第 3 节
作者:片片      更新:2024-04-18 10:46      字数:9322
  that were passed and done with; and that now he was thinking and
  devising if by any means he might find out in what land dwelt those
  three。  And then again he strove to put that from him; saying that
  what he had seen was but meet for one brainsick; and a dreamer of
  dreams。  But furthermore he thought; Yea; and was Arnold; who this
  last time had seen the images of those three; a dreamer of waking
  dreams? for he was nought wonted in such wise; then thought he:  At
  least I am well content that he spake to me of their likeness; not I
  to him; for so I may tell that there was at least something before
  my eyes which grew not out of mine own brain。  And yet again; why
  should I follow them; and what should I get by it; and indeed how
  shall I set about it?
  Thus he turned the matter over and over; and at last; seeing that if
  he grew no foolisher over it; he grew no wiser; he became weary
  thereof; and bestirred him; and saw to the trussing up of his goods;
  and made all ready for his departure; and so wore the day and slept
  at nightfall; and at daybreak comes Arnold to lead him to their
  keel; which hight the Bartholomew。  He tarried nought; and with few
  farewells went aboard ship; and an hour after they were in the open
  sea with the ship's head turned toward Langton on Holm。
  CHAPTER IV:  STORM BEFALLS THE BARTHOLOMEW; AND SHE IS DRIVEN OFF
  HER COURSE
  Now swift sailed the Bartholomew for four weeks toward the north…
  west with a fair wind; and all was well with ship and crew。  Then
  the wind died out on even of a day; so that the ship scarce made way
  at all; though she rolled in a great swell of the sea; so great;
  that it seemed to ridge all the main athwart。  Moreover down in the
  west was a great bank of cloud huddled up in haze; whereas for
  twenty days past the sky had been clear; save for a few bright white
  clouds flying before the wind。  Now the shipmaster; a man right
  cunning in his craft; looked long on sea and sky; and then turned
  and bade the mariners take in sail and be right heedful。  And when
  Walter asked him what he looked for; and wherefore he spake not to
  him thereof; he said surlily:  〃Why should I tell thee what any fool
  can see without telling; to wit that there is weather to hand?〃
  So they abode what should befall; and Walter went to his room to
  sleep away the uneasy while; for the night was now fallen; and he
  knew no more till he was waked up by great hubbub and clamour of the
  shipmen; and the whipping of ropes; and thunder of flapping sails;
  and the tossing and weltering of the ship withal。  But; being a very
  stout…hearted young man; he lay still in his room; partly because he
  was a landsman; and had no mind to tumble about amongst the shipmen
  and hinder them; and withal he said to himself:  What matter whether
  I go down to the bottom of the sea; or come back to Langton; since
  either way my life or my death will take away from me the fulfilment
  of desire?  Yet soothly if there hath been a shift of wind; that is
  not so ill; for then shall we be driven to other lands; and so at
  the least our home…coming shall be delayed; and other tidings may
  hap amidst of our tarrying。  So let all be as it will。
  So in a little while; in spite of the ship's wallowing and the
  tumult of the wind and waves; he fell asleep again; and woke no more
  till it was full daylight; and there was the shipmaster standing in
  the door of his room; the sea…water all streaming from his wet…
  weather raiment。  He said to Walter:  〃Young master; the sele of the
  day to thee!  For by good hap we have gotten into another day。  Now
  I shall tell thee that we have striven to beat; so as not to be
  driven off our course; but all would not avail; wherefore for these
  three hours we have been running before the wind; but; fair sir; so
  big hath been the sea that but for our ship being of the stoutest;
  and our men all yare; we had all grown exceeding wise concerning the
  ground of the mid…main。  Praise be to St。 Nicholas and all Hallows!
  for though ye shall presently look upon a new sea; and maybe a new
  land to boot; yet is that better than looking on the ugly things
  down below。〃
  〃Is all well with ship and crew then?〃 said Walter。
  〃Yea forsooth;〃 said the shipmaster; 〃verily the Bartholomew is the
  darling of Oak Woods; come up and look at it; how she is dealing
  with wind and waves all free from fear。〃
  So Walter did on his foul…weather raiment; and went up on to the
  quarter…deck; and there indeed was a change of days; for the sea was
  dark and tumbling mountain…high; and the white…horses were running
  down the valleys thereof; and the clouds drave low over all; and
  bore a scud of rain along with them; and though there was but a rag
  of sail on her; the ship flew before the wind; rolling a great wash
  of water from bulwark to bulwark。
  Walter stood looking on it all awhile; holding on by a stay…rope;
  and saying to himself that it was well that they were driving so
  fast toward new things。
  Then the shipmaster came up to him and clapped him on the shoulder
  and said:  〃Well; shipmate; cheer up! and now come below again and
  eat some meat; and drink a cup with me。〃
  So Walter went down and ate and drank; and his heart was lighter
  than it had been since he had heard of his father's death; and the
  feud awaiting him at home; which forsooth he had deemed would stay
  his wanderings a weary while; and therewithal his hopes。  But now it
  seemed as if he needs must wander; would he; would he not; and so it
  was that even this fed his hope; so sore his heart clung to that
  desire of his to seek home to those three that seemed to call him
  unto them。
  CHAPTER V:  NOW THEY COME TO A NEW LAND
  Three days they drave before the wind; and on the fourth the clouds
  lifted; the sun shone out and the offing was clear; the wind had
  much abated; though it still blew a breeze; and was a head wind for
  sailing toward the country of Langton。  So then the master said
  that; since they were bewildered; and the wind so ill to deal with;
  it were best to go still before the wind that they might make some
  land and get knowledge of their whereabouts from the folk thereof。
  Withal he said that he deemed the land not to be very far distant。
  So did they; and sailed on pleasantly enough; for the weather kept
  on mending; and the wind fell till it was but a light breeze; yet
  still foul for Langton。
  So wore three days; and on the eve of the third; the man from the
  topmast cried out that he saw land ahead; and so did they all before
  the sun was quite set; though it were but a cloud no bigger than a
  man's hand。
  When night fell they struck not sail; but went forth toward the land
  fair and softly; for it was early summer; so that the nights were
  neither long nor dark。
  But when it was broad daylight; they opened a land; a long shore of
  rocks and mountains; and nought else that they could see at first。
  Nevertheless as day wore and they drew nigher; first they saw how
  the mountains fell away from the sea; and were behind a long wall of
  sheer cliff; and coming nigher yet; they beheld a green plain going
  up after a little in green bents and slopes to the feet of the said
  cliff…wall。
  No city nor haven did they see there; not even when they were far
  nigher to the land; nevertheless; whereas they hankered for the
  peace of the green earth after all the tossing and unrest of the
  sea; and whereas also they doubted not to find at the least good and
  fresh water; and belike other bait in the plain under the mountains;
  they still sailed on not unmerrily; so that by nightfall they cast
  anchor in five…fathom water hard by the shore。
  Next morning they found that they were lying a little way off the
  mouth of a river not right great; so they put out their boats and
  towed the ship up into the said river; and when they had gone up it
  for a mile or thereabouts they found the sea water failed; for
  little was the ebb and flow of the tide on that coast。  Then was the
  river deep and clear; running between smooth grassy land like to
  meadows。  Also on their left board they saw presently three head of
  neat cattle going; as if in a meadow of a homestead in their own
  land; and a few sheep; and thereafter; about a bow…draught from the
  river; they saw a little house of wood and straw…thatch under a
  wooded mound; and with orchard trees about it。  They wondered little
  thereat; for they knew no cause why that land should not be builded;
  though it were in the far outlands。  However; they drew their ship
  up to the bank; thinking that they would at least abide awhile and
  ask tidings and have some refreshing of the green plain; which was
  so lovely and pleasant。
  But while they were busied herein they saw a man come out of the
  house; and down to the river to meet them; and they soon saw that he
  was tall and old; long…hoary of hair and beard; and clad mostly in
  the skins of beasts。
  He drew nigh without any fear or mistrust; and coming close to them
  gave them the sele of the day in a kindly and pleasant voice。  The
  shipmaster greeted him in his turn; and said withal:  〃Old man; art
  thou the king of this country?〃
  The elder laughed; 〃It hath had none other a long while;〃 said he;
  〃and at least t