《艾凡赫》

【导读】 沃尔特·司各特（Walter Scott， 1771～1832）是英国文学史上著名的历史小说家。他的历史小说经常将浪漫传奇和历史事件融合起来，在惊心动魄的叙述中揭示社会矛盾。Ivanhoe《艾凡赫》是司各特最为有名的历史小说，该书通过主人公艾凡赫的历险经历再现了英国“狮心王”理查（Richard the Lionheart）时期的复杂民族矛盾和社会矛盾。本文选自《艾凡赫》的第18章，讲述了罗宾汉（化名Sirrah Locksley）和休伯特（Hubert）扣人心弦的箭术比赛，标题为笔者所加。

The Archery Contest

A target was placed at the upper end of the southern avenue and the eight archers took their place in turn. Each of the archers， having previously decided their order， was to shoot three arrows in succession. One by one the archers， stepping forward， shot their arrows bravely. Of the twenty four arrows shot， ten were fixed in the target. Of the ten arrows which hit the target， two within the inner ring were shot by Hubert， who， as a result， was declared winner of the match.

“Now， Locksley，” said Prince John， with a bitter smile， “will you try to compete with Hubert， or will you give up？”

“I am content to try my fortune on condition that when I have shot two arrows at the distant mark of Hubert’s， he shall agree to shoot one as I will propose.” said Locksley.

“Fair enough，” answered Prince John， “and your offer shall not be refused. If you beat this braggart（吹牛的人）Hubert， I will award you with many silver pennies.”

“A man should do his best，” answered Hubert.“My grandfather used his long bow very well at the Battle of Hastings， and I shall live up to his memory.”

The former target was now removed， and a fresh one of the same size was placed in its place. Hubert， who， as winner in the first match， had the right to shoot first. He took his aim with great care， long measuring the distance with his eye， while he held in his hand his bended bow， with the arrow placed on the string. At length he made a step forward， and raising the bow at the full stretch of his left arm， he drew his bowstring（弓弦） to his ear. The arrow whistled through the air， and lighted within the inner ring of the target， but not exactly in the centre.

“You have not allowed for the wind， Hubert，” said Locksley， bending his bow， “or that should have been a better shot.”

So saying， and without showing the least anxiety to pause upon his aim， Locksley stepped to the appointed place， and shot his arrow as carelessly in appearance as if he had not even looked at the mark. He was speaking almost at the instant that the arrow left the bowstring， yet it lighted in the target two inches nearer to the white spot which marked the centre than that of Hubert.

“By the light of heaven！” said Prince John to Hubert， “how can you let that cheater overcome you！ You shall be hanged！”