The Adventures of Roderick Random | Progressive French B1 Translation Books

The Adventures of Roderick Random | Progressive French B1 Translation Books

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THEAUTHOR’SPREFACE
Ofallkindsofsatire,thereisnonesoentertaininganduniversallyimproving,asthatwhichisintroduced,asitwereoccasionally,inthecourseofaninterestingstory,whichbringsevery
incident
incident
hometolife,andbyrepresentingfamiliarscenesinanuncommonandamusingpointof
vue
view
,investsthemwithallthegracesofnovelty,whilenatureisappealedtoineveryparticular.
Thereadergratifieshiscuriosityinpursuingtheadventuresofapersoninwhose
faveur
favour
heisprepossessed;
heespouseshiscause,hesympathiseswithhiminhisdistress,hisindignationisheatedagainsttheauthorsofhiscalamity:
thehumanepassionsareinflamed;
thecontrastbetweendejectedvirtueandinsulting
vice
vice
appearswithgreateraggravation,andeveryimpressionhavingadoubleforceontheimagination,thememoryretainsthecircumstance,andtheheartimprovesbytheexample.
Theattentionisnottiredwithabarecatalogueofcharacters,butagreeablydivertedwithallthevarietyofinvention;
andthevicissitudesoflife
apparaissent
appear
intheirpeculiarcircumstances,openinganamplefieldforwitandhumour.
Romance,nodoubt,owesitsorigintoignorance,vanity,andsuperstition.
InthedarkagesoftheWorld,whenamanhadrenderedhimselffamousforwisdomorvalour,hisfamilyandadherentsavailedthemselvesofhissuperiorqualities,magnifiedhisvirtues,andrepresentedhis
caractère
character
andpersonassacredandsupernatural.
Thevulgar
facilement
easily
swallowedthebait,imploredhis
protection
protection
,andyieldedthetributeofhomageandpraise,eventoadoration;
hisexploitswerehandeddowntoposteritywithathousandexaggerations;
theywererepeatedasincitementstovirtue;
divinehonourswerepaid,andaltarserectedtohismemory,fortheencouragementofthosewho
essayaient
attempted
toimitatehisexample;
andhencearosetheheathenmythology,whichisnootherthanacollectionofextravagantromances.
Aslearning
avançait
advanced
,andgeniusreceivedcultivation,thesestorieswereembellishedwiththegracesof
poésie
poetry
,thattheymightthebetterrecommendthemselvestotheattention;
theyweresunginpublic,atfestivals,fortheinstructionanddelightoftheaudience;
andrehearsedbefore
bataille
battle
,asincentivestodeedsofglory.
Thustragedyandtheepicmusewereborn,and,inthe
progrès
progress
oftaste,arrivedatperfection.
Itisnowonderthattheancientscouldnotrelishafableinprose,aftertheyhadseensomanyremarkableeventscelebratedinversebytheirbestpoets;
we
donc
therefore
findnoromanceamongthemduringtheeraoftheirexcellence,unlesstheCyropædiaofXenophonmaybesocalled;
anditwasnottillartsandsciencesbegantoreviveaftertheirruptionofthebarbariansintoEurope,thatanythingofthiskind
apparu
appeared
.
Butwhenthemindsofmenweredebauchedbytheimpositionofpriestcrafttothemostabsurdpitchofcredulity,theauthorsofromancearose,andlosing
vue
sight
ofprobability,filledtheirperformanceswiththemostmonstroushyperboles.
Iftheycouldnotequaltheancientpoetsinpointof
génie
genius
theywereresolvedtoexceltheminfiction,andapplytothewonder,ratherthanthejudgment,oftheirreaders.
Accordingly,theybroughtnecromancytotheiraid,andinsteadofsupportingthe
caractère
character
oftheirheroesbydignityofsentimentandpractice,distinguishedthembytheirbodily
force
strength
,activity,andextravaganceofbehaviour.
Bien que
Although
nothingcouldbemoreludicrousandunnaturalthanthefiguresthey
dessinaient
drew
,theydidnotwantpatronsandadmirers;
andtheworldactuallybegantobeinfectedwiththespiritofknight-errantry,whenCervantes,byaninimitablepieceofridicule,reformedthetasteofmankind,representingchivalryintherightpointof
vue
view
,andconvertingromancetopurposesfarmoreusefulandentertaining,bymakingit
assumer
assume
thesock,andpointoutthefolliesofordinarylife.
ThesamemethodhasbeenpractisedbyotherSpanishandFrenchauthors,andbynonemoresuccessfullythanbyMonsieurLeSage,who,inhisAdventuresofGilBlas,hasdescribedtheknaveryandfoiblesoflife,withinfinitehumourandsagacity.
ThefollowingsheetsIhavemodelledonhisplan,takingmeliberty,however,todifferfromhimintheexecution,whereIthoughthisparticularsituationswereuncommon,extravagant,orpeculiartothecountryinwhichthesceneislaid.
ThedisgracesofGilBlasare,forthemostpart,suchasratherexcitemirththancompassion;
hehimselflaughsatthem;
andhistransitionsfromdistressto
bonheur
happiness
,oratleastease,aresosudden,thatneitherthereaderhastimeto
pitié
pity
him,norhimselftobeacquaintedwithaffliction.
Thisconduct,inmy
avis
opinion
,notonlydeviatesfromprobability,butpreventsthatgenerousindignation,whichoughttoanimatethereaderagainstthesordidandviciousdispositionoftheworld.
Ihave
tenté
attempted
torepresentmodestmerit
luttant
struggling
witheverydifficultytowhichafriendlessorphanisexposed,fromhisownwantofexperience,aswellasfromtheselfishness,envy,malice,and
base
base
indifferenceofmankind.
Tosecureafavourableprepossession,Ihaveallowedhimtheadvantagesof
naissance
birth
andeducation,whichinthe
série
series
ofhismisfortuneswill,Ihope,engagetheingenuousmorewarmlyinhisbehalf;
andthoughIforesee,thatsomepeoplewillbeoffendedatthemeanscenesinwhichheisinvolved,Ipersuademyselfthatthejudiciouswillnotonlyperceivethenecessityofdescribingthosesituationstowhichhemustofcoursebeconfined,inhislowestate,butalsofindentertainmentinviewingthosepartsoflife,wherethehumoursandpassionsareundisguisedbyaffectation,
cérémonie
ceremony
,oreducation;
andthewhimsicalpeculiaritiesofdisposition
apparaissent
appear
asnaturehasimplantedthem.
ButIbelieveIneednottroublemyselfinvindicatingapracticeauthorizedbythebestwritersinthisway,someofwhomIhavealreadynamed.
Everyintelligentreaderwill,atfirst
vue
sight
,perceiveIhavenotdeviatedfromnatureinthefacts,whicharealltrueinthemain,
bien que
although
thecircumstancesarealteredanddisguised,to
éviter
avoid
personalsatire.
Itnow
reste
remains
togivemyreasonsformakingthechiefpersonageofthisworkaNorthBriton,whicharechieflythese:
Icould,atasmallexpense,bestowonhimsucheducationasIthoughtthedignityofhis
naissance
birth
andcharacterrequired,whichcouldnotpossiblybeobtainedinEngland,bysuchslendermeansasthenatureofmyplanwould
permettrait
afford
.
Inthenextplace,Icouldrepresentsimplicityofmannersinaremotepartofthe
royaume
kingdom
,withmoreproprietythaninanyplacenearthe
capitale
capital
;
andlastly,thedispositionoftheScots,addictedto
voyages
travelling
,justifiesmyconductinderivinganadventurerfromthatcountry.
APOLOGUE
Ayoungpainter,indulgingaveinofpleasantry,sketchedakindof
conversation
conversation
piece,representingabear,anowl,a
singe
monkey
,andanass;
andtorenderitmore
frappant
striking
,humorous,andmoral,distinguishedeveryfigurebysomeemblemofhumanlife.
Bruinwasexhibitedinthegarbandattitudeofanold,toothless,drunken
soldat
soldier
;
theowlpercheduponthehandleofacoffee-pot,withspectacleonnose,seemedtocontemplatea
journal
newspaper
;
andtheass,ornamentedwithahugetie-wig(which,however,couldnotconcealhislongears),satforhispicturetothe
singe
monkey
,whoappearedwiththeimplementsofpainting.
Thiswhimsicalgroupaffordedsomemirth,andmetwithgeneralapprobation,untilsomemischievouswaghintedthatthewhole—wasalampoonuponthefriendsoftheperformer;
aninsinuationwhichwasno
plus tôt
sooner
circulatedthanthoseverypeoplewhoapplaudeditbeforebegantobealarmed,andeventofancythemselvessignifiedbytheseveralfiguresofthepiece.
Parmi
Among
others,aworthypersonageinyears,whohad
servi
served
inthearmywith
réputation
reputation
,beingincensedatthesupposedoutrage,repairedtothelodgingofthepainter,andfindinghimathome,“Harkye,Mr.Monkey,”saidhe,“Ihaveagoodmindto
convaincre
convince
you,thatthoughthebearhaslosthisteeth,heretainshispaws,andthatheisnotsodrunkbuthecanperceiveyourimpertinence.”
“Sblood!
sir,thattoothlessjawisad—nedscandalouslibel—butdon’tyouimaginemesochopfallenasnottobeabletochewthecudofresentment.”
Herehewasinterruptedbythearrivalofalearnedphysician,who,
avançant
advancing
totheculpritwithfuryinhisaspect,exclaimed,“Supposetheaugmentationoftheass’searsshouldprovethediminutionofthebaboon’s—nay,seeknottoprevaricate,for,bythebeardofAesculapius!
thereisnotonehairinthisperiwigthatwillnotstandupinjudgmenttoconvicttheeofpersonalabuse.
Dobutobserve,captain,howthispitifullittlefellowhas
copié
copied
theverycurls—thecolour,
en effet
indeed
,isdifferent,butthentheformandforetoparequitesimilar.”
Whilehethusremonstratedinastrainofvociferation,avenerablesenator
entra
entered
,andwaddlinguptothedelinquent,“Jackanapes!”
criedhe,“IwillnowlettheeseeIcanreadsomethingelsethana
journal
newspaper
,andthatwithoutthehelpofspectacles:
hereisyourown
note
note
ofhand,sirrah,formoney,whichifIhadnot
avancé
advanced
,youyourselfwouldhaveresembledanowl,innotdaringtoshowyourfacebyday,youungratefulslanderousknave!”
Invaintheastonishedpainterdeclaredthathehadnointentiontogiveoffence,ortocharacteriseparticularpersons:
theyaffirmedtheresemblancewastoopalpabletobeoverlooked;
they
taxé
taxed
himwithinsolence,malice,andingratitude;
andtheirclamoursbeingoverheardbythepublic,thecaptainwasabear,thedoctoranass,andthesenatoranowl,tohisdyingday.
Christianreader,Ibeseechthee,inthebowelsoftheLord,rememberthis
exemple
example
“whilethouartemployedintheperusalofthefollowingsheets;
and
cherche
seek
nottoappropriatetothyselfthatwhichequally
appartient
belongs
tofivehundreddifferentpeople.
Ifthoushouldstmeetwitha
caractère
character
thatreflectstheeinsomeungracious
particulier
particular
,keepthyowncounsel;
CHAPTERI
Ofmy
Naissance
Birth
andParentage.
Iwasborninthenorthernpartofthis
uni
united
kingdom,inthehouseofmy
grand-père
grandfather
,agentlemanofconsiderable
fortune
fortune
andinfluence,whohadonmanyoccasionssignalisedhimselfinbehalfofhiscountry;
andwasremarkableforhisabilitiesinthelaw,whichhe
exerçait
exercised
withgreatsuccessinthestationofajudge,particularlyagainstbeggars,forwhomhehadasingularaversion.
Myfather(hisyoungestson)fallinginlovewithapoorrelation,wholivedwiththeold
monsieur
gentleman
inqualityofahousekeeper,espousedherprivately;
andIwasthefirst
fruit
fruit
ofthatmarriage.
Duringherpregnancy,adreamdiscomposedmymothersomuchthatherhusband,tiredwithherimportunity,atlastconsultedahighlandseer,whosefavourableinterpretationhewouldhavesecuredbeforehandbyabribe,butfoundhimincorruptible.
Shedreamedshewas
livré
delivered
ofatennis-ball,whichthedevil(who,tohergreatsurprise,actedthepartofamidwife)
frappé
struck
soforciblywitharacketthatit
disparu
disappeared
inaninstant;
andshewasforsometimeinconsolableforthelostofheroffspring;
when,allona
coup
sudden
,shebehelditreturnwithequal
violence
violence
,andentertheearth,beneathherfeet,whenceimmediatelysprangupagoodlytreecoveredwithblossoms,thescentofwhichoperatedsostronglyonhernervesthatshe
réveilla
awoke
.
Theattentivesage,aftersomedeliberation,assuredmyparents,thattheirfirstbornwouldbeagreattraveller;
thathewouldundergomanydangersanddifficulties,andatlastreturntohisnativeland,wherehewouldflourishin
bonheur
happiness
andreputation.
Howtrulythiswasforetoldwill
apparaîtra
appear
inthesequel.
Itwasnotlongbeforesomeofficiousperson
informât
informed
mygrandfatherofcertainfamiliaritiesthatpassedbetweenhissonandhousekeeperwhichalarmedhimsomuchthat,afewdaysafter,hetoldmyfatheritwashightimeforhimtothinkofsettling;
andthathehad
fourni
provided
amatchforhim,towhichhecouldin
justice
justice
havenoobjections.
Myfather,findingitwouldbeimpossibletoconcealhissituationmuchlonger,franklyownedwhathehaddone;
andexcusedhimselffornothavingaskedtheconsentofhisfather,bysaying,heknewitwouldhavebeentonopurpose;
andthat,hadhisinclinationbeenknown,my
grand-père
grandfather
mighthavetakensuchmeasuresaswouldhaveeffectuallyputthegratificationofitoutofhispower:
he
ajouté
added
,thatnoexceptionscouldbetakentohiswife’svirtue,
naissance
birth
,beauty,andgoodsense,andasfor
fortune
fortune
,itwasbeneathhiscare.
Theold
monsieur
gentleman
,whokeptallhispassions,exceptone,inexcellentorder,heardhimtoanendwithgreattemper,andthencalmlyasked,howheproposedtomaintainhimselfandspouse?
Hereplied,hecouldbeinnodangerofwantingwhilehisfather’stenderness
restait
remained
,whichheandhiswifeshouldalwayscultivatewiththeutmostveneration;
andhewaspersuadedhisallowancewouldbesuitabletothedignityandcircumstancesofhisfamily,andtotheprovisionalreadymadeforhisbrothersandsisters,whowerehappilysettledunderhis
protection
protection
.
“Yourbrothersandsisters,”saidmy
grand-père
grandfather
,“didnotthinkitbeneaththemtoconsultmeinan
affaire
affair
ofsuchimportanceasmatrimony;
neither,Isuppose,wouldyouhaveomittedthatpieceofduty,hadyounotsomesecretfundinreserve;
tothecomfortsofwhichIleaveyou,witha
désir
desire
thatyouwillthisnight
cherchiez
seek
outanotherhabitationforyourselfandwife,whither,inashorttime,Iwillsendyouan
compte
account
oftheexpenseIhavebeenatinyour
éducation
education
,withaviewofbeingreimbursed.
Sir,youhavemadethegrandtour—youareapolitegentleman—averyprettygentleman—Iwishyouagreatdealof
joie
joy
,andamyourveryhumbleservant.”
Sosaying,heleftmyfatherinasituationeasilyimagined.
However,hedidnotlonghesitate;
for,being
parfaitement
perfectly
wellacquaintedwithhisfather’sdisposition,hedidnotdoubtthathewasgladofthispretencetogetridofhim;
andhisresolvesbeingasinvariableasthelawsoftheMedesandPersians,heknewitwouldbetonopurposeto
tenter
attempt
himbyprayersandentreaties;
sowithoutanyfartherapplication,hebetookhimself,withhisdisconsolatebedfellowtoafarm-house,whereanoldservantofhismotherdwelt:
therethey
restèrent
remained
sometimeinasituationbut
mal
ill
adaptedtotheeleganceoftheirdesiresandtendernessoftheirlove;
whichneverthelessmyfatherchosetoendure,ratherthansupplicateanunnaturalandinflexibleparentbutmymother,foreseeingtheinconveniencestowhichshemusthavebeenexposed,hadshebeendeliveredinthisplace(andherpregnancywasveryfaradvanced),withoutcommunicatingherdesigntoherhusband,wentindisguisetothehouseofmy
grand-père
grandfather
,hopingthathertearsand
condition
condition
wouldmovehimtocompassion,andreconcilehimtoan
événement
event
whichwasnowirrecoverablypast.
Shefoundmeanstodeceivetheservants,andget
introduire
introduced
asanunfortunatelady,whowantedtocomplainofsomematrimonialgrievances,itbeingmygrandfather’sparticularprovincetodecideinallcasesofscandal.
Shewasaccordinglyadmittedintohis
présence
presence
,where,discoveringherself,shefellathisfeet,andinthemostaffectingmannerimploredhisforgiveness;
atthesametimerepresentingthedangerthatthreatenednotonlyherlife,butthatofhisowngrandchild,whichwasabouttoseethelight.
Hetoldherhewassorrythattheindiscretionofherandhissonhadcompelledhimtomakeavow,whichputitoutofhispowertogivethemanyassistance;
thathehadalreadyimpartedhisthoughtsonthat
sujet
subject
toherhusband,andwassurprisedthattheyshoulddisturbhispeacewithanyfartherimportunity.
Thissaid,heretired.
The
violence
violence
ofmymother’safflictionhadsuchaneffectonherconstitutionthatshewasimmediatelyseizedwiththepainsofchildbed;
andhadnotanoldmaidservant,towhomshewasverydear,affordedher
pitié
pity
andassistance,atthehazardofincurringmygrandfather’sdispleasure,sheandthe
innocent
innocent
fruitofherwombmusthavefallenmiserablevictimstohisrigourandinhumanity.
Bythefriendshipofthispoorwomanshewascarrieduptoagarret,andimmediatelydeliveredofamanchild,thestoryofwhoseunfortunate
naissance
birth
hehimselfnowrelates.
Myfather,being
informé
informed
ofwhathadhappened,flewtotheembracesofhisdarlingspouse,andwhilehe
chargeait
loaded
hisoffspringwithpaternalembraces,couldnotforbearsheddingafloodoftearsonbeholdingthedearpartnerofhisheart(forwhoseeasehewouldhave
sacrifié
sacrificed
thetreasuresoftheeast)stretcheduponaflockbed,ina
misérable
miserable
apartment,unabletoprotectherfromtheinclemenciesoftheweather.
Itisnottobesupposedthattheoldgentlemanwasignorantofwhatpassed,thoughheaffectedtoknownothingofthematter,and
semblant
pretended
tobeverymuchsurprised,whenoneofhisgrandchildren,byhiseldestsondeceased,wholivedwithhimashisheirapparent,acquaintedhimwiththeaffair;
hedetermined
donc
therefore
toobservenomedium,butimmediately(onthethirddayafterherdelivery)sentheraperemptoryordertobegone,andturnedofftheservantwhohadpreservedherlife.
Thisbehavioursoexasperatedmyfatherthathehadrecoursetothemostdreadfulimprecations;
andonhisbarekneesimploredthatHeavenwouldrenouncehimifeverheshouldforgetorforgivethebarbarityofhissire.
Theinjurieswhichthisunhappymother
reçut
received
fromherremovalinsuchcircumstances,andthewantofnecessarieswhereshelodged,togetherwithhergriefandanxietyofmind,soonthrewherintoalanguishingdisorder,whichputanendtoherlife.
Myfather,wholovedhertenderly,wassoaffectedwithherdeaththathe
resta
remained
sixweeksdeprivedofhissenses;
duringwhichtime,thepeoplewherehelodgedcarriedtheinfanttotheoldmanwhorelentedsofar,onhearingthemelancholystoryofhisdaughter-in-law’sdeath,andthedeplorableconditionofhisson,astosendthechildtonurse,andheorderedmyfathertobecarriedhometohishouse,wherehesoonrecoveredtheuseofhisreason.
Whetherthishardheartedjudgefeltanyremorseforhiscruel
traitement
treatment
ofhissonanddaughter,or(whichismoreprobable)wasafraidhis
caractère
character
wouldsufferintheneighbourhood,heprofessedgreatsorrowforhisconducttomyfather,whosedeliriumwassucceededbyaprofoundmelancholyandreserve.
Atlengthhe
disparu
disappeared
,and,notwithstandingallimaginableinquiry,couldnotbeheardof;
acircumstancewhichconfirmedmostpeopleintheopinionofhishavingmadeawaywithhimselfinafitofdespair.
CHAPTERII
Igrowup—amhatedbymyRelations—senttoSchool—neglectedbymyGrandfather—maltreatedbymyMaster—seasonedtoAdversity—IformCabalsagainstthePedant—amdebarredAccesstomyGrandfather—huntedbyhisHeir—IdemolishtheTeethofhisTutor.
Therewerenotwantingsomewho
soupçonnaient
suspected
myunclesofbeingconcernedinmyfather’s
sort
fate
,onthesuppositionthattheywouldallshareinthepatrimonydestinedforhim;
andthisconjecturewasstrengthenedbyreflectingthatinallhiscalamitiestheyneverdiscoveredtheleastinclinationto
servir
serve
him;
but,onthecontrary,byalltheartificesintheirpower,
nourri
fed
hisresentmentandsupportedhisresolutionofleavinghimtomiseryandwant.
Butpeopleofjudgmenttreatedthisinsinuationasanidlechimera;
because,hadmyrelationsbeensowickedastoconsulttheirinterestby
commettant
committing
suchanatrociouscrime,the
sort
fate
ofmyfatherwouldhaveextendedtometoowhoselifewasanotherobstacletotheirexpectation.
Meanwhile,Igrewapace,andasIstronglyresembledmyfather,whowasthedarlingofthetenants,Iwantednothingwhichtheirindigentcircumstancescould
permettre
afford
:
buttheirfavourwasaweakresourceagainstthejealousenmityofmycousins;
whothemoremyinfancypromised,conceivedthemoreimplacablehatredagainstme:
andbeforeIwassixyearsofage,hadsoeffectuallyblockadedmy
grand-père
grandfather
thatIneversawhimbutbystealth,whenIsometimesmadeuptohis
chaise
chair
ashesatto
vu
view
hislabourersinthefield:
onwhichoccasionhewouldstrokemyhead,bidmebeagoodboy,andpromisetotakecareofme.
Iwassoonaftersenttoschoolatavillagehardby,ofwhichhehadbeendictatortimeoutofmind;
butasheneverpaidformyboard,norsuppliedmewithclothes,books,andothernecessariesIrequired,my
état
condition
wasveryraggedandcontemptible,andtheschoolmaster,who,throughfearofmy
grand-père
grandfather
,taughtmegratis,gavehimselfnoconcernaboutthe
progrès
progress
Imadeunderhisinstruction.
Inspiteofallthesedifficultiesanddisgraces,IbecameagoodproficientintheLatin
langue
tongue
;
and,assoonasIcouldwritetolerably,pesteredmy
grand-père
grandfather
withletterstosuchadegreethathesentformymaster,andchidhimseverelyforbestowingsuchpainsonmy
éducation
education
,tellinghimthat,ifeverIshouldbebroughttothegallowsforforgery,whichhehadtaughtmeto
commettre
commit
,mybloodwouldlieonhishead.
Thepedant,whodreadednothingmorethanthedispleasureofhispatron,assuredhishonourthattheboy’sabilitywasmoreowingtohisown
génie
genius
andapplicationthantoanyinstructionorencouragementhe
recevait
received
;
that,althoughhecouldnotdivesthimofthe
connaissance
knowledge
hehadalreadyimbibed,unlesshewouldempowerhimtodisablehisfingers,heshouldendeavour,withGod’shelp,topreventhisfutureimprovement.
And,
en effet
indeed
,hepunctuallyperformedwhathehadundertaken;
for,onpretencethatIhadwrittenimpertinentletterstomy
grand-père
grandfather
,hecausedaboardtobemadewithfiveholesinit,throughwhichhethrustthefingersandthumbofmyrighthand,andfasteneditbywhipcordtomywrist,insuchamanneraseffectuallydebarredmetheuseofmy
plume
pen
.
ButthisrestraintIwasfreedfrominafewdays,byanaccidentwhichhappenedinaquarrelbetweenmeandanotherboy;
who,takinguponhimtoinsultmypoverty,IwassoincensedathisungenerousreproachthatwithonestrokewithmymachineIcuthimtotheskull,tothegreatterrorofmyselfandschoolfellows,wholefthimbleedingontheground,andranto
informer
inform
themasterofwhathadhappened.
Iwassoseverelypunishedforthistrespassthat,wereItolivetotheageofMethusalem,theimpressionitmadeonmewouldnotbeeffaced;
themorethantheantipathyandhorrorIconceivedforthemercilesstyrantwhoinflictedit.
Thecontemptwhichmyappearancenaturallyproducedinallwhosawme,thecontinualwantstowhichIwasexposed,andmyownhaughtydisposition,impatientofaffronts,involvedmeinathousandtroublesomeadventures,bywhichIwasatlengthinuredinadversity,andemboldenedtoundertakingsfarabovemyyears.
IwasofteninhumanlyscourgedforcrimesIdidnot
commis
commit
,because,havingthecharacterofavagabondinthevillage,everypieceofmischief,whoseauthorlay
inconnu
unknown
,waschargeduponme.
Ihavebeenfound
coupable
guilty
ofrobbingorchardsInever
entré
entered
,ofkillingcatsIneverhunted,ofstealinggingerbreadInevertouched,andofabusingoldwomenIneversaw.
Nay,astammeringcarpenterhadeloquenceenoughtopersuademymasterthatIfiredapistol
chargé
loaded
withsmallshotintohiswindow;
thoughmylandladyandthewholefamilybore
témoigné
witness
thatIwasabedfastasleepatthetimewhenthisoutragewas
commis
committed
.
Iwasoncefloggedforhavingnarrowlyescapeddrowning,bythesinkingofaferryboatinwhichIwaspassenger.
Anothertime,forhavingrecoveredofabruiseoccasionedbyahorseandcartrunningoverme.
Athirdtime,forbeing
mordu
bitten
byabaker’sdog.
Inshort,whetherIwas
coupable
guilty
orunfortunate,thecorrectionandsympathyofthisarbitrarypedagoguewerethesame.
Farfrombeingsubduedbythisinformalusage,myindignationtriumphedoverthatslavishawewhichhadhithertoenforcedmyobedience;
andthemoremyyearsand
connaissances
knowledge
increased,themoreIperceivedtheinjusticeandbarbarityofhisbehaviour.
Bythehelpofanuncommon
génie
genius
,andtheadviceand
direction
direction
ofourusher,whohad
servi
served
myfatherinhistravels,Imadeasurprising
progrès
progress
intheclassics,writing,andarithmetic;
sothat,beforeIwastwelveyearsold,Iwasallowedbyeverybodytobethebestscholarintheschool.
Thisqualification,togetherwiththeboldnessoftemperand
force
strength
ofmakewhichhadsubjectedalmostallmycontemporaries,gavemesuchinfluenceoverthemthatIbegantoformcabalsagainstmypersecutor;
andwasinhopeof,beingabletobidhimdefianceinaveryshorttime.
Beingattheheadofafaction,consistingofthirtyboys,mostofthemofmyownage,Iwasdeterminedtoputtheirmettletotrial,thatImightknowhowfartheyweretobedependedupon,beforeIputmygrandschemeinexecution:
withthis
vue
view
,weattackedabodyofstoutapprentices,whohadtakenpossessionofapartofthegroundallottedtousfortheschemeofourdiversions,andwhowerethenplayingatninepinsonthespot;
butIhadthemortificationtoseemyadherentsroutedinaninstant,andalegofoneofthembrokeinhisflightbythe
bol
bowl
,whichoneofouradversarieshaddetachedinpursuitofus.
Thisdiscomfituredidnothinderusfromengagingthemafterwardsinfrequentskirmishes,whichwemaintainedbythrowingstonesata
distance
distance
,whereinIreceivedmanywounds,thescarsofwhichstill
restent
remain
.
Ourenemiesweresoharassedandinterruptedbythesealarmsthattheyatlastabandonedtheirconquest,andleftustothepeaceableenjoymentofourownterritories.
Itwouldbeendlesstoenumeratetheexploitswe
accomplis
performed
inthecourseofthisconfederacy,whichbecametheterrorofthewholevillage;
insomuchthat,whendifferentinterestsdividedit,oneofthepartiescommonlycourtedtheassistanceofRoderickRandom(bywhichnameIwasknown)tocastthebalance,andkeeptheoppositefactioninawe.
Meanwhile,Itooktheadvantageofeveryplay-daytopresentmyselfbeforemy
grand-père
grandfather
,towhomIseldomfound
accès
access
,byreasonofhisbeingcloselybesiegedbyanumerousfamilyofhisfemalegrandchildren,who,thoughtheyperpetuallyquarrelled
entre
among
themselves,neverfailedtojoinagainstme,asthe
commun
common
enemyofall.
Hisheir,whowasabouttheageofeighteen,mindednothingbutfox-hunting,and
en effet
indeed
wasqualifiedfornothingelse,notwithstandinghisgrandfather’sindulgenceinentertainingatutorforhimathome;
whoatthesametimeperformedtheofficeofparishclerk.
ThisyoungActaeon,whoinheritedhisgrandfather’santipathytoeverythingindistress,neversateyesonmewithoutuncouplinghisbeagles,andhuntingmeintosomecottageorother,whitherIgenerallyfledforshelter.
InthisChristianamusementhewasencouragedbyhispreceptor,who,nodoubt,tooksuchopportunitiestoingratiatehimselfwiththerisingsun,observing,thattheoldgentleman,accordingtothecourseofnature,hadnotlongtolive,forhewasalreadyonthevergeoffourscore.
CHAPTERIII
MyMother’sBrotherarrives—relievesme—aDescriptionofhim—hegoesalongwithmetotheHouseofmyGrandfather—isencounteredbyhisDogs—defeatsthem,afterabloodyEngagement—is
admis
admitted
totheoldGentleman—aDialoguebetweenthem.
Aboutthistimemymother’sonlybrother,whohadbeenlongabroad,
lieutenant
lieutenant
ofaman-of-war,arrivedinhisowncountry;
wherebeing
informé
informed
ofmycondition,hecametoseeme,andoutofhisslenderfinancesnotonlysuppliedmewithwhatnecessariesIwantedforthepresent,butresolvednottoleavethecountryuntilhehadprevailedonmy
grand-père
grandfather
tosettlesomethinghandsomeforthefuture.
Thiswasa
tâche
task
towhichhewasbynomeansequal,beingentirelyignorant,notonlyofthejudge’sdisposition,butalsoofthewaysofmeningeneral,towhichhis
éducation
education
onboardhadkepthimanutter
étranger
stranger
.
Hewasastrongbuiltman,somewhatbandylegged,withanecklikethatofa
taureau
bull
,andafacewhich(youmight
facilement
easily
perceive)hadwithstoodthemostobstinateassaultsofthe
météo
weather
.
Hisdressconsistedofasoldier’s
manteau
coat
alteredforhimbytheship’stailor,astripedflannel
veste
jacket
,apairofredbreechesspannedwithpitch,cleangrayworstedstockings,largesilverbucklesthatcoveredthree-fourthsofhisshoes,asilver-laced
chapeau
hat
,whosecrownoverlookedthebrimsaboutaninchandahalf,blackbobwiginbuckle,acheckshirt,asilkhandkerchief,ahanger,withabrasshandle,girdedtohisthighbyafurnishedlacebelt,andagoodoak
plante
plant
underhisarm.
Thusequipped,hesetoutwithme(whobyhisbountymadeaverydecentappearance)formygrandfather’shouse,whereweweresalutedbyJowlerandCaesar,whommycousin,youngmaster,hadletlooseatour
approche
approach
.
Beingwellacquaintedwiththeinveteracyofthesecurs,Iwasabouttobetakemyselftomyheels,whenmyuncleseizedmewithonehand,brandishedhiscudgelwiththeother,andatoneblowlaidCaesarsprawlingontheground;
but,findinghimselfattackedatthesametimeintherearbyJowler,andfearingCaesarmightrecover,he
tira
drew
hishanger,wheeledabout,andbyaluckystrokeseveredJowler’sheadfromhisbody.
Bythistime,theyoungfoxhunterandthreeservants,armedwithpitchforksandflails,werecometotheassistanceofthedogs,whomtheyfoundbreathlessuponthefield;
andmycousinwassoprovokedatthedeathofhisfavourites,thatheorderedhisattendantstoadvance,andtakevengeanceontheirexecutioner,whomhe
chargea
loaded
withallthecursesandreproacheshisangercould
suggérer
suggest
.
Uponwhichmyunclesteppedforwardswithanundauntedair,atthe
vue
sight
ofwhosebloodyweaponshisantagonistsfellbackwithprecipitation,whenheaccostedtheirleaderthus:.
“Lookee,brother,yourdogshavingboardedmewithoutprovocation,whatIdidwasinmyowndefence.
Soyouhadbestbecivil,andletusshootahead,clearofyou.”
Whethertheyoungsquiremisinterpretedmyuncle’s
désir
desire
ofpeace,orwasenragedatthe
sort
fate
ofhishoundsbeyondhisusualpitchofresolution,Iknownot;
buthesnatchedaflailfromoneofhisfollowers,andcameupwithashowofassaultingthe
lieutenant
lieutenant
,who,puttinghimselfinapostureofdefence,proceededthus:
“Lookee,youlubberlysonofaw—e,ifyoucomeathwartme,’wareyourgingerbreadwork.
I’llbefoulofyour
quartier
quarter
,d—nme.”
Thisdeclaration,followedbyaflourishofhishanger,seemedtochecktheprogressoftheyounggentleman’scholer,who,lookingbehindhim,perceivedhisattendantshadslunkintothehouse,shutthe
porte
gate
,andlefthimtodecidethecontentionbyhimself.
Hereaparleyensued,whichwasintroducedbymycousin’sasking,“Whothedevilareyou?
Whatdoyouwant?
Somescoundrelofaseaman,Isuppose,whohas
déserté
deserted
andturnedthief.
Butdon’tthinkyoushallescape,sirrah—I’llhaveyouhang’d,youdog,Iwill.
Yourbloodshallpayforthatofmytwohounds,youragamuffin.
Iwouldnothavepartedwiththemtosaveyourwhole
génération
generation
fromthegallows,youruffian,you!”
“Noneofyourjaw,youswab—noneofyourjaw,”repliedmyuncle,“elseIshalltrimyourlaced
veste
jacket
foryou.
Ishallrubyoudownwithanoakentowel,myboy,Ishall.”
Sosaying,hesheathedhishanger,andgraspedhiscudgel.