AND HOW HE ONCE MORE BEHELD1 SIR BEVIS AND HIS
COMPANIONS.
Amid the thunder of cannon2, the ringing of bells, the beating of drums, the braying3 of trumpets5, the clash of cymbals6, the waving of scarves and kerchiefs, accompanied by joyous7 acclamations, Philip entered Southampton by the Water-gate.
Bending lowly in return for the clamorous8 welcome given him by the occupants of the gallery adjoining the gate, the Prince continued to bow gracefully9 right and left as he rode slowly up the street. Philip was never seen to greater advantage than on horse-back, and his stately figure now commanded universal admiration10. As he went on, he descried11 many a comely12 damsel at the windows, but she he most desired to behold13 was not visible.
Passing through the triumphal arch reared across the streets, which, now that it was completed, had a charming effect, he dismounted at the Gothic porch of Holyrood Church, near which the English nobles were ranged to receive him.
Internally, the church presented an imposing14 appearance, being richly decorated for the occasion. The aisles15 were densely16 crowded, but the broad nave17 was kept clear, and along it a crimson18 cloth was stretched. The pillars were also covered with embroidered19 cloths, and ornamented20 with paintings. Superb vessels21 of gold and silver, chalices22, reliquaries 86and pixes, decked the altar, above which stood an image of the Virgin23, then but newly set up. Large tapers24 burnt on either side. Priests and deacons in their stoles, with white-robed choristers and incense-bearers, filled the chantry.
As Philip, preceded by the Bishop25 of Cuen?a and Father de Castro, and followed by a splendid train of English and Spanish nobles, marched along the nave, the priests advanced to meet him, while the air was filled with fragrance27. At the same time the roof resounded28 with jubilant symphonies. A large velvet29 cushion had been placed on the right of the altar for the Prince, and on this he knelt down, while the English and Spanish nobles grouped themselves on either side. Mass was then solemnised, the Bishop of Cuen?a and Father de Castro officiating with the English priests.
On issuing from the church, Philip was greeted with loud acclamations from the crowd, which he graciously acknowledged. Mounting his jennet, and attended by a gallant30 train, consisting of the English and Spanish nobles, he proceeded along High Street towards the Bar-gate, where he was told by the Earl of Arundel that a pageant31 awaited him.
The same manifestations32 of popular satisfaction that had hitherto attended him continued during this part of his course, and no untoward33 incident occurred to mar26 the general harmony.
On approaching the Bar-gate, Philip perceived beneath its archway the gigantic Sir Bevis of Southampton, armed as he had appeared on the previous night, and seated on his mighty34 charger Arundel. Royal Canute was stationed on the right of the puissant35 champion, and savage36 Ascapart on the left. Behind were the Moorish37 kings.
Thus placed, the gigantic figures had a very picturesque38 effect, and harmonised well with the ancient structure. A trumpet4 being sounded, a fancifully-attired40 dwarf41 issued from a postern in one of the flanking towers, and strutted42 towards the Prince.
“Who art thou, and what is thy business?” demanded Philip, as the dwarf made him a very ceremonious obeisance43.
“My name may perchance have reached your Highness’s 87ears,” replied the mannikin, proudly. “I am called Sir Narcissus le Grand, and am one—perchance not the least distinguished—of her Majesty44’s attendants.”
“I am aware that her Majesty has a dwarf to divert her,” replied the Prince, laughing. “But I fancied the diminutive45 valet’s name differed from thine.”
“There is no other dwarf but myself in her Majesty’s household,” returned the mannikin. “Before I received the honour of knighthood, I was called Xit, and I am still occasionally so designated by those who are on familiar terms with me.”
“That name has brevity to recommend it, and therefore suits thee better than the other,” observed the Prince.
“Nay, an your Highness thinks so, I am ready to resume the appellation47. Xit is a name of which I have no reason to be ashamed, seeing I have ever borne it with honour. Perchance your Highness designs some distinction for me. The Cross of Santiago, or the Toison d’Or, would not be ill bestowed48.”
“By Saint Anthony! a modest proposition!” exclaimed Philip. “I marvel49 thou dost not ask to be made a grandee50 of the first class.”
“That is indeed my ambition,” replied Xit. “I shall then be privileged to remain covered in your Highness’s presence, like the proud lords I see yonder. But, though dazzled by the thought, I must not forget the business in hand, which is to acquaint your Highness that the Knight46 of Southampton, the redoubted Sir Bevis, with his slave Ascapart, and the regal Canute, all of whom you behold under yon archway, welcome you to England, and shout with me ‘God save Prince Philip!’”
“God save Prince Philip!” vociferated the three giants in concert.
“Thanks for the welcome,” replied Philip. “Your pageant is good, but it lacks its chief character. Where is the Princess Josyan?—she should be with Sir Bevis.”
“Highness,” said Xit, somewhat embarrassed, “there are two princesses, and since they cannot agree as to which shall take precedence, it was deemed best that neither should appear. They are within the Bar-gate. If you desire it, they can be summoned.”
88“Bring forth52 the youngest and fairest of them,” rejoined Philip.
Xit bowed, and hastened to execute the Prince’s command.
In another instant he reappeared, leading by the hand a comely young damsel, attired in a kirtle of green velvet, and having a glittering caul on her head, in whom Philip was at no loss to recognise the captive made by Sir Bevis on the previous night. A bright blush suffused53 her cheeks, serving to heighten the effect of her charms, but otherwise she did not seem much abashed54, but tripped gaily55 with her little conductor towards the Prince.
“Highness,” said Xit, as he presented her, “in this damsel, ordinarily known as Lilias Ringwood, you behold the Princess Josyan.”
Scarcely were the words uttered, than a lattice, immediately above the central arch of the Bar-gate, was thrown open, and an angry female face appeared.
“’Tis false!” screamed Lady le Grand, for she it was—“’tis false, I say! I am the real Princess Josyan, and no one shall usurp56 the part. I am shut up here under lock and key, or I would soon strip that vile51 hussy of her attire39, which belongs of right to me. Doff57 it at once, minion58.”
“Retire on the instant, I command you, Madam,” screamed Xit, shaking his hand furiously at her.
“I shall obey no orders of thine, thou contemptible59 little monster,” rejoined Lady le Grand, in a shrill60 voice. “Let me out, or it shall be worse for thee. How dare you put another woman in my place? Lilias Ringwood shall not enact61 the part assigned to me.”
“Marry, but she shall,” rejoined Xit. “His Highness desired that the youngest and fairest of the two claimants should be brought forth. Thou art neither so young nor so lovely as Lilias, and art consequently superseded62. Retire, I say.”
Before Lady le Grand could make any further rejoinder, Philip interposed.
“But what says Sir Bevis himself?” he demanded. “Since he is chiefly concerned in the matter, the choice of a princess ought to rest with him. Methinks he cannot hesitate.”
“Assuredly not, your Highness,” rejoined the gigantic 89warrior, inclining his head. “I am right glad of the exchange.”
“Then take fair Lilias to him,” said Philip. “Remember the fate of the strong man of Israel,” he added to Sir Bevis, “and be not subdued64 like him. Otherwise, thou mayst have reason to repent65 thy choice.”
“No Delilah shall enslave me, your Highness,” rejoined the giant, as the damsel was placed behind him by Ascapart.
“That remains66 to be seen,” laughed Lilias, as she settled herself on the pillion.
Mortified67 by the success of her young rival, Lady le Grand retreated from the window, amid the jeers68 and laughter of the beholders, all of whom were mightily69 entertained by the incident.
No sooner was this important point settled, than Sir Bevis rode forth from the archway with the fair Lilias behind him, her countenance70 radiant with triumph. Bending in knightly71 fashion to the Prince, the gigantic warrior63 bade his companions attend him, and struck into a street on the right. Calling for his piebald steed, Xit followed the procession, without troubling himself further about Lady le Grand.
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1
beheld
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| v.看，注视( behold的过去式和过去分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
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2
cannon
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| n.大炮，火炮；飞机上的机关炮 | |
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3
braying
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| v.发出驴叫似的声音( bray的现在分词 )；发嘟嘟声；粗声粗气地讲话（或大笑）；猛击 | |
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4
trumpet
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| n.喇叭，喇叭声；v.吹喇叭，吹嘘 | |
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5
trumpets
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| 喇叭( trumpet的名词复数 )； 小号； 喇叭形物； （尤指）绽开的水仙花 | |
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6
cymbals
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| pl.铙钹 | |
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7
joyous
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| adj.充满快乐的；令人高兴的 | |
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8
clamorous
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| adj.吵闹的，喧哗的 | |
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9
gracefully
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| ad.大大方方地；优美地 | |
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10
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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11
descried
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| adj.被注意到的，被发现的，被看到的 | |
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12
comely
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| adj.漂亮的，合宜的 | |
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13
behold
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| v.看，注视，看到 | |
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14
imposing
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| adj.使人难忘的，壮丽的，堂皇的，雄伟的 | |
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15
aisles
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| n. (席位间的)通道, 侧廊 | |
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16
densely
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| ad.密集地；浓厚地 | |
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17
nave
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| n.教堂的中部；本堂 | |
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18
crimson
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| n./adj.深(绯)红色(的)；vi.脸变绯红色 | |
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19
embroidered
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| adj．绣花的 | |
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20
ornamented
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| adj.花式字体的v.装饰，点缀，美化( ornament的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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21
vessels
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| n.血管( vessel的名词复数 )；船；容器；（具有特殊品质或接受特殊品质的）人 | |
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22
chalices
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| n.高脚酒杯( chalice的名词复数 )；圣餐杯；金杯毒酒；看似诱人实则令人讨厌的事物 | |
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23
virgin
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| n.处女，未婚女子；adj.未经使用的；未经开发的 | |
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24
tapers
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| （长形物体的）逐渐变窄( taper的名词复数 )； 微弱的光； 极细的蜡烛 | |
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25
bishop
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| n.主教，（国际象棋）象 | |
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26
mar
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| vt.破坏，毁坏，弄糟 | |
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27
fragrance
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| n.芬芳，香味，香气 | |
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28
resounded
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| 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 | |
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29
velvet
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| n.丝绒，天鹅绒；adj.丝绒制的，柔软的 | |
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30
gallant
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| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
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31
pageant
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| n.壮观的游行；露天历史剧 | |
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32
manifestations
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| n.表示，显示（manifestation的复数形式） | |
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33
untoward
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| adj.不利的，不幸的，困难重重的 | |
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34
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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35
puissant
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| adj.强有力的 | |
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36
savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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37
moorish
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| adj.沼地的，荒野的，生[住]在沼地的 | |
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38
picturesque
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| adj.美丽如画的，（语言）生动的，绘声绘色的 | |
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39
attire
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| v.穿衣，装扮[同]array；n.衣着；盛装 | |
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40
attired
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| adj.穿着整齐的v.使穿上衣服，使穿上盛装( attire的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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41
dwarf
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| n.矮子，侏儒，矮小的动植物；vt.使…矮小 | |
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42
strutted
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| 趾高气扬地走，高视阔步( strut的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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43
obeisance
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| n.鞠躬，敬礼 | |
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44
majesty
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| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
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45
diminutive
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| adj.小巧可爱的，小的 | |
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46
knight
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| n.骑士，武士；爵士 | |
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47
appellation
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| n.名称，称呼 | |
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48
bestowed
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| 赠给，授予( bestow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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49
marvel
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| vi.(at)惊叹vt.感到惊异；n.令人惊异的事 | |
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50
grandee
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| n.贵族；大公 | |
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51
vile
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| adj.卑鄙的，可耻的，邪恶的；坏透的 | |
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52
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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53
suffused
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| v.（指颜色、水气等）弥漫于，布满( suffuse的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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54
abashed
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| adj.窘迫的，尴尬的v.使羞愧，使局促，使窘迫( abash的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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55
gaily
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| adv.欢乐地，高兴地 | |
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56
usurp
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| vt.篡夺，霸占；vi.篡位 | |
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57
doff
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| v.脱，丢弃，废除 | |
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58
minion
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| n.宠仆；宠爱之人 | |
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59
contemptible
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| adj.可鄙的，可轻视的，卑劣的 | |
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60
shrill
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| adj.尖声的；刺耳的；v尖叫 | |
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61
enact
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| vt.制定(法律)；上演，扮演 | |
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62
superseded
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| [医]被代替的，废弃的 | |
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63
warrior
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| n.勇士，武士，斗士 | |
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64
subdued
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| adj. 屈服的，柔和的，减弱的 动词subdue的过去式和过去分词 | |
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65
repent
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| v.悔悟，悔改，忏悔，后悔 | |
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66
remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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67
mortified
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| v.使受辱( mortify的过去式和过去分词 )；伤害（人的感情）；克制；抑制（肉体、情感等） | |
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68
jeers
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| n.操纵帆桁下部（使其上下的）索具；嘲讽( jeer的名词复数 )v.嘲笑( jeer的第三人称单数 ) | |
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69
mightily
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| ad.强烈地；非常地 | |
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70
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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71
knightly
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| adj. 骑士般的 adv. 骑士般地 | |
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