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

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

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
Ofallkindsofsatire,thereisnonesoentertaining
e
and
universallyimproving,asthatwhichisintroduced,asitwereoccasionally,inthe
corso
course
ofaninterestingstory,which
porta
brings
everyincidenthometo
vita
life
,andbyrepresentingfamiliarscenesinanuncommon
e
and
amusingpointofview,investsthemwithallthegracesofnovelty,
mentre
while
natureisappealedtoin
ogni
every
particular.
Thereadergratifieshiscuriosityinpursuingtheadventuresof
una
a
personinwhosefavourheisprepossessed;
heespouseshis
causa
cause
,hesympathiseswithhiminhisdistress,hisindignationisheated
contro
against
theauthorsofhiscalamity:
le
the
humanepassionsareinflamed;
thecontrast
tra
between
dejectedvirtueandinsultingviceappearswithgreateraggravation,
e
and
everyimpressionhavingadoubleforceontheimagination,thememoryretainsthecircumstance,
e
and
theheartimprovesbytheexample.
La
The
attentionisnottiredwith
un
a
barecatalogueofcharacters,
ma
but
agreeablydivertedwithall
la
the
varietyofinvention;
and
le
the
vicissitudesoflifeappearintheirpeculiarcircumstances,
aprendo
opening
anamplefieldforwit
e
and
humour.
Romance,nodoubt,owesitsorigintoignorance,vanity,
e
and
superstition.
Inthedarkagesofthe
Mondo
World
,whenamanhadrenderedhimselffamousforwisdom
o
or
valour,hisfamilyandadherentsavailedthemselvesofhissuperiorqualities,magnifiedhisvirtues,
e
and
representedhischaracterandpersonassacred
e
and
supernatural.
Thevulgareasilyswallowedthebait,imploredhisprotection,
e
and
yieldedthetributeofhomage
e
and
praise,eventoadoration;
hisexploitswerehandeddowntoposteritywithathousandexaggerations;
theywererepeatedasincitementstovirtue;
divinehonourswerepaid,
e
and
altarserectedtohismemory,for
il
the
encouragementofthosewhoattemptedtoimitatehisexample;
e
and
hencearosetheheathenmythology,whichis
non
no
otherthanacollectionofextravagantromances.
Aslearningadvanced,
e
and
geniusreceivedcultivation,thesestorieswereembellishedwiththegracesofpoetry,
che
that
theymightthebetterrecommendthemselvestotheattention;
theyweresunginpublic,atfestivals,fortheinstruction
e
and
delightoftheaudience;
e
and
rehearsedbeforebattle,asincentivestodeedsofglory.
Thustragedy
e
and
theepicmusewereborn,
e
and
,intheprogressoftaste,arrivedatperfection.
Itis
non
no
wonderthattheancientscouldnotrelish
una
a
fableinprose,aftertheyhad
visto
seen
somanyremarkableeventscelebratedinversebytheirbestpoets;
wetherefore
troviamo
find
noromanceamongthemduring
la
the
eraoftheirexcellence,unless
la
the
CyropædiaofXenophonmaybesocalled;
e
and
itwasnottillarts
e
and
sciencesbegantorevive
dopo
after
theirruptionofthebarbariansintoEurope,
che
that
anythingofthiskindappeared.
Ma
But
whenthemindsofmenweredebauchedbytheimpositionofpriestcrafttothe
più
most
absurdpitchofcredulity,theauthorsofromancearose,
e
and
losingsightofprobability,filledtheirperformanceswiththe
più
most
monstroushyperboles.
Iftheycouldnotequal
i
the
ancientpoetsinpointofgeniustheywereresolvedtoexceltheminfiction,
e
and
applytothewonder,ratherthan
i
the
judgment,oftheirreaders.
Accordingly,they
portato
brought
necromancytotheiraid,
e
and
insteadofsupportingthecharacteroftheirheroesbydignityofsentiment
e
and
practice,distinguishedthembytheirbodilystrength,activity,
e
and
extravaganceofbehaviour.
Although
nulla
nothing
couldbemoreludicrous
e
and
unnaturalthanthefigurestheydrew,theydidnotwantpatrons
e
and
admirers;
andtheworld
effettivamente
actually
begantobeinfectedwiththespiritofknight-errantry,
quando
when
Cervantes,byaninimitablepieceofridicule,reformedthetasteofmankind,representingchivalryintheright
punto
point
ofview,andconvertingromancetopurposesfar
più
more
usefulandentertaining,bymakingitassumethesock,
e
and
pointoutthefolliesofordinary
vita
life
.
Thesamemethodhasbeenpractisedby
altri
other
SpanishandFrenchauthors,
e
and
bynonemoresuccessfullythanbyMonsieurLeSage,who,inhisAdventuresofGilBlas,
ha
has
describedtheknaveryandfoiblesof
vita
life
,withinfinitehumourandsagacity.
The
seguono
following
sheetsIhavemodelledonhis
piano
plan
,takingmeliberty,however,todifferfromhimintheexecution,
dove
where
Ithoughthisparticularsituationswereuncommon,extravagant,
o
or
peculiartothecountryinwhichthesceneislaid.
ThedisgracesofGilBlas
sono
are
,forthemostpart,suchasratherexcitemirththancompassion;
hehimselflaughsat
loro
them
;
andhistransitionsfromdistresstohappiness,
o
or
atleastease,aresosudden,
che
that
neitherthereaderhas
tempo
time
topityhim,norhimselftobeacquaintedwithaffliction.
Questa
This
conduct,inmyopinion,not
solo
only
deviatesfromprobability,butpreventsthatgenerousindignation,whichoughttoanimatethereader
contro
against
thesordidandviciousdispositionofthe
mondo
world
.
Ihaveattemptedtorepresentmodestmeritstrugglingwith
ogni
every
difficultytowhichafriendlessorphanisexposed,fromhisown
mancanza
want
ofexperience,aswellasfromtheselfishness,envy,malice,
e
and
baseindifferenceofmankind.
Tosecure
un
a
favourableprepossession,Ihaveallowedhim
i
the
advantagesofbirthandeducation,
che
which
intheseriesofhismisfortuneswill,Ihope,engage
i
the
ingenuousmorewarmlyinhisbehalf;
e
and
thoughIforesee,thatsome
persone
people
willbeoffendedatthemeanscenesinwhichheisinvolved,Ipersuademyselfthatthejudiciouswillnot
solo
only
perceivethenecessityofdescribingthosesituationstowhichhe
deve
must
ofcoursebeconfined,inhislowestate,
ma
but
alsofindentertainmentinviewingthosepartsof
vita
life
,wherethehumoursandpassionsareundisguisedbyaffectation,ceremony,
o
or
education;
andthewhimsicalpeculiaritiesofdispositionappearasnature
ha
has
implantedthem.
ButI
credo
believe
Ineednottroublemyselfinvindicating
una
a
practiceauthorizedbythebestwritersin
questo
this
way,someofwhomI
ho
have
alreadynamed.
Everyintelligentreader
sono
will
,atfirstsight,perceiveIhavenotdeviatedfromnatureinthefacts,
che
which
arealltrueinthemain,althoughthecircumstancesarealtered
e
and
disguised,toavoidpersonalsatire.
It
ora
now
remainstogivemyreasonsfor
rendere
making
thechiefpersonageof
questo
this
workaNorthBriton,
che
which
arechieflythese:
Icould,at
una
a
smallexpense,bestowonhimsucheducationasI
pensavo
thought
thedignityofhisbirth
e
and
characterrequired,whichcouldnotpossiblybeobtainedinEngland,bysuchslendermeansas
la
the
natureofmyplanwouldafford.
In
la
the
nextplace,Icouldrepresentsimplicityofmannersin
una
a
remotepartofthekingdom,with
più
more
proprietythaninanyplacenear
la
the
capital;
andlastly,thedispositionof
la
the
Scots,addictedtotravelling,justifiesmyconductinderiving
un
an
adventurerfromthatcountry.
APOLOGUE
A
giovane
young
painter,indulgingaveinofpleasantry,sketchedakindofconversationpiece,representingabear,anowl,amonkey,
e
and
anass;
andtorenderit
più
more
striking,humorous,andmoral,distinguished
ogni
every
figurebysomeemblemofhuman
vita
life
.
Bruinwasexhibitedinthegarb
e
and
attitudeofanold,toothless,drunkensoldier;
il
the
owlpercheduponthehandleof
un
a
coffee-pot,withspectacleonnose,seemedtocontemplate
un
a
newspaper;
andtheass,ornamentedwith
un
a
hugetie-wig(which,however,couldnotconcealhislongears),
sedette
sat
forhispicturetothemonkey,whoappearedwiththeimplementsofpainting.
Questo
This
whimsicalgroupaffordedsomemirth,
e
and
metwithgeneralapprobation,until
qualche
some
mischievouswaghintedthatthewhole—wasalampoonuponthefriendsoftheperformer;
un
an
insinuationwhichwasnosoonercirculatedthanthosevery
persone
people
whoapplaudeditbeforebegantobealarmed,
e
and
eventofancythemselvessignifiedbytheseveralfiguresofthepiece.
Amongothers,aworthypersonageinyears,whohadservedinthearmywithreputation,beingincensedatthesupposedoutrage,repairedtothelodgingofthepainter,
e
and
findinghimathome,“Harkye,Mr.Monkey,”
detto
said
he,“Ihaveagood
mente
mind
toconvinceyou,that
anche se
though
thebearhaslosthisteeth,heretainshispaws,
e
and
thatheisnotsodrunk
ma
but
hecanperceiveyourimpertinence.”
“Sblood!
signore
sir
,thattoothlessjawis
una
a
d—nedscandalouslibel—butdon’tyouimaginemesochopfallenasnottobeabletochew
il
the
cudofresentment.”
Herehewasinterruptedbythearrivalof
un
a
learnedphysician,who,advancingtotheculpritwithfuryinhisaspect,exclaimed,“Supposetheaugmentationoftheass’sears
dovesse
should
provethediminutionofthebaboon’s—nay,seeknottoprevaricate,for,bythebeardofAesculapius!
thereisnot
un
one
hairinthisperiwig
che
that
willnotstandupinjudgmenttoconvicttheeofpersonalabuse.
Do
ma
but
observe,captain,howthispitiful
piccolo
little
fellowhascopiedtheverycurls—thecolour,indeed,is
diverso
different
,butthentheform
e
and
foretoparequitesimilar.”
Mentre
While
hethusremonstratedin
un
a
strainofvociferation,avenerablesenatorentered,
e
and
waddlinguptothedelinquent,“Jackanapes!”
criedhe,“Iwillnowletthee
vedere
see
Icanreadsomethingelsethan
un
a
newspaper,andthatwithoutthehelpofspectacles:
hereisyourownnoteof
mano
hand
,sirrah,formoney,which
se
if
Ihadnotadvanced,youyourself
saresti
would
haveresembledanowl,innotdaringto
mostrare
show
yourfacebyday,youungratefulslanderousknave!”
Invain
il
the
astonishedpainterdeclaredthathe
aveva
had
nointentiontogiveoffence,
o
or
tocharacteriseparticularpersons:
theyaffirmed
la
the
resemblancewastoopalpabletobeoverlooked;
theytaxedhim
di
with
insolence,malice,andingratitude;
e
and
theirclamoursbeingoverheardbythepublic,thecaptainwasabear,the
dottore
doctor
anass,andthesenatoranowl,tohisdying
giorno
day
.
Christianreader,Ibeseechthee,inthebowelsofthe
Signore
Lord
,rememberthisexample“whilethouartemployedintheperusalofthefollowingsheets;
e
and
seeknottoappropriatetothyselfthatwhichequallybelongstofivehundreddifferent
persone
people
.
Ifthoushouldstmeetwith
un
a
characterthatreflectstheein
qualche
some
ungraciousparticular,keepthyowncounsel;
CHAPTERI
OfmyBirth
e
and
Parentage.
Iwasborninthenorthern
parte
part
ofthisunitedkingdom,inthe
casa
house
ofmygrandfather,agentlemanofconsiderablefortune
e
and
influence,whohadon
molte
many
occasionssignalisedhimselfinbehalfofhis
paese
country
;
andwasremarkableforhisabilitiesinthe
legge
law
,whichheexercisedwith
grande
great
successinthestationofajudge,particularly
contro
against
beggars,forwhomhe
aveva
had
asingularaversion.
My
padre
father
(hisyoungestson)fallinginlovewith
una
a
poorrelation,wholivedwiththe
vecchio
old
gentlemaninqualityof
una
a
housekeeper,espousedherprivately;
e
and
Iwasthefirstfruitofthatmarriage.
Duringherpregnancy,a
sogno
dream
discomposedmymothersomuch
che
that
herhusband,tiredwithherimportunity,at
durante
last
consultedahighlandseer,whosefavourableinterpretationhewould
avrebbe
have
securedbeforehandbyabribe,
ma
but
foundhimincorruptible.
Shedreamedshewasdeliveredofatennis-ball,whichthedevil(who,toher
grande
great
surprise,actedthepartofamidwife)strucksoforciblywitharacketthatitdisappearedinaninstant;
e
and
shewasforsome
tempo
time
inconsolableforthelostofheroffspring;
quando
when
,allonasudden,shebeheldit
tornare
return
withequalviolence,andenterthe
terra
earth
,beneathherfeet,whenceimmediatelysprangup
un
a
goodlytreecoveredwithblossoms,thescentofwhichoperatedsostronglyonhernervesthatsheawoke.
Il
The
attentivesage,aftersomedeliberation,assuredmyparents,
che
that
theirfirstbornwouldbe
un
a
greattraveller;
thathe
sarebbe
would
undergomanydangersanddifficulties,
e
and
atlastreturntohisnativeland,
dove
where
hewouldflourishinhappiness
e
and
reputation.
Howtrulythiswasforetoldwillappearin
il
the
sequel.
Itwasnot
molto tempo
long
beforesomeofficiouspersoninformedmygrandfatherofcertainfamiliaritiesthatpassed
tra
between
hissonandhousekeeperwhichalarmedhimsomuchthat,afewdays
dopo
after
,hetoldmyfatheritwashigh
tempo
time
forhimtothinkofsettling;
e
and
thathehadprovided
una
a
matchforhim,towhichhecouldinjustice
avere
have
noobjections.
Myfather,findingitwouldbeimpossibletoconcealhissituationmuchlonger,franklyownedwhathe
aveva
had
done;
andexcusedhimselffornothaving
chiesto
asked
theconsentofhis
padre
father
,bysaying,heknewitwouldhavebeento
non
no
purpose;
andthat,hadhisinclinationbeenknown,mygrandfathermighthave
prendere
taken
suchmeasuresaswouldhaveeffectually
messo
put
thegratificationofit
fuori
out
ofhispower:
headded,
che
that
noexceptionscouldbetakentohiswife’svirtue,birth,beauty,
e
and
goodsense,andasforfortune,itwasbeneathhis
cura
care
.
Theoldgentleman,whokept
tutte
all
hispassions,exceptone,inexcellent
ordine
order
,heardhimtoan
fine
end
withgreattemper,andthencalmly
chiese
asked
,howheproposedtomaintainhimself
e
and
spouse?
Hereplied,hecouldbein
non
no
dangerofwantingwhilehisfather’stendernessremained,
che
which
heandhiswife
dovevano
should
alwayscultivatewiththeutmostveneration;
e
and
hewaspersuadedhisallowancewouldbesuitabletothedignity
e
and
circumstancesofhisfamily,
e
and
totheprovisionalreadymadeforhisbrothers
e
and
sisters,whowerehappilysettled
sotto
under
hisprotection.
“Yourbrothers
e
and
sisters,”saidmygrandfather,“didnot
pensavano
think
itbeneaththemtoconsultmein
una
an
affairofsuchimportanceasmatrimony;
neither,Isuppose,wouldyouhaveomittedthatpieceofduty,hadyounot
qualche
some
secretfundinreserve;
tothecomfortsofwhichI
lascio
leave
you,withadesirethatyou
essere
will
thisnightseekoutanotherhabitationforyourself
e
and
wife,whither,inashort
tempo
time
,IwillsendyouanaccountoftheexpenseI
ho
have
beenatinyoureducation,withaviewofbeingreimbursed.
Signore
Sir
,youhavemadethegrandtour—youare
un
a
politegentleman—averyprettygentleman—Iwishyou
un
a
greatdealofjoy,
e
and
amyourveryhumbleservant.”
So
dicendo
saying
,heleftmyfatherin
una
a
situationeasilyimagined.
However,hedidnot
lungo
long
hesitate;
for,beingperfectlywellacquaintedwithhisfather’sdisposition,hedidnotdoubt
che
that
hewasgladof
questa
this
pretencetogetridofhim;
e
and
hisresolvesbeingasinvariableas
le
the
lawsoftheMedes
e
and
Persians,heknewitwouldbetonopurposetoattempthimbyprayers
e
and
entreaties;
sowithoutanyfartherapplication,hebetookhimself,withhisdisconsolatebedfellowtoafarm-house,
dove
where
anoldservantofhis
madre
mother
dwelt:
theretheyremained
qualche
some
timeinasituation
ma
but
illadaptedtotheeleganceoftheirdesires
e
and
tendernessoftheirlove;
whichneverthelessmy
padre
father
chosetoendure,ratherthansupplicate
un
an
unnaturalandinflexibleparent
ma
but
mymother,foreseeingtheinconveniencestowhichshe
doveva
must
havebeenexposed,hadshebeendeliveredin
questo
this
place(andherpregnancywasveryfaradvanced),
senza
without
communicatingherdesigntoher
marito
husband
,wentindisguisetothe
casa
house
ofmygrandfather,hopingthathertears
e
and
conditionwouldmovehimtocompassion,
e
and
reconcilehimtoaneventwhichwas
ora
now
irrecoverablypast.
Shefoundmeanstodeceivetheservants,
e
and
getintroducedasanunfortunate
signora
lady
,whowantedtocomplainofsomematrimonialgrievances,itbeingmygrandfather’sparticularprovincetodecidein
tutti
all
casesofscandal.
Shewasaccordinglyadmittedintohispresence,
dove
where
,discoveringherself,shefellathisfeet,
e
and
inthemostaffectingmannerimploredhisforgiveness;
atthe
stesso
same
timerepresentingthedangerthatthreatenednot
solo
only
herlife,butthatofhisowngrandchild,whichwasaboutto
vedere
see
thelight.
Hetoldherhewassorrythattheindiscretionofher
e
and
hissonhadcompelledhimto
fare
make
avow,whichputit
fuori
out
ofhispowertogivethem
qualsiasi
any
assistance;
thathehad
già
already
impartedhisthoughtson
che
that
subjecttoherhusband,andwassurprised
che
that
theyshoulddisturbhispeacewith
qualsiasi
any
fartherimportunity.
Thissaid,heretired.
La
The
violenceofmymother’saffliction
ebbe
had
suchaneffectonherconstitution
che
that
shewasimmediatelyseizedwith
la
the
painsofchildbed;
and
avesse
had
notanoldmaidservant,towhomshewasvery
cara
dear
,affordedherpityandassistance,at
la
the
hazardofincurringmygrandfather’sdispleasure,she
e
and
theinnocentfruitofherwomb
dovevano
must
havefallenmiserablevictimstohisrigour
e
and
inhumanity.
Bythefriendshipof
questa
this
poorwomanshewascarrieduptoagarret,
e
and
immediatelydeliveredofaman
bambino
child
,thestoryofwhoseunfortunatebirthhehimself
ora
now
relates.
Myfather,beinginformedofwhat
avrebbe
had
happened,flewtotheembracesofhisdarlingspouse,
e
and
whileheloadedhisoffspringwithpaternalembraces,couldnotforbearshedding
un
a
floodoftearsonbeholdingthe
cara
dear
partnerofhisheart(forwhoseeasehewould
avrebbe
have
sacrificedthetreasuresoftheeast)stretchedupon
un
a
flockbed,inamiserableapartment,unabletoprotectherfromtheinclemenciesoftheweather.
Itisnottobesupposedthat
il
the
oldgentlemanwasignorantofwhatpassed,
anche se
though
heaffectedtoknow
nulla
nothing
ofthematter,andpretendedtobeverymuchsurprised,
quando
when
oneofhisgrandchildren,byhiseldest
figlio
son
deceased,wholivedwithhimashisheirapparent,acquaintedhimwith
il
the
affair;
hedeterminedthereforetoobserve
non
no
medium,butimmediately(onthethird
giorno
day
afterherdelivery)senther
un
a
peremptoryordertobegone,
e
and
turnedofftheservant
che
who
hadpreservedherlife.
Questo
This
behavioursoexasperatedmy
padre
father
thathehadrecoursetothe
più
most
dreadfulimprecations;
andonhisbarekneesimplored
che
that
Heavenwouldrenouncehim
se
if
everheshouldforget
o
or
forgivethebarbarityofhissire.
Theinjurieswhich
questa
this
unhappymotherreceivedfromherremovalinsuchcircumstances,
e
and
thewantofnecessarieswhereshelodged,
insieme
together
withhergriefandanxietyof
mente
mind
,soonthrewherintoalanguishingdisorder,which
mise
put
anendtoher
vita
life
.
Myfather,wholovedhertenderly,wassoaffectedwithher
morte
death
thatheremainedsixweeksdeprivedofhissenses;
duringwhich
tempo
time
,thepeoplewherehelodgedcarriedtheinfanttothe
vecchio
old
manwhorelentedsofar,on
sentito
hearing
themelancholystoryofhisdaughter-in-law’s
morte
death
,andthedeplorableconditionofhisson,astosendthechildtonurse,
e
and
heorderedmyfathertobecarriedhometohishouse,
dove
where
hesoonrecoveredtheuseofhis
ragione
reason
.
Whetherthishardheartedjudge
sentisse
felt
anyremorseforhiscrueltreatmentofhis
figlio
son
anddaughter,or(whichis
più
more
probable)wasafraidhischaracterwouldsufferintheneighbourhood,heprofessed
grande
great
sorrowforhisconducttomy
padre
father
,whosedeliriumwassucceededby
una
a
profoundmelancholyandreserve.
Atlengthhedisappeared,
e
and
,notwithstandingallimaginableinquiry,couldnotbe
sentire
heard
of;
acircumstancewhichconfirmed
maggior parte
most
peopleintheopinionofhis
ha
having
madeawaywithhimselfinafitofdespair.
CHAPTERII
Igrowup—am
odiato
hated
bymyRelations—senttoSchool—neglectedbymyGrandfather—maltreatedbymyMaster—seasonedtoAdversity—IformCabals
contro
against
thePedant—amdebarredAccesstomyGrandfather—huntedbyhisHeir—IdemolishtheTeethofhisTutor.
Therewerenotwanting
alcuni
some
whosuspectedmyunclesofbeingconcernedinmyfather’sfate,onthesuppositionthatthey
fossero
would
allshareinthepatrimonydestinedfor
lui
him
;
andthisconjecturewasstrengthenedbyreflecting
che
that
inallhiscalamitiestheyneverdiscoveredtheleastinclinationtoservehim;
ma
but
,onthecontrary,by
tutti
all
theartificesintheir
potere
power
,fedhisresentmentandsupportedhisresolutionofleavinghimtomisery
e
and
want.
Butpeopleofjudgmenttreated
questa
this
insinuationasanidlechimera;
perché
because
,hadmyrelationsbeensowickedastoconsulttheirinterestbycommittingsuch
un
an
atrociouscrime,thefateofmy
padre
father
wouldhaveextendedtometoowhose
vita
life
wasanotherobstacletotheirexpectation.
Meanwhile,Igrewapace,
e
and
asIstronglyresembledmy
padre
father
,whowasthedarlingofthetenants,Iwanted
nulla
nothing
whichtheirindigentcircumstancescouldafford:
ma
but
theirfavourwasaweakresource
contro
against
thejealousenmityofmycousins;
che
who
themoremyinfancy
prometteva
promised
,conceivedthemoreimplacablehatred
contro
against
me:
andbeforeIwas
sei
six
yearsofage,hadsoeffectuallyblockadedmygrandfather
che
that
Ineversawhimbutbystealth,
quando
when
Isometimesmadeuptohischairashe
sedeva
sat
toviewhislabourersin
i
the
field:
onwhichoccasionhe
essere
would
strokemyhead,bidmebe
un
a
goodboy,andpromisetotake
cura
care
ofme.
Iwassoon
dopo
after
senttoschoolat
un
a
villagehardby,of
cui
which
hehadbeendictator
tempo
time
outofmind;
butashenever
pagò
paid
formyboard,norsuppliedmewithclothes,books,
e
and
othernecessariesIrequired,myconditionwasveryragged
e
and
contemptible,andtheschoolmaster,
che
who
,throughfearofmygrandfather,taughtmegratis,gavehimselfnoconcernabouttheprogressI
facevo
made
underhisinstruction.
Inspiteof
tutte
all
thesedifficultiesanddisgraces,Ibecame
un
a
goodproficientintheLatintongue;
e
and
,assoonasIcould
scrivere
write
tolerably,pesteredmygrandfatherwithletterstosuchadegreethathesentformy
padrone
master
,andchidhimseverelyforbestowingsuchpainsonmyeducation,tellinghimthat,
se
if
everIshouldbe
portato
brought
tothegallowsforforgery,whichhehadtaughtmetocommit,my
sangue
blood
wouldlieonhis
testa
head
.
Thepedant,whodreadednothing
più
more
thanthedispleasureofhispatron,assuredhishonourthattheboy’sabilitywas
più
more
owingtohisowngenius
e
and
applicationthantoanyinstruction
o
or
encouragementhereceived;
that,althoughhecouldnotdivesthimoftheknowledgehe
aveva
had
alreadyimbibed,unlesshewouldempowerhimtodisablehisfingers,he
dovrebbe
should
endeavour,withGod’shelp,topreventhisfutureimprovement.
E
And
,indeed,hepunctuallyperformedwhathehadundertaken;
for,onpretencethatI
avessi
had
writtenimpertinentletterstomygrandfather,hecausedaboardtobemadewith
cinque
five
holesinit,throughwhichhethrustthefingers
e
and
thumbofmyright
mano
hand
,andfasteneditbywhipcordtomywrist,in
tale
such
amanneraseffectuallydebarredmetheuseofmypen.
Ma
But
thisrestraintIwas
liberato
freed
frominafewdays,byanaccident
che
which
happenedinaquarrel
tra
between
meandanotherboy;
who,
prendendo
taking
uponhimtoinsultmypoverty,Iwassoincensedathisungenerousreproachthatwith
un
one
strokewithmymachineI
tagliato
cut
himtotheskull,tothe
grande
great
terrorofmyselfandschoolfellows,who
lasciarono
left
himbleedingontheground,
e
and
rantoinformthe
maestro
master
ofwhathadhappened.
Iwassoseverelypunishedfor
questa
this
trespassthat,wereIto
vissuto
live
totheageofMethusalem,theimpressionit
fatto
made
onmewouldnotbeeffaced;
themorethantheantipathy
e
and
horrorIconceivedforthemercilesstyrantwhoinflicted
lo
it
.
Thecontemptwhichmyappearancenaturallyproducedin
tutti
all
whosawme,thecontinualwantstowhichIwasexposed,
e
and
myownhaughtydisposition,impatientofaffronts,involvedmeinathousandtroublesomeadventures,bywhichIwasatlengthinuredinadversity,
e
and
emboldenedtoundertakingsfarabovemyyears.
IwasofteninhumanlyscourgedforcrimesIdidnotcommit,
perché
because
,havingthecharacterof
un
a
vagabondinthevillage,
ogni
every
pieceofmischief,whoseauthorlayunknown,waschargedupon
me
me
.
IhavebeenfoundguiltyofrobbingorchardsIneverentered,of
ucciso
killing
catsIneverhunted,ofstealinggingerbreadInever
toccato
touched
,andofabusingoldwomenInever
visto
saw
.
Nay,astammeringcarpenterhadeloquence
abbastanza
enough
topersuademymaster
che
that
Ifiredapistolloadedwithsmallshotintohiswindow;
anche se
though
mylandladyandthewhole
famiglia
family
borewitnessthatIwasabedfastasleepat
la
the
timewhenthisoutragewascommitted.
Iwas
volta
once
floggedforhavingnarrowlyescapeddrowning,bythesinkingofaferryboatin
cui
which
Iwaspassenger.
Another
volta
time
,forhavingrecoveredof
un
a
bruiseoccasionedbyahorse
e
and
cartrunningoverme.
Athird
volta
time
,forbeingbittenbyabaker’s
cane
dog
.
Inshort,whetherIwasguilty
o
or
unfortunate,thecorrectionandsympathyof
questo
this
arbitrarypedagoguewerethesame.
Farfrombeingsubduedby
questo
this
informalusage,myindignationtriumphed
su
over
thatslavishawewhich
aveva
had
hithertoenforcedmyobedience;
e
and
themoremyyears
e
and
knowledgeincreased,themoreIperceivedtheinjustice
e
and
barbarityofhisbehaviour.
Bythehelpofanuncommongenius,
e
and
theadviceanddirectionofourusher,
che
who
hadservedmyfatherinhistravels,I
feci
made
asurprisingprogressintheclassics,writing,
e
and
arithmetic;
sothat,beforeIwastwelveyearsold,Iwasallowedby
tutti
everybody
tobethebestscholarin
il
the
school.
Thisqualification,togetherwiththeboldnessoftemper
e
and
strengthofmakewhich
aveva
had
subjectedalmostallmycontemporaries,
diede
gave
mesuchinfluenceoverthemthatIbegantoformcabals
contro
against
mypersecutor;
andwasinhopeof,beingabletobidhimdefianceinaveryshort
tempo
time
.
Beingattheheadof
una
a
faction,consistingofthirtyboys,
maggior parte
most
ofthemofmyownage,Iwasdeterminedto
mettere
put
theirmettletotrial,
che
that
Imightknowhowfartheyweretobedependedupon,beforeI
mettere
put
mygrandschemeinexecution:
with
questo
this
view,weattackeda
corpo
body
ofstoutapprentices,whohad
preso
taken
possessionofapartofthegroundallottedtousfortheschemeofourdiversions,
e
and
whowerethenplayingatninepinsonthespot;
ma
but
Ihadthemortificationto
vedere
see
myadherentsroutedinaninstant,
e
and
alegofoneofthembrokeinhisflightbythebowl,
che
which
oneofouradversarieshaddetachedinpursuitofus.
Questa
This
discomfituredidnothinderusfromengagingthemafterwardsinfrequentskirmishes,whichwemaintainedbythrowingstonesatadistance,whereinIreceived
molte
many
wounds,thescarsofwhich
ancora
still
remain.
Ourenemiesweresoharassed
e
and
interruptedbythesealarms
che
that
theyatlastabandonedtheirconquest,
e
and
leftustothepeaceableenjoymentofourownterritories.
It
sarebbe
would
beendlesstoenumeratetheexploitsweperformedinthe
corso
course
ofthisconfederacy,whichbecametheterrorofthewholevillage;
insomuchthat,
quando
when
differentinterestsdividedit,
una
one
ofthepartiescommonlycourtedtheassistanceofRoderickRandom(bywhich
nome
name
Iwasknown)tocastthebalance,
e
and
keeptheoppositefactioninawe.
Meanwhile,Itooktheadvantageof
ogni
every
play-daytopresentmyselfbeforemygrandfather,towhomIseldomfoundaccess,byreasonofhisbeingcloselybesiegedby
una
a
numerousfamilyofhisfemalegrandchildren,
che
who
,thoughtheyperpetuallyquarrelledamongthemselves,neverfailedtojoin
contro
against
me,asthecommonenemyof
tutti
all
.
Hisheir,whowas
circa
about
theageofeighteen,mindednothingbutfox-hunting,
e
and
indeedwasqualifiedfornothingelse,notwithstandinghisgrandfather’sindulgenceinentertaining
un
a
tutorforhimat
casa
home
;
whoatthesame
tempo
time
performedtheofficeofparishclerk.
Questo
This
youngActaeon,whoinheritedhisgrandfather’santipathyto
tutto
everything
indistress,neversateyesonme
senza
without
uncouplinghisbeagles,andhuntingmeinto
qualche
some
cottageorother,whitherIgenerallyfledforshelter.
In
questo
this
Christianamusementhewasencouragedbyhispreceptor,who,
non
no
doubt,tooksuchopportunitiestoingratiatehimselfwith
il
the
risingsun,observing,that
il
the
oldgentleman,accordingto
il
the
courseofnature,hadnot
molto tempo
long
tolive,forhewas
già
already
onthevergeoffourscore.
CHAPTERIII
MyMother’s
Fratello
Brother
arrives—relievesme—aDescriptionofhim—he
va
goes
alongwithmeto
il
the
HouseofmyGrandfather—isencounteredbyhisDogs—defeatsthem,
dopo
after
abloodyEngagement—isadmittedto
il
the
oldGentleman—aDialoguebetweenthem.
Aboutthistimemymother’sonly
fratello
brother
,whohadbeenlongabroad,lieutenantof
una
a
man-of-war,arrivedinhisown
paese
country
;
wherebeinginformedofmycondition,he
venne
came
toseeme,andoutofhisslenderfinancesnot
solo
only
suppliedmewithwhatnecessariesIwantedforthepresent,
ma
but
resolvednottoleavethe
paese
country
untilhehadprevailedonmygrandfathertosettle
qualcosa
something
handsomeforthefuture.
Questo
This
wasataskto
cui
which
hewasbynomeansequal,beingentirelyignorant,not
solo
only
ofthejudge’sdisposition,
ma
but
alsoofthewaysofmeningeneral,to
cui
which
hiseducationonboard
aveva
had
kepthimanutterstranger.
Hewas
un
a
strongbuiltman,somewhatbandylegged,with
un
a
necklikethatof
un
a
bull,andafacewhich(you
potrebbe
might
easilyperceive)hadwithstoodthe
più
most
obstinateassaultsoftheweather.
Hisdressconsistedofasoldier’scoatalteredforhimbytheship’stailor,astripedflanneljacket,apairofredbreechesspannedwithpitch,cleangrayworstedstockings,largesilverbuckles
che
that
coveredthree-fourthsofhisshoes,asilver-lacedhat,whosecrownoverlookedthebrims
circa
about
aninchanda
mezzo
half
,blackbobwiginbuckle,acheckshirt,asilkhandkerchief,ahanger,withabrasshandle,girdedtohisthighbyafurnishedlacebelt,
e
and
agoodoakplant
sotto
under
hisarm.
Thusequipped,hesetoutwithme
Che
(who
byhisbountymade
un
a
verydecentappearance)formygrandfather’s
casa
house
,whereweweresalutedbyJowler
e
and
Caesar,whommycousin,
giovane
young
master,hadletlooseatourapproach.
Being
bene
well
acquaintedwiththeinveteracyofthesecurs,Iwasabouttobetakemyselftomyheels,
quando
when
myuncleseizedmewithone
mano
hand
,brandishedhiscudgelwith
il
the
other,andatoneblowlaidCaesarsprawlingon
il
the
ground;
but,findinghimselfattackedatthe
stesso
same
timeintherearbyJowler,
e
and
fearingCaesarmightrecover,hedrewhishanger,wheeledabout,
e
and
byaluckystrokeseveredJowler’s
testa
head
fromhisbody.
By
questo
this
time,theyoungfoxhunter
e
and
threeservants,armedwithpitchforks
e
and
flails,werecometo
il
the
assistanceofthedogs,whomthey
trovarono
found
breathlessuponthefield;
e
and
mycousinwassoprovokedatthe
morte
death
ofhisfavourites,thathe
ordinò
ordered
hisattendantstoadvance,
e
and
takevengeanceontheirexecutioner,whomheloadedwith
tutte
all
thecursesandreproacheshisangercouldsuggest.
Upon
cui
which
myunclesteppedforwardswith
un
an
undauntedair,atthesightofwhosebloodyweaponshisantagonists
caduti
fell
backwithprecipitation,whenheaccostedtheirleaderthus:.
“Lookee,
fratello
brother
,yourdogshavingboardedme
senza
without
provocation,whatIdidwasinmyowndefence.
Soyouhad
meglio
best
becivil,andletus
sparare
shoot
ahead,clearofyou.”
Whether
il
the
youngsquiremisinterpretedmyuncle’sdesireofpeace,
o
or
wasenragedatthefateofhishoundsbeyondhisusualpitchofresolution,I
so
know
not;
buthesnatchedaflailfromoneofhisfollowers,
e
and
cameupwitha
spettacolo
show
ofassaultingthelieutenant,
che
who
,puttinghimselfinapostureofdefence,proceededthus:
“Lookee,youlubberly
figlio
son
ofaw—e,ifyou
vieni
come
athwartme,’wareyourgingerbread
lavoro
work
.
I’llbefoulofyourquarter,d—nme.”
Questa
This
declaration,followedbyaflourishofhishanger,seemedto
controllare
check
theprogressofthe
giovane
young
gentleman’scholer,who,lookingbehind
lo
him
,perceivedhisattendantshadslunkintothe
casa
house
,shutthegate,and
lasciarono
left
himtodecidethecontentionbyhimself.
Qui
Here
aparleyensued,whichwasintroducedbymycousin’s
chiedeva
asking
,“Whothedevilareyou?
Whatdoyouwant?
Qualche
Some
scoundrelofaseaman,Isuppose,
che
who
hasdesertedandturnedthief.
Ma
But
don’tthinkyoushallescape,sirrah—I’llhaveyouhang’d,you
cane
dog
,Iwill.
Yourbloodshall
pagherà
pay
forthatofmy
due
two
hounds,youragamuffin.
I
sarei
would
nothavepartedwiththemto
salvare
save
yourwholegenerationfromthegallows,youruffian,you!”
“Noneofyourjaw,youswab—noneofyourjaw,”repliedmy
zio
uncle
,“elseIshalltrimyourlacedjacketforyou.
Ishallrubyou
giù
down
withanoakentowel,my
ragazzo
boy
,Ishall.”
Sosaying,hesheathedhishanger,
e
and
graspedhiscudgel.