Our Polly is a sad slut, nor heeds1 what we have taught her,
I wonder any man alive will ever rear a daughter,
For when she’s drest with care and cost, all tempting2, fine, and gay,
As men should serve a cucumber, she flings herself away.
Beggar’s Opera.
After the death of Mr. Bertram, Mannering had set out upon a short tour, proposing to return to the neighbourhood of Ellangowan before the sale of that property should take place. He went, accordingly, to Edinburgh and elsewhere, and it was in his return towards the south-western district of Scotland, in which our scene lies, that, at a post-town about a hundred miles from Kippletringan, to which he had requested his friend, Mr. Mervyn, to address his letters, he received one from that gentleman which contained rather unpleasing intelligence. We have assumed already the privilege of acting4 a secretis to this gentleman, and therefore shall present the reader with an extract from this epistle.
‘I beg your pardon, my dearest friend, for the pain I have given you in forcing you to open wounds so festering as those your letter referred to. I have always heard, though erroneously perhaps, that the attentions of Mr. Brown were intended for Miss Mannering. But, however that were, it could not be supposed that in your situation his boldness should escape notice and chastisement5. Wise men say that we resign to civil society our natural rights of self-defence only on condition that the ordinances6 of law should protect us. Where the price cannot be paid, the resignation becomes void. For instance, no one supposes that I am not entitled to defend my purse and person against a highwayman, as much as if I were a wild Indian, who owns neither law nor magistracy. The question of resistance or submission7 must be determined9 by my means and situation. But if, armed and equal in force, I submit to injustice10 and violence from any man, high or low, I presume it will hardly be attributed to religious or moral feeling in me, or in any one but a Quaker. An aggression11 on my honour seems to me much the same. The insult, however trifling12 in itself, is one of much deeper consequence to all views in life than any wrong which can be inflicted13 by a depredator on the highway, and to redress14 the injured party is much less in the power of public jurisprudence, or rather it is entirely15 beyond its reach. If any man chooses to rob Arthur Mervyn of the contents of his purse, supposing the said Arthur has not means of defence, or the skill and courage to use them, the assizes at Lancaster or Carlisle will do him justice by tucking up the robber; yet who will say I am bound to wait for this justice, and submit to being plundered16 in the first instance, if I have myself the means and spirit to protect my own property? But if an affront17 is offered to me, submission under which is to tarnish18 my character for ever with men of honour, and for which the twelve judges of England, with the chancellor19 to boot, can afford me no redress, by what rule of law or reason am I to be deterred20 from protecting what ought to be, and is, so infinitely21 dearer to every man of honour than his whole fortune? Of the religious views of the matter I shall say nothing, until I find a reverend divine who shall condemn23 self-defence in the article of life and property. If its propriety24 in that case be generally admitted, I suppose little distinction can be drawn25 between defence of person and goods and protection of reputation. That the latter is liable to be assailed26 by persons of a different rank in life, untainted perhaps in morals, and fair in character, cannot affect my legal right of self-defence. I may be sorry that circumstances have engaged me in personal strife27 with such an individual; but I should feel the same sorrow for a generous enemy who fell under my sword in a national quarrel. I shall leave the question with the casuists, however; only observing, that what I have written will not avail either the professed28 duellist29 or him who is the aggressor in a dispute of honour. I only presume to exculpate30 him who is dragged into the field by such an offence as, submitted to in patience, would forfeit31 for ever his rank and estimation in society.
‘I am sorry you have thoughts of settling in Scotland, and yet glad that you will still be at no immeasurable distance, and that the latitude32 is all in our favour. To move to Westmoreland from Devonshire might make an East-Indian shudder33; but to come to us from Galloway or Dumfries-shire is a step, though a short one, nearer the sun. Besides, if, as I suspect, the estate in view be connected with the old haunted castle in which you played the astrologer in your northern tour some twenty years since, I have heard you too often describe the scene with comic unction to hope you will be deterred from making the purchase. I trust, however, the hospitable34 gossiping Laird h$s not run himself upon the shallows, and that his chaplain, whom you so often made us laugh at, is still in rerum natura.
‘And here, dear Mannering, I wish I could stop, for I have incredible pain in telling the rest of my story; although I am sure I can warn you against any intentional35 impropriety on the part of my temporary ward3, Julia Mannering. But I must still earn my college nickname of Downright Dunstable. In one word, then, here is the matter.
‘Your daughter has much of the romantic turn of your disposition36, with a little of that love of admiration37 which all pretty women share less or more. She will besides, apparently38, be your heiress; a trifling circumstance to those who view Julia with my eyes, but a prevailing39 bait to the specious40, artful, and worthless. You know how I have jested with her about her soft melancholy41, and lonely walks at morning before any one is up, and in the moonlight when all should be gone to bed, or set down to cards, which is the same thing. The incident which follows may not be beyond the bounds of a joke, but I had rather the jest upon it came from you than me.
‘Two or three times during the last fortnight I heard, at a late hour in the night or very early in the morning, a flageolet play the little Hindu tune22 to which your daughter is so partial. I thought for some time that some tuneful domestic, whose taste for music was laid under constraint42 during the day, chose that silent hour to imitate the strains which he had caught up by the ear during his attendance in the drawing-room. But last night I sat late in my study, which is immediately under Miss Mannering’s apartment, and to my surprise I not only heard the flageolet distinctly, but satisfied myself that it came from the lake under the window. Curious to know who serenaded us at that unusual hour, I stole softly to the window of my apartment. But there were other watchers than me. You may remember, Miss Mannering preferred that apartment on account of a balcony which opened from her window upon the lake. Well, sir, I heard the sash of her window thrown up, the shutters43 opened, and her own voice in conversation with some person who answered from below. This is not “Much ado about nothing”; I could not be mistaken in her voice, and such tones, so soft, so insinuating44; and, to say the truth, the accents from below were in passion’s tenderest cadence45 too, — but of the sense I can say nothing. I raised the sash of my own window that I might hear something more than the mere46 murmur47 of this Spanish rendezvous48; but, though I used every precaution, the noise alarmed the speakers; down slid the young lady’s casement49, and the shutters were barred in an instant. The dash of a pair of oars50 in the water announced the retreat of the male person of the dialogue. Indeed, I saw his boat, which he rowed with great swiftness and dexterity51, fly across the lake like a twelve-oared barge52. Next morning I examined some of my domestics, as if by accident, and I found the gamekeeper, when making his rounds, had twice seen that boat beneath the house, with a single person, and had heard the flageolet. I did not care to press any farther questions, for fear of implicating53 Julia in the opinions of those of whom they might be asked. Next morning, at breakfast, I dropped a casual hint about the serenade of the evening before, and I promise you Miss Mannering looked red and pale alternately. I immediately gave the circumstance such a turn as might lead her to suppose that my observation was merely casual. I have since caused a watch-light to be burnt in my library, and have left the shutters open, to deter8 the approach of our nocturnal guest; and I have stated the severity of approaching winter, and the rawness of the fogs, as an objection to solitary54 walks. Miss Mannering acquiesced55 with a passiveness which is no part of her character, and which, to tell you the plain truth, is a feature about the business which I like least of all. Julia has too much of her own dear papa’s disposition to be curbed56 in any of her humours, were there not some little lurking57 consciousness that it may be as prudent58 to avoid debate.
‘Now my story is told, and you will judge what you ought to do. I have not mentioned the matter to my good woman, who, a faithful secretary to her sex’s foibles, would certainly remonstrate59 against your being made acquainted with these particulars, and might, instead, take it into her head to exercise her own eloquence60 on Miss Mannering; a faculty61 which, however powerful when directed against me, its legitimate62 object, might, I fear, do more harm than good in the case supposed. Perhaps even you yourself will find it most prudent to act without remonstrating63, or appearing to be aware of this little anecdote64. Julia is very like a certain friend of mine; she has a quick and lively imagination, and keen feelings, which are apt to exaggerate both the good and evil they find in life. She is a charming girl, however, as generous and spirited as she is lovely. I paid her the kiss you sent her with all my heart, and she rapped my ringers for my reward with all hers. Pray return as soon as you can. Meantime rely upon the care of, yours faithfully, ‘Arthur Mervyn.
‘P.S. — You will naturally wish to know if I have the least guess concerning the person of the serenader. In truth, I have none. There is no young gentleman of these parts, who might be in rank or fortune a match for Miss Julia, that I think at all likely to play such a character. But on the other side of the lake, nearly opposite to Mervyn Hall, is a d — d cake-house, the resort of walking gentlemen of all descriptions — poets, players, painters, musicians — who come to rave65, and recite, and madden about this picturesque66 land of ours. It is paying some penalty for its beauties, that they are the means of drawing this swarm67 of coxcombs together. But were Julia my daughter, it is one of those sort of fellows that I should fear on her account. She is generous and romantic, and writes six sheets a week to a female correspondent; and it’s a sad thing to lack a subject in such a case, either for exercise of the feelings or of the pen. Adieu, once more. Were I to treat this matter more seriously than I have done, I should do injustice to your feelings; were I altogether to overlook it, I should discredit68 my own.’
The consequence of this letter was, that, having first despatched the faithless messenger with the necessary powers to Mr. Mac — Morlan for purchasing the estate of Ellangowan, Colonel Mannering turned his horse’s head in a more southerly direction, and neither ‘stinted nor staid’ until he arrived at the mansion69 of his friend Mr. Mervyn, upon the banks of one of the lakes of Westmoreland.
收听单词发音 |
1
heeds
|
|
| n.留心，注意，听从( heed的名词复数 )v.听某人的劝告，听从( heed的第三人称单数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
tempting
|
|
| a.诱人的, 吸引人的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
ward
|
|
| n.守卫，监护，病房，行政区，由监护人或法院保护的人（尤指儿童）；vt.守护，躲开 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
acting
|
|
| n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
chastisement
|
|
| n.惩罚 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
ordinances
|
|
| n.条例，法令( ordinance的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
submission
|
|
| n.服从，投降；温顺，谦虚；提出 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
deter
|
|
| vt.阻止，使不敢，吓住 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
determined
|
|
| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
injustice
|
|
| n.非正义，不公正，不公平，侵犯（别人的）权利 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
aggression
|
|
| n.进攻，侵略，侵犯，侵害 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
trifling
|
|
| adj.微不足道的；没什么价值的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
inflicted
|
|
| 把…强加给，使承受，遭受( inflict的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
redress
|
|
| n.赔偿，救济，矫正；v.纠正，匡正，革除 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
entirely
|
|
| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
plundered
|
|
| 掠夺，抢劫( plunder的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
affront
|
|
| n./v.侮辱，触怒 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
tarnish
|
|
| n.晦暗，污点；vt.使失去光泽；玷污 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
chancellor
|
|
| n.(英)大臣；法官；(德、奥)总理；大学校长 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
deterred
|
|
| v.阻止，制止( deter的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
infinitely
|
|
| adv.无限地，无穷地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
tune
|
|
| n.调子；和谐，协调；v.调音，调节，调整 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
condemn
|
|
| vt.谴责，指责；宣判(罪犯)，判刑 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
propriety
|
|
| n.正当行为；正当；适当 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
drawn
|
|
| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
assailed
|
|
| v.攻击( assail的过去式和过去分词 )；困扰；质问；毅然应对 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
strife
|
|
| n.争吵，冲突，倾轧，竞争 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
professed
|
|
| 公开声称的，伪称的，已立誓信教的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
duellist
|
|
| n.决斗者；[体]重剑运动员 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
|
30
exculpate
|
|
| v.开脱，使无罪 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
forfeit
|
|
| vt.丧失；n.罚金，罚款，没收物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
latitude
|
|
| n.纬度，行动或言论的自由(范围)，(pl.)地区 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
shudder
|
|
| v.战粟，震动，剧烈地摇晃；n.战粟，抖动 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
hospitable
|
|
| adj.好客的；宽容的；有利的，适宜的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
intentional
|
|
| adj.故意的，有意（识）的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
disposition
|
|
| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
admiration
|
|
| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
apparently
|
|
| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
prevailing
|
|
| adj.盛行的；占优势的；主要的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
specious
|
|
| adj.似是而非的；adv.似是而非地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
melancholy
|
|
| n.忧郁，愁思；adj.令人感伤（沮丧）的，忧郁的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
constraint
|
|
| n.(on)约束，限制；限制(或约束)性的事物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
shutters
|
|
| 百叶窗( shutter的名词复数 )； （照相机的）快门 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
insinuating
|
|
| adj.曲意巴结的，暗示的v.暗示( insinuate的现在分词 )；巧妙或迂回地潜入；（使）缓慢进入；慢慢伸入 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
cadence
|
|
| n.（说话声调的）抑扬顿挫 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
mere
|
|
| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
murmur
|
|
| n.低语，低声的怨言；v.低语，低声而言 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
rendezvous
|
|
| n.约会，约会地点，汇合点；vi.汇合，集合；vt.使汇合，使在汇合地点相遇 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
casement
|
|
| n.竖铰链窗；窗扉 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
oars
|
|
| n.桨，橹( oar的名词复数 )；划手v.划（行）( oar的第三人称单数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
dexterity
|
|
| n.(手的)灵巧，灵活 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
barge
|
|
| n.平底载货船，驳船 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
implicating
|
|
| vt.牵涉，涉及（implicate的现在分词形式） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
solitary
|
|
| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
acquiesced
|
|
| v.默认，默许( acquiesce的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
56
curbed
|
|
| v.限制，克制，抑制( curb的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
57
lurking
|
|
| 潜在 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
58
prudent
|
|
| adj.谨慎的，有远见的，精打细算的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
59
remonstrate
|
|
| v.抗议，规劝 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
60
eloquence
|
|
| n.雄辩；口才，修辞 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
61
faculty
|
|
| n.才能；学院，系；(学院或系的)全体教学人员 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
62
legitimate
|
|
| adj.合法的，合理的，合乎逻辑的；v.使合法 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
63
remonstrating
|
|
| v.抗议( remonstrate的现在分词 )；告诫 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
64
anecdote
|
|
| n.轶事，趣闻，短故事 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
65
rave
|
|
| vi.胡言乱语；热衷谈论；n.热情赞扬 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
66
picturesque
|
|
| adj.美丽如画的，（语言）生动的，绘声绘色的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
67
swarm
|
|
| n.(昆虫)等一大群；vi.成群飞舞；蜂拥而入 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
68
discredit
|
|
| vt.使不可置信；n.丧失信义；不信，怀疑 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
69
mansion
|
|
| n.大厦，大楼；宅第 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |