The fame of Anacreon had withered3 to nothing with the decay of the times.
The Viceregal Palace was a drafty mass of ruins except for the wing thatFoundation workmen had restored. And no Emperor had been seen in Anacreonfor two hundred years.
But Nyak hunting was still the royal sport and a good eye with the needlegun still the first requirement of Anacreon's kings.
Lepold I, King of Anacreon and ?as was invariably, but untruthfully added?Lord of the Outer Dominions, though not yet sixteen had already provedhis skill many times over. He had brought down his first Nyak when scarcelythirteen; had brought down his tenth the week after his accession to thethrone; and was returning now from his forty-sixth.
"Fifty before I come of age," he had exulted4. "Who'll take the wager5?"But Courtiers don't take wagers against the king's skill. There is thedeadly danger of winning. So no one did, and the king left to change hisclothes in high spirits.
"Lepold!"The king stopped mid-step at the one voice that could cause him to do so.
He turned sulkily.
Wienis stood upon the threshold of his chambers6 and beetled at his youngnephew.
"Send them away," he motioned impatiently. "Get rid of them."The king nodded curtly7 and the two chamberlains bowed and backed down thestairs. Lepold entered his uncle's room.
Wienis stared at the king's hunting suit morosely8. "You'll have moreimportant things to tend to than Nyak hunting soon enough."He turned his back and stumped9 to his desk. Since he had grown too old forthe rush of air, the perilous10 dive within wing-beat of the Nyak, the rolland climb of the speedster at the motion of a foot, he had soured upon thewhole sport.
Lepold appreciated his uncle's sour-grapes attitude and it was not withoutmalice that he began enthusiastically, "But you should have been with ustoday, uncle. We flushed one in the wilds of Sarnia that was a monster. Andgame as they come. We had it out for two hours over at least seventy squaremiles of ground. And then I got to Sunwards ?he was motioning graphically,as though he were once more in his speedster ?and dived torque-wise.
Caught him on the rise just under the left wing at quarters. It maddenedhim and he canted athwart. I took his dare and veered11 a-left, waiting forthe plummet12. Sure enough, down he came. He was within wing-beat before Imoved and then ?
"Lepold!""Well!?I got him.""I'm sure you did. Now will you attend?"The king shrugged13 and gravitated to the end table where he nibbled14 at aLera nut in quite an unregal sulk. He did not dare to meet his uncle'seyes.
Wienis said, by way of preamble, "I've been to the ship today.""What ship?""There is only one ship. The ship. The one the Foundation is repairing forthe navy. The old Imperial cruiser. Do I make myself sufficiently15 plain?""That one? You see, I told you the Foundation would repair it if we askedthem to. It's all poppycock, you know, that story of yours about theirwanting to attack us. Because if they did, why would they fix the ship? Itdoesn't make sense, you know.""Lepold, you're a fool!"The king, who had just discarded the shell of the Lera nut and was liftinganother to his lips, flushed.
"Well now, look here," he said, with anger that scarcely rose abovepeevishness, "I don't think you ought to call me that. You forget yourself.
I'll be of age in two months, you know.""Yes, and you're in a fine position to assume regal responsibilities. Ifyou spent half the time on public affairs that you do on Nyak hunting, I'dresign the regency directly with a clear conscience.""I don't care. That has nothing to do with the case, you know. The fact isthat even if you are the regent and my uncle, I'm still king and you'restill my subject. You oughtn't to call me a fool and you oughtn't to sit inmy presence, anyway. You haven't asked my permission. I think you ought tobe careful, or I might do something about it pretty soon."Wienis' gaze was cold. "May I refer to you as 'your majesty16'?""Yes.""Very well! You are a fool, your majesty!"His dark eyes blazed from beneath his grizzled brows and the young king satdown slowly. For a moment, there was sardonic17 satisfaction in the regent'sface, but it faded quickly. His thick lips parted in a smile and one handfell upon the king's shoulder.
"Never mind, Lepold. I should not have spoken harshly to you. It isdifficult sometimes to behave with true propriety when the pressure ofevents is such as ?You understand?" But if the words were conciliatory,there was something in his eyes that had not softened19.
Lepold said uncertainly, "Yes. Affairs of State are deuced difficult, youknow." He wondered, not without apprehension20, whether he were not in for adull siege of meaningless details on the year's trade with Smyrno and thelong, wrangling dispute over the sparsely settled worlds on the RedCorridor.
Wienis was speaking again. "My boy, I had thought to speak of this to youearlier, and perhaps I should have, but I know that your youthful spiritsare impatient of the dry detail of statecraft."Lepold nodded. "Well, that's all right?
His uncle broke in firmly and continued, "However, you will come of age intwo months. Moreover, in the difficult times that are coming, you will haveto take a full and active part. You will be king henceforward, Lepold."Again Lepold nodded, but his expression was quite blank.
"There will be war, Lepold.""War! But there's been truce21 with Smyrno?
"Not Smyrno. The Foundation itself.""But, uncle, they've agreed to repair the ship. You said?
His voice choked off at the twist of his uncle's lip.
"Lepold" ? some of the friendliness22 had gone ?we are to talk man to man.
There is to be war with the Foundation, whether the ship is repaired ornot; all the sooner, in fact, since it is being repaired. The Foundation isthe source of power and might. All the greatness of Anacreon; all its shipsand its cities and its people and its commerce depend on the dribbles23 andleavings of power that the Foundation have given us grudgingly24. I rememberthe time ? I, myself ?when the cities of Anacreon were warmed by theburning of coal and oil. But never mind that; you would have no conceptionof it.""It seems," suggested the king timidly, "that we ought to be grateful?
"Grateful?" roared Wienis. "Grateful that they begrudge us the merestdregs, while keeping space knows what for themselves ?and keeping it withwhat purpose in mind? Why, only that they may some day rule the Galaxy."His hand came down on his nephew's knee, and his eyes narrowed. "Lepold,you are king of Anacreon. Your children and your children's children may bekings of the universe ?if you have the power that the Foundation iskeeping from us!""There's something in that." Lepold's eyes gained a sparkle and his backstraightened. "After all, what right have they to keep it to themselves?
Not fair, you know. Anacreon counts for something, too.""You see, you're beginning to understand. And now, my boy, what if Smyrnodecides to attack the Foundation for its own part and thus gains all thatpower? How long do you suppose we could escape becoming a vassal26 power? Howlong would you hold your throne?"Lepold grew excited. "Space, yes. You're absolutely right, you know. Wemust strike first. It's simply self-defense27."Wienis' smile broadened slightly. "Furthermore, once, at the very beginningof the reign28 of your grandfather, Anacreon actually established a militarybase on the Foundation's planet, Terminus ?a base vitally needed fornational defense. We were forced to abandon that base as a result of themachinations of the leader of that Foundation, a sly cur, a scholar, withnot a drop of noble blood in his veins29. You understand, Lepold? Yourgrandfather was humiliated by this commoner. I remember him! He wasscarcely older than myself when he came to Anacreon with his devil's smileand devil's brain ?and the power of the other three kingdoms behind him,combined in cowardly union against the greatness of Anacreon."Lepold flushed and the sparkle in his eyes blazed. "By Seldon, if I hadbeen my grandfather, I would have fought even so.""No, Lepold. We decided30 to wait ?to wipe out the insult at a fitter time.
It had been your father's hope, before his untimely death, that he might bethe one to ? Well, well!" Wienis turned away for a moment. Then, as ifstifling emotion, "He was my brother. And yet, if his son were?
"Yes, uncle, I'll not fail him. I have decided. It seems only proper thatAnacreon wipe out this nest of troublemakers, and that immediately.""No, not immediately. First, we must wait for the repairs of the battlecruiser to be completed. The mere25 fact that they are willing to undertakethese repairs proves that they fear us. The fools attempt to placate31 us,but we are not to be turned from our path, are we?"And Lepold's fist slammed against his cupped palm.
"Not while I am king in Anacreon."Wienis' lip twitched32 sardonically33. "Besides which we must wait for SalvorHardin to arrive.""Salvor Hardin!" The king grew suddenly round-eyed, and the youthfulcontour of his beardless face lost the almost hard lines into which theyhad been compressed.
"Yes, Lepold, the leader of the Foundation himself is coming to Anacreon onyour birthday ?probably to soothe34 us with buttered words. But it won'thelp him.""Salvor Hardin!" It was the merest murmur35.
Wienis frowned. "Are you afraid of the name? It is the same Salvor Hardin,who on his previous visit, ground our noses into the dust. You're notforgetting that deadly insult to the royal house? And from a commoner. Thedregs of the gutter36.""No. I guess not. No, I won't. I won't! We'll pay him back ?but...but ?
I'm afraid ?a little."The regent rose. "Afraid? Of what? Of what, you young? He choked off.
"It would be...uh...sort of blasphemous37, you know, to attack theFoundation. I mean? He paused.
"Go on."Lepold said confusedly, "I mean, if there were really a Galactic Spirit,he...uh...it mightn't like it. Don't you think?
"No, I don't," was the hard answer. Wienis sat down again and his lipstwisted in a queer smile. "And so youreally bother your head a great deal over the Galactic Spirit, do you?
That's what comes of letting you run wild. You've been listening to Verisofquite a bit, I take it.""He's explained a great deal?
"About the Galactic Spirit?""Yes.""Why, you unweaned cub38, he believes in that mummery a good deal less than Ido, and I don't believe in it at all. How many times have you been toldthat all this talk is nonsense?""Well, I know that. But Verisof says?
"Pay no heed39 to Verisof. It's nonsense."There was a short, rebellious40 silence, and then Lepold said, "Everyonebelieves it just the same. I mean all this talk about the Prophet HariSeldon and how he appointed the Foundation to carry on his commandmentsthat there might some day be a return of the Galactic Paradise: and howanyone who disobeys his commandments will be destroyed for eternity41. Theybelieve it. I've presided at festivals, and I'm sure they do.""Yes, they do; but we don't. And you may be thankful it's so, for accordingto this foolishness, you are king by divine right ?and are semi-divineyourself. Very handy. It eliminates all possibilities of revolts andinsures absolute obedience42 in everything. And that is why, Lepold, you musttake an active part in ordering the war against the Foundation. I am onlyregent, and quite human. You are king, and more than half a god ?to them.""But I suppose I'm not really," said the king reflectively.
"No, not really," came the sardonic response, "but you are to everyone butthe people of the Foundation. Get that? To everyone but those of theFoundation. Once they are removed there will be no one to deny you thegodhead. Think of that!""And after that we will ourselves be able to operate the power boxes of thetemples and the ships that fly without men and the holy food that curescancer and all the rest? Verisof said only those blessed with the GalacticSpirit could?
"Yes, Verisof said! Verisof, next to Salvor Hardin, is your greatest enemy.
Stay with me, Lepold, and don't worry about them. Together we will recreatean empire-not just the kingdom of Anacreon-but one comprising every one ofthe billions of suns of the Empire. Is that better than a wordy 'GalacticParadise'?""Ye-es.""Can Verisof promise more?""No.""Very well." His voice became peremptory43. "I suppose we may consider thematter settled." He waited for no answer. "Get along. I'll be down later.
And just one thing, Lepold."The young king turned on the threshold.
Wienis was smiling with all but his eyes. "Be careful on these Nyak hunts,my boy. Since the unfortunate accident to your father, I have had thestrangest presentiments concerning you, at times. In the confusion, withneedle guns thickening the air with darts44, one can never tell. You will becareful, I hope. And you'll do as I say about the Foundation, won't you?"Lepold's eyes widened and dropped away from those of his uncle. "Yes ?
certainly.""Good!" He stared after his departing nephew, expressionlessly, andreturned to his desk.
And Lepold's thoughts as he left were somber45 and not unfearful. Perhaps itwould be best to defeat the Foundation and gain the power Wienis spoke18 of.
But afterward, when the war was over and he was secure on his throne?Hebecame acutely conscious of the fact that Wienis and his two arrogant46 sonswere at present next in line to the throne.
But he was king. And kings could order people executed.
Even uncles and cousins.
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收听单词发音
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1
galaxy
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| n.星系；银河系；一群(杰出或著名的人物) | |
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periphery
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| n.(圆体的)外面；周围 | |
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3
withered
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| adj. 枯萎的，干瘪的，（人身体的部分器官）因病萎缩的或未发育良好的 动词wither的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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exulted
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| 狂喜，欢跃( exult的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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5
wager
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| n.赌注；vt.押注，打赌 | |
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6
chambers
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| n.房间( chamber的名词复数 )；（议会的）议院；卧室；会议厅 | |
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7
curtly
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| adv.简短地 | |
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morosely
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| adv.愁眉苦脸地，忧郁地 | |
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9
stumped
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| 僵直地行走，跺步行走( stump的过去式和过去分词 )； 把（某人）难住； 使为难； （选举前）在某一地区作政治性巡回演说 | |
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perilous
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| adj.危险的，冒险的 | |
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11
veered
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| v.（尤指交通工具）改变方向或路线( veer的过去式和过去分词 )；（指谈话内容、人的行为或观点）突然改变；（指风） （在北半球按顺时针方向、在南半球按逆时针方向）逐渐转向；风向顺时针转 | |
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12
plummet
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| vi.(价格、水平等)骤然下跌；n.铅坠；重压物 | |
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13
shrugged
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| vt.耸肩（shrug的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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nibbled
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| v.啃，一点一点地咬（吃）( nibble的过去式和过去分词 )；啃出（洞），一点一点咬出（洞）；慢慢减少；小口咬 | |
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sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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majesty
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| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
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sardonic
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| adj.嘲笑的，冷笑的，讥讽的 | |
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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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19
softened
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| （使）变软( soften的过去式和过去分词 )； 缓解打击； 缓和； 安慰 | |
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apprehension
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| n.理解，领悟；逮捕，拘捕；忧虑 | |
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truce
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| n.休战，(争执，烦恼等的)缓和；v.以停战结束 | |
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friendliness
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| n.友谊，亲切，亲密 | |
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23
dribbles
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| n.涓滴( dribble的名词复数 )；细滴；少量（液体）v.流口水( dribble的第三人称单数 )；（使液体）滴下或作细流；运球，带球 | |
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grudgingly
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mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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vassal
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| n.附庸的；属下；adj.奴仆的 | |
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defense
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| n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩 | |
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reign
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| n.统治时期，统治，支配，盛行；v.占优势 | |
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veins
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| n.纹理；矿脉( vein的名词复数 )；静脉；叶脉；纹理 | |
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decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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placate
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| v.抚慰，平息(愤怒) | |
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32
twitched
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| vt.& vi.（使）抽动，（使）颤动（twitch的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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sardonically
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| adv.讽刺地，冷嘲地 | |
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soothe
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| v.安慰；使平静；使减轻；缓和；奉承 | |
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35
murmur
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| n.低语，低声的怨言；v.低语，低声而言 | |
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36
gutter
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| n.沟，街沟，水槽，檐槽，贫民窟 | |
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37
blasphemous
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| adj.亵渎神明的，不敬神的 | |
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38
cub
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| n.幼兽，年轻无经验的人 | |
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39
heed
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| v.注意，留意；n.注意，留心 | |
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40
rebellious
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| adj.造反的，反抗的，难控制的 | |
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41
eternity
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| n.不朽，来世；永恒，无穷 | |
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42
obedience
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| n.服从，顺从 | |
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peremptory
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| adj.紧急的，专横的，断然的 | |
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44
darts
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| n.掷飞镖游戏；飞镖( dart的名词复数 )；急驰，飞奔v.投掷，投射( dart的第三人称单数 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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45
somber
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| adj.昏暗的，阴天的，阴森的，忧郁的 | |
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46
arrogant
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| adj.傲慢的，自大的 | |
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