“The story of the much-harassed merchant Wong Ts’in and of the assiduous youth Wei Chang has reached this person’s ears by a devious3 road, and though it doubtless lost some of the subtler qualities in the telling, the ultimate tragedy had a convincing tone,” she remarked pleasantly.
“It is scarcely to be expected that one who has spent his life beneath an official umbrella should have at his command the finer analogies of light and shade,” tolerantly replied Kai Lung. “Though by no means comparable with the unapproachable history of the Princess Taik and the minstrel Ch’eng as a means for conveying the unexpressed aspirations4 of the one who relates towards the one who is receptive, there are many passages even in the behaviour of Wei Chang into which this person could infuse an unmistakable stress of significance were he but given the opportunity.”
“The day of that opportunity has not yet dawned,” replied the Golden Mouse; “nor has the night preceding it yet run its gloomy course. Foiled in his first attempt, the vindictive6 Ming-shu now creeps towards his end by a more tortuous7 path. Whether or not dimly suspecting something of the strategy by which your imperishable life was preserved to-day, it is no part of his depraved scheme that you should be given a like opportunity again. To-morrow another will be led to judgment8, one Cho-kow, a tribesman of the barbarian9 land of Khim.”
“Accused of plundering13 mountain tombs and of other crimes now held in disrepute, he will be offered a comparatively painless death if he will implicate14 his fellows, of whom you will be held to be the chief. By this ignoble15 artifice16 you will be condemned17 on his testimony18 in your absence, nor will you have any warning of your fate until you are led forth19 to suffer.”
Then replied Kai Lung, after a space of thought: “Not ineptly21 is it written: ‘When the leading carriage is upset the next one is more careful,’ and Ming-shu has taken the proverb to his heart. To counteract22 his detestable plot will not be easy, but it should not be beyond our united power, backed by a reasonable activity on the part of our protecting ancestors.”
“The devotional side of the emergency has had this one’s early care,” remarked Hwa-mei. “From daybreak to-morrow six zealous23 and deep-throated monks24 will curse Ming-shu and all his ways unceasingly, while a like number will invoke25 blessings26 and success upon your enlightened head. In the matter of noise and illumination everything that can contribute has been suitably prepared.”
“It is difficult to conjecture27 what more could be done in that direction,” confessed Kai Lung gratefully.
“Yet as regards a more material effort—?” suggested the maiden, amid a cloud of involving doubt.
“If there is a subject in which the imagination of the Mandarin29 Shan Tien can be again enmeshed it might be yet accomplished31,” replied Kai Lung. “Have you a knowledge of any such deep concern?”
“Truly there is a matter that disturbs his peace of late. He has dreamed a dream three times, and its meaning is beyond the skill of any man to solve. Yet how shall this avail you who are no geomancer?”
“What is the nature of the dream?” inquired Kai Lung. “For remember, ‘Though Shen-fi has but one gate, many roads lead to it.’”
“The substance of the dream is this: that herein he who sleeps walks freely in the ways of men wearing no robe or covering of any kind, yet suffering no concern or indignity33 therefrom; that the secret and hidden things of the earth are revealed to his seeing eyes; and that he can float in space and project himself upon the air at will. These three things are alien to his nature, and being three times repeated, the uncertainty34 assails36 his ease.”
“Let it, under your persistent37 care, assail35 him more and that unceasingly,” exclaimed Kai Lung, with renewed lightness in his voice. “Breathe on the surface of his self-repose as a summer breeze moves the smooth water of a mountain lake—not deeply, but never quite at rest. Be assured: it is no longer possible to doubt that powerful Beings are interested in our cause.”
“I go, oppressed one,” replied Hwa-mei. “May this period of your ignoble trial be brought to a distinguished38 close.”
On the following day at the appointed hour Cho-kow was led before the Mandarin Shan Tien, and the nature of his crimes having been explained to him by the contemptible40 Ming-shu, he was bidden to implicate Kai Lung and thus come to an earlier and less painful end.
“All-powerful,” he replied, addressing himself to the Mandarin, “the words that have been spoken are bent42 to a deceptive43 end. They of our community are a simple race and doubtless in the past their ways were thus and thus. But, as it is truly said, ‘Tian went bare, his eyes could pierce the earth and his body float in space, but they of his seed do but dream the dream.’ We, being but the puny44 descendants—”
“You have spoken of one Tian whose attributes were such, and of those who dream thereof,” interrupted the Mandarin, as one who performs a reluctant duty. “That which you adduce to uphold your cause must bear the full light of day.”
“Alas45, omnipotence,” replied Cho-kow, “this concerns the doing of the gods and those who share their line. Now I am but an ill-conditioned outcast from the obscure land of Khim, and possess no lore46 beyond what happens there. Haply the gods that rule in Khim have a different manner of behaving from those in the Upper Air above Yu-ping, and this person’s narration47 would avoid the semblance48 of the things that are and he himself would thereby49 be brought to disrepute.”
“Suffer not that apprehension50 to retard51 your impending52 eloquence,” replied Shan Tien affably. “Be assured that the gods have exactly the same manner of behaving in every land.”
“Furthermore,” continued Cho-kow, with patient craft, “I am a man of barbarian tongue, the full half of my speech being foreign to your ear. The history of the much-accomplished Tian and the meaning of the dreams that mark those of his race require for a full understanding the subtle analogies of an acquired style. Now that same Kai Lung whom you have implicated54 to my band—”
“Excellence55!” protested Ming-shu, with a sudden apprehension in his throat, “yesterday our labours dissolved in air through the very doubtful precedent56 of allowing one to testify what he had had the intention to relate. Now we are asked to allow a tomb-haunter to call a parricide57 to disclose that which he himself is ignorant of. Press down your autocratic thumb—”
“Alas, instructor,” interposed Shan Tien compassionately58, “the sympathetic concern of my mind overflows61 upon the spectacle of your ill-used forbearance, yet you having banded together the two in a common infamy62, it is the ancient privilege of this one to call the other to his cause. We are but the feeble mouthpieces of a benevolent63 scheme of all-embracing justice and greatly do I fear that we must again submit.”
With these well-timed words the broad-minded personage settled himself more reposefully64 among his cushions and signified that Kai Lung should be led forward and begin.
The Story of Ning, the Captive God, and the Dreams
that mark his Race
When Sun Wei definitely understood that the deities67 were against him (for on every occasion his enemies prospered68 and the voice of his own authority grew less), he looked this way and that with a well-considering mind.
He did nothing hastily, but when once a decision was reached it was as unbending as iron and as smoothly69 finished as polished jade70. At about the evening hour when others were preparing to offer sacrifice he took the images and the altars of his Rites71 down from their honourable72 positions and cast them into a heap on a waste expanse beyond his courtyard. Then with an axe73 he unceremoniously detached their incomparable limbs from their sublime74 bodies and flung the parts into a fire that he had prepared.
“It is better,” declared Sun Wei, standing53 beside the pile, his hands buried within his sleeves—“it is better to be struck down at once, rather than to wither75 away slowly like a half-uprooted cassia-tree.”
When this act of defiance76 was reported in the Upper World the air grew thick with the cries of indignation of the lesser77 deities, and the sound of their passage as they projected themselves across vast regions of space and into the presence of the supreme78 N’guk was like the continuous rending79 of innumerable pieces of the finest silk.
In his musk-scented heaven, however, N’guk slept, as his habit was at the close of each celestial80 day. It was with some difficulty that he could be aroused and made to understand the nature of Sun Wei’s profanity, for his mind was dull with the smoke of never-ending incense81.
“To-morrow,” he promised, with a benignant gesture, turning over again on his crystal throne, “some time to-morrow impartial82 justice shall be done. In the meanwhile—courteous dismissal attend your opportune83 footsteps.”
“He is becoming old and obese84,” murmured the less respectful of the demons86. “He is not the god he was, even ten thousand cycles ago. It were well—”
“But, omnipotence,” protested certain conciliatory spirits, pressing to the front, “consider, if but for a short breath of time. A day here is as threescore of their years as these mortals live. By to-morrow night not only Sun Wei, but most of those now dwelling87 down below, will have Passed Beyond. But the story of his unpunished infamy will live. We shall become discredited88 and our altar fires extinct. Sacrifice of either food or raiment will cease to reach us. The Season of White Rain is approaching and will find us ill provided. We who speak are but Beings of small part—”
“Peace!” commanded N’guk, now thoroughly89 disturbed, for the voices of the few had grown into a tumult90; “how is it possible to consider with a torrent91 like the Hoang-Ho in flood pouring through my very ordinary ears? Your omniscient92 but quite inadequate93 Chief would think.”
At this rebuke94 the uproar95 ceased. So deep became the nature of N’guk’s profound thoughts that they could be heard rolling like thunder among the caverns96 of his gigantic brain. To aid the process, female slaves on either side fanned his fiery97 head with celestial lotus leaves. On the earth, far beneath, cyclones98, sand-storms and sweeping99 water-spouts were forced into being.
“Hear the contemptible wisdom of my ill-formed mouth,” said N’guk at length. “If we at once put forth our strength, the degraded Wun Sei is ground—”
“Sun Wei, All-knowing One,” murmured an attending spirit beneath his breath.
“—the unmentionable outcast whom we are discussing is immediately ground into powder,” continued the Highest, looking fixedly102 at a distant spot situated103 directly beyond his painstaking104 attendant. “But what follows? Henceforth no man can be allowed to whisper ill of us but we must at once seek him out and destroy him, or the obtuse105 and superficial will exclaim: ‘It was not so in the days of—of So-and-So. Behold106’”—here the Great One bent a look of sudden resentment107 on the band of those who would have reproached him—“‘behold the gods become old and obese. They are not the Powers they were. It would be better to address ourselves to other altars.’”
At this prospect108 many of the more venerable spirits began to lose their enthusiasm. If every mortal who spoke41 ill of them was to be pursued what leisure for dignified109 seclusion110 would remain?
“If, however,” continued the dispassionate Being, “the profaner111 is left to himself he will, sooner or later, in the ordinary course of human intelligence, become involved in some disaster of his own contriving112. Then they who dwell around will say: ‘He destroyed the alters! Truly the hands of the Unseen are slow to close, but their arms are very long. Lo, we have this day ourselves beheld113 it. Come, let us burn incense lest some forgotten misdeed from the past lurk114 in our path.’”
When he had finished speaking all the more reputable of those present extolled115 his judgment. Some still whispered together, however, whereupon the sagacious N’guk opened his mouth more fully28 and shot forth tongues of consuming fire among the murmurers so that they fled howling from his presence.
Now among the spirits who had stood before the Pearly Ruler without taking any share in the decision were two who at this point are drawn116 into the narration, Leou and Ning. Leou was a revengeful demon, ever at enmity with one or another of the gods and striving how he might enmesh his feet in destruction. Ning was a better-class deity117, voluptuous118 but well-meaning, and little able to cope with Leou’s subtlety119. Thus it came about that the latter one, seeing in the outcome a chance to achieve his end, at once dropped headlong down to earth and sought out Sun Wei.
Sun Wei was reclining at his evening rice when Leou found him. Becoming invisible, the demon entered a date that Sun Wei held in his hand and took the form of a stone. Sun Wei recognized the doubtful nature of the stone as it passed between his teeth, and he would have spat120 it forth again, but Leou had the questionable121 agility122 of the serpent and slipped down the other’s throat. He was thus able to converse10 familiarly with Sun Wei without fear of interruption.
“Sun Wei,” said the voice of Leou inwardly, “the position you have chosen is a desperate one, and we of the Upper Air who are well disposed towards you find the path of assistance fringed with two-edged swords.”
“It is well said: ‘He who lacks a single tael sees many bargains,’” replied Sun Wei, a refined bitterness weighing the import of his words. “Truly this person’s friends in the Upper Air are a never-failing lantern behind his back.”
At this justly-barbed reproach Leou began to shake with disturbed gravity until he remembered that the motion might not be pleasing to Sun Wei’s inner feelings.
“It is not that the well-disposed are slow to urge your claims, but that your enemies number some of the most influential123 demons in all the Nine Spaces,” he declared, speaking with a false smoothness that marked all his detestable plans. “Assuredly in the past you must have led a very abandoned life, Sun Wei, to come within the circle of their malignity124.”
“By no means,” replied Sun Wei. “Until driven to despair this person not only duly observed the Rites and Ceremonies, but he even avoided the Six Offences. He remained by the side of his parents while they lived, provided an adequate posterity125, forbore to tread on any of the benevolent insects, safeguarded all printed paper, did not consume the meat of the industrious126 ox, and was charitable towards the needs of hungry and homeless ghosts.”
“These observances are well enough,” admitted Leou, restraining his narrow-minded impatience127; “and with an ordinary number of written charms worn about the head and body they would doubtless carry you through the lesser contingencies128 of existence. But by, as it were, extending contempt, you have invited the retaliatory129 propulsion of the sandal of authority.”
“To one who has been pushed over the edge of a precipice130, a rut across the path is devoid131 of menace; nor do the destitute132 tremble at the departing watchman’s cry: ‘Sleep warily133; robbers are about.’”
“As regards bodily suffering and material extortion, it is possible to attain134 such a limit as no longer to excite the cupidity135 of even the most rapacious136 deity,” admitted Leou. “Other forms of flattening-out a transgressor’s self-content remain however. For instance, it has come within the knowledge of the controlling Powers that seven generations of your distinguished ancestors occupy positions of dignified seclusion in the Upper Air.”
“They would not—?”
“To mark their sense of your really unsupportable behaviour it has been decided138 that all seven shall return to the humiliating scenes of their former existences in admittedly objectionable forms,” replied the outrageous139 Leou. “Sun Chen, your venerated140 sire, will become an agile141 grasshopper142; your incomparable grandfather, Yuen, will have the similitude of a yellow goat; as a tortoise your leisurely-minded ancestor Huang, the high public official—”
“Forbear!” exclaimed the conscience-stricken Sun Wei; “rather would this person suffer every imaginable form of torture than that the spirit of one of his revered143 ancestors should be submitted to so intolerable a bondage144. Is there no amiable145 form of compromise whereby the ancestors of some less devoted146 and liberally-inspired son might be imperceptibly, as it were, substituted?”
“In ordinary cases some such arrangement is generally possible,” conceded Leou; “but not idly is it written: ‘There is a time to silence an adversary147 with the honey of logical persuasion148, and there is a time to silence him with the argument of a heavily-directed club.’ In your extremity149 a hostage is the only efficient safeguard. Seize the person of one of the gods themselves and raise a strong wall around your destiny by holding him to ransom150.”
“‘Ho Tai, requiring a light for his pipe, stretched out his hand towards the great sky-lantern,’” quoted Sun Wei.
“‘Do not despise Ching To because his armour151 is invisible,’” retorted Leou, with equal point. “Your friends in the Above are neither feeble nor inept20. Do as I shall instruct you and no less a Being than Ning will be delivered into your hand.”
Then replied Sun Wei dubiously152: “A spreading mango-tree affords a pleasant shade within one’s courtyard, and a captive god might for a season undoubtedly153 confer an enviable distinction. But presently the tree’s encroaching roots may disturb the foundation of the house so that the walls fall and crush those who are within, and the head of a restrained god would in the end certainly displace my very inadequate roof-tree.”
“A too-prolific154 root can be pruned155 back,” replied Leou, “and the activities of a bondaged god may be efficiently156 curtailed157. How this shall be accomplished will be revealed to you in a dream: take heed158 that you do not fail by the deviation159 of a single hair.”
Having thus prepared his discreditable plot, Leou twice struck the walls enclosing him, so that Sun Wei coughed violently. The demon was thereby enabled to escape, and he never actually appeared in a tangible160 form again, although he frequently communicated, by means of signs and omens162, with those whom he wished to involve in his sinister163 designs.
ii. THE PART PLAYED BY THE SLAVE-GIRL, HIA
Among the remaining possessions that the hostility164 of the deities still left to Sun Wei at the time of these happenings was a young slave of many-sided attraction. The name of Hia had been given to her, but she was generally known as Tsing-ai on account of the extremely affectionate gladness of her nature.
On the day following that in which Sun Wei and the demon Leou had conversed together, Hia was disporting165 herself in the dark shades of a secluded166 pool, as her custom was after the heat of her labours, when a phoenix167, flying across the glade168, dropped a pearl of unusual size and lustre169 into the stream. Possessing herself of the jewel and placing it in her mouth, so that it should not impede170 the action of her hands, Hia sought the bank and would have drawn herself up when she became aware of the presence of one having the guise171 of a noble commander. He was regarding her with a look in which well-expressed admiration172 was blended with a delicate intimation that owing to the unparalleled brilliance173 of her eyes he was unable to perceive any other detail of her appearance, and was, indeed, under the impression that she was devoid of ordinary outline. At the same time, without permitting her glance to be in any but an entirely opposite direction, Hia was able to satisfy herself that the stranger was a person on whom she might prudently174 lavish176 the full depths of her regard if the necessity arose. His apparel was rich, voluminous and of colours then unknown within the Empire; his hair long and abundant; his face placid177 but sincere. He carried no weapons, but wherever he trod there came a yellow flame from below his right foot and a white vapour from beneath his left. His insignia were those of a royal prince, and when he spoke his voice resembled the noise of arrows passing through the upper branches of a prickly forest. His long and pointed39 nails indicated the high and dignified nature of all his occupations; each nail was protected by a solid sheath, there being amethyst178, ruby179, topaz, ivory, emerald, white jade, iron, chalcedony, gold and malachite.
When the distinguished-looking personage had thus regarded Hia for some moments he drew an instrument of hollow tubes from a fold of his garment and began to sing of two who, as the outcome of a romantic encounter similar to that then existing, had professed180 an agreeable attachment181 for one another and had, without unnecessary delay, entered upon a period of incomparable felicity. Doubtless Hia would have uttered words of high-minded rebuke at some of the more detailed182 analogies of the recital183 had not the pearl deprived her of the power of expressing herself clearly on any subject whatever, nor did it seem practicable to her to remove it without withdrawing her hands from the modest attitudes into which she had at once distributed them. Thus positioned, she was compelled to listen to the stranger’s well-considered flattery, and this (together with the increasing coldness of the stream as the evening deepened) convincingly explains her ultimate acquiescence184 to his questionable offers.
Yet it cannot be denied that Ning (as he may now fittingly be revealed) conducted the enterprise with a seemly liberality; for upon receiving from Hia a glance not expressive185 of discouragement he at once caused the appearance of a suitably-furnished tent, a train of Nubian slaves offering rich viands186, rare wine and costly187 perfumes, companies of expert dancers and musicians, a retinue188 of discreet189 elderly women to robe her and to attend her movements, a carpet of golden silk stretching from the water’s edge to the tent, and all the accessories of a high-class profligacy190.
When the night was advanced and Hia and Ning, after partaking of a many-coursed feast, were reclining on an ebony couch, the Being freely expressed the delight that he discovered in her amiable society, incautiously adding: “Demand any recompense that is within the power of this one to grant, O most delectable191 of water-nymphs, and its accomplishment192 will be written by a flash of lightning.” In this, however, he merely spoke as the treacherous193 Leou (who had enticed194 him into the adventure) had assured him was usual in similar circumstances, he himself being privately196 of the opinion that the expenditure197 already incurred198 was more than adequate to the occasion.
Then replied Hia, as she had been fully instructed against the emergency: “The word has been spoken. But what is precious metal after listening to the pure gold of thy lips, or who shall again esteem199 gems200 while gazing upon the full round radiance of thy moon-like face? One thing only remains201: remove the various sheaths from off thy hands, for they not only conceal202 the undoubted perfection of the nails within, but their massive angularity renders the affectionate ardour of your embrace almost intolerable.”
At this very ordinary request a sudden flatness overspread Ning’s manner and he began to describe the many much more profitable rewards that Hia might fittingly demand. As none of these appeared to entice195 her imagination, he went on to rebuke her want of foresight203, and, still later, having unsuccessfully pointed out to her the inevitable204 penury205 and degradation206 in which her thriftless perversity207 would involve her later years, to kick the less substantial appointments across the tent.
“The night thickens, with every indication of a storm,” remarked Hia pleasantly. “Yet that same impending flash of promised lightning tarries somewhat.”
“Truly is it written: ‘A gracious woman will cause more strife208 than twelve armed men can quell,’” retorted Ning bitterly.
“Not, perchance, if one of them bares his nails?” Thus she lightly mocked him, but always with a set intent, as a poised209 dragon-fly sips210 water yet does not wet his wings. Whereupon, finally, Ning tore the sheaths from off his fingers and cast them passionately60 about her feet, immediately afterwards sinking into a profound sleep, for both the measure and the potency211 of the wine he had consumed exceeded his usual custom. Otherwise he would scarcely have acted in this incapable212 manner, for each sheath was inscribed213 with one symbol of a magic charm and in the possession of the complete sentence resided the whole of the Being’s authority and power.
Then Hia, seeing that he could no longer control her movements, and that the end to which she had been bending was attained214, gathered together the fruits of her conscientious215 strategy and fled.
When Ning returned to the condition of ordinary perceptions he was lying alone in the field by the river-side. The great sky-fire made no pretence216 of averting218 its rays from his uncovered head, and the lesser creatures of the ground did not hesitate to walk over his once sacred form. The tent and all the other circumstances of the quest of Hia had passed into a state of no-existence, for with a somewhat narrow-minded economy the deity had called them into being with the express provision that they need only be of such a quality as would last for a single night.
With this recollection, other details began to assail his mind. His irreplaceable nail-sheaths—there was no trace of one of them. He looked again. Alas! his incomparable nails were also gone, shorn off to the level of his finger-ends. For all their evidence he might be one who had passed his days in discreditable industry. Each moment a fresh point of degradation met his benumbed vision. His profuse219 and ornamental220 locks were reduced to a single roughly-plaited coil; his sandals were inelegant and harsh; in place of his many-coloured flowing robes a scanty221 blue gown clothed his form. He who had been a god was undistinguishable from the labourers of the fields. Only in one thing did the resemblance fail: about his neck he found a weighty block of wood controlled by an iron ring: while they at least were free he was a captive slave.
A shadow on the grass caused him to turn. Sun Wei approached, a knotted thong222 in one hand, in the other a hoe. He pointed to an unweeded rice-field and with many ceremonious bows pressed the hoe upon Ning as one who confers high honours. As Ning hesitated, Sun Wei pressed the knotted thong upon him until it would have been obtuse to disregard his meaning. Then Ning definitely understood that he had become involved in the workings of very powerful forces, hostile to himself, and picking up the hoe he bent his submissive footsteps in the direction of the laborious223 rice-field.
iii. THE IN-COMING OF THE YOUTH, TIAN
It was dawn in the High Heaven and the illimitable N’guk, waking to his labours for the day, looked graciously around on the assembled myriads224 who were there to carry his word through boundless225 space. Not wanting are they who speak two-sided words of the Venerable One from behind fan-like hands, but when his voice takes upon it the authority of a brazen226 drum knees become flaccid.
“There is a void in the unanimity227 of our council,” remarked the Supreme, his eye resting like a flash of lightning on a vacant place. “Wherefore tarries Ning, the son of Shin, the Seed-sower?”
For a moment there was an edging of N’guk’s inquiring glance from each Being to his neighbour. Then Leou stood audaciously forth.
“He is reported to be engaged on a private family matter,” he replied gravely. “Haply his feet have become entangled228 in a mesh30 of hair.”
N’guk turned his benevolent gaze upon another—one higher in authority.
“Perchance,” admitted the superior Being tolerantly. “Such things are. How comes it else that among the earth-creatures we find the faces of the deities—both the good and the bad?”
“How long has he been absent from our paths?”
They pressed another forward—keeper of the Outer Path of the West Expanses, he.
“He went, High Excellence, in the fifteenth of the earth-ruler Chun, whom your enlightened tolerance229 has allowed to occupy the lower dragon throne for twoscore years, as these earthlings count. Thus and thus—”
“Enough!” exclaimed the Supreme. “Hear my iron word. When the buffoon-witted Ning rises from his congenial slough230 this shall be his lot: for sixty thousand ages he shall fail to find the path of his return, but shall, instead, thread an aimless flight among the frozen ambits of the outer stars, carrying a tormenting231 rain of fire at his tail. And Leou, the Whisperer,” added the Divining One, with the inscrutable wisdom that marked even his most opaque232 moments, “Leou shall meanwhile perform Ning’s neglected task.”
For five and twenty years Ning had laboured in the fields of Sun Wei with a wooden collar girt about his neck, and Sun Wei had prospered. Yet it is to be doubted whether this last detail deliberately233 hinged on the policy of Leou or whether Sun Wei had not rather been drawn into some wider sphere of destiny and among converging234 lines of purpose. The ways of the gods are deep and sombre, and water once poured out will flow as freely to the north as to the south. The wise kowtows acquiescently whatever happens and thus his face is to the ground. “Respect the deities,” says the imperishable Sage5, “but do not become familiar with them.” Sun Wei was clearly wrong.
To Ning, however, standing on a grassy235 space on the edge of a flowing river, such thoughts do not extend. He is now a little hairy man of gnarled appearance, and his skin of a colour and texture236 like a ripe lo-quat. As he stands there, something in the outline of the vista237 stirs the retentive238 tablets of his mind: it was on this spot that he first encountered Hia, and from that involvement began the cycle of his unending ill.
As he stood thus, implicated with his own inner emotions, a figure emerged from the river at its nearest point and, crossing the intervening sward, approached. He had the aspect of being a young man of high and dignified manner, and walked with the air of one accustomed to a silk umbrella, but when Ning looked more closely, to see by his insignia what amount of reverence239 he should pay, he discovered that the youth was destitute of the meagrest garment.
“Rise, venerable,” said the stranger affably, for Ning had prostrated240 himself as being more prudent175 in the circumstances. “The one before you is only Tian, of obscure birth, and himself of no particular merit or attainment241. You, doubtless, are of considerably242 more honourable lineage?”
“Far from that being the case,” replied Ning, “the one who speaks bears now the commonplace name of Lieu, and is branded with the brand of Sun Wei. Formerly243, indeed, he was a god, moving in the Upper Space and known to the devout244 as Ning, but now deposed245 by treachery.”
“Unless the subject is one that has painful associations,” remarked Tian considerately, “it is one on which this person would willingly learn somewhat deeper. What, in short, are the various differences existing between gods and men?”
“The gods are gods; men are men,” replied Ning. “There is no other difference.”
“Yet why do not the gods now exert their strength and raise from your present admittedly inferior position one who is of their band?”
“Behind their barrier the gods laugh at all men. How much more, then, is their gravity removed at the sight of one of themselves who has fallen lower than mankind?”
“Your plight246 would certainly seem to be an ill-destined one,” admitted Tian, “for, as the Verses say: ‘Gold sinks deeper than dross247.’ Is there anything that an ordinary person can do to alleviate248 your subjection?”
“The offer is a gracious one,” replied Ning, “and such an occasion undoubtedly exists. Some time ago a pearl of unusual size and lustre slipped from its setting about this spot. I have looked for it in vain, but your acuter eyes, perchance—”
Thus urged, the youth Tian searched the ground, but to no avail. Then chancing to look upwards249, he exclaimed:
“Among the higher branches of the tallest bamboo there is an ancient phoenix nest, and concealed250 within its wall is a pearl such as you describe.”
“That manifestly is what I seek,” said Ning. “But it might as well be at the bottom of its native sea, for no ladder could reach to such a height nor would the slender branch support a living form.”
“Yet the emergency is one easily disposed of.” With these opportune words the amiable person rose from the ground without any appearance of effort or conscious movement, and floating upward through the air he procured251 the jewel and restored it to Ning.
When Ning had thus learned that Tian possessed252 these three attainments253 which are united in the gods alone—that he could stand naked before others without consciousness of shame, that his eyes were able to penetrate254 matter impervious255 to those of ordinary persons, and that he controlled the power of rising through the air unaided—he understood that the one before him was a deity of some degree. He therefore questioned him closely about his history, the various omens connected with his life and the position of the planets at his birth. Finding that these presented no element of conflict, and that, furthermore, the youth’s mother was a slave, formerly known as Hia, Ning declared himself more fully and greeted Tian as his undoubted son.
“The absence of such a relation is the one thing that has pressed heavily against this person’s satisfaction in the past, and the deficiency is now happily removed,” exclaimed Tian. “The distinction of having a deity for a father outweighs256 even the present admittedly distressing257 condition in which he reveals himself. His word shall henceforth be my law.”
“The sentiment is a dutiful one,” admitted Ning, “and it is possible that you are now thus discovered in pursuance of some scheme among my more influential accomplices258 in the Upper Air for restoring to me my former eminence259.”
“In so meritorious260 a cause this person is prepared to immerse himself to any depth,” declared Tian readily. “Nothing but the absence of precise details restrains his hurrying feet.”
“Those will doubtless be communicated to us by means of omens and portents261 as the requirement becomes more definite. In the meanwhile the first necessity is to enable this person’s nails to grow again; for to present himself thus in the Upper Air would be to cover him with ridicule262. When the Emperor Chow-sin endeavoured to pass himself off as a menial by throwing aside his jewelled crown, the rebels who had taken him replied: ‘Omnipotence, you cannot throw away your knees.’ To claim kinship with those Above and at the same time to extend towards them a hand obviously inured263 to probing among the stony264 earth would be to invite the averted265 face of recognition.”
“Let recognition be extended in other directions and the task of returning to a forfeited266 inheritance will be lightened materially,” remarked a significant voice.
“Estimable mother,” exclaimed Tian, “this opportune stranger is my venerated father, whose continuous absence has been an overhanging cloud above my gladness, but now happily revealed and restored to our domestic altar.”
“Alas!” interposed Ning, “the opening of this enterprise forecasts a questionable omen161. Before this person stands the one who enticed him into the beginning of all his evil; how then—”
“Let the word remain unspoken,” interrupted Hia. “Women do not entice men—though they admittedly accompany them, with an extreme absence of reluctance267, in any direction. In her youth this person’s feet undoubtedly bore her occasionally along a light and fantastic path, for in the nature of spring a leaf is green and pliable268, and in the nature of autumn it is brown and austere269, and through changeless ages thus and thus. But, as it is truly said: ‘Milk by repeated agitation270 turns to butter,’ and for many years it has been this one’s ceaseless study of the Arts whereby she might avert217 that which she helped to bring about in her unstable271 youth.”
“The intention is a commendable272 one, though expressed with unnecessary verbiage,” replied Ning. “To what solution did your incantations trend?”
“Concealed somewhere within the walled city of Ti-foo are the sacred nail-sheaths on which your power so essentially273 depends, sent thither274 by Sun Wei at the crafty275 instance of the demon Leou, who hopes at a convenient time to secure them for himself. To discover these and bear them forth will be the part allotted276 to Tian, and to this end has the training of his youth been bent. By what means he shall strive to the accomplishment of the project the unrolling curtain of the future shall disclose.”
“It is as the destinies shall decide and as the omens may direct,” said Tian. “In the meanwhile this person’s face is inexorably fixed101 in the direction of Ti-foo.”
“Proceed with all possible discretion,” advised Ning. “In so critical an undertaking277 you cannot be too cautious, but at the same time do not suffer the rice to grow around your advancing feet.”
“A moment,” counselled Hia. “Tarry yet a moment. Here is one whose rapidly-moving attitude may convey a message.”
“It is Lin Fa!” exclaimed Ning, as the one alluded278 to drew near—“Lin Fa who guards the coffers of Sun Wei. Some calamity279 pursues him.”
“Hence!” cried Lin Fa, as he caught sight of them, yet scarcely pausing in his flight: “flee to the woods and caves until the time of this catastrophe280 be past. Has not the tiding reached you?”
“We be but dwellers281 on the farther bounds and no word has reached our ear, O great Lin Fa. Fill in, we pray you, the warning that has been so suddenly outlined.”
“The usurper282 Ah-tang has lit the torch of swift rebellion and is flattening-down the land that bars his way. Already the villages of Yeng, Leu, Liang-li and the Dwellings283 by the Three Pure Wells are as dust beneath his trampling284 feet, and they who stayed there have passed up in smoke. Sun Wei swings from the roof-tree of his own ruined yamen. Ah-tang now lays siege to walled Ti-foo so that he may possess the Northern Way. Guard this bag of silver meanwhile, for what I have is more than I can reasonably bear, and when the land is once again at peace, assemble to meet me by the Five-Horned Pagoda285, ready with a strict account.”
“All this is plainly part of an orderly scheme for my advancement286, brought about by my friends in the Upper World,” remarked Ning, with some complacency. “Lin Fa has been influenced to the extent of providing us with the means for our immediate100 need; Sun Wei has been opportunely287 removed to the end that this person may now retire to a hidden spot and there suffer his dishonoured288 nails to grow again: Ah-tang has been impelled289 to raise the banner of insurrection outside Ti-foo so that Tian may make use of the necessities of either side in pursuit of his design. Assuredly the long line of our misfortunes is now practically at an end.”
iv. EVENTS ROUND WALLED TI-FOO
Nevertheless, the alternative forced on Tian was not an alluring290 one. If he joined the band of Ah-tang and the usurper failed, Tian himself might never get inside Ti-foo; if, however, he allied291 himself with the defenders292 of Ti-foo and Ah-tang did not fail, he might never get out of Ti-foo. Doubtless he would have reverently293 submitted his cause to the inspired decision of the Sticks, or some other reliable augur294, had he not, while immersed in the consideration, walked into the camp of Ah-tang. The omen of this occurrence was of too specific a nature not to be regarded as conclusive295.
Ah-tang was one who had neglected the Classics from his youth upwards. For this reason his detestable name is never mentioned in the Histories, and the various catastrophes296 he wrought297 are charitably ascribed to the action of earthquakes, thunderbolts and other admitted forces. He himself, with his lamentable298 absence of literary style, was wont299 to declare that while confessedly weak in analogies he was strong in holocausts300. In the end he drove the sublime emperor from his capital and into the Outer Lands; with true refinement301 the annalists of the period explain that the condescending302 monarch303 made a journey of inspection304 among the barbarian tribes on the confines of his Empire.
When Tian, charged with being a hostile spy, was led into the presence of Ah-tang, it was the youth’s intention to relate somewhat of his history, but the usurper, excusing himself on the ground of literary deficiency, merely commanded five of his immediate guard to bear the prisoner away and to return with his head after a fitting interval305. Misunderstanding the exact requirement, Tian returned at the appointed time with the heads of the five who had charge of him and the excuse that in those times of scarcity306 it was easier to keep one head than five. This aptitude307 so pleased Ah-tang (who had expected at the most a farewell apophthegm) that he at once made Tian captain of a chosen band.
Thus was Tian positioned outside the city of Ti-foo, materially contributing to its ultimate surrender by the resourceful courage of his arms. For the first time in the history of opposing forces he tamed the strength and swiftness of wild horses to the use of man, and placing copper308 loops upon their feet and iron bars between their teeth, he and his band encircled Ti-foo with an ever-moving shield through which no outside word could reach the town. Cut off in this manner from all hope of succour, the stomachs of those within the walls grew very small, and their eyes became weary of watching for that which never came. On the third day of the third moon of their encirclement they sent a submissive banner, and one bearing a written message, into the camp of Ah-tang.
“We are convinced” (it ran) “of the justice of your cause. Let
six of your lordly nobles appear unarmed before our ill-kept
Lantern Gate at the middle gong-stroke of to-morrow and they
will be freely admitted within our midst. Upon receiving a
bound assurance safeguarding the limits of our temples, the
persons and possessions of our chiefs, and the undepreciated
be of mandarin rank or literary degree, the inadequate keys of
KO’EN CHENG,
Important Official.”
“It is received,” replied Ah-tang, when the message had been made known to him. “Six captains will attend.”
Alas! it is well written: “There is often a space between the fish and the fish-plate.” Mentally inflated313 at the success of their efforts and the impending surrender of Ti-foo, Tian’s band suffered their energies to relax. In the dusk of that same evening one disguised in the skin of a goat browsed314 from bush to bush until he reached the town. There, throwing off all restraint, he declared his errand to Ko’en Cheng.
“Behold!” he exclaimed, “the period of your illustrious suffering is almost at an end. With an army capable in size and invincible315 in determination, the ever-victorious Wu Sien is marching to your aid. Defy the puny Ah-tang for yet three days more and great glory will be yours.”
“Doubtless,” replied Ko’en Cheng, with velvet316 bitterness: “but the sun has long since set and the moon is not yet risen. The appearance of a solitary317 star yesterday would have been more foot-guiding than the forecast of a meteor next week. This person’s thumb-signed word is passed and to-morrow Ah-tang will hold him to it.”
Now there was present among the council one wrapped in a mantle318 made of rustling319 leaves, who spoke in a smooth, low voice, very cunning and persuasive320, with a plan already shaped that seemed to offer well and to safeguard Ko’en Cheng’s word. None remembered to have seen him there before, and for this reason it is now held by some that this was Leou, the Whisperer, perturbed321 lest the sacred nail-sheaths of Ning should pass beyond his grasp. As to this, says not the Wise One: “When two men cannot agree over the price of an onion who shall decide what happened in the time of Yu?” But the voice of the unknown prevailed, all saying: “At the worst it is but as it will be; perchance it may be better.”
That night there was much gladness in the camp of Ah-tang, and men sang songs of victory and cups of wine were freely passed, though in the outer walks a strict watch was kept. When it was dark the word was passed that an engaging company was approaching from the town, openly and with lights. These being admitted revealed themselves as a band of maidens322, bearing gifts of fruit and wine and assurances of their agreeable behaviour. Distributing themselves impartially323 about the tents of the chiefs and upper ones, they melted the hours of the night in graceful324 accomplishments325 and by their seemly compliance326 dispelled327 all thought of treachery. Having thus gained the esteem of their companions, and by the lavish persuasion of bemusing wine dimmed their alertness, all this band, while it was still dark, crept back to the town, each secretly carrying with her the arms, robes and insignia of the one who had possessed her.
When the morning broke and the sound of trumpets328 called each man to an appointed spot, direful was the outcry from the tents of all the chiefs, and though many heads were out-thrust in rage of indignation, no single person could be prevailed upon wholly to emerge. Only the lesser warriors329, the slaves and the bearers of the loads moved freely to and fro and from between closed teeth and with fluttering eyelids330 tossed doubtful jests among themselves.
It was close upon the middle gong-stroke of the day when Ah-tang, himself clad in a shred331 torn from his tent (for in all the camp there did not remain a single garment bearing a sign of noble rank), got together a council of his chiefs. Some were clad in like attire332, others carried a henchman’s shield, a paper lantern or a branch of flowers; Tian alone displayed himself without reserve.
“There are moments,” said Ah-tang, “when this person’s admitted accomplishment of transfixing three foemen with a single javelin333 at a score of measured paces does not seem to provide a possible solution. Undoubtedly we are face to face with a crafty plan, and Ko’en Cheng has surely heard that Wu Sien is marching from the west. If we fail to knock upon the outer gate of Ti-foo at noon to-day Ko’en Cheng will say: ‘My word returns. It is as naught334.’ If they who go are clad as underlings, Ko’en Cheng will cry: ‘What slaves be these! Do men break plate with dogs? Our message was for six of noble style. Ah-tang but mocks.’” He sat down again moodily335. “Let others speak.”
“Chieftain”—Tian threw forth his voice—“your word must be as iron—‘Six captains shall attend.’ There is yet another way.”
“Speak on,” Ah-tang commanded.
“The quality of Ah-tang’s chiefs resides not in a cloak of silk nor in a silver-hilted sword, but in the sinews of their arms and the lightning of their eyes. If they but carry these they proclaim their rank for all to see. Let six attend taking neither sword nor shield, neither hat nor sandal, nor yet anything between. ‘There are six thousand more,’ shall be their taunt336, ‘but Ko’en Cheng’s hospitality drew rein32 at six. He feared lest they might carry arms; behold they have come naked. Ti-foo need not tremble.”
“It is well,” agreed Ah-tang. “At least, nothing better offers. Let five accompany you.”
Seated on a powerful horse Tian led the way. The others, not being of his immediate band, had not acquired the necessary control, so that they walked in a company. Coming to the Lantern Gate Tian turned his horse suddenly so that its angry hoof337 struck the gate. Looking back he saw the others following, with no great space between, and so passed in.
When the five naked captains reached the open gate they paused. Within stood a great concourse of the people, these being equally of both sexes, but they of the inner chambers338 pressing resolutely339 to the front. Through the throng340 of these their way must lead, and at the sight the hearts of all became as stagnant341 water in the sun.
“Tarry not for me, O brothers,” said the one who led. “A thorn has pierced my foot. Take honourable precedence while I draw it forth.”
“Never,” declared the second of the band, “never shall it be cast abroad that Kang of the House of Ka failed his brother in necessity. I sustain thy shoulder, comrade.”
“Alas!” exclaimed the third. “This person broke his fast on rhubarb stewed342 in fat. Inopportunely—” So he too turned aside.
“Have we considered well,” said they who remained, “whether this be not a subtle snare343, and while the camp is denuded344 of its foremost warriors a strong force—?”
Unconscious of these details, Tian went on alone. In spite of the absence of gravity on the part of the more explicit345 portion of the throng he suffered no embarrassment346, partly because of his position, but chiefly through his inability to understand that his condition differed in any degree from theirs; for, owing to the piercing nature of his vision, they were to him as he to them. In this way he came to the open space known as the Space of the Eight Directions, where Ko’en Cheng and his nobles were assembled.
“One comes alone,” they cried. “This guise is as a taunt.” “Naked to a naked town—the analogy is plain.” “Shall the mocker be suffered to return?”
Thus the murmur85 grew. Then one, more impetuous than the rest, swung clear his sword and drew it. For the first time Tian understood that treachery was afoot. He looked round for any of his band, but found that he was as a foam-tossed cork347 upon a turbulent Whang Hai. Cries of anger and derision filled the air; threatening arms waved encouragement to each other to begin. The one with drawn sword raised it above his head and made a step. Then Tian, recognizing that he was unarmed, and that a decisive moment had arrived, stooped low and tore a copper hoop348 from off his horse’s foot. High he swung its polished brightness in the engaging sun, resolutely brought it down, so that it pressed over the sword-warrior’s shattered head and hung about his neck. Having thus effected as much bloodshed as could reasonably be expected in the circumstances, Tian curved his feet about his horse’s sides and imparting to it the virtue349 of his own condition they rose into the air together. When those who stood below were able to exert themselves a flight of arrows, spears and every kind of weapon followed, but horse and rider were by that time beyond their reach, and the only benevolent result attained was that many of their band were themselves transfixed by the falling shafts350.
In such a manner Tian continued his progress from the town until he came above the Temple of Fire and Water Forces, where on a high tower a strong box of many woods was chained beneath a canopy351, guarded by an incantation laid upon it by Leou, that no one should lift it down. Recognizing the contents as the object of his search, Tian brought his horse to rest upon the tower, and breaking the chains he bore the magic sheaths away, the charm (owing to Leou’s superficial habits) being powerless against one who instead of lifting the box down carried it up.
In spite of this distinguished achievement it was many moons before Tian was able to lay the filial tribute of restored power at Ning’s feet, for with shallow-witted obstinacy352 Ti-foo continued to hold out, and, scarcely less inept, Ah-tang declined to release Tian even to carry on so charitable a mission. Yet when the latter one ultimately returned and was, as the reward of his intrepid353 services, looking forward to a period of domestic reunion under the benevolent guidance of an affectionate father, it was but to point the seasoned proverb: “The fuller the cup the sooner the spill,” for scarcely had Ning drawn on the recovered sheaths and with incautious joy repeated the magic sentence than he was instantly projected across vast space and into the trackless confines of the Outer Upper Paths. If this were an imagined tale, framed to entice the credulous354, herein would its falseness cry aloud, but even in this age Ning may still be seen from time to time with a tail of fire in his wake, missing the path of his return as N’guk ordained355.
Thus bereft356, Tian was on the point of giving way to a seemly despair when a message concerned with Mu, the only daughter of Ko’en Cheng, reached him. It professed a high-minded regard for his welfare, and added that although the one who was inspiring the communication had been careful to avoid seeing him on the occasion of his entry into Ti-foo, it was impossible for her not to be impressed by the dignity of his bearing. Ko’en Cheng having become vastly wealthy as the result of entering into an arrangement with Ah-tang before Ti-foo was sacked, it did not seem unreasonable357 to Tian that Ning was in some way influencing his destiny from afar. On this understanding he ultimately married Mu, and thereby founded a prolific posterity who inherited a great degree of his powers. In the course of countless358 generations the attributes have faded, but even to this day the true descendants of the line of Ning are frequently vouchsafed359 dreams in which they stand naked and without shame, see gems or metals hidden or buried in the earth and float at will through space.
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1
shutter
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| n.百叶窗；(照相机)快门；关闭装置 | |
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maiden
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| n.少女，处女；adj.未婚的，纯洁的，无经验的 | |
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devious
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| adj.不坦率的，狡猾的；迂回的，曲折的 | |
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4
aspirations
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| 强烈的愿望( aspiration的名词复数 )； 志向； 发送气音； 发 h 音 | |
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sage
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| n.圣人，哲人；adj.贤明的，明智的 | |
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vindictive
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| adj.有报仇心的，怀恨的，惩罚的 | |
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tortuous
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| adj.弯弯曲曲的，蜿蜒的 | |
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judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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barbarian
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| n.野蛮人；adj.野蛮(人)的；未开化的 | |
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converse
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| vi.谈话，谈天，闲聊；adv.相反的，相反 | |
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conversed
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| v.交谈，谈话( converse的过去式 ) | |
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12
elegance
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| n.优雅；优美，雅致；精致，巧妙 | |
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plundering
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| 掠夺，抢劫( plunder的现在分词 ) | |
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implicate
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| vt.使牵连其中，涉嫌 | |
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ignoble
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| adj.不光彩的，卑鄙的；可耻的 | |
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artifice
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| n.妙计，高明的手段；狡诈，诡计 | |
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17
condemned
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| adj. 被责难的, 被宣告有罪的 动词condemn的过去式和过去分词 | |
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18
testimony
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| n.证词；见证，证明 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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inept
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| adj.不恰当的，荒谬的，拙劣的 | |
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ineptly
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| adv. 不适当地，无能地 | |
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counteract
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| vt.对…起反作用，对抗，抵消 | |
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zealous
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| adj.狂热的，热心的 | |
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monks
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| n.修道士，僧侣( monk的名词复数 ) | |
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invoke
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| v.求助于(神、法律)；恳求，乞求 | |
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blessings
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| n.（上帝的）祝福( blessing的名词复数 )；好事；福分；因祸得福 | |
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conjecture
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| n./v.推测，猜测 | |
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28
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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Mandarin
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| n.中国官话，国语，满清官吏；adj.华丽辞藻的 | |
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mesh
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| n.网孔，网丝，陷阱；vt.以网捕捉，啮合，匹配；vi.适合； [计算机]网络 | |
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accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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rein
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| n.疆绳，统治，支配；vt.以僵绳控制，统治 | |
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indignity
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| n.侮辱，伤害尊严，轻蔑 | |
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uncertainty
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| n.易变，靠不住，不确知，不确定的事物 | |
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assail
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| v.猛烈攻击，抨击，痛斥 | |
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assails
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| v.攻击( assail的第三人称单数 )；困扰；质问；毅然应对 | |
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persistent
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| adj.坚持不懈的，执意的；持续的 | |
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distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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contemptible
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| adj.可鄙的，可轻视的，卑劣的 | |
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41
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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42
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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43
deceptive
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| adj.骗人的，造成假象的，靠不住的 | |
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puny
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| adj.微不足道的，弱小的 | |
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45
alas
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| int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
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46
lore
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| n.传说；学问，经验，知识 | |
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47
narration
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| n.讲述，叙述；故事；记叙体 | |
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48
semblance
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| n.外貌，外表 | |
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49
thereby
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| adv.因此，从而 | |
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50
apprehension
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| n.理解，领悟；逮捕，拘捕；忧虑 | |
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51
retard
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| n.阻止，延迟；vt.妨碍，延迟，使减速 | |
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52
impending
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| a.imminent, about to come or happen | |
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53
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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54
implicated
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| adj.密切关联的；牵涉其中的 | |
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55
excellence
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| n.优秀，杰出，(pl.)优点，美德 | |
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56
precedent
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| n.先例，前例；惯例；adj.在前的，在先的 | |
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57
parricide
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| n.杀父母；杀亲罪 | |
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58
compassionately
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| adv.表示怜悯地，有同情心地 | |
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59
passionate
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，激昂的，易动情的，易怒的，性情暴躁的 | |
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60
passionately
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| ad.热烈地，激烈地 | |
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61
overflows
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| v.溢出，淹没( overflow的第三人称单数 )；充满；挤满了人；扩展出界，过度延伸 | |
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62
infamy
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| n.声名狼藉，出丑，恶行 | |
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63
benevolent
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| adj.仁慈的，乐善好施的 | |
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64
reposefully
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| adv.平稳地 | |
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65
malice
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| n.恶意，怨恨，蓄意；[律]预谋 | |
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66
demon
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| n.魔鬼，恶魔 | |
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67
deities
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| n.神，女神( deity的名词复数 )；神祗；神灵；神明 | |
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68
prospered
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| 成功，兴旺( prosper的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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69
smoothly
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| adv.平滑地，顺利地，流利地，流畅地 | |
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70
jade
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| n.玉石；碧玉；翡翠 | |
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71
rites
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| 仪式，典礼( rite的名词复数 ) | |
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72
honourable
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| adj.可敬的；荣誉的，光荣的 | |
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73
axe
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| n.斧子；v.用斧头砍，削减 | |
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74
sublime
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| adj.崇高的，伟大的；极度的，不顾后果的 | |
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75
wither
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|
| vt.使凋谢，使衰退，(用眼神气势等)使畏缩；vi.枯萎，衰退，消亡 | |
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76
defiance
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|
| n.挑战，挑衅，蔑视，违抗 | |
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77
lesser
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|
| adj.次要的，较小的；adv.较小地，较少地 | |
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78
supreme
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|
| adj.极度的，最重要的；至高的，最高的 | |
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79
rending
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| v.撕碎( rend的现在分词 )；分裂；（因愤怒、痛苦等而）揪扯（衣服或头发等）；（声音等）刺破 | |
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80
celestial
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|
| adj.天体的；天上的 | |
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81
incense
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| v.激怒；n.香，焚香时的烟，香气 | |
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82
impartial
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|
| adj.(in,to)公正的，无偏见的 | |
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83
opportune
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|
| adj.合适的，适当的 | |
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84
obese
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| adj.过度肥胖的，肥大的 | |
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85
murmur
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|
| n.低语，低声的怨言；v.低语，低声而言 | |
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86
demons
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| n.恶人( demon的名词复数 )；恶魔；精力过人的人；邪念 | |
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87
dwelling
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| n.住宅，住所，寓所 | |
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88
discredited
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| 不足信的，不名誉的 | |
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89
thoroughly
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|
| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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90
tumult
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| n.喧哗；激动，混乱；吵闹 | |
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91
torrent
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| n.激流，洪流；爆发，(话语等的)连发 | |
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92
omniscient
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|
| adj.无所不知的；博识的 | |
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93
inadequate
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| adj.(for,to)不充足的，不适当的 | |
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94
rebuke
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|
| v.指责，非难，斥责 [反]praise | |
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95
uproar
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|
| n.骚动，喧嚣，鼎沸 | |
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96
caverns
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| 大山洞，大洞穴( cavern的名词复数 ) | |
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97
fiery
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|
| adj.燃烧着的，火红的；暴躁的；激烈的 | |
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98
cyclones
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| n.气旋( cyclone的名词复数 )；旋风；飓风；暴风 | |
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99
sweeping
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| adj.范围广大的，一扫无遗的 | |
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100
immediate
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|
| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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101
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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102
fixedly
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|
| adv.固定地；不屈地，坚定不移地 | |
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103
situated
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|
| adj.坐落在...的，处于某种境地的 | |
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104
painstaking
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|
| adj.苦干的；艰苦的，费力的，刻苦的 | |
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105
obtuse
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|
| adj.钝的；愚钝的 | |
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106
behold
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|
| v.看，注视，看到 | |
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107
resentment
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| n.怨愤，忿恨 | |
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108
prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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109
dignified
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| a.可敬的，高贵的 | |
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110
seclusion
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|
| n.隐遁，隔离 | |
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111
profaner
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|
| adj.不敬（神）的；渎神的；亵渎的；世俗的vt.不敬；亵渎，玷污n.未受秘传的人 | |
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112
contriving
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|
| （不顾困难地）促成某事( contrive的现在分词 )； 巧妙地策划，精巧地制造（如机器）； 设法做到 | |
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113
beheld
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|
| v.看，注视( behold的过去式和过去分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
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114
lurk
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|
| n.潜伏，潜行；v.潜藏，潜伏，埋伏 | |
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115
extolled
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|
| v.赞颂，赞扬，赞美( extol的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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116
drawn
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|
| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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117
deity
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|
| n.神，神性；被奉若神明的人(或物) | |
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118
voluptuous
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|
| adj.肉欲的，骄奢淫逸的 | |
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119
subtlety
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|
| n.微妙，敏锐，精巧；微妙之处，细微的区别 | |
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120
spat
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| n.口角，掌击；v.发出呼噜呼噜声 | |
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121
questionable
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|
| adj.可疑的，有问题的 | |
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122
agility
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| n.敏捷，活泼 | |
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123
influential
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|
| adj.有影响的，有权势的 | |
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124
malignity
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|
| n.极度的恶意，恶毒；（病的）恶性 | |
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125
posterity
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|
| n.后裔，子孙，后代 | |
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126
industrious
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|
| adj.勤劳的，刻苦的，奋发的 | |
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127
impatience
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| n.不耐烦，急躁 | |
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128
contingencies
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|
| n.偶然发生的事故，意外事故( contingency的名词复数 )；以备万一 | |
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129
retaliatory
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|
| adj.报复的 | |
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130
precipice
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| n.悬崖，危急的处境 | |
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131
devoid
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| adj.全无的，缺乏的 | |
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132
destitute
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|
| adj.缺乏的；穷困的 | |
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133
warily
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| adv.留心地 | |
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134
attain
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| vt.达到，获得，完成 | |
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135
cupidity
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| n.贪心，贪财 | |
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136
rapacious
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|
| adj.贪婪的，强夺的 | |
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137
entirely
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|
| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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138
decided
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|
| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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139
outrageous
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|
| adj.无理的，令人不能容忍的 | |
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140
venerated
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| 敬重（某人或某事物），崇敬( venerate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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141
agile
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| adj.敏捷的，灵活的 | |
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142
grasshopper
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|
| n.蚱蜢，蝗虫，蚂蚱 | |
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143
revered
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| v.崇敬，尊崇，敬畏( revere的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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144
bondage
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| n.奴役，束缚 | |
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145
amiable
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|
| adj.和蔼可亲的，友善的，亲切的 | |
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146
devoted
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|
| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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147
adversary
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| adj.敌手，对手 | |
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148
persuasion
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| n.劝说；说服；持有某种信仰的宗派 | |
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149
extremity
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| n.末端，尽头；尽力；终极；极度 | |
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150
ransom
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| n.赎金，赎身；v.赎回，解救 | |
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151
armour
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| （=armor）n.盔甲；装甲部队 | |
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152
dubiously
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| adv.可疑地，怀疑地 | |
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153
undoubtedly
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| adv.确实地，无疑地 | |
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154
prolific
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| adj.丰富的，大量的；多产的，富有创造力的 | |
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155
pruned
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|
| v.修剪（树木等）( prune的过去式和过去分词 )；精简某事物，除去某事物多余的部分 | |
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156
efficiently
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| adv.高效率地，有能力地 | |
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157
curtailed
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| v.截断，缩短( curtail的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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158
heed
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| v.注意，留意；n.注意，留心 | |
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159
deviation
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| n.背离，偏离；偏差，偏向；离题 | |
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160
tangible
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|
| adj.有形的，可触摸的，确凿的，实际的 | |
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161
omen
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| n.征兆，预兆；vt.预示 | |
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162
omens
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| n.前兆，预兆( omen的名词复数 ) | |
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163
sinister
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| adj.不吉利的，凶恶的，左边的 | |
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164
hostility
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| n.敌对，敌意；抵制［pl.］交战，战争 | |
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165
disporting
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| v.嬉戏，玩乐，自娱( disport的现在分词 ) | |
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166
secluded
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|
| adj.与世隔绝的；隐退的；偏僻的v.使隔开，使隐退( seclude的过去式和过去分词) | |
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167
phoenix
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| n.凤凰，长生(不死)鸟；引申为重生 | |
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168
glade
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| n.林间空地，一片表面有草的沼泽低地 | |
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169
lustre
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| n.光亮，光泽；荣誉 | |
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170
impede
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| v.妨碍，阻碍，阻止 | |
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171
guise
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| n.外表，伪装的姿态 | |
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172
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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173
brilliance
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| n.光辉，辉煌，壮丽，（卓越的）才华，才智 | |
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174
prudently
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| adv. 谨慎地，慎重地 | |
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175
prudent
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| adj.谨慎的，有远见的，精打细算的 | |
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176
lavish
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| adj.无节制的；浪费的；vt.慷慨地给予，挥霍 | |
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177
placid
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| adj.安静的，平和的 | |
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178
amethyst
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| n.紫水晶 | |
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179
ruby
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| n.红宝石，红宝石色 | |
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180
professed
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| 公开声称的，伪称的，已立誓信教的 | |
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181
attachment
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| n.附属物，附件；依恋；依附 | |
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182
detailed
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|
| adj.详细的，详尽的，极注意细节的，完全的 | |
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183
recital
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|
| n.朗诵，独奏会，独唱会 | |
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184
acquiescence
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| n.默许；顺从 | |
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185
expressive
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|
| adj.表现的，表达…的，富于表情的 | |
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186
viands
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| n.食品，食物 | |
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187
costly
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|
| adj.昂贵的，价值高的，豪华的 | |
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188
retinue
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| n.侍从；随员 | |
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189
discreet
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|
| adj.(言行)谨慎的；慎重的；有判断力的 | |
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190
profligacy
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| n.放荡，不检点，肆意挥霍 | |
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191
delectable
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| adj.使人愉快的；美味的 | |
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192
accomplishment
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| n.完成，成就，（pl.）造诣，技能 | |
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193
treacherous
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| adj.不可靠的，有暗藏的危险的；adj.背叛的，背信弃义的 | |
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194
enticed
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| 诱惑，怂恿( entice的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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195
entice
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| v.诱骗，引诱，怂恿 | |
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196
privately
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| adv.以私人的身份，悄悄地，私下地 | |
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197
expenditure
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| n.(时间、劳力、金钱等)支出；使用，消耗 | |
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198
incurred
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| [医]招致的，遭受的； incur的过去式 | |
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199
esteem
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| n.尊敬，尊重；vt.尊重，敬重；把…看作 | |
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200
gems
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| growth； economy； management； and customer satisfaction 增长 | |
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201
remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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202
conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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203
foresight
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| n.先见之明，深谋远虑 | |
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204
inevitable
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| adj.不可避免的，必然发生的 | |
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205
penury
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| n.贫穷，拮据 | |
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206
degradation
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| n.降级；低落；退化；陵削；降解；衰变 | |
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207
perversity
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| n.任性；刚愎自用 | |
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208
strife
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| n.争吵，冲突，倾轧，竞争 | |
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209
poised
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| a.摆好姿势不动的 | |
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210
sips
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| n.小口喝，一小口的量( sip的名词复数 )v.小口喝，呷，抿( sip的第三人称单数 ) | |
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211
potency
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| n. 效力，潜能 | |
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212
incapable
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| adj.无能力的，不能做某事的 | |
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213
inscribed
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| v.写，刻( inscribe的过去式和过去分词 )；内接 | |
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214
attained
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| （通常经过努力）实现( attain的过去式和过去分词 )； 达到； 获得； 达到（某年龄、水平、状况） | |
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215
conscientious
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|
| adj.审慎正直的，认真的，本着良心的 | |
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216
pretence
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| n.假装，作假；借口，口实；虚伪；虚饰 | |
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217
avert
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| v.防止，避免；转移(目光、注意力等) | |
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218
averting
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| 防止，避免( avert的现在分词 )； 转移 | |
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219
profuse
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| adj.很多的，大量的，极其丰富的 | |
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220
ornamental
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| adj.装饰的；作装饰用的；n.装饰品；观赏植物 | |
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221
scanty
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| adj.缺乏的，仅有的，节省的，狭小的，不够的 | |
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222
thong
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| n.皮带；皮鞭；v.装皮带 | |
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223
laborious
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| adj.吃力的，努力的，不流畅 | |
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224
myriads
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| n.无数，极大数量( myriad的名词复数 ) | |
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225
boundless
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| adj.无限的；无边无际的；巨大的 | |
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226
brazen
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| adj.厚脸皮的，无耻的，坚硬的 | |
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227
unanimity
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| n.全体一致，一致同意 | |
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228
entangled
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|
| adj.卷入的；陷入的；被缠住的；缠在一起的v.使某人（某物/自己）缠绕，纠缠于（某物中），使某人（自己）陷入（困难或复杂的环境中）( entangle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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229
tolerance
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| n.宽容；容忍，忍受；耐药力；公差 | |
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230
slough
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| v.蜕皮，脱落，抛弃 | |
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231
tormenting
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| 使痛苦的，使苦恼的 | |
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232
opaque
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| adj.不透光的；不反光的，不传导的；晦涩的 | |
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233
deliberately
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|
| adv.审慎地；蓄意地；故意地 | |
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234
converging
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|
| adj.收敛[缩]的，会聚的，趋同的v.（线条、运动的物体等）会于一点( converge的现在分词 )；（趋于）相似或相同；人或车辆汇集；聚集 | |
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235
grassy
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|
| adj.盖满草的；长满草的 | |
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236
texture
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| n.(织物)质地；(材料)构造；结构；肌理 | |
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237
vista
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| n.远景，深景，展望，回想 | |
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238
retentive
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|
| v.保留的，有记忆的；adv.有记性地，记性强地；n.保持力 | |
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239
reverence
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|
| n.敬畏，尊敬，尊严；Reverence:对某些基督教神职人员的尊称；v.尊敬，敬畏，崇敬 | |
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240
prostrated
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|
| v.使俯伏，使拜倒( prostrate的过去式和过去分词 )；（指疾病、天气等）使某人无能为力 | |
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241
attainment
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| n.达到，到达；［常pl.］成就，造诣 | |
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242
considerably
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|
| adv.极大地；相当大地；在很大程度上 | |
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243
formerly
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|
| adv.从前，以前 | |
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244
devout
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|
| adj.虔诚的，虔敬的，衷心的 (n.devoutness) | |
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245
deposed
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| v.罢免( depose的过去式和过去分词 )；（在法庭上）宣誓作证 | |
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246
plight
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| n.困境，境况，誓约，艰难；vt.宣誓，保证，约定 | |
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247
dross
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| n.渣滓；无用之物 | |
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248
alleviate
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|
| v.减轻，缓和，缓解(痛苦等) | |
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249
upwards
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|
| adv.向上，在更高处...以上 | |
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250
concealed
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|
| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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251
procured
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|
| v.（努力）取得， （设法）获得( procure的过去式和过去分词 )；拉皮条 | |
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252
possessed
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|
| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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253
attainments
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|
| 成就，造诣； 获得( attainment的名词复数 )； 达到； 造诣； 成就 | |
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254
penetrate
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|
| v.透(渗)入；刺入，刺穿；洞察，了解 | |
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255
impervious
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|
| adj.不能渗透的，不能穿过的，不易伤害的 | |
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256
outweighs
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|
| v.在重量上超过( outweigh的第三人称单数 )；在重要性或价值方面超过 | |
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257
distressing
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|
| a.使人痛苦的 | |
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258
accomplices
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| 从犯，帮凶，同谋( accomplice的名词复数 ) | |
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259
eminence
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| n.卓越，显赫；高地，高处；名家 | |
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260
meritorious
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|
| adj.值得赞赏的 | |
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261
portents
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| n.预兆( portent的名词复数 )；征兆；怪事；奇物 | |
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262
ridicule
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|
| v.讥讽，挖苦；n.嘲弄 | |
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263
inured
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|
| adj.坚强的，习惯的 | |
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264
stony
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|
| adj.石头的，多石头的，冷酷的，无情的 | |
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265
averted
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| 防止，避免( avert的过去式和过去分词 )； 转移 | |
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266
forfeited
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|
| （因违反协议、犯规、受罚等）丧失，失去( forfeit的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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267
reluctance
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|
| n.厌恶，讨厌，勉强，不情愿 | |
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268
pliable
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|
| adj.易受影响的；易弯的；柔顺的，易驾驭的 | |
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269
austere
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|
| adj.艰苦的；朴素的，朴实无华的；严峻的 | |
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270
agitation
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| n.搅动；搅拌；鼓动，煽动 | |
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271
unstable
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| adj.不稳定的，易变的 | |
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272
commendable
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|
| adj.值得称赞的 | |
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273
essentially
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|
| adv.本质上，实质上，基本上 | |
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274
thither
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|
| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
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275
crafty
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|
| adj.狡猾的，诡诈的 | |
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276
allotted
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| 分配，拨给，摊派( allot的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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277
undertaking
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| n.保证，许诺，事业 | |
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278
alluded
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|
| 提及，暗指( allude的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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279
calamity
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|
| n.灾害，祸患，不幸事件 | |
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280
catastrophe
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|
| n.大灾难，大祸 | |
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281
dwellers
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| n.居民，居住者( dweller的名词复数 ) | |
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282
usurper
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| n. 篡夺者, 僭取者 | |
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283
dwellings
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| n.住处，处所( dwelling的名词复数 ) | |
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284
trampling
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|
| 踩( trample的现在分词 )； 践踏； 无视； 侵犯 | |
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285
pagoda
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|
| n.宝塔（尤指印度和远东的多层宝塔），（印度教或佛教的）塔式庙宇 | |
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286
advancement
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|
| n.前进，促进，提升 | |
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287
opportunely
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| adv.恰好地，适时地 | |
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288
dishonoured
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| a.不光彩的，不名誉的 | |
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289
impelled
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| v.推动、推进或敦促某人做某事( impel的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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290
alluring
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| adj.吸引人的，迷人的 | |
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291
allied
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| adj.协约国的；同盟国的 | |
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292
defenders
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|
| n.防御者( defender的名词复数 )；守卫者；保护者；辩护者 | |
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293
reverently
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| adv.虔诚地 | |
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294
augur
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| n.占卦师；v.占卦 | |
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295
conclusive
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| adj.最后的，结论的；确凿的，消除怀疑的 | |
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296
catastrophes
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|
| n.灾祸( catastrophe的名词复数 )；灾难；不幸事件；困难 | |
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297
wrought
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| v.引起；以…原料制作；运转；adj.制造的 | |
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298
lamentable
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| adj.令人惋惜的，悔恨的 | |
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299
wont
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| adj.习惯于；v.习惯；n.习惯 | |
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300
holocausts
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| n.大屠杀( holocaust的名词复数 ) | |
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301
refinement
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| n.文雅；高尚；精美；精制；精炼 | |
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302
condescending
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| adj.谦逊的,故意屈尊的 | |
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303
monarch
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| n.帝王，君主，最高统治者 | |
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304
inspection
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| n.检查，审查，检阅 | |
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305
interval
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|
| n.间隔，间距；幕间休息，中场休息 | |
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306
scarcity
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|
| n.缺乏，不足，萧条 | |
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307
aptitude
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| n.(学习方面的)才能，资质，天资 | |
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308
copper
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|
| n.铜；铜币；铜器；adj.铜(制)的；(紫)铜色的 | |
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309
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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310
sumptuous
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|
| adj.豪华的，奢侈的，华丽的 | |
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311
fervent
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|
| adj.热的，热烈的，热情的 | |
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312
mutual
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|
| adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的 | |
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313
inflated
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|
| adj.（价格）飞涨的；（通货）膨胀的；言过其实的；充了气的v.使充气（于轮胎、气球等）( inflate的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）膨胀；（使）通货膨胀；物价上涨 | |
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314
browsed
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|
| v.吃草( browse的过去式和过去分词 )；随意翻阅；（在商店里）随便看看；（在计算机上）浏览信息 | |
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315
invincible
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|
| adj.不可征服的，难以制服的 | |
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316
velvet
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|
| n.丝绒，天鹅绒；adj.丝绒制的，柔软的 | |
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317
solitary
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| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
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318
mantle
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| n.斗篷，覆罩之物，罩子；v.罩住，覆盖，脸红 | |
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319
rustling
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| n. 瑟瑟声，沙沙声 adj. 发沙沙声的 | |
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320
persuasive
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| adj.有说服力的，能说得使人相信的 | |
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321
perturbed
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| adj.烦燥不安的v.使（某人）烦恼，不安( perturb的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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322
maidens
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| 处女( maiden的名词复数 )； 少女； 未婚女子； （板球运动）未得分的一轮投球 | |
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323
impartially
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| adv.公平地，无私地 | |
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324
graceful
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| adj.优美的，优雅的；得体的 | |
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325
accomplishments
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| n.造诣；完成( accomplishment的名词复数 )；技能；成绩；成就 | |
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326
compliance
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| n.顺从；服从；附和；屈从 | |
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327
dispelled
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| v.驱散，赶跑( dispel的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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328
trumpets
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| 喇叭( trumpet的名词复数 )； 小号； 喇叭形物； （尤指）绽开的水仙花 | |
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329
warriors
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| 武士，勇士，战士( warrior的名词复数 ) | |
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330
eyelids
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| n.眼睑( eyelid的名词复数 )；眼睛也不眨一下；不露声色；面不改色 | |
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331
shred
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| v.撕成碎片，变成碎片；n.碎布条，细片，些少 | |
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332
attire
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| v.穿衣，装扮[同]array；n.衣着；盛装 | |
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333
javelin
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| n.标枪，投枪 | |
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334
naught
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| n.无，零 [=nought] | |
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335
moodily
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| adv.喜怒无常地；情绪多变地；心情不稳地；易生气地 | |
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336
taunt
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| n.辱骂，嘲弄；v.嘲弄 | |
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337
hoof
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| n.(马，牛等的)蹄 | |
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338
chambers
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| n.房间( chamber的名词复数 )；（议会的）议院；卧室；会议厅 | |
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339
resolutely
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| adj.坚决地，果断地 | |
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340
throng
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| n.人群，群众；v.拥挤，群集 | |
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341
stagnant
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| adj.不流动的，停滞的，不景气的 | |
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342
stewed
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| adj.焦虑不安的，烂醉的v.炖( stew的过去式和过去分词 )；煨；思考；担忧 | |
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343
snare
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| n.陷阱，诱惑，圈套；（去除息肉或者肿瘤的）勒除器；响弦，小军鼓；vt.以陷阱捕获，诱惑 | |
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344
denuded
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| adj.[医]变光的，裸露的v.使赤裸( denude的过去式和过去分词 )；剥光覆盖物 | |
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345
explicit
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| adj.详述的，明确的；坦率的；显然的 | |
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346
embarrassment
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| n.尴尬；使人为难的人(事物)；障碍；窘迫 | |
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347
cork
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| n.软木，软木塞 | |
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348
hoop
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| n.（篮球）篮圈，篮 | |
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349
virtue
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| n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力 | |
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350
shafts
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| n.轴( shaft的名词复数 )；（箭、高尔夫球棒等的）杆；通风井；一阵（疼痛、害怕等） | |
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351
canopy
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| n.天篷，遮篷 | |
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352
obstinacy
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| n.顽固；（病痛等）难治 | |
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353
intrepid
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| adj.无畏的，刚毅的 | |
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354
credulous
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| adj.轻信的，易信的 | |
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355
ordained
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| v.任命（某人）为牧师( ordain的过去式和过去分词 )；授予（某人）圣职；（上帝、法律等）命令；判定 | |
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356
bereft
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| adj.被剥夺的 | |
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357
unreasonable
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| adj.不讲道理的，不合情理的，过度的 | |
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358
countless
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| adj.无数的，多得不计其数的 | |
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359
vouchsafed
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| v.给予，赐予( vouchsafe的过去式和过去分词 )；允诺 | |
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