The royal couple sojourned at Wolvesey Castle for a week, and during that time a series of grand entertainments were given to all the nobility who had attended the marriage ceremony. Pageants1 were exhibited in the city, and in the pleasant meads beyond the South-gate sports and pastimes of various kinds took place—to wit, archery, horse-races, foot-races, throwing of heavy weights, wrestling, rowing and swimming matches in the Itchen, bear-baiting, badger-baiting, bull-running, cock-fighting, duck-hunting in the river, and other diversions, in which our ancestors delighted. These sports, many of which were novel to them, afforded much amusement to Philip and the Spanish nobles.
Mindful of his promise to the Duke of Norfolk to feast his grace at Arthur’s Round Table in Winchester Castle, Philip appointed the day before his departure for the banquet. Twenty-four guests were invited, half of whom were English nobles, and the other half Spanish grandees2.
In the midst of the great hall of the castle, which was more than a hundred and fifty feet long, and with a lofty roof of open rafters, richly sculptured, was placed
“——the pride of warlike years,
Old Arthur’s board—”
143in other words, the famous Round table, at which King Arthur and his illustrious knights3 had often feasted.
Framed by Uter Pendragon, Arthur’s royal sire, who flourished early in the 6th century, or more than twelve hundred years ago, this wondrous4 table was given by him to King Leodegraunce of Camelyard, who held it in high esteem5. When Leodegraunce bestowed6 his fair daughter, the lovely but erring8 Guenever, upon Arthur, he sent him at the same time, as the richest present he could bestow7, the royal table, causing it to be conveyed by a hundred knights. Enchanted9 with the gift, Arthur forthwith instituted the order of the Round Table (the earliest military order of knighthood), and had the places appointed for himself and his twenty-four knights blessed by the Archbishop of Canterbury. So runs the legend. But by whomsoever fashioned, the Round Table was at least remarkable10 for antiquity11 in the time of Henry VIII., who had it fresh painted for use at the banquet given by him to the Emperor Charles V. It still exists, as we have already intimated, and is constructed of stout12 oaken planks13, painted in parti-coloured rays, on the borders of which
“Some British pen has sketched14 the names renowned15,
In marks obscure, of Arthur’s deathless peers.”
Obscure as are the characters, the names of Sir Tristram, Sir Launcelot, Sir Galahad, Sir Percival, Sir Gawaine, Sir Ector, Sir Bors, and other peerless knights, may be read upon this scroll16 of fame. In Cromwell’s time the Round Table narrowly escaped destruction from the parliamentary soldiers, who never lost an opportunity of committing sacrilege of some kind. They set it up as a target, and perforated it with bullets. In the centre of the board is the Tudor rose, and the sovereign’s place is indicated by a full-length portrait of Henry VIII., seated under a canopy17 with an ermine mantle18 over his shoulders, and holding the orb19 and sword.
The great hall in which the Round Table was set was hung with ancient and somewhat faded arras, representing in one place the interview of the twelve Roman knights with Arthur, and in another the renowned British king receiving his sword Excalibur from the Lady of the Lake. 144Five-and-twenty suits of armour20 of colossal21 size were placed on stands against the walls, while the intervals22 were filled with trophies23 composed of shields, spears, swords, battle-axes, maces, and other weapons. The cushion of each chair was embroidered24 in letters of gold with the name of its occupant. A curiously25 carved oak chair, in which bluff26 King Hal had sat was assigned to Philip. On his right sat the Lord Chancellor27, and on the left the Duke of Norfolk. The place next to Gardiner was allotted28 to the Duke of Alva, while Norfolk’s neighbour was the Duke of Medina Celi. In this wise were the twenty-four guests disposed—English and Spanish nobles alternately.
No diaper covered the capacious board. But it was loaded with salvers, dishes, goblets29, and plates of gold and silver. Sideboards, also, glittering with plate and drinking vessels30, were ranged around the hall. A multitude of pages, esquires, and gentlemen were in attendance. The banquet consisted of five courses, and comprised calvered salmon32, stewed33 lampries, slices of sturgeon, a porpoise34 in armour, soused pike and bream, trout35 from the Itchen—pronounced delicious—roast cygnets, a roast heron, wild-boar pie, a roast haunch of venison, a roast kid, ruffs, dotterels, bitterns, and many other good things. No restraint was placed upon his guests by the King, who, by his easy and jovial36 deportment, seemed to invite familiarity. The Spanish grandees declared they had never before seen their royal master so full of mirth, and the Duke of Norfolk vowed37 that he equalled the Emperor in good fellowship. Certes, his Majesty38 jested as much, and laughed as heartily39 as the rest of the company. So infectious was the merriment, that even the stern features of the Duke of Alva relaxed into a smile.
At the close of the repast, and as soon as the chargers and other dishes had been removed, an immense silver bowl, covered by a lid, was placed upon the table by the three gigantic yeomen of the guard, Og, Gog, and Magog—a task not accomplished40 without some difficulty—amidst the laughter of the guests, who eyed the stupendous vessel31 with astonishment41.
“If that bowl be filled with hippocras, Sire,” exclaimed the Duke of Norfolk, “there must be enough liquor within it to drown us all, or to float a man-of-war.”
145Before any reply could be made, the attention of the company was attracted by a ringing sound proceeding42 from the vessel.
All the guests looked towards their royal host as if for explanation.
“I know not what it means,” said the King, who appeared as much surprised as the rest. “Take off the lid, and let us see.”
The order was obeyed by Og, whose countenance43 wore a broad grin, and as he raised the cover, the cause of the strange sounds became manifest. In the midst of a sea of hippocras floated a silver boat, in which was seated Xit, in the guise44 of the Enchanter Merlin, and holding in his hand a silver ladle, with which he had struck the sides of the bowl, to intimate his presence. Raising himself carefully, so as not to upset the frail46 barque in which he was placed, the dwarf47 bowed as gracefully48 as circumstances would permit, to Philip, and said, “Doubtless your Majesty is surprised to see me here, but I trust I shall not incur49 your sovereign displeasure when I say that my desire to be present at your banquet led me to adopt this expedient50 to gain admittance. Besides, I may be useful,” he added, flourishing the ladle.
“Thou art welcome, thou sprightly51 imp,” replied Philip, laughing. “Keep our goblets filled, that is all we require from thee.”
“Gramercy, Sire, I will endeavour to perform the office of butler to your entire satisfaction,” replied Xit, filling the cup extended to him by the King.
After all the guests had been served with great expedition and skill, Philip said to the dwarf, “Now, Sirrah, a toast.”
“I am greatly honoured by the command, Sire,” replied Xit. “My toast, I am well assured, will be drunk with enthusiasm, both by your Majesty and your illustrious guests. I will give your royal consort52, and our most gracious mistress, the Queen. May Heaven shed its choicest blessings53 upon her!”
“Well said, thou merry knave54!” cried Philip. “No toast could be more agreeable to us. My lords, we will dedicate this cup to the Queen.”
The toast was rapturously drunk by the assemblage, but just as the goblets were emptied an unexpected incident 146occurred. In the excitement of the moment, and while waving the ladle, Xit lost his balance, and plunged55 head-foremost into the vinous flood beneath him. As he emerged the next moment, his half-drowned appearance caused shouts of laughter from the company, which were echoed by all the pages, esquires, and other attendants.
“Marry, thou hast had a bath such as few men have enjoyed,” observed Philip, laughing.
“I would rather it had been water, Sire,” spluttered Xit. “I shall never enjoy the flavour of hippocras again. I pray you let me be taken hence.”
“There is no hurry,” cried the Duke of Norfolk, laughing immoderately. “We cannot let thee go yet. Make the most of thy position, and quaff56 thy fill. The wine is spoiled for all but thee.”
“Were I to quaff more than I have already done, I should become a sorry spectacle, your grace, and might offend this noble company,” observed Xit. “I have no desire to die the death of the Duke of Clarence.”
“Take him hence,” said Philip, who thought the jest had lasted long enough; “but let him not out of the bowl till its contents be emptied.”
On this, the three giants, lifting the mighty57 bowl from the table, conveyed it to another part of the hall, where they set it down. The King’s commands were scrupulously58 obeyed. Notwithstanding Xit’s piteous entreaties59 to be set free, he was detained a prisoner till the whole of the hippocras had been drunk. To this end the giants lent their best assistance, but before it could be fully45 accomplished, the King and his noble guests had departed. So ended the banquet at Arthur’s Round Table.
Next day Philip and Mary, attended by their whole court, and by the Spanish grandees, quitted Winchester, and proceeded by easy stages to Windsor.
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1
pageants
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| n.盛装的游行( pageant的名词复数 )；穿古代服装的游行；再现历史场景的娱乐活动；盛会 | |
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2
grandees
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| n.贵族，大公，显贵者( grandee的名词复数 ) | |
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3
knights
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| 骑士； （中古时代的）武士( knight的名词复数 )； 骑士； 爵士； （国际象棋中）马 | |
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4
wondrous
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| adj.令人惊奇的，奇妙的；adv.惊人地；异乎寻常地；令人惊叹地 | |
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esteem
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| n.尊敬，尊重；vt.尊重，敬重；把…看作 | |
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6
bestowed
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| 赠给，授予( bestow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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bestow
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| v.把…赠与，把…授予；花费 | |
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erring
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| 做错事的，错误的 | |
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9
enchanted
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| adj. 被施魔法的，陶醉的，入迷的 动词enchant的过去式和过去分词 | |
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10
remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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11
antiquity
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| n.古老；高龄；古物，古迹 | |
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13
planks
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| （厚）木板( plank的名词复数 )； 政纲条目，政策要点 | |
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14
sketched
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| v.草拟（sketch的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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15
renowned
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| adj.著名的，有名望的，声誉鹊起的 | |
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16
scroll
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| n.卷轴，纸卷；(石刻上的)漩涡 | |
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17
canopy
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| n.天篷，遮篷 | |
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18
mantle
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| n.斗篷，覆罩之物，罩子；v.罩住，覆盖，脸红 | |
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19
orb
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| n.太阳；星球；v.弄圆；成球形 | |
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20
armour
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| （=armor）n.盔甲；装甲部队 | |
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21
colossal
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| adj.异常的，庞大的 | |
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22
intervals
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| n.[军事]间隔( interval的名词复数 )；间隔时间；[数学]区间；（戏剧、电影或音乐会的）幕间休息 | |
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23
trophies
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| n.（为竞赛获胜者颁发的）奖品( trophy的名词复数 )；奖杯；（尤指狩猎或战争中获得的）纪念品；（用于比赛或赛跑名称）奖 | |
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24
embroidered
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| adj．绣花的 | |
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25
curiously
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| adv.有求知欲地；好问地；奇特地 | |
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26
bluff
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| v.虚张声势，用假象骗人；n.虚张声势，欺骗 | |
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27
chancellor
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| n.(英)大臣；法官；(德、奥)总理；大学校长 | |
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28
allotted
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| 分配，拨给，摊派( allot的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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29
goblets
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| n.高脚酒杯( goblet的名词复数 ) | |
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30
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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31
vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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32
salmon
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| n.鲑，大马哈鱼，橙红色的 | |
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33
stewed
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| adj.焦虑不安的，烂醉的v.炖( stew的过去式和过去分词 )；煨；思考；担忧 | |
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34
porpoise
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| n.鼠海豚 | |
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35
trout
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| n.鳟鱼；鲑鱼(属) | |
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36
jovial
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| adj.快乐的，好交际的 | |
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37
vowed
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| 起誓，发誓（vow的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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38
majesty
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| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
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39
heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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40
accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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41
astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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42
proceeding
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| n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报 | |
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43
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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44
guise
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| n.外表，伪装的姿态 | |
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45
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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46
frail
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| adj.身体虚弱的；易损坏的 | |
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47
dwarf
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| n.矮子，侏儒，矮小的动植物；vt.使…矮小 | |
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48
gracefully
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| ad.大大方方地；优美地 | |
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49
incur
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| vt.招致，蒙受，遭遇 | |
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50
expedient
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| adj.有用的，有利的；n.紧急的办法，权宜之计 | |
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51
sprightly
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| adj.愉快的，活泼的 | |
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52
consort
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| v.相伴；结交 | |
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53
blessings
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| n.（上帝的）祝福( blessing的名词复数 )；好事；福分；因祸得福 | |
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54
knave
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| n.流氓；（纸牌中的）杰克 | |
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55
plunged
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| v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
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56
quaff
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| v.一饮而尽；痛饮 | |
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57
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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58
scrupulously
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| adv.一丝不苟地；小心翼翼地，多顾虑地 | |
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59
entreaties
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| n.恳求，乞求( entreaty的名词复数 ) | |
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