They brought cattle and sheep with them and tumbrils laden9 with sacks of flour. Booths were built, fires lit, scouts10 sent to watch the woodland ways and the gray menace of Troy Castle. The vault11 at Woodmere was emptied of its arms, and a new bridge built in place of Martin’s single beam.
As for Martin Valliant, he held aloof12 from the mesne lords and slept at night across Mellis’s door.
Now the Forest was superstitious13, and devout14 with the devoutness15 of ignorance. There was no wild thing that could not happen, no marvel16 that might not be believed. God, the Virgin17 and the Saints, the devil and his progeny18 were part of the Forest life, mysterious beings to be prayed to and to be feared. There were holy wells, wonder-working images in more than one of the churches, places that were accursed, goblin stones, devil’s hounds that ran by night, headless horsemen, ghosts, fairies, haunted trees. The people of the Forest were obstinate19, credulous20 children. They believed all that the Church taught them, even though many a priest spat21 at his own conscience.
Martin Valliant had been a priest. He had shed blood, and he slept at night outside the door of a woman’s bed-chamber22. The facts were flagrant, fiercely honest. Your pious23 savage24 does not love honesty; he lives in a world of make-believe; he will not quarrel with imperfections that spue their slime in dark and hidden corners. He will even laugh and delight in the lewd25 tales that are told of priests. But let some priest be honest, shake off his vows26, and declare himself a clean man, then he has committed the unforgivable sin, and any foul27 sot or filthy28 hag may sit in judgment29 upon him.
So it proved with these rough Forest gentry. Martin Valliant had sensed things truly. That sudden shadowy foreboding had heralded30 a real darkness that was spreading toward him from the mistrusts and prejudices of these common men. They looked at the facts baldly as they would have looked at pigs in a sty. The strange, tragic31, sacrificial beauty of the thing was lost on them. To them love was a giggling32 scrimmage. Their religion was so much bogey33 worship, a rude mysticism that was shaped to suit their lives.
Before a day had passed Martin Valliant found himself outlawed34 by a vague and reticent35 distrust. He cast a shadow. The common men looked askance at him and held aloof. The gentry were more open, and more brutal36 in their displeasure; with them it was not a mere1 matter of superstition37; there were young men among them, and Mellis was very comely38. And this fellow had the insolence39 to sleep across her door.
Falconer was the only man who spoke40 to Martin Valliant, and it was done grudgingly42 and with an ill grace.
The rest looked through him, over him, at his feet. There was no place for Martin at the table that had been set up under a shelter of boughs43 in the hall. Even Peter Swartz was better treated; he was half prisoner, half comrade, but he drank and ate with them, diced44 with them, told tales.
Martin took his meals on the leads of the tower or in the garden. His heart grew heavy in him, and a kind of fierce sadness showed in his eyes.
“The wench is mad.”
“The fellow is wearing her brother Gilbert’s harness.”
“Such a thing cannot be stomached, sirs. We lack godliness if we carry such an unclean vagabond with us. My men are grumbling47 already, and seeing a curse in the fellow.”
“Send him back to Paradise.”
“The prior will thank you for nothing. One kicks a mangy dog out of the gate, and that’s the end of it.”
Swartz listened and said nothing. He was a rough god compared with these boors48; he had seen the world and tasted the wine of many countries, and he knew that it is mere foolishness to step in between a clown and his drink.
Falconer tried to speak up, but they were against him to a man.
“I choose to live with honest men, sir, not with vermin.”
Such was the Forest’s verdict.
On the second day the gentlemen of the Rose marched into Woodmere, Sir Gregory at their head. There was much cheering, much shaking of hands. “The King was upon the sea.” That night they drank much ale. And women had come from Gawdy Town, bold-eyed wenches dressed as men. Some of the wilder spirits made a rough night of it, shouting, quarreling, and singing songs, and Mellis was kept awake by their clowning. Nor did Martin Valliant get much sleep, for he had to take more than one drunken man by the shoulders and prove to him that the threshold of Mellis’s chamber was sacred ground.
The coming of Sir Gregory and the gentlemen from France made matters more sinister50 for Martin Valliant. Sir Gregory was a man of violent self-pride, obstinate as sin, and far more cruel.
He bearded John Falconer.
“A pretty chaplain you have found us! This fellow must go, or I’ll not answer for the men.”
“And for what? Bloodying52 our game for us? Dale was a fool in the beginning, and you have been little better than his shadow. I’ll have no women picking and choosing in my company.”
Falconer owned as rough a temper as this crop-headed bully53, but he knew that Sir Gregory had the crowd at his back.
“There is no harm done yet. I will speak to the girl.”
“What claim has the wench to be considered?”
“The claim of courtesy—and compassion54, sir. Look to it, Gregory, I will have none of the bully in you; my fist is as heavy as ever it was.”
And there the matter rested for a while.
John Falconer did not deceive himself; these mesne lords and squirelings were no children of romance. The wars had bred a savage spirit in the land; the middle age was dying, cruel and brutish in its decadence55, and the strong man was not there as yet to smite56 it down forever with his kingly club. Martin Valliant would have to go; these men of the Forest would not hesitate to sacrifice him.
But Mellis?
He hardened his heart, and went in search of her, and finding her in the tower room, he shut the door and spoke out.
“Child, this man cannot stay with us; he will bring us evil luck.”
“Who sent you with that message, John?”
“The whole place is whispering it. It might have been born with the men, but our friends will have none of him.”
She stood at her full height, calmly scorning him and them all.
“What an amazing thing is life! You come to me, and bid me turn on this man, and hound him out as an outcast. Am I so vile57 and heartless a thing, and are men so afraid of the devil that they must throw a sop58 to him?”
Falconer stood his ground.
“You should know the Forest, Mellis.”
“I know the trees and the glades59, the blown leaves and the sunlight, the little streams and the deer—but its men! If these are they, I know them not!”
“Valliant has blackened himself in their eyes.”
She flung out her hands.
“And for whom, and for what purpose? I tell you that man has the heart of a child. I was in peril60, and he succored61 me; I was lost, and he gave me his all. Nay62, more than his all, for in saving me he lost the good will of God’s noble men. And you—you come to me and tell me to spurn63 him, desert him, because these fools are afraid of the devil. I would rather die than stoop to such shame.”
His face was clouded and stubborn.
“Your heart is too kind, because——”
“Ah! Speak out.”
She went nearer, her eyes dangerously shining.
“I am not afraid, John Falconer. Tell me I love this man. I do most dearly love him, with all my heart and soul. And who shall cast a reproach at me, or make me believe that there is any man who would have treated me with such sweet, strong faith? I care not what men say. God shall judge. If there is beauty and tenderness and truth in our poor hearts, will He throw us to the dogs?”
“Mad! Then I would that all the world were mad! And if your law is God’s law, then I am a rebel against God. Yes, and I would glory in it. I have no more to say to you, John Falconer.”
He left her, ashamed, angry, feeling that tragic things were about to happen.
As for Martin Valliant, he knew what he knew, and his heart was heavy. He thought of the lepers in the wood of yews65 at Paradise, and his lot seemed like unto theirs. Love had made him an outcast, a thing of evil omen49 to be thrust away into the darkness. No one was ready to call him brother or comrade in arms, or to pity him because the man had been stronger than the monk66.
He strove bitterly with himself and with his love, but the truth showed him no mercy. It was like the great wooden cross on the Black Moor67, standing68 bleak69 and clear against the sunset, bidding mortals remember that Christ suffered. He understood why these men hated and mistrusted him, and grudged70 him the right of guarding Mellis.
Words were spoken that were meant for his ears.
“Old Valliant’s son. A pretty mate for Mellis Dale! What shame for the woman!”
He went in search of Mellis, but for a long time he could not find her, and the house and island seemed full of fools who stared at him. Martin Valliant’s humility74 was in the dust. Had he been a fiercer and more carnal man, a strong and striving selfishness might have carried him through; but the rebel spirit faltered75 in him when voices whispered that the woman suffered shame because he loved her. Generous souls are always at the mercy of the meaner and more cunning spirits. A clever lie, like a snake crawling from the mouth of a sorcerer, has bitten many a strong man’s heel.
Martin found his love in a far corner of the orchard76 where an old tree had been blown down, but still lived and threw out green leaves. Mellis was seated on the trunk and half among the boughs, so that she was hidden like a bird, and discoverable only by some one who came quite near, for the weeds and grass were rank and tall, and melted into the green of the tree.
He stood before her, sorrowful and heavy-eyed, and she knew why he had come to her and what was in his heart.
“Martin!”
Her eyes loved him.
“So these clowns have been pulling ugly faces.”
He answered her simply and sadly.
“It may be that the clowns are right. We live our lives among clowns; we must not live too finely, or the clowns will be displeased77. Is it not a sin to offend even against fools?”
She left her seat on the tree and stood facing him.
“So they would drive you out—send you to beggary or death.”
“They think me accursed.”
“Martin Valliant, the rebel in me fights for you. Why should we truckle to this clowns’ world? What does it know of my heart or of yours? Why, we could go on living to the mean level of the beasts, throwing our pearls in the troughs, forever and ever.”
“But what I was—and what I am!”
“Man, man, I love you! Is there shame or sin in my eyes? Why, there was no true beauty in the world till we began to love each other. And am I to disown you, send you back to your death, because these lords and gentlemen have unclean, grudging41 hearts? No—by my God, I will not let you go.”
He stood rigid, opening and shutting his hands. His eyes looked into hers appealingly.
“Let them call me all the foul names that ever were. Am I touched by them? It is for me to choose. And I say to you that they shall not part us. For if you love me, Martin——”
She gripped his arms, and her face lay close to his, her lips open, her eyes full of soft gleams. Her voice was quick, passionate80, and challenging.
“For if you love me, dear——”
He stared at her, head thrown back, his eyes filling with a strange, wild light.
“Mellis!”
“Death—what would death be? But here is life and desire—and beauty. Oh, my heart, play me not false! They shall not take you from me!”
“Mellis—dear heart!”
He held her at arm’s length, his face transfigured.
“God help me! If this is sin—then let them write it down against me. Why, all that I hold here, the most adorable thing in all the world——”
“Martin!”
“The beauty, the mystery of you, the white light in my soul!”
“Ah! ah! Can mortal men harm us? We will hold to each other, you and I. Is not the whole world open, and can these so-called comrades say us nay? Where you go, I go also.”
“So be it, child,” he said.
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收听单词发音
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1
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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laborers
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| n.体力劳动者，工人( laborer的名词复数 )；（熟练工人的）辅助工 | |
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charcoal
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| n.炭，木炭，生物炭 | |
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4
scattering
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| n.[物]散射；散乱，分散；在媒介质中的散播adj.散乱的；分散在不同范围的；广泛扩散的；（选票）数量分散的v.散射(scatter的ing形式)；散布；驱散 | |
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gentry
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| n.绅士阶级，上层阶级 | |
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tenants
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| n.房客( tenant的名词复数 )；佃户；占用者；占有者 | |
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7
scythe
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| n. 长柄的大镰刀，战车镰； v. 以大镰刀割 | |
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8
lashed
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| adj.具睫毛的v.鞭打( lash的过去式和过去分词 )；煽动；紧系；怒斥 | |
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laden
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| adj.装满了的；充满了的；负了重担的；苦恼的 | |
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10
scouts
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| 侦察员[机，舰]( scout的名词复数 )； 童子军； 搜索； 童子军成员 | |
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11
vault
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| n.拱形圆顶，地窖，地下室 | |
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12
aloof
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| adj.远离的；冷淡的，漠不关心的 | |
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13
superstitious
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| adj.迷信的 | |
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14
devout
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| adj.虔诚的，虔敬的，衷心的 (n.devoutness) | |
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15
devoutness
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| 朝拜 | |
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16
marvel
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| vi.(at)惊叹vt.感到惊异；n.令人惊异的事 | |
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17
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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18
progeny
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| n.后代，子孙；结果 | |
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19
obstinate
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| adj.顽固的，倔强的，不易屈服的，较难治愈的 | |
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20
credulous
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| adj.轻信的，易信的 | |
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21
spat
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| n.口角，掌击；v.发出呼噜呼噜声 | |
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22
chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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23
pious
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| adj.虔诚的；道貌岸然的 | |
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24
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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25
lewd
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| adj.淫荡的 | |
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26
vows
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| 誓言( vow的名词复数 )； 郑重宣布，许愿 | |
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27
foul
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| adj.污秽的；邪恶的；v.弄脏；妨害；犯规；n.犯规 | |
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28
filthy
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| adj.卑劣的；恶劣的，肮脏的 | |
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29
judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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30
heralded
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| v.预示( herald的过去式和过去分词 )；宣布（好或重要） | |
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31
tragic
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| adj.悲剧的，悲剧性的，悲惨的 | |
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32
giggling
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| v.咯咯地笑( giggle的现在分词 ) | |
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33
bogey
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| n.令人谈之变色之物；妖怪，幽灵 | |
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outlawed
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| 宣布…为不合法（outlaw的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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35
reticent
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| adj.沉默寡言的；言不如意的 | |
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36
brutal
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| adj.残忍的，野蛮的，不讲理的 | |
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superstition
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| n.迷信，迷信行为 | |
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38
comely
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| adj.漂亮的，合宜的 | |
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39
insolence
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| n.傲慢；无礼；厚颜；傲慢的态度 | |
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40
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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41
grudging
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| adj.勉强的，吝啬的 | |
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grudgingly
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43
boughs
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| 大树枝( bough的名词复数 ) | |
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44
diced
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| v.将…切成小方块，切成丁( dice的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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45
worthies
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| 应得某事物( worthy的名词复数 )； 值得做某事； 可尊敬的； 有（某人或事物）的典型特征 | |
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46
judgments
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| 判断( judgment的名词复数 )； 鉴定； 评价； 审判 | |
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47
grumbling
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| adj. 喃喃鸣不平的, 出怨言的 | |
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48
boors
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| n.农民( boor的名词复数 )；乡下佬；没礼貌的人；粗野的人 | |
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49
omen
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| n.征兆，预兆；vt.预示 | |
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50
sinister
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| adj.不吉利的，凶恶的，左边的 | |
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51
gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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52
bloodying
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| v.血污的( bloody的现在分词 )；流血的；屠杀的；残忍的 | |
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53
bully
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| n.恃强欺弱者，小流氓；vt.威胁，欺侮 | |
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54
compassion
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| n.同情，怜悯 | |
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55
decadence
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| n.衰落，颓废 | |
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56
smite
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| v.重击；彻底击败；n.打；尝试；一点儿 | |
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57
vile
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| adj.卑鄙的，可耻的，邪恶的；坏透的 | |
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58
sop
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| n.湿透的东西，懦夫；v.浸，泡，浸湿 | |
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59
glades
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| n.林中空地( glade的名词复数 ) | |
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60
peril
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| n.(严重的)危险；危险的事物 | |
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61
succored
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| v.给予帮助( succor的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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62
nay
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| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
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63
spurn
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| v.拒绝，摈弃；n.轻视的拒绝；踢开 | |
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64
miserably
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| adv.痛苦地；悲惨地；糟糕地；极度地 | |
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65
yews
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| n.紫杉( yew的名词复数 ) | |
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66
monk
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| n.和尚，僧侣，修道士 | |
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67
moor
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| n.荒野，沼泽；vt.(使)停泊；vi.停泊 | |
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68
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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69
bleak
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| adj.(天气)阴冷的；凄凉的；暗淡的 | |
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70
grudged
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| 怀恨（grudge的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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71
monks
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| n.修道士，僧侣( monk的名词复数 ) | |
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72
rogue
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| n.流氓；v.游手好闲 | |
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73
homage
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| n.尊敬，敬意，崇敬 | |
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74
humility
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| n.谦逊，谦恭 | |
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75
faltered
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| （嗓音）颤抖( falter的过去式和过去分词 )； 支吾其词； 蹒跚； 摇晃 | |
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76
orchard
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| n.果园，果园里的全部果树，(美俚)棒球场 | |
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77
displeased
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| a.不快的 | |
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78
rigid
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| adj.严格的，死板的；刚硬的，僵硬的 | |
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shameful
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| adj.可耻的，不道德的 | |
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80
passionate
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，激昂的，易动情的，易怒的，性情暴躁的 | |
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