They rode on through sunset, and slow dusk, and gathering1 night. When at last they halted and dismounted, even Aragorn was stiff and weary. Gandalf only allowed them a few hours' rest. Legolas and Gimli slept and Aragorn lay flat, stretched upon his back; but Gandalf stood, leaning on his staff, gazing into the darkness, east and west. All was silent, and there was no sign or sound of living thing. The night was barred with long clouds, fleeting2 on a chill wind, when they arose again. Under the cold moon they went on once more, as swift as by the light of day.
Hours passed and still they rode on. Gimli nodded and would have fallen from his seat, if Gandalf had not clutched and shaken him. Hasufel and Arod, weary but proud, followed their tireless leader, a grey shadow before them hardly to he seen. The miles went by. The waxing moon sank into the cloudy West.
A bitter chill came into the air. Slowly in the East the dark faded to a cold grey. Red shafts4 of light leapt above the black walls of the Emyn Muil far away upon their left. Dawn came clear and bright; a wind swept across their path, rushing through the bent5 grasses. Suddenly Shadowfax stood still and neighed. Gandalf pointed6 ahead.
'Look!' he cried, and they lifted their tired eyes. Before them stood the mountains of the South: white-tipped and streaked7 with black. The grass-lands rolled against the hills that clustered at their feet, and flowed up into many valleys still dim and dark, untouched by the light of dawn, winding8 their way into the heart of the great mountains. Immediately before the travellers the widest of these glens opened like a long gulf10 among the hills. Far inward they glimpsed a tumbled mountain-mass with one tall peak; at the mouth of the vale there stood like sentinel a lonely height. About its feet there flowed, as a thread of silver, the stream that issued from the dale; upon its brow they caught, still far away, a glint in the rising sun, a glimmer11 of gold. 'Speak, Legolas!' said Gandalf. 'Tell us what you see there before us!'
Legolas gazed ahead, shading his eyes from the level shafts of the new-risen sun. 'I see a white stream that comes down from the snows,' he said. 'Where it issues from the shadow of the vale a green hill rises upon the east. A dike12 and mighty13 wall and thorny14 fence encircle it. Within there rise the roofs of houses; and in the midst, set upon a green terrace, there stands aloft a great hall of Men. And it seems to my eyes that it is thatched with gold. The light of it shines far over the land. Golden, too, are the posts of its doors. There men in bright mail stand; but all else within the courts are yet asleep.'
'Edoras those courts are called,' said Gandalf, 'and Meduseld is that golden hall. There dwells Thjoden son of Thengel, King of the Mark of Rohan. We are come with the rising of the day. Now the road lies plain to see before us. But we must ride more warily16; for war is abroad, and the Rohirrim, the Horse-lords, do not sleep, even if it seem so from afar. Draw no weapon, speak no haughty17 word, I counsel you all, until we are come before Thjoden's seat.'
The morning was bright and clear about them, and birds were singing, when the travellers came to the stream. It ran down swiftly into the plain, and beyond the feet of the hills turned across their path in a wide bend, flowing away east to feed the Entwash far off in its reed-choked beds. The land was green: in the wet meads and along the grassy18 borders of the stream grew many willow-trees. Already in this southern land they were blushing red at their fingertips. Feeling the approach of spring. Over the stream there was a ford19 between low banks much trampled20 by the passage of horses. The travellers passed over and came upon a wide rutted track leading towards the uplands.
At the foot of the walled hill the way ran under the shadow of many mounds21, high and green. Upon their western sides the grass was white as with a drifted snow: small flowers sprang there like countless22 stars amid the turf.
'Look!' said Gandalf. 'How fair are the bright eyes in the grass! Evermind they are called, simbelmynl in this land of Men, for they blossom in all the seasons of the year, and grow where dead men rest. Behold23! we are come to the great barrows where the sires of Thjoden sleep.' 'Seven mounds upon the left, and nine upon the right,' said Aragorn. 'Many long lives of men it is since the golden hall was built.'
'Five hundred times have the red leaves fallen in Mirkwood in my home since then,' said Legolas, 'and but a little while does that seem to us.'
'But to the Riders of the Mark it seems so long ago,' said Aragorn, 'that the raising of this house is but a memory of song, and the years before are lost in the mist of time. Now they call this land their home, their own, and their speech is sundered24 from their northern kin15.' Then he began to chant softly in a slow tongue unknown to the Elf and Dwarf25; yet they listened, for there was a strong music in it.
'That, I guess, is the language of the Rohirrim,' said Legolas; 'for it is like to this land itself; rich and rolling in part, and else hard and stern as the mountains. But I cannot guess what it means, save that it is laden26 with the sadness of Mortal Men.'
'It runs thus in the Common Speech,' said Aragorn, 'as near as I can make it.
Where now the horse and the rider? Where is the horn that was blowing?
Where is the helm and the hauberk, and the bright hair flowing?
Where is the hand on the harpstring, and the red fire glowing?
Where is the spring and the harvest and the tall corn growing?
They have passed like rain on the mountain, like a wind in the meadow;
The days have gone down in the West behind the hills into shadow.
Who shall gather the smoke of the dead wood burning,
Or behold the flowing years from the Sea returning?
Thus spoke27 a forgotten poet long ago in Rohan, recalling how tall and fair was Eorl the Young, who rode down out of the North; and there were wings upon the feet of his steed, Felaruf, father of horses. So men still sing in the evening.'
With these words the travellers passed the silent mounds. Following the winding way up the green shoulders of the hills, they came at last to the wide wind-swept walls and the gates of Edoras.
There sat many men in bright mail, who sprang at once to their feet and barred the way with spears. 'Stay, strangers here unknown!' they cried in the tongue of the Riddermark, demanding the names and errand of the strangers. Wonder was in their eyes but little friendliness28; and they looked darkly upon Gandalf.
'Well do I understand your speech,' he answered in the same language; 'yet few strangers do so. Why then do you not speak in the Common Tongue, as is the custom in the West, if you wish to be answered?'
'It is the will of Thjoden King that none should enter his gates, save those who know our tongue and are our friends,' replied one of the guards. 'None are welcome here in days of war but our own folk, and those that come from Mundburg in the land of Gondor. Who are you that come heedless over the plain thus strangely clad, riding horses like to our own horses? Long have we kept guard here, and we have watched you from afar. Never have we seen other riders so strange, nor any horse more proud than is one of these that bear you. He is One of the Mearas, unless our eyes are cheated by some spell. Say, are you not a wizard, some spy from Saruman, or phantoms29 of his craft? Speak now and be swift!'
'We are no phantoms,' said Aragorn, 'nor do your eyes cheat you. For indeed these are your own horses that we ride, as you knew well are you asked, I guess. But seldom does thief ride home to the stable. Here are Hasufel and Arod, that Jomer, the Third Marshal of the Mark, lent to us, only two days ago. We bring them back now, even as we promised him. Has not Jomer then returned and given warning of our coming?'
A troubled look came into the guard's eyes. 'Of Jomer I have naught30 to say,' he answered. 'If what you tell me is truth, then doubtless Thjoden will have heard of it. Maybe your coming was not wholly unlooked-for. It is but two nights ago that Wormtongue came to us and said that by the will of Thjoden no stranger should pass these gates.'
'Wormtongue?' said Gandalf, looking sharply at the guard. 'Say no more! My errand is not to Wormtongue, but to the Lord of the Mark himself. I am in haste. Will you not go or send to say that we are come?' His eyes glinted under his deep brows as he bent his gaze upon the man.
'Yes, I will go,' he answered slowly. 'But what names shall I report? And what shall I say of you? Old and weary you seem now, and yet you are fell and grim beneath, I deem'
'Well do you see and speak,' said the wizard. 'For I am Gandalf. I have returned. And behold! I too bring back a horse. Here is Shadowfax the Great, whom no other hand can tame. And here beside me is Aragorn son of Arathorn, the heir of Kings, and it is to Mundburg that he goes. Here also are Legolas the Elf and Gimli the Dwarf, our comrades. Go now and say to your master that we are at his gates and would have speech with him, if he will permit us to come into his hall.' 'Strange names you give indeed! But I will report them as you bid and learn my master's will,' said the guard. 'Wait here a little while, and f will bring you such answer as seems good to him. Do not hope too much! These are dark days.' He went swiftly away, leaving the strangers in the watchful31 keeping of his comrades. After some time he returned. 'Follow me!' he said. 'Thjoden gives you leave to enter; but any weapon that you bear; be it only a staff, you must leave on the threshold. The doorwardens will keep them.'
The dark gates were swung open. The travellers entered, walking in file behind their guide. They found a broad path, paved with hewn stones, now winding upward, now climbing in short flights of well-laid steps. Many houses built of wood and many dark doors they passed. Beside the way in a stone channel a stream of clear water flowed, sparkling and chattering33. At length they came to the crown of the hill. There stood a high platform above a green terrace, at the foot of which a bright spring gushed34 from a stone carved in the likeness35 of a horse's head; beneath was a wide basin from which the water. spilled and fed the falling stream. Up the green terrace went a stair of stone, high and broad, and on either side of the topmost step were stone-hewn sea, There sat other guards, with drawn36 swords laid upon their knees. Their golden hair was braided on their shoulders the sun was blazoned37 upon their green shields, their long corslets were burnished38 bright, and when they rose taller they seemed than mortal men.
'There are the doors before you,' said the guide. 'I must return now to my duty at the gate. Farewell! And may the Lord of the Mark be gracious to you!'
He turned and went swiftly back down the road. The others climbed the long stair under the eyes of the tall watchmen. Silent they stood now above and spoke no word, until Gandalf stepped out upon the paved terrace at the stairs head. Then suddenly with clear voices they spoke a courteous39 greeting in their own tongue.
Hail, corners from afar!' they said, and they turned the hilts of their swords towards the travellers in token of peace. Green gems40 flashed in the sunlight. Then one of the guards stepped forward and spoke in the Common Speech.
'I am the Doorward of Thjoden,' he said. 'Hbma is my name. Here I must bid you lay aside your weapons before you enter.'
Then Legolas gave into his hand his silver-hafted knife, his quiver and his bow. 'Keep these well,' he said, 'for they come from the Golden Wood and the Lady of Lothlurien gave them to me.'
Wonder came into the man's eyes, and he laid the weapons hastily by the wall, as if he feared to handle them. 'No man will touch them I promise you,' he said.
Aragorn stood a while hesitating. 'It is not my will,' he said, 'to put aside my sword or to deliver And畆il to the hand of any other man.'
'It is the will of Thjoden,' said Hbma.
'It is not clear to me that the will of Thjoden son of Thengel even though he be lord of the Mark, should prevail over the will of Aragorn son of Arathorn, Elendil's heir of Gondor.'
'This is the house of Thjoden, not of Aragorn, even were he King of Gondor in the seat of Denethor,' said Hbma, stepping swiftly before the doors and barring the way. His sword was now in his hand and the point towards the strangers.
'This is idle talk,' said Gandalf. 'Needless is Thjoden's demand, but it is useless to refuse. A king will have his way in his own hall, be it folly41 or wisdom.'
'Truly,' said Aragorn. 'And I would do as the master of the house bade me, were this only a woodman's cot, if I bore now any sword but And畆il.'
'Whatever its name may be,' said Hbma, 'here you shall lay it, if you would not fight alone against all the men in Edoras.'
'Not alone!' said Gimli, fingering the blade of his axe42, and looking darkly up at the guard, as if he were a young tree that Gimli had a mind to fell. 'Not alone!'
'Come, come!' said Gandalf. 'We are all friends here. Or should be; for the laughter of Mordor will be our only reward, if we quarrel. My errand is pressing. Here at least is my sword, goodman Hbma. Keep it well. Glamdring it is called, for the Elves made it long ago. Now let me pass. Come, Aragorn!'
Slowly Aragorn unbuckled his belt and himself set his sword upright against the wall. 'Here I set it,' he said; 'but I command you not to touch it, nor to permit any other to lay hand on it. In this elvish heath dwells the Blade that was Broken and has been made again. Telchar first wrought43 it in the deeps of time. Death shall come to any man that draws Elendil's sword save Elendil's heir.'
The guard stepped back and looked with amazement44 on Aragorn. 'It seems that you are come on the wings of song out of the forgotten days he said. It shall be, lord, as you command.
'Well,' said Gimli, 'if it has And畆il to keep it company, my axe may stay here, too, without shame'; and he laid it on the floor. 'Now then, if all is as you wish, let us go and speak with your master.'
The guard still hesitated. 'Your staff,' he said to Gandalf. 'Forgive me, but that too must be left at the doors.'
'Foolishness!' said Gandalf. 'Prudence45 is one thing, but discourtesy is another. I am old. If I may not lean on my stick as I go, then I will sit out here, until it pleases Thjoden to hobble out himself to speak with me.'
Aragorn laughed. 'Every man has something too dear to trust to another. But would you part an old man from his support? Come, will you not let us enter?'
'The staff in the hand of a wizard may be more than a prop47 for age' said Hbma. He looked hard at the ash-staff on which Gandalf leaned. 'Yet in doubt a man of worth will trust to his own wisdom. I believe you are friends and folk worthy48 of honour, who have no evil purpose. You may go in.'
The guards now lifted the heavy bars of the doors and swung them slowly inwards grumbling49 on their great hinges. The travellers entered. Inside it seemed dark and warm after the clear air upon the hill. The hall was long and wide and filled with shadows and half lights; mighty pillars upheld its lofty roof. But here and there bright sunbeams fell in glimmering50 shafts from the eastern windows, high under the deep eaves. Through the louver in the roof, above the thin wisps of issuing smoke, the sky showed pale and blue. As their eyes changed, the travellers perceived that the floor was paved with stones of many hues51; branching runes and strange devices intertwined beneath their feet. They saw now that the pillars were richly carved, gleaming dully with gold and half-seen colours. Many woven cloths were hung upon the walls, and over their wide spaces marched figures of ancient legend, some dim with years, some darkling in the shade. But upon one form the sunlight fell: a young man upon a white horse. He was blowing a great horn, and his yellow hair was flying in the wind. The horse's head was lifted, and its nostrils52 were wide and red as it neighed, smelling battle afar. Foaming53 water, green and white, rushed and curled about its knees.
'Behold Eorl the Young!' said Aragorn. 'Thus he rode out of the North to the Battle of the Field of Celebrant.'
Now the four companions went forward, past the clear wood-fire burning upon the long hearth54 in the midst of the hall. Then they halted. At the far end of the house, beyond the hearth and facing north towards the doors, was a dais with three steps; and in the middle of the dais was a great gilded55 chair. Upon it sat a man so bent with age that he seemed almost a dwarf; but his white hair was long and thick and fell in great braids from beneath a thin golden circle set upon his brow. In the centre upon his forehead shone a single white diamond. His beard was laid like snow upon his knees; but his eyes still burned with a bright light, glinting as he gazed at the strangers. Behind his chair stood a woman clad in white. At his feet upon the steps sat a wizened56 figure of a man, with a pale wise face and heavy-lidded eyes.
There was a silence. The old man did not move in his chair. At length Gandalf spoke. 'Hail, Thjoden son of Thengel! I have returned. For behold! the storm comes, and now all friends should gather together, lest each singly be destroyed.'
Slowly the old man rose to his feet, leaning heavily upon a short black staff with a handle of white bone; and now the strangers saw that, bent though he was, he was still tall and must in youth have been high and proud indeed.
'I greet you,' he said, 'and maybe you look for welcome. But truth to tell your welcome is doubtful here, Master Gandalf. You have ever been a herald57 of woe58. Troubles follow you like crows, and ever the oftener the worse. I will not deceive you: when I heard that Shadowfax had come back riderless, I rejoiced at the return of the horse, but still more at the lack of the rider; and when Jomer brought the tidings that you had gone at last to your long home, I did not mourn. But news from afar is seldom sooth. Here you come again! And with you come evils worse than before, as might be expected. Why should I welcome you, Gandalf Stormcrow? Tell me that.' Slowly he sat down again in his chair.
'You speak justly, lord,' said the pale man sitting upon the steps of the dais. 'It is not yet five days since the bitter tidings came that Thjodred your son was slain59 upon the West Marches: your right hand, Second Marshal Of the Mark. In Jomer there is little trust. Few men would be left to guard your walls, if he had been allowed to rule. And even now we learn from Gondor that the Dark Lord is stirring in the East. Such is the hour in which this wanderer chooses to return. Why indeed should we welcome you, Master Stormcrow? Lbthspell I name you, Ill-news; and ill news is an ill guest they say.' He laughed grimly, as he lifted his heavy lids for a moment and gazed on the strangers with dark eyes.
'You are held wise, my friend Wormtongue, and are doubtless a great support to your master,' answered Gandalf in a soft voice. 'Yet in two ways may a man come with evil tidings. lie may be a worker of evil; or he may be such as leaves well alone, and comes only to bring aid in time of need.'
'That is so,' said Wormtongue; 'but there is a third kind: pickers of bones, meddlers in other men's sorrows, carrion-fowl that grow fat on war. What aid have you ever brought, Stormcrow? And what aid do you bring now? It was aid from us that you sought last time that you were here. Then my lord bade you Choose any horse that you would and be gone; and to the wonder of all you took Shadowfax in your insolence60. My lord was sorely grieved; yet to some it seemed that to speed you from the land the price was not too great. I guess that it is likely to turn out the same once more: you will seek aid rather than render it. Do you bring men? Do you bring horses, swords, spears? That I would call aid; that is our present need. But who are these that follow at your tail? Three ragged61 wanderers in grey, and you yourself the most beggar-like of the four!'
'The courtesy of your hall is somewhat lessened62 of late, Thjoden son of Thengel,' said Gandalf. 'Has not the messenger from your gate reported the names of my companions? Seldom has any lord of Rohan received three such guests. Weapons they have laid at your doors that are worth many a mortal man, even the mightiest63. Grey is their raiment, for the Elves clad them, and thus they have passed through the shadow of great perils65 to your hall.'
'Then it is true, as Jomer reported, that you are in league with the Sorceress of the Golden Wood?' said Wormtongue. 'It is not to be wondered at: webs of deceit were ever woven in Dwimordene.'
Gimli strode a pace forward, but felt suddenly the hand of Gandalf clutch him by the shoulder, and he halted, standing66 stiff as stone.
In Dwimordene, in Lurien
Seldom have walked the feet of Men,
Few mortal eyes have seen the light
That lies there ever, long and bright.
Galadriel! Galadriel!
Clear is the water of your well;
White is the star in your white hand;
Unmarred, unstained is leaf and land
In Dwimordene, in Lurien
More fair than thoughts of Mortal Men.
Thus Gandalf softly sang, and then suddenly he changed. Casting his tattered67 cloak aside, he stood up and leaned no longer on his staff; and he spoke in a clear cold voice. 'The wise speak only of what they know, Grnma son of Gblmud. A witless worm have you become. Therefore be silent, and keep your forked tongue behind your teeth. I have not passed through fire and death to bandy crooked68 words with a serving-man till the lightning falls.' He raised his staff. There was a roll of thunder. The sunlight was blotted69 out from the eastern windows; the whole hall became suddenly dark as night. The fire faded to sullen70 embers. Only Gandalf could be seen, standing white and tall before the blackened hearth.
In the gloom they heard the hiss71 of Wormtongue's voice: 'Did I not counsel you, lord, to forbid his staff? That fool, Hbma, has betrayed us!' There was a flash as if lightning had cloven the roof. Then all was silent. Wormtongue sprawled72 on his face.
'Now Thjoden son of Thengel, will you hearken to me?' said Gandalf. 'Do you ask for help?' He lifted his staff and pointed to a high window. There the darkness seemed to clear, and through the opening could be seen, high and far, a patch of shining sky. 'Not all is dark. Take courage, Lord of the Mark; for better help you will not find. No counsel have I to give to those that despair. Yet counsel I could give, and words I could speak to you. Will you hear them? They are not for all ears. I bid you come out before your doors and look abroad. Too long have you sat in shadows and trusted to twisted tales and crooked promptings.'
Slowly Thjoden left his chair. A faint light grew in the hall again. The woman hastened to the king's side, taking his arm, and with faltering73 steps the old man came down from the dais and paced softly through the hall. Wormtongue remained lying on the floor. They came to the doors and Gandalf knocked.
'Open!' he cried. 'The Lord of the Mark comes forth74!'
The doors rolled back and a keen air came whistling in. A wind was blowing on the hill. 'Send your guards down to the stairs foot,' said Gandalf. 'And you, lady, leave him a while with me. I will care for him.'
'Go, Jowyn sister-daughter!' said the old king. 'The time for fear is past.'
The woman turned and went slowly into the house. As she passed the doors she turned and looked back. Grave and thoughtful was her glance, as she looked on the king with cool pity in her eyes. Very fair was her face, and her long hair was like a river of gold. Slender and tall she was in her white robe girt with silver; but strong she seemed and stern as steel, a daughter of kings. Thus Aragorn for the first time in the full light of day beheld75 Jowyn, Lady of Rohan, and thought her fair, fair and cold, like a morning of pale spring that is not yet come to womanhood. And she now was suddenly aware of him: tall heir of kings, wise with many winters, greycloaked. Hiding a power that yet she felt. For a moment still as stone she stood, then turning swiftly she was gone.
'Now, lord,' said Gandalf, 'look out upon your land! Breathe the free air again!'
From the porch upon the top of the high terrace they could see beyond the stream the green fields of Rohan fading into distant grey. Curtains of wind-blown rain were slanting76 down. The sky above and to the west was still dark with thunder, and lightning far away flickered77 among the tops of hidden hills. But the wind had shifted to the north, and already the storm that had come out of the East was receding78, rolling away southward to the sea. Suddenly through a rent in the clouds behind them a shaft3 of sun stabbed down. The falling showers gleamed like silver, and far away the river glittered like a shimmering79 glass.
'It is not so dark here,' said Thjoden.
'No,' said Gandalf. 'Nor does age lie so heavily on your shoulders as some would have you think. Cast aside your prop!'
From the king's hand the black staff fell clattering80 on the stones. He drew himself up, slowly, as a man that is stiff from long bending over some dull toil81. Now tall and straight he stood, and his eyes were blue as he looked into the opening sky.
'Dark have been my dreams of late,' he said, 'but I feel as one new-awakened. I would now that you had come before, Gandalf. For I fear that already you have come too late, only to see the last days of my house. Not long now shall stand the high hall which Brego son of Eorl built. Fire shall devour82 the high seat. What is to be done?'
'Much,' said Gandalf. 'But first send for Jomer. Do I not guess rightly that you hold him prisoner, by the counsel of Grnma, of him that all save you name the Wormtongue?'
'It is true,' said Thjoden. 'He had rebelled against my commands, and threatened death to Grnma in my hall.'
'A man may love you and yet not love Wormtongue or his counsels' said Gandalf.
'That may be. I will do as you ask. Call Hbma to me. Since he proved untrusty as a doorward, let him become an errand-runner. The guilty shall bring the guilty to judgement,' said Thjoden, and his voice was grim, yet he looked at Gandalf and smiled and as he did so many lines of care were smoothed away and did not return.
When Hbma had been summoned and had gone, Gandalf led Thjoden to a stone seat, and then sat himself before the king upon the topmost stair. Aragorn and his companions stood nearby.
'There is no time to tell all that you should hear,' said Gandalf. 'Yet if my hope is not cheated, a time will come ere long when I can speak more fully83. Behold! you are come into a peril64 greater even than the wit of Wormtongue could weave into your dreams. But see! you dream no longer. You live. Gondor and Rohan do not stand alone. The enemy is strong beyond our reckoning, yet we have a hope at which he has not guessed.'
Quickly now Gandalf spoke. His voice was low and secret, and none save the king heard what he said. But ever as he spoke the light shone brighter in Thjoden's eye, and at the last he rose from his seat to his full height, and Gandalf beside him, and together they looked out from the high place towards the East.
'Verily,' said Gandalf, now in a loud voice, keen and clear, 'that way lies our hope, where sits our greatest fear. Doom84 hangs still on a thread. Yet hope there is still, if we can but stand unconquered for a little while.'
The others too now turned their eyes eastward85. Over the sundering86 leagues of land, far away they gazed to the edge of sight, and hope and fear bore their thoughts still on, beyond dark mountains to the Land of Shadow. Where now was the Ring-bearer? How thin indeed was the thread upon which doom still hung! It seemed to Legolas, as he strained his farseeing eyes, that he caught a glint of white: far away perchance the sun twinkled on a pinnacle87 of the Tower of Guard. And further still, endlessly remote and yet a present threat, there was a tiny tongue of flame.
Slowly Thjoden sat down again, as if weariness still struggled to master him against the will of Gandalf. He turned and looked at his great house. 'Alas88!' he said, 'that these evil days should be mine, and should come in my old age instead of that peace which I have earned. Alas for Boromir the brave! The young perish and the old linger, withering89.' He clutched his knees with his wrinkled hands.
'Your fingers would remember their old strength better, if they grasped a sword-hilt,' said Gandalf.
Thjoden rose and put his hand to his side; but no sword hung at his belt. 'Where has Grnma stowed it?' he muttered under his breath.
'Take this, dear lord!' said a clear voice. 'It was ever at your service.' Two men had come softly up the stair and stood now a few steps from the top. Jomer was there. No helm was on his head, no mail was on his breast, but in his hand he held a drawn sword; and as he knelt he offered the hilt to his master.
'How comes this?' said Thjoden sternly. He turned towards Jomer and the men looked in wonder at him, standing now proud and erect90. Where was the old man whom they had left crouching91 in his chair or leaning on his stick?
'It is my doing, lord,' said Hbma, trembling. I understood that Jomer was to be set free. Such joy was in my heart that maybe I have erred92. Yet, since he was free again, and he a Marshal of the Mark,! brought him his sword as he bade me.'
'To lay at your feet, my lord,' said Jomer.
For a moment of silence Thjoden stood looking down at Jomer as he knelt still before him. Neither moved.
'Will you not take the sword?' said Gandalf.
Slowly Thjoden stretched forth his hand. As his fingers took the hilt, it seemed to the watchers that firmness and strength returned to his thin arm. Suddenly he lifted the blade and swung it shimmering and whistling in the air. Then he gave a great cry. His voice rang clear as he chanted in the tongue of Rohan a call to arms.
Arise now, arise, Riders of Thjoden!
Dire93 deeds awake, dark is it eastward.
Let horse be bridled94, horn be sounded!
Forth Eorlingas!
The guards, thinking that they were summoned, sprang up the stair. They looked at their lord in amazement, and then as one man they drew their swords and laid them at his feet. 'Command us!' they said.
'Westu Thjoden hbl!' cried Jomer. 'It is a joy to us to see you return into your own. Never again shall it be said, Gandalf, that you come only with grief!'
'Take back your sword, Jomer, sister-son!' said the king. 'Go, Hbma, and seek my own sword! Grnma has it in his keeping. Bring him to me also. Now, Gandalf, you said that you had counsel to give, if I would hear it. What is your counsel?'
'You have yourself already taken it,' answered Gandalf. 'To put your trust in Jomer, rather than in a man of crooked mind. To cast aside regret and fear. To do the deed at hand. Every man that can ride should be sent west at once, as Jomer counselled you: we must first destroy the threat of Saruman, while we have time. If we fail, we fall. If we succeed -- then we will face the next task. Meanwhile your people that are left, the women and the children and the old, should stay to the refuges that you have in the mountains. Were they not prepared against just such an evil day as this? Let them take provision, but delay not, nor burden themselves with treasures, great or small. It is their lives that are at stake.'
'This counsel seems good to me now,' said Thjoden. 'Let all my folk get ready! But you my guests-truly you said, Gandalf, that the courtesy of my hall is lessened. You have ridden through the night, and the morning wears away. You have had neither sleep nor food. A guest-house shall be made ready: there you shall sleep, when you have eaten.'
'Nay95, lord,' said Aragorn. 'There is no rest yet for the weary. The men of Rohan must ride forth today, and we will ride with them, axe, sword, and bow. We did not bring them to rest against your wall, Lord of the Mark. And I promised Jomer that my sword and his should be drawn together.'
'Now indeed there is hope of victory!' said Jomer.
'Hope, yes,' said Gandalf. 'But Isengard is strong. And other perils draw ever nearer. Do not delay, Thjoden, when we are gone. Lead your people swiftly to the Hold of Dunharrow in the hills!'
'Nay, Gandalf!' said the king. 'You do not know your own skill in healing. It shall not be so. I myself will go to war, to fall in the front of the battle, if it must be. Thus shall I sleep better.'
'Then even the defeat of Rohan will be glorious in song,' said Aragorn. The armed men that stood near clashed their weapons, crying: 'The Lord of the Mark will ride! Forth Eorlingas!'
'But your people must not be both unarmed and shepherdless' said Gandalf. 'Who shall guide them and govern them in your place?'
'I will take thought for that ere I go,' answered Thjoden. 'Here comes my counsellor.'
At that moment Hbma came again from the hall. Behind him cringing96 between two other men, came Grnma the Wormtongue. His face was very white. His eyes blinked in the sunlight. Hbma knelt and presented to Thjoden a long sword in a scabbard clasped with gold and set with green gems. 'Here, lord, is Herugrim, your ancient blade,' he said. 'It was found in his chest. Loth was he to render up the keys. Many other things are there which men have missed.'
'You lie,' said Wormtongue. 'And this sword your master himself gave into my keeping.'
'And he now requires it of you again,' said Thjoden. 'Does that displease97 you?'
'Assuredly not. lord,' said Wormtongue. 'I care for you and yours as best I may. But do not weary yourself, or tax too heavily your strength. Let others deal with these irksome guests. Your meat is about to be set on the board. Will you not go to it?'
'I will,' said Thjoden. 'And let food for my guests be set on the board beside me. The host rides today. Send the heralds98 forth! Let them summon all who dwell nigh! Every man and strong lad able to bear arms, all who have horses, let them be ready in the saddle at the gate ere the second hour from noon!'
'Dear lord!' cried Wormtongue. 'It is as I feared. This wizard has bewitched you. Are none to be left to defend the Golden Hall of your fathers, and all your treasure? None to guard the Lord of the Mark?'
'If this is bewitchment,' said Thjoden, 'it seems to me more wholesome99 than your whisperings. Your leechcraft ere long would have had me walking on all fours like a beast. No, not one shall be left, not even Grnma. Grnma shall ride too. Go! You have yet time to clean the rust46 from your sword.'
'Mercy, lord!' whined100 Wormtongue, grovelling101 on the ground. 'Have pity on one worn out in your service. Send me not from your side! I at least will stand by you when all others have gone. Do not send your faithful Grnma away!'
'You have my pity,' said Thjoden. 'And I do not send you from my side. I go myself to war with my men. I bid you come with me and prove your faith.'
Wormtongue looked from face to face. In his eyes was the hunted look of a beast seeking some gap in the ring of his enemies. He licked his lips with a long pale tongue. 'Such a resolve might be expected from a lord of the House of Eorl, old though he be,' he said. 'But those who truly love him would spare his failing years. Yet I see that I come too late. Others, whom the death of my lord would perhaps grieve less, have already persuaded him. If I cannot undo102 their work, hear me at least in this, lord! One who knows your mind and honours your commands should be left in Edoras. Appoint a faithful steward103. Let your counsellor Grnma keep all things till your return-and I pray that we may see it, though no wise man will deem it hopeful.'
Jomer laughed. 'And if that plea does not excuse you from war, most noble Wormtongue,' he said, what office of less honour would you accept? To carry a sack of meal up into the mountains-if any man would trust you with it?'
'Nay, Jomer, you do not fully understand the mind of Master Wormtongue,' said Gandalf, turning his piercing glance upon him. 'He is bold and cunning. Even now he plays a game with peril and wins a throw. Hours of my precious time he has wasted already. 'Down snake!' he said suddenly in a terrible voice. 'Down on your belly104! How long is it since Saruman bought you? What was the promised price? When all the men were dead, you were to pick your share of the treasure, and take the woman you desire? Too long have you watched her under your eyelids105 and haunted her steps.'
Jomer grasped his sword. 'That I knew already,' he muttered. 'For that reason I would have slain him before, forgetting the law of the hall. But there are other reasons.' He stepped forward, but Gandalf stayed him with his hand.
'Jowyn is safe now,' he said. 'But you, Wormtongue, you have done what you could for your true master. Some reward you have earned at least. Yet Saruman is apt to overlook his bargains. I should advise you to go quickly and remind him, lest he forget your faithful service.'
'You lie,' said Wormtongue.
'That word comes too oft and easy from your lips,' said Gandalf. 'I do not lie. See, Thjoden, here is a snake! With safety you cannot take it with you, nor can you leave it behind. To slay106 it would be just. But it was not always as it now is. Once it was a man, and did you service in its fashion. Give him a horse and let him go at once, wherever he chooses. By his choice you shall judge him.'
'Do you hear this, Wormtongue?' said Thjoden. 'This is your choice: to ride with me to war, and let us see in battle whether you are true; or to go now, whither you will. But then, if ever we meet again, I shall not be merciful.'
Slowly Wormtongue rose. He looked at them with half-closed eyes. Last of all he scanned Thjoden's face and opened his mouth as if to speak. Then suddenly he drew himself up. His hands worked. His eyes glittered. Such malice107 was in them that men stepped back from him. He bared his teeth; and then with a hissing108 breath he spat109 before the king's feet, and darting110 to one side, he fled down the stair.
'After him!' said Thjoden. 'See that he does no harm to any, but do not hurt him or hinder him. Give him a horse, if he wishes it.'
'And if any will bear him,' said Jomer.
One of the guards ran down the stair. Another went to the well at the foot of the terrace and in his helm drew water. With it he washed clean the stones that Wormtongue had defiled111.
'Now my guests, come!' said Thjoden. 'Come and take such refreshment112 as haste allows.'
They passed back into the great house. Already they heard below them in the town the heralds crying and the war-horns blowing. For the king was to ride forth as soon as the men of the town and those dwelling113 near could be armed and assembled.
At the king's board sat Jomer and the four guests, and there also waiting upon the king was the lady Jowyn. They ate and drank swiftly. The others were silent while Thjoden questioned Gandalf concerning Saruman.
'How far back his treachery goes, who can guess?' said Gandalf. 'He was not always evil. Once I do not doubt that he was the friend of Rohan; and even when his heart grew colder, he found you useful still. But for long now he has plotted your ruin, wearing the mask of Friendship, until he was ready. In those years Wormtongue's task was easy, and all that you did was swiftly known in Isengard; for your land was open, and strangers came and went. And ever Wormtongue's whispering was in your ears, poisoning your thought, chilling your heart, weakening your limbs, while others watched and could do nothing, for your will was in his keeping.
'But when I escaped and warned you, then the mask was torn, for those who would see. After that Wormtongue played dangerously, always seeking to delay you, to prevent your full strength being gathered. He was crafty114: dulling men's wariness115, or working on their fears, as served the occasion. Do you not remember how eagerly he urged that no man should be spared on a wildgoose chase northward116, when the immediate9 peril was westward117? He persuaded you to forbid Jomer to pursue the raiding Orcs. If Jomer had not defied Wormtongue's voice speaking with your mouth, those Orcs would have reached Isengard by now, bearing a great prize. Not indeed that prize which Saruman desires above all else, but at the least two members of my Company, sharers of a secret hope, of which even to you, lord, I cannot yet speak openly. Dare you think of what they might now be suffering, or what Saruman might now have learned to our destruction?'
'I owe much to Jomer,' said Thjoden. 'Faithful heart may have forward tongue.' 'Say also,' said Gandalf, 'that to crooked eyes truth may wear a wry118 face.'
'Indeed my eyes were almost blind,' said Thjoden. 'Most of all I owe to you, my guest. Once again you have come in time. I would give you a gift ere we go, at your own choosing. You have only to name aught that is mine. I reserve now only my sword!'
'Whether I came in time or not is yet to be seen,' said Gandalf. 'But as for your gift, lord, I will choose one that will fit my need: swift and sure. Give me Shadowfax! He was only lent before, if loan we may call it. But now shall ride him into great hazard, setting silver against black: I would not risk anything that is not my own. And already there is a bond of love between us.'
'You choose well,' said Thjoden; 'and I give him now gladly. Yet it is a great gift. There is none like to Shadowfax. In him one of the mighty steeds of old has returned. None such shall return again. And to you my other guests I will offer such things as may be found in my armoury. Swords you do not need, but there are helms and coats of mail of cunning work, gifts to my fathers out of Gondor. Choose from these ere we go, and may they serve you well!'
Now men came bearing raiment of war from the king's hoard120 and they arrayed Aragorn and Legolas in shining mail. Helms too they chose, and round shields: their bosses were overlaid with gold and set with gems, green and red and white. Gandalf took no armour119; and Gimli needed no coat of rings, even if one had been found to match his stature121, for there was no hauberk in the hoards122 of Edoras of better make than his short corslet forged beneath the Mountain in the North. But he chose a cap of iron and leather that fitted well upon his round head; and a small shield he also took. It bore the running horse, white upon green, that was the emblem123 of the House of Eorl.
'May it keep you well!' said Thjoden. 'It was made for me in Thengel's day, while still I was a boy.'
Gimli bowed. 'I am proud, Lord of the Mark, to bear your device,' he said. 'Indeed sooner would I bear a horse than be borne by one. I love my feet better. But, maybe, I shall come yet where I can stand and fight.'
'It may well be so,' said Thjoden.
The king now rose, and at once Jowyn came forward bearing wine. 'Ferthu Thjoden hbl!' she said. 'Receive now this cup and drink in happy hour. Health be with thee at thy going and coming!'
Thjoden drank from the cup, and she then proffered124 it to the guests. As she stood before Aragorn she paused suddenly and looked upon him, and her eyes were shining. And he looked down upon her fair face and smiled; but as he took the cup, his hand met hers, and he knew that she trembled at the touch. 'Hail Aragorn son of Arathorn!' she said. 'Hail Lady of Rohan!' he answered, but his face now was troubled and he did not smile.
When they had all drunk, the king went down the hall to the doors. There the guards awaited him, and heralds stood, and all the lords and chiefs were gathered together that remained in Edoras or dwelt nearby.
'Behold! I go forth, and it seems like to be my last riding,' said Thjoden. 'I have no child. Thjodred my son is slain. I name Jomer my sister-son to be my heir. If neither of us return, then choose a new lord as you will. But to some one I must now entrust125 my people that I leave behind, to rule them in my place. Which of you will stay?'
No man spoke.
'Is there none whom you would name? In whom do my people trust?'
'In the House of Eorl,' answered Hbma.
'But Jomer I cannot spare, nor would he stay,' said the king; 'and he is the last of that House.'
'I said not Jomer,' answered Hbma. 'And he is not the last. There is Jowyn, daughter of Jomund, his sister. She is fearless and high-hearted. All love her. Let her be as lord to the Eorlingas, while we are gone.'
'It shall be so,' said Thjoden. 'Let the heralds announce to the folk that the Lady Jowyn will lead them!'
Then the king sat upon a seat before his doors, and Jowyn knelt before him and received from him a sword and a fair corslet. 'Farewell sister-daughter!' he said. 'Dark is the hour, yet maybe we shall return to the Golden Hall. But in Dunharrow the people may long defend themselves, and if the battle go ill, thither126 will come all who escape.' 'Speak not so!' she answered. 'A year shall I endure for every day that passes until your return.' But as she spoke her eyes went to Aragorn who stood nearby.
'The king shall come again,' he said. 'Fear not! Not West but East does our doom await us.'
The king now went down the stair with Gandalf beside him. The others followed. Aragorn looked back as they passed towards the gate. Alone Jowyn stood before the doors of the house at the stair's head; the sword was set upright before her, and her hands were laid upon the hilt. She was clad now in mail and shone like silver in the sun.
Gimli walked with Legolas. his axe on his shoulder. 'Well, at last we set off!' he said. 'Men need many words before deeds. My axe is restless in my hands. Though I doubt not that these Rohirrim are fell-handed when they come to it. Nonetheless this is not the warfare127 that suits me. How shall I come to the battle? I wish I could walk and not bump like a sack at Gandalf's saddlebow.'
'A safer seat than many, I guess,' said Legolas. 'Yet doubtless Gandalf will gladly put you down on your feet when blows begin; or Shadowfax himself. An axe is no weapon for a rider.'
'And a Dwarf is no horseman. It is orc-necks I would hew32, not shave the scalps of Men,' said Gimli, patting the haft of his axe.
At the gate they found a great host of men, old and young, all ready in the saddle. More than a thousand were there mustered128. Their spears were like a springing wood. Loudly and joyously129 they shouted as Thjoden came forth. Some held in readiness the king's horse, Snowmane, and others held the horses of Aragorn and Legolas. Gimli stood ill at ease, frowning, but Jomer came up to him, leading his horse.
'Hail, Gimli Gluin's son!' he cried. 'I have not had time to learn gentle speech under your rod, as you promised. But shall we not put aside our quarrel? At least I will speak no evil again of the Lady of the Wood.'
'I will forget my wrath130 for a while, Jomer son of Jomund,' said Gimli; 'but if ever you chance to see the Lady Galadriel with your eyes, then you shall acknowledge her the fairest of ladies, or our friendship will end.' 'So be it!' said Jomer. 'But until that time pardon me, and in token of pardon ride with me, I beg. Gandalf will be at the head with the Lord of the Mark; but Firefoot, my horse, will bear us both, if you will.'
'I thank you indeed,' said Gimli greatly pleased. 'I will gladly go with you, if Legolas, my comrade, may ride beside us.'
'It shall he so,' said Jomer. 'Legolas upon my left, and Aragorn upon my right, and none will dare to stand before us!'
'Where is Shadowfax?' said Gandalf.
'Running wild over the grass,' they answered. 'He will let no man handle him. There he goes, away down by the ford, like a shadow among the willows131.'
Gandalf whistled and called aloud the horse's name, and far away he tossed his head and neighed, and turning sped towards the host like an arrow.
'Were the breath of the West Wind to take a body visible, even so would it appear,' said Jomer, as the great horse ran up, until he stood before the wizard.
'The gift seems already to be given,' said Thjoden. 'But hearken all! Here now I name my guest, Gandalf Greyhame, wisest of counsellors; most welcome of wanderers, a lord of the Mark, a chieftain of the Eorlingas while our kin shall last; and I give to him Shadowfax, prince of horses.'
'I thank you, Thjoden King,' said Gandalf. Then suddenly he threw back his grey cloak, and cast aside his hat, and leaped to horseback. He wore no helm nor mail. His snowy hair flew free in the wind, his white robes shone dazzling in the sun.
'Behold the White Rider!' cried Aragorn, and all took up the words.
'Our King and the White Rider!' they shouted. 'Forth Eorlingas!'
The trumpets132 sounded. The horses reared and neighed. Spear clashed on shield. Then the king raised his hand, and with a rush like the sudden onset133 of a great wind the last host of Rohan rode thundering into the West. Far over the plain Jowyn saw the glitter of their spears, as she stood still, alone before the doors of the silent house.
收听单词发音 |
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gathering
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| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
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fleeting
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| adj.短暂的，飞逝的 | |
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shaft
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| n.(工具的)柄，杆状物 | |
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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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bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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streaked
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| adj.有条斑纹的，不安的v.快速移动( streak的过去式和过去分词 )；使布满条纹 | |
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winding
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| n.绕，缠，绕组，线圈 | |
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immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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gulf
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| n.海湾；深渊，鸿沟；分歧，隔阂 | |
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glimmer
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| v.发出闪烁的微光；n.微光，微弱的闪光 | |
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dike
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| n.堤，沟；v.开沟排水 | |
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mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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thorny
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| adj.多刺的，棘手的 | |
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kin
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| n.家族，亲属，血缘关系；adj.亲属关系的，同类的 | |
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warily
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| adv.留心地 | |
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haughty
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| adj.傲慢的，高傲的 | |
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grassy
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| adj.盖满草的；长满草的 | |
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Ford
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| n.浅滩，水浅可涉处；v.涉水，涉过 | |
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trampled
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| 踩( trample的过去式和过去分词 )； 践踏； 无视； 侵犯 | |
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mounds
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| 土堆，土丘( mound的名词复数 )； 一大堆 | |
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countless
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| adj.无数的，多得不计其数的 | |
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behold
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| v.看，注视，看到 | |
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sundered
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| v.隔开，分开( sunder的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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dwarf
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| n.矮子，侏儒，矮小的动植物；vt.使…矮小 | |
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laden
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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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friendliness
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| n.友谊，亲切，亲密 | |
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phantoms
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| n.鬼怪，幽灵( phantom的名词复数 ) | |
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naught
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| n.无，零 [=nought] | |
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watchful
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| adj.注意的，警惕的 | |
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hew
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| v.砍；伐；削 | |
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chattering
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| n. （机器振动发出的）咔嗒声，(鸟等)鸣，啁啾 adj. 喋喋不休的，啾啾声的 动词chatter的现在分词形式 | |
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gushed
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| v.喷，涌( gush的过去式和过去分词 )；滔滔不绝地说话 | |
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likeness
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| n.相像，相似（之处） | |
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drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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blazoned
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| v.广布( blazon的过去式和过去分词 )；宣布；夸示；装饰 | |
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burnished
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| adj.抛光的，光亮的v.擦亮（金属等），磨光( burnish的过去式和过去分词 )；被擦亮，磨光 | |
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courteous
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| adj.彬彬有礼的，客气的 | |
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gems
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| growth； economy； management； and customer satisfaction 增长 | |
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folly
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| n.愚笨，愚蠢，蠢事，蠢行，傻话 | |
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axe
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| n.斧子；v.用斧头砍，削减 | |
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wrought
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| v.引起；以…原料制作；运转；adj.制造的 | |
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amazement
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| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
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prudence
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| n.谨慎，精明，节俭 | |
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rust
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| n.锈；v.生锈；(脑子)衰退 | |
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prop
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| vt.支撑；n.支柱，支撑物；支持者，靠山 | |
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worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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grumbling
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| adj. 喃喃鸣不平的, 出怨言的 | |
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glimmering
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| n.微光，隐约的一瞥adj.薄弱地发光的v.发闪光，发微光( glimmer的现在分词 ) | |
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hues
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| 色彩( hue的名词复数 )； 色调； 信仰； 观点 | |
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52
nostrils
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| 鼻孔( nostril的名词复数 ) | |
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53
foaming
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| adj.布满泡沫的；发泡 | |
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54
hearth
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| n.壁炉炉床，壁炉地面 | |
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55
gilded
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| a.镀金的，富有的 | |
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56
wizened
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| adj.凋谢的；枯槁的 | |
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57
herald
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| vt.预示...的来临，预告，宣布，欢迎 | |
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58
woe
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| n.悲哀，苦痛，不幸，困难；int.用来表达悲伤或惊慌 | |
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59
slain
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| 杀死，宰杀，杀戮( slay的过去分词 )； (slay的过去分词) | |
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60
insolence
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| n.傲慢；无礼；厚颜；傲慢的态度 | |
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61
ragged
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| adj.衣衫褴褛的，粗糙的，刺耳的 | |
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62
lessened
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| 减少的，减弱的 | |
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63
mightiest
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| adj.趾高气扬( mighty的最高级 )；巨大的；强有力的；浩瀚的 | |
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64
peril
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| n.(严重的)危险；危险的事物 | |
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65
perils
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| 极大危险( peril的名词复数 )； 危险的事（或环境） | |
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66
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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67
tattered
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| adj.破旧的，衣衫破的 | |
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68
crooked
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| adj.弯曲的；不诚实的，狡猾的，不正当的 | |
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69
blotted
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| 涂污( blot的过去式和过去分词 )； （用吸墨纸）吸干 | |
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70
sullen
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| adj.愠怒的，闷闷不乐的，(天气等)阴沉的 | |
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71
hiss
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| v.发出嘶嘶声；发嘘声表示不满 | |
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72
sprawled
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| v.伸开四肢坐[躺]( sprawl的过去式和过去分词)；蔓延；杂乱无序地拓展；四肢伸展坐着（或躺着） | |
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73
faltering
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| 犹豫的，支吾的，蹒跚的 | |
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74
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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75
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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76
slanting
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| 倾斜的，歪斜的 | |
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77
flickered
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| （通常指灯光）闪烁，摇曳( flicker的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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78
receding
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| v.逐渐远离( recede的现在分词 )；向后倾斜；自原处后退或避开别人的注视；尤指问题 | |
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79
shimmering
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| v.闪闪发光，发微光( shimmer的现在分词 ) | |
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80
clattering
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| 发出咔哒声（clatter的现在分词形式） | |
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81
toil
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| vi.辛劳工作，艰难地行动；n.苦工，难事 | |
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82
devour
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| v.吞没；贪婪地注视或谛听，贪读；使着迷 | |
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83
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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84
doom
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| n.厄运，劫数；v.注定，命定 | |
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85
eastward
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| adv.向东；adj.向东的；n.东方，东部 | |
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86
sundering
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| v.隔开，分开( sunder的现在分词 ) | |
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87
pinnacle
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| n.尖塔，尖顶，山峰；(喻)顶峰 | |
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88
alas
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| int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
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89
withering
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| 使人畏缩的，使人害羞的，使人难堪的 | |
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90
erect
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| n./v.树立，建立，使竖立；adj.直立的，垂直的 | |
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91
crouching
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| v.屈膝，蹲伏( crouch的现在分词 ) | |
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92
erred
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| 犯错误，做错事( err的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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93
dire
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| adj.可怕的，悲惨的，阴惨的，极端的 | |
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94
bridled
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| 给…套龙头( bridle的过去式和过去分词 )； 控制； 昂首表示轻蔑（或怨忿等）； 动怒，生气 | |
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95
nay
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| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
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96
cringing
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| adj.谄媚，奉承 | |
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97
displease
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| vt.使不高兴，惹怒；n.不悦，不满，生气 | |
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98
heralds
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| n.使者( herald的名词复数 )；预报者；预兆；传令官v.预示( herald的第三人称单数 )；宣布（好或重要） | |
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99
wholesome
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| adj.适合；卫生的；有益健康的；显示身心健康的 | |
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100
whined
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| v.哀号( whine的过去式和过去分词 )；哀诉，诉怨 | |
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101
grovelling
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| adj.卑下的，奴颜婢膝的v.卑躬屈节，奴颜婢膝( grovel的现在分词 )；趴 | |
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102
undo
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| vt.解开，松开；取消，撤销 | |
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103
steward
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| n.乘务员，服务员；看管人；膳食管理员 | |
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104
belly
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| n.肚子，腹部；(像肚子一样)鼓起的部分，膛 | |
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105
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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106
slay
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| v.杀死，宰杀，杀戮 | |
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107
malice
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| n.恶意，怨恨，蓄意；[律]预谋 | |
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108
hissing
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| n. 发嘶嘶声, 蔑视 动词hiss的现在分词形式 | |
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109
spat
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| n.口角，掌击；v.发出呼噜呼噜声 | |
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110
darting
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| v.投掷，投射( dart的现在分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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111
defiled
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| v.玷污( defile的过去式和过去分词 )；污染；弄脏；纵列行进 | |
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112
refreshment
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| n.恢复，精神爽快，提神之事物；（复数）refreshments:点心，茶点 | |
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113
dwelling
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| n.住宅，住所，寓所 | |
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114
crafty
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| adj.狡猾的，诡诈的 | |
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115
wariness
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| n. 注意,小心 | |
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116
northward
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| adv.向北；n.北方的地区 | |
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117
westward
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| n.西方，西部；adj.西方的，向西的；adv.向西 | |
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118
wry
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| adj.讽刺的；扭曲的 | |
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119
armour
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| （=armor）n.盔甲；装甲部队 | |
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120
hoard
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| n./v.窖藏，贮存，囤积 | |
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121
stature
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| n.（高度）水平，（高度）境界，身高，身材 | |
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122
hoards
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| n.（钱财、食物或其他珍贵物品的）储藏，积存( hoard的名词复数 )v.积蓄并储藏（某物）( hoard的第三人称单数 ) | |
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123
emblem
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| n.象征，标志；徽章 | |
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124
proffered
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| v.提供，贡献，提出( proffer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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125
entrust
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| v.信赖，信托，交托 | |
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126
thither
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| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
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127
warfare
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| n.战争(状态)；斗争；冲突 | |
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128
mustered
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| v.集合，召集，集结（尤指部队）( muster的过去式和过去分词 )；（自他人处）搜集某事物；聚集；激发 | |
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129
joyously
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| ad.快乐地, 高兴地 | |
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130
wrath
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| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
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131
willows
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| n.柳树( willow的名词复数 )；柳木 | |
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132
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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133
onset
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| n.进攻，袭击，开始，突然开始 | |
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