Why didst thou tell me that thou wert a king?
HENRY IV. PART I.
Oliver Cromwell arose from his seat as the two veteran soldiers, Zerubbabel Robins1 and Merciful Strickalthrow, introduced into the apartment the prisoner, whom they held by the arms, and fixed2 his stern hazel eye on Albert long before he could give vent3 to the ideas which were swelling4 in his bosom5. Exultation6 was the most predominant.
“Art not thou,” he at length said, “that Egyptian which, before these days, madest an uproar7, and leddest out into the wilderness8 many thousand men, who were murderers! — Ha, youth, I have hunted thee from Stirling to Worcester, from Worcester to Woodstock, and we have met at last!”
“I would,” replied Albert, speaking in the character which he had assumed, “that we had met where I could have shown thee the difference betwixt a rightful King and an ambitious Usurper9!”
“Go to, young man,” said Cromwell; “say rather the difference between a judge raised up for the redemption of England, and the son of those Kings whom the Lord in his anger permitted to reign10 over her. But we will not waste useless words. God knows that it is not of our will that we are called to such high matters, being as humble11 in our thoughts as we are of ourselves; and in our unassisted nature frail12 and foolish; and unable to render a reason but for the better spirit within us, which is not of us. — Thou art weary, young man, and thy nature requires rest and refection, being doubtless dealt with delicately, as one who hath fed on the fat, and drunk of the sweet, and who hath been clothed in purple and fine linen13.”
Here the General suddenly stopt, and then abruptly14 exclaimed —“But is this — Ay! whom have we here? These are not the locks of the swarthy lad Charles Stewart? — A cheat! a cheat!”
Albert hastily cast his eyes on a mirror which stood in the room, and perceived that a dark peruke, found among Dr. Rochecliffe’s miscellaneous wardrobe, had been disordered in the scuffle with the soldiery, and that his own light-brown hair was escaping from beneath it.
“Who is this?” said Cromwell, stamping with fury —“Pluck the disguise from him.”
The soldiers did so; and bringing him at the same time towards the light, the deception15 could not be maintained for a moment longer with any possibility of success. Cromwell came up to him with his teeth set, and grinding against each other as he spoke16, his hands clenched17, and trembling with emotion, and speaking with a voice low-pitched, bitterly and deeply emphatic18, such as might have preceded a stab with his dagger19. “Thy name, young man?”
He was answered calmly and firmly, while the countenance20 of the speaker wore a cast of triumph, and even contempt.
“Albert Lee of Ditchley, a faithful subject of King Charles.”
“I might have guessed it,” said Cromwell. —“Ay, and to King Charles shalt thou go as soon as it is noon on the dial. — Pearson,” he continued, “let him be carried to the others; and let them be executed at twelve exactly.”
“All, sir?” said Pearson, surprised; for Cromwell, though he at times made formidable examples, was, in general, by no means sanguinary.
“All”— repeated Cromwell, fixing his eye on young Lee. “Yes, young sir, your conduct has devoted21 to death thy father, thy kinsman22, and the stranger that was in thine household. Such wreck23 hast thou brought on thy father’s house.”
“My father, too — my aged24 father!” said Albert, looking upward, and endeavouring to raise his hands in the same direction, which was prevented by his bonds. “The Lord’s will be done!”
“All this havoc25 can be saved, if,” said the General, “thou wilt26 answer one question — Where is the young Charles Stewart, who was called King of Scotland?”
“Under Heaven’s protection, and safe from thy power,” was the firm and unhesitating answer of the young royalist.
“Away with him to prison!” said Cromwell; “and from thence to execution with the rest of them, as malignants taken in the fact. Let a courtmartial sit on them presently.”
“One word,” said young Lee, as they led him from the room. “Stop, stop,” said Cromwell, with the agitation28 of renewed hope —“let him be heard.”
“You love texts of Scripture,” said Albert —“Let this be the subject of your next homily —‘Had Zimri peace, who slew29 his master?’”
“Away with him,” said the General; “let him die the death. — I have said it.”
As Cromwell spoke these words, his aide-decamp observed that he became unwontedly pale.
“Your Excellency is overtoiled in the public service,” said Pearson; “a course of the stag in the evening will refresh you. The old knight31 hath a noble hound here, if we can but get him to hunt without his master, which may be hard, as he is faithful, and”—
“Hang him up!” said Cromwell.
“What — whom — hang the noble dog? Your Excellency was wont30 to love a good hound?”
“It matters not,” said Cromwell; “let him be killed. Is it not written, that they slew in the valley of Achor, not only the accursed Achan, with his sons and his daughters, but also his oxen and asses32, and his sheep, and every live thing belonging unto him? And even thus shall we do to the malignant27 family of Lee, who have aided Sisera in his flight, when Israel might have been delivered of his trouble for ever. But send out couriers and patrols — Follow, pursue, watch in every direction — Let my horse be ready at the door in five minutes, or bring me the first thou canst find.”
It seemed to Pearson that this was something wildly spoken, and that the cold perspiration33 was standing34 upon the General’s brow as he said it. He therefore again pressed the necessity of repose35, and it would appear that nature seconded strongly the representation. Cromwell arose, and made a step or two towards the door of the apartment; but stopped, staggered, and, after a pause, sate36 down in a chair. “Truly, friend Pearson,” he said, “this weary carcass of ours is an impediment to us, even in our most necessary business, and I am fitter to sleep than to watch, which is not my wont. Place guards, therefore, till we repose ourselves for an hour or two. Send out in every direction, and spare not for horses’ flesh. Wake me if the court-martial require instruction, and forget not to see the sentence punctually executed on the Lees, and those who were arrested with them.”
As Cromwell spoke thus, he arose and half-opened a bedroom door, when Pearson again craved37 pardon for asking if he had rightly understood his Excellency, that all the prisoners were to be executed.
“Have I not said it?” answered Cromwell, displeasedly. “Is it because thou art a man of blood, and hast ever been, that thou dost affect these scruples38 to show thyself tenderhearted at my expense? I tell thee, that if there lack one in the full tale of execution, thine own life shall pay the forfeit39.”
So saying, he entered the apartment, followed by the groom40 of his chamber41, who attended upon Pearson’s summons.
When his General had retired42, Pearson remained in great perplexity what he ought to do; and that from no scruples of conscience, but from uncertainty43 whether he might not err44 either in postponing45, or in too hastily and too literally46 executing, the instructions he had received.
In the meantime, Strickalthrow and Robins had returned, after lodging47 Albert in prison, to the room where Pearson was still musing48 on his General’s commands. Both these men were adjutators in their army, and old soldiers, whom Cromwell was accustomed to treat with great familiarity; so that Robins had no hesitation49 to ask Captain Pearson, “Whether he meant to execute the commands of the General, even to the letter?”
Pearson shook his head with an air of doubt, but added, “There was no choice left.”
“Be assured,” said the old man, “that if thou dost this folly50, thou wilt cause Israel to sin, and that the General will not be pleased with your service. Thou knowest, and none better than thou, that Oliver, although he be like unto David the son of Jesse, in faith, and wisdom, and courage, yet there are times when the evil spirit cometh upon him as it did upon Saul, and he uttereth commands which he will not thank any one for executing.”
Pearson was too good a politician to assent51 directly to a proposition which he could not deny — he only shook his head once more, and said that it was easy for those to talk who were not responsible, but the soldier’s duty was to obey his orders, and not to judge of them.
“Very righteous truth,” said Merciful Strickalthrow, a grim old Scotchman; “I marvel52 where our brother Zerubbabel caught up this softness of heart?”
“Why, I do but wish,” said Zerubbabel, “that four or five human creatures may draw the breath of God’s air for a few hours more; there can be small harm done by delaying the execution — and the General will have some time for reflection.”
“Ay,” said Captain Pearson, “but I in my service must be more pointedly53 obsequious54, than thou in thy plainness art bound to be, friend Zerubbabel.”
“Then shall the coarse frieze55 cassock of the private soldier help the golden gaberdine of the captain to bear out the blast,” said Zerubbabel. “Ay, indeed, I can show you warrant why we be aidful to each other in doing acts of kindness and long-suffering, seeing the best of us are poor sinful creatures, who might suffer, being called to a brief accounting56.”
“Of a verity57 you surprise me, brother Zerubbabel,” said Strickalthrow; “that thou, being an old and experienced soldier, whose head hath grown grey in battle, shouldst give such advice to a young officer. Is not the General’s commission to take away the wicked from the land, and to root out the Amalekite, and the Jebusite, and the Perizzite, and the Hittite, and the Girgashite, and the Amorite? and are not these men justly to be compared to the five kings, who took shelter in the cave of Makedah, who were delivered into the hands of Joshua the son of Nun58? and he caused his captains and his soldiers to come near and tread on their necks — and then he smote59 them, and he slew them, and then he hanged them on five trees, even till evening — And thou, Gilbert Pearson by name, be not withheld60 from the duty which is appointed to thee, but do even as has been commanded by him who is raised up to judge and to deliver Israel; for it is written, ‘cursed is he who holdeth back his sword from the slaughter61.’”
Thus wrangled62 the two military theologians, while Pearson, much more solicitous63 to anticipate the wishes of Oliver than to know the will of Heaven, listened to them with great indecision and perplexity.
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1
robins
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| n.知更鸟，鸫( robin的名词复数 )；（签名者不分先后，以避免受责的）圆形签名抗议书（或请愿书） | |
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2
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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3
vent
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| n.通风口，排放口；开衩；vt.表达，发泄 | |
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4
swelling
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| n.肿胀 | |
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bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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exultation
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| n.狂喜，得意 | |
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7
uproar
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| n.骚动，喧嚣，鼎沸 | |
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8
wilderness
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| n.杳无人烟的一片陆地、水等，荒漠 | |
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usurper
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| n. 篡夺者, 僭取者 | |
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10
reign
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| n.统治时期，统治，支配，盛行；v.占优势 | |
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11
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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12
frail
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| adj.身体虚弱的；易损坏的 | |
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13
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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14
abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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15
deception
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| n.欺骗，欺诈；骗局，诡计 | |
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16
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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17
clenched
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| v.紧握，抓紧，咬紧( clench的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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18
emphatic
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| adj.强调的，着重的；无可置疑的，明显的 | |
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19
dagger
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| n.匕首，短剑，剑号 | |
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20
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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21
devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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22
kinsman
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| n.男亲属 | |
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23
wreck
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| n.失事，遇难；沉船；vt.(船等)失事，遇难 | |
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24
aged
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| adj.年老的，陈年的 | |
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havoc
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| n.大破坏，浩劫，大混乱，大杂乱 | |
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26
wilt
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| v.(使)植物凋谢或枯萎；(指人)疲倦，衰弱 | |
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27
malignant
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| adj.恶性的，致命的；恶意的，恶毒的 | |
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28
agitation
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| n.搅动；搅拌；鼓动，煽动 | |
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29
slew
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| v.（使）旋转；n.大量，许多 | |
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30
wont
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| adj.习惯于；v.习惯；n.习惯 | |
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knight
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| n.骑士，武士；爵士 | |
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32
asses
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| n. 驴，愚蠢的人，臀部 adv. (常用作后置)用于贬损或骂人 | |
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33
perspiration
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| n.汗水；出汗 | |
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34
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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35
repose
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| v.(使)休息；n.安息 | |
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36
sate
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| v.使充分满足 | |
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37
craved
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| 渴望，热望( crave的过去式 )； 恳求，请求 | |
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38
scruples
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| n.良心上的不安( scruple的名词复数 )；顾虑，顾忌v.感到于心不安，有顾忌( scruple的第三人称单数 ) | |
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39
forfeit
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| vt.丧失；n.罚金，罚款，没收物 | |
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40
groom
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| vt.给（马、狗等）梳毛，照料，使...整洁 | |
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41
chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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42
retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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43
uncertainty
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| n.易变，靠不住，不确知，不确定的事物 | |
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44
err
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| vi.犯错误，出差错 | |
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45
postponing
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| v.延期，推迟( postpone的现在分词 ) | |
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46
literally
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| adv.照字面意义，逐字地；确实 | |
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47
lodging
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| n.寄宿，住所；(大学生的)校外宿舍 | |
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48
musing
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| n. 沉思，冥想 adj. 沉思的, 冥想的 动词muse的现在分词形式 | |
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49
hesitation
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| n.犹豫，踌躇 | |
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50
folly
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| n.愚笨，愚蠢，蠢事，蠢行，傻话 | |
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51
assent
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| v.批准，认可；n.批准，认可 | |
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52
marvel
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| vi.(at)惊叹vt.感到惊异；n.令人惊异的事 | |
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53
pointedly
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| adv.尖地，明显地 | |
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54
obsequious
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| adj.谄媚的，奉承的，顺从的 | |
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55
frieze
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| n.(墙上的)横饰带，雕带 | |
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56
accounting
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| n.会计，会计学，借贷对照表 | |
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57
verity
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| n.真实性 | |
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58
nun
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| n.修女，尼姑 | |
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59
smote
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| v.猛打，重击，打击( smite的过去式 ) | |
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60
withheld
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| withhold过去式及过去分词 | |
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61
slaughter
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| n.屠杀，屠宰；vt.屠杀，宰杀 | |
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62
wrangled
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| v.争吵，争论，口角( wrangle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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63
solicitous
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| adj.热切的，挂念的 | |
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