Lo! where he lies embalmed1 in gore2,
His wound to Heaven cries:
The floodgates of his blood implore3
For vengeance4 from the skies.
The High Church of St. John in Perth, being that of the patron saint of the burgh, had been selected by the magistrates7 as that in which the community was likely to have most fair play for the display of the ordeal8. The churches and convents of the Dominicans, Carthusians, and others of the regular clergy9 had been highly endowed by the King and nobles, and therefore it was the universal cry of the city council that “their ain good auld10 St. John,” of whose good graces they thought themselves sure, ought to be fully11 confided13 in, and preferred to the new patrons, for whom the Dominicans, Carthusians, Carmelites, and others had founded newer seats around the Fair City. The disputes between the regular and secular14 clergy added to the jealousy15 which dictated16 this choice of the spot in which Heaven was to display a species of miracle, upon a direct appeal to the divine decision in a case of doubtful guilt17; and the town clerk was as anxious that the church of St. John should be preferred as if there had been a faction18 in the body of saints for and against the interests of the beautiful town of Perth.
Many, therefore, were the petty intrigues19 entered into and disconcerted for the purpose of fixing on the church. But the magistrates, considering it as a matter touching20 in a close degree the honour of the city, determined21, with judicious22 confidence in the justice and impartiality23 of their patron, to confide12 the issue to the influence of St. John.
It was, therefore, after high mass had been performed with the greatest solemnity of which circumstances rendered the ceremony capable, and after the most repeated and fervent24 prayers had been offered to Heaven by the crowded assembly, that preparations were made for appealing to the direct judgment25 of Heaven on the mysterious murder of the unfortunate bonnet26 maker27.
The scene presented that effect of imposing28 solemnity which the rites29 of the Catholic Church are so well qualified30 to produce. The eastern window, richly and variously painted, streamed down a torrent31 of chequered light upon the high altar. On the bier placed before it were stretched the mortal remains32 of the murdered man, his arms folded on his breast, and his palms joined together, with the fingers pointed33 upwards34, as if the senseless clay was itself appealing to Heaven for vengeance against those who had violently divorced the immortal36 spirit from its mangled37 tenement38.
Close to the bier was placed the throne which supported Robert of Scotland and his brother Albany. The Prince sat upon a lower stool, beside his father — an arrangement which occasioned some observation, as, Albany’s seat being little distinguished39 from that of the King, the heir apparent, though of full age, seemed to be degraded beneath his uncle in the sight of the assembled people of Perth. The bier was so placed as to leave the view of the body it sustained open to the greater part of the multitude assembled in the church.
At the head of the bier stood the Knight40 of Kinfauns, the challenger, and at the foot the young Earl of Crawford, as representing the defendant41. The evidence of the Duke of Rothsay in expurgation, as it was termed, of Sir John Ramorny, had exempted42 him from the necessity of attendance as a party subjected to the ordeal; and his illness served as a reason for his remaining at home. His household, including those who, though immediately in waiting upon Sir John, were accounted the Prince’s domestics, and had not yet received their dismissal, amounted to eight or ten persons, most of them esteemed44 men of profligate45 habits, and who might therefore be deemed capable, in the riot of a festival evening, of committing the slaughter46 of the bonnet maker. They were drawn47 up in a row on the left side of the church, and wore a species of white cassock, resembling the dress of a penitentiary48. All eyes being bent49 on them, several of this band seemed so much disconcerted as to excite among the spectators strong prepossessions of their guilt. The real murderer had a countenance50 incapable51 of betraying him — a sullen52, dark look, which neither the feast nor wine cup could enliven, and which the peril53 of discovery and death could not render dejected.
We have already noticed the posture54 of the dead body. The face was bare, as were the breast and arms. The rest of the corpse55 was shrouded56 in a winding57 sheet of the finest linen58, so that, if blood should flow from any place which was covered, it could not fail to be instantly manifest.
High mass having been performed, followed by a solemn invocation to the Deity59, that He would be pleased to protect the innocent, and make known the guilty, Eviot, Sir John Ramorny’s page, was summoned to undergo the ordeal. He advanced with an ill assured step. Perhaps he thought his internal consciousness that Bonthron must have been the assassin might be sufficient to implicate60 him in the murder, though he was not directly accessory to it. He paused before the bier; and his voice faltered61, as he swore by all that was created in seven days and seven nights, by heaven, by hell, by his part of paradise, and by the God and author of all, that he was free and sackless of the bloody62 deed done upon the corpse before which he stood, and on whose breast he made the sign of the cross, in evidence of the appeal. No consequences ensued. The body remained stiff as before, the curdled63 wounds gave no sign of blood.
The citizens looked on each other with faces of blank disappointment. They had persuaded themselves of Eviot’s guilt, and their suspicions had been confirmed by his irresolute64 manner. Their surprise at his escape was therefore extreme. The other followers66 of Ramorny took heart, and advanced to take the oath with a boldness which increased as one by one they performed the ordeal, and were declared, by the voice of the judges, free and innocent of every suspicion attaching to them on account of the death of Oliver Proudfute.
But there was one individual who did not partake that increasing confidence. The name of “Bonthron — Bonthron!” sounded three times through the aisles67 of the church; but he who owned it acknowledged the call no otherwise than by a sort of shuffling68 motion with his feet, as if he had been suddenly affected69 with a fit of the palsy.
“Speak, dog,” whispered Eviot, “or prepare for a dog’s death!”
But the murderer’s brain was so much disturbed by the sight before him, that the judges, beholding70 his deportment, doubted whether to ordain72 him to be dragged before the bier or to pronounce judgment in default; and it was not until he was asked for the last time whether he would submit to the ordeal, that he answered, with his usual brevity:
“I will not; what do I know what juggling73 tricks may be practised to take a poor man’s life? I offer the combat to any man who says I harmed that dead body.”
And, according to usual form, he threw his glove upon the floor of the church.
Henry Smith stepped forward, amidst the murmured applauses of his fellow citizens, which even the august presence could not entirely75 suppress; and, lifting the ruffian’s glove, which he placed in his bonnet, laid down his own in the usual form, as a gage76 of battle. But Bonthron raised it not.
“He is no match for me,” growled77 the savage78, “nor fit to lift my glove. I follow the Prince of Scotland, in attending on his master of horse. This fellow is a wretched mechanic.”
Here the Prince interrupted him. “Thou follow me, caitiff! I discharge thee from my service on the spot. Take him in hand, Smith, and beat him as thou didst never thump80 anvil81! The villain82 is both guilty and recreant83. It sickens me even to look at him; and if my royal father will be ruled by me, he will give the parties two handsome Scottish axes, and we will see which of them turns out the best fellow before the day is half an hour older.”
This was readily assented85 to by the Earl of Crawford and Sir Patrick Charteris, the godfathers of the parties, who, as the combatants were men of inferior rank, agreed that they should fight in steel caps, buff jackets, and with axes, and that as soon as they could be prepared for the combat.
The lists were appointed in the Skinners’ Yards — a neighbouring space of ground, occupied by the corporation from which it had the name, and who quickly cleared a space of about thirty feet by twenty-five for the combatants. Thither86 thronged87 the nobles, priests, and commons — all excepting the old King, who, detesting88 such scenes of blood, retired89 to his residence, and devolved the charge of the field upon the Earl of Errol, Lord High Constable90, to whose office it more particularly belonged. The Duke of Albany watched the whole proceeding91 with a close and wary92 eye. His nephew gave the scene the heedless degree of notice which corresponded with his character.
When the combatants appeared in the lists, nothing could be more striking than the contrast betwixt the manly93, cheerful countenance of the smith, whose sparkling bright eye seemed already beaming with the victory he hoped for, and the sullen, downcast aspect of the brutal94 Bonthron, who looked as if he were some obscene bird, driven into sunshine out of the shelter of its darksome haunts. They made oath severally, each to the truth of his quarrel — a ceremony which Henry Gow performed with serene95 and manly confidence, Bonthron with a dogged resolution, which induced the Duke of Rothsay to say to the High Constable: “Didst thou ever, my dear Errol, behold71 such a mixture of malignity96, cruelty, and I think fear, as in that fellow’s countenance?”
“He is not comely,” said the Earl, “but a powerful knave97 as I have seen.”
“I’ll gage a hogshead of wine with you, my good lord, that he loses the day. Henry the armourer is as strong as he, and much more active; and then look at his bold bearing! There is something in that other fellow that is loathsome98 to look upon. Let them yoke99 presently, my dear Constable, for I am sick of beholding him.”
The High Constable then addressed the widow, who, in her deep weeds, and having her children still beside her, occupied a chair within the lists: “Woman, do you willingly accept of this man, Henry the Smith, to do battle as your champion in this cause?”
“I do — I do, most willingly,” answered Magdalen Proudfute; “and may the blessing100 of God and St. John give him strength and fortune, since he strikes for the orphan101 and fatherless!”
“Then I pronounce this a fenced field of battle,” said the Constable aloud. “Let no one dare, upon peril of his life, to interrupt this combat by word, speech, or look. Sound trumpets102, and fight, combatants!”
The trumpets flourished, and the combatants, advancing from the opposite ends of the lists, with a steady and even pace, looked at each other attentively103, well skilled in judging from the motion of the eye the direction in which a blow was meditated104. They halted opposite to, and within reach of, each other, and in turn made more than one feint to strike, in order to ascertain105 the activity and vigilance of the opponent. At length, whether weary of these manoeuvres, or fearing lest in a contest so conducted his unwieldy strength would be foiled by the activity of the smith, Bonthron heaved up his axe84 for a downright blow, adding the whole strength of his sturdy arms to the weight of the weapon in its descent. The smith, however, avoided the stroke by stepping aside; for it was too forcible to be controlled by any guard which he could have interposed. Ere Bonthron recovered guard, Henry struck him a sidelong blow on the steel headpiece, which prostrated107 him on the ground.
“Confess, or die,” said the victor, placing his foot on the body of the vanquished108, and holding to his throat the point of the axe, which terminated in a spike109 or poniard.
“I will confess,” said the villain, glaring wildly upwards on the sky. “Let me rise.”
“Not till you have yielded,” said Harry110 Smith.
“I do yield,” again murmured Bonthron, and Henry proclaimed aloud that his antagonist111 was defeated.
The Dukes of Rothsay and Albany, the High Constable, and the Dominican prior now entered the lists, and, addressing Bonthron, demanded if he acknowledged himself vanquished.
“I do,” answered the miscreant112.
“And guilty of the murder of Oliver Proudfute?”
“I am; but I mistook him for another.”
“And whom didst thou intend to slay113?” said the prior. “Confess, my son, and merit thy pardon in another world for with this thou hast little more to do.”
“I took the slain114 man,” answered the discomfited115 combatant, “for him whose hand has struck me down, whose foot now presses me.”
“Blessed be the saints!” said the prior; “now all those who doubt the virtue116 of the holy ordeal may have their eyes opened to their error. Lo, he is trapped in the snare117 which he laid for the guiltless.”
“I scarce ever saw the man,” said the smith. “I never did wrong to him or his. Ask him, an it please your reverence118, why he should have thought of slaying119 me treacherously120.”
“It is a fitting question,” answered the prior. “Give glory where it is due, my son, even though it is manifested by thy shame. For what reason wouldst thou have waylaid121 this armourer, who says he never wronged thee?”
“He had wronged him whom I served,” answered Bonthron, “and I meditated the deed by his command.”
“By whose command?” asked the prior.
Bonthron was silent for an instant, then growled out: “He is too mighty122 for me to name.”
“Hearken, my son,” said the churchman; “tarry but a brief hour, and the mighty and the mean of this earth shall to thee alike be empty sounds. The sledge123 is even now preparing to drag thee to the place of execution. Therefore, son, once more I charge thee to consult thy soul’s weal by glorifying124 Heaven, and speaking the truth. Was it thy master, Sir John Ramorny, that stirred thee to so foul125 a deed?”
“No,” answered the prostrate106 villain, “it was a greater than he.” And at the same time he pointed with his finger to the Prince.
“Wretch79!” said the astonished Duke of Rothsay; “do you dare to hint that I was your instigator126?”
“You yourself, my lord,” answered the unblushing ruffian.
“Die in thy falsehood, accursed slave!” said the Prince; and, drawing his sword, he would have pierced his calumniator127, had not the Lord High Constable interposed with word and action.
“Your Grace must forgive my discharging mine office: this caitiff must be delivered into the hands of the executioner. He is unfit to be dealt with by any other, much less by your Highness.”
“What! noble earl,” said Albany aloud, and with much real or affected emotion, “would you let the dog pass alive from hence, to poison the people’s ears with false accusations128 against the Prince of Scotland? I say, cut him to mammocks upon the spot!”
“Your Highness will pardon me,” said the Earl of Errol; “I must protect him till his doom129 is executed.”
“Then let him be gagged instantly,” said Albany. “And you, my royal nephew, why stand you there fixed130 in astonishment131? Call your resolution up — speak to the prisoner — swear — protest by all that is sacred that you knew not of this felon132 deed. See how the people look on each other and whisper apart! My life on’t that this lie spreads faster than any Gospel truth. Speak to them, royal kinsman133, no matter what you say, so you be constant in denial.”
“What, sir,” said Rothsay, starting from his pause of surprise and mortification134, and turning haughtily135 towards his uncle; “would you have me gage my royal word against that of an abject136 recreant? Let those who can believe the son of their sovereign, the descendant of Bruce, capable of laying ambush137 for the life of a poor mechanic, enjoy the pleasure of thinking the villain’s tale true.”
“That will not I for one,” said the smith, bluntly. “I never did aught but what was in honour towards his royal Grace the Duke of Rothsay, and never received unkindness from him in word, look, or deed; and I cannot think he would have given aim to such base practice.”
“Was it in honour that you threw his Highness from the ladder in Curfew Street upon Fastern’s [St. Valentine’s] Even?” said Bonthron; “or think you the favour was received kindly138 or unkindly?”
This was so boldly said, and seemed so plausible139, that it shook the smith’s opinion of the Prince’s innocence140.
“Alas, my lord,” said he, looking sorrowfully towards Rothsay, “could your Highness seek an innocent fellow’s life for doing his duty by a helpless maiden141? I would rather have died in these lists than live to hear it said of the Bruce’s heir!”
“Thou art a good fellow, Smith,” said the Prince; “but I cannot expect thee to judge more wisely than others. Away with that convict to the gallows142, and gibbet him alive an you will, that he may speak falsehood and spread scandal on us to the last prolonged moment of his existence!”
So saying, the Prince turned away from the lists, disdaining143 to notice the gloomy looks cast towards him, as the crowd made slow and reluctant way for him to pass, and expressing neither surprise nor displeasure at a deep, hollow murmur74, or groan144, which accompanied his retreat. Only a few of his own immediate43 followers attended him from the field, though various persons of distinction had come there in his train. Even the lower class of citizens ceased to follow the unhappy Prince, whose former indifferent reputation had exposed him to so many charges of impropriety and levity145, and around whom there seemed now darkening suspicions of the most atrocious nature.
He took his slow and thoughtful way to the church of the Dominicans; but the ill news, which flies proverbially fast, had reached his father’s place of retirement146 before he himself appeared. On entering the palace and inquiring for the King, the Duke of Rothsay was surprised to be informed that he was in deep consultation147 with the Duke of Albany, who, mounting on horseback as the Prince left the lists, had reached the convent before him. He was about to use the privilege of his rank and birth to enter the royal apartment, when MacLouis, the commander of the guard of Brandanes, gave him to understand, in the most respectful terms, that he had special instructions which forbade his admittance.
“Go at least, MacLouis, and let them know that I wait their pleasure,” said the Prince. “If my uncle desires to have the credit of shutting the father’s apartment against the son, it will gratify him to know that I am attending in the outer hall like a lackey148.”
“May it please you,” said MacLouis, with hesitation149, “if your Highness would consent to retire just now, and to wait awhile in patience, I will send to acquaint you when the Duke of Albany goes; and I doubt not that his Majesty150 will then admit your Grace to his presence. At present, your Highness must forgive me, it is impossible you can have access.”
“I understand you, MacLouis; but go, nevertheless, and obey my commands.”
The officer went accordingly, and returned with a message that the King was indisposed, and on the point of retiring to his private chamber151; but that the Duke of Albany would presently wait upon the Prince of Scotland.
It was, however, a full half hour ere the Duke of Albany appeared — a period of time which Rothsay spent partly in moody152 silence, and partly in idle talk with MacLouis and the Brandanes, as the levity or irritability153 of his temper obtained the ascendant.
At length the Duke came, and with him the lord High Constable, whose countenance expressed much sorrow and embarrassment154.
“Fair kinsman,” said the Duke of Albany, “I grieve to say that it is my royal brother’s opinion that it will be best, for the honour of the royal family, that your Royal Highness do restrict yourself for a time to the seclusion155 of the High Constable’s lodgings156, and accept of the noble Earl here present for your principal, if not sole, companion until the scandals which have been this day spread abroad shall be refuted or forgotten.”
“How is this, my lord of Errol?” said the Prince in astonishment. “Is your house to be my jail, and is your lordship to be my jailer?”
“The saints forbid, my lord,” said the Earl of Errol “but it is my unhappy duty to obey the commands of your father, by considering your Royal Highness for some time as being under my ward35.”
“The Prince — the heir of Scotland, under the ward of the High Constable! What reason can be given for this? is the blighting157 speech of a convicted recreant of strength sufficient to tarnish158 my royal escutcheon?”
“While such accusations are not refuted and denied, my kinsman,” said the Duke of Albany, “they will contaminate that of a monarch159.”
“Denied, my lord!” exclaimed the Prince; “by whom are they asserted, save by a wretch too infamous160, even by his own confession161, to be credited for a moment, though a beggar’s character, not a prince’s, were impeached162? Fetch him hither, let the rack be shown to him; you will soon hear him retract163 the calumny164 which he dared to assert!”
“The gibbet has done its work too surely to leave Bonthron sensible to the rack,” said the Duke of Albany. “He has been executed an hour since.”
“And why such haste, my lord?” said the Prince; “know you it looks as if there were practice in it to bring a stain on my name?”
“The custom is universal, the defeated combatant in the ordeal of battle is instantly transferred from the lists to the gallows. And yet, fair kinsman,” continued the Duke of Albany, “if you had boldly and strongly denied the imputation165, I would have judged right to keep the wretch alive for further investigation166; but as your Highness was silent, I deemed it best to stifle167 the scandal in the breath of him that uttered it.”
“St. Mary, my lord, but this is too insulting! Do you, my uncle and kinsman, suppose me guilty of prompting such an useless and. unworthy action as that which the slave confessed?”
“It is not for me to bandy question with your Highness, otherwise I would ask whether you also mean to deny the scarce less unworthy, though less bloody, attack upon the house in Couvrefew Street? Be not angry with me, kinsman; but, indeed, your sequestering169 yourself for some brief space from the court, were it only during the King’s residence in this city, where so much offence has been given, is imperiously demanded.”
Rothsay paused when he heard this exhortation170, and, looking at the Duke in a very marked manner, replied:
“Uncle, you are a good huntsman. You have pitched your toils171 with much skill, but you would have been foiled, not withstanding, had not the stag rushed among the nets of free will. God speed you, and may you have the profit by this matter which your measures deserve. Say to my father, I obey his arrest. My Lord High Constable, I wait only your pleasure to attend you to your lodgings. Since I am to lie in ward, I could not have desired a kinder or more courteous173 warden174.”
The interview between the uncle and nephew being thus concluded, the Prince retired with the Earl of Errol to his apartments; the citizens whom they met in the streets passing to the further side when they observed the Duke of Rothsay, to escape the necessity of saluting175 one whom they had been taught to consider as a ferocious176 as well as unprincipled libertine177. The Constable’s lodgings received the owner and his princely guest, both glad to leave the streets, yet neither feeling easy in the situation which they occupied with regard to each other within doors.
We must return to the lists after the combat had ceased, and when the nobles had withdrawn178. The crowds were now separated into two distinct bodies. That which made the smallest in number was at the same time the most distinguished for respectability, consisting of the better class of inhabitants of Perth, who were congratulating the successful champion and each other upon the triumphant179 conclusion to which they had brought their feud180 with the courtiers. The magistrates were so much elated on the occasion, that they entreated181 Sir Patrick Charteris’s acceptance of a collation182 in the town hall. To this Henry, the hero of the day, was of course invited, or he was rather commanded to attend. He listened to the summons with great embarrassment, for it may be readily believed his heart was with Catharine Glover. But the advice of his father Simon decided183 him. That veteran citizen had a natural and becoming deference185 for the magistracy of the Fair City; he entertained a high estimation of all honours which flowed from such a source, and thought that his intended son in law would do wrong not to receive them with gratitude186.
“Thou must not think to absent thyself from such a solemn occasion, son Henry,” was his advice. “Sir Patrick Charteris is to be there himself, and I think it will be a rare occasion for thee to gain his goodwill187. It is like he may order of thee a new suit of harness; and I myself heard worthy168 Bailie Craigdallie say there was a talk of furbishing up the city’s armoury. Thou must not neglect the good trade, now that thou takest on thee an expensive family.”
“Tush, father Glover,” answered the embarrassed victor, “I lack no custom; and thou knowest there is Catharine, who may wonder at my absence, and have her ear abused once more by tales of glee maidens188 and I wot not what.”
“Fear not for that,” said the glover, “but go, like an obedient burgess, where thy betters desire to have thee. I do not deny that it will cost thee some trouble to make thy peace with Catharine about this duel189; for she thinks herself wiser in such matters than king and council, kirk and canons, provost and bailies. But I will take up the quarrel with her myself, and will so work for thee, that, though she may receive thee tomorrow with somewhat of a chiding190, it shall melt into tears and smiles, like an April morning, that begins with a mild shower. Away with thee, then, my son, and be constant to the time, tomorrow morning after mass.”
The smith, though reluctantly, was obliged to defer184 to the reasoning of his proposed father in law, and, once determined to accept the honour destined191 for him by the fathers of the city, he extricated192 himself from the crowd, and hastened home to put on his best apparel; in which he presently afterwards repaired to the council house, where the ponderous193 oak table seemed to bend under the massy dishes of choice Tay salmon194 and delicious sea fish from Dundee, being the dainties which the fasting season permitted, whilst neither wine, ale, nor metheglin were wanting to wash them down. The waits, or minstrels of the burgh, played during the repast, and in the intervals195 of the music one of them recited With great emphasis a long poetical196 account of the battle of Blackearnside, fought by Sir William Wallace and his redoubted captain and friend, Thomas of Longueville, against the English general Seward — a theme perfectly197 familiar to all the guests, who, nevertheless, more tolerant than their descendants, listened as if it had all the zest199 of novelty. It was complimentary200 to the ancestor of the Knight of Kinfauns, doubtless, and to other Perthshire families, in passages which the audience applauded vociferously201, whilst they pledged each other in mighty draughts202 to the memory of the heroes who had fought by the side of the Champion of Scotland. The health of Henry Wynd was quaffed203 with repeated shouts, and the provost announced publicly, that the magistrates were consulting how they might best invest him with some distinguished privilege or honorary reward, to show how highly his fellow citizens valued his courageous204 exertions205.
“Nay, take it not thus, an it like your worships,” said the smith, with his usual blunt manner, “lest men say that valour must be rare in Perth when they reward a man for fighting for the right of a forlorn widow. I am sure there are many scores of stout206 burghers in the town who would have done this day’s dargue as well or better than I. For, in good sooth, I ought to have cracked yonder fellow’s head piece like an earthen pipkin — ay, and would have done it, too, if it had not been one which I myself tempered for Sir John Ramorny. But, an the Fair City think my service of any worth, I will conceive it far more than acquitted207 by any aid which you may afford from the common good to the support of the widow Magdalen and her poor orphans208.”
“That may well be done,” said Sir Patrick Charteris, “and yet leave the Fair City rich enough to pay her debts to Henry Wynd, of which every man of us is a better judge than him self, who is blinded with an unavailing nicety, which men call modesty209. And if the burgh be too poor for this, the provost will bear his share. The Rover’s golden angels have not all taken flight yet.”
The beakers were now circulated, under the name of a cup of comfort to the widow, and anon flowed around once more to the happy memory of the murdered Oliver, now so bravely avenged210. In short, it was a feast so jovial211 that all agreed nothing was wanting to render it perfect but the presence of the bonnet maker himself, whose calamity212 had occasioned the meeting, and who had usually furnished the standing172 jest at such festive213 assemblies. Had his attendance been possible, it was drily observed by Bailie Craigdallie, he would certainly have claimed the success of the day, and vouched214 himself the avenger215 of his own murder.
At the sound of the vesper bell the company broke up, some of the graver sort going to evening prayers, where, with half shut eyes and shining countenances216, they made a most orthodox and edifying217 portion of a Lenten congregation; others to their own homes, to tell over the occurrences of the fight and feast, for the information of the family circle; and some, doubtless, to the licensed218 freedoms of some tavern219, the door of which Lent did not keep so close shut as the forms of the church required. Henry returned to the wynd, warm with the good wine and the applause of his fellow citizens, and fell asleep to dream of perfect happiness and Catharine Glover.
We have said that, when the combat was decided, the spectators were divided into two bodies. Of these, when the more respectable portion attended the victor in joyous220 procession, much the greater number, or what might be termed the rabble221, waited upon the subdued222 and sentenced Bonthron, who was travelling in a different direction, and for a very opposite purpose. Whatever may be thought of the comparative attractions of the house of mourning and of feasting under other circumstances, there can be little doubt which will draw most visitors, when the question is, whether we would witness miseries223 which we are not to share, or festivities of which we are not to partake. Accordingly, the tumbril in which the criminal was conveyed to execution was attended by far the greater proportion of the inhabitants of Perth.
A friar was seated in the same car with the murderer, to whom he did not hesitate to repeat, under the seal of confession, the same false asseveration which he had made upon the place of combat, which charged the Duke of Rothsay with being director of the ambuscade by which the unfortunate bonnet maker had suffered. The same falsehood he disseminated224 among the crowd, averring225, with unblushing effrontery226, to those who were nighest to the car, that he owed his death to his having been willing to execute the Duke of Rothsay’s pleasure. For a time he repeated these words, sullenly227 and doggedly228, in the manner of one reciting a task, or a liar198 who endeavours by reiteration229 to obtain a credit for his words which he is internally sensible they do not deserve. But when he lifted up his eyes, and beheld230 in the distance the black outline of a gallows, at least forty feet high, with its ladder and its fatal cord, rising against the horizon, he became suddenly silent, and the friar could observe that he trembled very much.
“Be comforted, my son,” said the good priest, “you have confessed the truth, and received absolution. Your penitence231 will be accepted according to your sincerity232; and though you have been a man of bloody hands and cruel heart, yet, by the church’s prayers, you shall be in due time assoilzied from the penal233 fires of purgatory234.”
These assurances were calculated rather to augment235 than to diminish the terrors of the culprit, who was agitated236 by doubts whether the mode suggested for his preservation237 from death would to a certainty be effectual, and some suspicion whether there was really any purpose of employing them in his favour, for he knew his master well enough to be aware of the indifference238 with which he would sacrifice one who might on some future occasion be a dangerous evidence against him.
His doom, however, was sealed, and there was no escaping from it. They slowly approached the fatal tree, which was erected239 on a bank by the river’s side, about half a mile from the walls of the city — a site chosen that the body of the wretch, which was to remain food for the carrion240 crows, might be seen from a distance in every direction. Here the priest delivered Bonthron to the executioner, by whom he was assisted up the ladder, and to all appearance despatched according to the usual forms of the law. He seemed to struggle for life for a minute, but soon after hung still and inanimate. The executioner, after remaining upon duty for more than half an hour, as if to permit the last spark of life to be extinguished, announced to the admirers of such spectacles that the irons for the permanent suspension of the carcass not having been got ready, the concluding ceremony of disembowelling the dead body and attaching it finally to the gibbet would be deferred241 till the next morning at sunrise.
Notwithstanding the early hour which he had named, Master Smotherwell had a reasonable attendance of rabble at the place of execution, to see the final proceedings242 of justice with its victim. But great was the astonishment and resentment243 of these amateurs to find that the dead body had been removed from the gibbet. They were not, however, long at a loss to guess the cause of its disappearance244. Bonthron had been the follower65 of a baron245 whose estates lay in Fife, and was himself a native of that province. What was more natural than that some of the Fife men, whose boats were frequently plying246 on the river, should have clandestinely247 removed the body of their countryman from the place of public shame? The crowd vented248 their rage against Smotherwell for not completing his job on the preceding evening; and had not he and his assistant betaken themselves to a boat, and escaped across the Tay, they would have run some risk of being pelted249 to death. The event, however, was too much in the spirit of the times to be much wondered at. Its real cause we shall explain in the following chapter.
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1
embalmed
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| adj.用防腐药物保存（尸体）的v.保存（尸体）不腐( embalm的过去式和过去分词 )；使不被遗忘；使充满香气 | |
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2
gore
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| n.凝血，血污；v.（动物）用角撞伤，用牙刺破；缝以补裆；顶 | |
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implore
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| vt.乞求，恳求，哀求 | |
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vengeance
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| n.报复，报仇，复仇 | |
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Uranus
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| n.天王星 | |
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psyche
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| n.精神；灵魂 | |
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magistrates
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| 地方法官，治安官( magistrate的名词复数 ) | |
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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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clergy
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| n.[总称]牧师，神职人员 | |
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auld
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| adj.老的，旧的 | |
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fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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confide
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| v.向某人吐露秘密 | |
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confided
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| v.吐露（秘密，心事等）( confide的过去式和过去分词 )；（向某人）吐露（隐私、秘密等） | |
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secular
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| n.牧师，凡人；adj.世俗的，现世的，不朽的 | |
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jealousy
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| n.妒忌，嫉妒，猜忌 | |
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dictated
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| v.大声讲或读( dictate的过去式和过去分词 )；口授；支配；摆布 | |
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guilt
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| n.犯罪；内疚；过失，罪责 | |
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faction
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| n.宗派，小集团；派别；派系斗争 | |
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intrigues
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| n.密谋策划( intrigue的名词复数 )；神秘气氛；引人入胜的复杂情节v.搞阴谋诡计( intrigue的第三人称单数 )；激起…的好奇心 | |
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touching
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| adj.动人的，使人感伤的 | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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judicious
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| adj.明智的，明断的，能作出明智决定的 | |
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impartiality
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| n. 公平, 无私, 不偏 | |
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fervent
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| adj.热的，热烈的，热情的 | |
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25
judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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26
bonnet
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| n.无边女帽；童帽 | |
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maker
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| n.制造者，制造商 | |
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imposing
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| adj.使人难忘的，壮丽的，堂皇的，雄伟的 | |
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rites
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| 仪式，典礼( rite的名词复数 ) | |
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qualified
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| adj.合格的，有资格的，胜任的，有限制的 | |
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torrent
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| n.激流，洪流；爆发，(话语等的)连发 | |
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remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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upwards
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| adv.向上，在更高处...以上 | |
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ward
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| n.守卫，监护，病房，行政区，由监护人或法院保护的人（尤指儿童）；vt.守护，躲开 | |
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36
immortal
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| adj.不朽的；永生的，不死的；神的 | |
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mangled
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| vt.乱砍（mangle的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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tenement
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| n.公寓；房屋 | |
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39
distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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40
knight
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| n.骑士，武士；爵士 | |
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41
defendant
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| n.被告；adj.处于被告地位的 | |
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42
exempted
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| 使免除[豁免]( exempt的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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43
immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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44
esteemed
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| adj.受人尊敬的v.尊敬( esteem的过去式和过去分词 )；敬重；认为；以为 | |
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45
profligate
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| adj.行为不检的；n.放荡的人，浪子，肆意挥霍者 | |
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46
slaughter
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| n.屠杀，屠宰；vt.屠杀，宰杀 | |
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47
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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48
penitentiary
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| n.感化院；监狱 | |
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49
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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50
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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51
incapable
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| adj.无能力的，不能做某事的 | |
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52
sullen
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| adj.愠怒的，闷闷不乐的，(天气等)阴沉的 | |
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53
peril
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| n.(严重的)危险；危险的事物 | |
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54
posture
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| n.姿势，姿态，心态，态度；v.作出某种姿势 | |
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55
corpse
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| n.尸体，死尸 | |
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56
shrouded
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| v.隐瞒( shroud的过去式和过去分词 )；保密 | |
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57
winding
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| n.绕，缠，绕组，线圈 | |
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58
linen
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| n.亚麻布，亚麻线，亚麻制品；adj.亚麻布制的，亚麻的 | |
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59
deity
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| n.神，神性；被奉若神明的人(或物) | |
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60
implicate
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| vt.使牵连其中，涉嫌 | |
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61
faltered
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| （嗓音）颤抖( falter的过去式和过去分词 )； 支吾其词； 蹒跚； 摇晃 | |
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62
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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63
curdled
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| v.（使）凝结( curdle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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64
irresolute
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| adj.无决断的，优柔寡断的，踌躇不定的 | |
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65
follower
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| n.跟随者；随员；门徒；信徒 | |
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66
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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67
aisles
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| n. (席位间的)通道, 侧廊 | |
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68
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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69
affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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70
beholding
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| v.看，注视( behold的现在分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
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71
behold
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| v.看，注视，看到 | |
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72
ordain
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| vi.颁发命令；vt.命令，授以圣职，注定，任命 | |
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73
juggling
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| n. 欺骗, 杂耍(=jugglery) adj. 欺骗的, 欺诈的 动词juggle的现在分词 | |
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74
murmur
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| n.低语，低声的怨言；v.低语，低声而言 | |
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75
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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76
gage
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| n.标准尺寸，规格；量规，量表 [=gauge] | |
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77
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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78
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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79
wretch
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| n.可怜的人，不幸的人；卑鄙的人 | |
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80
thump
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| v.重击，砰然地响；n.重击，重击声 | |
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81
anvil
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| n.铁钻 | |
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82
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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83
recreant
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| n.懦夫；adj.胆怯的 | |
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84
axe
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| n.斧子；v.用斧头砍，削减 | |
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85
assented
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| 同意，赞成( assent的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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86
thither
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| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
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87
thronged
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| v.成群，挤满( throng的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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88
detesting
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| v.憎恶，嫌恶，痛恨( detest的现在分词 ) | |
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89
retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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90
constable
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| n.(英国)警察，警官 | |
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91
proceeding
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| n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报 | |
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92
wary
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| adj.谨慎的，机警的，小心的 | |
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93
manly
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| adj.有男子气概的；adv.男子般地，果断地 | |
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94
brutal
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| adj.残忍的，野蛮的，不讲理的 | |
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95
serene
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| adj. 安详的，宁静的，平静的 | |
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96
malignity
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| n.极度的恶意，恶毒；（病的）恶性 | |
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97
knave
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| n.流氓；（纸牌中的）杰克 | |
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98
loathsome
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| adj.讨厌的，令人厌恶的 | |
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99
yoke
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| n.轭；支配；v.给...上轭，连接，使成配偶 | |
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100
blessing
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| n.祈神赐福；祷告；祝福，祝愿 | |
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101
orphan
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| n.孤儿；adj.无父母的 | |
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102
trumpets
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| 喇叭( trumpet的名词复数 )； 小号； 喇叭形物； （尤指）绽开的水仙花 | |
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103
attentively
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| adv.聚精会神地；周到地；谛；凝神 | |
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104
meditated
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| 深思，沉思，冥想( meditate的过去式和过去分词 )； 内心策划，考虑 | |
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105
ascertain
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| vt.发现，确定，查明，弄清 | |
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106
prostrate
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| v.拜倒，平卧，衰竭；adj.拜倒的，平卧的，衰竭的 | |
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107
prostrated
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| v.使俯伏，使拜倒( prostrate的过去式和过去分词 )；（指疾病、天气等）使某人无能为力 | |
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108
vanquished
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| v.征服( vanquish的过去式和过去分词 )；战胜；克服；抑制 | |
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109
spike
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| n.长钉，钉鞋；v.以大钉钉牢，使...失效 | |
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110
harry
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| vt.掠夺，蹂躏，使苦恼 | |
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111
antagonist
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| n.敌人，对抗者，对手 | |
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112
miscreant
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| n.恶棍 | |
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113
slay
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| v.杀死，宰杀，杀戮 | |
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114
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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115
discomfited
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| v.使为难( discomfit的过去式和过去分词)；使狼狈；使挫折；挫败 | |
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116
virtue
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| n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力 | |
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117
snare
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| n.陷阱，诱惑，圈套；（去除息肉或者肿瘤的）勒除器；响弦，小军鼓；vt.以陷阱捕获，诱惑 | |
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118
reverence
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| n.敬畏，尊敬，尊严；Reverence:对某些基督教神职人员的尊称；v.尊敬，敬畏，崇敬 | |
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119
slaying
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| 杀戮。 | |
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120
treacherously
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| 背信弃义地； 背叛地； 靠不住地； 危险地 | |
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121
waylaid
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| v.拦截，拦路( waylay的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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122
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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123
sledge
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| n.雪橇，大锤；v.用雪橇搬运，坐雪橇往 | |
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124
glorifying
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| 赞美( glorify的现在分词 )； 颂扬； 美化； 使光荣 | |
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125
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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126
instigator
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| n.煽动者 | |
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127
calumniator
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| n.中伤者，诽谤者 | |
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128
accusations
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| n.指责( accusation的名词复数 )；指控；控告；（被告发、控告的）罪名 | |
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129
doom
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| n.厄运，劫数；v.注定，命定 | |
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130
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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131
astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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132
felon
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| n.重罪犯；adj.残忍的 | |
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133
kinsman
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| n.男亲属 | |
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134
mortification
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| n.耻辱，屈辱 | |
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135
haughtily
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| adv. 傲慢地, 高傲地 | |
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136
abject
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| adj.极可怜的，卑屈的 | |
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137
ambush
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| n.埋伏(地点)；伏兵；v.埋伏；伏击 | |
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138
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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139
plausible
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| adj.似真实的，似乎有理的，似乎可信的 | |
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140
innocence
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| n.无罪；天真；无害 | |
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141
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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142
gallows
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| n.绞刑架，绞台 | |
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143
disdaining
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| 鄙视( disdain的现在分词 )； 不屑于做，不愿意做 | |
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144
groan
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| vi./n.呻吟，抱怨；(发出)呻吟般的声音 | |
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145
levity
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| n.轻率，轻浮，不稳定，多变 | |
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146
retirement
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| n.退休，退职 | |
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147
consultation
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| n.咨询；商量；商议；会议 | |
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148
lackey
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| n.侍从；跟班 | |
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149
hesitation
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| n.犹豫，踌躇 | |
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150
majesty
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| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
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151
chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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152
moody
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| adj.心情不稳的，易怒的，喜怒无常的 | |
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153
irritability
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| n.易怒 | |
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154
embarrassment
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| n.尴尬；使人为难的人(事物)；障碍；窘迫 | |
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155
seclusion
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| n.隐遁，隔离 | |
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156
lodgings
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| n. 出租的房舍, 寄宿舍 | |
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157
blighting
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| 使凋萎( blight的现在分词 )； 使颓丧； 损害； 妨害 | |
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158
tarnish
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| n.晦暗，污点；vt.使失去光泽；玷污 | |
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159
monarch
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| n.帝王，君主，最高统治者 | |
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160
infamous
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| adj.声名狼藉的，臭名昭著的，邪恶的 | |
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161
confession
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| n.自白，供认，承认 | |
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162
impeached
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| v.控告（某人）犯罪( impeach的过去式和过去分词 )；弹劾；对（某事物）怀疑；提出异议 | |
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163
retract
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| vt.缩回，撤回收回，取消 | |
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164
calumny
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| n.诽谤，污蔑，中伤 | |
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165
imputation
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| n.归罪，责难 | |
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166
investigation
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| n.调查，调查研究 | |
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167
stifle
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| vt.使窒息；闷死；扼杀；抑止，阻止 | |
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168
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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169
sequestering
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| v.使隔绝，使隔离( sequester的现在分词 )；扣押 | |
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170
exhortation
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| n.劝告，规劝 | |
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171
toils
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| 网 | |
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172
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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173
courteous
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| adj.彬彬有礼的，客气的 | |
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174
warden
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| n.监察员，监狱长，看守人，监护人 | |
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175
saluting
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| v.欢迎，致敬( salute的现在分词 )；赞扬，赞颂 | |
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176
ferocious
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| adj.凶猛的，残暴的，极度的，十分强烈的 | |
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177
libertine
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| n.淫荡者；adj.放荡的，自由思想的 | |
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178
withdrawn
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| vt.收回；使退出；vi.撤退，退出 | |
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179
triumphant
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| adj.胜利的，成功的；狂欢的，喜悦的 | |
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180
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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181
entreated
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| 恳求，乞求( entreat的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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182
collation
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| n.便餐；整理 | |
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183
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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184
defer
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| vt.推迟，拖延；vi.(to)遵从，听从，服从 | |
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185
deference
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| n.尊重，顺从；敬意 | |
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186
gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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187
goodwill
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| n.善意，亲善，信誉，声誉 | |
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188
maidens
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| 处女( maiden的名词复数 )； 少女； 未婚女子； （板球运动）未得分的一轮投球 | |
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189
duel
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| n./v.决斗；(双方的)斗争 | |
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190
chiding
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| v.责骂，责备( chide的现在分词 ) | |
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191
destined
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| adj.命中注定的；(for)以…为目的地的 | |
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192
extricated
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| v.使摆脱困难，脱身( extricate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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193
ponderous
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| adj.沉重的，笨重的，(文章)冗长的 | |
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194
salmon
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| n.鲑，大马哈鱼，橙红色的 | |
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195
intervals
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| n.[军事]间隔( interval的名词复数 )；间隔时间；[数学]区间；（戏剧、电影或音乐会的）幕间休息 | |
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196
poetical
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| adj.似诗人的；诗一般的；韵文的；富有诗意的 | |
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197
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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198
liar
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| n.说谎的人 | |
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199
zest
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| n.乐趣；滋味，风味；兴趣 | |
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200
complimentary
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| adj.赠送的，免费的，赞美的，恭维的 | |
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201
vociferously
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| adv.喊叫地，吵闹地 | |
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202
draughts
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| n. <英>国际跳棋 | |
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203
quaffed
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| v.痛饮( quaff的过去式和过去分词 )；畅饮；大口大口将…喝干；一饮而尽 | |
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204
courageous
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| adj.勇敢的，有胆量的 | |
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205
exertions
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| n.努力( exertion的名词复数 )；费力；（能力、权力等的）运用；行使 | |
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207
acquitted
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| 宣判…无罪( acquit的过去式和过去分词 )； 使（自己）作出某种表现 | |
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208
orphans
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| 孤儿( orphan的名词复数 ) | |
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209
modesty
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| n.谦逊，虚心，端庄，稳重，羞怯，朴素 | |
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210
avenged
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| v.为…复仇，报…之仇( avenge的过去式和过去分词 )；为…报复 | |
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211
jovial
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| adj.快乐的，好交际的 | |
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212
calamity
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| n.灾害，祸患，不幸事件 | |
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213
festive
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| adj.欢宴的，节日的 | |
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214
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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215
avenger
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| n. 复仇者 | |
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216
countenances
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| n.面容( countenance的名词复数 )；表情；镇静；道义支持 | |
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217
edifying
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| adj.有教训意味的，教训性的，有益的v.开导，启发( edify的现在分词 ) | |
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218
licensed
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| adj.得到许可的v.许可，颁发执照(license的过去式和过去分词) | |
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219
tavern
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| n.小旅馆，客栈；小酒店 | |
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220
joyous
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| adj.充满快乐的；令人高兴的 | |
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221
rabble
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| n.乌合之众，暴民；下等人 | |
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222
subdued
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| adj. 屈服的，柔和的，减弱的 动词subdue的过去式和过去分词 | |
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223
miseries
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| n.痛苦( misery的名词复数 )；痛苦的事；穷困；常发牢骚的人 | |
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224
disseminated
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| 散布，传播( disseminate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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225
averring
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| v.断言( aver的现在分词 )；证实；证明…属实；作为事实提出 | |
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226
effrontery
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| n.厚颜无耻 | |
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227
sullenly
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| 不高兴地，绷着脸，忧郁地 | |
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228
doggedly
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| adv.顽强地，固执地 | |
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229
reiteration
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| n. 重覆, 反覆, 重说 | |
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230
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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231
penitence
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| n.忏悔，赎罪；悔过 | |
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232
sincerity
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| n.真诚，诚意；真实 | |
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233
penal
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| adj.刑罚的；刑法上的 | |
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234
purgatory
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| n.炼狱；苦难；adj.净化的，清洗的 | |
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235
augment
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| vt.(使)增大，增加，增长，扩张 | |
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236
agitated
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| adj.被鼓动的，不安的 | |
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237
preservation
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| n.保护，维护，保存，保留，保持 | |
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238
indifference
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| n.不感兴趣，不关心，冷淡，不在乎 | |
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239
ERECTED
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| adj. 直立的，竖立的，笔直的 vt. 使 ... 直立，建立 | |
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240
carrion
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| n.腐肉 | |
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241
deferred
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|
| adj.延期的，缓召的v.拖延，延缓，推迟( defer的过去式和过去分词 )；服从某人的意愿，遵从 | |
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242
proceedings
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| n.进程，过程，议程；诉讼(程序)；公报 | |
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243
resentment
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| n.怨愤，忿恨 | |
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244
disappearance
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| n.消失，消散，失踪 | |
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245
baron
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| n.男爵；(商业界等)巨头，大王 | |
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246
plying
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| v.使用（工具）( ply的现在分词 )；经常供应（食物、饮料）；固定往来；经营生意 | |
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247
clandestinely
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| adv.秘密地，暗中地 | |
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248
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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pelted
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| （连续地）投掷( pelt的过去式和过去分词 )； 连续抨击； 攻击； 剥去…的皮 | |
参考例句： |
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