The Adventures of Roderick Random Gradually Hardening Swedish B2 Books

THEAUTHOR’SPREFACE

Ofallkindsofsatire,thereisnonesoentertaininganduniversallyimproving,asthatwhichisintroduced,asitwere

ibland

occasionally,inthecourseofaninterestingstory,whichbringseveryincidenthometolife,andby

representera

representingfamiliarscenesinanuncommonandamusingpointofview,

investerar

investsthemwithallthegracesof

nyhet

novelty,whilenatureisappealedtoineveryparticular.

Thereadergratifieshis

nyfikenhet

curiosityinpursuingtheadventuresofapersoninwhosefavourheisprepossessed;

heespouseshiscause,hesympathiseswithhiminhis

nöd

distress,hisindignationisheatedagainsttheauthorsofhis

olycka

calamity:

thehumanepassionsareinflamed;

thecontrastbetweendejected

dygd

virtueandinsultingviceappearswithgreateraggravation,andevery

intryck

impressionhavingadoubleforceontheimagination,thememory

behåller

retainsthecircumstance,andtheheart

förbättras

improvesbytheexample.

Theattentionisnottiredwithabare

katalog

catalogueofcharacters,butagreeablydivertedwithallthevarietyofinvention;

andthevicissitudesoflifeappearintheirpeculiarcircumstances,openinganamplefieldforwitandhumour.

Romance,nodoubt,owesits

ursprung

origintoignorance,vanity,and

vidskepelse

superstition.

InthedarkagesoftheWorld,whenamanhad

gjort

renderedhimselffamousforwisdomorvalour,hisfamilyandadherentsavailedthemselvesofhissuperiorqualities,magnifiedhisvirtues,and

representerade

representedhischaracterandpersonas

helig

sacredandsupernatural.

Thevulgareasily

svalt

swallowedthebait,imploredhisprotection,and

gav

yieldedthetributeofhomageand

beröm

praise,eventoadoration;

hisexploitswerehandeddowntoposteritywithathousandexaggerations;

theywererepeatedasincitementsto

dygd

virtue;

divinehonourswerepaid,andaltarserectedtohismemory,fortheencouragementofthosewhoattemptedto

efterlikna

imitatehisexample;

andhence

uppstod

arosetheheathenmythology,whichisnootherthana

samling

collectionofextravagantromances.

Aslearningadvanced,andgeniusreceivedcultivation,thesestorieswereembellishedwiththegracesofpoetry,thattheymightthebetter

rekommendera

recommendthemselvestotheattention;

theyweresunginpublic,atfestivals,fortheinstructionand

glädja

delightoftheaudience;

andrehearsedbeforebattle,asincentivestodeedsofglory.

Thustragedyandthe

episka

epicmusewereborn,and,intheprogressoftaste,arrivedat

perfektion

perfection.

Itisnowonderthattheancientscouldnot

njuta

relishafableinprose,aftertheyhadseensomany

anmärkningsvärda

remarkableeventscelebratedinversebytheirbestpoets;

wethereforefindno

romantik

romanceamongthemduringtheeraoftheirexcellence,unlesstheCyropædiaofXenophonmaybesocalled;

anditwasnottillartsandsciencesbegantoreviveaftertheirruptionofthebarbariansintoEurope,thatanythingofthiskindappeared.

Butwhenthemindsofmenweredebauchedbytheimpositionofpriestcrafttothemostabsurdpitchofcredulity,theauthorsofromance

uppstod

arose,andlosingsightofprobability,filledtheirperformanceswiththemostmonstroushyperboles.

Iftheycouldnotequaltheancientpoetsinpointofgeniustheywereresolvedtoexcelthemin

fiktion

fiction,andapplytothewonder,ratherthanthejudgment,oftheirreaders.

Följaktligen

Accordingly,theybroughtnecromancytotheir

hjälp

aid,andinsteadofsupportingthecharacteroftheirheroesby

värdighet

dignityofsentimentandpractice,distinguishedthembytheir

kroppsliga

bodilystrength,activity,andextravaganceofbehaviour.

Althoughnothingcouldbemoreludicrousandunnaturalthanthefigurestheydrew,theydidnotwantpatronsandadmirers;

andtheworldactuallybegantobeinfectedwiththespiritofknight-errantry,whenCervantes,byaninimitablepieceofridicule,

reformerade

reformedthetasteofmankind,

föreställde

representingchivalryintherightpointofview,and

omvandlade

convertingromancetopurposesfarmoreusefulandentertaining,bymakingitassumethesock,andpointoutthefolliesofordinarylife.

Thesame

metod

methodhasbeenpractisedbyotherSpanishandFrenchauthors,andbynonemore

framgångsrikt

successfullythanbyMonsieurLeSage,who,inhisAdventuresofGilBlas,has

beskrivit

describedtheknaveryandfoiblesoflife,with

oändlig

infinitehumourandsagacity.

ThefollowingsheetsIhavemodelledonhisplan,takingmeliberty,however,todifferfromhimintheexecution,whereIthoughthisparticularsituationswereuncommon,

extravaganta

extravagant,orpeculiartothecountryinwhichthesceneislaid.

ThedisgracesofGilBlasare,forthemostpart,suchasrather

upphetsar

excitemirththancompassion;

hehimselflaughsatthem;

andhistransitionsfrom

nöd

distresstohappiness,oratleastease,aresosudden,thatneitherthereaderhastimetopityhim,norhimselftobeacquaintedwithaffliction.

This

uppförande

conduct,inmyopinion,notonlydeviatesfromprobability,but

förhindrar

preventsthatgenerousindignation,whichoughttoanimatethereaderagainstthesordidandviciousdispositionoftheworld.

Ihaveattemptedto

representera

representmodestmeritstrugglingwithevery

svårigheter

difficultytowhichafriendlessorphanisexposed,fromhisownwantofexperience,aswellasfromthe

själviskhet

selfishness,envy,malice,andbase

likgiltighet

indifferenceofmankind.

Tosecureafavourableprepossession,Ihaveallowedhimtheadvantagesofbirthandeducation,whichintheseriesofhismisfortuneswill,Ihope,

engagera

engagetheingenuousmorewarmlyinhisbehalf;

andthoughIforesee,thatsomepeoplewillbe

förolämpade

offendedatthemeanscenesinwhichheisinvolved,I

övertygar

persuademyselfthatthejudiciouswillnotonly

uppfatta

perceivethenecessityofdescribingthosesituationstowhichhemustofcoursebeconfined,inhislowestate,butalsofind

underhållning

entertainmentinviewingthosepartsoflife,wherethehumoursandpassionsareundisguisedbyaffectation,ceremony,oreducation;

andthewhimsicalpeculiaritiesofdispositionappearasnaturehasimplantedthem.

ButIbelieveIneednottroublemyselfinvindicatingapracticeauthorizedbythebestwritersinthisway,someofwhomIhavealreadynamed.

Every

intelligent

intelligentreaderwill,atfirstsight,

uppfatta

perceiveIhavenotdeviatedfromnatureinthefacts,whicharealltrueinthemain,althoughthecircumstancesare

förändrade

alteredanddisguised,toavoidpersonalsatire.

ItnowremainstogivemyreasonsformakingthechiefpersonageofthisworkaNorthBriton,whicharechieflythese:

Icould,atasmall

kostnad

expense,bestowonhimsucheducationasIthoughtthedignityofhisbirthandcharacter

krävde

required,whichcouldnotpossiblybeobtainedinEngland,bysuchslendermeansasthenatureofmyplanwouldafford.

Inthenextplace,Icould

representera

representsimplicityofmannersina

avlägsen

remotepartofthekingdom,withmoreproprietythaninanyplacenearthecapital;

and

slutligen

lastly,thedispositionoftheScots,addictedtotravelling,

rättfärdigar

justifiesmyconductinderivinganadventurerfromthatcountry.

APOLOGUE

Ayoung

målare

painter,indulgingaveinofpleasantry,sketchedakindofconversationpiece,

representerar

representingabear,anowl,amonkey,andanass;

andto

göra

renderitmorestriking,humorous,andmoral,distinguishedeveryfigurebysomeemblemofhumanlife.

Bruinwasexhibitedinthegarbandattitudeofanold,toothless,drunkensoldier;

theowlpercheduponthehandleofacoffee-pot,with

skådespel

spectacleonnose,seemedto

överväga

contemplateanewspaper;

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

Thiswhimsicalgroupaffordedsomemirth,andmetwithgeneralapprobation,untilsome

elak

mischievouswaghintedthatthewhole—wasalampoonuponthefriendsoftheperformer;

aninsinuationwhichwasnosoonercirculatedthanthoseverypeoplewho

applåderade

applaudeditbeforebegantobealarmed,andeventofancythemselvessignifiedbytheseveralfiguresofthepiece.

Amongothers,a

värdig

worthypersonageinyears,whohadservedinthearmywithreputation,beingincensedatthesupposedoutrage,repairedtothelodgingofthepainter,andfindinghimathome,“Harkye,Mr.Monkey,”saidhe,“Ihaveagoodmindtoconvinceyou,thatthoughthebearhaslosthisteeth,he

behåller

retainshispaws,andthatheisnotsodrunkbuthecan

uppfatta

perceiveyourimpertinence.”

“Sblood!

sir,thattoothless

käken

jawisad—nedscandalouslibel—butdon’tyouimaginemesochopfallenasnottobeableto

tugga

chewthecudofresentment.”

Herehewasinterruptedbythearrivalofalearned

läkare

physician,who,advancingtothe

skyldige

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

skägg

beardofAesculapius!

thereisnotonehairinthisperiwigthatwillnotstandupinjudgmentto

döma

convicttheeofpersonalabuse.

Dobutobserve,captain,howthispitifullittlefellowhascopiedtheverycurls—the

färgen

colour,indeed,isdifferent,butthentheformandforetoparequitesimilar.”

Whilehethusremonstratedinastrainofvociferation,avenerable

senator

senatorentered,andwaddlinguptothedelinquent,“Jackanapes!”

criedhe,“IwillnowlettheeseeIcanreadsomethingelsethananewspaper,andthatwithoutthehelpofspectacles:

hereisyourownnoteofhand,sirrah,formoney,whichifIhadnotadvanced,youyourselfwouldhave

liknat

resembledanowl,innotdaringtoshowyourfacebyday,youungratefulslanderousknave!”

förgäves

vaintheastonishedpainterdeclaredthathehadno

avsikt

intentiontogiveoffence,ortocharacteriseparticularpersons:

theyaffirmedtheresemblancewastoopalpabletobeoverlooked;

theytaxedhimwithinsolence,

ondska

malice,andingratitude;

andtheirclamoursbeingoverheardbythepublic,thecaptainwasabear,thedoctoranass,andthesenatoran

uggla

owl,tohisdyingday.

Christian

läsare

reader,Ibeseechthee,inthebowelsoftheLord,rememberthisexample“whilethouartemployedintheperusalofthefollowingsheets;

andseeknottoappropriatetothyselfthatwhich

lika

equallybelongstofivehundreddifferentpeople.

Ifthoushouldstmeetwithacharacterthat

återspeglar

reflectstheeinsomeungraciousparticular,keepthyown

råd

counsel;

CHAPTERI

OfmyBirthandParentage.

Iwasborninthe

norra

northernpartofthisunitedkingdom,inthehouseofmygrandfather,agentlemanof

betydande

considerablefortuneandinfluence,whohadonmanyoccasionssignalisedhimselfinbehalfofhiscountry;

andwas

anmärkningsvärd

remarkableforhisabilitiesinthelaw,whichheexercisedwithgreatsuccessinthestationofajudge,

särskilt

particularlyagainstbeggars,forwhomhehadasingularaversion.

Myfather(hisyoungestson)fallinginlovewithapoorrelation,wholivedwiththeoldgentlemaninqualityofa

hushållerska

housekeeper,espousedherprivately;

andIwasthefirstfruitofthatmarriage.

Duringher

graviditet

pregnancy,adreamdiscomposedmymothersomuchthatherhusband,tiredwithherimportunity,atlast

rådfrågade

consultedahighlandseer,whosefavourable

tolkning

interpretationhewouldhavesecuredbeforehandbyabribe,butfoundhimincorruptible.

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

racket

racketthatitdisappearedinan

ögonblick

instant;

andshewasforsometimeinconsolableforthelostofher

avkomma

offspring;

when,allonasudden,shebehelditreturnwithequalviolence,andentertheearth,

under

beneathherfeet,whenceimmediatelysprangupagoodlytreecoveredwithblossoms,the

doft

scentofwhichoperatedso

starkt

stronglyonhernervesthatsheawoke.

Theattentive

vise

sage,aftersomedeliberation,assuredmyparents,thattheirfirstbornwouldbeagreat

resenär

traveller;

thathewouldundergomanydangersanddifficulties,andatlastreturntohisnativeland,wherehewould

blomstra

flourishinhappinessandreputation.

Howtrulythiswasforetoldwillappearinthe

uppföljaren

sequel.

Itwasnotlongbeforesomeofficiouspersoninformedmygrandfatherofcertainfamiliaritiesthatpassedbetweenhissonandhousekeeperwhichalarmedhimsomuchthat,afewdaysafter,hetoldmyfatheritwashightimeforhimtothinkofsettling;

andthathehadprovidedamatchforhim,towhichhecouldinjusticehavenoobjections.

Myfather,findingitwouldbeimpossibletoconcealhissituationmuchlonger,

uppriktigt

franklyownedwhathehaddone;

andexcusedhimselffornothavingaskedtheconsentofhisfather,bysaying,heknewitwouldhavebeentonopurpose;

andthat,hadhisinclinationbeenknown,mygrandfathermighthavetakensuchmeasuresaswouldhaveeffectuallyputthegratificationofitoutofhispower:

headded,thatnoexceptionscouldbetakentohiswife’s

dygd

virtue,birth,beauty,andgoodsense,andasforfortune,itwas

under

beneathhiscare.

Theoldgentleman,whokeptallhispassions,exceptone,inexcellentorder,heardhimtoanendwithgreat

temperament

temper,andthencalmlyasked,howhe

föreslog

proposedtomaintainhimselfand

make

spouse?

Hereplied,hecouldbeinnodangerofwantingwhilehisfather’s

ömhet

tendernessremained,whichheandhiswifeshouldalways

odla

cultivatewiththeutmostveneration;

andhewaspersuadedhisallowancewouldbesuitabletothe

värdighet

dignityandcircumstancesofhisfamily,andtotheprovisionalreadymadeforhisbrothersandsisters,whowere

lyckligt

happilysettledunderhisprotection.

“Yourbrothersandsisters,”saidmygrandfather,“didnotthinkitbeneaththemto

rådfråga

consultmeinanaffairofsuchimportanceasmatrimony;

neither,Isuppose,wouldyouhaveomittedthatpieceofduty,hadyounotsomesecret

fond

fundinreserve;

tothecomfortsofwhichIleaveyou,withadesirethatyouwillthisnightseekoutanotherhabitationforyourselfandwife,whither,inashorttime,IwillsendyouanaccountoftheexpenseIhavebeenatinyoureducation,withaviewofbeingreimbursed.

Sir,youhavemadethegrandtour—youarea

artig

politegentleman—averyprettygentleman—Iwishyouagreatdealofjoy,andamyourvery

ödmjuka

humbleservant.”

Sosaying,heleftmyfatherinasituationeasilyimagined.

However,hedidnotlong

tvekade

hesitate;

for,beingperfectlywellacquaintedwithhisfather’s

sinnelag

disposition,hedidnotdoubtthathewasgladofthispretencetogetridofhim;

andhisresolvesbeingasinvariableasthelawsoftheMedesandPersians,heknewitwouldbetonopurposetoattempthimbyprayersandentreaties;

sowithoutanyfarther

ansökan

application,hebetookhimself,withhisdisconsolatebedfellowtoafarm-house,whereanold

tjänare

servantofhismotherdwelt:

theretheyremainedsometimeinasituationbutilladaptedtotheeleganceoftheirdesiresandtendernessoftheirlove;

whichneverthelessmyfatherchosetoendure,ratherthansupplicateanunnaturalandinflexibleparentbutmymother,

förutsåg

foreseeingtheinconveniencestowhichshemusthavebeenexposed,hadshebeendeliveredinthisplace(andher

graviditet

pregnancywasveryfaradvanced),withoutcommunicatingherdesigntoherhusband,wentindisguisetothehouseofmygrandfather,hopingthathertearsandconditionwouldmovehimto

medkänsla

compassion,andreconcilehimtoaneventwhichwasnowirrecoverablypast.

Shefoundmeansto

lura

deceivetheservants,andgetintroducedasan

olycklig

unfortunatelady,whowantedto

klaga

complainofsomematrimonialgrievances,itbeingmygrandfather’sparticular

provins

provincetodecideinallcasesof

skandal

scandal.

Shewasaccordinglyadmittedintohispresence,where,

upptäckte

discoveringherself,shefellathisfeet,andinthemostaffecting

sätt

mannerimploredhisforgiveness;

atthesametime

representerade

representingthedangerthatthreatenednotonlyherlife,butthatofhisown

barnbarn

grandchild,whichwasabouttoseethelight.

Hetoldherhewassorrythattheindiscretionofherandhissonhadcompelledhimtomakea

löfte

vow,whichputitoutofhispowertogivethemany

hjälp

assistance;

thathehadalreadyimpartedhisthoughtsonthatsubjecttoherhusband,andwassurprisedthattheyshould

störa

disturbhispeacewithanyfartherimportunity.

Thissaid,heretired.

Theviolenceofmymother’safflictionhadsuchaneffectonher

konstitution

constitutionthatshewasimmediatelyseizedwiththepainsofchildbed;

andhadnotanoldmaidservant,towhomshewasverydear,affordedherpityandassistance,atthe

risk

hazardofincurringmygrandfather’sdispleasure,sheandtheinnocentfruitofher

livmoder

wombmusthavefallenmiserablevictimstohisrigourandinhumanity.

Bythefriendshipofthispoorwomanshewascarrieduptoagarret,andimmediatelydeliveredofamanchild,thestoryofwhoseunfortunatebirthhehimselfnowrelates.

Myfather,beinginformedofwhathadhappened,flewtotheembracesofhisdarlingspouse,andwhileheloadedhis

avkomma

offspringwithpaternalembraces,couldnotforbearsheddinga

flod

floodoftearsonbeholdingthedearpartnerofhisheart(forwhoseeasehewouldhavesacrificedthetreasuresoftheeast)stretcheduponaflockbed,inamiserableapartment,unabletoprotectherfromtheinclemenciesoftheweather.

Itisnottobesupposedthattheoldgentlemanwasignorantofwhatpassed,thoughheaffectedtoknownothingofthematter,andpretendedtobeverymuchsurprised,whenoneofhis

barnbarn

grandchildren,byhiseldestsondeceased,wholivedwithhimashis

arvinge

heirapparent,acquaintedhimwiththeaffair;

hedeterminedthereforeto

följa

observenomedium,butimmediately(onthethirddayafterherdelivery)sentheraperemptoryordertobegone,andturnedofftheservantwhohad

bevarat

preservedherlife.

Thisbehavioursoexasperatedmyfatherthathehadrecoursetothemost

fruktansvärda

dreadfulimprecations;

andonhis

nakna

barekneesimploredthatHeavenwould

avsäga sig

renouncehimifeverheshouldforgetorforgivethebarbarityofhissire.

Theinjurieswhichthisunhappymotherreceivedfromherremovalinsuchcircumstances,andthewantofnecessarieswhereshelodged,togetherwithher

sorg

griefandanxietyofmind,soonthrewherintoalanguishing

sjukdom

disorder,whichputanendtoherlife.

Myfather,wholovedhertenderly,wassoaffectedwithherdeaththatheremainedsixweeksdeprivedofhissenses;

duringwhichtime,thepeoplewherehelodgedcarriedtheinfanttotheoldmanwhorelentedsofar,onhearingthemelancholystoryofhisdaughter-in-law’sdeath,andthedeplorableconditionofhisson,astosendthechildtonurse,andheorderedmyfathertobecarriedhometohishouse,wherehesoonrecoveredtheuseofhisreason.

Whetherthishardheartedjudgefeltany

ånger

remorseforhiscrueltreatmentofhissonanddaughter,or(whichismoreprobable)wasafraidhischaracterwouldsufferinthe

grannskapet

neighbourhood,heprofessedgreatsorrowforhis

uppförande

conducttomyfather,whosedeliriumwassucceededbya

djup

profoundmelancholyandreserve.

Atlengthhedisappeared,and,notwithstandingallimaginableinquiry,couldnotbeheardof;

omständighet

circumstancewhichconfirmedmostpeopleintheopinionofhishavingmadeawaywithhimselfinafitof

förtvivlan

despair.

CHAPTERII

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

Handledare

Tutor.

Therewerenotwantingsomewhosuspectedmyunclesofbeingconcernedinmyfather’sfate,onthesuppositionthattheywouldallshareinthepatrimonydestinedforhim;

andthisconjecturewasstrengthenedby

reflektera

reflectingthatinallhiscalamitiestheynever

upptäckte

discoveredtheleastinclinationtoservehim;

but,onthe

tvärtom

contrary,byalltheartificesintheirpower,fedhis

förbittring

resentmentandsupportedhisresolutionofleavinghimto

elände

miseryandwant.

Butpeopleofjudgmenttreatedthisinsinuationasanidlechimera;

because,hadmyrelationsbeensowickedasto

rådgöra

consulttheirinterestbycommittingsuchanatrociouscrime,thefateofmyfatherwouldhaveextendedtometoowhoselifewasanother

hinder

obstacletotheirexpectation.

Meanwhile,Igrewapace,andasIstrongly

liknade

resembledmyfather,whowasthedarlingofthetenants,Iwantednothingwhichtheirindigentcircumstancescouldafford:

buttheirfavourwasaweak

resurs

resourceagainstthejealousenmityofmycousins;

whothemoremyinfancypromised,conceivedthemoreimplacable

hat

hatredagainstme:

andbeforeIwassixyearsofage,hadsoeffectuallyblockadedmygrandfatherthatIneversawhimbutbystealth,whenIsometimesmadeuptohischairashesattoviewhislabourersinthefield:

onwhichoccasionhewouldstrokemyhead,bidmebeagoodboy,andpromisetotakecareofme.

Iwassoonaftersenttoschoolatavillagehardby,ofwhichhehadbeen

diktator

dictatortimeoutofmind;

butasheneverpaidformyboard,norsuppliedmewithclothes,books,andothernecessariesIrequired,myconditionwasveryraggedandcontemptible,andtheschoolmaster,who,throughfearofmygrandfather,taughtmegratis,gavehimselfnoconcernabouttheprogressImadeunderhisinstruction.

trots

spiteofallthesedifficultiesanddisgraces,IbecameagoodproficientintheLatintongue;

and,assoonasIcouldwritetolerably,pesteredmygrandfatherwithletterstosuchadegreethathesentformymaster,andchidhimseverelyforbestowingsuchpainsonmyeducation,tellinghimthat,ifeverIshouldbebroughttothe

galgen

gallowsforforgery,whichhehadtaughtmetocommit,mybloodwouldlieonhishead.

Thepedant,whodreadednothingmorethanthedispleasureofhispatron,

försäkrade

assuredhishonourthattheboy’sabilitywasmoreowingtohisowngeniusand

tillämpning

applicationthantoanyinstructionor

uppmuntran

encouragementhereceived;

that,althoughhecouldnotdivesthimoftheknowledgehehadalreadyimbibed,unlesshewouldempowerhimto

inaktivera

disablehisfingers,heshouldendeavour,withGod’shelp,to

förhindra

preventhisfutureimprovement.

And,indeed,hepunctuallyperformedwhathehad

åtagit

undertaken;

for,onpretencethatIhadwrittenimpertinentletterstomygrandfather,hecausedaboardtobemadewithfiveholesinit,throughwhichhethrustthefingersand

tummen

thumbofmyrighthand,and

fäst

fasteneditbywhipcordtomy

handled

wrist,insuchamanneraseffectuallydebarredmetheuseofmypen.

ButthisrestraintIwasfreedfrominafewdays,byanaccidentwhichhappenedina

gräl

quarrelbetweenmeandanotherboy;

who,takinguponhimto

förolämpning

insultmypoverty,IwassoincensedathisungenerousreproachthatwithonestrokewithmymachineIcuthimtotheskull,tothegreat

skräck

terrorofmyselfandschoolfellows,wholefthimbleedingontheground,andrantoinformthemasterofwhathadhappened.

Iwassoseverelypunishedforthistrespassthat,wereItolivetotheageofMethusalem,theimpressionitmadeonmewouldnotbeeffaced;

themorethantheantipathyand

skräck

horrorIconceivedforthemercilesstyrantwho

orsakade

inflictedit.

Thecontemptwhichmy

utseende

appearancenaturallyproducedinallwhosawme,thecontinualwantstowhichIwasexposed,andmyownhaughty

disposition

disposition,impatientofaffronts,involvedmeinathousandtroublesomeadventures,bywhichIwasatlengthinuredin

motgångar

adversity,andemboldenedtoundertakingsfarabovemyyears.

IwasofteninhumanlyscourgedforcrimesIdidnotcommit,because,havingthecharacterofavagabondinthevillage,everypieceofmischief,whose

författare

authorlayunknown,waschargeduponme.

IhavebeenfoundguiltyofrobbingorchardsIneverentered,ofkillingcatsIneverhunted,ofstealinggingerbreadInevertouched,andofabusingoldwomenIneversaw.

Nej

Nay,astammeringcarpenterhadeloquenceenoughto

övertyga

persuademymasterthatIfiredapistolloadedwithsmallshotintohiswindow;

thoughmylandladyandthewholefamilyborewitnessthatIwasabedfastasleepatthetimewhenthisoutragewascommitted.

Iwasoncefloggedforhavingnarrowlyescaped

drunkna

drowning,bythesinkingofa

färja

ferryboatinwhichIwas

passagerare

passenger.

Anothertime,forhavingrecoveredofa

blåmärke

bruiseoccasionedbyahorseand

vagn

cartrunningoverme.

Athirdtime,forbeingbittenbyabaker’sdog.

Inshort,whetherIwasguiltyor

olycklig

unfortunate,thecorrectionandsympathyofthis

godtyckliga

arbitrarypedagoguewerethesame.

Farfrombeingsubduedbythis

informella

informalusage,myindignationtriumphedoverthatslavish

vördnad

awewhichhadhithertoenforcedmy

lydnad

obedience;

andthemoremyyearsandknowledge

ökade

increased,themoreIperceivedtheinjusticeandbarbarityofhisbehaviour.

Bythehelpofan

ovanligt

uncommongenius,andtheadviceanddirectionofour

usher

usher,whohadservedmyfatherinhistravels,Imadeasurprisingprogressintheclassics,writing,andarithmetic;

sothat,beforeIwastwelveyearsold,Iwasallowedbyeverybodytobethebestscholarintheschool.

Thisqualification,togetherwiththeboldnessof

temperament

temperandstrengthofmakewhichhadsubjectedalmostallmycontemporaries,gavemesuch

inflytande

influenceoverthemthatIbegantoformcabalsagainstmypersecutor;

andwasinhopeof,beingabletobidhimdefianceinaveryshorttime.

Beingattheheadofa

fraktion

faction,consistingofthirtyboys,mostofthemofmyownage,Iwas

fast besluten

determinedtoputtheirmettletotrial,thatImightknowhowfartheyweretobedependedupon,beforeIputmygrandschemein

verkställighet

execution:

withthisview,weattackedabodyofstoutapprentices,whohadtaken

besittning

possessionofapartofthegroundallottedtousfortheschemeofourdiversions,andwhowerethenplayingatninepinsonthespot;

butIhadthemortificationtoseemyadherentsroutedinan

ögonblick

instant,andalegofoneofthembrokeinhisflightbythebowl,whichoneofouradversarieshaddetachedin

jakten

pursuitofus.

Thisdiscomfituredidnot

hindrade

hinderusfromengagingthemafterwardsinfrequentskirmishes,whichwe

upprätthöll

maintainedbythrowingstonesatadistance,whereinIreceivedmanywounds,thescarsofwhichstillremain.

Ourenemieswereso

trakasserade

harassedandinterruptedbythesealarmsthattheyatlast

övergav

abandonedtheirconquest,andleftustothepeaceableenjoymentofourownterritories.

Itwouldbeendlesstoenumeratetheexploitsweperformedinthecourseofthisconfederacy,whichbecamethe

terror

terrorofthewholevillage;

insomuchthat,whendifferentinterests

delade

dividedit,oneofthepartiescommonlycourtedthe

hjälp

assistanceofRoderickRandom(bywhichnameIwasknown)tocastthebalance,andkeeptheoppositefactionin

vördnad

awe.

Meanwhile,Itooktheadvantageofeveryplay-daytopresentmyselfbeforemygrandfather,towhomI

sällan

seldomfoundaccess,byreasonofhisbeing

nära

closelybesiegedbyanumerousfamilyofhisfemale

barnbarn

grandchildren,who,thoughtheyperpetually

grälade

quarrelledamongthemselves,neverfailedtojoinagainstme,asthecommonenemyofall.

His

arvinge

heir,whowasabouttheageofeighteen,mindednothingbutfox-hunting,andindeedwasqualifiedfornothingelse,notwithstandinghisgrandfather’s

överseende

indulgenceinentertainingatutorforhimathome;

whoatthesametimeperformedtheofficeofparishclerk.

ThisyoungActaeon,who

ärvde

inheritedhisgrandfather’santipathytoeverythingin

nöd

distress,neversateyesonmewithoutuncouplinghisbeagles,andhuntingmeintosome

stuga

cottageorother,whitherIgenerally

flydde

fledforshelter.

InthisChristianamusementhewasencouragedbyhispreceptor,who,nodoubt,tooksuchopportunitiestoingratiatehimselfwiththerisingsun,observing,thattheoldgentleman,accordingtothecourseofnature,hadnotlongtolive,forhewasalreadyonthevergeoffourscore.

Kapitel

CHAPTERIII

MyMother’sBrotherarrives—relievesme—a

Beskrivning

Descriptionofhim—hegoesalongwithmetotheHouseofmyGrandfather—isencounteredbyhisDogs—defeatsthem,afterabloodyEngagement—isadmittedtotheoldGentleman—a

Dialog

Dialoguebetweenthem.

Aboutthistimemymother’sonlybrother,whohadbeenlong

utomlands

abroad,lieutenantofaman-of-war,arrivedinhisowncountry;

wherebeinginformedofmycondition,hecametoseeme,andoutofhisslenderfinancesnotonlysuppliedmewithwhatnecessariesIwantedforthepresent,butresolvednottoleavethecountryuntilhehadprevailedonmygrandfathertosettlesomethinghandsomeforthefuture.

Thiswasatasktowhichhewasbynomeans

lika

equal,beingentirelyignorant,notonlyofthejudge’sdisposition,butalsoofthewaysofmeningeneral,towhichhiseducationonboardhadkepthimanutterstranger.

Hewasastrongbuiltman,somewhatbandylegged,withanecklikethatofabull,andafacewhich(youmighteasilyperceive)had

motstått

withstoodthemostobstinateassaultsoftheweather.

Hisdressconsistedofasoldier’scoat

ändrat

alteredforhimbytheship’s

skräddare

tailor,astripedflanneljacket,apairofredbreechesspannedwithpitch,clean

gråa

grayworstedstockings,largesilverbucklesthatcoveredthree-fourthsofhisshoes,asilver-lacedhat,whose

krona

crownoverlookedthebrimsaboutan

tum

inchandahalf,blackbobwiginbuckle,acheckshirt,asilkhandkerchief,a

hängare

hanger,withabrasshandle,girdedtohis

lår

thighbyafurnishedlacebelt,andagoodoakplantunderhisarm.

Thusequipped,hesetoutwithme(whobyhisbountymadeaverydecentappearance)formygrandfather’shouse,whereweweresalutedbyJowlerand

Caesar

Caesar,whommycousin,youngmaster,hadletlooseatourapproach.

Beingwellacquaintedwiththeinveteracyofthesecurs,Iwasabouttobetakemyselftomyheels,whenmyuncle

grep

seizedmewithonehand,brandishedhiscudgelwiththeother,andatoneblowlaid

Caesar

Caesarsprawlingontheground;

but,findinghimselfattackedatthesametimeintherearbyJowler,andfearing

Caesar

Caesarmightrecover,hedrewhis

hängare

hanger,wheeledabout,andbyaluckystrokeseveredJowler’sheadfromhisbody.

Bythistime,theyoungfoxhunterandthreeservants,armedwithpitchforksandflails,werecometothe

hjälp

assistanceofthedogs,whomtheyfound

andfådd

breathlessuponthefield;

andmycousinwassoprovokedatthedeathofhisfavourites,thatheorderedhisattendantstoadvance,andtakevengeanceontheir

bödel

executioner,whomheloadedwithallthecursesandreproacheshisangercouldsuggest.

Uponwhichmyunclesteppedforwardswithanundauntedair,atthesightofwhosebloodyweaponshisantagonistsfellbackwithprecipitation,whenheaccostedtheirleaderthus:.

“Lookee,brother,yourdogshavingboardedmewithout

provokation

provocation,whatIdidwasinmyown

försvar

defence.

Soyouhadbestbecivil,andletusshootahead,clearofyou.”

Whethertheyoungsquiremisinterpretedmyuncle’sdesireofpeace,orwasenragedatthefateofhishoundsbeyondhisusualpitchof

beslutsamhet

resolution,Iknownot;

buthesnatchedaflailfromoneofhisfollowers,andcameupwithashowofassaultingthelieutenant,who,puttinghimselfinapostureofdefence,

fortsatte

proceededthus:

“Lookee,youlubberlysonofaw—e,ifyoucomeathwartme,’wareyourgingerbreadwork.

I’llbefoulofyourquarter,d—nme.”

This

förklaring

declaration,followedbyaflourishofhis

hängare

hanger,seemedtochecktheprogressoftheyounggentleman’scholer,who,lookingbehindhim,

uppfattade

perceivedhisattendantshadslunkintothehouse,shutthegate,andlefthimtodecidethecontentionbyhimself.

Hereaparleyensued,whichwasintroducedbymycousin’sasking,“Whothedevilareyou?

Whatdoyouwant?

Somescoundrelofaseaman,Isuppose,whohasdesertedandturnedthief.

Butdon’tthinkyoushallescape,sirrah—I’llhaveyouhang’d,youdog,Iwill.

Yourbloodshallpayforthatofmytwohounds,youragamuffin.

Iwouldnothavepartedwiththemtosaveyourwholegenerationfromthe

galgen

gallows,youruffian,you!”

“Noneofyour

käke

jaw,youswab—noneofyourjaw,”

svarade

repliedmyuncle,“elseIshall

trimma

trimyourlacedjacketforyou.

Ishall

gnugga

rubyoudownwithanoakentowel,myboy,Ishall.”

Sosaying,hesheathedhis

hängare

hanger,andgraspedhiscudgel.

Select Store

Scan with Camera