The Adventures of Roderick Random Progressive Translation Books for Danish B2 Learners

THEAUTHOR’SPREFACE

Ofallkindsofsatire,thereisnonesoentertaininganduniversallyimproving,asthatwhichisintroduced,asitwere

lejlighedsvis

occasionally,inthecourseofaninterestingstory,whichbringseveryincidenthometolife,andby

repræsentere

representingfamiliarscenesinan

usædvanlig

uncommonandamusingpointofview,

investerer

investsthemwithallthegracesof

nyhed

novelty,whilenatureisappealedtoineveryparticular.

Thereadergratifieshis

nysgerrighed

curiosityinpursuingtheadventuresofapersoninwhosefavourheisprepossessed;

heespouseshiscause,hesympathiseswithhiminhis

nød

distress,hisindignationisheatedagainsttheauthorsofhis

ulykke

calamity:

thehumanepassionsareinflamed;

thecontrastbetweendejectedvirtueandinsultingviceappearswithgreateraggravation,andevery

indtryk

impressionhavingadoubleforceontheimagination,thememory

bevarer

retainsthecircumstance,andtheheartimprovesbytheexample.

Theattentionisnottiredwithabare

katalog

catalogueofcharacters,butagreeably

afledt

divertedwithallthevarietyofinvention;

andthevicissitudesoflifeappearintheirpeculiarcircumstances,openinganamplefieldfor

humor

witandhumour.

Romance,nodoubt,owesits

oprindelse

origintoignorance,vanity,and

overtro

superstition.

InthedarkagesoftheWorld,whenamanhadrenderedhimselffamousfor

visdom

wisdomorvalour,hisfamilyandadherentsavailedthemselvesofhissuperiorqualities,magnifiedhisvirtues,and

repræsenterede

representedhischaracterandpersonassacredandsupernatural.

The

vulgære

vulgareasilyswallowedthebait,

bønfaldt

imploredhisprotection,andyieldedthetributeofhomageand

ros

praise,eventoadoration;

hisexploitswerehandeddowntoposteritywithathousandexaggerations;

theywererepeatedasincitementsto

dyd

virtue;

divinehonourswerepaid,andaltarserectedtohismemory,fortheencouragementofthosewhoattemptedto

efterligne

imitatehisexample;

andhence

opstod

arosetheheathenmythology,whichisnootherthana

samling

collectionofextravagantromances.

Aslearningadvanced,andgeniusreceivedcultivation,thesestorieswereembellishedwiththegracesofpoetry,thattheymightthebetter

anbefale

recommendthemselvestotheattention;

theyweresunginpublic,atfestivals,forthe

undervisning

instructionanddelightoftheaudience;

and

øvet

rehearsedbeforebattle,asincentivestodeedsofglory.

Thustragedyandthe

episke

epicmusewereborn,and,intheprogressoftaste,arrivedat

perfektion

perfection.

Itisnowonderthattheancientscouldnotrelishafableinprose,aftertheyhadseensomanyremarkableeventscelebratedin

vers

versebytheirbestpoets;

wethereforefindno

romantik

romanceamongthemduringthe

tidsalder

eraoftheirexcellence,unlesstheCyropædiaofXenophonmaybesocalled;

anditwasnottillartsandsciencesbeganto

genoplive

reviveaftertheirruptionofthebarbariansintoEurope,thatanythingofthiskindappeared.

Butwhenthemindsofmenweredebauchedbytheimpositionofpriestcrafttothemostabsurd

tonehøjde

pitchofcredulity,theauthorsofromance

opstod

arose,andlosingsightof

sandsynlighed

probability,filledtheirperformanceswiththemostmonstroushyperboles.

Iftheycouldnot

lige

equaltheancientpoetsinpointofgeniustheywereresolvedtoexcelthemin

fiktion

fiction,andapplytothewonder,ratherthanthe

dømmekraft

judgment,oftheirreaders.

Accordingly,theybroughtnecromancytotheir

hjælp

aid,andinsteadofsupportingthecharacteroftheirheroesby

værdighed

dignityofsentimentandpractice,distinguishedthembytheir

kropslige

bodilystrength,activity,andextravaganceofbehaviour.

Althoughnothingcouldbemore

latterligt

ludicrousandunnaturalthanthefigurestheydrew,theydidnotwantpatronsandadmirers;

andtheworldactuallybegantobe

smittet

infectedwiththespiritofknight-errantry,whenCervantes,byaninimitablepieceof

latterliggørelse

ridicule,reformedthetasteofmankind,

repræsenterede

representingchivalryintherightpointofview,and

konverterede

convertingromancetopurposesfarmoreusefulandentertaining,bymakingitassumethe

sokken

sock,andpointoutthefolliesofordinarylife.

Thesame

metode

methodhasbeenpractisedbyotherSpanishandFrenchauthors,andbynonemoresuccessfullythanbyMonsieurLeSage,who,inhisAdventuresofGilBlas,hasdescribedtheknaveryandfoiblesoflife,with

uendelig

infinitehumourandsagacity.

ThefollowingsheetsIhavemodelledonhisplan,takingme

frihed

liberty,however,todifferfromhimintheexecution,whereIthoughthisparticularsituationswereuncommon,

ekstravagante

extravagant,orpeculiartothecountryinwhichthesceneislaid.

ThedisgracesofGilBlasare,forthemostpart,suchasratherexcitemirththan

medfølelse

compassion;

hehimselflaughsatthem;

andhistransitionsfrom

nød

distresstohappiness,oratleastease,aresosudden,thatneitherthereaderhastimetopityhim,norhimselftobeacquaintedwithaffliction.

Thisconduct,inmyopinion,notonlydeviatesfromprobability,but

forhindrer

preventsthatgenerousindignation,whichoughttoanimatethereaderagainstthe

beskidte

sordidandviciousdispositionoftheworld.

Ihaveattemptedto

repræsentere

representmodestmeritstrugglingwithevery

vanskeligheder

difficultytowhichafriendless

forældreløs

orphanisexposed,fromhisownwantofexperience,aswellasfromthe

selviskhed

selfishness,envy,malice,andbase

ligegyldighed

indifferenceofmankind.

Tosecureafavourableprepossession,Ihaveallowedhimtheadvantagesofbirthandeducation,whichintheseriesofhismisfortuneswill,Ihope,

engagere

engagetheingenuousmorewarmlyinhisbehalf;

andthoughI

forudser

foresee,thatsomepeoplewillbe

fornærmet

offendedatthemeanscenesinwhichheisinvolved,I

overbeviser

persuademyselfthatthejudiciouswillnotonly

opfatte

perceivethenecessityofdescribingthosesituationstowhichhemustofcoursebeconfined,inhislowestate,butalsofind

underholdning

entertainmentinviewingthosepartsoflife,wherethehumoursandpassionsareundisguisedbyaffectation,ceremony,oreducation;

andthewhimsicalpeculiaritiesofdispositionappearasnaturehasimplantedthem.

ButIbelieveIneednottroublemyselfinvindicatingapractice

godkendt

authorizedbythebestwritersinthisway,someofwhomIhavealreadynamed.

Every

intelligent

intelligentreaderwill,atfirstsight,perceiveIhavenotdeviatedfromnatureinthefacts,whicharealltrueinthemain,althoughthecircumstancesare

ændret

alteredanddisguised,toavoidpersonalsatire.

ItnowremainstogivemyreasonsformakingthechiefpersonageofthisworkaNorthBriton,whicharechieflythese:

Icould,atasmallexpense,bestowonhimsucheducationasIthoughtthedignityofhisbirthandcharacter

krævede

required,whichcouldnotpossiblybeobtainedinEngland,bysuchslendermeansasthenatureofmyplanwouldafford.

Inthenextplace,Icould

repræsentere

representsimplicityofmannersinaremotepartofthekingdom,withmoreproprietythaninanyplacenearthecapital;

and

endelig

lastly,thedispositionoftheScots,addictedtotravelling,

retfærdiggør

justifiesmyconductinderivinganadventurerfromthatcountry.

APOLOGUE

Ayoung

maler

painter,indulgingaveinofpleasantry,

skitserede

sketchedakindofconversationpiece,

repræsenterer

representingabear,anowl,amonkey,andanass;

andto

gøre

renderitmorestriking,humorous,and

moralsk

moral,distinguishedeveryfigurebysomeemblemofhumanlife.

Bruinwas

udstillet

exhibitedinthegarbandattitudeofanold,toothless,drunkensoldier;

theowlpercheduponthehandleofacoffee-pot,with

spektakel

spectacleonnose,seemedto

overveje

contemplateanewspaper;

andtheass,ornamentedwithahugetie-wig(which,however,couldnotconcealhislongears),satforhispicturetothemonkey,whoappearedwiththeimplementsofpainting.

Thiswhimsicalgroupaffordedsomemirth,andmetwithgeneralapprobation,untilsomemischievouswaghintedthatthewhole—wasalampoonuponthefriendsoftheperformer;

aninsinuationwhichwasnosoonercirculatedthanthoseverypeoplewhoapplaudeditbeforebegantobealarmed,andeventofancythemselvessignifiedbytheseveralfiguresofthepiece.

Amongothers,a

værdig

worthypersonageinyears,whohadservedinthearmywithreputation,beingincensedatthesupposed

forargelse

outrage,repairedtothelodgingofthepainter,andfindinghimathome,“Harkye,Mr.Monkey,”saidhe,“Ihaveagoodmindtoconvinceyou,thatthoughthebearhaslosthisteeth,he

beholder

retainshispaws,andthatheisnotsodrunkbuthecan

opfatte

perceiveyourimpertinence.”

“Sblood!

sir,thattoothless

kæbe

jawisad—nedscandalouslibel—butdon’tyouimaginemesochopfallenasnottobeableto

tygge

chewthecudofresentment.”

Herehewas

afbrudt

interruptedbythearrivalofalearned

læge

physician,who,advancingtothe

skyldige

culpritwithfuryinhis

aspekt

aspect,exclaimed,“Supposetheaugmentationoftheass’searsshouldprovethediminutionofthebaboon’s—nay,seeknottoprevaricate,for,bythe

skæg

beardofAesculapius!

thereisnotonehairinthisperiwigthatwillnotstandupin

dommen

judgmenttoconvicttheeofpersonal

misbrug

abuse.

Dobutobserve,captain,howthis

ynkelige

pitifullittlefellowhascopiedtheverycurls—thecolour,indeed,isdifferent,butthentheformandforetoparequitesimilar.”

Whilehethusremonstratedinastrainofvociferation,avenerable

senator

senatorentered,andwaddlinguptothedelinquent,“Jackanapes!”

criedhe,“IwillnowlettheeseeIcanreadsomethingelsethananewspaper,andthatwithoutthehelpofspectacles:

hereisyourownnoteofhand,sirrah,formoney,whichifIhadnot

avanceret

advanced,youyourselfwouldhave

lignet

resembledanowl,innotdaringtoshowyourfacebyday,you

utaknemmelig

ungratefulslanderousknave!”

Invaintheastonished

maler

painterdeclaredthathehadno

hensigt

intentiontogiveoffence,ortocharacteriseparticularpersons:

theyaffirmedtheresemblancewastoopalpabletobe

overset

overlooked;

theytaxedhimwithinsolence,malice,andingratitude;

andtheirclamoursbeingoverheardbythepublic,thecaptainwasabear,thedoctoranass,andthesenatoran

ugle

owl,tohisdyingday.

Christian

læser

reader,Ibeseechthee,inthebowelsoftheLord,rememberthisexample“whilethouartemployedintheperusalofthefollowingsheets;

andseeknottoappropriatetothyselfthatwhich

lige

equallybelongstofivehundreddifferentpeople.

Ifthoushouldstmeetwithacharacterthat

afspejler

reflectstheeinsomeungraciousparticular,keepthyown

råd

counsel;

CHAPTERI

OfmyBirthandParentage.

Iwasborninthe

nordlige

northernpartofthisunitedkingdom,inthehouseofmygrandfather,agentlemanof

betydelig

considerablefortuneandinfluence,whohadonmanyoccasionssignalisedhimselfin

vegne

behalfofhiscountry;

andwas

bemærkelsesværdig

remarkableforhisabilitiesinthelaw,whichheexercisedwithgreatsuccessinthestationofajudge,

især

particularlyagainstbeggars,forwhomhehadasingularaversion.

Myfather(his

yngste

youngestson)fallinginlovewithapoor

slægtning

relation,wholivedwiththeoldgentlemaninqualityofa

husholderske

housekeeper,espousedherprivately;

andIwasthefirstfruitofthatmarriage.

Duringher

graviditet

pregnancy,adreamdiscomposedmymothersomuchthatherhusband,tiredwithherimportunity,atlastconsultedahighlandseer,whosefavourable

fortolkning

interpretationhewouldhavesecured

forhånd

beforehandbyabribe,butfoundhimincorruptible.

Shedreamedshewasdeliveredofatennis-ball,whichthedevil(who,tohergreatsurprise,actedthepartofamidwife)strucksoforciblywitharacketthatitdisappearedinan

øjeblik

instant;

andshewasforsometimeinconsolableforthelostofher

afkom

offspring;

when,allonasudden,shebehelditreturnwith

samme

equalviolence,andentertheearth,

under

beneathherfeet,whenceimmediatelysprangupagoodlytreecoveredwithblossoms,the

duft

scentofwhichoperatedso

stærkt

stronglyonhernervesthatsheawoke.

The

opmærksomme

attentivesage,aftersomedeliberation,

forsikrede

assuredmyparents,thattheirfirstbornwouldbeagreat

rejsende

traveller;

thathewouldundergomanydangersanddifficulties,andatlastreturntohisnativeland,wherehewould

blomstre

flourishinhappinessandreputation.

Howtrulythiswasforetoldwillappearinthesequel.

Itwasnotlongbeforesomeofficiouspersoninformedmygrandfatherofcertainfamiliaritiesthatpassedbetweenhissonand

husholderske

housekeeperwhichalarmedhimsomuchthat,afewdaysafter,hetoldmyfatheritwashightimeforhimtothinkofsettling;

andthathehadprovidedamatchforhim,towhichhecouldinjusticehavenoobjections.

Myfather,findingitwouldbeimpossibletoconcealhissituationmuchlonger,franklyownedwhathehaddone;

andexcusedhimselffornothavingaskedthe

tilladelse

consentofhisfather,bysaying,heknewitwouldhavebeentonopurpose;

andthat,hadhisinclinationbeenknown,mygrandfathermighthavetakensuchmeasuresaswouldhaveeffectuallyputthegratificationofitoutofhispower:

headded,thatnoexceptionscouldbetakentohiswife’s

dyd

virtue,birth,beauty,andgoodsense,andasforfortune,itwas

under

beneathhiscare.

Theoldgentleman,whokeptallhispassions,exceptone,inexcellentorder,heardhimtoanendwithgreat

temperament

temper,andthencalmlyasked,howhe

foreslår

proposedtomaintainhimselfand

ægtefælle

spouse?

Hereplied,hecouldbeinnodangerofwantingwhilehisfather’s

ømhed

tendernessremained,whichheandhiswifeshouldalways

dyrke

cultivatewiththeutmostveneration;

andhewaspersuadedhis

tilskud

allowancewouldbesuitabletothe

værdighed

dignityandcircumstancesofhisfamily,andtotheprovisionalreadymadeforhisbrothersandsisters,whowere

lykkeligt

happilysettledunderhisprotection.

“Yourbrothersandsisters,”saidmygrandfather,“didnotthinkit

under

beneaththemtoconsultmeinanaffairofsuchimportanceasmatrimony;

neither,Isuppose,wouldyouhaveomittedthatpieceofduty,hadyounotsomesecret

fond

fundinreserve;

tothecomfortsofwhichIleaveyou,withadesirethatyouwillthisnightseekoutanotherhabitationforyourselfandwife,whither,inashorttime,IwillsendyouanaccountoftheexpenseIhavebeenatinyoureducation,withaviewofbeingreimbursed.

Sir,youhavemadethegrandtour—youarea

høflig

politegentleman—averyprettygentleman—Iwishyouagreatdealofjoy,andamyourvery

ydmyge

humbleservant.”

Sosaying,heleftmyfatherinasituationeasilyimagined.

However,hedidnotlong

tøvede

hesitate;

for,beingperfectlywellacquaintedwithhisfather’sdisposition,hedidnotdoubtthathewasgladofthispretencetogetridofhim;

andhisresolvesbeingasinvariableasthelawsoftheMedesandPersians,heknewitwouldbetonopurposetoattempthimbyprayersandentreaties;

sowithoutanyfarther

ansøgning

application,hebetookhimself,withhisdisconsolatebedfellowtoa

gård

farm-house,whereanoldservantofhismother

boede

dwelt:

theretheyremainedsometimeinasituationbutill

tilpasset

adaptedtotheeleganceoftheirdesiresand

ømhed

tendernessoftheirlove;

whichneverthelessmyfatherchosetoendure,ratherthansupplicateanunnaturalandinflexibleparentbutmymother,

forudså

foreseeingtheinconveniencestowhichshemusthavebeenexposed,hadshebeendeliveredinthisplace(andher

graviditet

pregnancywasveryfaradvanced),without

kommunikere

communicatingherdesigntoherhusband,wentin

forklædt

disguisetothehouseofmygrandfather,hopingthathertearsandconditionwouldmovehimto

medfølelse

compassion,andreconcilehimtoaneventwhichwasnowirrecoverablypast.

Shefoundmeansto

bedrage

deceivetheservants,andgetintroducedasanunfortunatelady,whowantedto

klage

complainofsomematrimonialgrievances,itbeingmygrandfather’sparticular

provins

provincetodecideinallcasesof

skandale

scandal.

Shewasaccordinglyadmittedintohispresence,where,

opdagede

discoveringherself,shefellathisfeet,andinthemostaffecting

måde

mannerimploredhisforgiveness;

atthesametime

repræsenterede

representingthedangerthatthreatenednotonlyherlife,butthatofhisown

barnebarn

grandchild,whichwasabouttoseethelight.

Hetoldherhewassorrythattheindiscretionofherandhissonhadcompelledhimtomakea

løfte

vow,whichputitoutofhispowertogivethemany

hjælp

assistance;

thathehadalreadyimpartedhisthoughtsonthatsubjecttoherhusband,andwassurprisedthattheyshould

forstyrre

disturbhispeacewithanyfartherimportunity.

Thissaid,heretired.

Theviolenceofmymother’safflictionhadsuchaneffectonher

forfatning

constitutionthatshewasimmediately

grebet

seizedwiththepainsofchildbed;

andhadnotanoldmaidservant,towhomshewasverydear,affordedherpityand

hjælp

assistance,atthehazardofincurringmygrandfather’sdispleasure,sheandtheinnocentfruitofher

livmoder

wombmusthavefallenmiserablevictimstohisrigourandinhumanity.

Bythefriendshipofthispoorwomanshewascarrieduptoagarret,andimmediatelydeliveredofamanchild,thestoryofwhoseunfortunatebirthhehimselfnow

relaterer

relates.

Myfather,beinginformedofwhathadhappened,flewtotheembracesofhisdarlingspouse,andwhileheloadedhis

afkom

offspringwithpaternalembraces,couldnotforbearsheddingafloodoftearsonbeholdingthedearpartnerofhisheart(forwhoseeasehewouldhavesacrificedthetreasuresoftheeast)stretcheduponaflockbed,inamiserableapartment,unabletoprotectherfromtheinclemenciesoftheweather.

Itisnottobesupposedthattheoldgentlemanwas

uvidende

ignorantofwhatpassed,thoughheaffectedtoknownothingofthematter,andpretendedtobeverymuchsurprised,whenoneofhis

børnebørn

grandchildren,byhiseldestsondeceased,wholivedwithhimashis

arving

heirapparent,acquaintedhimwiththeaffair;

hedeterminedthereforeto

overholde

observenomedium,butimmediately(onthethirddayafterherdelivery)sentheraperemptoryordertobegone,andturnedoffthe

tjener

servantwhohadpreservedherlife.

Thisbehavioursoexasperatedmyfatherthathehadrecoursetothemost

forfærdelige

dreadfulimprecations;

andonhis

nøgne

barekneesimploredthatHeavenwouldrenouncehimifeverheshouldforgetorforgivethebarbarityofhissire.

Theinjurieswhichthisunhappymotherreceivedfromherremovalinsuchcircumstances,andthewantofnecessarieswhereshelodged,togetherwithher

sorg

griefandanxietyofmind,soonthrewherintoalanguishing

lidelse

disorder,whichputanendtoherlife.

Myfather,wholovedhertenderly,wasso

berørt

affectedwithherdeaththatheremainedsixweeksdeprivedofhissenses;

duringwhichtime,thepeoplewherehelodgedcarriedtheinfanttotheoldmanwhorelentedsofar,onhearingthemelancholystoryofhisdaughter-in-law’sdeath,andthedeplorableconditionofhisson,astosendthechildtonurse,andheorderedmyfathertobecarriedhometohishouse,wherehesoonrecoveredtheuseofhisreason.

Whetherthishardheartedjudgefeltany

anger

remorseforhiscrueltreatmentofhissonanddaughter,or(whichismoreprobable)wasafraidhischaracterwouldsufferinthe

nabolaget

neighbourhood,heprofessedgreatsorrowforhisconducttomyfather,whosedeliriumwas

efterfulgt

succeededbyaprofoundmelancholyandreserve.

Atlengthhedisappeared,and,notwithstandingallimaginableinquiry,couldnotbeheardof;

omstændighed

circumstancewhichconfirmedmostpeopleintheopinionofhishavingmadeawaywithhimselfinafitof

fortvivlelse

despair.

CHAPTERII

Igrowup—amhatedbymyRelations—senttoSchool—neglectedbymyGrandfather—maltreatedbymyMaster—seasonedtoAdversity—IformCabalsagainstthePedant—amdebarredAccesstomyGrandfather—huntedbyhisHeir—IdemolishtheTeethofhisTutor.

Therewerenotwantingsomewhosuspectedmyunclesofbeingconcernedinmyfather’sfate,onthesuppositionthattheywouldallshareinthepatrimonydestinedforhim;

andthisconjecturewas

styrket

strengthenedbyreflectingthatinallhiscalamitiestheynever

opdagede

discoveredtheleastinclinationtoservehim;

but,onthe

tværtimod

contrary,byalltheartificesintheirpower,fedhis

vrede

resentmentandsupportedhisresolutionofleavinghimto

elendighed

miseryandwant.

Butpeopleofjudgmenttreatedthisinsinuationasanidlechimera;

because,hadmyrelationsbeenso

onde

wickedastoconsulttheirinterestbycommittingsuchanatrociouscrime,thefateofmyfatherwouldhaveextendedtometoowhoselifewasanother

hindring

obstacletotheirexpectation.

Meanwhile,Igrewapace,andasIstrongly

lignede

resembledmyfather,whowasthedarlingofthetenants,Iwantednothingwhichtheirindigentcircumstancescouldafford:

buttheirfavourwasaweak

ressource

resourceagainstthejealousenmityofmycousins;

whothemoremyinfancypromised,conceivedthemoreimplacable

had

hatredagainstme:

andbeforeIwassixyearsofage,hadsoeffectuallyblockadedmygrandfatherthatIneversawhimbutbystealth,whenIsometimesmadeuptohischairashesattoviewhislabourersinthefield:

onwhich

lejlighed

occasionhewouldstrokemyhead,bidmebeagoodboy,andpromisetotakecareofme.

Iwassoonaftersenttoschoolatavillagehardby,ofwhichhehadbeen

diktator

dictatortimeoutofmind;

butasheneverpaidformyboard,nor

forsynede

suppliedmewithclothes,books,andothernecessariesIrequired,myconditionwasveryraggedandcontemptible,andtheschoolmaster,who,throughfearofmygrandfather,taughtmegratis,gavehimselfnoconcernabouttheprogressImadeunderhisinstruction.

trods

spiteofallthesedifficultiesanddisgraces,IbecameagoodproficientintheLatintongue;

and,assoonasIcouldwritetolerably,pesteredmygrandfatherwithletterstosuchadegreethathesentformymaster,andchidhim

hårdt

severelyforbestowingsuchpainsonmyeducation,tellinghimthat,ifeverIshouldbebroughttothe

galgen

gallowsforforgery,whichhehadtaughtmetocommit,mybloodwouldlieonhishead.

Thepedant,who

frygtede

dreadednothingmorethanthedispleasureofhispatron,

forsikrede

assuredhishonourthattheboy’sabilitywasmoreowingtohisowngeniusand

anvendelse

applicationthantoanyinstructionor

opmuntring

encouragementhereceived;

that,althoughhecouldnotdivesthimoftheknowledgehehadalreadyimbibed,unlesshewouldempowerhimtodisablehisfingers,heshouldendeavour,withGod’shelp,topreventhisfuture

forbedring

improvement.

And,indeed,hepunctuallyperformedwhathehadundertaken;

for,onpretencethatIhadwrittenimpertinentletterstomygrandfather,hecausedaboardtobemadewithfiveholesinit,throughwhichhethrustthefingersandthumbofmyrighthand,and

fastgjorde

fasteneditbywhipcordtomy

håndled

wrist,insuchamanneraseffectuallydebarredmetheuseofmypen.

Butthis

tilbageholdenhed

restraintIwasfreedfrominafewdays,byanaccidentwhichhappenedina

skænderi

quarrelbetweenmeandanotherboy;

who,takinguponhimto

fornærmelse

insultmypoverty,IwassoincensedathisungenerousreproachthatwithonestrokewithmymachineIcuthimtothe

kraniet

skull,tothegreatterrorofmyselfandschoolfellows,wholefthimbleedingontheground,andrantoinformthemasterofwhathadhappened.

Iwasso

hårdt

severelypunishedforthistrespassthat,wereItolivetotheageofMethusalem,the

indtryk

impressionitmadeonmewouldnotbeeffaced;

themorethantheantipathyand

rædsel

horrorIconceivedforthe

nådesløse

mercilesstyrantwhoinflictedit.

The

foragt

contemptwhichmyappearancenaturallyproducedinallwhosawme,thecontinualwantstowhichIwasexposed,andmyownhaughtydisposition,

utålmodig

impatientofaffronts,involvedmeinathousand

besværlige

troublesomeadventures,bywhichIwasatlengthinuredin

modgang

adversity,andemboldenedtoundertakingsfarabovemyyears.

IwasofteninhumanlyscourgedforcrimesIdidnotcommit,because,havingthecharacterofavagabondinthevillage,everypieceofmischief,whose

forfatter

authorlayunknown,waschargeduponme.

IhavebeenfoundguiltyofrobbingorchardsIneverentered,ofkillingcatsIneverhunted,ofstealinggingerbreadInevertouched,andof

misbruge

abusingoldwomenIneversaw.

Nej

Nay,astammeringcarpenterhadeloquenceenoughto

overbevise

persuademymasterthatIfiredapistolloadedwithsmallshotintohiswindow;

thoughmylandladyandthewholefamilyborewitnessthatIwasabedfastasleepatthetimewhenthisoutragewascommitted.

Iwasoncefloggedforhavingnarrowlyescaped

drukne

drowning,bythesinkingofa

færge

ferryboatinwhichIwas

passager

passenger.

Anothertime,forhavingrecoveredofabruiseoccasionedbyahorseand

vogn

cartrunningoverme.

Athirdtime,forbeingbittenbyabaker’sdog.

Inshort,whetherIwasguiltyor

uheldig

unfortunate,thecorrectionandsympathyofthisarbitrarypedagoguewerethesame.

Farfrombeingsubduedbythis

uformelle

informalusage,myindignationtriumphedoverthatslavish

ærefrygt

awewhichhadhithertoenforcedmy

lydighed

obedience;

andthemoremyyearsandknowledgeincreased,themoreIperceivedtheinjusticeandbarbarityofhisbehaviour.

Bythehelpofanuncommongenius,andtheadviceanddirectionofour

usher

usher,whohadservedmyfatherinhistravels,Imadeasurprisingprogressintheclassics,writing,andarithmetic;

sothat,beforeIwastwelveyearsold,Iwasallowedbyeverybodytobethebestscholarintheschool.

Thisqualification,togetherwiththeboldnessof

temperament

temperandstrengthofmakewhichhadsubjectedalmostallmycontemporaries,gavemesuch

indflydelse

influenceoverthemthatIbegantoformcabalsagainstmypersecutor;

andwasinhopeof,beingableto

byde

bidhimdefianceinaveryshorttime.

Beingattheheadofa

fraktion

faction,consistingofthirtyboys,mostofthemofmyownage,Iwas

fast besluttet

determinedtoputtheirmettletotrial,thatImightknowhowfartheyweretobe

stole

dependedupon,beforeIputmygrandschemeinexecution:

withthisview,weattackedabodyofstoutapprentices,whohadtaken

besiddelse

possessionofapartofthegroundallottedtousfortheschemeofourdiversions,andwhowerethenplayingatninepinsonthespot;

butIhadthemortificationtoseemyadherentsroutedinan

øjeblik

instant,andalegofoneofthembrokeinhisflightbythebowl,whichoneofouradversarieshaddetachedin

forfølgelse

pursuitofus.

Thisdiscomfituredidnothinderusfrom

engagere

engagingthemafterwardsinfrequentskirmishes,whichwemaintainedbythrowingstonesatadistance,whereinIreceivedmanywounds,thescarsofwhichstillremain.

Ourenemieswereso

chikaneret

harassedandinterruptedbythesealarmsthattheyatlast

opgav

abandonedtheirconquest,andleftustothepeaceable

nydelse

enjoymentofourownterritories.

Itwouldbeendlesstoenumeratetheexploitsweperformedinthecourseofthisconfederacy,whichbecamethe

terror

terrorofthewholevillage;

insomuchthat,whendifferentinterestsdividedit,oneofthepartiescommonlycourtedthe

hjælp

assistanceofRoderickRandom(bywhichnameIwasknown)tocastthebalance,andkeeptheopposite

fraktion

factioninawe.

Meanwhile,Itooktheadvantageofeveryplay-daytopresentmyselfbeforemygrandfather,towhomI

sjældent

seldomfoundaccess,byreasonofhisbeing

tæt

closelybesiegedbyanumerousfamilyofhisfemale

børnebørn

grandchildren,who,thoughtheyperpetuallyquarrelledamongthemselves,neverfailedtojoinagainstme,asthecommonenemyofall.

His

arving

heir,whowasabouttheageofeighteen,mindednothingbutfox-hunting,andindeedwas

kvalificeret

qualifiedfornothingelse,notwithstandinghisgrandfather’s

eftergivenhed

indulgenceinentertainingatutorforhimathome;

whoatthesametimeperformedtheofficeofparishclerk.

ThisyoungActaeon,who

arvede

inheritedhisgrandfather’santipathytoeverythingin

nød

distress,neversateyesonmewithoutuncouplinghisbeagles,andhuntingmeintosome

hytte

cottageorother,whitherI

generelt

generallyfledforshelter.

InthisChristianamusementhewas

opmuntret

encouragedbyhispreceptor,who,nodoubt,tooksuchopportunitiestoingratiatehimselfwiththerisingsun,observing,thattheoldgentleman,accordingtothecourseofnature,hadnotlongtolive,forhewasalreadyonthe

randen

vergeoffourscore.

CHAPTERIII

MyMother’sBrotherarrives—relievesme—a

Beskrivelse

Descriptionofhim—hegoesalongwithmetotheHouseofmyGrandfather—is

mødt

encounteredbyhisDogs—defeatsthem,afterabloodyEngagement—isadmittedtotheoldGentleman—a

Dialog

Dialoguebetweenthem.

Aboutthistimemymother’sonlybrother,whohadbeenlongabroad,lieutenantofaman-of-war,arrivedinhisowncountry;

wherebeinginformedofmycondition,hecametoseeme,andoutofhisslenderfinancesnotonly

forsynet

suppliedmewithwhatnecessariesIwantedforthepresent,butresolvednottoleavethecountryuntilhehadprevailedonmygrandfathertosettlesomethinghandsomeforthefuture.

Thiswasatasktowhichhewasbynomeansequal,beingentirely

uvidende

ignorant,notonlyofthejudge’sdisposition,butalsoofthewaysofmeningeneral,towhichhiseducationonboardhadkepthimanutterstranger.

Hewasastrongbuiltman,somewhatbandylegged,withanecklikethatofabull,andafacewhich(youmighteasilyperceive)hadwithstoodthemostobstinateassaultsoftheweather.

Hisdressconsistedofasoldier’scoatalteredforhimbytheship’s

skrædder

tailor,astripedflanneljacket,apairofredbreechesspannedwithpitch,clean

grå

grayworstedstockings,largesilver

spænde

bucklesthatcoveredthree-fourthsofhisshoes,asilver-lacedhat,whose

krone

crownoverlookedthebrimsaboutaninchandahalf,blackbobwigin

spænde

buckle,acheckshirt,asilkhandkerchief,ahanger,withabrasshandle,girdedtohis

lår

thighbyafurnishedlacebelt,andagoodoakplantunderhisarm.

Thusequipped,hesetoutwithme(whobyhis

gavmildhed

bountymadeaverydecentappearance)formygrandfather’shouse,wherewewere

hilst

salutedbyJowlerandCaesar,whommycousin,youngmaster,hadletlooseatourapproach.

Beingwellacquaintedwiththeinveteracyofthesecurs,Iwasabouttobetakemyselftomyheels,whenmyuncle

greb

seizedmewithonehand,brandishedhiscudgelwiththeother,andatoneblowlaid

Cæsar

Caesarsprawlingontheground;

but,findinghimselfattackedatthesametimeintherearbyJowler,andfearingCaesarmightrecover,hedrewhishanger,wheeledabout,andbyaluckystrokeseveredJowler’sheadfromhisbody.

Bythistime,theyoungfoxhunterandthreeservants,armedwithpitchforksandflails,werecometothe

hjælp

assistanceofthedogs,whomtheyfoundbreathlessuponthefield;

andmycousinwasso

provokeret

provokedatthedeathofhisfavourites,thatheorderedhisattendantstoadvance,andtakevengeanceontheir

bøddel

executioner,whomheloadedwithallthecursesandreproacheshisangercouldsuggest.

Uponwhichmyunclesteppedforwardswithanundauntedair,atthesightofwhosebloodyweaponshisantagonistsfellbackwithprecipitation,whenheaccostedtheirleaderthus:.

“Lookee,brother,yourdogshavingboardedmewithout

provokation

provocation,whatIdidwasinmyown

forsvar

defence.

Soyouhadbestbecivil,andletusshootahead,clearofyou.”

Whethertheyoungsquiremisinterpretedmyuncle’sdesireofpeace,orwasenragedatthefateofhishoundsbeyondhisusualpitchofresolution,Iknownot;

buthesnatchedaflailfromoneofhisfollowers,andcameupwithashowofassaultingthelieutenant,who,puttinghimselfinapostureofdefence,

fortsatte

proceededthus:

“Lookee,youlubberlysonofaw—e,ifyoucomeathwartme,’wareyourgingerbreadwork.

I’llbefoulofyourquarter,d—nme.”

This

erklæring

declaration,followedbyaflourishofhishanger,seemedtochecktheprogressoftheyounggentleman’scholer,who,lookingbehindhim,

opfattede

perceivedhisattendantshadslunkintothehouse,shutthegate,andlefthimtodecidethecontentionbyhimself.

Hereaparleyensued,whichwasintroducedbymycousin’sasking,“Whothedevilareyou?

Whatdoyouwant?

Some

slyngel

scoundrelofaseaman,Isuppose,whohasdesertedandturnedthief.

Butdon’tthinkyoushallescape,sirrah—I’llhaveyouhang’d,youdog,Iwill.

Yourbloodshallpayforthatofmytwohounds,youragamuffin.

Iwouldnothavepartedwiththemtosaveyourwholegenerationfromthe

galgen

gallows,youruffian,you!”

“Noneofyour

kæbe

jaw,youswab—noneofyourjaw,”

svarede

repliedmyuncle,“elseIshall

trimme

trimyourlacedjacketforyou.

Ishall

gnide

rubyoudownwithanoaken

håndklæde

towel,myboy,Ishall.”

Sosaying,hesheathedhishanger,and

greb

graspedhiscudgel.

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