The love of all things living which was so positively1 a trait of character with the Princess Irene was never stinted2 in her dealings with her own country folk. On this occasion her whole establishment at Therapia was accorded her guests; yet, while they wandered at will merry-making through the gardens, and flashed their gay colors along the side and from the summit of the promontory3, they seemed to have united in holding the palace in respectful reserve. None of them, without a special request, presumed to pass the first of the steps leading up into the building.
When Sergius, approaching from the outer gate, drew nigh the front of the palace, he was brought to a stop by a throng4 of men and women packed around a platform the purpose of which was declared by its use. It was low, but of generous length and breadth, and covered with fresh sail-cloth; at each corner a mast had been raised, with yard-arms well squared, and dressed profusely5 in roses, ferns, and acacia fronds6. On a gallery swung to the base of the over-pending portico7, a troupe8 of musicians were making the most of flute9, cithara, horn, and kettle-drum, and not vainly, to judge from the flying feet of the dancers in possession of the boards.
Lifting his eyes above the joyous10 exhibition, he beheld11 the carven capitals of the columns, tied together with festoonery of evergreens12, and relieved by garlands of shining flowers, and above the musicians, under a canopy13 shading her from the meridian14 sun, the Princess Irene herself. A bright carpet hanging down the wall enriched the position chosen by her, and in the pleasant shade, surrounded by young women, she sat with uncovered head and face, delighted with the music and the dancing--delighted that it was in her power to bring together so many souls to forget, though so briefly15, the fretting16 of hard conditions daily harder growing. None knew better than she the rapidity of the national decadence17.
It was not long until the young hostess noticed Sergius, taller of his high hat and long black gown; and careless as usual of the conventionalities, she arose, and beckoned18 to him with her fan; and the people, seeing whom she thus honored, opened right and left, and with good-will made way for him. Upon his coming her attendants drew aside--all but one, to whom for the moment he gave but a passing look.
The Princess received him seated. The youthful loveliness of her countenance19 seemed refined by the happiness she was deriving20 from the spectacle before her. He took the hand she extended him, kissed it respectfully, with only a glance at the simple but perfected Greek of her costume, and immediately the doubts, and fears, and questions, and lectures in outline he had brought with him from the city dropped out of mind. Suspicion could not look at her and live.
"Welcome, Sergius," she said, with dignity. "I was afraid you would not come to-day."
"Why not? If my little mother's lightest suggestions are laws with me, what are her invitations?"
For the first time he had addressed her by the affectionate term, and the sound was startling. The faintest flush spread over her cheek, admonishing21 him that the familiarity had not escaped attention. Greatly to his relief, she quietly passed the matter.
"You were at the Pannychides? " she asked.
"Yes, till daybreak."
"I thought so, and concluded you would be too weary to see us to-day. The Mystery is tedious."
"It might become so if too frequently celebrated22. As it was, I shall not forget the hillside, and the multitude of frocked and cowled figures kneeling in the dim red light of the torches. The scene was awful."
"Did you see the Emperor?"
She put the question in a low tone.
"No," he returned. "His Majesty23 sent for our Hegumen to come to the Chapel24. The good man took me with him, his book and torch bearer; but when we arrived, the Emperor had passed in and closed the door, and I could only imagine him on his knees alone in the room, except as the relics25 about him were company."
"How unspeakably dismal26!" she said with a shudder27, adding in sorrowful reflection, "I wish I could help him, for he is a prince with a tender conscience; but there is no way--at least Heaven does not permit me to see anything for him in my gift but prayer."
Sergius followed her sympathetically, and was surprised when she continued, the violet gray of her eyes changing into subtle fire. "A sky all cloud; the air void of hope; enemies mustering28 everywhere on land; the city, the court, the Church rent by contending factions--behold29 how a Christian30 king, the first one in generations, is plagued! Ah, who can interpret for Providence31? And what a miracle is prophecy!"
Thereupon the Princess bethought herself, and cast a hurried glance out over the garden.
"No, no! If these poor souls can forget their condition and be happy, why not we? Tell me good news, Sergius, if you have any--only the good. But see! Who is he making way through the throng yonder? And what is it he is leading?"
The transition of feeling, though sudden and somewhat forced, was successful; the Princess' countenance again brightened; and turning to follow her direction, Sergius observed Lael, who had not fallen back with the other attendants. The girl had been a modest listener; now there was a timid half smile on her face, and a glistening32 welcome in her eyes. His gaze stopped short of the object which had inspired his hostess with such interest, and dropped to the figured carpet at the guest's feet; for the feeling the recognition awakened33 was clouded with the taunt34 Demedes had flung at him in the hall of the monastery35, and he questioned the rightfulness of this appearance. If she were not the daughter of the Prince of India, she was an--impostor was the word in his mind.
"I was expecting you," she said to him, artlessly.
Sergius raised his face, and was about to speak, when the Princess started from her seat, and moved to the low balustrade of the portico.
"Come," she called, "come, and tell me what this is."
Sergius left a friendly glance with Lael.
Where the roadway from the gate led up to the platform an opening had been made in the close wall of spectators attracted by the music and dancing. In the opening, the hamari was slowly coming forward, his turban awry36, his brown face overrun and shining with perspiration37, his sharp gypsy eyes full of merriment. With the leading strap38 over a shoulder, he tugged39 at Joqard. Sergius laughed to see the surprise of the men and women, and at the peculiar40 yells and screams with which they struggled to escape. But everybody appearing in good nature, he said to the Princess: "Do not be concerned. A Turk or Persian with a trained bear. I passed him at the gate."
He saw the opportunity of speaking about the brass41 plate on the post, and while debating whether to avail himself of it, the hamari caught sight of the party at the edge of the portico, stopped, surveyed them, then prostrated42 himself in the abjectest Eastern manner. The homage43 was of course to the Princess--so at least the assemblage concluded; and jumping to the idea that the bear-keeper had been employed by her for their divertisement, each man in the company resolved himself into an ally and proceeded to assist him. The musicians were induced to suspend their performance, and the dancers to vacate the platform; then, any number of hands helping44 them up, Joqard and his master were promoted to the boards, sole claimants of attention and favor.
The fellow was not in the least embarrassed. He took position on the platform in front of the Princess, and again saluted45 her Orientally, and with the greatest deliberation, omitting no point of the prostration46. Bringing the bear to a sitting posture47 with folded paws, he bowed right and left to the spectators, and made a speech in laudation of Joqard. His grimaces48 and gesticulation kept the crowd in a roar; when addressing the Princess, his manner was respectful, even courtierly. Joqard and he had travelled the world over; they had been through the Far East, and through the lands of the Frank and Gaul; they had crossed Europe from Paris to the Black Sea, and up to the Crimea; they had appeared before the great everywhere--Indian Rajahs, Tartar Khans, Persian Shahs, Turkish Sultans; there was no language they did not understand. The bear, he insisted, was the wisest of animals, the most susceptible49 of education, the most capable and willing in service. This the ancients understood better than the moderns, for in recognition of his superiority they had twice exalted50 him to the Heavens, and in both instances near the star that knew no deviation51. The hamari was a master of amplification52, and his anecdotes53 never failed their purpose.
"Now," he said, "I do not care what the subject of discourse54 may be; one thing is true--my audience is always composed of believers and unbelievers; and as between them"--here he addressed himself to the Princess--"as between them, O Most Illustrious of women, my difficulty has been to determine which class is most to be feared. Every philosopher must admit there is quite as much danger in the man who withholds55 his faith when it ought to be given, as in his opposite who hurries to yield it without reason. My rule as an auditor56 is to wait for demonstration57. So"--turning to the assemblage--"if here any man or woman doubts that the bear is the wisest of animals, and Joqard the most learned and accomplished58 of bears, I will prove it." Then Joqard was called on.
"For attend, O Illustrious Princess!--and look ye, O men and women, pliers of net and boat!--look ye all! Now shall Joqard himself speak for Joqard."
The hamari began talking to the bear in a jargon59 utterly60 unintelligible61 to his hearers, though they fell to listening with might and main, and were silent that they might hear. Nothing could have been more earnest than his communications, whatever they were; at times he put an arm about the brute's neck; at times he whispered in its ear; and in return it bowed and grunted62 assent63, or growled65 and shook its head in refusal, always in the most knowing manner. In this style, to appearance, he was telling what he wanted done. Then retaining the leading strap, the master stepped aside, and Joqard, left to himself, proceeded to prove his intelligence and training by facing the palace, bringing his arms overhead, and falling forward. Everybody understood the honor intended for the Princess; the bystanders shouted; the attendants on the portico clapped their hands, for indeed never in their remembrance had the prostration been more profoundly executed. Arising nimbly the performer wheeled about, reared on his hind66 feet, clasped his paws on his head, and acknowledged the favor of the commonalty by resolving himself into a great fur ball, and rolling a somersault. The acclamation became tumultuous. One admirer ran off and returned with an armful of wreaths and garlands, and presently Joqard was wearing them royally.
With excellent judgment67 the hamari proceeded next to hurry the exhibition, passing from one trick to another almost without pause until the wrestling match was reached. This has been immemorially the reliable point in performances of the kind he was giving, but he introduced it in a manner of his own.
Standing68 by the edge of the platform, as the friend and herald69 of Joqard, he first loudly challenged the men before him, every one ambitious of honor and renown70, to come up and try a fall; and upon their hanging back, he berated71 them. Wherever a tall man stood observable above the level of heads, he singled him out. Failing to secure a champion, he finally undertook the contest himself.
"Ho, Joqard," he cried, while tying the leading strap around the brute's neck, "thou fearest nothing. Thy dam up in the old Caucasian cave was great of heart, and, like her, thou wouldst not quail72 before Hercules, were he living. But thou shalt not lick thy paws and laugh, thinking Hercules hath no descendant."
Retiring a few steps he tightened73 the belt about his waist, and drew his leathern jacket closer.
"Get ready!" he cried.
Joqard answered promptly74 and intelligently by standing up and facing him, and in sign of satisfaction with the prospect75 of an encounter so to his taste, he lolled the long red tongue out of his jaws76. Was he licking his chops in anticipation77 of a feast or merely laughing? The beholders became quiet; and Sergius for the first time observed how very low in stature79 the hamari seemed.
"Look out, look out! O thou with the north star in the tip of thy tail! I am coming--for the honor of mankind, I am coming."
They danced around each other watching for an opening. "Aha! Now thou thinkest to get the advantage. Thou art proud of thy fame, and cunning, but I am a man. I have been in many schools. Look out!"
The hamari leaped in and with both hands caught the strap looped around Joqard's neck; at the same time he was himself caught in Joqard's ready arms. The growl64 with which the latter received the attack was angry, and lent the struggle much more than a mere78 semblance80 of danger. Round and about they were borne; now forward, then back; sometimes they were likely to tumble from the boards. The hamari's effort was to choke Joqard into submission81; Joqard's was to squeeze the breath out of the hamari's body; and they both did their parts well.
After some minutes the man's exertions82 became intermittent83. A little further on the certainty of triumph inspired Joqard to fierce utterances84; his growls85 were really terrible, and he hugged so mercilessly his opponent grew livid in the face. The women and children began to cry and scream, and many of the men shouted in genuine alarm: "See, see! The poor fellow is choking to death!" The excitement and fear extended to the portico; some of the attendants there, unable to endure the sight, fled from it. Lael implored86 Sergius to save the hamari. Even the Princess was undecided whether the acting87 was real or affected88.
Finally the crisis came. The man could hold out no longer; he let go his grip on the strap, and, struggling feebly to loose his body from the great black arms, shouted hoarsely89: "Help, help!" As if he had not strength to continue the cry, he threw his hands up, and his head back gasping90.
The Princess Irene covered her eyes. Sergius stepped over the balustrade; but before he could get further, a number of men were on the stage making to the rescue. And seeing them come, the hamari laid one hand on the strap, and with the other caught the tongue protruding91 from Joqard's open jaws; as a further point in the offensive so suddenly resumed, he planted a foot heavily on one of his antagonist's. Immediately the son of the proud Caucasian dam was flat on the boards simulating death.
Then everybody understood the play, and the merriment was heightened by the speech the hamari found opportunity to make his rescuers before they could recover from their astonishment92 and break up the tableau93 they formed. The Princess, laughing through her tears, flung the victor some gold pieces, and Lael tossed her fan to him. The prostrations with which he acknowledged the favors were marvels94 to behold.
By and by, quiet being restored, Joqard was roused from his trance, and the hamari, calling the musicians to strike up, concluded the performance with a dance.
收听单词发音 |
1
positively
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| adv.明确地，断然，坚决地；实在，确实 | |
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stinted
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| v.限制，节省（stint的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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promontory
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| n.海角；岬 | |
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throng
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| n.人群，群众；v.拥挤，群集 | |
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profusely
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| ad.abundantly | |
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fronds
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| n.蕨类或棕榈类植物的叶子( frond的名词复数 ) | |
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portico
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| n.柱廊，门廊 | |
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troupe
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| n.剧团，戏班；杂技团；马戏团 | |
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flute
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| n.长笛；v.吹笛 | |
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joyous
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| adj.充满快乐的；令人高兴的 | |
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beheld
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| v.看，注视( behold的过去式和过去分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
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evergreens
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| n.常青树，常绿植物，万年青( evergreen的名词复数 ) | |
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canopy
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| n.天篷，遮篷 | |
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meridian
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| adj.子午线的；全盛期的 | |
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briefly
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| adv.简单地，简短地 | |
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fretting
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| n. 微振磨损 adj. 烦躁的, 焦虑的 | |
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decadence
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| n.衰落，颓废 | |
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beckoned
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| v.（用头或手的动作）示意，召唤( beckon的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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deriving
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| v.得到( derive的现在分词 )；（从…中）得到获得；源于；（从…中）提取 | |
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21
admonishing
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| v.劝告( admonish的现在分词 )；训诫；（温和地）责备；轻责 | |
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celebrated
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| adj.有名的，声誉卓著的 | |
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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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chapel
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| n.小教堂，殡仪馆 | |
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relics
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| [pl.］n.遗物，遗迹，遗产；遗体，尸骸 | |
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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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shudder
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| v.战粟，震动，剧烈地摇晃；n.战粟，抖动 | |
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28
mustering
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| v.集合，召集，集结（尤指部队）( muster的现在分词 )；（自他人处）搜集某事物；聚集；激发 | |
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29
behold
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| v.看，注视，看到 | |
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Christian
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| adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒 | |
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providence
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| n.深谋远虑，天道，天意；远见；节约；上帝 | |
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glistening
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| adj.闪耀的，反光的v.湿物闪耀，闪亮( glisten的现在分词 ) | |
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33
awakened
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| v.（使）醒( awaken的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）觉醒；弄醒；（使）意识到 | |
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taunt
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| n.辱骂，嘲弄；v.嘲弄 | |
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monastery
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| n.修道院，僧院，寺院 | |
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awry
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| adj.扭曲的，错的 | |
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perspiration
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| n.汗水；出汗 | |
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strap
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| n.皮带，带子；v.用带扣住，束牢；用绷带包扎 | |
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tugged
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| v.用力拉，使劲拉，猛扯( tug的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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brass
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| n.黄铜；黄铜器，铜管乐器 | |
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42
prostrated
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| v.使俯伏，使拜倒( prostrate的过去式和过去分词 )；（指疾病、天气等）使某人无能为力 | |
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homage
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| n.尊敬，敬意，崇敬 | |
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helping
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| n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的 | |
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saluted
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| v.欢迎，致敬( salute的过去式和过去分词 )；赞扬，赞颂 | |
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prostration
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| n. 平伏, 跪倒, 疲劳 | |
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posture
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| n.姿势，姿态，心态，态度；v.作出某种姿势 | |
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grimaces
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| n.（表蔑视、厌恶等）面部扭曲，鬼脸( grimace的名词复数 )v.扮鬼相，做鬼脸( grimace的第三人称单数 ) | |
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49
susceptible
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| adj.过敏的，敏感的；易动感情的，易受感动的 | |
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exalted
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| adj.(地位等)高的，崇高的；尊贵的，高尚的 | |
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51
deviation
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| n.背离，偏离；偏差，偏向；离题 | |
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amplification
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| n.扩大，发挥 | |
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anecdotes
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| n.掌故，趣闻，轶事( anecdote的名词复数 ) | |
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54
discourse
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| n.论文，演说；谈话；话语；vi.讲述，著述 | |
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55
withholds
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| v.扣留( withhold的第三人称单数 )；拒绝给予；抑制（某事物）；制止 | |
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56
auditor
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| n.审计员，旁听着 | |
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57
demonstration
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| n.表明，示范，论证，示威 | |
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58
accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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jargon
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| n.术语，行话 | |
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60
utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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unintelligible
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| adj.无法了解的，难解的，莫明其妙的 | |
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grunted
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| （猪等）作呼噜声( grunt的过去式和过去分词 )； （指人）发出类似的哼声； 咕哝着说 | |
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assent
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| v.批准，认可；n.批准，认可 | |
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64
growl
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| v.（狗等）嗥叫，（炮等）轰鸣；n.嗥叫，轰鸣 | |
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65
growled
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| v.（动物）发狺狺声， （雷）作隆隆声( growl的过去式和过去分词 )；低声咆哮着说 | |
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66
hind
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| adj.后面的，后部的 | |
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67
judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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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
herald
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| vt.预示...的来临，预告，宣布，欢迎 | |
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70
renown
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| n.声誉，名望 | |
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71
berated
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| v.严厉责备，痛斥( berate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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72
quail
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| n.鹌鹑；vi.畏惧，颤抖 | |
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73
tightened
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| 收紧( tighten的过去式和过去分词 )； （使）变紧； （使）绷紧； 加紧 | |
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74
promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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75
prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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76
jaws
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| n.口部；嘴 | |
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77
anticipation
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| n.预期，预料，期望 | |
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78
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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79
stature
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| n.（高度）水平，（高度）境界，身高，身材 | |
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80
semblance
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| n.外貌，外表 | |
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81
submission
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| n.服从，投降；温顺，谦虚；提出 | |
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82
exertions
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| n.努力( exertion的名词复数 )；费力；（能力、权力等的）运用；行使 | |
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83
intermittent
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| adj.间歇的，断断续续的 | |
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84
utterances
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| n.发声( utterance的名词复数 )；说话方式；语调；言论 | |
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85
growls
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| v.（动物）发狺狺声， （雷）作隆隆声( growl的第三人称单数 )；低声咆哮着说 | |
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86
implored
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| 恳求或乞求（某人）( implore的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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87
acting
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| n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的 | |
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88
affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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hoarsely
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| adv.嘶哑地 | |
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90
gasping
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| adj. 气喘的, 痉挛的 动词gasp的现在分词 | |
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91
protruding
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| v.（使某物）伸出，（使某物）突出( protrude的现在分词 )；凸 | |
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92
astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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93
tableau
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| n.画面，活人画（舞台上活人扮的静态画面） | |
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marvels
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| n.奇迹( marvel的名词复数 )；令人惊奇的事物（或事例）；不平凡的成果；成就v.惊奇，对…感到惊奇( marvel的第三人称单数 ) | |
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