LESSON 49 The battle of bannockburn
第四十九課 班諾克本戰(zhàn)役
The English archers, 10,000 strong, had taken up their position on a piece of elevated ground, whence they shot their arrows thick and fast upon the Scots.
英軍有一支一萬人的弓箭手部隊,已經(jīng)在一片高地上就位,他們密集地向蘇軍射箭。
If that sharp and deadly shower were to last, it would go hard with them.
如果這一場致命的箭雨持續(xù)下去,形勢對于蘇軍來說會變得非常艱難。
But King Robert has an eye to everything. At his signal, a body of five hundred horsemen, kept ready for the purpose, are let go.
但是,羅伯特國王對凡事都多留一個心眼。他一聲令下,一隊預先埋伏好的五百人騎兵殺出,
They dash in among the archers, spearing and scattering them.
他們沖進弓箭手中間,用矛把他們射散。
The archers, having neither spear nor axe to defend themselves at close quarters, are so utterly broken and dispersed that they never rally again.
英軍弓箭手由于沒有矛、也沒有戰(zhàn)斧等近身作戰(zhàn)的兵器,因此全線崩潰,四散奔逃,再也無法集結起來。
Their bow-strings are effectually cut, for this time at least.
這一次沖殺至少讓他們的弓箭手完全潰散。
Meanwhile a battle grim and great was raging.
與此同時,一場殘酷而偉大的廝殺開始了。
The shouts and cries, the groans of the wounded and the dying, the clang of blows struck in the fierceness of deadly hate, made a noise which it was hideous to hear.
傷亡士兵的哭喊聲、呻吟聲,兵器劇烈碰撞發(fā)出的叮當聲震耳欲聾。
The field was red with blood.
戰(zhàn)場上鮮血橫流,
Whoever lost his footing in that fierce tumult never rose again.
在這場激烈的廝殺中倒下的人都再也沒有站起來。