Запретный лес
II. The Road to Calidon
"Ibantobscurisolasubnocteperumbram,"werethewordshespoke.
Davidcappedthem.
"PerquedomosDitisvacuasetinaniaregna,
Qualeperincertamlunam..."
Themanonthehorselaughed,andDavid,lookingup,hadhisfirstpropersightofhisface.Itwasalongface,verypale,unshavenanddirty,butitwasnofaceofagroom.Thethinaquilinenose,thebroadfinelyarchedbrow,wereinthemselvesimpressive,butthedominantfeaturewastheeyes.Theyseemedtobegrey--ardent,commanding,andyetbrooding.Davidwassoabsorbedbythissuddenvisionthathetrippedoverastoneandalmostpulledthehorsedown.
"Ididnotlook,"saidtherider,inavoicelow-pitchedandmusical,"Ididnotlooktofindascholarinthesehills."
"NordidIknow,"saidDavid,"thatVirgilwasthecommonreadingofLeven’smen."
Theyhadreachedafieldofwildpasturestuddedwithlittlethorns,inthemiddleofwhichstoodagreatstonedovecot.AburnfallinginadeepravinemadeamoatononesideofthetowerofCalidon,whichnowrosewhitelikemarbleinthemoon.Theycrossedtheravine,notwithouttrouble,andjoinedthemainroadfromtheglen,whichendedinahigh-archedgateroundwhichclusteredhalfadozenhuts.
Atthesoundoftheirarrivalmenranoutofthehuts,andoneseizedthebridleoftheleader.Davidandthegroomhadnowfallenback,anditwasthedarkmanwhodidthetalking.Thesewerestrangetroopers,fortheysattheirhorseslikeprinces,sothatthehandlaidonthebridlewaspromptlydropped.
"WewouldspeakwiththelairdofCalidon,"thedarkmansaid."Stay,carrythisringtohim
