It will probably be recollected1 under what singular circumstances the acquaintance began between Og the gigantic and Lilias the fair. From the very moment when the damsel, seated behind the giant on the broad back of Arundel, passed her arm round his waist, a flame was kindled2 in his breast never afterwards to be extinguished.
A magnetic influence was exercised over him by Lilias, and he speedily became so much enthralled3 by her fascinations4 as was Sir Bevis of Southampton, whom he then represented, by the charms of the peerless Princess Josyan. When he and his gigantic brothers, with Sir Narcissus and Lady le Grand, proceeded to Winchester to take part in the pageants5 displayed there during the royal nuptials6, Lilias accompanied them, and, before many days had elapsed, her conquest of Og was complete. 362She had him, as Gog confidentially7 remarked to Magog, “entirely under her thumb.”
“Will he be fool enough to marry her, think you, brother?” observed Magog, shrugging his shoulders, and thinking of Dame8 Placida.
“Hum! I cannot say, but I shall do my best to dissuade9 him from the step,” rejoined Gog.
So the brothers laid their huge heads together, and the result was that they devised a plan by which they hoped to get rid altogether of the fair syren, and cure Og of his ridiculous passion, as they deemed it. Their plan was to send back Lilias to Southampton, and persuade Og that she had left him of her own accord to return to her former admirer, and they managed the matter so adroitly10, that Og was completely duped, and, after a tremendous burst of indignation against the fickleness11 of the sex, vowed12 he would never think of the false jillflirt again. His brothers commended his resolution, and told him he had had a narrow escape.
“If you are wise, you will take warning by me, and never marry,” said Magog.
“If he must needs marry, let him choose a buxom14 widow, and not a tricksome girl like Lilias.”
“I don’t mean to marry at all,” cried Og, resolutely15.
But the fangs16 of disappointment gnawed17 his heart. He grew moody18 and dull, and avoided the society of his brothers.
After a month’s absence from the Tower, the three gigantic warders returned there, and resumed their ordinary duties. But Og’s melancholy19 increased, and his brothers at last began to feel uneasy about him, and to regret the part they had played.
“It would be a grievous thing were he to break his heart for this silly girl,” remarked Gog. “He seems pining away for her.”
“He may be pining away,” observed Magog; “but he is in good case still, and his appetite is not amiss, judging by the havoc20 he made with the cold chine of beef and lumbar-pie at breakfast this morning, to say nothing of the stoup of ale which he managed to empty. Nevertheless, I agree with you, brother Gog, that he is not himself, and hath quite lost his old pleasant humour. He never jests, as was his wont21, 363and I have not heard a hearty22 laugh from him since we sent Lilias away.”
“I begin to think we did wrong in meddling23 in the matter,” observed Gog. “I shall never cease to reproach myself if anything should happen to him.”
“Well, we acted for the best,” said Magog. “I only wish my marriage had been prevented,” he added, with a groan24. “Let us see how he goes on. Perchance, he may recover.”
But Og did not recover, and, although he did not exhibit any of the usual symptoms of despairing love, as loss of appetite, or flesh, a lacklustre eye, and disordered manner, still he became more gloomy and sullen25 than ever, and rarely exchanged a word with his brothers.
Nearly eight months had now flown since he had beheld26 Lilias, and still her image was constantly before him, and the witchery she had practised upon him by her fascinations and allurements27 had not lost a jot28 of its power. He was still as much under her sway as if she had been with him all the time.
One evening, while he was taking a solitary29 walk upon the ramparts, and thinking of Lilias, he saw Xit hastening towards him, and would have avoided him, but the dwarf30 stopped him, saying,—
“Give thee good e’en, Og. I was looking for thee. I bring thee good news.”
“Out of my way,” rejoined the giant, gruffly. “I am in no humour for jesting.”
“I know thou art become as surly as a bear with a sore head,” replied Xit; “but thou hadst best not provoke a quarrel with me, or thou wilt31 rue32 it.”
“Pass on,” roared Og, “and exercise thy wit at the expense of those who are amused by it—my brothers for example. But meddle33 not with me. I am dangerous.”
“Big words do not terrify me,” rejoined Xit, with a mocking laugh. “Furious as thou art, I can tame thee with a word. I have but to pronounce the name of ‘Lilias Ringwood,’ and thou wilt straight become as gentle as a lamb. Ha ha! ha! Was I not right?”
“Hast thou aught to tell me concerning Lilias?” cried 364Og, suddenly becoming as meek34 as the animal to which he had been likened. “If so, speak quickly!”
“Soh! thou art in the mood for converse35 now, and my jests do not appear tiresome36 to thee,” rejoined Xit; “but I will not gratify thee. Thou art dull company. I will go to thy brothers.”
“Nay, but Xit, sweet Xit, if thou hast any love for me, tell me what thou knowest of Lilias.”
“Thou dost not deserve that I should tell thee aught, uncourteous giant,” said Xit. “Nevertheless, out of compassion37 for thy miserable38 state, I will speak. Know, then, most amorous39 Titan, that I have seen the lady of thy love——”
“Thou hast seen Lilias!” interrupted Og. “Oh! thou art my best friend. How doth she look? Is she comely40 as ever? Or is she changed and married to another? Tell me the worst. It may break my heart—but spare me not.”
“I will tell thee the best and the worst as quickly as may be,” rejoined Xit. “The best is, that Lilias is still true to thee, and looking lovelier than ever—and the worst is, that she is coming to the Tower in a few days, and therefore thou wilt soon behold41 her again.”
“Why, the worst is best of all!” cried Og, transported with delight.
“Nay, it is worst,” rejoined Xit; “because, when she comes, thou wilt be compelled to marry her.”
“But I say to thee again that it is best, for I desire nothing so much as marriage with her. But thou art not making merry with me all this while? ’Twere a sorry jest to trifle with me thus.”
“I am not trifling42 with thee, incredulous giant,” replied Xit. “If the hand of the fair Lilias will make thee happy, thou shalt have it. That I promise thee. Now listen. Compassionating43 thy woful condition, I have been to Southampton, and seen the mistress of thy affections, and finding her still unfettered by matrimonial ties, still amiably44 disposed towards thee, I proposed marriage to her in thy name, and the offer was—accepted.”
“Thou hast done me an incalculable service!” cried Og, taking him in his arms, and hugging him tightly. 365“And so thou hast been to Southampton, and seen Lilias, and won her for me—eh? I have missed thee for the last week, but fancied thou wert with her Majesty45 at Whitehall.”
“Set me down, and I will talk to thee,” replied Xit. “Thou hast almost squeezed the breath out of my body;” and as Og placed him gently on the ground, he continued, “I will now let thee into a secret. But first promise not to be angry.”
“I am far too happy to be angry with any one now,” rejoined Og. “Speak out. What hast thou to reveal?”
“I must set thee right upon one point. When Lilias quitted thee so suddenly at Winchester, it was not, as thou wert led to suppose, from a desire to be reconciled to her first lover. Her disappearance46 was contrived47 by Gog and Magog, who did not wish thee to wed13 the damsel.”
“Thunder and lightning! was it so?” roared Og, with sudden fury.
“Remember thy promise,” said Xit.
“Well, proceed,” cried Og, trying to calm himself.
“Perceiving the mischief48 they had occasioned, and despairing of remedying the matter, thy brothers applied49 to me, and out of my love for them and thee, I offered to go to Southampton to see what could be done with Lilias. Accordingly I went, and how I succeeded in my mission thou art already aware.”
“I am for ever beholden to thee,” said Og. “And so Lilias will certainly be here in a few days. Why didst thou not bring her with thee?”
“I would fain have done so,” replied Xit; “but she had preparations to make before her departure. However, she will be escorted by a young gentleman whom you may remember, Captain Rodomont Bittern, of Cardinal50 Pole’s household.”
“Rodomont Bittern!” exclaimed Og, knitting his bushy brow. “Why should he escort her?”
“Because he chances to be coming up to London at the same time—nothing more, thou jealous and suspicious fool,” rejoined Xit. “Captain Bittern’s errand to Southampton 366was very different from mine. He did not go to propose a marriage, but to attend a funeral. You remember Constance Tyrrell?”
“Daughter of a wealthy Southampton merchant,” replied Og. “Yes, I remember her. It was whispered that the King was enamoured of her, but that she preferred young Osbert Clinton. She is now at Lambeth Palace, under the guardianship51 of Cardinal Pole.”
“I see you are well informed about her,” replied Xit. “Well, old Tyrrell, her father, is just dead, and has made a very singular will. Since his daughter has become tainted52 with heresy53, he has lost all affection for her, and has now disinherited her, and left the whole of his immense riches to—whom think’st thou?”
“Nay, I cannot guess,” replied Og. “Not to Rodomont Bittern, I trust?”
“No, not to him,” returned Xit. “He has made Cardinal Pole his heir, and the sum he has bequeathed is such as not even a Cardinal need despise. This was the reason why Rodomont Bittern and others of the Cardinal’s household were sent down to Southampton to bury the old merchant and take possession of his property, and as I chanced to be there at the same time, I naturally came in contact with them, and on acquainting Captain Bittern with mine errand, he proffered54 his services, and accompanied me when I called on Lilias. It is but justice to him to add, that he pleaded thy cause with the damsel as warmly as I could do myself. When the affair was arranged, and Captain Bittern found that a longer stay at Southampton was inconvenient55 to me, he obligingly undertook to escort thy destined56 bride to London. Thus thou hast now the whole affair before thee. Methinks I have some little claim on thy gratitude57. So if you will come with me to thy brothers, and assure them they are forgiven, I shall deem myself amply requited58.”
Og readily assented59, and quitting the ramparts, they proceeded to the Byward Tower, where they found Gog and Magog at supper, an immense pasty, with a cold ham, a mountainous loaf, and a mighty60 mazer filled with ale, being set before them.
As Og and Xit entered, they both rose from the table at which they were seated, and seeing there were no traces of 367anger on their brother’s countenance61, they held out their hands to him, which Og, so far from refusing, shook very cordially.
In a few moments all explanations were over, and the brothers amicably62 seated at the table, discussing the pasty, ever and anon applying to the mazer, and talking, when they were able to talk at all, of the approaching marriage.
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1
recollected
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| adj.冷静的；镇定的；被回忆起的；沉思默想的v.记起，想起( recollect的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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2
kindled
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| （使某物）燃烧，着火( kindle的过去式和过去分词 )； 激起（感情等）； 发亮，放光 | |
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3
enthralled
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| 迷住，吸引住( enthrall的过去式和过去分词 )； 使感到非常愉快 | |
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4
fascinations
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| n.魅力( fascination的名词复数 )；有魅力的东西；迷恋；陶醉 | |
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5
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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6
nuptials
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| n.婚礼；婚礼( nuptial的名词复数 ) | |
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7
confidentially
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| ad.秘密地，悄悄地 | |
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8
dame
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| n.女士 | |
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9
dissuade
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| v.劝阻，阻止 | |
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10
adroitly
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| adv.熟练地，敏捷地 | |
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11
fickleness
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| n.易变；无常；浮躁；变化无常 | |
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12
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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13
wed
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| v.娶，嫁，与…结婚 | |
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14
buxom
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| adj.（妇女）丰满的，有健康美的 | |
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15
resolutely
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| adj.坚决地，果断地 | |
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16
fangs
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| n.（尤指狗和狼的）长而尖的牙( fang的名词复数 )；（蛇的）毒牙；罐座 | |
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17
gnawed
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| 咬( gnaw的过去式和过去分词 )； （长时间） 折磨某人； （使）苦恼； （长时间）危害某事物 | |
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18
moody
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| adj.心情不稳的，易怒的，喜怒无常的 | |
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19
melancholy
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| n.忧郁，愁思；adj.令人感伤（沮丧）的，忧郁的 | |
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20
havoc
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| n.大破坏，浩劫，大混乱，大杂乱 | |
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21
wont
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| adj.习惯于；v.习惯；n.习惯 | |
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22
hearty
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| adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的 | |
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23
meddling
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| v.干涉，干预（他人事务）( meddle的现在分词 ) | |
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24
groan
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| vi./n.呻吟，抱怨；(发出)呻吟般的声音 | |
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25
sullen
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| adj.愠怒的，闷闷不乐的，(天气等)阴沉的 | |
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26
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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27
allurements
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| n.诱惑( allurement的名词复数 )；吸引；诱惑物；有诱惑力的事物 | |
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28
jot
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| n.少量；vi.草草记下；vt.匆匆写下 | |
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29
solitary
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| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
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30
dwarf
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| n.矮子，侏儒，矮小的动植物；vt.使…矮小 | |
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31
wilt
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| v.(使)植物凋谢或枯萎；(指人)疲倦，衰弱 | |
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32
rue
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| n.懊悔，芸香，后悔；v.后悔，悲伤，懊悔 | |
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33
meddle
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| v.干预，干涉，插手 | |
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34
meek
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| adj.温顺的，逆来顺受的 | |
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35
converse
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| vi.谈话，谈天，闲聊；adv.相反的，相反 | |
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36
tiresome
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| adj.令人疲劳的，令人厌倦的 | |
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37
compassion
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| n.同情，怜悯 | |
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38
miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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39
amorous
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| adj.多情的；有关爱情的 | |
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40
comely
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| adj.漂亮的，合宜的 | |
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41
behold
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| v.看，注视，看到 | |
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42
trifling
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| adj.微不足道的；没什么价值的 | |
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43
compassionating
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| v.同情（compassionate的现在分词形式） | |
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44
amiably
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| adv.和蔼可亲地，亲切地 | |
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45
majesty
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| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
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46
disappearance
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| n.消失，消散，失踪 | |
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47
contrived
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| adj.不自然的，做作的；虚构的 | |
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48
mischief
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| n.损害，伤害，危害；恶作剧，捣蛋，胡闹 | |
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49
applied
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| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
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50
cardinal
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| n.(天主教的)红衣主教；adj.首要的，基本的 | |
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51
guardianship
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| n. 监护, 保护, 守护 | |
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52
tainted
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| adj.腐坏的；污染的；沾污的；感染的v.使变质( taint的过去式和过去分词 )；使污染；败坏；被污染，腐坏，败坏 | |
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53
heresy
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| n.异端邪说；异教 | |
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54
proffered
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| v.提供，贡献，提出( proffer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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55
inconvenient
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| adj.不方便的，令人感到麻烦的 | |
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56
destined
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| adj.命中注定的；(for)以…为目的地的 | |
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57
gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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58
requited
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| v.报答( requite的过去式和过去分词 )；酬谢；回报；报复 | |
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59
assented
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| 同意，赞成( assent的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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60
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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61
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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62
amicably
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| adv.友善地 | |
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