Of meats and drinks, his temperate1 exercise,
Choice music, frequent bath, his horary shifts
Of shirts and waistcoats, means to immortalize
Mortality itself, and makes the essence
Of his whole happiness the trim of court.
Magnetic Lady.
When the Lord Abbot had suddenly and superciliously2 vanished from the eyes of his expectant vassals3, the Sub-Prior made amends4 for the negligence5 of his principal, by the kind and affectionate greeting which he gave to all the members of the family, but especially to Dame7 Elspeth, her foster-daughter, and her son Edward. “Where,” he even condescended8 to inquire, “is that naughty Nimrod, Halbert? — He hath not yet, I trust, turned, like his great prototype, his hunting-spear against man!”
“O no, an it please your reverence9,” said Dame Glendinning, “Halbert is up at the glen to get some venison, or surely he would not have been absent when such a day of honour dawned upon me and mine.”
“Oh, to get savoury meat, such as our soul loveth,” muttered the Sub-Prior; “it has been at times an acceptable gift. — I bid you good morrow, my good dame, as I must attend upon his lordship the Father Abbot.”
“And O, reverend sir,” said the good widow, detaining him, “if it might be your pleasure to take part with us if there is any thing wrong; and if there is any thing wanted, to say that it is just coming, or to make some excuses your learning best knows how. Every bit of vassail and silver work have we been spoiled of since Pinkie Cleuch, when I lost poor Simon Glendinning, that was the warst of a’.”
“Never mind — never fear,” said the Sub-Prior, gently extricating10 his garment from the anxious grasp of Dame Elspeth, “the Refectioner has with him the Abbot’s plate and drinking cups; and I pray you to believe that whatever is short in your entertainment will be deemed amply made up in your good-will.”
So saying, he escaped from her and went into the spence, where such preparations as haste permitted were making for the noon collation11 of the Abbot and the English knight12. Here he found the Lord Abbot, for whom a cushion, composed of all the plaids in the house, had been unable to render Simon’s huge elbow-chair a soft or comfortable place of rest.
“Benedicite!” said Abbot Boniface, “now marry fie upon these hard benches with all my heart — they are as uneasy as the scabella of our novices13. Saint Jude be with us, Sir Knight, how have you contrived14 to pass over the night in this dungeon15? An your bed was no softer than your seat, you might as well have slept on the stone couch of Saint Pacomius. After trotting16 a full ten miles, a man needs a softer seat than has fallen to my hard lot.”
With sympathizing faces, the Sacristan and the Refectioner ran to raise the Lord Abbot, and to adjust his seat to his mind, which was at length accomplished17 in some sort, although he continued alternately to bewail his fatigue18, and to exult19 in the conscious sense of having discharged an arduous20 duty. “You errant cavaliers,” said he, addressing the knight, “may now perceive that others have their travail21 and their toils22 to undergo as well as your honoured faculty23. And this I will say for myself and the soldiers of Saint Mary, among whom I may be termed captain, that it is not our wont24 to flinch25 from the heat of the service, or to withdraw from the good fight. No, by Saint Mary! — no sooner did I learn that you were here, and dared not for certain reasons come to the Monastery26, where, with as good will, and with more convenience, we might have given you a better reception, than, striking the table with my hammer, I called a brother — Timothy, said I, let them saddle Benedict — let them saddle my black palfrey, and bid the Sub-Prior and some half-score of attendants be in readiness tomorrow after matins — we would ride to Glendearg. — Brother Timothy stared, thinking, I imagine, that his ears had scarce done him justice — but I repeated my commands, and said, Let the Kitchener and Refectioner go before to aid the poor vassals to whom the place belongs in making a suitable collation. So that you will consider, good Sir Piercie, our mutual29 in commodities, and forgive whatever you may find amiss”
“By my faith,” said Sir Piercie Shafton, “there is nothing to forgive — If you spiritual warriors30 have to submit to the grievous incommodities which your lordship narrates31, it would ill become me, a sinful and secular32 man, to complain of a bed as hard as a board, of broth27 which relished33 as if made of burnt wool, of flesh, which, in its sable34 and singed35 shape, seemed to put me on a level with Richard Coeur-deLion — when he ate up the head of a Moor36 carbonadoed, and of other viands37 savouring rather of the rusticity38 of this northern region.”
“By the good Saints, sir,” said the Abbot, somewhat touched in point of his character for hospitality, of which he was in truth a most faithful and zealous39 professor, “it grieves me to the heart that you have found our vassals no better provided for your reception — Yet I crave40 leave to observe, that if Sir Piercie Shafton’s affairs had permitted him to honour with his company our poor house of Saint Mary’s, he might have had less to complain of in respect of easements.”
“To give your lordship the reasons,” said Sir Piercie Shafton, “why I could not at this present time approach your dwelling41, or avail myself of its well-known and undoubted hospitality, craves42 either some delay, or,” looking around him, “a limited audience.”
The Lord Abbot immediately issued his mandate43 to the Refectioner: “Hie thee to the kitchen, Brother Hilarius, and there make inquiry44 of our brother the Kitchener, within what time he opines that our collation may be prepared, since sin and sorrow it were, considering the hardships of this noble and gallant45 knight, no whit46 mentioning or — weighing those we ourselves have endured, if we were now either to advance or retard47 the hour of refection beyond the time when the viands are fit to be set before us.”
Brother Hilarius parted with an eager alertness to execute the will of his Superior, and returned with the assurance, that punctually at one afternoon would the collation be ready.
“Before that time,” said the accurate Refectioner, “the wafers, flamms, and pastry-meat, will scarce have had the just degree of fire which learned pottingers prescribe as fittest for the body; and if it should be past one o’clock, were it but ten minutes, our brother the Kitchener opines, that the haunch of venison would suffer in spite of the skill of the little turn-broche whom he has recommended to your holiness by his praises.”
“How!” said the Abbot, “a haunch of venison! — from whence comes that dainty? I remember not thou didst intimate its presence in thy hamper48 of vivers.”
“So please your holiness and lordship,” said the Refectioner, “he is a son of the woman of the house who has shot it and sent it in-killed but now; yet, as the animal heat hath not left the body, the Kitchener undertakes it shall eat as tender as a young chicken — and this youth hath a special gift in shooting deer, and never misses the heart or the brain; so that the blood is not driven through the flesh, as happens too often with us. It is a hart of grease — your holiness has seldom seen such a haunch.”
“Silence, Brother Hilarius,” said the Abbot, wiping his mouth; “it is not beseeming our order to talk of food so earnestly, especially as we must oft have our animal powers exhausted49 by fasting, and be accessible (as being ever mere50 mortals) to those signs of longing” (he again wiped his mouth) “which arise on the mention of victuals51 to an hungry man. — Minute down, however, the name of that youth — it is fitting merit should be rewarded, and he shall hereafter be a frater ad succurrendum in the kitchen and buttery.”
“Alas! reverend Father and my good lord,” replied the Refectioner, “I did inquire after the youth, and I learn he is one who prefers the casque to the cowl, and the sword of the flesh to the weapons of the spirit.”
“And if it be so,” said the Abbot, “see that thou retain him as a deputy-keeper and man-at-arms, and not as a lay brother of the Monastery — for old Tallboy, our forester, waxes dim-eyed, and hath twice spoiled a noble buck52, by hitting him unwarily on the haunch. Ah! ’tis a foul54 fault, the abusing by evil-killing, evil-dressing, evil-appetite, or otherwise, the good creatures indulged to us for our use. Wherefore, secure us the service of this youth, Brother Hilarius, in the way that may best suit him. — And now, Sir Piercie Shafton, since the fates have assigned us a space of well-nigh an hour, ere we dare hope to enjoy more than the vapour or savour of our repast, may I pray you, of your courtesy, to tell me the cause of this visit; and, above all, to inform us, why you will not approach our more pleasant and better furnished hospitium?”
“Reverend Father, and my very good lord,” said Sir Piercie Shafton, “it is well known to your wisdom, that there are stone walls which have ears, and that secrecy55 is to be looked to in matters which concern a man’s head.” The Abbot signed to his attendants, excepting the Sub-Prior, to leave the room, and then said, “Your valour, Sir Piercie, may freely unburden yourself before our faithful friend and counsellor Father Eustace, the benefits of whose advice we may too soon lose, inasmuch as his merits will speedily recommend him to an higher station, in which we trust he may find the blessing56 of a friend and adviser57 as valuable as himself, since I may say of him, as our claustral rhyme goeth,40
‘Dixit Abbas ad Prioris,
Tu es homo boni moris,
Quia semper sanioris
Mihi das concilia.’
Indeed,” he added, “the office of Sub-Prior is altogether beneath our dear brother; nor can we elevate him unto that of Prior, which, for certain reasons, is at present kept vacant amongst us. Howbeit, Father Eustace is fully58 possessed59 of my confidence, and worthy60 of yours, and well may it be said of him, Intravit in secretis nostris.”
Sir Piercie Shafton bowed to the reverend brethren, and, heaving a sigh, as if he would burst his steel cuirass, he thus commenced his speech:—
“Certes, reverend sirs, I may well heave such a suspiration, who have, as it were, exchanged heaven for purgatory61, leaving the lightsome sphere of the royal court of England for a remote nook in this inaccessible62 desert — quitting the tilt-yard, where I was ever ready among my compeers to splinter a lance, either for the love of honour, or for the honour of love, in order to couch my knightly63 spear against base and pilfering64 besognios and marauders — exchanging the lighted halls, wherein I used nimbly to pace the swift coranto, or to move with a loftier grace in the stately galliard, for this rugged65 and decayed dungeon of rusty-coloured stone — quitting the gay theatre, for the solitary66 chimney-nook of a Scottish dog-house — bartering67 the sounds of the soul-ravishing lute68, and the love-awaking viol-degamba, for the discordant69 squeak70 of a northern bagpipe71 — above all, exchanging the smiles of those beauties, who form a gay galaxy72 around the throne of England, for the cold courtesy of an untaught damsel, and the bewildered stare of a miller’s maiden73. More might I say of the exchange of the conversation of gallant knights74 and gay courtiers of mine own order and capacity, whose conceits75 are bright and vivid as the lightning, for that of monks76 and churchmen — but it were discourteous77 to urge that topic.”
The Abbot listened to this list of complaints with great round eyes, which evinced no exact intelligence of the orator’s meaning; and when the knight paused to take breath, he looked with a doubtful and inquiring eye at the Sub-Prior, not well knowing in what tone he should reply to an exordium so extraordinary. The Sub-Prior accordingly stepped in to the relief of his principal.
“We deeply sympathize with you, Sir Knight, in the several mortifications and hardships to which fate has subjected you, particularly in that which has thrown you into the society of those, who, as they were conscious they deserved not such an honour, so neither did they at all desire it. But all this goes little way to expound78 the cause of this train of disasters, or, in plainer words, the reason which has compelled you into a situation having so few charms for you.”
“Gentle and reverend sir,” replied the knight, “forgive an unhappy person, who, in giving a history of his miseries79, dilateth upon them extremely, even as he who, having fallen from a precipice80, looketh upward to measure the height from which he hath been precipitated81.”
“Yea, but,” said Father Eustace, “methinks it were wiser in him to tell those who come to lift him up, which of his bones have been broken.”
“You, reverend sir,” said the knight, “have, in the encounter of our wits, made a fair attaint; whereas I may be in some sort said to have broken my staff across. 41 Pardon me, grave sir, that I speak in the language of the tilt-yard, which is doubtless strange to your reverend years. — Ah! brave resort of the noble, the fair and the gay! — Ah! throne of love, and citadel82 of honour! — Ah! celestial83 beauties, by whose bright eyes it is graced! Never more shall Piercie Shafton advance, as the centre of your radiant glances, couch his lance, and spur his horse at the sound of the spirit-stirring trumpets84, nobly called the voice of war — never more shall he baffle his adversary’s encounter boldly, break his spear dexterously85, and ambling86 around the lovely circle, receive the rewards with which beauty honours chivalry87!”
Here he paused, wrung88 his hands, looked upwards89, and seemed lost in contemplation of his own fallen fortunes.
“Mad, very mad,” whispered the Abbot to the Sub-Prior; “I would we were fairly rid of him; for, of a truth, I expect he will proceed from raving90 to mischief91 — Were it not better to call up the rest of the brethren?”
But the Sub-Prior knew better than his Superior how to distinguish the jargon92 of affectation from the ravings of insanity93, and although the extremity94 of the knight’s passion seemed altogether fantastic, yet he was not ignorant to what extravagancies the fashion of the day can conduct its votaries95.
Allowing, therefore, two minutes’ space to permit the knight’s enthusiastic feelings to exhaust themselves, he again gravely reminded him that the Lord Abbot had taken a journey, unwonted to his age and habits, solely96 to learn in what he could serve Sir Piercie Shafton — that it was altogether impossible he could do so without his receiving distinct information of the situation in which he had now sought refuge in Scotland. —“The day wore on,” he observed, looking at the window; “and if the Abbot should be obliged to return to the Monastery without obtaining the necessary intelligence, the regret might be mutual, but the inconvenience was like to be all on Sir Piercie’s own side.”
The hint was not thrown away.
“O, goddess of courtesy!” said the knight, “can I so far have forgotten thy behests as to make this good prelate’s ease and time a sacrifice to my vain complaints! Know, then, most worthy, and not less worshipful, that I, your poor visitor and guest, am by birth nearly bound to the Piercie of Northumberland, whose fame is so widely blown through all parts of the world where English worth hath been known. Now, this present Earl of Northumberland, of whom I propose to give you the brief history ——”
“It is altogether unnecessary,” said the Abbot; “we know him to be a good and true nobleman, and a sworn upholder of our Catholic faith, in the spite of the heretical woman who now sits upon the throne of England. And it is specially6 as his kinsman97, and as knowing that ye partake with him in such devout98 and faithful belief and adherence99 to our holy Mother Church, that we say to you, Sir Piercie Shafton, that ye be heartily100 welcome to us, and that, and we wist how, we would labour to do you good service in your extremity.”
“For such kind offer I rest your most humble101 debtor,” said Sir Piercie, “nor need I at this moment say more than that my Right Honourable102 Cousin of Northumberland, having devised with me and some others, the choice and picked spirits of the age, how and by what means the worship of God, according to the Catholic Church, might be again introduced into this distracted kingdom of England, (even as one deviseth, by the assistance of his friend, to catch and bridle103 a runaway104 steed,) it pleased him so deeply to intrust me in those communications, that my personal safety becomes, as it were, entwined or complicated therewith. Natheless, as we have had sudden reason to believe, this Princess Elizabeth, who maintaineth around her a sort of counsellors skilful105 in tracking whatever schemes may be pursued for bringing her title into challenge, or for erecting106 again the discipline of the Catholic Church, has obtained certain knowledge of the trains which we had laid before we could give fire unto them. Wherefore, my Right Honourable Cousin of Northumberland, thinking it best belike that one man should take both blame and shame for the whole, did lay the burden of all this trafficking upon my back; which load I am the rather content to bear, in that he hath always shown himself my kind and honourable kinsman, as well as that my estate, I wot not how, hath of late been somewhat insufficient107 to maintain the expense of those braveries, wherewith it is incumbent108 on us, who are chosen and selected spirits, to distinguish ourselves from the vulgar.”
“So that possibly,” said the Sub-Prior, “your private affairs rendered a foreign journey less incommodious to you than it might have been to the noble earl, your right worthy cousin?”
“You are right, reverend sir,” answered the courtier; “rem acu — you have touched the point with a needle — My cost and expenses had been indeed somewhat lavish109 at the late triumphs and tourneys, and the flat-capp’d citizens had shown themselves unwilling110 to furnish my pocket for new gallantries for the honour of the nation, as well as for mine own peculiar111 glory — and, to speak truth, it was in some part the hope of seeing these matters amended112 that led me to desire a new world in England.”
“So that the miscarriage113 of your public enterprise, with the derangement114 of your own private affairs,” said the Sub-Prior, “have induced you to seek Scotland as a place of refuge?”
“Rem acu, once again,” said Sir Piercie; and not without good cause, since my neck, if I remained, might have been brought within the circumstances of a halter — and so speedy was my journey northward115, that I had but time to exchange my peach-coloured doublet of Genoa velvet116, thickly laid over with goldsmith’s work, for this cuirass, which was made by Bonamico of Milan, and travelled northward with all speed, judging that I might do well to visit my Right Honourable Cousin of Northumberland, at one of his numerous castles. But as I posted towards Alnwick, even with the speed of a star, which, darting117 from its native sphere, shoots wildly downwards118, I was met at Northallerton by one Henry Vaughan, a servant of my right honourable kinsman, who showed me, that as then I might not with safety come to his presence, seeing that, in obedience119 to orders from his court, he was obliged to issue out letters for my incarceration120.”
“This,” said the Abbot, “seems but hard measure on the part of your honourable kinsman.”
“It might be so judged, my lord,” replied Sir Piercie; “nevertheless, I will stand to the death for the honour of my Right Honourable Cousin of Northumberland. Also, Henry Vaughan gave me, from my said cousin, a good horse, and a purse of gold, with two Border-prickers, as they are called, for my guides, who conducted me, by such roads and by-paths as have never been seen since the days of Sir Lancelot and Sir Tristrem, into this kingdom of Scotland, and to the house of a certain baron121, or one who holds the style of such, called Julian Avenel, with whom I found such reception as the place and party could afford.”
“And that,” said the Abbot, “must have been right wretched; for to judge from the appetite which Julian showeth when abroad, he hath not, I judge, over-abundant provision at home.”
“You are right, sir — your reverence is in the right,” continued Sir Piercie; “we had but lenten fare, and, what was worse, a score to clear at the departure; for though this Julian Avenel called us to no reckoning, yet he did so extravagantly122 admire the fashion of my poniard — the poignet being of silver exquisitely123 hatched, and indeed the weapon being altogether a piece of exceeding rare device and beauty — that in faith I could not for very shame’s sake but pray his acceptance of it; words which he gave me not the trouble of repeating twice, before he had stuck it into his greasy124 buff-belt, where, credit me, reverend sir, it showed more like a butcher’s knife than a gentleman’s dagger125.”
“So goodly a gift might at least have purchased you a few days’ hospitality,” said Father Eustace.
“Reverend sir,” said Sir Piercie, “had I abidden with him, I should have been complimented out of every remnant of my wardrobe — actually flayed126, by the hospitable127 gods I swear it! Sir, he secured my spare doublet, and had a pluck at my galligaskins — I was enforced to beat a retreat before I was altogether unrigged. That Border knave128, his serving man, had a pluck at me too, and usurped129 a scarlet130 cassock and steel cuirass belonging to the page of my body, whom I was fain to leave behind me. In good time I received a letter from my Right Honourable Cousin, showing me that he had written to you in my behalf, and sent to your charge two mails filled with wearing apparel — namely, my rich crimson131 silk doublet, slashed132 out and lined with cloth of gold, which I wore at the last revels133, with baldric and trimmings to correspond — also two pair black silk slops, with hanging garters of carnation134 silk — also the flesh-coloured silken doublet, with the trimmings of fur, in which I danced the salvage135 man at the Gray’s-Inn mummery — also ——”
“Sir Knight,” said the Sub-Prior, “I pray you to spare the farther inventory136 of your wardrobe. The monks of Saint Mary’s are no free-booting barons137, and whatever part of your vestments arrived at our house, have been this day faithfully brought hither, with the mails which contained them. I may presume from what has been said, as we have indeed been, given to understand by the Earl of Northumberland, that your desire is to remain for the present as unknown and as unnoticed, as may be consistent with your high worth and distinction?”
“Alas, reverend father!” replied the courtier, “a blade when it is in the scabbard cannot give lustre138, a diamond when it is in the casket cannot give light, and worth, when it is compelled by circumstances to obscure itself, cannot draw observation — my retreat can only attract the admiration139 of those few to whom circumstances permit its displaying itself.”
“I conceive now, my venerable father and lord,” said the Sub-Prior, “that your wisdom will assign such a course of conduct to this noble knight, as may be alike consistent with his safety, and with the weal of the community. For you wot well, that perilous140 strides have been made in these audacious days, to the destruction of all ecclesiastical foundations, and that our holy community has been repeatedly menaced. Hitherto they have found no flaw in our raiment; but a party, friendly as well to the Queen of England, as to the heretical doctrines141 of the schismatical church, or even to worse and wilder forms of heresy142, prevails now at the court of our sovereign, who dare not yield to her suffering clergy143 the protection she would gladly extend to them.”
“My lord, and reverend sir,” said the knight, “I will gladly relieve you of my presence, while ye canvass144 this matter at your freedom; and to speak truly, I am desirous to see in what case the chamberlain of my noble kinsman hath found my wardrobe, and how he hath packed the same, and whether it has suffered from the journey — there are four suits of as pure and elegant device as ever the fancy of a fair lady doated upon, every one having a treble, and appropriate change of ribbons, trimmings, and fringes, which, in case of need, may as it were renew each of them, and multiply the four into twelve. — There is also my sad-coloured riding-suit, and three cut-work shirts with falling bands — I pray you, pardon me — I must needs see how matters stand with them without farther dallying146.”
Thus speaking, he left the room; and the Sub-Prior, looking after him significantly, added, “Where the treasure is will the heart be also.”
“Saint Mary preserve our wits!” said the Abbot, stunned147 with the knight’s abundance of words; “were man’s brains ever so stuffed with silk and broadcloth, cut-work, and I wot not what besides! And what could move the Earl of Northumberland to assume for his bosom148 counsellor, in. matters of death and danger, such a feather-brained coxcomb149 as this?”
“Had he been other than what he is, venerable father,” said the Sub-Prior, “he had been less fitted for the part of scape-goat, to which his Right Honourable Cousin had probably destined150 him from the commencement, in case of their plot failing. I know something of this Piercie Shafton. The legitimacy151 of his mother’s descent from the Piercie family, the point on which he is most jealous, hath been called in question. If hairbrained courage, and an outrageous152 spirit of gallantry, can make good his pretensions153 to the high lineage he claims, these qualities have never been denied him. For the rest, he is one of the ruffling154 gallants of the time, like Howland Yorke, Stukely,42 and others, who wear out their fortunes, and endanger their lives, in idle braveries, in order that they may be esteemed155 the only choice gallants of the time; and afterwards endeavour to repair their estate, by engaging in the desperate plots and conspiracies156 which wiser heads have devised. To use one of his own conceited157 similitudes, such courageous158 fools resemble hawks159, which the wiser conspirator160 keeps hooded161 and blinded on his wrist until the quarry162 is on the wing, and who are then flown at them.”
“Saint Mary,” said the Abbot, “he were an evil guest to introduce into our quiet household. Our young monks make bustle163 enough, and more than is beseeming God’s servants, about their outward attire164 already — this knight were enough to turn their brains, from the Vestiarius down to the very scullion boy.”
“A worse evil might follow,” said the Sub-Prior: “in these bad days, the patrimony165 of the church is bought and sold, forfeited166 and distrained, as if it were the unhallowed soil appertaining to a secular baron. Think what penalty awaits us, were we convicted of harbouring a rebel to her whom they call the Queen of England! There would neither be wanting Scottish parasites167 to beg the lands of the foundation, nor an army from England to burn and harry168 the Halidome. The men of Scotland were once Scotsmen, firm and united in the love of their country, and throwing every other consideration aside when the frontier was menaced — now they are — what shall I call them — the one part French, the other part English, considering their dear native country merely as a prize-fighting stage, upon which foreigners are welcome to decide their quarrels.”
“Benedictine!” replied the Abbot, “they are indeed slippery and evil times.”
“And therefore,” said Father Eustace, “we must walk warily53 — we must not, for example, bring this man — this Sir Piercie Shafton, to our house of Saint Mary’s.”
“But how then shall we dispose of him?” replied the Abbot; “bethink thee that he is a sufferer for holy Church’s sake — that his patron, the Earl of Northumberland, hath been our friend, and that, lying so near us, he may work us weal or wo according as we deal with his kinsman.”
“And, accordingly,” said the Sub-Prior, “for these reasons, as well as for discharge of the great duty of Christian169 charity, I would protect and relieve this man. Let him not go back to Julian Avenel — that unconscientious baron would not stick to plunder170 the exiled stranger — Let him remain here — the spot is secluded171, and if the accommodation be beneath his quality, discovery will become the less likely. We will make such means for his convenience as we can devise.”
“Will he be persuaded, thinkest thou?” said the Abbot; “I will leave my own travelling bed for his repose172, and send up a suitable easy-chair.”
“With such easements,” said the Sub-Prior, “he must not complain; and then, if threatened by any sudden danger, he can soon come down to the sanctuary173, where we will harbour him in secret until means can be devised of dismissing him in safety.”
“Were we not better,” said the Abbot, “send him on to the court, and get rid of him at once?”
“Ay, but at the expense of our friends — this butterfly may fold his wings, and lie under cover in the cold air of Glendearg; but were he at Holyrood, he would, did his life depend on it, expand his spangled drapery in the eyes of the queen and court — Rather than fail of distinction, he would sue for love to our gracious sovereign — the eyes of all men would be upon him in the course of three short days, and the international peace of the two ends of the island endangered for a creature, who, like a silly moth28, cannot abstain174 from fluttering round a light.”
“Thou hast prevailed with me, Father Eustace,” said the Abbot, “and it will go hard but I improve on thy plan — I will send up in secret, not only household stuff, but wine and wassell-bread. There is a young swankie here who shoots venison well. I will give him directions to see that the knight lacks none.”
“Whatever accommodation he can have, which infers not a risk of discovery,” said the Sub-Prior, “it is our duty to afford him.”
“Nay,” said the Abbot, “we will do more, and will instantly despatch175 a servant express to the keeper of our revestiary to send us such things as he may want, even this night. See it done, good father.”
“I will,” answered Father Eustace; “but I hear the gull176 clamorous177 for some one to truss his points.43 He will be fortunate if he lights on any one here who can do him the office of groom178 of the chamber145.”
“I would he would appear,” said the Abbot, “for here comes the Refectioner with the collation — By my faith, the ride hath given me a sharp appetite!”
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temperate
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| adj.温和的，温带的，自我克制的，不过分的 | |
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superciliously
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| adv.高傲地；傲慢地 | |
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vassals
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| n.奴仆( vassal的名词复数 )；（封建时代）诸侯；从属者；下属 | |
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amends
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| n. 赔偿 | |
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negligence
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| n.疏忽，玩忽，粗心大意 | |
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specially
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| adv.特定地；特殊地；明确地 | |
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dame
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| n.女士 | |
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condescended
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| 屈尊，俯就( condescend的过去式和过去分词 )； 故意表示和蔼可亲 | |
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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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extricating
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| v.使摆脱困难，脱身( extricate的现在分词 ) | |
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11
collation
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| n.便餐；整理 | |
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12
knight
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| n.骑士，武士；爵士 | |
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13
novices
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| n.新手( novice的名词复数 )；初学修士（或修女）；（修会等的）初学生；尚未赢过大赛的赛马 | |
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14
contrived
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| adj.不自然的，做作的；虚构的 | |
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15
dungeon
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| n.地牢，土牢 | |
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16
trotting
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| 小跑，急走( trot的现在分词 )； 匆匆忙忙地走 | |
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17
accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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18
fatigue
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| n.疲劳，劳累 | |
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19
exult
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| v.狂喜，欢腾；欢欣鼓舞 | |
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20
arduous
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| adj.艰苦的，费力的，陡峭的 | |
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21
travail
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| n.阵痛；努力 | |
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22
toils
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| 网 | |
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23
faculty
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| n.才能；学院，系；(学院或系的)全体教学人员 | |
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24
wont
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| adj.习惯于；v.习惯；n.习惯 | |
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25
flinch
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| v.畏缩，退缩 | |
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26
monastery
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| n.修道院，僧院，寺院 | |
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27
broth
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| n.原(汁)汤(鱼汤、肉汤、菜汤等) | |
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28
moth
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| n.蛾，蛀虫 | |
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29
mutual
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| adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的 | |
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30
warriors
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| 武士，勇士，战士( warrior的名词复数 ) | |
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31
narrates
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| v.故事( narrate的第三人称单数 ) | |
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32
secular
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| n.牧师，凡人；adj.世俗的，现世的，不朽的 | |
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33
relished
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| v.欣赏( relish的过去式和过去分词 )；从…获得乐趣；渴望 | |
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34
sable
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| n.黑貂；adj.黑色的 | |
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35
singed
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| v.浅表烧焦( singe的过去式和过去分词 )；（毛发）燎，烧焦尖端[边儿] | |
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36
moor
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| n.荒野，沼泽；vt.(使)停泊；vi.停泊 | |
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37
viands
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| n.食品，食物 | |
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38
rusticity
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| n.乡村的特点、风格或气息 | |
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39
zealous
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| adj.狂热的，热心的 | |
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40
crave
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| vt.渴望得到，迫切需要，恳求，请求 | |
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41
dwelling
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| n.住宅，住所，寓所 | |
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42
craves
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| 渴望，热望( crave的第三人称单数 )； 恳求，请求 | |
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43
mandate
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| n.托管地；命令，指示 | |
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44
inquiry
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| n.打听，询问，调查，查问 | |
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45
gallant
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| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
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46
whit
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| n.一点，丝毫 | |
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47
retard
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| n.阻止，延迟；vt.妨碍，延迟，使减速 | |
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48
hamper
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| vt.妨碍，束缚，限制；n.(有盖的)大篮子 | |
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49
exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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50
mere
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|
| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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51
victuals
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| n.食物；食品 | |
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52
buck
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|
| n.雄鹿，雄兔；v.马离地跳跃 | |
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53
warily
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| adv.留心地 | |
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54
foul
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|
| adj.污秽的；邪恶的；v.弄脏；妨害；犯规；n.犯规 | |
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55
secrecy
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| n.秘密，保密，隐蔽 | |
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56
blessing
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| n.祈神赐福；祷告；祝福，祝愿 | |
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57
adviser
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| n.劝告者，顾问 | |
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58
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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59
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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60
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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61
purgatory
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| n.炼狱；苦难；adj.净化的，清洗的 | |
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62
inaccessible
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| adj.达不到的，难接近的 | |
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63
knightly
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|
| adj. 骑士般的 adv. 骑士般地 | |
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64
pilfering
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|
| v.偷窃（小东西），小偷( pilfer的现在分词 )；偷窃（一般指小偷小摸） | |
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65
rugged
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| adj.高低不平的，粗糙的，粗壮的，强健的 | |
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66
solitary
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| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
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67
bartering
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| v.作物物交换，以货换货( barter的现在分词 ) | |
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68
lute
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|
| n.琵琶，鲁特琴 | |
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69
discordant
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| adj.不调和的 | |
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70
squeak
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|
| n.吱吱声，逃脱；v.（发出）吱吱叫，侥幸通过；（俚）告密 | |
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71
bagpipe
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| n.风笛 | |
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72
galaxy
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| n.星系；银河系；一群(杰出或著名的人物) | |
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73
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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74
knights
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|
| 骑士； （中古时代的）武士( knight的名词复数 )； 骑士； 爵士； （国际象棋中）马 | |
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75
conceits
|
|
| 高傲( conceit的名词复数 )； 自以为； 巧妙的词语； 别出心裁的比喻 | |
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76
monks
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|
| n.修道士，僧侣( monk的名词复数 ) | |
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77
discourteous
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|
| adj.不恭的，不敬的 | |
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78
expound
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|
| v.详述；解释；阐述 | |
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79
miseries
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|
| n.痛苦( misery的名词复数 )；痛苦的事；穷困；常发牢骚的人 | |
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80
precipice
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|
| n.悬崖，危急的处境 | |
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81
precipitated
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|
| v.（突如其来地）使发生( precipitate的过去式和过去分词 )；促成；猛然摔下；使沉淀 | |
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82
citadel
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|
| n.城堡；堡垒；避难所 | |
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83
celestial
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|
| adj.天体的；天上的 | |
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84
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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85
dexterously
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|
| adv.巧妙地，敏捷地 | |
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86
ambling
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| v.（马）缓行( amble的现在分词 )；从容地走，漫步 | |
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87
chivalry
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| n.骑士气概，侠义；（男人）对女人彬彬有礼，献殷勤 | |
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88
wrung
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| 绞( wring的过去式和过去分词 )； 握紧（尤指别人的手）； 把（湿衣服）拧干； 绞掉（水） | |
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89
upwards
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|
| adv.向上，在更高处...以上 | |
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90
raving
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|
| adj.说胡话的；疯狂的，怒吼的；非常漂亮的；令人醉心[痴心]的v.胡言乱语(rave的现在分词)n.胡话；疯话adv.胡言乱语地；疯狂地 | |
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91
mischief
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| n.损害，伤害，危害；恶作剧，捣蛋，胡闹 | |
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92
jargon
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| n.术语，行话 | |
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93
insanity
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| n.疯狂，精神错乱；极端的愚蠢，荒唐 | |
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94
extremity
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| n.末端，尽头；尽力；终极；极度 | |
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95
votaries
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| n.信徒( votary的名词复数 )；追随者；（天主教）修士；修女 | |
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96
solely
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| adv.仅仅，唯一地 | |
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97
kinsman
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| n.男亲属 | |
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98
devout
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| adj.虔诚的，虔敬的，衷心的 (n.devoutness) | |
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99
adherence
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| n.信奉，依附，坚持，固着 | |
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100
heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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101
humble
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| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
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102
honourable
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| adj.可敬的；荣誉的，光荣的 | |
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103
bridle
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| n.笼头，束缚；vt.抑制，约束；动怒 | |
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104
runaway
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| n.逃走的人，逃亡，亡命者；adj.逃亡的，逃走的 | |
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105
skilful
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| (=skillful)adj.灵巧的，熟练的 | |
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106
erecting
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| v.使直立，竖起( erect的现在分词 )；建立 | |
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107
insufficient
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|
| adj.(for，of)不足的，不够的 | |
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108
incumbent
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| adj.成为责任的，有义务的；现任的，在职的 | |
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109
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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110
unwilling
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| adj.不情愿的 | |
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111
peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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112
Amended
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| adj. 修正的 动词amend的过去式和过去分词 | |
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113
miscarriage
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| n.失败，未达到预期的结果；流产 | |
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114
derangement
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| n.精神错乱 | |
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115
northward
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| adv.向北；n.北方的地区 | |
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116
velvet
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| n.丝绒，天鹅绒；adj.丝绒制的，柔软的 | |
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117
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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118
downwards
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| adj./adv.向下的（地），下行的（地） | |
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119
obedience
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| n.服从，顺从 | |
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120
incarceration
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| n.监禁，禁闭；钳闭 | |
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121
baron
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| n.男爵；(商业界等)巨头，大王 | |
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122
extravagantly
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| adv.挥霍无度地 | |
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123
exquisitely
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| adv.精致地；强烈地；剧烈地；异常地 | |
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124
greasy
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| adj. 多脂的，油脂的 | |
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125
dagger
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| n.匕首，短剑，剑号 | |
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126
flayed
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| v.痛打( flay的过去式和过去分词 )；把…打得皮开肉绽；剥（通常指动物）的皮；严厉批评 | |
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127
hospitable
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| adj.好客的；宽容的；有利的，适宜的 | |
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128
knave
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| n.流氓；（纸牌中的）杰克 | |
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129
usurped
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| 篡夺，霸占( usurp的过去式和过去分词 )； 盗用； 篡夺，篡权 | |
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130
scarlet
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| n.深红色，绯红色，红衣；adj.绯红色的 | |
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131
crimson
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| n./adj.深(绯)红色(的)；vi.脸变绯红色 | |
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132
slashed
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| v.挥砍( slash的过去式和过去分词 )；鞭打；割破；削减 | |
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133
revels
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| n.作乐( revel的名词复数 )；狂欢；着迷；陶醉v.作乐( revel的第三人称单数 )；狂欢；着迷；陶醉 | |
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134
carnation
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| n.康乃馨（一种花） | |
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135
salvage
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| v.救助，营救，援救；n.救助，营救 | |
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136
inventory
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| n.详细目录，存货清单 | |
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137
barons
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|
| 男爵( baron的名词复数 )； 巨头； 大王； 大亨 | |
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138
lustre
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| n.光亮，光泽；荣誉 | |
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139
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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140
perilous
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| adj.危险的，冒险的 | |
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141
doctrines
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| n.教条( doctrine的名词复数 )；教义；学说；（政府政策的）正式声明 | |
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142
heresy
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| n.异端邪说；异教 | |
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143
clergy
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| n.[总称]牧师，神职人员 | |
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144
canvass
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| v.招徕顾客，兜售；游说；详细检查，讨论 | |
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145
chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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146
dallying
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| v.随随便便地对待( dally的现在分词 )；不很认真地考虑；浪费时间；调情 | |
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147
stunned
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| adj. 震惊的，惊讶的 动词stun的过去式和过去分词 | |
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148
bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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149
coxcomb
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| n.花花公子 | |
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150
destined
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| adj.命中注定的；(for)以…为目的地的 | |
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151
legitimacy
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| n.合法，正当 | |
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152
outrageous
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| adj.无理的，令人不能容忍的 | |
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153
pretensions
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| 自称( pretension的名词复数 )； 自命不凡； 要求； 权力 | |
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154
ruffling
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| 弄皱( ruffle的现在分词 )； 弄乱； 激怒； 扰乱 | |
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155
esteemed
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| adj.受人尊敬的v.尊敬( esteem的过去式和过去分词 )；敬重；认为；以为 | |
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156
conspiracies
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| n.阴谋，密谋( conspiracy的名词复数 ) | |
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157
conceited
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| adj.自负的，骄傲自满的 | |
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158
courageous
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| adj.勇敢的，有胆量的 | |
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159
hawks
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| 鹰( hawk的名词复数 )； 鹰派人物，主战派人物 | |
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160
conspirator
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| n.阴谋者，谋叛者 | |
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161
hooded
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| adj.戴头巾的；有罩盖的；颈部因肋骨运动而膨胀的 | |
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162
quarry
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| n.采石场；v.采石；费力地找 | |
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163
bustle
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| v.喧扰地忙乱，匆忙，奔忙；n.忙碌；喧闹 | |
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164
attire
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| v.穿衣，装扮[同]array；n.衣着；盛装 | |
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165
patrimony
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| n.世袭财产，继承物 | |
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166
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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167
parasites
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| 寄生物( parasite的名词复数 )； 靠他人为生的人； 诸虫 | |
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168
harry
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| vt.掠夺，蹂躏，使苦恼 | |
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169
Christian
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| adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒 | |
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170
plunder
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| vt.劫掠财物，掠夺；n.劫掠物，赃物；劫掠 | |
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171
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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172
repose
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| v.(使)休息；n.安息 | |
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173
sanctuary
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| n.圣所，圣堂，寺庙；禁猎区，保护区 | |
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174
abstain
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| v.自制，戒绝，弃权，避免 | |
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175
despatch
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| n./v.(dispatch)派遣；发送；n.急件；新闻报道 | |
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176
gull
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| n.鸥；受骗的人；v.欺诈 | |
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177
clamorous
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| adj.吵闹的，喧哗的 | |
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178
groom
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| vt.给（马、狗等）梳毛，照料，使...整洁 | |
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