MACBETH.
Wildrake was left in the cabinet, as we have said, astonished and alone. It was often noised about, that Cromwell, the deep and sagacious statesman, the calm and intrepid1 commander, he who had overcome such difficulties, and ascended2 to such heights, that he seemed already to bestride the land which he had conquered, had, like many other men of great genius, a constitutional taint3 of melancholy4, which sometimes displayed itself both in words and actions, and had been first observed in that sudden and striking change, when, abandoning entirely5 the dissolute freaks of his youth, he embraced a very strict course of religious observances, which, upon some occasions, he seemed to consider as bringing him into more near and close contact with the spiritual world. This extraordinary man is said sometimes, during that period of his life, to have given way to spiritual delusions6, or, as he himself conceived them, prophetic inspirations of approaching grandeur7, and of strange, deep, and mysterious agencies, in which he was in future to be engaged, in the same manner as his younger years had been marked by fits of exuberant8 and excessive frolic and debaucheries. Something of this kind seemed to explain the ebullition of passion which he had now manifested.
With wonder at what he had witnessed, Wildrake felt some anxiety on his own account. Though not the most reflecting of mortals, he had sense enough to know, that it is dangerous to be a witness of the infirmities of men high in power; and he was left so long by himself, as induced him to entertain some secret doubts, whether the General might not be tempted9 to take means of confining or removing a witness, who had seen him lowered, as it seemed, by the suggestions of his own conscience, beneath that lofty flight, which, in general, he affected10 to sustain above the rest of the sublunary world.
In this, however, he wronged Cromwell, who was free either from an extreme degree of jealous suspicion, or from any thing which approached towards blood-thirstiness. Pearson appeared, after a lapse11 of about an hour, and, intimating to Wildrake that he was to follow, conducted him into a distant apartment, in which he found the General seated on a couch. His daughter was in the apartment, but remained at some distance, apparently12 busied with some female needle-work, and scarce turned her head as Pearson and Wildrake entered.
At a sign from the Lord-General, Wildrake approached him as before. “Comrade,” he said, “your old friends the cavaliers look on me as their enemy, and conduct themselves towards me as if they desired to make me such. I profess13 they are labouring to their own prejudice; for I regard, and have ever regarded them, as honest and honourable14 fools, who were silly enough to run their necks into nooses15 and their heads against stonewalls, that a man called Stewart, and no other, should be king over them. Fools! are there no words made of letters that would sound as well as Charles Stewart, with that magic title beside them? Why, the word King is like a lighted lamp, that throws the same bright gilding16 upon any combination of the alphabet, and yet you must shed your blood for a name! But thou, for thy part, shalt have no wrong from me. Here is an order, well warranted, to clear the Lodge17 at Woodstock, and abandon it to thy master’s keeping, or those whom he shall appoint. He will have his uncle and pretty cousin with him, doubtless. Fare thee well — think on what I told thee. They say beauty is a loadstone to yonder long lad thou dost wot of; but I reckon he has other stars at present to direct his course than bright eyes and fair hair. Be it as it may, thou knowst my purpose — peer out, peer out; keep a constant and careful look-out on every ragged18 patch that wanders by hedge-row or lane — these are days when a beggar’s cloak may cover a king’s ransom19. There are some broad Portugal pieces for thee — something strange to thy pouch20, I ween. — Once more, think on what thou hast heard, and,” he added, in a lower and more impressive tone of voice, “forget what thou hast seen. My service to thy master; — and, yet once again, remember — and forget.”— Wildrake made his obeisance21, and, returning to his inn, left Windsor with all possible speed.
It was afternoon in the same day when the cavalier rejoined his round-head friend, who was anxiously expecting him at the inn in Woodstock appointed for their rendezvous22.
“Where hast thou been? — what hast thou seen? — what strange uncertainty23 is in thy looks? — and why dost thou not answer me?”
“Because,” said Wildrake, laying aside his riding cloak and rapier, “you ask so many questions at once. A man has but one tongue to answer with, and mine is well-nigh glued to the roof of my mouth.”
“Will drink unloosen it?” said the Colonel; “though I dare say thou hast tried that spell at every ale-house on the road. Call for what thou wouldst have, man, only be quick.”
“Colonel Everard,” answered Wildrake, “I have not tasted so much as a cup of cold water this day.”
“Then thou art out of humour for that reason,” said the Colonel; “salve thy sore with brandy, if thou wilt24, but leave being so fantastic and unlike to thyself, as thou showest in this silent mood.”
“Colonel Everard,” replied the cavalier, very gravely, “I am an altered man.”
“I think thou dost alter,” said Everard, “every day in the year, and every hour of the day. Come, good now, tell me, hast thou seen the General, and got his warrant for clearing out the sequestrators from Woodstock?”
“I have seen the devil,” said Wildrake, “and have, as thou say’st, got a warrant from him.”
“Give it me hastily,” said Everard, catching25 at the packet.
“Forgive me, Mark,” said Wildrake; “if thou knewest the purpose with which this deed is granted — if thou knewest — what it is not my purpose to tell thee — what manner of hopes are founded on thy accepting it, I have that opinion of thee, Mark Everard, that thou wouldst as soon take a red-hot horse-shoe from the anvil26 with thy bare hand, as receive into it this slip of paper.”
“Come, come,” said Everard, “this comes of some of your exalted27 ideas of loyalty28, which, excellent within certain bounds, drive us mad when encouraged up to some heights. Do not think, since I must needs speak plainly with thee, that I see without sorrow the downfall of our ancient monarchy29, and the substitution of another form of government in its stead; but ought my regret for the past to prevent my acquiescing31 and aiding in such measures as are likely to settle the future? The royal cause is ruined, hadst thou and every cavalier in England sworn the contrary; ruined, not to rise again — for many a day at least. The Parliament, so often draughted and drained of those who were courageous33 enough to maintain their own freedom of opinion, is now reduced to a handful of statesmen, who have lost the respect of the people, from the length of time during which they have held the supreme34 management of affairs. They cannot stand long unless they were to reduce the army; and the army, late servants, are now masters, and will refuse to be reduced. They know their strength, and that they may be an army subsisting35 on pay and free quarters throughout England as long as they will. I tell thee, Wildrake, unless we look to the only man who can rule and manage them, we may expect military law throughout the land; and I, for mine own part, look for any preservation36 of our privileges that may be vouchsafed37 to us, only through the wisdom and forbearance of Cromwell. Now you have my secret. You are aware that I am not doing the best I would, but the best I can. I wish — not so ardently38 as thou, perhaps — yet I do wish that the King could have been restored on good terms of composition, safe for us and for himself. And now, good Wildrake, rebel as thou thinkest me, make me no worse a rebel than an unwilling39 one. God knows, I never laid aside love and reverence40 to the King, even in drawing my sword against his ill advisers41.”
“Ah, plague on you,” said Wildrake, “that is the very cant42 of it — that’s what you all say. All of you fought against the King in pure love and loyalty, and not otherwise. However, I see your drift, and I own that I like it better than I expected. The army is your bear now, and old Noll is your bearward; and you are like a country constable43, who makes interest with the bearward that he may prevent him from letting bruin loose. Well, there may come a day when the sun will shine on our side of the fence, and thereon shall you, and all the good fair-weather folks who love the stronger party, come and make common cause with us.”
Without much attending to what his friend said, Colonel Everard carefully studied the warrant of Cromwell. “It is bolder and more peremptory44 than I expected,” he said. “The General must feel himself strong, when he opposes his own authority so directly to that of the Council of State and the Parliament.”
“You will not hesitate to act upon it?” said Wildrake.
“That I certainly will not,” answered Everard; “but I must wait till I have the assistance of the Mayor, who, I think, will gladly see these fellows ejected from the Lodge. I must not go altogether upon military authority, if possible.” Then, stepping to the door of the apartment, he despatched a servant of the house in quest of the Chief Magistrate45, desiring he should be made acquainted that Colonel Everard desired to see him with as little loss of time as possible.
“You are sure he will come, like a dog at a whistle,” said Wildrake. “The word captain, or colonel, makes the fat citizen trot46 in these days, when one sword is worth fifty corporation charters. But there are dragoons yonder, as well as the grim-faced knave47 whom I frightened the other evening when I showed my face in at the window. Think’st thou the knaves48 will show no rough play?”
“The General’s warrant will weigh more with them than a dozen acts of Parliament,” said Everard. —“But it is time thou eatest, if thou hast in truth ridden from Windsor hither without baiting.”
“I care not about it,” said Wildrake: “I tell thee, your General gave me a breakfast, which, I think, will serve me one while, if I am ever able to digest it. By the mass, it lay so heavy on my conscience, that I carried it to church to see if I could digest it there with my other sins. But not a whit49.”
“To church! — to the door of the church, thou meanest,” said Everard. “I know thy way — thou art ever wont50 to pull thy hat off reverently51 at the threshold; but for crossing it, that day seldom comes.”
“Well,” replied Wildrake, “and if I do pull off my castor and kneel, is it not seemly to show the same respects in a church which we offer in a palace? It is a dainty matter, is it not, to see your Anabaptists, and Brownists, and the rest of you, gather to a sermon with as little ceremony as hogs52 to a trough! But here comes food, and now for a grace, if I can remember one.”
Everard was too much interested about the fate of his uncle and his fair cousin, and the prospect53 of restoring them to their quiet home, under the protection of that formidable truncheon which was already regarded as the leading-staff of England, to remark, that certainly a great alteration54 had taken place in the manners and outward behaviour at least of his companion. His demeanour frequently evinced a sort of struggle betwixt old habits of indulgence, and some newly formed resolutions of abstinence; and it was almost ludicrous to see how often the hand of the neophyte55 directed itself naturally to a large black leathern jack56, which contained two double flagons of strong ale, and how often, diverted from its purpose by the better reflections of the reformed toper, it seized, instead, upon a large ewer57 of salubrious and pure water.
It was not difficult to see that the task of sobriety was not yet become easy, and that, if it had the recommendation of the intellectual portion of the party who had resolved upon it, the outward man yielded a reluctant and restive58 compliance59. But honest Wildrake had been dreadfully frightened at the course proposed to him by Cromwell, and, with a feeling not peculiar61 to the Catholic religion, had formed a solemn resolution within his own mind, that, if he came off safe and with honour from this dangerous interview, he would show his sense of Heaven’s favour, by renouncing62 some of the sins which most easily beset63 him, and especially that of intemperance64, to which, like many of his wild compeers, he was too much addicted65.
This resolution, or vow66, was partly prudential as well as religious; for it occurred to him as very possible, that some matters of a difficult and delicate nature might be thrown into his hands at the present emergency, during the conduct of which it would be fitting for him to act by some better oracle68 than that of the Bottle, celebrated69 by Rabelais. In full compliance with this prudent67 determination, he touched neither the ale nor the brandy which were placed before him, and declined peremptorily70 the sack with which his friend would have garnished71 the board. Nevertheless, just as the boy removed the trenchers and napkins, together with the large black-jack which we have already mentioned, and was one or two steps on his way to the door, the sinewy72 arm of the cavalier, which seemed to elongate73 itself on purpose, (as it extended far beyond the folds of the threadbare jacket,) arrested the progress of the retiring Ganymede, and seizing on the black-jack, conveyed it to the lips, which were gently breathing forth74 the aspiration75, “D— n — I mean. Heaven forgive me — we are poor creatures of clay — one modest sip76 must be permitted to our frailty77.”
So murmuring, he glued the huge flagon to his lips, and as the head was slowly and gradually inclined backwards78, in proportion as the right hand elevated the bottom of the pitcher79, Everard had great doubts whether the drinker and the cup were likely to part until the whole contents of the latter had been transferred to the person of the former. Roger Wildrake stinted80, however, when, by a moderate computation, he had swallowed at one draught32 about a quart and a half.
He then replaced it on the salver, fetched a long breath to refresh his lungs, bade the boy get him gone with the rest of the liquors, in a tone which inferred some dread60 of his constancy, and then, turning to his friend Everard, he expatiated81 in praise of moderation, observing, that the mouthful which he had just taken had been of more service to him than if he had remained quaffing82 healths at table for four hours together.
His friend made no reply, but could not help being privately83 of opinion that Wildrake’s temperance had done as much execution on the tankard in his single draught, as some more moderate topers might have effected if they had sat sipping84 for an evening. But the subject was changed by the entrance of the landlord, who came to announce to his honour Colonel Everard, that the worshipful Mayor of Woodstock, with the Rev30. Master Holdenough, were come to wait upon him.
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1
intrepid
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| adj.无畏的，刚毅的 | |
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2
ascended
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| v.上升，攀登( ascend的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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3
taint
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| n.污点；感染；腐坏；v.使感染；污染 | |
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melancholy
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| n.忧郁，愁思；adj.令人感伤（沮丧）的，忧郁的 | |
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5
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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6
delusions
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| n.欺骗( delusion的名词复数 )；谬见；错觉；妄想 | |
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7
grandeur
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| n.伟大，崇高，宏伟，庄严，豪华 | |
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8
exuberant
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| adj.充满活力的；（植物）繁茂的 | |
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9
tempted
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| v.怂恿（某人）干不正当的事；冒…的险（tempt的过去分词） | |
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10
affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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11
lapse
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| n.过失，流逝，失效，抛弃信仰，间隔；vi.堕落，停止，失效，流逝；vt.使失效 | |
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12
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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13
profess
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| v.声称，冒称，以...为业，正式接受入教，表明信仰 | |
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14
honourable
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| adj.可敬的；荣誉的，光荣的 | |
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15
nooses
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| n.绞索，套索( noose的名词复数 ) | |
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16
gilding
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| n.贴金箔，镀金 | |
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lodge
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| v.临时住宿，寄宿，寄存，容纳；n.传达室，小旅馆 | |
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18
ragged
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| adj.衣衫褴褛的，粗糙的，刺耳的 | |
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ransom
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| n.赎金，赎身；v.赎回，解救 | |
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pouch
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| n.小袋，小包，囊状袋；vt.装...入袋中，用袋运输；vi.用袋送信件 | |
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21
obeisance
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| n.鞠躬，敬礼 | |
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rendezvous
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| n.约会，约会地点，汇合点；vi.汇合，集合；vt.使汇合，使在汇合地点相遇 | |
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23
uncertainty
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| n.易变，靠不住，不确知，不确定的事物 | |
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24
wilt
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| v.(使)植物凋谢或枯萎；(指人)疲倦，衰弱 | |
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25
catching
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| adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住 | |
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26
anvil
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| n.铁钻 | |
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exalted
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| adj.(地位等)高的，崇高的；尊贵的，高尚的 | |
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loyalty
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| n.忠诚，忠心 | |
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monarchy
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| n.君主，最高统治者；君主政体，君主国 | |
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rev
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| v.发动机旋转，加快速度 | |
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acquiescing
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| v.默认，默许( acquiesce的现在分词 ) | |
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32
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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33
courageous
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| adj.勇敢的，有胆量的 | |
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supreme
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| adj.极度的，最重要的；至高的，最高的 | |
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subsisting
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| v.（靠很少的钱或食物）维持生活，生存下去( subsist的现在分词 ) | |
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preservation
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| n.保护，维护，保存，保留，保持 | |
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vouchsafed
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| v.给予，赐予( vouchsafe的过去式和过去分词 )；允诺 | |
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38
ardently
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| adv.热心地，热烈地 | |
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39
unwilling
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| adj.不情愿的 | |
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40
reverence
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| n.敬畏，尊敬，尊严；Reverence:对某些基督教神职人员的尊称；v.尊敬，敬畏，崇敬 | |
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41
advisers
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| 顾问，劝告者( adviser的名词复数 )； （指导大学新生学科问题等的）指导教授 | |
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42
cant
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| n.斜穿，黑话，猛扔 | |
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43
constable
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| n.(英国)警察，警官 | |
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44
peremptory
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| adj.紧急的，专横的，断然的 | |
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45
magistrate
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| n.地方行政官，地方法官，治安官 | |
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46
trot
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| n.疾走，慢跑；n.老太婆；现成译本；(复数）trots:腹泻（与the 连用）；v.小跑，快步走，赶紧 | |
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47
knave
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| n.流氓；（纸牌中的）杰克 | |
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48
knaves
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| n.恶棍，无赖( knave的名词复数 )；（纸牌中的）杰克 | |
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49
whit
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| n.一点，丝毫 | |
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50
wont
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| adj.习惯于；v.习惯；n.习惯 | |
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51
reverently
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| adv.虔诚地 | |
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52
hogs
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| n.（尤指喂肥供食用的）猪( hog的名词复数 )；（供食用的）阉公猪；彻底地做某事；自私的或贪婪的人 | |
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53
prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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54
alteration
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| n.变更，改变；蚀变 | |
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55
neophyte
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| n.新信徒；开始者 | |
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56
jack
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| n.插座，千斤顶，男人；v.抬起，提醒，扛举；n.（Jake）杰克 | |
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57
ewer
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| n.大口水罐 | |
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58
restive
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| adj.不安宁的，不安静的 | |
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59
compliance
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| n.顺从；服从；附和；屈从 | |
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60
dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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61
peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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62
renouncing
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| v.声明放弃( renounce的现在分词 )；宣布放弃；宣布与…决裂；宣布摒弃 | |
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63
beset
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| v.镶嵌；困扰，包围 | |
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64
intemperance
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| n.放纵 | |
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65
addicted
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| adj.沉溺于....的，对...上瘾的 | |
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66
vow
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| n.誓(言)，誓约；v.起誓，立誓 | |
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67
prudent
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| adj.谨慎的，有远见的，精打细算的 | |
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68
oracle
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| n.神谕，神谕处，预言 | |
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69
celebrated
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| adj.有名的，声誉卓著的 | |
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70
peremptorily
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| adv.紧急地，不容分说地，专横地 | |
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71
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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sinewy
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| adj.多腱的，强壮有力的 | |
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73
elongate
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| v.拉长，伸长，延长 | |
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74
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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75
aspiration
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| n.志向，志趣抱负；渴望；(语)送气音；吸出 | |
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76
sip
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| v.小口地喝，抿，呷；n.一小口的量 | |
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77
frailty
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| n.脆弱；意志薄弱 | |
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78
backwards
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| adv.往回地，向原处，倒，相反，前后倒置地 | |
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79
pitcher
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| n.(有嘴和柄的)大水罐；(棒球)投手 | |
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80
stinted
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| v.限制，节省（stint的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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81
expatiated
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| v.详述，细说( expatiate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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82
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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83
privately
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| adv.以私人的身份，悄悄地，私下地 | |
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84
sipping
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| v.小口喝，呷，抿( sip的现在分词 ) | |
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