(原版)澳大利亞語(yǔ)文第六冊(cè) LESSON 29

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LESSON 29 MERDHIN AND THE WOLVES

MERDHIN AND THE WOLVES

I

In the days when the Danes ruled in England, and a Danish king sat on the English throne, the low, swampy region of the Fens [1] was one of the prettiest rural [2] districts in the country.

It was a fair and fertile region, but as it lay near the eastern coast of our island, it was very tempting to the robber Danes, who constantly crossed the North Sea in their "long-ships" to burn the towns, pillage the farm-houses, and lay waste the land. The people of the district went about in fear and trembling. Everywhere there were hardship and misery, scarcity and dread.

Merdhin, a Saxon farmer, lived in a half-cleared nook of this district with his wife Hildelitha and their children. Their life was hard, and often Hildelitha wondered how she was to find nourishing food for her little ones until the next harvest. She, her husband, and the servants could live on salted pork and hard cheese; but the children needed wheaten bread, if they were to grow up strong and healthy.

The barn doors stood wide open. A small heap of barley lay in one corner, and a few beans in another. No man dared to have full barns or cellars, lest his plenty should attract the dreaded Danes. The desire of every householder was to appear to have nothing in his house.

One winter night Merdhin and his wife had remained up till they believed every member of their household to be asleep. Then Hildelitha lighted the household lantern, Merdhin softly opened the door, and forth they went to a little stone-paved enclosure about two hundred yards from the family dwelling. Here Merdhin raised an oblong stone, and looked down into a hole below.

All safe, he whispered. In the pit before him was a little heap of goodly wheat which looked ready for the hand-mill and the girdle-plate. Merdhin quickly ladled out a sufficient quantity for the night's cooking.

As he was about to replace the stone, a voice behind him said, "Not so fast, friend. Empty your hoard while you have the lid up."

Merdhin turned the light in the direction of the voice. Four faces, yellow in the dim gleam, appeared above the wall. All were smiling, but not in such a way as to bring answering smiles.

Out with more of your good wheat, said one of the strangers. "The whole, and no less!" exclaimed another, leaping the wall.

Merdhin seized the man by the throat, but was speedily overpowered. Then the Danes—for such were the unwelcome visitors—pushed their way into the house, and compelled Hildelitha to make cakes for them until all the wheat was spent. A merry night they made of it, but it was an anxious night for the farmer and his family.

In the morning, the leader of the party caused Merdhin to be brought before him.

I am Hagen the Dane, said he, "an officer of Cnut the king, who has sent me to prepare for the making of a great causeway [3] from Peterborough through these low grounds.

Your children's children will have reason to bless the errand on which we come. Yet while the king is creating blessings for you, you have not common hospitality to spare for his servants. You would have offered the king's men nothing better than salt beef and herbs, while all the time you had a store of fine wheat for your greedy selves. I shall make an example of such inhospitality [4] as yours. Now, the wolves are a great hindrance to us. They beset us in our work, and compel us to keep together and to return long distances every night. This, then, shall be your punishment. You will go out, within this hour, against the wolves, and deliver to me, within six weeks from this day, six score of wolves' tongues."

One thing more, continued the dreaded voice of the king's officer. "I shall hold your wife and children as hostages, and you will deliver weekly to me at Peterborough whatever wolves' tongues you have been able to collect. Fail to present yourself week by week, and woe will betide your wife and children."

As Hagen's men led out the horses that were to carry Merdhin's wife and children to Peterborough, Hildelitha besought her husband to fly.

No, said Merdhin, "I will not fly. I will stay and do the Dane's bidding. I will give my whole mind to it. I shall see a Dane in every wolf, and then I shall not be long in getting my six score!" He kissed his weeping wife and children and strode away.

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[1] fens: The low-lying marshy country around the Wash, on the east coast of England.

[2] rural: Of the country.

[3] causeway: A paved road.

[4] inhospitality: Lack of kindliness to strangers.