八喜电子书 > 经管其他电子书 > preface of william caxton >

第1部分

preface of william caxton-第1部分

小说: preface of william caxton 字数: 每页4000字

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页,按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页,按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部!
————未阅读完?加入书签已便下次继续阅读!







PREFACE OF WILLIAM CAXTON



AFTER that I had accomplished and finished divers histories; as

well of contemplation as of other historial and worldly acts of

great conquerors and princes; and also certain books of ensamples

and doctrine; many noble and divers gentlemen of this realm of

England came and demanded me many and oft times; wherefore that I

have not do made and imprint the noble history of the Saint

Greal; and of the most renowned Christian king; first and chief

of the three best Christian; and worthy; King Arthur; which ought

most to be remembered among us Englishmen to…fore all other

Christian kings; for it is notoyrly known through the universal

world; that there be nine worthy and the best that ever were;

that is to wit; three Paynims; three Jews; and three Christian

men。  As for the Paynims; they were to…fore the Incarnation of

Christ; which were named; the first Hector of Troy; of whom the

history is comen both in ballad and in prose; the second

Alexander the Great; and the third Julius Caesar; Emperor of

Rome; of whom the histories be well known and had。  And as for

the three Jews; which also were to…fore the incarnation of our

Lord; of whom the first was duke Joshua which brought the

children of Israel into the land of behest; the second David king

of Jerusalem; and the third Judas Machabeus; of these three the

Bible rehearseth all their noble histories and acts。  And since

the said Incarnation have been three noble Christian men;

stalled and admitted through the universal world into the number

of the nine best and worthy。  Of whom was first the noble Arthur;

whose noble acts I purpose to write in this present book here

following。  The second was Charlemain; or Charles the Great; of

whom the history is had in many places; both in French and in

English。  And the third and last was Godfrey of Boloine; of whose

acts and life I made a book unto the excellent prince and king of

noble memory; King Edward the Fourth。



The said noble gentlemen instantly required me to imprint the

history of the said noble king and conqueror King Arthur; and of

his knights; with the history of the Saint Greal; and of the

death and ending of the said Arthur; affirming that I ought

rather to imprint his acts and noble feats; than of Godfrey of

Boloine; or any of the other eight; considering that he was a man

born within this realm; and king and emperor of the same: and

that there be in French divers and many noble volumes of his

acts; and also of his knights。  To whom I answered that divers

men hold opinion that there was no such Arthur; and that all such

books as been made of him be feigned and fables; because that

some chronicles make of him no mention; nor remember him nothing;

nor of his knights。  Whereto they answered; and one in special

said; that in him that should say or think that there was never

such a king called Arthur might well be aretted great folly and

blindness。  For he said that there were many evidences of the

contrary。  First ye may see his sepulchre in the monastery of

Glastonbury。  And also in Policronicon; in the fifth book the

sixth chapter; and in the seventh book the twenty…third chapter;

where his body was buried; and after found; and translated into

the said monastery。  Ye shall see also in the history of Bochas;

in his book De Casu Principum; part of his noble acts; and

also of his fall。  Also Galfridus in his British book recounteth

his life: and in divers places of England many remembrances be

yet of him; and shall remain perpetually; and also of his

knights。  First in the abbey of Westminster; at St。 Edward's

shrine; remaineth the print of his seal in red wax closed in

beryl; in which is written; Patricius Arthurus Britannie; Gallie;

Germanie; Dacie; Imperator。  Item in the castle of Dover ye may

see Gawaine's skull; and Cradok's mantle: at Winchester the Round

Table: in other places Launcelot's sword and many other things。 

Then all these things considered; there can no man reasonably

gainsay but there was a king of this land named Arthur。  For in

all places; Christian and heathen; he is reputed and taken for

one of the nine worthy; and the first of the three Christian men。 

And also; he is more spoken of beyond the sea; more books made of

his noble acts; than there be in England; as well in Dutch;

Italian; Spanish; and Greekish; as in French。  And yet of record

remain in witness of him in Wales; in the town of Camelot; the

great stones and the marvellous works of iron lying under the

ground; and royal vaults; which divers now living have seen。 

Wherefore it is a marvel why he is no more renowned in his own

country; save only it accordeth to the Word of God; which saith

that no man is accepted for a prophet in his own country。



Then all these things aforesaid alleged; I could not well deny

but that there was such a noble king named Arthur; and reputed

one of the nine worthy; and first and chief of the Christian men。 

And many noble volumes be made of him and of his noble knights in

French; which I have seen and read beyond the sea; which be not

had in our maternal tongue。  But in Welsh be many and also in

French; and some in English but nowhere nigh all。  Wherefore;

such as have late been drawn out briefly into English I have

after the simple conning that God hath sent to me; under the

favour and correction of all noble lords and gentlemen; enprised

to imprint a book of the noble histories of the said King Arthur;

and of certain of his knights; after a copy unto me delivered;

which copy Sir Thomas Malorye did take out of certain books of

French; and reduced it into English。  And I; according to my

copy; have done set it in imprint; to the intent that noble men

may see and learn the noble acts of chivalry; the gentle and

virtuous deeds that some knights used in those days; by which

they came to honour; and how they that were vicious were punished

and oft put to shame and rebuke; humbly beseeching all noble

lords and ladies; with all other estates of what estate or degree

they been of; that shall see and read in this said book and work;

that they take the good and honest acts in their remembrance; and

to follow the same。  Wherein they shall find many joyous and

pleasant histories; and noble and renowned acts of humanity;

gentleness; and chivalry。  For herein may be seen noble chivalry;

courtesy; humanity; friendliness; hardiness; love; friendship;

cowardice; murder; hate; virtue; and sin。 Do after the good and

leave the evil; and it shall bring you to good fame and renown。 

And for to pass the time this book shall be pleasant to read in;

but for to give faith and belief that all is true that is

contained herein; ye be at your liberty: but all is written for

our doctrine; and for to beware that we fall not to vice nor sin;

but to exercise and follow virtue; by which we may come and

attain to good fame and renown in this life; and after this short

and transitory life to come unto everlasting bliss in heaven; the

which He grant us that reigneth in heaven; the blessed Trinity。 

Amen。



Then to proceed forth in this said book; which I direct unto all

noble princes; lords and ladies; gentlemen or gentlewomen; that

desire to read or hear read of the noble and joyous history of

the great conqueror and excellent king; King Arthur;

sometime king of this noble realm; then called Britain; I;

William Caxton; simple person; present this book following; which

I have enprised to imprint: and treateth of the noble acts; feats

of arms of chivalry; prowess; hardiness; humanity; love;

courtesy; and very gentleness; with many wonderful histories and

adventures。  And for to understand briefly the content of this

volume; I have divided it into XXI Books; and every book

chaptered; as hereafter shall by God's grace follow。  The First

Book shall treat how Uther Pendragon gat the noble conqueror King

Arthur; and containeth xxviii chapters。  The Second Book treateth

of Balin the noble knight; and containeth xix chapters。  The

Third Book treateth of the marriage of King Arthur to Queen

Guenever; with other matters; and containeth xv chapters。  The

Fourth Book; how Merlin was assotted; and of war made to King

Arthur; and containeth xxix chapters。  The Fifth Book treateth of

the conquest of Lucius the emperor; and containeth xii chapters。 

The Sixth Book treateth of Sir Launcelot and Sir Lionel; and

marvellous adventures; and containeth xviii chapters。  The

Seventh Book treateth of a noble knight called Sir Gareth; and

named by Sir Kay Beaumains; and containeth xxxvi chapters。  The

Eighth Book treateth of the birth of Sir Tristram the noble

knight; and of his acts; and containeth xli chapters。  The Ninth

Book treateth of a knight named by Sir Kay Le Cote Male Taille;

and also of Sir Tristram; and containeth xliv chapters。  The

Tenth Book treateth of Sir Tristram; and other marvellous

adventures; and containeth lxxxviii chapters。  The Eleventh Book

treateth of Sir Launcelot and Sir Galahad; and containeth xiv

chapters。  The Twelfth Book treateth of Sir Launcelot and his

madness; and containeth xiv chapters。  The Thirteenth Book

treateth how Galahad came first to king Arthur's court; and the

quest how the Sangreal was begun; and containeth xx chapters。 

The Fourteenth Book treateth of the quest of the Sangreal;

and containeth x chapters。  The Fifteenth Book treateth of Sir

Launcelot; and containeth vi chapters。  The Sixteenth Book

treateth of Sir Bors and Sir Lionel his brother; and containeth

xvii chapters。  The Seventeenth Book treateth of the Sangreal;

and containeth xxiii chapters。  The Eighteenth Book treateth of

Sir Launcelot and the queen; and containeth xxv chapters。  The

Nineteenth Book treateth of Queen Guenever and Launcelot; and

containeth xiii chapters。  The Twentieth Book treateth of the

piteous death of Arthur; and containeth xxii chapters

返回目录 下一页 回到顶部 0 0

你可能喜欢的