The droughte of March hath perced to the rote,
And bathed every veine in swiche licour,
Of which vertue engendred is the flour;
Enspired hath in every holt and hethe
The tendre croppes, and the yonge sonne
And smale foules maken melodie
That sleepen all night with open eye,
Than longen folk to gon on pilgrimages,
And palmeres for to seken strange strondes,
To servo halwes couthe in sondry londes.
"Why, Ma belle7, you are an indomitable excursionist!" exclaimed Lord Strathern one evening, when the botanical party, after a hard day's work in pleasure-hunting, returned to a late dinner at headquarters. "I wonder Mrs. Shortridge is not worn out in accompanying you."
"I take it easily, my Lord," said Mrs. Shortridge, "keeping the broadest and smoothest path I can find, like the wicked in Scripture8, while Lady Mabel rambles9 about on either hand, having, I think, a liking10 for rough ground. Like the mountain goat, if she will forgive the comparison, she prefers the crag to the plain. If your Lordship saw the hardihood with which she puts herself into all sorts of perilous12 situations, until, at times, it needs all the aid Colonel L'Isle can give to extricate13 her, I fear you would put a stop to our jaunts15."
"As yet my wardrobe has been the only sufferer," said Lady Mabel. "I have just taken off the third dress I have damaged past remedy."
"If you had been a boy, Ma belle, instead of a girl, you would have made a rare sportsman!"
"A sportsman, indeed! By this time I would have held a commission in his Majesty's service. Why, papa, I am a year older than ensign Wade16, have almost as much beard to my chin, and, but for my sex, would make quite as good a soldier."
"I am content, however, to have you as you are, and would not exchange you for a regiment17 of the best boys in England."
"Better one daughter than a thousand sons," said Lady Mabel, "for they would make a cumbersome18 family."
"You are a cumbersome baggage yourself," said Lord Strathern. "Just see the endless litter of flowers, leaves, yea, branches of trees, with which you cumber19 the house. We will have to apply to the quartermaster for the use of a returning supply-train to convey your botanical treasures to Lisbon, and we will have to charter a vessel20 there to carry them home. Dr. Graham's study will not contain all you collect for him. You must have exhausted21 the neighborhood."
"In one sense I am afraid we have. Colonel L'Isle tells me that we have explored almost every part of the country immediately around Elvas."
"I am sorry we are tied down to this one spot," said her father. "As you have never been from home before, I would wish you to see as much as possible of this country. But I must stick close to the brigade, at hand for orders at any moment."
"I must be content," said Lady Mabel. "And, after all, it is better to see one place thoroughly24, than to take a hasty glance at a dozen in the style of common-place travelers."
"I confess I am but a common-place traveler," said Mrs. Shortridge, "and would like to see a new place every day; though I have, I own, found more variety and amusement in exploring the neighborhood than I expected."
"You will shortly have an opportunity, Mrs. Shortridge," said L'Isle, "of visiting a very striking place by merely accompanying the commissary. He thinks of going to Evora to purchase cattle and grain for the troops, and Evora is well worth seeing, as well as the country you pass through in going thither25."
"He is going, and you might accompany him," said L'Isle. "You could not indeed make the journey in your coach if you had one, for off this high road, from Lisbon to Madrid, there is scarcely a carriage-road in the country. But you are now quite at home, on the back of your sure-footed mule26."
The truth was, L'Isle had himself suggested to the commissary that the country south of Evora was rich and productive, and that prices had not been raised there by the vicinity of the troops, and the demands of their market. At the same time he gave Shortridge to understand that he wished to get up a party to visit Evora, and Lady Mabel must be included in it.
"I will ask the commissary to-night when he is going," said Mrs. Shortridge; "and to take me with him, if he can."
Lady Mabel had listened with silent interest so far; but here she broke in upon their conference, just as L'Isle desired.
"Why, Mrs. Shortridge," she exclaimed, with a well-feigned air of one deeply wronged, "do you mean to desert me? After partaking of my pleasant excursions and botanical instructions (but I find you a very dull scholar), do you mean to go traveling about, in search of adventures and rare sights, without even asking me to be of the party?—I, who am afflicted27 with a mania28 for traveling which can only be cured by being gratified? But such is woman's friendship."
"My dear Lady Mabel, how do you know that my lord would trust you so far under my care?
"So far!" said Lady Mabel, scornfully. "Did I not come from Scotland hither, braving the perils29 of the sea and of the wilderness30, the stormy Bay of Biscay, and the desert of Alemtejo, teeming31 with robbers and wild beasts? With no guardian32 but old Moodie, whose chief merit is that of being a suspicious old Scot, with the fidelity33 and snappishness of a terrier."
"I am surprised now that I sent for you," said Lord Strathern, "considering the difficulties in the way of your coming. But you are here, and I thank God for it. But you would find it a long, rough ride to Evora, and the weather grows hotter every day."
"Rough roads are nothing to us who travel on horseback," Lady Mabel said, with the air of a cavalier; "and as for the distance, it is not much over a morning's ride. Colonel L'Isle, could not you ride there in a morning?"
"With relays of good horses, and good luck to my neck," said L'Isle, with a laugh. "It is about fifty miles; but one need not go the whole way in one day."
"Of course not," she answered. "We will not ride post, but take our ease, and see the country at our leisure."
"I see you intend going, ma belle," said Lord Strathern; "so I may as well give my consent with a good grace. But is the commissary able and willing to take charge of more than one lady, Mrs. Shortridge, who has a will of her own? I trust, too, L'Isle, that after giving these ladies a taste for rambling34, you do not mean to desert them now. They may need your escort. Small parties are never safe traveling about this country. Our friends just hereabouts, especially, (I am sorry to say it of them), are apt to fall in love with other men's goods, and have a strong throat-cutting propensity35."
"Oh, there is nothing to fear, papa," said Lady Mabel. "Our troops occupy the country, and, if necessary, we will take Colonel L'Isle with us for further protection. Pray, Colonel L'Isle, how many robbers could you defend us from?"
"I would try to defend you against a hundred."
"But pray," said Mrs. Shortridge, "carry at least two servants, well armed."
"Certainly," said Lady Mabel; "we will do the thing effectually. They shall carry no baggage, but stuff their valises full of loaded pistols, as antidotes36 to Mrs. Shortridge's fears."
"I will join the party with pleasure, my lord. I suppose I can be spared from this post for a few days?" said L'Isle, well pleased to be urged to join in an excursion, secretly and ingeniously contrived37 by himself.
The ladies, delighted at the prospect38 of a pleasant journey and new scenes, were at once full of plans and preparations for their outfit40 on the road. Nor did they reckon without their host; for the commissary assented41 to their joining him the moment it was proposed. Colonel Bradshawe might amuse himself and his cronies by expressing astonishment42 at his blindness or complaisance43, but Shortridge had good reasons for what he did. Since he had made money, both his wife and himself felt a strong craving44 for social promotion45; and Colonel L'Isle and Lady Mabel were just the persons to lend them a helping46 hand in their efforts to ascend47 the social ladder. But with Shortridge this was just now but a secondary matter. The commander-in-chief had been lately giving a rough overhauling48 to the officials of the commissariat. Their numberless peculations, and short-comings at critical moments, had exasperated49 him into a conviction that they were necessary evils, and rascals50 to a man by right of office, and only to be dealt with as such. And Sir Rowland Hill, to whose division the brigade belonged, had learned this, among other lessons, from his great commander. Now L'Isle was known to have the ear of Sir Rowland, and the commissary was of opinion that, while Lord Strathern commanded the brigade, Lady Mabel commanded him, so that the good opinion and good word of those parties might avail him much on certain emergencies. If a friend at court be a good thing, two are still better; so he was all compliance51, and let the ladies fix the next day but one for the journey.
Early on that morning, accordingly, the party assembled at headquarters, and their horses and mules52 crowded the little court of the monastic building. L'Isle had provided an arriero for a guide, with his three mules for their baggage. The kind, and quantity, too, of provision he had prepared for their journey, was a reflection on the resources and hospitality of the country they were to pass through. Nor had the commissary been negligent53 of creature comforts.
Lord Strathern placed his daughter in the saddle. "Remember, ma belle, your blood is not used to this feverous climate, and even your pretty neck may get broken in a mountain path."
Lady Mabel listened with dutiful attention to the warnings of experience against the dangers from the noonday sun, the chilly54 night wind, and fast riding over rough paths; but, full of anticipated pleasure, she perhaps did not remember them an hour after.
"You are much encumbered55 with baggage, L'Isle," said Lord Strathern; "and your party larger than I expected."
"My party, papa," said Lady Mabel, with an air of asserting her position. "I like to travel in good style. This is my retinue56, and a very complete one it is. Colonel L'Isle is my dragoman, and interprets for me among the barbarous natives. The servants, armed to the teeth, are my guards. The commissary is my purveyor57, and," she added, glancing at his rotund figure, "I have no fear of starving in his company. Mrs. Shortridge, though she does not look sour enough for the office, is my duenna, punctilious58 and watchful—" Here she suddenly broke off her discourse59, and fixed60 her eyes on old Moodie, who now entered the court, leading in a powerful horse of her father's, with a pair of huge holsters at the saddle-bow. Being a small and an old man, he climbed stiffly and with some difficulty into the saddle; but, when seated there, his earnest face and resolute61 air made him look a hero of the covenant62 quitting the conventicle for the battle-field.
After watching him in silent surprise, she exclaimed: "Why, Moodie, are you going too? I did not know that you were so fond of traveling, and so inquisitive63 about these idolatrous foreigners and their country."
"I would gladly turn my back on them and their country; but my duty forbids it."
"But how will papa do without you?"
"Better than your ladyship can."
"But you have made yourself so useful, indeed necessary, as steward64 in this house, which needed one sadly."
"Perhaps, so, my lady. But I know where I am most needed. I do not mean to lose sight of you for twenty-four hours, until you are safe at Craiggyside."
Lady Mabel looked exceedingly provoked and much out of countenance65 at the surveillance he assumed over her. Did he think her still a child now, when she felt herself a woman? It was well she did not ask him that question, for Moodie thought this the time when she needed most watching. She was about to forbid his following her, but her father, laughing at her discomfiture66, said, "Moodie told me last night that he would have to be of the party. He got his general orders before he left Scotland, and in this case my sister is commander-in-chief."
The party was now ready, and rode out of the court, L'Isle putting himself by Lady Mabel's side.
"What special part does this old man fill in your father's household?"
"Properly, none; though he has made himself steward by an act of usurpation67. Just at this time he belongs to my household," said she, with mock dignity. "And, when at home, he is a very important person at Craiggyside, a place unknown to your geography, but a very important and delightful68 place, notwithstanding."
"I blush to acknowledge my ignorance. Pray put an end to it by telling me what sort of a place Craiggyside is."
"It is a villa69 and farm, the home of my aunt, with whom I live. There old Moodie fulfills70 his round of duties. He manages the farm, sells the crops, tasks the ploughmen, overlooks the shepherd, scolds the dairymaid, bullies71 the servants, and regulates all that come near him. He can be charged with no shortcomings, for he overdoes72 all he undertakes. Not content with controlling our secular73 concerns, he would gladly take upon him the cure of souls. But there he meets with stubborn resistance."
"He has a varied74 sphere of duty," said L'Isle, "and seems accustomed to have his own way. He does not wait for your orders, nor, indeed, seems to be very amenable75 to them. In short, notwithstanding the official title you have bestowed76 on Mrs. Shortridge, it is plain to me that the real duenna does not wear petticoats."
"His presumption77 is equal to any thing," said Lady Mabel, provoked at the suggestion. "But I will make him repent78 it shortly. He shall long remember this journey. But enough of him for the present. Let us make the most of this delightful morning hour. It will be hot enough by noon. I am now in the traveler's happiest mood, enjoying at once the feeling of adventure with the sense of security, which, you must admit, is a rare and difficult combination of emotions."
L'Isle was quite as well pleased as Lady Mabel with the prospect before him. He had, at Lord Strathern's request, assented to join a party, which he alone had gotten up, solely79 that he might put himself in the relation of companion and protector to Lady Mabel. The commissary and his wife were convenient screens, not at all in his way. Whether the part of guide, philosopher, and friend to such a pupil suited a man of four-and-twenty, he was yet to learn. No doubts of this kind troubled him, however, as the arriero led his mules down the hill, and the party followed the music of their bells, all in high spirits, except old Moodie, who, though a volunteer, continued to be a grumbler80.
Two hours' riding carried them beyond the point to which the botanical excursions had led them in that direction. They were leaving the valley, and entering on the high and broken uplands, when Lady Mabel spied a low cross by the roadside. Though rudely formed, it was of stone, and not of wood, like most of those in such places, and a short inscription81 was carved upon it. Faintly cut, badly spelt, and with many abbreviations, it was an enigma82 to her scholarship, and L'Isle had to decipher it for her: "Andreo Savaro was murdered here. Pray for his soul." "It is only one of those monumental crosses," said he, "of which you see so many along the roads throughout the peninsula."
"Do they always add murder to robbery here?" she asked.
"Too often, but not always," answered L'Isle. "Nor is robbery the only motive83 which leads to the taking of life. A solitary84 cross by the roadside is usually in memory of the victim of robbers, or, occasionally, of fatal accident; but when you see crosses, two or three together, in villages or towns, or their immediate23 neighborhood, they oftener mark the scene of some deed of bloodshed prompted by revenge, not lucre85."
"They are certainly very numerous," said she, "and form a shocking feature on the face of the country, indicating a dreadful state of society."
"I wonder these people persist in putting them up," said the commissary, "for they are of no manner of use."
"Use!" said Lady Mabel, "what is the use of a tomb-stone?"
"If you mean real use, I am sure I don't know," said Shortridge.
"I see that you are a thorough utilitarian," she replied; "and since these people will continue to commit murder on the high road, I suppose you would have them do it at regular intervals86, so that by aid of these monumental crosses we might measure our journey by murders instead of miles. Come, Mrs. Shortridge, road-side murder is rife87 here, so the less we loiter on our way the better."
This remark had the effect mischievously88 intended. Mrs. Shortridge, turning somewhat pale, and twitching89 her bridle90 convulsively, urged her mule close up to the party.
They went on some miles across a desolate91 country, covered with heath, rosemary, and gum cistus, more fragrant92 than the many rank bulbous plants, which disputed possession of the soil with them. The road was rough with slaty93 rock, the air became beaming hot, and L'Isle told the guide to lead them to some place of shelter from the noon-day sun. Before them lay a high open plain, on which a large flock of sheep, dusky, and many of them black in hue94, were feeding, and filling the air with their bleatings. On the right, beyond the plain, there was a grove95 of the Quercus Ilex, rugged96, stunted97, thirsty-looking trees, yet whose evergreen98 boughs99 gave promise of at least a partial shade. The arriero led the party toward it, but just as they approached the wood, several large and savage100 dogs flew out, and charged them with a ferocity that might have cost a solitary traveler his life. They were busy repelling101 this assault, when five or six men showed themselves from behind a thicket102. Dark, sunburnt, smoke-dried fellows they were, with shaggy hair, and rudely clad, each man having a sheep-skin thrown over his shoulders, and most of them grasping long, rusty103 guns in their hands.
Mrs. Shortridge called out "robbers!" and entreated104 L'Isle to fire upon them. The commissary, too, but more coolly, pronounced them to be robbers, "when they find an opportunity to follow that calling; but, just now, they are watching their flocks."
"Shepherds! those ruffians, shepherds!" exclaimed Lady Mabel; "O! shades of Theocritus and Virgil, what a satire105 upon pastoral poetry!"
Shepherds, however, they were, who called off their dogs, after reconnoitring the party. The arriero inquired of them where water was to be found, and they pointed106 to a little hollow in the wood, an hundred yards off. He was leading the party that way, when L'Isle said to the ladies, "let us have a talk with these fellows."
"Certainly," said Lady Mabel, and she turned her horse's head toward them.
"Certainly not," said Mrs. Shortridge, and she reined107 her mule back, "I am too near them already. I will not dare to take my siesta108 with these fellows in the neighborhood, for fear of waking up in another place than Portugal." And she followed her melting husband, who was hastening out of the sun, in the hope of regaining109 his solidity in the shade at hand.
L'Isle and Lady Mabel rode close up to the shepherds. They had been resting under an oak, and the cooking utensils110, some baggage, and two asses111 near at hand, looked as if they, too, were travelers. L'Isle addressed a tall, dark man, of middle age, who seemed to be the head of the party. As soon as these men heard their own language from the mouth of a foreigner, so fluently and correctly spoken, their faces lightened up with interest and intelligence. They gave ready answers to all inquiries112, and L'Isle had to reply in turn to many a question as to himself, his companions, and the news of the war. The chief shepherd was particularly anxious to know the condition of the province of Beira, and what were the chances of a visit there from the French during the coming summer. His flock, he said, was one of those which winter on the heaths and plains of Alemtejo, and, to avoid the droughts which make them a desert in summer, are driven across the Tagus in the spring, into the Serra Estrella, when the snow has melted, and vegetation again covers that range of mountains.
One of his companions offered for sale two rabbits and some partridges he had shot on the moors113, which L'Isle bought, like a provident114 traveler, who does not rely too much on the larder115 of the next inn.
Lady Mabel, with attentive116 ear, had gathered the sense of much that had been said, and L'Isle had interpreted what puzzled her. But being a woman, she was unwilling117 to remain a mere4 listener; so, elaborately framing a question in Portuguese118, she addressed the head shepherd, seeking to know how far the migrations119 of these flocks resembled the Spanish mesta. The dark man gazed at her admiringly and attentively120, repeating some of her words, but unable to make out her meaning. She bit her lip, while he, shaking his head, turned to L'Isle, and said, "what a pity so lovely a lady cannot speak Portuguese. She looks just like our 'Lady of Nazareth,' at Pederneira, only her hair is brighter, and her eyes are blue."
"What says he about my language and Nossa Senhora de Nazareth?" said Lady Mabel. "Tell him that I speak better Portuguese than she ever did, for all her black eyes and tawny121 skin."
"By no means," said L'Isle, smiling. "As you will have no opportunity to evangelize the man, it will do no good to outrage122 his idolatrous veneration123 for Nossa Senhora de Nazareth? You might shake his superstition124, yet not purify his faith, but merely drive him to a choice between the church and infidelity."
They now left the shepherds to join the party. "I am provoked," said Lady Mabel, "to find how little progress I have made in speaking Portuguese. But it is not surprising what a complete mastery the rudest and most illiterate125 people here have over their tongue."
"And how polite and sociable126 they are," said L'Isle. "Unlike the unmannered and almost languageless English peasant, they are unembarrassed and social, fluent, and often eloquent127."
"Yet these men," said she, "in habits, though not in race, are but nomadic128 Tartars at the western extremity129 of Europe."
"They differ too," said L'Isle, "from their immediate neighbors, the Spaniard, in being far more sociable and communicative. For instance, I have got much more out of my Portuguese shepherd than a certain French traveler got out of his shepherd of Castile."
"A French traveler, it is said, as he entered Castile, met a shepherd guiding his flock. Curious to know all the circumstances which give to the Spanish wool its inimitable qualities, he asked the shepherd an hundred questions: 'If his flock belonged to that district? What sort of food was given it? Whether he was on a journey? From whence he came? Whither he was going? When he would return?' In short, he asked every question a prying131 Frenchman could think of. The shepherd listened coldly to them all. Then, in the sententious style of a true Castilian, replied, 'aqui nacen, aqui pacen, aqui mueren,' (here they breed, here they feed, here they die,) and went his way without a word more."
The party spent some time here, dining and resting under the shade of these prickly oaks, the tree that yields the famous botolas, so largely used for food by men and swine, and on tasting which we are less surprised that in "the primal132 age,"
????????"Hunger then
Run nectar."
Mrs. Shortridge had contrived to snatch a short siesta, in spite of her fears. Their horses were led up, ready for them to mount and proceed on their journey, when Lady Mabel, plucking a twig134 from a branch overhead, observed on it several specimens135 of the kermes. She could not resist this opportunity of displaying her scraps136 of scientific lore22, and detained the party while she delivered a discourse on the coccus arborum, "which," she said, "infests137 this tree; the quercus cocci. This furnishes what the ignorant-learned long called grains of kermes, looking like dried currants, which they mistook for the fruit of a tree, while it is, in truth, the dried body of an insect. It affords a vermilion dye, not so brilliant, but far more durable138 than the cochineal of Mexico. There are in the Netherlands," she continued, "rich tapestries139 dyed with kermes, known to be three hundred years old, which still retain their pristine140 brilliancy of color. Only think, Mrs. Shortridge, of having carpets, shawls and cloaks of such unfading hues141!"
"They would be of no use to me," yawned Mrs. Shortridge, "I would be even more tired of myself than of my cloak, before the end of three hundred years."
"Why," exclaimed L'Isle, "this indestructible dye must be the very stuff with which the old lady of Babylon dyed her petticoat; for it has not faded in the least since she first put it on, as we may see in this country, where she wears it openly, without even a decent piece of lawn over it, to suppress the brightness of its hues."
"As our lives are not so lasting142 as the dye Lady Mabel talks of," said the commissary, "let us make the most of them by taking horse at once, and hastening on, for we must pass through Villa Vicosa, and sleep several miles beyond it to-night."
Returning to the road, they presently reached a cultivated valley, and passed through a hamlet, scarcely seen before it was entered, so completely were the low stone walls of the houses hidden by the olive, orange, almond, and other fruit-trees surrounding them. The only inhabitants visible were two or three squalid children, playing in the road, and a woman lounging at her door, eyeing the party with mingled143 curiosity and suspicion, while a stout144 yearling calf145 pushed unceremoniously past her into the house, thus asserting his right as a member of the family.
L'Isle paused before the little church, just beyond the village, and pointed out to Lady Mabel a curious cross, the first of the kind she had met with, though common enough in the peninsula. It was composed of human skulls146, on a pedestal of thigh147 bones, the whole let into the wall, and secured by a rough kind of stucco.
"Certainly these people have curious ways of exciting devotional fervor148, and keeping death in memory," said Lady Mabel.
"One might suppose them to have remarked the grave-digger, who deals habitually149 with the moldering remains150 of humanity, to be the most God-fearing of men," said L'Isle; "so they seek to afford to every one the devotional incentives151 peculiar152 to the grave-digger. Yet their symbols serve rather to familiarize us with material death in this world, than to remind us of a spiritual life in the world to come. They often teach no better lesson than 'Eat, drink, and be merry, for to-morrow we die.'"
"I have been told," said Lady Mabel, "that in spite of these pious153 devices, the people have lost much of their devotional ardor154 and fullness of faith."
"I cannot say," observed Lady Mabel, as they turned to proceed on their way, "that the Romish system is very attractive to me. But, viewing it as a sensuous156 worship, if ever I become a convert, it will be through the influence of its music." And dropping the reins157 on her horse's neck, she, with clasped hands and upturned eyes, began to chant:
"O Sanctissima! O Purissima!
Music at once so sweet and orthodox from a heretic mouth, attracted the muleteer's attention, and turning, he sat sideways in his saddle to listen. This exciting old Moodie's suspicion, he pushed his horse close up to Lady Mabel's, and as soon as she paused, said: "My lady, what is that you are singing?"
"A hymn to the Virgin!" he repeated, horror-struck.
"Yes; it is in Latin, you know. Have you never been to any of the churches in Elvas, to 'assist' at the service and enjoy the music?"
"Their music, however, is excellent, and has a grandeur161 suited to the worship of God. You lose much in not hearing it, and may, at least, let me amuse myself by singing a Popish hymn."
"You may amuse yourself by turning Papist in time. What begins in jest often ends in earnest; and yours, my lady, will not be the first soul that has been caught by such gear as the sweet sounds and glittering shows of idolatry."
"But," said Lady Mabel, coolly, with a provoking insensibility to her danger, "there are, not only in Latin, but in Spanish and Portuguese, many of these hymns162 to the Holy Virgin—for, doubtless, she was a holy virgin—exquisitely happy, both in words and music. A devout163 nation has poured its heart into them."
"They are all idolatrous, every one of them. There is not a word of authority for the worship of her in Scripture, and the texts of God's book are our only safe guide."
Lady Mabel, while fanning a fire that never went out, was gazing around on the landscape. Suddenly she said: "You are a great stickler164, Moodie, for the words of Scripture, yet these idolatrous people often stick to it more closely than you do."
"I see them. But what of them?"
"While you and other heretic Scots are racking your brains to devise how to thresh corn by machines, these pious people, in simple obedience167 to the injunction, 'Muzzle168 not the ox that treadeth out the corn,' are treading out their corn with unmuzzled oxen. What think you of that, Mr. Stick-to-the-text?"
"I think, my lady," he answered, doggedly169, "that you had better read your Bible to profit by it; not to puzzle an old man less learned than yourself. But all things are ordered." Yet he loitered behind the party, to gaze with mingled curiosity and pity at these people, at once so benighted170 in theology and farming, the two points on which he felt himself strongest.
They had not ridden much further, when they drew near to the ruinous walls of a considerable town, situated171 in a fertile and delightful region, and retaining amidst its dilapidation172 many marks of grandeur. Entering through a ruinous gateway173, they paused in the grand pra?a. "This," said L'Isle, "is Ville Vi?osa, 'the delightful city.' What a pity we have but time to take a hasty glance at this ducal seat of the house of Braganza. Two sides of the pra?a, as you see, are occupied by the classic and imposing174 front of the palace in which the dukes of Braganza lived during the sixty years of the Spanish usurpation, before the heroism175 of the nation restored the royal line to the throne."
"Even in its declining fortunes," said Lady Mabel, "Villa Vi?osa has not forgotten its connection with Portuguese royalty176 and nationality. Was it not the first place in Alentejo to resist the French robbers, who were lording it over them?"
"Yes. But it was neither loyalty177 nor patriotism178 that spurred them on. You must not look to the royal palace before you, nor even to that ancient and noble church, founded by the illustrious Constable179, Alvarez Pereira, which you see yonder, aspiring180 to heaven, nor to the associations immediately connected with them, for the impulse which at length stirred up these people to resist the oppressor. You must rather seek it in that chapel181, devoted182 to 'Nossa senhora dos Remedios,' and containing her miraculous183 image. They had submitted to robbery, insult, and outrage without stint184. They had seen Portuguese soldiers seized on by regiments185, and marched off to serve under French eagles. They had heard Junot's insolent186 order to their priests, commanding them to preach submission187. They had witnessed the utter degradation188 of their country. They had just seen the plate of the churches, and the plunder189 of individuals, collected throughout the neighboring comarcas, escorted through the town, and, though groaning190 in spirit, they stood by with folded arms. But when the godless French soldiers went so far as to offer insults and indignities191 to Nossa Senhora dos Remedios on her own holy day, on which she yearly displays her miraculous powers, it was more than Portuguese nature could bear. They broke out into open resistance, at first successful—but which here and elsewhere led to woful slaughter192 of the patriotic193 but half-armed mob."
"Heretic as you are," said Lady Mabel, "you must admit, that as 'Our Lady of the Pillar' proved a tower of strength to the Saragossans in their first siege, so here, either the patron saints of the Portuguese, or their faith in them, has often done them yeoman's service."
"And often brought disaster upon them," L'Isle replied. "For instance, St. Antony is the patron saint of Portugal. I am not going to deny that he may have done them good service at times. But when the archduke, Charles of Austria, commanded the army, about 1700, the soldiers became exceedingly unruly, and demanded a native general. The king sent them St. Antony, in the shape of a wooden image. He was received with all the honors due to his rank. By royal decree a regular commission was made out, appointing him generalissimo of all the forces of Portugal, and he continued long in command; but, though an excellent saint, Antony proved a very bad general, and repeatedly brought the kingdom to the brink194 of ruin. They have lately been compelled to displace him. Now that Beresford does their fighting, St. Antony has full leisure to devote himself to intercession on their behalf, and, between the two, with some help from us, they are getting on pretty well."
The commissary now hinted that they had before them all that was worth seeing in "this musty old place," and the party passing out of the opposite gate pushed on as fast as they could over a rough road, running across a succession of hills, the off-shoots of Serra d'Ossa.
"Traveling in this country," said Lady Mabel, as she paused with L'Isle, to let the rest of the party come up, "is like sailing over rough waters, a perpetual up and down, neither speedy nor safe."
"Few countries exhibit a greater variety of surface than Portugal," said L'Isle; "it may be likened to the ocean the day after a storm, when a change of wind has intersected the mountain billows with every variety of little waves. The language, accordingly, is rich in terms expressive195 of these variations of surface. It has Monte, a mountain; Montezhino, a little mountain; Outeiro, a hill; Outeirinho, a hillock; Serra, a lofty mountain, with various inequalities of surface; Serrania, a cluster of mountains; Penha, a rocky precipice196. So that you can hardly be at a loss for a word to express the character of any elevation197. Meanwhile, let us hasten up this Montezhino, for both the sun and our night's quarters are on the other side of it, and the former will not wait for us there."
They presently caught sight of what seemed at first to be a very tall woman; but they soon perceived that it was a friar, who, with the hood11 of his black cloak thrown back on his shoulders, and the skirts of his dingy198 grey frock girded up under St. Francis' cord, was making such good time on his up-hill path, that they overtook him with difficulty at the top of the hill. He grasped in his hand what had a marvelous resemblance to the cajado, a seven-foot staff, pointed at one end, and with a heavy knob at the other, with which the Portuguese peasant always goes armed; and a formidable weapon it is in his skillful hands. The shortened skirt of the friar exposed a pair of muscular calves199, that bore him well over the mountain road.
He turned to look at them as they drew near, and they saw that he was a young man, not much over twenty, tall and strong, and remarkably200 well made and good-looking.
Old Moodie cast a sinister201 look on him, and longed to strip him of his frock, and put him between the stilts202 of a plough.
"This is a noble specimen," the commissary remarked, "of that useless army the country maintains at free quarters. His ration39 would more than feed one English or two Portuguese soldiers for its defence."
"I would like to turn him loose on a Frenchman," said L'Isle, "armed, like himself, only with the cajado. What a recruit Beresford lost when this young fellow put on the uniform of St. Francis' brigade!"
L'Isle exchanged greetings with the young friar as he rode up abreast203 of him, and entered into conversation with him at the suggestion of Lady Mabel, who, partly to annoy her crusty watchman behind her, affected204 to be much interested in this young limb of the church.
The able bodied servant of St. Francis proved intelligent and sociable, and, while he eyed the travelers, particularly Lady Mabel, with much interest, let them know that he had left his conventual home at Villa Vi?osa, on a visit to his mother, who lived at a village al, and that he would pass the night at near Ameixial, and that he would pass the night at the venda near the bottom of the hill. They being also bound thither, he joined them without ceremony, keeping up with them with ease, while he drew out the news by a number of questions, which showed that he was truly an active young friar, disposed to gather ideas as well as alms on his perambulations.
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1
eke
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| v.勉强度日，节约使用 | |
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ram
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| (random access memory)随机存取存储器 | |
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3
hem
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| n.贴边，镶边；vt.缝贴边；(in)包围，限制 | |
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4
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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prologue
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| n.开场白，序言；开端，序幕 | |
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6
pro
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| n.赞成，赞成的意见，赞成者 | |
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7
belle
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| n.靓女 | |
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8
scripture
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| n.经文，圣书，手稿；Scripture:(常用复数)《圣经》，《圣经》中的一段 | |
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rambles
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| （无目的地）漫游( ramble的第三人称单数 )； （喻）漫谈； 扯淡； 长篇大论 | |
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10
liking
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| n.爱好；嗜好；喜欢 | |
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hood
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| n.头巾，兜帽，覆盖；v.罩上，以头巾覆盖 | |
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12
perilous
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| adj.危险的，冒险的 | |
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13
extricate
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| v.拯救，救出；解脱 | |
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14
jaunt
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| v.短程旅游；n.游览 | |
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jaunts
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| n.游览( jaunt的名词复数 ) | |
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16
wade
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| v.跋涉，涉水；n.跋涉 | |
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17
regiment
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| n.团，多数，管理；v.组织，编成团，统制 | |
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18
cumbersome
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| adj.笨重的，不便携带的 | |
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19
cumber
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| v.拖累，妨碍；n.妨害；拖累 | |
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20
vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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21
exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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22
lore
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| n.传说；学问，经验，知识 | |
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23
immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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25
thither
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| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
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26
mule
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| n.骡子，杂种，执拗的人 | |
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27
afflicted
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| 使受痛苦，折磨( afflict的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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mania
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| n.疯狂；躁狂症，狂热，癖好 | |
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29
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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30
wilderness
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| n.杳无人烟的一片陆地、水等，荒漠 | |
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31
teeming
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| adj.丰富的v.充满( teem的现在分词 )；到处都是；（指水、雨等）暴降；倾注 | |
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32
guardian
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| n.监护人；守卫者，保护者 | |
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33
fidelity
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| n.忠诚，忠实；精确 | |
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34
rambling
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| adj.[建]凌乱的，杂乱的 | |
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propensity
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| n.倾向；习性 | |
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36
antidotes
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| 解药( antidote的名词复数 )； 解毒剂； 对抗手段； 除害物 | |
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37
contrived
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| adj.不自然的，做作的；虚构的 | |
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38
prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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39
ration
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| n.定量(pl.)给养，口粮；vt.定量供应 | |
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40
outfit
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| n.（为特殊用途的）全套装备，全套服装 | |
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41
assented
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| 同意，赞成( assent的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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42
astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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43
complaisance
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| n.彬彬有礼，殷勤，柔顺 | |
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44
craving
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| n.渴望,热望 | |
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45
promotion
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| n.提升，晋级；促销，宣传 | |
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46
helping
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| n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的 | |
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47
ascend
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| vi.渐渐上升，升高；vt.攀登，登上 | |
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48
overhauling
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| n.大修；拆修；卸修；翻修v.彻底检查( overhaul的现在分词 )；大修；赶上；超越 | |
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49
exasperated
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| adj.恼怒的 | |
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50
rascals
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| 流氓( rascal的名词复数 )； 无赖； （开玩笑说法）淘气的人（尤指小孩）； 恶作剧的人 | |
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51
compliance
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| n.顺从；服从；附和；屈从 | |
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52
mules
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| 骡( mule的名词复数 )； 拖鞋； 顽固的人； 越境运毒者 | |
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53
negligent
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| adj.疏忽的；玩忽的；粗心大意的 | |
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54
chilly
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| adj.凉快的，寒冷的 | |
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55
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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56
retinue
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| n.侍从；随员 | |
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57
purveyor
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| n.承办商，伙食承办商 | |
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58
punctilious
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| adj.谨慎的，谨小慎微的 | |
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59
discourse
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| n.论文，演说；谈话；话语；vi.讲述，著述 | |
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60
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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61
resolute
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| adj.坚决的，果敢的 | |
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62
covenant
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| n.盟约，契约；v.订盟约 | |
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63
inquisitive
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| adj.求知欲强的，好奇的，好寻根究底的 | |
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64
steward
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| n.乘务员，服务员；看管人；膳食管理员 | |
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65
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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66
discomfiture
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| n.崩溃；大败；挫败；困惑 | |
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67
usurpation
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| n.篡位；霸占 | |
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68
delightful
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| adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的 | |
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69
villa
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| n.别墅，城郊小屋 | |
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70
fulfills
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| v.履行（诺言等）( fulfill的第三人称单数 )；执行（命令等）；达到（目的）；使结束 | |
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bullies
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| n.欺凌弱小者, 开球 vt.恐吓, 威胁, 欺负 | |
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overdoes
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| v.做得过分( overdo的第三人称单数 )；太夸张；把…煮得太久；（工作等）过度 | |
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73
secular
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| n.牧师，凡人；adj.世俗的，现世的，不朽的 | |
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varied
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| adj.多样的，多变化的 | |
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amenable
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| adj.经得起检验的；顺从的；对负有义务的 | |
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76
bestowed
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| 赠给，授予( bestow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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77
presumption
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| n.推测，可能性，冒昧，放肆，[法律]推定 | |
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repent
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| v.悔悟，悔改，忏悔，后悔 | |
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solely
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| adv.仅仅，唯一地 | |
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80
grumbler
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| 爱抱怨的人，发牢骚的人 | |
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81
inscription
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| n.（尤指石块上的）刻印文字，铭文，碑文 | |
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82
enigma
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| n.谜，谜一样的人或事 | |
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83
motive
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| n.动机，目的；adv.发动的，运动的 | |
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84
solitary
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| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
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85
lucre
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| n.金钱，财富 | |
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86
intervals
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| n.[军事]间隔( interval的名词复数 )；间隔时间；[数学]区间；（戏剧、电影或音乐会的）幕间休息 | |
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rife
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| adj.(指坏事情)充斥的，流行的，普遍的 | |
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mischievously
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| adv.有害地；淘气地 | |
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89
twitching
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| n.颤搐 | |
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90
bridle
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| n.笼头，束缚；vt.抑制，约束；动怒 | |
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91
desolate
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| adj.荒凉的，荒芜的；孤独的，凄凉的；v.使荒芜，使孤寂 | |
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92
fragrant
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| adj.芬香的，馥郁的，愉快的 | |
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93
slaty
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| 石板一样的，石板色的 | |
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94
hue
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| n.色度；色调；样子 | |
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95
grove
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| n.林子，小树林，园林 | |
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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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stunted
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| adj.矮小的；发育迟缓的 | |
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evergreen
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| n.常青树；adj.四季常青的 | |
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99
boughs
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| 大树枝( bough的名词复数 ) | |
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100
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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repelling
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| v.击退( repel的现在分词 )；使厌恶；排斥；推开 | |
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102
thicket
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| n.灌木丛，树林 | |
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103
rusty
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| adj.生锈的；锈色的；荒废了的 | |
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entreated
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| 恳求，乞求( entreat的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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105
satire
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| n.讽刺，讽刺文学，讽刺作品 | |
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106
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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reined
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| 勒缰绳使（马）停步( rein的过去式和过去分词 )； 驾驭； 严格控制； 加强管理 | |
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108
siesta
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| n.午睡 | |
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109
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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110
utensils
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| 器具，用具，器皿( utensil的名词复数 )； 器物 | |
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111
asses
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| n. 驴，愚蠢的人，臀部 adv. (常用作后置)用于贬损或骂人 | |
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112
inquiries
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| n.调查( inquiry的名词复数 )；疑问；探究；打听 | |
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113
moors
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| v.停泊，系泊（船只）( moor的第三人称单数 ) | |
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114
provident
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| adj.为将来做准备的，有先见之明的 | |
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115
larder
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| n.食物贮藏室，食品橱 | |
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116
attentive
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| adj.注意的，专心的；关心(别人)的，殷勤的 | |
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117
unwilling
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| adj.不情愿的 | |
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118
Portuguese
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| n.葡萄牙人；葡萄牙语 | |
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119
migrations
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| n.迁移，移居( migration的名词复数 ) | |
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120
attentively
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| adv.聚精会神地；周到地；谛；凝神 | |
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121
tawny
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| adj.茶色的，黄褐色的；n.黄褐色 | |
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122
outrage
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| n.暴行，侮辱，愤怒；vt.凌辱，激怒 | |
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123
veneration
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| n.尊敬，崇拜 | |
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124
superstition
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| n.迷信，迷信行为 | |
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125
illiterate
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| adj.文盲的；无知的；n.文盲 | |
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126
sociable
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| adj.好交际的，友好的，合群的 | |
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127
eloquent
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| adj.雄辩的，口才流利的；明白显示出的 | |
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128
nomadic
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| adj.流浪的；游牧的 | |
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129
extremity
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| n.末端，尽头；尽力；终极；极度 | |
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130
allude
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| v.提及，暗指 | |
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131
prying
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| adj.爱打听的v.打听，刺探（他人的私事）( pry的现在分词 )；撬开 | |
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132
primal
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| adj.原始的；最重要的 | |
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133
acorns
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| n.橡子，栎实( acorn的名词复数 ) | |
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134
twig
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| n.小树枝，嫩枝；v.理解 | |
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135
specimens
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| n.样品( specimen的名词复数 )；范例；（化验的）抽样；某种类型的人 | |
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136
scraps
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| 油渣 | |
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137
infests
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| n.害虫、野兽大批出没于( infest的名词复数 )；遍布于v.害虫、野兽大批出没于( infest的第三人称单数 )；遍布于 | |
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138
durable
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| adj.持久的，耐久的 | |
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139
tapestries
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| n.挂毯( tapestry的名词复数 )；绣帷，织锦v.用挂毯（或绣帷）装饰( tapestry的第三人称单数 ) | |
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140
pristine
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| adj.原来的，古时的，原始的，纯净的，无垢的 | |
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141
hues
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| 色彩( hue的名词复数 )； 色调； 信仰； 观点 | |
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142
lasting
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| adj.永久的，永恒的；vbl.持续，维持 | |
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143
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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145
calf
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| n.小牛，犊，幼仔，小牛皮 | |
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146
skulls
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| 颅骨( skull的名词复数 )； 脑袋； 脑子； 脑瓜 | |
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147
thigh
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| n.大腿；股骨 | |
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148
fervor
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| n.热诚；热心；炽热 | |
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149
habitually
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| ad.习惯地，通常地 | |
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150
remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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151
incentives
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| 激励某人做某事的事物( incentive的名词复数 )； 刺激； 诱因； 动机 | |
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152
peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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153
pious
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| adj.虔诚的；道貌岸然的 | |
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154
ardor
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| n.热情，狂热 | |
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155
rustic
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| adj.乡村的，有乡村特色的；n.乡下人，乡巴佬 | |
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156
sensuous
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| adj.激发美感的；感官的，感觉上的 | |
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157
reins
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| 感情，激情； 缰( rein的名词复数 )； 控制手段； 掌管； （成人带着幼儿走路以防其走失时用的）保护带 | |
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158
hymn
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| n.赞美诗，圣歌，颂歌 | |
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159
virgin
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| n.处女，未婚女子；adj.未经使用的；未经开发的 | |
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160
rites
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| 仪式，典礼( rite的名词复数 ) | |
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161
grandeur
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| n.伟大，崇高，宏伟，庄严，豪华 | |
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162
hymns
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| n.赞美诗，圣歌，颂歌( hymn的名词复数 ) | |
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163
devout
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| adj.虔诚的，虔敬的，衷心的 (n.devoutness) | |
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164
stickler
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| n.坚持细节之人 | |
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165
defiant
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| adj.无礼的，挑战的 | |
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166
yoke
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| n.轭；支配；v.给...上轭，连接，使成配偶 | |
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167
obedience
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| n.服从，顺从 | |
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168
muzzle
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| n.鼻口部；口套；枪(炮)口；vt.使缄默 | |
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169
doggedly
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| adv.顽强地，固执地 | |
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170
benighted
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| adj.蒙昧的 | |
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171
situated
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| adj.坐落在...的，处于某种境地的 | |
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172
dilapidation
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| n.倒塌；毁坏 | |
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173
gateway
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| n.大门口，出入口，途径，方法 | |
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174
imposing
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| adj.使人难忘的，壮丽的，堂皇的，雄伟的 | |
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175
heroism
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| n.大无畏精神，英勇 | |
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176
royalty
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| n.皇家，皇族 | |
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177
loyalty
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| n.忠诚，忠心 | |
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178
patriotism
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| n.爱国精神，爱国心，爱国主义 | |
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179
constable
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| n.(英国)警察，警官 | |
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180
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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181
chapel
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| n.小教堂，殡仪馆 | |
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182
devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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183
miraculous
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| adj.像奇迹一样的，不可思议的 | |
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184
stint
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| v.节省，限制，停止；n.舍不得化，节约，限制；连续不断的一段时间从事某件事 | |
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185
regiments
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| （军队的）团( regiment的名词复数 )； 大量的人或物 | |
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186
insolent
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| adj.傲慢的，无理的 | |
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187
submission
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| n.服从，投降；温顺，谦虚；提出 | |
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188
degradation
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| n.降级；低落；退化；陵削；降解；衰变 | |
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189
plunder
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| vt.劫掠财物，掠夺；n.劫掠物，赃物；劫掠 | |
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190
groaning
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| adj. 呜咽的, 呻吟的 动词groan的现在分词形式 | |
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191
indignities
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| n.侮辱，轻蔑( indignity的名词复数 ) | |
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192
slaughter
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| n.屠杀，屠宰；vt.屠杀，宰杀 | |
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193
patriotic
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| adj.爱国的，有爱国心的 | |
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194
brink
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| n.(悬崖、河流等的)边缘，边沿 | |
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195
expressive
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| adj.表现的，表达…的，富于表情的 | |
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196
precipice
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| n.悬崖，危急的处境 | |
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197
elevation
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| n.高度；海拔；高地；上升；提高 | |
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198
dingy
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| adj.昏暗的，肮脏的 | |
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199
calves
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| n.(calf的复数)笨拙的男子，腓；腿肚子( calf的名词复数 )；牛犊；腓；小腿肚v.生小牛( calve的第三人称单数 )；（冰川）崩解；生（小牛等），产（犊）；使（冰川）崩解 | |
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200
remarkably
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| ad.不同寻常地，相当地 | |
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201
sinister
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| adj.不吉利的，凶恶的，左边的 | |
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202
stilts
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| n.（支撑建筑物高出地面或水面的）桩子，支柱( stilt的名词复数 )；高跷 | |
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203
abreast
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| adv.并排地；跟上(时代)的步伐，与…并进地 | |
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204
affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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