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

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

Experience the benefits of this forward-thinking translation strategy that tailors language learning to your specific needs. You have control over the difficulty, which ensures that the content is neither too easy nor overly challenging. This method enhances your ability to understand new words through context, reducing reliance on direct translations. While the translations are subtly obscured to foster learning, you can still look up unclear terms. This balanced approach makes language acquisition smoother and more enjoyable. Delve into these translated literary works and discover the satisfaction of mastering a language through reading.

THEAUTHOR’SPREFACE
Ofallkindsofsatire,thereisnonesoentertaininganduniversallyimproving,asthatwhichisintroduced,asitwereoccasionally,inthecourseofaninterestingstory,whichbringseveryincidenthometolife,andbyrepresentingfamiliarscenesinanuncommonandamusingpointofview,investsthemwithallthegracesofnovelty,whilenatureisappealedtoineveryparticular.
Thereadergratifieshiscuriosityinpursuingtheadventuresofapersoninwhose
korist
favourheisprepossessed;
heespouseshiscause,hesympathiseswithhiminhisdistress,hisindignationisheatedagainsttheauthorsofhiscalamity:
thehumanepassionsareinflamed;
thecontrastbetweendejectedvirtueandinsultingviceappearswithgreateraggravation,andeveryimpressionhavingadoubleforceonthe
mašti
imagination,thememoryretainsthecircumstance,andtheheartimprovesbytheexample.
Theattentionisnottiredwithabarecatalogueofcharacters,butagreeablydivertedwithallthevarietyofinvention;
andthevicissitudesoflifeappearintheirpeculiarcircumstances,openinganamplefieldforwitandhumour.
Romance,nodoubt,owesitsorigintoignorance,vanity,andsuperstition.
InthedarkagesoftheWorld,whenamanhadrenderedhimselffamousforwisdomorvalour,hisfamilyandadherentsavailedthemselvesofhissuperiorqualities,magnifiedhisvirtues,andrepresentedhis
karakter
characterandpersonassacredandsupernatural.
Thevulgar
lako
easilyswallowedthebait,imploredhis
zaštitu
protection,andyieldedthetributeofhomageandpraise,eventoadoration;
hisexploitswerehandeddowntoposteritywithathousandexaggerations;
theywererepeatedasincitementstovirtue;
divinehonourswerepaid,andaltarserectedtohismemory,fortheencouragementofthosewhoattemptedtoimitatehis
primjer
example;
andhencearosetheheathenmythology,whichisnootherthanacollectionofextravagantromances.
Aslearningadvanced,andgeniusreceivedcultivation,thesestorieswereembellishedwiththegracesofpoetry,thattheymightthebetterrecommendthemselvestotheattention;
theyweresunginpublic,atfestivals,fortheinstructionanddelightoftheaudience;
andrehearsedbeforebattle,asincentivestodeedsofglory.
Thustragedyandtheepicmusewereborn,and,intheprogressoftaste,arrivedatperfection.
Itisnowonderthattheancientscouldnotrelishafableinprose,aftertheyhadseensomanyremarkableeventscelebratedinversebytheirbestpoets;
we
stoga
thereforefindnoromanceamongthemduringtheeraoftheirexcellence,unlesstheCyropædiaofXenophonmaybesocalled;
anditwasnottillartsandsciencesbegantoreviveaftertheirruptionofthebarbariansintoEurope,thatanythingofthiskindappeared.
Butwhenthemindsofmenweredebauchedbytheimpositionofpriestcrafttothemostabsurdpitchofcredulity,theauthorsofromancearose,andlosing
iz vida
sightofprobability,filledtheirperformanceswiththemostmonstroushyperboles.
Iftheycouldnotequaltheancientpoetsinpointofgeniustheywereresolvedtoexceltheminfiction,and
primijeniti
applytothewonder,ratherthanthejudgment,oftheirreaders.
Accordingly,theybroughtnecromancytotheiraid,andinsteadofsupportingthe
karakter
characteroftheirheroesbydignityofsentimentandpractice,distinguishedthembytheirbodilystrength,activity,andextravaganceofbehaviour.
Iako
Althoughnothingcouldbemoreludicrousandunnaturalthanthefigurestheydrew,theydidnotwantpatronsandadmirers;
andtheworldactuallybegantobeinfectedwiththespiritofknight-errantry,whenCervantes,byaninimitablepieceofridicule,reformedthetasteofmankind,representingchivalryintherightpointofview,andconvertingromancetopurposesfarmoreusefulandentertaining,bymakingitassumethesock,andpointoutthefolliesofordinarylife.
ThesamemethodhasbeenpractisedbyotherSpanishandFrenchauthors,andbynonemoresuccessfullythanbyMonsieurLeSage,who,inhisAdventuresofGilBlas,hasdescribedtheknaveryandfoiblesoflife,withinfinitehumourandsagacity.
ThefollowingsheetsIhavemodelledonhisplan,takingmeliberty,however,todifferfromhimintheexecution,whereIthoughthisparticularsituationswereuncommon,extravagant,orpeculiartothecountryinwhichthesceneislaid.
ThedisgracesofGilBlasare,forthemostpart,suchasratherexcitemirththancompassion;
hehimselflaughsatthem;
andhistransitionsfromdistressto
sreću
happiness,oratleastease,aresosudden,thatneitherthereaderhastimetopityhim,norhimselftobeacquaintedwithaffliction.
Thisconduct,inmyopinion,notonlydeviatesfromprobability,butpreventsthatgenerousindignation,whichoughttoanimatethereaderagainstthesordidandviciousdispositionoftheworld.
Ihaveattemptedtorepresentmodestmeritstrugglingwitheverydifficultytowhichafriendlessorphanisexposed,fromhisownwantofexperience,aswellasfromtheselfishness,envy,malice,andbaseindifferenceofmankind.
Tosecureafavourableprepossession,Ihaveallowedhimtheadvantagesof
rođenja
birthandeducation,whichintheseriesofhismisfortuneswill,Ihope,engagetheingenuousmorewarmlyinhisbehalf;
andthoughIforesee,thatsomepeoplewillbeoffendedatthemeanscenesinwhichheisinvolved,Ipersuademyselfthatthejudiciouswillnotonlyperceivethenecessityofdescribingthosesituationstowhichhemustofcoursebeconfined,inhislowestate,butalsofindentertainmentinviewingthosepartsoflife,wherethehumoursandpassionsareundisguisedbyaffectation,ceremony,oreducation;
andthewhimsicalpeculiaritiesofdispositionappearasnaturehasimplantedthem.
ButIbelieveIneednottroublemyselfinvindicatingapracticeauthorizedbythebestwritersinthisway,someofwhomIhavealreadynamed.
Everyintelligentreaderwill,atfirstsight,perceiveIhavenotdeviatedfromnatureinthefacts,whicharealltrueinthemain,
iako
althoughthecircumstancesarealteredanddisguised,toavoidpersonalsatire.
ItnowremainstogivemyreasonsformakingthechiefpersonageofthisworkaNorthBriton,whicharechieflythese:
Icould,atasmallexpense,bestowonhimsuch
obrazovanje
educationasIthoughtthedignityofhis
rođenja
birthandcharacterrequired,whichcouldnotpossiblybeobtainedinEngland,bysuchslendermeansasthenatureofmyplanwould
priuštiti
afford.
Inthenextplace,Icouldrepresentsimplicityofmannersinaremotepartofthekingdom,withmoreproprietythaninanyplacenearthe
glavnog grada
capital;
andlastly,thedispositionoftheScots,addictedtotravelling,justifiesmyconductinderivinganadventurerfromthatcountry.
APOLOGUE
Ayoungpainter,indulgingaveinofpleasantry,sketchedakindofconversationpiece,representingabear,anowl,amonkey,andanass;
andtorenderitmorestriking,humorous,andmoral,distinguishedeveryfigurebysomeemblemofhumanlife.
Bruinwasexhibitedinthegarband
stavu
attitudeofanold,toothless,drunkensoldier;
theowlpercheduponthehandleofacoffee-pot,withspectacleonnose,seemedtocontemplateanewspaper;
andtheass,ornamentedwithahugetie-wig(which,however,couldnotconcealhislongears),satforhispicturetothemonkey,whoappearedwiththeimplementsofpainting.
Thiswhimsicalgroupaffordedsomemirth,andmetwithgeneralapprobation,untilsomemischievouswaghintedthatthewhole—wasalampoonuponthefriendsoftheperformer;
aninsinuationwhichwasnosoonercirculatedthanthoseverypeoplewhoapplaudeditbeforebegantobealarmed,andeventofancythemselvessignifiedbytheseveralfiguresofthepiece.
Među
Amongothers,aworthypersonageinyears,whohadservedinthearmywithreputation,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,seeknottoprevaricate,for,bythebeardofAesculapius!
thereisnotonehairinthisperiwigthatwillnotstandupinjudgmenttoconvicttheeofpersonalabuse.
Dobutobserve,captain,howthispitifullittle
momak
fellowhascopiedtheverycurls—thecolour,
doista
indeed,isdifferent,butthentheformandforetoparequitesimilar.”
Whilehethusremonstratedinastrainofvociferation,avenerablesenatorentered,andwaddlinguptothedelinquent,“Jackanapes!”
criedhe,“IwillnowlettheeseeIcanreadsomethingelsethananewspaper,andthatwithoutthehelpofspectacles:
hereisyourownnoteofhand,sirrah,formoney,whichifIhadnotadvanced,youyourselfwouldhaveresembledanowl,innotdaringtoshowyourfacebyday,youungratefulslanderousknave!”
Invaintheastonishedpainterdeclaredthathehadnointentiontogiveoffence,ortocharacterise
određene
particularpersons:
theyaffirmedtheresemblancewastoopalpabletobeoverlooked;
theytaxedhimwithinsolence,malice,andingratitude;
andtheirclamoursbeingoverheardbythepublic,thecaptainwasabear,thedoctoranass,andthesenatoranowl,tohisdyingday.
Christianreader,Ibeseechthee,inthebowelsoftheLord,rememberthisexample“whilethouartemployedintheperusalofthefollowingsheets;
andseeknottoappropriatetothyselfthatwhichequallybelongstofivehundreddifferentpeople.
Ifthoushouldstmeetwithacharacterthatreflectstheeinsomeungraciousparticular,keepthyowncounsel;
CHAPTERI
OfmyBirthandParentage.
Iwasborninthenorthernpartofthisunitedkingdom,inthehouseofmy
djeda
grandfather,agentlemanofconsiderablefortuneandinfluence,whohadonmanyoccasionssignalisedhimselfinbehalfofhiscountry;
andwasremarkableforhisabilitiesinthelaw,whichheexercisedwithgreatsuccessinthestationofajudge,particularlyagainstbeggars,forwhomhehadasingularaversion.
Myfather(hisyoungestson)fallinginlovewithapoorrelation,wholivedwiththeoldgentlemaninqualityofahousekeeper,espousedherprivately;
andIwasthefirst
plod
fruitofthatmarriage.
Duringherpregnancy,adreamdiscomposedmymothersomuchthatherhusband,tiredwithherimportunity,atlastconsultedahighlandseer,whosefavourableinterpretationhewouldhavesecuredbeforehandbyabribe,butfoundhimincorruptible.
Shedreamedshewasdeliveredofatennis-ball,whichthe
vrag
devil(who,tohergreatsurprise,actedthepartofamidwife)strucksoforciblywitharacketthatitdisappearedinaninstant;
andshewasforsometimeinconsolableforthelostofheroffspring;
when,allona
odjednom
sudden,shebehelditreturnwithequalviolence,andentertheearth,beneathherfeet,whenceimmediatelysprangupagoodlytreecoveredwithblossoms,thescentofwhichoperatedsostronglyonhernervesthatsheawoke.
Theattentivesage,aftersomedeliberation,assuredmyparents,thattheirfirstbornwouldbeagreattraveller;
thathewouldundergomanydangersanddifficulties,andatlastreturntohisnativeland,wherehewouldflourishin
sreći
happinessandreputation.
Howtrulythiswasforetoldwillappearinthesequel.
Itwasnotlongbeforesomeofficiouspersoninformedmy
djeda
grandfatherofcertainfamiliaritiesthatpassedbetweenhissonandhousekeeperwhichalarmedhimsomuchthat,afewdaysafter,hetoldmyfatheritwashightimeforhimtothinkofsettling;
andthathehadprovidedamatchforhim,towhichhecouldinjusticehavenoobjections.
Myfather,findingitwouldbeimpossibletoconcealhissituationmuchlonger,franklyownedwhathehaddone;
andexcusedhimselffornothavingaskedtheconsentofhisfather,bysaying,heknewitwouldhavebeentonopurpose;
andthat,hadhisinclinationbeenknown,my
djed
grandfathermighthavetakensuchmeasuresaswouldhaveeffectuallyputthegratificationofitoutofhispower:
headded,thatnoexceptionscouldbetakentohiswife’svirtue,
rođenja
birth,beauty,andgoodsense,andasforfortune,itwasbeneathhiscare.
Theold
gospodin
gentleman,whokeptallhispassions,exceptone,inexcellentorder,heardhimtoanendwithgreattemper,andthencalmlyasked,howheproposedtomaintainhimselfandspouse?
Hereplied,hecouldbeinno
opasnosti
dangerofwantingwhilehisfather’stendernessremained,whichheandhiswifeshouldalwayscultivatewiththeutmostveneration;
andhewaspersuadedhisallowancewouldbesuitabletothedignityandcircumstancesofhisfamily,andtotheprovisionalreadymadeforhisbrothersandsisters,whowerehappilysettledunderhisprotection.
“Yourbrothersandsisters,”saidmy
djed
grandfather,“didnotthinkitbeneaththemtoconsultmeinanaffairofsuchimportanceasmatrimony;
neither,Isuppose,wouldyouhaveomittedthatpieceofduty,hadyounotsomesecretfundinreserve;
tothecomfortsofwhichIleaveyou,withadesirethatyouwillthisnightseekoutanotherhabitationforyourselfandwife,whither,inashorttime,IwillsendyouanaccountoftheexpenseIhavebeenatinyour
obrazovanje
education,withaviewofbeingreimbursed.
Sir,youhavemadethegrandtour—youareapolitegentleman—averyprettygentleman—Iwishyouagreatdealof
radost
joy,andamyourveryhumbleservant.”
Sosaying,heleftmyfatherinasituation
lako
easilyimagined.
However,hedidnotlonghesitate;
for,being
savršeno
perfectlywellacquaintedwithhisfather’sdisposition,hedidnotdoubtthathewasgladofthispretencetogetridofhim;
andhisresolvesbeingasinvariableasthelawsoftheMedesandPersians,heknewitwouldbetono
svrhe
purposetoattempthimbyprayersandentreaties;
sowithoutanyfartherapplication,hebetookhimself,withhisdisconsolatebedfellowtoafarm-house,whereanoldservantofhismotherdwelt:
theretheyremainedsometimeinasituationbut
loše
illadaptedtotheeleganceoftheirdesiresandtendernessoftheirlove;
whichneverthelessmyfatherchosetoendure,ratherthansupplicateanunnaturalandinflexibleparentbutmymother,foreseeingtheinconveniencestowhichshemusthavebeenexposed,hadshebeendeliveredinthisplace(andherpregnancywasveryfaradvanced),withoutcommunicatingherdesigntoherhusband,wentindisguisetothehouseofmy
djeda
grandfather,hopingthathertearsand
stanje
conditionwouldmovehimtocompassion,andreconcilehimtoaneventwhichwasnowirrecoverablypast.
Shefoundmeanstodeceivetheservants,andgetintroducedasanunfortunatelady,whowantedtocomplainofsomematrimonialgrievances,itbeingmygrandfather’sparticularprovincetodecideinallcasesofscandal.
Shewasaccordinglyadmittedintohispresence,where,discoveringherself,shefellathisfeet,andinthemostaffectingmannerimploredhisforgiveness;
atthesametimerepresentingthedangerthatthreatenednotonlyherlife,butthatofhisowngrandchild,whichwasabouttoseethelight.
Hetoldherhewassorrythattheindiscretionofherandhissonhadcompelledhimtomakeavow,whichputitoutofhispowertogivethemanyassistance;
thathehadalreadyimpartedhisthoughtsonthat
temu
subjecttoherhusband,andwassurprisedthattheyshoulddisturbhispeacewithanyfartherimportunity.
Thissaid,heretired.
The
nasilje
violenceofmymother’safflictionhadsuchan
učinak
effectonherconstitutionthatshewasimmediatelyseizedwiththepainsofchildbed;
andhadnotanoldmaidservant,towhomshewasverydear,affordedherpityandassistance,atthehazardofincurringmygrandfather’sdispleasure,sheandtheinnocent
plod
fruitofherwombmusthavefallenmiserablevictimstohisrigourandinhumanity.
Bythe
prijateljstvo
friendshipofthispoorwomanshewascarrieduptoagarret,andimmediatelydeliveredofamanchild,thestoryofwhoseunfortunatebirthhehimselfnowrelates.
Myfather,beinginformedofwhathadhappened,flewtotheembracesofhisdarlingspouse,andwhileheloadedhisoffspringwithpaternalembraces,couldnotforbearsheddingafloodoftearsonbeholdingthedearpartnerofhisheart(forwhoseeasehewouldhavesacrificedthetreasuresoftheeast)stretcheduponaflockbed,inamiserableapartment,unabletoprotectherfromtheinclemenciesoftheweather.
Itisnottobesupposedthattheold
gospodin
gentlemanwasignorantofwhatpassed,thoughheaffectedtoknownothingofthematter,andpretendedtobeverymuchsurprised,whenoneofhisgrandchildren,byhiseldestsondeceased,wholivedwithhimashisheirapparent,acquaintedhimwiththeaffair;
hedetermined
dakle
thereforetoobservenomedium,butimmediately(onthethirddayafterherdelivery)sentheraperemptoryordertobegone,andturnedofftheservantwhohadpreservedherlife.
Thisbehavioursoexasperatedmyfatherthathehadrecoursetothemostdreadfulimprecations;
andonhisbarekneesimploredthatHeavenwouldrenouncehimifeverheshouldforgetorforgivethebarbarityofhissire.
Theinjurieswhichthisunhappymotherreceivedfromherremovalinsuchcircumstances,andthewantofnecessarieswhereshelodged,togetherwithhergriefandanxietyofmind,soonthrewherintoalanguishingdisorder,whichputanendtoherlife.
Myfather,wholovedhertenderly,wassoaffectedwithherdeaththatheremainedsixweeksdeprivedofhissenses;
duringwhichtime,thepeoplewherehelodgedcarriedtheinfanttotheoldmanwhorelentedsofar,onhearingthemelancholystoryofhisdaughter-in-law’sdeath,andthedeplorableconditionofhisson,astosendthechildtonurse,andheorderedmyfathertobecarriedhometohishouse,wherehesoonrecoveredtheuseofhisreason.
Whetherthishardheartedjudgefeltanyremorseforhiscrueltreatmentofhissonanddaughter,or(whichismoreprobable)wasafraidhis
karakter
characterwouldsufferintheneighbourhood,heprofessedgreatsorrowforhisconducttomyfather,whosedeliriumwassucceededbyaprofoundmelancholyandreserve.
Atlengthhedisappeared,and,notwithstandingallimaginableinquiry,couldnotbeheardof;
acircumstancewhichconfirmedmostpeopleintheopinionofhishavingmadeawaywithhimselfinafitofdespair.
CHAPTERII
Igrowup—amhatedbymyRelations—senttoSchool—neglectedbymyGrandfather—maltreatedbymyMaster—seasonedtoAdversity—IformCabalsagainstthePedant—amdebarred
Pristup
AccesstomyGrandfather—huntedbyhisHeir—IdemolishtheTeethofhisTutor.
Therewerenotwantingsomewhosuspectedmyunclesofbeing
zabrinuti
concernedinmyfather’sfate,onthesuppositionthattheywouldallshareinthepatrimonydestinedforhim;
andthisconjecturewasstrengthenedbyreflectingthatinallhiscalamitiestheyneverdiscoveredtheleastinclinationtoservehim;
but,onthecontrary,byalltheartificesintheirpower,fedhisresentmentandsupportedhisresolutionofleavinghimtomiseryandwant.
Butpeopleofjudgmenttreatedthisinsinuationasanidlechimera;
because,hadmyrelationsbeensowickedastoconsulttheirinterestbycommittingsuchanatrociouscrime,the
sudbina
fateofmyfatherwouldhaveextendedtometoowhoselifewasanotherobstacletotheirexpectation.
Meanwhile,Igrewapace,andasIstronglyresembledmyfather,whowasthedarlingofthetenants,Iwantednothingwhichtheirindigentcircumstancescould
priuštiti
afford:
buttheirfavourwasa
slab
weakresourceagainstthejealousenmityofmycousins;
whothemoremyinfancypromised,conceivedthemoreimplacablehatredagainstme:
andbeforeIwassixyearsofage,hadsoeffectuallyblockadedmy
djeda
grandfatherthatIneversawhimbutbystealth,whenIsometimesmadeuptohischairashesattoviewhislabourersinthefield:
onwhichoccasionhewouldstrokemyhead,bidmebeagoodboy,andpromisetotakecareofme.
Iwassoonaftersenttoschoolatavillagehardby,ofwhichhehadbeendictatortimeoutofmind;
butasheneverpaidformyboard,norsuppliedmewithclothes,books,andothernecessariesIrequired,my
stanje
conditionwasveryraggedandcontemptible,andtheschoolmaster,who,throughfearofmy
djeda
grandfather,taughtmegratis,gavehimselfnoconcernabouttheprogressImadeunderhisinstruction.
Inspiteofallthesedifficultiesanddisgraces,IbecameagoodproficientintheLatin
jezik
tongue;
and,assoonasIcouldwritetolerably,pesteredmy
djeda
grandfatherwithletterstosuchadegreethathesentformymaster,andchidhimseverelyforbestowingsuchpainsonmy
obrazovanje
education,tellinghimthat,ifeverIshouldbebroughttothegallowsforforgery,whichhehadtaughtmetocommit,mybloodwouldlieonhishead.
Thepedant,whodreadednothingmorethanthedispleasureofhispatron,assuredhishonourthattheboy’s
sposobnost
abilitywasmoreowingtohisowngeniusandapplicationthantoanyinstructionorencouragementhereceived;
that,
iako
althoughhecouldnotdivesthimofthe
znanja
knowledgehehadalreadyimbibed,unlesshewouldempowerhimtodisablehisfingers,heshouldendeavour,withGod’shelp,topreventhisfutureimprovement.
And,
zaista
indeed,hepunctuallyperformedwhathehadundertaken;
for,onpretencethatIhadwrittenimpertinentletterstomygrandfather,hecausedaboardtobemadewithfiveholesinit,throughwhichhethrustthefingersandthumbofmyrighthand,andfasteneditbywhipcordtomywrist,insuchamanneraseffectuallydebarredmetheuseofmy
olovke
pen.
ButthisrestraintIwasfreedfrominafewdays,byanaccidentwhichhappenedinaquarrelbetweenmeandanotherboy;
who,takinguponhimtoinsultmypoverty,IwassoincensedathisungenerousreproachthatwithonestrokewithmymachineIcuthimtotheskull,tothegreatterrorofmyselfandschoolfellows,wholefthimbleedingontheground,andrantoinformthemasterofwhathadhappened.
Iwassoseverelypunishedforthistrespassthat,wereItolivetotheageofMethusalem,theimpressionitmadeonmewouldnotbeeffaced;
themorethantheantipathyandhorrorIconceivedforthemercilesstyrantwhoinflictedit.
Thecontemptwhichmyappearancenaturallyproducedinallwhosawme,thecontinualwantstowhichIwasexposed,andmyownhaughtydisposition,impatientofaffronts,involvedmeinathousandtroublesomeadventures,bywhichIwasatlengthinuredinadversity,andemboldenedtoundertakingsfarabovemyyears.
IwasofteninhumanlyscourgedforcrimesIdidnotcommit,because,havingthecharacterofavagabondinthevillage,everypieceofmischief,whoseauthorlay
nepoznat
unknown,waschargeduponme.
IhavebeenfoundguiltyofrobbingorchardsIneverentered,ofkillingcatsIneverhunted,ofstealinggingerbreadInevertouched,andofabusingoldwomenIneversaw.
Nay,astammeringcarpenterhadeloquenceenoughtopersuademymasterthatIfiredapistolloadedwithsmallshotintohiswindow;
thoughmylandladyandthewholefamilyborewitnessthatIwasabedfastasleepatthetimewhenthisoutragewascommitted.
Iwasoncefloggedforhavingnarrowlyescapeddrowning,bythesinkingofaferryboatinwhichIwaspassenger.
Anothertime,forhavingrecoveredofabruiseoccasionedbyahorseandcartrunningoverme.
Athirdtime,forbeingbittenbyabaker’sdog.
Inshort,whetherIwas
kriv
guiltyorunfortunate,thecorrectionandsympathyofthisarbitrarypedagoguewerethesame.
Farfrombeingsubduedbythisinformalusage,myindignationtriumphedoverthatslavishawewhichhadhithertoenforcedmyobedience;
andthemoremyyearsandknowledgeincreased,themoreIperceivedtheinjusticeandbarbarityofhisbehaviour.
Bythehelpofanuncommongenius,andthe
savjet
adviceanddirectionofourusher,whohadservedmyfatherinhistravels,Imadeasurprising
napredak
progressintheclassics,writing,andarithmetic;
sothat,beforeIwastwelveyearsold,Iwasallowedbyeverybodytobethebestscholarintheschool.
Thisqualification,togetherwiththeboldnessoftemperandstrengthofmakewhichhadsubjectedalmostallmycontemporaries,gavemesuchinfluenceoverthemthatIbegantoformcabalsagainstmypersecutor;
andwasinhopeof,beingabletobidhimdefianceinaveryshorttime.
Beingattheheadofafaction,consistingofthirtyboys,mostofthemofmyownage,Iwasdeterminedtoputtheirmettletotrial,thatImightknowhowfartheyweretobedependedupon,beforeIputmygrandschemeinexecution:
withthisview,weattackedabodyofstoutapprentices,whohadtakenpossessionofapartofthegroundallottedtousfortheschemeofourdiversions,andwhowerethenplayingatninepinsonthespot;
butIhadthemortificationtoseemyadherentsroutedinaninstant,andalegofoneofthembrokeinhisflightbythebowl,whichoneofouradversarieshaddetachedinpursuitofus.
Thisdiscomfituredidnothinderusfromengagingthem
kasnije
afterwardsinfrequentskirmishes,whichwemaintainedbythrowingstonesatadistance,whereinIreceivedmanywounds,thescarsofwhichstill
ostaju
remain.
Ourenemiesweresoharassedandinterruptedbythesealarmsthattheyatlastabandonedtheirconquest,andleftustothepeaceableenjoymentofourownterritories.
Itwouldbeendlesstoenumeratetheexploitsweperformedinthecourseofthisconfederacy,whichbecametheterrorofthewholevillage;
insomuchthat,whendifferentinterestsdividedit,oneofthepartiescommonlycourtedtheassistanceofRoderickRandom(bywhichnameIwasknown)tocastthe
ravnotežu
balance,andkeeptheoppositefactioninawe.
Meanwhile,Itooktheadvantageofeveryplay-daytopresentmyselfbeforemygrandfather,towhomIseldomfound
pristup
access,byreasonofhisbeingcloselybesiegedbyanumerousfamilyofhisfemalegrandchildren,who,thoughtheyperpetuallyquarrelled
među
amongthemselves,neverfailedtojoinagainstme,asthecommonenemyofall.
Hisheir,whowasabouttheageofeighteen,mindednothingbutfox-hunting,andindeedwasqualifiedfornothingelse,notwithstandinghisgrandfather’sindulgenceinentertainingatutorforhimathome;
whoatthesametimeperformedtheofficeofparishclerk.
ThisyoungActaeon,whoinheritedhisgrandfather’santipathytoeverythingindistress,neversateyesonmewithoutuncouplinghisbeagles,andhuntingmeintosomecottageorother,whitherIgenerallyfledforshelter.
InthisChristianamusementhewasencouragedbyhispreceptor,who,nodoubt,tooksuchopportunitiestoingratiatehimselfwiththerisingsun,observing,thattheold
gospodin
gentleman,accordingtothecourseofnature,hadnotlongtolive,forhewasalreadyonthevergeoffourscore.
CHAPTERIII
MyMother’sBrotherarrives—relievesme—aDescriptionofhim—hegoesalongwithmetotheHouseofmyGrandfather—isencounteredbyhisDogs—defeatsthem,afterabloodyEngagement—isadmittedtotheoldGentleman—aDialoguebetweenthem.
Aboutthistimemymother’sonlybrother,whohadbeenlongabroad,
poručnik
lieutenantofaman-of-war,arrivedinhisowncountry;
wherebeinginformedofmy
stanje
condition,hecametoseeme,andoutofhisslenderfinancesnotonlysuppliedmewithwhatnecessariesIwantedforthepresent,butresolvednottoleavethecountryuntilhehadprevailedonmy
djeda
grandfathertosettlesomethinghandsomeforthefuture.
Thiswasa
zadatak
tasktowhichhewasbynomeansequal,beingentirelyignorant,notonlyofthejudge’sdisposition,butalsoofthewaysofmeningeneral,towhichhis
obrazovanje
educationonboardhadkepthimanutterstranger.
Hewasastrongbuiltman,somewhatbandylegged,withanecklikethatofa
bik
bull,andafacewhich(youmight
lako
easilyperceive)hadwithstoodthemostobstinateassaultsoftheweather.
Hisdressconsistedofasoldier’scoatalteredforhimbytheship’stailor,astripedflanneljacket,a
par
pairofredbreechesspannedwithpitch,cleangrayworstedstockings,largesilverbucklesthatcoveredthree-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,
naoružani
armedwithpitchforksandflails,werecometotheassistanceofthedogs,whomtheyfoundbreathlessuponthefield;
andmycousinwassoprovokedatthedeathofhisfavourites,thatheorderedhisattendantstoadvance,andtakevengeanceontheirexecutioner,whomheloadedwithallthecursesandreproacheshis
bijes
angercouldsuggest.
Uponwhichmyunclesteppedforwardswithanundauntedair,atthesightofwhosebloodyweaponshisantagonistsfellbackwithprecipitation,whenheaccostedtheirleaderthus:.
“Lookee,brother,yourdogshavingboardedmewithoutprovocation,whatIdidwasinmyowndefence.
Soyouhadbestbecivil,andletusshootahead,clearofyou.”
Whethertheyoungsquiremisinterpretedmyuncle’s
želju
desireofpeace,orwasenragedatthefateofhishoundsbeyondhis
uobičajene
usualpitchofresolution,Iknownot;
buthesnatchedaflailfromoneofhisfollowers,andcameupwithashowofassaultingthelieutenant,who,puttinghimselfinapostureofdefence,proceededthus:
“Lookee,youlubberlysonofaw—e,ifyoucomeathwartme,’wareyourgingerbreadwork.
I’llbefoulofyourquarter,d—nme.”
Thisdeclaration,followedbyaflourishofhishanger,seemedtocheckthe
napredak
progressoftheyounggentleman’scholer,who,lookingbehindhim,perceivedhisattendantshadslunkintothehouse,shutthe
kapiju
gate,andlefthimtodecidethecontentionbyhimself.
Hereaparleyensued,whichwasintroducedbymycousin’sasking,“Whothedevilareyou?
Whatdoyouwant?
Somescoundrelofaseaman,Isuppose,whohasdesertedandturned
lopov
thief.
Butdon’tthinkyoushallescape,sirrah—I’llhaveyouhang’d,youdog,Iwill.
Yourbloodshallpayforthatofmytwohounds,youragamuffin.
Iwouldnothavepartedwiththemtosaveyourwholegenerationfromthegallows,youruffian,you!”
“Noneofyourjaw,youswab—noneofyourjaw,”repliedmyuncle,“elseIshalltrimyourlaced
jaknu
jacketforyou.
Ishallrubyoudownwithanoakentowel,myboy,Ishall.”
Sosaying,hesheathedhishanger,andgraspedhiscudgel.