Sáhela Selássie, “the clemency2 of the Trinity,” seventh king of Shoa, whose surname is Menilek, was twelve years of age when the assassination3 of Woosen Suggud called him from a monastery4 to the throne, and placed in his hands the reins5 of despotic government over a wild Christian6 nation. His sire had enjoyed a brief, but exceedingly active reign7 of four and a half years, during which he extended his empire far beyond the limits bequeathed to him by Asfa Woosen—made conquests in the south to the mountains of Garra Gorphoo, and in the west to the Nile. The most despotic measures marked his transient but iron rule; and had he survived, the expectations formed of him would in all probability have been realised, and he would have become monarch of all Abyssinia. But the nation groaned8 under his oppression; and after a series of the harshest acts, induced by visits in disguise, like those of Haroun Alraschid, the great Kaliph of Bagdad, to the houses of his subjects, and to places of public resort, a Shankela slave, whom he had provoked by ill usage, turned upon his royal master, and having slain9 him with a sword, set fire to the palace at Kondie, which was burned to the ground; and the wealth amassed10 in many earthen jars melted, according to the tradition, into a liquid stream of mingled11 silver and gold, which flowed over the mountain-side.
In Shoa, as in other savage12 countries, the tidings of the dissolution of the monarch, unless timely concealed13, spread like lightning to the furthest extremities14 of the kingdom, and become a signal for rapine, anarchy15, and murder, which rage unrestrained during the continuance of the interregnum. Every individual throughout the realm deems himself at full liberty to act according to the bent16 of his own vicious inclinations—to perpetrate every atrocity17, and to indulge in the gratification of every revengeful and licentious18 passion, without fear of retribution or of punishment; and it being perfectly19 understood that there exists neither law nor rule until the new sovereign shall have been proclaimed, the kingless land for a season runs rivers of blood. Fearful was the tragedy that followed the assassination of Woosen Suggud. The royal family residing at Ankóber, and the heir-apparent at a still greater distance from Kondie, there ensued a scene of anarchy and confusion which it would be difficult to describe; and at Debra Libanos alone there fell no fewer than eight hundred victims to private animosity, of whose murder no account was ever taken.
The eyes of the monarch being closed in death, the minister styled Dedj Agafári, “the introducer through the door,” proceeds to the inauguration20 of the successor, who, unless some other arrangement shall have been willed, is usually the heir-apparent. Presented to the senators and to the inmates21 of the palace, the herald22 proclaims aloud, “We have reason to mourn, and also to rejoice, for our old father is dead, but we have found a new one.” The accession thus declared, the king is invested with the robes of state, and taking seat upon the throne, the public officers first in order, and then the people, offer homage23, and bow before his footstool.
General mourning is invariably observed during the seven days which follow the promulgation24 of the national calamity25. Men, women, and children, evince their grief by tearing the hair, scarifying the temples with the nails, and casting themselves sobbing26 and screaming upon the ground—the good qualities of the deceased being extolled27 the while. But the chief mourners on the melancholy28 occasion are those princes of the blood-royal who are affected29 by the barbarous practice handed down from the earliest periods of Abyssinian history. For in the kingdom of Shoa revolutionary projects against the crown have invariably been anticipated by consigning30 the uncles and brothers of the sovereign to a subterranean31 dungeon32, where they pass the remainder of their days in the elaborate carving33 of harps34 and ornaments35 of ivory.
Widely different from that of the aspiring36 Rasselas is the lot of these pining members of the dynasty of Shoa. No happy valley is theirs, whom a barbarous policy has from time immemorial condemned37 thus to linger in hopeless imprisonment38 during the remnant of their sublunary pilgrimage, unless the demise39 of the despot without issue should, peradventure, call some one of the captives from the dank vault40 to the throne. Food, with scanty41 materials for amusement and occupation, are indeed allowed, together with permission to breathe the air of heaven after the sun has set upon their own green hills. But no domestic tie links them to the society from which they are immured—no sympathy of wife or child can ever, by a word of kindness, alleviate42 their lonely condition. The bonds of relationship have been rudely snapped asunder43, and the very name of brother is the stern curse of those whose only crime is their affinity44 to the monarch.
Seven princes of the blood-royal were inmates of the vaults45 of Góncho on the arrival of the British Embassy in Shoa. The legitimate46 issue male of the reigning47 sovereign has fortunately been limited to two; but it was not the less melancholy to reflect, that one or other of these interesting youths must, in all human probability, drag out the noon and evening of his days within the walls of that dismal48 dungeon, where so many have sunk into the grave unrecorded and unpitied. The crown, although hereditary49 in the house of Solomon, is elective by will at each decease, and the eldest50 born can assert no exclusive title to succession by right of primogeniture. Bashakh Woorud, “go down if go like,” is an ominous51 title enough to distinguish the heir-apparent to the throne. Better known by his Christian appellation52 of Hailoo Mulakoot, and now in his sixteenth year, he has by his royal sire been permitted to accompany the army into the field, when he slew53 some of the Galla with his own hand; but entertaining a predilection54 for the church, he is educating in the monastery of Loza; whilst his brother, Seifa Selássie, “the sword of the Trinity,” who is three or four years younger, is the favourite of his father, and may be regarded as the heir-presumptive.
In accordance with the custom of the land, this prince is also secluded55 in a monastery at Medák, under the Alaka Amda Zion. In addition to a eunuch and a nurse, each of the royal scions56 is attended by guardians57, whose office it is to prevent his playing truant58 or creating disturbances59 in the kingdom. They are trained to equestrian60 and warlike exercises, and to the use of the shield and spear; and are made to attend divine service, to fast, to repeat their prayers, and to peruse61 the psalms62 at night. Their course of education differs little from that of other Abyssinian youths, than whom they are even more under monkish63 influence. The study of the Gebata Hawáriat, or “table of the apostles,” which comprises the seven epistles of Peter, John, James, and Jude, and the acquisition of the Psalter by heart, is followed by the perusal64 of the Revelation, the epistles of Saint Paul, and the gospels—the histories of the Holy Virgin65, of Saints George and Michael, Saint Tekla Ha?manót, and others, completing the course. Few of the priesthood understand the art of writing, and all regard the exercise of the pen as shameful66 and derogatory. The royal princes therefore stand little chance of instruction in this branch of education, and their acquaintance with the Abyssinian code of jurisprudence must depend also upon the erudition of their preceptors. The strictest discipline is enforced; disobedience is punished by bonds and corporal chastisement67, which latter the king causes to be inflicted68 in his presence; and fully69 imbued70 with the conviction that to “spare the rod is to spoil the child,” His Majesty71 occasionally corrects the delinquent72 with his own hands.
Queen Besábesh—“thou hast multiplied”—the mother of the young princes, and also of four princesses, is the daughter of the last independent ruler of Morabeitie. She was relict of Tekla Georgis, a commoner of Shoa; and although not permanently73 resident in the palace, is much beloved by Sáhela Selássie. Five hundred concubines complete the royal harem, of whom seven reside under the palace roof, thirteen in the immediate74 outskirts75, and the residue76 in various parts of the empire. By these ladies the king has a numerous progeny77; the males, who are not obnoxious78 to imprisonment on a new accession, being created governors of provinces, whilst the illegitimate daughters are bestowed79 in marriage upon whomsoever his despotic Majesty may think proper to select among the nobles and magnates of the land.
The ceremony of taking into the royal harem a concubine of rank, which measure is usually connected with some political object, consists in an interchange of presents betwixt the monarch and the parents of the damsel. Chámie, the Galla Queen of Moolo Fálada, near the Nile, presented with her daughter, who occupies a niche80 in the harem, a dower consisting of two hundred milch cows, one hundred teams of oxen with ploughs, a number of horses, and many slaves of both sexes, gássela skins, and other choice peltries, and five hundred vessels81 of virgin honey, with twelve cats to watch over and protect them from the inroads of the mice. Mohammadans and Pagans are compelled, after the formation of the royal alliance, to embrace the Christianity of Ethiopia; but that fidelity82 is far from being a consequence of the conversion83 has been evinced in numerous disgraceful instances, the not least notorious of which involves the reputation and the health of one who long enjoyed a most exalted84 place in the king’s affections—a sister of Wulásma Mohammad.
Throughout intra-tropical Africa the nugáreet, or kettle-drum, forms the emblem85 of power, as does the sceptre in other realms. Appointments, edicts, and proclamations, roll with its notes to the ears of the attentive86 nation of Shoa. It accompanies all forays and campaigns, is the symbol of investiture, and even the Church is controlled by its echoes reverberating87 from the palace hill. The trumpet88 is also a concomitant on state occasions, when two large crimson89 debáboch, or aftabgirs, screen the royal person. The attire90 of Sáhela Selássie, although usually plain and unassuming, is, on certain pageants92, more imposing93, and is then assisted by all the gold and tinsel that the wardrobe can boast. The precious metal, for which he entertains a vast affection, forming his exclusive prerogative94, is displayed in massive bracelets96 and rings, and in the embroidery97 with which his tight vest of green silk is profusely98 loaded, although partially99 hidden beneath the enveloping100 robe of Abyssinia. His Majesty’s crown is an elegantly embossed tiara, with numerous chains hanging in gorgeous clusters around the brow, and surmounted101 by the imperial plume102 of white egret feathers.
On the Saturday in Passion week, a solemn assembly is held in the palace court, which is decked out with carpets, and velvets, and gay cloths. The priests then rehearse the military achievements of the monarch, and the gathered population respond with the loud hum of approbation103; but with this exception, and that of the great annual review at the feast of Máskal, or the triumphal return from the successful foray against the heathen Galla, there is little pomp or pageant91 to be witnessed at the present day. Badges and honorary distinctions, however, still continue to be conferred upon the brave in war. The high-sounding titles of household officers are yet scrupulously104 retained; and these, with the embossed shield, the silver sword, the gauntlet, the bracelet95, the armlet, and the glittering akodáma, attest105 the presence at the court of Shoa of the last remnant of the ancient, but faded grandeur106 of the proud emperors of Ethiopia.
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1
monarch
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| n.帝王，君主，最高统治者 | |
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clemency
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| n.温和，仁慈，宽厚 | |
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assassination
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| n.暗杀；暗杀事件 | |
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monastery
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| n.修道院，僧院，寺院 | |
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reins
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| 感情，激情； 缰( rein的名词复数 )； 控制手段； 掌管； （成人带着幼儿走路以防其走失时用的）保护带 | |
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Christian
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| adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒 | |
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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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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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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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amassed
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| v.积累，积聚( amass的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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mingled
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| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
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savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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extremities
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| n.端点( extremity的名词复数 )；尽头；手和足；极窘迫的境地 | |
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anarchy
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| n.无政府状态；社会秩序混乱，无秩序 | |
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bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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atrocity
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| n.残暴，暴行 | |
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licentious
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| adj.放纵的，淫乱的 | |
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perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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inauguration
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| n.开幕、就职典礼 | |
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inmates
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| n.囚犯( inmate的名词复数 ) | |
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herald
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| vt.预示...的来临，预告，宣布，欢迎 | |
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homage
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| n.尊敬，敬意，崇敬 | |
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promulgation
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| n.颁布 | |
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calamity
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| n.灾害，祸患，不幸事件 | |
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sobbing
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| <主方>Ⅰ adj.湿透的 | |
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extolled
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| v.赞颂，赞扬，赞美( extol的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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melancholy
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| n.忧郁，愁思；adj.令人感伤（沮丧）的，忧郁的 | |
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affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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consigning
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| v.把…置于（令人不快的境地）( consign的现在分词 )；把…托付给；把…托人代售；丟弃 | |
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subterranean
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| adj.地下的，地表下的 | |
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dungeon
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| n.地牢，土牢 | |
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carving
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| n.雕刻品，雕花 | |
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harps
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| abbr.harpsichord 拨弦古钢琴n.竖琴( harp的名词复数 ) | |
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ornaments
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| n.装饰( ornament的名词复数 )；点缀；装饰品；首饰v.装饰，点缀，美化( ornament的第三人称单数 ) | |
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aspiring
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| adj.有志气的；有抱负的；高耸的v.渴望；追求 | |
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condemned
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| adj. 被责难的, 被宣告有罪的 动词condemn的过去式和过去分词 | |
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imprisonment
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| n.关押，监禁，坐牢 | |
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demise
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| n.死亡；v.让渡，遗赠，转让 | |
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vault
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| n.拱形圆顶，地窖，地下室 | |
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scanty
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| adj.缺乏的，仅有的，节省的，狭小的，不够的 | |
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alleviate
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| v.减轻，缓和，缓解(痛苦等) | |
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asunder
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| adj.分离的，化为碎片 | |
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affinity
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| n.亲和力，密切关系 | |
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vaults
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| n.拱顶( vault的名词复数 )；地下室；撑物跳高；墓穴 | |
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46
legitimate
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| adj.合法的，合理的，合乎逻辑的；v.使合法 | |
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reigning
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| adj.统治的，起支配作用的 | |
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dismal
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| adj.阴沉的，凄凉的，令人忧郁的，差劲的 | |
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hereditary
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| adj.遗传的，遗传性的，可继承的，世袭的 | |
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eldest
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| adj.最年长的，最年老的 | |
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ominous
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| adj.不祥的，不吉的，预兆的，预示的 | |
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appellation
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| n.名称，称呼 | |
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53
slew
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| v.（使）旋转；n.大量，许多 | |
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predilection
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| n.偏好 | |
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secluded
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| adj.与世隔绝的；隐退的；偏僻的v.使隔开，使隐退( seclude的过去式和过去分词) | |
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scions
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| n.接穗，幼枝( scion的名词复数 )；（尤指富家）子孙 | |
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guardians
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| 监护人( guardian的名词复数 )； 保护者，维护者 | |
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truant
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| n.懒惰鬼，旷课者；adj.偷懒的，旷课的，游荡的；v.偷懒，旷课 | |
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disturbances
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| n.骚乱( disturbance的名词复数 )；打扰；困扰；障碍 | |
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equestrian
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| adj.骑马的；n.马术 | |
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peruse
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| v.细读，精读 | |
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psalms
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| n.赞美诗( psalm的名词复数 )；圣诗；圣歌；(中的) | |
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monkish
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| adj.僧侣的，修道士的，禁欲的 | |
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perusal
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| n.细读，熟读；目测 | |
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virgin
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| n.处女，未婚女子；adj.未经使用的；未经开发的 | |
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shameful
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| adj.可耻的，不道德的 | |
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chastisement
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| n.惩罚 | |
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inflicted
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| 把…强加给，使承受，遭受( inflict的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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imbued
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| v.使（某人/某事）充满或激起（感情等）( imbue的过去式和过去分词 )；使充满；灌输；激发（强烈感情或品质等） | |
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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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delinquent
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| adj.犯法的，有过失的；n.违法者 | |
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permanently
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| adv.永恒地，永久地，固定不变地 | |
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immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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outskirts
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| n.郊外，郊区 | |
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residue
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| n.残余，剩余，残渣 | |
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progeny
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| n.后代，子孙；结果 | |
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obnoxious
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| adj.极恼人的，讨人厌的，可憎的 | |
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bestowed
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| 赠给，授予( bestow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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niche
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| n.壁龛；合适的职务(环境、位置等) | |
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vessels
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| 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 | |
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82
fidelity
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| n.忠诚，忠实；精确 | |
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conversion
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| n.转化，转换，转变 | |
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84
exalted
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| adj.(地位等)高的，崇高的；尊贵的，高尚的 | |
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85
emblem
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| n.象征，标志；徽章 | |
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86
attentive
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| adj.注意的，专心的；关心(别人)的，殷勤的 | |
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87
reverberating
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| 回响，回荡( reverberate的现在分词 )； 使反响，使回荡，使反射 | |
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88
trumpet
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| n.喇叭，喇叭声；v.吹喇叭，吹嘘 | |
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89
crimson
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| n./adj.深(绯)红色(的)；vi.脸变绯红色 | |
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90
attire
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| v.穿衣，装扮[同]array；n.衣着；盛装 | |
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91
pageant
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| n.壮观的游行；露天历史剧 | |
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92
pageants
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| n.盛装的游行( pageant的名词复数 )；穿古代服装的游行；再现历史场景的娱乐活动；盛会 | |
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93
imposing
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| adj.使人难忘的，壮丽的，堂皇的，雄伟的 | |
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94
prerogative
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| n.特权 | |
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95
bracelet
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| n.手镯，臂镯 | |
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96
bracelets
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| n.手镯，臂镯( bracelet的名词复数 ) | |
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97
embroidery
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| n.绣花，刺绣；绣制品 | |
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98
profusely
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| ad.abundantly | |
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99
partially
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| adv.部分地，从某些方面讲 | |
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100
enveloping
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| v.包围，笼罩，包住( envelop的现在分词 ) | |
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101
surmounted
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| 战胜( surmount的过去式和过去分词 )； 克服（困难）； 居于…之上； 在…顶上 | |
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102
plume
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| n.羽毛；v.整理羽毛，骚首弄姿，用羽毛装饰 | |
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103
approbation
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| n.称赞；认可 | |
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104
scrupulously
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| adv.一丝不苟地；小心翼翼地，多顾虑地 | |
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105
attest
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| vt.证明，证实；表明 | |
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106
grandeur
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| n.伟大，崇高，宏伟，庄严，豪华 | |
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