It was the poll-tax that had set every common man in England snarling1 like an angry dog. Hitherto no one had listened to the sullen2 grumbling3 of the poor, those brown men with brown faces who trudged4 in the mud and went out to labour in the winter wind and rain. They were part of the soil, and no one heeded5 them so long as there was corn to be had and fat beasts to be salted for winter. Edward the King and his great lords had made war in France with a screaming of trumpets7, a humming of bow-strings, and the clash of ash-staved spears. They had crossed the sea in their rich-coloured stuffs and their shining harness, had ridden their war horses over the fields of France, and brought back honour, noble prisoners, and much plunder8. But the wars were no longer glorious, and the taxes mounted up. A gust9 of anger had passed over the land, and even the boor10 flinging mud out of a ditch had paused and asked himself, “Why—and wherefore?” There were many who talked and many who threatened, looking sullenly11 upon the lord as he rode by in a coat of furs, and thinking even more sullenly of those who sat before the fire with wine and spices ready to hand. Privilege everywhere, valiant12 pride soaring overhead, and the serf in the mud, suddenly and viciously envious13! This anger of the common people had not known how to vent14 itself, how to speak so that the great ones should hear. This was no baron’s business, but a dunghill fermentation, and being slow and sodden15 and savage16, was like to be more terrible when thoughts of blood and fire and vengeance17 fumed18 up out of this mixen of discontent.
Of all the great lords of the land no man was more hated than the King’s uncle, John of Gaunt. It was said that he had the King in the palm of his hand, that the curse of the heavy taxes flowed from him, and that he had no thought or pity for the poor. Men spoke19 of his Palace of the Savoy as the most wonderful house in England, packed with plate and jewels, rich stuffs, and armour20. Scores of rich manors21, forests, castles, houses, and chases were held by him, and his power and his opulence22 were not to be challenged. Moreover, a certain majestic23 pride, a casual haughtiness24 in dealing25 with lesser26 men, had not brought him the mob’s love. He was an eagle who took no account of the hedge-sparrows, holding aloof27 and looking far afield, for his was a soaring spirit with visions of kingship and honour in far countries. The little men under and about his feet were just little men to be forgotten. Being over-busied with great enterprises, he had no patience to remember the ploughman and the fool.
Not only was the Duke of Lancaster hated, but all those near to him, and even his possessions, shared this savage hatred28. The common people lusted29 to cut the throats of his stewards30 and foresters, beat out the brains of his knights31 and men-at-arms, and to burn and destroy his houses and all the rich gear in them. So in the blowing up of the storm there were certain tall trees marked out for destruction; and Fulk of the Forest, riding his rounds and cherishing the deer, did not reflect that he himself would be a stag marked out for the slaughter32.
But Father Merlin knew it, and told himself that a chained hart alive might be of more value than mere33 venison. Much enlightenment had come to him since that meeting by the thorn tree near the vachery, and Merlin had gathered his gossips round the fire in Blackbottom Gill and whispered a strange story. They had drawn34 close about him, gaping35, amazed, yet caught by the shrewd audacity36 of his imaginings.
There was no moon when the Polecat climbed the White Lodge37 fence, opened the garden wicket, let Merlin in, and led him to Isoult’s window. The house was asleep, but Isoult lay awake, having been warned of Merlin’s coming. She had heard a fern-owl whirring in the oak woods, and, rising from her bed, stood at the window, waiting.
Merlin spoke in a whisper:
“Isoult, art there?”
He could see her grey face at the bars, but she could see nothing of his because of his cowl.
“It is of Fulk Ferrers that I have much to say.”
“I am listening.”
She was on her guard, though not conscious of it, half ready to put aside any treacherous41 blow aimed at the man who had captured her under the yews42; but Merlin had not spoken ten words before she became enthralled43 by the strange tale that he was telling her. She stared out into the darkness whence this whispering voice came. And when he had ended she drew in her breath sharply, and fell to listening for any sound within the house.
“Merlin,” said she, “have a care. What if it be the King?”
“Comfort yourself. I had word. Richard is in the White Tower in London—has been there all these days.”
“Is he so like?”
“Like enough to trick any but his own familiars, and though this fellow is some five years older, the young king looks more than a lad. It is a marvel44.”
Isoult stood thinking.
“Two kings to play with! To use the one, if the other should prove contrary! Yes; but, my friend, this young man, this Fulk of the Forest, is more proud and stiffnecked than any king I ever read of.”
Merlin’s voice was sly and insinuating45.
“And Isoult of the Rose surpasses all women——”
She cut in on him sharply.
“Be careful. I am not to be played with. But I might try my wits.”
She stared into the darkness as though trying to see Merlin’s face.
“Have you any plan?”
“Listen, Isoult. All the country is stirring, and all the outlawed46 men are swarming47 hither. The word is flying from mouth to mouth. Now, we shall come here and break in. This falcon will fight?”
“To the death, or I am no judge of a man’s fettle.”
“Good. We will have him at our mercy, and then you, Isoult, shall step in and beg his life. A close prisoner he shall be, and I doubt not that he may be persuaded.”
“Be not too sure.”
“I am not crossed easily.”
“Merlin, one word: think not that Isoult is without honour.”
He protested with an eager, murmuring voice.
“No, no; it is but a lure48 to the lad’s spirit. Born out of wedlock49, a love child, a king before a king! He is the son of his father’s loins. We’ll challenge him to the adventure.”
“There is the woman, his mother. That is another marvel that one who is now as cold and stiff as a corpse50——”
“She may serve or she may not. It does not signify: the man’s the master. If only he be persuadable. And you, Isoult, may do much.”
Her voice betrayed impatience51.
“Let the adventure go on, but do not think of me as hell fire. We shall see how the stag runs. And now, good-night.”
She heard the sound of his breathing die away, and knew that the window was empty. Like a ghost he had come and like a ghost he stole away, leaving Isoult distraught and restless.
It was in the half light of a May dawn that Peter of Pippinford came running to the White Lodge with his head all bloody52 and a short sword in his hand. He had been ranging his ward6, and had come back to find his lodge on fire and four ragged53 rogues54 waiting for him behind the woodstack. One of them had given Peter a bloody poll with the thick end of a holly55 cudgel, and Peter had cut off one man’s hand, slashed56 another across the face, and then had saved himself by the grace of his long legs. He set up a furious hallooing outside the White Lodge gate, and Fulk went out to let him in.
Fulk listened to his news with a face that was very quiet and very grim. He had been warned two days ago by one of the purlieu men that the common people were breaking down fences and emptying fish ponds, and that the whole country had gone mad. A tax-gatherer had been beaten to death in one of the villages. The gentry57 were flying to Lewes and Pevensey, leaving their houses and larders58 to be plundered59 by their boors60.
“We must get the women out of the way. I will ride over to the vachery and bring Barnabas’s people in. Get your head tied up, Peter, and then help John to make ready the great wagon61.”
Fulk had a word with his mother, Margaret Ferrers standing62 at her chamber63 door in her night gear, looking like a corpse in a shroud64. Cold woman that she was, she fell to pleading with him, but he put her prayers aside.
“Run away from the lousels? Not I! The men shall take you and Isoult and the women to Lewes, and then come back to me. We will make these scullions skip.”
He mounted his roan horse, galloped65 bareback to the vachery, and ordered the cowherd to the White Lodge with his women and children.
“Turn the cows out and let them fend66 for themselves, Barnabas. The wagon starts for Lewes in an hour.”
When he returned to the White Lodge Fulk found that two other foresters had come in and were helping67 Peter of Pippinford yoke68 eight oxen to the wagon, and load some of the household gear into it. Fulk chose Peter to be the leader, and charged them to return when they had lodged69 the women within the walls of Lewes town. He chose John to bide70 with him, because John was a coward, and the best men were wanted in the wagon; and John looked sulkily at Fulk, having no stomach for the White Lodge when such rough gentry were hunting men as well as deer.
“Come.”
She was ready, dressed in all her rich colours, her hair in its silver net, her knife and gypsire at her girdle. She looked at Fulk with intent and questioning eyes, considering something in her heart.
“Is it the swainmote?”
“No. The boors have gone mad and are running wild. I am sending the womenfolk to Lewes town for shelter, and you will go with them.”
“And you?”
“A deer master does not run away from swine.”
Isoult did not move.
“Messire Fulk, if I choose to stay here——”
“I’ll make you carry me. It may be that you hold a hostage and know it not!”
He went a step nearer.
“What! Are you with these nameless fools?”
“Did I say so?”
“Come, have done; time’s precious.”
Her loftiness topped his impatience.
“I choose to stay. You brought me here, and if it must be that I should go, you must put me out even as you brought me in.”
They stood, measuring each other, Isoult’s red mouth smiling provocation75. Fulk fell to frowning because some strange emotion stirred in him, a fierce young wonder that had stumbled of a sudden upon this woman’s comeliness76. Her audacity seemed to beat its wings and to soar against his pride, and her eyes had all the luring77 gloom of the woods.
“Come; I have no desire to be rough, Isoult.”
“Ah, but a man’s roughness——”
Isoult, looking beyond Fulk, saw Margaret Ferrers standing in the doorway.
“Fulk, do we wait for this woman?”
He stood back with a sweep of the arm.
“Come, let us waste no more words.”
Dame78 Margaret’s mouth sneered79, but her eyes were afraid of Isoult’s. She stood there menacingly, as though longing80 to utter the one word—“harlot.”
Isoult’s chin went up.
“Dame Ferrers, this woman waits for nobody. I go at my own pleasure.”
“Stiffnecked as ever. You must take your choice.”
Fulk followed her, looking at the red shoes under the edge of the green dress; and as a man notices things at times, simply because he cannot help but notice them, he was struck by the way the woman walked—confidently, proudly, as though beholden to no one. His glance lifted to the white curve of her neck as she passed out of the porch into the sunlight. She, too, could be stiffnecked, he thought, though her throat looked so white and smooth and mysterious.
Tom of Hindleape was standing beside the oxen. The other men were in the wagon with their bows ready, the women and children sitting on the floor. Fulk helped his mother in, and then stood to help Isoult, holding his knee and hand as a man helps a woman into the saddle.
She gave him a whisper:
“Hold the White Lodge and wait for the grey friar.”
As the wagon moved off he found her watching him with eyes that were dark and enigmatical.
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收听单词发音
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1
snarling
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| v.（指狗）吠，嗥叫， （人）咆哮( snarl的现在分词 )；咆哮着说，厉声地说 | |
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2
sullen
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| adj.愠怒的，闷闷不乐的，(天气等)阴沉的 | |
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3
grumbling
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| adj. 喃喃鸣不平的, 出怨言的 | |
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4
trudged
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| vt.& vi.跋涉，吃力地走（trudge的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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5
heeded
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| v.听某人的劝告，听从( heed的过去式和过去分词 )；变平，使（某物）变平( flatten的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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6
ward
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| n.守卫，监护，病房，行政区，由监护人或法院保护的人（尤指儿童）；vt.守护，躲开 | |
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7
trumpets
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| 喇叭( trumpet的名词复数 )； 小号； 喇叭形物； （尤指）绽开的水仙花 | |
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8
plunder
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| vt.劫掠财物，掠夺；n.劫掠物，赃物；劫掠 | |
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gust
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| n.阵风，突然一阵（雨、烟等），（感情的）迸发 | |
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boor
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| n.举止粗野的人；乡下佬 | |
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sullenly
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| 不高兴地，绷着脸，忧郁地 | |
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12
valiant
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| adj.勇敢的，英勇的；n.勇士，勇敢的人 | |
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13
envious
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| adj.嫉妒的，羡慕的 | |
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14
vent
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| n.通风口，排放口；开衩；vt.表达，发泄 | |
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15
sodden
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| adj.浑身湿透的；v.使浸透；使呆头呆脑 | |
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16
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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17
vengeance
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| n.报复，报仇，复仇 | |
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18
fumed
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| 愤怒( fume的过去式和过去分词 )； 大怒； 发怒； 冒烟 | |
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19
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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20
armour
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| （=armor）n.盔甲；装甲部队 | |
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21
manors
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| n.庄园（manor的复数形式） | |
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22
opulence
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| n.财富，富裕 | |
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23
majestic
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| adj.雄伟的，壮丽的，庄严的，威严的，崇高的 | |
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24
haughtiness
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| n.傲慢；傲气 | |
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25
dealing
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| n.经商方法，待人态度 | |
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26
lesser
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| adj.次要的，较小的；adv.较小地，较少地 | |
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27
aloof
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| adj.远离的；冷淡的，漠不关心的 | |
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28
hatred
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| n.憎恶，憎恨，仇恨 | |
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29
lusted
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| 贪求（lust的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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30
stewards
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| （轮船、飞机等的）乘务员( steward的名词复数 )； （俱乐部、旅馆、工会等的）管理员； （大型活动的）组织者； （私人家中的）管家 | |
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31
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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32
slaughter
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| n.屠杀，屠宰；vt.屠杀，宰杀 | |
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33
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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34
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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35
gaping
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| adj.口的；张口的；敞口的；多洞穴的v.目瞪口呆地凝视( gape的现在分词 )；张开，张大 | |
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36
audacity
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| n.大胆，卤莽，无礼 | |
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37
lodge
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| v.临时住宿，寄宿，寄存，容纳；n.传达室，小旅馆 | |
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38
falcon
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| n.隼，猎鹰 | |
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39
talons
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| n.（尤指猛禽的）爪( talon的名词复数 )；（如爪般的）手指；爪状物；锁簧尖状突出部 | |
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40
beak
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| n.鸟嘴，茶壶嘴，钩形鼻 | |
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41
treacherous
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| adj.不可靠的，有暗藏的危险的；adj.背叛的，背信弃义的 | |
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42
yews
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| n.紫杉( yew的名词复数 ) | |
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43
enthralled
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| 迷住，吸引住( enthrall的过去式和过去分词 )； 使感到非常愉快 | |
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44
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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45
insinuating
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| adj.曲意巴结的，暗示的v.暗示( insinuate的现在分词 )；巧妙或迂回地潜入；（使）缓慢进入；慢慢伸入 | |
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46
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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47
swarming
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| 密集( swarm的现在分词 )； 云集； 成群地移动； 蜜蜂或其他飞行昆虫成群地飞来飞去 | |
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48
lure
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| n.吸引人的东西，诱惑物；vt.引诱，吸引 | |
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49
wedlock
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| n.婚姻，已婚状态 | |
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50
corpse
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| n.尸体，死尸 | |
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51
impatience
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| n.不耐烦，急躁 | |
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52
bloody
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| adj.非常的的；流血的；残忍的；adv.很；vt.血染 | |
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53
ragged
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| adj.衣衫褴褛的，粗糙的，刺耳的 | |
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54
rogues
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| n.流氓( rogue的名词复数 )；无赖；调皮捣蛋的人；离群的野兽 | |
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55
holly
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| n.[植]冬青属灌木 | |
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56
slashed
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| v.挥砍( slash的过去式和过去分词 )；鞭打；割破；削减 | |
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57
gentry
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| n.绅士阶级，上层阶级 | |
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58
larders
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| n.（家中的）食物贮藏室，食物橱( larder的名词复数 ) | |
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59
plundered
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| 掠夺，抢劫( plunder的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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60
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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61
wagon
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| n.四轮马车，手推车，面包车；无盖运货列车 | |
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62
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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63
chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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64
shroud
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| n.裹尸布，寿衣；罩，幕；vt.覆盖，隐藏 | |
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65
galloped
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| （使马）飞奔，奔驰( gallop的过去式和过去分词 )； 快速做[说]某事 | |
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66
fend
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| v.照料（自己），（自己）谋生，挡开，避开 | |
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67
helping
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| n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的 | |
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68
yoke
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| n.轭；支配；v.给...上轭，连接，使成配偶 | |
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69
lodged
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| v.存放( lodge的过去式和过去分词 )；暂住；埋入；（权利、权威等）归属 | |
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70
bide
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| v.忍耐；等候；住 | |
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71
doorway
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| n.门口，(喻)入门；门路，途径 | |
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72
beckoning
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| adj.引诱人的，令人心动的v.（用头或手的动作）示意，召唤( beckon的现在分词 ) | |
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73
hood
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| n.头巾，兜帽，覆盖；v.罩上，以头巾覆盖 | |
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74
defiantly
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| adv.挑战地，大胆对抗地 | |
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75
provocation
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| n.激怒，刺激，挑拨，挑衅的事物，激怒的原因 | |
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76
comeliness
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| n. 清秀, 美丽, 合宜 | |
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77
luring
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| 吸引，引诱（lure的现在分词形式） | |
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78
dame
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| n.女士 | |
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79
sneered
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| 讥笑，冷笑( sneer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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80
longing
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| n.（for）渴望 | |
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81
touching
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| adj.动人的，使人感伤的 | |
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