To breezy lawn or forest-deep,
But thou who own’s t that earthy bed,
Collins’s Ode on Thomson.
Many years are now elapsed since I took up my residence in this sequestered4 hamlet. I retired5 to it in distaste with a world whose vices6 had robbed me of the dearest treasure of my heart. Two children cheered my solitude7, and in training them up to virtue8, I lost the remembrance of half my cares. My son, when qualified9, was sent to Oxford10, as a friend had promised to provide for him in the church; but my daughter was destined11 to retirement12, not only from the narrowness of my income, but from a thorough conviction it was best calculated to insure her felicity. Juliana was the child of innocence13 and content. She knew of no greater happiness than that of promoting mine, of no pleasures but what the hamlet could afford, and was one of the gayest, as well as the loveliest, of its daughters. One fatal evening I suffered her to go, with some of her young companions, to a rustic14 ball, given by the parents of Belgrave to their tenants15, on coming down to Woodhouse, from which they had been long absent. The graces of my child immediately attracted the notice of their son. Though young in years, he was already a professed16 libertine17. The conduct of his father had set him an example of dissipation which the volatility18 of his own disposition19 too readily inclined him to follow. His heart immediately conceived the basest schemes against Juliana, which the obscurity of her situation prompted him to think might readily be accomplished20. From this period he took every opportunity of throwing himself in her way. My suspicions, or rather my fears, were soon excited; for I knew not then the real depravity of Belgrave; but I knew that an attachment21 between him and my daughter would prove a source of uneasiness to both, from the disparity fortune had placed between them. My task in convincing Juliana of the impropriety of encouraging such an attachment was not a difficult one. But, alas22! I saw the conviction was attended with a pang23 of anguish24, which pierced me to the soul.
[Pg 296]
Belgrave, from the assumed softness and delicacy25 of his manners, had made an impression on her heart which was not to be erased26. Every effort, however, which prudence27 could suggest, she resolved to make, and, in compliance28 with my wishes, avoided Belgrave. This conduct soon convinced him it would be a difficult matter to lull29 my caution, or betray her innocence. And finding all his attempts to see, or convey a letter to her, ineffectual, he departed with his parents from Woodhouse.
Juliana heard of his departure with a forced smile; but a starting tear, and a colorless cheek, too clearly denoted to me the state of her mind. I shall not attempt to describe my sufferings on witnessing hers. With my pity was mixed a degree of veneration30 for that virtue which, in so young a mind, could make such exertions32 against a passion disapproved33 of by a parent. The evening of his departure, no longer under any restraint, she walked out alone, and instinctively34, perhaps, took the road to Woodhouse. She wandered to its deepest glooms, and there gave way to emotions which, from her efforts to suppress them, were become almost too painful to support. The gloom of the wood was heightened by the shades of evening, and a solemn stillness reigned35 around, well calculated to inspire pensive36 tenderness. She sighed the name of Belgrave in tremulous accents, and lamented37 their ever having met. A sudden rustling38 among the trees startled her, and the next moment she beheld39 him at her feet, exclaiming, “We have met, my Juliana, never more to part.”
Surprise and confusion so overpowered her senses, as to render her for some time unable to attend to his raptures40. When she grew composed, he told her he was returned to make her honorably his, but to effect this intention, a journey from the hamlet was requisite41. She turned pale at these words, and declared she never would consent to a clandestine42 measure. This declaration did not discourage Belgrave; he knew the interest he had in her heart, and this knowledge gave an energy to his arguments, which gradually undermined the resolution of Juliana. Already, he said, she had made a sufficient sacrifice to filial duty; surely something was now due to love like his, which, on her account, would cheerfully submit to innumerable difficulties. As he was under age, a journey to Scotland was unavoidable, he said, and he would have made me his confidant on the occasion, but that he feared my scrupulous43 delicacy would have opposed his intentions, as contrary to parental44 authority. He promised Juliana to bring her back to the ham[Pg 297]let immediately after the ceremony; in short, the plausibility45 of his arguments, the tenderness of his persuasions46, at last produced the effect he wished, and he received a promise from her to put herself under his protection that very night.
But oh! how impossible to describe my agonies the ensuing morning when, instead of my child, I found a letter in her room informing me of her elopement; they were such as a fond parent, trembling for the fame and happiness of his child, may conceive. My senses must have sunk beneath them had they long continued; but Belgrave, according to his promise, hastened back my child; and as I sat solitary47 and pensive in the apartment she so often had enlivened, I suddenly beheld her at my feet, supported by Belgrave, as his wife. So great a transition from despair to comfort was almost too powerful for me to support. I asked my heart was its present happiness real; I knelt, I received my child in my arms: in those feeble arms I seemed to raise her with my heart to Heaven in pious48 gratitude49 for her returning unsullied. Yet, when my first transports were abated50, I could not help regretting her ever having consented to a clandestine union. I entreated51 Belgrave to write, in the most submissive terms, to his father. He promised to comply with my entreaty52, yet hinted his fears that his compliance would be unattended with the success I hoped. He requested, if this should be the case, I would allow his wife to reside in the cottage till he was of age. Oh, how pleasing a request to my heart! a month passed away in happiness, only allayed53 by not hearing from his father. At the expiration54 of that time he declared he must depart, having received orders to join his regiment55, but promised to return as soon as possible; he also promised to write, but a fortnight elapsed and no letter arrived.
Juliana and I grew alarmed, but it was an alarm that only proceeded from fears of his being ill. We were sitting one morning at breakfast, when the stopping of a carriage drew us from the table.
“He is come!” said Juliana, “he is come!” and she flew to open the door; when, instead of her expected Belgrave, she beheld his father, whose dark and haughty56 visage proclaimed that he came on no charitable intent. Alas! the occasion of his visit was too soon explained; he came to have the ties which bound his son to Juliana broken. My child, on hearing this, with firmness declared, that she was convinced any scheme his cruelty might devise to separate them, the integrity, as well as the tenderness of his son, would render abortive57.
[Pg 298] “Be not too confident of that, young lady,” cried he, smiling maliciously58. He then proceeded to inform her that Belgrave, so beloved, and in whose integrity she so much confided59, had himself authorized60 his intentions, being determined61 to avail himself of non-age, to have the marriage broke.
Juliana could hear no more; she sunk fainting on the bosom62 of her wretched father. Oh, what a situation was mine, when, as I clasped her wildly to my heart and called upon her to revive, that heart whispered me it was cruelty to wish she should! Alas! too soon she did, to a keen perception of misery63. The marriage was dissolved, and health and happiness fled from her together; yet, from compassion64 to me, I saw she struggled to support the burden of existence. Every remedy which had a chance of prolonging it, I administered. But, alas! sorrow was rooted in her heart, and it was only its removal, which was impossible, that could have effected her recovery. Oh! how often have I stolen from my bed to the door of her apartment, trembling, lest I should hear the last groan65 escape her lips! How often have I then heard her deep convulsive sobs66, and reproached myself for selfishness at the moment for wishing the continuance of her being, which was only wishing the continuance of her misery! Yes, I have then said, I resign her, my Creator, unto thee. I resign her from a certainty, that only with thee she can enjoy felicity. But, alas! in a moment frail67 nature has triumphed over such a resignation, and, prostrate68 on the ground, I have implored69 heaven, either to spare the child, or take the father along with her.
She saw me unusually depressed70 one day, and proposed a walk, with a hope that any exertion31 from her might recruit my spirits. But when I saw my child, in the very bloom of life, unable to sustain her feeble frame; when I felt her leaning on my almost nerveless arm for support, oh! how intolerable was the anguish that rived my heart!—in vain, by soft endearments71, she strove to mitigate72 it. I averted73 my face and wept. She motioned to go towards Woodhouse; we had got within sight of the wood, when she complained of fatigue74, and sat down. She had not been many minutes in this situation, when she beheld, coming from the wood, Belgrave, and a young girl whom she knew to be the steward’s daughter. The familiar manner in which they appeared conversing75, left little room to doubt of the footing on which they were. The hectic76 glow of Juliana’s complexion77 gave place to a deadly paleness. She arose and returned to the cottage with me in silence, from whence, in less than a week, she was borne to her grave.
[Pg 299]
Eight years, continued he, after a pause of some minutes, have elapsed since her death, yet is her worth, her beauty, and her sufferings still fresh in the remembrance of the inhabitants of the hamlet. In mine, oh! Miss Fitzalan! how painfully, how pleasingly, do they still exist! No noisome78 weed is allowed to intermingle in the high grass which has overgrown her grave, at the head of which some kind hand has planted a rose-tree, whose roses blossom, bloom, and die upon the sacred spot. My child is gone before me to that earthly bed, to which I hoped she would have smoothed my passage. Every spot in and about the cottage continually recall her to my view. The ornaments80 of this little room were all the work of that hand, long since mouldered81 into dust. In that bed—he stopped, he groaned82, and tears burst from him—in that bed, resumed he (in a few minutes, though with a broken voice), she breathed her last sigh; in that spot I knelt and received the last pressure of her clay-cold lips! Of a calm night, when all is hushed to repose83, I love to contemplate84 that heaven, to which I have given an angel—an angel to whom, I hope, shortly to be reunited; without such a hope, surely of all men breathing, I should be the most wretched! Oh! how cruel is it then, in those, who, by raising doubts of an hereafter, attempt to destroy such a hope! Ye sons of error, hide the impious doubts within your hearts; nor with wanton barbarity endeavor to deprive the miserable85 of their last comfort. When this world presents nothing but a dreary86 prospect87, how cheering to the afflicted88 to reflect on that future one, where all will be bright and happy! When we mourn over the lost friends of our tenderest affections, oh! how consolatory89 to think we shall be reunited to them again! How often has this thought suspended my tears and stopped my sighs! Inspired by it with sudden joy, often have I risen from the cold bed where Juliana lies, and exclaimed: “Oh death! where is thy sting! Oh grave! where is thy victory!” both lost in the certainty of again beholding90 my child.
Amanda shed tears of soft compassion for the fate of Juliana, and the sorrows of her father, and felt, if possible, her gratitude to Heaven increased, for preserving her from the snares91 of such a monster of deceit and barbarity as Belgrave.
Howel relieved the anxiety she labored92 under about the means of returning home, by assuring her he would not only supply her with a sum sufficient for that purpose, but see her to Parkgate himself.
His name struck Amanda—it recalled to remembrance her[Pg 300] Welsh friend. She inquired, and heard that the young and tender curate was indeed the son of her benefactor93. “The softness of Henry’s disposition,” said his father, “particularly qualifies him for the sacred function, which prevents his having occasion to mingle79 in the concerns of the great world. He writes me word that he is the simple shepherd of a simple flock.”
One day was all Amanda would devote to the purpose of recruiting her strength. Nothing could prevail on her longer to defer94 her journey. A chaise was accordingly procured95, into which, at the first dawn of day, she and Howel stepped, followed by the blessings96 of the affectionate Eleanor, who, from her own wardrobe, had supplied Amanda with a few necessaries to take along with her. The church-yard lay about a quarter of a mile from the hamlet. It was only divided from the road by a low and broken wall. Old trees shaded the grass-grown grave, and gave a kind of solemn gloominess to the place.
“See,” said Howel, suddenly taking Amanda’s hand, and letting down the glass, “see the bed where Juliana reposes97.”
The grave was distinguished98 by the rose-tree at its head. The morning breeze gently agitated99 the high and luxuriant grass which covered it. Amanda gazed on it with inexpressible sadness, but the emotions it excited in her breast she endeavored to check, in pity to the wretched father, who exclaimed, while tears trickled100 down his pale and furrowed101 cheeks, “There lies my treasure.”
She tried to divert him from his sorrows by talking of his son. She described his little residence, which he had never seen. Thus, by recalling to his recollection the blessings he yet possessed102, checking his anguish for those he had lost.
The weakness of Amanda would not allow them to travel expeditiously103. They slept one night on the road, and the next day, to her great joy, arrived at Parkgate, as she had all along dreaded104 a pursuit from Belgrave. A packet was to sail about four o’clock in the afternoon. She partook of a slight repast with her benevolent105 friend, who attended her to the boat, and with starting tears gave and received an adieu. She promised to write as soon as she reached home, and assured him his kindness would never be obliterated106 from her heart. He watched her till she entered the ship, then returned to the inn, and immediately set off for the hamlet, with a mind somewhat cheered by the consciousness of having served a fellow-creature.
点击收听单词发音
1 spire | |
n.(教堂)尖顶,尖塔,高点 | |
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2 varied | |
adj.多样的,多变化的 | |
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3 dirge | |
n.哀乐,挽歌,庄重悲哀的乐曲 | |
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4 sequestered | |
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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5 retired | |
adj.隐退的,退休的,退役的 | |
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6 vices | |
缺陷( vice的名词复数 ); 恶习; 不道德行为; 台钳 | |
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7 solitude | |
n. 孤独; 独居,荒僻之地,幽静的地方 | |
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8 virtue | |
n.德行,美德;贞操;优点;功效,效力 | |
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9 qualified | |
adj.合格的,有资格的,胜任的,有限制的 | |
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10 Oxford | |
n.牛津(英国城市) | |
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11 destined | |
adj.命中注定的;(for)以…为目的地的 | |
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12 retirement | |
n.退休,退职 | |
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13 innocence | |
n.无罪;天真;无害 | |
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14 rustic | |
adj.乡村的,有乡村特色的;n.乡下人,乡巴佬 | |
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15 tenants | |
n.房客( tenant的名词复数 );佃户;占用者;占有者 | |
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16 professed | |
公开声称的,伪称的,已立誓信教的 | |
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17 libertine | |
n.淫荡者;adj.放荡的,自由思想的 | |
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18 volatility | |
n.挥发性,挥发度,轻快,(性格)反复无常 | |
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19 disposition | |
n.性情,性格;意向,倾向;排列,部署 | |
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20 accomplished | |
adj.有才艺的;有造诣的;达到了的 | |
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21 attachment | |
n.附属物,附件;依恋;依附 | |
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22 alas | |
int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
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23 pang | |
n.剧痛,悲痛,苦闷 | |
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24 anguish | |
n.(尤指心灵上的)极度痛苦,烦恼 | |
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25 delicacy | |
n.精致,细微,微妙,精良;美味,佳肴 | |
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26 erased | |
v.擦掉( erase的过去式和过去分词 );抹去;清除 | |
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27 prudence | |
n.谨慎,精明,节俭 | |
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28 compliance | |
n.顺从;服从;附和;屈从 | |
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29 lull | |
v.使安静,使入睡,缓和,哄骗;n.暂停,间歇 | |
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30 veneration | |
n.尊敬,崇拜 | |
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31 exertion | |
n.尽力,努力 | |
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32 exertions | |
n.努力( exertion的名词复数 );费力;(能力、权力等的)运用;行使 | |
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33 disapproved | |
v.不赞成( disapprove的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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34 instinctively | |
adv.本能地 | |
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35 reigned | |
vi.当政,统治(reign的过去式形式) | |
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36 pensive | |
a.沉思的,哀思的,忧沉的 | |
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37 lamented | |
adj.被哀悼的,令人遗憾的v.(为…)哀悼,痛哭,悲伤( lament的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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38 rustling | |
n. 瑟瑟声,沙沙声 adj. 发沙沙声的 | |
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39 beheld | |
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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40 raptures | |
极度欢喜( rapture的名词复数 ) | |
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41 requisite | |
adj.需要的,必不可少的;n.必需品 | |
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42 clandestine | |
adj.秘密的,暗中从事的 | |
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43 scrupulous | |
adj.审慎的,小心翼翼的,完全的,纯粹的 | |
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44 parental | |
adj.父母的;父的;母的 | |
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45 plausibility | |
n. 似有道理, 能言善辩 | |
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46 persuasions | |
n.劝说,说服(力)( persuasion的名词复数 );信仰 | |
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47 solitary | |
adj.孤独的,独立的,荒凉的;n.隐士 | |
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48 pious | |
adj.虔诚的;道貌岸然的 | |
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49 gratitude | |
adj.感激,感谢 | |
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50 abated | |
减少( abate的过去式和过去分词 ); 减去; 降价; 撤消(诉讼) | |
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51 entreated | |
恳求,乞求( entreat的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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52 entreaty | |
n.恳求,哀求 | |
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53 allayed | |
v.减轻,缓和( allay的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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54 expiration | |
n.终结,期满,呼气,呼出物 | |
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55 regiment | |
n.团,多数,管理;v.组织,编成团,统制 | |
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56 haughty | |
adj.傲慢的,高傲的 | |
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57 abortive | |
adj.不成功的,发育不全的 | |
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58 maliciously | |
adv.有敌意地 | |
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59 confided | |
v.吐露(秘密,心事等)( confide的过去式和过去分词 );(向某人)吐露(隐私、秘密等) | |
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60 authorized | |
a.委任的,许可的 | |
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61 determined | |
adj.坚定的;有决心的 | |
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62 bosom | |
n.胸,胸部;胸怀;内心;adj.亲密的 | |
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63 misery | |
n.痛苦,苦恼,苦难;悲惨的境遇,贫苦 | |
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64 compassion | |
n.同情,怜悯 | |
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65 groan | |
vi./n.呻吟,抱怨;(发出)呻吟般的声音 | |
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66 sobs | |
啜泣(声),呜咽(声)( sob的名词复数 ) | |
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67 frail | |
adj.身体虚弱的;易损坏的 | |
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68 prostrate | |
v.拜倒,平卧,衰竭;adj.拜倒的,平卧的,衰竭的 | |
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69 implored | |
恳求或乞求(某人)( implore的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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70 depressed | |
adj.沮丧的,抑郁的,不景气的,萧条的 | |
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71 endearments | |
n.表示爱慕的话语,亲热的表示( endearment的名词复数 ) | |
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72 mitigate | |
vt.(使)减轻,(使)缓和 | |
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73 averted | |
防止,避免( avert的过去式和过去分词 ); 转移 | |
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74 fatigue | |
n.疲劳,劳累 | |
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75 conversing | |
v.交谈,谈话( converse的现在分词 ) | |
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76 hectic | |
adj.肺病的;消耗热的;发热的;闹哄哄的 | |
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77 complexion | |
n.肤色;情况,局面;气质,性格 | |
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78 noisome | |
adj.有害的,可厌的 | |
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79 mingle | |
vt.使混合,使相混;vi.混合起来;相交往 | |
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80 ornaments | |
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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81 mouldered | |
v.腐朽( moulder的过去式和过去分词 );腐烂,崩塌 | |
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82 groaned | |
v.呻吟( groan的过去式和过去分词 );发牢骚;抱怨;受苦 | |
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83 repose | |
v.(使)休息;n.安息 | |
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84 contemplate | |
vt.盘算,计议;周密考虑;注视,凝视 | |
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85 miserable | |
adj.悲惨的,痛苦的;可怜的,糟糕的 | |
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86 dreary | |
adj.令人沮丧的,沉闷的,单调乏味的 | |
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87 prospect | |
n.前景,前途;景色,视野 | |
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88 afflicted | |
使受痛苦,折磨( afflict的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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89 consolatory | |
adj.慰问的,可藉慰的 | |
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90 beholding | |
v.看,注视( behold的现在分词 );瞧;看呀;(叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现)哎哟 | |
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91 snares | |
n.陷阱( snare的名词复数 );圈套;诱人遭受失败(丢脸、损失等)的东西;诱惑物v.用罗网捕捉,诱陷,陷害( snare的第三人称单数 ) | |
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92 labored | |
adj.吃力的,谨慎的v.努力争取(for)( labor的过去式和过去分词 );苦干;详细分析;(指引擎)缓慢而困难地运转 | |
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93 benefactor | |
n. 恩人,行善的人,捐助人 | |
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94 defer | |
vt.推迟,拖延;vi.(to)遵从,听从,服从 | |
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95 procured | |
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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96 blessings | |
n.(上帝的)祝福( blessing的名词复数 );好事;福分;因祸得福 | |
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97 reposes | |
v.将(手臂等)靠在某人(某物)上( repose的第三人称单数 ) | |
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98 distinguished | |
adj.卓越的,杰出的,著名的 | |
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99 agitated | |
adj.被鼓动的,不安的 | |
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100 trickled | |
v.滴( trickle的过去式和过去分词 );淌;使)慢慢走;缓慢移动 | |
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101 furrowed | |
v.犁田,开沟( furrow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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102 possessed | |
adj.疯狂的;拥有的,占有的 | |
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103 expeditiously | |
adv.迅速地,敏捷地 | |
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104 dreaded | |
adj.令人畏惧的;害怕的v.害怕,恐惧,担心( dread的过去式和过去分词) | |
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105 benevolent | |
adj.仁慈的,乐善好施的 | |
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106 obliterated | |
v.除去( obliterate的过去式和过去分词 );涂去;擦掉;彻底破坏或毁灭 | |
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