Near the mouth of a deep and narrow dungeon, which was more like a tomb than a prison to its wretched inmates3, stood Corsicurbo, the barbarian4. He shouted with a terrible voice, but, although the fearful clamour was heard far and near, none could hear his words distinctly, except the miserable5 Clelia, an unhappy captive, buried in this abyss. "Clelia," he said, "see that the boy who was committed to your custody6 two days ago, be bound fast to the cord I am about to let down; see that his hands are tied behind him, and make him ready to be drawn up here: also look well if among the women of the last prize there are any beautiful enough to deserve being brought amongst us, and to enjoy the light of the clear sky that is above us." So saying, he let down a strong hempen7 cord, and for some brief space he and four other barbarians8 pulled it, until, with his hands tied strongly behind him, they drew up a boy, seemingly about nineteen or twenty years of age, drest in linen9 like a mariner10, but beautiful, exceedingly.
The first thing the barbarians did was to investigate the manacles and cords with which his hands were tied behind his back; then they shook the locks of hair, which, like an infinity11 of rings of pure gold, covered his head. They cleaned his face, which had been obscured by dust, and revealed a beauty, so marvellous, that it softened12 and touched even the hearts of those who were carrying him to execution.
The gallant13 boy showed no sort of affliction in his bearing, but with beaming eyes he uplifted his countenance14, and looking round on every side, with a clear voice and firm accent, he cried, "I give thanks, O vast and pitying Heavens, that I have been brought out to die where your light will shine upon my death, and not where those dark dungeons15, from which I have just arisen, would have covered me with their gloomy horrors; I would wish, because I am a Christian16, not to die in despair at least, although my misfortunes are such as to make me almost desire it."
None of this speech was understood by the barbarians, being spoken in a different language from theirs; so, closing the mouth of the cavern17 with a large stone, and carrying the boy, still bound, among the four, they arrived at the sea-shore, where they had a raft of timber fastened together with strong filaments18 of bark and flexible osiers. This contrivance served them, as soon appeared, for a boat, in which they crossed to another island, about two or three miles distant. They leaped upon the raft, and put their prisoner seated in the midst of them. Immediately one of the barbarians took a great bow that was in the raft, and fitting into it an enormous arrow, the point of which was made of flint, he quickly bent19 it, and looking the boy in the face, made him his mark, giving signs as if he would shoot him through the heart. The other barbarians took three heavy poles, cut like oars20, and whilst one used his as a rudder, the other two impelled21 the raft in the direction of the island before mentioned. The beautiful boy, who alternately hoped and feared the blow of the threat'ning dart22, rounded his shoulders, compressed his lips, arched his brows, and in deep silence asked in his heart of Heaven, not to be delivered from this death, as near as it was cruel, but that he might have strength given him to suffer. The savage23 archer24, seeing this, and knowing that it was not by this manner of death he was to die; finding even in his hard heart some pity for the boy, and not desiring to give him a protracted25 suffering, still kept the arrow pointed26 at his breast, but put the bow aside, and let him know by signs, as well as he could, that he did not wish to kill him.
Thus it befell, when the raft reached the middle of the strait, formed by the two islands, that there arose a sudden hurricane, which the inexperienced mariners27 had no power to withstand; the timbers that formed the raft, came asunder28, and divided into parts, leaving in one (which might be composed of about six planks29) the boy, who feared that the waves would speedily overwhelm him, and that by this death he was to die. Wild whirlwinds tossed the waters, contrary blasts contended together. The barbarians were all overwhelmed, and the planks, with the fast-bound captive, went out into the open sea, passing over the crests30 of the waves; not only impelling31 him towards heaven, but denying him the power of asking compassion32 from it in his distress33: yet had Providence34 cared for him; the furious waves that every moment washed over him did not separate him from his raft, and he was carried by them into the abyss. As he was bound fast, with his hands behind his back, he could not assist himself, or make the smallest effort to preserve his life.
In this way, as I have said, he went out into the open sea, which appeared more peaceful on turning a point of land into a bay, where the planks floated wonderfully, defended from the raging and angry sea.
The weary youth felt this, and he looked around on every side, till he discovered near him a ship, which was lying at anchor in this quiet place as in a secure haven35.
Those in the ship also perceived the raft and the figure that was upon it. To satisfy themselves what this might be, they let down their boat, and came to look at him, when they found the disfigured yet still beautiful boy: with speed and pity they took him to the ship, where the sight filled every one with wonder and admiration36. He was lifted in by the sailors, and not being able to stand from weakness (for it was three days since he had tasted food), and moreover, being wetted and maltreated by the waves, he sunk down all at once on the deck. Touched with natural compassion, the captain kindly37 ordered that he should have instant assistance to restore him.
Immediately some hastened to take off the ligatures that bound him, others to bring odoriferous wines, with which remedies the fainting boy returned as if out of death to life, and raising his eyes to the captain, whose noble mien38 and rich attire39 declared his rank, as did his speech also, he said to him: "May the pitying Heavens reward thee, O compassionate40 sir, for the good deed thou hast done. For all the benefits bestowed41 on me I can make no return, such are my misfortunes, unless it be with my gratitude42; and if it be allowed to a poor afflicted43 creature to say good of himself, I know this, that in being grateful no one on earth can excel me." And here he attempted to rise and kiss the captain's hand, but his weak condition would not permit this, for thrice he tried and thrice fell back on the deck.
The captain seeing this, ordered him to be raised up and carried below, his wet garments taken off, and that he should be dressed in others, clean and good, and then left to rest and sleep. They did as he commanded; the boy obeyed in silence, and the captain's admiration increased when he saw him thus attired44: his desire to learn as quickly as possible who he was, and what had brought him into such a strait, was strong, but his courtesy exceeded his curiosity, and he desired him to repose45 and recover from his fatigues46 before satisfying his wish.
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1
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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dungeon
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| n.地牢，土牢 | |
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inmates
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| n.囚犯( inmate的名词复数 ) | |
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4
barbarian
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| n.野蛮人；adj.野蛮(人)的；未开化的 | |
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5
miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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custody
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| n.监护，照看，羁押，拘留 | |
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hempen
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| adj. 大麻制的, 大麻的 | |
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barbarians
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| n.野蛮人( barbarian的名词复数 )；外国人；粗野的人；无教养的人 | |
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9
linen
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| n.亚麻布，亚麻线，亚麻制品；adj.亚麻布制的，亚麻的 | |
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mariner
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| n.水手号不载人航天探测器，海员，航海者 | |
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infinity
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| n.无限，无穷，大量 | |
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12
softened
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| （使）变软( soften的过去式和过去分词 )； 缓解打击； 缓和； 安慰 | |
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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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countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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dungeons
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| n.地牢( dungeon的名词复数 ) | |
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16
Christian
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| adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒 | |
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cavern
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| n.洞穴，大山洞 | |
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filaments
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| n.（电灯泡的）灯丝( filament的名词复数 )；丝极；细丝；丝状物 | |
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19
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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oars
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| n.桨，橹( oar的名词复数 )；划手v.划（行）( oar的第三人称单数 ) | |
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21
impelled
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| v.推动、推进或敦促某人做某事( impel的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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dart
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| v.猛冲，投掷；n.飞镖，猛冲 | |
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savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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archer
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| n.射手，弓箭手 | |
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25
protracted
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| adj.拖延的；延长的v.拖延“protract”的过去式和过去分词 | |
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pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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mariners
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| 海员，水手（mariner的复数形式） | |
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asunder
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| adj.分离的，化为碎片 | |
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planks
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| （厚）木板( plank的名词复数 )； 政纲条目，政策要点 | |
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crests
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| v.到达山顶（或浪峰）( crest的第三人称单数 )；到达洪峰，达到顶点 | |
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31
impelling
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| adj.迫使性的，强有力的v.推动、推进或敦促某人做某事( impel的现在分词 ) | |
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32
compassion
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| n.同情，怜悯 | |
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33
distress
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| n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛 | |
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providence
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| n.深谋远虑，天道，天意；远见；节约；上帝 | |
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haven
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| n.安全的地方，避难所，庇护所 | |
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36
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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37
kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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mien
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| n.风采；态度 | |
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39
attire
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| v.穿衣，装扮[同]array；n.衣着；盛装 | |
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40
compassionate
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| adj.有同情心的，表示同情的 | |
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41
bestowed
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| 赠给，授予( bestow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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42
gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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43
afflicted
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| 使受痛苦，折磨( afflict的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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44
attired
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| adj.穿着整齐的v.使穿上衣服，使穿上盛装( attire的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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45
repose
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| v.(使)休息；n.安息 | |
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46
fatigues
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| n.疲劳( fatigue的名词复数 )；杂役；厌倦；（士兵穿的）工作服 | |
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