Monsieur Goubin replied that he knew it by heart.
“I congratulate you,” replied Monsieur Bergeret, “for it is a perfect breviary. I will now read you the second chapter, which you will like as well as the first.”
And the master read as follows:
“Of the hurly-burly and the great din3 raised by the Trublions and of a beauteous speech which Robin4 Honeyman made to them.
“In those days the Trublions made a great din in the town, city and university, each one of them smiting5 with an iron spoon upon a ‘trublio,’ that is to say, an iron pot or saucepan, and making a right tuneful noise. And went about shrieking6, ‘Death to traitors7 and godmothers!’ They likewise hanged upon the walls and in secret places and privy8 chambers10 beauteous little scutcheons bearing such devices as ‘Death to the baptized Jews! Buy neither of Jews nor of Lombards! Long life to Tintinnabule!’ and armed themselves with firearms and swords, for they were of noble lineage. Nevertheless did they receive Martin Baton11 into their company, and were such excellent good princes withal that they smote12 with their fists and disdained14 not the sports of bondsmen.
“And all their converse15 was of hewing16 and splitting in twain, and they said in their language and idiom, which was most meet and congruous and corresponsive to their manner of thinking, that it was their purpose to brain the folk, which is properly to draw forth17 the brain from the brain-pan wherein it doth lie by the order and disposition18 of nature. And they did always as they had said, always and whenever there was occasion. And being but simple souls they thought themselves to be virtuous19 men, and that apart from them there were none righteous, but all evil, which was a marvellously clear ordinance20, a perfect distinction and a fair order of battle.
“And they had among them many beauteous and most gracious ladies in sumptuous21 apparel, the which very graciously and without blandishments and wantonness did incite22 the aforesaid gallant23 Trublions to belabour, break asunder24, overthrow25, transpierce and discomfort26 all who did not trublion.
“Be not amazed but recognize herein the natural inclination27 of fair ladies to cruelty and violence and the admiration28 of high courage and warlike valour as was seen aforetime in the ancient histories, in which it is related that the god Mars was beloved of Venus and of goddesses and mortals in great store, and that, contrariwise, Apollo, although a blithesome29 player upon the viol, received naught30 but the disdain13 of nymphs and chamber9-maids.
“And there was not held in the city any conventicle nor procession of the Trublions, nor feast nor burying, but that a poor man or twain or more was belaboured by them, and left half or three parts dead, yea, wholly dead upon the road, which is a most marvellous thing. For it was the custom that whenever the Trublions passed by they belaboured that man which did refuse to ‘trublion,’ and afterwards did pitifully bear him upon a bier unto the apothecary31, and for this reason or for another were the apothecaries32 of the city upon the side of the Trublions.
“In these days there was a great fair held at Paris in France, more spacious33 and greater than were ever the fairs of Aix-la-Chapelle, or Frankfort, or the Lendit, or the great fair of Beaucaire. The said fair of Paris was so copious34 and abundant in merchandise and works of art and gentle inventions that a worthy35 man named Cornely, who had seen much and was no homestayer, was wont36 to say that at the sight, practice and contemplation of the same he did lose the care for his eternal salvation37 and even the desire for meat and drink. The stranger peoples crowded into the city of the Parisians for to take their pleasure withal and to spend their gold. Kings and princes came at will, causing both men and women to wag their heads and say, ‘This is a great honour.’
“As for the merchants, from the greatest to the least, from All-profit to Earn-little, and the men of trades and industries, they understood right well how to sell much merchandise to the strangers which had come to their city for the fair. Journeymen and beggars unfolded their packs, the keepers of eating-houses and ale-houses set out their tables, and the whole city from end to end was in truth an abundant market-place and a joyous38 refectory.
“It must also be said that the aforesaid merchants, not all, but the greater number, loved the Trublions, whom they admired for their great power of voice and their many antics; yea, there were none, even unto the Jewish merchants and usurers, who did not look upon them with respect and an exceeding humble39 desire not to be ill-treated of them.
“Thus did the common people and the merchants love the Trublions, but thereto they naturally loved their merchandise and means of livelihood40, and were thereby41 cast into great fear lest by lusty sallies, sudden breaking forth, kicks, blows, noise and trublionage, they should overturn their stalls and booths throughout all the four quarters, gardens and ramparts of the city, and lest the said Trublions, by furious and speedy slaughter42, might affright the stranger peoples and cause them to flee the city with their pouches43 yet full. Truth to tell this danger was not great. The Trublions did utter the most horrible and terrible threats, also they slew44 the folk in small numbers, one, two, or three at one time, as has been said, and people of the city: never did they attack Englishmen, nor Germans, nor other peoples, but always their own countrymen. They killed in one place, and the city was great, and there they hardly appeared. And it seemed that their love for these crimes did but increase, and likewise their desire to overthrow yet more. It seemed not meet or seemly that, in this great fair of the world and great brotherhood45, the Trublions should appear gnashing their teeth, rolling their fiery46 eyes, clenching47 their fists, throwing their legs abroad, yelping48 like mad dogs with horrible howlings, so that the Parisians were in great fear lest the Trublions should perform at an unseasonable time that which they might perform without let or hindrance49 after the festival and the trading, to wit, the slaughter here and there of a poor devil or so.
“Then began the citizens to say that they must have peace among themselves, and the public order was given forth that there should be peace throughout the city, to which the Trublions hearkened with but one ear and made reply: ‘Yea, but to live without discomforting an enemy or even only a stranger, is that content? If we leave the Jews unbaited we shall not win to Paradise. Are we to fold our arms? God hath said that we must labour that we may live.’ And pondering in their minds the universal feeling and common purpose they were greatly perplexed50.
“Then did an ancient Trublion, hight Robin Honeyman, gather together the chiefs of the Trublions, being esteemed51, venerated52 and well-accepted of them, for they knew him to be expert in deception53 and profuse54 in cunning ruses55 and guileful56 devices. Opening his mouth, which was fashioned like that of some ancient pike-fish the which hath lost some teeth but hath yet teeth enough to bite the little fishes, he said very sweetly:
“‘Hearken, friends! Give ear, all! We be honest folk and good fellows, we be not mad. We ask for peace, we desire peace. Peace is sweet, peace is a precious ointment57; peace is an electuary of Hippocrates, an Apollonian dittany. It is a fair medicinal infusion58, it is flower of the lime, mallow and marshmallow. It is sugar and honey. Honey say I? Am I not Robin Honeyman? I do feed on honey. Let the golden age return and I will e’en lick the honey from the trunks of the ancient oak-trees. I speak sooth. I desire peace; ye desire peace.’
“Hearing such words from Robin Honeyman, then did the Trublions begin to make churlish grimaces59 and whispered among themselves: ‘Is this Robin Honeyman our friend that speaketh in this wise? He loves us no longer, he would deal treacherously60 with us. He seeketh to do us a hurt; or maybe his wits have gone wool-gathering.’ And the most trublioniacal among them said: ‘What saith this old wheezer61? Doth he think we shall put away our staves, cudgels, hammers, and mallets and the beauteous little fire-sticks in our pockets? What are we in time of peace? Naught. We are worth nothing but by reason of the blows we deal. Would he have us smite62 no more? Would he have us trublion no more?’ And a great clamour and murmuring arose in the assembly, and the council chamber of the Trublions was an angry sea.
“Then did the good Robin Honeyman spread forth his little yellow hands above the wagging heads, like unto a Neptune63 calming the tempest, and when he had restored the Trublion ocean to its serene64 and tranquil65 estate, or well-nigh so, he spoke66 most courteously67:
“‘I am your friend, my sweetings, and your good counsellor. Hearken what I would say before ye wax angry. When I say we wish for peace it is plain that I speak of the pacification68 of our enemies, adversaries69, and all contentious70 persons who think, speak and act contrariwise unto us. It is visible and apparent that I mean the pacification of all save ourselves; of the police and magistrates71 opposed to us. Pacification of the civil officers of the peace invested with the power and office to impeach72, restrain, repress and contain Trublionage. Pacification of that justice and law by which we be menaced. We desire that these be plunged73 into a profound and deadly peace. We desire for all that are not Trublions the gulf74 and abyss of pacification and deadly repose75. Requiem76 ?ternam dona eis, Domine. This is our desire. We do not demand our own pacification. We are not pacified77. When we sing Requiescat, is it for ourselves? We do not desire to sleep. When we are dead it is for a long time. Nos qui vivimus, we bestow78 peace on others, not in this world but in the next; this is the more certain. I desire peace. Am I then a simple fellow? Know ye not Robin Honeyman? My sweetings, I carry more than one trick in my juggler’s pocket. My lambkins, are you then less wary79 than the urchins80 and schoolboys that sport together, who, playing together, when the one desireth to gain the advantage over the other, straightway he crieth “Pax!” which is truce81 and suspension of hostilities82, and having thus deprived him of all defiance83 and defence he doth easily defeat him and leave him abashed84.
“‘Thus do I Robin Honeyman, King’s Attorney. When as doth often hap1 I have quiet and cunning enemies in the council chamber, I speak to them in this wise: “Peace, peace, peace, gentlemen! Pax vobiscum!” and very softly slip a pot of gunpowder85 and old nails beneath the bench whereon they sit, with a fair wick of which I hold the end. Then, while I feign86 a peaceful sleep, I light the wick at a seasonable moment, and if they do not all leap into the air the fault is none of my making. Doubtless the powder was discovered, and I await the next good occasion.
“‘My good friends, follow the example and behold87 a model in your chiefs, masters and rulers. See ye not that Tintinnabule remaineth still and doth not for the present tintinnabulate? He awaits a fit and favourable88 occasion. Is he then pacified? You do not think so. And the young Trublio, doth he desire peace? Nay89, he likewise waiteth. Hearken diligently90. It is good, profitable and necessary that you appear to desire a favourable, kind, assuaging91 and purging92 pacification. What doth it cost you? Naught. And you shall derive93 therefrom great profit. You that are not pacified shall appear pacified, and the other folk (those that do not trublion), who are in truth pacified, shall appear unpacified, corrupted94, wayward, furious, wholly opposed and contrary to a gracious peace, so covetable95, pleasant and desirable. Thus it shall be made manifest that you have great zeal96 and love for the public peace and welfare, and also that, on the contrary, your opponents have a malign97 desire to trouble and destroy the city and all that lies about it. And say not that this is difficult. It will be as you desire and you will make the simple folk believe that you desire peace. They will believe what you tell them, for they hearken unto you. If you say “I desire peace” they will straightway believe that you do truly desire it. Say it then to give them pleasure, for ’twill cost you naught.
“‘Nevertheless, for your enemies and adversaries which at first so piteously bleated98 “Peace! Peace!” (for they be as gentle as sheep, which cannot be gainsaid) it shall be lawful99 for you to brain them and to say: “They desired not peace therefore we have overthrown100 them. We do desire peace and will bring the same to pass when we are your ministers.”
“‘It is worthy of all praise pacifically to wage war. Cry “Peace, Peace!” and smite the while. This is Christian-like. “Peace, Peace! This man is dead! Peace, Peace! I have slain101 three men!” The intention was pacific and you will be judged according to your intention. Go then, cry “Peace!” and smite stoutly102. The bells of the monasteries103 will ring a merry peal104 for you that love peace, and the praise of the peaceful citizens will follow you. They seeing your victims with gaping105 bellies106 lying upon the highways will say: “That is well done. It is for peace’ sake. Long live peace! Without peace no man can live at ease.”’”
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1
hap
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| n.运气；v.偶然发生 | |
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dealing
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| n.经商方法，待人态度 | |
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din
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| n.喧闹声，嘈杂声 | |
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robin
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| n.知更鸟，红襟鸟 | |
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smiting
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| v.猛打，重击，打击( smite的现在分词 ) | |
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shrieking
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| v.尖叫( shriek的现在分词 ) | |
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traitors
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| 卖国贼( traitor的名词复数 )； 叛徒； 背叛者； 背信弃义的人 | |
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privy
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| adj.私用的；隐密的 | |
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chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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chambers
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| n.房间( chamber的名词复数 )；（议会的）议院；卧室；会议厅 | |
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baton
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| n.乐队用指挥杖 | |
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smote
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| v.猛打，重击，打击( smite的过去式 ) | |
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disdain
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| n.鄙视，轻视；v.轻视，鄙视，不屑 | |
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disdained
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| 鄙视( disdain的过去式和过去分词 )； 不屑于做，不愿意做 | |
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converse
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| vi.谈话，谈天，闲聊；adv.相反的，相反 | |
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16
hewing
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| v.（用斧、刀等）砍、劈( hew的现在分词 )；砍成；劈出；开辟 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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disposition
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| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
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virtuous
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| adj.有品德的，善良的，贞洁的，有效力的 | |
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ordinance
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| n.法令；条令；条例 | |
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sumptuous
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| adj.豪华的，奢侈的，华丽的 | |
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incite
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| v.引起，激动，煽动 | |
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gallant
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| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
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asunder
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| adj.分离的，化为碎片 | |
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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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discomfort
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| n.不舒服，不安，难过，困难，不方便 | |
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inclination
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| n.倾斜；点头；弯腰；斜坡；倾度；倾向；爱好 | |
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admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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blithesome
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| adj.欢乐的，愉快的 | |
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naught
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| n.无，零 [=nought] | |
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apothecary
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| n.药剂师 | |
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apothecaries
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| n.药剂师，药店( apothecary的名词复数 ) | |
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spacious
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| adj.广阔的，宽敞的 | |
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copious
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| adj.丰富的，大量的 | |
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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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wont
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| adj.习惯于；v.习惯；n.习惯 | |
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salvation
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| n.（尤指基督）救世，超度，拯救，解困 | |
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joyous
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| adj.充满快乐的；令人高兴的 | |
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humble
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| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
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livelihood
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| n.生计，谋生之道 | |
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thereby
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| adv.因此，从而 | |
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42
slaughter
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| n.屠杀，屠宰；vt.屠杀，宰杀 | |
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pouches
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| n.（放在衣袋里或连在腰带上的）小袋( pouch的名词复数 )；（袋鼠等的）育儿袋；邮袋；（某些动物贮存食物的）颊袋 | |
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44
slew
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| v.（使）旋转；n.大量，许多 | |
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45
brotherhood
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| n.兄弟般的关系，手中情谊 | |
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46
fiery
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| adj.燃烧着的，火红的；暴躁的；激烈的 | |
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47
clenching
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| v.紧握，抓紧，咬紧( clench的现在分词 ) | |
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yelping
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| v.发出短而尖的叫声( yelp的现在分词 ) | |
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hindrance
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| n.妨碍，障碍 | |
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perplexed
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| adj.不知所措的 | |
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51
esteemed
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| adj.受人尊敬的v.尊敬( esteem的过去式和过去分词 )；敬重；认为；以为 | |
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venerated
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| 敬重（某人或某事物），崇敬( venerate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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deception
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| n.欺骗，欺诈；骗局，诡计 | |
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54
profuse
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| adj.很多的，大量的，极其丰富的 | |
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ruses
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| n.诡计，计策( ruse的名词复数 ) | |
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guileful
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| adj.狡诈的，诡计多端的 | |
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57
ointment
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| n.药膏，油膏，软膏 | |
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58
infusion
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| n.灌输 | |
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59
grimaces
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| n.（表蔑视、厌恶等）面部扭曲，鬼脸( grimace的名词复数 )v.扮鬼相，做鬼脸( grimace的第三人称单数 ) | |
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treacherously
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| 背信弃义地； 背叛地； 靠不住地； 危险地 | |
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wheezer
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| 喘息； 发出呼哧呼哧的喘息声 | |
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smite
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| v.重击；彻底击败；n.打；尝试；一点儿 | |
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Neptune
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| n.海王星 | |
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serene
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| adj. 安详的，宁静的，平静的 | |
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tranquil
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| adj. 安静的, 宁静的, 稳定的, 不变的 | |
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66
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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67
courteously
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| adv.有礼貌地，亲切地 | |
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68
pacification
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| n. 讲和，绥靖，平定 | |
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69
adversaries
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| n.对手，敌手( adversary的名词复数 ) | |
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70
contentious
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| adj.好辩的，善争吵的 | |
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71
magistrates
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| 地方法官，治安官( magistrate的名词复数 ) | |
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72
impeach
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| v.弹劾；检举 | |
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73
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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gulf
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| n.海湾；深渊，鸿沟；分歧，隔阂 | |
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75
repose
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| v.(使)休息；n.安息 | |
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76
requiem
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| n.安魂曲，安灵曲 | |
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77
pacified
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| 使（某人）安静( pacify的过去式和过去分词 )； 息怒； 抚慰； 在（有战争的地区、国家等）实现和平 | |
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bestow
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| v.把…赠与，把…授予；花费 | |
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79
wary
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| adj.谨慎的，机警的，小心的 | |
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80
urchins
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| n.顽童( urchin的名词复数 )；淘气鬼；猬；海胆 | |
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81
truce
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| n.休战，(争执，烦恼等的)缓和；v.以停战结束 | |
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82
hostilities
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| n.战争；敌意(hostility的复数)；敌对状态；战事 | |
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83
defiance
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| n.挑战，挑衅，蔑视，违抗 | |
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84
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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85
gunpowder
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| n.火药 | |
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86
feign
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| vt.假装，佯作 | |
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87
behold
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| v.看，注视，看到 | |
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88
favourable
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| adj.赞成的，称赞的，有利的，良好的，顺利的 | |
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89
nay
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| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
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90
diligently
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| ad.industriously;carefully | |
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91
assuaging
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| v.减轻( assuage的现在分词 )；缓和；平息；使安静 | |
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92
purging
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| 清洗； 清除； 净化； 洗炉 | |
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93
derive
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| v.取得；导出；引申；来自；源自；出自 | |
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corrupted
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| （使）败坏( corrupt的过去式和过去分词 )； （使）腐化； 引起（计算机文件等的）错误； 破坏 | |
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95
covetable
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| adj.值得渴望的可羡慕的，值得渴望的 | |
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zeal
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| n.热心，热情，热忱 | |
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97
malign
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| adj.有害的；恶性的；恶意的；v.诽谤，诬蔑 | |
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bleated
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| v.（羊，小牛）叫( bleat的过去式和过去分词 )；哭诉；发出羊叫似的声音；轻声诉说 | |
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99
lawful
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| adj.法律许可的，守法的，合法的 | |
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100
overthrown
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| adj. 打翻的，推倒的，倾覆的 动词overthrow的过去分词 | |
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101
slain
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| 杀死，宰杀，杀戮( slay的过去分词 )； (slay的过去分词) | |
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102
stoutly
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| adv.牢固地，粗壮的 | |
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103
monasteries
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| 修道院( monastery的名词复数 ) | |
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104
peal
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| n.钟声；v.鸣响 | |
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105
gaping
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| adj.口的；张口的；敞口的；多洞穴的v.目瞪口呆地凝视( gape的现在分词 )；张开，张大 | |
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106
bellies
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| n.肚子( belly的名词复数 )；腹部；（物体的）圆形或凸起部份；腹部…形的 | |
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