Now Iskander was very anxious to effect the removal of these garrisons without loss of time, in order that if Amurath sent a great power against him, as he expected, the invading army might have nothing to rely upon but its own force, and that his attention might not in any way be diverted from effecting their overthrow5. Therefore, as soon as his troops had rested, and he had formed his new recruits into some order, which, with their willing spirits, did not demand many days, Iskander set out from Croia, at the head of twelve thousand men, and marched against the strong city of Petrella, meeting in his way the remainder of the garrison3 of Croia on their return, who surrendered themselves to him at discretion6. Petrella was only one day’s march from Croia, and when Iskander arrived there he requested a conference with the governor, and told his tale so well, representing the late overthrow of the Turks by Hunniades, and the incapacity of Amurath at present to relieve him, that the Turkish commander agreed to deliver up the place, and leave the country with his troops, particularly as the alternative of Iskander to these easy terms was ever conquest without quarter. And thus, by a happy mixture of audacity7 and adroitness8, the march of Iskander throughout Epirus was rather like a triumph than a campaign, the Turkish garrisons imitating, without any exception, the conduct of their comrades at Petrella, and dreading9 the fate of their comrades at the capital. In less than a month Iskander returned to Epirus, having delivered the whole country from the Moslemin yoke10.
Hitherto Iskander had heard nothing either of Hunniades or Nic?|us. He learnt, therefore, with great interest, as he passed through the gates of the city, that the Prince of Athens had arrived at Croia the preceding eve, and also that his messenger had returned from the Hungarian camp. Amid the acclamations of an enthusiastic people, Iskander once more ascended11 the citadel12 of Croia. Nic?|us received him at the gate. Iskander sprang from his horse, and embraced his friend. Hand in hand, and followed by their respective trains, they entered the fortress13 palace.
“Dear friend,” said Iskander, when they were once more alone, “you see we were right not to despair. Two months have scarcely elapsed since we parted without prospect14, or with the most gloomy one, and now we are in a fair way of achieving all that we can desire. Epirus is free!”
“I came to claim my share in its emancipation,” said Nic?|us, with a smile, “but Iskander is another C?|sar!”
“You will have many opportunities yet, believe me, Nic?|us, of proving your courage and your patriotism,” replied Iskander; “Amurath will never allow this affair to pass over in this quiet manner. I did not commence this struggle without a conviction that it would demand all the energy and patience of a long life. I shall be rewarded if I leave freedom as an heritage to my countrymen; but for the rest, I feel that I bid farewell to every joy of life, except the ennobling consciousness of performing a noble duty. In the meantime, I understand a messenger awaits me here from the great Hunniades. Unless that shield of Christendom maintain himself in his present position, our chance of ultimate security is feeble. With his constant diversion in Bulgaria, we may contrive16 here to struggle into success. You sometimes laugh at my sanguine17 temper, Nic?|us. To say the truth, I am more serene18 than sanguine, and was never more conscious of the strength of my opponent than now, when it appears that I have beaten him. Hark! the people cheer. I love the people, Nic?|us, who are ever influenced by genuine and generous feelings. They cheer as if they had once more gained a country. Alas19! they little know what they must endure even at the best. Nay20! look not gloomy; we have done great things, and will do more. Who waits without there? Demetrius! Call the messenger from Lord Hunniades.”
An Epirot bearing a silken packet was now introduced, which he delivered to Iskander. Reverently21 touching22 the hand of his chieftain, the messenger then kissed his own and withdrew. Iskander broke the seal, and drew forth23 a letter from the silken cover.
“So! this is well!” exclaimed the prince, with great animation24, as he threw his quick eye over the letter. “As I hoped and deemed, a most complete victory. Karam Bey himself a prisoner, baggage, standards, great guns, treasure. Brave soldier of the Cross! (may I prove so!) Your perfectly-devised movement, (poh, poh!) Hah! what is this?” exclaimed Iskander, turning pale; his lip quivered, his eye looked dim. He walked to an arched window. His companion, who supposed that he was reading, did not disturb him.
“Poor, poor Hunniades!” at length exclaimed Iskander, shaking his head.
“What of him?” inquired Nic?|us, quickly.
“The sharpest accident of war!” replied Iskander. “It quite clouds my spirit. We must forget these things, we must forget. Epirus! he is not a patriot15 who can spare a thought from thee. And yet, so young, so beautiful, so gifted, so worthy25 of a hero! when I saw her by her great father’s side, sharing his toils26, aiding his councils, supplying his necessities, methought I gazed upon a ministering angel! upon—”
“Stop, stop in mercy’s name, Iskander!” exclaimed Nic?|us, in a very agitated27 tone. “What is all this? Surely no, surely not, surely Iduna—”
“‘Tis she!”
“Dead?” exclaimed Nic?|us, rushing up to his companion, and seizing his arm.
“Worse, much worse!”
“God of Heaven!” exclaimed the young Prince, with almost a frantic28 air. “Tell me all, tell me all! This suspense29 fires my brain. Iskander, you know not what this woman is to me; the sole object of my being, the bane, the blessing30 of my life! Speak, dear friend, speak! I beseech31 you! Where is Iduna?”
“A prisoner to the Turk.”
“Iduna a prisoner to the Turk. I’ll not believe it! Why do we wear swords? Where’s chivalry32? Iduna, a prisoner to the Turk! ‘Tis false. It cannot be. Iskander, you are a coward! I am a coward! All are cowards! A prisoner to the Turk! Iduna! What, the Rose of Christendom! has it been plucked by such a turbaned dog as Amurath? Farewell, Epirus! Farewell, classic Athens! Farewell, bright fields of Greece, and dreams that made them brighter! The sun of all my joy and hope is set, and set for ever!”
So saying, Nic?|us, tearing his hair and garments, flung himself upon the floor, and hid his face in his robes.
Iskander paced the room with a troubled step and thoughtful brow. After some minutes he leant down by the Prince of Athens, and endeavoured to console him.
“It is in vain, Iskander, it is in vain,” said Nic?|us. “I wish to die.”
“Were I a favoured lover, in such a situation,” replied Iskander, “I should scarcely consider death my duty, unless the sacrifice of myself preserved my mistress.”
“Hah!” exclaimed Nic?|us, starting from the ground. “Do you conceive, then, the possibility of rescuing her?”
“If she live, she is a prisoner in the Seraglio at Adrianople. You are as good a judge as myself of the prospect that awaits your exertions33. It is, without doubt, a difficult adventure, but such, methinks, as a Christian34 knight35 should scarcely shun36.”
“To horse;” exclaimed Nic?|us, “to horse—And yet what can I do? Were she in any other place but the capital I might rescue her by force, but in the heart of their empire, it is impossible. Is there no ransom37 that can tempt38 the Turk? My principality would rise in the balance beside this jewel.”
“That were scarcely wise, and certainly not just,” replied Iskander; “but ransom will be of no avail. Hunniades has already offered to restore Karam Bey, and all the prisoners of rank, and the chief trophies39, and Amurath has refused to listen to any terms. The truth is, Iduna has found favour in the eyes of his son, the young Mahomed.”
“Holy Virgin40! hast thou no pity on this Christian maid?” exclaimed Nic?|us. “The young Mahomed! Shall this licentious41 infidel—ah! Iskander, dear, dear Iskander, you who have so much wisdom, and so much courage; you who can devise all things, and dare all things; help me, help me; on my knees I do beseech you, take up this trying cause of foul42 oppression, and for the sake of all you love and reverence43, your creed44, your country, and perchance your friend, let your great genius, like some solemn angel, haste to the rescue of the sweet Iduna, and save her, save her!”
“Some thoughts like these were rising in my mind when first I spoke,” replied Iskander. “This is a better cue, far more beseeming princes than boyish tears, and all the outward misery45 of woe46, a tattered47 garment and dishevelled locks. Come, Nic?|us, we have to struggle with a mighty48 fortune. Let us be firm as Fate itself.”
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1
simultaneously
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| adv.同时发生地，同时进行地 | |
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2
submission
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| n.服从，投降；温顺，谦虚；提出 | |
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garrison
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| n.卫戍部队；驻地，卫戍区；vt.派(兵)驻防 | |
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garrisons
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| 守备部队，卫戍部队( garrison的名词复数 ) | |
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overthrow
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| v.推翻，打倒，颠覆；n.推翻，瓦解，颠覆 | |
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discretion
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| n.谨慎；随意处理 | |
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7
audacity
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| n.大胆，卤莽，无礼 | |
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8
adroitness
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dreading
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| v.害怕，恐惧，担心( dread的现在分词 ) | |
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10
yoke
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| n.轭；支配；v.给...上轭，连接，使成配偶 | |
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11
ascended
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| v.上升，攀登( ascend的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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12
citadel
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| n.城堡；堡垒；避难所 | |
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fortress
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| n.堡垒，防御工事 | |
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14
prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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15
patriot
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| n.爱国者，爱国主义者 | |
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16
contrive
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| vt.谋划，策划；设法做到；设计，想出 | |
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17
sanguine
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| adj.充满希望的，乐观的，血红色的 | |
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serene
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| adj. 安详的，宁静的，平静的 | |
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alas
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| int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
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nay
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| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
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reverently
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| adv.虔诚地 | |
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touching
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| adj.动人的，使人感伤的 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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animation
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| n.活泼，兴奋，卡通片／动画片的制作 | |
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worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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26
toils
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| 网 | |
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agitated
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| adj.被鼓动的，不安的 | |
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frantic
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| adj.狂乱的，错乱的，激昂的 | |
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suspense
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| n.（对可能发生的事）紧张感，担心，挂虑 | |
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blessing
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| n.祈神赐福；祷告；祝福，祝愿 | |
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beseech
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| v.祈求，恳求 | |
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32
chivalry
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| n.骑士气概，侠义；（男人）对女人彬彬有礼，献殷勤 | |
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33
exertions
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| n.努力( exertion的名词复数 )；费力；（能力、权力等的）运用；行使 | |
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34
Christian
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| adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒 | |
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knight
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| n.骑士，武士；爵士 | |
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36
shun
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| vt.避开，回避，避免 | |
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ransom
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| n.赎金，赎身；v.赎回，解救 | |
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38
tempt
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| vt.引诱，勾引，吸引，引起…的兴趣 | |
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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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40
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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41
licentious
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| adj.放纵的，淫乱的 | |
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42
foul
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| adj.污秽的；邪恶的；v.弄脏；妨害；犯规；n.犯规 | |
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43
reverence
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| n.敬畏，尊敬，尊严；Reverence:对某些基督教神职人员的尊称；v.尊敬，敬畏，崇敬 | |
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44
creed
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| n.信条；信念，纲领 | |
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45
misery
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| n.痛苦，苦恼，苦难；悲惨的境遇，贫苦 | |
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46
woe
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| n.悲哀，苦痛，不幸，困难；int.用来表达悲伤或惊慌 | |
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47
tattered
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| adj.破旧的，衣衫破的 | |
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48
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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