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More than thirty yeomen at first presented themselves as competitors,
一开始，有三十多个人出来比试，
several of whom were rangers and under-keepers in the royal forests of Needwood and Charnwood.
其中好些人是游骑兵，有些是尼德伍德和查恩伍德皇家森林的守林员。
When, however, the archers understood with whom they were to be matched,
但是，这些人的身份一暴露出来之后，
upwards of twenty withdrew themselves from the contest, unwilling to encounter the dishonour of almost certain defeat.
二十多人就退出了比赛，因为他们明知必败无疑，都不想摊上这种丢人的事。
For in those days the skill of each celebrated marksman was as well known, for many miles around him,
因为在当时，这些神射手都名声在外，
as the qualities of a horse trained at Newmarket are familiar to those who frequent that well-known meeting.
他们的箭术就像是纽马克市久经训练的马匹熟悉四周一样纯熟。
The diminished list of competitors for silvan fame still amounted to eight.
这些人退出比赛后，场上仍有八人，
Prince John stepped from his royal seat to view more closely the persons of these chosen yeomen,
约翰亲王从王座上起身，为了能看清场上的人而往前走了一步，
several of whom wore the royal livery.
他发现，留下来的有好几个是皇家侍卫。
Having satisfied his curiosity by this investigation, he looked for the object of his resentment, whom he observed standing on the same spot,
看清楚后，他的好奇心得到了满足，他就开始寻找那个让他愤恨的人。
and with the same composed countenance which he had exhibited upon the preceding day.
那个人还是站在昨天的位置，脸上还是一样镇静的表情。
"Fellow," said Prince John, "I guessed by thy insolent babble thou wert no true lover of the longbow,
“小子，”约翰亲王说，“这回你还敢大放厥词吗？
and I see thou darest not adventure thy skill among such merry-men as stand yonder."
还要冒冒险和这些优秀的侍从比试嘛。”
"Under favour, sir," replied the yeoman, "I have another reason for refraining to shoot,
“殿下，如果你允许我这样说的话，”他回答道，“我不参加比赛，还另一个理由，
besides fearing discomfiture and disgrace."
但不会是因为害怕失败和丢人。”
