A Child's History of England.146

This amiable {sarcasm} monarch now thought of taking another wife. He proposed to the French King to have some of the ladies of the French Court exhibited before him, that he might make his Royal choice; but the French King answered that he would rather not have his ladies trotted out to be shown like horses at a fair. He proposed to the Dowager Duchess of Milan, who replied that she might have thought of such a match [婚姻] if she had had two heads; but, that only owning one, she must beg to keep it safe. At last Cromwell represented [describe] that there was a Protestant Princess in Germany - those who held the reformed religion were called Protestants, because their leaders had Protested against the abuses and impositions [施加] of the unreformed Church - named Anne of Cleves, who was beautiful, and would answer the purpose admirably [极好地]. The King said was she a large woman, because he must have a fat wife? 'O yes,' said Cromwell; 'she was very large, just the thing [suitable].' On hearing this the King sent over his famous painter, Hans Holbein, to take her portrait. Hans made her out [把她画得] to be so good-looking that the King was satisfied, and the marriage was arranged. But, whether anybody had paid Hans to touch up [improve] the picture; or whether Hans, like one or two other painters, flattered a princess in the ordinary way of business, I cannot say: all I know is, that when Anne came over and the King went to Rochester to meet her, and first saw her without her seeing him, he swore she was 'a great Flanders mare [母马],' and said he would never marry her. Being obliged to do it now (that) [because] matters had gone so far, [他还是娶了她] he would not give her the presents he had prepared, and would never notice her. He never forgave Cromwell his part in the affair. His downfall dates from that time.

It was quickened by his enemies, in the interests of the unreformed religion, putting in the King's way, at a state dinner, a niece of the Duke of Norfolk, Catherine Howard, a young lady of fascinating manners, though small in stature [身高] and not particularly beautiful. Falling in love with her on the spot, the King soon divorced Anne of Cleves after making her the subject of much brutal talk, on pretence that she had been previously betrothed [许配] to some one else - which would never do for one of his dignity - and married Catherine. It is probable that on his wedding day, of all days in the year, he sent his faithful Cromwell to the scaffold [断头台], and had his head struck off. He further celebrated the occasion by burning at one time, and causing to be drawn to the fire on the same hurdles, some Protestant prisoners for denying the Pope's doctrines, and some Roman Catholic prisoners for denying his own supremacy. Still the people bore it, and not a gentleman in England raised his hand.

would never do for one of his dignity... 绝不可以，比如他的尊严不允许。for one: as one example or reason.
hurdle: a frame or sledge on which condemned persons were dragged to execution.

But, by a just retribution [报应], it soon came out that Catherine Howard, before her marriage, had been really guilty of such crimes as the King had falsely attributed to his second wife Anne Boleyn; so, again the dreadful axe made the King a widower, and this Queen passed away as so many in that reign had passed away before her. As an appropriate pursuit under the circumstances, Henry then applied himself to superintending the composition of a religious book called 'A necessary doctrine for any Christian Man.' He must have been a little confused in his mind, I think, at about this period; for he was so false to himself as to be true to some one: that some one being Cranmer, whom the Duke of Norfolk and others of his enemies tried to ruin; but to whom the King was steadfast, and to whom he one night gave his ring, charging him when he should find himself, next day, accused of treason, to show it to the council board. This Cranmer did to the confusion of his enemies. I suppose the King thought he might want him a little longer.

From Henry VIII, William Shakespeare: The king promises Cranmer that if the council decides to imprison Cranmer, he should use his best persuasions against such action. The king gives Cranmer his ring and tells him to show it to the council should [if] they try to cart him away [take him to prison], and then the king himself will be authorized to hear Cranmer's appeal. Cranmer weeps in thanks, and the king says Cranmer is the best soul in his kingdom. Cranmer departs.

charging him when he should find himself, next day, accused of treason:
charging Cranmer when Cranmer find Cranmer accused of treason next day. charge: 交给，指示. should: 表示推断，不是"应该"的意思。
怀念C语言里的#define, #define C Cranmer #define K King
to whome K one night gave K's ring, charging C when C should find C...

六级/考研单词: amiable, sarcasm, sovereign, exhibit, beg, princess, reform, abuse, gorgeous, fame, flatter, oblige, notify, supper, niece, fascinate, divorce, brutal, dignity, probable, farther, hurdle, doctrine, catholic, supreme, bore, condemn, execute, guilt, attribute, dread, ax, reign, pursuit, compose, secular, necessity, confuse, ruin, imprison, cart, authorize, weep, depart