THE morrow of that battle dawned fair on Carc?. Folk lay long abed after their toil1, and until the sun was high nought2 stirred before the walls. But toward noon came forth4 a band sent by King Gorice to bring in the spoil; and they took up the bodies of the slain5 and laid them in howe on the right bank of the river Druima half a mile below Carc?, Witches, Demons6, and Goblins in one grave together, and raised up a great howe over them.
Now was the sun’s heat strong, but the shadow of the great keep rested still on the terrace without the western wall of the palace. Cool and redolent of ease and soft repose7 was that terrace, paved with flagstones of red jasper, with spleenwort, assafoetida, livid toadstools, dragons’ teeth, and bitter moon-seed growing in the joints10.
On the outer edge of the terrace were bushes of arbor11 vitae planted in a row, squat12 and round like sleeping dormice, with clumps13 of choke-pard aconite in the interspaces. Many hundred feet in length was the terrace from north to south, and at either end a flight of black marble steps led down to the level of the inner ward3 and its embattled wall.
Benches of green jasper massily built and laden14 with velvet15 cushions of many colours stood against the palace wall facing to the west, and on the bench nearest the Iron Tower a lady sat at ease, eating cream wafers and a quince tart16 served by her waiting-women in dishes of pale gold for her morning meal. Tall was that lady and slender, and beauty dwelt in her as the sunshine dwells in the red floor and gray-green trunks of a beech17 wood in early spring. Her tawny18 hair was gathered in deep folds upon her head and made fast by great silver pins, their heads set with anachite diamonds. Her gown was of cloth of silver with a knotted cord-work of black silk embroidery19 everywhere decked with little moonstones, and over it she wore a mantle20 of figured satin the colour of the wood-pigeon’s wing, tinselled and overcast22 with silver threads. White-skinned she was, and graceful24 as an antelope25. Her eyes were green, with yellow fiery26 gleams. Daintily she ate the tart and wafers, sipping27 at whiles from a cup of amber28, artificially carved, white wine cool from the cellars below Carc?; and a maiden29 sitting at her feet played on a seven-stringed lute30, singing very sweetly this song:
Aske me no more where Jove bestowes,
When June is past, the fading rose;
For in your beautie’s orient deepe,
These flowers, as in their causes, sleepe.
Aske me no more whether doth stray
The golden atomes of the day;
For in pure love heaven did prepare
Those powders to inrich your haire.
Aske me no more whether doth hast
The nightingale when May is past;
For in your sweet dividing throat
She winters and keepes warme her note.
Aske me no more where those starres light,
That downewards fall in dead of night;
For in your eyes they sit, and there
Fixed31 become as in their sphere.
Aske me no more if east or west
The Phenix builds her spicy32 nest;
For unto you at last Shi flies,
And in your fragrant33 bosome dyes.
“No more,” said the lady; “thy voice is cracked this morning. Is none abroad yet thou canst find to tell me of last night’s doings? Or are all gone my lord’s gate, that I left sleeping still as though all the poppies of all earth’s gardens breathed drowsiness35 about his head?”
“One cometh, madam,” said the damosel.
The lady said, “The Lord Gro. He may resolve me. Though were he in the stour last night, that were a wonder indeed.”
Therewith came Gro along the terrace from the north, clad in a mantle of dun-coloured velvet with a collar of raised work of gold upon silver purl; and his long black curly beard was perfumed with orange-flower water and angelica. When they had greeted one another and the lady had bidden her women stand apart, she said, “My lord, I thirst for tidings. Recount to me all that befell since sundown. For I slept soundly till the streaks36 of morning showed through my chamber37 windows, and then I awoke from a flying dream of sennets sounding to the onset38, and torches in the night, and war’s alarums. And there were torches indeed in my chamber lighting39 my lord to bed, that answered me no word but straightway fell asleep as in utter weariness. Some slight scratches he hath, but else unhurt. I would not wake him, for balm is in slumber40; also is he ill to do with if one wake him so. But the tattle and wild surmise41 of the servants bloweth as ever to all points of wonder: as that a great armament of Demonland is disembarked at Tenemos, and all routed last night by my lord and by Corinius, and Goldry Bluszco slain in single combat with the King. Or that Juss hath set a charm on Laxus and all our fleet, making them sail like parricides against this land, Juss and the other Demons leading them; and all slain save Laxus and Goldry Bluszco, but these brought bound into Carc?, stark42 mad and frothing at the lips, and Corinius dead of his wounds after slaying43 of Brandoch Daha. Or, foolishly,” and her green eyes lightened dangerously, “that it was my brother risen in revolt to wrest44 Pixyland from the overlordship of Gorice, and joined with Gaslark to that end, and their army overthrown45 and both ta’en prisoner.”
Gro laughed and said, “Surely, O my Lady Prezmyra, truth masketh in many a strange disguise when she rideth rumour’s broomstick through kings’ palaces. But somewhat of herself hath she shown thee, if thou conclude that an event was brought to birth betwixt dark and sunrise to stagger the world, and that the power of Witchland bloomed forth this night into unbeholden glory.”
“Thou speakest big, my lord,” said the lady. “Were the Demons in it?”
“Ay, madam,” he said.
“And triumphed on? and slain?”
“All slain save Juss and Brandoch Daha, and they taken,” said Gro.
“Was this my lord’s doing?” she asked.
“Greatly, as I think,” said Gro; “though Corinius claimeth for himself, as commonly, the main honour of it.”
Prezmyra said, “He claimeth overmuch.” And she said, “There were none in it save Demons?”
Gro, knowing her thought, smiled and made answer, “Madam, there were Witches.”
“My Lord Gro,” she cried, “thou dost ill to mock me. Thou art my friend. Thou knowest the Prince my brother proud and sudden to anger. Thou knowest it chafeth him to have Witchland over him. Thou knowest the time is many days overpast when he should bring his yearly tribute to the King.”
Gro’s great ox-eyes were soft as he looked upon the Lady Prezmyra, saying, “Most assuredly am I thy friend, madam. Belike, if truth were told, thou and thy lord are all the true friends I have in waterish Witchland: you two, and the King: but who sleepeth safe in the favour of kings? Ah, madam, none of Pixyland stood in the battle yesternight. Therefore let thy soul be at ease. But my task it was, standing49 on the battlements beside the King, to smile and smile while Corinius and our fighting men made a bloody50 havoc51 of four or five hundred of mine own kinsfolk.”
Prezmyra caught her breath and was silent a moment. Then, “Gaslark?”
“The main force was his, it appeareth,” answered Lord Gro. “Corinius braggeth himself his banesman, and certain it is he felled him to earth. But I am secretly advertised he was not among the dead taken up this morning.”
“My lord,” she said, “my desire for news drinks deep while thou art fasting. Some, bring meat and wine for my Lord Gro.” And two damosels ran and returned with sparkling golden wine in a beaker, and a dish of lampreys with hippocras sauce. So Gro sat him down on the jasper bench and, while he ate and drank, rehearsed to the Lady Prezmyra the doings of the night.
When he had ended she said, “How hath the King dealt with those twain, Lord Juss and Lord Brandoch Daha?”
Gro answered, “He hath them clapped up in the old banqueting hall in the Iron Tower.” And his brow darkened, and he said, “’Tis pity thy lord lay thus long abed, and so came not to the council, where Corsus and Corinius, backed by thy step-sons and the sons of Corsus, egged on the King to use shamefully53 these lords of Demonland. True is that distich which admonisheth us —
Know when to speak, for many times it brings
Danger to give the best advice to Kings;
and little for my health, and little gain withal, had it been had I then openly withstood them. Corinius is ever watchful54 to fling Goblin in my teeth. But Corund weigheth in their councils as his hand weigheth in battle.”
Now as Gro spake came the Lord Corund on the terrace, calling for still wine to cool his throat withal. Prezmyra poured forth to him: “Thou art blamed to me for keeping thy bed, my lord, that shouldst have been devising with the King touching55 our enemies ta’en captive in this night gone by.”
Corund sat by his lady on the bench and drank. “If that be all, madam,” said be, “then have I little to charge my conscience withal. For nought lies readier than strike off their heads, and so bring all to a fit and happy ending.”
“Far otherwise,” said Gro, “hath the King determined56. He let drag before him Lord Juss and Lord Brandoch Daha, and with many fleers and jibes57, ‘Welcome,’ he saith, ‘to Carc?. Your table shall not lack store of delicates while ye are my guests; albeit58 ye come unbidden.’ Therewith he let drag them to the old banquet hall. And he bade his smiths drive great iron staples59 into the wall, whereon he let hang up the Demons by their wrists, spread-eagled against the wall, making both wrists and ankles fast to the staples with gyves of iron. And the King let dight the table before their feet as for a banquet, that the sight and the savour might torment60 them. And he called all us to his council thither61 that we might praise his conceit62 and mock them anew.”
Said Prezmyra, “A great king should rather be a dog that killeth clean, than a cat that patteth and sporteth with his prey52.”
“True it is,” said Corund, “that they were safer slain.” He rose from his seat. “’Twere not amiss,” he said, “that I had word with the King.”
“Wherefore so?” asked Prezmyra.
“He that sleepeth late,” said Corund, eyeing her humorously, “sometimes hath news for her that riseth betimes to sit on the western terrace. And this was I come to tell thee, that I but now behold47 eastward63 from our chamber window, riding toward Carc? out of Pixyland down the Way of Kings —”
“La Fireez?” she said.
“Mine eyes be strong enow and clear enow,” said Corund, “but thou’dst scarce require me swear to mine own brother at three miles’ distance. And as for thine, I leave thee the swearing.”
“Who should ride down the Way of Kings from Pixyland,” cried Prezmyra, “but La Fireez?”
“That, madam, let Echo answer thee,” said Corund. “And it sticketh in my mind, that the Prince my brother-in-law is one that tieth to his heartstrings the remembrance of past benefits. This too, that none did him ever a greater benefit than Juss, that saved his life six winters back in Impland the More. Wherefore, if La Fireez be to share our revels64 this night, needful it is that the King command these gabblers to keep silence touching our entertainment of these lords in the old banquet hall, and in general touching the share of Demonland in this fighting.”
Prezmyra said, “Come, I’ll go with thee.”
They found the King on the topmost battlements above the water-gate with his lords about him, gazing eastaway toward the long low hills beyond which lay Pixyland. But when Corund began to open his mind to the King, the King said, “Thou growest old, O Corund, and like a good-for-nothing chapman bringest not thy wares65 to market ere the market be done. I have already ta’en order for this, and straitly charged my people that nought befell last night save a faring of the Goblins against Carc?, and their overthrow46, and my chasing of them with a great slaughter66 into the sea. Whoso by speech or sign shall reveal to La Fireez that the Demons were in it, or that these enemies of mine are thus entertained by me to their discomfort68 in the old banquet hall, he shall lose nothing but his life.”
Corund said, “It is well, O King.”
The King said, “Captain general, what is our strength?” Corinius answered, “Seventy and three were slain, and the others for the most part hurt: I among them, that am thus one-handed for the while. I will not engage to find you, O King, fifty sound men in Carc?.”
“My Lord Corund,” said the King, “thine eyes pierced ever a league beyond the best among us, young or old. How many makest thou yon company?”
Corund leaned on the parapet and shaded his eyes with his hand that was broad as a smoked haddock and covered on the back with yellow hairs growing somewhat sparsely69, as the hairs on the skin of a young elephant. “He rideth with three score horse, O King. One or two more I give you for good luck, but if a have a horseman fewer than sixty, never love me more.”
The King muttered an imprecation. “It is the curse of chance bringeth him thus pat when I have my powers abroad and am left with too little strength to awe70 him if he prove irksome. One of thy sons, O Corund, shall take horse and ride south to Zorn and Permio and muster71 a few score fighting men from the herdsmen and farmers with what speed he may. It is commanded.”
Now was the afternoon wearing to evening when the Prince La Fireez was come in with all his company, and greetings done, and the tribute safe bestowed72, and sleeping room appointed for him and his. And now ere all gathered together in the great banquet hall that was built by Gorice XI., when he was first made King, in the southeast corner of the palace; and it far exceeded in greatness and magnificence the old hall where Lord Juss and Lord Brandoch Daha were held in duress73. Seven equal walls it had, of dark green jasper, specked with bloody spots. In the midst of one wall was the lofty doorway74, and in the walls right and left of this and in those that inclosed the angle opposite the door were great windows placed high, giving light to the banquet hall. In each of the seven angles of the wall a caryatide, cut in the likeness75 of a three-headed giant from ponderous76 blocks of black serpentine77, bowed beneath the mass of a monstrous78 crab79 hewn out of the same stone. The mighty80 claws of those seven crabs81 spreading upwards82 bare up the dome83 of the roof, that was smooth and covered all over with paintings of battles and hunting scenes and wrastling bouts84 in dark and smoky colours answerable to the gloomy grandeur85 of that chamber. On the walls beneath the windows gleamed weapons of war and of the chase, and on the two blind walls were nailed up all orderly the skulls86 and dead bones of those champions which had wrastled aforetime with King Gorice XI. or ever he appointed in an evil hour to wrastle with Goldry Bluszco. Across the innermost angle facing the door was a long table and a carven bench behind it, and from the two ends of that table, set square with it, two other tables yet longer and benches by them on the sides next the wall stretched to within a short space of the door. Midmost of the table to the right of the door was a high seat of old cypress87 wood, great and fair, with cushions of black velvet broidered with gold, and facing it at the opposite table another high seat, smaller, and the cushions of it sewn with silver. In the space betwixt the tables five iron braziers, massive and footed with claws like an eagle’s, stood in a row, and behind the benches on either side were nine great stands for flamboys to light the hall by night, and seven behind the cross bench, set at equal distances and even with the walls. The floor was paved with steatite, white and creamy, with veins88 of rich brown and black and purples and splashes of scarlet89. The tables resting on great trestles were massy slabs90 of a dusky polished stone, powdered with sparks of gold as small as atoms.
The women sat on the cross-bench, and midmost of them the Lady Prezmyra, who outwent the rest in beauty and queenliness as Venus the lesser91 planets of the night. Zenambria, wife to Duke Corsus, sat on her left, and on her right Sriva, daughter to Corsus, strangely fair for such a father. On the upper bench, to the right of the door, the lords of Witchland sat above and below the King’s high seat, clad in holiday attire92, and they of Pixyland had place over against them on the lower bench. The high seat on the lower bench was set apart for La Fireez. Great plates and dishes of gold and silver and painted porcelain93 were set in order on the tables, laden with delicacies94. Harps95 and bagpipes96 struck up a barbaric music, and the guests rose to their feet, as the shining doors swung open and Gorice the King followed by the prince his guest entered that hall.
Like a black eagle surveying earth from some high mountain the King passed by in his majesty97. His byrny was of black chain mail, its collar, sleeves, and skirt edged with plates of dull gold set with hyacinths and black opals. His hose were black, cross-gartered with bands of sealskin trimmed with diamonds. On his left thumb was his great signet ring fashioned in gold in the semblance99 of the worm Ouroboros that eateth his own tail: the bezel of the ring the head of the worm, made of a peach-coloured ruby100 of the bigness of a sparrow’s egg. His cloak was woven of the skins of black cobras stitched together with gold wire, its lining101 of black silk sprinkled with dust of gold. The iron crown of Witchland weighed on. his brow, the claws of the crab erect102 like horns; and the sheen of its jewels was many-coloured like the rays of Sirius on a clear night of frost and wind at Yule-tide.
The Prince La Fireez went in a mantle of black sendaline sprinkled everywhere with spangles of gold, and the tunic103 beneath it of rich figured silk dyed deep purple of the Pasque flower. From the golden circlet on his head two wings sprung aloft exquisitely104 fashioned in plates of beaten copper105 veneered with jewels and enamels106 and plated with precious metals to the semblance-of the wings of the oleander hawk-moth. He was something below the common height, but stout107 and strong and sturdily knit, with red crisp curly hair, broad-faced and ruddy, clean-shaved, with high wide-nostrilled nose and bushy red heavy eyebrows108, whence his eyes, most like his lady sister’s, sea-green and fiery, shot glances like a lion’s.
When the King was come into his high seat, with Corund and Corinius on his left and right in honour of their great deeds of arms, and La Fireez facing him in the high seat on the lower bench, the thralls109 made haste to set forth dishes of pickled grigs and oysters111 in the shell, and whilks, snails112, and cockles fried in olive oil and swimming in red and white hippocras. And the feasters delayed not to fall to on these dainties, while the cupbearer bore round a mighty bowl of beaten gold filled with sparkling wine the hue113 of the yellow sapphire114, and furnished with six golden ladles resting their handles in six half-moon shaped nicks in the rim98 of that great bowl. Each guest when the bowl was brought to him must brim his goblet115 with the ladle, and drink unto the glory of Witchland and the rulers thereof.
Somewhat greenly looked Corinius on the Prince, and whispering Heming, Corund’s son, in the ear, who sat next him, he said, “True it is that La Fireez is the showiest of men in all that belongeth to gear and costly116 array. Mark with what ridiculous excess he affecteth Demonland in the great store of jewels he flaunteth, and with what an apish insolence117 he sitteth at the board. Yet this lobcock liveth only by our sufferance, and I see a hath not forgot to bring with him to Witchland the price of our hand withheld118 from twisting of his neck.”
Now were borne round dishes of carp, pilchards, and lobsters119, and thereafter store enow of meats: a fat kid roasted whole and garnished120 with peas on a spacious121 silver charger, kid pasties, plates of neats’ tongues and sweetbreads, sucking rabbits in jellies, hedgehogs baked in their skins, hogs’ haslets, carbonadoes, chitterlings, and dormouse pies. These and other luscious123 meats were borne round continually by thralls who moved silent on bare feet; and merry waxed the talk as the edge of hunger became blunted a little, and the cockles of men’s hearts were warmed with wine.
“What news in Witchland?” asked La Fireez.
‘I have heard nought newer,” said the King, “than the slaying of Gaslark.” And the King recounted the battle in the night, setting forth as in a frank and open honesty every particular of numbers, times, and comings and goings; save that none might have guessed from his tale that any of Demonland had part or interest in that battle.
La Fireez said, “Strange it is that he should so attack you. An enemy might smell some cause behind it.”
“Our greatness,” said Corinius, looking haughtily124 at him, “is a lamp whereat other moths125 than he have been burnt. I count it no strange matter at all.”
Prezmyra said, “Strange indeed, were it any but Gaslark. But sure with him no wild sudden fancy were too light but it should chariot him like thistle-down to storm heaven itself.”
“A bubble of the air, madam: all fine colours without and empty wind within. I have known other such,” said Corinius, still resting his gaze with studied insolence on the Prince.
Prezmyra’s eye danced. “O my Lord Corinius,” said she, “change first thine own fashion, I pray thee, ere thou convince gay attire of inward folly126, lest beholding127 thee we misdoubt thy precept128 — or thy wisdom.”
Corinius drank his cup to the drains and laughed. Somewhat reddened was his insolent129 handsome face about the cheeks and shaven jowl, for surely was none in that hall more richly apparelled than he. His ample chest was cased in a jerkin of untanned buckskin plated with silver scales, and he wore a collar of gold that was rough lined with smaragds and a long cloak of sky-blue silk brocade lined with cloth of silver. On his left wrist was a mighty ring of gold, and on his head a wreath of black bryony and sleeping nightshade. Gro whispered Corund in the ear, “He bibbeth it down apace, and the hour is yet early. This presageth trouble, since ever with him indiscretion treadeth hard on the heels of surliness as he waxeth drunken.”
Corund grunted131 assent132, saying aloud, “To all peaks of fame might Gaslark have climbed, but for this same rashness. Nought more pitiful hath been heard to tell of than his great sending into Impland, ten years ago, when, on a sudden conceit that a should lay all Impland under him and become the greatest king in all the world, he hired Zeldornius and Helteranius and Jalcanaius Fostus —”
“The three most notable captains found on earth,” said La Fireez.
“Nothing is more true,” said Corund. “These he hired, and brought ’em ships and soldiers and horses and such a clutter133 of engines of war as hath not been seen these hundred years, and sent ’em-whither? To the rich and pleasant lands of Beshtria? No. To Demonland? Not a whit23. To this Witchland, where with a twentieth part the power a hath now risked all and suffered death and doom134? No! but to yonder hell-besmitten wilderness136 of Upper Impland, treeless, waterless, not a soul to pay him tribute: had he laid it under him save wandering bands of savage137 Imps138, with more bugs139 on their bodies than pence in their purses, I warrant you. Or was he minded to be king among the divels of the air, ghosts, and hob-thrushes that be found in that desert?”
“Without controversy140 there be seventeen several sorts of divels on the Moruna,” said Corsus, very loud and sudden, so that all turned to look on him; “fiery divels, divels of the air, terrestrial divels, as you may say, and watery141 divels, and subterranean142 divels. Without controversy there be seven seen sorts, seventeen several sorts of hob-thrushes, and several sorts of divels, and if the humour took me I could name them all by rote143.”
Wondrous144 solemn was the heavy face of Corsus, his eyes, baggy145 underneath146 and somewhat bloodshed, his pendulous147 cheeks, thick blubber upper-lip, and bristly gray moustachios and whiskers. He had eaten, mainly to provoke thirst, pickled olives, capers148, salted almonds, anchovies149, fumadoes, and pilchards fried with mustard, and now awaited the salt chine of beef to be a pillow and a resting place for new potations.
The Lady Zenambria asked, “Knoweth any for certain what fate befell Jalcanaius and Helteranius and Zeldornius and their armies?”
“Heard I not,” said Prezmyra, “that they were led by Will-o’-the-Wisps to the regions Hyperborean, and there made kings?”
“Told thee by the madge-howlet, I fear me, sister,” said La Fireez. “Whenas I fared through Impland the More, six years ago, there was many a wild tale told me hereof, but nought within credit.”
Now was the chine served in amid shallots on a great dish of gold, borne by four serving men, so weighty was the dish and its burden. Some fight there glowed in the dull eye of Corsus to see it come, and Corund rose up with brimming goblet, and the Witches cried, “The song of the chine, O Corund!” Great as a neat stood Corund in his russet velvet kirtle, girt about with a broad belt of crocodile hide edged with gold. From his shoulders hung a cloak of wolf’s skin with the hair inside, the outside tanned and diapered with purple silk. Daylight was nigh gone, and through a haze150 of savours rising from the feast the flamboys shone on his bald head set about with thick grizzled curls, and on his keen gray eyes, and his long and bushy beard. He cried, “Give me a rouse, my lords! and if any fail to bear me out in the refrain, I’ll ne’er love him more.” And he sang this song of the chine in a voice like the sounding of a gong; and all they roared in the refrain till the piled dishes on the service tables rang:
Bring out the Old Chyne, the Cold Chyne to me,
And how Ile charge him come and see,
Brawn151 tusked152, Brawn well sowst and fine,
With a precious cup of Muscadine:
How shall I sing, how shall I look,
In honour of the Master-Cook?
The Pig shall turn round and answer me,
Canst thou spare me a shoulder? a wy, a wy.
The Duck, Goose, and Capon, good fellows all three
Shall dance thee an antick, so shall the Turkey:
But O! the Cold Chyne, the Cold Chyne for me:
How shall I sing, how shall I look,
In honour of the Master-Cook?
With brewis Ile noynt thee from head to th’ heel,
Shal make thee run nimbler than the new oyld wheel;
With Pye-crust wee’l make thee
The eighth wise man to be;
But O! the Old Chyne, the Cold Chyne for me:
How shall I sing, how shall I look,
In honour of the Master-Cook?
When the chine was carved and the cups replenished153, the King issued command saying, “Call hither my dwarf154, and let him act his antick gestures before us.”
Therewith came the dwarf into the hall, mopping and mowing155, clad in a sleeveless jerkin of striped yellow and red mockado. And his long and nerveless tail dragged on the floor behind him.
“Somewhat fulsome156 is this dwarf,” said La Fireez.
“Speak within door, Prince,” said Corinius. “Know’st not his quality? A hath been envoy157 extraordinary from King Gorice XI. of memory ever glorious unto Lord Juss in Galing and the lords of Demonland. And ’twas the greatest courtesy we could study to do them, to send ’em this looby for our ambassador.”
The dwarf practised before them to the great content of the lords of Witchland and their guests, save for his japing upon Corinius and the Prince, calling them two peacocks, so like in their bright plumage that none might tell either from other; which somewhat galled158 them both.
And now was the King’s heart waxen glad with wine, and he pledged Gro, saying, “Be merry, Gro, and doubt not that I will fulfil my word I spake unto thee, and make thee king in Zaj? Zaculo.”
“Lord, I am yours for ever,” answered Gro. “But methinks I am little fitted to be a king. Methinks I was ever a better steward159 of other men’s fortunes than of mine own.”
Whereat the Duke Corsus, that was sprawled160 on the table well nigh asleep, cried out in a great voice but husky withal, “A brace161 of divels broil162 me if thou sayest not sooth! If thine own fortunes come off but bluely, care not a rush. Give me some wine, a full weeping goblet. Ha! Ha! whip it away! Ha! Ha! Witchland! When wear you the crown of Demonland, O King?”
“How now, Corsus,” said the King, “art thou drunk?”
But La Fireez said, “Ye sware peace with the Demons in the Foliot Isles163, and by mighty oaths are ye bound to put by for ever your claims of lordship over Demonland. I hoped your quarrels were ended.”
“Why so they are,” said the King.
Corsus chuckled164 weakly. “Ye say well: very well, O King, very well, La Fireez. Our quarrels are ended. No room for more. For, look you, Demonland is a ripe fruit ready to drop me thus in our mouth.” Leaning back he gaped165 his mouth wide open, suspending by one leg above it an hortolan basted166 with its own dripping. The bird slipped through his fingers, and fell against his cheek, and so on to his bosom34, and so on the floor, and his brazen167 byrny and the sleeves of his pale green kirtle were splashed with the gravy168.
Whereat Corinius let fly a great peal169 of laughter; I but La Fireez flushed with anger and said, scowling170, “Drunkenness, my lord, is a jest for thralls to laugh at.”
“Then sit thou mum, Prince,” said Corinius, “lest thy quality be called in question. For my part I laugh at my thoughts, and they be very choice.”
But Corsus wiped his face and fell a-singing:
Whene’er I bib the wine down,
Asleepe drop all my cares.
A fig21 for fret171,
A fig for sweat,
A fig care I for cares.
Sith death must come, though I say nay172,
Why grieve my life’s days with all affaires?
Come, bib we then the wine down
Of Bacchus faire to see;
For alway while we bibbing be,
Asleepe drop all our cares.
With that, Corsus sank heavily forward again on the table. And the dwarf, whose japes all else in that company had taken well seven when themselves were the mark thereof, leaped up and down, crying, “Hear a wonder! This pudding singeth. When with two platters, thralls! ye have served it o’ the board without a dish. One were too little to contain so vast a deal of bullock’s blood and lard. Swift, and carve it ere the vapours burst the skin.”
“I will carve thee, filth173,” said Corsus, lurching to his feet; and catching174 the dwarf by the wrist with one hand he gave him a great box on the ear with the other. The dwarf squealed175 and bit Corsus’s thumb to the bone, so that he loosed his hold; and the dwarf fled from the hall, while the company laughed pleasantly.
“So flieth folly before wisdom which is in wine,” said the King. “The night is young: bring me botargoes, and caviare and toast. Drink, Prince. The red Thramnian wine that is thick like honey wooeth the soul to divine philosophy. How vain a thing is ambition. This was Gaslark’s bane, whose enterprises of such pitch and moment have ended thus, in a kind of nothing. Or what thinkest thou, Gro, thou which art a philosopher?”
“Alas, poor Gaslark,” said Gro. “Had all grown to his mind, and had he ’gainst all expectation gotten us overthrown, even so had he been no nearer to his heart’s desire than when he first set forth. For he had of old in Zaj? Zaculo eating and drinking and gardens and treasure and musicians and a fair wife, all soft ease and contentment all his days. And at the last, howsoe’er we shape our course, cometh the poppy that abideth all of us by the harbour of oblivion hard to cleanse178. Dry withered179 leaves of laurel or of cypress tree, and a little dust. Nought else remaineth.”
“With a sad brow I say it,” said the King: “I hold him wise that resteth happy, even as the Red Foliot, and tempteth not the Gods by over-mounting ambition to his dejection.”
La Fireez had thrown himself back in his high seat with his elbows resting on its lofty arms and his hands dangling180 idly on either side. With head held high and incredulous smile he harkened to the words of Gorice the King.
Gro said in Corund’s ear, “The King hath found strange kindness in the cup.”
“I think thou and I be clean out o’ fashion,” answered Corund, whispering, “that we be not yet drunken; the cause whereof is that thou drinkest within measure, which is good, and me this amethyst181 at my belt keepeth sober, were I never so surfeit-swelled with wine.”
La Fireez said, “You are pleased to jest, O King. For my part, I had as lief have this musk-million on my shoulders as a head so blockish as to want ambition.”
“If thou wert not our princely guest,” said Corinius, I had called that spoke182 in the right fashion of a little man. Witchland affecteth not such vaunts, but can afford to speak as our Lord the King in proud humility183. Turkey cocks do strut184 and gobble; not so the eagle, who holdeth the world at his discretion130.”
“Pity on thee,” cried the Prince, “if this cheap victory turn thee so giddy. Goblins!”
Corinius scowled185. Corsus chuckled, saying to himself but loud enough for all to hear, “Goblins, quotha? They were small game had they been all. Ay, there it is: had they been all.”
The King’s brow was like a foul186 black cloud. The women held their breath. But Corsus, blandly187 insensible of these gathering188 thunders, beat time on the table with his cup, drowsily189 chanting to a most mournful air:
When birds in water deepe do lie,
And fishes in the air doe flie,
When water burns and fire doth freeze,
And oysters grow as fruits on trees —
A resounding190 hecup brought him to a full close.
The talk had died down, the lords of Witchland. ill at case, studying to wear their faces to the bent191 of the King’s looks. But Prezmyra spake, and the music of her voice came like a refreshing192 shower. “This song of my Lord Corsus,” she said, “made me hopeful for an answer to a question in philosophy; but Bacchus, you see, hath ta’en his soul into Elysium for a season, and I fear me nor truth nor wisdom cometh from his mouth to-night. And this was my question, whether it be true that all animals of the land are in their kind in the sea? My Lord Corinius, or thou, my princely brother, can you resolve me?”
“Why, so it is received, madam,” said La Fireez. “And inquiry193 will show thee many pretty instances: as the sea-frog, the sea-fox, the sea-dog, the sea-horse, the sea-lion, the sea-bear. And I have known the barbarous people of Esamocia eat of a conserve194 of sea-mice mashed195 and brayed196 in a mortar197 with the flesh of that beast named bos marinus, seasoned with salt and garlic.”
“Foh! speak to me somewhat quickly,” cried the Lady Sriva, “ere in imagination I taste such nasty meat. Prithee, yonder gold peaches and raisins198 of the sun as an antidote199.”
“Lord Gro will instruct thee better than I,” said La Fireez. “For my part, albeit I think nobly of philosophy, yet have I little leisure to study it. Oft have I hunted the badger200, yet never answered that question of the doctors whether he hath the legs of one side shorter than of the other. Neither know I, for all the lampreys I have eat, how many eyes the lamprey hath, whether it be nine or two.”
Prezmyra smiled: “O my brother, thou art too too smoored, I fear me, in the dust of action and the field to be at accord with these nice searchings. But be there birds under the sea, my Lord Gro?”
Gro made answer, “In rivers, certainly, though it be but birds of the air sojourning for a season. As I myself have found them in Outer Impland, asleep in winter time at the bottom of lakes and rivers, two together, mouth to mouth, wing to wing. But in the spring they revive again, and by and by are the woods full of their singing. And for the sea, there be true sea cuckows, sea-thrushes, and sea-sparrows, and many more.”
“It is passing strange,” said Zenambria.
Corsus sang:
When sorcerers do leave their charme,
When spiders do the fly no harme.
Prezmyra turned to Corund saying, “Was there not a merry dispute betwixt you, my lord, concerning the toad9 and the spider, thou maintaining that they do poisonously destroy one another, and my Lord Gro that he would show thee to the contrary?”
“’Twas even so, lady,” said Corund, “and it is yet in controversy.”
Corsus sang:
And when the blackbird leaves to sing,
And likewise serpents for to sting,
Then you may saye, and justly too,
The old world now is turned anew:
and so sank back into bloated silence.
“My Lord the King,” cried Prezmyra, “I beseech201 you give order for the ending of this difference between two of your council, ere it wax to dangerous heat. Let them be given a toad, O King, and spiders without delay, that they may make experiment before this goodly company.”
Therewith all fell a-laughing, and the King commanded a thrall110, who shortly brought fat spiders to the number of seven and a crystal wine-cup, and inclosed with them beneath the cup a toad, and set all before the King. And all beheld202 them eagerly.
“I will wager203 two firkins of pale Permian wine to a bunch of radishes,” said Corund, “that victory shall be given unto the spiders. Behold how without resistance they do sit upon his head and pass all over his body.”
Gro said, “Done.”
“Thou wilt204 lose the wager, Corund,” said the King. “This toad taketh no hurt from the spiders, but sitteth quiet out of policy, tempting205 them to security, that upon advantage he may swallow them down.”
While they watched, fruits were borne in: queen-apples, almonds, pomegranates and pistick nuts; and fresh bowls and jars of wine, and among them a crystal flagon of the peach-coloured wine of Krothering vintaged many summers ago in the vineyards that stretch southward toward the sea from below the castle of Lord Brandoch Daha.
Corinius drank deep, and cried, “’Tis a royal drink, this wine of Krothering! Folk say it will be good cheap this summer.”
Whereat La Fireez shot a glance at him, and the King marking it said in Corinius’s ear, “Wilt thou be prudent206? Let not thy pride flatter thee to think aught shall avail thee, any more than my vilest207 thrall, if by thy doing this Prince smell out my secrets.”
By then was the hour waxing late, and the women took their leave, lighted to the doors in great state by thralls with flamboys. In a while, when they were gone, “A plague of all spiders!” cried Corund. “Thy toad hath swallowed one already.”
“Two more!” said Gro. “Thy theoric crumbleth apace, O Corund. He hath two at a gulp209, and but four remain.”
The Lord Corinius, whose countenance210 was now aflame with furious drinking, held high his cup and catching the Prince’s eye, “Mark well, La Fireez,” he cried, “a sign and a prophecy. First one; next two at a mouthful; and early after that, as I think, the four that remain. Art not afeared lest thou be found a spider when the brunt shall come?”
“Hast drunk thyself horn-mad, Corinius?” said the King under his breath, his voice shaken with anger.
“He is as witty211 a marmalade-eater as ever I conversed212 with,” said La Fireez, “but I cannot tell what the dickens he means.”
“That,” answered Corinius, “which should make thy smirking213 face turn serious. I mean our ancient enemies, the haskardly mongrels of Demonland. First gulp, Goldry, taken heaven knows whither by the King’s sending in a deadly scud214 of wind —”
“The devil damn thee!” cried the King, “what drunken brabble is this?”
But the Prince La Fireez waxed red as blood, saying, “This it is then that lieth behind this hudder mudder, and ye go to war with Demonland? Think not to have my help therein.”
“We shall not sleep the worse for that,” said Corinius. “Our mouth is big enough for such a morsel215 of marchpane as thou, if thou turn irksome.”
“Thy mouth is big enough to blab the secretest intelligence, as we now most laughably approve,” said La Fireez. “Were I the King, I would draw lobster’s whiskers on thy skin, for a tipsy and a prattling216 popinjay.”
“An insult!” cried the Lord Corinius, leaping up. I would not take an insult from the Gods in heaven. Reach me a sword, boy! I will make Beshtrian cut-works in his guts217.”
“Peace, on your lives!” said the King in a great voice, while Corund went to Corinius and Gro to the Prince to quiet them. “Corinius is wounded in the wrist and cannot fight, and belike his brain is fevered by the wound.”
“Heal him, then, of this carving218 the Goblins gave him, and I will carve him like a capon,” said the Prince.
“Goblins!” said Corinius fiercely. “Know, vile208 fellow, the best swordsman in the world gave me this wound. Had it been thou that stood before me, I had cut thee into steaks, that art caponed already.”
But the King stood up in his majesty, saying, “Silence, on your lives!” And the King’s eyes glittered with wrath219, and he said, “For thee, Corinius, not thy hot youth and rebellious220 blood nor yet the wine thou hast swilled221 into that greedy belly222 of thine shall mitigate223 the rigour of my displeasure. Thy punishment I reserve unto to-morrow. And thou, La Fireez, look thou bear thyself more humbly224 in my halls. Over pert was the message brought me by thine herald225 at thy coming hither this morning, and too much it smacked226 of a greeting from an equal to an equal, calling thy tribute a gift, though it, and thou, and all thy principality are mine by right to deal with as seems me good. Yet did I bear with thee: unwisely, as I think, since thy pertness nourished by my forbearance springeth up yet ranker at my table, and thou insultest and brawlest in my halls. Be advised, lest my wrath forge thunderbolts against thee.”
The Prince La Fireez answered and said, “Keep frowns and threats for thine offending thralls, O King, since me they affright not, and I laugh them to scorn. Nor am I careful to answer thine injurious words; since well thou knowest my old friendship unto thine house, O King, and unto Witchland, and by what bands of marriage I am bound in love to the Lord Corund, to whom I gave my lady sister. If it suit not my stomach to proclaim like a servile minister thy suzerainty, yet needest thou not to carp at this, since thy tribute is paid thee, ay, and in over-measure. But unto Demonland am I bound, as all the world knoweth, and sooner shalt thou prevail upon the lamps of heaven to come down and fight for thee against the Demons than upon me. And unto Corinius that so boasteth I say that Demonland hath ever been too hard for you Witches. Goldry Bluszco and Brandoch Daha have shown you this. This is my counsel unto thee, O King, to make peace with Demonland: my reasons, first that thou hast no just cause of quarrel with them, next (and this should sway thee more) that if thou persist in fighting against them it will be the ruin of thee and of all Witchland.”
The King bit his fingers with signs of wonderful anger, and for a minute’s time no sound was in that hall. Only Corund spake privately228 to the King saying, “Lord, O for all sakes swallow your royal rage. You may whip him when my son Hacmon returneth, but till then he outnumbers us, and your own party so overwhelmed with wine that, trust me, I would not adventure the price of a turnip229 on our chances if it come to fighting.”
Troubled at heart was Corund, for well he knew how dear beyond account his lady wife held the keeping of the peace betwixt La Fireez and the Witches.
In this moment Corsus, somewhat roused in an evil hour out of lethargy by the loud talk and movement, began to sing:
When all the prisons hereabout
Have justled all their prisoners out,
Because indeed they have no cause
To keepe ’em in by common laws.
Whereat Corinius, in whom wine and quarrelling and the King’s rebukes230 had lighted a fire of reckless and outrageous231 malice232 before which all counsels of prudence233 or policy were dissipated like wax in a furnace, shouted loudly, “Wilt see our prisoners, Prince, i’ the old banquet hall, to prove thyself an ass8?”
“What prisoners?” cried the Prince, springing to his feet. “Hell’s furies! I am weary of these dark equivocations and will know the truth.”
“Why wilt thou rage so beastly?” said the King. “The man is drunk. No more wild words.”
“Thou canst not daff me so. I will know the truth,” said La Fireez.
“So thou shalt,” said Corinius. “This it is: that we Witches be better men than thou and thy hen-hearted Pixies, and better men than the accursed Demons. No need to hide it further. Two of that brood we have laid by the heels, and nailed ’em up on the wall of the old banquet hall, as farmers nail up weasels and polecats on a barn door. And there shall they bide177 till they be dead: Juss and Brandoch Daha.”
“O most villanous lie!” said the King. “I’ll have thee hewn in pieces.”
But Corinius said, “I nurse your honour, O King. We must no longer skulk234 before these Pixies.”
“Thou diest for it,” said the King, “and it is a lie.”
Now was dead silence for a space. At last the Prince sat down slowly. His face was white and drawn235, and he spake unto the King, slowly and in a quiet voice: “O King, that I was somewhat hot with you, forgive me. And if I have omitted any form of allegiance due to you, think rather that in my blood it is to chafe48 at such ceremonies than that I had any lack of friendship unto you or ever dreamed of questioning your over-lordship. Aught that you shall require of me and that lieth with mine honour, aught of ceremony or fealty236, will I with joy perform. And, save against Demonland, is my sword ready against your enemies. But here, O King, tottereth a tower ready to fall athwart our friendship and pash it in pieces. It is known to you, O King, and to all the lords of Witchland, that my bones were whitening these six years in Impland the More if Lord Juss had not saved me from the barbarous Imps that followed Fax Fay Faz, who besieged237 me four months with my small following shut up in Lida Nanguna. My friendship shall you have, O King, if you yield me up my friends.”
But the King said, “I have not thy friends.”
“Show me then the old banquet hall,” said the Prince. The King said, “I will show it thee anon.”
“I will see it now,” said the Prince, and he rose from his seat.
“I will dissemble with thee no longer,” said the King. “I do love thee well. But when thou askest me to yield up to thee Juss and Brandoch Daha, thou askest a thing all Pixyland and thy dear heart’s blood were unable to purchase from me. These be my worst enemies. Thou knowest not at what cost of toil and danger I have at last laid hand on them. And now let not thy hopes make thee an unbeliever, when I swear to thee that Juss and Brandoch Daha shall rot and die in prison.”
And for all his gentle speeches, and offers of wealth and rich advantage and upholding in peace and war, might not La Fireez shake the King. And the King said, “Forbear, La Fireez, or thou wilt vex238 me. They must rot.”
So when the Prince La Fireez saw that he might not move the King by soft words, he took up his fair crystal goblet, egg-shaped with three claws of gold to stand withal welded to a collar of gold about its middle bossed with topazes, and hurled239 it at Gorice the King, so that the goblet smote240 him on the forehead, and the crystal was brast asunder241 with the force of the blow, and the King’s forehead laid open, and the King strook senseless.
Therewith was huge uproar242 in the banquet hall; nor would Corund that any should have speedier hand therein than he, but catching up his two-edged sword and crying, “Look to the King, Gro! Here’s distressful243 revels!” he leaped upon the table. And his sons likewise and Gallandus and the other Witches seized their weapons, and in like manner did La Fireez and his men; and there was battle in the great hall in Carc?. Corinius, whose left hand only might as now wield245 weapon, even so sprang forth in most gallant246 wise, calling upon the Prince with many vile words to abide176 his onset. But the fumes247 of unbridled potations, that being flown to his brain had made him frantic248 mad, wrought249 in his legs more foggily, dulling their wonted nimbleness. And his foot sliding in a puddle251 of spilt wine he fell backward a grievous fall, striking his head against the polished table. And Corsus that was now well nigh speechless and quite stupefied with drink, so that a baby might tell as well as he what meant this hubbub252, reeled cup in hand, shouting, “Drunkenness is better for the body than physic! Drink always, and you shall never die!” So shouting he was smitten135 square in the mouth by a breast of veal67 flung at him by Elaron of Pixyland, the captain of the Prince’s bodyguard253, and so fell like a hog122 athwart Corinius, and there lay without sense or motion. Then were the tables overset, and wounds given and taken, and swiftly ran the tide of vantage against the Witches. For albeit the Pixies were none such great soldiers as they of Witchland, yet this served them mightily254 that they were well nigh sober and their foes255 as so many casks filled with wine, staggering and raving256 for the most part from their long tippling and quaffing257. Nor did Corund’s amethyst avail him throughly, but the wine clogged258 his veins so that he waxed scant259 of breath and his strokes lighter260 and slower than they were wont250.
Now for the love he bare his sister Prezmyra and for his old kindness sake for Witchland, the Prince charged his men to fight only for the overpowering of the Witches, slaying none if so it might be, and on their lives to look to it that the Lord Corund took no hurt. And when they had fairly gotten the mastery, La Fireez made certain of his folk take jars of wine and therewith souse Corund and his men most lustily in the face, while others held them at weapon’s point, until by the power of the wine both within and without they were well brought under. And they barricaded261 the great doorway of the hall with the benches and table tops and heavy oaken trestles, and La Fireez charged Elaron hold the door with the most of his following, and set guards without each window that none might come forth from the hall.
But the Prince himself took flamboys and went six in company to the old banquet hall, overpowered the guard, brake open the doors, and so stood before Lord Juss and Lord Brandoch Daha that hung shackled262 to the wall side by side. Something dazzled they were in the sudden torch-light, but Lord Brandoch Daha spake and hailed the Prince, and his mocking haughty263 lazy accents were scarcely touched with hollowness, for all his hunger-starving and long watching and the cark and care of his affliction. “La Fireez!” he said. “Day ne’er broke up till now. And methought ye were yonder false fitchews fostered in filth and fen227, the spawn264 of Witchland, returned again to fleer and flout265 at us.”
La Fireez told them how things had gone, and he said, “Occasion gallopeth apace. Upon this bargain do I loose you, that ye come incontinently with me out of Carc?, and seek no revenge to-night upon the Witches.”
Juss said yea to this; and Brandoch Daha laughed, saying, “Prince, I so love thee, I could refuse thee nothing, were it shave half my beard and go in fustian266 till harvest-time, sleep in my clothes, and discourse267 pious268 nothings seven hours a day with my lady’s lap-dog. This night we be utterly269 thine. An instant only bear with us: this fare shows too good to rest untasted after so much looking on. It were discourteous270 too to leave it so.” Therewith, their chains being now stricken off, he eat a great slice of turkey and three quails271 boned and served in jelly, and Juss a dozen plovers’ eggs and a cold partridge. Lord Brandoch Daha said, “I prithee break the egg-shells, Juss, when the meat is out, lest some sorcerer should prick272 or write thy name thereon, and so mischief273 thy person.” And pouring out a stoup of wine, he quaffed274 it off, and filling it again, “Perdition catch me if it be not mine own wine of Krothering! Saw any a carefuller host than King Gorice?” And he pledged Lord fuss in the second cup, saying, “I will drink with thee next in Carc? when the King of Witchland and all the lords thereof are slain.”
Thereafter they took their weapons that lay by on the table, set there to distress244 their souls and with little expectation they should so take them up again; and glad at heart albeit somewhat stiff of limb they went forth with La Fireez from that banquet hall.
When they were come into the court-yard fuss spake and said, “Herein might honour hold us back even hadst thou made no bargain with us, La Fireez. For great shame it were to us and we fell upon the lords of Witchland when they were drunk and unable to meet us in equal battle. But let us ere we be gone from Carc? ransack275 this hold for my kinsman276 Goldry Bluszco, since for his sake only and in hope to find him here we fared on this journey.”
“So you touch no other thing but only Goldry if ye shall find him, I am content,” said the Prince.
So when they had found keys they ransacked277 all Carc?, even to the dread278 chamber where the King had conjured279 and the vaults280 and cellars below the river. But it availed not.
And as they stood in the court-yard in the torchlight there came forth on a balcony the Lady Prezmyra in her nightgown, disturbed by this ransacking281. Ethereal as a cloud she seemed, pavilioned in the balmy night, as a cloud touched by the exhalations of the unrisen moon. “What transformation282 is this?” said she. “Demons loose in the court?”
“Content thee, dear heart,” said the Prince. “Thy man is safe, and all else beside as I think; save that the King hath a broken head, the which I lament283, and will without question soon be healed. They lie all in the banquet hall to-night, being too sleepy-sodden with the feast to take their chambers284.”
Prezmyra cried, “My fears are fallen upon me. Art thou broken with Witchland?”
“That may I not forejudge,” he answered. “Tell them to-morrow that nought I did in hatred285, and nought but what I was by circumstance enforced to. For I am not such a coward nor so great a villain286 as leave my friends caged up while strength is left me to work for their setting free.”
“You must straightway forth from Carc?,” said Prezmyra, “and that o’ the instant. My step-son Hacmon, which was sent to gather strength to awe thee if need were, rideth by now from the south with a great company. Thy horses are fresh, and ye may well outdistance the King’s men if they ride after you. If thou wilt not yet raise up a river of blood betwixt us, begone.”
“Why fare thee well, then, sister. And doubt it not, these rifts287 ’tween me and Witchland shall soon be patched up and forgot.” So spake the Prince with a merry voice, yet grieved at heart. For well he weened the King should never pardon him that blow, nor his robbing him of his prey.
But she said, sadly, “Farewell, my brother. And my heart tells me I shall never see thee more. When thou took’st these from prison, thou didst dig up two mandrakes shall bring sorrow and death to thee and to me and to all Witchland.”
The Prince was silent, but Lord fuss bowed to Prezmyra saying, “Madam, these things be on the knees of Fate. But imagine not that while life and breath be in us we shall leave to uphold the Prince thy brother. His foes be our foes for this night sake.”
“Thou swearest it?” she said.
He answered, “Madam, I swear it unto thee and unto him.”
The Lady Prezmyra withdrew sadly to her chamber. And in short space she heard their horse-hooves on the bridge, and looking forth beheld where they galloped288 on the Way of Kings dim in the coppery light of a waning289 moon rising over Pixyland. So sate290 she by the window of Corund’s lofty bed-chamber gazing through the night, long after her brother and the lords of Demonland and her brother’s men were ridden beyond her seeing, long after their last hoof-beat had ceased to echo on the road. In a while fresh horse-hooves sounded from the south, and a noise as of many riding in company; and she knew it was young Hacmon back from Permio.
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1
toil
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| vi.辛劳工作，艰难地行动；n.苦工，难事 | |
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nought
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| n.／adj.无，零 | |
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3
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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4
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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5
slain
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| 杀死，宰杀，杀戮( slay的过去分词 )； (slay的过去分词) | |
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6
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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7
repose
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| v.(使)休息；n.安息 | |
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ass
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| n.驴；傻瓜，蠢笨的人 | |
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9
toad
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| n.蟾蜍，癞蛤蟆 | |
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10
joints
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| 接头( joint的名词复数 )； 关节； 公共场所（尤指价格低廉的饮食和娱乐场所） （非正式）； 一块烤肉 （英式英语） | |
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arbor
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| n.凉亭；树木 | |
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squat
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| v.蹲坐，蹲下；n.蹲下；adj.矮胖的，粗矮的 | |
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13
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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14
laden
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| adj.装满了的；充满了的；负了重担的；苦恼的 | |
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15
velvet
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| n.丝绒，天鹅绒；adj.丝绒制的，柔软的 | |
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tart
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| adj.酸的；尖酸的，刻薄的；n.果馅饼；淫妇 | |
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beech
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| n.山毛榉；adj.山毛榉的 | |
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18
tawny
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| adj.茶色的，黄褐色的；n.黄褐色 | |
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19
embroidery
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| n.绣花，刺绣；绣制品 | |
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20
mantle
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| n.斗篷，覆罩之物，罩子；v.罩住，覆盖，脸红 | |
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21
fig
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| n.无花果(树) | |
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22
overcast
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| adj.阴天的，阴暗的，愁闷的；v.遮盖，（使）变暗，包边缝；n.覆盖，阴天 | |
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23
whit
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| n.一点，丝毫 | |
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24
graceful
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| adj.优美的，优雅的；得体的 | |
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25
antelope
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| n.羚羊；羚羊皮 | |
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26
fiery
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| adj.燃烧着的，火红的；暴躁的；激烈的 | |
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27
sipping
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| v.小口喝，呷，抿( sip的现在分词 ) | |
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28
amber
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| n.琥珀；琥珀色；adj.琥珀制的 | |
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29
maiden
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| n.少女，处女；adj.未婚的，纯洁的，无经验的 | |
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30
lute
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| n.琵琶，鲁特琴 | |
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31
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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32
spicy
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| adj.加香料的；辛辣的，有风味的 | |
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33
fragrant
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| adj.芬香的，馥郁的，愉快的 | |
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34
bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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35
drowsiness
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| n.睡意；嗜睡 | |
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36
streaks
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| n.（与周围有所不同的）条纹( streak的名词复数 )；（通常指不好的）特征（倾向）；（不断经历成功或失败的）一段时期v.快速移动( streak的第三人称单数 )；使布满条纹 | |
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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
onset
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| n.进攻，袭击，开始，突然开始 | |
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39
lighting
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| n.照明，光线的明暗，舞台灯光 | |
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40
slumber
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| n.睡眠，沉睡状态 | |
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41
surmise
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| v./n.猜想，推测 | |
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42
stark
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| adj.荒凉的；严酷的；完全的；adv.完全地 | |
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43
slaying
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| 杀戮。 | |
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44
wrest
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| n.扭，拧，猛夺；v.夺取，猛扭，歪曲 | |
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45
overthrown
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| adj. 打翻的，推倒的，倾覆的 动词overthrow的过去分词 | |
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46
overthrow
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| v.推翻，打倒，颠覆；n.推翻，瓦解，颠覆 | |
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47
behold
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| v.看，注视，看到 | |
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48
chafe
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| v.擦伤；冲洗；惹怒 | |
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49
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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50
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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51
havoc
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| n.大破坏，浩劫，大混乱，大杂乱 | |
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52
prey
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| n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨 | |
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53
shamefully
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| 可耻地； 丢脸地； 不体面地； 羞耻地 | |
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54
watchful
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| adj.注意的，警惕的 | |
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55
touching
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| adj.动人的，使人感伤的 | |
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56
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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57
jibes
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| n.与…一致( jibe的名词复数 )；（与…）相符；相匹配v.与…一致( jibe的第三人称单数 )；（与…）相符；相匹配 | |
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58
albeit
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| conj.即使；纵使；虽然 | |
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59
staples
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| n.（某国的）主要产品( staple的名词复数 )；钉书钉；U 形钉；主要部份v.用钉书钉钉住( staple的第三人称单数 ) | |
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60
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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61
thither
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| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
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62
conceit
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| n.自负，自高自大 | |
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63
eastward
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| adv.向东；adj.向东的；n.东方，东部 | |
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64
revels
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| n.作乐( revel的名词复数 )；狂欢；着迷；陶醉v.作乐( revel的第三人称单数 )；狂欢；着迷；陶醉 | |
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65
wares
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| n. 货物, 商品 | |
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66
slaughter
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| n.屠杀，屠宰；vt.屠杀，宰杀 | |
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67
veal
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| n.小牛肉 | |
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68
discomfort
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| n.不舒服，不安，难过，困难，不方便 | |
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69
sparsely
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| adv.稀疏地；稀少地；不足地；贫乏地 | |
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70
awe
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| n.敬畏，惊惧；vt.使敬畏，使惊惧 | |
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71
muster
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| v.集合，收集，鼓起，激起；n.集合，检阅，集合人员，点名册 | |
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72
bestowed
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| 赠给，授予( bestow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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73
duress
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| n.胁迫 | |
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74
doorway
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| n.门口，(喻)入门；门路，途径 | |
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75
likeness
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| n.相像，相似（之处） | |
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76
ponderous
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|
| adj.沉重的，笨重的，(文章)冗长的 | |
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77
serpentine
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| adj.蜿蜒的，弯曲的 | |
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78
monstrous
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|
| adj.巨大的；恐怖的；可耻的，丢脸的 | |
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79
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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80
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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81
crabs
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|
| n.蟹( crab的名词复数 )；阴虱寄生病；蟹肉v.捕蟹( crab的第三人称单数 ) | |
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82
upwards
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| adv.向上，在更高处...以上 | |
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83
dome
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| n.圆屋顶，拱顶 | |
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84
bouts
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| n.拳击（或摔跤）比赛( bout的名词复数 )；一段（工作）；（尤指坏事的）一通；（疾病的）发作 | |
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85
grandeur
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| n.伟大，崇高，宏伟，庄严，豪华 | |
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86
skulls
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| 颅骨( skull的名词复数 )； 脑袋； 脑子； 脑瓜 | |
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87
cypress
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| n.柏树 | |
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88
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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89
scarlet
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| n.深红色，绯红色，红衣；adj.绯红色的 | |
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90
slabs
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| n.厚板，平板，厚片( slab的名词复数 )；厚胶片 | |
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91
lesser
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| adj.次要的，较小的；adv.较小地，较少地 | |
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92
attire
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| v.穿衣，装扮[同]array；n.衣着；盛装 | |
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93
porcelain
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| n.瓷；adj.瓷的，瓷制的 | |
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94
delicacies
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| n.棘手( delicacy的名词复数 )；精致；精美的食物；周到 | |
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95
harps
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| abbr.harpsichord 拨弦古钢琴n.竖琴( harp的名词复数 ) | |
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96
bagpipes
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| n.风笛；风笛( bagpipe的名词复数 ) | |
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97
majesty
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| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
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98
rim
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| n.(圆物的)边，轮缘；边界 | |
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99
semblance
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| n.外貌，外表 | |
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100
ruby
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| n.红宝石，红宝石色 | |
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101
lining
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| n.衬里，衬料 | |
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102
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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103
tunic
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| n.束腰外衣 | |
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104
exquisitely
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| adv.精致地；强烈地；剧烈地；异常地 | |
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105
copper
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| n.铜；铜币；铜器；adj.铜(制)的；(紫)铜色的 | |
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106
enamels
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| 搪瓷( enamel的名词复数 )； 珐琅； 釉药； 瓷漆 | |
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108
eyebrows
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| 眉毛( eyebrow的名词复数 ) | |
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109
thralls
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| n.奴隶( thrall的名词复数 )；奴役；奴隶制；奴隶般受支配的人 | |
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110
thrall
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| n.奴隶；奴隶制 | |
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111
oysters
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| 牡蛎( oyster的名词复数 ) | |
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112
snails
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| n.蜗牛；迟钝的人；蜗牛( snail的名词复数 ) | |
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113
hue
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| n.色度；色调；样子 | |
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114
sapphire
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| n.青玉，蓝宝石；adj.天蓝色的 | |
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115
goblet
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| n.高脚酒杯 | |
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116
costly
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| adj.昂贵的，价值高的，豪华的 | |
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117
insolence
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| n.傲慢；无礼；厚颜；傲慢的态度 | |
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118
withheld
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| withhold过去式及过去分词 | |
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119
lobsters
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| 龙虾( lobster的名词复数 )； 龙虾肉 | |
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120
garnished
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| v.给（上餐桌的食物）加装饰( garnish的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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121
spacious
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| adj.广阔的，宽敞的 | |
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122
hog
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| n.猪；馋嘴贪吃的人；vt.把…占为己有，独占 | |
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123
luscious
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| adj.美味的；芬芳的；肉感的，引与性欲的 | |
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124
haughtily
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| adv. 傲慢地, 高傲地 | |
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125
moths
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| n.蛾( moth的名词复数 ) | |
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126
folly
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| n.愚笨，愚蠢，蠢事，蠢行，傻话 | |
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127
beholding
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| v.看，注视( behold的现在分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
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128
precept
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| n.戒律；格言 | |
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129
insolent
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| adj.傲慢的，无理的 | |
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130
discretion
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| n.谨慎；随意处理 | |
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131
grunted
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| （猪等）作呼噜声( grunt的过去式和过去分词 )； （指人）发出类似的哼声； 咕哝着说 | |
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132
assent
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| v.批准，认可；n.批准，认可 | |
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133
clutter
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| n.零乱，杂乱；vt.弄乱，把…弄得杂乱 | |
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134
doom
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| n.厄运，劫数；v.注定，命定 | |
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135
smitten
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| 猛打，重击，打击( smite的过去分词 ) | |
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136
wilderness
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| n.杳无人烟的一片陆地、水等，荒漠 | |
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137
savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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138
imps
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| n.（故事中的）小恶魔( imp的名词复数 )；小魔鬼；小淘气；顽童 | |
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139
bugs
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| adj.疯狂的，发疯的n.窃听器( bug的名词复数 )；病菌；虫子；[计算机]（制作软件程序所产生的意料不到的）错误 | |
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140
controversy
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|
| n.争论，辩论，争吵 | |
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141
watery
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| adj.有水的，水汪汪的；湿的，湿润的 | |
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142
subterranean
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| adj.地下的，地表下的 | |
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143
rote
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| n.死记硬背，生搬硬套 | |
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144
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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145
baggy
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| adj.膨胀如袋的，宽松下垂的 | |
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146
underneath
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| adj.在...下面，在...底下；adv.在下面 | |
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147
pendulous
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| adj.下垂的；摆动的 | |
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148
capers
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| n.开玩笑( caper的名词复数 )；刺山柑v.跳跃，雀跃( caper的第三人称单数 ) | |
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149
anchovies
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| n. 鯷鱼，凤尾鱼 | |
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150
haze
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| n.霾，烟雾；懵懂，迷糊；vi.(over)变模糊 | |
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151
brawn
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| n.体力 | |
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152
tusked
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| adj.有獠牙的，有长牙的 | |
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153
replenished
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| 补充( replenish的过去式和过去分词 )； 重新装满 | |
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154
dwarf
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| n.矮子，侏儒，矮小的动植物；vt.使…矮小 | |
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155
mowing
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| n.割草，一次收割量，牧草地v.刈，割( mow的现在分词 ) | |
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156
fulsome
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| adj.可恶的，虚伪的，过分恭维的 | |
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157
envoy
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| n.使节，使者，代表，公使 | |
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158
galled
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| v.使…擦痛( gall的过去式和过去分词 )；擦伤；烦扰；侮辱 | |
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159
steward
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| n.乘务员，服务员；看管人；膳食管理员 | |
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160
sprawled
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| v.伸开四肢坐[躺]( sprawl的过去式和过去分词)；蔓延；杂乱无序地拓展；四肢伸展坐着（或躺着） | |
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161
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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162
broil
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| v.烤，烧，争吵，怒骂；n.烤，烧，争吵，怒骂 | |
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163
isles
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| 岛( isle的名词复数 ) | |
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164
chuckled
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| 轻声地笑( chuckle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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165
gaped
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| v.目瞪口呆地凝视( gape的过去式和过去分词 )；张开，张大 | |
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166
basted
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| v.打( baste的过去式和过去分词 )；粗缝；痛斥；（烤肉等时）往上抹[浇]油 | |
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167
brazen
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| adj.厚脸皮的，无耻的，坚硬的 | |
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168
gravy
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| n.肉汁；轻易得来的钱，外快 | |
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169
peal
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| n.钟声；v.鸣响 | |
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170
scowling
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| 怒视，生气地皱眉( scowl的现在分词 ) | |
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171
fret
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| v.(使)烦恼；(使)焦急；(使)腐蚀，(使)磨损 | |
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172
nay
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| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
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173
filth
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| n.肮脏，污物，污秽；淫猥 | |
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174
catching
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| adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住 | |
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175
squealed
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| v.长声尖叫，用长而尖锐的声音说( squeal的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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176
abide
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| vi.遵守；坚持；vt.忍受 | |
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177
bide
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| v.忍耐；等候；住 | |
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178
cleanse
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| vt.使清洁，使纯洁，清洗 | |
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179
withered
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| adj. 枯萎的，干瘪的，（人身体的部分器官）因病萎缩的或未发育良好的 动词wither的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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180
dangling
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| 悬吊着( dangle的现在分词 )； 摆动不定； 用某事物诱惑…； 吊胃口 | |
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181
amethyst
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| n.紫水晶 | |
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182
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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183
humility
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| n.谦逊，谦恭 | |
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184
strut
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| v.肿胀，鼓起；大摇大摆地走；炫耀；支撑；撑开；n.高视阔步；支柱，撑杆 | |
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185
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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186
foul
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| adj.污秽的；邪恶的；v.弄脏；妨害；犯规；n.犯规 | |
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187
blandly
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| adv.温和地，殷勤地 | |
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188
gathering
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| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
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189
drowsily
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| adv.睡地，懒洋洋地，昏昏欲睡地 | |
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190
resounding
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| adj. 响亮的 | |
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191
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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192
refreshing
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| adj.使精神振作的，使人清爽的，使人喜欢的 | |
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193
inquiry
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| n.打听，询问，调查，查问 | |
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194
conserve
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| vt.保存，保护，节约，节省，守恒，不灭 | |
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195
mashed
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| a.捣烂的 | |
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196
brayed
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| v.发出驴叫似的声音( bray的过去式和过去分词 )；发嘟嘟声；粗声粗气地讲话（或大笑）；猛击 | |
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197
mortar
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| n.灰浆，灰泥；迫击炮；v.把…用灰浆涂接合 | |
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198
raisins
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| n.葡萄干( raisin的名词复数 ) | |
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199
antidote
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| n.解毒药，解毒剂 | |
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200
badger
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| v.一再烦扰，一再要求，纠缠 | |
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201
beseech
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| v.祈求，恳求 | |
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202
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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203
wager
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| n.赌注；vt.押注，打赌 | |
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204
wilt
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| v.(使)植物凋谢或枯萎；(指人)疲倦，衰弱 | |
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205
tempting
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| a.诱人的, 吸引人的 | |
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206
prudent
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| adj.谨慎的，有远见的，精打细算的 | |
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207
vilest
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| adj.卑鄙的( vile的最高级 )；可耻的；极坏的；非常讨厌的 | |
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208
vile
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| adj.卑鄙的，可耻的，邪恶的；坏透的 | |
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209
gulp
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| vt.吞咽，大口地吸（气）；vi.哽住；n.吞咽 | |
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210
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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211
witty
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| adj.机智的，风趣的 | |
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212
conversed
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| v.交谈，谈话( converse的过去式 ) | |
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213
smirking
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| v.傻笑( smirk的现在分词 ) | |
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214
scud
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| n.疾行；v.疾行 | |
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215
morsel
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| n.一口，一点点 | |
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216
prattling
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| v.（小孩般）天真无邪地说话( prattle的现在分词 )；发出连续而无意义的声音；闲扯；东拉西扯 | |
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217
guts
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| v.狼吞虎咽，贪婪地吃，飞碟游戏（比赛双方每组5人，相距15码，互相掷接飞碟）；毁坏（建筑物等）的内部( gut的第三人称单数 )；取出…的内脏n.勇气( gut的名词复数 )；内脏；消化道的下段；肠 | |
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218
carving
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| n.雕刻品，雕花 | |
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219
wrath
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| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
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220
rebellious
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| adj.造反的，反抗的，难控制的 | |
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221
swilled
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| v.冲洗( swill的过去式和过去分词 )；猛喝；大口喝；（使）液体流动 | |
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222
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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223
mitigate
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| vt.（使）减轻，（使）缓和 | |
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224
humbly
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| adv. 恭顺地，谦卑地 | |
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225
herald
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| vt.预示...的来临，预告，宣布，欢迎 | |
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226
smacked
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| 拍，打，掴( smack的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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227
fen
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| n.沼泽，沼池 | |
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228
privately
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| adv.以私人的身份，悄悄地，私下地 | |
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229
turnip
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| n.萝卜，芜菁 | |
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230
rebukes
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| 责难或指责( rebuke的第三人称单数 ) | |
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231
outrageous
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| adj.无理的，令人不能容忍的 | |
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232
malice
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| n.恶意，怨恨，蓄意；[律]预谋 | |
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233
prudence
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| n.谨慎，精明，节俭 | |
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234
skulk
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| v.藏匿；潜行 | |
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235
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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236
fealty
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| n.忠贞，忠节 | |
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237
besieged
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| 包围，围困，围攻( besiege的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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238
vex
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| vt.使烦恼，使苦恼 | |
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239
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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240
smote
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| v.猛打，重击，打击( smite的过去式 ) | |
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241
asunder
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| adj.分离的，化为碎片 | |
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242
uproar
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| n.骚动，喧嚣，鼎沸 | |
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243
distressful
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| adj.苦难重重的，不幸的，使苦恼的 | |
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244
distress
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| n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛 | |
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245
wield
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| vt.行使，运用，支配；挥，使用(武器等) | |
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246
gallant
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| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
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247
fumes
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| n.(强烈而刺激的)气味，气体 | |
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248
frantic
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| adj.狂乱的，错乱的，激昂的 | |
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249
wrought
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| v.引起；以…原料制作；运转；adj.制造的 | |
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250
wont
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| adj.习惯于；v.习惯；n.习惯 | |
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251
puddle
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| n.(雨)水坑，泥潭 | |
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252
hubbub
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| n.嘈杂；骚乱 | |
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253
bodyguard
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| n.护卫，保镖 | |
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254
mightily
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| ad.强烈地；非常地 | |
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255
foes
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| 敌人，仇敌( foe的名词复数 ) | |
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256
raving
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| adj.说胡话的；疯狂的，怒吼的；非常漂亮的；令人醉心[痴心]的v.胡言乱语(rave的现在分词)n.胡话；疯话adv.胡言乱语地；疯狂地 | |
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257
quaffing
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| v.痛饮( quaff的现在分词 )；畅饮；大口大口将…喝干；一饮而尽 | |
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258
clogged
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| （使）阻碍( clog的过去式和过去分词 )； 淤滞 | |
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259
scant
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| adj.不充分的，不足的；v.减缩，限制，忽略 | |
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260
lighter
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| n.打火机，点火器；驳船；v.用驳船运送；light的比较级 | |
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261
barricaded
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| 设路障于，以障碍物阻塞( barricade的过去式和过去分词 )； 设路障[防御工事]保卫或固守 | |
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262
shackled
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| 给（某人）带上手铐或脚镣( shackle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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263
haughty
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| adj.傲慢的，高傲的 | |
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264
spawn
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| n.卵，产物，后代，结果；vt.产卵，种菌丝于，产生，造成；vi.产卵，大量生产 | |
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265
flout
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| v./n.嘲弄，愚弄，轻视 | |
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266
fustian
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| n.浮夸的；厚粗棉布 | |
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267
discourse
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| n.论文，演说；谈话；话语；vi.讲述，著述 | |
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268
pious
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| adj.虔诚的；道貌岸然的 | |
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269
utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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270
discourteous
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| adj.不恭的，不敬的 | |
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271
quails
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| 鹌鹑( quail的名词复数 )； 鹌鹑肉 | |
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272
prick
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| v.刺伤，刺痛，刺孔；n.刺伤，刺痛 | |
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273
mischief
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| n.损害，伤害，危害；恶作剧，捣蛋，胡闹 | |
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274
quaffed
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| v.痛饮( quaff的过去式和过去分词 )；畅饮；大口大口将…喝干；一饮而尽 | |
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275
ransack
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| v.彻底搜索，洗劫 | |
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276
kinsman
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| n.男亲属 | |
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277
ransacked
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| v.彻底搜查( ransack的过去式和过去分词 )；抢劫，掠夺 | |
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278
dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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279
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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280
vaults
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| n.拱顶( vault的名词复数 )；地下室；撑物跳高；墓穴 | |
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281
ransacking
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| v.彻底搜查( ransack的现在分词 )；抢劫，掠夺 | |
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282
transformation
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| n.变化；改造；转变 | |
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283
lament
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| n.悲叹，悔恨，恸哭；v.哀悼，悔恨，悲叹 | |
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284
chambers
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| n.房间( chamber的名词复数 )；（议会的）议院；卧室；会议厅 | |
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285
hatred
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| n.憎恶，憎恨，仇恨 | |
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286
villain
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| n.反派演员，反面人物；恶棍；问题的起因 | |
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287
rifts
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| n.裂缝( rift的名词复数 )；裂隙；分裂；不和 | |
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288
galloped
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| （使马）飞奔，奔驰( gallop的过去式和过去分词 )； 快速做[说]某事 | |
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289
waning
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| adj.（月亮）渐亏的，逐渐减弱或变小的n.月亏v.衰落( wane的现在分词 )；（月）亏；变小；变暗淡 | |
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290
sate
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| v.使充分满足 | |
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