第3章
加入书架 A- A+
点击下载App,搜索"From This World to the Next",免费读到尾

  \"But,prudentasthisladywas,shemadememiserable。Herpersonwasfarfrombeinglovely,buthertemperwasintolerable。

  Duringfifteenyears’habitation,Ineverpassedasingledaywithoutheartilycursingher,andthehourinwhichwecametogether。TheonlycomfortIreceived,inthemidstofthehighesttorments,wasfromcontinuallyhearingtheprudenceofmymatchcommendedbyallmyacquaintance。

  \"Thusyousee,intheaffairsoflove,Iboughtthereputationofwisdomprettydear。InothermattersIhaditsomewhatcheaper;

  notthathypocrisy,whichwasthepriceIgaveforit,givesonenopain。Ihaverefusedmyselfathousandlittleamusementswithafeignedcontempt,whileIhavereallyhadaninclinationtothem。Ihaveoftenalmostchokedmyselftorestrainfromlaughingatajest,and(whichwasperhapstomyselftheleasthurtfulofallmyhypocrisy)haveheartilyenjoyedabookinmyclosetwhichIhavespokenwithdetestationofinpublic。Tosumupmyhistoryinshort,asIhadfewadventuresworthremembering,mywholelifewasoneconstantlie;andhappywouldithavebeenformeifIcouldasthoroughlyhaveimposedonmyselfasIdidonothers:forreflection,ateveryturn,wouldoftenremindmeIwasnotsowiseaspeoplethoughtme;andthisconsiderablyembitteredthepleasureIreceivedfromthepubliccommendationofmywisdom。Thisself—admonition,likeamementomoriormortalises,mustbe,inmyopinion,averydangerousenemytoflattery:indeed,aweightsufficienttocounterbalanceallthefalsepraiseoftheworld。Butwhetheritbethatthegeneralityofwisemendonotreflectatall,orwhethertheyhave,fromaconstantimpositiononothers,contractedsuchahabitofdeceitastodeceivethemselves,Iwillnotdetermine:

  itis,Ibelieve,mostcertainthatveryfewwisemenknowthemselveswhatfoolstheyare,morethantheworlddoth。Goodgods!couldonebutseewhatpassesintheclosetofwisdom!howridiculousasightmustitbetobeholdthewiseman,whodespisesgratifyinghispalate,devouringcustard;thesoberwisemanwithhisdram—bottle;or,theanti—carnalist(ifImaybeallowedtheexpression)chucklingoverab——dybookorpicture,andperhapscaressinghishouse—maid!

  \"ButtoconcludeacharacterinwhichIapprehendImadeasabsurdafigureasinanyinwhichItrodthestageofearth,mywisdomatlastbutanendtoitself,thatis,occasionedmydissolution。

  \"Arelationofmineintheeasternpartoftheempiredisinheritedhisson,andleftmehisheir。Thishappenedinthedepthofwinter,whenIwasinmygrandclimacteric,andhadjustrecoveredofadangerousdisease。AsIhadallthereasonimaginabletoapprehendthefamilyofthedeceasedwouldconspireagainstme,andembezzleasmuchastheycould,Iadvisedwithagraveandwisefriendwhatwaspropertobedone;whetherI

  shouldgomyself,oremployanotaryonthisoccasion,anddefermyjourneytothespring。Tosaythetruth,Iwasmostinclinedtothelatter;theratherasmycircumstanceswereextremelyflourishing,asIwasadvancedinyears,andhadnotonepersonintheworldtowhomIshouldwithpleasurebequeathanyfortuneatmydeath。

  \"Myfriendtoldmehethoughtmyquestionadmittedofnomannerofdoubtordebate;thatcommonprudenceabsolutelyrequiredmyimmediatedeparture;adding,thatifthesamegoodluckhadhappenedtohimhewouldhavebeenalreadyonhisjourney;’for,’

  continuedhe,’amanwhoknowstheworldsowellasyou,wouldbeinexcusabletogivepersonssuchanopportunityofcheatingyou,who,youmustbeassured,willbetoowellinclined;andasforemployinganotary,rememberthatexcellentmaxim,Nefaciasperalium,quodfieripotestperte。Iownthebadnessoftheseasonandyourverylaterecoveryareunluckycircumstances;butawisemanmustgetoverdifficultieswhennecessityobligeshimtoencounterthem。’

  \"Iwasimmediatelydeterminedbythisopinion。Thedutyofawisemanmadeanirresistibleimpression,andItookthenecessityforgrantedwithoutexamination。Iaccordinglysetforwardthenextmorning;verytempestuousweathersoonovertookme;IhadnottraveledthreedaysbeforeIrelapsedintomyfever,anddied。

  \"IwasnowascruellydisappointedbyMinosasIhadformerlybeenhappilyso。Iadvancedwiththeutmostconfidencetothegate,andreallyimaginedIshouldhavebeenadmittedbythewisdomofmycountenance,evenwithoutanyquestionsasked:butthiswasnotmycase;and,tomygreatsurprise,Minos,withamenacingvoice,calledouttome,’YouMr。there,withthegravecountenance,whithersofast,pray?Willyouplease,beforeyoumoveanyfartherforwards,togivemeashortaccountofyourtransactionsbelow?’Ithenbegan,andrecountedtohimmywholehistory,stillexpectingattheendofeveryperiodthatthegatewouldbeorderedtoflyopen;butIwasobligedtogoquitethroughwithit,andthenMinosaftersomelittleconsiderationspoketomeasfollows:——

  \"’You,Mr。Wiseman,standforthifyouplease。Believeme,sir,atripbackagaintoearthwillbeoneofthewiseststepsyouevertook,andreallymoretothehonorofyourwisdomthananyyouhavehithertotaken。Ontheotherside,nothingcouldbesimplerthantoendeavoratElysium;forwhobutafoolwouldcarryacommodity,whichisofsuchinfinitevalueinoneplace,intoanotherwhereitisofnone?But,withoutattemptingtooffendyourgravitywithajest,youmustreturntotheplacefromwhenceyoucame,forElysiumwasneverdesignedforthosewhoaretoowisetobehappy。’

  \"Thissentenceconfoundedmegreatly,especiallyasitseemedtothreatenmewithcarryingmywisdombackagaintoearth。Itoldthejudge,thoughhewouldnotadmitmeatthegate,IhopedI

  hadcommittednocrimewhilealivewhichmeritedmybeingwiseanylonger。Heansweredme,Imusttakemychanceastothatmatter,andimmediatelyweturnedourbackstoeachother。\"

  CHAPTERXVII

  Julianentersintothepersonofaking。

  \"IwasnowbornatOviedoinSpain。Myfather’snamewasVeremond,andIwasadoptedbymyunclekingAlphonsothechaste。

  Idon’trecollectinallthepilgrimagesIhavemadeonearththatIeverpassedamoremiserableinfancythannow;beingundertheutmostconfinementandrestraint,andsurroundedwithphysicianswhowereeverdosingme,andtutorswhowerecontinuallyplaguingmewiththeirinstructions;eventhosehoursofleisurewhichmyinclinationwouldhavespentinplaywereallottedtotediouspompandceremony,which,atanagewhereinI

  hadnoambitiontoenjoytheservilityofcourtiers,enslavedmemorethanitcouldthemeanestofthem。However,asIadvancedtowardsmanhood,myconditionmademesomeamends;forthemostbeautifulwomenoftheirownaccordthrewoutluresforme,andI

  hadthehappiness,whichnomaninaninferiordegreecanarriveat,ofenjoyingthemostdeliciouscreatures,withoutthepreviousandtiresomeceremoniesofcourtship,unlesswiththemostsimple,youngandunexperienced。Asforthecourtladies,theyregardedmeratherasmendothemostlovelyoftheothersex;and,thoughtheyoutwardlyretainedsomeappearanceofmodesty,theyinrealityratherconsideredthemselvesasreceivingthanconferringfavors。

  \"AnotherhappinessIenjoyedwasinconferringfavorsofanothersort;for,asIwasextremelygood—naturedandgenerous,soIhaddailyopportunitiesofsatisfyingthosepassions。Besidesmyownprincelyallowance,whichwasverybountiful,andwithwhichI

  didmanyliberalandgoodactions,Irecommendednumberlesspersonsofmeritindistresstotheking’snotice,mostofwhomwereprovidedfor。Indeed,hadIsufficientlyknownmyblessedsituationatthistime,IshouldhavegrievedatnothingmorethanthedeathofAlphonso,bywhichtheburdenofgovernmentdevolveduponme;but,soblindlyfondisambition,andsuchcharmsdothitfancyinthepowerandpompandsplendorofacrown,that,thoughIvehementlylovedthatking,andhadthegreatestobligationstohim,thethoughtsofsucceedinghimobliteratedmyregretathisloss,andthewishformyapproachingcoronationdriedmyeyesathisfuneral。

  \"ButmyfondnessforthenameofkingdidnotmakemeforgetfulofthoseoverwhomIwastoreign。Iconsideredtheminthelightinwhichatenderfatherregardshischildren,aspersonswhosewellbeingGodhadintrustedtomycare;andagain,inthatinwhichaprudentlordrespectshistenants,asthoseonwhosewealthandgrandeurheistobuildhisown。Boththeseconsiderationsinspiredmewiththegreatestcarefortheirwelfare,andtheirgoodwasmyfirstandultimateconcern。

  \"TheusurperMauregashadimpiouslyobligedhimselfandhissuccessorstopaytotheMoorseveryyearaninfamoustributeofanhundredyoungvirgins:fromthiscruelandscandalousimpositionIresolvedtorelievemycountry。Accordingly,whentheiremperorAbderamesthesecondhadtheaudaciousnesstomakethisdemandofme,insteadofcomplyingwithitIorderedhisambassadorstobedrivenawaywithallimaginableignominy,andwouldhavecondemnedthemtodeath,couldIhavedoneitwithoutamanifestviolationofthelawofnations。

  \"Inowraisedanimmensearmy;atthelevyingofwhichImadeaspeechfrommythrone,acquaintingmysubjectswiththenecessityandthereasonsofthewarinwhichIwasgoingtoengage:whichIconvincedthemIhadundertakenfortheireaseandsafety,andnotforsatisfyinganywantonambition,orrevenginganyprivatepiqueofmyown。Theyalldeclaredunanimouslythattheywouldventuretheirlivesandeverythingdeartotheminmydefense,andinthesupportofthehonorofmycrown。Accordingly,mylevieswereinstantlycomplete,sufficientnumbersbeingonlylefttotilltheland;churchmen,evenbishopsthemselves,enlistingthemselvesundermybanners。

  \"ThearmiesmetatAlvelda,wherewewerediscomfitedwithimmenseloss,andnothingbuttheluckyinterventionofthenightcouldhavesavedourwholearmy。

  \"Iretreatedtothesummitofahill,whereIabandonedmyselftothehighestagoniesofgrief,notsomuchforthedangerinwhichIthensawmycrown,asforthelossofthosemiserablewretcheswhohadexposedtheirlivesatmycommand。Icouldnotthenavoidthisreflection——that,ifthedeathsofthesepeopleinawarundertakenabsolutelyfortheirprotectioncouldgivemesuchconcern,whathorrormustIhavefeltif,likeprincesgreedyofdominion,Ihadsacrificedsuchnumberstomyownpride,vanity,andridiculouslustofpower。

  \"Afterhavingventedmysorrowsforsometimeinthismanner,I

  begantoconsiderbywhatmeansImightpossiblyendeavortoretrievethismisfortune;when,reflectingonthegreatnumberofpriestsIhadinmyarmy,andontheprodigiousforceofsuperstition,athoughtluckilysuggesteditselftome,tocounterfeitthatSt。Jameshadappearedtomeinavision,andhadpromisedmethevictory。WhileIwasruminatingonthisthebishopofNajaracameopportunelytome。AsIdidnotintendtocommunicatethesecrettohim,Itookanothermethod,and,insteadofansweringanythingthebishopsaidtome,IpretendedtotalktoSt。James,asifhehadbeenreallypresent;tillatlength,afterhavingspokethosethingswhichIthoughtsufficient,andthankedthesaintaloudforhispromiseofthevictory,Iturnedabouttothebishop,and,embracinghimwithapleasedcountenance,protestedIdidnotknowhewaspresent;andthen,informinghimofthissupposedvision,Iaskedhimifhehadnothimselfseenthesaint?Heansweredmehehad;andafterwardsproceededtoassuremethatthisappearanceofSt。

  Jameswasentirelyowingtohisprayers;forthathewashistutelarsaint。Headdedhehadavisionofhimafewhoursbefore,whenhepromisedhimavictoryovertheinfidels,andacquaintedhimatthesametimeofthevacancyoftheseeofToledo。Now,thisnewsbeingreallytrue,thoughithadhappenedsolatelythatIhadnotheardofit(nor,indeed,wasitwellpossibleIshould,consideringthegreatdistanceoftheway),whenIwasafterwardsacquaintedwithit,alittlestaggeredme,thoughfarfrombeingsuperstitious;tillbeinginformedthatthebishophadlostthreehorsesonalateexpedition,Iwassatisfied。

  \"Thenextmorning,thebishop,atmydesire,mountedtherostrum,andtrumpetedforththisvisionsoeffectually,whichhesaidhehadthateveningtwiceseenwithhisowneyes,thataspiritbegantobeinfusedthroughthewholearmywhichrenderedthemsuperiortoalmostanyforce:thebishopinsistedthattheleastdoubtofsuccesswasgivingthelietothesaint,andadamnablesin,andhetookuponhiminhisnametopromisethemvictory。

  \"Thearmybeingdrawnout,Isoonexperiencedtheeffectofenthusiasm,for,havingcontrivedanotherstratagem[9]tostrengthenwhatthebishophadsaid,thesoldiersfoughtmorelikefuriesthanmen。Mystratagemwasthis:Ihadaboutmeadexterousfellow,whohadbeenformerlyapimpinmyamours。HimIdressedupinastrangeanticdress,withapairofwhitecolorsinhisrighthand,aredcrossinhisleft,andhavingdisguisedhimsothatnoonecouldknowhim,Iplacedhimonawhitehorse,andorderedhimtoridetotheheadofthearmy,andcryout,’FollowSt。James!’Thesewordswerereiteratedbyallthetroops,whoattackedtheenemywithsuchintrepidity,that,notwithstandingourinferiorityofnumbers,wesoonobtainedacompletevictory。

  [9]Thissillystoryistoldasasolemntruth(i。e。,thatSt。

  Jamesreallyappearedinthemannerthisfellowisdescribed)byMariana,1。7,Section78。

  \"Thebishopwascomeupbythetimethattheenemywasrouted,and,acquaintingusthathehadmetSt。Jamesbytheway,andthathehadinformedhimofwhathadpassed,headdedthathehadexpressordersfromthesainttoreceiveaconsiderablesumforhisuse,andthatacertaintaxoncornandwineshouldbesettledonhischurchforever;andlastly,thatahorseman’spayshouldbeallowedforthefuturetothesainthimself,ofwhichheandhissuccessorswereappointedreceivers。ThearmyreceivedthesedemandswithsuchacclamationsthatIwasobligedtocomplywiththem,asIcouldbynomeansdiscovertheimposition,nordoIbelieveIshouldhavegainedanycreditifI

  had。

  \"Ihadnowdonewiththesaint,butthebishophadnot;foraboutaweekafterwardslightswereseeninawoodnearwherethebattlewasfought;andinashorttimeafterwardstheydiscoveredhistombatthesameplace。Uponthisthebishopmademeavisit,andforcedmetogothither,tobuildachurchtohim,andlargelyendowit。Inaword,thegoodmansoplaguedmewithmiracleaftermiracle,thatIwasforcedtomakeinterestwiththepopetoconveyhimtoToledo,togetridofhim。

  \"Buttoproceedtoothermatters。——Therewasaninferiorofficer,whohadbehavedverybravelyinthebattleagainsttheMoors,andhadreceivedseveralwounds,whosolicitedmeforpreferment;

  whichIwasabouttoconferonhim,whenoneofmyministerscametomeinafright,andtoldmethathehadpromisedthepostI

  designedforthismantothesonofcountAlderedo;andthatthecount,whowasapowerfulperson,wouldbegreatlydisobligedattherefusal,ashehadsentforhissonfromschooltotakepossessionofit。Iwasobligedtoagreewithmyminister’sreasons,andatthesametimerecommendedthewoundedsoldiertobepreferredbyhim,whichhefaithfullypromisedhewould;butI

  metthepoorwretchsinceinElysium,whoinformedmehewasafterwardsstarvedtodeath。

  \"Nonewhohathnotbeenhimselfaprince,noranyprincetillhisdeath,canconceivetheimpositionsdailyputonthembytheirfavoritesandministers;sothatprincesareoftenblamedforthefaultsofothers。ThecountofSaldagnehadbeenlongconfinedinprison,whenhisson,D。BernarddelCarpio,whohadperformedthegreatestactionsagainsttheMoors,entreatedme,asarewardforhisservice,togranthimhisfather’sliberty。

  Theoldman’spunishmenthadbeensotedious,andtheservicesoftheyoungonesosingularlyeminent,thatIwasveryinclinabletogranttherequest;butmyministersstronglyopposedit;theytoldmemyglorydemandedrevengeforthedishonorofferedtomyfamily;thatsopositiveademandcarriedwithitrathertheairofmenacethanentreaty;thatthevaindetailofhisservices,andtherecompenseduetothem,wasaninjuriousreproach;thattograntwhathadbeensohaughtilydemandedwouldargueinthemonarchbothweaknessandtimidity;inaword,thattoremitthepunishmentinflictedbymypredecessorswouldbetocondemntheirjudgment。Lastly,onetoldmeinawhisper,’Hiswholefamilyareenemiestoyourhouse。’Bythesemeanstheministersprevailed。Theyounglordtooktherefusalsoill,thatheretiredfromcourt,andabandonedhimselftodespair,whilsttheoldonelanguishedinprison。Bywhichmeans,asIhavesincediscovered,Ilosttheuseoftwoofmybestsubjects。

  \"Toconfessthetruth,Ihad,bymeansofmyministers,conceivedaveryunjustopinionofmywholepeople,whomIfanciedtobedailyconspiringagainstme,andtoentertainthemostdisloyalthoughts,when,inreality(asIhaveknownsincemydeath),theyheldmeinuniversalrespectandesteem。Thisisatrick,I

  believe,toooftenplayedwithsovereigns,who,bysuchmeans,arepreventedfromthatopenintercoursewiththeirsubjectswhich,asitwouldgreatlyendearthepersonoftheprincetothepeople,somightitoftenprovedangeroustoaministerwhowasconsultinghisowninterestonlyattheexpenseofboth。I

  believeIhavenowrecountedtoyouthemostmaterialpassagesofmylife;forIassureyoutherearesomeincidentsinthelivesofkingsnotextremelyworthrelating。Everythingwhichpassesintheirmindsandfamiliesisnotattendedwiththesplendorwhichsurroundstheirthrone——indeed,therearesomehourswhereinthenakedkingandthenakedcobblercanscarcebedistinguishedfromeachother。

  \"Haditnotbeen,however,formyingratitudetoBernarddelCarpio,Ibelievethiswouldhavebeenmylastpilgrimageonearth;for,astothestoryofSt。James,IthoughtMinoswouldhavebursthissidesatit;buthewassodispleasedwithmeontheotheraccount,that,withafrown,hecriedout,’Gettheebackagain,king。’Norwouldhesuffermetosayanotherword。\"

  CHAPTERXVIII

  Julianpassesintoafool。

  \"ThenextvisitImadetotheworldwasperformedinFrance,whereIwasborninthecourtofLewisIII,andhadafterwardsthehonortobepreferredtobefooltotheprince,whowassurnamedCharlestheSimple。But,inreality,IknownotwhetherImightsoproperlybesaidtohaveactedthefoolinhiscourtastohavemadefoolsofallothersinit。Certainitis,Iwasveryfarfrombeingwhatisgenerallyunderstoodbythatword,beingamostcunning,designing,archknave。Iknewverywellthefollyofmymaster,andofmanyothers,andhowtomakemyadvantageofthisknowledge。

  \"IwasasdeartoCharlestheSimpleastheplayerPariswastoDomitian,and,likehim,bestowedallmannerofofficesandhonorsonwhomIpleased。Thisdrewmeagreatnumberoffollowersamongthecourtiers,whoreallymistookmeforafool,andyetflatteredmyunderstanding。Therewasparticularlyinthecourtafellowwhohadneitherhonor,honesty,sense,wit,courage,beauty,norindeedanyonegoodquality,eitherofmindorbody,torecommendhim;butwasatthesametime,perhaps,ascunningamonsteraseverlived。Thisgentlemantookitintohisheadtolistundermybanner,andpursuedmesoveryassiduouslywithflattery,constantlyremindingmeofmygoodsense,thatI

  grewimmoderatelyfondofhim;forthoughflatteryisnotmostjudiciouslyappliedtoqualitieswhichthepersonsflatteredpossess,yetas,notwithstandingmybeingwellassuredofmyownparts,Ipassedinthewholecourtforafool,thisflatterywasaverysweetmorseltome。Ithereforegotthisfellowpreferredtoabishopric,butIlostmyflattererbyit;forheneverafterwardssaidacivilthingtome。

  \"Ineverbalkedmyimaginationforthegrossnessofthereflectiononthecharacterofthegreatestnoble——nay,eventhekinghimself;ofwhichIwillgiveyouaveryboldinstance。OnedayhissimplemajestytoldmehebelievedIhadsomuchpowerthathispeoplelookedonmeastheking,andhimselfasmyfool。

  AtthisIpretendedtobeangry,aswithanaffront。’Why,hownow?’saystheking;’areyouashamedofbeingaking?’’No,sir,’saysI,’butIamdevilishlyashamedofmyfool。’

  \"Herbert,earlofVermandois,hadbymymeansbeenrestoredtothefavoroftheSimple(forsoIusedalwaystocallCharles)。

  HeafterwardsprevailedwiththekingtotakethecityofArrasfromearlBaldwin,bywhichmeans,Herbert,inexchangeforthiscity,hadPeronnerestoredtohimbycountAltmar。Baldwincametocourtinordertoprocuretherestorationofhiscity;but,eitherthroughprideorignorance,neglectedtoapplytome。AsImethimatcourtduringhissolicitation,Itoldhimhedidnotapplytherightway;heansweredroughlyheshouldnotaskafool’sadvice。IrepliedIdidnotwonderathisprejudice,sincehehadmiscarriedalreadybyfollowingafool’sadvice;butItoldhimtherewerefoolswhohadmoreinterestthanthathehadbroughtwithhimtocourt。Heansweredmesurlilyhehadnofoolwithhim,forthathetraveledalone。’Ay,mylord,’saysI,’Ioftentravelalone,andyettheywillhaveitIalwayscarryafoolwithme。’Thisraisedalaughamongtheby—standers,onwhichhegavemeablow。IimmediatelycomplainedofthisusagetotheSimple,whodismissedtheearlfromcourtwithveryhardwords,insteadofgrantinghimthefavorhesolicited。

  \"Igiveyoutheseratherasaspecimenofmyinterestandimpudencethanofmywit——indeed,myjestswerecommonlymoreadmiredthantheyoughttobe;forperhapsIwasnotinrealitymuchmoreawitthanafool。But,withthelatitudeofunboundedscurrility,itiseasyenoughtoattainthecharacterofwit,especiallyinacourt,where,asallpersonshateandenvyoneanotherheartily,andareatthesametimeobligedbytheconstrainedbehaviorofcivilitytoprofessthegreatestliking,soitis,andmustbe,wonderfullypleasanttothemtoseethefolliesoftheiracquaintanceexposedbyathirdperson。

  Besides,theopinionofthecourtisasuniformasthefashion,andisalwaysguidedbythewilloftheprinceorofthefavorite。IdoubtnotthatCaligula’shorsewasuniversallyheldinhiscourttobeagoodandableconsul。InthesamemannerwasIuniversallyacknowledgedtobethewittiestfoolintheworld。EverywordIsaidraisedlaughter,andwasheldtobeajest,especiallybytheladies,whosometimeslaughedbeforeI

  haddiscoveredmysentiment,andoftenrepeatedthatasajestwhichIdidnotevenintendasone。

  \"Iwasassevereontheladiesasonthemen,andwiththesameimpunity;butthisatlastcostmedear:foroncehavingjokedonthebeautyofaladywhosenamewasAdelaide,afavoriteoftheSimple’s,shepretendedtosmileandbepleasedatmywitwiththerestofthecompany;butinrealityshehighlyresentedit,andendeavoredtounderminemewiththeking。Inwhichshesogreatlysucceeded(forwhatcannotafavoritewomandowithonewhodeservesthesurnameofSimple?)thatthekinggreweverydaymorereservedtome,andwhenIattemptedanyfreedomgavemesuchmarksofhisdispleasure,thatthecourtierswhohaveallhawks’eyesataslightfromthesovereign,soondiscernedit:

  andindeed,hadIbeenblindenoughnottohavediscoveredthatI

  hadlostgroundintheSimple’sfavorbyhisownchangeinhiscarriagetowardsme,Imusthavefoundit,nayevenfeltit,inthebehaviorofthecourtiers:for,asmycompanywastwodaysbeforesolicitedwiththeutmosteagerness,itwasnowrejectedwithasmuchscorn。Iwasnowthejestoftheushersandpages;

  andanofficeroftheguards,onwhomIwasalittlejocose,gavemeaboxontheear,biddingmemakefreewithmyequals。Thisveryfellowhadbeenmybuttformanyyears,withoutdaringtolifthishandagainstme。

  \"ButthoughIvisiblyperceivedthealterationintheSimple,I

  wasutterlyunabletomakeanyguessattheoccasion。IhadnottheleastsuspicionofAdelaide;for,besidesherbeingaverygood—humoredwoman,Ihadoftenmadeseverejestsonherreputation,whichIhadallthereasonimaginabletobelievehadgivenhernooffense。ButIsoonperceivedthatawomanwillbearthemostbittercensuresonhermoralseasierthanthesmallestreflectiononherbeauty;forshenowdeclaredpublicly,thatIoughttobedismissedfromcourt,asthestupidestoffools,andoneinwhomtherewasnodiversion;andthatshewonderedhowanypersoncouldhavesolittletasteastoimagineIhadanywit。Thisspeechwasechoedthroughthedrawing—room,andagreedtobyallpresent。EveryonenowputonanunusualgravityontheircountenancewheneverIspoke;anditwasasmuchoutofmypowertoraisealaughasformerlyithadbeenformetoopenmymouthwithoutone。

  \"WhilemyaffairswereinthispostureIwentonedayintothecirclewithoutmyfool’sdress。TheSimple,whowouldstillspeaktome,criedout,’So,fool,what’sthematternow?’

  ’Sir,’answeredI,’foolsareliketobesocommonacommodityatcourt,thatIamwearyofmycoat。’’Howdostthoumean?’

  answeredtheSimple;’whatcanmakethemcommonernowthanusual?’——’O,sir,’saidI,’thereareladiesheremakeyourmajestyafooleverydayoftheirlives。’TheSimpletooknonoticeofmyjest,andseveralpresentsaidmybonesoughttobebrokeformyimpudence;butitpleasedthequeen,who,knowingAdelaide,whomshehated,tobethecauseofmydisgrace,obtainedmeoftheking,andtookmeintoherservice;sothatI

  washenceforthcalledthequeen’sfool,andinhercourtreceivedthesamehonor,andhadasmuchwit,asIhadformerlyhadintheking’s。Butasthequeenhadreallynopowerunlessoverherowndomestics,Iwasnottreatedingeneralwiththatcomplacence,nordidIreceivethosebribesandpresents,whichhadoncefallentomyshare。

  \"Nordidthisconfinedrespectcontinuelong:forthequeen,whohadinfactnotasteforhumor,soongrewsickofmyfoolery,and,forgettingthecauseforwhichshehadtakenme,neglectedmesomuch,thathercourtgrewintolerabletomytemper,andI

  brokemyheartanddied。

  \"Minoslaughedheartilyatseveralthingsinmystory,andthen,tellingmenooneplayedthefoolinElysium,bidmegobackagain。\"

  CHAPTERXIX

  Julianappearsinthecharacterofabeggar。

  \"InowreturnedtoRome,andwasbornintoaverypoorandnumerousfamily,which,tobehonestwithyou,procureditslivelihoodbybegging。This,ifyouwasneveryourselfofthecalling,youdonotknow,Isuppose,tobeasregularatradeasanyother;tohaveitsseveralrulesandsecrets,ormysteries,whichtolearnrequireperhapsastediousanapprenticeshipasthoseofanycraftwhatever。

  \"Thefirstthingwearetaughtisthecountenancemiserable。

  Thisindeednaturemakesmucheasiertosomethanothers;buttherearenonewhocannotaccomplishit,iftheybeginearlyenoughinyouth,andbeforethemusclesaregrowntoostubborn。

  \"Thesecondthingisthevoicelamentable。Inthisqualificationtoo,naturemusthavehershareinproducingthemostconsummateexcellence:however,artwillhere,asineveryotherinstance,goagreatwaywithindustryandapplication,evenwithouttheassistanceofgenius,especiallyifthestudentbeginsyoung。

  \"Therearemanyotherinstructions,butthesearethemostconsiderable。Thewomenaretaughtonepracticemorethanthemen,fortheyareinstructedintheartofcrying,thatis,tohavetheirtearsreadyonalloccasions:butthisisattainedveryeasilybymost。Someindeedarriveattheutmostperfectioninthisartwithincrediblefacility。

  \"Noprofessionrequiresadeeperinsightintohumannaturethanthebeggar’s。Theirknowledgeofthepassionsofmenissoextensive,thatIhaveoftenthoughtitwouldbeofnolittleservicetoapoliticiantohavehiseducationamongthem。Nay,thereisamuchgreateranalogybetweenthesetwocharactersthanisimagined;forbothconcurintheirfirstandgrandprinciple,itbeingequallytheirbusinesstodeludeandimposeonmankind。

  Itmustbeconfessedthattheydifferwidelyinthedegreeofadvantagewhichtheymakebytheirdeceit;for,whereasthebeggariscontentedwithalittle,thepoliticianleavesbutalittlebehind。

  \"AverygreatEnglishphilosopherhathremarkedourpolicy,intakingcarenevertoaddressanyonewithatitleinferiortowhathereallyclaims。Myfatherwasofthesameopinion;forI

  rememberwhenIwasaboy,thepopehappeningtopassby,I

  tendedhimwith’Pray,sir;’’ForGod’ssake,sir;’’FortheLord’ssake,sir;’——Towhichheansweredgravely,’Sirrah,sirrah,yououghttobewhippedfortakingtheLord’snameinvain;’andinvainitwasindeed,forhegavemenothing。Myfather,overhearingthis,tookhisadvice,andwhippedmeveryseverely。WhileIwasundercorrectionIpromisedoftennevertotaketheLord’snameinvainanymore。Myfatherthensaid,’Child,Idonotwhipyoufortakinghisnameinvain;Iwhipyoufornotcallingthepopehisholiness。’

  \"Ifallmenweresowiseandgoodtofollowtheclergy’sexample,thenuisanceofbeggarswouldsoonberemoved。Idonotremembertohavebeenabovetwicerelievedbythemduringmywholestateofbeggary。Oncewasbyaverywell—lookingman,whogavemeasmallpieceofsilver,anddeclaredhehadgivenmemorethanhehadlefthimself;theotherwasbyaspruceyoungfellow,whohadthatverydayfirstputonhisrobes,whomIattendedwith’Pray,reverendsir,goodreverendsir,consideryourcloth。’Heanswered,’Ido,child,considermyoffice,andIhopeallourclothdothesame。’Hethenthrewdownsomemoney,andstruttedoffwithgreatdignity。

  \"WiththewomenIhadonegeneralformulary:’Sweetprettylady,’’Godblessyourladyship,’’Godblessyourhandsomeface。’

  Thisgenerallysucceeded;butIobservedtheuglierthewomanwas,thesurerIwasofsuccess。

  \"Itwasaconstantmaximamongus,thatthegreaterretinueanyonetraveledwiththelessexpectationwemightpromiseourselvesfromthem;butwheneverwesawavehiclewithasingleornoservantweimaginedourbootysure,andwereseldomdeceived。

  \"Weobservedgreatdifferenceintroducedbytimeandcircumstanceinthesameperson;forinstance,alosinggamesterissometimesgenerous,butfromawinneryouwillaseasilyobtainhissoulasasinglegroat。AlawyertravelingfromhiscountryseattohisclientsatRome,andaphysiciangoingtovisitapatient,werealwaysworthasking;butthesameontheirreturnwere(accordingtoourcantphrase)untouchable。

  \"Themostgeneral,andindeedthetruest,maximamonguswas,thatthosewhopossessedtheleastwerealwaysthereadiesttogive。Thechiefartofabeggar—manis,therefore,todiscerntherichfromthepoor,which,thoughitbeonlydistinguishingsubstancefromshadow,isbynomeansattainablewithoutaprettygoodcapacityandavastdegreeofattention;forthesetwoareeternallyindustriousinendeavoringtocounterfeiteachother。

  Inthisdeceitthepoormanismoreheartilyinearnesttodeceiveyouthantherich,who,amidstalltheemblemsofpovertywhichheputson,stillpermitssomemarkofhiswealthtostriketheeye。Thus,whilehisapparelisnotworthagroat,hisfingerwearsaringofvalue,orhispocketagoldwatch。Inaword,heseemsrathertoaffectpovertytoinsultthanimposeonyou。Nowthepoorman,onthecontrary,isverysincereinhisdesireofpassingforrich;buttheeagernessofthisdesirehurrieshimtoover—acthispart,andhebetrayshimselfasonewhoisdrunkbyhisoveractedsobriety。Thus,insteadofbeingattendedbyoneservantwellmounted,hewillhavetwo;and,notbeingabletopurchaseormaintainasecondhorseofvalue,oneofhisservantsatleastismountedonahiredrascallion。Heisnotcontentedtogoplainandneatinhisclothes;hethereforeclapsonsometawdryornament,andwhatheaddstothefinenessofhisvestmenthedetractsfromthefinenessofhislinen。

  Withoutdescendingintomoreminuteparticulars,IbelieveImayassertitasanaxiomofindubitabletruth,thatwhoevershowsyouheiseitherinhimselforhisequipageasgaudyashecan,convincesyouheismoresothanhecanafford。Now,wheneveraman’sexpenseexceedshisincome,heisindifferentinthedegree;wehadthereforenothingmoretodowithsuchthantoflatterthemwiththeirwealthandsplendor,andwerealwayscertainofsuccess。

  \"Thereis,indeed,onekindofrichmanwhoiscommonlymoreliberal,namely,whererichessurprisehim,asitwere,inthemidstofpovertyanddistress,theconsequenceofwhichis,I

  own,sometimesexcessiveavarice,butoftenerextremeprodigality。Irememberoneofthesewho,havingreceivedaprettylargesumofmoney,gaveme,whenIbeggedanobolus,awholetalent;onwhichhisfriendhavingreprovedhim,heanswered,withanoath,’Whynot?HaveInotfiftyleft?’

  \"Thelifeofabeggar,ifmenestimatedthingsbytheirrealessence,andnotbytheiroutwardfalseappearance,wouldbe,perhaps,amoredesirablesituationthananyofthosewhichambitionpersuadesus,withsuchdifficulty,danger,andoftenvillainy,toaspireto。Thewantsofabeggararecommonlyaschimericalastheabundanceofanobleman;forbesidesvanity,whichajudiciousbeggarwillalwaysapplytowithwonderfulefficacy,thereareinrealityveryfewnaturessohardenedasnottocompassionatepovertyanddistress,whenthepredominancyofsomeotherpassiondothnotpreventthem。

  \"Thereisonehappinesswhichattendsmoneygotwithease,namely,thatitisneverhoarded;otherwise,aswehavefrequentopportunitiesofgrowingrich,thatcankercaremightpreyuponourquiet,asitdothonothers;butourmoneystockwespendasfastasweacquireit;usuallyatleast,forIspeaknotwithoutexception;thusitgivesusmirthonly,andnotrouble。Indeed,theluxuryofourlivesmightintroducediseases,didnotourdailyexercisepreventthem。Thisgivesusanappetiteandrelishforourdainties,andatthesametimeanantidoteagainsttheevileffectswhichsloth,unitedwithluxury,inducesonthehabitofahumanbody。Ourwomenweenjoywithecstasiesatleastequaltowhatthegreatestmenfeelintheirembraces。I

  can,Iamassured,sayofmyself,thatnomortalcouldreapmoreperfecthappinessfromthetenderpassionthanmyfortunehaddecreedme。Imarriedacharmingyoungwomanforlove;shewasthedaughterofaneighboringbeggar,who,withanimprovidencetoooftenseen,spentaverylargeincomewhichheprocuredbyhisprofession,sothathewasabletogivehernofortunedown;

  however,athisdeathheleftheraverywellaccustomedbegging—hut,situatedonthesideofasteephill,wheretravelerscouldnotimmediatelyescapefromus,andagardenadjoining,beingthetwenty—eighthpartofanacre,wellplanted。

  Shemadethebestofwives,boremenineteenchildren,andneverfailed,unlessonherlying—in,whichgenerallylastedthreedays,togetmysupperreadyagainstmyreturnhomeinanevening;thisbeingmyfavoritemeal,andatwhichI,aswellasmywholefamily,greatlyenjoyedourselves;theprincipalsubjectofourdiscoursebeinggenerallytheboonswehadthatdayobtained,onwhichoccasions,laughingatthefollyofthedonorsmadenoinconsiderablepartoftheentertainment;for,whatevermightbetheirmotiveforgiving,weconstantlyimputedoursuccesstoourhavingflatteredtheirvanity,oroverreachedtheirunderstanding。

  \"ButperhapsIhavedwelttoolongonthischaracter;Ishallconclude,therefore,withtellingyouthatafteralifeof102

  years’continuance,duringallwhichIhadneverknownanysicknessorinfirmitybutthatwhicholdagenecessarilyinduced,Iatlast,withouttheleastpain,wentoutlikethesnuffofacandle。

  \"Minos,havingheardmyhistory,bidmecompute,ifIcould,howmanyliesIhadtoldinmylife。Aswearehere,byacertainfatednecessity,obligedtoconfineourselvestotruth,I

  answered,Ibelievedabout50,000,000。Hethenreplied,withafrown,’CansuchawretchconceiveanyhopesofenteringElysium?’Iimmediatelyturnedabout,and,uponthewhole,wasrejoicedathisnotcallingmeback。\"

  CHAPTERXX

  Julianperformsthepartofastatesman。

  \"ItwasnowmyfortunetobebornofaGermanprincess;butaman—midwife,pullingmyheadoffindeliveringmymother,putaspeedyendtomyprincelylife。

  \"Spiritswhoendtheirlivesbeforetheyareattheageoffiveyearsareimmediatelyorderedintootherbodies;anditwasnowmyfortunetoperformseveralinfanciesbeforeIcouldagainentitlemyselftoanexaminationofMinos。

  \"AtlengthIwasdestinedoncemoretoplayaconsiderablepartonthestage。IwasborninEngland,inthereignofEthelredII。Myfather’snamewasUlnoth:hewasearlorthaneofSussex。IwasafterwardsknownbythenameofearlGoodwin,andbegantomakeaconsiderablefigureintheworldinthetimeofHaroldHarefoot,whomIprocuredtobemadekingofWessex,ortheWestSaxons,inprejudiceofHardicanute,whosemotherEmmaendeavoredafterwardstosetanotherofhersonsonthethrone;

  butIcircumventedher,and,communicatingherdesigntotheking,atthesametimeacquaintedhimwithaprojectwhichIhadformedforthemurderofthesetwoyoungprinces。EmmahadsentforthesehersonsfromNormandy,withtheking’sleave,whomshehaddeceivedbyherreligiousbehavior,andpretendedneglectofallworldlyaffairs;butIprevailedwithHaroldtoinvitetheseprincestohiscourt,andputthemtodeath。TheprudentmothersentonlyAlfred,retainingEdwardtoherself,asshesuspectedmyilldesigns,andthoughtIshouldnotventuretoexecutethemononeofhersons,whileshesecuredtheother;butshewasdeceived,forIhadnosoonerAlfredinmypossessionthanI

  causedhimtobeconductedtoEly,whereIorderedhiseyestobeputout,andafterwardstobeconfinedinamonastery。

  \"Thiswasoneofthosecruelexpedientswhichgreatmensatisfythemselveswellinexecuting,byconcludingthemtobenecessarytotheserviceoftheirprince,whoisthesupportoftheirambition。

  \"Edward,theothersonofEmma,escapedagaintoNormandy;

  whence,afterthedeathofHaroldandHardicanute,hemadenoscrupleofapplyingtomyprotectionandfavor,thoughhehadbeforeprosecutedmewithallthevengeancehewasable,forthemurderofhisbrother;butinallgreataffairsprivaterelationmustyieldtopublicinterest。Havingthereforeconcludedveryadvantageoustermsformyselfwithhim,Imadenoscrupleofpatronizinghiscause,andsoonplacedhimonthethrone。NordidIconceivetheleastapprehensionfromhisresentment,asIknewmypowerwastoogreatforhimtoencounter。

  \"Amongotherstipulatedconditions,onewastomarrymydaughterEditha。ThisEdwardconsentedtowithgreatreluctance,andI

  hadafterwardsnoreasontobepleasedwithit;foritraisedher,whohadbeenmyfavoritechild,tosuchanopinionofgreatness,that,insteadofpayingmetheusualrespect,shefrequentlythrewinmyteeth(asoftenatleastasIgaveheranyadmonition),thatshewasnowaqueen,andthatthecharacterandtitleoffathermergedinthatofsubject。Thisbehavior,however,didnotcuremeofmyaffectiontowardsher,norlessentheuneasinesswhichIafterwardsboreonEdward’sdismissingherfromhisbed。

  \"OnethingwhichprincipallyinducedmetolaborthepromotionofEdwardwasthesimplicityorweaknessofthatprince,underwhomIpromisedmyselfabsolutedominionunderanothername。Nordidthisopiniondeceiveme;for,duringhiswholereign,myadministrationwasinthehighestdegreedespotic:Ihadeverythingofroyaltybuttheoutwardensigns;nomaneverapplyingforaplace,oranykindofpreferment,buttomeonly。

  Acircumstancewhich,asitgreatlyenrichedmycoffers,soitnolesspamperedmyambition,andsatisfiedmyvanitywithanumerousattendance;andIhadthepleasureofseeingthosewhoonlybowedtothekingprostratingthemselvesbeforeme。

  \"EdwardtheConfessor,orSt。Edward,assomehavecalledhim,inderisionIsuppose,beingaverysillyfellow,hadallthefaultsincident,andalmostinseparable,tofools。HemarriedmydaughterEdithafromhisfearofdisobligingme;andafterwards,outofhatredtome,refusedeventoconsummatehismarriage,thoughshewasoneofthemostbeautifulwomenofherage。Hewaslikewiseguiltyofthebasestingratitudetohismother(avicetowhichfoolsarechiefly,ifnotonly,liable);and,inreturnforherendeavorstoprocurehimathroneinhisyouth,confinedherinaloathsomeprisoninheroldage。This,itistrue,hedidbymyadvice;butastoherwalkingovernineplowsharesred—hot,andgivingninemanors,whenshehadnotoneinherpossession,thereisnotasyllableofveracityinit。

  \"ThefirstgreatperplexityIfellintowasontheaccountofmysonSwane,whohaddefloweredtheabbessofLeon,sincecalledLeominster,inHerefordshire。AfterthisfactheretiredintoDenmark,whencehesenttometoobtainhispardon。Thekingatfirstrefusedit,beingmovedthereto,asIafterwardsfound,bysomechurchmen,particularlybyoneofhischaplains,whomIhadpreventedfromobtainingabishopric。UponthismysonSwaneinvadedthecoastswithseveralships,andcommittedmanyoutrageouscruelties;which,indeed,didhisbusiness,astheyservedmetoapplytothefearofthisking,whichIhadlongsincediscoveredtobehispredominantpassion。And,atlast,hewhohadrefusedpardontohisfirstoffensesubmittedtogiveithimafterhehadcommittedmanyothermoremonstrouscrimes;bywhichhispardonlostallgracetotheoffended,andreceiveddoublecensurefromallothers。

  \"ThekingwasgreatlyinclinedtotheNormans,hadcreatedaNormanarchbishopofCanterbury,andhadheapedextraordinaryfavorsonhim。Ihadnootherobjectiontothismanthanthatherosewithoutmyassistance;acauseofdislikewhich,inthereignofgreatandpowerfulfavorites,hathoftenprovedfataltothepersonswhohavegivenit,asthepersonsthusraisedinspireusconstantlywithjealousiesandapprehensions。Forwhenwepromoteanyoneourselves,wetakeeffectualcaretopreservesuchanascendantoverhim,thatwecanatanytimereducehimtohisformerdegree,shouldhedaretoactinoppositiontoourwills;forwhichreasonweneversufferanytocomeneartheprincebutsuchasweareassureditisimpossibleshouldbecapableofengagingorimprovinghisaffection;noprimeminister,asIapprehend,esteeminghimselftobesafewhileanyothersharestheearofhisprince,ofwhomweareasjealousasthefondesthusbandcanbeofhiswife。Whoever,therefore,canapproachhimbyanyotherchannelthanthatofourselves,is,inouropinion,adeclaredenemy,andonewhomthefirstprinciplesofpolicyobligeustodemolishwiththeutmostexpedition。Fortheaffectionofkingsisasprecariousasthatofwomen,andtheonlywaytosecureeithertoourselvesistokeepallothersfromthem。

  \"Butthearchbishopdidnotletmattersrestonsuspicion。HesoongaveopenproofsofhisinterestwiththeConfessorinprocuringanofficeofsomeimportanceforoneRollo,aRomanofmeanextractionandverydespicableparts。WhenIrepresentedtothekingtheindecencyofconferringsuchanhonoronsuchafellow,heansweredmethathewasthearchbishop’srelation。

  ’Then,sir,’repliedI,’heisrelatedtoyourenemy。’Nothingmorepassedatthattime;butIsoonperceived,bythearchbishop’sbehavior,thatthekinghadacquaintedhimwithourprivatediscourse;asufficientassuranceofhisconfidenceinhimandneglectofme。

  \"Thefavorofprinces,whenoncelost,isrecoverableonlybythegainingasituationwhichmaymakeyouterribletothem。AsI

  hadnodoubtofhavinglostallcreditwiththisking,whichindeedhadbeenoriginallyfoundedandconstantlysupportedbyhisfear,soItookthemethodofterrortoregainit。

  \"TheearlofBoulognecomingovertovisitthekinggavemeanopportunityofbreakingoutintoopenopposition;for,astheearlwasonhisreturntoFrance,oneofhisservants,whowassentbeforetoprocurelodgingsatDover,andinsistedonhavingtheminthehouseofaprivatemaninspiteoftheowner’steeth,was,inafraywhichensued,killedonthespot;andtheearlhimself,arrivingtheresoonafter,verynarrowlyescapedwithhislife。Theearl,enragedatthisaffront,returnedtothekingatGloucesterwithloudcomplaintsanddemandsofsatisfaction。Edwardconsentedtohisdemands,andorderedmetochastisetherioters,whowereundermygovernmentasearlofKent:but,insteadofobeyingtheseorders,Ianswered,withsomewarmth,thattheEnglishwerenotusedtopunishpeopleunheard,noroughttheirrightsandprivilegestobeviolated;

  thattheaccusedshouldbefirstsummoned——ifguilty,shouldmakesatisfactionbothwithbodyandestate,but,ifinnocent,shouldbedischarged。Adding,withgreatferocity,thatasearlofKentitwasmydutytoprotectthoseundermygovernmentagainsttheinsultsofforeigners。

  \"Thisaccidentwasextremelylucky,asitgavemyquarrelwiththekingapopularcolor,andsoingratiatedmewiththepeople,thatwhenIsetupmystandard,whichIsoonafterdid,theyreadilyandcheerfullylistedundermybannersandembracedmycause,whichIpersuadedthemwastheirown;forthatitwastoprotectthemagainstforeignersthatIhaddrawnmysword。ThewordforeignerswithanEnglishmanhathakindofmagicaleffect,theyhavingtheutmosthatredandaversiontothem,arisingfromthecrueltiestheysufferedfromtheDanesandsomeotherforeignnations。Nowonderthereforetheyespousedmycauseinaquarrelwhichhadsuchabeginning。

  \"Butwhatmaybesomewhatmoreremarkableis,thatwhenI

  afterwardsreturnedtoEnglandfrombanishment,andwasattheheadofanarmyoftheFlemish,whowerepreparingtoplunderthecityofLondon,IstillpersistedthatIwascometodefendtheEnglishfromthedangerofforeigners,andgainedtheircredit。

  Indeed,thereisnoliesogrossbutitmaybeimposedonthepeoplebythosewhomtheyesteemtheirpatronsanddefenders。

  \"Thekingsavedhiscitybybeingreconciledtome,andtakingagainmydaughter,whomhehadputawayfromhim;andthus,havingfrightenedthekingintowhatconcessionsIthoughtproper,Idismissedmyarmyandfleet,withwhichIintended,couldInothavesucceededotherwise,tohavesackedthecityofLondonandravagedthewholecountry。

  \"Iwasnosoonerre—establishedintheking’sfavor,or,whatwasaswellforme,theappearanceofit,thanIfellviolentlyonthearchbishop。HehadofhimselfretiredtohismonasteryinNormandy;butthatdidnotcontentme:Ihadhimformallybanished,theseedeclaredvacant,andthenfilledupbyanother。

  \"Ienjoyedmygrandeuraveryshorttimeaftermyrestorationtoit;fortheking,hatingandfearingmetoaverygreatdegree,andfindingnomeansofopenlydestroyingme,atlasteffectedhispurposebypoison,andthenspreadabroadaridiculousstory,ofmywishingthenextmorselmightchokemeifIhadhadanyhandinthedeathofAlfred;and,accordingly,thatthenextmorsel,byadivinejudgment,stuckinmythroatandperformedthatoffice。

  \"Thisofastatesmanwasoneofmyworststagesintheotherworld。Itisapostsubjecteddailytothegreatestdangerandinquietude,andattendedwithlittlepleasureandlessease。Inaword,itisapillwhich,wasitnotgildedoverbyambition,wouldappearnauseousanddetestableintheeyeofeveryone;andperhapsthatisonereasonwhyMinossogreatlycompassionatesthecaseofthosewhoswallowit:forthatjustjudgetoldmehealwaysacquittedaprimeministerwhocouldproduceonesinglegoodactioninhiswholelife,lethimhavecommittedeversomanycrimes。Indeed,Iunderstoodhimalittletoolargely,andwassteppingtowardsthegate;buthepulledmebythesleeve,and,tellingmenoprimeministereverenteredthere,bidmegobackagain;saying,hethoughtIhadsufficientreasontorejoiceinmyescapingthebottomlesspit,whichhalfmycrimescommittedinanyothercapacitywouldhaveentitledmeto。\"

  CHAPTERXXI

  Julian’sadventuresinthepostofasoldier。

  \"IwasbornatCaen,inNormandy。Mymother’snamewasMatilda;

  asformyfather,Iamnotsocertain,forthegoodwomanonherdeath—bedassuredmesheherselfcouldbringherguesstonogreatercertaintythantofiveofdukeWilliam’scaptains。WhenIwasnomorethanthirteen(beingindeedasurprisingstoutboyofmyage)IenlistedintothearmyofdukeWilliam,afterwardsknownbythenameofWilliamtheConqueror,landedwithhimatPemeseyorPemsey,inSussex,andwaspresentatthefamousbattleofHastings。

  \"Atthefirstonsetitwasimpossibletodescribemyconsternation,whichwasheightenedbythefalloftwosoldierswhostoodbyme;butthissoonabated,andbydegrees,asmybloodgrewwarm,Ithoughtnomoreofmyownsafety,butfellontheenemywithgreatfury,anddidagooddealofexecution;

  till,unhappily,Ireceivedawoundinmythigh,whichrenderedmeunabletostandanylonger,sothatInowlayamongthedead,andwasconstantlyexposedtothedangerofbeingtrampledtodeath,aswellbymyfellow—soldiersasbytheenemy。However,I

  hadthefortunetoescapeit,andcontinuedtheremainingpartofthedayandthenightfollowingontheground。

  \"Thenextmorning,thedukesendingoutpartiestobringoffthewounded,Iwasfoundalmostexpiringwithlossofblood;

  notwithstandingwhich,asimmediatecarewastakentodressmywounds,youthandarobustconstitutionstoodmyfriends,andI

  recoveredafteralongandtediousindisposition,andwasagainabletousemylimbsanddomyduty。

  \"AssoonasDoverwastakenIwasconveyedthitherwithalltherestofthesickandwounded。HereIrecoveredofmywound;butfellafterwardsintoaviolentflux,which,whenitdeparted,leftmesoweakthatitwaslongbeforeIcouldregainmystrength。Andwhatmostafflictedmewas,thatduringmywholeillness,whenIlanguishedunderwantaswellassickness,Ihaddailythemortificationtoseeandheartheriotsandexcessofmyfellow—soldiers,whohadhappilyescapedsafefromthebattle。

  \"IwasnosoonerwellthanIwasorderedintogarrisonatDoverCastle。Theofficersherefaredveryindifferently,buttheprivatemenmuchworse。Wehadgreatscarcityofprovisions,and,whatwasyetmoreintolerable,weresocloselyconfinedforwantofroom(fourofusbeingobligedtolieonthesamebundleofstraw),thatmanydied,andmostsickened。

  \"HereIhadremainedaboutfourmonths,whenonenightwewerealarmedwiththearrivaloftheearlofBoulogne,whohadcomeoverprivilyfromFrance,andendeavoredtosurprisethecastle。

  Thedesignprovedineffectual;forthegarrisonmakingabrisksally,mostofhismenweretum—bleddowntheprecipice,andhereturnedwithaveryfewbacktoFrance。Inthisaction,however,Ihadthemisfortunetocomeoffwithabrokenarm;itwassoshattered,that,besidesagreatdealofpainandmiserywhichIenduredinmycure,Iwasdisabledforupwardsofthreemonths。

  \"SoonaftermyrecoveryIhadcontractedanamourwithayoungwomanwhoseparentslivednearthegarrison,andwereinmuchbettercircumstancesthanIhadreasontoexpectshouldgivetheirconsenttothematch。However,asshewasextremelyfondofme(asIwasindeeddistractedlyenamoredofher),theywereprevailedontocomplywithherdesires,andthedaywasfixedforourmarriage。

  \"Ontheeveningpreceding,whileIwasexultingwiththeeagerexpectationofthehappinessIwasthenextdaytoenjoy,I

  receivedorderstomarchearlyinthemorningtowardsWindsor,wherealargearmywastobeformed,attheheadofwhichthekingintendedtomarchintothewest。AnypersonwhohatheverbeeninlovemayeasilyimaginewhatIfeltinmymindonreceivingthoseorders;andwhatstillheightenedmytormentswas,thatthecommandingofficerwouldnotpermitanyonetogooutofthegarrisonthatevening;sothatIhadnotevenanopportunityoftakingleaveofmybeloved。

  \"Themorningcamewhichwastohaveputmeinthepossessionofmywishes;but,alas!thescenewasnowchanged,andallthehopeswhichIhadraisedwerenowsomanyghoststohaunt,andfuriestotormentme。

  \"Itwasnowthemidstofwinter,andverysevereweatherfortheseason;whenwewereobligedtomakeverylongandfatiguingmarches,inwhichwesufferedalltheinconveniencesofcoldandhunger。ThenightinwhichIexpectedtoriotinthearmsofmybelovedmistressIwasobligedtotakeupwithalodgingontheground,exposedtotheinclemenciesofarigidfrost;norcouldI

  obtaintheleastcomfortofsleep,whichshunnedmeasitsenemy。

  Inshort,thehorrorsofthatnightarenottobedescribed,orperhapsimagined。Theymadesuchanimpressiononmysoul,thatIwasforcedtobedippedthreetimesintheriverLethetopreventmyrememberingitinthecharacterswhichIafterwardsperformedintheflesh。\"

  HereIinterruptedJulianforthefirsttime,andtoldhimnosuchdippinghadhappenedtomeinmyvoyagefromoneworldtotheother:buthesatisfiedmebysaying\"thatthisonlyhappenedtothosespiritswhichreturnedintotheflesh,inordertopreventthatreminiscencewhichPlatomentions,andwhichwouldotherwisecausegreatconfusionintheotherworld。\"

  Hethenproceededasfollows:\"WecontinuedaverylaboriousmarchtoExeter,whichwewereorderedtobesiege。Thetownsoonsurrendered,andhismajestybuiltacastlethere,whichhegarrisonedwithhisNormans,andunhappilyIhadthemisfortunetobeoneofthenumber。

  \"HerewewereconfinedcloserthanIhadbeenatDover;for,asthecitizenswereextremelydisaffected,wewereneversufferedtogowithoutthewallsofthecastle;norindeedcouldwe,unlessinlargebodies,withouttheutmostdanger。Wewerelikewisekepttocontinualduty,norcouldanysolicitationsprevailwiththecommandingofficertogivemeamonth’sabsencetovisitmylove,fromwhomIhadnoopportunityofhearinginallmylongabsence。

  \"However,inthespring,thepeoplebeingmorequiet,andanotherofficerofagentlertempersucceedingtotheprincipalcommand,IobtainedleavetogotoDover;butalas!whatcomfortdidmylongjourneybringme?Ifoundtheparentsofmydarlingintheutmostmiseryatherloss;forshehaddied,aboutaweekbeforemyarrival,ofaconsumption,whichtheyimputedtoherpiningatmysuddendeparture。

  \"Inowfellintothemostviolentandalmostravingfitofdespair。Icursedmyself,theking,andthewholeworld,whichnolongerseemedtohaveanydelightforme。Ithrewmyselfonthegraveofmydeceasedlove,andlaytherewithoutanykindofsustenancefortwowholedays。Atlasthunger,togetherwiththepersuasionsofsomepeoplewhotookpityonme,prevailedwithmetoquitthatsituation,andrefreshmyselfwithfood。Theythenpersuadedmetoreturntomypost,andabandonaplacewherealmosteveryobjectIsawrecalledideastomymindwhich,astheysaid,Ishouldendeavorwithmyutmostforcetoexpelfromit。Thisadviceatlengthsucceeded;therather,asthefatherandmotherofmybelovedrefusedtoseeme,lookingonmeastheinnocentbutcertaincauseofthedeathoftheironlychild。

  \"Thelossofonewetenderlylove,asitisoneofthemostbitterandbitingevilswhichattendhumanlife,soitwantsthelenitivewhichpalliatesandsoftenseveryothercalamity;Imeanthatgreatreliever,hope。Nomancanbesototallyundone,butthathemaystillcherishexpectation:butthisdeprivesusofallsuchcomfort,norcananythingbuttimealonelessenit。

  This,however,inmostminds,issuretoworkaslowbuteffectualremedy;sodiditinmine:forwithinatwelve—monthI

  wasentirelyreconciledtomyfortune,andsoonafterabsolutelyforgottheobjectofapassionfromwhichIhadpromisedmyselfsuchextremehappiness,andinthedisappointmentofwhichIhadexperiencedsuchinconceivablemisery。

  \"AttheexpirationofthemonthIreturnedtomygarrisonatExeter;whereIwasnosoonerarrivedthanIwasorderedtomarchintothenorth,toopposeaforcethereleviedbytheearlsofChesterandNorthumberland。WecametoYork,wherehismajestypardonedtheheadsoftherebels,andveryseverelypunishedsomewhowerelessguilty。Itwasparticularlymylottobeorderedtoseizeapoormanwhohadneverbeenoutofhishouse,andconveyhimtoprison。Idetestedthisbarbarity,yetwasobligedtoexecuteit;nay,thoughnorewardwouldhavebribedmeinaprivatecapacitytohaveactedsuchapart,yetsomuchsanctityisthereinthecommandsofamonarchorgeneraltoasoldier,thatIperformeditwithoutreluctance,norhadthetearsofhiswifeandfamilyanyprevalencewithme。

  \"Butthis,whichwasaverysmallpieceofmischiefincomparisonwithmanyofmybarbaritiesafterwards,washowever,theonlyonewhichevergavemeanyuneasiness;forwhenthekingledusafterwardsintoNorthumberlandtorevengethosepeople’shavingjoinedwithOsbornetheDaneinhisinvasion,andordersweregivenustocommitwhatravageswecould,Iwasforwardinfulfillingthem,and,amongsomelessercruelties(Irememberityetwithsorrow),Iravishedawoman,murderedalittleinfantplayinginherlap,andthenburnedherhouse。Inshort,forI

  havenopleasureinthispartofmyrelation,Ihadmyshareinallthecrueltiesexercisedonthosepoorwretches;whichweresogrievous,thatforsixtymilestogether,betweenYorkandDurham,notasinglehouse,church,oranyotherpublicorprivateedifice,wasleftstanding。

  \"Wehadprettywelldevouredthecountry,whenwewereorderedtomarchtotheIsleofEly,toopposeHereward,aboldandstoutsoldier,whohadunderhimaverylargebodyofrebels,whohadtheimpudencetoriseagainsttheirkingandconqueror(ItalknowinthesamestyleIdidthen)indefenseoftheirliberties,astheycalledthem。Theseweresoonsubdued;butasIhappened(moretomyglorythanmycomfort)tobepostedinthatpartthroughwhichHerewardcuthisway,Ireceivedadreadfulcutontheforehead,asecondontheshoulder,andwasrunthroughthebodywithapike。

  \"Ilanguishedalongtimewiththesewounds,whichmademeincapableofattendingthekingintoScotland。However,IwasabletogooverwithhimafterwardsintoNormandy,inhisexpeditionagainstPhilip,whohadtakentheopportunityofthetroublesinEnglandtoinvadethatprovince。ThosefewNormanswhobadsurvivedtheirwounds,andhadremainedintheIsleofEly,wereallofournationwhowent,therestofhisarmybeingallcomposedofEnglish。InaskirmishnearthetownofMansmylegwasbrokeandsoshatteredthatitwasforcedtobecutoff。

  \"Iwasnowdisabledfromservinglongerinthearmy;andaccordingly,beingdischargedfromtheservice,Iretiredtotheplaceofmynativity,where,inextremepoverty,andfrequentbadhealthfromthemanywoundsIhadreceived,Idraggedonamiserablelifetotheageofsixty—three;myonlypleasurebeingtorecountthefeatsofmyyouth,inwhichnarrativesIgenerallyexceededthetruth。

  \"ItwouldbetediousandunpleasanttorecounttoyoutheseveralmiseriesIsufferedaftermyreturntoCaen;letitsuffice,theyweresoterriblethattheyinducedMinostocompassionateme,and,notwithstandingthebarbaritiesIhadbeenguiltyofinNorthumberland,tosuffermetogooncemorebacktoearth。\"

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