My mistress is surprised at my learning — communicates her performances to me — I impart some of mine to her — am mortified1 at her faint praise — Narcissa approves of my conduct — I gain an involuntary conquest over the cookwench and dairymaid — their mutual2 resentment3 and insinuations — the jealousy4 of their lovers
During this season of love and tranquillity5, my muse6, which had lain dormant7 so long, awoke, and produced several small performances on the subject of my flame. But as it concerned me nearly to remain undiscovered in my character and sentiments, I was under a necessity of mortifying8 my desire of praise, by confining my works to my own perusal9 and applause. In the meantime I strove to insinuate10 myself into the good opinion of both ladies; and succeeded so well, by my diligence and dutiful behaviour, that in a little time I was at least a favourite servant; and frequently enjoyed the satisfaction of hearing myself mentioned in French and Italian, with some degree of warmth and surprise by the dear object of all my wishes, as a person who had so much of the gentleman in my appearance and discourse11, that she could not for her soul treat me like a common lacquey. My prudence12 and modesty13 were not long proof against these bewitching compliments. One day, while I waited at dinner, the conversation turned upon a knotty14 passage of Tasso’s Gierusalem, which, it seems, had puzzled them both: after a great many unsatisfactory conjectures15, my mistress, taking the book out of her pocket, turned up the place in question, and read the sentence over and over without success; at length, despairing of finding the author’s meaning, she turned to me, saying, “Come hither, Bruno; let us see what fortune will do for us: I will interpret to thee what goes before, and what follows this obscure paragraph, the particular words of which I will also explain, that thou mayst, by comparing one with another, guess the sense of that which perplexes us.” I was too vain to let slip this opportunity of displaying my talents; therefore, without hesitation16, read and explained the whole of that which had disconcerted them, to the utter astonishment17 of both. Narcissa’s face and lovely neck were overspread with blushes, from which I drew a favourable18 opinion, while her aunt, after having stared at me a good while with a look of amazement19, exclaimed, “In the name of heaven who art thou?” I told her I had picked up a smattering of Italian, during a voyage up the Straits. At this explanation she shook her head, and observed that no smatterer could read as I had done. She then desired to know if I understood French. To which question I answered in the affirmative. She asked if I was acquainted with the Latin and Greek? I replied, “A little.” “Oho!” continued she, “and with philosophy and mathematics, I suppose?” I owned I knew something of each. Then she repeated her stare and interrogation. I began to repent20 of my vanity, and in order to repair the fault I committed, said, it was not to be wondered at if I had a tolerable education, for learning was so cheap in my country, that every peasant was a scholar; but, I hoped her Ladyship would think my understanding no exception to my character. “No, no, God forbid.” But during the rest of the time they sat at table, they behaved with remarkable21 reserve.
This alteration22 gave me great uneasiness; and I passed the night without sleep, in melancholy23 reflections on the vanity of young men, which prompts them to commit so many foolish actions, contrary to their own sober judgment24. Next day, however, instead of profiting by this self-condemnation, I yielded still more to the dictates25 of the principle I had endeavoured to chastise26, and if fortune had not befriended me more than prudence could expect, I should have been treated with the contempt it deserved. After breakfast my lady, who was a true author, bade me follow her into the study, where she expressed herself thus: “Since you are so learned, you cannot be void of taste; therefore I am to desire your opinion of a small performance in poetry, which I lately composed. You must know that I have planned a tragedy, the subject of which shall be, the murder of a prince before the altar, where he is busy at his devotions. After the deed is perpetrated, the regicide will harangue27 the people with the bloody28 dagger29 in his hand; and I have already composed a speech, which, I think, will suit the character extremely. Here it is.” Then, taking up a scrap30 of paper, she read, with violent emphasis and gesture, as follows: —
“Thus have I sent the simple King to hell,
Without or coffin31, shroud32, or passing bell:
To me what are divine and human laws?
I court no sanction but my own applause!
Rapes33, robberies, treasons, yield my soul delight,
And human carnage gratifies my sight:
I drag the parent by the hoary34 hair,
And toss the sprawling35 infant on the spear,
While the fond mother’s cries regale36 my ear.
I fight, I vanquish37, murder friends and foes38;
Nor dare the immortal39 gods my rage oppose.”
Though I did great violence to my understanding in praising this unnatural40 rhapsody, I nevertheless extolled41 it as a production that of itself deserved immortal fame; and besought42 her ladyship to bless the world with the fruits of those uncommon43 talents Heaven had bestowed44 upon her. She smiled with a look of self-complacency, and encouraged by the incense45 I had offered, communicated all her poetical46 works which I applauded, one by one, with as little candour as I had shown at first. Satiated with my flattery, which I hope my situation justified47, she could not in conscience refuse me an opportunity of shining in my turn: and, therefore, after a compliment to my nice discernment and taste, observed, that doubtless I must have produced something in that way myself, which she desired to see. This was temptation I could by no means resist. I owned that while I was at college I wrote some detached pieces, at the desire of a friend who was in love; and at her request repeated the following verses, which indeed my love for Narcissa had inspired: —
On Celia,
Playing on the harpsichord48 and singing.
When Sappho struck the quivering wire,
The throbbing49 breast was all on fire:
And when she raised the vocal50 lay,
The captive soul was charm’d away.
But had the nymph possessed51 with these
Thy softer, chaster, power to please;
Thy beauteous air of sprightly52 youth,
Thy native smiles of artless truth;
The worm of grief had never preyed53
On the forsaken54 love-sick maid:
Nor had she mourn’d a hapless flame,
Nor dash’d on rocks her tender frame.
My mistress paid me a cold compliment on the versification, which, she said, was elegant enough, but, the subject beneath the pen of a true poet. I was extremely nettled55 at her indifference56, and looked at Narcissa, who by this time had joined us, for her approbation57; but she declined giving her opinion, protesting she was no judge of these matters; so that I was forced to retire very much balked58 in my expectation, which was generally a little too sanguine59. In the afternoon, however, the waiting-maid assured me that Narcissa had expressed her approbation of my performance with great warmth, and desired her to procure60 a copy of it as for herself, that she (Narcissa) might have an opportunity to peruse61 it at pleasure. I was elated to an extravagant62 pitch at this intelligence, and immediately transcribed63 a fair copy of my Ode, which was carried to the dear charmer, together with another on the same subject, as follows: —
Thy fatal shaft64 unerring move;
I bow before thine altar, Love!
I feel thou soft resistless flame
Glide65 swift through all my vital frame!
For while I gaze my bosom66 glows,
My blood in tides impetuous flows;
Hope, fear, and joy alternate roll,
And floods of transports ‘whelm my soul!
My faltering67 tongue attempts in vain
In soothing68 murmurs69 to complain;
My tongue some secret magic ties,
My murmurs sink in broken sighs.
Condemn’d to nurse eternal care,
And ever drop the silent tear,
Unheard I mourn, unknown I sigh,
Unfriended live, unpitied die!
Whether or not Narcissa discovered my passion, I could not learn from her behaviour, which, though always benevolent70 to me was henceforth more reserved and less cheerful. While my thoughts aspired71 to a sphere so far above me, I had unwittingly made a conquest of the cookwench and dairymaid, who became so jealous of each other that, if their sentiments had been refined by education, it is probable one or other of them would have had recourse to poison or steel to be avenged72 of her rival; but, as their minds were happily adapted to their humble73 station, their mutual enmity was confined to scolding and fistcuffs, in which exercise they were both well skilled. My good fortune did not long remain a secret; for it was disclosed by the frequent broils74 of these heroines, who kept no decorum in their encounters. The coachman and gardener, who paid their devoirs to my admirers, each to his respective choice, alarmed at my success, laid their heads together, in order to concert n plan of revenge; and the former, having been educated at the academy at Tottenham Court, undertook to challenge me to single combat. He accordingly, with many opprobrious75 invectives, bade me defiance76, and offered to box me for twenty guineas. I told him that, although I believed myself a match for him even at that work I would not descend77 so far below the dignity of a gentleman as to fight like a porter; but if he had anything to say to me, I was his man at blunderbuss, musket78, pistol, sword, hatchet79, spit, cleaver80, fork, or needle; nay81, I swore, that should he give his tongue any more saucy82 liberties at my expense, I would crop his ears without any ceremony. This rhodomontade, delivered with a stern countenance83 and resolute84 tone, had the desired effect upon my antagonist85, who, with some confusion, sneaked86 off, and gave his friend an account of his reception.
The story, taking air among the servants, procured87 for me the title of Gentleman John, with which I was sometimes honoured, even by my mistress and Narcissa, who had been informed of the whole affair by the chambermaid. In the meantime, the rival queens expressed their passion by all the ways in their power: the cook entertained me with choice bits, the dairymaid with strokings: the first would often encourage me to declare myself, by complimenting me upon my courage and learning, and observing, that if she had a husband like me, to maintain order and keep accounts, she could make a great deal of money, by setting up an eating-house in London for gentlemen’s servants on board wages. The other courted my affection by showing her own importance, and telling me that many a substantial farmer in the neighbourhood would be glad to marry her, but she was resolved to please her eye, if she should plague her heart. Then she would launch out into the praise of my proper person, and say, she was sure I would make a good husband, for I was very good-natured. I began to be uneasy at the importunities of these inamoratas, whom, at another time perhaps, I might have pleased without the disagreeable sauce of matrimony, but, at present, my whole soul was engrossed88 by Narcissa; and I could not bear the thoughts of doing anything derogatory to the passion I entertained for her.
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1
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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mutual
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| adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的 | |
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resentment
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| n.怨愤，忿恨 | |
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jealousy
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| n.妒忌，嫉妒，猜忌 | |
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tranquillity
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| n. 平静, 安静 | |
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muse
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| n.缪斯（希腊神话中的女神），创作灵感 | |
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dormant
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| adj.暂停活动的；休眠的；潜伏的 | |
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mortifying
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| adj.抑制的，苦修的v.使受辱( mortify的现在分词 )；伤害（人的感情）；克制；抑制（肉体、情感等） | |
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perusal
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| n.细读，熟读；目测 | |
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insinuate
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| vt.含沙射影地说，暗示 | |
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discourse
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| n.论文，演说；谈话；话语；vi.讲述，著述 | |
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prudence
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| n.谨慎，精明，节俭 | |
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modesty
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| n.谦逊，虚心，端庄，稳重，羞怯，朴素 | |
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knotty
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| adj.有结的，多节的，多瘤的，棘手的 | |
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conjectures
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| 推测，猜想( conjecture的名词复数 ) | |
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hesitation
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| n.犹豫，踌躇 | |
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astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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favourable
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| adj.赞成的，称赞的，有利的，良好的，顺利的 | |
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amazement
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| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
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repent
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| v.悔悟，悔改，忏悔，后悔 | |
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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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alteration
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| n.变更，改变；蚀变 | |
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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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judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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dictates
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| n.命令，规定，要求( dictate的名词复数 )v.大声讲或读( dictate的第三人称单数 )；口授；支配；摆布 | |
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chastise
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| vt.责骂，严惩 | |
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harangue
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| n.慷慨冗长的训话，言辞激烈的讲话 | |
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bloody
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| adj.非常的的；流血的；残忍的；adv.很；vt.血染 | |
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dagger
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| n.匕首，短剑，剑号 | |
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scrap
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| n.碎片；废料；v.废弃，报废 | |
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coffin
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| n.棺材，灵柩 | |
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shroud
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| n.裹尸布，寿衣；罩，幕；vt.覆盖，隐藏 | |
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rapes
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| n.芸苔( rape的名词复数 )；强奸罪；强奸案；肆意损坏v.以暴力夺取，强夺( rape的第三人称单数 )；强奸 | |
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hoary
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| adj.古老的；鬓发斑白的 | |
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sprawling
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| adj.蔓生的，不规则地伸展的v.伸开四肢坐[躺]( sprawl的现在分词 )；蔓延；杂乱无序地拓展；四肢伸展坐着（或躺着） | |
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regale
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| v.取悦，款待 | |
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vanquish
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| v.征服，战胜；克服；抑制 | |
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foes
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| 敌人，仇敌( foe的名词复数 ) | |
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immortal
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| adj.不朽的；永生的，不死的；神的 | |
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unnatural
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| adj.不自然的；反常的 | |
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extolled
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| v.赞颂，赞扬，赞美( extol的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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besought
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| v.恳求，乞求（某事物）( beseech的过去式和过去分词 )；(beseech的过去式与过去分词) | |
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uncommon
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| adj.罕见的，非凡的，不平常的 | |
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bestowed
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| 赠给，授予( bestow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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incense
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| v.激怒；n.香，焚香时的烟，香气 | |
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poetical
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| adj.似诗人的；诗一般的；韵文的；富有诗意的 | |
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justified
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| a.正当的，有理的 | |
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harpsichord
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| n.键琴（钢琴前身） | |
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throbbing
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| a. 跳动的,悸动的 | |
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vocal
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| adj.直言不讳的；嗓音的；n.[pl.]声乐节目 | |
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possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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sprightly
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| adj.愉快的，活泼的 | |
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preyed
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| v.掠食( prey的过去式和过去分词 )；掠食；折磨；（人）靠欺诈为生 | |
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Forsaken
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| adj. 被遗忘的, 被抛弃的 动词forsake的过去分词 | |
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nettled
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| v.拿荨麻打，拿荨麻刺（nettle的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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indifference
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| n.不感兴趣，不关心，冷淡，不在乎 | |
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approbation
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| n.称赞；认可 | |
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balked
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| v.畏缩不前，犹豫( balk的过去式和过去分词 )；（指马）不肯跑 | |
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sanguine
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| adj.充满希望的，乐观的，血红色的 | |
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procure
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| vt.获得，取得，促成；vi.拉皮条 | |
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peruse
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| v.细读，精读 | |
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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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transcribed
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| （用不同的录音手段）转录( transcribe的过去式和过去分词 )； 改编（乐曲）（以适应他种乐器或声部）； 抄写； 用音标标出（声音） | |
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shaft
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| n.(工具的)柄，杆状物 | |
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glide
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| n./v.溜，滑行；(时间)消逝 | |
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bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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faltering
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| 犹豫的，支吾的，蹒跚的 | |
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soothing
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| adj.慰藉的；使人宽心的；镇静的 | |
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murmurs
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| n.低沉、连续而不清的声音( murmur的名词复数 )；低语声；怨言；嘀咕 | |
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benevolent
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| adj.仁慈的，乐善好施的 | |
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aspired
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| v.渴望，追求( aspire的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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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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humble
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| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
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broils
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| v.（用火）烤（焙、炙等）( broil的第三人称单数 )；使卷入争吵；使混乱；被烤（或炙） | |
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opprobrious
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| adj.可耻的，辱骂的 | |
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defiance
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| n.挑战，挑衅，蔑视，违抗 | |
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descend
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| vt./vi.传下来，下来，下降 | |
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musket
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| n.滑膛枪 | |
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hatchet
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| n.短柄小斧；v.扼杀 | |
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80
cleaver
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| n.切肉刀 | |
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nay
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| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
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saucy
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| adj.无礼的；俊俏的；活泼的 | |
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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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resolute
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| adj.坚决的，果敢的 | |
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85
antagonist
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| n.敌人，对抗者，对手 | |
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86
sneaked
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| v.潜行( sneak的过去式和过去分词 )；偷偷溜走；（儿童向成人）打小报告；告状 | |
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87
procured
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| v.（努力）取得， （设法）获得( procure的过去式和过去分词 )；拉皮条 | |
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88
engrossed
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| adj.全神贯注的 | |
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