"L'Angleterre jalouse et la Grece homerique,
Toute l'Europe admire, et la jeune Amerique
Se leve et bat des mains du bord des oceans.
Trois jours vous ont suffi pour briser vos entraves.
Vous etes les aines d'une race de braves,
Vous etes les fits des geans!"
V. HUGO, Chants du Crepuscule.
"Politiken, mine Herrer!"
"In France there is revolution!" was the first piece of information which Otto related. "Charles X. has flown with his family. This, they say, is in the German papers."
"Revolution?" repeated Rosalie, and folded her hands. "Unhappy France! Blood has flowed there, and it again flows. There I lost my father and my brother. I became a refugee--must seek for myself a new father-land." She wiped away a tear from her cheek, and sunk into deep meditation2. She knew the horrors of a revolution, and only saw in this new one a repetition of those scenes of terror which she had experienced, and which had driven her out into the world, up into the north, where she struggled on, until at length she found a home with Otto's grandfather--a resting abode3.
Everything great and beautiful powerfully affected4 Otto's soul; only in one direction had he shown no interest--in the political direction, and it was precisely5 politics which had most occupied the grandfather in his seclusion6. But Otto's soul was too vivacious7, too easily moved, too easily carried away by what lay nearest him. "One must first thoroughly8 enter into life, before the affairs of the world can seize upon us!" said he. "With the greater number of those who in their early youth occupy themselves with politics, it is merely affectation. It is with them like the boy who forces himself to smoke tobacco so as to appear older than he really is." Beyond his own country, France was the only land which really interested Otto. Here Napoleon had ruled, and Napoleon's name had reached his heart--he had grown up whilst this name passed from mouth to mouth; the name and the deeds of the hero sounded to him, yet a boy, like a great world adventure. How often had he heard his grandfather, shaking his head, say, "Yes, now newspaper writers have little to tell since Napoleon is quiet." And then he had related to him of the hero at Arcole and among the Pyramids, of the great campaign against Europe, of the conflagration10 at Moscow, and the return from Elba.
Who has not written a play in his childhood? Otto's sole subject was Napoleon; the whole history of the hero, from the snow-batteries at Brienne to the rocky island in the ocean. True, this poem was a wild shoot; but it had sprung from an enthusiastic heart. At that time he preserved it as a treasure. A little incident which is connected with it, and is characteristic of Otto's wild outbreaks of temper when a boy, we will here introduce.
A child of one of the domestics, a little merry boy with whom Otto associated a good deal, was playing with him in his garret. Otto was then writing his play. The boy bantered11 him, pulling the paper at the same time. Otto forbade him with the threat,--"If thou dost that again I will throw thee out of the window!" The boy again immediately pulled at the paper. In a moment Otto seized him by the waist, swung him toward the open window, and would certainly have thrown him out, had not Rosalie fortunately entered the room, and, with an exclamation13 of horror, seized Otto's arm, who now stood pale as death and trembling in every limb.
In this manner had Napoleon awoke Otto's interest for France. Rosalie also spoke14, next to her Switzerland, with most pleasure of this country. The Revolution had livingly affected her, and therefore her discourse15 regarding it was living. It even seemed to the old preacher as though the Revolution were an event which he had witnessed. The Revolution and Napoleon had often fed his thoughts and his discourse toward this land. Otto had thus, without troubling himself the least about politics, grown up with a kind of interest about France. The mere9 intelligence of this struggle of the July days was therefore not indifferent to him. He still only knew what the horse-dealer had related; nothing of the congregation, or of Polignac's ministry16: but France was to him the mighty17 world-crater, which glowed with its splendid eruptions18, and which he admired from a distance.
The old preacher shook his head when Otto imparted this political intelligence to him. A king, so long as he lived, was in his eyes holy, let him be whatever sort of a man he might. The actions of a king, according to his opinion, resembled the words of the Bible, which man ought not to weigh; they should be taken as they were. "All authority is from God!" said he. "The anointed one is holy; God gives to him wisdom; he is a light to whom we must all look up!"
"He is a man like ourselves!" answered Otto. "He is the first magistrate19 of the land, and as such we owe him the highest reverence20 and obedience21. Birth, and not worth, gives him the high post which he fills. He ought only to will that which is good; to exercise justice. His duties are equally great with those of his subjects."
"But more difficult, my son!" said the old man. "It is nothing, as a flower, to adorn22 the garland; more difficult is it to be the hand which weaves the garland. The ribbon must be tight as well as gently tied; it must not cut into the stems, and yet it must not be too loose. Yes, you young men talk according to your wisdom! Yes, you are wise! quite as wise as the woman who kept a roasted chicken for supper. She placed it upon a pewter plate upon the glowing coals, and went out to attend to her affairs. When she returned the plate was melted, and the chicken lay among the ashes. 'What a wise cat I have!' said she; 'she has eaten I the plate and left the chicken!' See, you talk just so, and regard things from the same foolish point of view. Do not speak like the rest of them in the city! 'Fear God, and honor the king!' We have nothing to argue with these two; they transact23 their business between them! The French resemble young students; when these have made their examen artium they imagine they are equal to the whole world: they grow restive24, and give student-feasts! The French must have a Napoleon, who can give their something to do! If they be left to themselves they will play mad pranks25!"
"Let us first see what the papers really say," replied Otto.
The following day a large letter arrived; it was from Wilhelm:--
"My excellent Otto,--We have all drunk to Otto Thostrup's health. I raised the glass, and drank the health. The friendship's dissonance YOU has dissolved itself into a harmonious26 THOU, and thou thyself hast given the accord. All at home speak of thee; even the Kammerjunker's Mamsell chose lately thee, and not her work-box, as a subject of conversation. The evening as thou drovest over the Jutland heaths I seated myself at the piano, and played thy whole journey to my sisters. The journey over the heath I gave them in a monotonous27 piece, composed of three tones, quite dissimilar to that composed by Rousseau. My sisters were near despair; but I told them it was not more uninteresting than the heath. Sometimes I made a little flight, a quaver; that was the heath-larks which flew up into the air. The introduction to the gypsy-chorus in 'Preciosa' signified the German gypsy-flock. Then came the thema out of 'Jeannot and Collin'--'O, joyous29 days of childhood!'--and then thou wast at home. I thundered powerfully down in the bass30; that was the North Sea, the chorus in thy present grand' opera. Thou canst well imagine that it was quite original.
"For the rest, everything at home remains31 in its old state. I have been in Svendborg, and have set to music that sweet poem, 'The Wishes,' by Carl Bagger. His verses seem to me a little rough; but something will certainly come out of the fellow! Thy own wishes are they which he has expressed. Besides this, the astonishing tidings out of France have given us, and all good people here, an electrical shock. Yes, thou in thy solitude32 hast certainly heard nothing of the brilliant July days. The Parisians have deposed33 Charles X. If the former Revolution was a blood-fruit, this one is a true passionflower, suddenly sprung up, exciting astonishment34 through its beauty, and as soon as the work is ended rolling together its leaves. My cousin Joachim, who as thou knowest is just now at Paris, has lived through these extraordinary days. The day before yesterday we received a long, interesting letter from him, which gave us--of the particulars as well as of the whole--a more complete idea than the papers can give us. People assemble in groups round the post-houses to receive the papers as they arrive. I have extracted from my cousin's letter what has struck me most, and send thee these extracts in a supplement. Thou canst thus in thy retirement35 still live in the world. A thousand greetings from all here. Thou hast a place in mamma's heart, but not less so in mine.
"Thy friend and brother,
"WILHELM.
"P. S.--It is true! My sister Sophie begs thee to bring her a stone from the North Sea. Perhaps thou wilt36 bring for me a bucket of water; but it must not incommode thee!"
This hearty37 letter transported Otto into the midst of the friendly circle in Funen. The corner of the paper where Wilhelm's name stood he pressed to his lips. His heart was full of noble friendship.
The extract which Wilhelm had made from his cousin's letter was short and descriptive. It might be compared with a beautiful poem translated into good prose.
In the theatre we interest ourselves for struggling innocence38; but we are still more affected when the destiny of a whole nation is to be decided39. It is on this account that "Wilhelm Tell" possesses so much interest. Not of the single individual is here the question, but of all. Here is flesh of our flesh, and bone of our bone. Greater than the play created by the poet was the effect which this description of the July days produced upon Otto. This was the reality itself in which he lived. His heart was filled with admiration40 for France, who fought for Liberty the holy fight, and who, with the language of the sword, had pronounced the anathema41 of the age on the enemies of enlightenment and improvement.
The old preacher folded his hands as he heard it; his eyes sparkled: but soon he shook his head. "May men so judge the anointed ones of God? 'He who taketh the sword shall perish by the sword!'"
"The king is for the people," said Otto; "not the people for the king!"
"Louis XVIth's unhappy daughter!" sighed Rosalie; "for the third time is she driven from her father-land. Her parents and brothers killed! her husband dishonored! She herself has a mind and heart. 'She is the only man among the Bourbons,'" said Napoleon.
The preacher, with his old-fashioned honesty, and a royalist from his whole heart, regarded the affair with wavering opinion, and with fear for the future. Rosalie thought most of those who were made unhappy of the royal ladies and the poor children. Each followed the impulse of their own nature, and the instinctive42 feeling of their age; thus did Otto also, and therefore was his soul filled with enthusiasm. Enthusiasm belongs to youth. His thoughts were busied with dreams of Paris; thither43 flew his wishes. "Yes, I will travel!" exclaimed he; "that will give my whole character a more decided bias44: I will and must," added he in thought. "My sorrow will be extinguished, the recollections of my childhood be forgotten. Abroad, no terrific figures, as here, will present themselves to me. My father is dead, foreign earth lies upon his coffin45!"
"But the office--examination!" said the old preacher, "pass that first. It is always good to have this in reserve, even if thou dost make no use of it. Only make this year thy philosophicum."
"And in the spring I shall travel," said Otto.
Several days passed, and Otto began to feel it solitary47 in his home--all moved here in such a confined circle. His mind was accustomed to a wider sphere of action. He began to grow weary, and then the hours travel with the snail's pace. "...minutterna ligesom racka og strarka sig. Man kanner behof at gore48 sa med." [Note: Sketches49 of Every-day Life.]
He thought of his departure.
"Thou must take the road through Lemvig," said Rosalie. "I will then visit the family there for a few days; it will make them quite happy to see thee, and I shall then be so much longer with thee. That thou wilt do, wilt thou not?"
The evening previous, Otto paid his last visit to the preacher. They spoke together a long time about the deceased grandfather. The preacher gave up several papers to Otto; among them also his father's last letter.
In honor of Otto, a bottle of wine was placed upon the table.
"To thy health, my son!" said the preacher, raising his glass. "We shall hardly spend another evening together. Thou wilt have much to learn before thou comest as far as I. The world has more thorn-bushes than gold-mountains. The times look unsettled. France commences a new description of campaign in Europe, and certainly will draw along with it all young men: formerly51 it was the conquerer Napoleon who led to the field; now it is the idea of liberty! May the Lord preserve our good king, and then it will remain well with us! Thou, Otto, wilt fly out into the wide world--hadst thou only first passed thy examination for office! But when and where-ever thou mayest fly, remember on all occasions the words of Scripture52.
"We all desire to rule. Phaeton wished to drive the chariot of the sun, but not understanding how to guide the reins53, he set fire to the countries, precipitated54 himself from the chariot, and broke his neck. I have no one in the city of Copenhagen whom I can ask thee to greet for me. All the friends of my youth are scattered55 to the east and to the west. If any of them still be in the city, they will certainly have forgotten me. But shouldst thou ever go to the Regent's Court, and smoke with the others a pipe under the tree, think of me. I have also sat there when I was young like thee; when the French Revolution drove also the blood quicker through my veins56, and thoughts of freedom caused me to carry my head more high. The dear old tree! [Author's Note: At the end of the last century it was felled, and two younger ones, which are now in full growth, planted in its stead.] Yes, but one does not perceive in it, as in me, how many years have passed since then!"
Otto was in a melancholy58 mood; he felt that he had certainly seen the old man for the last time. When he arrived at home he found Rosalie busy hacking59. The following morning, by earliest dawn, they were to travel toward Lemvig. Otto had not been there within these two last years. In old times the journey thither had always been to him a festival, now it was almost indifferent to him.
He entered his little chamber60; for the last time in his life he should now sleep there. From the next morning commenced, so it seemed to him, a new chapter in his life. Byron's "Farewell" sounded in his ears like an old melody:--
"Fare thee well, and if forever,
Still for ever fare thee well."
At break of day the carriage rolled away with him and old Rosalie. Both were silent; the carriage moved slowly along the deep ruts. Otto looked back once more. A lark28 rose, singing above him.
"It will be a beautiful day!" said the coachman; his words and the song of the lark Rosalie regarded as a good omen12 for Otto's whole journey.
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1
den
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| n.兽穴；秘密地方；安静的小房间，私室 | |
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meditation
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| n.熟虑，（尤指宗教的）默想，沉思，（pl.）冥想录 | |
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3
abode
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| n.住处，住所 | |
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affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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precisely
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| adv.恰好，正好，精确地，细致地 | |
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6
seclusion
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| n.隐遁，隔离 | |
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7
vivacious
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| adj.活泼的，快活的 | |
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8
thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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9
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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10
conflagration
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| n.建筑物或森林大火 | |
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11
bantered
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| v.开玩笑，说笑，逗乐( banter的过去式和过去分词 )；（善意地）取笑，逗弄 | |
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12
omen
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| n.征兆，预兆；vt.预示 | |
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13
exclamation
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| n.感叹号，惊呼，惊叹词 | |
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spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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15
discourse
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| n.论文，演说；谈话；话语；vi.讲述，著述 | |
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16
ministry
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| n.(政府的)部；牧师 | |
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mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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18
eruptions
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| n.喷发，爆发( eruption的名词复数 ) | |
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magistrate
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| n.地方行政官，地方法官，治安官 | |
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20
reverence
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| n.敬畏，尊敬，尊严；Reverence:对某些基督教神职人员的尊称；v.尊敬，敬畏，崇敬 | |
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21
obedience
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| n.服从，顺从 | |
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22
adorn
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| vt.使美化，装饰 | |
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transact
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| v.处理；做交易；谈判 | |
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restive
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| adj.不安宁的，不安静的 | |
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pranks
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| n.玩笑，恶作剧( prank的名词复数 ) | |
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harmonious
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| adj.和睦的，调和的，和谐的，协调的 | |
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monotonous
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| adj.单调的，一成不变的，使人厌倦的 | |
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28
lark
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| n.云雀，百灵鸟；n.嬉戏，玩笑；vi.嬉戏 | |
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29
joyous
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| adj.充满快乐的；令人高兴的 | |
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bass
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| n.男低音(歌手)；低音乐器；低音大提琴 | |
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remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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32
solitude
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| n. 孤独; 独居,荒僻之地,幽静的地方 | |
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33
deposed
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| v.罢免( depose的过去式和过去分词 )；（在法庭上）宣誓作证 | |
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34
astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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35
retirement
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| n.退休，退职 | |
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36
wilt
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| v.(使)植物凋谢或枯萎；(指人)疲倦，衰弱 | |
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37
hearty
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| adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的 | |
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innocence
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| n.无罪；天真；无害 | |
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39
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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40
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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41
anathema
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| n.诅咒；被诅咒的人(物)，十分讨厌的人(物) | |
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42
instinctive
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| adj.(出于)本能的；直觉的；(出于)天性的 | |
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43
thither
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| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
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44
bias
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| n.偏见，偏心，偏袒；vt.使有偏见 | |
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45
coffin
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| n.棺材，灵柩 | |
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46
guardian
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| n.监护人；守卫者，保护者 | |
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47
solitary
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| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
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48
gore
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| n.凝血，血污；v.（动物）用角撞伤，用牙刺破；缝以补裆；顶 | |
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49
sketches
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| n.草图( sketch的名词复数 )；素描；速写；梗概 | |
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50
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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51
formerly
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| adv.从前，以前 | |
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52
scripture
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| n.经文，圣书，手稿；Scripture:(常用复数)《圣经》，《圣经》中的一段 | |
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53
reins
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| 感情，激情； 缰( rein的名词复数 )； 控制手段； 掌管； （成人带着幼儿走路以防其走失时用的）保护带 | |
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54
precipitated
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| v.（突如其来地）使发生( precipitate的过去式和过去分词 )；促成；猛然摔下；使沉淀 | |
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55
scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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56
veins
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| n.纹理；矿脉( vein的名词复数 )；静脉；叶脉；纹理 | |
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57
blessing
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| n.祈神赐福；祷告；祝福，祝愿 | |
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58
melancholy
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| n.忧郁，愁思；adj.令人感伤（沮丧）的，忧郁的 | |
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59
hacking
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| n.非法访问计算机系统和数据库的活动 | |
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chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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