chapter I

NOT many years ago there lived in a certain city a person of the name of Henry O'Donell, in figure he was tall of a dark complexion¹ and searching black eye, his mind was strong and unbending his disposition² uncosiable and though respected by many he was loved by few. the city where he resided was very great and magnificent it was governed by a warior a mighty³ man of valour whose deeds had resounded⁴ to the ends of the earth. this soldier had 2 son's who were at that time of the seperate age's of 6 and 7 years Henry—O'Donell was a nobleman of great consequence in the city and a peculiar⁵ favourite with the governor before whose glance his stern mind would bow and at his comand O'Donells selfwill would be overcome and while playing with the young princes he would forget his usual sulleness of demeanour the day's of his childhood returned upon him and he would be a merry as the youngest who was gay indeed. one day at court a quarrel ensued between him and another noble words came to blows and O'Donell struck his oponent a violent blow on the left cheek at this the miliatry King started up and commanded O'Donell to apologize this he imediatly did, but from that hour the spell of discontent seemed to have been cast over him and he resolved to quit the city. the evening before he put this resolution into practise he had an interview with the King and returned quite an altered man. before he seemed stern and intractable now he was only meditative⁶ and sorrowful as he was passing the inner court of the palace he perceived the 2 young princes at play he called them and they came runing to him. I am going far from this city and shall most likely never see you again said O'Donell. where are you going? I canot tell then why do you go away from us why do you go from your own house and lands from this great and splendid city to you know not where because I am not happy here. And if you are not happy here where you have every thing for which you can whish do you expect to be happy when you are dying of hunger or thirst in a desert or longing⁷ for the society of men when you are thousands of miles of miles From any human being. how do you know that that will be my case? it is very likely that it will. and if it was I am determined⁸ to go. take this then that you may sometimes rememberus when you dwell with only the wild beast of the desert or the great eagle of the mountain, said they as they each gave him a curling lock of their hair yes I will take it my princes and I shall rember you and the mighty warrior King your father even when the angel of Death has stretched forth his bony arm against me and I am within the confines of his dreary kingdom the cold damp grave replied O'Donell as the tears rushed to his eyes and he once more embraced the little princes and then quitted them it might be for ever——

1 complexion   

n.肤色；情况，局面；气质，性格

参考例句：

• Red does not suit with her complexion.红色与她的肤色不协调。
• Her resignation puts a different complexion on things.她一辞职局面就全变了。

2 disposition   

n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署

参考例句：

• He has made a good disposition of his property.他已对财产作了妥善处理。
• He has a cheerful disposition.他性情开朗。

3 mighty   

adj.强有力的；巨大的

参考例句：

• A mighty force was about to break loose.一股巨大的力量即将迸发而出。
• The mighty iceberg came into view.巨大的冰山出现在眼前。

4 resounded   

v.（指声音等）回荡于某处( resound的过去式和过去分词 )；产生回响；（指某处）回荡着声音

参考例句：

• Laughter resounded through the house. 笑声在屋里回荡。
• The echo resounded back to us. 回声传回到我们的耳中。 来自《简明英汉词典》

5 peculiar   

adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的

参考例句：

• He walks in a peculiar fashion.他走路的样子很奇特。
• He looked at me with a very peculiar expression.他用一种很奇怪的表情看着我。

6 meditative   

adj.沉思的，冥想的

参考例句：

• A stupid fellow is talkative;a wise man is meditative.蠢人饶舌，智者思虑。
• Music can induce a meditative state in the listener.音乐能够引导倾听者沉思。

7 longing   

n.（for）渴望

参考例句：

• Hearing the tune again sent waves of longing through her.再次听到那首曲子使她胸中充满了渴望。
• His heart burned with longing for revenge.他心中燃烧着急欲复仇的怒火。

8 determined   

adj.坚定的；有决心的

参考例句：

• I have determined on going to Tibet after graduation.我已决定毕业后去西藏。
• He determined to view the rooms behind the office.他决定查看一下办公室后面的房间。