[It is not to be supposed that these fragments are given as possessing any intrinsic value of themselves; but there may be some curiosity attached to them, as to the first etchings of a plate, which are accounted interesting by those who have, in any degree, been interested in the more finished works of the artist.]
Chapter I.
The sun was nearly set behind the distant mountains of Liddesdale, when a few of the scattered1 and terrified inhabitants of the village of Hersildoun, which had four days before been burned by a predatory band of English Borderers, were now busied in repairing their ruined dwellings3. One high tower in the centre of the village alone exhibited no appearance of devastation4. It was surrounded with court walls, and the outer gate was barred and bolted. The bushes and brambles which grew around, and had even insinuated5 their branches beneath the gate, plainly showed that it must have been many years since it had been opened. While the cottages around lay in smoking ruins, this pile, deserted6 and desolate7 as it seemed to be, had suffered nothing from the violence of the invaders8; and the wretched beings who were endeavouring to repair their miserable9 huts against nightfall, seemed to neglect the preferable shelter which it might have afforded them, without the necessity of labour.
Before the day had quite gone down, a knight10, richly armed, and mounted upon an ambling11 hackney, rode slowly into the village. His attendants were a lady, apparently12 young and beautiful, who rode by his side upon a dappled palfrey; his squire13, who carried his helmet and lance, and led his battle-horse, a noble steed, richly caparisoned. A page and four yeomen, bearing bows and quivers, short swords, and targets of a span breadth, completed his equipage, which, though small, denoted him to be a man of high rank.
He stopped and addressed several of the inhabitants whom curiosity had withdrawn16 from their labour to gaze at him; but at the sound of his voice, and still more on perceiving the St. George’s Cross in the caps of his followers18, they fled, with a loud cry that the Southrons were returned. The knight endeavoured to expostulate with the fugitives19, who were chiefly aged20 men, women, and children; but their dread21 of the English name accelerated their flight, and in a few minutes, excepting the knight and his attendants, the place was deserted by all. He paced through the village to seek a shelter for the night, and despairing to find one either in the inaccessible22 tower or the plundered24 huts of the peasantry, he directed his course to the left hand, where he spied a small, decent habitation, apparently the abode25 of a man considerably26 above the common rank. After much knocking, the proprietor27 at length showed himself at the window, and speaking in the English dialect, with great signs of apprehension28, demanded their business. The warrior29 replied that his quality was an English knight and baron30, and that he was travelling to the court of the king of Scotland on affairs of consequence to both kingdoms.
“Pardon my hesitation31, noble Sir Knight,” said the old man, as he unbolted and unbarred his doors, —
“Pardon my hesitation, but we are here exposed to too many intrusions to admit of our exercising unlimited32 and unsuspicious hospitality. What I have is yours; and God send your mission may bring back peace and the good days of our old Queen Margaret!”
“Amen, worthy33 franklin,” quoth the knight, — “Did you know her?”
“I came to this country in her train,” said the franklin; “and the care of some of her jointure lands, which she devolved on me, occasioned my settling here.”
And how do you, being an Englishman,” said the knight, “protect your life and property here, when one of your nation cannot obtain a single night’s lodging34, or a draught35 of water, were lie thirsty?”
“Marry, noble sir,” answered the franklin, “use, as they say, will make a man live in a lion’s den14; and as I settled here in a quiet time, and have never given cause of offence, I am respected by my neighbours, and even, as you see, by our forayers from England.”
“I rejoice to hear it, and accept your hospitality. Isabella, my love, our worthy host will provide you a bed. My daughter, good franklin, is ill at ease. We will occupy your house till the Scottish king shall return from his Northern expedition. Meanwhile call me Lord Lacy of Chester.”
The attendants of the baron, assisted by the franklin, were now busied in disposing of the horses and arranging the table for some refreshment36 for Lord Lacy and his fair companion. While they sat down to it, they were attended by their host and his daughter, whom custom did not permit to eat in their presence, and who afterwards withdrew to an outer chamber37, where the squire and page (both young men of noble birth) partook of supper, and were accommodated with beds. The yeomen, after doing honour to the rustic38 cheer of Queen Margaret’s bailiff, withdrew to the stable, and each, beside his favourite horse, snored away the fatigues39 of their journey. Early on the following morning the travellers were roused by a thundering knocking at the door of the house, accompanied with many demands for instant admission, in the roughest tone. The squire and page, of Lord Lacy, after buckling40 on their arms, were about to sally out to chastise41 these intruders, when the old host, after looking out at a private casement43, contrived44 for reconnoitring his visitors, entreated45 them, with great signs of terror, to be quiet, if they did not mean that all in the house should be murdered. He then hastened to the apartment of Lord Lacy, whom he met dressed in a long furred gown and the knightly46 cap called a mortier, irritated at the noise, and demanding to know the cause which had disturbed the repose47 of the household.
“Noble sir,” said the franklin, “one of the most formidable and bloody48 of the Scottish Border riders is at hand. He is never seen,” added he, faltering49 with terror, “so far from the hills, but with some bad purpose, and the power of accomplishing it; so hold yourself to your guard, for — ”
A loud crash here announced that the door was broken down, and the knight just descended50 the stair in time to prevent bloodshed betwixt his attendants and the intruders. They were three in number. Their chief was tall, bony, and athletic52, his spare and muscular frame, as well as the hardness of his features, marked the course of his life to have been fatiguing53 and perilous54. The effect of his appearance was aggravated55 by his dress, which consisted of a jack56, or jacket, composed of thick buff leather, on which small plates of iron of a lozenge form were stitched, in such a manner as to overlap57 each other and form a coat of mail, which swayed with every motion of the wearer’s body. This defensive58 armour59 covered a doublet of coarse gray cloth, and the Borderer had a few half-rusted plates of steel on his shoulders, a two-edged sword, with a dagger60 hanging beside it, in a buff belt; a helmet, with a few iron bars, to cover the face instead of a visor, and a lance of tremendous and uncommon61 length, completed his appointments. The looks of the man were as wild and rude as his attire62; his keen black eyes never rested one moment fixed63 upon a single object, but constantly traversed all around, as if they ever sought some danger to oppose, some plunder23 to seize, or some insult to revenge. The latter seemed to be his present object, for, regardless of the dignified64 presence of Lord Lacy, he uttered the most incoherent threats against the owner of the house and his guests.
“We shall see — ay, marry shall we — if an English hound is to harbour and reset65 the Southrons here. Thank the Abbot of Melrose and the good Knight of Coldingnow that have so long kept me from your skirts. But those days are gone, by St. Mary, and you shall find it!”
It is probable the enraged66 Borderer would not have long continued to vent51 his rage in empty menaces, had not the entrance of the four yeomen, with their bows bent67, convinced him that the force was not at this moment on his own side.
Lord Lacy now advanced towards him. “You intrude42 upon my privacy, soldier; withdraw yourself and Your followers. There is peace betwixt our nations, or my servants should chastise thy presumption68.”
“Such peace as ye give such shall you have,” answered the moss-trooper, first pointing with his lance towards the burned village, and then almost instantly levelling it against Lord Lacy. The squire drew his sword, and severed69 at one blow the steel head from the truncheon of the spear.
“Arthur Fitzherbert,” said the baron, that stroke has deferred70 thy knighthood for one year; never must that squire wear the spurs whose unbridled impetuosity can draw unbidden his sword in the presence of his master. Go hence, and think on what I have said.”
The squire left the chamber abashed71.
“It were vain,” continued Lord Lacy, “to expect that courtesy from a mountain churl72 which even my own followers can forget. Yet before thou drawest thy brand,” for the intruder laid his hand upon the hilt of his sword, “thou wilt73 do well to reflect that I came with a safe-conduct from thy king, and have no time to waste in brawls74 with such as thou.”
“From my king, — from my king!” re-echoed the mountaineer. “I care not that rotten truncheon,” striking the shattered spear furiously on the ground, “for the king of Fife and Lothian. But Habby of Cessford will be here belive; and we shall soon know if he will permit an English churl to occupy his hostelry.”
Having uttered these words, accompanied with a lowering glance from under his shaggy black eyebrows75, he turned on his heel and left the house with his two followers; they mounted their horses, which they had tied to an outer fence, and vanished in an instant.
“Who is this discourteous76 ruffian? “ said Lord Lacy to the franklin, who had stood in the most violent agitation77 during this whole scene.
“His name, noble lord, is Adam Kerr of the Moat, but he is commonly called by his companions the Black Rider of Cheviot. I fear, I fear, he comes hither for no good; but if the Lord of Cessford be near, he will not dare offer any unprovoked outrage78.”
“I have heard of that chief,” said the baron; “let me know when he approaches. And do thou, Rodulph,” to the eldest79 yeoman, “keep a strict watch. Adelbert,” to the page, “attend to arm me.” The page bowed, and the baron withdrew to the chamber of the lady Isabella, to explain the cause of the disturbance80.
No more of the proposed tale was ever written; but the Author’s purpose was that it should turn upon a fine legend of superstition81 which is current in the part of the Borders where he had his residence, where, in the reign82 of Alexander III. of Scotland, that renowned83 person, Thomas of Hersildoune, called the Rhymer, actually flourished. This personage, the Merlin of Scotland, and to whom some of the adventures which the British bards84 assigned to Merlin Caledonius, or the Wild, have been transferred by tradition, was, as is well known, a magician, as well as a poet and prophet. He is alleged85 still to live in the land of Faery, and is expected to return at some great convulsion of society, in which he is to act a distinguished86 part, — a tradition common to all nations, as the belief of the Mahomedans respecting their twelfth Imaum demonstrates.
Now, it chanced many years since that there lived on the Borders a jolly, rattling87 horse-cowper, who was remarkable88 for a reckless and fearless temper, which made him much admired, and a little dreaded89, amongst his neighbours. One moonlight night, as he rode over Bowden Moor90, on the west side of the Eildon Hills, the scene of Thomas the Rhymer’s prophecies, and often mentioned in his story, having a brace91 of horses along with him which he bad not been able to dispose of, he met a man of venerable appearance and singularly antique dress, who, to his great surprise, asked the price of his horses, and began to chaffer with him on the subject. To Canobie Dick — (for so shall we call our Border dealer) — a chap was a chap, and he would have sold a liaise to the devil himself, without minding his cloven hoof92, and would have probably cheated Old Nick into the bargain. The stranger paid the price they agreed on; and all that puzzled Dick in the transaction was that the gild93 which he received was in unicorns94, bonnet-pieces, and other ancient coins, which would have been invaluable95 to collectors, but were rather troublesome, in modern currency.
It was gold, however, and therefore Dick contrived to get better value for the coin than he perhaps gave to his customer. By the command of so good a merchant, he brought horses to the same slot more than once; the purchaser only stipulating96 that he should always come by night, and alone. I do not know whether it was from mere97 curiosity, or whether some hope of gain mixed with it, but after Dick had sold several horses in this way, he began to complain that dry — bargains were unlucky, and to hint that since his chap must live in the neighbourhood, he ought, in the courtesy of dealing98, to treat him to half a mutchkin.
“You may see my dwelling2 if you will,” said the stranger; “but if you lose courage at what you see there, you will rue99 it all your life.”
Dicken, however, laughed the warning to scorn, and having alighted to secure his horse, he followed the stranger up a narrow foot-path, which led them up the hills to the singular eminence100 stuck betwixt the most southern and the centre peaks, and called, from its resemblance to such an animal in its form, the Lucken Hare. At the foot of this eminence, which is almost as famous for witch meetings as the neighbouring wind-mill of Kippilaw, Dick was somewhat startled to observe that his conductor entered the hill-side by a passage or cavern101, of which he himself, though well acquainted with the spot, had never seen or heard.
“You may still return,” said his guide, looking ominously102 back upon him; but Dick scorned to show the white feather, and on they went. They entered a very long range of stables; in every stall stood a coal-black horse; by every horse lay a knight in coal-black armour, with a drawn17 sword in his hand; but all were as silent, hoof and limb, as if they had been cut out of marble. A great number of torches lent a gloomy lustre103 to the hall, which, like those of the Caliph Vathek, was of large dimensions. At the upper end, however, they at length arrived, where a sword and horn lay on an antique table.
“He that shall sound that horn and draw that sword,” said the stranger, who now intimated that he was the famous Thomas of Hersildoune, “shall, if his heart fail him not, be king over all broad Britain. So speaks the tongue that cannot lie. But all depends on courage, and much on your taking the sword or the horn first.” Dick was much disposed to take the sword; but his bold spirit was quailed104 by the supernatural terrors of the hall, and he thought to unsheathe the sword first, might be construed105 into defiance106, and give offence to the powers of the Mountain. He took the bugle107 with a trembling hand, and a feeble note, but loud enough to produce a terrible answer. Thunder rolled in stunning108 peals109 through the immense hall; horses and men started to life; the steeds snorted, stamped, grinned their bits, and tossed on high their heads; the warriors111 sprung to their feet, clashed their armour, and brandished112 their swords. Dick’s terror was extreme at seeing the whole army, which had been so lately silent as the grave, in uproar113, and about to rush on him. He dropped the horn, and made a feeble attempt to seize the enchanted114 sword; but at the same moment a voice pronounced aloud the mysterious words, —
“Woe to the coward, that ever he was born,
Who did not draw the sword before he blew the horn!”
At the same time a whirlwind of irresistible115 fury howled through the long hall, bore the unfortunate horse-jockey clear out of the mouth of the cavern, and precipitated116 him over a steep bank of loose stones, where the shepherds found him the next morning with just breath sufficient to tell his fearful tale, after concluding which he expired.
This legend, with several variations, is found in many parts of Scotland and England. The scene is sometimes laid in some favourite glen of the Highlands, sometimes in the deep coal-mines of Northumberland and Cumberland, which rim117 so far beneath the ocean. It is also to be found in Reginald Scott’s book on Witchcraft118, which was written in the sixteenth century. It would be in vain to ask what was the original of the tradition. The choice between the horn and sword may, perhaps, include as a moral that it is foolhardy to awaken119 danger before we have arms in our hands to resist it.
Although admitting of much poetical120 ornament121, it is clear that this legend would have formed but an unhappy foundation for a prose story, and must have degenerated122 into a mere fairy tale. Dr. John Leyden has beautifully introduced the tradition in his “Scenes of Infancy”:—
“Mysterious Rhymer, doomed123 by fate’s decree
Still to revisit Eildon’s fated tree,
Where oft the swain, at dawn of Hallow-day,
Hears thy fleet barb124 with wild impatience125 neigh, —
Say, who is he, with summons long and high,
Shall bid the charmed sleep of ages fly,
Roll the long sound through Eildon’s caverns126 vast,
While each dark warrior kindles127 at the blast,
The horn, the falchion, grasp with mighty128 hand,
And peal110 proud Arthur’s march from Fairy-land?”
In the same cabinet with the preceding fragment, the following occurred among other ‘disjecta membra’. It seems to be an attempt at a tale of a different description from the last, but was almost instantly abandoned. The introduction points out the time of the composition to have been about the end of the eighteenth century.
The Lord of Ennerdale.
In a Fragment of a Letter from John B— — Esq.,
Of that Ilk, to William G— — F.r.s.e.
“Fill a bumper129,” said the knight; “the ladies may spare us a little longer. Fill a bumper to the Archduke Charles.”
The company did due honour to the toast of their landlord.
“The success of the archduke,” said the muddy vicar, “will tend to further our negotiation130 at Paris; and if — ”
“Pardon the interruption, Doctor,” quoth a thin, emaciated131 figure, with somewhat of a foreign accent; “but why should you connect those events, unless to hope that the bravery and victories of our allies may supersede132 the necessity of a degrading treaty?”
“We begin to feel, Monsieur L’Abbe,” answered the vicar, with some asperity133, “that a Continental134 war entered into for the defence of an ally who was unwilling135 to defend himself, and for the restoration of a royal family, nobility, and priesthood who tamely abandoned their own rights, is a burden too much even for the resources of this country.”
“And was the war, then, on the part of Great Britain,” rejoined the Abbe, “a gratuitous136 exertion137 of generosity138? Was there no fear of the wide-wasting spirit of innovation which had gone abroad? Did not the laity139 tremble for their property, the clergy140 for their religion, and every loyal heart for the Constitution? Was it not thought necessary to destroy the building which was on fire, ere the conflagration141 spread around the vicinity?”
“Yet if upon trial,” said the doctor, “the walls were found to resist our utmost efforts, I see no great prudence142 in persevering143 in our labour amid the smouldering ruins.”
“What, Doctor,” said the baronet, “must I call to your recollection your own sermon on the late general fast? Did you not encourage us to hope that the Lord of Hosts would go forth144 with our armies, and that our enemies, who blasphemed him, should be put to shame?”
“It may please a kind father to chasten even his beloved children,” answered the vicar.
“I think,” said a gentleman near the foot of the table, “that the Covenanters made some apology of the same kind for the failure of their prophecies at the battle of Danbar, when their mutinous145 preachers compelled the prudent146 Lesley to go down against the Philistines147 in Gilgal.”
The vicar fixed a scrutinizing148 and not a very complacent149 eye upon this intruder. He was a young man, of mean stature150 and rather a reserved appearance. Early and severe study had quenched151 in his features the gaiety peculiar152 to his age, and impressed upon them a premature153 cast of thoughtfulness. His eve had, however, retained its fire, and his gesture its animation154. Had he remained silent, he would have been long unnoticed; but when he spoke155, there was something in his manner which arrested attention.
“Who is this young man?” said the vicar, in a low voice, to his neighbour.
“A Scotchman called Maxwell, on a visit to Sir Henry,” was the answer.
“I thought so, from his accent and his manner,,” said the vicar. It may be here observed that the Northern English retain rather more of the ancient hereditary156 aversion to their neighbors than their countrymen of the South. The interference of other disputants, each of whom urged his opinion with all the vehemence157 of wine and politics, rendered the summons to the drawing-room agreeable to the more sober part of the company.
The company dispersed158 by degrees, and at length the vicar and the young Scotchman alone remained, besides the baronet, his lady, daughters, and myself. The clergyman had not, it would seem, forgot the observation which ranked him with the false prophets of Dunbar, for he addressed Mr. Maxwell upon the first opportunity.
“Hem! I think, sir, you mentioned something about the civil wars of last century. You must be deeply skilled in them indeed, if you can draw any parallel betwixt those and the present evil days, — davs which I am ready to maintain are the most gloomy that ever darkened the prospects159 of Britain.”
“God forbid, Doctor, that I should draw a comparison between the present times and those you mention; I am too sensible of the advantages we enjoy over our ancestors. Faction160 and ambition have introduced division among us; but we are still free from the guilt161 of civil bloodshed, and from all the evils which flow from it. Our foes162, sir, are not those of our own household; and while we continue united and firm, from the attacks of a foreign enemy, however artful, or however inveterate163, we have, I hope, little to dread.”
“Have you found anything curious, Mr. Maxwell, among the dusty papers?” said Sir Henry, who seemed to dread a revival164 of political discussion.
“My investigation165 amongst them led to reflection’s which I have just now hinted,” said Maxwell; “and I think they are pretty strongly exemplified by a story which I have been endeavouring to arrange from some of your family manuscripts.”
“You are welcome to make what use of them you please,” said Sir Henry; “they have been undisturbed for many a day, and I have often wished for some person as well skilled as you in these old pothooks, to tell me their meaning.”
“Those I just mentioned,” answered Maxwell, “relate to a piece of private history savouring not a little of the marvellous, and intimately connected with your family; if it is agreeable, I can read to you the anecdotes166 in the modern shape into which I have been endeavouring to throw them, and you can then judge of the value of the originals.”
There was something in this proposal agreeable to all parties. Sir Henry had family pride, which prepared him to take an interest in whatever related to his ancestors. The ladies had dipped deeply into the fashionable reading of the present day. Lady Ratcliff and her fair daughters had climbed every pass, viewed every pine-shrouded ruin, heard every groan167, and lifted every trap-door, in company with the noted15 heroine of “Udolpho.” They had been heard, however, to observe that the famous incident of the Black Veil singularly resembled the ancient apologue of the Mountain in labour, so that they were unquestionably critics, as well as admirers. Besides all this, they had valorously mounted en croupe behind the ghostly horseman of Prague, through all his seven translators, and followed the footsteps of Moor through the forest of Bohemia. Moreover, it was even hinted (but this was a greater mystery than all the rest) that a certain performance, called the “Monk,” in three neat volumes, had been seen by a prying168 eye, in the right-hand drawer of the Indian cabinet of Lady Ratcliff’s dressing-room. Thus predisposed for wonders and signs, Lady Ratcliff and her nymphs drew their chairs round a large blazing wood-fire, and arranged themselves to listen to the tale. To that fire I also approached, moved thereunto partly by the inclemency169 of the season, and partly that my deafness, which you know, cousin, I acquired during my campaign under Prince Charles Edward, might be no obstacle to the gratification of my curiosity, which was awakened170 by what had any reference to the fate of such faithful followers of royalty171 as you well know the house of Ratcliff have ever been. To this wood-fire the vicar likewise drew near, and reclined himself conveniently in his chair, seemingly disposed to testify his disrespect for the narration172 and narrator by falling asleep as soon as he conveniently could. By the side of Maxwell (by the way, I cannot learn that he is in the least related to the Nithsdale family) was placed a small table and a couple of lights, by the assistance of which he read as follows:—
“Journal of Jan Von Eulen.
On the 6th November, 1645, I, Jan Von Enlen, merchant in Rotterdam, embarked173 with my only daughter on board of the good vessel174 ‘Vryheid,’ of Amsterdam, in order to pass into the unhappy and disturbed kingdom of England. — 7th November. A brisk gale,; daughter sea-sick; myself unable to complete the calculation which I have begun, of the inheritance left by Jane Lansache, of Carlisle, my late dear wife’s sister, the collection of which is the object of my voyage. — 8th November. Wind still stormy and adverse175; a horrid176 disaster nearly happened, — my dear child washed overboard as the vessel lurched to leeward177. — Memorandum178, to reward the young sailor who saved her, out of the first money s which I can recover from the inheritance of her aunt Lansache. — 9th November. Calm P.M. light breezes front N.N.W. I talked with the captain about the inheritance of my sister-in-law, Jane Lansache. He says he knows the principal subject, which will not exceed ￡1000 in value. — N. B. He is a cousin to a family of Petersons, which was the name of the husband of my sister-in-law; so there is room to hope it may be worth more than be reports. — 10th November, 10 A.M. May God pardon all our sins! An English frigate179, bearing the Parliament flag, has appeared in the offing, and gives chase. — 11 A. M. She nears us every moment, and the captain of our vessel prepares to clear for action. May God again have mercy upon us!”
“Here,” said Maxwell, “the journal with which I have opened the narration ends somewhat abruptly180.”
“I am glad of it,” said Lady Ratcliff.
“But, Mr. Maxwell,” said young Frank, Sir Henry’s grandchild, “shall we not hear how the battle ended?”
I do not know, cousin, whether I have not formerly181 made you acquainted with the abilities of Frank Ratcliff. There is not a battle fought between the troops of the Prince and of the government, during the years 1745-46, of which he is not able to give an account. It is true, I have taken particular pains to fix the events of this important period upon his memory by frequent repetition.
“No, my dear,” said Maxwell, in answer to young Frank Itatcliff, — “No, my dear, I cannot tell you the exact particulars of the engagement, but its consequences appear from the following letter, despatched by Garbonete Von Enlen, daughter of our journalist, to a relation in England, from whom she implored182 assistance. After some general account of the purpose of the voyage, and of the engagement, her narrative183 proceeds thus:—
“The noise of the cannon184 had hardly ceased, before the sounds of a language to me but half known, and the confusion on board our vessel, informed me that the captors had boarded us and taken possession of our vessel. I went on deck, where the first spectacle that met my eyes was a young man, mate of our vessel, who, though disfigured and covered with blood, was loaded with irons, and whom they were forcing over the side of the vessel into a boat. The two principal persons among our enemies appeared to be a man of a tall, thin figure, with a high-crowned hat and long neck band, and short-cropped head of hair, accompanied by a bluff185, open-looking elderly man in a naval186 uniform. ‘Yarely! yarely! pull away, my hearts,’ said the latter, and the boat bearing the unlucky young man soon carried him on board the frigate. Perhaps you will blame me for mentioning this circumstance; but consider, my dear cousin, this man saved my life, and his fate, even when my own and my father’s were in the balance, could not but affect me nearly.
“‘In the name of him who is jealous, even to slaying,’ said the first — ”
Cetera desunt.
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scattered
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dwelling
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| n.住宅，住所，寓所 | |
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dwellings
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| n.住处，处所( dwelling的名词复数 ) | |
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devastation
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| n.毁坏；荒废；极度震惊或悲伤 | |
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insinuated
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| v.暗示( insinuate的过去式和过去分词 )；巧妙或迂回地潜入；（使）缓慢进入；慢慢伸入 | |
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deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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desolate
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| adj.荒凉的，荒芜的；孤独的，凄凉的；v.使荒芜，使孤寂 | |
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invaders
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miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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knight
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| n.骑士，武士；爵士 | |
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ambling
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| v.（马）缓行( amble的现在分词 )；从容地走，漫步 | |
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apparently
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squire
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| n.护卫, 侍从, 乡绅 | |
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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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noted
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| adj.著名的，知名的 | |
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withdrawn
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| vt.收回；使退出；vi.撤退，退出 | |
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drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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18
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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19
fugitives
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| n.亡命者，逃命者( fugitive的名词复数 ) | |
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20
aged
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| adj.年老的，陈年的 | |
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21
dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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22
inaccessible
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| adj.达不到的，难接近的 | |
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23
plunder
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| vt.劫掠财物，掠夺；n.劫掠物，赃物；劫掠 | |
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24
plundered
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| 掠夺，抢劫( plunder的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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25
abode
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| n.住处，住所 | |
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26
considerably
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| adv.极大地；相当大地；在很大程度上 | |
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27
proprietor
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| n.所有人；业主；经营者 | |
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28
apprehension
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| n.理解，领悟；逮捕，拘捕；忧虑 | |
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29
warrior
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| n.勇士，武士，斗士 | |
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30
baron
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| n.男爵；(商业界等)巨头，大王 | |
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31
hesitation
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| n.犹豫，踌躇 | |
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32
unlimited
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| adj.无限的，不受控制的，无条件的 | |
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33
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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34
lodging
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| n.寄宿，住所；(大学生的)校外宿舍 | |
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35
draught
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|
| n.拉，牵引，拖；一网（饮，吸，阵)；顿服药量，通风；v.起草，设计 | |
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36
refreshment
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| n.恢复，精神爽快，提神之事物；（复数）refreshments:点心，茶点 | |
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37
chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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38
rustic
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| adj.乡村的，有乡村特色的；n.乡下人，乡巴佬 | |
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39
fatigues
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| n.疲劳( fatigue的名词复数 )；杂役；厌倦；（士兵穿的）工作服 | |
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40
buckling
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| 扣住 | |
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41
chastise
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| vt.责骂，严惩 | |
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42
intrude
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| vi.闯入；侵入；打扰，侵扰 | |
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43
casement
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| n.竖铰链窗；窗扉 | |
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44
contrived
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| adj.不自然的，做作的；虚构的 | |
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45
entreated
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| 恳求，乞求( entreat的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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46
knightly
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|
| adj. 骑士般的 adv. 骑士般地 | |
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47
repose
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| v.(使)休息；n.安息 | |
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48
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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49
faltering
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| 犹豫的，支吾的，蹒跚的 | |
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50
descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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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
athletic
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| adj.擅长运动的，强健的；活跃的，体格健壮的 | |
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53
fatiguing
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| a.使人劳累的 | |
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54
perilous
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|
| adj.危险的，冒险的 | |
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55
aggravated
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| 使恶化( aggravate的过去式和过去分词 )； 使更严重； 激怒； 使恼火 | |
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56
jack
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|
| n.插座，千斤顶，男人；v.抬起，提醒，扛举；n.（Jake）杰克 | |
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57
overlap
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|
| v.重叠，与…交叠；n.重叠 | |
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58
defensive
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| adj.防御的；防卫的；防守的 | |
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59
armour
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| （=armor）n.盔甲；装甲部队 | |
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60
dagger
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| n.匕首，短剑，剑号 | |
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61
uncommon
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|
| adj.罕见的，非凡的，不平常的 | |
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62
attire
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| v.穿衣，装扮[同]array；n.衣着；盛装 | |
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63
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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64
dignified
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| a.可敬的，高贵的 | |
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65
reset
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| v.重新安排，复位；n.重新放置；重放之物 | |
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66
enraged
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| 使暴怒( enrage的过去式和过去分词 )； 歜； 激愤 | |
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67
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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68
presumption
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| n.推测，可能性，冒昧，放肆，[法律]推定 | |
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69
severed
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| v.切断，断绝( sever的过去式和过去分词 )；断，裂 | |
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70
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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71
abashed
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|
| adj.窘迫的，尴尬的v.使羞愧，使局促，使窘迫( abash的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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72
churl
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| n.吝啬之人；粗鄙之人 | |
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73
wilt
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| v.(使)植物凋谢或枯萎；(指人)疲倦，衰弱 | |
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74
brawls
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| 吵架，打架( brawl的名词复数 ) | |
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75
eyebrows
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| 眉毛( eyebrow的名词复数 ) | |
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76
discourteous
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|
| adj.不恭的，不敬的 | |
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77
agitation
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| n.搅动；搅拌；鼓动，煽动 | |
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78
outrage
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| n.暴行，侮辱，愤怒；vt.凌辱，激怒 | |
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79
eldest
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|
| adj.最年长的，最年老的 | |
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80
disturbance
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| n.动乱，骚动；打扰，干扰；(身心)失调 | |
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81
superstition
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|
| n.迷信，迷信行为 | |
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82
reign
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| n.统治时期，统治，支配，盛行；v.占优势 | |
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83
renowned
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|
| adj.著名的，有名望的，声誉鹊起的 | |
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84
bards
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| n.诗人( bard的名词复数 ) | |
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85
alleged
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|
| a.被指控的，嫌疑的 | |
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86
distinguished
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|
| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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87
rattling
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|
| adj. 格格作响的, 活泼的, 很好的 adv. 极其, 很, 非常 动词rattle的现在分词 | |
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88
remarkable
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|
| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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89
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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90
moor
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|
| n.荒野，沼泽；vt.(使)停泊；vi.停泊 | |
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91
brace
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| n. 支柱,曲柄,大括号; v. 绷紧,顶住,(为困难或坏事)做准备 | |
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92
hoof
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| n.(马，牛等的)蹄 | |
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93
gild
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| vt.给…镀金，把…漆成金色，使呈金色 | |
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94
unicorns
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| n.（传说中身体似马的）独角兽( unicorn的名词复数 )；一角鲸；独角兽标记 | |
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95
invaluable
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|
| adj.无价的，非常宝贵的，极为贵重的 | |
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96
stipulating
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|
| v.（尤指在协议或建议中）规定，约定，讲明（条件等）( stipulate的现在分词 )；规定，明确要求 | |
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97
mere
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|
| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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98
dealing
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| n.经商方法，待人态度 | |
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99
rue
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| n.懊悔，芸香，后悔；v.后悔，悲伤，懊悔 | |
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100
eminence
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| n.卓越，显赫；高地，高处；名家 | |
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101
cavern
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| n.洞穴，大山洞 | |
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102
ominously
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| adv.恶兆地，不吉利地；预示地 | |
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103
lustre
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| n.光亮，光泽；荣誉 | |
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104
quailed
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| 害怕，发抖，畏缩( quail的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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105
construed
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| v.解释（陈述、行为等）( construe的过去式和过去分词 )；翻译，作句法分析 | |
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106
defiance
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| n.挑战，挑衅，蔑视，违抗 | |
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107
bugle
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| n.军号，号角，喇叭；v.吹号，吹号召集 | |
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108
stunning
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| adj.极好的；使人晕倒的 | |
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109
peals
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| n.（声音大而持续或重复的）洪亮的响声( peal的名词复数 )；隆隆声；洪亮的钟声；钟乐v.（使）（钟等）鸣响，（雷等）发出隆隆声( peal的第三人称单数 ) | |
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110
peal
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| n.钟声；v.鸣响 | |
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111
warriors
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| 武士，勇士，战士( warrior的名词复数 ) | |
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112
brandished
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| v.挥舞( brandish的过去式和过去分词 )；炫耀 | |
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113
uproar
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| n.骚动，喧嚣，鼎沸 | |
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114
enchanted
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| adj. 被施魔法的，陶醉的，入迷的 动词enchant的过去式和过去分词 | |
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115
irresistible
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| adj.非常诱人的，无法拒绝的，无法抗拒的 | |
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116
precipitated
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| v.（突如其来地）使发生( precipitate的过去式和过去分词 )；促成；猛然摔下；使沉淀 | |
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117
rim
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| n.(圆物的)边，轮缘；边界 | |
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118
witchcraft
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| n.魔法，巫术 | |
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119
awaken
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| vi.醒，觉醒；vt.唤醒，使觉醒，唤起，激起 | |
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120
poetical
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| adj.似诗人的；诗一般的；韵文的；富有诗意的 | |
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121
ornament
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| v.装饰，美化；n.装饰，装饰物 | |
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122
degenerated
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| 衰退，堕落，退化( degenerate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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123
doomed
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| 命定的 | |
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124
barb
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| n.（鱼钩等的）倒钩，倒刺 | |
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125
impatience
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| n.不耐烦，急躁 | |
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126
caverns
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| 大山洞，大洞穴( cavern的名词复数 ) | |
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127
kindles
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| （使某物）燃烧，着火( kindle的第三人称单数 )； 激起（感情等）； 发亮，放光 | |
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128
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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129
bumper
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| n.(汽车上的)保险杠；adj.特大的，丰盛的 | |
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130
negotiation
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| n.谈判，协商 | |
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131
emaciated
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| adj.衰弱的，消瘦的 | |
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132
supersede
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| v.替代；充任 | |
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133
asperity
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| n.粗鲁，艰苦 | |
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134
continental
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| adj.大陆的，大陆性的，欧洲大陆的 | |
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135
unwilling
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| adj.不情愿的 | |
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136
gratuitous
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| adj.无偿的，免费的；无缘无故的，不必要的 | |
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137
exertion
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| n.尽力，努力 | |
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138
generosity
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| n.大度，慷慨，慷慨的行为 | |
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139
laity
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| n.俗人；门外汉 | |
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140
clergy
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| n.[总称]牧师，神职人员 | |
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141
conflagration
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| n.建筑物或森林大火 | |
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142
prudence
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| n.谨慎，精明，节俭 | |
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143
persevering
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| a.坚忍不拔的 | |
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144
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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145
mutinous
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| adj.叛变的，反抗的；adv.反抗地，叛变地；n.反抗，叛变 | |
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146
prudent
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| adj.谨慎的，有远见的，精打细算的 | |
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147
philistines
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| n.市侩，庸人( philistine的名词复数 )；庸夫俗子 | |
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148
scrutinizing
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| v.仔细检查，详审( scrutinize的现在分词 ) | |
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149
complacent
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| adj.自满的；自鸣得意的 | |
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150
stature
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| n.（高度）水平，（高度）境界，身高，身材 | |
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151
quenched
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| 解（渴）( quench的过去式和过去分词 )； 终止（某事物）； （用水）扑灭（火焰等）； 将（热物体）放入水中急速冷却 | |
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152
peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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153
premature
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| adj.比预期时间早的；不成熟的，仓促的 | |
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154
animation
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| n.活泼，兴奋，卡通片／动画片的制作 | |
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155
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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156
hereditary
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| adj.遗传的，遗传性的，可继承的，世袭的 | |
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157
vehemence
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| n.热切；激烈；愤怒 | |
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158
dispersed
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| adj. 被驱散的, 被分散的, 散布的 | |
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159
prospects
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| n.希望，前途(恒为复数) | |
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160
faction
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| n.宗派，小集团；派别；派系斗争 | |
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161
guilt
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| n.犯罪；内疚；过失，罪责 | |
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162
foes
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| 敌人，仇敌( foe的名词复数 ) | |
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163
inveterate
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| adj.积习已深的，根深蒂固的 | |
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164
revival
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| n.复兴，复苏，（精力、活力等的）重振 | |
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165
investigation
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| n.调查，调查研究 | |
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166
anecdotes
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| n.掌故，趣闻，轶事( anecdote的名词复数 ) | |
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167
groan
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| vi./n.呻吟，抱怨；(发出)呻吟般的声音 | |
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168
prying
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| adj.爱打听的v.打听，刺探（他人的私事）( pry的现在分词 )；撬开 | |
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169
inclemency
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| n.险恶，严酷 | |
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170
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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171
royalty
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| n.皇家，皇族 | |
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172
narration
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| n.讲述，叙述；故事；记叙体 | |
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173
embarked
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| 乘船( embark的过去式和过去分词 )； 装载； 从事 | |
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174
vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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175
adverse
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| adj.不利的；有害的；敌对的，不友好的 | |
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176
horrid
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| adj.可怕的；令人惊恐的；恐怖的；极讨厌的 | |
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177
leeward
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| adj.背风的；下风的 | |
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178
memorandum
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| n.备忘录，便笺 | |
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179
frigate
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| n.护航舰，大型驱逐舰 | |
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180
abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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181
formerly
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| adv.从前，以前 | |
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182
implored
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| 恳求或乞求（某人）( implore的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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183
narrative
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| n.叙述，故事；adj.叙事的，故事体的 | |
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184
cannon
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| n.大炮，火炮；飞机上的机关炮 | |
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185
bluff
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| v.虚张声势，用假象骗人；n.虚张声势，欺骗 | |
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186
naval
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| adj.海军的，军舰的，船的 | |
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