Shortly afterwards, the Bishop of London was announced by the usher2. A brief preliminary description of this remarkable3 prelate may be necessary.
Edmond Bonner, Bishop of London, whose severity towards the Protestants has caused his memory to be justly detested4, was by no means the savage-looking or repulsive5 personage generally supposed. Of middle height, stout6, and of fresh complexion7, he had rather a jovial8 countenance9, being fond of good cheer, and his features, except when inflamed10 by passion, as they not unfrequently were, had a pleasant expression. But he was exceedingly hot-tempered, and when excited, lost all control of himself, and became perfectly11 furious. Neither did his anger, though easily roused, quickly subside12. In some respects he resembled his royal master, Henry VIII. His disposition13 was cruel and vindictive14, and he never forgot or forgave an injury. To the Reformers, whom he bitterly hated, he proved, as is well known, a terrible scourge15.
Born towards the close of the 15th century, Bonner was now near upon sixty, but though he had undergone many hardships, and had endured more than four years’ imprisonment16 in the Marshalsea, his spirit was unbroken, and his health unimpaired. During his long captivity17 he had been supported by the conviction that the ancient worship would be restored, and his enemies be delivered into his hands. 213What he had hoped for, and prayed for, having come to pass, he promised himself ample compensation for the afflictions he had endured. Learned and acute, Bonner had early attracted the attention of Wolsey, by whom he was much employed; and being subsequently appointed chaplain to Henry VIII., he rose rapidly in favour, as he accommodated himself without scruple18 to the King’s caprices. Instrumental in furthering the divorce with Katherine of Aragon, Bonner co-operated in the religious changes accomplished19 by his royal master, and was also entrusted20 by him with several missions of great delicacy21, which he fulfilled very satisfactorily, rendering22 himself altogether so useful, and continuing so subservient23, that, though often rebuffed by the monarch—as who was not?—he never entirely24 lost his good graces.
But when Edward VI. mounted the throne, all was changed. Opposed to the Reformation, though he did not dare openly to manifest his hostility25 to it, Bonner was regarded with suspicion and dislike by the chiefs of the Protestant party, who determined26 upon his overthrow27. Cited before an ecclesiastical commission, of which Cranmer was the head, notwithstanding an energetic defence, appeals to the King against the illegality of the tribunal, and the injustice28 of his sentence, Bonner, at that time Bishop of London, was deprived of his see and benefices, and imprisoned29 in the Marshalsea, whence he was only liberated30 on Mary’s accession. Restored to his diocese, and reinstated in power, he burned to avenge31 himself on his enemies, chief amongst whom he reckoned Cranmer, Ridley, and Latimer. But now that they were safe in prison, he was content to wait. The cup of vengeance32 was too sweet to be hastily drained.
Bonner’s appearance at this juncture33 was hailed with satisfaction by Gardiner, who could count upon his support against Pole, and he therefore remarked, after the bishop had made his obeisance34 to their Majesties35, “My associate in the ecclesiastical commission concurs36 with me that no mercy whatever should be shown to heretics.”
“Mercy to heretics!” exclaimed Bonner, surprised. “It were mistaken clemency37 to spare such dangerous offenders38. Rigorous measures will alone check the spread of the pestilence39 214by which your kingdom is unhappily affected40, gracious Madam,” he added to the Queen. “Now is the time to strike terror into the hearts of these false brethren—to exterminate41 them by fire and sword.”
“The Lord Cardinal42 does not think so,” rejoined Mary. “He is of opinion that those convicted of heretical pravity should be leniently43 dealt with.”
“You amaze me, Madam,” cried Bonner.
“The object your Majesty44 has in view,” said Pole, “being to bring back those who have strayed from the paths of truth, and not to drive them yet further off, gentleness, and not force, should be employed. By severity you will increase the evil instead of curing it. Fear will make hypocrites, not converts.”
“No matter,” cried Bonner. “Let the sacramentarians conform outwardly. We care not to search their hearts. Enough for us if they profess45 themselves Catholics.”
“I grieve to hear you say so, my lord,” rejoined the Cardinal. “It is better to have an open enemy than a false friend. Our Church does not desire to encourage dissimulation46, put to eradicate47 error and schism48. I beseech49 your Majesty to pause before you proceed further in a course which I foresee is fraught50 with danger. Hitherto, all has gone well. Your enemies are confounded. Your people are loving and loyal, willing to make any sacrifices for you, save those of conscience. The faith of your forefathers51 is restored in its integrity. Your kingdom is reconciled to the Holy See. Is this an opportune52 moment for persecution53? Would you sully the snowy banner of the Church with blood? Would you destroy a tithe54 of your subjects by fire and sword—by burning and massacre55? Yet this must be done if persecution once commences. Such means of conversion56 are as unwarrantable as impolitic—contrary to the will of Heaven, and likely to provoke its wrath57. I defy the advocates of severity towards heretics to produce a single passage from the Gospel that would authorise Christians58 to burn their fellow-men for questions purely59 of conscience. As, therefore, such rigour cannot be sustained by appeal to Holy Writ60, neither can it be upheld by any other consideration. It will increase the evil complained of, rather than mitigate61 it.”
215“Your Eminence62 forgets how much we have suffered from the Reformers,” remarked Bonner.
“If they have done ill, ought we to imitate them in ill-doing?” rejoined Pole. “Let us prove to them that we are better Christians than they are. Your Majesty may trust me, that the true way to convert the Protestants is to reform our own clergy63, whose ill-regulated conduct has led to heresy64 and backsliding. Better this remedy than the stake.”
“All this shall to the Pope,” observed Gardiner, in a low tone, to Bonner. “His Eminence will be speedily recalled.”
“It is high time he should be recalled, if he entertains these opinions,” rejoined the other, in the same tone.
“Nothing that has been urged will shake my purpose,” said Mary. “I will free my kingdom from the curse that has so long afflicted65 it, even though I inundate66 the land with blood. But I agree with your Eminence that much reform is needful in our own clergy, whose manners provoke scandal, and encourage infidelity. I will address myself to the task. To you, my Lord Chancellor67, and to you, my Lord Bishop,” she added to Gardiner and Bonner, “I commit the extirpation68 of heresy. Relax not in your efforts.”
“Rest assured we will not, gracious Madam,” replied Gardiner.
“Your Eminence seems to think,” observed Bonner to the Cardinal, “that the Lord Chancellor and myself have not used proper means of weaning back these misguided men from their errors. As there are two prisoners confined within the Lollards’ Tower for religious offences, may I venture to inquire whether you have succeeded in accomplishing their conversion?”
“Not as yet,” replied Pole; “but I do not despair of ultimate success.”
“What prisoners do you refer to?” demanded Mary. “I have not heard of them.”
The Cardinal was about to reply, when a look from the King stopped him.
“Who are they, I repeat?” cried Mary, somewhat sharply, surprised at Pole’s disinclination to answer.
“One of them is the unhappy Constance Tyrrell, and the 216other the half-crazed fanatic69, Derrick Carver,” replied the Cardinal.
“Indeed!” exclaimed Mary. “Was your Majesty aware that these persons are confined here?” she added to the King.
“They were sent hither by my orders,” rejoined Philip, coldly.
“And why was I not informed of the matter?” asked Mary.
“Because I did not deem it needful,” replied the King.
“Not needful!” exclaimed Mary. “By my soul, but it was needful! ’Twas a strange step to take without my knowledge or privity.”
“You heat yourself unnecessarily, Madam,” interrupted Philip. “’Twas to spare you annoyance70 that I kept the matter secret from you.”
“How so?” demanded Mary. “The unaccountable disappearance71 of this girl troubled me, as you know, and Carver’s supposed escape was equally displeasing72 to me.”
“You would have been informed of all in good time,” said Philip. “How I discovered their hiding-place, and why I sent them hither, shall be explained anon.”
“I trust the explanation will prove satisfactory,” replied Mary. “Meantime, I will see the prisoners myself, and interrogate73 them.”
“Shall they be brought before you?” inquired Pole.
“No,” returned the Queen; “I will proceed to the Lollards’ Tower. Your Eminence will attend me thither74.”
“’Twere better not, Madam,” said Philip. “Be ruled by me, and let alone this visit.”
“You have some motive75,” rejoined Mary, in a low tone—“some powerful motive for wishing me not to see Constance Tyrrell. I will see her. I will question her. I will learn the truth.”
“Well, then, learn the truth, Madam,” said Philip. “If you are pained by it, it is not my fault.”
“You have deceived me,” continued Mary—“shamefully deceived me. Of that I am convinced.”
“Reserve these remarks for a more fitting opportunity, Madam,” said the King. “Since you are bent76 upon going to the Lollards’ Tower, I will not interfere77 to prevent you. 217But at least put some guard upon yourself, and breed not scandal by your causeless suspicions.”
Without making any reply, Mary arose. The King offered his arm, but she rejected it, saying she needed not support. Philip, however, was determined to accompany her, and they went forth78 together, attended by the Cardinal. No one else ventured to follow them, and Gardiner and Bonner, fearing the King might be offended with them, thought it best to retreat, and hastily quitted the palace.
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1
bishop
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| n.主教，（国际象棋）象 | |
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2
usher
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| n.带位员，招待员；vt.引导，护送；vi.做招待，担任引座员 | |
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remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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detested
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| v.憎恶，嫌恶，痛恨( detest的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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repulsive
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| adj.排斥的，使人反感的 | |
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7
complexion
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| n.肤色；情况，局面；气质，性格 | |
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jovial
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| adj.快乐的，好交际的 | |
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9
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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10
inflamed
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| adj.发炎的，红肿的v.（使）变红，发怒，过热( inflame的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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11
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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12
subside
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| vi.平静，平息；下沉，塌陷，沉降 | |
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disposition
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| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
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vindictive
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| adj.有报仇心的，怀恨的，惩罚的 | |
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15
scourge
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| n.灾难，祸害；v.蹂躏 | |
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16
imprisonment
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| n.关押，监禁，坐牢 | |
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17
captivity
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| n.囚禁；被俘；束缚 | |
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18
scruple
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| n./v.顾忌，迟疑 | |
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19
accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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20
entrusted
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| v.委托，托付( entrust的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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delicacy
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| n.精致，细微，微妙，精良；美味，佳肴 | |
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22
rendering
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| n.表现，描写 | |
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subservient
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| adj.卑屈的，阿谀的 | |
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24
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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25
hostility
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| n.敌对，敌意；抵制［pl.］交战，战争 | |
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26
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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overthrow
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| v.推翻，打倒，颠覆；n.推翻，瓦解，颠覆 | |
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28
injustice
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| n.非正义，不公正，不公平，侵犯（别人的）权利 | |
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29
imprisoned
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| 下狱，监禁( imprison的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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liberated
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| a.无拘束的，放纵的 | |
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31
avenge
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| v.为...复仇，为...报仇 | |
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32
vengeance
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| n.报复，报仇，复仇 | |
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33
juncture
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| n.时刻，关键时刻，紧要关头 | |
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obeisance
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| n.鞠躬，敬礼 | |
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majesties
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| n.雄伟( majesty的名词复数 )；庄严；陛下；王权 | |
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36
concurs
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| 同意（concur的第三人称单数形式） | |
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37
clemency
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| n.温和，仁慈，宽厚 | |
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offenders
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| n.冒犯者( offender的名词复数 )；犯规者；罪犯；妨害…的人（或事物） | |
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pestilence
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| n.瘟疫 | |
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40
affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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41
exterminate
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| v.扑灭，消灭，根绝 | |
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42
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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leniently
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| 温和地，仁慈地 | |
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44
majesty
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| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
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45
profess
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| v.声称，冒称，以...为业，正式接受入教，表明信仰 | |
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46
dissimulation
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| n.掩饰，虚伪，装糊涂 | |
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47
eradicate
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| v.根除，消灭，杜绝 | |
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48
schism
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| n.分派，派系，分裂 | |
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49
beseech
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| v.祈求，恳求 | |
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50
fraught
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| adj.充满…的，伴有(危险等)的；忧虑的 | |
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51
forefathers
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| n.祖先，先人；祖先，祖宗( forefather的名词复数 )；列祖列宗；前人 | |
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52
opportune
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| adj.合适的，适当的 | |
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53
persecution
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| n. 迫害,烦扰 | |
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54
tithe
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| n.十分之一税；v.课什一税，缴什一税 | |
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55
massacre
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| n.残杀，大屠杀；v.残杀，集体屠杀 | |
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56
conversion
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| n.转化，转换，转变 | |
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57
wrath
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| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
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58
Christians
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| n.基督教徒( Christian的名词复数 ) | |
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59
purely
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| adv.纯粹地，完全地 | |
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60
writ
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| n.命令状，书面命令 | |
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61
mitigate
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| vt.（使）减轻，（使）缓和 | |
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eminence
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| n.卓越，显赫；高地，高处；名家 | |
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clergy
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| n.[总称]牧师，神职人员 | |
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heresy
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| n.异端邪说；异教 | |
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afflicted
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| 使受痛苦，折磨( afflict的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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inundate
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| vt.淹没，泛滥，压倒 | |
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chancellor
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| n.(英)大臣；法官；(德、奥)总理；大学校长 | |
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extirpation
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| n.消灭，根除，毁灭；摘除 | |
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fanatic
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| n.狂热者，入迷者；adj.狂热入迷的 | |
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70
annoyance
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| n.恼怒，生气，烦恼 | |
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disappearance
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| n.消失，消散，失踪 | |
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72
displeasing
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| 不愉快的，令人发火的 | |
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73
interrogate
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| vt.讯问，审问，盘问 | |
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74
thither
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| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
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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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76
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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interfere
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| v.(in)干涉，干预；(with)妨碍，打扰 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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