第4章
加入书架 A- A+
点击下载App,搜索"Candide",免费读到尾

  FromthencetheyproceededtotheStraits,enteredtheMediterranean,andatlengtharrivedatVenice。

  \"Godbepraised\",saidCandide,embracingMartin,\"thisistheplacewhereIamtobeholdmybelovedCunegondeonceagain。IcanconfideinCacambo,likeanotherself。Alliswell,allisverywell,alliswellaspossible。\"

  chapter24CHAPTERXXIV

  OFPACQUETTEANDFRIARGIROFLEE

  UpontheirarrivalatVeniceCandidewentinsearchofCacamboateveryinnandcoffee-house,andamongalltheladiesofpleasure,butcouldhearnothingofhim。Hesenteverydaytoinquirewhatshipswerein,stillnonewsofCacambo。

  \"Itisstrange\",saidhetoMartin,\"verystrangethatIshouldhavetimetosailfromSurinamtoBordeaux;totravelthencetoParis,toDieppe,toPortsmouth;tosailalongthecoastofPortugalandSpain,anduptheMediterraneantospendsomemonthsatVenice;andthatmylovelyCunegondeshouldnothavearrived。Insteadofher,IonlymetwithaParisianimpostor,andarascallyabbeofPerigord。Cunegondeisactuallydead,andIhavenothingtodobutfollowher。Alas!howmuchbetterwouldithavebeenformetohaveremainedintheparadiseofElDoradothantohavereturnedtothiscursedEurope!Youareintheright,mydearMartin;

  youarecertainlyintheright;allismiseryanddeceit。\"

  Hefellintoadeepmelancholy,andneitherwenttotheoperatheninvogue,norpartookofanyofthediversionsoftheCarnival;

  nay,heevenslightedthefairsex。

  Martinsaidtohim,\"Uponmyword,Ithinkyouareverysimpletoimaginethatarascallyvalet,withfiveorsixmillionsinhispocket,wouldgoinsearchofyourmistresstothefurtheroftheworld,andbringhertoVenicetomeetyou。Ifhefindsherhewilltakeherforhimself;ifhedoesnot,hewilltakeanother。LetmeadviseyoutoforgetyourvaletCacambo,andyourmistressCunegonde。\"

  Martin’sspeechwasnotthemostconsolatorytothedejectedCandide。Hismelancholyincreased,andMartinneverceasedtryingtoprovetohimthatthereisverylittlevirtueorhappinessinthisworld;

  except,perhaps,inElDorado,wherehardlyanybodycangainadmittance。

  Whiletheyweredisputingonthisimportantsubject,andstillexpectingMissCunegonde,CandideperceivedayoungTheatinfriarinthePiazzaSanMarco,withagirlunderhisarm。TheTheatinlookedfresh-colored,plump,andvigorous;hiseyessparkled;hisairandgaitwereboldandlofty。Thegirlwaspretty,andwassingingasong;andeverynowandthengaveherTheatinanamorousogleandwantonlypinchedhisruddycheeks。

  \"Youwillatleastallow\",saidCandidetoMartin,\"thatthesetwoarehappy。

  HithertoIhavemetwithnonebutunfortunatepeopleinthewholehabitableglobe,exceptinElDorado;butastothiscouple,Iwouldventuretolayawagertheyarehappy。\"

  \"Done!\"saidMartin,\"theyarenotwhatyouimagine。\"

  \"Well,wehaveonlytoaskthemtodinewithus\",saidCandide,\"andyouwillseewhetherIammistakenornot。\"

  Thereuponheaccostedthem,andwithgreatpolitenessinvitedthemtohisinntoeatsomemacaroni,withLombardpartridgesandcaviar,andtodrinkabottleofMontepulciano,LacrymaChristi,Cyprus,andSamoswine。Thegirlblushed;theTheatinacceptedtheinvitationandshefollowedhim,eyeingCandideeverynowandthenwithamixtureofsurpriseandconfusion,whilethetearsstoledownhercheeks。Nosoonerdidsheenterhisapartmentthanshecriedout,\"How,MonsieurCandide,haveyouquiteforgotyourPacquette?doyounotknowheragain?\"

  Candidehadnotregardedherwithanydegreeofattentionbefore,beingwhollyoccupiedwiththethoughtsofhisdearCunegonde。

  \"Ah!isityou,child?wasityouthatreducedDr。PanglosstothatfineconditionIsawhimin?\"

  \"Alas!sir\",answeredPacquette,\"itwasI,indeed。Ifindyouareacquaintedwitheverything;andIhavebeeninformedofallthemisfortunesthathappenedtothewholefamilyofMyLadyBaronessandthefairCunegonde。ButIcansafelysweartoyouthatmylotwasnolessdeplorable;Iwasinnocenceitselfwhenyousawmelast。

  AFranciscan,whowasmyconfessor,easilyseducedme;theconsequencesprovedterrible。I

  wasobligedtoleavethecastlesometimeaftertheBaronkickedyououtbythebacksidefromthere;andifafamoussurgeonhadnottakencompassiononme,Ihadbeenadeadwoman。Gratitudeobligedmetolivewithhimsometimeashismistress;hiswife,whowasaverydevilforjealousy,beatmeunmercifullyeveryday。Oh!shewasaperfectfury。Thedoctorhimselfwasthemostuglyofallmortals,andI

  themostwretchedcreatureexisting,tobecontinuallybeatenforamanwhomIdidnotlove。

  Youaresensible,sir,howdangerousitwasforanill-naturedwomantobemarriedtoaphysician。Incensedatthebehaviorofhiswife,heonedaygavehersoaffectionatearemedyforaslightcoldshehadcaughtthatshediedinlessthantwohoursinmostdreadfulconvulsions。

  Herrelationsprosecutedthehusband,whowasobligedtofly,andI

  wassenttoprison。

  Myinnocencewouldnothavesavedme,ifIhadnotbeentolerablyhandsome。Thejudgegavememylibertyonconditionheshouldsucceedthedoctor。However,Iwassoonsupplantedbyarival,turnedoffwithoutafarthing,andobligedtocontinuetheabominabletradewhichyoumenthinksopleasing,butwhichtousunhappycreaturesisthemostdreadfulofallsufferings。AtlengthIcametofollowthebusinessatVenice。Ah!sir,didyoubutknowwhatitistobeobligedtoreceiveeveryvisitor;oldtradesmen,counselors,monks,watermen,andabbes;tobeexposedtoalltheirinsolenceandabuse;tobeoftennecessitatedtoborrowapetticoat,onlythatitmaybetakenupbysomedisagreeablewretch;toberobbedbyonegallantofwhatwegetfromanother;tobesubjecttotheextortionsofcivilmagistrates;andtohaveforeverbeforeone’seyestheprospectofoldage,ahospital,oradunghill,youwouldconcludethatIamoneofthemostunhappywretchesbreathing。\"

  ThusdidPacquetteunbosomherselftohonestCandideinhiscloset,inthepresenceofMartin,whotookoccasiontosaytohim,\"YouseeIhavehalfwonthewageralready。\"

  FriarGirofleewasallthistimeintheparlorrefreshinghimselfwithaglassortwoofwinetilldinnerwasready。

  \"But\",saidCandidetoPacquette,\"youlookedsogayandcontented,whenI

  metyou,yousangandcaressedtheTheatinwithsomuchfondness,thatI

  absolutelythoughtyouashappyasyousayyouarenowmiserable。\"

  \"Ah!dearsir\",saidPacquette,\"thisisoneofthemiseriesofthetrade;

  yesterdayIwasstrippedandbeatenbyanofficer;yettodayImustappeargoodhumoredandgaytopleaseafriar。\"

  CandidewasconvincedandacknowledgedthatMartinwasintheright。

  TheysatdowntotablewithPacquetteandtheTheatin;

  theentertainmentwasagreeable,andtowardstheendtheybegantoconversetogetherwithsomefreedom。

  \"Father\",saidCandidetothefriar,\"youseemtometoenjoyastateofhappinessthatevenkingsmightenvy;joyandhealtharepaintedinyourcountenance。Youhaveaprettywenchtodivertyou;andyouseemtobeperfectlywellcontentedwithyourconditionasaTheatin。\"

  \"Faith,sir\",saidFriarGiroflee,\"IwishwithallmysoultheTheatinswereeveryoneofthematthebottomofthesea。IhavebeentemptedathousandtimestosetfiretothemonasteryandgoandturnTurk。

  Myparentsobligedme,attheageoffifteen,toputonthisdetestablehabitonlytoincreasethefortuneofanelderbrotherofmine,whomGodconfound!

  jealousy,discord,andfury,resideinourmonastery。ItistrueIhavepreachedoftenpaltrysermons,bywhichIhavegotalittlemoney,partofwhichthepriorrobsmeof,andtheremainderhelpstopaymygirls;but,notwithstanding,atnight,whenIgohencetomymonastery,Iamreadytodashmybrainsagainstthewallsofthedormitory;andthisisthecasewithalltherestofourfraternity。\"

  Martin,turningtowardsCandide,withhisusualindifference,said,\"Well,whatthinkyounow?haveIwonthewagerentirely?\"

  CandidegavetwothousandpiastrestoPacquette,andathousandtoFriarGiroflee,saying,\"Iwillanswerthatthiswillmakethemhappy。\"

  \"Iamnotofyouropinion\",saidMartin,\"perhapsthismoneywillonlymakethemwretched。\"

  \"Bethatasitmay\",saidCandide,\"onethingcomfortsme;Iseethatoneoftenmeetswiththosewhomoneneverexpectedtoseeagain;sothat,perhaps,asIhavefoundmyredsheepandPacquette,I

  maybeluckyenoughtofindMissCunegondealso。\"

  \"Iwish\",saidMartin,\"sheonedaymaymakeyouhappy;

  butIdoubtitmuch。\"

  \"Youlackfaith\",saidCandide。

  \"Itisbecause\",saidMartin,\"Ihaveseentheworld。\"

  \"Observethosegondoliers\",saidCandide,\"aretheynotperpetuallysinging?\"

  \"Youdonotseethem\",answeredMartin,\"athomewiththeirwivesandbrats。Thedogehashischagrin,gondolierstheirs。Nevertheless,inthemain,Ilookuponthegondolier’slifeaspreferabletothatofthedoge;butthedifferenceissotriflingthatitisnotworththetroubleofexamininginto。\"

  \"Ihaveheardgreattalk\",saidCandide,\"oftheSenatorPococurante,wholivesinthatfinehouseattheBrenta,where,theysay,heentertainsforeignersinthemostpolitemanner。\"

  \"Theypretendthismanisaperfectstrangertouneasiness。

  Ishouldbegladtoseesoextraordinaryabeing\",saidMartin。

  CandidethereuponsentamessengertoSeignorPococurante,desiringpermissiontowaitonhimthenextday。

  chapter25CHAPTERXXV

  CANDIDEANDMARTINPAYAVISIT

  TOSEIGNOR

  POCOCURANTE,ANOBLEVENETIAN

  CandideandhisfriendMartinwentinagondolaontheBrenta,andarrivedatthepalaceofthenoblePococurante。Thegardenswerelaidoutineleganttaste,andadornedwithfinemarblestatues;hispalacewasbuiltafterthemostapprovedrulesofarchitecture。Themasterofthehouse,whowasamanofaffairs,andveryrich,receivedourtwotravelerswithgreatpoliteness,butwithoutmuchceremony,whichsomewhatdisconcertedCandide,butwasnotatalldispleasingtoMartin。

  Assoonastheywereseated,twoveryprettygirls,neatlydressed,broughtinchocolate,whichwasextremelywellprepared。Candidecouldnothelppraisingtheirbeautyandgracefulcarriage。

  \"Thecreaturesareallright\",saidthesenator;\"Iamusemyselfwiththemsometimes,forIamheartilytiredofthewomenofthetown,theircoquetry,theirjealousy,theirquarrels,theirhumors,theirmeannesses,theirpride,andtheirfolly;Iamwearyofmakingsonnets,orofpayingforsonnetstobemadeonthem;butafterall,thesetwogirlsbegintogrowveryindifferenttome。\"

  Afterhavingrefreshedhimself,Candidewalkedintoalargegallery,wherehewasstruckwiththesightofafinecollectionofpaintings。

  \"Pray\",saidCandide,\"bywhatmasterarethetwofirstofthese?\"

  \"TheyarebyRaphael\",answeredthesenator。\"Igaveagreatdealofmoneyforthemsevenyearsago,purelyoutofcuriosity,astheyweresaidtobethefinestpiecesinItaly;butIcannotsaytheypleaseme:thecoloringisdarkandheavy;thefiguresdonotswellnorcomeoutenough;andthedraperyisbad。Inshort,notwithstandingtheencomiumslavisheduponthem,theyarenot,inmyopinion,atruerepresentationofnature。IapproveofnopaintingssavethosewhereinIthinkIbeholdnatureitself;andtherearefew,ifany,ofthatkindtobemetwith。Ihavewhatiscalledafinecollection,butItakenomannerofdelightinit。\"

  WhiledinnerwasbeingpreparedPococuranteorderedaconcert。

  Candidepraisedthemusictotheskies。

  \"Thisnoise\",saidthenobleVenetian,\"mayamuseoneforalittletime,butifitweretolastabovehalfanhour,itwouldgrowtiresometoeverybody,thoughperhapsnoonewouldcaretoownit。Musichasbecometheartofexecutingwhatisdifficult;now,whateverisdifficultcannotbelongpleasing。

  \"IbelieveImighttakemorepleasureinanopera,iftheyhadnotmadesuchamonsterofthatspeciesofdramaticentertainmentasperfectlyshocksme;

  andIamamazedhowpeoplecanbeartoseewretchedtragediessettomusic;wherethescenesarecontrivedfornootherpurposethantolugin,asitwerebytheears,threeorfourridiculoussongs,togiveafavoriteactressanopportunityofexhibitingherpipe。LetwhowilldieawayinrapturesatthetrillsofaeunuchquaveringthemajesticpartofCaesarorCato,andstruttinginafoolishmanneruponthestage,butformypartI

  havelongagorenouncedthesepaltryentertainments,whichconstitutethegloryofmodernItaly,andaresodearlypurchasedbycrownedheads。\"

  Candideopposedthesesentiments;buthediditinadiscreetmanner;asforMartin,hewasentirelyoftheoldsenator’sopinion。

  Dinnerbeingservedtheysatdowntotable,and,afteraheartyrepast,returnedtothelibrary。Candide,observingHomerrichlybound,commendedthenobleVenetian’staste。

  \"This\",saidhe,\"isabookthatwasoncethedelightofthegreatPangloss,thebestphilosopherinGermany。\"

  \"Homerisnofavoriteofmine\",answeredPococurante,coolly,\"IwasmadetobelieveoncethatItookapleasureinreadinghim;

  buthiscontinualrepetitionsofbattleshaveallsucharesemblancewitheachother;hisgodsthatareforeverinhasteandbustle,withouteverdoinganything;hisHelen,whoisthecauseofthewar,andyethardlyactsinthewholeperformance;

  hisTroy,thatholdsoutsolong,withoutbeingtaken:

  inshort,allthesethingstogethermakethepoemveryinsipidtome。Ihaveaskedsomelearnedmen,whethertheyarenotinrealityasmuchtiredasmyselfwithreadingthispoet:thosewhospokeingenuously,assuredmethathehadmadethemfallasleep,andyetthattheycouldnotwellavoidgivinghimaplaceintheirlibraries;butthatitwasmerelyastheywoulddoanantique,orthoserustymedalswhicharekeptonlyforcuriosity,andareofnomannerofuseincommerce。\"

  \"ButyourexcellencydoesnotsurelyformthesameopinionofVirgil?\"saidCandide。

  \"Why,Igrant\",repliedPococurante,\"thatthesecond,third,fourth,andsixthbooksofhisAeneid,areexcellent;butasforhispiousAeneas,hisstrongCloanthus,hisfriendlyAchates,hisboyAscanius,hissillykingLatinus,hisill-bredAmata,hisinsipidLavinia,andsomeothercharactersmuchinthesamestrain,Ithinktherecannotinnaturebeanythingmoreflatanddisagreeable。ImustconfessIpreferTassofarbeyondhim;nay,eventhatsleepytaletellerAriosto。\"

  \"MayItakethelibertytoaskifyoudonotexperiencegreatpleasurefromreadingHorace?\"saidCandide。

  \"Therearemaximsinthiswriter\",repliedPococurante,\"whenceamanoftheworldmayreapsomebenefit;andtheshortmeasureoftheversemakesthemmoreeasilytoberetainedinthememory。ButIseenothingextraordinaryinhisjourneytoBrundusium,andhisaccountofhishaddinner;norinhisdirty,lowquarrelbetweenoneRupillius,whosewords,asheexpressesit,werefullofpoisonousfilth;andanother,whoselanguagewasdippedinvinegar。Hisindelicateversesagainstoldwomenandwitcheshavefrequentlygivenmegreatoffense:norcanIdiscoverthegreatmeritofhistellinghisfriendMaecenas,thatifhewillbutrankhimintheclassoflyricpoets,hisloftyheadshalltouchthestars。Ignorantreadersareapttojudgeawriterbyhisreputation。Formypart,Ireadonlytopleasemyself。I

  likenothingbutwhatmakesformypurpose。\"

  Candide,whohadbeenbroughtupwithanotionofnevermakinguseofhisownjudgment,wasastonishedatwhatheheard;butMartinfoundtherewasagooddealofreasoninthesenator’sremarks。

  \"Oh!hereisaTully\",saidCandide;\"thisgreatmanI

  fancyyouarenevertiredofreading?\"

  \"IndeedIneverreadhimatall\",repliedPococurante。

  \"WhatisittomewhetherhepleadsforRabiriusorCluentius?Itrycausesenoughmyself。I

  hadoncesomelikingforhisphilosophicalworks;butwhenIfoundhedoubtedeverything,IthoughtIknewasmuchashimself,andhadnoneedofaguidetolearnignorance。\"

  \"Ha!\"criedMartin,\"herearefourscorevolumesofthememoirsoftheAcademyofSciences;perhapstheremaybesomethingcuriousandvaluableinthiscollection。\"

  \"Yes\",answeredPococurante,\"sotheremightifanyoneofthesecompilersofthisrubbishhadonlyinventedtheartofpin-making;

  butallthesevolumesarefilledwithmerechimericalsystems,withoutonesinglearticleconductivetorealutility。\"

  \"Iseeaprodigiousnumberofplays\",saidCandide,\"inItalian,Spanish,andFrench。\"

  \"Yes\",repliedtheVenetian,\"thereareIthinkthreethousand,andnotthreedozenofthemgoodforanything。Astothosehugevolumesofdivinity,andthoseenormouscollectionsofsermons,theyarenotalltogetherworthonesinglepageinSeneca;andIfancyyouwillreadilybelievethatneithermyself,noranyoneelse,everlooksintothem。\"

  Martin,perceivingsomeshelvesfilledwithEnglishbooks,saidtothesenator,\"Ifancythatarepublicanmustbehighlydelightedwiththosebooks,whicharemostofthemwrittenwithanoblespiritoffreedom。\"

  \"Itisnobletowriteaswethink\",saidPococurante;\"itistheprivilegeofhumanity。ThroughoutItalywewriteonlywhatwedonotthink;andthepresentinhabitantsofthecountryoftheCaesarsandAntoninesdarenotacquireasingleideawithoutthepermissionofaDominicanfather。IshouldbeenamoredofthespiritoftheEnglishnation,diditnotutterlyfrustratethegoodeffectsitwouldproducebypassionandthespiritofparty。\"

  Candide,seeingaMilton,askedthesenatorifhedidnotthinkthatauthoragreatman。

  \"Who?\"saidPococurantesharply;\"thatbarbarianwhowritesatediouscommentaryintenbooksofrumblingverse,onthefirstchapterofGenesis?

  thatslovenlyimitatoroftheGreeks,whodisfiguresthecreation,bymakingtheMessiahtakeapairofcompassesfromHeaven’sarmorytoplantheworld;whereasMosesrepresentedtheDietyasproducingthewholeuniversebyhisfiat?CanIthinkyouhaveanyesteemforawriterwhohasspoiledTasso’sHellandtheDevil;whotransformsLucifersometimesintoatoad,andatothersintoapygmy;whomakeshimsaythesamethingoveragainahundredtimes;whometamorphoseshimintoaschool-divine;

  andwho,byanabsurdlyseriousimitationofAriosto’scomicinventionoffirearms,representsthedevilsandangelscannonadingeachotherinHeaven?NeitherInoranyotherItaliancanpossiblytakepleasureinsuchmelancholyreveries;butthemarriageofSinandDeath,andsnakesissuingfromthewomboftheformer,areenoughtomakeanypersonsickthatisnotlosttoallsenseofdelicacy。Thisobscene,whimsical,anddisagreeablepoemmetwiththeneglectitdeservedatitsfirstpublication;

  andIonlytreattheauthornowashewastreatedinhisowncountrybyhiscontemporaries。\"

  Candidewassensiblygrievedatthisspeech,ashehadagreatrespectforHomer,andwasfondofMilton。

  \"Alas!\"saidhesoftlytoMartin,\"IamafraidthismanholdsourGermanpoetsingreatcontempt。\"

  \"Therewouldbenosuchgreatharminthat\",saidMartin。

  \"Owhatasurprisingman!\"saidCandide,stilltohimself;

  \"whataprodigiousgeniusisthisPococurante!nothingcanpleasehim。\"

  Afterfinishingtheirsurveyofthelibrary,theywentdownintothegarden,whenCandidecommendedtheseveralbeautiesthatofferedthemselvestohisview。

  \"Iknownothinguponearthlaidoutinsuchhadtaste\",saidPococurante;

  \"everythingaboutitischildishandtrifling;butIshallhaveanotherlaidouttomorrowuponanoblerplan。\"

  AssoonasourtwotravelershadtakenleaveofHisExcellency,CandidesaidtoMartin,\"Well,Ihopeyouwillownthatthismanisthehappiestofallmortals,forheisaboveeverythinghepossesses。\"

  \"Butdonotyousee\",answeredMartin,\"thathelikewisedislikeseverythinghepossesses?ItwasanobservationofPlato,longsince,thatthosearenotthebeststomachsthatreject,withoutdistinction,allsortsofaliments。\"

  \"True\",saidCandide,\"butstilltheremustcertainlybeapleasureincriticisingeverything,andinperceivingfaultswhereothersthinktheyseebeauties。\"

  \"Thatis\",repliedMartin,\"thereisapleasureinhavingnopleasure。\"

  \"Well,well\",saidCandide,\"IfindthatIshallbetheonlyhappymanatlast,whenIamblessedwiththesightofmydearCunegonde。\"

  \"Itisgoodtohope\",saidMartin。

  Inthemeanwhile,daysandweekspassedaway,andnonewsofCacambo。

  Candidewassooverwhelmedwithgrief,thathedidnotreflectonthebehaviorofPacquetteandFriarGiroflee,whoneverstayedtoreturnhimthanksforthepresentshehadsogenerouslymadethem。

  chapter26CHAPTERXXVI

  CANDIDEANDMARTINSUPWITHSIXSHARPERS。WHO

  THEYWERE

  OneeveningasCandide,withhisattendantMartin,wasgoingtositdowntosupperwithsomeforeignerswholodgedinthesameinnwheretheyhadtakenuptheirquarters,amanwithafacethecolorofsootcamebehindhim,andtakinghimbythearm,said,\"Holdyourselfinreadinesstogoalongwithus;besureyoudonotfail。\"

  Uponthis,turningabouttoseefromwhomthesewordscame,hebeheldCacambo。NothingbutthesightofMissCunegondecouldhavegivenhimgreaterjoyandsurprise。Hewasalmostbesidehimself,andembracedthisdearfriend。

  \"Cunegonde!\"saidhe,\"Cunegondeiscomewithyoudoubtless!

  Where,whereisshe?Carrymetoherthisinstant,thatImaydiewithjoyinherpresence。\"

  \"Cunegondeisnothere\",answeredCacambo;\"sheisinConstantinople。\"

  \"Goodheavens!inConstantinople!butnomatterifshewereinChina,I

  wouldflythither。Quick,quick,dearCacambo,letusbegone。\"

  \"Softandfair\",saidCacambo,\"staytillyouhavesupped。

  Icannotatpresentstaytosayanythingmoretoyou;Iamaslave,andmymasterwaitsforme;Imustgoandattendhimattable:butmum!saynotaword,onlygetyoursupper,andholdyourselfinreadiness。\"

  Candide,dividedbetweenjoyandgrief,charmedtohavethusmetwithhisfaithfulagentagain,andsurprisedtohearhewasaslave,hisheartpalpitating,hissensesconfused,butfullofthehopesofrecoveringhisdearCunegonde,satdowntotablewithMartin,whobeheldallthesesceneswithgreatunconcern,andwithsixstrangers,whohadcometospendtheCarnivalatVenice。

  Cacambowaitedattableupononeofthosestrangers。Whensupperwasnearlyover,hedrewneartohismaster,andwhisperedinhisear:

  \"Sire,YourMajestymaygowhenyouplease;theshipisready\";andsosayinghelefttheroom。

  Theguests,surprisedatwhattheyhadheard,lookedateachotherwithoutspeakingaword;whenanotherservantdrawingneartohismaster,inlikemannersaid,\"Sire,YourMajesty’spost-chaiseisatPadua,andthebarkisready。\"Themastermadehimasign,andheinstantlywithdrew。

  Thecompanyallstaredateachotheragain,andthegeneralastonishmentwasincreased。Athirdservantthenapproachedanotherofthestrangers,andsaid,\"Sire,ifYourMajestywillbeadvisedbyme,youwillnotmakeanylongerstayinthisplace;Iwillgoandgeteverythingready\";andinstantlydisappeared。

  CandideandMartinthentookitforgrantedthatthiswassomeofthediversionsoftheCarnival,andthatthesewerecharactersinmasquerade。

  Thenafourthdomesticsaidtothefourthstranger,\"YourMajestymaysetoffwhenyouplease\";sayingwhich,hewentawayliketherest。Afifthvaletsaidthesametoafifthmaster。Butthesixthdomesticspokeinadifferentstyletothepersononwhomhewaited,andwhosatneartoCandide。

  \"Troth,sir\",saidhe,\"theywilltrustYourMajestynolonger,normyselfneither;andwemaybothofuschancetobesenttojailthisverynight;andthereforeIshalltakecareofmyself,andsoadieu。\"

  Theservantsbeingallgone,thesixstrangers,withCandideandMartin,remainedinaprofoundsilence。AtlengthCandidebrokeitbysaying:

  \"Gentlemen,thisisaverysingularjokeuponmyword;

  howcameyoualltobekings?FormypartIownfrankly,thatneithermyfriendMartinhere,normyself,haveanyclaimtoroyalty。\"

  Cacambo’smasterthenbegan,withgreatgravity,todeliverhimselfthusinItalian:

  \"Iamnotjokingintheleast,mynameisAchmetIII。I

  wasGrandSultanformanyyears;Idethronedmybrother,mynephewdethronedme,myvizierslosttheirheads,andIamcondemnedtoendmydaysintheoldseraglio。

  Mynephew,theGrandSultanMahomet,givesmepermissiontotravelsometimesformyhealth,andIamcometospendtheCarnivalatVenice。\"

  AyoungmanwhosatbyAchmet,spokenext,andsaid:

  \"MynameisIvan。IwasonceEmperorofalltheRussians,butwasdethronedinmycradle。Myparentswereconfined,andIwasbroughtupinaprison,yetIamsometimesallowedtotravel,thoughalwayswithpersonstokeepaguardoverme,andIcometospendtheCarnivalatVenice。\"

  Thethirdsaid:

  \"IamCharlesEdward,KingofEngland;myfatherhasrenouncedhisrighttothethroneinmyfavor。Ihavefoughtindefenseofmyrights,andnearathousandofmyfriendshavehadtheirheartstakenoutoftheirbodiesaliveandthrownintheirfaces。Ihavemyselfbeenconfinedinaprison。IamgoingtoRometovisittheKing,myfather,whowasdethronedaswellasmyself;andmygrandfatherandIhavecometospendtheCarnivalatVenice。\"

  Thefourthspokethus:

  \"IamtheKingofPoland;thefortuneofwarhasstrippedmeofmyhereditarydominions。Myfatherexperiencedthesamevicissitudesoffate。I

  resignmyselftothewillofProvidence,inthesamemannerasSultanAchmet,theEmperorIvan,andKingCharlesEdward,whomGodlongpreserve;andIhavecometospendtheCarnivalatVenice。\"

  Thefifthsaid:

  \"IamKingofPolandalso。Ihavetwicelostmykingdom;

  butProvidencehasgivenmeotherdominions,whereIhavedonemoregoodthanalltheSarmatiankingsputtogetherwereeverabletodoonthebanksoftheVistula;IresignmyselflikewisetoProvidence;andhavecometospendtheCarnivalatVenice。\"

  Itnowcametothesixthmonarch’sturntospeak。\"Gentlemen\",saidhe,\"I

  amnotsogreataprinceastherestofyou,itistrue,butIam,however,acrownedhead。IamTheodore,electedKingofCorsica。

  IhavehadthetitleofMajesty,andamnowhardlytreatedwithcommoncivility。

  Ihavecoinedmoney,andamnotnowworthasingleducat。Ihavehadtwosecretaries,andamnowwithoutavalet。Iwasonceseatedonathrone,andsincethathavelainuponatrussofstraw,inacommonjailinLondon,andIverymuchfearIshallmeetwiththesamefatehereinVenice,whereIcame,likeYourMajesties,todivertmyselfattheCarnival。\"

  TheotherfiveKingslistenedtothisspeechwithgreatattention;itexcitedtheircompassion;eachofthemmadetheunhappyTheodoreapresentoftwentysequins,andCandidegavehimadiamond,worthjustahundredtimesthatsum。

  \"Whocanthisprivatepersonbe\",saidthefiveKingstooneanother,\"whoisabletogive,andhasactuallygiven,ahundredtimesasmuchasanyofus?\"

  Justastheyrosefromtable,incamefourSereneHighnesses,whohadalsobeenstrippedoftheirterritoriesbythefortuneofwar,andhadcometospendtheremainderoftheCarnivalatVenice。Candidetooknomannerofnoticeofthem;forhisthoughtswerewhollyemployedonhisvoyagetoConstantinople,whereheintendedtogoinsearchofhislovelyMissCunegonde。

  chapter27CHAPTERXXVII

  CANDIDE’S

  VOYAGETOCONSTANTINOPLE

  ThetrustyCacambohadalreadyengagedthecaptainoftheTurkishshipthatwastocarrySultanAchmetbacktoConstantinopletotakeCandideandMartinonboard。Accordinglytheybothembarked,afterpayingtheirobeisancetohismiserableHighness。Astheyweregoingonboard,CandidesaidtoMartin:

  \"YouseewesuppedincompanywithsixdethronedKings,andtooneofthemIgavecharity。Perhapstheremaybeagreatmanyotherprincesstillmoreunfortunate。FormypartIhavelostonlyahundredsheep,andamnowgoingtoflytothearmsofmycharmingMissCunegonde。

  MydearMartin,Imustinsistonit,thatPanglosswasintheright。Allisforthebest。\"

  \"Iwishitmaybe\",saidMartin。

  \"ButthiswasanoddadventurewemetwithatVenice。I

  donotthinkthereeverwasaninstancebeforeofsixdethronedmonarchssuppingtogetheratapublicinn。\"

  \"Thisisnotmoreextraordinary\",saidMartin,\"thanmostofwhathashappenedtous。Itisaverycommonthingforkingstobedethroned;andasforourhavingthehonortosupwithsixofthem,itisamereaccident,notdeservingourattention。\"

  AssoonasCandidesethisfootonboardthevessel,heflewtohisoldfriendandvaletCacamboand,throwinghisarmsabouthisneck,embracedhimwithtransportsofjoy。

  \"Well\",saidhe,\"whatnewsofMissCunegonde?Doesshestillcontinuetheparagonofbeauty?Doesshelovemestill?Howdoesshedo?Youhave,doubtless,purchasedasuperbpalaceforheratConstantinople。\"

  \"Mydearmaster\",repliedCacambo,\"MissCunegondewashesdishesonthebanksofthePropontis,inthehouseofaprincewhohasveryfewtowash。SheisatpresentaslaveinthefamilyofanancientsovereignnamedRagotsky,whomtheGrandTurkallowsthreecrownsadaytomaintainhiminhisexile;butthemostmelancholycircumstanceofallis,thatsheisturnedhorriblyugly。\"

  \"Uglyorhandsome\",saidCandide,\"Iamamanofhonorand,assuch,amobligedtoloveherstill。Buthowcouldshepossiblyhavebeenreducedtosoabjectacondition,whenIsentfiveorsixmillionstoherbyyou?\"

  \"Lordblessme\",saidCacambo,\"wasnotIobligedtogivetwomillionstoSeignorDonFernandod’IbaraayFigueorayMascarenesyLampourdosySouza,theGovernorofBuenosAyres,forlibertytotakeMissCunegondeawaywithme?Andthendidnotabravefellowofapirategallantlystripusofalltherest?AndthendidnotthissamepiratecarryuswithhimtoCapeMatapan,toMilo,toNicaria,toSamos,toPetra,totheDardanelles,toMarmora,toScutari?MissCunegondeandtheoldwomanarenowservantstotheprinceIhavetoldyouof;andImyselfamslavetothedethronedSultan。\"

  \"Whatachainofshockingaccidents!\"exclaimedCandide。

  \"Butafterall,I

  havestillsomediamondsleft,withwhichIcaneasilyprocureMissCunegonde’sliberty。Itisapitythoughsheisgrownsougly。\"

  ThenturningtoMartin,\"Whatthinkyou,friend\",saidhe,\"whoseconditionismosttobepitied,theEmperorAchmet’s,theEmperorIvan’s,KingCharlesEdward’s,ormine?\"

  \"Faith,Icannotresolveyourquestion\",saidMartin,\"unlessIhadbeeninthebreastsofyouall。\"

  \"Ah!\"criedCandide,\"wasPanglossherenow,hewouldhaveknown,andsatisfiedmeatonce。\"

  \"Iknownot\",saidMartin,\"inwhatbalanceyourPanglosscouldhaveweighedthemisfortunesofmankind,andhavesetajustestimationontheirsufferings。AllthatIpretendtoknowofthematteristhattherearemillionsofmenontheearth,whoseconditionsareahundredtimesmorepitiablethanthoseofKingCharlesEdward,theEmperorIvan,orSultanAchmet。\"

  \"Why,thatmaybe\",answeredCandide。

  InafewdaystheyreachedtheBosphorus;andthefirstthingCandidedidwastopayahighransomforCacambo;then,withoutlosingtime,heandhiscompanionswentonboardagalley,inordertosearchforhisCunegondeonthebanksofthePropontis,notwithstandingshewasgrownsougly。

  Thereweretwoslavesamongthecrewofthegalley,whorowedveryill,andtowhosebarebacksthemasterofthevesselfrequentlyappliedalash。

  Candide,fromnaturalsympathy,lookedatthesetwoslavesmoreattentivelythanatanyoftherest,anddrewnearthemwithaneyeofpity。Theirfeatures,thoughgreatlydisfigured,appearedtohimtobearastrongresemblancewiththoseofPanglossandtheunhappyBaronJesuit,MissCunegonde’sbrother。Thisideaaffectedhimwithgriefandcompassion:heexaminedthemmoreattentivelythanbefore。

  \"Introth\",saidhe,turningtoMartin,\"ifIhadnotseenmymasterPanglossfairlyhanged,andhadnotmyselfbeenunluckyenoughtoruntheBaronthroughthebody,Ishouldabsolutelythinkthosetworowerswerethemen。\"

  NosoonerhadCandideutteredthenamesoftheBaronandPangloss,thanthetwoslavesgaveagreatcry,ceasedrowing,andletfalltheiroarsoutoftheirhands。Themasterofthevessel,seeingthis,ranuptothem,andredoubledthedisciplineofthelash。

  \"Hold,hold\",criedCandide,\"Iwillgiveyouwhatmoneyyoushallaskforthesetwopersons。\"

  \"Goodheavens!itisCandide\",saidoneofthemen。

  \"Candide!\"criedtheother。

  \"DoIdream\",saidCandide,\"oramIawake?AmIactuallyonboardthisgalley?IsthisMyLordtheBaron,whomIkilled?andthatmymasterPangloss,whomIsawhangedbeforemyface?\"

  \"ItisI!itisI!\"criedtheybothtogether。

  \"What!isthisyourgreatphilosopher?\"saidMartin。

  \"Mydearsir\",saidCandidetothemasterofthegalley,\"howmuchdoyouaskfortheransomoftheBaronofThunder-ten-tronckh,whoisoneofthefirstbaronsoftheempire,andofMonsieurPangloss,themostprofoundmetaphysicianinGermany?\"

  \"Why,then,Christiancur\",repliedtheTurkishcaptain,\"sincethesetwodogsofChristianslavesarebaronsandmetaphysicians,whonodoubtareofhighrankintheirowncountry,thoushaltgivemefiftythousandsequins。\"

  \"Youshallhavethem,sir;carrymebackasquickasthoughttoConstantinople,andyoushallreceivethemoneyimmediately-No!

  carrymefirsttoMissCunegonde。\"

  Thecaptain,uponCandide’sfirstproposal,hadalreadytackedabout,andhemadethecrewplytheiroarssoeffectually,thatthevesselflewthroughthewater,quickerthanabirdcleavestheair。

  CandidebestowedathousandembracesontheBaronandPangloss。

  \"Andsothen,mydearBaron,Ididnotkillyou?andyou,mydearPangloss,arecometolifeagainafteryourhanging?ButhowcameyouslavesonboardaTurkishgalley?\"

  \"Andisittruethatmydearsisterisinthiscountry?\"

  saidtheBaron。

  \"Yes\",saidCacambo。

  \"AnddoIonceagainbeholdmydearCandide?\"saidPangloss。

  CandidepresentedMartinandCacambotothem;theyembracedeachother,andallspoketogether。Thegalleyflewlikelightning,andsoontheyweregotbacktoport。CandideinstantlysentforaJew,towhomhesoldforfiftythousandsequinsadiamondrichlyworthonehundredthousand,thoughthefellowsworetohimallthetimebyFatherAbrahamthathegavehimthemosthecouldpossiblyafford。Henosoonergotthemoneyintohishands,thanhepaiditdownfortheransomoftheBaronandPangloss。Thelatterflunghimselfatthefeetofhisdeliverer,andbathedhimwithhistears;

  theformerthankedhimwithagraciousnod,andpromisedtoreturnhimthemoneythefirstopportunity。

  \"Butisitpossible\",saidhe,\"thatmysistershouldbeinTurkey?\"

  \"Nothingismorepossible\",answeredCacambo,\"forshescoursthedishesinthehouseofaTransylvanianprince。\"

  CandidesentdirectlyfortwoJews,andsoldmorediamondstothem;andthenhesetoutwithhiscompanionsinanothergalley,todeliverMissCunegondefromslavery。

  chapter28CHAPTERXXVIII

  WHATBEFELLCANDIDE,CUNEGONDE,PANGLOSS,MARTIN,ETC。

  Pardon\",saidCandidetotheBaron;\"oncemoreletmeentreatyourpardon,ReverendFather,forrunningyouthroughthebody。\"

  \"Saynomoreaboutit\",repliedtheBaron。\"IwasalittletoohastyImustown;butasyouseemtobedesiroustoknowbywhataccidentIcametobeaslaveonboardthegalleywhereyousawme,Iwillinformyou。AfterIhadbeencuredofthewoundyougaveme,bytheCollegeapothecary,IwasattackedandcarriedoffbyapartyofSpanishtroops,whoclappedmeinprisoninBuenosAyres,attheverytimemysisterwassettingoutfromthere。IaskedleavetoreturntoRome,tothegeneralofmyOrder,whoappointedmechaplaintotheFrenchAmbassadoratConstantinople。

  Ihadnotbeenaweekinmynewoffice,whenIhappenedtomeetoneeveningayoungIcoglan,extremelyhandsomeandwell-made。Theweatherwasveryhot;theyoungmanhadaninclinationtobathe。Itooktheopportunitytobathelikewise。IdidnotknowitwasacrimeforaChristiantobefoundnakedincompanywithayoungTurk。Acadiorderedmetoreceiveahundredblowsonthesolesofmyfeet,andsentmetothegalleys。Idonotbelievethattherewaseveranactofmoreflagrantinjustice。

  ButIwouldfainknowhowmysistercametobeasculliontoaTransylvanianprince,whohastakenrefugeamongtheTurks?\"

  \"ButhowhappensitthatIbeholdyouagain,mydearPangloss?\"

  saidCandide。

  \"Itistrue\",answeredPangloss,\"yousawmehanged,thoughIoughtproperlytohavebeenburned;butyoumayremember,thatitrainedextremelyhardwhentheyweregoingtoroastme。Thestormwassoviolentthattheyfounditimpossibletolightthefire;sotheyhangedmebecausetheycoulddonobetter。Asurgeonpurchasedmybody,carriedithome,andpreparedtodissectme。Hebeganbymakingacrucialincisionfrommynaveltotheclavicle。ItisimpossibleforanyonetohavebeenmorelamelyhangedthanIhadbeen。Theexecutionerwasasubdeacon,andknewhowtoburnpeopleverywell,butasforhanging,hewasanoviceatit,beingquiteoutofpractice;thecordbeingwet,andnotslippingproperly,thenoosedidnotjoin。Inshort,Istillcontinuedtobreathe;

  thecrucialincisionmademescreamtosuchadegree,thatmysurgeonfellflatuponhisback;

  andimaginingitwastheDevilhewasdissecting,ranaway,andinhisfrighttumbleddownstairs。Hiswifehearingthenoise,flewfromthenextroom,andseeingmestretcheduponthetablewithmycrucialincision,wasstillmoreterrifiedthanherhusband,andfelluponhim。Whentheyhadalittlerecoveredthemselves,Iheardhersaytoherhusband,’Mydear,howcouldyouthinkofdissectingaheretic?Don’tyouknowthattheDevilisalwaysinthem?I’llrundirectlytoapriesttocomeanddrivetheevilspiritout。’I

  trembledfromheadtofootathearinghertalkinthismanner,andexertedwhatlittlestrengthIhadlefttocryout,’Havemercyonme!’AtlengththePortuguesebarbertookcourage,sewedupmywound,andhiswifenursedme;andIwasuponmylegsinafortnight’stime。ThebarbergotmeaplacetobelackeytoaKnightofMalta,whowasgoingtoVenice;

  butfindingmymasterhadnomoneytopaymemywages,IenteredintotheserviceofaVenetianmerchantandwentwithhimtoConstantinople。

  \"OnedayIhappenedtoenteramosque,whereIsawnoonebutanoldmanandaveryprettyyoungfemaledevotee,whowastellingherbeads;herneckwasquitebare,andinherbosomshehadabeautifulnosegayoftulips,roses,anemones,ranunculuses,hyacinths,andauriculas;sheletfallhernosegay。Iranimmediatelytotakeitup,andpresentedittoherwithamostrespectfulbow。Iwassolongindeliveringitthatthemanbegantobeangry;and,perceivingIwasaChristian,hecriedoutforhelp;theycarriedmebeforethecadi,whoorderedmetoreceiveonehundredbastinadoes,andsentmetothegalleys。IwaschainedintheverygalleyandtotheverysamebenchwiththeBaron。OnboardthisgalleytherewerefouryoungmenbelongingtoMarseilles,fiveNeapolitanpriests,andtwomonksofCorfu,whotoldusthatthelikeadventureshappenedeveryday。TheBaronpretendedthathehadbeenworseusedthanmyself;andIinsistedthattherewasfarlessharmintakingupanosegay,andputtingitintoawoman’sbosom,thantobefoundstarknakedwithayoungIcoglan。Wewerecontinuallywhipped,andreceivedtwentylashesadaywithaheavythong,whentheconcatenationofsublunaryeventsbroughtyouonboardourgalleytoransomusfromslavery。\"

  \"Well,mydearPangloss\",saidCandidetohim,\"whenYouwerehanged,dissected,whipped,andtuggingattheoar,didyoucontinuetothinkthateverythinginthisworldhappensforthebest?\"

  \"Ihavealwaysabidedbymyfirstopinion\",answeredPangloss;

  \"for,afterall,Iamaphilosopher,anditwouldnotbecomemetoretractmysentiments;especiallyasLeibnitzcouldnotbeinthewrong:andthatpreestablishedharmonyisthefinestthingintheworld,aswellasaplenumandthemateriasubtilis。\"

  chapter29CHAPTERXXIX

  INWHATMANNERCANDIDEFOUNDMISSCUNEGONDE

  ANDTHEOLDWOMANAGAIN

  WhileCandide,theBaron,Pangloss,Martin,andCacambo,wererelatingtheirseveraladventures,andreasoningonthecontingentornoncontingenteventsofthisworld;oncausesandeffects;onmoralandphysicalevil;onfreewillandnecessity;andontheconsolationthatmaybefeltbyapersonwhenaslaveandchainedtoanoarinaTurkishgalley,theyarrivedatthehouseoftheTransylvanianprinceontheshoresofthePropontis。Thefirstobjectstheybeheldthere,wereMissCunegondeandtheoldwoman,whowerehangingsometableclothsonalinetodry。

  TheBaronturnedpaleatthesight。EventhetenderCandide,thataffectionatelover,uponseeinghisfairCunegondeallsunburned,withblearyeyes,awitheredneck,wrinkledfaceandarms,allcoveredwitharedscurf,startedbackwithhorror;but,notwithstanding,recoveringhimself,headvancedtowardsheroutofgoodmanners。SheembracedCandideandherbrother;theyembracedtheoldwoman,andCandideransomedthemboth。

  TherewasasmallfarmintheneighborhoodwhichtheoldwomanproposedtoCandidetomakeshiftwithtillthecompanyshouldmeetwithamorefavorabledestiny。Cunegonde,notknowingthatshewasgrownugly,asnoonehadinformedherofit,remindedCandideofhispromiseinsoperemptoryamanner,thatthesimpleladdidnotdaretorefuseher;hethenacquaintedtheBaronthathewasgoingtomarryhissister。

  \"Iwillneversuffer\",saidtheBaron,\"mysistertobeguiltyofanactionsoderogatorytoherbirthandfamily;norwillIbearthisinsolenceonyourpart。No,IneverwillbereproachedthatmynephewsarenotqualifiedforthefirstecclesiasticaldignitiesinGermany;norshallasisterofmineeverbethewifeofanypersonbelowtherankofBaronoftheEmpire。\"

  Cunegondeflungherselfatherbrother’sfeet,andbedewedthemwithhertears;buthestillcontinuedinflexible。

  \"Thoufoolishfellow,saidCandide,\"haveInotdeliveredtheefromthegalleys,paidthyransom,andthysister’s,too,whowasascullion,andisveryugly,andyetcondescendtomarryher?andshaltthoupretendtoopposethematch!IfIweretolistenonlytothedictatesofmyanger,I

  shouldkilltheeagain。\"

  \"Thoumayestkillmeagain\",saidtheBaron;\"butthoushaltnotmarrymysisterwhileIamliving。\"

  chapter30CHAPTERXXX

  CONCLUSION

  Candidehad,intruth,nogreatinclinationtomarryMissCunegonde;buttheextremeimpertinenceoftheBarondeterminedhimtoconcludethematch;

  andCunegondepressedhimsowarmly,thathecouldnotrecant。HeconsultedPangloss,Martin,andthefaithfulCacambo。

  Panglosscomposedafinememorial,bywhichheprovedthattheBaronhadnorightoverhissister;andthatshemight,accordingtoallthelawsoftheEmpire,marryCandidewiththelefthand。MartinconcludedtothrowtheBaronintothesea;CacambodecidedthathemustbedeliveredtotheTurkishcaptainandsenttothegalleys;afterwhichheshouldbeconveyedbythefirstshiptotheFatherGeneralatRome。Thisadvicewasfoundtobegood;theoldwomanapprovedofit,andnotasyllablewassaidtohissister;thebusinesswasexecutedforalittlemoney;andtheyhadthepleasureoftrickingaJesuit,andpunishingtheprideofaGermanbaron。

  Itwasaltogethernaturaltoimagine,thatafterundergoingsomanydisasters,Candide,marriedtohismistressandlivingwiththephilosopherPangloss,thephilosopherMartin,theprudentCacambo,andtheoldwoman,havingbesidesbroughthomesomanydiamondsfromthecountryoftheancientIncas,wouldleadthemostagreeablelifeintheworld。ButhehadbeensorobbedbytheJews,thathehadnothingleftbuthislittlefarm;

  hiswife,everydaygrowingmoreandmoreugly,becameheadstrongandinsupportable;theoldwomanwasinfirm,andmoreill-naturedyetthanCunegonde。Cacambo,whoworkedinthegarden,andcarriedtheproduceofittosellinConstantinople,wasabovehislabor,andcursedhisfate。

  PanglossdespairedofmakingafigureinanyoftheGermanuniversities。

  AndastoMartin,hewasfirmlypersuadedthatapersonisequallyill-situatedeverywhere。Hetookthingswithpatience。

  Candide,Martin,andPanglossdisputedsometimesaboutmetaphysicsandmorality。Boatswereoftenseenpassingunderthewindowsofthefarmladenwitheffendis,bashaws,andcadis,thatweregoingintobanishmenttoLemnos,MytileneandErzerum。Andothercadis,bashaws,andeffendiswereseencomingbacktosucceedtheplaceoftheexiles,andweredrivenoutintheirturns。Theysawseveralheadscuriouslystuckuponpoles,andcarriedaspresentstotheSublimePorte。Suchsightsgaveoccasiontofrequentdissertations;andwhennodisputeswereinprogress,theirksomenesswassoexcessivethattheoldwomanventuredonedaytotellthem:

  \"Iwouldbegladtoknowwhichisworst,toberavishedahundredtimesbyNegropirates,tohaveonebuttockcutoff,torunthegauntletamongtheBulgarians,tobewhippedandhangedatanauto-da-fe,tobedissected,tobechainedtoanoarinagalley;and,inshort,toexperienceallthemiseriesthroughwhicheveryoneofushathpassed,ortoremainheredoingnothing?\"

  \"This\",saidCandide,\"isagrandquestion。\"

  Thisdiscoursegavebirthtonewreflections,andMartinespeciallyconcludedthatmanwasborntoliveintheconvulsionsofdisquiet,orinthelethargyofidleness。ThoughCandidedidnotabsolutelyagreetothis,yethedidnotdetermineanythingonthathead。Panglossavowedthathehadundergonedreadfulsufferings;buthavingoncemaintainedthateverythingwentonaswellaspossible,hestillmaintainedit,andatthesametimebelievednothingofit。

  TherewasonethingwhichmorethaneverconfirmedMartininhisdetestableprinciples,madeCandidehesitate,andembarrassedPangloss,whichwasthearrivalofPacquetteandBrotherGirofleeonedayattheirfarm。Thiscouplehadbeenintheutmostdistress;theyhadveryspeedilymadeawaywiththeirthreethousandpiastres;theyhadparted,beenreconciled;quarreledagain,beenthrownintoprison;

  hadmadetheirescape,andatlastBrotherGirofleehadturnedTurk。

  Pacquettestillcontinuedtofollowhertrade;butshegotlittleornothingbyit。

  \"Iforesawverywell\",saidMartintoCandide\"thatyourpresentswouldsoonbesquandered,andonlymakethemmoremiserable。YouandCacambohavespentmillionsofpiastres,andyetyouarenotmorehappythanBrotherGirofleeandPacquette。\"

  \"Ah!\"saidPanglosstoPacquette,\"itisHeaventhathasbroughtyouhereamongus,mypoorchild!Doyouknowthatyouhavecostmethetipofmynose,oneeye,andoneear?Whatahandsomeshapeishere!

  andwhatisthisworld!\"

  Thisnewadventureengagedthemmoredeeplythaneverinphilosophicaldisputations。

  IntheneighborhoodlivedafamousdervishwhopassedforthebestphilosopherinTurkey;theywenttoconsulthim:Pangloss,whowastheirspokesman,addressedhimthus:

  \"Master,wecometoentreatyoutotelluswhysostrangeananimalasmanhasbeenformed?\"

  \"Whydoyoutroubleyourheadaboutit?\"saidthedervish;

  \"isitanybusinessofyours?\"

  \"But,ReverendFather\",saidCandide,\"thereisahorribledealofevilontheearth。\"

  \"Whatsignifiesit\",saidthedervish,\"whetherthereisevilorgood?WhenHisHighnesssendsashiptoEgyptdoeshetroublehisheadwhethertheratsinthevesselareattheireaseornot?\"

  \"Whatmustthenbedone?\"saidPangloss。

  \"Besilent\",answeredthedervish。

  \"Iflatteredmyself\",repliedPangloss,\"tohavereasonedalittlewithyouonthecausesandeffects,onthebestofpossibleworlds,theoriginofevil,thenatureofthesoul,andapre-establishedharmony。\"

  Atthesewordsthedervishshutthedoorintheirfaces。

  Duringthisconversation,newswasspreadabroadthattwoviziersofthebenchandthemuftihadjustbeenstrangledatConstantinople,andseveraloftheirfriendsimpaled。Thiscatastrophemadeagreatnoiseforsomehours。Pangloss,Candide,andMartin,astheywerereturningtothelittlefarm,metwithagood-lookingoldman,whowastakingtheairathisdoor,underanalcoveformedoftheboughsoforangetrees。

  Pangloss,whowasasinquisitiveashewasdisputative,askedhimwhatwasthenameofthemuftiwhowaslatelystrangled。

  \"Icannottell\",answeredthegoodoldman;\"Ineverknewthenameofanymufti,orvizierbreathing。Iamentirelyignorantoftheeventyouspeakof;I

  presumethatingeneralsuchasareconcernedinpublicaffairssometimescometoamiserableend;andthattheydeserveit:butIneverinquirewhatisdoingatConstantinople;Iamcontentedwithsendingthithertheproduceofmygarden,whichIcultivatewithmyownhands。\"

  Aftersayingthesewords,heinvitedthestrangerstocomeintohishouse。

  Histwodaughtersandtwosonspresentedthemwithdiverssortsofsherbetoftheirownmaking;besidescaymac,heightenedwiththepeelsofcandiedcitrons,oranges,lemons,pineapples,pistachionuts,andMochacoffeeunadulteratedwiththebadcoffeeofBataviaortheAmericanislands。AfterwhichthetwodaughtersofthisgoodMussulmanperfumedthebeardsofCandide,Pangloss,andMartin。

  \"Youmustcertainlyhaveavastestate\",saidCandidetotheTurk。

  \"Ihavenomorethantwentyacresofground\",hereplied,\"thewholeofwhichIcultivatemyselfwiththehelpofmychildren;

  andourlaborkeepsofffromusthreegreatevils-idleness,vice,andwant。\"

  Candide,ashewasreturninghome,madeprofoundreflectionsontheTurk’sdiscourse。

  \"Thisgoodoldman\",saidhetoPanglossandMartin,\"appearstometohavechosenforhimselfalotmuchpreferabletothatofthesixKingswithwhomwehadthehonortosup。\"

  \"Humangrandeur\",saidPangloss,\"isverydangerous,ifwebelievethetestimoniesofalmostallphilosophers;forwefindEglon,KingofMoab,wasassassinatedbyAod;Absalomwashangedbythehairofhishead,andrunthroughwiththreedarts;KingNadab,sonofJeroboam,wasslainbyBaaza;KingElabyZimri;OkosiasbyJehu;AthaliahbyJehoiada;theKingsJehooiakim,Jeconiah,andZedekiah,wereledintocaptivity:IneednottellyouwhatwasthefateofCroesus,Astyages,Darius,DionysiusofSyracuse,Pyrrhus,Perseus,Hannibal,Jugurtha,Ariovistus,Caesar,Pompey,Nero,Otho,Vitellius,Domitian,RichardIIofEngland,EdwardII,HenryVI,RichardIll,MaryStuart,CharlesI,thethreeHenrysofFrance,andtheEmperorHenryIV。\"

  \"Neitherneedyoutellme\",saidCandide,\"thatwemusttakecareofourgarden。\"

  \"Youareintheright\",saidPangloss;\"forwhenmanwasputintothegardenofEden,itwaswithanintenttodressit;andthisprovesthatmanwasnotborntobeidle。\"

  \"Workthenwithoutdisputing\",saidMartin;\"itistheonlywaytorenderlifesupportable。\"

  Thelittlesociety,oneandall,enteredintothislaudabledesignandsetthemselvestoexerttheirdifferenttalents。Thelittlepieceofgroundyieldedthemaplentifulcrop。Cunegondeindeedwasveryugly,butshebecameanexcellenthandatpastrywork:Pacquetteembroidered;theoldwomanhadthecareofthelinen。Therewasnone,downtoBrotherGiroflee,butdidsomeservice;hewasaverygoodcarpenter,andbecameanhonestman。

  PanglossusednowandthentosaytoCandide:

  \"Thereisaconcatenationofalleventsinthebestofpossibleworlds;for,inshort,hadyounotbeenkickedoutofafinecastlefortheloveofMissCunegonde;hadyounotbeenputintotheInquisition;

  hadyounottraveledoverAmericaonfoot;hadyounotruntheBaronthroughthebody;andhadyounotlostallyoursheep,whichyoubroughtfromthegoodcountryofElDorado,youwouldnothavebeenheretoeatpreservedcitronsandpistachionuts。\"

  \"Excellentlyobserved\",answeredCandide;\"butwemustcultivateourgarden。\"

点击下载App,搜索"Candide",免费读到尾