I know that a woman is a dish for the gods, if the devil dress her not.
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA.
A writer, evidently a Frenchman, in the British or some other Encyclopaedia1, under the article "Man," draws a very ingenious contrast between the two sexes, which is correct enough in its general principles, but exceedingly erroneous in many very important points. Speaking of the different behavior of men and women, under the pressure of grief or calamity2, he says, "Woman weeps--man remains3 silent--woman is in agony when man weeps--she is in despair when man is in agony."
Mr. Philosopher, you are a goose. It is obvious that you have drawn4 your conclusions from your observations of Frenchmen exclusively, who are theatrical5 and affected6 from the cradle to the grave.
"Woman weeps while man remains silent."--True; she gives vent7 to her feelings by weeping, and her full heart is tranquillized by her tears, which seem not only to relieve and refresh the swollen8 and burning eyes of the body, but to render those of the mind more clear and penetrating9. What, for instance, was the language and sentiment of Mary Queen of Scots, when Rizzio was murdered in her presence? "I will dry up my tears," said the high-spirited descendant of the Stuarts, "and think of revenge." Man's remaining silent is not always an evidence of fortitude10 or resignation; it may be stupidity and want of feeling, or gloom and sulkiness; a disposition11 to find fault with Divine Providence12 for visiting him with affliction.
"Woman is in agony when man weeps." Absurd! her tears have relieved her agony. Like the elastic13 and pliable14 willow15, she has yielded to the storm of grief, and her buoyant spirit rises comparatively uninjured from the conflict.
"Woman is in despair when man is in agony." It is said that the difference between a fool and a madman is, that the fool draws wrong conclusions from correct principles, and the madman correct conclusions from erroneous principles. I leave my readers to judge under which denomination16 the author quoted comes. There is but one step in his climax17 that approaches the truth, and he has drawn a series of wrong conclusions from that. The concurrent18 testimony19 of a host of writers, both moralists and historians, goes to establish the fact, that, under the pressure of remediable misfortunes, women have infinitely20 greater acuteness and quickness of perception of means of relief--more promptness, energy, and courage in carrying them into execution, than men. "Hope the deceiver" retains possession of the heart of woman long, long after man has hanged, shot, or drowned himself in despair.
Isabella was certainly almost overcome by the melancholy21 intelligence, when first communicated; but weeping and the repose22 of the morning had tranquillized her, and the facts that she had ascertained23 had given her fresh courage and hopes. Not daring, however, to urge her uncle too far at that time, as she saw he was out of humor, she was still determined24 not by any means to regard one, nor two, nor twenty refusals as decisive; but, if he could not be "carried by boarding," to blockade him into compliance25. Her uncle's order for her admittance to the prison, she determined only to use occasionally, and as circumstances pointed26 out, for fear of exciting suspicion; but to reserve it as a sort of sheet anchor for the perfection of a half-formed scheme that was already agitating27 her brain.
Under pretence28 of merely ascertaining29 that the prisoners were supplied with all the comfort that their situation would admit, but in reality to communicate with her lover, she visited the prison that very day. She found the prisoner, who was already heart-sick of the confinement30, independently of its probable termination, walking listlessly up and down the passage leading to the inner prison, which was both spacious31 and airy; for, as before observed, his excellency had so far relented as to direct that the prisoners, during the day, should be permitted to enjoy the air. His surprise at seeing her was extreme--not that he doubted she would make an attempt to see him, but he considered it a hopeless one. She met him with tranquillity32, almost cheerfulness.
"Thank heaven!" he exclaimed mentally, "there is some hope of once more snuffing fresh air; that sweet girl would never be so composed unless she had some plan in her mind for my delivery. Isabella, dearest Isabella, tell me, for heaven's sake, how have you managed to get into this place, that every one else is so anxious to keep out of? Has the old Don dismounted from his high horse? He has been polite enough to make me a morning call, but I am afraid he does not intend to allow me to return it. However, as long as he permits you to follow his example, I hope that I shall be enabled to bear the disappointment with becoming resignation."
"Why, hanging is not a favorite Spanish punishment, so I suppose he will honor me so far as to expend34 a little powder and shot upon me."
"O, Charles! Charles! be quiet, for heaven's sake. Tell me, what did my uncle say?"
"Say? why, he scolded a good deal, said that I had heretofore behaved very decently, and that he was very sorry to see me here."
"He has written to the viceroy, to know what he is to do with you. My uncle, with all his faults, is an angel of mercy, compared with that cold-blooded, bigoted35, cruel man. I have read somewhere that it is written over the gates of the infernal regions 'Let all who enter here leave hope behind.' Let all who fall into the hands of that haughty36 nobleman, whether innocent or guilty, leave hope behind too. He is governed entirely37 by his priests, and the very circumstance of your being a Protestant, however harmless, and found in his dominions38, would be sufficient to make you an object of hatred39 and vengeance40."
"Well, all that may be; but recollect41 my country will not tamely permit her sons to be dragged to foreign prisons, without knowing wherefore."
"No, no, my love; she would be a fool if she did; but there is a set of fellows called ambassadors, that often do more with their tongues than ten thousand good fellows can with their bayonets. But tell me, if you know, where is the ship? what says the good old Captain Williams to the scrape?"
"The ship has moved farther out, and he has been on shore twice to-day to intercede43 for you, but without effect, though my uncle has so far relented as to order you all the comforts that you wish."
"I should be obliged to him, then, for the comfort of walking out of prison."
"When the ship moved out of gunshot," continued Isabella, without noticing what she thought his artificial gaiety, "there was some apprehension44 that Captain Williams intended to make some desperate attempt to release you; but he has been on shore since, and had an interview with my uncle, and the alarm has subsided45."
"Well done! that is the best thing I have heard this long time--a whole garrisoned46 Spanish town thrown into consternation47 by a single Yankee merchantman! upon my word, I shall entertain a more exalted48 opinion than ever of Spanish courage."
Isabella permitted him to indulge his national vanity, when she again urged that his situation was but little short of desperate, unless he was speedily relieved from it.
"I know, I know that my head is in the lion's mouth, and how it is to be got out I know not. If I could see Captain Williams--perhaps a good round fine paid to his high mightiness49 might open these doors."
"I will write to Captain Williams myself," said the young lady, "perhaps something of that kind might be done. In the mean time, whenever you have any wine or other provisions, of which I will see that there shall be no lack, make a point of sharing it with the guard; and, by all means," she added, in a lower tone, "see that the sentry50 is never forgotten."
"Ha! oho! I see the whole affair--there are never but five men on duty here at night." "Rash, hot-headed creature! there will be no occasion for such madness. Even if you should escape from prison, and reach your ship in safety, which would be next to impossible----"
"Well, what?" said Morton, observing that she was silent. She raised her eyes, swimming in tears.
"I understand you--dear, dear Isabella, do you think I would leave this country without you? No, never."
"Then remain perfectly51 quiet, attempt nothing, do nothing of yourself. In the mean time," continued she, rising, "do not abandon yourself either to hope or despair."
With these words she left the prison.
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1
encyclopaedia
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| n.百科全书 | |
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calamity
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| n.灾害，祸患，不幸事件 | |
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remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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theatrical
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| adj.剧场的，演戏的；做戏似的，做作的 | |
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affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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vent
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| n.通风口，排放口；开衩；vt.表达，发泄 | |
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swollen
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| adj.肿大的，水涨的；v.使变大，肿胀 | |
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penetrating
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| adj.（声音）响亮的，尖锐的adj.（气味）刺激的adj.（思想）敏锐的，有洞察力的 | |
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10
fortitude
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| n.坚忍不拔；刚毅 | |
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11
disposition
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| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
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12
providence
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| n.深谋远虑，天道，天意；远见；节约；上帝 | |
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elastic
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| n.橡皮圈，松紧带；adj.有弹性的；灵活的 | |
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pliable
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| adj.易受影响的；易弯的；柔顺的，易驾驭的 | |
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willow
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| n.柳树 | |
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denomination
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| n.命名，取名，(度量衡、货币等的)单位 | |
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climax
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| n.顶点；高潮；v.(使)达到顶点 | |
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concurrent
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| adj.同时发生的，一致的 | |
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testimony
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| n.证词；见证，证明 | |
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infinitely
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| adv.无限地，无穷地 | |
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melancholy
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| n.忧郁，愁思；adj.令人感伤（沮丧）的，忧郁的 | |
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repose
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| v.(使)休息；n.安息 | |
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ascertained
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| v.弄清，确定，查明( ascertain的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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compliance
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| n.顺从；服从；附和；屈从 | |
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pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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agitating
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| 搅动( agitate的现在分词 )； 激怒； 使焦虑不安； （尤指为法律、社会状况的改变而）激烈争论 | |
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pretence
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| n.假装，作假；借口，口实；虚伪；虚饰 | |
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ascertaining
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| v.弄清，确定，查明( ascertain的现在分词 ) | |
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30
confinement
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| n.幽禁，拘留，监禁；分娩；限制，局限 | |
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spacious
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| adj.广阔的，宽敞的 | |
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32
tranquillity
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| n. 平静, 安静 | |
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33
hush
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| int.嘘，别出声；n.沉默，静寂；v.使安静 | |
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34
expend
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| vt.花费，消费，消耗 | |
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35
bigoted
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| adj.固执己见的，心胸狭窄的 | |
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haughty
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| adj.傲慢的，高傲的 | |
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entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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dominions
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| 统治权( dominion的名词复数 )； 领土； 疆土； 版图 | |
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hatred
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| n.憎恶，憎恨，仇恨 | |
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40
vengeance
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| n.报复，报仇，复仇 | |
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41
recollect
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| v.回忆，想起，记起，忆起，记得 | |
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42
plunge
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| v.跳入，(使)投入，(使)陷入；猛冲 | |
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43
intercede
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| vi.仲裁，说情 | |
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44
apprehension
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| n.理解，领悟；逮捕，拘捕；忧虑 | |
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45
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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46
garrisoned
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| 卫戍部队守备( garrison的过去式和过去分词 )； 派部队驻防 | |
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47
consternation
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| n.大为吃惊，惊骇 | |
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48
exalted
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| adj.(地位等)高的，崇高的；尊贵的，高尚的 | |
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49
mightiness
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| n.强大 | |
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50
sentry
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| n.哨兵，警卫 | |
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51
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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