Chapter 18 Chapter Eighteen

let's go!We traveled through quiet valleys, The happy fawn walks there with the timid mother, The shade-covered oak tree spreads its thick branches, Through them the sun criss-crossed the grass; Let's go!For we are going on a lovely journey, The joyous bright sun has risen high in the sky. Don't wait for Cynthia [Note: Diana, the moon god. 】Illuminate the lonely forest with dim lights, Then it would be less safe and less pleasant. "Etrick Forest" [Note: Scottish poet James.Hogg's poem. 】 When Cedric the Saxon saw his son lying unconscious on the ground at the Ashby Tournament, his first impulse was to order his servants to protect and tend him, but the words faltered went back.In front of so many people, he couldn't allow himself to admit that this was his son who had been driven away and disinherited.He told Oswald, however, to be careful with him, and to send Ivanhoe to Ashby as soon as the audience had dispersed, with the family and two servants.Unexpectedly, this good job was preempted by others, and the audience did disperse, but the knight has disappeared.

Cedric's cupbearer looked everywhere for his young master, but he could not find him. There was only a pool of blood on the ground where he had just fainted, and he was gone, as if carried away by a fairy.Saxons are very superstitious, and Oswald might have used such assumptions to report the secret of Ivanhoe's disappearance to his master, but at this moment his eyes suddenly found a man dressed like a servant, but his face was obviously a master Ge Si, the servant.It turned out that the disguised pig-herder was extremely anxious about his master's fate because of his sudden disappearance, and searched everywhere, so that he neglected the disguise that was directly related to his own safety.Oswald believed that Ge Si was an absconded slave, and it was his responsibility to catch him. As for how to punish him, that was the master's business.

The cupbearer again began to inquire about Ivanhoe's whereabouts, but all the information gathered from the bystanders was that the knight was carefully lifted by some gorgeously dressed servants and placed on a stretcher under the command of a lady. , Immediately lifted out of the crowded crowd.When Oswald got the news, he decided to immediately report back to his master for further instructions; he took Ge Si with him as a fugitive from the Cedric family. The Saxon was anxious and preoccupied with his son, and that was nature at work, even though the firm will to exterminate the kin could not deny it.But as soon as he learned that Ivanhoe had been well, perhaps amicably, cared for, the paternal love aroused by fear for his fate was replaced again by the anger of wounded pride, thinking that this was what he said The crime of disobedience and unfilial piety of Wilfred deserved the result. He was homeless because of his own fault. He said, why did he sacrifice his life, let someone heal his wounds.He is only worthy to follow the Norman knights to run around and play tricks, not to take up our swords and battle axes to avenge the shame of the motherland and fight for the prestige and honor of the British ancestors.

To preserve the honor of the ancestors, said Rowena, who happened to be there, it was enough to be clever, to act boldly, to be braver than all men, to be nobler than all men, but I have not heard of anyone but his father Pass Be quiet, Miss Rowena!Only in this matter, I can't listen to you.Get dressed and get ready for the prince's banquet; we are invited.It is an extraordinary honor and decency, which the haughty Normans have seldom treated us since the defeat of Hastings.I must attend, and at least I will show the defiant Normans that even a son who defeats their bravest man, his fate cannot affect me, a Saxon.

But I don't want to participate, Rowena said, and I have to remind you, don't let your so-called bravery and firmness become ruthless in the eyes of others. Then you stay at home, ungrateful lady, replied Cedric, you are the hard-hearted one who would rather sacrifice the interests of an oppressed people than give up wishful, self-assertive love.I will go to noble Athelstan, and join him at the feast of John of Anjou. . He thus attended the feast, of which some of the most important events have been recounted.Immediately after the two Saxon landowners left the castle, they rode away with their entourage.It was during the hectic moment of their departure that Cedric first spotted the fugitive slave Gorfour.We know that the Saxon nobleman left the feast in such a state of uneasiness that he would have vented his anger on anyone if he could find an excuse, handcuffs!He said, handcuffs!Oswald, Henderbert!You bastards, you bastards!Why not handcuff this rascal?

Ge Si's companions did not dare to object, so they had to tie him up with a rein, which was the most readily available rope at that time.He didn't resist and let them tie him up, but he gave his master a condemning look and said: This is for loving your own flesh and blood more than loving myself. Get on the horse and go!Cedric said. We must go quickly indeed, said the noble Athelstan, or hurry up, and all the supper that Elder Volsioff prepared for us will be scrapped. But the travelers made haste, and at last reached the Abbey of Saint-Vysolt before what they feared could happen.The elder was also from a prominent Saxon family. According to the custom of his nation, he prepared rich and exquisite dishes for the two Saxon nobles, and let them eat until late at night, or rather early in the morning; They had another hearty breakfast before taking their leave of the elders.

As the party came out of the monastery yard, an incident happened which the Saxons regarded as an ominous omen, for the Saxons are the most superstitious of omens of all the nations of Europe, and about such ideas are mostly found in our folklore. can still be found.The Normans were a motley people, well-informed by the standards of their time, and many of the superstitions their ancestors brought from Scandinavia had long since been discarded by them, so in matters of this kind In fact, their minds are more open-minded. On the present occasion the sense of doom was brought about by an unseemly prophet, a large, thin black dog, which sat upright on the ground, and howled as the knights before him came out of the gate. , screaming so miserably, after they passed by, they barked furiously, jumped up and down, and refused to leave the group no matter what.

I don't like this music, Uncle Cedric.Athelstein said he was used to calling him that honorific. I don't like it either, old man, Wang Ba said, I'm afraid, I'm afraid we'll have to pay for the road. As I see it, said Athelstein, he was still thinking of the elder's wine when Burton ] is already famous for this delicious ale and it has left an unforgettable impression on him. In my opinion, we'd better go back and stay with the elder until the afternoon.If you meet a monk, a rabbit, or a dog howling at you on the road, it is not suitable to travel, it is better to eat a meal before starting.

go!Cedric said impatiently that the day was too short for us to be in time.As for the dog, I recognize it. It is the dog of the fugitive Nuge Si, and like its master, it is also a runaway bastard. He said so.Stamping on his pedals, he straightened himself up, and threw his dart furiously at the dog that interfered with his journey. It was indeed poor Fance, who had been following his master who had gone out secretly, and followed him wherever he went. Wherever he went, he ran here later, but lost his trace. Now that he is found again, he can't help expressing his joy in this uncivilized way.The pike grazed the animal's shoulder and scratched its flesh, but fortunately it did not pin it to the ground: Fance ran away screaming in front of the angry owner.Ge Si was so angry that his stomach was about to burst, thinking that this was a deliberate murder of his loyal followers, and the crime was much more serious than the rough treatment he himself received.He wanted to wipe his eyes with his hand, but he couldn't lift it up. At this moment, Wang Ba retreated to avoid his master's anger, so Ge ​​Si said to him, "I beg you to do me a favor. Wipe my eyes with your lapel." ;I got sand in my eyes, but these ropes bound me so tightly that I couldn't move.

Wang Ba complied with his request, and they rode side by side for a while; at this time, Ge Si was depressed and silent.At last he could bear it no longer. Brother Wang Ba, he said, all fools work for Cedric, and you are the only one who is smart enough to make him accept your nonsense.So please go find him and tell him that I, Ge Si, neither love him nor be afraid of him, and will not work for him all the time.He can decapitate me, whip me, and put me in chains, but he will never want me to love him or obey him.Go and tell him Beowulf's son Gerd will no longer be his slave. Let me tell you, Wang Ba said, even though I am a fool, I will not spread such silly words to you.Cedric still had a spear in his belt, and you know he doesn't miss every shot.

I don't care when he takes me as his target, Ge Si replied, yesterday he left my young master and let him lie in a pool of blood.Today he tried to kill another partner of mine in front of my face again.The only friend who treats me dearly.I swear by St. Edmund, St. Dunstan, St. Wysselt, St. Edward the Confessor, and every Saxon saint in the almanac (as Cedric never swears to a saint who is not of Saxon blood, so his family swears There are such limitations at the time), I will never forgive him! But in my opinion, said the funny man, he always likes to be a peacemaker in the family, and our master didn't really want to hurt Fance, but just to frighten him.If you pay attention, you will see that, straightening up from the pedals, he is deliberately throwing the spear over the target, which could have been done, but Fance jumped forward at this moment, and it was wiped instead. The skin is broken, I promise, it will be fine if you apply tar to this wound. As long as I can, I would like to think so, Ge Si said, but I can't, I saw that the spear was aimed and thrown.I heard it hiss through the air, and he threw it viciously with hatred; and when it hit the ground it was still quivering, as if resentful that it had missed.By the pig that St. Anthony loved, I'll never work for him again! The angry pig-herd was sullen and kept silent. No matter what the clown tried, he couldn't make him speak again. At this time, Cedric and Athelstan led the group, talking about state affairs, the disintegration of the royal family, and open and secret struggles among the Norman nobles; they believed that the oppressed Saxons could take advantage of this opportunity to To throw off the yoke of the Normans, at least in the face of impending upheavals, to advance their national status and democratic rights.This was one of the things that lifted Cedric's spirits, for the restoration of the independence of the Saxon nation was the object of his heart, and it was for it that he was willing to sacrifice the happiness of his family and the interests of his son.But to accomplish this great change, and to protect the rights of Britain's own people, they must unite and act in unity under one recognized leader.This chief must be chosen from among the members of the Saxon royal family, which is not only obvious, but also a solemn condition unanimously agreed to by those who share Cedric's hope and discuss this secret plan together.Athelstan at least has this qualification. Although he lacks lofty ambitions and is not capable enough to be a leader, he is still a suitable candidate. He is not a coward. The guidance of people with lofty ideals.Above all he was known to be generous and hospitable, and believed to be a gentle and honest man.But whatever merit Athelstan might have had at the head of the Saxon League, many of them thought that Miss Rowena, whose blood could be traced back to King Alfred the Great, and whose father had A minister known for his wisdom, bravery, and generosity, he enjoyed great popularity among his oppressed countrymen. Cedric could also be the leader of the third faction if he wanted to, it wouldn't be difficult, and it would be at least as powerful as the other factions.Although he was not of royal birth, his bravery, mobility, energy, and above all his unswerving devotion to the cause of restoration are what earned him the nickname of a Saxon. Yes, and besides Athelstan and his adopted daughter, his status is no lower than anyone else.But those qualities contained no notion of selfishness, and it was not Cedric's desire to form a third power, to further weaken an already weakened nation. On the contrary, the first part of his plan was to promote Rowena and Art A combination of Erstein and the elimination of differences that already existed.Thus, the mutual attachment of his adoptive daughter and son became an obstacle to his beloved plan, which was the fundamental reason why he wanted to drive Wilfred out of the house. Cedric took this drastic measure in the hope that Rowena might forget Wilfred and forget him while he was away, but this hope was not fulfilled, perhaps because of the upbringing his adopted daughter had received from her childhood. related to the way.To Cedric, Alfred was nothing more than the incarnation of God, the only descendant left by that great monarch, in his eyes he was supreme, and he respected her almost more than a formal princess.Rowena's will was law to his family in almost all cases; he seemed to have resolved, at least in his inner circle, that she would be a recognized queen, and that he himself was only her first minister, and he was proud of it.So brought up, Rowena had the full exercise not only of her free will, but of dictatorship; and now any attempt to control her feelings, or to govern her marriage against her will, was due to her early Parenting styles that have been resisted or rebelled against.What's more, even women who have been educated in the three obediences and four virtues since childhood will often disobey the orders of their parents or protectors, so Rowenna naturally insists on her right to autonomy.As long as she thought she was right, she would admit it openly, without fear.Cedric, who had always respected her will, was still unable to shake off this habit, and was therefore at a loss as to how to carry out the guardian's power. He tried in vain to win her heart with the prospect of a throne.Rowena had the good sense to see his plan as impractical and unnecessary, and in her view, impossible to succeed.Her devotion to Wilfred of Ivanhoe, which she did not wish to hide, openly declared that if she could not be united with her beloved knight, she would rather enter a monastery than ascend to the throne with Athelstan; She had always looked down on him, and now that he had caused her such trouble, she found him very annoying. However, in Cedric's view, it is impossible for women's views to remain unchanged, so he insisted on using all means at his disposal to make the marriage he wanted a reality; he believed that this was his contribution to the cause of the Saxon nation a great contribution.No wonder that the unexpected appearance of his son at the Ashby Tournament seemed to him a fatal blow to his hopes.It is true that for a time his paternal affections prevailed over his pride and patriotism; but both re-emerged with irresistible force, and their combined effect made him determined that Art must be brought about. The union of Erstein and Rowena; and so he thought, with other necessary measures carried out, the restoration of the independence of the Saxon nation would be within reach. Now he is trying to convince Athelstan for the latter matter. He often has secret worries about this person. He seems to feel that he is a bit like Hotspur. Characters in "Four Worlds Part One". ], is mobilizing a wimp to participate in a glorious feat.It is true that Athelstan is pompous and flattered, and flatters himself when anyone speaks of his noble birth, his claim to the supreme sovereign; He was content with a few compliments from people and some of the Saxons who approached him.If he had the courage to face the danger, then at least he didn't want to ask for trouble and burn himself.He certainly agrees with some of Cedric's propositions on the independence of the Saxons, and he is even more convinced of the right to rule that he should enjoy after independence, but he is still hesitant when discussing the ways to realize these rights The Athelstan is listless, indecisive, full of worries, and has no ambitions.Cedric's impassioned exhortations had little effect on his depressed mood, like a red-hot iron ball falling into the water, giving off a puff of smoke and some hissing, and then extinguished. Cedric's earnest words were just like kicking a tired horse with spurs, or hitting a piece of cold iron with a hammer, so he had to retreat to his adopted daughter and discuss with Rowena, but in the end he was only making fun of himself.It turned out that the lady was talking about Wilfred's martial arts and fate with her confidant maid, and Cedric's interruption made her unhappy, and Elgisa deliberately dragged the conversation to The ugly sight of Athelstan being knocked off his horse in the tournament ring was the last thing Cedric's ears wanted to hear.Because of this, the day's journey was not at all smooth for the tough Saxon.Troubles were everywhere; and in his mind he cursed the tourney and its master, and cursed himself for going there on a whim. At noon, at Athelstan's suggestion, the travelers rested in the shade of a tree by the spring in the wood, gave their horses a rest, and allowed themselves something to eat, for the food which the generous elder had given them was packed with food. It was full of a pack mule.This snack took a long time; after a few pauses, they had to pick up the pace and could no longer linger as before, since they could not expect to get Rotherwood unless they traveled all night.