"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。"