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The Castle of Otranto-Part9_Horace Walpole(1717-1797)_English Literature(文学名著)-第2页

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the great hall of the castle. As they traversed the court, the Knight

stopped to gaze on the miraculous casque; and kneeling down, seemed to



pray inwardly for some minutes. Rising, he made a sign to the Prince

to lead on. As soon as they entered the hall, Manfred proposed to the



stranger to disarm, but the Knight shook his head in token of refusal.

"Sir Knight," said Manfred, "this is not courteous, but by my good



faith I will not cross thee, nor shalt thou have cause to complain of

the Prince of Otranto. No treachery is designed on my part; I hope



none is intended on thine; here take my gage" (giving him his ring):

"your friends and you shall enjoy the laws of hospitality. Rest here



until refreshments are brought. I will but give orders for the

accommodation of your train, and return to you." The three Knights



bowed as accepting his courtesy. Manfred directed the stranger's

retinue to be conducted to an adjacent hospital, founded by the



Princess Hippolita for the reception of pilgrims. As they made the

circuit of the court to return towards the gate, the gigantic sword



burst from the supporters, and falling to the ground opposite to the

helmet, remained immovable. Manfred, almost hardened to preternatural



appearances, surmounted the shock of this new prodigy; and returning

to the hall, where by this time the feast was ready, he invited his



silent guests to take their places. Manfred, however ill his heart

was at ease, endeavoured to inspire the company with mirth. He put



several questions to them, but was answered only by signs. They

raised their vizors but sufficiently to feed themselves, and that



sparingly.

"Sirs" said the Prince, "ye are the first guests I ever treated within



these walls who scorned to hold any intercourse with me: nor has it

oft been customary, I ween, for princes to hazard their state and



dignity against strangers and mutes. You say you come in the name of

Frederic of Vicenza; I have ever heard that he was a gallant and



courteous Knight; nor would he, I am bold to say, think it beneath him

to mix in social converse with a Prince that is his equal, and not



unknown by deeds in arms. Still ye are silent - well! be it as it may

- by the laws of hospitality and chivalry ye are masters under this



roof: ye shall do your pleasure. But come, give me a goblet of wine;

ye will not refuse to pledge me to the healths of your fair



mistresses."

The principal Knight sighed and crossed himself, and was rising from



the board.

"Sir Knight," said Manfred, "what I said was but in sport. I shall



constrain you in nothing: use your good liking. Since mirth is not

your mood, let us be sad. Business may hit your fancies better. Let



us withdraw, and hear if what I have to unfold may be better relished

than the vain efforts I have made for your pastime."



Manfred then conducting the three Knights into an inner chamber, shut

the door, and inviting them to be seated, began thus, addressing



himself to the chief personage:-

"You come, Sir Knight, as I understand, in the name of the Marquis of



Vicenza, to re-demand the Lady Isabella, his daughter, who has been

contracted in the face of Holy Church to my son, by the consent of her



legal guardians; and to require me to resign my dominions to your

Lord, who gives himself for the nearest of blood to Prince Alfonso,



whose soul God rest! I shall speak to the latter article of your

demands first. You must know, your Lord knows, that I enjoy the



principality of Otranto from my father, Don Manuel, as he received it

from his father, Don Ricardo. Alfonso, their predecessor, dying



childless in the Holy Land, bequeathed his estates to my grandfather,

Don Ricardo, in consideration of his faithful services." The stranger






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