The Adventures of Roderick Random Gradually Hardening Italian B1 Books

THEAUTHOR’SPREFACE

Ofallkindsofsatire,thereisnonesoentertaininganduniversallyimproving,asthatwhichisintroduced,asitwereoccasionally,inthecourseofaninterestingstory,whichbringsevery

incidente

incidenthometolife,andbyrepresentingfamiliarscenesinanuncommonandamusingpointof

vista

view,investsthemwithallthegracesofnovelty,whilenatureisappealedtoinevery

particolare

particular.

Thereadergratifieshiscuriosityinpursuingtheadventuresofapersoninwhosefavourheisprepossessed;

heespouseshiscause,hesympathiseswithhiminhisdistress,hisindignationisheatedagainsttheauthorsofhiscalamity:

thehumanepassionsareinflamed;

thecontrastbetweendejectedvirtueandinsulting

vizio

viceappearswithgreateraggravation,andeveryimpressionhavingadoubleforceontheimagination,thememoryretainsthecircumstance,andtheheartimprovesbytheexample.

Theattentionisnottiredwithabarecatalogueofcharacters,butagreeablydivertedwithallthevarietyofinvention;

andthevicissitudesoflife

appaiono

appearintheirpeculiarcircumstances,openinganamplefieldforwitandhumour.

Romance,nodoubt,owesitsorigintoignorance,vanity,andsuperstition.

InthedarkagesoftheWorld,whenamanhadrenderedhimselffamousforwisdomorvalour,hisfamilyandadherentsavailedthemselvesofhissuperiorqualities,magnifiedhisvirtues,andrepresentedhis

carattere

characterandpersonassacredandsupernatural.

Thevulgar

facilmente

easilyswallowedthebait,imploredhis

protezione

protection,andyieldedthetributeofhomageandpraise,eventoadoration;

hisexploitswerehandeddowntoposteritywithathousandexaggerations;

theywererepeatedasincitementstovirtue;

divinehonourswerepaid,andaltarserectedtohismemory,fortheencouragementofthosewhoattemptedtoimitatehis

esempio

example;

andhencearosetheheathenmythology,whichisnootherthanacollectionofextravagantromances.

Aslearningadvanced,and

genio

geniusreceivedcultivation,thesestorieswereembellishedwiththegracesof

poesia

poetry,thattheymightthebetterrecommendthemselvestotheattention;

theyweresunginpublic,atfestivals,fortheinstructionanddelightoftheaudience;

andrehearsedbefore

battaglia

battle,asincentivestodeedsof

gloria

glory.

Thustragedyandtheepicmusewereborn,and,inthe

progresso

progressoftaste,arrivedatperfection.

Itisnowonderthattheancientscouldnotrelishafableinprose,aftertheyhadseensomanyremarkableeventscelebratedinversebytheirbestpoets;

pertanto

thereforefindnoromanceamongthemduringtheeraoftheirexcellence,unlesstheCyropædiaofXenophonmaybesocalled;

anditwasnottillartsandsciencesbegantoreviveaftertheirruptionofthebarbariansinto

Europa

Europe,thatanythingofthiskind

apparve

appeared.

Butwhenthemindsofmenweredebauchedbytheimpositionofpriestcrafttothemostabsurdpitchofcredulity,theauthorsofromancearose,andlosing

vista

sightofprobability,filledtheirperformanceswiththemostmonstroushyperboles.

Iftheycouldnotequaltheancientpoetsinpointof

genio

geniustheywereresolvedtoexceltheminfiction,andapplytothewonder,ratherthanthejudgment,oftheirreaders.

Accordingly,theybroughtnecromancytotheiraid,andinsteadofsupportingthe

carattere

characteroftheirheroesbydignityofsentimentandpractice,distinguishedthembytheirbodilystrength,activity,andextravaganceofbehaviour.

Sebbene

Althoughnothingcouldbemoreludicrousandunnaturalthanthefiguresthey

disegnavano

drew,theydidnotwantpatronsandadmirers;

andtheworldactuallybegantobeinfectedwiththespiritofknight-errantry,whenCervantes,byaninimitablepieceofridicule,reformedthetasteofmankind,representingchivalryintherightpointof

vista

view,andconvertingromancetopurposesfarmoreusefulandentertaining,bymakingit

assumere

assumethesock,andpointoutthefolliesofordinarylife.

ThesamemethodhasbeenpractisedbyotherSpanishandFrenchauthors,andbynonemoresuccessfullythanbyMonsieurLeSage,who,inhisAdventuresofGilBlas,hasdescribedtheknaveryandfoiblesoflife,withinfinitehumourandsagacity.

ThefollowingsheetsIhavemodelledonhisplan,takingmeliberty,however,todifferfromhimintheexecution,whereIthoughthisparticularsituationswereuncommon,extravagant,orpeculiartothecountryinwhichthesceneislaid.

ThedisgracesofGilBlasare,forthemostpart,suchasratherexcitemirththancompassion;

hehimselflaughsatthem;

andhistransitionsfromdistressto

felicità

happiness,oratleastease,aresosudden,thatneitherthereaderhastimetopityhim,norhimselftobeacquaintedwithaffliction.

Thisconduct,inmyopinion,notonlydeviatesfromprobability,butpreventsthatgenerousindignation,whichoughttoanimatethereaderagainstthesordidandviciousdispositionoftheworld.

Ihaveattemptedtorepresentmodestmerit

lotta

strugglingwitheverydifficultytowhichafriendlessorphanisexposed,fromhisownwantofexperience,aswellasfromtheselfishness,envy,malice,and

base

baseindifferenceofmankind.

Tosecureafavourableprepossession,Ihaveallowedhimtheadvantagesof

nascita

birthandeducation,whichinthe

serie

seriesofhismisfortuneswill,Ihope,engagetheingenuousmorewarmlyinhisbehalf;

andthoughIforesee,thatsomepeoplewillbeoffendedatthemeanscenesinwhichheisinvolved,Ipersuademyselfthatthejudiciouswillnotonlyperceivethenecessityofdescribingthosesituationstowhichhemustofcoursebeconfined,inhislowestate,butalsofindentertainmentin

vedere

viewingthosepartsoflife,wherethehumoursandpassionsareundisguisedbyaffectation,

cerimonia

ceremony,oreducation;

andthewhimsicalpeculiaritiesofdisposition

appaiono

appearasnaturehasimplantedthem.

ButIbelieveIneednottroublemyselfinvindicatingapracticeauthorizedbythebestwritersinthisway,someofwhomIhavealreadynamed.

Everyintelligentreaderwill,atfirst

vista

sight,perceiveIhavenotdeviatedfromnatureinthefacts,whicharealltrueinthemain,

anche se

althoughthecircumstancesarealteredanddisguised,to

evitare

avoidpersonalsatire.

Itnow

rimane

remainstogivemyreasonsformakingthechiefpersonageofthisworkaNorthBriton,whicharechieflythese:

Icould,atasmallexpense,bestowonhimsucheducationasIthoughtthedignityofhis

nascita

birthandcharacterrequired,whichcouldnotpossiblybeobtainedinEngland,bysuchslendermeansasthenatureofmyplanwouldafford.

Inthenextplace,Icouldrepresentsimplicityofmannersinaremotepartofthe

regno

kingdom,withmoreproprietythaninanyplacenearthe

capitale

capital;

andlastly,thedispositionoftheScots,addictedto

viaggi

travelling,justifiesmyconductinderivinganadventurerfromthatcountry.

APOLOGUE

Ayoungpainter,indulgingaveinofpleasantry,sketchedakindofconversationpiece,representingabear,anowl,a

scimmia

monkey,andanass;

andtorenderitmorestriking,humorous,andmoral,distinguishedeveryfigurebysomeemblemofhumanlife.

Bruinwasexhibitedinthegarbandattitudeofanold,toothless,drunken

soldato

soldier;

theowlpercheduponthehandleofacoffee-pot,withspectacleonnose,seemedtocontemplatea

giornale

newspaper;

andtheass,ornamentedwithahugetie-wig(which,however,couldnotconcealhislongears),satforhispicturetothe

scimmia

monkey,whoappearedwiththeimplementsofpainting.

Thiswhimsicalgroupaffordedsomemirth,andmetwithgeneralapprobation,untilsomemischievouswaghintedthatthewhole—wasalampoonuponthefriendsoftheperformer;

aninsinuationwhichwasnosoonercirculatedthanthoseverypeoplewhoapplaudeditbeforebegantobealarmed,andeventofancythemselvessignifiedbytheseveralfiguresofthepiece.

Tra

Amongothers,aworthypersonageinyears,whohad

servito

servedinthearmywith

reputazione

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

“Sblood!

sir,thattoothlessjawisad—nedscandalouslibel—butdon’tyouimaginemesochopfallenasnottobeabletochewthecudofresentment.”

Herehewasinterruptedbythearrivalofalearnedphysician,who,

avanzando

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

thereisnotonehairinthisperiwigthatwillnotstandupinjudgmenttoconvicttheeofpersonalabuse.

Dobutobserve,captain,howthispitifullittlefellowhas

copiato

copiedtheverycurls—thecolour,indeed,isdifferent,butthentheformandforetoparequitesimilar.”

Whilehethusremonstratedinastrainofvociferation,avenerablesenator

entrò

entered,andwaddlinguptothedelinquent,“Jackanapes!”

criedhe,“IwillnowlettheeseeIcanreadsomethingelsethana

giornale

newspaper,andthatwithoutthehelpofspectacles:

hereisyourown

nota

noteofhand,sirrah,formoney,whichifIhadnot

avanzato

advanced,youyourselfwouldhaveresembledanowl,innotdaringtoshowyourfacebyday,youungratefulslanderousknave!”

Invaintheastonishedpainterdeclaredthathehadnointentiontogiveoffence,ortocharacteriseparticularpersons:

theyaffirmedtheresemblancewastoopalpabletobeoverlooked;

theytaxedhimwithinsolence,malice,andingratitude;

andtheirclamoursbeingoverheardbythepublic,thecaptainwasabear,thedoctoranass,andthesenatoranowl,tohisdyingday.

Christianreader,Ibeseechthee,inthebowelsoftheLord,rememberthis

esempio

example“whilethouartemployedintheperusalofthefollowingsheets;

and

cercare

seeknottoappropriatetothyselfthatwhichequally

appartiene

belongstofivehundreddifferentpeople.

Ifthoushouldstmeetwitha

carattere

characterthatreflectstheeinsomeungracious

particolare

particular,keepthyowncounsel;

CHAPTERI

Ofmy

Nascita

BirthandParentage.

Iwasborninthenorthernpartofthis

unito

unitedkingdom,inthehouseofmy

nonno

grandfather,agentlemanofconsiderable

fortuna

fortuneandinfluence,whohadonmanyoccasionssignalisedhimselfinbehalfofhiscountry;

andwasremarkableforhisabilitiesinthelaw,whichhe

esercitò

exercisedwithgreatsuccessinthestationofajudge,particularlyagainstbeggars,forwhomhehadasingularaversion.

Myfather(hisyoungestson)fallinginlovewithapoorrelation,wholivedwiththeold

signore

gentlemaninqualityofahousekeeper,espousedherprivately;

andIwasthefirst

frutto

fruitofthatmarriage.

Duringherpregnancy,adreamdiscomposedmymothersomuchthatherhusband,tiredwithherimportunity,atlastconsultedahighlandseer,whosefavourableinterpretationhewouldhavesecuredbeforehandbyabribe,butfoundhimincorruptible.

Shedreamedshewasdeliveredofatennis-ball,whichthe

diavolo

devil(who,tohergreatsurprise,actedthepartofamidwife)

colpito

strucksoforciblywitharacketthatit

scomparso

disappearedinaninstant;

andshewasforsometimeinconsolableforthelostofheroffspring;

when,allonasudden,shebehelditreturnwithequal

violenza

violence,andentertheearth,beneathherfeet,whenceimmediatelysprangupagoodlytreecoveredwithblossoms,thescentofwhichoperatedsostronglyonhernervesthatshe

svegliò

awoke.

Theattentivesage,aftersomedeliberation,assuredmyparents,thattheirfirstbornwouldbeagreattraveller;

thathewouldundergomanydangersanddifficulties,andatlastreturntohisnativeland,wherehewouldflourishin

felicità

happinessandreputation.

Howtrulythiswasforetoldwill

apparirà

appearinthesequel.

Itwasnotlongbeforesomeofficiousperson

informasse

informedmygrandfatherofcertainfamiliaritiesthatpassedbetweenhissonandhousekeeperwhichalarmedhimsomuchthat,afewdaysafter,hetoldmyfatheritwashightimeforhimtothinkofsettling;

andthathehad

fornito

providedamatchforhim,towhichhecouldin

giustizia

justicehavenoobjections.

Myfather,findingitwouldbeimpossibletoconcealhissituationmuchlonger,franklyownedwhathehaddone;

andexcusedhimselffornothavingaskedtheconsentofhisfather,bysaying,heknewitwouldhavebeentonopurpose;

andthat,hadhisinclinationbeenknown,my

nonno

grandfathermighthavetakensuchmeasuresaswouldhaveeffectuallyputthegratificationofitoutofhispower:

aggiunse

added,thatnoexceptionscouldbetakentohiswife’svirtue,

nascita

birth,beauty,andgoodsense,andasfor

fortuna

fortune,itwasbeneathhiscare.

Theold

signore

gentleman,whokeptallhispassions,exceptone,inexcellentorder,heardhimtoanendwithgreattemper,andthencalmlyasked,howheproposedtomaintainhimselfandspouse?

Hereplied,hecouldbeinno

pericolo

dangerofwantingwhilehisfather’stenderness

rimaneva

remained,whichheandhiswifeshouldalwayscultivatewiththeutmostveneration;

andhewaspersuadedhisallowancewouldbesuitabletothedignityandcircumstancesofhisfamily,andtotheprovisionalreadymadeforhisbrothersandsisters,whowerehappily

stabiliti

settledunderhisprotection.

“Yourbrothersandsisters,”saidmy

nonno

grandfather,“didnotthinkitbeneaththemtoconsultmeinan

faccenda

affairofsuchimportanceasmatrimony;

neither,Isuppose,wouldyouhaveomittedthatpieceofduty,hadyounotsomesecretfundinreserve;

tothecomfortsofwhichIleaveyou,witha

desiderio

desirethatyouwillthisnight

cerchi

seekoutanotherhabitationforyourselfandwife,whither,inashorttime,IwillsendyouanaccountoftheexpenseIhavebeenatinyour

istruzione

education,withaviewofbeingreimbursed.

Sir,youhavemadethegrandtour—youareapolitegentleman—averyprettygentleman—Iwishyouagreatdealof

gioia

joy,andamyourveryhumbleservant.”

Sosaying,heleftmyfatherinasituation

facilmente

easilyimagined.

However,hedidnotlonghesitate;

for,being

perfettamente

perfectlywellacquaintedwithhisfather’sdisposition,hedidnotdoubtthathewasgladofthispretencetogetridofhim;

andhisresolvesbeingasinvariableasthelawsoftheMedesandPersians,heknewitwouldbetonopurposetoattempthimbyprayersandentreaties;

sowithoutanyfartherapplication,hebetookhimself,withhisdisconsolatebedfellowtoafarm-house,whereanoldservantofhismotherdwelt:

therethey

rimasero

remainedsometimeinasituationbutilladaptedtotheeleganceoftheirdesiresandtendernessoftheirlove;

whichneverthelessmyfatherchosetoendure,ratherthansupplicateanunnaturalandinflexibleparentbutmymother,foreseeingtheinconveniencestowhichshemusthavebeenexposed,hadshebeendeliveredinthisplace(andherpregnancywasveryfaradvanced),withoutcommunicatingher

disegno

designtoherhusband,wentindisguisetothehouseofmy

nonno

grandfather,hopingthathertearsand

condizione

conditionwouldmovehimtocompassion,andreconcilehimtoan

evento

eventwhichwasnowirrecoverablypast.

Shefoundmeanstodeceivetheservants,andget

presentò

introducedasanunfortunatelady,whowantedtocomplainofsomematrimonialgrievances,itbeingmygrandfather’s

particolare

particularprovincetodecideinallcasesofscandal.

Shewasaccordinglyadmittedintohis

presenza

presence,where,discoveringherself,shefellathisfeet,andinthemostaffectingmannerimploredhisforgiveness;

atthesametimerepresentingthe

pericolo

dangerthatthreatenednotonlyherlife,butthatofhisowngrandchild,whichwasabouttoseethelight.

Hetoldherhewassorrythattheindiscretionofherandhissonhadcompelledhimtomakeavow,whichputitoutofhispowertogivethemanyassistance;

thathehadalreadyimpartedhisthoughtsonthat

argomento

subjecttoherhusband,andwassurprisedthattheyshoulddisturbhispeacewithanyfartherimportunity.

Thissaid,heretired.

The

violenza

violenceofmymother’safflictionhadsuchan

effetto

effectonherconstitutionthatshewasimmediatelyseizedwiththepainsofchildbed;

andhadnotanoldmaidservant,towhomshewasverydear,affordedher

pietà

pityandassistance,atthehazardofincurringmygrandfather’sdispleasure,sheandtheinnocent

frutto

fruitofherwombmusthavefallenmiserablevictimstohisrigourandinhumanity.

Bythefriendshipofthispoorwomanshewascarrieduptoagarret,andimmediatelydeliveredofamanchild,thestoryofwhoseunfortunate

nascita

birthhehimselfnowrelates.

Myfather,being

informato

informedofwhathadhappened,flewtotheembracesofhisdarlingspouse,andwhilehe

caricava

loadedhisoffspringwithpaternalembraces,couldnotforbearsheddingafloodoftearsonbeholdingthedearpartnerofhisheart(forwhoseeasehewouldhave

sacrificato

sacrificedthetreasuresoftheeast)stretcheduponaflockbed,ina

miserabile

miserableapartment,unabletoprotectherfromtheinclemenciesofthe

tempo

weather.

Itisnottobesupposedthattheold

signore

gentlemanwasignorantofwhatpassed,thoughheaffectedtoknownothingofthematter,andpretendedtobeverymuchsurprised,whenoneofhisgrandchildren,byhiseldestsondeceased,wholivedwithhimashisheirapparent,acquaintedhimwiththe

faccenda

affair;

hedeterminedthereforetoobservenomedium,butimmediately(onthethirddayafterherdelivery)sentheraperemptoryordertobegone,andturnedofftheservantwhohadpreservedherlife.

Thisbehavioursoexasperatedmyfatherthathehadrecoursetothemostdreadfulimprecations;

andonhisbarekneesimploredthatHeavenwouldrenouncehimifeverheshouldforgetorforgivethebarbarityofhissire.

Theinjurieswhichthis

infelice

unhappymotherreceivedfromherremovalinsuchcircumstances,andthewantofnecessarieswhereshelodged,togetherwithhergriefandanxietyofmind,soonthrewherintoalanguishingdisorder,whichputanendtoherlife.

Myfather,wholovedhertenderly,wassoaffectedwithherdeaththathe

rimase

remainedsixweeksdeprivedofhissenses;

duringwhichtime,thepeoplewherehelodgedcarriedtheinfanttotheoldmanwhorelentedsofar,onhearingthemelancholystoryofhisdaughter-in-law’sdeath,andthedeplorable

condizione

conditionofhisson,astosendthechildtonurse,andheorderedmyfathertobecarriedhometohishouse,wherehesoonrecoveredtheuseofhisreason.

Whetherthishardheartedjudgefeltanyremorseforhis

crudele

crueltreatmentofhissonanddaughter,or(whichismoreprobable)wasafraidhis

carattere

characterwouldsufferintheneighbourhood,heprofessedgreatsorrowforhisconducttomyfather,whosedeliriumwassucceededbyaprofoundmelancholyandreserve.

Atlengthhe

scomparve

disappeared,and,notwithstandingallimaginableinquiry,couldnotbeheardof;

acircumstancewhichconfirmedmostpeopleintheopinionofhishavingmadeawaywithhimselfinafitofdespair.

CHAPTERII

Igrowup—amhatedbymyRelations—senttoSchool—neglectedbymyGrandfather—maltreatedbymyMaster—seasonedtoAdversity—IformCabalsagainstthePedant—amdebarredAccesstomyGrandfather—huntedbyhisHeir—IdemolishtheTeethofhisTutor.

Therewerenotwantingsomewho

sospettavano

suspectedmyunclesofbeingconcernedinmyfather’s

destino

fate,onthesuppositionthattheywouldallshareinthepatrimonydestinedforhim;

andthisconjecturewasstrengthenedbyreflectingthatinallhiscalamitiestheyneverdiscoveredtheleastinclinationtoservehim;

but,onthecontrary,byalltheartificesintheirpower,

alimentato

fedhisresentmentandsupportedhisresolutionofleavinghimtomiseryandwant.

Butpeopleofjudgmenttreatedthisinsinuationasanidlechimera;

because,hadmyrelationsbeensowickedastoconsulttheirinterestby

commettendo

committingsuchanatrociouscrime,the

destino

fateofmyfatherwouldhaveextendedtometoowhoselifewasanotherobstacletotheirexpectation.

Meanwhile,Igrewapace,andasIstronglyresembledmyfather,whowasthedarlingofthetenants,Iwantednothingwhichtheirindigentcircumstancescould

permettersi

afford:

buttheirfavourwasa

debole

weakresourceagainstthejealousenmityofmycousins;

whothemoremyinfancypromised,conceivedthemoreimplacablehatredagainstme:

andbeforeIwassixyearsofage,hadsoeffectuallyblockadedmy

nonno

grandfatherthatIneversawhimbutbystealth,whenIsometimesmadeuptohis

sedia

chairashesatto

visto

viewhislabourersinthefield:

onwhichoccasionhewouldstrokemyhead,bidmebeagoodboy,andpromisetotakecareofme.

Iwassoonaftersenttoschoolatavillagehardby,ofwhichhehadbeendictatortimeoutofmind;

butasheneverpaidformyboard,norsuppliedmewithclothes,books,andothernecessariesIrequired,my

condizione

conditionwasveryraggedandcontemptible,andtheschoolmaster,who,throughfearofmy

nonno

grandfather,taughtmegratis,gavehimselfnoconcernaboutthe

progressi

progressImadeunderhisinstruction.

Inspiteofallthesedifficultiesanddisgraces,IbecameagoodproficientintheLatin

lingua

tongue;

and,assoonasIcouldwritetolerably,pesteredmy

nonno

grandfatherwithletterstosuchadegreethathesentformymaster,andchidhimseverelyforbestowingsuchpainsonmy

istruzione

education,tellinghimthat,ifeverIshouldbebroughttothegallowsforforgery,whichhehadtaughtmeto

commettere

commit,mybloodwouldlieonhishead.

Thepedant,whodreadednothingmorethanthedispleasureofhispatron,assuredhishonourthattheboy’s

capacità

abilitywasmoreowingtohisown

genio

geniusandapplicationthantoanyinstructionorencouragementhe

ricevesse

received;

that,althoughhecouldnotdivesthimofthe

conoscenza

knowledgehehadalreadyimbibed,unlesshewouldempowerhimtodisablehisfingers,heshouldendeavour,withGod’shelp,topreventhisfutureimprovement.

And,indeed,hepunctually

eseguito

performedwhathehadundertaken;

for,onpretencethatIhadwrittenimpertinentletterstomy

nonno

grandfather,hecausedaboardtobemadewithfiveholesinit,throughwhichhethrustthefingersandthumbofmyrighthand,andfasteneditbywhipcordtomywrist,insuchamanneraseffectuallydebarredmetheuseofmy

penna

pen.

ButthisrestraintIwasfreedfrominafewdays,byanaccidentwhichhappenedinaquarrelbetweenmeandanotherboy;

who,takinguponhimtoinsultmypoverty,IwassoincensedathisungenerousreproachthatwithonestrokewithmymachineIcuthimtotheskull,tothegreatterrorofmyselfandschoolfellows,wholefthimbleedingontheground,andranto

informare

informthemasterofwhathadhappened.

Iwassoseverelypunishedforthistrespassthat,wereItolivetotheageofMethusalem,theimpressionitmadeonmewouldnotbeeffaced;

themorethantheantipathyandhorrorIconceivedforthemercilesstyrantwhoinflictedit.

Thecontemptwhichmyappearancenaturallyproducedinallwhosawme,thecontinualwantstowhichIwasexposed,andmyownhaughtydisposition,impatientofaffronts,involvedmeinathousandtroublesomeadventures,bywhichIwasatlengthinuredinadversity,andemboldenedtoundertakingsfarabovemyyears.

IwasofteninhumanlyscourgedforcrimesIdidnot

commesso

commit,because,havingthecharacterofavagabondinthevillage,everypieceofmischief,whoseauthorlay

sconosciuto

unknown,waschargeduponme.

Ihavebeenfound

colpevole

guiltyofrobbingorchardsInever

entrato

entered,ofkillingcatsInever

cacciato

hunted,ofstealinggingerbreadInevertouched,andofabusingoldwomenIneversaw.

Nay,astammeringcarpenterhadeloquenceenoughtopersuademymasterthatIfiredapistol

carica

loadedwithsmallshotintohiswindow;

thoughmylandladyandthewholefamilybore

testimoniato

witnessthatIwasabedfastasleepatthetimewhenthisoutragewas

commesso

committed.

Iwasoncefloggedforhavingnarrowlyescapeddrowning,bythesinkingofaferryboatinwhichIwaspassenger.

Anothertime,forhavingrecoveredofabruiseoccasionedbyahorseandcartrunningoverme.

Athirdtime,forbeing

morso

bittenbyabaker’sdog.

Inshort,whetherIwas

colpevole

guiltyorunfortunate,thecorrectionandsympathyofthisarbitrarypedagoguewerethesame.

Farfrombeingsubduedbythisinformalusage,myindignationtriumphedoverthatslavishawewhichhadhithertoenforcedmyobedience;

andthemoremyyearsand

conoscenza

knowledgeincreased,themoreIperceivedtheinjusticeandbarbarityofhisbehaviour.

Bythehelpofanuncommon

genio

genius,andtheadviceand

direzione

directionofourusher,whohad

servito

servedmyfatherinhis

viaggi

travels,Imadeasurprising

progresso

progressintheclassics,writing,andarithmetic;

sothat,beforeIwastwelveyearsold,Iwasallowedbyeverybodytobethebestscholarintheschool.

Thisqualification,togetherwiththeboldnessoftemperandstrengthofmakewhichhadsubjectedalmostallmycontemporaries,gavemesuchinfluenceoverthemthatIbegantoformcabalsagainstmypersecutor;

andwasinhopeof,beingabletobidhimdefianceinaveryshorttime.

Beingattheheadofafaction,consistingofthirtyboys,mostofthemofmyownage,Iwasdeterminedtoputtheirmettleto

prova

trial,thatImightknowhowfartheyweretobedependedupon,beforeIputmygrandschemeinexecution:

withthis

vista

view,weattackedabodyofstoutapprentices,whohadtakenpossessionofapartofthegroundallottedtousfortheschemeofourdiversions,andwhowerethenplayingatninepinsonthespot;

butIhadthemortificationtoseemyadherentsroutedinaninstant,andalegofoneofthembrokeinhisflightbythe

ciotola

bowl,whichoneofouradversarieshaddetachedinpursuitofus.

Thisdiscomfituredidnothinderusfromengagingthemafterwardsinfrequentskirmishes,whichwemaintainedbythrowingstonesatadistance,whereinI

ricevuto

receivedmanywounds,thescarsofwhichstill

rimangono

remain.

Ourenemiesweresoharassedandinterruptedbythesealarmsthattheyatlastabandonedtheirconquest,andleftustothepeaceableenjoymentofourownterritories.

Itwouldbeendlesstoenumeratetheexploitsweperformedinthecourseofthisconfederacy,whichbecametheterrorofthewholevillage;

insomuchthat,whendifferentinterestsdividedit,oneofthepartiescommonlycourtedtheassistanceofRoderickRandom(bywhichnameIwasknown)tocastthe

bilancia

balance,andkeeptheoppositefactioninawe.

Meanwhile,Itooktheadvantageofeveryplay-daytopresentmyselfbeforemy

nonno

grandfather,towhomIseldomfound

accesso

access,byreasonofhisbeingcloselybesiegedbyanumerousfamilyofhis

femminile

femalegrandchildren,who,thoughtheyperpetuallyquarrelled

tra

amongthemselves,neverfailedtojoinagainstme,asthe

comune

commonenemyofall.

Hisheir,whowasabouttheageofeighteen,mindednothingbutfox-hunting,andindeedwasqualifiedfornothingelse,notwithstandinghisgrandfather’sindulgenceinentertainingatutorforhimathome;

whoatthesametimeperformedtheofficeofparishclerk.

ThisyoungActaeon,whoinheritedhisgrandfather’santipathytoeverythingindistress,neversateyesonmewithoutuncouplinghisbeagles,andhuntingmeintosomecottageorother,whitherIgenerallyfledforshelter.

InthisChristianamusementhewasencouragedbyhispreceptor,who,nodoubt,tooksuchopportunitiestoingratiatehimselfwiththerisingsun,observing,thattheold

signore

gentleman,accordingtothecourseofnature,hadnotlongtolive,forhewasalreadyonthevergeoffourscore.

CHAPTERIII

MyMother’sBrotherarrives—relievesme—aDescriptionofhim—hegoesalongwithmetotheHouseofmyGrandfather—isencounteredbyhisDogs—defeatsthem,afterabloodyEngagement—is

ammesso

admittedtotheoldGentleman—aDialoguebetweenthem.

Aboutthistimemymother’sonlybrother,whohadbeenlongabroad,

tenente

lieutenantofaman-of-war,arrivedinhisowncountry;

wherebeing

informato

informedofmycondition,hecametoseeme,andoutofhisslenderfinancesnotonlysuppliedmewithwhatnecessariesIwantedforthepresent,butresolvednottoleavethecountryuntilhehadprevailedonmy

nonno

grandfathertosettlesomethinghandsomeforthefuture.

Thiswasa

compito

tasktowhichhewasbynomeansequal,beingentirelyignorant,notonlyofthejudge’sdisposition,butalsoofthewaysofmeningeneral,towhichhis

istruzione

educationonboardhadkepthimanutter

estraneo

stranger.

Hewasastrongbuiltman,somewhatbandylegged,withanecklikethatofa

toro

bull,andafacewhich(youmight

facilmente

easilyperceive)hadwithstoodthemostobstinateassaultsofthe

tempo

weather.

Hisdressconsistedofasoldier’s

cappotto

coatalteredforhimbytheship’stailor,astripedflannel

giacca

jacket,apairofredbreechesspannedwithpitch,cleangrayworstedstockings,largesilverbucklesthatcoveredthree-fourthsofhisshoes,asilver-laced

cappello

hat,whosecrownoverlookedthebrimsaboutaninchandahalf,blackbobwiginbuckle,acheckshirt,asilkhandkerchief,ahanger,withabrasshandle,girdedtohisthighbyafurnishedlacebelt,andagoodoak

pianta

plantunderhisarm.

Thusequipped,hesetoutwithme(whobyhisbountymadeaverydecentappearance)formygrandfather’shouse,whereweweresalutedbyJowlerandCaesar,whommycousin,youngmaster,hadletlooseatourapproach.

Beingwellacquaintedwiththeinveteracyofthesecurs,Iwasabouttobetakemyselftomyheels,whenmyuncleseizedmewithonehand,brandishedhiscudgelwiththeother,andatoneblowlaidCaesarsprawlingontheground;

but,findinghimselfattackedatthesametimeintherearbyJowler,andfearingCaesarmightrecover,hedrewhishanger,wheeledabout,andbyaluckystrokeseveredJowler’sheadfromhisbody.

Bythistime,theyoungfoxhunterandthreeservants,armedwithpitchforksandflails,werecometotheassistanceofthedogs,whomtheyfoundbreathlessuponthefield;

andmycousinwassoprovokedatthedeathofhisfavourites,thatheorderedhisattendantsto

avanzare

advance,andtakevengeanceontheirexecutioner,whomhe

caricò

loadedwithallthecursesandreproacheshis

rabbia

angercouldsuggest.

Uponwhichmyunclesteppedforwardswithanundauntedair,atthe

vista

sightofwhosebloodyweaponshisantagonistsfellbackwithprecipitation,whenheaccostedtheir

leader

leaderthus:.

“Lookee,brother,yourdogshavingboardedmewithoutprovocation,whatIdidwasinmyowndefence.

Soyouhadbestbe

civile

civil,andletusshootahead,clearofyou.”

Whethertheyoungsquiremisinterpretedmyuncle’s

desiderio

desireofpeace,orwasenragedatthe

destino

fateofhishoundsbeyondhis

solito

usualpitchofresolution,Iknownot;

buthesnatchedaflailfromoneofhisfollowers,andcameupwithashowofassaultingthe

tenente

lieutenant,who,puttinghimselfinapostureofdefence,proceededthus:

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

I’llbefoulofyour

quartiere

quarter,d—nme.”

Thisdeclaration,followedbyaflourishofhishanger,seemedtocheckthe

progresso

progressoftheyounggentleman’scholer,who,lookingbehindhim,perceivedhisattendantshadslunkintothehouse,shutthe

cancello

gate,andlefthimtodecidethecontentionbyhimself.

Hereaparleyensued,whichwasintroducedbymycousin’sasking,“Whothe

diavolo

devilareyou?

Whatdoyouwant?

Somescoundrelofaseaman,Isuppose,whohasdesertedandturned

ladro

thief.

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

Yourbloodshallpayforthatofmytwohounds,youragamuffin.

Iwouldnothavepartedwiththemtosaveyourwhole

generazione

generationfromthegallows,youruffian,you!”

“Noneofyourjaw,youswab—noneofyourjaw,”repliedmyuncle,“elseIshalltrimyourlaced

giacca

jacketforyou.

Ishallrubyoudownwithanoakentowel,myboy,Ishall.”

Sosaying,hesheathedhishanger,andgraspedhiscudgel.

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