Aspiritnowadvanced,andthegatewasimmediatelythrownopentohimbeforehehadspokenaword。Iheardsomewhisper,"Thatisourlastlordmayor。"
Itnowcametoourcompany’sturn。ThefairspiritwhichI
mentionedwithsomuchapplauseinthebeginningofmyjourneypassedthroughveryeasily;butthegraveladywasrejectedonherfirstappearance,MinosdeclaringtherewasnotasingleprudeinElysium。
Thejudgethenaddressedhimselftome,wholittleexpectedtopassthisfierytrial。IconfessedIhadindulgedmyselfveryfreelywithwineandwomeninmyyouth,buthadneverdoneaninjurytoanymanliving,noravoidedanopportunityofdoinggood;thatIpretendedtoverylittlevirtuemorethangeneralphilanthrophyandprivatefriendship。Iwasproceeding,whenMinosbademeenterthegate,andnotindulgemyselfwithtrumpetingforthmyvirtues。Iaccordinglypassedforwardwithmylovelycompanion,and,embracingherwithvasteagerness,butspiritualinnocence,shereturnedmyembraceinthesamemanner,andwebothcongratulatedourselvesonourarrivalinthishappyregion,whosebeautynopaintingoftheimaginationcandescribe。
CHAPTERVIII
TheadventureswhichtheauthormetonhisfirstentranceintoElysium。
Wepursuedourwaythroughadeliciousgroveoforange—trees,whereIsawinfinitenumbersofspirits,everyoneofwhomI
knew,andwasknownbythem(forspiritshereknowoneanotherbyintuition)。IpresentlymetalittledaughterwhomIhadlostseveralyearsbefore。Goodgods!whatwordscandescribetheraptures,themeltingpassionatetenderness,withwhichwekissedeachother,continuinginourembrace,withthemostecstaticjoy,aspacewhich,iftimehadbeenmeasuredhereasonearth,couldnotbelessthanhalfayear。
ThefirstspiritwithwhomIenteredintodiscoursewasthefamousLeonidasofSparta。Iacquaintedhimwiththehonorswhichhadbeendonehimbyacelebratedpoetofournation;towhichheansweredhewasverymuchobligedtohim。WewerepresentlyafterwardsentertainedwiththemostdeliciousvoiceI
hadeverheard,accompaniedbyaviolin,equaltoSigniorPiantinida。IpresentlydiscoveredthemusicianandsongstertobeOrpheusandSappho。
OldHomerwaspresentatthisconcert(ifImaysocallit),andMadamDaciersatinhislap。HeaskedmuchafterMr。Pope,andsaidhewasverydesirousofseeinghim;forthathehadreadhisIliadinhistranslationwithalmostasmuchdelightashebelievedhehadgivenothersintheoriginal。Ihadthecuriositytoinquirewhetherhehadreallywritthatpoemindetachedpieces,andsungitaboutasballadsalloverGreece,accordingtothereportwhichwentofhim。Hesmiledatmyquestion,andaskedmewhetherthereappearedanyconnectioninthepoem;foriftheredidhethoughtImightanswermyself。I
thenimportunedhimtoacquaintmeinwhichofthecitieswhichcontendedforthehonorofhisbirthhewasreallyborn?Towhichheanswered,"UponmysoulIcan’ttell。"
Virgilthencameuptome,withMr。Addisonunderhisarm。
"Well,sir,"saidhe,"howmanytranslationshavethesefewlastyearsproducedofmyAeneid?"ItoldhimIbelievedseveral,butIcouldnotpossiblyremember;forthatIhadneverreadanybutDr。Trapp’s。"Ay,"saidhe,"thatisacuriouspieceindeed!"I
thenacquaintedhimwiththediscoverymadebyMr。WarburtonoftheElusinianmysteriescouchedinhissixthbook。"Whatmysteries?"saidMr。Addison。"TheElusinian,"answeredVirgil,"whichIhavedisclosedinmysixthbook。""How!"repliedAddison。"Younevermentionedawordofanysuchmysteriestomeinallouracquaintance。""Ithoughtitwasunnecessary,"criedtheother,"toamanofyourinfinitelearning:besides,youalwaystoldmeyouperfectlyunderstoodmymeaning。"UponthisI
thoughtthecriticlookedalittleoutofcountenance,andturnedasidetoaverymerryspirit,oneDickSteele,whoembracedhim,andtoldhimhehadbeenthegreatestmanuponearth;thathereadilyresignedupallthemeritofhisownworkstohim。UponwhichAddisongavehimagracioussmile,and,clappinghimonthebackwithmuchsolemnity,criedout,"Wellsaid,Dick!"
IthenobservedShakespearestandingbetweenBettertonandBooth,anddecidingadifferencebetweenthosetwogreatactorsconcerningtheplacinganaccentinoneofhislines:thiswasdisputedonbothsideswithawarmthwhichsurprisedmeinElysium,tillIdiscoveredbyintuitionthateverysoulretaineditsprincipalcharacteristic,being,indeed,itsveryessence。
ThelinewasthatcelebratedoneinOthello——
PUTOUTTHELIGHT,ANDTHENPUTOUTTHELIGHT。accordingtoBetterton。Mr。Boothcontendedtohaveitthus:——
Putoutthelight,andthenputoutTHElight。Icouldnothelpofferingmyconjectureonthisoccasion,andsuggesteditmightperhapsbe——
Putoutthelight,andthenputoutTHYlight。Anotherhintedareadingverysophisticatedinmyopinion——
Putoutthelight,andthenputoutTHEE,light,makinglighttobethevocativecase。Anotherwouldhavealteredthelastword,andread——
PUTOUTTHYLIGHT,ANDTHENPUTOUTTHYSIGHT。ButBettertonsaid,ifthetextwastobedisturbed,hesawnoreasonwhyawordmightnotbechangedaswellasaletter,and,insteadof"putoutthylight,"youmayread"putoutthyeyes。"AtlastitwasagreedonallsidestoreferthemattertothedecisionofShakespearehimself,whodeliveredhissentimentsasfollows:
"Faith,gentlemen,itissolongsinceIwrotetheline,Ihaveforgotmymeaning。ThisIknow,couldIhavedreamedsomuchnonsensewouldhavebeentalkedandwritaboutit,Iwouldhaveblotteditoutofmyworks;forIamsure,ifanyofthesebemymeaning,itdothmeverylittlehonor。"
Hewastheninterrogatedconcerningsomeotherambiguouspassagesinhisworks;buthedeclinedanysatisfactoryanswer;saying,ifMr。Theobaldhadnotwritaboutitsufficiently,therewerethreeorfourmoreneweditionsofhisplayscomingout,whichhehopedwouldsatisfyeveryone:concluding,"Imarvelnothingsomuchasthatmenwillgirdthemselvesatdiscoveringobscurebeautiesinanauthor。Certesthegreatestandmostpregnantbeautiesareevertheplainestandmostevidentlystriking;andwhentwomeaningsofapassagecanintheleastbalanceourjudgmentswhichtoprefer,Iholditmatterofunquestionablecertaintythatneitherofthemisworthafarthing。"Fromhisworksourconversationturnedonhismonument;uponwhich,Shakespeare,shakinghissides,andaddressinghimselftoMilton,criedout,"Onmyword,brotherMilton,theyhavebroughtanoblesetofpoetstogether;theywouldhavebeenhangedersthave[eretheyhad]convenedsuchacompanyattheirtableswhenalive。""True,brother,"answeredMilton,"unlesswehadbeenasincapableofeatingthenaswearenow。"
CHAPTERIX
MoreadventuresinElysium。
Acrowdofspiritsnowjoinedus,whomIsoonperceivedtobetheheroes,whoherefrequentlypaytheirrespectstotheseveralbardstherecordersoftheiractions。InowsawAchillesandUlyssesaddressingthemselvestoHomer,andAeneasandJuliusCaesartoVirgil:AdamwentuptoMilton,uponwhichIwhisperedMr。DrydenthatIthoughtthedevilshouldhavepaidhiscomplimentsthere,accordingtohisopinion。Drydenonlyanswered,"IbelievethedevilwasinmewhenIsaidso。"
SeveralappliedthemselvestoShakespeare,amongstwhomHenryV
madeaverydistinguishingappearance。Whilemyeyeswerefixedonthatmonarchaverysmallspiritcameuptome,shookmeheartilybythehand,andtoldmehisnamewasTHOMASTHUMB。I
expressedgreatsatisfactioninseeinghim,norcouldIhelpspeakingmyresentmentagainstthehistorian,whohaddonesuchinjusticetothestatureofthisgreatlittleman,whichherepresentedtobenobiggerthanaspan,whereasIplainlyperceivedatfirstsighthewasfullafootandahalf(andthe37thpartofaninchmore,ashehimselfinformedme),beingindeedlittleshorterthansomeconsiderablebeauxofthepresentage。Iaskedthislittleheroconcerningthetruthofthosestoriesrelatedofhim,viz。,ofthepudding,andthecow’sbelly。Astotheformer,hesaiditwasaridiculouslegend,worthytobelaughedat;butastothelatter,hecouldnothelpowningtherewassometruthinit:norhadheanyreasontobeashamedofit,ashewasswallowedbysurprise;adding,withgreatfierceness,thatifhehadhadanyweaponinhishandthecowshouldhaveassoonswallowedthedevil。
Hespokethelastwordwithsomuchfury,andseemedsoconfounded,that,perceivingtheeffectithadonhim,I
immediatelywaivedthestory,and,passingtoothermatters,wehadmuchconversationtouchinggiants。Hesaid,sofarfromkillingany,hehadneverseenonealive;thathebelievedthoseactionswerebymistakerecordedofhim,insteadofJackthegiant—killer,whomheknewverywell,andwhohad,hefancied,extirpatedtherace。Iassuredhimtothecontrary,andtoldhimIhadmyselfseenahugetamegiant,whoverycomplacentlystayedinLondonawholewinter,atthespecialrequestofseveralgentlemenandladies;thoughtheaffairsofhisfamilycalledhimhometoSweden。
Inowbeheldastern—lookingspiritleaningontheshoulderofanotherspirit,andpresentlydiscernedtheformertobeOliverCromwell,andthelatterCharlesMartel。IownIwasalittlesurprisedatseeingCromwellhere,forIhadbeentaughtbymygrandmotherthathewascarriedawaybythedevilhimselfinatempest;butheassuredme,onhishonor,therewasnottheleasttruthinthatstory。However,heconfessedhehadnarrowlyescapedthebottomlesspit;and,iftheformerpartofhisconducthadnotbeenmoretohishonorthanthelatter,hehadbeencertainlysousedintoit。Hewas,nevertheless,sentbacktotheupperworldwiththislot:——ARMY,CAVALIER,DISTRESS。
Hewasborn,forthesecondtime,thedayofCharlesII’srestoration,intoafamilywhichhadlostaveryconsiderablefortuneintheserviceofthatprinceandhisfather,forwhichtheyreceivedtherewardveryoftenconferredbyprincesonrealmerit,viz。——000。At16hisfatherboughtasmallcommissionforhiminthearmy,inwhichheservedwithoutanypromotionallthereignsofCharlesIIandofhisbrother。AttheRevolutionhequittedhisregiment,andfollowedthefortunesofhisformermaster,andwasinhisservicedangerouslywoundedatthefamousbattleoftheBoyne,wherehefoughtinthecapacityofaprivatesoldier。Herecoveredofthiswound,andretiredaftertheunfortunatekingtoParis,wherehewasreducedtosupportawifeandsevenchildren(forhislothadhornsinit)bycleaningshoesandsnuffingcandlesattheopera。Inwhichsituation,afterhehadspentafewmiserableyears,hediedhalf—starvedandbroken—hearted。HethenrevisitedMinos,who,compassionatinghissufferingsbymeansofthatfamily,towhomhehadbeeninhisformercapacitysobitteranenemy,sufferedhimtoenterhere。
Mycuriositywouldnotrefrainaskinghimonequestion,i。e。,whetherinrealityhehadanydesiretoobtainthecrown?Hesmiled,andsaid,"Nomorethananecclesiastichathtothemiter,whenhecriesNoloepiscopari。"Indeed,heseemedtoexpresssomecontemptatthequestion,andpresentlyturnedaway。
Avenerablespiritappearednext,whomIfoundtobethegreathistorianLivy。AlexandertheGreat,whowasjustarrivedfromthepalaceofdeath,passedbyhimwithafrown。Thehistorian,observingit,said,"Ay,youmayfrown;butthosetroopswhichconqueredthebaseAsiaticslaveswouldhavemadenofigureagainsttheRomans。"Wethenprivatelylamentedthelossofthemostvaluablepartofhishistory;afterwhichhetookoccasiontocommendthejudiciouscollectionmadebyMr。Hook,which,hesaid,wasinfinitelypreferabletoallothers;andatmymentioningEchard’shegaveabounce,notunlikethegoingoffofasquib,andwasdepartingfromme,whenIbeggedhimtosatisfymycuriosityinonepoint——whetherhewasreallysuperstitiousorno?ForIhadalwaysbelievedhewastillMr。Leibnitzhadassuredmetothecontrary。Heansweredsullenly,"DothMr。
Leibnitzknowmymindbetterthanmyself?"andthenwalkedaway。
CHAPTERX
TheauthorissurprisedatmeetingJuliantheapostateinElysium;butissatisfiedbyhimbywhatmeansheprocuredhisentrancethere。Julianrelateshisadventuresinthecharacterofaslave。
AshewasdepartingIheardhimsaluteaspiritbythenameofMr。Juliantheapostate。Thisexceedinglyamazedme;forIhadconcludedthatnomaneverhadabettertitletothebottomlesspitthanhe。ButIsoonfoundthatthissameJuliantheapostatewasalsotheveryindividualarchbishopLatimer。Hetoldmethatseverallieshadbeenraisedonhiminhisformercapacity,norwashesobadamanashehadbeenrepresented。However,hehadbeendeniedadmittance,andforcedtoundergoseveralsubsequentpilgrimagesonearth,andtoactinthedifferentcharactersofaslave,aJew,ageneral,anheir,acarpenter,abeau,amonk,afiddler,awiseman,aking,afool,abeggar,aprince,astatesman,asoldier,atailor,analderman,apoet,aknight,adancing—master,andthreetimesabishop,beforehismartyrdom,which,togetherwithhisotherbehaviorinthislastcharacter,satisfiedthejudge,andprocuredhimapassagetotheblessedregions。
Itoldhimsuchvariouscharactersmusthaveproducedincidentsextremelyentertaining;andifherememberedall,asIsupposedhedid,andhadleisure,Ishouldbeobligedtohimfortherecital。Heansweredheperfectlyrecollectedeverycircumstance;andastoleisure,theonlybusinessofthathappyplacewastocontributetothehappinessofeachother。Hethereforethankedmeforaddingtohis,inproposingtohimamethodofincreasingmine。Ithentookmylittledarlinginonehand,andmyfavoritefellow—travelerintheother,and,goingwithhimtoasunnybankofflowers,weallsatdown,andhebeganasfollows:——"IsupposeyouaresufficientlyacquaintedwithmystoryduringthetimeIactedthepartoftheemperorJulian,thoughIassureyouallwhichhathbeenrelatedofmeisnottrue,particularlywithregardtothemanyprodigiesforerunningmydeath。However,theyarenowverylittleworthdisputing;andiftheycanserveanypurposeofthehistoriantheyareextremelyathisservice。"MynextentranceintotheworldwasatLaodicea,inSyria,inaRomanfamilyofnogreatnote;and,beingofarovingdisposition,IcameattheageofseventeentoConstantinople,where,afteraboutayear’sstay,I
setoutforThrace,atthetimewhentheemperorValensadmittedtheGothsintothatcountry。IwastheresocaptivatedwiththebeautyofaGothiclady,thewifeofoneRodoric,acaptain,whosename,outofthemostdelicatetendernessforherlovelysex,Ishallevenatthisdistanceconceal;sinceherbehaviortomewasmoreconsistentwithgood—naturethanwiththatvirtuewhichwomenareobligedtopreserveagainsteveryassailant。InordertoprocureanintimacywiththiswomanIsoldmyselfaslavetoherhusband,who,beingofanationnotover—inclinedtojealousy,presentedmetohiswife,forthoseveryreasonswhichwouldhaveinducedoneofajealouscomplexiontohavewithheldmefromher,namely,forthatIwasyoungandhandsome。
"Matterssucceededsofaraccordingtomywish,andthesequelansweredthosehopeswhichthisbeginninghadraised。Isoonperceivedmyservicewasveryacceptabletoher;Ioftenmethereyes,nordidshewithdrawthemwithoutaconfusionwhichisscarceconsistentwithentirepurityofheart。Indeed,shegavemeeverydayfreshencouragement;buttheunhappydistancewhichcircumstanceshadplacedbetweenusdeterredmelongfrommakinganydirectattack;andshewastoostrictanobserverofdecorumtoviolatethesevererulesofmodestybyadvancingfirst;butpassionatlastgotthebetterofmyrespect,andIresolvedtomakeoneboldattempt,whateverwastheconsequence。
Accordingly,layingholdofthefirstkindopportunity,whenshewasaloneandmymasterabroad,Istoutlyassailedthecitadelandcarrieditbystorm。WellmayIsaybystorm;fortheresistanceImetwasextremelyresolute,andindeedasmuchasthemostperfectdecencywouldrequire。Shesworeoftenshewouldcryoutforhelp;butIanswereditwasinvain,seeingtherewasnopersonneartoassisther;andprobablyshebelievedme,forshedidnotonceactuallycryout,whichifshehad,I
mightverylikelyhavebeenprevented。
"Whenshefoundhervirtuethussubduedagainstherwillshepatientlysubmittedtoherfate,andquietlysufferedmealongtimetoenjoythemostdeliciousfruitsofmyvictory;butenviousfortuneresolvedtomakemepayadearpriceformypleasure。Onedayinthemidstofourhappinessweweresuddenlysurprisedbytheunexpectedreturnofherhusband,who,comingdirectlyintohiswife’sapartment,justallowedmetimetocreepunderthebed。Thedisorderinwhichhefoundhiswifemighthavesurprisedajealoustemper;buthiswassofarotherwise,thatpossiblynomischiefmighthavehappenedhadhenotbyacrossaccidentdiscoveredmylegs,whichwerenotwellhid。Heimmediatelydrewmeoutbythem,andthen,turningtohiswifewithasterncountenance,begantohandleaweaponheworebyhisside,withwhichIampersuadedhewouldhaveinstantlydispatchedher,hadInotverygallantly,andwithmanyimprecations,assertedherinnocenceandmyownguilt;which,however,Iprotestedhadhithertogonenofartherthandesign。
Shesowellsecondedmyplea(forshewasawomanofwonderfulart),thathewasatlengthimposedupon;andnowallhisragewasdirectedagainstme,threateningallmanneroftortures,whichthepoorladywasintoogreatafrightandconfusiontodissuadehimfromexecuting;andperhaps,ifherconcernformehadmadeherattemptit,itwouldhaveraisedajealousyinhimnotafterwardstoberemoved。
"AftersomehesitationRodericcriedouthehadluckilyhitonthemostproperpunishmentformeintheworld,byamethodwhichwouldatoncedoseverejusticeonmeformycriminalintention,andatthesametimepreventmefromanydangerofexecutingmywickedpurposehereafter。Thiscruelresolutionwasimmediatelyexecuted,andIwasnolongerworthythenameofaman。
"Havingthusdisqualifiedmefromdoinghimanyfutureinjury,hestillretainedmeinhisfamily;butthelady,veryprobablyrepentingofwhatshehaddone,andlookingonmeastheauthorofherguilt,wouldneverforthefuturegivemeeitherakindwordorlook:andshortlyafter,agreatexchangebeingmadebetweentheRomansandtheGothsofdogsformen,myladyexchangedmewithaRomanwidowforasmalllap—dog,givingaconsiderablesumofmoneytoboot。
"Inthiswidow’sserviceIremainedsevenyears,duringallwhichtimeIwasverybarbarouslytreated。Iwasworkedwithouttheleastmercy,andoftenseverelybeatbyaswingingmaid—servant,whonevercalledmebyanyothernamesthanthoseoftheThingandtheAnimal。ThoughIusedmyutmostindustrytoplease,itneverwasinmypower。NeithertheladynorherwomanwouldeatanythingItouched,sayingtheydidnotbelievemewholesome。Itisunnecessarytorepeatparticulars;inaword,youcanimaginenokindofillusagewhichIdidnotsufferinthisfamily。
"Atlastanheathenpriest,anacquaintanceofmylady’s,obtainedmeofherforapresent。Thescenewasnowtotallychanged,andIhadasmuchreasontobesatisfiedwithmypresentsituationasIhadtolamentmyformer。Iwassoabsolutelymymaster’sfavorite,thattherestoftheslavespaidmealmostasmuchregardastheyshowedtohim,wellknowingthatitwasentirelyinmypowertocommandandtreatthemasIpleased。I
wasintrustedwithallmymaster’ssecrets,andusedtoassisthiminprivatelyconveyingawaybynightthesacrificesfromthealtars,whichthepeoplebelievedthedeitiesthemselvesdevoured。Uponthesewefeastedveryelegantly,norcouldinventionsuggestararitywhichwedidnotpamperourselveswith。Perhapsyoumayadmireatthecloseunionbetweenthispriestandhisslave,butwelivedinanintimacywhichtheChristiansthoughtcriminal;butmymaster,whoknewthewillofthegods,withwhomhetoldmeheoftenconversed,assuredmeitwasperfectlyinnocent。
"Thishappylifecontinuedaboutfouryears,whenmymaster’sdeath,occasionedbyasurfeitgotbyoverfeedingonseveralexquisitedainties,putanendtoit。
"Inowfellintothehandsofoneofaverydifferentdisposition,andthiswasnootherthanthecelebratedSt。
Chrysostom,whodietedmewithsermonsinsteadofsacrifices,andfilledmyearswithgoodthings,butnotmybelly。Insteadofhighfoodtofattenandpampermyflesh,Ihadreceiptstomortifyandreduceit。WiththeseIedifiedsowell,thatwithinafewmonthsIbecameaskeleton。However,ashehadconvertedmetohisfaith,Iwaswellenoughsatisfiedwiththisnewmannerofliving,bywhichhetaughtmeImightinsuremyselfaneternalrewardinafuturestate。Thesaintwasagood—naturedman,andnevergavemeanillwordbutonce,whichwasoccasionedbymyneglectingtoplaceAristophanes,whichwashisconstantbedfellow,onhispillow。Hewas,indeed,extremelyfondofthatGreekpoet,andfrequentlymademereadhiscomediestohim。
WhenIcametoanyoftheloosepassageshewouldsmile,andsay,’Itwaspityhismatterwasnotaspureashisstyle;’ofwhichlatterhewassoimmoderatelyfondthat,notwithstandingthedetestationheexpressedforobscenity,hehathmademerepeatthosepassagestentimesover。Thecharacterofthisgoodmanhathbeenveryunjustlyattackedbyhisheathencontemporaries,particularlywithregardtowomen;buthissevereinvectivesagainstthatsexarehissufficientjustification。
"Fromtheserviceofthissaint,fromwhomIreceivedmanumission,IenteredintothefamilyofTimasius,aleaderofgreateminenceintheimperialarmy,intowhosefavorIsofarinsinuatedmyselfthathepreferredmetoagoodcommand,andsoonmademepartakerofbothhiscompanyandhissecrets。I
soongrewintoxicatedwiththispreferment,andthemoreheloadedmewithbenefitsthemoreheraisedmyopinionofmyownmerit,which,stilloutstrippingtherewardsheconferredonme,inspiredmeratherwithdissatisfactionthangratitude。Andthus,bypreferringmebeyondmymeritorfirstexpectation,hemademeanenviousaspiringenemy,whomperhapsamoremoderatebountywouldhavepreservedadutifulservant。
"IfellnowacquaintedwithoneLucilius,acreatureoftheprimeministerEutropius,whohadbyhisfavorbeenraisedtothepostofatribune;amanoflowmorals,andeminentonlyinthatmeanestofqualities,cunning。Thisgentleman,imaginingmeafittoolfortheminister’spurpose,havingoftensoundedmyprinciplesofhonorandhonesty,bothwhichhedeclaredtomewerewordswithoutmeaning,andfindingmyreadyconcurrenceinhissentiments,recommendedmetoEutropiusasverypropertoexecutesomewickedpurposeshehadcontrivedagainstmyfrendTimasius。Theministerembracedthisrecommendation,andIwasaccordinglyacquaintedbyLucilius(aftersomepreviousaccountsofthegreatesteemEutropiusentertainedofme,fromthetestimonyhehadborneofmyparts)thathewouldintroducemetohim;addingthathewasagreatencouragerofmerit,andthatI
mightdependuponhisfavor。
"Iwaswithlittledifficultyprevailedontoacceptofthisinvitation。Alatehourthereforethenexteveningbeingappointed,IattendedmyfriendLuciliustotheminister’shouse。
Hereceivedmewiththeutmostcivilityandcheerfulness,andaffectedsomuchregardtome,thatI,whoknewnothingofthesehighscenesoflife,concludedIhadinhimamostdisinterestedfriend,owingtothefavorablereportwhichLuciliushadmadeofme。Iwashoweversooncuredofthisopinion;forimmediatelyaftersupperourdiscourseturnedontheinjusticewhichthegeneralityoftheworldwereguiltyofintheirconducttogreatmen,expectingthattheyshouldrewardtheirprivatemerit,withouteverendeavoringtoapplyittotheiruse。’Whatavail,’
saidEutropius,’thelearning,wit,courage,oranyvirtuewhichamanmaybepossessedof,tome,unlessIreceivesomebenefitfromthem?Hathhenotmoremerittomewhodothmybusinessandobeysmycommands,withoutanyofthesequalities?’Igavesuchentiresatisfactioninmyanswersonthishead,thatboththeministerandhiscreaturegrewbolder,andaftersomeprefacebegantoaccuseTimasius。Atlast,findingIdidnotattempttodefendhim,Luciliussworeagreatoaththathewasnotfittolive,andthathewoulddestroyhim。Eutropiusansweredthatitwouldbetoodangerousatask:’Indeed,’sayshe,’hiscrimesareofsoblackadye,andsowellknowntotheemperor,thathisdeathmustbeaveryacceptableservice,andcouldnotfailmeetingaproperreward:butIquestionwhetheryouarecapableofexecutingit。’’Ifheisnot,’criedI,’Iam;andsurelynomancanhavegreatermotivestodestroyhimthanmyself:for,besideshisdisloyaltytomyprince,forwhomIhavesoperfectaduty,Ihaveprivatedisobligationstohim。Ihavehadfellowsputovermyhead,tothegreatscandaloftheserviceingeneral,andtomyownprejudiceanddisappointmentinparticular。’I
willnotrepeatyoumywholespeech;but,tobeasconciseaspossible,whenwepartedthateveningtheministersqueezedmeheartilybythehand,andwithgreatcommendationofmyhonestyandassurancesofhisfavor,heappointedmethenexteveningtocometohimalone;when,findingme,afteralittlemorescrutiny,readyforhispurpose,heproposedtometoaccuseTimasiusofhightreason,promisingmethehighestrewardsifI
wouldundertakeit。Theconsequencetohim,Isupposeyouknow,wasruin;butwhatwasittome?Why,truly,whenIwaitedonEutropiusforthefulfillinghispromises,receivedmewithgreatdistanceandcoldness;and,onmydroppingsomehintsofmyexpectationsfromhim,heaffectednottounderstandme;sayinghethoughtimpunitywastheutmostIcouldhopeforondiscoveringmyaccomplice,whoseoffensewasonlygreaterthanmine,ashewasinahigherstation;andtellingmehehadgreatdifficultytoobtainapardonformefromtheemperor,whichhesaid,hehadstruggledveryhardlyfor,ashehadworkedthediscoveryoutofme。Heturnedaway,andaddressedhimselftoanotherperson。
"Iwassoincensedatthistreatment,thatIresolvedrevenge,andshouldcertainlyhavepursuedit,hadhenotcautiouslypreventedmebytakingeffectualmeanstodespatchmesoonafteroutoftheworld。
"Youwill,Ibelieve,nowthinkIhadasecondgoodchanceforthebottomlesspit,andindeedMinosseemedinclinedtotumblemein,tillhewasinformedoftherevengetakenonmebyRoderic,andmysevenyears’subsequentservitudetothewidow;whichhethoughtsufficienttomakeatonementforallthecrimesasinglelifecouldadmitof,andsosentmebacktotrymyfortuneathirdtime。"
CHAPTERXI
InwhichJulianrelateshisadventuresinthecharacterofanavariciousJew。
"ThenextcharacterinwhichIwasdestinedtoappearinthefleshwasthatofanavariciousJew。IwasborninAlexandriainEgypt。MynamewasBalthazar。NothingveryremarkablehappenedtometilltheyearofthememorabletumultinwhichtheJewsofthatcityarereportedinhistorytohavemassacredmoreChristiansthanatthattimedweltinit。Indeed,thetruthis,theydidmaulthedogsprettyhandsomely;butImyselfwasnotpresent,forasallourpeoplewereorderedtobearmed,Itookthatopportunityofsellingtwoswords,whichprobablyImightotherwiseneverhavedisposedof,theybeingextremelyoldandrusty;sothat,havingnoweaponleft,Ididnotcaretoventureabroad。Besides,thoughIreallythoughtitanactmeritingsalvationtomurdertheNazarenes,asthefactwastobecommittedatmidnight,atwhichtime,toavoidsuspicion,wewerealltosallyfromourownhouses,Icouldnotpersuademyselftoconsumesomuchoilinsittinguptothathour:forthesereasonsthereforeIremainedathomethatevening。
"IwasatthistimegreatlyenamoredwithoneHypatia,thedaughterofaphilosopher;ayoungladyofthegreatestbeautyandmerit:indeed,shehadeveryimaginableornamentbothofmindandbody。Sheseemednottodislikemyperson;butthereweretwoobstructionstoourmarriage,viz。,myreligionandherpoverty:bothwhichmightprobablyhavebeengotover,hadnotthosedogstheChristiansmurderedher;and,whatisworse,afterwardsburnedherbody:worse,Isay,becauseIlostbythatmeansajewelofsomevalue,whichIhadpresentedtoher,designing,ifournuptialsdidnottakeplace,todemanditofherbackagain。
"Beingthusdisappointedinmylove,IsoonafterleftAlexandriaandwenttotheimperialcity,whereIapprehendedIshouldfindagoodmarketforjewelsontheapproachingmarriageoftheemperorwithAthenais。Idisguisedmyselfasabeggaronthisjourney,forthesereasons:first,asIimaginedIshouldthuscarrymyjewelswithgreatersafety;and,secondly,tolessenmyexpenses;whichlatterexpedientsucceededsowell,thatIbeggedtwoobolionmywaymorethanmytravelingcostme,mydietbeingchieflyroots,andmydrinkwater。
"Butperhaps,ithadbeenbetterformeifIhadbeenmorelavishandmoreexpeditious;fortheceremonywasoverbeforeIreachedConstantinople;sothatIlostthatgloriousopportunityofdisposingofmyjewelswithwhichmanyofourpeopleweregreatlyenriched。
"Thelifeofamiserisverylittleworthrelating,asitisoneconstantschemeofgettingorsavingmoney。Ishallthereforerepeattoyousomefewonlyofmyadventures,withoutregardtoanyorder。
"ARomanJew,whowasagreatloverofFalernianwine,andwhoindulgedhimselfveryfreelywithit,cametodineatmyhouse;
when,knowingheshouldmeetwithlittlewine,andthatofthecheapersort,sentmeinhalf—a—dozenjarsofFalernian。CanyoubelieveIwouldnotgivethismanhisownwine?Sir,I
adulterateditsothatImadesixjarsof[them]three,whichheandhisfrienddrank;theotherthreeIafterwardssoldtotheverypersonwhooriginallysentthemme,knowinghewouldgiveabetterpricethananyother。
"AnobleRomancameonedaytomyhouseinthecountry,whichI
hadpurchased,forhalfthevalue,ofadistressedperson。Myneighborspaidhimthecomplimentofsomemusic,onwhichaccount,whenhedeparted,heleftapieceofgoldwithmetobedistributedamongthem。Ipocketedthismoney,andorderedthemasmallvesselofsourwine,whichIcouldnothavesoldforabovetwodrachms,andafterwardsmadethempayinworkthreetimesthevalueofit。
"AsIwasnotentirelyvoidofreligion,thoughIpretendedtoinfinitelymorethanIhad,soIendeavoredtoreconcilemytransactionstomyconscienceaswellaspossible。ThusIneverinvitedanyonetoeatwithme,butthoseonwhosepocketsIhadsomedesign。AfterourcollationitwasconstantlymymethodtosetdowninabookIkeptforthatpurpose,whatIthoughttheyowedmefortheirmeal。Indeed,thiswasgenerallyahundredtimesasmuchastheycouldhavedinedelsewherefor;but,however,itwasquidproquo,ifnotadvalorem。Now,whenevertheopportunityofferedofimposingonthemIconsidereditonlyaspayingmyselfwhattheyowedme:indeed,IdidnotalwaysconfinemyselfstrictlytowhatIhadsetdown,howeverextravagantthatwas;butIreconciledtakingtheoverplustomyselfasusance。
"ButIwasnotonlytoocunningforothers——Isometimesoverreachedmyself。Ihavecontracteddistempersforwantoffoodandwarmth,whichhaveputmetotheexpenseofaphysician;
nay,Ionceverynarrowlyescapeddeathbytakingbaddrugs,onlytosaveoneseven—eighthpercentintheprice。
"Bytheseandsuchlikemeans,inthemidstofpovertyandeverykindofdistress,Isawmyselfmasterofanimmensefortune,thecastingupandruminatingonwhichwasmydailyandonlypleasure。Thiswas,however,obstructedandembitteredbytwoconsiderations,whichagainstmywillofteninvadedmythoughts。
One,whichwouldhavebeenintolerable(butthatindeedseldomtroubledme),was,thatImustonedayleavemydarlingtreasure。
Theotherhauntedmecontinually,viz。,thatmyricheswerenogreater。However,Icomfortedmyselfagainstthisreflectionbyanassurancethattheywouldincreasedaily:onwhichheadmyhopesweresoextensivethatImaysaywithVirgil——
’Hisegonecmetasrerumnectemporapono。’
IndeedIamconvincedthat,hadIpossessedthewholeglobeofearth,saveonesingledrachma,whichIhadbeencertainnevertobemasterof——Iamconvinced,Isay,thatsingledrachmawouldhavegivenmemoreuneasinessthanalltherestcouldaffordmepleasure。
"Tosaythetruth,betweenmysolicitudeincontrivingschemestoprocuremoneyandmyextremeanxietyinpreservingit,Ineverhadonemomentofeasewhileawakenorofquietwheninmysleep。
InallthecharactersthroughwhichIhavepassed,IhaveneverundergonehalfthemiseryIsufferedinthis;and,indeed,Minosseemedtobeofthesameopinion;forwhileIstoodtremblingandshakinginexpectationofmysentencehebidmegobackaboutmybusiness,forthatnobodywastobed——n’dinmoreworldsthanone。And,indeed,Ihavesincelearnedthatthedevilwillnotreceiveamiser。"
CHAPTERXII
WhathappenedtoJulianinthecharactersofageneral,anheir,acarpenter,andabeau。
"ThenextstepItookintotheworldwasatApollonia,inThrace,whereIwasbornofabeautifulGreekslave,whowasthemistressofEutyches,agreatfavoriteoftheemperorZeno。Thatprince,athisrestoration,gavemethecommandofacohort,Ibeingthenbutfifteenyearsofage;andalittleafterwards,beforeIhadevenseenanarmy,preferredme,overtheheadsofalltheoldofficers,tobeatribune。
"AsIfoundaneasyaccesstotheemperor,bymeansofmyfather’sintimacywithhim,hebeingaverygoodcourtier——or,inotherwords,amostprostituteflatterer——soIsooningratiatedmyselfwithZeno,andsowellimitatedmyfatherinflatteringhim,thathewouldneverpartwithmefromabouthisperson。SothatthefirstarmedforceIeverbeheldwasthatwithwhichMarciansurroundedthepalace,whereIwasthenshutupwiththerestofthecourt。
"IwasafterwardsputattheheadofalegionandorderedtomarchintoSyriawithTheodorictheGoth;thatis,Imeanmylegionwassoordered;for,astomyself,Iremainedatcourt,withthenameandpayofageneral,withoutthelabororthedanger。
"Asnothingcouldbemoregay,i。e。,debauched,thanZeno’scourt,sotheladiesofgaydispositionhadgreatswayinit;
particularlyone,whosenamewasFausta,who,thoughnotextremelyhandsome,wasbyherwitandsprightlinessveryagreeabletotheemperor。WithherIlivedingoodcorrespondence,andwetogetherdisposedofallkindsofcommissionsinthearmy,nottothosewhohadmostmerit,butwhowouldpurchaseatthehighestrate。Myleveewasnowprodigiouslythrongedbyofficerswhoreturnedfromthecampaigns,who,thoughtheymighthavebeenconvincedbydailyexamplehowineffectualarecommendationtheirserviceswere,stillcontinuedindefatigableinattendance,andbehavedtomewithasmuchobservanceandrespectasIshouldhavebeenentitledtoformakingtheirfortunes,whileIsufferedthemandtheirfamiliestostarve。
"Severalpoets,likewise,addressedversestome,inwhichtheycelebratedmyachievements;andwhat,perhaps,mayseemstrangetousatpresent,Ireceivedallthisincensewithmostgreedyvanity,withoutoncereflectingthat,asIdidnotdeservethesecompliments,theyshouldratherputmeinmindofmydefects。
"Myfatherwasnowdead,andIbecamesoabsoluteintheemperor’sgracethatoneunacquaintedwithcourtswouldscarcebelievetheservilitywithwhichallkindsofpersonswhoenteredthewallsofthepalacebehavedtowardsme。Abow,asmile,anodfromme,asIpassedthroughcringingcrowds,wereesteemedassignalfavors;butagraciouswordmadeanyonehappy;and,indeed,hadthisrealbenefitattendingit,thatitdrewonthepersononwhomitwasbestowedaverygreatdegreeofrespectfromallothers;fortheseareofcurrentvalueincourts,and,likenotesintradingcommunities,areassignablefromonetotheother。Thesmileofacourtfavoriteimmediatelyraisesthepersonwhoreceivesit,andgivesavaluetohissmilewhenconferredonaninferior:thusthesmileistransferredfromonetotheother,andthegreatmanatlastisthepersontodiscountit。Forinstance,averylowfellowhathadesireforaplace。
Towhomishetoapply?Nottothegreatman;fortohimhehathnoaccess。HethereforeappliestoA,whoisthecreatureofB,whoisthetoolofC,whoistheflattererofD,whoisthecatamiteofE,whoisthepimpofF,whoisthebullyofG,whoisthebuffoonofI,whoisthehusbandofK,whoisthewhoreofL,whoisthebastardofM,whoistheinstrumentofthegreatman。ThusthesmiledescendingregularlyfromthegreatmantoA,isdiscountedbackagain,andatlastpaidbythegreatman。
"Itismanifestthatacourtwouldsubsistasdifficultlywithoutthiskindofcoinasatradingcitywithoutpapercredit。
Indeed,theydifferinthis,thattheirvalueisnotquitesocertain,andafavoritemayprotesthissmilewithoutthedangerofbankruptcy。
"Inthemidstofallthisglorytheemperordied,andAnastasiuswaspreferredtothecrown。AsitwasyetuncertainwhetherI
shouldnotcontinueinfavor,Iwasreceivedasusualatmyentranceintothepalacetopaymyrespectstothenewemperor;
butIwasnosoonerrumpedbyhimthanIreceivedthesamecomplimentfromalltherest;thewholeroom,likearegimentofsoldiers,turningtheirbackstomeallatonce:mysmilenowwasbecomeofequalvaluewiththenoteofabrokenbanker,andeveryonewasascautiousnottoreceiveit。
"Imadeasmuchhasteaspossiblefromthecourt,andshortlyafterfromthecity,retreatingtotheplaceofmynativity,whereIspenttheremainderofmydaysinaretiredlifeinhusbandry,theonlyamusementforwhichIwasqualified,havingneitherlearningnorvirtue。
"WhenIcametothegateMinosagainseemedatfirstdoubtful,butatlengthdismissedme;sayingthoughIhadbeenguiltyofmanyheinouscrimes,inasmuchasIhad,thoughageneral,neverbeenconcernedinspillinghumanblood,Imightreturnagaintoearth。
"IwasnowagainborninAlexandria,and,bygreataccident,enteringintothewombofmydaughter—in—law,cameforthmyowngrandson,inheritingthatfortunewhichIhadbeforeamassed。
"Extravagancewasnowasnotoriouslymyviceasavaricehadbeenformerly;andIspentinaveryshortlifewhathadcostmethelaborofaverylongonetoraketogether。Perhapsyouwillthinkmypresentconditionwasmoretobeenviedthanmyformer:
butuponmyworditwasverylittleso;for,bypossessingeverythingalmostbeforeIdesiredit,IcouldhardlyeversayI
enjoyedmywish:Iscarceeverknewthedelightofsatisfyingacravingappetite。Besides,asIneveroncethought,mymindwasuselesstome,andIwasanabsolutestrangertoallthepleasuresarisingfromit。Nor,indeed,didmyeducationqualifymeforanydelicacyinotherenjoyments;sothatinthemidstofplentyIloathedeverything。TasteforeleganceIhadnone;andthegreatestofcorporealblissesIfeltnomorefromthanthelowestanimal。Inaword,aswhileamiserIhadplentywithoutdaringtouseit,sonowIhaditwithoutappetite。
"ButifIwasnotveryhappyintheheightofmyenjoyment,soI
afterwardsbecameperfectlymiserable;beingsoonovertakenbydisease,andreducedtodistress,tillatlength,withabrokenconstitutionandbrokenheart,Iendedmywretcheddaysinajail:norcanIthinkthesentenceofMinostoomild,whocondemnedme,afterhavingtakenalargedoseofavarice,towanderthreeyearsonthebanksofCocytus,withtheknowledgeofhavingspentthefortuneinthepersonofthegrandsonwhichI
hadraisedinthatofthegrandfather。
"Theplaceofmybirth,onmyreturntotheworld,wasConstantinople,wheremyfatherwasacarpenter。ThefirstthingIrememberwas,thetriumphofBelisarius,whichwas,indeed,mostnobleshow;butnothingpleasedmesomuchasthefigureofGelimer,kingoftheAfricanVandals,who,beingledcaptiveonthisoccasion,reflectingwithdisdainonthemutationofhisownfortune,andontheridiculousemptypompoftheconqueror,criedout,VANITY,VANITY,ALLISMEREVANITY。’
"Iwasbreduptomyfather’strade,andyoumayeasilybelievesolowaspherecouldproducenoadventuresworthyournotice。
However,ImarriedawomanIliked,andwhoprovedaverytolerablewife。Mydayswerepassedinhardlabor,butthisprocuredmehealth,andIenjoyedahomelysupperatnightwithmywifewithmorepleasurethanIapprehendgreaterpersonsfindattheirluxuriousmeals。Mylifehadscarceanyvarietyinit,andatmydeathIadvancedtoMinoswithgreatconfidenceofenteringthegate:butIwasunhappilyobligedtodiscoversomefraudsIhadbeenguiltyofinthemeasureofmyworkwhenI
workedbythefoot,aswellasmylazinesswhenIwasemployedbytheday。Onwhichaccount,whenIattemptedtopass,theangryjudgelaidholdonmebytheshoulders,andturnedmebacksoviolently,that,hadIhadaneckoffleshandbone,Ibelievehewouldhavebrokeit。"
CHAPTERXIII
Julianpassesintoafop。
"MysceneofactionwasRome。Iwasbornintoanoblefamily,andheirtoaconsiderablefortune。Onwhichmyparents,thinkingIshouldnotwantanytalents,resolvedverykindlyandwiselytothrownoneawayuponme。TheonlyinstructorsofmyyouthwerethereforeoneSaltator,whotaughtmeseveralmotionsformylegs;andoneFicus,whosebusinesswastoshowmethecleanestway(ashecalledit)ofcuttingoffaman’shead。WhenIwaswellaccomplishedinthesesciences,Ithoughtnothingmorewanting,butwhatwastobefurnishedbytheseveralmechanicsinRome,whodealtindressingandadorningthepope。Beingthereforewellequippedwithallwhichtheirartcouldproduce,I
becameattheageoftwentyacompletefinishedbeau。Andnowduringforty—fiveyearsIdressed,Isanganddanced,anddancedandsang,Ibowedandogled,andogledandbowed,till,inthesixty—sixthyearofmyage,Igotcoldbyoverheatingmyselfwithdancing,anddied。
"Minostoldme,asIwasunworthyofElysium,soIwastooinsignificanttobedamned,andthereforebademewalkbackagain。"
CHAPTERXIV
Adventuresinthepersonofamonk。
"Fortunenowplacedmeinthecharacterofayoungerbrotherofagoodhouse,andIwasinmyyouthsenttoschool;butlearningwasnowatsolowanebb,thatmymasterhimselfcouldhardlyconstrueasentenceofLatin;andasforGreek,hecouldnotreadit。Withverylittleknowledgetherefore,andwithaltogetheraslittlevirtue,Iwassetapartforthechurch,andattheproperagecommencedmonk。Ilivedmanyyearsretiredinacell,alifeveryagreeabletothegloominessofmytemper,whichwasmuchinclinedtodespisetheworld;thatis,inotherwords,toenvyallmenofsuperiorfortuneandqualifications,andingeneraltohateanddetestthehumanspecies。Notwithstandingwhich,I
could,onproperoccasions,submittoflatterthevilestfellowinnature,whichIdidoneStephen,aneunuch,afavoriteoftheemperorJustinianII,oneofthewickedestwretcheswhomperhapstheworldeversaw。Inotonlywroteapanegyriconthisman,butIcommendedhimasapatterntoallothersinmysermons;bywhichmeansIsogreatlyingratiatedmyselfwithhim,thatheintroducedmetotheemperor’spresence,whereIprevailedsofarbythesamemethods,thatIwasshortlytakenfrommycell,andpreferredtoaplaceatcourt。IwasnosoonerestablishedinthefavorofJustinianthanIpromptedhimtoallkindofcruelty。AsIwasofasourmorosetemper,andhatednothingmorethanthesymptomsofhappinessappearinginanycountenance,Irepresentedallkindofdiversionandamusementasthemosthorridsins。Iinveighedagainstcheerfulnessaslevity,andencouragednothingbutgravity,or,toconfessthetruthtoyou,hypocrisy。Theunhappyemperorfollowedmyadvice,andincensedthepeoplebysuchrepeatedbarbarities,thathewasatlastdeposedbythemandbanished。
"Inowretiredagaintomycell(forhistoriansmistakeinsayingIwasputtodeath),whereIremainedsafefromthedangeroftheirritatedmob,whomIcursedinmyownheartasmuchastheycouldcurseme。
"Justinian,afterthreeyearsofhisbanishment,returnedtoConstantinopleindisguise,andpaidmeavisit。Iatfirstaffectednottoknowhim,andwithouttheleastcompunctionofgratitudeforhisformerfavors,intendednottoreceivehim,tillathoughtimmediatelysuggesteditselftomehowImightconverthimtomyadvantage,Ipretendedtorecollecthim;and,blamingtheshortnessofmymemoryandbadnessofmyeyes,I
sprungforwardandembracedhimwithgreataffection。
"MydesignwastobetrayhimtoApsimar,who,Idoubtednot,wouldgenerouslyrewardsuchaservice。Ithereforeveryearnestlyrequestedhimtospendthewholeeveningwithme;towhichheconsented。Iformedanexcuseforleavinghimafewminutes,andranawaytothepalacetoacquaintApsimarwiththeguestwhomIhadtheninmycell。Hepresentlyorderedaguardtogowithmeandseizehim;but,whetherthelengthofmystaygavehimanysuspicion,orwhetherhechangedhispurposeaftermydeparture,Iknownot;foratmyreturnwefoundhehadgivenustheslip;norcouldwewiththemostdiligentsearchdiscoverhim。
"Apsimar,beingdisappointedofhisprey,nowragedatme;atfirstdenouncingthemostdreadfulvengeanceifIdidnotproducethedeposedmonarch。However,bysoothinghispassionwhenatthehighest,andafterwardsbycantingandflattery,Imadeashifttoescapehisfury。
"WhenJustinianwasrestoredIveryconfidentlywenttowishhimjoyofhisrestoration:butitseemshehadunfortunatelyheardofmytreachery,sothatheatfirstreceivedmecoldly,andafterwardsupbraidedmeopenlywithwhatIhaddone。I
perseveredstoutlyindenyingit,asIknewnoevidencecouldbeproducedagainstme;till,findinghimirreconcilable,Ibetookmyselftorevilinghiminmysermons,andoneveryotheroccasion,asanenemytothechurchandgoodmen,andasaninfidel,aheretic,anatheist,aheathen,andanArian。ThisI
didimmediatelyonhisreturn,andbeforehegavethoseflagrantproofsofhisinhumanitywhichafterwardssufficientlyverifiedallIhadsaid。
"LuckilyIdiedonthesamedaywhenagreatnumberofthoseforceswhichJustinianhadsentagainsttheThracianBosphorus,andwhohadexecutedsuchunheard—ofcrueltiesthere,perished。
Aseveryoneofthesewascastintothebottomlesspit,Minoswassotiredwithcondemnation,thatheproclaimedthatallpresentwhohadnotbeenconcernedinthatbloodyexpeditionmight,iftheypleased,returntotheotherworld。Itookhimathisword,and,presentlyturningabout,beganmyjourney。"
CHAPTERXV
Julianpassesintothecharacterofafiddler。
"Romewasnowtheseatofmynativity。MymotherwasanAfrican,awomanofnogreatbeauty,butafavorite,Isupposefromherpiety,ofpopeGregoryII。WhowasmyfatherIknownot,butI
believenoveryconsiderableman;forafterthedeathofthatpope,whowas,outofhisreligion,averygoodfriendofmymother,wefellintogreatdistress,andwereatlengthreducedtowalkthestreetsofRome;norhadeitherofusanyothersupportbutafiddle,onwhichIplayedwithprettytolerableskill;for,asmygeniusturnednaturallytomusic,soIhadbeeninmyyouthveryearlyinstructedattheexpenseofthegoodpope。Thisaffordedusbutaverypoorlivelihood:for,thoughIhadoftenanumerouscrowdofhearers,feweverthoughtthemselvesobligedtocontributethesmallestpittancetothepoorstarvingwretchwhohadgiventhempleasure。Nay,someofthegraversort,afteranhour’sattentiontomymusic,havegoneawayshakingtheirheads,andcryingitwasashamesuchvagabondsweresufferedtostayinthecity。
"Tosaythetruth,Iamconfidentthefiddlewouldnothavekeptusalivehadweentirelydependedonthegenerosityofmyhearers。Mymotherthereforewasforcedtouseherownindustry;
andwhileIwassoothingtheearsofthecrowd,sheappliedtotheirpockets,andthatgenerallywithsuchgoodsuccessthatwenowbegantoenjoyaverycomfortablesubsistence;andindeed,hadwehadtheleastprudenceorforecast,mighthavesoonacquiredenoughtoenableustoquitthisdangerousanddishonorablewayoflife:butIknownotwhatisthereasonthatmoneygotwithlaborandsafetyisconstantlypreserved,whiletheproduceofdangerandeaseiscommonlyspentaseasily,andoftenaswickedly,asacquired。Thusweproportionedourexpensesratherbywhatwehadthanwhatwewantedorevendesired;andonobtainingaconsiderablebootywehaveevenforcednatureintothemostprofligateextravagance,andhavebeenwickedwithoutinclination。
"Wecarriedonthismethodofthieveryforalongtimewithoutdetection:but,asFortunegenerallyleavespersonsofextraordinaryingenuityinthelurchatlast,sodidsheus;formypoormotherwastakeninthefact,and,togetherwithmyself,asheraccomplice,hurriedbeforeamagistrate。
"Luckilyforus,thepersonwhowastobeourjudgewasthegreatestloverofmusicinthewholecity,andhadoftensentformetoplaytohim,forwhich,ashehadgivenmeverysmallrewards,perhapshisgratitudenowmovedhim:but,whateverwashismotive,hebrowbeattheinformersagainstus,andtreatedtheirevidencewithsolittlefavor,thattheirmouthsweresoonstopped,andwedismissedwithhonor;acquitted,Ishouldratherhaveitsaid,forwewerenotsufferedtodeparttillIhadgiventhejudgeseveraltunesonthefiddle。
"Weescapedthebetteronthisoccasionbecausethepersonrobbedhappenedtobeapoet;whichgavethejudge,whowasafacetiousperson,manyopportunitiesofjesting。Hesaidpoetsandmusiciansshouldagreetogether,seeingtheyhadmarriedsisters;
whichheafterwardsexplainedtobethesisterarts。Andwhenthepieceofgoldwasproducedheburstintoaloudlaugh,andsaiditmustbethegoldenage,whenpoetshadgoldintheirpockets,andinthatagetherecouldbenorobbers。Hemademanymorejestsofthesamekind,butasmalltastewillsuffice。
"Itisacommonsayingthatmenshouldtakewarningbyanysignaldelivery;butIcannotapprovethejusticeofit;fortomeitseemsthattheacquittalofaguiltypersonshouldratherinspirehimwithconfidence,andithadthiseffectonus:forwenowlaughedatthelaw,anddespiseditspunishments,whichwefoundweretobeescapedevenagainstpositiveevidence。Weimaginedthelateexamplewasratherawarningtotheaccuserthanthecriminal,andaccordinglyproceededinthemostimpudentandflagitiousmanner。
"Amongotherrobberies,onenight,beingadmittedbytheservantsintothehouseofanopulentpriest,mymothertookanopportunity,whilsttheservantsweredancingtomytunes,toconveyawayasilvervessel;thisshedidwithouttheleastsacrilegiousintention;butitseemsthecup,whichwasaprettylargeone,wasdedicatedtoholyuses,andonlyborrowedbythepriestonanentertainmentwhichhemadeforsomeofhisbrethren。Wewereimmediatelypursueduponthisrobbery(thecupbeingtakeninourpossession),andcarriedbeforethesamemagistrate,whohadbeforebehavedtouswithsomuchgentleness:
buthiscountenancewasnowchanged,forthemomentthepriestappearedagainstus,hisseveritywasasremarkableashiscandorhadbeenbefore,andwewerebothorderedtobestrippedandwhippedthroughthestreets。
"Thissentencewasexecutedwithgreatseverity,thepriesthimselfattendingandencouragingtheexecutioner,whichhesaidhedidforthegoodofoursouls;but,thoughourbackswerebothflayed,neithermymother’stormentsnormyownafflictedmesomuchastheindignityofferedtomypoorfiddle,whichwascarriedintriumphbeforeme,andtreatedwithacontemptbythemultitude,intimatingagreatscornforthescienceIhadthehonortoprofess;which,asitisoneofthenoblestinventionsofmen,andasIhadbeenalwaysinthehighestdegreeproudofmyexcellenceinit,Isufferedsomuchfromtheill—treatmentmyfiddlereceived,thatIwouldhavegivenallmyremainderofskintohavepreserveditfromthisaffront。
"Mymothersurvivedthewhippingaveryshorttime;andIwasnowreducedtogreatdistressandmisery,tillayoungRomanofconsiderableranktookafancytome,receivedmeintohisfamily,andconversedwithmeintheutmostfamiliarity。Hehadaviolentattachmenttomusic,andwouldlearntoplayonthefiddle;but,throughwantofgeniusforthescience,henevermadeanyconsiderableprogress。However,Iflatteredhisperformance,andhegrewextravagantlyfondofmeforsodoing。
HadIcontinuedthisbehaviorImightpossiblyhavereapedthegreatestadvantagesfromhiskindness;butIhadraisedhisownopinionofhismusicalabilitiessohigh,thathenowbegantopreferhisskilltomine,apresumptionIcouldnotbear。Onedayaswewereplayinginconcerthewashorriblyout;norwasitpossible,ashedestroyedtheharmony,toavoidtellinghimofit。Insteadofreceivingmycorrection,heanswereditwasmyblunderandnothis,andthatIhadmistakenthekey。Suchanaffrontfrommyownscholarwasbeyondhumanpatience;Iflewintoaviolentpassion,Iflungdownmyinstrumentinarage,andsworeIwasnottobetaughtmusicatmyage。Heanswered,withasmuchwarmth,norwashetobeinstructedbyastrollingfiddler。Thedisputeendedinachallengetoplayaprizebeforejudges。Thiswagerwasdeterminedinmyfavor;butthepurchasewasadearone,forIlostmyfriendbyit,whonow,twittingmewithallhiskindness,withmyformerignominiouspunishment,andthedestituteconditionfromwhichIhadbeenbyhisbountyrelieved,discardedmeforever。
"WhileIlivedwiththisgentlemanIbecameknown,amongothers,toSabina,aladyofdistinction,andwhovaluedherselfmuchonhertasteformusic。Shenosoonerheardofmybeingdiscardedthanshetookmeintoherhouse,whereIwasextremelywellclothedandfed。Notwithstandingwhich,mysituationwasfarfromagreeable;forIwasobligedtosubmittoherconstantreprehensionsbeforecompany,whichgavemethegreateruneasinessbecausetheywerealwayswrong;noramIcertainthatshedidnotbytheseprovocationscontributetomydeath:for,asexperiencehadtaughtmetogiveupmyresentmenttomybread,somypassions,forwantofoutwardvent,preyedinwardlyonmyvitals,andperhapsoccasionedthedistemperofwhichIsickened。
"Thelady,who,amidstallthefaultsshefound,wasveryfondofme,nay,probablywasthefonderofmethemorefaultsshefound,immediatelycalledintheaidofthreecelebratedphysicians。
Thedoctors(beingwellfee’d)mademesevenvisitsinthreedays,andtwoofthemwereatthedoortovisitmetheeighthtime,when,beingacquaintedthatIwasjustdead,theyshooktheirheadsanddeparted。
"WhenIcametoMinosheaskedmewithasmilewhetherIhadbroughtmyfiddlewithme;and,receivingananswerinthenegative,hebidmegetaboutmybusiness,sayingitwaswellformethatthedevilwasnoloverofmusic。"
CHAPTERXVI
Thehistoryofthewiseman。
"InowreturnedtoRome,butinaverydifferentcharacter。
Fortunehadnowallottedmeaseriousparttoact。Ihadeveninmyinfancyagravedisposition,norwasIeverseentosmile,whichinfusedanopinionintoallaboutmethatIwasachildofgreatsolidity;someforeseeingthatIshouldbeajudge,andothersabishop。Attwoyearsoldmyfatherpresentedmewitharattle,whichIbroketopieceswithgreatindignation。Thisthegoodparent,beingextremelywise,regardedasaneminentsymptomofmywisdom,andcriedoutinakindofecstasy,’Wellsaid,boy!Iwarrantthoumakestagreatman。’
"AtschoolIcouldneverbepersuadedtoplaywithmymates;notthatIspentmyhoursinlearning,towhichIwasnotintheleastaddicted,norindeedhadIanytalentsforit。However,thesolemnityofmycarriagewonsomuchonmymaster,whowasamostsagaciousperson,thatIwashischieffavorite,andmyexampleonalloccasionswasrecommendedtotheotherboys,whichfilledthemwithenvy,andmewithpleasure;but,thoughtheyenviedme,theyallpaidmethatinvoluntaryrespectwhichitisthecurseattendingthispassiontobeartowardsitsobject。
"Ihadnowobtaineduniversallythecharacterofaverywiseyoungman,whichIdidnotaltogetherpurchasewithoutpains;fortherestraintIlaidonmyselfinabstainingfromtheseveraldiversionsadaptedtomyyearscostmemanyayearning;butthepridewhichIinwardlyenjoyedinthefancieddignityofmycharactermademesomeamends。
"ThusIpassedon,withoutanythingverymemorablehappeningtome,tillIarrivedattheageoftwenty—three,whenunfortunatelyIfellacquaintedwithayoungNeapolitanladywhosenamewasAriadne。Herbeautywassoexquisitethatherfirstsightmadeaviolentimpressiononme;thiswasagainimprovedbyherbehavior,whichwasmostgenteel,easy,andaffable:lastly,herconversationcompletedtheconquest。Inthisshediscoveredastrongandlivelyunderstanding,withthesweetestandmostbenigntemper。ThislovelycreaturewasabouteighteenwhenI
firstunhappilybeheldheratRome,onavisittoarelationwithwhomIhadgreatintimacy。Asourinterviewsatfirstwereextremelyfrequent,mypassionswerecaptivatedbeforeI
apprehendedtheleastdanger;andthesoonerprobably,astheyoungladyherself,towhomIconsultedeverymethodofrecommendation,wasnotdispleasedwithmybeingheradmirer。
"Ariadne,havingspentthreemonthsatRome,nowreturnedtoNaples,bearingmyheartwithher:ontheotherhand,Ihadalltheassurancesconsistentwiththeconstraintunderwhichthemostperfectmodestylaysayoungwoman,thatherownheartwasnotentirelyunaffected。Isoonfoundherabsencegavemeanuneasinessnoteasytobeborneortoremove。Inowfirstappliedtodiversions(ofthegraversort,particularlytomusic),butinvain;theyratherraisedmydesiresandheightenedmyanguish。Mypassionatlengthgrewsoviolent,thatIbegantothinkofsatisfyingit。Asthefirststeptothis,I
cautiouslyinquiredintothecircumstancesofAriadne’sparents,withwhichIwashithertounacquainted:though,indeed,Ididnotapprehendtheywereextremelygreat,notwithstandingthehandsomeappearanceoftheirdaughteratRome。Uponexamination,herfortuneexceededmyexpectation,butwasnotsufficienttojustifymymarriagewithher,intheopinionofthewiseandprudent。Ihadnowaviolentstrugglebetweenwisdomandhappiness,inwhich,afterseveralgrievouspangs,wisdomgotthebetter。Icouldbynomeansprevailwithmyselftosacrificethatcharacterofprofoundwisdom,whichIhadwithsuchuniformconductobtained,andwithsuchcautionhithertopreserved。I
thereforeresolvedtoconquermyaffection,whateveritcostme;
andindeeditdidnotcostmealittle。
"WhileIwasengagedinthisconflict(foritlastedalongtime)
AriadnereturnedtoRome:herpresencewasaterribleenemytomywisdom,whicheveninherabsencehadwithgreatdifficultystooditsground。Itseems(asshehathsincetoldmeinElysiumwithmuchmerriment)Ihadmadethesameimpressionsonherwhichshehadmadeonme。Indeed,Ibelievemywisdomwouldhavebeentotallysubduedbythissurprise,haditnotcunninglysuggestedtomeamethodofsatisfyingmypassionwithoutdoinganyinjurytomyreputation。Thiswasbyengagingherprivatelyasamistress,whichwasatthattimereputableenoughatRome,providedtheaffairwasmanagedwithanairofslynessandgravity,thoughthesecretwasknowntothewholecity。
"Iimmediatelysetaboutthisproject,andemployedeveryartandenginetoeffectit。Ihadparticularlybribedherpriest,andanoldfemaleacquaintanceanddistantrelationofhers,intomyinterest:butallwasinvain;hervirtueopposedthepassioninherbreastasstronglyaswisdomhadopposeditinmine。Shereceivedmyproposalswiththeutmostdisdain,andpresentlyrefusedtoseeorhearfrommeanymore。
"ShereturnedagaintoNaples,andleftmeinaworseconditionthanbefore。MydaysInowpassedwiththemostirksomeuneasiness,andmynightswererestlessandsleepless。Thestoryofouramourwasnowprettypublic,andtheladiestalkedofourmatchascertain;butmyacquaintancedeniedtheirassent,saying,’No,no,heistoowisetomarrysoimprudently。’Thistheiropiniongaveme,Iown,verygreatpleasure;but,tosaythetruth,scarcecompensatedthepangsIsufferedtopreserveit。
"Oneday,whileIwasbalancingwithmyself,andhadalmostresolvedtoenjoymyhappinessatthepriceofmycharacter,afriendbroughtmewordthatAriadnewasmarried。Thisnewsstruckmetothesoul;andthoughIhadresolutionenoughtomaintainmygravitybeforehim(forwhichIsufferednotalittlethemore),themomentIwasaloneIthrewmyselfintothemostviolentfitofdespair,andwouldwillinglyhavepartedwithwisdom,fortune,andeverythingelse,tohaveretrievedher;butthatwasimpossible,andIhadnownothingbuttimetohopeacurefrom。Thiswasverytediousinperformingit,andthelongerasAriadnehadmarriedaRomancavalier,wasnowbecomemynearneighbor,andIhadthemortificationofseeinghermakethebestofwives,andofhavingthehappinesswhichIhadlost,everydaybeforemyeyes。
"IfIsufferedsomuchonaccountofmywisdominhavingrefusedAriadne,Iwasnotmuchmoreobligedtoitforprocuringmearichwidow,whowasrecommendedtomebyanoldfriendasaveryprudentmatch;and,indeed,soitwas,herfortunebeingsuperiortomineinthesameproportionasthatofAriadnehadbeeninferior。Ithereforeembracedthisproposal,andmycharacterofwisdomsoonpleadedsoeffectuallyformewiththewidow,whowasherselfawomanofgreatgravityanddiscretion,thatIsoonsucceeded;andassoonasdecencywouldpermit(ofwhichthisladywasthestrictestobserver)weweremarried,beingtheseconddayofthesecondweekofthesecondyearafterherhusband’sdeath;forshesaidshethoughtsomeperiodoftimeabovetheyearhadagreatairofdecorum。