49
As if still more to enhance the beauty of the scene, a cavalcade4 was seen approaching from the adjacent wooded heights. The riders followed the winding5 road, now in groups, now singly, and sometimes were entirely6 hidden from view. Clear, ringing voices, joyous7 laughter, and now and then deep manly8 voices mingled9 with the neighing of horses. The travellers were the Duchess of Brittany, her son, and attendants. The seneschal rode in advance with two heralds10, followed by Constance in a riding-habit of green silk, mounted upon a beautiful palfrey. H?el rode by her side, his fiery11 bay taking the lead whenever the road narrowed, to make room for the Duchess’s horse. Then came Duke Arthur and Alan on prancing12 black steeds. Arthur sat jauntily13 yet securely in his saddle, his slight figure being a trifling14 burden for the noble animal, which seemed to take pride in carrying him. He looked boyish yet distinguished15. His unusual beauty was a sufficient mark of his high birth even if his costume had not proclaimed it. He wore a cloak of brown silk embroidered16 with gold, and over it a short, dark satin mantle17 tipped with ermine. From his cap waved a heron plume18, fastened with jewels. He was a figure of beauty as he rode through the charming world about him, engaged in earnest talk with Alan. Behind the youths followed the squires19 and troopers, next the Duchess’s ladies, and in the rear the servants with the sumpter horses. It was an imposing20 though not a warlike train.
50
Their destination was Rouen, where King Richard had arrived, not, as Constance had hoped, to settle her affairs, but to consult with Philip Augustus about the Crusade.[10] It was all the more urgent, therefore, for the Duchess to seek an interview with him and ascertain21 his plans before he entered upon such a long and dangerous journey. The King had been notified of her visit and had arranged for her safe passage through Normandy, whose frontier she was now approaching. As they emerged from the woods H?el heard a cry and the sound of a struggle in a thicket22 close at hand, and ordered a halt. Before he began an investigation23, the disturbers of the peace appeared. Two men were dragging another along, answering his appeals with blows and abusive epithets24. The victim was an old man, and the sight aroused Arthur’s indignation. He rode up at once, and ordered the men to give an account of their conduct, and in the meantime to release the old man. The latter fell upon his knees and looked up to Arthur with tearful eyes. H?el and Alan came forward and heard the indignant protest of the two men. They declared they were bailiffs in the service of the King of France. “This man,” they said, pointing to the kneeling victim, “is a Jew. The last day of grace King Philip allowed the Jews has expired.”
“Is this true?” asked Arthur.
51
The old man looked up and said: “Listen, most gracious Prince, for, although I know you not, I can see the reflection of the crown upon your brow. Yes, it is true. The great King Philip Augustus, although he has long allowed our race to live in his kingdom, has now set his face against us. He has said, ‘Take the staff and leave the country; any one of you found in France after the day which I set shall die.’ The King’s servants have hounded us. They have plundered26 our homes; they have driven off our poor and wretched people. I was on my way to Holland, where our people have freedom to live, but I was so overcome by grief and hunger that I had to stay in the city until to-day—and now they have caught me.”
“It looks bad for you, Jew,” said H?el, shrugging his shoulders.
The bailiffs were again about to seize their prisoner, but Arthur cried: “Stop! Let him go free. It is my wish that he shall accompany us.”
“I am in command here, not King Philip,” said Arthur boldly and proudly. “I am the Duke of Brittany. Take yourselves off, or my men shall bind28 you.”
52
The bailiffs, astonished at the delicate boy, who spoke29 with such dignity, lost no time in getting away.
The Jew, when he realized that he was free, bowed to the earth before Arthur and kissed his feet. The old man was so tattered30, befouled, and ill-favored that Arthur had some scruples31 about addressing him, but at last he said, “If I protect you as far as Rouen will you then take ship to Holland?”
The old man consented, saying, “God will help me on.”
Arthur gave him one of the packhorses, whose load was distributed among the other animals, and ordered the servants to let him ride with them. More quickly than might have been expected of one so weak, the Jew swung himself into the saddle and joined the little band, which once more resumed its march.
Constance took no part in the occurrence, and when Arthur rode up and entreated32 her approval of his act she said to him with some anxiety, “When the bailiffs complain to Philip he may be angry with you, my son.”
53
Arthur became thoughtful as H?el added, “The life of this Jew is of little consequence to Philip, for whatever he has of value the King will be sure to get.”
“How is that?” asked Arthur.
“The dispersal of the Jews was ordered to please the Pope,” said H?el, “and out of their wealth King Philip will raise the means for arming the Crusaders.”
“That is not kingly,” said Arthur indignantly.
“All the same they are Jews, and their treasures will be taken for the King’s service. How can it harm them anyway? They exude33 gold as these pines do pitch.”
Arthur reflected upon H?el’s words with considerable surprise and almost regretted his display of sympathy. But when he looked back and saw the bent34 figure of the Jew following the others, who shunned35 him, he thought to himself, “Still, I could not let him perish.”
That evening the Duchess and her most distinguished companions stopped at one of the stately abbeys of that region, and Arthur arranged that the Jew should spend the night with the servants who looked after the horses outside. They had soon become accustomed to their silent fellow-traveller, who served them for a laughing-stock.
54
After the fourth day the travellers at last approached their destination. They met crowds along the country road—haughty knights36, warriors37, and pilgrims intending to take part in the expedition to Palestine, besides ecclesiastics38 and monks39, traders and shopkeepers. It was a good-natured crowd, but it often obstructed40 our travellers, and at times they were separated from each other. Arthur and Alan were frequently delayed by a group going in the opposite direction; then, laughing and shouting, they rejoined their party. But toward evening H?el decided41 to ride faster, so that they might reach the city before the gates closed. The party got more closely together, and H?el rode along the line, urging on both people and horses. While thus engaged he discovered that the Jew was no longer with them, and that the horse he had been riding was quietly following the others. H?el caught it by the bridle42 and looked about him to see if he were not mistaken. As he was doing so he noticed a piece of paper tied to the saddle, with a ring attached to it. He untied43 it and hastened to the Duke.
“So? Then he is both false and ungrateful,” said the Duke, in some confusion.
55
“Not this time,” replied H?el. “He has left the horse and this—see here.” He handed his find to Arthur, who took the ring from the paper with much surprise. Upon the billet was written in Latin:
The ring was a heavy gold one with a magnificent emerald set in it. Arthur twirled it about, delighted with its brilliancy, then put it on his finger and placed the paper in his cloak.
“Abraham of Paris,” repeated the Duchess thoughtfully. “I well remember that name. He is called the richest of the Paris Jews. The King often bade him come to the court, and purchased jewels of him, and when he needed money Abraham furnished it; but I wish nothing to be said about our meeting him.”
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
exultant
|
|
| adj.欢腾的，狂欢的，大喜的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
concealed
|
|
| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
ravages
|
|
| 劫掠后的残迹，破坏的结果，毁坏后的残迹 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
cavalcade
|
|
| n.车队等的行列 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
winding
|
|
| n.绕，缠，绕组，线圈 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
entirely
|
|
| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
joyous
|
|
| adj.充满快乐的；令人高兴的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
manly
|
|
| adj.有男子气概的；adv.男子般地，果断地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
mingled
|
|
| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
heralds
|
|
| n.使者( herald的名词复数 )；预报者；预兆；传令官v.预示( herald的第三人称单数 )；宣布（好或重要） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
fiery
|
|
| adj.燃烧着的，火红的；暴躁的；激烈的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
prancing
|
|
| v.（马）腾跃( prance的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
jauntily
|
|
| adv.心满意足地；洋洋得意地；高兴地；活泼地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
trifling
|
|
| adj.微不足道的；没什么价值的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
distinguished
|
|
| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
embroidered
|
|
| adj．绣花的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
mantle
|
|
| n.斗篷，覆罩之物，罩子；v.罩住，覆盖，脸红 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
plume
|
|
| n.羽毛；v.整理羽毛，骚首弄姿，用羽毛装饰 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
squires
|
|
| n.地主，乡绅( squire的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
imposing
|
|
| adj.使人难忘的，壮丽的，堂皇的，雄伟的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
ascertain
|
|
| vt.发现，确定，查明，弄清 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
thicket
|
|
| n.灌木丛，树林 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
investigation
|
|
| n.调查，调查研究 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
epithets
|
|
| n.（表示性质、特征等的）词语( epithet的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
ward
|
|
| n.守卫，监护，病房，行政区，由监护人或法院保护的人（尤指儿童）；vt.守护，躲开 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
plundered
|
|
| 掠夺，抢劫( plunder的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
demurred
|
|
| v.表示异议，反对( demur的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
bind
|
|
| vt.捆，包扎；装订；约束；使凝固；vi.变硬 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
spoke
|
|
| 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 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
tattered
|
|
| adj.破旧的，衣衫破的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
scruples
|
|
| n.良心上的不安( scruple的名词复数 )；顾虑，顾忌v.感到于心不安，有顾忌( scruple的第三人称单数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
entreated
|
|
| 恳求，乞求( entreat的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
exude
|
|
| v.(使)流出，(使)渗出 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
bent
|
|
| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
shunned
|
|
| v.避开，回避，避免( shun的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
knights
|
|
| 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 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
warriors
|
|
| 武士，勇士，战士( warrior的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
ecclesiastics
|
|
| n.神职者，教会，牧师( ecclesiastic的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
|
39
monks
|
|
| n.修道士，僧侣( monk的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
obstructed
|
|
| 阻塞( obstruct的过去式和过去分词 )； 堵塞； 阻碍； 阻止 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
decided
|
|
| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
bridle
|
|
| n.笼头，束缚；vt.抑制，约束；动怒 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
untied
|
|
| 松开，解开( untie的过去式和过去分词 )； 解除，使自由； 解决 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
gratitude
|
|
| adj.感激，感谢 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |