THEAUTHOR’SPREFACE
Ofallkindsof
السخرية
satire,thereisnonesoentertaininganduniversallyimproving,asthatwhichisintroduced,asitwereبعض الأحيان
occasionally,inthecourseofaninterestingstory,whichbringseveryincidenthometolife,andbyrepresentingfamiliarscenesinanuncommonandamusingpointofview,investsthemwithallthegracesofnovelty,whilenatureisappealedtoineveryparticular.The
القارئ
readergratifieshiscuriosityinpursuingtheadventuresofapersoninwhosefavourheisprepossessed;heespouseshiscause,hesympathiseswithhiminhisdistress,hisindignationisheatedagainsttheauthorsofhiscalamity:
thehumanepassionsareinflamed;
the
التباين
contrastbetweendejectedvirtueandinsultingviceappearswithgreateraggravation,andeveryانطباع
impressionhavingadoubleforceontheimagination,thememoryretainsthecircumstance,andtheheartimprovesbytheexample.Theattentionisnottiredwitha
عارية
barecatalogueofcharacters,butagreeablydivertedwithalltheمتنوعة
varietyofinvention;andthevicissitudesoflifeappearintheirpeculiarcircumstances,openinganamplefieldforwitandhumour.
Romance,nodoubt,owesitsorigintoignorance,vanity,andsuperstition.
InthedarkagesoftheWorld,whenamanhadrenderedhimselffamousforwisdomorvalour,hisfamilyandadherentsavailedthemselvesofhissuperiorqualities,magnifiedhisvirtues,andrepresentedhischaracterandpersonassacredandsupernatural.
Thevulgareasilyswallowedthe
الطعم
bait,imploredhisprotection,andyieldedthetributeofhomageandpraise,eventoadoration;hisexploitswerehandeddowntoposteritywithathousandexaggerations;
theywererepeatedasincitementsto
الفضيلة
virtue;divinehonourswerepaid,andaltarserectedtohismemory,fortheencouragementofthosewhoattemptedto
تقليد
imitatehisexample;andhencearosethe
الوثنية
heathenmythology,whichisnootherthanaمجموعة
collectionofextravagantromances.Aslearningadvanced,andgeniusreceivedcultivation,thesestorieswereembellishedwiththegracesofpoetry,thattheymightthebetterrecommendthemselvestotheattention;
theyweresunginpublic,atfestivals,fortheinstructionanddelightoftheaudience;
andrehearsedbeforebattle,asincentivestodeedsofglory.
Thus
المأساة
tragedyandtheepicmusewereborn,and,intheprogressoftaste,arrivedatالكمال
perfection.Itisnowonderthattheancientscouldnotrelishafablein
النثر
prose,aftertheyhadseensomanyالرائعة
remarkableeventscelebratedinversebytheirbestpoets;wethereforefindnoromanceamongthemduringthe
عصر
eraoftheirexcellence,unlesstheCyropædiaofXenophonmaybesocalled;anditwasnottillartsandsciencesbegantoreviveaftertheirruptionofthebarbariansintoEurope,thatanythingofthiskindappeared.
Butwhenthemindsofmenweredebauchedbytheimpositionofpriestcrafttothemostabsurdpitchofcredulity,theauthorsof
الرومانسية
romancearose,andlosingsightofprobability,filledtheirperformanceswiththemostmonstroushyperboles.Iftheycouldnotequaltheancientpoetsinpointofgeniustheywereresolvedtoexcelthemin
الخيال
fiction,andapplytothewonder,ratherthantheالحكم
judgment,oftheirreaders.Accordingly,theybroughtnecromancytotheiraid,andinsteadofsupportingthecharacteroftheirheroesbydignityof
المشاعر
sentimentandpractice,distinguishedthembytheirالجسدية
bodilystrength,activity,andextravaganceofbehaviour.Althoughnothingcouldbemoreludicrousandunnaturalthanthefigurestheydrew,theydidnotwantpatronsandadmirers;
andtheworldactuallybegantobeinfectedwiththespiritofknight-errantry,whenCervantes,byaninimitablepieceofridicule,reformedthetasteof
البشرية
mankind,representingchivalryintherightpointofview,andconvertingالرومانسية
romancetopurposesfarmoreusefulandentertaining,bymakingitassumethesock,andpointoutthefolliesofordinarylife.Thesame
الطريقة
methodhasbeenpractisedbyotherSpanishandFrenchauthors,andbynonemoresuccessfullythanbyMonsieurLeSage,who,inhisAdventuresofGilBlas,hasdescribedtheknaveryandfoiblesoflife,withinfinitehumourandsagacity.ThefollowingsheetsIhavemodelledonhisplan,takingme
الحرية
liberty,however,todifferfromhimintheexecution,whereIthoughthisparticularsituationswereuncommon,extravagant,orpeculiartothecountryinwhichthesceneislaid.ThedisgracesofGilBlasare,forthemostpart,suchasratherexcitemirththan
التعاطف
compassion;hehimselflaughsatthem;
andhistransitionsfromdistresstohappiness,oratleastease,aresosudden,thatneitherthe
القارئ
readerhastimetopityhim,norhimselftobeacquaintedwithaffliction.This
السلوك
conduct,inmyopinion,notonlydeviatesfromالاحتمال
probability,butpreventsthatgenerousindignation,whichoughttoanimatetheالقارئ
readeragainstthesordidandviciousdispositionoftheworld.Ihaveattemptedto
تمثيل
representmodestmeritstrugglingwitheveryصعوبة
difficultytowhichafriendlessيتيم
orphanisexposed,fromhisownwantofexperience,aswellasfromtheالأنانية
selfishness,envy,malice,andbaseindifferenceofmankind.Tosecureafavourableprepossession,Ihaveallowedhimtheadvantagesofbirthandeducation,whichintheseriesofhismisfortuneswill,Ihope,engagetheingenuousmorewarmlyinhis
نيابة
behalf;andthoughIforesee,thatsomepeoplewillbeoffendedatthemeanscenesinwhichheisinvolved,Ipersuademyselfthatthejudiciouswillnotonly
يدرك
perceivethenecessityofdescribingthosesituationstowhichhemustofcoursebeconfined,inhislowestate,butalsofindentertainmentinviewingthosepartsoflife,wherethehumoursandpassionsareundisguisedbyaffectation,ceremony,oreducation;andthewhimsicalpeculiaritiesofdispositionappearasnaturehasimplantedthem.
ButIbelieveIneednottroublemyselfinvindicatingapracticeauthorizedbythebestwritersinthisway,someofwhomIhavealreadynamed.
Everyintelligent
قارئ
readerwill,atfirstsight,يدرك
perceiveIhavenotdeviatedfromnatureinthefacts,whicharealltrueinthemain,althoughthecircumstancesarealteredanddisguised,toavoidpersonalالسخرية
satire.ItnowremainstogivemyreasonsformakingthechiefpersonageofthisworkaNorthBriton,whicharechieflythese:
Icould,atasmallexpense,bestowonhimsucheducationasIthoughtthe
كرامة
dignityofhisbirthandcharacterrequired,whichcouldnotpossiblybeobtainedinEngland,bysuchslendermeansasthenatureofmyplanwouldafford.Inthenextplace,Icould
تمثيل
representsimplicityofmannersinaبعيد
remotepartofthekingdom,withmoreproprietythaninanyplacenearthecapital;andlastly,thedispositionoftheScots,addictedtotravelling,justifiesmyconductinderivinganadventurerfromthatcountry.
APOLOGUE
Ayoung
رسام
painter,indulgingaveinofpleasantry,sketchedakindofconversationpiece,representingabear,anowl,amonkey,andanass;andtorenderitmorestriking,humorous,andmoral,distinguishedeveryfigurebysomeemblemofhumanlife.
Bruinwasexhibitedinthegarbandattitudeofanold,toothless,drunkensoldier;
the
البومة
owlpercheduponthehandleofacoffee-pot,withمشهد
spectacleonnose,seemedtocontemplateanewspaper;andtheass,ornamentedwithahugetie-wig(which,however,couldnotconcealhislongears),satforhispicturetothemonkey,whoappearedwiththeimplementsofpainting.
Thiswhimsicalgroupaffordedsomemirth,andmetwithgeneralapprobation,untilsomemischievouswaghintedthatthewhole—wasalampoonuponthefriendsoftheperformer;
aninsinuationwhichwasnosoonercirculatedthanthoseverypeoplewhoapplaudeditbeforebegantobealarmed,andeventofancythemselvessignifiedbytheseveralfiguresofthepiece.
Amongothers,aworthypersonageinyears,whohadservedinthearmywithreputation,beingincensedatthesupposed
الغضب
outrage,repairedtothelodgingofthepainter,andfindinghimathome,“Harkye,Mr.Monkey,”saidhe,“Ihaveagoodmindtoconvinceyou,thatthoughthebearhaslosthisteeth,heretainshispaws,andthatheisnotsodrunkbuthecanإدراك
perceiveyourimpertinence.”“Sblood!
sir,thattoothless
الفك
jawisad—nedscandalouslibel—butdon’tyouimaginemesochopfallenasnottobeabletoمضغ
chewthecudofresentment.”Herehewasinterruptedbythe
وصول
arrivalofalearnedphysician,who,advancingtotheالجاني
culpritwithfuryinhisaspect,exclaimed,“Supposetheaugmentationoftheass’searsshouldprovethediminutionofthebaboon’s—nay,seeknottoprevaricate,for,bytheلحية
beardofAesculapius!thereisnotonehairinthisperiwigthatwillnotstandupin
الحكم
judgmenttoconvicttheeofpersonalabuse.Dobutobserve,captain,howthispitifullittlefellowhascopiedtheverycurls—thecolour,indeed,isdifferent,butthentheformandforetoparequitesimilar.”
Whilehethusremonstratedinastrainofvociferation,avenerablesenatorentered,andwaddlinguptothedelinquent,“Jackanapes!”
criedhe,“IwillnowlettheeseeIcanreadsomethingelsethananewspaper,andthatwithoutthehelpofspectacles:
hereisyourownnoteofhand,sirrah,formoney,whichifIhadnotadvanced,youyourselfwouldhaveresembledan
البومة
owl,innotdaringtoshowyourfacebyday,youungratefulslanderousknave!”Invaintheastonished
الرسام
painterdeclaredthathehadnoنية
intentiontogiveoffence,ortocharacteriseparticularpersons:theyaffirmedthe
التشابه
resemblancewastoopalpabletobeoverlooked;theytaxedhimwithinsolence,malice,andingratitude;
andtheirclamoursbeingoverheardbythepublic,thecaptainwasabear,thedoctoranass,andthesenatoran
البومة
owl,tohisdyingday.Christian
القارئ
reader,Ibeseechthee,inthebowelsoftheLord,rememberthisexample“whilethouartemployedintheperusalofthefollowingsheets;andseeknottoappropriatetothyselfthatwhichequallybelongstofivehundreddifferentpeople.
Ifthoushouldstmeetwithacharacterthatreflectstheeinsomeungraciousparticular,keepthyowncounsel;
الفصل
CHAPTERIOfmyBirthandParentage.
Iwasborninthe
الشمالي
northernpartofthisunitedkingdom,inthehouseofmygrandfather,agentlemanofكبيرة
considerablefortuneandinfluence,whohadonmanyoccasionssignalisedhimselfinنيابة
behalfofhiscountry;andwasremarkableforhisabilitiesinthelaw,whichheexercisedwithgreatsuccessinthestationofajudge,particularlyagainstbeggars,forwhomhehada
فريدة
singularaversion.Myfather(hisyoungestson)fallinginlovewithapoorrelation,wholivedwiththeoldgentlemaninqualityofahousekeeper,espousedher
خاص
privately;andIwasthefirstfruitofthatmarriage.
Duringherpregnancy,adreamdiscomposedmymothersomuchthatherhusband,tiredwithherimportunity,atlastconsultedahighlandseer,whosefavourableinterpretationhewouldhavesecuredbeforehandbya
الرشوة
bribe,butfoundhimincorruptible.Shedreamedshewasdeliveredofatennis-ball,whichthedevil(who,tohergreatsurprise,actedthepartofamidwife)strucksoforciblywitha
مضرب
racketthatitdisappearedinanلحظة
instant;andshewasforsometimeinconsolableforthelostofheroffspring;
when,allonasudden,shebehelditreturnwithequalviolence,andentertheearth,
تحت
beneathherfeet,whenceimmediatelysprangupagoodlytreecoveredwithblossoms,thescentofwhichoperatedsostronglyonhernervesthatsheawoke.Theattentivesage,aftersomedeliberation,assuredmyparents,thattheirfirstbornwouldbeagreattraveller;
thathewouldundergomanydangersanddifficulties,andatlastreturntohisnativeland,wherehewouldflourishinhappinessandreputation.
Howtrulythiswasforetoldwillappearinthesequel.
Itwasnotlongbeforesomeofficiouspersoninformedmygrandfatherofcertainfamiliaritiesthatpassedbetweenhissonandhousekeeperwhichalarmedhimsomuchthat,afewdaysafter,hetoldmyfatheritwashightimeforhimtothinkofsettling;
andthathehadprovidedamatchforhim,towhichhecouldinjusticehavenoobjections.
Myfather,findingitwouldbeimpossibletoconcealhissituationmuchlonger,franklyownedwhathehaddone;
andexcusedhimselffornothavingaskedthe
موافقة
consentofhisfather,bysaying,heknewitwouldhavebeentonopurpose;andthat,hadhis
ميله
inclinationbeenknown,mygrandfathermighthavetakensuchmeasuresaswouldhaveeffectuallyputthegratificationofitoutofhispower:headded,thatnoexceptionscouldbetakentohiswife’svirtue,birth,beauty,andgoodsense,andasforfortune,itwas
تحت
beneathhiscare.Theoldgentleman,whokeptallhispassions,exceptone,inexcellentorder,heardhimtoanendwithgreattemper,andthencalmlyasked,howheproposedtomaintainhimselfandspouse?
Hereplied,hecouldbeinnodangerofwantingwhilehisfather’s
حنان
tendernessremained,whichheandhiswifeshouldalwayscultivatewiththeutmostveneration;andhewaspersuadedhisallowancewouldbe
مناسبة
suitabletothedignityandcircumstancesofhisfamily,andtotheprovisionalreadymadeforhisbrothersandsisters,whowerehappilysettledunderhisprotection.“Yourbrothersandsisters,”saidmygrandfather,“didnotthinkitbeneaththemtoconsultmeinanaffairofsuchimportanceas
الزواج
matrimony;neither,Isuppose,wouldyouhaveomittedthatpieceofduty,hadyounotsomesecretfundin
الاحتياطي
reserve;tothecomfortsofwhichIleaveyou,withadesirethatyouwillthisnightseekoutanotherhabitationforyourselfandwife,whither,inashorttime,IwillsendyouanaccountoftheexpenseIhavebeenatinyoureducation,withaviewofbeingreimbursed.
Sir,youhavemadethegrandtour—youareapolitegentleman—averyprettygentleman—Iwishyouagreatdealofjoy,andamyourvery
المتواضع
humbleservant.”Sosaying,heleftmyfatherinasituationeasilyimagined.
However,hedidnotlong
يتردد
hesitate;for,beingperfectlywellacquaintedwithhisfather’sdisposition,hedidnotdoubtthathewasgladofthispretencetogetridofhim;
andhisresolvesbeingasinvariableasthelawsoftheMedesandPersians,heknewitwouldbetonopurposetoattempthimbyprayersandentreaties;
sowithoutany
أبعد
fartherapplication,hebetookhimself,withhisdisconsolatebedfellowtoafarm-house,whereanoldخادم
servantofhismotherdwelt:theretheyremainedsometimeinasituationbutilladaptedtothe
أناقة
eleganceoftheirdesiresandtendernessoftheirlove;whichneverthelessmyfatherchoseto
يتحمل
endure,ratherthansupplicateanunnaturalandinflexibleالوالدين
parentbutmymother,foreseeingtheinconveniencestowhichshemusthavebeenexposed,hadshebeendeliveredinthisplace(andherpregnancywasveryfaradvanced),withoutcommunicatingherdesigntoherhusband,wentindisguisetothehouseofmygrandfather,hopingthathertearsandconditionwouldmovehimtoالتعاطف
compassion,andreconcilehimtoaneventwhichwasnowirrecoverablypast.Shefoundmeanstodeceivetheservants,andgetintroducedasanunfortunatelady,whowantedtocomplainofsomematrimonialgrievances,itbeingmygrandfather’sparticular
مقاطعة
provincetodecideinallcasesofالفضيحة
scandal.Shewasaccordinglyadmittedintohispresence,where,discoveringherself,shefellathisfeet,andinthemostaffecting
طريقة
mannerimploredhisforgiveness;atthesametimerepresentingthedangerthatthreatenednotonlyherlife,butthatofhisown
حفيده
grandchild,whichwasabouttoseethelight.Hetoldherhewassorrythattheindiscretionofherandhissonhadcompelledhimtomakeavow,whichputitoutofhispowertogivethemany
مساعدة
assistance;thathehadalreadyimpartedhisthoughtsonthatsubjecttoherhusband,andwassurprisedthattheyshoulddisturbhispeacewithanyfartherimportunity.
Thissaid,heretired.
Theviolenceofmymother’safflictionhadsuchaneffectonherconstitutionthatshewasimmediatelyseizedwiththepainsofchildbed;
andhadnotanoldmaidservant,towhomshewasverydear,affordedherpityandassistance,atthe
خطر
hazardofincurringmygrandfather’sdispleasure,sheandtheinnocentfruitofherwombmusthavefallenmiserablevictimstohisrigourandinhumanity.Bythefriendshipofthispoorwomanshewascarrieduptoagarret,andimmediatelydeliveredofamanchild,thestoryofwhoseunfortunatebirthhehimselfnowrelates.
Myfather,beinginformedofwhathadhappened,flewtotheembracesofhisdarlingspouse,andwhileheloadedhisoffspringwithpaternalembraces,couldnotforbearsheddingafloodoftearsonbeholdingthedearpartnerofhisheart(forwhoseeasehewouldhavesacrificedthetreasuresoftheeast)stretchedupona
القطيع
flockbed,inamiserableapartment,unabletoprotectherfromtheinclemenciesoftheweather.Itisnottobesupposedthattheoldgentlemanwasignorantofwhatpassed,thoughheaffectedtoknownothingofthematter,andpretendedtobeverymuchsurprised,whenoneofhisgrandchildren,byhis
الأكبر
eldestsondeceased,wholivedwithhimashisheirapparent,acquaintedhimwiththeaffair;hedeterminedthereforetoobservenomedium,butimmediately(onthethirddayafterherdelivery)sentheraperemptoryordertobegone,andturnedofftheservantwhohadpreservedherlife.
Thisbehavioursoexasperatedmyfatherthathehadrecoursetothemostdreadfulimprecations;
andonhis
العارية
barekneesimploredthatHeavenwouldrenouncehimifeverheshouldforgetorforgivethebarbarityofhissire.Theinjurieswhichthisunhappymotherreceivedfromherremovalinsuchcircumstances,andthewantofnecessarieswhereshelodged,togetherwithhergriefandanxietyofmind,soonthrewherintoalanguishing
اضطراب
disorder,whichputanendtoherlife.Myfather,wholovedhertenderly,wassoaffectedwithherdeaththatheremainedsixweeksdeprivedofhissenses;
duringwhichtime,thepeoplewherehelodgedcarriedtheinfanttotheoldmanwhorelentedsofar,onhearingthemelancholystoryofhisdaughter-in-law’sdeath,andthedeplorableconditionofhisson,astosendthechildtonurse,andheorderedmyfathertobecarriedhometohishouse,wherehesoonrecoveredtheuseofhisreason.
Whetherthishardheartedjudgefeltany
ندم
remorseforhiscrueltreatmentofhissonanddaughter,or(whichismoreprobable)wasafraidhischaracterwouldsufferintheالحي
neighbourhood,heprofessedgreatsorrowforhisconducttomyfather,whosedeliriumwassucceededbyaprofoundmelancholyandreserve.Atlengthhedisappeared,and,notwithstandingallimaginableinquiry,couldnotbeheardof;
acircumstancewhichconfirmedmostpeopleintheopinionofhishavingmadeawaywithhimselfinafitofdespair.
الفصل
CHAPTERIIIgrowup—amhatedbymyRelations—senttoSchool—neglectedbymyGrandfather—maltreatedbymyMaster—seasonedtoAdversity—IformCabalsagainstthePedant—amdebarredAccesstomyGrandfather—huntedbyhisHeir—IdemolishtheTeethofhisTutor.
Therewerenotwantingsomewhosuspectedmyunclesofbeingconcernedinmyfather’sfate,onthesuppositionthattheywouldallshareinthepatrimonydestinedforhim;
andthisconjecturewasstrengthenedbyreflectingthatinallhiscalamitiestheyneverdiscoveredtheleast
ميل
inclinationtoservehim;but,onthe
العكس
contrary,byalltheartificesintheirpower,fedhisresentmentandsupportedhisresolutionofleavinghimtoالبؤس
miseryandwant.Butpeopleof
الحكم
judgmenttreatedthisinsinuationasanidlechimera;because,hadmyrelationsbeensowickedasto
استشارة
consulttheirinterestbycommittingsuchanفظيعة
atrociouscrime,thefateofmyfatherwouldhaveextendedtometoowhoselifewasanotherعقبة
obstacletotheirexpectation.Meanwhile,Igrewapace,andasIstronglyresembledmyfather,whowasthedarlingofthetenants,Iwantednothingwhichtheirindigentcircumstancescouldafford:
buttheirfavourwasaweakresourceagainstthejealous
عداوة
enmityofmycousins;whothemoremyinfancypromised,conceivedthemoreimplacable
الكراهية
hatredagainstme:andbeforeIwassixyearsofage,hadsoeffectuallyblockadedmygrandfatherthatIneversawhimbutbystealth,whenIsometimesmadeuptohischairashesattoviewhislabourersinthefield:
onwhich
المناسبة
occasionhewouldstrokemyhead,bidmebeagoodboy,andpromisetotakecareofme.Iwassoonaftersenttoschoolatavillagehardby,ofwhichhehadbeendictatortimeoutofmind;
butasheneverpaidformyboard,norsuppliedmewithclothes,books,andothernecessariesIrequired,myconditionwasveryraggedandcontemptible,andtheschoolmaster,who,throughfearofmygrandfather,taughtmegratis,gavehimselfnoconcernabouttheprogressImadeunderhisinstruction.
In
الرغم
spiteofallthesedifficultiesanddisgraces,IbecameagoodproficientintheLatintongue;and,assoonasIcouldwritetolerably,pesteredmygrandfatherwithletterstosuchadegreethathesentformymaster,andchidhimseverelyforbestowingsuchpainsonmyeducation,tellinghimthat,ifeverIshouldbebroughttothegallowsfor
التزوير
forgery,whichhehadtaughtmetocommit,mybloodwouldlieonhishead.Thepedant,whodreadednothingmorethanthedispleasureofhispatron,assuredhishonourthattheboy’sabilitywasmoreowingtohisowngeniusandapplicationthantoanyinstructionor
تشجيع
encouragementhereceived;that,althoughhecouldnotdivesthimoftheknowledgehehadalreadyimbibed,unlesshewouldempowerhimto
تعطيل
disablehisfingers,heshouldendeavour,withGod’shelp,topreventhisfutureimprovement.And,indeed,hepunctuallyperformedwhathehadundertaken;
for,onpretencethatIhadwrittenimpertinentletterstomygrandfather,hecausedaboardtobemadewithfiveholesinit,throughwhichhethrustthefingersandthumbofmyrighthand,andfasteneditbywhipcordtomywrist,insuchamanneraseffectuallydebarredmetheuseofmypen.
Butthis
التقييد
restraintIwasfreedfrominafewdays,byanaccidentwhichhappenedinaشجار
quarrelbetweenmeandanotherboy;who,takinguponhimto
إهانة
insultmypoverty,IwassoincensedathisungenerousreproachthatwithonestrokewithmymachineIcuthimtotheskull,tothegreatterrorofmyselfandschoolfellows,wholefthimbleedingontheground,andrantoinformthemasterofwhathadhappened.Iwassoseverelypunishedforthistrespassthat,wereItolivetotheageofMethusalem,the
الانطباع
impressionitmadeonmewouldnotbeeffaced;themorethantheantipathyandhorrorIconceivedforthemerciless
الطاغية
tyrantwhoinflictedit.The
الازدراء
contemptwhichmyappearancenaturallyproducedinallwhosawme,thecontinualwantstowhichIwasexposed,andmyownhaughtydisposition,impatientofaffronts,involvedmeinathousandمزعجة
troublesomeadventures,bywhichIwasatlengthinuredinالشدائد
adversity,andemboldenedtoundertakingsfarabovemyyears.IwasofteninhumanlyscourgedforcrimesIdidnotcommit,because,havingthecharacterofavagabondinthevillage,everypieceof
الأذى
mischief,whoseauthorlayunknown,waschargeduponme.IhavebeenfoundguiltyofrobbingorchardsIneverentered,ofkillingcatsIneverhunted,ofstealinggingerbreadInevertouched,andofabusingoldwomenIneversaw.
Nay,astammering
النجار
carpenterhadeloquenceenoughtopersuademymasterthatIfiredapistolloadedwithsmallshotintohiswindow;thoughmy
صاحبة
landladyandthewholefamilyborewitnessthatIwasabedfastasleepatthetimewhenthisoutragewascommitted.Iwasoncefloggedforhavingnarrowlyescapeddrowning,bythesinkingofa
العبارة
ferryboatinwhichIwaspassenger.Anothertime,forhavingrecoveredofa
كدمة
bruiseoccasionedbyahorseandcartrunningoverme.Athirdtime,forbeingbittenbyabaker’sdog.
Inshort,whetherIwasguiltyorunfortunate,the
تصحيح
correctionandsympathyofthisالتعسفي
arbitrarypedagoguewerethesame.Farfrombeingsubduedbythisinformal
الاستخدام
usage,myindignationtriumphedoverthatslavishالرعب
awewhichhadhithertoenforcedmyobedience;andthemoremyyearsandknowledgeincreased,themoreIperceivedthe
الظلم
injusticeandbarbarityofhisbehaviour.Bythehelpofanuncommongenius,andtheadviceanddirectionofourusher,whohadservedmyfatherinhistravels,Imadeasurprisingprogressintheclassics,writing,andarithmetic;
sothat,beforeIwastwelveyearsold,Iwasallowedbyeverybodytobethebestscholarintheschool.
Thisqualification,togetherwiththeboldnessof
المزاج
temperandstrengthofmakewhichhadsubjectedalmostallmycontemporaries,gavemesuchinfluenceoverthemthatIbegantoformcabalsagainstmypersecutor;andwasinhopeof,beingabletobidhim
التحدي
defianceinaveryshorttime.Beingattheheadofa
فصيل
faction,consistingofthirtyboys,mostofthemofmyownage,Iwasdeterminedtoputtheirmettletotrial,thatImightknowhowfartheyweretobedependedupon,beforeIputmygrandschemeinالتنفيذ
execution:withthisview,weattackedabodyofstoutapprentices,whohadtakenpossessionofapartofthegroundallottedtousfortheschemeofourdiversions,andwhowerethenplayingatninepinsonthespot;
butIhadthemortificationtoseemyadherentsroutedinan
لحظة
instant,andalegofoneofthembrokeinhisflightbythebowl,whichoneofouradversarieshaddetachedinpursuitofus.Thisdiscomfituredidnothinderusfromengagingthemafterwardsin
متكررة
frequentskirmishes,whichwemaintainedbythrowingstonesatadistance,whereinIreceivedmanywounds,thescarsofwhichstillremain.Ourenemiesweresoharassedandinterruptedbythesealarmsthattheyatlastabandonedtheirconquest,andleftustothepeaceableenjoymentofourownterritories.
Itwouldbeendlesstoenumeratetheexploitsweperformedinthecourseofthisconfederacy,whichbecametheterrorofthewholevillage;
insomuchthat,whendifferentinterestsdividedit,oneoftheparties
عادة
commonlycourtedtheassistanceofRoderickRandom(bywhichnameIwasknown)tocastthebalance,andkeeptheoppositeالفصيل
factioninawe.Meanwhile,Itooktheadvantageofeveryplay-daytopresentmyselfbeforemygrandfather,towhomIseldomfoundaccess,byreasonofhisbeing
عن كثب
closelybesiegedbyanumerousfamilyofhisfemalegrandchildren,who,thoughtheyperpetuallyquarrelledamongthemselves,neverfailedtojoinagainstme,asthecommonenemyofall.Hisheir,whowasabouttheageofeighteen,mindednothingbutfox-hunting,andindeedwasqualifiedfornothingelse,notwithstandinghisgrandfather’s
تساهل
indulgenceinentertainingatutorforhimathome;whoatthesametimeperformedtheofficeofparish
كاتب
clerk.ThisyoungActaeon,whoinheritedhisgrandfather’santipathytoeverythingindistress,neversateyesonmewithoutuncouplinghisbeagles,andhuntingmeintosome
كوخ
cottageorother,whitherIgenerallyfledforshelter.InthisChristian
التسلية
amusementhewasencouragedbyhispreceptor,who,nodoubt,tooksuchopportunitiestoingratiatehimselfwiththerisingsun,observing,thattheoldgentleman,accordingtothecourseofnature,hadnotlongtolive,forhewasalreadyontheوشك
vergeoffourscore.CHAPTERIII
MyMother’sBrotherarrives—relievesme—aDescriptionofhim—hegoesalongwithmetotheHouseofmyGrandfather—isencounteredbyhisDogs—defeatsthem,afterabloodyEngagement—isadmittedtotheoldGentleman—a
حوار
Dialoguebetweenthem.Aboutthistimemymother’sonlybrother,whohadbeenlong
الخارج
abroad,lieutenantofaman-of-war,arrivedinhisowncountry;wherebeinginformedofmycondition,hecametoseeme,andoutofhisslenderfinancesnotonlysuppliedmewithwhatnecessariesIwantedforthepresent,butresolvednottoleavethecountryuntilhehadprevailedonmygrandfathertosettlesomethinghandsomeforthefuture.
Thiswasatasktowhichhewasbynomeansequal,beingentirelyignorant,notonlyofthejudge’sdisposition,butalsoofthewaysofmeningeneral,towhichhiseducationonboardhadkepthimanutterstranger.
Hewasastrongbuiltman,somewhatbandylegged,withanecklikethatofabull,andafacewhich(youmighteasilyperceive)hadwithstoodthemostobstinateassaultsoftheweather.
Hisdressconsistedofasoldier’scoatalteredforhimbytheship’s
خياط
tailor,astripedflanneljacket,apairofredbreechesspannedwithpitch,cleangrayworstedstockings,largesilverbucklesthatcoveredthree-fourthsofhisshoes,asilver-lacedhat,whosecrownoverlookedthebrimsaboutanبوصة
inchandahalf,blackbobwiginbuckle,acheckshirt,asilkhandkerchief,ahanger,withabrasshandle,girdedtohisthighbyafurnishedlacebelt,andagoodالبلوط
oakplantunderhisarm.Thusequipped,hesetoutwithme(whobyhisbountymadeaverydecentappearance)formygrandfather’shouse,whereweweresalutedbyJowlerandCaesar,whommycousin,youngmaster,hadletlooseatourapproach.
Beingwellacquaintedwiththeinveteracyofthesecurs,Iwasabouttobetakemyselftomyheels,whenmyuncleseizedmewithonehand,brandishedhiscudgelwiththeother,andatoneblowlaidCaesarsprawlingontheground;
but,findinghimselfattackedatthesametimeintherearbyJowler,andfearingCaesarmightrecover,hedrewhishanger,wheeledabout,andbyaluckystrokeseveredJowler’sheadfromhisbody.
Bythistime,theyoungfoxhunterandthreeservants,armedwithpitchforksandflails,werecometotheassistanceofthedogs,whomtheyfoundbreathlessuponthefield;
andmycousinwassoprovokedatthedeathofhisfavourites,thatheorderedhisattendantstoadvance,andtakevengeanceontheirexecutioner,whomheloadedwithallthecursesandreproacheshisangercouldsuggest.
Uponwhichmyunclesteppedforwardswithanundauntedair,atthesightofwhosebloodyweaponshisantagonistsfellbackwithprecipitation,whenheaccostedtheirleaderthus:.
“Lookee,brother,yourdogshavingboardedmewithoutprovocation,whatIdidwasinmyowndefence.
Soyouhadbestbecivil,andletusshootahead,clearofyou.”
Whethertheyoungsquiremisinterpretedmyuncle’sdesireofpeace,orwasenragedatthefateofhishoundsbeyondhisusualpitchof
القرار
resolution,Iknownot;buthesnatchedaflailfromoneofhisfollowers,andcameupwithashowofassaultingthelieutenant,who,puttinghimselfina
وضعية
postureofdefence,proceededthus:“Lookee,youlubberlysonofaw—e,ifyoucomeathwartme,’wareyourgingerbreadwork.
I’llbefoulofyourquarter,d—nme.”
Thisdeclaration,followedbyaflourishofhishanger,seemedtochecktheprogressoftheyounggentleman’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.