maid marian-第4章

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〃Neither　will　I；　Lord　Fitzwater；〃　said　Sir　Ralph；　〃in　that　sense：　but　hear　me。　　I　was　commissioned　by　the　king　to　apprehend　the　Earl　of　Huntingdon。　　I　brought　with　me　a　party　of　soldiers；　picked　and　tried　men；　knowing　that　he　would　not　lightly　yield。　I　sent　my　lieutenant　with　a　detachment　to　surprise　the　earl's　castle　in　his　absence；　and　laid　my　measures　for　intercepting　him　on　the　way　to　his　intended　nuptials；　but　he　seems　to　have　had　intimation　of　this　part　of　my　plan；　for　he　brought　with　him　a　large　armed　retinue；　and　took　a　circuitous　route；　which　made　him；　I　believe；　somewhat　later　than　his　appointed　hour。　When　the　lapse　of　time　showed　me　that　he　had　taken　another　track；　I　pursued　him　to　the　chapel；　and　I　would　have　awaited　the　close　of　the　ceremony；　if　I　had　thought　that　either　yourself　or　your　daughter　would　have　felt　desirous　that　she　should　have　been　the　bride　of　an　outlaw。〃

〃Who　said；　sir；〃　cried　the　baron；　〃that　we　were　desirous　of　any　such　thing？　But　truly；　sir；　if　I　had　a　mind　to　the　devil　for　a　son…in…law；　I　would　fain　see　the　man　that　should　venture　to　interfere。〃

〃That　would　I；〃　said　the　friar；　〃for　I　have　undertaken　to　make　her　renounce　the　devil。〃

〃She　shall　not　renounce　the　devil；〃　said　the　baron；　〃unless　I　please。　You　are　very　ready　with　your　undertakings。　　Will　you　undertake　to　make　her　renounce　the　earl；　who；　I　believe；　is　the　devil　incarnate？　Will　you　undertake　that？〃

〃Will　I　undertake；〃　said　the　friar；　〃to　make　Trent　run　westward；　or　to　make　flame　burn　downward；　or　to　make　a　tree　grow　with　its　head　in　the　earth　and　its　root　in　the　air？〃

〃So　then；〃　said　the　baron；　〃a　girl's　mind　is　as　hard　to　change　as　nature　and　the　elements；　and　it　is　easier　to　make　her　renounce　the　devil　than　a　lover。　Are　you　a　match　for　the　devil；　and　no　match　for　a　man？〃

〃My　warfare；〃　said　the　friar；　〃is　not　of　this　world。　I　am　militant　not　against　man；　but　the　devil；　who　goes　about　seeking　what　he　may　devour。〃

〃Oh！　does　he　so？〃　said　the　baron：　　〃then　I　take　it　that　makes　you　look　for　him　so　often　in　my　buttery。　　Will　you　cast　out　the　devil　whose　name　is　Legion；　when　you　cannot　cast　out　the　imp　whose　name　is　Love？〃

〃Marriages；〃　said　the　friar；　〃are　made　in　heaven。　　Love　is　God's　work；　and　therewith　I　meddle　not。〃

〃God's　work；　indeed！〃　said　the　baron；　〃when　the　ceremony　was　cut　short　in　the　church。　　Could　men　have　put　them　asunder；　if　God　had　joined　them　together？　　And　the　earl　is　now　no　earl；　but　plain　Robert　Fitz…Ooth：　therefore；　I'll　none　of　him。〃

〃He　may　atone；〃　said　the　friar；　〃and　the　king　may　mollify。　The　earl　is　a　worthy　peer；　and　the　king　is　a　courteous　king。〃

〃He　cannot　atone；〃　said　Sir　Ralph。　　〃He　has　killed　the　king's　men；　and　if　the　baron　should　aid　and　abet；　he　will　lose　his　castle　and　land。〃

〃Will　I？〃　said　the　baron；　〃not　while　I　have　a　drop　of　blood　in　my　veins。　He　that　comes　to　take　them　shall　first　serve　me　as　the　friar　serves　my　flasks　of　canary：　　he　shall　drain　me　dry　as　hay。　　Am　I　not　disparaged？　Am　I　not　outraged？　　Is　not　my　daughter　vilified；　and　made　a　mockery？　A　girl　half…married？　There　was　my　butler　brought　home　with　a　broken　head。　My　butler；　friar：　　there　is　that　may　move　your　sympathy。　Friar；　the　earl…no…earl　shall　come　no　more　to　my　daughter。〃

〃Very　good；〃　said　the　friar。

〃It　is　not　very　good；〃　said　the　baron；　〃for　I　cannot　get　her　to　say　so。〃

〃I　fear；〃　said　Sir　Ralph；　〃the　young　lady　must　be　much　distressed　and　discomposed。〃

〃Not　a　whit；　sir；〃　said　the　baron。　　〃She　is；　as　usual；　in　a　most　provoking　imperturbability；　and　contradicts　me　so　smilingly　that　it　would　enrage　you　to　see　her。〃

〃I　had　hoped；〃　said　Sir　Ralph；　〃that　I　might　have　seen　her；　to　make　my　excuse　in　person　for　the　hard　necessity　of　my　duty。〃

He　had　scarcely　spoken；　when　the　door　opened；　and　the　lady　made　her　appearance。




CHAPTER　IV


Are　you　mad；　or　what　are　you；　that　you　squeak　out　your　catches　without　mitigation　or　remorse　of　voice？　　Twelfth　Night。


Matilda；　not　dreaming　of　visitors；　tripped　into　the　apartment　in　a　dress　of　forest　green；　with　a　small　quiver　by　her　side；　and　a　bow　and　arrow　in　her　hand。　　Her　hair；　black　and　glossy　as　the　raven's　wing；　curled　like　wandering　clusters　of　dark　ripe　grapes　under　the　edge　of　her　round　bonnet；　and　a　plume　of　black　feathers　fell　back　negligently　above　it；　with　an　almost　horizontal　inclination；　that　seemed　the　habitual　effect　of　rapid　motion　against　the　wind。　Her　black　eyes　sparkled　like　sunbeams　on　a　river：　a　clear；　deep；　liquid　radiance；　the　reflection　of　ethereal　fire；　tempered；　not　subdued；　in　the　medium　of　its　living　and　gentle　mirror。　Her　lips　were　half　opened　to　speak　as　she　entered　the　apartment；　and　with　a　smile　of　recognition　to　the　friar；　and　a　courtesy　to　the　stranger　knight；　she　approached　the　baron　and　said；　〃You　are　late　at　your　breakfast；　father。〃

〃I　am　not　at　breakfast；〃　said　the　baron。　　〃I　have　been　at　supper：　my　last　night's　supper；　for　I　had　none。〃

〃I　am　sorry；〃　said　Matilda；　〃you　should　have　gone　to　bed　supperless。〃

〃I　did　not　go　to　bed　supperless；〃　said　the　baron：　〃I　did　not　go　to　bed　at　all：　　and　what　are　you　doing　with　that　green　dress　and　that　bow　and　arrow？〃

〃I　am　going　a…hunting；〃　said　Matilda。

〃A…hunting！〃　said　the　baron。　　〃What；　I　warrant　you；　to　meet　with　the　earl；　and　slip　your　neck　into　the　same　noose？〃

〃No；〃　said　Matilda：　　〃I　am　not　going　out　of　our　own　woods　to…day。〃

〃How　do　I　know　that？〃　said　the　baron。　　〃What　surety　have　I　of　that？〃

〃Here　is　the　friar；〃　said　Matilda。　　〃He　will　be　surety。〃

〃Not　he；〃　said　the　baron：　〃he　will　undertake　nothing　but　where　the　devil　is　a　party　concerned。〃

〃Yes；　I　will；〃　said　the　friar：　　〃I　will　undertake　any　thing　for　the　lady　Matilda。〃

〃No　matter　for　that；〃　said　the　baron：　　〃she　shall　not　go　hunting　to　day。〃

〃Why；　father；〃　said　Matilda；　〃if　you　coop　me　up　here　in　this　odious　castle；　I　shall　pine　and　die　like　a　lonely　swan　on　a　pool。

〃No；〃　said　the　baron；　〃the　lonely　swan　does　not　die　on　the　pool。　If　there　be　a　river　at　hand；　she　flies　to　the　river；　and　finds　her　a　mate；　and　so　shall　not　you。〃

〃But；〃　said　Matilda；　〃you　may　send　with　me　any；　or　as　many；　of　your　grooms　as　you　will。〃

〃My　grooms；〃　said　the　baron；　〃are　all　false　knaves。　There　is　not　a　rascal　among　them　but　loves　you　better　than　me。　Villains　that　I　feed　and　clothe。〃

〃Surely；〃　said　Matilda；　〃it　is　not　villany　to　love　me：　if　it　be；　I　should　be　sorry　my　father　were　an　honest　man。〃　The　baron　relaxed　his　muscles　into　a　smile。　　〃Or　my　lover　either；〃　added　Matilda。　　The　baron　looked　grim　again。

〃For　your　lover；〃　said　the　baron；　〃you　may　give　God　thanks　of　him。　He　is　as　arrant　a　knave　as　ever　poached。〃

〃What；　for　hunting　the　king's　deer？〃　said　Matilda。　　〃Have　I　not　heard　you　rail　at　the　forest　laws　by　the　hour？〃

〃Did　you　ever　hear　me；〃　said　the　baron；　〃rail　myself　out　of　house　and　land？　If　I　had　done　that；　then　were　I　a　knave。〃

〃My　lover；〃　said　Matilda；　〃is　a　brave　man；　and　a　true　man；　and　a　generous　man；　and　a　young　man；　and　a　handsome　man；　aye；　and　an　honest　man　too。〃

〃How　can　he　be　an　honest　man；〃　said　the　baron；　〃when　he　has　neither　house　nor　land；　which　are　the　better　part　of　a　man？〃

〃They　are　but　the　husk　of　a　man；〃　said　Matilda；　〃the　worthless　coat　of　the　chesnut：　　the　man　himself　is　the　kernel。〃

〃The　man　is　the　grape　stone；〃　said　the　baron；　〃and　the　pulp　of　the　melon。　The　house　and　land　are　the　true　substantial　fruit；　and　all　that　give　him　savour　and　value。〃

〃He　will　never　want　house　or　land；〃　said　Matilda；　〃while　the　meeting　boughs　weave　a　green　roof　in　the　wood；　and　the　free　range　of　the　hart　marks　out　the　bounds　of　the　forest。〃

〃Vert　and　venison！　vert　and　venison！〃　exclaimed　the　baron。　〃Treason　and　flat　rebellion。　　Confound　your　smiling　face！　what　makes　you　look　so　good…humoured？　What！　you　think　I　can't　look　at　you；　and　be　in　a　passion？　　You　think　so；　do　you？　We　shall　see。　　Have　you　no　fear　in　talking　thus；　when　here　is　the　king's　liegeman　come　to　take　us　all　into　custody；　and　confiscate　our　goods　and　chattels？〃

〃Nay；　Lord　Fitzwater；〃　said　Sir　Ralph；　〃you　wrong　me　in　your　report。　My　visit　is　one　of　courtesy　and　excuse；　not　of　menace　and　authority。〃

〃There　it　is；〃　said　the　baron：　　〃every　one　takes　a　pleasure　in　contradicting　me。　　Here　is　this　courteous　knight；　who　has　not　opened　his　mouth　three　times　since　he　has　been　in　my　house　except　to　take　in　provision；　cuts　me　short　in　my　story　with　a　flat　denial。〃

〃Oh！　　I　cry　you　mercy；　sir　knight；〃　said　Matilda；　〃I　did　not　mark　you　before。　I　am　your　debtor　for　no　slight　favour；　and　so　is　my　liege　lord。〃

〃Her　liege　lord！〃　exclaimed　the　baron；　taking　large　strides　across　the　chamber。

〃Pardon　me；　gentle　lady；〃　said　Sir　Ralph。　　〃Had　I　known　you　before　yesterday；　I　would　have　cut　off　my　right　hand　ere　it　should　have　been　raised　to　do　you　displeasure。

〃Oh　sir；〃　said　Matilda；　〃a　good　man　may　be　forced　on　an　ill　office：　but　I　can　distinguish　the　man　from　his　duty。〃　　She　presented　to　him　her　hand；　which　he　kissed　respectfully；　and　simultaneously　with　the　contact　thirty…two　invisible　arrows　plunged　at　once　into　his　heart；　one　from　every　point　of　the　compass　of　his　pericardia。

〃Well；　father；〃　added　Matilda；　〃I　must　go　to　the　woods。〃

〃Must　you？〃　said　the　baron；　〃I　say　you　must　not。〃

〃But　I　am　going；〃　said　Matilda

〃But　I　will　have　up　the　drawbridge；〃　said　the　baron。

〃But　I　will　swim　the　moat；〃　said　Matilda。

〃But　I　will　secure　the　gates；〃　said　the　baron。

〃But　I　will　leap　from　the　battlement；〃　said　Matilda。

〃But　I　will　lock　you　in　an　upper　chamber；〃　said　the　baron。

〃But　I　will　shred　the　tapestry；〃　said　Matilda；　〃and　let　myself　down。〃

〃But　I　will　lock　you　in　a　turret；〃　said　the　baron；　〃where　you　shall　only　see　light　through　a　loophole。〃

〃But　through　that　loophole；〃　said　Matilda；　〃will　I　take　my　flight；　like　a　young　eagle　from　its　eerie；　and；　father；　while　I　go　out　freely；　I　will　return　willingly：　　but　if　once　I　slip　out　through　a　loop…hole〃　She　paused　a　moment；　and　then　added；　singing；

　The　love　that　follows　fain　　　　　　Will　never　its　faith　betray：　　But　the　faith　that　is　held　in　a　chain　　Will　never　be　found　again；　　　　　　If　a　single　link　give　way。


The　melody　acted　irresistibly　on　the　harmonious　propensities　of　the　friar；　who　accordingly　sang　in　his　turn；

　For　hark！　hark！　hark！　　The　dog　doth　bark；　　　　　　That　watches　the　wild　deer's　lair。　　The　hunter　awakes　at　the　peep　of　the　dawn；　　But　the　lair　it　is　empty；　the　deer　it　is　gone；　　　　　　And　the　hunter　knows　not　where。

Matilda　and　the　friar　then　sang　together；

　Then　follow；　oh　follow！　the　hounds　do　cry：　　The　red　sun　flames　in　the　eastern　sky：　　　　　　The　stag　bounds　over　the　hollow。　　He　that　lingers　in　spirit；　or　loiters　in　hall；　　Shall　see　us　no　more　till　the　evening　fall；　　And　no　voice　but　the　echo　shall　answer　his　call：　　　　　　Then　follow；　oh　follow；　follow：　　　　　　Follow；　oh　follow；　follow！


During　the　process　of　this　harmony；　the　baron's　eyes　wandered　from　his　daughter　to　the　friar；　and　from　the　friar　to　his　daughter　again；　with　an　alternate　expression　of　anger　differently　modified：　when　he　looked　on　the　friar；　it　was　anger　without　qualification；　when　he　looked　on　his　daughter　it　was　still　anger；　but　tempered　by　an　expression　of　involuntary　admiration　and　pleasure。　These　rapid　fluctuations　of　the　baron's　physiognom