AND SET FORTH1 TOWARDS SMITHFIELD.
Five Protestant divines, amongst whom were Hooper, the deprived Bishop2 of Gloucester, and Rogers, a prebend of Saint Paul’s, having been excommunicated and delivered to the sheriffs, and continuing firm in the maintenance of their opinions, they were doomed4 to death at the stake. It was appointed that Hooper should suffer at Gloucester, and Rogers at Smithfield, and it was furthermore appointed that Rogers should be the first to die. Rogers, we may mention, was one of the first theological scholars of the age, and had assisted Tyndal in translating the Bible in the time of Henry VIII.
At the earnest solicitation5 of Gardiner and Bonner, the King consented to be present at the celebration of this act of faith, but Cardinal6 Pole refused to attend it, stating that he would not countenance7 such a proceeding8. Enraged9 at his opposition10, the two prelates took the only revenge in their power, and procured11 a warrant from the Queen, authorising them to compel the attendance at the terrible ceremonial of any heretical prisoners they might designate. 261Armed with this warrant, on the night previous to the execution they gave notice to the Cardinal that they should send for Derrick Carver and Constance Tyrrell at an early hour on the morrow.
That night, as enjoined12 by the Cardinal, and as her own feelings would have prompted without the injunction, Constance never sought her couch, but spent the hours in prayer and meditation13. Before daybreak she awoke old Dorcas, who was slumbering14 tranquilly15, and with her aid attired16 herself carefully in dark habiliments, and, thus prepared, patiently awaited the anticipated summons. Ere long, a gentle tap was heard without, and the door being opened by Dorcas, the Cardinal entered.
“I have come to see you before you set out, daughter,” he said. “My own heart is sad. I have passed the night in vigil and prayer, yet I do not feel comforted. I cannot divest17 myself of the dread18 that this day will be prejudicial to our religion. A just man is about to be sacrificed, and his blood will cry out for vengeance19. But here come the guard,” he added, as Rodomont and his companions appeared at the doorway20. “Are you ready?”
“Quite ready,” she replied. “But before I leave, let me crave21 a blessing22 from your Eminence23.”
“You have it, daughter,” he replied, extending his arms over her. “May Heaven sustain you during the awful scene you will be compelled to witness!”
Quitting the room, she followed Rodomont and the others to the outer court. At the Lollards’ Tower they were joined by Derrick Carver, who was brought forth by Mallet24. On beholding25 Constance, the enthusiast26 uttered a joyful27 exclamation28, but he was not permitted to converse29 with her, and the party proceeded in silence to the wharf30 without the palace gate, where lay a barge31, which had been sent for the prisoners by Bonner.
Within this vessel32 were two Dominicans, an officer of the guard, and a couple of halberdiers. At the prow33 was displayed a black banner, on which was inscribed34 the words: Exurge, Domine, et judica causam tuam, et dissipentur inimici Fidei.
The prisoners having entered the barge with Rodomont Bittern, who had been enjoined by the Cardinal to attend 262them, the vessel was pushed off, and moved down the stream.
The morning was dark and raw. A fog hung over the river, partly concealing35 the objects on its banks. Officers and men maintained a moody36 silence, and the only sound heard was a doleful hymn37 chanted by the Dominicans, and taken up by the occupants of some skiffs that had accompanied the barge from Lambeth.
At Paul’s Wharf the prisoners were landed, and conducted thence up Bennet’s Hill and Paul’s Chain to the Cathedral.
Matins were just over, and within the broad nave38 of the noble fane a great number of priests, attired in their robes, were assembled, prior to marching in solemn procession to Smithfield.
In the aisles40, guarded by halberdiers, were collected groups of recusants of both sexes, brought thither41 to give effect to the ceremonial. Apart from these, but likewise brought from prison to grace the procession, were several deprived divines of the Protestant Church, some of whom afterwards testified to their faith at the stake, while others were starved in their cells, or died from ill treatment. Many who then met on that melancholy42 morn, and exchanged a friendly greeting, or a few words of comfort, saw each other for the last time on earth. But in the faces of these stout-hearted champions of the Protestant Church no traces of doubt or discouragement could be discerned. They were evidently prepared to meet their fate with resolution. Neither did they manifest sorrow for the brother about to suffer, regarding him as one whose trials were well-nigh over, and who was certain of meeting his reward.
Within the nave and aisles were congregated43 a vast number of spectators of the solemn scene.
Close to one of the enormous columns lining44 the south aisle39 of the magnificent fane stood Constance. She was looking with a wistful eye at the deprived Protestant divines, when her own name was breathed in her ear by some one close behind.
Not doubting who spoke45, she partly turned her head, and perceived Osbert Clinton, who, screened from the guard by the pillar, had contrived46 to approach her. The only person who noticed the man?uvre was Rodomont, but the kind-hearted 263fellow looked another way, and tried not to hear what was passing.
Not much was said—but the few words spoke of the young man’s wretchedness at the protracted47 separation from her he loved.
“Be patient,” she said. “All will be well in the end.”
“Talk not to me of patience,” he rejoined. “I am unable to practice it. My heart will burst in the effort. I cannot live without you, Constance. Commit yourself to me, and I will free you. You will be gone before the guard can notice your absence; and once mingled48 with the throng49, you will be safe. Come!”
“I cannot—dare not go,” she replied. “What would the good Cardinal think of me if I complied?”
“Heed him not, but think of me, whom you doom3 to misery50 by hesitation51. Do not throw away this chance. Another may not occur.”
“Pass if you will,” interposed the friendly Rodomont, in a low voice. “I shall hear and see nothing.”
Squeezing his arm by way of thanks, Osbert renewed his entreaties52 to Constance.
“No, I cannot do it,” she rejoined. “My word to the Queen restrains me.”
“What? not gone!” exclaimed Rodomont, looking round. “Peste! it is now too late.”
Just then a movement took place in the nave, and the attention of the guard was drawn53 to the prisoners.
Clad in his full robes, wearing his mitre, and carrying his crosier, Bonner issued from the sacristy. Before him were borne two large silver crosses, and the pix under a rich canopy54. At the same time, the procession was marshalled by the priests. Long wax tapers55 were lighted and distributed among the recusants, who were compelled to carry them; the Protestant divines being alone exempted56 from this degrading office.
As soon as the procession was formed, the halberdiers at the head of it marched through the great western portal of the cathedral, and were followed by a long line of recusants, men and women, bearing lighted tapers. Amongst these were Constance and Derrick Carver.
Then came the deprived Protestant clergy57, walking two 264and two. They were succeeded by monks58 and friars in the habits of their orders. Then came priests in their robes, and lastly Bonner himself, attired as we have described, and preceded by the large silver crosses and the pix. On either side of the sacramentaries were halberdiers to keep off the crowd. Nor was this the only precaution taken. Outside the cathedral there was a detachment of mounted arquebusiers to clear the way for the train, while a band of archers59 brought up the rear.
As the procession issued forth from Saint Paul’s, the bells of Saint Martin’s, Ludgate, and other churches on the line of way, began to toll60 slowly and solemnly.
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1 forth | |
adv.向前;向外,往外 | |
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2 bishop | |
n.主教,(国际象棋)象 | |
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3 doom | |
n.厄运,劫数;v.注定,命定 | |
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4 doomed | |
命定的 | |
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5 solicitation | |
n.诱惑;揽货;恳切地要求;游说 | |
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6 cardinal | |
n.(天主教的)红衣主教;adj.首要的,基本的 | |
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7 countenance | |
n.脸色,面容;面部表情;vt.支持,赞同 | |
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8 proceeding | |
n.行动,进行,(pl.)会议录,学报 | |
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9 enraged | |
使暴怒( enrage的过去式和过去分词 ); 歜; 激愤 | |
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10 opposition | |
n.反对,敌对 | |
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11 procured | |
v.(努力)取得, (设法)获得( procure的过去式和过去分词 );拉皮条 | |
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12 enjoined | |
v.命令( enjoin的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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13 meditation | |
n.熟虑,(尤指宗教的)默想,沉思,(pl.)冥想录 | |
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14 slumbering | |
微睡,睡眠(slumber的现在分词形式) | |
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15 tranquilly | |
adv. 宁静地 | |
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16 attired | |
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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17 divest | |
v.脱去,剥除 | |
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18 dread | |
vt.担忧,忧虑;惧怕,不敢;n.担忧,畏惧 | |
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19 vengeance | |
n.报复,报仇,复仇 | |
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20 doorway | |
n.门口,(喻)入门;门路,途径 | |
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21 crave | |
vt.渴望得到,迫切需要,恳求,请求 | |
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22 blessing | |
n.祈神赐福;祷告;祝福,祝愿 | |
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23 eminence | |
n.卓越,显赫;高地,高处;名家 | |
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24 mallet | |
n.槌棒 | |
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25 beholding | |
v.看,注视( behold的现在分词 );瞧;看呀;(叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现)哎哟 | |
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26 enthusiast | |
n.热心人,热衷者 | |
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27 joyful | |
adj.欢乐的,令人欢欣的 | |
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28 exclamation | |
n.感叹号,惊呼,惊叹词 | |
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29 converse | |
vi.谈话,谈天,闲聊;adv.相反的,相反 | |
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30 wharf | |
n.码头,停泊处 | |
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31 barge | |
n.平底载货船,驳船 | |
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32 vessel | |
n.船舶;容器,器皿;管,导管,血管 | |
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33 prow | |
n.(飞机)机头,船头 | |
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34 inscribed | |
v.写,刻( inscribe的过去式和过去分词 );内接 | |
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35 concealing | |
v.隐藏,隐瞒,遮住( conceal的现在分词 ) | |
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36 moody | |
adj.心情不稳的,易怒的,喜怒无常的 | |
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37 hymn | |
n.赞美诗,圣歌,颂歌 | |
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38 nave | |
n.教堂的中部;本堂 | |
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39 aisle | |
n.(教堂、教室、戏院等里的)过道,通道 | |
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40 aisles | |
n. (席位间的)通道, 侧廊 | |
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41 thither | |
adv.向那里;adj.在那边的,对岸的 | |
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42 melancholy | |
n.忧郁,愁思;adj.令人感伤(沮丧)的,忧郁的 | |
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43 congregated | |
(使)集合,聚集( congregate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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44 lining | |
n.衬里,衬料 | |
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45 spoke | |
n.(车轮的)辐条;轮辐;破坏某人的计划;阻挠某人的行动 v.讲,谈(speak的过去式);说;演说;从某种观点来说 | |
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46 contrived | |
adj.不自然的,做作的;虚构的 | |
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47 protracted | |
adj.拖延的;延长的v.拖延“protract”的过去式和过去分词 | |
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48 mingled | |
混合,混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 ); 混进,与…交往[联系] | |
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49 throng | |
n.人群,群众;v.拥挤,群集 | |
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50 misery | |
n.痛苦,苦恼,苦难;悲惨的境遇,贫苦 | |
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51 hesitation | |
n.犹豫,踌躇 | |
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52 entreaties | |
n.恳求,乞求( entreaty的名词复数 ) | |
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53 drawn | |
v.拖,拉,拔出;adj.憔悴的,紧张的 | |
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54 canopy | |
n.天篷,遮篷 | |
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55 tapers | |
(长形物体的)逐渐变窄( taper的名词复数 ); 微弱的光; 极细的蜡烛 | |
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56 exempted | |
使免除[豁免]( exempt的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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57 clergy | |
n.[总称]牧师,神职人员 | |
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58 monks | |
n.修道士,僧侣( monk的名词复数 ) | |
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59 archers | |
n.弓箭手,射箭运动员( archer的名词复数 ) | |
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60 toll | |
n.过路(桥)费;损失,伤亡人数;v.敲(钟) | |
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