THE NEXT MORNING, I made my debut1 in front of the lady Anne's court.
I had only seen the great hall at Bor俥 from behind Norbert's back on my first visit, studying his skills, watching him perform. Now, with its buttressed2 arches rising thirty feet tall and jammed to its hilt with colorfully dressed knights3 and courtiers, the hall looked more enormous and imposing4 than I could ever have imagined.
My heart was pounding. Not only for the gigantic room and the simple fact that Treille was like a village compared to this; or for my new liege and the favor that must be won. But also because of whom I was replacing. Norbert was a jester of the highest rank. To fill in for him here, in front of the court, was an honor that touched me deeply.
The arrival of the court did nothing to abate5 my nerves. A blast of trumpets6 announced the lady Anne with her long silk train and a line of ladies, Emilie among them, bringing cushions and refreshments7, attending her needs.
Pages in green-and-gold overtunics announced the business of the day. Advisers10 flitted around, vying11 for Anne's ear. Scores of knights did not languish12 in their casual tunics9 as in Treille, but sat at formal tables finely dressed in her colors of green and gold.
That day there was a minor13 dispute before the court, a bailiff and a poor miller14 arguing over the levy15 of his fief. As was the custom in towns everywhere, the bailiff felt the miller was holding out on him. I had seen this a hundred times in my village. And it was always the bailiff who won.
Anne listened distractedly but soon seemed to grow weary. In her husband's absence, she was forced to rule on such tiresome16 matters, and this was as mundane17 as business got.
Anne's gaze began to wander.
This bickering18 is the stuff of comedy, she said. Jester, this isyour domain19. What say you? Come out and rule.
I stepped out from the crowd behind her chair. She seemed to regard me unexpectedly, as if surprised at the new face in the suit. You say it ismy rule, my lady? I bowed.
Unless you are as dull as they are, she replied. Mild laughter trickled20 through the room.
I will not be, I said, calling to mind all the times I saw my friends cheated, but I must answer with my own riddle22. What is the boldest thing in all the world?
It is your stage, fool. Tell us, what is the boldest thing?
A bailiff's shirt, my lady. For it clasps a thief by the throat most every day.
A hush23 spread over the court, replacing the amused buzz. All eyes looked to the bailiff for his response.
Anne fixed24 on me. Norbert informed me he was taking a leave. But he didn't inform me he was leaving his duties to such a rash wit. Come forward. I know you, do I not?
I knelt in front of her and doffed25 my cap. I am Hugh, good lady. We met once before. On the road to Treille.
Monsieur Rouge26, she exclaimed, her expression indicating she knew exactly to whom she spoke27. You seem a little better patched together than when I saw you last. And you have found a trade. When last seen you had donned your armor and ridden off on some quest.
My armor was only this. I motioned toward my checkered28 tunic8. And my sword, this staff. I hope I was not too greatly missed.
You arehard to miss, monsieur, Anne said with a pinched smile, since you do not go away.
Many of the ladies began to giggle29. I bowed ceremoniously at her demonstration30 of wit.
Norbert said I would find you to be a fitting replacement31. And there is another at court who defends you well. And look how you perform.... Here, before our court, with your first step, and already soiled your boots. You take the miller's side on this?
I side with justice, lady. I could feel the heat rising in the room.
Justice... What would a fool know of justice? This is a matter of what is law and right.
I bowed respectfully. You are the law here, my lady. And the judge of what is right. Was it not Augustine who said, `Remove justice, and what are kingdoms but gangs of criminals on a large scale.'
You know about kingdoms as well, I see... in your full and varied32 life.
I motioned to the bailiff. Actually, it iscriminals I know. The rest was just a guess.
Some laughter snaked around the court. Even Anne consented to smile. A jester who quotes Augustine? What sort of fool are you?
A fool who does not know Latin, madame, is just a greater fool. Again, a trickle21 of applause, some nods. And another smile from Anne.
I was raised by goliards, Your Grace. I know a lot of useless things. I sprang onto my hands, balanced myself in a handstand, then slowly released onto one arm. From upside down, I added, And some useful enough, I hope.
Anne gave a nod of approval. Useful enough. She applauded. So much so, bailiff, that I am forced to side with the fool here. If not by right, then surely by wit. Please forgive me. I am sure next time the scale will tilt33 to you.
The bailiff shot me an angry glance, then backed off and bowed. I accept, my lady.
I pushed off and landed on my feet.
So, boar-slayer. Anne turned back to me. Your friends are right. Norbert has taught you well. You are welcome here.
Thank you, madame. I won't disappoint.
I felt expanded. I had performed in front of my hardest audience so far and succeeded. For the first time in a long while, I felt out of harm's way. I shot a wink34 at Emilie. My body tingled35 with pride as she smiled back.
... At least until my husband returns, Anne added sharply. And I must warn you, his views of custom are quite different from my own. He is known to be much less charmed by a fool's knowledge of Latin than I.
收听单词发音 |
1
debut
|
|
| n.首次演出，初次露面 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
buttressed
|
|
| v.用扶壁支撑，加固( buttress的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
knights
|
|
| 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 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
imposing
|
|
| adj.使人难忘的，壮丽的，堂皇的，雄伟的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
abate
|
|
| vi.(风势，疼痛等)减弱，减轻，减退 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
trumpets
|
|
| 喇叭( trumpet的名词复数 )； 小号； 喇叭形物； （尤指）绽开的水仙花 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
refreshments
|
|
| n.点心,便餐;(会议后的)简单茶点招 待 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
tunic
|
|
| n.束腰外衣 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
tunics
|
|
| n.（动植物的）膜皮( tunic的名词复数 )；束腰宽松外衣；一套制服的短上衣；（天主教主教等穿的）短祭袍 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
advisers
|
|
| 顾问，劝告者( adviser的名词复数 )； （指导大学新生学科问题等的）指导教授 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
vying
|
|
| adj.竞争的；比赛的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
languish
|
|
| vi.变得衰弱无力，失去活力，（植物等）凋萎 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
minor
|
|
| adj.较小(少)的，较次要的；n.辅修学科；vi.辅修 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
miller
|
|
| n.磨坊主 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
levy
|
|
| n.征收税或其他款项，征收额 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
tiresome
|
|
| adj.令人疲劳的，令人厌倦的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
mundane
|
|
| adj.平凡的；尘世的；宇宙的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
bickering
|
|
| v.争吵( bicker的现在分词 )；口角；（水等）作潺潺声；闪烁 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
domain
|
|
| n.(活动等)领域，范围；领地，势力范围 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
trickled
|
|
| v.滴( trickle的过去式和过去分词 )；淌；使)慢慢走；缓慢移动 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
trickle
|
|
| vi.淌，滴，流出，慢慢移动，逐渐消散 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
riddle
|
|
| n.谜，谜语，粗筛；vt.解谜，给…出谜，筛，检查，鉴定，非难，充满于；vi.出谜 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
hush
|
|
| int.嘘，别出声；n.沉默，静寂；v.使安静 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
fixed
|
|
| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
doffed
|
|
| v.脱去，（尤指）脱帽( doff的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
rouge
|
|
| n.胭脂，口红唇膏；v.(在…上)擦口红 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
spoke
|
|
| 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 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
checkered
|
|
| adj.有方格图案的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
giggle
|
|
| n.痴笑，咯咯地笑；v.咯咯地笑着说 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
demonstration
|
|
| n.表明，示范，论证，示威 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
replacement
|
|
| n.取代，替换，交换；替代品，代用品 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
varied
|
|
| adj.多样的，多变化的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
tilt
|
|
| v.(使)倾侧；(使)倾斜；n.倾侧；倾斜 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
wink
|
|
| n.眨眼，使眼色，瞬间；v.眨眼，使眼色，闪烁 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
tingled
|
|
| v.有刺痛感( tingle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |