Now that grievous hurt which Sir Tristram had received at the hands of Sir Marhaus did not heal, but instead grew even more rankled2 and sore, so that there were many who thought that there had been treachery practised and that the spearhead had been poisoned to cause such a malignant3 disease as that with which the wounded man suffered. So by and by Sir Tristram grew so grievously sick of his hurt that all those who were near him thought that he must certainly die.
Then King Mark sent everywhere and into all parts for the most wise and learned leeches5 and chirurgeons to come to Cornwall and search the wounds of Sir Tristram, but of all these no one could bring him any ease.
How Sir Tristram lieth sick in Cornwall.
Now one day there came to the court of King Mark a very wise lady, who had travelled much in the world and had great knowledge of wounds of all sorts. At the bidding of the King, she went to where Sir Tristram lay, and searched the wound as so many had already done. And when she had done that she came out of Sir Tristram's chamber6 and unto King Mark, where he was waiting for her. Then King Mark said to her: "Well, how will it be with yonder knight7?" "Lord," quoth she, "it is thus; I can do nothing to save his life, nor do I know of any one who may save it unless it be the King's daughter of Ireland, who is known as the Belle Isoult because of her wonderful beauty. She is the most skilful8 leech4 in all of the world, and she alone may hope to bring Sir Tristram back to life and health again, for I believe that if she fail no one else can save him."
Then after the aforesaid lady had gone, King Mark went to where Sir Tristram lay, and he told him all that she had said concerning his condition; and King Mark said: "Tristram, wilt9 thou go to the King's daughter of Ireland and let her search thy wound?"
Then Sir Tristram groaned10 at the thought of the weariness and pain of moving, and he said: "Lord, this is a great undertaking11 for one who is so sick. Moreover, it is a great risk for me, for, if I go to Ireland, and if it be found that I am he who slew12 Sir Marhaus, then it is hardly likely that I shall ever escape from that country again with my life. Ne'theless, I am so sorely sick of this wound that I would rather die than live as I am living; wherefore I will go to Ireland for the sake of being healed, if such a thing is possible."
Accordingly, a little while after that, King Mark provided a ship to carry Sir Tristram to Ireland. This ship he furnished with sails of silk of divers13 colors, and he had it hung within with fine embroidered14 cloth, and fabrics15 woven with threads of silver and gold, so that in its appearance it was a worthy16 vessel17 even for a great king to sail in. Then, when all was ready, King Mark had a number of attendants carry Sir Tristram down to the ship in a litter, and he had them lay Sir Tristram upon a soft couch of crimson18 satin, which was set upon the deck beneath a canopy19 of crimson silk, embroidered with threads of silver and garnished20 with fringe of silver, and Sir Tristram lay there at ease where the breezes of the ocean came pleasantly to him, and breathed upon his face and his temples and his hair and his hands with coolness; and Gouvernail was with Sir Tristram all the while in attendance upon him.
Sir Tristram sails to Ireland to have his wound searched.
So they set sail for Ireland, the weather being very fair and pleasant, and on the third day, at about the time of sunset, they came to a part of the coast of Ireland where there was a castle built upon the rocks that rose out of the sea.
Now there were several fishermen fishing in boats near that castle, and of these the pilot of Sir Tristram's boat made inquiry21 what castle that was. To him the fisherman replied: "That castle is the castle of King Angus of Ireland." And the fisherman said: "It so happens that the King and Queen and their daughter, hight the Lady Belle Isoult, and all of their court are there at this very while."
This Sir Tristram heard and said: "This is good news, for indeed I am very sick and am right glad that my voyaging is ended." So he gave orders that the pilot should bring the ship close under the walls of that castle, and that he should there let go anchor; and the pilot did as Sir Tristram had commanded him.
How Sir Tristram came to Ireland.
Now, as aforesaid, that ship was of a very wonderful appearance, like to the ship of a king or a high prince, wherefore many people came down to the walls of the castle and stood there and gazed at the vessel as it sailed into the harbor. And by that time the sun had set and all the air was illuminated22 with a marvellous golden light; and in this sky of gold the moon hung like a shield of silver, very bright and steady above the roofs and towers of the castle. And there came from the land a pleasing perfume of blossoms; for it was then in the fulness of the spring-time, and all the fruit-bearing trees were luxuriant with bloom so that the soft air of evening was full of fragrance23 thereby24.
Then there came a great content into the heart of Sir Tristram, wherefore he said to Gouvernail: "Gouvernail, either I shall soon be healed of this wound, or else I shall presently die and enter into Paradise free of pain, for I am become very full of content and of peace toward all men." And then he said: "Bring me hither my harp25, that I may play upon it a little, for I have a desire to chant in this pleasant evening-time."
Sir Tristram sings.
So Gouvernail brought to Sir Tristram his shining harp, and when Sir Tristram had taken it into his hands he tuned26 it, and when he had tuned it he struck it and sang; and, because of the stillness of the evening, his voice sounded marvellously clear and sweet across the level water, so that those who stood upon the castle walls and heard it thought that maybe an angel was singing on board of that ship.
That time the Lady Belle Isoult sat at the window of her bower27 enjoying the pleasantness of the evening. She also heard Sir Tristram singing, and she said to those damsels who were with her, "Ha, what is that I hear?" Therewith she listened for a little while, and then she said: "Meseems that must be the voice of some angel that is singing." They say: "Nay28, Lady, it is a wounded knight singing, and he came to this harbor in a wonderful ship some while ago." Then the Lady Belle Isoult said to a page who was in attendance: "Bid the King and Queen come hither, that they may hear this singing also, for never did I think to hear such singing beyond the walls of Paradise."
So the page ran with all speed, and in a little the King and Queen came to the bower of the Lady Belle Isoult; and she and they leaned upon the window-ledge and listened to Sir Tristram whilst he sang in the soft twilight29. Then by and by King Angus said: "Now I will have yonder minstrel brought thither30 to this castle to do us pleasure, for I believe that he must be the greatest minstrel in all the world to sing in that wise." And the Lady Belle Isoult said: "I pray you, sir, do so, for it would be great joy to everybody to have such singing as that in this place."
So King Angus sent a barge31 to that ship, and besought32 that he who sang should be brought to the castle. At that Sir Tristram was very glad, for he said: "Now I shall be brought to the Lady the Belle Isoult and maybe she will heal me." So he had them bare him to the barge of the King of Ireland, and so they brought him to the castle of King Angus, where they laid him upon a bed in a fair room of the castle.
King Angus cometh to Tristram.
Then King Angus came to Sir Tristram where he lay, and he said: "Messire what can I do for you to put you more at your ease than you are?" "Lord," said Sir Tristram, "I pray you to permit the Lady Belle Isoult to search a great wound in my side that I received in battle. For I hear that she is the most skilful leech in all the world, and so I have come hither from a great distance, being in such pain and dole33 from my grievous hurt that I shall die in a little while unless it be healed."
"Messire," said King Angus, "I perceive that you are no ordinary knight, but somebody of high nobility and estate, so it shall be as you desire." And then King Angus said: "I pray you, tell me your name and whence you come."
Upon this, Sir Tristram communed within his own mind, saying: "An I say my name is Tristram, haply there may be someone here will know me and that I was the cause why the brother of the Queen of this place hath died." So he said: "Lord, my name is Sir Tramtris, and I am come from a country called Lyonesse, which is a great distance from this."
Quoth King Angus, "Well, Sir Tramtris, I am glad that you have come to this place. Now it shall be done to you as you desire, for to-morrow the Lady Belle Isoult shall search your wound to heal it if possible."
My Lady Belle Isoult searches the wound.
And so it was as King Angus said, for the next day the Lady Belle Isoult came with her attendants to where Sir Tristram lay, and one of the attendants bare a silver basin and another bare a silver ewer34, and others bare napkins of fine linen35. So the Lady Belle Isoult came close to Sir Tristram and kneeled beside the couch whereon he lay and said, "Let me see the wound." Therewith Sir Tristram laid bare his bosom36 and his side and she beheld37 it. Then she felt great pity for Sir Tristram because of that dolorous38 wound, and she said: "Alas39, that so young and so fair and so noble a knight should suffer so sore a wound as this!" Therewith still kneeling beside Sir Tristram she searched the wound with very gentle, tender touch (for her fingers were like to rose leaves for softness) and lo! she found a part of the blade of a spear-head embedded40 very deep in the wound of Sir Tristram.
This she drew forth41 very deftly42 (albeit Sir Tristram groaned with a great passion of pain) and therewithafter came forth an issue of blood like a crimson fountain, whereupon Sir Tristram swooned away like one who had gone dead. But he did not die, for they quickly staunched the flow, set aromatic43 spices to his nostrils44, so that in a little he revived in spirit to find himself at great ease and peace in his body (albeit it was for a while like to the peace of death).
Sir Tristram is healed.
Thus it was that the Lady Belle Isoult saved the life of Sir Tristram, for in a little while he was able to be about again, and presently waxed almost entirely45 hale and strong in limb and body.
And now it is to be told how Sir Tristram loved the Lady Belle Isoult and how she loved Sir Tristram. Also how a famous knight, hight Sir Palamydes the Saracen, loved Belle Isoult and of how she loved not him.
Sir Tristram loves the Lady Belle Isoult.
For, as was said, it came about that in a little while Sir Tristram was healed of that grievous wound aforetold of so that he was able to come and go whithersoever he chose. But always he would be with the Lady Belle Isoult, for Sir Tristram loved her with a wonderfully passionate46 regard. And so likewise the lady loved Sir Tristram. For if he loved her because she had saved his life, then she also loved him for the same reason. For she did not ever forget how she had drawn47 out the head of that spear from the wound at his side, and of how he had groaned when she brought it forth, and of how the blood had gushed48 out of that wound. Wherefore she loved him very aboundingly for the agony of pain she had one time caused him to suffer.
So they two fair and noble creatures were always together in bower or in hall, and no one in all that while wist that Sir Tramtris was Sir Tristram, and that it was his hand that had slain49 Sir Marhaus of Ireland.
So Sir Tristram was there in Ireland for a year, and in that time he grew to be altogether well and sturdy again.
Sir Palamydes cometh to Ireland.
Now it was in those days that there came Sir Palamydes the Saracen knight to that place, who was held to be one of the very foremost knights50 in the world. So great rejoicing was made over him because he had come thither, and great honor was shown to him by everyone.
But when Sir Palamydes beheld the Lady Belle Isoult and when he saw how fair she was, he came in a short while to love her with almost as passionate a regard as that with which Sir Tristram loved her, so that he also sought ever to be with her whenever the chance offered.
But Belle Isoult felt no regard for Sir Palamydes, but only fear of him, for all of her love was given to Sir Tristram. Nevertheless, because Sir Palamydes was so fierce and powerful a knight, she did not dare to offend him; wherefore she smiled upon him and treated him with all courtesy and kindness although she loved him not, dissembling her regard for him.
Sir Tristram is displeased51.
All this Sir Tristram beheld from aside and it displeased him a very great deal to see how Sir Palamydes was always beside the lady. But Belle Isoult beheld how Sir Tristram was displeased, wherefore she took occasion to say to him: "Tramtris, be not displeased, for what am I to do? You know very well that I do not love this knight, but I am afraid of him because he is so fierce and so strong."
To this Sir Tristram said: "Lady, it would be a great shame to me if I, being by, should suffer any knight to come betwixt you and me and win your regard through fear of him."
She said: "Tramtris, what would you do? Would you give challenge to this knight? Lo, you are not yet entirely healed of your hurt, and Sir Palamydes is in perfect strength of body. For indeed it is for you I am most of all afraid lest you and Sir Palamydes should come to battle and lest he should do you a harm before you are entirely healed."
Sir Tristram desires to do battle.
"Lady," quoth Sir Tristram, "I thank God that I am not at all afraid of this knight, or of any other knight, and I have to thank you that I am now entirely recovered and am as strong as ever I was. Wherefore I have now a mind to deal with this knight in your behalf. So if you will provide me with armor I will deal with him so that maybe he will not trouble you again. Now I will devise it in this way:--tell your father, King Angus, to proclaim a great jousting52. In that jousting I will seek out Sir Palamydes and will encounter him, and I hope with God's aid that I shall overcome him, so that you shall be free from him."
Belle Isoult said, "Tramtris, are you able for this?" He said, "Yea, I am as ready as ever I shall be in all of my life." Whereat Belle Isoult said, "It shall be as you will have it."
Then Sir Tristram charged Belle Isoult that she should keep secret all this that had been said betwixt them. And more especially she was to keep it secret that he was to take part in such a tournament as that which they had devised. And he said to her: "Lady, I lie here under a great peril53 to my life, though I cannot tell you what that peril is. But I may tell you that if my enemies should discover me at this place, it would go hard with me to preserve my life from them. Wherefore, if I take part in any such affair as this, it must be altogether a secret betwixt us."
So therewith they parted and Lady Belle Isoult went to her father and besought him to proclaim a great day of jousting in honor of Sir Palamydes, and the King said that he would do so. So the King sent forth proclamation to all the courts of that nation that a great tournament was to be held and that great rewards and great honors were to be given to the best knight thereat. And that tournament was talked about in all the courts of chivalry54 where there were knights who desired to win glory in such affairs at arms.
And now it shall be told concerning that tournament and how it befell with Sir Tristram thereat, and with Sir Palamydes thereat.
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收听单词发音
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1
belle
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| n.靓女 | |
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2
rankled
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| v.（使）痛苦不已，（使）怨恨不已( rankle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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malignant
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| adj.恶性的，致命的；恶意的，恶毒的 | |
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4
leech
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| n.水蛭，吸血鬼，榨取他人利益的人；vt.以水蛭吸血；vi.依附于别人 | |
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5
leeches
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| n.水蛭( leech的名词复数 )；蚂蟥；榨取他人脂膏者；医生 | |
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chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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knight
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| n.骑士，武士；爵士 | |
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skilful
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| (=skillful)adj.灵巧的，熟练的 | |
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wilt
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| v.(使)植物凋谢或枯萎；(指人)疲倦，衰弱 | |
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10
groaned
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| v.呻吟( groan的过去式和过去分词 )；发牢骚；抱怨；受苦 | |
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undertaking
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| n.保证，许诺，事业 | |
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12
slew
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| v.（使）旋转；n.大量，许多 | |
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13
divers
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| adj.不同的；种种的 | |
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14
embroidered
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| adj．绣花的 | |
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15
fabrics
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| 织物( fabric的名词复数 )； 布； 构造； （建筑物的）结构（如墙、地面、屋顶）：质地 | |
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16
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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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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crimson
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| n./adj.深(绯)红色(的)；vi.脸变绯红色 | |
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canopy
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| n.天篷，遮篷 | |
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garnished
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| v.给（上餐桌的食物）加装饰( garnish的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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inquiry
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| n.打听，询问，调查，查问 | |
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illuminated
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| adj.被照明的；受启迪的 | |
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fragrance
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| n.芬芳，香味，香气 | |
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thereby
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| adv.因此，从而 | |
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harp
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| n.竖琴；天琴座 | |
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26
tuned
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| adj.调谐的，已调谐的v.调音( tune的过去式和过去分词 )；调整；（给收音机、电视等）调谐；使协调 | |
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27
bower
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| n.凉亭，树荫下凉快之处；闺房；v.荫蔽 | |
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28
nay
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| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
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29
twilight
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| n.暮光，黄昏；暮年，晚期，衰落时期 | |
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30
thither
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| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
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barge
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| n.平底载货船，驳船 | |
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32
besought
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| v.恳求，乞求（某事物）( beseech的过去式和过去分词 )；(beseech的过去式与过去分词) | |
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dole
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| n.救济，（失业）救济金；vt.（out）发放，发给 | |
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ewer
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| n.大口水罐 | |
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linen
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| n.亚麻布，亚麻线，亚麻制品；adj.亚麻布制的，亚麻的 | |
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36
bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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37
beheld
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| v.看，注视( behold的过去式和过去分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
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38
dolorous
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| adj.悲伤的；忧愁的 | |
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39
alas
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| int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
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embedded
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| a.扎牢的 | |
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41
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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42
deftly
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| adv.灵巧地，熟练地，敏捷地 | |
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43
aromatic
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| adj.芳香的，有香味的 | |
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44
nostrils
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| 鼻孔( nostril的名词复数 ) | |
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45
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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46
passionate
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，激昂的，易动情的，易怒的，性情暴躁的 | |
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47
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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48
gushed
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| v.喷，涌( gush的过去式和过去分词 )；滔滔不绝地说话 | |
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49
slain
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| 杀死，宰杀，杀戮( slay的过去分词 )； (slay的过去分词) | |
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50
knights
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| 骑士； （中古时代的）武士( knight的名词复数 )； 骑士； 爵士； （国际象棋中）马 | |
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51
displeased
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| a.不快的 | |
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52
jousting
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| （骑士）骑马用长矛比武( joust的现在分词 ) | |
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53
peril
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| n.(严重的)危险；危险的事物 | |
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chivalry
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| n.骑士气概，侠义；（男人）对女人彬彬有礼，献殷勤 | |
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