To give a complete outline of the adventures which befell all these knights and ladies in the course of seventeen epics and romances,—of which many versions exist, and to which each new poet added some episode,—would require far more space than any one volume would afford. A general outline will therefore be given of the two principal themes, the Quest of the Holy Grail and King Arthur and his Round Table, mentioning only the main features of the other epics as they impinge upon these two great centres.
Some of the greatest writers of the Arthurian cycle have been Gildas, Nennius, Geoffrey of Monmouth, Wace, Robert de Borron, Marie de France, Layamon, Chrestien de Troyes, Benoit de St. Maur, Gaucher, Manessier, Gerbert, Knot de Provence, Wolfram von Eschenbach, Gottfried von Strassburg, Hartmann von der Aue, Malory, Tennyson, Swinburne, Howard Pyle, Matthew Arnold, and Wagner. Still, almost every writer of note has had something to say on the subject, and thus the Arthuriana has become almost as voluminous as the Shakespeariana. The legend of Arthur, almost unknown before the twelfth century, so rapidly became popular all over Europe, that it was translated into every language and recited with endless variations at countless7 firesides.
Robert de Borron is said to be mainly responsible for the tale of Merlin, the real poet of that name having been a bard8 at the court, first of Ambrosius Aurelianus and then of King Arthur. The Merlin of the romances is reported to have owed his birth to the commerce of a fiend with an unconscious nun9. A priest, convinced of the woman's purity of intention, baptized her child as soon as born, thus defeating the plots of Satan, who had hoped the son of a fiend would be able to outwit the plans of the Son of Man for human redemption. In early infancy10, already, this Merlin showed his miraculous11 powers, for he testified in his mother's behalf when she was accused of incontinency.
Meantime Constance, King of England, had left three sons, the eldest12 of whom, Constantine, had entered a monastery13, while the two others were too young to reign14. Drawn15 from his retirement16 to wear a crown, Constantine proved incapable17 to maintain order, so his general, Vortigern, with the aid of the Saxon leaders Hengist and Horsa, usurped18 his throne. Some time after, wishing to construct an impregnable fortress19 on Salisbury Plain, Vortigern sent for a host of masons, who were dismayed to see the work they had done during the day destroyed every night.
On consulting an astrologer, Vortigern was directed to anoint the stones with the blood of a boy of five who had no human father. The only child corresponding to this description was Merlin, who saved himself from untimely death by telling the king that, if he dug down and drained the lake he would find, he would discover broad stones beneath which slept two dragons by day, although they fought so fiercely at night that they caused the tremendous earthquakes which shattered his walls. These directions were followed, the dragons were roused, and fought until the red one was slain20 and the two-headed white one disappeared. Asked to explain the meaning of these two dragons, Merlin—the uncanny child—declared the white dragon with two heads represented the two younger sons of King Constance, who were destined21 to drive Vortigern away. Having said this, Merlin disappeared, thus escaping the wrath22 of Vortigern, who wished to slay23 him.
Soon after, the young princes surprised and burned Vortigern in his palace, and thus recovered possession of their father's throne. Then, one of them dying, the other, assuming both their names, became Uther Pendragon, king of Britain. Such was his bravery that during his reign of seven years he became overlord of all the petty kings who had meantime taken possession of various parts of England. He was aided in this work by his prime-minister, Merlin, whose skill as a clairvoyant24, magician, inventor, and artificer of all kinds of things—such as armor which nothing could damage, a magic mirror, round table, ring, and wonderful buildings—was of infinite service to his master and fired the imagination of all the poets.
There are various accounts of Arthur's birth; according to one, Uther fell in love with Gorlois' wife Igerne, who was already mother of three daughters. Thanks to Merlin's magic arts, Uther was able to visit Igerne in the guise25 of her husband, and thus begot26 a son, who was entrusted27 to Merlin's care as soon as born. Another legend declares that, after Gorlois' death, Uther Pendragon married Igerne, and that Arthur was their lawful28 child. Feeling he was about to die, and fearing lest his infant son should be made away with by the lords he had compelled to obedience29, Uther Pendragon bade Merlin hide Arthur until he was old enough to reign over Britain. Merlin therefore secretly bore the babe, as soon as born, to Sir Ector, who brought Arthur up in the belief he was the younger brother of his only son, Sir Kay.
Arthur had just reached eighteen when the Archbishop of Canterbury besought30 Merlin to select an overlord who would reduce the other kings to obedience, and thus restore peace, law, and order in Britain. Thereupon Merlin promised him a king would soon appear whose rights none would be able to dispute. Shortly after, on coming out of the cathedral one feast-day, the archbishop saw a huge block of stone, in which was imbedded an anvil31, through which was thrust a beautiful sword. This weapon, moreover, bore an inscription32, stating that he who pulled it out and thrust it back would be the rightful heir to the throne.
Meantime a tournament had been proclaimed, and Sir Kay, having broken his sword while fighting, bade his brother Arthur get him another immediately. Unable to find any weapon in their tent, Arthur ran to the anvil, pulled out the sword, and gave it to Sir Kay. Seeing it in his son's hand, Sir Ector inquired how it had been obtained, and insisted upon Arthur's thrusting it back and taking it out repeatedly, before he would recognize him as his king. As none of the other lords could move the sword, and as Arthur repeatedly proved his claim to it on the great feast-days, he became overlord of all the petty kings. At Sir Ector's request he appointed Sir Kay as steward34 of his palace, and, thanks to the help of Merlin and of his brave knights, soon subdued35 the rebels, and became not only master of all England, but, if we are to believe the later romances, a sort of English Alexander, who, after crossing the Alps, became Emperor of the World!
During his reign Arthur fought twelve memorable36 battles, and, not content with this activity, often rode out like other knights-errant in quest of adventure, challenging any one who wanted to fight, rescuing captives, and aiding damsels in distress37. In these encounters Arthur wore the peerless armor made by Merlin, and sometimes carried a shield so brilliant that it blinded all who gazed upon it. It was, therefore, generally covered with a close-fitting case, which, like Arthur's helmet, bore as emblem38 a two-headed dragon. Having lost his divine sword in one encounter, Arthur was advised by Merlin to apply for another to Nimue, or Nymue, the Lady of the Lake. She immediately pointed33 out an arm, rising from the middle of the lake, brandishing39 a magnificent sword. Springing into a skiff near by, Arthur was miraculously41 ferried to the centre of the lake, where, as soon as he touched the sword, the mystic arm disappeared. Merlin now informed Arthur that, fighting with Excalibure, his wonderful sword, he could never be conquered, and that as long as its scabbard hung by his side he could not be wounded. Later on in the story, Arthur, having incurred42 the anger of one of his step-sisters, Morgana the Fay, she borrowed Excalibure under pretext43 of admiring it, and had so exact a copy of it made that no one suspected she had kept the magic sword until Arthur was wounded and defeated. He, however, recovered possession of Excalibure—if not of the scabbard—before he fought his last battle.
Arthur was not only brave, but very romantic, for, Guinevere having bent44 over him once when he lay half unconscious from a wound, he fell so deeply in love with her that he entered her father's service as garden boy. There Guinevere discovered his identity, and, guessing why he had come, teased him unmercifully. Shortly after, a neighboring, very ill-favored king declared Guinevere's old father would be deprived of his kingdom unless she would consent to marry him, and defied in single combat any one who ventured to object to this arrangement.
Arthur, having secretly provided himself with a white horse and armor, defeated this insolent47 suitor, and, after a few more thrilling adventures, arranged for his marriage to Guinevere in the fall. By Merlin's advice he also begged his future father-in-law to give him, as wedding present, the Round Table Merlin had made for Uther Pendragon. This was a magic board around which none but virtuous48 knights could sit. When led to a seat, any worthy49 candidate beheld50 his name suddenly appear on its back, in golden letters, which vanished only at his death, or when he became unworthy to occupy a seat at the Round Table. Besides, on one side of Arthur's throne was the Siege Perilous51, which none could occupy, under penalty of destruction, save the knight3 destined to achieve the Holy Grail.
We are informed that Arthur sent his best friend and most accomplished52 knight, Launcelot, to escort Guinevere to Caerleon on Usk, where the wedding and first session of the Round Table were to take place on the self-same day. It seems that, when this Launcelot was a babe, his parents had to flee from a burning home. Overcome by sorrow and wounds, the poor father soon sank dying beside the road, and, while the mother was closing his eyes, the Lady of the Lake suddenly rose from her watery53 home, seized the babe, and plunged54 back with him into its depths. The widowed and bereft55 woman therefore entered a convent, where she was known as the Lady of Sorrows, for little did she suspect her son was being trained by Pellias—husband of the Lady of the Lake—to become the most famous knight of the Round Table. At eighteen the Lady of the Lake decided56 it was time Launcelot should be knighted. So, on St. John's eve—when mortals can see fairies—King Arthur and Sir Ector were led, by a mysterious damsel and dwarf57, to a place where Pellias and the Lady of the Lake begged them to knight their protégé and pupil, who was henceforth to be known as Launcelot of the Lake. Not only did Arthur gladly bestow58 the accolade59 upon the young man, but he took him with him to Camelot.
It was as supreme60 honor and mark of confidence that Arthur sent Launcelot to get Guinevere. Some legends claim these two already loved each other dearly, others that they fell in love during the journey, others still that their guilty passion was due to a love potion, and a few that Guinevere, incensed61 by the behavior of Arthur,—whom some of the epics do not depict62 as Tennyson's "blameless king,"—proved faithless in revenge later on. All the versions, however, agree that Launcelot cherished an incurable63, guilty passion for Guinevere, and that she proved untrue to her marriage vows64. Time and again we hear of stolen meetings, and of Launcelot's deep sorrow at deceiving the noble friend whom he continues to love and admire. This is the only blemish65 in his character, while Guinevere is coquettish, passionate66, unfeeling, and exacting67, and has little to recommend her aside from grace, beauty, and personal magnetism68. At court she plays her part of queen and lady of the revels69 with consummate70 skill, and we have many descriptions of festivities of all kinds. During a maying party the queen was once kidnapped by a bold admirer and kept for a time in durance vile71. Launcelot, posting after her, ruthlessly cut down all who attempted to check him, and, his horse falling at last beneath him, continued his pursuit in a wood-chopper's cart, although none but criminals were seen in such a vehicle in the Middle Ages. The Knight of the Cart was, however, only intent upon rescuing the queen, who showed herself very ungrateful, for she often thereafter taunted72 him with this ride and laughed at the gibes73 the others lavished74 upon him. Twice Guinevere drove Launcelot mad with these taunts75, and frequently she heartlessly sent him off on dangerous errands.
Launcelot, however, so surpassed all the knights in courage and daring that he won all the prizes in the tournaments. A brilliant series of these entertainments was given by the king, who, having found twelve large diamonds in the crown of a dead king, offered one of them as prize on each occasion. Launcelot, having secured all but the last, decided to attend the last tournament in disguise, after carefully informing king and queen he would not take part in the game.
Pausing at the Castle of Astolat, he borrowed a blank shield, and left his own in the care of Elaine, daughter of his host, who, although he had not shown her any attention, had fallen deeply in love with him. As further disguise, Launcelot also wore the favor Elaine timidly offered, and visited the tournament escorted by her brother. Once more Launcelot bore down all rivals, but he was so sorely wounded in the last encounter that he rode off without taking the prize. Elaine's brother, following him, conveyed him to a hermit's, where some poets claim Elaine nursed him back to health. Although there are two Elaines in Launcelot's life, i.e., the daughter of Pelles (whom he is tricked into marrying and who bears him Galahad) and the "lily maid of Astolat,"—some of the later writers fancied there was only the latter. According to some accounts Launcelot lived happily with the first Elaine in the castle he had conquered,—Joyous76 Garde,—until Queen Guinevere, consumed by jealousy77, summoned them both to court. There she kept them apart, and so persecuted78 poor Elaine that she crept off to a convent, where she died, after bringing Galahad into the world and after predicting he would achieve the Holy Grail.
The other Elaine,—as Tennyson so beautifully relates, a dying of unrequited love, bade her father and brothers send her corpse79 down the river in charge of a dumb boatman. Everybody knows of the arrival of the funeral barge80 at court, of the reading of the letter in Elaine's dead hand, and of Launcelot's sorrow over the suffering he had unwittingly caused.
Launcelot and Guinevere are not the only examples in the Arthurian Cycle of the love of a queen for her husband's friend, and of his overwhelming passion for the wife of his master. Another famous couple, Tristram and Iseult, [23] also claims our attention.
The legend of Tristram was already known in the sixth century, and from that time until now has been periodically rewritten and embellished81. Like most mediaeval legends, it begins with the hero's birth, gives in detail the whole story of his life, and ends only when he is safely dead and buried!
The bare outline of the main events in Tristram's very adventurous82 career are the elopement of his mother, a sister of King Mark of Cornwall. Then, while mourning for her beloved, this lady dies in giving birth to her son, whom she names Tristram, or the sad one.
Brought up by a faithful servant,—Gouvernail or Kurvenal,—Tristram learns to become a peerless hunter and musician. After describing sundry83 childish and youthful adventures in different lands, the various legends agree in bringing him to his uncle's court, just as a giant champion arrives from Ireland, claiming tribute in money and men unless some one can defeat him in battle. As neither Mark nor any of his subjects dare venture to face the challenger, Morolt, Tristram volunteers his services. The battle takes place on an island, and, after many blows have been given and received and the end has seemed doubtful, Tristram (who has been wounded by his opponent's poisoned lance) kills him by a blow of his sword, a splinter of which remains84 embedded85 in the dead giant's skull86. His corpse is then brought back to Ireland to receive sepulchre at the hands of Queen Iseult, who, in preparing the body for the grave finds the fragment of steel, which she treasures, thinking it may some day help her to find her champion's slayer87 and enable her to avenge88 his death.
Meanwhile Tristram's wound does not heal, and, realizing Queen Iseult alone will be able to cure him, he sails for Ireland, where he presents himself as the minstrel Tramtris, and rewards the care of the queen and her daughter—both bearing the name of Iseult—by his fine music.
On his return to Cornwall, Tristram, who has evidently been impressed by Princess Iseult's beauty, sings her praises so enthusiastically that King Mark decides to propose for her hand, and—advised by the jealous courtiers, who deem the expedition perilous in the extreme—selects Tristram as his ambassador.
On landing in Ireland, Tristram notices ill-concealed excitement, and discovers that a dragon is causing such damage in the neighborhood that the king has promised his daughter's hand to the warrior89 who would slay the monster.
Nothing daunted90, Tristram sets out alone, and beards the dragon in his den45 to such good purpose that he kills him and carries off his tongue as a trophy91. But, wounded in his encounter, Tristram soon sinks by the roadside unconscious. The king's butler, who has been spying upon him and who deems him dead, now cuts off the dragon's head and lays it at the king's feet, claiming the promised reward.
Princess Iseult and her mother refuse, however, to believe that this man—a notorious coward—has performed any such feat6, and hasten out to the battle-field. There they find not only the headless dragon, but the unconscious Tristram, and the tongue which proves him the real victor. To nurse him back to health is no great task for these ladies, who, like many of the heroines of the mediaeval epics and romances, are skilled leeches92 and surgeons.
One day, while guarding their patient's slumbers93, the ladies idly examine his weapons, and make the momentous94 discovery that the bit of steel found in Morolt's head exactly fits a nick in Tristram's sword.
Although both had sworn vengeance95, they decide the service Tristram has just rendered them and their country more than counterbalances the rest, and therefore let him go unscathed.
Fully46 restored to health, Tristram proves the butler had no right to Iseult's hand, and, instead of enforcing his own claim, makes King Mark's proposals known. Either because such an alliance flatters their pride or because they dare not refuse, Iseult's parents accept in their daughter's name and prepare everything for her speedy departure. The queen, wishing to save her daughter from the curse of a loveless marriage, next brews96 a love-potion which she bids Brengwain—her daughter's maid and companion—administer to King Mark and Iseult on their wedding night.
During the trip across the Irish Channel, Tristram entertains Princess Iseult with songs and tales, until he becomes so thirsty that he begs for a drink. By mistake the love-potion is brought, and, as Iseult graciously dips her lips in the cup before handing it to her entertainer, it comes to pass both partake of the magic draught97, and thus become victims of a passion which naught98 can cure. Still, as their intentions remain perfectly99 honorable, they continue the journey to Cornwall, and, in spite of all he suffers, Tristram delivers the reluctant bride into his uncle's hands.
Some legends claim that Iseult made her maid Brengwain take her place by the king's side on their wedding night, and that, although the Irish princess dwelt in the palace at Cornwall, she never proved untrue to her lover Tristram. The romances now give us stolen interviews, temporary elopements, and hair-breadth escapes from all manner of dangers. Once, for instance, Iseult is summoned by her husband to appear before the judges and clear herself from all suspicion of infidelity by taking a public oath in their presence. By Iseult's directions, Tristram, disguised as a mendicant100, carries her ashore101 from the boat, begging for a kiss as reward. This enables the queen to swear truthfully that she has never been embraced by any man save King Mark and the mendicant who carried her ashore!
Tristram—like Launcelot—deeply feels the baseness of his conduct toward his uncle and often tries to tear himself away, but the spell of the magic potion is too powerful to break. Once remorse102 and shame actually drive him mad, and he roams around the country performing all manner of crazy deeds.
He too, when restored to his senses, visits Arthur's court, is admitted to the Round Table, and joins in the Quest for the Holy Grail, which, of course, he cannot achieve. Then he does marvels103 in the matter of hunting and fighting, and, having received another dangerous wound, wonders who besides Iseult of Cornwall can cure it? It is then he hears for the first time of Iseult of Brittany (or of the White Hands), whose skill in such matters is proverbial, and, seeking her aid, is soon made whole. But meantime the physician has fallen in love with her patient, and fancies her love is returned because every lay he sings is in praise of Iseult!
Her brother, discovering her innocent passion, reveals it to Tristram, who, through gratitude104 or to drive the remembrance of his guilty passion out of his mind, finally marries her. But even marriage cannot make him forget Iseult of Cornwall. The time comes when, wounded beyond the power of his wife's skill to cure, Tristram sends for Iseult of Cornwall, who, either owing to treachery or to accident, arrives too late, and dies of grief on her lover's corpse.
Some legends vary greatly in the manner of Tristram's death, for he is sometimes slain by King Stark105, who is justly angry to find him in his wife's company. Most of the versions, however, declare that the lovers were buried side by side, and that creepers growing out of their respective graves twined lovingly around each other.
Other beautiful episodes which are taken from old Welsh versions of the Arthurian legends are the stories of Geraint and Enid, of Pelleas and Ettarre, of Gareth and Lynette, which have received their latest and most beautiful setting at the hands of the poet-laureate Tennyson, and the very tragic106 and pathetic tale of the twin brothers Balin and Balan, who, after baleful happenings galore, failing to recognize each other, fight until one deals the "dolorous107 stroke" which kills his brother.
Were any one patient enough to count the characters, duels108, and hair-breadth escapes in Malory's Morte d'Arthur, the sum might well appall109 a modern reader. Magic, too, plays a prominent part in the Arthurian cycle, where Merlin, by means of a magic ring given by the Lady of the Lake to her sister Vivien, becomes so infatuated with the latter lady, that she is able to coax110 from him all his secrets, and even to learn the spell whereby a mortal can be kept alive although hidden from all eyes. Having obtained the magic formula by bringing all her coquettish wiles111 to bear upon besotted old Merlin, Vivien is said to have decoyed the wizard either to an enchanted112 castle, where she enclosed him in a stone sepulchre, or into the forest of Broceliande, in Brittany, where she left him, spellbound in a flowering thorn-bush. Another legend, however, claims that, having grown old and forgetful, Merlin absent-mindedly attempted to sit down in the Siege Perilous, only to be swallowed up by the yawning chasm113 which opened beneath his feet.
It was at the height of Arthur's prosperity and fame that the knights of the Round Table solemnly pledged themselves to undertake the Quest of the Holy Grail, as is described in the chapter on that subject. Their absence, the adultery of the queen, and the king's consciousness of past sins cast such a gloom over the once brilliant reunions of Camelot and Caerleon, as well as over the whole land, that Arthur's foes115 became bolder, and troubles thickened in an ominous116 way. Finally, most of the knights returned from the Quest sadder and wiser men, Launcelot was banished117 by the king to Joyous Garde, and was therefore not at hand when the last great fight occurred. Mordred, the Judas of the Arthurian cycle—whom some poets represent as the illegitimate and incestuous son of Arthur, while others merely make him a nephew of the king—rebels against Arthur, who engages in his last battle, near the Castle of Tintagel, where he was born.
In this encounter all are slain on both sides, and Arthur, having finally killed the traitor119 Mordred, after receiving from him a grievous wound, finds no one near to help or sustain him save Sir Bedevere. Knowing his wonderful blade Excalibure must return to its donor120 ere he departs, Arthur thrice orders his henchman to cast it into the mere118. Twice Sir Bedevere hides the sword instead of obeying, but the third time, having exactly carried out the royal orders, he reports having seen a hand rise out of the Lake, catch and brandish40 Excalibure, and vanish beneath the waters with it! Arthur is next carried by Sir Bedevere down to the water's edge, where a mysterious barge receives the almost dying king. In this barge are three black-veiled queens,—the king's step-sisters,—and, when Arthur's head has been tenderly laid in the lap of Morgana the Fay, he announces he is about to sail off to the Isle121 of Avalon "to be healed of his wound." Although the Isle of Avalon was evidently a poetical122 mediaeval version of the "bourne whence no man returns," people long watched for Arthur's home-coming, for he was a very real personage to readers of epics and romances in the Middle Ages.
Guinevere—her sin having been discovered by her hitherto fabulously123 blind husband—took refuge in a nunnery at Almesbury, where she received a farewell visit from Arthur and an assurance of his forgiveness, before he rode into his last fight.
As for Launcelot, he, too, devoted124 his last days to penance125 and prayer in a monastery. There he remained until warned in a vision that Guinevere was dead. Leaving his cell, Launcelot hastened to Almesbury, where, finding Guinevere had ceased to breathe, he bore her corpse to Glastonbury—where according to some versions Arthur had been conveyed by the barge and buried—and there laid her to rest at her husband's feet.
Then Launcelot again withdrew to his cell, where he died after six months' abstinence and prayer. It was his heir, Sir Ector, who feelingly pronounced the eulogy126 of the knight par5 excellence127 of the mediaeval legends in the following terms: "'Ah, Sir Lancelot,' he said, 'thou were head of all Christian128 knights; and now I dare say,' said Sir Ector, 'that, Sir Lancelot, there thou liest, thou were never matched of none earthly knight's hands; and thou were the courtliest knight that ever bare shield; and thou were the truest friend to thy lover that ever bestrode horse; and thou were the truest lover of a sinful man that ever loved woman; and thou were the kindest man that ever struck with sword; and thou were the goodliest person that ever came among press of knights; and thou were the meekest129 man, and the gentlest, that ever ate in hall among ladies; and thou were the sternest knight to thy mortal foe114 that ever put spear in rest.'"
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epics
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| n.叙事诗( epic的名词复数 )；壮举；惊人之举；史诗般的电影（或书籍） | |
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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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knight
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| n.骑士，武士；爵士 | |
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nucleus
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| n.核，核心，原子核 | |
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par
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| n.标准，票面价值，平均数量；adj.票面的，平常的，标准的 | |
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feat
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| n.功绩；武艺，技艺；adj.灵巧的，漂亮的，合适的 | |
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countless
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| adj.无数的，多得不计其数的 | |
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bard
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| n.吟游诗人 | |
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nun
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| n.修女，尼姑 | |
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infancy
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| n.婴儿期；幼年期；初期 | |
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miraculous
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| adj.像奇迹一样的，不可思议的 | |
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eldest
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| adj.最年长的，最年老的 | |
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monastery
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| n.修道院，僧院，寺院 | |
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reign
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| n.统治时期，统治，支配，盛行；v.占优势 | |
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drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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retirement
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| n.退休，退职 | |
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incapable
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| adj.无能力的，不能做某事的 | |
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usurped
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| 篡夺，霸占( usurp的过去式和过去分词 )； 盗用； 篡夺，篡权 | |
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fortress
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| n.堡垒，防御工事 | |
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slain
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| 杀死，宰杀，杀戮( slay的过去分词 )； (slay的过去分词) | |
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destined
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| adj.命中注定的；(for)以…为目的地的 | |
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wrath
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| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
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slay
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| v.杀死，宰杀，杀戮 | |
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clairvoyant
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| adj.有预见的；n.有预见的人 | |
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guise
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| n.外表，伪装的姿态 | |
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begot
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| v.为…之生父( beget的过去式 )；产生，引起 | |
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entrusted
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| v.委托，托付( entrust的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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lawful
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| adj.法律许可的，守法的，合法的 | |
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29
obedience
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| n.服从，顺从 | |
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30
besought
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| v.恳求，乞求（某事物）( beseech的过去式和过去分词 )；(beseech的过去式与过去分词) | |
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31
anvil
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| n.铁钻 | |
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32
inscription
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| n.（尤指石块上的）刻印文字，铭文，碑文 | |
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pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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34
steward
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| n.乘务员，服务员；看管人；膳食管理员 | |
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35
subdued
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| adj. 屈服的，柔和的，减弱的 动词subdue的过去式和过去分词 | |
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36
memorable
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| adj.值得回忆的，难忘的，特别的，显著的 | |
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37
distress
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| n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛 | |
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38
emblem
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| n.象征，标志；徽章 | |
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39
brandishing
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| v.挥舞( brandish的现在分词 )；炫耀 | |
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40
brandish
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| v.挥舞，挥动；n.挥动，挥舞 | |
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41
miraculously
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| ad.奇迹般地 | |
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42
incurred
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| [医]招致的，遭受的； incur的过去式 | |
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43
pretext
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| n.借口，托词 | |
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44
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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45
den
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| n.兽穴；秘密地方；安静的小房间，私室 | |
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46
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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47
insolent
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| adj.傲慢的，无理的 | |
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48
virtuous
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| adj.有品德的，善良的，贞洁的，有效力的 | |
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49
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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50
beheld
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| v.看，注视( behold的过去式和过去分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
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51
perilous
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| adj.危险的，冒险的 | |
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52
accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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53
watery
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| adj.有水的，水汪汪的；湿的，湿润的 | |
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54
plunged
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| v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
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bereft
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| adj.被剥夺的 | |
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56
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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57
dwarf
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| n.矮子，侏儒，矮小的动植物；vt.使…矮小 | |
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58
bestow
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| v.把…赠与，把…授予；花费 | |
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59
accolade
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| n.推崇备至，赞扬 | |
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60
supreme
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| adj.极度的，最重要的；至高的，最高的 | |
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61
incensed
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| 盛怒的 | |
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62
depict
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| vt.描画，描绘；描写，描述 | |
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63
incurable
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| adj.不能医治的，不能矫正的，无救的；n.不治的病人，无救的人 | |
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vows
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| 誓言( vow的名词复数 )； 郑重宣布，许愿 | |
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blemish
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| v.损害；玷污；瑕疵，缺点 | |
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66
passionate
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，激昂的，易动情的，易怒的，性情暴躁的 | |
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67
exacting
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| adj.苛求的，要求严格的 | |
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68
magnetism
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| n.磁性，吸引力，磁学 | |
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69
revels
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| n.作乐( revel的名词复数 )；狂欢；着迷；陶醉v.作乐( revel的第三人称单数 )；狂欢；着迷；陶醉 | |
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70
consummate
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| adj.完美的；v.成婚；使完美 [反]baffle | |
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vile
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| adj.卑鄙的，可耻的，邪恶的；坏透的 | |
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taunted
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| 嘲讽( taunt的过去式和过去分词 )； 嘲弄； 辱骂； 奚落 | |
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73
gibes
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| vi.嘲笑，嘲弄（gibe的第三人称单数形式） | |
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74
lavished
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| v.过分给予，滥施( lavish的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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75
taunts
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| 嘲弄的言语，嘲笑，奚落( taunt的名词复数 ) | |
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76
joyous
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| adj.充满快乐的；令人高兴的 | |
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77
jealousy
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| n.妒忌，嫉妒，猜忌 | |
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78
persecuted
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| （尤指宗教或政治信仰的）迫害(~sb. for sth.)( persecute的过去式和过去分词 )； 烦扰，困扰或骚扰某人 | |
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79
corpse
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| n.尸体，死尸 | |
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80
barge
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| n.平底载货船，驳船 | |
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81
embellished
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| v.美化( embellish的过去式和过去分词 )；装饰；修饰；润色 | |
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82
adventurous
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| adj.爱冒险的；惊心动魄的，惊险的，刺激的 | |
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83
sundry
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| adj.各式各样的，种种的 | |
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84
remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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85
embedded
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| a.扎牢的 | |
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86
skull
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| n.头骨；颅骨 | |
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87
slayer
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| n. 杀人者，凶手 | |
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88
avenge
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| v.为...复仇，为...报仇 | |
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89
warrior
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| n.勇士，武士，斗士 | |
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90
daunted
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| 使（某人）气馁，威吓( daunt的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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91
trophy
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| n.优胜旗，奖品，奖杯，战胜品，纪念品 | |
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92
leeches
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| n.水蛭( leech的名词复数 )；蚂蟥；榨取他人脂膏者；医生 | |
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93
slumbers
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| 睡眠，安眠( slumber的名词复数 ) | |
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94
momentous
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| adj.重要的，重大的 | |
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95
vengeance
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| n.报复，报仇，复仇 | |
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96
brews
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| n.（尤指某地酿造的）啤酒( brew的名词复数 )；酿造物的种类；（茶）一次的冲泡量；（不同思想、环境、事件的）交融v.调制( brew的第三人称单数 )；酝酿；沏（茶）；煮（咖啡） | |
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97
draught
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| n.拉，牵引，拖；一网（饮，吸，阵)；顿服药量，通风；v.起草，设计 | |
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98
naught
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| n.无，零 [=nought] | |
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99
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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100
mendicant
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| n.乞丐；adj.行乞的 | |
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101
ashore
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| adv.在(向)岸上，上岸 | |
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102
remorse
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| n.痛恨，悔恨，自责 | |
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103
marvels
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| n.奇迹( marvel的名词复数 )；令人惊奇的事物（或事例）；不平凡的成果；成就v.惊奇，对…感到惊奇( marvel的第三人称单数 ) | |
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104
gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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105
stark
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| adj.荒凉的；严酷的；完全的；adv.完全地 | |
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106
tragic
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| adj.悲剧的，悲剧性的，悲惨的 | |
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107
dolorous
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| adj.悲伤的；忧愁的 | |
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108
duels
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| n.两男子的决斗( duel的名词复数 )；竞争，斗争 | |
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109
appall
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| vt.使惊骇，使大吃一惊 | |
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110
coax
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| v.哄诱，劝诱，用诱哄得到，诱取 | |
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111
wiles
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| n.（旨在欺骗或吸引人的）诡计，花招；欺骗，欺诈( wile的名词复数 ) | |
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112
enchanted
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| adj. 被施魔法的，陶醉的，入迷的 动词enchant的过去式和过去分词 | |
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113
chasm
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| n.深坑，断层，裂口，大分岐，利害冲突 | |
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114
foe
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| n.敌人，仇敌 | |
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115
foes
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| 敌人，仇敌( foe的名词复数 ) | |
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116
ominous
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| adj.不祥的，不吉的，预兆的，预示的 | |
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117
banished
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| v.放逐，驱逐( banish的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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118
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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119
traitor
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| n.叛徒，卖国贼 | |
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120
donor
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| n.捐献者；赠送人；(组织、器官等的)供体 | |
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121
isle
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| n.小岛，岛 | |
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122
poetical
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| adj.似诗人的；诗一般的；韵文的；富有诗意的 | |
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123
fabulously
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| 难以置信地，惊人地 | |
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124
devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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125
penance
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| n.（赎罪的）惩罪 | |
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126
eulogy
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| n.颂词；颂扬 | |
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127
excellence
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| n.优秀，杰出，(pl.)优点，美德 | |
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128
Christian
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| adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒 | |
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129
meekest
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| adj.温顺的，驯服的( meek的最高级 ) | |
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