The mists boil up around the glaciers1; clouds
Rise curling fast beneath me, white and sulphury,
Like foam2 from the roused ocean — — I am giddy.
Manfred.
The course of four centuries has well-nigh elapsed since the series of events which are related in the following chapters took place on the Continent. The records which contained the out lines of the history, and might be referred to as proof of its veracity3, were long preserved in the superb library of the Monastery4 of Saint Gall5, but perished, with many of the literary treasures of that establishment, when the convent was plundered6 by the French Revolutionary armies. The events are fixed7 by historical date to the middle of the fifteenth century — that important period, when chivalry8 still shone with a setting ray, soon about to be totally obscured; in some countries, by the establishment of free institutions, in others, by that of arbitrary power, which alike rendered useless the interference of these self-endowed redressers of wrongs, whose only warrant of authority was the sword.
Amid the general light which had recently shone upon Europe, France, Burgundy, and Italy, but more especially Austria, had been made acquainted with the character of a people, of whose very existence they had before been scarcely conscious. It is true, that the inhabitants of those countries which lie in the vicinity of the Alps, that immense barrier, were not ignorant, that, notwithstanding their rugged9 and desolate10 appearance, the secluded11 valleys which winded among those gigantic mountains nourished a race of hunters and shepherds; men, who, living in a state of primeval simplicity13, compelled from the soil a subsistence gained by severe labor14, followed the chase over the most savage15 precipices16 and through the darkest pine forests, or drove their cattle to spots which afforded them a scanty18 pasturage, even in the vicinage of eternal snows But the existence of such a people, or rather of a number of small communities who followed nearly the same poor and hardy19 course of life, had seemed to the rich and powerful princes in the neighborhood a matter of as little consequence, as it is to the stately herds12 which repose20 in a fertile meadow, that a few half-starved goats find their scanty food among the rocks which overlook their rich domain21.
But wonder and attention began to be attracted towards these mountaineers, about the middle of the fourteenth century, when reports were spread abroad of severe contests, in which the German chivalry, endeavoring to suppress insurrections among their alpine22 vassals23, had sustained repeated and bloody24 defeats, although having on their side numbers and discipline, and the advantage of the most perfect military equipment then known and confided25 in. Great was the wonder that cavalry26, which made the only efficient part of the feudal27 armies of these ages, should be routed by men on foot; that warriors28 sheathed29 in complete steel should be overpowered by naked peasants who wore no defensive30 armor, and were irregularly provided with pikes, halberds, and clubs, for the purpose of attack above all, it seemed a species of miracle, that knights32 and nobles of the highest birth should be defeated by mountaineers and shepherds. But the repeated victories of the Swiss at Laupen, Sempach, and on other less distinguished33 occasions, plainly intimated that a new principle of civil organization, as well as of military movements, had arisen amid the stormy regions of Helvetia.
Still, although the decisive victories which obtained liberty for the Swiss Cantons, as well as the spirit of resolution and wisdom with which the members of the little confederation had maintained themselves against the utmost exertions34 of Austria had spread their fame abroad through all the neighbouring countries; and although they themselves were conscious of the character and actual power which repeated victories had acquired for themselves and their country, yet down in the middle of the fifteenth century, and at a later date, the Swiss retained in a great measure the wisdom, moderation, and simplicity of their ancient manners; so much so, that those who were intrusted with the command of the troops of the Republic in battle, were wont35 to resume the shepherd’s staff when they laid down the truncheon, and, like the Roman dictators, to retire to complete equality with their fellow-citizens, from the eminence36 of military command to which their talents, and the call of their country, had raised them.
It is, then, in the Forest Cantons of Switzerland, in the autumn of 1474, while these districts were in the rude and simple state we have described, that our tale opens.
Two travellers, one considerably37 past the prime of life, the other probably two or three and twenty years old, had passed the night at the little town of Lucerne, the capital of the Swiss state of the same name, and beautifully situated38 on the lake of the Four Cantons. Their dress and character seemed those of merchants of a higher class, and while they themselves journeyed on foot, the character of the country rendering39 that by far the most easy mode of pursuing their route, a young peasant lad, from the Italian side of the Alps, followed them with a sumpter mule40, laden41 apparently42 with men’s wares43 and baggage, which he sometimes mounted, but more frequently led by the bridle44.
The travellers were uncommonly45 fine-looking men, and seemed connected by some very near relationship,— probably that of father and son; for at the little inn where they lodged46 on the preceding evening, the great deference47 and respect paid by the younger to the elder had not escaped the observation of the natives, who, like other sequestered49 beings, were curious in proportion to the limited means of information which they possessed50 They observed also, that the merchants, under pretence51 of haste, declined opening their bales, or proposing traffic to the inhabitants of Lucerne, alleging52 in excuse that they had no commodities fitted for the market. The females of the town were the more displeased53 with the reserve of the mercantile travellers, because they were given to understand that it was occasioned by the wares in which they dealt being too costly54 to find customers among the Helvetian mountains; for it had transpired55, by means of their attendant, that the strangers had visited Venice, and had there made many purchases of rich commodities, which were brought from India and Egypt to that celebrated56 emporium, as to the common mart of the Western World, and thence dispersed57 into all quarters of Europe. Now the Swiss maidens58 had of late made the discovery that gauds and gems59 were fair to look upon, and though without the hope of being able to possess themselves of such ornaments60, they felt a natural desire to review and handle the stores of the merchants, and some displeasure at being prevented from doing so.
It was also observed, that though the strangers were sufficiently61 courteous62 in their demeanor63, they did not evince that studious anxiety to please, displayed by the travelling pedlers or merchants of Lombardy or Savoy, by whom the inhabitants of the mountains were occasionally visited; and who had been more frequent in their rounds of late years, since the spoils ot victory had invested the Swiss with some wealth, and had taught many of them new wants. Those peripatetic64 traders were civil and assiduous, as their calling required; but the new Visitors seemed men who were indifferent to traffic, or at least to such slender gains as could be gathered in Switzerland.
Curiosity was further excited by the circumstance, that they spoke65 to each other in a language which was certainly neither German, Italian nor French, but from which an old man serving in the cabaret, who had once been as far as Paris, supposed they might be English; a people of whom it was only known in these mountains, that they were a fierce insular66 race, at war with the French for many years, and a large body of whom had long since invaded the Forest Cantons, and sustained such a defeat in the valley of Reussweil, as was well remembered by the grayhaired men of Lucerne, who received the tale from their fathers.
The lad who attended the strangers was soon ascertained68 to be a youth from the Grisons country, who acted as their guide, as far as his knowledge of the mountains permitted. He said they designed to go to Bale, but seemed desirous to travel by circuitous69 and unfrequented routes. The circumstances just mentioned increased the general desire to know more of the travellers and of their merchandise. Not a bale, however, was unpacked70, and the merchants, leaving Lucerne next morning, resumed their toilsome journey, preferring a circuitous route and bad roads, through the peaceful cantons of Switzerland, to encountering the exactions and rapine of the robber chiva’ry of Germany, who, like so many sovereigns, made war each at his own pleasure, and levied72 tolls73 and taxes on every one who passed their domains74 of a mile’s breadth, with all the insolence75 of petty tyranny.
For several hours after leaving Lucerne, the journey of our travellers was successfully prosecuted76. The road, though precipitous and difficult, was rendered interesting by those splendid phenomena77, which no country exhibits in a more astonishing manner than the mountains of Switzerland, where the rocky pass, the verdant78 valley, the broad lake, and the rushing torrent79, the attributes of other hills as well as these, are interspersed80 with the magnificent and yet fearful horrors of the glaciers, a feature peculiar81 to themselves.
It was not an age in which the beauties or grandeur82 of a landscape made much impression either on the minds of those who travelled in the country, or who resided in it. To the latter, the objects, however dignified83, were familiar, and as sociated with daily habits and with daily toil71; and the former saw, perhaps, more terror than beauty in the wild region through which they passed, and were rather solicitous84 to get safe to their night’s quarters, than to comment on the grandeur of the scenes which lay between them and their place of rest. Yet our merchants, as they proceeded on their journey, could not help being strongly impressed by the character of the scenery around them. Their road lay along the side of the lake, at times level and close on its very margin85, at times rising to a great height on the side of the mountain, and winding86 along the verge87 of precipices which sunk down to the water as sharp and sheer as the wall of a castle descending89 upon the ditch which defends it. At other times it traversed spots of milder character,— delightful90 green slopes, and lowly retired91 valleys, affording both pasturage and arable92 ground, sometimes watered by small streams, which winded by the hamlet of wooden huts with their fantastic little church and steeple, meandered93 round the orchard94 and the mount of vines, and, murmuring gently as they flowed, found a quiet passage into the lake.
“That stream, Arthur,” said the elder traveller, as with one consent they stopped to gaze on such a scene as I have described, “resembles the life of a good and a happy man.”
“And the brook95, which hurries itself headlong down yon distant hill, making its course by a streak96 of white foam,” answered Arthur, — “what does that resemble?”
“That of a brave and unfortunate one,” replied his father.
“The torrent for me,” said Arthur; “a headlong course which no human force can oppose, and then let it be as brief as it is glorious.”
“It is a young man’s thought,” replied his father; “but I am well aware that it is so rooted in thy heart, that nothing but the rude hand of adversity can pluck it up.”
As yet the root clings fast to my heart’s strings,” said the young man; “and methinks adversity’s hand hath had a fair grasp of it.”
“You speak, my son, of what you little understand,” said his father. “Know, that till the middle of life be passed, men scarce distinguish true prosperity from adversity, or rather they court as the favors of fortune what they should more justly regard as the marks of her displeasure. Look at yonder mountain, which wears on its shaggy brow a diadem97 of clouds, now raised and now depressed98, while the sun glances upon, but is unable to dispel99 it; — a child might believe it to be a crown oi glory — a man knows it to be the signal of tempest.”
Arthur followed the direction of his father’s eye to the dark and shadowy eminence of Mount Pilatus.
“Is the mist on yonder wild mountain so ominous100 then?” asked the young man.
“Demand of Antonio,” said his father; “he will tell you the legend.”
The young merchant addressed himself to the Swiss lad who acted as their attendant, desiring to know the name of the gloomy height, which, in that quarter, seems the leviathan of the huge congregation of mountains assembled about Lucerne.
The lad crossed himself devoutly101, as he recounted the popular legend, that the wicked Pontius Pilate, Proconsul of Judea, had here found the termination of his impious life; having, after spending years in the recesses102 of that mountain which bears his name, at length, in remorse103 and despair rather than in penitence104, plunged105 into the dismal106 lake which occupies the summit. Whether water refused to do the executioner’s duty upon such a wretch107, or whether, his body being drowned, his vexed108 spirit continued to haunt the place where he committed suicide, Antonio did not pretend to explain. But a form was often, he said, seen to emerge from the gloomy waters, and go through the action of one washing his hands; and when he did so, dark clouds of mist gathered first round the bosom109 of the Infernal Lake (such it had been styled of old), and then wrapping the whole upper part of the mountain in darkness, presaged110 a tempest or hurricane, which was sure to follow in a short space. He added, that the evil spirit was peculiarly exasperated111 at the audacity112 of such strangers as ascended113 the mountain to gaze at his place of punishment, and that, in consequence, the magistrates114 of Lucerne had prohibited anyone from approaching Mount Pilatus, under severe penalties Antonio once more crossed himself as he finished his legend, in which act of devotion he was imitated by his hearers, too good Catholics to entertain any doubt of the truth of the story.
“How the accursed heathen scowls115 upon us” said the younger of the merchants, while the cloud darkened and seemed to settle on the brow of Mount Pilatus. ”Vade retro ; — be thou defied sinner!”
A rising wind, rather heard than felt, seemed to groan116 forth117, in the tone of a dying lion, the acceptance of the suffering spirit to the rash challenge of the young Englishman. The mountain was seen to send down its rugged sides thick wreaths of heaving mist, which, rolling through the rugged chasms118 that seamed the grisly hill, resembled torrents119 of rushing lava120 pouring down from a volcano. The ridgy121 precipices, which formed the sides of these huge ravines, showed their splintery and rugged edges over the vapor122, as if dividing from each other the descending streams of mist which rolled around them. As a strong contrast to this gloomy and threatening scene, the more distant mountain range of Rigisbone brilliant with all the hues123 of an autumnal sun.
While the travellers watched this striking and varied124 contrast, which resembled an approaching combat betwixt the powers of Light and Darkness, their guide, in his mixed jargon125 of Italian and German, exhorted126 them to make haste on their journey. The village to which he proposed to conduct them, he said, was yet distant, the road bad, and difficult to find, and if the Evil One (looking to Mount Pilatus, and crossing himself) “shonid send his darkness upon the valley, the path would be both doubtful and dangerous. The travellers, thus admonished127, gathered the capes128 of their cloaks close round their throats, pulled their bonnets129 resolvedly over their brows, drew the buckle130 of the broad belts which fastened their man ties, and each with a mountain staff in his hand, well shod with an iron spike131, they pursued their journey with unabated strength and undaunted spirit.
“With every step the scenes around them appeared to change. Each mountain, as if its firm and immutable133 form were flexible and varying, altered in appearance, like that of a shadowy apparition134, as the position of the strangers relative to them changed with their motions, and as the mist, which continued slowly though constantly to descend88, influenced the rugged as pect of the hilts and valleys which it shrouded135 with its vapory mantle136. The nature of their progress, too, never direct, but winding by a narrow path along the sinuosities of the valley, and making many a circuit round precipices and other obstacles which it was impossible to surmount137, added to the wild variety of a journey, in which, at last, the travellers totally lost any vague idea which they had previously138 entertained concerning the direction in which the road led them.
“I would,” said the elder, “we had that mystical needle which mariners139 talk of, that points ever to the north, and enables them to keep their way on the waters, when there is neither cape48 nor headland, sun, moon, nor stars, nor any mark in heaven or earth, to tell them how to steer140.”
“It would scarce avail us among these mountains,” answered the youth; “for though that wonderful needle may keep its point to the northern Pole-star, when it is on a flat surface like the sea, it is not to be thought it would do so when the huge mountains arise like walls, betwixt the steel and the object of its sympathy.”
“I fear me,” replied the father, “we shall find our guide, who has been growing hourly more stupid since he left his own valley, as useless as you suppose the compass would be among the hills of this wild country. —— Canst tell, my boy,” said he, addressing Antonio in bad Italian, “if we be in the road we purposed?”
“If it please Saint Antonio” — said the guide, who was obviously too much confused to answer the question directly.
“And that water, half covered with mist, which glimmers141 through the fog, at the foot of this huge black precipice17-is it still a part of the Lake of Lucerne, or have we lighted upon an-other since we ascended that last hill?”
Antonio could only answer that they ought to be on the Lake of Lucerne still, and that he hoped that what they saw below them was only a winding branch of the same sheet of water. But he could say nothing with certainty.
“Dog of an Italian!” exclaimed the younger traveller, “thou deservest to have thy bones broken, for undertaking142 a charge which thou art as incapable143 to perform as thou art to guide us to heaven!”
“Peace, Arthur,” said his father; “if you frighten the lad, he runs off, and we loose the small advantage we might have by his knowledge; if you use your baton144, he rewards you with the stab of a knife, — for such is the humor of a revengeful Lombard. Either way, you are marred145 instead of helped. — Hark thee hither, my boy.” he continued, in his indifferent Italian “be not afraid of that hot youngster, whom I will not permit to injure thee; but tell me, if thou canst, the names of the villages by which we are to make our journey to-day.”
The gentle mode in which the elder traveller spoke reassured146 the lad, who bad been somewhat alarmed at the harsh tone and menacing expressions of his younger companion; and he poured forth, in his patois147, a flood of names, in which the German guttural sounds were strangly intermixed with the soft accents of the Italian, but which carried to the hearer no intelligible148 information concerning the object of his question; so that at length he was forced to conclude, “Even lead on, in Our Lady’s name, or in Saint Antonio’s if you like it better; we shall but lose time, I see, in trying to understand each other.”
They moved on as before, with this difference, that the guide, leading the mule, now went first, and was followed by the other two, whose motion she had formerly149 directed by calling to them from behind. The clouds meantime became thicker and thicker, and the mist, which had at first been thin vapor, began now to descend in the form of a small thick rain, which gathered like dew upon the capotes of the travellers. Distant rustling150 and groaning151 sounds were heard among the remote mountains, similar to those by which the Evil Spirit of Mount Pilatus had seemed to announce the storm. The boy again pressed his companions to advance, but at the same time threw impediments in the way of their doing so, by the slowness and indecision which he showed in leading them on.
Having proceeded in this manner for three or four miles, which uncertainty152 rendered doubly tedious, the travellers were at length engaged in a narrow path, running along the verge of a precipice. Beneath was water, but of what description they could not ascertain67. The wind, indeed, which began to be felt in sudden gusts154, sometimes swept aside the mist so completely as to show the waves glimmering155 below; but whether they were those of the same lake on which their morning journey had commenced, whether it was another and separate sheet of water of a similar character, or whether it was a river or large brook, one view afforded was too indistinct to determine. Thus far was certain, that they were not on the shores of the Lake of Lucerne, where it displays its usual expanse of waters; for the same hurricane gusts which showed them water in the bottom of the glen, gave them a transient view of the opposite side, at what exact distance they could not well discern, but near enough to show tall abrupt156 rocks and shaggy pine-trees, here united in groups, and there singly anchored among the cliffs which overhung the water. This was a more distinct landscape than the farther side of the lake would have offered, bad they been on the right road.
Hitherto the path, though steep and rugged, was plainly enough indicated, and showed traces of having been used both by riders and foot passengers. But suddenly, as Antonio with the loaded mule had reached a projecting eminence, around the peak of which the path made a sharp turn, he stopped short, with his usual exclamation157, addressed to his patron saint. It appeared to Arthur that the mule shared the terrors of the guide; for it started back, put forwards its forefeet separate from each other, and seemed, by the attitude which it assumed, to intimate a determination to resist every proposal to advance, at the same time expressing horror and fear at the prospect158 which lay before it.
Arthur pressed forward, not only from curiosity, but that he might if possible bear the brunt of any danger before his father came up to share it. In less time than we have taken to tell the story, the young man stood aside Antonio and the mule, upon a platform of rock on which the road seemed absolutely to terminate, and from the farther side of which a precipice sunk sheer down, to what depth the mist did not permit him to discern, but certainly uninterrupted for more than three hundred feet.
The blank expression which overcast159 the visage of the younger traveller, and traces of which might be descerned in the physiognomy of the beast of burden, announced alarm and mortification160 at this unexpected, and as it seemed, insurmountable obstacle. Nor did the looks of the father, who presently after came up to the same spot, convey either hope or comfort. He stood with the others gazing on the misty161 gulf162 beneath them, and looking all around, but in vain, for some continuation of the path, which certainly had never been originally designed to terminate in this summary manner. As they stood uncertain what to do next, the son in vain attempting to discover some mode of passing onward163, and the father about to propose that they should return by the road which had brought them hither, a loud howl of the wind, more wild than they had yet heard, swept down the valley. All being aware of the danger of being hurled164 from the precarious165 station which they occupied, snatched at bushes and rocks by which to secure themselves, and even the poor mule seemed to steady itself in order to withstand the approaching hurricane, The gust153 came with such unexpected fury that it appeared to the traveller, to shake the very rock on which they stood, and would have swept them from its surface like so many dry leaves, had it not been for the momentary166 precautions which they had taken for their safety. But as the wind rushed down the glen, it completely removed for the space of three or four minutes the veil of mist which former gusts had only served to agitate167 or discompose, and showed them the nature and cause of the interruption which they had met with so unexpectedly.
The rapid but correct eye of Arthur was then able to ascertain that the path, after leaving the platform of rock on which they stood, had originally passed upwards168 in the same direction along the edge of a steep bank of earth, which had then formed the upper covering of a stratum169 of precipitous rocks. But it had chanced in some of the convulsions of nature which take place in those wild regions, where she works upon a scale so formidable, that the earth had made a slip, or almost a precipitous descent, from the rock, and been hurled downwards170 with the path, which was traced along the top, and with bushes, trees or whatever grew upon it, into the channel of the stream; for such they could now discern the water beneath them to be, and not a lake or an arm of a lake, as they had hitherto supposed.
The immediate171 cause of this phenomenon might probably have been an earthquake, not unfrequent in that country. The bank of earth, now a confused mass of ruins inverted172 in its fall, showed some trees growing in a horizontal position, and others, which, having pitched on their head in their descent, were at once inverted and shattered to pieces, and lay a sport to the streams of the river which they had heretofore covered with gloomy shadow. The gaunt precipice which remained behind, like the skeleton of some huge monster divested173 of its flesh, formed the wall of a fearful abyss, resembling the face of a newly wrought174 quarry175, more dismal of aspect from the rawness of its recent formation, and from its being as yet uncovered with any of the vegetation with which nature speedily mantles176 over the bare surface even, of her sternest crags and precipices.
Besides remarking these appearances, which tended to show that this interruption of the road had been of recent occurrence, Arthur was able to observe, on the farther side of the higher up the valley, and rising out of the pine forest, interspersed with rocks, a square building of considerable height, like the ruins of a Gothic tower. He pointed177 out this remarkable178 object to Antonio, and demanded if he knew it; justly conjectured179 that, from the peculiarity180 of the site, it was a landmark181 not easily to be forgotten by any who had seen it before. Accordingly, it was gladly and promptly182 recognized by the lad, who called cheerfully out, that the place was Geierstein, that is, as he explained it, the Rock of the Vultures. He knew it, he said, by the old tower, as well as by a huge pinnacle183 of rock which arose near it, almost in the form of a steeple, to the top of which the lammer-geier (one of the largest birds of prey184 known to exist) had in former days transported the child of an ancient lord of the castle. He proceeded to recount the vow185 which was made by the Knight31 of Geierstein to our Lady of Einsiedlen; and, while he spoke, the castle, rocks, woods, and piecipices, again faded in mist. But as he concluded his wonderful narrative186 with the miracle which restored the infant again to its father’s arms, he cried out suddenly, “Look to yourselves — the storm! — the storm!” It came accordingly, and sweeping187 the mist before it, again bestowed188 on the travellers a view of the horrors around them.
“Ay!” quoth Antonio, triumphantly189, as the gust abated132, “old Pontius loves little to hear of Our Lady of Einsiedlen; but she will keep her own with him — Ave Maria!”
“That tower,” said the young traveller, “seems uninhabited. I can descry190 no smoke, and the battlement appears ruinous.
“It has not been inhabited for many a day,” answered the guide. “But I would I were at it, for all that. Honest Arnold Biederman, the Landamman” (chief magistrate) “of the Canton of Unterwalden, dwells near, and, I warrant you, distressed191 strangers will not want the best that cupboard and cellar can find them, wherever he holds rule.”
“I have heard of him,” said the elder traveller, whom Antonio had been taught to call Seignor Philipson; “a good and hospitable192 man, and one who enjoys deserved weight with his countrymen.”
“You have spoken him right, Seignor,” answered the guide, “and I would we could reach his house, where you should be sure of hospitable treatment, and a good direction for your next day’s journey. But how we are to get to the Vulture’s Castle, unless we had wings like the vulture, is a question hard to answer.
Arthur replied by a daring proposal, which the reader will find in the next chapter.
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glaciers
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| 冰河，冰川( glacier的名词复数 ) | |
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foam
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| v./n.泡沫，起泡沫 | |
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veracity
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| n.诚实 | |
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monastery
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| n.修道院，僧院，寺院 | |
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gall
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| v.使烦恼，使焦躁，难堪；n.磨难 | |
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plundered
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| 掠夺，抢劫( plunder的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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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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chivalry
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| n.骑士气概，侠义；（男人）对女人彬彬有礼，献殷勤 | |
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rugged
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| adj.高低不平的，粗糙的，粗壮的，强健的 | |
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desolate
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| adj.荒凉的，荒芜的；孤独的，凄凉的；v.使荒芜，使孤寂 | |
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secluded
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| adj.与世隔绝的；隐退的；偏僻的v.使隔开，使隐退( seclude的过去式和过去分词) | |
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herds
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| 兽群( herd的名词复数 )； 牧群； 人群； 群众 | |
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simplicity
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| n.简单，简易；朴素；直率，单纯 | |
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labor
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| n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦 | |
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savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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precipices
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| n.悬崖，峭壁( precipice的名词复数 ) | |
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precipice
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| n.悬崖，危急的处境 | |
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scanty
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| adj.缺乏的，仅有的，节省的，狭小的，不够的 | |
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hardy
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| adj.勇敢的，果断的，吃苦的；耐寒的 | |
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repose
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| v.(使)休息；n.安息 | |
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domain
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| n.(活动等)领域，范围；领地，势力范围 | |
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alpine
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| adj.高山的；n.高山植物 | |
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vassals
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| n.奴仆( vassal的名词复数 )；（封建时代）诸侯；从属者；下属 | |
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bloody
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| adj.非常的的；流血的；残忍的；adv.很；vt.血染 | |
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confided
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| v.吐露（秘密，心事等）( confide的过去式和过去分词 )；（向某人）吐露（隐私、秘密等） | |
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26
cavalry
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| n.骑兵；轻装甲部队 | |
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27
feudal
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| adj.封建的，封地的，领地的 | |
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28
warriors
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| 武士，勇士，战士( warrior的名词复数 ) | |
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29
sheathed
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| adj.雕塑像下半身包在鞘中的；覆盖的；铠装的；装鞘了的v.将（刀、剑等）插入鞘( sheathe的过去式和过去分词 )；包，覆盖 | |
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30
defensive
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| adj.防御的；防卫的；防守的 | |
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31
knight
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| n.骑士，武士；爵士 | |
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32
knights
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| 骑士； （中古时代的）武士( knight的名词复数 )； 骑士； 爵士； （国际象棋中）马 | |
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33
distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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34
exertions
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| 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
wont
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| adj.习惯于；v.习惯；n.习惯 | |
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36
eminence
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| n.卓越，显赫；高地，高处；名家 | |
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37
considerably
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| adv.极大地；相当大地；在很大程度上 | |
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38
situated
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| adj.坐落在...的，处于某种境地的 | |
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39
rendering
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| n.表现，描写 | |
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40
mule
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| n.骡子，杂种，执拗的人 | |
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41
laden
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| adj.装满了的；充满了的；负了重担的；苦恼的 | |
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42
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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43
wares
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| n. 货物, 商品 | |
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44
bridle
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| n.笼头，束缚；vt.抑制，约束；动怒 | |
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45
uncommonly
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| adv. 稀罕(极，非常) | |
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46
lodged
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| v.存放( lodge的过去式和过去分词 )；暂住；埋入；（权利、权威等）归属 | |
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47
deference
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| n.尊重，顺从；敬意 | |
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48
cape
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| n.海角，岬；披肩，短披风 | |
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49
sequestered
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| adj.扣押的；隐退的；幽静的；偏僻的v.使隔绝，使隔离( sequester的过去式和过去分词 )；扣押 | |
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50
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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51
pretence
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| n.假装，作假；借口，口实；虚伪；虚饰 | |
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52
alleging
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| 断言，宣称，辩解( allege的现在分词 ) | |
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53
displeased
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| a.不快的 | |
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54
costly
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| adj.昂贵的，价值高的，豪华的 | |
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55
transpired
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| （事实，秘密等）被人知道( transpire的过去式和过去分词 )； 泄露； 显露； 发生 | |
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56
celebrated
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| adj.有名的，声誉卓著的 | |
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57
dispersed
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| adj. 被驱散的, 被分散的, 散布的 | |
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58
maidens
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| 处女( maiden的名词复数 )； 少女； 未婚女子； （板球运动）未得分的一轮投球 | |
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59
gems
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| growth； economy； management； and customer satisfaction 增长 | |
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60
ornaments
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| n.装饰( ornament的名词复数 )；点缀；装饰品；首饰v.装饰，点缀，美化( ornament的第三人称单数 ) | |
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61
sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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62
courteous
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| adj.彬彬有礼的，客气的 | |
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63
demeanor
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| n.行为；风度 | |
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64
peripatetic
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| adj.漫游的，逍遥派的，巡回的 | |
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65
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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66
insular
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| adj.岛屿的，心胸狭窄的 | |
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67
ascertain
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| vt.发现，确定，查明，弄清 | |
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68
ascertained
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| v.弄清，确定，查明( ascertain的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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69
circuitous
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| adj.迂回的路的，迂曲的，绕行的 | |
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70
unpacked
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| v.从（包裹等）中取出（所装的东西），打开行李取出( unpack的过去式和过去分词 )；拆包；解除…的负担；吐露（心事等） | |
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71
toil
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| vi.辛劳工作，艰难地行动；n.苦工，难事 | |
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72
levied
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| 征（兵）( levy的过去式和过去分词 )； 索取； 发动（战争）； 征税 | |
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73
tolls
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| （缓慢而有规律的）钟声( toll的名词复数 )； 通行费； 损耗； （战争、灾难等造成的）毁坏 | |
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74
domains
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| n.范围( domain的名词复数 )；领域；版图；地产 | |
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75
insolence
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| n.傲慢；无礼；厚颜；傲慢的态度 | |
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76
prosecuted
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| a.被起诉的 | |
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77
phenomena
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| n.现象 | |
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78
verdant
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| adj.翠绿的，青翠的，生疏的，不老练的 | |
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79
torrent
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| n.激流，洪流；爆发，(话语等的)连发 | |
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80
interspersed
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| adj.[医]散开的；点缀的v.intersperse的过去式和过去分词 | |
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81
peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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82
grandeur
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| n.伟大，崇高，宏伟，庄严，豪华 | |
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83
dignified
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| a.可敬的，高贵的 | |
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84
solicitous
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| adj.热切的，挂念的 | |
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85
margin
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| n.页边空白；差额；余地，余裕；边，边缘 | |
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86
winding
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| n.绕，缠，绕组，线圈 | |
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87
verge
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| n.边，边缘；v.接近，濒临 | |
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88
descend
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| vt./vi.传下来，下来，下降 | |
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89
descending
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| n. 下行 adj. 下降的 | |
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90
delightful
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| adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的 | |
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91
retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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92
arable
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| adj.可耕的，适合种植的 | |
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93
meandered
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| （指溪流、河流等）蜿蜒而流( meander的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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94
orchard
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| n.果园，果园里的全部果树，(美俚)棒球场 | |
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95
brook
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| n.小河，溪；v.忍受，容让 | |
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96
streak
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| n.条理，斑纹，倾向，少许，痕迹；v.加条纹，变成条纹，奔驰，快速移动 | |
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97
diadem
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| n.王冠，冕 | |
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98
depressed
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| adj.沮丧的，抑郁的，不景气的，萧条的 | |
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99
dispel
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| vt.驱走，驱散，消除 | |
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100
ominous
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| adj.不祥的，不吉的，预兆的，预示的 | |
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101
devoutly
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| adv.虔诚地，虔敬地，衷心地 | |
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102
recesses
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| n.壁凹( recess的名词复数 )；（工作或业务活动的）中止或暂停期间；学校的课间休息；某物内部的凹形空间v.把某物放在墙壁的凹处( recess的第三人称单数 )；将（墙）做成凹形，在（墙）上做壁龛；休息，休会，休庭 | |
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103
remorse
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| n.痛恨，悔恨，自责 | |
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104
penitence
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| n.忏悔，赎罪；悔过 | |
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105
plunged
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| v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
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106
dismal
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| adj.阴沉的，凄凉的，令人忧郁的，差劲的 | |
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107
wretch
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| n.可怜的人，不幸的人；卑鄙的人 | |
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108
vexed
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| 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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109
bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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110
presaged
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| v.预示，预兆( presage的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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111
exasperated
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| adj.恼怒的 | |
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112
audacity
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| n.大胆，卤莽，无礼 | |
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113
ascended
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| v.上升，攀登( ascend的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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114
magistrates
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| 地方法官，治安官( magistrate的名词复数 ) | |
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115
scowls
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| 不悦之色，怒容( scowl的名词复数 ) | |
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116
groan
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| vi./n.呻吟，抱怨；(发出)呻吟般的声音 | |
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117
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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118
chasms
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| 裂缝( chasm的名词复数 )； 裂口； 分歧； 差别 | |
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119
torrents
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| n.倾注；奔流( torrent的名词复数 )；急流；爆发；连续不断 | |
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120
lava
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| n.熔岩，火山岩 | |
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121
ridgy
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| adj.有脊的；有棱纹的；隆起的；有埂的 | |
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122
vapor
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| n.蒸汽，雾气 | |
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123
hues
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| 色彩( hue的名词复数 )； 色调； 信仰； 观点 | |
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124
varied
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| adj.多样的，多变化的 | |
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125
jargon
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| n.术语，行话 | |
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126
exhorted
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| v.劝告，劝说( exhort的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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127
admonished
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| 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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128
capes
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| 碎谷； 斗篷( cape的名词复数 )； 披肩； 海角； 岬 | |
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129
bonnets
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| n.童帽( bonnet的名词复数 )；（烟囱等的）覆盖物；（苏格兰男子的）无边呢帽；（女子戴的）任何一种帽子 | |
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130
buckle
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| n.扣子，带扣；v.把...扣住，由于压力而弯曲 | |
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131
spike
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| n.长钉，钉鞋；v.以大钉钉牢，使...失效 | |
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132
abated
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| 减少( abate的过去式和过去分词 )； 减去； 降价； 撤消（诉讼） | |
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133
immutable
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| adj.不可改变的，永恒的 | |
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134
apparition
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| n.幽灵，神奇的现象 | |
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135
shrouded
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| v.隐瞒( shroud的过去式和过去分词 )；保密 | |
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136
mantle
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| n.斗篷，覆罩之物，罩子；v.罩住，覆盖，脸红 | |
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137
surmount
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| vt.克服；置于…顶上 | |
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138
previously
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| adv.以前，先前（地） | |
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139
mariners
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| 海员，水手（mariner的复数形式） | |
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140
steer
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| vt.驾驶，为…操舵；引导；vi.驾驶 | |
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141
glimmers
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| n.微光，闪光( glimmer的名词复数 )v.发闪光，发微光( glimmer的第三人称单数 ) | |
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142
undertaking
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| n.保证，许诺，事业 | |
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143
incapable
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| adj.无能力的，不能做某事的 | |
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144
baton
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| n.乐队用指挥杖 | |
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145
marred
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| adj. 被损毁, 污损的 | |
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146
reassured
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| adj.使消除疑虑的；使放心的v.再保证，恢复信心( reassure的过去式和过去分词) | |
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147
patois
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| n.方言；混合语 | |
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intelligible
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| adj.可理解的，明白易懂的，清楚的 | |
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formerly
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| adv.从前，以前 | |
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rustling
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| n. 瑟瑟声，沙沙声 adj. 发沙沙声的 | |
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151
groaning
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| adj. 呜咽的, 呻吟的 动词groan的现在分词形式 | |
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152
uncertainty
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| n.易变，靠不住，不确知，不确定的事物 | |
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gust
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| n.阵风，突然一阵（雨、烟等），（感情的）迸发 | |
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154
gusts
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| 一阵强风( gust的名词复数 )； （怒、笑等的）爆发； （感情的）迸发； 发作 | |
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155
glimmering
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| n.微光，隐约的一瞥adj.薄弱地发光的v.发闪光，发微光( glimmer的现在分词 ) | |
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abrupt
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| adj.突然的，意外的；唐突的，鲁莽的 | |
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exclamation
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| n.感叹号，惊呼，惊叹词 | |
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prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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159
overcast
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| adj.阴天的，阴暗的，愁闷的；v.遮盖，（使）变暗，包边缝；n.覆盖，阴天 | |
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mortification
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| n.耻辱，屈辱 | |
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161
misty
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| adj.雾蒙蒙的，有雾的 | |
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gulf
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| n.海湾；深渊，鸿沟；分歧，隔阂 | |
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onward
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| adj.向前的，前进的；adv.向前，前进，在先 | |
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hurled
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| v.猛投，用力掷( hurl的过去式和过去分词 )；大声叫骂 | |
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precarious
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| adj.不安定的，靠不住的；根据不足的 | |
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momentary
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| adj.片刻的，瞬息的；短暂的 | |
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167
agitate
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| vi.(for,against)煽动，鼓动；vt.搅动 | |
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168
upwards
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| adv.向上，在更高处...以上 | |
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stratum
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| n.地层，社会阶层 | |
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downwards
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| adj./adv.向下的（地），下行的（地） | |
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immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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inverted
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| adj.反向的，倒转的v.使倒置，使反转( invert的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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divested
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| v.剥夺( divest的过去式和过去分词 )；脱去（衣服）；2。从…取去…；1。（给某人）脱衣服 | |
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174
wrought
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| v.引起；以…原料制作；运转；adj.制造的 | |
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175
quarry
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| n.采石场；v.采石；费力地找 | |
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176
mantles
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| vt.&vi.覆盖（mantle的第三人称单数形式） | |
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pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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conjectured
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| 推测，猜测，猜想( conjecture的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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peculiarity
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| n.独特性，特色；特殊的东西；怪癖 | |
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181
landmark
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| n.陆标，划时代的事，地界标 | |
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182
promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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183
pinnacle
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| n.尖塔，尖顶，山峰；(喻)顶峰 | |
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prey
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| n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨 | |
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185
vow
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| n.誓(言)，誓约；v.起誓，立誓 | |
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186
narrative
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| n.叙述，故事；adj.叙事的，故事体的 | |
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187
sweeping
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| adj.范围广大的，一扫无遗的 | |
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188
bestowed
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| 赠给，授予( bestow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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189
triumphantly
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| ad.得意洋洋地；得胜地；成功地 | |
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190
descry
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| v.远远看到；发现；责备 | |
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191
distressed
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| 痛苦的 | |
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192
hospitable
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| adj.好客的；宽容的；有利的，适宜的 | |
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