At the period of our history the finishing-point to the beauty of Saint Catherine’s Hill was given by an exquisite2 Gothic chapel placed upon its summit. Erected3 in the 13th century, this little temple was much resorted to by the devout4 on account of the reliques it contained of Saints Birinus, Swithun, and Ethelwold. Within in might also be seen a ploughshare which, while red hot, had been trodden upon without injury by the beautiful Queen Emma, mother of Edward the Confessor. Constant pilgrimages were made to the shrine5, and on the festival of Saint Catherine, to whom the chapel was dedicated6, a long procession of religious personages of both sexes, headed by the Bishop7 of Winchester, and accompanied by an immense concourse, came forth8 from the city and ascended9 the hill, when the Bishop and those with him entering the chapel, placed rich gifts upon the altar. At such times, the spectacle of the vast assemblage kneeling around the little fane, or raising the choral hymn10 to heaven, must have been highly impressive. Formerly11, Saint Catherine’s Chapel had been well endowed, but its revenues were appropriated by Wolsey to his “twins of learning,” Ipswich and Oxford12. From this time, until the return to the old worship under Mary, the place was completely neglected. Restored by Gardiner, an aged13 priest, Father Jerome, who had officiated within it in former days, was appointed to its care. At the 118same time its precious reliques were brought back. Luckily, during the season of its desecration14, it had sustained no material injury—its extraordinary reputation for sanctity having probably saved it—and it was now nearly as beautiful as ever. As least, its custodian15, good Father Jerome, thought so.
In the olden time, it had been customary with devotees, after early immersion16 in the clear waters of the Itchen, to repair to Saint Catherine’s Chapel, hear matins, and perform other devotional exercises. This practice, healthful alike to body and soul, was now revived. Welcome to Father Jerome were all who came there to pray.
At an early hour on the morning of the third day after the Prince of Spain’s public entry into Southampton, a remarkably17 handsome young gallant18—tall, graceful19 in figure and deportment, and very becomingly attired20 in a doublet of green velvet21, slashed22 with white silk, and wearing a small velvet beret of the some colour, adorned23 with a white plume24, on his head—issued from the south gate of Winchester, and passing through the grove25 of stately elms, colonised by rooks, then environing this side of the ancient city, struck across the charming valley watered by the Itchen.
The morning was lovely enough to have tempted26 the veriest sluggard27 to quit his couch, and our handsome young galliard seemed fully28 alive to its beauties. The sun had but just o’ertopped sweet Saint Catherine’s Hill. The grass was heavy with dew, and a thin haze29 hung in some parts of the valley, but this quickly disappeared. All nature looked bright and smiling. The warblers of the grove carolled blithely30, the larks31 soared aloft rejoicingly, and a cloud of clamorous32 rooks, quitting the tall trees near the city, winged their way towards the marsh33 lands further south. Scared by the young man’s approach, the stately heron started from the river in which he was fishing, while other aquatic34 fowl35 dived beneath the green water-weeds and disappeared.
At no time are we so susceptible36 to Nature’s beauties as at early morn. Our senses of delight are quicker then than at any other season, and invigorated by the freshness of the atmosphere, we find something to charm in every object we behold37. So it was with the young gallant in question. He was familiar with the scene around him, yet he discovered 119beauties in it of which he had been hitherto unconscious. His eye ranged along the valley through which strayed the winding38 Itchen, pleased with all it encountered, until his gaze settled on the secluded39 hospital of Saint Croix.
Never before, it seemed to him, had the ancient edifice40 looked so lovely, so sequestered41, as it did now. Though partially42 screened by trees, enough was visible to evidence its size and architectural beauty—the lofty gateway43, the roofs of the quadrangular courts, and the square tower of the reverend church. A slight mist, enveloping44 but not hiding the outline of the pile, gave it a dreamlike character.
The hospital of Saint Croix was even then more than three hundred years old, having been erected in 1136 by Bishop Henry de Blois, of whom previous mention has been made. It was subsequently enlarged by Cardinal45 Beaufort, and is still, we are happy to say, in an admirable state of preservation46. Here the hospitality of monkish47 times is still practised on a small scale. Like many other similar institutions in Winchester and elsewhere, Saint Croix was deprived of its rents and revenues by Henry VIII., but sufficient was fortunately saved from the spoiler’s grasp to preserve it from utter extinction48. New life was communicated to the decaying old hospital by Mary, and it was the thought of its unexpected revival49 that gave it special interest in the eyes of the young man who now gazed upon it. Contrasting its present condition with the past, he rejoiced that a fabric50 so lovely, and designed for such benevolent51 purposes, should have escaped destruction.
After indulging in these reflections for a brief space, he walked on, bestowing52 a glance as he crossed the wooden bridge over the Itchen at the trout53 shooting through the clear stream. He had now reached the foot of Saint Catherine’s Hill, whither, apparently54, he was bound, and disdaining55 to take the easy but circuitous56 path conducting to the little chapel, he speeded up the steepest part of the acclivity, across the Danish entrenchment57, and did not halt for a moment till he gained the summit of the hill. He then turned to enjoy the splendid prospect58 commanded from the spot of the ancient city and its environs, which we have already endeavoured to bring before the reader.
While he was thus occupied, the door of the little chapel 120was opened by a priest of venerable and benevolent aspect, who stepped towards him, bade him a kindly59 good morrow, and bestowed60 a benison61 upon him.
“What brings Master Osbert Clinton to Saint Catherine’s Hill so early?” inquired the old priest.
“Nothing more than to hear matins in your chapel, good Father Jerome,” replied Osbert. “I trust I am in time.”
“You are in ample time, my son,” replied the old priest, smiling. “Matins have not yet been said, and will not commence for half an hour. Except myself, you are the first on Saint Catherine’s Hill this blessed morning. Indeed, I marvel62 to see you here so soon. That a young gallant like Master Osbert Clinton, engaged in all the gaieties of court, should have come to this little chapel to pray at so early an hour, argues a strength of devotion for which, I own, I scarcely give him credit.”
“I will not attempt to deceive you, good father,” returned Osbert. “It is not merely the desire to pray within your chapel that has brought me here, but the hope of meeting a fair maiden——”
“Dare you make such an avowal63 to me, young Sir?” interrupted Father Jerome, in a tone of stern rebuke64.
“Nay Father, be not angry with me,” said Osbert. “You will pardon me, I am sure, when you know my motive65. My object is to caution the damsel, and this is the only opportunity I may have of doing so.”
“Methinks I know the damsel you allude66 to, my son,” returned Father Jerome. “Mistress Constance Tyrrell, is it not? She was here yesterday, and after performing her devotions, poured forth the secrets of her heart to me, and besought67 my counsel.”
“You are aware, then, of the perilous69 position in which she is placed, and of the necessity of extricating70 her from it without delay?”
“I know she is beloved by some exalted71 personage, and that she is full of apprehension——”
“Well may she be so, holy Father,” said Osbert. “I dare not tell you by whom she is beloved. Suffice it, that her position at court is fraught72 with peril68. But it shall be my business to guard her.”
121“You love her, then, my son?” observed Father Jerome.
“Passionately,” replied Osbert. “But I have not yet ventured to tell her of my love.”
“You are encouraging a hopeless passion, my son, and I beseech73 you to check it while you can. But what tidings do you bring of the Prince of Spain? When comes he from Southampton?”
“This very day,” returned Osbert. “I am to form part of the train which will escort his Highness hither. We shall set forth at noon, at which hour the Prince, with a large cavalcade74, will leave Southampton, so we shall meet him midway.”
“I am told he is a well-favoured Prince, but haughty75 and reserved of manner,” remarked Father Jerome.
“I have not found him so,” replied Osbert. “To me he has been singularly condescending76, and, indeed, he is gracious to all.”
“I am right glad to hear it. That speaks well for him. Long and earnestly have I prayed that our good Queen’s union may be happy. Much does our holy Church owe her. Look down upon that city, my son. Regard those monasteries77, convents, and hospitals. They have all been restored by her. Once more within yon noble cathedral mass is celebrated78, and all the rites79 of the Romish Church performed. To Queen Mary we owe this blessed change. By her Saint Croix has likewise been restored, and it is to her benign80 influence that this little chapel has been again opened for worship—that the reliques of the saints have been brought back to it—and that I, myself, am enabled to officiate within it. By Queen Mary heresy81 and schism82 have been overthrown83, and our holy Church delivered from bondage84. May Heaven long preserve her! She is our hope and strength—our pillar and defence.”
“I cry ‘Amen’ to that prayer with all my heart,” said Osbert. “Heaven grant the Prince may prove a good husband to her!”
“You speak as if you doubted it, my son,” rejoined Father Jerome. “But I cannot tarry for further converse85. I must leave you now. The hour for matins is at hand. After prayers, if you have aught further to say to me, I shall be at your service.”
122With this, he re-entered the chapel, and presently a bell began to ring. Many persons, chiefly country-folk, obeyed the summons, coming from different parts of the valley, and entered the chapel, the door of which now stood open.
Osbert, however, did not enter with them, as he had caught sight of two female devotees slowly ascending86 the hill, in whom he recognised Constance Tyrrell and her old attendant, Dorcas. He waited till they gained the brow of the eminence87, and then advancing towards the damsel, respectfully saluted88 her. Her appearance surprised and distressed89 him. She looked sad and pale, and traces of recent tears were on her cheeks. Scarcely returning his salutation, she entered the chapel, followed by old Dorcas, who appeared to be as full of affliction as her young mistress. Osbert went in after them, and knelt down by the side of Constance at the altar. But she did not once look towards him, and, indeed, seemed wholly unconscious of his presence.
At the close of the service, Osbert quitted the chapel with the country-folk, and waited outside, thinking Constance would soon come forth. But he was doomed90 to disappointment. More than an hour elapsed, and she did not appear. At the expiration91 of that time the chapel door was opened by Father Jerome, who looked very grave. Addressing Osbert, the old priest said, “Do not tarry here longer, my son. Mistress Constance Tyrrell has much to say to me, and seeks my ghostly counsel.”
“But I will wait for her, good Father,” cried Osbert. “I care not how long I stay. I must speak with her.”
“Impossible! my son,” replied Father Jerome. “I enjoin92 you to depart. Constance does not desire to see you. Stifle93 the unfortunate passion you have conceived for her. It can never be requited94.”
“In Heaven’s name what has happened, good Father? Tell me, I adjure95 you?” cried Osbert.
“Question me not, but go!” said Father Jerome, authoritatively96. “Constance will not come forth while you remain here. I myself will accompany her to Winchester.”
“But will you tell me nothing more? Will you not give me a hope?” ejaculated Osbert, despairingly.
123The old priest shook his head, and, with a compassionate97 glance at him, closed the door, and bolted it inside.
Osbert was half inclined to force an entrance into the chapel, but feeling the impropriety of such a proceeding98, he tore himself away, and rushed wildly down the hill, scarcely knowing whither he went.
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1
chapel
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| n.小教堂，殡仪馆 | |
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exquisite
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| adj.精美的；敏锐的；剧烈的，感觉强烈的 | |
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3
ERECTED
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| adj. 直立的，竖立的，笔直的 vt. 使 ... 直立，建立 | |
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4
devout
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| adj.虔诚的，虔敬的，衷心的 (n.devoutness) | |
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shrine
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| n.圣地，神龛，庙；v.将...置于神龛内，把...奉为神圣 | |
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dedicated
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| adj.一心一意的；献身的；热诚的 | |
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bishop
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| n.主教，（国际象棋）象 | |
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8
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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9
ascended
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| v.上升，攀登( ascend的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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10
hymn
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| n.赞美诗，圣歌，颂歌 | |
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formerly
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| adv.从前，以前 | |
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Oxford
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| n.牛津（英国城市） | |
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13
aged
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| adj.年老的，陈年的 | |
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14
desecration
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| n. 亵渎神圣, 污辱 | |
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15
custodian
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| n.保管人，监护人；公共建筑看守 | |
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16
immersion
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| n.沉浸；专心 | |
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17
remarkably
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| ad.不同寻常地，相当地 | |
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18
gallant
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| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
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19
graceful
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| adj.优美的，优雅的；得体的 | |
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attired
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| adj.穿着整齐的v.使穿上衣服，使穿上盛装( attire的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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velvet
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| n.丝绒，天鹅绒；adj.丝绒制的，柔软的 | |
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slashed
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| v.挥砍( slash的过去式和过去分词 )；鞭打；割破；削减 | |
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23
adorned
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| [计]被修饰的 | |
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plume
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| n.羽毛；v.整理羽毛，骚首弄姿，用羽毛装饰 | |
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25
grove
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| n.林子，小树林，园林 | |
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tempted
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| v.怂恿（某人）干不正当的事；冒…的险（tempt的过去分词） | |
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sluggard
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| n.懒人；adj.懒惰的 | |
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fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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haze
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| n.霾，烟雾；懵懂，迷糊；vi.(over)变模糊 | |
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blithely
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| adv.欢乐地，快活地，无挂虑地 | |
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31
larks
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| n.百灵科鸟（尤指云雀）( lark的名词复数 )；一大早就起床；鸡鸣即起；（因太费力而不想干时说）算了v.百灵科鸟（尤指云雀）( lark的第三人称单数 )；一大早就起床；鸡鸣即起；（因太费力而不想干时说）算了 | |
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32
clamorous
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| adj.吵闹的，喧哗的 | |
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marsh
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| n.沼泽，湿地 | |
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aquatic
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| adj.水生的，水栖的 | |
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fowl
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| n.家禽，鸡，禽肉 | |
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susceptible
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| adj.过敏的，敏感的；易动感情的，易受感动的 | |
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behold
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| v.看，注视，看到 | |
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winding
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| n.绕，缠，绕组，线圈 | |
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39
secluded
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| adj.与世隔绝的；隐退的；偏僻的v.使隔开，使隐退( seclude的过去式和过去分词) | |
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40
edifice
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| n.宏伟的建筑物(如宫殿，教室) | |
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41
sequestered
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| adj.扣押的；隐退的；幽静的；偏僻的v.使隔绝，使隔离( sequester的过去式和过去分词 )；扣押 | |
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42
partially
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| adv.部分地，从某些方面讲 | |
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43
gateway
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| n.大门口，出入口，途径，方法 | |
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44
enveloping
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| v.包围，笼罩，包住( envelop的现在分词 ) | |
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45
cardinal
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| n.(天主教的)红衣主教；adj.首要的，基本的 | |
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46
preservation
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| n.保护，维护，保存，保留，保持 | |
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47
monkish
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| adj.僧侣的，修道士的，禁欲的 | |
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48
extinction
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| n.熄灭，消亡，消灭，灭绝，绝种 | |
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49
revival
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| n.复兴，复苏，（精力、活力等的）重振 | |
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50
fabric
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| n.织物，织品，布；构造，结构，组织 | |
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51
benevolent
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| adj.仁慈的，乐善好施的 | |
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52
bestowing
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| 砖窑中砖堆上层已烧透的砖 | |
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53
trout
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| n.鳟鱼；鲑鱼(属) | |
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54
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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55
disdaining
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| 鄙视( disdain的现在分词 )； 不屑于做，不愿意做 | |
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circuitous
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| adj.迂回的路的，迂曲的，绕行的 | |
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57
entrenchment
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| n.壕沟，防御设施 | |
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58
prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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59
kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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bestowed
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| 赠给，授予( bestow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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benison
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| n.祝福 | |
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marvel
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| vi.(at)惊叹vt.感到惊异；n.令人惊异的事 | |
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avowal
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| n.公开宣称，坦白承认 | |
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rebuke
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| v.指责，非难，斥责 [反]praise | |
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motive
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| n.动机，目的；adv.发动的，运动的 | |
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allude
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| v.提及，暗指 | |
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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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peril
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| n.(严重的)危险；危险的事物 | |
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perilous
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| adj.危险的，冒险的 | |
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70
extricating
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| v.使摆脱困难，脱身( extricate的现在分词 ) | |
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exalted
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| adj.(地位等)高的，崇高的；尊贵的，高尚的 | |
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fraught
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| adj.充满…的，伴有(危险等)的；忧虑的 | |
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beseech
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| v.祈求，恳求 | |
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74
cavalcade
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| n.车队等的行列 | |
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75
haughty
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| adj.傲慢的，高傲的 | |
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76
condescending
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| adj.谦逊的,故意屈尊的 | |
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77
monasteries
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| 修道院( monastery的名词复数 ) | |
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78
celebrated
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| adj.有名的，声誉卓著的 | |
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rites
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| 仪式，典礼( rite的名词复数 ) | |
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80
benign
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| adj.善良的，慈祥的；良性的，无危险的 | |
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81
heresy
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| n.异端邪说；异教 | |
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82
schism
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| n.分派，派系，分裂 | |
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overthrown
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| adj. 打翻的，推倒的，倾覆的 动词overthrow的过去分词 | |
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84
bondage
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| n.奴役，束缚 | |
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85
converse
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| vi.谈话，谈天，闲聊；adv.相反的，相反 | |
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86
ascending
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| adj.上升的，向上的 | |
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87
eminence
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| n.卓越，显赫；高地，高处；名家 | |
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88
saluted
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| v.欢迎，致敬( salute的过去式和过去分词 )；赞扬，赞颂 | |
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distressed
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| 痛苦的 | |
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doomed
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| 命定的 | |
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expiration
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| n.终结，期满，呼气，呼出物 | |
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enjoin
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| v.命令；吩咐；禁止 | |
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stifle
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| vt.使窒息；闷死；扼杀；抑止，阻止 | |
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94
requited
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| v.报答( requite的过去式和过去分词 )；酬谢；回报；报复 | |
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95
adjure
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| v.郑重敦促(恳请) | |
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authoritatively
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| 命令式地，有权威地，可信地 | |
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compassionate
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| adj.有同情心的，表示同情的 | |
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proceeding
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| n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报 | |
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