第 33 节
作者:圈圈      更新:2021-02-18 22:40      字数:9322
  into my secrets。
  One Evening I was lying upon my Sopha; plunged in reflections
  very far from agreeable:  Theodore amused himself by observing
  from the window a Battle between two Postillions; who were
  quarrelling in the Inn…yard。
  'Ha! Ha!' cried He suddenly; 'Yonder is the Great Mogul。'
  'Who?' said I。
  'Only a Man who made me a strange speech at Munich。'
  'What was the purport of it?'
  'Now you put me in mind of it; Segnor; it was a kind of message
  to you; but truly it was not worth delivering。  I believe the
  Fellow to be mad; for my part。  When I came to Munich in search
  of you; I found him living at 'The King of the Romans;' and the
  Host gave me an odd account of him。  By his accent He is supposed
  to be a Foreigner; but of what Country nobody can tell。  He
  seemed to have no acquaintance in the Town; spoke very seldom;
  and never was seen to smile。  He had neither Servants or Baggage;
  But his Purse seemed well…furnished; and He did much good in the
  Town。  Some supposed him to be an Arabian Astrologer; Others to
  be a Travelling Mountebank; and many declared that He was Doctor
  Faustus; whom the Devil had sent back to Germany。  The Landlord;
  however told me; that He had the best reasons to believe him to
  be the Great Mogul incognito。'
  'But the strange speech; Theodore。'
  'True; I had almost forgotten the speech:  Indeed for that
  matter; it would not have been a great loss if I had forgotten
  it altogether。  You are to know; Segnor; that while I was
  enquiring about you of the Landlord; this Stranger passed by。  He
  stopped; and looked at me earnestly。 'Youth!' said He in a solemn
  voice; 'He whom you seek; has found that which He would fain
  lose。  My hand alone can dry up the blood:  Bid your Master wish
  for me when the Clock strikes; 'One。'
  'How?' cried I; starting from my Sopha。  (The words which
  Theodore had repeated; seemed to imply the Stranger's knowledge
  of my secret) 'Fly to him; my Boy!  Entreat him to grant me one
  moment's conversation!'
  Theodore was surprised at the vivacity of my manner: However; He
  asked no questions; but hastened to obey me。  I waited his return
  impatiently。  But a short space of time had elapsed when He again
  appeared and ushered the expected Guest into my chamber。  He was
  a Man of majestic presence:  His countenance was strongly marked;
  and his eyes were large; black; and sparkling:  Yet there was a
  something in his look which; the moment that I saw him; inspired
  me with a secret awe; not to say horror。  He was drest plainly;
  his hair was unpowdered; and a band of black velvet which
  encircled his forehead spread over his features an additional
  gloom。  His countenance wore the marks of profound melancholy;
  his step was slow; and his manner grave; stately; and solemn。
  He saluted me with politeness; and having replied to the usual
  compliments of introduction; He motioned to Theodore to quit the
  chamber。  The Page instantly withdrew。
  'I know your business;' said He; without giving me time to speak。
  'I have the power of releasing you from your nightly Visitor; But
  this cannot be done before Sunday。  On the hour when the Sabbath
  Morning breaks; Spirits of darkness have least influence over
  Mortals。  After Saturday the Nun shall visit you no more。'
  'May I not enquire;' said I; 'by what means you are in possession
  of a secret which I have carefully concealed from the knowledge
  of everyone?'
  'How can I be ignorant of your distress; when their cause at this
  moment stands beside you?'
  I started。  The Stranger continued。
  'Though to you only visible for one hour in the twenty…four;
  neither day or night does She ever quit you; Nor will She ever
  quit you till you have granted her request。'
  'And what is that request?'
  'That She must herself explain:  It lies not in my knowledge。
  Wait with patience for the night of Saturday: All shall be then
  cleared up。'
  I dared not press him further。  He soon after changed the
  conversation and talked of various matters。  He named People who
  had ceased to exist for many Centuries; and yet with whom He
  appeared to have been personally acquainted。  I could not mention
  a Country however distant which He had not visited; nor could I
  sufficiently admire the extent and variety of his information。
  I remarked to him that having travelled; seen; and known so much;
  must have given him infinite pleasure。  He shook his head
  mournfully。
  'No one;' He replied; 'is adequate to comprehending the misery of
  my lot!  Fate obliges me to be constantly in movement:  I am not
  permitted to pass more than a fortnight in the same place。  I
  have no Friend in the world; and from the restlessness of my
  destiny I never can acquire one。  Fain would I lay down my
  miserable life; for I envy those who enjoy the quiet of the
  Grave: But Death eludes me; and flies from my embrace。  In vain
  do I throw myself in the way of danger。  I plunge into the Ocean;
  The Waves throw me back with abhorrence upon the shore:  I rush
  into fire; The flames recoil at my approach:  I oppose myself to
  the fury of Banditti; Their swords become blunted; and break
  against my breast:  The hungry Tiger shudders at my approach; and
  the Alligator flies from a Monster more horrible than itself。
  God has set his seal upon me; and all his Creatures respect this
  fatal mark!'
  He put his hand to the velvet; which was bound round his
  forehead。  There was in his eyes an expression of fury; despair;
  and malevolence; that struck horror to my very soul。  An
  involuntary convulsion made me shudder。  The Stranger perceived
  it。
  'Such is the curse imposed on me;' he continued:  'I am doomed to
  inspire all who look on me with terror and detestation。  You
  already feel the influence of the charm; and with every
  succeeding moment will feel it more。  I will not add to your
  sufferings by my presence。  Farewell till Saturday。  As soon as
  the Clock strikes twelve; expect me at your chamber door。'
  Having said this He departed; leaving me in astonishment at the
  mysterious turn of his manner and conversation。
  His assurances that I should soon be relieved from the
  Apparition's visits produced a good effect upon my constitution。
  Theodore; whom I rather treated as an adopted Child than a
  Domestic; was surprized at his return to observe the amendment in
  my looks。  He congratulated me on this symptom of returning
  health; and declared himself delighted at my having received so
  much benefit from my conference with the Great Mogul。  Upon
  enquiry I found that the Stranger had already past eight days in
  Ratisbon:  According to his own account; therefore; He was only
  to remain there six days longer。  Saturday was still at the
  distance of Three。  Oh! with what impatience did I expect its
  arrival!  In the interim; the Bleeding Nun continued her
  nocturnal visits; But hoping soon to be released from them
  altogether; the effects which they produced on me became less
  violent than before。
  The wished…for night arrived。  To avoid creating suspicion I
  retired to bed at my usual hour:  But as soon as my Attendants
  had left me; I dressed myself again; and prepared for the
  Stranger's reception。  He entered my room upon the turn of
  midnight。  A small Chest was in his hand; which He placed near
  the Stove。  He saluted me without speaking; I returned the
  compliment; observing an equal silence。  He then opened his
  Chest。  The first thing which He produced was a small wooden
  Crucifix: He sank upon his knees; gazed upon it mournfully; and
  cast his eyes towards heaven。  He seemed to be praying devoutly。
  At length He bowed his head respectfully; kissed the Crucifix
  thrice; and quitted his kneeling posture。  He next drew from the
  Chest a covered Goblet: With the liquor which it contained; and
  which appeared to be blood; He sprinkled the floor; and then
  dipping in it one end of the Crucifix; He described a circle in
  the middle of the room。  Round about this He placed various
  reliques; sculls; thigh…bones &c; I observed; that He disposed
  them all in the forms of Crosses。  Lastly He took out a large
  Bible; and beckoned me to follow him into the Circle。  I obeyed。
  'Be cautious not to utter a syllable!' whispered the Stranger;
  'Step not out of the circle; and as you love yourself; dare not
  to look upon my face!'
  Holding the Crucifix in one hand; the Bible in the other; He
  seemed to read with profound attention。  The Clock struck 'One'!
  As usual I heard the Spectre's steps upon the Staircase:  But I
  was not seized with the accustomed shivering。  I waited her
  approach with confidence。  She entered the room; drew near the
  Circle; and stopped。  The Stranger muttered some words; to me
  unintelligible。  Then raising his head from the Book; and
  extending the Crucifix towards the Ghost; He pronounced in a
  voice distinct and solemn;
  'Beatrice!  Beatrice!  Beatrice!'
  'What wouldst Thou?' replied the Apparition in a hollow faltering
  tone。
  'What disturbs thy sleep?  Why dost thou afflict and torture this
  Youth?  How can rest be restored to thy unquiet Spirit?'
  'I dare not tell!I must not tell!Fain would I repose in my
  Grave; but stern commands force me to prolong my punishment!'
  'Knowest Thou this blood?  Knowest Th