Our coach rattled5 out of the city, and at a short distance from its outskirts6 passed over a bridge of elegant construction, but somewhat too slight, as I imagined, to sustain any considerable weight. On both sides lay an extensive quagmire7, which could not have been more disagreeable either to sight or smell, had all the kennels8 of the earth emptied their pollution there.
“This,” remarked Mr. Smooth-it-away, “is the famous Slough9 of Despond — a disgrace to all the neighborhood; and the greater that it might so easily be converted into firm ground.”
“I have understood,” said I, “that efforts have been made for that purpose from time immemorial. Bunyan mentions that above twenty thousand cartloads of wholesome10 instructions had been thrown in here without effect.”
“Very probably! And what effect could be anticipated from such unsubstantial stuff?” cried Mr. Smooth-it-away. “You observe this convenient bridge. We obtained a sufficient foundation for it by throwing into the slough some editions of books of morality, volumes of French philosophy and German rationalism; tracts11, sermons, and essays of modern clergymen; extracts from Plato, Confucius, and various Hindoo sages13 together with a few ingenious commentaries upon texts of Scripture14, — all of which by some scientific process, have been converted into a mass like granite15. The whole bog16 might be filled up with similar matter.”
It really seemed to me, however, that the bridge vibrated and heaved up and down in a very formidable manner; and, in spite of Mr. Smooth-it-away’s testimony17 to the solidity of its foundation, I should be loath18 to cross it in a crowded omnibus, especially if each passenger were encumbered19 with as heavy luggage as that gentleman and myself. Nevertheless we got over without accident, and soon found ourselves at the stationhouse. This very neat and spacious20 edifice21 is erected22 on the site of the little wicket gate, which formerly23, as all old pilgrims will recollect24, stood directly across the highway, and, by its inconvenient25 narrowness, was a great obstruction26 to the traveller of liberal mind and expansive stomach The reader of John Bunyan will be glad to know that Christian27’s old friend Evangelist, who was accustomed to supply each pilgrim with a mystic roll, now presides at the ticket office. Some malicious28 persons it is true deny the identity of this reputable character with the Evangelist of old times, and even pretend to bring competent evidence of an imposture29. Without involving myself in a dispute I shall merely observe that, so far as my experience goes, the square pieces of pasteboard now delivered to passengers are much more convenient and useful along the road than the antique roll of parchment. Whether they will be as readily received at the gate of the Celestial City I decline giving an opinion.
A large number of passengers were already at the station-house awaiting the departure of the cars. By the aspect and demeanor31 of these persons it was easy to judge that the feelings of the community had undergone a very favorable change in reference to the celestial pilgrimage. It would have done Bunyan’s heart good to see it. Instead of a lonely and ragged32 man with a huge burden on his back, plodding33 along sorrowfully on foot while the whole city hooted34 after him, here were parties of the first gentry35 and most respectable people in the neighborhood setting forth36 towards the Celestial City as cheerfully as if the pilgrimage were merely a summer tour. Among the gentlemen were characters of deserved eminence37 — magistrates38, politicians, and men of wealth, by whose example religion could not but be greatly recommended to their meaner brethren. In the ladies’ apartment, too, I rejoiced to distinguish some of those flowers of fashionable society who are so well fitted to adorn39 the most elevated circles of the Celestial City. There was much pleasant conversation about the news of the day, topics of business and politics, or the lighter40 matters of amusement; while religion, though indubitably the main thing at heart, was thrown tastefully into the background. Even an infidel would have heard little or nothing to shock his sensibility.
One great convenience of the new method of going on pilgrimage I must not forget to mention. Our enormous burdens, instead of being carried on our shoulders as had been the custom of old, were all snugly41 deposited in the baggage car, and, as I was assured, would be delivered to their respective owners at the journey’s end. Another thing, likewise, the benevolent42 reader will be delighted to understand. It may be remembered that there was an ancient feud43 between Prince Beelzebub and the keeper of the wicket gate, and that the adherents44 of the former distinguished45 personage were accustomed to shoot deadly arrows at honest pilgrims while knocking at the door. This dispute, much to the credit as well of the illustrious potentate46 above mentioned as of the worthy4 and enlightened directors of the railroad, has been pacifically arranged on the principle of mutual47 compromise. The prince’s subjects are now pretty numerously employed about the station-house, some in taking care of the baggage, others in collecting fuel, feeding the engines, and such congenial occupations; and I can conscientiously48 affirm that persons more attentive49 to their business, more willing to accommodate, or more generally agreeable to the passengers, are not to be found on any railroad. Every good heart must surely exult50 at so satisfactory an arrangement of an immemorial difficulty.
“Where is Mr. Greatheart?” inquired I. “Beyond a doubt the directors have engaged that famous old champion to be chief conductor on the railroad?”
“Why, no,” said Mr. Smooth-it-away, with a dry cough. “He was offered the situation of brakeman; but, to tell you the truth, our friend Greatheart has grown preposterously51 stiff and narrow in his old age. He has so often guided pilgrims over the road on foot that he considers it a sin to travel in any other fashion. Besides, the old fellow had entered so heartily53 into the ancient feud with Prince Beelzebub that he would have been perpetually at blows or ill language with some of the prince’s subjects, and thus have embroiled54 us anew. So, on the whole, we were not sorry when honest Greatheart went off to the Celestial City in a huff and left us at liberty to choose a more suitable and accommodating man. Yonder comes the engineer of the train. You will probably recognize him at once.”
The engine at this moment took its station in advance of the cars, looking, I must confess, much more like a sort of mechanical demon55 that would hurry us to the infernal regions than a laudable contrivance for smoothing our way to the Celestial City. On its top sat a personage almost enveloped56 in smoke and flame, which, not to startle the reader, appeared to gush58 from his own mouth and stomach as well as from the engine’s brazen59 abdomen60.
“Do my eyes deceive me?” cried I. “What on earth is this! A living creature? If so, he is own brother to the engine he rides upon!”
“Poh, poh, you are obtuse61!” said Mr. Smooth-it-away, with a hearty62 laugh. “Don’t you know Apollyon, Christian’s old enemy, with whom he fought so fierce a battle in the Valley of Humiliation63? He was the very fellow to manage the engine; and so we have reconciled him to the custom of going on pilgrimage, and engaged him as chief engineer.”
“Bravo, bravo!” exclaimed I, with irrepressible enthusiasm; “this shows the liberality of the age; this proves, if anything can, that all musty prejudices are in a fair way to be obliterated64. And how will Christian rejoice to hear of this happy transformation65 of his old antagonist66! I promise myself great pleasure in informing him of it when we reach the Celestial City.”
The passengers being all comfortably seated, we now rattled away merrily, accomplishing a greater distance in ten minutes than Christian probably trudged67 over in a day. It was laughable, while we glanced along, as it were, at the tail of a thunderbolt, to observe two dusty foot travellers in the old pilgrim guise68, with cockle shell and staff, their mystic rolls of parchment in their hands and their intolerable burdens on their backs. The preposterous52 obstinacy69 of these honest people in persisting to groan70 and stumble along the difficult pathway rather than take advantage of modern improvements, excited great mirth among our wiser brotherhood71. We greeted the two pilgrims with many pleasant gibes72 and a roar of laughter; whereupon they gazed at us with such woful and absurdly compassionate73 visages that our merriment grew tenfold more obstreperous74. Apollyon also entered heartily into the fun, and contrived75 to flirt76 the smoke and flame of the engine, or of his own breath, into their faces, and envelop57 them in an atmosphere of scalding steam. These little practical jokes amused us mightily77, and doubtless afforded the pilgrims the gratification of considering themselves martyrs78.
At some distance from the railroad Mr. Smooth-it-away pointed79 to a large, antique edifice, which, he observed, was a tavern80 of long standing81, and had formerly been a noted82 stopping-place for pilgrims. In Bunyan’s road-book it is mentioned as the Interpreter’s House.
“I have long had a curiosity to visit that old mansion,” remarked I.
“It is not one of our stations, as you perceive,” said my companion “The keeper was violently opposed to the railroad; and well he might be, as the track left his house of entertainment on one side, and thus was pretty certain to deprive him of all his reputable customers. But the footpath83 still passes his door, and the old gentleman now and then receives a call from some simple traveller, and entertains him with fare as old-fashioned as himself.”
Before our talk on this subject came to a conclusion we were rushing by the place where Christian’s burden fell from his shoulders at the sight of the Cross. This served as a theme for Mr. Smooth-it-away, Mr. Livefor-the-world, Mr. Hide-sin-inthe-heart, Mr. Scaly-conscience, and a knot of gentlemen from the town of Shun-repentance84, to descant85 upon the inestimable advantages resulting from the safety of our baggage. Myself, and all the passengers indeed, joined with great unanimity86 in this view of the matter; for our burdens were rich in many things esteemed87 precious throughout the world; and, especially, we each of us possessed88 a great variety of favorite Habits, which we trusted would not be out of fashion even in the polite circles of the Celestial City. It would have been a sad spectacle to see such an assortment89 of valuable articles tumbling into the sepulchre. Thus pleasantly conversing90 on the favorable circumstances of our position as compared with those of past pilgrims and of narrow-minded ones at the present day, we soon found ourselves at the foot of the Hill Difficulty. Through the very heart of this rocky mountain a tunnel has been constructed of most admirable architecture, with a lofty arch and a spacious double track; so that, unless the earth and rocks should chance to crumble91 down, it will remain an eternal monument of the builder’s skill and enterprise. It is a great though incidental advantage that the materials from the heart of the Hill Difficulty have been employed in filling up the Valley of Humiliation, thus obviating92 the necessity of descending93 into that disagreeable and unwholesome hollow.
“This is a wonderful improvement, indeed,” said I. “Yet I should have been glad of an opportunity to visit the Palace Beautiful and be introduced to the charming young ladies — Miss Prudence94, Miss Piety95, Miss Charity, and the rest — who have the kindness to entertain pilgrims there.”
“Young ladies!” cried Mr. Smooth-it-away, as soon as he could speak for laughing. “And charming young ladies! Why, my dear fellow, they are old maids, every soul of them — prim96, starched97, dry, and angular; and not one of them, I will venture to say, has altered so much as the fashion of her gown since the days of Christian’s pilgrimage.”
“Ah, well,” said I, much comforted, “then I can very readily dispense98 with their acquaintance.”
The respectable Apollyon was now putting on the steam at a prodigious99 rate, anxious, perhaps, to get rid of the unpleasant reminiscences connected with the spot where he had so disastrously100 encountered Christian. Consulting Mr. Bunyan’s road-book, I perceived that we must now be within a few miles of the Valley of the Shadow of Death, into which doleful region, at our present speed, we should plunge101 much sooner than seemed at all desirable. In truth, I expected nothing better than to find myself in the ditch on one side or the Quag on the other; but on communicating my apprehensions102 to Mr. Smooth-it-away, he assured me that the difficulties of this passage, even in its worst condition, had been vastly exaggerated, and that, in its present state of improvement, I might consider myself as safe as on any railroad in Christendom.
Even while we were speaking the train shot into the entrance of this dreaded103 Valley. Though I plead guilty to some foolish palpitations of the heart during our headlong rush over the causeway here constructed, yet it were unjust to withhold104 the highest encomiums on the boldness of its original conception and the ingenuity105 of those who executed it. It was gratifying, likewise, to observe how much care had been taken to dispel106 the everlasting107 gloom and supply the defect of cheerful sunshine, not a ray of which has ever penetrated108 among these awful shadows. For this purpose, the inflammable gas which exudes109 plentifully110 from the soil is collected by means of pipes, and thence communicated to a quadruple row of lamps along the whole extent of the passage. Thus a radiance has been created even out of the fiery112 and sulphurous curse that rests forever upon the valley — a radiance hurtful, however, to the eyes, and somewhat bewildering, as I discovered by the changes which it wrought114 in the visages of my companions. In this respect, as compared with natural daylight, there is the same difference as between truth and falsehood, but if the reader have ever travelled through the dark Valley, he will have learned to be thankful for any light that he could get — if not from the sky above, then from the blasted soil beneath. Such was the red brilliancy of these lamps that they appeared to build walls of fire on both sides of the track, between which we held our course at lightning speed, while a reverberating115 thunder filled the Valley with its echoes. Had the engine run off the track, — a catastrophe116, it is whispered, by no means unprecedented117, — the bottomless pit, if there be any such place, would undoubtedly118 have received us. Just as some dismal119 fooleries of this nature had made my heart quake there came a tremendous shriek120, careering along the valley as if a thousand devils had burst their lungs to utter it, but which proved to be merely the whistle of the engine on arriving at a stopping-place.
The spot where we had now paused is the same that our friend Bunyan — a truthful121 man, but infected with many fantastic notions — has designated, in terms plainer than I like to repeat, as the mouth of the infernal region. This, however, must be a mistake, inasmuch as Mr. Smooth-it-away, while we remained in the smoky and lurid122 cavern123, took occasion to prove that Tophet has not even a metaphorical124 existence. The place, he assured us, is no other than the crater125 of a half-extinct volcano, in which the directors had caused forges to be set up for the manufacture of railroad iron. Hence, also, is obtained a plentiful111 supply of fuel for the use of the engines. Whoever had gazed into the dismal obscurity of the broad cavern mouth, whence ever and anon darted126 huge tongues of dusky flame, and had seen the strange, half-shaped monsters, and visions of faces horribly grotesque127, into which the smoke seemed to wreathe itself, and had heard the awful murmurs128, and shrieks129, and deep, shuddering130 whispers of the blast, sometimes forming themselves into words almost articulate, would have seized upon Mr. Smooth-it-away’s comfortable explanation as greedily as we did. The inhabitants of the cavern, moreover, were unlovely personages, dark, smoke-begrimed, generally deformed131, with misshapen feet, and a glow of dusky redness in their eyes as if their hearts had caught fire and were blazing out of the upper windows. It struck me as a peculiarity132 that the laborers133 at the forge and those who brought fuel to the engine, when they began to draw short breath, positively134 emitted smoke from their mouth and nostrils135.
Among the idlers about the train, most of whom were puffing136 cigars which they had lighted at the flame of the crater, I was perplexed137 to notice several who, to my certain knowledge, had heretofore set forth by railroad for the Celestial City. They looked dark, wild, and smoky, with a singular resemblance, indeed, to the native inhabitants, like whom, also, they had a disagreeable propensity139 to ill-natured gibes and sneers140, the habit of which had wrought a settled contortion141 of their visages. Having been on speaking terms with one of these persons, — an indolent, good-for-nothing fellow, who went by the name of Take-it-easy, — I called him, and inquired what was his business there.
“Did you not start,” said I, “for the Celestial City?”
“That’s a fact,” said Mr. Take-it-easy, carelessly puffing some smoke into my eyes. “But I heard such bad accounts that I never took pains to climb the hill on which the city stands. No business doing, no fun going on, nothing to drink, and no smoking allowed, and a thrumming of church music from morning till night. I would not stay in such a place if they offered me house room and living free.”
“But, my good Mr. Take-it-easy,” cried I, “why take up your residence here, of all places in the world?”
“Oh,” said the loafer, with a grin, “it is very warm hereabouts, and I meet with plenty of old acquaintances, and altogether the place suits me. I hope to see you back again some day soon. A pleasant journey to you.”
While he was speaking the bell of the engine rang, and we dashed away after dropping a few passengers, but receiving no new ones. Rattling142 onward143 through the Valley, we were dazzled with the fiercely gleaming gas lamps, as before. But sometimes, in the dark of intense brightness, grim faces, that bore the aspect and expression of individual sins, or evil passions, seemed to thrust themselves through the veil of light, glaring upon us, and stretching forth a great, dusky hand, as if to impede144 our progress. I almost thought that they were my own sins that appalled145 me there. These were freaks of imagination — nothing more, certainly-mere30 delusions147, which I ought to be heartily ashamed of; but all through the Dark Valley I was tormented148, and pestered149, and dolefully bewildered with the same kind of waking dreams. The mephitic gases of that region intoxicate150 the brain. As the light of natural day, however, began to struggle with the glow of the lanterns, these vain imaginations lost their vividness, and finally vanished from the first ray of sunshine that greeted our escape from the Valley of the Shadow of Death. Ere we had gone a mile beyond it I could well-nigh have taken my oath that this whole gloomy passage was a dream.
At the end of the valley, as John Bunyan mentions, is a cavern, where, in his days, dwelt two cruel giants, Pope and Pagan, who had strown the ground about their residence with the bones of slaughtered151 pilgrims. These vile152 old troglodytes153 are no longer there; but into their deserted154 cave another terrible giant has thrust himself, and makes it his business to seize upon honest travellers and fatten155 them for his table with plentiful meals of smoke, mist, moonshine, raw potatoes, and sawdust. He is a German by birth, and is called Giant Transcendentalist; but as to his form, his features, his substance, and his nature generally, it is the chief peculiarity of this huge miscreant156 that neither he for himself, nor anybody for him, has ever been able to describe them. As we rushed by the cavern’s mouth we caught a hasty glimpse of him, looking somewhat like an ill-proportioned figure, but considerably157 more like a heap of fog and duskiness. He shouted after us, but in so strange a phraseology that we knew not what he meant, nor whether to be encouraged or affrighted.
It was late in the day when the train thundered into the ancient city of Vanity, where Vanity Fair is still at the height of prosperity, and exhibits an epitome158 of whatever is brilliant, gay, and fascinating beneath the sun. As I purposed to make a considerable stay here, it gratified me to learn that there is no longer the want of harmony between the town’s-people and pilgrims, which impelled159 the former to such lamentably160 mistaken measures as the persecution161 of Christian and the fiery martyrdom of Faithful. On the contrary, as the new railroad brings with it great trade and a constant influx162 of strangers, the lord of Vanity Fair is its chief patron, and the capitalists of the city are among the largest stockholders. Many passengers stop to take their pleasure or make their profit in the Fair, instead of going onward to the Celestial City. Indeed, such are the charms of the place that people often affirm it to be the true and only heaven; stoutly163 contending that there is no other, that those who seek further are mere dreamers, and that, if the fabled164 brightness of the Celestial City lay but a bare mile beyond the gates of Vanity, they would not be fools enough to go thither. Without subscribing165 to these perhaps exaggerated encomiums, I can truly say that my abode166 in the city was mainly agreeable, and my intercourse167 with the inhabitants productive of much amusement and instruction.
Being naturally of a serious turn, my attention was directed to the solid advantages derivable168 from a residence here, rather than to the effervescent pleasures which are the grand object with too many visitants. The Christian reader, if he have had no accounts of the city later than Bunyan’s time, will be surprised to hear that almost every street has its church, and that the reverend clergy12 are nowhere held in higher respect than at Vanity Fair. And well do they deserve such honorable estimation; for the maxims169 of wisdom and virtue170 which fall from their lips come from as deep a spiritual source, and tend to as lofty a religious aim, as those of the sagest171 philosophers of old. In justification172 of this high praise I need only mention the names of the Rev113. Mr. Shallow-deep, the Rev. Mr. Stumble-at-truth, that fine old clerical character the Rev. Mr. This-today, who expects shortly to resign his pulpit to the Rev. Mr. That-tomorrow; together with the Rev. Mr. Bewilderment, the Rev. Mr. Clog-the-spirit, and, last and greatest, the Rev. Dr. Wind-of-doctrine. The labors173 of these eminent174 divines are aided by those of innumerable lecturers, who diffuse175 such a various profundity176, in all subjects of human or celestial science, that any man may acquire an omnigenous erudition without the trouble of even learning to read. Thus literature is etherealized by assuming for its medium the human voice; and knowledge, depositing all its heavier particles, except, doubtless, its gold becomes exhaled177 into a sound, which forthwith steals into the ever-open ear of the community. These ingenious methods constitute a sort of machinery178, by which thought and study are done to every person’s hand without his putting himself to the slightest inconvenience in the matter. There is another species of machine for the wholesale179 manufacture of individual morality. This excellent result is effected by societies for all manner of virtuous180 purposes, with which a man has merely to connect himself, throwing, as it were, his quota181 of virtue into the common stock, and the president and directors will take care that the aggregate182 amount be well applied183. All these, and other wonderful improvements in ethics184, religion, and literature, being made plain to my comprehension by the ingenious Mr. Smooth-it-away, inspired me with a vast admiration185 of Vanity Fair.
It would fill a volume, in an age of pamphlets, were I to record all my observations in this great capital of human business and pleasure. There was an unlimited186 range of society — the powerful, the wise, the witty187, and the famous in every walk of life; princes, presidents, poets, generals, artists, actors, and philanthropists, — all making their own market at the fair, and deeming no price too exorbitant188 for such commodities as hit their fancy. It was well worth one’s while, even if he had no idea of buying or selling, to loiter through the bazaars189 and observe the various sorts of traffic that were going forward.
Some of the purchasers, I thought, made very foolish bargains. For instance, a young man having inherited a splendid fortune, laid out a considerable portion of it in the purchase of diseases, and finally spent all the rest for a heavy lot of repentance and a suit of rags. A very pretty girl bartered190 a heart as clear as crystal, and which seemed her most valuable possession, for another jewel of the same kind, but so worn and defaced as to be utterly191 worthless. In one shop there were a great many crowns of laurel and myrtle, which soldiers, authors, statesmen, and various other people pressed eagerly to buy; some purchased these paltry192 wreaths with their lives, others by a toilsome servitude of years, and many sacrificed whatever was most valuable, yet finally slunk away without the crown. There was a sort of stock or scrip, called Conscience, which seemed to be in great demand, and would purchase almost anything. Indeed, few rich commodities were to be obtained without paying a heavy sum in this particular stock, and a man’s business was seldom very lucrative193 unless he knew precisely194 when and how to throw his hoard195 of conscience into the market. Yet as this stock was the only thing of permanent value, whoever parted with it was sure to find himself a loser in the long run. Several of the speculations196 were of a questionable197 character. Occasionally a member of Congress recruited his pocket by the sale of his constituents198; and I was assured that public officers have often sold their country at very moderate prices. Thousands sold their happiness for a whim199. Gilded200 chains were in great demand, and purchased with almost any sacrifice. In truth, those who desired, according to the old adage201, to sell anything valuable for a song, might find customers all over the Fair; and there were innumerable messes of pottage, piping hot, for such as chose to buy them with their birthrights. A few articles, however, could not be found genuine at Vanity Fair. If a customer wished to renew his stock of youth the dealers202 offered him a set of false teeth and an auburn wig203; if he demanded peace of mind, they recommended opium204 or a brandy bottle.
Tracts of land and golden mansions205, situate in the Celestial City, were often exchanged, at very disadvantageous rates, for a few years’ lease of small, dismal, inconvenient tenements206 in Vanity Fair. Prince Beelzebub himself took great interest in this sort of traffic, and sometimes condescended207 to meddle208 with smaller matters. I once had the pleasure to see him bargaining with a miser209 for his soul, which, after much ingenious skirmishing on both sides, his highness succeeded in obtaining at about the value of sixpence. The prince remarked with a smile, that he was a loser by the transaction.
Day after day, as I walked the streets of Vanity, my manners and deportment became more and more like those of the inhabitants. The place began to seem like home; the idea of pursuing my travels to the Celestial City was almost obliterated from my mind. I was reminded of it, however, by the sight of the same pair of simple pilgrims at whom we had laughed so heartily when Apollyon puffed210 smoke and steam into their faces at the commencement of our journey. There they stood amidst the densest211 bustle212 of Vanity; the dealers offering them their purple and fine linen213 and jewels, the men of wit and humor gibing214 at them, a pair of buxom215 ladies ogling216 them askance, while the benevolent Mr. Smooth-it-away whispered some of his wisdom at their elbows, and pointed to a newly-erected temple; but there were these worthy simpletons, making the scene look wild and monstrous217, merely by their sturdy repudiation218 of all part in its business or pleasures.
One of them — his name was Stick-to-the-right — perceived in my face, I suppose, a species of sympathy and almost admiration, which, to my own great surprise, I could not help feeling for this pragmatic couple. It prompted him to address me.
“Sir,” inquired he, with a sad, yet mild and kindly219 voice, “do you call yourself a pilgrim?”
“Yes,” I replied, “my right to that appellation220 is indubitable. I am merely a sojourner221 here in Vanity Fair, being bound to the Celestial City by the new railroad.”
“Alas, friend,” rejoined Mr. Stick-to-the-truth, “I do assure you, and beseech222 you to receive the truth of my words, that that whole concern is a bubble. You may travel on it all your lifetime, were you to live thousands of years, and yet never get beyond the limits of Vanity Fair. Yea, though you should deem yourself entering the gates of the blessed city, it will be nothing but a miserable223 delusion146.”
“The Lord of the Celestial City,” began the other pilgrim, whose name was Mr. Foot-it-to-heaven, “has refused, and will ever refuse, to grant an act of incorporation224 for this railroad; and unless that be obtained, no passenger can ever hope to enter his dominions225. Wherefore every man who buys a ticket must lay his account with losing the purchase money, which is the value of his own soul.”
“Poh, nonsense!” said Mr. Smooth-it-away, taking my arm and leading me off, “these fellows ought to be indicted226 for a libel. If the law stood as it once did in Vanity Fair we should see them grinning through the iron bars of the prison window.”
This incident made a considerable impression on my mind, and contributed with other circumstances to indispose me to a permanent residence in the city of Vanity; although, of course, I was not simple enough to give up my original plan of gliding227 along easily and commodiously228 by railroad. Still, I grew anxious to be gone. There was one strange thing that troubled me. Amid the occupations or amusements of the Fair, nothing was more common than for a person — whether at feast, theatre, or church, or trafficking for wealth and honors, or whatever he might be doing, to vanish like a soap bubble, and be never more seen of his fellows; and so accustomed were the latter to such little accidents that they went on with their business as quietly as if nothing had happened. But it was otherwise with me.
Finally, after a pretty long residence at the Fair, I resumed my journey towards the Celestial City, still with Mr. Smooth-it-away at my side. At a short distance beyond the suburbs of Vanity we passed the ancient silver mine, of which Demas was the first discoverer, and which is now wrought to great advantage, supplying nearly all the coined currency of the world. A little further onward was the spot where Lot’s wife had stood forever under the semblance138 of a pillar of salt. Curious travellers have long since carried it away piecemeal229. Had all regrets been punished as rigorously as this poor dame’s were, my yearning230 for the relinquished231 delights of Vanity Fair might have produced a similar change in my own corporeal232 substance, and left me a warning to future pilgrims.
The next remarkable233 object was a large edifice, constructed of moss-grown stone, but in a modern and airy style of architecture. The engine came to a pause in its vicinity, with the usual tremendous shriek.
“This was formerly the castle of the redoubted giant Despair,” observed Mr. Smooth-it-away; “but since his death Mr. Flimsy-faith has repaired it, and keeps an excellent house of entertainment here. It is one of our stopping-places.”
“It seems but slightly put together,” remarked I, looking at the frail234 yet ponderous235 walls. “I do not envy Mr. Flimsy-faith his habitation. Some day it will thunder down upon the heads of the occupants.”
“We shall escape at all events,” said Mr. Smooth-it-away, “for Apollyon is putting on the steam again.”
The road now plunged236 into a gorge237 of the Delectable238 Mountains, and traversed the field where in former ages the blind men wandered and stumbled among the tombs. One of these ancient tombstones had been thrust across the track by some malicious person, and gave the train of cars a terrible jolt239. Far up the rugged240 side of a mountain I perceived a rusty241 iron door, half overgrown with bushes and creeping plants, but with smoke issuing from its crevices242.
“Is that,” inquired I, “the very door in the hill-side which the shepherds assured Christian was a by-way to hell?”
“That was a joke on the part of the shepherds,” said Mr. Smooth-itaway, with a smile. “It is neither more nor less than the door of a cavern which they use as a smoke-house for the preparation of mutton hams.”
My recollections of the journey are now, for a little space, dim and confused, inasmuch as a singular drowsiness243 here overcame me, owing to the fact that we were passing over the enchanted244 ground, the air of which encourages a disposition245 to sleep. I awoke, however, as soon as we crossed the borders of the pleasant land of Beulah. All the passengers were rubbing their eyes, comparing watches, and congratulating one another on the prospect246 of arriving so seasonably at the journey’s end. The sweet breezes of this happy clime came refreshingly247 to our nostrils; we beheld248 the glimmering249 gush of silver fountains, overhung by trees of beautiful foliage250 and delicious fruit, which were propagated by grafts251 from the celestial gardens. Once, as we dashed onward like a hurricane, there was a flutter of wings and the bright appearance of an angel in the air, speeding forth on some heavenly mission. The engine now announced the close vicinity of the final station-house by one last and horrible scream, in which there seemed to be distinguishable every kind of wailing252 and woe253, and bitter fierceness of wrath254, all mixed up with the wild laughter of a devil or a madman. Throughout our journey, at every stopping-place, Apollyon had exercised his ingenuity in screwing the most abominable255 sounds out of the whistle of the steam-engine; but in this closing effort he outdid himself and created an infernal uproar256, which, besides disturbing the peaceful inhabitants of Beulah, must have sent its discord257 even through the celestial gates.
While the horrid258 clamor was still ringing in our ears we heard an exulting259 strain, as if a thousand instruments of music, with height and depth and sweetness in their tones, at once tender and triumphant260, were struck in unison261, to greet the approach of some illustrious hero, who had fought the good fight and won a glorious victory, and was come to lay aside his battered262 arms forever. Looking to ascertain263 what might be the occasion of this glad harmony, I perceived, on alighting from the cars, that a multitude of shining ones had assembled on the other side of the river, to welcome two poor pilgrims, who were just emerging from its depths. They were the same whom Apollyon and ourselves had persecuted264 with taunts265, and gibes, and scalding steam, at the commencement of our journey — the same whose unworldly aspect and impressive words had stirred my conscience amid the wild revellers of Vanity Fair.
“How amazingly well those men have got on,” cried I to Mr. Smoothit — away. “I wish we were secure of as good a reception.”
“Never fear, never fear!” answered my friend. “Come, make haste; the ferry boat will be off directly, and in three minutes you will be on the other side of the river. No doubt you will find coaches to carry you up to the city gates.”
A steam ferry boat, the last improvement on this important route, lay at the river side, puffing, snorting, and emitting all those other disagreeable utterances266 which betoken267 the departure to be immediate268. I hurried on board with the rest of the passengers, most of whom were in great perturbation: some bawling269 out for their baggage; some tearing their hair and exclaiming that the boat would explode or sink; some already pale with the heaving of the stream; some gazing affrighted at the ugly aspect of the steersman; and some still dizzy with the slumberous270 influences of the Enchanted Ground. Looking back to the shore, I was amazed to discern Mr. Smooth-it-away waving his hand in token of farewell.
“Don’t you go over to the Celestial City?” exclaimed I.
“Oh, no!” answered he with a queer smile, and that same disagreeable contortion of visage which I had remarked in the inhabitants of the Dark Valley. “Oh, no! I have come thus far only for the sake of your pleasant company. Good-by! We shall meet again.”
And then did my excellent friend Mr. Smooth-it-away laugh outright271, in the midst of which cachinnation a smoke-wreath issued from his mouth and nostrils, while a twinkle of lurid flame darted out of either eye, proving indubitably that his heart was all of a red blaze. The impudent272 fiend! To deny the existence of Tophet, when he felt its fiery tortures raging within his breast. I rushed to the side of the boat, intending to fling myself on shore; but the wheels, as they began their revolutions, threw a dash of spray over me so cold — so deadly cold, with the chill that will never leave those waters until Death be drowned in his own river — that with a shiver and a heartquake I awoke. Thank Heaven it was a Dream!
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1
populous
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| adj.人口稠密的，人口众多的 | |
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celestial
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| adj.天体的；天上的 | |
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thither
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| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
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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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rattled
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| 慌乱的，恼火的 | |
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outskirts
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| n.郊外，郊区 | |
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quagmire
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| n.沼地 | |
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kennels
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| n.主人外出时的小动物寄养处，养狗场；狗窝( kennel的名词复数 )；养狗场 | |
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slough
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| v.蜕皮，脱落，抛弃 | |
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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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tracts
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| 大片土地( tract的名词复数 )； 地带； （体内的）道； （尤指宣扬宗教、伦理或政治的）短文 | |
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clergy
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| n.[总称]牧师，神职人员 | |
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sages
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| n.圣人( sage的名词复数 )；智者；哲人；鼠尾草（可用作调料） | |
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14
scripture
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| n.经文，圣书，手稿；Scripture:(常用复数)《圣经》，《圣经》中的一段 | |
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granite
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| adj.花岗岩，花岗石 | |
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bog
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| n.沼泽；室...陷入泥淖 | |
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testimony
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| n.证词；见证，证明 | |
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18
loath
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| adj.不愿意的；勉强的 | |
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encumbered
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| v.妨碍，阻碍，拖累( encumber的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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spacious
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| adj.广阔的，宽敞的 | |
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edifice
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| n.宏伟的建筑物(如宫殿，教室) | |
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22
ERECTED
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| adj. 直立的，竖立的，笔直的 vt. 使 ... 直立，建立 | |
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formerly
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| adv.从前，以前 | |
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recollect
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| v.回忆，想起，记起，忆起，记得 | |
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inconvenient
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| adj.不方便的，令人感到麻烦的 | |
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obstruction
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| n.阻塞，堵塞；障碍物 | |
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Christian
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| adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒 | |
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malicious
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| adj.有恶意的，心怀恶意的 | |
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29
imposture
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| n.冒名顶替，欺骗 | |
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30
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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demeanor
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| n.行为；风度 | |
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32
ragged
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| adj.衣衫褴褛的，粗糙的，刺耳的 | |
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plodding
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| a.proceeding in a slow or dull way | |
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34
hooted
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| （使）作汽笛声响，作汽车喇叭声( hoot的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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35
gentry
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| n.绅士阶级，上层阶级 | |
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36
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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eminence
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| n.卓越，显赫；高地，高处；名家 | |
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38
magistrates
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| 地方法官，治安官( magistrate的名词复数 ) | |
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39
adorn
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| vt.使美化，装饰 | |
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40
lighter
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| n.打火机，点火器；驳船；v.用驳船运送；light的比较级 | |
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41
snugly
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| adv.紧贴地；贴身地；暖和舒适地；安适地 | |
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42
benevolent
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| adj.仁慈的，乐善好施的 | |
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43
feud
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| n.长期不和；世仇；v.长期争斗；世代结仇 | |
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44
adherents
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| n.支持者，拥护者( adherent的名词复数 )；党羽；徒子徒孙 | |
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45
distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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46
potentate
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| n.统治者；君主 | |
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47
mutual
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| adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的 | |
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48
conscientiously
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| adv.凭良心地；认真地，负责尽职地；老老实实 | |
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49
attentive
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| adj.注意的，专心的；关心(别人)的，殷勤的 | |
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50
exult
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| v.狂喜，欢腾；欢欣鼓舞 | |
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51
preposterously
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| adv.反常地；荒谬地；荒谬可笑地；不合理地 | |
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52
preposterous
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| adj.荒谬的，可笑的 | |
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53
heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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54
embroiled
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| adj.卷入的；纠缠不清的 | |
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55
demon
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| n.魔鬼，恶魔 | |
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56
enveloped
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| v.包围，笼罩，包住( envelop的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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57
envelop
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| vt.包，封，遮盖；包围 | |
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58
gush
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| v.喷，涌；滔滔不绝(说话)；n.喷，涌流；迸发 | |
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59
brazen
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| adj.厚脸皮的，无耻的，坚硬的 | |
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60
abdomen
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| n.腹，下腹(胸部到腿部的部分) | |
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61
obtuse
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| adj.钝的；愚钝的 | |
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62
hearty
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| adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的 | |
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63
humiliation
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| n.羞辱 | |
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64
obliterated
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| v.除去( obliterate的过去式和过去分词 )；涂去；擦掉；彻底破坏或毁灭 | |
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65
transformation
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| n.变化；改造；转变 | |
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66
antagonist
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| n.敌人，对抗者，对手 | |
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67
trudged
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| vt.& vi.跋涉，吃力地走（trudge的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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68
guise
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| n.外表，伪装的姿态 | |
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69
obstinacy
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| n.顽固；（病痛等）难治 | |
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70
groan
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| vi./n.呻吟，抱怨；(发出)呻吟般的声音 | |
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71
brotherhood
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| n.兄弟般的关系，手中情谊 | |
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72
gibes
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| vi.嘲笑，嘲弄（gibe的第三人称单数形式） | |
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73
compassionate
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| adj.有同情心的，表示同情的 | |
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obstreperous
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| adj.喧闹的，不守秩序的 | |
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contrived
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| adj.不自然的，做作的；虚构的 | |
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flirt
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| v.调情，挑逗，调戏；n.调情者，卖俏者 | |
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mightily
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| ad.强烈地；非常地 | |
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78
martyrs
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| n.martyr的复数形式；烈士( martyr的名词复数 )；殉道者；殉教者；乞怜者（向人诉苦以博取同情） | |
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pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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tavern
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| n.小旅馆，客栈；小酒店 | |
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81
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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noted
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| adj.著名的，知名的 | |
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83
footpath
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| n.小路，人行道 | |
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84
repentance
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| n.懊悔 | |
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85
descant
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| v.详论，絮说；n.高音部 | |
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86
unanimity
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| n.全体一致，一致同意 | |
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87
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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88
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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89
assortment
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| n.分类，各色俱备之物，聚集 | |
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conversing
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| v.交谈，谈话( converse的现在分词 ) | |
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91
crumble
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| vi.碎裂，崩溃；vt.弄碎，摧毁 | |
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92
obviating
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| v.避免，消除（贫困、不方便等）( obviate的现在分词 ) | |
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93
descending
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| n. 下行 adj. 下降的 | |
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94
prudence
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| n.谨慎，精明，节俭 | |
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95
piety
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| n.虔诚，虔敬 | |
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96
prim
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| adj.拘泥形式的，一本正经的；n.循规蹈矩，整洁；adv.循规蹈矩地，整洁地 | |
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97
starched
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| adj.浆硬的，硬挺的，拘泥刻板的v.把（衣服、床单等）浆一浆( starch的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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98
dispense
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| vt.分配，分发；配(药)，发(药)；实施 | |
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prodigious
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| adj.惊人的，奇妙的；异常的；巨大的；庞大的 | |
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disastrously
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| ad.灾难性地 | |
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101
plunge
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| v.跳入，(使)投入，(使)陷入；猛冲 | |
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102
apprehensions
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| 疑惧 | |
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103
dreaded
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| adj.令人畏惧的；害怕的v.害怕，恐惧，担心( dread的过去式和过去分词) | |
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104
withhold
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| v.拒绝，不给；使停止，阻挡 | |
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105
ingenuity
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| n.别出心裁；善于发明创造 | |
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106
dispel
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| vt.驱走，驱散，消除 | |
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107
everlasting
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| adj.永恒的，持久的，无止境的 | |
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108
penetrated
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| adj. 击穿的，鞭辟入里的 动词penetrate的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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109
exudes
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| v.缓慢流出，渗出，分泌出( exude的第三人称单数 )；流露出对（某物）的神态或感情 | |
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110
plentifully
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| adv. 许多地，丰饶地 | |
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111
plentiful
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| adj.富裕的，丰富的 | |
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112
fiery
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| adj.燃烧着的，火红的；暴躁的；激烈的 | |
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113
rev
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| v.发动机旋转，加快速度 | |
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114
wrought
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| v.引起；以…原料制作；运转；adj.制造的 | |
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115
reverberating
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| 回响，回荡( reverberate的现在分词 )； 使反响，使回荡，使反射 | |
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116
catastrophe
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| n.大灾难，大祸 | |
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117
unprecedented
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| adj.无前例的，新奇的 | |
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118
undoubtedly
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| adv.确实地，无疑地 | |
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119
dismal
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| adj.阴沉的，凄凉的，令人忧郁的，差劲的 | |
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120
shriek
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| v./n.尖叫，叫喊 | |
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121
truthful
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| adj.真实的，说实话的，诚实的 | |
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122
lurid
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| adj.可怕的；血红的；苍白的 | |
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123
cavern
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| n.洞穴，大山洞 | |
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124
metaphorical
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| a.隐喻的，比喻的 | |
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125
crater
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| n.火山口，弹坑 | |
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126
darted
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| v.投掷，投射( dart的过去式和过去分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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127
grotesque
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| adj.怪诞的，丑陋的；n.怪诞的图案，怪人（物） | |
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128
murmurs
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| n.低沉、连续而不清的声音( murmur的名词复数 )；低语声；怨言；嘀咕 | |
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129
shrieks
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| n.尖叫声( shriek的名词复数 )v.尖叫( shriek的第三人称单数 ) | |
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130
shuddering
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| v.战栗( shudder的现在分词 )；发抖；（机器、车辆等）突然震动；颤动 | |
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131
deformed
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| adj.畸形的；变形的；丑的，破相了的 | |
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132
peculiarity
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| n.独特性，特色；特殊的东西；怪癖 | |
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133
laborers
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| n.体力劳动者，工人( laborer的名词复数 )；（熟练工人的）辅助工 | |
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134
positively
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| adv.明确地，断然，坚决地；实在，确实 | |
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135
nostrils
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| 鼻孔( nostril的名词复数 ) | |
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136
puffing
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| v.使喷出( puff的现在分词 )；喷着汽（或烟）移动；吹嘘；吹捧 | |
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137
perplexed
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| adj.不知所措的 | |
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138
semblance
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| n.外貌，外表 | |
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139
propensity
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| n.倾向；习性 | |
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140
sneers
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| 讥笑的表情（言语）( sneer的名词复数 ) | |
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141
contortion
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| n.扭弯，扭歪，曲解 | |
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142
rattling
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| adj. 格格作响的, 活泼的, 很好的 adv. 极其, 很, 非常 动词rattle的现在分词 | |
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143
onward
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| adj.向前的，前进的；adv.向前，前进，在先 | |
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144
impede
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| v.妨碍，阻碍，阻止 | |
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145
appalled
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| v.使惊骇，使充满恐惧( appall的过去式和过去分词)adj.惊骇的；丧胆的 | |
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146
delusion
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| n.谬见，欺骗，幻觉，迷惑 | |
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147
delusions
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| n.欺骗( delusion的名词复数 )；谬见；错觉；妄想 | |
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148
tormented
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| 饱受折磨的 | |
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149
pestered
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| 使烦恼，纠缠( pester的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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150
intoxicate
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| vt.使喝醉，使陶醉，使欣喜若狂 | |
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151
slaughtered
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| v.屠杀，杀戮，屠宰( slaughter的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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152
vile
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| adj.卑鄙的，可耻的，邪恶的；坏透的 | |
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153
troglodytes
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| n.类人猿( troglodyte的名词复数 )；隐居者；穴居者；极端保守主义者 | |
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154
deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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155
fatten
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| v.使肥，变肥 | |
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156
miscreant
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| n.恶棍 | |
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157
considerably
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| adv.极大地；相当大地；在很大程度上 | |
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158
epitome
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| n.典型，梗概 | |
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159
impelled
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| v.推动、推进或敦促某人做某事( impel的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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160
lamentably
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| adv.哀伤地，拙劣地 | |
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161
persecution
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| n. 迫害,烦扰 | |
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162
influx
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| n.流入，注入 | |
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163
stoutly
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| adv.牢固地，粗壮的 | |
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164
fabled
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| adj.寓言中的，虚构的 | |
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165
subscribing
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| v.捐助( subscribe的现在分词 )；签署，题词；订阅；同意 | |
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166
abode
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| n.住处，住所 | |
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167
intercourse
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| n.性交；交流，交往，交际 | |
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168
derivable
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| adj.可引出的，可推论的，可诱导的 | |
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169
maxims
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| n.格言，座右铭( maxim的名词复数 ) | |
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170
virtue
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| n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力 | |
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171
sagest
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| adj.贤明的，貌似聪明的( sage的最高级 ) | |
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172
justification
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| n.正当的理由；辩解的理由 | |
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173
labors
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| v.努力争取(for)( labor的第三人称单数 )；苦干；详细分析；（指引擎）缓慢而困难地运转 | |
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174
eminent
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| adj.显赫的，杰出的，有名的，优良的 | |
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175
diffuse
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| v.扩散；传播；adj.冗长的；四散的，弥漫的 | |
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176
profundity
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| n.渊博；深奥，深刻 | |
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177
exhaled
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| v.呼出，发散出( exhale的过去式和过去分词 )；吐出（肺中的空气、烟等），呼气 | |
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178
machinery
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| n.(总称)机械，机器；机构 | |
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179
wholesale
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| n.批发；adv.以批发方式；vt.批发，成批出售 | |
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180
virtuous
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| adj.有品德的，善良的，贞洁的，有效力的 | |
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181
quota
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| n.（生产、进出口等的）配额，（移民的）限额 | |
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182
aggregate
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| adj.总计的，集合的；n.总数；v.合计；集合 | |
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183
applied
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| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
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184
ethics
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| n.伦理学；伦理观，道德标准 | |
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185
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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186
unlimited
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| adj.无限的，不受控制的，无条件的 | |
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187
witty
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| adj.机智的，风趣的 | |
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188
exorbitant
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| adj.过分的；过度的 | |
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189
bazaars
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| （东方国家的）市场( bazaar的名词复数 )； 义卖； 义卖市场； （出售花哨商品等的）小商品市场 | |
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190
bartered
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| v.作物物交换，以货换货( barter的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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191
utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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192
paltry
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| adj.无价值的，微不足道的 | |
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193
lucrative
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| adj.赚钱的，可获利的 | |
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194
precisely
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| adv.恰好，正好，精确地，细致地 | |
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195
hoard
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| n./v.窖藏，贮存，囤积 | |
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196
speculations
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| n.投机买卖( speculation的名词复数 )；思考；投机活动；推断 | |
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197
questionable
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| adj.可疑的，有问题的 | |
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198
constituents
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| n.选民( constituent的名词复数 )；成分；构成部分；要素 | |
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199
whim
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| n.一时的兴致，突然的念头；奇想，幻想 | |
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200
gilded
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| a.镀金的，富有的 | |
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201
adage
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| n.格言，古训 | |
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202
dealers
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| n.商人( dealer的名词复数 )；贩毒者；毒品贩子；发牌者 | |
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203
wig
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| n.假发 | |
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204
opium
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| n.鸦片；adj.鸦片的 | |
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205
mansions
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| n.宅第，公馆，大厦( mansion的名词复数 ) | |
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206
tenements
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| n.房屋，住户，租房子( tenement的名词复数 ) | |
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207
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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208
meddle
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| v.干预，干涉，插手 | |
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209
miser
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| n.守财奴，吝啬鬼 (adj.miserly) | |
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210
puffed
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| adj.疏松的v.使喷出( puff的过去式和过去分词 )；喷着汽（或烟）移动；吹嘘；吹捧 | |
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211
densest
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| 密集的( dense的最高级 )； 密度大的； 愚笨的； （信息量大得）难理解的 | |
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212
bustle
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| v.喧扰地忙乱，匆忙，奔忙；n.忙碌；喧闹 | |
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213
linen
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| n.亚麻布，亚麻线，亚麻制品；adj.亚麻布制的，亚麻的 | |
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214
gibing
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| adj.讥刺的，嘲弄的v.嘲笑，嘲弄( gibe的现在分词 ) | |
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215
buxom
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| adj.（妇女）丰满的，有健康美的 | |
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216
ogling
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| v.（向…）抛媚眼，送秋波( ogle的现在分词 ) | |
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217
monstrous
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| adj.巨大的；恐怖的；可耻的，丢脸的 | |
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218
repudiation
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| n.拒绝；否认；断绝关系；抛弃 | |
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219
kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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220
appellation
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| n.名称，称呼 | |
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221
sojourner
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| n.旅居者，寄居者 | |
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222
beseech
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| v.祈求，恳求 | |
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223
miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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224
incorporation
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| n.设立，合并，法人组织 | |
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225
dominions
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| 统治权( dominion的名词复数 )； 领土； 疆土； 版图 | |
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226
indicted
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| 控告，起诉( indict的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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227
gliding
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| v. 滑翔 adj. 滑动的 | |
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228
commodiously
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| adv.宽阔地，方便地 | |
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229
piecemeal
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| adj.零碎的；n.片，块；adv.逐渐地；v.弄成碎块 | |
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230
yearning
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| a.渴望的；向往的；怀念的 | |
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231
relinquished
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| 交出，让给( relinquish的过去式和过去分词 )； 放弃 | |
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232
corporeal
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| adj.肉体的，身体的；物质的 | |
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233
remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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234
frail
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| adj.身体虚弱的；易损坏的 | |
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235
ponderous
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| adj.沉重的，笨重的，(文章)冗长的 | |
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236
plunged
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| v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
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237
gorge
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| n.咽喉，胃，暴食，山峡；v.塞饱，狼吞虎咽地吃 | |
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238
delectable
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| adj.使人愉快的；美味的 | |
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239
jolt
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| v.（使）摇动，（使）震动，（使）颠簸 | |
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240
rugged
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| adj.高低不平的，粗糙的，粗壮的，强健的 | |
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241
rusty
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| adj.生锈的；锈色的；荒废了的 | |
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242
crevices
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| n.（尤指岩石的）裂缝，缺口( crevice的名词复数 ) | |
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drowsiness
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| n.睡意；嗜睡 | |
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enchanted
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| adj. 被施魔法的，陶醉的，入迷的 动词enchant的过去式和过去分词 | |
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disposition
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| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
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prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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refreshingly
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| adv.清爽地，有精神地 | |
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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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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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foliage
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| n.叶子，树叶，簇叶 | |
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251
grafts
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| 移植( graft的名词复数 )； 行贿； 接穗； 行贿得到的利益 | |
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252
wailing
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| v.哭叫，哀号( wail的现在分词 )；沱 | |
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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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wrath
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| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
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abominable
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| adj.可厌的，令人憎恶的 | |
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uproar
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| n.骚动，喧嚣，鼎沸 | |
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discord
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| n.不和，意见不合，争论，（音乐）不和谐 | |
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horrid
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| adj.可怕的；令人惊恐的；恐怖的；极讨厌的 | |
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exulting
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| vi. 欢欣鼓舞，狂喜 | |
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260
triumphant
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| adj.胜利的，成功的；狂欢的，喜悦的 | |
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unison
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| n.步调一致，行动一致 | |
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battered
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| adj.磨损的；v.连续猛击；磨损 | |
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ascertain
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| vt.发现，确定，查明，弄清 | |
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persecuted
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| （尤指宗教或政治信仰的）迫害(~sb. for sth.)( persecute的过去式和过去分词 )； 烦扰，困扰或骚扰某人 | |
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taunts
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| 嘲弄的言语，嘲笑，奚落( taunt的名词复数 ) | |
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utterances
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| n.发声( utterance的名词复数 )；说话方式；语调；言论 | |
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betoken
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| v.预示 | |
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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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bawling
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| v.大叫，大喊( bawl的现在分词 )；放声大哭；大声叫出；叫卖（货物） | |
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270
slumberous
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| a.昏昏欲睡的 | |
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outright
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| adv.坦率地；彻底地；立即；adj.无疑的；彻底的 | |
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impudent
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| adj.鲁莽的，卑鄙的，厚颜无耻的 | |
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