‘Your Majesty10,’ observed Manto, who had been whispering to Tiresias, ‘feels, perhaps, a little wearied?’
‘By no means, my kind Manto,’ replied Proserpine, starting from her reverie. ‘But the truth is, my spirits are unequal; and though I really cannot well fix upon the cause of their present depression, I am apparently11 not free from the contagion12 of the surrounding gloom.’
‘It is the evening air,’ said Tiresias. ‘Your Majesty had perhaps better re-enter the pavilion of the yacht. As for myself, I never venture about after sunset. One grows romantic. Night was evidently made for in-door nature. I propose a rubber.’
To this popular suggestion Proserpine was pleased to accede13, and herself and Tiresias, Manto and the captain of the yacht, were soon engaged at the proposed amusement.
Tiresias loved a rubber. It was true he was blind, but then, being a prophet, that did not signify. Tiresias, I say, loved a rubber, and was a first-rate player, though, perhaps, given a little too much to finesse14. Indeed, he so much enjoyed taking in his fellow-creatures, that he sometimes could not resist deceiving his own partner. Whist is a game which requires no ordinary combination of qualities; at the same time, memory and invention, a daring fancy, and a cool head. To a mind like that of Tiresias, a pack of cards was full of human nature. A rubber was a microcosm; and he ruffed his adversary15’s king, or brought in a long suit of his own with as much dexterity16 and as much enjoyment17 as, in the real business of existence, he dethroned a monarch18, or introduced a dynasty.
‘Will your Majesty be pleased to draw your card?’ requested the sage19. ‘If I might venture to offer your Majesty a hint, I would dare to recommend your Majesty not to play before your turn. My friends are fond of ascribing my success in my various missions to the possession of peculiar20 qualities. No such thing: I owe everything to the simple habit of always waiting till it is my turn to speak. And believe me, that he who plays before his turn at whist, commits as great a blunder as he who speaks before his turn during a negotiation21.’
‘The trick, and two by honours,’ said Proserpine. ‘Pray, my dear Tiresias, you who are such a fine player, how came you to trump22 my best card?’
‘Because I wanted the lead. And those who want to lead, please your Majesty, must never hesitate about sacrificing their friends.’
‘I believe you speak truly. I was right in playing that thirteenth card?’
‘Quite so. Above all things, I love a thirteenth card. I send it forth23, like a mock project in a revolution, to try the strength of parties.’
‘You should not have forced me, Lady Manto,’ said the Captain of the yacht, in a grumbling24 tone, to his partner. ‘By weakening me, you prevented me bringing in my spades. We might have made the game.’
‘You should not have been forced,’ said Tiresias. ‘If she made a mistake, who was unacquainted with your plans, what a terrible blunder you committed to share her error without her ignorance!’
‘What, then, was I to lose a trick?’
‘Next to knowing when to seize an opportunity,’ replied Tiresias, ‘the most important thing in life is to know when to forego an advantage.’
‘I have cut you an honour, sir,’ said Manto.
‘Which reminds me,’ replied Tiresias, ‘that, in the last hand, your Majesty unfortunately forgot to lead through your adversary’s ace25. I have often observed that nothing ever perplexes an adversary so much as an appeal to his honour.’
‘I will not forget to follow your advice,’ said the Captain of the yacht, playing accordingly.
‘By which you have lost the game,’ quietly remarked Tiresias. ‘There are exceptions to all rules, but it seldom answers to follow the advice of an opponent.’
‘Confusion!’ exclaimed the Captain of the yacht.
‘Four by honours, and the trick, I declare,’ said Proserpine. ‘I was so glad to see you turn up the queen, Tiresias.’
‘I also, madam. Without doubt there are few cards better than her royal consort26, or, still more, the imperial ace. Nevertheless, I must confess, I am perfectly27 satisfied whenever I remember that I have the Queen on my side.’
Proserpine bowed.
‘I have a good mind to do it, Tiresias,’ said Queen Proserpine, as that worthy28 sage paid his compliments to her at her toilet, at an hour which should have been noon.
‘It would be a great compliment,’ said Tiresias.
‘And it is not much out of our way?’
‘By no means,’ replied the seer. ‘‘Tis an agreeable half-way house. He lives in good style.’
‘And whence can a dethroned monarch gain a revenue?’ inquired the Queen.
‘Your Majesty, I see, is not at all learned in politics. A sovereign never knows what an easy income is till he has abdicated29. He generally commences squabbling with his subjects about the supplies; he is then expelled, and voted, as compensation, an amount about double the sum which was the cause of the original quarrel.’
‘What do you think, Manto?’ said Proserpine, as that lady entered the cabin; ‘we propose paying a visit to Saturn30. He has fixed31 his residence, you know, in these regions of twilight.’
‘I love a junket,’ replied Manto, ‘above all things. And, indeed, I was half frightened out of my wits at the bare idea of toiling32 over this desert. All is prepared, please your Majesty, for our landing. Your Majesty’s litter is quite ready.’
‘‘Tis well,’ said Proserpine; and leaning on the arm of Manto, the Queen came upon deck, and surveyed the surrounding country, a vast grey flat, with a cloudless sky of the same tint33: in the distance some lowering shadows, which seemed like clouds but were in fact mountains.
‘Some half-dozen hours,’ said Tiresias, ‘will bring us to the palace of Saturn. We shall arrive for dinner; the right hour. Let me recommend your Majesty to order the curtains of your litter to be drawn35, and, if possible, to resume your dreams.’
‘They were not pleasant,’ said Proserpine, ‘I dreamt of my mother and the Parc?. Manto, methinks I’ll read. Hast thou some book?’
‘How call you it?’
‘“The Pleasures of Oblivion.” The poet apparently is fond of his subject.’
‘And is, I have no doubt, equal to it. Hast any prose?’
‘An historical novel or so.’
‘Oh! if you mean those things as full of costume as a fancy ball, and almost as devoid38 of sense, I’ll have none of them. Close the curtains; even visions of the Furies are preferable to these insipidities.’
The halt of the litter roused the Queen from her slumbers. ‘We have arrived,’ said Manto, as she assisted in withdrawing the curtains.
The train had halted before a vast propylon of rose-coloured granite39. The gate was nearly two hundred feet in height, and the sides of the propylon, which rose like huge moles40, were sculptured with colossal41 figures of a threatening aspect. Passing through the propylon, the Queen of Hell and her attendants entered an avenue in length about three-quarters of a mile, formed of colossal figures of the same character and substance, alternately raising in their arms javelins42 or battle-axes, as if about to strike. At the end of this heroic avenue appeared the palace of Saturn. Ascending43 a hundred steps of black marble, you stood before a portico44 supported by twenty columns of the same material and shading a single portal of bronze. Apparently the palace formed an immense quadrangle; a vast tower rising from each corner, and springing from the centre a huge and hooded45 dome46. A crowd of attendants, in grey and sad-coloured raiment, issued from the portal of the palace at the approach of Proserpine, who remarked with strange surprise their singular countenances47 and demeanour; for rare in this silent assemblage was any visage resembling aught she had seen, human or divine. Some bore the heads of bats; of owls49 and beetles50 others; some fluttered moth-like wings, while the shoulders of other bipeds were surmounted51, in spite of their human organisation52, with the heads of rats and weasels, of marten-cats and of foxes. But they were all remarkably53 civil; and Proserpine, who was now used to wonders, did not shriek54 at all, and scarcely shuddered55.
The Queen of Hell was ushered56 through a superb hall, and down a splendid gallery, to a suite57 of apartments where a body of damsels of a most distinguished58 appearance awaited her. Their heads resembled those of the most eagerly-sought, highly-prized, and oftenest-stolen lap-dogs. Upon the shoulders of one was the visage of the smallest and most thorough-bred little Blenheim in the world. Upon her front was a white star, her nose was nearly flat, and her ears were tied under her chin, with the most jaunty59 air imaginable. She was an evident flirt60; and a solemn prude of a spaniel, with a black and tan countenance48, who seemed a sort of duenna, evidently watched her with no little distrust. The admirers of blonde beauties would, however, have fallen in love with a poodle, with the finest head of hair imaginable, and most voluptuous61 shoulders. This brilliant band began barking in the most insinuating62 tone on the appearance of the Queen; and Manto, who was almost as dexterous63 a linguist64 as Tiresias himself, informed her Majesty that these were the ladies of her bed-chamber65; upon which Proserpine, who, it will be remembered had no passion for dogs, ordered them immediately out of her room.
‘What a droll66 place!’ exclaimed the Queen. ‘Do you know, we are later than I imagined? A hasty toilet to-day; I long to see Saturn. It is droll, I am hungry. My purple velvet67, I think; it may be considered a compliment. No diamonds, only jet; a pearl or two, perhaps. Didst ever see the King?
They say he is gentlemanlike, though a bigot. No! no rouge68 to-day; this paleness is quite apropos69. Were I as radiant as usual, I should be taken for Aurora70.’
So leaning on Manto, and preceded by the ladies of her bed-chamber, whom, notwithstanding their repulse71, she found in due attendance in the antechamber, Proserpine again continued her progress down the gallery, until they stopped at a door, which opening, she was ushered into the grand circular saloon, crowned by the dome, whose exterior72 the Queen had already observed. The interior of this apartment was entirely73 of black and grey marble, with the exception of the dome itself, which was of ebony, richly carved and supported by more than a hundred columns. There depended from the centre of the arch a single chandelier of frosted silver, which was itself as big as an ordinary chamber, but of the most elegant form, and delicate and fantastic workmanship. As the Queen entered the saloon, a personage of venerable appearance, dressed in a suit of black velvet, and leaning on an ivory cane74, advanced to salute75 her. There was no mistaking this personage; his manners were at once so courteous76 and so dignified77. He was clearly their host; and Proserpine, who was quite charmed with his grey locks and his black velvet cap, his truly paternal78 air, and the beneficence of his unstudied smile, could scarcely refrain from bending her knee, and pressing her lips to his extended hand.
‘I am proud that your Majesty has remembered me in my retirement,’ said Saturn, as he led Proserpine to a seat.
Their mutual79 compliments were soon disturbed by the announcement of dinner, and Saturn offering his arm to the Queen with an air of politeness which belonged to the old school, but which the ladies admire in old men, handed Proserpine to the banqueting-room. They were followed by some of the principal personages of her Majesty’s suite, and a couple of young Titans, who enjoyed the posts of aides-de-camp to the ex-King, and whose duties consisted of carving80 at dinner.
It was a most agreeable dinner, and Proserpine was delighted with Saturn, who, of course, sat by her side, and paid her every possible attention. Saturn, whose manners, as has been observed, were of the old school, loved a good story, and told several. His anecdotes81, especially of society previous to the Trojan war, were highly interesting. There ran through all his behaviour, too, a tone of high breeding and of consideration for others which was really charming; and Proserpine, who had expected to find in her host a gloomy bigot, was quite surprised at the truly liberal spirit with which he seemed to consider affairs in general. Indeed this unexpected tone made so great an impression upon her, that finding a good opportunity after dinner, when they were sipping82 their coffee apart from the rest of the company, she could not refrain from entering into some conversation with the ex-King upon the subject, and the conversation ran thus:
‘Do you know,’ said Proserpine, ‘that much as I have been pleased and surprised during my visit to the realms of twilight, nothing has pleased, and I am sure nothing has surprised me more, than to observe the remarkably liberal spirit in which your Majesty views the affairs of the day.’
‘You give me a title, beautiful Proserpine, to which I have no claim,’ replied Saturn. ‘You forget that I am now only Count Hesperus; I am no longer a king, and believe me, I am very glad of it.’
‘What a pity, my dear sir, that you would not condescend83 to conform to the spirit of the age. For myself, I am quite a reformer.’
‘So I have understood, beautiful Proserpine, which I confess has a little surprised me; for to tell you the truth, I do not consider that reform is exactly our trade.’
‘Affairs cannot go on as they used,’ observed Proserpine, oracularly; ‘we must bow to the spirit of the age.’
‘And what is that?’ inquired Saturn.
‘I do not exactly know,’ replied Proserpine, ‘but one hears of it everywhere.’
‘I also heard of it a great deal,’ replied Saturn, ‘and was also recommended to conform to it. Before doing so, however, I thought it as well to ascertain84 its nature, and something also of its strength.’
‘It is terribly strong,’ observed Proserpine.
‘But you think it will be stronger?’ inquired the ex-King.
‘Certainly; every day it is more powerful.’
‘Then if, on consideration, we were to deem resistance to it advisable, it is surely better to commence the contest at once than to postpone85 the struggle.’
‘It is useless to talk of resisting; one must conform.’
‘I certainly should consider resistance useless,’ replied Saturn, ‘for I tried it and failed; but at least one has a chance of success; and yet, having resisted this spirit and failed, I should not consider myself in a worse plight86 than you would voluntarily place yourself in by conforming to it.’
‘You speak riddles,’ said Proserpine.
‘To be plain, then,’ replied Saturn, ‘I think you may as well at once give up your throne, as conform to this spirit.’
‘And why so?’ inquired Proserpine very ingenuously88.’
‘Because,’ replied Saturn, shrugging up his shoulders, ‘I look upon the spirit of the age as a spirit hostile to Kings and gods.’
The next morning Saturn himself attended his beautiful guest over his residence, which Proserpine greatly admired.
‘‘Tis the work of the Titans,’ replied the ex-King. ‘There never was a party so fond of building palaces.’
‘To speak the truth,’ said Proserpine, ‘I am a little disappointed that I have not had an opportunity, during my visit, of becoming acquainted with some of the chiefs of that celebrated90 party; for, although a Liberal, I am a female one, and I like to know every sort of person who is distinguished.’
‘The fact is,’ replied her host, ‘that the party has never recovered from the thunderbolt of that scheming knave91 Jupiter, and do not bear their defeat so philosophically92 as years, perhaps, permit me to do. If we have been vanquished93 by the spirit of the age,’ continued Saturn, ‘you must confess that, in our case, the conqueror94 did not assume a material form very remarkable95 for its dignity. Had Creation resolved itself into its original elements, had Chaos96 come again, or even old Coelus, the indignity97 might have been endured; but to be baffled by an Olympian juste milieu98, and to find, after all the clamour, that nothing has been changed save the places, is, you will own, somewhat mortifying99.’
‘But how do you reconcile,’ inquired the ingenuous87 Proserpine, ‘the success of Jupiter with the character which you ascribed last night to the spirit of the age?’
‘Why, in truth,’ said Saturn, ‘had I not entirely freed myself from all party feeling, I might adduce the success of my perfidious100 and worthless relative as very good demonstration101 that the spirit of the age is nothing better than an ignis fatuus. Nevertheless, we must discriminate102. Even the success of Jupiter, although he now conducts himself in direct opposition103 to the emancipating104 principles he at first professed105, is no less good evidence of their force; for by his professions he rose. And, for my part, I consider it a great homage106 to public opinion to find every scoundrel now-a-days professing107 himself a Liberal.’
‘You are candid;’ said Proserpine. ‘I should like very much to see the Titans.’
‘My friends are at least consistent,’ observed Saturn; ‘though certainly at present I can say little more for them. Between the despair of one section of the party, and the over-sanguine expectations of the other, they are at present quite inactive, or move only to ensure fresh rebuffs.’
‘You see little of them, then?’
‘They keep to themselves: they generally frequent a lonely vale in the neighbourhood.’
‘I should so like to see them!’ exclaimed Proserpine.
‘Say nothing to Tiresias,’ said old Saturn, who was half in love with his fair friend, ‘and we will steal upon them unperceived.’ So saying, the god struck the earth with his cane, and there instantly sprang forth a convenient car, built of curiously108 carved cedar109, and borne by four enormous tawny-coloured owls. Seating himself by the side of the delighted Proserpine, Saturn commanded the owls to bear them to the Valley of Lamentations.
‘Twas an easy fly: the chariot soon descended110 upon the crest111 of a hill: and Saturn and Proserpine, leaving the car, commenced, by a winding112 path, the slight ascent113 of a superior elevation114. Having arrived there, they looked down upon a valley, apparently land-locked by black and barren mountains of the most strange, although picturesque115 forms. In the centre of the valley was a black pool or tarn116, bordered with dark purple flags of an immense size, twining and twisting among which might be observed the glancing and gliding117 folds of several white serpents; while crocodiles and alligators118, and other horrible forms, poked119 their foul120 snouts with evident delight in a vast mass of black slime, which had, at various times, exuded121 from the lake. A single tree only was to be observed in this desolate122 place, an enormous and blasted cedar, with scarcely a patch of verdure, but extending its black and barren branches nearly across the valley. Seated on a loosened crag, but leaning against the trunk of the cedar, with his arms folded, his mighty123 eyes fixed on the ground, and his legs crossed with that air of complete repose124 which indicates that their owner is in no hurry again to move them, was
‘A form, some granite god we deemed,
Or king of palmy Nile, colossal shapes
To Memphian art; Horus, Osiris called,
Or Amenoph, who, on the Theban plain,
Sesostris styled. And yet no sculptor’s art
Moulded this shape, for form it seemed of flesh,
Grey as its hairs, which, thin as they might seem,
No breath disturbed; a solemn countenance,
As if despair were now a distant dream
Too dim for memory.’
‘‘Tis their great leader,’ said Saturn, as he pointed89 out the Titan to Proserpine, ‘the giant Enceladus. He got us into all our scrapes, but I must do him the justice to add, that he is the only one who can ever get us out of them. They say he has no heart; but I think his hook nose is rather fine.’
‘Superb!’ said Proserpine. ‘And who is that radiant and golden-haired youth who is seated at his feet?’
‘‘Tis no less a personage than Hyperion himself,’ replied Saturn, ‘the favourite counsellor of Enceladus. He is a fine orator134, and makes up by his round sentences and choice phrases for the rhetorical deficiencies of his chief, who, to speak the truth, is somewhat curt34 and husky. They have enough now to do to manage their comrades and keep a semblance135 of discipline in their routed ranks. Mark that ferocious136 Briareus there scowling137 in a corner! Didst ever see such a moustache! He glances, methinks, with an evil eye on the mighty Enceladus; and, let me tell you, Briareus has a great following among them; so they say of him you know, that he hath fifty heads and a hundred arms. See! how they gather around him.’
‘Who speaks now to Briareus?’ ‘The young and valiant138 Mimas. Be assured he is counselling war. We shall have a debate now.’
‘Yon venerable personage, who is seated by the margin139 of the pool, and weeping with the crocodiles———’
‘Is old Oceanus.’
‘He is apparently much affected140 by his overthrow141.’ ‘It is his wont142 to weep. He used to cry when he fought, and yet he was a powerful warrior143.’ ‘Hark!’ said Proserpine.
The awful voice of Briareus broke the silence. What a terrible personage was Briareus! His wild locks hung loose about his shoulders, and blended with his unshorn beard.
‘Titans!’ shouted the voice which made many a heart tremble, and the breathless Proserpine clasp the arm of Saturn. ‘Titans! Is that spirit dead that once heaped Ossa upon Pelion? Is it forgotten, even by ourselves, that a younger born revels144 in our heritage? Are these forms that surround me, indeed, the shapes at whose dread sight the base Olympians fled to their fitting earth? Warriors145, whose weapons were the rocks, whose firebrands were the burning woods, is the day forgotten when Jove himself turned craven, and skulked146 in Egypt? At least my memory is keen enough to support my courage, and whatever the dread Enceladus may counsel, my voice is still for war!’
There ensued, after this harangue147 of Briareus, a profound and thrilling silence, which was, however, broken in due time by the great leader of the Titans himself.
‘You mouth it well, Briareus,’ replied Enceladus calmly. ‘And if great words would re-seat us in Olympus, doubtless, with your potent148 aid, we might succeed. It never should be forgotten, however, that had we combined at first, in the spirit now recommended, the Olympians would never have triumphed; and least of all our party should Briareus and his friends forget the reasons of our disunion.’
‘I take thy sneer149, Enceladus,’ said the young and chivalric150 Mimas, ‘and throw it in thy teeth. This learn, then, from Briareus and his friends, that if we were lukewarm in the hour of peril151, the fault lies not to our account, but with those who had previously152 so conducted themselves, that, when the danger arrived, it was impossible for us to distinguish between our friends and our foes153. Enceladus apparently forgets that had the Olympians never been permitted to enter Heaven, it would have been unnecessary ever to have combined against their machinations.’
‘Recrimination is useless,’ said a Titan, interposing. ‘I was one of those who supported Enceladus in the admission of the Olympians above, and I regret it. But at the time, like others, I believed it to be the only mode of silencing the agitation154 of Jupiter.’
‘I separated from Enceladus on that question,’ said a huge Titan, lying his length on the ground and leaning one arm on a granite crag; ‘but I am willing to forget all our differences and support him with all my heart and strength in another effort to restore our glorious constitution.’
‘Titans,’ said Enceladus, ‘who is there among you who has found me a laggard155 in the day of battle?’
When the Olympians, as Briareus thinks it necessary to remind you, fled, I was your leader. Remember, however, then, that there were no thunderbolts. As for myself, I candidly156 confess to you, that, since the invention of these weapons by Jove, I do not see how war can be carried on by us any longer with effect.’
‘By the memory of old Coelus and these fast-flowing tears,’ murmured the venerable Oceanus, patting at the same time a crocodile on the back, ‘I call you all to witness that I have no interest to deceive you. Nevertheless, we should not forget that, in this affair of the thunderbolts, it is the universal opinion that there is a very considerable reaction. I have myself, only within these few days, received authentic157 information that several have fallen of late without any visible ill effects; and I am credibly158 assured that, during the late storm in Thessaly, a thunderbolt was precipitated159 into the centre of a vineyard, without affecting the flavour of a single grape.’
Here several of the Titans, who had gathered round Enceladus, shook their heads and shrugged160 their shoulders, and a long and desultory161 conversation ensued upon the copious162 and very controversial subject of Re-action. In the meantime Rhoetus, a young Titan, whispered to one of his companions, that for his part he was convinced that the only way to beat the Olympians was to turn them into ridicule163; and that he would accordingly commence at once with the pasquinade on the private life of Jupiter, and some peculiarly delicate criticisms on the characters of the goddesses.
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1
pensive
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| a.沉思的,哀思的,忧沉的 | |
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twilight
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| n.暮光，黄昏；暮年，晚期，衰落时期 | |
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reverted
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| 恢复( revert的过去式和过去分词 )； 重提； 回到…上； 归还 | |
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Pluto
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| n.冥王星 | |
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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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adoration
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| n.爱慕，崇拜 | |
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solicitude
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| n.焦虑 | |
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8
trickled
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| v.滴( trickle的过去式和过去分词 )；淌；使)慢慢走；缓慢移动 | |
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marvelled
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| v.惊奇，对…感到惊奇( marvel的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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10
majesty
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| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
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apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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contagion
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| n.(通过接触的疾病)传染；蔓延 | |
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accede
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| v.应允，同意 | |
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finesse
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| n.精密技巧，灵巧，手腕 | |
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adversary
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| adj.敌手，对手 | |
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dexterity
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| n.(手的)灵巧，灵活 | |
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enjoyment
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| n.乐趣；享有；享用 | |
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monarch
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| n.帝王，君主，最高统治者 | |
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sage
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| n.圣人，哲人；adj.贤明的，明智的 | |
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peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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negotiation
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| n.谈判，协商 | |
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trump
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| n.王牌，法宝；v.打出王牌，吹喇叭 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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grumbling
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| adj. 喃喃鸣不平的, 出怨言的 | |
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ace
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| n.A牌；发球得分；佼佼者；adj.杰出的 | |
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consort
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| v.相伴；结交 | |
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perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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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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abdicated
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| 放弃（职责、权力等）( abdicate的过去式和过去分词 )； 退位，逊位 | |
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Saturn
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| n.农神，土星 | |
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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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toiling
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| 长时间或辛苦地工作( toil的现在分词 )； 艰难缓慢地移动，跋涉 | |
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33
tint
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| n.淡色，浅色；染发剂；vt.着以淡淡的颜色 | |
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34
curt
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| adj.简短的，草率的 | |
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35
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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36
slumbers
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| 睡眠，安眠( slumber的名词复数 ) | |
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37
dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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38
devoid
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| adj.全无的，缺乏的 | |
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39
granite
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| adj.花岗岩，花岗石 | |
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40
moles
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| 防波堤( mole的名词复数 )； 鼹鼠； 痣； 间谍 | |
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41
colossal
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| adj.异常的，庞大的 | |
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42
javelins
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| n.标枪( javelin的名词复数 ) | |
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43
ascending
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| adj.上升的，向上的 | |
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44
portico
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| n.柱廊，门廊 | |
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45
hooded
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| adj.戴头巾的；有罩盖的；颈部因肋骨运动而膨胀的 | |
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46
dome
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| n.圆屋顶，拱顶 | |
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47
countenances
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| n.面容( countenance的名词复数 )；表情；镇静；道义支持 | |
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48
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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49
owls
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| n.猫头鹰( owl的名词复数 ) | |
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50
beetles
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| n.甲虫( beetle的名词复数 ) | |
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51
surmounted
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|
| 战胜( surmount的过去式和过去分词 )； 克服（困难）； 居于…之上； 在…顶上 | |
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52
organisation
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| n.组织，安排，团体，有机休 | |
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53
remarkably
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| ad.不同寻常地，相当地 | |
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54
shriek
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|
| v./n.尖叫，叫喊 | |
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55
shuddered
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|
| v.战栗( shudder的过去式和过去分词 )；发抖；（机器、车辆等）突然震动；颤动 | |
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56
ushered
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| v.引，领，陪同( usher的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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57
suite
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| n.一套(家具)；套房；随从人员 | |
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58
distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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59
jaunty
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|
| adj．愉快的，满足的；adv.心满意足地，洋洋得意地；n.心满意足；洋洋得意 | |
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60
flirt
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| v.调情，挑逗，调戏；n.调情者，卖俏者 | |
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61
voluptuous
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| adj.肉欲的，骄奢淫逸的 | |
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62
insinuating
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|
| adj.曲意巴结的，暗示的v.暗示( insinuate的现在分词 )；巧妙或迂回地潜入；（使）缓慢进入；慢慢伸入 | |
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63
dexterous
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|
| adj.灵敏的；灵巧的 | |
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64
linguist
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| n.语言学家；精通数种外国语言者 | |
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65
chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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66
droll
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| adj.古怪的，好笑的 | |
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67
velvet
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| n.丝绒，天鹅绒；adj.丝绒制的，柔软的 | |
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68
rouge
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| n.胭脂，口红唇膏；v.(在…上)擦口红 | |
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69
apropos
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| adv.恰好地；adj.恰当的；关于 | |
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70
aurora
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| n.极光 | |
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71
repulse
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| n.击退，拒绝；vt.逐退，击退，拒绝 | |
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72
exterior
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| adj.外部的，外在的；表面的 | |
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73
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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74
cane
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| n.手杖，细长的茎，藤条；v.以杖击，以藤编制的 | |
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75
salute
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|
| vi.行礼，致意，问候，放礼炮；vt.向…致意，迎接，赞扬；n.招呼，敬礼，礼炮 | |
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76
courteous
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|
| adj.彬彬有礼的，客气的 | |
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77
dignified
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| a.可敬的，高贵的 | |
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78
paternal
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|
| adj.父亲的，像父亲的，父系的，父方的 | |
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79
mutual
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| adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的 | |
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80
carving
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| n.雕刻品，雕花 | |
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81
anecdotes
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|
| n.掌故，趣闻，轶事( anecdote的名词复数 ) | |
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82
sipping
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| v.小口喝，呷，抿( sip的现在分词 ) | |
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83
condescend
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|
| v.俯就，屈尊；堕落，丢丑 | |
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84
ascertain
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| vt.发现，确定，查明，弄清 | |
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85
postpone
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| v.延期，推迟 | |
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86
plight
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| n.困境，境况，誓约，艰难；vt.宣誓，保证，约定 | |
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87
ingenuous
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|
| adj.纯朴的，单纯的；天真的；坦率的 | |
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88
ingenuously
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|
| adv.率直地，正直地 | |
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89
pointed
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|
| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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90
celebrated
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|
| adj.有名的，声誉卓著的 | |
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91
knave
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| n.流氓；（纸牌中的）杰克 | |
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92
philosophically
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| adv.哲学上；富有哲理性地；贤明地；冷静地 | |
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93
vanquished
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| v.征服( vanquish的过去式和过去分词 )；战胜；克服；抑制 | |
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94
conqueror
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| n.征服者，胜利者 | |
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95
remarkable
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|
| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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96
chaos
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| n.混乱，无秩序 | |
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97
indignity
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| n.侮辱，伤害尊严，轻蔑 | |
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98
milieu
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| n.环境；出身背景；(个人所处的)社会环境 | |
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99
mortifying
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|
| adj.抑制的，苦修的v.使受辱( mortify的现在分词 )；伤害（人的感情）；克制；抑制（肉体、情感等） | |
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100
perfidious
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|
| adj.不忠的，背信弃义的 | |
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101
demonstration
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| n.表明，示范，论证，示威 | |
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102
discriminate
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| v.区别，辨别，区分；有区别地对待 | |
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103
opposition
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| n.反对，敌对 | |
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104
emancipating
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|
| v.解放某人（尤指摆脱政治、法律或社会的束缚）( emancipate的现在分词 ) | |
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105
professed
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| 公开声称的，伪称的，已立誓信教的 | |
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106
homage
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| n.尊敬，敬意，崇敬 | |
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107
professing
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| 声称( profess的现在分词 )； 宣称； 公开表明； 信奉 | |
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108
curiously
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| adv.有求知欲地；好问地；奇特地 | |
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109
cedar
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| n.雪松，香柏(木) | |
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110
descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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111
crest
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| n.顶点；饰章；羽冠；vt.达到顶点；vi.形成浪尖 | |
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112
winding
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| n.绕，缠，绕组，线圈 | |
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113
ascent
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| n.(声望或地位)提高；上升，升高；登高 | |
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114
elevation
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| n.高度；海拔；高地；上升；提高 | |
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115
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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116
tarn
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| n.山中的小湖或小潭 | |
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117
gliding
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| v. 滑翔 adj. 滑动的 | |
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118
alligators
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| n.短吻鳄( alligator的名词复数 ) | |
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119
poked
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| v.伸出( poke的过去式和过去分词 )；戳出；拨弄；与（某人）性交 | |
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120
foul
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| adj.污秽的；邪恶的；v.弄脏；妨害；犯规；n.犯规 | |
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121
exuded
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| v.缓慢流出，渗出，分泌出( exude的过去式和过去分词 )；流露出对（某物）的神态或感情 | |
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122
desolate
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| adj.荒凉的，荒芜的；孤独的，凄凉的；v.使荒芜，使孤寂 | |
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123
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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124
repose
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| v.(使)休息；n.安息 | |
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125
rosy
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| adj.美好的，乐观的，玫瑰色的 | |
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126
quarries
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| n.（采）石场( quarry的名词复数 )；猎物（指鸟，兽等）；方形石；（格窗等的）方形玻璃v.从采石场采得( quarry的第三人称单数 )；从（书本等中）努力发掘（资料等）；在采石场采石 | |
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127
salutes
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| n.致敬，欢迎，敬礼( salute的名词复数 )v.欢迎，致敬( salute的第三人称单数 )；赞扬，赞颂 | |
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128
mightier
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| adj. 强有力的，强大的，巨大的 adv. 很，极其 | |
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129
yoked
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| 结合（yoke的过去式形式） | |
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130
orbs
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| abbr.off-reservation boarding school 在校寄宿学校n.球，天体，圆形物( orb的名词复数 ) | |
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131
vacancy
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| n.（旅馆的）空位，空房，（职务的）空缺 | |
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132
woe
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| n.悲哀，苦痛，不幸，困难；int.用来表达悲伤或惊慌 | |
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133
sublime
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| adj.崇高的，伟大的；极度的，不顾后果的 | |
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134
orator
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| n.演说者，演讲者，雄辩家 | |
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135
semblance
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| n.外貌，外表 | |
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136
ferocious
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| adj.凶猛的，残暴的，极度的，十分强烈的 | |
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137
scowling
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| 怒视，生气地皱眉( scowl的现在分词 ) | |
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138
valiant
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| adj.勇敢的，英勇的；n.勇士，勇敢的人 | |
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139
margin
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| n.页边空白；差额；余地，余裕；边，边缘 | |
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140
affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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141
overthrow
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| v.推翻，打倒，颠覆；n.推翻，瓦解，颠覆 | |
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142
wont
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| adj.习惯于；v.习惯；n.习惯 | |
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143
warrior
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| n.勇士，武士，斗士 | |
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144
revels
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| n.作乐( revel的名词复数 )；狂欢；着迷；陶醉v.作乐( revel的第三人称单数 )；狂欢；着迷；陶醉 | |
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145
warriors
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| 武士，勇士，战士( warrior的名词复数 ) | |
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146
skulked
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| v.潜伏，偷偷摸摸地走动，鬼鬼祟祟地活动( skulk的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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147
harangue
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| n.慷慨冗长的训话，言辞激烈的讲话 | |
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148
potent
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| adj.强有力的，有权势的；有效力的 | |
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149
sneer
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| v.轻蔑；嘲笑；n.嘲笑，讥讽的言语 | |
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150
chivalric
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| 有武士气概的，有武士风范的 | |
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151
peril
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| n.(严重的)危险；危险的事物 | |
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152
previously
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| adv.以前，先前（地） | |
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153
foes
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| 敌人，仇敌( foe的名词复数 ) | |
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154
agitation
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| n.搅动；搅拌；鼓动，煽动 | |
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155
laggard
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| n.落后者；adj.缓慢的，落后的 | |
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156
candidly
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| adv.坦率地，直率而诚恳地 | |
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157
authentic
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| a.真的，真正的；可靠的，可信的，有根据的 | |
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158
credibly
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| ad.可信地；可靠地 | |
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159
precipitated
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| v.（突如其来地）使发生( precipitate的过去式和过去分词 )；促成；猛然摔下；使沉淀 | |
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160
shrugged
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| vt.耸肩（shrug的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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161
desultory
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| adj.散漫的，无方法的 | |
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162
copious
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| adj.丰富的，大量的 | |
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163
ridicule
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| v.讥讽，挖苦；n.嘲弄 | |
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