“My lord,” he relied, “so much have you won my confidence and esteem8, that I am willing to satisfy your curiosity on this subject also. But you must recollect9, that neither my sister, nor even the lovely girl herself, knows what I shall now reveal, and that I shall tell it you under the most solemn vow10 of secrecy11.”
Castruccio readily promised discretion12 and silence, and the bishop then related the following particulars.
“Have you never heard of a heretic and most dangerous impostor, of the name of Wilhelmina of Bohemia? This woman appeared first in Italy in the year 1289: she took up her residence at Milan, with a female companion, called Magfreda. Outwardly professing13 the Catholic religion, and conforming in the strictest manner to its rules, she secretly formed a sect14, founded on the absurd and damnable belief, that she was the Holy Ghost incarnate15 upon earth for the salvation of the female sex. She gave out that she was the daughter of Constance, queen of Bohemia; that, as the angel Gabriel had descended to announce the divine conception to the blessed Virgin16, so the angel Raphael announced to her mother the incarnation of the Holy Spirit in favour of the female sex; and that she was born twelve months after this heavenly annunciation. Her tenets were intended entirely18 to supersede19 those of our beloved Lord Jesus, and her friend Magfreda was to be papess, and to succeed to all the power and privileges of the Roman pontiff. Wilhelmina died in the year 1302 in the odour of sanctity, and was buried in the church of St. Peter at Milan: she had led so holy a life, and kept her heresy20 so profound a secret, except from her own sect, that she was followed as a saint, and even priests and dignitaries wrote homilies in praise of her piety21, her abstinence, and modesty22.
“I was at Milan two years after, when the Dominican inquisitors first discovered this lurking23 pestilence24; and the terror and abomination of the discovery filled the town with horror. Magfreda, and her principal follower25, Andrea Saramita, were led to prison; the other disciples26 who threw themselves on the mercy of the priests, being commanded to perform several pilgrimages, and give large alms to the church, were absolved28. I had just then become a Padre, and filled the confessor’s chair: I was young, full of zeal29, eloquent30 in the cause of truth, and tainted31 by an enthusiastic bigotry33 against heretics and schismatics. I preached with animation34 against this new heresy; it appeared to me so impious, so absurd, so terrifically wicked, that I was touched by an holy impulse as I declaimed against its followers36. Having thus distinguished37 myself, the father inquisitors intreated me to use my fervid38 arguments to persuade the obstinate39 Magfreda to recant. They had exhausted40 every reason, and had had recourse even to torture, to convert this woman from her damnable impieties41; but she with haughty42 insolence43 declared that she was in readiness to perish in the flames, but that her last breath should be spent in the praise of her divine mistress, and an exhortation44 to her tormentors to repent45 and believe.
“I was filled with worldly vanity, and fancied that my learned sentences, my anathemas46, and eloquent exorcisms could not fail of their desired effect, and that by the aid of God and truth I should be covered with the glory of success in this holy warfare47. Thus secure, I entered the dungeon48 of the heretic: it was a low, damp vault49, where she had been confined for several weeks without even straw for her bed. She was kneeling in one corner, praying fervently50, and for a moment I stopped to contemplate52 a heretic, a monster I had never before seen. She was an aged53, respectable woman, in the dress of a nun17, and with an appearance of sanctity and modesty that astounded54 me. When she perceived me, she rose, and said with a faint smile: ‘Is my condemnation55 passed? or is a new scene of torture prepared?’
“‘Daughter,’ I replied, ‘I come indeed to torture, not your body, but your mind; to torture it with a knowledge of itself; to hold a mirror before it, wherein you will contemplate its blots56 and deformities, of which by the grace of the Virgin you may repent and be purified.’
“‘Father, you are the master, I a slave, and I am willing to listen. But your benevolent57 countenance58, so different from those to which I have been long accustomed, fills me with such confidence, that I dare hope for your indulgence, when I intreat you to spare yourself a useless labour, and to leave in peace the last hours of my life. I know that I must die; and God and She know how willing I am to expire for Her justification59, even in pain and burning: but my spirit is worn, my patience, which I have cherished with determined60 zeal, as the sacred flame of my religion and the life of my heart, now begins to wane61; do not bring on my soul the sins of anger and intolerance; — leave me to prayer, to repentance62, and to my hopes of again seeing my beloved mistress, there where there is no sorrow.’
“She spoke63 with dignity and mildness, so that I felt my spirit subdued64; and, although almost angry at the stubbornness of her impiety65, I followed her example in speaking with gentleness. Our conversation was long; and the more it continued, the more my animation in the cause of truth, and zeal for the conversion66 of the heretic, increased. For her manner was so sweet and winning, her words so soft yet firm, that it lay like a sin on my heart that I could not save her from eternal condemnation.
“‘You did not know Her,’ she cried, ‘you never saw my Wilhelmina. Ask those who have seen her, even the vulgar, whose eyes are horn, and whose hearts are stone, whether they were not moved to love and charity, when she passed like an angel among them. She was more beautiful than aught human could be; more gentle, modest and pious35 than any woman ever was, though she were a saint. Then her words possessed67 a persuasion68 that could not be resisted, and her eyes a fire, that betrayed even to the unknowing that the Holy Spirit lived within her.
“‘Father, you know not what you ask, when you desire me to leave my faith in her Divinity. I have felt my soul prostrate69 itself before her; the very blood that vivifies my heart has cried to me, so that, if I had been deaf, I must have heard, that she was more than human. In my dreams I have seen her arrayed in divine light; and even now the sacred radiance that announces her presence fills my dungeon, and bids me for her sake submit with patience to all that ye, her enemies, can inflict70.’
“I repeat to you the mad words of Magfreda, that you may judge of the excess of insanity71 that possessed this unfortunate woman. I combated with the evil spirit within her for eight hours, but in vain; at length I was retiring in despair, when she called me back. I returned with a look of hope, and saw that she was weeping violently and bitterly. As I approached, she seized my hand, and kissed it, and pressed it to her heart, and continued pouring forth72, as it were, a fountain of tears. I believed that she was now touched by true repentance, and began to thank divine mercy, when she waved her hand impatiently, beckoning73 me to be silent. By degrees she calmed her tears; but she was still agitated74 by passion, as she said: ‘Kneel, father, kneel, I intreat you, and by the cross you wear swear secrecy. Alas75! if I die, another must perish with me, one whom I have vowed76 to protect, one whom I love far, — far beyond my own life.’
“She paused, endeavouring to overcome the tears, that, in spite of herself, she shed: I comforted her, and pronounced the desired oath, when she became calmer. ‘Father, you are good, benign77 and charitable; and I do believe that She has manifested Her will in sending you to me in my distress78; you, who are so unlike the wolves and harpies that have of late beset79 me. There is a child — Her child:— but, father, before I reveal further, promise me, swear to me, that she shall be educated in my faith and not in yours.’
“I was indignant at this proposal, and said angrily: ‘Woman, think you that I will sacrifice the soul of an infant to your monstrous80 unbelief and vicious obstinacy81? I am a servant of the Lord Jesus, and, believe me, I will never discredit82 my holy calling.’
“‘Must it be so?’ she cried; ‘yet grant me a few moments to resolve.’
“She knelt down, and prayed fervently for a long time; and then arose with a smiling aspect, saying: ‘Father, you wish to convert me; methinks at this moment I could convert you, if indeed faith did not come from God, and not from the human will. She has revealed Her will to me, and by Her command I now confide6 to you the treasure of my soul.
“‘Two years before the death of Wilhelmina, she had a child. I cannot tell you who was the father of this child; for, although I believed that her conception partook of the divinity, she never confirmed my faith, or said aught against it: but with her heavenly smile bade me wait until the hour of knowledge should arrive. I alone knew of the birth of this infant; and it has ever been under my care: it was brought up in a cottage five miles hence by a good woman, who knew not to whom it belonged; and I visited it daily, gazing with wonder on its beauty and intelligence.
“‘After its birth Wilhelmina never saw it. She always refused to visit the cottage, or to have it brought to her, but would sit for yours, and listen to my descriptions and praises. I have ever believed that this separation, whatever was its cause, shortened the life of my divine mistress; for she pined, and wept, and faded like a flower unwatered by the dews of heaven. The last words she uttered, were to recommend her infant to my care. I have fulfilled my task, and now, by her command, deliver up my charge to you.
“‘A year ago the nurse of the child died; and I took her secretly to my own home, and tended her, and preserved her as her mother had commanded. No love can equal mine for the divinity, her mother: it was a burning affection, an adoration83, which no words can express:— I shall never see her more, until we meet in heaven, but I submit with patience to the will of God.
“‘When I heard that Andrea Saramita and our other disciples were taken, I was transported with terror for the fate of this infant. I expected every moment to hear the steps of the blood — hounds on the stairs, to seize me, and discover this flower of paradise, which I cherished thus secretly. When suddenly a thought, an inspiration, came over me, and I cried aloud, Better are the wild beast of the forest, and the tempests of heaven, even when they shake us most; better are plague and famine, than man hunting after prey84! So I took the infant in my arms, a small purse of gold, and a bag of such provisions as I had in the house; and, it being already dark, I hastened from Milan to the forest that skirts the road to Como: I walked fast, and in two hours arrived at my goal. I knew that one afflicted85 with leprosy lived in the depth of the forest, a miserable87 wretch88, who with his wooden spoon and platter, collected alms at the road side. Thither89 I went fearlessly; — mistake me not; this man is not my disciple27, he had never seen me before; but though I knew not whether the blood-hunters were acquainted with the existence of the divine child, this I knew, that they would not dare seek her in a leper’s dwelling90. I dreaded91 not the contagion93; for is not her mother above all the saints in heaven?
“‘I wandered long among the tangled94 paths of the wood, ere I could discover his hut; the babe slept, cherished near my heart, which bled with anguish95. To me in all the world there existed but this little creature; the earth seemed to reel under me; yet still I felt her warm breath upon my bosom96, and heard the regular heaving of her gentle breast. At length I found the cavern97 of the leper: it was half-built in the earthy hill against which it rested, and half of the boughs98 of trees plastered with mud, which was hardened in the sun; black, dilapidated, and filthy99, it was worse than a manger for the reception of my poor innocent.
“‘The wretched possessor of this sty slept on his miserable straw as I entered. I roused him, put gold into his hand, and, placing food before him, I said — Protect this child, and God will reward you. Feed it, wash it, and above all keep it from the sight of man: deliver it not except to one who may come to ask for it in the name of the Holy Wilhelmina. In one month I hope to return for it, and will reward you as you have obeyed my charge. — I then, with a heart bursting with agony, embraced the daughter of my Wilhelmina for the last time: I blessed her, and tore myself away.
“‘I have now been five weeks imprisoned100, and I dread92 lest the leper should have thrust her from his abode101. Will you not, father, preserve and love this child?’
“The discourse102 of Magfreda moved me strangely. I felt a wonder, a pity, an excess of commiseration103, I could not express: but kissing the cross I wore, I said: ‘Listen to me, unhappy woman, while I swear never to desert this innocent; and may God so help me, as I keep my faith!’
“Magfreda poured forth warm and joyful104 thanks; then, with a heavy heart, I recommended her to the mercy of God, and left her dungeon.
“As soon as I could tear myself from the questions and childish curiosity of the inquisitors, I hastened to the place that Magfreda had indicated. In the tumult105 of my soul, I only thought of the danger of the lovely babe in the hands of this outcast of man and nature. I was possessed with a passionate106 sense of pity, which I cannot now explain, but for which I do not reproach myself; at length, about four miles from the town, I heard the sound of the beggar as he struck his platter with his spoon in token of his wants, and I turned aside from the road to seek him. At that moment the spirit of God almost deserted107 me, and I was overcome by fear — the fear of disease, and a nameless horror at the expectation of meeting one whom all wholesome108 life had deserted: but I made the sign of the cross, and approached. The wretch was seated under a tree eating some crusts of bread; miserable, filthy, deformed109, his matted hair hung over his eyes and his ragged110 beard half concealed111 the lower part of his visage; yet there was to be seen a savage112 eye, and an appearance of brutal113 ferocity, that almost staggered me. I made a sign that he should not approach, and he dropped on his knees, and began to gabble pater-nosters, so that the word that God himself had spoken seemed the jargon114 of the devil. I stopped at some distance from him: ‘Bring me,’ I cried, ‘to the child who was confided115 to you in the name of Wilhelmina of Bohemia.’
“The wretch, who had almost forgotten human speech, jumped up, and led the way among the tangled underwood, along savage paths, overgrown with rank herbage, and bestrewn with stones, till we came to his miserable hut, — a low, dark, squalid den7, which I dared not enter; ‘Bring me the child,’ — I cried.
“Oh; it was a woeful sight, and one which to death I shall remember, to see this child, this morning star of beauty and exceeding brightness, with eyes shining with joy, rosy86 lips melted into the softest smiles, her glossy116 hair strewn upon her lovely neck, her whole form glowing with the roseate hues117 of life, led by the leper from his hut; his body wrapped in a ragged blanket, his grizzly118 hair stretched stiffly out, and his person and face loathsome119 beyond words to describe. The lovely angel took her hand from his, and coming up to me, said: ‘Take me to mamma; lead me from this ugly place to mother.’
“This was Beatrice; and need I say how much I have ever loved this hapless girl, and cherished her, and tried to save her from the fate to which her destiny has hurried her?
“I returned to Milan, and found that in the morning, while I had been absent, Magfreda had been burnt, and her ashes scattered120 to the winds, so that I had become this poor babe’s only guardian121. I placed her under the care of a pensioner122 of the church in the neighbourhood of Milan; and when I was promoted to the see of Ferrara, I brought her with me, and intreated my sister to receive her, and cherish her as her own. The lovely little being won all hearts, and Marchesana soon became attached to her with maternal123 fondness. She was educated in the Holy Catholic faith; and I hoped that, untainted by her mother’s errors, she would lead an unblamed and peaceful life, unmarked and unknown; God has ordered it otherwise.
“Beatrice was always an extraordinary child. When only six and seven years of age, she would sit alone for hours, silently contemplating124; and, when I asked her of what she thought, she would weep, and passionately125 desire me not to ask her. As she grew older, her imagination developed; she would sing extempore hymns126 with wild, sweet melody, and she seemed to dwell with all her soul on the mysteries of our religion; she then became communicative, and told me how for hours she meditated127 upon the works of nature, and the goodness of God, till she was filled with a sentiment that overwhelmed and oppressed her, so that she could only weep and sigh. She intreated me to unfold to her all I knew, and to teach her to read in the sacred book of our religion.
“I was fearful that her ignorance and enthusiasm might lead her astray, since, in her accounts of her meditations129, she often said things of God and the angels that were heretical; and I hoped that a knowledge of the truth would calm her mind, and lead her to a saner130 devotion. But my labours had a contrary effect; the more she heard, and the more she read, the more she gave herself up to contemplation and solitude131, and to what I cannot help considering the wild dreams of her imagination. It seemed to me as if her mother’s soul had descended into her; but that, regulated by the true faith, she had escaped the damnable heresies132 of that unhappy woman. She delighted to read, and pretended to explain the prophecies of the sacred writings, and the modern ones of Merlin, the abbot Joachim and Methodius: beside these studies, she grew wonderfully familiar with all vulgar superstitions133, holy trees and fountains, lucky and unlucky days, and all the silly beliefs that jugglers and impostors encourage for their own profit. At length she began to prophesy134; some of her prophecies were interpreted as true, and since that time her fame has been spread through Ferrara. Her followers are numerous; and my poor sister is the first of her disciples: Beatrice herself is wrapped up in the belief of her own exalted135 nature, and really thinks herself the Ancilla Dei, the chosen vessel136 into which God has poured a portion of his spirit: she preaches, she prophesies137, she sings extempore hymns, and entirely fulfilling the part of Donna Estatica, she passes many hours of each day in solitary138 meditation128, or rather in dreams, to which her active imagination gives a reality and life which confirm her in her mistakes.
“Thus, my lord, I have revealed the birth of this extraordinary girl, which is unknown to every one else. Why I have done this I can hardly tell; for I have done it without premeditation or foresight139. But I am glad that you know the truth; for you seem humane140 and generous; and I wish to secure another protector for my poor Beatrice, if I were to die, and she fell into any misfortune or disgrace.”
Castruccio and the good bishop passed almost the whole night in conversation concerning this wonderful creature; and, when the consul141 retired142 to rest, he could not sleep, while the beauty of Beatrice was present to his eyes, and her strange birth and fortunes to his memory. In the morning he went to the church of St. Anna: mass was performed, but he looked in vain for the prophetess; — yet, when the service was finished, and the people assembled in the porch of the church, she appeared among them with her aged protectress at her side. She wore her capuchin of light blue silk, but her cowl was thrown back, and her eyes, black as the darkness which succeeds a midnight flash of lightning, full and soft as the shy antelope’s, gleamed with prophetic fire.
She spoke; her words flowed with rich and persuasive143 eloquence144, and her energetic but graceful145 action added force to her expressions. She reproached the people for lukewarm faith, careless selfishness, and a want of fervour in the just cause, that stamped them as the slaves of foreigners and tyrants146. Her discourse was long and continued, with the same flow of words and unabated fervour: her musical voice filled the air; and the deep silence and attention of her numerous auditors147 added to the solemnity of the scene. Every eye was fixed148 on her, — every countenance changed as hers changed; they wept, they smiled, and at last became transported by her promises of the good that was suddenly to arise, and of the joy that would then await the constant of heart; — when, as this enthusiasm was at its height, some Dominican inquisitors came forward, surrounded her, and declared her their prisoner. Until that moment Castruccio had observed her only, — her flashing eyes and animated149 manner; the smiles and then the tears, that, as the sunshine and clouds of an April day, succeeded each other on the heaven of her countenance. But, when the inquisitors surrounded her, her voice was silent, and the mute deference150 of the multitude was no more. All became clamour and confusion; screams, vociferation, ejaculations and curses burst from every tongue; — they declared that the prophetess, the Ancilla Dei should not be torn from them, — she was no heretic, — of what crime had she been guilty? — The inquisitors had with them a guard of Gascon soldiers, and this inflamed151 the multitude still more; it was plain that her adherence152 to the party of the marquess Obizzo, and the prophecy of his restoration were her only crimes. The noise of her arrest spread through the town, and all Ferrara flocked to the church of St. Anna; the crowd, transported with rage, seemed prepared to rescue the prisoner, who, silent and resigned, stood as one unconcerned in the animated scene. The people armed themselves with stones, sticks, knives, and axes; the inquisitors sent for a reinforcement of Gascon troops, and every thing appeared to menace violence, and bloodshed, when one of the priests attempted to take the hand of Beatrice as if to lead her away; she looked at him with a steady glance, and he drew back, while she made a sign as if about to speak, and the multitude hushed themselves to silence, and were as still, as when a busy swarm153 of bees, buzzing and flying about, all at once drop to silence, clinging round their queen, who is the mistress of their motions.
She said, “I appeal to the bishop.”
“Yes, to the bishop, — to the good bishop; he is just, — take her to him, — he shall decide the cause.”
The inquisitors were prepared to resist this appeal: but the will of the people became a torrent154 not to be stemmed by them, and it hurried them away. They led the prophetess to the episcopal palace, surrounded by the Gascon soldiery, and followed by an immense multitude, which rent the sky with the cries of their anger and despair.
The bishop received the appeal with deep sorrow. Beatrice stood before him, her arms crossed on her breast, her eyes cast down; but on her face, although the gentlest modesty was depicted155, there was no trace of fear; she looked intrepid156, yet as if she relied not on her own strength, but on that of another. The inquisitors accused her of being an impostor, a misleader of the people, a dangerous and wicked enthusiast32, whom the penitence157 and solitude of a cloister158 must cure of her extravagant159 dreams. They talked long and loud, uninterrupted either by the judge or the prisoner, although the lady Marchesana who stood near could not always restrain her indignation.
At length they were silent; and Beatrice spoke: “You call me an impostor, — prove it! I shrink from no trial, I fear no danger or torture, — I appeal to the Judgement of God, — on that I rest the truth or falsehood of my mission.”
She looked around her with her flashing eyes and glowing cheeks; she was all loveliness, all softness; yet there was a spirit within her, which elevated her above, although it mingled160 with the feminine delicacy161 of her mind and manners, and which inspired all who saw her with reverence162 and tenderness. But a small part of the multitude had found their way into the hall of the bishop’s palace; but these could no longer contain themselves; the Judgement of God was a thing suited to their vulgar imaginations, as a strange and tremendous mystery, that excited their awe163, their pity, and their admiration: they cried, “God can alone judge of this! let the trial be made!” and their screams overpowered every other sound. The inquisitors joined in the clamour, whether to consent or dissent164 it was impossible to distinguish; at length the scene became calmer, and the bishop interposed his mild voice, but vainly, — the inquisitors repeated the words, impostor! heretic! madwoman! and Beatrice disdainfully refused all composition. It was finally agreed, that she should be confined for that night in the convent of St. Anna, and on the following morning, under the auspices165 of the monks166 of the adjoining monastery167, should undergo the Judgement of God, to be pronounced guilty or innocent as that should declare.
Both the inquisitors and Beatrice retired in security and triumph, followed by the multitude, who were careless of the dismay but too plainly painted on the faces of the prophetess’s friends. The lady Marchesana was in dreadful agitation168, fluctuating between her faith in the supernatural powers of Beatrice, and her dread lest the trial should bring ruin upon her: she wept, she laughed, she was in a state approaching to madness; until her brother, bidding her confide in God, soothed169 her to resignation and some degree of confidence. She then retired to pray, leaving the bishop and Castruccio overwhelmed with pity, horror, and indignation.
Then the old man for the first time gave vent51 to his sorrow:— “Ill-fated victim! headstrong, foolish girl! what are thy prophecies now? thy inspirations and divine aid? alas! alas! the hand of God is upon thee, born in an evil day of a guilty and impious mother! His wrath170 wraps thee as a cloud, and thou art consumed beneath it; — my love is as bitter ashes, — my hopes are extinct; — oh, that I had died before this day!”
Castruccio was at first too much confounded to offer consolation171; but, when he spoke, and bade his friend not despair, the bishop replied: “My lord, she has won my whole soul, and all my affections; why this is, I know not; — is she not beautiful? and she is as good as she is beautiful. She calls me father, and loves me with the tenderness of a child; day and night I have offered up my prayers to God, not to visit on her the sins of her mother; — for her sake I have fasted and prayed, — but all is vain, and she must perish.”
“Not so, father; say not that so lovely a being shall perish under the fangs172 of these cruel hell-hounds. Do not, I earnestly intreat you, despair: flight! flight is her only safety; father, you have authority, and must save her. I will take charge of her, when she has quitted the walls of the convent, and I will place her in safe and honourable173 guardianship174. Let her fly, — by the sun in heaven she shall escape!”
The bishop remained silent for some time; the same ardent175 blood did not warm his veins176, which boiled in those of Castruccio: he saw all the difficulties; he feared for the success of their scheme; but he resolved to make the attempt. “You are right,” said he; “flight is her only safety: yet it will be rather a rape177, than a flight; for willingly she will never consent to desert the high character she has chosen to assume. Did you not mark her triumph, when the Judgement of God was agreed upon? Mad, wild girl! — Let me consider our plan, and weigh our powers. The abbess is a Guelph; but the abbot of the visiting monastery is a Ghibeline; besides the edicts of the church pronounce against these temptations of God’s justice. I will exert myself; and she may be saved.”
When night closed in, these two anxious friends, alone and wrapped up from observation, hastened to the monastery. Castruccio remained in the parlour; and the prelate entered the interior of the convent. He remained two hours; while Castruccio, full of anxiety, continued alone in the parlour, which looked on an interior court with no object to call off his attention, in silent and anxious expectation. He thought of the beauty of the prophetess, her animation and numberless graces, until he almost believed in the divinity of her mission: but he shuddered178 with horror, when he reflected upon her danger, that her ivory feet should press the burning iron, that, if she fell, she would fall on the hot metal, and expire in misery179, while the priests, the accursed, self-constituted distributors of God’s justice, would sing hymns of triumph over her untimely and miserable fate:— he felt tears gather in his eyes, and he would have devoted180 himself for her safety. At length the bishop reappeared, and they silently returned to the palace.
“Well! where is she?” were the first words of Castruccio.
“Safe I hope, I trust that I shall not be deceived. I endeavoured to move the abbot to let her escape; I would have gone to the abbess, whose consent I must have obtained, and have used all the influence my station would have given me with her; but the abbot stopped me; — he assured me that he would take care that no harm befell the devoted victim; he begged me not to ask an explanation; — that he and his monks had the charge of the preparation for the Judgement, and that much was in their power; again and again he assured me that she should receive no injury.
“I do not like this:— she must be protected by falsehood and perjury181, a lying and blasphemous182 mockery of the name of God. The abbot, who was a servant of the Popes at Avignon, laughs at my scruples183; and I am obliged to yield. She will be saved, and God, I hope, will pardon our human weaknesses. Let the sin lie on the souls of those blood-hounds, who would pursue to destruction the loveliest creature that breathes upon earth.”
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1
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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bishop
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| n.主教，（国际象棋）象 | |
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enchanting
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| a.讨人喜欢的 | |
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descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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salvation
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| n.（尤指基督）救世，超度，拯救，解困 | |
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confide
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| v.向某人吐露秘密 | |
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den
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| n.兽穴；秘密地方；安静的小房间，私室 | |
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esteem
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| n.尊敬，尊重；vt.尊重，敬重；把…看作 | |
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recollect
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| v.回忆，想起，记起，忆起，记得 | |
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vow
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| n.誓(言)，誓约；v.起誓，立誓 | |
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secrecy
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| n.秘密，保密，隐蔽 | |
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12
discretion
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| n.谨慎；随意处理 | |
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professing
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| 声称( profess的现在分词 )； 宣称； 公开表明； 信奉 | |
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sect
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| n.派别，宗教，学派，派系 | |
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15
incarnate
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| adj.化身的，人体化的，肉色的 | |
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16
virgin
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| n.处女，未婚女子；adj.未经使用的；未经开发的 | |
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17
nun
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| n.修女，尼姑 | |
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18
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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19
supersede
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| v.替代；充任 | |
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20
heresy
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| n.异端邪说；异教 | |
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21
piety
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| n.虔诚，虔敬 | |
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22
modesty
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| n.谦逊，虚心，端庄，稳重，羞怯，朴素 | |
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23
lurking
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| 潜在 | |
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24
pestilence
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| n.瘟疫 | |
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25
follower
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| n.跟随者；随员；门徒；信徒 | |
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26
disciples
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| n.信徒( disciple的名词复数 )；门徒；耶稣的信徒；（尤指）耶稣十二门徒之一 | |
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27
disciple
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| n.信徒，门徒，追随者 | |
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28
absolved
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| 宣告…无罪，赦免…的罪行，宽恕…的罪行( absolve的过去式和过去分词 )； 不受责难，免除责任 [义务] ,开脱（罪责） | |
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29
zeal
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| n.热心，热情，热忱 | |
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30
eloquent
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| adj.雄辩的，口才流利的；明白显示出的 | |
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31
tainted
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| adj.腐坏的；污染的；沾污的；感染的v.使变质( taint的过去式和过去分词 )；使污染；败坏；被污染，腐坏，败坏 | |
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32
enthusiast
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| n.热心人，热衷者 | |
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33
bigotry
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| n.偏见，偏执，持偏见的行为[态度]等 | |
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34
animation
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| n.活泼，兴奋，卡通片／动画片的制作 | |
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35
pious
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| adj.虔诚的；道貌岸然的 | |
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36
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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37
distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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38
fervid
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| adj.热情的；炽热的 | |
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39
obstinate
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| adj.顽固的，倔强的，不易屈服的，较难治愈的 | |
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40
exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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41
impieties
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| n.不敬( impiety的名词复数 )；不孝；不敬的行为；不孝的行为 | |
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42
haughty
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| adj.傲慢的，高傲的 | |
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43
insolence
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| n.傲慢；无礼；厚颜；傲慢的态度 | |
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44
exhortation
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| n.劝告，规劝 | |
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45
repent
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| v.悔悟，悔改，忏悔，后悔 | |
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46
anathemas
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| n.（天主教的）革出教门( anathema的名词复数 )；诅咒；令人极其讨厌的事；被基督教诅咒的人或事 | |
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47
warfare
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| n.战争(状态)；斗争；冲突 | |
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48
dungeon
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| n.地牢，土牢 | |
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49
vault
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| n.拱形圆顶，地窖，地下室 | |
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50
fervently
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| adv.热烈地，热情地，强烈地 | |
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51
vent
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| n.通风口，排放口；开衩；vt.表达，发泄 | |
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52
contemplate
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| vt.盘算，计议；周密考虑；注视，凝视 | |
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53
aged
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| adj.年老的，陈年的 | |
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54
astounded
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| v.使震惊(astound的过去式和过去分词)；愕然；愕；惊讶 | |
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55
condemnation
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| n.谴责; 定罪 | |
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56
blots
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| 污渍( blot的名词复数 )； 墨水渍； 错事； 污点 | |
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57
benevolent
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| adj.仁慈的，乐善好施的 | |
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58
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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59
justification
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| n.正当的理由；辩解的理由 | |
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60
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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61
wane
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| n.衰微，亏缺，变弱；v.变小，亏缺，呈下弦 | |
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62
repentance
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| n.懊悔 | |
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63
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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64
subdued
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| adj. 屈服的，柔和的，减弱的 动词subdue的过去式和过去分词 | |
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65
impiety
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| n.不敬；不孝 | |
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66
conversion
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| n.转化，转换，转变 | |
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67
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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68
persuasion
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| n.劝说；说服；持有某种信仰的宗派 | |
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69
prostrate
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| v.拜倒，平卧，衰竭；adj.拜倒的，平卧的，衰竭的 | |
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70
inflict
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| vt.(on)把…强加给，使遭受，使承担 | |
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71
insanity
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| n.疯狂，精神错乱；极端的愚蠢，荒唐 | |
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72
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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73
beckoning
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| adj.引诱人的，令人心动的v.（用头或手的动作）示意，召唤( beckon的现在分词 ) | |
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74
agitated
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| adj.被鼓动的，不安的 | |
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75
alas
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| int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
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76
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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77
benign
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| adj.善良的，慈祥的；良性的，无危险的 | |
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78
distress
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| n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛 | |
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79
beset
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| v.镶嵌；困扰，包围 | |
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80
monstrous
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|
| adj.巨大的；恐怖的；可耻的，丢脸的 | |
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81
obstinacy
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| n.顽固；（病痛等）难治 | |
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82
discredit
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| vt.使不可置信；n.丧失信义；不信，怀疑 | |
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83
adoration
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| n.爱慕，崇拜 | |
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84
prey
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| n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨 | |
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85
afflicted
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| 使受痛苦，折磨( afflict的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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86
rosy
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|
| adj.美好的，乐观的，玫瑰色的 | |
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87
miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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88
wretch
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| n.可怜的人，不幸的人；卑鄙的人 | |
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89
thither
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| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
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90
dwelling
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| n.住宅，住所，寓所 | |
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91
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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92
dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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93
contagion
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| n.(通过接触的疾病)传染；蔓延 | |
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94
tangled
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| adj. 纠缠的，紊乱的 动词tangle的过去式和过去分词 | |
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95
anguish
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| n.(尤指心灵上的)极度痛苦，烦恼 | |
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96
bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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97
cavern
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| n.洞穴，大山洞 | |
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98
boughs
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| 大树枝( bough的名词复数 ) | |
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99
filthy
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| adj.卑劣的；恶劣的，肮脏的 | |
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100
imprisoned
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| 下狱，监禁( imprison的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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101
abode
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| n.住处，住所 | |
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102
discourse
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| n.论文，演说；谈话；话语；vi.讲述，著述 | |
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103
commiseration
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| n.怜悯，同情 | |
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104
joyful
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| adj.欢乐的，令人欢欣的 | |
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105
tumult
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| n.喧哗；激动，混乱；吵闹 | |
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106
passionate
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，激昂的，易动情的，易怒的，性情暴躁的 | |
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107
deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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108
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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109
deformed
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| adj.畸形的；变形的；丑的，破相了的 | |
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110
ragged
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| adj.衣衫褴褛的，粗糙的，刺耳的 | |
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111
concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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112
savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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113
brutal
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| adj.残忍的，野蛮的，不讲理的 | |
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114
jargon
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| n.术语，行话 | |
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115
confided
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| v.吐露（秘密，心事等）( confide的过去式和过去分词 )；（向某人）吐露（隐私、秘密等） | |
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116
glossy
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| adj.平滑的；有光泽的 | |
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117
hues
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| 色彩( hue的名词复数 )； 色调； 信仰； 观点 | |
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118
grizzly
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| adj.略为灰色的，呈灰色的；n.灰色大熊 | |
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119
loathsome
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| adj.讨厌的，令人厌恶的 | |
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120
scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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121
guardian
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| n.监护人；守卫者，保护者 | |
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122
pensioner
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| n.领养老金的人 | |
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123
maternal
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| adj.母亲的，母亲般的，母系的，母方的 | |
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124
contemplating
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| 深思，细想，仔细考虑( contemplate的现在分词 )； 注视，凝视； 考虑接受（发生某事的可能性）； 深思熟虑，沉思，苦思冥想 | |
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125
passionately
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| ad.热烈地，激烈地 | |
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126
hymns
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| n.赞美诗，圣歌，颂歌( hymn的名词复数 ) | |
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127
meditated
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| 深思，沉思，冥想( meditate的过去式和过去分词 )； 内心策划，考虑 | |
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128
meditation
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| n.熟虑，（尤指宗教的）默想，沉思，（pl.）冥想录 | |
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129
meditations
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| 默想( meditation的名词复数 )； 默念； 沉思； 冥想 | |
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130
saner
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| adj.心智健全的( sane的比较级 )；神志正常的；明智的；稳健的 | |
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131
solitude
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| n. 孤独; 独居,荒僻之地,幽静的地方 | |
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132
heresies
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| n.异端邪说，异教( heresy的名词复数 ) | |
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133
superstitions
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| 迷信，迷信行为( superstition的名词复数 ) | |
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134
prophesy
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| v.预言；预示 | |
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135
exalted
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| adj.(地位等)高的，崇高的；尊贵的，高尚的 | |
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136
vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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137
prophesies
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| v.预告，预言( prophesy的第三人称单数 ) | |
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138
solitary
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| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
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139
foresight
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| n.先见之明，深谋远虑 | |
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140
humane
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| adj.人道的，富有同情心的 | |
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141
consul
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| n.领事；执政官 | |
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142
retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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143
persuasive
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| adj.有说服力的，能说得使人相信的 | |
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144
eloquence
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| n.雄辩；口才，修辞 | |
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145
graceful
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| adj.优美的，优雅的；得体的 | |
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146
tyrants
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| 专制统治者( tyrant的名词复数 )； 暴君似的人； （古希腊的）僭主； 严酷的事物 | |
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147
auditors
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| n.审计员，稽核员( auditor的名词复数 )；（大学课程的）旁听生 | |
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148
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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149
animated
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| adj.生气勃勃的，活跃的，愉快的 | |
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150
deference
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| n.尊重，顺从；敬意 | |
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151
inflamed
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| adj.发炎的，红肿的v.（使）变红，发怒，过热( inflame的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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152
adherence
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| n.信奉，依附，坚持，固着 | |
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153
swarm
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| n.(昆虫)等一大群；vi.成群飞舞；蜂拥而入 | |
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154
torrent
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| n.激流，洪流；爆发，(话语等的)连发 | |
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155
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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156
intrepid
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| adj.无畏的，刚毅的 | |
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157
penitence
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| n.忏悔，赎罪；悔过 | |
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158
cloister
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| n.修道院；v.隐退，使与世隔绝 | |
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159
extravagant
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| adj.奢侈的；过分的；(言行等)放肆的 | |
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160
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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161
delicacy
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| n.精致，细微，微妙，精良；美味，佳肴 | |
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162
reverence
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| n.敬畏，尊敬，尊严；Reverence:对某些基督教神职人员的尊称；v.尊敬，敬畏，崇敬 | |
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163
awe
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| n.敬畏，惊惧；vt.使敬畏，使惊惧 | |
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164
dissent
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| n./v.不同意，持异议 | |
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165
auspices
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| n.资助，赞助 | |
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166
monks
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| n.修道士，僧侣( monk的名词复数 ) | |
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167
monastery
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| n.修道院，僧院，寺院 | |
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168
agitation
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| n.搅动；搅拌；鼓动，煽动 | |
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169
soothed
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| v.安慰( soothe的过去式和过去分词 )；抚慰；使舒服；减轻痛苦 | |
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170
wrath
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| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
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171
consolation
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| n.安慰，慰问 | |
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172
fangs
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| n.（尤指狗和狼的）长而尖的牙( fang的名词复数 )；（蛇的）毒牙；罐座 | |
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173
honourable
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| adj.可敬的；荣誉的，光荣的 | |
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174
guardianship
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| n. 监护, 保护, 守护 | |
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175
ardent
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，强烈的，烈性的 | |
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176
veins
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| n.纹理；矿脉( vein的名词复数 )；静脉；叶脉；纹理 | |
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177
rape
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| n.抢夺，掠夺，强奸；vt.掠夺，抢夺，强奸 | |
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178
shuddered
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| v.战栗( shudder的过去式和过去分词 )；发抖；（机器、车辆等）突然震动；颤动 | |
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179
misery
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| n.痛苦，苦恼，苦难；悲惨的境遇，贫苦 | |
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180
devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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181
perjury
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| n.伪证；伪证罪 | |
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182
blasphemous
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| adj.亵渎神明的，不敬神的 | |
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183
scruples
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| n.良心上的不安( scruple的名词复数 )；顾虑，顾忌v.感到于心不安，有顾忌( scruple的第三人称单数 ) | |
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