to have and to hold-第13章

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！


　they　must　stay　at　home　and　burn　juniper　before　their　own　doors。〃

〃I'll　forgive　you；〃　I　said；　〃when　you　've　told　me　what　the　Governor　will　do。〃

〃Why；　there's　the　rub；〃　he　answered。　〃Yeardley　is　the　most　obstinate　man　of　my　acquaintance。　He　who　at　his　first　coming；　beside　a　great　deal　of　worth　in　his　person；　brought　only　his　sword　hath　grown　to　be　as　very　a　Sir　Oracle　among　us　as　ever　I　saw。　It's　'Sir　George　says　this；'　and　'Sir　George　says　that；'　and　so　there's　an　end　on't。　It's　all　because　of　that　leave　to　cut　your　own　throats　in　your　own　way　that　he　brought　you　last　year。　Sir　George　and　Sir　Edwyn！　Zooks！　you　had　better　dub　them　St。　George　and　St。　Edwyn　at　once；　and　be　done　with　it。　Well；　on　　this　occasion　Sir　George　stands　up　and　says　roundly；　with　a　good　round　oath　to　boot：　'The　King's　commands　have　always　come　to　us　through　the　Company。　The　Company　obeys　the　King；　we　obey　the　Company。　His　Majesty's　demand　（with　reverence　I　speak　it）　is　out　of　all　order。　Let　the　Company；　through　the　treasurer；　command　us　to　send　Captain　Percy　home　in　irons　to　answer　for　this　passing　strange　offense；　or　to　return；　willy　nilly；　the　lady　who　is　now　surely　his　wife；　and　we　will　have　no　choice　but　to　obey。　Until　the　Company　commands　us　we　will　do　nothing；　nay　we　can　do　nothing。'　And　every　one　of　my　fellow　Councilors　（for　myself；　I　was　busy　with　my　pens）　saith；　'My　opinion；　Sir　George。'　The　upshot　of　it　all　is　that　the　Due　Return　is　to　sail　in　two　days　with　our　humble　representation　to　his　Majesty　that　though　we　bow　to　his　lightest　word　as　the　leaf　bows　to　the　zephyr；　yet　we　are；　in　this　sole　matter；　handfast；　compelled　by　his　Majesty's　own　gracious　charter　to　refer　our　slightest　official　doing　to　that　noble　Company　which　owes　its　very　being　to　its　rigid　adherence　to　the　terms　of　said　charter。　Wherefore；　if　his　Majesty　will　be　graciously　pleased　to　command　us　as　usual　through　the　said　Company　…　and　so　on。　Of　course；　not　a　soul　in　the　Council；　or　in　Jamestown；　or　in　Virginia　dreams　of　a　duel　behind　the　church　at　sunrise　to…morrow。〃　He　knocked　the　ashes　from　his　pipe；　and　by　degrees　got　his　fat　body　up　from　the　doorstep。　〃So　there's　a　reprieve　for　you；　Ralph　Percy；　unless　you　kill　or　are　killed　to…morrow　morning。　In　the　latter　case；　the　problem's　solved；　in　the　former；　the　best　service　you　can　do　yourself；　and　maybe　the　Company；　is　to　walk　out　of　the　world　of　your　own　accord；　and　that　as　quickly　as　possible。　Better　a　cross…roads　and　a　stake　　through　a　dead　heart　than　a　hangman's　hands　upon　a　live　one。〃

〃One　moment；〃　I　said。　〃Doth　my　Lord　Carnal　know　of　this　decision　of　the　Governor's？〃

〃Ay；　and　a　fine　passion　it　put　him　into。　Stormed　and　swore　and　threatened；　and　put　the　Governor's　back　up　finely。　It　seems　that　he　thought　to　'bout　ship　to…morrow；　lady　and　all。　He　refuseth　to　go　without　the　lady；　and　so　remaineth　in　Virginia　until　he　can　have　his　will。　Lord！　but　Buckingham　would　be　a　happy　man　if　he　were　kept　here　forever　and　a　day！　My　lord　knows　what　he　risks；　and　he's　in　as　black　a　humor　as　ever　you　saw。　But　I　have　striven　to　drop　oil　on　the　troubled　waters。　'My　lord；'　I　told　him；　'you　have　but　to　posses　your　soul　with　patience　for　a　few　short　weeks；　just　until　the　ship　the　Governor　sends　can　return。　Then　all　must　needs　be　as　your　lordship　wishes。　In　the　meantime；　you　may　find　existence　in　these　wilds　and　away　from　that　good　company　which　is　the　soul　of　life　endurable；　and　perhaps　pleasant。　You　may　have　daily　sight　of　the　lady　who　is　to　become　your　wife；　and　that　should　count　for　much　with　so　ardent　and　determined　a　lover　as　your　lordship　hath　shown　yourself　to　be。　You　may　have　the　pleasure　of　contemplating　your　rival's　grave；　if　you　kill　him。　If　he　kills　you；　you　will　care　the　less　about　the　date　of　the　Santa　Teresa's　sailing。　The　land；　too；　hath　inducements　to　offer　to　a　philosophical　and　contemplative　mind　such　as　one　whom　his　Majesty　delighteth　to　honor　must　needs　possess。　Beside　these　crystal　rivers　and　among　these　odoriferous　woods；　my　lord；　one　escapes　much　expense；　envy；　contempt；　vanity；　and　vexation　of　mind。'〃

The　hoary　sinner　laughed　and　laughed。　When　he　　had　gone　away；　still　in　huge　enjoyment　of　his　own　mirth；　I；　who　had　seen　small　cause　for　mirth；　went　slowly　indoors。　Not　a　yard　from　the　door；　in　the　shadow　of　the　vines　that　draped　the　window；　stood　the　woman　who　was　bringing　this　fate　upon　me。

〃I　thought　that　you　were　in　your　own　room；〃　I　said　harshly；　after　a　moment　of　dead　silence。

〃I　came　to　the　window；〃　she　replied。　〃I　listened。　I　heard　all。〃　She　spoke　haltingly；　through　dry　lips。　Her　face　was　as　white　as　her　ruff；　but　a　strange　light　burned　in　her　eyes；　and　there　was　no　trembling。　〃This　morning　you　said　that　all　that　you　had　…　your　name　and　your　sword　…　were　at　my　service。　You　may　take　them　both　again；　sir。　I　refuse　the　aid　you　offer。　Swear　what　you　will；　tell　them　what　you　please；　make　your　peace　whilst　you　may。　I　will　not　have　your　blood　upon　my　soul。〃

There　was　yet　wine　upon　the　table。　I　filled　a　cup　and　brought　it　to　her。　〃Drink！〃　I　commanded。

〃I　have　much　of　forbearance；　much　of　courtesy；　to　thank　you　for；〃　she　said。　〃I　will　remember　it　when　…　Do　not　think　that　I　shall　blame　you〃　…

I　held　the　cup　to　her　lips。　〃Drink！〃　I　repeated。　She　touched　the　red　wine　with　her　lips。　I　took　it　from　her　and　put　it　to　my　own。　〃We　drink　of　the　same　cup；〃　I　said；　with　my　eyes　upon　hers；　and　drained　it　to　the　bottom。　〃I　am　weary　of　swords　and　courts　and　kings。　Let　us　go　into　the　garden　and　watch　the　minister's　bees。〃



CHAPTER　X　　IN　WHICH　MASTER　PORY　GAINS　TIME　TO　SOME　PURPOSE


ROLFE　coming　down　by　boat　from　Varina；　had　reached　the　town　in　the　dusk　of　that　day　which　had　seen　the　arrival　of　the　Santa　Teresa；　and　I　had　gone　to　him　before　I　slept　that　night。　Early　morning　found　us　together　again　in　the　field　behind　the　church。　We　had　not　long　to　wait　in　the　chill　air　and　dew…drenched　grass。　When　the　red　rim　of　the　sun　showed　like　a　fire　between　the　trunks　of　the　pines　came　my　Lord　Carnal；　and　with　him　Master　Pory　and　Dr。　Lawrence　Bohun。

My　lord　and　I　bowed　to　each　other　profoundly。　Rolfe　with　my　sword　and　Master　Pory　with　my　lord's　stepped　aside　to　measure　the　blades。　Dr。　Bohun；　muttering　something　about　the　feverishness　of　the　early　air；　wrapped　his　cloak　about　him；　and　huddled　in　among　the　roots　of　a　gigantic　cedar。　I　stood　with　my　back　to　the　church；　and　my　face　to　the　red　water　between　us　and　the　illimitable　forest；　my　lord　opposite　me；　six　feet　away。　He　was　dressed　again　splendidly　in　black　and　scarlet；　colors　he　much　affected；　and；　with　the　dark　beauty　of　his　face　and　the　arrogant　grace　with　which　he　stood　there　waiting　for　his　sword；　made　a　picture　worth　looking　upon。

Rolfe　and　the　Secretary　came　back　to　us。　〃If　you　kill　him；　Ralph；〃　said　the　former　in　a　low　voice；　as　　he　took　my　doublet　from　me；　〃you　are　to　put　yourself　in　my　hands　and　do　as　you　are　bid。〃

〃Which　means　that　you　will　try　to　smuggle　me　north　to　the　Dutch。　Thanks；　friend；　but　I'll　see　the　play　out　here。〃

〃You　were　ever　obstinate；　self…willed；　reckless　…　and　the　man　most　to　my　heart；〃　he　continued。　〃　Have　your　way；　in　God's　name；　but　I　wish　not　to　see　what　will　come　of　it！　All's　ready；　Master　Secretary。〃

Very　slowly　that　worthy　stooped　down　and　examined　the　ground；　narrowly　and　quite　at　his　leisure。　〃I　like　it　not；　Master　Rolfe；〃　he　declared　at　length。　〃Here　is　a　molehill；　and　there　a　fairy　ring。〃

〃I　see　neither；〃　said　Rolfe。　〃It　looks　as　smooth　as　a　table。　But　we　can　easily　shift　under　the　cedars　where　there　is　no　grass。〃

〃Here's　a　projecting　root；〃　announced　the　Secretary；　when　the　new　ground　had　been　reached。

Rolfe　shrugged　his　shoulders；　but　we　moved　again。

〃The　light　comes　jaggedly　through　the　branches；〃　objected　my　lord's　second。　〃Better　try　the　open　again。〃

Rolfe　uttered　an　exclamation　of　impatience；　and　my　lord　stamped　his　foot　on　the　ground。　〃What　is　this　foolery；　sir？〃　the　latter　cried　fiercely。　〃The　ground's　well　enough；　and　there　's　sufficient　light　to　die　by。〃

〃Let　the　light　pass；　then；〃　said　his　second　resignedly。　〃Gentlemen；　are　you　read　…　Ods　blood！　my　lord；　I　had　not　noticed　the　roses　upon　your　lordship's　shoes！　They　are　so　large　and　have　such　a　fall　that　they　sweep　the　ground　on　either　side　your　foot；　you　might　stumble　in　all　that　dangling　ribbon　and　lace。　Allow　me　to　remove　them。〃

He　unsheathed　his　knife；　and；　sinking　upon　his　knees；　began　leisurely　to　sever　the　threads　that　held　the　roses　to　the　leather。　As　he　worked；　he　looked　neither　at　the　roses　nor　at　my　lord's　angry　face；　but　beneath　his　own　bent　arm　toward　the　church　and　the　town　beyond。

How　long　he　would　have　sawed　away　at　the　threads　there　is　no　telling；　for　my　lord；　amongst　whose　virtues　patience　was　not　one；　broke　from　him；　and　with　an　oath　stooped　and　tore　away　the　offending　roses　with　his　own　hand；　then　straightened　himself　and　gripped　his　sword　more　closely。　〃I've　learned　one　thing　in　this　d　…　d　land；〃　he　snarled；　〃and　that　is　where　not　to　choose　a　second。　You；　sir；〃　to　Rolfe；　〃give　the　word。〃

Master　Pory　rose　from　his　knees；　unruffled　and　unabashed；　and　still　with　a　curiously　absent　expression　upon　his　fat　face　and　with　his　ears　cocked　in　the　direction　of　the　church。　〃One　moment；　gentlemen；〃　he　said。　〃I　have　just　bethought　me〃　…

〃On　guard！〃　cried　Rolfe；　and　cut　him　short。

The　King's　favorite　was　no　mean　antagonist。　Once　or　twice　the　thought　crossed　my　mind　that　here；　where　I　least　desired　it；　I　had　met　my　match。　The　apprehension　passed。　He　fought　as　he　lived；　with　a　fierce　intensity；　a　headlong　passion；　a　brute　force；　bearing　down　and　overwhelming　most　obstacles。　But　that　I　could　tire　him　out　I　soon　knew。

The　incessant　flash　and　clash　of　steel；　the　quick　changes　in　position；　the　need　to　bring　all　powers　of　body　and　mind　to　aid　of　eye　and　wrist；　the　will　to　win；　the　shame　of　loss；　the　rage　and　lust　of　blood；　…　there　was　no　sight　or　sound　outside　that　trampled　circle　that　could　force　itself　upon　our　brain　or　make　　us　glance　aside。　If　there　was　a　sudden　commotion　amongst　the　three　witnesses；　if　an　expression　of　immense　relief　and　childlike　satisfaction　reigned　in　Master　Pory's　face；　we　knew　it　not。　We　were　both　bleeding；　…　I　from　a　pin　prick　on　the　shoulder；　he　from　a　touch　beneath　the　arm。　He　made　a　desperate　thrust；　which　I　parried；　and　the　blades　clashed。　A　third　came　down　upon　them　with　such　force　that　the　sparks　flew。

〃In　the　King's　name！〃　commanded　the　Governor。

We　fell　apart；　panting；　white　with　rage；　staring　at　the　unexpected　disturbers　of　our　peace。　They　were　the　Governor；　the　commander；　the　Cape　Merchant；　and　the　watch。

〃Lord；　now　lettest　thou　thy　servant　depart　in　peace！〃　exclaimed　Master　Pory；　and　retired　to　the　cedar　and　Dr。　Bohun。

〃This　ends　here；　gentlemen；〃　said　the　Governor　firmly。　〃You　are　both　bleeding。　It　is　enough。〃

〃Out　of　my　way；　sir！〃　cried　my　lord；　foaming　at　the　mouth。　He　made　a　mad　thrust　over　the　Governor's　extended　arm　at　me；　who　was　ready　enough　to　meet　him。　〃Have　at　thee；　thou　bridegroom！〃　he　said　between　his　teeth。

The　Governor　caught　him　by　the　wrist。　〃Put　up　your　sword；　my　lord；　or；　as　I　stand　here；　you　shall　give　it　into　the　commander's　hands！〃

〃Hell　and　furies！〃　ejaculated　my　lord。　〃Do　you　know　who　I　am；　sir？〃

〃Ay；〃　replied　the　Governor　sturdily；　〃I　do　know。　It　is　beca