Approach the chamber1, look upon his bed. His is the passing of no peaceful ghost, Which, as the lark2 arises to the sky, 'Mid3 morning's sweetest breeze and softest dew, Is wing'd to heaven by good men's sighs and tears!--- Anselm parts otherwise. Old Play
During the interval4 of quiet which followed the first success of the besiegers, while the one party was preparing to pursue their advantage, and the other to strengthen their means of defence, the Templar and De Bracy held brief council together in the hall of the castle.
"Where is Front-de-Boeuf?" said the latter, who had superintended the defence of the fortress5 on the other side; "men say he hath been slain6."
"He lives," said the Templar, coolly, "lives as yet; but had he worn the bull's head of which he bears the name, and ten plates of iron to fence it withal, he must have gone down before yonder fatal axe7. Yet a few hours, and Front-de-Boeuf is with his fathers---a powerful limb lopped off Prince John's enterprise."
"And a brave addition to the kingdom of Satan," said De Bracy; "this comes of reviling8 saints and angels, and ordering images of holy things and holy men to be flung down on the heads of these rascaille yeomen."
"Go to---thou art a fool," said the Templar; "thy superstition9 is upon a level with Front-de-Boeuf's want of faith; neither of you can render a reason for your belief or unbelief."
"Benedicite, Sir Templar," replied De Bracy, "pray you to keep better rule with your tongue when I am the theme of it. By the Mother of Heaven, I am a better Christian10 man than thou and thy fellowship; for the 'bruit11' goeth shrewdly out, that the most holy Order of the Temple of Zion nurseth not a few heretics within its bosom12, and that Sir Brian de Bois-Guilbert is of the number."
"Care not thou for such reports," said the Templar; "but let us think of making good the castle.---How fought these villain13 yeomen on thy side?"
"Like fiends incarnate14," said De Bracy. "They swarmed15 close up to the walls, headed, as I think, by the knave16 who won the prize at the archery, for I knew his horn and baldric. And this is old Fitzurse's boasted policy, encouraging these malapert knaves17 to rebel against us! Had I not been armed in proof, the villain had marked me down seven times with as little remorse18 as if I had been a buck19 in season. He told every rivet20 on my armour21 with a cloth-yard shaft22, that rapped against my ribs23 with as little compunction as if my bones had been of iron---But that I wore a shirt of Spanish mail under my plate-coat, I had been fairly sped."
"But you maintained your post?" said the Templar. "We lost the outwork on our part."
"That is a shrewd loss," said De Bracy; "the knaves will find cover there to assault the castle more closely, and may, if not well watched, gain some unguarded corner of a tower, or some forgotten window, and so break in upon us. Our numbers are too few for the defence of every point, and the men complain that they can nowhere show themselves, but they are the mark for as many arrows as a parish-butt on a holyday even. Front-de-Boeuf is dying too, so we shall receive no more aid from his bull's head and brutal24 strength. How think you, Sir Brian, were we not better make a virtue25 of necessity, and compound with the rogues26 by delivering up our prisoners?"
"How?" exclaimed the Templar; "deliver up our prisoners, and stand an object alike of ridicule27 and execration28, as the doughty29 warriors30 who dared by a night-attack to possess themselves of the persons of a party of defenceless travellers, yet could not make good a strong castle against a vagabond troop of outlaws32, led by swineherds, jesters, and the very refuse of mankind?---Shame on thy counsel, Maurice de Bracy!---The ruins of this castle shall bury both my body and my shame, ere I consent to such base and dishonourable composition."
"Let us to the walls, then," said De Bracy, carelessly; "that man never breathed, be he Turk or Templar, who held life at lighter34 rate than I do. But I trust there is no dishonour33 in wishing I had here some two scores of my gallant35 troop of Free Companions? ---Oh, my brave lances! if ye knew but how hard your captain were this day bested, how soon should I see my banner at the head of your clump36 of spears! And how short while would these rabble37 villains38 stand to endure your encounter!"
"Wish for whom thou wilt," said the Templar, "but let us make what defence we can with the soldiers who remain---They are chiefly Front-de-Boeuf's followers39, hated by the English for a thousand acts of insolence40 and oppression."
"The better," said De Bracy; "the rugged41 slaves will defend themselves to the last drop of their blood, ere they encounter the revenge of the peasants without. Let us up and be doing, then, Brian de Bois-Guilbert; and, live or die, thou shalt see Maurice de Bracy bear himself this day as a gentleman of blood and lineage."
"To the walls!" answered the Templar; and they both ascended42 the battlements to do all that skill could dictate43, and manhood accomplish, in defence of the place. They readily agreed that the point of greatest danger was that opposite to the outwork of which the assailants had possessed45 themselves. The castle, indeed, was divided from that barbican by the moat, and it was impossible that the besiegers could assail44 the postern-door, with which the outwork corresponded, without surmounting46 that obstacle; but it was the opinion both of the Templar and De Bracy, that the besiegers, if governed by the same policy their leader had already displayed, would endeavour, by a formidable assault, to draw the chief part of the defenders47' observation to this point, and take measures to avail themselves of every negligence48 which might take place in the defence elsewhere. To guard against such an evil, their numbers only permitted the knights49 to place sentinels from space to space along the walls in communication with each other, who might give the alarm whenever danger was threatened. Meanwhile, they agreed that De Bracy should command the defence at the postern, and the Templar should keep with him a score of men or thereabouts as a body of reserve, ready to hasten to any other point which might be suddenly threatened. The loss of the barbican had also this unfortunate effect, that, notwithstanding the superior height of the castle walls, the besieged53 could not see from them, with the same precision as before, the operations of the enemy; for some straggling underwood approached so near the sallyport of the outwork, that the assailants might introduce into it whatever force they thought proper, not only under cover, but even without the knowledge of the defenders. Utterly54 uncertain, therefore, upon what point the storm was to burst, De Bracy and his companion were under the necessity of providing against every possible contingency55, and their followers, however brave, experienced the anxious dejection of mind incident to men enclosed by enemies, who possessed the power of choosing their time and mode of attack.
Meanwhile, the lord of the beleaguered56 and endangered castle lay upon a bed of bodily pain and mental agony. He had not the usual resource of bigots in that superstitious57 period, most of whom were wont58 to atone59 for the crimes they were guilty of by liberality to the church, stupefying by this means their terrors by the idea of atonement and forgiveness; and although the refuge which success thus purchased, was no more like to the peace of mind which follows on sincere repentance61, than the turbid62 stupefaction procured63 by opium64 resembles healthy and natural slumbers65, it was still a state of mind preferable to the agonies of awakened66 remorse. But among the vices67 of Front-de-Boeuf, a hard and griping man, avarice68 was predominant; and he preferred setting church and churchmen at defiance69, to purchasing from them pardon and absolution at the price of treasure and of manors70. Nor did the Templar, an infidel of another stamp, justly characterise his associate, when he said Front-de-Boeuf could assign no cause for his unbelief and contempt for the established faith; for the Baron71 would have alleged72 that the Church sold her wares73 too dear, that the spiritual freedom which she put up to sale was only to be bought like that of the chief captain of Jerusalem, "with a great sum," and Front-de-Boeuf preferred denying the virtue of the medicine, to paying the expense of the physician.
But the moment had now arrived when earth and all his treasures were gliding74 from before his eyes, and when the savage75 Baron's heart, though hard as a nether76 millstone, became appalled77 as he gazed forward into the waste darkness of futurity. The fever of his body aided the impatience78 and agony of his mind, and his death-bed exhibited a mixture of the newly awakened feelings of horror, combating with the fixed79 and inveterate80 obstinacy81 of his disposition;---a fearful state of mind, only to be equalled in those tremendous regions, where there are complaints without hope, remorse without repentance, a dreadful sense of present agony, and a presentiment82 that it cannot cease or be diminished!
"Where be these dog-priests now," growled83 the Baron, "who set such price on their ghostly mummery?---where be all those unshod Carmelites, for whom old Front-de-Boeuf founded the convent of St Anne, robbing his heir of many a fair rood of meadow, and many a fat field and close---where be the greedy hounds now?---Swilling, I warrant me, at the ale, or playing their juggling84 tricks at the bedside of some miserly churl85.---Me, the heir of their founder87 ---me, whom their foundation binds88 them to pray for---me ---ungrateful villains as they are!---they suffer to die like the houseless dog on yonder common, unshriven and unhouseled!---Tell the Templar to come hither---he is a priest, and may do something ---But no!---as well confess myself to the devil as to Brian de Bois-Guilbert, who recks neither of heaven nor of hell.---I have heard old men talk of prayer---prayer by their own voice---Such need not to court or to bribe89 the false priest---But I---I dare not!"
"Lives Reginald Front-de-Boeuf," said a broken and shrill90 voice close by his bedside, "to say there is that which he dares not!"
The evil conscience and the shaken nerves of Front-de-Boeuf heard, in this strange interruption to his soliloquy, the voice of one of those demons91, who, as the superstition of the times believed, beset93 the beds of dying men to distract their thoughts, and turn them from the meditations94 which concerned their eternal welfare. He shuddered95 and drew himself together; but, instantly summoning up his wonted resolution, he exclaimed, "Who is there? ---what art thou, that darest to echo my words in a tone like that of the night-raven?---Come before my couch that I may see thee."
"I am thine evil angel, Reginald Front-de-Boeuf," replied the voice.
"Let me behold96 thee then in thy bodily shape, if thou be'st indeed a fiend," replied the dying knight50; "think not that I will blench97 from thee.---By the eternal dungeon98, could I but grapple with these horrors that hover99 round me, as I have done with mortal dangers, heaven or hell should never say that I shrunk from the conflict!"
"Think on thy sins, Reginald Front-de-Boeuf," said the almost unearthly voice, "on rebellion, on rapine, on murder!---Who stirred up the licentious100 John to war against his grey-headed father---against his generous brother?"
"Be thou fiend, priest, or devil," replied Front-de-Boeuf, "thou liest in thy throat!---Not I stirred John to rebellion---not I alone---there were fifty knights and barons101, the flower of the midland counties---better men never laid lance in rest---And must I answer for the fault done by fifty?---False fiend, I defy thee! Depart, and haunt my couch no more---let me die in peace if thou be mortal---if thou be a demon92, thy time is not yet come."
"In peace thou shalt NOT die," repeated the voice; "even in death shalt thou think on thy murders---on the groans102 which this castle has echoed--- on the blood that is engrained in its floors!"
"Thou canst not shake me by thy petty malice," answered Front-de-Boeuf, with a ghastly and constrained103 laugh. "The infidel Jew---it was merit with heaven to deal with him as I did, else wherefore are men canonized who dip their hands in the blood of Saracens?---The Saxon porkers, whom I have slain, they were the foes104 of my country, and of my lineage, and of my liege lord. ---Ho! ho! thou seest there is no crevice105 in my coat of plate ---Art thou fled?---art thou silenced?"
"No, foul106 parricide107!" replied the voice; "think of thy father! ---think of his death!---think of his banquet-room flooded with his gore108, and that poured forth109 by the hand of a son!"
"Ha!" answered the Baron, after a long pause, "an thou knowest that, thou art indeed the author of evil, and as omniscient110 as the monks111 call thee!---That secret I deemed locked in my own breast, and in that of one besides---the temptress, the partaker of my guilt60.---Go, leave me, fiend! and seek the Saxon witch Ulrica, who alone could tell thee what she and I alone witnessed. ---Go, I say, to her, who washed the wounds, and straighted the corpse112, and gave to the slain man the outward show of one parted in time and in the course of nature---Go to her, she was my temptress, the foul provoker, the more foul rewarder, of the deed ---let her, as well as I, taste of the tortures which anticipate hell!"
"She already tastes them," said Ulrica, stepping before the couch of Front-de-Boeuf; "she hath long drunken of this cup, and its bitterness is now sweetened to see that thou dost partake it. ---Grind not thy teeth, Front-de-Boeuf---roll not thine eyes ---clench not thine hand, nor shake it at me with that gesture of menace!---The hand which, like that of thy renowned113 ancestor who gained thy name, could have broken with one stroke the skull114 of a mountain-bull, is now unnerved and powerless as mine own!"
"Vile115 murderous hag!" replied Front-de-Boeuf; "detestable screech-owl! it is then thou who art come to exult116 over the ruins thou hast assisted to lay low?"
"Ay, Reginald Front-de-Boeuf," answered she, "it is Ulrica!---it is the daughter of the murdered Torquil Wolfganger!---it is the sister of his slaughtered117 sons!---it is she who demands of thee, and of thy father's house, father and kindred, name and fame ---all that she has lost by the name of Front-de-Boeuf!---Think of my wrongs, Front-de-Boeuf, and answer me if I speak not truth. Thou hast been my evil angel, and I will be thine---I will dog thee till the very instant of dissolution!"
"Detestable fury!" exclaimed Front-de-Boeuf, "that moment shalt thou never witness---Ho! Giles, Clement118, and Eustace! Saint Maur, and Stephen! seize this damned witch, and hurl86 her from the battlements headlong---she has betrayed us to the Saxon!---Ho! Saint Maur! Clement! false-hearted, knaves, where tarry ye?"
"Call on them again, valiant119 Baron," said the hag, with a smile of grisly mockery; "summon thy vassals120 around thee, doom121 them that loiter to the scourge122 and the dungeon---But know, mighty123 chief," she continued, suddenly changing her tone, "thou shalt have neither answer, nor aid, nor obedience124 at their hands. ---Listen to these horrid125 sounds," for the din52 of the recommenced assault and defence now rung fearfully loud from the battlements of the castle; "in that war-cry is the downfall of thy house---The blood-cemented fabric126 of Front-de-Boeuf's power totters127 to the foundation, and before the foes he most despised! ---The Saxon, Reginald!---the scorned Saxon assails128 thy walls! ---Why liest thou here, like a worn-out hind129, when the Saxon storms thy place of strength?"
"Gods and fiends!" exclaimed the wounded knight; "O, for one moment's strength, to drag myself to the 'melee130', and perish as becomes my name!"
"Think not of it, valiant warrior31!" replied she; "thou shalt die no soldier's death, but perish like the fox in his den51, when the peasants have set fire to the cover around it."
"Hateful hag! thou liest!" exclaimed Front-de-Boeuf; "my followers bear them bravely---my walls are strong and high---my comrades in arms fear not a whole host of Saxons, were they headed by Hengist and Horsa!---The war-cry of the Templar and of the Free Companions rises high over the conflict! And by mine honour, when we kindle131 the blazing beacon132, for joy of our defence, it shall consume thee, body and bones; and I shall live to hear thou art gone from earthly fires to those of that hell, which never sent forth an incarnate fiend more utterly diabolical133!"
"Hold thy belief," replied Ulrica, "till the proof reach thee ---But, no!" she said, interrupting herself, "thou shalt know, even now, the doom, which all thy power, strength, and courage, is unable to avoid, though it is prepared for thee by this feeble band. Markest thou the smouldering and suffocating134 vapour which already eddies135 in sable136 folds through the chamber?---Didst thou think it was but the darkening of thy bursting eyes---the difficulty of thy cumbered breathing?---No! Front-de-Boeuf, there is another cause---Rememberest thou the magazine of fuel that is stored beneath these apartments?"
"Woman!" he exclaimed with fury, "thou hast not set fire to it? ---By heaven, thou hast, and the castle is in flames!"
"They are fast rising at least," said Ulrica, with frightful137 composure; "and a signal shall soon wave to warn the besiegers to press hard upon those who would extinguish them.---Farewell, Front-de-Boeuf!---May Mista, Skogula, and Zernebock, gods of the ancient Saxons---fiends, as the priests now call them---supply the place of comforters at your dying bed, which Ulrica now relinquishes138!---But know, if it will give thee comfort to know it, that Ulrica is bound to the same dark coast with thyself, the companion of thy punishment as the companion of thy guilt.---And now, parricide, farewell for ever!---May each stone of this vaulted139 roof find a tongue to echo that title into thine ear!"
So saying, she left the apartment; and Front-de-Boeuf could hear the crash of the ponderous140 key, as she locked and double-locked the door behind her, thus cutting off the most slender chance of escape. In the extremity141 of agony he shouted upon his servants and allies--"Stephen and Saint Maur!---Clement and Giles!---I burn here unaided!---To the rescue---to the rescue, brave Bois-Guilbert, valiant De Bracy!---It is Front-de-Boeuf who calls!---It is your master, ye traitor142 squires143!---Your ally ---your brother in arms, ye perjured144 and faithless knights!---all the curses due to traitors145 upon your recreant146 heads, do you abandon me to perish thus miserably147!---They hear me not---they cannot hear me---my voice is lost in the din of battle.---The smoke rolls thicker and thicker---the fire has caught upon the floor below---O, for one drought of the air of heaven, were it to be purchased by instant annihilation!" And in the mad frenzy148 of despair, the wretch149 now shouted with the shouts of the fighters, now muttered curses on himself, on mankind, and on Heaven itself. ---"The red fire flashes through the thick smoke!" he exclaimed; "the demon marches against me under the banner of his own element ---Foul spirit, avoid!---I go not with thee without my comrades ---all, all are thine, that garrison150 these walls---Thinkest thou Front-de-Boeuf will be singled out to go alone?---No---the infidel Templar---the licentious De Bracy---Ulrica, the foul murdering strumpet---the men who aided my enterprises---the dog Saxons and accursed Jews, who are my prisoners---all, all shall attend me---a goodly fellowship as ever took the downward road ---Ha, ha, ha!" and he laughed in his frenzy till the vaulted roof rang again. "Who laughed there?" exclaimed Front-de-Boeuf, in altered mood, for the noise of the conflict did not prevent the echoes of his own mad laughter from returning upon his ear ---"who laughed there?---Ulrica, was it thou?---Speak, witch, and I forgive thee---for, only thou or the fiend of hell himself could have laughed at such a moment. Avaunt---avaunt!------"
But it were impious to trace any farther the picture of the blasphemer and parricide's deathbed.
走近卧室，朝他的床铺看看吧，
这不是平静的灵魂在安然离去；
平静的灵魂是像云雀飞上天空一样，
在清晨甜蜜的微风和圆润的露水中，
由善人们的叹息和眼泪送往天堂的！
安塞姆的离开人间却不是这样。
古戏剧
在围城者取得初步胜利后的暂时平静阶段，一方在准备扩大战果，另一方则在加强防御设施。这时，圣殿骑士和德布拉西在城堡的大厅中，举行了一次简短的磋商。
“牛面将军在哪里？”德布拉西问，他是在另一边的碉堡上指挥防务的，“有人说他给杀死了。”
“他还活着，”圣殿骑士冷冷地说，“现在还活着，但是他号称牛面将军，这一次哪怕他真的生着一个牛头，再围上十层钢板，挨了那致命的一斧头，也不得不倒下了。不消几个钟头，牛面将军就要去见他的老祖宗——这无异砍断了约翰亲王的一条臂膀。”
“也给撒旦的王国增添了一员猛将，”德布拉西说，“这是咒骂圣徒和天使的结果，他居然还命令把圣器和神像当（石雷）石使用，朝那些混账的庄稼汉头上扔呢。”
“去你的，你这个傻瓜，”圣殿骑士说，“你是盲目信仰，牛面将军是什么也不信，你们两个没什么差别，可是谁也说不出一个道理。”
“上帝保佑你吧，圣殿骑士阁下，”德布拉西答道，“我劝你说话要注意分寸，别对我信口雌黄。凭圣母起誓，我跟你和你那一帮人比起来，是更正宗的基督徒；那些传说不是毫无根据的，人们说，锡恩圣殿的骑士团自以为十分虔诚，它内部却包庇了一些邪教徒，布里恩·布瓦吉贝尔便是其中之一。”
“请你少讲这些无稽之谈，”圣殿骑士道，“目前还是考虑怎么守住这个城堡要紧。在你的一边，那些混账的庄户人打得怎么样？”
“简直像一群恶魔，”德布拉西说。“他们蜂拥而上，来势凶猛，为首的那个人，据我看，就是在比箭中获胜的家伙，因为我认得出他的号角和肩带。这都怪老菲泽西，他吹嘘的策略只是纵容那班无法无天的东西犯上作乱，反对我们！要是我没有销甲保护，那温蛋早把我射死七次了，他真是毫不留情，好像我是一头鹿，正好作他的猎物。他瞄准我盔甲上每一个铆接的地方射箭，差点打断我的肋骨，可他一点也不手软，好像我的骨头都是铁打的。要不是我里边衬着一套西班牙紧身锁子甲，我早完蛋了。”
“但是你守住了阵地吧？”圣殿骑士说。“我们那边却丢掉了碉堡。”
“那是一个重大的损失，”德布拉西说，“那些混蛋可以用它作掩护，从那里就近攻打城堡，要是我们不好好防守，他们还可能攻取塔楼守卫不严的一角，或者某个被遗忘的窗口，然后扑向我们。我们的人数太少，无法在每一点上都设兵防守；而且士兵们都在叫苦，说他们一露面就成了靶子，许多箭纷纷射了过来，好像他们是祈祷日晚上的教堂，大家都要奔向那里。牛面将军又快死了，我们不能再指望从他的牛头和蛮力得到支援了。因此我想，布里恩老兄，识时务者为俊杰，我们何不与那些无赖讲和算了，把抓来的俘虏交还他们？”
“什么！”圣殿骑士大喊道，“把抓来的俘虏交还他们，成为他们的话柄，给他们嘲笑和咒骂？他们会说，我们是软骨头武士，只会趁天黑绑架一群手无寸铁的旅人，却无法守卫坚固的城堡，对付一群由放猪的、小丑和人类的残渣余孽领导的亡命之徒！真丢人，出这种好主意，莫里斯·德布拉西！我宁可让我的身体和我的耻辱，一起埋葬在这城堡的废墟中，也不愿接受这种屈辱的、可耻的和解。”
“那么我们到城墙上去吧，”德布拉西满不在乎地说，“没有一个人，不论他是土耳其人还是圣殿骑士，会像我这样把生命看得轻如鸿毛的。但是我想，我希望我的自由团队，现在有四五十个出色的战士在我身边，这算不得丢脸吧？啊，英勇的长矛骑兵们！你们一旦知道你们的队长今天的处境多么危险，你们一定会马上拿起长矛，跨上战马，打着我的旗号，前来给我们解围！那些乌合之众在你们面前，真是不堪一击啊！”
“随你希望什么，”圣殿骑士说，“但是我们只能按照现有的兵力布置防务。他们大多是牛面将军的部下，平时敲榨勒索，作恶累累，英国人对他们早已恨之入骨了。”
“那样更好，”德布拉西说。“这些粗暴的奴才会抵抗到底，宁可流尽最后一滴血，也不愿遭到外面那些农民的报复。那么让我们上去干吧，布里恩·布瓦吉贝尔；不论生还是死，你会看到，莫里斯·德布拉西今天的表现，不会辱没他名门望族的绅士身分。”
“上城楼去！”圣殿骑士回答。于是两人登上城墙，为保卫这个地方，按照战术的要求，做了他们力所能及的一切。他们一致同意，面对已被进攻者占领的碉堡的那个地点，是最危险的。不错，城堡与碉堡之间还隔着一条壕沟，围攻者不越过这个障碍，便无法攻打与碉堡隔沟相望的那扇边门。但圣殿骑士和德布拉西两人都相信，如果进攻者仍按照他们的领导人已显示过的既定方针行事，他们一定会发动强大的攻势，以便把守城部队的注意力吸引到这地点，然后利用别处防线上可能出现的任何疏忽，进行袭击。为了防止这种不利局面，他们在人力不足的情况下，只能沿城墙每隔一段布置一个哨兵，让他们互相呼应，一旦出现危险，马上发出警报。这时，他们共同决定，边门的防务由德布拉西指挥，圣殿骑士则率领二十来人作为后备力量，随时支援可能突然告急的任何地点。碉堡的失守还造成了另一个不幸后果，即尽管城堡的城墙非常高，被围困在里边的人从城墙上眺望敌人的活动，已不如以前那么清晰；因为有些矮树丛枝叶蔓延，离碉堡的出击口这么近，成了进攻者的藏身之所，他们需要在这里隐蔽多少力量都成，在这样的掩护下，守城部队无法觉察他们的存在。这样，由于根本不能确定，进攻可能在哪里爆发，德布拉西和他的朋友必须为一切可能的意外作好准备，他们的部下不论如何勇敢，也必然会体验到处在敌人围困下的焦急消沉的心情，因为进攻的时间和方式都掌握在敌人手里。
与此同时，这个被围困的危急城堡的主人却躺在床上，忍受着身体的痛苦和精神的折磨。他不具备那些罪恶累累的人通常拥有的解脱方法——在那个迷信的时代，这些人为了赎罪，大多向教会作出慷慨的施舍，靠这办法麻痹他们的恐怖感，认为这样他们便可获得赦免和宽恕了；尽管他们所购得的这种庇护，与真诚的忏悔带来的心灵平静大相径庭，就像靠鸦片取得的充满噩梦的麻木昏迷，与健康而自然的睡眠大不相同一样，然而这种精神状态毕竟比悔恨交加的痛苦心理略胜一筹。可是牛面将军是个心狠手辣，贪得无厌的人，在他的各种恶习中占主导地位的是贪婪；他一向不把教会和教士放在眼里，自然不会用金银和土地作代价，购买赦免和赎罪的权利。圣殿骑士也是个假教徒，但那是另一种类型，他曾批评牛面将军，说他什么也不信，蔑视教会的权威，自己却讲不出一个道理；其实这批评并不完全对，那位爵爷也是有理由的，他是觉得教会出售的商品太贵，它推销的精神解脱法，像耶路撒冷的大酋长要的价钱一样，“太昂贵了。”他是不愿给医生付巨大的诊费，才否定药物的效力的。
但是那个可怕的时刻终于到来了，土地和一切金银财宝即将从他的眼前消失，这个野蛮的领主的心固然硬如铁石，现在展望未来的茫茫黑暗，也不禁毛骨惊然。身体的高热助长了心灵的焦躁和痛苦，临终的病榻让他体验到了一种新觉醒的恐怖意识，它与他长期形成的根深蒂固的本性在进行搏斗；这是一种可怕的心理状态，处在这种状态，一个人仿佛陷入了万劫不复的深渊，在那里只有怨恨，没有希望，只有良心的谴责，没有悔改的道路，不仅要为眼前的痛苦惶惶不安，而且看不到它终止或减轻的任何迹象！
“现在那些狗娘养的教士都上哪儿去了？”领主咆哮道，“他们把念经的价钱抬得这么高，现在却不知去向！卡尔默罗会的赤脚修士都跑哪儿去了？我的父亲为他们建造了圣安妮修道院，害我失去了大片牧场，无数的田地和围场，可如今，这些贪得无厌的狗在哪儿？我保证，一定在喝酒，或者跑到哪个守财奴的床边耍他们的鬼花招去了。他们的修道院是我父亲修建的，我是他的继承人，他们有义务为我祈祷！可是这些忘恩负义的混蛋，却让我像一条无家可归的野狗那样死去，没有人替我忏悔，没有人给我的灵魂指引归宿！让圣殿骑士到这儿来，他也是教士，他可以干这差使。但是不！向布里恩·布瓦吉贝尔忏悔，那还不如去向魔鬼忏悔，天堂和地狱都不在他的话下。我听老人们说过，我们可以自己祷告——自己为自己祷告，那就不必恳求和贿赂那些假教士了。但是我，我不敢这么做！”
“牛面将军雷金纳德活到今天，终于也承认他有不敢做的事了？”一个破嗓子在他床边尖声叫了起来。
牛面将军的自言自语给这奇怪的声音打断了，他那颗罪恶的心，那些惊恐不定的神经，以为这是哪个妖魔在作祟，因为按照当时的迷信观念，人到了弥留状态，妖魔就会光顾，扰乱他们的情绪，转移他们对永恒的幸福的向往。他打了个冷噤，缩紧了身子；但是马上又鼓起平时的勇气，大声喝道：“谁在那里？你是什么人，敢像乌鸦一样在我面前呱呱乱叫，跟我顶撞？跑到前面来，让我看看。”
“我是你的催命鬼，牛面将军雷金纳德，”那声音答道。
“如果你真的是鬼，那么把你的嘴脸露给我看，”垂死的骑士答道，“不要以为我会怕你。凭永恒的地狱起誓，我一向出生入死，不怕危险，你的精神折磨不能使我屈服，不论天堂还是地狱，我从来不知道退缩！”
“想想你的罪恶吧，牛面将军雷金纳德，”那个阴魂般的声音又道，“想想你的叛逆行为，你的烧杀掳掠，你的谋财害命！是谁怂恿无法无天的约翰发动战争，反对他白发苍苍的父亲，反对他宽宏大量的哥哥的？”
“不论你是魔鬼、神父，还是妖怪，”牛面将军答道，“你说的都是弥天大谎！不是我撺掇约翰叛乱的一不是我一个人；有五十个骑士和贵族参加了这阴谋，他们都是中部各郡的精华，从没有过比他们更好的骑士了。难道应该我一个人为五十个人的错误承担责任吗？胡言乱语的魔鬼，我不买你的账！滚开，不要再在我的床边纠缠。如果你是个活人，就让我安静地死去，如果你是个鬼魂，那么你的时候还没有到。”
“你不可能安静地死去，”那声音又说道，“哪怕你死了，你也不能忘记你那些血腥的屠杀，那些死在你刀下的人的呻吟，那些留在这城堡地上的血迹！”
“你这些恶毒的指责毫不足道，我根本不在乎，”牛面将军回答，勉强发出了一阵阴险的笑声。“那个犹太人是邪教徒，我对待他的态度应该得到上天的赞许，否则为什么那些手上沾满萨拉森人鲜血的人，会给封为圣徒呢？我杀害的那些撒克逊猪秽——他们是我的国家，我的家族，我的亲王的仇敌。哈哈！你瞧，你在我的战袍上是找不到污点的。你溜走了吗？你没有话说了吧？”
“我没有走，你这个丧尽天良的弑父暴徒！”那声音答道，“想想你的父亲吧！——想想他是怎么死的！想想他怎样倒在宴会大厅的血泊中，怎样给他的儿子亲手刺死吧！”
“啊！”男爵沉默了好大一会，才答道，“你连这事也知道，那么你确实是魔鬼，因为据修士们说，你是无所不知的！那个秘密我以为是藏在我心中的，谁也不会知道，除了一个人——那个引诱我犯罪的妖妇，我的同谋犯。去吧，离开我，魔鬼！去找那个撒克逊女巫乌尔莉加，我和她一起干的事，只有她能告诉你。去，告诉你，去找她，是她洗净了伤口，拉直了尸体，使被害的人保持了因年老而正常死亡的外表。去找她，是她引诱我干的，她是阴险的教唆犯，她的罪恶更大，她向我许了愿，答应作我的情妇。让她也像我一样，在进入地狱以前先尝尝精神折磨的滋味吧！”
“她已经尝到了，”乌尔莉加说道，跨到了牛面将军的病床前面，“她早已尝到这杯苦酒，但是现在这杯苦酒有了甜味，因为我看到你终于也得喝它了。牛面将军，不必磨你的牙齿，不必转动你的眼珠，不必挥舞拳头，做出威胁的姿势！这只手尽管力大无穷，可以一拳打破一头公牛的头颅，像你那个著名的父亲一样，但是现在它已经衰老，没有力气，跟我的一样了！”
“阴险毒辣的老虔婆！”牛面将军答道，“喋喋不休的、讨厌的猫头鹰！那么这是你，是你在幸灾乐祸，为我的城堡的覆灭拍手叫好？”
“对，牛面将军雷金纳德，”她答道，“我是乌尔莉加！被你杀害的托奎尔·沃尔夫岗格的女儿！他那些殉难的儿子的同胞姊妹！是她要你，要你父亲的全家，偿还血债，为她的父亲和亲人，为他们的名声和荣誉，为牛面将军一家给他们造成的损害报仇！想想我的冤屈，牛面将军，回答我，我讲的是不是事实？你是我的魔鬼，我也要作你的魔鬼，我要钉住你不放，直到你毁灭为止！”
“狠心的女人！”牛面将军喊道，“但是你看不到那个时刻。来人呀，贾尔斯，克莱门特，尤斯塔斯！圣莫尔和斯蒂芬！抓住这个该死的女巫，把她从城楼上倒头扔下去；她把我们出卖给了撒克逊人！喂，圣莫尔，克莱门特！这些没有良心的混蛋，你们都滚到哪儿去啦？”
“大声喊吧，勇敢的爵爷，”老太婆说，露出了险恶的冷笑，“召集你的奴仆吧，谁不听话，就把他鞭打一顿，送入地牢。但是要知道，强大的头领，”她继续说，突然改变了声音，“你不会得到回答，他们已自顾不暇，无力来帮助你，听你发号施令了。听听这些可怕的声音，”因为进攻已重新开始，双方的呐喊声愈来愈响，不断从城堡上空传来，“你的巢穴就要葬送在这一片喊杀声中了。牛面将军靠鲜血建立的权力已摇摇欲坠，马上会在他所鄙视的敌人面前彻底毁灭了！雷金纳德！撒克逊人，你所嘲笑的撒克逊人，在进攻你的城堡了！为什么你还躺在这儿，像一只筋疲力尽的野兽，听任撒克逊人攻打你的要塞啊？”
“天神也罢，恶鬼也罢，帮助我吧，”负伤的骑士喊道，“哪怕给我一分钟的力气也好呀，让我走上城楼，死在战斗中，免得辱没我的一世英名吧！”
“别指望这个啦，勇敢的武士！”她答道，“你不会死在沙场上，只能像狐狸一样躺在洞里，让农夫在它周围放火焚烧，把你烧死在洞内。”
“可恶的老婆子！你在撒谎！”牛面将军嚷道，“我的部下英勇无敌，我的城墙坚固高大，我的伙伴不怕撒克逊人的干军万马，哪怕那是亨吉斯特和霍尔萨(注)指挥的！听吧，圣殿骑士和自由兵团的呐喊声多么响亮！凭我的荣誉起誓，等我们燃起熊熊篝火，庆祝我们的胜利时，我要把你丢在火中烧成灰烬；我要活到那一天，亲眼看到你这个比魔鬼还凶恶的巫婆，从人间的烈火中走进地狱的烈火！”
--------
(注)亨吉斯特的兄弟，曾与亨吉斯特一起，率领第一批盎格鲁一撒克逊人进入英格兰，因而成为传说中的英雄。
“保持你的信念，等事实向你证明一切吧，”乌尔莉加答道，但马上又改变了主意，“不！应该让你现在就知道你的命运，你的全部权势、力量和勇气都无法改变它，尽管它是这双衰弱的手为你准备的。你发觉没有，令人窒息的烟雾正在回旋卷动，一缕缕的渗入这间屋子？你以为这是你眼睛模糊、呼吸困难造成的错觉吗？不！牛面将军，这来自别的原因。你还记得那个木柴仓库吗？它就在这些房间下面。”
“妖妇！”他急得大喊道，“你没放火吧？我的天，你放火了，城堡陷在火焰中了！”
“至少人会越烧越旺，”乌尔莉加说，安静得令人害怕，“一个信号马上会升起，它要通知围城的人加紧进攻，让这里的人来不及救火。再见，牛面将军！让米斯塔、斯科格拉和泽恩博克那些古代撒克逊人的神——也就是现代教士所说的魔鬼，来到你的床前陪伴你吧，乌尔莉加现在不想奉陪了！但是不妨告诉你，这对你也许是个安慰：乌尔莉加也会跟你一起走向黑暗的彼岸，她以前与你一起犯罪，现在也与你一起接受惩罚。永别了，你这个弑父的叛逆！愿这间屋子的每一块石头都有一张嘴，对着你的耳朵宣布你弑父的罪孽！”
这么说完，她走出了房间；牛面将军听到她咯哒咯哒转动着笨重的钥匙，在门上加了两把锁，这样，把他逃跑的最后一线希望也斩断了。他急得无计可施，大喊着他的仆人和伙伴的名字：“斯蒂芬和圣莫尔！克莱门特和贾尔斯！我在这里烧死，却没有人救我！救命啊，救命啊，勇敢的布瓦吉贝尔，勇敢的德布拉西！这是牛面将军在叫你们啊！我是你们的主人，你们这些丧尽天良的扈从！我是你们的盟友——你们的兄弟和战友，你们这些讲话不算数的背信弃义的骑士！你们这么抛弃我，让我这么悲惨地死去，凡是叛徒应该得到的诅咒，都会落到你们这些胆小鬼的头上！他们听不到——不可能听到，我的声音淹没在战斗的叫嚣中了。烟雾滚滚，越来越浓了，大火一定已从下面烧到了楼板上。啊，天哪，给我一口新鲜空气吧，哪怕这得马上付出生命的代价广在疯狂的绝望中，这个垂死的人一会儿像战士一样大声呼叫，一会儿小声诅咒，诅咒自己，诅咒人类，甚至诅咒上帝。“鲜红的火舌穿过浓烟了！”他惊叫道，“魔鬼已经赤膊上阵，向我进攻了。你这恶鬼，滚开！我没有伙伴不跟你走——守在城墙上的人都是我的伙伴，你都可以带走。你单单挑选牛面将军一个人跟你走吗？不，那个假教徒圣殿骑士，那个放荡的德布拉酉，还有乌尔莉加，那个怂恿我谋杀父亲的婊于，还有那些与我一起烧杀掳掠的帮凶，还有我的俘虏，那些下贱的撒克逊言生和该死的犹太人——所有这些人都应该作我的伙伴，陪我一起下地狱。哈哈哈！”他发出了一阵狂笑，声浪在屋顶下久久回旋。“谁在发笑？”牛面将军鼓起勇气大叫道，因为战斗的喧闹声虽然响，不能阻挡他自己的狂笑发出的回声传进他的耳朵。“谁在发笑？乌尔莉加，这是你吗？老巫婆，开口呀，我饶恕你；我知道只有你和地狱的魔鬼，才会在这种时候还这么大笑。滚开——滚开！”
但是再把这个不敬上帝的弑父者的临终景象描写下去，不免是对神明的亵读了。
收听单词发音 |
1
chamber
|
|
| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
lark
|
|
| n.云雀，百灵鸟；n.嬉戏，玩笑；vi.嬉戏 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
mid
|
|
| adj.中央的，中间的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
interval
|
|
| n.间隔，间距；幕间休息，中场休息 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
fortress
|
|
| n.堡垒，防御工事 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
slain
|
|
| 杀死，宰杀，杀戮( slay的过去分词 )； (slay的过去分词) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
axe
|
|
| n.斧子；v.用斧头砍，削减 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
reviling
|
|
| v.辱骂，痛斥( revile的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
superstition
|
|
| n.迷信，迷信行为 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
Christian
|
|
| adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
bruit
|
|
| v.散布；n.（听诊时所听到的）杂音；吵闹 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
bosom
|
|
| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
villain
|
|
| n.反派演员，反面人物；恶棍；问题的起因 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
incarnate
|
|
| adj.化身的，人体化的，肉色的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
swarmed
|
|
| 密集( swarm的过去式和过去分词 )； 云集； 成群地移动； 蜜蜂或其他飞行昆虫成群地飞来飞去 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
knave
|
|
| n.流氓；（纸牌中的）杰克 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
knaves
|
|
| n.恶棍，无赖( knave的名词复数 )；（纸牌中的）杰克 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
remorse
|
|
| n.痛恨，悔恨，自责 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
buck
|
|
| n.雄鹿，雄兔；v.马离地跳跃 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
rivet
|
|
| n.铆钉；vt.铆接，铆牢；集中(目光或注意力) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
armour
|
|
| （=armor）n.盔甲；装甲部队 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
shaft
|
|
| n.(工具的)柄，杆状物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
ribs
|
|
| 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 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
brutal
|
|
| adj.残忍的，野蛮的，不讲理的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
virtue
|
|
| n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
rogues
|
|
| n.流氓( rogue的名词复数 )；无赖；调皮捣蛋的人；离群的野兽 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
ridicule
|
|
| v.讥讽，挖苦；n.嘲弄 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
execration
|
|
| n.诅咒，念咒，憎恶 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
doughty
|
|
| adj.勇猛的，坚强的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
warriors
|
|
| 武士，勇士，战士( warrior的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
warrior
|
|
| n.勇士，武士，斗士 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
outlaws
|
|
| 歹徒，亡命之徒( outlaw的名词复数 )； 逃犯 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
dishonour
|
|
| n./vt.拒付（支票、汇票、票据等）；vt.凌辱，使丢脸；n.不名誉，耻辱，不光彩 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
lighter
|
|
| n.打火机，点火器；驳船；v.用驳船运送；light的比较级 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
gallant
|
|
| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
clump
|
|
| n.树丛，草丛；vi.用沉重的脚步行走 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
rabble
|
|
| n.乌合之众，暴民；下等人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
villains
|
|
| n.恶棍( villain的名词复数 )；罪犯；（小说、戏剧等中的）反面人物；淘气鬼 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
followers
|
|
| 追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
insolence
|
|
| n.傲慢；无礼；厚颜；傲慢的态度 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
rugged
|
|
| adj.高低不平的，粗糙的，粗壮的，强健的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
ascended
|
|
| v.上升，攀登( ascend的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
dictate
|
|
| v.口授；(使)听写；指令，指示，命令 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
assail
|
|
| v.猛烈攻击，抨击，痛斥 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
possessed
|
|
| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
surmounting
|
|
| 战胜( surmount的现在分词 )； 克服（困难）； 居于…之上； 在…顶上 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
defenders
|
|
| n.防御者( defender的名词复数 )；守卫者；保护者；辩护者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
negligence
|
|
| n.疏忽，玩忽，粗心大意 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
knights
|
|
| 骑士； （中古时代的）武士( knight的名词复数 )； 骑士； 爵士； （国际象棋中）马 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
knight
|
|
| n.骑士，武士；爵士 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
den
|
|
| n.兽穴；秘密地方；安静的小房间，私室 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
din
|
|
| n.喧闹声，嘈杂声 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
besieged
|
|
| 包围，围困，围攻( besiege的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
utterly
|
|
| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
contingency
|
|
| n.意外事件，可能性 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
56
beleaguered
|
|
| 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 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
57
superstitious
|
|
| adj.迷信的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
58
wont
|
|
| adj.习惯于；v.习惯；n.习惯 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
59
atone
|
|
| v.赎罪，补偿 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
60
guilt
|
|
| n.犯罪；内疚；过失，罪责 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
61
repentance
|
|
| n.懊悔 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
62
turbid
|
|
| adj.混浊的，泥水的，浓的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
63
procured
|
|
| v.（努力）取得， （设法）获得( procure的过去式和过去分词 )；拉皮条 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
64
opium
|
|
| n.鸦片；adj.鸦片的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
65
slumbers
|
|
| 睡眠，安眠( slumber的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
66
awakened
|
|
| v.（使）醒( awaken的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）觉醒；弄醒；（使）意识到 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
67
vices
|
|
| 缺陷( vice的名词复数 )； 恶习； 不道德行为； 台钳 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
68
avarice
|
|
| n.贪婪；贪心 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
69
defiance
|
|
| n.挑战，挑衅，蔑视，违抗 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
70
manors
|
|
| n.庄园（manor的复数形式） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
71
baron
|
|
| n.男爵；(商业界等)巨头，大王 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
72
alleged
|
|
| a.被指控的，嫌疑的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
73
wares
|
|
| n. 货物, 商品 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
74
gliding
|
|
| v. 滑翔 adj. 滑动的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
75
savage
|
|
| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
76
nether
|
|
| adj.下部的，下面的；n.阴间；下层社会 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
77
appalled
|
|
| v.使惊骇，使充满恐惧( appall的过去式和过去分词)adj.惊骇的；丧胆的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
78
impatience
|
|
| n.不耐烦，急躁 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
79
fixed
|
|
| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
80
inveterate
|
|
| adj.积习已深的，根深蒂固的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
81
obstinacy
|
|
| n.顽固；（病痛等）难治 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
82
presentiment
|
|
| n.预感，预觉 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
83
growled
|
|
| v.（动物）发狺狺声， （雷）作隆隆声( growl的过去式和过去分词 )；低声咆哮着说 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
84
juggling
|
|
| n. 欺骗, 杂耍(=jugglery) adj. 欺骗的, 欺诈的 动词juggle的现在分词 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
85
churl
|
|
| n.吝啬之人；粗鄙之人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
86
hurl
|
|
| vt.猛投，力掷，声叫骂 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
87
Founder
|
|
| n.创始者，缔造者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
88
binds
|
|
| v.约束( bind的第三人称单数 )；装订；捆绑；（用长布条）缠绕 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
89
bribe
|
|
| n.贿赂；v.向…行贿，买通 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
90
shrill
|
|
| adj.尖声的；刺耳的；v尖叫 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
91
demons
|
|
| n.恶人( demon的名词复数 )；恶魔；精力过人的人；邪念 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
92
demon
|
|
| n.魔鬼，恶魔 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
93
beset
|
|
| v.镶嵌；困扰，包围 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
94
meditations
|
|
| 默想( meditation的名词复数 )； 默念； 沉思； 冥想 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
95
shuddered
|
|
| v.战栗( shudder的过去式和过去分词 )；发抖；（机器、车辆等）突然震动；颤动 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
96
behold
|
|
| v.看，注视，看到 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
97
blench
|
|
| v.退缩，畏缩 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
98
dungeon
|
|
| n.地牢，土牢 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
99
hover
|
|
| vi.翱翔，盘旋；徘徊；彷徨，犹豫 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
100
licentious
|
|
| adj.放纵的，淫乱的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
101
barons
|
|
| 男爵( baron的名词复数 )； 巨头； 大王； 大亨 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
102
groans
|
|
| n.呻吟，叹息( groan的名词复数 )；呻吟般的声音v.呻吟( groan的第三人称单数 )；发牢骚；抱怨；受苦 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
103
constrained
|
|
| adj.束缚的,节制的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
104
foes
|
|
| 敌人，仇敌( foe的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
105
crevice
|
|
| n.(岩石、墙等)裂缝；缺口 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
106
foul
|
|
| adj.污秽的；邪恶的；v.弄脏；妨害；犯规；n.犯规 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
107
parricide
|
|
| n.杀父母；杀亲罪 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
108
gore
|
|
| n.凝血，血污；v.（动物）用角撞伤，用牙刺破；缝以补裆；顶 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
109
forth
|
|
| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
110
omniscient
|
|
| adj.无所不知的；博识的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
111
monks
|
|
| n.修道士，僧侣( monk的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
112
corpse
|
|
| n.尸体，死尸 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
113
renowned
|
|
| adj.著名的，有名望的，声誉鹊起的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
114
skull
|
|
| n.头骨；颅骨 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
115
vile
|
|
| adj.卑鄙的，可耻的，邪恶的；坏透的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
116
exult
|
|
| v.狂喜，欢腾；欢欣鼓舞 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
117
slaughtered
|
|
| v.屠杀，杀戮，屠宰( slaughter的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
118
clement
|
|
| adj.仁慈的；温和的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
119
valiant
|
|
| adj.勇敢的，英勇的；n.勇士，勇敢的人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
120
vassals
|
|
| n.奴仆( vassal的名词复数 )；（封建时代）诸侯；从属者；下属 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
121
doom
|
|
| n.厄运，劫数；v.注定，命定 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
122
scourge
|
|
| n.灾难，祸害；v.蹂躏 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
123
mighty
|
|
| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
124
obedience
|
|
| n.服从，顺从 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
125
horrid
|
|
| adj.可怕的；令人惊恐的；恐怖的；极讨厌的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
126
fabric
|
|
| n.织物，织品，布；构造，结构，组织 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
127
totters
|
|
| v.走得或动得不稳( totter的第三人称单数 )；踉跄；蹒跚；摇摇欲坠 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
128
assails
|
|
| v.攻击( assail的第三人称单数 )；困扰；质问；毅然应对 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
129
hind
|
|
| adj.后面的，后部的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
130
melee
|
|
| n.混战；混战的人群 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
131
kindle
|
|
| v.点燃，着火 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
132
beacon
|
|
| n.烽火，（警告用的）闪火灯，灯塔 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
133
diabolical
|
|
| adj.恶魔似的，凶暴的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
134
suffocating
|
|
| a.使人窒息的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
135
eddies
|
|
| （水、烟等的）漩涡，涡流( eddy的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
136
sable
|
|
| n.黑貂；adj.黑色的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
137
frightful
|
|
| adj.可怕的；讨厌的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
138
relinquishes
|
|
| 交出，让给( relinquish的第三人称单数 )； 放弃 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
139
vaulted
|
|
| adj.拱状的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
140
ponderous
|
|
| adj.沉重的，笨重的，(文章)冗长的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
141
extremity
|
|
| n.末端，尽头；尽力；终极；极度 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
142
traitor
|
|
| n.叛徒，卖国贼 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
143
squires
|
|
| n.地主，乡绅( squire的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
144
perjured
|
|
| adj.伪证的，犯伪证罪的v.发假誓，作伪证( perjure的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
145
traitors
|
|
| 卖国贼( traitor的名词复数 )； 叛徒； 背叛者； 背信弃义的人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
146
recreant
|
|
| n.懦夫；adj.胆怯的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
147
miserably
|
|
| adv.痛苦地；悲惨地；糟糕地；极度地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
148
frenzy
|
|
| n.疯狂，狂热，极度的激动 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
149
wretch
|
|
| n.可怜的人，不幸的人；卑鄙的人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
150
garrison
|
|
| n.卫戍部队；驻地，卫戍区；vt.派(兵)驻防 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |