The Adventures of Roderick Random Gradually Hardening Italian B2 Books

THEAUTHOR’SPREFACE

Ofallkindsofsatire,thereisnoneso

divertente

entertaininganduniversallyimproving,asthatwhichisintroduced,asitwere

occasionalmente

occasionally,inthecourseofaninterestingstory,whichbringseveryincidenthometolife,andby

rappresentando

representingfamiliarscenesinan

insolito

uncommonandamusingpointofview,

investe

investsthemwithallthegracesof

novità

novelty,whilenatureisappealedtoineveryparticular.

The

lettore

readergratifieshiscuriosityin

perseguire

pursuingtheadventuresofapersoninwhosefavourheisprepossessed;

heespouseshiscause,hesympathiseswithhiminhisdistress,hisindignationisheatedagainsttheauthorsofhis

calamità

calamity:

thehumanepassionsareinflamed;

the

contrasto

contrastbetweendejectedvirtueandinsultingviceappearswithgreateraggravation,andevery

impressione

impressionhavingadoubleforceontheimagination,thememory

conserva

retainsthecircumstance,andtheheart

migliora

improvesbytheexample.

Theattentionisnottiredwitha

nudo

barecatalogueofcharacters,butagreeablydivertedwithallthe

varietà

varietyofinvention;

andthevicissitudesoflifeappearintheirpeculiarcircumstances,openinganamplefieldfor

spirito

witandhumour.

Romance,nodoubt,owesitsorigintoignorance,

vanità

vanity,andsuperstition.

InthedarkagesoftheWorld,whenamanhad

reso

renderedhimselffamousforwisdomorvalour,hisfamilyandadherentsavailedthemselvesofhissuperiorqualities,magnifiedhisvirtues,and

rappresentavano

representedhischaracterandpersonassacredandsupernatural.

The

volgare

vulgareasilyswallowedthebait,

implorò

imploredhisprotection,andyieldedthetributeofhomageand

lode

praise,eventoadoration;

hisexploitswerehandeddowntoposteritywithathousandexaggerations;

theywererepeatedasincitementsto

virtù

virtue;

divinehonourswerepaid,andaltarserectedtohismemory,fortheencouragementofthosewhoattemptedto

imitare

imitatehisexample;

andhence

sorse

arosetheheathenmythology,whichisnootherthana

raccolta

collectionofextravagantromances.

Aslearningadvanced,andgeniusreceivedcultivation,thesestorieswereembellishedwiththegracesofpoetry,thattheymightthebetterrecommendthemselvestotheattention;

theyweresunginpublic,atfestivals,fortheinstructionand

gioia

delightoftheaudience;

andrehearsedbeforebattle,asincentivestodeedsofglory.

Thus

tragedia

tragedyandtheepicmusewereborn,and,intheprogressoftaste,arrivedat

perfezione

perfection.

Itisnowonderthattheancientscouldnot

assaporare

relishafableinprose,aftertheyhadseensomanyremarkableeventscelebratedin

versi

versebytheirbestpoets;

wethereforefindno

romanzo

romanceamongthemduringtheeraoftheir

eccellenza

excellence,unlesstheCyropædiaofXenophonmaybesocalled;

anditwasnottillartsandsciencesbeganto

rivivere

reviveaftertheirruptionofthebarbariansintoEurope,thatanythingofthiskindappeared.

Butwhenthemindsofmenweredebauchedbytheimpositionofpriestcrafttothemost

assurdo

absurdpitchofcredulity,theauthorsof

romanzo

romancearose,andlosingsightof

probabilità

probability,filledtheirperformanceswiththemostmonstroushyperboles.

Iftheycouldnotequaltheancientpoetsinpointofgeniustheywereresolvedtoexcelthemin

narrativa

fiction,andapplytothewonder,ratherthanthe

giudizio

judgment,oftheirreaders.

Accordingly,theybroughtnecromancytotheir

aiuto

aid,andinsteadofsupportingthecharacteroftheirheroesby

dignità

dignityofsentimentandpractice,distinguishedthembytheirbodilystrength,activity,andextravaganceofbehaviour.

Althoughnothingcouldbemore

ridicolo

ludicrousandunnaturalthanthefigurestheydrew,theydidnotwantpatronsandadmirers;

andtheworldactuallybegantobe

infettato

infectedwiththespiritofknight-errantry,whenCervantes,byaninimitablepieceof

ridicolo

ridicule,reformedthetasteofmankind,

rappresentando

representingchivalryintherightpointofview,and

convertendo

convertingromancetopurposesfarmoreusefulandentertaining,bymakingitassumethe

calzino

sock,andpointoutthefolliesofordinarylife.

Thesame

metodo

methodhasbeenpractisedbyotherSpanishandFrenchauthors,andbynonemoresuccessfullythanbyMonsieurLeSage,who,inhisAdventuresofGilBlas,has

descritto

describedtheknaveryandfoiblesoflife,with

infinito

infinitehumourandsagacity.

ThefollowingsheetsIhavemodelledonhisplan,takingme

libertà

liberty,however,todifferfromhimintheexecution,whereIthoughthisparticularsituationswereuncommon,extravagant,orpeculiartothecountryinwhichthesceneislaid.

ThedisgracesofGilBlasare,forthemostpart,suchasrather

eccitare

excitemirththancompassion;

hehimselflaughsatthem;

andhistransitionsfromdistresstohappiness,oratleastease,aresosudden,thatneitherthe

lettore

readerhastimetopityhim,norhimselftobeacquaintedwithaffliction.

This

condotta

conduct,inmyopinion,notonlydeviatesfrom

probabilità

probability,butpreventsthatgenerousindignation,whichoughttoanimatethe

lettore

readeragainstthesordidandvicious

disposizione

dispositionoftheworld.

Ihaveattemptedto

rappresentare

representmodestmeritstrugglingwithevery

difficoltà

difficultytowhichafriendless

orfano

orphanisexposed,fromhisownwantofexperience,aswellasfromtheselfishness,envy,

malizia

malice,andbaseindifferenceofmankind.

Tosecureafavourableprepossession,Ihaveallowedhimtheadvantagesofbirthandeducation,whichintheseriesofhismisfortuneswill,Ihope,engagetheingenuousmorewarmlyinhis

favore

behalf;

andthoughIforesee,thatsomepeoplewillbe

offese

offendedatthemeanscenesinwhichheisinvolved,I

convinco

persuademyselfthatthejudiciouswillnotonly

percepirà

perceivethenecessityofdescribingthosesituationstowhichhemustofcoursebeconfined,inhislowestate,butalsofindentertainmentinviewingthosepartsoflife,wherethehumoursandpassionsareundisguisedbyaffectation,ceremony,oreducation;

andthewhimsicalpeculiaritiesof

indole

dispositionappearasnaturehas

impiantate

implantedthem.

ButIbelieveIneednottroublemyselfinvindicatingapracticeauthorizedbythebestwritersinthisway,someofwhomIhavealreadynamed.

Every

intelligente

intelligentreaderwill,atfirstsight,perceiveIhavenotdeviatedfromnatureinthefacts,whicharealltrueinthemain,althoughthecircumstancesare

alterate

alteredanddisguised,toavoidpersonalsatire.

ItnowremainstogivemyreasonsformakingthechiefpersonageofthisworkaNorthBriton,whicharechieflythese:

Icould,atasmall

spesa

expense,bestowonhimsucheducationasIthoughtthe

dignità

dignityofhisbirthandcharacterrequired,whichcouldnotpossiblybeobtainedinEngland,bysuchslendermeansasthenatureofmyplanwouldafford.

Inthenextplace,Icould

rappresentare

representsimplicityofmannersinaremotepartofthekingdom,withmoreproprietythaninanyplacenearthecapital;

and

infine

lastly,thedispositionoftheScots,addictedtotravelling,

giustifica

justifiesmyconductinderivinganadventurerfromthatcountry.

APOLOGUE

Ayoung

pittore

painter,indulgingaveinofpleasantry,

disegnò

sketchedakindofconversationpiece,

rappresenta

representingabear,anowl,amonkey,andanass;

andtorenderitmorestriking,humorous,and

morale

moral,distinguishedeveryfigurebysomeemblemofhumanlife.

Bruinwas

esposto

exhibitedinthegarbandattitudeofanold,toothless,drunkensoldier;

the

gufo

owlpercheduponthehandleofacoffee-pot,withspectacleonnose,seemedto

contemplare

contemplateanewspaper;

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

Thiswhimsicalgroupaffordedsomemirth,andmetwithgeneralapprobation,untilsomemischievouswaghintedthatthewhole—wasalampoonuponthefriendsoftheperformer;

aninsinuationwhichwasnosoonercirculatedthanthoseverypeoplewhoapplaudeditbeforebegantobealarmed,andeventofancythemselvessignifiedbytheseveralfiguresofthepiece.

Amongothers,aworthypersonageinyears,whohadservedinthearmywithreputation,being

incensato

incensedatthesupposedoutrage,

riparato

repairedtothelodgingofthe

pittore

painter,andfindinghimathome,“Harkye,Mr.Monkey,”saidhe,“Ihaveagoodmindtoconvinceyou,thatthoughthebearhaslosthisteeth,he

conserva

retainshispaws,andthatheisnotsodrunkbuthecan

percepire

perceiveyourimpertinence.”

“Sblood!

sir,thattoothless

mascella

jawisad—nedscandalouslibel—butdon’tyouimaginemesochopfallenasnottobeableto

masticare

chewthecudofresentment.”

Herehewas

interrotto

interruptedbythearrivalofalearned

medico

physician,who,advancingtothe

colpevole

culpritwithfuryinhisaspect,exclaimed,“Supposetheaugmentationoftheass’searsshouldprovethediminutionofthebaboon’s—nay,seeknottoprevaricate,for,bythe

barba

beardofAesculapius!

thereisnotonehairinthisperiwigthatwillnotstandupin

giudizio

judgmenttoconvicttheeofpersonalabuse.

Dobut

osserva

observe,captain,howthispitifullittlefellowhascopiedtheverycurls—the

colore

colour,indeed,isdifferent,butthentheformandforetoparequitesimilar.”

Whilehethusremonstratedinastrainofvociferation,avenerable

senatore

senatorentered,andwaddlinguptothe

delinquente

delinquent,“Jackanapes!”

criedhe,“IwillnowlettheeseeIcanreadsomethingelsethananewspaper,andthatwithoutthehelpofspectacles:

hereisyourownnoteofhand,sirrah,formoney,whichifIhadnotadvanced,youyourselfwouldhave

somigliato

resembledanowl,innotdaringtoshowyourfacebyday,you

ingrato

ungratefulslanderousknave!”

Invaintheastonished

pittore

painterdeclaredthathehadnointentiontogiveoffence,ortocharacteriseparticularpersons:

theyaffirmedthe

somiglianza

resemblancewastoopalpabletobeoverlooked;

theytaxedhimwithinsolence,

malizia

malice,andingratitude;

andtheirclamoursbeingoverheardbythepublic,thecaptainwasabear,thedoctoranass,andthe

senatore

senatoranowl,tohisdyingday.

Christian

lettore

reader,Ibeseechthee,inthebowelsoftheLord,rememberthisexample“whilethouartemployedintheperusalofthefollowingsheets;

andseeknottoappropriatetothyselfthatwhich

ugualmente

equallybelongstofivehundreddifferentpeople.

Ifthoushouldstmeetwithacharacterthat

rifletta

reflectstheeinsomeungraciousparticular,keepthyown

consiglio

counsel;

CHAPTERI

OfmyBirthandParentage.

Iwasborninthe

settentrionale

northernpartofthisunitedkingdom,inthehouseofmygrandfather,agentlemanof

notevole

considerablefortuneandinfluence,whohadonmanyoccasionssignalisedhimselfin

favore

behalfofhiscountry;

andwas

notevole

remarkableforhisabilitiesinthelaw,whichheexercisedwithgreatsuccessinthestationofajudge,

in particolare

particularlyagainstbeggars,forwhomhehadasingularaversion.

Myfather(hisyoungestson)fallinginlovewithapoor

parente

relation,wholivedwiththeoldgentlemaninqualityofa

governante

housekeeper,espousedherprivately;

andIwasthefirstfruitofthatmarriage.

Duringher

gravidanza

pregnancy,adreamdiscomposedmymothersomuchthatherhusband,tiredwithherimportunity,atlastconsultedahighlandseer,whosefavourable

interpretazione

interpretationhewouldhavesecured

in anticipo

beforehandbyabribe,butfoundhimincorruptible.

Shedreamedshewasdeliveredofatennis-ball,whichthedevil(who,tohergreatsurprise,actedthepartofamidwife)strucksoforciblywitha

racchetta

racketthatitdisappearedinan

istante

instant;

andshewasforsometimeinconsolableforthelostofheroffspring;

when,allonasudden,shebehelditreturnwith

uguale

equalviolence,andentertheearth,

sotto

beneathherfeet,whenceimmediatelysprangupagoodlytreecoveredwithblossoms,the

profumo

scentofwhichoperatedso

fortemente

stronglyonhernervesthatsheawoke.

The

attento

attentivesage,aftersomedeliberation,

assicurò

assuredmyparents,thattheirfirstbornwouldbeagreat

viaggiatore

traveller;

thathewouldundergomanydangersanddifficulties,andatlastreturntohisnativeland,wherehewould

fiorito

flourishinhappinessandreputation.

Howtrulythiswasforetoldwillappearinthe

sequel

sequel.

Itwasnotlongbeforesomeofficiouspersoninformedmygrandfatherofcertainfamiliaritiesthatpassedbetweenhissonand

governante

housekeeperwhichalarmedhimsomuchthat,afewdaysafter,hetoldmyfatheritwashightimeforhimtothinkofsettling;

andthathehadprovidedamatchforhim,towhichhecouldinjusticehavenoobjections.

Myfather,findingitwouldbeimpossibletoconcealhissituationmuchlonger,

francamente

franklyownedwhathehaddone;

andexcusedhimselffornothavingaskedthe

consenso

consentofhisfather,bysaying,heknewitwouldhavebeentonopurpose;

andthat,hadhisinclinationbeenknown,mygrandfathermighthavetakensuchmeasuresaswouldhaveeffectuallyputthegratificationofitoutofhispower:

headded,thatnoexceptionscouldbetakentohiswife’s

virtù

virtue,birth,beauty,andgoodsense,andasforfortune,itwas

sotto

beneathhiscare.

Theoldgentleman,whokeptallhispassions,exceptone,inexcellentorder,heardhimtoanendwithgreat

temperamento

temper,andthencalmlyasked,howhe

proponeva

proposedtomaintainhimselfandspouse?

Hereplied,hecouldbeinnodangerofwantingwhilehisfather’stendernessremained,whichheandhiswifeshouldalways

coltivare

cultivatewiththeutmostveneration;

andhewas

convinto

persuadedhisallowancewouldbesuitabletothe

dignità

dignityandcircumstancesofhisfamily,andtotheprovisionalreadymadeforhisbrothersandsisters,whowere

felicemente

happilysettledunderhisprotection.

“Yourbrothersandsisters,”saidmygrandfather,“didnotthinkit

sotto

beneaththemtoconsultmeinanaffairofsuchimportanceas

matrimonio

matrimony;

neither,Isuppose,wouldyouhaveomittedthatpieceofduty,hadyounotsomesecret

fondo

fundinreserve;

tothecomfortsofwhichIleaveyou,withadesirethatyouwillthisnightseekoutanotherhabitationforyourselfandwife,whither,inashorttime,Iwillsendyouanaccountofthe

spese

expenseIhavebeenatinyoureducation,withaviewofbeingreimbursed.

Sir,youhavemadethegrandtour—youarea

educato

politegentleman—averyprettygentleman—Iwishyouagreatdealofjoy,andamyourvery

umile

humbleservant.”

Sosaying,heleftmyfatherinasituationeasilyimagined.

However,hedidnotlong

esitato

hesitate;

for,beingperfectlywellacquaintedwithhisfather’s

disposizione

disposition,hedidnotdoubtthathewasgladofthispretencetogetridofhim;

andhisresolvesbeingasinvariableasthelawsoftheMedesandPersians,heknewitwouldbetonopurposetoattempthimbyprayersandentreaties;

sowithoutanyfartherapplication,hebetookhimself,withhisdisconsolatebedfellowtoafarm-house,whereanoldservantofhismother

abitava

dwelt:

theretheyremainedsometimeinasituationbutilladaptedtotheeleganceoftheirdesiresandtendernessoftheirlove;

whichneverthelessmyfatherchoseto

sopportare

endure,ratherthansupplicatean

innaturale

unnaturalandinflexibleparentbutmymother,

prevedendo

foreseeingtheinconveniencestowhichshemusthavebeenexposed,hadshebeendeliveredinthisplace(andher

gravidanza

pregnancywasveryfaradvanced),without

comunicare

communicatingherdesigntoherhusband,wentindisguisetothehouseofmygrandfather,hopingthathertearsandconditionwouldmovehimtocompassion,and

riconciliassero

reconcilehimtoaneventwhichwasnowirrecoverablypast.

Shefoundmeansto

ingannare

deceivetheservants,andgetintroducedasanunfortunatelady,whowantedto

lamentarsi

complainofsomematrimonialgrievances,itbeingmygrandfather’sparticular

provincia

provincetodecideinallcasesof

scandalo

scandal.

Shewasaccordinglyadmittedintohispresence,where,

scoprendo

discoveringherself,shefellathisfeet,andinthemostaffecting

modo

mannerimploredhisforgiveness;

atthesametime

rappresentando

representingthedangerthatthreatenednotonlyherlife,butthatofhisown

nipote

grandchild,whichwasabouttoseethelight.

Hetoldherhewassorrythattheindiscretionofherandhissonhadcompelledhimtomakea

voto

vow,whichputitoutofhispowertogivethemany

assistenza

assistance;

thathehadalreadyimpartedhisthoughtsonthatsubjecttoherhusband,andwassurprisedthattheyshould

disturbare

disturbhispeacewithanyfartherimportunity.

Thissaid,he

ritirò

retired.

Theviolenceofmymother’safflictionhadsuchaneffectonher

costituzione

constitutionthatshewasimmediatelyseizedwiththepainsofchildbed;

andhadnotanoldmaidservant,towhomshewasverydear,affordedherpityand

assistenza

assistance,atthehazardofincurringmygrandfather’sdispleasure,sheandtheinnocentfruitofher

grembo

wombmusthavefallenmiserablevictimstohisrigourandinhumanity.

Bythefriendshipofthispoorwomanshewascarrieduptoagarret,andimmediatelydeliveredofamanchild,thestoryofwhoseunfortunatebirthhehimselfnow

racconta

relates.

Myfather,beinginformedofwhathadhappened,flewtotheembracesofhisdarlingspouse,andwhileheloadedhis

prole

offspringwithpaternalembraces,couldnotforbearsheddingafloodoftearsonbeholdingthedearpartnerofhisheart(forwhoseeasehewouldhavesacrificedthetreasuresoftheeast)stretchedupona

gregge

flockbed,inamiserableapartment,

incapace

unabletoprotectherfromtheinclemenciesoftheweather.

Itisnottobesupposedthattheoldgentlemanwas

ignorante

ignorantofwhatpassed,thoughheaffectedtoknownothingofthematter,andpretendedtobeverymuchsurprised,whenoneofhis

nipoti

grandchildren,byhiseldestson

defunto

deceased,wholivedwithhimashis

erede

heirapparent,acquaintedhimwiththeaffair;

hedeterminedthereforeto

osservare

observenomedium,butimmediately(onthethirddayafterherdelivery)sentheraperemptoryordertobegone,andturnedofftheservantwhohad

conservato

preservedherlife.

Thisbehavioursoexasperatedmyfatherthathehadrecoursetothemostdreadfulimprecations;

andonhisbareknees

implorò

imploredthatHeavenwouldrenouncehimifeverheshouldforgetorforgivethebarbarityofhissire.

Theinjurieswhichthisunhappymotherreceivedfromher

rimozione

removalinsuchcircumstances,andthewantofnecessarieswhereshelodged,togetherwithher

dolore

griefandanxietyofmind,soonthrewherintoalanguishing

disordine

disorder,whichputanendtoherlife.

Myfather,wholovedhertenderly,wasso

colpito

affectedwithherdeaththatheremainedsixweeks

privo

deprivedofhissenses;

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

recuperò

recoveredtheuseofhisreason.

Whetherthishardheartedjudgefeltany

rimorso

remorseforhiscrueltreatmentofhissonanddaughter,or(whichismoreprobable)wasafraidhischaracterwouldsufferinthe

quartiere

neighbourhood,heprofessedgreatsorrowforhis

condotta

conducttomyfather,whosedeliriumwassucceededbyaprofound

malinconia

melancholyandreserve.

Atlengthhedisappeared,and,notwithstandingallimaginableinquiry,couldnotbeheardof;

circostanza

circumstancewhichconfirmedmostpeopleintheopinionofhishavingmadeawaywithhimselfinafitof

disperazione

despair.

CHAPTERII

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

demolito

demolishtheTeethofhisTutor.

Therewerenotwantingsomewhosuspectedmyunclesofbeingconcernedinmyfather’sfate,onthesuppositionthattheywouldallshareinthepatrimonydestinedforhim;

andthisconjecturewasstrengthenedby

riflettendo

reflectingthatinallhiscalamitiestheynever

scoprirono

discoveredtheleastinclinationtoservehim;

but,onthe

contrario

contrary,byalltheartificesintheirpower,fedhis

risentimento

resentmentandsupportedhisresolutionofleavinghimto

miseria

miseryandwant.

Butpeopleof

giudizio

judgmenttreatedthisinsinuationasanidlechimera;

because,hadmyrelationsbeensowickedasto

consultare

consulttheirinterestbycommittingsuchanatrociouscrime,thefateofmyfatherwouldhave

esteso

extendedtometoowhoselifewasanother

ostacolo

obstacletotheirexpectation.

Meanwhile,Igrewapace,andasI

fortemente

stronglyresembledmyfather,whowasthedarlingofthetenants,Iwantednothingwhichtheirindigentcircumstancescouldafford:

buttheirfavourwasaweak

risorsa

resourceagainstthejealousenmityofmycousins;

whothemoremyinfancypromised,

concepiva

conceivedthemoreimplacablehatredagainstme:

andbeforeIwassixyearsofage,hadsoeffectuallyblockadedmygrandfatherthatIneversawhimbutbystealth,whenIsometimesmadeuptohischairashesattoviewhislabourersinthefield:

onwhichoccasionhewouldstrokemyhead,bidmebeagoodboy,andpromisetotakecareofme.

Iwassoonaftersenttoschoolatavillagehardby,ofwhichhehadbeen

dittatore

dictatortimeoutofmind;

butasheneverpaidformyboard,nor

fornì

suppliedmewithclothes,books,andothernecessariesIrequired,myconditionwasveryraggedandcontemptible,andtheschoolmaster,who,throughfearofmygrandfather,taughtmegratis,gavehimselfnoconcernabouttheprogressImadeunderhis

istruzione

instruction.

Inspiteofallthesedifficultiesanddisgraces,IbecameagoodproficientintheLatintongue;

and,assoonasIcouldwritetolerably,pesteredmygrandfatherwithletterstosuchadegreethathesentformymaster,andchidhim

severamente

severelyforbestowingsuchpainsonmyeducation,tellinghimthat,ifeverIshouldbebroughttothe

forca

gallowsforforgery,whichhehadtaughtmetocommit,mybloodwouldlieonhishead.

Thepedant,who

temeva

dreadednothingmorethanthedispleasureofhis

patrono

patron,assuredhishonourthattheboy’sabilitywasmoreowingtohisowngeniusandapplicationthantoany

istruzione

instructionorencouragementhereceived;

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

impedire

preventhisfutureimprovement.

And,indeed,hepunctuallyperformedwhathehad

intrapreso

undertaken;

for,onpretencethatIhadwrittenimpertinentletterstomygrandfather,hecausedaboardtobemadewithfiveholesinit,throughwhichhethrustthefingersand

pollice

thumbofmyrighthand,and

fissò

fasteneditbywhipcordtomy

polso

wrist,insuchamanneraseffectuallydebarredmetheuseofmypen.

ButthisrestraintIwasfreedfrominafewdays,byanaccidentwhichhappenedina

lite

quarrelbetweenmeandanotherboy;

who,takinguponhimto

insultare

insultmypoverty,Iwasso

incensato

incensedathisungenerousreproachthatwithone

colpo

strokewithmymachineIcuthimtothe

cranio

skull,tothegreatterrorofmyselfandschoolfellows,wholefthimbleedingontheground,andrantoinformthemasterofwhathadhappened.

Iwasso

severamente

severelypunishedforthistrespassthat,wereItolivetotheageofMethusalem,theimpressionitmadeonmewouldnotbeeffaced;

themorethantheantipathyandhorrorI

concepito

conceivedforthemercilesstyrantwho

inflitto

inflictedit.

Thecontemptwhichmyappearance

naturalmente

naturallyproducedinallwhosawme,thecontinualwantstowhichIwas

esposto

exposed,andmyownhaughty

disposizione

disposition,impatientofaffronts,involvedmeinathousandtroublesomeadventures,bywhichIwasatlengthinuredinadversity,andemboldenedtoundertakingsfarabovemyyears.

IwasofteninhumanlyscourgedforcrimesIdidnotcommit,because,havingthecharacterofavagabondinthevillage,everypieceofmischief,whose

autore

authorlayunknown,waschargeduponme.

IhavebeenfoundguiltyofrobbingorchardsIneverentered,ofkillingcatsIneverhunted,ofstealinggingerbreadInevertouched,andofabusingoldwomenIneversaw.

Nay,astammeringcarpenterhadeloquenceenoughto

persuadere

persuademymasterthatIfiredapistolloadedwithsmallshotintohiswindow;

thoughmylandladyandthewholefamilyborewitnessthatIwasabedfastasleepatthetimewhenthis

oltraggio

outragewascommitted.

Iwasoncefloggedforhavingnarrowlyescapeddrowning,bythesinkingofa

traghetto

ferryboatinwhichIwas

passeggero

passenger.

Anothertime,forhaving

ripreso

recoveredofabruiseoccasionedbyahorseandcartrunningoverme.

Athirdtime,forbeingbittenbyabaker’sdog.

Inshort,whetherIwasguiltyor

sfortunato

unfortunate,thecorrectionandsympathyofthisarbitrarypedagoguewerethesame.

Farfrombeingsubduedbythis

informale

informalusage,myindignationtriumphedoverthatslavishawewhichhadhithertoenforcedmy

obbedienza

obedience;

andthemoremyyearsandknowledge

aumentavano

increased,themoreIperceivedtheinjusticeandbarbarityofhisbehaviour.

Bythehelpofan

insolito

uncommongenius,andtheadviceanddirectionofour

usciere

usher,whohadservedmyfatherinhistravels,Imadeasurprisingprogressintheclassics,writing,andarithmetic;

sothat,beforeIwastwelveyearsold,Iwasallowedbyeverybodytobethebest

studioso

scholarintheschool.

Thisqualification,togetherwiththeboldnessof

temperamento

temperandstrengthofmakewhichhadsubjectedalmostallmycontemporaries,gavemesuch

influenza

influenceoverthemthatIbegantoformcabalsagainstmypersecutor;

andwasinhopeof,beingabletobidhimdefianceinaveryshorttime.

Beingattheheadofa

fazione

faction,consistingofthirtyboys,mostofthemofmyownage,Iwas

determinato

determinedtoputtheirmettletotrial,thatImightknowhowfartheyweretobedependedupon,beforeIputmygrandschemein

esecuzione

execution:

withthisview,weattackedabodyofstoutapprentices,whohadtaken

possesso

possessionofapartofthegroundallottedtousforthe

lo schema

schemeofourdiversions,andwhowerethenplayingatninepinsonthespot;

butIhadthemortificationtoseemyadherentsroutedinan

istante

instant,andalegofoneofthembrokeinhisflightbythebowl,whichoneofouradversarieshad

staccato

detachedinpursuitofus.

Thisdiscomfituredidnothinderusfromengagingthemafterwardsin

frequenti

frequentskirmishes,whichwemaintainedbythrowingstonesatadistance,whereinIreceivedmanywounds,thescarsofwhichstillremain.

Ourenemiesweresoharassedandinterruptedbythesealarmsthattheyatlast

abbandonarono

abandonedtheirconquest,andleftustothepeaceable

godimento

enjoymentofourownterritories.

Itwouldbeendlesstoenumeratetheexploitsweperformedinthecourseofthisconfederacy,whichbecamethe

terrore

terrorofthewholevillage;

insomuchthat,whendifferentinterests

dividevano

dividedit,oneoftheparties

comunemente

commonlycourtedtheassistanceofRoderickRandom(bywhichnameIwasknown)tocastthebalance,andkeeptheopposite

fazione

factioninawe.

Meanwhile,Itooktheadvantageofeveryplay-daytopresentmyselfbeforemygrandfather,towhomI

raramente

seldomfoundaccess,byreasonofhisbeing

strettamente

closelybesiegedbyanumerousfamilyofhisfemale

nipoti

grandchildren,who,thoughtheyperpetually

litigassero

quarrelledamongthemselves,neverfailedtojoinagainstme,asthecommonenemyofall.

His

erede

heir,whowasabouttheageofeighteen,mindednothingbutfox-hunting,andindeedwas

qualificato

qualifiedfornothingelse,notwithstandinghisgrandfather’sindulgenceinentertainingatutorforhimathome;

whoatthesametimeperformedtheofficeof

parrocchiale

parishclerk.

ThisyoungActaeon,who

ereditò

inheritedhisgrandfather’santipathytoeverythingindistress,neversateyesonmewithoutuncouplinghisbeagles,andhuntingmeintosomecottageorother,whitherI

generalmente

generallyfledforshelter.

InthisChristian

divertimento

amusementhewasencouragedbyhispreceptor,who,nodoubt,tooksuchopportunitiestoingratiatehimselfwiththerisingsun,

osservando

observing,thattheoldgentleman,accordingtothecourseofnature,hadnotlongtolive,forhewasalreadyonthevergeoffourscore.

Capitolo

CHAPTERIII

MyMother’sBrotherarrives—relievesme—a

Descrizione

Descriptionofhim—hegoesalongwithmetotheHouseofmyGrandfather—is

incontrato

encounteredbyhisDogs—defeatsthem,afterabloodyEngagement—isadmittedtotheoldGentleman—a

Dialogo

Dialoguebetweenthem.

Aboutthistimemymother’sonlybrother,whohadbeenlong

all'estero

abroad,lieutenantofaman-of-war,arrivedinhisowncountry;

wherebeinginformedofmycondition,hecametoseeme,andoutofhisslenderfinancesnotonly

fornì

suppliedmewithwhatnecessariesIwantedforthepresent,butresolvednottoleavethecountryuntilhehadprevailedonmygrandfathertosettlesomethinghandsomeforthefuture.

Thiswasatasktowhichhewasbynomeans

uguale

equal,beingentirelyignorant,notonlyofthejudge’s

disposizione

disposition,butalsoofthewaysofmeningeneral,towhichhiseducationonboardhadkepthimanutterstranger.

Hewasastrongbuiltman,somewhatbandylegged,withanecklikethatofabull,andafacewhich(youmighteasilyperceive)had

resistito

withstoodthemostobstinateassaultsoftheweather.

Hisdressconsistedofasoldier’scoat

modificato

alteredforhimbytheship’s

sarto

tailor,astripedflanneljacket,apairofredbreechesspannedwith

pece

pitch,cleangrayworstedstockings,largesilverbucklesthatcoveredthree-fourthsofhisshoes,asilver-lacedhat,whose

corona

crownoverlookedthebrimsaboutan

pollice

inchandahalf,blackbobwigin

fibbia

buckle,acheckshirt,asilk

fazzoletto

handkerchief,ahanger,witha

ottone

brasshandle,girdedtohisthighbyafurnishedlacebelt,andagood

quercia

oakplantunderhisarm.

Thusequipped,hesetoutwithme(whobyhisbountymadeaverydecentappearance)formygrandfather’shouse,wherewewere

salutarono

salutedbyJowlerandCaesar,whommycousin,youngmaster,hadletlooseatourapproach.

Beingwellacquaintedwiththeinveteracyofthesecurs,Iwasabouttobetakemyselftomyheels,whenmyuncle

afferrò

seizedmewithonehand,brandishedhiscudgelwiththeother,andatoneblowlaid

Cesare

Caesarsprawlingontheground;

but,findinghimselfattackedatthesametimeinthe

posteriore

rearbyJowler,andfearing

Cesare

Caesarmightrecover,hedrewhishanger,wheeledabout,andbyalucky

colpo

strokeseveredJowler’sheadfromhisbody.

Bythistime,theyoungfoxhunterandthreeservants,armedwithpitchforksandflails,werecometotheassistanceofthedogs,whomtheyfound

senza fiato

breathlessuponthefield;

andmycousinwasso

provocato

provokedatthedeathofhisfavourites,thatheorderedhisattendantstoadvance,andtakevengeanceontheir

boia

executioner,whomheloadedwithallthecursesandreproacheshisangercouldsuggest.

Uponwhichmyunclesteppedforwardswithanundauntedair,atthesightofwhosebloodyweaponshisantagonistsfellbackwithprecipitation,whenheaccostedtheirleaderthus:.

“Lookee,brother,yourdogshavingboardedmewithout

provocazione

provocation,whatIdidwasinmyown

difesa

defence.

Soyouhadbestbecivil,andletusshootahead,clearofyou.”

Whethertheyoung

scudiero

squiremisinterpretedmyuncle’sdesireofpeace,orwasenragedatthefateofhishoundsbeyondhisusualpitchof

risoluzione

resolution,Iknownot;

buthe

strappato

snatchedaflailfromoneofhisfollowers,andcameupwithashowof

assalto

assaultingthelieutenant,who,puttinghimselfinapostureof

difesa

defence,proceededthus:

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

I’llbe

fallo

foulofyourquarter,d—nme.”

This

dichiarazione

declaration,followedbyaflourishofhishanger,seemedtochecktheprogressoftheyounggentleman’scholer,who,lookingbehindhim,

percepì

perceivedhisattendantshadslunkintothehouse,shutthegate,andlefthimtodecidethecontentionbyhimself.

Hereaparleyensued,whichwasintroducedbymycousin’sasking,“Whothedevilareyou?

Whatdoyouwant?

Some

canaglia

scoundrelofaseaman,Isuppose,whohasdesertedandturnedthief.

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

Yourbloodshallpayforthatofmytwohounds,youragamuffin.

Iwouldnothavepartedwiththemtosaveyourwholegenerationfromthe

forca

gallows,youruffian,you!”

“Noneofyour

mascella

jaw,youswab—noneofyourjaw,”repliedmyuncle,“elseIshall

taglierò

trimyourlacedjacketforyou.

Ishall

sfregherò

rubyoudownwithanoaken

asciugamano

towel,myboy,Ishall.”

Sosaying,hesheathedhishanger,and

afferrato

graspedhiscudgel.

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