In haste Periander flew to help him, and found that he was indeed quite dead; at which all present were greatly astonished, as well as shocked, by so strange and unforeseen an event. "This dream," said Auristella, "has excused the gentleman from relating to us the adventures of the latter part of his life, the events which led to so disastrous2 a termination, and to the prison of the barbarians3, which must doubtless have been most curious and extraordinary."
To this Antonio rejoined, "Seldom do misfortunes come single, sorrows keep one another company, but however great they may be, they cease with the life of him who suffers." They then gave directions to have him buried in the best manner they could; his own garments served him for a shroud4. The snow, instead of earth, was his covering, and for a cross they found one in his bosom5, with a scapulary, which proved that he was a knight6 of the order of Christ. But this mark of honour was hardly necessary to prove his nobility, since it was clearly shown in his manners and language. Tears were not wanting at his funeral, for compassion7 did its work, and drew them from every eye.
Morning now began to dawn. The boats were again launched, the sea appearing calm and tranquil8, and half sorrowful, half joyful9, between hope and fear, they went on their way, uncertain whither they were going.
These seas were nearly covered with islands, for the greater part uninhabited. Of those that were peopled, the inhabitants were a rude, half savage10 race, rough in manners, and of insolent11 and harsh nature; yet, in spite of this, they would gladly have found some human beings to receive them, for they thought it impossible that they could be as cruel as snow-covered mountains, or so inhospitable as the hard and rugged12 rocks of the other islands.
Ten days more they voyaged on, without finding any port, or beach, or shelter, whatever, leaving right and left little isles13 which gave no promise of being peopled. They turned their eyes to a high mountain that appeared in view, rowing with all their strength, for their boats began to leak terribly, and their provisions were well nigh exhausted14. At last, more thanks to Providence15 than to their own exertions16, they reached the wished-for land, and saw two persons, standing17 on the shore, to whom Transila cried out with a loud voice, and asked, "What land is this? Who governs it? And are ye Catholic Christians18?" They replied, in their own language, which she well understood, that the island was called Golandia, and that they were Catholics, but that it was uninhabited; so few persons lived there that they only occupied one house, which served for an inn to people who put into the harbour, which was behind a great rocky mountain, to which they pointed19. And if, said they, you, whoever you are, wish to repair any damage, keep us in sight, and we will direct you to the port. They, in the boats, thanked God for this, and followed on the water those who guided them on land. On turning round the corner of the rock, that had been pointed out, they saw a little bay, that might be termed a harbour, in which lay ten or a dozen vessels20, some large, some middle-sized, and some small. Great was their joy in seeing these, since it gave them hopes of obtaining a change of boats to pursue their voyage in safety to other lands.
They landed; some persons came to meet them out of the vessel21, some from the house. The beautiful Auristella arrayed in the same garments with which Arnoldo had adorned22 Periander, when he sold him to the barbarians, was carried on shore by Periander and the two Antonios, father and son; with her came the graceful23 Transila, the beautiful Constance, with Ricla her mother; and all the rest of the persons in the boats that accompanied this gallant24 party. So great was the admiration25, amazement26, and fear of the beholders, both those from the vessels and those on land, at sight of this burst of loveliness, that they all prostrated27 themselves before them on the ground, and made signs, as if they would worship Auristella. They gazed upon her silently, and with such reverence28, that they thought not of uttering a word, or doing anything but look at her. The fair Transila who, as I have already said, understood the language of the country, was the first to break silence, saying to them, "To claim your hospitality, our until now adverse29 fortune has conducted us; by our dress, and by our mild demeanour, you may perceive we come for peace, not war; since neither women nor afflicted30 men seek to fight. Afford us then hospitality, and grant us boats in which we may pursue our voyage, for these in which we have come hither are so worn and useless, that it will be impossible to trust ourselves in them again to brave the perils31 of the ocean. If you will give us the necessaries we require, in exchange for gold and silver, we are able to recompense you abundantly, and still receive the precious supplies we stand in need of as if they were a gift."
Wondrous32 to tell, a man, who seemed to be a seaman33, answered in Spanish, "He who could doubt the truth of what you say, O beauteous lady, must be an idiot; for even though fraud may deceive, and guilt34 mask herself in the guise35 of truth and virtue36, it could not be harboured in a form so lovely as that you wear. The master of this inn is courteous37, the people who belong to these ships are not less so. Therefore, take your choice whether you will go to them or to the inn, where you will be received and treated as your appearance deserves."
The elder Antonio seeing, or rather I should say, hearing, his own language spoken, said, "Since it has pleased Heaven to bring us to a place where the sweet accents of my native land once more sound in my ears, I feel already that my misfortunes are ended. Let us go to yonder hostelry, and, after we have taken some repose38, we can arrange how best to return to our own countries, with more security than we have hitherto hoped for."
At this moment a younker, who was in the main tops of one of the vessels, called out in English, "A ship is in sight in full sail, making straight for this harbour."
They all crowded together in one spot, without moving a step, anxiously watching for the ship announced as being so near at hand, and when she came nearer they perceived that on her swelling39 sails was a red cross, and they also saw that there was a flag on the yard arm of her main mast, which bore the arms of England. She discharged, as she came in, two heavy rounds of artillery40, and immediately after that, about twenty arquebuses or light guns. They were answered from shore by joyful shouts, as a sign of peace, which was all they could do, since artillery they had none wherewith to return the salute41.
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1
hospitably
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| 亲切地，招待周到地，善于款待地 | |
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disastrous
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| adj.灾难性的，造成灾害的；极坏的，很糟的 | |
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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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shroud
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| n.裹尸布，寿衣；罩，幕；vt.覆盖，隐藏 | |
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bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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knight
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| n.骑士，武士；爵士 | |
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compassion
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| n.同情，怜悯 | |
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tranquil
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| adj. 安静的, 宁静的, 稳定的, 不变的 | |
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joyful
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| adj.欢乐的，令人欢欣的 | |
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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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insolent
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| adj.傲慢的，无理的 | |
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rugged
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| adj.高低不平的，粗糙的，粗壮的，强健的 | |
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isles
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| 岛( isle的名词复数 ) | |
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exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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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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exertions
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| n.努力( exertion的名词复数 )；费力；（能力、权力等的）运用；行使 | |
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standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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Christians
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| n.基督教徒( Christian的名词复数 ) | |
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pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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vessels
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| n.血管( vessel的名词复数 )；船；容器；（具有特殊品质或接受特殊品质的）人 | |
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vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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adorned
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| [计]被修饰的 | |
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graceful
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| adj.优美的，优雅的；得体的 | |
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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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admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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amazement
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| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
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prostrated
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| v.使俯伏，使拜倒( prostrate的过去式和过去分词 )；（指疾病、天气等）使某人无能为力 | |
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28
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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adverse
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| adj.不利的；有害的；敌对的，不友好的 | |
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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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perils
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| 极大危险( peril的名词复数 )； 危险的事（或环境） | |
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32
wondrous
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| adj.令人惊奇的，奇妙的；adv.惊人地；异乎寻常地；令人惊叹地 | |
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seaman
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| n.海员，水手，水兵 | |
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guilt
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| n.犯罪；内疚；过失，罪责 | |
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guise
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| n.外表，伪装的姿态 | |
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virtue
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| n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力 | |
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courteous
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| adj.彬彬有礼的，客气的 | |
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repose
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| v.(使)休息；n.安息 | |
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39
swelling
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| n.肿胀 | |
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40
artillery
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| n.(军)火炮，大炮；炮兵(部队) | |
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41
salute
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| vi.行礼，致意，问候，放礼炮；vt.向…致意，迎接，赞扬；n.招呼，敬礼，礼炮 | |
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