And sink the dull superior in the friend.
To chat with folks below, and save his wits:
Peeps at the world awhile, with curious look.
Then flies again with pleasure to his book.
The tradesman hastes away from Care's rude gripe,
To meet the neighbouring club and smoke his pipe.
All this is well, in decent bounds restrained,
No health is injured, and no mind is pain'd.
But constant travels in the paths of joy,
Though novelty spread all its charms to view,
And men with eagerness those charms pursue;
One truth is clear, that by too frequent use,
They early death or mis'ry may produce.”
[371] THE post of the following morning brought information for Dashall and his friends, and no time was lost in breaking open the seals of letters which excited the most pleasing anticipations5. A dead silence prevailed for a few minutes, when, rising almost simultaneously6, expressions of satisfaction and delight were interchanged at the intelligence received.
Merry well's success had proved more than commensurate with his most sanguine7 expectations. He had arrived at the residence of his dying relative, just time enough to witness his departure from this sublunary sphere, and hear him with his expiring breath say,—“All is thine;” and a letter to each of his former friends announced the pleasure and the happiness he should experience by an early visit to his estate, declaring his determination to settle in the country, and no more become a rambler in the labyrinths8 of London.
This was a moment of unexpected, though hoped for gratification. Sparkle applauded the plan he intended to pursue.
Tallyho confessed himself tired of this world of wonders, and appeared to be actuated by a similar feeling: he conceived he had seen enough of the Life of a Rover, and seemed to sigh for his native plains again.
[372] Dashall's relish9 for novelty in London was almost subdued10; and after comparing notes together for a short time, it was mutually agreed that they would dine quietly at home, and digest a plan for future proceedings11.
“Never,” said Tom, “did I feel so strong an inclination12 to forego the fascinating charms of a London Life as at the present moment; and whether I renounce13 it altogether or not, we will certainly pay a congratulatory visit to Merry well.”
“Example,” said Sparkle, endeavouring to encourage the feeling with which his friend's last sentiment was expressed, “is at all times better than precept14; and retirement15 to domestic felicity is preferable to revelry in splendid scenes of dissipation, which generally leads to premature16 dissolution.”
“Agreed,” said Tom; “and happy is the man who, like yourself, has more than self to think for.—Blest with a lovely and amiable17 wife, and an ample fortune, no man upon earth can have a better chance of gliding19 down the stream of life, surrounded by all the enjoyments20 it can afford—while I———”
“Oh, what a lost mutton am I!”
Sparkle could scarcely forbear laughing at his friend, though he was unable to discover whether he was speaking seriously or ironically; he therefore determined21 to rally him a little.
“How,” said he, “why you are growing serious and sentimental22 all at once: what can be the cause of this change of opinion so suddenly?”
“My views of life,” replied Dashall, “have been sufficient to convince me that a Like in London is the high road to Death. I have, however, tried its vagaries23 in all companies, in all quarters; and, as the Song says,
“Having sown my wild oats in my youthful days, I wish to live happily now they are done.”
By this time Sparkle was convinced that Dashall was speaking the real sentiments of his mind, and congratulated him upon them.
[373] Tallyho expressed himself highly delighted with the information he had acquired during his stay in London, but could not help at the same time acknowledging, that he had no wish to continue in the same course much longer: it was therefore agreed, that on that day fortnight they would leave the metropolis24 for the residence of Merrywell, and trust the future guidance of their pursuits to chance.
“It would argue a want of loyalty,” said Tom, “if we did not witness the royal departure for Scotland before we quit town; and as that is to take place on Saturday next, we will attend the embarkation25 of his Majesty26 at Greenwich, and then turn our thoughts towards a country life.”
Sparkle was evidently gratified by this determination, though he could hardly persuade himself it was likely to be of long duration; and Bob inwardly rejoiced at the expression of sentiments in exact accordance with his own. At a moment when they were all absorbed in thoughts of the future, they were suddenly drawn27 to the present by a man passing the window, bawling28 aloud—“Buy a Prap—Buy a Prap.”
“What does the fellow mean?” interrupted Tallyho.
“Props,” replied Bob, “but he cries praps; I suppose that is a new style adopted in London.”
“Not at all,” continued Sparkle; “the alteration30 of sound only arises from an habitual31 carelessness, with which many of what are termed the London Cries are given; a sort of tone or jargon32 which is acquired by continually calling the same thing—and in which you will find he is not singular. The venders of milk, for instance, seldom call the article they carry for sale, as it is generally sounded mieu, or mieu below, though some have recently adopted the practice of crying mieu above. The sort of sing-song style which the wandering vendera of different goods get into as it were by nature, is frequently so unintelligible34, that even an old inhabitant of the town and its environs can scarcely ascertain35 by the ear what is meant; and which I apprehend36 arises more from the sameness of subject than from any premeditated intention of the parties so calling. Other instances may be given:—the chimney-sweeper, you will find, instead of [374] bawling sweep, frequently contracts it to we-ep or e-ep; the former not altogether incompatible37 with the situation of the shivering little being who crawls along the streets under a load of soot38, to the great annoyance39 of the well dressed passengers; however, it has the effect of warning them of his approach. The dustman, above curtailment40, as if he felt his superiority over the flue-faker, lengthens41 his sound to dust-ho, or dust-wo; besides, he is dignified42 by carrying a bell in one hand, by which he almost stuns43 those around him, and appears determined to kick up a dust, if he can do nothing else. The cries of muffins in the streets it is difficult to understand, as they are in the habit of ringing a tinkling44 bell, the sound of which can scarcely be heard, and calling mapping ho; and I remember one man whom I have frequently followed, from whom I could never make out more than happy happy happy now. There is a man who frequently passes through the Strand45, wheeling a barrow before him, bawling as he moves along, in a deep and sonorous46 voice, smoaking hot, piping hot, hot Chelsea Buns; and another, in the vicinity of Covent Garden, who attracts considerable notice by the cry of—Come buy my live shrimps47 and pierriwinkles—buy my wink48, wink, wink; these, however, are exceptions to those previously49 mentioned, as they have good voices, and deliver themselves to some tune18; but to the former may be added the itinerant50 collector of old clothes, who continually annoys you with—Clow; clow sale. The ingenious Ned Shuter, the most luxuriant comedian51 of his time, frequently entertained his audience on his benefit nights with admirable imitations of the Cries of London, in which he introduced a remarkable52 little man who sold puffs53, and who, from the peculiar55 manner of his calling them, acquired the name of Golly Molly Puff54; by this singularity he became a noted56 character, and at almost every period some such peculiar itinerant has become remarkable in the streets of London. Some years back, a poor wretched being who dealt in shreds57 and patches, used to walk about, inviting58 people by the following lines—
“Linen, woollen, and leather,
Bring 'em out altogether.”
[375] Another, a sleek-headed whimsical old man, appeared, who was commonly called the Wooden Poet, from his carrying wooden ware59, which was slung60 in a basket round his neck, and who chaunted a kind of song in doggerel61 rhyme, somewhat similar to the following—
Will you buy a wooden bowl?
Will you buy a pudding stirrer.
I hope I am not too soon,
For you to buy a wooden spoon.
I've come quick as I was able,
Thinking you might want a ladle,
And if I'm not too late,
Buy a trencher or wood plate.
Or if not it's no great matter,
So you take a wooden platter.
It may help us both to dinner,
If you'll buy a wooden skimmer.
Come, neighbours, don't be shy, for I deal just and fair,
Come, quickly come and buy, all sorts of wooden ware.”
“Very well, indeed, for a wooden poet,” exclaimed Bois; “he certainly deserved custom at all events: his rivals, Walter Scott or Lord Byron, would have turned such a poetical65 effusion to some account—it would have been dramatized—Murray, Longman, &c. would have been all in a bustle66, puffing67, blowing, and advertising68. We should have had piracies69, Chancery injunctions, and the d———1 to pay; but alas70! it makes all the difference whether a poet is fashionable and popular or not."{1}
1 Lord Byron, in his preface to a recent publication,
complains that among other black arts resorted to, for the
purpose of injuring his fair fame, he has been accused of
receiving considerable sums for writing poetical puffs for
to; but it has led to a curious rencontre between the
jet; and after considerable black-guardism between the
parties, the matter is likely to become the subject of legal
discussion among the gentlemen of the black robe.
The poet, it appears, received half a crown for each
production, from the man of blacking, which the latter
considered not only a fair, but even liberal remuneration
personal appearance, the brilliance75 of the composition,
(both of poetry and blacking), would be fairly divided
between he authors of each; and that the fame of both would
be conjointly
of fame.
for this unfortunate mistake of the public, the poet would
have remained satisfied, as far as pecuniary recompence
went, with the half-crown,—looking to futurity for that
more complete recompence, which poets ever consider far
beyond pudding or sensual gratification,—fame and
immortality78; but, alas!
“From causes quite obscure and unforeseen, What great events
to man may sometimes spring.”
Finding from Lord B.'s own statement, that the public had
duly appreciated the merit of these compositions, and had
attached so high a value, as even to mistake them for his
train of reasoning, and logical deductions80, as to what
advantage had, and what ought to have resulted to himself,
according to this estimate, by public opinion.—Lord B. and
his great northern contemporary, it appeared, received
thousands from the public for their poems, while half-crowns
(not to be despised, during certain cravings, but soon
to the original proprietor83: in a happy moment, a happy
thought flitted athwart the poet's mind; and like the china
seller in the Arabian Nights, he found himself rolling in
merchant, the blacking, and the half-crowns, he resolved on
a project by which to realize his fondest wishes of wealth,
happiness, and independence.
Poems supposed to be written by Lord Byron, and offer the
copyright to Mr. Murray; and in case of his refusing a
liberal sum, (that is, some-thing approaching to what he
pays the Noble Bard per Vol.) to publish them on his (the
author's) own account, and depend on the public for that
support and encouragement which their favourable88 decision
had already rendered pretty certain.
Now then comes 'the rub;' the blacking vender, hearing of
our poet's intention, files a bill in Chancery, praying for
an injunction to restrain the publication, and claiming an
exclusive right in the literary property: the poet, in
replication, denies having assigned or transferred the
copyright, and thus issue is joined. His Lord-ship, with his
usual extreme caution, where important rights are involved,
wished to give the matter mature consideration, and said,
It will be recollected91, that in the cause, respecting Lord
Byron's poem of Cain, his Lordship stated, that during the
that work and Paradise Lost, in order to form a just
estimate of their comparative merits; and who knows but
during the present vacation, his Lordship may compare the
blacking sonnets with “Childe Harold,” “Fare Thee Well,”
&c.; and that on next seal day, the public may be benefited
by his opinion as to which is entitled to the claim of
attributing the former to the noble author of the latter.
[377] “Then,” continued Sparkle, “there was a rustic96 usually mounted on a white hobby, with a basket on one arm, who used to invade the northern purlieus of London, mumbling97 Holloway Cheesecakes, which from his mode of utterance98, sounded like 'Ho all my teeth ake.'”
“Ha! ha! ha!” vociferated Tallyho, unable to restrain his risibility99.
“Numerous other instances might be adduced,” continued Sparkle: “among many there was a noted Pigman, whose pigs were made of what is called standing100 crust, three or four inches long, baked with currant sauce in the belly101, who used to cry, or rather sing,—
?A long tail'd pig, or a short tail'd pig,' &c.
There was another singular character, who used to be called Tiddy-doll, a noted vender of gingerbread at Bartholomew, Southwark, and other fairs; who to collect customers round his basket used to chaunt a song, in which scarcely any thing was distinctly articulated but the cant102 expression Tiddy-doll: he used to wear a high cocked hat and feather, with broad scolloped gold lace on it; and last, though not least, was Sir Jeffery Vunstan, of Garrat fame, who used to walk about the streets in a blue coat with gold lace, his shirt bosom103 open, and without a hat, accompanied by his daughter, Miss Nancy, crying ould wigs104.”
“Old wigs,” reverberated105 Bob, “an extraordinary article of merchandize!”
“Not more extraordinary than true,” replied Dashall; “but come, I suppose we shall all feel inclined to write a few lines to the country, so let us make the best of our time.”
Upon this signal, each flew to the exercise of the quill106, and indulged his own vein107 of thought in writing to his friend; and the day closed upon them without any further occurrence deserving of particular remark.
点击收听单词发音
1 mighty | |
adj.强有力的;巨大的 | |
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2 monarchs | |
君主,帝王( monarch的名词复数 ) | |
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3 jaded | |
adj.精疲力竭的;厌倦的;(因过饱或过多而)腻烦的;迟钝的 | |
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4 cloy | |
v.(吃甜食)生腻,吃腻 | |
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5 anticipations | |
预期( anticipation的名词复数 ); 预测; (信托财产收益的)预支; 预期的事物 | |
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6 simultaneously | |
adv.同时发生地,同时进行地 | |
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7 sanguine | |
adj.充满希望的,乐观的,血红色的 | |
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8 labyrinths | |
迷宫( labyrinth的名词复数 ); (文字,建筑)错综复杂的 | |
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9 relish | |
n.滋味,享受,爱好,调味品;vt.加调味料,享受,品味;vi.有滋味 | |
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10 subdued | |
adj. 屈服的,柔和的,减弱的 动词subdue的过去式和过去分词 | |
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11 proceedings | |
n.进程,过程,议程;诉讼(程序);公报 | |
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12 inclination | |
n.倾斜;点头;弯腰;斜坡;倾度;倾向;爱好 | |
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13 renounce | |
v.放弃;拒绝承认,宣布与…断绝关系 | |
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14 precept | |
n.戒律;格言 | |
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15 retirement | |
n.退休,退职 | |
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16 premature | |
adj.比预期时间早的;不成熟的,仓促的 | |
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17 amiable | |
adj.和蔼可亲的,友善的,亲切的 | |
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18 tune | |
n.调子;和谐,协调;v.调音,调节,调整 | |
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19 gliding | |
v. 滑翔 adj. 滑动的 | |
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20 enjoyments | |
愉快( enjoyment的名词复数 ); 令人愉快的事物; 享有; 享受 | |
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21 determined | |
adj.坚定的;有决心的 | |
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22 sentimental | |
adj.多愁善感的,感伤的 | |
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23 vagaries | |
n.奇想( vagary的名词复数 );异想天开;异常行为;难以预测的情况 | |
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24 metropolis | |
n.首府;大城市 | |
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25 embarkation | |
n. 乘船, 搭机, 开船 | |
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26 majesty | |
n.雄伟,壮丽,庄严,威严;最高权威,王权 | |
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27 drawn | |
v.拖,拉,拔出;adj.憔悴的,紧张的 | |
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28 bawling | |
v.大叫,大喊( bawl的现在分词 );放声大哭;大声叫出;叫卖(货物) | |
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29 props | |
小道具; 支柱( prop的名词复数 ); 支持者; 道具; (橄榄球中的)支柱前锋 | |
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30 alteration | |
n.变更,改变;蚀变 | |
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31 habitual | |
adj.习惯性的;通常的,惯常的 | |
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32 jargon | |
n.术语,行话 | |
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33 vender | |
n.小贩 | |
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34 unintelligible | |
adj.无法了解的,难解的,莫明其妙的 | |
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35 ascertain | |
vt.发现,确定,查明,弄清 | |
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36 apprehend | |
vt.理解,领悟,逮捕,拘捕,忧虑 | |
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37 incompatible | |
adj.不相容的,不协调的,不相配的 | |
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38 soot | |
n.煤烟,烟尘;vt.熏以煤烟 | |
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39 annoyance | |
n.恼怒,生气,烦恼 | |
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40 curtailment | |
n.缩减,缩短 | |
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41 lengthens | |
(时间或空间)延长,伸长( lengthen的第三人称单数 ) | |
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42 dignified | |
a.可敬的,高贵的 | |
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43 stuns | |
v.击晕( stun的第三人称单数 );使大吃一惊;给(某人)以深刻印象;使深深感动 | |
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44 tinkling | |
n.丁当作响声 | |
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45 strand | |
vt.使(船)搁浅,使(某人)困于(某地) | |
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46 sonorous | |
adj.响亮的,回响的;adv.圆润低沉地;感人地;n.感人,堂皇 | |
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47 shrimps | |
n.虾,小虾( shrimp的名词复数 );矮小的人 | |
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48 wink | |
n.眨眼,使眼色,瞬间;v.眨眼,使眼色,闪烁 | |
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49 previously | |
adv.以前,先前(地) | |
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50 itinerant | |
adj.巡回的;流动的 | |
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51 comedian | |
n.喜剧演员;滑稽演员 | |
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52 remarkable | |
adj.显著的,异常的,非凡的,值得注意的 | |
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53 puffs | |
n.吸( puff的名词复数 );(烟斗或香烟的)一吸;一缕(烟、蒸汽等);(呼吸或风的)呼v.使喷出( puff的第三人称单数 );喷着汽(或烟)移动;吹嘘;吹捧 | |
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54 puff | |
n.一口(气);一阵(风);v.喷气,喘气 | |
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55 peculiar | |
adj.古怪的,异常的;特殊的,特有的 | |
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56 noted | |
adj.著名的,知名的 | |
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57 shreds | |
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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58 inviting | |
adj.诱人的,引人注目的 | |
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59 ware | |
n.(常用复数)商品,货物 | |
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60 slung | |
抛( sling的过去式和过去分词 ); 吊挂; 遣送; 押往 | |
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61 doggerel | |
n.拙劣的诗,打油诗 | |
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62 worthy | |
adj.(of)值得的,配得上的;有价值的 | |
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63 borough | |
n.享有自治权的市镇;(英)自治市镇 | |
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64 poetic | |
adj.富有诗意的,有诗人气质的,善于抒情的 | |
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65 poetical | |
adj.似诗人的;诗一般的;韵文的;富有诗意的 | |
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66 bustle | |
v.喧扰地忙乱,匆忙,奔忙;n.忙碌;喧闹 | |
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67 puffing | |
v.使喷出( puff的现在分词 );喷着汽(或烟)移动;吹嘘;吹捧 | |
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68 advertising | |
n.广告业;广告活动 a.广告的;广告业务的 | |
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69 piracies | |
n.海上抢劫( piracy的名词复数 );盗版行为,非法复制 | |
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70 alas | |
int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
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71 acquit | |
vt.宣判无罪;(oneself)使(自己)表现出 | |
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72 plagiarism | |
n.剽窃,抄袭 | |
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73 alludes | |
提及,暗指( allude的第三人称单数 ) | |
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74 pecuniary | |
adj.金钱的;金钱上的 | |
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75 brilliance | |
n.光辉,辉煌,壮丽,(卓越的)才华,才智 | |
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76 posterity | |
n.后裔,子孙,后代 | |
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77 uncommon | |
adj.罕见的,非凡的,不平常的 | |
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78 immortality | |
n.不死,不朽 | |
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79 bard | |
n.吟游诗人 | |
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80 deductions | |
扣除( deduction的名词复数 ); 结论; 扣除的量; 推演 | |
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81 tormentor | |
n. 使苦痛之人, 使苦恼之物, 侧幕 =tormenter | |
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82 accrue | |
v.(利息等)增大,增多 | |
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83 proprietor | |
n.所有人;业主;经营者 | |
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84 spurning | |
v.一脚踢开,拒绝接受( spurn的现在分词 ) | |
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85 disdain | |
n.鄙视,轻视;v.轻视,鄙视,不屑 | |
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86 fugitive | |
adj.逃亡的,易逝的;n.逃犯,逃亡者 | |
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87 sonnets | |
n.十四行诗( sonnet的名词复数 ) | |
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88 favourable | |
adj.赞成的,称赞的,有利的,良好的,顺利的 | |
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89 peruse | |
v.细读,精读 | |
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90 attentively | |
adv.聚精会神地;周到地;谛;凝神 | |
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91 recollected | |
adj.冷静的;镇定的;被回忆起的;沉思默想的v.记起,想起( recollect的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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92 relaxation | |
n.松弛,放松;休息;消遣;娱乐 | |
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93 perused | |
v.读(某篇文字)( peruse的过去式和过去分词 );(尤指)细阅;审阅;匆匆读或心不在焉地浏览(某篇文字) | |
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94 excellence | |
n.优秀,杰出,(pl.)优点,美德 | |
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95 justified | |
a.正当的,有理的 | |
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96 rustic | |
adj.乡村的,有乡村特色的;n.乡下人,乡巴佬 | |
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97 mumbling | |
含糊地说某事,叽咕,咕哝( mumble的现在分词 ) | |
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98 utterance | |
n.用言语表达,话语,言语 | |
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99 risibility | |
n.爱笑,幽默感 | |
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100 standing | |
n.持续,地位;adj.永久的,不动的,直立的,不流动的 | |
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101 belly | |
n.肚子,腹部;(像肚子一样)鼓起的部分,膛 | |
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102 cant | |
n.斜穿,黑话,猛扔 | |
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103 bosom | |
n.胸,胸部;胸怀;内心;adj.亲密的 | |
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104 wigs | |
n.假发,法官帽( wig的名词复数 ) | |
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105 reverberated | |
回响,回荡( reverberate的过去式和过去分词 ); 使反响,使回荡,使反射 | |
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106 quill | |
n.羽毛管;v.给(织物或衣服)作皱褶 | |
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107 vein | |
n.血管,静脉;叶脉,纹理;情绪;vt.使成脉络 | |
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