THEAUTHOR’SPREFACE
Ofallkindsofsatire,thereisnonesoentertaininganduniversallyimproving,asthatwhichisintroduced,asitwereoccasionally,inthecourseofan
interesante
interestingstory,whichbringseveryincidenthometolife,andbyrepresentingfamiliarscenesinanuncommonandamusingpointofview,investsthemwithallthegracesofnovelty,whilenaturaleza
natureisappealedtoineveryparticular.Thereadergratifieshiscuriosityinpursuingtheadventuresofapersonin
cuyo
whosefavourheisprepossessed;heespouseshiscause,hesympathiseswithhiminhisdistress,hisindignationisheatedagainsttheauthorsofhiscalamity:
thehumanepassionsareinflamed;
thecontrastbetweendejectedvirtueandinsultingviceappearswithgreateraggravation,andeveryimpressionhavinga
doble
doubleforceontheimagination,thememoria
memoryretainsthecircumstance,andtheheartimprovesbytheexample.Theattentionisnottiredwithabarecatalogueofcharacters,butagreeablydivertedwithallthevarietyofinvention;
andthevicissitudesoflifeappearintheirpeculiarcircumstances,openinganample
campo
fieldforwitandhumour.Romance,no
duda
doubt,owesitsorigintoignorance,vanity,andsuperstition.InthedarkagesoftheWorld,whenamanhadrenderedhimself
famoso
famousforwisdomorvalour,hisfamilyandadherentsavailedthemselvesofhissuperiorqualities,magnifiedhisvirtues,andrepresentedhischaracterandpersonassacredandsupernatural.Thevulgareasilyswallowedthebait,imploredhisprotection,andyieldedthetributeofhomageandpraise,eventoadoration;
hisexploitswerehandeddowntoposteritywitha
mil
thousandexaggerations;theywererepeatedasincitementstovirtue;
divinehonourswerepaid,andaltarserectedtohis
memoria
memory,fortheencouragementofthosewhoattemptedtoimitatehisexample;andhencearosetheheathenmythology,whichisnootherthanacollectionofextravagantromances.
Aslearningadvanced,andgeniusreceivedcultivation,thesestorieswereembellishedwiththegracesofpoetry,thattheymightthebetterrecommendthemselvestotheattention;
theyweresunginpublic,atfestivals,fortheinstructionanddelightoftheaudience;
andrehearsedbeforebattle,asincentivestodeedsofglory.
Thustragedyandtheepicmusewere
nacieron
born,and,intheprogressoftaste,arrivedatperfection.Itisnowonderthattheancientscouldnotrelishafableinprose,aftertheyhadseensomanyremarkableeventscelebratedinversebytheirbestpoets;
wethereforefindnoromanceamongthem
durante
duringtheeraoftheirexcellence,a menos que
unlesstheCyropædiaofXenophonmaybesocalled;anditwasnottillartsandsciences
comenzaron
begantoreviveaftertheirruptionofthebarbariansintoEurope,thatanythingofthiskindappeared.Butwhenthemindsofmenweredebauchedbytheimpositionofpriestcrafttothemostabsurdpitchofcredulity,theauthorsofromancearose,andlosingsightofprobability,filledtheirperformanceswiththemostmonstroushyperboles.
Iftheycouldnotequaltheancientpoetsinpointofgeniustheywereresolvedtoexceltheminfiction,andapplytothe
maravilla
wonder,ratherthanthejudgment,oftheirreaders.Accordingly,theybroughtnecromancytotheiraid,andinsteadof
apoyar
supportingthecharacteroftheirheroesbydignityofsentimentandpráctica
practice,distinguishedthembytheirbodilystrength,activity,andextravaganceofbehaviour.Althoughnothingcouldbemoreludicrousandunnaturalthanthefigurestheydrew,theydidnotwantpatronsandadmirers;
andtheworldactually
comenzó
begantobeinfectedwiththeespíritu
spiritofknight-errantry,whenCervantes,byaninimitablepieza
pieceofridicule,reformedthetasteofmankind,representingchivalryintherightpointofview,andconvertingromancetopurposesfarmoreusefulandentertaining,bymakingitassumethesock,andpointoutthefolliesofordinarylife.ThesamemethodhasbeenpractisedbyotherSpanishandFrenchauthors,andby
ninguno
nonemoresuccessfullythanbyMonsieurLeSage,who,inhisAdventuresofGilBlas,hasdescribedtheknaveryandfoiblesoflife,withinfinitehumourandsagacity.ThefollowingsheetsIhavemodelledonhisplan,takingmeliberty,however,todifferfromhimintheexecution,whereIthoughthisparticularsituationswereuncommon,extravagant,orpeculiartothecountryinwhichthe
escena
sceneislaid.ThedisgracesofGilBlasare,forthemostpart,suchasratherexcitemirththancompassion;
hehimselflaughsatthem;
andhistransitionsfromdistresstohappiness,oratleastease,aresosudden,thatneitherthereaderhastimetopityhim,norhimselftobeacquaintedwithaffliction.
Thisconduct,inmyopinion,notonlydeviatesfromprobability,butpreventsthatgenerousindignation,whichoughttoanimatethereaderagainstthesordidandviciousdispositionoftheworld.
Ihaveattemptedtorepresentmodestmeritstrugglingwitheverydifficultytowhichafriendlessorphanisexposed,fromhisownwantof
experiencia
experience,aswellasfromtheselfishness,envy,malice,andbaseindifferenceofmankind.Tosecureafavourableprepossession,Ihave
permitido
allowedhimtheadvantagesofbirthandeducation,whichintheseriesofhismisfortuneswill,Ihope,engagetheingenuousmorewarmlyinhisbehalf;andthoughIforesee,thatsomepeoplewillbeoffendedatthemeanscenesinwhichheis
involucrado
involved,Ipersuademyselfthatthejudiciouswillnotonlyperceivethenecessityofdescribingthosesituationstowhichhemustofcoursebeconfined,inhisbajo
lowestate,butalsofindentertainmentinviewingthosepartsoflife,wherethehumoursandpassionsareundisguisedbyaffectation,ceremony,oreducation;andthewhimsicalpeculiaritiesofdispositionappearas
naturaleza
naturehasimplantedthem.ButIbelieveIneednottroublemyselfinvindicatinga
práctica
practiceauthorizedbythebestwritersinthisway,someofwhomIhavealreadynamed.Everyintelligentreaderwill,atfirstsight,perceiveIhavenotdeviatedfrom
naturaleza
natureinthefacts,whicharealltrueinthemain,althoughthecircumstancesarealteredanddisguised,toavoidpersonal
personalsatire.Itnowremainstogivemyreasonsformakingthe
principal
chiefpersonageofthisworkaNorte
NorthBriton,whicharechieflythese:Icould,atasmallexpense,bestowonhimsucheducationasIthoughtthedignityofhisbirthandcharacterrequired,whichcouldnotpossiblybeobtainedinEngland,bysuchslendermeansasthe
naturaleza
natureofmyplanwouldafford.Inthenextplace,Icouldrepresentsimplicityofmannersinaremotepartofthekingdom,withmoreproprietythaninanyplacenearthecapital;
andlastly,thedispositionoftheScots,addictedtotravelling,justifiesmyconductinderivinganadventurerfromthatcountry.
APOLOGUE
Ayoungpainter,indulgingaveinofpleasantry,sketchedakindofconversation
pieza
piece,representingabear,anowl,amonkey,andanass;andtorenderitmorestriking,humorous,andmoral,distinguishedevery
figura
figurebysomeemblemofhumanlife.Bruinwasexhibitedinthegarbandattitudeofanold,toothless,drunkensoldier;
theowlpercheduponthe
mango
handleofacoffee-pot,withspectacleonnariz
nose,seemedtocontemplateanewspaper;andtheass,ornamentedwitha
enorme
hugetie-wig(which,however,couldnotconcealhislongears),satforhisimagen
picturetothemonkey,whoappearedwiththeimplementsofpainting.Thiswhimsical
grupo
groupaffordedsomemirth,andmetwithgeneral
generalapprobation,untilsomemischievouswaghintedthatthewhole—wasalampoonuponthefriendsoftheperformer;aninsinuationwhichwasnosoonercirculatedthanthoseverypeoplewhoapplaudeditbefore
comenzaron
begantobealarmed,andeventofancythemselvessignifiedbytheseveralfiguresofthepieza
piece.Amongothers,aworthypersonageinyears,whohadservedinthe
ejército
armywithreputation,beingincensedatthesupuesto
supposedoutrage,repairedtothelodgingofthepainter,andfindinghimathome,“Harkye,Mr.Monkey,”saidhe,“Ihaveagoodmindtoconvinceyou,thatthoughtheoso
bearhaslosthisteeth,heretainshispaws,andthatheisnotsodrunkbuthecanperceiveyourimpertinence.”“Sblood!
sir,thattoothlessjawisad—nedscandalouslibel—butdon’tyou
imagines
imaginemesochopfallenasnottobeabletochewthecudofresentment.”Herehewasinterruptedbythearrivalofalearnedphysician,who,advancingtotheculpritwithfuryinhisaspect,exclaimed,“Supposetheaugmentationoftheass’searsshould
demuestre
provethediminutionofthebaboon’s—nay,seeknottoprevaricate,for,bythebeardofAesculapius!thereisnotonehairinthisperiwigthatwillnotstandupinjudgmenttoconvicttheeof
personal
personalabuse.Dobutobserve,
capitán
captain,howthispitifullittlefellowhascopiedtheverycurls—thecolour,indeed,isdifferent,butthentheforma
formandforetoparequitesimilar.”Whilehethusremonstratedinastrainofvociferation,avenerablesenatorentered,andwaddlinguptothedelinquent,“Jackanapes!”
criedhe,“IwillnowlettheeseeIcanreadsomethingelsethananewspaper,andthatwithoutthehelpofspectacles:
hereisyourownnoteofhand,sirrah,formoney,whichifIhadnotadvanced,youyourselfwouldhaveresembledanowl,innot
atreverse
daringtoshowyourfacebyday,youungratefulslanderousknave!”Invaintheastonishedpainterdeclaredthathehadnointentiontogiveoffence,ortocharacteriseparticularpersons:
theyaffirmedtheresemblancewastoopalpabletobeoverlooked;
theytaxedhimwithinsolence,malice,andingratitude;
andtheirclamoursbeingoverheardbythe
público
public,thecaptainwasaoso
bear,thedoctoranass,andthesenatoranowl,tohisdyingday.Christianreader,Ibeseechthee,inthebowelsoftheLord,rememberthisexample“whilethouartemployedintheperusalofthefollowingsheets;
andseeknottoappropriatetothyselfthatwhichequallybelongstofivehundreddifferentpeople.
Ifthoushouldstmeetwithacharacterthatreflectstheeinsomeungraciousparticular,keepthyowncounsel;
CHAPTERI
OfmyBirthandParentage.
Iwas
nací
borninthenorthernpartofthisunitedkingdom,inthehouseofmygrandfather,agentlemanofconsiderablefortuneandinfluence,whohadonmanyoccasionssignalisedhimselfinbehalfofhiscountry;andwasremarkableforhisabilitiesinthelaw,whichheexercisedwithgreatsuccessinthe
estación
stationofajudge,particularlyagainstbeggars,forwhomhehadasingularaversion.Myfather(hisyoungestson)fallinginlovewithapoorrelation,wholivedwiththeoldgentlemaninqualityofahousekeeper,espousedherprivately;
andIwasthefirstfruitofthat
matrimonio
marriage.Duringherpregnancy,adreamdiscomposedmymothersomuchthatherhusband,
cansado
tiredwithherimportunity,atlastconsultedahighlandseer,cuya
whosefavourableinterpretationhewouldhavesecuredbeforehandbyabribe,butfoundhimincorruptible.Shedreamedshewasdeliveredofatennis-ball,whichthedevil(who,tohergreat
sorpresa
surprise,actedthepartofamidwife)strucksoforciblywitharacketthatitdisappearedinaninstant;andshewasforsometimeinconsolableforthelostofheroffspring;
when,allonasudden,shebehelditreturnwithequalviolence,andentertheearth,beneathher
pies
feet,whenceimmediatelysprangupagoodlyárbol
treecoveredwithblossoms,thescentofwhichoperatedsostronglyonhernervesthatsheawoke.Theattentivesage,aftersomedeliberation,assuredmyparents,thattheirfirstbornwouldbeagreattraveller;
thathewouldundergomanydangersanddifficulties,andatlastreturntohisnative
tierra
land,wherehewouldflourishinhappinessandreputation.Howtrulythiswasforetoldwillappearinthesequel.
Itwasnotlongbeforesomeofficiouspersoninformedmygrandfatherofcertainfamiliaritiesthatpassedbetweenhissonandhousekeeperwhichalarmedhimsomuchthat,afewdaysafter,hetoldmyfatheritwashightimeforhimtothinkofsettling;
andthathehadprovideda
partido
matchforhim,towhichhecouldinjusticehavenoobjections.Myfather,findingitwouldbe
imposible
impossibletoconcealhissituationmuchlonger,franklyownedwhathehaddone;andexcusedhimselffornothavingaskedtheconsentofhisfather,bysaying,heknewitwouldhavebeentonopurpose;
andthat,hadhisinclinationbeenknown,mygrandfathermighthavetakensuchmeasuresaswouldhaveeffectuallyputthegratificationofitoutofhispower:
headded,thatnoexceptionscouldbetakentohiswife’svirtue,birth,
belleza
beauty,andgoodsense,andasforfortune,itwasbeneathhiscare.Theoldgentleman,whokeptallhispassions,
excepto
exceptone,inexcellentorder,heardhimtoanendwithgreattemper,andthencalmlyasked,howheproposedtomaintainhimselfandspouse?Hereplied,hecouldbeinnodangerofwantingwhilehisfather’stendernessremained,whichheandhiswifeshouldalwayscultivatewiththeutmostveneration;
andhewaspersuadedhisallowancewouldbesuitabletothedignityandcircumstancesofhisfamily,andtotheprovisionalreadymadeforhisbrothersandsisters,whowerehappilysettledunderhisprotection.
“Yourbrothersandsisters,”saidmygrandfather,“didnotthinkitbeneaththemtoconsultmeinanaffairofsuchimportanceasmatrimony;
tampoco
neither,Isuppose,wouldyouhaveomittedthatpieceofdeber
duty,hadyounotsomesecreto
secretfundinreserve;tothecomfortsofwhichIleaveyou,withadesirethatyouwillthisnightseekoutanotherhabitationforyourselfandwife,whither,inashorttime,IwillsendyouanaccountoftheexpenseIhavebeenatinyoureducation,withaviewofbeingreimbursed.
Sir,youhavemadethegrandtour—youareapolitegentleman—averyprettygentleman—Iwishyouagreatdealofjoy,andamyourveryhumbleservant.”
Sosaying,heleftmyfatherina
situación
situationeasilyimagined.However,hedidnotlonghesitate;
for,beingperfectlywellacquaintedwithhisfather’sdisposition,hedidnot
dudó
doubtthathewasgladofthispretencetogetridofhim;andhisresolvesbeingasinvariableasthelawsoftheMedesandPersians,heknewitwouldbetonopurposetoattempthimbyprayersandentreaties;
sowithoutanyfartherapplication,hebetookhimself,withhisdisconsolatebedfellowtoafarm-house,whereanoldservantofhismotherdwelt:
theretheyremainedsometimeina
situación
situationbutilladaptedtotheeleganceoftheirdesiresandtendernessoftheirlove;whichneverthelessmyfatherchosetoendure,ratherthansupplicateanunnaturalandinflexibleparentbutmymother,foreseeingtheinconveniencestowhichshemusthavebeenexposed,hadshebeendeliveredinthisplace(andherpregnancywasveryfaradvanced),withoutcommunicatingherdesigntoherhusband,wentindisguisetothehouseofmygrandfather,hopingthathertearsandconditionwouldmovehimtocompassion,andreconcilehimtoaneventwhichwasnowirrecoverablypast.
Shefoundmeanstodeceivetheservants,andgetintroducedasanunfortunatelady,whowantedtocomplainofsomematrimonialgrievances,itbeingmygrandfather’sparticularprovinceto
decidir
decideinallcasesofscandal.Shewasaccordinglyadmittedintohispresence,where,discoveringherself,shefellathis
pies
feet,andinthemostaffectingmannerimploredhisforgiveness;atthesametimerepresentingthedangerthatthreatenednotonlyherlife,butthatofhisowngrandchild,whichwasabouttoseethelight.
Hetoldherhewassorrythattheindiscretionofherandhissonhadcompelledhimtomakeavow,whichputitoutofhispowertogivethemanyassistance;
thathehadalreadyimpartedhisthoughtsonthatsubjecttoherhusband,andwas
sorprendió
surprisedthattheyshoulddisturbhispaz
peacewithanyfartherimportunity.Thissaid,heretired.
Theviolenceofmymother’safflictionhadsuchaneffectonherconstitutionthatshewas
inmediatamente
immediatelyseizedwiththepainsofchildbed;andhadnotanoldmaidservant,towhomshewasverydear,affordedherpityandassistance,atthehazardofincurringmygrandfather’sdispleasure,sheandtheinnocentfruitofherwombmusthavefallenmiserablevictimstohisrigourandinhumanity.
Bythefriendshipofthispoorwomanshewascarrieduptoagarret,and
inmediatamente
immediatelydeliveredofamanchild,thestoryofcuya
whoseunfortunatebirthhehimselfnowrelates.Myfather,beinginformedofwhathadhappened,
voló
flewtotheembracesofhisdarlingspouse,andwhileheloadedhisoffspringwithpaternalembraces,couldnotforbearsheddingafloodoftearsonbeholdingthedearpartnerofhisheart(forcuya
whoseeasehewouldhavesacrificedthetreasuresoftheeast)stretcheduponaflockbed,inamiserableapartamento
apartment,unabletoprotectherfromtheinclemenciesoftheweather.Itisnottobe
suponer
supposedthattheoldgentlemanwasignorantofwhatpasó
passed,thoughheaffectedtoknownothingofthematter,andpretendedtobeverymuchsorprendido
surprised,whenoneofhisgrandchildren,byhiseldestsondeceased,wholivedwithhimashisheirapparent,acquaintedhimwiththeaffair;hedeterminedthereforetoobservenomedium,but
inmediatamente
immediately(onthethirddayafterherdelivery)sentheraperemptoryordertobegone,andturnedofftheservantwhohadpreservedherlife.Thisbehavioursoexasperatedmyfatherthathehadrecoursetothemostdreadfulimprecations;
andonhisbarekneesimploredthat
Cielo
Heavenwouldrenouncehimifeverheshouldforgetorperdonaba
forgivethebarbarityofhissire.Theinjurieswhichthisunhappymotherreceivedfromherremovalinsuchcircumstances,andthewantofnecessarieswhereshelodged,togetherwithhergriefandanxietyofmind,soon
arrojaron
threwherintoalanguishingdisorder,whichputanendtoherlife.Myfather,wholovedhertenderly,wassoaffectedwithherdeaththatheremainedsixweeksdeprivedofhissenses;
durante
duringwhichtime,thepeoplewherehelodgedcarriedtheinfanttotheoldmanwhorelentedsofar,onhearingthemelancholystoryofhisdaughter-in-law’sdeath,andthedeplorableconditionofhisson,astosendthechildtonurse,andheorderedmyfathertobecarriedhometohishouse,wherehesoonrecoveredtheuseofhisreason.Whetherthishardhearted
juez
judgefeltanyremorseforhiscrueltreatmentofhissonanddaughter,or(whichismoreprobable)wasafraidhischaracterwouldsufferintheneighbourhood,heprofessedgreatsorrowforhisconducttomyfather,cuyo
whosedeliriumwassucceededbyaprofoundmelancholyandreserve.Atlengthhedisappeared,and,notwithstandingallimaginableinquiry,couldnotbeheardof;
acircumstancewhichconfirmedmostpeopleintheopinionofhishavingmadeawaywithhimselfinafitofdespair.
CHAPTERII
I
crezco
growup—amhatedbymyRelations—senttoSchool—neglectedbymyGrandfather—maltreatedbymyMaster—seasonedtoAdversity—Iformo
formCabalsagainstthePedant—amdebarredAccesstomyGrandfather—huntedbyhisHeir—IdemolishtheTeethofhisTutor.Therewerenotwantingsomewhosuspectedmyunclesofbeingconcernedinmyfather’sfate,onthesuppositionthattheywouldall
compartirían
shareinthepatrimonydestinedforhim;andthisconjecturewasstrengthenedbyreflectingthatinallhiscalamitiestheyneverdiscoveredtheleastinclinationtoservehim;
but,onthecontrary,byalltheartificesintheirpower,fedhisresentmentand
apoyaron
supportedhisresolutionofleavinghimtomiseryandwant.Butpeopleofjudgment
trató
treatedthisinsinuationasanidlechimera;because,hadmyrelationsbeensowickedastoconsulttheir
intereses
interestbycommittingsuchanatrociouscrimen
crime,thefateofmyfatherwouldhaveextendedtometoocuya
whoselifewasanotherobstacletotheirexpectation.Meanwhile,I
crecí
grewapace,andasIstronglyresembledmyfather,whowasthequerido
darlingofthetenants,Iwantednothingwhichtheirindigentcircumstancescouldafford:buttheirfavourwasaweakresourceagainstthejealousenmityofmycousins;
whothemoremyinfancypromised,conceivedthemoreimplacablehatredagainstme:
andbeforeIwassixyearsofage,hadsoeffectuallyblockadedmygrandfatherthatIneversawhimbutbystealth,whenIsometimesmadeuptohischairashesattoviewhislabourersinthe
campo
field:onwhichoccasionhewouldstrokemyhead,bidmebeagoodboy,andpromisetotakecareofme.
Iwassoonaftersenttoschoolata
pueblo
villagehardby,ofwhichhehadbeendictatortimeoutofmind;butasheneverpaidformyboard,
ni
norsuppliedmewithclothes,books,andothernecessariesIrequired,myconditionwasveryraggedandcontemptible,andtheschoolmaster,who,throughmiedo
fearofmygrandfather,taughtmegratis,gavehimselfnoconcernabouttheprogressImadeunderhisinstruction.Inspiteofallthesedifficultiesanddisgraces,IbecameagoodproficientintheLatintongue;
and,assoonasIcouldwritetolerably,pesteredmygrandfatherwithletterstosuchadegreethathesentformymaster,andchidhimseverelyforbestowingsuchpainsonmyeducation,tellinghimthat,ifeverIshouldbebroughttothegallowsforforgery,whichhehad
enseñado
taughtmetocommit,mybloodwouldlieonhishead.Thepedant,whodreadednothingmorethanthedispleasureofhispatron,assuredhishonourthattheboy’sabilitywasmore
debía
owingtohisowngeniusandapplicationthantoanyinstructionorencouragementhereceived;that,althoughhecouldnotdivesthimoftheknowledgehehadalreadyimbibed,
a menos que
unlesshewouldempowerhimtodisablehisfingers,heshouldendeavour,withGod’shelp,topreventhisfutureimprovement.And,indeed,hepunctuallyperformedwhathehadundertaken;
for,onpretencethatIhadwrittenimpertinentletterstomygrandfather,hecausedaboardtobemadewithfiveholesinit,throughwhichhethrustthefingersandthumbofmyrighthand,andfasteneditbywhipcordtomywrist,insuchamanneraseffectuallydebarredmetheuseofmypen.
ButthisrestraintIwasfreedfrominafewdays,byan
accidente
accidentwhichhappenedinaquarrelbetweenmeandanotherboy;who,takinguponhimtoinsultmypoverty,Iwassoincensedathisungenerousreproachthatwithonestrokewithmy
máquina
machineIcuthimtotheskull,tothegreatterrorofmyselfandschoolfellows,wholefthimbleedingonthesuelo
ground,andrantoinformthemasterofwhathadhappened.Iwassoseverelypunishedforthistrespassthat,wereItolivetotheageofMethusalem,theimpressionitmadeonmewouldnotbeeffaced;
themorethantheantipathyandhorrorIconceivedforthemercilesstyrantwhoinflictedit.
Thecontemptwhichmyappearancenaturallyproducedinallwhosawme,thecontinualwantstowhichIwasexposed,andmyownhaughtydisposition,impatientofaffronts,
involucraron
involvedmeinathousandtroublesomeadventures,bywhichIwasatlengthinuredinadversity,andemboldenedtoundertakingsfarencima
abovemyyears.IwasofteninhumanlyscourgedforcrimesIdidnotcommit,because,havingthecharacterofavagabondinthe
pueblo
village,everypieceofmischief,cuyo
whoseauthorlayunknown,waschargeduponme.IhavebeenfoundguiltyofrobbingorchardsIneverentered,ofkillingcatsIneverhunted,of
robar
stealinggingerbreadInevertouched,andofabusingoldwomenIneversaw.Nay,astammeringcarpenterhadeloquenceenoughtopersuademymasterthatIfiredapistolloadedwithsmallshotintohis
ventana
window;thoughmylandladyandthewholefamilyborewitnessthatIwasabedfast
dormido
asleepatthetimewhenthisoutragewascommitted.Iwasoncefloggedforhavingnarrowly
escapado
escapeddrowning,bythesinkingofaferryboatinwhichIwaspassenger.Anothertime,forhavingrecoveredofabruiseoccasionedbya
caballo
horseandcartrunningoverme.A
tercera
thirdtime,forbeingbittenbyabaker’sdog.Inshort,
si
whetherIwasguiltyorunfortunate,thecorrectionandsympathyofthisarbitrarypedagoguewerethesame.Farfrombeingsubduedbythisinformalusage,myindignationtriumphedoverthatslavishawewhichhadhithertoenforcedmyobedience;
andthemoremyyearsandknowledgeincreased,themoreIperceivedtheinjusticeandbarbarityofhisbehaviour.
Bythehelpofanuncommongenius,andtheadviceanddirectionofourusher,whohadservedmyfatherinhistravels,Imadeasurprisingprogressintheclassics,writing,andarithmetic;
sothat,beforeIwastwelveyearsold,Iwas
permitía
allowedbyeverybodytobethebestscholarintheschool.Thisqualification,togetherwiththeboldnessoftemperandstrengthofmakewhichhadsubjectedalmostallmycontemporaries,gavemesuchinfluenceoverthemthatI
comencé
begantoformcabalsagainstmypersecutor;andwasinhopeof,beingabletobidhimdefianceinavery
corto
shorttime.Beingattheheadofafaction,consistingofthirtyboys,mostofthemofmyownage,Iwasdeterminedtoputtheirmettletotrial,thatImightknowhowfartheyweretobedependedupon,beforeIputmygrandschemeinexecution:
withthisview,we
atacamos
attackedabodyofstoutapprentices,whohadtakenpossessionofapartofthegroundallottedtousfortheschemeofourdiversions,andwhowerethenplayingatninepinsonthespot;butIhadthemortificationtoseemyadherentsroutedinaninstant,anda
pierna
legofoneofthembrokeinhishuida
flightbythebowl,whichoneofouradversarieshaddetachedinpursuitofus.Thisdiscomfituredidnothinderusfromengagingthemafterwardsinfrequentskirmishes,whichwemaintainedby
lanzando
throwingstonesatadistance,whereinIreceivedmanywounds,thescarsofwhichstillremain.Ourenemiesweresoharassedandinterruptedbythesealarmsthattheyatlastabandonedtheirconquest,andleftustothepeaceableenjoymentofourownterritories.
Itwouldbeendlesstoenumeratetheexploitsweperformedinthecourseofthisconfederacy,whichbecametheterrorofthewhole
aldea
village;insomuchthat,whendifferent
intereses
interestsdividedit,oneofthepartiescommonlycortejaba
courtedtheassistanceofRoderickRandom(bywhichnameIwasknown)tocastthebalance,andkeeptheoppositefactioninawe.Meanwhile,Itooktheadvantageofeveryplay-daytopresentmyselfbeforemygrandfather,towhomIseldomfoundaccess,byreasonofhisbeingcloselybesiegedbyanumerousfamilyofhisfemalegrandchildren,who,thoughtheyperpetuallyquarrelledamongthemselves,neverfailedto
unirse
joinagainstme,asthecommonenemigo
enemyofall.Hisheir,whowasabouttheageofeighteen,mindednothingbutfox-hunting,andindeedwasqualifiedfornothingelse,notwithstandinghisgrandfather’sindulgenceinentertainingatutorforhimathome;
whoatthesametimeperformedtheofficeofparishclerk.
ThisyoungActaeon,whoinheritedhisgrandfather’santipathytoeverythingindistress,neversateyesonmewithoutuncouplinghisbeagles,andhuntingmeintosomecottageorother,whitherIgenerallyfledforshelter.
InthisChristianamusementhewasencouragedbyhispreceptor,who,no
duda
doubt,tooksuchopportunitiestoingratiatehimselfwiththerisingsol
sun,observing,thattheoldgentleman,acuerdo
accordingtothecourseofnaturaleza
nature,hadnotlongtolive,forhewasalreadyonthevergeoffourscore.CHAPTERIII
MyMother’sBrotherarrives—relievesme—aDescriptionofhim—hegoesalongwithmetotheHouseofmyGrandfather—isencounteredbyhisDogs—defeatsthem,aftera
sangriento
bloodyEngagement—isadmittedtotheoldGentleman—aDialoguebetweenthem.Aboutthistimemymother’sonlybrother,whohadbeenlongabroad,lieutenantofaman-of-war,arrivedinhisowncountry;
wherebeinginformedofmycondition,hecametoseeme,andoutofhisslenderfinancesnotonlysuppliedmewithwhatnecessariesIwantedforthe
presente
present,butresolvednottoleavethecountryuntilhehadprevailedonmygrandfathertosettlesomethinghandsomeforthefuturo
future.Thiswasatasktowhichhewasbynomeansequal,beingentirelyignorant,notonlyofthejudge’sdisposition,butalsoofthewaysofmenin
general
general,towhichhiseducationonbordo
boardhadkepthimanutterstranger.Hewasa
fuerte
strongbuiltman,somewhatbandylegged,withacuello
necklikethatofabull,andafacewhich(youmighteasilyperceive)hadwithstoodthemostobstinateassaultsoftheweather.His
vestido
dressconsistedofasoldier’scoatalteredforhimbytheship’stailor,astripedflanneljacket,apairofredbreechesspannedwithpitch,limpias
cleangrayworstedstockings,largesilverbucklesthatcubrían
coveredthree-fourthsofhisshoes,asilver-lacedhat,cuya
whosecrownoverlookedthebrimsaboutaninchandahalf,blackbobwiginbuckle,acheckcamisa
shirt,asilkhandkerchief,ahanger,withabrassmango
handle,girdedtohisthighbyafurnishedlacebelt,andagoodoakplantunderhisarm.Thusequipped,hesetoutwithme(whobyhisbountymadeaverydecentappearance)formygrandfather’shouse,whereweweresalutedbyJowlerandCaesar,whommy
primo
cousin,youngmaster,hadletlooseatourapproach.Beingwellacquaintedwiththeinveteracyofthesecurs,Iwasabouttobetakemyselftomyheels,whenmyuncleseizedmewithonehand,brandishedhiscudgelwiththeother,andatone
golpe
blowlaidCaesarsprawlingonthesuelo
ground;but,findinghimselfattackedatthesametimeintherearbyJowler,and
temiendo
fearingCaesarmightrecover,hedrewhishanger,wheeledabout,andbyaluckystrokeseveredJowler’sheadfromhisbody.Bythistime,theyoungfoxhunterandthreeservants,armedwithpitchforksandflails,werecometotheassistanceofthedogs,whomtheyfoundbreathlessuponthe
campo
field;andmycousinwassoprovokedatthedeathofhisfavourites,thatheorderedhisattendantstoadvance,andtakevengeanceontheirexecutioner,whomheloadedwithallthecursesandreproacheshisangercouldsuggest.
Uponwhichmyunclesteppedforwardswithanundauntedair,atthesightof
cuyas
whosebloodyweaponshisantagonistsfellbackwithprecipitation,whenheaccostedtheirleaderthus:.“Lookee,brother,yourdogshaving
abordado
boardedmewithoutprovocation,whatIdidwasinmyowndefence.Soyouhadbestbecivil,andletusshootahead,clearofyou.”
Si
Whethertheyoungsquiremisinterpretedmyuncle’sdesireofpaz
peace,orwasenragedatthefateofhishoundsbeyondhisusualpitchofresolution,Iknownot;buthesnatchedaflailfromoneofhisfollowers,andcameupwithashowofassaultingthelieutenant,who,puttinghimselfinapostureofdefence,proceededthus:
“Lookee,youlubberlysonofaw—e,ifyoucomeathwartme,’wareyourgingerbreadwork.
I’llbefoulofyourquarter,d—nme.”
Thisdeclaration,followedbyaflourishofhishanger,
parecía
seemedtochecktheprogressoftheyounggentleman’scholer,who,lookingbehindhim,perceivedhisattendantshadslunkintothehouse,shutthegate,andlefthimtodecidir
decidethecontentionbyhimself.Hereaparleyensued,whichwasintroducedbymycousin’sasking,“Whothedevilareyou?
Whatdoyouwant?
Somescoundrelofaseaman,I
supongo
suppose,whohasdesertedandturnedthief.Butdon’tthinkyoushall
escaparás
escape,sirrah—I’llhaveyouhang’d,youdog,Iwill.Yourbloodshallpayforthatofmytwohounds,youragamuffin.
Iwouldnothavepartedwiththemtosaveyourwholegenerationfromthegallows,youruffian,you!”
“Noneofyourjaw,youswab—noneofyourjaw,”repliedmyuncle,“elseIshalltrimyourlacedjacketforyou.
Ishallrubyoudownwithanoakentowel,myboy,Ishall.”
Sosaying,hesheathedhishanger,andgraspedhiscudgel.