THE thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne as I best could, but when he ventured upon insult, I vowed1 revenge. You, who so well know the nature of my soul, will not suppose, however, that I gave utterance2 to a threat. AT LENGTH I would be avenged3; this was a point definitively4 settled -- but the very definitiveness with which it was resolved precluded5 the idea of risk. I must not only punish, but punish with impunity6. A wrong is unredressed when retribution overtakes its redresser7. It is equally unredressed when the avenger8 fails to make himself felt as such to him who has done the wrong.
It must be understood that neither by word nor deed had I given Fortunato cause to doubt my good will. I continued as was my wont9, to smile in his face, and he did not perceive that my smile NOW was at the thought of his immolation10.
He had a weak point -- this Fortunato -- although in other regards he was a man to be respected and even feared. He prided himself on his connoisseurship11 in wine. Few Italians have the true virtuoso12 spirit. For the most part their enthusiasm is adopted to suit the time and opportunity to practise imposture13 upon the British and Austrian MILLIONAIRES. In painting and gemmary, Fortunato, like his countrymen, was a quack14, but in the matter of old wines he was sincere. In this respect I did not differ from him materially; I was skilful15 in the Italian vintages myself, and bought largely whenever I could.
It was about dusk, one evening during the supreme16 madness of the carnival17 season, that I encountered my friend. He accosted18 me with excessive warmth, for he had been drinking much. The man wore motley. He had on a tight-fitting parti-striped dress and his head was surmounted19 by the conical cap and bells. I was so pleased to see him, that I thought I should never have done wringing20 his hand.
I said to him -- "My dear Fortunato, you are luckily met. How remarkably21 well you are looking to-day! But I have received a pipe of what passes for Amontillado, and I have my doubts."
"How?" said he, "Amontillado? A pipe? Impossible? And in the middle of the carnival?"
"I have my doubts," I replied; "and I was silly enough to pay the full Amontillado price without consulting you in the matter. You were not to be found, and I was fearful of losing a bargain."
"Amontillado!"
"I have my doubts."
"Amontillado!"
"And I must satisfy them."
"Amontillado!"
"As you are engaged, I am on my way to Luchesi. If any one has a critical turn, it is he. He will tell me" -
"Luchesi cannot tell Amontillado from Sherry."
"And yet some fools will have it that his taste is a match for your own."
"Come let us go."
"Whither?"
"My friend, no; I will not impose upon your good nature. I perceive you have an engagement Luchesi" -
"I have no engagement; come."
"My friend, no. It is not the engagement, but the severe cold with which I perceive you are afflicted24. The vaults are insufferably damp. They are encrusted with nitre."
"Let us go, nevertheless. The cold is merely nothing. Amontillado! You have been imposed upon; and as for Luchesi, he cannot distinguish Sherry from Amontillado."
Thus speaking, Fortunato possessed26 himself of my arm. Putting on a mask of black silk and drawing a roquelaire closely about my person, I suffered him to hurry me to my palazzo.
There were no attendants at home; they had absconded27 to make merry in honour of the time. I had told them that I should not return until the morning and had given them explicit28 orders not to stir from the house. These orders were sufficient, I well knew, to insure their immediate29 disappearance30, one and all, as soon as my back was turned.
I took from their sconces two flambeaux, and giving one to Fortunato bowed him through several suites31 of rooms to the archway that led into the vaults. I passed down a long and winding32 staircase, requesting him to be cautious as he followed. We came at length to the foot of the descent, and stood together on the damp ground of the catacombs of the Montresors.
The gait of my friend was unsteady, and the bells upon his cap jingled33 as he strode.
"The pipe," said he.
"It is farther on," said I; "but observe the white webwork which gleams from these cavern34 walls."
He turned towards me and looked into my eyes with two filmy orbs35 that distilled36 the rheum of intoxication37.
"Nitre?" he asked, at length
"Nitre," I replied. "How long have you had that cough!"
"Ugh! ugh! ugh! -- ugh! ugh! ugh! -- ugh! ugh! ugh! -- ugh! ugh! ugh! -- ugh! ugh! ugh!
My poor friend found it impossible to reply for many minutes.
"It is nothing," he said, at last.
"Come," I said, with decision, we will go back; your health is precious. You are rich, respected, admired, beloved; you are happy as once I was. You are a man to be missed. For me it is no matter. We will go back; you will be ill and I cannot be responsible. Besides, there is Luchesi" -
"Enough," he said; "the cough is a mere25 nothing; it will not kill me. I shall not die of a cough."
"True -- true," I replied; "and, indeed, I had no intention of alarming you unnecessarily -- but you should use all proper caution. A draught38 of this Medoc will defend us from the damps."
Here I knocked off the neck of a bottle which I drew from a long row of its fellows that lay upon the mould.
"Drink," I said, presenting him the wine.
He raised it to his lips with a leer. He paused and nodded to me familiarly, while his bells jingled.
"I drink," he said, "to the buried that repose39 around us."
"And I to your long life."
He again took my arm and we proceeded.
"These vaults," he said, are extensive."
"The Montresors," I replied, "were a great numerous family."
"I forget your arms."
"A huge human foot d'or, in a field azure40; the foot crushes a serpent rampant41 whose fangs42 are imbedded in the heel."
"And the motto?"
"Nemo me impune lacessit."
"Good!" he said.
The wine sparkled in his eyes and the bells jingled. My own fancy grew warm with the Medoc. We had passed through walls of piled bones, with casks and puncheons intermingling, into the inmost recesses43 of the catacombs. I paused again, and this time I made bold to seize Fortunato by an arm above the elbow.
"The nitre!" I said: see it increases. It hangs like moss45 upon the vaults. We are below the river's bed. The drops of moisture trickle46 among the bones. Come, we will go back ere it is too late. Your cough" -
"It is nothing" he said; "let us go on. But first, another draught of the Medoc."
I broke and reached him a flagon of De Grave. He emptied it at a breath. His eyes flashed with a fierce light. He laughed and threw the bottle upwards47 with a gesticulation I did not understand.
I looked at him in surprise. He repeated the movement -- a grotesque48 one.
"You do not comprehend?" he said.
"Not I," I replied.
"Then you are not of the brotherhood49."
"How?"
"You are not of the masons."
"Yes, yes," I said "yes! yes."
"You? Impossible! A mason?"
"A mason," I replied.
"A sign," he said.
"It is this," I answered, producing a trowel from beneath the folds of my roquelaire.
"You jest," he exclaimed, recoiling50 a few paces. "But let us proceed to the Amontillado."
"Be it so," I said, replacing the tool beneath the cloak, and again offering him my arm. He leaned upon it heavily. We continued our route in search of the Amontillado. We passed through a range of low arches, descended51, passed on, and descending52 again, arrived at a deep crypt, in which the foulness53 of the air caused our flambeaux rather to glow than flame.
At the most remote end of the crypt there appeared another less spacious54. Its walls had been lined with human remains55 piled to the vault23 overhead, in the fashion of the great catacombs of Paris. Three sides of this interior crypt were still ornamented56 in this manner. From the fourth the bones had been thrown down, and lay promiscuously57 upon the earth, forming at one point a mound58 of some size. Within the wall thus exposed by the displacing of the bones, we perceived a still interior recess44, in depth about four feet, in width three, in height six or seven. It seemed to have been constructed for no especial use in itself, but formed merely the interval59 between two of the colossal60 supports of the roof of the catacombs, and was backed by one of their circumscribing61 walls of solid granite62.
It was in vain that Fortunato, uplifting his dull torch, endeavoured to pry63 into the depths of the recess. Its termination the feeble light did not enable us to see.
"Proceed," I said; "herein is the Amontillado. As for Luchesi" -
"He is an ignoramus," interrupted my friend, as he stepped unsteadily forward, while I followed immediately at his heels. In an instant he had reached the extremity64 of the niche65, and finding his progress arrested by the rock, stood stupidly bewildered. A moment more and I had fettered66 him to the granite. In its surface were two iron staples67, distant from each other about two feet, horizontally. From one of these depended a short chain. from the other a padlock. Throwing the links about his waist, it was but the work of a few seconds to secure it. He was too much astounded68 to resist. Withdrawing the key I stepped back from the recess.
"Pass your hand," I said, "over the wall; you cannot help feeling the nitre. Indeed it is VERY damp. Once more let me IMPLORE69 you to return. No? Then I must positively70 leave you. But I must first render you all the little attentions in my power."
"The Amontillado!" ejaculated my friend, not yet recovered from his astonishment71.
"True," I replied; "the Amontillado."
As I said these words I busied myself among the pile of bones of which I have before spoken. Throwing them aside, I soon uncovered a quantity of building stone and mortar72. With these materials and with the aid of my trowel, I began vigorously to wall up the entrance of the niche.
I had scarcely laid the first tier of my masonry73 when I discovered that the intoxication of Fortunato had in a great measure worn off. The earliest indication I had of this was a low moaning cry from the depth of the recess. It was NOT the cry of a drunken man. There was then a long and obstinate74 silence. I laid the second tier, and the third, and the fourth; and then I heard the furious vibrations75 of the chain. The noise lasted for several minutes, during which, that I might hearken to it with the more satisfaction, I ceased my labours and sat down upon the bones. When at last the clanking subsided76, I resumed the trowel, and finished without interruption the fifth, the sixth, and the seventh tier. The wall was now nearly upon a level with my breast. I again paused, and holding the flambeaux over the mason-work, threw a few feeble rays upon the figure within.
A succession of loud and shrill77 screams, bursting suddenly from the throat of the chained form, seemed to thrust me violently back. For a brief moment I hesitated -- I trembled. Unsheathing my rapier, I began to grope with it about the recess; but the thought of an instant reassured78 me. I placed my hand upon the solid fabric79 of the catacombs, and felt satisfied. I reapproached the wall. I replied to the yells of him who clamoured. I reechoed -- I aided -- I surpassed them in volume and in strength. I did this, and the clamourer grew still.
It was now midnight, and my task was drawing to a close. I had completed the eighth, the ninth, and the tenth tier. I had finished a portion of the last and the eleventh; there remained but a single stone to be fitted and plastered in. I struggled with its weight; I placed it partially80 in its destined81 position. But now there came from out the niche a low laugh that erected82 the hairs upon my head. It was succeeded by a sad voice, which I had difficulty in recognising as that of the noble Fortunato. The voice said --
"Ha! ha! ha! -- he! he! -- a very good joke indeed -- an excellent jest. We will have many a rich laugh about it at the palazzo -- he! he! he! -over our wine -- he! he! he!"
"The Amontillado!" I said.
"He! he! he! -- he! he! he! -- yes, the Amontillado. But is it not getting late? Will not they be awaiting us at the palazzo, the Lady Fortunato and the rest? Let us be gone."
"Yes," I said "let us be gone."
"FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, MONTRESOR!"
"Yes," I said, "for the love of God!"
But to these words I hearkened in vain for a reply. I grew impatient. I called aloud -
"Fortunato!"
No answer. I called again -
"Fortunato!"
No answer still. I thrust a torch through the remaining aperture83 and let it fall within. There came forth84 in return only a jingling85 of the bells. My heart grew sick -- on account of the dampness of the catacombs. I hastened to make an end of my labour. I forced the last stone into its position; I plastered it up. Against the new masonry I reerected the old rampart of bones. For the half of a century no mortal has disturbed them.
In pace requiescat!
The End
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vowed
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| 起誓，发誓（vow的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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utterance
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| n.用言语表达，话语，言语 | |
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avenged
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| v.为…复仇，报…之仇( avenge的过去式和过去分词 )；为…报复 | |
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definitively
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| adv.决定性地，最后地 | |
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precluded
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| v.阻止( preclude的过去式和过去分词 )；排除；妨碍；使…行不通 | |
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impunity
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| n.(惩罚、损失、伤害等的)免除 | |
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redresser
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| 改正[修正，调整，补偿]者；解调器 | |
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avenger
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| n. 复仇者 | |
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wont
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| adj.习惯于；v.习惯；n.习惯 | |
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immolation
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| n.牺牲品 | |
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connoisseurship
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| n.鉴赏家（或鉴定家、行家）身份，鉴赏（或鉴定）力 | |
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virtuoso
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| n.精于某种艺术或乐器的专家，行家里手 | |
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imposture
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| n.冒名顶替，欺骗 | |
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quack
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| n.庸医；江湖医生；冒充内行的人；骗子 | |
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15
skilful
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| (=skillful)adj.灵巧的，熟练的 | |
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supreme
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| adj.极度的，最重要的；至高的，最高的 | |
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carnival
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| n.嘉年华会，狂欢，狂欢节，巡回表演 | |
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18
accosted
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| v.走过去跟…讲话( accost的过去式和过去分词 )；跟…搭讪；（乞丐等）上前向…乞讨；（妓女等）勾搭 | |
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surmounted
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| 战胜( surmount的过去式和过去分词 )； 克服（困难）； 居于…之上； 在…顶上 | |
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wringing
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| 淋湿的，湿透的 | |
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21
remarkably
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| ad.不同寻常地，相当地 | |
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vaults
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| n.拱顶( vault的名词复数 )；地下室；撑物跳高；墓穴 | |
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vault
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| n.拱形圆顶，地窖，地下室 | |
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24
afflicted
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| 使受痛苦，折磨( afflict的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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25
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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26
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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27
absconded
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| v.（尤指逃避逮捕）潜逃，逃跑( abscond的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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28
explicit
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| adj.详述的，明确的；坦率的；显然的 | |
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immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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30
disappearance
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| n.消失，消散，失踪 | |
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suites
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| n.套( suite的名词复数 )；一套房间；一套家具；一套公寓 | |
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32
winding
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| n.绕，缠，绕组，线圈 | |
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jingled
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| 喝醉的 | |
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cavern
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| n.洞穴，大山洞 | |
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orbs
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| abbr.off-reservation boarding school 在校寄宿学校n.球，天体，圆形物( orb的名词复数 ) | |
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36
distilled
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| adj.由蒸馏得来的v.蒸馏( distil的过去式和过去分词 )；从…提取精华 | |
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intoxication
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| n.wild excitement;drunkenness；poisoning | |
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draught
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| n.拉，牵引，拖；一网（饮，吸，阵)；顿服药量，通风；v.起草，设计 | |
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repose
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| v.(使)休息；n.安息 | |
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azure
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| adj.天蓝色的，蔚蓝色的 | |
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rampant
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| adj.(植物)蔓生的；狂暴的，无约束的 | |
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fangs
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| n.（尤指狗和狼的）长而尖的牙( fang的名词复数 )；（蛇的）毒牙；罐座 | |
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recesses
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| n.壁凹( recess的名词复数 )；（工作或业务活动的）中止或暂停期间；学校的课间休息；某物内部的凹形空间v.把某物放在墙壁的凹处( recess的第三人称单数 )；将（墙）做成凹形，在（墙）上做壁龛；休息，休会，休庭 | |
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44
recess
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| n.短期休息，壁凹（墙上装架子，柜子等凹处） | |
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45
moss
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| n.苔，藓，地衣 | |
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trickle
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| vi.淌，滴，流出，慢慢移动，逐渐消散 | |
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upwards
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| adv.向上，在更高处...以上 | |
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grotesque
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| adj.怪诞的，丑陋的；n.怪诞的图案，怪人（物） | |
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brotherhood
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| n.兄弟般的关系，手中情谊 | |
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50
recoiling
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| v.畏缩( recoil的现在分词 )；退缩；报应；返回 | |
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51
descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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52
descending
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| n. 下行 adj. 下降的 | |
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53
foulness
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| n. 纠缠, 卑鄙 | |
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54
spacious
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| adj.广阔的，宽敞的 | |
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55
remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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56
ornamented
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| adj.花式字体的v.装饰，点缀，美化( ornament的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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promiscuously
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| adv.杂乱地，混杂地 | |
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mound
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| n.土墩，堤，小山；v.筑堤，用土堆防卫 | |
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interval
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| n.间隔，间距；幕间休息，中场休息 | |
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colossal
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| adj.异常的，庞大的 | |
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61
circumscribing
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| v.在…周围划线( circumscribe的现在分词 )；划定…范围；限制；限定 | |
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granite
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| adj.花岗岩，花岗石 | |
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63
pry
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| vi.窥(刺)探，打听；vt.撬动(开，起) | |
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extremity
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| n.末端，尽头；尽力；终极；极度 | |
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niche
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| n.壁龛；合适的职务(环境、位置等) | |
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fettered
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| v.给…上脚镣，束缚( fetter的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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staples
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| n.（某国的）主要产品( staple的名词复数 )；钉书钉；U 形钉；主要部份v.用钉书钉钉住( staple的第三人称单数 ) | |
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68
astounded
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| v.使震惊(astound的过去式和过去分词)；愕然；愕；惊讶 | |
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implore
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| vt.乞求，恳求，哀求 | |
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70
positively
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| adv.明确地，断然，坚决地；实在，确实 | |
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71
astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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72
mortar
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| n.灰浆，灰泥；迫击炮；v.把…用灰浆涂接合 | |
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73
masonry
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| n.砖土建筑；砖石 | |
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74
obstinate
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| adj.顽固的，倔强的，不易屈服的，较难治愈的 | |
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75
vibrations
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| n.摆动( vibration的名词复数 )；震动；感受；（偏离平衡位置的）一次性往复振动 | |
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76
subsided
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| v.（土地）下陷（因在地下采矿）( subside的过去式和过去分词 )；减弱；下降至较低或正常水平；一下子坐在椅子等上 | |
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77
shrill
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| adj.尖声的；刺耳的；v尖叫 | |
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78
reassured
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| adj.使消除疑虑的；使放心的v.再保证，恢复信心( reassure的过去式和过去分词) | |
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79
fabric
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| n.织物，织品，布；构造，结构，组织 | |
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80
partially
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| adv.部分地，从某些方面讲 | |
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81
destined
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| adj.命中注定的；(for)以…为目的地的 | |
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82
ERECTED
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| adj. 直立的，竖立的，笔直的 vt. 使 ... 直立，建立 | |
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83
aperture
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| n.孔，隙，窄的缺口 | |
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84
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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85
jingling
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| 叮当声 | |
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