(1535 to May 1536.)
If feeble minds did not shrink from bending beneath the royal despotism, men of fanatical mould cherished vengeance2 in their hearts. Great wounds had been inflicted3 on the papacy, and they burnt to strike some signal blow against the cause of Reform. That also, they said, must have its victim. For all these monasteries4 sacrificed, one person must be immolated5: one only, but taken from the most illustrious station. The king having, on the one side, struck his tutor and his friend, must now, to maintain the balance, strike his wife on the other. A tragedy was about to begin which would terminate in a frightful7 catastrophe8. Anne Boleyn had not been brought up, as some have said, 'in the worst school in Europe,'[263] but in one of the best—in the household of the pious9 Margaret of Angoulême, who was the enlightened protectress not only of the learned, but of all friends of the Gospel. Anne had learnt from that princess to love the Reformation and the Reformers. And accordingly she was in the eyes of the papal partisans10, the principal cause of the change that had been wrought11 in the king's mind, and by him throughout the kingdom. The Reformation, as we have seen, began in England about 1517 with the reading of the Holy
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Scriptures12 in the universities; but the most accredited14 Roman doctors have preferred assigning it another origin, and, speaking of Cranmer's connexion with Anne Boleyn, thirteen years later, have said, 'Such is the beginning of the Reformation in England.'[264] In this assertion there is an error both of chronology and history.
=CRANMER'S ELOQUENCE15.=
Since her coronation, the queen had been in almost daily communication with the archbishop of Canterbury, and habitually—even her enemies affirmed it—the interests of the evangelical cause were treated of. At one time Anne prayed Cranmer to come to the assistance of the persecuted17 protestants. At another, full of the necessity of sending reapers18 into the harvest, she interested herself about such young persons as were poor, but whose pure morals and clear intellect seemed to qualify them for the practice of virtue19 and the study of letters;[265] these she assisted with great generosity20.[266] This was also an example that Margaret of Valois had given her. The queen did not encourage these students heedlessly: she required testimonials certifying21 as to the purity of their morals and the capacity of their intellect. If she was satisfied, she placed them at Oxford22 or Cambridge, and required them to spread around them, even while studying, the New Testament23 and the writings of the reformers. Many of the queen's pensioners24 did great service to the Church and State in after years. With these queenly qualities Anne combined more domestic ones. Cranmer saw her, like good Queen Claude, gathering25 round her a number of young ladies distinguished26 by their birth and their virtues27, and working with them at tapestry28 of admirable perfection for the palace of
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Hampton Court, or at garments for the indigent29. She established in the poor parishes vast warehouses30, filled with such things as the needy31 wanted. 'Her eye of charity, her hand of bounty,' says a biographer, 'passed through the whole land.'[267] 'She is said in three quarters of a year,' adds Lord Herbert of Cherbury, the celebrated32 philosopher and historian, 'to have bestowed33 fourteen or fifteen thousand pounds in this way,' that is, in alms.[268] And this distinguished writer, ambassador of England at the court of Louis XIII., and known in France by the exertions34 he made in behalf of the protestants, adds: 'She had besides established a stock for poor artificers in the realm.'[269] Such were the works of Queen Anne. Cranmer, who had great discernment of men and things, being touched by the regard which the queen had for those who professed35 the Gospel, and seeing all that she did for the Reformation and the consolation36 of the wretched, declared that next to the king, Anne was of all creatures living 'the one to whom he was most bound.'[270]
Cranmer was not the only person among the evangelicals with whom Anne Boleyn entertained relations. From the first day she had seen Latimer, the Christian37 simplicity38 and apostolic manners of the reformer had touched her. When she heard him preach, she was delighted. The enthusiasm for that bold Christian preacher was universal. 'It is as impossible,' said his hearers, 'for us to receive into our minds all the treasures of eloquence and knowledge which fall from his lips, as it would be for a little river to contain the waters of the ocean in its bed.' From the period (1535) when Latimer preached the Lent Sermons before the king, he was one
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of the most regular instruments of the queen's active charity.
A still more decided39 reformer had a high esteem40 for Anne Boleyn: this was Tyndale. No one, in his opinion, had declared with so much decision as the queen in favor of the New Testament and its circulation in English. Wishing, accordingly, to show his gratitude41 and respect, Tyndale presented her with a unique copy of his translation, printed in beautiful type on vellum, illuminated42 and bound in blue morocco, with these words in large red letters: Anne Regina Angliæ (Anne, queen of England).[271] This remarkable43 volume, now preserved in the library of the British Museum, is a monument of the veneration44 of the prisoner of Vilvorde for Anne Boleyn. A manuscript manual of devotion for the use of this princess has also been preserved: she used to present copies of it to her maids of honor. We see in it the value she attached to the Holy Scriptures: 'Give us, O Father of Mercies,' we read, 'the greatest of all gifts Thou hast ever conferred on man—the knowledge of Thy holy will, and the glad tidings of our salvation45. Roman tyranny had long hidden it from us under Latin letters; but now it is promulgated46, published, and freely circulated.'[272]
=PARKER'S CHRISTIAN CHARACTER.=
Anne having in 1535 lost Dr. Betts, one of her almoners, looked out for a man devoted47 to the Gospel to take his place, for she loved to be surrounded by the most pious persons in England. She cast her eyes upon Matthew Parker, a native of Norwich, professor at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, and a man who for two years had been preaching the truth with fervor48. Parker loved retirement49 and obscurity; accordingly, when he received on the Wednesday following Palm Sunday two letters summoning him to court 'because
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the queen wished to see him,'[273] he was amazed and confounded. At first he wanted to refuse so brilliant a call; but Latimer wrote to him: 'Show yourself to the world; hide yourself no longer; do good, whilst you have the opportunity. We know what you can do; let not your will be less than your power.'[274] Parker went to London, and in a short time his knowledge, piety50, and prudence51 gained the entire esteem of the queen. That modest, intelligent, active man was just the person Anne wanted, and she took pleasure thenceforward in bestowing52 on him marks of her consideration. He himself tells us that if, in the course of his duties, he was called upon to receive friends at his table, the queen, eking53 out his narrow means, would send him a hare or a fawn54 taken in her parks.[275] Parker was from this time one of those employed by Anne to distribute her benevolence55. He had hardly arrived at court, when he presented to the queen one W. Bill, a very young and very poor man, but by no means wanting in talent. Anne, rich in discernment, placed him in the number of students whom she was preparing for the ministry56: he afterwards became dean of Westminster. Parker, who began his career with Anne, was to finish it with Elizabeth. When he was deprived of all his offices by Queen Mary in 1554, he exclaimed: 'Now that I am stripped of everything, I live in God's presence, and am full of joy in my conscience. In this charming leisure I find greater pleasures than those supplied by the busy and perilous57 life I led at the court.' Forced to hide himself, often to flee by night, to escape the pursuit of his persecutors, the peace which he enjoyed was never troubled. He looked upon trials as the privilege of the child of God. All of a sudden a strange and unexpected calamity60
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befell him. The daughter of Anne Boleyn, having ascended62 the throne, desired to have her mother's chaplain for archbishop of Canterbury and primate63 of all England. 'I kneel before your Majesty64,' he said to Queen Elizabeth, 'and pray you not to burden me with an office which requires a man of much more talent, knowledge, virtue, and experience than I possess.' A second letter from Chancellor65 Bacon repeated the summons. Then the unhappy Parker exclaimed in the depth of his sorrow: 'Alas66! alas! Lord God! for what times hast Thou preserved me![276] I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow67 me. O Lord! strengthen me by Thy mighty68 Spirit!' Parker was at the head of the Church of England for sixteen years, and dignified69 the elevated seat on which he had been constrained70 to sit. Such were the men whom Anne Boleyn gathered round her.
We should be mistaken, however, if we represented the young queen as a bigot, living like Catherine in the practices of a rigid71 austerity. It appears even doubtful whether she knew by experience that inner, spiritual, and living Christianity which was found in Latimer, Tyndale, Cranmer, and Parker. She was a virtuous72 wife, a good protestant, attached to the Bible, opposed to the pope, fond of good works, esteeming73 men of God more than courtiers: but she had not renounced74 the world and its pomps. A woman of the world, upright, religious, loving to do good, a class of which there is always a large number, she was unacquainted with the pious aspirations75 of a soul that lives in communion with God. Even her position as queen and wife of Henry VIII. may have hindered her from advancing in the path of a Christian life. She thought it possible to love God without renouncing76 the enjoyments77 of the age, and looked upon worldly things as an innocent recreation. Desiring to
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keep her husband's heart, she endeavored to please him by cheerful conversation, by organizing pleasure parties of which she was the life, and by receiving all his courtiers gracefully78. Placed on a slippery soil and watched by prejudiced eyes, she may occasionally have let fall some imprudent expression. Her sprightliness79 and gaiety, her amiable80 freedom were in strong contrast with the graver and stiffer formalities of the English ladies. Latimer, who saw her closely, sometimes admonished81 her respectfully, when he was alone with her, and the grateful Anne would exclaim unaffectedly: 'You do me so much good![277] Pray never pass over a single fault.'
=THE TRUTH ABOUT ANNE BOLEYN.=
It is not from the writings of the pamphleteers that we must learn to know Anne Boleyn. Towards the end of the sixteenth century, opposite parties, in their extreme excitement, have painted her at one time in colors too dark, at another in colors too flattering. We must in this matter especially listen to men whose testimony82 is sanctioned by universal respect. There are not many princesses in history who have enjoyed, like Anne, the esteem of the most elevated minds—of Cranmer and Latimer, of Tyndale and Parker, and other Christians83, less illustrious, perhaps, but not less respectable. In the eyes of the papal partisans, however, she had committed an unpardonable crime: she had separated England from the papacy; and accordingly their savage84 hatred85 has known no bounds, and they have never ceased to blacken her memory with their vile59 calumnies86. Of all the misdeeds that history can commit, the greatest consists in representing the innocent as if they were guilty. It is wholesale88 calumny89 for the use not only of the present generation but for generations to come. Many writers have forged and still forge base imputations against the reformers Luther, Calvin, and others. Anne Boleyn
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has had her full share of slander90 in this huge conspiracy91 of falsehood.[278]
The grandeur92 with which Anne was surrounded, had opened her heart to the tenderest sympathies. To be the joy of her husband and the delight of her relations, to protect the friends of the Gospel and to be loved by England—these were for some time the dreams of her young imagination. But ere long the crown of St. Edward pressed heavily on her forehead. The members of her own family became her enemies. Her uncle, the proud duke of Norfolk, the chief along with Gardiner of the ultramontane party, was animated93 by a secret hatred against the young woman who was the support of the evangelical party. Her father, the earl of Wiltshire, imagining he saw that the king was not flattered at being his son-in-law, had quitted London, regretting a union which his ambition had so much desired. Lady Rocheford, wife of Anne's brother, a woman of despicable character, whose former perfidies95 the queen had pardoned, and whom she had attached to the court, repaid this generous magnanimity by secretly plotting the ruin of a sister-in-law whose elevation96 had filled her with jealousy97. At length, one of those who ate her bread and received favors from her, was about to show her ingratitude98 to the unfortunate queen.
Among her ladies of honor was Jane Seymour, who united all the attractions of youth and beauty, and whose disposition99 held a certain mean between the severe gravity of Queen Catherine and the fascinating sprightliness of Queen Anne. Constancy in affection was not a feature of Henry's character; his heart was easily
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inflamed100; his eye rested on the youthful Jane Seymour, and no sooner had he become sensible of her graces, than the charms of Anne Boleyn, which had formerly101 captivated him, became unendurable. The genial102 gaiety of the queen fatigued103 him; the accomplishments104 which are ordinarily the means of pleasing, gave him umbrage105; the zeal106 she manifested for Protestantism alienated107 him. Anne's enemies, especially the duke of Norfolk and Lady Rocheford, observed this, and resolved to take advantage of it to ruin the woman who overshadowed them.
=ANNE'S CHARACTER AND MANNERS.=
One circumstance, innocent enough of itself, favored the designs of the queen's enemies. Anne, who had been brought up in France, among a people distinguished for their inexhaustible stores of gaiety, easy conversation, witty108 and ingenious sallies, ironical109 phrases, and amiable hearts, had brought something of all this to London. Frank and prepossessing, she loved society; and her ordinary manners seemed too easy among a nation which, with deep affections, possesses much gravity and external coldness. Anne had found a certain freedom of speech in the court of France—it does not appear that she even imitated it; but in a moment of gaiety she might have let slip some keen railleries, some imprudent words, and thus furnished her enemies with weapons. She had some difficulty in conforming with the strict etiquette110 of the court of England, and had not been trained to the circumspection111 so necessary with a husband like Henry VIII.
Anne was, at the same time, a friend of the Reformation in the midst of a society that was catholic at heart, and a Frenchwoman in the midst of an English court; these were her two capital crimes. She was not understood. Her gaiety did not degenerate112 into frivolity113: she did not possess that love of pleasure, which, carried to excess, engenders114 corruption116 of manners; we have named the truly pious men whom she loved to
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gather round her. But it was quite enough for some persons that Anne was agreeable, like the ladies of St. Germains and Fontainebleau, to suspect her of being a flirt117, like many of them. Moreover, she had married above her station. Having lived at court as the equal of the young nobles belonging to it, she was not always able, after she ascended the throne, to keep herself on the footing of a queen. From that time her enemies interpreted unfavorably the innocent amiability118 with which she received them. The mistrustful Henry VIII. began to indulge in suspicions, and Viscountess Rocheford endeavored to feed that prince's jealousy by crafty119 and perfidious120 insinuations.
=ANNE'S ANGUISH121.=
Anne soon noticed the king's inclination122 for Jane Seymour: a thousand trifles, apparently123 indifferent, had struck her. She often watched the maid of honor; her pride was offended, and jealousy tortured her heart night and day. She endeavored to win back the king's love; but Henry, who perceived her suspicions, grew more angry with her every hour. The queen was not far from her confinement124; and it was at the very moment when she hoped to give Henry the heir he had longed for during so many years, that the king withdrew from her his conjugal125 affection. Her heart was wrung126, and, foreseeing a mournful future, she doubted whether a blow similar to that which had struck Catherine might not soon be aimed at her. Jane Seymour did not reject the king's advances. Historians of the most opposite parties relate that one day, towards the end of January 1536, the queen, unexpectedly entering a room in the palace, found the king paying his court to the young maid of honor in too marked a manner. They may possibly exaggerate,[279] but there is no doubt that Henry gave cause for very serious complaints on the part of his wife. It was as if a sword had pierced
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the heart of the unfortunate Anne Boleyn: she could not bear up against so cruel a blow, and prematurely127 gave birth to a dead son. God had at length granted Henry that long-desired heir, but the grief of the mother had cost the child's life. What an affliction for her! For some time her recovery was despaired of. When the king entered her room, she burst into tears. That selfish prince, soured at the thought that she had borne him a dead son, cruelly upbraided128 her misfortune, instead of consoling her. It was too much: the poor mother could not restrain herself. 'You have no one to blame but yourself,' she exclaimed.[280] Henry, still more angry, answered her harshly and left the apartment.[281] These details are preserved by a well-informed writer of the time of Elizabeth. To present Henry under so unfavorable a light, if it were untrue, could hardly have been an agreeable mode of paying court, as some have insinuated129, to a queen who took more after her father than her mother.
Anne now foresaw the misfortunes awaiting her: she recovered indeed after this storm, and exerted herself by taking part once more in conversaziones and fêtes; but she was melancholy130 and uneasy, like a foundering131 ship, which reappears on the waves of the sea after the storm, and still keeps afloat for a time, only to be swallowed up at last. All her attempts to regain132 her husband's affections were useless, and frightful dreams disturbed her during the slumbers133 of the night. This agony lasted three months.
The wind had changed: everybody noticed it, and it was, to certain heartless courtiers, like the signal given to an impatient pack of hounds. They set themselves to hunt down the prey134, which they felt they could rend135 without danger. The ultramontanists regained136 their courage. They had feared that, owing to Anne's intervention137,
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the cause of Rome was lost in England, and their alarm was not unreasonable138. Cranmer, uniting his efforts with those of the queen, never ceased pushing forward the Reformation. When some one spoke139 in the House of Lords about a General Council in Italy, he exclaimed: 'It is the Word of God alone that we must listen to in religious controversies140.' At the same time, in concert with Anne, he circulated all over England a new Prayer-book, the Primer, intended to replace the dangerous books of the priests.[282] The people used it. A pious and spiritual reader of that book exclaimed one day, after meditating141 upon it: 'O bountiful Jesu! O sweet Saviour142! despise not him whom Thou hast ransomed143 at the price of such a treasure—with Thy blood! I look with confidence to the throne of mercy.'[283] Religion was becoming personal with Anne Boleyn.
=ANNE'S ZEAL FOR RELIGION.=
The queen and the archbishop had not stopped there: they had attempted, so far as Henry would permit, to place true shepherds over the flocks, instead of merchants who traded with their wool. The bishopric of Worcester, which had been taken from Ghinnucci, was given (as we have seen) to Latimer; so that the valley of the Severn, which four Italian bishops144 had plundered145 for fifty years, possessed146 at last a pastor147 who 'planted there the plenteousness of Jesus Christ.'[284] Shaxton, another of Anne's chaplains, who at this time professed a great attachment148 to Holy Scripture13, had been appointed bishop16 of Salisbury, in place of the famous Cardinal150 Campeggio. Hilderly, formerly a Dominican prior—who had at one time defended the immaculate conception of the Virgin151, but had afterwards acknowledged and worshipped Jesus Christ as the only Mediator—had been nominated to the see of Rochester,
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in place of the unfortunate Bishop Fisher. Finally, George Brown, ex-provincial of the Augustines in England—an upright man, a friend of the poor, and who, caught by the truth, had exclaimed from the pulpit, 'Go to Christ and not to the saints!'—had been elected archbishop of Dublin, and thus became the first evangelical prelate of Ireland, a difficult post, which he occupied at the peril58 of his life.[285] Other prelates, like Fox, bishop of Hereford, although not true Protestants, proved themselves to be anti-Papists.
The members of the ultramontane party saw the influence of the queen in all these nominations152. Who resisted the proposal that the English Church should be represented at the General Council? Who endeavored to make the king advance in the direction of the Reformation? Who threw England into the arms of the princes of Germany?—The queen, none but the queen. She felt unhappy, it was said, when she saw a day pass without having obtained some favor for the Reformation.[286] Men knew that the pope was ready to forgive everything, and even to unite with Henry against Charles V., if the king would submit to the conditions laid down in the bull—that is to say, if he would put away Anne Boleyn.[287]
The condition required by the pontiff was not an impossible one, for Henry liked to change his wives: he had six. Marriage was not to him a oneness of life. At the end of 1535, Anne had been his wife for three years; it was a long time for him, and he began to turn his eyes upon others. Jane Seymour's youth eclipsed the queen's. Unfortunate Boleyn! Sorrow had gradually diminished her freshness. Jane had natural allies, who might help her to ascend61 the throne. Her two
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brothers, Edward and Thomas—the elder more moderate, the younger more arrogant—each possessing great ambition and remarkable capacity, thought that a Seymour was as worthy153 as a Boleyn to wear the English crown. The first blow did not however proceed from them, but from a member of the queen's family—from her sister-in-law. There is no room for indifference154 between near relations: they love or, if they do not love, they hate. Lady Rocheford, so closely allied155 to the queen, felt continually piqued156 at her. Jealousy had engendered157 a deep dislike in her heart, and this dislike was destined158 to lead her on to contrive159 the death of the detested160 object. Rendered desperate by the happiness and especially by the greatness of Anne Boleyn, it became her ruling passion to destroy them. One obstacle, however, rose up before her. Lord Rocheford, her husband and Anne's brother, would not enter into her perfidious schemes. That depraved woman, who afterwards suffered capital punishment for conniving161 at crime, determined162 to ruin her sister-in-law and her husband together. It was arranged that three of the courtiers should give Henry the first hints. 'Thus began,' says an author of that day, 'a comedy which was changed into a sorrowful tragedy.'[288] Nothing was omitted that tended to the success of one of the most infamous163 court intrigues164 recorded in history.
Anne became cognizant almost at the same time of her sister-in-law's hatred of her and of her husband's love for Jane Seymour. From that moment she foreboded an early death, and her most anxious thoughts were for her daughter. She wondered what would become of the poor child, and, desirous of having her brought up in the knowledge of the Gospel, she sent
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for the pious simple-minded Parker, told him of her apprehensions165 and her wishes, and commended Elizabeth to him with all a mother's love.[289] Anne's words sank so deep into his heart that he never forgot them;[290] and twenty-three years later, when that child, who had become queen, raised him to the primacy, he declared to Lord Burghley, that if he were not under such great obligations to her mother, he would never have consented to serve the daughter in such an elevated station.[291] After consigning166 the youthful Elizabeth to the care of a man of God, the unhappy queen was more at ease.
=CHARGES AGAINST ANNE.=
Meantime the plot was forming in silence, and two or three circumstances, such as occur in the most innocent life, were the pretext167 for Anne's destruction.
One day, when she was with the king at Winchester, she sent for one of the court-musicians, named Smeton, 'to play on the virginals.'[292] This was the first count in the indictment168.
Norris, a gentleman of the king's chamber169, was engaged to Margaret, one of Anne's maids of honor, and consequently was often in the queen's apartments. Slanderous170 tongues affirmed that he went more for the sake of his sovereign than for his betrothed171. The queen hearing of it, and desiring to stop the scandal, determined to bind172 Norris to marry Margaret. 'Why do you not go on with your marriage?' she asked him. 'I desire to wait a little longer,' answered the gentleman. Anne, with the intent of making him understand that there were serious reasons for not putting it off any longer, added: 'It is said at court that you are waiting for a dead man's shoes, and that if any misfortune
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befell the king, you would look to have me for your wife.'[293] 'God forbid!' exclaimed Norris, in alarm; 'if I had such an idea, it would be my destruction.' 'Mind what you are about,' resumed the queen, with severity. Norris, in great emotion, went immediately to Anne Boleyn's almoner. 'The queen is a virtuous woman,' he said; 'I am willing to affirm it upon oath.'[294] This was the second count in the indictment.
Sir Francis Weston, a bold frivolous173 man, was (although married) very attentive174 to a young lady of the court, a relative of the queen. 'Sir Francis,' said Anne, who was distressed175 at his behavior, 'you love Mistress Skelton, and neglect your wife.' 'Madam,' answered the audacious courtier, 'there is one person in your house whom I love better than both.' 'And who is that?' said the queen. 'Yourself,' answered Weston. Offended by such insolence176, Anne ordered him, with scorn and displeasure, to leave her presence.[295] This was the third count of the indictment.
Lord Rocheford, a man of noble and chivalrous177 character, indignant at the calumnies which were beginning to circulate against his sister, endeavored to avert178 the storm. One day, when she kept her bed, he entered her room to speak to her; and, the maids of honor being present, he leant towards the queen, to say something on this matter which was not fit for the ears of strangers to the family. The infamous Lady Rocheford made use of this innocent circumstance to accuse her husband and sister-in-law of an abominable179 crime.
Such are the four charges that were to cost Anne Boleyn her life. Futile180 observations, malicious181 remarks
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to which persons are exposed in the world, and especially at court, reached the ears of the king, and inspired him with jealousy, reproaches, angry words, and coldness. There was no more happiness for Anne.
There was enough in these stories to induce Henry VIII. to reject his second wife, and take a third. This prince—and it was the case generally with the Tudors—had a temper at once decided and changeable, a heart susceptible182 and distrustful, an energetic character, and passions eager to be satisfied at any price. Very mistrustful, he did not easily get the better of his suspicions, and when any person had vexed183 him, he was not appeased184 until he had got rid of him. Common-sense generally appreciates at their true worth such stories as those we have reported; but the characters now on the stage were more irritable185 than those usually to be found in the world. 'A tempest,' says Lord Herbert of Cherbury on this subject, 'though it scarce stir low and shallow waters, when it meets a sea, both vexeth it, and makes it toss all that comes thereon.'[296]
Henry, happy to have found the pretext which his new passion made him long for, investigated nothing; he appeared to believe everything he was told. He swore to prove Anne's guilt87 to others by the greatness of his revenge. Of his six wives, he got rid of two by divorce, two by the scaffold; only two escaped his criminal humor. This time he was unwilling186 to proceed by divorce; the tediousness of Catherine's affair had wearied him. He preferred a more expeditious187 mode—the axe188.
=COMMISSION OF ENQUIRY.=
On the 25th of April the king appointed a commission to enquire189 into Anne's conduct, and placed on it the duke of Norfolk, a maternal190 uncle but (as we have said) an implacable enemy of the unfortunate queen; the duke of Suffolk, who, as Henry's brother-in-law, served
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him in his least desires; the earl of Oxford, a skilful191 courtier; William Paulet, comptroller of the royal household, whose motto was, 'To be a willow192 and not an oak;' Audley, the honestest of all, but still his master's humble193 servant; Lord Delawarr, and several other lords and gentlemen, to the number of twenty-six. It has been said, by Burnet and others, that the king named Anne's father, the earl of Wiltshire, one of the judges. It would, no doubt, have been the most striking trait of cruelty, of which Henry gave so many proofs; but we must in justice declare that the wretched prince did not perpetrate such a monstrosity. Burnet, after the most searching investigations194, retracted195 his error.[297] On Thursday, the 27th of April, the king, understanding the necessity of a Parliament to repeal197 the laws made in favor of Anne and her children, issued writs198 for its assembling. He was resolved to hurry on the business—equally impatient to hear no more of his wife, and to possess her who was the object of his desires.
Anne, who was ignorant of what was going on, had gradually recovered a little serenity199, but it was not so with those around her. The court was agitated200 and uneasy. The names of the commissioners201 were canvassed202, and people wondered where the terrible blows of the king would fall. Many were alarmed for themselves or their friends. Would the storm burst on Sir Thomas Wyatt, who wrote verses in Anne's honor? or on Lord Northumberland, whom the queen had loved before Henry cast his eyes upon her? The king did not intend to go so high.
The indecision did not last long. At two o'clock on the 27th of April—the very day when the writs for the new Parliament were issued—William Brereton, one of the gentlemen of the king's household, pointed149 out by
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the queen's enemies, was arrested and taken to the Tower. Two days later, on the 29th of April, Anne was crossing the presence-chamber, where a miserable203 creature happened to be present at that moment. It was Mark Smeton, the court-musician—a vain, cowardly, corrupt115 man, who had felt hurt because, since the day when he had played before the queen at Winchester, that princess had never even looked at him. He was standing196, in a dejected attitude, leaning against a window. It is possible that, having heard of the disgrace that threatened the queen, he hoped, by showing his sorrow, to obtain from her some mark of interest. Be that as it may, his unusual presence in that room, the posture204 he had assumed, the appearance of sorrow which he had put on, were evidently intended to attract her attention. The trick succeeded. Anne noticed him as she passed by. 'Why are you sad?' she asked. 'It is no matter, madam.' The queen fancied that Smeton was grieved because she had never spoken to him. 'You may not look to have me speak to you,' she added, 'as if you were a nobleman, because you are an inferior person.' 'No, madam,' replied the musician, 'I need no words; a look sufficeth me.'[298] He did not receive the look he asked for, and his wounded vanity urged him from that moment to ruin the princess, by whom he had the insolence to wish to be remarked. Smeton's words were reported to the king, and next day (April 30), the musician was arrested, examined at Stepney, and sent to the Tower.
=TOURNAMENT AT GREENWICH.=
A magnificent festival was preparing at Greenwich, to celebrate the First of May in the usual manner. This was the strange moment which Henry had chosen for unveiling his plans. In certain minds there appears to be a mysterious connection between festivities and bloodshed; another prince (Nero) had shown it in old times, and some years later Charles IX. was to celebrate
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the marriage of his sister Margaret by the massacres205 of St. Bartholomew. Henry VIII. gave to two of the victims he was about to immolate6 the foremost places in the brilliant tournament he had prepared. Lord Rocheford, the queen's brother, was the principal challenger, and Henry Norris was chief of the defenders206. Sir Francis Weston was also to take part in these jousts207. Henry showed himself very gracious to them, and hid with smiles their approaching destruction. The king having taken his place, and the queen, in a magnificent costume, being seated by his side, Rocheford and Norris passed before him, lowering their spears—morituri te salutant. The jousting208 began immediately after. The circumstances of the court gave a gloomy solemnity to the festival. The king, who was watching with fixed209 eyes the struggles of his courtiers, started up all of a sudden, with every appearance of anger, and hastily quitted the balcony. What had happened? The ultramontane Sanders, notorious as being a most malicious and fabulous210 writer, mentions that the queen had dropped her handkerchief into the lists, and that Norris took it up and wiped his face with it. Lord Herbert, Burnet, and others affirm that there is nothing to corroborate211 the story, which, were it true, might be very innocent. However, the festivities were interrupted by the king's departure. The confusion was universal, and the alarmed queen withdrew, eager to know the cause of the strange procedure.[299] Thus ended the rejoicings of the First of May.
Henry, who had gone back to the palace, hearing of the queen's return, refused to see her, ordered her to keep her room, mounted his horse, and, accompanied by six gentlemen, galloped212 back to London. Slackening his pace for a time, he took Norris aside, and, telling him the occasion of his anger, promised to
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pardon him if he would confess. Norris answered, with firmness and respect: 'Sire, if you were to cut me open and take out my heart, I could only tell you what I know.'[300] On reaching Whitehall, Henry said to his ministers: 'To-morrow morning you will take Rocheford, Norris, and Weston to the Tower; you will then proceed to Greenwich, arrest the queen, and put her in prison. Finally, you will write to Cranmer and bid him go immediately to Lambeth, and there await my orders.' The victims were seized, and the high-priest summoned for the sacrifice.
The night was full of anguish to Anne Boleyn, and the next day, when she was surrounded by her ladies, their consternation213 increased her terror. It seemed to her impossible that a word from her would not convince her husband of her innocence214. 'I will positively215 see the king,' she exclaimed. She ordered her barge216 to be prepared, but, just as she was about to set out, another barge arrived from London, bringing Cromwell, Audley, and the terrible Kingston, lieutenant217 of the Tower. That ominous218 presence was a death-warrant: on seeing him the queen screamed aloud.
=ANNE BEFORE THE COUNCIL.=
They did not, however, remove her at once: the council, on which sat her most violent adversaries219, assembled in the palace, and Anne was summoned to appear before it. The duke of Norfolk, the president, informed her coldly of what she was accused, and named her pretended accomplices220. At these words, the queen, struck with astonishment221 and sorrow, fell on her knees and cried out: 'O Lord, if I am guilty, may I never be forgiven!' Then, recovering a little from her emotion, she replied to the calumnious222 charges brought against her, to which Norfolk answered carelessly and contemptuously, as if he were still speaking
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to the little girl whom he had seen born, 'Tut, tut, tut,' and shook his head disdainfully.[301] 'I desire to see the king,' said Anne. 'Impossible,' answered the duke; 'that is not included in our commission.' 'I have been very cruelly treated,' said Anne Boleyn, later, when speaking of this horrible conversation with her uncle. 'It is his Majesty's good pleasure that we conduct you to the Tower,' added Norfolk. 'I am ready to obey,' said the queen, and all went in the same barge. When they reached the Tower, Anne landed. The governor was there to receive her. Norfolk and the other members of the council committed her into his charge and departed. It was five in the afternoon.
Then the gates of the fortress223 opened; and at this moment, when she was crossing the threshold under the charge of heinous224 crimes, Anne remembered how, three years before, she had entered it in triumph for the ceremony of her coronation, in the midst of the general acclamations of the people. Struck by the fearful contrast, she fell on her knees 'as a ball,'[302] and exclaimed, 'O Lord, help me, as I am guiltless of that whereof I am accused!' The governor raised her up, and they entered. She expected to be put into close confinement. 'Mr. Kingston,' she said, 'shall you put me into a dungeon225?' 'No, madam,' answered the governor; 'you will be in your own lodging226, where you lay at your coronation.' 'It is too good for me,' she exclaimed. She entered, however, and on reaching those royal chambers227, which recalled such different recollections, she knelt again and burst into tears. The violence of her grief presently brought on convulsive movements, and her tears were succeeded by hysterical228 laughter.[303] Gradually she came to herself, and tried to
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collect her thoughts. Feeling the need of strengthening herself by the evidences of the Lord's love, she said to Kingston, 'Entreat229 his Majesty to let me have the sacrament.'[304] Then, in the consciousness of innocence, she added, 'Sir, I am as clear from the company of man as I am of you. I am the king's true wedded230 wife.'[305]
=ANNE'S SYMPATHY.=
She was not absorbed in her own misfortunes: she was moved by the sufferings of the others, and uneasy about her brother. 'Can you tell me where Lord Rocheford is?' she asked. Kingston replied that he had seen him at Whitehall. She was not tranquillized by this evasive answer. 'Oh, where is my sweet brother?' she exclaimed. There was no reply. 'Mr. Kingston,' resumed Anne, after a few moments, 'do you know why I am here?' 'No, madam.' 'I hear say that I am to be accused of criminal familiarities.' (Norfolk had told her so in the barge.) 'I can say no more than—Nay!' Suddenly tearing one of her garments, she exclaimed, as if distracted: 'If they were to open my body, I should still say—No.' After this her mind wandered. She thought of her mother, and the love she felt for the countess of Wiltshire made her feel more than anything else the bitterness of her situation: she imagined the proud lady was before her, and cried, with unutterable agony, 'O my mother, my mother, thou wilt94 die for sorrow!' Then her gloomy thoughts were turned to other objects. She remembered that, while in the barge, the duke of Norfolk had named Norris and Smeton as her accusers, which was partly false. The miserable musician was not grieved at being wrongfully accused of a crime likely to make him notorious, but Norris had stoutly231 rejected the idea that the queen could be guilty. 'O Norris, hast thou accused me!' she ejaculated; 'and thou too, Smeton!' After a few moments' silence, Anne fixed her eyes on the governor. 'Mr. Kingston,' she asked, 'shall I die
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without justice?' 'Madam,' answered the governor, 'the meanest subject of the king has that.' At these words the queen again laughed hysterically232. 'Justice—justice!' she exclaimed, with disdainful incredulity. She counted less upon justice than the humblest of her subjects. Gradually the tempest calmed down, and the silence of the night brought relief to her sorrow.
The same day (May 2) the news spread through London that the queen was arrested. Cranmer, who had received the royal intimation to go to his palace at Lambeth, and wait there until further orders, had arrived, and was thunderstruck on hearing what had happened. 'What! the queen in prison! the queen an adulteress!'... A struggle took place in his bosom233. He was indebted to the queen for much; he had always found her irreproachable—the refuge of the unhappy, the upholder of the truth. He had loved her like a daughter, respected her as his sovereign. That she was innocent, he had no doubt; but how account for the behavior of the king? The unhappy prelate was distracted by the most painful thoughts during the whole of Tuesday night. This truly pious man showed excessive indulgence towards Henry VIII., and bent234 easily beneath his powerful hand; but his path was clearly traced—to maintain unhesitatingly the innocence of her whom he had always honored. And yet he was to be an example of the fascination235 exerted by a despot over such characters—of the cowardice236 of which a good man may be guilty through human respect. Doubtless there are extenuating237 circumstances in his case. It was not only the queen's fate that made the prelate uneasy, but also the future of the Reformation. If love for Anne had helped to make Henry incline to the side of the Reformation, the hatred which he now felt against his unhappy wife might easily drive him into the other direction. Cranmer desired to prevent this at any price, and accordingly thought himself obliged
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to use extreme precaution. But these circumstances are really no extenuation238. No motive239 in the world can excuse a man from not frankly240 defending his friends when they are falsely accused—from not vindicating241 an innocent woman when she is declared to be guilty. Cranmer wrote to the king: 'I cannot without your Majesty's command appear in your presence; but I can at least desire most humbly242, as is my duty, that your great wisdom and God's help may remove the deep sorrow of your heart.
=CRANMER'S LETTER TO HENRY.=
'I cannot deny that your Majesty has great cause to be overwhelmed with sorrow. In fact, whether the things of which men speak be true or not, your honor, Sire, according to the false appreciation243 of the world, has suffered; and I do not remember that Almighty244 God has ever before put your Majesty's firmness to so severe a proof.
'Sire, I am in such a perplexity that I am clean amazed; for I never had a better opinion in woman than I had of her, which maketh me think that she cannot be culpable245.'[306]
This was tolerably bold, and accordingly Cranmer hastened to tone down his boldness. 'And yet, Sire,' he added, 'would you have gone so far, if you had not been sure of her crime?... Your Grace best knoweth that, next unto your Grace, I was most bound unto her of all creatures living. Wherefore I must humbly beseech246 your Grace to suffer me in that which both God's law, nature, and her kindness bindeth me, unto that I may (with your Grace's favor) wish and pray for her. And from what condition your Grace, of your only mere247 goodness, took her, and set the crown upon her head, I repute him not your Grace's faithful servant and subject, nor true to the realm, that would not desire the offence to be without mercy punished, to the example of all
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others. And as I loved her not a little, for the love I judged her to bear towards God and His holy Gospel; so, if she be proved guilty, there is not one that loveth God and His Gospel that will ever favor her, for then there never was creature in our time that so much slandered248 the Gospel.
'However,' he added, appearing to recover his courage, 'forget not that God has shown His goodness to your Grace in many ways, and has never injured you; whilst your Grace, I am sure, acknowledged that you have offended Him. Extend, therefore, to the Gospel the precious favor you have always shown it, and which proceedeth not from your love for the queen your wife, but from your zeal for the truth.
'From Lambeth, 3d of May, 1636.'
When Cranmer addressed these soothing249 words to the king, it was doubtless on the supposition (on which he gives no opinion) that Anne was guilty. But, even admitting this hypothesis, is it not carrying flattery of the terrible autocrat250 very far, to compare him with Job as the prelate does? In another part of this letter he says: 'By accepting all adversity, without despair and without murmuring, your Grace will give opportunity to God to multiply His blessings251, as He did to His faithful servant Job, to whom, after his great calamity, and to reward his patience, He restored the double of what He had possessed.' As regards the king, Cranmer had found for himself a false conscience, which led him into deceitful ways: his letter, although he still tries to defend Anne, cannot be justified252.
He was about to dispatch the letter, when he received a message from the lord-chancellor, desiring him to come to the Star-Chamber. The archbishop hastened across the Thames, and found at the appointed place not only Audley, but the Lords Oxford and Sussex, and the lord-chamberlain. These noblemen
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laid before him the charges brought against Anne Boleyn, adding that they could be proved, though they did not themselves produce any proof. On his return to Lambeth, Cranmer added a postscript253 to his letter, in which he expressed his extreme sorrow at the report that had just been made to him.
=CRUELTY TO ANNE BOLEYN.=
The morning of the same day (May 3) was a sad one in the Tower. By a refinement254 of cruelty, the king had ordered two of the queen's enemies—Lady Boleyn and Mistress Cosyns—to be always near her; to which end they slept in her room, while Kingston and his wife slept outside against her chamber-door. What could be the object of these strange precautions? We can only see one. Every word that fell from Anne, even in her convulsions or in her dreams, would be perfidiously255 caught up, and reported to the king's agents with malicious interpretations256. Anne, pardoning the former conduct of these ladies, and wholly engrossed257 with her father's sorrow, thought she might ask for news about him from the persons who had been given her for companions; but those wicked women, who never spoke to her without rudeness, refused to give her any information. 'The king knew what he was doing,' said Anne to Kingston, 'when he put these two women about me. I could have desired to have two ladies of my chamber, persons whom I love; but his Majesty has had the cruelty to give me those whom I could never endure.'[307]
The punishment continued. Lady Boleyn, hoping to detect some confusion in her niece's face, told her that her brother, Lord Rocheford, was also in the Tower. Anne, who had somewhat recovered her strength, answered calmly, 'I am glad to learn that he is so near me.' 'Madam,' added Kingston, 'Weston
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and Brereton are also under my charge.' The queen remained calm.[308]
She purposed, however, to vindicate258 herself, and her first thought turned towards two of the most pious men in England: 'Oh, if God permitted me,' she said, 'to have my bishops (meaning Cranmer and Latimer), they would plead to the king for me.' She then remained silent for a few minutes. A sweet reflection passed through her mind and consoled her. Since she had undertaken the defence of the persecuted evangelicals, gratitude would doubtless impel259 them to pray for her. 'I think,' she said, 'that the greater part of England is praying for me.'[309]
Anne had asked for her almoner, and, as some hours had elapsed without his arrival, gloomy images once more arose to sadden her mind. 'To be a queen,' she said, 'and to be treated so cruelly—treated as queen never was before!' Then, as if a ray of sunshine had scattered260 the clouds, she exclaimed: 'No, I shall not die—no, I will not die!... The king has put me in prison only to prove me.' The terrible struggle was too great for the young woman: she had convulsions and fits, and almost lost her senses. Attacked by a fresh hysterical paroxysm, the unfortunate lady burst into laughter. On coming to herself after a while, she cried: 'I will have justice ... justice ... justice!'[310] Kingston, who was present, bowed and said: 'Assuredly, madam.' 'If any man accuses me,' she continued, 'I can only say—No. They can bring no witness against me.'[311] Then she had, all at once, an extraordinary attack: she fell down in delirium261, and with eyes starting, as if she were looking
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into the future, and could foresee the chastisement262 with which God would punish the infamous wickedness of which she was the victim, she exclaimed: 'If I am put to death, there will be great judgments263 upon England for seven years.... And I ... I shall be in heaven ... for I have done many good deeds during my life.'
点击收听单词发音
1 accusation | |
n.控告,指责,谴责 | |
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2 vengeance | |
n.报复,报仇,复仇 | |
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3 inflicted | |
把…强加给,使承受,遭受( inflict的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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4 monasteries | |
修道院( monastery的名词复数 ) | |
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5 immolated | |
v.宰杀…作祭品( immolate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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6 immolate | |
v.牺牲 | |
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7 frightful | |
adj.可怕的;讨厌的 | |
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8 catastrophe | |
n.大灾难,大祸 | |
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9 pious | |
adj.虔诚的;道貌岸然的 | |
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10 partisans | |
游击队员( partisan的名词复数 ); 党人; 党羽; 帮伙 | |
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11 wrought | |
v.引起;以…原料制作;运转;adj.制造的 | |
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12 scriptures | |
经文,圣典( scripture的名词复数 ); 经典 | |
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13 scripture | |
n.经文,圣书,手稿;Scripture:(常用复数)《圣经》,《圣经》中的一段 | |
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14 accredited | |
adj.可接受的;可信任的;公认的;质量合格的v.相信( accredit的过去式和过去分词 );委托;委任;把…归结于 | |
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15 eloquence | |
n.雄辩;口才,修辞 | |
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16 bishop | |
n.主教,(国际象棋)象 | |
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17 persecuted | |
(尤指宗教或政治信仰的)迫害(~sb. for sth.)( persecute的过去式和过去分词 ); 烦扰,困扰或骚扰某人 | |
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18 reapers | |
n.收割者,收获者( reaper的名词复数 );收割机 | |
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19 virtue | |
n.德行,美德;贞操;优点;功效,效力 | |
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20 generosity | |
n.大度,慷慨,慷慨的行为 | |
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21 certifying | |
(尤指书面)证明( certify的现在分词 ); 发证书给…; 证明(某人)患有精神病; 颁发(或授予)专业合格证书 | |
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22 Oxford | |
n.牛津(英国城市) | |
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23 testament | |
n.遗嘱;证明 | |
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24 pensioners | |
n.领取退休、养老金或抚恤金的人( pensioner的名词复数 ) | |
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25 gathering | |
n.集会,聚会,聚集 | |
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26 distinguished | |
adj.卓越的,杰出的,著名的 | |
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27 virtues | |
美德( virtue的名词复数 ); 德行; 优点; 长处 | |
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28 tapestry | |
n.挂毯,丰富多采的画面 | |
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29 indigent | |
adj.贫穷的,贫困的 | |
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30 warehouses | |
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31 needy | |
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32 celebrated | |
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33 bestowed | |
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34 exertions | |
n.努力( exertion的名词复数 );费力;(能力、权力等的)运用;行使 | |
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35 professed | |
公开声称的,伪称的,已立誓信教的 | |
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36 consolation | |
n.安慰,慰问 | |
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37 Christian | |
adj.基督教徒的;n.基督教徒 | |
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38 simplicity | |
n.简单,简易;朴素;直率,单纯 | |
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39 decided | |
adj.决定了的,坚决的;明显的,明确的 | |
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40 esteem | |
n.尊敬,尊重;vt.尊重,敬重;把…看作 | |
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41 gratitude | |
adj.感激,感谢 | |
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42 illuminated | |
adj.被照明的;受启迪的 | |
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43 remarkable | |
adj.显著的,异常的,非凡的,值得注意的 | |
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44 veneration | |
n.尊敬,崇拜 | |
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45 salvation | |
n.(尤指基督)救世,超度,拯救,解困 | |
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46 promulgated | |
v.宣扬(某事物)( promulgate的过去式和过去分词 );传播;公布;颁布(法令、新法律等) | |
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47 devoted | |
adj.忠诚的,忠实的,热心的,献身于...的 | |
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48 fervor | |
n.热诚;热心;炽热 | |
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49 retirement | |
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50 piety | |
n.虔诚,虔敬 | |
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51 prudence | |
n.谨慎,精明,节俭 | |
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52 bestowing | |
砖窑中砖堆上层已烧透的砖 | |
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53 eking | |
v.(靠节省用量)使…的供应持久( eke的现在分词 );节约使用;竭力维持生计;勉强度日 | |
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54 fawn | |
n.未满周岁的小鹿;v.巴结,奉承 | |
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55 benevolence | |
n.慈悲,捐助 | |
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56 ministry | |
n.(政府的)部;牧师 | |
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57 perilous | |
adj.危险的,冒险的 | |
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58 peril | |
n.(严重的)危险;危险的事物 | |
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59 vile | |
adj.卑鄙的,可耻的,邪恶的;坏透的 | |
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60 calamity | |
n.灾害,祸患,不幸事件 | |
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61 ascend | |
vi.渐渐上升,升高;vt.攀登,登上 | |
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62 ascended | |
v.上升,攀登( ascend的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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63 primate | |
n.灵长类(目)动物,首席主教;adj.首要的 | |
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64 majesty | |
n.雄伟,壮丽,庄严,威严;最高权威,王权 | |
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65 chancellor | |
n.(英)大臣;法官;(德、奥)总理;大学校长 | |
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66 alas | |
int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
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67 overflow | |
v.(使)外溢,(使)溢出;溢出,流出,漫出 | |
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68 mighty | |
adj.强有力的;巨大的 | |
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69 dignified | |
a.可敬的,高贵的 | |
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70 constrained | |
adj.束缚的,节制的 | |
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71 rigid | |
adj.严格的,死板的;刚硬的,僵硬的 | |
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72 virtuous | |
adj.有品德的,善良的,贞洁的,有效力的 | |
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73 esteeming | |
v.尊敬( esteem的现在分词 );敬重;认为;以为 | |
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74 renounced | |
v.声明放弃( renounce的过去式和过去分词 );宣布放弃;宣布与…决裂;宣布摒弃 | |
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75 aspirations | |
强烈的愿望( aspiration的名词复数 ); 志向; 发送气音; 发 h 音 | |
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76 renouncing | |
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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77 enjoyments | |
愉快( enjoyment的名词复数 ); 令人愉快的事物; 享有; 享受 | |
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78 gracefully | |
ad.大大方方地;优美地 | |
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79 sprightliness | |
n.愉快,快活 | |
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80 amiable | |
adj.和蔼可亲的,友善的,亲切的 | |
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81 admonished | |
v.劝告( admonish的过去式和过去分词 );训诫;(温和地)责备;轻责 | |
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82 testimony | |
n.证词;见证,证明 | |
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83 Christians | |
n.基督教徒( Christian的名词复数 ) | |
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84 savage | |
adj.野蛮的;凶恶的,残暴的;n.未开化的人 | |
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85 hatred | |
n.憎恶,憎恨,仇恨 | |
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86 calumnies | |
n.诬蔑,诽谤,中伤(的话)( calumny的名词复数 ) | |
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87 guilt | |
n.犯罪;内疚;过失,罪责 | |
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88 wholesale | |
n.批发;adv.以批发方式;vt.批发,成批出售 | |
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89 calumny | |
n.诽谤,污蔑,中伤 | |
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90 slander | |
n./v.诽谤,污蔑 | |
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91 conspiracy | |
n.阴谋,密谋,共谋 | |
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92 grandeur | |
n.伟大,崇高,宏伟,庄严,豪华 | |
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93 animated | |
adj.生气勃勃的,活跃的,愉快的 | |
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94 wilt | |
v.(使)植物凋谢或枯萎;(指人)疲倦,衰弱 | |
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95 perfidies | |
n.背信弃义,背叛,出卖( perfidy的名词复数 ) | |
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96 elevation | |
n.高度;海拔;高地;上升;提高 | |
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97 jealousy | |
n.妒忌,嫉妒,猜忌 | |
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98 ingratitude | |
n.忘恩负义 | |
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99 disposition | |
n.性情,性格;意向,倾向;排列,部署 | |
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100 inflamed | |
adj.发炎的,红肿的v.(使)变红,发怒,过热( inflame的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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101 formerly | |
adv.从前,以前 | |
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102 genial | |
adj.亲切的,和蔼的,愉快的,脾气好的 | |
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103 fatigued | |
adj. 疲乏的 | |
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104 accomplishments | |
n.造诣;完成( accomplishment的名词复数 );技能;成绩;成就 | |
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105 umbrage | |
n.不快;树荫 | |
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106 zeal | |
n.热心,热情,热忱 | |
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107 alienated | |
adj.感到孤独的,不合群的v.使疏远( alienate的过去式和过去分词 );使不友好;转让;让渡(财产等) | |
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108 witty | |
adj.机智的,风趣的 | |
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109 ironical | |
adj.讽刺的,冷嘲的 | |
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110 etiquette | |
n.礼仪,礼节;规矩 | |
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111 circumspection | |
n.细心,慎重 | |
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112 degenerate | |
v.退步,堕落;adj.退步的,堕落的;n.堕落者 | |
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113 frivolity | |
n.轻松的乐事,兴高采烈;轻浮的举止 | |
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114 engenders | |
v.产生(某形势或状况),造成,引起( engender的第三人称单数 ) | |
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115 corrupt | |
v.贿赂,收买;adj.腐败的,贪污的 | |
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116 corruption | |
n.腐败,堕落,贪污 | |
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117 flirt | |
v.调情,挑逗,调戏;n.调情者,卖俏者 | |
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118 amiability | |
n.和蔼可亲的,亲切的,友善的 | |
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119 crafty | |
adj.狡猾的,诡诈的 | |
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120 perfidious | |
adj.不忠的,背信弃义的 | |
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121 anguish | |
n.(尤指心灵上的)极度痛苦,烦恼 | |
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122 inclination | |
n.倾斜;点头;弯腰;斜坡;倾度;倾向;爱好 | |
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123 apparently | |
adv.显然地;表面上,似乎 | |
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124 confinement | |
n.幽禁,拘留,监禁;分娩;限制,局限 | |
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125 conjugal | |
adj.婚姻的,婚姻性的 | |
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126 wrung | |
绞( wring的过去式和过去分词 ); 握紧(尤指别人的手); 把(湿衣服)拧干; 绞掉(水) | |
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127 prematurely | |
adv.过早地,贸然地 | |
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128 upbraided | |
v.责备,申斥,谴责( upbraid的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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129 insinuated | |
v.暗示( insinuate的过去式和过去分词 );巧妙或迂回地潜入;(使)缓慢进入;慢慢伸入 | |
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130 melancholy | |
n.忧郁,愁思;adj.令人感伤(沮丧)的,忧郁的 | |
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131 foundering | |
v.创始人( founder的现在分词 ) | |
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132 regain | |
vt.重新获得,收复,恢复 | |
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133 slumbers | |
睡眠,安眠( slumber的名词复数 ) | |
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134 prey | |
n.被掠食者,牺牲者,掠食;v.捕食,掠夺,折磨 | |
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135 rend | |
vt.把…撕开,割裂;把…揪下来,强行夺取 | |
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136 regained | |
复得( regain的过去式和过去分词 ); 赢回; 重回; 复至某地 | |
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137 intervention | |
n.介入,干涉,干预 | |
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138 unreasonable | |
adj.不讲道理的,不合情理的,过度的 | |
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139 spoke | |
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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140 controversies | |
争论 | |
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141 meditating | |
a.沉思的,冥想的 | |
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142 saviour | |
n.拯救者,救星 | |
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143 ransomed | |
付赎金救人,赎金( ransom的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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144 bishops | |
(基督教某些教派管辖大教区的)主教( bishop的名词复数 ); (国际象棋的)象 | |
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145 plundered | |
掠夺,抢劫( plunder的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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146 possessed | |
adj.疯狂的;拥有的,占有的 | |
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147 pastor | |
n.牧师,牧人 | |
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148 attachment | |
n.附属物,附件;依恋;依附 | |
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149 pointed | |
adj.尖的,直截了当的 | |
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150 cardinal | |
n.(天主教的)红衣主教;adj.首要的,基本的 | |
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151 virgin | |
n.处女,未婚女子;adj.未经使用的;未经开发的 | |
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152 nominations | |
n.提名,任命( nomination的名词复数 ) | |
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153 worthy | |
adj.(of)值得的,配得上的;有价值的 | |
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154 indifference | |
n.不感兴趣,不关心,冷淡,不在乎 | |
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155 allied | |
adj.协约国的;同盟国的 | |
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156 piqued | |
v.伤害…的自尊心( pique的过去式和过去分词 );激起(好奇心) | |
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157 engendered | |
v.产生(某形势或状况),造成,引起( engender的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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158 destined | |
adj.命中注定的;(for)以…为目的地的 | |
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159 contrive | |
vt.谋划,策划;设法做到;设计,想出 | |
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160 detested | |
v.憎恶,嫌恶,痛恨( detest的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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161 conniving | |
v.密谋 ( connive的现在分词 );搞阴谋;默许;纵容 | |
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162 determined | |
adj.坚定的;有决心的 | |
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163 infamous | |
adj.声名狼藉的,臭名昭著的,邪恶的 | |
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164 intrigues | |
n.密谋策划( intrigue的名词复数 );神秘气氛;引人入胜的复杂情节v.搞阴谋诡计( intrigue的第三人称单数 );激起…的好奇心 | |
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165 apprehensions | |
疑惧 | |
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166 consigning | |
v.把…置于(令人不快的境地)( consign的现在分词 );把…托付给;把…托人代售;丟弃 | |
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167 pretext | |
n.借口,托词 | |
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168 indictment | |
n.起诉;诉状 | |
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169 chamber | |
n.房间,寝室;会议厅;议院;会所 | |
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170 slanderous | |
adj.诽谤的,中伤的 | |
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171 betrothed | |
n. 已订婚者 动词betroth的过去式和过去分词 | |
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172 bind | |
vt.捆,包扎;装订;约束;使凝固;vi.变硬 | |
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173 frivolous | |
adj.轻薄的;轻率的 | |
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174 attentive | |
adj.注意的,专心的;关心(别人)的,殷勤的 | |
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175 distressed | |
痛苦的 | |
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176 insolence | |
n.傲慢;无礼;厚颜;傲慢的态度 | |
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177 chivalrous | |
adj.武士精神的;对女人彬彬有礼的 | |
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178 avert | |
v.防止,避免;转移(目光、注意力等) | |
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179 abominable | |
adj.可厌的,令人憎恶的 | |
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180 futile | |
adj.无效的,无用的,无希望的 | |
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181 malicious | |
adj.有恶意的,心怀恶意的 | |
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182 susceptible | |
adj.过敏的,敏感的;易动感情的,易受感动的 | |
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183 vexed | |
adj.争论不休的;(指问题等)棘手的;争论不休的问题;烦恼的v.使烦恼( vex的过去式和过去分词 );使苦恼;使生气;详细讨论 | |
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184 appeased | |
安抚,抚慰( appease的过去式和过去分词 ); 绥靖(满足另一国的要求以避免战争) | |
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185 irritable | |
adj.急躁的;过敏的;易怒的 | |
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186 unwilling | |
adj.不情愿的 | |
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187 expeditious | |
adj.迅速的,敏捷的 | |
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188 axe | |
n.斧子;v.用斧头砍,削减 | |
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189 enquire | |
v.打听,询问;调查,查问 | |
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190 maternal | |
adj.母亲的,母亲般的,母系的,母方的 | |
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191 skilful | |
(=skillful)adj.灵巧的,熟练的 | |
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192 willow | |
n.柳树 | |
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193 humble | |
adj.谦卑的,恭顺的;地位低下的;v.降低,贬低 | |
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194 investigations | |
(正式的)调查( investigation的名词复数 ); 侦查; 科学研究; 学术研究 | |
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195 retracted | |
v.撤回或撤消( retract的过去式和过去分词 );拒绝执行或遵守;缩回;拉回 | |
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196 standing | |
n.持续,地位;adj.永久的,不动的,直立的,不流动的 | |
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197 repeal | |
n.废止,撤消;v.废止,撤消 | |
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198 writs | |
n.书面命令,令状( writ的名词复数 ) | |
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199 serenity | |
n.宁静,沉着,晴朗 | |
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200 agitated | |
adj.被鼓动的,不安的 | |
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201 commissioners | |
n.专员( commissioner的名词复数 );长官;委员;政府部门的长官 | |
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202 canvassed | |
v.(在政治方面)游说( canvass的过去式和过去分词 );调查(如选举前选民的)意见;为讨论而提出(意见等);详细检查 | |
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203 miserable | |
adj.悲惨的,痛苦的;可怜的,糟糕的 | |
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204 posture | |
n.姿势,姿态,心态,态度;v.作出某种姿势 | |
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205 massacres | |
大屠杀( massacre的名词复数 ); 惨败 | |
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206 defenders | |
n.防御者( defender的名词复数 );守卫者;保护者;辩护者 | |
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207 jousts | |
(骑士)骑着马用长矛打斗( joust的名词复数 ); 格斗,竞争 | |
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208 jousting | |
(骑士)骑马用长矛比武( joust的现在分词 ) | |
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209 fixed | |
adj.固定的,不变的,准备好的;(计算机)固定的 | |
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210 fabulous | |
adj.极好的;极为巨大的;寓言中的,传说中的 | |
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211 corroborate | |
v.支持,证实,确定 | |
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212 galloped | |
(使马)飞奔,奔驰( gallop的过去式和过去分词 ); 快速做[说]某事 | |
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213 consternation | |
n.大为吃惊,惊骇 | |
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214 innocence | |
n.无罪;天真;无害 | |
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215 positively | |
adv.明确地,断然,坚决地;实在,确实 | |
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216 barge | |
n.平底载货船,驳船 | |
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217 lieutenant | |
n.陆军中尉,海军上尉;代理官员,副职官员 | |
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218 ominous | |
adj.不祥的,不吉的,预兆的,预示的 | |
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219 adversaries | |
n.对手,敌手( adversary的名词复数 ) | |
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220 accomplices | |
从犯,帮凶,同谋( accomplice的名词复数 ) | |
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221 astonishment | |
n.惊奇,惊异 | |
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222 calumnious | |
adj.毁谤的,中伤的 | |
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223 fortress | |
n.堡垒,防御工事 | |
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224 heinous | |
adj.可憎的,十恶不赦的 | |
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225 dungeon | |
n.地牢,土牢 | |
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226 lodging | |
n.寄宿,住所;(大学生的)校外宿舍 | |
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227 chambers | |
n.房间( chamber的名词复数 );(议会的)议院;卧室;会议厅 | |
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228 hysterical | |
adj.情绪异常激动的,歇斯底里般的 | |
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229 entreat | |
v.恳求,恳请 | |
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230 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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231 stoutly | |
adv.牢固地,粗壮的 | |
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232 hysterically | |
ad. 歇斯底里地 | |
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233 bosom | |
n.胸,胸部;胸怀;内心;adj.亲密的 | |
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234 bent | |
n.爱好,癖好;adj.弯的;决心的,一心的 | |
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235 fascination | |
n.令人着迷的事物,魅力,迷恋 | |
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236 cowardice | |
n.胆小,怯懦 | |
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237 extenuating | |
adj.使减轻的,情有可原的v.(用偏袒的辩解或借口)减轻( extenuate的现在分词 );低估,藐视 | |
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238 extenuation | |
n.减轻罪孽的借口;酌情减轻;细 | |
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239 motive | |
n.动机,目的;adv.发动的,运动的 | |
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240 frankly | |
adv.坦白地,直率地;坦率地说 | |
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241 vindicating | |
v.澄清(某人/某事物)受到的责难或嫌疑( vindicate的现在分词 );表明或证明(所争辩的事物)属实、正当、有效等;维护 | |
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242 humbly | |
adv. 恭顺地,谦卑地 | |
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243 appreciation | |
n.评价;欣赏;感谢;领会,理解;价格上涨 | |
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244 almighty | |
adj.全能的,万能的;很大的,很强的 | |
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245 culpable | |
adj.有罪的,该受谴责的 | |
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246 beseech | |
v.祈求,恳求 | |
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247 mere | |
adj.纯粹的;仅仅,只不过 | |
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248 slandered | |
造谣中伤( slander的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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249 soothing | |
adj.慰藉的;使人宽心的;镇静的 | |
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250 autocrat | |
n.独裁者;专横的人 | |
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251 blessings | |
n.(上帝的)祝福( blessing的名词复数 );好事;福分;因祸得福 | |
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252 justified | |
a.正当的,有理的 | |
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253 postscript | |
n.附言,又及;(正文后的)补充说明 | |
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254 refinement | |
n.文雅;高尚;精美;精制;精炼 | |
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255 perfidiously | |
adv.不忠实地,背信地 | |
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256 interpretations | |
n.解释( interpretation的名词复数 );表演;演绎;理解 | |
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257 engrossed | |
adj.全神贯注的 | |
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258 vindicate | |
v.为…辩护或辩解,辩明;证明…正确 | |
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259 impel | |
v.推动;激励,迫使 | |
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260 scattered | |
adj.分散的,稀疏的;散步的;疏疏落落的 | |
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261 delirium | |
n. 神智昏迷,说胡话;极度兴奋 | |
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262 chastisement | |
n.惩罚 | |
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263 judgments | |
判断( judgment的名词复数 ); 鉴定; 评价; 审判 | |
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