‘You have earned the right to be of our council,’ said he; ‘and lest there should be a jealousy1 amongst other captains that you should come among us, I do hereby confer upon you the special title of Scout-master, which, though it entail2 few if any duties in the present state of our force, will yet give you precedence over your fellows. We had heard that your greeting from Beaufort was of the roughest, and that you were in sore straits in his dungeons3. But you have happily come yourself on the very heels of him who bore the tidings. Tell us then from the beginning how things have fared with you.’
I should have wished to have limited my story to Beaufort and his message, but as the council seemed to be intent upon hearing a full account of my journey, I told in as short and simple speech as I could the various passages which had befallen me — the ambuscado of the smugglers, the cave, the capture of the gauger4, the journey in the lugger, the acquaintance with Farmer Brown, my being cast into prison, with the manner of my release and the message wherewith I had been commissioned. To all of this the council hearkened with the uttermost attention, while a muttered oath ever and anon from a courtier or a groan5 and prayer from a Puritan showed how keenly they followed the various phases of my fortunes. Above all, they gave the greatest heed6 to Beaufort’s words, and stopped me more than once when I appeared to be passing over any saying or event before they had due time to weigh it. When I at last finished they all sat speechless, looking into each other’s faces and waiting for an expression of opinion.
‘On my word,’ said Monmouth at last, ‘this is a young Ulysses, though his Odyssey8 doth but take three days in the acting9. Scudery might not be so dull were she to take a hint from these smugglers’ caves and sliding panels. How say you, Grey?’
‘He hath indeed had his share of adventure,’ the nobleman answered, ‘and hath also performed his mission like a fearless and zealous10 messenger. You say that Beaufort gave you nought11 in writing?’
‘Not a word, my lord,’ I replied.
‘And his private message was that he wished us well, and would join us if we were in his country?’
‘That was the effect, my lord.’
‘Yet in his council, as I understand, he did utter bitter things against us, putting affronts12 upon the King, and making light of his just claims upon the fealty13 of his nobility?’
‘He did,’ I answered.
‘He would fain stand upon both sides of the hedge at once,’ said King Monmouth. ‘Such a man is very like to find himself on neither side, but in the very heart of the briars. It may he as well, however, that we should move his way, so as to give him the chance of declaring himself.’
‘In any case, as your Majesty14 remembers,’ said Saxon, ‘we had determined15 to march Bristolwards and attempt the town.’
‘The works are being strengthened,’ said I, ‘and there are five thousand of the Gloucestershire train-bands assembled within. I saw the labourers at work upon the ramparts as I passed.’
‘If we gain Beaufort we shall gain the town,’ quoth Sir Stephen Timewell. ‘There are already a strong body of godly and honest folk therein, who would rejoice to see a Protestant army within their gates. Should we have to beleaguer16 it we may count upon some help from within.’
‘Hegel und blitzen!’ exclaimed the German soldier, with an impatience17 which even the presence of the King could not keep in bounds; ‘how can we talk of sieges and leaguers when we have not a breaching-piece in the army?’
‘The Lard will find us the breaching-pieces,’ cried Ferguson, in his strange, nasal voice. ‘Did the Lard no breach18 the too’ers o’ Jericho withoot the aid o’ gunpooder? Did the Lard no raise up the man Robert Ferguson and presairve him through five-and-thairty indictments19 and twa-and-twenty proclamations o’ the godless? What is there He canna do? Hosannah! Hosannah!’
‘The Doctor is right,’ said a square-faced, leather-skinned English Independent. ‘We talk too much o’ carnal means and worldly chances, without leaning upon that heavenly goodwill20 which should be to us as a staff on stony21 and broken paths. Yes, gentlemen,’ he continued, raising his voice and glancing across the table at some of the courtiers, ‘ye may sneer22 at words of piety23, but I say that it is you and those like you who will bring down God’s anger upon this army.’
‘And I say so too,’ cried another sectary fiercely.
‘And I,’ ‘And I,’ shouted several, with Saxon, I think, among them.
‘Is it your wish, your Majesty, that we should be insulted at your very council board?’ cried one of the courtiers, springing to his feet with a flushed face. ‘How long are we to be subject to this insolence24 because we have the religion of a gentleman, and prefer to practise it in the privacy of our hearts rather than at the street corners with these pharisees?’
‘Speak not against God’s saints,’ cried a Puritan, in a loud stern voice. ‘There is a voice within me which tells me that it were better to strike thee dead — yea, even in the presence of the King — than to allow thee to revile25 those who have been born again.’
Several had sprung to their feet on either side. Hands were laid upon sword-hilts, and glances as stern and as deadly as rapier thrusts were flashing backwards26 and forwards; but the more neutral and reasonable members of the council succeeded in restoring peace, and in persuading the angry disputants to resume their seats.
‘How now, gentlemen?’ cried the King, his face dark with anger, when silence was at last restored. ‘Is this the extent of my authority that ye should babble27 and brawl28 as though my council-chamber were a Fleet Street pot-house? Is this your respect for my person? I tell ye that I would forfeit29 my just claims for ever, and return to Holland, or devote my sword to the cause of Christianity against the Turk, rather than submit to such indignity30. If any man he proved to have stirred up strife31 amongst the soldiers or commonalty on the score of religion I shall know how to deal with him. Let each preach to his own, but let him not interfere32 with the flock of his neighbour. As to you, Mr. Bramwell, and you, Mr. Joyce, and you also, Sir Henry Nuttall, we shall hold ye excused from attending these meetings until ye have further notice from us. Ye may now separate, each to your quarters, and tomorrow morning we shall, with the blessing33 of God, start for the north to see what luck may await our enterprise in those parts.’
The King bowed as a sign that the formal meeting was over, and taking Lord Grey aside, he conversed34 with him anxiously in a recess35. The courtiers, who numbered in their party several English and foreign gentlemen, who had come over together with some Devonshire and Somerset country squires36, swaggered out of the room in a body, with much clinking of spurs and clanking of swords. The Puritans drew gravely together and followed after them, walking not with demure37 and downcast looks, as was their common use, but with grim faces and knitted brows, as the Jews of old may have appeared when, ‘To your tents, O Israel!’ was still ringing in their ears.
Indeed, religious dissension and sectarian heat were in the very air. Outside, on the Castle Green, the voices of preachers rose up like the drone of insects. Every waggon39 or barrel or chance provision case had been converted into a pulpit, each with its own orator40 and little knot of eager hearkeners. Here was a russet-coated Taunton volunteer in jackboots and bandolier, holding forth41 on the justification42 by works. Further on a grenadier of the militia43, with blazing red coat and white cross-belt, was deep in the mystery of the Trinity. In one or two places, where the rude pulpits were too near to each other, the sermons had changed into a hot discussion between the two preachers, in which the audience took part by hums or groans44, each applauding the champion whose creed45 was most in accordance with his own. Through this wild scene, made more striking by the ruddy flickering46 glare of the camp-fires, I picked my way with a weight at my heart, for I felt how vain it must be to hope for success where such division reigned47, Saxon looked on, however, with glistening48 eyes, and rubbed his hands with satisfaction.
‘The leaven49 is working,’ quoth he. ‘Something will come of all this ferment50.’
‘I see not what can come of it save disorder51 and weakness,’ I answered.
‘Good soldiers will come of it, lad,’ said he. ‘They are all sharpening themselves, each after his own fashion, on the whetstone of religion. This arguing breedeth fanatics52, and fanatics are the stuff out of which conquerors53 are fashioned. Have you not heard how Old Noll’s army divided into Presbyterians, Independents, Ranters, Anabaptists, Fifth Monarchy54 men, Brownists, and a score of other sects38, out of whose strife rose the finest regiments55 that ever formed line upon a field of battle?
“Such as do build their faith upon
The holy text of sword and gun.”
You know old Samuel’s couplet. I tell you, I would rather see them thus employed than at their drill, for all their wrangling56 and jangling.’
‘But how of this split in the council?’ I asked.
‘Ah, that is indeed a graver matter. All creeds57 may be welded together, but the Puritan and the scoffer58 are like oil and water. Yet the Puritan is the oil, for he will be ever atop. These courtiers do but stand for themselves, while the others are backed up by the pith and marrow59 of the army. It is well that we are afoot tomorrow. The King’s troops are, I hear, pouring across Salisbury Plain, but their ordnance60 and stores are delaying them, for they know well that they must bring all they need, since they can expect little from the goodwill of the country folk. Ah, friend Buyse, wie geht es?’
‘Ganz gut,’ said the big German, looming61 up before us through the darkness. ‘But, sapperment, what a cawing and croaking62, like a rookery at sunset! You English are a strange people — yes, donnerwetter, a very strange people! There are no two of you who think alike upon any subject under Himmel! The Cavalier will have his gay coat and his loose word. The Puritan will cut your throat rather than give up his sad-coloured dress and his Bible. “King James!” cry some, “King Monmouth!” say the peasants. “King Jesus!” says the Fifth Monarchy man. “No King at all!” cry Master Wade63 and a few others who are for a Commonwealth64. Since I set foot on the Helderenbergh at Amsterdam, my head hath been in a whirl with trying to understand what it is that ye desire, for before I have got to the end of one man’s tale, and begin to see a little through the finsterniss, another will come with another story, and I am in as evil a case as ever. But, my young Hercules, I am right glad to see you back in safety. I am half in fear to give you my hand now, after your recent treatment of it. I trust that you are none the worse for the danger that you have gone through.’
‘Mine eyelids65 are in truth a little heavy,’ I answered. ‘Save for an hour or two aboard the lugger, and about as long on a prison couch, I have not closed eye since I left the camp.’
‘We shall fall in at the second bugle66 call, about eight of the clock,’ said Saxon. ‘We shall leave you, therefore, that you may restore yourself after your fatigues67. ‘With a parting nod the two old soldiers strode off together down the crowded Fore7 Street, while I made the best of my way back to the Mayor’s hospitable68 dwelling69, where I had to repeat my story all over again to the assembled household before I was at last suffered to seek my room.
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
jealousy
|
|
| n.妒忌，嫉妒，猜忌 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
entail
|
|
| vt.使承担，使成为必要，需要 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
dungeons
|
|
| n.地牢( dungeon的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
gauger
|
|
| n.收税官 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
|
5
groan
|
|
| vi./n.呻吟，抱怨；(发出)呻吟般的声音 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
heed
|
|
| v.注意，留意；n.注意，留心 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
fore
|
|
| adv.在前面；adj.先前的；在前部的；n.前部 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
odyssey
|
|
| n.长途冒险旅行；一连串的冒险 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
acting
|
|
| n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
zealous
|
|
| adj.狂热的，热心的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
nought
|
|
| n.／adj.无，零 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
affronts
|
|
| n.（当众）侮辱，（故意）冒犯( affront的名词复数 )v.勇敢地面对( affront的第三人称单数 )；相遇 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
fealty
|
|
| n.忠贞，忠节 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
majesty
|
|
| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
determined
|
|
| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
beleaguer
|
|
| v.使困扰，使烦恼，围攻 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
impatience
|
|
| n.不耐烦，急躁 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
breach
|
|
| n.违反，不履行；破裂；vt.冲破，攻破 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
indictments
|
|
| n.（制度、社会等的）衰败迹象( indictment的名词复数 )；刑事起诉书；公诉书；控告 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
goodwill
|
|
| n.善意，亲善，信誉，声誉 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
stony
|
|
| adj.石头的，多石头的，冷酷的，无情的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
sneer
|
|
| v.轻蔑；嘲笑；n.嘲笑，讥讽的言语 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
piety
|
|
| n.虔诚，虔敬 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
insolence
|
|
| n.傲慢；无礼；厚颜；傲慢的态度 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
revile
|
|
| v.辱骂，谩骂 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
backwards
|
|
| adv.往回地，向原处，倒，相反，前后倒置地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
babble
|
|
| v.含糊不清地说，胡言乱语地说，儿语 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
brawl
|
|
| n.大声争吵，喧嚷；v.吵架，对骂 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
forfeit
|
|
| vt.丧失；n.罚金，罚款，没收物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
indignity
|
|
| n.侮辱，伤害尊严，轻蔑 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
strife
|
|
| n.争吵，冲突，倾轧，竞争 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
interfere
|
|
| v.(in)干涉，干预；(with)妨碍，打扰 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
blessing
|
|
| n.祈神赐福；祷告；祝福，祝愿 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
conversed
|
|
| v.交谈，谈话( converse的过去式 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
recess
|
|
| n.短期休息，壁凹（墙上装架子，柜子等凹处） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
squires
|
|
| n.地主，乡绅( squire的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
demure
|
|
| adj.严肃的；端庄的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
sects
|
|
| n.宗派，教派( sect的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
waggon
|
|
| n.运货马车，运货车；敞篷车箱 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
orator
|
|
| n.演说者，演讲者，雄辩家 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
forth
|
|
| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
justification
|
|
| n.正当的理由；辩解的理由 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
militia
|
|
| n.民兵，民兵组织 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
groans
|
|
| n.呻吟，叹息( groan的名词复数 )；呻吟般的声音v.呻吟( groan的第三人称单数 )；发牢骚；抱怨；受苦 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
creed
|
|
| n.信条；信念，纲领 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
flickering
|
|
| adj.闪烁的，摇曳的，一闪一闪的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
reigned
|
|
| vi.当政，统治（reign的过去式形式） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
glistening
|
|
| adj.闪耀的，反光的v.湿物闪耀，闪亮( glisten的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
leaven
|
|
| v.使发酵；n.酵母；影响 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
ferment
|
|
| vt.使发酵；n./vt.（使）激动，（使）动乱 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
disorder
|
|
| n.紊乱，混乱；骚动，骚乱；疾病，失调 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
fanatics
|
|
| 狂热者，入迷者( fanatic的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
conquerors
|
|
| 征服者，占领者( conqueror的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
monarchy
|
|
| n.君主，最高统治者；君主政体，君主国 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
regiments
|
|
| （军队的）团( regiment的名词复数 )； 大量的人或物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
56
wrangling
|
|
| v.争吵，争论，口角( wrangle的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
57
creeds
|
|
| （尤指宗教）信条，教条( creed的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
58
scoffer
|
|
| 嘲笑者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
59
marrow
|
|
| n.骨髓；精华；活力 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
60
ordnance
|
|
| n.大炮，军械 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
61
looming
|
|
| n.上现蜃景（光通过低层大气发生异常折射形成的一种海市蜃楼）v.隐约出现，阴森地逼近( loom的现在分词 )；隐约出现，阴森地逼近 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
62
croaking
|
|
| v.呱呱地叫( croak的现在分词 )；用粗的声音说 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
63
wade
|
|
| v.跋涉，涉水；n.跋涉 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
64
commonwealth
|
|
| n.共和国，联邦，共同体 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
65
eyelids
|
|
| n.眼睑( eyelid的名词复数 )；眼睛也不眨一下；不露声色；面不改色 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
66
bugle
|
|
| n.军号，号角，喇叭；v.吹号，吹号召集 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
67
fatigues
|
|
| n.疲劳( fatigue的名词复数 )；杂役；厌倦；（士兵穿的）工作服 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
68
hospitable
|
|
| adj.好客的；宽容的；有利的，适宜的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
69
dwelling
|
|
| n.住宅，住所，寓所 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |