Girded round by high embattled walls, flanked with numerous towers, all in good repair, and well ordnanced, old Southampton had a proud and defiant2 look, especially when viewed from the water. Within the walls, situated3 on an elevated point on the north-west, stood the castle, now totally destroyed, the donjon of which, erected4 at the time of the Conquest, if not before, commanded with its guns all the approaches to the harbour, as well as the country to the north. This strongly fortified5 town possessed6 no less than eight gates, besides posterns. It was defended on the north and east by a moat of extraordinary width and depth, crossed by drawbridges connected with the gates, and on the south and west by the sea, which washed the foot of its walls; and it contained many large and important mansions8, amongst which may be noted9 the antique palace of Canute, besides several fine churches, hospitals, religious establishments, conduits, and great storehouses, together with a long and goodly street, described by old Leland, in his Itinerary10, “as one of the fairest streets that is in any town of all England.”
From the summit of the castle magnificent views were obtained of the lovely Isle11 of Wight in the distance; of the vast woody region known as the New Forest; of the broad estuary12 spread out like a lake before it, almost always thronged13 with craft, and sometimes, as now, filled with larger vessels14; of the ruthlessly-despoiled but still beauteous abbey of Netley, embosomed in its groves15; of the course of 37the Itchen, on the one side, and of the Test on the other; or, looking inland towards the north of a marshy16 tract17, caused by the overflowing18 waters of the Itchen; of more marshes19 on the low ground further on, then more forest scenery, with here and then a village and an ancient castellated mansion7, until the prospect20 was terminated by Saint Catherine’s and Saint Giles’s hills near Winchester.
Situated at the point of a piece of high land lying between the confluence21 of the two rivers just mentioned, namely, the Itchen and the Test, old Southampton was completely insulated by the deep ditch connecting these streams on the north, and continued along the east side of the walls. Without the walls, on the east, lay an extensive suburb, occupying the site of a still older town, which had been sacked and in a great part burnt by French and Genoese pirates in the time of Edward III.—a disaster that caused the second town to be as strongly fortified as we have described it.
And now let us examine the gates, the noblest of which, the Bar-gate, happily still exists. Built at different epochs, the two semicircular towers composing the north frontage being added to the central arch, which dates back at least as far as the Conquest, this stately structure, which formed the sole entrance to the town from the north, surpassed all the other gates in size and grandeur22. Even now, crowded as it is with habitations, and standing23 in the midst of a busy throughfare, it is very imposing24. Its massive towers, reverent25 with age, and carrying back the mind of the beholder26 to a remote period, are strongly machiolated, and retain much of their pristine27 character, but the once beautiful pointed28 archway between them has been disfigured by enlargement. Anciently, there was a double moat on the north of this gate, crossed by a stone bridge and a drawbridge. On the parapets of the first of these bridges the lordly sitting lions now guarding the archway were set.
We may complete our description of the Bar-gate by mentioning that it contains the Guildhall of the town, or Domus Civica, as old Leland terms it. Underneath29, below the level of the moat, there was formerly30 a dungeon31.
It may be questioned whether the good folk of Southampton are half so proud of their noble gate as of two extraordinary paintings hanging on the right and left of the 38central arch, which represent the renowned32 Sir Bevis, the legendary33 hero of the town, and the giant Ascapart, who, according to tradition, being conquered by the doughty34 Danish knight35, became his squire36. We do not quarrel with these paintings, or with their position, but why should not pictorial37 representations be likewise given of the peerless Princess Josyan, of whom Sir Bevis was enamoured, and of his marvellous charger, Arundel? The pictures, we venture to suggest, might serve to screen the grievous disfigurements on the south side of the Bar-gate.
The Water-gate and the South-gate, both of which faced the harbour, though inferior in size and grandeur of appearance to the Bar-gate, were very strongly built, machiolated, provided with double portcullises, and flanked by towers. The other five gates were nearly similar in character; the most important being the East and West-gates.
High, and of great solidity, the walls were further strengthened on the south and west sides by huge buttresses38, as may still be seen in the picturesque39 remains40 left in these parts of the modern town. The parapets were embrasured, and had bastions at the angle of the walls. Towers were also built for the protection of the flood-gates required to admit the sea to the trenches41.
All the fortifications, as we have said, were in good condition, having been repaired and strengthened by Henry VIII., who was a frequent visitor to the town, and, still more recently, in the reign42 of Edward VI. The batteries were furnished with fresh artillery43 by the former monarch44, and a large piece of ordnance1, graven with his name and title of “Fidei Defensor,” is still preserved.
Separated from the town by the broad deep moat which was traversed in this quarter by a couple of large drawbridges, the quay45 extended along the shore to some distance on the east, and was laid out in wharves46, and provided with cranes and other machines for landing or embarking47 cargoes49. The harbour was marked out by huge piles driven into the banks, like those which may be seen in the shallow lagunes of Venice. Ordinarily the quay was a very busy scene, but its busiest and blithest time was on the arrival of the Flanders galleys50, which came twice or thrice a year, laden51 with rich freights. Then all the wealthy merchants of Southampton, 39with their clerks and serving-men, and even with their wives and daughters, repaired to the platform eager to inspect the goods and rare articles brought by the fleet.
Inhabited by a body of merchants who traded largely with Venice and the East, and almost rivalled the merchants of London in wealth, Southampton gave abundant evidence in its buildings of power and prosperity. In English-street, now known as the High-street, dwelt the chief merchants of the place, and though their habitations were not marble palaces, like those of the Venetians with whom they traded, nor stately structures, like those of the Flemings, who brought rich cargoes to their port, they were substantial timber houses, with high roofs, picturesque gables, and bay-windows. Not only did these houses possess large entrance-halls, and spacious52 chambers53 panelled with black oak, hung with costly54 arras, and otherwise luxuriously55 furnished, according to the taste of their wealthy owners, but they boasted, in many cases, large, dry, well-arched vaults56, stored with casks of good Bordeaux, Xerez, Malaga, Alicant, Malvoisie, and Gascoigne wines. Some of these famous old cellars yet exist. Let us hope they are as well stocked as of yore.
Most of the houses in English-street were remarkable57 for the elaborate carvings58 adorning59 their woodwork, while the handsome porches were embellished60 with shields and escutcheons charged with armorial bearings. In all cases the upper stories projected beyond the lower, so as to overhang the footways. It is satisfactory to add that the Southampton merchants of that day were noted for the liberality of their dealings, as well as for their princely hospitality to strangers.
About midway in English-street stood Holyrood Church, an antique pile, of which we shall have occasion to speak anon; and contiguous to the South-gate, which then formed one of the outlets61 to the harbour, was the Domus Dei, or God’s House, an ancient hospital, in the chapel62 of which, now used as a place of worship by French Protestants, were buried the three lords, Cambridge, Scrope, and Grey, beheaded for conspiring63 against Henry V., as that warlike prince was about to embark48 for France to win the glorious battle of Agincourt. And while on this theme, let us not 40forget that it was likewise from Southampton that the victors of Cressy sailed.
Such was Southampton in the middle of the sixteenth century. It was during the reign of Henry VIII. that its power and importance as a seaport64 culminated65. At the period of which we treat it had begun to decline, though the vast wealth previously66 acquired by its merchants helped for a while to sustain it. But its trade continued sensibly to diminish in Elizabeth’s time, while its rival, Portsmouth, grew in consequence. However, a great future was in store for Southampton. The present century has witnessed its revival67 and restoration to far more than its medi?val prosperity. With its secure harbour and noble docks, wherein ride the superb steamers that connect it with the East and West Indies, and indeed with the whole world, few ports in the kingdom can now vie with that of fair Southampton.
点击收听单词发音
1 ordnance | |
n.大炮,军械 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
2 defiant | |
adj.无礼的,挑战的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
3 situated | |
adj.坐落在...的,处于某种境地的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
4 ERECTED | |
adj. 直立的,竖立的,笔直的 vt. 使 ... 直立,建立 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
5 fortified | |
adj. 加强的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
6 possessed | |
adj.疯狂的;拥有的,占有的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
7 mansion | |
n.大厦,大楼;宅第 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
8 mansions | |
n.宅第,公馆,大厦( mansion的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
9 noted | |
adj.著名的,知名的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
10 itinerary | |
n.行程表,旅行路线;旅行计划 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
11 isle | |
n.小岛,岛 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
12 estuary | |
n.河口,江口 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
13 thronged | |
v.成群,挤满( throng的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
14 vessels | |
n.血管( vessel的名词复数 );船;容器;(具有特殊品质或接受特殊品质的)人 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
15 groves | |
树丛,小树林( grove的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
16 marshy | |
adj.沼泽的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
17 tract | |
n.传单,小册子,大片(土地或森林) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
18 overflowing | |
n. 溢出物,溢流 adj. 充沛的,充满的 动词overflow的现在分词形式 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
19 marshes | |
n.沼泽,湿地( marsh的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
20 prospect | |
n.前景,前途;景色,视野 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
21 confluence | |
n.汇合,聚集 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
22 grandeur | |
n.伟大,崇高,宏伟,庄严,豪华 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
23 standing | |
n.持续,地位;adj.永久的,不动的,直立的,不流动的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
24 imposing | |
adj.使人难忘的,壮丽的,堂皇的,雄伟的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
25 reverent | |
adj.恭敬的,虔诚的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
26 beholder | |
n.观看者,旁观者 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
27 pristine | |
adj.原来的,古时的,原始的,纯净的,无垢的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
28 pointed | |
adj.尖的,直截了当的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
29 underneath | |
adj.在...下面,在...底下;adv.在下面 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
30 formerly | |
adv.从前,以前 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
31 dungeon | |
n.地牢,土牢 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
32 renowned | |
adj.著名的,有名望的,声誉鹊起的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
33 legendary | |
adj.传奇(中)的,闻名遐迩的;n.传奇(文学) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
34 doughty | |
adj.勇猛的,坚强的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
35 knight | |
n.骑士,武士;爵士 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
36 squire | |
n.护卫, 侍从, 乡绅 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
37 pictorial | |
adj.绘画的;图片的;n.画报 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
38 buttresses | |
n.扶壁,扶垛( buttress的名词复数 )v.用扶壁支撑,加固( buttress的第三人称单数 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
39 picturesque | |
adj.美丽如画的,(语言)生动的,绘声绘色的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
40 remains | |
n.剩余物,残留物;遗体,遗迹 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
41 trenches | |
深沟,地沟( trench的名词复数 ); 战壕 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
42 reign | |
n.统治时期,统治,支配,盛行;v.占优势 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
43 artillery | |
n.(军)火炮,大炮;炮兵(部队) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
44 monarch | |
n.帝王,君主,最高统治者 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
45 quay | |
n.码头,靠岸处 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
46 wharves | |
n.码头,停泊处( wharf的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
47 embarking | |
乘船( embark的现在分词 ); 装载; 从事 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
48 embark | |
vi.乘船,着手,从事,上飞机 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
49 cargoes | |
n.(船或飞机装载的)货物( cargo的名词复数 );大量,重负 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
50 galleys | |
n.平底大船,战舰( galley的名词复数 );(船上或航空器上的)厨房 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
51 laden | |
adj.装满了的;充满了的;负了重担的;苦恼的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
52 spacious | |
adj.广阔的,宽敞的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
53 chambers | |
n.房间( chamber的名词复数 );(议会的)议院;卧室;会议厅 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
54 costly | |
adj.昂贵的,价值高的,豪华的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
55 luxuriously | |
adv.奢侈地,豪华地 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
56 vaults | |
n.拱顶( vault的名词复数 );地下室;撑物跳高;墓穴 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
57 remarkable | |
adj.显著的,异常的,非凡的,值得注意的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
58 carvings | |
n.雕刻( carving的名词复数 );雕刻术;雕刻品;雕刻物 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
59 adorning | |
修饰,装饰物 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
60 embellished | |
v.美化( embellish的过去式和过去分词 );装饰;修饰;润色 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
61 outlets | |
n.出口( outlet的名词复数 );经销店;插座;廉价经销店 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
62 chapel | |
n.小教堂,殡仪馆 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
63 conspiring | |
密谋( conspire的现在分词 ); 搞阴谋; (事件等)巧合; 共同导致 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
64 seaport | |
n.海港,港口,港市 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
65 culminated | |
v.达到极点( culminate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
66 previously | |
adv.以前,先前(地) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
67 revival | |
n.复兴,复苏,(精力、活力等的)重振 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
欢迎访问英文小说网 |