From every church and convent in Rome the bells rang out; it was the Feast of the Assumption and holiday in the city.
Strange, heavy clouds still obscured the sky, and intermittent1 thunder echoed in the distance. The Basilica of St. Peter was crowded from end to end; the bewildering splendour of walls, ceiling and columns was lit by thousands of wax tapers2 and coloured lamps; part of the church had been hung with azure3 and silver; the altar steps were covered in cloth of gold, the altar itself almost hidden with lilies; the various gleaming hues4 of the marble, orange, rose, pink, mauve, grey and white, the jewel-like sparkle of the mosaic5 capitals, the ivory carving6 on the rood screen, the silver arch before the high altar, the silk and satin banners of the church resting here and there before the walls, all combined into one soft yet burning magnificence.
The vast congregation all knelt upon the marble floor, save the Emperor and his wife, who sat under a violet canopy7 placed opposite the pulpit.
Balthasar wore the imperial purple and buskins; round his brows was the circlet that meant dominion8 of the Latin world, but his comely9 face was pale and anxious and his blue eyes troubled. Ysabeau, seated close beside him, sparkled with gems10 from her throat to her feet; her pale locks, twisted with pearls, hung over her bosom11; she wore a high crown of emeralds and her mantle12 was cloth of silver.
Between them, on a lower step of the dais, stood their little son, gleaming in white satin and overawed by the glitter and the silence.
Surrounding the throne were ladies, courtiers, Frankish knights14, members of the Council, German Margraves, Italian nobles, envoys15 from France, Spain, and resplendent Greeks from the Court of Basil.
Theirry, kneeling in the press, distinguished16 the calm face of Jacobea of Martzburg among the dames17 of the Empress’s retinue18; but he sought in vain through the immense and varied19 crowd for the dancer in orange.
A faint chant rose from the sacristy, jewelled crosses showed above the heads of the multitude as the monks21 entered holding them aloft, the fresh voices of the choristers came nearer, acolytes22 took their places round the altar, and the blue clouds of incense23 floated over the hushed multitude.
The bells ceased.
The rise and fall of singing filled the Basilica.
Cardinal24 Orsini, followed by a number of priests, went slowly down the aisle26 towards the open bronze doors.
His brilliant dalmatica shivered into gleaming light as he moved.
At the door he paused.
The Pontifical27 train was arriving in a gorgeous dazzle of colour and motion.
Michael II stepped from a gilt28 car drawn29 by four white oxen, whose polished horns were wreathed with roses white and red.
Preceded by Cardinals30, the vivid tints31 of whose silk robes burnt in the golden brightness of the Basilica, the Pope passed down the aisle, while the congregation crouched32 low on their knees and hid their faces.
Emperor and Empress rose; he looked at his son, but she at the Pontiff, who took no heed33 of either.
Monks, priests and novices34 moved away from the high altar, where the rows upon rows of candles shone like stars against the sparkling, incense-laden air.
He passed to his gold and ivory seat, and the Cardinals took their places beside him.
Ysabeau, as she resumed her place beside her lord, gazed across the silent, kneeling crowd at Michael II.
His chasuble was alive with the varying hues of jewels, the purple and crimson35 train of his robes spread to right and left along the altar steps, the triple crown gave forth36 showers of light from its rubies37 and diamonds, while the red hair of the wearer caught the candle-glow and shone like a halo round his pale calm face, so curiously38 delicate of feature to be able to express such resolution, such pride.
His under-garment of white satin was so thickly sewn with pearls that the stuff was hardly visible, his fingers so covered with huge and brilliant rings that they looked of an unnatural39 slenderness by contrast; he held a crozier encrusted with rubies that darted40 red fire, and carbuncles flashed on his gold shoes.
The beautiful dark eyes that always held the expression of some passion for ever surging up, for ever held in before reaching expression, were fixed41 steadily42 on the bronze doors that now closed the church.
A little tremor43 of thunder filled the stillness, then the fair, faint chant of the boys arose.
“Gaudeamus omnes in Domino, diem festum celebrantes
Sub honore Beatae
Mariae Virginis,...”
Ysabeau murmured the words under her breath; none in the devout44 multitude with more sincerity45.
As the notes quivered into silence Cardinal Orsini murmured a prayer, to which a thousand responses were whispered fervently46.
And again the thunder made sombre echo. The Empress put her hand over her eyes; her jewels seemed so heavy they must drag her from the throne, the crown galled47 her brow; the little Wencelaus stood motionless, a bright colour in his cheeks, his eyes brilliant with excitement; now and then the Emperor looked at him in a secretive, piteous manner.
There was an involuntary stir among the people as the rich voices of the men took up the singing at the end of the epistle, a movement of joy, of pleasure in the triumphant48 music.
“Alleluia, alleluia.
Assumpta est Maria in Coelum; Gaudet exercitus Angelorum. Alleluia.”
Then the Pope moved, descended49 slowly from the dais and mounted the steps of the high altar, his train upheld by two Archbishops.
Emperor and Empress knelt with the rest as he performed the office of the mass; an intense stillness held the rapt assembly, but as he turned and displayed the Host, before the vast multitude who hid their eyes, as he held it like a captured star above the hushed splendour of the altar, a crash of thunder shook the very foundations of the church, and the walls shivered as if mighty50 forces beat on them without.
Michael II, the only man erect51 in the crouching52 multitude smiled slowly as he replaced the Eucharist; lightning’ darted through the high coloured windows and quivered a moment before it was absorbed in the rich lights.
The voices of the choir53 rose with a melancholy54 beauty.
“Kyrie eleison, Christe eleison, Kyrie eleison.”
The Pope turned to the altar; again the thunder rolled, but his low, steady voice was heard distinctly chanting the “Gloria in excelsis Deo” with the choir.
At the finish Cardinal Orsini took up the prayers, and a half-muffled response came from the crowd.
“Gloria tibi, Domine.”
Every head was raised, every right hand made the sacred sign.
“Laus tibi, Christe.”
The Pope blessed the multitude and returned to his seat.
Then as Emperor and Empress rose from their knees a soft, bright sound of movement filled the Basilica; Ysabeau put out her hand and caught hold of her husband’s.
“Who is this?” she asked in a whisper.
He turned his eyes in the direction of her gaze.
Down the chancel came a tall monk20 in the robe of the Order of the Black Penitents55; his arms were folded, his hands hidden in his sleeves, his deep cowl cast his face into utter shadow.
“I thought Cardinal Colonna preached,” whispered Balthasar fearfully, as the monk ascended56 the pulpit. “I know not this man.”
Ysabeau looked at the Pope, who sat motionless in his splendour, his hands resting on the arms of the gold chair, his gaze riveted57 on the black figure of the monk in the glittering pulpit; a faint smile was on his lips, a faint colour in his cheeks, and Ysabeau’s hand tightened58 on the fingers of her lord.
The monk stood for a moment motionless, evidently contemplating59 the multitude from the depth of his hood60; Balthasar thought he gazed at him, and shivered.
A strange sense of suspense61 filled the church, even the priests and Cardinals about the altar glanced curiously at the figure in the pulpit; some women began to sob62 under the influence of nameless and intense excitement.
The monk drew from his sleeve a parchment from which swung a mighty seal, slowly he unfurled it; the Empress crouched closer to Balthasar.
The monk began to speak, and both to Ysabeau and her husband the voice was familiar — a voice long silent in death.
“In the name of Michael II, servant of servants of God and Vicegerent of Christ, I herewith pronounce the anathema63 over Balthasar of Courtrai, Emperor of the West, over Ysabeau, born Marozia Porphyrogentris, over their son, Wencelaus, over their followers64, servants and hosts! I herewith expel them from the pale of Holy Church, and curse them as heretics!
“I forbid any to offer them shelter, food or help, I hurl65 on their heads the wrath66 of God and the hatred67 of man, I forbid any to attend their sick-bed, to receive their confession68 or to bury their bodies!
“I cut asunder69 the ties that bind70 the Latin people in obedience71 to them, and I lay under an interdict72 any person, village, town or state that succours or aids them against our wrath! May they and their children and their children’s children be blighted73 and cursed in life and in death, may they taste misery74 and desolation on the earth before they go to everlasting75 torment76 in hell!”
And now the cowled monk caught up one of the candles that lit the pulpit, and held it aloft.
“May their race perish with them and their memories be swallowed in oblivion — thus! As I extinguish this flame may the hand of God extinguish them!”
He cast the candle on to the marble floor beneath the pulpit, the flame was immediately dashed out, a slow smoke curled an instant and vanished.
“For Balthasar of Courtrai cherishes a murderess on the throne, and until he cast her forth and receive his true wife this anathema rests upon his head!”
Emperor and Empress listened, holding each other’s hands and staring at the monk; as he ended, and while the awe13 of utter fear held the assembly numb25, Ysabeau rose...
But at that same instant the monk tossed back his cowl and revealed the stern, pale features of Melchoir of Brabant, crowned with the imperial diadem77...
A frenzied78 shriek79 broke from the woman, and she fell across the steps of the throne; her crown slipped from her fair head and dazzled on the pavement.
Groaning80 in anguish81 Balthasar stooped to raise her up...when he again looked at the pulpit it was empty.
Ysabeau’s cry had loosened the souls of the multitude, they rose to their feet and began to surge wildly towards the door.
But the Pontiff rose, approached the altar and began calmly to chant the Gratias.
Balthasar gave him a wild and desperate look, staggered and fiercely recovered himself, then took his child by the hand, and supporting with the other the Empress, who struggled back to life, he swept down the aisle, followed by a few of his German knights.
The people shuddered82 away to right and left to give him passage; the bronze doors were opened and the excommunicated man stepped into the thunder-wrapt streets of the city where he no longer reigned83.
收听单词发音 |
1
intermittent
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| adj.间歇的，断断续续的 | |
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2
tapers
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| （长形物体的）逐渐变窄( taper的名词复数 )； 微弱的光； 极细的蜡烛 | |
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azure
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| adj.天蓝色的，蔚蓝色的 | |
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4
hues
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| 色彩( hue的名词复数 )； 色调； 信仰； 观点 | |
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mosaic
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| n./adj.镶嵌细工的，镶嵌工艺品的，嵌花式的 | |
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carving
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| n.雕刻品，雕花 | |
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canopy
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| n.天篷，遮篷 | |
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dominion
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| n.统治，管辖，支配权；领土，版图 | |
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9
comely
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| adj.漂亮的，合宜的 | |
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gems
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| growth； economy； management； and customer satisfaction 增长 | |
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bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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mantle
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| n.斗篷，覆罩之物，罩子；v.罩住，覆盖，脸红 | |
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13
awe
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| n.敬畏，惊惧；vt.使敬畏，使惊惧 | |
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14
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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envoys
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| 使节( envoy的名词复数 )； 公使； 谈判代表； 使节身份 | |
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16
distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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17
dames
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| n.（在英国）夫人（一种封号），夫人（爵士妻子的称号）( dame的名词复数 )；女人 | |
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18
retinue
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| n.侍从；随员 | |
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19
varied
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| adj.多样的，多变化的 | |
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monk
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| n.和尚，僧侣，修道士 | |
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monks
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| n.修道士，僧侣( monk的名词复数 ) | |
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22
acolytes
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| n.助手( acolyte的名词复数 )；随从；新手；（天主教）侍祭 | |
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23
incense
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| v.激怒；n.香，焚香时的烟，香气 | |
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24
cardinal
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| n.(天主教的)红衣主教；adj.首要的，基本的 | |
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numb
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| adj.麻木的，失去感觉的；v.使麻木 | |
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26
aisle
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| n.（教堂、教室、戏院等里的）过道，通道 | |
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pontifical
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| adj.自以为是的，武断的 | |
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28
gilt
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| adj.镀金的；n.金边证券 | |
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29
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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30
cardinals
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| 红衣主教( cardinal的名词复数 )； 红衣凤头鸟（见于北美，雄鸟为鲜红色）； 基数 | |
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31
tints
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| 色彩( tint的名词复数 )； 带白的颜色； （淡色）染发剂； 痕迹 | |
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32
crouched
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| v.屈膝，蹲伏( crouch的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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33
heed
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| v.注意，留意；n.注意，留心 | |
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34
novices
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| n.新手( novice的名词复数 )；初学修士（或修女）；（修会等的）初学生；尚未赢过大赛的赛马 | |
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crimson
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| n./adj.深(绯)红色(的)；vi.脸变绯红色 | |
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36
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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37
rubies
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| 红宝石( ruby的名词复数 )； 红宝石色，深红色 | |
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38
curiously
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| adv.有求知欲地；好问地；奇特地 | |
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39
unnatural
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| adj.不自然的；反常的 | |
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40
darted
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| v.投掷，投射( dart的过去式和过去分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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41
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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42
steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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43
tremor
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| n.震动，颤动，战栗，兴奋，地震 | |
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44
devout
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| adj.虔诚的，虔敬的，衷心的 (n.devoutness) | |
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45
sincerity
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| n.真诚，诚意；真实 | |
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46
fervently
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| adv.热烈地，热情地，强烈地 | |
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47
galled
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| v.使…擦痛( gall的过去式和过去分词 )；擦伤；烦扰；侮辱 | |
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48
triumphant
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| adj.胜利的，成功的；狂欢的，喜悦的 | |
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49
descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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50
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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51
erect
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| n./v.树立，建立，使竖立；adj.直立的，垂直的 | |
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52
crouching
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| v.屈膝，蹲伏( crouch的现在分词 ) | |
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53
choir
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| n.唱诗班，唱诗班的席位，合唱团，舞蹈团；v.合唱 | |
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54
melancholy
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| n.忧郁，愁思；adj.令人感伤（沮丧）的，忧郁的 | |
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penitents
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| n.后悔者( penitent的名词复数 )；忏悔者 | |
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56
ascended
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| v.上升，攀登( ascend的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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57
riveted
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| 铆接( rivet的过去式和过去分词 )； 把…固定住； 吸引； 引起某人的注意 | |
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58
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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59
contemplating
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| 深思，细想，仔细考虑( contemplate的现在分词 )； 注视，凝视； 考虑接受（发生某事的可能性）； 深思熟虑，沉思，苦思冥想 | |
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60
hood
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| n.头巾，兜帽，覆盖；v.罩上，以头巾覆盖 | |
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61
suspense
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| n.（对可能发生的事）紧张感，担心，挂虑 | |
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62
sob
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| n.空间轨道的轰炸机；呜咽，哭泣 | |
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anathema
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| n.诅咒；被诅咒的人(物)，十分讨厌的人(物) | |
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followers
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| 追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件 | |
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65
hurl
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| vt.猛投，力掷，声叫骂 | |
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66
wrath
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| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
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67
hatred
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| n.憎恶，憎恨，仇恨 | |
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68
confession
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| n.自白，供认，承认 | |
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69
asunder
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| adj.分离的，化为碎片 | |
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70
bind
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| vt.捆，包扎；装订；约束；使凝固；vi.变硬 | |
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71
obedience
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| n.服从，顺从 | |
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72
interdict
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| v.限制；禁止；n.正式禁止；禁令 | |
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blighted
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| adj.枯萎的，摧毁的 | |
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74
misery
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| n.痛苦，苦恼，苦难；悲惨的境遇，贫苦 | |
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75
everlasting
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| adj.永恒的，持久的，无止境的 | |
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76
torment
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| n.折磨；令人痛苦的东西(人)；vt.折磨；纠缠 | |
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77
diadem
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| n.王冠，冕 | |
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frenzied
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| a.激怒的；疯狂的 | |
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79
shriek
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| v./n.尖叫，叫喊 | |
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80
groaning
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| adj. 呜咽的, 呻吟的 动词groan的现在分词形式 | |
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81
anguish
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| n.(尤指心灵上的)极度痛苦，烦恼 | |
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82
shuddered
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| v.战栗( shudder的过去式和过去分词 )；发抖；（机器、车辆等）突然震动；颤动 | |
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83
reigned
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| vi.当政，统治（reign的过去式形式） | |
参考例句： |
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