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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
anduniversallyimproving,asthatwhichisintroduced,asitwereoccasionally,inthe
corso
courseofaninterestingstory,which
porta
bringseveryincidenthometo
vita
life,andbyrepresentingfamiliarscenesinanuncommon
e
andamusingpointofview,investsthemwithallthegracesofnovelty,
mentre
whilenatureisappealedtoin
ogni
everyparticular.
Thereadergratifieshiscuriosityinpursuingtheadventuresof
una
apersoninwhosefavourheisprepossessed;
heespouseshis
causa
cause,hesympathiseswithhiminhisdistress,hisindignationisheated
contro
againsttheauthorsofhiscalamity:
le
thehumanepassionsareinflamed;
thecontrast
tra
betweendejectedvirtueandinsultingviceappearswithgreateraggravation,
e
andeveryimpressionhavingadoubleforceontheimagination,thememoryretainsthecircumstance,
e
andtheheartimprovesbytheexample.
La
Theattentionisnottiredwith
un
abarecatalogueofcharacters,
ma
butagreeablydivertedwithall
la
thevarietyofinvention;
and
le
thevicissitudesoflifeappearintheirpeculiarcircumstances,
aprendo
openinganamplefieldforwit
e
andhumour.
Romance,nodoubt,owesitsorigintoignorance,vanity,
e
andsuperstition.
Inthedarkagesofthe
Mondo
World,whenamanhadrenderedhimselffamousforwisdom
o
orvalour,hisfamilyandadherentsavailedthemselvesofhissuperiorqualities,magnifiedhisvirtues,
e
andrepresentedhischaracterandpersonassacred
e
andsupernatural.
Thevulgareasilyswallowedthebait,imploredhisprotection,
e
andyieldedthetributeofhomage
e
andpraise,eventoadoration;
hisexploitswerehandeddowntoposteritywithathousandexaggerations;
theywererepeatedasincitementstovirtue;
divinehonourswerepaid,
e
andaltarserectedtohismemory,for
il
theencouragementofthosewhoattemptedtoimitatehisexample;
e
andhencearosetheheathenmythology,whichis
non
nootherthanacollectionofextravagantromances.
Aslearningadvanced,
e
andgeniusreceivedcultivation,thesestorieswereembellishedwiththegracesofpoetry,
che
thattheymightthebetterrecommendthemselvestotheattention;
theyweresunginpublic,atfestivals,fortheinstruction
e
anddelightoftheaudience;
e
andrehearsedbeforebattle,asincentivestodeedsofglory.
Thustragedy
e
andtheepicmusewereborn,
e
and,intheprogressoftaste,arrivedatperfection.
Itis
non
nowonderthattheancientscouldnotrelish
una
afableinprose,aftertheyhad
visto
seensomanyremarkableeventscelebratedinversebytheirbestpoets;
wetherefore
troviamo
findnoromanceamongthemduring
la
theeraoftheirexcellence,unless
la
theCyropædiaofXenophonmaybesocalled;
e
anditwasnottillarts
e
andsciencesbegantorevive
dopo
aftertheirruptionofthebarbariansintoEurope,
che
thatanythingofthiskindappeared.
Ma
Butwhenthemindsofmenweredebauchedbytheimpositionofpriestcrafttothe
più
mostabsurdpitchofcredulity,theauthorsofromancearose,
e
andlosingsightofprobability,filledtheirperformanceswiththe
più
mostmonstroushyperboles.
Iftheycouldnotequal
i
theancientpoetsinpointofgeniustheywereresolvedtoexceltheminfiction,
e
andapplytothewonder,ratherthan
i
thejudgment,oftheirreaders.
Accordingly,they
portato
broughtnecromancytotheiraid,
e
andinsteadofsupportingthecharacteroftheirheroesbydignityofsentiment
e
andpractice,distinguishedthembytheirbodilystrength,activity,
e
andextravaganceofbehaviour.
Although
nulla
nothingcouldbemoreludicrous
e
andunnaturalthanthefigurestheydrew,theydidnotwantpatrons
e
andadmirers;
andtheworld
effettivamente
actuallybegantobeinfectedwiththespiritofknight-errantry,
quando
whenCervantes,byaninimitablepieceofridicule,reformedthetasteofmankind,representingchivalryintheright
punto
pointofview,andconvertingromancetopurposesfar
più
moreusefulandentertaining,bymakingitassumethesock,
e
andpointoutthefolliesofordinary
vita
life.
Thesamemethodhasbeenpractisedby
altri
otherSpanishandFrenchauthors,
e
andbynonemoresuccessfullythanbyMonsieurLeSage,who,inhisAdventuresofGilBlas,
ha
hasdescribedtheknaveryandfoiblesof
vita
life,withinfinitehumourandsagacity.
The
seguono
followingsheetsIhavemodelledonhis
piano
plan,takingmeliberty,however,todifferfromhimintheexecution,
dove
whereIthoughthisparticularsituationswereuncommon,extravagant,
o
orpeculiartothecountryinwhichthesceneislaid.
ThedisgracesofGilBlas
sono
are,forthemostpart,suchasratherexcitemirththancompassion;
hehimselflaughsat
loro
them;
andhistransitionsfromdistresstohappiness,
o
oratleastease,aresosudden,
che
thatneitherthereaderhas
tempo
timetopityhim,norhimselftobeacquaintedwithaffliction.
Questa
Thisconduct,inmyopinion,not
solo
onlydeviatesfromprobability,butpreventsthatgenerousindignation,whichoughttoanimatethereader
contro
againstthesordidandviciousdispositionofthe
mondo
world.
Ihaveattemptedtorepresentmodestmeritstrugglingwith
ogni
everydifficultytowhichafriendlessorphanisexposed,fromhisown
mancanza
wantofexperience,aswellasfromtheselfishness,envy,malice,
e
andbaseindifferenceofmankind.
Tosecure
un
afavourableprepossession,Ihaveallowedhim
i
theadvantagesofbirthandeducation,
che
whichintheseriesofhismisfortuneswill,Ihope,engage
i
theingenuousmorewarmlyinhisbehalf;
e
andthoughIforesee,thatsome
persone
peoplewillbeoffendedatthemeanscenesinwhichheisinvolved,Ipersuademyselfthatthejudiciouswillnot
solo
onlyperceivethenecessityofdescribingthosesituationstowhichhe
deve
mustofcoursebeconfined,inhislowestate,
ma
butalsofindentertainmentinviewingthosepartsof
vita
life,wherethehumoursandpassionsareundisguisedbyaffectation,ceremony,
o
oreducation;
andthewhimsicalpeculiaritiesofdispositionappearasnature
ha
hasimplantedthem.
ButI
credo
believeIneednottroublemyselfinvindicating
una
apracticeauthorizedbythebestwritersin
questo
thisway,someofwhomI
ho
havealreadynamed.
Everyintelligentreader
sono
will,atfirstsight,perceiveIhavenotdeviatedfromnatureinthefacts,
che
whicharealltrueinthemain,althoughthecircumstancesarealtered
e
anddisguised,toavoidpersonalsatire.
It
ora
nowremainstogivemyreasonsfor
rendere
makingthechiefpersonageof
questo
thisworkaNorthBriton,
che
whicharechieflythese:
Icould,at
una
asmallexpense,bestowonhimsucheducationasI
pensavo
thoughtthedignityofhisbirth
e
andcharacterrequired,whichcouldnotpossiblybeobtainedinEngland,bysuchslendermeansas
la
thenatureofmyplanwouldafford.
In
la
thenextplace,Icouldrepresentsimplicityofmannersin
una
aremotepartofthekingdom,with
più
moreproprietythaninanyplacenear
la
thecapital;
andlastly,thedispositionof
la
theScots,addictedtotravelling,justifiesmyconductinderiving
un
anadventurerfromthatcountry.
APOLOGUE
A
giovane
youngpainter,indulgingaveinofpleasantry,sketchedakindofconversationpiece,representingabear,anowl,amonkey,
e
andanass;
andtorenderit
più
morestriking,humorous,andmoral,distinguished
ogni
everyfigurebysomeemblemofhuman
vita
life.
Bruinwasexhibitedinthegarb
e
andattitudeofanold,toothless,drunkensoldier;
il
theowlpercheduponthehandleof
un
acoffee-pot,withspectacleonnose,seemedtocontemplate
un
anewspaper;
andtheass,ornamentedwith
un
ahugetie-wig(which,however,couldnotconcealhislongears),
sedette
satforhispicturetothemonkey,whoappearedwiththeimplementsofpainting.
Questo
Thiswhimsicalgroupaffordedsomemirth,
e
andmetwithgeneralapprobation,until
qualche
somemischievouswaghintedthatthewhole—wasalampoonuponthefriendsoftheperformer;
un
aninsinuationwhichwasnosoonercirculatedthanthosevery
persone
peoplewhoapplaudeditbeforebegantobealarmed,
e
andeventofancythemselvessignifiedbytheseveralfiguresofthepiece.
Amongothers,aworthypersonageinyears,whohadservedinthearmywithreputation,beingincensedatthesupposedoutrage,repairedtothelodgingofthepainter,
e
andfindinghimathome,“Harkye,Mr.Monkey,”
detto
saidhe,“Ihaveagood
mente
mindtoconvinceyou,that
anche se
thoughthebearhaslosthisteeth,heretainshispaws,
e
andthatheisnotsodrunk
ma
buthecanperceiveyourimpertinence.”
“Sblood!
signore
sir,thattoothlessjawis
una
ad—nedscandalouslibel—butdon’tyouimaginemesochopfallenasnottobeabletochew
il
thecudofresentment.”
Herehewasinterruptedbythearrivalof
un
alearnedphysician,who,advancingtotheculpritwithfuryinhisaspect,exclaimed,“Supposetheaugmentationoftheass’sears
dovesse
shouldprovethediminutionofthebaboon’s—nay,seeknottoprevaricate,for,bythebeardofAesculapius!
thereisnot
un
onehairinthisperiwig
che
thatwillnotstandupinjudgmenttoconvicttheeofpersonalabuse.
Do
ma
butobserve,captain,howthispitiful
piccolo
littlefellowhascopiedtheverycurls—thecolour,indeed,is
diverso
different,butthentheform
e
andforetoparequitesimilar.”
Mentre
Whilehethusremonstratedin
un
astrainofvociferation,avenerablesenatorentered,
e
andwaddlinguptothedelinquent,“Jackanapes!”
criedhe,“Iwillnowletthee
vedere
seeIcanreadsomethingelsethan
un
anewspaper,andthatwithoutthehelpofspectacles:
hereisyourownnoteof
mano
hand,sirrah,formoney,which
se
ifIhadnotadvanced,youyourself
saresti
wouldhaveresembledanowl,innotdaringto
mostrare
showyourfacebyday,youungratefulslanderousknave!”
Invain
il
theastonishedpainterdeclaredthathe
aveva
hadnointentiontogiveoffence,
o
ortocharacteriseparticularpersons:
theyaffirmed
la
theresemblancewastoopalpabletobeoverlooked;
theytaxedhim
di
withinsolence,malice,andingratitude;
e
andtheirclamoursbeingoverheardbythepublic,thecaptainwasabear,the
dottore
doctoranass,andthesenatoranowl,tohisdying
giorno
day.
Christianreader,Ibeseechthee,inthebowelsofthe
Signore
Lord,rememberthisexample“whilethouartemployedintheperusalofthefollowingsheets;
e
andseeknottoappropriatetothyselfthatwhichequallybelongstofivehundreddifferent
persone
people.
Ifthoushouldstmeetwith
un
acharacterthatreflectstheein
qualche
someungraciousparticular,keepthyowncounsel;
CHAPTERI
OfmyBirth
e
andParentage.
Iwasborninthenorthern
parte
partofthisunitedkingdom,inthe
casa
houseofmygrandfather,agentlemanofconsiderablefortune
e
andinfluence,whohadon
molte
manyoccasionssignalisedhimselfinbehalfofhis
paese
country;
andwasremarkableforhisabilitiesinthe
legge
law,whichheexercisedwith
grande
greatsuccessinthestationofajudge,particularly
contro
againstbeggars,forwhomhe
aveva
hadasingularaversion.
My
padre
father(hisyoungestson)fallinginlovewith
una
apoorrelation,wholivedwiththe
vecchio
oldgentlemaninqualityof
una
ahousekeeper,espousedherprivately;
e
andIwasthefirstfruitofthatmarriage.
Duringherpregnancy,a
sogno
dreamdiscomposedmymothersomuch
che
thatherhusband,tiredwithherimportunity,at
durante
lastconsultedahighlandseer,whosefavourableinterpretationhewould
avrebbe
havesecuredbeforehandbyabribe,
ma
butfoundhimincorruptible.
Shedreamedshewasdeliveredofatennis-ball,whichthedevil(who,toher
grande
greatsurprise,actedthepartofamidwife)strucksoforciblywitharacketthatitdisappearedinaninstant;
e
andshewasforsome
tempo
timeinconsolableforthelostofheroffspring;
quando
when,allonasudden,shebeheldit
tornare
returnwithequalviolence,andenterthe
terra
earth,beneathherfeet,whenceimmediatelysprangup
un
agoodlytreecoveredwithblossoms,thescentofwhichoperatedsostronglyonhernervesthatsheawoke.
Il
Theattentivesage,aftersomedeliberation,assuredmyparents,
che
thattheirfirstbornwouldbe
un
agreattraveller;
thathe
sarebbe
wouldundergomanydangersanddifficulties,
e
andatlastreturntohisnativeland,
dove
wherehewouldflourishinhappiness
e
andreputation.
Howtrulythiswasforetoldwillappearin
il
thesequel.
Itwasnot
molto tempo
longbeforesomeofficiouspersoninformedmygrandfatherofcertainfamiliaritiesthatpassed
tra
betweenhissonandhousekeeperwhichalarmedhimsomuchthat,afewdays
dopo
after,hetoldmyfatheritwashigh
tempo
timeforhimtothinkofsettling;
e
andthathehadprovided
una
amatchforhim,towhichhecouldinjustice
avere
havenoobjections.
Myfather,findingitwouldbeimpossibletoconcealhissituationmuchlonger,franklyownedwhathe
aveva
haddone;
andexcusedhimselffornothaving
chiesto
askedtheconsentofhis
padre
father,bysaying,heknewitwouldhavebeento
non
nopurpose;
andthat,hadhisinclinationbeenknown,mygrandfathermighthave
prendere
takensuchmeasuresaswouldhaveeffectually
messo
putthegratificationofit
fuori
outofhispower:
headded,
che
thatnoexceptionscouldbetakentohiswife’svirtue,birth,beauty,
e
andgoodsense,andasforfortune,itwasbeneathhis
cura
care.
Theoldgentleman,whokept
tutte
allhispassions,exceptone,inexcellent
ordine
order,heardhimtoan
fine
endwithgreattemper,andthencalmly
chiese
asked,howheproposedtomaintainhimself
e
andspouse?
Hereplied,hecouldbein
non
nodangerofwantingwhilehisfather’stendernessremained,
che
whichheandhiswife
dovevano
shouldalwayscultivatewiththeutmostveneration;
e
andhewaspersuadedhisallowancewouldbesuitabletothedignity
e
andcircumstancesofhisfamily,
e
andtotheprovisionalreadymadeforhisbrothers
e
andsisters,whowerehappilysettled
sotto
underhisprotection.
“Yourbrothers
e
andsisters,”saidmygrandfather,“didnot
pensavano
thinkitbeneaththemtoconsultmein
una
anaffairofsuchimportanceasmatrimony;
neither,Isuppose,wouldyouhaveomittedthatpieceofduty,hadyounot
qualche
somesecretfundinreserve;
tothecomfortsofwhichI
lascio
leaveyou,withadesirethatyou
essere
willthisnightseekoutanotherhabitationforyourself
e
andwife,whither,inashort
tempo
time,IwillsendyouanaccountoftheexpenseI
ho
havebeenatinyoureducation,withaviewofbeingreimbursed.
Signore
Sir,youhavemadethegrandtour—youare
un
apolitegentleman—averyprettygentleman—Iwishyou
un
agreatdealofjoy,
e
andamyourveryhumbleservant.”
So
dicendo
saying,heleftmyfatherin
una
asituationeasilyimagined.
However,hedidnot
lungo
longhesitate;
for,beingperfectlywellacquaintedwithhisfather’sdisposition,hedidnotdoubt
che
thathewasgladof
questa
thispretencetogetridofhim;
e
andhisresolvesbeingasinvariableas
le
thelawsoftheMedes
e
andPersians,heknewitwouldbetonopurposetoattempthimbyprayers
e
andentreaties;
sowithoutanyfartherapplication,hebetookhimself,withhisdisconsolatebedfellowtoafarm-house,
dove
whereanoldservantofhis
madre
motherdwelt:
theretheyremained
qualche
sometimeinasituation
ma
butilladaptedtotheeleganceoftheirdesires
e
andtendernessoftheirlove;
whichneverthelessmy
padre
fatherchosetoendure,ratherthansupplicate
un
anunnaturalandinflexibleparent
ma
butmymother,foreseeingtheinconveniencestowhichshe
doveva
musthavebeenexposed,hadshebeendeliveredin
questo
thisplace(andherpregnancywasveryfaradvanced),
senza
withoutcommunicatingherdesigntoher
marito
husband,wentindisguisetothe
casa
houseofmygrandfather,hopingthathertears
e
andconditionwouldmovehimtocompassion,
e
andreconcilehimtoaneventwhichwas
ora
nowirrecoverablypast.
Shefoundmeanstodeceivetheservants,
e
andgetintroducedasanunfortunate
signora
lady,whowantedtocomplainofsomematrimonialgrievances,itbeingmygrandfather’sparticularprovincetodecidein
tutti
allcasesofscandal.
Shewasaccordinglyadmittedintohispresence,
dove
where,discoveringherself,shefellathisfeet,
e
andinthemostaffectingmannerimploredhisforgiveness;
atthe
stesso
sametimerepresentingthedangerthatthreatenednot
solo
onlyherlife,butthatofhisowngrandchild,whichwasaboutto
vedere
seethelight.
Hetoldherhewassorrythattheindiscretionofher
e
andhissonhadcompelledhimto
fare
makeavow,whichputit
fuori
outofhispowertogivethem
qualsiasi
anyassistance;
thathehad
già
alreadyimpartedhisthoughtson
che
thatsubjecttoherhusband,andwassurprised
che
thattheyshoulddisturbhispeacewith
qualsiasi
anyfartherimportunity.
Thissaid,heretired.
La
Theviolenceofmymother’saffliction
ebbe
hadsuchaneffectonherconstitution
che
thatshewasimmediatelyseizedwith
la
thepainsofchildbed;
and
avesse
hadnotanoldmaidservant,towhomshewasvery
cara
dear,affordedherpityandassistance,at
la
thehazardofincurringmygrandfather’sdispleasure,she
e
andtheinnocentfruitofherwomb
dovevano
musthavefallenmiserablevictimstohisrigour
e
andinhumanity.
Bythefriendshipof
questa
thispoorwomanshewascarrieduptoagarret,
e
andimmediatelydeliveredofaman
bambino
child,thestoryofwhoseunfortunatebirthhehimself
ora
nowrelates.
Myfather,beinginformedofwhat
avrebbe
hadhappened,flewtotheembracesofhisdarlingspouse,
e
andwhileheloadedhisoffspringwithpaternalembraces,couldnotforbearshedding
un
afloodoftearsonbeholdingthe
cara
dearpartnerofhisheart(forwhoseeasehewould
avrebbe
havesacrificedthetreasuresoftheeast)stretchedupon
un
aflockbed,inamiserableapartment,unabletoprotectherfromtheinclemenciesoftheweather.
Itisnottobesupposedthat
il
theoldgentlemanwasignorantofwhatpassed,
anche se
thoughheaffectedtoknow
nulla
nothingofthematter,andpretendedtobeverymuchsurprised,
quando
whenoneofhisgrandchildren,byhiseldest
figlio
sondeceased,wholivedwithhimashisheirapparent,acquaintedhimwith
il
theaffair;
hedeterminedthereforetoobserve
non
nomedium,butimmediately(onthethird
giorno
dayafterherdelivery)senther
un
aperemptoryordertobegone,
e
andturnedofftheservant
che
whohadpreservedherlife.
Questo
Thisbehavioursoexasperatedmy
padre
fatherthathehadrecoursetothe
più
mostdreadfulimprecations;
andonhisbarekneesimplored
che
thatHeavenwouldrenouncehim
se
ifeverheshouldforget
o
orforgivethebarbarityofhissire.
Theinjurieswhich
questa
thisunhappymotherreceivedfromherremovalinsuchcircumstances,
e
andthewantofnecessarieswhereshelodged,
insieme
togetherwithhergriefandanxietyof
mente
mind,soonthrewherintoalanguishingdisorder,which
mise
putanendtoher
vita
life.
Myfather,wholovedhertenderly,wassoaffectedwithher
morte
deaththatheremainedsixweeksdeprivedofhissenses;
duringwhich
tempo
time,thepeoplewherehelodgedcarriedtheinfanttothe
vecchio
oldmanwhorelentedsofar,on
sentito
hearingthemelancholystoryofhisdaughter-in-law’s
morte
death,andthedeplorableconditionofhisson,astosendthechildtonurse,
e
andheorderedmyfathertobecarriedhometohishouse,
dove
wherehesoonrecoveredtheuseofhis
ragione
reason.
Whetherthishardheartedjudge
sentisse
feltanyremorseforhiscrueltreatmentofhis
figlio
sonanddaughter,or(whichis
più
moreprobable)wasafraidhischaracterwouldsufferintheneighbourhood,heprofessed
grande
greatsorrowforhisconducttomy
padre
father,whosedeliriumwassucceededby
una
aprofoundmelancholyandreserve.
Atlengthhedisappeared,
e
and,notwithstandingallimaginableinquiry,couldnotbe
sentire
heardof;
acircumstancewhichconfirmed
maggior parte
mostpeopleintheopinionofhis
ha
havingmadeawaywithhimselfinafitofdespair.
CHAPTERII
Igrowup—am
odiato
hatedbymyRelations—senttoSchool—neglectedbymyGrandfather—maltreatedbymyMaster—seasonedtoAdversity—IformCabals
contro
againstthePedant—amdebarredAccesstomyGrandfather—huntedbyhisHeir—IdemolishtheTeethofhisTutor.
Therewerenotwanting
alcuni
somewhosuspectedmyunclesofbeingconcernedinmyfather’sfate,onthesuppositionthatthey
fossero
wouldallshareinthepatrimonydestinedfor
lui
him;
andthisconjecturewasstrengthenedbyreflecting
che
thatinallhiscalamitiestheyneverdiscoveredtheleastinclinationtoservehim;
ma
but,onthecontrary,by
tutti
alltheartificesintheir
potere
power,fedhisresentmentandsupportedhisresolutionofleavinghimtomisery
e
andwant.
Butpeopleofjudgmenttreated
questa
thisinsinuationasanidlechimera;
perché
because,hadmyrelationsbeensowickedastoconsulttheirinterestbycommittingsuch
un
anatrociouscrime,thefateofmy
padre
fatherwouldhaveextendedtometoowhose
vita
lifewasanotherobstacletotheirexpectation.
Meanwhile,Igrewapace,
e
andasIstronglyresembledmy
padre
father,whowasthedarlingofthetenants,Iwanted
nulla
nothingwhichtheirindigentcircumstancescouldafford:
ma
buttheirfavourwasaweakresource
contro
againstthejealousenmityofmycousins;
che
whothemoremyinfancy
prometteva
promised,conceivedthemoreimplacablehatred
contro
againstme:
andbeforeIwas
sei
sixyearsofage,hadsoeffectuallyblockadedmygrandfather
che
thatIneversawhimbutbystealth,
quando
whenIsometimesmadeuptohischairashe
sedeva
sattoviewhislabourersin
i
thefield:
onwhichoccasionhe
essere
wouldstrokemyhead,bidmebe
un
agoodboy,andpromisetotake
cura
careofme.
Iwassoon
dopo
aftersenttoschoolat
un
avillagehardby,of
cui
whichhehadbeendictator
tempo
timeoutofmind;
butashenever
pagò
paidformyboard,norsuppliedmewithclothes,books,
e
andothernecessariesIrequired,myconditionwasveryragged
e
andcontemptible,andtheschoolmaster,
che
who,throughfearofmygrandfather,taughtmegratis,gavehimselfnoconcernabouttheprogressI
facevo
madeunderhisinstruction.
Inspiteof
tutte
allthesedifficultiesanddisgraces,Ibecame
un
agoodproficientintheLatintongue;
e
and,assoonasIcould
scrivere
writetolerably,pesteredmygrandfatherwithletterstosuchadegreethathesentformy
padrone
master,andchidhimseverelyforbestowingsuchpainsonmyeducation,tellinghimthat,
se
ifeverIshouldbe
portato
broughttothegallowsforforgery,whichhehadtaughtmetocommit,my
sangue
bloodwouldlieonhis
testa
head.
Thepedant,whodreadednothing
più
morethanthedispleasureofhispatron,assuredhishonourthattheboy’sabilitywas
più
moreowingtohisowngenius
e
andapplicationthantoanyinstruction
o
orencouragementhereceived;
that,althoughhecouldnotdivesthimoftheknowledgehe
aveva
hadalreadyimbibed,unlesshewouldempowerhimtodisablehisfingers,he
dovrebbe
shouldendeavour,withGod’shelp,topreventhisfutureimprovement.
E
And,indeed,hepunctuallyperformedwhathehadundertaken;
for,onpretencethatI
avessi
hadwrittenimpertinentletterstomygrandfather,hecausedaboardtobemadewith
cinque
fiveholesinit,throughwhichhethrustthefingers
e
andthumbofmyright
mano
hand,andfasteneditbywhipcordtomywrist,in
tale
suchamanneraseffectuallydebarredmetheuseofmypen.
Ma
ButthisrestraintIwas
liberato
freedfrominafewdays,byanaccident
che
whichhappenedinaquarrel
tra
betweenmeandanotherboy;
who,
prendendo
takinguponhimtoinsultmypoverty,Iwassoincensedathisungenerousreproachthatwith
un
onestrokewithmymachineI
tagliato
cuthimtotheskull,tothe
grande
greatterrorofmyselfandschoolfellows,who
lasciarono
lefthimbleedingontheground,
e
andrantoinformthe
maestro
masterofwhathadhappened.
Iwassoseverelypunishedfor
questa
thistrespassthat,wereIto
vissuto
livetotheageofMethusalem,theimpressionit
fatto
madeonmewouldnotbeeffaced;
themorethantheantipathy
e
andhorrorIconceivedforthemercilesstyrantwhoinflicted
lo
it.
Thecontemptwhichmyappearancenaturallyproducedin
tutti
allwhosawme,thecontinualwantstowhichIwasexposed,
e
andmyownhaughtydisposition,impatientofaffronts,involvedmeinathousandtroublesomeadventures,bywhichIwasatlengthinuredinadversity,
e
andemboldenedtoundertakingsfarabovemyyears.
IwasofteninhumanlyscourgedforcrimesIdidnotcommit,
perché
because,havingthecharacterof
un
avagabondinthevillage,
ogni
everypieceofmischief,whoseauthorlayunknown,waschargedupon
me
me.
IhavebeenfoundguiltyofrobbingorchardsIneverentered,of
ucciso
killingcatsIneverhunted,ofstealinggingerbreadInever
toccato
touched,andofabusingoldwomenInever
visto
saw.
Nay,astammeringcarpenterhadeloquence
abbastanza
enoughtopersuademymaster
che
thatIfiredapistolloadedwithsmallshotintohiswindow;
anche se
thoughmylandladyandthewhole
famiglia
familyborewitnessthatIwasabedfastasleepat
la
thetimewhenthisoutragewascommitted.
Iwas
volta
oncefloggedforhavingnarrowlyescapeddrowning,bythesinkingofaferryboatin
cui
whichIwaspassenger.
Another
volta
time,forhavingrecoveredof
un
abruiseoccasionedbyahorse
e
andcartrunningoverme.
Athird
volta
time,forbeingbittenbyabaker’s
cane
dog.
Inshort,whetherIwasguilty
o
orunfortunate,thecorrectionandsympathyof
questo
thisarbitrarypedagoguewerethesame.
Farfrombeingsubduedby
questo
thisinformalusage,myindignationtriumphed
su
overthatslavishawewhich
aveva
hadhithertoenforcedmyobedience;
e
andthemoremyyears
e
andknowledgeincreased,themoreIperceivedtheinjustice
e
andbarbarityofhisbehaviour.
Bythehelpofanuncommongenius,
e
andtheadviceanddirectionofourusher,
che
whohadservedmyfatherinhistravels,I
feci
madeasurprisingprogressintheclassics,writing,
e
andarithmetic;
sothat,beforeIwastwelveyearsold,Iwasallowedby
tutti
everybodytobethebestscholarin
il
theschool.
Thisqualification,togetherwiththeboldnessoftemper
e
andstrengthofmakewhich
aveva
hadsubjectedalmostallmycontemporaries,
diede
gavemesuchinfluenceoverthemthatIbegantoformcabals
contro
againstmypersecutor;
andwasinhopeof,beingabletobidhimdefianceinaveryshort
tempo
time.
Beingattheheadof
una
afaction,consistingofthirtyboys,
maggior parte
mostofthemofmyownage,Iwasdeterminedto
mettere
puttheirmettletotrial,
che
thatImightknowhowfartheyweretobedependedupon,beforeI
mettere
putmygrandschemeinexecution:
with
questo
thisview,weattackeda
corpo
bodyofstoutapprentices,whohad
preso
takenpossessionofapartofthegroundallottedtousfortheschemeofourdiversions,
e
andwhowerethenplayingatninepinsonthespot;
ma
butIhadthemortificationto
vedere
seemyadherentsroutedinaninstant,
e
andalegofoneofthembrokeinhisflightbythebowl,
che
whichoneofouradversarieshaddetachedinpursuitofus.
Questa
Thisdiscomfituredidnothinderusfromengagingthemafterwardsinfrequentskirmishes,whichwemaintainedbythrowingstonesatadistance,whereinIreceived
molte
manywounds,thescarsofwhich
ancora
stillremain.
Ourenemiesweresoharassed
e
andinterruptedbythesealarms
che
thattheyatlastabandonedtheirconquest,
e
andleftustothepeaceableenjoymentofourownterritories.
It
sarebbe
wouldbeendlesstoenumeratetheexploitsweperformedinthe
corso
courseofthisconfederacy,whichbecametheterrorofthewholevillage;
insomuchthat,
quando
whendifferentinterestsdividedit,
una
oneofthepartiescommonlycourtedtheassistanceofRoderickRandom(bywhich
nome
nameIwasknown)tocastthebalance,
e
andkeeptheoppositefactioninawe.
Meanwhile,Itooktheadvantageof
ogni
everyplay-daytopresentmyselfbeforemygrandfather,towhomIseldomfoundaccess,byreasonofhisbeingcloselybesiegedby
una
anumerousfamilyofhisfemalegrandchildren,
che
who,thoughtheyperpetuallyquarrelledamongthemselves,neverfailedtojoin
contro
againstme,asthecommonenemyof
tutti
all.
Hisheir,whowas
circa
abouttheageofeighteen,mindednothingbutfox-hunting,
e
andindeedwasqualifiedfornothingelse,notwithstandinghisgrandfather’sindulgenceinentertaining
un
atutorforhimat
casa
home;
whoatthesame
tempo
timeperformedtheofficeofparishclerk.
Questo
ThisyoungActaeon,whoinheritedhisgrandfather’santipathyto
tutto
everythingindistress,neversateyesonme
senza
withoutuncouplinghisbeagles,andhuntingmeinto
qualche
somecottageorother,whitherIgenerallyfledforshelter.
In
questo
thisChristianamusementhewasencouragedbyhispreceptor,who,
non
nodoubt,tooksuchopportunitiestoingratiatehimselfwith
il
therisingsun,observing,that
il
theoldgentleman,accordingto
il
thecourseofnature,hadnot
molto tempo
longtolive,forhewas
già
alreadyonthevergeoffourscore.
CHAPTERIII
MyMother’s
Fratello
Brotherarrives—relievesme—aDescriptionofhim—he
va
goesalongwithmeto
il
theHouseofmyGrandfather—isencounteredbyhisDogs—defeatsthem,
dopo
afterabloodyEngagement—isadmittedto
il
theoldGentleman—aDialoguebetweenthem.
Aboutthistimemymother’sonly
fratello
brother,whohadbeenlongabroad,lieutenantof
una
aman-of-war,arrivedinhisown
paese
country;
wherebeinginformedofmycondition,he
venne
cametoseeme,andoutofhisslenderfinancesnot
solo
onlysuppliedmewithwhatnecessariesIwantedforthepresent,
ma
butresolvednottoleavethe
paese
countryuntilhehadprevailedonmygrandfathertosettle
qualcosa
somethinghandsomeforthefuture.
Questo
Thiswasataskto
cui
whichhewasbynomeansequal,beingentirelyignorant,not
solo
onlyofthejudge’sdisposition,
ma
butalsoofthewaysofmeningeneral,to
cui
whichhiseducationonboard
aveva
hadkepthimanutterstranger.
Hewas
un
astrongbuiltman,somewhatbandylegged,with
un
anecklikethatof
un
abull,andafacewhich(you
potrebbe
mighteasilyperceive)hadwithstoodthe
più
mostobstinateassaultsoftheweather.
Hisdressconsistedofasoldier’scoatalteredforhimbytheship’stailor,astripedflanneljacket,apairofredbreechesspannedwithpitch,cleangrayworstedstockings,largesilverbuckles
che
thatcoveredthree-fourthsofhisshoes,asilver-lacedhat,whosecrownoverlookedthebrims
circa
aboutaninchanda
mezzo
half,blackbobwiginbuckle,acheckshirt,asilkhandkerchief,ahanger,withabrasshandle,girdedtohisthighbyafurnishedlacebelt,
e
andagoodoakplant
sotto
underhisarm.
Thusequipped,hesetoutwithme
Che
(whobyhisbountymade
un
averydecentappearance)formygrandfather’s
casa
house,whereweweresalutedbyJowler
e
andCaesar,whommycousin,
giovane
youngmaster,hadletlooseatourapproach.
Being
bene
wellacquaintedwiththeinveteracyofthesecurs,Iwasabouttobetakemyselftomyheels,
quando
whenmyuncleseizedmewithone
mano
hand,brandishedhiscudgelwith
il
theother,andatoneblowlaidCaesarsprawlingon
il
theground;
but,findinghimselfattackedatthe
stesso
sametimeintherearbyJowler,
e
andfearingCaesarmightrecover,hedrewhishanger,wheeledabout,
e
andbyaluckystrokeseveredJowler’s
testa
headfromhisbody.
By
questo
thistime,theyoungfoxhunter
e
andthreeservants,armedwithpitchforks
e
andflails,werecometo
il
theassistanceofthedogs,whomthey
trovarono
foundbreathlessuponthefield;
e
andmycousinwassoprovokedatthe
morte
deathofhisfavourites,thathe
ordinò
orderedhisattendantstoadvance,
e
andtakevengeanceontheirexecutioner,whomheloadedwith
tutte
allthecursesandreproacheshisangercouldsuggest.
Upon
cui
whichmyunclesteppedforwardswith
un
anundauntedair,atthesightofwhosebloodyweaponshisantagonists
caduti
fellbackwithprecipitation,whenheaccostedtheirleaderthus:.
“Lookee,
fratello
brother,yourdogshavingboardedme
senza
withoutprovocation,whatIdidwasinmyowndefence.
Soyouhad
meglio
bestbecivil,andletus
sparare
shootahead,clearofyou.”
Whether
il
theyoungsquiremisinterpretedmyuncle’sdesireofpeace,
o
orwasenragedatthefateofhishoundsbeyondhisusualpitchofresolution,I
so
knownot;
buthesnatchedaflailfromoneofhisfollowers,
e
andcameupwitha
spettacolo
showofassaultingthelieutenant,
che
who,puttinghimselfinapostureofdefence,proceededthus:
“Lookee,youlubberly
figlio
sonofaw—e,ifyou
vieni
comeathwartme,’wareyourgingerbread
lavoro
work.
I’llbefoulofyourquarter,d—nme.”
Questa
Thisdeclaration,followedbyaflourishofhishanger,seemedto
controllare
checktheprogressofthe
giovane
younggentleman’scholer,who,lookingbehind
lo
him,perceivedhisattendantshadslunkintothe
casa
house,shutthegate,and
lasciarono
lefthimtodecidethecontentionbyhimself.
Qui
Hereaparleyensued,whichwasintroducedbymycousin’s
chiedeva
asking,“Whothedevilareyou?
Whatdoyouwant?
Qualche
Somescoundrelofaseaman,Isuppose,
che
whohasdesertedandturnedthief.
Ma
Butdon’tthinkyoushallescape,sirrah—I’llhaveyouhang’d,you
cane
dog,Iwill.
Yourbloodshall
pagherà
payforthatofmy
due
twohounds,youragamuffin.
I
sarei
wouldnothavepartedwiththemto
salvare
saveyourwholegenerationfromthegallows,youruffian,you!”
“Noneofyourjaw,youswab—noneofyourjaw,”repliedmy
zio
uncle,“elseIshalltrimyourlacedjacketforyou.
Ishallrubyou
giù
downwithanoakentowel,my
ragazzo
boy,Ishall.”
Sosaying,hesheathedhishanger,
e
andgraspedhiscudgel.