他身穿国王的衣服站在那里，珠宝镶嵌的神龛打开了盖子，从光芒四射的圣体匣的水晶 上放出异常神奇的光。他身着国王的衣服站在那儿，这里就充满了上帝的荣光，连壁龛中的 圣徒们也好像在动。身穿国王的华贵衣服，他站在了他们的面前，风琴奏出了乐曲，喇叭手 吹响了他们的喇叭，唱诗班的孩子们在放声歌唱。 百姓们敬畏地跪下身来，贵族们收回宝剑并向少年国王行礼，主教大人的脸色变得苍 白，双手颤抖不已。“给你加冕的人比我更伟大。”他大声说道，并跪倒在国王面前。 少年国王从高高的祭坛上走下来，穿过人群朝自己的房间走去。此时没有一个人敢看他 的脸，因为那容貌就跟天使一样。 the young king it was the night before the day fixed for his coronation； and the young king was sitting alone in his beautiful chamber。 his courtiers had all taken their leave of him； bowing their heads to the ground； according to the ceremonious usage of the day； and had retired to the great hall of the palace； to receive a few last lessons from the professor of etiquette； there being some of them who had still quite natural manners； which in a courtier is； i need hardly say； a very grave offence。 the lad … for he was only a lad； being but sixteen years of age … was not sorry at their departure； and had flung himself back with a deep sigh of relief on the soft cushions of his embroidered couch； lying there； wild…eyed and open…mouthed； like a brown woodland faun； or some young animal of the forest newly snared by the hunters。 and； indeed； it was the hunters who had found him； ing upon him almost by chance as； bare…limbed and pipe in hand； he was following the flock of the poor goatherd who had brought him up； and whose son he had always fancied himself to be。 the child of the old kings only daughter by a secret marriage with one much beneath her in station … a stranger； some said； who； by the wonderful magic of his lute…playing； had made the young princess love him； while others spoke of an artist from rimini； to whom the princess had shown much； perhaps too much honour； and who had suddenly disappeared from the city； leaving his work in the cathedral unfinished … he had been； when but a week old； stolen away from his mothers side； as she slept； and given into the charge of a mon peasant and his wife； who were without children of their own； and lived in a remote part of the forest； more than a days ride from the town。 grief； or the plague； as the court physician stated； or； as some suggested； a swift italian poison administered in a cup of spiced wine； slew； within an hour of her wakening； the white girl who had given him birth； and as the trusty messenger who bare the child across his saddle…bow stooped from his weary horse and knocked at the rude door of the goatherds hut； the body of the princess was being lowered into an open grave that had been dug in a deserted churchyard； beyond the city gates； a grave where it was said that another body was also lying； that of a young man of marvellous and foreign beauty； whose hands were tied behind him with a knotted cord； and whose breast was stabbed with many red wounds。 such； at least； was the story that men whispered to each other。 certain it was that the old king； when on his deathbed； whether moved by remorse for his great sin； or merely desiring that the kingdom should not pass away from his line； had had the lad sent for； and； in the presence of the council； had acknowledged him as his heir。 and it seems that from the very first moment of his recognition he had shown signs of that strange passion for beauty that was destined to have so great an influence over his life。 those who acpanied him to the suite of rooms set apart for his service； often spoke of the cry of pleasure that broke from his lips when he saw the delicate raiment and rich jewels that had been prepared for him； and of the almost fierce joy with which he flung aside his rough leathern tunic and coarse sheepskin cloak。 he missed； indeed； at times the fine freedom of his forest life； and was always apt to chafe at the tedious court ceremonies that occupied so much of each day； but the wonderful palace … joyeuse； as they called it … of which he now found himself lord； seemed to him to be a new world fresh…fashioned for his delight； and as soon as he could escape from the council…board or audience…chamber； he would run down the great staircase； with its lions of gilt bronze and its steps of bright porphyry； and wander from room to room； and from corridor to corridor； like one who was seeking to find in beauty an anodyne from pain； a sort of restoration from sickness。 upon these journeys of discovery； as he would call them … and； indeed； they were to him real voyages through a marvellous land； he would sometimes be acpanied by the slim； fair…haired court pages； with their floating mantles； and gay fluttering ribands； but more often he would be alone； feeling through a certain quick instinct； which was almost a divination； that the secrets of art are best learned in secret； and that beauty； like wisdom； loves the lonely worshipper。 many curious stories were related about him at this period。 it was said that a stout burgo…master； who had e to deliver a florid oratorical address on behalf of the citizens of the town； had caught sight of him kneeling in real adoration before a great picture that had just been brought from venice； and that seemed to herald the worship of some new gods。 on another occasion he had been missed for several hours； and after a lengthened search had been discovered in a little chamber in one of the northern turrets of the palace gazing； as one in a trance； at a greek gem carved with the figure of adonis。 he had been seen； so the tale ran； pressing his warm lips to the marble brow of an antique statue that had been discovered in the bed of the river on the occasion of the building of the stone bridge； and was inscribed with the name of the bithynian slave of hadrian。 he had passed a whole night in noting the effect of the moonlight on a silver image of endymion。 all r