1521
NOTWITHSTANDING the relief which had been afforded to the people of Chalco, it was so ineffectual that envoys1 from that city again arrived at Tezcuco, bearing a hieroglyphical2 chart, on which were depicted3 several strong places in their neighborhood, garrisoned4 by the Aztecs, from which they expected annoyance6. Cortés determined7, this time, to take the affair into his own hands, and to scour8 the country so effectually as to place Chalco, if possible, in a state of security. He did not confine himself to this object, but proposed, before his return, to pass quite round the great lakes, and reconnoitre the country to the south of them, in the same manner as he had before done to the west. In the course of his march he would direct his arms against some of the strong places from which the Mexicans might expect support in the siege. Two or three weeks must elapse before the completion of the brigantines; and, if no other good resulted from the expedition, it{326} would give active occupation to his troops, whose turbulent spirits might fester into discontent in the monotonous9 existence of a camp.
He selected for the expedition thirty horse and three hundred Spanish infantry10, with a considerable body of Tlascalan and Tezcucan warriors11. The remaining garrison5 he left in charge of the trusty Sandoval, who, with the friendly lord of the capital, would watch over the construction of the brigantines and protect them from the assaults of the Aztecs.
On the fifth of April he began his march, and on the following day arrived at Chalco, where he was met by a number of the confederate chiefs. With the aid of his faithful interpreters, Do?a Marina and Aguilar, he explained to them the objects of his present expedition, stated his purpose soon to enforce the blockade of Mexico, and required their co-operation with the whole strength of their levies12. To this they readily assented13; and he soon received a sufficient proof of their friendly disposition14 in the forces which joined him on the march, amounting, according to one of the army, to more than had ever before followed his banner.[365]
Taking a southerly direction, the troops, after leaving Chalco, struck into the recesses15 of the wild sierra, which, with its bristling16 peaks, serves as a formidable palisade to fence round the beautiful Valley; while within its rugged17 arms it shuts up many a green and fruitful pasture of its own. As{327} the Spaniards passed through its deep gorges18, they occasionally wound round the base of some huge cliff or rocky eminence19, on which the inhabitants had built their towns, in the same manner as was done by the people of Europe in the feudal20 ages; a position which, however favorable to the picturesque21, intimates a sense of insecurity as the cause of it, which may reconcile us to the absence of this striking appendage22 of the landscape in our own more fortunate country.
The occupants of these airy pinnacles23 took advantage of their situation to shower down stones and arrows on the troops as they defiled25 through the narrow passes of the sierra. Though greatly annoyed by their incessant26 hostilities27, Cortés held on his way, till, winding28 round the base of a castellated cliff occupied by a strong garrison of Indians, he was so severely29 pressed that he felt to pass on without chastising30 the aggressors would imply a want of strength which must disparage31 him in the eyes of his allies. Halting in the Valley, therefore, he detached a small body of light troops to scale the heights, while he remained with the main body of the army below, to guard against surprise from the enemy.
The lower region of the rocky eminence was so steep that the soldiers found it no easy matter to ascend32, scrambling33, as well as they could, with hand and knee. But, as they came into the more exposed view of the garrison, the latter rolled down huge masses of rock, which, bounding along the declivity34 and breaking into fragments, crushed the foremost assailants and mangled35 their limbs{328} in a frightful36 manner. Still they strove to work their way upward, now taking advantage of some gully worn by the winter torrent37, now sheltering themselves behind a projecting cliff, or some straggling tree anchored among the crevices38 of the mountain. It was all in vain. For no sooner did they emerge again into open view than the rocky avalanche39 thundered on their heads with a fury against which steel helm and cuirass were as little defence as gossamer40. All the party were more or less wounded. Eight of the number were killed on the spot,—a loss the little band could ill afford,—and the gallant41 ensign, Corral, who led the advance, saw the banner in his hand torn into shreds42.[366] Cortés, at length, convinced of the impracticability of the attempt, at least without a more severe loss than he was disposed to incur43, commanded a retreat. It was high time; for a large body of the enemy were on full march across the Valley to attack him.
He did not wait for their approach, but, gathering44 his broken files together, headed his cavalry45 and spurred boldly against them. On the level plain the Spaniards were on their own ground. The Indians, unable to sustain the furious onset46, broke, and fell back before it. The flight soon became a rout47, and the fiery48 cavaliers, dashing over them at full gallop49, or running them through with their lances, took some revenge for their late discomfiture50. The pursuit continued for some miles, till the nimble foe51 made their escape into{329} the rugged fastnesses of the sierra, where the Spaniards did not care to follow. The weather was sultry, and, as the country was nearly destitute52 of water, the men and horses suffered extremely. Before evening they reached a spot overshadowed by a grove53 of wild mulberry-trees, in which some scanty54 springs afforded a miserable55 supply to the army.
Near the place rose another rocky summit of the sierra, garrisoned by a stronger force than the one which they had encountered in the former part of the day; and at no great distance stood a second fortress56 at a still greater height, though considerably57 smaller than its neighbor. This was also tenanted by a body of warriors, who, as well as those of the adjoining cliff, soon made active demonstration58 of their hostility59 by pouring down missiles on the troops below. Cortés, anxious to retrieve60 the disgrace of the morning, ordered an assault on the larger and, as it seemed, more practicable eminence. But, though two attempts were made with great resolution, they were repulsed61 with loss to the assailants. The rocky sides of the hill had been artificially cut and smoothed, so as greatly to increase the natural difficulties of the ascent62. The shades of evening now closed around; and Cortés drew off his men to the mulberry-grove, where he took up his bivouac for the night, deeply chagrined63 at having been twice foiled by the enemy on the same day.
During the night, the Indian force which occupied the adjoining height passed over to their brethren, to aid them in the encounter which they{330} foresaw would be renewed on the following morning. No sooner did the Spanish general, at the break of day, become aware of this man?uvre, than, with his usual quickness, he took advantage of it. He detached a body of musketeers and crossbowmen to occupy the deserted64 eminence, purposing, as soon as this was done, to lead the assault in person against the other. It was not long before the Castilian banner was seen streaming from the rocky pinnacle24, when the general instantly led up his men to the attack. And, while the garrison were meeting them resolutely65 on that quarter, the detachment on the neighboring heights poured into the place a well-directed fire, which so much distressed66 the enemy that in a very short time they signified their willingness to capitulate.[367]
On entering the place, the Spaniards found that a plain of some extent ran along the crest67 of the sierra, and that it was tenanted not only by men, but by women and their families, with their effects. No violence was offered by the victors to the property or persons of the vanquished68; and the knowledge of this lenity induced the Indian garrison, who had made so stout69 a resistance on the morning of the preceding day, to tender their submission70.[368]{331}
After a halt of two days in this sequestered71 region, the army resumed its march in a southwesterly direction on Huaxtepec, the same city which had surrendered to Sandoval. Here they were kindly72 received by the cacique, and entertained in his magnificent gardens, which Cortés and his officers, who had not before seen them, compared with the best in Castile.[369] Still threading the wild mountain mazes73, the army passed through Jauhtepec and several other places, which were abandoned at their approach. As the inhabitants, however, hung in armed bodies on their flanks and rear, doing them occasionally some mischief74, the Spaniards took their revenge by burning the deserted towns.
Thus holding on their fiery track, they descended75 the bold slope of the Cordilleras, which on the south are far more precipitous than on the Atlantic side. Indeed, a single day’s journey is sufficient to place the traveller on a level several thousand feet lower than that occupied by him in the morning; thus conveying him, in a few hours, through the climates of many degrees of latitude76. The route of the army led them across many an acre covered with lava77 and blackened scori?, at{332}testing the volcanic78 character of the region; though this was frequently relieved by patches of verdure, and even tracts79 of prodigal80 fertility, as if Nature were desirous to compensate81 by these extraordinary efforts for the curse of barrenness which elsewhere had fallen on the land. On the ninth day of their march the troops arrived before the strong city of Quauhnahuac, or Cuernavaca, as since called by the Spaniards.[370] It was the ancient capital of the Tlahuicas, and the most considerable place for wealth and population in this part of the country. It was tributary82 to the Aztecs, and a garrison of this nation was quartered within its walls. The town was singularly situated83, on a projecting piece of land, encompassed84 by barrancas, or formidable ravines, except on one side, which opened on a rich and well-cultivated country. For though the place stood at an elevation85 of between five and six thousand feet above the level of the sea, it had a southern exposure so sheltered by the mountain barrier on the north that its climate was as soft and genial86 as that of a much lower region.
The Spaniards, on arriving before the city, the limit of their southerly progress, found themselves separated from it by one of the vast barrancas before noticed, which resembled one of those frightful rents not unfrequent in the Mexican{333} Andes, the result, no doubt, of some terrible convulsion in earlier ages. The rocky sides of the ravine sank perpendicularly87 down, so bare as scarcely to exhibit even a vestige88 of the cactus89, or of the other hardy90 plants with which Nature in these fruitful regions so gracefully91 covers up her deformities. The bottom of the chasm92, however, showed a striking contrast to this, being literally93 choked up with a rich and spontaneous vegetation; for the huge walls of rock which shut in these barrancas, while they screen them from the cold winds of the Cordilleras, reflect the rays of a vertical94 sun, so as to produce an almost suffocating95 heat in the enclosure, stimulating96 the soil to the rank fertility of the tierra caliente. Under the action of this forcing apparatus,—so to speak,—the inhabitants of the towns on their margin97 above may with ease obtain the vegetable products which are to be found on the sultry level of the lowlands.{*}
{*} [“The whole of this description,” remarks Alaman, “agrees perfectly98 with the present aspect of Cuernavaca and the barrancas surrounding it.”—K.]
At the bottom of the ravine was seen a little stream, which, oozing99 from the stony100 bowels101 of the sierra, tumbled along its narrow channel and contributed by its perpetual moisture to the exuberant102 fertility of the valley. This rivulet103, which at certain seasons of the year was swollen104 to a torrent, was traversed at some distance below the town, where the sloping sides of the barranca afforded a more practicable passage, by two rude bridges, both of which had been broken, in anticipation105 of the coming of the Spaniards. The latter{334} had now arrived on the brink106 of the chasm which intervened between them and the city. It was, as has been remarked, of no great width, and the army drawn107 up on its borders was directly exposed to the archery of the garrison, on whom its own fire made little impression, protected as they were by their defences.
The general, annoyed by his position, sent a detachment to seek a passage lower down, by which the troops might be landed on the other side. But, although the banks of the ravine became less formidable as they descended, they found no means of crossing the river, till a path unexpectedly presented itself, on which, probably, no one before had ever been daring enough to venture.
From the cliffs on the opposite sides of the barranca, two huge trees shot up to an enormous height, and, inclining towards each other, interlaced their boughs108 so as to form a sort of natural bridge. Across this avenue, in mid-air, a Tlascalan conceived it would not be difficult to pass to the opposite bank. The bold mountaineer succeeded in the attempt, and was soon followed by several others of his countrymen, trained to feats109 of agility110 and strength among their native hills. The Spaniards imitated their example. It was a perilous111 effort for an armed man to make his way over this aerial causeway, swayed to and fro by the wind, where the brain might become giddy, and where a single false movement of hand or foot would plunge113 him in the abyss below. Three of the soldiers lost their hold and fell. The rest, consisting of some twenty or thirty Spaniards and{335} a considerable number of Tlascalans, alighted in safety on the other bank.[371] There hastily forming, they marched with all speed on the city. The enemy, engaged in their contest with the Castilians on the opposite brink of the ravine, were taken by surprise,—which, indeed, could scarcely have been exceeded if they had seen their foe drop from the clouds on the field of battle.
They made a brave resistance, however, when fortunately the Spaniards succeeded in repairing one of the dilapidated bridges in such a manner as to enable both cavalry and foot to cross the river, though with much delay. The horse, under Olid and Andres de Tápia, instantly rode up to the succor114 of their countrymen. They were soon followed by Cortés at the head of the remaining battalions115, and the enemy, driven from one point to another, were compelled to evacuate116 the city and to take refuge among the mountains. The buildings in one quarter of the town were speedily wrapped in flames. The place was abandoned to pillage117, and, as it was one of the most opulent marts in the country, it amply compensated118 the victors for the toil119 and danger they had encountered. The trembling caciques, returning soon after to the city, appeared before Cortés, and deprecating his resentment120 by charging the blame, as usual, on the Mexicans, threw themselves on his{336} mercy. Satisfied with their submission, he allowed no further violence to the inhabitants.[372]
Having thus accomplished121 the great object of his expedition across the mountains, the Spanish commander turned his face northwards, to recross the formidable barrier which divided him from the Valley. The ascent, steep and laborious122, was rendered still more difficult by fragments of rock and loose stones, which encumbered123 the passes. The mountain sides and summits were shaggy with thick forests of pine and stunted124 oak, which threw a melancholy125 gloom over the region, still further heightened at the present day by its being a favorite haunt of banditti.
The weather was sultry, and, as the stony soil was nearly destitute of water, the troops suffered severely from thirst. Several of them, indeed, fainted on the road, and a few of the Indian allies perished from exhaustion126.[373] The line of march must have taken the army across the eastern shoulder of the mountain, called the Cruz del Marques, or Cross of the Marquess, from a huge stone cross erected127 there to indicate the boundary of the territories granted by the Crown to Cortés, as Marquis of the Valley. Much, indeed, of the route lately traversed by the troops lay across the{337} princely domain128 subsequently assigned to the Conqueror129.[374]
The Spaniards were greeted from these heights with a different view from any which they had before had of the Mexican Valley, made more attractive in their eyes, doubtless, by contrast with the savage130 scenery in which they had lately been involved. It was its most pleasant and populous131 quarter; for nowhere did its cities and villages cluster together in such numbers as round the lake of sweet water. From whatever quarter seen, however, the enchanting132 region presented the same aspect of natural beauty and cultivation133, with its flourishing villas134, and its fair lake in the centre, whose dark and polished surface glistened135 like a mirror, deep set in the huge frame-work of porphyry in which nature had enclosed it.
The point of attack selected by the general was Xochimilco, or “the field of flowers,” as its name implies, from the floating gardens which rode at anchor, as it were, on the neighboring waters.[375] It was one of the most potent136 and wealthy cities in the Valley, and a stanch137 vassal138 of the Aztec crown. It stood, like the capital itself, partly in the water, and was approached in that quarter by causeways of no great length. The town was composed of houses like those of most other places of{338} like magnitude in the country, mostly of cottages or huts made of clay and the light bamboo, mingled139 with aspiring140 teocallis, and edifices141 of stone, belonging to the more opulent classes.
As the Spaniards advanced, they were met by skirmishing parties of the enemy, who, after dismissing a light volley of arrows, rapidly retreated before them. As they took the direction of Xochimilco, Cortés inferred that they were prepared to resist him in considerable force. It exceeded his expectations.
On traversing the principal causeway, he found it occupied at the farther extremity142 by a numerous body of warriors, who, stationed on the opposite side of a bridge, which had been broken, were prepared to dispute his passage. They had constructed a temporary barrier of palisades, which screened them from the fire of the musketry. But the water in its neighborhood was very shallow, and the cavaliers and infantry, plunging143 into it, soon made their way, swimming or wading144, as they could, in the face of a storm of missiles, to the landing near the town. Here they closed with the enemy, and hand to hand, after a sharp struggle, drove them back on the city; a few, however, taking the direction of the open country, were followed up by the cavalry. The great mass, hotly pursued by the infantry, were driven through street and lane, without much further resistance. Cortés, with a few followers145, disengaging himself from the tumult146, remained near the entrance of the city. He had not been there long when he was assailed147 by a fresh body of Indians, who sud{339}denly poured into the place from a neighboring dike148. The general, with his usual fearlessness, threw himself into the midst, in hopes to check their advance. But his own followers were too few to support him, and he was overwhelmed by the crowd of combatants. His horse lost his footing and fell; and Cortés, who received a severe blow on the head before he could rise, was seized and dragged off in triumph by the Indians. At this critical moment, a Tlascalan, who perceived the general’s extremity, sprang, like one of the wild ocelots of his own forests, into the midst of the assailants, and endeavored to tear him from their grasp. Two of the general’s servants also speedily came to the rescue, and Cortés, with their aid and that of the brave Tlascalan, succeeded in regaining149 his feet and shaking off his enemies. To vault150 into the saddle and brandish151 his good lance was but the work of a moment. Others of his men quickly came up, and the clash of arms reaching the ears of the Spaniards, who had gone in pursuit, they returned, and, after a desperate conflict, forced the enemy from the city. Their retreat, however, was intercepted152 by the cavalry, returning from the country, and, thus hemmed153 in between the opposite columns, they were cut to pieces, or saved themselves only by plunging into the lake.[376]{340}
This was the greatest personal danger which Cortés had yet encountered. His life was in the power of the barbarians154, and, had it not been for their eagerness to take him prisoner, he must undoubtedly155 have lost it. To the same cause may be frequently attributed the preservation156 of the Spaniards in these engagements. The next day he sought, it is said, for the Tlascalan who came so boldly to his rescue, and, as he could learn nothing of him, he gave the credit of his preservation to his patron, St. Peter.[377] He may well be excused for presuming the interposition of his good Genius to shield him from the awful doom157 of the captive,—a doom not likely to be mitigated158 in his case. That heart must have been a bold one, indeed, which, from any motive159, could voluntarily encounter such a peril112! Yet his followers did as much, and that, too, for a much inferior reward.
The period which we are reviewing was still the age of chivalry160,—that stirring and adventurous161 age, of which we can form little conception in the present day of sober, practical reality. The Spaniard, with his nice point of honor, high romance, and proud, vainglorious162 vaunt, was the true representative of that age. The Europeans generally had not yet learned to accommodate themselves to a life of literary toil, or to the drudgery163 of trade or the patient tillage of the soil. They left these{341} to the hooded164 inmate165 of the cloister166, the humble167 burgher, and the miserable serf. Arms was the only profession worthy168 of gentle blood,—the only career which the high-mettled cavalier could tread with honor. The New World, with its strange and mysterious perils169, afforded a noble theatre for the exercise of his calling; and the Spaniard entered on it with all the enthusiasm of a paladin of romance.
Other nations entered on it also, but with different motives170. The French sent forth171 their missionaries172 to take up their dwelling173 among the heathen, who, in the good work of winning souls to Paradise, were content to wear—nay, sometimes seemed to court—the crown of martyrdom. The Dutch, too, had their mission, but it was one of worldly lucre174, and they found a recompense for toil and suffering in their gainful traffic with the natives. While our own Puritan fathers, with the true Anglo-Saxon spirit, left their pleasant homes across the waters, and pitched their tents in the howling wilderness175, that they might enjoy the sweets of civil and religious freedom. But the Spaniard came over to the New World in the true spirit of a knight-errant, courting adventure, however perilous, wooing danger, as it would seem, for its own sake. With sword and lance, he was ever ready to do battle for the Faith; and, as he raised his old war-cry of “St. Jago,” he fancied himself fighting under the banner of the military apostle, and felt his single arm a match for more than a hundred infidels! It was the expiring age of chivalry; and Spain, romantic Spain was the{342} land where its light lingered longest above the horizon.
It was not yet dusk when Cortés and his followers re-entered the city; and the general’s first act was to ascend a neighboring teocalli and reconnoitre the surrounding country. He there beheld176 a sight which might have troubled a bolder spirit than his. The surface of the salt lake was darkened with canoes, and the causeway, for many a mile, with Indian squadrons, apparently177 on their march toward the Christian178 camp. In fact, no sooner had Guatemozin been apprised179 of the arrival of the white men at Xochimilco than he mustered180 his levies in great force to relieve the city. They were now on their march, and, as the capital was but four leagues distant, would arrive soon after nightfall.[378]
Cortés made active preparations for the defence of his quarters. He stationed a corps181 of pikemen along the landing where the Aztecs would be likely to disembark. He doubled the sentinels, and, with his principal officers, made the rounds repeatedly in the course of the night. In addition to other causes for watchfulness182, the bolts of the crossbowmen were nearly exhausted183, and the archers184 were busily employed in preparing and adjusting shafts185 to the copper186 heads, of which great store had been provided for the army. There was little sleep in the camp that night.[379]{343}
It passed away, however, without molestation187 from the enemy. Though not stormy, it was exceedingly dark. But, although the Spaniards on duty could see nothing, they distinctly heard the sound of many oars188 in the water, at no great distance from the shore. Yet those on board the canoes made no attempt to land, distrusting, or advised, it may be, of the preparations made for their reception. With early dawn they were under arms, and, without waiting for the movement of the Spaniards, poured into the city and attacked them in their own quarters.
The Spaniards, who were gathered in the area round one of the teocallis, were taken at disadvantage in the town, where the narrow lanes and streets, many of them covered with a smooth and slippery cement, offered obvious impediments to the man?uvres of cavalry. But Cortés hastily formed his musketeers and crossbowmen, and poured such a lively, well-directed fire into the enemy’s ranks as threw him into disorder189 and compelled him to recoil190. The infantry, with their long pikes, followed up the blow; and the horse, charging at full speed as the retreating Aztecs emerged from the city, drove them several miles along the main land.
At some distance, however, they were met by a strong reinforcement of their countrymen, and, rallying, the tide of battle turned, and the cavaliers, swept along by it, gave the rein191 to their steeds and rode back at full gallop towards the{344} town. They had not proceeded very far, when they came upon the main body of the army, advancing rapidly to their support. Thus strengthened, they once more returned to the charge, and the rival hosts met together in full career, with the shock of an earthquake. For a time, victory seemed to hang in the balance, as the mighty192 press reeled to and fro under the opposite impulse, and a confused shout rose up towards heaven, in which the war-whoop of the savage was mingled with the battle-cry of the Christian,—a still stranger sound on these sequestered shores. But, in the end, Castilian valor193, or rather Castilian arms and discipline, proved triumphant194. The enemy faltered195, gave way, and, recoiling196 step by step, the retreat soon terminated in a rout, and the Spaniards, following up the flying foe, drove them from the field with such dreadful slaughter197 that they made no further attempt to renew the battle.
The victors were now undisputed masters of the city. It was a wealthy place, well stored with Indian fabrics198, cotton, gold, feather-work, and other articles of luxury and use, affording a rich booty to the soldiers. While engaged in the work of plunder199, a party of the enemy, landing from their canoes, fell on some of the stragglers, laden200 with merchandise, and made four of them prisoners. It created a greater sensation among the troops than if ten times that number had fallen on the field. Indeed, it was rare that a Spaniard allowed himself to be taken alive. In the present instance the unfortunate men were taken by surprise. They were hurried to the capital, and soon after sacrificed;{345} when their arms and legs were cut off, by the command of the ferocious201 young chief of the Aztecs, and sent round to the different cities, with the assurance that this should be the fate of the enemies of Mexico![380]
From the prisoners taken in the late engagement, Cortés learned that the forces already sent by Guatemozin formed but a small part of his levies; that his policy was to send detachment after detachment, until the Spaniards, however victorious202 they might come off from the contest with each individually, would, in the end, succumb203 from mere204 exhaustion, and thus be vanquished, as it were, by their own victories.
The soldiers having now sacked the city, Cortés did not care to await further assaults from the enemy in his present quarters. On the fourth morning after his arrival, he mustered his forces on a neighboring plain. They came, many of them reeling under the weight of their plunder. The general saw this with uneasiness. They were to march, he said, through a populous country, all in arms to dispute their passage. To secure their safety, they should move as light and unencumbered as possible. The sight of so much spoil would sharpen{346} the appetite of their enemies, and draw them on, like a flock of famished205 eagles after their prey206. But his eloquence207 was lost on his men, who plainly told him they had a right to the fruit of their victories, and that what they had won with their swords they knew well enough how to defend with them.
Seeing them thus bent208 on their purpose, the general did not care to balk209 their inclinations210. He ordered the baggage to the centre, and placed a few of the cavalry over it; dividing the remainder between the front and rear, in which latter post, as that most exposed to attack, he also stationed his arquebusiers and crossbowmen. Thus prepared, he resumed his march, but first set fire to the combustible211 buildings of Xochimilco, in retaliation212 for the resistance he had met there.[381] The light of the burning city streamed high into the air, sending its ominous213 glare far and wide across the waters, and telling the inhabitants on their margin that the fatal strangers so long predicted by their oracles214 had descended like a consuming flame upon their borders.[382]{347}
Small bodies of the enemy were seen occasionally at a distance, but they did not venture to attack the army on its march, which, before noon, brought them to Cojohuacan, a large town about two leagues distant from Xochimilco. One could scarcely travel that distance in this populous quarter of the Valley without meeting with a place of considerable size, oftentimes the capital of what had formerly215 been an independent state. The inhabitants, members of different tribes, and speaking dialects somewhat different, belonged to the same great family of nations, who had come from the real or imaginary region of Aztlan, in the far Northwest. Gathered round the shores of their Alpine216 sea, these petty communities continued, after their incorporation217 with the Aztec monarchy218, to maintain a spirit of rivalry219 in their intercourse220 with one another, which—as with the cities on the Mediterranean221 in the feudal ages—quickened their mental energies, and raised the Mexican Valley higher in the scale of civilization than most other quarters of Anahuac.
The town at which the army had now arrived was deserted by its inhabitants; and Cortés halted two days there to restore his troops and give the needful attention to the wounded.[383] He made use{348} of the time to reconnoitre the neighboring ground, and, taking with him a strong detachment, descended on the causeway which led from Cojohuacan to the great avenue of Iztapalapan.[384] At the point of intersection222, called Xoloc, he found a strong barrier, or fortification, behind which a Mexican force was intrenched. Their archery did some mischief to the Spaniards as they came within bowshot. But the latter, marching intrepidly223 forward in face of the arrowy shower, stormed the works, and, after an obstinate224 struggle, drove the enemy from their position.[385] Cortés then advanced some way on the great causeway of Izta{349}palapan; but he beheld the farther extremity darkened by a numerous array of warriors, and, as he did not care to engage in unnecessary hostilities, especially as his ammunition225 was nearly exhausted, he fell back and retreated to his own quarters.
The following day, the army continued its march, taking the road to Tacuba, but a few miles distant. On the way it experienced much annoyance from straggling parties of the enemy, who, furious at the sight of the booty which the invaders226 were bearing away, made repeated attacks on their flanks and rear. Cortés retaliated227, as on the former expedition, by one of their own stratagems228, but with less success than before; for, pursuing the retreating enemy too hotly, he fell with his cavalry into an ambuscade which they had prepared for him in their turn. He was not yet a match for their wily tactics. The Spanish cavaliers were enveloped229 in a moment by their subtle foe, and separated from the rest of the army. But, spurring on their good steeds, and charging in a solid column together, they succeeded in breaking through the Indian array, and in making their escape, except two individuals, who fell into the enemy’s hands. They were the general’s own servants, who had followed him faithfully through the whole campaign, and he was deeply affected230 by their loss,—rendered the more distressing231 by the consideration of the dismal232 fate that awaited them. When the little band rejoined the army, which had halted, in some anxiety at their absence, under the walls of Tacuba, the soldiers were astonished at{350} the dejected mien233 of their commander, which too visibly betrayed his emotion.[386]
The sun was still high in the heavens when they entered the ancient capital of the Tepanecs. The first care of Cortés was to ascend the principal teocalli and survey the surrounding country. It was an admirable point of view, commanding the capital, which lay but little more than a league distant, and its immediate234 environs. Cortés was accompanied by Alderete, the treasurer235, and some other cavaliers, who had lately joined his banner. The spectacle was still new to them; and, as they gazed on the stately city, with its broad lake covered with boats and barges236 hurrying to and fro, some laden with merchandise, or fruits and vegetables, for the markets of Tenochtitlan, others crowded with warriors, they could not withhold237 their admiration238 at the life and activity of the scene, declaring that nothing but the hand of Providence239 could have led their countrymen safe through the heart of this powerful empire.[387]
In the midst of the admiring circle, the brow of Cortés alone was observed to be overcast240, and a sigh, which now and then stole audibly from his bosom241, showed the gloomy working of his{351} thoughts.[388] “Take comfort,” said one of the cavaliers, approaching his commander, and wishing to console him, in his rough way, for his recent loss; “you must not lay these things so much to heart; it is, after all, but the fortune of war.” The general’s answer showed the nature of his meditations242. “You are my witness,” said he, “how often I have endeavored to persuade yonder capital peacefully to submit. It fills me with grief when I think of the toil and the dangers my brave followers have yet to encounter before we can call it ours. But the time is come when we must put our hands to the work.”[389]
There can be no doubt that Cortés, with every other man in his army, felt he was engaged on a holy crusade, and that, independently of personal considerations, he could not serve Heaven better than by planting the Cross on the blood-stained towers of the heathen metropolis243. But it was natural that he should feel some compunction as he gazed on the goodly scene, and thought of the coming tempest, and how soon the opening blossoms of civilization which there met his eye must wither244 under the rude breath of War. It was a striking spectacle, that of the great Conqueror thus brooding in silence over the desolation he was about to bring on the land! It seems to have made a{352} deep impression on his soldiers, little accustomed to such proofs of his sensibility; and it forms the burden of some of those romances, or national ballads245, with which the Castilian minstrel, in the olden time, delighted to commemorate246 the favorite heroes of his country, and which, coming mid-way between oral tradition and chronicle, have been found as imperishable a record as chronicle itself.[390]
Tacuba was the point which Cortés had reached on his former expedition round the northern side of the Valley. He had now, therefore, made the entire circuit of the great lake; had reconnoitred the several approaches to the capital, and inspected with his own eyes the dispositions247 made on the opposite quarters for its defence. He had no occasion to prolong his stay in Tacuba, the vicinity of which to Mexico must soon bring on him its whole warlike population.
Early on the following morning he resumed his march, taking the route pursued in the former expedition north of the small lakes. He met with less annoyance from the enemy than on the preceding days; a circumstance owing in some degree,{353} perhaps, to the state of the weather, which was exceedingly tempestuous248. The soldiers, with their garments heavy with moisture, ploughed their way with difficulty through miry roads flooded by the torrents249. On one occasion, as their military chronicler informs us, the officers neglected to go the rounds of the camp at night, and the sentinels to mount guard, trusting to the violence of the storm for their protection. Yet the fate of Narvaez might have taught them not to put their faith in the elements.
At Acolman, in the Acolhuan territory, they were met by Sandoval, with the friendly cacique of Tezcuco, and several cavaliers, among whom were some recently arrived from the Islands. They cordially greeted their countrymen, and communicated the tidings that the canal was completed, and that the brigantines, rigged and equipped, were ready to be launched on the bosom of the lake. There seemed to be no reason, therefore, for longer postponing250 operations against Mexico.—With this welcome intelligence, Cortés and his victorious legions made their entry for the last time into the Acolhuan capital, having consumed just three weeks in completing the circuit of the Valley.
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1
envoys
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| 使节( envoy的名词复数 )； 公使； 谈判代表； 使节身份 | |
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hieroglyphical
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| n.象形文字，象形文字的文章 | |
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depicted
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| 描绘，描画( depict的过去式和过去分词 )； 描述 | |
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garrisoned
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| 卫戍部队守备( garrison的过去式和过去分词 )； 派部队驻防 | |
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garrison
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| n.卫戍部队；驻地，卫戍区；vt.派(兵)驻防 | |
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annoyance
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| n.恼怒，生气，烦恼 | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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scour
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| v.搜索；擦，洗，腹泻，冲刷 | |
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monotonous
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| adj.单调的，一成不变的，使人厌倦的 | |
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infantry
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| n.[总称]步兵(部队) | |
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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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levies
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| （部队）征兵( levy的名词复数 )； 募捐； 被征募的军队 | |
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assented
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| 同意，赞成( assent的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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disposition
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| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
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recesses
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| n.壁凹( recess的名词复数 )；（工作或业务活动的）中止或暂停期间；学校的课间休息；某物内部的凹形空间v.把某物放在墙壁的凹处( recess的第三人称单数 )；将（墙）做成凹形，在（墙）上做壁龛；休息，休会，休庭 | |
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bristling
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| a.竖立的 | |
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rugged
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| adj.高低不平的，粗糙的，粗壮的，强健的 | |
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gorges
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| n.山峡，峡谷( gorge的名词复数 )；咽喉v.（用食物把自己）塞饱，填饱( gorge的第三人称单数 )；作呕 | |
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eminence
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| n.卓越，显赫；高地，高处；名家 | |
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feudal
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| adj.封建的，封地的，领地的 | |
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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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appendage
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| n.附加物 | |
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pinnacles
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| 顶峰( pinnacle的名词复数 )； 顶点； 尖顶； 小尖塔 | |
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pinnacle
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| n.尖塔，尖顶，山峰；(喻)顶峰 | |
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25
defiled
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| v.玷污( defile的过去式和过去分词 )；污染；弄脏；纵列行进 | |
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incessant
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| adj.不停的，连续的 | |
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hostilities
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| n.战争；敌意(hostility的复数)；敌对状态；战事 | |
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winding
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| n.绕，缠，绕组，线圈 | |
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severely
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| adv.严格地；严厉地；非常恶劣地 | |
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chastising
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| v.严惩（某人）（尤指责打）( chastise的现在分词 ) | |
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disparage
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| v.贬抑，轻蔑 | |
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32
ascend
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| vi.渐渐上升，升高；vt.攀登，登上 | |
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scrambling
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| v.快速爬行( scramble的现在分词 )；攀登；争夺；（军事飞机）紧急起飞 | |
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34
declivity
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| n.下坡，倾斜面 | |
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mangled
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| vt.乱砍（mangle的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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frightful
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| adj.可怕的；讨厌的 | |
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torrent
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| n.激流，洪流；爆发，(话语等的)连发 | |
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38
crevices
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| n.（尤指岩石的）裂缝，缺口( crevice的名词复数 ) | |
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avalanche
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| n.雪崩，大量涌来 | |
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40
gossamer
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| n.薄纱，游丝 | |
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41
gallant
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| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
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42
shreds
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| v.撕碎，切碎( shred的第三人称单数 )；用撕毁机撕毁（文件） | |
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43
incur
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| vt.招致，蒙受，遭遇 | |
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44
gathering
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| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
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45
cavalry
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| n.骑兵；轻装甲部队 | |
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46
onset
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| n.进攻，袭击，开始，突然开始 | |
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47
rout
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| n.溃退，溃败；v.击溃，打垮 | |
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48
fiery
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| adj.燃烧着的，火红的；暴躁的；激烈的 | |
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49
gallop
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| v./n.(马或骑马等)飞奔；飞速发展 | |
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50
discomfiture
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| n.崩溃；大败；挫败；困惑 | |
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51
foe
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| n.敌人，仇敌 | |
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52
destitute
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| adj.缺乏的；穷困的 | |
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53
grove
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| n.林子，小树林，园林 | |
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54
scanty
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| adj.缺乏的，仅有的，节省的，狭小的，不够的 | |
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55
miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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56
fortress
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| n.堡垒，防御工事 | |
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57
considerably
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| adv.极大地；相当大地；在很大程度上 | |
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58
demonstration
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| n.表明，示范，论证，示威 | |
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59
hostility
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| n.敌对，敌意；抵制［pl.］交战，战争 | |
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60
retrieve
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| vt.重新得到，收回；挽回，补救；检索 | |
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61
repulsed
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| v.击退( repulse的过去式和过去分词 )；驳斥；拒绝 | |
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62
ascent
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| n.(声望或地位)提高；上升，升高；登高 | |
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63
chagrined
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| adj.懊恼的，苦恼的v.使懊恼，使懊丧，使悔恨( chagrin的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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64
deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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65
resolutely
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| adj.坚决地，果断地 | |
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66
distressed
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| 痛苦的 | |
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67
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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68
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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70
submission
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| n.服从，投降；温顺，谦虚；提出 | |
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71
sequestered
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| adj.扣押的；隐退的；幽静的；偏僻的v.使隔绝，使隔离( sequester的过去式和过去分词 )；扣押 | |
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72
kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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73
mazes
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| 迷宫( maze的名词复数 )； 纷繁复杂的规则； 复杂难懂的细节； 迷宫图 | |
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74
mischief
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| n.损害，伤害，危害；恶作剧，捣蛋，胡闹 | |
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75
descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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76
latitude
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| n.纬度，行动或言论的自由(范围)，(pl.)地区 | |
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77
lava
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| n.熔岩，火山岩 | |
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78
volcanic
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| adj.火山的；象火山的；由火山引起的 | |
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79
tracts
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| 大片土地( tract的名词复数 )； 地带； （体内的）道； （尤指宣扬宗教、伦理或政治的）短文 | |
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80
prodigal
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| adj.浪费的，挥霍的，放荡的 | |
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81
compensate
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| vt.补偿，赔偿；酬报 vi.弥补；补偿；抵消 | |
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82
tributary
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| n.支流；纳贡国；adj.附庸的；辅助的；支流的 | |
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83
situated
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| adj.坐落在...的，处于某种境地的 | |
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84
encompassed
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| v.围绕( encompass的过去式和过去分词 )；包围；包含；包括 | |
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85
elevation
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| n.高度；海拔；高地；上升；提高 | |
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86
genial
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| adj.亲切的，和蔼的，愉快的，脾气好的 | |
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87
perpendicularly
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| adv. 垂直地, 笔直地, 纵向地 | |
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88
vestige
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| n.痕迹，遗迹，残余 | |
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89
cactus
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| n.仙人掌 | |
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90
hardy
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| adj.勇敢的，果断的，吃苦的；耐寒的 | |
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91
gracefully
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| ad.大大方方地；优美地 | |
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92
chasm
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| n.深坑，断层，裂口，大分岐，利害冲突 | |
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93
literally
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| adv.照字面意义，逐字地；确实 | |
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94
vertical
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| adj.垂直的，顶点的，纵向的；n.垂直物，垂直的位置 | |
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95
suffocating
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| a.使人窒息的 | |
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96
stimulating
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| adj.有启发性的，能激发人思考的 | |
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97
margin
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| n.页边空白；差额；余地，余裕；边，边缘 | |
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98
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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99
oozing
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| v.（浓液等）慢慢地冒出，渗出( ooze的现在分词 )；使（液体）缓缓流出；（浓液）渗出，慢慢流出 | |
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100
stony
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| adj.石头的，多石头的，冷酷的，无情的 | |
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101
bowels
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| n.肠，内脏，内部；肠( bowel的名词复数 )；内部，最深处 | |
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102
exuberant
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| adj.充满活力的；（植物）繁茂的 | |
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103
rivulet
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| n.小溪，小河 | |
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104
swollen
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| adj.肿大的，水涨的；v.使变大，肿胀 | |
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105
anticipation
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| n.预期，预料，期望 | |
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106
brink
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| n.(悬崖、河流等的)边缘，边沿 | |
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107
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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108
boughs
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| 大树枝( bough的名词复数 ) | |
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109
feats
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| 功绩，伟业，技艺( feat的名词复数 ) | |
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110
agility
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| n.敏捷，活泼 | |
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111
perilous
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| adj.危险的，冒险的 | |
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112
peril
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| n.(严重的)危险；危险的事物 | |
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113
plunge
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| v.跳入，(使)投入，(使)陷入；猛冲 | |
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114
succor
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| n.援助，帮助；v.给予帮助 | |
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115
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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116
evacuate
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| v.遣送；搬空；抽出；排泄；大(小)便 | |
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117
pillage
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| v.抢劫；掠夺；n.抢劫，掠夺；掠夺物 | |
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118
compensated
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| 补偿，报酬( compensate的过去式和过去分词 )； 给（某人）赔偿（或赔款） | |
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119
toil
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| vi.辛劳工作，艰难地行动；n.苦工，难事 | |
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120
resentment
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| n.怨愤，忿恨 | |
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121
accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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122
laborious
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| adj.吃力的，努力的，不流畅 | |
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123
encumbered
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| v.妨碍，阻碍，拖累( encumber的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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124
stunted
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| adj.矮小的；发育迟缓的 | |
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125
melancholy
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| n.忧郁，愁思；adj.令人感伤（沮丧）的，忧郁的 | |
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126
exhaustion
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| n.耗尽枯竭，疲惫，筋疲力尽，竭尽，详尽无遗的论述 | |
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127
ERECTED
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| adj. 直立的，竖立的，笔直的 vt. 使 ... 直立，建立 | |
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128
domain
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| n.(活动等)领域，范围；领地，势力范围 | |
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129
conqueror
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| n.征服者，胜利者 | |
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130
savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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131
populous
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| adj.人口稠密的，人口众多的 | |
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132
enchanting
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| a.讨人喜欢的 | |
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133
cultivation
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| n.耕作，培养，栽培（法），养成 | |
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134
villas
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| 别墅，公馆( villa的名词复数 )； （城郊）住宅 | |
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135
glistened
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| v.湿物闪耀，闪亮( glisten的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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136
potent
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| adj.强有力的，有权势的；有效力的 | |
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137
stanch
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| v.止住（血等）；adj.坚固的；坚定的 | |
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138
vassal
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| n.附庸的；属下；adj.奴仆的 | |
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139
mingled
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| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
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140
aspiring
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| adj.有志气的；有抱负的；高耸的v.渴望；追求 | |
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141
edifices
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| n.大建筑物( edifice的名词复数 ) | |
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142
extremity
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| n.末端，尽头；尽力；终极；极度 | |
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143
plunging
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| adj.跳进的，突进的v.颠簸( plunge的现在分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
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144
wading
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| （从水、泥等）蹚，走过，跋( wade的现在分词 ) | |
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145
followers
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| 追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件 | |
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146
tumult
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| n.喧哗；激动，混乱；吵闹 | |
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147
assailed
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| v.攻击( assail的过去式和过去分词 )；困扰；质问；毅然应对 | |
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148
dike
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| n.堤，沟；v.开沟排水 | |
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149
regaining
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| 复得( regain的现在分词 )； 赢回； 重回； 复至某地 | |
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150
vault
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| n.拱形圆顶，地窖，地下室 | |
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151
brandish
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| v.挥舞，挥动；n.挥动，挥舞 | |
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152
intercepted
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| 拦截( intercept的过去式和过去分词 )； 截住； 截击； 拦阻 | |
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153
hemmed
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| 缝…的褶边( hem的过去式和过去分词 )； 包围 | |
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154
barbarians
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| n.野蛮人( barbarian的名词复数 )；外国人；粗野的人；无教养的人 | |
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155
undoubtedly
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| adv.确实地，无疑地 | |
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156
preservation
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| n.保护，维护，保存，保留，保持 | |
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157
doom
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| n.厄运，劫数；v.注定，命定 | |
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158
mitigated
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| v.减轻，缓和( mitigate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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159
motive
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| n.动机，目的；adv.发动的，运动的 | |
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160
chivalry
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| n.骑士气概，侠义；（男人）对女人彬彬有礼，献殷勤 | |
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161
adventurous
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| adj.爱冒险的；惊心动魄的，惊险的，刺激的 | |
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162
vainglorious
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| adj.自负的；夸大的 | |
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163
drudgery
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| n.苦工，重活，单调乏味的工作 | |
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164
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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165
inmate
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| n.被收容者；(房屋等的)居住人；住院人 | |
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166
cloister
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| n.修道院；v.隐退，使与世隔绝 | |
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167
humble
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| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
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168
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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169
perils
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| 极大危险( peril的名词复数 )； 危险的事（或环境） | |
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170
motives
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| n.动机，目的( motive的名词复数 ) | |
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171
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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172
missionaries
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| n.传教士( missionary的名词复数 ) | |
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173
dwelling
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| n.住宅，住所，寓所 | |
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174
lucre
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| n.金钱，财富 | |
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175
wilderness
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| n.杳无人烟的一片陆地、水等，荒漠 | |
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176
beheld
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| v.看，注视( behold的过去式和过去分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
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177
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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178
Christian
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| adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒 | |
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179
apprised
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| v.告知，通知( apprise的过去式和过去分词 )；评价 | |
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180
mustered
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| v.集合，召集，集结（尤指部队）( muster的过去式和过去分词 )；（自他人处）搜集某事物；聚集；激发 | |
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181
corps
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| n.(通信等兵种的)部队；(同类作的)一组 | |
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182
watchfulness
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| 警惕，留心； 警觉（性） | |
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183
exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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184
archers
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| n.弓箭手，射箭运动员( archer的名词复数 ) | |
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185
shafts
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| n.轴( shaft的名词复数 )；（箭、高尔夫球棒等的）杆；通风井；一阵（疼痛、害怕等） | |
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186
copper
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| n.铜；铜币；铜器；adj.铜(制)的；(紫)铜色的 | |
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187
molestation
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| n.骚扰，干扰，调戏；折磨 | |
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188
oars
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| n.桨，橹( oar的名词复数 )；划手v.划（行）( oar的第三人称单数 ) | |
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189
disorder
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| n.紊乱，混乱；骚动，骚乱；疾病，失调 | |
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190
recoil
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| vi.退却，退缩，畏缩 | |
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191
rein
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| n.疆绳，统治，支配；vt.以僵绳控制，统治 | |
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192
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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193
valor
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| n.勇气，英勇 | |
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194
triumphant
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| adj.胜利的，成功的；狂欢的，喜悦的 | |
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195
faltered
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| （嗓音）颤抖( falter的过去式和过去分词 )； 支吾其词； 蹒跚； 摇晃 | |
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196
recoiling
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| v.畏缩( recoil的现在分词 )；退缩；报应；返回 | |
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197
slaughter
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| n.屠杀，屠宰；vt.屠杀，宰杀 | |
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198
fabrics
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| 织物( fabric的名词复数 )； 布； 构造； （建筑物的）结构（如墙、地面、屋顶）：质地 | |
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199
plunder
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| vt.劫掠财物，掠夺；n.劫掠物，赃物；劫掠 | |
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200
laden
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| adj.装满了的；充满了的；负了重担的；苦恼的 | |
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201
ferocious
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| adj.凶猛的，残暴的，极度的，十分强烈的 | |
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202
victorious
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| adj.胜利的，得胜的 | |
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203
succumb
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| v.屈服，屈从；死 | |
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204
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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205
famished
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| adj.饥饿的 | |
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206
prey
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| n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨 | |
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207
eloquence
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| n.雄辩；口才，修辞 | |
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208
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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209
balk
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| n.大方木料；v.妨碍；不愿前进或从事某事 | |
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210
inclinations
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| 倾向( inclination的名词复数 )； 倾斜； 爱好； 斜坡 | |
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211
combustible
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| a. 易燃的,可燃的; n. 易燃物,可燃物 | |
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212
retaliation
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| n.报复，反击 | |
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213
ominous
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| adj.不祥的，不吉的，预兆的，预示的 | |
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214
oracles
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| 神示所( oracle的名词复数 )； 神谕； 圣贤； 哲人 | |
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215
formerly
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| adv.从前，以前 | |
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216
alpine
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| adj.高山的；n.高山植物 | |
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217
incorporation
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| n.设立，合并，法人组织 | |
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218
monarchy
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| n.君主，最高统治者；君主政体，君主国 | |
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219
rivalry
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| n.竞争，竞赛，对抗 | |
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220
intercourse
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| n.性交；交流，交往，交际 | |
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221
Mediterranean
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| adj.地中海的；地中海沿岸的 | |
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222
intersection
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| n.交集，十字路口，交叉点；[计算机] 交集 | |
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223
intrepidly
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| adv.无畏地，勇猛地 | |
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224
obstinate
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| adj.顽固的，倔强的，不易屈服的，较难治愈的 | |
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225
ammunition
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| n.军火，弹药 | |
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226
invaders
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| 入侵者，侵略者，侵入物( invader的名词复数 ) | |
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227
retaliated
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| v.报复，反击( retaliate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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228
stratagems
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| n.诡计，计谋( stratagem的名词复数 )；花招 | |
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229
enveloped
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| v.包围，笼罩，包住( envelop的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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230
affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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231
distressing
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| a.使人痛苦的 | |
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232
dismal
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| adj.阴沉的，凄凉的，令人忧郁的，差劲的 | |
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233
mien
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| n.风采；态度 | |
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234
immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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235
treasurer
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| n.司库，财务主管 | |
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236
barges
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| 驳船( barge的名词复数 ) | |
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237
withhold
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| v.拒绝，不给；使停止，阻挡 | |
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238
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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239
providence
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| n.深谋远虑，天道，天意；远见；节约；上帝 | |
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240
overcast
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| adj.阴天的，阴暗的，愁闷的；v.遮盖，（使）变暗，包边缝；n.覆盖，阴天 | |
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241
bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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242
meditations
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| 默想( meditation的名词复数 )； 默念； 沉思； 冥想 | |
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243
metropolis
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| n.首府；大城市 | |
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244
wither
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| vt.使凋谢，使衰退，(用眼神气势等)使畏缩；vi.枯萎，衰退，消亡 | |
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245
ballads
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| 民歌，民谣，特别指叙述故事的歌( ballad的名词复数 )； 讴 | |
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246
commemorate
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| vt.纪念，庆祝 | |
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247
dispositions
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| 安排( disposition的名词复数 )； 倾向； （财产、金钱的）处置； 气质 | |
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248
tempestuous
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| adj.狂暴的 | |
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249
torrents
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| n.倾注；奔流( torrent的名词复数 )；急流；爆发；连续不断 | |
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250
postponing
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| v.延期，推迟( postpone的现在分词 ) | |
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