评论
打印
LESSON 48 The battle of bannockburn (A. D. 1314.)
第四十八课 班诺克本战役（公元1314年）
King Robert The Bruce, well aware of the mighty force advancing against him, mustered his army.
罗伯特·布鲁斯国王清楚地知道进攻的敌人有多强大，但还是集结了军队。
It did not exceed 30,000 fighting men, while the English host numbered altogether more than 100,000.
他的军队能打仗的不超过三万人，而英军的人数却超过了十万。
His plan was to await the enemy on ground where their vast cavalry should not have room to act with effect.
他计划在一个敌军骑兵不能发挥战斗力的地方伏击，
He chose his position in what was then called the New Park, near Stirling—a space of ground studded and encumbered with trees.
他选了斯特林附近的一个地点，就是后人所熟知的新公园——那个地方长满了树木，可以作为天然屏障。
The Scottish army, fronting to the expected advance of the English, looked towards the southeast.
面对如期而至的英军，苏格兰军队看向东南方。
The enemy could not get in upon their right, for it was protected by the Bannock Burn, whose banks were steep and wooded.
敌军无法从右侧进攻，因为右侧有班诺克·本守卫，而且其河畔陡峭，树木繁茂。
On the left, again, where the ground was open, Bruce caused a vast number of pits to be dug, and covered carefully with turf;
左边是一片开阔地，布鲁斯国王命人在此处挖了很多坑，再用草皮仔细盖好；
so that the field, which looked level and firm to the eye, was in reality like a honeycomb, and perfectly impassable to cavalry.
所以，这一片看上去平坦坚固的地面，实际上暗伏危机，骑兵根本无法通行。
The front of the position was so far protected by a marsh, that only one way of approach was left open to the English.
这片开阔地的前方是一片沼泽，英军要通过，只有这条路可走。
On Sabbath the 23d of June they came in sight. Countless banners, standards, and pennons floated gaily above their broad and dense battalions.
6月23日安息日这一天，英军来了。军队浩浩荡荡，旌旗无数。
The sun shone brightly, and the land seemed in a blaze with their burnished helmets, and the brilliant colours of the surcoats which the knights wore above their mail.
阳光很明媚，大地在英军铮亮的头盔以及骑士们身上穿的光鲜战衣的反射下仿佛着火了一般。
They came so near, that it seemed as if they were going to attack at once.
他们逼得很近，仿佛马上就会进攻一样。
