Ayto H?erat’s crime brought its own punishment. The prominent part he had taken in the event at Boora Roofa, which had so recently covered his royal master with glory, could hardly be suffered to pass unrequited, and three days after the return of the expedition to Angollála, he was accordingly honoured with the hand of Woizoro Belete Shatchau (Anglice, “Superior to all,”) a shrew possessing the most diabolical2 of tempers, whom two husbands had already divorced, although a princess of the blood royal.
On the morning appointed for the nuptials, we received an early summons to the palace, in order to witness the ceremony. The throne was tricked out with unusual gaiety for the occasion, and the king, covering his mouth with a fold of his striped mantle3 according to undeviating wont4, was still in the hands of the barber, who, having curled the last lock, was adjusting the green saréti. The court-yard was already crowded with spectators, and a numerous train of female slaves, who had entered by a side door, were arranging themselves in front. The quaint5, loose chemises of blue and red, with broad white borders, which formed the attire6 of all, imparted a most grotesque7 appearance, and each carried on her woolly head a large wicker basket, ornamented8 with bead9 draperies arranged in every variety of fanciful vandyke. These antique figures and their burdens constituted the dower of the bride, whose wedding garments we had supplied, and who presently entered, riding upon a white mule10, gaily11 tricked out in forked housings, chains, and brass12 bells. The Princess Worka Ferri (i.e. Golden Fruit), her sister, followed upon a second, similarly caparisoned; and both ladies were distinguished13 by large áftabgirs of crimson14 silk, as well as by a cowl of silver network which covered the hair, and terminated in a tiara of pendants and globules falling over the forehead. A crimson-striped robe formed the costume of each, and their naturally plain faces were rendered hideous15 by a coat of red ochre with blue-stained arches in the place of eyebrows16, which it is the fashion of Shoa to pluck out.
Next in order came the royal band of music, with numerous mounted female attendants clad in pea-green vests. A dance and vocal17 chorus was continued during a quarter of an hour, to the dissonant18 thunder of the war drum; and as the umbrellas filed slowly across the court through the opposite wicket, the happy bridegroom approached the throne, and did homage19 to the sovereign who had thus rewarded his services by alliance. The presence of the priest is so far from being held indispensable, that a wedded21 pair forms a rare phenomenon in Abyssinia. No marriage rites22 whatever solemnised this union; and the shrew, in full procession, proceeded straightway to spend the honeymoon23 at the abode24 of her third husband, who, following at a respectful distance, exhibited in his features small anticipation25 of conjugal26 felicity.
Descending27 through the great gate, a train of dirty cook-boys led the van, bearing on their heads pots, pans, and culinary utensils28. One hundred female slaves followed, carrying baskets of bread, vessels29 of hydromel, bedding, wearing apparel, and other baggage required on the journey. Next came the band of flutes30 in full play, and immediately behind, the amiable31 bride herself, most aptly styled “superior to all.” Two maids of honour, bearing decorated barillas of choice wine from the royal cellars, rode on either side of their mistress. Numerous mounted Amazons—musty-looking Ethiopic figures in blue and white smocks, and party-coloured bead helmets—kept the inquisitive32 crowd at a distance with their long white wands; whilst an escort of three hundred chosen spearmen, flanked by nobles, eunuchs, and pages on horseback, brought up the rear, amid the thumping33 of nugáreet from the hill top, and the shrill34 acclamations of the entire female population of the town, which rung from every eminence35 in honour of the nuptials of Princess Belete Shatchau.
“My Galla subjects revolted,” exclaimed the despot tauntingly36, as soon as the wedding was over—“My Galla tributaries37 revolted: I have played them one trick, and I will shortly play them another.”
The customary congratulations after a victory were offered in the words, “God has aided your arms.”
“Yes,” replied the monarch38; “the God of my fathers has assisted me—I have slain39 four thousand six hundred of mine enemies, and have captured thirty-seven thousand and forty-two head of cattle.”
When complimenting the king on the clemency40 extended towards the prisoners of war, who had on this occasion been released for the first time during his reign20, I did not lose the opportunity of commenting upon the destruction of innocent and helpless children, as being a most inhuman41 practice, and one quite unworthy of the Christian42 warrior43. The despot smiled, as if half ashamed; and looking down, replied, “I am aware that it is bad, but in all countries we must conform to the customs that prevail. The Galla destroy the Amhára without discrimination, and we do but retaliate44. You must all accompany me on my next campaign in January. I shall build a fortified45 house at Karábarek, and you must there tarry with me. Whenever you are present I will release the captives.”
During the absence of the army at Garra Gorphoo, one of the Mohammadan inhabitants of Argóbba had been waylaid46 and wantonly murdered by the Ada?el, who are in constant feud47 with the frontier population of Efát. The relations and clansmen of the deceased surprised the village to which the assassins belonged, and, in revenge, slew48 sixteen persons. Wulásma Mohammad succeeded, after much difficulty, in apparently49 pacifying50 the lowland tribe, who had in their turn sworn upon the Korán to take bloody51 vengeance52; but no sooner had he returned from the border, than thirteen Moslem53 females, proceeding54 from the town of Channoo to draw water in the wady, were barbarously butchered at the well.
This tragedy being followed by an application for troops to chastise55 the delinquents56, now induced the remark, that “if the Ada?el could see one fourth of the Amhára host, they would cease to trouble the frontier.”
“No,” replied His Majesty57, “it will not do. My grandfather tried his arms with the people below, but he was surprised, and lost four thousand men and six thousand oxen in the bed of a dry ravine. The water of the kwálla (i.e. Low valleys) is putrid58, and the air hot and unwholesome. Noxious59 vapours arise during the night, and the people die from fever. We fear their sultry climate and their dense60 forests, and their mode of warfare61. They leave open only one avenue; and when the Christians62 enter the thicket63, breaking short their lances, they rush in and fight at close quarters. No one can stand against them. Our muskets64 avail nothing, by reason of the trees and bushes. Furthermore, the Ada?el are subtle in strong medicines. They poison the wells with drugs, and corrupt65 the water with magic spells and enchantments66. It is their wont to mix together the flesh of a black dog, a cat, and a certain forest bird. This they strew67 craftily68 about the ground, and whoso eateth thereof, becomes instantly insane and dies.”
According to the etiquette69 of the court, I now placed at the foot of the throne the presents which custom enforces after a victory. “My son,” resumed the king, “I am your father. I am rich. You have already given me too much, and I desire not your property. I wish only for your love, and for that of your nation. I am fully70 aware of the objects of your residence in my kingdom. I have seen your character, and know that you will slay71 elephants, and buffalos, and wild beasts. You must not go away, but accompany me on many more expeditions. You have now seen much people. You must go with me to Guráguê, where you will behold72 other tribes, and a far more extensive country. I shall build a wall. My father subdued73 all the population of Shoa, and I fear no enemy to the south, in Guráguê, Enárea, or Zingero. None can stand before me. The Ada?el and the people of Geshe (a province on the northern frontier of Shoa) alone contend with me. In Geshe they have large shields, and fight hand to hand. The country of the Adel is difficult of access, and unfortunate for the Amhára. It is an old dependency of the empire of my ancestors; but the men are brave, and stand firm in battle. They will not run away.”
点击收听单词发音
1 nuptials | |
n.婚礼;婚礼( nuptial的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
2 diabolical | |
adj.恶魔似的,凶暴的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
3 mantle | |
n.斗篷,覆罩之物,罩子;v.罩住,覆盖,脸红 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
4 wont | |
adj.习惯于;v.习惯;n.习惯 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
5 quaint | |
adj.古雅的,离奇有趣的,奇怪的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
6 attire | |
v.穿衣,装扮[同]array;n.衣着;盛装 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
7 grotesque | |
adj.怪诞的,丑陋的;n.怪诞的图案,怪人(物) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
8 ornamented | |
adj.花式字体的v.装饰,点缀,美化( ornament的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
9 bead | |
n.念珠;(pl.)珠子项链;水珠 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
10 mule | |
n.骡子,杂种,执拗的人 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
11 gaily | |
adv.欢乐地,高兴地 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
12 brass | |
n.黄铜;黄铜器,铜管乐器 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
13 distinguished | |
adj.卓越的,杰出的,著名的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
14 crimson | |
n./adj.深(绯)红色(的);vi.脸变绯红色 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
15 hideous | |
adj.丑陋的,可憎的,可怕的,恐怖的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
16 eyebrows | |
眉毛( eyebrow的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
17 vocal | |
adj.直言不讳的;嗓音的;n.[pl.]声乐节目 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
18 dissonant | |
adj.不和谐的;不悦耳的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
19 homage | |
n.尊敬,敬意,崇敬 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
20 reign | |
n.统治时期,统治,支配,盛行;v.占优势 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
21 wedded | |
adj.正式结婚的;渴望…的,执著于…的v.嫁,娶,(与…)结婚( wed的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
22 rites | |
仪式,典礼( rite的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
23 honeymoon | |
n.蜜月(假期);vi.度蜜月 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
24 abode | |
n.住处,住所 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
25 anticipation | |
n.预期,预料,期望 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
26 conjugal | |
adj.婚姻的,婚姻性的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
27 descending | |
n. 下行 adj. 下降的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
28 utensils | |
器具,用具,器皿( utensil的名词复数 ); 器物 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
29 vessels | |
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 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
30 flutes | |
长笛( flute的名词复数 ); 细长香槟杯(形似长笛) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
31 amiable | |
adj.和蔼可亲的,友善的,亲切的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
32 inquisitive | |
adj.求知欲强的,好奇的,好寻根究底的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
33 thumping | |
adj.重大的,巨大的;重击的;尺码大的;极好的adv.极端地;非常地v.重击(thump的现在分词);狠打;怦怦地跳;全力支持 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
34 shrill | |
adj.尖声的;刺耳的;v尖叫 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
35 eminence | |
n.卓越,显赫;高地,高处;名家 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
36 tauntingly | |
嘲笑地,辱骂地; 嘲骂地 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
37 tributaries | |
n. 支流 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
38 monarch | |
n.帝王,君主,最高统治者 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
39 slain | |
杀死,宰杀,杀戮( slay的过去分词 ); (slay的过去分词) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
40 clemency | |
n.温和,仁慈,宽厚 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
41 inhuman | |
adj.残忍的,不人道的,无人性的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
42 Christian | |
adj.基督教徒的;n.基督教徒 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
43 warrior | |
n.勇士,武士,斗士 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
44 retaliate | |
v.报复,反击 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
45 fortified | |
adj. 加强的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
46 waylaid | |
v.拦截,拦路( waylay的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
47 feud | |
n.长期不和;世仇;v.长期争斗;世代结仇 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
48 slew | |
v.(使)旋转;n.大量,许多 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
49 apparently | |
adv.显然地;表面上,似乎 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
50 pacifying | |
使(某人)安静( pacify的现在分词 ); 息怒; 抚慰; 在(有战争的地区、国家等)实现和平 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
51 bloody | |
adj.非常的的;流血的;残忍的;adv.很;vt.血染 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
52 vengeance | |
n.报复,报仇,复仇 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
53 Moslem | |
n.回教徒,穆罕默德信徒;adj.回教徒的,回教的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
54 proceeding | |
n.行动,进行,(pl.)会议录,学报 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
55 chastise | |
vt.责骂,严惩 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
56 delinquents | |
n.(尤指青少年)有过失的人,违法的人( delinquent的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
57 majesty | |
n.雄伟,壮丽,庄严,威严;最高权威,王权 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
58 putrid | |
adj.腐臭的;有毒的;已腐烂的;卑劣的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
59 noxious | |
adj.有害的,有毒的;使道德败坏的,讨厌的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
60 dense | |
a.密集的,稠密的,浓密的;密度大的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
61 warfare | |
n.战争(状态);斗争;冲突 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
62 Christians | |
n.基督教徒( Christian的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
63 thicket | |
n.灌木丛,树林 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
64 muskets | |
n.火枪,(尤指)滑膛枪( musket的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
65 corrupt | |
v.贿赂,收买;adj.腐败的,贪污的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
66 enchantments | |
n.魅力( enchantment的名词复数 );迷人之处;施魔法;着魔 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
67 strew | |
vt.撒;使散落;撒在…上,散布于 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
68 craftily | |
狡猾地,狡诈地 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
69 etiquette | |
n.礼仪,礼节;规矩 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
70 fully | |
adv.完全地,全部地,彻底地;充分地 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
71 slay | |
v.杀死,宰杀,杀戮 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
72 behold | |
v.看,注视,看到 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
73 subdued | |
adj. 屈服的,柔和的,减弱的 动词subdue的过去式和过去分词 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
欢迎访问英文小说网 |