The Adventures of Roderick Random | Progressive Spanish A2 Translation Books

The Adventures of Roderick Random | Progressive Spanish A2 Translation Books

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THEAUTHOR’SPREFACE
Ofallkindsofsatire,thereisnonesoentertaininganduniversallyimproving,asthatwhichisintroduced,asitwereoccasionally,inthecourseofan
interesante
interesting
story,whichbringseveryincidenthometolife,andbyrepresentingfamiliarscenesinanuncommonandamusingpointofview,investsthemwithallthegracesofnovelty,while
naturaleza
nature
isappealedtoineveryparticular.
Thereadergratifieshiscuriosityinpursuingtheadventuresofapersonin
cuyo
whose
favourheisprepossessed;
heespouseshiscause,hesympathiseswithhiminhisdistress,hisindignationisheatedagainsttheauthorsofhiscalamity:
thehumanepassionsareinflamed;
thecontrastbetweendejectedvirtueandinsultingviceappearswithgreateraggravation,andeveryimpressionhavinga
doble
double
forceontheimagination,the
memoria
memory
retainsthecircumstance,andtheheartimprovesbytheexample.
Theattentionisnottiredwithabarecatalogueofcharacters,butagreeablydivertedwithallthevarietyofinvention;
andthevicissitudesoflifeappearintheirpeculiarcircumstances,openinganample
campo
field
forwitandhumour.
Romance,no
duda
doubt
,owesitsorigintoignorance,vanity,andsuperstition.
InthedarkagesoftheWorld,whenamanhadrenderedhimself
famoso
famous
forwisdomorvalour,hisfamilyandadherentsavailedthemselvesofhissuperiorqualities,magnifiedhisvirtues,andrepresentedhischaracterandpersonassacredandsupernatural.
Thevulgareasilyswallowedthebait,imploredhisprotection,andyieldedthetributeofhomageandpraise,eventoadoration;
hisexploitswerehandeddowntoposteritywitha
mil
thousand
exaggerations;
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
during
theeraoftheirexcellence,
a menos que
unless
theCyropædiaofXenophonmaybesocalled;
anditwasnottillartsandsciences
comenzaron
began
toreviveaftertheirruptionofthebarbariansintoEurope,thatanythingofthiskindappeared.
Butwhenthemindsofmenweredebauchedbytheimpositionofpriestcrafttothemostabsurdpitchofcredulity,theauthorsofromancearose,andlosingsightofprobability,filledtheirperformanceswiththemostmonstroushyperboles.
Iftheycouldnotequaltheancientpoetsinpointofgeniustheywereresolvedtoexceltheminfiction,andapplytothe
maravilla
wonder
,ratherthanthejudgment,oftheirreaders.
Accordingly,theybroughtnecromancytotheiraid,andinsteadof
apoyar
supporting
thecharacteroftheirheroesbydignityofsentimentand
práctica
practice
,distinguishedthembytheirbodilystrength,activity,andextravaganceofbehaviour.
Althoughnothingcouldbemoreludicrousandunnaturalthanthefigurestheydrew,theydidnotwantpatronsandadmirers;
andtheworldactually
comenzó
began
tobeinfectedwiththe
espíritu
spirit
ofknight-errantry,whenCervantes,byaninimitable
pieza
piece
ofridicule,reformedthetasteofmankind,representingchivalryintherightpointofview,andconvertingromancetopurposesfarmoreusefulandentertaining,bymakingitassumethesock,andpointoutthefolliesofordinarylife.
ThesamemethodhasbeenpractisedbyotherSpanishandFrenchauthors,andby
ninguno
none
moresuccessfullythanbyMonsieurLeSage,who,inhisAdventuresofGilBlas,hasdescribedtheknaveryandfoiblesoflife,withinfinitehumourandsagacity.
ThefollowingsheetsIhavemodelledonhisplan,takingmeliberty,however,todifferfromhimintheexecution,whereIthoughthisparticularsituationswereuncommon,extravagant,orpeculiartothecountryinwhichthe
escena
scene
islaid.
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
allowed
himtheadvantagesofbirthandeducation,whichintheseriesofhismisfortuneswill,Ihope,engagetheingenuousmorewarmlyinhisbehalf;
andthoughIforesee,thatsomepeoplewillbeoffendedatthemeanscenesinwhichheis
involucrado
involved
,Ipersuademyselfthatthejudiciouswillnotonlyperceivethenecessityofdescribingthosesituationstowhichhemustofcoursebeconfined,inhis
bajo
low
estate,butalsofindentertainmentinviewingthosepartsoflife,wherethehumoursandpassionsareundisguisedbyaffectation,ceremony,oreducation;
andthewhimsicalpeculiaritiesofdispositionappearas
naturaleza
nature
hasimplantedthem.
ButIbelieveIneednottroublemyselfinvindicatinga
práctica
practice
authorizedbythebestwritersinthisway,someofwhomIhavealreadynamed.
Everyintelligentreaderwill,atfirstsight,perceiveIhavenotdeviatedfrom
naturaleza
nature
inthefacts,whicharealltrueinthemain,althoughthecircumstancesarealteredanddisguised,toavoid
personal
personal
satire.
Itnowremainstogivemyreasonsformakingthe
principal
chief
personageofthisworka
Norte
North
Briton,whicharechieflythese:
Icould,atasmallexpense,bestowonhimsucheducationasIthoughtthedignityofhisbirthandcharacterrequired,whichcouldnotpossiblybeobtainedinEngland,bysuchslendermeansasthe
naturaleza
nature
ofmyplanwouldafford.
Inthenextplace,Icouldrepresentsimplicityofmannersinaremotepartofthekingdom,withmoreproprietythaninanyplacenearthecapital;
andlastly,thedispositionoftheScots,addictedtotravelling,justifiesmyconductinderivinganadventurerfromthatcountry.
APOLOGUE
Ayoungpainter,indulgingaveinofpleasantry,sketchedakindofconversation
pieza
piece
,representingabear,anowl,amonkey,andanass;
andtorenderitmorestriking,humorous,andmoral,distinguishedevery
figura
figure
bysomeemblemofhumanlife.
Bruinwasexhibitedinthegarbandattitudeofanold,toothless,drunkensoldier;
theowlpercheduponthe
mango
handle
ofacoffee-pot,withspectacleon
nariz
nose
,seemedtocontemplateanewspaper;
andtheass,ornamentedwitha
enorme
huge
tie-wig(which,however,couldnotconcealhislongears),satforhis
imagen
picture
tothemonkey,whoappearedwiththeimplementsofpainting.
Thiswhimsical
grupo
group
affordedsomemirth,andmetwith
general
general
approbation,untilsomemischievouswaghintedthatthewhole—wasalampoonuponthefriendsoftheperformer;
aninsinuationwhichwasnosoonercirculatedthanthoseverypeoplewhoapplaudeditbefore
comenzaron
began
tobealarmed,andeventofancythemselvessignifiedbytheseveralfiguresofthe
pieza
piece
.
Amongothers,aworthypersonageinyears,whohadservedinthe
ejército
army
withreputation,beingincensedatthe
supuesto
supposed
outrage,repairedtothelodgingofthepainter,andfindinghimathome,“Harkye,Mr.Monkey,”saidhe,“Ihaveagoodmindtoconvinceyou,thatthoughthe
oso
bear
haslosthisteeth,heretainshispaws,andthatheisnotsodrunkbuthecanperceiveyourimpertinence.”
“Sblood!
sir,thattoothlessjawisad—nedscandalouslibel—butdon’tyou
imagines
imagine
mesochopfallenasnottobeabletochewthecudofresentment.”
Herehewasinterruptedbythearrivalofalearnedphysician,who,advancingtotheculpritwithfuryinhisaspect,exclaimed,“Supposetheaugmentationoftheass’searsshould
demuestre
prove
thediminutionofthebaboon’s—nay,seeknottoprevaricate,for,bythebeardofAesculapius!
thereisnotonehairinthisperiwigthatwillnotstandupinjudgmenttoconvicttheeof
personal
personal
abuse.
Dobutobserve,
capitán
captain
,howthispitifullittlefellowhascopiedtheverycurls—thecolour,indeed,isdifferent,butthenthe
forma
form
andforetoparequitesimilar.”
Whilehethusremonstratedinastrainofvociferation,avenerablesenatorentered,andwaddlinguptothedelinquent,“Jackanapes!”
criedhe,“IwillnowlettheeseeIcanreadsomethingelsethananewspaper,andthatwithoutthehelpofspectacles:
hereisyourownnoteofhand,sirrah,formoney,whichifIhadnotadvanced,youyourselfwouldhaveresembledanowl,innot
atreverse
daring
toshowyourfacebyday,youungratefulslanderousknave!”
Invaintheastonishedpainterdeclaredthathehadnointentiontogiveoffence,ortocharacteriseparticularpersons:
theyaffirmedtheresemblancewastoopalpabletobeoverlooked;
theytaxedhimwithinsolence,malice,andingratitude;
andtheirclamoursbeingoverheardbythe
público
public
,thecaptainwasa
oso
bear
,thedoctoranass,andthesenatoranowl,tohisdyingday.
Christianreader,Ibeseechthee,inthebowelsoftheLord,rememberthisexample“whilethouartemployedintheperusalofthefollowingsheets;
andseeknottoappropriatetothyselfthatwhichequallybelongstofivehundreddifferentpeople.
Ifthoushouldstmeetwithacharacterthatreflectstheeinsomeungraciousparticular,keepthyowncounsel;
CHAPTERI
OfmyBirthandParentage.
Iwas
nací
born
inthenorthernpartofthisunitedkingdom,inthehouseofmygrandfather,agentlemanofconsiderablefortuneandinfluence,whohadonmanyoccasionssignalisedhimselfinbehalfofhiscountry;
andwasremarkableforhisabilitiesinthelaw,whichheexercisedwithgreatsuccessinthe
estación
station
ofajudge,particularlyagainstbeggars,forwhomhehadasingularaversion.
Myfather(hisyoungestson)fallinginlovewithapoorrelation,wholivedwiththeoldgentlemaninqualityofahousekeeper,espousedherprivately;
andIwasthefirstfruitofthat
matrimonio
marriage
.
Duringherpregnancy,adreamdiscomposedmymothersomuchthatherhusband,
cansado
tired
withherimportunity,atlastconsultedahighlandseer,
cuya
whose
favourableinterpretationhewouldhavesecuredbeforehandbyabribe,butfoundhimincorruptible.
Shedreamedshewasdeliveredofatennis-ball,whichthedevil(who,tohergreat
sorpresa
surprise
,actedthepartofamidwife)strucksoforciblywitharacketthatitdisappearedinaninstant;
andshewasforsometimeinconsolableforthelostofheroffspring;
when,allonasudden,shebehelditreturnwithequalviolence,andentertheearth,beneathher
pies
feet
,whenceimmediatelysprangupagoodly
árbol
tree
coveredwithblossoms,thescentofwhichoperatedsostronglyonhernervesthatsheawoke.
Theattentivesage,aftersomedeliberation,assuredmyparents,thattheirfirstbornwouldbeagreattraveller;
thathewouldundergomanydangersanddifficulties,andatlastreturntohisnative
tierra
land
,wherehewouldflourishinhappinessandreputation.
Howtrulythiswasforetoldwillappearinthesequel.
Itwasnotlongbeforesomeofficiouspersoninformedmygrandfatherofcertainfamiliaritiesthatpassedbetweenhissonandhousekeeperwhichalarmedhimsomuchthat,afewdaysafter,hetoldmyfatheritwashightimeforhimtothinkofsettling;
andthathehadprovideda
partido
match
forhim,towhichhecouldinjusticehavenoobjections.
Myfather,findingitwouldbe
imposible
impossible
toconcealhissituationmuchlonger,franklyownedwhathehaddone;
andexcusedhimselffornothavingaskedtheconsentofhisfather,bysaying,heknewitwouldhavebeentonopurpose;
andthat,hadhisinclinationbeenknown,mygrandfathermighthavetakensuchmeasuresaswouldhaveeffectuallyputthegratificationofitoutofhispower:
headded,thatnoexceptionscouldbetakentohiswife’svirtue,birth,
belleza
beauty
,andgoodsense,andasforfortune,itwasbeneathhiscare.
Theoldgentleman,whokeptallhispassions,
excepto
except
one,inexcellentorder,heardhimtoanendwithgreattemper,andthencalmlyasked,howheproposedtomaintainhimselfandspouse?
Hereplied,hecouldbeinnodangerofwantingwhilehisfather’stendernessremained,whichheandhiswifeshouldalwayscultivatewiththeutmostveneration;
andhewaspersuadedhisallowancewouldbesuitabletothedignityandcircumstancesofhisfamily,andtotheprovisionalreadymadeforhisbrothersandsisters,whowerehappilysettledunderhisprotection.
“Yourbrothersandsisters,”saidmygrandfather,“didnotthinkitbeneaththemtoconsultmeinanaffairofsuchimportanceasmatrimony;
tampoco
neither
,Isuppose,wouldyouhaveomittedthatpieceof
deber
duty
,hadyounotsome
secreto
secret
fundinreserve;
tothecomfortsofwhichIleaveyou,withadesirethatyouwillthisnightseekoutanotherhabitationforyourselfandwife,whither,inashorttime,IwillsendyouanaccountoftheexpenseIhavebeenatinyoureducation,withaviewofbeingreimbursed.
Sir,youhavemadethegrandtour—youareapolitegentleman—averyprettygentleman—Iwishyouagreatdealofjoy,andamyourveryhumbleservant.”
Sosaying,heleftmyfatherina
situación
situation
easilyimagined.
However,hedidnotlonghesitate;
for,beingperfectlywellacquaintedwithhisfather’sdisposition,hedidnot
dudó
doubt
thathewasgladofthispretencetogetridofhim;
andhisresolvesbeingasinvariableasthelawsoftheMedesandPersians,heknewitwouldbetonopurposetoattempthimbyprayersandentreaties;
sowithoutanyfartherapplication,hebetookhimself,withhisdisconsolatebedfellowtoafarm-house,whereanoldservantofhismotherdwelt:
theretheyremainedsometimeina
situación
situation
butilladaptedtotheeleganceoftheirdesiresandtendernessoftheirlove;
whichneverthelessmyfatherchosetoendure,ratherthansupplicateanunnaturalandinflexibleparentbutmymother,foreseeingtheinconveniencestowhichshemusthavebeenexposed,hadshebeendeliveredinthisplace(andherpregnancywasveryfaradvanced),withoutcommunicatingherdesigntoherhusband,wentindisguisetothehouseofmygrandfather,hopingthathertearsandconditionwouldmovehimtocompassion,andreconcilehimtoaneventwhichwasnowirrecoverablypast.
Shefoundmeanstodeceivetheservants,andgetintroducedasanunfortunatelady,whowantedtocomplainofsomematrimonialgrievances,itbeingmygrandfather’sparticularprovinceto
decidir
decide
inallcasesofscandal.
Shewasaccordinglyadmittedintohispresence,where,discoveringherself,shefellathis
pies
feet
,andinthemostaffectingmannerimploredhisforgiveness;
atthesametimerepresentingthedangerthatthreatenednotonlyherlife,butthatofhisowngrandchild,whichwasabouttoseethelight.
Hetoldherhewassorrythattheindiscretionofherandhissonhadcompelledhimtomakeavow,whichputitoutofhispowertogivethemanyassistance;
thathehadalreadyimpartedhisthoughtsonthatsubjecttoherhusband,andwas
sorprendió
surprised
thattheyshoulddisturbhis
paz
peace
withanyfartherimportunity.
Thissaid,heretired.
Theviolenceofmymother’safflictionhadsuchaneffectonherconstitutionthatshewas
inmediatamente
immediately
seizedwiththepainsofchildbed;
andhadnotanoldmaidservant,towhomshewasverydear,affordedherpityandassistance,atthehazardofincurringmygrandfather’sdispleasure,sheandtheinnocentfruitofherwombmusthavefallenmiserablevictimstohisrigourandinhumanity.
Bythefriendshipofthispoorwomanshewascarrieduptoagarret,and
inmediatamente
immediately
deliveredofamanchild,thestoryof
cuya
whose
unfortunatebirthhehimselfnowrelates.
Myfather,beinginformedofwhathadhappened,
voló
flew
totheembracesofhisdarlingspouse,andwhileheloadedhisoffspringwithpaternalembraces,couldnotforbearsheddingafloodoftearsonbeholdingthedearpartnerofhisheart(for
cuya
whose
easehewouldhavesacrificedthetreasuresoftheeast)stretcheduponaflockbed,inamiserable
apartamento
apartment
,unabletoprotectherfromtheinclemenciesoftheweather.
Itisnottobe
suponer
supposed
thattheoldgentlemanwasignorantofwhat
pasó
passed
,thoughheaffectedtoknownothingofthematter,andpretendedtobeverymuch
sorprendido
surprised
,whenoneofhisgrandchildren,byhiseldestsondeceased,wholivedwithhimashisheirapparent,acquaintedhimwiththeaffair;
hedeterminedthereforetoobservenomedium,but
inmediatamente
immediately
(onthethirddayafterherdelivery)sentheraperemptoryordertobegone,andturnedofftheservantwhohadpreservedherlife.
Thisbehavioursoexasperatedmyfatherthathehadrecoursetothemostdreadfulimprecations;
andonhisbarekneesimploredthat
Cielo
Heaven
wouldrenouncehimifeverheshouldforgetor
perdonaba
forgive
thebarbarityofhissire.
Theinjurieswhichthisunhappymotherreceivedfromherremovalinsuchcircumstances,andthewantofnecessarieswhereshelodged,togetherwithhergriefandanxietyofmind,soon
arrojaron
threw
herintoalanguishingdisorder,whichputanendtoherlife.
Myfather,wholovedhertenderly,wassoaffectedwithherdeaththatheremainedsixweeksdeprivedofhissenses;
durante
during
whichtime,thepeoplewherehelodgedcarriedtheinfanttotheoldmanwhorelentedsofar,onhearingthemelancholystoryofhisdaughter-in-law’sdeath,andthedeplorableconditionofhisson,astosendthechildtonurse,andheorderedmyfathertobecarriedhometohishouse,wherehesoonrecoveredtheuseofhisreason.
Whetherthishardhearted
juez
judge
feltanyremorseforhiscrueltreatmentofhissonanddaughter,or(whichismoreprobable)wasafraidhischaracterwouldsufferintheneighbourhood,heprofessedgreatsorrowforhisconducttomyfather,
cuyo
whose
deliriumwassucceededbyaprofoundmelancholyandreserve.
Atlengthhedisappeared,and,notwithstandingallimaginableinquiry,couldnotbeheardof;
acircumstancewhichconfirmedmostpeopleintheopinionofhishavingmadeawaywithhimselfinafitofdespair.
CHAPTERII
I
crezco
grow
up—amhatedbymyRelations—senttoSchool—neglectedbymyGrandfather—maltreatedbymyMaster—seasonedtoAdversity—I
formo
form
CabalsagainstthePedant—amdebarredAccesstomyGrandfather—huntedbyhisHeir—IdemolishtheTeethofhisTutor.
Therewerenotwantingsomewhosuspectedmyunclesofbeingconcernedinmyfather’sfate,onthesuppositionthattheywouldall
compartirían
share
inthepatrimonydestinedforhim;
andthisconjecturewasstrengthenedbyreflectingthatinallhiscalamitiestheyneverdiscoveredtheleastinclinationtoservehim;
but,onthecontrary,byalltheartificesintheirpower,fedhisresentmentand
apoyaron
supported
hisresolutionofleavinghimtomiseryandwant.
Butpeopleofjudgment
trató
treated
thisinsinuationasanidlechimera;
because,hadmyrelationsbeensowickedastoconsulttheir
intereses
interest
bycommittingsuchanatrocious
crimen
crime
,thefateofmyfatherwouldhaveextendedtometoo
cuya
whose
lifewasanotherobstacletotheirexpectation.
Meanwhile,I
crecí
grew
apace,andasIstronglyresembledmyfather,whowasthe
querido
darling
ofthetenants,Iwantednothingwhichtheirindigentcircumstancescouldafford:
buttheirfavourwasaweakresourceagainstthejealousenmityofmycousins;
whothemoremyinfancypromised,conceivedthemoreimplacablehatredagainstme:
andbeforeIwassixyearsofage,hadsoeffectuallyblockadedmygrandfatherthatIneversawhimbutbystealth,whenIsometimesmadeuptohischairashesattoviewhislabourersinthe
campo
field
:
onwhichoccasionhewouldstrokemyhead,bidmebeagoodboy,andpromisetotakecareofme.
Iwassoonaftersenttoschoolata
pueblo
village
hardby,ofwhichhehadbeendictatortimeoutofmind;
butasheneverpaidformyboard,
ni
nor
suppliedmewithclothes,books,andothernecessariesIrequired,myconditionwasveryraggedandcontemptible,andtheschoolmaster,who,through
miedo
fear
ofmygrandfather,taughtmegratis,gavehimselfnoconcernabouttheprogressImadeunderhisinstruction.
Inspiteofallthesedifficultiesanddisgraces,IbecameagoodproficientintheLatintongue;
and,assoonasIcouldwritetolerably,pesteredmygrandfatherwithletterstosuchadegreethathesentformymaster,andchidhimseverelyforbestowingsuchpainsonmyeducation,tellinghimthat,ifeverIshouldbebroughttothegallowsforforgery,whichhehad
enseñado
taught
metocommit,mybloodwouldlieonhishead.
Thepedant,whodreadednothingmorethanthedispleasureofhispatron,assuredhishonourthattheboy’sabilitywasmore
debía
owing
tohisowngeniusandapplicationthantoanyinstructionorencouragementhereceived;
that,althoughhecouldnotdivesthimoftheknowledgehehadalreadyimbibed,
a menos que
unless
hewouldempowerhimtodisablehisfingers,heshouldendeavour,withGod’shelp,topreventhisfutureimprovement.
And,indeed,hepunctuallyperformedwhathehadundertaken;
for,onpretencethatIhadwrittenimpertinentletterstomygrandfather,hecausedaboardtobemadewithfiveholesinit,throughwhichhethrustthefingersandthumbofmyrighthand,andfasteneditbywhipcordtomywrist,insuchamanneraseffectuallydebarredmetheuseofmypen.
ButthisrestraintIwasfreedfrominafewdays,byan
accidente
accident
whichhappenedinaquarrelbetweenmeandanotherboy;
who,takinguponhimtoinsultmypoverty,Iwassoincensedathisungenerousreproachthatwithonestrokewithmy
máquina
machine
Icuthimtotheskull,tothegreatterrorofmyselfandschoolfellows,wholefthimbleedingonthe
suelo
ground
,andrantoinformthemasterofwhathadhappened.
Iwassoseverelypunishedforthistrespassthat,wereItolivetotheageofMethusalem,theimpressionitmadeonmewouldnotbeeffaced;
themorethantheantipathyandhorrorIconceivedforthemercilesstyrantwhoinflictedit.
Thecontemptwhichmyappearancenaturallyproducedinallwhosawme,thecontinualwantstowhichIwasexposed,andmyownhaughtydisposition,impatientofaffronts,
involucraron
involved
meinathousandtroublesomeadventures,bywhichIwasatlengthinuredinadversity,andemboldenedtoundertakingsfar
encima
above
myyears.
IwasofteninhumanlyscourgedforcrimesIdidnotcommit,because,havingthecharacterofavagabondinthe
pueblo
village
,everypieceofmischief,
cuyo
whose
authorlayunknown,waschargeduponme.
IhavebeenfoundguiltyofrobbingorchardsIneverentered,ofkillingcatsIneverhunted,of
robar
stealing
gingerbreadInevertouched,andofabusingoldwomenIneversaw.
Nay,astammeringcarpenterhadeloquenceenoughtopersuademymasterthatIfiredapistolloadedwithsmallshotintohis
ventana
window
;
thoughmylandladyandthewholefamilyborewitnessthatIwasabedfast
dormido
asleep
atthetimewhenthisoutragewascommitted.
Iwasoncefloggedforhavingnarrowly
escapado
escaped
drowning,bythesinkingofaferryboatinwhichIwaspassenger.
Anothertime,forhavingrecoveredofabruiseoccasionedbya
caballo
horse
andcartrunningoverme.
A
tercera
third
time,forbeingbittenbyabaker’sdog.
Inshort,
si
whether
Iwasguiltyorunfortunate,thecorrectionandsympathyofthisarbitrarypedagoguewerethesame.
Farfrombeingsubduedbythisinformalusage,myindignationtriumphedoverthatslavishawewhichhadhithertoenforcedmyobedience;
andthemoremyyearsandknowledgeincreased,themoreIperceivedtheinjusticeandbarbarityofhisbehaviour.
Bythehelpofanuncommongenius,andtheadviceanddirectionofourusher,whohadservedmyfatherinhistravels,Imadeasurprisingprogressintheclassics,writing,andarithmetic;
sothat,beforeIwastwelveyearsold,Iwas
permitía
allowed
byeverybodytobethebestscholarintheschool.
Thisqualification,togetherwiththeboldnessoftemperandstrengthofmakewhichhadsubjectedalmostallmycontemporaries,gavemesuchinfluenceoverthemthatI
comencé
began
toformcabalsagainstmypersecutor;
andwasinhopeof,beingabletobidhimdefianceinavery
corto
short
time.
Beingattheheadofafaction,consistingofthirtyboys,mostofthemofmyownage,Iwasdeterminedtoputtheirmettletotrial,thatImightknowhowfartheyweretobedependedupon,beforeIputmygrandschemeinexecution:
withthisview,we
atacamos
attacked
abodyofstoutapprentices,whohadtakenpossessionofapartofthegroundallottedtousfortheschemeofourdiversions,andwhowerethenplayingatninepinsonthespot;
butIhadthemortificationtoseemyadherentsroutedinaninstant,anda
pierna
leg
ofoneofthembrokeinhis
huida
flight
bythebowl,whichoneofouradversarieshaddetachedinpursuitofus.
Thisdiscomfituredidnothinderusfromengagingthemafterwardsinfrequentskirmishes,whichwemaintainedby
lanzando
throwing
stonesatadistance,whereinIreceivedmanywounds,thescarsofwhichstillremain.
Ourenemiesweresoharassedandinterruptedbythesealarmsthattheyatlastabandonedtheirconquest,andleftustothepeaceableenjoymentofourownterritories.
Itwouldbeendlesstoenumeratetheexploitsweperformedinthecourseofthisconfederacy,whichbecametheterrorofthewhole
aldea
village
;
insomuchthat,whendifferent
intereses
interests
dividedit,oneofthepartiescommonly
cortejaba
courted
theassistanceofRoderickRandom(bywhichnameIwasknown)tocastthebalance,andkeeptheoppositefactioninawe.
Meanwhile,Itooktheadvantageofeveryplay-daytopresentmyselfbeforemygrandfather,towhomIseldomfoundaccess,byreasonofhisbeingcloselybesiegedbyanumerousfamilyofhisfemalegrandchildren,who,thoughtheyperpetuallyquarrelledamongthemselves,neverfailedto
unirse
join
againstme,asthecommon
enemigo
enemy
ofall.
Hisheir,whowasabouttheageofeighteen,mindednothingbutfox-hunting,andindeedwasqualifiedfornothingelse,notwithstandinghisgrandfather’sindulgenceinentertainingatutorforhimathome;
whoatthesametimeperformedtheofficeofparishclerk.
ThisyoungActaeon,whoinheritedhisgrandfather’santipathytoeverythingindistress,neversateyesonmewithoutuncouplinghisbeagles,andhuntingmeintosomecottageorother,whitherIgenerallyfledforshelter.
InthisChristianamusementhewasencouragedbyhispreceptor,who,no
duda
doubt
,tooksuchopportunitiestoingratiatehimselfwiththerising
sol
sun
,observing,thattheoldgentleman,
acuerdo
according
tothecourseof
naturaleza
nature
,hadnotlongtolive,forhewasalreadyonthevergeoffourscore.
CHAPTERIII
MyMother’sBrotherarrives—relievesme—aDescriptionofhim—hegoesalongwithmetotheHouseofmyGrandfather—isencounteredbyhisDogs—defeatsthem,aftera
sangriento
bloody
Engagement—isadmittedtotheoldGentleman—aDialoguebetweenthem.
Aboutthistimemymother’sonlybrother,whohadbeenlongabroad,lieutenantofaman-of-war,arrivedinhisowncountry;
wherebeinginformedofmycondition,hecametoseeme,andoutofhisslenderfinancesnotonlysuppliedmewithwhatnecessariesIwantedforthe
presente
present
,butresolvednottoleavethecountryuntilhehadprevailedonmygrandfathertosettlesomethinghandsomeforthe
futuro
future
.
Thiswasatasktowhichhewasbynomeansequal,beingentirelyignorant,notonlyofthejudge’sdisposition,butalsoofthewaysofmenin
general
general
,towhichhiseducationon
bordo
board
hadkepthimanutterstranger.
Hewasa
fuerte
strong
builtman,somewhatbandylegged,witha
cuello
neck
likethatofabull,andafacewhich(youmighteasilyperceive)hadwithstoodthemostobstinateassaultsoftheweather.
His
vestido
dress
consistedofasoldier’scoatalteredforhimbytheship’stailor,astripedflanneljacket,apairofredbreechesspannedwithpitch,
limpias
clean
grayworstedstockings,largesilverbucklesthat
cubrían
covered
three-fourthsofhisshoes,asilver-lacedhat,
cuya
whose
crownoverlookedthebrimsaboutaninchandahalf,blackbobwiginbuckle,acheck
camisa
shirt
,asilkhandkerchief,ahanger,withabrass
mango
handle
,girdedtohisthighbyafurnishedlacebelt,andagoodoakplantunderhisarm.
Thusequipped,hesetoutwithme(whobyhisbountymadeaverydecentappearance)formygrandfather’shouse,whereweweresalutedbyJowlerandCaesar,whommy
primo
cousin
,youngmaster,hadletlooseatourapproach.
Beingwellacquaintedwiththeinveteracyofthesecurs,Iwasabouttobetakemyselftomyheels,whenmyuncleseizedmewithonehand,brandishedhiscudgelwiththeother,andatone
golpe
blow
laidCaesarsprawlingonthe
suelo
ground
;
but,findinghimselfattackedatthesametimeintherearbyJowler,and
temiendo
fearing
Caesarmightrecover,hedrewhishanger,wheeledabout,andbyaluckystrokeseveredJowler’sheadfromhisbody.
Bythistime,theyoungfoxhunterandthreeservants,armedwithpitchforksandflails,werecometotheassistanceofthedogs,whomtheyfoundbreathlessuponthe
campo
field
;
andmycousinwassoprovokedatthedeathofhisfavourites,thatheorderedhisattendantstoadvance,andtakevengeanceontheirexecutioner,whomheloadedwithallthecursesandreproacheshisangercouldsuggest.
Uponwhichmyunclesteppedforwardswithanundauntedair,atthesightof
cuyas
whose
bloodyweaponshisantagonistsfellbackwithprecipitation,whenheaccostedtheirleaderthus:.
“Lookee,brother,yourdogshaving
abordado
boarded
mewithoutprovocation,whatIdidwasinmyowndefence.
Soyouhadbestbecivil,andletusshootahead,clearofyou.”
Si
Whether
theyoungsquiremisinterpretedmyuncle’sdesireof
paz
peace
,orwasenragedatthefateofhishoundsbeyondhisusualpitchofresolution,Iknownot;
buthesnatchedaflailfromoneofhisfollowers,andcameupwithashowofassaultingthelieutenant,who,puttinghimselfinapostureofdefence,proceededthus:
“Lookee,youlubberlysonofaw—e,ifyoucomeathwartme,’wareyourgingerbreadwork.
I’llbefoulofyourquarter,d—nme.”
Thisdeclaration,followedbyaflourishofhishanger,
parecía
seemed
tochecktheprogressoftheyounggentleman’scholer,who,lookingbehindhim,perceivedhisattendantshadslunkintothehouse,shutthegate,andlefthimto
decidir
decide
thecontentionbyhimself.
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.