118
“It is not our fault, my nephew,” said he, “that I am receiving you here. It would not have been so had you accepted my invitation.”
“Your invitation, uncle?” replied Arthur, not addressing him by his royal title. “I know of no invitation except the one to surrender which your troops sent to our cities.”
119
“Well,” replied John with a show of irritation13, “your mother, instead of applying to her husband’s family for protection, besought14 it of Philip Augustus, King of France.”
“And why was Geoffrey’s widow forced to seek for outside help, except that her legitimate15 protectors had become her enemies? No, my uncle, you cannot justify16 what has happened, but you can make reparation.”
“What do you mean?” said John.
“You well know my claims,” replied Arthur.
“And I scorn them,” said the King menacingly. “Bethink you. You are a prisoner. You should be more moderate of speech.”
“Imprisonment17 cannot make wrong right. It is more likely to add new wrongs to old ones.”
“Silence,” thundered John. “How does a mere18 worm, whom I can trample19 under my feet, dare to be so bold?”
120
Arthur’s hand involuntarily sought his missing sword. Blazing with anger, he exclaimed: “Shame upon you thus to abuse and threaten a prisoner! Even if you despise the ties of relationship, at least honor the obligations of knighthood, to which we both belong.” The knights present loudly applauded these words, occasioning much confusion. Thereupon John, chagrined20 as he realized he had gone too far, quietly observed: “I am the best judge of what is becoming to knighthood. The honor of the King stands higher still. You may retire, Duke Arthur.”
The King beckoned21 to the guards and Arthur was led away, taking with him the unmistakable sympathy of all present.
“You have heard, my lords, how this prisoner defies me,” resumed the King. A pause followed these words, and lasted until Salisbury came forward and said: “The Duke spoke the truth; and as it was youthful impulse which actuated him, I think, and many others with me, that he had sufficient excuse.”
“Lords Pembroke and Bigot, is that your opinion?” said the King.
121
Venerable Lord Pembroke calmly replied: “If the grade of kinship alone entitled him to the succession, Arthur would have the legitimate claim from his father, Geoffrey, your eldest22 brother. Nay23, King, do not interrupt. Hear me out. We, the lords of England, recognized you as King after Richard’s death, though well aware that a nearer heir was living. But when we elevated you to the throne we took into consideration not alone the question of inheritance, but the welfare of England. The fearful struggle after the first Henry’s death, in which rivers of blood were shed, to decide who should wear the crown, is still fresh in the minds of the people. Civil war must not again devastate24 the country; and yet I most earnestly warn you to treat your nephew, Arthur of Brittany, with the consideration due to his rank, to honor him in knightly25 fashion, and to give him back his dukedom unimpaired. Promise me this, O King, and receive anew our loyal devotion. Do you endorse26 my proposal, noble lords?”
The convincing importance of his statement, as well as the imposing27 presence of Lord Pembroke, made a profound impression, and all raised their hands in assent28.
John looked around the circle in a triumphant29 manner and said in a conciliatory tone: “I give the promise which you desire unconditionally30, my loving and trusty followers31. I am pained that you should have believed I would not deal with my nephew as becomes his rank, even without a promise.”
122
All were, or at least seemed to be, satisfied with the King’s statement. Salisbury, however, still was suspicious of John’s sincerity32. He asked permission to visit the prisoner again. The King smilingly granted it, saying: “Go to him to-day, noble Earl, for you must leave with a detachment of troops in the morning.”
Salisbury made no objection to this, for he did not know that not only he, but all the nobles who had shown favor toward Arthur, would be sent away, and that the Duke would be left behind in the King’s power. He was detained so long by the King upon business matters and friendly pretences33 that little time was left for him to make the visit; but at last he got away, and hurried to the prison. The joy with which Arthur greeted him made it all the more difficult for the Earl to prepare him for the approaching separation. When the Duke learned the King’s intention, he lost his self-control and entreated34 Salisbury not to leave him. Vainly the Earl assured him that John had bound himself by a sacred promise that he would do nothing to harm his nephew. He clung to his only friend as he sought to tear himself away, crying out in utter despair, “My last hope departs with you, noble Salisbury.”
123
In great agitation35 Salisbury left the unfortunate youth, and the next day marched out of Mirabeau, filled with gloomy apprehensions36 and wishing that he had never entered it and taken Arthur prisoner.
In a few weeks the relations of those who had met in Mirabeau were radically37 changed. Queen Eleanor had to remain there alone, though very reluctantly, as she was detained by a severe illness. It seemed as if the sight of Arthur’s face had aroused the torments38 of conscience, for, from the day when she was forced to deliver him into John’s power she had grown weak and ill, both in body and mind. As soon as he could make the arrangements John left Mirabeau, taking his nephew with him. Though closely guarded, Arthur enjoyed considerable freedom on the road, and followed the army on horseback. But before they were out of Normandy the prisoner’s guards suddenly took him away in another direction from that of the army, and landed him in the castle of Falaise.
124
In that gloomy castle Arthur experienced all the hardships of imprisonment and passed his days in hopeless solitude39. At the beginning of winter he was taken to Rouen and confined in a strong tower on the bank of the Seine. Though joyous40 and cheerful by nature, he lost all courage and hope, and fell into utter despair. His young days seemed like a dream, and as he recalled them he asked himself over and over again, “What has become of Alan?”
The time which seemed so long to Arthur was passed by Alan in almost constant toil41 and hardship. How many dangers, plots, and delays he had to overcome before he finally reached Paris! He entered upon his mission for Arthur at once, but it was soon apparent that the task was hopeless. Where could he look for advice and assistance? King Philip being far away with his army, Alan was powerless to carry out Arthur’s wishes, and yet the Princesses were expecting aid from him. He visited Abraham, who remained steadfast42 to the Duke; yet the Jew required time to raise the money and make inquiries43 just when Alan had to face new dangers at every turn. When Abraham learned from his relatives that Arthur had left Rouen, his alarm increased, for he feared the worst if he met John. The utmost despatch44 was now necessary, and Abraham showed his willingness to help Alan in his plans for the Duke’s rescue. “For,” said the Jew, “he has done me a great favor and has made an asylum45 for my people. But, alas46, King John persecutes47 the children of Israel, and has sworn to extirpate48 our race.”
125
Alan advised with Abraham about every move he made, and finally decided49 to repair at once to the neighborhood of the Duke; then he arranged to meet Abraham in Rouen and decide what further steps were necessary in Arthur’s behalf.
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1
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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2
besieged
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| 包围，围困，围攻( besiege的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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stringent
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| adj.严厉的；令人信服的；银根紧的 | |
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solicitude
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| n.焦虑 | |
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mantle
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| n.斗篷，覆罩之物，罩子；v.罩住，覆盖，脸红 | |
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6
attire
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| v.穿衣，装扮[同]array；n.衣着；盛装 | |
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7
erect
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| n./v.树立，建立，使竖立；adj.直立的，垂直的 | |
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8
likeness
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| n.相像，相似（之处） | |
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disquieted
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| v.使不安，使忧虑，使烦恼( disquiet的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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10
rustle
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| v.沙沙作响；偷盗(牛、马等)；n.沙沙声声 | |
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11
murmurs
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| n.低沉、连续而不清的声音( murmur的名词复数 )；低语声；怨言；嘀咕 | |
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12
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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13
irritation
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| n.激怒，恼怒，生气 | |
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14
besought
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| v.恳求，乞求（某事物）( beseech的过去式和过去分词 )；(beseech的过去式与过去分词) | |
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15
legitimate
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| adj.合法的，合理的，合乎逻辑的；v.使合法 | |
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16
justify
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| vt.证明…正当(或有理)，为…辩护 | |
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17
imprisonment
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| n.关押，监禁，坐牢 | |
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18
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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19
trample
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| vt.踩，践踏；无视，伤害，侵犯 | |
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20
chagrined
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| adj.懊恼的，苦恼的v.使懊恼，使懊丧，使悔恨( chagrin的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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21
beckoned
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| v.（用头或手的动作）示意，召唤( beckon的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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22
eldest
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| adj.最年长的，最年老的 | |
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23
nay
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| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
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24
devastate
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| v.使荒芜，破坏，压倒 | |
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25
knightly
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| adj. 骑士般的 adv. 骑士般地 | |
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26
endorse
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| vt.(支票、汇票等)背书，背署；批注；同意 | |
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27
imposing
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| adj.使人难忘的，壮丽的，堂皇的，雄伟的 | |
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28
assent
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| v.批准，认可；n.批准，认可 | |
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29
triumphant
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| adj.胜利的，成功的；狂欢的，喜悦的 | |
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30
unconditionally
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| adv.无条件地 | |
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31
followers
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| 追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件 | |
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32
sincerity
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| n.真诚，诚意；真实 | |
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33
pretences
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| n.假装( pretence的名词复数 )；作假；自命；自称 | |
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34
entreated
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| 恳求，乞求( entreat的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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35
agitation
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| n.搅动；搅拌；鼓动，煽动 | |
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36
apprehensions
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| 疑惧 | |
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37
radically
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| ad.根本地，本质地 | |
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38
torments
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| （肉体或精神上的）折磨，痛苦( torment的名词复数 )； 造成痛苦的事物[人] | |
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39
solitude
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| n. 孤独; 独居,荒僻之地,幽静的地方 | |
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40
joyous
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| adj.充满快乐的；令人高兴的 | |
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41
toil
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| vi.辛劳工作，艰难地行动；n.苦工，难事 | |
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42
steadfast
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| adj.固定的，不变的，不动摇的；忠实的；坚贞不移的 | |
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43
inquiries
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| n.调查( inquiry的名词复数 )；疑问；探究；打听 | |
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44
despatch
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| n./v.(dispatch)派遣；发送；n.急件；新闻报道 | |
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45
asylum
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| n.避难所，庇护所，避难 | |
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46
alas
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| int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
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47
persecutes
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| （尤指宗教或政治信仰的）迫害(~sb. for sth.)( persecute的第三人称单数 )； 烦扰，困扰或骚扰某人 | |
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48
extirpate
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| v.除尽，灭绝 | |
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49
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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