Gorice the King held in his private chamber3 a council of war on the morrow of the battle before Carc?. The morning was over-cast with sullen4 cloud, and though all the windows were thrown wide the sluggish5 air hung heavy in the room, as if it too were pervaded6 by the cold dark humour that clogged7 the vitals of those lords of Witchland like a drowsy8 drug, or as if the stars would breathe themselves for a greater mischief9. Pale and drawn10 were those lords’ faces; and, for all they strove to put on a brave countenance11 before the King, clean gone was the vigour12 and war-like mien13 that clothed them but yesterday. Only Corinius kept some spring of his old valiancy and portly bearing, seated with arms akimbo over against the King, his heavy under-jaw14 set forward and his nostrils16 wide. He had slept ill or watched late, for his eyes were blood-shotten, and the breath of his nostrils was heavy with wine.
“We tarry for Corsus,” said the King. “Had he not word of my bidding?”
Dekalajus said, “Lord, I will summon him again. These misfortunes I fear me hang heavy on his mind, and, by your majesty17’s leave, he is scarce his own man since yesterday.”
“Do it straight,” said the King. “Give me thy papers, Corinius. Thou art my general since Corund gat his death. I will see what yesterday hath cost us and what power yet remaineth to crush me these snakes by force of arms.”
“These be the numbers, O King,” said Corinius. “But three thousand and five hundred fighting men, and well nigh half of these over much crippled with wounds to do aught save behind closed walls. It were but to give the Demons19 easy victory to adventure against them, that stand before Carc? four thousand sound men in arms.”
The King blew scornfully through his nostrils. “Who told thee their strength?” said he.
“It were dangerous to write them down a man fewer,” answered Corinius. And Hacmon said, “My Lord the King, I would adventure my head they have more. And your majesty will not forget they be all flown with eagerness and pride after yesterday’s field, whereas our men ——”
“Were ye sons of Corund,” said the King, breaking in quietly on his speech and looking dangerously upon him, “but twigs20 of your father’s tree, that he being cut down ye have no manhood left nor vital sap, but straight wither21 in idiotish dotage22? I will not have these womanish counsels spoke23 in Carc?; no, nor thought in Carc?.”
Corinius said, “We had sure intelligence, O King, whenas they landed that their main army was six thousand fighting men; and last night myself spake with full a score of our officers, and had a true tale of some few of the Demons captured by us before they were slain24 with the sword. When I say to you Juss standeth before Carc? four thousand strong, I swell25 not the truth. His losses yesterday were but a flea-biting ’gainst ours.”
The King nodded a curt26 assent27.
Corinius proceeded, “If we might contrive28 indeed to raise help from without Carc?, were it but five hundred spears to distract his mind some part from usward, nought29 but your majesty’s strict command should stay me but I should assault him. It were perilous31 even so, but never have you known me leave a fruit unplucked at for fear of thorns. But until that time, nought but your straight command might win me to essay a sally. Since well I wot it were my death, and the ruin of you, O King, and of all Witchland.”
The King listened with unmoved countenance, his shaven lip set somewhat in a sneer32, his eyes half closed like the eyes of a cat couched sphinx-like in the sun. But no sun shone in that council chamber. The leaden pall33 hung darker without, even as morning grew toward noon. “My Lord the King,” said Heming, “send me. To overslip their guards i’ the night, ’tis not a thing beyond invention. That done, I’d gather you some small head of men, enough to serve this turn, if I must rake the seven kingdoms to find ’em.”
While Heming spoke, the door opened and the Duke Corsus entered the chamber. An ill sight was he, flabbier of cheek and duller of eye than was his wont34. His face was bloodless, his great paunch seemed shrunken, and his shoulders yet more hunched35 since yesterday. His gait was uncertain, and his hand shook as he moved the chair from the board and took his seat before the King. The King looked on him awhile in silence, and under that gaze beads36 of sweat stood on Corsus’s brow and his under-lip twitched37.
“We need thy counsel, O Corsus,” said the King. “Thus it is: since our ill-faced stars gave victory to the Demon2 rebels in yesterday’s battle, Juss and his brethren front us with four thousand men, whiles I have not two thousand soldiers unhurt in Carc?. Corinius accounteth us too weak to risk a sally but and if we might contrive some diversion from without. And that (after yesterday) is not to be thought on. Hither and to Melikaphkhaz; did we draw all our powers, and the subject allies not for our love but for fear sake and for lust38 of gain flocked to our standard. These caterpillars39 drop off now. Yet if we fight not, then is our strength in arms clean spent, and our enemies need but to sit before Carc? till we be starved. ’Tis a point of great difficulty and knotty40 to solve.”
“Difficult indeed, O my Lord the King,” said Corsus. His glance shifted round the board, avoiding the steady gaze bent41 on him from beneath the eaves of King Gorice’s brow, and resting at last on the jewelled splendour of the crown of Witchland on the King’s head. “O King,” he said, “you demand my rede, and I shall not say nor counsel you nothing but that good and well shall come thereof, as much as yet may be in this pass we stand in. For now is our greatness turned in woe42, dolour, and heaviness. And easy it is to be after-witted.”
He paused, and his under-jaw wobbled and twitched. “Speak on,” said the King. “Thou stutterest forth43 nothings by fits and girds, as an ague taketh a goose. Let me know thy rede.”
Corsus said, “You will not take it, I know, O King. For we of Witchland have ever been ruled by the rock rather than by the rudder. I had liever be silent. Silence was never written down.”
“Thou wouldst, and thou wouldst not!” said the King. “Whence gottest thou this look of a dish of whey with blood spit in it? Speak, or thou’lt anger me.”
“Then blame me not, O King,” said Corsus. “Thus it seemeth to me, that the hour hath struck whenas we of Witchland must needs look calamity44 in the eye and acknowledge we have thrown our last, and lost all. The Demons, as we have seen to our undoing45, be unconquerable in war. Yet are their minds pranked with many silly phantasies of honour and courtesy which may preserve us the poor dregs yet unspilt from the cup of our fortune, if we but leave unseasonable pride and see where our advantage lieth.”
“Chat, chat, chat!” said the King. “Perdition catch me if I can find a meaning in it! What dost thou bid me do?”
Corsus met the King’s eye at last. He braced46 himself as if to meet a blow. “Throw not your cloak in the fire because your house is burning, O King. Surrender all to Juss at his discretion48. And trust me the foolish softness of these Demons will leave us freedom and the wherewithal to live at ease.”
The King was leaned a little forward as Corsus, somewhat dry-throated but gathering49 heart as he spake, blurted50 forth his counsel of defeat. No man among them looked on Corsus, but all on the King, and for a minute’s space was no sound save the sound of breathing in that chamber. Then a puff51 of hot air blew a window to with a thud, and the King without moving his head rolled his awful glance forth and back over his council slowly, fixing each in his turn. And the King said, “Unto which of you is this counsel acceptable? Let him speak and instruct us.”
All did sit mum like beasts. The King spake again, saying, “It is well. Were there of my council such another vermin, so sottish, so louse-hearted, as this one hath proclaimed himself, I had been persuaded Witchland was a sleepy pear, corrupted52 in her inward parts. And that were so, I bad given order straightway for the sally; and, for his chastening and your dishonour53, this Corsus should have led you. And so an end, ere the imposthume of our shame brake forth too foul54 before earth and heaven.”
“I admire not, Lord, that you do strike at me,” said Corsus. “Yet I pray you think how many Kings in Carc? have heaped with injurious indignities56 them that were so hardy57 as give them wholesome58 counsel afore their fall. Though your majesty were a half-god or a Fury out of the pit, you could not by further resisting deliver us out of this net wherein the Demons have gotten us caught and tied. You can keep geese no longer, O King. Will you rend47 me because I bid you be content to keep goslings?”
Corinius smote59 the table with his fist. “O monstrous60 vermin!” he cried, “because thou wast scalded, must all we be afeared of cold water?”
But the King stood up in his majesty, and Corsus shrank beneath the flame of his royal anger. And the King spake and said, “The council is up, my lords. For thee, Corsus, I dismiss thee from my council. Thou art to thank my clemency61 that I take not thy head for this. It were for thy better safety, which well I know thou prizest dearer than mine honour, that thou show not in my path till these perilous days be overpast.” And unto Corinius he said, “On thy head it lieth that the Demons storm not the hold, as haply their hot pride may incense62 them to attempt. Expect me not at supper. I lie in the Iron Tower to-night, and let none disturb me there at peril30 of his head. You of my council must attend me here four hours ere to-morrow’s noon. Look to it well, Corinius, that nought shalt thou do nor in any wise adventure our forces against the Demons till thou receive my further bidding, save only to hold Carc? against any assault if need be. For this thy life shall answer. For the Demons, they were wisest praise a fair day at night. If mine enemy uproot63 a boulder64 above my dwelling65, so I be mighty66 enow of mine hands I may, even in the nick of time that it tottereth to leap and crush mine house, o’erset it on him and pash him to a mummy.”
So speaking, the King moved resolute67 with a great strong step toward the door. There paused he, his hand upon the silver latch68, and looking tigerishly on Corsus, “Be advised,” he said, “thou. Cross not my path again. Nor, while I think on’t, send me not thy daughter again, as last year thou didst. Apt to the sport she is, and well enow she served my turn aforetime. But the King of Witchland suppeth not twice of the same dish, nor lacketh he fresh wenches if he need them.”
Whereat all they laughed. But Corsus’s face grew red as blood.
On such wise brake up the council. Corinius with the sons of Corund and of Corsus went upon the walls ordering all in obedience69 to the word of Gorice the King. But that old Duke Corsus betook him to his chamber in the north gallery. Nor might he abide70 even a small while at ease, but sate71 now in his carven chair, now on the windowsill, now on his broad-canopied bed, and now walked the chamber floor twisting his hands and gnawing72 his lip. And if he were distraught in mind, small wonder it were, set as he was betwixt hawk73 and buzzard, the King’s wrath74 menacing him in Carc? and the hosts of Demonland without.
So wore the day till supper-time. And at supper was Corsus, to their much amaze, sitting in his place, and the ladies Zenambria and Sriva with him. He drank deep, and when supper was done he filled a goblet75 saying, “My lord the king of Demonland and ye other Witches, good it is that we, who stand as now we stand with one foot in the jaws76 of destruction, should bear with one another. Neither should any hide his thought from other, but say openly, even as I this morning before the face of our Lord the King, his thought and counsel. Wherefore without shame do I confess me ill-advised to-day, when I urged the King to make peace with Demonland. I wax old, and old men will oft embrace timorous77 counsels which, if there be wisdom and valiancy left in them, they soon renounce78 when the stress is overpast and they have leisure to afterthink them with a sad mind. And clear as day it is that the King was right, both in his chastening of my faint courage and in his bidding thee, O King Corinius, stand to thy watch and do nought till this night be worn. For went he not to the Iron Tower? And to what end else spendeth he the night in yonder chamber of dread79 than to do sorcery or his magic art, as aforetime he did, and in such wise blast these Demons to perdition even in the spring-tide of their fortunes? At no point of time hath Witchland greater need of our wishes than at this coming midnight, and I pray you, my lords, let us meet a little before in this hall that we with one heart and mind may drink fair fortune to the King’s enchantery.”
With such pleasant words and sympathetical insinuations, working at a season when the wine-cup had caused unfold some gayness in their hearts that were fordone with the hard scapes and chances of disastrous80 war, was [paragraph continues]
Corsus grown to friendship again with the lords of Witchland. So, when the guard was set and all made sure for the night, they came together in the great banquet hall, whereas more than three years ago the Prince La Fireez had feasted and after fought against them of Witchland. But now was he drowned among the shifting tides in the Straits of Melikaphkhaz. And the Lord Corund, that fought that night in such valiant81 wise, now in that same hall, armed from throat to foot as becometh a great soldier dead, lay in state, crowned on his brow with the amethystine82 crown of Impland. The spacious83 side-benches were untenanted and void their high seats, and the cross-bench was removed to make place for Corund’s bier. The lords of Witchland sate at a small table below the dais: Corinius in the seat of honour at the end nearest the door, and over against him Corsus, and on Corinius’s left Zenambria, and on his right Dekalajus son to Corsus, and then Heming; and on Corsus’s left his daughter Sriva, and those two remaining of Corund’s sons on his right. All were there save Prezmyra, and her had none seen since her lord’s death, but she kept her chamber. Flamboys stood in the silver stands as of old, lighting84 the lonely spaces of the hall, and four candles shivered round the bier where Corund slept. Fair goblets85 stood on the board brimmed with dark sweet Thramnian wine, one for each feaster there, and cold bacon pies and botargoes and craw-fish in hippocras sauce furnished a light midnight meal.
Now scarce were they set, when the flamboys burned pale in a strange light from without doors: an evil, pallid86, bale-like lowe, such as Gro had beheld87 in days gone by when King Gorice XII. first conjured89 in Carc?. Corinius paused ere taking his seat. Goodly and stalwart he showed in his blue silk cloak and silvered byrny. The fair crown of Demonland, wherewith Corsus had been enforced to crown him on that great night in Owlswick, shone above his light brown curling hair. Youth and lustihood stood forth in every line of his great frame, and on his bare arms smooth and brawny91, with their wristlets of gold; but somewhat ghastly was the corpse-like pallor of that light on his shaven jowl, and his thick scornful lips were blackened, like those of poisoned men, in that light of bale.
“Saw ye not this light aforetime?” he cried, “and ’twas the shadow before the sun of our omnipotence92. Fate’s hammer is lifted up to strike. Drink with me to our Lord the King that laboureth with destiny.”
All drank deep, and Corinius said, “Pass we on the cups that each may drain his neighbour’s. ’Tis an old lucky custom Corund taught me out of Impland. Swift, for the fate of Witchland is poised93 in the balance.” Therewith he passed his cup to Zenambria, who quaffed94 it to the dregs. And all they, passing on their cups, drank deep again; all save Corsus alone. But Corsus’s eyes were big with terror as he looked on the cup passed on to him by Corund’s son.
“Drink, O Corsus,” said Corinius; and seeing him still waver, “What ails95 the old doting96 disard?” he cried. “He stareth on good wine with an eye as ghastly as a mad dog’s beholding97 water.”
In that instant the unearthly glare went out as a lamp in a gust99 of wind, and only the flamboys and the funeral candles flickered100 on the feasters with uncertain radiance. Corinius said again, “Drink.”
But Corsus set down the cup untasted, and stayed irresolute101. Corinius opened his mouth to speak, and his jaw fell, as of a man that conceiveth suddenly some dread suspicion. But ere he might speak word, a blinding flash went from earth to heaven, and the firm floor of the banquet hall rocked and shook as with an earthquake. All save Corinius fell back into their seats, clutching the table, amazed and dumb. Crash after crash, after the listening ear was well nigh split by the roar, the horror broken out of the bowels102 of night thundered and ravened103 in Carc?. Laughter, as of damned souls banqueting in Hell, rode on the tortured air. Wildfire tore the darkness asunder104, half blinding them that sat about that table, and Corinius gripped the board with either hand as a last deafening105 crash shook the walls, and a flame rushed up the night, lighting the whole sky with a livid glare. And in that trisulk flash Corinius beheld through the south-west window the Iron Tower blasted and cleft107 asunder, and the next instant fallen in an avalanche108 of red-hot ruin.
“The keep hath fallen!” he cried. And, deadly wearied on a sudden, he sank heavily into his seat. The cataclysm109 was passed by like a wind in the night; but now was heard a sound as of the enemy rushing to the assault. Corinius strove to rise, but his legs were over feeble. His eye fit on Corsus’s untasted cup, that which was passed on to him by Viglus Corund’s son, and he cried, “What devil’s work is this? I have a strange numbness110 in my bones. By heavens, thou shalt drink that cup or die.”
Viglus, his eyes protruding111, his hand clutching at his breast, struggled to rise but could not.
Heming half staggered up, fumbling112 for his sword, then pitched forward on the table with a horrid113 rattle114 of the throat.
But Corsus leaped up trembling, his dull eyes aflame with triumphant115 malice116. “The King hath thrown and lost,” he cried, “as well I foresaw it. And now have the children of night taken him to themselves. And thou, damned Corinius, and you sons of Corund, are but dead swine before me. Ye have all drunk venom117, and ye are dead. Now will I deliver up Carc? to the Demons. And it, and your bodies, with mine electuary rotting in your vitals, shall buy me peace from Demonland.”
“O horrible! Then I too am poisoned,” cried the Lady Zenambria, and she fell a-swooning.
“’Tis pity,” said Corsus. “Blame the passing of the cups for that. I might not speak ere the poison had chained me the limbs of these cursed devils, and made ’em harmless.”
Corinius’s jaw set like a bulldog’s. Painfully gritting118 his teeth he rose from his seat, his sword naked in his hand. Corsus, that was now passing near him on his way to the door, saw too late that he had reckoned without his host. Corinius, albeit119 the baneful120 drug bound his legs as with a cere-cloth, was yet too swift for Corsus, who, fleeing before him to the door, had but time to clutch the heavy curtains ere the sword of Corinius took him in the back. He fell, and lay a-writhing lumpishly, like a toad121 spitted on a skewer122. And the floor of steatite was made slippery with his blood.
“’Tis well. Through the guts,” said Corinius. No might he had to draw forth the sword, but staggered as one drunken, and fell to earth, propped123 against the jambs of the lofty doorway124.
Some while he lay there, harkening to the sounds of battle without; for the Iron Tower was fallen athwart the outer wall, making a breach125 through all lines of defence. And through that breach the Demons stormed the hold of Carc?, that never unfriendly foot had entered by force in all the centuries since it was builded by Gorice I. An ill watch it was for Corinius to lie harkening to that unequal fight, unable to stir a hand, and all they that should have headed the defence dead or dying before his eyes. Yet was his breath lightened and his pain some part eased when his eye rested on the gross body of Corsus twisting in the agony of death upon his sword.
In such wise passed well nigh an hour. The bodily strength of Corinius and his iron heart bare up against the power of the venom long after those others had breathed out their souls in death. But now was the battle done and the victory with them of Demonland, and the lords Juss and Goldry Bluszco and Brandoch Daha with certain of their fighting men came into the banquet hall. Smeared126 they were with blood and the dust of battle, for not without great blows and the death of many a stout127 lad had the hold been won. Goldry said as they paused at the threshold, “This is the very banquet house of death. How came these by their end?”
THE LAST CONJURING IN CARC?.
THE LAST CONJURING IN CARC?.
Corinius’s brow darkened at the sight of the lords of Demonland, and mightily128 he strove to raise himself, but sank back groaning129, “I have gotten an everlasting130 chill o’ the bones,” he said. “Yon hellish traitor131 murthered us all by poison; else should some of you have gotten your deaths by me or ever ye won up into Carc?.”
“Bring him some water,” said Juss. And he with Brandoch Daha gently lifted Corinius and bare him to his chair where he should be more at ease.
Goldry said, “Here is a lady liveth.” For Sriva, that sitting on her father’s left hand had so escaped a poisoned draught132 at the passing of the cups, rose from the table where she had cowered133 in fearful silence, and cast herself in a flood of tears and terrified supplications about Goldry’s knees. Goldry bade guard her to the camp and there bestow134 her in safe asylum135 until the morning.
Now was Corinius near his end, but he gathered strength to speak, saying, “I do joy that not by your sword were we put down, but by the unequal trumpery136 of Fortune, whose tool was this Corsus’ and the King’s devilish pride, that desired to harness Heaven and Hell to his chariot. Fortune’s a right strumpet, to fondle me in the neck and now yerk me one thus i’ the midriff.”
“Not Fortune, my Lord Corinius, but the Gods,” said Goldry, “whose feet be shod with wool.”
By then was water brought in, and Brandoch Daha would have given him to drink. But Corinius would have none of it, but jerked his head aside and o’erset the cup, and looking fiercely on Lord Brandoch Daha, “Vile fellow,” he said, “so thou too art come to insult on Witchland’s grave? Thou’dst strike me now into the centre, and thou wert not more a dancing madam than a soldier.”
“How?” said Brandoch Daha. “Say a dog bite me in the ham: must I bite him again i’ the same part?”
Corinius’s eyelids137 closed, and he said weakly, “How look thy womanish gew-gaws in Krothering since I towsed ’em?” And therewith the creeping poison reached his strong heart-strings, and he died.
Now was silence for a space in that banquet hall, and in the silence a step was heard, and the lords of Demonland turned toward the lofty doorway, that yawned as an arched cavern-mouth of darkness; for Corsus had torn down the arras curtains in his death-throes, and they lay heaped athwart the threshold with his dead body across them, Corinius’s sword-hilts jammed against his ribs138 and the blade standing139 a foot’s length forth from his breast. And while they gazed, there walked into the shifting light of the flamboys over that threshold the Lady Prezmyra, crowned and arrayed in her rich robes and ornaments140 of state. Her countenance was bleak141 as the winter moon flying high amid light clouds on a windy midnight settling towards rain, and those lords, under the spell of her sad cold beauty, stood without speech.
In a while Juss, speaking as one who needeth to command his voice, and making grave obeisance142 to her, said, “O Queen, we give you peace. Command our service in all things whatsoever143. And first in this, which shall be our earliest task ere we sail homeward, to stablish you in your rightful realm of Pixyland. But this hour is overcharged with fate and desperate deeds to suffer counsel. Counsel is for the morning. The night calleth to rest. I pray you give us leave.”
Prezmyra, looked upon Juss, and there was eye-bite in her eyes, that glinted with green metallic144 lustre145 like those of a she-lion brought to battle.
“Thou dost offer me Pixyland, my Lord Juss,” said she, “that am Queen of Impland. And this night, thou thinkest, can bring me rest. These that were dear to me have rest indeed: my lord and lover Corund; the Prince my brother; Gro, that was my friend. Deadly enow they found you, whether as friends or foes146.”
Juss said, “O Queen Prezmyra, the nest falleth with the tree. These things hath Fate brought to pass, and we be but Fate’s whipping-tops bandied what way she will. Against thee we war not, and I swear to thee that all our care is to make thee amends147.”
“O, thine oaths!” said Prezmyra. “What amends canst thou make? Youth I have and some poor beauty. Wilt148 thou conjure88 those three dead men alive again that ye have slain? For all thy vaunted art, I think this were too hard a task.”
All they were silent, eyeing her as she walked delicately past the table. She looked with a distant and, to outward seeming, uncomprehending eye on the dead feasters and their empty cups. Empty all, save that one passed on by Viglus, whereof Corsus would not drink; and it stood half drained. Of curious workmanship it was, of pale green glass, its stand formed of three serpents intertwined, the one of gold, another of silver, the third of iron. Fingering it carelessly she raised her glittering eyes once more on the Demons, and said, “It was ever the wont of you of Demonland to eat the egg and give away the shell in alms.” And pointing at the lords of Witchland dead at the feast, she asked, “Were these also your victims in this day’s hunting, my lords?”
“Thou dost us wrong, madam,” cried Goldry. “Never hath Demonland used suchlike arts against her enemies.”
Lord Brandoch Daha looked swiftly at him, and stepped idly forward, saying, “I know not what art hath wrought149 yon goblet, but ’tis strangely like to one I saw in Impland. Yet fairer is this, and of more just proportions.” But Prezmyra forestalled150 his out-stretched hand, and quietly drew the cup towards her out of reach. As sword crosses sword, the glance of her green eyes crossed his, and she said, “Think not that you have a worse enemy left on earth than me. I it was that sent Corsus and Corinius to trample151 Demonland in the mire55. Had I but some spark of masculine virtue152, some soul at least of you should yet be loosed squealing153 to the shades to attend my dear ones ere I set sail. But I have none. Kill me then, and let me go.”
Juss, whose sword was bare in his hand, smote it home in the scabbard and stepped towards her. But the table was betwixt them, and she drew back to the dais where Corund lay in state. There, like some triumphant goddess, she stood above them, the cup of venom in her hand. “Come not beyond the table, my lords,” she said, “or I drain this cup to your damnation.”
Brandoch Daha said, “The dice154 are thrown, O Juss. And the Queen hath won the hazard.”
“Madam,” said Juss, “I swear to you there shall no force nor restraint be put upon you, but honour only and worship shown you, and friendship if you will. That surely mightest thou take of us for thy brother’s sake.” Thereat she looked terribly upon him, and he said, “Only on this wild night lay not hands upon yourself. For their sake, that even now haply behold98 us out of the undiscovered barren lands, beyond the dismal155 lake, do not this.”
Still facing them, the cup still aloft in her right hand, Prezmyra laid her left hand lightly on the brazen156 plates of Corund’s byrny that cased the mighty muscles of his breast. Her hand touched his beard, and drew back suddenly; but in an instant she laid it gently again on his breast. Somewhat her orient loveliness seemed to soften157 for a passing minute in the altering light, and she said, “I was given to Corund young. This night I will sleep with him, or reign158 with him, among the mighty nations of the dead.”
Juss moved as one about to speak, but she stayed him with a look, and the lines of her body hardened again and the lioness looked forth anew in her peerless eyes. “Hath your greatness,” she said, “so much outgrown159 your wit, that you think I will abide to be your pensioner160, that have been a Princess in Pixyland, a Queen of far-fronted Impland, and wife to the greatest soldier in this bold of Carc?, which till this day hath been the only scourge161 and terror of the world? O my lords of Demonland, good comfortable fools, speak to me no more, for your speech is folly162. Go, doff163 your hats to the silly hind18 that runneth on the mountain; pray her gently dwell with you amid your stalled cattle, when you have slain her mate. Shall the blackening frost, when it hath blasted and starved all the sweet garden flowers, say to the rose, Abide with us; and shall she harken to such a wolfish suit?”
So speaking she drank the cup; and turning from those lords of Demonland as a queen turneth her from the unregarded multitude, kneeled gently down by Corund’s bier, her white arms clasped about his head, her face pillowed on his breast.
When Juss spake, his voice was choked with tears. He commanded Bremery that they should take up the bodies of Corsus and Zenambria and those sons of Corund and of Corsus that lay poisoned and dead in that hall and on the morrow give them reverent165 burial. “And for the Lord Corinius I will that ye make a bed of state, that he may lie in this hall to-night, and to-morrow will we lay him in howe before Carc?, as is fitting for so renowned166 a captain. But great Corund and his lady shall none depart one from the other, but in one grave shall they rest, side by side, for their love sake. Ere we be gone I will rear them such a monument as beseemeth great kings and princes when they die. For royal and lordly was Corund, and a mighty man at arms, and a fighter clean of hand, albeit our bitter enemy. Wondrous167 it is with what cords of love he bound to him this unparagoned Queen of his. Who hath known her like among women for trueness and highness of heart? And sure none was ever more unfortunate.”
Now went they forth into the outer ward15 of Carc? The night bore still some signs of that commotion168 of the skies that had so lately burst forth and passed away, and some torn palls169 of thundercloud yet hung athwart the face of heaven. Betwixt them in the swept places of the sky a few stars shivered, and the moon, more than half waxen towards her full, was sinking over Tenemos. Some faint breath of autumn was abroad, and the Demons shuddered170 a little, fresh from the heavy air of the great banquet hall. The ruins of the Iron Tower smoking to the sky, and the torn and tumbled masses of masonry171 about it, showed monstrous in the gloom as fragments of old chaos172; and from them and from the riven earth beneath steamed up pungent173 fumes174 as of brimstone burning. Ever busily, back and forth through those sulphurous vapours, obscene birds of the night flitted a weary round, and bats on leathern wing, fitfully and dimly seen in the uncertain mirk, save when their passage brought them dark against the moon. And from the solitudes175 of the mournful fen106 afar voices of lamentation176 floated on the night: wild wailing177 cries and sobbing178 noises and long moans rising and falling and quivering down to silence.
Juss laid his hand on Goldry’s arm, saying, “There is nought earthly in these laments179, nor be those that thou seest circling in the reek180 very bats or owls90. These be his masterless familiars wailing for their Lord. Many such served him, simple earthy divels and divels of the air and of the water, held by him in thrall181 by sorcerous and artificial practices, coming and going and doing his will.”
“These availed him not,” said Goldry, “nor the sword of Witchland against our might and main, that brake it asunder in his hand and slew182 his mighty men of valour.”
“Yet true it is,” said Lord Juss, “that none greater hath lived on earth than King Gorice XII. When after these long wars we held him as a stag at bay, he feared not to assay183 a second time, and this time unaided and alone, what no man else hath so much as once performed and lived. And well he knew that that which was summoned by him out of the deep must spill and blast him utterly184 if he should slip one whit164, as slip he did in former days, but his disciple185 succoured him. Behold now with what loud striking of thunder, unconquered by any earthly power, he hath his parting: with this Carc? black and smoking in ruin for his monument, these lords of Witchland and hundreds besides of our soldiers and of the Witches for his funeral bake-meats, and spirits weeping in the night for his chief mourners.”
So came they again to the camp. And in due time the moon set and the clouds departed and the quiet stars pursued their eternal way until night’s decline; as if this night had been but as other nights: this night which had beheld the power and glory that was Witchland by such a hammer-stroke of destiny smitten186 in pieces.
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1
conjuring
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| n.魔术 | |
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2
demon
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| n.魔鬼，恶魔 | |
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3
chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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sullen
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| adj.愠怒的，闷闷不乐的，(天气等)阴沉的 | |
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sluggish
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| adj.懒惰的，迟钝的，无精打采的 | |
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6
pervaded
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| v.遍及，弥漫( pervade的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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clogged
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| （使）阻碍( clog的过去式和过去分词 )； 淤滞 | |
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8
drowsy
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| adj.昏昏欲睡的，令人发困的 | |
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mischief
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| n.损害，伤害，危害；恶作剧，捣蛋，胡闹 | |
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10
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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12
vigour
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| （=vigor）n.智力，体力，精力 | |
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13
mien
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| n.风采；态度 | |
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14
jaw
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| n.颚，颌，说教，流言蜚语；v.喋喋不休，教训 | |
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15
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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16
nostrils
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| 鼻孔( nostril的名词复数 ) | |
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17
majesty
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| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
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18
hind
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| adj.后面的，后部的 | |
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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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20
twigs
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| 细枝，嫩枝( twig的名词复数 ) | |
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21
wither
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| vt.使凋谢，使衰退，(用眼神气势等)使畏缩；vi.枯萎，衰退，消亡 | |
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22
dotage
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| n.年老体衰；年老昏聩 | |
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23
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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24
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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25
swell
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| vi.膨胀，肿胀；增长，增强 | |
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26
curt
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| adj.简短的，草率的 | |
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27
assent
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| v.批准，认可；n.批准，认可 | |
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28
contrive
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| vt.谋划，策划；设法做到；设计，想出 | |
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29
nought
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| n.／adj.无，零 | |
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30
peril
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| n.(严重的)危险；危险的事物 | |
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perilous
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| adj.危险的，冒险的 | |
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32
sneer
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| v.轻蔑；嘲笑；n.嘲笑，讥讽的言语 | |
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33
pall
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| v.覆盖，使平淡无味；n.柩衣，棺罩；棺材；帷幕 | |
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34
wont
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| adj.习惯于；v.习惯；n.习惯 | |
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35
hunched
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| （常指因寒冷、生病或愁苦）耸肩弓身的，伏首前倾的 | |
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36
beads
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| n.（空心）小珠子( bead的名词复数 )；水珠；珠子项链 | |
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twitched
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| vt.& vi.（使）抽动，（使）颤动（twitch的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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38
lust
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| n.性(淫)欲；渴(欲)望；vi.对…有强烈的欲望 | |
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39
caterpillars
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| n.毛虫( caterpillar的名词复数 )；履带 | |
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40
knotty
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| adj.有结的，多节的，多瘤的，棘手的 | |
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41
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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42
woe
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| n.悲哀，苦痛，不幸，困难；int.用来表达悲伤或惊慌 | |
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43
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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44
calamity
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| n.灾害，祸患，不幸事件 | |
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45
undoing
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| n.毁灭的原因，祸根；破坏，毁灭 | |
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46
braced
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| adj.拉牢的v.支住( brace的过去式和过去分词 )；撑牢；使自己站稳；振作起来 | |
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47
rend
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| vt.把…撕开，割裂；把…揪下来，强行夺取 | |
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48
discretion
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| n.谨慎；随意处理 | |
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49
gathering
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| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
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50
blurted
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| v.突然说出，脱口而出( blurt的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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51
puff
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| n.一口(气)；一阵(风)；v.喷气，喘气 | |
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52
corrupted
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| （使）败坏( corrupt的过去式和过去分词 )； （使）腐化； 引起（计算机文件等的）错误； 破坏 | |
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53
dishonour
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| n./vt.拒付（支票、汇票、票据等）；vt.凌辱，使丢脸；n.不名誉，耻辱，不光彩 | |
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54
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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55
mire
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| n.泥沼，泥泞；v.使...陷于泥泞，使...陷入困境 | |
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56
indignities
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| n.侮辱，轻蔑( indignity的名词复数 ) | |
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57
hardy
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| adj.勇敢的，果断的，吃苦的；耐寒的 | |
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58
wholesome
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| adj.适合；卫生的；有益健康的；显示身心健康的 | |
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59
smote
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| v.猛打，重击，打击( smite的过去式 ) | |
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60
monstrous
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| adj.巨大的；恐怖的；可耻的，丢脸的 | |
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61
clemency
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| n.温和，仁慈，宽厚 | |
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62
incense
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| v.激怒；n.香，焚香时的烟，香气 | |
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63
uproot
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| v.连根拔起，拔除；根除，灭绝；赶出家园，被迫移开 | |
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64
boulder
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| n.巨砾；卵石，圆石 | |
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65
dwelling
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| n.住宅，住所，寓所 | |
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66
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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67
resolute
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| adj.坚决的，果敢的 | |
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68
latch
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| n.门闩，窗闩；弹簧锁 | |
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69
obedience
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| n.服从，顺从 | |
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70
abide
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| vi.遵守；坚持；vt.忍受 | |
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71
sate
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| v.使充分满足 | |
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72
gnawing
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| a.痛苦的，折磨人的 | |
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73
hawk
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| n.鹰，骗子；鹰派成员 | |
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74
wrath
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| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
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75
goblet
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| n.高脚酒杯 | |
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76
jaws
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| n.口部；嘴 | |
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77
timorous
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| adj.胆怯的，胆小的 | |
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78
renounce
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| v.放弃；拒绝承认，宣布与…断绝关系 | |
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79
dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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80
disastrous
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| adj.灾难性的，造成灾害的；极坏的，很糟的 | |
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81
valiant
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| adj.勇敢的，英勇的；n.勇士，勇敢的人 | |
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82
amethystine
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| adj.紫水晶质的，紫色的；紫晶 | |
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83
spacious
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| adj.广阔的，宽敞的 | |
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84
lighting
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| n.照明，光线的明暗，舞台灯光 | |
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85
goblets
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| n.高脚酒杯( goblet的名词复数 ) | |
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86
pallid
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| adj.苍白的，呆板的 | |
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87
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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88
conjure
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| v.恳求，祈求；变魔术，变戏法 | |
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89
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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90
owls
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| n.猫头鹰( owl的名词复数 ) | |
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91
brawny
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| adj.强壮的 | |
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92
omnipotence
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| n.全能，万能，无限威力 | |
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93
poised
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| a.摆好姿势不动的 | |
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94
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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95
ails
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| v.生病( ail的第三人称单数 )；感到不舒服；处境困难；境况不佳 | |
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96
doting
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| adj.溺爱的，宠爱的 | |
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97
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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98
behold
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| v.看，注视，看到 | |
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99
gust
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| n.阵风，突然一阵（雨、烟等），（感情的）迸发 | |
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100
flickered
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| （通常指灯光）闪烁，摇曳( flicker的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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101
irresolute
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| adj.无决断的，优柔寡断的，踌躇不定的 | |
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102
bowels
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| n.肠，内脏，内部；肠( bowel的名词复数 )；内部，最深处 | |
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103
ravened
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| v.掠夺（raven的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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104
asunder
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| adj.分离的，化为碎片 | |
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105
deafening
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| adj. 振耳欲聋的, 极喧闹的 动词deafen的现在分词形式 | |
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106
fen
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| n.沼泽，沼池 | |
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107
cleft
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| n.裂缝；adj.裂开的 | |
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108
avalanche
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| n.雪崩，大量涌来 | |
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109
cataclysm
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| n.洪水，剧变，大灾难 | |
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110
numbness
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| n.无感觉，麻木，惊呆 | |
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111
protruding
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| v.（使某物）伸出，（使某物）突出( protrude的现在分词 )；凸 | |
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112
fumbling
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| n. 摸索,漏接 v. 摸索,摸弄,笨拙的处理 | |
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113
horrid
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| adj.可怕的；令人惊恐的；恐怖的；极讨厌的 | |
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114
rattle
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| v.飞奔，碰响；激怒；n.碰撞声；拨浪鼓 | |
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115
triumphant
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| adj.胜利的，成功的；狂欢的，喜悦的 | |
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116
malice
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| n.恶意，怨恨，蓄意；[律]预谋 | |
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117
venom
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| n.毒液，恶毒，痛恨 | |
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118
gritting
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| v.以沙砾覆盖（某物），撒沙砾于( grit的现在分词 )；咬紧牙关 | |
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119
albeit
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| conj.即使；纵使；虽然 | |
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120
baneful
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| adj.有害的 | |
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121
toad
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| n.蟾蜍，癞蛤蟆 | |
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122
skewer
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| n.（烤肉用的）串肉杆；v.用杆串好 | |
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123
propped
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| 支撑，支持，维持( prop的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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124
doorway
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| n.门口，(喻)入门；门路，途径 | |
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125
breach
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| n.违反，不履行；破裂；vt.冲破，攻破 | |
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126
smeared
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| 弄脏； 玷污； 涂抹； 擦上 | |
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128
mightily
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| ad.强烈地；非常地 | |
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129
groaning
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| adj. 呜咽的, 呻吟的 动词groan的现在分词形式 | |
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130
everlasting
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| adj.永恒的，持久的，无止境的 | |
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131
traitor
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| n.叛徒，卖国贼 | |
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132
draught
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| n.拉，牵引，拖；一网（饮，吸，阵)；顿服药量，通风；v.起草，设计 | |
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133
cowered
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| v.畏缩，抖缩( cower的过去式 ) | |
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134
bestow
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| v.把…赠与，把…授予；花费 | |
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135
asylum
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| n.避难所，庇护所，避难 | |
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136
trumpery
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| n.无价值的杂物；adj.（物品）中看不中用的 | |
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137
eyelids
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| n.眼睑( eyelid的名词复数 )；眼睛也不眨一下；不露声色；面不改色 | |
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138
ribs
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| n.肋骨( rib的名词复数 )；（船或屋顶等的）肋拱；肋骨状的东西；（织物的）凸条花纹 | |
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139
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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140
ornaments
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| n.装饰( ornament的名词复数 )；点缀；装饰品；首饰v.装饰，点缀，美化( ornament的第三人称单数 ) | |
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141
bleak
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| adj.(天气)阴冷的；凄凉的；暗淡的 | |
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142
obeisance
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| n.鞠躬，敬礼 | |
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143
whatsoever
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| adv.（用于否定句中以加强语气）任何；pron.无论什么 | |
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144
metallic
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| adj.金属的；金属制的；含金属的；产金属的；像金属的 | |
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145
lustre
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| n.光亮，光泽；荣誉 | |
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146
foes
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| 敌人，仇敌( foe的名词复数 ) | |
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147
amends
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| n. 赔偿 | |
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148
wilt
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| v.(使)植物凋谢或枯萎；(指人)疲倦，衰弱 | |
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149
wrought
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| v.引起；以…原料制作；运转；adj.制造的 | |
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150
forestalled
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| v.先发制人，预先阻止( forestall的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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151
trample
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| vt.踩，践踏；无视，伤害，侵犯 | |
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152
virtue
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| n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力 | |
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153
squealing
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| v.长声尖叫，用长而尖锐的声音说( squeal的现在分词 ) | |
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154
dice
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| n.骰子；vt.把（食物）切成小方块，冒险 | |
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155
dismal
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| adj.阴沉的，凄凉的，令人忧郁的，差劲的 | |
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156
brazen
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| adj.厚脸皮的，无耻的，坚硬的 | |
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157
soften
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| v.(使)变柔软；(使)变柔和 | |
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158
reign
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| n.统治时期，统治，支配，盛行；v.占优势 | |
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159
outgrown
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| 长[发展] 得超过（某物）的范围( outgrow的过去分词 )； 长[发展]得不能再要（某物）； 长得比…快； 生长速度超过 | |
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160
pensioner
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| n.领养老金的人 | |
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161
scourge
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| n.灾难，祸害；v.蹂躏 | |
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162
folly
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| n.愚笨，愚蠢，蠢事，蠢行，傻话 | |
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163
doff
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| v.脱，丢弃，废除 | |
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164
whit
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| n.一点，丝毫 | |
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165
reverent
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| adj.恭敬的，虔诚的 | |
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166
renowned
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| adj.著名的，有名望的，声誉鹊起的 | |
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167
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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168
commotion
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| n.骚动，动乱 | |
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169
palls
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| n.柩衣( pall的名词复数 )；墓衣；棺罩；深色或厚重的覆盖物v.（因过多或过久而）生厌，感到乏味，厌烦( pall的第三人称单数 ) | |
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170
shuddered
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| v.战栗( shudder的过去式和过去分词 )；发抖；（机器、车辆等）突然震动；颤动 | |
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171
masonry
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| n.砖土建筑；砖石 | |
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172
chaos
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| n.混乱，无秩序 | |
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173
pungent
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| adj.（气味、味道）刺激性的，辛辣的；尖锐的 | |
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174
fumes
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| n.(强烈而刺激的)气味，气体 | |
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175
solitudes
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| n.独居( solitude的名词复数 )；孤独；荒僻的地方；人迹罕至的地方 | |
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176
lamentation
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| n.悲叹，哀悼 | |
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177
wailing
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| v.哭叫，哀号( wail的现在分词 )；沱 | |
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178
sobbing
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| <主方>Ⅰ adj.湿透的 | |
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179
laments
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| n.悲恸，哀歌，挽歌( lament的名词复数 )v.（为…）哀悼，痛哭，悲伤( lament的第三人称单数 ) | |
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180
reek
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| v.发出臭气；n.恶臭 | |
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181
thrall
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| n.奴隶；奴隶制 | |
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182
slew
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| v.（使）旋转；n.大量，许多 | |
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183
assay
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| n.试验，测定 | |
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184
utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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185
disciple
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| n.信徒，门徒，追随者 | |
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186
smitten
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| 猛打，重击，打击( smite的过去分词 ) | |
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