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Chapter 25 The Unbidden Guest
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No human quality is so well wove In warp1 and woof, but there 's some flaw in it: I've known a brave man fly a shepherd's cur, A wise man so demean him, drivelling idiocy2 Had wellnigh been ashamed on't. For your crafty3, Your worldly wise man, he, above the rest, Weaves his own snares4 so fine, he 's often caught in them.

OLD PLAY

Quentin, during the earlier part of the night journey, had to combat with that bitter heartache which is felt when youth parts, and probably forever, with her he loves. As, pressed by the urgency of the moment, and the impatience5 of Crevecoeur, they hasted on through the rich lowlands of Hainault, under the benign6 guidance of a rich and lustrous7 harvest moon, she shed her yellow influence over rich and deep pastures, woodland, and cornfields, from which the husbandmen were using her light to withdraw the grain, such was the industry of the Flemings, even at that period, she shone on broad, level, and fructifying8 rivers, where glided9 the white sail in the service of commerce, uninterrupted by rock and torrent10, beside lively quiet villages, whose external decency11 and cleanliness expressed the ease and comfort of the inhabitants, -- she gleamed upon the feudal12 castle of many a Baron13 and Knight14, with its deep moat, battlemented court, and high belfry -- for the chivalry15 of Hainault was renowned16 among the nobles of Europe -- and her light displayed at a distance, in its broad beam, the gigantic towers of more than one lofty minster.

Yet all this fair variety, however, differing from the waste and wilderness17 of his own land, interrupted not the course of Quentin's regrets and sorrows. He had left his heart behind him when he departed from Charleroi, and the only reflection which the farther journey inspired was that every step was carrying him farther from Isabelle. His imagination was taxed to recall every word she had spoken, every look she had directed towards him, and, as happens frequently in such cases, the impression made upon his imagination by the recollection of these particulars, was even stronger than the realities themselves had excited.

At length, after the cold hour of midnight was past, in spite alike of love and of sorrow, the extreme fatigue19 which Quentin had undergone the two preceding days began to have an effect on him, which his habits of exercise of every kind, and his singular alertness and activity of character, as well as the painful nature of the reflections which occupied his thoughts, had hitherto prevented his experiencing. The ideas of his mind began to be so little corrected by the exertions21 of his senses, worn out and deadened as the latter now were by extremity23 of fatigue, that the visions which the former drew superseded24 or perverted25 the information conveyed by the blunted organs of seeing and hearing, and Durward was only sensible that he was awake, by the exertions which, sensible of the peril26 of his situation, he occasionally made to resist falling into a deep and dead sleep. Every now and then, strong consciousness of the risk of falling from or with his horse roused him to exertion20 and animation27, but ere long his eyes again were dimmed by confused shades of all sorts of mingled28 colours, the moonlight landscape swam before them, and he was so much overcome with fatigue, that the Count of Crevecoeur, observing his condition, was at length compelled to order two of his attendants, one to each rein29 of Durward's bridle30, in order to prevent the risk of his falling from his horse.

When at length they reached the town of Landrecy, the Count, in compassion31 to the youth, who had now been in a great measure without sleep for three nights, allowed himself and his retinue32 a halt of four hours, for rest and refreshment33. Deep and sound were Quentin's slumbers34, until they were broken by the sound of the Count's trumpet35, and the cry of his Fouriers (subordinate officers who secure quarters for the army while manoeuvring) and harbingers, "Debout! debout! Ha! Messires, en route, en route! (arise, let us set out!)"

Yet, unwelcomely early as the tones came, they awaked him a different being in strength and spirits from what he had fallen asleep. Confidence in himself and his fortunes returned with his reviving spirits, and with the rising sun. He thought of his love no longer as a desperate and fantastic dream, but as a high and invigorating principle, to be cherished in his bosom36, although he might never purpose to himself, under all the difficulties by which he was beset37, to bring it to any prosperous issue.

"The pilot," he reflected, "steers38 his bark by the polar star, although he never expects to become possessor of it, and the thoughts of Isabelle of Croye shall make me a worthy39 man at arms, though I may never see her more. When she hears that a Scottish soldier named Quentin Durward distinguished40 himself in a well fought field, or left his body on the breach41 of a disputed fortress42, she will remember the companion of her journey, as one who did all in his power to avert43 the snares and misfortunes which beset it, and perhaps will honour his memory with a tear, his coffin44 with a garland."

In this manly45 mood of bearing his misfortune, Quentin felt himself more able to receive and reply to the jests of the Count of Crevecoeur, who passed several on his alleged46 effeminacy and incapacity of undergoing fatigue. The young Scot accommodated himself so good humouredly to the Count's raillery, and replied at once so happily and so respectfully, that the change of his tone and manner made obviously a more favourable47 impression on the Count than he had entertained from his prisoner's conduct during the preceding evening, when, rendered irritable48 by the feelings of his situation, he was alternately moodily49 silent or fiercely argumentative. The veteran soldier began at length to take notice of his young companion as a pretty fellow, of whom something might be made, and more than hinted to him that would he but resign his situation in the Archer50 Guard of France, he would undertake to have him enrolled51 in the household of the Duke of Burgundy in an honourable52 condition, and would himself take care of his advancement53. And although Quentin, with suitable expressions of gratitude54, declined this favour at present, until he should find out how far he had to complain of his original patron, King Louis, he, nevertheless, continued to remain on good terms with the Count of Crevecoeur, and, while his enthusiastic mode of thinking, and his foreign and idiomatical manner of expressing himself, often excited a smile on the grave cheek of the Count, that smile had lost all that it had of sarcastic55 and bitter, and did not exceed the limits of good humour and good manners.

Thus travelling on with much more harmony than on the preceding day, the little party came at last within two miles of the famous and strong town of Peronne, near which the Duke of Burgundy's army lay encamped, ready, as was supposed, to invade France, and, in opposition56 to which, Louis XI had himself assembled a strong force near Saint Maxence, for the purpose of bringing to reason his over powerful vassal57.

Perrone, situated58 upon a deep river, in a flat country, and surrounded by strong bulwarks59 and profound moats, was accounted in ancient as in modern times, one of the strongest fortresses60 in France. (Indeed, though lying on an exposed and warlike frontier, it was never taken by an enemy, but preserved the proud name of Peronne la Pucelle, until the Duke of Wellington, a great destroyer of that sort of reputation, took the place in the memorable61 advance upon Paris in 1815. S.) The Count of Crevecoeur, his retinue, and his prisoner, were approaching the fortress about the third hour after noon, when riding through the pleasant glades62 of a large forest, which then covered the approach to the town on the east side, they were met by two men of rank, as appeared from the number of their attendants, dressed in the habits worn in time of peace, and who, to judge from the falcons63 which they carried on their wrists, and the number of spaniels and greyhounds led by their followers64, were engaged in the amusement of hawking65. But on perceiving Crevecoeur, with whose appearance and liveries they were sufficiently66 intimate, they quitted the search which they were making for a heron along the banks of a long canal, and came galloping67 towards him.

"News, news, Count of Crevecoeur," they cried both together, "will you give news, or take news? or will you barter68 fairly?"

"I would barter fairly, Messires," said Crevecoeur, after saluting69 them courteously70, "did I conceive you had any news of importance sufficient to make an equivalent for mine."

The two sportsmen smiled on each other, and the elder of the two, a fine baronial figure, with a dark countenance71, marked with that sort of sadness which some physiognomists ascribe to a melancholy72 temperament73, and some, as the Italian statuary augured74 of the visage of Charles I, consider as predicting an unhappy death, turning to his companion, said, "Crevecoeur has been in Brabant, the country of commerce, and he has learned all its artifices76 -- he will be too hard for us if we drive a bargain."

"Messires," said Crevecoeur, "the Duke ought in justice to have the first of my wares77, as the Seigneur takes his toll78 before open market begins. But tell me, are your news of a sad or a pleasant complexion79?"

The person whom he particularly addressed was a lively looking man, with an eye of great vivacity80, which was corrected by an expression of reflection and gravity about the mouth and upper lip -- the whole physiognomy marking a man who saw and judged rapidly, but was sage75 and slow in forming resolutions or in expressing opinions. This was the famous Knight of Hainault, son of Collara, or Nicolas de l'Elite, known in history, and amongst historians, by the venerable name of Philip de Comines, at this time close to the person of Duke Charles the Bold, and one of his most esteemed81 counsellors. He answered Crevecoeur's question concerning the complexion of the news of which he and his companion, the Baron D'Hymbercourt, were the depositaries.

(Philip de Comines was described in the former editions of this work as a little man, fitted rather for counsel than action. This was a description made at a venture, to vary the military portraits with which the age and work abound82. Sleidan the historian, upon the authority of Matthieu d'Arves, who knew Philip de Comines, and had served in his household, says he was a man of tall stature83, and a noble presence. The learned Monsieur Petitot . . . intimates that Philip de Comines made a figure at the games of chivalry and pageants84 exhibited on the wedding of Charles of Burgundy with Margaret of England in 1468. . . . He is the first named, however, of a gallant85 band of assailants, knights86 and noblemen, to the number of twenty, who, with the Prince of Orange as their leader, encountered, in a general tourney, with a party of the same number under the profligate87 Adolf of Cleves, who acted as challenger, by the romantic title of Arbre d'or. The encounter, though with arms of courtesy, was very fierce, and separated by main force, not without difficulty. Philip de Comines has, therefore, a title to be accounted tam Martre quam Mercurio. . . S.)

(D'Hymbercourt, or Imbercourt, was put to death by the inhabitants of Ghent, with the Chancellor88 of Burgundy, in the year 1477. Mary of Burgundy, daughter of Charles the Bold, appeared in mourning in the marketplace, and with tears besought89 the life of her servants from her insurgent90 subjects, but in vain. S.)

"They were," he said, "like the colours of the rainbow, various in hue91, as they might be viewed from different points, and placed against the black cloud or the fair sky. -- Such a rainbow was never seen in France or Flanders, since that of Noah's ark."

"My tidings," replied Crevecoeur, "are altogether like the comet, gloomy, wild, and terrible in themselves, yet to be accounted the forerunners92 of still greater and more dreadful evils which are to ensue."

"We must open our bales," said Comines to his companion, "or our market will be forestalled93 by some newcomers, for ours are public news. -- In one word, Crevecoeur -- listen and wonder -- King Louis is at Peronne."

"What!" said the Count in astonishment94, "has the Duke retreated without a battle? and do you remain here in your dress of peace, after the town is besieged95 by the French? -- for I cannot suppose it taken."

"No, surely," said D'Hymbercourt, "the banners of Burgundy have not gone back a foot, and still King Louis is here."

"Then Edward of England must have come over the seas with his bowmen," said Crevecoeur, "and, like his ancestors, gained a second field of Poictiers?"

"Not so," said Comines. "Not a French banner has been borne down, not a sail spread from England -- where Edward is too much amused among the wives of the citizens of London to think of playing the Black Prince. Hear the extraordinary truth. You know, when you left us, that the conference between the commissioners96 on the parts of France and Burgundy was broken up, without apparent chance of reconciliation97."

"True, and we dreamt of nothing but war."

"What has followed has been indeed so like a dream," said Comines, "that I almost expect to awake, and find it so. Only one day since, the Duke had in council protested so furiously against farther delay that it was resolved to send a defiance98 to the King, and march forward instantly into France. Toison d'Or, commissioned for the purpose, had put on his official dress, and had his foot in the stirrup to mount his horse, when lo! the French herald99 Montjoie rode into our camp.

"We thought of nothing else than that Louis had been beforehand with our defiance, and began to consider how much the Duke would resent the advice which had prevented him from being the first to declare war. But a council being speedily assembled, what was our wonder when the herald informed us, that Louis, King of France, was scarce an hour's riding behind, intending to visit Charles, Duke of Burgundy, with a small retinue, in order that their differences might be settled at a personal interview!"

"You surprise me, Messires," said Crevecoeur, "yet you surprise me less than you might have expected, for, when I was last at Plessis les Tours, the all trusted Cardinal100 Balue, offended with his master, and Burgundian at heart, did hint to me that he could so work upon Louis's peculiar101 foibles as to lead him to place himself in such a position with regard to Burgundy that the Duke might have the terms of peace of his own making. But I never suspected that so old a fox as Louis could have been induced to come into the trap of his own accord. What said the Burgundian counsellors?"

"As you may guess," answered D'Hymbercourt, "talked much of faith to be observed, and little of advantage to be obtained by such a visit, while it was manifest they thought almost entirely102 of the last, and were only anxious to find some way to reconcile it with the necessary preservation103 of appearances."

"And what said the Duke?" continued the Count of Crevecoeur.

"Spoke18 brief and bold as usual," replied Comines. "'Which of you was it,' he asked, 'who witnessed the meeting of my cousin Louis and me after the battle of Montl'hery, when I was so thoughtless as to accompany him back within the intrenchments of Paris with half a score of attendants, and so put my person at the King's mercy?' I replied, that most of us had been present, and none could ever forget the alarm which it had been his pleasure to give us. 'Well,' said the Duke, 'you blamed me for my folly105, and I confessed to you that I had acted like a giddy pated boy, and I am aware, too, that my father of happy memory being then alive, my kinsman106, Louis, would have had less advantage by seizing on my person than I might now have by securing his. But, nevertheless, if my royal kinsman comes hither on the present occasion, in the same singleness of heart under which I then acted, he shall be royally welcome. -- If it is meant by this appearance of confidence to circumvent107 and to blind me, till he execute some of his politic108 schemes, by Saint George of Burgundy, let him to look to it!' And so, having turned up his mustaches and stamped on the ground, he ordered us all to get on our horses, and receive so extraordinary a guest."

(After the battle of Montl'hery, in 1465, Charles . . . had an interview with Louis under the walls of Paris, each at the head of a small party. The two Princes dismounted, and walked together so deeply engaged in discussing the business of their meeting, that Charles forgot the peculiarity109 of his situation; and when Louis turned back towards the town of Paris, from which he came, the Count of Charalois kept him company so far as to pass the line of outworks with which Paris was surrounded, and enter a field work which communicated with the town by a trench104. . . . His escort and his principal followers rode forward from where he had left them. . . . To their great joy the Count returned uninjured, accompanied with a guard belonging to Louis. The Burgundians taxed him with rashness in no measured terms. "Say no more of it," said Charles; "I acknowledge the extent of my folly, but I was not aware what I was doing till I entered the redoubt." Memoires de Philippe de Comines. -- S.)

"And you met the King accordingly?" replied the Count of Crevecoeur. "Miracles have not ceased -- How was he accompanied?"

"As slightly as might be," answered D'Hymbercourt, "only a score or two of the Scottish Guard, and a few knights and gentlemen of his household among whom his astrologer, Galeotti, made the gayest figure."

"That fellow," said Crevecoeur, "holds some dependence110 on the Cardinal Balue -- I should not be surprised that he has had his share in determining the King to this step of doubtful policy. Any nobility of higher rank?"

"There are Monsieur of Orleans, and Dunois," replied Comines.

"I will have a rouse with Dunois," said Crevecoeur, "wag the world as it will. But we heard that both he and the Duke had fallen into disgrace, and were in prison."

"They were both under arrest in the Castle of Loches, that delightful111 place of retirement112 for the French nobility," said D'Hymbercourt, "but Louis has released them, in order to bring them with him -- perhaps because he cared not to leave Orleans behind. For his other attendants, faith, I think his gossip, the Hangman Marshal, with two or three of his retinue, and Oliver, his barber, may be the most considerable -- and the whole bevy113 so poorly arrayed, that, by my honour, the King resembles most an old usurer, going to collect desperate debts, attended by a body of catchpolls."

"And where is he lodged114?" said Crevecoeur.

"Nay115, that," replied the Comines, "is the most marvellous of all. Our Duke offered to let the King's Archer Guard have a gate of the town, and a bridge of boats over the Somme, and to have assigned to Louis himself the adjoining house, belonging to a wealthy burgess, Giles Orthen, but, in going thither116, the King espied117 the banners of De Lau and Pencil de Riviere, whom he had banished118 from France, and scared, as it would seem, with the thought of lodging119 so near refugees and malcontents of his own making, he craved120 to be quartered in the castle of Peronne, and there he hath his abode121 accordingly."

"Why, God ha' mercy!" exclaimed Crevecoeur, "this is not only not being content with venturing into the lion's den22, but thrusting his head into his very jaws122. -- Nothing less than the very bottom of the rat trap would serve the crafty old politician!"

"Nay," said Comines, "D'Hymbercourt hath not told you the speech of Le Glorieux (the jester of Charles of Burgundy of whom more hereafter. S.) -- which, in my mind, was the shrewdest opinion that was given."

"And what said his most illustrious wisdom?" asked the Count.

"As the Duke," replied Comines, "was hastily ordering some vessels123 and ornaments124 of plate and the like, to be prepared as presents for the King and his retinue, by way of welcome on his arrival:

"'Trouble not thy small brain about it, my friend Charles,' said Le Glorieux, 'I will give thy cousin Louis a nobler and a fitter gift than thou canst, and that is my cap and bells, and my bauble125 to boot, for, by the mass, he is a greater fool than I am, for putting himself in thy power.'

"'But if I give him no reason to repent126 it, sirrah, how thou?' said the Duke.

"'Then, truly, Charles, thou shalt have cap and bauble thyself, as the greatest fool of the three of us.'

"I promise you this knavish127 quip touched the Duke closely -- I saw him change colour and bite his lip. And now, our news are told, noble Crevecoeur, and what think you they resemble?"

"A mine full charged with gunpowder," answered Crevecoeur, "to which, I fear, it is my fate to bring the kindled128 linstock. Your news and mine are like flax and fire, which cannot meet without bursting into flame, or like certain chemical substances which cannot be mingled without an explosion. Friends -- gentlemen -- ride close by my rein, and when I tell you what has chanced in the bishopric of Liege, I think you will be of opinion that King Louis might as safely have undertaken a pilgrimage to the infernal regions as this ill timed visit to Peronne."

The two nobles drew up close on either hand of the Count, and listened, with half suppressed exclamations129, and gestures of the deepest wonder and interest, to his account of the transactions at Liege and Schonwaldt. Quentin was then called forward, and examined and re-examined on the particulars of the Bishop's death, until at length he refused to answer any farther interrogatories, not knowing wherefore they were asked, or what use might be made of his replies.

They now reached the rich and level banks of the Somme, and the ancient walls of the little town of Peronne la Pucelle, and the deep green meadows adjoining, now whitened with the numerous tents of the Duke of Burgundy's army, amounting to about fifteen thousand men.

无论人之才智如何高超,

总不能编织得天衣无缝,

我曾见勇士躲避牧羊犬的追逐,

聪明人说着无聊的蠢话自贬身价。

狡猾精明之徒把机关算尽,

却往往害了自家性命。

《古老的戏剧》

在头半段夜行军中昆丁不得不压制年轻人也许在和自己的恋人分离时所感到的心灵的剧痛。由于时间紧迫,他们在伯爵不耐烦的催促下匆忙地穿过埃诺富饶的低洼平原。一轮丰满而灿烂的秋月柔和地倾洒着光辉为他们照亮前程。她那黄色的朦胧的光芒笼罩着一片片的草场、森林和田野。农夫们正利用她的光辉来收割庄稼,即使在夜深之际,弗兰德人也还在辛勤劳动。她照耀着沿岸果树成林的宽阔舒坦的河流。河上的白帆不畏岩石和险滩,满载货物,在充满生气的宁静村庄旁边飘过。村庄外部的整洁说明里面的居民过着安乐的生活。她映照着许多豪侠的贵族和骑士的封建城堡,以及那一条条护城河、一个个城墙围着的庭院和高高的钟楼——足见埃诺的骑士阶级的确在欧洲贵族中久负盛名。她那无限广阔的光辉也照射出远处许多教堂的高大塔影。

然而,这富于变化的美丽景色尽管与他家乡那种荒漠而粗犷的景色很不一样,但仍阻挡不了昆丁的绵绵离恨。当他离开沙勒罗瓦时,他已把他的心留在那里。而继续往前走更只能使他感伤地想到,每走一步便离伊莎贝尔更远一步。他沉浸在回忆和想象中,搜寻她讲过的每句话、她望他时的每个表情。而在这种情况下,人们常常发现,对细节的回忆在头脑中产生的印象甚至比现实的情节产生的印象更为强烈。

在寒冷的半夜过去以后,前两天所经受的极度疲劳终于不顾爱的忧伤开始在昆丁身上产生强烈作用——他那爱动的习惯、异常机敏活跃的性格以及占据着他整个心灵的痛苦回忆以前一直没使他感受到的强烈作用。由于极度的疲劳已使得感官衰疲迟钝,而感官的作用也对心灵的意识活动起不了校正的作用,以至心灵产生的幻象代替或歪曲了迟钝的视觉听觉器官传递的信息。达威特只是偶尔伸伸身体以避免在马上酣睡可能造成的危险,也正是通过这一挣扎的动作他才意识到自己是醒着的。害怕从马上摔下来或连人带马滚下来的强烈意识迫使他经常在马上活动活动,但很快又睡眼矇眬,脑子里呈现出五颜六色的模糊幻象,眼前这片月色也若隐若现地浮动起来。他实在是疲乏过度。克雷维格伯爵注意到他的情况,只好命令两个随从走在达威特拉的缰绳两旁,以防他从马上跌落下来。

最后他们来到了兰德列西城。伯爵为了对这几乎三夜未曾合眼的年轻人表示同情,决定停歇四个小时,好让他自己和随从也有个休息和吃吃东西的机会。

昆丁睡得很熟,要不是伯爵下令吹的军号声以及信使和传令官发出的“起来!先生们,准备出发!”的催促声,他还会酣睡下去。虽然这些声音过早地把他吵醒,他还是感觉精神焕发、精力充沛,和睡前相比判若两人。此刻朝阳冉冉升起,随着精力的恢复,对自己和自己未来的信心也恢复过来。他想到的爱情已不是没有希望实现的奇妙的梦幻,而是应珍藏在心里激励人向上的崇高目标,尽管他所处条件困难,也许永无实现的可能。“舵手照着北极星的指引驾驶他的小舟,但他永远不能指望占有北极星。我也许再见不到克罗伊埃·伊莎贝尔,但对她的思念将使我成为一名卓越的武士。当有一天她听说一个名叫昆丁·达威特的苏格兰武士在战场上获胜而声名显赫时,或听到他在争夺堡垒当中光荣战死时,她将回想起曾尽力为她消除旅途上的危险和灾祸的旅伴,也许会流一滴眼泪作为对他的怀念,或在他的棺木前献上一个花圈。”

昆丁一旦转而采取这种勇敢承受不幸的态度,他感觉他已能更好地接受和回答克雷维格伯爵开的玩笑,其中有几个是挖苦他具有所谓的女人气,经不住疲劳的考验。年轻的苏格兰人快活地应付着伯爵的打趣,回答得既令人愉快又彬彬有礼。语气和态度的这一转变显然在伯爵心中产生了好的印象。而前晚昆丁对自己的处境感到气恼,时而闷闷不乐、沉默不语,时而气势汹汹、喜争好斗,伯爵对他这些表现印象自然不好。

这位饱经风霜的武士终于注意起他年轻的旅伴,觉得他是个很有出息的好伙计。他相当明显地暗示他说,要是他愿意辞掉法王近卫军射手的职务,他愿负责在勃艮第王室中给他谋一个受人尊敬的职位,并亲自关照他的提升。昆丁向他表示了应有的感谢。他说,他需要摸清他原来的主人路易王在多大程度上有负于他,而在此以前他只得暂时谢绝他的美意。尽管如此,他还是和克雷维格伯爵继续保持良好关系。这年轻人热诚的思想方式以及他那表达思想的异国语言习惯经常使伯爵严肃的面孔上绽开一丝微笑,但这微笑已经没有讥刺的成分,也不超过诙谐幽默和礼貌的范围。

这一小队人马在比前一天更和谐的气氛中继续行进,最后来到了离坚固的名城佩隆两英里的地方。勃艮第公爵的军队已在佩隆附近扎营,准备按原定计划进攻法国。路易十一也在圣马克森斯附近集结大军作为对抗,希望他那过分强大的藩属能幡然醒悟。

佩隆城坐落在一条河流的河岸边,周围地势平坦,布满了堡垒,还有护城河蜿蜒其间,无论在古代和当代都被认为是法国最难攻破的重镇之一。克雷维格伯爵及其随从,带着他们的“俘虏”在下午三点左右来到城郊。城的东郊是一大片森林。当他们正穿过那令人偷快的林间空地时,他们碰见(按随从人数之多来看)地位很高的两位贵人,穿着和平时期的服装。他们手腕上立着老鹰,随行人员领着猎狗和灵提,这说明他们正以打猎作为消遣。一看见外貌和服装都十分熟悉的克雷维格,他们便停止沿一条长长的运河追逐苍鹭的游戏,骑马奔来。

“消息,消息,克雷维格伯爵!”他们两人同声喊道,“你是要讲消息还是听消息?还是打算来个公平交易?”

“先生们,我愿意做个公平交易,”克雷维格客气地行礼之后说道,“要是我认为你们有很重要的消息配和我进行交换的话。”

两位猎手彼此会心地笑了。年长的那位具有男爵般的漂亮身材,黝黑的面孔上笼罩着忧伤的神色。某些相术家把它归因于忧郁的性格,而另一些相术家则像一位意大利人给查里第一看相时那样,认为它是一种无疾而终的征兆。这时他转过身来对他的同伴说:“克雷维格在布拉邦特这个商业之邦呆了好些时候,已经学会了经商之道,论做生意我们可不是他的对手。”

“先生们,”克雷维格说道,“既然这位大人市场没开张就已经开始进货,我的第一批货理应兜售给公爵。不过,请告诉我,你们的是坏消息还是好消息?”

他提问的对象是一个眼睛有神,只是嘴角呈现出一点严肃和深沉表情,样子活跃的人物。他整个面孔都说明他观察和判断都很敏捷,但作出决定和表达意见时却缓慢而审慎。这就是埃诺男爵科拉特(或称尼古拉斯·德勒利特)的儿子。在历史上以及史学家当中人称菲利普·德贡明,目前是大胆的查尔斯公爵身边的红人,也是他最受尊重的谋臣之一。听到克雷维格询问他和丹伯古男爵掌握的消息究竟性质如何,他回答说:“它就像彩虹的颜色,根据不同的观察角度以及不同的背景——是乌云还是晴空,而具有不同的色调。打从诺亚方舟的时代算起,无论在法国或是弗兰德,人们还是第一次见到这样的彩虹。”

“我的消息完全像颗彗星,”克雷维格对答说,“本身固然阴暗、险恶,但它还预兆着将发生更大更可怕的灾祸。”

“我们得开始营业了,”贡明对他的同伴说道,“否则新来的人就会抢我们的生意了。要知道,我们的只不过是公开的消息。一句话,克雷维格,你听到一定大吃一惊——路易王已来到了佩隆!”

“什么!”伯爵吃惊地说道,“难道公爵不打就退?法军已经围城,你们干吗还身穿便服?我说围城,因为我不能设想佩隆已被攻占。”

“当然没有,”丹伯古说道,“勃艮第的旗帜未后撤一步。不过,路易王的确已来我们这儿。”

“那么,一定是英国的爱德华率领他的弓箭手渡海东征,”克雷维格说道,“并像他祖先那样,又把普瓦克蒂埃变成了战场。”

“事情并非如此,”贡明说道,“没有一面法国军旗被人夺走,也没有一艘帆船从英国开过来。要知道,爱德华在伦敦市民的妻妾当中温得很愉快,不想再扮演‘黑王子”的角色了。你听听事实是多么奇特吧!想必你离开的时候已经知道,法国和勃艮第专使的会谈已告破裂,看来已毫无和解的可能?”

“是呀,我们只想到要打仗。”

“以后发生的事的确很像是做梦,”贡明说道,“我随时都准备清醒过来,发现它果然是一场梦。只是前一天,公爵还在会议上激烈反对任何拖延,说已决心向路易王发出挑战书,马上进军法国。特瓦松·多尔受命去递战表。他都已经穿上纹章官的礼服,脚也已经踏上马镫准备上马,但法国的纹章官蒙·日瓦忽然骑马来到我们的营帐。我们还以为是路易王抢在我们之先向我们宣战,担心公爵该如何抱怨我们的建议使他没能首先宣战哩。公爵很快召集起满朝文武。谁知那纹章官却向我们说,法国的路易王一小时之内就会随后到达,打算轻装简从地拜访勃艮第·查尔斯亲王,想通过亲自会谈解决他们的分歧。”

“先生们,你们的消息真叫我吃惊,”克雷维格说道,“但并不像你们预料的那样使我吃惊。因为我上次在普莱西·勒·图尔的时候,那位对主子颇有怨气,内心同情勃艮第的十分可信的巴卢主教就曾暗示我,他可以利用路易的特殊弱点使他在对待勃艮第的问题上陷入困境,不得不接受公爵提出的和平条件。但我绝没想到像路易这样一个老狐狸竟然会被诱使自投罗网。勃艮第的谋臣们意见如何?”

“你可以猜想到,”丹伯古回答道,“他们谈的多半是应当遵守信义,而很少谈到通过这次访问可能得到的好处。不过,他们考虑的显然只是后一个问题,并且急于找到某种既能获得好处,又能顾全面子的办法。”

“公爵怎么说?”克雷维格伯爵继续问道。

“和往常一样,说得简单扼要、开门见山。”贡明回答道,“‘你们有谁见过我堂兄路易和我在蒙勒里战役之后的那次约会?’公爵说道,‘当时我十分疏忽大意,竟只带领十来个随从陪路易工走到巴黎的防区以内,从而使我的人身安全完全受他的支配。’我回答说,当时我们大多数人都在场。谁也不会忘记当时给我们带来的惊恐。‘你们责备我昏庸,’公爵说道,‘我也承认我的行为简直像个莽撞的小伙子。不过,我也意识到,既然我已故的父亲当时还活着,路易堂兄要想扣留我就不如我现在扣留他这么有利。尽管如此,只要这位国王现在到这儿来的目的和我那时一样的单纯,那么他将得到国王的礼遇。如果他想佯装信赖来欺骗和蒙蔽我,以便实现他的某种策略,那么,勃艮第的圣乔治在上,叫他小心点!’说罢他捻捻胡须,顿顿脚,命令我们立刻上马去迎接这个不寻常的来客。”

“这么说,你们都见到路易王了?”克雷维格说道,“奇迹真是层出不穷!他的随从多吗?”

“少得不能再少,”丹伯古回答道,“只有二十一二个苏格兰卫士以及王室的几名骑士和贵族。在这些人当中,他的占星术家伽利奥提算是个最有趣的人物。”

“那家伙有点仰承红衣主教巴卢的鼻息,”克雷维格说,“我毫不怀疑,在促使国王采取这个吉凶未卜的策略当中他也插了一手。还有别的地位高贵的贵族吗?”

“还有奥尔良和杜诺瓦。”贡明说道。

“这下我可不管天垮下来也得和杜诺瓦畅饮一回,”克雷维格说道,“不过,我们听说他和奥尔良公爵都已失宠,蹲过监狱。”

“他们两个都曾在法国贵族那愉快的隐居地罗歇堡呆过,”丹伯古说,“路易释放了他们,好让他们和他一道来这里——也许是不愿奥尔良独自留下吧。在其他随行人员当中,最重要的人物就是他的好伙伴——军法总监及其两三个随从,再加上御前理发师奥利弗。这帮人都穿得十分寒伧。说实在的,路易工简直像个年老的高利贷者,在一群狗腿子的跟随下,去讨久欠不还的债。”

“他住在哪儿?”克雷维格问道。

“嘿,这可是最妙之处!”贡明回答说,“公爵提出让路易王的卫队把守一个城门,以及横越索姆河的一个浮桥,并拨给路易本人属于富商贾尔斯·奥尔松的一所邻近的住宅。但路易王走去一看,发现了曾被他逐出法国的德洛和庞塞·德里维埃的战旗。也许是因为想到他一手制造出来的难民和叛乱分子就住在自己身旁而感到害怕吧,他竟要求让他在佩隆城堡里面住宿。所以眼下他就下榻在城堡里面。”

“嘿,我的上帝呀!”克雷维格惊叫道,“这可不仅是深入虎穴,而且是把头伸进虎口呀!只有捕鼠机的最底部才捉得住这狡猾的老政客!”

“且慢,”贡明说道,“丹伯古还没把勒格洛里尔讲的话告诉你哩——在我看来,那才是发表过的最精明的高见。”

“那位仁兄有何高见?”伯爵问道。贡明作了如下的回答:

“公爵赶紧吩咐下面准备一些金银器饰和装饰品等作为欢迎国王到来赠送给国王及其随行人员的礼物。对此,勒格洛里尔说道:‘查尔斯,我的好朋友,用不着麻烦你的小脑袋了。我会给你的堂兄路易一个比你所能给的更高贵更合适的礼物。这就是我的弄臣帽和铃铛,加上我的小玩意,因为,说实话,他竟然自投罗网,受你的摆布,真是一个比我更大的傻瓜。’公爵说道:‘要是我不给他制造值得他懊悔的理由呢?’弄臣说道:‘那么,查尔斯,你就得接受这顶帽子,这副铃铛,因为你不愧是我们三个当中最大的傻瓜。’我敢担保,这个恶作剧的俏皮话深深打动了公爵——我看见他变了脸色,咬着嘴唇。我们的消息讲完了。高贵的克雷维格,你认为这消息像个什么?”

“像个一触即发的地雷,”克雷维格回答道,“我担心我是被注定给它带来导火线哩。你们的消息和我的消息就像亚麻和火焰,碰在一起不可能不起火,也像某些化学药品混在一起不可能不爆炸。朋友们,绅士们,请靠拢些听我讲吧!当我告诉你们,列日主教区发生了什么事情,我想你们会认为,路易王来佩隆的这次拜访真不是时候,也许去地狱朝拜还会更安全些。”

两位贵族都向伯爵身边靠拢过来。他们仔细听他介绍列日和索恩瓦尔德发生的事件,一边发出半压抑的惊叹,作出流露惊奇和关心的姿态;又把昆丁叫了过来,一再询问主教被害的详细经过。由于昆丁既不清楚他们干吗要问,也不明白他的回答有何用处,最后竟拒绝继续回答他们的询问。

这时他们终于看到了富饶而平坦的索姆河,看到它的两岸风光以及“处女般的佩隆”,它的古老城墙和毗邻的一片片绿色草地。草地上点缀着勃艮第公爵一万五千人的军队搭的白色帐篷。


点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

1 warp KgBwx     
vt.弄歪,使翘曲,使不正常,歪曲,使有偏见
参考例句:
  • The damp wood began to warp.这块潮湿的木材有些翘曲了。
  • A steel girder may warp in a fire.钢梁遇火会变弯。
2 idiocy 4cmzf     
n.愚蠢
参考例句:
  • Stealing a car and then driving it drunk was the ultimate idiocy.偷了车然后醉酒开车真是愚蠢到极点。
  • In this war there is an idiocy without bounds.这次战争疯癫得没底。
3 crafty qzWxC     
adj.狡猾的,诡诈的
参考例句:
  • He admired the old man for his crafty plan.他敬佩老者的神机妙算。
  • He was an accomplished politician and a crafty autocrat.他是个有造诣的政治家,也是个狡黠的独裁者。
4 snares ebae1da97d1c49a32d8b910a856fed37     
n.陷阱( snare的名词复数 );圈套;诱人遭受失败(丢脸、损失等)的东西;诱惑物v.用罗网捕捉,诱陷,陷害( snare的第三人称单数 )
参考例句:
  • He shoots rabbits and he sets snares for them. 他射杀兔子,也安放陷阱。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • I am myself fallen unawares into the snares of death. 我自己不知不觉跌进了死神的陷阱。 来自辞典例句
5 impatience OaOxC     
n.不耐烦,急躁
参考例句:
  • He expressed impatience at the slow rate of progress.进展缓慢,他显得不耐烦。
  • He gave a stamp of impatience.他不耐烦地跺脚。
6 benign 2t2zw     
adj.善良的,慈祥的;良性的,无危险的
参考例句:
  • The benign weather brought North America a bumper crop.温和的气候给北美带来大丰收。
  • Martha is a benign old lady.玛莎是个仁慈的老妇人。
7 lustrous JAbxg     
adj.有光泽的;光辉的
参考例句:
  • Mary has a head of thick,lustrous,wavy brown hair.玛丽有一头浓密、富有光泽的褐色鬈发。
  • This mask definitely makes the skin fair and lustrous.这款面膜可以异常有用的使肌肤变亮和有光泽。
8 fructifying 6d7f6d6af41d256c897c1c6c5a012844     
v.结果实( fructify的现在分词 );使结果实,使多产,使土地肥沃
参考例句:
9 glided dc24e51e27cfc17f7f45752acf858ed1     
v.滑动( glide的过去式和过去分词 );掠过;(鸟或飞机 ) 滑翔
参考例句:
  • The President's motorcade glided by. 总统的车队一溜烟开了过去。
  • They glided along the wall until they were out of sight. 他们沿着墙壁溜得无影无踪。 来自《简明英汉词典》
10 torrent 7GCyH     
n.激流,洪流;爆发,(话语等的)连发
参考例句:
  • The torrent scoured a channel down the hillside. 急流沿着山坡冲出了一条沟。
  • Her pent-up anger was released in a torrent of words.她压抑的愤怒以滔滔不绝的话爆发了出来。
11 decency Jxzxs     
n.体面,得体,合宜,正派,庄重
参考例句:
  • His sense of decency and fair play made him refuse the offer.他的正直感和公平竞争意识使他拒绝了这一提议。
  • Your behaviour is an affront to public decency.你的行为有伤风化。
12 feudal cg1zq     
adj.封建的,封地的,领地的
参考例句:
  • Feudal rulers ruled over the country several thousand years.封建统治者统治这个国家几千年。
  • The feudal system lasted for two thousand years in China.封建制度在中国延续了两千年之久。
13 baron XdSyp     
n.男爵;(商业界等)巨头,大王
参考例句:
  • Henry Ford was an automobile baron.亨利·福特是一位汽车业巨头。
  • The baron lived in a strong castle.男爵住在一座坚固的城堡中。
14 knight W2Hxk     
n.骑士,武士;爵士
参考例句:
  • He was made an honourary knight.他被授予荣誉爵士称号。
  • A knight rode on his richly caparisoned steed.一个骑士骑在装饰华丽的马上。
15 chivalry wXAz6     
n.骑士气概,侠义;(男人)对女人彬彬有礼,献殷勤
参考例句:
  • The Middle Ages were also the great age of chivalry.中世纪也是骑士制度盛行的时代。
  • He looked up at them with great chivalry.他非常有礼貌地抬头瞧她们。
16 renowned okSzVe     
adj.著名的,有名望的,声誉鹊起的
参考例句:
  • He is one of the world's renowned writers.他是世界上知名的作家之一。
  • She is renowned for her advocacy of human rights.她以提倡人权而闻名。
17 wilderness SgrwS     
n.杳无人烟的一片陆地、水等,荒漠
参考例句:
  • She drove the herd of cattle through the wilderness.她赶着牛群穿过荒野。
  • Education in the wilderness is not a matter of monetary means.荒凉地区的教育不是钱财问题。
18 spoke XryyC     
n.(车轮的)辐条;轮辐;破坏某人的计划;阻挠某人的行动 v.讲,谈(speak的过去式);说;演说;从某种观点来说
参考例句:
  • They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
  • The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。
19 fatigue PhVzV     
n.疲劳,劳累
参考例句:
  • The old lady can't bear the fatigue of a long journey.这位老妇人不能忍受长途旅行的疲劳。
  • I have got over my weakness and fatigue.我已从虚弱和疲劳中恢复过来了。
20 exertion F7Fyi     
n.尽力,努力
参考例句:
  • We were sweating profusely from the exertion of moving the furniture.我们搬动家具大费气力,累得大汗淋漓。
  • She was hot and breathless from the exertion of cycling uphill.由于用力骑车爬坡,她浑身发热。
21 exertions 2d5ee45020125fc19527a78af5191726     
n.努力( exertion的名词复数 );费力;(能力、权力等的)运用;行使
参考例句:
  • As long as they lived, exertions would not be necessary to her. 只要他们活着,是不需要她吃苦的。 来自辞典例句
  • She failed to unlock the safe in spite of all her exertions. 她虽然费尽力气,仍未能将那保险箱的锁打开。 来自辞典例句
22 den 5w9xk     
n.兽穴;秘密地方;安静的小房间,私室
参考例句:
  • There is a big fox den on the back hill.后山有一个很大的狐狸窝。
  • The only way to catch tiger cubs is to go into tiger's den.不入虎穴焉得虎子。
23 extremity tlgxq     
n.末端,尽头;尽力;终极;极度
参考例句:
  • I hope you will help them in their extremity.我希望你能帮助在穷途末路的他们。
  • What shall we do in this extremity?在这种极其困难的情况下我们该怎么办呢?
24 superseded 382fa69b4a5ff1a290d502df1ee98010     
[医]被代替的,废弃的
参考例句:
  • The theory has been superseded by more recent research. 这一理论已为新近的研究所取代。
  • The use of machinery has superseded manual labour. 机器的使用已经取代了手工劳动。
25 perverted baa3ff388a70c110935f711a8f95f768     
adj.不正当的v.滥用( pervert的过去式和过去分词 );腐蚀;败坏;使堕落
参考例句:
  • Some scientific discoveries have been perverted to create weapons of destruction. 某些科学发明被滥用来生产毁灭性武器。
  • sexual acts, normal and perverted 正常的和变态的性行为
26 peril l3Dz6     
n.(严重的)危险;危险的事物
参考例句:
  • The refugees were in peril of death from hunger.难民有饿死的危险。
  • The embankment is in great peril.河堤岌岌可危。
27 animation UMdyv     
n.活泼,兴奋,卡通片/动画片的制作
参考例句:
  • They are full of animation as they talked about their childhood.当他们谈及童年的往事时都非常兴奋。
  • The animation of China made a great progress.中国的卡通片制作取得很大发展。
28 mingled fdf34efd22095ed7e00f43ccc823abdf     
混合,混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 ); 混进,与…交往[联系]
参考例句:
  • The sounds of laughter and singing mingled in the evening air. 笑声和歌声交织在夜空中。
  • The man and the woman mingled as everyone started to relax. 当大家开始放松的时候,这一男一女就开始交往了。
29 rein xVsxs     
n.疆绳,统治,支配;vt.以僵绳控制,统治
参考例句:
  • The horse answered to the slightest pull on the rein.只要缰绳轻轻一拉,马就作出反应。
  • He never drew rein for a moment till he reached the river.他一刻不停地一直跑到河边。
30 bridle 4sLzt     
n.笼头,束缚;vt.抑制,约束;动怒
参考例句:
  • He learned to bridle his temper.他学会了控制脾气。
  • I told my wife to put a bridle on her tongue.我告诉妻子说话要谨慎。
31 compassion 3q2zZ     
n.同情,怜悯
参考例句:
  • He could not help having compassion for the poor creature.他情不自禁地怜悯起那个可怜的人来。
  • Her heart was filled with compassion for the motherless children.她对于没有母亲的孩子们充满了怜悯心。
32 retinue wB5zO     
n.侍从;随员
参考例句:
  • The duchess arrived,surrounded by her retinue of servants.公爵夫人在大批随从人马的簇拥下到达了。
  • The king's retinue accompanied him on the journey.国王的侍从在旅途上陪伴着他。
33 refreshment RUIxP     
n.恢复,精神爽快,提神之事物;(复数)refreshments:点心,茶点
参考例句:
  • He needs to stop fairly often for refreshment.他须时不时地停下来喘口气。
  • A hot bath is a great refreshment after a day's work.在一天工作之后洗个热水澡真是舒畅。
34 slumbers bc73f889820149a9ed406911856c4ce2     
睡眠,安眠( slumber的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • His image traversed constantly her restless slumbers. 他的形象一再闯进她的脑海,弄得她不能安睡。
  • My Titan brother slumbers deep inside his mountain prison. Go. 我的泰坦兄弟就被囚禁在山脉的深处。
35 trumpet AUczL     
n.喇叭,喇叭声;v.吹喇叭,吹嘘
参考例句:
  • He plays the violin, but I play the trumpet.他拉提琴,我吹喇叭。
  • The trumpet sounded for battle.战斗的号角吹响了。
36 bosom Lt9zW     
n.胸,胸部;胸怀;内心;adj.亲密的
参考例句:
  • She drew a little book from her bosom.她从怀里取出一本小册子。
  • A dark jealousy stirred in his bosom.他内心生出一阵恶毒的嫉妒。
37 beset SWYzq     
v.镶嵌;困扰,包围
参考例句:
  • She wanted to enjoy her retirement without being beset by financial worries.她想享受退休生活而不必为金钱担忧。
  • The plan was beset with difficulties from the beginning.这项计划自开始就困难重重。
38 steers e3d6e83a30b6de2d194d59dbbdf51e12     
n.阉公牛,肉用公牛( steer的名词复数 )v.驾驶( steer的第三人称单数 );操纵;控制;引导
参考例句:
  • This car steers easily. 这部车子易于驾驶。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • Good fodder fleshed the steers up. 优质饲料使菜牛长肉。 来自辞典例句
39 worthy vftwB     
adj.(of)值得的,配得上的;有价值的
参考例句:
  • I did not esteem him to be worthy of trust.我认为他不值得信赖。
  • There occurred nothing that was worthy to be mentioned.没有值得一提的事发生。
40 distinguished wu9z3v     
adj.卓越的,杰出的,著名的
参考例句:
  • Elephants are distinguished from other animals by their long noses.大象以其长长的鼻子显示出与其他动物的不同。
  • A banquet was given in honor of the distinguished guests.宴会是为了向贵宾们致敬而举行的。
41 breach 2sgzw     
n.违反,不履行;破裂;vt.冲破,攻破
参考例句:
  • We won't have any breach of discipline.我们不允许任何破坏纪律的现象。
  • He was sued for breach of contract.他因不履行合同而被起诉。
42 fortress Mf2zz     
n.堡垒,防御工事
参考例句:
  • They made an attempt on a fortress.他们试图夺取这一要塞。
  • The soldier scaled the wall of the fortress by turret.士兵通过塔车攀登上了要塞的城墙。
43 avert 7u4zj     
v.防止,避免;转移(目光、注意力等)
参考例句:
  • He managed to avert suspicion.他设法避嫌。
  • I would do what I could to avert it.我会尽力去避免发生这种情况。
44 coffin XWRy7     
n.棺材,灵柩
参考例句:
  • When one's coffin is covered,all discussion about him can be settled.盖棺论定。
  • The coffin was placed in the grave.那口棺材已安放到坟墓里去了。
45 manly fBexr     
adj.有男子气概的;adv.男子般地,果断地
参考例句:
  • The boy walked with a confident manly stride.这男孩以自信的男人步伐行走。
  • He set himself manly tasks and expected others to follow his example.他给自己定下了男子汉的任务,并希望别人效之。
46 alleged gzaz3i     
a.被指控的,嫌疑的
参考例句:
  • It was alleged that he had taken bribes while in office. 他被指称在任时收受贿赂。
  • alleged irregularities in the election campaign 被指称竞选运动中的不正当行为
47 favourable favourable     
adj.赞成的,称赞的,有利的,良好的,顺利的
参考例句:
  • The company will lend you money on very favourable terms.这家公司将以非常优惠的条件借钱给你。
  • We found that most people are favourable to the idea.我们发现大多数人同意这个意见。
48 irritable LRuzn     
adj.急躁的;过敏的;易怒的
参考例句:
  • He gets irritable when he's got toothache.他牙一疼就很容易发脾气。
  • Our teacher is an irritable old lady.She gets angry easily.我们的老师是位脾气急躁的老太太。她很容易生气。
49 moodily 830ff6e3db19016ccfc088bb2ad40745     
adv.喜怒无常地;情绪多变地;心情不稳地;易生气地
参考例句:
  • Pork slipped from the room as she remained staring moodily into the distance. 阿宝从房间里溜了出来,留她独个人站在那里瞪着眼睛忧郁地望着远处。 来自辞典例句
  • He climbed moodily into the cab, relieved and distressed. 他忧郁地上了马车,既松了一口气,又忧心忡忡。 来自互联网
50 archer KVxzP     
n.射手,弓箭手
参考例句:
  • The archer strung his bow and aimed an arrow at the target.弓箭手拉紧弓弦将箭瞄准靶子。
  • The archer's shot was a perfect bull's-eye.射手的那一箭正中靶心。
51 enrolled ff7af27948b380bff5d583359796d3c8     
adj.入学登记了的v.[亦作enrol]( enroll的过去式和过去分词 );登记,招收,使入伍(或入会、入学等),参加,成为成员;记入名册;卷起,包起
参考例句:
  • They have been studying hard from the moment they enrolled. 从入学时起,他们就一直努力学习。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • He enrolled with an employment agency for a teaching position. 他在职业介绍所登了记以谋求一个教师的职位。 来自《简明英汉词典》
52 honourable honourable     
adj.可敬的;荣誉的,光荣的
参考例句:
  • I don't think I am worthy of such an honourable title.这样的光荣称号,我可担当不起。
  • I hope to find an honourable way of settling difficulties.我希望设法找到一个体面的办法以摆脱困境。
53 advancement tzgziL     
n.前进,促进,提升
参考例句:
  • His new contribution to the advancement of physiology was well appreciated.他对生理学发展的新贡献获得高度赞赏。
  • The aim of a university should be the advancement of learning.大学的目标应是促进学术。
54 gratitude p6wyS     
adj.感激,感谢
参考例句:
  • I have expressed the depth of my gratitude to him.我向他表示了深切的谢意。
  • She could not help her tears of gratitude rolling down her face.她感激的泪珠禁不住沿着面颊流了下来。
55 sarcastic jCIzJ     
adj.讥讽的,讽刺的,嘲弄的
参考例句:
  • I squashed him with a sarcastic remark.我说了一句讽刺的话把他给镇住了。
  • She poked fun at people's shortcomings with sarcastic remarks.她冷嘲热讽地拿别人的缺点开玩笑。
56 opposition eIUxU     
n.反对,敌对
参考例句:
  • The party leader is facing opposition in his own backyard.该党领袖在自己的党內遇到了反对。
  • The police tried to break down the prisoner's opposition.警察设法制住了那个囚犯的反抗。
57 vassal uH8y0     
n.附庸的;属下;adj.奴仆的
参考例句:
  • Wales was a vassal kingdom at that time.那时威尔士是个附庸国。
  • The vassal swore that he would be loyal to the king forever.这位封臣宣誓他将永远忠诚于国王。
58 situated JiYzBH     
adj.坐落在...的,处于某种境地的
参考例句:
  • The village is situated at the margin of a forest.村子位于森林的边缘。
  • She is awkwardly situated.她的处境困难。
59 bulwarks 68b5dc8545fffb0102460d332814eb3d     
n.堡垒( bulwark的名词复数 );保障;支柱;舷墙
参考例句:
  • The freedom of the press is one of the great bulwarks of liberty. 新闻自由是自由最大的保障之一。 来自辞典例句
  • Surgery and X-irradiation nevertheless remain the bulwarks of cancer treatment throughout the world. 外科手术和X射线疗法依然是全世界治疗癌症的主要方法。 来自辞典例句
60 fortresses 0431acf60619033fe5f4e5a0520d82d7     
堡垒,要塞( fortress的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • They will establish impregnable fortresses. 他们将建造坚不可摧的城堡。
  • Indra smashed through Vritra ninety-nine fortresses, and then came upon the dragon. 因陀罗摧毁了维他的九十九座城堡,然后与维他交手。 来自神话部分
61 memorable K2XyQ     
adj.值得回忆的,难忘的,特别的,显著的
参考例句:
  • This was indeed the most memorable day of my life.这的确是我一生中最值得怀念的日子。
  • The veteran soldier has fought many memorable battles.这个老兵参加过许多难忘的战斗。
62 glades 7d2e2c7f386182f71c8d4c993b22846c     
n.林中空地( glade的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • Maggie and Philip had been meeting secretly in the glades near the mill. 玛吉和菲利曾经常在磨坊附近的林中空地幽会。 来自辞典例句
  • Still the outlaw band throve in Sherwood, and hunted the deer in its glades. 当他在沉思中变老了,世界还是照样走它的路,亡命之徒仍然在修武德日渐壮大,在空地里猎鹿。 来自互联网
63 falcons 1090843cfc7d8664c201d9881ebf16b9     
n.猎鹰( falcon的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • Peregrine falcons usually pluck the feathers and strip the flesh off their bird prey. 游隼捕到鸟类猎物时,通常是先拔掉它们的羽毛,再把肉撕下来。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • Though he doubted the wisdom of using falcons, Dr. de la Fuente undertook the project. 虽然德·拉·富恩特博士怀疑使用游隼是否明智,但他还是执行了这项计划。 来自辞典例句
64 followers 5c342ee9ce1bf07932a1f66af2be7652     
追随者( follower的名词复数 ); 用户; 契据的附面; 从动件
参考例句:
  • the followers of Mahatma Gandhi 圣雄甘地的拥护者
  • The reformer soon gathered a band of followers round him. 改革者很快就获得一群追随者支持他。
65 hawking ca928c4e13439b9aa979b863819d00de     
利用鹰行猎
参考例句:
  • He is hawking his goods everywhere. 他在到处兜售他的货物。
  • We obtain the event horizon and the Hawking spectrumformula. 得到了黑洞的局部事件视界位置和Hawking温度以及Klein—Gordon粒子的Hawking辐射谱。
66 sufficiently 0htzMB     
adv.足够地,充分地
参考例句:
  • It turned out he had not insured the house sufficiently.原来他没有给房屋投足保险。
  • The new policy was sufficiently elastic to accommodate both views.新政策充分灵活地适用两种观点。
67 galloping galloping     
adj. 飞驰的, 急性的 动词gallop的现在分词形式
参考例句:
  • The horse started galloping the moment I gave it a good dig. 我猛戳了马一下,它就奔驰起来了。
  • Japan is galloping ahead in the race to develop new technology. 日本在发展新技术的竞争中进展迅速,日新月异。
68 barter bu2zJ     
n.物物交换,以货易货,实物交易
参考例句:
  • Chickens,goats and rabbits were offered for barter at the bazaar.在集市上,鸡、山羊和兔子被摆出来作物物交换之用。
  • They have arranged food imports on a barter basis.他们以易货贸易的方式安排食品进口。
69 saluting 2161687306b8f25bfcd37731907dd5eb     
v.欢迎,致敬( salute的现在分词 );赞扬,赞颂
参考例句:
  • 'Thank you kindly, sir,' replied Long John, again saluting. “万分感谢,先生。”高个子约翰说着又行了个礼。 来自英汉文学 - 金银岛
  • He approached the young woman and, without saluting, began at once to converse with her. 他走近那年青女郎,马上就和她攀谈起来了,连招呼都不打。 来自辞典例句
70 courteously 4v2z8O     
adv.有礼貌地,亲切地
参考例句:
  • He courteously opened the door for me.他谦恭有礼地为我开门。
  • Presently he rose courteously and released her.过了一会,他就很客气地站起来,让她走开。
71 countenance iztxc     
n.脸色,面容;面部表情;vt.支持,赞同
参考例句:
  • At the sight of this photograph he changed his countenance.他一看见这张照片脸色就变了。
  • I made a fierce countenance as if I would eat him alive.我脸色恶狠狠地,仿佛要把他活生生地吞下去。
72 melancholy t7rz8     
n.忧郁,愁思;adj.令人感伤(沮丧)的,忧郁的
参考例句:
  • All at once he fell into a state of profound melancholy.他立即陷入无尽的忧思之中。
  • He felt melancholy after he failed the exam.这次考试没通过,他感到很郁闷。
73 temperament 7INzf     
n.气质,性格,性情
参考例句:
  • The analysis of what kind of temperament you possess is vital.分析一下你有什么样的气质是十分重要的。
  • Success often depends on temperament.成功常常取决于一个人的性格。
74 augured 1de95241a01877ab37856ada69548743     
v.预示,预兆,预言( augur的过去式和过去分词 );成为预兆;占卜
参考例句:
  • The press saw the event as a straw in the wind that augured the resumption of diplomatic relations between the two countries. 报界把这件事看作是两国之间即将恢复邦交的预兆。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
  • This augured disaster for 1945. 这就预示1945年要发生灾难。 来自互联网
75 sage sCUz2     
n.圣人,哲人;adj.贤明的,明智的
参考例句:
  • I was grateful for the old man's sage advice.我很感激那位老人贤明的忠告。
  • The sage is the instructor of a hundred ages.这位哲人是百代之师。
76 artifices 1d233856e176f5aace9bf428296039b9     
n.灵巧( artifice的名词复数 );诡计;巧妙办法;虚伪行为
参考例句:
  • These pure verbal artifices do not change the essence of the matter. 这些纯粹是文词上的花样,并不能改变问题的实质。 来自互联网
  • There are some tools which realise this kind of artifices. 一些工具实现了这些方法。 来自互联网
77 wares 2eqzkk     
n. 货物, 商品
参考例句:
  • They sold their wares at half-price. 他们的货品是半价出售的。
  • The peddler was crying up his wares. 小贩极力夸耀自己的货物。
78 toll LJpzo     
n.过路(桥)费;损失,伤亡人数;v.敲(钟)
参考例句:
  • The hailstone took a heavy toll of the crops in our village last night.昨晚那场冰雹损坏了我们村的庄稼。
  • The war took a heavy toll of human life.这次战争夺去了许多人的生命。
79 complexion IOsz4     
n.肤色;情况,局面;气质,性格
参考例句:
  • Red does not suit with her complexion.红色与她的肤色不协调。
  • Her resignation puts a different complexion on things.她一辞职局面就全变了。
80 vivacity ZhBw3     
n.快活,活泼,精神充沛
参考例句:
  • Her charm resides in her vivacity.她的魅力存在于她的活泼。
  • He was charmed by her vivacity and high spirits.她的活泼与兴高采烈的情绪把他迷住了。
81 esteemed ftyzcF     
adj.受人尊敬的v.尊敬( esteem的过去式和过去分词 );敬重;认为;以为
参考例句:
  • The art of conversation is highly esteemed in France. 在法国十分尊重谈话技巧。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • He esteemed that he understood what I had said. 他认为已经听懂我说的意思了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
82 abound wykz4     
vi.大量存在;(in,with)充满,富于
参考例句:
  • Oranges abound here all the year round.这里一年到头都有很多橙子。
  • But problems abound in the management of State-owned companies.但是在国有企业的管理中仍然存在不少问题。
83 stature ruLw8     
n.(高度)水平,(高度)境界,身高,身材
参考例句:
  • He is five feet five inches in stature.他身高5英尺5英寸。
  • The dress models are tall of stature.时装模特儿的身材都较高。
84 pageants 2a20528523b0fea5361e375e619f694c     
n.盛装的游行( pageant的名词复数 );穿古代服装的游行;再现历史场景的娱乐活动;盛会
参考例句:
  • It is young people who favor holding Beauty pageants. 赞成举办选美的是年轻人。 来自互联网
  • Others say that there's a fine line between the pageants and sexual exploitation. 其他人说,选美和性剥削之间只有非常细微的界线。 来自互联网
85 gallant 66Myb     
adj.英勇的,豪侠的;(向女人)献殷勤的
参考例句:
  • Huang Jiguang's gallant deed is known by all men. 黄继光的英勇事迹尽人皆知。
  • These gallant soldiers will protect our country.这些勇敢的士兵会保卫我们的国家的。
86 knights 2061bac208c7bdd2665fbf4b7067e468     
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:
  • stories of knights and fair maidens 关于骑士和美女的故事
  • He wove a fascinating tale of knights in shining armour. 他编了一个穿着明亮盔甲的骑士的迷人故事。
87 profligate b15zV     
adj.行为不检的;n.放荡的人,浪子,肆意挥霍者
参考例句:
  • This young man had all the inclination to be a profligate of the first water.这个青年完全有可能成为十足的浪子。
  • Similarly Americans have been profligate in the handling of mineral resources.同样的,美国在处理矿产资源方面亦多浪费。
88 chancellor aUAyA     
n.(英)大臣;法官;(德、奥)总理;大学校长
参考例句:
  • They submitted their reports to the Chancellor yesterday.他们昨天向财政大臣递交了报告。
  • He was regarded as the most successful Chancellor of modern times.他被认为是现代最成功的财政大臣。
89 besought b61a343cc64721a83167d144c7c708de     
v.恳求,乞求(某事物)( beseech的过去式和过去分词 );(beseech的过去式与过去分词)
参考例句:
  • The prisoner besought the judge for mercy/to be merciful. 囚犯恳求法官宽恕[乞求宽大]。 来自辞典例句
  • They besought him to speak the truth. 他们恳求他说实话. 来自辞典例句
90 insurgent V4RyP     
adj.叛乱的,起事的;n.叛乱分子
参考例句:
  • Faruk says they are threatened both by insurgent and government forces.法鲁克说,他们受到暴乱分子和政府军队的双重威胁。
  • The insurgent mob assembled at the gate of the city park.叛变的暴徒聚在市立公园的门口。
91 hue qdszS     
n.色度;色调;样子
参考例句:
  • The diamond shone with every hue under the sun.金刚石在阳光下放出五颜六色的光芒。
  • The same hue will look different in different light.同一颜色在不同的光线下看起来会有所不同。
92 forerunners 5365ced34e1aafb25807c289c4f2259d     
n.先驱( forerunner的名词复数 );开路人;先兆;前兆
参考例句:
  • Country music was undoubtedly one of the forerunners of rock and roll. 乡村音乐无疑是摇滚乐的先导之一。
  • Heavy clouds are the forerunners of a storm. 阴云密布是暴风雨的前兆。 来自《简明英汉词典》
93 forestalled e417c8d9b721dc9db811a1f7f84d8291     
v.先发制人,预先阻止( forestall的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • She forestalled their attempt. 她先发制人,阻止了他们的企图。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • I had my objection all prepared, but Stephens forestalled me. 我已做好准备要提出反对意见,不料斯蒂芬斯却抢先了一步。 来自辞典例句
94 astonishment VvjzR     
n.惊奇,惊异
参考例句:
  • They heard him give a loud shout of astonishment.他们听见他惊奇地大叫一声。
  • I was filled with astonishment at her strange action.我对她的奇怪举动不胜惊异。
95 besieged 8e843b35d28f4ceaf67a4da1f3a21399     
包围,围困,围攻( besiege的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • Paris was besieged for four months and forced to surrender. 巴黎被围困了四个月后被迫投降。
  • The community besieged the newspaper with letters about its recent editorial. 公众纷纷来信对报社新近发表的社论提出诘问,弄得报社应接不暇。
96 commissioners 304cc42c45d99acb49028bf8a344cda3     
n.专员( commissioner的名词复数 );长官;委员;政府部门的长官
参考例句:
  • The Commissioners of Inland Revenue control British national taxes. 国家税收委员管理英国全国的税收。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • The SEC has five commissioners who are appointed by the president. 证券交易委员会有5名委员,是由总统任命的。 来自英汉非文学 - 政府文件
97 reconciliation DUhxh     
n.和解,和谐,一致
参考例句:
  • He was taken up with the reconciliation of husband and wife.他忙于做夫妻间的调解工作。
  • Their handshake appeared to be a gesture of reconciliation.他们的握手似乎是和解的表示。
98 defiance RmSzx     
n.挑战,挑衅,蔑视,违抗
参考例句:
  • He climbed the ladder in defiance of the warning.他无视警告爬上了那架梯子。
  • He slammed the door in a spirit of defiance.他以挑衅性的态度把门砰地一下关上。
99 herald qdCzd     
vt.预示...的来临,预告,宣布,欢迎
参考例句:
  • In England, the cuckoo is the herald of spring.在英国杜鹃鸟是报春的使者。
  • Dawn is the herald of day.曙光是白昼的先驱。
100 cardinal Xcgy5     
n.(天主教的)红衣主教;adj.首要的,基本的
参考例句:
  • This is a matter of cardinal significance.这是非常重要的事。
  • The Cardinal coloured with vexation. 红衣主教感到恼火,脸涨得通红。
101 peculiar cinyo     
adj.古怪的,异常的;特殊的,特有的
参考例句:
  • He walks in a peculiar fashion.他走路的样子很奇特。
  • He looked at me with a very peculiar expression.他用一种很奇怪的表情看着我。
102 entirely entirely     
ad.全部地,完整地;完全地,彻底地
参考例句:
  • The fire was entirely caused by their neglect of duty. 那场火灾完全是由于他们失职而引起的。
  • His life was entirely given up to the educational work. 他的一生统统献给了教育工作。
103 preservation glnzYU     
n.保护,维护,保存,保留,保持
参考例句:
  • The police are responsible for the preservation of law and order.警察负责维持法律与秩序。
  • The picture is in an excellent state of preservation.这幅画保存得极为完好。
104 trench VJHzP     
n./v.(挖)沟,(挖)战壕
参考例句:
  • The soldiers recaptured their trench.兵士夺回了战壕。
  • The troops received orders to trench the outpost.部队接到命令在前哨周围筑壕加强防卫。
105 folly QgOzL     
n.愚笨,愚蠢,蠢事,蠢行,傻话
参考例句:
  • Learn wisdom by the folly of others.从别人的愚蠢行动中学到智慧。
  • Events proved the folly of such calculations.事情的进展证明了这种估计是愚蠢的。
106 kinsman t2Xxq     
n.男亲属
参考例句:
  • Tracing back our genealogies,I found he was a kinsman of mine.转弯抹角算起来他算是我的一个亲戚。
  • A near friend is better than a far dwelling kinsman.近友胜过远亲。
107 circumvent gXvz0     
vt.环绕,包围;对…用计取胜,智胜
参考例句:
  • Military planners tried to circumvent the treaty.军事策略家们企图绕开这一条约。
  • Any action I took to circumvent his scheme was justified.我为斗赢他的如意算盘而采取的任何行动都是正当的。
108 politic L23zX     
adj.有智虑的;精明的;v.从政
参考例句:
  • He was too politic to quarrel with so important a personage.他很聪明,不会与这么重要的人争吵。
  • The politic man tried not to offend people.那个精明的人尽量不得罪人。
109 peculiarity GiWyp     
n.独特性,特色;特殊的东西;怪癖
参考例句:
  • Each country has its own peculiarity.每个国家都有自己的独特之处。
  • The peculiarity of this shop is its day and nigth service.这家商店的特点是昼夜服务。
110 dependence 3wsx9     
n.依靠,依赖;信任,信赖;隶属
参考例句:
  • Doctors keep trying to break her dependence of the drug.医生们尽力使她戒除毒瘾。
  • He was freed from financial dependence on his parents.他在经济上摆脱了对父母的依赖。
111 delightful 6xzxT     
adj.令人高兴的,使人快乐的
参考例句:
  • We had a delightful time by the seashore last Sunday.上星期天我们在海滨玩得真痛快。
  • Peter played a delightful melody on his flute.彼得用笛子吹奏了一支欢快的曲子。
112 retirement TWoxH     
n.退休,退职
参考例句:
  • She wanted to enjoy her retirement without being beset by financial worries.她想享受退休生活而不必为金钱担忧。
  • I have to put everything away for my retirement.我必须把一切都积蓄起来以便退休后用。
113 bevy UtZzo     
n.一群
参考例句:
  • A bevy of bathing beauties appeared on the beach.沙滩上出现了一群游泳的美女。
  • Look,there comes a bevy of ladies.看,一群女人来了。
114 lodged cbdc6941d382cc0a87d97853536fcd8d     
v.存放( lodge的过去式和过去分词 );暂住;埋入;(权利、权威等)归属
参考例句:
  • The certificate will have to be lodged at the registry. 证书必须存放在登记处。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • Our neighbours lodged a complaint against us with the police. 我们的邻居向警方控告我们。 来自《简明英汉词典》
115 nay unjzAQ     
adv.不;n.反对票,投反对票者
参考例句:
  • He was grateful for and proud of his son's remarkable,nay,unique performance.他为儿子出色的,不,应该是独一无二的表演心怀感激和骄傲。
  • Long essays,nay,whole books have been written on this.许多长篇大论的文章,不,应该说是整部整部的书都是关于这件事的。
116 thither cgRz1o     
adv.向那里;adj.在那边的,对岸的
参考例句:
  • He wandered hither and thither looking for a playmate.他逛来逛去找玩伴。
  • He tramped hither and thither.他到处流浪。
117 espied 980e3f8497fb7a6bd10007d67965f9f7     
v.看到( espy的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • One day a youth espied her as he was hunting.She saw him and recognized him as her own son, mow grown a young man. 一日,她被一个正在行猎的小伙子看见了,她认出来这个猎手原来是自己的儿子,现在已长成为一个翩翩的少年。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • In a little while he espied the two giants. 一会儿就看见了那两个巨人。 来自辞典例句
118 banished b779057f354f1ec8efd5dd1adee731df     
v.放逐,驱逐( banish的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • He was banished to Australia, where he died five years later. 他被流放到澳大利亚,五年后在那里去世。
  • He was banished to an uninhabited island for a year. 他被放逐到一个无人居住的荒岛一年。 来自《简明英汉词典》
119 lodging wRgz9     
n.寄宿,住所;(大学生的)校外宿舍
参考例句:
  • The bill is inclusive of the food and lodging. 账单包括吃、住费用。
  • Where can you find lodging for the night? 你今晚在哪里借宿?
120 craved e690825cc0ddd1a25d222b7a89ee7595     
渴望,热望( crave的过去式 ); 恳求,请求
参考例句:
  • She has always craved excitement. 她总渴望刺激。
  • A spicy, sharp-tasting radish was exactly what her stomach craved. 她正馋着想吃一个香甜可口的红萝卜呢。
121 abode hIby0     
n.住处,住所
参考例句:
  • It was ten months before my father discovered his abode.父亲花了十个月的功夫,才好不容易打听到他的住处。
  • Welcome to our humble abode!欢迎光临寒舍!
122 jaws cq9zZq     
n.口部;嘴
参考例句:
  • The antelope could not escape the crocodile's gaping jaws. 那只羚羊无法从鱷鱼张开的大口中逃脱。
  • The scored jaws of a vise help it bite the work. 台钳上有刻痕的虎钳牙帮助它紧咬住工件。
123 vessels fc9307c2593b522954eadb3ee6c57480     
n.血管( vessel的名词复数 );船;容器;(具有特殊品质或接受特殊品质的)人
参考例句:
  • The river is navigable by vessels of up to 90 tons. 90 吨以下的船只可以从这条河通过。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • All modern vessels of any size are fitted with radar installations. 所有现代化船只都有雷达装置。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
124 ornaments 2bf24c2bab75a8ff45e650a1e4388dec     
n.装饰( ornament的名词复数 );点缀;装饰品;首饰v.装饰,点缀,美化( ornament的第三人称单数 )
参考例句:
  • The shelves were chock-a-block with ornaments. 架子上堆满了装饰品。
  • Playing the piano sets up resonance in those glass ornaments. 一弹钢琴那些玻璃饰物就会产生共振。 来自《简明英汉词典》
125 bauble BQ0yv     
n.美观而无价值的饰物
参考例句:
  • That little bauble is not to be compared with this enormous jewel.那个小摆设不能与这个大宝石相比较。
  • A bauble is a showy ornament of little value.廉价珠宝是华而不实的装饰品。
126 repent 1CIyT     
v.悔悟,悔改,忏悔,后悔
参考例句:
  • He has nothing to repent of.他没有什么要懊悔的。
  • Remission of sins is promised to those who repent.悔罪者可得到赦免。
127 knavish 72863b51765591299d0bff8b10564985     
adj.无赖(似)的,不正的;刁诈
参考例句:
  • There was something quite knavish in the man's attitude. 这个人的态度真有点无赖的味道。 来自英汉文学 - 嘉莉妹妹
  • That shrewd and knavish sprite call'd Robin Goodfellow (Shakespeare) 那个叫作罗宾好伙计的精明而又顽皮的小妖精。 来自互联网
128 kindled d35b7382b991feaaaa3e8ddbbcca9c46     
(使某物)燃烧,着火( kindle的过去式和过去分词 ); 激起(感情等); 发亮,放光
参考例句:
  • We watched as the fire slowly kindled. 我们看着火慢慢地燃烧起来。
  • The teacher's praise kindled a spark of hope inside her. 老师的赞扬激起了她内心的希望。
129 exclamations aea591b1607dd0b11f1dd659bad7d827     
n.呼喊( exclamation的名词复数 );感叹;感叹语;感叹词
参考例句:
  • The visitors broke into exclamations of wonder when they saw the magnificent Great Wall. 看到雄伟的长城,游客们惊叹不已。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • After the will has been read out, angry exclamations aroused. 遗嘱宣读完之后,激起一片愤怒的喊声。 来自辞典例句


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