‘Arrived yesterday at the Hotel Diplomatique, His Excellency Prince Popanilla, Ambassador Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary from the newly-recognised State of Fantaisie.’
Before his Excellency could either recover from his astonishment1 or make any inquiries2 which might throw any illustration upon its cause, a loud shout in the street made him naturally look out of the window. He observed three or four magnificent equipages drawing up at the door of the hotel, and followed by a large crowd. Each carriage was drawn3 by four horses, and attended by footmen so radiant with gold and scarlet4 that, had Popanilla been the late ingenious Mr. Keates, he would have mistaken them for the natural children of Phoebus and Aurora5. The Ambassador forgot the irregularity of the paragraph in the splendour of the liveries. He felt triumphantly6 conscious that the most beautiful rose in the world must look extremely pale by the side of scarlet cloth; and this new example of the superiority of art over nature reminding him of the inferiority of bread-fruit to grilled7 muffin, he resolved to return to breakfast.
But it was his fate to be reminded of the inutility of the best resolutions, for ere the cup of coffee had touched his parched8 lips the door of his room flow open, and the Marquess of Moustache was announced.
His Lordship was a young gentleman with an expressive9 countenance10; that is to say, his face was so covered with hair, and the back of his head cropped so bald, that you generally addressed him in the rear by mistake. He did not speak, but continued bowing for a considerable time, in that diplomatic manner which means so much. By the time he had finished bowing his suite11 had gained the apartment, and his Private Secretary, one of those uncommonly12 able men who only want an opportunity, seized the present one of addressing Popanilla.
Bowing to the late Captain with studied respect, he informed him that the Marquess Moustache was the nobleman appointed by the Government of Vraibleusia to attend upon his Excellency during the first few weeks of his mission, with the view of affording him all information upon those objects which might naturally be expected to engage the interest or attract the attention of so distinguished13 a personage. The ‘ancien marin’ and present Ambassador had been so used to miracles since the loss of that lock of hair, that he did not think it supernatural, having during the last few days been in turn a Fantaisian nobleman, a post-captain, a fish, a goddess, and, above all, an author, he should now be transformed into a plenipotentiary. Drinking, therefore, his cup of coffee, he assumed an air as if he really were used to have a Marquess for an attendant, and said that he was at his Lordship’s service.
The Marquess bowed low, and the Private Secretary remarked that the first thing to be done by his Excellency was to be presented to the Government. After that he was to visit all the manufactories in Vraibleusia, subscribe14 to all the charities, and dine with all the Corporations, attend a dejeuner a la fourchette at a palace they were at present building under the sea, give a gold plate to be run for on the fashionable racecourse, be present at morning prayers at the Government Chapel15, hunt once or twice, give a dinner or two himself, make one pun, and go to the Play, by which various means, he said, the good understanding between the two countries would be materially increased and, in a manner, established.
As the Fantaisian Ambassador and his suite entered their carriages, the sky, if it had not been for the smoke, would certainly have been rent by the acclamations of the mob. ‘Popanilla for ever!’ sounded from all quarters, except where the shout was varied16 by ‘Vraibleusia and Fantaisie against the world!’ which perhaps was even the most popular sentiment of the two. The Ambassador was quite agitated17, and asked the Marquess what he was to do. The Private Secretary told his Excellency to bow. Popanilla bowed with such grace that in five minutes the horses were taken out of his carriage, and that carriage dragged in triumph by the enthusiastic populace. He continued bowing, and their enthusiasm continued increasing. In the meantime his Excellency’s portrait was sketched18 by an artist who hung upon his wheel, and in less than half an hour a lithographic likeness19 of the popular idol20 was worshipped in every print-shop in Hubbabub.
As they drew nearer the Hall of Audience the crowd kept increasing, till at length the whole city seemed poured forth21 to meet him. Although now feeling conscious that he was the greatest man in the island, and therefore only thinking of himself, Popanilla’s attention was nevertheless at this moment attracted by, a singular figure. He was apparently22 a man: in stature23 a Patagonian, and robust24 as a well-fed ogre. His countenance was jolly, but consequential26; and his costume a curious mixture of a hunting-dress and a court suit. He was on foot, and in spite of the crowd, with the aid of a good whip and his left fist made his way with great ease. On inquiring who this extraordinary personage might be, Popanilla was informed that it was THE ABORIGINAL27 INHABITANT. As the giant passed the Ambassador’s carriages, the whole suite, even Lord Moustache, rose and bent28 low; and the Secretary told Popanilla that there was no person in the island for whom the Government of Vraibleusia entertained so profound a respect.
The crowd was now so immense that even the progress of the Aboriginal Inhabitant was for a moment impeded29. The great man got surrounded by a large body of little mechanics. The contrast between the pale perspiring30 visages and lean forms of these emaciated31 and half-generated creatures, and the jolly form and ruddy countenance, gigantic limbs and ample frame, of the Aboriginal, was most striking; nor could any one view the group for an instant without feeling convinced that the latter was really a superior existence. The mechanics, who were worn by labour, not reduced by famine, far from being miserable32, were impudent33. They began rating the mighty34 one for the dearness of his corn. He received their attacks with mildness. He reminded them that the regulation by which they procured35 their bread was the aboriginal law of the island, under which they had all so greatly flourished. He explained to them that it was owing to this protecting principle that he and his ancestors, having nothing to do but to hunt and shoot, had so preserved their health that, unlike the rest of the human race, they had not degenerated36 from the original form and nature of man. He showed that it was owing to the vigour37 of mind and body consequent upon this fine health that Vraibleusia had become the wonder of the world, and that they themselves were so actively38 employed; and he inferred that they surely could not grudge39 him the income which he derived40, since that income was, in fact, the foundation of their own profits. He then satisfactorily demonstrated to them that if by any circumstances he were to cease to exist, the whole island would immediately sink under the sea. Having thus condescended41 to hold a little parley43 with his fellow-subjects, though not follow-creatures, he gave them all a good sound flogging, and departed amidst the enthusiastic cheering of those whom he had so briskly lashed44.
By this time Popanilla had arrived at the Hall of Audience.
‘It was a vast and venerable pile.’
His Excellency and suite quitted their carriages amidst the renewed acclamations of the mob. Proceeding45 through a number of courts and quadrangles, crowded with guards and officials, they stopped before a bronze gate of great height. Over it was written, in vast characters of living flame, this inscription46:
TO
THE WISEST AND THE BEST,
THE GLORY AND THE ADMIRATION48,
THE DEFENCE AND THE CONSTERNATION49.
On reading this mysterious inscription his Excellency experienced a sudden and awful shudder50. Lord Moustache, however, who was more used to mysteries, taking up a silver trumpet51, which was fixed52 to the portal by a crimson53 cord, gave a loud blast. The gates flew open with the sound of a whirlwind, and Popanilla found himself in what at first appeared an illimitable hall. It was crowded, but perfect order was preserved. The Ambassador was conducted with great pomp to the upper end of the apartment, where, after an hour’s walk, his Excellency arrived. At the extremity54 of the hall was a colossal55 and metallic56 Statue of extraordinary appearance. It represented an armed monarch57. The head and bust25 were of gold, and the curling hair was crowned with an imperial diadem58; the body and arms were of silver, worked in the semblance59 of a complete suit of enamelled armour60 of the feudal61 ages; and the thighs62 and legs were of iron, which the artist had clothed in the bandaged hose of the old Saxons. The figure bore the appearance of great antiquity64, but had evidently been often repaired and renovated65 since its first formation. The workmanship was clearly of different eras, and the reparations, either from ignorance or intention, had often been effected with little deference66 to the original design. Part of the shoulders had been supplied by the other, though less precious, metal, and the Roman and Imperial ornaments67 had unaccountably been succeeded by the less classic, though more picturesque68, decorations of Gothic armour. On the other hand, a great portion of the chivalric69 and precious material of the body had been removed, and replaced by a style and substance resembling those of the lower limbs. In its right hand the Statue brandished70 a naked sword, and with its left leant upon a huge, though extremely rich and elaborately carved, crosier. It trampled71 upon a shivered lance and a broken chain.
‘Your Excellency perceives,’ said the Secretary, pointing to the Statue, ‘that ours is a mixed Government.’
Popanilla was informed that this extraordinary Statue enjoyed all the faculties72 of an intellectual being, with the additional advantage of some faculties which intellectual beings do not enjoy. It possessed73 not only the faculty74 of speech, but of speaking truth; not only the power of judgment75, but of judging rightly; not only the habit of listening, but of listening attentively76. Its antiquity was so remote that the most profound and acute antiquarians had failed in tracing back its origin. The Aboriginal Inhabitant, however, asserted that it was the work of one of his ancestors; and as his assertion was confirmed by all traditions, the allegation was received. Whatever might have been its origin, certain it was that it was now immortal77, for it could never die; and to whomsoever it might have been originally indebted for its power, not less sure was it that it was now omnipotent78, for it could do all things. Thus alleged79 and thus believed the Vraibleusians, marvellous and sublime80 people! who, with all the impotence of mortality, have created a Government which is both immortal and omnipotent!
Generally speaking, the Statue was held in great reverence81 and viewed with great admiration by the whole Vraibleusian people. There were a few persons, indeed, who asserted that the creation of such a Statue was by no means so mighty a business as it had been the fashion to suppose; and that it was more than probable that, with the advantages afforded by the scientific discoveries of modern times, they would succeed in making a more useful one. This, indeed, they offered to accomplish, provided the present Statue were preliminarily destroyed; but as they were well assured that this offer would never be accepted, it was generally treated by those who refused it as a braggadocio82. There were many also who, though they in general greatly admired and respected the present Statue, affected83 to believe that, though the execution was wonderful, and the interior machinery84 indeed far beyond the powers of the present age, nevertheless the design was in many parts somewhat rude, and the figure altogether far from being well-proportioned. Some thought the head too big, some too small; some that the body was disproportionately little; others, on the contrary, that it was so much too large that it had the appearance of being dropsical; others maintained that the legs were too weak for the support of the whole, and that they should be rendered more important and prominent members of the figure; while, on the contrary, there were yet others who cried out that really these members were already so extravagantly85 huge, so coarse, and so ungenteel, that they quite marred86 the general effect of a beautiful piece of sculpture.
The same differences existed about the comparative excellence87 of the three metals and the portions of the body which they respectively formed. Some admired the gold, and maintained that if it were not for the head the Statue would be utterly88 useless; others preferred the silver, and would assert that the body, which contained all the machinery, must clearly be the most precious portion; while a third party triumphantly argued that the iron legs which supported both body and head must surely be the most valuable part, since without them the Statue must fall. The first party advised that in all future reparations gold only should be introduced; and the other parties, of course, recommended with equal zeal89 their own favourite metals. It is observable, however, that if, under these circumstances, the iron race chanced to fail in carrying their point, they invariably voted for gold in preference to silver. But the most contradictory90 opinions, perhaps, were those which were occasioned by the instruments with which the Statue was armed and supported. Some affected to be so frightened by the mere91 sight of the brandished sword, although it never moved, that they pretended it was dangerous to live even under the same sky with it; while others, treating very lightly the terrors of this warlike instrument, would observe that much more was really to be apprehended92 from the remarkable93 strength and thickness of the calm and peace-inspiring crosier; and that as long as the Government was supported by this huge pastoral staff nothing could prevail against it; that it could dare all things, and even stand without the help of its legs. All these various opinions at least proved that, although the present might not be the most miraculous94 Statue that could possibly be created, it was nevertheless quite impossible ever to form one which would please all parties.
The care of this wonderful Statue was entrusted95 to twelve ‘Managers,’ whose duty it was to wind-up and regulate its complicated machinery, and who answered for its good management by their heads. It was their business to consult the oracle96 upon all occasions, and by its decisions to administer and regulate all the affairs of the State. They alone were permitted to hear its voice; for the Statue never spoke97 in public save on rare occasions, and its sentences were then really so extremely commonplace that, had it not been for the deep wisdom of its general conduct, the Vraibleusians would have been almost tempted98 to believe that they really might exist without the services of the capital member. The twelve Managers surrounded the Statue at a respectful distance; their posts were the most distinguished in the State; and indeed the duties attached to them were so numerous, so difficult, and so responsible, that it required no ordinary abilities to fulfil, and demanded no ordinary courage to aspire99 to, them.
The Fantaisian Ambassador, having been presented, took his place on the right hand of the Statue, next to the Aboriginal Inhabitant, and public business then commenced.
There came forward a messenger, who, knocking his nose three times with great reverence on the floor, a knock for each metal of the figure, thus spoke:
‘O thou wisest and best! thou richest and mightiest! thou glory and admiration! then defence and consternation! Lo! the King of the North is cutting all his subjects’ heads off!’
This announcement produced a great sensation. The Marquess Moustache took snuff; the Private Secretary said he had long suspected that this would be the case; and the Aboriginal Inhabitant remarked to Popanilla that the corn in the North was of an exceedingly coarse grain. While they were making these observations the twelve Managers had assembled in deep consultation100 around the Statue, and in a very few minutes the Oracle was prepared. The answer was very simple, but the exordium was sublime. It professed101 that the Vraibleusian nation was the saviour102 and champion of the world; that it was the first principle of its policy to maintain the cause of any people struggling for their rights as men; and it avowed103 itself to be the grand patron of civil and religious liberty in all quarters of the globe. Forty-seven battalions104 of infantry105 and eighteen regiments106 of cavalry107, twenty-four sail of the line, seventy transports, and fifteen bombketches, were then ordered to leave Vraibleusia for the North in less than sixty minutes!
‘What energy!’ said Popanilla; ‘what decision! what rapidity of execution!’
‘Ay!’ said the Aboriginal, smacking108 his thigh63; ‘let them say what they like about their proportions, and mixtures, and metals—abstract nonsense! No one can deny that our Government works well. But see! here comes another messenger!’
‘O thou wisest and best! thou richest and mightiest! thou glory and admiration! thou defence and consternation! Lo! the people of the South have cut their king’s head off!’
‘Well! I suppose that is exactly what you all want,’ said the innocent Popanilla.
The Private Secretary looked mysterious, and said that he was not prepared to answer; that his department never having been connected with this species of business he was unable at the moment to give his Excellency the requisite109 information. At the same time, he begged to state that, provided anything he said should not commit him, he had no objection to answer the question hypothetically. The Aboriginal Inhabitant said that he would have no hypotheses or Jacobins; that he did not approve of cutting off kings’ heads; and that the Vraibleusians were the most monarchical110 people in the world. So saying, he walked up, without any ceremony, to the chief Manager, and taking him by the button, conversed111 with him some time in an earnest manner, which made the stocks fall two per cent.
The Statue ordered three divisions of the grand army and a battering-train of the first grade off to the South without the loss of a second. A palace and establishment were immediately directed to be prepared for the family of the murdered monarch, and the commander-in-chief was instructed to make every exertion112 to bring home the body of his Majesty113 embalmed114. Such an immense issue of pink shells was occasioned by this last expedition that stocks not only recovered themselves, but rose considerably115.
The excitement occasioned by this last announcement evaporated at the sight of a third messenger. He informed the Statue that the Emperor of the East was unfortunately unable to pay the interest upon his national debt; that his treasury116 was quite empty and his resources utterly exhausted117. He requested the assistance of the most wealthy and the most generous of nations; and he offered them as security for their advances his gold and silver mines, which, for the breadth of their veins118 and the richness of their ores, he said, were unequalled. He added, that the only reason they were unworked was the exquisite119 flavour of the water-melons in his empire, which was so delicious that his subjects of all classes, passing their whole day in devouring120 them, could be induced neither by force nor persuasion121 to do anything else. The cause was so reasonable, and the security so satisfactory, that the Vraibleusian Government felt themselves authorised in shipping122 off immediately all the gold in the island. Pink shells abounded123, and stocks were still higher.
‘You have no mines in Vraibleusia, I believe?’ said Popanilla to the Aboriginal.
‘No! but we have taxes.’
‘Very true!’ said Popanilla.
‘I understand that a messenger has just arrived from the West,’ said the Secretary to the Fantaisian Plenipotentiary. ‘He must bring interesting intelligence from such interesting countries. Next to ourselves, they are evidently the most happy, the most wealthy, the most enlightened, and the most powerful Governments in the world. Although founded only last week, they already rank in the first class of nations. I will send you a little pamphlet to-morrow, which I have just published upon this subject, in which you will see that I have combated, I trust not unsuccessfully, the ridiculous opinions of those cautious statesmen who insinuate125 that the stability of these Governments is even yet questionable126.’
The messenger from the Republics of the West now prostrated127 himself before the Statue. He informed it that two parties had, unfortunately, broken out in these countries, and threatened their speedy dissolution; that one party maintained that all human government originated in the wants of man; while the other party asserted that it originated in the desires of man. That these factions128 had become so violent and so universal that public business was altogether stopped, trade quite extinct, and the instalments due to Vraibleusia not forthcoming. Finally, he entreated129 the wisest and the best of nations to send to these distracted lands some discreet130 and trusty personages, well instructed in the first principles of government, in order that they might draw up constitutions for the ignorant and irritated multitude.
The Private Secretary told Popanilla that this was no more than he had long expected; that all this would subside131, and that he should publish a postscript132 to his pamphlet in a few days, which he begged to dedicate to him.
A whole corps133 diplomatique and another shipful of abstract philosophers, principally Scotchmen, were immediately ordered off to the West; and shortly after, to render their first principles still more effective and their administrative134 arrangements still more influential135, some brigades of infantry and a detachment of the guards followed. Free constitutions are apt to be misunderstood until half of the nation are bayoneted and the rest imprisoned136.
As this mighty Vraibleusian nation had, within the last half-hour, received intelligence from all quarters of the globe, and interfered137 in all possible affairs, civil and military, abstract, administrative, diplomatic, and financial, Popanilla supposed that the assembly would now break up. Some petty business, however, remained. War was declared against the King of Sneezeland, for presuming to buy pocket-handkerchiefs of another nation; and the Emperor of Pastilles was threatened with a bombardment for daring to sell his peppers to another people. There were also some dozen commercial treaties to be signed, or canvassed138, or cancelled; and a report having got about that there was a rumour139 that some disturbance140 had broken out in some parts unknown, a flying expedition was despatched, with sealed orders, to circumnavigate the globe and arrange affairs. By this time Popanilla thoroughly141 understood the meaning of the mysterious inscription.
Just as the assembly was about to be dissolved another messenger, who, in his agitation142, even forgot the accustomed etiquette143 of salutation, rushed into the presence.
‘O most mighty! Sir Bombastes Furioso, who commanded our last expedition, having sailed, in the hurry, with wrong orders, has attacked our ancient ally by mistake, and utterly destroyed him!’
Here was a pretty business for the Best and Wisest! At first the Managers behaved in a manner the most undiplomatic, and quite lost their temper; they raved144, they stormed, they contradicted each other, they contradicted themselves, and swore that Sir Bombastes’ head should answer for it. Then they subsided145 into sulkiness, and at length, beginning to suspect that the fault might ultimately attach only to themselves, they got frightened, and held frequent consultations146 with pale visages and quivering lips. After some time they thought they could do nothing wiser than put a good face upon the affair; whatever might be the result, it was, at any rate, a victory, and a victory would please the vainest of nations: and so these blundering and blustering147 gentlemen determined148 to adopt the conqueror149, whom they were at first weak enough to disclaim150, then vile151 enough to bully152, and finally forced to reward. The Statue accordingly whispered a most elaborate panegyric153 on Furioso, which was of course duly delivered. The Admiral, who was neither a coward nor a fool, was made ridiculous by being described as the greatest commander that ever existed; one whom Nature, in a gracious freak, had made to shame us little men; a happy compound of the piety154 of Noah, the patriotism155 of Themistocles, the skill of Columbus, and the courage of Nelson; and his exploit styled the most glorious and unrivalled victory that was ever achieved, even by the Vraibleusians! Honours were decreed in profusion156, a general illumination ordered for the next twenty nights, and an expedition immediately despatched to attack the right man.
All this time the conquerors157 were in waiting in an anteroom, in great trepidation158, and fully124 prepared to be cashiered or cut in quarters. They were rather surprised when, bowing to the ground, they were saluted159 by some half-dozen lords-in-waiting as the heroes of the age, congratulated upon their famous achievements, and humbly160 requested to appear in the Presence.
The warriors161 accordingly walked up in procession to the Statue, who, opening its mighty mouth, vomited162 forth a flood of ribbons, stars, and crosses, which were divided among the valiant163 band. This oral discharge the Vraibleusians called the ‘fountain of honour.’
Scarcely had the mighty Furioso and his crew disappeared than a body of individuals arrived at the top of the hall, and, placing themselves opposite the Managers, began rating them for their inefficient164 administration of the island, and expatiated165 on the inconsistency of their late conduct to the conquering Bombastes. The Managers defended themselves in a manner perfectly166 in character with their recent behaviour; but their opponents were not easily satisfied with their confused explanations and their explained confusions, and the speeches on both sides grew warmer. At length the opposition167 proceeded to expel the administration from their places by force, and an eager scuffle between the two parties now commenced. The general body of spectators continued only to observe, and did not participate in the fray168. At first, this melee169 only excited amusement; but as it lengthened170 some wisely observed that public business greatly suffered by these private squabbles; and some even ventured to imagine that the safety of the Statue might be implicated171 by their continuance. But this last fear was futile172.
Popanilla asked the Private Secretary which party he thought would ultimately succeed. The Private Secretary said that, if the present Managers retained their places, he thought that they would not go out; but if, on the other hand, they were expelled by the present opposition, it was probable that the present opposition would become Managers. The Aboriginal thought both parties equally incompetent173; and told Popanilla some long stories about a person who was chief Manager in his youth, about five hundred years ago, to whom he said he was indebted for all his political principles, which did not surprise Popanilla.
At this moment a noise was heard throughout the hall which made his Excellency believe that something untoward174 had again happened, and that another conqueror by mistake had again arrived. A most wonderful being galloped175 up to the top of the apartment. It was half man and half horse. The Secretary told Popanilla that this was the famous Centaur176 Chiron; that his Horseship, having wearied of his ardent177 locality in the constellations178, had descended42 some years back to the island of Vraibleusia; that he had commanded the armies of the nation in all the great wars, and had gained every battle in which he had ever been engaged. Chiron was no less skilful179, he said, in civil than in military affairs; but the Vraibleusians, being very jealous of allowing themselves to be governed by their warriors, the Centaur had lately been out of employ. While the Secretary was giving him this information Popanilla perceived that the great Chiron was attacking the combatants on both sides. The tutor of Achilles, Hercules, and Aeneas, of course, soon succeeded in kicking them all out, and constituted himself chief and sole Manager of the Statue. Some grumbled180 at this autocratic conduct ‘upon principle,’ but they were chiefly connections of the expelled. The great majority, wearied with public squabbles occasioned by private ends, rejoiced to see the public interest entrusted to an individual who had a reputation to lose. Intelligence of the appointment of the Centaur was speedily diffused181 throughout the island, and produced great and general satisfaction. There were a few, indeed, impartial182 personages, who had no great taste for Centaurs183 in civil capacities, from an apprehension184 that, if he could not succeed in persuading them by his eloquence185, his Grace might chance to use his heels.
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1
astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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2
inquiries
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| n.调查( inquiry的名词复数 )；疑问；探究；打听 | |
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3
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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scarlet
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| n.深红色，绯红色，红衣；adj.绯红色的 | |
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aurora
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| n.极光 | |
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triumphantly
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| ad.得意洋洋地；得胜地；成功地 | |
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7
grilled
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| adj. 烤的, 炙过的, 有格子的 动词grill的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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8
parched
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| adj.焦干的；极渴的；v.（使）焦干 | |
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9
expressive
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| adj.表现的，表达…的，富于表情的 | |
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10
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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11
suite
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| n.一套(家具)；套房；随从人员 | |
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12
uncommonly
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| adv. 稀罕(极，非常) | |
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13
distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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14
subscribe
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| vi.(to)订阅，订购；同意；vt.捐助，赞助 | |
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chapel
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| n.小教堂，殡仪馆 | |
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varied
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| adj.多样的，多变化的 | |
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agitated
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| adj.被鼓动的，不安的 | |
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sketched
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| v.草拟（sketch的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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likeness
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| n.相像，相似（之处） | |
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idol
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| n.偶像，红人，宠儿 | |
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21
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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stature
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| n.（高度）水平，（高度）境界，身高，身材 | |
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robust
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| adj.强壮的，强健的，粗野的，需要体力的，浓的 | |
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bust
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| vt.打破；vi.爆裂；n.半身像；胸部 | |
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consequential
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| adj.作为结果的，间接的；重要的 | |
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aboriginal
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| adj.（指动植物）土生的，原产地的，土著的 | |
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bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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impeded
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| 阻碍，妨碍，阻止( impede的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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perspiring
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| v.出汗，流汗( perspire的现在分词 ) | |
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31
emaciated
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| adj.衰弱的，消瘦的 | |
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32
miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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33
impudent
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| adj.鲁莽的，卑鄙的，厚颜无耻的 | |
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34
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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35
procured
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| 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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36
degenerated
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| 衰退，堕落，退化( degenerate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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37
vigour
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| （=vigor）n.智力，体力，精力 | |
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38
actively
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| adv.积极地，勤奋地 | |
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39
grudge
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| n.不满，怨恨，妒嫉；vt.勉强给，不情愿做 | |
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40
derived
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| vi.起源；由来；衍生；导出v.得到( derive的过去式和过去分词 )；（从…中）得到获得；源于；（从…中）提取 | |
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41
condescended
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| 屈尊，俯就( condescend的过去式和过去分词 )； 故意表示和蔼可亲 | |
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42
descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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43
parley
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| n.谈判 | |
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44
lashed
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| adj.具睫毛的v.鞭打( lash的过去式和过去分词 )；煽动；紧系；怒斥 | |
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45
proceeding
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| n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报 | |
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46
inscription
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| n.（尤指石块上的）刻印文字，铭文，碑文 | |
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47
mightiest
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| adj.趾高气扬( mighty的最高级 )；巨大的；强有力的；浩瀚的 | |
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48
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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49
consternation
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| n.大为吃惊，惊骇 | |
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50
shudder
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| v.战粟，震动，剧烈地摇晃；n.战粟，抖动 | |
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51
trumpet
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| n.喇叭，喇叭声；v.吹喇叭，吹嘘 | |
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52
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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53
crimson
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| n./adj.深(绯)红色(的)；vi.脸变绯红色 | |
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54
extremity
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| n.末端，尽头；尽力；终极；极度 | |
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55
colossal
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| adj.异常的，庞大的 | |
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56
metallic
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| adj.金属的；金属制的；含金属的；产金属的；像金属的 | |
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57
monarch
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| n.帝王，君主，最高统治者 | |
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58
diadem
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| n.王冠，冕 | |
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59
semblance
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| n.外貌，外表 | |
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60
armour
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| （=armor）n.盔甲；装甲部队 | |
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61
feudal
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| adj.封建的，封地的，领地的 | |
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62
thighs
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| n.股，大腿( thigh的名词复数 )；食用的鸡（等的）腿 | |
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63
thigh
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| n.大腿；股骨 | |
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64
antiquity
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| n.古老；高龄；古物，古迹 | |
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65
renovated
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| 翻新，修复，整修( renovate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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66
deference
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| n.尊重，顺从；敬意 | |
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67
ornaments
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| n.装饰( ornament的名词复数 )；点缀；装饰品；首饰v.装饰，点缀，美化( ornament的第三人称单数 ) | |
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68
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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69
chivalric
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| 有武士气概的，有武士风范的 | |
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70
brandished
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| v.挥舞( brandish的过去式和过去分词 )；炫耀 | |
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71
trampled
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| 踩( trample的过去式和过去分词 )； 践踏； 无视； 侵犯 | |
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72
faculties
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| n.能力( faculty的名词复数 )；全体教职员；技巧；院 | |
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73
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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74
faculty
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| n.才能；学院，系；(学院或系的)全体教学人员 | |
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75
judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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76
attentively
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| adv.聚精会神地；周到地；谛；凝神 | |
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77
immortal
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| adj.不朽的；永生的，不死的；神的 | |
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78
omnipotent
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| adj.全能的，万能的 | |
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79
alleged
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| a.被指控的，嫌疑的 | |
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80
sublime
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| adj.崇高的，伟大的；极度的，不顾后果的 | |
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81
reverence
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| n.敬畏，尊敬，尊严；Reverence:对某些基督教神职人员的尊称；v.尊敬，敬畏，崇敬 | |
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82
braggadocio
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| n.吹牛大王 | |
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83
affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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84
machinery
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| n.(总称)机械，机器；机构 | |
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85
extravagantly
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| adv.挥霍无度地 | |
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86
marred
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| adj. 被损毁, 污损的 | |
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87
excellence
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| n.优秀，杰出，(pl.)优点，美德 | |
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88
utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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89
zeal
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| n.热心，热情，热忱 | |
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90
contradictory
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| adj.反驳的，反对的，抗辩的；n.正反对，矛盾对立 | |
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91
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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92
apprehended
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| 逮捕，拘押( apprehend的过去式和过去分词 )； 理解 | |
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93
remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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94
miraculous
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| adj.像奇迹一样的，不可思议的 | |
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95
entrusted
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| v.委托，托付( entrust的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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96
oracle
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| n.神谕，神谕处，预言 | |
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97
spoke
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| 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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98
tempted
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| v.怂恿（某人）干不正当的事；冒…的险（tempt的过去分词） | |
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99
aspire
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| vi.(to，after)渴望，追求，有志于 | |
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100
consultation
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| n.咨询；商量；商议；会议 | |
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101
professed
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| 公开声称的，伪称的，已立誓信教的 | |
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102
saviour
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| n.拯救者，救星 | |
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103
avowed
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| adj.公开声明的，承认的v.公开声明，承认( avow的过去式和过去分词) | |
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104
battalions
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| n.（陆军的）一营（大约有一千兵士）( battalion的名词复数 )；协同作战的部队；军队；（组织在一起工作的）队伍 | |
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105
infantry
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| n.[总称]步兵(部队) | |
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106
regiments
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| （军队的）团( regiment的名词复数 )； 大量的人或物 | |
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107
cavalry
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| n.骑兵；轻装甲部队 | |
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108
smacking
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| 活泼的，发出响声的，精力充沛的 | |
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109
requisite
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| adj.需要的，必不可少的；n.必需品 | |
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110
monarchical
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| adj. 国王的，帝王的，君主的，拥护君主制的 =monarchic | |
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111
conversed
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| v.交谈，谈话( converse的过去式 ) | |
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112
exertion
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| n.尽力，努力 | |
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113
majesty
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| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
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114
embalmed
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| adj.用防腐药物保存（尸体）的v.保存（尸体）不腐( embalm的过去式和过去分词 )；使不被遗忘；使充满香气 | |
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115
considerably
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| adv.极大地；相当大地；在很大程度上 | |
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116
treasury
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| n.宝库；国库，金库；文库 | |
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117
exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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118
veins
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| n.纹理；矿脉( vein的名词复数 )；静脉；叶脉；纹理 | |
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119
exquisite
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| adj.精美的；敏锐的；剧烈的，感觉强烈的 | |
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120
devouring
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| 吞没( devour的现在分词 )； 耗尽； 津津有味地看； 狼吞虎咽地吃光 | |
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121
persuasion
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| n.劝说；说服；持有某种信仰的宗派 | |
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122
shipping
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| n.船运（发货，运输，乘船） | |
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123
abounded
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| v.大量存在，充满，富于( abound的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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124
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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125
insinuate
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| vt.含沙射影地说，暗示 | |
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126
questionable
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| adj.可疑的，有问题的 | |
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127
prostrated
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| v.使俯伏，使拜倒( prostrate的过去式和过去分词 )；（指疾病、天气等）使某人无能为力 | |
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128
factions
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| 组织中的小派别，派系( faction的名词复数 ) | |
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129
entreated
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| 恳求，乞求( entreat的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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130
discreet
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| adj.(言行)谨慎的；慎重的；有判断力的 | |
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131
subside
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| vi.平静，平息；下沉，塌陷，沉降 | |
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132
postscript
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| n.附言，又及；(正文后的)补充说明 | |
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133
corps
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| n.(通信等兵种的)部队；(同类作的)一组 | |
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134
administrative
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| adj.行政的，管理的 | |
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135
influential
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| adj.有影响的，有权势的 | |
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136
imprisoned
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| 下狱，监禁( imprison的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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137
interfered
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| v.干预( interfere的过去式和过去分词 )；调停；妨碍；干涉 | |
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138
canvassed
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| v.（在政治方面）游说( canvass的过去式和过去分词 )；调查（如选举前选民的）意见；为讨论而提出（意见等）；详细检查 | |
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139
rumour
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| n.谣言，谣传，传闻 | |
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140
disturbance
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| n.动乱，骚动；打扰，干扰；(身心)失调 | |
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141
thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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142
agitation
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| n.搅动；搅拌；鼓动，煽动 | |
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143
etiquette
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| n.礼仪，礼节；规矩 | |
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144
raved
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| v.胡言乱语( rave的过去式和过去分词 )；愤怒地说；咆哮；痴心地说 | |
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145
subsided
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| v.（土地）下陷（因在地下采矿）( subside的过去式和过去分词 )；减弱；下降至较低或正常水平；一下子坐在椅子等上 | |
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146
consultations
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| n.磋商（会议）( consultation的名词复数 )；商讨会；协商会；查找 | |
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147
blustering
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| adj.狂风大作的，狂暴的v.外强中干的威吓( bluster的现在分词 )；咆哮；（风）呼啸；狂吹 | |
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148
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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149
conqueror
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| n.征服者，胜利者 | |
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150
disclaim
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| v.放弃权利，拒绝承认 | |
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151
vile
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| adj.卑鄙的，可耻的，邪恶的；坏透的 | |
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152
bully
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| n.恃强欺弱者，小流氓；vt.威胁，欺侮 | |
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153
panegyric
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| n.颂词，颂扬 | |
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154
piety
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| n.虔诚，虔敬 | |
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155
patriotism
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| n.爱国精神，爱国心，爱国主义 | |
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156
profusion
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| n.挥霍；丰富 | |
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conquerors
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| 征服者，占领者( conqueror的名词复数 ) | |
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158
trepidation
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| n.惊恐，惶恐 | |
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saluted
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| v.欢迎，致敬( salute的过去式和过去分词 )；赞扬，赞颂 | |
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humbly
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| adv. 恭顺地，谦卑地 | |
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warriors
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| 武士，勇士，战士( warrior的名词复数 ) | |
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162
vomited
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valiant
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| adj.勇敢的，英勇的；n.勇士，勇敢的人 | |
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inefficient
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| adj.效率低的，无效的 | |
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expatiated
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| v.详述，细说( expatiate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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166
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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opposition
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| n.反对，敌对 | |
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168
fray
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| v.争吵；打斗；磨损，磨破；n.吵架；打斗 | |
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melee
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| n.混战；混战的人群 | |
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170
lengthened
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| （时间或空间）延长，伸长( lengthen的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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implicated
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| adj.密切关联的；牵涉其中的 | |
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futile
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| adj.无效的，无用的，无希望的 | |
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incompetent
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| adj.无能力的，不能胜任的 | |
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174
untoward
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| adj.不利的，不幸的，困难重重的 | |
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galloped
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| （使马）飞奔，奔驰( gallop的过去式和过去分词 )； 快速做[说]某事 | |
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centaur
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| n.人首马身的怪物 | |
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ardent
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，强烈的，烈性的 | |
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178
constellations
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| n.星座( constellation的名词复数 )；一群杰出人物；一系列（相关的想法、事物）；一群（相关的人） | |
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skilful
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| (=skillful)adj.灵巧的，熟练的 | |
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180
grumbled
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| 抱怨( grumble的过去式和过去分词 )； 发牢骚； 咕哝； 发哼声 | |
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181
diffused
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| 散布的，普及的，扩散的 | |
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182
impartial
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| adj.(in,to)公正的，无偏见的 | |
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183
centaurs
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| n.（希腊神话中）半人半马怪物( centaur的名词复数 ) | |
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184
apprehension
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| n.理解，领悟；逮捕，拘捕；忧虑 | |
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eloquence
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| n.雄辩；口才，修辞 | |
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