The Adventures of Roderick Random Progressive Translation Books for Spanish B2 Learners

THEAUTHOR’SPREFACE

Ofallkindsofsatire,thereisnoneso

divertido

entertaininganduniversallyimproving,asthatwhichisintroduced,asitwere

ocasionalmente

occasionally,inthecourseofaninterestingstory,whichbringseveryincidenthometolife,andby

representar

representingfamiliarscenesinanuncommonandamusingpointofview,

invierte

investsthemwithallthegracesof

novedad

novelty,whilenatureisappealedtoineveryparticular.

The

lector

readergratifieshiscuriosityinpursuingtheadventuresofapersoninwhosefavourheisprepossessed;

heespouseshiscause,hesympathiseswithhiminhis

angustia

distress,hisindignationisheatedagainsttheauthorsofhis

calamidad

calamity:

thehumanepassionsareinflamed;

the

contraste

contrastbetweendejectedvirtueandinsultingviceappearswithgreateraggravation,andevery

impresión

impressionhavingadoubleforceontheimagination,thememory

conserva

retainsthecircumstance,andtheheart

mejora

improvesbytheexample.

Theattentionisnottiredwitha

desnudo

barecatalogueofcharacters,butagreeably

desvía

divertedwithallthevarietyofinvention;

andthevicissitudesoflifeappearintheirpeculiarcircumstances,openinganamplefieldfor

ingenio

witandhumour.

Romance,nodoubt,owesitsoriginto

ignorancia

ignorance,vanity,andsuperstition.

InthedarkagesoftheWorld,whenamanhad

hecho

renderedhimselffamousforwisdomorvalour,hisfamilyandadherentsavailedthemselvesofhissuperiorqualities,magnifiedhisvirtues,and

representaban

representedhischaracterandpersonassacredandsupernatural.

The

vulgar

vulgareasilyswallowedthebait,

imploró

imploredhisprotection,andyieldedthetributeofhomageand

alabanza

praise,eventoadoration;

hisexploitswerehandeddowntoposteritywithathousandexaggerations;

theywererepeatedasincitementsto

virtud

virtue;

divinehonourswerepaid,andaltars

erigieron

erectedtohismemory,forthe

estímulo

encouragementofthosewhoattemptedto

imitar

imitatehisexample;

andhence

surgió

arosetheheathenmythology,whichisnootherthana

colección

collectionofextravagantromances.

Aslearningadvanced,andgeniusreceivedcultivation,thesestorieswereembellishedwiththegracesofpoetry,thattheymightthebetterrecommendthemselvestotheattention;

theyweresunginpublic,atfestivals,forthe

instrucción

instructionanddelightoftheaudience;

andrehearsedbeforebattle,asincentivestodeedsofglory.

Thus

tragedia

tragedyandtheepicmusewereborn,and,intheprogressoftaste,arrivedat

perfección

perfection.

Itisnowonderthattheancientscouldnot

saborear

relishafableinprose,aftertheyhadseensomanyremarkableeventscelebratedin

verso

versebytheirbestpoets;

wethereforefindnoromanceamongthemduringthe

era

eraoftheirexcellence,unlesstheCyropædiaofXenophonmaybesocalled;

anditwasnottillartsandsciencesbeganto

revivir

reviveaftertheirruptionofthebarbariansintoEurope,thatanythingofthiskindappeared.

Butwhenthemindsofmenweredebauchedbytheimpositionofpriestcrafttothemostabsurdpitchofcredulity,theauthorsofromance

surgieron

arose,andlosingsightof

probabilidad

probability,filledtheirperformanceswiththemostmonstroushyperboles.

Iftheycouldnot

igualar

equaltheancientpoetsinpointofgeniustheywereresolvedtoexcelthemin

ficción

fiction,andapplytothewonder,ratherthanthe

juicio

judgment,oftheirreaders.

Accordingly,theybroughtnecromancytotheir

ayuda

aid,andinsteadofsupportingthecharacteroftheirheroesby

dignidad

dignityofsentimentandpractice,

distinguieron

distinguishedthembytheirbodilystrength,

actividad

activity,andextravaganceofbehaviour.

Althoughnothingcouldbemore

ridículo

ludicrousandunnaturalthanthefigurestheydrew,theydidnotwantpatronsandadmirers;

andtheworldactuallybegantobe

infectado

infectedwiththespiritofknight-errantry,whenCervantes,byaninimitablepieceof

ridículo

ridicule,reformedthetasteof

humanidad

mankind,representingchivalryintherightpointofview,and

convirtiendo

convertingromancetopurposesfarmoreusefulandentertaining,bymakingitassumethe

calcetín

sock,andpointoutthefolliesofordinarylife.

Thesame

método

methodhasbeenpractisedbyotherSpanishandFrenchauthors,andbynonemoresuccessfullythanbyMonsieurLeSage,who,inhisAdventuresofGilBlas,has

descrito

describedtheknaveryandfoiblesoflife,with

infinito

infinitehumourandsagacity.

ThefollowingsheetsIhavemodelledonhisplan,takingme

libertad

liberty,however,todifferfromhiminthe

ejecución

execution,whereIthoughthisparticularsituationswereuncommon,extravagant,orpeculiartothecountryinwhichthesceneislaid.

ThedisgracesofGilBlasare,forthemostpart,suchasrather

excitar

excitemirththancompassion;

hehimselflaughsatthem;

andhistransitionsfrom

angustia

distresstohappiness,oratleast

facilidad

ease,aresosudden,thatneitherthe

lector

readerhastimetopityhim,norhimselftobeacquaintedwithaffliction.

This

conducta

conduct,inmyopinion,notonlydeviatesfrom

probabilidad

probability,butpreventsthatgenerousindignation,whichoughttoanimatethe

lector

readeragainstthesordidandvicious

disposición

dispositionoftheworld.

Ihaveattemptedto

representar

representmodestmeritstrugglingwitheverydifficultytowhichafriendless

huérfano

orphanisexposed,fromhisownwantofexperience,aswellasfromthe

egoísmo

selfishness,envy,malice,andbase

indiferencia

indifferenceofmankind.

Tosecureafavourableprepossession,Ihaveallowedhimtheadvantagesofbirthandeducation,whichintheseriesofhismisfortuneswill,Ihope,

involucrarán

engagetheingenuousmorewarmlyinhis

nombre

behalf;

andthoughIforesee,thatsomepeoplewillbe

ofenderán

offendedatthemeanscenesinwhichheisinvolved,I

convenzo

persuademyselfthatthejudiciouswillnotonly

percibirá

perceivethenecessityofdescribingthosesituationstowhichhemustofcoursebeconfined,inhislowestate,butalsofind

entretenimiento

entertainmentinviewingthosepartsoflife,wherethehumoursandpassionsareundisguisedbyaffectation,ceremony,oreducation;

andthewhimsicalpeculiaritiesof

disposición

dispositionappearasnaturehas

implantado

implantedthem.

ButIbelieveIneednottroublemyselfinvindicatingapracticeauthorizedbythebestwritersinthisway,someofwhomIhavealreadynamed.

Every

inteligente

intelligentreaderwill,atfirstsight,

percibirá

perceiveIhavenotdeviatedfromnatureinthefacts,whicharealltrueinthemain,althoughthecircumstancesarealteredanddisguised,toavoidpersonalsatire.

ItnowremainstogivemyreasonsformakingthechiefpersonageofthisworkaNorthBriton,whicharechieflythese:

Icould,atasmallexpense,bestowonhimsucheducationasIthoughtthe

dignidad

dignityofhisbirthandcharacter

requería

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,seemedto

contemplar

contemplateanewspaper;

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

Thiswhimsicalgroupaffordedsomemirth,andmetwithgeneralapprobation,untilsomemischievouswag

insinuó

hintedthatthewhole—wasalampoonuponthefriendsofthe

intérprete

performer;

aninsinuationwhichwasnosoonercirculatedthanthoseverypeoplewho

aplaudieron

applaudeditbeforebegantobealarmed,andeventofancythemselvessignifiedbytheseveralfiguresofthepiece.

Amongothers,aworthypersonageinyears,whohadservedinthearmywithreputation,beingincensedatthesupposed

ultraje

outrage,repairedtothelodgingofthe

pintor

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

conserva

retainshispaws,andthatheisnotsodrunkbuthecan

percibir

perceiveyourimpertinence.”

“Sblood!

sir,thattoothless

mandíbula

jawisad—nedscandalouslibel—butdon’tyouimaginemesochopfallenasnottobeableto

masticar

chewthecudofresentment.”

Herehewas

interrumpido

interruptedbythearrivalofalearned

médico

physician,who,advancingtothe

culpable

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

thereisnotonehairinthisperiwigthatwillnotstandupin

juicio

judgmenttoconvicttheeofpersonal

abuso

abuse.

Dobutobserve,captain,howthis

lamentable

pitifullittlefellowhascopiedtheverycurls—the

color

colour,indeed,isdifferent,butthentheformandforetoparequitesimilar.”

Whilehethusremonstratedina

tensión

strainofvociferation,avenerable

senador

senatorentered,andwaddlinguptothedelinquent,“Jackanapes!”

criedhe,“IwillnowlettheeseeIcanreadsomethingelsethananewspaper,andthatwithoutthehelpofspectacles:

hereisyourownnoteofhand,sirrah,formoney,whichifIhadnotadvanced,youyourselfwouldhave

parecido

resembledanowl,innotdaringtoshowyourfacebyday,you

ingrato

ungratefulslanderousknave!”

Invaintheastonished

pintor

painterdeclaredthathehadno

intención

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

CHAPTERI

OfmyBirthandParentage.

Iwasborninthe

norte

northernpartofthisunitedkingdom,inthehouseofmygrandfather,agentlemanof

considerable

considerablefortuneandinfluence,whohadonmanyoccasionssignalisedhimselfin

nombre

behalfofhiscountry;

andwas

notable

remarkableforhisabilitiesinthelaw,whichheexercisedwithgreatsuccessinthestationofajudge,

particularmente

particularlyagainstbeggars,forwhomhehadasingularaversion.

Myfather(hisyoungestson)fallinginlovewithapoorrelation,wholivedwiththeoldgentlemaninqualityofahousekeeper,espousedherprivately;

andIwasthefirstfruitofthatmarriage.

Duringher

embarazo

pregnancy,adreamdiscomposedmymothersomuchthatherhusband,tiredwithherimportunity,atlast

consultó

consultedahighlandseer,whosefavourable

interpretación

interpretationhewouldhavesecuredbeforehandbya

soborno

bribe,butfoundhimincorruptible.

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

raqueta

racketthatitdisappearedinan

instante

instant;

andshewasforsometimeinconsolableforthelostofher

descendencia

offspring;

when,allonasudden,she

vio

behelditreturnwithequalviolence,andentertheearth,

bajo

beneathherfeet,whenceimmediatelysprangupagoodlytreecoveredwithblossoms,the

olor

scentofwhichoperatedso

fuertemente

stronglyonhernervesthatsheawoke.

The

atento

attentivesage,aftersomedeliberation,

aseguró

assuredmyparents,thattheirfirstbornwouldbeagreat

viajero

traveller;

thathewouldundergomanydangersanddifficulties,andatlastreturntohis

natal

nativeland,wherehewould

florecería

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,howhe

proponía

proposedtomaintainhimselfandspouse?

respondió

replied,hecouldbeinnodangerofwantingwhilehisfather’s

ternura

tendernessremained,whichheandhiswifeshouldalways

cultivar

cultivatewiththeutmostveneration;

andhewas

convencido

persuadedhisallowancewouldbesuitabletothe

dignidad

dignityandcircumstancesofhisfamily,andtotheprovisionalreadymadeforhisbrothersandsisters,whowere

felizmente

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,andamyourvery

humilde

humbleservant.”

Sosaying,heleftmyfatherinasituationeasilyimagined.

However,hedidnotlong

dudó

hesitate;

for,beingperfectlywellacquaintedwithhisfather’s

disposición

disposition,hedidnotdoubtthathewasgladofthispretencetogetridofhim;

andhisresolvesbeingasinvariableasthelawsoftheMedesandPersians,heknewitwouldbetonopurposetoattempthimbyprayersandentreaties;

sowithoutany

más

fartherapplication,hebetookhimself,withhisdisconsolatebedfellowtoa

granja

farm-house,whereanoldservantofhismotherdwelt:

theretheyremainedsometimeinasituationbutilladaptedtothe

elegancia

eleganceoftheirdesiresand

ternura

tendernessoftheirlove;

whichneverthelessmyfatherchosetoendure,ratherthansupplicateanunnaturalandinflexibleparentbutmymother,

previendo

foreseeingtheinconveniencestowhichshemusthavebeenexposed,hadshebeendeliveredinthisplace(andher

embarazo

pregnancywasveryfaradvanced),without

comunicar

communicatingherdesigntoherhusband,wentindisguisetothehouseofmygrandfather,hopingthathertearsandconditionwouldmovehimtocompassion,and

reconciliaran

reconcilehimtoaneventwhichwasnowirrecoverablypast.

Shefoundmeansto

engañar

deceivetheservants,andgetintroducedasanunfortunatelady,whowantedto

quejarse

complainofsomematrimonialgrievances,itbeingmygrandfather’sparticular

provincia

provincetodecideinallcasesof

escándalo

scandal.

Shewasaccordinglyadmittedintohispresence,where,discoveringherself,shefellathisfeet,andinthemostaffecting

manera

mannerimploredhisforgiveness;

atthesametime

representando

representingthedangerthatthreatenednotonlyherlife,butthatofhisown

nieto

grandchild,whichwasabouttoseethelight.

Hetoldherhewassorrythattheindiscretionofherandhissonhadcompelledhimtomakea

voto

vow,whichputitoutofhispowertogivethemany

ayuda

assistance;

thathehadalreadyimpartedhisthoughtsonthatsubjecttoherhusband,andwassurprisedthattheyshould

perturbar

disturbhispeacewithanyfartherimportunity.

Thissaid,he

retiró

retired.

Theviolenceofmymother’safflictionhadsuchaneffectonher

constitución

constitutionthatshewasimmediatelyseizedwiththepainsofchildbed;

andhadnotanoldmaidservant,towhomshewasverydear,affordedherpityand

ayuda

assistance,atthehazardofincurringmygrandfather’sdispleasure,sheandtheinnocentfruitofher

vientre

wombmusthavefallenmiserablevictimstohisrigourandinhumanity.

Bythefriendshipofthispoorwomanshewascarrieduptoagarret,andimmediatelydeliveredofamanchild,thestoryofwhose

desafortunado

unfortunatebirthhehimselfnowrelates.

Myfather,beinginformedofwhathadhappened,flewtotheembracesofhisdarlingspouse,andwhileheloadedhis

descendencia

offspringwithpaternalembraces,couldnotforbearsheddinga

inundación

floodoftearsonbeholdingthedearpartnerofhisheart(forwhose

facilidad

easehewouldhavesacrificedthetreasuresoftheeast)stretchedupona

rebaño

flockbed,inamiserableapartment,

incapaz

unabletoprotectherfromtheinclemenciesoftheweather.

Itisnottobesupposedthattheoldgentlemanwas

ignorante

ignorantofwhatpassed,thoughheaffectedtoknownothingofthematter,andpretendedtobeverymuchsurprised,whenoneofhis

nietos

grandchildren,byhiseldestsondeceased,wholivedwithhimashis

heredero

heirapparent,acquaintedhimwiththeaffair;

decidió

determinedthereforetoobservenomedium,butimmediately(onthethirddayafterherdelivery)sentheraperemptoryordertobegone,andturnedoffthe

siervo

servantwhohadpreservedherlife.

Thisbehavioursoexasperatedmyfatherthathehadrecoursetothemostdreadfulimprecations;

andonhisbareknees

suplicó

imploredthatHeavenwouldrenouncehimifeverheshouldforgetorforgivethebarbarityofhissire.

Theinjurieswhichthisunhappymotherreceivedfromherremovalinsuchcircumstances,andthewantofnecessarieswhereshelodged,togetherwithher

dolor

griefandanxietyofmind,soonthrewherintoalanguishing

desorden

disorder,whichputanendtoherlife.

Myfather,wholovedhertenderly,wasso

afectado

affectedwithherdeaththatheremainedsixweeks

privado

deprivedofhissenses;

duringwhichtime,thepeoplewherehelodgedcarriedthe

bebé

infanttotheoldmanwhorelentedsofar,onhearingthemelancholystoryofhisdaughter-in-law’sdeath,andthedeplorableconditionofhisson,astosendthechildtonurse,andheorderedmyfathertobecarriedhometohishouse,wherehesoon

recuperó

recoveredtheuseofhisreason.

Whetherthishardheartedjudgefeltany

remordimiento

remorseforhiscrueltreatmentofhissonanddaughter,or(whichismoreprobable)wasafraidhischaracterwouldsufferintheneighbourhood,heprofessedgreatsorrowforhis

conducta

conducttomyfather,whosedeliriumwassucceededbyaprofound

melancolía

melancholyandreserve.

Atlengthhedisappeared,and,notwithstandingallimaginable

investigación

inquiry,couldnotbeheardof;

circunstancia

circumstancewhichconfirmedmostpeopleintheopinionofhishavingmadeawaywithhimselfinafitof

desesperación

despair.

CHAPTERII

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

derribo

demolishtheTeethofhis

Tutor

Tutor.

Therewerenotwantingsomewhosuspectedmyunclesofbeingconcernedinmyfather’sfate,onthesuppositionthattheywouldallshareinthepatrimonydestinedforhim;

andthisconjecturewas

fortaleció

strengthenedbyreflectingthatinallhiscalamitiestheynever

descubrieron

discoveredtheleastinclinationtoservehim;

but,onthecontrary,byalltheartificesintheirpower,fedhis

resentimiento

resentmentandsupportedhisresolutionofleavinghimto

miseria

miseryandwant.

Butpeopleof

juicio

judgmenttreatedthisinsinuationasan

ociosa

idlechimera;

because,hadmyrelationsbeensowickedasto

consultar

consulttheirinterestbycommittingsuchanatrociouscrime,thefateofmyfatherwouldhave

extendido

extendedtometoowhoselifewasanother

obstáculo

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,andothernecessariesI

necesitaba

required,myconditionwasveryraggedandcontemptible,andtheschoolmaster,who,throughfearofmygrandfather,taughtmegratis,gavehimselfnoconcernabouttheprogressImadeunderhis

instrucción

instruction.

Inspiteofallthesedifficultiesanddisgraces,IbecameagoodproficientintheLatintongue;

and,assoonasIcouldwritetolerably,pesteredmygrandfatherwithletterstosuchadegreethathesentformymaster,andchidhim

severamente

severelyforbestowingsuchpainsonmyeducation,tellinghimthat,ifeverIshouldbebroughttothe

horca

gallowsforforgery,whichhehadtaughtmetocommit,mybloodwouldlieonhishead.

Thepedant,who

temía

dreadednothingmorethanthedispleasureofhis

patrón

patron,assuredhishonourthattheboy’sabilitywasmoreowingtohisowngeniusand

aplicación

applicationthantoanyinstructionor

estímulo

encouragementhereceived;

that,althoughhecouldnotdivesthimoftheknowledgehehadalreadyimbibed,unlesshewouldempowerhimto

desactivar

disablehisfingers,heshouldendeavour,withGod’shelp,to

evitar

preventhisfutureimprovement.

And,indeed,hepunctuallyperformedwhathehad

emprendido

undertaken;

for,onpretencethatIhadwrittenimpertinentletterstomygrandfather,hecausedaboardtobemadewithfiveholesinit,throughwhichhethrustthefingersand

pulgar

thumbofmyrighthand,and

sujetó

fasteneditbywhipcordtomy

muñeca

wrist,insuchamanneraseffectuallydebarredmetheuseofmypen.

Butthis

restricción

restraintIwasfreedfrominafewdays,byanaccidentwhichhappenedina

pelea

quarrelbetweenmeandanotherboy;

who,takinguponhimto

insultar

insultmypoverty,IwassoincensedathisungenerousreproachthatwithonestrokewithmymachineIcuthimtothe

cráneo

skull,tothegreatterrorofmyselfandschoolfellows,wholefthimbleedingontheground,andrantoinformthemasterofwhathadhappened.

Iwasso

severamente

severelypunishedforthistrespassthat,wereItolivetotheageofMethusalem,the

impresión

impressionitmadeonmewouldnotbeeffaced;

themorethantheantipathyand

horror

horrorIconceivedforthe

despiadado

mercilesstyrantwhoinflictedit.

The

desprecio

contemptwhichmyappearancenaturally

producía

producedinallwhosawme,thecontinualwantstowhichIwas

expuesto

exposed,andmyownhaughty

disposición

disposition,impatientofaffronts,involvedmeinathousandtroublesomeadventures,bywhichIwasatlengthinuredin

adversidad

adversity,andemboldenedtoundertakingsfarabovemyyears.

IwasofteninhumanlyscourgedforcrimesIdidnotcommit,because,havingthecharacterofavagabondinthevillage,everypieceofmischief,whose

autor

authorlayunknown,waschargeduponme.

IhavebeenfoundguiltyofrobbingorchardsIneverentered,ofkillingcatsIneverhunted,ofstealinggingerbreadInevertouched,andofabusingoldwomenIneversaw.

Nay,astammering

carpintero

carpenterhadeloquenceenoughto

persuadir

persuademymasterthatIfiredapistolloadedwithsmallshotintohiswindow;

thoughmylandladyandthewholefamilyborewitnessthatIwasabedfastasleepatthetimewhenthis

ultraje

outragewascommitted.

Iwasoncefloggedforhavingnarrowlyescapeddrowning,bythesinkingofa

ferry

ferryboatinwhichIwas

pasajero

passenger.

Anothertime,forhaving

recuperado

recoveredofabruiseoccasionedbyahorseandcartrunningoverme.

Athirdtime,forbeingbittenbyabaker’sdog.

Inshort,whetherIwasguiltyor

desafortunado

unfortunate,thecorrectionandsympathyofthis

arbitrario

arbitrarypedagoguewerethesame.

Farfrombeingsubduedbythis

informal

informalusage,myindignationtriumphedoverthatslavish

temor

awewhichhadhithertoenforcedmy

obediencia

obedience;

andthemoremyyearsandknowledgeincreased,themoreI

percibía

perceivedtheinjusticeandbarbarityofhisbehaviour.

Bythehelpofanuncommongenius,andtheadviceanddirectionofour

usher

usher,whohadservedmyfatherinhistravels,Imadeasurprisingprogressinthe

clásicos

classics,writing,andarithmetic;

sothat,beforeIwastwelveyearsold,Iwasallowedbyeverybodytobethebest

erudito

scholarintheschool.

Thisqualification,togetherwiththeboldnessof

temperamento

temperandstrengthofmakewhichhadsubjectedalmostallmycontemporaries,gavemesuch

influencia

influenceoverthemthatIbegantoformcabalsagainstmypersecutor;

andwasinhopeof,beingabletobidhimdefianceinaveryshorttime.

Beingattheheadofa

facción

faction,consistingofthirtyboys,mostofthemofmyownage,Iwas

decidido

determinedtoputtheirmettletotrial,thatImightknowhowfartheyweretobedependedupon,beforeIputmygrand

plan

schemeinexecution:

withthisview,weattackedabodyofstoutapprentices,whohadtaken

posesión

possessionofapartofthegroundallottedtousforthe

esquema

schemeofourdiversions,andwhowerethenplayingatninepinsonthespot;

butIhadthemortificationtoseemyadherentsroutedinan

instante

instant,andalegofoneofthembrokeinhisflightbythebowl,whichoneofouradversarieshaddetachedin

persecución

pursuitofus.

Thisdiscomfituredidnot

impidió

hinderusfromengagingthemafterwardsin

frecuentes

frequentskirmishes,whichwemaintainedbythrowingstonesatadistance,whereinIreceivedmanywounds,thescarsofwhichstillremain.

Ourenemiesweresoharassedandinterruptedbythesealarmsthattheyatlast

abandonaron

abandonedtheirconquest,andleftustothepeaceable

goce

enjoymentofourownterritories.

Itwouldbe

interminable

endlesstoenumeratetheexploitsweperformedinthecourseofthisconfederacy,whichbecametheterrorofthewholevillage;

insomuchthat,whendifferentinterests

dividían

dividedit,oneoftheparties

comúnmente

commonlycourtedtheassistanceofRoderickRandom(bywhichnameIwasknown)tocastthebalance,andkeeptheopposite

facción

factioninawe.

Meanwhile,Itooktheadvantageofeveryplay-daytopresentmyselfbeforemygrandfather,towhomI

rara vez

seldomfoundaccess,byreasonofhisbeing

estrechamente

closelybesiegedbyanumerousfamilyofhisfemalegrandchildren,who,thoughtheyperpetually

peleaban

quarrelledamongthemselves,neverfailedtojoinagainstme,asthecommonenemyofall.

His

heredero

heir,whowasabouttheageofeighteen,mindednothingbutfox-hunting,andindeedwas

calificado

qualifiedfornothingelse,notwithstandinghisgrandfather’s

indulgencia

indulgenceinentertainingatutorforhimathome;

whoatthesametimeperformedtheofficeofparish

secretario

clerk.

ThisyoungActaeon,who

heredó

inheritedhisgrandfather’santipathytoeverythingin

apuros

distress,neversateyesonmewithoutuncouplinghisbeagles,andhuntingmeintosome

cabaña

cottageorother,whitherI

generalmente

generallyfledforshelter.

InthisChristian

diversión

amusementhewasencouragedbyhispreceptor,who,nodoubt,tooksuchopportunitiestoingratiatehimselfwiththerisingsun,

observando

observing,thattheoldgentleman,accordingtothecourseofnature,hadnotlongtolive,forhewasalreadyonthe

borde

vergeoffourscore.

CHAPTERIII

MyMother’sBrotherarrives—relievesme—a

Descripción

Descriptionofhim—hegoesalongwithmetotheHouseofmyGrandfather—is

encuentra

encounteredbyhisDogs—defeatsthem,afterabloodyEngagement—isadmittedtotheoldGentleman—a

Diálogo

Dialoguebetweenthem.

Aboutthistimemymother’sonlybrother,whohadbeenlong

extranjero

abroad,lieutenantofaman-of-war,arrivedinhisowncountry;

wherebeinginformedofmycondition,hecametoseeme,andoutofhisslenderfinancesnotonly

suministró

suppliedmewithwhatnecessariesIwantedforthepresent,but

resolvió

resolvednottoleavethecountryuntilhehadprevailedonmygrandfathertosettlesomethinghandsomeforthefuture.

Thiswasatasktowhichhewasbynomeansequal,beingentirely

ignorante

ignorant,notonlyofthejudge’s

disposición

disposition,butalsoofthewaysofmeningeneral,towhichhiseducationonboardhadkepthimanutterstranger.

Hewasastrongbuiltman,somewhatbandylegged,withanecklikethatofabull,andafacewhich(youmighteasilyperceive)had

resistido

withstoodthemostobstinateassaultsoftheweather.

Hisdressconsistedofasoldier’scoat

alterado

alteredforhimbytheship’s

sastre

tailor,astripedflanneljacket,apairofredbreechesspannedwithpitch,cleangrayworstedstockings,largesilverbucklesthatcoveredthree-fourthsofhisshoes,asilver-lacedhat,whose

corona

crownoverlookedthebrimsaboutan

pulgada

inchandahalf,blackbobwigin

hebilla

buckle,acheckshirt,asilk

pañuelo

handkerchief,ahanger,witha

bronce

brasshandle,girdedtohis

muslo

thighbyafurnishedlacebelt,andagoodoakplantunderhisarm.

Thusequipped,hesetoutwithme(whobyhis

generosidad

bountymadeaverydecent

aparición

appearance)formygrandfather’shouse,whereweweresalutedbyJowlerand

César

Caesar,whommycousin,youngmaster,hadletlooseatourapproach.

Beingwellacquaintedwiththeinveteracyofthesecurs,Iwasabouttobetakemyselftomyheels,whenmyuncle

agarró

seizedmewithonehand,brandishedhiscudgelwiththeother,andatoneblowlaid

César

Caesarsprawlingontheground;

but,findinghimselfattackedatthesametimeintherearbyJowler,andfearing

César

Caesarmightrecover,hedrewhis

percha

hanger,wheeledabout,andbyaluckystroke

cortó

severedJowler’sheadfromhisbody.

Bythistime,theyoungfoxhunterandthreeservants,armedwithpitchforksandflails,werecometothe

ayuda

assistanceofthedogs,whomtheyfoundbreathlessuponthefield;

andmycousinwasso

provocado

provokedatthedeathofhisfavourites,thatheorderedhisattendantstoadvance,andtakevengeanceontheir

verdugo

executioner,whomheloadedwithallthecursesandreproacheshisangercouldsuggest.

Uponwhichmyunclesteppedforwardswithanundauntedair,atthesightofwhosebloodyweaponshisantagonistsfellbackwithprecipitation,whenheaccostedtheirleaderthus:.

“Lookee,brother,yourdogshavingboardedmewithout

provocación

provocation,whatIdidwasinmyown

defensa

defence.

Soyouhadbestbecivil,andletusshootahead,clearofyou.”

Whethertheyoung

escudero

squiremisinterpretedmyuncle’sdesireofpeace,orwasenragedatthefateofhishoundsbeyondhisusual

tono

pitchofresolution,Iknownot;

buthe

arrebató

snatchedaflailfromoneofhisfollowers,andcameupwithashowofassaultingthelieutenant,who,puttinghimselfina

postura

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

rubyoudownwithanoaken

toalla

towel,myboy,Ishall.”

Sosaying,hesheathedhis

percha

hanger,andgraspedhiscudgel.

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