KABOK THE PROPHET

 When Alhireth-Hotep was among the Things that Were, and still men sought to know, they said unto Kabok: "Be thou as wise as was Alhireth-Hotep."

 

And Kabok grew wise in his own sight and in the sight of men.

 

And Kabok said: "Mung maketh his signs against men or withholdeth it by the advice of Kabok."

 

And he said unto one: "Thou hast sinned against Kabok, therefore will Mung make the sign of Mung against thee." And to another: "Thou has brought Kabok gifts, therefore shall Mung forbear to make against thee the sign of Mung."

 

One night as Kabok fattened¹ upon the gifts that men had brought him he heard the tread of Mung treading in the garden of Kabok about his house at night.

 

And because the night was very still it seemed most evil to Kabok that Mung should be treading in his garden, without the advice of Kabok, about his house at night.

 

And Kabok, who knew All Things, grew afraid, for the treading was very loud and the night still, and he knew not what lay behind the back of Mung, which none had ever seen.

 

But when the morning grew to brightness, and there was light upon the Worlds, and Mung trod no longer in the garden, Kabok forgot his fears, and said: "Perhaps it was but a herd² of cattle that stampeded in the garden of Kabok."

 

And Kabok went about his business, which was that of knowing All

Things, and telling All Things unto men, and making light of Mung.

 

But that night Mung trod again in the garden of Kabok, about his house at night, and stood before the window of the house like a shadow standing³ erect⁴, so that Kabok knew indeed that it was Mung.

 

And a great fear fell upon the throat of Kabok, so that his speech was hoarse⁵; and he cried out: "Thou art Mung!"

 

And Mung slightly inclined his head, and went on to tread in the garden of Kabok, about his house at night.

 

And Kabok lay and listened with horror at his heart.

 

But when the second morning grew to brightness, and there was light upon the Worlds, Mung went from treading in the garden of Kabok; and for a little while Kabok hoped, but looked with great dread⁶ for the coming of the third night.

 

And when the third night was come, and the bat had gone to his home, and the wind had sank, the night was very still.

 

And Kabok lay and listened, to whom the wings of the night flew very slow.

 

But, ere night met the morning upon the highway between Pegana and the Worlds, there came the tread of Mung in the garden of Kabok towards Kabok's door.

 

And Kabok fled out of his house as flees a hunted beast and flung himself before Mung.

 

And Mung made the sign of Mung, pointing towards THE END.

 

And the fears of Kabok had rest from troubling Kabok any more, for they and he were among accomplished⁷ things.

1 fattened   

v.喂肥( fatten的过去式和过去分词 )；养肥（牲畜）；使（钱）增多；使（公司）升值

参考例句：

• The piglets are taken from the sow to be fattened for market. 这些小猪被从母猪身边带走，好育肥上市。
• Those corrupt officials fattened themselves by drinking the people's life-blood. 那些贪官污吏用民脂民膏养肥了自己。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

2 herd   

n.兽群，牧群；vt.使集中，把…赶在一起

参考例句：

• She drove the herd of cattle through the wilderness.她赶着牛群穿过荒野。
• He had no opinions of his own but simply follow the herd.他从无主见，只是人云亦云。

3 standing   

n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的

参考例句：

• After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
• They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。

4 erect   

n./v.树立，建立，使竖立；adj.直立的，垂直的

参考例句：

• She held her head erect and her back straight.她昂着头，把背挺得笔直。
• Soldiers are trained to stand erect.士兵们训练站得笔直。

5 hoarse   

adj.嘶哑的，沙哑的

参考例句：

• He asked me a question in a hoarse voice.他用嘶哑的声音问了我一个问题。
• He was too excited and roared himself hoarse.他过于激动，嗓子都喊哑了。

6 dread   

vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧

参考例句：

• We all dread to think what will happen if the company closes.我们都不敢去想一旦公司关门我们该怎么办。
• Her heart was relieved of its blankest dread.她极度恐惧的心理消除了。

7 accomplished   

adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的

参考例句：

• Thanks to your help,we accomplished the task ahead of schedule.亏得你们帮忙,我们才提前完成了任务。
• Removal of excess heat is accomplished by means of a radiator.通过散热器完成多余热量的排出。