The Adventures of Roderick Random Gradually Hardening German B2

THEAUTHOR’SPREFACE

Ofallkindsofsatire,thereisnonesoentertaininganduniversallyimproving,asthatwhichisintroduced,asitwereoccasionally,inthecourseofaninterestingstory,whichbringseveryincidenthometolife,andbyrepresentingfamiliarscenesinanuncommonandamusingpointofview,investsthemwithallthegracesof

neuheit

novelty,whilenatureisappealedtoineveryparticular.

The

leser

readergratifieshiscuriosityinpursuingtheadventuresofapersoninwhosefavourheisprepossessed;

heespouseshiscause,hesympathiseswithhiminhis

not

distress,hisindignationisheatedagainsttheauthorsofhis

katastrophe

calamity:

thehumanepassionsareinflamed;

the

kontrast

contrastbetweendejectedvirtueandinsultingviceappearswithgreateraggravation,andevery

eindruck

impressionhavingadoubleforceontheimagination,thememoryretainsthecircumstance,andtheheartimprovesbytheexample.

Theattentionisnottiredwithabare

katalog

catalogueofcharacters,butagreeably

abgelenkt

divertedwithallthevarietyof

erfindung

invention;

andthevicissitudesoflifeappearintheirpeculiarcircumstances,openinganamplefieldfor

witz

witandhumour.

Romance,nodoubt,owesits

ursprung

origintoignorance,vanity,andsuperstition.

InthedarkagesoftheWorld,whenamanhadrenderedhimselffamousfor

weisheit

wisdomorvalour,hisfamilyandadherentsavailedthemselvesofhissuperiorqualities,magnifiedhisvirtues,andrepresentedhischaracterandpersonas

heilig

sacredandsupernatural.

Thevulgareasily

schluckte

swallowedthebait,imploredhisprotection,and

ergab

yieldedthetributeofhomageandpraise,eventoadoration;

hisexploitswerehandeddowntoposteritywithathousandexaggerations;

theywererepeatedasincitementsto

tugend

virtue;

divinehonourswerepaid,andaltars

errichtet

erectedtohismemory,fortheencouragementofthosewhoattemptedtoimitatehisexample;

and

daher

hencearosetheheathenmythology,whichisnootherthana

sammlung

collectionofextravagantromances.

Aslearningadvanced,andgeniusreceivedcultivation,thesestorieswereembellishedwiththegracesofpoetry,thattheymightthebetter

empfehlen

recommendthemselvestotheattention;

theyweresunginpublic,atfestivals,fortheinstructionand

freude

delightoftheaudience;

andrehearsedbeforebattle,asincentivestodeedsofglory.

Thus

tragödie

tragedyandtheepicmusewereborn,and,intheprogressoftaste,arrivedat

perfektion

perfection.

Itisnowonderthattheancientscouldnot

genießen

relishafableinprose,aftertheyhadseensomanyremarkableeventscelebratedinversebytheirbestpoets;

wethereforefindno

romantik

romanceamongthemduringthe

ära

eraoftheirexcellence,unlesstheCyropædiaofXenophonmaybesocalled;

anditwasnottillartsandsciencesbeganto

wiederbelebt

reviveaftertheirruptionofthebarbariansintoEurope,thatanythingofthiskindappeared.

Butwhenthemindsofmenweredebauchedbytheimpositionofpriestcrafttothemostabsurdpitchofcredulity,theauthorsof

romantik

romancearose,andlosingsightof

wahrscheinlichkeit

probability,filledtheirperformanceswiththemostmonstroushyperboles.

Iftheycouldnotequaltheancientpoetsinpointofgeniustheywereresolvedtoexcelthemin

fiktion

fiction,andapplytothewonder,ratherthanthe

urteil

judgment,oftheirreaders.

Accordingly,theybroughtnecromancytotheir

hilfe

aid,andinsteadofsupportingthecharacteroftheirheroesby

würde

dignityofsentimentandpractice,distinguishedthembytheirbodilystrength,

aktivität

activity,andextravaganceofbehaviour.

Althoughnothingcouldbemoreludicrousandunnaturalthanthefigurestheydrew,theydidnotwantpatronsandadmirers;

andtheworldactuallybegantobe

infiziert

infectedwiththespiritofknight-errantry,whenCervantes,byaninimitablepieceofridicule,

reformierte

reformedthetasteofmankind,representingchivalryintherightpointofview,andconverting

romantik

romancetopurposesfarmoreusefulandentertaining,bymakingitassumethe

socke

sock,andpointoutthefolliesofordinarylife.

Thesame

methode

methodhasbeenpractisedbyotherSpanishandFrenchauthors,andbynonemoresuccessfullythanbyMonsieurLeSage,who,inhisAdventuresofGilBlas,hasdescribedtheknaveryandfoiblesoflife,withinfinitehumourandsagacity.

ThefollowingsheetsIhavemodelledonhisplan,takingme

freiheit

liberty,however,todifferfromhiminthe

ausführung

execution,whereIthoughthisparticularsituationswere

ungewöhnlich

uncommon,extravagant,orpeculiartothecountryinwhichthesceneislaid.

ThedisgracesofGilBlasare,forthemostpart,suchasratherexcitemirththan

mitgefühl

compassion;

hehimselflaughsatthem;

andhistransitionsfromdistresstohappiness,oratleastease,aresosudden,thatneitherthe

leser

readerhastimetopityhim,norhimselftobeacquaintedwithaffliction.

This

verhalten

conduct,inmyopinion,notonlydeviatesfrom

wahrscheinlichkeit

probability,butpreventsthatgenerousindignation,whichoughttoanimatethe

leser

readeragainstthesordidandviciousdispositionoftheworld.

Ihaveattemptedtorepresentmodestmeritstrugglingwithevery

schwierigkeit

difficultytowhichafriendlessorphanis

ausgesetzt

exposed,fromhisownwantofexperience,aswellasfromthe

selbstsucht

selfishness,envy,malice,andbase

gleichgültigkeit

indifferenceofmankind.

Tosecureafavourableprepossession,Ihaveallowedhimtheadvantagesofbirthandeducation,whichintheseriesofhismisfortuneswill,Ihope,engagetheingenuousmorewarmlyinhisbehalf;

andthoughIforesee,thatsomepeoplewillbeoffendedatthemeanscenesinwhichheisinvolved,I

überzeuge

persuademyselfthatthejudiciouswillnotonly

wahrnehmen

perceivethenecessityofdescribingthosesituationstowhichhemustofcoursebeconfined,inhislowestate,butalsofind

unterhaltung

entertainmentinviewingthosepartsoflife,wherethehumoursandpassionsareundisguisedbyaffectation,ceremony,oreducation;

andthewhimsicalpeculiaritiesof

veranlagung

dispositionappearasnaturehasimplantedthem.

ButIbelieveIneednottroublemyselfinvindicatingapractice

autorisiert

authorizedbythebestwritersinthisway,someofwhomIhavealreadynamed.

Every

intelligente

intelligentreaderwill,atfirstsight,perceiveIhavenotdeviatedfromnatureinthefacts,whicharealltrueinthemain,althoughthecircumstancesarealteredanddisguised,toavoidpersonalsatire.

ItnowremainstogivemyreasonsformakingthechiefpersonageofthisworkaNorthBriton,whicharechieflythese:

Icould,atasmallexpense,bestowonhimsucheducationasIthoughtthedignityofhisbirthandcharacter

erfordert

required,whichcouldnotpossiblybeobtainedinEngland,bysuchslendermeansasthenatureofmyplanwouldafford.

Inthenextplace,Icould

darstellen

representsimplicityofmannersinaremotepartofthekingdom,withmoreproprietythaninanyplacenearthecapital;

and

schließlich

lastly,thedispositionoftheScots,addictedtotravelling,

rechtfertigt

justifiesmyconductinderivinganadventurerfromthatcountry.

APOLOGUE

Ayoung

maler

painter,indulgingaveinofpleasantry,sketchedakindofconversationpiece,representingabear,an

eule

owl,amonkey,andanass;

andto

machen

renderitmorestriking,humorous,andmoral,distinguishedeveryfigurebysomeemblemofhumanlife.

Bruinwas

ausgestellt

exhibitedinthegarbandattitudeofanold,toothless,drunkensoldier;

the

eule

owlpercheduponthehandleofacoffee-pot,with

spektakel

spectacleonnose,seemedto

betrachten

contemplateanewspaper;

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

Thiswhimsicalgroupaffordedsomemirth,andmetwithgeneralapprobation,untilsomemischievouswaghintedthatthewhole—wasalampoonuponthefriendsoftheperformer;

aninsinuationwhichwasnosoonercirculatedthanthoseverypeoplewho

applaudierten

applaudeditbeforebegantobealarmed,andeventofancythemselvessignifiedbytheseveralfiguresofthepiece.

Amongothers,aworthypersonageinyears,whohadservedinthearmywithreputation,beingincensedatthesupposed

empörung

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

“Sblood!

sir,thattoothless

kiefer

jawisad—nedscandalouslibel—butdon’tyouimaginemesochopfallenasnottobeableto

kauen

chewthecudofresentment.”

Herehewas

unterbrochen

interruptedbythearrivalofalearnedphysician,who,advancingtotheculpritwithfuryinhisaspect,exclaimed,“Supposetheaugmentationoftheass’searsshouldprovethediminutionofthebaboon’s—nay,seeknottoprevaricate,for,bythebeardofAesculapius!

thereisnotonehairinthisperiwigthatwillnotstandupinjudgmentto

verurteilen

convicttheeofpersonalabuse.

Dobut

beobachten

observe,captain,howthispitifullittlefellowhascopiedtheverycurls—the

farbe

colour,indeed,isdifferent,butthentheformandforetoparequitesimilar.”

Whilehethusremonstratedinastrainofvociferation,avenerable

senator

senatorentered,andwaddlinguptothedelinquent,“Jackanapes!”

criedhe,“IwillnowlettheeseeIcanreadsomethingelsethananewspaper,andthatwithoutthehelpofspectacles:

hereisyourownnoteofhand,sirrah,formoney,whichifIhadnotadvanced,youyourselfwouldhaveresembledan

eule

owl,innotdaringtoshowyourfacebyday,youungratefulslanderousknave!”

vergeblich

vaintheastonishedpainterdeclaredthathehadno

absicht

intentiontogiveoffence,ortocharacteriseparticularpersons:

theyaffirmedthe

ähnlichkeit

resemblancewastoopalpabletobe

übersehen

overlooked;

theytaxedhimwithinsolence,malice,andingratitude;

andtheirclamoursbeingoverheardbythepublic,thecaptainwasabear,thedoctoranass,andthe

senator

senatoranowl,tohisdyingday.

Christian

leser

reader,Ibeseechthee,inthebowelsoftheLord,rememberthisexample“whilethouartemployedintheperusalofthefollowingsheets;

andseeknottoappropriatetothyselfthatwhich

gleichermaßen

equallybelongstofivehundreddifferentpeople.

Ifthoushouldstmeetwithacharacterthatreflectstheeinsomeungraciousparticular,keepthyown

rat

counsel;

CHAPTERI

OfmyBirthandParentage.

Iwasborninthe

nördlichen

northernpartofthisunitedkingdom,inthehouseofmygrandfather,agentlemanofconsiderablefortuneand

einfluss

influence,whohadonmanyoccasionssignalisedhimselfinbehalfofhiscountry;

andwas

bemerkenswert

remarkableforhisabilitiesinthelaw,whichheexercisedwithgreatsuccessinthestationofajudge,particularlyagainstbeggars,forwhomhehadasingularaversion.

Myfather(hisyoungestson)fallinginlovewithapoorrelation,wholivedwiththeoldgentlemaninqualityofa

haushälterin

housekeeper,espousedherprivately;

andIwasthefirstfruitofthatmarriage.

Duringher

schwangerschaft

pregnancy,adreamdiscomposedmymothersomuchthatherhusband,tiredwithherimportunity,atlastconsultedahighlandseer,whosefavourableinterpretationhewouldhavesecured

vorher

beforehandbyabribe,butfoundhimincorruptible.

Shedreamedshewasdeliveredofatennis-ball,whichthedevil(who,tohergreatsurprise,actedthepartofa

hebamme

midwife)strucksoforciblywitha

schläger

racketthatitdisappearedinan

augenblick

instant;

andshewasforsometimeinconsolableforthelostofher

nachkommen

offspring;

when,allonasudden,shebehelditreturnwithequalviolence,andentertheearth,

unter

beneathherfeet,whenceimmediatelysprangupagoodlytreecoveredwithblossoms,thescentofwhichoperatedso

stark

stronglyonhernervesthatsheawoke.

Theattentivesage,aftersomedeliberation,

versicherte

assuredmyparents,thattheirfirstbornwouldbeagreattraveller;

thathewouldundergomanydangersanddifficulties,andatlastreturntohisnativeland,wherehewould

blühen

flourishinhappinessandreputation.

Howtrulythiswasforetoldwillappearinthe

fortsetzung

sequel.

Itwasnotlongbeforesomeofficiouspersoninformedmygrandfatherofcertainfamiliaritiesthatpassedbetweenhissonand

haushälterin

housekeeperwhichalarmedhimsomuchthat,afewdaysafter,hetoldmyfatheritwashightimeforhimtothinkofsettling;

andthathehadprovidedamatchforhim,towhichhecouldinjusticehavenoobjections.

Myfather,findingitwouldbeimpossibletoconcealhissituationmuchlonger,

offen

franklyownedwhathehaddone;

andexcusedhimselffornothavingaskedthe

zustimmung

consentofhisfather,bysaying,heknewitwouldhavebeentonopurpose;

andthat,hadhisinclinationbeenknown,mygrandfathermighthavetakensuchmeasuresaswouldhaveeffectuallyputthegratificationofitoutofhispower:

headded,thatnoexceptionscouldbetakentohiswife’s

tugend

virtue,birth,beauty,andgoodsense,andasforfortune,itwas

unter

beneathhiscare.

Theoldgentleman,whokeptallhispassions,exceptone,inexcellentorder,heardhimtoanendwithgreat

temperament

temper,andthencalmlyasked,howheproposedtomaintainhimselfandspouse?

Hereplied,hecouldbeinnodangerofwantingwhilehisfather’s

zärtlichkeit

tendernessremained,whichheandhiswifeshouldalways

pflegen

cultivatewiththeutmostveneration;

andhewas

überzeugt

persuadedhisallowancewouldbesuitabletothedignityandcircumstancesofhisfamily,andtotheprovisionalreadymadeforhisbrothersandsisters,whowerehappilysettledunderhisprotection.

“Yourbrothersandsisters,”saidmygrandfather,“didnotthinkitbeneaththemto

konsultieren

consultmeinanaffairofsuchimportanceas

ehe

matrimony;

neither,Isuppose,wouldyouhaveomittedthatpieceofduty,hadyounotsomesecret

fonds

fundinreserve;

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

Sir,youhavemadethegrandtour—youareapolitegentleman—averyprettygentleman—Iwishyouagreatdealofjoy,andamyourveryhumbleservant.”

Sosaying,heleftmyfatherinasituationeasilyimagined.

However,hedidnotlong

zögerte

hesitate;

for,beingperfectlywellacquaintedwithhisfather’sdisposition,hedidnotdoubtthathewasgladofthispretencetogetridofhim;

andhisresolvesbeingasinvariableasthelawsoftheMedesandPersians,heknewitwouldbetonopurposeto

versuchen

attempthimbyprayersandentreaties;

sowithoutanyfartherapplication,hebetookhimself,withhisdisconsolatebedfellowtoa

bauernhaus

farm-house,whereanoldservantofhismotherdwelt:

theretheyremainedsometimeinasituationbutill

angepasst

adaptedtotheeleganceoftheirdesiresand

zärtlichkeit

tendernessoftheirlove;

which

dennoch

neverthelessmyfatherchoseto

ertragen

endure,ratherthansupplicateanunnaturalandinflexible

elternteil

parentbutmymother,foreseeingtheinconveniencestowhichshemusthavebeen

ausgesetzt

exposed,hadshebeendeliveredinthisplace(andher

schwangerschaft

pregnancywasveryfaradvanced),withoutcommunicatingherdesigntoherhusband,wentindisguisetothehouseofmygrandfather,hopingthathertearsandconditionwouldmovehimto

mitgefühl

compassion,andreconcilehimtoaneventwhichwasnowirrecoverablypast.

Shefoundmeansto

täuschen

deceivetheservants,andgetintroducedasanunfortunatelady,whowantedto

beschweren

complainofsomematrimonialgrievances,itbeingmygrandfather’sparticular

provinz

provincetodecideinallcasesofscandal.

Shewasaccordinglyadmittedintohispresence,where,discoveringherself,shefellathisfeet,andinthemostaffecting

weise

mannerimploredhisforgiveness;

atthesametimerepresentingthedangerthat

bedrohte

threatenednotonlyherlife,butthatofhisowngrandchild,whichwasabouttoseethelight.

Hetoldherhewassorrythattheindiscretionofherandhissonhadcompelledhimtomakea

gelübde

vow,whichputitoutofhispowertogivethemany

hilfe

assistance;

thathehadalreadyimpartedhisthoughtsonthatsubjecttoherhusband,andwassurprisedthattheyshould

stören

disturbhispeacewithanyfartherimportunity.

Thissaid,heretired.

Theviolenceofmymother’safflictionhadsuchaneffectonherconstitutionthatshewasimmediately

ergriffen

seizedwiththepainsofchildbed;

andhadnotanoldmaidservant,towhomshewasverydear,affordedherpityand

hilfe

assistance,atthehazardofincurringmygrandfather’sdispleasure,sheandtheinnocentfruitofherwombmusthavefallenmiserablevictimstohisrigourandinhumanity.

Bythefriendshipofthispoorwomanshewascarrieduptoagarret,andimmediatelydeliveredofamanchild,thestoryofwhoseunfortunatebirthhehimselfnowrelates.

Myfather,being

informiert

informedofwhathadhappened,flewtotheembracesofhisdarlingspouse,andwhileheloadedhis

nachkommen

offspringwithpaternalembraces,couldnotforbearsheddinga

flut

floodoftearsonbeholdingthedearpartnerofhisheart(forwhose

leichtigkeit

easehewouldhavesacrificedthetreasuresoftheeast)stretcheduponaflockbed,inamiserableapartment,unabletoprotectherfromtheinclemenciesoftheweather.

Itisnottobesupposedthattheoldgentlemanwasignorantofwhatpassed,thoughheaffectedtoknownothingofthematter,andpretendedtobeverymuchsurprised,whenoneofhisgrandchildren,byhiseldestsondeceased,wholivedwithhimashisheirapparent,acquaintedhimwiththeaffair;

hedeterminedthereforeto

beobachten

observenomedium,butimmediately(onthethirddayafterherdelivery)sentheraperemptoryordertobegone,andturnedoffthe

knecht

servantwhohadpreservedherlife.

Thisbehavioursoexasperatedmyfatherthathehadrecoursetothemostdreadfulimprecations;

andonhisbarekneesimploredthatHeavenwouldrenouncehimifeverheshouldforgetorforgivethebarbarityofhissire.

Theinjurieswhichthisunhappymotherreceivedfromher

entfernung

removalinsuchcircumstances,andthewantofnecessarieswhereshelodged,togetherwithher

trauer

griefandanxietyofmind,soonthrewherintoalanguishing

störung

disorder,whichputanendtoherlife.

Myfather,wholovedhertenderly,wassoaffectedwithherdeaththatheremainedsixweeksdeprivedofhissenses;

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

Whetherthishardheartedjudgefeltany

reue

remorseforhiscrueltreatmentofhissonanddaughter,or(whichismoreprobable)wasafraidhischaracterwouldsufferinthe

nachbarschaft

neighbourhood,heprofessedgreatsorrowforhis

verhalten

conducttomyfather,whosedeliriumwassucceededbyaprofound

melancholie

melancholyandreserve.

Atlengthhedisappeared,and,notwithstandingallimaginableinquiry,couldnotbeheardof;

umstand

circumstancewhichconfirmedmostpeopleintheopinionofhishavingmadeawaywithhimselfinafitof

verzweiflung

despair.

CHAPTERII

Igrowup—amhatedbymyRelations—senttoSchool—neglectedbymyGrandfather—maltreatedbymyMaster—seasonedtoAdversity—IformCabalsagainstthePedant—amdebarredAccesstomyGrandfather—huntedbyhisHeir—I

zerstörte

demolishtheTeethofhisTutor.

Therewerenotwantingsomewhosuspectedmyunclesofbeingconcernedinmyfather’sfate,onthesuppositionthattheywouldallshareinthepatrimony

bestimmt

destinedforhim;

andthisconjecturewasstrengthenedbyreflectingthatinallhiscalamitiestheyneverdiscoveredtheleastinclinationtoservehim;

but,onthe

gegenteil

contrary,byalltheartificesintheirpower,fedhis

groll

resentmentandsupportedhisresolutionofleavinghimto

elend

miseryandwant.

Butpeopleofjudgmenttreatedthisinsinuationasanidlechimera;

because,hadmyrelationsbeensowickedasto

beraten

consulttheirinterestbycommittingsuchanatrociouscrime,thefateofmyfatherwouldhave

ausgedehnt

extendedtometoowhoselifewasanother

hindernis

obstacletotheirexpectation.

Meanwhile,Igrewapace,andasI

stark

stronglyresembledmyfather,whowasthedarlingofthetenants,Iwantednothingwhichtheirindigentcircumstancescouldafford:

buttheirfavourwasaweakresourceagainstthejealousenmityofmycousins;

whothemoremyinfancypromised,conceivedthemoreimplacable

hass

hatredagainstme:

andbeforeIwassixyearsofage,hadsoeffectuallyblockadedmygrandfatherthatIneversawhimbutbystealth,whenIsometimesmadeuptohischairashesattoviewhislabourersinthefield:

onwhich

gelegenheit

occasionhewouldstrokemyhead,bidmebeagoodboy,andpromisetotakecareofme.

Iwassoonaftersenttoschoolatavillagehardby,ofwhichhehadbeen

diktator

dictatortimeoutofmind;

butasheneverpaidformyboard,nor

versorgte

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

trotz

spiteofallthesedifficultiesanddisgraces,IbecameagoodproficientintheLatintongue;

and,assoonasIcouldwritetolerably,pesteredmygrandfatherwithletterstosuchadegreethathesentformymaster,andchidhimseverelyforbestowingsuchpainsonmyeducation,tellinghimthat,ifeverIshouldbebroughttothe

galgen

gallowsforforgery,whichhehadtaughtmetocommit,mybloodwouldlieonhishead.

Thepedant,whodreadednothingmorethanthedispleasureofhispatron,

versicherte

assuredhishonourthattheboy’sabilitywasmoreowingtohisowngeniusandapplicationthantoanyinstructionor

ermutigung

encouragementhereceived;

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

verhindern

preventhisfutureimprovement.

And,indeed,hepunctuallyperformedwhathehadundertaken;

for,onpretencethatIhadwrittenimpertinentletterstomygrandfather,hecausedaboardtobemadewithfiveholesinit,throughwhichhethrustthefingersand

daumen

thumbofmyrighthand,and

befestigte

fasteneditbywhipcordtomy

handgelenk

wrist,insuchamanneraseffectuallydebarredmetheuseofmypen.

ButthisrestraintIwasfreedfrominafewdays,byanaccidentwhichhappenedina

streit

quarrelbetweenmeandanotherboy;

who,takinguponhimtoinsultmypoverty,IwassoincensedathisungenerousreproachthatwithonestrokewithmymachineIcuthimtotheskull,tothegreat

schrecken

terrorofmyselfandschoolfellows,wholefthimbleedingontheground,andrantoinformthemasterofwhathadhappened.

Iwassoseverely

bestraft

punishedforthistrespassthat,wereItolivetotheageofMethusalem,the

eindruck

impressionitmadeonmewouldnotbeeffaced;

themorethantheantipathyand

schrecken

horrorIconceivedforthemercilesstyrantwhoinflictedit.

The

verachtung

contemptwhichmyappearancenaturallyproducedinallwhosawme,thecontinualwantstowhichIwas

ausgesetzt

exposed,andmyownhaughtydisposition,

ungeduldig

impatientofaffronts,involvedmeinathousandtroublesomeadventures,bywhichIwasatlengthinuredinadversity,andemboldenedtoundertakingsfarabovemyyears.

IwasofteninhumanlyscourgedforcrimesIdidnotcommit,because,havingthecharacterofavagabondinthevillage,everypieceofmischief,whoseauthorlayunknown,waschargeduponme.

IhavebeenfoundguiltyofrobbingorchardsIneverentered,ofkillingcatsIneverhunted,ofstealinggingerbreadInevertouched,andofabusingoldwomenIneversaw.

Nein

Nay,astammeringcarpenterhadeloquenceenoughto

überzeugen

persuademymasterthatIfiredapistolloadedwithsmallshotintohiswindow;

thoughmy

vermieterin

landladyandthewholefamilyborewitnessthatIwasabedfastasleepatthetimewhenthisoutragewascommitted.

Iwasoncefloggedforhavingnarrowlyescapeddrowning,bythe

sinken

sinkingofaferryboatinwhichIwas

passagier

passenger.

Anothertime,forhavingrecoveredofabruiseoccasionedbyahorseand

wagen

cartrunningoverme.

Athirdtime,forbeingbittenbyabaker’sdog.

Inshort,whetherIwasguiltyorunfortunate,the

korrektur

correctionandsympathyofthisarbitrarypedagoguewerethesame.

Farfrombeingsubduedbythisinformalusage,myindignation

triumphierte

triumphedoverthatslavishawewhichhadhitherto

erzwungen

enforcedmyobedience;

andthemoremyyearsandknowledgeincreased,themoreIperceivedthe

ungerechtigkeit

injusticeandbarbarityofhisbehaviour.

Bythehelpofanuncommongenius,andtheadviceanddirectionofourusher,whohadservedmyfatherinhistravels,Imadeasurprisingprogressintheclassics,writing,andarithmetic;

sothat,beforeIwastwelveyearsold,Iwasallowedbyeverybodytobethebest

gelehrte

scholarintheschool.

Thisqualification,togetherwiththeboldnessoftemperandstrengthofmakewhichhadsubjectedalmostallmycontemporaries,gavemesuch

einfluss

influenceoverthemthatIbegantoformcabalsagainstmypersecutor;

andwasinhopeof,beingabletobidhimdefianceinaveryshorttime.

Beingattheheadofa

fraktion

faction,consistingofthirtyboys,mostofthemofmyownage,Iwas

entschlossen

determinedtoputtheirmettletotrial,thatImightknowhowfartheyweretobedependedupon,beforeIputmygrandschemeinexecution:

withthisview,weattackedabodyofstoutapprentices,whohadtaken

besitz

possessionofapartofthegroundallottedtousfortheschemeofourdiversions,andwhowerethenplayingatninepinsonthespot;

butIhadthemortificationtoseemyadherentsroutedinan

augenblick

instant,andalegofoneofthembrokeinhisflightbythebowl,whichoneofouradversarieshaddetachedin

verfolgung

pursuitofus.

Thisdiscomfituredidnothinderusfromengagingthemafterwardsinfrequentskirmishes,whichwemaintainedbythrowingstonesatadistance,whereinIreceivedmanywounds,thescarsofwhichstillremain.

Ourenemiesweresoharassedand

unterbrochen

interruptedbythesealarmsthattheyatlastabandonedtheir

eroberung

conquest,andleftustothepeaceable

vergnügen

enjoymentofourownterritories.

Itwouldbeendlesstoenumeratetheexploitsweperformedinthecourseofthisconfederacy,whichbecamethe

schrecken

terrorofthewholevillage;

insomuchthat,whendifferentinterestsdividedit,oneoftheparties

üblicherweise

commonlycourtedtheassistanceofRoderickRandom(bywhichnameIwasknown)tocastthebalance,andkeeptheopposite

fraktion

factioninawe.

Meanwhile,Itooktheadvantageofeveryplay-daytopresentmyselfbeforemygrandfather,towhomI

selten

seldomfoundaccess,byreasonofhisbeing

eng

closelybesiegedbyanumerousfamilyofhisfemalegrandchildren,who,thoughtheyperpetuallyquarrelledamongthemselves,neverfailedtojoinagainstme,asthecommonenemyofall.

His

erbe

heir,whowasabouttheageofeighteen,mindednothingbutfox-hunting,andindeedwas

qualifiziert

qualifiedfornothingelse,notwithstandinghisgrandfather’s

nachsicht

indulgenceinentertainingatutorforhimathome;

whoatthesametimeperformedtheofficeofparishclerk.

ThisyoungActaeon,whoinheritedhisgrandfather’santipathytoeverythingin

not

distress,neversateyesonmewithoutuncouplinghisbeagles,andhuntingmeintosome

hütte

cottageorother,whitherIgenerallyfledfor

schutz

shelter.

InthisChristianamusementhewas

ermutigt

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

rande

vergeoffourscore.

CHAPTERIII

MyMother’sBrotherarrives—relievesme—a

Beschreibung

Descriptionofhim—hegoesalongwithmetotheHouseofmyGrandfather—isencounteredbyhisDogs—defeatsthem,afterabloodyEngagement—isadmittedtotheoldGentleman—a

Dialog

Dialoguebetweenthem.

Aboutthistimemymother’sonlybrother,whohadbeenlong

im ausland

abroad,lieutenantofaman-of-war,arrivedinhisowncountry;

wherebeing

informiert

informedofmycondition,hecametoseeme,andoutofhisslenderfinancesnotonly

versorgte

suppliedmewithwhatnecessariesIwantedforthepresent,butresolvednottoleavethecountryuntilhehadprevailedonmygrandfathertosettlesomethinghandsomeforthefuture.

Thiswasatasktowhichhewasbynomeans

gleich

equal,beingentirelyignorant,notonlyofthejudge’sdisposition,butalsoofthewaysofmeningeneral,towhichhiseducationonboardhadkepthimanutterstranger.

Hewasastrongbuiltman,somewhatbandylegged,withanecklikethatofabull,andafacewhich(youmighteasilyperceive)had

standhalten

withstoodthemostobstinateassaultsoftheweather.

Hisdressconsistedofasoldier’scoat

geändert

alteredforhimbytheship’stailor,astripedflanneljacket,apairofredbreechesspannedwithpitch,cleangrayworstedstockings,largesilverbucklesthatcoveredthree-fourthsofhisshoes,asilver-lacedhat,whose

krone

crownoverlookedthebrimsaboutaninchandahalf,blackbobwigin

schnalle

buckle,acheckshirt,asilkhandkerchief,ahanger,withabrasshandle,girdedtohisthighbyafurnishedlacebelt,andagoodoakplantunderhisarm.

Thusequipped,hesetoutwithme(whobyhisbountymadeaverydecentappearance)formygrandfather’shouse,whereweweresalutedbyJowlerand

Caesar

Caesar,whommycousin,youngmaster,hadletlooseatourapproach.

Beingwellacquaintedwiththeinveteracyofthesecurs,Iwasabouttobetakemyselftomyheels,whenmyuncle

ergriff

seizedmewithonehand,brandishedhiscudgelwiththeother,andatoneblowlaid

Caesar

Caesarsprawlingontheground;

but,findinghimselfattackedatthesametimeintherearbyJowler,andfearing

Caesar

Caesarmightrecover,hedrewhishanger,wheeledabout,andbyaluckystrokeseveredJowler’sheadfromhisbody.

Bythistime,theyoungfoxhunterandthreeservants,armedwithpitchforksandflails,werecometothe

hilfe

assistanceofthedogs,whomtheyfound

atemlos

breathlessuponthefield;

andmycousinwassoprovokedatthedeathofhisfavourites,thatheorderedhisattendantstoadvance,andtakevengeanceontheir

henker

executioner,whomheloadedwithallthecursesandreproacheshisangercouldsuggest.

Uponwhichmyunclesteppedforwardswithanundauntedair,atthesightofwhosebloodyweaponshisantagonistsfellbackwithprecipitation,whenheaccostedtheirleaderthus:.

“Lookee,brother,yourdogshavingboardedmewithout

provokation

provocation,whatIdidwasinmyown

verteidigung

defence.

Soyouhadbestbecivil,andletusshootahead,clearofyou.”

Whethertheyoungsquiremisinterpretedmyuncle’sdesireofpeace,orwasenragedatthefateofhishoundsbeyondhisusualpitchofresolution,Iknownot;

buthe

schnappte

snatchedaflailfromoneofhisfollowers,andcameupwithashowofassaultingthelieutenant,who,puttinghimselfinapostureofdefence,proceededthus:

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

I’llbefoulofyourquarter,d—nme.”

This

erklärung

declaration,followedbyaflourishofhishanger,seemedtochecktheprogressoftheyounggentleman’scholer,who,lookingbehindhim,perceivedhisattendantshadslunkintothehouse,shutthegate,andlefthimtodecidethecontentionbyhimself.

Hereaparleyensued,whichwasintroducedbymycousin’sasking,“Whothedevilareyou?

Whatdoyouwant?

Some

schurke

scoundrelofaseaman,Isuppose,whohasdesertedandturnedthief.

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

Yourbloodshallpayforthatofmytwohounds,youragamuffin.

Iwouldnothavepartedwiththemtosaveyourwholegenerationfromthe

galgen

gallows,youruffian,you!”

“Noneofyour

kiefer

jaw,youswab—noneofyourjaw,”repliedmyuncle,“elseIshalltrimyourlacedjacketforyou.

Ishallrubyoudownwithanoakentowel,myboy,Ishall.”

Sosaying,hesheathedhishanger,andgraspedhiscudgel.

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