I am arrested — carried to the Marshalsea — find my old Acquaintance beau Jackson in that Jail — he informs me of his Adventures — Strap1 arrives, and with difficulty is comforted — Jackson introduces me to a Poet — I admire his Conversation and Capacity — am deeply affected2 with my Misfortune — Strap hires himself as a Journeyman Barber
But this expedient3 was in a few weeks followed with a consequence I did not foresee. A player, having purchased one of the suits that were exposed to sale, appeared in it on the stage one night, while my tailor unfortunately happened to be present. He knew it immediately, and, inquiring minutely into the affair, discovered my whole contrivance: upon which he came into my lodgings4, and telling me that he was very much straightened for want of money, presented his bill, which amounted to fifty pounds. Surprised at which unexpected address, I affected to treat him cavalierly, swore some oaths, asked if he doubted my honour, and telling him I should take care whom I dealt with for the future, bade him come again in three days. He obeyed me punctually, demanded his money, and finding himself amused with bare promises, arrested me that very day in the street. I was not much shocked at this adventure, which, indeed, put an end to a state of horrible expectation: but I refused to go to a sponging-house, where I heard there was nothing but the most flagrant imposition: and, a coach being called, was carried to the Marshalsea, attended by a bailiff and his follower5, who were very much disappointed and chagrined6 at my resolution.
The turnkey, guessing from my appearance that I had money in my pocket, received me with the repetition of the Latin word depone, and gave me to understand, that I must pay beforehand for the apartment I should choose to dwell in. I desired to see his conveniences, and hired a small paltry7 bed-chamber for a crown a week, which, in any other place, would not have let for half the money. Having taken possession of this dismal8 habitation, I sent for Strap, and my thoughts were busied in collecting matter of consolation9 to that faithful squire10, when somebody knocked at my door, which I no sooner opened, than a young fellow entered in very shabby clothes and marvellous foul11 linen12. After a low bow, he called me by name, and asked if I had forgotten him. His voice assisted me in recollecting13 his person, whom I soon recognised to be my old acquaintance, Jackson, of whom mention is made in the first part of my memoirs14. I saluted15 him cordially, expressed my satisfaction at finding him alive, and condoled16 him on his present situation, which, however, did not seem to affect him much, for he laughed very heartily17 at the occasion of our meeting so unexpectedly in this place. Our mutual18 compliments being past, I inquired about his amour with the lady of fortune, which seemed to be so near a happy conclusion when I had the pleasure of seeing him last: and, after an immoderate fit of laughter, he gave me to understand that he had been egregiously19 bit in that affair. “You must know,” said he, “that a few days after our adventure with the bawd, and her b — ches, I found means to be married to that same blue lady you speak of, and passed the night with her at her lodgings, so much to her satisfaction, that early in the morning, after a good deal of snivelling and sobbing20, she owned, that, far from being an heiress of great fortune, she was no other than a common woman of the town, who had decoyed me into matrimony, in order to enjoy the privilege of a femme couverte; and that, unless I made my escape immediately, I should be arrested for a debt of her contracting, by bailiffs employed and instructed for that purpose. Startled at this intimation, I rose in a twinkling, and taking leave of my spouse21 with several hearty22 damns, got safe into the verge23 of the court, where I kept snug24, until I was appointed surgeon’s mate of a man-of-war at Portsmouth; for which place I set out on Sunday, went on board of my ship, in which I sailed to the Straits, where I had the good fortune to be made surgeon of a sloop25 that came home a few months after, and was put out of commission: whereupon, I came to London, imagining myself forgotten, and freed from my wife and her creditors26, but had not been in town a week, before I was arrested for a debt of hers, amounting to twenty pounds, and brought to this place, where I have been fixed27 by another action since that time. However, you know my disposition28, I defy care and anxiety; and being on the half-pay list, make shift to live here tolerably easy.” I congratulated him on his philosophy, and, remembering that I was in his debt, repaid the money he formerly29 lent me, which, I believe, was far from being unseasonable. I then inquired about the economy of the place, which he explained to my satisfaction; and, after we had agreed to mess together, he was just now going to give orders for dinner when Strap arrived.
I never in my life saw sorrow so extravagantly30 expressed in any countenance31 as in that of my honest friend, which was, indeed, particularly adapted by nature for such impressions. When we were left by ourselves, I communicated to him my disaster, and endeavoured to console him with the same arguments he had formerly used to me, withal representing the fair chance I had of being relieved in a short time by Mr. Bowling32. But his grief was unutterable: he seemed to give attention without listening, and wrung33 his hands in silence; so that I was in a fair way of being infected by his behaviour, when Jackson returned, and, perceiving the deference34 I paid to Strap, although in a footman’s habit, distributed his crumbs35 of comfort with such mirth, jollity and unconcern, that the features of the distressed36 squire relaxed by degrees; he recovered the use of speech, and began to be a little more reconciled to this lamentable37 event. We dined together on boiled beef and greens, brought from a cook’s shop in the neighbourhood, and, although this meal was served up in a manner little corresponding with the sphere of life in which I had lately lived, I made a virtue38 of necessity, ate with good appetite, and treated my friends with a bottle of wine, which had the desired effect of increasing the good humour of my fellow prisoner, and exhilarating the spirits of Strap, who now talked cavalierly of my misfortune.
After dinner Jackson left us to our private affairs; when I desired my friend to pack up all our things, and carry them to some cheap lodgings he should choose for himself in the neighbourhood of the Marshalsea, after he had discharged my lodgings, for which purpose I gave him money. I likewise recommended to him the keeping my misfortune secret, and saying to my landlord, or any other who should inquire for me, that I was gone into the country for a few weeks: at the same time I laid strong injunctions upon him to call every second day upon Banter39, in case he should receive any letter for me from Narcissa, by the channel of Freeman; and by all means to leave a direction for himself at my uncle’s lodgings in Wapping, by which I might be found when my kinsman40 should arrive.
When he departed to execute these orders (which by the bye were punctually performed that very night), I found myself so little seasoned to my situation, that I dreaded41 reflection, and sought shelter from it in the company of the beau, who, promising42 to regale43 me with a lecture upon taste, conducted me to the common side, where I saw a number of naked miserable44 wretches45 assembled together. We had not been here many minutes, when a figure appeared, wrapped in a dirty rug, tied about his loins with two pieces of list, of different colours, knotted together; having a black bushy beard, and his head covered with a huge mass of brown periwig, which seems to have been ravished from the crown of some scarecrow. This apparition46, stalking in with great solemnity, made a profound bow to the audience, who signified their approbation47 by a general response of “How d’ye do, doctor!” He then turned towards us, and honoured Jackson with a particular salutation, upon which my friend, in a formal manner, introduced him to me by the name of Mr. Melopoyn. This ceremony being over, he advanced into the middle of the congregation, which crowded around him, and hemming48 three times, to my utter astonishment49, pronounced with great significance of voice and gesture, a very elegant and ingenious discourse50 upon the difference between genius and taste, illustrating51 his assertions with apt quotations52 from the best authors, ancient as well as modern. When he had finished his harangue53, which lasted a full hour, he bowed again to the spectators; not one of whom (I was informed) understood so much as a sentence of what he had uttered. They manifested, however, their admiration54 and esteem55 by voluntary contributions, which Jackson told me, one week with another, amounted to eighteen pence. This moderate stipend56, together with some small presents that he received for making up differences and deciding causes amongst the prisoners, just enabled him to breathe and walk about in the grotesque57 figure I have described. I understood also, that he was an excellent poet, and had composed a tragedy, which was allowed by everybody who had seen it to be a performance of great merit: that his learning was infinite, his morals unexceptionable, and his modesty58 invincible59. Such a character could not fail of attracting my regard; I longed impatiently to be acquainted with him, and desired Jackson would engage him to spend the evening in my apartment. My request was granted; he favoured us with his company, and, in the course of our conversation perceiving that I had a strong passion for the Belles60 Lettres, acquitted61 himself so well on that subject, that I expressed a fervent62 desire of seeing his productions. In this point too he gratified my inclination63; he promised to bring his tragedy to my room next day, and in the meantime, entertained me with some detached pieces, which gave me a very advantageous64 idea of his poetical65 talent. Among other things I was particularly pleased with some elegies66, in imitation of Tibullus; one of which I beg leave to submit to the reader as a specimen67 of his complexion68 and capacity: —
Where now are all my flattering dreams of joy?
Monimia, give my soul her wonted rest; —
Since first thy beauty fixed my roving eye,
heart-gnawing cares corrode69 my pensive70 breast!
Let happy lovers fly where pleasures call,
With festive71 songs beguile72 the fleeting73 hour,
Lead beauty through the mazes74 of the ball,
Or press her wanton in love’s roseate bower75:
For me, no more I’ll range the empurpled mead76,
Where shepherd’s pipe and virgins77 dance around,
Nor wander through the woodbine’s fragrant78 shade,
To hear the music of the grove79 resound80.
I’ll seek some lonely church, or dreary81 hall,
Where fancy paints the glimmering82 taper83 blue,
Where damps hang mouldering84 on the ivy’d wall,
And sheeted ghosts drink up the midnight dew,
There, leagued with hopeless anguish85 and despair,
A while in silence o’er my fate repair:
Then, with a long farewell to love and care,
To kindred dust my weary limbs consign86.
Wilt87 thou, Monimia, shed a gracious tear
On the cold grave where all my sorrows rest?
Strew88 vernal flowers, applaud my love sincere,
And bid the turf lie easy on my breast?
I was wonderfully affected with this pathetic complaint, which seemed so well calculated for my own disappointment in love, that I could not help attaching the idea of Narcissa to the name of Monimia, and of forming such melancholy89 presages90 of my passion, that I could not recover my tranquillity91: and was fain to have recourse to the bottle, which prepared me for a profound sleep that I could not otherwise have enjoyed. Whether these impressions invited and introduced a train of other melancholy reflections, or my fortitude92 was all exhausted93 in the effort I made against despondence, during the first day of my imprisonment94, I cannot determine; but I awoke in the horrors, and found my imagination haunted with such dismal apparitions95, that I was ready to despair: and I believe the render will own, I had no great cause to congratulate myself, when I considered my situation. I was interrupted in the midst of these gloomy apprehensions96 by the arrival of Strap, who contributed not a little to the re-establishment of my peace, by letting me know that he had hired himself as a journeyman barber; by which means he would be able not only to save me a considerable expense, but even make shift to lay up something for my subsistence, after my money should be spent, in case I should. not be relieved before.
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strap
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| n.皮带，带子；v.用带扣住，束牢；用绷带包扎 | |
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affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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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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lodgings
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| n. 出租的房舍, 寄宿舍 | |
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follower
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| n.跟随者；随员；门徒；信徒 | |
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chagrined
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| adj.懊恼的，苦恼的v.使懊恼，使懊丧，使悔恨( chagrin的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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paltry
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| adj.无价值的，微不足道的 | |
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dismal
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| adj.阴沉的，凄凉的，令人忧郁的，差劲的 | |
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consolation
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| n.安慰，慰问 | |
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squire
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| n.护卫, 侍从, 乡绅 | |
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foul
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| adj.污秽的；邪恶的；v.弄脏；妨害；犯规；n.犯规 | |
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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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recollecting
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| v.记起，想起( recollect的现在分词 ) | |
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memoirs
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| n.回忆录；回忆录传( mem,自oir的名词复数) | |
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saluted
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| v.欢迎，致敬( salute的过去式和过去分词 )；赞扬，赞颂 | |
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condoled
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| v.表示同情，吊唁( condole的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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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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egregiously
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| adv.过份地，卓越地 | |
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sobbing
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| <主方>Ⅰ adj.湿透的 | |
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spouse
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| n.配偶(指夫或妻) | |
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hearty
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| adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的 | |
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verge
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| n.边，边缘；v.接近，濒临 | |
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snug
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| adj.温暖舒适的，合身的，安全的；v.使整洁干净，舒适地依靠，紧贴；n.（英）酒吧里的私房 | |
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sloop
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| n.单桅帆船 | |
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creditors
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| n.债权人，债主( creditor的名词复数 ) | |
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fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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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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formerly
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| adv.从前，以前 | |
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extravagantly
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| adv.挥霍无度地 | |
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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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bowling
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| n.保龄球运动 | |
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wrung
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| 绞( wring的过去式和过去分词 )； 握紧（尤指别人的手）； 把（湿衣服）拧干； 绞掉（水） | |
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deference
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| n.尊重，顺从；敬意 | |
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crumbs
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| int. (表示惊讶)哎呀 n. 碎屑 名词crumb的复数形式 | |
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distressed
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| 痛苦的 | |
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lamentable
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| adj.令人惋惜的，悔恨的 | |
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virtue
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| n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力 | |
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banter
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| n.嘲弄，戏谑；v.取笑，逗弄，开玩笑 | |
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kinsman
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| n.男亲属 | |
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dreaded
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| adj.令人畏惧的；害怕的v.害怕，恐惧，担心( dread的过去式和过去分词) | |
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promising
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| adj.有希望的，有前途的 | |
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regale
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| v.取悦，款待 | |
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miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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wretches
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| n.不幸的人( wretch的名词复数 )；可怜的人；恶棍；坏蛋 | |
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apparition
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| n.幽灵，神奇的现象 | |
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approbation
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| n.称赞；认可 | |
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hemming
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| 卷边 | |
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astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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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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illustrating
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| 给…加插图( illustrate的现在分词 )； 说明； 表明； （用示例、图画等）说明 | |
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quotations
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| n.引用( quotation的名词复数 )；[商业]行情（报告）；（货物或股票的）市价；时价 | |
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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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admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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esteem
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| n.尊敬，尊重；vt.尊重，敬重；把…看作 | |
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stipend
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| n.薪贴；奖学金；养老金 | |
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grotesque
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| adj.怪诞的，丑陋的；n.怪诞的图案，怪人（物） | |
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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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invincible
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| adj.不可征服的，难以制服的 | |
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belles
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| n.美女( belle的名词复数 )；最美的美女 | |
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acquitted
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| 宣判…无罪( acquit的过去式和过去分词 )； 使（自己）作出某种表现 | |
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fervent
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| adj.热的，热烈的，热情的 | |
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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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advantageous
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| adj.有利的；有帮助的 | |
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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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elegies
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| n.哀歌，挽歌( elegy的名词复数 ) | |
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specimen
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| n.样本，标本 | |
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complexion
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| n.肤色；情况，局面；气质，性格 | |
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corrode
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| v.使腐蚀，侵蚀，破害；v.腐蚀，被侵蚀 | |
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pensive
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| a.沉思的,哀思的,忧沉的 | |
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festive
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| adj.欢宴的，节日的 | |
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beguile
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| vt.欺骗，消遣 | |
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fleeting
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| adj.短暂的，飞逝的 | |
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mazes
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| 迷宫( maze的名词复数 )； 纷繁复杂的规则； 复杂难懂的细节； 迷宫图 | |
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bower
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| n.凉亭，树荫下凉快之处；闺房；v.荫蔽 | |
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mead
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| n.蜂蜜酒 | |
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virgins
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| 处女，童男( virgin的名词复数 )； 童贞玛利亚（耶稣之母） | |
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fragrant
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| adj.芬香的，馥郁的，愉快的 | |
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grove
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| n.林子，小树林，园林 | |
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resound
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| v.回响 | |
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81
dreary
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| adj.令人沮丧的，沉闷的，单调乏味的 | |
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glimmering
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| n.微光，隐约的一瞥adj.薄弱地发光的v.发闪光，发微光( glimmer的现在分词 ) | |
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83
taper
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| n.小蜡烛，尖细，渐弱；adj.尖细的；v.逐渐变小 | |
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84
mouldering
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| v.腐朽( moulder的现在分词 )；腐烂，崩塌 | |
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85
anguish
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| n.(尤指心灵上的)极度痛苦，烦恼 | |
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86
consign
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| vt.寄售（货品），托运，交托，委托 | |
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87
wilt
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| v.(使)植物凋谢或枯萎；(指人)疲倦，衰弱 | |
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88
strew
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| vt.撒；使散落；撒在…上，散布于 | |
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89
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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90
presages
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| v.预示，预兆( presage的第三人称单数 ) | |
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91
tranquillity
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| n. 平静, 安静 | |
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92
fortitude
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| n.坚忍不拔；刚毅 | |
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93
exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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94
imprisonment
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| n.关押，监禁，坐牢 | |
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95
apparitions
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| n.特异景象( apparition的名词复数 )；幽灵；鬼；（特异景象等的）出现 | |
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96
apprehensions
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| 疑惧 | |
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