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w关键词：King
Arthur/亚瑟王，Merlin/莫林法师，King of Britain/英国之王 |
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w目录：Legend/传说 |
w话题：英国
传说，亚瑟王 |
w类型：记叙文 |
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w难度级别：中级 |
w词汇要求：1500 |
w文章词数：600 |
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[ 生 词 可 拖 选 或 双 击 ] |
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"Whoso can draw
forth this sword,
is rightful King of Britain born." |
King
Arthur and the Sword in the Stone (II)
亚瑟王与石中剑（下）
(the Sword in the Stone)
At once there were fierce
quarrels, each man clamouring to be the first to try his
fortune, none doubting his own success. Then the Archbishop
decreed that each should make the venture in turn, from the
greatest baron to the least knight, and each in turn, having put
forth his utmost strength, failed to move the sword one inch,
and drew back ashamed. So the Archbishop dismissed the company,
and having appointed guards to watch over the stone, sent
messengers through all the land to give word of great jousts to
be held in London at Easter, when each knight could give proof
of his skill and courage, and try whether the adventure of the
sword was for him.
Among those who rode to London at
Easter was the good Sir Ector, and with him his son, Sir Kay,
newly made a knight, and the young Arthur. When the morning came
that the jousts should begin, Sir Kay and Arthur mounted their
horses and set out for the lists; but before they reached the
field, Kay looked and saw that he had left his sword behind.
Immediately Arthur turned back to fetch it for him, only to find
the house fast shut, for all were gone to view the tournament.
Sore vexed was Arthur, fearing lest his brother Kay should lose
his chance of gaining glory, till, of a sudden, he bethought him
of the sword in the great anvil before the cathedral. Thither he
rode with all speed, and the guards having deserted their post
to view the tournament, there was none to forbid him the
adventure. He leapt from his horse, seized the hilt, and
instantly drew forth the sword as easily as from a scabbard;
then, mounting his horse and thinking no marvel of what he had
done, he rode after his brother and handed him the weapon.
When Kay looked at it, he saw at
once that it was the wondrous sword from the stone. In great joy
he sought his father, and showing it to him, said: "Then must I
be King of Britain." But Sir Ector bade him say how he came by
the sword, and when Sir Kay told how Arthur had brought it to
him, Sir Ector bent his knee to the boy, and said: "Sir, I
perceive that ye are my King, and here I tender you my homage";
and Kay did as his father. Then the three sought the Archbishop,
to whom they related all that had happened; and he, much
marvelling, called the people together to the great stone, and
bade Arthur thrust back the sword and draw it forth again in the
presence of all, which he did with ease. But an angry murmur
arose from the barons, who cried that what a boy could do, a man
could do; so, at the Archbishop's word, the sword was put back,
and each man, whether baron or knight, tried in his turn to draw
it forth, and failed. Then, for the third time, Arthur drew
forth the sword. Immediately there arose from the people a great
shout: "Arthur is King! Arthur is King! We will have no King but
Arthur"; and, though the great barons scowled and threatened,
they fell on their knees before him while the Archbishop placed
the crown upon his head, and swore to obey him faithfully as
their lord and sovereign.
Thus Arthur was made King; and to
all he did justice, righting wrongs and giving to all their
dues. Nor was he forgetful of those that had been his friends;
for Kay, whom he loved as a brother, he made Seneschal and chief
of his household, and to Sir Ector, his foster father, he gave
broad lands.
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