All the trepidation5 of a first appearance at court was felt by Lady De La Warre alone. Pocahontas, daughter of Powhatan, felt no fear in the presence of her equals.
On the day of presentation Pocahontas, accompanied by Lady De La Warre and her attendants, entered a gaily6 decorated barge7 that was to bear them to the palace of the king. From the mouth of the gilded8 swan at the prow9, streamers of red and blue swept upwards10 to the swelling11 sail emblazoned with the coat-of-arms of Lord De La Warre. Under the dipping oars12 of179 the bargemen they sailed westward13 to Whitehall at Charing14 Cross.
Up its broad landing stairs, past the great entrance leading into the surrounding park, they came to a halt in a lofty antechamber reserved for the fair ladies who were to make their initial bow to royalty16.
Arriving late, they found the Presence Chamber15 already thrown open and filled by those whose titles allowed a near approach to the throne. Regal duchesses, robed in velvets and satins as varied18 as the tints19 of the rainbow, glittering in jewels and coronets of golden strawberry leaves, together with ladies of lesser20 degree, ranged themselves in order of precedence on both sides of a red velvet17 pathway leading to the foot of the throne.
Mingling21 with them were the Knights22 of the Bath, arrayed in robes of crimson23 taffeta lined with white sarcenet, holding in their hands “soft white hats, whose long curling white plumes24 tapped against their white boots.”
Beside the massive throne, studded with diamonds, surrounded by sapphires25, rubies26 and pearls, that glittered like the sun among the stars, stood Francis Bacon, Lord Chancellor27 of England. Near him was Abbot,180 Archbishop of Canterbury, clad in his episcopal robes.
A sudden hush28 fell over the assemblage. The King was entering. Preceded by the attendants of his household, holding in their hands their wands of office, came James, leaning on the arm of the Duke of Buckingham, his latest favorite. The handsome face and magnificently attired29 person of the Duke was in startling contrast to the soiled brown velvet dress, buttoned awry30, of the monarch31.
What a spectre of a king! Rolling eyes, slobbering mouth, ricketty legs upholding a body padded until it resembled a swollen32 frog. Not one trace of the fascinating beauty of his mother, Mary, Queen of Scots, had descended33 to him.
To his left walked grave and stately Prince Charles, clothed in white velvet. Then followed Queen Anne in blue velvet and ermine attended by her ladies-in-waiting.
When their majesties34 were seated and their attendants took up their positions behind them, Maxwell, Lord Chamberlain, began to announce the names of those who were to bear the gaze of royalty.
Titled beauties of England and Scotland were alternately announced by the tactful181 Maxwell, ever keeping in mind the ancient jealousy35 of the two nations. The King, out of the kindness of his heart, took especial notice of each one.
“The Princess Rebecca, daughter of Powhatan, King of Virginia!” cried Maxwell in a loud voice.
Up the velvet aisle36 came Pocahontas with the gliding37 step of her savage38 ancestry39. But gone was the wild careless grace of the wilderness40. Every inch a queen she moved. Words expressive41 of admiration42 and wonder were whispered on every side.
Her bosom43 and arms were covered in a flowing robe of yellow satin. Upon its brocaded surface the Fleur de Lis of France cast lights and shadows, and its long pointed44 bodice was thickly sown with turquoise45 and pearls. Above it rose a fluted46 ruff of Mechlin lace. Three crimson plumes were fastened by a diamond brooch among the raven47 locks of her hair.
She sank gracefully48 down at the foot of the throne.
“You are verra welcome to our court, Princess,” said James. “Mony a tale of your kindness to our colony have we heard. We expect you at the banquet to be given presently, where we shall have much to ask you about your kinsman49.”
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The levee being over, King James and his Queen led the way to the banqueting hall, followed by those invited to dine in the royal presence.
Their majesties seated themselves upon chairs of state, chairs upholstered in orange silk. From a crown above them hung a purple canopy50 embroidered51 in roses, shamrocks, and thistles.
Pocahontas was marshaled by the Earl of Pembroke to a low stool to the left of Queen Anne, and somewhat below the royal table raised upon a dais.
Her uneasy eyes traveled down the long table in the middle of the hall, in search of her husband. He caught her look and smiled reassuringly52. She breathed easily again. John was there, now she could enjoy to the full all the magnificence surrounding her.
Behind a railing that ran around two sides of the room were a crowd of humble53 citizens, come to view their sovereign as he feasted. Among them was Adam, watching intently the honors paid to Pocahontas.
“Truly this is a queersome world. There sits a savage from the wilds feasting with the King, and poor Adam Clotworthy, a citizen of London, has to stand with the183 gaping55 crowd behind the railing. But she is a jewel, God bless her. Adam has not fallen so low as to envy her good fortune.” Something to this effect were the ruminations of Adam as he leaned against a balustrade to enjoy the scene.
The walls of the hall were hung in tapestries56 of gold and purple silk garnished57 with pearls and amethysts58. In a gallery opposite the chairs of state musicians were playing Christmas ditties to aid the digestion59 of the courtly guests seated at the long table extending the entire length of the hall. Movable buffets60, holding gold and silver plate, stood near the King’s dais. His table was set with rich gold plate once the property of the House of Burgundy. Agate61 cups held sparkling wine from the vineyards of Bordeaux. From the door leading to the buttery issued the Lord Chamberlain, followed by a host of servants bearing both delicate and substantial viands62 to tickle63 the palates of the diners.
“My Lord of Suffolk, fill the cup given us by the Constable64 of Castile and present it to the Princess Rebecca. We drink her health,” said James.
Filling a dragon-shaped goblet65 of crystal and gold with sparkling wine, the Lord of Suffolk presented it to Pocahontas, who184 drank in acknowledgment of the good-natured monarch’s toast.
Leaning across his Queen, James said to Pocahontas, “Your royal father hath used the scalping-knife somewhat freely upon our liege subjects, we have heard.”
“Powhatan worships Okee. He bends not the knee to the Royal Christ. When warriors66 offend, he kills. Therefore he is feared, not loved,” she answered, sadly, unconscious of the irony67 of her reply.
“She has you there, Cousin,” laughed the jester, Archie Armstrong, shaking his hooded68 head until the bells jangled. “According to our copper-colored relative, a Christian69 prince should not deprive his loving subjects of breath whereby they may abuse him. Therefore, your reign54 has been a failure, as many heads on London Bridge can testify. Shut up the Tower—banish the hangman—give yourself over to hawking70, and place the reins71 of government in my hands.”
“Ay, and a likely time they wad have of it, I warrant, you auld72 rattlepated loon73!” retorted the King.
The boar’s head has been consumed; the jeweled fan of the peacock trails low in the dust; huge pastries74 washed down by the flowing bowl; tables are cleared away,185 pages run hither and thither75 carrying silver basins in which the guests lave their hands and dry them upon linen76 towels from the looms77 of Belfast. The King is now ready to be amused.
Lords and ladies take their places for the ancient sword dance, and glide78 to the stirring measures of the minstrels. Back and forth79 tread the gay participants in the stately dance. Now the lovely maidens80 form in a flowery line and pass under the arch of clashing swords of the cavaliers.
“By my saul, a braw sight, if ’twere not for the glittering steel,” exclaimed James, turning away his shrinking gaze from the uplifted swords. “Now my bonnie lads and lassies, let us to the cards. Come, my Lord Chamberlain, and you my Lord Suffolk, your loving father will try his luck at primero with you.”
Catching81 hold of a page flitting by, he said, “Go yonder to Sir Walter Raleigh, and say that the King desires his company.” Then turning to the two lords continued, “We will celebrate his liberation from our not too hospitable82 Tower.”
Rattling83 dice3, clinking glasses, merry music, laughter and jest closed the memorable84 day of Pocahontas’s presentation at court.
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1 kindly | |
adj.和蔼的,温和的,爽快的;adv.温和地,亲切地 | |
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2 glossy | |
adj.平滑的;有光泽的 | |
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3 dice | |
n.骰子;vt.把(食物)切成小方块,冒险 | |
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4 unbearable | |
adj.不能容忍的;忍受不住的 | |
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5 trepidation | |
n.惊恐,惶恐 | |
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6 gaily | |
adv.欢乐地,高兴地 | |
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7 barge | |
n.平底载货船,驳船 | |
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8 gilded | |
a.镀金的,富有的 | |
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9 prow | |
n.(飞机)机头,船头 | |
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10 upwards | |
adv.向上,在更高处...以上 | |
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11 swelling | |
n.肿胀 | |
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12 oars | |
n.桨,橹( oar的名词复数 );划手v.划(行)( oar的第三人称单数 ) | |
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13 westward | |
n.西方,西部;adj.西方的,向西的;adv.向西 | |
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14 charing | |
n.炭化v.把…烧成炭,把…烧焦( char的现在分词 );烧成炭,烧焦;做杂役女佣 | |
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15 chamber | |
n.房间,寝室;会议厅;议院;会所 | |
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16 royalty | |
n.皇家,皇族 | |
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17 velvet | |
n.丝绒,天鹅绒;adj.丝绒制的,柔软的 | |
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18 varied | |
adj.多样的,多变化的 | |
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19 tints | |
色彩( tint的名词复数 ); 带白的颜色; (淡色)染发剂; 痕迹 | |
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20 lesser | |
adj.次要的,较小的;adv.较小地,较少地 | |
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21 mingling | |
adj.混合的 | |
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22 knights | |
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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23 crimson | |
n./adj.深(绯)红色(的);vi.脸变绯红色 | |
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24 plumes | |
羽毛( plume的名词复数 ); 羽毛饰; 羽毛状物; 升上空中的羽状物 | |
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25 sapphires | |
n.蓝宝石,钢玉宝石( sapphire的名词复数 );蔚蓝色 | |
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26 rubies | |
红宝石( ruby的名词复数 ); 红宝石色,深红色 | |
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27 chancellor | |
n.(英)大臣;法官;(德、奥)总理;大学校长 | |
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28 hush | |
int.嘘,别出声;n.沉默,静寂;v.使安静 | |
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29 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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30 awry | |
adj.扭曲的,错的 | |
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31 monarch | |
n.帝王,君主,最高统治者 | |
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32 swollen | |
adj.肿大的,水涨的;v.使变大,肿胀 | |
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33 descended | |
a.为...后裔的,出身于...的 | |
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34 majesties | |
n.雄伟( majesty的名词复数 );庄严;陛下;王权 | |
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35 jealousy | |
n.妒忌,嫉妒,猜忌 | |
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36 aisle | |
n.(教堂、教室、戏院等里的)过道,通道 | |
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37 gliding | |
v. 滑翔 adj. 滑动的 | |
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38 savage | |
adj.野蛮的;凶恶的,残暴的;n.未开化的人 | |
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39 ancestry | |
n.祖先,家世 | |
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40 wilderness | |
n.杳无人烟的一片陆地、水等,荒漠 | |
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41 expressive | |
adj.表现的,表达…的,富于表情的 | |
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42 admiration | |
n.钦佩,赞美,羡慕 | |
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43 bosom | |
n.胸,胸部;胸怀;内心;adj.亲密的 | |
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44 pointed | |
adj.尖的,直截了当的 | |
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45 turquoise | |
n.绿宝石;adj.蓝绿色的 | |
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46 fluted | |
a.有凹槽的 | |
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47 raven | |
n.渡鸟,乌鸦;adj.乌亮的 | |
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48 gracefully | |
ad.大大方方地;优美地 | |
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49 kinsman | |
n.男亲属 | |
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50 canopy | |
n.天篷,遮篷 | |
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51 embroidered | |
adj.绣花的 | |
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52 reassuringly | |
ad.安心,可靠 | |
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53 humble | |
adj.谦卑的,恭顺的;地位低下的;v.降低,贬低 | |
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54 reign | |
n.统治时期,统治,支配,盛行;v.占优势 | |
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55 gaping | |
adj.口的;张口的;敞口的;多洞穴的v.目瞪口呆地凝视( gape的现在分词 );张开,张大 | |
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56 tapestries | |
n.挂毯( tapestry的名词复数 );绣帷,织锦v.用挂毯(或绣帷)装饰( tapestry的第三人称单数 ) | |
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57 garnished | |
v.给(上餐桌的食物)加装饰( garnish的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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58 amethysts | |
n.紫蓝色宝石( amethyst的名词复数 );紫晶;紫水晶;紫色 | |
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59 digestion | |
n.消化,吸收 | |
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60 buffets | |
(火车站的)饮食柜台( buffet的名词复数 ); (火车的)餐车; 自助餐 | |
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61 agate | |
n.玛瑙 | |
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62 viands | |
n.食品,食物 | |
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63 tickle | |
v.搔痒,胳肢;使高兴;发痒;n.搔痒,发痒 | |
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64 constable | |
n.(英国)警察,警官 | |
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65 goblet | |
n.高脚酒杯 | |
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66 warriors | |
武士,勇士,战士( warrior的名词复数 ) | |
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67 irony | |
n.反语,冷嘲;具有讽刺意味的事,嘲弄 | |
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68 hooded | |
adj.戴头巾的;有罩盖的;颈部因肋骨运动而膨胀的 | |
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69 Christian | |
adj.基督教徒的;n.基督教徒 | |
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70 hawking | |
利用鹰行猎 | |
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71 reins | |
感情,激情; 缰( rein的名词复数 ); 控制手段; 掌管; (成人带着幼儿走路以防其走失时用的)保护带 | |
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72 auld | |
adj.老的,旧的 | |
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73 loon | |
n.狂人 | |
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74 pastries | |
n.面粉制的糕点 | |
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75 thither | |
adv.向那里;adj.在那边的,对岸的 | |
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76 linen | |
n.亚麻布,亚麻线,亚麻制品;adj.亚麻布制的,亚麻的 | |
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77 looms | |
n.织布机( loom的名词复数 )v.隐约出现,阴森地逼近( loom的第三人称单数 );隐约出现,阴森地逼近 | |
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78 glide | |
n./v.溜,滑行;(时间)消逝 | |
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79 forth | |
adv.向前;向外,往外 | |
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80 maidens | |
处女( maiden的名词复数 ); 少女; 未婚女子; (板球运动)未得分的一轮投球 | |
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81 catching | |
adj.易传染的,有魅力的,迷人的,接住 | |
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82 hospitable | |
adj.好客的;宽容的;有利的,适宜的 | |
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83 rattling | |
adj. 格格作响的, 活泼的, 很好的 adv. 极其, 很, 非常 动词rattle的现在分词 | |
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84 memorable | |
adj.值得回忆的,难忘的,特别的,显著的 | |
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