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第57章

zanoni-第57章

小说: zanoni 字数: 每页4000字

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whom the curse of the leper had cut off from mankind。  They set

up a shrill cry as they turned their ghastly visages towards the

horseman; and; without stirring from the spot; stretched out

their gaunt arms; and implored charity in the name of the

Merciful Mother!  Glyndon hastily threw them some small coins;

and; turning away his face; clapped spurs to his horse; and

relaxed not his speed till he entered the village。  On either

side the narrow and miry street; fierce and haggard formssome

leaning against the ruined walls of blackened huts; some seated

at the threshold; some lying at full length in the mudpresented

groups that at once invoked pity and aroused alarm:  pity for

their squalor; alarm for the ferocity imprinted on their savage

aspects。  They gazed at him; grim and sullen; as he rode slowly

up the rugged street; sometimes whispering significantly to each

other; but without attempting to stop his way。  Even the children

hushed their babble; and ragged urchins; devouring him with

sparkling eyes; muttered to their mothers; 〃We shall feast well

to…morrow!〃  It was; indeed; one of those hamlets in which Law

sets not its sober step; in which Violence and Murder house

secure;hamlets common then in the wilder parts of Italy; in

which the peasant was but the gentler name for the robber。



Glyndon's heart somewhat failed him as he looked around; and the

question he desired to ask died upon his lips。  At length from

one of the dismal cabins emerged a form superior to the rest。

Instead of the patched and ragged over…all; which made the only

garment of the men he had hitherto seen; the dress of this person

was characterised by all the trappings of the national bravery。

Upon his raven hair; the glossy curls of which made a notable

contrast to the matted and elfin locks of the savages around; was

placed a cloth cap; with a gold tassel that hung down to his

shoulder; his mustaches were trimmed with care; and a silk

kerchief of gay hues was twisted round a well…shaped but sinewy

throat; a short jacket of rough cloth was decorated with several

rows of gilt filagree buttons; his nether garments fitted tight

to his limbs; and were curiously braided; while in a broad parti…

coloured sash were placed two silver…hilted pistols; and the

sheathed knife; usually worn by Italians of the lower order;

mounted in ivory elaborately carved。  A small carbine of handsome

workmanship was slung across his shoulder and completed his

costume。  The man himself was of middle size; athletic yet

slender; with straight and regular features; sunburnt; but not

swarthy; and an expression of countenance which; though reckless

and bold; had in it frankness rather than ferocity; and; if

defying; was not altogether unprepossessing。



Glyndon; after eyeing this figure for some moments with great

attention; checked his rein; and asked the way to the 〃Castle of

the Mountain。〃



The man lifted his cap as he heard the question; and; approaching

Glyndon; laid his hand upon the neck of the horse; and said; in a

low voice; 〃Then you are the cavalier whom our patron the signor

expected。  He bade me wait for you here; and lead you to the

castle。  And indeed; signor; it might have been unfortunate if I

had neglected to obey the command。〃



The man then; drawing a little aside; called out to the

bystanders in a loud voice; 〃Ho; ho! my friends; pay henceforth

and forever all respect to this worshipful cavalier。  He is the

expected guest of our blessed patron of the Castle of the

Mountain。  Long life to him!  May he; like his host; be safe by

day and by night; on the hill and in the waste; against the

dagger and the bullet;in limb and in life!  Cursed be he who

touches a hair of his head; or a baioccho in his pouch。  Now and

forever we will protect and honour him;for the law or against

the law; with the faith and to the death。  Amen!  Amen!〃



〃Amen!〃 responded; in wild chorus; a hundred voices; and the

scattered and straggling groups pressed up the street; nearer and

nearer to the horseman。



〃And that he may be known;〃 continued the Englishman's strange

protector; 〃to the eye and to the ear; I place around him the

white sash; and I give him the sacred watchword; 'Peace to the

Brave。'  Signor; when you wear this sash; the proudest in these

parts will bare the head and bend the knee。  Signor; when you

utter this watchword; the bravest hearts will be bound to your

bidding。  Desire you safety; or ask you revengeto gain a

beauty; or to lose a foe;speak but the word; and we are yours:

we are yours!  Is it not so; comrades?〃



And again the hoarse voices shouted; 〃Amen; Amen!〃



〃Now; signor;〃 whispered the bravo; 〃if you have a few coins to

spare; scatter them amongst the crowd; and let us be gone。〃



Glyndon; not displeased at the concluding sentence; emptied his

purse in the streets; and while; with mingled oaths; blessings;

shrieks; and yells; men; women; and children scrambled for the

money; the bravo; taking the rein of the horse; led it a few

paces through the village at a brisk trot; and then; turning up a

narrow lane to the left; in a few minutes neither houses nor men

were visible; and the mountains closed their path on either side。

It was then that; releasing the bridle and slackening his pace;

the guide turned his dark eyes on Glyndon with an arch

expression; and said;



〃Your Excellency was not; perhaps; prepared for the hearty

welcome we have given you。〃



〃Why; in truth; I OUGHT to have been prepared for it; since the

signor; to whose house I am bound; did not disguise from me the

character of the neighbourhood。  And your name; my friend; if I

may so call you?〃



〃Oh; no ceremonies with me; Excellency。  In the village I am

generally called Maestro Paolo。  I had a surname once; though a

very equivocal one; and I have forgotten THAT since I retired

from the world。〃



〃And was it from disgust; from poverty; or from somesome

ebullition of passion which entailed punishment; that you betook

yourself to the mountains?〃



〃Why; signor;〃 said the bravo; with a gay laugh; 〃hermits of my

class seldom love the confessional。  However; I have no secrets

while my step is in these defiles; my whistle in my pouch; and my

carbine at my back。〃  With that the robber; as if he loved

permission to talk at his will; hemmed thrice; and began with

much humour; though; as his tale proceeded; the memories it

roused seemed to carry him farther than he at first intended; and

reckless and light…hearted ease gave way to that fierce and

varied play of countenance and passion of gesture which

characterise the emotions of his countrymen。



〃I was born at Terracina;a fair spot; is it not?  My father was

a learned monk of high birth; my motherHeaven rest her!an

innkeeper's pretty daughter。  Of course there could be no

marriage in the case; and when I was born; the monk gravely

declared my appearance to be miraculous。  I was dedicated from my

cradle to the altar; and my head was universally declared to be

the orthodox shape for a cowl。  As I grew up; the monk took great

pains with my education; and I learned Latin and psalmody as soon

as less miraculous infants learn crowing。  Nor did the holy man's

care stint itself to my interior accomplishments。  Although vowed

to poverty; he always contrived that my mother should have her

pockets full; and between her pockets and mine there was soon

established a clandestine communication; accordingly; at

fourteen; I wore my cap on one side; stuck pistols in my belt;

and assumed the swagger of a cavalier and a gallant。  At that age

my poor mother died; and about the same period my father; having

written a History of the Pontifical Bulls; in forty volumes; and

being; as I said; of high birth; obtained a cardinal's hat。  From

that time he thought fit to disown your humble servant。  He bound

me over to an honest notary at Naples; and gave me two hundred

crowns b

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