part01-第5章
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in this venerable city has a decidedly Spanish stamp。 It lies too much
out of the frequented track of foreign travel to have its old usages
trampled out。 Here I observed old men still wearing the montero; or
ancient hunting cap; once common throughout Spain; while the young men
wore the little round…crowned hat; with brim turned up all round; like
a cup turned down in its saucer; while the brim was set off with
little black tufts like cockades。 The women; too; were all in
mantillas and basquinas。 The fashions of Paris had not reached
Antiquera。
Pursuing our course through a spacious street; we put up at the
posada of San Fernando。 As Antiquera; though a considerable city;
is; as I observed; somewhat out of the track of travel; I had
anticipated bad quarters and poor fare at the inn。 I was agreeably
disappointed; therefore; by a supper table amply supplied; and what
were still more acceptable; good clean rooms and comfortable beds。 Our
man; Sancho; felt himself as well off as his namesake; when he had the
run of the duke's kitchen; and let me know; as I retired for the
night; that it had been a proud time for the alforjas。
Early in the morning (May 4th) I strolled to the ruins of the old
Moorish castle; which itself had been reared on the ruins of a Roman
fortress。 Here; taking my seat on the remains of a crumbling tower;
I enjoyed a grand and varied landscape; beautiful in itself; and
full of storied and romantic associations; for I was now in the very
heart of the country famous for the chivalrous contests between Moor
and Christian。 Below me; in its lap of hills; lay the old warrior city
so often mentioned in chronicle and ballad。 Out of yon gate and down
yon hill paraded the band of Spanish cavaliers; of highest rank and
bravest bearing; to make that foray during the war and conquest of
Granada; which ended in the lamentable massacre among the mountains of
Malaga; and laid all Andalusia in mourning。 Beyond spread out the
vega; covered with gardens and orchards and fields of grain and
enamelled meadows; inferior only to the famous vega of Granada。 To the
right the Rock of the Lovers stretched like a cragged promontory
into the plain; whence the daughter of the Moorish alcayde and her
lover; when closely pursued; threw themselves in despair。
The matin peal from church and convent below me rang sweetly in
the morning air; as I descended。 The market…place was beginning to
throng with the populace; who traffic in the abundant produce of the
vega; for this is the mart of an agricultural region。 In the
market…place were abundance of freshly plucked roses for sale; for not
a dame or damsel of Andalusia thinks her gala dress complete without a
rose shining like a gem among her raven tresses。
On returning to the inn I found our man Sancho; in high gossip
with the landlord and two or three of his hangers…on。 He had just been
telling some marvellous story about Seville; which mine host seemed
piqued to match with one equally marvellous about Antiquera。 There was
once a fountain; he said; in one of the public squares called IL
fuente del toro; the fountain of the bull; because the water gushed
from the mouth of a bull's head; carved of stone。 Underneath the
head was inscribed:
EN FRENTE DEL TORO
SE HALLEN TESORO。
(In front of the bull there is treasure。) Many digged in front of
the fountain; but lost their labor and found no money。 At last one
knowing fellow construed the motto a different way。 It is in the
forehead (frente) of the bull that the treasure is to be found; said
he to himself; and I am the man to find it。 Accordingly he came late
at night; with a mallet; and knocked the head to pieces; and what do
you think he found?
〃Plenty of gold and diamonds!〃 cried Sancho eagerly。
〃He found nothing;〃 rejoined mine host dryly; 〃and he ruined the
fountain。〃
Here a great laugh was set up by the landlord's hangers…on; who
considered Sancho completely taken in by what I presume was one of
mine host's standing jokes。
Leaving Antiquera at eight O'clock; we had a delightful ride along
the little river; and by gardens and orchards; fragrant with the odors
of spring and vocal with the nightingale。 Our road passed round the
Rock of the Lovers (el Penon de los Enamorados); which rose in a
precipice above us。 In the course of the morning we passed through
Archidona; situated in the breast of a high hill; with a three…pointed
mountain towering above it; and the ruins of a Moorish fortress。 It
was a great toil to ascend a steep stony street leading up into the
city; although it bore the encouraging name of Calle Real del Llano
(the Royal Street of the Plain); but it was still a greater toil to
descend from this mountain city on the other side。
At noon we halted in sight of Archidona; in a pleasant little meadow
among hills covered with olive…trees。 Our cloaks were spread on the
grass; under an elm by the side of a bubbling rivulet; our horses were
tethered where they might crop the herbage; and Sancho was told to
produce his alforjas。 He had been unusually silent this morning ever
since the laugh raised at his expense; but now his countenance
brightened; and he produced his alforjas with an air of triumph。
They contained the contributions of four days' journeying; but had
been signally enriched by the foraging of the previous evening in
the plenteous inn at Antiquera; and this seemed to furnish him with
a set…off to the banter of mine host。
EN FRENTE DEL TORO
SE HALLEN TESORO
would he exclaim; with a chuckling laugh; as he drew forth the
heterogeneous contents one by one; in a series which seemed to have no
end。 First came forth a shoulder of roasted kid; very little the worse
for wear; then an entire partridge; then a great morsel of salted
codfish wrapped in paper; then the residue of a ham; then the half
of a pullet; together with several rolls of bread; and a rabble rout
of oranges; figs; raisins; and walnuts。 His bota also had been
recruited with some excellent wine of Malaga。 At every fresh
apparition from his larder; he would enjoy our ludicrous surprise;
throwing himself back on the grass; shouting with laughter; and
exclaiming 〃Frente del toro!… frente del toro! Ah; senores; they
thought Sancho a simpleton at Antiquera; but Sancho knew where to find
the tesoro。〃
While we were diverting ourselves with his simple drollery; a
solitary beggar approached; who had almost the look of a pilgrim。 He
had a venerable gray beard; and was evidently very old; supporting
himself on a staff; yet age had not bowed him down; he was tall and
erect; and had the wreck of a fine form。 He wore a round Andalusian
hat; a sheep…skin jacket; and leathern breeches; gaiters; and sandals。
His dress; though old and patched; was decent; his demeanor manly; and
he addressed us with the grave courtesy that is to be remarked in
the lowest Spaniard。 We were in a favorable mood for such a visitor;
and in a freak of capricious charity gave him some silver; a loaf of
fine wheaten bread; and a goblet of our choice wine of Malaga。 He
received them thankfully; but without any grovelling tribute of
gratitude。 Tasting the wine; he held it up to the light; with a slight
beam of surprise in his eye; then quaffing it off at a draught; 〃It is
many years;〃 said he; 〃since I have tasted such wine。 It is a
cordial to an old man's heart。〃 Then; looking at the beautiful wheaten
loaf; 〃Bendito sea tal pan!〃 〃Blessed be such bread!〃 So saying; he
put it in his wallet。 We urged him to eat it on the spot。 〃No;
senores;〃 replied he; 〃the wine I had either to drink or leave; but
the bread I may take home to share with my family。〃
Our man Sancho sought our eye; and reading permission there; gave
the old man some of the ample fragments of our repast; on condition;
however; that he should sit down and make a meal。
He