Helen replied that she could see no reason for such direful apprehension5, if her father, instead of joining Wallace in person, would, when he had sent him succors6, retire with his family into the Highlands, and there await the issue of the contest. “It is too late to retreat, dear madam,” continued she; “the first blow against the public enemy was struck in defense7 of Lord Mar; and would you have my father act so base a part, as to abandon his preserver to the wrath8 such generous assistance has provoked?”
“Alas, my child!” answered the countess, “what great service will he have done to me or to your father, if he deliver him from one danger, only to plunge9 him into another? Edward’s power in this country is too great to be resisted now. Have not most of our barons10 sworn fealty11 to him? and are not the potent12 families of the Cummin, the Soulis, and the March, all in his interest? You may perhaps say, that most of these are my relations, and that I may turn them which way I will; but if I have no influence with a husband, it would be madness to expect it over more distant kindred. How, then, with such a host against him, can your infatuated father venture, without despair, to support the man who breaks the peace with England?”
“Who can despair, honored lady,” returned Helen, “in so just a cause? Let us rather believe with our good King David, that ‘Honor must hope always; for no real evil can befall the virtuous13, either in this world or in the next!’ Were I a man, the justice that leads on the brave Wallace would nerve my arm with the strength of a host. Besides, look at our country; God’s gift of freedom is stamped upon it. Our mountains are his seal. Plains are the proper territories of tyranny; there the armies of a usurper14 may extend themselves with ease; leaving no corner unoccupied in which patriotism15 might shelter or treason hide. But mountains, glens, morasses16, lakes, set bounds to conquest; and amidst these stands the impregnable seat of liberty. To such a fortress17, to the deep defiles18 of Loch Katrine, or to the cloud-curtained heights of Corryarraick, I would have my father retire. In safety he may there watch the footsteps of our mountain-goddess, till, led by her immortal19 champion, she plants her standard again upon the hills of Scotland.”
The complexion20 of the animated21 Helen shone with a radiant glow. Her heart panted with a foretaste of the delight she would feel when all her generous wishes should be fulfilled; and pressing the now completed banner to her breast, with an enthusiasm she believed prophetic, her lips moved, though her voice did not utter the inexpressible rapture22 of her heart.
Lady Mar looked at her. “It is well, romantic girl, that you are of my own powerless sex; had it been otherwise, your rash-headed disobedience might have made me rue23 the day I became your father’s wife.”
“Sex,” returned Helen, mildly, “could not have altered my sense of duty. Whether man or woman, I would obey you in all things consistent with my duty to a higher power; but when that commands, then by the ordinance24 of Heaven, we must ‘leave father and mother, and cleave25 unto it.’”
“And what, O foolish Helen, do you call a higher duty than that of a child to a parent, or a husband to his wife?”
“Duty of any kind,” respectfully answered the young daughter of Mar, “cannot be transgressed26 with innocence27. Nor would it be any relinquishing28 of duty to you, should my father leave you to take up arms in the assertion of his country’s rights. Her rights are your safety; and therefore, in defending them, a husband or a son best shows his sense of domestic, as well as of public duty.”
“Who taught you this sophistry29, Helen? Not your heart, for it would start at the idea of your father’s blood.”
Helen turned pale. “Perhaps, madam, had not the preservation30 of my father’s blood occasioned such malignity31 from the English, that nothing but an armed force can deliver his preserver, I, too, might be content to see Scotland in slavery. But now, to wish my father to shrink behind the excuse of far-strained family duties, and to abandon Sir William Wallace to the blood hounds who hunt his life, would be to devote his name of Mar to infamy32, and deservedly bring a curse upon his offspring.”
“Then it is to preserve Sir William Wallace you are thus anxious. Your spirit of freedom is now disallowed33, and all this mighty34 gathering35 is for him. My husband, his vassals36, your cousin, and, in short, the sequestration of the estates of Mar and Bothwell, are all to be put to the hazard on account of a frantic37 outlaw38, to whom, since the loss of his wife, I should suppose, death would be preferable to any gratitude39 we can pay him.”
Lady Helen, at this ungrateful language, inwardly thanked Heaven that she inherited no part of the blood which animated so unfeeling a heart. “That he is an outlaw, Lady Mar, springs from us. That death is the preferable comforter of his sorrows, also, he owes to us; for was it not for my father’s sake that his wife fell, and that he himself was driven into the wilds? I do not, then, blush for making his preservation my first prayer; and that he may achieve the freedom of Scotland, is my second.”
“We shall see whose prayers will be answered first,” resumed Lady Mar, rising coldly from her seat. “My saints are perhaps nearer than yours, and before the close of this day you will have reason to repent40 such extravagant41 opinions. I do not understand them.”
“Till now, you never disapproved42 them.”
“I allowed them in your infancy,” replied the countess, “because I thought they went no further than a minstrel’s song; but since they are become so dangerous, I rue the hour in which I complied with the entreaties43 of Sir Richard Maitland, and permitted you and your sister to remain at Thirlestane, to imbibe44 these romantic ideas from the wizard of Ercildown.11 Had not Sir Richard been your own mother’s father, I would not have been so easily prevailed on; and thus am I rewarded for my indulgence.”
11 Few personages are so renowned45 in tradition as Thomas of Ercildown, usually called the Rhymer. He was a poet and a sage46, and believed by his contemporaries to be a prophet. He was born at Ercildown, a village on the Leeder (or Lauder), where the ruins of his paternal47 castle, called Learmont Tower, still remain.-(1809.)
“I hope, honored madam,” said Helen, still wishing to soften48 the displeasure of her step-mother, “I hope you will never be ill-rewarded for that indulgence, either by my grandfather, my sister, or myself. Isabella, in the quiet of Thirlestane, has no chance of giving you the offense49 that I do; and I am forced to offend you, because I cannot disobey my conscience.” A tear stood in the eye of Lady Helen. “Cannot you, dear Lady Mar,” continued she, forcing a smile, “pardon the daughter of your early friend, my mother, who loved you as a sister? Cannot you forgive her Helen for revering50 justice even more than your favor?”
More influenced by the sweet humility51 of her daughter-in-law than by the ingenuous52 eloquence53 with which she maintained her sentiments, or with the appeal to the memory of the first Lady Mar, the countess relaxed the frigid54 air she had assumed, and kissing her, with many renewed injunctions to bless the hand that might put a final stop to so ruinous an enthusiasm in her family, she quitted the room.
As soon as Helen was alone, she forgot the narrow-minded arguments of the countess; and calling to recollection the generous permission with which her father had endowed her the night before, she wrapped herself in her mantle55, and, attended by her page, proceeded to the armory56. The armorer was already there, having just given out arms for three hundred men, who, by the earl’s orders were to assemble by noon on Bothwell Moor57.
Helen told the man she came for the best suit of armor in his custody-“one of the most excellent proof.”
He drew from an oaken chest a coat of black mail, studded with gold. Helen admired its strength and beauty. “It is the richest in all Scotland,” answered he; “and was worn by our great Canmore in all his victories.”
“Then it is worthy58 its destination. Bring it, with its helmet and sword, to my apartment.”
The armorer took it up; and, accompanied by the page carrying the lighter59 parts, followed her into the western tower.
When Helen was again alone, it being yet very early in the morning, she employed herself in pluming60 the casque, and forming the scarf she meant should adorn61 her present. Thus time flew, till the sand-glass told her it was the eighth hour. But ere she had finished her task, she was roused from the profound stillness in which that part of the castle lay, by the doleful lament62 of the troop returning from Ellerslie.
She dropped the half-formed scarf from her hand; and listened, without daring to draw her breath, to the deep-toned lamentations. She thought that she had never before heard the dirge63 of her country so piercing, so thrillingly awful. Her head fell on the armor and scarf. “Sweet lady,” sighed she to herself, “who is it that dares thus invade thy duties? But my gratitude-gratitude to the once-loved lord, will not offend thy pure spirit!” Again the mournful wailings rose on the air; and with a convulsion of feelings she could not restrain, she threw herself on her knees, and leaning her head on the newly-adorned helmet, wept profusely64.
Murray entered the room unobserved. “Helen! my dear cousin!” cried he. She started, and rising, apologized for her tears by owning the truth. He now told her, that the body of the deceased lady was deposited in the chapel65 of the castle; and that the priests from the adjacent priory only awaited her presence to consign66 it, with the church’s rites67, to its tomb.
Helen retired68 for a few minutes to recover herself; and then re-entering, covered with a black veil, was led by her cousin to the awful scene.
The bier lay before the altar. The prior of St. Fillan, in his holy vestments, stood at its head; a band of monks69 were ranged on each side. The maids of Lady Helen, in mourning garments, met their mistress at the portal. They had wrapped the beautiful corpse70 in the shroud71 prepared for it; and now having laid it, strewed72 with flowers, upon the bier, they advanced to their trembling lady, expecting her to approve their services. Helen drew near-she bowed to the priests. One of the women put her hand on the pall73, to uncover the once lovely face of the murdered Marion. Lady Helen hastily resisted the woman’s motion, by laying her hand also upon the pall. The chill of death struck through the velvet74 to her touch. She turned pale; and waving her hand to the prior to begin, the bier was lowered by the priests into the tomb beneath. As it descended75, Helen sunk upon her knees, and the anthem76 for departed souls was raised. The pealing77 notes, as they rose and swelled78, seemed to bear up the spirit of the sainted Marion to its native heaven; and the tears which now flowed from the eyes of Helen, as they mingled79 with her pious80 aspirations81, seemed the balm of paradise descending82 upon her soul.
When all was over, the venerable Halbert, who had concealed83 his overwhelming sorrow behind a pillar, threw himself on the cold stone which now closed the last chamber of his mistress. With faint cries, he gave way to the woe84 that shook his aged85 bosom86, and called on death to lay him low with her. The women of Lady Helen again chanted forth87 their melancholy88 wailings for the dead; and unable longer to bear the scene, she grasped the arm of her cousin, and with difficulty walked from the chapel.
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
sleepless
|
|
| adj.不睡眠的，睡不著的，不休息的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
mar
|
|
| vt.破坏，毁坏，弄糟 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
chamber
|
|
| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
possessed
|
|
| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
apprehension
|
|
| n.理解，领悟；逮捕，拘捕；忧虑 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
succors
|
|
| n.救助，帮助（尤指需要时）( succor的名词复数 )v.给予帮助( succor的第三人称单数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
|
7
defense
|
|
| n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
wrath
|
|
| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
plunge
|
|
| v.跳入，(使)投入，(使)陷入；猛冲 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
barons
|
|
| 男爵( baron的名词复数 )； 巨头； 大王； 大亨 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
fealty
|
|
| n.忠贞，忠节 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
potent
|
|
| adj.强有力的，有权势的；有效力的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
virtuous
|
|
| adj.有品德的，善良的，贞洁的，有效力的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
usurper
|
|
| n. 篡夺者, 僭取者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
patriotism
|
|
| n.爱国精神，爱国心，爱国主义 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
morasses
|
|
| n.缠作一团( morass的名词复数 )；困境；沼泽；陷阱 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
|
17
fortress
|
|
| n.堡垒，防御工事 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
defiles
|
|
| v.玷污( defile的第三人称单数 )；污染；弄脏；纵列行进 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
immortal
|
|
| adj.不朽的；永生的，不死的；神的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
complexion
|
|
| n.肤色；情况，局面；气质，性格 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
animated
|
|
| adj.生气勃勃的，活跃的，愉快的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
rapture
|
|
| n.狂喜；全神贯注；着迷；v.使狂喜 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
rue
|
|
| n.懊悔，芸香，后悔；v.后悔，悲伤，懊悔 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
ordinance
|
|
| n.法令；条令；条例 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
cleave
|
|
| v．(clave；cleaved)粘着，粘住；坚持；依恋 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
transgressed
|
|
| v.超越( transgress的过去式和过去分词 )；越过；违反；违背 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
innocence
|
|
| n.无罪；天真；无害 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
relinquishing
|
|
| 交出，让给( relinquish的现在分词 )； 放弃 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
sophistry
|
|
| n.诡辩 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
preservation
|
|
| n.保护，维护，保存，保留，保持 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
malignity
|
|
| n.极度的恶意，恶毒；（病的）恶性 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
infamy
|
|
| n.声名狼藉，出丑，恶行 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
disallowed
|
|
| v.不承认（某事物）有效( disallow的过去式和过去分词 )；不接受；不准；驳回 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
mighty
|
|
| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
gathering
|
|
| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
vassals
|
|
| n.奴仆( vassal的名词复数 )；（封建时代）诸侯；从属者；下属 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
frantic
|
|
| adj.狂乱的，错乱的，激昂的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
outlaw
|
|
| n.歹徒，亡命之徒；vt.宣布…为不合法 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
gratitude
|
|
| adj.感激，感谢 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
repent
|
|
| v.悔悟，悔改，忏悔，后悔 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
extravagant
|
|
| adj.奢侈的；过分的；(言行等)放肆的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
disapproved
|
|
| v.不赞成( disapprove的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
entreaties
|
|
| n.恳求，乞求( entreaty的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
imbibe
|
|
| v.喝，饮；吸入，吸收 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
renowned
|
|
| adj.著名的，有名望的，声誉鹊起的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
sage
|
|
| n.圣人，哲人；adj.贤明的，明智的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
paternal
|
|
| adj.父亲的，像父亲的，父系的，父方的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
soften
|
|
| v.(使)变柔软；(使)变柔和 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
offense
|
|
| n.犯规，违法行为；冒犯，得罪 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
revering
|
|
| v.崇敬，尊崇，敬畏( revere的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
humility
|
|
| n.谦逊，谦恭 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
ingenuous
|
|
| adj.纯朴的，单纯的；天真的；坦率的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
eloquence
|
|
| n.雄辩；口才，修辞 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
frigid
|
|
| adj.寒冷的，凛冽的；冷淡的；拘禁的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
mantle
|
|
| n.斗篷，覆罩之物，罩子；v.罩住，覆盖，脸红 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
56
armory
|
|
| n.纹章，兵工厂，军械库 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
57
moor
|
|
| n.荒野，沼泽；vt.(使)停泊；vi.停泊 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
58
worthy
|
|
| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
59
lighter
|
|
| n.打火机，点火器；驳船；v.用驳船运送；light的比较级 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
60
pluming
|
|
| 用羽毛装饰（plume的现在分词形式） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
61
adorn
|
|
| vt.使美化，装饰 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
62
lament
|
|
| n.悲叹，悔恨，恸哭；v.哀悼，悔恨，悲叹 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
63
dirge
|
|
| n.哀乐，挽歌，庄重悲哀的乐曲 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
64
profusely
|
|
| ad.abundantly | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
65
chapel
|
|
| n.小教堂，殡仪馆 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
66
consign
|
|
| vt.寄售（货品），托运，交托，委托 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
67
rites
|
|
| 仪式，典礼( rite的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
68
retired
|
|
| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
69
monks
|
|
| n.修道士，僧侣( monk的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
70
corpse
|
|
| n.尸体，死尸 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
71
shroud
|
|
| n.裹尸布，寿衣；罩，幕；vt.覆盖，隐藏 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
72
strewed
|
|
| v.撒在…上( strew的过去式和过去分词 )；散落于；点缀；撒满 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
73
pall
|
|
| v.覆盖，使平淡无味；n.柩衣，棺罩；棺材；帷幕 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
74
velvet
|
|
| n.丝绒，天鹅绒；adj.丝绒制的，柔软的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
75
descended
|
|
| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
76
anthem
|
|
| n.圣歌，赞美诗，颂歌 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
77
pealing
|
|
| v.（使）（钟等）鸣响，（雷等）发出隆隆声( peal的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
78
swelled
|
|
| 增强( swell的过去式和过去分词 )； 肿胀； （使）凸出； 充满（激情） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
79
mingled
|
|
| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
80
pious
|
|
| adj.虔诚的；道貌岸然的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
81
aspirations
|
|
| 强烈的愿望( aspiration的名词复数 )； 志向； 发送气音； 发 h 音 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
82
descending
|
|
| n. 下行 adj. 下降的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
83
concealed
|
|
| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
84
woe
|
|
| n.悲哀，苦痛，不幸，困难；int.用来表达悲伤或惊慌 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
85
aged
|
|
| adj.年老的，陈年的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
86
bosom
|
|
| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
87
forth
|
|
| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
88
melancholy
|
|
| n.忧郁，愁思；adj.令人感伤（沮丧）的，忧郁的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |