My Reception by that Lady — I become enamoured of Narcissa — recount the particulars of my last misfortune-acquire the good opinion of my Mistress — an Account of the young Squire1 — I am made acquainted with more particulars of Narcissa’s Situation — conceive a mortal hatred2 against Sir Timothy — examine my Lady’s library and performances — her extravagant3 behaviour
Fraught4 with these useful instructions, I repaired to the place of her habitation, and was introduced by the waiting-woman to the presence of my lady, who had not before seen me. She sat in her study, with one foot on the ground, and the other upon a high stool at some distance from her seat; her sandy locks hung down, in a disorder5 I cannot call beautiful, from her head, which was deprived of its coif, for the benefit of scratching with one hand, while she held the stump6 of a pen in the other. Her forehead was high and wrinkled; her eyes were large, gray, and prominent; her nose was long, and aquiline7: her mouth of vast capacity, her visage meagre and freckled8, and her chin peaked like a shoemaker’s paring knife; her upper lip contained a large quantity of plain Spanish, which, by continual falling, had embroidered9 her neck, that was not naturally very white, and the breast of her gown, that flowed loose about her with a negligence10 that was truly poetic11, discovering linen12 that was very fine, and, to all appearance, never washed but in Castalian streams. Around her lay heaps of books, globes, quadrants, telescopes, and other learned apparatus13; her snuff-box stood at her right hand: at her left hand lay her handkerchief, sufficiently14 used, and a convenience to spit in appeared on one side of her chair. She being in a reverie when we entered, the maid did not think proper to disturb her; so that we waited some minutes unobserved, during which time she bit the quill15 several times, altered her position, made many wry16 faces, and, at length, with an air of triumph, repeated aloud:
“Nor dare th’immortal gods my rage oppose!”
Having committed her success to paper, she turned towards the door, and perceiving us, cried, “What’s the matter?” “Here’s the young man,” replied my conductress, “whom Mrs. Sagely17 recommended as a footman to your ladyship.” On this information she stared in my face for a considerable time, and then asked my name, which I thought proper to conceal18 under that of John Brown. After having surveyed me with a curious eye, she broke out into, “O! ay, thou wast shipwrecked, I remember. Whether didst thou come on shore on the back of a whale or a dolphin?” To this I answered, I had swam ashore19 without any assistance. Then she demanded to know if I had ever been at the Hellespont, and swam from Sestos to Abydos. I replied in the negative; upon which she bade the maid order a suit of new livery for me, and instruct me in the articles of my duty: so she spit in her snuff-box, and wiped her nose with her cap, which lay on the table, instead of a handkerchief.
We returned to the kitchen, where I was regaled by the maids, who seemed to vie with each other in expressing their regard for me; and from them I understood, that my business consisted in cleaning knives and forks, laying the cloth, waiting at table, carrying messages, and attending my lady when she went abroad. There was a very good suit of livery in the house, which had belonged to my predecessor20 deceased, and it fitted me exactly; so that there was no occasion for employing a tailor on my account. I had not been long equipped in this manner, when my lady’s bell rung; upon which, I ran up stairs, and found her stalking about the room in her shift and under petticoat only; I would immediately have retired21 as became me, but she bade me come in, and air a clean shift for her; which operation I having performed with some backwardness, she put it on before me without any ceremony, and I verily believe was ignorant of my sex all that time, as being quite absorbed in contemplation. About four o’clock in the afternoon I was ordered to lay the cloth, and place two covers, which I understood were for my mistress and her niece, whom I had not as yet seen. Though I was not very dexterous22 at this work, I performed it pretty well for a beginner, and, when dinner was upon the table, saw my mistress approach, accompanied by the young lady, whose name for the present shall be Narcissa. So much sweetness appeared in the countenance23 and carriage of this amiable24 apparition25, that my heart was captivated at first sight, and while dinner lasted, I gazed upon her without intermission. Her age seemed to be seventeen, her stature26 tall, her shape unexceptionable, her hair, that fell down upon her ivory neck in ringlets, black as jet; her arched eyebrows27 of the same colour; her eyes piercing, yet tender; her lips of the consistence and hue28 of cherries; her complexion29 clear, delicate and healthy; her aspect noble, ingenuous30, and humane31; and the whole person so ravishingly delightful32, that it was impossible for any creature endued33 with sensibility, to see without admiring, and admire without loving her to excess. I began to curse the servile station that placed me so far beneath the regard of this idol34 of my adoration35! and yet I blessed my fate, that enabled me to enjoy daily the sight of so much perfection! When she spoke36 I listened with pleasure; but when she spoke to me, my soul was thrilled with an extacy of tumultuous joy. I was even so happy as to be the subject of their conversation; for Narcissa, having observed me, said to her aunt, “I see your new footman is come.” Then addressing herself to me, asked, with ineffable37 complacency, if I was the person who had been so cruelly used by robbers? When I had satisfied her in this; she expressed a desire of knowing the other particulars of my fortune, both before and since my being shipwrecked: hereupon (as Mrs. Sagely had counselled me) I told her that I had been bound apprentice38 to the master of a ship, contrary to my inclination39, which ship had foundered40 at sea; that I and four more, who chanced to be on deck when she went down, made shift to swim to the shore, when my companions, after having overpowered me, stripped me to the shirt, and left me, as they imagined, dead of the wounds I received in my own defence. Then I related the circumstances of being found in a barn, with the inhuman41 treatment I met with from the country people and parson; the description of which, I perceived, drew tears from the charming creature’s eyes. When I had finished my recital42, my mistress, said, “Ma foi! le garcon est bien fait!” To which opinion Narcissa assented43, with a compliment to my understanding, in the same language, that flattered my vanity extremely.
The conversation, among other subjects, turned upon the young squire, whom my lady inquired after under the title of the Savage44; and was informed by her niece that he was still in bed, repairing the fatigue45 of last night’s debauch46, and recruiting strength and spirits to undergo a fox chase to-morrow morning, in company with Sir Timothy Thicket47, Squire Bumper48, and a great many other gentlemen of the same stamp, whom he had invited on that occasion! so that by daybreak the whole house would be in an uproar49. This was a very disagreeable piece of news to the virtuoso50, who protested she would stuff her ears with cotton when she went to bed, and take a dose of opium51 to make her sleep the more sound, that she might not be disturbed and distracted by the clamour of the brutes52.
When their dinner was over, I and my fellow servants sat down to ours in the kitchen, where I understood that Sir Timothy Thicket was a wealthy knight53 in the neighbourhood, between whom and Narcissa a match had been projected by her brother, who promised at the same time to espouse54 Sir Timothy’s sister; by which means, as their fortunes were pretty equal, the young ladies would be provided for, and their brothers be never the poorer; but that the ladies did not concur55 in the scheme, each of them entertaining a hearty56 contempt for the person allotted57 to her for a husband by this agreement. This information begat in me a mortal aversion to Sir Timothy, whom I looked upon as my rival, and cursed in my heart for his presumption58.
Next morning, by daybreak, being awakened59 by the noise of the hunters and hounds, I rose to view the cavalcade60, and had a sight of my competitor, whose accomplishments61 (the estate excluded) did not seem brilliant enough to give me much uneasiness with respect to Narcissa, who, I flattered myself, was not to be won by such qualifications as he was master of, either as to person or mind. My mistress, notwithstanding her precaution, was so much disturbed by her nephew’s company, that she did not rise till five o’clock in the afternoon; so that I had an opportunity of examining her study at leisure, to which examination I was strongly prompted by my curiosity. Here I found a thousand scraps62 of her own poetry, consisting of three, four, ten, twelve, and twenty lines, on an infinity63 of subjects, which, as whim64 inspired, she had begun, without constancy or capacity to bring to any degree of composition: but, what was very extraordinary in a female poet, there was not the least mention made of love in any of her performances. I counted fragments of five tragedies, the titles of which were “The Stern Philosopher,” “The Double,” “The Sacrilegious Traitor,” “The Fall of Lucifer,” and “The Last Day.” From whence I gathered, that her disposition65 was gloomy, and her imagination delighted with objects of horror. Her library was composed of the best English historians, poets, and philosophers; of all the French critics and poets, and of a few books in Italian, chiefly poetry, at the head of which were Tasso and Ariosto, pretty much used. Besides these, translations of the classics into French, but not one book in Greek or Latin; a circumstance that discovered her ignorance in these languages.
After having taken a full view of this collection, I retired, and at the usual time was preparing to lay the cloth, when I was told by the maid that her mistress was still in bed, and had been so affected66 with the notes of the hounds in the morning, that she actually believed herself a hare beset67 by the hunters, and begged a few greens to munch68 for breakfast. When I expressed my surprise in this unaccountable imagination she gave me to understand that her lady was very much subject to whims69 of this nature; sometimes fancying herself an animal, sometimes a piece of furniture, during which conceited70 transformations71 it was very dangerous to come near her, especially when she represented a beast; for that lately, in the character of a cat, she had flown at her, and scratched her face in a terrible manner: that some months ago, she prophesied72 the general conflagration73 was at hand, and nothing would be able to quench74 it but her water, which therefore she kept so long, that her life was in danger, and she must needs have died of the retention75, had they not found an expedient76 to make her evacuate77, by kindling78 a bonfire under her chamber79 window and persuading her that the house was in flames: upon which, with great deliberation, she bade them bring all the tubs and vessels80 they could find to be filled for the preservation81 of the house, into one of which she immediately discharged the cause of her distemper. I was also informed that nothing contributed so much to the recovery of her reason as music, which was always administered on those occasions by Narcissa, who played perfectly82 well on the harpsichord83, and to whom she (the maid) was just then going to intimate her aunt’s disorder.
She was no sooner gone than I was summoned by the bell to my lady’s chamber, where I found her sitting squat84 on her hands on the floor, in the manner of puss when she listens to the outcries of her pursuers. When I appeared, she started up with an alarmed look, and sprang to the other side of the room to avoid me, whom, without doubt, she mistook for a beagle thirsting after her life. Perceiving her extreme confusion, I retired, and on the staircase met the adorable Narcissa coming up, to whom I imparted the situation of my mistress; she said not a word, but smiling with unspeakable grace, went into her aunt’s apartment, and in a little time my ears were ravished with the efforts of her skill. She accompanied the instrument with a voice so sweet and melodious85, that I did not wonder at the surprising change it produced on the spirits of my mistress which composed to peace and sober reflection.
About seven o’clock, the hunters arrived with the skins of two foxes and one badger86, carried before them as trophies87 of their success; and when they were about to sit down to dinner (or supper) Sir Timothy Thicket desired that Narcissa would honour the table with her presence; but this request, notwithstanding her brother’s threats and entreaties88, she refused, on pretence89 of attending her aunt, who was indisposed; so I enjoyed the satisfaction of seeing my rival mortified90: but this disappointment made no great impression on him, who consoled himself with the bottle, of which the whole company became so enamoured that, after a most horrid91 uproar of laughing, singing, swearing, and fighting, they were all carried to bed in a state of utter oblivion. My duty being altogether detached from the squire and his family, I led a pretty easy and comfortable life, drinking daily intoxicating92 draughts93 of love from the charms of Narcissa, which brightened on my contemplation every day more and more. Inglorious as my station was, I became blind to my own unworthiness, and even conceived hopes of one day enjoying this amiable creature, whose, affability greatly encouraged these presumptuous94 thoughts.
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1
squire
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| n.护卫, 侍从, 乡绅 | |
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hatred
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| n.憎恶，憎恨，仇恨 | |
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extravagant
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| adj.奢侈的；过分的；(言行等)放肆的 | |
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fraught
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| adj.充满…的，伴有(危险等)的；忧虑的 | |
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disorder
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| n.紊乱，混乱；骚动，骚乱；疾病，失调 | |
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stump
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| n.残株，烟蒂，讲演台；v.砍断，蹒跚而走 | |
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aquiline
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| adj.钩状的，鹰的 | |
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freckled
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| adj.雀斑；斑点；晒斑；（使）生雀斑v.雀斑，斑点( freckle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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9
embroidered
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| adj．绣花的 | |
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negligence
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| n.疏忽，玩忽，粗心大意 | |
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poetic
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| adj.富有诗意的，有诗人气质的，善于抒情的 | |
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linen
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| n.亚麻布，亚麻线，亚麻制品；adj.亚麻布制的，亚麻的 | |
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apparatus
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| n.装置，器械；器具，设备 | |
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sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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quill
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| n.羽毛管；v.给（织物或衣服）作皱褶 | |
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wry
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| adj.讽刺的；扭曲的 | |
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sagely
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| adv. 贤能地，贤明地 | |
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conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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ashore
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| adv.在(向)岸上，上岸 | |
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predecessor
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| n.前辈，前任 | |
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retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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dexterous
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| adj.灵敏的；灵巧的 | |
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countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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amiable
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| adj.和蔼可亲的，友善的，亲切的 | |
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apparition
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| n.幽灵，神奇的现象 | |
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stature
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| n.（高度）水平，（高度）境界，身高，身材 | |
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eyebrows
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| 眉毛( eyebrow的名词复数 ) | |
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hue
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| n.色度；色调；样子 | |
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complexion
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| n.肤色；情况，局面；气质，性格 | |
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ingenuous
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| adj.纯朴的，单纯的；天真的；坦率的 | |
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humane
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| adj.人道的，富有同情心的 | |
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delightful
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| adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的 | |
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endued
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| v.授予，赋予（特性、才能等）( endue的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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idol
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| n.偶像，红人，宠儿 | |
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adoration
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| n.爱慕，崇拜 | |
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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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ineffable
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| adj.无法表达的，不可言喻的 | |
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apprentice
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| n.学徒，徒弟 | |
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inclination
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| n.倾斜；点头；弯腰；斜坡；倾度；倾向；爱好 | |
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foundered
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| v.创始人( founder的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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41
inhuman
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| adj.残忍的，不人道的，无人性的 | |
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recital
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| n.朗诵，独奏会，独唱会 | |
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assented
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| 同意，赞成( assent的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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44
savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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fatigue
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| n.疲劳，劳累 | |
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debauch
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| v.使堕落，放纵 | |
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thicket
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| n.灌木丛，树林 | |
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bumper
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| n.(汽车上的)保险杠；adj.特大的，丰盛的 | |
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49
uproar
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| n.骚动，喧嚣，鼎沸 | |
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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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opium
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| n.鸦片；adj.鸦片的 | |
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brutes
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| 兽( brute的名词复数 )； 畜生； 残酷无情的人； 兽性 | |
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knight
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| n.骑士，武士；爵士 | |
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espouse
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| v.支持，赞成，嫁娶 | |
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concur
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| v.同意，意见一致，互助，同时发生 | |
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56
hearty
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| adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的 | |
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allotted
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| 分配，拨给，摊派( allot的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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presumption
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| n.推测，可能性，冒昧，放肆，[法律]推定 | |
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59
awakened
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| v.（使）醒( awaken的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）觉醒；弄醒；（使）意识到 | |
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cavalcade
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| n.车队等的行列 | |
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accomplishments
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| n.造诣；完成( accomplishment的名词复数 )；技能；成绩；成就 | |
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scraps
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| 油渣 | |
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infinity
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| n.无限，无穷，大量 | |
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whim
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| n.一时的兴致，突然的念头；奇想，幻想 | |
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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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affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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beset
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| v.镶嵌；困扰，包围 | |
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munch
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| v.用力嚼，大声咀嚼 | |
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WHIMS
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| 虚妄，禅病 | |
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conceited
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| adj.自负的，骄傲自满的 | |
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transformations
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| n.变化( transformation的名词复数 )；转换；转换；变换 | |
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prophesied
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| v.预告，预言( prophesy的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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conflagration
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| n.建筑物或森林大火 | |
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quench
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| vt.熄灭，扑灭；压制 | |
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retention
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| n.保留，保持，保持力，记忆力 | |
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expedient
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| adj.有用的，有利的；n.紧急的办法，权宜之计 | |
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evacuate
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| v.遣送；搬空；抽出；排泄；大(小)便 | |
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kindling
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| n. 点火, 可燃物 动词kindle的现在分词形式 | |
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chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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vessels
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| n.血管( vessel的名词复数 )；船；容器；（具有特殊品质或接受特殊品质的）人 | |
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preservation
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| n.保护，维护，保存，保留，保持 | |
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82
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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83
harpsichord
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| n.键琴（钢琴前身） | |
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84
squat
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| v.蹲坐，蹲下；n.蹲下；adj.矮胖的，粗矮的 | |
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85
melodious
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| adj.旋律美妙的，调子优美的，音乐性的 | |
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86
badger
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| v.一再烦扰，一再要求，纠缠 | |
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87
trophies
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| n.（为竞赛获胜者颁发的）奖品( trophy的名词复数 )；奖杯；（尤指狩猎或战争中获得的）纪念品；（用于比赛或赛跑名称）奖 | |
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88
entreaties
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| n.恳求，乞求( entreaty的名词复数 ) | |
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89
pretence
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| n.假装，作假；借口，口实；虚伪；虚饰 | |
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90
mortified
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| v.使受辱( mortify的过去式和过去分词 )；伤害（人的感情）；克制；抑制（肉体、情感等） | |
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91
horrid
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| adj.可怕的；令人惊恐的；恐怖的；极讨厌的 | |
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92
intoxicating
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| a. 醉人的,使人兴奋的 | |
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93
draughts
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| n. <英>国际跳棋 | |
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94
presumptuous
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| adj.胆大妄为的，放肆的，冒昧的，冒失的 | |
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