It always angered him when he was warned off a course of action by Demerzel (or, later, by Seldon) on the grounds that such action would be looked on as "tyrannical" or "despotic."
Cleon was not a tyrant3 or despot by disposition4, he was certain; he only wanted to take firm and decisive action.
He spoke5 many times with nostalgic approval of the days when Emperors could mingle6 freely with their subjects, but now, of course, when the history of coups7 and assassinations-actual or attempted-had become a dreary8 fact of life, the Emperor had, of necessity, been shut off from the world.
It is doubtful that Cleon, who had never in his life met with people except under the most constricted9 of conditions, would really have felt at home in offhand10 encounters with strangers, but he always imagined he would enjoy it. He was excited, therefore, for the rare chance of talking to one of the underlings on the grounds, to smile and to doff11 the trappings of Imperial rule for a few minutes. It made him feet democratic.
There was this gardener whom Seldon had spoken of, for instance. It would be fitting, even a pleasure, to reward him belatedly for his loyalty12 and bravery-and to do so himself, rather than leaving it to some functionary13.
He therefore arranged to meet the fellow in the spacious14 rose garden, which was in full bloom. That would be appropriate, Cleon thought, but, of course, they would have to bring the gardener there first. It was unthinkable for the Emperor to be made to wait. It is one thing to be democratic, quite another to be inconvenienced.
The gardener was waiting for him among the roses, his eyes wide, his lips trembling. It occurred to Cleon that it was possible that no one had told the man the exact reason for the meeting. Well, he would reassure15 him in kindly16 fashion-except that, now he came to think of it, he could not remember the fellow's name.
He turned to one of the officials at his side and said, "What is the gardener's name?"
"Sire, it is Mandell Gruber. He has been a gardener here for thirty years."
The Emperor nodded and said, "Ah, Gruber. How glad I am to meet a worthy17 and hardworking gardener."
"Sire," mumbled18 Gruber, his teeth chattering19. "I am not a man of many talents, but it is always my best I try to do on behalf of your gracious self."
"Of course, of course," said the Emperor, wondering if the gardener suspected him of sarcasm20. These men of the lower class lacked the finer feelings that came with refinement21 and manners, which always made any attempt at democratic display difficult.
Cleon said, "I have heard from my First Minister of the loyalty with which you once came to his aid and of your skill in taking care of the grounds. The First Minister tells me that he and you are quite friendly."
"Sire, the First Minister is most gracious to me, but I know my place. I never speak to him unless he speaks first."
"Quite, Gruber. That shows good manners on your part, but the First Minister, like myself, is a man of democratic impulses and I trust his judgment22 of people."
Gruber bowed low.
The Emperor said, "As you know, Gruber, Chief Gardener Malcomber is quite old and longs to retire. The responsibilities are becoming greater than even he can bear."
"Sire, the Chief Gardener is much respected by all the gardeners. May he be spared for many years so that we can all come to him for the benefit of his wisdom and judgment."
"Well said, Gruber," said the Emperor carelessly, "but you very well know that that is just mumbo-jumbo. He is not going to be spared, at least not with the strength and wit necessary for the position. He himself requests retirement23 within the year and I have granted him that. It remains24 to find a replacement25."
"Oh, Sire, there are fifty men and women in this grand place who could be Chief Gardener."
"I dare say," said the Emperor, "but my choice has fallen upon you." The Emperor smiled graciously. This was the moment he had been waiting for. Gruber would now, he expected, fall to his knees in an ecstasy26 of gratitude27.
He did not and the Emperor frowned.
Gruber said, "Sire, it is an honor that is too great for me-entirely."
"Nonsense," said Cleon, offended that his judgment should be called into question. "It is about time that your virtues28 are recognized. You will no longer have to be exposed to weather of all kinds at all times of the year. You will have the Chief Gardener's office, a fine place, which I will have redecorated for you, and where you can bring your family. -You do have a family, don't you, Gruber?"
"Yes, Sire. A wife and two daughters. And a son-in-law."
"Very good. You will be very comfortable and you will enjoy your new life, Gruber. You will be indoors, Gruber, and out of the weather, like a true Trantorian."
"Sire, consider that I am an Anacreonian by upbringing-"
"I have considered, Gruber. All worlds are alike to the Emperor. It is done. The new job is what you deserved."
He nodded his head and stalked off. Cleon was satisfied with this latest show of his benevolence29. Of course, he could have used a little more gratitude from the fellow, a little more appreciation30, but at least the task was done.
And it was much easier to have this done than to settle the matter of the failing infrastructure31.
Cleon had, in a moment of testiness32, declared that whenever a breakdown33 could be attributed to human error, the human being in question should forthwith be executed.
"Just a few executions," he said, "and it will be remarkable34 how careful everyone will become."
"I'm afraid, Sire," Seldon had said, "that this type of despotic behavior would not accomplish what you wish. It would probably force the workers to go on strike-and if you try to force them back to work, there would then be an insurrection-and if you try to replace them with soldiers, you will find they do not know how to control the machinery35, so that breakdowns36 will begin to take place much more frequently."
It was no wonder that Cleon turned to the matter of appointing a Chief Gardener with relief.
As for Gruber, he gazed after the departing Emperor with the chill of sheer horror. He was going to be taken from the freedom of the open air and condemned37 to the constriction38 of four walls. -Yet how could one refuse the Emperor?
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1
galaxy
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| n.星系；银河系；一群(杰出或著名的人物) | |
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sonorous
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| adj.响亮的，回响的；adv.圆润低沉地；感人地；n.感人，堂皇 | |
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tyrant
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| n.暴君，专制的君主，残暴的人 | |
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disposition
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| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
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5
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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6
mingle
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| vt.使混合，使相混；vi.混合起来；相交往 | |
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7
coups
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| n.意外而成功的行动( coup的名词复数 )；政变；努力办到难办的事 | |
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8
dreary
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| adj.令人沮丧的，沉闷的，单调乏味的 | |
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constricted
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| adj.抑制的，约束的 | |
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10
offhand
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| adj.临时，无准备的；随便，马虎的 | |
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doff
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| v.脱，丢弃，废除 | |
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loyalty
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| n.忠诚，忠心 | |
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13
functionary
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| n.官员；公职人员 | |
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spacious
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| adj.广阔的，宽敞的 | |
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reassure
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| v.使放心，使消除疑虑 | |
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16
kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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18
mumbled
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| 含糊地说某事，叽咕，咕哝( mumble的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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19
chattering
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| n. （机器振动发出的）咔嗒声，(鸟等)鸣，啁啾 adj. 喋喋不休的，啾啾声的 动词chatter的现在分词形式 | |
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20
sarcasm
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| n.讥讽，讽刺，嘲弄，反话 （adj.sarcastic） | |
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21
refinement
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| n.文雅；高尚；精美；精制；精炼 | |
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judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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retirement
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| n.退休，退职 | |
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24
remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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replacement
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| n.取代，替换，交换；替代品，代用品 | |
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ecstasy
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| n.狂喜，心醉神怡，入迷 | |
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gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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virtues
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| 美德( virtue的名词复数 )； 德行； 优点； 长处 | |
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29
benevolence
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| n.慈悲，捐助 | |
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appreciation
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| n.评价；欣赏；感谢；领会，理解；价格上涨 | |
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31
infrastructure
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| n.下部构造，下部组织，基础结构，基础设施 | |
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32
testiness
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| n.易怒，暴躁 | |
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33
breakdown
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| n.垮，衰竭；损坏，故障，倒塌 | |
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remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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35
machinery
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| n.(总称)机械，机器；机构 | |
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36
breakdowns
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| n.分解( breakdown的名词复数 )；衰竭；（车辆或机器的）损坏；统计分析 | |
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37
condemned
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| adj. 被责难的, 被宣告有罪的 动词condemn的过去式和过去分词 | |
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38
constriction
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| 压缩； 紧压的感觉； 束紧； 压缩物 | |
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