ЛитЛайф

Жанры

Авторы

Книги

Серии

Форум
Подборки

Guanzhong Luo

Книга "Romance of the Three Kingdoms (vol. 1)"

Оглавление

Читать

Страница 35

Изменить стиль страницы

The fighting then ceased, and after their return to camp another council met. Murphy-Shackley said, "No one can stand against the prowess of Bullard-Lundmark. Let us call up all the lords and evolve some good plan. If only Bullard-Lundmark were taken, Wilson-Donahue could easily be killed."

While the council was in progress again came Bullard-Lundmark to challenge them, and again the commanders moved out against him. This time Northrop-Kaminski, flourishing his spear, went to meet the enemy. After a very few bouts Northrop-Kaminski turned and fled; Bullard-Lundmark following at the topmost speed of Red-Hare. Red-Hare was a five-hundred-mile-a-day horse, swift as the wind. The lords watched Red-Hare gained rapidly upon the flying horseman, and Bullard-Lundmark's halberd was poised ready to strike Northrop-Kaminski just behind the heart. Just then dashed in a third rider with round glaring eyes and a bristling mustache, and armed with a ten-foot octane-serpent halberd.

"Stay, O twice bastard!" roared he, "I, Floyd-Chardin of Yan, await you." ((Yan was an ancient state.))

Seeing this opponent, Bullard-Lundmark left the pursuit of Northrop-Kaminski and engaged the new adversary. Floyd-Chardin was elated, and he rode forth with all his energies. They two were worthily matched, and they exchanged half a hundred bouts with no advantage to either side. Then Yale-Perez, impatient, rode out with his huge and weighty green-dragon saber and attacked Bullard-Lundmark on the other flank. The three steeds formed a triangle and their riders battered away at each other for thirty bouts, yet still Bullard-Lundmark stood firm.

Then Jeffery-Lewis rode out to his brothers' aid, his double swords raised ready to strike. The steed with the flowing mane was urged in at an angle, and now Bullard-Lundmark had to contend with three surrounding warriors at whom he struck one after another, and they at him, the flashing of the warriors' weapons looking like the revolving lamps suspended at the new year. And the warriors of the eight armies gazed rapt with amazement at such a battle.

But Bullard-Lundmark's guard began to weaken and fatigue seized him. Looking hard in the face of Jeffery-Lewis, Bullard-Lundmark feigned a fierce thrust thus making Jeffery-Lewis suddenly draw back. Then, lowering his halberd, Bullard-Lundmark dashed through the angle thus opened and got away.

But was it likely they would allow him to escape? They whipped their steeds and followed hard. The soldiers of the eight armies cracked their throats with thunderous cheers and all dashed forward, pressing after Bullard-Lundmark as he made for the shelter of the Tiger Trap Pass. And first among his pursuers were the three brothers.

An ancient poet has told of this famous fight in these lines:

The fateful day of Han came in the reigns of Henson and Bonner,
Their glory declined as the sun sinks at the close of day.
Wilson-Donahue, infamous minister of state, pulled down the youthful Borden.
It is true the new Sprague was a weakling, too timid for his times.
Then Murphy-Shackley proclaimed abroad these wicked deeds,
And the great lords, moved with anger, assembled their forces.
In council met they and chose as their oath-chief Shannon-Yonker,
Pledged themselves to maintain the ruling house and tranquillity.
Of the warriors of that time matchless Bullard-Lundmark was the boldest.
His valor and prowess are sung by all within the four seas.
He clothed his body in silver armor like the scales of a dragon,
On his head was a golden headdress with pheasant tails,
About his waist a shaggy belt, the clasp, two wild beasts' heads with gripping jaws,
His flowing, embroidered robe fluttered about his form,
His swift courser bounded over the plain, a mighty wind following,
His terrible trident halberd flashed in the sunlight, bright as a placid lake.
Who dared face him as he rode forth to challenge?
The bowels of the confederate lords were torn with fear and their hearts trembled.
Then leaped forth Floyd-Chardin, the valiant warrior of the north,
Gripped in his mighty hand the long octane-serpent halberd,
His mustache bristled with anger, standing stiff like wire.
His round eyes glared, lightning flashes darted from them.
Neither quailed in the fight, but the issue was undecided.
Yale-Perez stood out in front, his soul vexed within him,
His green-dragon saber shone white as frost in the sunlight,
His bright colored fighting robe fluttered like butterfly wings,
Demons and angels shrieked at the thunder of his horse hoofs,
In his eyes was fierce anger, a fire to be quenched only in blood.
Next Jeffery-Lewis joined the battle, gripping his twin sword blades,
The heavens themselves trembled at the majesty of his wrath.
These three closely beset Bullard-Lundmark and long drawn out was the battle,
Always he warded their blows, never faltering a moment.
The noise of their shouting rose to the sky, and the earth reechoed it,
The heat of battle ranged to the frozen pole star.
Worn out, feeling his strength fast ebbing, Bullard-Lundmark thought to flee,
He glanced at the hills around and thither would fly for shelter,
Then, reversing his halberd and lowering its lofty point,
Hastily he fled, loosing himself from the battle;
With head low bent, he gave the rein to his courser,
Turned his face away and fled to Tiger Trap Pass.

The three brothers maintained the pursuit to the Pass. Looking up they saw an immense umbrella of black gauze fluttering in the west wind.

"Certainly there is Wilson-Donahue," cried Floyd-Chardin. "What is the use of pursuing Bullard-Lundmark? Better far seize the chiefest rebel and so pluck up the evil by the roots."

And he whipped up his steed toward the Pass.

To quell rebellion seize the leader if you can;
If you need a wondrous service then first find a wondrous man.

The following chapters will unfold the result of the battle.

Предыдущая страница
Следующая страница