Castruccio’s heart was much softened10, as he successively recognized objects, which he had forgotten for so many years, and with which he had been most intimately acquainted. The peculiar11 form of the branches of a tree, the winding12 of an often-trod mountain-path, the murmurs13 of small streams, their banks bedecked with dwarf14 shrubs15; things which would have appeared uncharacterized to one who viewed them for the first time; bore for him some distinguishing mark, some peculiar shape, which awoke within him memories that had been long laid asleep.
The road that led from Lucca to Valperga struck directly across the plain to the foot of the rock on which the castle was built. This rock overhung the road, casting a deep shade; and projected, forming a precipice16 on three sides; the northern side, at the foot of which the Secchio flowed, was disjoined from the mountain by a ravine, and a torrent17 struggled in the depth, among loose stones, and the gnarled and naked roots of trees that shaded the side of the cleft18. Castruccio began to ascend19 the path which led to the portal of the castle, that was cut in the precipitous side of this recess, and was bordered by hedges of stunted20 myrtles overtopped by chestnut21 trees; the foliage22 of these had fallen; and their spoils, yellow, and brown, and red, were strewed23 on the shining leaves of the myrtle underwood. The path was steep, serpentine24 and narrow; so that Castruccio, who now looked on nature with a soldier’s eye, remarked what an excellent defence Valperga might make, if that were the only access to it: the torrent roared below, keeping the air for ever awake; for that commoner babbles25 more and louder among huge mountains, and solitudes26 which may never be still, than among the haunts of men; but all sounds are melodious27 there; none harsh and obtrusive28.
At the summit of the path was a drawbridge that connected it with the almost isolated29 platform of rock on which the castle stood:— the building nearly covered this space, leaving room only for a small plot of ground, which overlooked the plain, and was guarded by a barbican; and on which a few trees, dark ilexes, and light acacias, mingled30 their contrasted foliage. Behind the castle the mountain rose, barren and nearly perpendicular31; and, when you looked up, the dark and weather — stained precipice towered above, while the blue sky seemed to rest upon it. The castle itself was a large and picturesque32 building, turreted33, and gracefully35 shaded by trees. Castruccio entered the gate on the side of the drawbridge, and passed between the main building and the barbican which guarded the pass; so coming round to the front of the castle, which opened on the grassy36 plot; here he was met by several servants, and conducted to the apartment of Euthanasia. The counts of Valperga had been rich; and the castle was more magnificent than those rocky strong holds usually were. The great banqueting hall was painted with various figures, which, though rude, and defective37 in shade and perspective, were regarded with admiration38 in those days. A large fireplace, now illumined by a blazing fire, gave an air of cheerfulness to the hall; several serving-men, and two large and beautiful dogs, were cowering39 round the fire, as a cold January blast rushed through the opposite door, through which Castruccio passed into an inner, open court of the castle.
This court was surrounded by gothic cloisters40 on all sides except one, where the huge mountain formed the barrier: high, near the summit of the rock, grew a few cypresses41; and, as you gazed upwards42 at them, they seemed to pierce the sky with their dark and motionless spires43. On one side of this court was a handsome staircase built of the marble of Carrara, and by this he ascended44 into the audience chamber45. It was then, being winter, hung with scarlet46 cloth; the ceiling was painted; and the bright marble pavement reflected in dim colours the Venus and her Cupids depicted47 above. A small tripod of white marble curiously48 carved, stood in the middle of the room, supporting a bronze censer in which incense49 was burning; several antique vases and tripods adorned50 the room; the tables were of the finest stones, or of glass mosaic51; and the seats or couches were covered with scarlet cloth inwoven with gold. Within this was Euthanasia’s own apartment; it was hung with blue silk, and the pavement was of mosaic; the couches were richly embroidered52, and a small table of verde antique stood in the middle of the room. In the recesses53 were several stands for books, writing materials, & co.; and in the embrasures of the windows were bronze stands, on which were placed finely embossed gold vases, filled with such flowers as the season afforded. But, amidst all this luxury, the richest ornament54 of the room was the lovely possessor herself.
Castruccio and Euthanasia met; after many years of absence, they gazed on each other with curiosity and interest. Euthanasia had awaited his arrival with unwonted anxiety: she could not explain to herself the agitation55 that she felt at the idea of meeting him; but, when she saw him, beautiful as a god, power and love dwelling56 on every feature of his countenance57, and in every motion of his graceful34 form, the unquiet beatings of her heart ceased, and she became calm and happy. And was she not also beautiful? Her form was light, and every limb was shaped according to those rules by which the exquisite58 statues of the ancients have been modelled. A quantity of golden hair fell round her neck, and, unless it had been confined by a veil that was wreathed round her head, it would almost have touched the ground; her eyes were blue; a blue that seemed to have drunk-in the depths of an Italian sky, and to reflect from their orbs59 the pure and unfathomable brilliance60, which strikes the sight as darkness, of a Roman heaven; but these beauteous eyes were fringed by long, pointed61 lashes62, which softened their fire, and added to their sweetness: the very soul of open-hearted Charity dwelt on her brow, and her lips expressed the softest sensibility; there was in her countenance, beyond all of kind and good that you could there discover, an expression that seemed to require ages to read and understand; a wisdom exalted63 by enthusiasm, a wildness tempered by self-command, that filled every look and every motion with eternal change. She was dressed according to the custom of the times, yet her dress was rather plain, being neither ornamented64 with gold nor jewels; a silk vest of blue reached from her neck to her feet, girded at the waist by a small embroidered band; the wide and hanging sleeves were embroidered at the edge, and fell far over her hands, except when, thrown back, they discovered her rosy-tipped fingers and taper65 wrist.
They met then and often again; and the difference of their political parties only drew them closer. Euthanasia perceived that Castruccio intended to work some change in the state of her country; and she earnestly wished, — not to draw him over to her party, — but to shew how futile66 that distinction and enmity were, if one love of peace and good animated67 all hearts. She wished also to read his mind, to know if the love of liberty lived there. Euthanasia had this foible, if indeed it might be called one in her, to love the very shadow of freedom with unbounded enthusiasm. She was bred a Guelph among the leaders of that party at Florence, a party whose watchword was liberty; her rank itself would have forced her to take part in the contentions69 of the times; but she was no narrow partizan; her father, and the studies she had followed under him, had taught her higher lessons; and the history of the Roman republic had increased her love of freedom, while it had annihilated70 in her mind all interest in petty intrigue71. Castruccio was a staunch Ghibeline, and his soul was set on the advancement72 of that party; he did not sympathize with Euthanasia, but he appeared to do so, for he loved her, and listened, his eyes shining with pleasure, while she spoke73 in silver tones, and all appeared wise and good that came from her lips. Often her gentle eloquence74 would for a while carry him along with it, and he would talk of republics, and the energy and virtue75 that every citizen acquires, when each, acting4 under the censure76 of each, yet possesses power; and men, not as children obedient to the mere77 word of command, discuss and regulate their own interests. Her admiration for the character of several of the Florentine chiefs gave interest to her details respecting the changes that had occurred there during the last years, and to the many anecdotes78 that she dwelt upon as demonstrating the power and grandeur79 of her beloved Florence.
Nor were their conversations only political. Euthanasia’s mind was stored with sweet lore68; she loved poetry, and sang or repeated the verses of Guido or Dante; and, as she made excursions among the woods, or joined in hunting-parties with Castruccio and her other friends, her conversation appeared one strain of poetry. Castruccio related his adventures, and Euthanasia was never weary of listening to the details of the English and French courts and manners; two systems of society, so widely opposite to each other, and both so different from the scenes to which she had been accustomed. Their love for one another, and their confidence increased: the winter months passed on, and the first days of spring, bringing with them green leaves and soft air, found them vowed80 friends, each believing to be knit to the other for life with the strongest ties of enduring love.
Euthanasia said that she loved for the first time, and a falsehood had never stained her purest soul; a well of intensest and overflowing81 passion was opened in her heart; every feeling was softened, every emotion modulated82 by this change: she was penetrated83 with love; and, admiration and esteem84 forming but a part of this, she made a god of him she loved, believing every virtue and every talent to live in his soul. Thus, unrestrained by any latent fear or ungenerous suspicion, she gave up her heart to him, and was for a while happy. They passed much time together; and every day each made a discovery of some new excellence85, some till then unobserved accomplishment86.
Her feelings were indeed entirely87 changed by the birth of this new and powerful sentiment. Hitherto she had been in a great degree alone in the world; finding none who entirely sympathized with her, she had poured out the treasure of her heart to the ear of silence alone. She was happy among the gaieties of Florence; the wit and imagination of the people formed an agreeable variety to her life; but there was a mutable and changeful spirit among them, that did not invite her confidence. Her eyes had often been lighted up, and her spirit awakened88 in conversation, where wit sharpens wit, and the ideas of one mind seem to cause the birth of the children of another. But, when tenderness softened her heart, and the sublime89 feeling of universal love penetrated her, she found no voice that replied so well to hers as the gentle singing of the pines under the air of noon, and the soft murmurs of the breeze that scattered90 her hair and freshened her cheek, and the dashing of the waters that has no beginning or end.
It was not thus now; the words and looks of Castruccio replied to her, and she felt happier than she had ever been. There was no doubt, no sorrow; all was security and calm; and her heart softened, until tears sprang forth under the weight of unmitigated pleasure. She was frank, generous and fearless; therefore she instantly believed and trusted; while the master — passions which ever ruled her life were not forgotten, but, mingling91 with and heightened by love, glowed with greater energy. They passed several months in the enjoyment92 of this intercourse93; they hoped, they felt, that their destinies were intertwined never to be separated; and their union was only deferred94 until Castruccio should free his country. The summer advancing would soon give the signal for separation. On one of these days, one of the last before their parting, Euthanasia related to Castruccio the few events of her peaceful life which had occurred since their separation ten years before. The tale was short, but it was one that deeply interested the listener.
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1
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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2
surmounts
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| 战胜( surmount的第三人称单数 )； 克服（困难）； 居于…之上； 在…顶上 | |
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congregated
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| （使）集合，聚集( congregate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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acting
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| n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的 | |
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garb
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| n.服装，装束 | |
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buffets
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| （火车站的）饮食柜台( buffet的名词复数 )； （火车的）餐车； 自助餐 | |
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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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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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cypress
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| n.柏树 | |
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softened
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| （使）变软( soften的过去式和过去分词 )； 缓解打击； 缓和； 安慰 | |
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11
peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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12
winding
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| n.绕，缠，绕组，线圈 | |
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13
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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dwarf
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| n.矮子，侏儒，矮小的动植物；vt.使…矮小 | |
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15
shrubs
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| 灌木( shrub的名词复数 ) | |
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precipice
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| n.悬崖，危急的处境 | |
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torrent
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| n.激流，洪流；爆发，(话语等的)连发 | |
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cleft
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| n.裂缝；adj.裂开的 | |
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ascend
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| vi.渐渐上升，升高；vt.攀登，登上 | |
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stunted
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| adj.矮小的；发育迟缓的 | |
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chestnut
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| n.栗树，栗子 | |
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foliage
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| n.叶子，树叶，簇叶 | |
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strewed
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| v.撒在…上( strew的过去式和过去分词 )；散落于；点缀；撒满 | |
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24
serpentine
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| adj.蜿蜒的，弯曲的 | |
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25
babbles
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| n.胡言乱语( babble的名词复数 )；听不清的声音；乱哄哄的说话声v.喋喋不休( babble的第三人称单数 )；作潺潺声（如流水）；含糊不清地说话；泄漏秘密 | |
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26
solitudes
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| n.独居( solitude的名词复数 )；孤独；荒僻的地方；人迹罕至的地方 | |
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melodious
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| adj.旋律美妙的，调子优美的，音乐性的 | |
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obtrusive
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| adj.显眼的；冒失的 | |
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isolated
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| adj.与世隔绝的 | |
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mingled
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| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
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perpendicular
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| adj.垂直的，直立的；n.垂直线，垂直的位置 | |
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picturesque
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| adj.美丽如画的，（语言）生动的，绘声绘色的 | |
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turreted
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| a.(像炮塔般)旋转式的 | |
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graceful
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| adj.优美的，优雅的；得体的 | |
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gracefully
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| ad.大大方方地；优美地 | |
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grassy
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| adj.盖满草的；长满草的 | |
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defective
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| adj.有毛病的，有问题的，有瑕疵的 | |
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admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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cowering
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| v.畏缩，抖缩( cower的现在分词 ) | |
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cloisters
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| n.（学院、修道院、教堂等建筑的）走廊( cloister的名词复数 )；回廊；修道院的生活；隐居v.隐退，使与世隔绝( cloister的第三人称单数 ) | |
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41
cypresses
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| n.柏属植物，柏树( cypress的名词复数 ) | |
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42
upwards
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| adv.向上，在更高处...以上 | |
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43
spires
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| n.（教堂的） 塔尖，尖顶( spire的名词复数 ) | |
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44
ascended
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| v.上升，攀登( ascend的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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45
chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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46
scarlet
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| n.深红色，绯红色，红衣；adj.绯红色的 | |
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47
depicted
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| 描绘，描画( depict的过去式和过去分词 )； 描述 | |
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48
curiously
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| adv.有求知欲地；好问地；奇特地 | |
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49
incense
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| v.激怒；n.香，焚香时的烟，香气 | |
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50
adorned
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| [计]被修饰的 | |
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51
mosaic
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| n./adj.镶嵌细工的，镶嵌工艺品的，嵌花式的 | |
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52
embroidered
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| adj．绣花的 | |
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53
recesses
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| n.壁凹( recess的名词复数 )；（工作或业务活动的）中止或暂停期间；学校的课间休息；某物内部的凹形空间v.把某物放在墙壁的凹处( recess的第三人称单数 )；将（墙）做成凹形，在（墙）上做壁龛；休息，休会，休庭 | |
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54
ornament
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| v.装饰，美化；n.装饰，装饰物 | |
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55
agitation
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| n.搅动；搅拌；鼓动，煽动 | |
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56
dwelling
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| n.住宅，住所，寓所 | |
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countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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exquisite
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| adj.精美的；敏锐的；剧烈的，感觉强烈的 | |
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orbs
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| abbr.off-reservation boarding school 在校寄宿学校n.球，天体，圆形物( orb的名词复数 ) | |
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60
brilliance
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| n.光辉，辉煌，壮丽，（卓越的）才华，才智 | |
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pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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62
lashes
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| n.鞭挞( lash的名词复数 )；鞭子；突然猛烈的一击；急速挥动v.鞭打( lash的第三人称单数 )；煽动；紧系；怒斥 | |
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63
exalted
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| adj.(地位等)高的，崇高的；尊贵的，高尚的 | |
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ornamented
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| adj.花式字体的v.装饰，点缀，美化( ornament的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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taper
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| n.小蜡烛，尖细，渐弱；adj.尖细的；v.逐渐变小 | |
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futile
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| adj.无效的，无用的，无希望的 | |
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animated
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| adj.生气勃勃的，活跃的，愉快的 | |
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lore
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| n.传说；学问，经验，知识 | |
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contentions
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| n.竞争( contention的名词复数 )；争夺；争论；论点 | |
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annihilated
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| v.（彻底）消灭( annihilate的过去式和过去分词 )；使无效；废止；彻底击溃 | |
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71
intrigue
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| vt.激起兴趣，迷住；vi.耍阴谋；n.阴谋，密谋 | |
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72
advancement
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| n.前进，促进，提升 | |
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spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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eloquence
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| n.雄辩；口才，修辞 | |
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75
virtue
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| n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力 | |
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76
censure
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| v./n.责备；非难；责难 | |
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mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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anecdotes
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| n.掌故，趣闻，轶事( anecdote的名词复数 ) | |
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79
grandeur
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| n.伟大，崇高，宏伟，庄严，豪华 | |
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80
vowed
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| 起誓，发誓（vow的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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81
overflowing
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| n. 溢出物,溢流 adj. 充沛的，充满的 动词overflow的现在分词形式 | |
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82
modulated
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| 已调整[制]的，被调的 | |
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83
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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84
esteem
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| n.尊敬，尊重；vt.尊重，敬重；把…看作 | |
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85
excellence
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| n.优秀，杰出，(pl.)优点，美德 | |
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86
accomplishment
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| n.完成，成就，（pl.）造诣，技能 | |
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87
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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88
awakened
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| v.（使）醒( awaken的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）觉醒；弄醒；（使）意识到 | |
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89
sublime
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| adj.崇高的，伟大的；极度的，不顾后果的 | |
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90
scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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91
mingling
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| adj.混合的 | |
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92
enjoyment
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| n.乐趣；享有；享用 | |
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93
intercourse
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| n.性交；交流，交往，交际 | |
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94
deferred
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| adj.延期的，缓召的v.拖延，延缓，推迟( defer的过去式和过去分词 )；服从某人的意愿，遵从 | |
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