But there was no joy in the heart of Tristan, who stood at the helm, silent and full of gloom. For he, himself, loved this fair Princess of Ireland; but a dark blood-feud between them had forced him to stifle8 his own passion, and to secure her as a bride for another.
And a tumult9 was also raging in the heart of the proud Isolda, for she resented the alliance that had been made for her, and was filled with anger against the knight who came as ambassador to bear her away. For they had met before, these two, and a dread10 secret lay between them.
For many years there had been war between Ireland and Cornwall, and at last the King of Ireland had felt himself powerful enough to claim tribute from King Mark.
Morold, the cousin and lover of Isolda, was sent to levy11 the tax; but he met with a sorry reception.
For Tristan, the nephew and bravest knight of King Mark, indignantly resented the claim, and challenged Morold to mortal combat on the shore; and, to his joy, he defeated and slew12 the Irish knight, whose head was sent back as the only tribute the subjects of King Mark would pay to Ireland.
But Tristan, himself, had also been grievously wounded by his adversary13; and after searching in vain for a healer for his hurts, he crawled into a small boat and set it adrift in his feverish14 despair. The wind and waves bore the frail15 craft far out from the coast, and at last the wounded knight found himself cast upon the shores of Ireland.
Here he was hospitably16 received by the Irish King and his beautiful daughter, to whom he gave his name as Tantris; and the Princess Isolda, being greatly skilled in leech-craft, and famous for her knowledge of balsams and simples, set herself the task of healing the stranger's wounds. His noble appearance and pitiful plight17 soon won her heart, and Tristan, loving the fair princess directly he beheld19 her, was quick to vow20 fealty21 to her.
But one day, as Isolda sat watching beside the couch of her charge, she noticed in the sick man's discarded sword a curiously-shaped notch22, which exactly fitted a splinter of steel that had been found imbedded in the skull23 of Morold, whose head had lately arrived from Cornwall as a ghastly token of defeat and defiance24.
Knowing now that it was the world-renowned Tristan, the bold defier and enemy of Ireland, the slayer25 of her cousin and former lover, Morold, who lay before her, and whom she had nursed so tenderly, Isolda was filled with scorn and anger; and seizing the tell-tale sword in her hand, she rushed furiously forward, intending to plunge26 it in his heart. But Tristan's eyes met hers in such a pleading, helpless glance that the angry princess was quickly filled with pity, and felt she could not harm him as he lay thus in feebleness; and letting the sword drop gently to the ground, she crushed her revengeful feelings, and continued her nursing of the sick man. Yet Tristan did not dare to speak of love to her again, feeling that Isolda would now regard his slaying27 of Morold as a blood-feud and barrier between them; and as soon as his wounds were sufficiently28 healed, he returned to Cornwall.
Soon after this, peace was declared between the two countries; and as the crowning pledge of the truce29, King Mark was persuaded by his knights to ask the hand of the Princess Isolda in marriage. Tristan joined heartily30 in pressing forward this plan; for, believing that Isolda was now lost to him, he felt that he could reward her best for her kindness to him by making her Queen of Cornwall.
But King Mark was growing old, and, being childless, had decided31 to make Tristan his heir: and it was not until his beloved nephew himself added his entreaties32 to the desires of the courtiers that he at length gave consent. Then, when peace and friendship had been sworn by both nations, and the King of Ireland had willingly agreed to bestow34 his daughter upon King Mark as the pledge of their truce, Tristan was despatched in a gilded35 barge36 to conduct the lovely bride to her new home.
Isolda submitted to her father's will with due filial obedience37 and reverence38; but her heart was filled with scorn and hot anger against the brave knight she had nursed back to life and health. As she now reclined in her curtained recess39 within the stately vessel40 that bore her so swiftly away from her native land, she declared passionately42 to her attendant handmaid, Brang?na, that she had been betrayed by Tristan; for after vowing43 fealty to her in Ireland, he had but returned to demand her in marriage for his kinsman44. Brang?na, alarmed at this outburst, attempted to sooth her mistress's angry feelings by assuring her that Sir Tristan had doubtless meant to show his gratitude45 by making her Queen of Cornwall; and she added that King Mark, though advancing in years, was good and noble in disposition46, and worthy47 of admiration48 and regard.
But Isolda gazed impatiently beyond the curtains at the silent, motionless figure of Tristan, wondering sadly how she could support a loveless life so near that glorious knight, who now seemed so indifferent to her; for Tristan, struggling to repress the love in his heart, had kept sternly aloof49 from his fair charge throughout the voyage, fearing to trust himself in her presence. This seeming unkindness and studied coldness enraged50 the proud and unhappy princess to such a pitch that she determined51 they should die together before landing in Cornwall; and she sent Brang?na to the helm to command Tristan's immediate52 presence in her recess.
At first Tristan refused to leave the helm, remembering his duty and loyalty53 to his royal uncle; but when, just as they were approaching the shore, Isolda sent another message, imperiously declaring that she would not land in Cornwall unless he sought her pardon first, the trembling knight was forced to yield to her request.
Isolda meanwhile opened her casket of drugs and simples, saying she desired a potion that would cure her of all her woes55; and selecting a phial containing a deadly poison, she bade Brang?na pour it out into a golden cup.
But Brang?na was horror-struck; and, determined to save her beloved mistress from the consequences of so rash a resolve, she poured away the poison, unseen by Isolda, and filled the golden cup instead with a love-philtre that the Queen of Ireland, skilled in sorcery, had placed in the casket for her daughter to drink with her husband on her wedding-night.
When Tristan appeared within the recess, Isolda began to pour forth bitter words of reproach upon him, declaring that though she had preserved his life when he lay in feebleness before her, she had still sworn vengeance56 upon him; and then, offering him the golden cup, she bade him drink its contents with her as a final truce to all their strife57. The ship was by this time at the landing-stage, where King Mark already stood with his lords, waiting to receive the lovely bride; and, full of despair, Tristan took the proffered58 cup and began to drink.
When he had swallowed half the draught59, Isolda snatched the goblet60 from his trembling hand and drank the remainder; and then the two stood and gazed into each other's eyes in wonder and bewilderment. For the strange potion was coursing wildly through their veins61 like a fiery62 stream, changing all their dull despair into the glow of passion, and filling their hearts with uncontrollable love and desire for each other; and at last, utterly63 powerless to fight against the ecstasy64 within them, they fell into each other's arms, overcome by a rapture65 they could not quell66.
Brang?na, terror-stricken at the dire18 result of her fond deed, implored67 the lovers to recollect68 their duty and the scene that was going on around them, for all their lords and attendants were now waiting for Tristan to conduct his royal charge to King Mark.
But the pair seemed wrapped in a sweet dream from which the joyous69 cries of greeting gradually awakened70 them; and then, when they realised what had happened, they were filled with despair, and Isolda sank back half-fainting into Tristan's outstretched arms.
But Brang?na, eager to prevent the immediate discovery of their hapless love, quickly roused her mistress, and hung upon her shoulders the gorgeous royal mantle71 that had been provided for her nuptials72; and then Tristan, as in a trance, with woe54 in his heart, led his beloved one forth from the ship, and delivered her into the hands of his Sovereign.
Isolda and King Mark were immediately wedded73, amidst great rejoicings; but although the unhappy victims of the fatal love-potion had strength to loyally fulfil this pledge of peace between the two countries, they could not long keep their devouring74 passion within bounds. With the help of the devoted75 and remorseful76 Brang?na, they frequently met in secret, and the rapture of these stolen interviews was as balm to their bleeding hearts, the one sweet chain that kept them still bound to life.
But Tristan had an enemy, a knight named Melot, who, under the disguise of friendship, had gained his confidence and learnt the secret of his hopeless passion, and who, having no real love for the man he called his friend, determined to use this woeful secret for his own base ends. For Melot was jealous of the renown and noble qualities of Tristan, and longed to supplant77 him in the regard of his royal master; and having now discovered a weapon to his hand in the secret confided78 to him by the unsuspecting knight, he eagerly sought an opportunity for betraying him, and quickly found one.
Having persuaded the King to arrange a royal hunt one beautiful summer night, the crafty79 Melot easily induced Tristan to remain behind, and so secure a long, sweet interview with his beloved Isolda; but the false friend gaily80 joined in the chase, intending to return in a short time with the King to entrap81 the lovers.
When the hunting party had departed into the depths of the forest, and the merry sounds of the horns could only be heard in the far distance, Isolda crept forth from the silent castle, followed by her faithful handmaid; and bidding Brang?na keep watch near the forest, she flung a lighted torch to the ground, this being the signal for Tristan's approach. She then ran down the steps towards a moonlit avenue, and in another moment the lovers were clasped in each other's arms.
It was a moment of intense joy; and as the enraptured82 pair reclined together upon a mossy bank studded with sleeping flowers, they poured out to each other, in tenderest phrases, the passionate41 love they were compelled to keep pent within their hearts before the eyes of the world. It was midnight; but the happy lovers cared naught83 for time, and would gladly have remained in such sweet converse84 for ever.
But suddenly there was a cry from Brang?na, who rushed wildly forward, declaring that they were betrayed; and next moment, King Mark and a few of his lords broke hastily into the avenue, having been led to the spot by Melot, who had found an opportunity during the hunt to inform his royal master of the lovers' intended meeting.
At first King Mark had refused to believe that his noblest and best-beloved knight could thus betray his honour; but as he stepped into the avenue, and the living proof of it met his gaze, he was filled with deepest grief, and began to pour forth bitter reproaches upon the wretched Tristan, who vainly endeavoured to hide Isolda's shrinking form from the scornful gaze of the courtiers.
Stung by the just reproaches of the King, and enraged at the cruel treachery of his false friend, Tristan drew his sword and challenged Melot to fight; and in his despair, caring little to defend himself, he allowed his adversary to overcome him, and soon fell to the ground mortally wounded.
Isolda was borne back fainting to the castle, followed by King Mark and his courtiers; and Tristan was carried, in a dying condition, on board a vessel by his faithful henchman, Kurvenal, who quickly set sail for Brittany, where his master owned a castle overlooking the sea.
Here the sick man was at length placed in safety by Kurvenal, who endeavoured to restore him to health; but finding that his beloved master's wounds were too serious for him to heal, and that he grew worse instead of better, the poor henchman was in despair. At last he bethought him to send for Isolda herself, whom he knew to be greatly skilled in leech-craft; and thinking only of his master's physical needs, he despatched a messenger in a swift vessel, to entreat33 the beautiful Queen to come and heal her almost dying lover.
For several days after, Tristan remained in an unconscious state; but upon being brought out into an open courtyard one sunny noon-tide, he awoke from his torpor85, and feebly asked for Isolda. Kurvenal answered that he had sent for her to come with healing balsams for his wounds; and, running to the walls, he exclaimed joyfully86 that the vessel was even now returning with Isolda on board.
Tristan was overjoyed at this glad news, and when Kurvenal presently went to receive the welcome guest at the castle gates, the wounded man's excitement knew no bounds. In his eagerness to see his beloved one once again, he endeavoured to crawl from the couch; but the effort of moving caused his terrible wounds to open afresh, and just as Isolda rushed through the gateway87, he uttered her name with a gasping88 cry of joy, and fell back dead upon the couch.
Isolda, with a loud shriek89 of woe, fell fainting upon his prostrate90 body, and at that moment Kurvenal was hailed by a second vessel that had immediately followed in the wake of the first. On this barque were King Mark with his knights, and also Brang?na; and quickly surmising91 that they were come with hostile intentions, the brave henchman barricaded92 the entrance to the castle, and refused admittance to the newcomers, who had instantly landed.
Then when the eager knights, by their superior force, broke through the gateway, Kurvenal sprang furiously upon them and fought desperately93, in spite of their cries that they came in peace. The first to enter was the traitor94, Melot, and with a cry of triumph, Kurvenal thrust him through the heart. Then receiving a mortal wound himself, the faithful henchman crawled to the couch of the dead Tristan, and feeling for his beloved master's hand, he sank, dying, at his feet.
King Mark and his party now rushed forward, unhindered; and Brang?na, raising her still breathing mistress in her arms, besought95 her to revive, since she had come with good news for her. For upon the flight of Isolda to the aid of Tristan, Brang?na had, in desperation, sought King Mark, and told him of how, quite unconsciously, Tristan and Isolda had swallowed the magic potion that had made them lovers for life; and, rejoicing to learn that his best-loved knight and beautiful Queen were thus free from blame, since they were powerless to fight against the mighty96 philtre, the noble-hearted King was filled with pity for the sufferings they had endured. He resolved generously to renounce97 Isolda, and permit the unhappy lovers to be united; and immediately entering his ship, he had followed with Brang?na and his knights in the wake of the flying Queen.
But the vessel had arrived too late, for Tristan was already dead; and full of grief, King Mark knelt, weeping, at the foot of the couch. And it was in vain that Brang?na tried to raise the quivering form of her beloved mistress; for Isolda's heart was broken, and with a last despairing cry, she fell back lifeless to the ground.
Thus had the magic philtre wrought98 destruction; and in death only were the lovers united.
点击收听单词发音
1 chivalry | |
n.骑士气概,侠义;(男人)对女人彬彬有礼,献殷勤 | |
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2 knight | |
n.骑士,武士;爵士 | |
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3 knights | |
骑士; (中古时代的)武士( knight的名词复数 ); 骑士; 爵士; (国际象棋中)马 | |
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4 renown | |
n.声誉,名望 | |
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5 valiant | |
adj.勇敢的,英勇的;n.勇士,勇敢的人 | |
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6 forth | |
adv.向前;向外,往外 | |
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7 honourable | |
adj.可敬的;荣誉的,光荣的 | |
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8 stifle | |
vt.使窒息;闷死;扼杀;抑止,阻止 | |
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9 tumult | |
n.喧哗;激动,混乱;吵闹 | |
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10 dread | |
vt.担忧,忧虑;惧怕,不敢;n.担忧,畏惧 | |
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11 levy | |
n.征收税或其他款项,征收额 | |
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12 slew | |
v.(使)旋转;n.大量,许多 | |
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13 adversary | |
adj.敌手,对手 | |
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14 feverish | |
adj.发烧的,狂热的,兴奋的 | |
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15 frail | |
adj.身体虚弱的;易损坏的 | |
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16 hospitably | |
亲切地,招待周到地,善于款待地 | |
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17 plight | |
n.困境,境况,誓约,艰难;vt.宣誓,保证,约定 | |
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18 dire | |
adj.可怕的,悲惨的,阴惨的,极端的 | |
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19 beheld | |
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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20 vow | |
n.誓(言),誓约;v.起誓,立誓 | |
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21 fealty | |
n.忠贞,忠节 | |
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22 notch | |
n.(V字形)槽口,缺口,等级 | |
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23 skull | |
n.头骨;颅骨 | |
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24 defiance | |
n.挑战,挑衅,蔑视,违抗 | |
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25 slayer | |
n. 杀人者,凶手 | |
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26 plunge | |
v.跳入,(使)投入,(使)陷入;猛冲 | |
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27 slaying | |
杀戮。 | |
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28 sufficiently | |
adv.足够地,充分地 | |
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29 truce | |
n.休战,(争执,烦恼等的)缓和;v.以停战结束 | |
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30 heartily | |
adv.衷心地,诚恳地,十分,很 | |
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31 decided | |
adj.决定了的,坚决的;明显的,明确的 | |
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32 entreaties | |
n.恳求,乞求( entreaty的名词复数 ) | |
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33 entreat | |
v.恳求,恳请 | |
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34 bestow | |
v.把…赠与,把…授予;花费 | |
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35 gilded | |
a.镀金的,富有的 | |
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36 barge | |
n.平底载货船,驳船 | |
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37 obedience | |
n.服从,顺从 | |
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38 reverence | |
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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39 recess | |
n.短期休息,壁凹(墙上装架子,柜子等凹处) | |
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40 vessel | |
n.船舶;容器,器皿;管,导管,血管 | |
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41 passionate | |
adj.热情的,热烈的,激昂的,易动情的,易怒的,性情暴躁的 | |
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42 passionately | |
ad.热烈地,激烈地 | |
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43 vowing | |
起誓,发誓(vow的现在分词形式) | |
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44 kinsman | |
n.男亲属 | |
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45 gratitude | |
adj.感激,感谢 | |
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46 disposition | |
n.性情,性格;意向,倾向;排列,部署 | |
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47 worthy | |
adj.(of)值得的,配得上的;有价值的 | |
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48 admiration | |
n.钦佩,赞美,羡慕 | |
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49 aloof | |
adj.远离的;冷淡的,漠不关心的 | |
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50 enraged | |
使暴怒( enrage的过去式和过去分词 ); 歜; 激愤 | |
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51 determined | |
adj.坚定的;有决心的 | |
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52 immediate | |
adj.立即的;直接的,最接近的;紧靠的 | |
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53 loyalty | |
n.忠诚,忠心 | |
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54 woe | |
n.悲哀,苦痛,不幸,困难;int.用来表达悲伤或惊慌 | |
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55 woes | |
困境( woe的名词复数 ); 悲伤; 我好苦哇; 某人就要倒霉 | |
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56 vengeance | |
n.报复,报仇,复仇 | |
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57 strife | |
n.争吵,冲突,倾轧,竞争 | |
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58 proffered | |
v.提供,贡献,提出( proffer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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59 draught | |
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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60 goblet | |
n.高脚酒杯 | |
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61 veins | |
n.纹理;矿脉( vein的名词复数 );静脉;叶脉;纹理 | |
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62 fiery | |
adj.燃烧着的,火红的;暴躁的;激烈的 | |
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63 utterly | |
adv.完全地,绝对地 | |
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64 ecstasy | |
n.狂喜,心醉神怡,入迷 | |
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65 rapture | |
n.狂喜;全神贯注;着迷;v.使狂喜 | |
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66 quell | |
v.压制,平息,减轻 | |
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67 implored | |
恳求或乞求(某人)( implore的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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68 recollect | |
v.回忆,想起,记起,忆起,记得 | |
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69 joyous | |
adj.充满快乐的;令人高兴的 | |
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70 awakened | |
v.(使)醒( awaken的过去式和过去分词 );(使)觉醒;弄醒;(使)意识到 | |
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71 mantle | |
n.斗篷,覆罩之物,罩子;v.罩住,覆盖,脸红 | |
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72 nuptials | |
n.婚礼;婚礼( nuptial的名词复数 ) | |
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73 wedded | |
adj.正式结婚的;渴望…的,执著于…的v.嫁,娶,(与…)结婚( wed的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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74 devouring | |
吞没( devour的现在分词 ); 耗尽; 津津有味地看; 狼吞虎咽地吃光 | |
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75 devoted | |
adj.忠诚的,忠实的,热心的,献身于...的 | |
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76 remorseful | |
adj.悔恨的 | |
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77 supplant | |
vt.排挤;取代 | |
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78 confided | |
v.吐露(秘密,心事等)( confide的过去式和过去分词 );(向某人)吐露(隐私、秘密等) | |
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79 crafty | |
adj.狡猾的,诡诈的 | |
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80 gaily | |
adv.欢乐地,高兴地 | |
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81 entrap | |
v.以网或陷阱捕捉,使陷入圈套 | |
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82 enraptured | |
v.使狂喜( enrapture的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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83 naught | |
n.无,零 [=nought] | |
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84 converse | |
vi.谈话,谈天,闲聊;adv.相反的,相反 | |
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85 torpor | |
n.迟钝;麻木;(动物的)冬眠 | |
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86 joyfully | |
adv. 喜悦地, 高兴地 | |
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87 gateway | |
n.大门口,出入口,途径,方法 | |
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88 gasping | |
adj. 气喘的, 痉挛的 动词gasp的现在分词 | |
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89 shriek | |
v./n.尖叫,叫喊 | |
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90 prostrate | |
v.拜倒,平卧,衰竭;adj.拜倒的,平卧的,衰竭的 | |
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91 surmising | |
v.臆测,推断( surmise的现在分词 );揣测;猜想 | |
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92 barricaded | |
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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93 desperately | |
adv.极度渴望地,绝望地,孤注一掷地 | |
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94 traitor | |
n.叛徒,卖国贼 | |
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95 besought | |
v.恳求,乞求(某事物)( beseech的过去式和过去分词 );(beseech的过去式与过去分词) | |
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96 mighty | |
adj.强有力的;巨大的 | |
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97 renounce | |
v.放弃;拒绝承认,宣布与…断绝关系 | |
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98 wrought | |
v.引起;以…原料制作;运转;adj.制造的 | |
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