Faint the din1 of battle bray'd
Distant down the heavy wind;
War and terror ded before,
Wounds and death were left behind.
Mickle.
Arthur, left alone, and desirous perhaps to cover the retreat of Count Albert, rode towards the approaching body of Burgundian cavalry2, who were arrayed under the Lord Contay’s banner.
“Welcome, welcome,” said that nobleman, advancing hastily to the young knight3. “The Duke of Burgundy is a mile hence, with a body of horse to support the reconnoitring party. It is not half-an-hour since your father galloped5 up, and stated that you had been led into an ambuscade by the treachery of the Stradiots, and made prisoner. He has impeached6 Campo-Basso of treason, and challenged him to the combat. They have both been sent to the camp, under charge of the Grand-Marshal, to prevent their fighting on the spot, though I think our Italian showed little desire to come to blows. The Duke holds their gages, and they are to fight upon Twelfth-Day.”
“I doubt that day will never dawn for some who look for it,” said Arthur; “but if it do, I will myself claim the combat, by my father’s permission.”
He then turned with Contay, and met a still larger body of cavalry under the Duke’s broad banner. He was instantly brought before Charles. The Duke heard, with some apparent anxiety, Arthur’s support of his father’s accusations8 against the Italian in whose favor he was so deeply prejudiced. When assured that the Stradiots had been across the hill, and communicated with their leader just before he encouraged Arthur to advance, as it proved into the midst of an ambush9, the Duke shook his head, lowered his shaggy brows, and muttered to himself, — “Ill will to Oxford10, perhaps — these Italians are vindictive11.” — Then, raising his head, he commanded Arthur to proceed.
He heard with a species of ecstasy12 the death of Rudolph Donnerhugel, and, taking a ponderous13 gold chain from his own neck flung it over Arthur’s.
“Why, thou hast forestalled14 all our honors, young Arthur — this was the biggest bear of them all-the rest are but suckling whelps to him! I think I have found a youthful David to match their huge thick-headed Goliath. But the idiot to think his peasant hand could manage a lance! Well, my brave boy — what more! How camest thou off? By some wily device or agile15 stratagem16, I warrant.”
“Pardon me, my lord,” answered Arthur. “I was protected by their chief, Ferrand, who considered my encounter with Rudolph Donnerhugel as a personal duel17; and, desirous to use fair war, as he said, dismissed me honorably, with my horse and arms.”
“Umph!” said Charles, his bad humor returning; “your Prince Adventurer must play the generous — Umph — well, it belongs to his part, but shall not be a line for me to square my conduct by. Proceed with your story, Sir Arthur de Vere.’
As Arthur proceeded to tell how and under what circum stances Count Albert of Geierstein named himself to him, the Duke fixed18 on him an eager look, and trembled with impatience19 as he fiercely interrupted him with the question — “And you — you struck him with your poniard under the fifth rib20 did you not?”
“I did not, my Lord Duke — we were pledged in mutual21 assurance to each other.”
“Yet you knew him to be my mortal enemy?” said the Duke~ “Go, young man, thy lukewarm indifference22 has cancelled thy merit. The escape of Albert of Geierstein hath counterbalanced the death of Rudolph Donnerhugel.”
“Be it so, my lord,” said Arthur, boldly. “I neither claim your praises, nor deprecate your censure23. I had to move me in either case motives24 personal to myself.-Donnerhugel was my enemy, and to Count Albert I owe some kindness.”
The Burgundian nobles who stood around were terrified for the effect of this bold speech. But it was never possible to guess with accuracy how such things would effect Charles. He looked around him with a laugh — ” Hear you this English cockerel, my lords-what a note will he one day sound, that already crows so bravely in a prince’s presence!”
A few horsemen now came in from different quarters, recounting that the Duke Ferrand and his company had retired25 into their encampment, and the country was clear of the enemy.
“Let us then draw back also,” said Charles, “since there is no chance of breaking spears to-day. And thou, Arthur de Vere, attend me closely.”
Arrived at the Duke’s pavilion, Arthur underwent an examination, in which he said nothing of Anne of Geierstein, or her father’s designs concerning him, with which he considered Charles as having nothing to do; but he frankly26 conveyed to him the personal threats which the Count had openly used. The Duke listened with more temper, and when he heard the expression, “That a man who is desperate of his own life might command that of any other person,” he said, “But there is a life beyond this, in which he who is treacherously27 murdered, and his base and desperate assassin, shall each meet their deserts.” He then took from his bosom28 a gold cross, and kissed it, with much appearance of devotion. “In this,” said he, “I will place my trust. If I fail in this world, may I find grace in the next — Ho, Sir Marshal!” he exclaimed — “Let your prisoners attend us.”
The Marshal of Burgundy entered with the Earl of Oxford, and stated that his other prisoner, Campo-Basso, had desired so earnestly that he might be suffered to go and post his sentinels on that part of the camp intrusted to the protection of his troops, that he, the Marshal, had thought fit to comply with his request.
“It is well,” said Burgundy, without further remark-” Then to you, my Lord Oxford, I would present your son, had you ~of already locked him in your arms. He has won great los and honor, and done me brave service. This is a period of the year when good men forgive their enemies; — I know not why — my mind was little apt to be charged with such matters — but I feel an unconquerable desire to stop the approaching combat betwixt you and Campo-Basso. For my sake, consent to be friends, and to receive back your gage7 of battle, and let me conclude this year — perhaps the last I may see — with a deed of peace. ”
“My lord,” said Oxford, it is a small thing you ask me, since your request only enforces a Christian29 duty. I was enraged30 at the loss of my son. I am grateful to Heaven and your Grace for restoring him. To be friends with Campo-Basso is to me impossible. Faith and treason, truth and falsehood, might as soon shake hands and embrace. But the Italian shall be to me no more than he has been before this rupture31; and that is literally32 nothing. I put my honor in your Grace’s hands; if he receives back his gage, I am willing to receive mine. John de Vere needs not be apprehensive33 that the world will suppose that he fears Campo-Basso.”
The Duke returned sincere thanks, and detained the officers to spend the evening in his tent. His manners seemed to Arthur to be more placid34 than he had ever seen them before, while to the Earl of Oxford they recalled the earlier days in which their intimacy35 commenced, ere absolute power and unbounded success had spoiled Charles’s rough but not ungenerous disposition36. The Duke ordered a distribution of provisions and wine to the soldiers, and expressed an anxiety about their lodgings37, the cure of the wounded, and the health of the army, to which he received only unpleasing answers. To some of his counsellors, apart, he said, “Were it not for our vow38, we would relinquish39 this purpose till spring, when our poor soldiers might take the field with less of suffering.”
Nothing else remarkable40 appeared in the Duke’s manner, save that he inquired repeatedly after Campo-Basso, and at length received accounts that he was indisposed, and that his physician had recommended rest; he had therefore retired to repose41 himself, in order that he might be stirring on his duty at peep of day, the safety of the camp depending much on his vigilance.
The Duke made no observation on the apology, which he considered as indicating some lurking42 disinclination, on the Italian’s part, to meet Oxford. The guests at the ducal pavilion were dismissed an hour before midnight.
When Oxford and his son were in their own tent, the Earl fell into a deep reverie, which lasted nearly ten minutes. At length, starting suddenly up, he said, “My son, give orders to Thiebault and thy yeoman to have our horses before the tent by break of day, or rather before it; and it would not be amiss if you ask our neighbor Colvin to ride along with us I will visit the outposts by daybreak.”
“It is a sudden resolution, my lord,” said Arthur.
“And yet it may be taken too late,” said his father. “Had it been moonlight, I would have made the rounds to-night.”
“It is as dark as a wolf’s throat,” said Arthur. “But wherefore, my lord, can this night in particular excite your apprehensions44?”
“Son Arthur, perhaps you will hold your father credulous45 But my nurse, Martha Nixon, was a northern woman, and full of superstitions46. In particular, she was wont47 to say, that any sudden and causeless change of a man’s nature, as from license48 to sobriety, from temperance to indulgence, from avarice49 to extravagance, from prodigality50 to love of money, or the like, indicates an immediate51 change of his fortunes — that some great alteration52 of circumstances, either for good or evil (and for evil most likely, since we live in an evil world), is impending53 over him whose disposition is so much altered. This old woman’s fancy has recurred54 so strongly to my mind, that I am determined55 to see with mine own eyes, ere to-morrow’s dawn, that all our guards and patrols around the camp are on the alert.”
Arthur made the necessary communications to Colvin and to Thiebault, and then retired to rest.
It was ere daybreak of the first of January, 1474, a period long memorable56 for the events which marked it, that the Earl of Oxford, Colvin, and the young Englishman, followed only by Thiebault and two other servants, commenced their rounds of the Duke of Burgundy’s encampment. For the greater part of their progress they found sentinels and guards all on the alert and at their posts. It was a bitter morning. The ground was partly covered with snow, — that snow had been partly melted by a thaw57, which had prevailed for two days, and partly congealed58 into ice by a bitter frost, which had commenced the preceding evening, and still continued. A more dreary59 scene could scarcely be witnessed.
But what were the surprise and alarm of the Earl of Oxford and his companions, when they came to that part of the camp which had been occupied the day before by Campo-Basso and his Italians, who, reckoning men-at-arms and Stradiots, amounted to nigh two thousand men — not a challenge was given — not a horse neighed — no steeds were seen at picquet — no guard on the camp. They examined several of the tents and huts — they were empty.
“Let us back to alarm the camp,” said the Earl of Oxford; “here is treachery.”
“Nay, my lord,” said Colvin, “let us not carry back imperfect tidings. I have a battery an hundred yards in advance covering the access to this hollow way; let us see if my German cannoniers are at their post, and I think I can swear that we shall find them so. The battery commands a narrow pass, by which alone the camp can be approached; and if my men are at their duty, I will pawn61 my life that we make the pass good till you bring up succors62 from the main body.”
“Forward, then, in God’s name!” said the Earl of Oxford.
They galloped, at every risk, over broken ground, slippery with ice in some places, encumbered63 with snow in others. They came to the cannon60, judiciously64 placed to sweep the pass, which rose towards the artillery65 on the outward side, and then descended66 gently from the battery into the lower ground. The waning67 winter moon, mingling68 with the dawning light, showed them that the guns were in their places, but no sentinel was visible.
“The villains69 cannot have deserted70!” said the astonished Colvin — ” But see, there is light in their cantonment. — Oh that unhallowed distribution of wine! Their usual sin of drunkenness has beset71 them. I will soon drive them from their revelry.”
He sprung from his horse, and rushed into the tent from whence the light issued. The cannoniers, or most of them, were still there, but stretched on the ground, their cups and flagons scattered72 around them ; and so drenched73 were they in wassail, that Colvin could only, by commands and threats, awaken74 two or three, who, staggering and obeying him rather from instinct than sense, reeled forward to man the battery. A heavy rushing sound, like that of men marching fast, was now heard coming up the pass.
“It is the roar of a distant avalanche75,” said Arthur.
“It is an avalanche of Switzers, not of snow,” said Colvin.
— “Oh, these drunken slaves! — The cannon are deeply loaded, and well pointed76 — this volley must check them if they were fiends, and the report will alarm the camp sooner than we can do.-But, oh, these drunken villains!”
“Care not for their aid,” said the Earl; “my son and I will each take a linstock, and be gunners for once.”
They dismounted, and bade Thiebault and the grooms77 look to the horses, while the Earl of Oxford and his son took each a linstock from one of the helpless gunners, three of whom were just sober enough to stand by their guns.
“Brovo!” cried the bold Master of Ordnance78, “never was a battery so noble. Now, my mates-your pardon, my lords, for there is no time for ceremony — and you, ye drunken knaves79, take heed80 not to fire till I give the word, and were the ribs81 of these tramplers as flinty as their Alps, they shall know how old Colvin loads his guns.”
They stood breathless, each by his cannon. The dreaded82 sound approached nearer and more near, till the imperfect light showed a dark and shadowy but dense84 column of men, armed with long spears, pole-axes, and other weapons, amidst which banners dimly floated. Colvin suffered them to approach to the distance of about forty yards, and then gave the word, Fire But his own piece alone exploded; a slight flame flashed from the touch-hole of the others, which had been spiked85 by the Italian deserters, and left in reality disabled, though apparently86 fit for service. Had they been all in the same condition with that fired by Colvin, they would probably have verified his prophecy; for even that single discharge produced an awful effect, and made a long lane of dead and wounded through the Swiss column in which the first and leading banner was struck down.
“Stand to it yet,” said Colvin, “and aid me if possible to reload the piece.”
For this, however, no time was allowed. A stately form, conspicuous87 in the front of the staggered column, raised up the fallen banner, and a voice as of a giant exclaimed, “What, countrymen! have you seen Murten and Granson, and are you daunted88 by a single gun? — Berne — Uri — Schwytz — banners forward I Untetwalden, here is your standred! — Cry your war — cries, wind your horns; Unterwalden, follow your Landamman!”
They rushed on like a raging ocean, with a roar as deafening89, and a course as impetuous. Colvin, still laboring90 to reload his gun, was struck down in the act. Oxford and his son were overthrown91 by the multitude, the closeness of which prevented any blows being aimed at them. Arthur partly saved himself by getting under the gun he was posted at his father, less fortunate, was much trampled92 upon and must have been crushed to death but for his armor of proof. The human inundation93, consisting of at least four thousand men, rushed down into the camp, continuing their dreadful shouts, soon mingled94 with shrill95 shrieks96, groans97, and cries of alarm.
A broad red glare rising behind the assailants, and putting to shame the pallid98 lights of the winter morning, first recalled Arthur to a sense of his condition. The camp was on fire in his rear, and resounded99 with all the various shouts of conquest and terror that are heard in a town which is stormed. Starting to his feet, he looked around him for his father. He lay near him senseless, as were the gunners, whose condition prevented their attempting an escape. Having opened his father’s casque, he was rejoiced to see him give symptoms of reanimation.
“The horses, the horses!” said Arthur. “Thiebault, where art thou?”
“At hand, my lord,” said that trusty attendant, who had saved himself and his charge by a prudent100 retreat into a small thicket101, which the assailants had avoided that they might not disorder102 their ranks.
“Where is the gallant103 Colvin?” said the Earl; “get him a horse, I will not leave him in jeopardy104.”
“His wars are ended, my lord,” said Thiebault; “he will never mount steed more.”
A look and a sigh as he saw Colvin, with the ramrod in his hand, before the muzzle105 of the piece, his head cleft106 by a Swiss battle-axe, was all the moment permitted.
“Whither must we take our course?” said Arthur to his father.
“To join the Duke,” said the Earl of Oxford. “It is not on a day like this that I will leave him.”
“So please you,” said Thiebault, “I saw the Duke, followed by some half-score of his guards, riding at full speed across this hollow water-course, and making for the open country to the northward108. I think I can guide you on the track.”
“If that be so,” replied Oxford, “we will mount and follow him. The camp has been assailed109 on several places at once, and alt must be over since he has fled.”
With difficulty they assisted the Earl of Oxford to his horse, and rode as fast as his returning strength permitted, in the direction which the Provencal pointed out. Their other attend ants were dispersed110 or slain111.
They looked back more than once on the camp, now one great scene of conflagration112, by whose red and glaring light they could discover on the ground the traces of Charles’s retreat. About three miles from the scene of their defeat, the sound of which they still heard, mingled with the bells of Nancy, which were ringing in triumph, they reached a half-frozen swamp, round which lay several dead bodies. The most conspicuous was that of Charles of Burgundy, once the possessor of such unlimited113 power — such unbounded wealth. He was partly stripped and plundered114, as were those who lay round him. His body was pierced with several wounds, inflicted115 by various weapons. His sword was still in his hand, and the singular ferocity which was wont to animate116 his features in battle, still dwelt on his stiffened117 countenance118. Close behind him, as if they had fallen in the act of mutual fight, lay the corpse119 of Count Albert of Geierstein and that of Ital Schreckenwald, the faithful though unscrupulous follower120 of the latter, lay not far distant. Both were in the dress of the men-at-arms composing the Duke’s guard, a disguise probably assumed to execute the fatal commission of the Secret Tribunal. It is supposed that a party of the traitor121 Campo-Basso’s men had been engaged in the skirmish in which the Duke fell, for six or seven of them, and about the same number of the Duke’s guards, were found near the spot.
The Earl of Oxford threw himself from his horse, and examined the body of his deceased brother-in-arms, with all the sorrow inspired by early remembrance of his kindness. But as he gave way to the feelings inspired by so melancholy122 an example of the fall of human greatness, Thiebault, who was looking out on the path they had just pursued, exclaimed, “To horse, my lord! there is no time to mourn the dead, and little to save the living — the Swiss are upon us.”
“Fly thyself, good fellow,” said the Earl; “and do thou, Arthur, fly also, and save thy youth for happier days. I cannot and will not fly farther. I will render me to the pursuers; if they take me to grace, it is well; if not, there is ONE above that will receive me to His.”
“I will not fly,” said Arthur, “and leave you defenceless; I will stay and share your fate.”
“And I will remain also,” said Thiebault; “the Switzers make fair war when their blood has not been heated by much opposition123, and they have had little enough to-day.”
The party of Swiss which came up proved to be Sigismund, with his brother Ernest, and some of the youths of Unterwalden.
Sigismund kindly124 and joyfully125 received them to mercy and thus, for the third time, rendered Arthur an important service in return for the kindness he had expressed towards him.
“I will take you to my father,” said Sigismund, “who will be right glad to see you; only that he is ill at ease just now for the death of brother Rudiger, who fell with the banner in his hand, by the only cannon that was fired this morning; the rest could not bark; Campo-Basso had muzzled126 Colvin’s mastiffs, or we should many more of us have been served like poor Rudiger. But Colvin himself is killed.”
“Campo-Basso, then, was in your correspondence?” said Arthur.
Not in ours — we scorn such companions-but some dealing127 there was between the Italian and Duke Ferrand; and having disabled the cannon, and filled the German gunners soundly drunk, he came off to our camp with fifteen hundred horses, and offered to act with us. But ‘No, no!’ said my father, ‘traitors come not into our Swiss host;’ and so, though we walked in at the door which he left open, we would not have his company. So he marched with Duke Ferrand to attack the other extremity128 of the camp, where he found them entrance by announcing them as the return of a reconnoitring party.”
“Nay, then,” said Arthur, “a more accomplished129 traitor never drew breath, nor one who drew his net with such success.”
“You say well,” answered the young Swiss. “The Duke will never, they say, be able to collect another army?”
“Never, young man,” said the Earl of Oxford, “for he lies dead before you.” 28
Sigismund started; for he had an inherent respect, and somewhat of fear, for the lofty name of Charles the Bold, and could hardly believe that the mangled130 corpse which now lay before him was once the personage he had been taught to dread83. But his surprise was mingled with sorrow when he saw the body of his uncle, Count Albert of Geierstein.
“Oh, my uncle!” he said — “my dear uncle Albert! has all your greatness and your wisdom brought you to a death, at the side of a ditch, like any crazed beggar? — Come, this sad news must be presently told to my father, who will be concerned to hear of his brother’s death, which will add gall4 to bitterness, coming cn the back of poor Rudiger’s. It is some comfort, however, that father and uncle never could abide131 each other.”
With some difficulty they once more assisted the Earl of Oxford to horseback, and were proceeding132 to set forward, when the English lord said — “You will place a guard here, to save these bodies from farther dishonor, that they may be interred133 with due solemnity.”
“By our Lady of Einsiedlen! I thank you for the hint,” said Sigismund.
“Yes, we should do all that the Church can for uncle Albert. It is to be hoped he has not gambled away his soul beforehand, playing with Satan at odds134 and evens. I would we had a priest to stay by his poor body; but it matters not, since no one ever heard of a demon135 appearing just before breakfast.”
They proceeded to the Landamman ‘s quarters through sights and scenes which Arthur, and even his father, so well accustomed to war in all its shapes, could nor look upon without shuddering136. But the simple Sigismund, as; he walked by Arthur’s side, contrived137 to hit upon a theme so interesting as to divert his sense of the horrors around them.
“Have you farther business in Burgundy, now this Duke of yours is at an end?”
“My father knows best,” said Arthur; “but I apprehend138 we have none. The Duchess of Burgundy, who must now succeed to some sort of authority in her late husband’s dominion139, is sister to this Edward of York and a mortal enemy to the House of Lancaster, and to those who have stood by itfaithfully. It were neither prudent nor safe to tarry where she has influence.”
“In that case,” said Sigismund, “my plan will fadge bravely. You shall go back to Geierstein, and take up your dwelling140 with us. Your father will be a brother to mine, and a better one than uncle Albert, whom he seldom saw or spoke141 with, while with your father he will converse142 from morning till night, and leave us all the work of the farm. And you, Arthur, you shall go with us, and be brother to us all, in place of poor Rudiger, who was, to be sure, my real brother, which you cannot be: nevertheless, I did not like him so well, in respect he was not so good-natured. And then Anne — cousin Anne — is left all to my father’s charge, and is now at Geierstein — and you know, King Arthur, we used to call her Queen Guenover.”
“You spoke great folly143, then,” said Arthur.
“But it is great truth — For, look you, I loved to tell Anne tales of our hunting, and so forth144, but she would not listen a word till I threw in something of King Arthur, and then I warrant she would sit still as a heath-hen when the hawk145 is in the heavens. And now Donnerhugel is slain, you know you may marry my cousin when you and she will, for nobody hath interest to prevent it.”
Arthur blushed with pleasure under his helmet, and almost forgave that new-year’s morning all its complicated distresses146.
“You forget,” he replied to Sigismund, with as much in difference as he could assume, “that I may be viewed in your country with prejudice on account of Rudolph’s death.”
“Not a whit107, not a whit; we bear no malice147 for what is done in fair fight under shield. It is no more than if you had beat him in wrestling or at quoits — only it is a game cannot be played over again.”
They now entered the town of Nancy; the windows were hung with tapestry148, and the streets crowded with tumultuous and rejoicing multitudes, whom the success of the battle had relieved from great alarm for the formidable vengeance149 of Charles of Burgundy.
The prisoners were received with the utmost kindness by the Landamman, who assured them of his protection and friendship. He appeared to support the death of his son Rudiger with stern resignation.
“He had rather,” he said, “his son fell in battle than that he should live to despise the old simplicity150 of his country, and ~ink the object of combat was the gaining of spoil. The gold of the dead Burgundy,” he added, “would injure the morals of Switzerland more irretrievably than ever his sword did their bodies.”
He heard of his brother’s death without surprise, but apparently with emotion.
“It was the conclusion,” he said, “of a long tissue of ambitious enterprises, which often offered fair prospects151, but uniformly ended in disappointment.”
The Landamman farther intimated, that his brother had apprised152 him that he was engaged in an affair of so much danger that he was almost certain to perish in it, and had bequeathed his daughter to her uncle’s care, with instructions respecting her.
Here they parted for the present, but shortly after, the Landamman inquired earnestly of the Fan of Oxford what his motions were like to be, and whether he could assist them.
“I think of choosing Bretagne for my place of refuge,” answered the Earl, “where my wife has dwelt, since the battle of Tewkesbury expelled us from England.”
“ Do not so,” said the kind Landamman, “but come to Geierstein with the Countess, where, if she can, like you, endure our mountain manners and mountain fare, you are welcome as to the house of a brother, to a soil where neither conspiracy153 nor treason ever flourished. Bethink you, the Duke of Bretagne is a weak prince, entirely154 governed by a wicked favorite, Peter Landais. He is as capable — I mean the minister — of selling brave men’s blood, as a butcher of selling bullock’s flesh; and you know, there are those, both in France and Burgundy, that thirst after yours.”
The Earl of Oxford expressed his thanks for the proposal, and his determination to profit by it, if approved of by Henry of Lancaster, Earl of Richmond, whom he now regarded as his sovereign.
To close the tale, about three months after the battle of Nancy, the banished155 Earl of Oxford resumed his name of Philip son, bringing with his lady some remnants of their former wealth, which enabled them to procure156 a commodious157 residence near to Geierstein; and the Landamman’s interest in the state procured158 for them the right of denizenship159. The high blood, and the moderate fortunes, of Anne of Geierstein and Arthur de Vere, joined to their mutual inclination43, made their marriage in every respect rational; and Annette with her bachelor took up their residence with the young people; not as servants, but mechanical aids in the duties of the farm; for Arthur continued to prefer the chase to the labors160 of husbandry, which was of little consequence, as his separate income amounted, in that poor country, to opulence161. Time glided162 on, till it amounted to five years since the exiled family had been inhabitants of Switzerland. In the year 1482, the Landamman Biederman died the death of the righteous, lamented163 universally, as a model of the true and valiant164, simple-minded and sagacious chiefs, who ruled the ancient Switzers in peace, and headed them in battle. In the same year, the Earl of Oxford lost his noble Countess.
But the star of Lancaster, at that period, began again to culminate165, and called the banished lord and his son from their retirement166, to mix once more in politics. The treasured neck lace of Margaret was then put to its destined167 use, and the produce applied168 to levy169 those banks which shortly after fought the celebrated170 battle of Bosworth, in which the arms of Oxford and his son contributed so much to the success of Henry VII. This changed the destinies of De Vere and his lady. Their Swiss farm was conferred on Annette and her husband; and the manners and beauty of Anne of Geierstein attracted as much admiration171 at the English Court as formerly172 in the Swiss Chalet.
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din
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cavalry
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knight
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| n.骑士，武士；爵士 | |
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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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galloped
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| （使马）飞奔，奔驰( gallop的过去式和过去分词 )； 快速做[说]某事 | |
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impeached
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| v.控告（某人）犯罪( impeach的过去式和过去分词 )；弹劾；对（某事物）怀疑；提出异议 | |
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gage
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accusations
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ambush
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Oxford
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vindictive
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ecstasy
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ponderous
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14
forestalled
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| v.先发制人，预先阻止( forestall的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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15
agile
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| adj.敏捷的，灵活的 | |
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16
stratagem
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| n.诡计，计谋 | |
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17
duel
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| n./v.决斗；(双方的)斗争 | |
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18
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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19
impatience
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| n.不耐烦，急躁 | |
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20
rib
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| n.肋骨，肋状物 | |
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21
mutual
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| adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的 | |
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22
indifference
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| n.不感兴趣，不关心，冷淡，不在乎 | |
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23
censure
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| v./n.责备；非难；责难 | |
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24
motives
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| n.动机，目的( motive的名词复数 ) | |
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25
retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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26
frankly
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| adv.坦白地，直率地；坦率地说 | |
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27
treacherously
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| 背信弃义地； 背叛地； 靠不住地； 危险地 | |
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28
bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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29
Christian
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| adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒 | |
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30
enraged
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| 使暴怒( enrage的过去式和过去分词 )； 歜； 激愤 | |
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31
rupture
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| n.破裂；(关系的)决裂；v.(使)破裂 | |
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32
literally
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| adv.照字面意义，逐字地；确实 | |
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33
apprehensive
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| adj.担心的，恐惧的，善于领会的 | |
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34
placid
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| adj.安静的，平和的 | |
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35
intimacy
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| n.熟悉，亲密，密切关系，亲昵的言行 | |
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36
disposition
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| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
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37
lodgings
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| n. 出租的房舍, 寄宿舍 | |
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38
vow
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| n.誓(言)，誓约；v.起誓，立誓 | |
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39
relinquish
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| v.放弃，撤回，让与，放手 | |
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40
remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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41
repose
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| v.(使)休息；n.安息 | |
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42
lurking
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| 潜在 | |
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43
inclination
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| n.倾斜；点头；弯腰；斜坡；倾度；倾向；爱好 | |
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44
apprehensions
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| 疑惧 | |
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45
credulous
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| adj.轻信的，易信的 | |
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46
superstitions
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| 迷信，迷信行为( superstition的名词复数 ) | |
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47
wont
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| adj.习惯于；v.习惯；n.习惯 | |
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48
license
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| n.执照，许可证，特许；v.许可，特许 | |
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49
avarice
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| n.贪婪；贪心 | |
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50
prodigality
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|
| n.浪费，挥霍 | |
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51
immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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52
alteration
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| n.变更，改变；蚀变 | |
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53
impending
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| a.imminent, about to come or happen | |
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54
recurred
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| 再发生，复发( recur的过去式和过去分词 )； 治愈 | |
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55
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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56
memorable
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| adj.值得回忆的，难忘的，特别的，显著的 | |
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57
thaw
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| v.（使）融化，（使）变得友善；n.融化，缓和 | |
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58
congealed
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| v.使凝结，冻结( congeal的过去式和过去分词 )；（指血）凝结 | |
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59
dreary
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| adj.令人沮丧的，沉闷的，单调乏味的 | |
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60
cannon
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| n.大炮，火炮；飞机上的机关炮 | |
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61
pawn
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| n.典当，抵押，小人物，走卒；v.典当，抵押 | |
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62
succors
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| n.救助，帮助（尤指需要时）( succor的名词复数 )v.给予帮助( succor的第三人称单数 ) | |
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63
encumbered
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| v.妨碍，阻碍，拖累( encumber的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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64
judiciously
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| adv.明断地，明智而审慎地 | |
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65
artillery
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| n.(军)火炮，大炮；炮兵(部队) | |
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66
descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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67
waning
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|
| adj.（月亮）渐亏的，逐渐减弱或变小的n.月亏v.衰落( wane的现在分词 )；（月）亏；变小；变暗淡 | |
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68
mingling
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| adj.混合的 | |
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69
villains
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|
| n.恶棍( villain的名词复数 )；罪犯；（小说、戏剧等中的）反面人物；淘气鬼 | |
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70
deserted
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|
| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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71
beset
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|
| v.镶嵌；困扰，包围 | |
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72
scattered
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|
| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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73
drenched
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|
| adj.湿透的；充满的v.使湿透( drench的过去式和过去分词 )；在某人（某物）上大量使用（某液体） | |
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74
awaken
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|
| vi.醒，觉醒；vt.唤醒，使觉醒，唤起，激起 | |
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75
avalanche
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|
| n.雪崩，大量涌来 | |
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76
pointed
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|
| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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77
grooms
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|
| n.新郎( groom的名词复数 )；马夫v.照料或梳洗（马等）( groom的第三人称单数 )；使做好准备；训练；（给动物）擦洗 | |
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78
ordnance
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|
| n.大炮，军械 | |
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79
knaves
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|
| n.恶棍，无赖( knave的名词复数 )；（纸牌中的）杰克 | |
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80
heed
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|
| v.注意，留意；n.注意，留心 | |
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81
ribs
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|
| n.肋骨( rib的名词复数 )；（船或屋顶等的）肋拱；肋骨状的东西；（织物的）凸条花纹 | |
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82
dreaded
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|
| adj.令人畏惧的；害怕的v.害怕，恐惧，担心( dread的过去式和过去分词) | |
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83
dread
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|
| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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84
dense
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| a.密集的，稠密的，浓密的；密度大的 | |
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85
spiked
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|
| adj.有穗的；成锥形的；有尖顶的 | |
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86
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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87
conspicuous
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|
| adj.明眼的，惹人注目的；炫耀的，摆阔气的 | |
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88
daunted
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| 使（某人）气馁，威吓( daunt的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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89
deafening
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|
| adj. 振耳欲聋的, 极喧闹的 动词deafen的现在分词形式 | |
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90
laboring
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|
| n.劳动，操劳v.努力争取(for)( labor的现在分词 )；苦干；详细分析；（指引擎）缓慢而困难地运转 | |
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91
overthrown
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|
| adj. 打翻的，推倒的，倾覆的 动词overthrow的过去分词 | |
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92
trampled
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|
| 踩( trample的过去式和过去分词 )； 践踏； 无视； 侵犯 | |
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93
inundation
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|
| n.the act or fact of overflowing | |
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94
mingled
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| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
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95
shrill
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|
| adj.尖声的；刺耳的；v尖叫 | |
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96
shrieks
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|
| n.尖叫声( shriek的名词复数 )v.尖叫( shriek的第三人称单数 ) | |
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97
groans
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|
| n.呻吟，叹息( groan的名词复数 )；呻吟般的声音v.呻吟( groan的第三人称单数 )；发牢骚；抱怨；受苦 | |
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98
pallid
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|
| adj.苍白的，呆板的 | |
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99
resounded
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|
| v.（指声音等）回荡于某处( resound的过去式和过去分词 )；产生回响；（指某处）回荡着声音 | |
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100
prudent
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|
| adj.谨慎的，有远见的，精打细算的 | |
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101
thicket
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| n.灌木丛，树林 | |
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102
disorder
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| n.紊乱，混乱；骚动，骚乱；疾病，失调 | |
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103
gallant
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| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
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104
jeopardy
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| n.危险；危难 | |
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105
muzzle
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|
| n.鼻口部；口套；枪(炮)口；vt.使缄默 | |
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106
cleft
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| n.裂缝；adj.裂开的 | |
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107
whit
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| n.一点，丝毫 | |
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108
northward
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| adv.向北；n.北方的地区 | |
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109
assailed
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| v.攻击( assail的过去式和过去分词 )；困扰；质问；毅然应对 | |
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110
dispersed
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|
| adj. 被驱散的, 被分散的, 散布的 | |
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111
slain
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| 杀死，宰杀，杀戮( slay的过去分词 )； (slay的过去分词) | |
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112
conflagration
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| n.建筑物或森林大火 | |
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113
unlimited
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| adj.无限的，不受控制的，无条件的 | |
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114
plundered
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| 掠夺，抢劫( plunder的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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115
inflicted
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| 把…强加给，使承受，遭受( inflict的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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116
animate
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| v.赋于生命，鼓励；adj.有生命的，有生气的 | |
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117
stiffened
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| 加强的 | |
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118
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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119
corpse
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| n.尸体，死尸 | |
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120
follower
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| n.跟随者；随员；门徒；信徒 | |
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121
traitor
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| n.叛徒，卖国贼 | |
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122
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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123
opposition
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| n.反对，敌对 | |
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124
kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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125
joyfully
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| adv. 喜悦地, 高兴地 | |
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126
muzzled
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| 给（狗等）戴口套( muzzle的过去式和过去分词 )； 使缄默，钳制…言论 | |
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127
dealing
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| n.经商方法，待人态度 | |
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128
extremity
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| n.末端，尽头；尽力；终极；极度 | |
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129
accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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130
mangled
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| vt.乱砍（mangle的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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131
abide
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| vi.遵守；坚持；vt.忍受 | |
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132
proceeding
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| n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报 | |
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133
interred
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| v.埋，葬( inter的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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134
odds
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| n.让步，机率，可能性，比率；胜败优劣之别 | |
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135
demon
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| n.魔鬼，恶魔 | |
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136
shuddering
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| v.战栗( shudder的现在分词 )；发抖；（机器、车辆等）突然震动；颤动 | |
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137
contrived
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| adj.不自然的，做作的；虚构的 | |
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138
apprehend
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| vt.理解，领悟，逮捕，拘捕，忧虑 | |
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139
dominion
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| n.统治，管辖，支配权；领土，版图 | |
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140
dwelling
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| n.住宅，住所，寓所 | |
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141
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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142
converse
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| vi.谈话，谈天，闲聊；adv.相反的，相反 | |
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143
folly
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| n.愚笨，愚蠢，蠢事，蠢行，傻话 | |
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144
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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145
hawk
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| n.鹰，骗子；鹰派成员 | |
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146
distresses
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| n.悲痛( distress的名词复数 )；痛苦；贫困；危险 | |
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147
malice
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| n.恶意，怨恨，蓄意；[律]预谋 | |
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148
tapestry
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| n.挂毯，丰富多采的画面 | |
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149
vengeance
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| n.报复，报仇，复仇 | |
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150
simplicity
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| n.简单，简易；朴素；直率，单纯 | |
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151
prospects
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| n.希望，前途(恒为复数) | |
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152
apprised
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| v.告知，通知( apprise的过去式和过去分词 )；评价 | |
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153
conspiracy
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| n.阴谋，密谋，共谋 | |
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154
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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155
banished
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| v.放逐，驱逐( banish的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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156
procure
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| vt.获得，取得，促成；vi.拉皮条 | |
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157
commodious
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| adj.宽敞的；使用方便的 | |
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158
procured
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| v.（努力）取得， （设法）获得( procure的过去式和过去分词 )；拉皮条 | |
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159
denizenship
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| [法] 永住权，公民权，市民权 | |
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160
labors
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| v.努力争取(for)( labor的第三人称单数 )；苦干；详细分析；（指引擎）缓慢而困难地运转 | |
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161
opulence
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| n.财富，富裕 | |
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162
glided
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| v.滑动( glide的过去式和过去分词 )；掠过；（鸟或飞机 ） 滑翔 | |
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163
lamented
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| adj.被哀悼的，令人遗憾的v.（为…）哀悼，痛哭，悲伤( lament的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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164
valiant
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| adj.勇敢的，英勇的；n.勇士，勇敢的人 | |
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165
culminate
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| v.到绝顶，达于极点，达到高潮 | |
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166
retirement
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| n.退休，退职 | |
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167
destined
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| adj.命中注定的；(for)以…为目的地的 | |
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168
applied
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| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
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169
levy
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| n.征收税或其他款项，征收额 | |
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170
celebrated
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| adj.有名的，声誉卓著的 | |
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171
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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172
formerly
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| adv.从前，以前 | |
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