Chapter 16 Chapter Sixteen

In a remote wilderness, isolated from the world, A hermit lived from youth to old age; The moss is his bed, the cave is his dwelling, Fresh fruit is his food, clear water is his drink, He is far from the world, but he is with God all day long, His life is prayer, and his joy is praise. Parnell Readers must have not forgotten that the contest that day was decided by an unknown knight; because the knight's behavior had been listless and casual for a while before that day, the audience gave him the nickname : Heijia lazy man [Note].But after his victory, he suddenly disappeared from the arena, and when they were about to award him for his bravery, he was nowhere to be found.In fact, when the ceremonial officer called for him endlessly and the horn blew again and again, he had already followed the path less traveled by, crossed the nearest road in the forest, and galloped northward.That day he spent the night in a small inn far away from the main road, and it was there that he learned the result of the contest from a wandering troubadour.

【Note】The knight in black armor written here is Richard the Lionheart (1157｜1199).He ascended the throne after Henry II in 1189, but soon led the Crusades. After returning home in 1194, he immediately went to Normandy and fought with King Philip II of France for five years. Killed by an arrow near Mori.Therefore, he has no achievements in politics at all. However, because of his bravery and skill in battle, he showed noble chivalry, so he won the hearts of the people and became a hero in British folklore.What Scott writes here is such a legendary figure. Early the next morning, the knight set off, planning to travel more this day.From early in the morning he had been careful not to tire his horse, hoping that it would stand up to the long journey without much rest.However, all the rough and winding paths he passed, the result was counterproductive, and when night fell, he had just reached the West End of Yorkshire.By this time both men and horses were starving, and the night was getting dark, and it seemed necessary to find a place to stay.

But the traveler finds the country so desolate that he can find neither lodging nor food, and it seems that the only recourse is to follow the usual expedient of roaming knights, which is to let the horses graze while he himself A hazel tree serves as a bed curtain, under which to curl up and pass the time thinking of the love of his heart.But the knight in black armor may have no lover to miss, or he cares as little for love as for martial arts, and passion cannot possess him, and memories of her beauty and cruelty are not strong enough to withstand the pressure of fatigue and hunger, Make love a substitute for creature comforts like bed and dinner.So he was depressed, and looking around, he saw towering ancient trees all around him. Although there were many glades and a few trails, it seemed that herds of cattle and sheep often came here to graze, or that hunters chased their prey in this area from time to time. Mark of.

The knight depended chiefly on the sun for orientation, but it was now behind the Derbyshire hills to his left, and any effort to continue on his way was as likely to disorient him as to find his way.He tried to take the most traveled road, hoping that it would lead to a shepherd's cottage.Or a forester's residence.But he could not decide which one to choose, and finally he had to give up this effort and let his horse act according to its spirit; Find a way out for yourself and those who ride them. The horse was exhausted after carrying the knight in full armor all day, but it was a good horse, and once he found that the reins were loose and his master asked him to act as a guide, he immediately cheered up and gained strength .In the past, it mostly didn't respond to the spurs, it just hummed a few times, but now it seems proud of the owner's trust, it pricked up its ears, and took the initiative to resume its active posture.It chose a path that did not coincide with the day's route of the knight, but the animal seemed so confident in its choice that the rider released it and let it move freely.

It turned out to be right, for the path soon became wider, and there were more footprints, and the tinkling of the little bell-tower could be heard, which told the knight that he had come to a little church. or near the hermitage. And so, in a short while, he saw an open lawn, and opposite it stood a large rock on a gently sloping level, showing its weather-beaten gray face to the traveler.Somewhere around its edges twine the ivy, and here and there grow bushes of oak and holly, whose roots draw nourishment from the clefts of the precipice; The feather decoration can add some soft colors to his murderous face.At the bottom of the rock was a rough hut, which seemed to rest on the rock wall, and was built chiefly from the trunks of some thick trees felled in the nearby forest;A small fir tree, with all its branches cut down, stood near the top with a stick tied across the door, a sacred symbol of the cross.Not far from the right, there is a pool of clear and transparent spring water, which flows out from the waterfall between the mountains and rocks, and drips into a stone pool. After a long time, the stone pool has become a rough water bowl.The water that overflowed from there gurgled down a polished ditch, lingered for a while on the small flat, and disappeared into the nearby woods.

Beside this spring was a tiny church, in dilapidated condition, with a part of the roof caved in.In its entirety, the whole building was no more than sixteen feet long and twelve feet wide, with a correspondingly low roof, supported by four concentric arches rising from the corners of the house and supported by short, thick columns. .The supporting arches of the two arches are still preserved, but the roof between them has sunk and has to be supported by the other two complete arches.On the door of this ancient place of worship, there is a very low semicircular vault carved with several zigzag patterns, some of which resemble shark's teeth, which are not uncommon in ancient Saxon buildings.In the corridor in front of the door, there is a clock tower on four small pillars. Inside is a clock that has turned green after being eroded by wind and rain. The faint bell that the knight in black armor heard just now came from there.

This peaceful and quiet picture appeared before the traveler from the twilight, so that he finally felt confident that he had found a place to spend the night, because it is the bounden duty of these hermits living in the forest to welcome passing pedestrians or lost businessmen. . Now the knight, not wanting to waste time in contemplating the scenes we have described, but thanking St. Julian, the protector of travelers, for pointing him in time to a lodging, leaped from his horse, and struck with the butt of his pistol on the walls of the hermitage. The door, let the people in the house quickly let him in.

But it took a while before someone agreed. Judging from the tone, it seemed that he was not very welcome. Go, whoever you are, answered a deep hoarse voice in the room, and leave God and St. Dunstan's servant alone, who is at his evening prayers. Dear priest, the knight replied, there is a poor traveler who has lost his way in the woods and needs shelter. This is your chance to show your compassion and do good deeds. My dear brother, replied the master of the hermitage, Our Lady and St. Dunstan doom me only to be one who receives these good deeds, not one who performs them.I have no superfluous food, and cannot keep a dog; where I live, a well-groomed horse is not to be considered.You go your way, God bless you.

But it was getting darker and darker. How could I find my way in such a forest?The knight replied, Reverend priest, since you are a Christian, I beg you to open the door, and at least show me a way. But I beseech you too, good brother, leave me alone, replied the hermit, and I must say a part of the Lord's Prayer, two parts of the Hail Mary and a creed, which I, the poor sinner, swear , must be read before the moon rises every day. Show me the way, show me the way!The knight shouted loudly, asking me not to disturb you anymore, at least you have to let me know how to go. The way is easy to find, replied the hermit. The path in the forest leads directly to a meadow, and from there there is a ford. Now that the rain has stopped, it is possible to cross the river.After crossing the ferry, when you board the left bank, you have to be careful, it is a cliff; a road next to the river, recently I heard that because I pray in the church all day and rarely go out, some places have collapsed.then you go straight ahead

What, a collapsed road, a cliff, a ferry, and a swamp!said the knight, interrupting him, my hermit, if you were a true elder, a true saint, you would not have asked me to walk this way in the night.To tell the truth, you live on charity from all men, but I don't think you deserve a passer-by who is in trouble, and you have no right to keep him from lodging.You open the door quickly, or else, I swear, I'll break down your door and come in by myself. Friends passing by, the hermit replied, don't make trouble for no reason; if you push me into a hurry, I will have to pick up the saber to defend myself, so that you can't eat and walk away.

The cavalier had heard some intermittent barks from a distance, and now these barkings had suddenly become louder and fiercer, and the intruder could not help thinking that the hermit must have been terrified at his threat to break in, and therefore Released them from the kennel behind the house, let them create momentum and help him.Thinking that the hermit had used these animals to threaten him in order to refuse to receive him, the knight couldn't help being furious, and kicked at the door so hard that he almost broke the frame and the lock ring. The hermit didn't want his gate to suffer such catastrophe, so he had to shout loudly: "Wait a minute, wait a moment, save a little effort, my good sir, I will open the door for you, but you may not be able to do what you want if you open the door." As one wishes. In this way, the door finally opened, and standing in front of the knight was a burly man, wearing a sackcloth robe, a hood on his head, and a straw rope around his waist.In one hand he held a torch, and in the other he held a sago stick, so thick and heavy that it was worth a stick.Two big long-haired dogs, something like a greyhound and a wolfhound, were already standing there, ready to pounce on the traveler as soon as the door opened.But perhaps the torch caught sight of the tall helmet and golden spurs of the knight standing outside the door, and the hermit changed his mind, suppressed the arrogance of his helpers, and invited the knight into the house in a rude but respectful tone. , and stated that he would not open the door after sunset, because the neighborhood was full of strongmen and thieves who had no respect for the Virgin or St. Dunstan, or any man who had given his life to God. Father, you are so poor that you have nothing, said the knight, looking around, and saw that the room was empty except for a bed covered with leaves, a poorly carved cross, a prayer book, an unshaven table and Two stools, and a piece or two of heavy furniture, will suffice to keep you safe from thieves, and you will be guarded by two trusty dogs, both big and strong, I think, enough to overwhelm a male. Deer, as for ordinary people, that is not a problem for them. It was the kindness of the forest warden that allowed me to raise two dogs to protect myself until the situation calmed down.said the hermit. As he spoke, he put the torch on the iron stand used as a candlestick, then put an oak tripod in front of the stove, added some dry firewood to the stove, moved a stool to the table, and waved, Have the knight sit on the stool on the other side. After the two sat down, they both looked at each other intently and wondered in their hearts. He had rarely seen a guy as strong and burly as the guy opposite him in his life. After looking at his master for a long time, the knight said: "Dear hermit, if it does not affect your pious thinking, I would like to ask the priest three things: First, where should my horse be tied?"Second, what about my dinner?Third, where do I sleep at night? I might as well answer you with my fingers, because I don't use words for any questions that can be answered with gestures, said the hermit, and then pointed to two corners of the house one after another: "Here is your stall, there is your bed, and, He took a plate from a shelf next to it, put two handfuls of dried peas on it, put the plate on the table, and said: This is your supper. The knight shrugged his shoulders, walked out of the hut, untied the horse that was tied to the tree just now, led it into the house, carefully took off the saddle, and put his cloak on the tired horse's back. The hermit was obviously touched by the stranger's care and love for his horse. He murmured that he still had some hay for the forester to feed the horse, and dragged out a bundle of feed from the hole in the wall. He sprinkled it in front of the knight's war horse, and immediately threw a lot of dried ferns in the corner he designated for the guests to sleep.The knight thanked him for his good treatment; and when it was all done, they sat down again at the table to a plate of peas.The hermit began to say the Prayer of Thanksgiving, which was originally a passage of Latin, but now except for a long retroflex sometimes appearing at the end of a sentence or a word, the original sound is gone.After saying his prayers, he set an example to his guests and began to eat, that is, he opened his mouth wide, revealing a mouthful of sharp, white teeth that were as sharp as those of a wild boar, and then sprinkled grain like grain into a large millstone. Yes, pop three or four dry beans into your mouth without haste. The knight, following this admirable example, took off his helmet, breastplate, and most of his armor, so that the hermit saw a mass of curly fair hair, a handsome countenance, and very bright blue eyes shining, A straight mouth, covered with a mustache slightly darker than the hair, gave the appearance of a vigorous and vigorous warrior, in perfect harmony with his strong physique. The hermit, as if in return for the confidence placed in him by his guest, had also pushed back his hood, revealing the round head of a man in the prime of life.His head was clean-shaven, surrounded by a fringe of curly black hair, and the whole shape was somewhat like a country house's corral, surrounded by a tall hedge.His appearance is not at all like a monk who is ascetic and hard-working. On the contrary, it is a bold and rough face, with thick and black eyebrows, a square forehead, plump and rosy cheeks, a bit like a drummer, long and thick A black beard snaked down from his face.Such an appearance, coupled with a strong and strong body, seems to be used to eating beef and pig's feet, rather than living on green beans and vegetables.This incongruity did not escape the eyes of the guests.After having managed to chew a mouthful of dried beans, he felt it absolutely necessary to ask his pious host for a drink, but the latter answered him only by bringing before him a jug of clear spring water. This is the fountain of St. Dunstan, who, he said, used it to baptize five hundred pagans in Denmark and England between sunrise and sunset. Canonized and considered the patron saint of blacksmiths. 】May he live forever!So he put his black mustache on the jug, and took a small sip, which did not match his praise of the spring water. My lord priest, said the knight, but it seems to me incredible that these few beans you have eaten, and this bland, albeit holy drink, should keep you so healthy.From the looks of it, you may win a ram in a wrestling match, or a champion in a cudgel wrestling, or a gold medal in a fencing show, but it's not like you're slaving away in this desolate field, only knowing prayers, What about people who live on beans and water. Sir Cavalier, replied the hermit, you think like those common people who only see people by their appearance.Since Our Lady and my protector have given me such a diet, I should know contentment.Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, the children, preferred to eat only beans and water in order not to defile themselves with the wine and meat given them by the king of the Saracens, but they still had beautiful faces. : For the story, see "Old Testament.The Book of Daniel. 】. Holy priest, said the knight, it is unexpected that God will show a miracle in your face, so I, a worldly sinner, may I ask your name? You call me Deacon of Copmanhurst ChurchHis public status was a monk or a priest, and he was generally called Brother Tucker in the Greenwood. ] That's it, replied the hermit, that's what people around here call me.True, they'll add a holy title, but I don't care because I don't deserve it.Now, gallant knight, may I ask the name of your step? Yes, holy Deacon of Copmanhurst Church, replied the knight, I am called the black knight in this country; and many add to me the title of a lazy man, sir, but I do not want to rely on this nickname. famous. The hermit could hardly help laughing at the guest's answer. I see, he said, Mr. Lazy Knight, you are a man of prudence and sobriety; I see also that you do not think much of the poor food of our monks, and perhaps you are accustomed to the loose life of court and barracks, And the luxuries and pleasures of the city.Now I remember, Mr. Sloth, that kind watchman in these woods, not only gave me these dogs to protect me, and left some fodder for the horses, and sent me some food, as they were not fit for me, I was busy chanting and praying again, so I forgot about them. I bet he'll give you food, said the knight, holy priest, from the moment you took off your hood, I'm sure there's something tastier hidden in this house.Your woodsman must be a sensible fellow; anyone who sees you chew dry beans with those burr teeth, and douse your throat with that bland water, will think you shouldn't rely on this feeding and drinking thing. (He points to the food and drink on the table) Live, so it's always up to you to improve your life.Well, stop dawdling and let's see what the ranger has for you. The hermit cast a thoughtful glance at the knight, with a little comical indecision, as if calculating how far to loose his trust in his guest.However, the knight's open and honest face has reached the limit of what human five senses can express.His smile, too, seemed irresistible, giving the hermit a reassuring assurance that he would not be deceived, and overwhelmed the master's pity. After an exchange of silent examining glances or two, the hermit stood up and walked to the far end of the room, where a cellar was artfully concealed.He opened the door. Inside was a cabinet of similar size. He reached in and pulled out from the depths of the dark cavity a very large pewter plate with a large baked pie on it.Immediately the plate of this marvelous delicacy was served to the guest, who, without hesitation, took out his dagger and cut it open, and began to taste it without hesitation. How long has the good ranger been away from here?The knight asked his master how many mouthfuls he had devoured of the nutritious food left for the hermit to improve his life. About two months.The priest replied casually. I swear by God, holy priest, said the knight, everything in your cell is a miracle, unbelievable, because I'll wager that the fat deer that provided these venisons was in this wood two or three days ago running. Hearing this sentence, the hermit looked a little embarrassed, and he watched the pie gradually shrinking, and his guests were still aggressively attacking it, so he couldn't help feeling anxious, but he had said beforehand that he had to fast, so he couldn't participate in this raid action. I have been to Palestine, Mr. Deacon, said the knight, after a sudden pause, I remembered that there is a rule there, whenever the master entertains guests, in order to convince the guests that his food is absolutely fresh, he always eats with him.Of course, I don't doubt that such a holy person would entertain guests with unclean food, but I would be very grateful if you would abide by this oriental custom. In order to eliminate your unnecessary worries, Mr. Knight, I would like to make an exception.replied the hermit.Since there were no forks in that era, his fingers immediately plunged into the heart of the pie. As soon as the barrier of etiquette was broken, there seemed to be an appetite contest between host and guest; although the guest hadn't eaten for a day, the hermit still outstripped him by a wide margin. Holy priest, after the hunger subsided, the knight said again, I can bet you a gold coin with my steed, and the kind forester who let us eat venison must have left you a jar of wine Or Canary, or something like that, for you to have with this excellent pie.No doubt this trifle was of little importance, and would not have been brought to mind by a strict monk; yet, I think, if you will search the cellar a little longer, you will find that my conjecture is quite correct. The hermit's answer was only a wry smile, and he went back to the cellar door, where he produced a wineskin, which would hold four quarts of wine.He also brought out two goblets, made of buffalo horn, with silver hoops.Having made such perfect arrangements for the evening meal, he seemed to feel that he could drink to his heart's content without the need for politeness, and he filled both glasses, and said, in the Saxon manner: "Good health, Mr. lazy knight!"Then he drank the wine in one gulp. Good health to you, holy Deacon of Copmanhurst Church!The samurai replied, drinking a glass to the full as his master did. After drinking the first glass of wine, the guest said to the hermit: "Father, I see that you are strong and strong, and you can eat and drink so well. I can't help wondering why you are willing to stay in this wilderness."In my opinion, it would be better for you to guard a castle or fortress, and eat fat meat and strong wine, than here to live on beans and water, and live on the charity of the forester.At least, if I were you, I'd think I might as well shoot some king's deer and have a good time.They are plentiful in these woods, and no one will find a deer in the belly of the priest of St. Dunstan. . Sir Lazy Knight, replied the priest, it is a dangerous word, and I advise you not to say it.I am a true hermit who respects the king and obeys the law. If I spoil the royal game, I must go to prison. In case of capital crime, my priest's clothes will not save me. But if I were you, said the knight, I could go for a walk on a moonlit night, when the rangers and rangers are all in bed, and I murmur my prayers and see my chance, whizzing at the deer grazing With one arrow, everything was settled.Holy priest, have you never played such tricks? My lazy fellow, replied the hermit, you have seen everything in my house that concerns you, perhaps more than a man who insists on boarding should know.Believe me, it's better to enjoy what God has given you as much as you can, not to meddle in your own business, and try to track down where it came from.Fill your glass, I'm welcome; but don't get to the bottom of it, I won't be polite if you annoy me; as long as I really don't let you live, you can't stay here. In truth, replied the knight, you puzzle me even more!You are the most mysterious hermit I have ever met, and I wish to know a little more about you before we part.As for your threats, you must know, Mr. Priest, that the man you are talking to is a man who seeks out danger wherever he can find it. Mr. Lazy Cavalier, said the hermit, I toast you to express my admiration for your courage, but I am a little surprised at your overreach.If you will take up the same arms as me, I will, out of the full spirit of friendship and brotherhood, make you completely repentant and completely corrected, so that you will not repeat the same mistakes in the next twelve months, and ask you what you should not ask. thing. The knight drank his wine and asked him to specify a weapon. Whatever weapon was used, from Delilah's [note] scissors and Jael [note: A woman who sympathized with the Israelites, once killed the enemies of Israel with a large nail, see "Judges". ]'s three-inch nail to Goliath's scimitar, I will not lose to you, the hermit replied, but since I have to choose, my friend, what do you think of these things? [Note] Delilah: A Philistine woman in the Bible. She learned that the strength of Israel’s strongman Samson came from his hair, so she took advantage of his unpreparedness and cut off his hair with scissors. The Philistines caught, see "Old Testament.Judges. As he said this, he opened another cellar door, and from there he brought out two broadswords and two shields, the kind of things that peasants used to use at that time.The knight paid attention to his movements, and found that there were two or three large bows, a crossbow, a bundle of crossbow arrows and six or seven ordinary arrows hidden in the second cave.When the dark burrow was opened, a harp could be seen inside, and several things not befitting a priest. I promise you, Father Father, he said, I won't ask you anything to make you angry.What's in that storeroom has answered all my doubts; I saw there a weapon (he stooped and took up the harp) with which I would have compared thee with swords and shields. Cavalier brother, said the hermit, I have always hoped that your idle nickname is groundless.Now I just have to admit, I'm skeptical and disappointed in you.But you are my guest, and I cannot come to test your mettle without your own consent.So sit down, fill your glasses, and let's drink, sing, and have fun.If you can sing something funny, you'll be welcome and eat big pies at Copmanhurst anytime, and God willing, I'm still here tending St. Dunstan's without taking off this gray cloth Clothes, let the turf bury me.Come now, fill up the wine, for it will take a while to get the strings right.To sing pleasingly and listen comfortably, you must have a drink first.As far as I am concerned, I have to feel the aroma of wine with my fingers before I can play the strings to my ears.