LESSON 49 The battle of bannockburn

第四十九课 班诺克本战役

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.

英军有一支一万人的弓箭手部队，已经在一片高地上就位，他们密集地向苏军射箭。

If that sharp and deadly shower were to last, it would go hard with them.

如果这一场致命的箭雨持续下去，形势对于苏军来说会变得非常艰难。

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，罗伯特国王对凡事都多留一个心眼。他一声令下，一队预先埋伏好的五百人骑兵杀出，

They dash in among the archers, spearing and scattering them.

他们冲进弓箭手中间，用矛把他们射散。

The archers, having neither spear nor axe to defend themselves at close quarters, are so utterly broken and dispersed that they never rally again.

英军弓箭手由于没有矛、也没有战斧等近身作战的兵器，因此全线崩溃，四散奔逃，再也无法集结起来。

 

Their bow-strings are effectually cut, for this time at least.

这一次冲杀至少让他们的弓箭手完全溃散。

Meanwhile a battle grim and great was raging.

与此同时，一场残酷而伟大的厮杀开始了。

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.

伤亡士兵的哭喊声、呻吟声，兵器剧烈碰撞发出的叮当声震耳欲聋。

The field was red with blood.

战场上鲜血横流，

Whoever lost his footing in that fierce tumult never rose again.

在这场激烈的厮杀中倒下的人都再也没有站起来。