The Adventures of Roderick Random | Progressive Translation Books for French A1 Students

The Adventures of Roderick Random | Progressive Translation Books for French A1 Students

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
Of
toutes
all
kindsofsatire,thereisnonesoentertaining
et
and
universallyimproving,asthatwhichisintroduced,asitwereoccasionally,inthe
cours
course
ofaninterestingstory,whichbrings
chaque
every
incidenthometolife,
et
and
byrepresentingfamiliarscenesinanuncommon
et
and
amusingpointofview,investsthemwith
toutes
all
thegracesofnovelty,whilenatureisappealedtoin
chaque
every
particular.
Thereadergratifieshiscuriosityinpursuingtheadventuresofa
personne
person
inwhosefavourheisprepossessed;
heespouseshis
cause
cause
,hesympathiseswithhiminhisdistress,hisindignationisheated
contre
against
theauthorsofhiscalamity:
les
the
humanepassionsareinflamed;
thecontrast
entre
between
dejectedvirtueandinsultingviceappears
avec
with
greateraggravation,andeveryimpression
ayant
having
adoubleforceontheimagination,thememoryretainsthecircumstance,
et
and
theheartimprovesbytheexample.
La
The
attentionisnottiredwith
un
a
barecatalogueofcharacters,
mais
but
agreeablydivertedwithall
la
the
varietyofinvention;
andthevicissitudesof
vie
life
appearintheirpeculiarcircumstances,
ouvrant
opening
anamplefieldforwit
et
and
humour.
Romance,nodoubt,owesitsorigintoignorance,vanity,
et
and
superstition.
Inthedarkagesof
les
the
World,whenamanhadrenderedhimselffamousforwisdom
ou
or
valour,hisfamilyandadherentsavailedthemselvesofhissuperiorqualities,magnifiedhisvirtues,
et
and
representedhischaracterand
personne
person
assacredandsupernatural.
Thevulgareasilyswallowedthebait,imploredhisprotection,
et
and
yieldedthetributeofhomage
et
and
praise,eventoadoration;
hisexploitswerehandeddowntoposterity
avec
with
athousandexaggerations;
theywererepeatedasincitementstovirtue;
divinehonourswerepaid,
et
and
altarserectedtohismemory,fortheencouragementof
ceux
those
whoattemptedtoimitatehisexample;
et
and
hencearosetheheathenmythology,
qui
which
isnootherthanacollectionofextravagantromances.
Aslearningadvanced,
et
and
geniusreceivedcultivation,thesestorieswereembellishedwiththegracesofpoetry,thatthey
puissent
might
thebetterrecommendthemselvestotheattention;
theyweresunginpublic,atfestivals,for
la
the
instructionanddelightof
la
the
audience;
andrehearsedbeforebattle,asincentivestodeedsofglory.
Thustragedy
et
and
theepicmusewereborn,
et
and
,intheprogressoftaste,arrivedatperfection.
Itis
pas
no
wonderthattheancients
pu
could
notrelishafableinprose,
après
after
theyhadseensomanyremarkableeventscelebratedinversebytheirbestpoets;
wetherefore
trouvons
find
noromanceamongthemduring
la
the
eraoftheirexcellence,unless
la
the
CyropædiaofXenophonmaybesocalled;
et
and
itwasnottillarts
et
and
sciencesbegantorevive
après
after
theirruptionofthebarbariansintoEurope,
que
that
anythingofthiskindappeared.
Mais
But
whenthemindsofmenweredebauchedbytheimpositionofpriestcrafttothe
plus
most
absurdpitchofcredulity,theauthorsofromancearose,
et
and
losingsightofprobability,filledtheirperformanceswiththe
plus
most
monstroushyperboles.
Ifthey
pouvaient
could
notequaltheancientpoetsin
point
point
ofgeniustheywereresolvedtoexceltheminfiction,
et
and
applytothewonder,ratherthanthejudgment,oftheirreaders.
Accordingly,they
apporté
brought
necromancytotheiraid,
et
and
insteadofsupportingthecharacteroftheirheroesbydignityofsentiment
et
and
practice,distinguishedthembytheirbodilystrength,activity,
et
and
extravaganceofbehaviour.
Although
rien
nothing
couldbemoreludicrous
et
and
unnaturalthanthefigurestheydrew,theydidnot
voulaient
want
patronsandadmirers;
andthe
monde
world
actuallybegantobeinfectedwiththespiritofknight-errantry,
quand
when
Cervantes,byaninimitablepieceofridicule,reformedthetasteofmankind,representingchivalryinthe
bon
right
pointofview,andconvertingromancetopurposes
beaucoup
far
moreusefulandentertaining,bymakingitassumethesock,
et
and
pointoutthefolliesofordinary
vie
life
.
ThesamemethodhasbeenpractisedbyotherSpanish
et
and
Frenchauthors,andbynone
plus
more
successfullythanbyMonsieurLeSage,
qui
who
,inhisAdventuresofGilBlas,hasdescribedtheknavery
et
and
foiblesoflife,withinfinitehumour
et
and
sagacity.
ThefollowingsheetsIhavemodelledonhis
plan
plan
,takingmeliberty,however,todifferfromhimintheexecution,
where
Ithoughthisparticularsituationswereuncommon,extravagant,
ou
or
peculiartothecountryinwhichthesceneislaid.
ThedisgracesofGilBlas
sont
are
,forthemostpart,suchasratherexcitemirththancompassion;
hehimselflaughsatthem;
et
and
histransitionsfromdistresstohappiness,
ou
or
atleastease,aresosudden,
que
that
neitherthereaderhas
temps
time
topityhim,norhimselftobeacquainted
avec
with
affliction.
Thisconduct,inmyopinion,notonlydeviatesfromprobability,
mais
but
preventsthatgenerousindignation,whichoughttoanimatethereader
contre
against
thesordidandviciousdispositionofthe
monde
world
.
Ihaveattemptedtorepresentmodestmeritstrugglingwitheverydifficultytowhich
un
a
friendlessorphanisexposed,fromhis
propre
own
wantofexperience,aswellasfromtheselfishness,envy,malice,
et
and
baseindifferenceofmankind.
Tosecure
une
a
favourableprepossession,Ihaveallowedhimtheadvantagesofbirth
et
and
education,whichintheseriesofhismisfortuneswill,Ihope,engagetheingenuous
plus
more
warmlyinhisbehalf;
et
and
thoughIforesee,that
certaines
some
peoplewillbeoffendedatthemeanscenesinwhichheisinvolved,Ipersuademyself
que
that
thejudiciouswillnotonlyperceivethenecessityofdescribing
ces
those
situationstowhichhe
doit
must
ofcoursebeconfined,inhislowestate,
mais
but
alsofindentertainmentinviewing
ces
those
partsoflife,wherethehumours
et
and
passionsareundisguisedbyaffectation,ceremony,
ou
or
education;
andthewhimsicalpeculiaritiesofdispositionappearasnaturehasimplantedthem.
Mais
But
IbelieveIneednottroublemyselfinvindicatingapracticeauthorizedby
les
the
bestwritersinthis
façon
way
,someofwhomIhave
déjà
already
named.
Everyintelligentreaderwill,at
première
first
sight,perceiveIhavenotdeviatedfromnatureinthefacts,
qui
which
arealltrueinthemain,althoughthecircumstancesarealtered
et
and
disguised,toavoidpersonalsatire.
It
maintenant
now
remainstogivemyreasonsfor
faire
making
thechiefpersonageof
cette
this
workaNorthBriton,
qui
which
arechieflythese:
Icould,at
une
a
smallexpense,bestowonhimsucheducationasI
pensais
thought
thedignityofhisbirth
et
and
characterrequired,whichcouldnotpossiblybeobtainedinEngland,bysuchslendermeansasthenatureofmy
plan
plan
wouldafford.
Inthenext
lieu
place
,Icouldrepresentsimplicityofmannersin
une
a
remotepartofthekingdom,
avec
with
moreproprietythaninany
lieu
place
nearthecapital;
andlastly,
la
the
dispositionoftheScots,addictedtotravelling,justifiesmyconductinderiving
un
an
adventurerfromthatcountry.
APOLOGUE
A
jeune
young
painter,indulgingaveinofpleasantry,sketcheda
sorte
kind
ofconversationpiece,representingabear,anowl,amonkey,
et
and
anass;
andtorenderit
plus
more
striking,humorous,andmoral,distinguished
chaque
every
figurebysomeemblemofhuman
vie
life
.
Bruinwasexhibitedinthegarb
et
and
attitudeofanold,toothless,drunkensoldier;
theowlpercheduponthehandleof
un
a
coffee-pot,withspectacleonnose,seemedtocontemplate
un
a
newspaper;
andtheass,ornamented
avec
with
ahugetie-wig(which,however,
pouvait
could
notconcealhislongears),satforhispictureto
les
the
monkey,whoappearedwith
les
the
implementsofpainting.
Thiswhimsicalgroupafforded
une certaine
some
mirth,andmetwithgeneralapprobation,
jusqu'à
until
somemischievouswaghinted
que
that
thewhole—wasalampoonupon
les
the
friendsoftheperformer;
une
an
insinuationwhichwasnosoonercirculatedthan
ces
those
verypeoplewhoapplaudedit
avant
before
begantobealarmed,
et
and
eventofancythemselvessignifiedbytheseveralfiguresofthepiece.
Amongothers,
un
a
worthypersonageinyears,whohadservedinthearmy
avec
with
reputation,beingincensedatthesupposedoutrage,repairedtothelodgingofthepainter,
et
and
findinghimathome,“Harkye,Mr.Monkey,”
dit
said
he,“Ihaveagood
esprit
mind
toconvinceyou,that
si
though
thebearhaslosthisteeth,heretainshispaws,
et
and
thatheisnotsodrunk
mais
but
hecanperceiveyourimpertinence.”
“Sblood!
monsieur
sir
,thattoothlessjawis
une
a
d—nedscandalouslibel—butdon’tyouimaginemesochopfallenasnottobe
capable
able
tochewthecudofresentment.”
Ici
Here
hewasinterruptedbythearrivalofalearnedphysician,
qui
who
,advancingtotheculprit
avec
with
furyinhisaspect,exclaimed,“Supposetheaugmentationoftheass’searsshouldprovethediminutionofthebaboon’s—nay,seeknottoprevaricate,for,bythebeardofAesculapius!
il
there
isnotonehairin
cette
this
periwigthatwillnotstandupinjudgmenttoconvicttheeofpersonalabuse.
Ne
Do
butobserve,captain,how
ce
this
pitifullittlefellowhascopiedtheverycurls—thecolour,indeed,isdifferent,
mais
but
thentheformandforetopare
tout à fait
quite
similar.”
Whilehethusremonstratedinastrainofvociferation,avenerablesenatorentered,
et
and
waddlinguptothedelinquent,“Jackanapes!”
criedhe,“I
vais
will
nowlettheeseeI
peux
can
readsomethingelsethananewspaper,
et
and
thatwithoutthehelpofspectacles:
voici
here
isyourownnoteof
main
hand
,sirrah,formoney,which
si
if
Ihadnotadvanced,youyourselfwouldhaveresembled
un
an
owl,innotdaringto
montrer
show
yourfacebyday,youungratefulslanderousknave!”
Invain
le
the
astonishedpainterdeclaredthathehad
pas
no
intentiontogiveoffence,
ou
or
tocharacteriseparticularpersons:
theyaffirmed
la
the
resemblancewastoopalpabletobeoverlooked;
theytaxedhimwithinsolence,malice,
et
and
ingratitude;
andtheirclamoursbeingoverheardby
le
the
public,thecaptainwasabear,
le
the
doctoranass,and
le
the
senatoranowl,tohisdying
jour
day
.
Christianreader,Ibeseechthee,in
les
the
bowelsoftheLord,remember
cet
this
example“whilethouartemployedin
les
the
perusalofthefollowingsheets;
et
and
seeknottoappropriatetothyselfthatwhichequallybelongsto
cinq
five
hundreddifferentpeople.
Ifthoushouldst
rencontrer
meet
withacharacterthatreflectstheeinsomeungraciousparticular,
garde
keep
thyowncounsel;
CHAPTERI
OfmyBirth
et
and
Parentage.
Iwasbornin
la
the
northernpartofthisunitedkingdom,in
la
the
houseofmygrandfather,
un
a
gentlemanofconsiderablefortune
et
and
influence,whohadonmanyoccasionssignalisedhimselfinbehalfofhis
pays
country
;
andwasremarkableforhisabilitiesinthelaw,
qui
which
heexercisedwithgreatsuccessinthestationof
une
a
judge,particularlyagainstbeggars,forwhomhehad
une
a
singularaversion.
Myfather(hisyoungestson)
tombant
falling
inlovewitha
pauvre
poor
relation,wholivedwith
le
the
oldgentlemaninqualityofahousekeeper,espousedherprivately;
et
and
Iwasthefirstfruitofthatmarriage.
Duringherpregnancy,
un
a
dreamdiscomposedmymothersomuch
que
that
herhusband,tiredwithherimportunity,atlastconsulted
un
a
highlandseer,whosefavourableinterpretationhewouldhavesecuredbeforehandby
un
a
bribe,butfoundhimincorruptible.
She
rêvé
dreamed
shewasdeliveredofatennis-ball,which
le
the
devil(who,tohergreatsurprise,acted
le
the
partofamidwife)strucksoforcibly
avec
with
aracketthatitdisappearedinaninstant;
et
and
shewasforsome
temps
time
inconsolableforthelostofheroffspring;
quand
when
,allonasudden,shebeheldit
revenir
return
withequalviolence,andenterthe
terre
earth
,beneathherfeet,whenceimmediatelysprangup
un
a
goodlytreecoveredwithblossoms,thescentof
dont
which
operatedsostronglyonhernervesthatsheawoke.
Le
The
attentivesage,aftersomedeliberation,assuredmyparents,
que
that
theirfirstbornwouldbe
un
a
greattraveller;
thathewouldundergo
nombreux
many
dangersanddifficulties,andatlast
retournerait
return
tohisnativeland,
where
hewouldflourishinhappiness
et
and
reputation.
Howtrulythiswasforetoldwillappearin
la
the
sequel.
Itwasnotlong
avant
before
someofficiouspersoninformedmygrandfatherofcertainfamiliaritiesthatpassed
entre
between
hissonandhousekeeperwhichalarmedhimsomuchthat,afewdaysafter,he
dit
told
myfatheritwashightimeforhimto
penser
think
ofsettling;
andthathehadprovided
un
a
matchforhim,towhichhe
pourrait
could
injusticehavenoobjections.
My
père
father
,findingitwouldbeimpossibletoconcealhissituation
beaucoup
much
longer,franklyownedwhathehad
fait
done
;
andexcusedhimselffornothaving
demandé
asked
theconsentofhis
père
father
,bysaying,heknewit
été
would
havebeentonopurpose;
et
and
that,hadhisinclinationbeenknown,mygrandfathermighthave
prendre
taken
suchmeasuresaswouldhaveeffectually
mis
put
thegratificationofit
hors
out
ofhispower:
headded,
qui
that
noexceptionscouldbetakentohiswife’svirtue,birth,beauty,
et
and
goodsense,andasforfortune,itwasbeneathhis
soins
care
.
Theoldgentleman,who
gardait
kept
allhispassions,exceptone,inexcellent
ordre
order
,heardhimtoan
fin
end
withgreattemper,andthencalmly
demanda
asked
,howheproposedtomaintainhimself
et
and
spouse?
Hereplied,he
pouvait
could
beinnodangerof
vouloir
wanting
whilehisfather’stendernessremained,whichhe
et
and
hiswifeshouldalwayscultivate
avec
with
theutmostveneration;
andhewaspersuadedhisallowancewouldbesuitableto
la
the
dignityandcircumstancesofhis
famille
family
,andtotheprovision
déjà
already
madeforhisbrothers
et
and
sisters,whowerehappilysettled
sous
under
hisprotection.
“Yourbrothers
et
and
sisters,”saidmygrandfather,“didnot
pensaient
think
itbeneaththemtoconsultmein
une
an
affairofsuchimportanceasmatrimony;
neither,Isuppose,wouldyouhaveomitted
que
that
pieceofduty,hadyounotsomesecretfundinreserve;
to
le
the
comfortsofwhichI
laisse
leave
you,withadesire
que
that
youwillthisnightseekout
autre
another
habitationforyourselfand
femme
wife
,whither,inashort
temps
time
,Iwillsendyouanaccountof
le
the
expenseIhavebeenatinyoureducation,
avec
with
aviewofbeingreimbursed.
Monsieur
Sir
,youhavemadethegrandtour—youare
un
a
politegentleman—averyprettygentleman—I
souhaite
wish
youagreatdealofjoy,
et
and
amyourveryhumbleservant.”
So
disant
saying
,heleftmyfatherin
une
a
situationeasilyimagined.
However,hedidnot
longtemps
long
hesitate;
for,beingperfectlywellacquainted
avec
with
hisfather’sdisposition,hedidnotdoubtthathewasgladof
ce
this
pretencetogetridof
lui
him
;
andhisresolvesbeingasinvariableasthelawsoftheMedes
et
and
Persians,heknewit
étant
would
betonopurposetoattempthimbyprayers
et
and
entreaties;
sowithoutanyfartherapplication,hebetookhimself,
avec
with
hisdisconsolatebedfellowtoafarm-house,
where
anoldservantofhis
mère
mother
dwelt:
theretheyremainedsome
temps
time
inasituationbutilladaptedto
la
the
eleganceoftheirdesires
et
and
tendernessoftheirlove;
whichneverthelessmy
père
father
chosetoendure,ratherthansupplicate
un
an
unnaturalandinflexibleparent
mais
but
mymother,foreseeingtheinconveniencestowhichshe
must
havebeenexposed,hadshebeendeliveredin
cet
this
place(andherpregnancywas
très
very
faradvanced),withoutcommunicatingherdesigntoher
mari
husband
,wentindisguisetothe
maison
house
ofmygrandfather,hopingthathertears
et
and
conditionwouldmovehimtocompassion,
et
and
reconcilehimtoaneventwhichwas
maintenant
now
irrecoverablypast.
Shefoundmeanstodeceivetheservants,
et
and
getintroducedasanunfortunate
dame
lady
,whowantedtocomplainof
quelques
some
matrimonialgrievances,itbeingmygrandfather’sparticularprovincetodecidein
tous
all
casesofscandal.
Shewasaccordinglyadmittedintohispresence,
where
,discoveringherself,shefellathisfeet,
et
and
inthemostaffectingmannerimploredhisforgiveness;
atthe
même
same
timerepresentingthedangerthatthreatenednotonlyher
vie
life
,butthatofhis
propre
own
grandchild,whichwasaboutto
voir
see
thelight.
Hetoldherhewas
désolé
sorry
thattheindiscretionofher
et
and
hissonhadcompelledhimto
faire
make
avow,whichputit
hors
out
ofhispowerto
donner
give
themanyassistance;
thathe
devraient
had
alreadyimpartedhisthoughtsonthatsubjecttoher
mari
husband
,andwassurprisedthatthey
devraient
should
disturbhispeacewith
toute
any
fartherimportunity.
Thissaid,heretired.
Theviolenceofmymother’saffliction
eu
had
suchaneffectonherconstitutionthatshewasimmediatelyseizedwiththepainsofchildbed;
et
and
hadnotanoldmaidservant,towhomshewas
très
very
dear,affordedherpity
et
and
assistance,atthehazardofincurringmygrandfather’sdispleasure,she
et
and
theinnocentfruitofherwomb
must
havefallenmiserablevictimstohisrigour
et
and
inhumanity.
Bythefriendshipof
cette
this
poorwomanshewascarriedupto
un
a
garret,andimmediatelydeliveredof
un
a
manchild,thestoryofwhoseunfortunatebirthhehimselfnowrelates.
My
père
father
,beinginformedofwhathad
passé
happened
,flewtotheembracesofhisdarlingspouse,
et
and
whileheloadedhisoffspringwithpaternalembraces,
put
could
notforbearsheddingafloodoftearsonbeholdingthe
chère
dear
partnerofhisheart(forwhoseeasehewouldhavesacrificedthetreasuresoftheeast)stretchedupon
un
a
flockbed,inamiserableapartment,unabletoprotectherfromtheinclemenciesoftheweather.
Itisnottobesupposedthattheoldgentlemanwasignorantofwhatpassed,thoughheaffectedtoknow
rien
nothing
ofthematter,andpretendedtobe
très
very
muchsurprised,whenoneofhisgrandchildren,byhiseldest
fils
son
deceased,wholivedwithhimashisheirapparent,acquaintedhim
avec
with
theaffair;
hedeterminedthereforetoobserve
aucun
no
medium,butimmediately(on
le
the
thirddayafterherdelivery)
envoya
sent
heraperemptoryordertobe
aller
gone
,andturnedofftheservant
qui
who
hadpreservedherlife.
Ce
This
behavioursoexasperatedmy
père
father
thathehadrecoursetothe
plus
most
dreadfulimprecations;
andonhisbarekneesimplored
que
that
Heavenwouldrenouncehimifeverheshould
oubliait
forget
orforgivethebarbarityofhissire.
Theinjuries
qui
which
thisunhappymotherreceivedfromherremovalinsuchcircumstances,
et
and
thewantofnecessaries
where
shelodged,togetherwithhergrief
et
and
anxietyofmind,soonthrewherintoalanguishingdisorder,
qui
which
putanendtoher
vie
life
.
Myfather,wholovedhertenderly,wassoaffectedwithher
mort
death
thatheremainedsixweeksdeprivedofhissenses;
duringwhich
temps
time
,thepeoplewherehelodgedcarriedtheinfanttotheold
homme
man
whorelentedsofar,on
entendant
hearing
themelancholystoryofhisdaughter-in-law’s
mort
death
,andthedeplorableconditionofhis
fils
son
,astosendthechildtonurse,
et
and
heorderedmyfathertobecarriedhometohis
logeait
house
,wherehesoonrecoveredtheuseofhisreason.
Whether
ce
this
hardheartedjudgefeltanyremorseforhiscrueltreatmentofhis
fils
son
anddaughter,or(whichis
plus
more
probable)wasafraidhischaracterwouldsufferin
le
the
neighbourhood,heprofessedgreatsorrowforhisconducttomy
père
father
,whosedeliriumwassucceededbyaprofoundmelancholy
et
and
reserve.
Atlengthhedisappeared,
et
and
,notwithstandingallimaginableinquiry,
pouvait
could
notbeheardof;
acircumstance
qui
which
confirmedmostpeoplein
la
the
opinionofhishaving
fait
made
awaywithhimselfinafitofdespair.
CHAPTERII
Igrowup—am
haï
hated
bymyRelations—senttoSchool—neglectedbymyGrandfather—maltreatedbymyMaster—seasonedtoAdversity—IformCabals
contre
against
thePedant—amdebarredAccesstomyGrandfather—huntedbyhisHeir—IdemolishtheTeethofhisTutor.
Il
There
werenotwantingsomewhosuspectedmyunclesofbeingconcernedinmyfather’sfate,onthesuppositionthattheywould
tous
all
shareinthepatrimonydestinedforhim;
et
and
thisconjecturewasstrengthenedbyreflecting
que
that
inallhiscalamitiesthey
jamais
never
discoveredtheleastinclinationtoservehim;
mais
but
,onthecontrary,by
tous
all
theartificesintheir
pouvoir
power
,fedhisresentmentandsupportedhisresolutionof
laisser
leaving
himtomiseryandwant.
Mais
But
peopleofjudgmenttreated
cette
this
insinuationasanidlechimera;
parce que
because
,hadmyrelationsbeensowickedastoconsulttheirinterestbycommittingsuch
un
an
atrociouscrime,thefateofmy
père
father
wouldhaveextendedtome
aussi
too
whoselifewasanotherobstacletotheirexpectation.
Meanwhile,Igrewapace,
et
and
asIstronglyresembledmy
père
father
,whowasthedarlingof
le
the
tenants,Iwantednothingwhichtheirindigentcircumstances
pouvaient
could
afford:
buttheirfavourwas
une
a
weakresourceagainstthejealousenmityofmycousins;
qui
who
themoremyinfancypromised,conceivedthe
plus
more
implacablehatredagainstme:
et
and
beforeIwassixyearsofage,hadsoeffectuallyblockadedmygrandfatherthatI
jamais
never
sawhimbutbystealth,
quand
when
Isometimesmadeuptohischairashesattoviewhislabourersinthefield:
onwhichoccasionhewouldstrokemy
tête
head
,bidmebea
bon
good
boy,andpromiseto
prendre
take
careofme.
Iwassoonafter
envoyé
sent
toschoolatavillage
difficile
hard
by,ofwhichhehadbeendictator
temps
time
outofmind;
butashe
jamais
never
paidformyboard,norsuppliedmewithclothes,books,
et
and
othernecessariesIrequired,myconditionwas
très
very
raggedandcontemptible,andtheschoolmaster,
qui
who
,throughfearofmygrandfather,taughtmegratis,gavehimself
pas
no
concernabouttheprogressI
faisais
made
underhisinstruction.
Inspiteof
toutes
all
thesedifficultiesanddisgraces,Ibecame
un
a
goodproficientintheLatintongue;
et
and
,assoonasIcould
écrire
write
tolerably,pesteredmygrandfather
avec
with
letterstosuchadegreethathe
envoya
sent
formymaster,andchidhimseverelyforbestowingsuchpainsonmyeducation,
disant
telling
himthat,ifeverI
devais
should
bebroughttothegallowsforforgery,whichhehadtaughtmetocommit,my
sang
blood
wouldlieonhis
tête
head
.
Thepedant,whodreaded
rien
nothing
morethanthedispleasureofhispatron,assuredhishonourthat
le
the
boy’sabilitywasmoreowingtohis
propre
own
geniusandapplicationthanto
toute
any
instructionorencouragementhereceived;
que
that
,althoughhecouldnotdivesthimoftheknowledgehe
devrait
had
alreadyimbibed,unlesshewouldempowerhimtodisablehisfingers,he
devrait
should
endeavour,withGod’shelp,topreventhisfutureimprovement.
Et
And
,indeed,hepunctuallyperformedwhathehadundertaken;
for,onpretencethatIhad
écrit
written
impertinentletterstomygrandfather,hecausedaboardtobemade
avec
with
fiveholesinit,through
laquelle
which
hethrustthefingers
et
and
thumbofmyright
main
hand
,andfasteneditbywhipcordtomywrist,insuchamanneraseffectuallydebarredmetheuseofmypen.
Mais
But
thisrestraintIwasfreedfromina
quelques
few
days,byanaccident
qui
which
happenedinaquarrel
entre
between
meandanotherboy;
who,
prenant
taking
uponhimtoinsultmypoverty,Iwassoincensedathisungenerousreproachthat
avec
with
onestrokewithmymachineI
coupé
cut
himtotheskull,tothegreatterrorofmyself
et
and
schoolfellows,wholefthimbleedingontheground,
et
and
rantoinformthe
maître
master
ofwhathadhappened.
Iwassoseverelypunishedfor
cette
this
trespassthat,wereIto
vivre
live
totheageofMethusalem,theimpressionitmadeonme
été
would
notbeeffaced;
the
plus
more
thantheantipathyandhorrorIconceivedfor
le
the
mercilesstyrantwhoinflictedit.
Thecontemptwhichmyappearancenaturallyproducedin
tous
all
whosawme,thecontinualwantstowhichIwasexposed,
et
and
myownhaughtydisposition,impatientofaffronts,involvedmeinathousandtroublesomeadventures,bywhichIwasatlengthinuredinadversity,
et
and
emboldenedtoundertakingsfarabovemyyears.
IwasofteninhumanlyscourgedforcrimesIdidnotcommit,
parce que
because
,havingthecharacterofavagabondin
le
the
village,everypieceofmischief,whoseauthorlayunknown,waschargedupon
moi
me
.
IhavebeenfoundguiltyofrobbingorchardsI
jamais
never
entered,ofkillingcatsI
jamais
never
hunted,ofstealinggingerbreadI
jamais
never
touched,andofabusingoldwomenI
jamais
never
saw.
Nay,astammeringcarpenterhadeloquenceenoughtopersuademy
maître
master
thatIfiredapistolloadedwithsmallshotintohiswindow;
thoughmylandlady
et
and
thewholefamilyborewitness
que
that
Iwasabedfastasleepat
la
the
timewhenthisoutragewascommitted.
Iwasoncefloggedfor
avoir
having
narrowlyescapeddrowning,bythesinkingof
une
a
ferryboatinwhichIwaspassenger.
Autre
Another
time,forhavingrecoveredofabruiseoccasionedbyahorse
et
and
cartrunningoverme.
Athird
fois
time
,forbeingbittenbyabaker’s
chien
dog
.
Inshort,whetherIwasguilty
ou
or
unfortunate,thecorrectionandsympathyof
ce
this
arbitrarypedagoguewerethesame.
Loin
Far
frombeingsubduedbythisinformalusage,myindignationtriumphedoverthatslavishawewhichhadhithertoenforcedmyobedience;
et
and
themoremyyears
et
and
knowledgeincreased,themoreIperceived
la
the
injusticeandbarbarityofhisbehaviour.
Bythehelpofanuncommongenius,
et
and
theadviceanddirectionofourusher,
qui
who
hadservedmyfatherinhistravels,I
fait
made
asurprisingprogressintheclassics,writing,
et
and
arithmetic;
sothat,beforeIwastwelveyearsold,Iwasallowedby
tout le monde
everybody
tobethebestscholarin
le
the
school.
Thisqualification,togetherwith
la
the
boldnessoftemperandstrengthofmakewhichhadsubjected
presque
almost
allmycontemporaries,gavemesuchinfluence
sur
over
themthatIbegantoformcabals
contre
against
mypersecutor;
andwasinhopeof,beingabletobidhimdefianceina
très
very
shorttime.
Beingat
la
the
headofafaction,consistingofthirtyboys,mostofthemofmyownage,Iwasdeterminedto
mettre
put
theirmettletotrial,thatI
pouvait
might
knowhowfartheyweretobedependedupon,
avant
before
Iputmygrandschemeinexecution:
avec
with
thisview,weattacked
un
a
bodyofstoutapprentices,
qui
who
hadtakenpossessionof
un
a
partofthegroundallottedtousfor
le
the
schemeofourdiversions,
et
and
whowerethenplayingatninepinson
le
the
spot;
butIhadthemortificationto
voir
see
myadherentsroutedinaninstant,
et
and
alegofoneofthembrokeinhisflightbythebowl,whichoneofouradversaries
eu
had
detachedinpursuitof
nous
us
.
Thisdiscomfituredidnothinderusfromengagingthemafterwardsinfrequentskirmishes,
dont
which
wemaintainedbythrowingstonesatadistance,whereinIreceivedmanywounds,thescarsof
dont
which
stillremain.
Ourenemiesweresoharassed
et
and
interruptedbythesealarmsthattheyatlastabandonedtheirconquest,
et
and
leftustothepeaceableenjoymentofourownterritories.
Itwouldbeendlesstoenumeratetheexploitsweperformedinthe
cours
course
ofthisconfederacy,which
devenue
became
theterrorofthe
tout
whole
village;
insomuchthat,when
différents
different
interestsdividedit,oneofthepartiescommonlycourtedtheassistanceofRoderickRandom(bywhichnameIwasknown)tocastthebalance,
et
and
keeptheoppositefactioninawe.
Meanwhile,Itooktheadvantageofeveryplay-daytopresentmyselfbeforemygrandfather,towhomIseldomfoundaccess,byreasonofhisbeingcloselybesiegedby
une
a
numerousfamilyofhisfemalegrandchildren,
qui
who
,thoughtheyperpetuallyquarrelledamongthemselves,
jamais
never
failedtojoinagainstme,asthecommonenemyofall.
Hisheir,
qui
who
wasabouttheageofeighteen,minded
rien
nothing
butfox-hunting,andindeedwasqualifiedfor
rien
nothing
else,notwithstandinghisgrandfather’sindulgenceinentertaining
un
a
tutorforhimat
maison
home
;
whoatthesame
temps
time
performedtheofficeofparishclerk.
Ce
This
youngActaeon,whoinheritedhisgrandfather’santipathyto
tout
everything
indistress,neversateyesonme
sans
without
uncouplinghisbeagles,andhuntingmeintosomecottage
ou
or
other,whitherIgenerallyfledforshelter.
In
ce
this
Christianamusementhewasencouragedbyhispreceptor,who,
pas
no
doubt,tooksuchopportunitiestoingratiatehimself
avec
with
therisingsun,observing,thattheoldgentleman,accordingtothe
cours
course
ofnature,hadnot
longtemps
long
tolive,forhewas
déjà
already
onthevergeoffourscore.
CHAPTERIII
MyMother’s
Frère
Brother
arrives—relievesme—aDescriptionofhim—hegoesalongwithmetothe
Maison
House
ofmyGrandfather—isencounteredbyhisDogs—defeatsthem,
après
after
abloodyEngagement—isadmittedtothe
vieux
old
Gentleman—aDialoguebetweenthem.
About
cette
this
timemymother’sonly
frère
brother
,whohadbeenlongabroad,lieutenantofaman-of-war,arrivedinhis
propre
own
country;
wherebeinginformedofmycondition,he
vint
came
toseeme,andoutofhisslenderfinancesnotonlysuppliedmewithwhatnecessariesI
voulais
wanted
forthepresent,butresolvednotto
quitter
leave
thecountryuntilhehadprevailedonmygrandfathertosettle
quelque chose
something
handsomeforthefuture.
Thiswasataskto
laquelle
which
hewasbynomeansequal,beingentirelyignorant,notonlyof
la
the
judge’sdisposition,butalsoof
la
the
waysofmeningeneral,to
laquelle
which
hiseducationonboardhad
gardé
kept
himanutterstranger.
Hewas
un
a
strongbuiltman,somewhatbandylegged,
avec
with
anecklikethatof
un
a
bull,andafacewhich(you
pourriez
might
easilyperceive)hadwithstoodthe
plus
most
obstinateassaultsoftheweather.
Hisdressconsistedofasoldier’scoatalteredforhimbytheship’stailor,astripedflanneljacket,apairofredbreechesspanned
avec
with
pitch,cleangrayworstedstockings,largesilverbuckles
qui
that
coveredthree-fourthsofhisshoes,asilver-lacedhat,whosecrownoverlookedthebrimsaboutaninch
et
and
ahalf,blackbobwiginbuckle,acheckshirt,asilkhandkerchief,ahanger,
avec
with
abrasshandle,girdedtohisthighbyafurnishedlacebelt,
et
and
agoodoakplant
sous
under
hisarm.
Thusequipped,hesetout
avec
with
me(whobyhisbounty
fit
made
averydecentappearance)formygrandfather’s
maison
house
,whereweweresalutedbyJowler
et
and
Caesar,whommycousin,
jeune
young
master,hadletlooseatourapproach.
Being
bien
well
acquaintedwiththeinveteracyof
ces
these
curs,Iwasabouttobetakemyselftomyheels,
quand
when
myuncleseizedme
avec
with
onehand,brandishedhiscudgel
avec
with
theother,andatoneblowlaidCaesarsprawlingon
le
the
ground;
but,findinghimselfattackedat
la
the
sametimeintherearbyJowler,
et
and
fearingCaesarmightrecover,hedrewhishanger,wheeledabout,
et
and
byaluckystrokeseveredJowler’s
tête
head
fromhisbody.
By
ce
this
time,theyoungfoxhunter
et
and
threeservants,armedwithpitchforks
et
and
flails,werecometo
le
the
assistanceofthedogs,whomtheyfoundbreathlessupon
le
the
field;
andmycousinwassoprovokedatthe
mort
death
ofhisfavourites,thatheorderedhisattendantstoadvance,
et
and
takevengeanceontheirexecutioner,whomheloadedwith
toutes
all
thecursesandreproacheshisanger
pouvait
could
suggest.
Uponwhichmy
oncle
uncle
steppedforwardswithanundaunted
air
air
,atthesightofwhosebloodyweaponshisantagonists
tombés
fell
backwithprecipitation,whenheaccostedtheirleaderthus:.
“Lookee,
frère
brother
,yourdogshavingboardedme
sans
without
provocation,whatIdidwasinmy
propre
own
defence.
Soyouhad
mieux
best
becivil,andletus
tirer
shoot
ahead,clearofyou.”
Whether
le
the
youngsquiremisinterpretedmyuncle’sdesireofpeace,
ou
or
wasenragedatthefateofhishoundsbeyondhisusualpitchofresolution,I
sais
know
not;
buthesnatchedaflailfromoneofhisfollowers,
et
and
cameupwitha
spectacle
show
ofassaultingthelieutenant,
qui
who
,puttinghimselfinapostureofdefence,proceededthus:
“Lookee,youlubberly
fils
son
ofaw—e,ifyou
viens
come
athwartme,’wareyourgingerbread
travail
work
.
I’llbefoulofyourquarter,d—nme.”
Cette
This
declaration,followedbyaflourishofhishanger,seemedtocheck
la
the
progressoftheyounggentleman’scholer,
qui
who
,lookingbehindhim,perceivedhisattendantshadslunkinto
la
the
house,shutthegate,
et
and
lefthimtodecide
la
the
contentionbyhimself.
Here
une
a
parleyensued,whichwasintroducedbymycousin’s
demandant
asking
,“Whothedevilareyou?
Whatdoyou
voulez
want
?
Somescoundrelofaseaman,Isuppose,
qui
who
hasdesertedandturnedthief.
Mais
But
don’tthinkyoushallescape,sirrah—I’llhaveyouhang’d,you
chien
dog
,Iwill.
Yourbloodshall
payera
pay
forthatofmy
deux
two
hounds,youragamuffin.
Iwouldnothave
séparé
parted
withthemtosaveyour
toute
whole
generationfromthegallows,youruffian,you!”
“Noneofyourjaw,youswab—noneofyourjaw,”repliedmy
oncle
uncle
,“elseIshalltrimyourlacedjacketforyou.
Ishallrubyoudown
avec
with
anoakentowel,my
garçon
boy
,Ishall.”
Sosaying,hesheathedhishanger,
et
and
graspedhiscudgel.