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The Adventures of Roderick Random | Progressive Translation Books for Spanish B1 Learners

The Adventures of Roderick Random | Progressive Translation Books for Spanish B1 Learners

This progressive translation technique brings multiple benefits to language learners. It lets you choose the difficulty level that matches your abilities, making sure the material is challenging but not too difficult. By focusing on understanding words in context, this method boosts your comprehension skills. While direct translations are slightly hidden to promote guessing from context, you can always check unfamiliar words. This approach makes learning a new language both engaging and accessible, offering the right mix of difficulty and encouragement. Embark on a journey through translated classics and enjoy the process of learning through reading.

THEAUTHOR’SPREFACE
Ofallkindsofsatire,thereisnonesoentertaininganduniversallyimproving,asthatwhichis
introduce
introduced,asitwereoccasionally,inthecourseofaninterestingstory,whichbringsevery
incidente
incidenthometolife,andbyrepresentingfamiliarscenesinanuncommonandamusingpointof
vista
view,investsthemwithallthegracesofnovelty,whilenatureisappealedtoineveryparticular.
Thereadergratifieshiscuriosityinpursuingtheadventuresofapersoninwhose
favor
favourheisprepossessed;
heespouseshiscause,hesympathiseswithhiminhisdistress,hisindignationis
calienta
heatedagainsttheauthorsofhiscalamity:
thehumanepassionsareinflamed;
thecontrastbetweendejectedvirtueandinsulting
vicio
viceappearswithgreateraggravation,andeveryimpressionhavingadoubleforceonthe
imaginación
imagination,thememoryretainsthecircumstance,andtheheartimprovesbythe
ejemplo
example.
Theattentionisnottiredwithabarecatalogueofcharacters,butagreeablydivertedwithallthevarietyofinvention;
andthevicissitudesoflife
aparecen
appearintheirpeculiarcircumstances,openinganamplefieldforwitandhumour.
Romance,nodoubt,owesitsorigintoignorance,vanity,andsuperstition.
InthedarkagesoftheWorld,whenamanhadrenderedhimselffamousforwisdomorvalour,hisfamilyandadherentsavailedthemselvesofhissuperiorqualities,magnifiedhisvirtues,andrepresentedhischaracterandpersonassacredandsupernatural.
Thevulgar
fácilmente
easilyswallowedthebait,imploredhis
protección
protection,andyieldedthetributeofhomageandpraise,eventoadoration;
hisexploitswerehandeddowntoposteritywithathousandexaggerations;
theywererepeatedasincitementstovirtue;
divinehonourswerepaid,andaltarserectedtohismemory,fortheencouragementofthosewho
trataron
attemptedtoimitatehisexample;
andhencearosetheheathenmythology,whichisnootherthanacollectionofextravagantromances.
Aslearning
avanzaba
advanced,andgeniusreceivedcultivation,thesestorieswereembellishedwiththegracesof
poesía
poetry,thattheymightthebetterrecommendthemselvestotheattention;
theyweresunginpublic,atfestivals,fortheinstructionanddelightoftheaudience;
andrehearsedbefore
batalla
battle,asincentivestodeedsof
gloria
glory.
Thustragedyandtheepicmusewereborn,and,inthe
progreso
progressoftaste,arrivedatperfection.
Itisnowonderthattheancientscouldnotrelishafableinprose,aftertheyhadseensomanyremarkableeventscelebratedinversebytheirbestpoets;
we
por lo tanto
thereforefindnoromanceamongthemduringtheeraoftheirexcellence,unlesstheCyropædiaofXenophonmaybesocalled;
anditwasnottillartsandsciencesbegantoreviveaftertheirruptionofthebarbariansintoEurope,thatanythingofthiskind
apareció
appeared.
Butwhenthemindsofmenweredebauchedbytheimpositionofpriestcrafttothemostabsurdpitchofcredulity,theauthorsofromancearose,andlosing
vista
sightofprobability,filledtheirperformanceswiththemostmonstroushyperboles.
Iftheycouldnotequaltheancientpoetsinpointof
genio
geniustheywereresolvedtoexceltheminfiction,and
aplicarse
applytothewonder,ratherthanthejudgment,oftheirreaders.
Accordingly,theybroughtnecromancytotheiraid,andinsteadofsupportingthecharacteroftheirheroesbydignityofsentimentandpractice,distinguishedthembytheirbodily
fuerza
strength,activity,andextravaganceofbehaviour.
Aunque
Althoughnothingcouldbemoreludicrousandunnaturalthanthefiguresthey
dibujaban
drew,theydidnotwantpatronsandadmirers;
andtheworldactuallybegantobeinfectedwiththespiritofknight-errantry,whenCervantes,byaninimitablepieceofridicule,reformedthetasteofmankind,representingchivalryintherightpointof
vista
view,andconvertingromancetopurposesfarmoreusefulandentertaining,bymakingit
asumir
assumethesock,andpointoutthefolliesofordinarylife.
ThesamemethodhasbeenpractisedbyotherSpanishandFrenchauthors,andbynonemoresuccessfullythanbyMonsieurLeSage,who,inhisAdventuresofGilBlas,hasdescribedtheknaveryandfoiblesoflife,withinfinitehumourandsagacity.
ThefollowingsheetsIhave
modelado
modelledonhisplan,takingmeliberty,however,todifferfromhimintheexecution,whereIthoughthisparticularsituationswereuncommon,extravagant,orpeculiartothecountryinwhichthesceneislaid.
ThedisgracesofGilBlasare,forthemostpart,suchasratherexcitemirththancompassion;
hehimselflaughsatthem;
andhistransitionsfromdistressto
felicidad
happiness,oratleastease,aresosudden,thatneitherthereaderhastimetopityhim,norhimselftobeacquaintedwithaffliction.
Thisconduct,inmy
opinión
opinion,notonlydeviatesfromprobability,butpreventsthatgenerousindignation,whichoughttoanimatethereaderagainstthesordidandviciousdispositionoftheworld.
Ihave
intentado
attemptedtorepresentmodestmerit
luchando
strugglingwitheverydifficultytowhichafriendlessorphanisexposed,fromhisownwantofexperience,aswellasfromtheselfishness,envy,malice,andbaseindifferenceofmankind.
To
asegurar
secureafavourableprepossession,Ihaveallowedhimtheadvantagesof
nacimiento
birthandeducation,whichintheseriesofhismisfortuneswill,Ihope,engagetheingenuousmorewarmlyinhisbehalf;
andthoughIforesee,thatsomepeoplewillbeoffendedatthemeanscenesinwhichheisinvolved,Ipersuademyselfthatthejudiciouswillnotonlyperceivethenecessityofdescribingthosesituationstowhichhemustofcoursebeconfined,inhislowestate,butalsofindentertainmentin
ver
viewingthosepartsoflife,wherethehumoursandpassionsareundisguisedbyaffectation,
ceremonia
ceremony,oreducation;
andthewhimsicalpeculiaritiesofdisposition
aparecen
appearasnaturehasimplantedthem.
ButIbelieveIneednottroublemyselfinvindicatingapracticeauthorizedbythebestwritersinthisway,someofwhomIhavealreadynamed.
Everyintelligentreaderwill,atfirst
vista
sight,perceiveIhavenotdeviatedfromnatureinthefacts,whicharealltrueinthemain,
aunque
althoughthecircumstancesarealteredanddisguised,to
evitar
avoidpersonalsatire.
Itnow
queda
remainstogivemyreasonsformakingthechiefpersonageofthisworkaNorthBriton,whicharechieflythese:
Icould,atasmallexpense,bestowonhimsuch
educación
educationasIthoughtthedignityofhis
nacimiento
birthandcharacterrequired,whichcouldnotpossiblybeobtainedinEngland,bysuchslendermeansasthenatureofmyplanwould
permitiría
afford.
Inthenextplace,Icouldrepresentsimplicityofmannersinaremotepartofthe
reino
kingdom,withmoreproprietythaninanyplacenearthe
capital
capital;
andlastly,thedispositionoftheScots,addictedto
viajar
travelling,justifiesmyconductinderivinganadventurerfromthatcountry.
APOLOGUE
Ayoungpainter,indulgingaveinofpleasantry,sketchedakindof
conversación
conversationpiece,representingabear,anowl,a
mono
monkey,andanass;
andtorenderitmorestriking,humorous,andmoral,distinguishedeveryfigurebysomeemblemofhumanlife.
Bruinwasexhibitedinthegarband
actitud
attitudeofanold,toothless,drunken
soldado
soldier;
theowlpercheduponthehandleofacoffee-pot,withspectacleonnose,seemedtocontemplatea
periódico
newspaper;
andtheass,ornamentedwithahugetie-wig(which,however,couldnotconcealhislongears),satforhispicturetothe
mono
monkey,whoappearedwiththeimplementsofpainting.
Thiswhimsicalgroupaffordedsomemirth,andmetwithgeneralapprobation,untilsomemischievouswaghintedthatthewhole—wasalampoonuponthefriendsoftheperformer;
aninsinuationwhichwasnosoonercirculatedthanthoseverypeoplewhoapplaudeditbeforebegantobealarmed,andeventofancythemselvessignifiedbytheseveralfiguresofthepiece.
Entre
Amongothers,aworthypersonageinyears,whohad
servido
servedinthearmywith
reputación
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
copiado
copiedtheverycurls—thecolour,
hecho
indeed,isdifferent,butthentheformandforetoparequitesimilar.”
Whilehethusremonstratedinastrainofvociferation,avenerablesenator
entró
entered,andwaddlinguptothedelinquent,“Jackanapes!”
criedhe,“IwillnowlettheeseeIcanreadsomethingelsethana
periódico
newspaper,andthatwithoutthehelpofspectacles:
hereisyourown
nota
noteofhand,sirrah,formoney,whichifIhadnot
avanzado
advanced,youyourselfwouldhaveresembledanowl,innotdaringtoshowyourfacebyday,youungratefulslanderousknave!”
Invaintheastonishedpainterdeclaredthathehadnointentiontogiveoffence,ortocharacterise
particular
particularpersons:
theyaffirmedtheresemblancewastoopalpabletobeoverlooked;
theytaxedhimwithinsolence,malice,andingratitude;
andtheirclamoursbeingoverheardbythepublic,thecaptainwasabear,thedoctoranass,andthesenatoranowl,tohisdyingday.
Christianreader,Ibeseechthee,inthebowelsoftheLord,rememberthis
ejemplo
example“whilethouartemployedintheperusalofthefollowingsheets;
and
trates
seeknottoappropriatetothyselfthatwhichequally
pertenece
belongstofivehundreddifferentpeople.
Ifthoushouldstmeetwithacharacterthatreflectstheeinsomeungraciousparticular,keepthyowncounsel;
CHAPTERI
Ofmy
Nacimiento
BirthandParentage.
Iwasborninthenorthernpartofthisunitedkingdom,inthehouseofmy
abuelo
grandfather,agentlemanofconsiderable
fortuna
fortuneandinfluence,whohadonmanyoccasionssignalisedhimselfinbehalfofhiscountry;
andwasremarkableforhisabilitiesinthelaw,whichhe
ejerció
exercisedwithgreatsuccessinthestationofajudge,particularlyagainstbeggars,forwhomhehadasingularaversion.
Myfather(hisyoungestson)fallinginlovewithapoorrelation,wholivedwiththeold
caballero
gentlemaninqualityofahousekeeper,espousedherprivately;
andIwasthefirst
fruto
fruitofthatmarriage.
Duringherpregnancy,adreamdiscomposedmymothersomuchthatherhusband,tiredwithherimportunity,atlastconsultedahighlandseer,whosefavourableinterpretationhewouldhave
asegurado
securedbeforehandbyabribe,butfoundhimincorruptible.
Shedreamedshewasdeliveredofatennis-ball,whichthe
diablo
devil(who,tohergreatsurprise,actedthepartofamidwife)
golpeó
strucksoforciblywitharacketthatit
desapareció
disappearedinaninstant;
andshewasforsometimeinconsolableforthelostofheroffspring;
when,allonasudden,shebehelditreturnwithequal
violencia
violence,andentertheearth,beneathherfeet,whenceimmediatelysprangupagoodlytreecoveredwithblossoms,thescentofwhichoperatedsostronglyonhernervesthatshe
despertó
awoke.
Theattentivesage,aftersomedeliberation,assuredmyparents,thattheirfirstbornwouldbeagreattraveller;
thathewouldundergomanydangersanddifficulties,andatlastreturntohisnativeland,wherehewouldflourishin
felicidad
happinessandreputation.
Howtrulythiswasforetoldwill
aparecerá
appearinthesequel.
Itwasnotlongbeforesomeofficiousperson
informara
informedmygrandfatherofcertainfamiliaritiesthatpassedbetweenhissonandhousekeeperwhichalarmedhimsomuchthat,afewdaysafter,hetoldmyfatheritwashightimeforhimtothinkofsettling;
andthathehad
proporcionado
providedamatchforhim,towhichhecouldin
justicia
justicehavenoobjections.
Myfather,findingitwouldbeimpossibletoconcealhissituationmuchlonger,franklyownedwhathehaddone;
andexcusedhimselffornothavingaskedtheconsentofhisfather,bysaying,heknewitwouldhavebeentonopurpose;
andthat,hadhisinclinationbeenknown,my
abuelo
grandfathermighthavetakensuchmeasuresaswouldhaveeffectuallyputthegratificationofitoutofhispower:
he
añadió
added,thatnoexceptionscouldbetakentohiswife’svirtue,
nacimiento
birth,beauty,andgoodsense,andasfor
fortuna
fortune,itwasbeneathhiscare.
Theold
caballero
gentleman,whokeptallhispassions,exceptone,inexcellentorder,heardhimtoanendwithgreattemper,andthencalmlyasked,howheproposedtomaintainhimselfandspouse?
Hereplied,hecouldbeinno
peligro
dangerofwantingwhilehisfather’stenderness
permaneciera
remained,whichheandhiswifeshouldalwayscultivatewiththeutmostveneration;
andhewaspersuadedhisallowancewouldbesuitabletothedignityandcircumstancesofhisfamily,andtotheprovisionalreadymadeforhisbrothersandsisters,whowerehappilysettledunderhis
protección
protection.
“Yourbrothersandsisters,”saidmy
abuelo
grandfather,“didnotthinkitbeneaththemtoconsultmeinan
asunto
affairofsuchimportanceasmatrimony;
neither,Isuppose,wouldyouhaveomittedthatpieceofduty,hadyounotsomesecretfundinreserve;
tothecomfortsofwhichIleaveyou,witha
deseo
desirethatyouwillthisnight
busquéis
seekoutanotherhabitationforyourselfandwife,whither,inashorttime,IwillsendyouanaccountoftheexpenseIhavebeenatinyour
educación
education,withaviewofbeingreimbursed.
Sir,youhavemadethegrandtour—youareapolitegentleman—averyprettygentleman—Iwishyouagreatdealof
alegría
joy,andamyourveryhumbleservant.”
Sosaying,heleftmyfatherinasituation
fácilmente
easilyimagined.
However,hedidnotlonghesitate;
for,being
perfectamente
perfectlywellacquaintedwithhisfather’sdisposition,hedidnotdoubtthathewasgladofthispretencetogetridofhim;
andhisresolvesbeingasinvariableasthelawsoftheMedesandPersians,heknewitwouldbetonopurposetoattempthimbyprayersandentreaties;
sowithoutanyfartherapplication,hebetookhimself,withhisdisconsolatebedfellowtoafarm-house,whereanoldservantofhismotherdwelt:
therethey
permanecieron
remainedsometimeinasituationbut
mal
illadaptedtotheeleganceoftheirdesiresandtendernessoftheirlove;
whichneverthelessmyfatherchosetoendure,ratherthansupplicateanunnaturalandinflexibleparentbutmymother,foreseeingtheinconveniencestowhichshemusthavebeenexposed,hadshebeendeliveredinthisplace(andherpregnancywasveryfaradvanced),withoutcommunicatingher
diseño
designtoherhusband,wentindisguisetothehouseofmy
abuelo
grandfather,hopingthathertearsand
condición
conditionwouldmovehimtocompassion,andreconcilehimtoan
evento
eventwhichwasnowirrecoverablypast.
Shefoundmeanstodeceivetheservants,andgetintroducedasanunfortunatelady,whowantedtocomplainofsomematrimonialgrievances,itbeingmygrandfather’s
particular
particularprovincetodecideinallcasesofscandal.
Shewasaccordinglyadmittedintohis
presencia
presence,where,discoveringherself,shefellathisfeet,andinthemostaffectingmannerimploredhisforgiveness;
atthesametimerepresentingthe
peligro
dangerthatthreatenednotonlyherlife,butthatofhisowngrandchild,whichwasabouttoseethelight.
Hetoldherhewassorrythattheindiscretionofherandhissonhadcompelledhimtomakeavow,whichputitoutofhispowertogivethemanyassistance;
thathehadalreadyimpartedhisthoughtsonthat
tema
subjecttoherhusband,andwassurprisedthattheyshoulddisturbhispeacewithanyfartherimportunity.
Thissaid,heretired.
The
violencia
violenceofmymother’safflictionhadsuchan
efecto
effectonherconstitutionthatshewasimmediatelyseizedwiththepainsofchildbed;
andhadnotanoldmaidservant,towhomshewasverydear,affordedherpityandassistance,atthehazardofincurringmygrandfather’sdispleasure,sheandthe
inocente
innocentfruitofherwombmusthavefallenmiserablevictimstohisrigourandinhumanity.
Bythe
amistad
friendshipofthispoorwomanshewascarrieduptoagarret,andimmediatelydeliveredofamanchild,thestoryofwhoseunfortunate
nacimiento
birthhehimselfnowrelates.
Myfather,beinginformedofwhathadhappened,flewtotheembracesofhisdarlingspouse,andwhilehe
cargaba
loadedhisoffspringwithpaternalembraces,couldnotforbearsheddingafloodoftearsonbeholdingthedearpartnerofhisheart(forwhoseeasehewouldhave
sacrificado
sacrificedthetreasuresoftheeast)stretcheduponaflockbed,ina
miserable
miserableapartment,unabletoprotectherfromtheinclemenciesofthe
tiempo
weather.
Itisnottobesupposedthattheold
caballero
gentlemanwasignorantofwhatpassed,thoughheaffectedtoknownothingofthematter,andpretendedtobeverymuchsurprised,whenoneofhisgrandchildren,byhiseldestsondeceased,wholivedwithhimashisheirapparent,acquaintedhimwiththeaffair;
hedetermined
por lo tanto
thereforetoobservenomedium,butimmediately(onthethirddayafterherdelivery)sentheraperemptoryordertobegone,andturnedofftheservantwhohadpreservedherlife.
Thisbehavioursoexasperatedmyfatherthathehadrecoursetothemostdreadfulimprecations;
andonhisbarekneesimploredthatHeavenwouldrenouncehimifeverheshouldforgetorforgivethebarbarityofhissire.
Theinjurieswhichthisunhappymotherreceivedfromherremovalinsuchcircumstances,andthewantofnecessarieswhereshelodged,togetherwithhergriefandanxietyofmind,soonthrewherintoalanguishingdisorder,whichputanendtoherlife.
Myfather,wholovedhertenderly,wassoaffectedwithherdeaththathe
permaneció
remainedsixweeksdeprivedofhissenses;
duringwhichtime,thepeoplewherehelodgedcarriedtheinfanttotheoldmanwhorelentedsofar,onhearingthemelancholystoryofhisdaughter-in-law’sdeath,andthedeplorable
condición
conditionofhisson,astosendthechildtonurse,andheorderedmyfathertobecarriedhometohishouse,wherehesoonrecoveredtheuseofhisreason.
Whetherthishardheartedjudgefeltanyremorseforhis
cruel
crueltreatmentofhissonanddaughter,or(whichismoreprobable)wasafraidhischaracterwould
sufriera
sufferintheneighbourhood,heprofessedgreatsorrowforhisconducttomyfather,whosedeliriumwassucceededbyaprofoundmelancholyandreserve.
Atlengthhe
desapareció
disappeared,and,notwithstandingallimaginableinquiry,couldnotbeheardof;
acircumstancewhichconfirmedmostpeopleinthe
opinión
opinionofhishavingmadeawaywithhimselfinafitofdespair.
CHAPTERII
Igrowup—amhatedbymyRelations—senttoSchool—neglectedbymyGrandfather—maltreatedbymyMaster—seasonedtoAdversity—IformCabalsagainstthePedant—amdebarred
Acceso
AccesstomyGrandfather—huntedbyhisHeir—IdemolishtheTeethofhisTutor.
Therewerenotwantingsomewho
sospechaban
suspectedmyunclesofbeingconcernedinmyfather’s
destino
fate,onthesuppositionthattheywouldallshareinthepatrimonydestinedforhim;
andthisconjecturewasstrengthenedbyreflectingthatinallhiscalamitiestheyneverdiscoveredtheleastinclinationto
servirle
servehim;
but,onthecontrary,byalltheartificesintheirpower,
alimentaron
fedhisresentmentandsupportedhisresolutionofleavinghimtomiseryandwant.
Butpeopleofjudgmenttreatedthisinsinuationasanidlechimera;
because,hadmyrelationsbeensowickedastoconsulttheirinterestby
cometiendo
committingsuchanatrociouscrime,the
destino
fateofmyfatherwouldhaveextendedtometoowhoselifewasanotherobstacletotheirexpectation.
Meanwhile,Igrewapace,andasIstronglyresembledmyfather,whowasthedarlingofthetenants,Iwantednothingwhichtheirindigentcircumstancescould
permitirse
afford:
buttheirfavourwasa
débil
weakresourceagainstthejealousenmityofmycousins;
whothemoremyinfancypromised,conceivedthemoreimplacablehatredagainstme:
andbeforeIwassixyearsofage,hadsoeffectuallyblockadedmy
abuelo
grandfatherthatIneversawhimbutbystealth,whenIsometimesmadeuptohis
silla
chairashesattoviewhislabourersinthefield:
onwhichoccasionhewouldstrokemyhead,bidmebeagoodboy,andpromisetotakecareofme.
Iwassoonaftersenttoschoolatavillagehardby,ofwhichhehadbeendictatortimeoutofmind;
butasheneverpaidformyboard,norsuppliedmewithclothes,books,andothernecessariesIrequired,my
condición
conditionwasveryraggedandcontemptible,andtheschoolmaster,who,throughfearofmy
abuelo
grandfather,taughtmegratis,gavehimselfnoconcernaboutthe
progreso
progressImadeunderhisinstruction.
Inspiteofallthesedifficultiesanddisgraces,IbecameagoodproficientintheLatin
lengua
tongue;
and,assoonasIcouldwritetolerably,pesteredmy
abuelo
grandfatherwithletterstosucha
grado
degreethathesentformymaster,andchidhimseverelyforbestowingsuchpainsonmy
educación
education,tellinghimthat,ifeverIshouldbebroughttothegallowsforforgery,whichhehadtaughtmeto
cometer
commit,mybloodwouldlieonhishead.
Thepedant,whodreadednothingmorethanthedispleasureofhispatron,assuredhishonourthattheboy’s
habilidad
abilitywasmoreowingtohisown
genio
geniusandapplicationthantoanyinstructionorencouragementhe
recibiera
received;
that,althoughhecouldnotdivesthimofthe
conocimiento
knowledgehehadalreadyimbibed,unlesshewouldempowerhimtodisablehisfingers,heshouldendeavour,withGod’shelp,topreventhisfutureimprovement.
And,
hecho
indeed,hepunctuallyperformedwhathehadundertaken;
for,onpretencethatIhadwrittenimpertinentletterstomy
abuelo
grandfather,hecausedaboardtobemadewithfiveholesinit,throughwhichhethrustthefingersandthumbofmyrighthand,andfasteneditbywhipcordtomywrist,insuchamanneraseffectuallydebarredmetheuseofmy
pluma
pen.
ButthisrestraintIwasfreedfrominafewdays,byanaccidentwhichhappenedinaquarrelbetweenmeandanotherboy;
who,takinguponhimtoinsultmypoverty,IwassoincensedathisungenerousreproachthatwithonestrokewithmymachineIcuthimtotheskull,tothegreatterrorofmyselfandschoolfellows,wholefthimbleedingontheground,andranto
informar
informthemasterofwhathadhappened.
Iwassoseverelypunishedforthistrespassthat,wereItolivetotheageofMethusalem,theimpressionitmadeonmewouldnotbeeffaced;
themorethantheantipathyandhorrorIconceivedforthemercilesstyrantwhoinflictedit.
Thecontemptwhichmyappearancenaturallyproducedinallwhosawme,thecontinualwantstowhichIwasexposed,andmyownhaughtydisposition,impatientofaffronts,involvedmeinathousandtroublesomeadventures,bywhichIwasatlengthinuredinadversity,andemboldenedtoundertakingsfarabovemyyears.
IwasofteninhumanlyscourgedforcrimesIdidnot
cometido
commit,because,havingthecharacterofavagabondinthevillage,everypieceofmischief,whoseauthorlay
desconocido
unknown,waschargeduponme.
Ihavebeenfound
culpable
guiltyofrobbingorchardsInever
entrado
entered,ofkillingcatsInever
cazado
hunted,ofstealinggingerbreadInevertouched,andofabusingoldwomenIneversaw.
Nay,astammeringcarpenterhadeloquenceenoughtopersuademymasterthatIfiredapistolloadedwithsmallshotintohiswindow;
thoughmylandladyandthewholefamilybore
testimonio
witnessthatIwasabedfastasleepatthetimewhenthisoutragewas
cometió
committed.
Iwasoncefloggedforhavingnarrowlyescapeddrowning,bythesinkingofaferryboatinwhichIwaspassenger.
Anothertime,forhavingrecoveredofabruiseoccasionedbyahorseandcartrunningoverme.
Athirdtime,forbeing
mordido
bittenbyabaker’sdog.
Inshort,whetherIwas
culpable
guiltyorunfortunate,thecorrectionandsympathyofthisarbitrarypedagoguewerethesame.
Farfrombeingsubduedbythisinformalusage,myindignationtriumphedoverthatslavishawewhichhadhithertoenforcedmyobedience;
andthemoremyyearsand
conocimiento
knowledgeincreased,themoreIperceivedtheinjusticeandbarbarityofhisbehaviour.
Bythehelpofanuncommon
genio
genius,andtheadviceand
dirección
directionofourusher,whohad
servido
servedmyfatherinhis
viajes
travels,Imadeasurprising
progreso
progressintheclassics,writing,andarithmetic;
sothat,beforeIwastwelveyearsold,Iwasallowedbyeverybodytobethebestscholarintheschool.
Thisqualification,togetherwiththeboldnessoftemperand
fuerza
strengthofmakewhichhad
sometido
subjectedalmostallmycontemporaries,gavemesuchinfluenceoverthemthatIbegantoformcabalsagainstmypersecutor;
andwasinhopeof,beingabletobidhimdefianceinaveryshorttime.
Beingattheheadofafaction,consistingofthirtyboys,mostofthemofmyownage,Iwasdeterminedtoputtheirmettleto
prueba
trial,thatImightknowhowfartheyweretobedependedupon,beforeIputmygrandschemeinexecution:
withthis
vista
view,weattackedabodyofstoutapprentices,whohadtakenpossessionofapartofthegroundallottedtousfortheschemeofourdiversions,andwhowerethenplayingatninepinsonthespot;
butIhadthemortificationtoseemyadherentsroutedinaninstant,andalegofoneofthembrokeinhisflightbythe
cuenco
bowl,whichoneofouradversarieshaddetachedinpursuitofus.
Thisdiscomfituredidnothinderusfromengagingthem
después
afterwardsinfrequentskirmishes,whichwemaintainedbythrowingstonesata
distancia
distance,whereinIreceivedmanywounds,thescarsofwhichstill
permanecen
remain.
Ourenemiesweresoharassedandinterruptedbythesealarmsthattheyatlastabandonedtheirconquest,andleftustothepeaceableenjoymentofourownterritories.
Itwouldbeendlesstoenumeratetheexploitswe
realizamos
performedinthecourseofthisconfederacy,whichbecametheterrorofthewholevillage;
insomuchthat,whendifferentinterestsdividedit,oneofthepartiescommonlycourtedtheassistanceofRoderickRandom(bywhichnameIwasknown)tocastthe
balanza
balance,andkeeptheoppositefactioninawe.
Meanwhile,Itooktheadvantageofeveryplay-daytopresentmyselfbeforemy
abuelo
grandfather,towhomIseldomfound
acceso
access,byreasonofhisbeingcloselybesiegedbyanumerousfamilyofhisfemalegrandchildren,who,thoughtheyperpetuallyquarrelled
entre
amongthemselves,neverfailedtojoinagainstme,asthe
común
commonenemyofall.
Hisheir,whowasabouttheageofeighteen,mindednothingbutfox-hunting,and
hecho
indeedwasqualifiedfornothingelse,notwithstandinghisgrandfather’sindulgenceinentertainingatutorforhimathome;
whoatthesametime
desempeñaba
performedtheofficeofparishclerk.
ThisyoungActaeon,whoinheritedhisgrandfather’santipathytoeverythingindistress,neversateyesonmewithoutuncouplinghisbeagles,andhuntingmeintosomecottageorother,whitherIgenerallyfledforshelter.
InthisChristianamusementhewasencouragedbyhispreceptor,who,nodoubt,tooksuchopportunitiestoingratiatehimselfwiththerisingsun,observing,thattheold
caballero
gentleman,accordingtothecourseofnature,hadnotlongtolive,forhewasalreadyonthevergeoffourscore.
CHAPTERIII
MyMother’sBrotherarrives—relievesme—aDescriptionofhim—hegoesalongwithmetotheHouseofmyGrandfather—isencounteredbyhisDogs—defeatsthem,afterabloodyEngagement—is
admitido
admittedtotheoldGentleman—aDialoguebetweenthem.
Aboutthistimemymother’sonlybrother,whohadbeenlongabroad,
teniente
lieutenantofaman-of-war,arrivedinhisowncountry;
wherebeing
informado
informedofmycondition,hecametoseeme,andoutofhisslenderfinancesnotonlysuppliedmewithwhatnecessariesIwantedforthepresent,butresolvednottoleavethecountryuntilhehadprevailedonmy
abuelo
grandfathertosettlesomethinghandsomeforthefuture.
Thiswasa
tarea
tasktowhichhewasbynomeansequal,beingentirelyignorant,notonlyofthejudge’sdisposition,butalsoofthewaysofmeningeneral,towhichhis
educación
educationonboardhadkepthimanutter
extraño
stranger.
Hewasastrongbuiltman,somewhatbandylegged,withanecklikethatofa
toro
bull,andafacewhich(youmighteasilyperceive)hadwithstoodthemostobstinateassaultsofthe
tiempo
weather.
Hisdressconsistedofasoldier’s
abrigo
coatalteredforhimbytheship’stailor,astripedflannel
chaqueta
jacket,apairofredbreechesspannedwithpitch,cleangrayworstedstockings,largesilverbucklesthatcoveredthree-fourthsofhisshoes,asilver-laced
sombrero
hat,whosecrownoverlookedthebrimsaboutaninchandahalf,blackbobwiginbuckle,acheckshirt,asilkhandkerchief,ahanger,withabrasshandle,girdedtohisthighbyafurnishedlace
cinturón
belt,andagoodoakplantunderhisarm.
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
avanzaran
advance,andtakevengeanceontheirexecutioner,whomhe
cargó
loadedwithallthecursesandreproacheshis
ira
angercouldsuggest.
Uponwhichmyunclesteppedforwardswithanundauntedair,atthe
vista
sightofwhosebloodyweaponshisantagonistsfellbackwithprecipitation,whenheaccostedtheir
líder
leaderthus:.
“Lookee,brother,yourdogshavingboardedmewithoutprovocation,whatIdidwasinmyowndefence.
Soyouhadbestbecivil,andletusshootahead,clearofyou.”
Whethertheyoungsquiremisinterpretedmyuncle’s
deseo
desireofpeace,orwasenragedatthe
destino
fateofhishoundsbeyondhisusualpitchofresolution,Iknownot;
buthesnatchedaflailfromoneofhisfollowers,andcameupwithashowofassaultingthe
teniente
lieutenant,who,puttinghimselfinapostureofdefence,proceededthus:
“Lookee,youlubberlysonofaw—e,ifyoucomeathwartme,’wareyourgingerbreadwork.
I’llbefoulofyourquarter,d—nme.”
Thisdeclaration,followedbyaflourishofhishanger,seemedtocheckthe
progreso
progressoftheyounggentleman’scholer,who,lookingbehindhim,perceivedhisattendantshadslunkintothehouse,shutthe
puerta
gate,andlefthimtodecidethecontentionbyhimself.
Hereaparleyensued,whichwasintroducedbymycousin’sasking,“Whothedevilareyou?
Whatdoyouwant?
Somescoundrelofaseaman,Isuppose,whohasdesertedandturned
ladrón
thief.
Butdon’tthinkyoushallescape,sirrah—I’llhaveyouhang’d,youdog,Iwill.
Yourbloodshallpayforthatofmytwohounds,youragamuffin.
Iwouldnothavepartedwiththemtosaveyourwhole
generación
generationfromthegallows,youruffian,you!”
“Noneofyourjaw,youswab—noneofyourjaw,”repliedmyuncle,“elseIshalltrimyourlaced
chaqueta
jacketforyou.
Ishallrubyoudownwithanoakentowel,myboy,Ishall.”
Sosaying,hesheathedhishanger,andgraspedhiscudgel.