第 16 节
作者:点绛唇      更新:2021-02-21 15:06      字数:9322
  r; you  will not abandon my child; will you?〃
  Theodore; shedding tears over his victim; and vowing to guard the  Princess at the expense of his life; persuaded Frederic to suffer  himself to be conducted to the castle。  They placed him on a horse  belonging to one of the domestics; after binding up his wounds as well  as they were able。  Theodore marched by his side; and the afflicted  Isabella; who could not bear to quit him; followed mournfully behind。
  CHAPTER IV。
  THE sorrowful troop no sooner arrived at the castle; than they were  met by Hippolita and Matilda; whom Isabella had sent one of the  domestics before to advertise of their approach。  The ladies causing  Frederic to be conveyed into the nearest chamber; retired; while the  surgeons examined his wounds。  Matilda blushed at seeing Theodore and  Isabella together; but endeavoured to conceal it by embracing the  latter; and condoling with her on her father's mischance。  The  surgeons soon came to acquaint Hippolita that none of the Marquis's  wounds were dangerous; and that he was desirous of seeing his daughter  and the Princesses。
  Theodore; under pretence of expressing his joy at being freed from his  apprehensions of the combat being fatal to Frederic; could not resist  the impulse of following Matilda。  Her eyes were so often cast down on  meeting his; that Isabella; who regarded Theodore as attentively as he  gazed on Matilda; soon divined who the object was that he had told her  in the cave engaged his affections。  While this mute scene passed;  Hippolita demanded of Frederic the cause of his having taken that  mysterious course for reclaiming his daughter; and threw in various  apologies to excuse her Lord for the match contracted between their  children。
  Frederic; however incensed against Manfred; was not insensible to the  courtesy and benevolence of Hippolita:  but he was still more struck  with the lovely form of Matilda。  Wishing to detain them by his  bedside; he informed Hippolita of his story。  He told her that; while  prisoner to the infidels; he had dreamed that his daughter; of whom he  had learned no news since his captivity; was detained in a castle;  where she was in danger of the most dreadful misfortunes:  and that if  he obtained his liberty; and repaired to a wood near Joppa; he would  learn more。  Alarmed at this dream; and incapable of obeying the  direction given by it; his chains became more grievous than ever。  But  while his thoughts were occupied on the means of obtaining his  liberty; he received the agreeable news that the confederate Princes  who were warring in Palestine had paid his ransom。  He instantly set  out for the wood that had been marked in his dream。
  For three days he and his attendants had wandered in the forest  without seeing a human form:  but on the evening of the third they  came to a cell; in which they found a venerable hermit in the agonies  of death。  Applying rich cordials; they brought the fainting man to  his speech。
  〃My sons;〃 said he; 〃I am bounden to your charity … but it is in vain  … I am going to my eternal rest … yet I die with the satisfaction of  performing the will of heaven。  When first I repaired to this  solitude; after seeing my country become a prey to unbelievers … it is  alas! above fifty years since I was witness to that dreadful scene!   St。 Nicholas appeared to me; and revealed a secret; which he bade me  never disclose to mortal man; but on my death…bed。  This is that  tremendous hour; and ye are no doubt the chosen warriors to whom I was  ordered to reveal my trust。  As soon as ye have done the last offices  to this wretched corse; dig under the seventh tree on the left hand of  this poor cave; and your pains will … Oh! good heaven receive my  soul!〃  With those words the devout man breathed his last。
  〃By break of day;〃 continued Frederic; 〃when we had committed the holy  relics to earth; we dug according to direction。  But what was our  astonishment when about the depth of six feet we discovered an  enormous sabre … the very weapon yonder in the court。  On the blade;  which was then partly out of the scabbard; though since closed by our  efforts in removing it; were written the following lines … no; excuse  me; Madam;〃 added the Marquis; turning to Hippolita; 〃if I forbear to  repeat them:  I respect your sex and rank; and would not be guilty of  offending your ear with sounds injurious to aught that is dear to  you。〃
  He paused。  Hippolita trembled。  She did not doubt but Frederic was  destined by heaven to accomplish the fate that seemed to threaten her  house。  Looking with anxious fondness at Matilda; a silent tear stole  down her cheek:  but recollecting herself; she said …
  〃Proceed; my Lord; heaven does nothing in vain; mortals must receive  its divine behests with lowliness and submission。  It is our part to  deprecate its wrath; or bow to its decrees。  Repeat the sentence; my  Lord; we listen resigned。〃
  Frederic was grieved that he had proceeded so far。  The dignity and  patient firmness of Hippolita penetrated him with respect; and the  tender silent affection with which the Princess and her daughter  regarded each other; melted him almost to tears。  Yet apprehensive  that his forbearance to obey would be more alarming; he repeated in a  faltering and low voice the following lines:
  〃Where'er a casque that suits this sword is found; With perils is thy daughter compass'd round; ALFONSO'S blood alone can save the maid; And quiet a long restless Prince's shade。〃
  〃What is there in these lines;〃 said Theodore impatiently; 〃that  affects these Princesses?  Why were they to be shocked by a mysterious  delicacy; that has so little foundation?〃
  〃Your words are rude; young man;〃 said the Marquis; 〃and though  fortune has favoured you once … 〃
  〃My honoured Lord;〃 said Isabella; who resented Theodore's warmth;  which she perceived was dictated by his sentiments for Matilda;  〃discompose not yourself for the glosing of a peasant's son:  he  forgets the reverence he owes you; but he is not accustomed … 〃
  Hippolita; concerned at the heat that had arisen; checked Theodore for  his boldness; but with an air acknowledging his zeal; and changing the  conversation; demanded of Frederic where he had left her Lord?  As the  Marquis was going to reply; they heard a noise without; and rising to  inquire the cause; Manfred; Jerome; and part of the troop; who had met  an imperfect rumour of what had happened; entered the chamber。   Manfred advanced hastily towards Frederic's bed to condole with him on  his misfortune; and to learn the circumstances of the combat; when  starting in an agony of terror and amazement; he cried …
  〃Ha! what art thou? thou dreadful spectre! is my hour come?〃
  〃My dearest; gracious Lord;〃 cried Hippolita; clasping him in her  arms; 〃what is it you see!  Why do you fix your eye…balls thus?〃
  〃What!〃 cried Manfred breathless; 〃dost thou see nothing; Hippolita?   Is this ghastly phantom sent to me alone … to rue; who did not … 〃
  〃For mercy's sweetest self; my Lord;〃 said Hippolita; 〃resume your  soul; command your reason。  There is none here; but us; your friends。〃
  〃What; is not that Alfonso?〃 cried Manfred。  〃Dost thou not see him?  can it be my brain's delirium?〃
  〃This! my Lord;〃 said Hippolita; 〃this is Theodore; the youth who has  been so unfortunate。〃
  〃Theodore!〃 said Manfred mournfully; and striking his forehead;  〃Theodore or a phantom; he has unhinged the soul of Manfred。  But how  comes he here? and how comes he in armour?〃
  〃I believe he went in search of Isabella;〃 said Hippolita。
  〃Of Isabella!〃 said Manfred; relapsing into rage; 〃yes; yes; that is  not doubtful …。  But how did he escape from durance in which I left  him?  Was it Isabella; or this hypocritical old Friar; that procured  his enlargement?〃
  〃And would a parent be criminal; my Lord;〃 said Theodore; 〃if he  meditated the deliverance of his child?〃
  Jerome; amazed to hear himself in a manner accused by his son; and  without foundation; knew not what to think。  He could not comprehend  how Theodore had escaped; how he came to be armed; and to encounter  Frederic。  Still he would not venture to ask any questions that might  tend to inflame Manfred's wrath against his son。  Jerome's silence  convinced Manfred that he had contrived Theodore's release。
  〃And is it thus; thou ungrateful old man;〃 said the Prince; addressing  himself to the Friar; 〃that thou repayest mine and Hippolita's  bounties?  And not content with traversing my heart's nearest wishes;  thou armest thy bastard; and bringest him into my own castle to insult  me!〃
  〃My Lord;〃 said Theodore; 〃you wrong my father:  neither he nor I are  capable of harbouring a thought against your peace。  Is it insolence  thus to surrender myself to your Highness's pleasure?〃 added he;  laying his sword respectfully at Manfred's feet。  〃Behold my bosom;  strike; my Lord; if you suspect that a disloyal thought is lodged  there。  There is not a sentiment engraven on my heart that does not  venerate you and yours。〃
  The grace and fervour with which Theodore uttered these words  interested every person present in his favour。  Even Manfred was  touched … yet still possessed with his resemblan