Chapter 29 Chapter Twenty Nine

Brave warrior, mount the watchtower yonder, See what's going on in the field and tell me how the battle is going. Schiller: The Girl of Orleans [Note: Schiller's script describes the story of the French heroine Joan of Arc fighting against the British army during the Hundred Years' War between Britain and France. 】 Dangerous moments are often also moments of openness and sincerity.Anxiety of mood makes us cast aside our scruples and reveal our true feelings, but in calmer times a prudent mind conceals them, if not quite kills them.Rebecca was surprised and incomprehensible when she was again at Ivanhoe's sickbed and found herself so happy in spite of the danger, if not despair, of their situation.When she took his pulse and inquired about his condition, her attitude and tone were so gentle, containing a kind of affection that she herself did not want to admit frankly.She hesitated and her hands trembled, but Ivanhoe asked coldly, is this you, kind girl?Only then did it wake her up and remind her that the feeling she was aware of was not and could not be common to each other.She uttered a sigh, but it was almost inaudible; when she inquired about his condition, the tone of her voice became calm, and it was only a sign of friendship.Ivanhoe hurriedly replied that in terms of health, he felt very good, even better than he expected, and finally said: Thank you, dear Rebecca, your medical skills have helped me a lot.

He called me my dear Rebecca, the girl thought, but her tone was so cold and inattentive that it didn't fit the title.In his eyes, his war horse, his hounds, were more lovable than a mean Jewish girl. Kind girl, Ivanhoe continued, the main thing I can't stand now is the irritability, not the physical pain.I knew from the conversation of the two men who had guarded me just now that I was a prisoner; inside his castle.If so, what will happen, how can I protect Rowena and my father? He didn't think of Jews or Jewish girls, Rebecca murmured again, we are nothing to him, and I think of him all the time, what a sin, God's punishment!After this simple reproach to herself, she told Ivanhoe what she knew, which was nothing more than: Templar BrienneThe castle, where Bois-guibert and General Buffalo were leading the battle, was besieged, but by whom, she did not know.Then she said that a Christian priest had come to the castle, and he probably knew better.

A Christian priest!Said the knight, very excited, Rebecca, please think of a way to get him.You just tell him that there is a patient who needs him to pray for the soul. You can say whatever you want, but you must bring him; there are some things I should do, or make arrangements in advance, but I don’t know the outside situation, how can I decide? ? Rebecca complied with Ivanhoe's request, and went to Cedric, with the intention of bringing him to the wounded; I am also looking for opportunities to stop that fake priest.Rebecca had to go back to Ivanhoe and tell him that the mission was not completed.

After failing to inquire about the news, they had no time to regret or think of other ways, because the noise in the castle had been going on for defense preparations, and now it was ten times louder. It seemed that everyone was busy making arrangements, running and shouting.The heavy and hasty footsteps of the soldiers came and went on the tower, and they were also in the narrow and winding passages leading to various bunkers and defense points, or on the stairs. Their orders were often lost in the clang of armor, or the shouts of those who received them.This variety of tumult was all the more thrilling by its foreshadowing of dreadful events, but it also contained a solemnity, which Rebecca's elevated heart felt even in this terrible hour.Although her cheeks had lost the color, her eyes were so bright. She was both afraid and excited for this solemn moment, and she repeated the sentences in the scriptures over and over again, as if she was muttering to herself or whispering to her. Companions listen: quiver rattling Spears and shields gleaming Chiefs yelling and shouting!

Ivanhoe, too, is like the warhorse in this solemn passage, restless at his own impotence, eager to throw himself immediately into the fight these noises herald, and if I could move, he said, to that window, Then I could see how this brave struggle might play out!If only I could take the bow and shoot an arrow, or swing the battle-axe, and save our lives, that would be fine!But this is all wishful thinking. I have neither strength nor weapons! Don't torture yourself, noble knight, replied Rebecca, and the shouting stopped suddenly, perhaps they stopped fighting. You don't understand at all, said Wilfred anxiously, the silence just shows that everyone is in position on the wall, waiting for the attack to start at any moment.All we hear is the howling of the storm in the distance, but it could come at once and turn into a storm.I really want to look at the window over there!

You are only doing yourself a disservice, noble knight.replied his nurse.Seeing how anxious he was, she said firmly: Let me stand in front of the lattice window and tell you what happened outside. Don't do this, don't do it!Every window, every hole, Ivanhoe cried, will soon be a target for archers; I'm not afraid!murmured Rebecca, and went at once with firm steps towards the latticed window of which they spoke, and up two or three stone steps. Rebecca Dear Rebecca!Ivanhoe shouted, "This is not a girl's game; don't take any chances, it may cause casualties, and if anything happens, I will regret it for the rest of my life; At least use that old shield to block it and try not to expose yourself in front of the lattice window." .

With uncanny dexterity, Rebecca, following Ivanhoe's instructions, covered the lower half of the window with a large old shield so that she could both use it for protection and hide behind it, spying on the castle outside. Events, reporting to Ivanhoe on various deployments made by the siege forces.Indeed, her position at this time was particularly advantageous for this purpose, for the angle she formed with the keep gave her a view not only of the area surrounding the castle, but also of the fortifications which might have been the first object of attack. within her line of sight.This outer watchtower is not too high or too big, and its function is only to protect the side gate of the castle, which is the gate where General Bullface sent Cedric away recently.This kind of watchtower is separated from the main castle by the moat of the castle. In case it is captured, a temporary drawbridge can be pulled up at any time to cut off the traffic between it and the main building.The watchtower has an attack opening, which is in line with the side gate of the castle, and a solid wooden fence is built around the entire small building.From the number of people stationed at this stronghold, it is not difficult for Rebecca to find that the defenders are more worried about its safety; the attackers are almost assembled at a place far away from the fortifications. From this point of view, it is clear that it has been selected. For the breakthrough of the attack.

She quickly notified Ivanhoe of these phenomena, and told him that archers were deployed on the edge of the woods, although there were not many people exposed outside the shade of the trees. What flag is it flying?Ivanhoe asked. I don't see any flags.Rebecca replied. It is so strange, the knight muttered, to attack such a castle, but there is no flag, no banner!Do you see the man directing this operation? It was a knight, very visible in a black helmet and armor, the Jewish girl said, and he alone was fully armed from head to toe, so that it was evident that he directed the whole operation.

What coat of arms is painted on his shield?Ivanhoe asked. It looks like an iron bar is drawn on a black shield, and a blue padlock. Those are light blue handcuffs and fetters, Ivanhoe said, I don't know who will use this kind of coat of arms, but it is somewhat similar to my current situation.Can you see its inscription? At such a distance, even the pattern is not very clear, Rebecca replied, because the sun was shining directly on the shield just now, I saw some patterns and told you. So no other leaders?the knight asked anxiously again. From my position, I can't see anyone else with a distinctive mark, said Rebecca, but it's clear that the attack is also pointing to the other side of the castle.They seem to be ready to charge Sion at any moment, God bless us!What a sight!Those who rushed in the front held huge shields in their hands, with wooden planks for defense on their heads; those who followed advanced with bows.They lifted up, O God of Moses, forgive the human race that you have created!

At this moment, her description was suddenly interrupted by the sound of the attacking trumpet, which was a shrill horn; and the Normans immediately blew the bugle from the tower, which was a defiance of the enemy's attack. , which is also mixed with a dull thud, a sound made by a bronze drum.The shouts of both sides magnified the terrible sound, and the attacking side shouted: Long live St. George, long live merry England!Depending on the commander, some of the Normans shouted: Kill, De Blasey is here!Some shouted: Long live the black and white flag!Long live the black and white flag!Some shouted: General Niu Mian came to support!

However, it was not shouting that decided the outcome. A fierce attack was launched outside the city, and the besieged castle also launched an equally fierce resistance.The archers were well-trained in hunting activities in the forest, and now they took advantage of the strong advantages of the bow and crossbow. To use the appropriate saying at the time, it could be said that the arrows rained down. Arrow hit.This intensive shooting was fierce and continuous. Each arrow had its own target, and dozens of arrows shot at every hole or hole in the breast wall at the same time, and shot at every window, no matter whether there was anyone guarding there, Anyone who could be found was shot, and two or three of the guards were killed, and a few were wounded.However, the subordinates of General Niu Mian and his two companions, relying on their armor and the cover of the city wall, performed quite tenaciously in defense, almost on par with the attackers.They used strong bows and crossbows, catapults and various shooting weapons to answer the opponent's dense flying arrows.Since the attackers lacked the necessary cover, their casualties were far greater than those they inflicted.The whistling of arrows and projectiles ceased for a moment only when the screams were caused by a heavy loss to one of the parties. I can only lie here, like a bedridden monk, cried Ivanhoe. This is a life-and-death battle for me, and there is nothing I can do. Others have to fight it!Kind girl, please look out of the window again, but be careful not to let the archers below be the target of shooting.Please look around again to see if they are still attacking. After this period of mental preparation, Rebecca put her life and death aside, walked firmly to the lattice window again, but hid her body to one side so that the people below would not find out. Rebecca, what did you see?The wounded knight asked again. I could see nothing but a mass of flying arrows, which dazzled my eyes, and even the archers couldn't see them. This would not work, Ivanhoe said, if they could not attack the castle with great strength, the stone walls and the fortress could not be broken by archery alone.Look for the knight with shackles on the shield, the beautiful Rebecca, and see what he is doing, because what the leader does, his subordinates do too. I didn't see him.Rebecca said. Shameless coward!Ivanhoe exclaimed, did the helmsman leave his post when the storm came? He didn't leave, didn't leave!Rebecca replied, I see him now, approaching the barrier fence outside the watchtower with a small party.They were pulling up stakes and fences, and hacking down barrier fences with axes.His tall black plume fluttered over the heads like a crow over a field of corpses.They made a gap in the fence and they rushed in and pushed it back in!General Niu Mian led a group of soldiers to guard there, and I saw his tall body in the dense crowd.They rushed to the gap again, and the two sides fought hand-to-hand, one against the other for the passage.O God of Jacob!This is two violent tides fighting against each other! She turned her head away from the window, as if she dared not look at this terrible scene any more. Look out again, Rebecca, said Ivanhoe, misunderstood the reason for her turning around, probably not shooting many arrows now, because the two sides are already engaged in hand-to-hand combat.Look again, the danger is not so great now. Rebecca looked out again, and immediately exclaimed: Holy Prophet!The bull-faced general and the black-armored knight were fighting in the gap, and their subordinates were cheering and watching the progress of the fight.God, save the oppressed and imprisoned!Then she let out a scream and yelled: "He fell!"He fell! Who fell?Ivanhoe exclaimed, for God's sake, tell me who fell! Black Knight, Rebecca replied, a little discouraged, but then shouted happily, no no no!Glory to the Lord of hosts!He rose to fight again, and he seemed to have the strength of twenty men in one arm.His sword broke. He snatched a tomahawk from a farmer, and he swung it constantly, driving the bull-faced general backward.The big man bent over, unable to stand still, like an oak tree that has been chopped down by the woodcutter, he fell, he fell! General Beef Noodle?Evanhoe yelled. Yes, General Buffalo, replied the Jewish girl, and his men are coming to his rescue, and the arrogant Templars are ahead, and there are so many of them that the brave man has to stop.They took General Buffalo and carried him into the castle. The attackers have taken down the barrier fence, haven't they?Ivanhoe asked. Take it, take it!cried Rebecca, they were already attacking the towers of the barracks; some were building ladders, others were swarming up, trying desperately to climb up the towers on each other's shoulders; stones, logs, and tree trunks were falling on top of them , The wounded were immediately sent to the rear, and the newcomers took their place in the attack.Great God!You have given your own image to mankind, why are they so cruel and want to destroy their own brothers! Don't think about it that way, Ivanhoe said, there's no time to think about it now.Who retreated?Who is moving forward? The ladder is overturned, replied Rebecca, trembling, and the warriors sprawled on the ground like crushed reptiles.The defenders had the upper hand. St. George, help us!Cried the knight, Peasants of no use, have they retreated? No!Rebecca answered loudly, and they acted heroically.The knight in black armor approached the small door with his great axe; he slammed the door so loudly that it could still be heard amidst the shouts of killing.Stones and logs hit the warrior like a hailstorm, but he ignored them, thinking they were wings or chicken feathers! "By St. John of Acre," said Ivanhoe, lifting himself from his sickbed with excitement, "I dare say there is only one man in England who can fight like that!" The little door shook, continued Rebecca, and it fell to pieces with his ax and they rushed in and the bunker was taken.Ah, God!They threw the guards off the towers and into the ditch.Humans, if you are really human, let them be spared, they can no longer resist! The drawbridge, the drawbridge to the castle, did they take it?Evanhoe asked aloud. No, replied Rebecca, the Templars wrecked the bridge as soon as they crossed it; only a few guards fled into the castle with him, and the screams and shouts you hear speak for the others. destiny.Ouch!It seems to me that it is still very difficult to win the battle. Girl, what are they doing now?Ivanhoe asked, looking outside to see that now is not the time to be afraid of bleeding. The attack was temporarily suspended, replied Rebecca, and our friends had taken the bunker and were resting.This is a very good hideout. Although the defenders are still shooting at them intermittently, they can't really hurt them, they can only play a role in harassment. The battle has achieved such a glorious result, such a gratifying result, that our friends will not give up halfway, said Wilfred, never!I believe in the fine knight, whose ax can cut through hazels and bars.Only he has this ability, he muttered again as if talking to himself, I dare say that there is no other person with such courage and strength!A pair of handcuffs, a pair of fetters on a black background What could that mean?Rebecca, don't you see any other signs of the black knight? No, answered the Jewish girl, for he was as black as a nocturnal raven.I don't see any other marks on him; but I think I'll recognize him even in the midst of a host of horses, if only I see him in the way he's fighting.He was as indifferent to the charge as if it were a party.He had more than strength, and it seemed that the warrior had put all his heart and energy into every blow he struck the enemy.God forgive him, don't count his murder!To see how one man, by strength of arms and courage, can overcome hundreds of men, is terrible, but also magnificent. Rebecca, said Ivanhoe, you paint a picture of a hero; no doubt they were just resting to gather strength to cross the ditch.Under the leadership of such a knight as you speak, there is no retreat, no hesitation, no valiant battle lost, for difficulty makes it honorable as much as it is difficult.I swear by the honor of my family, by my glorious lover, I can endure ten years of imprisonment, as long as I can fight side by side with that outstanding knight one day and win! well!Rebecca turned away from the window, and approaching the couch of the wounded, said, This intolerable longing for action, this resentment of being helpless in your present state of weakness, must have a detrimental effect on your recovery.How can you expect to injure someone else until your own injury is healed? Rebecca, he answered, you do not know that it is impossible for a soldier, brought up in the spirit of chivalry, to stand by like a priest or a woman, while all around him are engaged in honorable work.The love of battle is the food we live on, and the dust of the battlefield is the indispensable breath in our nostrils!We have no life, nor do we wish to, but victories and honours.Ladies, these are the codes of chivalry we swear to obey, and to them we must give our all. Ouch!What is this, brave knight, said the beautiful Jewess, to give his life to the devil of vanity, to burn his life in the flames of war, to Molech? The god of the Ammonites, to whom burnt children must be sacrificed. 】?What can your career give you but blood, toil and pain, and tears?When death breaks the spear of the strong warrior, and the swift steed falls, what does it leave him? What to leave him?Ivanhoe yelled, honour, girl honour!It can grace our graves and immortalize our names. honor!Rebecca continued, alas!Shall it be your reward to hang rusty armor like a coat of arms on the desolate and desolate graves of brave men, and wear out inscriptions that even ignorant monks cannot read before the questioning traveler?Is it for these reasons to sacrifice all good feelings and create grief for one's own life and for others' lives?Besides, are the vulgar verses of a vagabond singer really so valuable that a man should throw away all the warmth of family, the true family affection, and the harmony and happiness of life for them?Is the purpose of life merely to be the hero of those ballads, that wandering troubadours sing them at night to boozing bumpkins? By the spirit of Hereward!The knight replied impatiently, girl, you are talking about things you don't understand at all.Thou wilt stifle the pure splendor of chivalry, which alone is the sign that distinguishes nobility from baseness, gentle knight from brutish yokel; it values ​​our honor a thousand times more than our lives, and it Enables us to overcome pain, difficulty and suffering, it teaches us not to fear evil but only loss of honor.You are not a Christian, Rebecca, and you cannot understand these noble sentiments; and when a man dies to earn his honour, only his noble lover can understand him, and encourage him in full swing.knightship!Yes, maiden, it is the nurse of pure and noble feelings, the savior of the oppressed, the messenger of justice, and the roadblock of despotism and violence.Without it, nobility is but name, and liberty only exists while it is guarded by its lance and sword. The nation of which I was born has done valor, indeed, in the defense of its own country, said Rebecca, but even when it existed as a whole nation, except in obedience to God's command, or in defense of the country from oppression, It doesn't want to fight.Now the sound of the bugle can no longer wake up the descendants of the Jewish kingdom. ], its sons and daughters were abused, victims of hatred and military repression.Sir, you are quite right, when the God of Jacob sent a second Gideon for his chosen people . ], or the new Maccabees [Note: After the fall of the Jewish Kingdom, the military leader who led the Jews to resist foreign oppression. ] Once upon a time, a Jewish girl was no longer fit to talk about war or honor. In the end, this noble girl said this in a sentimental tone, which showed that she was deeply aware of the humiliating position of her nation. Perhaps, Ivanhoe's point of view also made her feel wronged, because he thought she was not worthy of the honor. It is impossible to have a noble feeling for honor or generosity. How little he understands my heart, she said to herself, when I criticize the fantastic chivalry of the Nazarenes, and he thinks there is nothing but cowardice or baseness in me!In fact, as long as I can save the descendants of the Jews from humiliation, even if my blood is shed drop by drop, I am willing to do so!Yes, I would sacrifice anything if God would free my father, and his benefactor, from the chains of his oppressors!Then the proud Christian will see if this daughter of God's elect is afraid of death, and is as brave as that girl of Nazareth, though I am not so pompous and boastful Descendant of some minor chieftain in the frozen north! Then she glanced at the couch of the wounded knight. He fell asleep, she said, exhausted by the torment and exhaustion of his energy, and the first moment of relaxation drove him to sleep.oops!Is it a crime that I see him this way, even though it may be the last time?See, even in sleep, those heroic and light emotions did not leave his face, but a moment later, perhaps, they would never appear again on this beautiful visage!His nostrils will become swollen, his mouth will open, his eyes will be dull and bloodshot, and the meanest servant in this damned castle can trample the proud and noble knight with his feet, lift his heels and kick him, and he will not move. !And my father!Ah, my father!How sinful your daughter is to forget your pale hair for the fair curls of youth!I am a child who has lost his conscience, and he regards the imprisoned foreigners more than his father. Maybe my sin is the manifestation of Jehovah's wrath upon me?I forgot the calamity of the Jewish nation, but fixed my eyes on the beautiful face of a Gentile and alien!I must get this stupid idea out of my mind, even if it makes every nerve unbearable! Closing her face tightly with the veil, she sat down away from the sickbed, with her back to it, making up her mind, or trying to make up her mind, not only against the evil that threatened her from outside assailing her, but also against the evil feelings Corrode her from the inside.