“Soldiers!” cried he, “the rebel’s hour is come. The sentence of Heaven is gone forth13 against him. Charge resolutely14, and he and his host are yours!”
The sky was obscured; an awful stillness reigned15 through the air, and the spirits of the mighty16 dead seemed leaning from the clouds, to witness this last struggle of their sons. Fate did indeed hover17 over the opposing armies. She descended18 on the head of Wallace, and dictated19 from amidst his waving plumes20. She pointed21 his spear, she wielded22 his flaming sword, she charged with him in the dreadful shock of battle. De Warenne saw his foremost thousands fall. He heard the shouts of the Scots, the cries of his men, and the plains of Stirling rose to his remembrance. He hastily ordered the knights23 around him to bear his wife from the field; and descending24 the field to lead forward himself, was met and almost overwhelmed by his flying troops; horses without riders, men without shield or sword, but all in dismay, rushed past him. He called to them, he waved the royal standard, he urged, he reproached, he rallied, and led them back again. The fight recommenced. Long and bloody25 was the conflict. De Warenne fought for conquest and to recover a lost reputation. Wallace contended for his country, and to show himself always worthy9 of her latest blessing26 “before he should go hence and be no more seen.”
The issue declared for Scotland. But the ground was covered with the slain27, and Wallace chased a wounded foe28 with troops which dropped as they pursued. At sight of the melancholy29 state of his intrepid30 soldiers, he tried to check their ardor31, but in vain.
“It is for Wallace that we conquer!” cried they; “and we die, or prove him the only captain in this ungrateful country.”
Night compelled them to halt, and while they rested on their arms, Wallace was satisfied that he had destroyed the power of De Warenne. As he leaned on his sword, and stood with Edwin near the watch-fire, over which that youthful hero kept a guard, he contemplated32 with generous forbearance the terrified Southrons as they fled precipitately33 by the foot of the hill toward the Tweed. Wallace now told his friend the history of his adventure with the seer of the craigs, and finding within himself how much the brightness of true religion excludes the glooms of superstition34, he added, “The proof of the Divine Spirit in prophecy is its completion. Hence let the false seer I met last night warn you, my Edwin, by my example, how you give credit to any prediction that might slacken the sinews of duty. God can speak but one language. He is not a man, that he should repent35; neither a mortal, that he should change his purpose. This prophet of Baal beguiled36 me into a credence37 of his denunciation; but not to adopt the conduct his offered alternative would have persuaded me to pursue. I now see that he was a traitor38 in both, and henceforth shall read my fate in the oracles39 of God alone. Obeying them, my Edwin, we need not fear the curses of our enemy, nor the lying of suborned soothsayers.”
The splendor40 of this victory struck to the souls of the council at Stirling, but with no touch of remorse41. Scotland being again rescued from the vengeance42 of her implacable foe, the disaffected43 lords in the citadel45 affected44 to spurn46 at her preservation47, declaring to the regent that they would rather bear the yoke48 of the veriest tyrant49 in the world than owe a moment of freedom to the man who (they pretended to believe) had conspired50 against their lives. And they had a weighty reason for this decision: though De Warenne was beaten, his wife was a victor. She had made Edward triumphant51 in the venal52 hearts of her kinsmen53; gold and her persuasions54, with promises of future honors from the King of England, had sealed them entirely his. All but the regent was ready to commit everything into the hands of Edward. The rising favor of these other lords with the court of England induced him to recollect55 that he might rule as the unrivaled friend of Bruce, should that prince live; or, in case of his death, he might have it in his own power to assume the Scottish throne untrammeled. These thoughts made him fluctuate, and his country found him as undetermined in treason as unstable57 in fidelity58.
Immediately on the victory at Dalkeith, Kirkpatrick (eager to be the first communicator of such welcome news to Lennox, who had planted himself as a watch at Stirling) withdrew secretly from Wallace’s camp, and, hoping to move the gratitude59 of the refractory60 lords, entered full of honest joy into the midst of their council.
He proclaimed the success of his commander. His answer was accusations61 and insults. All that had been charged against the too-fortunate Wallace, was re-urged with added acrimony. Treachery to the state, hypocrisy62 in morals, fanaticism63 in religion — no stigma64 was too extravagant65, too contradictory66, to be affixed67 to his name. They who had been hurt in the fray68 in the hall, pointed to their still smarting wounds, and called upon Lennox to say if they did not plead against so dangerous a man?
“Dangerous to your crimes, and ruinous to your ambition!” cried Kirkpatrick; for so help me God, I believe that an honester man than William Wallace lives not in Scotland! And that ye know, and his virtues69 overtopping your littleness, ye would uproot70 the greatness which ye cannot equal.”
This speech, which a burst of indignation had wrested71 from him, brought down the wrath72 of the whole party upon himself. Lord Athol, yet stung with his old wound, furiously struck him; Kirkpatrick drew his sword, and the two chiefs commenced a furious combat, each determined56 on the extirpation73 of the other. Gasping74 with almost the last breathings of life, neither could be torn from their desperate revenge, till many were hurt in attempting to separate them; and then the two were carried off insensible, and covered with wounds.
When this sad news was transmitted to Sir William Wallace, it found him on the banks of the Eske, just returned from the citadel of Berwick, where, once more master of that fortress75, he had dictated the terms of a conqueror76 and a patriot77.
In the scene of his former victories, the romantic shades of Hawthorndean, he now pitched his triumphant camp; and from its verdant78 bounds dispatched the requisite79 orders to the garrisoned80 castles on the borders. While employed in this duty, his heart was wrung81 by an account of the newly-aroused storm in the citadel of Stirling; but as some equivalent, the chieftains of Mid–Lothian poured in on him on every side; and, acknowledging him their protector, he again found himself the idol82 of gratitude, and the almost deified object of trust. At such a moment, when the one voice they were disclaiming83 all participation84 in the insurgent85 proceedings86 at Stirling, another messenger arrived from Lord Lennox, to conjure87 him, if he would avoid open violence or secret treachery, to march his victorious88 troops immediately to that city, and seize the assembled abthanes55 at once as traitors89 to their country. “Resume the regency,” added he; “which you only know how to conduct; and crush a treason which, increasing hourly, now walks openly in the day, threatening all that is virtuous90, or faithful to you.”
55 Abthanes, which means the great lords, was a title of pre-eminence given to the higher order of chiefs.
He did not hesitate to decide against this counsel, for, in following it, it could not be one adversary91 he must strike, but thousands. “I am only a brother to my countrymen,” said he to himself, “and have no right to force them to their duty. When their king appears, then these rebellious92 heads may be made to bow.” While he mused93 upon the letter of Lennox, Ruthven entered the recess94 of the tent, whither he had retired95 to read it.
“I bring you better news of our friends at Huntingtower,” cried the good lord. “Here is a packet from Douglas, and another from my wife.”
Wallace gladly read them, and found that Bruce was relieved from his delirium96; but so weak, that his friends dared not hazard a relapse by imparting to him any idea of the proceedings at Stirling. All he knew was, that Wallace was victorious in arms, and panting for his recovery to render such success really beneficial to his country! Helen and Isabella, with the sage97 of Ercildown, were the prince’s unwearied attendants; and though his life was yet in extreme peril98, it was to be hoped that their attentions, and his own constitution, would finally cure the wound, and conquer its attendant fever. Comforted with these tidings, Wallace declared his intentions of visiting his suffering friend as soon as he could establish any principle in the minds of his followers99 to induce them to bear, even for a little time, with the insolence100 of the abthanes. “I will then,” said he, “watch by the side of our beloved Bruce till his recovered health allows him to proclaim himself king; and with that act I trust all these feuds101 will be forever laid to sleep!” Ruthven participated in these hopes, and the friends returned into the council-tent. But all there was changed. Most of the Lothian chieftains had also received messages from their friends in Stirling. Allegations against Wallace; arguments to prove “the policy of submitting themselves and their properties to the protection of a great and generous king, though a foreigner, rather than to risk all by attaching themselves to the fortunes of a private person, who made their services the ladder of his ambition,” were the contents of their packets; and they had been sufficient to shake the easy faith to which they were addressed. On the reentrance of Wallace, the chieftains, stole suspicious glances at each other, and, without a word, glided102 severally out of the tent.

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1
awed
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adj.充满敬畏的,表示敬畏的v.使敬畏,使惊惧( awe的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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intimidated
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v.恐吓;威胁adj.害怕的;受到威胁的 | |
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monks
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n.修道士,僧侣( monk的名词复数 ) | |
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countless
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adj.无数的,多得不计其数的 | |
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entirely
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ad.全部地,完整地;完全地,彻底地 | |
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sophistries
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n.诡辩术( sophistry的名词复数 );(一次)诡辩 | |
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stratagems
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n.诡计,计谋( stratagem的名词复数 );花招 | |
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intimidation
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n.恐吓,威胁 | |
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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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contagious
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adj.传染性的,有感染力的 | |
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dispense
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vt.分配,分发;配(药),发(药);实施 | |
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behold
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v.看,注视,看到 | |
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forth
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adv.向前;向外,往外 | |
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resolutely
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adj.坚决地,果断地 | |
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reigned
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vi.当政,统治(reign的过去式形式) | |
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mighty
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adj.强有力的;巨大的 | |
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hover
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vi.翱翔,盘旋;徘徊;彷徨,犹豫 | |
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descended
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a.为...后裔的,出身于...的 | |
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dictated
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v.大声讲或读( dictate的过去式和过去分词 );口授;支配;摆布 | |
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20
plumes
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羽毛( plume的名词复数 ); 羽毛饰; 羽毛状物; 升上空中的羽状物 | |
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21
pointed
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adj.尖的,直截了当的 | |
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wielded
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手持着使用(武器、工具等)( wield的过去式和过去分词 ); 具有; 运用(权力); 施加(影响) | |
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knights
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骑士; (中古时代的)武士( knight的名词复数 ); 骑士; 爵士; (国际象棋中)马 | |
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24
descending
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n. 下行 adj. 下降的 | |
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25
bloody
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adj.非常的的;流血的;残忍的;adv.很;vt.血染 | |
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blessing
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n.祈神赐福;祷告;祝福,祝愿 | |
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slain
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杀死,宰杀,杀戮( slay的过去分词 ); (slay的过去分词) | |
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28
foe
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n.敌人,仇敌 | |
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melancholy
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n.忧郁,愁思;adj.令人感伤(沮丧)的,忧郁的 | |
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30
intrepid
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adj.无畏的,刚毅的 | |
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ardor
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n.热情,狂热 | |
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contemplated
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adj. 预期的 动词contemplate的过去分词形式 | |
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precipitately
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adv.猛进地 | |
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superstition
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n.迷信,迷信行为 | |
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repent
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v.悔悟,悔改,忏悔,后悔 | |
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beguiled
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v.欺骗( beguile的过去式和过去分词 );使陶醉;使高兴;消磨(时间等) | |
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credence
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n.信用,祭器台,供桌,凭证 | |
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traitor
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n.叛徒,卖国贼 | |
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oracles
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神示所( oracle的名词复数 ); 神谕; 圣贤; 哲人 | |
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40
splendor
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n.光彩;壮丽,华丽;显赫,辉煌 | |
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remorse
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n.痛恨,悔恨,自责 | |
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vengeance
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n.报复,报仇,复仇 | |
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disaffected
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adj.(政治上)不满的,叛离的 | |
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affected
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adj.不自然的,假装的 | |
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citadel
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n.城堡;堡垒;避难所 | |
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spurn
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v.拒绝,摈弃;n.轻视的拒绝;踢开 | |
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preservation
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n.保护,维护,保存,保留,保持 | |
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48
yoke
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n.轭;支配;v.给...上轭,连接,使成配偶 | |
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49
tyrant
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n.暴君,专制的君主,残暴的人 | |
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50
conspired
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密谋( conspire的过去式和过去分词 ); 搞阴谋; (事件等)巧合; 共同导致 | |
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51
triumphant
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adj.胜利的,成功的;狂欢的,喜悦的 | |
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52
venal
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adj.唯利是图的,贪脏枉法的 | |
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53
kinsmen
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n.家属,亲属( kinsman的名词复数 ) | |
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54
persuasions
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n.劝说,说服(力)( persuasion的名词复数 );信仰 | |
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55
recollect
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v.回忆,想起,记起,忆起,记得 | |
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56
determined
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adj.坚定的;有决心的 | |
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57
unstable
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adj.不稳定的,易变的 | |
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58
fidelity
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n.忠诚,忠实;精确 | |
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59
gratitude
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adj.感激,感谢 | |
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60
refractory
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adj.倔强的,难驾驭的 | |
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61
accusations
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n.指责( accusation的名词复数 );指控;控告;(被告发、控告的)罪名 | |
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62
hypocrisy
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n.伪善,虚伪 | |
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63
fanaticism
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n.狂热,盲信 | |
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64
stigma
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n.耻辱,污名;(花的)柱头 | |
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65
extravagant
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adj.奢侈的;过分的;(言行等)放肆的 | |
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66
contradictory
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adj.反驳的,反对的,抗辩的;n.正反对,矛盾对立 | |
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67
affixed
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adj.[医]附着的,附着的v.附加( affix的过去式和过去分词 );粘贴;加以;盖(印章) | |
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68
fray
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v.争吵;打斗;磨损,磨破;n.吵架;打斗 | |
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69
virtues
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美德( virtue的名词复数 ); 德行; 优点; 长处 | |
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70
uproot
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v.连根拔起,拔除;根除,灭绝;赶出家园,被迫移开 | |
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71
wrested
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(用力)拧( wrest的过去式和过去分词 ); 费力取得; (从…)攫取; ( 从… ) 强行取去… | |
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72
wrath
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n.愤怒,愤慨,暴怒 | |
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73
extirpation
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n.消灭,根除,毁灭;摘除 | |
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74
gasping
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adj. 气喘的, 痉挛的 动词gasp的现在分词 | |
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75
fortress
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n.堡垒,防御工事 | |
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76
conqueror
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n.征服者,胜利者 | |
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77
patriot
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n.爱国者,爱国主义者 | |
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verdant
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adj.翠绿的,青翠的,生疏的,不老练的 | |
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requisite
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adj.需要的,必不可少的;n.必需品 | |
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80
garrisoned
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卫戍部队守备( garrison的过去式和过去分词 ); 派部队驻防 | |
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81
wrung
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绞( wring的过去式和过去分词 ); 握紧(尤指别人的手); 把(湿衣服)拧干; 绞掉(水) | |
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82
idol
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n.偶像,红人,宠儿 | |
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disclaiming
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v.否认( disclaim的现在分词 ) | |
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84
participation
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n.参与,参加,分享 | |
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85
insurgent
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adj.叛乱的,起事的;n.叛乱分子 | |
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86
proceedings
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n.进程,过程,议程;诉讼(程序);公报 | |
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87
conjure
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v.恳求,祈求;变魔术,变戏法 | |
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88
victorious
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adj.胜利的,得胜的 | |
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89
traitors
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卖国贼( traitor的名词复数 ); 叛徒; 背叛者; 背信弃义的人 | |
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90
virtuous
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adj.有品德的,善良的,贞洁的,有效力的 | |
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91
adversary
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adj.敌手,对手 | |
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92
rebellious
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adj.造反的,反抗的,难控制的 | |
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93
mused
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v.沉思,冥想( muse的过去式和过去分词 );沉思自语说(某事) | |
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94
recess
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n.短期休息,壁凹(墙上装架子,柜子等凹处) | |
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95
retired
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adj.隐退的,退休的,退役的 | |
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96
delirium
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n. 神智昏迷,说胡话;极度兴奋 | |
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97
sage
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n.圣人,哲人;adj.贤明的,明智的 | |
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98
peril
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n.(严重的)危险;危险的事物 | |
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99
followers
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追随者( follower的名词复数 ); 用户; 契据的附面; 从动件 | |
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100
insolence
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n.傲慢;无礼;厚颜;傲慢的态度 | |
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101
feuds
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n.长期不和,世仇( feud的名词复数 ) | |
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102
glided
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v.滑动( glide的过去式和过去分词 );掠过;(鸟或飞机 ) 滑翔 | |
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