The Adventures of Roderick Random | Gradually Hardening Arabic B1 Translation Books

The Adventures of Roderick Random | Gradually Hardening Arabic B1 Translation Books

Unlock the potential of this modern translation approach, designed to enhance your language learning experience. By allowing you to choose your difficulty level, it guarantees a personalized challenge that's suited to your progress. This method promotes comprehension by encouraging you to infer the meaning of new words from context, rather than relying heavily on direct translations. Though some translations are obscured to stimulate guessing, it's perfectly fine to consult a dictionary when needed. This technique combines challenge and support, making language learning fun and effective. Explore these translated classics to enjoy literature while advancing your language skills.

THEAUTHOR’SPREFACE
Ofallkindsofsatire,thereisnonesoentertaininganduniversallyimproving,asthatwhichisintroduced,asitwereoccasionally,inthecourseofaninterestingstory,whichbringsevery
حادثة
incident
hometolife,andbyrepresenting
المألوفة
familiar
scenesinanuncommonandamusingpointofview,investsthemwithallthegracesofnovelty,whilenatureisappealedtoineveryparticular.
Thereadergratifieshiscuriosityinpursuingtheadventuresofapersoninwhosefavourheisprepossessed;
heespouseshiscause,hesympathiseswithhiminhisdistress,hisindignationisheatedagainsttheauthorsofhiscalamity:
thehumanepassionsareinflamed;
thecontrastbetweendejectedvirtueandinsultingviceappearswith
أكبر
greater
aggravation,andeveryimpressionhavingadoubleforceonthe
الخيال
imagination
,thememoryretainsthecircumstance,andtheheartimprovesbythe
المثال
example
.
Theattentionisnottiredwithabarecatalogueofcharacters,butagreeablydivertedwithallthevarietyofinvention;
andthevicissitudesoflifeappearintheirpeculiarcircumstances,openinganamplefieldforwitandhumour.
Romance,nodoubt,owesitsorigintoignorance,vanity,andsuperstition.
InthedarkagesoftheWorld,whenamanhadrenderedhimselffamousforwisdomorvalour,hisfamilyandadherentsavailedthemselvesofhissuperiorqualities,magnifiedhisvirtues,andrepresentedhischaracterandpersonassacredandsupernatural.
Thevulgareasilyswallowedthebait,imploredhisprotection,andyieldedthetributeofhomageandpraise,eventoadoration;
hisexploitswerehandeddowntoposteritywithathousandexaggerations;
theywererepeatedasincitementstovirtue;
divinehonourswerepaid,andaltarserectedtohismemory,fortheencouragementofthosewhoattemptedtoimitatehisexample;
andhencearosetheheathenmythology,whichisnootherthanacollectionofextravagantromances.
Aslearningadvanced,and
العبقرية
genius
receivedcultivation,thesestorieswereembellishedwiththegracesof
الشعر
poetry
,thattheymightthebetterrecommendthemselvestotheattention;
theyweresunginpublic,atfestivals,fortheinstructionanddelightoftheaudience;
andrehearsedbefore
المعركة
battle
,asincentivestodeedsof
المجد
glory
.
Thustragedyandtheepicmusewereborn,and,inthe
تقدم
progress
oftaste,arrivedatperfection.
Itisnowonderthattheancientscouldnotrelishafableinprose,aftertheyhadseensomanyremarkableeventscelebratedinversebytheirbestpoets;
wethereforefindnoromanceamongthemduringtheeraoftheirexcellence,unlesstheCyropædiaofXenophonmaybesocalled;
anditwasnottillartsandsciencesbegantoreviveaftertheirruptionofthebarbariansintoEurope,thatanythingofthiskindappeared.
Butwhenthemindsofmenweredebauchedbytheimpositionofpriestcrafttothemostabsurdpitchofcredulity,theauthorsofromancearose,andlosingsightofprobability,filledtheirperformanceswiththemostmonstroushyperboles.
Iftheycouldnotequaltheancientpoetsinpointof
العبقرية
genius
theywereresolvedtoexceltheminfiction,andapplytothewonder,ratherthanthejudgment,oftheirreaders.
Accordingly,theybroughtnecromancytotheiraid,andinsteadofsupportingthecharacteroftheirheroesbydignityofsentimentandpractice,distinguishedthembytheirbodilystrength,activity,andextravaganceofbehaviour.
الرغم
Although
nothingcouldbemoreludicrousandunnaturalthanthefigurestheydrew,theydidnotwantpatronsandadmirers;
andtheworldactuallybegantobeinfectedwiththespiritofknight-errantry,whenCervantes,byaninimitablepieceofridicule,reformedthetasteofmankind,representingchivalryintherightpointofview,andconvertingromancetopurposesfarmoreusefulandentertaining,bymakingitassumethesock,andpointoutthefolliesof
العادية
ordinary
life.
ThesamemethodhasbeenpractisedbyotherSpanishandFrenchauthors,andbynonemoresuccessfullythanbyMonsieurLeSage,who,inhisAdventuresofGilBlas,hasdescribedtheknaveryandfoiblesoflife,withinfinitehumourandsagacity.
ThefollowingsheetsIhavemodelledonhisplan,takingmeliberty,however,todifferfromhimintheexecution,whereIthoughthis
خاصة
particular
situationswereuncommon,extravagant,orpeculiartothecountryinwhichthesceneislaid.
ThedisgracesofGilBlasare,forthemostpart,suchasratherexcitemirththancompassion;
hehimselflaughsatthem;
andhistransitionsfromdistresstohappiness,oratleastease,areso
فجأة
sudden
,thatneitherthereaderhastimetopityhim,norhimselftobeacquaintedwithaffliction.
Thisconduct,inmyopinion,notonlydeviatesfromprobability,butpreventsthatgenerousindignation,whichoughttoanimatethereaderagainstthesordidandviciousdispositionoftheworld.
Ihaveattemptedtorepresentmodestmeritstrugglingwitheverydifficultytowhichafriendlessorphanisexposed,fromhisownwantofexperience,aswellasfromtheselfishness,envy,malice,andbaseindifferenceofmankind.
Tosecureafavourableprepossession,Ihaveallowedhimtheadvantagesof
الولادة
birth
andeducation,whichinthe
سلسلة
series
ofhismisfortuneswill,Ihope,engagetheingenuousmorewarmlyinhisbehalf;
andthoughIforesee,thatsomepeoplewillbeoffendedatthemeanscenesinwhichheisinvolved,Ipersuademyselfthatthejudiciouswillnotonlyperceivethenecessityofdescribingthosesituationstowhichhemustofcoursebeconfined,inhislowestate,butalsofindentertainmentinviewingthosepartsoflife,wherethehumoursandpassionsareundisguisedbyaffectation,ceremony,or
التعليم
education
;
andthewhimsicalpeculiaritiesofdispositionappearasnaturehasimplantedthem.
ButIbelieveIneednottroublemyselfinvindicatingapracticeauthorizedbythebestwritersinthisway,someofwhomIhavealreadynamed.
Everyintelligentreaderwill,atfirstsight,perceiveIhavenotdeviatedfromnatureinthefacts,whicharealltrueinthemain,
الرغم
although
thecircumstancesarealteredanddisguised,toavoidpersonalsatire.
ItnowremainstogivemyreasonsformakingthechiefpersonageofthisworkaNorthBriton,whicharechieflythese:
Icould,atasmallexpense,bestowonhimsuch
التعليم
education
asIthoughtthedignityofhisbirthandcharacterrequired,whichcouldnotpossiblybeobtainedinEngland,bysuchslendermeansasthenatureofmyplanwouldafford.
Inthenextplace,Icouldrepresentsimplicityofmannersinaremotepartofthe
المملكة
kingdom
,withmoreproprietythaninanyplacenearthe
العاصمة
capital
;
andlastly,thedispositionoftheScots,addictedtotravelling,justifiesmyconductinderivinganadventurerfromthatcountry.
APOLOGUE
Ayoungpainter,indulgingaveinofpleasantry,sketchedakindofconversationpiece,representingabear,anowl,amonkey,andanass;
andtorenderitmorestriking,humorous,andmoral,distinguishedeveryfigurebysomeemblemofhumanlife.
Bruinwasexhibitedinthegarbandattitudeofanold,toothless,drunken
جندي
soldier
;
theowlpercheduponthehandleofacoffee-pot,withspectacleonnose,seemedtocontemplatea
صحيفة
newspaper
;
andtheass,ornamentedwithahugetie-wig(which,however,couldnotconcealhislongears),satforhispicturetothe
القرد
monkey
,whoappearedwiththeimplementsofpainting.
Thiswhimsicalgroupaffordedsomemirth,andmetwithgeneralapprobation,untilsomemischievouswaghintedthatthewhole—wasalampoonuponthefriendsoftheperformer;
aninsinuationwhichwasnosoonercirculatedthanthoseverypeoplewhoapplaudeditbeforebegantobealarmed,andeventofancythemselvessignifiedbytheseveralfiguresofthepiece.
بين
Among
others,aworthypersonageinyears,whohadservedinthearmywith
سمعة
reputation
,beingincensedatthesupposedoutrage,repairedtothelodgingofthepainter,andfindinghimathome,“Harkye,Mr.Monkey,”saidhe,“Ihaveagoodmindtoconvinceyou,thatthoughthebearhaslosthisteeth,heretainshispaws,andthatheisnotsodrunkbuthecanperceiveyourimpertinence.”
“Sblood!
sir,thattoothlessjawisad—nedscandalouslibel—butdon’tyouimaginemesochopfallenasnottobeabletochewthecudofresentment.”
Herehewasinterruptedbythearrivalofalearnedphysician,who,advancingtotheculpritwithfuryinhisaspect,exclaimed,“Supposetheaugmentationoftheass’searsshouldprovethediminutionofthebaboon’s—nay,
تسعى
seek
nottoprevaricate,for,bythebeardofAesculapius!
thereisnotonehairinthisperiwigthatwillnotstandupinjudgmenttoconvicttheeofpersonalabuse.
Dobutobserve,captain,howthispitifullittlefellowhascopiedtheverycurls—thecolour,indeed,isdifferent,butthentheformandforetoparequitesimilar.”
Whilehethusremonstratedinastrainofvociferation,avenerablesenatorentered,andwaddlinguptothedelinquent,“Jackanapes!”
criedhe,“IwillnowlettheeseeIcanreadsomethingelsethananewspaper,andthatwithoutthehelpofspectacles:
hereisyourown
مذكرة
note
ofhand,sirrah,formoney,whichifIhadnotadvanced,youyourselfwouldhaveresembledanowl,innotdaringtoshowyourfacebyday,youungratefulslanderousknave!”
Invaintheastonishedpainterdeclaredthathehadnointentiontogiveoffence,ortocharacteriseparticularpersons:
theyaffirmedtheresemblancewastoopalpabletobeoverlooked;
theytaxedhimwithinsolence,malice,andingratitude;
andtheirclamoursbeingoverheardbythepublic,thecaptainwasabear,thedoctoranass,andthesenatoranowl,tohisdyingday.
Christianreader,Ibeseechthee,inthebowelsoftheLord,rememberthis
المثال
example
“whilethouartemployedintheperusalofthefollowingsheets;
and
تسعى
seek
nottoappropriatetothyselfthatwhichequallybelongstofivehundreddifferentpeople.
Ifthoushouldstmeetwithacharacterthatreflectstheeinsomeungraciousparticular,keepthyowncounsel;
CHAPTERI
OfmyBirthandParentage.
Iwasborninthenorthernpartofthis
المتحدة
united
kingdom,inthehouseofmy
جدي
grandfather
,agentlemanofconsiderable
ثروة
fortune
andinfluence,whohadonmanyoccasionssignalisedhimselfinbehalfofhiscountry;
andwasremarkableforhisabilitiesinthelaw,whichheexercisedwithgreatsuccessinthestationofajudge,particularlyagainstbeggars,forwhomhehadasingularaversion.
Myfather(hisyoungestson)fallinginlovewithapoorrelation,wholivedwiththeold
الرجل
gentleman
inqualityofahousekeeper,espousedherprivately;
andIwasthefirst
ثمرة
fruit
ofthatmarriage.
Duringherpregnancy,adreamdiscomposedmymothersomuchthatherhusband,tiredwithherimportunity,atlastconsultedahighlandseer,whosefavourableinterpretationhewouldhavesecuredbeforehandbyabribe,butfoundhimincorruptible.
Shedreamedshewasdeliveredofatennis-ball,whichthe
الشيطان
devil
(who,tohergreatsurprise,actedthepartofamidwife)strucksoforciblywitharacketthatitdisappearedinaninstant;
andshewasforsometimeinconsolableforthelostofheroffspring;
when,allonasudden,shebehelditreturnwithequalviolence,andentertheearth,beneathherfeet,whenceimmediatelysprangupagoodlytreecoveredwithblossoms,thescentofwhichoperatedsostronglyonhernervesthatsheawoke.
Theattentivesage,aftersomedeliberation,assuredmyparents,thattheirfirstbornwouldbeagreattraveller;
thathewouldundergomanydangersanddifficulties,andatlastreturntohisnativeland,wherehewouldflourishin
السعادة
happiness
andreputation.
Howtrulythiswasforetoldwillappearinthesequel.
Itwasnotlongbeforesomeofficiouspersoninformedmygrandfatherofcertainfamiliaritiesthatpassedbetweenhissonandhousekeeperwhichalarmedhimsomuchthat,afewdaysafter,hetoldmyfatheritwashightimeforhimtothinkofsettling;
andthathehadprovidedamatchforhim,towhichhecouldin
العدالة
justice
havenoobjections.
Myfather,findingitwouldbeimpossibletoconcealhissituationmuchlonger,franklyownedwhathehaddone;
andexcusedhimselffornothavingaskedtheconsentofhisfather,bysaying,heknewitwouldhavebeentonopurpose;
andthat,hadhisinclinationbeenknown,mygrandfathermighthavetakensuchmeasuresaswouldhaveeffectuallyputthegratificationofitoutofhispower:
headded,thatnoexceptionscouldbetakentohiswife’svirtue,birth,beauty,andgoodsense,andasforfortune,itwasbeneathhiscare.
Theold
الرجل
gentleman
,whokeptallhispassions,exceptone,inexcellentorder,heardhimtoanendwithgreattemper,andthencalmlyasked,howheproposedtomaintainhimselfandspouse?
Hereplied,hecouldbeinno
خطر
danger
ofwantingwhilehisfather’stendernessremained,whichheandhiswifeshouldalwayscultivatewiththeutmostveneration;
andhewaspersuadedhisallowancewouldbesuitabletothedignityandcircumstancesofhisfamily,andtotheprovisionalreadymadeforhisbrothersandsisters,whowerehappilysettledunderhisprotection.
“Yourbrothersandsisters,”saidmy
جدي
grandfather
,“didnotthinkitbeneaththemtoconsultmeinanaffairofsuchimportanceasmatrimony;
neither,Isuppose,wouldyouhaveomittedthatpieceofduty,hadyounotsomesecretfundinreserve;
tothecomfortsofwhichIleaveyou,witha
الرغبة
desire
thatyouwillthisnightseekoutanotherhabitationforyourselfandwife,whither,inashorttime,IwillsendyouanaccountoftheexpenseIhavebeenatinyoureducation,withaviewofbeingreimbursed.
Sir,youhavemadethegrandtour—youareapolitegentleman—averyprettygentleman—Iwishyouagreatdealofjoy,andamyourveryhumbleservant.”
Sosaying,heleftmyfatherinasituationeasilyimagined.
However,hedidnotlonghesitate;
for,beingperfectlywellacquaintedwithhisfather’sdisposition,hedidnotdoubtthathewasgladofthispretencetogetridofhim;
andhisresolvesbeingasinvariableasthelawsoftheMedesandPersians,heknewitwouldbetonopurposetoattempthimbyprayersandentreaties;
sowithoutanyfartherapplication,hebetookhimself,withhisdisconsolatebedfellowtoafarm-house,whereanoldservantofhismotherdwelt:
theretheyremainedsometimeinasituationbutilladaptedtotheeleganceoftheirdesiresandtendernessoftheirlove;
whichneverthelessmyfatherchosetoendure,ratherthansupplicateanunnaturalandinflexibleparentbutmymother,foreseeingtheinconveniencestowhichshemusthavebeenexposed,hadshebeendeliveredinthisplace(andherpregnancywasveryfaradvanced),withoutcommunicatingherdesigntoherhusband,wentindisguisetothehouseofmy
جدي
grandfather
,hopingthathertearsandconditionwouldmovehimtocompassion,andreconcilehimtoan
حدث
event
whichwasnowirrecoverablypast.
Shefoundmeanstodeceivetheservants,andgetintroducedasanunfortunatelady,whowantedtocomplainofsomematrimonialgrievances,itbeingmygrandfather’sparticularprovincetodecideinallcasesofscandal.
Shewasaccordinglyadmittedintohispresence,where,discoveringherself,shefellathisfeet,andinthemostaffectingmannerimploredhisforgiveness;
atthesametimerepresentingthe
الخطر
danger
thatthreatenednotonlyherlife,butthatofhisowngrandchild,whichwasabouttoseethelight.
Hetoldherhewassorrythattheindiscretionofherandhissonhadcompelledhimtomakeavow,whichputitoutofhispowertogivethemanyassistance;
thathehadalreadyimpartedhisthoughtsonthat
الموضوع
subject
toherhusband,andwassurprisedthattheyshoulddisturbhispeacewithanyfartherimportunity.
Thissaid,heretired.
Theviolenceofmymother’safflictionhadsuchaneffectonherconstitutionthatshewasimmediatelyseizedwiththepainsofchildbed;
andhadnotanoldmaidservant,towhomshewasverydear,affordedher
الشفقة
pity
andassistance,atthehazardofincurringmygrandfather’sdispleasure,sheandthe
البريئة
innocent
fruitofherwombmusthavefallenmiserablevictimstohisrigourandinhumanity.
Bythe
صداقة
friendship
ofthispoorwomanshewascarrieduptoagarret,andimmediatelydeliveredofamanchild,thestoryofwhoseunfortunatebirthhehimselfnowrelates.
Myfather,beinginformedofwhathadhappened,flewtotheembracesofhisdarlingspouse,andwhileheloadedhisoffspringwithpaternalembraces,couldnotforbearsheddingafloodoftearsonbeholdingthedearpartnerofhisheart(forwhoseeasehewouldhavesacrificedthetreasuresoftheeast)stretcheduponaflockbed,ina
بائسة
miserable
apartment,unabletoprotectherfromtheinclemenciesoftheweather.
Itisnottobesupposedthattheold
الرجل
gentleman
wasignorantofwhatpassed,thoughheaffectedtoknownothingofthematter,andpretendedtobeverymuch
مندهش
surprised
,whenoneofhisgrandchildren,byhiseldestsondeceased,wholivedwithhimashisheirapparent,acquaintedhimwiththe
القضية
affair
;
hedeterminedthereforetoobservenomedium,butimmediately(onthethirddayafterherdelivery)sentheraperemptoryordertobegone,andturnedofftheservantwhohadpreservedherlife.
Thisbehavioursoexasperatedmyfatherthathehadrecoursetothemostdreadfulimprecations;
andonhisbarekneesimploredthatHeavenwouldrenouncehimifeverheshouldforgetorforgivethebarbarityofhissire.
Theinjurieswhichthisunhappymotherreceivedfromherremovalinsuchcircumstances,andthewantofnecessarieswhereshelodged,togetherwithhergriefandanxietyofmind,soonthrewherintoalanguishingdisorder,whichputanendtoherlife.
Myfather,wholovedhertenderly,wassoaffectedwithherdeaththatheremainedsixweeksdeprivedofhissenses;
duringwhichtime,thepeoplewherehelodgedcarriedtheinfanttotheoldmanwhorelentedsofar,onhearingthemelancholystoryofhisdaughter-in-law’sdeath,andthedeplorableconditionofhisson,astosendthechildtonurse,andheorderedmyfathertobecarriedhometohishouse,wherehesoonrecoveredtheuseofhisreason.
Whetherthishardheartedjudgefeltanyremorseforhis
القاسية
cruel
treatmentofhissonanddaughter,or(whichismoreprobable)wasafraidhischaracterwould
تعاني
suffer
intheneighbourhood,heprofessedgreatsorrowforhisconducttomyfather,whosedeliriumwassucceededbyaprofoundmelancholyandreserve.
Atlengthhedisappeared,and,notwithstandingallimaginableinquiry,couldnotbeheardof;
acircumstancewhichconfirmedmostpeopleintheopinionofhishavingmadeawaywithhimselfinafitofdespair.
CHAPTERII
Igrowup—amhatedbymyRelations—senttoSchool—neglectedbymyGrandfather—maltreatedbymyMaster—seasonedtoAdversity—IformCabalsagainstthePedant—amdebarred
الوصول
Access
tomyGrandfather—huntedbyhisHeir—IdemolishtheTeethofhisTutor.
Therewerenotwantingsomewhosuspectedmyunclesofbeingconcernedinmyfather’sfate,onthesuppositionthattheywouldallshareinthepatrimonydestinedforhim;
andthisconjecturewasstrengthenedbyreflectingthatinallhiscalamitiestheyneverdiscoveredtheleastinclinationtoservehim;
but,onthecontrary,byalltheartificesintheirpower,fedhisresentmentandsupportedhisresolutionofleavinghimtomiseryandwant.
Butpeopleofjudgmenttreatedthisinsinuationasanidlechimera;
because,hadmyrelationsbeensowickedastoconsulttheirinterestbycommittingsuchanatrociouscrime,the
مصير
fate
ofmyfatherwouldhaveextendedtometoowhoselifewasanotherobstacletotheirexpectation.
Meanwhile,Igrewapace,andasIstronglyresembledmyfather,whowasthedarlingofthetenants,Iwantednothingwhichtheirindigentcircumstancescouldafford:
buttheirfavourwasaweakresourceagainstthejealousenmityofmycousins;
whothemoremyinfancypromised,conceivedthemoreimplacablehatredagainstme:
andbeforeIwassixyearsofage,hadsoeffectuallyblockadedmygrandfatherthatIneversawhimbutbystealth,whenIsometimesmadeuptohischairashesattoviewhislabourersinthefield:
onwhichoccasionhewouldstrokemyhead,bidmebeagoodboy,andpromisetotakecareofme.
Iwassoonaftersenttoschoolatavillagehardby,ofwhichhehadbeendictatortimeoutofmind;
butasheneverpaidformyboard,norsuppliedmewithclothes,books,andothernecessariesIrequired,myconditionwasveryraggedandcontemptible,andtheschoolmaster,who,throughfearofmy
جدي
grandfather
,taughtmegratis,gavehimselfnoconcernabouttheprogressImadeunderhisinstruction.
Inspiteofallthesedifficultiesanddisgraces,IbecameagoodproficientintheLatintongue;
and,assoonasIcouldwritetolerably,pesteredmygrandfatherwithletterstosucha
درجة
degree
thathesentformymaster,andchidhimseverelyforbestowingsuchpainsonmyeducation,tellinghimthat,ifeverIshouldbebroughttothegallowsforforgery,whichhehadtaughtmetocommit,mybloodwouldlieonhishead.
Thepedant,whodreadednothingmorethanthedispleasureofhispatron,assuredhishonourthattheboy’s
قدرة
ability
wasmoreowingtohisowngeniusandapplicationthantoanyinstructionorencouragementhereceived;
that,
الرغم
although
hecouldnotdivesthimofthe
المعرفة
knowledge
hehadalreadyimbibed,unlesshewouldempowerhimtodisablehisfingers,heshouldendeavour,withGod’shelp,topreventhisfutureimprovement.
And,indeed,hepunctuallyperformedwhathehadundertaken;
for,onpretencethatIhadwrittenimpertinentletterstomygrandfather,hecausedaboardtobemadewithfiveholesinit,throughwhichhethrustthefingersandthumbofmyrighthand,andfasteneditbywhipcordtomywrist,insuchamanneraseffectuallydebarredmetheuseofmypen.
ButthisrestraintIwasfreedfrominafewdays,byanaccidentwhichhappenedinaquarrelbetweenmeandanotherboy;
who,takinguponhimtoinsultmypoverty,IwassoincensedathisungenerousreproachthatwithonestrokewithmymachineIcuthimtotheskull,tothegreatterrorofmyselfandschoolfellows,wholefthimbleedingontheground,andrantoinformthemasterofwhathadhappened.
Iwassoseverelypunishedforthistrespassthat,wereItolivetotheageofMethusalem,theimpressionitmadeonmewouldnotbeeffaced;
themorethantheantipathyandhorrorIconceivedforthemercilesstyrantwhoinflictedit.
Thecontemptwhichmyappearancenaturallyproducedinallwhosawme,thecontinualwantstowhichIwasexposed,andmyownhaughtydisposition,impatientofaffronts,involvedmeinathousandtroublesomeadventures,bywhichIwasatlengthinuredinadversity,andemboldenedtoundertakingsfarabovemyyears.
IwasofteninhumanlyscourgedforcrimesIdidnotcommit,because,havingthecharacterofavagabondinthevillage,everypieceofmischief,whoseauthorlayunknown,waschargeduponme.
IhavebeenfoundguiltyofrobbingorchardsIneverentered,ofkillingcatsIneverhunted,ofstealinggingerbreadInevertouched,andofabusingoldwomenIneversaw.
Nay,astammeringcarpenterhadeloquenceenoughtopersuademymasterthatIfiredapistolloadedwithsmallshotintohiswindow;
thoughmylandladyandthewholefamilyborewitnessthatIwasabedfastasleepatthetimewhenthisoutragewascommitted.
Iwasoncefloggedforhavingnarrowlyescapeddrowning,bythesinkingofaferryboatinwhichIwaspassenger.
Anothertime,forhavingrecoveredofabruiseoccasionedbyahorseandcartrunningoverme.
Athirdtime,forbeingbittenbyabaker’sdog.
Inshort,whetherIwasguiltyorunfortunate,thecorrectionandsympathyofthisarbitrarypedagoguewerethesame.
Farfrombeingsubduedbythisinformalusage,myindignationtriumphedoverthatslavishawewhichhadhithertoenforcedmyobedience;
andthemoremyyearsandknowledgeincreased,themoreIperceivedtheinjusticeandbarbarityofhisbehaviour.
Bythehelpofanuncommon
عبقرية
genius
,andtheadviceanddirectionofourusher,whohadservedmyfatherinhistravels,Imadeasurprisingprogressintheclassics,writing,andarithmetic;
sothat,beforeIwastwelveyearsold,Iwasallowedbyeverybodytobethebestscholarintheschool.
Thisqualification,togetherwiththeboldnessoftemperandstrengthofmakewhichhadsubjectedalmostallmycontemporaries,gavemesuchinfluenceoverthemthatIbegantoformcabalsagainstmypersecutor;
andwasinhopeof,beingabletobidhimdefianceinaveryshorttime.
Beingattheheadofafaction,consistingofthirtyboys,mostofthemofmyownage,Iwasdeterminedtoputtheirmettletotrial,thatImightknowhowfartheyweretobedependedupon,beforeIputmygrandschemeinexecution:
withthisview,weattackedabodyofstoutapprentices,whohadtakenpossessionofapartofthegroundallottedtousfortheschemeofourdiversions,andwhowerethenplayingatninepinsonthespot;
butIhadthemortificationtoseemyadherentsroutedinaninstant,andalegofoneofthembrokeinhisflightbythebowl,whichoneofouradversarieshaddetachedinpursuitofus.
Thisdiscomfituredidnothinderusfromengagingthem
بعد
afterwards
infrequentskirmishes,whichwemaintainedbythrowingstonesata
مسافة
distance
,whereinIreceivedmanywounds,thescarsofwhichstillremain.
Ourenemiesweresoharassedandinterruptedbythesealarmsthattheyatlastabandonedtheirconquest,andleftustothepeaceableenjoymentofourownterritories.
Itwouldbeendlesstoenumeratetheexploitsweperformedinthecourseofthisconfederacy,whichbecametheterrorofthewholevillage;
insomuchthat,whendifferentinterestsdividedit,oneofthepartiescommonlycourtedtheassistanceofRoderickRandom(bywhichnameIwasknown)tocastthebalance,andkeeptheoppositefactioninawe.
Meanwhile,Itooktheadvantageofeveryplay-daytopresentmyselfbeforemygrandfather,towhomIseldomfound
الوصول
access
,byreasonofhisbeingcloselybesiegedbyanumerousfamilyofhisfemalegrandchildren,who,thoughtheyperpetuallyquarrelledamongthemselves,neverfailedtojoinagainstme,asthecommonenemyofall.
Hisheir,whowasabouttheageofeighteen,mindednothingbutfox-hunting,andindeedwasqualifiedfornothingelse,notwithstandinghisgrandfather’sindulgenceinentertainingatutorforhimathome;
whoatthesametimeperformedtheofficeofparishclerk.
ThisyoungActaeon,whoinheritedhisgrandfather’santipathytoeverythingindistress,neversateyesonmewithoutuncouplinghisbeagles,andhuntingmeintosomecottageorother,whitherIgenerallyfledforshelter.
InthisChristianamusementhewasencouragedbyhispreceptor,who,nodoubt,tooksuchopportunitiestoingratiatehimselfwiththerisingsun,observing,thattheold
الرجل
gentleman
,accordingtothecourseofnature,hadnotlongtolive,forhewasalreadyonthevergeoffourscore.
CHAPTERIII
MyMother’sBrotherarrives—relievesme—aDescriptionofhim—hegoesalongwithmetotheHouseofmyGrandfather—isencounteredbyhisDogs—defeatsthem,afterabloodyEngagement—isadmittedtotheoldGentleman—aDialoguebetweenthem.
Aboutthistimemymother’sonlybrother,whohadbeenlongabroad,lieutenantofaman-of-war,arrivedinhisowncountry;
wherebeinginformedofmycondition,hecametoseeme,andoutofhisslenderfinancesnotonlysuppliedmewithwhatnecessariesIwantedforthepresent,butresolvednottoleavethecountryuntilhehadprevailedonmy
جدي
grandfather
tosettlesomethinghandsomeforthefuture.
Thiswasa
مهمة
task
towhichhewasbynomeansequal,beingentirelyignorant,notonlyofthejudge’sdisposition,butalsoofthewaysofmeningeneral,towhichhiseducationonboardhadkepthimanutterstranger.
Hewasastrongbuiltman,somewhatbandylegged,withanecklikethatofa
الثور
bull
,andafacewhich(youmighteasilyperceive)hadwithstoodthemostobstinateassaultsofthe
الطقس
weather
.
Hisdressconsistedofasoldier’s
معطف
coat
alteredforhimbytheship’stailor,astripedflanneljacket,apairofredbreechesspannedwithpitch,cleangrayworstedstockings,large
فضية
silver
bucklesthatcoveredthree-fourthsofhisshoes,asilver-lacedhat,whosecrownoverlookedthebrimsaboutaninchandahalf,blackbobwiginbuckle,acheckshirt,asilkhandkerchief,ahanger,withabrasshandle,girdedtohisthighbyafurnishedlacebelt,andagoodoakplantunderhisarm.
Thusequipped,hesetoutwithme(whobyhisbountymadeaverydecentappearance)formygrandfather’shouse,whereweweresalutedbyJowlerandCaesar,whommycousin,youngmaster,hadletlooseatourapproach.
Beingwellacquaintedwiththeinveteracyofthesecurs,Iwasabouttobetakemyselftomyheels,whenmyuncleseizedmewithonehand,brandishedhiscudgelwiththeother,andatoneblowlaidCaesarsprawlingontheground;
but,findinghimselfattackedatthesametimeintherearbyJowler,andfearingCaesarmightrecover,hedrewhishanger,wheeledabout,andbyaluckystrokeseveredJowler’sheadfromhisbody.
Bythistime,theyoungfoxhunterandthreeservants,
مسلحين
armed
withpitchforksandflails,werecometotheassistanceofthedogs,whomtheyfoundbreathlessuponthefield;
andmycousinwassoprovokedatthedeathofhisfavourites,thatheorderedhisattendantstoadvance,andtakevengeanceontheirexecutioner,whomheloadedwithallthecursesandreproacheshisangercouldsuggest.
Uponwhichmyunclesteppedforwardswithanundauntedair,atthesightofwhosebloodyweaponshisantagonistsfellbackwithprecipitation,whenheaccostedtheirleaderthus:.
“Lookee,brother,yourdogshavingboardedmewithoutprovocation,whatIdidwasinmyowndefence.
Soyouhadbestbecivil,andletusshootahead,clearofyou.”
Whethertheyoungsquiremisinterpretedmyuncle’s
رغبة
desire
ofpeace,orwasenragedatthe
مصير
fate
ofhishoundsbeyondhisusualpitchofresolution,Iknownot;
buthesnatchedaflailfromoneofhisfollowers,andcameupwithashowofassaultingthe
الملازم
lieutenant
,who,puttinghimselfinapostureofdefence,proceededthus:
“Lookee,youlubberlysonofaw—e,ifyoucomeathwartme,’wareyourgingerbreadwork.
I’llbefoulofyour
الربع
quarter
,d—nme.”
Thisdeclaration,followedbyaflourishofhishanger,seemedtocheckthe
تقدم
progress
oftheyounggentleman’scholer,who,lookingbehindhim,perceivedhisattendantshadslunkintothehouse,shutthegate,andlefthimtodecidethecontentionbyhimself.
Hereaparleyensued,whichwasintroducedbymycousin’sasking,“Whothedevilareyou?
Whatdoyouwant?
Somescoundrelofaseaman,Isuppose,whohasdesertedandturnedthief.
Butdon’tthinkyoushallescape,sirrah—I’llhaveyouhang’d,youdog,Iwill.
Yourbloodshallpayforthatofmytwohounds,youragamuffin.
Iwouldnothavepartedwiththemtosaveyourwholegenerationfromthegallows,youruffian,you!”
“Noneofyourjaw,youswab—noneofyourjaw,”repliedmyuncle,“elseIshalltrimyourlacedjacketforyou.
Ishallrubyoudownwithanoakentowel,myboy,Ishall.”
Sosaying,hesheathedhishanger,andgraspedhiscudgel.