"Now," said the master of the inn, "I know not that I ought to say that I feel sorry for the fair weather which all the signs in the sky seem to promise at sea. The sun shines clear and bright, far and wide one cannot perceive the smallest cloud. The waves murmur1 on the shore with a gentle sound, and the birds are scattered2 abroad over the ocean, all which are signs of fair and durable3 weather; a fact which will cause me to be soon left alone by the noble guests whom fortune has brought to my inn."
"Even so will it be," said Maurice, "for however agreeable and pleasant your company has been, the desire of returning home will prevent our enjoying it much longer. For my part, I must say, that I think of sailing to-night at the first watch, if the opinion of my pilot, and that of the officers who are in the ship, should agree with mine."
To which Arnoldo rejoined: "The loss of time is irrecoverable; but, most of all, loss of time at sea can never be remedied." In short, there was but one opinion amongst the whole party—that they should sail that night for England, to which all were bound.
Arnoldo rose from table, and taking Periander by the hand, drew him out of the inn; and when they were alone, and out of hearing of any one, he said, "It is impossible, friend Periander, but that your sister, Auristella, must have told you of the inclination4 I had for her during the two years that she was in the power of the king, my father; but so much did I respect her, that no word ever fell from my lips, that could disturb her modesty5. I never wished for more of her history than she chose to tell me; picturing her in my imagination, not as a person of ordinary or low estate, but as if she was queen of the whole world; because her modesty, gravity, and exceeding great discretion6, prevented all possibility of thinking otherwise. A thousand times I offered to marry her, and with the full consent of my father, and yet I thought the offer short of her merits; but ever she made answer, that until she was in the city of Rome, where she had a vow7 to accomplish, she could not dispose of herself. She never would tell me her quality, nor that of her parents, nor did I, as I said before, ever importune8 her on that point, for she herself, independent of all nobility of birth, deserved not only the crown of Denmark, but that of every kingdom upon earth.
"I have told you all this, Periander, because I consider you as a person of understanding and discretion, and because the happiness is not small which I ask at your's and your sister's hands, asking her of you for a wife; and promising9 to fulfil this offer, when and where she pleases; here, beneath this humble10 roof, or in the gilded11 halls of Rome; and I also swear that I will conduct myself towards her in all respect and decorum, until this desired hour shall arrive."
Here Arnoldo ended his discourse12, and listened attentively13 to what Periander would say in reply, which was—"I know well, valorous Prince Arnoldo, the obligations which both my sister and myself are under to you for the many favours you have shown us; and for that you now anew offer to us, of receiving me as your brother, and her as your wife; but, although it seems like madness for two poor miserable14 pilgrims cast out of their own country, not at once to accept the good that is offered to them, yet I must say that it is not in our power to receive it as we ought to do. Impelled15 by destiny, my sister and myself seek the city of Rome, and till we see ourselves there, we feel that we are not at liberty to use our own free-will; if Heaven permits us ever to touch the blessed ground, and adore the holy relics16 there, we may then be able to dispose of our own hitherto shackled17 inclinations18, and then mine will be entirely19 devoted20 to your service. Also, I will own to you, that if you ever reach the accomplishment21 of your wishes, you will obtain a bride born of illustrious lineage, and a brother-in-law who will be a brother indeed. And now to the many favours that we have both received, I pray you to add yet another, which is that you will not ask me more concerning our home and our life, that I may not be obliged to tell you untruths, and invent false and lying chimeras22, to avoid telling you our true history." "Dispose of me as thou wilt23, O my brother," answered Arnoldo, "consider me as the wax, and thyself the seal, to impress on me whatever thou shalt desire; and let us, if it seems good to thee, depart this night for England, as we can more easily pass from thence to France, and to Rome; and in this voyage I will accompany you, if it is agreeable to you that I should do so."
Although Periander was much disturbed at this last offer, he yet accepted it, trusting to time and delays, which sometimes cause events to turn out better than is expected; and the two intended brothers embracing one another, returned to the inn to prepare for their departure.
Auristella had seen Arnoldo and Periander go forth24 together, and greatly feared what might be the result of their conversation; and although she well knew the modesty of Prince Arnoldo, and the great discretion of Periander, still a thousand vague alarms oppressed her heart. To her it appeared that as Arnoldo's power was equal to his love, he might try to obtain what he desired by force; since sometimes, in the bosoms25 of rejected lovers, tenderness is converted into wrath26, and courtesy into rudeness; but seeing them return so amicably27 together, and in such peaceful guise28, she recovered her spirits again.
Clodio, the backbiter, who knew now who Arnoldo was, fell at his feet, and entreated29 that he would interfere30 in his behalf to get him freed from the company of Rosamond. Maurice related to him the story of their crimes and punishment. Moved by compassion31, Arnoldo ordered that Clodio should be released from his chains; and he promised to speak in his behalf, seeing that he was a great friend of his sovereign. Upon which Clodio said, "If all great people occupied themselves like you, sir, in doing good, nobody would wish to speak ill of them; but how can he who does evil, expect that men should speak well of him? And if good and virtuous32 deeds are often calumniated33 by human malice34, why should the wicked escape? Take me with you, O prince, and you shall see how I will sing your praises up to the very skies."
"No, no," replied Arnoldo, "I do not desire to be praised for the good which it is natural to me to do; and besides, praise is only valuable from the good; it is worth nothing to be praised by the vicious and the bad. Praise is the reward of virtue35, if he who bestows36 it is virtuous; from the vicious, praise is blame."
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1
murmur
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| n.低语，低声的怨言；v.低语，低声而言 | |
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scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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durable
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| adj.持久的，耐久的 | |
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inclination
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| n.倾斜；点头；弯腰；斜坡；倾度；倾向；爱好 | |
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modesty
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| n.谦逊，虚心，端庄，稳重，羞怯，朴素 | |
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discretion
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| n.谨慎；随意处理 | |
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7
vow
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| n.誓(言)，誓约；v.起誓，立誓 | |
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8
importune
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| v.强求；不断请求 | |
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promising
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| adj.有希望的，有前途的 | |
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humble
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| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
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gilded
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| a.镀金的，富有的 | |
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discourse
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| n.论文，演说；谈话；话语；vi.讲述，著述 | |
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attentively
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| adv.聚精会神地；周到地；谛；凝神 | |
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14
miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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15
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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16
relics
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| [pl.］n.遗物，遗迹，遗产；遗体，尸骸 | |
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17
shackled
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| 给（某人）带上手铐或脚镣( shackle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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18
inclinations
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| 倾向( inclination的名词复数 )； 倾斜； 爱好； 斜坡 | |
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entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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accomplishment
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| n.完成，成就，（pl.）造诣，技能 | |
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chimeras
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| n.（由几种动物的各部分构成的）假想的怪兽( chimera的名词复数 )；不可能实现的想法；幻想；妄想 | |
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23
wilt
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| v.(使)植物凋谢或枯萎；(指人)疲倦，衰弱 | |
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24
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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bosoms
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| 胸部( bosom的名词复数 )； 胸怀； 女衣胸部（或胸襟）； 和爱护自己的人在一起的情形 | |
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26
wrath
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| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
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amicably
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| adv.友善地 | |
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guise
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| n.外表，伪装的姿态 | |
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29
entreated
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| 恳求，乞求( entreat的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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30
interfere
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| v.(in)干涉，干预；(with)妨碍，打扰 | |
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31
compassion
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| n.同情，怜悯 | |
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32
virtuous
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| adj.有品德的，善良的，贞洁的，有效力的 | |
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33
calumniated
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| v.诽谤，中伤( calumniate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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34
malice
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| n.恶意，怨恨，蓄意；[律]预谋 | |
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35
virtue
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| n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力 | |
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36
bestows
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| 赠给，授予( bestow的第三人称单数 ) | |
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