In God’s name, see the lists and all things fit;
There let them end it — God defend the right!
Henry IV. Part II.
In the same council room of the conventual palace of the Dominicans, King Robert was seated with his brother Albany, whose affected1 austerity of virtue2, and real art and dissimulation3, maintained so high an influence over the feeble minded monarch4. It was indeed natural that one who seldom saw things according to their real forms and outlines should view them according to the light in which they were presented to him by a bold, astucious man, possessing the claim of such near relationship.
Ever anxious on account of his misguided and unfortunate son, the King was now endeavouring to make Albany coincide in opinion with him in exculpating5 Rothsay from any part in the death of the bonnet6 maker7, the precognition concerning which had been left by Sir Patrick Charteris for his Majesty8’s consideration.
“This is an unhappy matter, brother Robin9,” he said —“a most unhappy occurrence, and goes nigh to put strife10 and quarrel betwixt the nobility and the commons here, as they have been at war together in so many distant lands. I see but one cause of comfort in the matter, and that is, that Sir John Ramorny having received his dismissal from the Duke of Rothsay’s family, it cannot be said that he or any of his people who may have done this bloody11 deed — if it has truly been done by them — have been encouraged or hounded out upon such an errand by my poor boy. I am sure, brother, you and I can bear witness how readily, upon my entreaties12, he agreed to dismiss Ramorny from his service, on account of that brawl14 in Curfew Street.”
“I remember his doing so,” said Albany; “and well do I hope that the connexion betwixt the Prince and Ramorny has not been renewed since he seemed to comply with your Grace’s wishes.”
“Seemed to comply! The connexion renewed!” said the King. “What mean you by these expressions, brother? Surely, when David promised to me that, if that unhappy matter of Curfew Street were but smothered15 up and concealed16, he would part with Ramorny, as he was a counsellor thought capable of involving him in similar fooleries, and would acquiesce18 in our inflicting19 on him either exile or such punishment as it should please us to impose — surely you cannot doubt that he was sincere in his professions, and would keep his word? Remember you not that, when you advised that a heavy fine should be levied21 upon his estate in Fife in lieu of banishment22, the Prince himself seemed to say that exile would be better for Ramorny, and even for himself?”
“I remember it well, my royal brother. Nor, truly, could I have suspected Ramorny of having so much influence over the Prince, after having been accessory to placing him in a situation so perilous23, had it not been for my royal kinsman’s own confession25, alluded26 to by your Grace, that, if suffered to remain at court, he might still continue to influence his conduct. I then regretted I had advised a fine in place of exile. But that time is passed, and now new mischief27 has occurred, fraught28 with much peril24 to your Majesty, as well as to your royal heir, and to the whole kingdom.”
“What mean you, Robin?” said the weak minded King. “By the tomb of our parents! by the soul of Bruce, our immortal29 ancestor! I entreat13 thee, my dearest brother, to take compassion30 on me. Tell me what evil threatens my son, or my kingdom?”
The features of the King, trembling with anxiety, and his eyes brimful of tears, were bent31 upon his brother, who seemed to assume time for consideration ere he replied.
“My lord, the danger lies here. Your Grace believed that the Prince had no accession to this second aggression32 upon the citizens of Perth — the slaughter33 of this bonnet making fellow, about whose death they clamour, as a set of gulls34 about their comrade, when one of the noisy brood is struck down by a boor’s shaft35.”
“Their lives,” said the King, “are dear to themselves and their friends, Robin.”
“Truly, ay, my liege; and they make them dear to us too, ere we can settle with the knaves36 for the least blood wit. But, as I said, your Majesty thinks the Prince had no share in this last slaughter; I will not attempt to shake your belief in that delicate point, but will endeavour to believe along with you. What you think is rule for me, Robert of Albany will never think otherwise than Robert of broad Scotland.”
“Thank you, thank you,” said the King, taking his brother’s hand. “I knew I might rely that your affection would do justice to poor heedless Rothsay, who exposes himself to so much misconstruction that he scarcely deserves the sentiments you feel for him.”
Albany had such an immovable constancy of purpose, that he was able to return the fraternal pressure of the King’s hand, while tearing up by the very roots the hopes of the indulgent, fond old man.
“But, alas37!” the Duke continued, with a sigh, “this burly, intractable Knight38 of Kinfauns, and his brawling39 herd40 of burghers, will not view the matter as we do. They have the boldness to say that this dead fellow had been misused41 by Rothsay and his fellows, who were in the street in mask and revel42, stopping men and women, compelling them to dance, or to drink huge quantities of wine, with other follies43 needless to recount; and they say that the whole party repaired in Sir John Ramorny’s, and broke their way into the house in order to conclude their revel there, thus affording good reason to judge that the dismissal of Sir John from the Prince’s service was but a feigned44 stratagem45 to deceive the public. And hence they urge that, if ill were done that night by Sir John Ramorny or his followers46, much it is to be thought that the Duke of Rothsay must have at least been privy47 to, if he did not authorise, it.”
“Albany, this is dreadful!” said the King. “Would they make a murderer of my boy? would they pretend my David would soil his hands in Scottish blood without having either provocation48 or purpose? No — no, they will not invent calumnies49 so broad as these, for they are flagrant and incredible.”
“Pardon, my liege,” answered the Duke of Albany; “they say the cause of quarrel which occasioned the riot in Curfew Street, and, its consequences, were more proper to the Prince than to Sir John, since none suspects, far less believes, that that hopeful enterprise was conducted for the gratification of the knight of Ramorny.”
“Thou drivest me mad, Robin!” said the King.
“I am dumb,” answered his brother; “I did but speak my poor mind according to your royal order.”
“Thou meanest well, I know,” said the King; “but, instead of tearing me to pieces with the display of inevitable50 calamities51, were it not kinder, Robin, to point me out some mode to escape from them?”
“True, my liege; but as the only road of extrication53 is rough and difficult, it is necessary your Grace should be first possessed54 with the absolute necessity of using it, ere you hear it even described. The chirurgeon must first convince his patient of the incurable55 condition of a shattered member, ere he venture to name amputation56, though it be the only remedy.”
The King at these words was roused to a degree of alarm and indignation greater than his brother had deemed he could be awakened57 to.
“Shattered and mortified58 member, my Lord of Albany! amputation the only remedy! These are unintelligible59 words, my lord. If thou appliest them to our son Rothsay, thou must make them good to the letter, else mayst thou have bitter cause to rue52 the consequence.”
“You construe60 me too literally61, my royal liege,” said Albany. “I spoke62 not of the Prince in such unbeseeming terms, for I call Heaven to witness that he is dearer to me as the son of a well beloved brother than had he been son of my own. But I spoke in regard to separating him from the follies and vanities of life, which holy men say are like to mortified members, and ought, like them, to be cut off and thrown from us, as things which interrupt our progress in better things.”
“I understand — thou wouldst have this Ramorny, who hath been thought the instrument of my son’s follies, exiled from court,” said the relieved monarch, “until these unhappy scandals are forgotten, and our subjects are disposed to look upon our son with different and more confiding63 eyes.”
“That were good counsel, my liege; but mine went a little — a very little — farther. I would have the Prince himself removed for some brief period from court.”
“How, Albany! part with my child, my firstborn, the light of my eyes, and — wilful64 as he is — the darling of my heart! Oh, Robin! I cannot, and I will not.”
“Nay65, I did but suggest, my lord; I am sensible of the wound such a proceeding66 must inflict20 on a parent’s heart, for am I not myself a father?” And he hung his head, as if in hopeless despondency.
“I could not survive it, Albany. When I think that even our own influence over him, which, sometimes forgotten in our absence, is ever effectual whilst he is with us, is by your plan to be entirely67 removed, what perils68 might he not rush upon? I could not sleep in his absence — I should hear his death groan69 in every breeze; and you, Albany, though you conceal17 it better, would be nearly as anxious.”
Thus spoke the facile monarch, willing to conciliate his brother and cheat himself, by taking it for granted that an affection, of which there were no traces, subsisted70 betwixt the uncle and nephew.
“Your paternal71 apprehensions72 are too easily alarmed, my lord,” said Albany. “I do not propose to leave the disposal of the Prince’s motions to his own wild pleasure. I understand that the Prince is to be placed for a short time under some becoming restraint — that he should be subjected to the charge of some grave counsellor, who must be responsible both for his conduct and his safety, as a tutor for his pupil.”
“How! a tutor, and at Rothsay’s age!” exclaimed the’ King; “he is two years beyond the space to which our laws limit the term of nonage.”
“The wiser Romans,” said Albany, “extended it for four years after the period we assign; and, in common sense, the right of control ought to last till it be no longer necessary, and so the time ought to vary with the disposition73. Here is young Lindsay, the Earl of Crawford, who they say gives patronage74 to Ramorny on this appeal. He is a lad of fifteen, with the deep passions and fixed75 purpose of a man of thirty; while my royal nephew, with much more amiable76 and noble qualities both of head and heart, sometimes shows, at twenty-three years of age, the wanton humours of a boy, towards whom restraint may be kindness. And do not be discouraged that it is so, my liege, or angry with your brother for telling the truth; since the best fruits are those that are slowest in ripening77, and the best horses such as give most trouble to the grooms78 who train them for the field or lists.”
The Duke stopped, and, after suffering King Robert to indulge for two or three minutes in a reverie which he did not attempt to interrupt, he added, in a more lively tone: “But, cheer up, my noble liege; perhaps the feud79 may be made up without farther fighting or difficulty. The widow is poor, for her husband, though he was much employed, had idle and costly80 habits. The matter may be therefore redeemed81 for money, and the amount of an assythment may be recovered out of Ramorny’s estate.”
“Nay, that we will ourselves discharge,” said King Robert, eagerly catching82 at the hope of a pacific termination of this unpleasing debate. “Ramorny’s prospects83 will be destroyed by his being sent from court and deprived of his charge in Rothsay’s household, and it would be ungenerous to load a falling man. But here comes our secretary, the prior, to tell us the hour of council approaches. Good morrow, my worthy84 father.”
“Benedicite, my royal liege,” answered the abbot.
“Now, good father,” continued the King, “without waiting for Rothsay, whose accession to our counsels we will ourselves guarantee, proceed we to the business of our kingdom. What advices have you from the Douglas?”
“He has arrived at his castle of Tantallon, my liege, and has sent a post to say, that, though the Earl of March remains85 in sullen86 seclusion87 in his fortress88 of Dunbar, his friends and followers are gathering89 and forming an encampment near Coldingham, Where it is supposed they intend to await the arrival of a large force of English, which Hotspur and Sir Ralph Percy are assembling on the English frontier.”
“That is cold news,” said the King; “and may God forgive George of Dunbar!”
The Prince entered as he spoke, and he continued: “Ha! thou art here at length, Rothsay; I saw thee not at mass.”
“I was an idler this morning,” said the Prince, “having spent a restless and feverish90 night.”
“Ah, foolish boy!” answered the King; “hadst thou not been over restless on Fastern’s Eve, thou hadst not been feverish on the night of Ash Wednesday.”
“Let me not interrupt your praying, my liege,” said the Prince, lightly. “Your Grace Was invoking91 Heaven in behalf of some one — an enemy doubtless, for these have the frequent advantage of your orisons.”
“Sit down and be at peace, foolish youth!” said his father, his eye resting at the same time on the handsome face and graceful92 figure of his favourite son. Rothsay drew a cushion near to his father’s feet, and threw himself carelessly down upon it, while the King resumed.
“I was regretting that the Earl of March, having separated warm from my hand with full assurance that he should receive compensation for everything which he could complain of as injurious, should have been capable of caballing with Northumberland against his own country. Is it possible he could doubt our intentions to make good our word?”
“I will answer for him — no,” said the Prince. “March never doubted your Highness’s word. Marry, he may well have made question whether your learned counsellors would leave your Majesty the power of keeping it.”
Robert the Third had adopted to a great extent the timid policy of not seeming to hear expressions which, being heard, required, even in his own eyes, some display of displeasure. He passed on, therefore, in his discourse93, without observing his son’s speech, but in private Rothsay’s rashness augmented94 the displeasure which his father began to entertain against him.
“It is well the Douglas is on the marches,” said the King. “His breast, like those of his ancestors, has ever been the best bulwark95 of Scotland.”
“Then woe96 betide us if he should turn his back to the enemy,” said the incorrigible97 Rothsay.
“Dare you impeach98 the courage of Douglas?” replied the King, extremely chafed99.
“No man dare question the Earl’s courage,” said Rothsay, “it is as certain as his pride; but his luck may be something doubted.”
“By St. Andrew, David,” exclaimed his father, “thou art like a screech100 owl101, every word thou sayest betokens102 strife and calamity103.”
“I am silent, father,” answered the youth.
“And what news of our Highland104 disturbances105?” continued the King, addressing the prior.
“I trust they have assumed a favourable106 aspect,” answered the clergyman. “The fire which threatened the whole country is likely to be drenched107 out by the blood of some forty or fifty kerne; for the two great confederacies have agreed, by solemn indenture108 of arms, to decided109 their quarrel with such weapons as your Highness may name, and in your royal presence, in such place as shall be appointed, on the 30th of March next to come, being Palm Sunday; the number of combatants being limited to thirty on each side; and the fight to be maintained to extremity110, since they affectionately make humble111 suit and petition to your Majesty that you will parentally condescend112 to waive113 for the day your royal privilege of interrupting the combat, by flinging down of truncheon or crying of ‘Ho!’ until the battle shall be utterly114 fought to an end.”
“The wild savages116!” exclaimed the King, “would they limit our best and dearest royal privilege, that of putting a stop to strife, and crying truce117 to battle? Will they remove the only motive118 which could bring me to the butcherly spectacle of their combat? Would they fight like men, or like their own mountain wolves?”
“My lord,” said Albany, “the Earl of Crawford and I had presumed, without consulting you, to ratify119 that preliminary, for the adoption120 of which we saw much and pressing reason.”
“How! the Earl of Crawford!” said the King. “Methinks he is a young counsellor on such grave occurrents.”
“He is,” replied Albany, “notwithstanding his early years, of such esteem121 among his Highland neighbours, that I could have done little with them but for his aid and influence.”
“Hear this, young Rothsay!” said the King reproachfully to his heir.
“I pity Crawford, sire,” replied the Prince. “He has too early lost a father whose counsels would have better become such a season as this.”
The King turned next towards Albany with a look of triumph, at the filial affection which his son displayed in his reply.
Albany proceeded without emotion. “It is not the life of these Highlandmen, but their death, which is to be profitable to this commonwealth122 of Scotland; and truly it seemed to the Earl of Crawford and myself most desirable that the combat should be a strife of extermination123.”
“Marry,” said the Prince, “if such be the juvenile124 policy of Lindsay, he will be a merciful ruler some ten or twelve years hence! Out upon a boy that is hard of heart before he has hair upon his lip! Better he had contented125 himself with fighting cocks on Fastern’s Even than laying schemes for massacring men on Palm Sunday, as if he were backing a Welsh main, where all must fight to death.”
“Rothsay is right, Albany,” said the King: “it were unlike a Christian126 monarch to give way in this point. I cannot consent to see men battle until they are all hewn down like cattle in the shambles127. It would sicken me to look at it, and the warder would drop from my hand for mere128 lack of strength to hold it.”
“It would drop unheeded,” said Albany. “Let me entreat your Grace to recollect129, that you only give up a royal privilege which, exercised, would win you no respect, since it would receive no obedience130. Were your Majesty to throw down your warder when the war is high, and these men’s blood is hot, it would meet no more regard than if a sparrow should drop among a herd of battling wolves the straw which he was carrying to his nest. Nothing will separate them but the exhaustion131 of slaughter; and better they sustain it at the hands of each other than from the swords of such troops as might attempt to separate them at your Majesty’s commands. An attempt to keep the peace by violence would be construed132 into an ambush133 laid for them; both parties would unite to resist it, the slaughter would be the same, and the hoped for results of future peace would be utterly disappointed.”
“There is even too much truth in what you say, brother Robin,” replied the flexible King. “To little purpose is it to command what I cannot enforce; and, although I have the unhappiness to do so each day of my life, it were needless to give such a very public example of royal impotency before the crowds who may assemble to behold134 this spectacle. Let these savage115 men, therefore, work their bloody will to the uttermost upon each other: I will not attempt to forbid what I cannot prevent them from executing. Heaven help this wretched country! I will to my oratory136 and pray for her, since to aid her by hand and head is alike denied to me. Father prior, I pray the support of your arm.”
“Nay, but, brother,” said Albany, “forgive me if I remind you that we must hear the matter between the citizens of Perth and Ramorny, about the death of a townsman —”
“True — true,” said the monarch, reseating himself; “more violence — more battle. Oh, Scotland! Scotland! if the best blood of thy bravest children could enrich thy barren soil, what land on earth would excel thee in fertility! When is it that a white hair is seen on the beard of a Scottishman, unless he be some wretch135 like thy sovereign, protected from murder by impotence, to witness the scenes of slaughter to which he cannot put a period? Let them come in, delay them not. They are in haste to kill, and, grudge137 each other each fresh breath of their Creator’s blessed air. The demon138 of strife and slaughter hath possessed the whole land!”
As the mild prince threw himself back on his seat with an air of impatience139 and anger not very usual with him, the door at the lower end of the room was unclosed, and, advancing from the gallery into which it led (where in perspective was seen a guard of the Bute men, or Brandanes, under arms), came, in mournful procession, the widow of poor Oliver, led by Sir Patrick Charteris, with as much respect as if she had been a lady of the first rank. Behind them came two women of good, the wives of magistrates141 of the city, both in mourning garments, one bearing the infant and the other leading the elder child. The smith followed in his best attire142, and wearing over his buff coat a scarf of crape. Bailie Craigdallie and a brother magistrate140 closed the melancholy143 procession, exhibiting similar marks of mourning.
The good King’s transitory passion was gone the instant he looked at the pallid144 countenance145 of the sorrowing widow, and beheld146 the unconsciousness of the innocent orphans147 who had sustained so great a loss, and when Sir Patrick Charteris had assisted Magdalen Proudfute to kneel down and, still holding her hand, kneeled himself on one knee, it was with a sympathetic tone that King Robert asked her name and business. She made no answer, but muttered something, looking towards her conductor.
“Speak for the poor woman, Sir Patrick Charteris,” said the King, “and tell us the cause of her seeking our presence.”
“So please you, my liege,” answered Sir Patrick, rising up, “this woman, and these unhappy orphans, make plaint to your Highness upon Sir John Ramorny of Ramorny, Knight, that by him, or by some of his household, her umquhile husband, Oliver Proudfute, freeman and burgess of Perth, was slain148 upon the streets of the city on the eve of Shrove Tuesday or morning of Ash Wednesday.”
“Woman,” replied the King, with much kindness, “thou art gentle by sex, and shouldst be pitiful even by thy affliction; for our own calamity ought to make us — nay, I think it doth make us — merciful to others. Thy husband hath only trodden the path appointed to us all.”
“In his case,” said the widow, “my liege must remember it has been a brief and a bloody one.”
“I agree he hath had foul149 measure. But since I have been unable to protect him, as I confess was my royal duty, I am willing, in atonement, to support thee and these orphans, as well or better than you lived in the days of your husband; only do thou pass from this charge, and be not the occasion of spilling more life. Remember, I put before you the choice betwixt practising mercy and pursuing vengeance150, and that betwixt plenty and penury151.”
“It is true, my liege, we are poor,” answered the widow, with unshaken firmness “but I and my children will feed with the beasts of the field ere we live on the price of my husband’s blood. I demand the combat by my champion, as you are belted knight and crowned king.”
“I knew it would be so!” said the King, aside to Albany. “In Scotland the first words stammered152 by an infant and the last uttered by a dying greybeard are ‘combat — blood — revenge.’ It skills not arguing farther. Admit the defendants153.”
Sir John Ramorny entered the apartment. He was dressed in a long furred robe, such as men of quality wore when they were unarmed. Concealed by the folds of drapery, his wounded arm was supported by a scarf or sling154 of crimson155 silk, and with the left arm he leaned on a youth, who, scarcely beyond the years of boyhood, bore on his brow the deep impression of early thought and premature156 passion. This was that celebrated157 Lindsay, Earl of Crawford, who, in his after days, was known by the epithet158 of the Tiger Earl, and who ruled the great and rich valley of Strathmore with the absolute power and unrelenting cruelty of a feudal159 tyrant160. Two or three gentlemen, friends of the Earl, or of his own, countenanced161 Sir John Ramorny by their presence on this occasion. The charge was again stated, and met by a broad denial on the part of the accused; and in reply, the challengers offered to prove their assertion by an appeal to the ordeal162 of bier right.
“I am not bound,” answered Sir John Ramorny, “to submit to this ordeal, since I can prove, by the evidence of my late royal master, that I was in my own lodgings163, lying on my bed, ill at ease, while this provost and these bailies pretend I was committing a crime to which I had neither will nor temptation. I can therefore be no just object of suspicion.”
“I can aver,” said the Prince, “that I saw and conversed164 with Sir John Ramorny about some matters concerning my own household on the very night when this murder was a-doing. I therefore know that he was ill at ease, and could not in person commit the deed in question. But I know nothing of the employment of his attendants, and will not take it upon me to say that some one of them may not have been guilty of the crime now charged on them.”
Sir John Ramorny had, during the beginning of this speech, looked round with an air of defiance165, which was somewhat disconcerted by the concluding sentence of Rothsay’s speech.
“I thank your Highness,” he said, with a smile, “for your cautious and limited testimony166 in my behalf. He was wise who wrote, ‘Put not your faith in princes.’”
“If you have no other evidence of your innocence167, Sir John Ramorny,” said the King, “we may not, in respect to your followers, refuse to the injured widow and orphans, the complainers, the grant of a proof by ordeal of bier right, unless any of them should prefer that of combat. For yourself, you are, by the Prince’s evidence, freed from the attaint.”
“My liege,” answered Sir John, “I can take warrant upon myself for the innocence of my household and followers.”
“Why, so a monk168 or a woman might speak,” said Sir Patrick Charteris. “In knightly169 language, wilt170 thou, Sir John de Ramorny, do battle with me in the behalf of thy followers?”
“The provost of Perth had not obtained time to name the word combat,” said Ramorny, “ere I would have accepted it. But I am not at present fit to hold a lance.”
“I am glad of it, under your favour, Sir John. There will be the less bloodshed,” said the King. “You must therefore produce your followers according to your steward’s household book, in the great church of St. John, that, in presence of all whom it may concern, they may purge171 themselves of this accusation172. See that every man of them do appear at the time of high mass, otherwise your honour may be sorely tainted173.”
“They shall attend to a man,” said Sir John Ramorny.
Then bowing low to the King, he directed himself to the young Duke of Rothsay, and, making a deep obeisance174, spoke so as to be heard by him alone. “You have used me generously, my lord! One word of your lips could have ended this controversy175, and you have refused to speak it.”
“On my life,” whispered the Prince, “I spake as far as the extreme verge176 of truth and conscience would permit. I think thou couldst not expect I should frame lies for thee; and after all, John, in my broken recollections of that night, I do bethink me of a butcherly looking mute, with a curtal axe177, much like such a one as may have done yonder night job. Ha! have I touched you, sir knight?”
Ramorny made no answer, but turned as precipitately178 as if some one had pressed suddenly on his wounded arm, and regained179 his lodgings with the Earl of Crawford; to whom, though disposed for anything rather than revelry, he was obliged to offer a splendid collation180, to acknowledge in some degree his sense of the countenance which the young noble had afforded him.
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affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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virtue
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| n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力 | |
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dissimulation
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| n.掩饰，虚伪，装糊涂 | |
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monarch
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| n.帝王，君主，最高统治者 | |
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exculpating
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| v.开脱，使无罪( exculpate的现在分词 ) | |
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bonnet
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maker
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| n.制造者，制造商 | |
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majesty
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| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
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robin
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strife
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| n.争吵，冲突，倾轧，竞争 | |
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bloody
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| adj.非常的的；流血的；残忍的；adv.很；vt.血染 | |
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entreaties
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| n.恳求，乞求( entreaty的名词复数 ) | |
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entreat
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| v.恳求，恳请 | |
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brawl
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| n.大声争吵，喧嚷；v.吵架，对骂 | |
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smothered
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| （使）窒息， （使）透不过气( smother的过去式和过去分词 )； 覆盖； 忍住； 抑制 | |
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concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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acquiesce
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| vi.默许，顺从，同意 | |
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inflicting
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| 把…强加给，使承受，遭受( inflict的现在分词 ) | |
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inflict
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| vt.(on)把…强加给，使遭受，使承担 | |
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levied
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| 征（兵）( levy的过去式和过去分词 )； 索取； 发动（战争）； 征税 | |
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banishment
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| n.放逐，驱逐 | |
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23
perilous
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| adj.危险的，冒险的 | |
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24
peril
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| n.(严重的)危险；危险的事物 | |
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25
confession
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| n.自白，供认，承认 | |
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26
alluded
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| 提及，暗指( allude的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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27
mischief
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| n.损害，伤害，危害；恶作剧，捣蛋，胡闹 | |
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28
fraught
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| adj.充满…的，伴有(危险等)的；忧虑的 | |
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29
immortal
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| adj.不朽的；永生的，不死的；神的 | |
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30
compassion
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| n.同情，怜悯 | |
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31
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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32
aggression
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| n.进攻，侵略，侵犯，侵害 | |
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33
slaughter
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| n.屠杀，屠宰；vt.屠杀，宰杀 | |
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34
gulls
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| n.鸥( gull的名词复数 )v.欺骗某人( gull的第三人称单数 ) | |
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35
shaft
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| n.(工具的)柄，杆状物 | |
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36
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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37
alas
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| int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
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38
knight
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| n.骑士，武士；爵士 | |
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39
brawling
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| n.争吵，喧嚷 | |
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40
herd
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| n.兽群，牧群；vt.使集中，把…赶在一起 | |
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41
misused
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| v.使用…不当( misuse的过去式和过去分词 )；把…派作不正当的用途；虐待；滥用 | |
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42
revel
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| vi.狂欢作乐，陶醉；n.作乐，狂欢 | |
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43
follies
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| 罪恶，时事讽刺剧； 愚蠢，蠢笨，愚蠢的行为、思想或做法( folly的名词复数 ) | |
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44
feigned
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| a.假装的，不真诚的 | |
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45
stratagem
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| n.诡计，计谋 | |
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46
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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47
privy
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| adj.私用的；隐密的 | |
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48
provocation
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| n.激怒，刺激，挑拨，挑衅的事物，激怒的原因 | |
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49
calumnies
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| n.诬蔑，诽谤，中伤（的话）( calumny的名词复数 ) | |
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50
inevitable
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| adj.不可避免的，必然发生的 | |
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51
calamities
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| n.灾祸，灾难( calamity的名词复数 )；不幸之事 | |
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52
rue
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| n.懊悔，芸香，后悔；v.后悔，悲伤，懊悔 | |
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53
extrication
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| n.解脱；救出，解脱 | |
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54
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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55
incurable
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|
| adj.不能医治的，不能矫正的，无救的；n.不治的病人，无救的人 | |
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56
amputation
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| n.截肢 | |
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57
awakened
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| v.（使）醒( awaken的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）觉醒；弄醒；（使）意识到 | |
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58
mortified
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| v.使受辱( mortify的过去式和过去分词 )；伤害（人的感情）；克制；抑制（肉体、情感等） | |
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59
unintelligible
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| adj.无法了解的，难解的，莫明其妙的 | |
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60
construe
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| v.翻译，解释 | |
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61
literally
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| adv.照字面意义，逐字地；确实 | |
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62
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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63
confiding
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|
| adj.相信人的，易于相信的v.吐露（秘密，心事等）( confide的现在分词 )；（向某人）吐露（隐私、秘密等） | |
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64
wilful
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| adj.任性的，故意的 | |
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65
nay
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| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
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66
proceeding
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| n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报 | |
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67
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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68
perils
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| 极大危险( peril的名词复数 )； 危险的事（或环境） | |
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69
groan
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| vi./n.呻吟，抱怨；(发出)呻吟般的声音 | |
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70
subsisted
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| v.（靠很少的钱或食物）维持生活，生存下去( subsist的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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71
paternal
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| adj.父亲的，像父亲的，父系的，父方的 | |
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72
apprehensions
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| 疑惧 | |
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73
disposition
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| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
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74
patronage
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| n.赞助，支援，援助；光顾，捧场 | |
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75
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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76
amiable
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|
| adj.和蔼可亲的，友善的，亲切的 | |
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77
ripening
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| v.成熟，使熟( ripen的现在分词 )；熟化；熟成 | |
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78
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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79
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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80
costly
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|
| adj.昂贵的，价值高的，豪华的 | |
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81
redeemed
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|
| adj. 可赎回的，可救赎的 动词redeem的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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82
catching
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|
| adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住 | |
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83
prospects
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| n.希望，前途(恒为复数) | |
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84
worthy
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|
| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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85
remains
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|
| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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86
sullen
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| adj.愠怒的，闷闷不乐的，(天气等)阴沉的 | |
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87
seclusion
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| n.隐遁，隔离 | |
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88
fortress
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| n.堡垒，防御工事 | |
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89
gathering
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| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
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90
feverish
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| adj.发烧的，狂热的，兴奋的 | |
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91
invoking
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| v.援引( invoke的现在分词 )；行使（权利等）；祈求救助；恳求 | |
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92
graceful
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| adj.优美的，优雅的；得体的 | |
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93
discourse
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| n.论文，演说；谈话；话语；vi.讲述，著述 | |
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94
Augmented
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| adj.增音的 动词augment的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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95
bulwark
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| n.堡垒，保障，防御 | |
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96
woe
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| n.悲哀，苦痛，不幸，困难；int.用来表达悲伤或惊慌 | |
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97
incorrigible
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|
| adj.难以纠正的，屡教不改的 | |
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98
impeach
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| v.弹劾；检举 | |
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99
chafed
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| v.擦热（尤指皮肤）( chafe的过去式 )；擦痛；发怒；惹怒 | |
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100
screech
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| n./v.尖叫；(发出)刺耳的声音 | |
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101
owl
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| n.猫头鹰，枭 | |
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102
betokens
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| v.预示，表示( betoken的第三人称单数 ) | |
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103
calamity
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| n.灾害，祸患，不幸事件 | |
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104
highland
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| n.(pl.)高地，山地 | |
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105
disturbances
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| n.骚乱( disturbance的名词复数 )；打扰；困扰；障碍 | |
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106
favourable
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|
| adj.赞成的，称赞的，有利的，良好的，顺利的 | |
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107
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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108
indenture
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| n.契约；合同 | |
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109
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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110
extremity
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| n.末端，尽头；尽力；终极；极度 | |
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111
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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112
condescend
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| v.俯就，屈尊；堕落，丢丑 | |
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113
waive
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| vt.放弃，不坚持(规定、要求、权力等) | |
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114
utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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115
savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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116
savages
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| 未开化的人，野蛮人( savage的名词复数 ) | |
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117
truce
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| n.休战，(争执，烦恼等的)缓和；v.以停战结束 | |
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118
motive
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| n.动机，目的；adv.发动的，运动的 | |
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119
ratify
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| v.批准，认可，追认 | |
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120
adoption
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| n.采用，采纳，通过；收养 | |
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121
esteem
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| n.尊敬，尊重；vt.尊重，敬重；把…看作 | |
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122
commonwealth
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| n.共和国，联邦，共同体 | |
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123
extermination
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| n.消灭，根绝 | |
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124
juvenile
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| n.青少年，少年读物；adj.青少年的，幼稚的 | |
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125
contented
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| adj.满意的，安心的，知足的 | |
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126
Christian
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| adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒 | |
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127
shambles
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| n.混乱之处；废墟 | |
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128
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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129
recollect
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| v.回忆，想起，记起，忆起，记得 | |
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130
obedience
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| n.服从，顺从 | |
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131
exhaustion
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| n.耗尽枯竭，疲惫，筋疲力尽，竭尽，详尽无遗的论述 | |
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132
construed
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| v.解释（陈述、行为等）( construe的过去式和过去分词 )；翻译，作句法分析 | |
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133
ambush
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| n.埋伏(地点)；伏兵；v.埋伏；伏击 | |
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134
behold
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| v.看，注视，看到 | |
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135
wretch
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| n.可怜的人，不幸的人；卑鄙的人 | |
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136
oratory
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| n.演讲术；词藻华丽的言辞 | |
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137
grudge
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| n.不满，怨恨，妒嫉；vt.勉强给，不情愿做 | |
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138
demon
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| n.魔鬼，恶魔 | |
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139
impatience
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| n.不耐烦，急躁 | |
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140
magistrate
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|
| n.地方行政官，地方法官，治安官 | |
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141
magistrates
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| 地方法官，治安官( magistrate的名词复数 ) | |
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142
attire
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| v.穿衣，装扮[同]array；n.衣着；盛装 | |
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143
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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144
pallid
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| adj.苍白的，呆板的 | |
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145
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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146
beheld
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|
| v.看，注视( behold的过去式和过去分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
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147
orphans
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| 孤儿( orphan的名词复数 ) | |
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148
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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149
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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150
vengeance
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| n.报复，报仇，复仇 | |
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151
penury
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| n.贫穷，拮据 | |
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152
stammered
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| v.结巴地说出( stammer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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defendants
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| 被告( defendant的名词复数 ) | |
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sling
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| vt.扔；悬挂；n.挂带；吊索，吊兜；弹弓 | |
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155
crimson
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| n./adj.深(绯)红色(的)；vi.脸变绯红色 | |
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156
premature
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| adj.比预期时间早的；不成熟的，仓促的 | |
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157
celebrated
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| adj.有名的，声誉卓著的 | |
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158
epithet
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| n.（用于褒贬人物等的）表述形容词，修饰语 | |
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159
feudal
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| adj.封建的，封地的，领地的 | |
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160
tyrant
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| n.暴君，专制的君主，残暴的人 | |
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161
countenanced
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| v.支持，赞同，批准( countenance的过去式 ) | |
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162
ordeal
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| n.苦难经历，（尤指对品格、耐力的）严峻考验 | |
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163
lodgings
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| n. 出租的房舍, 寄宿舍 | |
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164
conversed
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| v.交谈，谈话( converse的过去式 ) | |
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defiance
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| n.挑战，挑衅，蔑视，违抗 | |
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166
testimony
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| n.证词；见证，证明 | |
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167
innocence
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| n.无罪；天真；无害 | |
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168
monk
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| n.和尚，僧侣，修道士 | |
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169
knightly
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| adj. 骑士般的 adv. 骑士般地 | |
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170
wilt
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| v.(使)植物凋谢或枯萎；(指人)疲倦，衰弱 | |
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171
purge
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| n.整肃，清除，泻药，净化；vt.净化，清除，摆脱；vi.清除，通便，腹泻，变得清洁 | |
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172
accusation
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| n.控告，指责，谴责 | |
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173
tainted
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| adj.腐坏的；污染的；沾污的；感染的v.使变质( taint的过去式和过去分词 )；使污染；败坏；被污染，腐坏，败坏 | |
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174
obeisance
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| n.鞠躬，敬礼 | |
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175
controversy
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| n.争论，辩论，争吵 | |
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176
verge
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| n.边，边缘；v.接近，濒临 | |
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177
axe
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| n.斧子；v.用斧头砍，削减 | |
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178
precipitately
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| adv.猛进地 | |
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179
regained
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| 复得( regain的过去式和过去分词 )； 赢回； 重回； 复至某地 | |
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collation
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| n.便餐；整理 | |
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