Oh, for a draught1 of power to steep
The soul of agony in sleep!
Bertha.
We have shown the secrets of the confessional; those of the sick chamber2 are not hidden from us. The darkened apartment, where salves and medicines showed that the leech3 had been busy in his craft, a tall thin form lay on a bed, arrayed in a nightgown belted around him, with pain on his brow, and a thousand stormy passions agitating4 his bosom5. Everything in the apartment indicated a man of opulence6 and of expense. Henbane Dwining, the apothecary7, who seemed to have the care of the patient, stole with a crafty8 and catlike step from one corner of the room to another, busying himself with mixing medicines and preparing dressings10. The sick man groaned11 once or twice, on which the leech, advancing to his bedside, asked whether these sounds were a token of the pain of his body or of the distress13 of his mind.
“Of both, thou poisoning varlet,” said Sir John Ramorny, “and of being encumbered14 with thy accursed company.”
“If that is all, I can relieve your knighthood of one of these ills by presently removing myself elsewhere. Thanks to the feuds17 of this boisterous18 time, had I twenty hands, instead of these two poor servants of my art (displaying his skinny palms), there is enough of employment for them — well requited19 employment, too, where thanks and crowns contend which shall best pay my services; while you, Sir John, wreak22 upon your chirurgeon the anger you ought only to bear against the author of your wound.”
“Villain23, it is beneath me to reply to thee,” said the patient; “but every word of thy malignant24 tongue is a dirk, inflicting25 wounds which set all the medicines of Arabia at defiance26.”
“Sir John, I understand you not; but if you give way to these tempestuous27 fits of rage, it is impossible but fever and inflammation must be the result.”
“Why then dost thou speak in a sense to chafe28 my blood? Why dost thou name the supposition of thy worthless self having more hands than nature gave thee, while I, a knight15 and gentleman, am mutilated like a cripple?”
“Sir John,” replied the chirurgeon, “I am no divine, nor a mainly obstinate29 believer in some things which divines tell us. Yet I may remind you that you have been kindly30 dealt with; for if the blow which has done you this injury had lighted on your neck, as it was aimed, it would have swept your head from your shoulders, instead of amputating a less considerable member.”
“I wish it had, Dwining — I wish it had lighted as it was addressed. I should not then have seen a policy which had spun31 a web so fine as mine burst through by the brute32 force of a drunken churl33. I should not have been reserved to see horses which I must not mount, lists which I must no longer enter, splendours which I cannot hope to share, or battles which I must not take part in. I should not, with a man’s passions for power and for strife34, be set to keep place among the women, despised by them, too, as a miserable35, impotent cripple, unable to aim at obtaining the favour of the sex.”
“Supposing all this to be so, I will yet pray of your knighthood to remark,” replied Dwining, still busying himself with arranging the dressings of the wounds, “that your eyes, which you must have lost with your head, may, being spared to you, present as rich a prospect36 of pleasure as either ambition, or victory in the list or in the field, or the love of woman itself, could have proposed to you.”
“My sense is too dull to catch thy meaning, leech,” replied Ramorny. “What is this precious spectacle reserved to me in such a shipwreck37?”
“The dearest that mankind knows,” replied Dwining; and then, in the accent of a lover who utters the name of his beloved mistress, and expresses his passion for her in the very tone of his voice, he added the word “REVENGE!”
The patient had raised himself on his couch to listen with some anxiety for the solution of the physician’s enigma38. He laid himself down again as he heard it explained, and after a short pause asked, “In what Christian39 college learned you this morality, good Master Dwining?”
“In no Christian college,” answered his physician; “for, though it is privately40 received in most, it is openly and manfully adopted in none. But I have studied among the sages42 of Granada, where the fiery43 souled Moor44 lifts high his deadly dagger45 as it drops with his enemy’s blood, and avows46 the doctrine47 which the pallid48 Christian practises, though coward-like he dare not name it.”
“Thou art then a more high souled villain than I deemed thee,” said Ramorny.
“Let that pass,” answered Dwining. “The waters that are the stillest are also the deepest; and the foe49 is most to be dreaded50 who never threatens till he strikes. You knights51 and men at arms go straight to your purpose with sword in hand. We who are clerks win our access with a noiseless step and an indirect approach, but attain52 our object not less surely.”
“And I,” said the knight, “who have trod to my revenge with a mailed foot, which made all echo around it, must now use such a slipper53 as thine — ha?”
“He who lacks strength,” said the wily mediciner, “must attain his purpose by skill.”
“And tell me sincerely, mediciner, wherefore thou wouldst read me these devil’s lessons? Why wouldst thou thrust me faster or farther on to my vengeance54 than I may seem to thee ready to go of my own accord? I am old in the ways of the world, man; and I know that such as thou do not drop words in vain, or thrust themselves upon the dangerous confidence of men like me save with the prospect of advancing some purpose of their own. What interest hast thou in the road, whether peaceful or bloody55, which I may pursue on these occurrents?”
“In plain dealing56, sir knight, though it is what I seldom use,” answered the leech, “my road to revenge is the same with yours.”
“With mine, man?” said Ramorny, with a tone of scornful surprise. “I thought it had been high beyond thy reach. Thou aim at the same revenge with Ramorny?”
“Ay, truly,” replied Dwining, “for the smithy churl under whose blow you have suffered has often done me despite and injury. He has thwarted57 me in counsel and despised me in action. His brutal58 and unhesitating bluntness is a living reproach to the subtlety59 of my natural disposition60. I fear him, and I hate him.”
“And you hope to hind61 an active coadjutor in me?” said Ramorny, in the same supercilious62 tone as before. “But know, the artisan fellow is too low in degree to be to me either the object of hatred63 or of fear. Yet he shall not escape. We hate not the reptile64 that has stung us, though we might shake it off the wound, and tread upon it. I know the ruffian of old as a stout65 man at arms, and a pretender, as I have heard, to the favour of the scornful puppet whose beauties, forsooth, spurred us to our wise and hopeful attempt. Fiends that direct this nether67 world, by what malice68 have ye decided69 that the hand which has couched a lance against the bosom of a prince should be struck off like a sapling by the blow of a churl, and during the turmoil70 of a midnight riot? Well, mediciner, thus far our courses hold together, and I bid thee well believe that I will crush for thee this reptile mechanic. But do not thou think to escape me when that part of my revenge is done which will be most easily and speedily accomplished71.”
“Not, it may be, altogether so easily accomplished,” said the apothecary; “for if your knighthood will credit me, there will be found small ease or security in dealing with him. He is the strongest, boldest, and most skilful72 swordsman in Perth and all the country around it.”
“Fear nothing; he shall be met with had he the strength of Sampson. But then, mark me! Hope not thou to escape my vengeance, unless thou become my passive agent in the scene which is to follow. Mark me, I say once more. I have studied at no Moorish73 college, and lack some of thy unbounded appetite for revenge, but yet I will have my share of vengeance. Listen to me, mediciner, while I shall thus far unfold myself; but beware of treachery, for, powerful as thy fiend is, thou hast taken lessons from a meaner devil than mine. Hearken — the master whom I have served through vice21 and virtue74, with too much zeal75 for my own character, perhaps, but with unshaken fidelity76 to him — the very man, to soothe77 whose frantic78 folly79 I have incurred80 this irreparable loss, is, at the prayer of his doating father, about to sacrifice me, by turning me out of his favour, and leaving me at the mercy of the hypocritical relative with whom he seeks a precarious81 reconciliation82 at my expense. If he perseveres83 in this most ungrateful purpose, thy fiercest Moors84, were their complexion85 swarthy as the smoke of hell, shall blush to see their revenge outdone. But I will give him one more chance for honour and safety before my wrath86 shall descend87 on him in unrelenting and unmitigated fury. There, then, thus far thou hast my confidence. Close hands on our bargain. Close hands, did I say? Where is the hand that should be the pledge and representative of Ramorny’s plighted88 word? Is it nailed on the public pillory89, or flung as offal to the houseless dogs, who are even now snarling90 over it? Lay thy finger on the mutilated stump91, then, and swear to be a faithful actor in my revenge, as I shall be in yours. How now, sir leech look you pale — you, who say to death, stand back or advance, can you tremble to think of him or to hear him named? I have not mentioned your fee, for one who loves revenge for itself requires no deeper bribe92; yet, if broad lands and large sums of gold can increase thy zeal in a brave cause, believe me, these shall not be lacking.”
“They tell for something in my humble93 wishes,” said Dwining: “the poor man in this bustling94 world is thrust down like a dwarf95 in a crowd, and so trodden under foot; the rich and powerful rise like giants above the press, and are at ease, while all is turmoil around them.”
“Then shalt thou arise above the press, mediciner, as high as gold can raise thee. This purse is weighty, yet it is but an earnest of thy guerdon.”
“And this Smith, my noble benefactor,” said the leech, as he pouched96 the gratuity97 —“this Henry of the Wynd, or what ever is his name — would not the news that he hath paid the penalty of his action assuage98 the pain of thy knighthood’s wound better than the balm of Mecca with which I have salved it?”
“He is beneath the thoughts of Ramorny; and I have no more resentment99 against him than I have ill will at the senseless weapon which he swayed. But it is just thy hate should be vented100 upon him. Where is he chiefly to be met with?”
“That also I have considered,” said Dwining. “To make the attempt by day in his own house were too open and dangerous, for he hath five servants who work with him at the stithy, four of them strong knaves101, and all loving to their master. By night were scarce less desperate, for he hath his doors strongly secured with bolt of oak and bar of iron, and ere the fastenings of his house could be forced, the neighbourhood would rise to his rescue, especially as they are still alarmed by the practice on St. Valentine’s Even.”
“Oh, ay, true, mediciner,” said Ramorny, “for deceit is thy nature even with me: thou knewest my hand and signet, as thou said’st, when that hand was found cast out on the street, like the disgusting refuse of a shambles102 — why, having such knowledge, went’st thou with these jolterheaded citizens to consult that Patrick Charteris, whose spurs should be hacked103 off from his heels for the communion which he holds with paltry104 burghers, and whom thou brought’st here with the fools to do dishonour105 to the lifeless hand, which, had it held its wonted place, he was not worthy106 to have touched in peace or faced in war?”
“My noble patron, as soon as I had reason to know you had been the sufferer, I urged them with all my powers of persuasion107 to desist from prosecuting108 the feud16; but the swaggering smith, and one or two other hot heads, cried out for vengeance. Your knighthood must know this fellow calls himself bachelor to the Fair Maiden109 of Perth, and stands upon his honour to follow up her father’s quarrel; but I have forestalled110 his market in that quarter, and that is something in earnest of revenge.”
“How mean you by that, sir leech?” said the patient.
“Your knighthood shall conceive,” said the mediciner, “that this smith doth not live within compass, but is an outlier and a galliard. I met him myself on St. Valentine’s Day, shortly after the affray between the townsfolk and the followers111 of Douglas. Yes, I met him sneaking112 through the lanes and bye passages with a common minstrel wench, with her messan and her viol on his one arm and her buxom113 self hanging upon the other. What thinks your honour? Is not this a trim squire114, to cross a prince’s love with the fairest girl in Perth, strike off the hand of a knight and baron115, and become gentleman usher116 to a strolling glee woman, all in the course of the same four and twenty hours?”
“Marry, I think the better of him that he has so much of a gentleman’s humour, clown though he be,” said Ramorny. “I would he had been a precisian instead of a galliard, and I should have had better heart to aid thy revenge. And such revenge!— revenge on a smith — in the quarrel of a pitiful manufacturer of rotten cheverons! Pah! And yet it shall be taken in full. Thou hast commenced it, I warrant me, by thine own manoeuvres.”
“In a small degree only,” said the apothecary. “I took care that two or three of the most notorious gossips in Curfew street, who liked not to hear Catharine called the Fair Maid of Perth, should be possessed117 of this story of her faithful Valentine. They opened on the scent118 so keenly, that, rather than doubt had fallen on the tale, they would have vouched119 for it as if their own eyes had seen it. The lover came to her father’s within an hour after, and your worship may think what a reception he had from the angry glover, for the damsel herself would not be looked upon. And thus your honour sees I had a foretaste of revenge. But I trust to receive the full draught from the hands of your lordship, with whom I am in a brotherly league, which —”
“Brotherly!” said the knight, contemptuously. “But be it so, the priests say we are all of one common earth. I cannot tell, there seems to me some difference; but the better mould shall keep faith with the baser, and thou shalt have thy revenge. Call thou my page hither.”
A young man made his appearance from the anteroom upon the physician’s summons.
“Eviot,” said the knight, “does Bonthron wait? and is he sober?”
“He is as sober as sleep can make him after a deep drink,” answered the page.
“Then fetch him hither, and do thou shut the door.”
A heavy step presently approached the apartment, and a man entered, whose deficiency of height seemed made up in breadth of shoulders and strength of arm.
“There is a man thou must deal upon, Bonthron,” said the knight. The man smoothed his rugged120 features and grinned a smile of satisfaction.
“That mediciner will show thee the party. Take such advantage of time, place, and circumstance as will ensure the result; and mind you come not by the worst, for the man is the fighting Smith of the Wynd.”
“It Will be a tough job,” growled121 the assassin; “for if I miss my blow, I may esteem122 myself but a dead man. All Perth rings with the smith’s skill and strength.”
“Take two assistants with thee,” said the knight.
“Not I,” said Bonthron. “If you double anything, let it be the reward.”
“Account it doubled,” said his master; “but see thy work be thoroughly123 executed.”
“Trust me for that, sir knight: seldom have I failed.”
“Use this sage41 man’s directions,” said the wounded knight, pointing to the physician. “And hark thee, await his coming forth124, and drink not till the business be done.”
“I will not,” answered the dark satellite; “my own life depends on my blow being steady and sure. I know whom I have to deal with.”
“Vanish, then, till he summons you, and have axe125 and dagger in readiness.”
Bonthron nodded and withdrew.
“Will your knighthood venture to entrust126 such an act to a single hand?” said the mediciner, when the assassin had left the room. “May I pray you to remember that yonder party did, two nights since, baffle six armed men?”
“Question me not, sir mediciner: a man like Bonthron, who knows time and place, is worth a score of confused revellers. Call Eviot; thou shalt first exert thy powers of healing, and do not doubt that thou shalt, in the farther work, be aided by one who will match thee in the art of sudden and unexpected destruction.”
The page Eviot again appeared at the mediciner’s summons, and at his master’s sign assisted the chirurgeon in removing the dressings from Sir John Ramorny’s wounded arm. Dwining viewed the naked stump with a species of professional satisfaction, enhanced, no doubt, by the malignant pleasure which his evil disposition took in the pain and distress of his fellow creatures. The knight just turned his eye on the ghastly spectacle, and uttered, under the pressure of bodily pain or mental agony, a groan12 which he would fain have repressed.
“You groan, sir,” said the leech, in his soft, insinuating127 tone of voice, but with a sneer128 of enjoyment129, mixed with scorn, curling upon his lip, which his habitual130 dissimulation131 could not altogether disguise —“you groan; but be comforted. This Henry Smith knows his business: his sword is as true to its aim as his hammer to the anvil132. Had a common swordsman struck this fatal blow, he had harmed the bone and damaged the muscles, so that even my art might not have been able to repair them. But Henry Smith’s cut is clean, and as sure as that with which my own scalpel could have made the amputation133. In a few days you will be able, with care and attention to the ordinances134 of medicine, to stir abroad.”
“But my hand — the loss of my hand —”
“It may be kept secret for a time,” said the mediciner. “I have possessed two or three tattling fools, in deep confidence, that the hand which was found was that of your knighthood’s groom135, Black Quentin, and your knighthood knows that he has parted for Fife, in such sort as to make it generally believed.”
“I know well enough,” said Ramorny, “that the rumour136 may stifle137 the truth for a short time. But what avails this brief delay?”
“It may be concealed138 till your knighthood retires for a time from the court, and then, when new accidents have darkened the recollection of the present stir, it may be imputed139 to a wound received from the shivering of a spear, or from a crossbow bolt. Your slave will find a suitable device, and stand for the truth of it.”
“The thought maddens me,” said Ramorny, with another groan of mental and bodily agony; “yet I see no better remedy.”
“There is none other,” said the leech, to whose evil nature his patron’s distress was delicious nourishment140. “In the mean while, it is believed you are confined by the consequences of some bruises141, aiding the sense of displeasure at the Prince’s having consented to dismiss you from his household at the remonstrance142 of Albany, which is publicly known.”
“Villain, thou rack’st me!” exclaimed the patient.
“Upon the whole, therefore,” said Dwining, “your knighthood has escaped well, and, saving the lack of your hand, a mischance beyond remedy, you ought rather to rejoice than complain; for no barber chirurgeon in France or England could have more ably performed the operation than this churl with one downright blow.”
“I understand my obligation fully,” said Ramorny, struggling with his anger, and affecting composure; “and if Bonthron pays him not with a blow equally downright, and rendering143 the aid of the leech unnecessary, say that John of Ramorny cannot requite20 an obligation.”
“That is spoke144 like yourself, noble knight!” answered the mediciner. “And let me further say, that the operator’s skill must have been vain, and the hemorrhage must have drained your life veins145, but for the bandages, the cautery, and the styptics applied146 by the good monks147, and the poor services of your humble vassal148, Henbane Dwining.”
“Peace,” exclaimed the patient, “with thy ill omened voice and worse omened name! Methinks, as thou mentionest the tortures I have undergone, my tingling149 nerves stretch and contract themselves as if they still actuated the fingers that once could clutch a dagger.”
“That,” explained the leech, “may it please your knighthood, is a phenomenon well known to our profession. There have been those among the ancient sages who have thought that there still remained a sympathy between the severed150 nerves and those belonging to the amputated limb; and that the several fingers are seen to quiver and strain, as corresponding with the impulse which proceeds from their sympathy with the energies of the living system. Could we recover the hand from the Cross, or from the custody151 of the Black Douglas, I would be pleased to observe this wonderful operation of occult sympathies. But, I fear me, one might as safely go to wrest152 the joint153 from the talons154 of an hungry eagle.”
“And thou mayst as safely break thy malignant jests on a wounded lion as on John of Ramorny,” said the knight, raising himself in uncontrollable indignation. “Caitiff, proceed to thy duty; and remember, that if my hand can no longer clasp a dagger, I can command an hundred.”
“The sight of one drawn155 and brandished156 in anger were sufficient,” said Dwining, “to consume the vital powers of your chirurgeon. But who then,” he added in a tone partly insinuating, partly jeering157 —“who would then relieve the fiery and scorching158 pain which my patron now suffers, and which renders him exasperated159 even with his poor servant for quoting the rules of healing, so contemptible160, doubtless, compared with the power of inflicting wounds?”
Then, as daring no longer to trifle with the mood of his dangerous patient, the leech addressed himself seriously to salving the wound, and applied a fragrant161 balm, the odour of which was diffused162 through the apartment, while it communicated a refreshing163 coolness, instead of the burning heat — a change so gratifying to the fevered patient, that, as he had before groaned with agony, he could not now help sighing for pleasure, as he sank back on his couch to enjoy the ease which the dressing9 bestowed164.
“Your knightly165 lordship now knows who is your friend,” said Dwining; “had you yielded to a rash impulse, and said, ‘Slay me this worthless quacksalver,’ where, within the four seas of Britain, would you have found the man to have ministered to you as much comfort?”
“Forget my threats, good leech,” said Ramorny, “and beware how you tempt66 me. Such as I brook166 not jests upon our agony. See thou keep thy scoffs167, to pass upon misers168 [that is, miserable persons, as used in Spenser and other writers of his time, though the sense is now restricted to those who are covetous] in the hospital.”
Dwining ventured to say no more, but poured some drops from a phial which he took from his pocket into a small cup of wine allayed169 with water.
“This draught,” said the man of art, “is medicated to produce a sleep which must not be interrupted.”
“For how long will it last?” asked the knight.
“The period of its operation is uncertain — perhaps till morning.”
“Perhaps for ever,” said the patient. “Sir mediciner, taste me that liquor presently, else it passes not my lips.”
The leech obeyed him, with a scornful smile. “I would drink the whole with readiness; but the juice of this Indian gum will bring sleep on the healthy man as well as upon the patient, and the business of the leech requires me to be a watcher.”
“I crave170 your pardon, sir leech,” said Ramorny, looking downwards171, as if ashamed to have manifested suspicion.
“There is no room for pardon where offence must not be taken,” answered the mediciner. “An insect must thank a giant that he does not tread on him. Yet, noble knight, insects have their power of harming as well as physicians. What would it have cost me, save a moment’s trouble, so to have drugged that balm, as should have made your arm rot to the shoulder joint, and your life blood curdle172 in your veins to a corrupted173 jelly? What is there that prevented me to use means yet more subtle, and to taint174 your room with essences, before which the light of life twinkles more and more dimly, till it expires, like a torch amidst the foul175 vapours of some subterranean176 dungeon177? You little estimate my power, if you know not that these and yet deeper modes of destruction stand at command of my art. But a physician slays178 not the patient by whose generosity179 he lives, and far less will he the breath of whose nostrils180 is the hope of revenge destroy the vowed181 ally who is to favour his pursuit of it. Yet one word; should a necessity occur for rousing yourself — for who in Scotland can promise himself eight hours’ uninterrupted repose182?— then smell at the strong essence contained in this pouncet box. And now, farewell, sir knight; and if you cannot think of me as a man of nice conscience, acknowledge me at least as one of reason and of judgment183.”
So saying, the mediciner left the room, his usual mean and shuffling184 gait elevating itself into something more noble, as conscious of a victory over his imperious patient.
Sir John Ramorny remained sunk in unpleasing reflections until he began to experience the incipient185 effects of his soporific draught. He then roused himself for an instant, and summoned his page.
“Eviot! what ho! Eviot! I have done ill to unbosom myself so far to this poisonous quacksalver. Eviot!”
The page entered.
“Is the mediciner gone forth?”
“Yes, so please your knighthood.”
“Alone or accompanied?”
“Bonthron spoke apart with him, and followed him almost immediately — by your lordship’s command, as I understood him.”
“Lackaday, yes! he goes to seek some medicaments; he will return anon. If he be intoxicated186, see he comes not near my chamber, and permit him not to enter into converse187 with any one. He raves188 when drink has touched his brain. He was a rare fellow before a Southron bill laid his brain pan bare; but since that time he talks gibberish whenever the cup has crossed his lips. Said the leech aught to you, Eviot?”
“Nothing, save to reiterate189 his commands that your honour be not disturbed.”
“Which thou must surely obey,” said the knight. “I feel the summons to rest, of which I have been deprived since this unhappy wound. At least, if I have slept it has been but for a snatch. Aid me to take off my gown, Eviot.”
“May God and the saints send you good rest, my lord,” said the page, retiring after he had rendered his wounded master the assistance required.
As Eviot left the room, the knight, whose brain was becoming more and more confused, muttered over the page’s departing salutation.
“God — saints — I have slept sound under such a benison190. But now, methinks if I awake not to the accomplishment191 of my proud hopes of power and revenge, the best wish for me is, that the slumbers192 which now fall around my head were the forerunners193 of that sleep which shall return my borrowed powers to their original nonexistence — I can argue it no farther.”
Thus speaking, he fell into a profound sleep.
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draught
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| n.拉，牵引，拖；一网（饮，吸，阵)；顿服药量，通风；v.起草，设计 | |
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chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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leech
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| n.水蛭，吸血鬼，榨取他人利益的人；vt.以水蛭吸血；vi.依附于别人 | |
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agitating
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| 搅动( agitate的现在分词 )； 激怒； 使焦虑不安； （尤指为法律、社会状况的改变而）激烈争论 | |
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bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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opulence
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| n.财富，富裕 | |
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apothecary
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| n.药剂师 | |
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crafty
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| adj.狡猾的，诡诈的 | |
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dressing
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| n.(食物)调料；包扎伤口的用品，敷料 | |
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dressings
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| n.敷料剂；穿衣( dressing的名词复数 )；穿戴；（拌制色拉的）调料；（保护伤口的）敷料 | |
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groaned
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| v.呻吟( groan的过去式和过去分词 )；发牢骚；抱怨；受苦 | |
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groan
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| vi./n.呻吟，抱怨；(发出)呻吟般的声音 | |
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distress
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| n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛 | |
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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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knight
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| n.骑士，武士；爵士 | |
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feud
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| n.长期不和；世仇；v.长期争斗；世代结仇 | |
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feuds
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| n.长期不和，世仇( feud的名词复数 ) | |
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boisterous
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| adj.喧闹的，欢闹的 | |
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requited
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| v.报答( requite的过去式和过去分词 )；酬谢；回报；报复 | |
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requite
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| v.报酬，报答 | |
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vice
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| n.坏事；恶习；[pl.]台钳，老虎钳；adj.副的 | |
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22
wreak
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| v.发泄；报复 | |
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23
villain
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| n.反派演员，反面人物；恶棍；问题的起因 | |
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24
malignant
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| adj.恶性的，致命的；恶意的，恶毒的 | |
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25
inflicting
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| 把…强加给，使承受，遭受( inflict的现在分词 ) | |
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defiance
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| n.挑战，挑衅，蔑视，违抗 | |
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27
tempestuous
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| adj.狂暴的 | |
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28
chafe
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| v.擦伤；冲洗；惹怒 | |
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obstinate
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| adj.顽固的，倔强的，不易屈服的，较难治愈的 | |
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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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31
spun
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| v.纺，杜撰，急转身 | |
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32
brute
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| n.野兽，兽性 | |
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33
churl
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| n.吝啬之人；粗鄙之人 | |
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34
strife
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| n.争吵，冲突，倾轧，竞争 | |
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35
miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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36
prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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37
shipwreck
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| n.船舶失事，海难 | |
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38
enigma
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| n.谜，谜一样的人或事 | |
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39
Christian
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| adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒 | |
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40
privately
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| adv.以私人的身份，悄悄地，私下地 | |
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41
sage
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| n.圣人，哲人；adj.贤明的，明智的 | |
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42
sages
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| n.圣人( sage的名词复数 )；智者；哲人；鼠尾草（可用作调料） | |
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43
fiery
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| adj.燃烧着的，火红的；暴躁的；激烈的 | |
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44
moor
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| n.荒野，沼泽；vt.(使)停泊；vi.停泊 | |
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45
dagger
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| n.匕首，短剑，剑号 | |
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46
avows
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| v.公开声明，承认( avow的第三人称单数 ) | |
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47
doctrine
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| n.教义；主义；学说 | |
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48
pallid
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| adj.苍白的，呆板的 | |
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49
foe
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| n.敌人，仇敌 | |
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50
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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51
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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52
attain
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| vt.达到，获得，完成 | |
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53
slipper
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| n.拖鞋 | |
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54
vengeance
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| n.报复，报仇，复仇 | |
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55
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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56
dealing
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| n.经商方法，待人态度 | |
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57
thwarted
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| 阻挠( thwart的过去式和过去分词 )； 使受挫折； 挫败； 横过 | |
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58
brutal
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| adj.残忍的，野蛮的，不讲理的 | |
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59
subtlety
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| n.微妙，敏锐，精巧；微妙之处，细微的区别 | |
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60
disposition
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| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
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61
hind
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| adj.后面的，后部的 | |
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62
supercilious
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| adj.目中无人的，高傲的；adv.高傲地；n.高傲 | |
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63
hatred
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| n.憎恶，憎恨，仇恨 | |
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64
reptile
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| n.爬行动物；两栖动物 | |
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66
tempt
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| vt.引诱，勾引，吸引，引起…的兴趣 | |
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67
nether
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| adj.下部的，下面的；n.阴间；下层社会 | |
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68
malice
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| n.恶意，怨恨，蓄意；[律]预谋 | |
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69
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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70
turmoil
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| n.骚乱，混乱，动乱 | |
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71
accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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72
skilful
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| (=skillful)adj.灵巧的，熟练的 | |
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73
moorish
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| adj.沼地的，荒野的，生[住]在沼地的 | |
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74
virtue
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| n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力 | |
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75
zeal
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| n.热心，热情，热忱 | |
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76
fidelity
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| n.忠诚，忠实；精确 | |
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77
soothe
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| v.安慰；使平静；使减轻；缓和；奉承 | |
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78
frantic
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| adj.狂乱的，错乱的，激昂的 | |
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79
folly
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| n.愚笨，愚蠢，蠢事，蠢行，傻话 | |
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80
incurred
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| [医]招致的，遭受的； incur的过去式 | |
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81
precarious
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| adj.不安定的，靠不住的；根据不足的 | |
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82
reconciliation
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| n.和解，和谐，一致 | |
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83
perseveres
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| v.坚忍，坚持( persevere的第三人称单数 ) | |
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84
moors
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| v.停泊，系泊（船只）( moor的第三人称单数 ) | |
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85
complexion
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| n.肤色；情况，局面；气质，性格 | |
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86
wrath
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| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
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87
descend
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| vt./vi.传下来，下来，下降 | |
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88
plighted
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| vt.保证，约定（plight的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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89
pillory
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| n.嘲弄；v.使受公众嘲笑；将…示众 | |
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90
snarling
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| v.（指狗）吠，嗥叫， （人）咆哮( snarl的现在分词 )；咆哮着说，厉声地说 | |
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91
stump
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| n.残株，烟蒂，讲演台；v.砍断，蹒跚而走 | |
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92
bribe
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| n.贿赂；v.向…行贿，买通 | |
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93
humble
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| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
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94
bustling
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| adj.喧闹的 | |
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95
dwarf
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| n.矮子，侏儒，矮小的动植物；vt.使…矮小 | |
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96
pouched
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| adj.袋形的，有袋的 | |
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97
gratuity
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| n.赏钱，小费 | |
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98
assuage
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| v.缓和，减轻，镇定 | |
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99
resentment
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| n.怨愤，忿恨 | |
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100
vented
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| 表达，发泄（感情，尤指愤怒）( vent的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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101
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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102
shambles
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| n.混乱之处；废墟 | |
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103
hacked
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| 生气 | |
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104
paltry
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| adj.无价值的，微不足道的 | |
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105
dishonour
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| n./vt.拒付（支票、汇票、票据等）；vt.凌辱，使丢脸；n.不名誉，耻辱，不光彩 | |
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106
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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107
persuasion
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| n.劝说；说服；持有某种信仰的宗派 | |
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108
prosecuting
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| 检举、告发某人( prosecute的现在分词 )； 对某人提起公诉； 继续从事（某事物）； 担任控方律师 | |
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109
maiden
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| n.少女，处女；adj.未婚的，纯洁的，无经验的 | |
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110
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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111
followers
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| 追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件 | |
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112
sneaking
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| a.秘密的，不公开的 | |
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113
buxom
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| adj.（妇女）丰满的，有健康美的 | |
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114
squire
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| n.护卫, 侍从, 乡绅 | |
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115
baron
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| n.男爵；(商业界等)巨头，大王 | |
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116
usher
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| n.带位员，招待员；vt.引导，护送；vi.做招待，担任引座员 | |
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117
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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118
scent
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| n.气味，香味，香水，线索，嗅觉；v.嗅，发觉 | |
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119
vouched
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| v.保证( vouch的过去式和过去分词 )；担保；确定；确定地说 | |
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120
rugged
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| adj.高低不平的，粗糙的，粗壮的，强健的 | |
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121
growled
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| v.（动物）发狺狺声， （雷）作隆隆声( growl的过去式和过去分词 )；低声咆哮着说 | |
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122
esteem
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| n.尊敬，尊重；vt.尊重，敬重；把…看作 | |
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123
thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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124
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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125
axe
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| n.斧子；v.用斧头砍，削减 | |
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126
entrust
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| v.信赖，信托，交托 | |
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127
insinuating
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| adj.曲意巴结的，暗示的v.暗示( insinuate的现在分词 )；巧妙或迂回地潜入；（使）缓慢进入；慢慢伸入 | |
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128
sneer
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| v.轻蔑；嘲笑；n.嘲笑，讥讽的言语 | |
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129
enjoyment
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| n.乐趣；享有；享用 | |
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130
habitual
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| adj.习惯性的；通常的，惯常的 | |
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131
dissimulation
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| n.掩饰，虚伪，装糊涂 | |
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132
anvil
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| n.铁钻 | |
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133
amputation
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| n.截肢 | |
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134
ordinances
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| n.条例，法令( ordinance的名词复数 ) | |
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135
groom
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| vt.给（马、狗等）梳毛，照料，使...整洁 | |
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136
rumour
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| n.谣言，谣传，传闻 | |
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137
stifle
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| vt.使窒息；闷死；扼杀；抑止，阻止 | |
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138
concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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139
imputed
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| v.把（错误等）归咎于( impute的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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140
nourishment
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| n.食物，营养品；营养情况 | |
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141
bruises
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| n.瘀伤，伤痕，擦伤( bruise的名词复数 ) | |
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142
remonstrance
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| n抗议，抱怨 | |
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143
rendering
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| n.表现，描写 | |
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144
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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145
veins
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| n.纹理；矿脉( vein的名词复数 )；静脉；叶脉；纹理 | |
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146
applied
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| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
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147
monks
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| n.修道士，僧侣( monk的名词复数 ) | |
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148
vassal
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| n.附庸的；属下；adj.奴仆的 | |
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149
tingling
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| v.有刺痛感( tingle的现在分词 ) | |
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150
severed
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| v.切断，断绝( sever的过去式和过去分词 )；断，裂 | |
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151
custody
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| n.监护，照看，羁押，拘留 | |
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152
wrest
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| n.扭，拧，猛夺；v.夺取，猛扭，歪曲 | |
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153
joint
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| adj.联合的，共同的；n.关节，接合处；v.连接，贴合 | |
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154
talons
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| n.（尤指猛禽的）爪( talon的名词复数 )；（如爪般的）手指；爪状物；锁簧尖状突出部 | |
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155
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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156
brandished
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| v.挥舞( brandish的过去式和过去分词 )；炫耀 | |
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157
jeering
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| adj.嘲弄的，揶揄的v.嘲笑( jeer的现在分词 ) | |
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158
scorching
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| adj. 灼热的 | |
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159
exasperated
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| adj.恼怒的 | |
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160
contemptible
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| adj.可鄙的，可轻视的，卑劣的 | |
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161
fragrant
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| adj.芬香的，馥郁的，愉快的 | |
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162
diffused
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| 散布的，普及的，扩散的 | |
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163
refreshing
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| adj.使精神振作的，使人清爽的，使人喜欢的 | |
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164
bestowed
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| 赠给，授予( bestow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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165
knightly
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| adj. 骑士般的 adv. 骑士般地 | |
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166
brook
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| n.小河，溪；v.忍受，容让 | |
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167
scoffs
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| 嘲笑，嘲弄( scoff的第三人称单数 ) | |
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168
misers
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| 守财奴，吝啬鬼( miser的名词复数 ) | |
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169
allayed
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| v.减轻，缓和( allay的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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170
crave
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| vt.渴望得到，迫切需要，恳求，请求 | |
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171
downwards
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| adj./adv.向下的（地），下行的（地） | |
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172
curdle
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| v.使凝结，变稠 | |
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173
corrupted
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| （使）败坏( corrupt的过去式和过去分词 )； （使）腐化； 引起（计算机文件等的）错误； 破坏 | |
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174
taint
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| n.污点；感染；腐坏；v.使感染；污染 | |
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175
foul
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| adj.污秽的；邪恶的；v.弄脏；妨害；犯规；n.犯规 | |
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176
subterranean
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| adj.地下的，地表下的 | |
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177
dungeon
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| n.地牢，土牢 | |
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178
slays
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| 杀死，宰杀，杀戮( slay的第三人称单数 ) | |
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179
generosity
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| n.大度，慷慨，慷慨的行为 | |
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180
nostrils
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| 鼻孔( nostril的名词复数 ) | |
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181
vowed
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| 起誓，发誓（vow的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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182
repose
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| v.(使)休息；n.安息 | |
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183
judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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184
shuffling
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| adj. 慢慢移动的, 滑移的 动词shuffle的现在分词形式 | |
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185
incipient
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| adj.起初的，发端的，初期的 | |
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186
intoxicated
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| 喝醉的，极其兴奋的 | |
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187
converse
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| vi.谈话，谈天，闲聊；adv.相反的，相反 | |
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188
raves
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| n.狂欢晚会( rave的名词复数 )v.胡言乱语( rave的第三人称单数 )；愤怒地说；咆哮；痴心地说 | |
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189
reiterate
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| v.重申，反复地说 | |
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190
benison
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| n.祝福 | |
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191
accomplishment
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| n.完成，成就，（pl.）造诣，技能 | |
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192
slumbers
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| 睡眠，安眠( slumber的名词复数 ) | |
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193
forerunners
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| n.先驱( forerunner的名词复数 )；开路人；先兆；前兆 | |
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