The King looked sharply at Arthur, who, thirsting for action, acceded4 to his proposal notwithstanding the Duchess’s disapproval5. She was obliged to consent in the end, however, for H?el and Alan, who found idle court life intolerable, gladly agreed to go also, and were eager to participate in the affair.
72
Arthur was to be admitted to knighthood at once, and chose Alan for his brother-in-arms. During the night which preceded the important ceremony, the youths kept knightly7 vigil to uplift their souls in prayer. They were escorted by H?el and some of the leading knights8 to the castle chapel9, where they were left alone, after an impressive parting. The barred doors shut them out from the world, and they knelt a long time before the altar, engaged in their devotions. These concluded, they arose, and with drawn10 swords made a circuit of the chapel walls, pausing at times before the memorials of distinguished11 princes, whose statues seemed almost ghostly in the uncertain flickerings of the ever-burning lamps. The banners fastened to the columns, which reached to the dome12, fluttered, and the trophies13 gave out a hollow sound as the youths passed them. At last they reached the altar again, and almost involuntarily Arthur began to express his deep emotions. He thought of the cruel fate which had snatched his father from him, and of the sorrowful burden which had overwhelmed his mother. With a firm voice he pictured the future for which he longed so ardently14 and hopefully. He would earn distinction and fame under Philip’s leadership, and all brave heroes would gladly help him in his struggle for his rights. Then, when Richard had returned to the throne of England, and he had earned Philip’s good-will, how successfully his life would unfold! “And you, Alan, my brother-in-arms,” he said, turning to him, “shall always be nearest my side, however high a station I may reach.”
73
Glowing with youthful enthusiasm, Alan knelt before Arthur and lowered his sword with the utmost reverence15, for he believed in Arthur with all his soul. Joyfully16 the latter exclaimed: “Oh, that a sign might be given to reveal my future!”
At that instant the moon broke through the clouds and illuminated17 the lofty stained glass windows. In the sudden crimson18 glow Arthur and Alan looked as if they were sprinkled with blood. Their faces, hair, and shoulders were tinted19 a deep red. They gazed upon one another with astonishment20, but the red glow soon disappeared, and they were once more in the semi-darkness. Though the effect, which was caused by the light passing through the ruby-red panes21, was easily explainable, yet they were deeply impressed by it. They spoke22 no more, but stood motionless by the altar, awaiting the coming of day.
74
The morning light had hardly broken when the doors of the chapel were opened and a band of knights came to greet their new brothers. H?el embraced them and smiled at Arthur’s disturbed countenance23; but when he saw that Alan too was pale and agitated24, he became serious. There was no time to question them, for a multitude quickly poured into the chapel. The entire court was soon assembled. The ecclesiastics25 gathered about the altar, and at last the King entered with the Queen and the Duchess Constance. At the close of the religious service Philip entered the chancel and bade Arthur kneel. Touching26 his shoulder with his sword, he dubbed27 him knight6 and received his vows28. When Alan had likewise been admitted to knighthood, their golden spurs were given them, and shouting “Saint Denis!” and “Saint George!” the knights embraced their new comrades. All present joined in congratulation, and H?el had to tear them away almost by force, so that they might have rest and refreshment29 and be in readiness for the afternoon’s tournament. When the time came, they were assisted in putting on their armor by knights, but Arthur kept his sash in his hand so that his mother might bind30 it about him. The gloomy night was forgotten, and as he passed along the spacious31 corridors of the Louvre[16] every one he met stopped to admire his youthful beauty and to make smiling return for his friendly greeting.
75
As he approached the Duchess’s apartment he heard delightful32 strains of music, and hesitated about entering; for Constance, since the great sorrow had come into her life, seldom touched the harp3. At last, however, he softly opened the door and glanced into the large room. The Duchess was reclining upon a couch, her head resting upon her hand, and her pale face bedewed with tears. A young lady, who was playing the harp, sat near her on a tabouret. She ceased as Arthur quickly advanced and bowed low to the two ladies. The younger rose in surprise and looked inquiringly at the Duchess, who took her hand and, turning to Arthur, said, “You must know, my son, who has played so beautifully for my consolation33. This is the Princess Marie of France,[17] whom Philip has brought from the cloisters34 to-day. Though it is our first meeting, she well knows my sorrow.”
76
“Noble lady,” said Marie gently, “I too have known sorrow. My mother is dead.”
“May the blessing35 of Heaven comfort you, gracious lady, and bring its peace to a heart which knows so well how to comfort others,” exclaimed Arthur. “I shall go to the field contentedly36, for I know that an angel will be at my mother’s side.”
Trumpet37 peals38 from the courtyard summoned to the tournament. The clank of armor was heard in the anteroom, and knights were in waiting to act as Arthur’s escort.
“It is my first venture with arms, dear mother. Give me your blessing, I beseech39 you,” implored40 Arthur; “and you, Princess, shall tie on my sash as a surety of good fortune in the contest.”
Marie directed a questioning glance at the Duchess, and when she smiled in return, threw the scarf over Arthur’s shoulder and fastened it. After a word of thanks, Arthur hastened to his waiting associates, and the ladies betook themselves to the Queen, whose guests they were to be at the tournament.
77
The field was encircled with a dense41 throng42 of persons of all ranks. The spectators watched Arthur eagerly as he rode in, followed by Alan and four knights, who drew up in line. Their adversaries43 confronted them in similar line. At a signal from the King the knights rushed at each other. H?el smilingly watched his protégés, who distinguished themselves by their daring and dexterity44. At the first onset45 Arthur parried the thrust of his enemy, and at the second advanced from the other side with such fury that his opponent was taken off his guard and was dismounted. Arthur was declared victor. The same good fortune attended him in the remaining contests, and at the close he received a wreath from the Queen’s own hands as his prize. Never was handsomer knight seen than Arthur, as with visor raised he lifted his crowned head and saluted46 the princesses. At the court banquet he was assigned a place between his mother and the Princess Marie, and his heart swelled47 with joy and pride.
78
The time for the departure of the expedition drew nigh, and Arthur spent his leisure moments in the company of the Duchess and her young friend. On the last evening the King visited them, and after a brief conversation turned to the Duke. “Take a long farewell,” said he. “Guard yourself in battle, for your reward will be Marie’s hand.”
Arthur and the Princess stood speechless with surprise for some time, but the silence was at last broken by the Duchess: “Yes, Arthur, it is the King’s will to give Marie to you as wife, and to me as daughter, some day, when our lot is a happier one.”
“For that I hope, with God’s help,” answered the King.
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1
fugitives
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| n.亡命者，逃命者( fugitive的名词复数 ) | |
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spouse
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| n.配偶(指夫或妻) | |
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harp
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| n.竖琴；天琴座 | |
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4
acceded
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| v.（正式）加入( accede的过去式和过去分词 )；答应；（通过财产的添附而）增加；开始任职 | |
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disapproval
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| n.反对，不赞成 | |
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knight
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| n.骑士，武士；爵士 | |
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knightly
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| adj. 骑士般的 adv. 骑士般地 | |
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8
knights
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| 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 | |
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9
chapel
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| n.小教堂，殡仪馆 | |
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drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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dome
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| n.圆屋顶，拱顶 | |
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13
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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14
ardently
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| adv.热心地，热烈地 | |
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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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joyfully
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| adv. 喜悦地, 高兴地 | |
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illuminated
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| adj.被照明的；受启迪的 | |
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18
crimson
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| n./adj.深(绯)红色(的)；vi.脸变绯红色 | |
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tinted
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| adj. 带色彩的 动词tint的过去式和过去分词 | |
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astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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panes
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| 窗玻璃( pane的名词复数 ) | |
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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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23
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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agitated
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| adj.被鼓动的，不安的 | |
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ecclesiastics
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| n.神职者，教会，牧师( ecclesiastic的名词复数 ) | |
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touching
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| adj.动人的，使人感伤的 | |
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27
dubbed
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| v.给…起绰号( dub的过去式和过去分词 )；把…称为；配音；复制 | |
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28
vows
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| 誓言( vow的名词复数 )； 郑重宣布，许愿 | |
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29
refreshment
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| n.恢复，精神爽快，提神之事物；（复数）refreshments:点心，茶点 | |
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30
bind
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| vt.捆，包扎；装订；约束；使凝固；vi.变硬 | |
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31
spacious
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| adj.广阔的，宽敞的 | |
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delightful
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| adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的 | |
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33
consolation
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| n.安慰，慰问 | |
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34
cloisters
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| n.（学院、修道院、教堂等建筑的）走廊( cloister的名词复数 )；回廊；修道院的生活；隐居v.隐退，使与世隔绝( cloister的第三人称单数 ) | |
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35
blessing
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| n.祈神赐福；祷告；祝福，祝愿 | |
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contentedly
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| adv.心满意足地 | |
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37
trumpet
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| n.喇叭，喇叭声；v.吹喇叭，吹嘘 | |
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38
peals
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| n.（声音大而持续或重复的）洪亮的响声( peal的名词复数 )；隆隆声；洪亮的钟声；钟乐v.（使）（钟等）鸣响，（雷等）发出隆隆声( peal的第三人称单数 ) | |
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beseech
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| v.祈求，恳求 | |
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40
implored
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| 恳求或乞求（某人）( implore的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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41
dense
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| a.密集的，稠密的，浓密的；密度大的 | |
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42
throng
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| n.人群，群众；v.拥挤，群集 | |
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43
adversaries
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| n.对手，敌手( adversary的名词复数 ) | |
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44
dexterity
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| n.(手的)灵巧，灵活 | |
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45
onset
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| n.进攻，袭击，开始，突然开始 | |
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46
saluted
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| v.欢迎，致敬( salute的过去式和过去分词 )；赞扬，赞颂 | |
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47
swelled
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| 增强( swell的过去式和过去分词 )； 肿胀； （使）凸出； 充满（激情） | |
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