The Adventures of Roderick Random | Progressive Translation Books for German A1 Learners

The Adventures of Roderick Random | Progressive Translation Books for German A1 Learners

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THEAUTHOR’SPREFACE
Ofallkindsofsatire,thereisnonesoentertaining
und
and
universallyimproving,asthatwhichisintroduced,asitwereoccasionally,inthe
verlauf
course
ofaninterestingstory,whichbringseveryincidenthometo
leben
life
,andbyrepresentingfamiliarscenesinanuncommon
und
and
amusingpointofview,investsthemwithallthegracesofnovelty,
während
while
natureisappealedtoineveryparticular.
Thereadergratifieshiscuriosityinpursuingtheadventuresofa
person
person
inwhosefavourheisprepossessed;
heespouseshiscause,hesympathiseswithhiminhisdistress,hisindignationisheated
gegen
against
theauthorsofhiscalamity:
die
the
humanepassionsareinflamed;
thecontrast
zwischen
between
dejectedvirtueandinsultingviceappearswithgreateraggravation,
und
and
everyimpressionhavingadoubleforceontheimagination,thememoryretainsthecircumstance,
und
and
theheartimprovesbytheexample.
Theattentionisnottiredwithabarecatalogueofcharacters,
sondern
but
agreeablydivertedwithallthevarietyofinvention;
und
and
thevicissitudesoflifeappearintheirpeculiarcircumstances,opening
ein
an
amplefieldforwit
und
and
humour.
Romance,nodoubt,owesitsorigintoignorance,vanity,
und
and
superstition.
Inthedarkagesofthe
Welt
World
,whenamanhadrenderedhimselffamousforwisdomorvalour,his
familie
family
andadherentsavailedthemselvesofhissuperiorqualities,magnifiedhisvirtues,
und
and
representedhischaracterand
person
person
assacredandsupernatural.
Thevulgareasilyswallowedthebait,imploredhisprotection,
und
and
yieldedthetributeofhomage
und
and
praise,eventoadoration;
hisexploitswerehandeddowntoposteritywithathousandexaggerations;
theywererepeatedasincitementstovirtue;
divinehonourswerepaid,
und
and
altarserectedtohismemory,for
die
the
encouragementofthosewhoattemptedtoimitatehisexample;
und
and
hencearosetheheathenmythology,whichisnoother
als
than
acollectionofextravagantromances.
Aslearningadvanced,
und
and
geniusreceivedcultivation,thesestorieswereembellishedwiththegracesofpoetry,thattheymightthe
besser
better
recommendthemselvestotheattention;
theyweresunginpublic,atfestivals,for
der
the
instructionanddelightof
der
the
audience;
andrehearsedbeforebattle,asincentivestodeedsofglory.
Thustragedy
und
and
theepicmusewereborn,
und
and
,intheprogressoftaste,arrivedatperfection.
Itisnowonder
so
that
theancientscouldnotrelish
eine
a
fableinprose,aftertheyhad
gesehen
seen
somanyremarkableeventscelebratedinversebytheirbestpoets;
wetherefore
finden
find
noromanceamongthemduringtheeraoftheirexcellence,unlesstheCyropædiaofXenophon
kann
may
besocalled;
anditwasnottillarts
und
and
sciencesbegantorevive
nach
after
theirruptionofthebarbariansintoEurope,that
etwas
anything
ofthiskindappeared.
Aber
But
whenthemindsofmenweredebauchedbytheimpositionofpriestcrafttothemostabsurdpitchofcredulity,theauthorsofromancearose,
und
and
losingsightofprobability,filledtheirperformanceswiththemostmonstroushyperboles.
Wenn
If
theycouldnotequaltheancientpoetsinpointofgeniustheywereresolvedtoexceltheminfiction,
und
and
applytothewonder,rather
als
than
thejudgment,oftheirreaders.
Accordingly,theybroughtnecromancytotheiraid,
und
and
insteadofsupportingthecharacteroftheirheroesbydignityofsentiment
und
and
practice,distinguishedthembytheirbodilystrength,activity,
und
and
extravaganceofbehaviour.
Although
nichts
nothing
couldbemoreludicrous
und
and
unnaturalthanthefigurestheydrew,theydidnotwantpatrons
und
and
admirers;
andtheworld
tatsächlich
actually
begantobeinfectedwiththespiritofknight-errantry,
als
when
Cervantes,byaninimitablepieceofridicule,reformedthetasteofmankind,representingchivalryintherightpointofview,
und
and
convertingromancetopurposesfarmoreuseful
und
and
entertaining,bymakingitassumethesock,
und
and
pointoutthefolliesofordinarylife.
ThesamemethodhasbeenpractisedbyotherSpanish
und
and
Frenchauthors,andbynonemoresuccessfully
als
than
byMonsieurLeSage,who,inhisAdventuresofGilBlas,hasdescribedtheknavery
und
and
foiblesoflife,withinfinitehumour
und
and
sagacity.
ThefollowingsheetsIhavemodelledonhis
plan
plan
,takingmeliberty,however,todifferfromhimintheexecution,
wo
where
Ithoughthisparticularsituationswereuncommon,extravagant,orpeculiartothe
land
country
inwhichthesceneislaid.
Die
The
disgracesofGilBlasare,for
die
the
mostpart,suchasratherexcitemirththancompassion;
hehimselflaughsatthem;
und
and
histransitionsfromdistresstohappiness,oratleastease,aresosudden,thatneither
der
the
readerhastimetopity
ihn
him
,norhimselftobeacquaintedwithaffliction.
Dieses
This
conduct,inmyopinion,not
nur
only
deviatesfromprobability,butpreventsthatgenerousindignation,whichoughttoanimatethereader
gegen
against
thesordidandviciousdispositionofthe
welt
world
.
Ihaveattemptedtorepresentmodestmeritstrugglingwith
jeder
every
difficultytowhichafriendlessorphanisexposed,fromhisownwantofexperience,aswellasfromtheselfishness,envy,malice,
und
and
baseindifferenceofmankind.
Tosecureafavourableprepossession,Ihaveallowedhimtheadvantagesofbirth
und
and
education,whichintheseriesofhismisfortunes
werden
will
,Ihope,engagetheingenuousmorewarmlyinhisbehalf;
und
and
thoughIforesee,thatsome
menschen
people
willbeoffendedatthemeanscenesinwhichheisinvolved,Ipersuademyselfthatthejudiciouswillnot
nur
only
perceivethenecessityofdescribingthosesituationstowhichhemustofcoursebeconfined,inhislowestate,
sondern
but
alsofindentertainmentinviewingthosepartsoflife,
wo
where
thehumoursandpassionsareundisguisedbyaffectation,ceremony,oreducation;
und
and
thewhimsicalpeculiaritiesofdispositionappearasnaturehasimplantedthem.
Aber
But
IbelieveIneednottroublemyselfinvindicating
eine
a
practiceauthorizedbythebestwritersin
diese
this
way,someofwhomIhave
bereits
already
named.
Everyintelligentreader
wird
will
,atfirstsight,perceiveIhavenotdeviatedfromnatureinthefacts,whichare
alle
all
trueinthemain,althoughthecircumstancesarealtered
und
and
disguised,toavoidpersonalsatire.
It
jetzt
now
remainstogivemyreasonsformaking
die
the
chiefpersonageofthisworkaNorthBriton,whicharechieflythese:
Icould,at
eine
a
smallexpense,bestowonhim
solche
such
educationasIthought
die
the
dignityofhisbirth
und
and
characterrequired,whichcouldnotpossiblybeobtainedinEngland,by
solche
such
slendermeansasthenatureofmyplanwouldafford.
Inthenext
ort
place
,Icouldrepresentsimplicityofmannersinaremote
teil
part
ofthekingdom,with
mehr
more
proprietythaninany
ort
place
nearthecapital;
andlastly,thedispositionoftheScots,addictedtotravelling,justifiesmyconductinderivinganadventurerfromthat
land
country
.
APOLOGUE
Ayoungpainter,indulgingaveinofpleasantry,sketcheda
art
kind
ofconversationpiece,representingabear,anowl,amonkey,
und
and
anass;
andtorenderitmorestriking,humorous,
und
and
moral,distinguishedeveryfigurebysomeemblemof
menschlichen
human
life.
Bruinwasexhibitedin
der
the
garbandattitudeofanold,toothless,drunkensoldier;
theowlpercheduponthehandleof
eine
a
coffee-pot,withspectacleonnose,seemedtocontemplate
eine
a
newspaper;
andtheass,ornamentedwithahugetie-wig(which,however,couldnotconcealhislongears),satforhispicturetothemonkey,whoappearedwiththeimplementsofpainting.
Diese
This
whimsicalgroupaffordedsomemirth,
und
and
metwithgeneralapprobation,until
etwas
some
mischievouswaghintedthatthewhole—wasalampoonuponthefriendsoftheperformer;
eine
an
insinuationwhichwasnosoonercirculated
als
than
thoseverypeoplewhoapplaudeditbeforebegantobealarmed,
und
and
eventofancythemselvessignifiedbytheseveralfiguresofthepiece.
Amongothers,
eine
a
worthypersonageinyears,whohadservedinthearmywithreputation,beingincensedatthesupposedoutrage,repairedtothelodgingofthepainter,
und
and
findinghimathome,“Harkye,Mr.Monkey,”saidhe,“Ihave
eine
a
goodmindtoconvinceyou,that
obwohl
though
thebearhaslosthisteeth,heretainshispaws,
und
and
thatheisnotsodrunk
aber
but
hecanperceiveyourimpertinence.”
“Sblood!
sir
sir
,thattoothlessjawis
eine
a
d—nedscandalouslibel—butdon’tyouimaginemesochopfallenasnottobe
in der lage
able
tochewthecudofresentment.”
Hier
Here
hewasinterruptedbythearrivalofalearnedphysician,who,advancingtotheculpritwithfuryinhisaspect,exclaimed,“Supposetheaugmentationoftheass’sears
sollte
should
provethediminutionofthebaboon’s—nay,seeknottoprevaricate,for,bythebeardofAesculapius!
thereisnotone
haar
hair
inthisperiwigthat
wird
will
notstandupinjudgmenttoconvicttheeofpersonalabuse.
Tat
Do
butobserve,captain,how
dieser
this
pitifullittlefellowhascopiedtheverycurls—thecolour,indeed,isdifferent,
aber
but
thentheformandforetopare
ganz
quite
similar.”
Whilehethusremonstratedin
ein
a
strainofvociferation,avenerablesenatorentered,
und
and
waddlinguptothedelinquent,“Jackanapes!”
criedhe,“I
werde
will
nowlettheeseeI
kann
can
readsomethingelsethan
eine
a
newspaper,andthatwithoutthe
hilfe
help
ofspectacles:
hereisyourownnoteofhand,sirrah,for
geld
money
,whichifIhadnotadvanced,youyourselfwouldhaveresembledanowl,innotdaringto
zeigen
show
yourfacebyday,youungratefulslanderousknave!”
Invain
der
the
astonishedpainterdeclaredthathehadnointentiontogiveoffence,ortocharacteriseparticularpersons:
theyaffirmed
die
the
resemblancewastoopalpabletobeoverlooked;
theytaxedhimwithinsolence,malice,
und
and
ingratitude;
andtheirclamoursbeingoverheardby
der
the
public,thecaptainwasabear,
der
the
doctoranass,and
der
the
senatoranowl,tohisdyingday.
Christianreader,Ibeseechthee,inthebowelsoftheLord,remember
dieses
this
example“whilethouartemployedintheperusalofthefollowingsheets;
und
and
seeknottoappropriatetothyselfthat
was
which
equallybelongstofivehundreddifferent
menschen
people
.
Ifthoushouldstmeetwithacharacterthatreflectstheeinsomeungraciousparticular,keepthyowncounsel;
CHAPTERI
OfmyBirth
und
and
Parentage.
Iwasbornin
der
the
northernpartofthisunitedkingdom,in
der
the
houseofmygrandfather,agentlemanofconsiderablefortune
und
and
influence,whohadonmanyoccasionssignalisedhimselfinbehalfofhis
land
country
;
andwasremarkableforhisabilitiesinthelaw,whichheexercisedwithgreatsuccessinthestationof
eine
a
judge,particularlyagainstbeggars,forwhomhehad
eine
a
singularaversion.
Myfather(hisyoungestson)fallinginlovewith
eine
a
poorrelation,wholivedwith
die
the
oldgentlemaninqualityof
eine
a
housekeeper,espousedherprivately;
und
and
Iwasthefirstfruitofthatmarriage.
Duringherpregnancy,
ein
a
dreamdiscomposedmymotherso
sehr
much
thatherhusband,tiredwithherimportunity,atlastconsulted
ein
a
highlandseer,whosefavourableinterpretationhewouldhavesecuredbeforehandby
ein
a
bribe,butfoundhimincorruptible.
Shedreamedshewasdeliveredofatennis-ball,whichthedevil(who,tohergreatsurprise,actedthepartofamidwife)strucksoforciblywitharacketthatitdisappearedinaninstant;
und
and
shewasforsome
zeit
time
inconsolableforthelostofheroffspring;
als
when
,allonasudden,shebehelditreturnwithequalviolence,
und
and
entertheearth,beneathherfeet,whenceimmediatelysprangup
ein
a
goodlytreecoveredwithblossoms,
die
the
scentofwhichoperatedsostronglyonhernervesthatsheawoke.
Der
The
attentivesage,aftersomedeliberation,assuredmyparents,
dass
that
theirfirstbornwouldbe
ein
a
greattraveller;
thathe
würde
would
undergomanydangersanddifficulties,
und
and
atlastreturntohisnativeland,
wo
where
hewouldflourishinhappiness
und
and
reputation.
Howtrulythiswasforetoldwillappearin
der
the
sequel.
Itwasnot
lange
long
beforesomeofficiouspersoninformedmygrandfatherofcertainfamiliaritiesthatpassed
zwischen
between
hissonandhousekeeper
der
which
alarmedhimsomuchthat,a
paar
few
daysafter,hetoldmy
vater
father
itwashightimeforhimtothinkofsettling;
und
and
thathehadprovided
ein
a
matchforhim,to
der
which
hecouldinjustice
haben
have
noobjections.
Myfather,findingitwouldbeimpossibletoconcealhissituationmuchlonger,franklyownedwhathehad
getan
done
;
andexcusedhimselffornothaving
gefragt
asked
theconsentofhisfather,bysaying,heknewitwouldhavebeento
nicht
no
purpose;
andthat,hadhisinclinationbeenknown,mygrandfathermighthave
genommen
taken
suchmeasuresaswouldhaveeffectuallyput
die
the
gratificationofitoutofhispower:
headded,thatnoexceptions
könnten
could
betakentohiswife’svirtue,birth,beauty,
und
and
goodsense,andasforfortune,itwasbeneathhiscare.
Der
The
oldgentleman,whokept
alle
all
hispassions,exceptone,inexcellent
ordnung
order
,heardhimtoan
ende
end
withgreattemper,andthencalmly
fragte
asked
,howheproposedtomaintainhimself
und
and
spouse?
Hereplied,he
könne
could
beinnodangerofwantingwhilehisfather’stendernessremained,whichhe
und
and
hiswifeshouldalwayscultivatewiththeutmostveneration;
und
and
hewaspersuadedhisallowance
würde
would
besuitabletothedignity
und
and
circumstancesofhisfamily,
und
and
totheprovisionalreadymadeforhisbrothers
und
and
sisters,whowerehappilysettled
unter
under
hisprotection.
“Yourbrothers
und
and
sisters,”saidmygrandfather,“didnotthinkitbeneaththemtoconsultmeinanaffairofsuchimportanceasmatrimony;
neither,Isuppose,wouldyouhaveomittedthatpieceofduty,hadyounotsomesecretfundinreserve;
to
die
the
comfortsofwhichIleaveyou,withadesire
dass
that
youwillthisnightseekoutanotherhabitationforyourself
und
and
wife,whither,inashort
zeit
time
,Iwillsendyouanaccountof
die
the
expenseIhavebeenatinyoureducation,withaviewofbeingreimbursed.
Sir
Sir
,youhavemadethegrandtour—youare
ein
a
politegentleman—averyprettygentleman—Iwishyou
ein
a
greatdealofjoy,
und
and
amyourveryhumbleservant.”
Sosaying,heleftmy
vater
father
inasituationeasilyimagined.
However,hedidnot
lange
long
hesitate;
for,beingperfectlywellacquaintedwithhisfather’sdisposition,hedidnotdoubt
dass
that
hewasgladofthispretencetogetridof
ihn
him
;
andhisresolvesbeingasinvariableasthelawsoftheMedes
und
and
Persians,heknewitwouldbetonopurposetoattempthimbyprayers
und
and
entreaties;
sowithoutanyfartherapplication,hebetookhimself,withhisdisconsolatebedfellowtoafarm-house,
wo
where
anoldservantofhis
mutter
mother
dwelt:
theretheyremained
einige
some
timeinasituation
aber
but
illadaptedtotheeleganceoftheirdesires
und
and
tendernessoftheirlove;
whichneverthelessmy
vater
father
chosetoendure,ratherthansupplicateanunnatural
und
and
inflexibleparentbutmy
mutter
mother
,foreseeingtheinconveniencestowhichshemust
sein
have
beenexposed,hadshebeendeliveredinthis
ort
place
(andherpregnancywas
sehr
very
faradvanced),withoutcommunicatingherdesigntoher
ehemann
husband
,wentindisguisetothe
haus
house
ofmygrandfather,hoping
dass
that
hertearsandcondition
würden
would
movehimtocompassion,
und
and
reconcilehimtoaneventwhichwas
nun
now
irrecoverablypast.
Shefoundmeanstodeceive
die
the
servants,andgetintroducedas
eine
an
unfortunatelady,whowantedtocomplainof
einige
some
matrimonialgrievances,itbeingmygrandfather’sparticularprovincetodecideinallcasesofscandal.
Shewasaccordinglyadmittedintohispresence,
wo
where
,discoveringherself,shefellathisfeet,
und
and
inthemostaffectingmannerimploredhisforgiveness;
atthesametimerepresentingthedangerthatthreatenednot
nur
only
herlife,butthatofhisowngrandchild,whichwasaboutto
sehen
see
thelight.
Hetoldherhewassorrythattheindiscretionofher
und
and
hissonhadcompelledhimtomake
ein
a
vow,whichputit
aus
out
ofhispowerto
geben
give
themanyassistance;
thathehad
bereits
already
impartedhisthoughtson
dass
that
subjecttoherhusband,
und
and
wassurprisedthatthey
sollten
should
disturbhispeacewithanyfartherimportunity.
Thissaid,heretired.
Theviolenceofmymother’safflictionhad
solche
such
aneffectonherconstitution
dass
that
shewasimmediatelyseizedwiththepainsofchildbed;
und
and
hadnotanoldmaidservant,towhomshewas
sehr
very
dear,affordedherpity
und
and
assistance,atthehazardofincurringmygrandfather’sdispleasure,she
und
and
theinnocentfruitofherwomb
müssen
must
havefallenmiserablevictimstohisrigour
und
and
inhumanity.
Bythefriendshipof
dieser
this
poorwomanshewascarriedupto
ein
a
garret,andimmediatelydeliveredof
ein
a
manchild,thestoryofwhoseunfortunatebirthhehimself
jetzt
now
relates.
Myfather,beinginformedofwhathad
geschehen
happened
,flewtotheembracesofhisdarlingspouse,
und
and
whileheloadedhisoffspringwithpaternalembraces,
konnte
could
notforbearsheddingafloodoftearsonbeholdingthe
liebe
dear
partnerofhisheart(forwhoseeasehewouldhavesacrificedthetreasuresoftheeast)stretchedupon
eine
a
flockbed,inamiserableapartment,unabletoprotectherfromtheinclemenciesoftheweather.
Itisnottobesupposedthat
der
the
oldgentlemanwasignorantofwhatpassed,
obwohl
though
heaffectedtoknow
nichts
nothing
ofthematter,andpretendedtobeverymuchsurprised,whenoneofhisgrandchildren,byhiseldest
sohn
son
deceased,wholivedwithhimashisheirapparent,acquaintedhimwith
der
the
affair;
hedeterminedthereforetoobserve
kein
no
medium,butimmediately(onthethird
tag
day
afterherdelivery)sentheraperemptoryordertobe
gehen
gone
,andturnedofftheservantwhohadpreservedher
leben
life
.
Thisbehavioursoexasperatedmy
vater
father
thathehadrecourseto
die
the
mostdreadfulimprecations;
andonhisbarekneesimploredthatHeaven
würde
would
renouncehimifeverheshould
vergessen
forget
orforgivethebarbarityofhissire.
Theinjurieswhich
diese
this
unhappymotherreceivedfromherremovalinsuchcircumstances,
und
and
thewantofnecessaries
wo
where
shelodged,togetherwithhergrief
und
and
anxietyofmind,soonthrewherintoalanguishingdisorder,whichputan
ende
end
toherlife.
My
vater
father
,wholovedhertenderly,wassoaffectedwithher
tod
death
thatheremainedsixweeksdeprivedofhissenses;
duringwhich
zeit
time
,thepeoplewherehelodgedcarriedtheinfanttotheold
mann
man
whorelentedsofar,onhearingthemelancholy
geschichte
story
ofhisdaughter-in-law’sdeath,
und
and
thedeplorableconditionofhisson,asto
schicken
send
thechildtonurse,
und
and
heorderedmyfathertobecarriedhometohishouse,
wo
where
hesoonrecoveredtheuseofhisreason.
Whether
dieser
this
hardheartedjudgefeltanyremorseforhiscrueltreatmentofhisson
und
and
daughter,or(whichismoreprobable)wasafraidhischaracterwouldsufferintheneighbourhood,heprofessedgreatsorrowforhisconducttomy
vater
father
,whosedeliriumwassucceededbyaprofoundmelancholy
und
and
reserve.
Atlengthhedisappeared,
und
and
,notwithstandingallimaginableinquiry,
konnte
could
notbeheardof;
ein
a
circumstancewhichconfirmedmost
menschen
people
intheopinionofhishavingmadeawaywithhimselfin
ein
a
fitofdespair.
CHAPTERII
Igrowup—am
gehasst
hated
bymyRelations—senttoSchool—neglectedbymyGrandfather—maltreatedbymyMaster—seasonedtoAdversity—IformCabals
gegen
against
thePedant—amdebarredAccesstomyGrandfather—huntedbyhisHeir—IdemolishtheTeethofhisTutor.
Therewerenotwanting
einige
some
whosuspectedmyunclesofbeingconcernedinmyfather’sfate,onthesupposition
dass
that
theywouldallshareinthepatrimonydestinedfor
ihm
him
;
andthisconjecturewasstrengthenedbyreflecting
dass
that
inallhiscalamitiesthey
nie
never
discoveredtheleastinclinationtoserve
ihm
him
;
but,onthecontrary,by
alle
all
theartificesintheirpower,fedhisresentment
und
and
supportedhisresolutionofleavinghimtomisery
und
and
want.
Butpeopleofjudgmenttreated
diese
this
insinuationasanidlechimera;
denn
because
,hadmyrelationsbeensowickedastoconsulttheirinterestbycommittingsuch
ein
an
atrociouscrime,thefateofmyfatherwouldhaveextendedtometoowhose
leben
life
wasanotherobstacletotheirexpectation.
Meanwhile,Igrewapace,
und
and
asIstronglyresembledmy
vater
father
,whowasthedarlingofthetenants,Iwanted
nichts
nothing
whichtheirindigentcircumstances
konnten
could
afford:
buttheirfavourwas
ein
a
weakresourceagainstthejealousenmityofmycousins;
who
den
the
moremyinfancypromised,conceived
den
the
moreimplacablehatredagainst
mich
me
:
andbeforeIwas
sechs
six
yearsofage,hadsoeffectuallyblockadedmygrandfatherthatInever
sah
saw
himbutbystealth,whenI
manchmal
sometimes
madeuptohischairashesattoviewhislabourersinthefield:
onwhichoccasionhewouldstrokemy
kopf
head
,bidmebeagood
junge
boy
,andpromisetotakecareofme.
Iwas
bald
soon
aftersenttoschoolat
eine
a
villagehardby,ofwhichhehadbeendictatortimeoutofmind;
aber
but
asheneverpaidformyboard,norsuppliedmewithclothes,books,
und
and
othernecessariesIrequired,myconditionwas
sehr
very
raggedandcontemptible,andtheschoolmaster,who,throughfearofmygrandfather,taughtmegratis,gavehimself
nicht
no
concernabouttheprogressImade
unter
under
hisinstruction.
Inspiteofallthesedifficulties
und
and
disgraces,Ibecameagoodproficientin
der
the
Latintongue;
and,assoonasI
konnte
could
writetolerably,pesteredmygrandfatherwithletterstosuchadegree
so
that
hesentformy
meister
master
,andchidhimseverelyforbestowingsuchpainsonmyeducation,
sagte
telling
himthat,ifeverIshouldbebroughttothegallowsforforgery,whichhehadtaughtmetocommit,my
blut
blood
wouldlieonhis
kopf
head
.
Thepedant,whodreaded
nichts
nothing
morethanthedispleasureofhispatron,assuredhishonourthattheboy’sabilitywas
mehr
more
owingtohisowngenius
und
and
applicationthantoanyinstructionorencouragementhereceived;
dass
that
,althoughhecouldnotdivesthimof
das
the
knowledgehehadalreadyimbibed,unlesshe
würde
would
empowerhimtodisablehisfingers,he
sollte
should
endeavour,withGod’shelp,topreventhisfutureimprovement.
Und
And
,indeed,hepunctuallyperformedwhathehadundertaken;
for,onpretencethatIhadwrittenimpertinentletterstomygrandfather,hecaused
eine
a
boardtobemadewith
fünf
five
holesinit,throughwhichhethrustthefingers
und
and
thumbofmyright
hand
hand
,andfasteneditbywhipcordtomywrist,insuch
eine
a
manneraseffectuallydebarredmetheuseofmypen.
Aber
But
thisrestraintIwasfreedfrominafewdays,byanaccident
der
which
happenedinaquarrel
zwischen
between
meandanotherboy;
who,takinguponhimtoinsultmypoverty,Iwassoincensedathisungenerousreproachthatwith
einem
one
strokewithmymachineIcuthimtotheskull,tothegreatterrorofmyself
und
and
schoolfellows,wholefthimbleedingontheground,
und
and
rantoinformthe
meister
master
ofwhathadhappened.
Iwassoseverelypunishedfor
dieses
this
trespassthat,wereIto
lebte
live
totheageofMethusalem,theimpressionitmadeonmewouldnotbeeffaced;
the
mehr
more
thantheantipathyandhorrorIconceivedforthemercilesstyrantwhoinflicted
es
it
.
Thecontemptwhichmyappearancenaturallyproducedinallwho
sahen
saw
me,thecontinualwantstowhichIwasexposed,
und
and
myownhaughtydisposition,impatientofaffronts,involvedmeinathousandtroublesomeadventures,bywhichIwasatlengthinuredinadversity,
und
and
emboldenedtoundertakingsfarabovemyyears.
IwasofteninhumanlyscourgedforcrimesIdidnotcommit,
weil
because
,havingthecharacterofavagabondinthevillage,
jeder
every
pieceofmischief,whoseauthorlayunknown,waschargedupon
mir
me
.
IhavebeenfoundguiltyofrobbingorchardsI
nie
never
entered,ofkillingcatsI
nie
never
hunted,ofstealinggingerbreadI
nie
never
touched,andofabusingoldwomenI
nie
never
saw.
Nay,astammeringcarpenterhadeloquence
genug
enough
topersuademymaster
dass
that
Ifiredapistolloadedwithsmallshotintohiswindow;
obwohl
though
mylandladyandthe
ganze
whole
familyborewitnessthatIwasabedfastasleepat
die
the
timewhenthisoutragewascommitted.
Iwas
einmal
once
floggedforhavingnarrowlyescapeddrowning,bythesinkingofaferryboatinwhichIwaspassenger.
Anothertime,forhavingrecoveredof
ein
a
bruiseoccasionedbyahorse
und
and
cartrunningoverme.
Ein
A
thirdtime,forbeingbittenby
ein
a
baker’sdog.
Inshort,whetherIwasguiltyorunfortunate,thecorrection
und
and
sympathyofthisarbitrarypedagoguewerethesame.
Farfrombeingsubduedbythisinformalusage,myindignationtriumphed
über
over
thatslavishawewhichhadhithertoenforcedmyobedience;
und
and
themoremyyears
und
and
knowledgeincreased,themoreIperceived
die
the
injusticeandbarbarityofhisbehaviour.
Bythe
hilfe
help
ofanuncommongenius,
und
and
theadviceanddirectionofourusher,whohadservedmy
vater
father
inhistravels,Imadeasurprisingprogressintheclassics,writing,
und
and
arithmetic;
sothat,beforeIwastwelveyears
alt
old
,Iwasallowedbyeverybodytobe
der
the
bestscholarinthe
schule
school
.
Thisqualification,togetherwiththeboldnessoftemper
und
and
strengthofmakewhichhadsubjected
fast
almost
allmycontemporaries,gavemesuchinfluenceoverthem
dass
that
Ibegantoformcabals
gegen
against
mypersecutor;
andwasin
hoffte
hope
of,beingabletobidhimdefianceina
sehr
very
shorttime.
Beingattheheadofafaction,consistingofthirtyboys,
meisten
most
ofthemofmyownage,Iwasdeterminedto
stellen
put
theirmettletotrial,thatImight
wissen
know
howfartheyweretobedependedupon,
bevor
before
Iputmygrandschemeinexecution:
with
dieser
this
view,weattackedabodyofstoutapprentices,whohad
genommen
taken
possessionofapartofthegroundallottedtousfortheschemeofourdiversions,
und
and
whowerethenplayingatninepinsonthespot;
aber
but
Ihadthemortificationto
sehen
see
myadherentsroutedinaninstant,
und
and
alegofoneofthem
brach
broke
inhisflightbythebowl,whichoneofouradversarieshaddetachedinpursuitofus.
Diese
This
discomfituredidnothinderusfromengagingthemafterwardsinfrequentskirmishes,whichwemaintainedbythrowingstonesatadistance,whereinIreceived
viele
many
wounds,thescarsofwhichstillremain.
Ourenemiesweresoharassed
und
and
interruptedbythesealarmsthattheyatlastabandonedtheirconquest,
und
and
leftustothepeaceableenjoymentofourownterritories.
It
wurde
would
beendlesstoenumerate
die
the
exploitsweperformedin
die
the
courseofthisconfederacy,whichbecame
die
the
terrorofthewholevillage;
insomuch
dass
that
,whendifferentinterestsdivided
es
it
,oneofthepartiescommonlycourtedtheassistanceofRoderickRandom(bywhichnameIwasknown)tocastthebalance,
und
and
keeptheoppositefactioninawe.
Meanwhile,Itooktheadvantageofeveryplay-daytopresentmyselfbeforemygrandfather,towhomIseldomfoundaccess,byreasonofhisbeingcloselybesiegedbyanumerous
familie
family
ofhisfemalegrandchildren,who,
obwohl
though
theyperpetuallyquarrelledamongthemselves,
nie
never
failedtojoinagainst
mich
me
,asthecommonenemyof
aller
all
.
Hisheir,whowas
etwa
about
theageofeighteen,minded
nichts
nothing
butfox-hunting,andindeedwasqualifiedfor
nichts
nothing
else,notwithstandinghisgrandfather’sindulgenceinentertainingatutorforhimathome;
whoatthesametimeperformedthe
amt
office
ofparishclerk.
This
junge
young
Actaeon,whoinheritedhisgrandfather’santipathyto
alles
everything
indistress,neversateyesonme
ohne
without
uncouplinghisbeagles,andhuntingmeintosomecottageor
andere
other
,whitherIgenerallyfledforshelter.
InthisChristianamusementhewasencouragedbyhispreceptor,who,
nicht
no
doubt,tooksuchopportunitiestoingratiatehimselfwith
der
the
risingsun,observing,that
der
the
oldgentleman,accordingto
der
the
courseofnature,hadnot
lange
long
tolive,forhewas
schon
already
onthevergeoffourscore.
CHAPTERIII
MyMother’s
Bruder
Brother
arrives—relievesme—aDescriptionofhim—he
geht
goes
alongwithmetothe
Haus
House
ofmyGrandfather—isencounteredbyhisDogs—defeatsthem,
nach
after
abloodyEngagement—isadmittedtotheoldGentleman—aDialogue
zwischen
between
them.
Aboutthistimemymother’s
einzige
only
brother,whohadbeen
lange
long
abroad,lieutenantofaman-of-war,arrivedinhisown
land
country
;
wherebeinginformedofmycondition,he
kam
came
toseeme,and
aus
out
ofhisslenderfinancesnot
nur
only
suppliedmewithwhatnecessariesIwantedforthepresent,
sondern
but
resolvednottoleavethe
land
country
untilhehadprevailedonmygrandfathertosettle
etwas
something
handsomeforthefuture.
Thiswasatasktowhichhewasby
nicht
no
meansequal,beingentirelyignorant,not
nur
only
ofthejudge’sdisposition,
sondern
but
alsoofthewaysofmeningeneral,towhichhiseducationonboardhadkepthimanutterstranger.
Hewas
ein
a
strongbuiltman,somewhatbandylegged,with
ein
a
necklikethatof
ein
a
bull,andafacewhich(youmighteasilyperceive)hadwithstoodthemostobstinateassaultsoftheweather.
Hisdressconsistedofasoldier’scoatalteredforhimbytheship’stailor,astripedflanneljacket,apairofredbreechesspannedwithpitch,cleangrayworstedstockings,largesilverbucklesthatcoveredthree-fourthsofhisshoes,asilver-lacedhat,whosecrownoverlookedthebrims
etwa
about
aninchandahalf,blackbobwiginbuckle,acheckshirt,asilkhandkerchief,ahanger,withabrasshandle,girdedtohisthighbyafurnishedlacebelt,
und
and
agoodoakplant
unter
under
hisarm.
Thusequipped,hesetoutwithme(whobyhisbountymade
ein
a
verydecentappearance)formygrandfather’s
haus
house
,whereweweresalutedbyJowler
und
and
Caesar,whommycousin,
junge
young
master,hadletlooseatourapproach.
Being
gut
well
acquaintedwiththeinveteracyofthesecurs,Iwasabouttobetakemyselftomyheels,
als
when
myuncleseizedmewithone
hand
hand
,brandishedhiscudgelwiththeother,
und
and
atoneblowlaidCaesarsprawlingontheground;
aber
but
,findinghimselfattackedat
der
the
sametimeintherearbyJowler,
und
and
fearingCaesarmightrecover,hedrewhishanger,wheeledabout,
und
and
byaluckystrokeseveredJowler’s
kopf
head
fromhisbody.
By
dieser
this
time,theyoungfoxhunter
und
and
threeservants,armedwithpitchforks
und
and
flails,werecometotheassistanceofthedogs,whomtheyfoundbreathlessuponthefield;
und
and
mycousinwassoprovokedatthe
tod
death
ofhisfavourites,thatheorderedhisattendantstoadvance,
und
and
takevengeanceontheirexecutioner,whomheloadedwithallthecurses
und
and
reproacheshisangercouldsuggest.
Uponwhichmy
onkel
uncle
steppedforwardswithanundaunted
luft
air
,atthesightofwhosebloodyweaponshisantagonistsfellbackwithprecipitation,
als
when
heaccostedtheirleaderthus:.
“Lookee,
bruder
brother
,yourdogshavingboardedme
ohne
without
provocation,whatIdidwasinmyowndefence.
Soyouhadbestbecivil,
und
and
letusshoota
kopf
head
,clearofyou.”
Whetherthe
junge
young
squiremisinterpretedmyuncle’sdesireofpeace,orwasenragedatthefateofhishoundsbeyondhisusualpitchofresolution,Iknownot;
aber
but
hesnatchedaflailfromoneofhisfollowers,
und
and
cameupwitha
show
show
ofassaultingthelieutenant,who,puttinghimselfinapostureofdefence,proceededthus:
“Lookee,youlubberly
sohn
son
ofaw—e,ifyoucomeathwart
mir
me
,’wareyourgingerbreadwork.
I’llbefoulofyourquarter,d—nme.”
Diese
This
declaration,followedbyaflourishofhishanger,seemedto
kontrollieren
check
theprogressoftheyounggentleman’scholer,who,looking
hinter
behind
him,perceivedhisattendantshadslunkintothe
haus
house
,shutthegate,andlefthimtodecidethecontentionbyhimself.
Hier
Here
aparleyensued,whichwasintroducedbymycousin’s
fragte
asking
,“Whothedevilareyou?
Whatdoyou
wollen
want
?
Somescoundrelofaseaman,Isuppose,whohasdeserted
und
and
turnedthief.
Butdon’t
denken
think
youshallescape,sirrah—I’llhaveyouhang’d,you
hund
dog
,Iwill.
Yourbloodshall
bezahlen
pay
forthatofmytwohounds,youragamuffin.
Iwouldnothavepartedwiththemto
retten
save
yourwholegenerationfromthegallows,youruffian,you!”
“Noneofyourjaw,youswab—noneofyourjaw,”repliedmy
onkel
uncle
,“elseIshalltrimyourlacedjacketforyou.
Ishallrubyoudownwithanoakentowel,my
junge
boy
,Ishall.”
Sosaying,hesheathedhishanger,
und
and
graspedhiscudgel.