Sometimes to range the ground about
To find her out again;
And if by sight, or sound of bell,
Wo ho! he cries, with cheerful voice—
The gladdest man is he.
HANDEFULL OF PLEASANT DELITES.
At an early hour this morning the Hall was in a bustle4, preparing for the sport of the day. I heard Master Simon whistling and singing under my window at sunrise, as he was preparing the jesses for the hawk's legs, and could distinguish now and then a stanza5 of one of his favourite old ditties:
"In peascod time, when hound to horn
And little boy with pipe of corn
Is tending sheep a-field," etc.
A hearty7 breakfast, well flanked by cold meats, was served up in the great hall. The whole garrison8 of retainers and hangers-on were in motion, reinforced by volunteer idlers from the village. The horses were led up and down before the door; everybody had something to say and something to do, and hurried hither and thither9; there was a direful yelping10 of dogs; some that were to accompany us being eager to set off, and others that were to stay at home being whipped back to their kennels11. In short, for once, the good squire12's mansion13 might have been taken as a good specimen14 of one of the rantipole establishments of the good old feudal15 times.
Breakfast being finished, the chivalry16 of the Hall prepared to take the field. The fair Julia was of the party, in a hunting-dress, with a light plume17 of feathers in her riding-hat. As she mounted her favourite Galloway, I remarked, with pleasure, that old Christy forgot his usual crustiness, and hastened to adjust her saddle and bridle18. He touched his cap as she smiled on him and thanked him; and then, looking round at the other attendants, gave a knowing nod of his head, in which I read pride and exultation19 at the charming appearance of his pupil.
Lady Lillycraft had likewise determined20 to witness the sport. She was dressed in her broad white beaver21, tied under the chin, and a riding-habit of the last century. She rode her sleek22, ambling23 pony24, whose motion was as easy as a rocking-chair; and was gallantly25 escorted by the general, who looked not unlike one of the doughty26 heroes in the old prints of the battle of Blenheim. The parson, likewise, accompanied her on the other side; for this was a learned amusement in which he took great interest; and, indeed, had given much counsel, from his knowledge of old customs.
At length everything was arranged, and off we set from the Hall. The exercise on horseback puts one in fine spirits; and the scene was gay and animating27. The young men of the family accompanied Miss Templeton. She sat lightly and gracefully28 in her saddle, her plumes29 dancing and waving in the air; and the group had a charming effect as they appeared and disappeared among the trees, cantering along with the bounding animation30 of youth. The squire and Master Simon rode together, accompanied by old Christy mounted on Pepper. The latter bore the hawk on his fist, as he insisted the bird was most accustomed to him. There was a rabble31 rout32 on foot, composed of retainers from the Hall, and some idlers from the village, with two or three spaniels for the purpose of starting the game.
A kind of corps33 de reserve came on quietly in the rear, composed of Lady Lillycraft, General Harbottle, the parson, and a fat footman. Her ladyship ambled34 gently along on her pony, while the general, mounted on a tall hunter, looked down upon her with an air of the most protecting gallantry.
For my part, being no sportsman, I kept with this last party, or rather lagged behind, that I might take in the whole picture; and the parson occasionally slackened his pace and jogged on in company with me.
The sport led us at some distance from the Hall, in a soft meadow reeking35 with the moist verdure of spring. A little river ran through it, bordered by willows36, which had put forth37 their tender early foliage38. The sportsmen were in quest of herons, which were said to keep about this stream.
There was some disputing already among the leaders of the sport. The squire, Master Simon, and old Christy, came every now and then to a pause, to consult together, like the field officers in an army; and I saw, by certain motions of the head, that Christy was as positive as any old, wrong-headed German commander.
The Consultation39 in the Field
As we were prancing40 up this quiet meadow every sound we made was answered by a distinct echo from the sunny wall of an old building that lay on the opposite margin41 of the stream; and I paused to listen to the "spirit of a sound," which seems to love such quiet and beautiful places. The parson informed me that this was the ruin of an ancient grange, and was supposed by the country people to be haunted by a dobbie, a kind of rural sprite, something like Robin-Goodfellow. They often fancied the echo to be the voice of the dobbie answering them, and were rather shy of disturbing it after dark. He added, that the squire was very careful of this ruin, on account of the superstition42 connected with it. As I considered this local habitation of an "airy nothing," I called to mind the fine description of an echo in Webster's Duchess of Malfy:
——"'Yond side o' th' river lies a wall,
Gives the best echo that you have ever heard:
So plain in the distinction of our words
That many have supposed it a spirit
That answers."
The parson went on to comment on a pleasing and fanciful appellation44 which the Jews of old gave to the echo, which they called Bath-kool, that is to say, "the daughter of the voice;" they considered it an oracle45, supplying in the second temple the want of the Urim and Thummim, with which the first was honoured.4 The little man was just entering very largely and learnedly upon the subject, when we were startled by a prodigious46 bawling47, shouting, and yelping. A flight of crows, alarmed by the approach of our forces, had suddenly risen from a meadow; a cry was put up by the rabble rout on foot—"Now, Christy! now is your time, Christy!" The squire and Master Simon, who were beating up the river banks in quest of a heron, called out eagerly to Christy to keep quiet; the old man, vexed48 and bewildered by the confusion of voices, completely lost his head: in his flurry he slipped off the hood49, cast off the falcon, and away flew the crows, and away soared the hawk.
I had paused on a rising ground, close to Lady Lillycraft and her escort, from whence I had a good view of the sport. I was pleased with the appearance of the party in the meadow, riding along in the direction that the bird flew; their bright beaming faces turned up to the bright skies as they watched the game; the attendants on foot scampering50 along, looking up, and calling out, and the dogs bounding and yelping with clamorous51 sympathy.
The hawk had singled out a quarry from among the carrion53 crew. It was curious to see the efforts of the two birds to get above each other; one to make the fatal swoop54, the other to avoid it. Now they crossed athwart a bright feathery cloud, and now they were against the clear blue sky. I confess, being no sportsman, I was more interested for the poor bird that was striving for its life, than for the hawk that was playing the part of a mercenary soldier. At length the hawk got the upper hand, and made a rushing stoop at her quarry, but the latter made as sudden a surge downwards55, and slanting56 up again evaded57 the blow, screaming and making the best of his way for a dry tree on the brow of a neighbouring hill; while the hawk, disappointed of her blow, soared up again into the air, and appeared to be "raking" off. It was in vain old Christy called and whistled, and endeavoured to lure58 her down; she paid no regard to him; and, indeed, his calls were drowned in the shouts and yelps59 of the army of militia60 that had followed him into the field.
Just then an exclamation61 from Lady Lillycraft made me turn my head. I beheld62 a complete confusion among the sportsmen in the little vale below us. They were galloping63 and running towards the edge of a bank; and I was shocked to see Miss Templeton's horse galloping at large without his rider. I rode to the place to which bank, which almost overhung the stream, I saw at the foot of it the fair Julia, pale, bleeding, and apparently64 lifeless, supported in the arms of her frantic65 lover.
Julia's Mishap
In galloping heedlessly along, with her eyes turned upward, she had unwarily approached too near the bank; it had given way with her, and she and her horse had been precipitated66 to the pebbled67 margin of the river.
I never saw greater consternation68. The captain was distracted; Lady Lillycraft fainting; the squire in dismay; and Master Simon at his wits' end. The beautiful creature at length showed signs of returning life; she opened her eyes; looked around her upon the anxious group, and comprehending in a moment the nature of the scene, gave a sweet smile, and putting her hand in her lover's, exclaimed feebly, "I am not much hurt, Guy!" I could have taken her to my heart for that single exclamation.
It was found, indeed, that she had escaped, almost miraculously69, with a contusion of the head, a sprained70 ankle, and some slight bruises71. After her wound was stanched72, she was taken to a neighbouring cottage until a carriage could be summoned to convey her home; and when this had arrived, the cavalcade73, which had issued forth so gaily74 on this enterprise, returned slowly and pensively75 to the Hall.
I had been charmed by the generous spirit shown by this young creature, who, amidst pain and danger, had been anxious only to relieve the distress76 of those around her. I was gratified, therefore, by the universal concern displayed by the domestics on our return. They came crowding down the avenue, each eager to render assistance. The butler stood ready with some curiously77 delicate cordial; the old housekeeper78 was provided with half a dozen nostrums79, prepared by her own hands, according to the family receipt book; while her niece, the melting Phoebe, having no other way of assisting, stood wringing80 her hands and weeping aloud.
The most material effect that is likely to follow this accident is a postponement81 of the nuptials82, which were close at hand. Though I commiserate83 the impatience84 of the captain on that account, yet I shall not otherwise be sorry at the delay, as it will give me a better opportunity of studying the characters here assembled, with which I grow more and more entertained.
I cannot but perceive that the worthy85 squire is quite disconcerted at the unlucky result of his hawking86 experiment, and this unfortunate illustration of his eulogy87 on female equitation. Old Christy, too, is very waspish, having been sorely twitted by Master Simon for having let his hawk fly at carrion. As to the falcon, in the confusion occasioned by the fair Julia's disaster the bird was totally forgotten. I make no doubt she has made the best of her way back to the hospitable88 Hall of Sir Watkyn Williams Wynn; and may very possibly, at this present writing, be pluming89 her wings among the breezy bowers90 of Wynnstay.
点击收听单词发音
1 hawk | |
n.鹰,骗子;鹰派成员 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
2 falcon | |
n.隼,猎鹰 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
3 constrain | |
vt.限制,约束;克制,抑制 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
4 bustle | |
v.喧扰地忙乱,匆忙,奔忙;n.忙碌;喧闹 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
5 stanza | |
n.(诗)节,段 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
6 buck | |
n.雄鹿,雄兔;v.马离地跳跃 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
7 hearty | |
adj.热情友好的;衷心的;尽情的,纵情的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
8 garrison | |
n.卫戍部队;驻地,卫戍区;vt.派(兵)驻防 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
9 thither | |
adv.向那里;adj.在那边的,对岸的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
10 yelping | |
v.发出短而尖的叫声( yelp的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
11 kennels | |
n.主人外出时的小动物寄养处,养狗场;狗窝( kennel的名词复数 );养狗场 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
12 squire | |
n.护卫, 侍从, 乡绅 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
13 mansion | |
n.大厦,大楼;宅第 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
14 specimen | |
n.样本,标本 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
15 feudal | |
adj.封建的,封地的,领地的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
16 chivalry | |
n.骑士气概,侠义;(男人)对女人彬彬有礼,献殷勤 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
17 plume | |
n.羽毛;v.整理羽毛,骚首弄姿,用羽毛装饰 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
18 bridle | |
n.笼头,束缚;vt.抑制,约束;动怒 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
19 exultation | |
n.狂喜,得意 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
20 determined | |
adj.坚定的;有决心的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
21 beaver | |
n.海狸,河狸 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
22 sleek | |
adj.光滑的,井然有序的;v.使光滑,梳拢 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
23 ambling | |
v.(马)缓行( amble的现在分词 );从容地走,漫步 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
24 pony | |
adj.小型的;n.小马 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
25 gallantly | |
adv. 漂亮地,勇敢地,献殷勤地 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
26 doughty | |
adj.勇猛的,坚强的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
27 animating | |
v.使有生气( animate的现在分词 );驱动;使栩栩如生地动作;赋予…以生命 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
28 gracefully | |
ad.大大方方地;优美地 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
29 plumes | |
羽毛( plume的名词复数 ); 羽毛饰; 羽毛状物; 升上空中的羽状物 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
30 animation | |
n.活泼,兴奋,卡通片/动画片的制作 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
31 rabble | |
n.乌合之众,暴民;下等人 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
32 rout | |
n.溃退,溃败;v.击溃,打垮 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
33 corps | |
n.(通信等兵种的)部队;(同类作的)一组 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
34 ambled | |
v.(马)缓行( amble的过去式和过去分词 );从容地走,漫步 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
35 reeking | |
v.发出浓烈的臭气( reek的现在分词 );散发臭气;发出难闻的气味 (of sth);明显带有(令人不快或生疑的跡象) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
36 willows | |
n.柳树( willow的名词复数 );柳木 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
37 forth | |
adv.向前;向外,往外 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
38 foliage | |
n.叶子,树叶,簇叶 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
39 consultation | |
n.咨询;商量;商议;会议 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
40 prancing | |
v.(马)腾跃( prance的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
41 margin | |
n.页边空白;差额;余地,余裕;边,边缘 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
42 superstition | |
n.迷信,迷信行为 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
43 cloister | |
n.修道院;v.隐退,使与世隔绝 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
44 appellation | |
n.名称,称呼 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
45 oracle | |
n.神谕,神谕处,预言 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
46 prodigious | |
adj.惊人的,奇妙的;异常的;巨大的;庞大的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
47 bawling | |
v.大叫,大喊( bawl的现在分词 );放声大哭;大声叫出;叫卖(货物) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
48 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 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
49 hood | |
n.头巾,兜帽,覆盖;v.罩上,以头巾覆盖 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
50 scampering | |
v.蹦蹦跳跳地跑,惊惶奔跑( scamper的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
51 clamorous | |
adj.吵闹的,喧哗的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
52 quarry | |
n.采石场;v.采石;费力地找 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
53 carrion | |
n.腐肉 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
54 swoop | |
n.俯冲,攫取;v.抓取,突然袭击 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
55 downwards | |
adj./adv.向下的(地),下行的(地) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
56 slanting | |
倾斜的,歪斜的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
57 evaded | |
逃避( evade的过去式和过去分词 ); 避开; 回避; 想不出 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
58 lure | |
n.吸引人的东西,诱惑物;vt.引诱,吸引 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
59 yelps | |
n.(因痛苦、气愤、兴奋等的)短而尖的叫声( yelp的名词复数 )v.发出短而尖的叫声( yelp的第三人称单数 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
60 militia | |
n.民兵,民兵组织 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
61 exclamation | |
n.感叹号,惊呼,惊叹词 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
62 beheld | |
v.看,注视( behold的过去式和过去分词 );瞧;看呀;(叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现)哎哟 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
63 galloping | |
adj. 飞驰的, 急性的 动词gallop的现在分词形式 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
64 apparently | |
adv.显然地;表面上,似乎 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
65 frantic | |
adj.狂乱的,错乱的,激昂的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
66 precipitated | |
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 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
67 pebbled | |
用卵石铺(pebble的过去式与过去分词形式) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
68 consternation | |
n.大为吃惊,惊骇 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
69 miraculously | |
ad.奇迹般地 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
70 sprained | |
v.&n. 扭伤 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
71 bruises | |
n.瘀伤,伤痕,擦伤( bruise的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
72 stanched | |
v.使(伤口)止血( stanch的过去式 );止(血);使不漏;使不流失 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
73 cavalcade | |
n.车队等的行列 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
74 gaily | |
adv.欢乐地,高兴地 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
75 pensively | |
adv.沉思地,焦虑地 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
76 distress | |
n.苦恼,痛苦,不舒适;不幸;vt.使悲痛 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
77 curiously | |
adv.有求知欲地;好问地;奇特地 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
78 housekeeper | |
n.管理家务的主妇,女管家 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
79 nostrums | |
n.骗人的疗法,有专利权的药品( nostrum的名词复数 );妙策 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
80 wringing | |
淋湿的,湿透的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
81 postponement | |
n.推迟 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
82 nuptials | |
n.婚礼;婚礼( nuptial的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
83 commiserate | |
v.怜悯,同情 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
84 impatience | |
n.不耐烦,急躁 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
85 worthy | |
adj.(of)值得的,配得上的;有价值的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
86 hawking | |
利用鹰行猎 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
87 eulogy | |
n.颂词;颂扬 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
88 hospitable | |
adj.好客的;宽容的;有利的,适宜的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
89 pluming | |
用羽毛装饰(plume的现在分词形式) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
90 bowers | |
n.(女子的)卧室( bower的名词复数 );船首锚;阴凉处;鞠躬的人 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
欢迎访问英文小说网 |