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5楼
发表于 2010-8-31 08:36
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比亚·兹莱的插画还真不知道哪里去找,我的是Signet Classic的版本,压根就没插图。有插图的原版,应该很贵的吧?遵水色斑竹之命,发上英文。
King Arthur and the
Legends of the Round Table
The Tale of King Arthur
1. Merlin
King Uther Pendragon, ruler of all Britain, had been at war for many years with the Duke of Titagil in Cornwall when he was told of the beauty of Lady Igraine, the duke’s wife. Thereupon he called a truce and invited the duke and Igraine to his court, where he prepared a feast for them, and where, as soon as they arrived, he was formally reconciled to the duke through the good offices of his coutiers.
In the course of the feast, King Uther grew passionately desirous of Ingraine and, when it was over, begged her to become his paramour. Ingraine, however, being as naturally loyal as she beautiful, refused him.
“I suppose,” said Igraine to her husband, the duke, when this had happened, “that the king the truce only because he wanted to make me his mistress. I suggest that we leave at once, without warning, and ride overnight to our castle.” The duke agreed with her, and they left the court secretly.
The king was enraged by Ingraine’s flight and summoned his privy council. They advised him to command the fugitives’ return under threat of renewing the war; but when this was done, the duke and Ingraine defied his summons. He then warned them that they could expect to be dragged from their castle within six weeks.
The duke manned and provisioned his two strongest castles: Tintagil for Ingraine, and Terrabyl, which was useful for its many sally ports, for himself. Soon King Uther arrived with a huge army and laid siege to Terrabyl; but despite the ferocity of the fighting, and the numerous casualties suffered by both sides, neither was able to gain a decisive victory.
Still enraged, and now despairing, King Uther fell sick. His friend Ulfius came to him and asked what the trouble was. “Ingraine has broken my heart,” the king replied, “and unless I can win her, I shall never recover.”
“Sire,” said Sir Ulfius, “surely Merlin the Prophet could find some means to help you? I will go in search for him.”
Sir Unfius had not ridden far when he was accosted by a hideous beggar. “For whom are you searching?” asked the beggar; but Sir Unfius ignored him.
“Very well,” said the beggar, “I will tell you: You are searching for Merlin, and you look no further, for I am he. Now go to King Uther and tell him that I will make Igraine his if he will reward me as I ask; and even that will be more to his benefit than to mine.”
“I am sure,” said Sir Ulfius, “that the king will refuse you nothing reasonable.”
“Then go, and I shall follow you,” said Merlin. |
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