One day Gerlinda said to Gudrun in the presence of her son: “When wilt1 thou relent, perverse2 one? Delay no longer, but give thy hand to Hartmut, for, of a truth, he is the peer of any king alive!”
For answer Gudrun turned toward her and asked: “Wouldst thou, Lady Gerlinda, take for thy husband one who had caused the death of so many of thine own people?”
Gerlinda, knowing how her son’s heart was set on Gudrun, replied: “Nay, dwell not on what is past, thou foolish maid! Wed3 him who loves thee well, and gladly will I yield to thee my crown.”
47
Gudrun’s eyes filled with tears and her cheeks grew red, as she answered:
“Can there be love where treacherous4 deeds
The bitter tears mine eyes so drown,
They dim the glitter of a crown.
For freedom thirsts my soul for aye,
Of freedom dream I night and day:
She left the hall weeping.
Hartmut sprang up angrily, saying: “Enough of this! Since she ever doth scorn me, I will no longer show her favor!”
This filled Gerlinda with secret joy, for now at least she thought the haughty8 princess would be in her power, and following Hartmut she said to him: “My son, ’tis beyond thy skill to deal with Gudrun. So stubborn a child can be brought to better ways only by those of more experience. Leave her to me and thou shalt soon find her pride humbled9.”
“Heaven grant it!” cried Hartmut. “Easily might I force her to be mine, yet my heart rebels against such harshness.”
48
“Trust me,—all shall be as thou dost wish,” replied Gerlinda, eagerly.
“Fail not to deal with her as becomes her rank,” he continued, “and forget not that the poor maid hath had much cause for grief!”
The next morning Hartmut took leave of his parents and left the court, but ere he departed he sought his mother once more and charged her to treat Gudrun kindly10. Then he rode forth11 with his followers12 to drown remembrance of his love and sorrow in the dangers of battle, bearing with him the hope that Gudrun’s heart would turn to him at last. Had he but known the evil thoughts in Gerlinda’s mind, he would never have departed. Scarcely was he out of sight, however, when the Queen gave full vent13 to her malice14. Seeking Gudrun, she said to her: “Since thou dost scorn the love and favor of a King, forsooth, thou shalt do menial service and taste beggar’s fare!”
“Alas!” replied Gudrun, “I am at thy mercy and must bear whate’er thou dost inflict15 on me. But know this, Queen! that naught shall avail to shake my loyalty16.”
49
“Then,” continued Gerlinda, “shall thy maidens17 also serve as drudges19 for the sake of thy loyalty: heat the ovens, carry wood, and sweep up dust and litter. Oh, I will soon bend thy stubborn pride, I promise thee!”
Gudrun was greatly distressed20 that her maidens, who were all of noble birth, should be made to suffer for her sake, but she was powerless to prevent it.
What the Queen had threatened soon came to pass. Gudrun was separated from her companions and forced to perform the lowest tasks, but when Gerlinda one day asked her mockingly how her life at the court now pleased her, she replied simply: “The good God who gave me constancy, granted me also the strength to bear the undeserved trouble it hath brought upon me.”
Thus three years went by, and Hartmut returned at last from his wanderings, rich in fame and honors. Full of hope, he rode joyfully21 into the castle; but what was his horror to behold22 the high-born princess in the garb23 of a menial!
“Alas! my mother, what hast thou done?” he cried, and giving his hand to Gudrun, he said sorrowfully: “Believe me, most noble maiden18, ’tis through no fault of mine that this shame hath befallen thee! Yet wilt thou but look upon my suit with favor, then all thy sorrow shall be turned to joy.”
50
But Gudrun answered: “Already have I made it plain to thee that my heart is his to whom my vows24 are plighted25. Go! leave me to the misery26 thine honor should have spared me!”
Then Hartmut reminded her of his rescue of her from the water at peril27 of his life, as proof of his devotion. “And wilt thou leave such love still unrewarded?” he asked.
“Was it not thou,” replied Gudrun, “that tore me from my home and all I loved? Didst thou not slay28 my father? And yet for all these wrongs thou dost expect my thanks?”
“Have it as thou wilt, then!” he cried angrily, “and abide29 in thy misery! ’Twas no act of mine that brought it upon thee, yet it well-nigh seems thou dost deserve thy shame!”
But it was not long till his love for Gudrun again awoke, and he determined30 to make one more effort to win her heart.
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
wilt
|
|
| v.(使)植物凋谢或枯萎；(指人)疲倦，衰弱 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
perverse
|
|
| adj.刚愎的；坚持错误的，行为反常的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
wed
|
|
| v.娶，嫁，与…结婚 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
treacherous
|
|
| adj.不可靠的，有暗藏的危险的；adj.背叛的，背信弃义的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
bloody
|
|
| adj.非常的的；流血的；残忍的；adv.很；vt.血染 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
naught
|
|
| n.无，零 [=nought] | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
slain
|
|
| 杀死，宰杀，杀戮( slay的过去分词 )； (slay的过去分词) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
haughty
|
|
| adj.傲慢的，高傲的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
humbled
|
|
| adj. 卑下的，谦逊的，粗陋的 vt. 使 ... 卑下，贬低 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
kindly
|
|
| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
forth
|
|
| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
followers
|
|
| 追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
vent
|
|
| n.通风口，排放口；开衩；vt.表达，发泄 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
malice
|
|
| n.恶意，怨恨，蓄意；[律]预谋 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
inflict
|
|
| vt.(on)把…强加给，使遭受，使承担 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
loyalty
|
|
| n.忠诚，忠心 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
maidens
|
|
| 处女( maiden的名词复数 )； 少女； 未婚女子； （板球运动）未得分的一轮投球 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
maiden
|
|
| n.少女，处女；adj.未婚的，纯洁的，无经验的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
drudges
|
|
| n.做苦工的人，劳碌的人( drudge的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
distressed
|
|
| 痛苦的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
joyfully
|
|
| adv. 喜悦地, 高兴地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
behold
|
|
| v.看，注视，看到 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
garb
|
|
| n.服装，装束 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
vows
|
|
| 誓言( vow的名词复数 )； 郑重宣布，许愿 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
plighted
|
|
| vt.保证，约定（plight的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
misery
|
|
| n.痛苦，苦恼，苦难；悲惨的境遇，贫苦 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
peril
|
|
| n.(严重的)危险；危险的事物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
slay
|
|
| v.杀死，宰杀，杀戮 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
abide
|
|
| vi.遵守；坚持；vt.忍受 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
determined
|
|
| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |