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第8节

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in the neighboring mountains there is a cave; and in that cave there

is an iron table; and on that table there lies a suit of magic

armor; and beside that table there stands a spell…bound steed; which

have been shut up there for many generations。〃

  The prince stared with wonder; while the owl; blinking his huge

round eyes; and erecting his horns; proceeded。

  〃Many years since; I accompanied my father to these parts on a

tour of his estates; and we sojourned in that cave; and thus became

I acquainted with the mystery。 It is a tradition in our family which I

have heard from my grandfather; when I was yet but a very little

owlet; that this armor belonged to a Moorish magician; who took refuge

in this cavern when Toledo was captured by the Christians; and died

here; leaving his steed and weapons under a mystic spell; never to

be used but by a Moslem; and by him only from sunrise to mid…day。 In

that interval; whoever uses them will overthrow every opponent。〃

  〃Enough; let us seek this cave!〃 exclaimed Ahmed。

  Guided by his legendary mentor; the prince found the cavern; which

was in one of the wildest recesses of those rocky cliffs which rise

around Toledo; none but the mousing eye of an owl or an antiquary

could have discovered the entrance to it。 A sepulchral lamp of

everlasting oil shed a solemn light through the place。 On an iron

table in the centre of the cavern lay the magic armor; against it

leaned the lance; and beside it stood an Arabian steed; caparisoned

for the field; but motionless as a statue。 The armor was bright and

unsullied as it had gleamed in days of old; the steed in as good

condition as if just from the pasture; and when Ahmed laid his hand

upon his neck; he pawed the ground and gave a loud neigh of joy that

shook the walls of the cavern。 Thus amply provided with 〃horse and

rider and weapon to wear;〃 the prince determined to defy the field

in the impending tourney。

  The eventful morning arrived。 The lists for the combat were prepared

in the vega; or plain; just below the cliff…built walls of Toledo;

where stages and galleries were erected for the spectators; covered

with rich tapestry; and sheltered from the sun by silken awnings。

All the beauties of the land were assembled in those galleries;

while below pranced plumed knights with their pages and esquires;

among whom figured conspicuously the princes who were to contend in

the tourney。 All the beauties of the land; however; were eclipsed when

the princess Aldegonda appeared in the royal pavilion; and for the

first time broke forth upon the gaze of an admiring world。 A murmur of

wonder ran through the crowd at her transcendent loveliness; and the

princes who were candidates for her hand; merely on the faith of her

reported charms; now felt tenfold ardor for the conflict。

  The princess; however; had a troubled look。 The color came and

went from her cheek; and her eye wandered with a restless and

unsatisfied expression over the plumed throng of knights。 The trumpets

were about sounding for the encounter; when the herald announced the

arrival of a strange knight; and Ahmed rode into the field。 A steel

helmet studded with gems rose above his turban; his cuirass was

embossed with gold; his cimeter and dagger were of the workmanship

of Fez; and flamed with precious stones。 A round shield was at his

shoulder; and in his hand he bore the lance of charmed virtue。 The

caparison of his Arabian steed was richly embroidered and swept the

ground; and the proud animal pranced and snuffed the air; and

neighed with joy at once more beholding the array of arms。 The lofty

and graceful demeanor of the prince struck every eye; and when his

appellation was announced; 〃the Pilgrim of Love;〃 a universal

flutter and agitation prevailed among the fair dames in the galleries。

  When Ahmed presented himself at the lists; however; they were closed

against him: none but princes; he was told; were admitted to the

contest。 He declared his name and rank。 Still worse!… he was a Moslem;

and could not engage in a tourney where the hand of a Christian

princess was the prize。

  The rival princes surrounded him with haughty and menacing

aspects; and one of insolent demeanor and herculean frame sneered at

his light and youthful form; and scoffed at his amorous appellation。

The ire of the prince was roused。 He defied his rival to the

encounter。 They took distance; wheeled; and charged; and at the

first touch of the magic lance; the brawny scoffer was tilted from his

saddle。 Here the prince would have paused; but alas! he had to deal

with a demoniac horse and armor; once in action nothing could

control them。 The Arabian steed charged into the thickest of the

throng; the lance overturned every thing that presented; the gentle

prince was carried pell…mell about the field; strewing it with high

and low; gentle and simple; and grieving at his own involuntary

exploits。 The king stormed and raged at this outrage on his subjects

and his guests。 He ordered out all his guards… they were unhorsed as

fast as they came up。 The king threw off his robes; grasped buckler

and lance; and rode forth to awe the stranger with the presence of

majesty itself Alas! majesty fared no better than the vulgar; the

steed and lance were no respecters of persons; to the dismay of Ahmed;

he was borne full tilt against the king; and in a moment the royal

heels were in the air; and the crown was rolling in the dust。

  At this moment the sun reached the meridian; the magic spell resumed

its power; the Arabian steed scoured across the plain; leaped the

barrier; plunged into the Tagus; swam its raging current; bore the

prince breathless and amazed to the cavern; and resumed his station;

like a statue; beside the iron table。 The prince dismounted right

gladly; and replaced the armor; to abide the further decrees of

fate。 Then seating himself in the cavern; he ruminated on the

desperate state to which this demoniac steed and armor had reduced

him。 Never should he dare to show his face at Toledo after

inflicting such disgrace upon its chivalry; and such an outrage on its

king。 What; too; would the princess think of so rude and riotous an

achievement? Full of anxiety; he sent forth his winged messengers to

gather tidings。 The parrot resorted to all the public places and

crowded resorts of the city; and soon returned with a world of gossip。

  All Toledo was in consternation。 The princess had been borne off

senseless to the palace; the tournament had ended in confusion;

every one was talking of the sudden apparition; prodigious exploits;

and strange disappearance of the Moslem knight。 Some pronounced him

a Moorish magician; others thought him a demon who had assumed a human

shape; while others related traditions of enchanted warriors hidden in

the caves of the mountains; and thought it might be one of these;

who had made a sudden irruption from his den。 All agreed that no

mere ordinary mortal could have wrought such wonders; or unhorsed such

accomplished and stalwart Christian warriors。

  The owl flew forth at night and hovered about the dusky city;

perching on the roofs and chimneys。 He then wheeled his flight up to

the royal palace; which stood on a rocky summit of Toledo; and went

prowling about its terraces and battlements; eavesdropping at every

cranny; and glaring in with his big goggling eyes at every window

where there was a light; so as to throw two or three maids of honor

into fits。 It was not until the gray dawn began to peer above the

mountains that he returned from his mousing expedition; and related to

the prince what he had seen。

  〃As I was prying about one of the loftiest towers of the palace;〃

said he; 〃I beheld through a casement a beautiful princess。 She was

reclining on a couch with attendants and physicians around her; but

she would none of their ministry and relief When they retired I beheld

her draw forth a letter from her bosom; and read and kiss it; and give

way to loud lamentations; at which; philosopher as I am; I could but

be greatly moved。〃

  The tender heart of Ahmed was distressed at these tidings。 〃Too true

were thy words; O sage Eben Bonabben;〃 cried he; 〃care and sorrow

and sleepless nights are the lot of lovers。 Allah preserve the

princess from the blighting influence of this thing called love!〃

  Further intelligence from Toledo corroborated the report of the owl。

The city was a prey to uneasiness and alarm。 The princess was conveyed

to the highest tower of the palace; every avenue to which was strongly

guarded。 In the mean time a devouring melancholy had seized upon

her; of which no one could divine the cause… she refused food and

turned a deaf ear to every consolation。 The most skilful physicians

had essayed their art in vain; it was thought some magic spell had

been practised upon her; and the king made proclamation; declaring

that whoever should effect her cure should receive the richest jewel

in the royal 

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