Among all those who came to the court of King Arthur at this Pentecost seeking hospitality, were two strangers in especial, who because of being meanly garbed1 and of a seeming awkwardness brought forth3 the mockery and jest of Sir Kay the Seneschal. Nor did Sir Kay mean harm thereby4, for he was knight5 who held no villainy. Yet was his tongue overly sharp and too oft disposed to sting and mock.
Too, the manner of their coming was strange. One was a youth of handsome mien7. Despite his ill garb2, he seemed of right good worship. Him, our young page Allan found fallen in a swoon, very weak and near unto death, asprawl on the green about a mile from the castle. Thinking that the man was but a villain6, he would fain have called one of the men-at-arms to give him aid, but that something drew him to closer view. And then the boy felt certain that this was no villain born for his face bespoke8 gentle breeding. So he himself hastened for water and by much use of it the man soon opened his eyes and found himself. So he studied the lad as he helped him to greater ease but either through his great weakness or no desire he did not speak.
"Stranger," said Allan to the man, "if there is aught that I can do for you or if I can help you in any way I give you offer of service. Mayhap of the many knights10 who are here, there is one whose aid you may justly claim."
"There are those here, lad, whose service I may well accept for they hold ties of blood to me. But I would not. Rather, if your patience will bear with me, I would fain have your help so that I can appear in the presence of the King this day. For so it is ordained11 and by appearing there I shall find some part of my row accomplished12. On this holy day, I have boon13 to ask from your King."
"So shall I and right gladly lead you there. Good sir, my name is Allan. I am page to Sir Percival, and I would bespeak14 your name."
"I beg of thee, Allan, think not that I am churlish and yet must I withhold15 my name. For it is part of the vow16 I have made. Nor, forsooth, am I therefore the less grateful."
"No offense17 take I, friend. So when you feel disposed I shall guide your steps for audience with our good King."
The stranger, weak and spent, leaning mightily18 on his young friend made his way to the great hall. And as we have recounted, though all were struck by oddness and meanness of the stranger's clothes, yet only Sir Kay made point to taunt19 him. Yet did he make no answer to these taunts20 but waited with a great meekness21 for his turn before the King. And that he should wait with such meekness was strange for he seemed to be a high born knight.
There were many who sought audience with the King and it was long before the stranger's turn came. Weak he still was, but he made no complaint, and when others would crowd before him so that they could speak the sooner to King Arthur, he did not chide22 them but permitted it. At last Sir Launcelot came forward, for he had observed this and made each of them find the place which was first theirs, so that the stranger's turn came as it should. Weak though he was he walked with a great firmness to the dais, and none there saw his poor clothes for the fineness of him. The King turned to him and he nodded kindly23.
"Speak, friend. In what way can we be of service to thee?"
"Sire," said the stranger, "I come to ask of thee three boons24. One I ask this day and on this day one year I shall come before you and crave25 your favor for the other two."
"If the boon you ask, stranger, is aught we can grant, we shall do so cheerfully, for on this day we heed26 all prayers."
"I ask very little, sire. This and no more do I wish--that you give me food and drink for one year and that on this day a year hence I shall make my other two prayers."
"It is indeed little you ask. Food and drink we refuse none. It is here. Yet while your petition might well beseem a knave27, thou seemeth of right good worship, a likely youth, too, none fairer, and we would fain your prayer had been for horse and armor. Yet may you have your wish. Sir Kay," and the King turned to his Seneschal, "see you to it that this stranger finds his wish satisfied."
So the King turned to others present, for of those who sought audience there were many. And so forgot all of the fair youth for many a day.
Sir Kay laughed mockingly at the unknown.
"Of a truth this is villain born. For only such would ask for food and drink of the King. So therefore he shall find place in our kitchen. He shall help there, he shall have fat broth28 to satisfy himself and in a year no hog29 shall be fatter. And we shall know him as the Kitchen Boy."
"Sir Kay," frowned Sir Launcelot, "I pray you cease your mocking. It is not seemly. This stranger, whosoever he may be, has right to make whatsoever30 request he wishes."
"Yet I like not your mocking," said Sir Launcelot as he looked frowningly at Sir Kay, while next to him stood Sir Gawaine and Sir Percival, neither of whom could scarce contain himself.
"It is well, we know you, Sir Kay. Or, by our guardian32 saints we would make you answer for your bitter tongue. But that we know it belies33 a heart of kindness we would long since have found quarrel with you." So spoke Sir Percival and Sir Gawaine nodded in assent34.
"Stay not any quarrel for any seeming knowledge of me, kind friends," frowned back Sir Kay.
But the two knights moved away. Sir Kay was of great shame. And so to cover it he turned to the stranger in great fury. "Come then to your kennel35, dog," he said.
Out flashed the sword of Sir Gawaine. Yet did Sir Launcelot withhold him.
"Sir, I beg you to do me honor of feasting with us this day?"
"I thank you Sir Launcelot. Yet must I go with Sir Kay and do his bidding. There do be knights well worth their places at the Round Table. And I note right well that they set high example to those who are still but lads and who are to become knights in good time. So to you all I give my thanks."
Then followed the stranger after Sir Kay while the three knights and Allan watched him go and marveled at his meekness.
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收听单词发音
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1
garbed
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| v.（尤指某类人穿的特定）服装，衣服，制服( garb的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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garb
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| n.服装，装束 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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thereby
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| adv.因此，从而 | |
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knight
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| n.骑士，武士；爵士 | |
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villain
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| n.反派演员，反面人物；恶棍；问题的起因 | |
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mien
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| n.风采；态度 | |
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8
bespoke
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| adj.（产品）订做的；专做订货的v.预定( bespeak的过去式 )；订（货）；证明；预先请求 | |
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9
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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10
knights
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| 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 | |
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ordained
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| v.任命（某人）为牧师( ordain的过去式和过去分词 )；授予（某人）圣职；（上帝、法律等）命令；判定 | |
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12
accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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boon
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| n.恩赐，恩物，恩惠 | |
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14
bespeak
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| v.预定；预先请求 | |
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15
withhold
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| v.拒绝，不给；使停止，阻挡 | |
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vow
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| n.誓(言)，誓约；v.起誓，立誓 | |
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offense
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| n.犯规，违法行为；冒犯，得罪 | |
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mightily
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| ad.强烈地；非常地 | |
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taunt
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| n.辱骂，嘲弄；v.嘲弄 | |
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taunts
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| 嘲弄的言语，嘲笑，奚落( taunt的名词复数 ) | |
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meekness
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| n.温顺，柔和 | |
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chide
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| v.叱责；谴责 | |
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kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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24
boons
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| n.恩惠( boon的名词复数 )；福利；非常有用的东西；益处 | |
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crave
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| vt.渴望得到，迫切需要，恳求，请求 | |
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heed
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| v.注意，留意；n.注意，留心 | |
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27
knave
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| n.流氓；（纸牌中的）杰克 | |
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28
broth
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| n.原(汁)汤(鱼汤、肉汤、菜汤等) | |
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hog
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| n.猪；馋嘴贪吃的人；vt.把…占为己有，独占 | |
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30
whatsoever
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| adv.（用于否定句中以加强语气）任何；pron.无论什么 | |
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31
nay
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| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
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32
guardian
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| n.监护人；守卫者，保护者 | |
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33
belies
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| v.掩饰( belie的第三人称单数 )；证明（或显示）…为虚假；辜负；就…扯谎 | |
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assent
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| v.批准，认可；n.批准，认可 | |
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35
kennel
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| n.狗舍，狗窝 | |
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