They reached Valencia, but would not enter the town for fear they should be detained there; but they could not fail of admiring its noble situation, the excellence5 of its inhabitants, of which they had heard so much, the pleasantness of its environs, and, finally, all that makes it beautiful and rich beyond all other cities, not only in Spain, but in all Europe; and chiefly they admired the beauty of the women, and the pure and graceful6 language so sweet and pleasant, that none but the Portuguese7 can compete with it in sweetness and pleasantness.
They determined9 to go on and to lengthen10 their days' journeys, even at the risk of being fatigued11, to reach Barcelona, where they heard they might find vessels12 in which to embark13 for Genoa without going through France.
Nothing of any importance happened on the way to Barcelona, unless that they saw afar off the holy mountains of Montserrat, which they worshipped with Christian devotion without designing to go there, as it must have detained them.
They arrived at Barcelona at the moment when four Spanish galleys14 were just entering the port, which fired a salute16 of heavy artillery17. Four boats were let down, one of which was adorned18 with rich carpets from the Levant, and crimson19 cushions, and in it was seated a young lady, richly dressed, with another older lady, and two young girls, neatly20 attired21. A crowd of people came out of the city, as is usually the custom, both to look at the galleys and the persons who had come in them; and curiosity led our pilgrims so near the boats when they landed, that they nearly touched the lady as she stepped out of the boat. She, casting her eyes around when she had got ashore22, they lighted upon Constance, and she said, "Come hither, lovely pilgrim, and accompany me to the town, I have a debt to pay to you of which you little think. Let your companions come likewise, for there is no reason why you should leave such good company."
"Yours, as far as I can see, is so good," replied Constance, "that it would indeed be senseless to refuse it; let us go where you please, my friends will follow, for they never leave me."
The lady took Constance by the hand, and escorted by many gentlemen, who had come out of the city to receive her, and by some of the people who had landed from the galleys, they proceeded together to the town. During their walk, Constance never took her eyes off her, trying, but in vain, to remember where she had ever seen her before.
They took up their lodging23 in one of the best houses, and would not suffer the pilgrims to go elsewhere. As soon as an opportunity occurred, this discourse24 took place between them:—
"I would fain relieve you, my friends, from the wonder you must be feeling, as to the cause I have for wishing to be of service to you, and so I will inform you that my name is Ambrosia25 Agustina, and my birth-place a city of Aragón. Don Bernardo Agustina is my brother, and he commands those galleys that lie in the bay. Contarino de Arbolanchez, a knight26 of the order of Aleantara, during my brother's absence, secretly and unknown to my relations, fell in love with me, and I, led by my destiny, or, perhaps, by my too great weakness, with the title of wife, made him master of myself and my whole heart. The same day on which I gave my hand to him, he received an order from the king instantly to set off and conduct a regiment27 of Spanish infantry28 (just come from Lombardy to Genoa) to Malta, where it was expected that the Turks would make a descent. Contarino obeyed without delay the orders he received; without being moved by my tears, he departed. I felt as if the sky had fallen upon my head, and that my heart was pressed down between it and the earth. A few days passed, when as one scheme after another entered my brain, I resolved to put one into execution, the accomplishment29 of which had well nigh cost me both life and honour. I left my home in the disguise of a man, the dress of a young page which I took, and engaged myself as servant to a drummer in a regiment about eight leagues off; I soon learned to beat the drum as well as my master, and to play the part of a buffoon30 like those of my profession. Another regiment joined ours, and both together marched to Carthagena, in order to embark in the galleys commanded by my brother. It was my intention to go over to Italy, and seek my husband, from whose affection I hoped that my rash conduct would escape censure31, and that he would not find fault with my wish to see him, which made me so blind that I never considered the risk I ran of being discovered, if I embarked32 in my brother's galley15; but as no difficulties deter8 an enamoured heart, and it sees none which it cannot conquer, no fears it cannot oppose, no roughnesses it cannot make smooth, I resisted all these, and hoped even in a kind of desperation. But, as the event of things often turns out different to what we expect, so mine, as ill considered as it was imprudent, placed me in the situation you soon shall hear. The soldiers of the regiments33 I mentioned, engaged in a cruel affray with the people of a town in La Mancha, about lodgings34, the result of which was, that a certain count of some place, the name of which I do not know, received his death-wound. There was an enquiry made by the court, the captains were taken into custody35, the soldiers separated, and some, among whom I, for my misfortune, was one, though quite guiltless of any fault, condemned36 to the galleys to work two years at the oar37. In vain I lamented38 my fate, seeing how all my plans were frustrated39; I would gladly have died, but the fear of a yet worse fate in another world made the knife drop from my hand, and the rope from my throat; all I did was to endeavour to deform40 my face, and make myself as ugly as I could, and then shut myself up in a cart we were put into, with the intention of weeping so much and eating so little, that grief and hunger might do what the cord and the knife had left undone41. We reached Carthagena, where the galleys were not yet arrived; we were put into a house and well guarded, and there in fear and trembling I awaited my fate. I know not, sirs, if you recollect42 a cart which came up with you near a small inn, when this lovely pilgrim (pointing to Constance) helped to restore a fainting prisoner with some cordials."
"Yes," said Constance, "I remember it well."
"Then know that it was I whom you assisted," said the lady Ambrosia. "From the place where I lay in the cart I could see you all, and admired you, for your appearance was such that it was impossible to look and not admire.
"The galleys came in at last with a Moorish43 brigantine that they had taken; the same day the soldiers were put on board in irons, the clothes they wore were taken off, and they were dressed in those worn by the rowers. A sad and miserable44 change, yet light, for the hardship that does not destroy life, custom will at last alleviate45. They came to undress me, the boatswain ordered them to wash my face, for I had not strength to lift an arm; the barber who attended the crew looked at me and said, 'I shall spoil but few razors with this beard. I wonder what they have sent us this boy for, who looks as if he was made of china ware46, as if our galleys were made of gingerbread, and our oars47 of sweetmeat. Eh, boy, what crime hast thou committed to deserve this punishment? I doubt not but that thou art brought to this by the sins of others;' and then continuing his discourse to the boatswain, he said, 'Truly, master, it would be much better to send this boy to the general with a chain to his leg, for at the oar he won't be worth a farthing.'
"This talk, and the thoughts of my misfortune, which now seemed to have reached its climax48, so overcame me that I fell down in a swoon, and lay as if dead. I have been told that it was four hours before I came to myself, during which time they had done everything in their power to restore me to my senses, and what I should most have felt, if I had been conscious, was, that they must have discovered I was no man, but a woman. I recovered at last, and the first thing I saw was the face of my brother and of my husband, the latter held me in his arms. I do not know how it was that I did not die that moment; I do not know how it was that my tongue did not cleave49 to the roof of my mouth; all I know is, that I knew not what they said to me; but, I heard my brother say, 'What means this dress, my sister?' and my husband said, 'What is this disguise, my soul? If I did not know so well your virtue50 and honour, my sweet wife, this dress should be exchanged only for a shroud51.' 'Your wife?' said my brother, 'this seems as strange a story to me as it is to find her thus disguised; but if it be true, it would be a sufficient recompense for the trouble it causes me to see her thus.'
"At this instant I had begun to recover my scattered52 senses, and I remember that I said, 'Dear brother, I am Ambrosia Agustina, thy sister, I am also the wife of Señor Contarino de Arbolanchez; Love, and thy absence, O my brother, gave him to me as a husband; but, on the wedding day he left me, and I, rash, desperate, and inconsiderate, set off to seek him in this disguise.' Then I told them all the story I have already narrated53, and I had the good fortune (for now my fortune was beginning to amend) to find that they believed me, and pitied me. I then heard that my husband had been taken prisoner with one of the two vessels in which he had sailed for Genoa, and that it was only two days ago that he had recovered his liberty, and had had no time or opportunity to see my brother till the moment of my fainting. Events so strange are hardly credible54, yet it is all as I have said. In these galleys the lady whom you saw with me was going to Italy with her two nieces; her son has the charge of the royal patrimony55 in Sicily; they supplied me with the dress I now wear, and my husband and brother sent us on shore to refresh and amuse ourselves, and see the friends that they have in this city. If you are going to Rome, I will make my brother convey you to the nearest seaport56. The case of cordials I would fain repay with the best I possess; and if I should not myself go to Italy, I would ask my brother to take my debt upon him. This, my friends, is my history; if you should find it hard to believe I cannot wonder; but there is a common saying that it is courtesy to believe, and, in yours, which must be great, I place my credit."
Thus the fair Ambrosia ended her story; and now her hearers began to express their interest and admiration57, and to discuss the different circumstances of the case; and then Constance and Auristella began embracing Ambrosia, who was to return to her home by her husband's desire, because, however charming and lovely she may be, the company of a wife is embarrassing in times of war to a husband.
That night the sea ran very high, so much so that it was necessary to loosen the galleys that were anchored in the bay, which in this part was not safe for them. The courteous58 Catalans, a people terrible when angry, and most supremely59 courteous when at peace, to maintain both which qualities they almost outdo themselves, which is therefore outdoing all other nations, visited and feasted the Lady Ambrosia as much as was possible.
Auristella, who had learned by experience what it was to encounter a storm at sea, would not embark in the galleys, but determined to go by way of France, which was then quiet. Ambrosia returned to Aragón. The galleys continued their voyage, and the pilgrims their journey, entering France by way of Perpignan.
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1
gallant
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| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
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zeal
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| n.热心，热情，热忱 | |
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concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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Christian
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| adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒 | |
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excellence
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| n.优秀，杰出，(pl.)优点，美德 | |
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6
graceful
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| adj.优美的，优雅的；得体的 | |
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Portuguese
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| n.葡萄牙人；葡萄牙语 | |
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8
deter
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| vt.阻止，使不敢，吓住 | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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10
lengthen
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| vt.使伸长，延长 | |
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fatigued
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| adj. 疲乏的 | |
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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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13
embark
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| vi.乘船，着手，从事，上飞机 | |
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galleys
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| n.平底大船，战舰( galley的名词复数 )；（船上或航空器上的）厨房 | |
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15
galley
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| n.（飞机或船上的）厨房单层甲板大帆船；军舰舰长用的大划艇； | |
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16
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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17
artillery
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| n.(军)火炮，大炮；炮兵(部队) | |
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18
adorned
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| [计]被修饰的 | |
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crimson
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| n./adj.深(绯)红色(的)；vi.脸变绯红色 | |
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20
neatly
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| adv.整洁地，干净地，灵巧地，熟练地 | |
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21
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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22
ashore
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| adv.在(向)岸上，上岸 | |
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23
lodging
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| n.寄宿，住所；(大学生的)校外宿舍 | |
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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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ambrosia
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| n.神的食物；蜂食 | |
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knight
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| n.骑士，武士；爵士 | |
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regiment
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| n.团，多数，管理；v.组织，编成团，统制 | |
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infantry
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| n.[总称]步兵(部队) | |
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accomplishment
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| n.完成，成就，（pl.）造诣，技能 | |
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buffoon
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| n.演出时的丑角 | |
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31
censure
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| v./n.责备；非难；责难 | |
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32
embarked
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| 乘船( embark的过去式和过去分词 )； 装载； 从事 | |
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33
regiments
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| （军队的）团( regiment的名词复数 )； 大量的人或物 | |
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34
lodgings
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| n. 出租的房舍, 寄宿舍 | |
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35
custody
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| n.监护，照看，羁押，拘留 | |
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36
condemned
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| adj. 被责难的, 被宣告有罪的 动词condemn的过去式和过去分词 | |
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37
oar
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| n.桨，橹，划手；v.划行 | |
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38
lamented
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| adj.被哀悼的，令人遗憾的v.（为…）哀悼，痛哭，悲伤( lament的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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39
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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40
deform
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| vt.损坏…的形状；使变形，使变丑；vi.变形 | |
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41
undone
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| a.未做完的，未完成的 | |
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42
recollect
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| v.回忆，想起，记起，忆起，记得 | |
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43
moorish
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| adj.沼地的，荒野的，生[住]在沼地的 | |
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44
miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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45
alleviate
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| v.减轻，缓和，缓解(痛苦等) | |
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46
ware
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| n.(常用复数)商品，货物 | |
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47
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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48
climax
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| n.顶点；高潮；v.(使)达到顶点 | |
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49
cleave
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| v．(clave；cleaved)粘着，粘住；坚持；依恋 | |
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50
virtue
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| n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力 | |
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51
shroud
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| n.裹尸布，寿衣；罩，幕；vt.覆盖，隐藏 | |
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52
scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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53
narrated
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| v.故事( narrate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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54
credible
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| adj.可信任的，可靠的 | |
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55
patrimony
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| n.世袭财产，继承物 | |
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56
seaport
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| n.海港，港口，港市 | |
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57
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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58
courteous
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| adj.彬彬有礼的，客气的 | |
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59
supremely
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| adv.无上地，崇高地 | |
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