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第11节

part07-第11节

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delights to struggle with difficulties; and thrives the most hardily

on the scantiest soil。

  The change effected in the looks and spirits of the princesses by

this secret intercourse; surprised and gratified the left…handed king;

but no one was more elated than the discreet Kadiga; who considered it

all owing to her able management。

  At length there was an interruption in this telegraphic

correspondence; for several days the cavaliers ceased to make their

appearance in the glen。 The princesses looked out from the tower in

vain。 In vain they stretched their swan…like necks from the balcony;

in vain they sang like captive nightingales in their cage: nothing was

to be seen of their Christian lovers; not a note responded from the

groves。 The discreet Kadiga sallied forth in quest of intelligence;

and soon returned with a face full of trouble。 〃Ah; my children!〃

cried she; 〃I saw what all this would come to; but you would have your

way; you may now hang up your lutes on the willows。 The Spanish

cavaliers are ransomed by their families; they are down in Granada;

and preparing to return to their native country。〃

  The three beautiful princesses were in despair at the tidings。 Zayda

was indignant at the slight put upon them; in thus being deserted

without a parting word。 Zorayda wrung her hands and cried; and

looked in the glass; and wiped away her tears; and cried afresh。 The

gentle Zorahayda leaned over the balcony and wept in silence; and

her tears fell drop by drop among the flowers of the bank where the

faithless cavaliers had so often been seated。

  The discreet Kadiga did all in her power to soothe their sorrow。

〃Take comfort; my children;〃 said she; 〃this is nothing when you are

used to it。 This is the way of the world。 Ah! when you are as old as I

am; you will know how to value these men。 I'll warrant these cavaliers

have their loves among the Spanish beauties of Cordova and Seville;

and will soon be serenading under their balconies; and thinking no

more of the Moorish beauties in the Alhambra。 Take comfort; therefore;

my children; and drive them from your hearts。〃

  The comforting words of the discreet Kadiga only redoubled the

distress of the three princesses; and for two days they continued

inconsolable。 On the morning of the third; the good old woman

entered their apartment; all ruffling with indignation。

  〃Who would have believed such insolence in mortal man!〃 exclaimed

she; as soon as she could find words to express herself; 〃but I am

rightly served for having connived at this deception of your worthy

father。 Never talk more to me of your Spanish cavaliers。〃

  〃Why; what has happened; good Kadiga?〃 exclaimed the princesses in

breathless anxiety。

  〃What has happened?… treason has happened! or what is almost as bad;

treason has been proposed; and to me; the most faithful of subjects;

the trustiest of duennas! Yes; my children; the Spanish cavaliers have

dared to tamper with me; that I should persuade you to fly with them

to Cordova; and become their wives!〃

  Here the excellent old woman covered her face with her hands; and

gave way to a violent burst of grief and indignation。 The three

beautiful princesses turned pale and red; pale and red; and

trembled; and looked down; and cast shy looks at each other; but

said nothing。 Meantime; the old woman sat rocking backward and forward

in violent agitation; and now and then breaking out into exclamations;

〃That ever I should live to be so insulted!… I; the most faithful of

servants!〃

  At length; the eldest princess; who had most spirit and always

took the lead; approached her; and laying her hand upon her

shoulder; 〃Well; mother;〃 said she; 〃supposing we were willing to

fly with these Christian cavaliers… is such a thing possible?〃

  The good old woman paused suddenly in her grief; and looking up;

〃Possible;〃 echoed she; 〃to be sure; it is possible。 Have not the

cavaliers already bribed Hussein Baba; the renegado captain of the

guard; and arranged the whole plan? But; then; to think of deceiving

your father! your father; who has placed such confidence in me!〃

Here the worthy woman gave way to a fresh burst of grief; and began to

rock backward and forward; and to wring her hands。

  〃But our father has never placed any confidence in us;〃 said the

eldest princess; 〃but has trusted to bolts and bars; and treated us as

captives。〃

  〃Why; that is true enough;〃 replied the old woman; again pausing

in her grief; 〃he has indeed treated you most unreasonably; keeping

you shut up here; to waste your bloom in a moping old tower; like

roses left to wither in a flower…jar。 But; then; to fly from your

native land!〃

  〃And is not the land we fly to; the native land of our mother; where

we shall live in freedom? And shall we not each have a youthful

husband in exchange for a severe old father?〃

  〃Why; that again is all very true; and your father; I must

confess; is rather tyrannical: but what then;〃 relapsing into her

grief; 〃would you leave me behind to bear the brunt of his vengeance?〃

  〃By no means; my good Kadiga; cannot you fly with us?〃

  〃Very true; my child; and; to tell the truth; when I talked the

matter over with Hussein Baba; he promised to take care of me; if I

would accompany you in your flight: but then; bethink you; my

children; are you willing to renounce the faith of your father?〃

  〃The Christian faith was the original faith of our mother;〃 said the

eldest princess; 〃I am ready to embrace it; and so; I am sure; are

my sisters。〃

  〃Right again;〃 exclaimed the old woman; brightening up; 〃it was

the original faith of your mother; and bitterly did she lament; on her

death…bed; that she had renounced it。 I promised her then to take care

of your souls; and I rejoice to see that they are now in a fair way to

be saved。 Yes; my children; I; too; was born a Christian; and have

remained a Christian in my heart; and am resolved to return to the

faith。 I have talked on the subject with Hussein Baba; who is a

Spaniard by birth; and comes from a place not far from my native town。

He is equally anxious to see his own country; and to be reconciled

to the church; and the cavaliers have promised; that; if we are

disposed to become man and wife; on returning to our native land; they

will provide for us handsomely。〃

  In a word; it appeared that this extremely discreet and provident

old woman had consulted with the cavaliers and the renegado; and had

concerted the whole plan of escape。 The eldest princess immediately

assented to it; and her example; as usual; determined the conduct of

her sisters。 It is true; the youngest hesitated; for she was gentle

and timid of soul; and there was a struggle in her bosom between

filial feeling and youthful passion: the latter; however; as usual;

gained the victory; and with silent tears; and stifled sighs; she

prepared herself for flight。

  The rugged hill on which the Alhambra is built was; in old times;

perforated with subterranean passages; cut through the rock; and

leading from the fortress to various parts of the city; and to distant

sally…ports on the banks of the Darro and the Xenil。 They had been

constructed at different times by the Moorish kings; as means of

escape from sudden insurrections; or of secretly issuing forth on

private enterprises。 Many of them are now entirely lost; while

others remain; partly choked with rubbish; and partly walled up;

monuments of the jealous precautions and warlike stratagems of the

Moorish government。 By one of these passages; Hussein Baba had

undertaken to conduct the princesses to a sally…port beyond the

walls of the city; where the cavaliers were to be ready with fleet

steeds; to bear the whole party over the borders。

  The appointed night arrived: the tower of the princesses had been

locked up as usual; and the Alhambra was buried in deep sleep。 Towards

midnight; the discreet Kadiga listened from the balcony of a window

that looked into the garden。 Hussein Baba; the renegado; was already

below; and gave the appointed signal。 The duenna fastened the end of a

ladder of ropes to the balcony; lowered it into the garden and

descended。 The two eldest princesses followed her with beating hearts;

but when it came to the turn of the youngest princess; Zorahayda;

she hesitated; and trembled。 Several times she ventured a delicate

little foot upon the ladder; and as often drew it back; while her poor

little heart fluttered more and more the longer she delayed。 She

cast a wistful look back into the silken chamber; she had lived in it;

to be sure; like a bird in a cage; but within it she was secure; who

could tell what dangers might beset her; should she flutter forth into

the wide world! Now she bethought her of the gallant Christian

lover; and her little foot was instantly upon the ladder; and anon she

thought of her father; and shrank back。 But fruitless is the attempt

to describe the conflict in the bosom of one so 

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