WHEN the Witches were come aboard of their ship and all stowed, and the rowers set in order on the benches, they bade farewell to the Red Foliot and rowed out to the deep, and there hoisted4 sail and put up their helm and sailed eastward5 along the land. The stars wheeled overhead, and the east grew pale, and the sun came out of the sea on the larboard bow. Still sailed they two days and two nights, and on the third day there was land ahead, and morning rose abated7 by mist and cloud, and the sun was as a hall of red fire over Witchland in the east. So they hung awhile off Tenemos waiting for the tide, and at high water sailed over the bar and up the Druima past the dunes8 and mud-flats and the Ergaspian mere9, till they reached the bend of the river below Carc?. Solitary10 marsh-land stretched on either side as far as the eye might reach, with clumps11 of willow12 and rare homesteads showing above the flats. Northward13 above the bend a bluff14 of land fell sharply to the elbow of the river, and on the other, side sloped gently away for a few miles till it lost itself in the dead level of the marshes15. On the southern face of the bluff, monstrous16 as a mountain in those low sedge-lands, hung square and black the fortress17 of Carc?. It was built of black marble, rough-hewn and unpolished, the outworks enclosing many acres. An inner wall with a tower at each corner formed the main stronghold, in the south-west corner of which was the palace, overhanging the river. And on the south-west corner of the palace, towering sheer from the water’s edge seventy cubits and more to the battlements, stood the keep, a round tower lined with iron, bearing on the corbel table beneath its parapet in varying form and untold18 repetition the sculptured figure of the crab19 of Witchland. The outer ward6 of the fortress was dark with cypress20 trees: black flames burning changelessly to heaven from a billowy sea of gloom. East of the keep was the water-gate, and beside it a bridge and bridge-house across the river, strongly fortified21 with turrets22 and machicolations and commanded from on high by the battlements of the keep. Dismal23 and fearsome to view was this strong place of Carc?, most like to the embodied24 soul of dreadful night brooding on the waters of that sluggish26 river: by day a shadow in broad sunshine, the likeness27 of pitiless violence sitting in the place of power, darkening the desolation of the mournful fen28; by night, a blackness more black than night herself.
Now was the ship made fast near the water-gate, and the lords of Witchland landed and their fighting men, and the gate opened to them, and mournfully they entered in and climbed the steep ascent29 to the palace, bearing with them their sad burden of the King. And in the great hall in Carc? was Gorice XI. laid in state for that night; and the day wore to its close. Nor was any word from King Gorice XII. But when the shades of night were falling, there came a chamberlain to Lord Gro as he walked upon the terrace without the western wall of the palace; and the chamberlain said, “My lord, the King bids you attend him in the Iron Tower, and he chargeth you bring unto him the royal crown of Witchland.”
Gro made haste to fulfil the bidding of the King, and betook himself to the great banqueting hall, and all reverently30 be lifted the iron crown of Witchland set thick with priceless gems31, and went by a winding32 stair to the tower, and the chamberlain went before him. When they were come to the first landing, the chamberlain knocked on a massive door that was forthwith opened by a guard; and the chamberlain said, “My lord, it is the King’s will that you attend his majesty34 in his secret chamber at the top of the tower.” And Gro marvelled35, for none had entered that chamber for many years. Long ago had Gorice VII. practised forbidden arts therein, and folk said that in that chamber he raised up those spirits whereby he gat his bane. Sithence was the chamber sealed, nor had the late Kings need of it, since little faith they placed in art magical, relying rather on the might of their hands and the sword of Witchland. But Gro was glad at heart, for the opening of this chamber by the King met his designs half way. Fearlessly he mounted the winding stairs that were dusky with the shadows of approaching night and hung with cobwebs and strewn with the dust of neglect, until he came to the small low door of that chamber, and pausing knocked thereon and harkened for the answer.
And one said from within, “Who knocketh?” and Gro answered, “Lord, it is I, Gro.” And the bolts were drawn37 and the door opened, and the King said, “Enter.” And Gro entered and stood in the presence of the King.
Now the fashion of the chamber was that it was round, filling the whole space of the loftiest floor of the round donjon keep. It was now gathering38 dusk, and weak twilight39 only entered through the deep embrasures of the windows that pierced the walls of the tower, looking to the four quarters of the heavens. A furnace glowing in the big hearth40 threw fitful gleams into the recesses41 of the chamber, lighting42 up strange shapes of glass and earthenware43, flasks44 and retorts, balances, hour-glasses, crucibles46 and astrolabes, a monstrous three-necked alembic of phosphorescent glass supported on a bain-marie, and other instruments of doubtful and unlawful aspect. Under the northern window over against the doorway48 was a massive table blackened with age, whereon lay great books bound in black leather with iron guards and heavy padlocks. And in a mighty49 chair beside this table was King Gorice XII., robed in his conjuring50 robe of black and gold, resting his cheek on his hand that was lean as an eagle’s claw. The low light, mother of shade and secrecy51, that hovered52 in that chamber moved about the still figure of the King, his nose hooked as the eagle’s beak53, his cropped hair, his thick close-cut beard and shaven upper lip, his high cheek-bones and cruel heavy jaw54, and the dark eaves of his brows whence the glint of green eyes showed as no friendly lamp to them without. The door shut noiselessly, and Gro stood before the King. The dusk deepened, and the firelight pulsed and blinked in that dread25 chamber, and the King leaned without motion on his hand, bending his brow on Gro; and there was utter silence save for the faint purr of the furnace.
In a while the King said, “I sent for thee, because thou alone wast so hardy55 as to urge to the uttermost thy counsel upon the King that is now dead, Gorice XI. of memory ever glorious. And because thy counsel was good. Marvellest thou that I wist of thy counsel?”
Gro said, “O my Lord the King, I marvel36 not of this. For it is known to me that the soul endureth, albeit56 the body perish.”
“Keep thou thy lips from overspeech,” said the King. “These be mysteries whereon but to think may snatch thee into peril57, and whoso speaketh of them, though in se secret a place as this, and with me only, yet at his most bitter peril speaketh he.”
Gro answered, “O King, I spake not lightly; moreover, you did tempt58 me by your questioning. Nevertheless I am utterly59 obedient to your majesty’s admonition.”
The King rose from his chair and walked towards Gro, slowly. He was exceeding tall, and lean as a starved cormorant60. Laying his hands upon the shoulders of Gro, and bending his face to Gro’s, “Art not afeared,” he asked, “to abide61 me in this chamber, at the close of day? Or hast not thought on’t, and on these instruments thou seest, their use and purpose, and the ancient use of this chamber?”
Gro blenched62 never a whit63, but stoutly64 said, “I am not afeared, O my Lord the King, but rather rejoiced I at your summons. For it jumpeth with mine own designs, when I took counsel secretly in my heart after the woes67 that the Fates fulfilled for Witchland in the Foliot Isles68. For in that day, O King, when I beheld70 the light of Witchland darkened and her might abated in the fall of King Gorice XI. of glorious memory, I thought on you. Lord, the twelfth Gorice raised up King in Carc?; and there was present to my mind the word of the soothsayer of old, where, he singeth:
Ten, eleven, twelf I see
In sequent varietie
Of puissaunce and maistrye
With swerd, sinwes, and grammarie,
In the holde of Carc?
Lordinge it royally.
And being minded that he singleth out you, the twelfth, as potent72 in grammarie, all my care was that these Demons73 should be detained within reach of your spells until we should have time to win home to you and to apprise74 you of their farings, that so you might put forth33 your power and destroy them by art magic or ever they come safe again to many-mountained Demonland.”
The King took Gro to his bosom75 and kissed him, saying, “Art thou not a very jewel of wisdom and discretion76? Let me embrace thee and love thee for ever.”
Then the King stood back from him, keeping his hands on Gro’s shoulders, and gazed piercingly upon him for a space in silence. Then kindled77 he a taper78 that stood in an iron candlestick by the table where the books lay, and held it to Gro’s face. And the King said, “Ay, wise thou art and of good discretion, and some courage hast thou. But if thou be to serve me this night, needs must I try thee first with terrors till thou be inured79 to them, as tried gold runneth in the crucible47; or if thou be base metal only, till that thou be eaten up by them.”
Gro said unto the King, “For many years, Lord, or ever I came to Carc?, I fared up and down the world, and I am acquainted with objects of terror as a child with his toys. I have seen in the southern seas, by the light of Achemar and Canopus, giant sea-horses battling with eight-legged cuttle-fishes in the whirlpools of the Korsh. Yet was I unafraid. I was in the isle69 Ciona when the first of the pit brast forth in that isle and split it as a man’s skull80 is split with an axe81, and. the green gulfs of the sea swallowed that isle, and the stench and the steam hung in the air for days where the burning rock and earth had sizzled in the ocean. Yet was I unafraid. Also was I with Gaslark in the flight out of Zaj? Zaculo, when the Ghouls took the palace over our heads, and portents82 walked in his halls in broad daylight, and the Ghouls conjured84 the sun out of heaven. Yet was I unafraid. And for thirty days and thirty nights wandered I alone on the face of the Moruna in Upper Impland, where scarce a living soul hath been: and there the evil wights that people the air of that desert dogged my steps and gibbered at me in darkness. Yet was I unafraid; and came in due time to Morna Moruna, and thence, standing85 on the lip of the escarpment as it were on the edge of the world, looked southaway where never mortal eye had gazed aforetime, across the untrodden forests of the Bhavinan. And in that skyey distance, pre-eminent beyond range on range of ice-robed mountains, I beheld two peaks throned for ever between firm land and heaven in unearthly loveliness: the spires86 and airy ridges87 of Koshtra Pivrarcha, and the wild precipices88 that soar upward from the abysses to the queenly silent snow-dome of Koshtra Belorn.”
When Gro had ended, the King turned him away and, taking from a shelf a retort filled with a dark blue fluid, set it on a bain-marie, and a lamp thereunder. Fumes89 of a faint purple hue90 came forth from the neck of the retort, and the King gathered them in a flask45. He made signs over the flask and shook forth into his hand therefrom a fine powder. Then said he unto Gro, holding out the powder in the open palm of his hand, “Look narrowly at this powder.” And Gro looked. The King muttered an incantation, and the powder moved and heaved, and was like a crawling mass of cheesemites in an overripe cheese. It increased in volume in the King’s hand, and Gro perceived that each particular grain had legs. The grains grew before his eyes, and became the size of mustard seeds, and then of barleycorns, swiftly crawling each over other. And even as he marvelled, they waxed great as kidney beans, and now was their shape and seeming clear to him, so that he beheld that they were small frogs and paddocks; and they overflowed91 from the King’s hand as they waxed swiftly in size, pouring on to the floor. And they ceased not to increase and grow; and now were they large as little dogs, nor might the King retain more than a single one, holding his hand under its belly92 while it waved its legs in the air; and they were walking on the tables and jostling on the floor. Pallid93 they were, and permeable to light like thin horn, and their hue a faint purple, even as the hue of the vapour whence they were engendered94. And now was the room filled with them so that they mounted perforce one on another’s shoulders, and they were of the bigness of well fatted hogs95; and they goggled96 their eyes at Gro and croaked97. The King looked narrowly on Gro, who stood in the presence of that spectacle, the crown of Witchland in his hands; and the King marked that the crown trembled not a whit in Gro’s hands that held it. So he said a certain word, and the paddocks and the frogs grew small again, shrinking more swiftly than they had grown, and so vanished.
The King now took from the shelf a ball the size of the egg of an estridge, of dark green glass. He said unto Gro, “Look well at this glass and tell me what thou seest.” Gro answered him, “I see a shifting shadow within.” The King commanded him saying, “Dash it down with all thy strength upon the floor.” The Lord Gro lifted the ball with both hands above his head, and it was ponderous98 as a ball of lead, and according to the command of Gorice the King he hurled99 it on the floor, so that it was pashed in pieces. And, behold100, a puff101 of thick smoke burst forth from the fragments of the ball and took the form of one of human shape and dreadful aspect, whose two legs were two writhing102 snakes; and it stood in the chamber so tall that the head of it touched the vaulted104. ceiling, viewing the King and Gro malevolently105 and menacing them. The King caught down a sword that hung against the wall, and put it in Gro’s hand, shouting, “Smite off the legs of it! and delay not, or thou art but dead!” Gro smote106 and cut off the left leg of the evil wight, easily, as it were cutting of butter. But from the stump107 came forth two fresh snakes a-writhing; and so it fared likewise with the right leg, but the King shouted, “Smite and cease not, or thou art but a dead dog!” and ever as Gro hewed108 a snake in twain forth came two more from the wound, till the chamber was a maze109 of their wriggling110 forms. And still Gro hewed with a will, until the sweat stood on his brow, and he said, panting between the strokes, “O King, I have made him many-legged as a centipede: must I make him a myriapod ere night’s decline?” And the King smiled, and spake a word of hidden meaning; and therewith the turmoil111 was gone as a gust112 of wind departeth, and nought113 left save the shivered splinters of the green ball on the chamber floor.
“Wast not afearied?” asked the King, and when Gro said nay114, “Methinks these sights of terror should much afflict115 thee,” said the King, “since well I know thou art not skilled in art magical.”
“Yet am I a philosopher,” answered Lord Gro; “and somewhat know I of alchymy and the hidden properties of this material world: the virtues116 of herbs, plants, stones, and minerals, the ways of the stars in their courses, and the influences of those heavenly bodies. And I have held converse117 with birds and fishes in their degree, and that generation which creepeth on the earth is not held in scorn by me, but oft talk I in sweet companionship with the eft of the pond, and the glowworm, and the lady-bird, and the pismire, and their kind, making them my little gossips. So have I a certain lore118 which lighteth me in the outer court of the secret temple of grammarie and art forbid, albeit I have not peered within that temple. And by my philosophy, O King, I am certified119 concerning these apparitions120 which you have raised for me, that they be illusions and phantasms only, able to terrify the soul indeed of him that knoweth not divine philosophy, but without bodily power or essence. Nor is aught to fear in such, save the fear itself wherewith they strike the simple.”
Then said the King, “By what token knowest thou this?”
And the Lord Gro made answer unto him, “O King, as a child weaveth a daisy-chain, thus easily did you conjure83 up these shapes of terror. Not in such wise fareth he that calleth out of the deep the deadly terror indeed; but with toil121 and sweat and with straining of thought, will, heart, and sinew fareth he.”
The King smiled. “Thou sayest true. Now, therefore, since phantasmagoria maketh not thy heart to quail122, I present thee a more material horror.”
And he lighted the candles in the great candlesticks of iron and opened a little secret door in the wall of the chamber near the floor; and Gro beheld iron bars within the little door, and heard a hissing123 from behind the bars. The King took a key of silver of delicate construction, the handle slender and three spans in length, and opened the iron grated door. And the King said, “Behold and see, that which sprung from the egg of a cock, hatched by the deaf adder124. The glance of its eye sufficeth to turn to stone any living thing that standeth before it. Were I but for one instant to loose my spells whereby I hold it in subjection, in that moment would end my life days and thine. So strong in properties of ill is this serpent which the ancient Enemy that dwelleth in darkness hath placed upon this earth, to be a bane unto the children of men, but an instrument of might in the hand of enchanters and sorcerers.”
Therewith came forth that offspring of perdition from its hole, strutting125 erect126 on its two legs that were the legs of a cock; and a cock’s head it had, with rosy127 comb and wattles, but the face of it like no fowl’s face of middle-earth but rather a gorgon’s out of Hell. Black shining feathers grew on its neck, but the body of it was the body of a dragon with scales that glittered in the rays of the candles, and a scaly128 crest129 stood on its back; and its wings were like bats’ wings, and its tail the tail of an aspick with a sting in the end thereof, and from its beak its forked tongue flickered130 venomously. And the stature131 of the thing was a little above a cubit. Now because of the spells of King Gorice whereby he held it ensorcelled it might not cast its baneful132 glance upon him, nor upon Gro, but it walked back and forth in the candle light, averting133 its eyes from them. The feathers on its neck were fluffed up with anger and wondrous134 swiftly twirled its scaly tail, and it hissed135 ever more fiercely, irked by the bonds of the King’s enchantment136; and the breath of it was noisome137, and hung in sluggish wreaths about the chamber. So for a while it walked before them, and as it looked sidelong past him Gro beheld the light of its eyes that were as sick moons burning poisonously through a mist of greenish yellow in the dusk of night. And strong loathing138 seized him, so that his gorge139 rose to behold the thing, and his brow and the palms of his hands became clammy, and he said, “My Lord the King, I have looked steadfastly140 on this cockatrice arid141 it affrighteth me no whit, but it is loathly in my sight, so that my gorge riseth because of it,” and with that he fell a-vomiting. And the King commanded that serpent back into its hole, whither it returned, hissing wrathfully.
Now the King poured forth wine, speaking a charm over the cup, and when the bright wine had revived Lord Gro, the King spake saying, “It is well, O Gro, that thou hast shown thyself a philosopher indeed, and of heart intrepid142. Yet even as no blade is utterly tried until one try it in very battle, where if it snap woe66 and doom wait on the hand that wields143 it, so must thou in this midnight suffer a yet fiercer furnace-heat of terror, wherein if thou be reduced we are both lost eternally, and this Carc? and all Witchland blasted with us for ever in ruin and oblivion. Durst abide this trial?”
Gro answered, “I am hot to obey your word, O King. For well know I that it is idle to hope by phantoms144 and illusions to appal145 the Demons, and that against the Demons the deadly eye of thy cockatrice were turned in vain. Stout65 of heart are they, and instructed in all lore, and Juss a sorcerer of ancient power, who hath charms to blunt the glance of basilisk or cockatrice. He that would strike down the Demons must conjure indeed.”
“Great,” said the King, “is the strength and cunning of the seed of Demonland. By main strength have they now shown mastery over us, as sadly witnesseth the overthrow146 of Gorice XI., ’gainst whom no mortal could stand up and wrastle and not die, till cursed Goldry, drunk with spleen and envy, slew147 him in the Foliot Isles. Nor was there any aforetime to outdo us in feats148 of arms, and Gorice X., victorious149 in single combats without number, made our name glorious over all the world. Yet at the last he gat his death, out of all expectation and by what treacherous150 sleight151 I know not, standing in single combat against the curled step-dancer from Krothering. But I, that am skilled in grammarie, do bear a mightier152 engine against the Demons than brawny153 sinews or the sword that smiteth asunder154. Yet is mine engine perilous155 to him that useth it.”
Therewith the King unlocked the greatest of those books that lay by on the massive table, saying in Gro’s ear, as one who would not be overheard, “This is that awful book of grammarie wherewith in this same chamber, on such a night, Gorice VII. stirred the vasty deep. And know that from this circumstance alone ensued the ruin of King Gorice VII., in that, having by his hellish science conjured up somewhat from the primaeval dark, and being utterly fordone with the sweat and stress of his conjuring, his mind was clouded for a moment, in such sort that either he forgot the words writ103 in this grammarie, or the page whereon they were writ, or speech faded him to speak those words that must be spoken, or might to do those things which must be done to complete the charm. Wherefore he kept not his power over that which he had called out of the deep, but it turned upon him and tare156 him limb from limb. Such like doom will I avoid, renewing in these latter days those self-same spells, if thou durst stand by me undismayed the while I utter my incantations. And shouldst thou mark me fail or waver ere all be accomplished157, then shalt thyself lay hand on book and crucible and fulfil whatsoever158 is needful, as I shall first show thee. Or quailest thou at this?”
Gro said, “Lord, show me my task. And I will carry it, though all the Furies of the pit flock to this chamber to say me nay.”
So the King instructed Gro, rehearsing to him those acts that were needful, and making known unto him the divers159 pages of the grammarie whereon were writ those words which must be spoken each in its due time and sequence. But the King pronounced not yet those words, pointing only to them in the book, for whoso speaketh those words in vain and out of season is lost. And now when the retorts and beakers with their several necks and tubes and the appurtenances thereof were set in order, and the unhallowed processes of fixation, conjunction, deflagration, putrefaction160, and rubefication were nearing maturity161, and the baleful star Antares standing by the astrolabe within a little of the meridian162 signified the instant approach of midnight, the King described on the floor with his conjuring rod three pentacles inclosed within a seven-pointed star, with the signs of Cancer and of Scorpio joined by certain runes. And in the midst of the star he limned163 the image of a green crab eating of the sun. And turning to the seventy-third page of his great black grammarie the King recited in a mighty voice words of hidden meaning, calling on the name that it is a sin to utter.
Now when he had spoken the first spell and was silent, there was a deadly quiet in that chamber, and a chill in the air as of winter. And in the quiet Gro heard the King’s breath coming and going, as of one who hath rowed a course. Now the blood rushed back to Gro’s heart and his hands and feet became cold and a cold sweat brake forth on his brow. But for all that, he held yet his courage firm and his brain ready. The King motioned. to Gro to break off the tail of a certain drop of black glass that lay on the table; and with the snapping of its tail the whole drop fell in pieces in a coarse black powder. Gro by the King’s direction gathered that powder and dropped it in the great alembic wherein a green fluid seethed164 and bubbled above the flame of a lamp; and the fluid became red as blood, and the body of the alembic filled with a tawny165 smoke, and sparks of sun-like brilliance166 flashed and crackled through the smoke. Thereupon distilled167 from the neck of the alembic a white oil incombustible, and the King dipped his rod in that oil and described round the seven-pointed star on the floor the figure of the worm Ouroboros, that eateth his own tail. And he wrote the formula of the crab below the circle, and spake his second spell.
When that was done, yet more biting seemed the night air and yet more like the grave the stillness of the chamber. The King’s hand shook as with an ague as he turned the pages of the mighty book. Gro’s teeth chattered168 in his head. He gritted169 them together and waited. And now through every window came a light into the chamber as of skies paling to the dawn. Yet not wholly so; for never yet came dawn at midnight, nor from all four quarters of the sky at once, nor with such swift strides of increasing light, nor with a light so ghastly. The candle flames burned filmy as the glare waxed strong from without: an evil pallid light of bale and corruption170, wherein the hands and faces of the King Gorice and his disciple171 showed death-pale, and their lips black as the dark skin of a grape where the bloom has been rubbed off from it. The King cried terribly, “The hour approacheth!” And he took a phial of crystal containing a decoction of wolf’s jelly and salamander’s blood, and dropped seven drops from the alembic into the phial and poured forth that liquor on the figure of the crab drawn on the floor. Gro leaned against the wall, weak in body but with will unbowed. So bitter was the cold that his hands and feet were benumbed, and the liquor from the phial congealed172 where it fell. Yet the sweat stood in beads173 on the forehead of the King by reason of the mighty striving that was his, and in the overpowering glare of that light from the underskies he stood stiff and erect, hands clenched174 and arms outstretched, and spake the words LURO VOPO VIR VOARCHADUMIA.
Now with those words spoken the vivid light departed as a blown-out lamp, and the midnight closed down again without. Nor was any sound heard save the thick panting of the King; but it was as if the night held its breath in expectation of that which was to come. And the candles sputtered175 and burned blue. The King swayed and clutched the table with his left hand; and again the King pronounced terribly the word VOARCHADUMIA.
Thereafter for the space of ten heart-beats silence hung like a kestrel poised176 in the listening night. Then went a crash through earth and heaven, and a blinding wildfire through the chamber as it had been a thunderbolt. All Carc? quaked, and the chamber was filled with a beating of wings, like the wings of some monstrous bird. The air that was wintry cold waxed on a sudden hot as the breath of a burning mountain, and Gro was near choking with the smell of soot71 and the smell of brimstone. And the chamber rocked as a ship riding in a swell177 with the wind against the tide. But the King, steadying himself against the table and clutching the edge of it till the veins178 on his lean hand seemed nigh to bursting, cried in short breaths and with an altered voice, “By these figures drawn and by these spells enchanted179, by the unction of wolf and salamander, by the unblest sign of Cancer now leaning to the sun, and by the fiery180 heart of Scorpio that flameth in this hour on night’s meridian, thou art my thrall181 and instrument. Abase182 thee and serve me, worm of the pit. Else will I by and by summon out of ancient night intelligences and dominations mightier far than thou, and they shall serve mine ends, and thee shall they chain with chains of quenchless183 fire and drag thee from torment184 to torment through the deep.”
Therewith the earthquake was stilled, and there remained but a quivering of the walls and floor and the wind of those unseen wings and the hot smell of soot and brimstone burning. And speech came out of the teeming185 air of that chamber, strangely sweet, saying, “Accursed wretch186 that troublest our quiet, what is thy will?” The terror of that speech made the throat of Gro dry, and the hairs on his scalp stood up.
The King trembled in all his members like a frightened horse, yet was his voice level and his countenance187 unruffled as he said hoarsely188, “Mine enemies sail at day-break from the Foliot Isles. I loose thee against them as a falcon189 from my wrist. I give thee them. Turn them to thy will: how or where it skills not, so thou do but break and destroy them off the face of the world. Away!”
But now was the King’s endurance clean spent, so that his knees failed him and he sank like a sick man into his mighty chair. But the room was filled with a tumult190 as of rushing waters, and a laughter above the tumult like to the laughter of souls condemned191. And the King was reminded that he had left unspoken that word which should dismiss his sending. But to such weariness was he now come and so utterly was his strength gone out from him in the exercise of his spells, that his tongue clave to the roof of his mouth, so that he might not speak the word; and horribly he rolled up the whites of his eyes beckoning192 to Giro, the while his nerveless fingers sought to turn the heavy pages of the grammarie. Then sprang Gro forth to the table, and against it sprawling193, for now was the great keep of Carc? shaken anew as one shaketh a dice194 box, and lightnings opened the heavens, and the thunder roared unceasingly, and the sound of waters stunned195 the ear in that chamber, and still that laughter pealed196 above the turmoil. And Gro knew that it was now with the King even as it had been with Gorice VII. in years gone by, when his strength gave forth and the spirit tare him. and plastered those chamber-walls with his blood. Yet was Gro mindful, even in that hideous197 storm of terror, of the ninety-seventh page whereon the King had shown him the word of dismissal, and he wrenched198 the book from the King’s palsied grasp and turned to the page. Scarce had his eye found the word, when a whirlwind of hail and sleet199 swept into the chamber, and the candles were blown out and the tables overset. And in the plunging200 darkness beneath the crashing of the thunder Gro pitching headlong felt claws clasp his head and body. He cried in his agony the word, that was the word TRIPSARECOPSEM, and so fell a-swooning.
It was high noon when the Lord Gro came to his senses in that chamber. The strong spring sunshine poured through the southern window, lighting up the wreckage201 of the night. The tables were cast down and the floor strewn and splashed with costly202 essences and earths spilt from shattered phials and jars and caskets: aphroselmia, shell of gold, saffron of gold, asem, amianth, stypteria of Melos, confounded with mandragora, vinum ardens, sal armoniack, devouring203 aqua regia, little pools and scattered204 globules of quicksilver, poisonous decoctions of toadstools and of yewberries, monkshood, thorn-apple, wolf’s bane and black hellebore, quintessences of dragon’s blood and serpent’s bile; and with these, splashed together and wasted, elixirs205 that wise men have died a-dreaming of: spiritus mundi, and that sovereign alkahest which dissolveth every substance dipped therein, and that aurum potabile which being itself perfect induceth perfection in the living frame. And in this welter of spoiled treasure were the great conjuring books hurled amid the ruin of retorts and aludels of glass and lead and silver, sand-baths, matrasses, spatulae, athanors, and other instruments innumerable of rare design, tossed and broken on the chamber floor. The King’s chair was thrown against the furnace, and huddled206 against the table lay the King, his head thrown back, his black beard pointing skyward, showing his sinewy207 hairy throat. Gro looked narrowly at him; saw that he seemed unhurt and slept deep; and so, knowing well that sleep is a present remedy for every ill, watched by the King in silence all day till supper time, for all he was sore an-hungered.
When at length the King awoke, he looked about him in amaze. “Methought I tripped at the last step of last night’s journey,” he said. “And truly strange riot hath left its footprints in my chamber.”
Gro answered, “Lord, sorely was I tried; yet fulfilled I your behest.”
The King laughed as one whose soul is at ease, and standing upon his feet said unto Gro, “Take up the crown of Witchland and crown me. And that high honour shalt thou have, because I do love thee for this night gone by.”
Now without were the lords of Witchland assembled in the courtyard, being bound for the great banqueting hall to eat and drink, unto whom the King came forth from the gate below the keep, robed in his conjuring robe. Wondrous bright sparkled the gems of the iron crown of Witchland above the heavy brow and cheekbones and the fierce disdainful lip of the King, as he stood there in his majesty, and Gro with the guard of honour stood in the shadow of the gate. And the King said, “My lords Corund and Corsus and Corinius and Gallandus, and ye sons of Corsus and of Corund, and ye, other Witches, behold your King, the twelfth Gorice, crowned with this crown in Carc? to be King of Witchland and of Demonland. And all countries of the world and the rulers thereof, so many as the sun doth spread his beams over, shall do me obeisance208, and call me King and Lord.”
All they shouted assent209, praising the King and bowing down before him.
Then said the King, “Imagine not that oaths sworn unto the Demons by Gorice XI. of memory ever glorious bind210 me any whit. I will not be at peace with this Juss and his brethren, but do account them all mine enemies. And this night have I made a sending to take them on the waste of waters as they sail homeward to many-Mountained Demonland.”
Corund said, “Lord, your words are as wine unto us. And well we guessed that the principalities of darkness were afoot last night, seeing all Carc? rocked and the foundations thereof rose and fell as the breast of the large earth a-breathing.”
When they were come into the banqueting hall, the King said, “Gro shall sit at my right hand this night, since manfully hath he served me.” And when they scowled211 at this, and spake each in the other’s ear, the King said, “Whoso among you shall so serve me and so, water the growth of this Witchland as hath Gro in this night gone by, unto him will I do like honour.” But unto Gro he said, “I will bring thee home to Goblinland in triumph, that wentest forth an exile. I will pluck Gaslark from his throne, and make thee king in Zaj? Zaculo, and all Goblinland shalt thou hold for me in fee, exercising dominion212 over it.”
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1
chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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dole
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| n.救济，（失业）救济金；vt.（out）发放，发给 | |
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doom
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| n.厄运，劫数；v.注定，命定 | |
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hoisted
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| 把…吊起，升起( hoist的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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eastward
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| adv.向东；adj.向东的；n.东方，东部 | |
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6
ward
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| n.守卫，监护，病房，行政区，由监护人或法院保护的人（尤指儿童）；vt.守护，躲开 | |
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7
abated
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| 减少( abate的过去式和过去分词 )； 减去； 降价； 撤消（诉讼） | |
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dunes
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| 沙丘( dune的名词复数 ) | |
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9
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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solitary
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| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
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clumps
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| n.（树、灌木、植物等的）丛、簇( clump的名词复数 )；（土、泥等）团；块；笨重的脚步声v.（树、灌木、植物等的）丛、簇( clump的第三人称单数 )；（土、泥等）团；块；笨重的脚步声 | |
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12
willow
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| n.柳树 | |
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13
northward
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| adv.向北；n.北方的地区 | |
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14
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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15
marshes
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| n.沼泽，湿地( marsh的名词复数 ) | |
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monstrous
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| adj.巨大的；恐怖的；可耻的，丢脸的 | |
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fortress
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| n.堡垒，防御工事 | |
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untold
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| adj.数不清的，无数的 | |
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crab
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| n.螃蟹，偏航，脾气乖戾的人，酸苹果；vi.捕蟹，偏航，发牢骚；vt.使偏航，发脾气 | |
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20
cypress
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| n.柏树 | |
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21
fortified
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| adj. 加强的 | |
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22
turrets
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| （六角）转台( turret的名词复数 )； （战舰和坦克等上的）转动炮塔； （摄影机等上的）镜头转台； （旧时攻城用的）塔车 | |
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23
dismal
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| adj.阴沉的，凄凉的，令人忧郁的，差劲的 | |
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24
embodied
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| v.表现( embody的过去式和过去分词 )；象征；包括；包含 | |
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25
dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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26
sluggish
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| adj.懒惰的，迟钝的，无精打采的 | |
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likeness
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| n.相像，相似（之处） | |
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fen
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| n.沼泽，沼池 | |
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29
ascent
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| n.(声望或地位)提高；上升，升高；登高 | |
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reverently
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| adv.虔诚地 | |
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gems
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| growth； economy； management； and customer satisfaction 增长 | |
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winding
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| n.绕，缠，绕组，线圈 | |
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33
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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majesty
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| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
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35
marvelled
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| v.惊奇，对…感到惊奇( marvel的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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marvel
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| vi.(at)惊叹vt.感到惊异；n.令人惊异的事 | |
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37
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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gathering
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| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
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39
twilight
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| n.暮光，黄昏；暮年，晚期，衰落时期 | |
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40
hearth
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| n.壁炉炉床，壁炉地面 | |
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41
recesses
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| n.壁凹( recess的名词复数 )；（工作或业务活动的）中止或暂停期间；学校的课间休息；某物内部的凹形空间v.把某物放在墙壁的凹处( recess的第三人称单数 )；将（墙）做成凹形，在（墙）上做壁龛；休息，休会，休庭 | |
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42
lighting
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| n.照明，光线的明暗，舞台灯光 | |
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43
earthenware
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| n.土器，陶器 | |
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44
flasks
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| n.瓶，长颈瓶， 烧瓶( flask的名词复数 ) | |
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45
flask
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| n.瓶，火药筒，砂箱 | |
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46
crucibles
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| n.坩埚，严酷的考验（ crucible的名词复数 ） | |
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47
crucible
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| n.坩锅，严酷的考验 | |
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48
doorway
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| n.门口，(喻)入门；门路，途径 | |
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49
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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50
conjuring
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| n.魔术 | |
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51
secrecy
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| n.秘密，保密，隐蔽 | |
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52
hovered
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| 鸟( hover的过去式和过去分词 )； 靠近（某事物）； （人）徘徊； 犹豫 | |
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53
beak
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| n.鸟嘴，茶壶嘴，钩形鼻 | |
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54
jaw
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| n.颚，颌，说教，流言蜚语；v.喋喋不休，教训 | |
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55
hardy
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| adj.勇敢的，果断的，吃苦的；耐寒的 | |
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56
albeit
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| conj.即使；纵使；虽然 | |
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57
peril
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| n.(严重的)危险；危险的事物 | |
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58
tempt
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| vt.引诱，勾引，吸引，引起…的兴趣 | |
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59
utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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60
cormorant
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| n.鸬鹚，贪婪的人 | |
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61
abide
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| vi.遵守；坚持；vt.忍受 | |
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62
blenched
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| v.（因惊吓而）退缩，惊悸( blench的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）变白，（使）变苍白 | |
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63
whit
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| n.一点，丝毫 | |
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64
stoutly
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| adv.牢固地，粗壮的 | |
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66
woe
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| n.悲哀，苦痛，不幸，困难；int.用来表达悲伤或惊慌 | |
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67
woes
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| 困境( woe的名词复数 )； 悲伤； 我好苦哇； 某人就要倒霉 | |
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68
isles
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| 岛( isle的名词复数 ) | |
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69
isle
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| n.小岛，岛 | |
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70
beheld
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| v.看，注视( behold的过去式和过去分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
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71
soot
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| n.煤烟，烟尘；vt.熏以煤烟 | |
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72
potent
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| adj.强有力的，有权势的；有效力的 | |
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73
demons
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| n.恶人( demon的名词复数 )；恶魔；精力过人的人；邪念 | |
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74
apprise
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| vt.通知，告知 | |
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75
bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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76
discretion
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| n.谨慎；随意处理 | |
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77
kindled
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| （使某物）燃烧，着火( kindle的过去式和过去分词 )； 激起（感情等）； 发亮，放光 | |
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78
taper
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| n.小蜡烛，尖细，渐弱；adj.尖细的；v.逐渐变小 | |
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79
inured
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| adj.坚强的，习惯的 | |
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80
skull
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| n.头骨；颅骨 | |
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81
axe
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| n.斧子；v.用斧头砍，削减 | |
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82
portents
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| n.预兆( portent的名词复数 )；征兆；怪事；奇物 | |
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83
conjure
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| v.恳求，祈求；变魔术，变戏法 | |
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84
conjured
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| 用魔术变出( conjure的过去式和过去分词 )； 祈求，恳求； 变戏法； （变魔术般地） 使…出现 | |
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85
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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86
spires
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| n.（教堂的） 塔尖，尖顶( spire的名词复数 ) | |
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87
ridges
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| n.脊( ridge的名词复数 )；山脊；脊状突起；大气层的)高压脊 | |
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88
precipices
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| n.悬崖，峭壁( precipice的名词复数 ) | |
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89
fumes
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| n.(强烈而刺激的)气味，气体 | |
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90
hue
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| n.色度；色调；样子 | |
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91
overflowed
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| 溢出的 | |
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92
belly
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| n.肚子，腹部；(像肚子一样)鼓起的部分，膛 | |
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93
pallid
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| adj.苍白的，呆板的 | |
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94
engendered
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| v.产生（某形势或状况），造成，引起( engender的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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95
hogs
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| n.（尤指喂肥供食用的）猪( hog的名词复数 )；（供食用的）阉公猪；彻底地做某事；自私的或贪婪的人 | |
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96
goggled
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| adj.戴护目镜的v.睁大眼睛瞪视， （惊讶的）转动眼珠( goggle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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97
croaked
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| v.呱呱地叫( croak的过去式和过去分词 )；用粗的声音说 | |
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98
ponderous
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| adj.沉重的，笨重的，(文章)冗长的 | |
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99
hurled
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| v.猛投，用力掷( hurl的过去式和过去分词 )；大声叫骂 | |
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100
behold
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| v.看，注视，看到 | |
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101
puff
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| n.一口(气)；一阵(风)；v.喷气，喘气 | |
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102
writhing
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| （因极度痛苦而）扭动或翻滚( writhe的现在分词 ) | |
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103
writ
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| n.命令状，书面命令 | |
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104
vaulted
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| adj.拱状的 | |
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105
malevolently
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106
smote
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| v.猛打，重击，打击( smite的过去式 ) | |
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107
stump
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| n.残株，烟蒂，讲演台；v.砍断，蹒跚而走 | |
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108
hewed
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| v.（用斧、刀等）砍、劈( hew的过去式和过去分词 )；砍成；劈出；开辟 | |
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109
maze
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| n.迷宫，八阵图，混乱，迷惑 | |
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110
wriggling
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| v.扭动，蠕动，蜿蜒行进( wriggle的现在分词 )；（使身体某一部位）扭动；耍滑不做，逃避（应做的事等）；蠕蠕 | |
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111
turmoil
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| n.骚乱，混乱，动乱 | |
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112
gust
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| n.阵风，突然一阵（雨、烟等），（感情的）迸发 | |
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113
nought
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| n.／adj.无，零 | |
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114
nay
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| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
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115
afflict
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| vt.使身体或精神受痛苦，折磨 | |
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116
virtues
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| 美德( virtue的名词复数 )； 德行； 优点； 长处 | |
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117
converse
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| vi.谈话，谈天，闲聊；adv.相反的，相反 | |
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118
lore
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| n.传说；学问，经验，知识 | |
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119
certified
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| a.经证明合格的；具有证明文件的 | |
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120
apparitions
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| n.特异景象( apparition的名词复数 )；幽灵；鬼；（特异景象等的）出现 | |
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121
toil
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| vi.辛劳工作，艰难地行动；n.苦工，难事 | |
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122
quail
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| n.鹌鹑；vi.畏惧，颤抖 | |
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123
hissing
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| n. 发嘶嘶声, 蔑视 动词hiss的现在分词形式 | |
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124
adder
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| n.蝰蛇；小毒蛇 | |
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125
strutting
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| 加固，支撑物 | |
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126
erect
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| n./v.树立，建立，使竖立；adj.直立的，垂直的 | |
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127
rosy
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| adj.美好的，乐观的，玫瑰色的 | |
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128
scaly
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| adj.鱼鳞状的；干燥粗糙的 | |
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129
crest
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| n.顶点；饰章；羽冠；vt.达到顶点；vi.形成浪尖 | |
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130
flickered
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| （通常指灯光）闪烁，摇曳( flicker的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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131
stature
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| n.（高度）水平，（高度）境界，身高，身材 | |
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132
baneful
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| adj.有害的 | |
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133
averting
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| 防止，避免( avert的现在分词 )； 转移 | |
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134
wondrous
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| adj.令人惊奇的，奇妙的；adv.惊人地；异乎寻常地；令人惊叹地 | |
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135
hissed
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| 发嘶嘶声( hiss的过去式和过去分词 )； 发嘘声表示反对 | |
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136
enchantment
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| n.迷惑，妖术，魅力 | |
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137
noisome
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| adj.有害的，可厌的 | |
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138
loathing
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| n.厌恶，憎恨v.憎恨，厌恶( loathe的现在分词)；极不喜欢 | |
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139
gorge
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| n.咽喉，胃，暴食，山峡；v.塞饱，狼吞虎咽地吃 | |
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140
steadfastly
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| adv.踏实地，不变地；岿然；坚定不渝 | |
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141
arid
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| adj.干旱的；(土地)贫瘠的 | |
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142
intrepid
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| adj.无畏的，刚毅的 | |
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143
wields
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| 手持着使用（武器、工具等）( wield的第三人称单数 )； 具有； 运用（权力）； 施加（影响） | |
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144
phantoms
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| n.鬼怪，幽灵( phantom的名词复数 ) | |
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145
appal
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| vt.使胆寒，使惊骇 | |
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146
overthrow
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| v.推翻，打倒，颠覆；n.推翻，瓦解，颠覆 | |
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147
slew
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| v.（使）旋转；n.大量，许多 | |
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148
feats
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| 功绩，伟业，技艺( feat的名词复数 ) | |
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149
victorious
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| adj.胜利的，得胜的 | |
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150
treacherous
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| adj.不可靠的，有暗藏的危险的；adj.背叛的，背信弃义的 | |
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151
sleight
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| n.技巧，花招 | |
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152
mightier
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| adj. 强有力的，强大的，巨大的 adv. 很，极其 | |
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153
brawny
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| adj.强壮的 | |
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154
asunder
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| adj.分离的，化为碎片 | |
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155
perilous
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| adj.危险的，冒险的 | |
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156
tare
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| n.皮重；v.量皮重 | |
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157
accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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158
whatsoever
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| adv.（用于否定句中以加强语气）任何；pron.无论什么 | |
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159
divers
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| adj.不同的；种种的 | |
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160
putrefaction
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| n.腐坏，腐败 | |
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161
maturity
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| n.成熟；完成；(支票、债券等)到期 | |
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162
meridian
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| adj.子午线的；全盛期的 | |
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163
limned
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| v.画( limn的过去式和过去分词 )；勾画；描写；描述 | |
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164
seethed
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| （液体）沸腾( seethe的过去式和过去分词 )； 激动，大怒； 强压怒火； 生闷气(~with sth|~ at sth) | |
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165
tawny
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| adj.茶色的，黄褐色的；n.黄褐色 | |
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166
brilliance
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| n.光辉，辉煌，壮丽，（卓越的）才华，才智 | |
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167
distilled
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| adj.由蒸馏得来的v.蒸馏( distil的过去式和过去分词 )；从…提取精华 | |
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168
chattered
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| （人）喋喋不休( chatter的过去式 )； 唠叨； （牙齿）打战； （机器）震颤 | |
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169
gritted
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| v.以沙砾覆盖（某物），撒沙砾于( grit的过去式和过去分词 )；咬紧牙关 | |
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170
corruption
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| n.腐败，堕落，贪污 | |
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171
disciple
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| n.信徒，门徒，追随者 | |
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172
congealed
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| v.使凝结，冻结( congeal的过去式和过去分词 )；（指血）凝结 | |
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173
beads
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| n.（空心）小珠子( bead的名词复数 )；水珠；珠子项链 | |
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174
clenched
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| v.紧握，抓紧，咬紧( clench的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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175
sputtered
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| v.唾沫飞溅( sputter的过去式和过去分词 )；发劈啪声；喷出；飞溅出 | |
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176
poised
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| a.摆好姿势不动的 | |
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177
swell
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| vi.膨胀，肿胀；增长，增强 | |
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178
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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179
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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180
fiery
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| adj.燃烧着的，火红的；暴躁的；激烈的 | |
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181
thrall
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| n.奴隶；奴隶制 | |
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182
abase
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| v.降低，贬抑 | |
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183
quenchless
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| 不可熄灭的 | |
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184
torment
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| n.折磨；令人痛苦的东西(人)；vt.折磨；纠缠 | |
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185
teeming
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| adj.丰富的v.充满( teem的现在分词 )；到处都是；（指水、雨等）暴降；倾注 | |
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186
wretch
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| n.可怜的人，不幸的人；卑鄙的人 | |
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187
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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188
hoarsely
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| adv.嘶哑地 | |
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189
falcon
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| n.隼，猎鹰 | |
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190
tumult
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| n.喧哗；激动，混乱；吵闹 | |
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191
condemned
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| adj. 被责难的, 被宣告有罪的 动词condemn的过去式和过去分词 | |
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192
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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193
sprawling
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| adj.蔓生的，不规则地伸展的v.伸开四肢坐[躺]( sprawl的现在分词 )；蔓延；杂乱无序地拓展；四肢伸展坐着（或躺着） | |
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194
dice
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| n.骰子；vt.把（食物）切成小方块，冒险 | |
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195
stunned
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| adj. 震惊的，惊讶的 动词stun的过去式和过去分词 | |
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196
pealed
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| v.（使）（钟等）鸣响，（雷等）发出隆隆声( peal的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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197
hideous
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| adj.丑陋的，可憎的，可怕的，恐怖的 | |
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198
wrenched
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| v.（猛力地）扭( wrench的过去式和过去分词 )；扭伤；使感到痛苦；使悲痛 | |
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199
sleet
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| n.雨雪；v.下雨雪，下冰雹 | |
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200
plunging
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| adj.跳进的，突进的v.颠簸( plunge的现在分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
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201
wreckage
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| n.（失事飞机等的）残骸，破坏，毁坏 | |
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202
costly
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| adj.昂贵的，价值高的，豪华的 | |
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203
devouring
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| 吞没( devour的现在分词 )； 耗尽； 津津有味地看； 狼吞虎咽地吃光 | |
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204
scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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205
elixirs
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| n.炼金药，长生不老药( elixir的名词复数 )；酏剂 | |
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206
huddled
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| 挤在一起（huddle的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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207
sinewy
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| adj.多腱的，强壮有力的 | |
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208
obeisance
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| n.鞠躬，敬礼 | |
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209
assent
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| v.批准，认可；n.批准，认可 | |
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210
bind
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| vt.捆，包扎；装订；约束；使凝固；vi.变硬 | |
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211
scowled
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| 怒视，生气地皱眉( scowl的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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212
dominion
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| n.统治，管辖，支配权；领土，版图 | |
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