The summer sun was pouring down a flood of lustre2 over wood and moorland, tangled3 glen, and heathery fells, with the broad and blue expanse of the German ocean sparkling in ten thousand ripples4 far away in the distance. But the radiance of high noon fell not upon the forest and the plain in their solitary5 loveliness, but on the marshalled multitudes of two vast hosts, arrayed in all the pomp and circumstance of antique warfare6, glittering with helms and actons, harquebuss and pike, and waving with a thousand banners, of every brilliant hue7 and proud device. On a gentle eminence8, the very eminence on which, a few short years before, the English Somerset had posted his gallant9 forces, lay the army of the queen, its long front bristling10 with rows of the formidable Scottish spear, its wings protected by chosen corps11 of cavalry12, the firm and true adherents13 of the house of Stuart, or the daring, though licentious14 vassals15 of the duke of Orkney, and the royal banner, with its rich embroidery16, floating in loud supremacy17. Yet, gay and glorious as it showed upon its ground of vantage, and gallantly18 as it might have contested that field against even superior numbers, that array was but in name an army. Thousands were there who, though they had flocked with bow and arrow to the call of their sovereign, felt not distaste alone, but actual disgust to the services on which they were about to be employed; and not a few were among them who knew too well how little was the probability that they, a raw, tumultuary force, led on by men of gallantry indeed, but not of that well-proved experience352 which, to a leader, is more than the truncheon of his command, should come off with victory, or even without defeat, from an encounter with veteran troops, retainers of the most warlike lords in Scotland, marshalled by soldiers with whose fame the air of every European kingdom was already rife—soldiers such as Lyndesay of the Byres, Kirkaldy of the Grange, Murray of Tullibardin, and a hundred others of reputation, if second, second to none but these. Nor was this all; voices were not wanting, even in the army of the queen, to exclaim, that if the royal banner were displayed, its purity was sullied by the presence of a murderer; and that success could never be hoped for, so long as Bothwell rode by the right hand of Mary. One exception there was, however, to this general feeling of dissatisfaction, if not of despair. A band of determined20 men, whose scar-seamed visages and stern demeanor21, no less than the splendid accuracy of their equipments, and the admirable discipline with which they maintained their post, far in advance of the main body, and exposed to inevitable22 destruction on the advance of the confederated forces, should they be suffered, as it appeared too probable that they would, to remain unsupported against such desperate odds23. But these were men to whom the most deadly conflict was but a game of chance; inured24 from their youth upward to deeds of blood and danger—lawless and licentious in time of peace, even as they were cruel, brave, and fearless in the fight—the picked retainers, the desperate, of the duke of Orkney.
Dark glances of contempt, if not of hatred25, were shot ever and anon from beneath the scowling26 brows of these wild desperadoes toward the wavering ranks of the main army, as, unrestrained by the exhortations27 or menaces of their officers—unmoved by the eloquent28 beauty of Mary herself, who rode among the trembling ranks, praying them, as they loved their country, as they valued honor, as they would not see their353 wives, their mothers, and their daughters, delivered to the malice29 of unrelenting foemen, to strike one blow for Scotland’s crown—to give once, once only, their voices to the exulting31 clamor, “God and the queen”—troop after troop broke away from the rear, and scattering32 themselves, singly, or in parties of two or three, over the open country, sought for that safety in mean and dastard33 flight, which they should have asked from their own bold hearts and strong right hands.
It was at this moment that the heads of the confederated columns were seen advancing, in dark and dense34 masses, at three different points, against the front, which was still preserved in Mary’s army by the strenuous35 exertions36 of the leaders, rather than by any soldierly feelings on the part of the common herd37. So nearly had they advanced to the royal lines that the stern and solemn countenances38 of the leaders, as they rode in complete steel, but with their vizors raised, each at the head of his own leading, were visible, feature for feature. The matches of the arquebusses might be clearly distinguished39, blown already into a bright flame, while the pieces themselves were evidently grasped by ready and impatient hands, and the long spears of the vanguard were already lowered; but not a movement of eagerness, not a murmur40, or a shout, was heard throughout the thousands, whose approach was ushered41 to the ears alone by the incessant42 trampling43 sound, borne steadily44 onward45, like the flow of some great river, occasionally broken by the shrill46 neighing of a charger, or the jingling47 clash of arms.
The borderers of Bothwell, on the contrary, as they noted48 the advance, raised, from time to time, the wild and fearful yells with which it was their custom to engage, brandishing49 their long lances, and giving the spur to their horses, till they sprang and bolted like hunted deer; and it required all the influence of hereditary50 chiefs to restrain these savage51 moss-troopers from rushing headlong with their handful of men against354 the unbroken line of the confederate pikes, which swept onward, sullen52 and steady as the tide when it comes in six feet abreast53. The effect of such a movement would have been at once fatal to their wretched mistress. It was too evident that, for a wavering, coward multitude, like that arrayed beneath the banner of the queen, there could be no hope to fight against men such as those who were marching, in determined resolution, up that gentle eminence; and all that now remained was an attempt at negotiation54.
It was at this moment, when the advanced guard of the two armies were scarcely ten spear’s-lengths asunder55, when the determination or wavering of every individual might be read by the opposite party in his features as clearly as in the pages of a book, that a single trumpet56 from the centre of the queen’s army broke the silence with a wild and prolonged flourish. It was no point of war, however, that issued from its brazen57 mouth, no martial58 appeal to the spirits and courage of either host, but the prelude59 to a pacific parley60—and straightway the banners throughout the host were lowered, and a white flag was waved aloft, in place of Scotland’s blazonry. The ranks were slowly opened, and from their centre, with trumpeter and pursuivant, and king-at-arms, rode forth61 Le Croc, the French embassador. This movement, as it seemed, was wholly unexpected by the confederate lords; at least, the ranks continued their deliberate advance unchecked by the symbols of peace that glittered above the weapons of the rival host, till suddenly a foaming62 horse and panting rider furiously galloped63 from the rear. A single word was uttered, in a low, impressive whisper; it passed from mouth to mouth like an electric spark; and, as though it were but a single man, that mighty64 column halted on the instant. There was no confusion in the man?uvre, no hurry, nor apparent effort: the long lines of lances, so beautifully regular in their advance, sank as regularly to their rest;355 and, but for the fluttering of their plumage in the summer air, those beings, strangely composed of every vehement66 and stirring passion, might have passed for images of molten steel. But a few seconds had elapsed, and the flourish of the peaceful trumpets67 was yet ringing in the ears of all, when a dozen horsemen proceeded slowly forward, to meet the royal cavalcade68.
It was a singular and most impressive spectacle, that meeting. It was, as it were, the fearful pause between life and death—the moment of breathless silence that precedes the first crash of the thunderstorm. Every eye was riveted69 in either army on those two groups; every heart beat thick, and every ear tingled70 with excitement. And, even independent of the appalling71 interest of the crisis, there was much to mark, much to admire, in the handful that had come together to speak the doom72 of thousands; to decide whether hundreds and tens of hundreds of those living creatures, who stood around them now, so glorious in the pride, the beauty, and the strength of manhood, should, ere the sun might sink, be as the clods of the valley; to decree, with their ephemeral breath, whether the soft west wind, that wafted73 now the perfumes of a thousand hills to their invigorated senses, should, ere the morrow, be tainted74 like the vapor75 from some foul76 charnel-house!
On the one side, on his light and graceful77 Arab, champing its gilded78 bits and shaking its velvet79 housings, sat the gay and gallant Frenchman—his long, dark locks uncovered, and his fair proportions displayed to the best advantage in his rich garb80 of peace. No weapon did he bear—not even the rapier, without which no gentleman of that period ever went abroad—but which, the more fully65 to manifest the candor81 and sincerity82 of his instructions, a handsome page held by his master’s stirrup. Behind him, with pale visages and anxious mien83, Marchmont, and Bute, and Islay, and the lion King, awaited the result of356 this their last resource.
On the other hand, distinguished from their followers84 only by the beauty of their powerful chargers, and their own knightly86 bearing, halted the rebel chiefs. Plain almost to meanness in his attire87, with his armor stained and rusty88, and his embroidered89 baldrick frayed90 and rent, Lord Lyndesay of the Byres was foremost in the group. Morton was there, and Murray, all steel from crest91 to spur; the best warrior92, where all were good, the noblest spirit, the most upright man, Kirkaldy of the Grange.
“Nobles and knights93 of Scotland,” said the proud envoy94, in a tone so calm and yet so clear that every accent could be noted far and wide, “I come to ye—a gentleman of France—the servant of a mighty monarch95, unbought by friendship and unprejudiced by favor. For myself, or for my royal master, it recks us little whether or not ye choose to turn those swords, which should be the bulwarks96 of your country, against her vitals. Yet should it not be said that Scottishmen, like ill-trained dogs of chase, prefer to turn their fangs97 against each other, than to chase a nobler quarry98. Ye are in arms against your queen—nay99, interrupt me not, my lords—against your queen, I say! or, as perchance ye word it, against her counsellors. That ye complain of grievances100 I know, and, for aught I know, justly complain. Yet pause, brave gentlemen, pause and reflect which is the greater grievance—a country torn with civil factions101, internal war with all its dread102 accompaniments of massacre103 and conflagration104, or those ills which now have stung you to exchange your loyalty105 for rebel arms? Bethink ye, that in such a cause as this it matters not who wins—to vanquish106 countrymen and brothers is but a worse and deadlier evil than defeat by foreign foemen. Think ye this fatal field of Pinkie, whereon ye are arrayed, hath not already drunk enough of Scottish blood, that ye we would deluge107 it again?—or that its name is not yet terrible enough to Scottish ears, that357 ye would now bestow108 a deeper blazonry of sin and shame? Brave warriors109, noble gentlemen, forbear! Let the sword of civil discord110, I beseech111 you, enter its scabbard for once bloodless; let amicable112 parley gain the terms which bloodless news purchased! Strive ye for your country’s glory?—lo, it calls on you to pause! For your own peculiar113 fame?—it bids ye halt while there is yet the time, lest neither birth, nor rank, nor valor114, nor high deeds, nor haughty115 virtues116, preserve ye from the blot117 which lies even yet, though ages have passed, on those who have warred against their country! Is it terms, fair terms, for which ye crowd in arms around yon awful banner?”—pointing to the colors of the rebel lords, emblazoned with the corpse118 of the murdered Darnley, and his orphan119 infant praying for judgment120 and revenge—“lo, terms are here! Peace, then, my lords; give peace to Scotland, and eternal credit to yourselves. Her majesty121 bears not the wonted temper, the stern resentment122 of offended kings: even now she offers peace and amity123, pardon for all offences—ay, and the hand of friendship, to all who will at once retire from this sacrilegious field. Subjects, your queen commands you; nobles and knights, a lady, the fairest lady of her sex, appeals to your chivalry124 and honor. Hear, and be forgiven!—”
“Forgiven!” shouted Glencairn, in tones of deep feeling and yet deeper scorn—“forgiven! we came not here to ask for pardon, but for vengeance125, and vengeance will we have! The blood of Darnley craves126 for punishment upon his murderers! We are come to punish; not to sue for pardon, not to return in peace, until our end is gained, and Scotland’s slaughtered127 king avenged128!”
“Fair sir,” cried Morton—calmer, and for that very reason more to be dreaded129, than his impetuous comrades—“fair sir, we rear no banner and we lift no blade against her grace of Scotland! Against her husband’s murderer have we marched,358 nor will we turn a face, or draw a bridle130, till that murderer lies in his blood, or flies for ever from the land he has polluted by his unnatural131 homicide! Thou hast thine answer, sir. Yet thus much for our ancient friendship, and to testify our high esteem132 for the noble monarch whom thy services here represent: here will we pause an hour. That passed, our word is, ‘Forward! forward!’ and may the God of battles judge between us! Brothers in arms, and leaders of our host, say, have I spoken fairly?”
“Fairly hast thou spoken, noble Morton; and as thou hast spoken, we will it so to be. An hour we pause, and then forward!” The voices of the barons135, as they replied, gave no signs of hesitation136; there was no faltering137 in their tones, no wavering in their fixed138 and steady glances. At once the gallant mediator139 saw that he had failed in his appeal, and that all further words were needless. Slowly and disconsolately140 he bent141 his way back to the royal armament, where the miserable142 Mary awaited, in an agony of shame and anguish143, the doom, for such in truth it was, of her rebellious144 subjects.
On the summit of a little knoll145 she sat, girt by the few undaunted spirits who clung to the last to Mary’s cause, and who were ready at her least word to perish, if by perishing they might preserve her. Lovely as she had seemed in the gay halls of Holyrood, her brow beaming with rapture146, innocence147, majesty, far lovelier was she now in pale and hopeless sorrow. In the vain hope of inspiring ardor148 to her dispirited and coward forces, she had girt her slender form in glittering steel. A light, polished cavinet reflected the bright sunshine above her auburn tresses, and a cuirass of inlaid and jewelled metal flashed on her bosom149. Not a warrior in either host sat firmer or more gracefully150 upon his destrier than Mary upon Rosabelle. A demipique of steel and loaded petronels, with the butt151 of which her fingers played in thoughtless nervousness, had replaced the359 rich housings of that favored jennet; but though arrayed in all the pride and pomp of war, there was neither pride nor pomp in the expression of that pallid152 cheek and quivering lip.
“Noble Le Croc,” she cried, breathless with eagerness as he approached her presence, “what tidings from our misguided subjects? will they depart in peace? Speak out, speak fully: this is no time for well-turned sentences or courteous153 etiquette154. Say, is it peace or war?”
With deep feeling painted on his dark lineaments, the Frenchman answered: “War, your grace, war to the knife; or peace on terms such as I dare not name to you.”
“Then be it war!” cried she, the eloquent blood mantling155 to her cheeks in glorious indignation, her eyes flashing, and her bosom heaving with emotion; “then be it war! We have stooped low enough in suing thus for peace from those whom we are born to govern, and we will stoop no longer. Better to die, to fall as our gallant father fell, leading his faithful countrymen, devoted156 subjects, against enemies not half so fierce as these, who should be brothers. Sound trumpets, advance our guards! Seyton, Fleming, Huntley, to your leadings, and advance! ourselves will see the tourney.”
“Your grace forgets,” replied the experienced leader to whom she first addressed herself, “your grace forgets that not one dastard of this fair army, as it shows upon this ground of vantage, will advance one lance’s length against the foe30. Some scores there are, in truth, followers oft tried and ever-faithful of mine own, and some if I mistake not of the earl of Orkney, who will fight well when shaft157 and steel-point hold together; but ’twere but butchery to lead the rugged158 vassals upon certain death! for what are scores to thousands such as stand thirsting for the battle yonder—thousands led on, too, by the first martialists of Europe? Nevertheless, say but the word, and it is done. Seyton hath ever lived for Stuart—it rests but now360 to die!” He paused—but in an instant, taking his cue from Mary’s extended nostril159 and still-flashing eye, he shouted, in a voice of thunder: “Mount, mount, and make ready! A Seyton, a Seyton for the Stuart!” Already had he dashed the rowels into his steed, and another instant would have precipitated160 his little band upon the inevitable destruction that awaited them in the crowded ranks which, at the well-known sound of that wild slogan, had brought their lances to the charge, and waited but a word to bear down all opposition161.
Happily, so miserable a consummation was warded162 off. The earl of Orkney, who had stood silent and thunder-stricken by the side of his lovely bride, sprang forward, and grasping with impetuous vehemence163 the bridle-rein of Seyton—
“Not so!” he hissed164 through his set teeth, “not so, brave baron134; this is my quarrel now, mine only; and dost think that I will veil my crest to mortal man? Lo! in yonder lines the haughty rebels have drawn165 their weapons, and against me only shall they wield166 them! What, ho there, heralds167! take pursuivant and trumpet, and bear my gauntlet, the earl of Orkney’s gauntlet, to yonder misproud caitiffs: say that Bothwell defies them—defies them to the mortal combat, here before this company, here in the presence of men and angels, to prove his innocence, their bold and overweening treason!”—and he hurled169 his ponderous170 glove to earth.
“Well said and nobly, gallant earl!” cried Seyton; “so shall this foul calumny171 be stayed, and floods of Scottish blood be spared. On to thy devoir, and God will shield the right.”
And at the word the heralds rode forth again, the foremost bearing the glove of the challenger high on a lance’s point. Again the trumpets flourished, but not now as before, in peaceful strains. At the loud clangor of defiance172, the confederate chiefs again strode to the front, their horses led behind them by page or squire173; and as the menace of the challenger was proclaimed361 loudly and clearly by the king-at-arms, a smile of fierce delight flashed over every brow.
“I claim the privilege of battle!” shouted the impetuous Glencairn.
“And I!”—“And I!”—“And I!” rose hoarsely175 into air the mingled176 tones of Morton, Lyndesay, and Kirkaldy, as each sprang forth to seize the proffered177 gauntlet. “I am the senior baron!” shouted one. “And I the leader of the van!” cried another; and for a minute’s space all was confusion, verging178 fast toward strife179, among those chiefs of late so closely linked together—till the deep, sonorous180 voice of Murray, in after-days the regent of the realm, was heard above the tumult19.
“For shame, my lords, for shame! Seems it so much of honor to do the hangman’s office on a murderer, that ye would mar1 our fair array with this disgraceful bruit181 for the base privilege? By Heaven, should the duty fall on me, I should perform it, doubtless, even as I would prefer the meanest work that came before me under the name of duty; but, trust me, I should hold the deed a blot upon mine ancient escutcheon, rather than honor! But to the deed, my lords; the herald168 awaits our answer. Lord Lyndesay, thine is the strongest claim: if thou wilt182 undertake the deed, thou hast my voice.”
“As joyfully183,” muttered Lyndesay beneath his grizzly184 mustache, “as joyfully as to the banquet do I go forth against the craven traitor185! Morton, lend me thy falchion for the trial—the two-handed espaldron which slew186 Spens of Kilspindie, at the brook187 of Fala, in the hands of Archibald of Douglas, thy renowned188 forefather189. God give me grace to wield it, and it shall do as trusty service on the carcass of yon miscreant190!”
“It is decided191, then,” cried Murray; and not a voice replied, for none had the presumption192 to dispute the fitness of the choice which thus had fallen on a leader so renowned for strength and valor. “Herald,” he continued, “go bear our greeting to her362 majesty of Scotland, and say to her, we do accept the challenge. An hour’s truce193 we grant—an equal field here, on this hill of Carbury. The noble earl of Lyndesay will here prove, upon the crest and limbs of that false recreant194, James, some time the earl of Bothwell, the justice of our cause: and so may God defend the right!”
The shout which rang from earth to heaven, at the noble confidence of Murray, bore to the ears of Mary and her trembling followers the assurance that the challenge was accepted; an assurance that sounded joyfully in every ear but that of his who uttered the bravado195. Many a time and oft had Bothwell’s crest shone foremost in the tide of battle; many a time had he confronted deadliest odds with an undaunted visage and a victorious196 blade. Yet now he faltered197; his bold brow blanched198 with sudden apprehension199; his frame, muscular and lofty as a giant’s, actually shook with terror; and his quivering lip paled, ere he heard the name of his antagonist200. Whether it was that guilt201 sat heavy on his heart, and weighed his strong arm down, or that his soul was cowed by the consciousness that he was unsupported and forsaken202 by all his friends, he turned upon his heel, and, muttering some inarticulate sounds, half lost within the hollows of his beaver203, he strode to his pavilion, and thence sent his squire forth, to say that he was ill at ease, and could not fight until the morrow! Mary herself—the fond, confiding204, deceived Mary—burst on the instant into loud contempt at this hardly-credible baseness.
“What! James of Bothwell false!” she cried; “then perish hope! I yield me to the malice of my foes205; I will resist no longer. O man, man—base, coward, miserable man!—is it for this we give our hearts, our lives, ourselves, to your vile174 guidance? is it for this that I have given thee mine all—mine honor, and, perchance, my soul? that thou shouldst cowardly desert me at mine utmost need! Little, oh how little, doth 363the cold world know of woman’s heart and woman’s courage! For thee would I have perished, oh, how joyfully!—and thou, O God! O God! it is a bitter, bitter punishment for my credulity and love: but if I have deserved to suffer, I deserved it not at thy hands, James of Bothwell! Seyton, true friend, to thee I trust mine all. Go summon Kirkaldy to a parley: say Mary, queen of Scotland, rather than look upon the blood of Scottishmen, will grant to her rebellious lords those terms which they desire! Nay, interrupt us not, Lord Seyton. We care not what befall that frozen viper206 whom we warmed within our bosom till he stung us! Away!—let Orkney quit our camp; for, by the glorious light of heaven, we never will behold207 him more!”
She spoke133 with an elevated voice, and features glowing with contending passions, till the faithful baron had departed on his mission; but then, then the false strength yielded to despair, and in an agony of unfettered grief she sank into the arms of her attendants, murmuring amid her tears, “O God, how I did adore that man!” and was borne, almost a corpse, into her tent.
An hour passed heavily away, and at its close Mary came forth, with a brow from which, though pale as the first dawning, every trace of grief had vanished. The terms had been accepted. Without a tear she saw the man for whom she had sacrificed all—all, to her very reputation—mount and depart for ever! Without a tear she backed her own brave palfrey, and rode, attended by a dozen servitors, faithful amid her sorrows as they had been in brighter days, into the rebel host. Little was there of courtesy, of that demeanor which becomes a subject in presence of his queen, a true knight85 before a lady. Amid the taunts208 and jeers209 of the vile soldiery, covered with dust and humiliation210, she entered upon that fatal progress which, commencing in a conditional211 surrender, ended only when she was immured212, beyond a hope of rescue or redemption, within the dungeon-towers of Loch Leven!
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mar
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| vt.破坏，毁坏，弄糟 | |
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lustre
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| n.光亮，光泽；荣誉 | |
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tangled
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| adj. 纠缠的，紊乱的 动词tangle的过去式和过去分词 | |
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ripples
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| 逐渐扩散的感觉( ripple的名词复数 ) | |
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solitary
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| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
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warfare
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| n.战争(状态)；斗争；冲突 | |
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hue
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| n.色度；色调；样子 | |
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eminence
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| n.卓越，显赫；高地，高处；名家 | |
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gallant
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| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
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bristling
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| a.竖立的 | |
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corps
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| n.(通信等兵种的)部队；(同类作的)一组 | |
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cavalry
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| n.骑兵；轻装甲部队 | |
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adherents
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| n.支持者，拥护者( adherent的名词复数 )；党羽；徒子徒孙 | |
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licentious
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| adj.放纵的，淫乱的 | |
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vassals
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| n.奴仆( vassal的名词复数 )；（封建时代）诸侯；从属者；下属 | |
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embroidery
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| n.绣花，刺绣；绣制品 | |
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supremacy
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| n.至上；至高权力 | |
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gallantly
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| adv. 漂亮地，勇敢地，献殷勤地 | |
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tumult
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| n.喧哗；激动，混乱；吵闹 | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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demeanor
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inevitable
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odds
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inured
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hatred
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scowling
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exhortations
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eloquent
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malice
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| n.恶意，怨恨，蓄意；[律]预谋 | |
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foe
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exulting
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scattering
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| n.[物]散射；散乱，分散；在媒介质中的散播adj.散乱的；分散在不同范围的；广泛扩散的；（选票）数量分散的v.散射(scatter的ing形式)；散布；驱散 | |
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33
dastard
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| n.卑怯之人，懦夫；adj.怯懦的，畏缩的 | |
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34
dense
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| a.密集的，稠密的，浓密的；密度大的 | |
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35
strenuous
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| adj.奋发的，使劲的；紧张的；热烈的，狂热的 | |
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36
exertions
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| n.努力( exertion的名词复数 )；费力；（能力、权力等的）运用；行使 | |
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37
herd
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| n.兽群，牧群；vt.使集中，把…赶在一起 | |
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38
countenances
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| n.面容( countenance的名词复数 )；表情；镇静；道义支持 | |
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39
distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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40
murmur
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| n.低语，低声的怨言；v.低语，低声而言 | |
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41
ushered
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| v.引，领，陪同( usher的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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42
incessant
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| adj.不停的，连续的 | |
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43
trampling
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| 踩( trample的现在分词 )； 践踏； 无视； 侵犯 | |
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44
steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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45
onward
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| adj.向前的，前进的；adv.向前，前进，在先 | |
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46
shrill
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| adj.尖声的；刺耳的；v尖叫 | |
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47
jingling
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| 叮当声 | |
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48
noted
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| adj.著名的，知名的 | |
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49
brandishing
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| v.挥舞( brandish的现在分词 )；炫耀 | |
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50
hereditary
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| adj.遗传的，遗传性的，可继承的，世袭的 | |
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51
savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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52
sullen
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| adj.愠怒的，闷闷不乐的，(天气等)阴沉的 | |
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53
abreast
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| adv.并排地；跟上(时代)的步伐，与…并进地 | |
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54
negotiation
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| n.谈判，协商 | |
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55
asunder
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| adj.分离的，化为碎片 | |
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56
trumpet
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| n.喇叭，喇叭声；v.吹喇叭，吹嘘 | |
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57
brazen
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| adj.厚脸皮的，无耻的，坚硬的 | |
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58
martial
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| adj.战争的，军事的，尚武的，威武的 | |
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59
prelude
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| n.序言，前兆，序曲 | |
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60
parley
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| n.谈判 | |
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61
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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62
foaming
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| adj.布满泡沫的；发泡 | |
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63
galloped
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| （使马）飞奔，奔驰( gallop的过去式和过去分词 )； 快速做[说]某事 | |
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64
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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65
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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66
vehement
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| adj.感情强烈的；热烈的；(人)有强烈感情的 | |
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67
trumpets
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| 喇叭( trumpet的名词复数 )； 小号； 喇叭形物； （尤指）绽开的水仙花 | |
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68
cavalcade
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| n.车队等的行列 | |
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69
riveted
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| 铆接( rivet的过去式和过去分词 )； 把…固定住； 吸引； 引起某人的注意 | |
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70
tingled
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| v.有刺痛感( tingle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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71
appalling
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| adj.骇人听闻的，令人震惊的，可怕的 | |
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72
doom
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| n.厄运，劫数；v.注定，命定 | |
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73
wafted
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| v.吹送，飘送，（使）浮动( waft的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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74
tainted
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| adj.腐坏的；污染的；沾污的；感染的v.使变质( taint的过去式和过去分词 )；使污染；败坏；被污染，腐坏，败坏 | |
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75
vapor
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| n.蒸汽，雾气 | |
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76
foul
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| adj.污秽的；邪恶的；v.弄脏；妨害；犯规；n.犯规 | |
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77
graceful
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| adj.优美的，优雅的；得体的 | |
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78
gilded
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| a.镀金的，富有的 | |
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79
velvet
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| n.丝绒，天鹅绒；adj.丝绒制的，柔软的 | |
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80
garb
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| n.服装，装束 | |
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81
candor
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| n.坦白，率真 | |
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82
sincerity
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| n.真诚，诚意；真实 | |
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83
mien
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| n.风采；态度 | |
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84
followers
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| 追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件 | |
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85
knight
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| n.骑士，武士；爵士 | |
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86
knightly
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| adj. 骑士般的 adv. 骑士般地 | |
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87
attire
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| v.穿衣，装扮[同]array；n.衣着；盛装 | |
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88
rusty
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| adj.生锈的；锈色的；荒废了的 | |
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89
embroidered
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| adj．绣花的 | |
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90
frayed
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| adj.磨损的v.（使布、绳等）磨损，磨破( fray的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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91
crest
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| n.顶点；饰章；羽冠；vt.达到顶点；vi.形成浪尖 | |
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92
warrior
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| n.勇士，武士，斗士 | |
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93
knights
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| 骑士； （中古时代的）武士( knight的名词复数 )； 骑士； 爵士； （国际象棋中）马 | |
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94
envoy
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| n.使节，使者，代表，公使 | |
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95
monarch
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| n.帝王，君主，最高统治者 | |
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96
bulwarks
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| n.堡垒( bulwark的名词复数 )；保障；支柱；舷墙 | |
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97
fangs
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| n.（尤指狗和狼的）长而尖的牙( fang的名词复数 )；（蛇的）毒牙；罐座 | |
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98
quarry
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| n.采石场；v.采石；费力地找 | |
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99
nay
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| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
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100
grievances
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| n.委屈( grievance的名词复数 )；苦衷；不满；牢骚 | |
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101
factions
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| 组织中的小派别，派系( faction的名词复数 ) | |
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102
dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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103
massacre
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| n.残杀，大屠杀；v.残杀，集体屠杀 | |
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104
conflagration
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| n.建筑物或森林大火 | |
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105
loyalty
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| n.忠诚，忠心 | |
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106
vanquish
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| v.征服，战胜；克服；抑制 | |
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107
deluge
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| n./vt.洪水，暴雨，使泛滥 | |
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108
bestow
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| v.把…赠与，把…授予；花费 | |
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109
warriors
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| 武士，勇士，战士( warrior的名词复数 ) | |
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110
discord
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| n.不和，意见不合，争论，（音乐）不和谐 | |
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111
beseech
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| v.祈求，恳求 | |
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112
amicable
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| adj.和平的，友好的；友善的 | |
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113
peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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114
valor
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| n.勇气，英勇 | |
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115
haughty
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| adj.傲慢的，高傲的 | |
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116
virtues
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| 美德( virtue的名词复数 )； 德行； 优点； 长处 | |
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117
blot
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| vt.弄脏（用吸墨纸）吸干；n.污点，污渍 | |
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118
corpse
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| n.尸体，死尸 | |
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119
orphan
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| n.孤儿；adj.无父母的 | |
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120
judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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121
majesty
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| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
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122
resentment
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| n.怨愤，忿恨 | |
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123
amity
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| n.友好关系 | |
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124
chivalry
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| n.骑士气概，侠义；（男人）对女人彬彬有礼，献殷勤 | |
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125
vengeance
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| n.报复，报仇，复仇 | |
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126
craves
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| 渴望，热望( crave的第三人称单数 )； 恳求，请求 | |
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127
slaughtered
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| v.屠杀，杀戮，屠宰( slaughter的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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128
avenged
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| v.为…复仇，报…之仇( avenge的过去式和过去分词 )；为…报复 | |
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129
dreaded
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| adj.令人畏惧的；害怕的v.害怕，恐惧，担心( dread的过去式和过去分词) | |
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130
bridle
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| n.笼头，束缚；vt.抑制，约束；动怒 | |
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131
unnatural
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| adj.不自然的；反常的 | |
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132
esteem
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| n.尊敬，尊重；vt.尊重，敬重；把…看作 | |
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133
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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134
baron
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| n.男爵；(商业界等)巨头，大王 | |
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135
barons
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| 男爵( baron的名词复数 )； 巨头； 大王； 大亨 | |
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136
hesitation
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| n.犹豫，踌躇 | |
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137
faltering
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| 犹豫的，支吾的，蹒跚的 | |
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138
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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139
mediator
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| n.调解人，中介人 | |
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140
disconsolately
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| adv.悲伤地，愁闷地；哭丧着脸 | |
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141
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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142
miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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143
anguish
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| n.(尤指心灵上的)极度痛苦，烦恼 | |
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144
rebellious
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| adj.造反的，反抗的，难控制的 | |
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145
knoll
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| n.小山，小丘 | |
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146
rapture
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| n.狂喜；全神贯注；着迷；v.使狂喜 | |
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147
innocence
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| n.无罪；天真；无害 | |
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148
ardor
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| n.热情，狂热 | |
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149
bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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150
gracefully
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| ad.大大方方地；优美地 | |
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151
butt
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| n.笑柄；烟蒂；枪托；臀部；v.用头撞或顶 | |
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152
pallid
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| adj.苍白的，呆板的 | |
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153
courteous
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| adj.彬彬有礼的，客气的 | |
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154
etiquette
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| n.礼仪，礼节；规矩 | |
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155
mantling
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| 覆巾 | |
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156
devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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157
shaft
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| n.(工具的)柄，杆状物 | |
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158
rugged
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| adj.高低不平的，粗糙的，粗壮的，强健的 | |
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159
nostril
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| n.鼻孔 | |
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160
precipitated
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| v.（突如其来地）使发生( precipitate的过去式和过去分词 )；促成；猛然摔下；使沉淀 | |
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161
opposition
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| n.反对，敌对 | |
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162
warded
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| 有锁孔的，有钥匙榫槽的 | |
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vehemence
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| n.热切；激烈；愤怒 | |
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164
hissed
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| 发嘶嘶声( hiss的过去式和过去分词 )； 发嘘声表示反对 | |
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165
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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166
wield
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| vt.行使，运用，支配；挥，使用(武器等) | |
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167
heralds
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| n.使者( herald的名词复数 )；预报者；预兆；传令官v.预示( herald的第三人称单数 )；宣布（好或重要） | |
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herald
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| vt.预示...的来临，预告，宣布，欢迎 | |
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hurled
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| v.猛投，用力掷( hurl的过去式和过去分词 )；大声叫骂 | |
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ponderous
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| adj.沉重的，笨重的，(文章)冗长的 | |
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171
calumny
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| n.诽谤，污蔑，中伤 | |
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172
defiance
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| n.挑战，挑衅，蔑视，违抗 | |
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173
squire
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| n.护卫, 侍从, 乡绅 | |
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174
vile
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| adj.卑鄙的，可耻的，邪恶的；坏透的 | |
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hoarsely
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| adv.嘶哑地 | |
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mingled
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| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
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proffered
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| v.提供，贡献，提出( proffer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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verging
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| 接近，逼近（verge的现在分词形式） | |
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179
strife
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| n.争吵，冲突，倾轧，竞争 | |
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180
sonorous
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| adj.响亮的，回响的；adv.圆润低沉地；感人地；n.感人，堂皇 | |
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181
bruit
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| v.散布；n.（听诊时所听到的）杂音；吵闹 | |
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182
wilt
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| v.(使)植物凋谢或枯萎；(指人)疲倦，衰弱 | |
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183
joyfully
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| adv. 喜悦地, 高兴地 | |
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grizzly
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| adj.略为灰色的，呈灰色的；n.灰色大熊 | |
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185
traitor
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| n.叛徒，卖国贼 | |
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186
slew
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| v.（使）旋转；n.大量，许多 | |
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187
brook
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| n.小河，溪；v.忍受，容让 | |
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188
renowned
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| adj.著名的，有名望的，声誉鹊起的 | |
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forefather
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| n.祖先；前辈 | |
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miscreant
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| n.恶棍 | |
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decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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presumption
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| n.推测，可能性，冒昧，放肆，[法律]推定 | |
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truce
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| n.休战，(争执，烦恼等的)缓和；v.以停战结束 | |
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recreant
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| n.懦夫；adj.胆怯的 | |
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195
bravado
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| n.虚张声势，故作勇敢，逞能 | |
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victorious
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| adj.胜利的，得胜的 | |
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faltered
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| （嗓音）颤抖( falter的过去式和过去分词 )； 支吾其词； 蹒跚； 摇晃 | |
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blanched
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| v.使变白( blanch的过去式 )；使（植物）不见阳光而变白；酸洗（金属）使有光泽；用沸水烫（杏仁等）以便去皮 | |
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apprehension
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| n.理解，领悟；逮捕，拘捕；忧虑 | |
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200
antagonist
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| n.敌人，对抗者，对手 | |
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201
guilt
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| n.犯罪；内疚；过失，罪责 | |
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202
Forsaken
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| adj. 被遗忘的, 被抛弃的 动词forsake的过去分词 | |
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203
beaver
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| n.海狸，河狸 | |
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204
confiding
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| adj.相信人的，易于相信的v.吐露（秘密，心事等）( confide的现在分词 )；（向某人）吐露（隐私、秘密等） | |
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foes
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| 敌人，仇敌( foe的名词复数 ) | |
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206
viper
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| n.毒蛇；危险的人 | |
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207
behold
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| v.看，注视，看到 | |
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208
taunts
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| 嘲弄的言语，嘲笑，奚落( taunt的名词复数 ) | |
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209
jeers
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| n.操纵帆桁下部（使其上下的）索具；嘲讽( jeer的名词复数 )v.嘲笑( jeer的第三人称单数 ) | |
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210
humiliation
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| n.羞辱 | |
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211
conditional
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| adj.条件的，带有条件的 | |
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212
immured
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| v.禁闭，监禁( immure的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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