THEAUTHOR’SPREFACE
Ofallkindsofsatire,thereisnoneso
divertido
entertaininganduniversallyimproving,asthatwhichisintroduced,asitwereocasionalmente
occasionally,inthecourseofaninterestingstory,whichbringseveryincidenthometolife,andbyrepresentar
representingfamiliarscenesinanuncommonandamusingpointofview,invierte
investsthemwithallthegracesofnovedad
novelty,whilenatureisappealedtoineveryparticular.The
lector
readergratifieshiscuriosityinpursuingtheadventuresofapersoninwhosefavourheisprepossessed;heespouseshiscause,hesympathiseswithhiminhis
angustia
distress,hisindignationisheatedagainsttheauthorsofhiscalamidad
calamity:thehumanepassionsareinflamed;
the
contraste
contrastbetweendejectedvirtueandinsultingviceappearswithgreateraggravation,andeveryimpresión
impressionhavingadoubleforceontheimagination,thememoryconserva
retainsthecircumstance,andtheheartmejora
improvesbytheexample.Theattentionisnottiredwitha
desnudo
barecatalogueofcharacters,butagreeablydesvía
divertedwithallthevarietyofinvention;andthevicissitudesoflifeappearintheirpeculiarcircumstances,openinganamplefieldfor
ingenio
witandhumour.Romance,nodoubt,owesitsoriginto
ignorancia
ignorance,vanity,andsuperstition.InthedarkagesoftheWorld,whenamanhad
hecho
renderedhimselffamousforwisdomorvalour,hisfamilyandadherentsavailedthemselvesofhissuperiorqualities,magnifiedhisvirtues,andrepresentaban
representedhischaracterandpersonassacredandsupernatural.The
vulgar
vulgareasilyswallowedthebait,imploró
imploredhisprotection,andyieldedthetributeofhomageandalabanza
praise,eventoadoration;hisexploitswerehandeddowntoposteritywithathousandexaggerations;
theywererepeatedasincitementsto
virtud
virtue;divinehonourswerepaid,andaltars
erigieron
erectedtohismemory,fortheestímulo
encouragementofthosewhoattemptedtoimitar
imitatehisexample;andhence
surgió
arosetheheathenmythology,whichisnootherthanacolección
collectionofextravagantromances.Aslearningadvanced,andgeniusreceivedcultivation,thesestorieswereembellishedwiththegracesofpoetry,thattheymightthebetterrecommendthemselvestotheattention;
theyweresunginpublic,atfestivals,forthe
instrucción
instructionanddelightoftheaudience;andrehearsedbeforebattle,asincentivestodeedsofglory.
Thus
tragedia
tragedyandtheepicmusewereborn,and,intheprogressoftaste,arrivedatperfección
perfection.Itisnowonderthattheancientscouldnot
saborear
relishafableinprose,aftertheyhadseensomanyremarkableeventscelebratedinverso
versebytheirbestpoets;wethereforefindnoromanceamongthemduringthe
era
eraoftheirexcellence,unlesstheCyropædiaofXenophonmaybesocalled;anditwasnottillartsandsciencesbeganto
revivir
reviveaftertheirruptionofthebarbariansintoEurope,thatanythingofthiskindappeared.Butwhenthemindsofmenweredebauchedbytheimpositionofpriestcrafttothemostabsurdpitchofcredulity,theauthorsofromance
surgieron
arose,andlosingsightofprobabilidad
probability,filledtheirperformanceswiththemostmonstroushyperboles.Iftheycouldnot
igualar
equaltheancientpoetsinpointofgeniustheywereresolvedtoexceltheminficción
fiction,andapplytothewonder,ratherthanthejuicio
judgment,oftheirreaders.Accordingly,theybroughtnecromancytotheir
ayuda
aid,andinsteadofsupportingthecharacteroftheirheroesbydignidad
dignityofsentimentandpractice,distinguieron
distinguishedthembytheirbodilystrength,actividad
activity,andextravaganceofbehaviour.Althoughnothingcouldbemore
ridículo
ludicrousandunnaturalthanthefigurestheydrew,theydidnotwantpatronsandadmirers;andtheworldactuallybegantobe
infectado
infectedwiththespiritofknight-errantry,whenCervantes,byaninimitablepieceofridículo
ridicule,reformedthetasteofhumanidad
mankind,representingchivalryintherightpointofview,andconvirtiendo
convertingromancetopurposesfarmoreusefulandentertaining,bymakingitassumethecalcetín
sock,andpointoutthefolliesofordinarylife.Thesame
método
methodhasbeenpractisedbyotherSpanishandFrenchauthors,andbynonemoresuccessfullythanbyMonsieurLeSage,who,inhisAdventuresofGilBlas,hasdescrito
describedtheknaveryandfoiblesoflife,withinfinito
infinitehumourandsagacity.ThefollowingsheetsIhavemodelledonhisplan,takingme
libertad
liberty,however,todifferfromhimintheejecución
execution,whereIthoughthisparticularsituationswereuncommon,extravagant,orpeculiartothecountryinwhichthesceneislaid.ThedisgracesofGilBlasare,forthemostpart,suchasrather
excitar
excitemirththancompassion;hehimselflaughsatthem;
andhistransitionsfrom
angustia
distresstohappiness,oratleastfacilidad
ease,aresosudden,thatneitherthelector
readerhastimetopityhim,norhimselftobeacquaintedwithaffliction.This
conducta
conduct,inmyopinion,notonlydeviatesfromprobabilidad
probability,butpreventsthatgenerousindignation,whichoughttoanimatethelector
readeragainstthesordidandviciousdisposición
dispositionoftheworld.Ihaveattemptedto
representar
representmodestmeritstrugglingwitheverydifficultytowhichafriendlesshuérfano
orphanisexposed,fromhisownwantofexperience,aswellasfromtheegoísmo
selfishness,envy,malice,andbaseindiferencia
indifferenceofmankind.Tosecureafavourableprepossession,Ihaveallowedhimtheadvantagesofbirthandeducation,whichintheseriesofhismisfortuneswill,Ihope,
involucrarán
engagetheingenuousmorewarmlyinhisnombre
behalf;andthoughIforesee,thatsomepeoplewillbe
ofenderán
offendedatthemeanscenesinwhichheisinvolved,Iconvenzo
persuademyselfthatthejudiciouswillnotonlypercibirá
perceivethenecessityofdescribingthosesituationstowhichhemustofcoursebeconfined,inhislowestate,butalsofindentretenimiento
entertainmentinviewingthosepartsoflife,wherethehumoursandpassionsareundisguisedbyaffectation,ceremony,oreducation;andthewhimsicalpeculiaritiesof
disposición
dispositionappearasnaturehasimplantado
implantedthem.ButIbelieveIneednottroublemyselfinvindicatingapracticeauthorizedbythebestwritersinthisway,someofwhomIhavealreadynamed.
Every
inteligente
intelligentreaderwill,atfirstsight,percibirá
perceiveIhavenotdeviatedfromnatureinthefacts,whicharealltrueinthemain,althoughthecircumstancesarealteredanddisguised,toavoidpersonalsatire.ItnowremainstogivemyreasonsformakingthechiefpersonageofthisworkaNorthBriton,whicharechieflythese:
Icould,atasmallexpense,bestowonhimsucheducationasIthoughtthe
dignidad
dignityofhisbirthandcharacterrequería
required,whichcouldnotpossiblybeobtainedinEngland,bysuchslendermeansasthenatureofmyplanwouldafford.Inthenextplace,Icould
representar
representsimplicityofmannersinaremotepartofthekingdom,withmoreproprietythaninanyplacenearthecapital;andlastly,the
disposición
dispositionoftheScots,addictedtotravelling,justifica
justifiesmyconductinderivinganadventurerfromthatcountry.APOLOGUE
Ayoung
pintor
painter,indulgingaveinofpleasantry,sketchedakindofconversationpiece,representaba
representingabear,anowl,amonkey,andanass;andtorenderitmorestriking,humorous,and
moral
moral,distinguishedeveryfigurebysomeemblemofhumanlife.Bruinwas
exhibido
exhibitedinthegarbandattitudeofanold,toothless,drunkensoldier;the
búho
owlpercheduponthehandleofacoffee-pot,withspectacleonnose,seemedtocontemplar
contemplateanewspaper;andtheass,ornamentedwithahugetie-wig(which,however,couldnotconcealhislongears),satforhispicturetothemonkey,whoappearedwiththeimplementsofpainting.
Thiswhimsicalgroupaffordedsomemirth,andmetwithgeneralapprobation,untilsomemischievouswag
insinuó
hintedthatthewhole—wasalampoonuponthefriendsoftheintérprete
performer;aninsinuationwhichwasnosoonercirculatedthanthoseverypeoplewho
aplaudieron
applaudeditbeforebegantobealarmed,andeventofancythemselvessignifiedbytheseveralfiguresofthepiece.Amongothers,aworthypersonageinyears,whohadservedinthearmywithreputation,beingincensedatthesupposed
ultraje
outrage,repairedtothelodgingofthepintor
painter,andfindinghimathome,“Harkye,Mr.Monkey,”saidhe,“Ihaveagoodmindtoconvinceyou,thatthoughthebearhaslosthisteeth,heconserva
retainshispaws,andthatheisnotsodrunkbuthecanpercibir
perceiveyourimpertinence.”“Sblood!
sir,thattoothless
mandíbula
jawisad—nedscandalouslibel—butdon’tyouimaginemesochopfallenasnottobeabletomasticar
chewthecudofresentment.”Herehewas
interrumpido
interruptedbythearrivalofalearnedmédico
physician,who,advancingtotheculpable
culpritwithfuryinhisaspect,exclaimed,“Supposetheaugmentationoftheass’searsshouldprovethediminutionofthebaboon’s—nay,seeknottoprevaricate,for,bythebeardofAesculapius!thereisnotonehairinthisperiwigthatwillnotstandupin
juicio
judgmenttoconvicttheeofpersonalabuso
abuse.Dobutobserve,captain,howthis
lamentable
pitifullittlefellowhascopiedtheverycurls—thecolor
colour,indeed,isdifferent,butthentheformandforetoparequitesimilar.”Whilehethusremonstratedina
tensión
strainofvociferation,avenerablesenador
senatorentered,andwaddlinguptothedelinquent,“Jackanapes!”criedhe,“IwillnowlettheeseeIcanreadsomethingelsethananewspaper,andthatwithoutthehelpofspectacles:
hereisyourownnoteofhand,sirrah,formoney,whichifIhadnotadvanced,youyourselfwouldhave
parecido
resembledanowl,innotdaringtoshowyourfacebyday,youingrato
ungratefulslanderousknave!”Invaintheastonished
pintor
painterdeclaredthathehadnointención
intentiontogiveoffence,ortocharacteriseparticularpersons:theyaffirmedthe
parecido
resemblancewastoopalpabletobeoverlooked;theytaxedhimwithinsolence,
malicia
malice,andingratitude;andtheirclamoursbeingoverheardbythepublic,thecaptainwasabear,thedoctoranass,andthe
senador
senatoranowl,tohisdyingday.Christian
lector
reader,Ibeseechthee,inthebowelsoftheLord,rememberthisexample“whilethouartemployedintheperusalofthefollowingsheets;andseeknottoappropriatetothyselfthatwhich
igualmente
equallybelongstofivehundreddifferentpeople.Ifthoushouldstmeetwithacharacterthat
refleja
reflectstheeinsomeungraciousparticular,keepthyowncounsel;Capítulo
CHAPTERIOfmyBirthandParentage.
Iwasborninthe
norte
northernpartofthisunitedkingdom,inthehouseofmygrandfather,agentlemanofconsiderable
considerablefortuneandinfluence,whohadonmanyoccasionssignalisedhimselfinnombre
behalfofhiscountry;andwas
notable
remarkableforhisabilitiesinthelaw,whichheexercisedwithgreatsuccessinthestationofajudge,particularmente
particularlyagainstbeggars,forwhomhehadasingularaversion.Myfather(hisyoungestson)fallinginlovewithapoorrelation,wholivedwiththeoldgentlemaninqualityofahousekeeper,espousedherprivately;
andIwasthefirstfruitofthatmarriage.
Duringher
embarazo
pregnancy,adreamdiscomposedmymothersomuchthatherhusband,tiredwithherimportunity,atlastconsultó
consultedahighlandseer,whosefavourableinterpretación
interpretationhewouldhavesecuredbeforehandbyasoborno
bribe,butfoundhimincorruptible.Shedreamedshewasdeliveredofatennis-ball,whichthedevil(who,tohergreatsurprise,actedthepartofamidwife)strucksoforciblywitha
raqueta
racketthatitdisappearedinaninstante
instant;andshewasforsometimeinconsolableforthelostofher
descendencia
offspring;when,allonasudden,she
vio
behelditreturnwithequalviolence,andentertheearth,bajo
beneathherfeet,whenceimmediatelysprangupagoodlytreecoveredwithblossoms,theolor
scentofwhichoperatedsofuertemente
stronglyonhernervesthatsheawoke.The
atento
attentivesage,aftersomedeliberation,aseguró
assuredmyparents,thattheirfirstbornwouldbeagreatviajero
traveller;thathewouldundergomanydangersanddifficulties,andatlastreturntohis
natal
nativeland,wherehewouldflorecería
flourishinhappinessandreputation.Howtrulythiswasforetoldwillappearinthe
secuela
sequel.Itwasnotlongbeforesomeofficiouspersoninformedmygrandfatherofcertainfamiliaritiesthatpassedbetweenhissonandhousekeeperwhichalarmedhimsomuchthat,afewdaysafter,hetoldmyfatheritwashightimeforhimtothinkofsettling;
andthathehadprovidedamatchforhim,towhichhecouldinjusticehavenoobjections.
Myfather,findingitwouldbeimpossibletoconcealhissituationmuchlonger,
francamente
franklyownedwhathehaddone;andexcusedhimselffornothavingaskedthe
consentimiento
consentofhisfather,bysaying,heknewitwouldhavebeentonopurpose;andthat,hadhisinclinationbeenknown,mygrandfathermighthavetakensuchmeasuresaswouldhaveeffectuallyputthegratificationofitoutofhispower:
headded,thatnoexceptionscouldbetakentohiswife’s
virtud
virtue,birth,beauty,andgoodsense,andasforfortune,itwasbeneathhiscare.Theoldgentleman,whokeptallhispassions,exceptone,inexcellentorder,heardhimtoanendwithgreat
temperamento
temper,andthencalmlyasked,howheproponía
proposedtomaintainhimselfandspouse?He
respondió
replied,hecouldbeinnodangerofwantingwhilehisfather’sternura
tendernessremained,whichheandhiswifeshouldalwayscultivar
cultivatewiththeutmostveneration;andhewas
convencido
persuadedhisallowancewouldbesuitabletothedignidad
dignityandcircumstancesofhisfamily,andtotheprovisionalreadymadeforhisbrothersandsisters,whowerefelizmente
happilysettledunderhisprotection.“Yourbrothersandsisters,”saidmygrandfather,“didnotthinkitbeneaththemtoconsultmeinanaffairofsuch
importancia
importanceasmatrimony;neither,Isuppose,wouldyouhaveomittedthatpieceofduty,hadyounotsomesecret
fondo
fundinreserve;tothecomfortsofwhichIleaveyou,withadesirethatyouwillthisnightseekoutanotherhabitationforyourselfandwife,whither,inashorttime,Iwillsendyouanaccountofthe
gastos
expenseIhavebeenatinyoureducation,withaviewofbeingreimbursed.Sir,youhavemadethegrandtour—youarea
educado
politegentleman—averyprettygentleman—Iwishyouagreatdealofjoy,andamyourveryhumilde
humbleservant.”Sosaying,heleftmyfatherinasituationeasilyimagined.
However,hedidnotlong
dudó
hesitate;for,beingperfectlywellacquaintedwithhisfather’s
disposición
disposition,hedidnotdoubtthathewasgladofthispretencetogetridofhim;andhisresolvesbeingasinvariableasthelawsoftheMedesandPersians,heknewitwouldbetonopurposetoattempthimbyprayersandentreaties;
sowithoutany
más
fartherapplication,hebetookhimself,withhisdisconsolatebedfellowtoagranja
farm-house,whereanoldservantofhismotherdwelt:theretheyremainedsometimeinasituationbutilladaptedtothe
elegancia
eleganceoftheirdesiresandternura
tendernessoftheirlove;whichneverthelessmyfatherchosetoendure,ratherthansupplicateanunnaturalandinflexibleparentbutmymother,
previendo
foreseeingtheinconveniencestowhichshemusthavebeenexposed,hadshebeendeliveredinthisplace(andherembarazo
pregnancywasveryfaradvanced),withoutcomunicar
communicatingherdesigntoherhusband,wentindisguisetothehouseofmygrandfather,hopingthathertearsandconditionwouldmovehimtocompassion,andreconciliaran
reconcilehimtoaneventwhichwasnowirrecoverablypast.Shefoundmeansto
engañar
deceivetheservants,andgetintroducedasanunfortunatelady,whowantedtoquejarse
complainofsomematrimonialgrievances,itbeingmygrandfather’sparticularprovincia
provincetodecideinallcasesofescándalo
scandal.Shewasaccordinglyadmittedintohispresence,where,discoveringherself,shefellathisfeet,andinthemostaffecting
manera
mannerimploredhisforgiveness;atthesametime
representando
representingthedangerthatthreatenednotonlyherlife,butthatofhisownnieto
grandchild,whichwasabouttoseethelight.Hetoldherhewassorrythattheindiscretionofherandhissonhadcompelledhimtomakea
voto
vow,whichputitoutofhispowertogivethemanyayuda
assistance;thathehadalreadyimpartedhisthoughtsonthatsubjecttoherhusband,andwassurprisedthattheyshould
perturbar
disturbhispeacewithanyfartherimportunity.Thissaid,he
retiró
retired.Theviolenceofmymother’safflictionhadsuchaneffectonher
constitución
constitutionthatshewasimmediatelyseizedwiththepainsofchildbed;andhadnotanoldmaidservant,towhomshewasverydear,affordedherpityand
ayuda
assistance,atthehazardofincurringmygrandfather’sdispleasure,sheandtheinnocentfruitofhervientre
wombmusthavefallenmiserablevictimstohisrigourandinhumanity.Bythefriendshipofthispoorwomanshewascarrieduptoagarret,andimmediatelydeliveredofamanchild,thestoryofwhose
desafortunado
unfortunatebirthhehimselfnowrelates.Myfather,beinginformedofwhathadhappened,flewtotheembracesofhisdarlingspouse,andwhileheloadedhis
descendencia
offspringwithpaternalembraces,couldnotforbearsheddingainundación
floodoftearsonbeholdingthedearpartnerofhisheart(forwhosefacilidad
easehewouldhavesacrificedthetreasuresoftheeast)stretcheduponarebaño
flockbed,inamiserableapartment,incapaz
unabletoprotectherfromtheinclemenciesoftheweather.Itisnottobesupposedthattheoldgentlemanwas
ignorante
ignorantofwhatpassed,thoughheaffectedtoknownothingofthematter,andpretendedtobeverymuchsurprised,whenoneofhisnietos
grandchildren,byhiseldestsondeceased,wholivedwithhimashisheredero
heirapparent,acquaintedhimwiththeaffair;he
decidió
determinedthereforetoobservenomedium,butimmediately(onthethirddayafterherdelivery)sentheraperemptoryordertobegone,andturnedoffthesiervo
servantwhohadpreservedherlife.Thisbehavioursoexasperatedmyfatherthathehadrecoursetothemostdreadfulimprecations;
andonhisbareknees
suplicó
imploredthatHeavenwouldrenouncehimifeverheshouldforgetorforgivethebarbarityofhissire.Theinjurieswhichthisunhappymotherreceivedfromherremovalinsuchcircumstances,andthewantofnecessarieswhereshelodged,togetherwithher
dolor
griefandanxietyofmind,soonthrewherintoalanguishingdesorden
disorder,whichputanendtoherlife.Myfather,wholovedhertenderly,wasso
afectado
affectedwithherdeaththatheremainedsixweeksprivado
deprivedofhissenses;duringwhichtime,thepeoplewherehelodgedcarriedthe
bebé
infanttotheoldmanwhorelentedsofar,onhearingthemelancholystoryofhisdaughter-in-law’sdeath,andthedeplorableconditionofhisson,astosendthechildtonurse,andheorderedmyfathertobecarriedhometohishouse,wherehesoonrecuperó
recoveredtheuseofhisreason.Whetherthishardheartedjudgefeltany
remordimiento
remorseforhiscrueltreatmentofhissonanddaughter,or(whichismoreprobable)wasafraidhischaracterwouldsufferintheneighbourhood,heprofessedgreatsorrowforhisconducta
conducttomyfather,whosedeliriumwassucceededbyaprofoundmelancolía
melancholyandreserve.Atlengthhedisappeared,and,notwithstandingallimaginable
investigación
inquiry,couldnotbeheardof;a
circunstancia
circumstancewhichconfirmedmostpeopleintheopinionofhishavingmadeawaywithhimselfinafitofdesesperación
despair.CHAPTERII
Igrowup—amhatedbymyRelations—senttoSchool—neglectedbymyGrandfather—maltreatedbymyMaster—seasonedtoAdversity—IformCabalsagainstthePedant—amdebarredAccesstomyGrandfather—huntedbyhisHeir—I
derribo
demolishtheTeethofhisTutor
Tutor.Therewerenotwantingsomewhosuspectedmyunclesofbeingconcernedinmyfather’sfate,onthesuppositionthattheywouldallshareinthepatrimonydestinedforhim;
andthisconjecturewas
fortaleció
strengthenedbyreflectingthatinallhiscalamitiestheyneverdescubrieron
discoveredtheleastinclinationtoservehim;but,onthecontrary,byalltheartificesintheirpower,fedhis
resentimiento
resentmentandsupportedhisresolutionofleavinghimtomiseria
miseryandwant.Butpeopleof
juicio
judgmenttreatedthisinsinuationasanociosa
idlechimera;because,hadmyrelationsbeensowickedasto
consultar
consulttheirinterestbycommittingsuchanatrociouscrime,thefateofmyfatherwouldhaveextendido
extendedtometoowhoselifewasanotherobstáculo
obstacletotheirexpectation.Meanwhile,Igrewapace,andasIstrongly
parecía
resembledmyfather,whowasthedarlingofthetenants,Iwantednothingwhichtheirindigentcircumstancescouldafford:buttheirfavourwasaweak
recurso
resourceagainstthejealousenmityofmycousins;whothemoremyinfancypromised,
concebía
conceivedthemoreimplacablehatredagainstme:andbeforeIwassixyearsofage,hadsoeffectuallyblockadedmygrandfatherthatIneversawhimbutbystealth,whenIsometimesmadeuptohischairashesattoviewhislabourersinthefield:
onwhichoccasionhewouldstrokemyhead,bidmebeagoodboy,andpromisetotakecareofme.
Iwassoonaftersenttoschoolatavillagehardby,ofwhichhehadbeen
dictador
dictatortimeoutofmind;butasheneverpaidformyboard,nor
suministró
suppliedmewithclothes,books,andothernecessariesInecesitaba
required,myconditionwasveryraggedandcontemptible,andtheschoolmaster,who,throughfearofmygrandfather,taughtmegratis,gavehimselfnoconcernabouttheprogressImadeunderhisinstrucción
instruction.Inspiteofallthesedifficultiesanddisgraces,IbecameagoodproficientintheLatintongue;
and,assoonasIcouldwritetolerably,pesteredmygrandfatherwithletterstosuchadegreethathesentformymaster,andchidhim
severamente
severelyforbestowingsuchpainsonmyeducation,tellinghimthat,ifeverIshouldbebroughttothehorca
gallowsforforgery,whichhehadtaughtmetocommit,mybloodwouldlieonhishead.Thepedant,who
temía
dreadednothingmorethanthedispleasureofhispatrón
patron,assuredhishonourthattheboy’sabilitywasmoreowingtohisowngeniusandaplicación
applicationthantoanyinstructionorestímulo
encouragementhereceived;that,althoughhecouldnotdivesthimoftheknowledgehehadalreadyimbibed,unlesshewouldempowerhimto
desactivar
disablehisfingers,heshouldendeavour,withGod’shelp,toevitar
preventhisfutureimprovement.And,indeed,hepunctuallyperformedwhathehad
emprendido
undertaken;for,onpretencethatIhadwrittenimpertinentletterstomygrandfather,hecausedaboardtobemadewithfiveholesinit,throughwhichhethrustthefingersand
pulgar
thumbofmyrighthand,andsujetó
fasteneditbywhipcordtomymuñeca
wrist,insuchamanneraseffectuallydebarredmetheuseofmypen.Butthis
restricción
restraintIwasfreedfrominafewdays,byanaccidentwhichhappenedinapelea
quarrelbetweenmeandanotherboy;who,takinguponhimto
insultar
insultmypoverty,IwassoincensedathisungenerousreproachthatwithonestrokewithmymachineIcuthimtothecráneo
skull,tothegreatterrorofmyselfandschoolfellows,wholefthimbleedingontheground,andrantoinformthemasterofwhathadhappened.Iwasso
severamente
severelypunishedforthistrespassthat,wereItolivetotheageofMethusalem,theimpresión
impressionitmadeonmewouldnotbeeffaced;themorethantheantipathyand
horror
horrorIconceivedforthedespiadado
mercilesstyrantwhoinflictedit.The
desprecio
contemptwhichmyappearancenaturallyproducía
producedinallwhosawme,thecontinualwantstowhichIwasexpuesto
exposed,andmyownhaughtydisposición
disposition,impatientofaffronts,involvedmeinathousandtroublesomeadventures,bywhichIwasatlengthinuredinadversidad
adversity,andemboldenedtoundertakingsfarabovemyyears.IwasofteninhumanlyscourgedforcrimesIdidnotcommit,because,havingthecharacterofavagabondinthevillage,everypieceofmischief,whose
autor
authorlayunknown,waschargeduponme.IhavebeenfoundguiltyofrobbingorchardsIneverentered,ofkillingcatsIneverhunted,ofstealinggingerbreadInevertouched,andofabusingoldwomenIneversaw.
Nay,astammering
carpintero
carpenterhadeloquenceenoughtopersuadir
persuademymasterthatIfiredapistolloadedwithsmallshotintohiswindow;thoughmylandladyandthewholefamilyborewitnessthatIwasabedfastasleepatthetimewhenthis
ultraje
outragewascommitted.Iwasoncefloggedforhavingnarrowlyescapeddrowning,bythesinkingofa
ferry
ferryboatinwhichIwaspasajero
passenger.Anothertime,forhaving
recuperado
recoveredofabruiseoccasionedbyahorseandcartrunningoverme.Athirdtime,forbeingbittenbyabaker’sdog.
Inshort,whetherIwasguiltyor
desafortunado
unfortunate,thecorrectionandsympathyofthisarbitrario
arbitrarypedagoguewerethesame.Farfrombeingsubduedbythis
informal
informalusage,myindignationtriumphedoverthatslavishtemor
awewhichhadhithertoenforcedmyobediencia
obedience;andthemoremyyearsandknowledgeincreased,themoreI
percibía
perceivedtheinjusticeandbarbarityofhisbehaviour.Bythehelpofanuncommongenius,andtheadviceanddirectionofour
usher
usher,whohadservedmyfatherinhistravels,Imadeasurprisingprogressintheclásicos
classics,writing,andarithmetic;sothat,beforeIwastwelveyearsold,Iwasallowedbyeverybodytobethebest
erudito
scholarintheschool.Thisqualification,togetherwiththeboldnessof
temperamento
temperandstrengthofmakewhichhadsubjectedalmostallmycontemporaries,gavemesuchinfluencia
influenceoverthemthatIbegantoformcabalsagainstmypersecutor;andwasinhopeof,beingabletobidhimdefianceinaveryshorttime.
Beingattheheadofa
facción
faction,consistingofthirtyboys,mostofthemofmyownage,Iwasdecidido
determinedtoputtheirmettletotrial,thatImightknowhowfartheyweretobedependedupon,beforeIputmygrandplan
schemeinexecution:withthisview,weattackedabodyofstoutapprentices,whohadtaken
posesión
possessionofapartofthegroundallottedtousfortheesquema
schemeofourdiversions,andwhowerethenplayingatninepinsonthespot;butIhadthemortificationtoseemyadherentsroutedinan
instante
instant,andalegofoneofthembrokeinhisflightbythebowl,whichoneofouradversarieshaddetachedinpersecución
pursuitofus.Thisdiscomfituredidnot
impidió
hinderusfromengagingthemafterwardsinfrecuentes
frequentskirmishes,whichwemaintainedbythrowingstonesatadistance,whereinIreceivedmanywounds,thescarsofwhichstillremain.Ourenemiesweresoharassedandinterruptedbythesealarmsthattheyatlast
abandonaron
abandonedtheirconquest,andleftustothepeaceablegoce
enjoymentofourownterritories.Itwouldbe
interminable
endlesstoenumeratetheexploitsweperformedinthecourseofthisconfederacy,whichbecametheterrorofthewholevillage;insomuchthat,whendifferentinterests
dividían
dividedit,oneofthepartiescomúnmente
commonlycourtedtheassistanceofRoderickRandom(bywhichnameIwasknown)tocastthebalance,andkeeptheoppositefacción
factioninawe.Meanwhile,Itooktheadvantageofeveryplay-daytopresentmyselfbeforemygrandfather,towhomI
rara vez
seldomfoundaccess,byreasonofhisbeingestrechamente
closelybesiegedbyanumerousfamilyofhisfemalegrandchildren,who,thoughtheyperpetuallypeleaban
quarrelledamongthemselves,neverfailedtojoinagainstme,asthecommonenemyofall.His
heredero
heir,whowasabouttheageofeighteen,mindednothingbutfox-hunting,andindeedwascalificado
qualifiedfornothingelse,notwithstandinghisgrandfather’sindulgencia
indulgenceinentertainingatutorforhimathome;whoatthesametimeperformedtheofficeofparish
secretario
clerk.ThisyoungActaeon,who
heredó
inheritedhisgrandfather’santipathytoeverythinginapuros
distress,neversateyesonmewithoutuncouplinghisbeagles,andhuntingmeintosomecabaña
cottageorother,whitherIgeneralmente
generallyfledforshelter.InthisChristian
diversión
amusementhewasencouragedbyhispreceptor,who,nodoubt,tooksuchopportunitiestoingratiatehimselfwiththerisingsun,observando
observing,thattheoldgentleman,accordingtothecourseofnature,hadnotlongtolive,forhewasalreadyontheborde
vergeoffourscore.CHAPTERIII
MyMother’sBrotherarrives—relievesme—a
Descripción
Descriptionofhim—hegoesalongwithmetotheHouseofmyGrandfather—isencuentra
encounteredbyhisDogs—defeatsthem,afterabloodyEngagement—isadmittedtotheoldGentleman—aDiálogo
Dialoguebetweenthem.Aboutthistimemymother’sonlybrother,whohadbeenlong
extranjero
abroad,lieutenantofaman-of-war,arrivedinhisowncountry;wherebeinginformedofmycondition,hecametoseeme,andoutofhisslenderfinancesnotonly
suministró
suppliedmewithwhatnecessariesIwantedforthepresent,butresolvió
resolvednottoleavethecountryuntilhehadprevailedonmygrandfathertosettlesomethinghandsomeforthefuture.Thiswasatasktowhichhewasbynomeansequal,beingentirely
ignorante
ignorant,notonlyofthejudge’sdisposición
disposition,butalsoofthewaysofmeningeneral,towhichhiseducationonboardhadkepthimanutterstranger.Hewasastrongbuiltman,somewhatbandylegged,withanecklikethatofabull,andafacewhich(youmighteasilyperceive)had
resistido
withstoodthemostobstinateassaultsoftheweather.Hisdressconsistedofasoldier’scoat
alterado
alteredforhimbytheship’ssastre
tailor,astripedflanneljacket,apairofredbreechesspannedwithpitch,cleangrayworstedstockings,largesilverbucklesthatcoveredthree-fourthsofhisshoes,asilver-lacedhat,whosecorona
crownoverlookedthebrimsaboutanpulgada
inchandahalf,blackbobwiginhebilla
buckle,acheckshirt,asilkpañuelo
handkerchief,ahanger,withabronce
brasshandle,girdedtohismuslo
thighbyafurnishedlacebelt,andagoodoakplantunderhisarm.Thusequipped,hesetoutwithme(whobyhis
generosidad
bountymadeaverydecentaparición
appearance)formygrandfather’shouse,whereweweresalutedbyJowlerandCésar
Caesar,whommycousin,youngmaster,hadletlooseatourapproach.Beingwellacquaintedwiththeinveteracyofthesecurs,Iwasabouttobetakemyselftomyheels,whenmyuncle
agarró
seizedmewithonehand,brandishedhiscudgelwiththeother,andatoneblowlaidCésar
Caesarsprawlingontheground;but,findinghimselfattackedatthesametimeintherearbyJowler,andfearing
César
Caesarmightrecover,hedrewhispercha
hanger,wheeledabout,andbyaluckystrokecortó
severedJowler’sheadfromhisbody.Bythistime,theyoungfoxhunterandthreeservants,armedwithpitchforksandflails,werecometothe
ayuda
assistanceofthedogs,whomtheyfoundbreathlessuponthefield;andmycousinwasso
provocado
provokedatthedeathofhisfavourites,thatheorderedhisattendantstoadvance,andtakevengeanceontheirverdugo
executioner,whomheloadedwithallthecursesandreproacheshisangercouldsuggest.Uponwhichmyunclesteppedforwardswithanundauntedair,atthesightofwhosebloodyweaponshisantagonistsfellbackwithprecipitation,whenheaccostedtheirleaderthus:.
“Lookee,brother,yourdogshavingboardedmewithout
provocación
provocation,whatIdidwasinmyowndefensa
defence.Soyouhadbestbecivil,andletusshootahead,clearofyou.”
Whethertheyoung
escudero
squiremisinterpretedmyuncle’sdesireofpeace,orwasenragedatthefateofhishoundsbeyondhisusualtono
pitchofresolution,Iknownot;buthe
arrebató
snatchedaflailfromoneofhisfollowers,andcameupwithashowofassaultingthelieutenant,who,puttinghimselfinapostura
postureofdefence,proceededthus:“Lookee,youlubberlysonofaw—e,ifyoucomeathwartme,’wareyourgingerbreadwork.
I’llbefoulofyourquarter,d—nme.”
This
declaración
declaration,followedbyaflourishofhishanger,seemedtochecktheprogressoftheyounggentleman’scholer,who,lookingbehindhim,percibió
perceivedhisattendantshadslunkintothehouse,shutthegate,andlefthimtodecidethecontentionbyhimself.Hereaparleyensued,whichwasintroducedbymycousin’sasking,“Whothedevilareyou?
Whatdoyouwant?
Some
sinvergüenza
scoundrelofaseaman,Isuppose,whohasdesertedandturnedthief.Butdon’tthinkyoushallescape,sirrah—I’llhaveyouhang’d,youdog,Iwill.
Yourbloodshallpayforthatofmytwohounds,youragamuffin.
Iwouldnothavepartedwiththemtosaveyourwholegenerationfromthe
horca
gallows,youruffian,you!”“Noneofyour
mandíbula
jaw,youswab—noneofyourjaw,”respondió
repliedmyuncle,“elseIshalltrimyourlacedjacketforyou.Ishall
frotaré
rubyoudownwithanoakentoalla
towel,myboy,Ishall.”Sosaying,hesheathedhis
percha
hanger,andgraspedhiscudgel.