(But all his craft ye must not wot of me,
And somewhat help I yet to his working),
That all the ground on which we ben riding,
Till that we come to Canterbury town,
He can all clean turnen so up so down,
And pave it all of silver and of gold.
The Canon’s Yeoman’s Prologue1, Canterbury Tales.
The artist commenced his narrative2 in the following terms:—
“I was bred a blacksmith, and knew my art as well as e’er a black-thumbed, leathern-aproned, swart-faced knave3 of that noble mystery. But I tired of ringing hammer-tunes on iron stithies, and went out into the world, where I became acquainted with a celebrated5 juggler6, whose fingers had become rather too stiff for legerdemain7, and who wished to have the aid of an apprentice8 in his noble mystery. I served him for six years, until I was master of my trade — I refer myself to your worship, whose judgment9 cannot be disputed, whether I did not learn to ply10 the craft indifferently well?”
“Excellently,” said Tressilian; “but be brief.”
“It was not long after I had performed at Sir Hugh Robsart’s, in your worship’s presence,” said the artist, “that I took myself to the stage, and have swaggered with the bravest of them all, both at the Black Bull, the Globe, the Fortune, and elsewhere; but I know not how — apples were so plenty that year that the lads in the twopenny gallery never took more than one bite out of them, and threw the rest of the pippin at whatever actor chanced to be on the stage. So I tired of it — renounced11 my half share in the company, gave my foil to my comrade, my buskins to the wardrobe, and showed the theatre a clean pair of heels.”
“Well, friend, and what,” said Tressilian, “was your next shift?”
“I became,” said the smith, “half partner, half domestic to a man of much skill and little substance, who practised the trade of a physicianer.”
“In other words,” said Tressilian, “you were Jack12 Pudding to a quacksalver.”
“Something beyond that, let me hope, my good Master Tressilian,” replied the artist; “and yet to say truth, our practice was of an adventurous13 description, and the pharmacy15 which I had acquired in my first studies for the benefit of horses was frequently applied16 to our human patients. But the seeds of all maladies are the same; and if turpentine, tar17, pitch, and beef-suet, mingled18 with turmerick, gum-mastick, and one bead19 of garlick, can cure the horse that hath been grieved with a nail, I see not but what it may benefit the man that hath been pricked20 with a sword. But my master’s practice, as well as his skill, went far beyond mine, and dealt in more dangerous concerns. He was not only a bold, adventurous practitioner21 in physic, but also, if your pleasure so chanced to be, an adept22 who read the stars, and expounded23 the fortunes of mankind, genethliacally, as he called it, or otherwise. He was a learned distiller of simples, and a profound chemist — made several efforts to fix mercury, and judged himself to have made a fair hit at the philosopher’s stone. I have yet a programme of his on that subject, which, if your honour understandeth, I believe you have the better, not only of all who read, but also of him who wrote it.”
He gave Tressilian a scroll24 of parchment, bearing at top and bottom, and down the margin25, the signs of the seven planets, curiously26 intermingled with talismanical characters and scraps27 of Greek and Hebrew. In the midst were some Latin verses from a cabalistical author, written out so fairly, that even the gloom of the place did not prevent Tressilian from reading them. The tenor28 of the original ran as follows:-
“Si fixum solvas, faciasque volare solutum,
Et volucrem figas, facient te vivere tutum;
Si pariat ventum, valet auri pondere centum;
Ventus ubi vult spirat — Capiat qui capere potest.”
“I protest to you,” said Tressilian, “all I understand of this jargon30 is that the last words seem to mean ‘Catch who catch can.’”
“That,” said the smith, “is the very principle that my worthy31 friend and master, Doctor Doboobie, always acted upon; until, being besotted with his own imaginations, and conceited32 of his high chemical skill, he began to spend, in cheating himself, the money which he had acquired in cheating others, and either discovered or built for himself, I could never know which, this secret elaboratory, in which he used to seclude33 himself both from patients and disciples34, who doubtless thought his long and mysterious absences from his ordinary residence in the town of Farringdon were occasioned by his progress in the mystic sciences, and his intercourse35 with the invisible world. Me also he tried to deceive; but though I contradicted him not, he saw that I knew too much of his secrets to be any longer a safe companion. Meanwhile, his name waxed famous — or rather infamous36, and many of those who resorted to him did so under persuasion37 that he was a sorcerer. And yet his supposed advance in the occult sciences drew to him the secret resort of men too powerful to be named, for purposes too dangerous to be mentioned. Men cursed and threatened him, and bestowed38 on me, the innocent assistant of his studies, the nickname of the Devil’s foot-post, which procured39 me a volley of stones as soon as ever I ventured to show my face in the street of the village. At length my master suddenly disappeared, pretending to me that he was about to visit his elaboratory in this place, and forbidding me to disturb him till two days were past. When this period had elapsed, I became anxious, and resorted to this vault40, where I found the fires extinguished and the utensils41 in confusion, with a note from the learned Doboobius, as he was wont42 to style himself, acquainting me that we should never meet again, bequeathing me his chemical apparatus43, and the parchment which I have just put into your hands, advising me strongly to prosecute44 the secret which it contained, which would infallibly lead me to the discovery of the grand magisterium.”
“And didst thou follow this sage45 advice?” said Tressilian.
“Worshipful sir, no,” replied the smith; “for, being by nature cautious, and suspicious from knowing with whom I had to do, I made so many perquisitions before I ventured even to light a fire, that I at length discovered a small barrel of gunpowder46, carefully hid beneath the furnace, with the purpose, no doubt, that as soon as I should commence the grand work of the transmutation of metals, the explosion should transmute48 the vault and all in it into a heap of ruins, which might serve at once for my slaughter-house and my grave. This cured me of alchemy, and fain would I have returned to the honest hammer and anvil49; but who would bring a horse to be shod by the Devil’s post? Meantime, I had won the regard of my honest Flibbertigibbet here, he being then at Farringdon with his master, the sage Erasmus Holiday, by teaching him a few secrets, such as please youth at his age; and after much counsel together, we agreed that, since I could get no practice in the ordinary way, I should try how I could work out business among these ignorant boors50, by practising upon their silly fears; and, thanks to Flibbertigibbet, who hath spread my renown51, I have not wanted custom. But it is won at too great risk, and I fear I shall be at length taken up for a wizard; so that I seek but an opportunity to leave this vault, when I can have the protection of some worshipful person against the fury of the populace, in case they chance to recognize me.”
“And art thou,” said Tressilian, “perfectly acquainted with the roads in this country?”
“I could ride them every inch by midnight,” answered Wayland Smith, which was the name this adept had assumed.
“Thou hast no horse to ride upon,” said Tressilian.
“Pardon me,” replied Wayland; “I have as good a tit as ever yeoman bestrode; and I forgot to say it was the best part of the mediciner’s legacy52 to me, excepting one or two of the choicest of his medical secrets, which I picked up without his knowledge and against his will.”
“Get thyself washed and shaved, then,” said Tressilian; “reform thy dress as well as thou canst, and fling away these grotesque53 trappings; and, so thou wilt54 be secret and faithful, thou shalt follow me for a short time, till thy pranks56 here are forgotten. Thou hast, I think, both address and courage, and I have matter to do that may require both.”
Wayland Smith eagerly embraced the proposal, and protested his devotion to his new master. In a very few minutes he had made so great an alteration57 in his original appearance, by change of dress, trimming his beard and hair, and so forth58, that Tressilian could not help remarking that he thought he would stand in little need of a protector, since none of his old acquaintance were likely to recognize him.
“My debtors59 would not pay me money,” said Wayland, shaking his head; “but my creditors60 of every kind would be less easily blinded. And, in truth, I hold myself not safe, unless under the protection of a gentleman of birth and character, as is your worship.”
So saying, he led the way out of the cavern61. He then called loudly for Hobgoblin, who, after lingering for an instant, appeared with the horse furniture, when Wayland closed and sedulously62 covered up the trap-door, observing it might again serve him at his need, besides that the tools were worth somewhat. A whistle from the owner brought to his side a nag63 that fed quietly on the common, and was accustomed to the signal.
While he accoutred him for the journey, Tressilian drew his own girths tighter, and in a few minutes both were ready to mount.
At this moment Sludge approached to bid them farewell.
“You are going to leave me, then, my old playfellow,” said the boy; “and there is an end of all our game at bo-peep with the cowardly lubbards whom I brought hither to have their broad-footed nags64 shed by the devil and his imps65?”
“It is even so,” said Wayland Smith, “the best friends must part, Flibbertigibbet; but thou, my boy, art the only thing in the Vale of Whitehorse which I shall regret to leave behind me.”
“Well, I bid thee not farewell,” said Dickie Sludge, “for you will be at these revels66, I judge, and so shall I; for if Dominie Holiday take me not thither67, by the light of day, which we see not in yonder dark hole, I will take myself there!”
“In good time,” said Wayland; “but I pray you to do nought68 rashly.”
“Nay69, now you would make a child, a common child of me, and tell me of the risk of walking without leading-strings. But before you are a mile from these stones, you shall know by a sure token that I have more of the hobgoblin about me than you credit; and I will so manage that, if you take advantage, you may profit by my prank55.”
“What dost thou mean, boy?” said Tressilian; but Flibbertigibbet only answered with a grin and a caper29, and bidding both of them farewell, and, at the same time, exhorting70 them to make the best of their way from the place, he set them the example by running homeward with the same uncommon71 velocity72 with which he had baffled Tressilian’s former attempts to get hold of him.
“It is in vain to chase him,” said Wayland Smith; “for unless your worship is expert in lark-hunting, we should never catch hold of him — and besides, what would it avail? Better make the best of our way hence, as he advises.”
They mounted their horses accordingly, and began to proceed at a round pace, as soon as Tressilian had explained to his guide the direction in which he desired to travel.
After they had trotted73 nearly a mile, Tressilian could not help observing to his companion that his horse felt more lively under him than even when he mounted in the morning.
“Are you avised of that?” said Wayland Smith, smiling. “That is owing to a little secret of mine. I mixed that with an handful of oats which shall save your worship’s heels the trouble of spurring these six hours at least. Nay, I have not studied medicine and pharmacy for nought.”
“I trust,” said Tressilian, “your drugs will do my horse no harm?”
“No more than the mare’s milk; which foaled him,” answered the artist, and was proceeding74 to dilate75 on the excellence76 of his recipe when he was interrupted by an explosion as loud and tremendous as the mine which blows up the rampart of a beleaguered77 city. The horses started, and the riders were equally surprised. They turned to gaze in the direction from which the thunder-clap was heard, and beheld78, just over the spot they had left so recently, a huge pillar of dark smoke rising high into the clear, blue atmosphere. “My habitation is gone to wreck,” said Wayland, immediately conjecturing79 the cause of the explosion. “I was a fool to mention the doctor’s kind intentions towards my mansion80 before that limb of mischief81, Flibbertigibbet; I might have guessed he would long to put so rare a frolic into execution. But let us hasten on, for the sound will collect the country to the spot.”
So saying, he spurred his horse, and Tressilian also quickening his speed, they rode briskly forward.
“This, then, was the meaning of the little imp’s token which he promised us?” said Tressilian. “Had we lingered near the spot, we had found it a love-token with a vengeance82.”
“He would have given us warning,” said the smith. “I saw him look back more than once to see if we were off —’tis a very devil for mischief, yet not an ill-natured devil either. It were long to tell your honour how I became first acquainted with him, and how many tricks he played me. Many a good turn he did me too, especially in bringing me customers; for his great delight was to see them sit shivering behind the bushes when they heard the click of my hammer. I think Dame83 Nature, when she lodged84 a double quantity of brains in that misshapen head of his, gave him the power of enjoying other people’s distresses85, as she gave them the pleasure of laughing at his ugliness.”
“It may be so,” said Tressilian; “those who find themselves severed86 from society by peculiarities87 of form, if they do not hate the common bulk of mankind, are at least not altogether indisposed to enjoy their mishaps88 and calamities89.”
“But Flibbertigibbet,” answered Wayland, “hath that about him which may redeem90 his turn for mischievous91 frolic; for he is as faithful when attached as he is tricky92 and malignant93 to strangers, and, as I said before, I have cause to say so.”
Tressilian pursued the conversation no further, and they continued their journey towards Devonshire without further adventure, until they alighted at an inn in the town of Marlborough, since celebrated for having given title to the greatest general (excepting one) whom Britain ever produced. Here the travellers received, in the same breath, an example of the truth of two old proverbs — namely, that Ill news fly fast, and that Listeners seldom hear a good tale of themselves.
The inn-yard was in a sort of combustion94 when they alighted; insomuch, that they could scarce get man or boy to take care of their horses, so full were the whole household of some news which flew from tongue to tongue, the import of which they were for some time unable to discover. At length, indeed, they found it respected matters which touched them nearly.
“What is the matter, say you, master?” answered, at length, the head hostler, in reply to Tressilian’s repeated questions.—“Why, truly, I scarce know myself. But here was a rider but now, who says that the devil hath flown away with him they called Wayland Smith, that won’d about three miles from the Whitehorse of Berkshire, this very blessed morning, in a flash of fire and a pillar of smoke, and rooted up the place he dwelt in, near that old cockpit of upright stones, as cleanly as if it had all been delved95 up for a cropping.”
“Why, then,” said an old farmer, “the more is the pity; for that Wayland Smith (whether he was the devil’s crony or no I skill not) had a good notion of horses’ diseases, and it’s to be thought the bots will spread in the country far and near, an Satan has not gien un time to leave his secret behind un.”
“You may say that, Gaffer Grimesby,” said the hostler in return; “I have carried a horse to Wayland Smith myself, for he passed all farriers in this country.”
“Did you see him?” said Dame Alison Crane, mistress of the inn bearing that sign, and deigning96 to term husband the owner thereof, a mean-looking hop-o’-my-thumb sort or person, whose halting gait, and long neck, and meddling97, henpecked insignificance98 are supposed to have given origin to the celebrated old English tune4 of “My name hath a lame99 tame Crane.”
On this occasion he chirped100 out a repetition of his wife’s question, “Didst see the devil, Jack Hostler, I say?”
“And what if I did see un, Master Crane?” replied Jack Hostler, for, like all the rest of the household, he paid as little respect to his master as his mistress herself did.
“Nay, nought, Jack Hostler,” replied the pacific Master Crane; “only if you saw the devil, methinks I would like to know what un’s like?”
“You will know that one day, Master Crane,” said his helpmate, “an ye mend not your manners, and mind your business, leaving off such idle palabras.— But truly, Jack Hostler, I should be glad to know myself what like the fellow was.”
“Why, dame,” said the hostler, more respectfully, “as for what he was like I cannot tell, nor no man else, for why I never saw un.”
“And how didst thou get thine errand done,” said Gaffer Grimesby, “if thou seedst him not?”
“Why, I had schoolmaster to write down ailment101 o’ nag,” said Jack Hostler; “and I went wi’ the ugliest slip of a boy for my guide as ever man cut out o’ lime-tree root to please a child withal.”
“And what was it?— and did it cure your nag, Jack Hostler?” was uttered and echoed by all who stood around.
“Why, how can I tell you what it was?” said the hostler; “simply it smelled and tasted — for I did make bold to put a pea’s substance into my mouth — like hartshorn and savin mixed with vinegar; but then no hartshorn and savin ever wrought102 so speedy a cure. And I am dreading103 that if Wayland Smith be gone, the bots will have more power over horse and cattle.”
The pride of art, which is certainly not inferior in its influence to any other pride whatever, here so far operated on Wayland Smith, that, notwithstanding the obvious danger of his being recognized, he could not help winking104 to Tressilian, and smiling mysteriously, as if triumphing in the undoubted evidence of his veterinary skill. In the meanwhile, the discourse105 continued.
“E’en let it be so,” said a grave man in black, the companion of Gaffer Grimesby; “e’en let us perish under the evil God sends us, rather than the devil be our doctor.”
“Very true,” said Dame Crane; “and I marvel106 at Jack Hostler that he would peril107 his own soul to cure the bowels108 of a nag.”
“Very true, mistress,” said Jack Hostler, “but the nag was my master’s; and had it been yours, I think ye would ha’ held me cheap enow an I had feared the devil when the poor beast was in such a taking. For the rest, let the clergy109 look to it. Every man to his craft, says the proverb — the parson to the prayer-book, and the groom110 to his curry-comb.
“I vow,” said Dame Crane, “I think Jack Hostler speaks like a good Christian111 and a faithful servant, who will spare neither body nor soul in his master’s service. However, the devil has lifted him in time, for a Constable112 of the Hundred came hither this morning to get old Gaffer Pinniewinks, the trier of witches, to go with him to the Vale of Whitehorse to comprehend Wayland Smith, and put him to his probation113. I helped Pinniewinks to sharpen his pincers and his poking-awl114, and I saw the warrant from Justice Blindas.”
“Pooh — pooh — the devil would laugh both at Blindas and his warrant, constable and witch-finder to boot,” said old Dame Crank, the Papist laundress; “Wayland Smith’s flesh would mind Pinniewinks’ awl no more than a cambric ruff minds a hot piccadilloe-needle. But tell me, gentlefolks, if the devil ever had such a hand among ye, as to snatch away your smiths and your artists from under your nose, when the good Abbots of Abingdon had their own? By Our Lady, no!— they had their hallowed tapers115; and their holy water, and their relics116, and what not, could send the foulest117 fiends a-packing. Go ask a heretic parson to do the like. But ours were a comfortable people.”
“Very true, Dame Crank,” said the hostler; “so said Simpkins of Simonburn when the curate kissed his wife,—‘They are a comfortable people,’ said he.”
“Silence, thou foul-mouthed vermin,” said Dame Crank; “is it fit for a heretic horse-boy like thee to handle such a text as the Catholic clergy?”
“In troth no, dame,” replied the man of oats; “and as you yourself are now no text for their handling, dame, whatever may have been the case in your day, I think we had e’en better leave un alone.”
At this last exchange of sarcasm118, Dame Crank set up her throat, and began a horrible exclamation119 against Jack Hostler, under cover of which Tressilian and his attendant escaped into the house.
They had no sooner entered a private chamber120, to which Goodman Crane himself had condescended121 to usher122 them, and dispatched their worthy and obsequious123 host on the errand of procuring124 wine and refreshment125, than Wayland Smith began to give vent14 to his self-importance.
“You see, sir,” said he, addressing Tressilian, “that I nothing fabled126 in asserting that I possessed127 fully47 the mighty128 mystery of a farrier, or mareschal, as the French more honourably129 term us. These dog-hostlers, who, after all, are the better judges in such a case, know what credit they should attach to my medicaments. I call you to witness, worshipful Master Tressilian, that nought, save the voice of calumny130 and the hand of malicious131 violence, hath driven me forth from a station in which I held a place alike useful and honoured.”
“I bear witness, my friend, but will reserve my listening,” answered Tressilian, “for a safer time; unless, indeed, you deem it essential to your reputation to be translated, like your late dwelling132, by the assistance of a flash of fire. For you see your best friends reckon you no better than a mere133 sorcerer.”
“Now, Heaven forgive them,” said the artist, “who confounded learned skill with unlawful magic! I trust a man may be as skilful134, or more so, than the best chirurgeon ever meddled135 with horse-flesh, and yet may be upon the matter little more than other ordinary men, or at the worst no conjurer.”
“God forbid else!” said Tressilian. “But be silent just for the present, since here comes mine host with an assistant, who seems something of the least.”
Everybody about the inn, Dame Crane herself included, had been indeed so interested and agitated136 by the story they had heard of Wayland Smith, and by the new, varying, and more marvellous editions of the incident which arrived from various quarters, that mine host, in his righteous determination to accommodate his guests, had been able to obtain the assistance of none of his household, saving that of a little boy, a junior tapster, of about twelve years old, who was called Sampson.
“I wish,” he said, apologizing to his guests, as he set down a flagon of sack, and promised some food immediately —“I wish the devil had flown away with my wife and my whole family instead of this Wayland Smith, who, I daresay, after all said and done, was much less worthy of the distinction which Satan has done him.”
“I hold opinion with you, good fellow,” replied Wayland Smith; “and I will drink to you upon that argument.”
“Not that I would justify137 any man who deals with the devil,” said mine host, after having pledged Wayland in a rousing draught138 of sack, “but that — saw ye ever better sack, my masters?— but that, I say, a man had better deal with a dozen cheats and scoundrel fellows, such as this Wayland Smith, than with a devil incarnate139, that takes possession of house and home, bed and board.”
The poor fellow’s detail of grievances140 was here interrupted by the shrill141 voice of his helpmate, screaming from the kitchen, to which he instantly hobbled, craving142 pardon of his guests. He was no sooner gone than Wayland Smith expressed, by every contemptuous epithet143 in the language, his utter scorn for a nincompoop who stuck his head under his wife’s apron-string; and intimated that, saving for the sake of the horses, which required both rest and food, he would advise his worshipful Master Tressilian to push on a stage farther, rather than pay a reckoning to such a mean-spirited, crow-trodden, henpecked coxcomb144, as Gaffer Crane.
The arrival of a large dish of good cow-heel and bacon something soothed145 the asperity146 of the artist, which wholly vanished before a choice capon, so delicately roasted that the lard frothed on it, said Wayland, like May-dew on a lily; and both Gaffer Crane and his good dame became, in his eyes, very painstaking147, accommodating, obliging persons.
According to the manners of the times, the master and his attendant sat at the same table, and the latter observed, with regret, how little attention Tressilian paid to his meal. He recollected148, indeed, the pain he had given by mentioning the maiden149 in whose company he had first seen him; but, fearful of touching150 upon a topic too tender to be tampered151 with, he chose to ascribe his abstinence to another cause.
“This fare is perhaps too coarse for your worship,” said Wayland, as the limbs of the capon disappeared before his own exertions152; “but had you dwelt as long as I have done in yonder dungeon153, which Flibbertigibbet has translated to the upper element, a place where I dared hardly broil154 my food, lest the smoke should be seen without, you would think a fair capon a more welcome dainty.”
“If you are pleased, friend,” said Tressilian, “it is well. Nevertheless, hasten thy meal if thou canst, For this place is unfriendly to thy safety, and my concerns crave155 travelling.”
Allowing, therefore, their horses no more rest than was absolutely necessary for them, they pursued their journey by a forced march as far as Bradford, where they reposed156 themselves for the night.
The next morning found them early travellers. And, not to fatigue157 the reader with unnecessary particulars, they traversed without adventure the counties of Wiltshire and Somerset, and about noon of the third day after Tressilian’s leaving Cumnor, arrived at Sir Hugh Robsart’s seat, called Lidcote Hall, on the frontiers of Devonshire.
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prologue
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| n.开场白，序言；开端，序幕 | |
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narrative
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| n.叙述，故事；adj.叙事的，故事体的 | |
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knave
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| n.流氓；（纸牌中的）杰克 | |
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tune
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| n.调子；和谐，协调；v.调音，调节，调整 | |
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celebrated
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| adj.有名的，声誉卓著的 | |
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juggler
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| n. 变戏法者, 行骗者 | |
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legerdemain
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| n.戏法，诈术 | |
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apprentice
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| n.学徒，徒弟 | |
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judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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ply
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| v.(搬运工等)等候顾客，弯曲 | |
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renounced
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| v.声明放弃( renounce的过去式和过去分词 )；宣布放弃；宣布与…决裂；宣布摒弃 | |
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jack
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| n.插座，千斤顶，男人；v.抬起，提醒，扛举；n.（Jake）杰克 | |
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adventurous
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| adj.爱冒险的；惊心动魄的，惊险的，刺激的 | |
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vent
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| n.通风口，排放口；开衩；vt.表达，发泄 | |
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pharmacy
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| n.药房，药剂学，制药业，配药业，一批备用药品 | |
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applied
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| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
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tar
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| n.柏油，焦油；vt.涂或浇柏油/焦油于 | |
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mingled
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| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
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bead
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| n.念珠；(pl.)珠子项链；水珠 | |
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pricked
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| 刺，扎，戳( prick的过去式和过去分词 )； 刺伤； 刺痛； 使剧痛 | |
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practitioner
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| n.实践者，从事者；(医生或律师等)开业者 | |
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adept
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| adj.老练的，精通的 | |
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23
expounded
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| 论述，详细讲解( expound的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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24
scroll
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| n.卷轴，纸卷；(石刻上的)漩涡 | |
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25
margin
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| n.页边空白；差额；余地，余裕；边，边缘 | |
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26
curiously
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| adv.有求知欲地；好问地；奇特地 | |
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27
scraps
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| 油渣 | |
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28
tenor
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| n.男高音（歌手），次中音（乐器），要旨，大意 | |
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29
caper
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| v.雀跃，欢蹦；n.雀跃，跳跃；续随子，刺山柑花蕾；嬉戏 | |
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30
jargon
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| n.术语，行话 | |
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31
worthy
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|
| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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32
conceited
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| adj.自负的，骄傲自满的 | |
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33
seclude
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| vi.使隔离，使孤立，使隐退 | |
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34
disciples
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|
| n.信徒( disciple的名词复数 )；门徒；耶稣的信徒；（尤指）耶稣十二门徒之一 | |
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35
intercourse
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| n.性交；交流，交往，交际 | |
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36
infamous
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| adj.声名狼藉的，臭名昭著的，邪恶的 | |
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37
persuasion
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| n.劝说；说服；持有某种信仰的宗派 | |
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38
bestowed
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| 赠给，授予( bestow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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39
procured
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|
| v.（努力）取得， （设法）获得( procure的过去式和过去分词 )；拉皮条 | |
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40
vault
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| n.拱形圆顶，地窖，地下室 | |
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41
utensils
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| 器具，用具，器皿( utensil的名词复数 )； 器物 | |
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42
wont
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| adj.习惯于；v.习惯；n.习惯 | |
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43
apparatus
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| n.装置，器械；器具，设备 | |
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44
prosecute
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| vt.告发；进行；vi.告发，起诉，作检察官 | |
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45
sage
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| n.圣人，哲人；adj.贤明的，明智的 | |
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46
gunpowder
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| n.火药 | |
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47
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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48
transmute
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| vt.使变化，使改变 | |
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49
anvil
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| n.铁钻 | |
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50
boors
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| n.农民( boor的名词复数 )；乡下佬；没礼貌的人；粗野的人 | |
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51
renown
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| n.声誉，名望 | |
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52
legacy
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| n.遗产，遗赠；先人(或过去)留下的东西 | |
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53
grotesque
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| adj.怪诞的，丑陋的；n.怪诞的图案，怪人（物） | |
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54
wilt
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| v.(使)植物凋谢或枯萎；(指人)疲倦，衰弱 | |
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55
prank
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|
| n.开玩笑，恶作剧；v.装饰；打扮；炫耀自己 | |
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56
pranks
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| n.玩笑，恶作剧( prank的名词复数 ) | |
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57
alteration
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| n.变更，改变；蚀变 | |
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58
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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59
debtors
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| n.债务人，借方( debtor的名词复数 ) | |
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60
creditors
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|
| n.债权人，债主( creditor的名词复数 ) | |
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61
cavern
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|
| n.洞穴，大山洞 | |
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62
sedulously
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|
| ad.孜孜不倦地 | |
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63
nag
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| v.(对…)不停地唠叨；n.爱唠叨的人 | |
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64
nags
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| n.不断地挑剔或批评（某人）( nag的名词复数 )；不断地烦扰或伤害（某人）；无休止地抱怨；不断指责v.不断地挑剔或批评（某人）( nag的第三人称单数 )；不断地烦扰或伤害（某人）；无休止地抱怨；不断指责 | |
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65
imps
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| n.（故事中的）小恶魔( imp的名词复数 )；小魔鬼；小淘气；顽童 | |
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66
revels
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| n.作乐( revel的名词复数 )；狂欢；着迷；陶醉v.作乐( revel的第三人称单数 )；狂欢；着迷；陶醉 | |
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67
thither
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|
| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
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68
nought
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| n.／adj.无，零 | |
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69
nay
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| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
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70
exhorting
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| v.劝告，劝说( exhort的现在分词 ) | |
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71
uncommon
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|
| adj.罕见的，非凡的，不平常的 | |
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72
velocity
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| n.速度，速率 | |
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73
trotted
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| 小跑，急走( trot的过去分词 )； 匆匆忙忙地走 | |
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74
proceeding
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|
| n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报 | |
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75
dilate
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| vt.使膨胀，使扩大 | |
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76
excellence
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|
| n.优秀，杰出，(pl.)优点，美德 | |
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77
beleaguered
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|
| adj.受到围困[围攻]的；包围的v.围攻( beleaguer的过去式和过去分词)；困扰；骚扰 | |
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78
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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79
conjecturing
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|
| v. & n. 推测，臆测 | |
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80
mansion
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|
| n.大厦，大楼；宅第 | |
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81
mischief
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|
| n.损害，伤害，危害；恶作剧，捣蛋，胡闹 | |
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82
vengeance
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| n.报复，报仇，复仇 | |
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83
dame
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| n.女士 | |
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84
lodged
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|
| v.存放( lodge的过去式和过去分词 )；暂住；埋入；（权利、权威等）归属 | |
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85
distresses
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|
| n.悲痛( distress的名词复数 )；痛苦；贫困；危险 | |
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86
severed
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| v.切断，断绝( sever的过去式和过去分词 )；断，裂 | |
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87
peculiarities
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| n. 特质, 特性, 怪癖, 古怪 | |
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88
mishaps
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| n.轻微的事故，小的意外( mishap的名词复数 ) | |
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89
calamities
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|
| n.灾祸，灾难( calamity的名词复数 )；不幸之事 | |
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90
redeem
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| v.买回，赎回，挽回，恢复，履行（诺言等） | |
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91
mischievous
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|
| adj.调皮的，恶作剧的，有害的，伤人的 | |
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92
tricky
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|
| adj.狡猾的，奸诈的；(工作等)棘手的，微妙的 | |
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93
malignant
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|
| adj.恶性的，致命的；恶意的，恶毒的 | |
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94
combustion
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| n.燃烧；氧化；骚动 | |
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95
delved
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|
| v.深入探究，钻研( delve的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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96
deigning
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|
| v.屈尊，俯就( deign的现在分词 ) | |
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97
meddling
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|
| v.干涉，干预（他人事务）( meddle的现在分词 ) | |
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98
insignificance
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| n.不重要；无价值；无意义 | |
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99
lame
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| adj.跛的，(辩解、论据等)无说服力的 | |
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100
chirped
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| 鸟叫，虫鸣( chirp的过去式 ) | |
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101
ailment
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| n.疾病，小病 | |
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102
wrought
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| v.引起；以…原料制作；运转；adj.制造的 | |
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103
dreading
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| v.害怕，恐惧，担心( dread的现在分词 ) | |
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104
winking
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| n.瞬眼，目语v.使眼色( wink的现在分词 )；递眼色（表示友好或高兴等）；（指光）闪烁；闪亮 | |
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105
discourse
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| n.论文，演说；谈话；话语；vi.讲述，著述 | |
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106
marvel
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| vi.(at)惊叹vt.感到惊异；n.令人惊异的事 | |
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107
peril
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| n.(严重的)危险；危险的事物 | |
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108
bowels
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| n.肠，内脏，内部；肠( bowel的名词复数 )；内部，最深处 | |
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109
clergy
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| n.[总称]牧师，神职人员 | |
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110
groom
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| vt.给（马、狗等）梳毛，照料，使...整洁 | |
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111
Christian
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| adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒 | |
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112
constable
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| n.(英国)警察，警官 | |
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113
probation
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| n.缓刑(期)，(以观后效的)察看；试用(期) | |
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114
awl
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| n.尖钻 | |
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115
tapers
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| （长形物体的）逐渐变窄( taper的名词复数 )； 微弱的光； 极细的蜡烛 | |
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116
relics
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| [pl.］n.遗物，遗迹，遗产；遗体，尸骸 | |
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117
foulest
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| adj.恶劣的( foul的最高级 )；邪恶的；难闻的；下流的 | |
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118
sarcasm
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| n.讥讽，讽刺，嘲弄，反话 （adj.sarcastic） | |
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119
exclamation
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| n.感叹号，惊呼，惊叹词 | |
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120
chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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121
condescended
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| 屈尊，俯就( condescend的过去式和过去分词 )； 故意表示和蔼可亲 | |
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122
usher
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| n.带位员，招待员；vt.引导，护送；vi.做招待，担任引座员 | |
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123
obsequious
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| adj.谄媚的，奉承的，顺从的 | |
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124
procuring
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| v.（努力）取得， （设法）获得( procure的现在分词 )；拉皮条 | |
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125
refreshment
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| n.恢复，精神爽快，提神之事物；（复数）refreshments:点心，茶点 | |
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126
fabled
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| adj.寓言中的，虚构的 | |
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127
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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128
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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129
honourably
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| adv.可尊敬地，光荣地，体面地 | |
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130
calumny
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| n.诽谤，污蔑，中伤 | |
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131
malicious
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| adj.有恶意的，心怀恶意的 | |
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132
dwelling
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| n.住宅，住所，寓所 | |
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133
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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134
skilful
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| (=skillful)adj.灵巧的，熟练的 | |
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135
meddled
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| v.干涉，干预（他人事务）( meddle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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136
agitated
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| adj.被鼓动的，不安的 | |
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137
justify
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| vt.证明…正当(或有理)，为…辩护 | |
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138
draught
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|
| n.拉，牵引，拖；一网（饮，吸，阵)；顿服药量，通风；v.起草，设计 | |
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139
incarnate
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| adj.化身的，人体化的，肉色的 | |
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140
grievances
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| n.委屈( grievance的名词复数 )；苦衷；不满；牢骚 | |
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141
shrill
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| adj.尖声的；刺耳的；v尖叫 | |
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142
craving
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| n.渴望,热望 | |
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143
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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144
coxcomb
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| n.花花公子 | |
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145
soothed
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|
| v.安慰( soothe的过去式和过去分词 )；抚慰；使舒服；减轻痛苦 | |
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146
asperity
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| n.粗鲁，艰苦 | |
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147
painstaking
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| adj.苦干的；艰苦的，费力的，刻苦的 | |
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148
recollected
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| adj.冷静的；镇定的；被回忆起的；沉思默想的v.记起，想起( recollect的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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149
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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150
touching
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| adj.动人的，使人感伤的 | |
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151
tampered
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| v.窜改( tamper的过去式 )；篡改；（用不正当手段）影响；瞎摆弄 | |
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152
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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153
dungeon
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| n.地牢，土牢 | |
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154
broil
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| v.烤，烧，争吵，怒骂；n.烤，烧，争吵，怒骂 | |
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155
crave
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| vt.渴望得到，迫切需要，恳求，请求 | |
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156
reposed
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| v.将（手臂等）靠在某人（某物）上( repose的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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157
fatigue
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| n.疲劳，劳累 | |
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