Speak a little louder, for I’m very hard of hearing.”
Old Ballad1.
Of all old women hard of hearing,
The deafest, sure, was Dame2 Eleanor Spearing!
On her head, it is true,
Two flaps there grew,
That served for a pair of gold rings to go through,
But for any purpose of ears in a parley3,
They heard no more than ears of barley4.
No hint was needed from D.E.F.
You saw in her face that the woman was deaf;
From her twisted mouth to her eyes so peery,
Each queer feature asked a query5;
A look that said in a silent way,
“Who? and What? and How? and Eh?
I’d give my ears to know what you say!”
And well she might! for each auricular
Was deaf as a post — and that post in particular
That stands at the corner of Dyott Street now,
And never hears a word of a row!
Ears that might serve her now and then
As extempore racks for an idle pen;
Or to hang with hoops6 from jewellers’ shops
With coral, ruby7, or garnet drops;
Or, provided the owner so inclined,
Ears to stick a blister9 behind;
But as for hearing wisdom, or wit,
Falsehood, or folly10, or tell-tale-tit,
Or politics, whether of Fox or Pitt,
Sermon, lecture, or musical bit,
Harp11, piano, fiddle12, or kit13,
They might as well, for any such wish,
Have been butter’d, done brown, and laid in a dish!
She was deaf as a post — as said before —
And as deaf as twenty similes14 more,
Including the adder15, that deafest of snakes,
Which never hears the coil it makes.
She was deaf as a house — which modern tricks
Of language would call as deaf as bricks —
For her all human kind were dumb,
Her drum, indeed, was so muffled16 a drum,
That none could get a sound to come,
Unless the Devil who had Two Sticks!
She was deaf as a stone — say, one of the stones
Demosthenes suck’d to improve his tones;
And surely deafness no further could reach
Than to be in his mouth without hearing his speech!
She was deaf as a nut — for nuts, no doubt,
Are deaf to the grub that’s hollowing out —
As deaf, alas17! as the dead and forgotten —
(Gray has noticed the waste of breath,
In addressing the “dull, cold ear of death”),
Or the Felon’s ear that was stuff’d with Cotton —
Or Charles the First in statue quo;
Or the still-born figures of Madame Tussaud,
With their eyes of glass, and their hair of flax,
That only stare whatever you “ax,”
For their ears, you know, are nothing but wax.
She was deaf as the ducks that swam in the pond,
And wouldn’t listen to Mrs. Bond —
As deaf as any Frenchman appears,
When he puts his shoulders into his ears:
And — whatever the citizen tells his son —
As deaf as Gog and Magog at one!
Or, still to be a simile-seeker,
As deaf as dogs’-ears to Enfield’s Speaker!
She was deaf as any tradesman’s dummy20,
Or as Pharaoh’s mother’s mother’s mummy;
Whose organs, for fear of our modern sceptics,
Were plugg’d with gums and antiseptics.
She was deaf as a nail — that you cannot hammer
A meaning into for all your clamor —
There never was such a deaf old Gammer!
So formed to worry
Both Lindley and Murray,
By having no ear for Music or Grammar!
Deaf to sounds, as a ship out of soundings,
Deaf to verbs, and all their compoundings,
Adjective, noun, and adverb, and particle,
Deaf to even the definite article —
No verbal message was worth a pin,
Though you hired an earwig to carry it in!
In short, she was twice as deaf as Deaf Burke,
Or all the Deafness in Yearsley’s work,
Who in spite of his skill in hardness of hearing,
Boring, blasting, and pioneering,
To give the dunny organ a clearing,
Could never have cured Dame Eleanor Spearing.
Of course the loss was a great privation,
For one of her sex — whatever her station —
And none the less that the Dame had a turn
For making all families one concern,
And learning whatever there was to learn
In the prattling23, tattling village of Tringham —
As who wore silk? and who wore gingham?
And what the Atkins’s shop might bring ’em?
How the Smiths contrived24 to live? and whether
The fourteen Murphys all pigg’d together?
The wages per week of the Weavers25 and Skinners,
And what they boil’d for their Sunday dinners?
What plates the Bugsbys had on the shelf,
Crockery, china, wooden, or delf?
And if the parlor26 of Mrs. O’Grady
Had a wicked French print, or Death and the Lady?
Did Snip27 and his wife continue to jangle?
Had Mrs. Wilkinson sold her mangle28?
What liquor was drunk by Jones and Brown?
And the weekly score they ran up at the Crown?
If the Cobbler could read, and believed in the Pope?
And how the Grubbs were off for soap?
If the Snobbs had furnish’d their room upstairs,
And how they managed for tables and chairs,
Beds, and other household affairs,
Iron, wooden, and Staffordshire wares31?
And if they could muster33 a whole pair of bellows34?
In fact, she had much of the spirit that lies
Perdu in a notable set of Paul Prys,
By courtesy called Statistical36 Fellows —
A prying37, spying, inquisitive38 clan39,
Who have gone upon much of the self-same plan,
Jotting40 the Laboring41 Class’s riches;
And after poking42 in pot and pan,
And routing garments in want of stitches,
Have ascertained43 that a working man
Wears a pair and a quarter of average breeches!
But this, alas! from her loss of hearing,
Was all a seal’d book to Dame Eleanor Spearing;
And often her tears would rise to their founts —
Supposing a little scandal at play
’Twixt Mrs. O’Fie and Mrs. An Fait —
That she couldn’t audit44 the Gossips’ accounts.
’Tis true, to her cottage still they came,
And ate her muffins just the same,
And drank the tea of the widow’d Dame,
And never swallow’d a thimble the less
Of something the Reader is left to guess,
For all the deafness of Mrs. S.,
Who saw them talk, and chuckle45, and cough,
But to see and not share in the social flow,
She might as well have lived, you know,
In one of the houses in Owen’s Row,
Near the New River Head, with its water cut off
And yet the almond-oil she had tried,
And fifty infallible things beside,
Hot, and cold, and thick, and thin,
Dabb’d, and dribbled46, and squirted in:
But all remedies fail’d; and though some it was clear
(Like the brandy and salt
We now exalt)
Had made a noise in the public ear,
She was just as deaf as ever, poor dear!
At last — one very fine day in June —
Suppose her sitting,
Busily knitting,
And humming she didn’t quite know what tune47;
For nothing she heard but a sort of a whizz,
Which, unless the sound of the circulation,
Or of Thoughts in the process of fabrication,
By a Spinning-Jennyish operation,
It’s hard to say what buzzing it is.
However, except that ghost of a sound,
She sat in a silence most profound —
The cat was purring about the mat,
But her Mistress heard no more of that
Than if it had been a boatswain’s cat;
And as for the clock the moments nicking,
The Dame only gave it credit for ticking.
The bark of her dog she did not catch;
Nor yet the click of the lifted latch48;
Nor yet the creak of the opening door;
Nor yet the fall of a foot on the floor —
But she saw the shadow that crept on her gown
And turn’d its skirt of a darker brown.
And lo! a man! a Pedlar! ay, marry,
With the little back-shop that such tradesmen carry
Stock’d with brooches, ribbons, and rings,
Spectacles, razors, and other odd things,
For lad and lass, as Autolycus sings;
A chapman for goodness and cheapness of ware32,
Held a fair dealer49 enough at a fair,
But deem’d a piratical sort of invader50
By him we dub51 the “regular trader,”
Who — luring52 the passengers in as they pass
By lamps, gay panels, and mouldings of brass54,
And windows with only one huge pane53 of glass,
And his name in gilt55 characters, German or Roman —
If he isn’t a Pedlar, at least he’s a Showman!
However, in the stranger came,
And, the moment he met the eyes of the Dame,
Threw her as knowing a nod as though
He had known her fifty long years ago;
And presto56! before she could utter “Jack57”—
Much less “Robinson”— open’d his pack —
And then from amongst his portable gear,
With even more than a Pedlar’s tact58 —
(Slick himself might have envied the act)—
Before she had time to be deaf, in fact —
Popp’d a Trumpet59 into her ear.
“There, Ma’am! try it!
You needn’t buy it —
The last New Patent — and nothing comes nigh it
For affording the Deaf, at a little expense,
The sense of hearing, and hearing of sense!
A Real Blessing60 — and no mistake,
Invented for poor Humanity’s sake;
For what can be a greater privation
Than playing Dummy to all creation,
And only looking at conversation —
Great Philosophers talking like Platos,
And Members of Parliament moral as Catos,
And your ears as dull as waxy62 potatoes!
Not to name the mischievous63 quizzers,
Sharp as knives, but double as scissors,
Who get you to answer quite by guess
Yes for No, and No for Yes.”
(“That’s very true,” says Dame Eleanor S.)
“Try it again! No harm in trying —
I’m sure you’ll find it worth your buying,
A little practice — that is all —
And you’ll hear a whisper, however small,
Through an Act of Parliament party-wall —
Every syllable64 clear as day,
And even what people are going to say —
I wouldn’t tell a lie, I wouldn’t,
But my Trumpets65 have heard what Solomon’s couldn’t;
And as for Scott he promises fine,
But can he warrant his horns like mine
Never to hear what a Lady shouldn’t —
Only a guinea — and can’t take less.”
(“That’s very dear,” says Dame Eleanor S.)
“Dear! — Oh dear, to call it dear!
Why it isn’t a horn you buy, but an ear;
Only think, you’ll find on reflection
You’re bargaining, Ma’am, for the Voice of Affection;
For the language of Wisdom, and Virtue66, and Truth,
And the sweet little innocent prattle67 of youth:
Not to mention the striking of clocks —
Cackle of hens — crowing of cocks —
Lowing of cow, and bull, and ox —
Bleating68 of pretty pastoral flocks —
Murmur69 of waterfall over the rocks —
Every sound that Echo mocks —
Vocals70, fiddles71, and musical-box —
And zounds! to call such a concert dear!
But I musn’t swear with my horn in your ear.
Why, in buying that Trumpet you buy all those
That Harper, or any trumpeter, blows
At the Queen’s Levees or the Lord Mayor’s Shows,
At least as far as the music goes,
Including the wonderful lively sound,
Of the Guards’ keg-bugles all the year round:
Come — suppose we call it a pound!
“Come,” said the talkative Man of the Pack,
“Before I put my box on my back,
For this elegant, useful Conductor of Sound,
Come — suppose we call it a pound!
“Only a pound! it’s only the price
Of hearing a Concert once or twice,
It’s only the fee
You might give Mr. C.
And after all not hear his advice,
But common prudence73 would bid you stump74 it;
For, not to enlarge,
It’s the regular charge
At a Fancy Fair for a penny trumpet.
Lord! what’s a pound to the blessing of hearing!”
(“A pound’s a pound,” said Dame Eleanor Spearing.)
“Try it again! no harm in trying!
A pound’s a pound there’s no denying;
But think what thousands and thousands of pounds
We pay for nothing but hearing sounds:
Sounds of Equity75, Justice, and Law,
Parliamentary jabber76 and jaw77,
Pious78 cant79 and moral saw,
Hocus-pocus, and Nong-tong-paw,
And empty sounds not worth a straw;
Why it costs a guinea, as I’m a sinner,
To hear the sounds at a Public Dinner!
One pound one thrown into the puddle80,
To listen to Fiddle, Faddle, and Fuddle!
Not to forget the sounds we buy
From those who sell their sounds so high,
That, unless the Managers pitch it strong,
To get a Signora to warble a song,
You must fork out the blunt with a haymaker’s prong!
“It’s not the thing for me — I know it,
To crack my own Trumpet up and blow it;
But it is the best, and time will show it,
There was Mrs. F.
So very deaf,
That she might have worn a percussion-cap,
And been knock’d on the head without hearing it snap.
Well, I sold her a horn, and the very next day
She heard from her husband at Botany Bay!
Come — eighteen shillings — that’s very low,
You’ll save the money as shillings go,
And I never knew so bad a lot,
By hearing whether they ring or not!
“Eighteen shillings! it’s worth the price,
Supposing you’re delicate-minded and nice,
To have the medical man of your choice,
Instead of the one with the strongest voice —
Who comes and asks you, how’s your liver,
And where you ache, and whether you shiver,
And as to your nerves, so apt to quiver,
As if he was hailing a boat in the river!
And then with a shout, like Pat in a riot,
Tells you to keep yourself perfectly82 quiet!
Or a tradesman comes — as tradesmen will —
Short and crusty about his bill,
Of patience, indeed, a perfect scorner,
And because you’re deaf and unable to pay,
Shouts whatever he has to say,
In a vulgar voice, that goes over the way,
Down the street and round the corner!
Come — speak your mind — it’s ‘No or Yes,’”
(“I’ve half a mind,” said Dame Eleanor S.)
“Try it again — no harm in trying,
Of course you hear me, as easy as lying;
No pain at all, like a surgical84 trick,
To make you squall, and struggle, and kick,
Like Juno, or Rose,
Whose ear undergoes
Such horrid85 tugs86 at membrane87 and gristle,
For being as deaf as yourself to a whistle!
“You may go to surgical chaps if you choose,
Who will blow up your tubes like copper88 flues,
Or cut your tonsils right away,
As you’d shell out your almonds for Christmas-day;
And after all a matter of doubt,
Whether you ever would hear the shout:
Of the little blackguards that bawl89 about,
‘There you go with your tonsils out!’
Why I knew a deaf Welshman, who came from Glamorgan
On purpose to try a surgical spell,
And paid a guinea, and might as well
Have call’d a monkey into his organ!
For the Aurist only took a mug,
And pour’d in his ear some acoustical90 drug,
That, instead of curing, deafen’d him rather,
As Hamlet’s uncle served Hamlet’s father!
That’s the way with your surgical gentry91!
And happy your luck
If you don’t get stuck
Through your liver and lights at a royal entry,
Because you never answer’d the sentry92!
“Try it again, dear Madam, try it!
Many would sell their beds to buy it.
I warrant you often wake up in the night,
Ready to shake to a jelly with fright,
And up you must get to strike a light,
And down you go, in you know what,
Whether the weather is chilly93 or hot —
That’s the way a cold is got —
To see if you heard a noise or not!”
“Why, bless you, a woman with organs like yours
Is hardly safe to step out of doors!
Just fancy a horse that comes full pelt94,
But as quiet as if he was ‘shod with felt,’
Till he rushes against you with all his force,
And then I needn’t describe the course,
While he kicks you about without remorse95,
How awkward it is to be groom’d by a horse!
Or a bullock comes, as mad as King Lear,
And you never dream that the brute96 is near,
Till he pokes97 his horn right into your ear,
Whether you like the thing or lump it —
And all for want of buying a trumpet!
“I’m not a female to fret99 and vex100,
But if I belonged to the sensitive sex,
Exposed to all sorts of indelicate sounds,
I wouldn’t be deaf for a thousand pounds.
Lord! only think of chucking a copper
To Jack or Bob with a timber limb,
Who looks as if he was singing a hymn101,
Instead of a song that’s very improper102!
Or just suppose in a public place
You see a great fellow a-pulling a face,
With his staring eyes and his mouth like an O —
And how is a poor deaf lady to know —
The lower orders are up to such games —
If he’s calling ‘Green Peas,’ or calling her names?”
(“They’re tenpence a peck!” said the deafest of Dames103.)
“’Tis strange what very strong advising,
By word of mouth, or advertising104,
By chalking on walls, or placarding on vans,
With fifty other different plans,
The very high pressure, in fact, of pressing,
It needs to persuade one to purchase a blessing!
Whether the Soothing105 American Syrup106,
A Safety Hat, or a Safety Stirrup —
Infallible Pills for the human frame,
Or Rowland’s O-don’t-o (an ominous107 name),
A Doudney’s suit which the shape so hits
That it beats all others into fits;
A Mechi’s razor for beards unshorn,
Or a Ghost-of-a-Whisper-Catching Horn!
“Try it again, Ma’am, only try!”
Was still the voluble Pedlar’s cry;
“It’s a great privation, there’s no dispute,
To live like the dumb unsociable brute,
And to hear no more of the pro8 and con22,
And how Society’s going on,
Than Mumbo Jumbo or Prester John,
And all for want of this sine qua non;
Whereas, with a horn that never offends,
You may join the genteelest party that is,
And enjoy all the scandal, and gossip, and quiz,
And be certain to hear of your absent friends; —
Not that elegant ladies, in fact,
In genteel society ever detract,
Or lend a brush when a friend is black’d —
At least as a mere108 malicious109 act —
But only talk scandal for fear some fool
Should think they were bred at charity school.
Or, maybe, you like a little flirtation110,
Which even the most Don Juanish rake
Would surely object to undertake
At the same high pitch as an altercation111.
It’s not for me, of course, to judge
How much a Deaf Lady ought to begrudge112;
But half-a-guinea seems no great matter —
Letting alone more rational patter —
Only to hear a parrot chatter113:
Not to mention that feather’d wit,
The Starling, who speaks when his tongue is slit114;
The Pies and Jays that utter words,
And other Dicky Gossips of birds,
That talk with as much good sense and decorum,
As many Beaks115 who belong to the quorum116.
“Try it — buy it — say ten and six,
The lowest price a miser117 could fix:
I don’t pretend with horns of mine,
Like some in the advertising line,
To ’magnify sounds‘ on such marvellous scales,
That the sounds of a cod118 seem as big as a whale’s;
But popular rumors119, right or wrong —
Charity sermons, short or long —
Lecture, speech, concerto120, or song,
All noises and voices, feeble or strong,
From the hum of a gnat121 to the clash of a gong,
This tube will deliver distinct and clear;
Or, supposing by chance
You wish to dance,
Why, it’s putting a Horn-pipe into your ear!
Try it — buy it!
Buy it — try it!
The last New Patent, and nothing comes nigh it,
For guiding sounds to their proper tunnel:
Only try till the end of June,
And if you and the Trumpet are out of tune
I’ll turn it gratis122 into a funnel123!”
In short, the Pedlar so beset124 her —
Lord Bacon couldn’t have gammon’d her better —
With flatteries plump and indirect,
And plied125 his tongue with such effect —
A tongue that could almost have butter’d a crumpet —
The deaf old woman bought the Trumpet.
The Pedlar was gone. With the horn’s assistance,
She heard his steps die away in the distance;
And then she heard the tick of the clock,
The purring of puss, and the snoring of Shock;
And she purposely dropped a pin that was little,
And heard it fall as plain as a skittle!
’Twas a wonderful Horn, to be but just!
Nor meant to gather dust, must and rust83;
So in half a jiffy, or less than that,
In her scarlet126 cloak and her steeple-hat,
Like old Dame Trot127, but without her cat,
The Gossip was hunting all Tringham thorough,
As if she meant to canvass128 the borough129,
Trumpet in hand, or up to the cavity; —
And, sure, had the horn been one of those
The wild Rhinoceros130 wears on his nose,
It couldn’t have ripped up more depravity!
Depravity! mercy shield her ears!
’Twas plain enough that her village peers
In the ways of vice72 were no raw beginners;
For whenever she raised the tube to her drum
Such sounds were transmitted as only come
From the very Brass Band of human sinners!
Ribald jest and blasphemous131 curse
(Bunyan never vented61 worse),
With all those weeds, not flowers, of speech
Which the Seven Dialecticians teach;
Filthy132 Conjunctions, and Dissolute Nouns,
And Particles pick’d from the kennels133 of towns,
With Irregular Verbs for irregular jobs,
Chiefly active in rows and mobs,
Picking Possessive Pronouns’ fobs,
And Interjections as bad as a blight134,
Or an Eastern blast, to the blood and the sight;
Fanciful phrases for crime and sin,
And smacking135 of vulgar lips where Gin,
Garlic, Tobacco, and offals go in —
A jargon136 so truly adapted, in fact,
To each thievish, obscene, and ferocious137 act,
So fit for the brute with the human shape,
Savage138 Baboon139, or libidinous140 Ape,
From their ugly mouths it will certainly come
Should they ever get weary of shamming141 dumb!
Alas! for the Voice of Virtue and Truth,
And the sweet little innocent prattle of Youth!
The smallest urchin142 whose tongue could tang,
Shock’d the Dame with a volley of slang,
Fit for Fagin’s juvenile143 gang;
While the charity chap,
With his muffin cap,
His crimson144 coat, and his badge so garish145,
Playing at dumps, or pitch in the hole,
Cursed his eyes, limbs, body, and soul,
As if they didn’t belong to the Parish!
’Twas awful to hear, as she went along,
The wicked words of the popular song;
Or supposing she listen’d — as gossips will —
At a door ajar, or a window agape,
To catch the sounds they allow’d to escape,
Those sounds belonged to Depravity still!
The dark allusion146, or bolder brag147
Of the dexterous148 “dodge”, and the lots of “swag”,
The plunder’d house — or the stolen nag30 —
The blazing rick, or the darker crime,
That quench’d the spark before its time —
The wanton speech of the wife immoral149 —
The noise of drunken or deadly quarrel,
With savage menace, which threaten’d the life,
Till the heart seem’d merely a strop “for the knife”;
The human liver, no better than that
Which is sliced and thrown to an old woman’s cat;
And the head, so useful for shaking and nodding,
To be punch’d into holes, like “a shocking bad hat,”
That is only fit to be punch’d into wadding!
In short, wherever she turn’d the horn,
To the highly bred, or the lowly born,
The working man, who look’d over the hedge,
Or the mother nursing her infant pledge,
The sober Quaker, averse150 to quarrels,
Or the Governess pacing the village through,
With her twelve Young Ladies, two and two,
Looking, as such young ladies do,
Truss’d by Decorum and stuff’d with morals —
Whether she listen’d to Hob or Bob,
Nob or Snob29,
The Squire151 on his cob,
Or Trudge152 and his ass18 at a tinkering job,
To the “Saint” who expounded153 at “Little Zion”—
Or the “Sinner” who kept “the Golden Lion”—
The man teetotally wean’d from liquor —
The Beadle, the Clerk, or the Reverend Vicar —
Nay154, the very Pie in its cage of wicker —
She gather’d such meanings, double or single,
That like the bell
With muffins to sell,
Her ear was kept in a constant tingle155!
But this was nought156 to the tales of shame,
The constant runnings of evil fame,
Foul157, and dirty, and black as ink,
That her ancient cronies, with nod and wink158,
Pour’d in her horn like slops in a sink:
While sitting in conclave159, as gossips do,
With their Hyson or Howqua, black or green,
And not a little of feline160 spleen
Lapp’d up in “Catty packages,” too,
To give a zest161 of the sipping162 and supping;
For still by some invisible tether,
Scandal and Tea are link’d together,
As surely as Scarification and Cupping;
Yet never since Scandal drank Bohea —
Or sloe, or whatever it happen’d to be,
For some grocerly thieves
Turn over new leaves,
Without much amending163 their lives or their tea —
No, never since cup was fill’d or stirr’d
Were such wild and horrible anecdotes164 heard,
As blacken’d their neighbors of either gender165,
Especially that, which is call’d the Tender,
But, instead of the softness we fancy therewith,
Was harden’d in vice as the vice of a smith.
Women! the wretches166! had soil’d and marr’d
Whatever to womanly nature belongs;
For the marriage tie they had no regard,
Nay, sped their mates to the sexton’s yard,
(Like Madame Laffarge, who with poisonous pinches
Kept cutting off her L by inches)—
And as for drinking, they drank so hard
That they drank their flat-irons, pokers168, and tongs169!
The men — they fought and gambled at fairs;
And poach’d — and didn’t respect gray hairs —
Stole linen170, money, plate, poultry171, and corses;
And broke in houses as well as horses;
Unfolded folds to kill their own mutton —
And would their own mothers and wives for a button:
But not to repeat the deeds they did,
Backsliding in spite of all moral skid172,
If all were true that fell from the tongue,
There was not a villager, old or young,
But deserved to be whipp’d, imprison’d, or hung,
Or sent on those travels which nobody hurries
To publish at Colburn’s, or Longman’s, or Murray’s.
Meanwhile the Trumpet, con amore,
Transmitted each vile173 diabolical174 story;
And gave the least whisper of slips and falls,
As that Gallery does in the Dome175 of St. Paul’s,
Which, as all the world knows, by practice or print,
Is famous for making the most of a hint.
Not a murmur of shame,
Or buzz of blame,
Not a flying report that flew at a name,
Not a plausible176 gloss177, or significant note,
Not a word in the scandalous circles afloat,
Of a beam in the eye, or diminutive178 mote179,
But vortex-like that tube of tin
Suck’d the censorious particle in;
And, truth to tell, for as willing an organ
As ever listen’d to serpent’s hiss180,
Nor took the viperous181 sound amiss,
On the snaky head of an ancient Gorgon182!
The Dame, it is true, would mutter “Shocking!”
And give her head a sorrowful rocking,
And make a clucking with palate and tongue,
Like the call of Partlet to gather her young,
A sound, when human, that always proclaims
At least a thousand pities and shames;
But still the darker the tale of sin,
Like certain folks, when calamities183 burst,
Who find a comfort in “hearing the worst,”
The farther she poked184 the Trumpet in.
Nay, worse, whatever she heard, she spread
East and West, and North and South,
Like the ball which, according to Captain Z,
Went in at his ear, and came out at his mouth.
What wonder between the Horn and the Dame,
Such mischief185 was made wherever they came,
That the parish of Tringham was all in a flame!
For although it required such loud discharges,
Such peals186 of thunder as rumbled187 at Lear,
To turn the smallest of table-beer,
A little whisper breathed into the ear
Will sour a temper “as sour as varges,”
In fact such very ill blood there grew,
From this private circulation of stories,
That the nearest neighbors the village through,
Look’d at each other as yellow and blue,
As any electioneering crew
Wearing the colors of Whigs and Tories.
Ah! well the Poet said, in sooth,
That “whispering tongues can poison Truth,”—
Yea, like a dose of oxalic acid,
Wrench188 and convulse poor Peace, the placid189,
And rack dear Love with internal fuel,
Like arsenic190 pastry191, or what is as cruel,
Sugar of lead, that sweetens gruel192 —
At least such torments193 began to wring194 ’em
From the very morn
When that mischievous Horn
Caught the whisper of tongues in Tringham.
The Social Clubs dissolved in huffs,
And the Sons of Harmony came to cuffs196,
While feuds197 arose and family quarrels,
That discomposed the mechanics of morals,
For screws were loose between brother and brother,
While sisters fasten’d their nails on each other;
Such wrangles198, and jangles, and miff, and tiff199,
And spar, and jar — and breezes as stiff
As ever upset a friendship — or skiff!
The plighted200 lovers, who used to walk,
Refused to meet, and declined to talk;
And wish’d for two moons to reflect the sun,
That they mightn’t look together on one;
While wedded201 affection ran so low,
That the oldest John Anderson snubbed his Jo —
And instead of the toddle202 adown the hill,
Hand in hand,
As the song has planned,
Scratch’d her, penniless, out of his will!
In short, to describe what came to pass
In a true, though somewhat theatrical203 way,
Instead of “Love in a Village”— alas!
The piece they perform’d was “The Devil to Pay!”
However, as secrets are brought to light,
And mischief comes home like chickens at night;
And rivers are track’d throughout their course,
And forgeries204 traced to their proper source; —
And the sow that ought
By the ear is caught —
And the sin to the sinful door is brought;
And the cat at last escapes from the bag —
And the saddle is placed on the proper nag;
And the fog blows off, and the key is found —
And the faulty scent205 is pick’d out by the hound —
And the fact turns up like a worm from the ground —
And the matter gets wind to waft206 it about;
And a hint goes abroad, and the murder is out —
And the riddle207 is guess’d — and the puzzle is known —
So the truth was sniff’d, and the Trumpet was blown!
’Tis a day in November — a day of fog —
But the Tringham people are all agog19;
Fathers, Mothers, and Mother’s Sons —
With sticks, and staves, and swords, and guns —
As if in pursuit of a rabid dog;
But their voices — raised to the highest pitch —
Declare that the game is “a Witch! — a Witch!”
Over the Green, and along by The George —
Past the Stocks, and the Church, and the Forge,
And round the Pound, and skirting the Pond,
Till they come to the whitewash’d cottage beyond,
And there at the door they muster and cluster,
And thump208, and kick, and bellow35, and bluster209 —
Enough to put Old Nick in a fluster210!
A noise, indeed, so loud and long,
And mix’d with expressions so very strong,
That supposing, according to popular fame,
“Wise Woman” and Witch to be the same,
No hag with a broom would unwisely stop,
But up and away through the chimney-top;
Whereas, the moment they burst the door,
Planted fast on her sanded floor,
With her Trumpet up to her organ of hearing,
Lo and behold211! — Dame Eleanor Spearing!
Oh! then arises the fearful shout —
Bawl’d and scream’d, and bandied about —
“Seize her! — Drag the old Jezebel out!”
While the Beadle — the foremost of all the band,
Snatches the Horn from her trembling hand —
And after a pause of doubt and fear,
Puts it up to his sharpest ear.
“Now silence — silence — one and all!”
For the Clerk is quoting from Holy Paul!
But before he rehearses
A couple of verses,
The Beadle lets the Trumpet fall:
For instead of the words so pious and humble212,
He hears a supernatural grumble213.
Enough, enough! and more than enough; —
Twenty impatient hands and rough,
By arm, and leg, and neck, and scruff,
Apron214, ‘kerchief, gown of stuff —
Cap, and pinner, sleeve, and cuff195 —
Are clutching the Witch wherever they can,
With the spite of Woman and fury of Man;
And then — but first they kill her cat,
And murder her dog on the very mat —
And crush the infernal Trumpet flat; —
And then they hurry her through the door
She never, never will enter more!
Away! away! down the dusty lane
They pull her, and haul her, with might and main;
And happy the hawbuck, Tom or Harry215,
Dandy, or Sandy, Jerry, or Larry,
Who happens to get “a leg to carry!”
And happy the foot that can give her a kick,
And happy the hand that can find a brick —
And happy the fingers that hold a stick —
Knife to cut, or pin to prick216 —
And happy the Boy who can lend her a lick; —
Nay, happy the urchin — Charity-bred —
“Who can shy very nigh to her wicked, old head!”
Alas! to think how people’s creeds217
Are contradicted by people’s deeds!
But though the wishes that Witches utter
Can play the most diabolical rigs —
Send styes in the eye — and measle the pigs —
Grease horses’ heels — and spoil the butter;
Smut and mildew218 the corn on the stalk —
And turn new milk to water and chalk —
Blight apples — and give the chickens the pip —
And cramp219 the stomach — and cripple the hip21 —
And waste the body — and addle81 the eggs —
And give a baby bandy legs;
Though in common belief a Witch’s curse
Involves all these horrible things, and worse —
As ignorant bumpkins all profess220,
No bumpkin makes a poke98 the less
At the back or ribs221 of old Eleanor S.!
As if she were only a sack of barley!
Or gives her credit for greater might
Than the Powers of Darkness confer at night
On that other old woman, the parish Charley!
Ay, now’s the time for a Witch to call
On her Imps222 and Sucklings one and all —
Newes, Pyewacket, or Peck in the Crown,
(As Matthew Hopkins has handed them down)
Dick, and Willet, and Sugar-and-Sack,
Greedy Grizel, Jarmara the Black,
Vinegar Tom and the rest of the pack —
Ay, now’s the nick for her friend Old Harry
To come “with his tail” like the bold Glengarry,
And drive her foes223 from their savage job
As a mad Black Bullock would scatter224 a mob:—
But no such matter is down in the bond;
And spite of her cries that never cease,
But scare the ducks and astonish the geese,
The Dame is dragg’d to the fatal pond!
And now they come to the water’s brim —
And in they bundle her — sink or swim;
Though it’s twenty to one that the wretch167 must drown,
With twenty sticks to hold her down;
Including the help to the self-same end,
Which a travelling Pedlar stops to lend.
A Pedlar! — Yes! — The same! — the same!
Who sold the Horn to the drowning Dame!
And now is foremost amid the stir
With a token only reveal’d to her;
A token that makes her shudder225 and shriek226,
And point with her finger, and strive to speak —
But before she can utter the name of the Devil,
Her head is under the water level!
Moral.
There are folks about town — to name no names —
Who much resemble that deafest of Dames!
And over their tea, and muffins, and crumpets,
Circulate many a scandalous word,
And whisper tales they could only have heard
Through some such Diabolical Trumpets!
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
ballad
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| n.歌谣，民谣，流行爱情歌曲 | |
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2
dame
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| n.女士 | |
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3
parley
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| n.谈判 | |
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barley
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| n.大麦，大麦粒 | |
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5
query
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| n.疑问，问号，质问；vt.询问，表示怀疑 | |
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6
hoops
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| n.箍( hoop的名词复数 )；（篮球）篮圈；（旧时儿童玩的）大环子；（两端埋在地里的）小铁弓 | |
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7
ruby
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| n.红宝石，红宝石色 | |
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8
pro
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| n.赞成，赞成的意见，赞成者 | |
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9
blister
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| n.水疱；(油漆等的)气泡；v.(使)起泡 | |
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10
folly
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| n.愚笨，愚蠢，蠢事，蠢行，傻话 | |
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11
harp
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| n.竖琴；天琴座 | |
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12
fiddle
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| n.小提琴；vi.拉提琴；不停拨弄，乱动 | |
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13
kit
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| n.用具包，成套工具；随身携带物 | |
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14
similes
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| （使用like或as等词语的）明喻( simile的名词复数 ) | |
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15
adder
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| n.蝰蛇；小毒蛇 | |
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16
muffled
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| adj.（声音）被隔的；听不太清的；（衣服）裹严的；蒙住的v.压抑，捂住( muffle的过去式和过去分词 )；用厚厚的衣帽包着（自己） | |
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17
alas
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| int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
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18
ass
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| n.驴；傻瓜，蠢笨的人 | |
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19
agog
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| adj.兴奋的，有强烈兴趣的； adv.渴望地 | |
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20
dummy
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| n.假的东西；(哄婴儿的)橡皮奶头 | |
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21
hip
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| n.臀部，髋；屋脊 | |
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22
con
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| n.反对的观点，反对者，反对票，肺病；vt.精读，学习，默记；adv.反对地，从反面；adj.欺诈的 | |
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23
prattling
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| v.（小孩般）天真无邪地说话( prattle的现在分词 )；发出连续而无意义的声音；闲扯；东拉西扯 | |
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24
contrived
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| adj.不自然的，做作的；虚构的 | |
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25
weavers
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| 织工，编织者( weaver的名词复数 ) | |
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26
parlor
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| n.店铺，营业室；会客室，客厅 | |
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27
snip
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| n.便宜货，廉价货，剪，剪断 | |
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28
mangle
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| vt.乱砍，撕裂，破坏，毁损，损坏，轧布 | |
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29
snob
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| n.势利小人，自以为高雅、有学问的人 | |
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30
nag
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| v.(对…)不停地唠叨；n.爱唠叨的人 | |
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31
wares
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| n. 货物, 商品 | |
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32
ware
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| n.(常用复数)商品，货物 | |
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33
muster
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| v.集合，收集，鼓起，激起；n.集合，检阅，集合人员，点名册 | |
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34
bellows
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| n.风箱；发出吼叫声，咆哮（尤指因痛苦）( bellow的名词复数 )；（愤怒地）说出（某事），大叫v.发出吼叫声，咆哮（尤指因痛苦）( bellow的第三人称单数 )；（愤怒地）说出（某事），大叫 | |
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35
bellow
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| v.吼叫，怒吼；大声发出，大声喝道 | |
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36
statistical
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| adj.统计的，统计学的 | |
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37
prying
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| adj.爱打听的v.打听，刺探（他人的私事）( pry的现在分词 )；撬开 | |
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38
inquisitive
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| adj.求知欲强的，好奇的，好寻根究底的 | |
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39
clan
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| n.氏族，部落，宗族，家族，宗派 | |
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40
jotting
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| n.简短的笔记，略记v.匆忙记下( jot的现在分词 )；草草记下，匆匆记下 | |
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41
laboring
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| n.劳动，操劳v.努力争取(for)( labor的现在分词 )；苦干；详细分析；（指引擎）缓慢而困难地运转 | |
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42
poking
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| n. 刺，戳，袋 vt. 拨开，刺，戳 vi. 戳，刺，捅，搜索，伸出，行动散慢 | |
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43
ascertained
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| v.弄清，确定，查明( ascertain的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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44
audit
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| v.审计；查帐；核对；旁听 | |
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45
chuckle
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| vi.／n.轻声笑，咯咯笑 | |
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46
dribbled
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| v.流口水( dribble的过去式和过去分词 )；（使液体）滴下或作细流；运球，带球 | |
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47
tune
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| n.调子；和谐，协调；v.调音，调节，调整 | |
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48
latch
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| n.门闩，窗闩；弹簧锁 | |
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49
dealer
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| n.商人，贩子 | |
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50
invader
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| n.侵略者，侵犯者，入侵者 | |
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51
dub
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| vt.（以某种称号）授予，给...起绰号，复制 | |
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52
luring
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| 吸引，引诱（lure的现在分词形式） | |
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53
pane
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| n.窗格玻璃，长方块 | |
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54
brass
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| n.黄铜；黄铜器，铜管乐器 | |
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55
gilt
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| adj.镀金的；n.金边证券 | |
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56
presto
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| adv.急速地；n.急板乐段；adj.急板的 | |
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57
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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58
tact
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| n.机敏，圆滑，得体 | |
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59
trumpet
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| n.喇叭，喇叭声；v.吹喇叭，吹嘘 | |
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60
blessing
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| n.祈神赐福；祷告；祝福，祝愿 | |
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61
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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62
waxy
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| adj.苍白的；光滑的 | |
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63
mischievous
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| adj.调皮的，恶作剧的，有害的，伤人的 | |
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64
syllable
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| n.音节；vt.分音节 | |
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65
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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66
virtue
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| n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力 | |
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67
prattle
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| n.闲谈；v.（小孩般）天真无邪地说话；发出连续而无意义的声音 | |
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68
bleating
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| v.（羊，小牛）叫( bleat的现在分词 )；哭诉；发出羊叫似的声音；轻声诉说 | |
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69
murmur
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| n.低语，低声的怨言；v.低语，低声而言 | |
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70
vocals
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| （乐曲中的）歌唱部份，声乐部份( vocal的名词复数 ) | |
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71
fiddles
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| n.小提琴( fiddle的名词复数 )；欺诈；（需要运用手指功夫的）细巧活动；当第二把手v.伪造( fiddle的第三人称单数 )；篡改；骗取；修理或稍作改动 | |
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72
vice
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| n.坏事；恶习；[pl.]台钳，老虎钳；adj.副的 | |
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73
prudence
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| n.谨慎，精明，节俭 | |
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74
stump
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| n.残株，烟蒂，讲演台；v.砍断，蹒跚而走 | |
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75
equity
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| n.公正，公平，（无固定利息的）股票 | |
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76
jabber
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| v.快而不清楚地说；n.吱吱喳喳 | |
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77
jaw
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| n.颚，颌，说教，流言蜚语；v.喋喋不休，教训 | |
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78
pious
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| adj.虔诚的；道貌岸然的 | |
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79
cant
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| n.斜穿，黑话，猛扔 | |
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80
puddle
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| n.(雨)水坑，泥潭 | |
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81
addle
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| v.使腐坏，使昏乱 | |
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82
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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83
rust
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| n.锈；v.生锈；(脑子)衰退 | |
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84
surgical
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| adj.外科的，外科医生的，手术上的 | |
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85
horrid
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| adj.可怕的；令人惊恐的；恐怖的；极讨厌的 | |
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86
tugs
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| n.猛拉( tug的名词复数 )；猛拖；拖船v.用力拉，使劲拉，猛扯( tug的第三人称单数 ) | |
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87
membrane
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| n.薄膜，膜皮，羊皮纸 | |
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88
copper
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| n.铜；铜币；铜器；adj.铜(制)的；(紫)铜色的 | |
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89
bawl
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| v.大喊大叫，大声地喊，咆哮 | |
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90
acoustical
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| adj. 听觉的，声学的，音响学的 | |
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91
gentry
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| n.绅士阶级，上层阶级 | |
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92
sentry
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| n.哨兵，警卫 | |
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93
chilly
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| adj.凉快的，寒冷的 | |
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94
pelt
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| v.投掷，剥皮，抨击，开火 | |
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95
remorse
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| n.痛恨，悔恨，自责 | |
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96
brute
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|
| n.野兽，兽性 | |
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97
pokes
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| v.伸出( poke的第三人称单数 )；戳出；拨弄；与（某人）性交 | |
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98
poke
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| n.刺，戳，袋；vt.拨开，刺，戳；vi.戳，刺，捅，搜索，伸出，行动散慢 | |
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99
fret
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| v.(使)烦恼；(使)焦急；(使)腐蚀，(使)磨损 | |
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100
vex
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| vt.使烦恼，使苦恼 | |
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101
hymn
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| n.赞美诗，圣歌，颂歌 | |
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102
improper
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| adj.不适当的，不合适的，不正确的，不合礼仪的 | |
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103
dames
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| n.（在英国）夫人（一种封号），夫人（爵士妻子的称号）( dame的名词复数 )；女人 | |
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104
advertising
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| n.广告业；广告活动 a.广告的；广告业务的 | |
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105
soothing
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| adj.慰藉的；使人宽心的；镇静的 | |
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106
syrup
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|
| n.糖浆，糖水 | |
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107
ominous
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|
| adj.不祥的，不吉的，预兆的，预示的 | |
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108
mere
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|
| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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109
malicious
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|
| adj.有恶意的，心怀恶意的 | |
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110
flirtation
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| n.调情，调戏，挑逗 | |
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111
altercation
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|
| n.争吵，争论 | |
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112
begrudge
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| vt.吝啬，羡慕 | |
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113
chatter
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| vi.／n.喋喋不休；短促尖叫；(牙齿)打战 | |
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114
slit
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| n.狭长的切口；裂缝；vt.切开，撕裂 | |
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115
beaks
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| n.鸟嘴( beak的名词复数 )；鹰钩嘴；尖鼻子；掌权者 | |
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116
quorum
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| n.法定人数 | |
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117
miser
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| n.守财奴，吝啬鬼 (adj.miserly) | |
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118
cod
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| n.鳕鱼；v.愚弄；哄骗 | |
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119
rumors
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| n.传闻( rumor的名词复数 )；[古]名誉；咕哝；[古]喧嚷v.传闻( rumor的第三人称单数 )；[古]名誉；咕哝；[古]喧嚷 | |
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120
concerto
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| n.协奏曲 | |
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121
gnat
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| v.对小事斤斤计较，琐事 | |
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122
gratis
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| adj.免费的 | |
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123
funnel
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| n.漏斗；烟囱；v.汇集 | |
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124
beset
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| v.镶嵌；困扰，包围 | |
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125
plied
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| v.使用（工具）( ply的过去式和过去分词 )；经常供应（食物、饮料）；固定往来；经营生意 | |
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126
scarlet
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| n.深红色，绯红色，红衣；adj.绯红色的 | |
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127
trot
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| n.疾走，慢跑；n.老太婆；现成译本；(复数）trots:腹泻（与the 连用）；v.小跑，快步走，赶紧 | |
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128
canvass
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| v.招徕顾客，兜售；游说；详细检查，讨论 | |
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129
borough
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| n.享有自治权的市镇；(英)自治市镇 | |
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130
rhinoceros
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| n.犀牛 | |
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131
blasphemous
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|
| adj.亵渎神明的，不敬神的 | |
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132
filthy
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| adj.卑劣的；恶劣的，肮脏的 | |
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133
kennels
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| n.主人外出时的小动物寄养处，养狗场；狗窝( kennel的名词复数 )；养狗场 | |
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134
blight
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| n.枯萎病；造成破坏的因素；vt.破坏，摧残 | |
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135
smacking
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| 活泼的，发出响声的，精力充沛的 | |
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136
jargon
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| n.术语，行话 | |
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137
ferocious
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| adj.凶猛的，残暴的，极度的，十分强烈的 | |
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138
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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139
baboon
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| n.狒狒 | |
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140
libidinous
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|
| adj.淫荡的 | |
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141
shamming
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| 假装，冒充( sham的现在分词 ) | |
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142
urchin
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| n.顽童；海胆 | |
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143
juvenile
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| n.青少年，少年读物；adj.青少年的，幼稚的 | |
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144
crimson
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| n./adj.深(绯)红色(的)；vi.脸变绯红色 | |
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145
garish
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|
| adj.华丽而俗气的，华而不实的 | |
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146
allusion
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| n.暗示，间接提示 | |
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147
brag
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|
| v./n.吹牛，自夸；adj.第一流的 | |
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148
dexterous
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|
| adj.灵敏的；灵巧的 | |
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149
immoral
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| adj.不道德的，淫荡的，荒淫的，有伤风化的 | |
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150
averse
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|
| adj.厌恶的；反对的，不乐意的 | |
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151
squire
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| n.护卫, 侍从, 乡绅 | |
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152
trudge
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| v.步履艰难地走；n.跋涉，费力艰难的步行 | |
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153
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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154
nay
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| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
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155
tingle
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| vi.感到刺痛，感到激动；n.刺痛，激动 | |
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156
nought
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| n.／adj.无，零 | |
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157
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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158
wink
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| n.眨眼，使眼色，瞬间；v.眨眼，使眼色，闪烁 | |
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159
conclave
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| n.秘密会议，红衣主教团 | |
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160
feline
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| adj.猫科的 | |
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161
zest
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| n.乐趣；滋味，风味；兴趣 | |
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162
sipping
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| v.小口喝，呷，抿( sip的现在分词 ) | |
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163
amending
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|
| 改良，修改，修订( amend的现在分词 )； 改良，修改，修订( amend的第三人称单数 )( amends的现在分词 ) | |
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164
anecdotes
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| n.掌故，趣闻，轶事( anecdote的名词复数 ) | |
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165
gender
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| n.（生理上的）性，（名词、代词等的）性 | |
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166
wretches
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| n.不幸的人( wretch的名词复数 )；可怜的人；恶棍；坏蛋 | |
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167
wretch
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| n.可怜的人，不幸的人；卑鄙的人 | |
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168
pokers
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| n.拨火铁棒( poker的名词复数 )；纸牌；扑克；（通常指人）（坐或站得）直挺挺的 | |
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169
tongs
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| n.钳；夹子 | |
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170
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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171
poultry
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| n.家禽，禽肉 | |
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172
skid
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| v.打滑 n.滑向一侧；滑道 ，滑轨 | |
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173
vile
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| adj.卑鄙的，可耻的，邪恶的；坏透的 | |
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174
diabolical
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|
| adj.恶魔似的，凶暴的 | |
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175
dome
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| n.圆屋顶，拱顶 | |
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176
plausible
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|
| adj.似真实的，似乎有理的，似乎可信的 | |
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177
gloss
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| n.光泽，光滑；虚饰；注释；vt.加光泽于；掩饰 | |
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178
diminutive
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| adj.小巧可爱的，小的 | |
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179
mote
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| n.微粒；斑点 | |
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180
hiss
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| v.发出嘶嘶声；发嘘声表示不满 | |
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181
viperous
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| adj.有毒的，阴险的 | |
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182
gorgon
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| n.丑陋女人，蛇发女怪 | |
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183
calamities
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| n.灾祸，灾难( calamity的名词复数 )；不幸之事 | |
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184
poked
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| v.伸出( poke的过去式和过去分词 )；戳出；拨弄；与（某人）性交 | |
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185
mischief
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| n.损害，伤害，危害；恶作剧，捣蛋，胡闹 | |
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186
peals
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| n.（声音大而持续或重复的）洪亮的响声( peal的名词复数 )；隆隆声；洪亮的钟声；钟乐v.（使）（钟等）鸣响，（雷等）发出隆隆声( peal的第三人称单数 ) | |
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187
rumbled
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| 发出隆隆声，发出辘辘声( rumble的过去式和过去分词 )； 轰鸣着缓慢行进； 发现…的真相； 看穿（阴谋） | |
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188
wrench
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| v.猛拧；挣脱；使扭伤；n.扳手；痛苦，难受 | |
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189
placid
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| adj.安静的，平和的 | |
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190
arsenic
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| n.砒霜，砷；adj.砷的 | |
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191
pastry
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| n.油酥面团，酥皮糕点 | |
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192
gruel
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| n.稀饭，粥 | |
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193
torments
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| （肉体或精神上的）折磨，痛苦( torment的名词复数 )； 造成痛苦的事物[人] | |
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194
wring
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| n.扭绞；v.拧，绞出，扭 | |
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195
cuff
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| n.袖口；手铐；护腕；vt.用手铐铐；上袖口 | |
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196
cuffs
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| n.袖口( cuff的名词复数 )v.掌打，拳打( cuff的第三人称单数 ) | |
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197
feuds
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| n.长期不和，世仇( feud的名词复数 ) | |
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198
wrangles
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| n.（尤指长时间的）激烈争吵，口角，吵嘴( wrangle的名词复数 )v.争吵，争论，口角( wrangle的第三人称单数 ) | |
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199
tiff
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| n.小争吵，生气 | |
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200
plighted
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|
| vt.保证，约定（plight的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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201
wedded
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|
| adj.正式结婚的；渴望…的，执著于…的v.嫁，娶，（与…）结婚( wed的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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202
toddle
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| v.（如小孩）蹒跚学步 | |
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203
theatrical
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| adj.剧场的，演戏的；做戏似的，做作的 | |
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204
forgeries
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| 伪造( forgery的名词复数 )； 伪造的文件、签名等 | |
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205
scent
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| n.气味，香味，香水，线索，嗅觉；v.嗅，发觉 | |
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206
waft
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| v.飘浮，飘荡；n.一股；一阵微风；飘荡 | |
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207
riddle
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|
| n.谜，谜语，粗筛；vt.解谜，给…出谜，筛，检查，鉴定，非难，充满于；vi.出谜 | |
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208
thump
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| v.重击，砰然地响；n.重击，重击声 | |
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209
bluster
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| v.猛刮；怒冲冲的说；n.吓唬，怒号；狂风声 | |
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210
fluster
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| adj.慌乱，狼狈，混乱，激动 | |
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211
behold
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| v.看，注视，看到 | |
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212
humble
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| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
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213
grumble
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| vi.抱怨；咕哝；n.抱怨，牢骚；咕哝，隆隆声 | |
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214
apron
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| n.围裙；工作裙 | |
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215
harry
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| vt.掠夺，蹂躏，使苦恼 | |
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216
prick
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| v.刺伤，刺痛，刺孔；n.刺伤，刺痛 | |
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217
creeds
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| （尤指宗教）信条，教条( creed的名词复数 ) | |
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218
mildew
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| n.发霉；v.（使）发霉 | |
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219
cramp
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| n.痉挛；[pl.](腹)绞痛；vt.限制，束缚 | |
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220
profess
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| v.声称，冒称，以...为业，正式接受入教，表明信仰 | |
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221
ribs
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| n.肋骨( rib的名词复数 )；（船或屋顶等的）肋拱；肋骨状的东西；（织物的）凸条花纹 | |
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222
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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223
foes
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| 敌人，仇敌( foe的名词复数 ) | |
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224
scatter
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| vt.撒，驱散，散开；散布/播；vi.分散，消散 | |
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225
shudder
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| v.战粟，震动，剧烈地摇晃；n.战粟，抖动 | |
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226
shriek
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| v./n.尖叫，叫喊 | |
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