"An island, which is situated2 not far from Ireland, is my native place. It is large enough to be called a kingdom, but is not hereditary3, nor does it go by succession. The people elect their sovereign by their own pleasure, always trying to secure the best and most virtuous4 man they can find; and without any intermediate treaties and negotiations5, without either bribes6 or solicitations, the king is chosen by the common consent of all, and takes the sceptre of absolute command for life, or whilst his life continues unchanged in virtues7. Thus, those who are not kings, try to be virtuous in hopes of becoming such, and those who are kings, continue good, for fear of losing their dignity; ambition is restrained, and covetousness8 annihilated9. The people live in tranquillity10, justice and mercy shine brightly forth11. The former is not to be obtained or frustrated12 by bribes, nor by the claims of kindred. It is a land where none need fear insolence13 or wrong, and where every man may enjoy his own in peace.
"This custom, which is in my opinion a good and wholesome14 one, placed the sceptre of the kingdom in the hands of Polycarp, a worthy15 and renowned16 man, famous both in arms and learning; and he had, when he ascended18 the throne, two daughters of remarkable19 beauty; the elder is called Polycarpa, and the younger Sinforosa. They have no mother, which was a loss he hardly felt, except as a companion, for her virtues and good qualities were revived in her daughters, giving a bright example to the whole kingdom. They and their father, are beloved and admired by every one.
"The sovereigns of this country conceiving that evil thoughts are engendered20 among their subjects by melancholy21, tried to encourage mirth and amusement, and established public festivals, and sometimes plays were performed. The principal of these festivals is held on the anniversary of the king's accession, when there is a revival22 of what were, by the heathens in ancient days, called Olympic Games, in the best manner they are able. Prizes are given to the swiftest runners; honours adjudged to the most successful in fencing; crowns to the best archer23, and rewards for wrestling. These games take place in a spacious24 plain, near the sea-shore; the spectators are sheltered from the sun by an infinite quantity of green boughs25 intertwined together. In the midst is a sumptuous26 theatre, in which are seats for the king and royal family, who are always present to survey the games.
"One of these days had arrived, and Polycarp desired to celebrate it with greater magnificence than had ever before been known. He and his daughters, with all the greatest in the land, were already seated; the sound of musical instruments, both warlike and pacific, had given the signal that the sports were about to begin; already four youths, light and active in make, were ready to start for the race, only waiting till a cord should be withdrawn27 which served as a line of restraint till the signal should be given; when, just at this instant, a boat was seen approaching, with her sides white, as if newly-painted, and impelled28 through the waters by six oars29 on either side, in the hands of twelve graceful30 youths, of robust31 and finely formed make, ample shoulders, broad chests, and strong arms. They were dressed in white, all but the one who steered32, and he was in the scarlet33 dress of a mariner34. The boat flew rapidly over the waves, and to run her ashore35, and all the men in her to leap on land, was the work of an instant. Polycarp commanded that the race should not begin till it was ascertained36 who these new comers were, and what they came for, as it was possible they were coming to assist at the festival, and prove their skill and prowess in the games.
"The first who advanced to speak to the king, was he who had steered the boat; a very young man, whose smooth skin was fair as snow, his curling hair like rings of gold, and every feature of his face so perfect, his whole form so beautiful, that it was a wondrous38 sight to look upon. His beauty instantly won all hearts, and I, among the rest, felt directly attracted to love and admire him. He addressed the king, saying, 'Sire! these my companions and myself, having heard the fame of these games, come to offer our services, and to assist at their celebration. We are not come from a far country, but from a ship, which we left in the Isle39 of Scinta, which is not very distant. As the wind did not suit to bring her here, we got the boat ready, and manned her ourselves. We are all of noble birth, desirous to win honour; and what we come to demand of you as a king, is, that you will allow us, strangers, to show our strength, or skill, or ingenuity40, so as to obtain renown17 ourselves, and afford pleasure to you.'
"'Certainly, my agreeable young gentleman,' answered the king, 'you make your request with so much grace and courtesy, that it would be difficult to refuse it; you will honour my festival by your presence. Do all you please, and leave to me the charge of bestowing41 the rewards on those who deserve them; and if I am to judge from what I see, I should say few will have a chance of winning the first prizes while you are present.'
"The beautiful youth gracefully42 bent43 his knee, and bowed his head in thanks, respectfully, and with an air of high breeding. In two bounds he stood before the cord by the side of the four runners; his twelve comrades placed themselves on one side as spectators of the race. A trumpet44 sounded, the cord was loosed, and the five sprang forwards at full speed; but they had not run twenty paces, when the new comer was more than seven paces ahead; at thirty paces he had gained nearly fifteen; finally he left them half way behind, as if they had been made of stone, to the admiration45 of all beholders, especially of Sinforosa, who followed him with her eyes, whether he ran, or whether he stood still; for indeed the beauty and grace of the youth was enough to attract every eye, and win the hearts of every one that looked upon him. I observed all attentively46, because I had my eyes fixed47 upon Polycarpa, the lovely object of my affections, and thus I remarked also the motions of her sister. Envy began to rise in the breasts of those who were intending to try for the prizes, when they saw the ease with which the stranger had won the race. The second trial was that of fencing; the boy took the foil, and of seven who encountered him, he hit one on the mouth, the nose of another, closed the eyes of a third, and gave blows about the head repeatedly, whilst not one of his adversaries48 ever succeeded in touching49 so much as a bit of his clothing.
"With one accord, the public voice adjudged the first prize to him.
"Then six men prepared for wrestling; and the boy, with more grace than ever, bared his broad shoulders, his wide and ample chest, and the nerves and muscles of his strong arms, and with incredible address and dexterity50, he shortly made each antagonist51 measure his length on the ground. Next he lifted a heavy iron bar, which was driven into the earth, because he was told that throwing this was the fourth trial of strength. He swung it for a moment, and then making signs for the people who were before him to stand aside, that he might have space for the throw, he flung the bar without turning his arm round, with such force, that, passing the bounds of the shore, the sea received it, and there it lay buried. This surprising feat37 dismayed his opponents, and none dared so much as to enter the lists in this contest. They next gave him a cross-bow, and some arrows, and showed him a very high and smooth pole, at the top of which was fastened part of a lance, on which a dove was sitting, tied by a slight pack-thread. Those who were to make this trial, were only permitted a single shot. One, who was esteemed52 a very skilful53 marksman, stepped forward, hoping I believe to knock the dove over, before the other could try; he drew his bow, and the arrow struck the end of the lance, the affrighted bird rose into the air; immediately another, not less confident than the first, aimed with such dexterity, that he divided the string which tied the dove, and released from its bonds, it soared free into the sky; but the youth, who had already gained every first prize, let his arrow fly, and, as if he had given it its mandate54 what to do, and it understood him, it went whistling through the air, and divided the bird in two, arresting at once its flight and its life. Then the cries and acclamations of the spectators were renewed, and all praised the stranger, who in the race, the fencing-match, wrestling, throwing the bar, and drawing the cross-bow, with sundry55 other exercises which I have not mentioned, was unrivalled, and bore away every first prize, leaving it to his Companions to make their essay, after he had tried each once.
"It was twilight56 when the games finished; and when the king Polycarp arose from his seat, with the other judges, who were there to pronounce who were the conquerors57, and was preparing to reward the victorious58 boy, he saw him kneeling before him, and saying, 'Our ship is left unprotected and deserted59; the night is coming on; whatever prizes I have to hope for, coming from your hand, will be highly esteemed by me: but, great king, let me pray you to leave them for another time, when, at more leisure, and with more convenience, I may return to offer my services, and claim them at your hands.'
"The king raised and embraced him; asked his name, and he told him he was called Periander. Then the beautiful Sinforosa took a garland from her head, and placed it on that of the noble youth, and with sweet and modest grace, she said as she crowned him, 'When my father is so fortunate as to see you return, you will find that you do not come to serve him, but to be served, in every way that is in his power.'"
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1
dominions
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| 统治权( dominion的名词复数 )； 领土； 疆土； 版图 | |
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situated
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| adj.坐落在...的，处于某种境地的 | |
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hereditary
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| adj.遗传的，遗传性的，可继承的，世袭的 | |
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virtuous
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| adj.有品德的，善良的，贞洁的，有效力的 | |
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negotiations
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| 协商( negotiation的名词复数 )； 谈判； 完成（难事）； 通过 | |
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bribes
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| n.贿赂( bribe的名词复数 )；向（某人）行贿，贿赂v.贿赂( bribe的第三人称单数 )；向（某人）行贿，贿赂 | |
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7
virtues
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| 美德( virtue的名词复数 )； 德行； 优点； 长处 | |
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covetousness
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9
annihilated
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| v.（彻底）消灭( annihilate的过去式和过去分词 )；使无效；废止；彻底击溃 | |
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10
tranquillity
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| n. 平静, 安静 | |
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11
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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12
frustrated
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| adj.挫败的，失意的，泄气的v.使不成功( frustrate的过去式和过去分词 )；挫败；使受挫折；令人沮丧 | |
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13
insolence
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| n.傲慢；无礼；厚颜；傲慢的态度 | |
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14
wholesome
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| adj.适合；卫生的；有益健康的；显示身心健康的 | |
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15
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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16
renowned
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| adj.著名的，有名望的，声誉鹊起的 | |
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17
renown
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| n.声誉，名望 | |
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18
ascended
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| v.上升，攀登( ascend的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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20
engendered
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| v.产生（某形势或状况），造成，引起( engender的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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21
melancholy
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| n.忧郁，愁思；adj.令人感伤（沮丧）的，忧郁的 | |
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22
revival
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| n.复兴，复苏，（精力、活力等的）重振 | |
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archer
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| n.射手，弓箭手 | |
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spacious
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| adj.广阔的，宽敞的 | |
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25
boughs
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| 大树枝( bough的名词复数 ) | |
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26
sumptuous
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| adj.豪华的，奢侈的，华丽的 | |
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27
withdrawn
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| vt.收回；使退出；vi.撤退，退出 | |
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28
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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29
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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30
graceful
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| adj.优美的，优雅的；得体的 | |
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31
robust
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| adj.强壮的，强健的，粗野的，需要体力的，浓的 | |
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32
steered
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| v.驾驶( steer的过去式和过去分词 )；操纵；控制；引导 | |
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33
scarlet
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| n.深红色，绯红色，红衣；adj.绯红色的 | |
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34
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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ashore
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| adv.在(向)岸上，上岸 | |
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36
ascertained
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| v.弄清，确定，查明( ascertain的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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feat
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| n.功绩；武艺，技艺；adj.灵巧的，漂亮的，合适的 | |
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38
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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39
isle
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| n.小岛，岛 | |
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40
ingenuity
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| n.别出心裁；善于发明创造 | |
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41
bestowing
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| 砖窑中砖堆上层已烧透的砖 | |
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42
gracefully
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| ad.大大方方地；优美地 | |
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43
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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44
trumpet
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| n.喇叭，喇叭声；v.吹喇叭，吹嘘 | |
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45
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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46
attentively
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| adv.聚精会神地；周到地；谛；凝神 | |
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47
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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48
adversaries
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| n.对手，敌手( adversary的名词复数 ) | |
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49
touching
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| adj.动人的，使人感伤的 | |
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50
dexterity
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| n.(手的)灵巧，灵活 | |
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51
antagonist
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| n.敌人，对抗者，对手 | |
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52
esteemed
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| adj.受人尊敬的v.尊敬( esteem的过去式和过去分词 )；敬重；认为；以为 | |
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53
skilful
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| (=skillful)adj.灵巧的，熟练的 | |
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54
mandate
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| n.托管地；命令，指示 | |
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55
sundry
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| adj.各式各样的，种种的 | |
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56
twilight
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| n.暮光，黄昏；暮年，晚期，衰落时期 | |
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57
conquerors
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| 征服者，占领者( conqueror的名词复数 ) | |
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58
victorious
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| adj.胜利的，得胜的 | |
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59
deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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