟周围建造的一种屏障。不过,尽管建造者当时还没有想到要修建屋顶,他们在墙壁内部却开辟了房间。于是这堵围墙就成了夹层墙,内圈离外圈事实上有二、三英尺之远,两者由一排排长石板构成的同心圆圈联结,这样形成了高度不同的一个个同心圆环,直至塔楼顶端。这些楼面或回廊每层都有四个窗户,面对罗盘上的四个方向,它们当然彼此重叠,位在一直线上。这垂直的四行窗户可以流通空气,升火的时候,也可输入热气,至少是烟雾。这各层之间的通道同样是极原始的,它由倾斜的阶梯构成,在各层之间以螺旋形盘旋而上,各层有一出口,逐渐通至塔楼楼顶。城堡的外墙没有任何窗户,围墙内的广场可以是方形,也可以是圆形,居住者在那里饲养牛羊,可保不致丢失。
北欧人早期靠在海上劫掠为生的时候,便住在这样的城堡中,当时他们还不知道使用任何种类的石灰或胶泥,也不懂得如何建造屋顶等等。后来随着各种新的建筑材料的应用和建筑方法的改进,他们的居住条件才逐步改善。我认为,后来的诺曼城堡,便是在这个基础上演变而成。根据这个观点,我把科宁斯堡这个独特的城堡,看作这过程中的一个阶段,它与穆萨岛的那种圆形塔楼,有一定的渊源关系。
关于科宁斯堡,卡姆登(注)在《不列颠志》中是这么描写的:
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(注)威廉•卡姆登(1551—1623),英国文物研究者,历史学家。《不列颠志》是英国第一部综合性地理志,卡姆登最著名的一部著作,最早出版于1586年,后多次再版,并逐步修正。
“城堡很大,外墙耸立在河边一片风光明媚的斜坡上,但后面市镇所在的高山比它高得多。这是在一个富饶而美丽的峡谷口上,周围是树木葱宠的山丘,形成了一片盆地,唐河在那里缓缓流过。城堡附近有一个古墓,据说为亨吉斯特的陵寝。人口处左侧残留着一个圆塔,塔基呈斜坡形,外墙边还有几个类似的圆塔。入口的大门有石框,东边有双重的沟渠和河堤,非常陡峭。教堂院子围墙顶上有一块墓碑,碑上刻的深浮雕是两只渡鸦之类的鸟。教堂院子南边有一大块古石,像棺木一样突出在地面,石上刻着一个骑马的人;另一个持盾的人正在与一条长翅膀的巨蛇搏斗,它后面还有一个拿盾的人。这可能是该郡墓地上常见的那种粗糙十字架的残余……《不列颠志》的前几版都把这城堡称为科宁斯堡,因而被认为是撒克逊国王们的住地。它后来属于哈罗德国王。征服者威廉把它赐给了诺曼巨子……这块地方的形状是不规则的,在它的一角是一个大塔楼,它位在与它同样面积的小山丘上,城堡墙上有六个突出的大扶壁,它们像峭壁一般支撑和扶持着整个建筑,并一直向上延伸,形成了一些塔楼。主楼里面构成了一个圆形广场,直径为二十一英尺,墙壁厚十四英尺。进入城堡的台阶非常高,又非常陡,宽四英尺半,从南边通向一扇矮门,门上有大石块交叉构成的圆形拱顶。进门便是楼梯,它十分狭窄,从厚实的墙壁中通过,但不能通往二楼,二楼中央有一个洞,与底层的地牢沟通。下面这两层的光线全来自三层地面上的一个洞,那里的屋子与上面几层一样,都是用磨光的硬石板建成,每间都有壁炉,支在石三角架上。第三层或称警卫室,那里有一个小套间,墙上开着狭长的透光孔,这可能是卧室,这层墙上还有一个壁龛,是放圣像或圣水盘的。金氏认为,这便是七国时代初期的撒克逊城堡。对这城堡沃森先生是这么描写的:从二楼到三楼得靠墙内五英尺宽的楼梯上下,这楼梯又通过一个小梯子与上一层楼梯连接,进入第四层。在这层楼梯顶端,离门两码远,靠近东边有一个出口,可以经过墙边的过道到达那里,这些墙壁的厚度每层都缩小八英寸。这最后一个出口通向一间屋子,那是城堡的小礼拜堂,它十二英尺长,十英尺宽,十五、六英尺高,有石造拱顶,由一些小圆石柱支撑,它们都带有撒克逊时代的特征。屋内东边有一扇窗,墙两边离地四英寸处有一个石盆,盆中有一小孔,一根铁管通过墙壁从外面引入清水。这屋子位在扶壁内,但外面没有任何痕迹,因为窗户里边虽较大,外边只是一条狭长的小孔,几乎不易发现。小礼拜堂的左边是一间小祈祷室,它八英尺宽,六英尺深,也位在墙内,墙上有一神龛,靠同样的透光孔照明。第四层楼梯在小礼拜堂门西首十英尺处,它通向塔楼顶层,这里的墙壁仅三码厚。城堡的每层大约十五英尺高,因此整个城堡离地面约七十五英尺。它里面形成了一个圆形场下,直径大约十二英尺。地牢底部的深坑堆满了石块。”



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