the two captains-第2章
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I laid her down on the turf； and sprinkled her angelic brow； with
water from a neighboring little fountain。 And so she came to herself
again； and when she opened her bright and lovely eyes I thought I
could imagine how the glorified spirits must feel in heaven。
〃She thanked me with graceful and courteous words； and called me her
knight； but in my state of enchantment I could not utter a syllable；
and she must have almost thought me dumb。 At length my speech
returned； and the prayer at once was breathed forth from my heart；
that the sweet lady would often again allow me to see her in this
garden； for that in a few weeks the service of the emperor would
drive me into the burning land of Africa； and that until then she
should vouchsafe me the happiness of beholding her。 She looked at me
half smiling； half sadly； and said； 'Yes。' And she has kept her word
and has appeared almost daily； without our having yet spoken much to
each other。 For although she has been sometimes quite alone； I
could never begin any other topic but that of the happiness of
walking by her side。 Often she has sung to me； and I have sung to
her also。 When I told her yesterday that our departure was so near；
her heavenly eyes seemed to me suffused with tears。 I must also have
looked sorrowful； for she said to me； in a consoling tone； 'Oh；
pious； childlike warrior！ one may trust you as one trusts an angel。'
After midnight； before the morning dawn breaks for your departure； I
give you leave to take farewell of me in this very spot。 If you
could； however； find a true and discreet comrade to watch the
entrance from the street； it would be well； for many a soldier may be
passing at that hour through the city on his way from some farewell
carouse。 Providence has now sent me such a comrade； and at one
o'clock I shall go joyfully to the lovely maiden。〃
〃I only wish the service on which you require me were more rich in
danger；〃 rejoined Fadrique； 〃so that I might better prove to you that
I am yours with life and limb。 But come； noble brother； the hour for
my adventure is arrived。〃
And wrapped in their mantles； the youths walked hastily toward the
city； Fadrique carrying his beautiful guitar under his arm。
CHAPTER II。
The night…smelling flowers in Lucila's window were already beginning
to emit their refreshing perfume when Fadrique； leaning in the shadow
of the angle of an old church opposite； began to tune his guitar。
Heimbert had stationed himself not far from him； behind a pillar； his
drawn sword under his mantle； and his clear blue eyes； like two
watching stars； looking calmly and penetrating around。 Fadrique
sang：
〃Upon a meadow green with spring；
A little flower was blossoming；
With petals red and snowy white；
To me； a youth； my soul's delight
Within that blossom lay；
And I have loved my song to indite
And flattering homage pay。
〃Since then a wanderer I have been；
And many a bloody strife have seen；
And now returned； I see
The little floweret stands no more
Upon the meadow as before；
Transplanted by a gardener's care；
And hedged by golden trellis there；
It is denied to me。
〃I grudge him not his trelllsed guard；
His bolts of iron； strongly barred；
Yet； wandering in the cool night…air；
I touch my zither's string；
And as afore her beauties rare；
Her wondrous graces sing；
And e'en the gardener shall not dare
Refuse the praise I bring。〃
〃That depends； Senor；〃 said a man； stepping close； and as he thought
unobserved； before Fadrique； but the latter had already been informed
of his approach by a sign from his watchful friend； and he was
therefore ready to answer with the greater coolness； 〃If you wish；
Senor； to commence a suit with my guitar； she has； at all events； a
tongue of steel； which has already on many occasions done her
excellent service。 With whom is it your pleasure to speak； with the
guitar or the advocate？〃
While the stranger was silent from embarrassment； two mantled figures
had approached Heimbert and remained standing a few steps from him；
as if to cut off Fadrique's flight in case he intended to escape。
〃I believe； dear sirs；〃 said Heimbert in a courteous tone； 〃we are
here on the same errandnamely； to prevent any intrusion upon the
conference of yonder knights。 At least； as far as I am concerned；
you may rely upon it that any one who attempts to interfere in their
affair will receive my dagger in his heart。 Be of good cheer；
therefore； I think we shall both do our duty。〃 The two gentlemen
bowed courteously and were silent。
The quiet self…possession with which the two soldiers carried on the
whole affair was most embarrassing to their three adversaries； and
they were at a loss to know how they should begin the dispute。 At
last Fadrique again touched the strings of his guitar； and was
preparing to begin another song。 This mark of contempt and apparent
disregard of danger and hazard so enraged Lucila's husband （for it
was he who had taken his stand by Don Fadrique） that without further
delay he drew his sword from his sheath； and with a voice of
suppressed rage called out； 〃Draw； or I shall stab you！〃 〃Very
gladly； Senor；〃 replied Fadrique quietly； 〃you need not threaten me；
you might as well have said so calmly。〃 And so saying he placed his
guitar carefully in a niche in the church wall； seized bis sword；
and； bowing gracefully to his opponent； the fight； began。
At first the two figures by Heimbert's side； who were Lucila's
brothers； remained quite quiet； but when Fadrique began to get the
better of their brother…in…law they appeared as if they intended to
take part in the fight。 Heimbert therefore made his mighty sword
gleam in the moonlight； and said； 〃Dear sirs； you will not surely
oblige me to execute that of which I previously assured you？ I pray
you not to compel me to do so； but if it cannot be otherwise； I must
honorably keep my word； you may rely upon it。〃 The two young men
remained from that time motionless； surprised both at the decision
and at the true…hearted friendliness that lay in Heimbert's words。
Meanwhile Don Fadrique； although pressing hard upon his adversary；
had generously avoided wounding him； and when at last by a dexterous
movement he wrested his sword from him。 Lucila's husband； surprised
at the unexpected advantage； and in alarm at being thus disarmed；
retreated a few steps。 But Fadrique threw the weapon adroitly into
the air； and catching it again near the point of the blade； he said；
as he gracefully presented the hilt to his opponent； 〃Take it； Senor；
and I hope our affair of honor is now settled； as you will grant
under these circumstances that I am only here to show that I fear no
sword…thrust in the world。 The bell of the old cathedral is now
ringing twelve o'clock； and I give you my word of honor as a knight
and a soldier that neither is Dona Lucila pleased with my attentions
nor am I pleased with paying them； from henceforth； and were I to
remain a hundred years in Malaga； I would not continue to serenade
her in this spot。 So proceed on your journey； and God be with you。〃
He then once more greeted his conquered adversary with serious and
solemn courtesy； and withdrew。 Heimbert followed him； after having
cordially shaken hands with the two youths； saying； 〃No； dear young
sirs； do not let it ever again enter your heads to interfere in any
honorable contest。 Do you understand me？〃
He soon overtook his companion； and walked on by his side so full of
ardent expectation； and with his heart beating so joyfully and yet so
painfully； that he could not utter a single word。 Don Fadrique
Mendez was also silent； it was not till Heimbert paused before an
ornamented garden…gate； and pointe
