When did I see thee so put down?
Twelfth Night.
Several knocks, as from the knuckles2 of an iron glove, were given to the door of the cottage, and a voice was heard entreating3 shelter from the storm for a traveller who had lost his way. Robin4 arose and went to the door.
“What are you?” said Robin.
“A soldier,” replied the voice: “an unfortunate adherent5 of Longchamp, flying the vengeance6 of Prince John.”
“Are you alone?” said Robin.
“Yes,” said the voice: “it is a dreadful night. Hospitable7 cottagers, pray give me admittance. I would not have asked it but for the storm. I would have kept my watch in the woods.”
“That I believe,” said Robin. “You did not reckon on the storm when you turned into this pass. Do you know there are rogues8 this way?”
“I do,” said the voice.
“So do I,” said Robin.
A pause ensued, during which Robin listening attentively9 caught a faint sound of whispering.
“You are not alone,” said Robin. “Who are your companions?”
“None but the wind and the water,” said the voice, “and I would I had them not.”
“The wind and the water have many voices,” said Robin, “but I never before heard them say, What shall we do?”
Another pause ensued: after which,
“Look ye, master cottager,” said the voice, in an altered tone, “if you do not let us in willingly, we will break down the door.”
“Ho! ho!” roared the baron10, “you are become plural11 are you, rascals12? How many are there of you, thieves? What, I warrant, you thought to rob and murder a poor harmless cottager and his wife, and did not dream of a garrison13? You looked for no weapon of opposition14 but spit, poker15, and basting16 ladle, wielded17 by unskilful hands: but, rascals, here is short sword and long cudgel in hands well tried in war, wherewith you shall be drilled into cullenders and beaten into mummy.”
No reply was made, but furious strokes from without resounded19 upon the door. Robin, Marian, and the baron threw by their pilgrim’s attire20, and stood in arms on the defensive21. They were provided with swords, and the cottager gave them bucklers and helmets, for all Robin’s haunts were furnished with secret armouries. But they kept their swords sheathed22, and the baron wielded a ponderous23 spear, which he pointed24 towards the door ready to run through the first that should enter, and Robin and Marian each held a bow with the arrow drawn25 to its head and pointed in the same direction. The cottager flourished a strong cudgel (a weapon in the use of which he prided himself on being particularly expert), and the wife seized the spit from the fireplace, and held it as she saw the baron hold his spear. The storm of wind and rain continued to beat on the roof and the casement26, and the storm of blows to resound18 upon the door, which at length gave way with a violent crash, and a cluster of armed men appeared without, seemingly not less than twelve. Behind them rolled the stream now changed from a gentle and shallow river to a mighty27 and impetuous torrent28, roaring in waves of yellow foam29, partially30 reddened by the light that streamed through the open door, and turning up its convulsed surface in flashes of shifting radiance from restless masses of half-visible shadow. The stepping-stones, by which the intruders must have crossed, were buried under the waters. On the opposite bank the light fell on the stems and boughs31 of the rock-rooted oak and ash tossing and swaying in the blast, and sweeping32 the flashing spray with their leaves.
The instant the door broke, Robin and Marian loosed their arrows. Robin’s arrow struck one of the assailants in the juncture33 of the shoulder, and disabled his right arm: Marian’s struck a second in the juncture of the knee, and rendered him unserviceable; for the night. The baron’s long spear struck on the mailed breastplate of a third, and being stretched to its full extent by the long-armed hero, drove him to the edge of the torrent, and plunged34 him into its eddies35, along which he was whirled down the darkness of the descending36 stream, calling vainly on his comrades for aid, till his voice was lost in the mingled37 roar of the waters and the wind. A fourth springing through the door was laid prostrate38 by the cottager’s cudgel: but the wife being less dexterous39 than her company, though an Amazon in strength, missed her pass at a fifth, and drove the point of the spit several inches into the right hand door-post as she stood close to the left, and thus made a new barrier which the invaders40 could not pass without dipping under it and submitting their necks to the sword: but one of the assailants seizing it with gigantic rage, shook it at once from the grasp of its holder41 and from its lodgment in the post, and at the same time made good the irruption of the rest of his party into the cottage.
Now raged an unequal combat, for the assailants fell two to one on Robin, Marian, the baron, and the cottager; while the wife, being deprived of her spit, converted every thing that was at hand to a missile, and rained pots, pans, and pipkins on the armed heads of the enemy. The baron raged like a tiger, and the cottager laid about him like a thresher. One of the soldiers struck Robin’s sword from his hand and brought him on his knee, when the boy, who had been roused by the tumult42 and had been peeping through the inner door, leaped forward in his shirt, picked up the sword and replaced it in Robin’s hand, who instantly springing up, disarmed43 and wounded one of his antagonists44, while the other was laid prostrate under the dint45 of a brass46 cauldron launched by the Amazonian dame47. Robin now turned to the aid of Marian, who was parrying most dexterously48 the cuts and slashes49 of her two assailants, of whom Robin delivered her from one, while a well-applied blow of her sword struck off the helmet of the other, who fell on his knees to beg a boon50, and she recognised Sir Ralph Montfaucon. The men who were engaged with the baron and the peasant, seeing their leader subdued51, immediately laid down their arms and cried for quarter. The wife brought some strong rope, and the baron tied their arms behind them.
“Now, Sir Ralph,” said Marian, “once more you are at my mercy.”
“That I always am, cruel beauty,” said the discomfited52 lover.
“Odso! courteous53 knight,” said the baron, “is this the return you make for my beef and canary, when you kissed my daughter’s hand in token of contrition54 for your intermeddling at her wedding? Heart, I am glad to see she has given you a bloody55 coxcomb56. Slice him down, Mawd! slice him down, and fling him into the river.”
“Confess,” said Marian, “what brought you here, and how did you trace our steps?”
“I will confess nothing,” said the knight.
“Then confess you, rascal,” said the baron, holding his sword to the throat of the captive squire57.
“Take away the sword,” said the squire, “it is too near my mouth, and my voice will not come out for fear: take away the sword, and I will confess all.” The baron dropped his sword, and the squire proceeded; “Sir Ralph met you, as you quitted Lady Falkland’s castle, and by representing to her who you were, borrowed from her such a number of her retainers as he deemed must ensure your capture, seeing that your familiar the friar was not at your elbow. We set forth58 without delay, and traced you first by means of a peasant who saw you turn into this valley, and afterwards by the light from the casement of this solitary59 dwelling60. Our design was to have laid an ambush61 for you in the morning, but the storm and your observation of my unlucky face through the casement made us change our purpose; and what followed you can tell better than I can, being indeed masters of the subject.”
“You are a merry knave,” said the baron, “and here is a cup of wine for you.”
“Gramercy,” said the squire, “and better late than never: but I lacked a cup of this before. Had I been pot-valiant, I had held you play.”
“Sir knight,” said Marian, “this is the third time you have sought the life of my lord and of me, for mine is interwoven with his. And do you think me so spiritless as to believe that I can be yours by compulsion? Tempt62 me not again, for the next time shall be the last, and the fish of the nearest river shall commute63 the flesh of a recreant64 knight into the fast-day dinner of an uncarnivorous friar. I spare you now, not in pity but in scorn. Yet shall you swear to a convention never more to pursue or molest65 my lord or me, and on this condition you shall live.”
The knight had no alternative but to comply, and swore, on the honour of knighthood, to keep the convention inviolate66. How well he kept his oath we shall have no opportunity of narrating67: Di lui la nostra istoria piu non parla.
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
knight
|
|
| n.骑士，武士；爵士 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
knuckles
|
|
| n.（指人）指关节( knuckle的名词复数 )；（指动物）膝关节，踝v.（指人）指关节( knuckle的第三人称单数 )；（指动物）膝关节，踝 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
entreating
|
|
| 恳求，乞求( entreat的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
robin
|
|
| n.知更鸟，红襟鸟 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
adherent
|
|
| n.信徒，追随者，拥护者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
vengeance
|
|
| n.报复，报仇，复仇 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
hospitable
|
|
| adj.好客的；宽容的；有利的，适宜的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
rogues
|
|
| n.流氓( rogue的名词复数 )；无赖；调皮捣蛋的人；离群的野兽 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
attentively
|
|
| adv.聚精会神地；周到地；谛；凝神 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
baron
|
|
| n.男爵；(商业界等)巨头，大王 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
plural
|
|
| n.复数；复数形式；adj.复数的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
rascals
|
|
| 流氓( rascal的名词复数 )； 无赖； （开玩笑说法）淘气的人（尤指小孩）； 恶作剧的人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
garrison
|
|
| n.卫戍部队；驻地，卫戍区；vt.派(兵)驻防 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
opposition
|
|
| n.反对，敌对 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
poker
|
|
| n.扑克；vt.烙制 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
basting
|
|
| n.疏缝；疏缝的针脚；疏缝用线；涂油v.打( baste的现在分词 )；粗缝；痛斥；（烤肉等时）往上抹[浇]油 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
wielded
|
|
| 手持着使用（武器、工具等）( wield的过去式和过去分词 )； 具有； 运用（权力）； 施加（影响） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
resound
|
|
| v.回响 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
resounded
|
|
| v.（指声音等）回荡于某处( resound的过去式和过去分词 )；产生回响；（指某处）回荡着声音 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
attire
|
|
| v.穿衣，装扮[同]array；n.衣着；盛装 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
defensive
|
|
| adj.防御的；防卫的；防守的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
sheathed
|
|
| adj.雕塑像下半身包在鞘中的；覆盖的；铠装的；装鞘了的v.将（刀、剑等）插入鞘( sheathe的过去式和过去分词 )；包，覆盖 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
ponderous
|
|
| adj.沉重的，笨重的，(文章)冗长的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
pointed
|
|
| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
drawn
|
|
| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
casement
|
|
| n.竖铰链窗；窗扉 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
mighty
|
|
| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
torrent
|
|
| n.激流，洪流；爆发，(话语等的)连发 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
foam
|
|
| v./n.泡沫，起泡沫 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
partially
|
|
| adv.部分地，从某些方面讲 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
boughs
|
|
| 大树枝( bough的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
sweeping
|
|
| adj.范围广大的，一扫无遗的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
juncture
|
|
| n.时刻，关键时刻，紧要关头 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
plunged
|
|
| v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
eddies
|
|
| （水、烟等的）漩涡，涡流( eddy的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
descending
|
|
| n. 下行 adj. 下降的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
mingled
|
|
| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
prostrate
|
|
| v.拜倒，平卧，衰竭；adj.拜倒的，平卧的，衰竭的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
dexterous
|
|
| adj.灵敏的；灵巧的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
invaders
|
|
| 入侵者，侵略者，侵入物( invader的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
holder
|
|
| n.持有者，占有者；(台，架等)支持物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
tumult
|
|
| n.喧哗；激动，混乱；吵闹 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
disarmed
|
|
| v.裁军( disarm的过去式和过去分词 )；使息怒 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
antagonists
|
|
| 对立[对抗] 者，对手，敌手( antagonist的名词复数 )； 对抗肌； 对抗药 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
dint
|
|
| n.由于，靠；凹坑 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
brass
|
|
| n.黄铜；黄铜器，铜管乐器 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
dame
|
|
| n.女士 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
dexterously
|
|
| adv.巧妙地，敏捷地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
slashes
|
|
| n.（用刀等）砍( slash的名词复数 )；（长而窄的）伤口；斜杠；撒尿v.挥砍( slash的第三人称单数 )；鞭打；割破；削减 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
boon
|
|
| n.恩赐，恩物，恩惠 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
subdued
|
|
| adj. 屈服的，柔和的，减弱的 动词subdue的过去式和过去分词 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
discomfited
|
|
| v.使为难( discomfit的过去式和过去分词)；使狼狈；使挫折；挫败 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
courteous
|
|
| adj.彬彬有礼的，客气的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
contrition
|
|
| n.悔罪，痛悔 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
bloody
|
|
| adj.非常的的；流血的；残忍的；adv.很；vt.血染 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
56
coxcomb
|
|
| n.花花公子 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
57
squire
|
|
| n.护卫, 侍从, 乡绅 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
58
forth
|
|
| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
59
solitary
|
|
| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
60
dwelling
|
|
| n.住宅，住所，寓所 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
61
ambush
|
|
| n.埋伏(地点)；伏兵；v.埋伏；伏击 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
62
tempt
|
|
| vt.引诱，勾引，吸引，引起…的兴趣 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
63
commute
|
|
| vi.乘车上下班；vt.减(刑)；折合；n.上下班交通 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
64
recreant
|
|
| n.懦夫；adj.胆怯的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
65
molest
|
|
| vt.骚扰，干扰，调戏 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
66
inviolate
|
|
| adj.未亵渎的，未受侵犯的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
67
narrating
|
|
| v.故事( narrate的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |