The Abbey of Westminster rises amid the strife8 of factions9. Around its consecrated10 precinct some of the boldest and some of the worst deeds have been achieved or perpetrated: sacrilege, rapine, murder, and treason. Here robbery has been practised on the greatest scale known in modern ages: here ten thousand manors11 belonging to the order of the Templars, without any proof, scarcely with a pretext12, were forfeited13 in one day and divided among the monarch14 and his chief nobles; here the great estate of the church, which, whatever its articles of faith, belonged and still belongs to the people, was seized at various times, under various pretences15, by an assembly that continually changed the religion of their country and their own by a parliamentary majority, but which never refunded16 the booty. Here too was brought forth17 that monstrous18 conception which even patrician19 Rome in its most ruthless period never equalled—the mortgaging of the industry of the country to enrich and to protect property; an act which is now bringing its retributive consequences in a degraded and alienated20 population. Here too have the innocent been impeached21 and hunted to death; and a virtuous22 and able monarch martyred, because, among other benefits projected for his people, he was of opinion that it was more for their advantage that the economic service of the state should be supplied by direct taxation24 levied25 by an individual known to all, than by indirect taxation, raised by an irresponsible and fluctuating assembly. But thanks to parliamentary patriotism26, the people of England were saved from ship-money, which money the wealthy paid, and only got in its stead the customs and excise27, which the poor mainly supply. Rightly was King Charles surnamed the Martyr23; for he was the holocaust28 of direct taxation. Never yet did man lay down his heroic life for so great a cause: the cause of the Church and the cause of the Poor.
Even now in the quiet times in which we live, when public robbery is out of fashion and takes the milder title of a commission of inquiry29, and when there is no treason except voting against a Minister, who, though he may have changed all the policy which you have been elected to support, expects your vote and confidence all the same; even in this age of mean passions and petty risks, it is something to step aside from Palace Yard and instead of listening to a dull debate, where the facts are only a repetition of the blue books you have already read, and the fancy an ingenious appeal to the recrimination of Hansard, to enter the old abbey and listen to an anthem30!
This was a favourite habit of Egremont, and though the mean discipline and sordid31 arrangements of the ecclesiastical body to which the guardianship32 of the beautiful edifice33 is intrusted, have certainly done all that could injure and impair34 the holy genius of the place, it still was a habit often full of charm and consolation35.
There is not perhaps another metropolitan36 population in the world that would tolerate such conduct as is pursued to “that great lubber, the public” by the Dean and Chapter of Westminster, and submit in silence to be shut out from the only building in the two cities which is worthy37 of the name of a cathedral. But the British public will bear anything; they are so busy in speculating in railroad shares.
When Egremont had entered on his first visit to the Abbey by the south transept, and beheld38 the boards and the spikes39 with which he seemed to be environed as if the Abbey were in a state of siege; iron gates shutting him out from the solemn nave40 and the shadowy aisles41; scarcely a glimpse to be caught of a single window; while on a dirty form, some noisy vergers sate42 like ticket-porters or babbled43 like tapsters at their ease,—the visions of abbatial perfection in which he had early and often indulged among the ruins of Marney rose on his outraged44 sense, and he was then about hastily to retire from the scene he had so long purposed to visit, when suddenly the organ burst forth, a celestial45 symphony floated in the lofty roof, and voices of plaintive46 melody blended with the swelling47 sounds. He was fixed48 to the spot.
Perhaps it was some similar feeling that influenced another individual on the day after the visit of the deputation to Egremont. The sun, though in his summer heaven he had still a long course, had passed his meridian49 by many hours, the service was performing in the choir50, and a few persons entering by the door into that part of the Abbey Church which is so well known by the name of Poet’s Corner, proceeded through the unseemly stockade51 which the chapter have erected52, and took their seats. One only, a female, declined to pass, notwithstanding the officious admonitions of the vergers that she had better move on, but approaching the iron grating that shut her out from the body of the church, looked wistfully down the long dim perspective of the beautiful southern aisle. And thus motionless she remained in contemplation, or it might be prayer, while the solemn peals53 of the organ and the sweet voices of the choir enjoyed that holy liberty for which she sighed, and seemed to wander at their will in every sacred recess54 and consecrated corner.
The sounds—those mystical and thrilling sounds that at once elevate the soul and touch the heart—ceased, the chaunting of the service recommenced; the motionless form moved; and as she moved Egremont came forth from the choir, and his eye was at once caught by the symmetry of her shape and the picturesque55 position which she gracefully56 occupied; still gazing through that grate, while the light pouring through the western window, suffused57 the body of the church with a soft radiance, just touching58 the head of the unknown with a kind of halo. Egremont approached the transept door with a lingering pace, so that the stranger, who he observed was preparing to leave the church, might overtake him. As he reached the door, anxious to assure himself that he was not mistaken, he turned round and his eye at once caught the face of Sybil. He started, he trembled; she was not two yards distant, she evidently recognised him; he held open the swinging postern of the Abbey that she might pass, which she did and then stopped on the outside, and said “Mr Franklin!”
It was therefore clear that her father had not thought fit, or had not yet had an opportunity, to communicate to Sybil the interview of yesterday. Egremont was still Mr Franklin. This was perplexing. Egremont would like to have been saved the pain and awkwardness of the avowal59, yet it must be made, though not with unnecessary crudeness. And so at present he only expressed his delight, the unexpected delight he experienced at their meeting. And then he walked on by her side.
“Indeed,” said Sybil, “I can easily imagine you must have been surprised at seeing me in this great city. But many things, strange and unforeseen, have happened to us since you were at Mowedale. You know, of course you with your pursuits must know, that the People have at length resolved to summon their own parliament in Westminster. The people of Mowbray had to send up two delegates to the Convention, and they chose my father for one of them. For so great is their confidence in him none other would content them.”
“He must have made a great sacrifice in coming?” said Egremont.
“Oh! what are sacrifices in such a cause!” said Sybil. “Yes; he made great sacrifices,” she continued earnestly; “great sacrifices, and I am proud of them. Our home, which was a happy home, is gone; he has quitted the Traffords to whom we were knit by many, many ties,” and her voice faltered—“and for whom, I know well he would have perilled60 his life. And now we are parted,” said Sybil, with a sigh, “perhaps for ever. They offered to receive me under their roof,” she continued, with emotion. “Had I needed shelter there was another roof which has long awaited me: but I could not leave my father at such a moment. He appealed to me: and I am here. All I desire, all I live for, is to soothe61 and support him in his great struggle; and I should die content if the People were only free, and a Gerard had freed them.”
Egremont mused62: he must disclose all, yet how embarrassing to enter into such explanations in a public thoroughfare! Should he bid her after a-while farewell, and then make his confession63 in writing? Should he at once accompany her home, and there offer his perplexing explanations? Or should he acknowledge his interview of yesterday with Gerard, and then leave the rest to the natural consequences of that acknowledgment when Sybil met her father! Thus pondering, Egremont and Sybil, quitting the court of the Abbey, entered Abingdon Street.
“Let me walk home with you,” said Egremont, as Sybil seemed to intimate her intention here to separate.
“My father is not there,” said Sybil; “but I will not fail to tell him that I have met his old companion.”
“Would he had been as frank!” thought Egremont. And must he quit her in this way. Never! “You must indeed let me attend you!” he said aloud.
“It is not far,” said Sybil. “We live almost in the Precinct—in an old house with some kind old people, the brother of one of the nuns64 of Mowbray. The nearest way to it is straight along this street, but that is too bustling65 for me. I have discovered,” she added with a smile, “a more tranquil66 path.” And guided by her they turned up College Street.
“And how long have you been in London?”
“A fortnight. ‘Tis a great prison. How strange it is that, in a vast city like this, one can scarcely walk alone?”
“You want Harold,” said Egremont. “How is that most faithful of friends?”
“I fear your hours must be heavy,” said Egremont.
“Oh! no,” said Sybil, “there is so much at stake; so much to hear the moment my father returns. I take so much interest too in their discussions; and sometimes I go to hear him speak. None of them can compare with him. It seems to me that it would be impossible to resist our claims if our rulers only heard them from his lips.”
Egremont smiled. “Your Convention is in its bloom, or rather its bud,” he said; “all is fresh and pure now; but a little while and it will find the fate of all popular assemblies. You will have factions.”
“But why?” said Sybil. “They are the real representatives of the people, and all that the people want is justice; that Labour should be as much respected by law and society as Property.”
While they thus conversed68 they passed through several clean, still streets, that had rather the appearance of streets in a very quiet country town than of abodes69 in the greatest city in the world, and in the vicinity of palaces and parliaments. Rarely was a shop to be remarked among the neat little tenements70, many of them built of curious old brick, and all of them raised without any regard to symmetry or proportion. Not the sound of a single wheel was heard; sometimes not a single individual was visible or stirring. Making a circuitous71 course through this tranquil and orderly district, they at last found themselves in an open place in the centre of which rose a church of vast proportions, and built of hewn stone in that stately, not to say ponderous72, style which Vanburgh introduced. The area round it, which was sufficiently73 ample, was formed by buildings, generally of a very mean character: the long back premises74 of a carpenter, the straggling yard of a hackney-man: sometimes a small, narrow isolated75 private residence, like a waterspout in which a rat might reside: sometimes a group of houses of more pretension76. In the extreme corner of this area, which was dignified77 by the name of Smith’s Square, instead of taking a more appropriate title from the church of St John which it encircled, was a large old house, that had been masked at the beginning of the century with a modern front of pale-coloured bricks, but which still stood in its courtyard surrounded by its iron railings, withdrawn78 as it were from the vulgar gaze like an individual who had known higher fortunes, and blending with his humility79 something of the reserve which is prompted by the memory of vanished greatness.
“This is my home,” said Sybil. “It is a still place and suits us well.”
Near the house was a narrow passage which was a thoroughfare into the most populous80 quarter of the neighbourhood. As Egremont was opening the gate of the courtyard, Gerard ascended81 the steps of this passage and approached them.
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1
deplored
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| v.悲叹，痛惜，强烈反对( deplore的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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outrage
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| n.暴行，侮辱，愤怒；vt.凌辱，激怒 | |
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tumult
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| n.喧哗；激动，混乱；吵闹 | |
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aisle
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| n.（教堂、教室、戏院等里的）过道，通道 | |
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dispel
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| vt.驱走，驱散，消除 | |
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repented
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| 对（自己的所为）感到懊悔或忏悔( repent的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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sanctuary
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| n.圣所，圣堂，寺庙；禁猎区，保护区 | |
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strife
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| n.争吵，冲突，倾轧，竞争 | |
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factions
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| 组织中的小派别，派系( faction的名词复数 ) | |
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consecrated
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| adj.神圣的，被视为神圣的v.把…奉为神圣，给…祝圣( consecrate的过去式和过去分词 )；奉献 | |
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manors
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| n.庄园（manor的复数形式） | |
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pretext
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| n.借口，托词 | |
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forfeited
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| （因违反协议、犯规、受罚等）丧失，失去( forfeit的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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monarch
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| n.帝王，君主，最高统治者 | |
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pretences
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| n.假装( pretence的名词复数 )；作假；自命；自称 | |
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16
refunded
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| v.归还，退还( refund的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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18
monstrous
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| adj.巨大的；恐怖的；可耻的，丢脸的 | |
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19
patrician
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| adj.贵族的，显贵的；n.贵族；有教养的人；罗马帝国的地方官 | |
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20
alienated
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| adj.感到孤独的，不合群的v.使疏远( alienate的过去式和过去分词 )；使不友好；转让；让渡（财产等） | |
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21
impeached
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| v.控告（某人）犯罪( impeach的过去式和过去分词 )；弹劾；对（某事物）怀疑；提出异议 | |
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22
virtuous
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| adj.有品德的，善良的，贞洁的，有效力的 | |
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martyr
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| n.烈士，殉难者；vt.杀害，折磨，牺牲 | |
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24
taxation
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| n.征税，税收，税金 | |
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levied
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| 征（兵）( levy的过去式和过去分词 )； 索取； 发动（战争）； 征税 | |
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patriotism
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| n.爱国精神，爱国心，爱国主义 | |
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excise
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| n.(国产)货物税；vt.切除，删去 | |
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holocaust
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| n.大破坏；大屠杀 | |
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29
inquiry
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| n.打听，询问，调查，查问 | |
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30
anthem
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| n.圣歌，赞美诗，颂歌 | |
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31
sordid
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| adj.肮脏的，不干净的，卑鄙的，暗淡的 | |
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guardianship
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| n. 监护, 保护, 守护 | |
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33
edifice
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| n.宏伟的建筑物(如宫殿，教室) | |
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impair
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| v.损害，损伤；削弱，减少 | |
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consolation
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| n.安慰，慰问 | |
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metropolitan
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| adj.大城市的，大都会的 | |
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worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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38
beheld
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| v.看，注视( behold的过去式和过去分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
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39
spikes
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| n.穗( spike的名词复数 )；跑鞋；（防滑）鞋钉；尖状物v.加烈酒于( spike的第三人称单数 )；偷偷地给某人的饮料加入（更多）酒精（ 或药物）；把尖状物钉入；打乱某人的计划 | |
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40
nave
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| n.教堂的中部；本堂 | |
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41
aisles
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| n. (席位间的)通道, 侧廊 | |
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42
sate
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| v.使充分满足 | |
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43
babbled
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| v.喋喋不休( babble的过去式和过去分词 )；作潺潺声（如流水）；含糊不清地说话；泄漏秘密 | |
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44
outraged
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| a.震惊的，义愤填膺的 | |
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45
celestial
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| adj.天体的；天上的 | |
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46
plaintive
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| adj.可怜的，伤心的 | |
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47
swelling
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| n.肿胀 | |
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48
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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49
meridian
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| adj.子午线的；全盛期的 | |
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50
choir
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| n.唱诗班，唱诗班的席位，合唱团，舞蹈团；v.合唱 | |
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51
stockade
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| n.栅栏，围栏；v.用栅栏防护 | |
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52
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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53
peals
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| n.（声音大而持续或重复的）洪亮的响声( peal的名词复数 )；隆隆声；洪亮的钟声；钟乐v.（使）（钟等）鸣响，（雷等）发出隆隆声( peal的第三人称单数 ) | |
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54
recess
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| n.短期休息，壁凹（墙上装架子，柜子等凹处） | |
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55
picturesque
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| adj.美丽如画的，（语言）生动的，绘声绘色的 | |
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56
gracefully
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| ad.大大方方地；优美地 | |
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57
suffused
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| v.（指颜色、水气等）弥漫于，布满( suffuse的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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58
touching
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| adj.动人的，使人感伤的 | |
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59
avowal
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| n.公开宣称，坦白承认 | |
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60
perilled
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| 置…于危险中（peril的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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61
soothe
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| v.安慰；使平静；使减轻；缓和；奉承 | |
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62
mused
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| v.沉思，冥想( muse的过去式和过去分词 )；沉思自语说（某事） | |
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63
confession
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| n.自白，供认，承认 | |
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64
nuns
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| n.（通常指基督教的）修女， （佛教的）尼姑( nun的名词复数 ) | |
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65
bustling
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| adj.喧闹的 | |
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66
tranquil
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| adj. 安静的, 宁静的, 稳定的, 不变的 | |
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67
pang
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| n.剧痛，悲痛，苦闷 | |
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68
conversed
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| v.交谈，谈话( converse的过去式 ) | |
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69
abodes
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| 住所( abode的名词复数 )； 公寓； （在某地的）暂住； 逗留 | |
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70
tenements
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| n.房屋，住户，租房子( tenement的名词复数 ) | |
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71
circuitous
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| adj.迂回的路的，迂曲的，绕行的 | |
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ponderous
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| adj.沉重的，笨重的，(文章)冗长的 | |
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73
sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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premises
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| n.建筑物，房屋 | |
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75
isolated
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| adj.与世隔绝的 | |
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76
pretension
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| n.要求；自命，自称；自负 | |
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77
dignified
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| a.可敬的，高贵的 | |
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78
withdrawn
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| vt.收回；使退出；vi.撤退，退出 | |
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79
humility
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| n.谦逊，谦恭 | |
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80
populous
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| adj.人口稠密的，人口众多的 | |
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81
ascended
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| v.上升，攀登( ascend的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
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