I'll follow him no more with bootless prayers.
MERCHANT OF VENICE.
The old Don, on rising the next morning, found all his womankind "overwhelmed with grief" in consequence of the news of the capture and imprisonment1 of the American seamen2, and prepared to assail3 him with prayers, petitions, and tears, as soon as he made his appearance. In vain he tried to assume the governor, and to look and act dignified4; he had not, either in appearance or manner, or even language, so "much of the Roman" in him, as a certain other potentate5 who shall be nameless; the persevering6 ladies followed him, and gave him no rest; and perhaps, by their pertinacity7, drove him to declare, in his vexation, that it was his fixed8 and settled resolve to inflict9 upon his prisoners the extremity10 of the law's indignation. In fact, the tribulation11 caused in the governor's family by the unhappy events of the past night, had reached to an extravagant12 and general height; for even the wife of his bosom13 remonstrated14 in no very gentle terms against her lord's severity; so that his poor excellency found the gubernatorial chair as uncomfortable a seat as though its cushion had been stuffed with pins. He made good his retreat as quick as possible to his usual place of official business, or bureau d'office, but there new trials awaited him; for the very first person he saw there, and evidently waiting for him, was Captain Williams.
Isabella, in the mean time, had not yet risen; her sleeping thoughts had been too delightfully15 occupied with visions of happiness, and her waking reveries had so engaged her with day-dreams of prospective16 felicity, that she was not conscious of the lapse17 of time. She had just commenced dressing18, with the assistance of a favorite servant, a native Mexican girl, when her weeping cousins rushed into the chamber19 in an agony of grief. With voices choked and interrupted by sobs21 and tears, it was some minutes before they could make their poor cousin comprehend the melancholy22 truth, with the gratuitous23 addition that the prisoners were to be shot the next morning in the plaza24, and directly in front of the house. Having communicated all they knew, and all they had invented, they retired25 to spread the intelligence, to collect more, and to remove the furniture in the front chamber, for the more convenient witnessing the execution of the next morning.
Isabella, when left to herself, neither screamed, nor went into hysterics or tears; she sat still and motionless in the chair, into which she had sunk when the dreadful truth was made known to her; she became deadly pale, her temples throbbed26, her breathing seemed oppressed, the light swam before her eyes, she uttered a convulsive sob20, and, to the terror of her faithful and sympathising attendant, fell senseless upon the floor. The Indian girl, with great presence of mind, though sorely frightened, dashed water in her face, loosened her clothes, and practised all those modes of relief, better understood by ladies than described by me. The unhappy young lady at length recovered, and, with the assistance of her attendant, threw herself upon the bed, and gave way to a flood of tears, to the relief caused by which, and her subsequent repose27, we must for a time leave her.
Captain Williams saluted28 the governor, as they met, with a countenance29 partaking of anger as well as sorrow; and, without much circumlocution30, proceeded to state his business, and interceded31 most warmly in behalf of his men in confinement32. But the old Don, before whose mind visions of promotion33 and honors were floating, was in no humor to grant petitions of any kind, much less one, the acceding34 to which would overthrow35 all his air-built castles; and he steadily36 refused to listen to the warm-hearted old seaman37's arguments, urged with all the fervency38 of almost paternal39 affection for both Mr. Morton and his seamen. Unable to oppose or refute the arguments of Captain Williams, proving the innocence40 of the prisoners, or, at least, the veniality41 of their offence, if guilty, and the unreasonable42 disproportion between the crime and the punishment; wearied by the perseverance43 of the petitioner44, and convinced, though unwilling45 to own it, by his arguments;--convinced, too, that he was making a very ridiculous figure in the eyes of his officers and several merchants who were present, he did, as all obstinate46 and pig-headed people do when they find themselves in the wrong, and see that they are making themselves contemptible47: that is, he plunged48 still deeper into the wrong, by giving the good old seaman a harsh refusal to his prayer.
At this unexpected and ungentlemanly rebuff, Captain Williams suddenly became calm and silent, and, a moment after, left the office. Those who were present thought they saw in the stern, determined49 expression of his countenance grounds for apprehension50 and alarm; having the most extravagant opinion of the desperate and daring courage of the Americans, they looked to see the ensuing night signalized by some desperate attempt on the part of the seaman, to release his companions from imprisonment. Their apprehensions51 were confirmed in a space of time that seemed impossible to have enabled Captain Williams to reach his ship, by seeing the Albatross, under jib and spanker, slowly standing52 to the westward53, and again anchoring full half a mile farther out to sea than before; not, to be sure, out of reach of the guns of the battery, but at such a distance as to render it extremely problematical whether Spanish artillerymen would be able to throw a shot within half a mile of her, especially in a star-light night.
This movement of the ship alarmed the governor not a little; for he knew that the guarda-costa was absent on a cruize, and it was doubtful when she would return, and that there were but thirty soldiers on duty at the barracks, the rest having recently been drafted into the interior, to wage war against certain straggling, light-fingered gentry54, known in that part of the world by the general title of "monteneros," or highlanders, being analogous56 in their habits and manners, and confused ideas of meum and tuum, to the highland55 cattle-stealers of Scotland. In this dilemma57, the governor's heart began to relent--he thought that he was carrying his severity too far.
On retiring to his house to dinner, he was met by a message from his niece, requesting to see him in her chamber, being too unwell to meet the family at noon. Thither58 his Excellency ascended59 with reluctant steps and slow, like a child called from his play to be whipped and sent to bed. He found his niece reclining upon a sofa, pale, languid, and evidently much agitated60. She rose to receive him with her accustomed affection, and the old Don seated himself by her side.
"Isabella, my love, you appear to be distressed61; what is the matter, child?"
"Dear uncle, my cousin Antonia tells me dreadful news."
"Dreadful news! what is it, dearest?" "She tells me," said Isabella, shuddering62 and gasping63 for breath, "that these unfortunate Americans are to be put to death to-morrow morning."
"Poh, poh! what nonsense! you know as well as I do that the law gives me no such power."
"But, dearest uncle, why should they be punished at all? nothing is proved against them, nothing is found about them that indicates guilty intentions," for, notwithstanding her indisposition, she had learned all the facts of the case from her gossip, Juanita, and the officers that had called in the course of the forenoon, "I have heard all the particulars, and confess that I see no reason why they deserve punishment at all."
"You know nothing at all about the matter, child. They have been seen, at other times than last night, landing boxes and bales at the same place."
"Are you quite sure that it was not some other persons?"
The governor paid no attention to this question, which he had never dreamt of asking his informer.
"Besides, if these are pardoned, other offenders64 will plead their innocence, and refer to the case of these men as a precedent65. No, Isabella, I cannot, I dare not do it; they must abide66 by the consequences."
"Then if their lives are to be spared, what is to be done with them?"
"I shall write to the Viceroy, and keep them confined till I receive his instructions as to their future destiny."
"And that," said the young lady, in a faint voice, "will be worse than death! O think of it, dear, dear uncle."
"You take too gloomy a view of the case," said Don Gaspar, kissing the forehead of the lovely suppliant67; "the Viceroy may pardon them, but I dare not--You plead in vain," continued he, as he saw she was about to speak; "were they my own sons, they should undergo the sentence of the law for their misconduct."
Fearing to excite her uncle's suspicions by too great urgency, Isabella changed her battery--
"At least, let them be used kindly--let them have plenty of good food and wine."
"Certainly, dearest little niece," said the governor, delighted to find the most formidable and irresistible68 of his female assailants so lukewarm in the cause of the prisoners, "and you shall be their provider."
"Me, uncle? well, I own I should wish to visit the prison occasionally, to see that they are comfortable."
"You shall whenever you please," said the Don, rising, and going to Isabella's writing desk; "there, there is an order, signed by my own hand, that will admit you whenever you please." So saying, he retired.
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
imprisonment
|
|
| n.关押，监禁，坐牢 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
seamen
|
|
| n.海员 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
assail
|
|
| v.猛烈攻击，抨击，痛斥 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
dignified
|
|
| a.可敬的，高贵的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
potentate
|
|
| n.统治者；君主 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
persevering
|
|
| a.坚忍不拔的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
pertinacity
|
|
| n.执拗，顽固 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
|
8
fixed
|
|
| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
inflict
|
|
| vt.(on)把…强加给，使遭受，使承担 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
extremity
|
|
| n.末端，尽头；尽力；终极；极度 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
tribulation
|
|
| n.苦难，灾难 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
extravagant
|
|
| adj.奢侈的；过分的；(言行等)放肆的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
bosom
|
|
| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
remonstrated
|
|
| v.抗议( remonstrate的过去式和过去分词 )；告诫 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
delightfully
|
|
| 大喜，欣然 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
prospective
|
|
| adj.预期的，未来的，前瞻性的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
lapse
|
|
| n.过失，流逝，失效，抛弃信仰，间隔；vi.堕落，停止，失效，流逝；vt.使失效 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
dressing
|
|
| n.(食物)调料；包扎伤口的用品，敷料 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
chamber
|
|
| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
sob
|
|
| n.空间轨道的轰炸机；呜咽，哭泣 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
sobs
|
|
| 啜泣（声），呜咽（声）( sob的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
melancholy
|
|
| n.忧郁，愁思；adj.令人感伤（沮丧）的，忧郁的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
gratuitous
|
|
| adj.无偿的，免费的；无缘无故的，不必要的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
plaza
|
|
| n.广场，市场 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
retired
|
|
| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
throbbed
|
|
| 抽痛( throb的过去式和过去分词 )； （心脏、脉搏等）跳动 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
repose
|
|
| v.(使)休息；n.安息 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
saluted
|
|
| v.欢迎，致敬( salute的过去式和过去分词 )；赞扬，赞颂 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
countenance
|
|
| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
circumlocution
|
|
| n. 绕圈子的话，迂回累赘的陈述 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
interceded
|
|
| v.斡旋，调解( intercede的过去式和过去分词 )；说情 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
confinement
|
|
| n.幽禁，拘留，监禁；分娩；限制，局限 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
promotion
|
|
| n.提升，晋级；促销，宣传 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
acceding
|
|
| v.（正式）加入( accede的现在分词 )；答应；（通过财产的添附而）增加；开始任职 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
overthrow
|
|
| v.推翻，打倒，颠覆；n.推翻，瓦解，颠覆 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
steadily
|
|
| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
seaman
|
|
| n.海员，水手，水兵 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
fervency
|
|
| n.热情的；强烈的；热烈 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
paternal
|
|
| adj.父亲的，像父亲的，父系的，父方的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
innocence
|
|
| n.无罪；天真；无害 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
veniality
|
|
| n.可宽恕性 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
|
42
unreasonable
|
|
| adj.不讲道理的，不合情理的，过度的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
perseverance
|
|
| n.坚持不懈，不屈不挠 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
petitioner
|
|
| n.请愿人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
unwilling
|
|
| adj.不情愿的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
obstinate
|
|
| adj.顽固的，倔强的，不易屈服的，较难治愈的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
contemptible
|
|
| adj.可鄙的，可轻视的，卑劣的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
plunged
|
|
| v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
determined
|
|
| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
apprehension
|
|
| n.理解，领悟；逮捕，拘捕；忧虑 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
apprehensions
|
|
| 疑惧 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
standing
|
|
| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
westward
|
|
| n.西方，西部；adj.西方的，向西的；adv.向西 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
gentry
|
|
| n.绅士阶级，上层阶级 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
highland
|
|
| n.(pl.)高地，山地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
56
analogous
|
|
| adj.相似的；类似的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
57
dilemma
|
|
| n.困境，进退两难的局面 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
58
thither
|
|
| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
59
ascended
|
|
| v.上升，攀登( ascend的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
60
agitated
|
|
| adj.被鼓动的，不安的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
61
distressed
|
|
| 痛苦的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
62
shuddering
|
|
| v.战栗( shudder的现在分词 )；发抖；（机器、车辆等）突然震动；颤动 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
63
gasping
|
|
| adj. 气喘的, 痉挛的 动词gasp的现在分词 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
64
offenders
|
|
| n.冒犯者( offender的名词复数 )；犯规者；罪犯；妨害…的人（或事物） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
65
precedent
|
|
| n.先例，前例；惯例；adj.在前的，在先的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
66
abide
|
|
| vi.遵守；坚持；vt.忍受 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
67
suppliant
|
|
| adj.哀恳的；n.恳求者，哀求者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
68
irresistible
|
|
| adj.非常诱人的，无法拒绝的，无法抗拒的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |