第3章
加入书架 A- A+
点击下载App,搜索"Candide",免费读到尾

  Thereader,however,willreadilyconceivethattheymusthaveaprodigioussuperiorityoverthepebblesandsand,whichwecallgoldandpreciousstones。

  TwentybeautifulyoungvirginsinwaitingreceivedCandideandCacamboontheiralightingfromthecoach,conductedthemtothebathandcladtheminrobeswovenofthedownofhummingbirds;afterwhichtheywereintroducedbythegreatofficersofthecrownofbothsexestotheKing’sapartment,betweentwofilesofmusicians,eachfileconsistingofathousand,agreeabletothecustomofthecountry。

  Whentheydrewneartothepresence-chamber,CacamboaskedoneoftheofficersinwhatmannertheyweretopaytheirobeisancetoHisMajesty;

  whetheritwasthecustomtofallupontheirknees,ortoprostratethemselvesupontheground;whethertheyweretoputtheirhandsupontheirheads,orbehindtheirbacks;whethertheyweretolickthedustoffthefloor;inshort,whatwastheceremonyusualonsuchoccasions。

  \"Thecustom\",saidthegreatofficer,\"istoembracetheKingandkisshimoneachcheek。\"

  CandideandCacamboaccordinglythrewtheirarmsroundHisMajesty’sneck,whoreceivedtheminthemostgraciousmannerimaginable,andverypolitelyaskedthemtosupwithhim。

  Whilesupperwaspreparing,ordersweregiventoshowthemthecity,wheretheysawpublicstructuresthatrearedtheirloftyheadstotheclouds;

  themarketplacesdecoratedwithathousandcolumns;fountainsofspringwater,besidesothersofrosewater,andofliquorsdrawnfromthesugarcane,incessantlyflowinginthegreatsquares,whichwerepavedwithakindofpreciousstonesthatemittedanodorlikethatofclovesandcinnamon。

  CandideaskedtoseetheHighCourtofjustice,theParliament;

  butwasansweredthattheyhadnoneinthatcountry,beingutterstrangerstolawsuits。Hetheninquirediftheyhadanyprisons;theyrepliednone。ButwhatgavehimatoncethegreatestsurpriseandpleasurewasthePalaceofSciences,wherehesawagallerytwothousandfeetlong,filledwiththevariousapparatusinmathematicsandnaturalphilosophy。

  Afterhavingspentthewholeafternooninseeingonlyaboutthethousandthpartofthecity,theywerebroughtbacktotheKing’spalace。CandidesatdownatthetablewithHisMajesty,hisvaletCacambo,andseveralladiesofthecourt。Neverwasentertainmentmoreelegant,norcouldanyonepossiblyshowmorewitthanHisMajestydisplayedwhiletheywereatsupper。CacamboexplainedalltheKing’sbonsmotstoCandide,and,althoughtheyweretranslated,theystillappearedtobebonsmots。OfallthethingsthatsurprisedCandide,thiswasnottheleast。

  Theyspentawholemonthinthishospitableplace,duringwhichtimeCandidewascontinuallysayingtoCacambo,\"Iown,myfriend,oncemore,thatthecastlewhereIwasbornisamerenothingincomparisontotheplacewherewenoware;butstillMissCunegondeisnothere,andyouyourselfhavedoubtlesssomefaironeinEuropeforwhomyousigh。Ifweremainhereweshallonlybeasothersare;whereasifwereturntoourownworldwithonlyadozenofElDoradosheep,loadedwiththepebblesofthiscountry,weshallbericherthanallthekingsinEurope;

  weshallnolongerneedtostandinaweoftheInquisitors;andwemayeasilyrecoverMissCunegonde。\"

  ThisspeechwasperfectlyagreeabletoCacambo。Afondnessforroving,formakingafigureintheirowncountry,andforboastingofwhattheyhadseenintheirtravels,wassopowerfulinourtwowanderersthattheyresolvedtobenolongerhappy;anddemandedpermissionoftheKingtoquitthecountry。

  \"Youareabouttodoarashandsillyaction\",saidtheKing。\"Iamsensiblemykingdomisaninconsiderablespot;butwhenpeoplearetolerablyattheireaseinanyplace,Ishouldthinkitwouldbetotheirinteresttoremainthere。

  Mostassuredly,Ihavenorighttodetainyou,oranystrangers,againstyourwills;thisisanactoftyrannytowhichourmannersandourlawsareequallyrepugnant。Allmenarebynaturefree;youhavethereforeanundoubtedlibertytodepartwheneveryouplease,butyouwillhavemanyandgreatdifficultiestoencounterinpassingthefrontiers。

  Itisimpossibletoascendthatrapidriverwhichrunsunderhighandvaultedrocks,andbywhichyouwereconveyedhitherbyakindofmiracle。Themountainsbywhichmykingdomarehemmedinonallsides,aretenthousandfeethigh,andperfectlyperpendicular;theyareabovetenleaguesacross,andthedescentfromthemisonecontinuedprecipice。

  \"However,sinceyouaredeterminedtoleaveus,Iwillimmediatelygiveorderstothesuperintendentofmycarriagestocauseonetobemadethatwillconveyyouverysafely。Whentheyhaveconductedyoutothebackofthemountains,nobodycanattendyoufarther;formysubjectshavemadeavownevertoquitthekingdom,andtheyaretooprudenttobreakit。Askmewhateverelseyouplease。\"

  \"AllweshallaskofYourMajesty\",saidCacambo,\"isonlyafewsheepladenwithprovisions,pebbles,andtheclayofyourcountry。\"

  TheKingsmiledattherequestandsaid,\"IcannotimaginewhatpleasureyouEuropeansfindinouryellowclay;buttakeawayasmuchofitasyouwill,andmuchgoodmayitdoyou。\"

  Heimmediatelygaveorderstohisengineerstomakeamachinetohoistthesetwoextraordinarymenoutofthekingdom。Threethousandgoodmachinistswenttoworkandfinisheditinaboutfifteendays,anditdidnotcostmorethantwentymillionssterlingofthatcountry’smoney。CandideandCacambowereplacedonthismachine,andtheytookwiththemtwolargeredsheep,bridledandsaddled,torideupon,whentheygotontheothersideofthemountains;twentyotherstoserveassumptersforcarryingprovisions;thirtyladenwithpresentsofwhateverwasmostcuriousinthecountry,andfiftywithgold,diamonds,andotherpreciousstones。TheKing,atpartingwithourtwoadventurers,embracedthemwiththegreatestcordiality。

  Itwasacurioussighttobeholdthemanneroftheirsettingoff,andtheingeniousmethodbywhichtheyandtheirsheepwerehoistedtothetopofthemountains。Themachinistsandengineerstookleaveofthemassoonastheyhadconveyedthemtoaplaceofsafety,andCandidewaswhollyoccupiedwiththethoughtsofpresentinghissheeptoMissCunegonde。

  \"Now\",criedhe,\"thankstoHeaven,wehavemorethansufficienttopaytheGovernorofBuenosAyresforMissCunegonde,ifsheisredeemable。LetusmakethebestofourwaytoCayenne,wherewewilltakeshippingandthenwemayatleisurethinkofwhatkingdomweshallpurchasewithourriches。\"

  chapter19CHAPTERXIX

  WHATHAPPENEDTOTHEMATSURINAM,ANDHOW

  CANDIDEBECAMEACQUAINTED

  WITHMARTIN

  Ourtravelers’firstday’sjourneywasverypleasant;

  theywereelatedwiththeprospectofpossessingmorerichesthanweretobefoundinEurope,Asia,andAfricatogether。Candide,inamoroustransports,cutthenameofMissCunegondeonalmosteverytreehecameto。Theseconddaytwooftheirsheepsunkinamorass,andwereswallowedupwiththeirJading;twomorediedoffatigue;somefewdaysafterwardssevenoreightperishedwithhungerinadesert,andothers,atdifferenttimes,tumbleddownprecipices,orwereotherwiselost,sothat,aftertravelingaboutahundreddaystheyhadonlytwosheepleftofthehundredandtwotheybroughtwiththemfromElDorado。

  SaidCandidetoCacambo,\"Yousee,mydearfriend,howperishabletherichesofthisworldare;thereisnothingsolidbutvirtue。\"

  \"Verytrue\",saidCacambo,\"butwehavestilltwosheepremaining,withmoretreasurethanevertheKingofSpainwillbepossessedof;andIespyatownatadistance,whichItaketobeSurinam,atownbelongingtotheDutch。Wearenowattheendofourtroubles,andatthebeginningofhappiness。\"

  AstheydrewnearthetowntheysawaNegrostretchedonthegroundwithonlyonehalfofhishabit,whichwasakindoflinenfrock;forthepoormanhadlosthisleftlegandhisrighthand。

  \"GoodGod\",saidCandideinDutch,\"whatdostthouhere,friend,inthisdeplorablecondition?\"

  \"Iamwaitingformymaster,MynheerVanderdendur,thefamoustrader\",answeredtheNegro。

  \"WasitMynheerVanderdendurthatusedyouinthiscruelmanner?\"

  \"Yes,sir\",saidtheNegro;\"itisthecustomhere。Theygivealinengarmenttwiceayear,andthatisallourcovering。Whenwelaborinthesugarworks,andthemillhappenstosnatchholdofafinger,theyinstantlychopoffourhand;andwhenweattempttorunaway,theycutoffaleg。Boththesecaseshavehappenedtome,anditisatthisexpensethatyoueatsugarinEurope;andyetwhenmymothersoldmefortenpatacoonsonthecoastofGuinea,shesaidtome,’Mydearchild,blessourfetishes;

  adorethemforever;theywillmaketheelivehappy;thouhastthehonortobeaslavetoourlordsthewhites,bywhichthouwiltmakethefortuneofusthyparents。’

  \"Alas!IknownotwhetherIhavemadetheirfortunes;buttheyhavenotmademine;dogs,monkeys,andparrotsareathousandtimeslesswretchedthanI。TheDutchfetisheswhoconvertedmetellmeeverySundaythattheblacksandwhitesareallchildrenofonefather,whomtheycallAdam。Asforme,Idonotunderstandanythingofgenealogies;

  butifwhatthesepreacherssayistrue,weareallsecondcousins;

  andyoumustallowthatitisimpossibletobeworsetreatedbyourrelationsthanweare。\"

  \"OPangloss!\"criedoutCandide,\"suchhorriddoingsneverenteredthyimagination。Hereisanendofthematter。Ifindmyself,afterall,obligedtorenouncethyOptimism。\"

  \"Optimism\",saidCacambo,\"whatisthat?\"

  \"Alas!\"repliedCandide,\"itistheobstinacyofmaintainingthateverythingisbestwhenitisworst。\"

  AndsosayingheturnedhiseyestowardsthepoorNegro,andshedafloodoftears;andinthisweepingmoodheenteredthetownofSurinam。

  ImmediatelyupontheirarrivalourtravelersinquirediftherewasanyvesselintheharborwhichtheymightsendtoBuenosAyres。ThepersontheyaddressedthemselvestohappenedtobethemasterofaSpanishbark,whoofferedtoagreewiththemonmoderateterms,andappointedthemameetingatapublichouse。ThitherCandideandhisfaithfulCacambowenttowaitforhim,takingwiththemtheirtwosheep。

  Candide,whowasallfranknessandsincerity,madeaningenuousrecitalofhisadventurestotheSpaniard,declaringtohimatthesametimehisresolutionofcarryingoffMissCunegondefromtheGovernorofBuenosAyres。

  \"Oh,ho!\"saidtheshipmaster,\"ifthatisthecase,getwhomyoupleasetocarryyoutoBuenosAyres;formypart,Iwashmyhandsoftheaffair。Itwouldproveahangingmattertousall。ThefairCunegondeistheGovernor’sfavoritemistress。\"

  ThesewordswerelikeaclapofthundertoCandide;heweptbitterlyforalongtime,and,takingCacamboaside,hesaidtohim,\"I’lltellyou,mydearfriend,whatyoumustdo。Wehaveeachofusinourpocketstothevalueoffiveorsixmillionsindiamonds;youareclevereratthesemattersthanI;youmustgotoBuenosAyresandbringoffMissCunegonde。

  IftheGovernormakesanydifficultygivehimamillion;ifheholdsout,givehimtwo;asyouhavenotkilledanInquisitor,theywillhavenosuspicionofyou。I’llfitoutanothershipandgotoVenice,whereIwillwaitforyou。

  Veniceisafreecountry,whereweshallhavenothingtofearfromBulgarians,Abares,JewsorInquisitors。\"

  Cacambogreatlyapplaudedthiswiseresolution。Hewasinconsolableatthethoughtsofpartingwithsogoodamaster,whotreatedhimmorelikeanintimatefriendthanaservant;butthepleasureofbeingabletodohimaservicesoongotthebetterofhissorrow。Theyembracedeachotherwithafloodoftears。Candidechargedhimnottoforgettheoldwoman。Cacambosetoutthesameday。ThisCacambowasaveryhonestfellow。

  CandidecontinuedsomedayslongeratSurinam,waitingforanycaptaintocarryhimandhistworemainingsheeptoItaly。Hehireddomestics,andpurchasedmanythingsnecessaryforalongvoyage;atlengthMynheerVanderdendur,skipperofalargeDutchvessel,cameandofferedhisservice。

  \"Whatwillyouhave\",saidCandide,\"tocarryme,myservants,mybaggage,andthesetwosheepyouseehere,directlytoVenice?\"

  Theskipperaskedtenthousandpiastres,andCandideagreedtohisdemandwithouthestitation。

  \"Ho,ho!\"saidthecunningVanderdendurtohimself,\"thisstrangermustbeveryrich;heagreestogivemetenthousandpiastreswithouthesitation。\"

  Returningalittlewhileafter,hetoldCandidethatuponsecondconsiderationhecouldnotundertakethevoyageforlessthantwentythousand。

  \"Verywell;youshallhavethem\",saidCandide。

  \"Zounds!\"saidtheskippertohimself,\"thismanagreestopaytwentythousandpiastreswithasmucheaseasten。\"

  Accordinglyhewentbackagain,andtoldhimroundlythathewouldnotcarryhimtoVeniceforlessthanthirtythousandpiastres。

  \"Thenyoushallhavethirtythousand\",saidCandide。

  \"Odso!\"saidtheDutchmanoncemoretohimself,\"thirtythousandpiastresseematrifletothisman。Thosesheepmustcertainlybeladenwithanimmensetreasure。I’lle’enstophereandasknomore;

  butmakehimpaydownthethirtythousandpiastres,andthenwemayseewhatistobedonefarther。\"

  Candidesoldtwosmalldiamonds,theleastofwhichwasworthmorethanalltheskipperasked。Hepaidhimbeforehand,thetwosheepwereputonboard,andCandidefollowedinasmallboattojointhevesselintheroad。

  Theskippertookadvantageofhisopportunity,hoistedsail,andputouttoseawithafavorablewind。Candide,confoundedandamazed,soonlostsightoftheship。

  \"Alas!\"saidhe,\"thisisatricklikethoseinouroldworld!\"

  Hereturnedbacktotheshoreoverwhelmedwithgrief;and,indeed,hehadlostwhatwouldhavemadethefortuneoftwentymonarchs。

  StraightwayuponhislandingheappliedtotheDutchmagistrate;

  beingtransportedwithpassionhethunderedatthedoor,whichbeingopened,hewentin,toldhiscase,andtalkedalittlelouderthanwasnecessary。Themagistratebeganwithfininghimtenthousandpiastresforhispetulance,andthenlistenedverypatientlytowhathehadtosay,promisedtoexamineintotheaffairontheskipper’sreturn,andorderedhimtopaytenthousandpiastresmoreforthefeesofthecourt。

  ThistreatmentputCandideoutofallpatience;itistrue,hehadsufferedmisfortunesathousandtimesmoregrievous,butthecoolinsolenceofthejudge,andthevillainyoftheskipperraisedhischolerandthrewhimintoadeepmelancholy。Thevillainyofmankindpresenteditselftohismindinallitsdeformity,andhissoulwasapreytothemostgloomyideas。Aftersometime,hearingthatthecaptainofaFrenchshipwasreadytosetsailforBordeaux,ashehadnomoresheeploadedwithdiamondstoputonboard,hehiredthecabinattheusualprice;andmadeitknowninthetownthathewouldpaythepassageandboardofanyhonestmanwhowouldgivehimhiscompanyduringthevoyage;besidesmakinghimapresentoftenthousandpiastres,onconditionthatsuchpersonwasthemostdissatisfiedwithhiscondition,andthemostunfortunateinthewholeprovince。

  Uponthisthereappearedsuchacrowdofcandidatesthatalargefleetcouldnothavecontainedthem。Candide,willingtochoosefromamongthosewhoappearedmostlikelytoanswerhisintention,selectedtwenty,whoseemedtohimthemostsociable,andwhoallpretendedtomeritthepreference。Heinvitedthemtohisinn,andpromisedtotreatthemwithasupper,onconditionthateverymanshouldbindhimselfbyanoathtorelatehisownhistory;declaringatthesametime,thathewouldmakechoiceofthatpersonwhoshouldappeartohimthemostdeservingofcompassion,andthemostjustlydissatisfiedwithhisconditioninlife;andthathewouldmakeapresenttotherest。

  Thisextraordinaryassemblycontinuedsittingtillfourinthemorning。

  Candide,whilehewaslisteningtotheiradventures,calledtomindwhattheoldwomanhadsaidtohimintheirvoyagetoBuenosAyres,andthewagershehadlaidthattherewasnotapersononboardtheshipbuthadmetwithgreatmisfortunes。EverystoryheheardputhiminmindofPangloss。

  \"Myoldmaster\",saidhe,\"wouldbeconfoundedlyputtoittodemonstratehisfavoritesystem。Wouldhewerehere!Certainlyifeverythingisforthebest,itisinElDorado,andnotintheotherpartsoftheworld。\"

  Atlengthhedeterminedinfavorofapoorscholar,whohadlaboredtenyearsforthebooksellersatAmsterdam:beingofopinionthatnoemploymentcouldbemoredetestable。

  Thisscholar,whowasinfactaveryhonestman,hadbeenrobbedbyhiswife,beatenbyhisson,andforsakenbyhisdaughter,whohadrunawaywithaPortuguese。Hehadbeenlikewisedeprivedofasmallemploymentonwhichhesubsisted,andhewaspersecutedbytheclergyofSurinam,whotookhimforaSocinian。Itmustbeacknowledgedthattheothercompetitorswere,atleast,aswretchedashe;butCandidewasinhopesthatthecompanyofamanofletterswouldrelievethetediousnessofthevoyage。AlltheothercandidatescomplainedthatCandidehaddonethemgreatinjustice,buthestoppedtheirmouthsbyapresentofahundredpiastrestoeach。

  chapter20CHAPTERXX

  WHATBEFELLCANDIDEANDMARTIN

  ONTHEIR

  PASSAGE

  Theoldphilosopher,whosenamewasMartin,tookshippingwithCandideforBordeaux。Bothhadseenandsufferedagreatdeal,andhadtheshipbeengoingfromSurinamtoJapanroundtheCapeofGoodHope,theycouldhavefoundsufficiententertainmentforeachotherduringthewholevoyage,indiscoursinguponmoralandnaturalevil。

  Candide,however,hadoneadvantageoverMartin:helivedinthepleasinghopesofseeingMissCunegondeoncemore;whereas,thepoorphilosopherhadnothingtohopefor。Besides,Candidehadmoneyandjewels,and,notwithstandinghehadlostahundredredsheepladenwiththegreatesttreasureoutsideofElDorado,andthoughhestillsmartedfromthereflectionoftheDutchskipper’sknavery,yetwhenheconsideredwhathehadstillleft,andrepeatedthenameofCunegonde,especiallyaftermealtimes,heinclinedtoPangloss’sdoctrine。

  \"Andpray\",saidhetoMartin,\"whatisyouropinionofthewholeofthissystem?Whatnotionhaveyouofmoralandnaturalevil?\"

  \"Sir\",repliedMartin,\"ourpriestaccusedmeofbeingaSocinian;buttherealtruthis,IamaManichaean。\"

  \"Nay,nowyouarejesting\",saidCandide;\"therearenoManichaeansexistingatpresentintheworld。\"

  \"AndyetIamone\",saidMartin;\"butIcannothelpit。

  Icannotforthesoulofmethinkotherwise。\"

  \"SurelytheDevilmustbeinyou\",saidCandide。

  \"Heconcernshimselfsomuch\",repliedMartin,\"intheaffairsofthisworldthatitisveryprobablehemaybeinmeaswellaseverywhereelse;butI

  mustconfess,whenIcastmyeyeonthisglobe,orratherglobule,IcannothelpthinkingthatGodhasabandonedittosomemalignantbeing。IalwaysexceptElDorado。Iscarceeverknewacitythatdidnotwishthedestructionofitsneighboringcity;norafamilythatdidnotdesiretoexterminatesomeotherfamily。Thepoorinallpartsoftheworldbearaninveteratehatredtotherich,evenwhiletheycreepandcringetothem;andtherichtreatthepoorlikesheep,whosewoolandfleshtheybarterformoney;amillionofregimentedassassinstraverseEuropefromoneendtotheother,togettheirbreadbyregulardepredationandmurder,becauseitisthemostgentlemanlikeprofession。Eveninthosecitieswhichseemtoenjoytheblessingsofpeace,andwheretheartsflourish,theinhabitantsaredevouredwithenvy,care,andinquietudes,whicharegreaterplaguesthananyexperiencedinatownbesieged。Privatechagrinsarestillmoredreadfulthanpubliccalamities。Inaword\",concludedthephilosopher,\"IhaveseenandsufferedsomuchthatIamaManichaean。\"

  \"Andyetthereissomegoodintheworld\",repliedCandide。

  \"Maybeso\",saidMartin,\"butithasescapedmyknowledge。\"

  Whiletheyweredeeplyengagedinthisdisputetheyheardthereportofcannon,whichredoubledeverymoment。Eachtookouthisglass,andtheyspiedtwoshipswarmlyengagedatthedistanceofaboutthreemiles。ThewindbroughtthembothsoneartheFrenchshipthatthoseonboardherhadthepleasureofseeingthefightwithgreatease。

  Afterseveralsmartbroadsidestheonegavetheotherashotbetweenwindandwaterwhichsunkheroutright。ThencouldCandideandMartinplainlyperceiveahundredmenonthedeckofthevesselwhichwassinking,who,withhandsupliftedtoHeaven,sentforthpiercingcries,andwereinamomentswallowedupbythewaves。

  \"Well\",saidMartin,\"younowseeinwhatmannermankindtreatoneanother。\"

  \"Itiscertain\",saidCandide,\"thatthereissomethingdiabolicalinthisaffair。\"Ashewasspeakingthushespiedsomethingofashiningredhue,whichswamclosetothevessel。Theboatwashoistedouttoseewhatitmightbe,whenitprovedtobeoneofhissheep。Candidefeltmorejoyattherecoveryofthisoneanimalthanhedidgriefwhenhelosttheotherhundred,thoughladenwiththelargediamondsofElDorado。

  TheFrenchcaptainquicklyperceivedthatthevictoriousshipbelongedtothecrownofSpain;thattheotherwasaDutchpirate,andtheverysamecaptainwhohadrobbedCandide。Theimmensericheswhichthisvillainhadamassed,wereburiedwithhiminthedeep,andonlythisonesheepsavedoutofthewhole。

  \"Yousee\",saidCandidetoMartin,\"thatviceissometimespunished。Thisvillain,theDutchskipper,hasmetwiththefatehedeserved。\"

  \"Verytrue\",saidMartin,\"butwhyshouldthepassengersbedoomedalsotodestruction?Godhaspunishedtheknave,andtheDevilhasdrownedtherest。\"

  TheFrenchandSpanishshipscontinuedtheircruise,andCandideandMartintheirconversation。Theydisputedfourteendayssuccessively,attheendofwhichtheywerejustasfaradvancedasthefirstmomenttheybegan。However,theyhadthesatisfactionofdisputing,ofcommunicatingtheirideas,andofmutuallycomfortingeachother。Candideembracedhissheepwithtransport。

  \"SinceIhavefoundtheeagain\",saidhe,\"ImaypossiblyfindmyCunegondeoncemore。\"

  chapter21CHAPTERXXI

  CANDIDEANDMARTIN,WHILETHUSREASONINGWITH

  EACHOTHER,DRAWNEARTOTHECOASTOFFRANCE

  AtlengththeydescriedthecoastofFrance,whenCandidesaidtoMartin,\"PrayMonsieurMartin,wereyoueverinFrance?\"

  \"Yes,sir\",saidMartin,\"Ihavebeeninseveralprovincesofthatkingdom。Insome,onehalfofthepeoplearefoolsandmadmen;insome,theyaretooartful;inothers,again,theyare,ingeneral,eitherverygood-naturedorverybrutal;whileinothers,theyaffecttobewitty,andinall,theirrulingpassionislove,thenextisslander,andthelastistotalknonsense。\"

  \"But,pray,MonsieurMartin,wereyoueverinParis?\"

  \"Yes,sir,Ihavebeeninthatcity,anditisaplacethatcontainstheseveralspeciesjustdescribed;itisachaos,aconfusedmultitude,whereeveryoneseeksforpleasurewithoutbeingabletofindit;atleast,asfarasIhaveobservedduringmyshortstayinthatcity。AtmyarrivalIwasrobbedofallI

  hadintheworldbypickpocketsandsharpers,atthefairofSaint-Germain。I

  wastakenupmyselfforarobber,andconfinedinprisonawholeweek;

  afterwhichIhiredmyselfascorrectortoapressinordertogetalittlemoneytowardsdefrayingmyexpensesbacktoHollandonfoot。Iknewthewholetribeofscribblers,malcontents,andfanatics。

  Itissaidthepeopleofthatcityareverypolite;Ibelievetheymaybe。\"

  \"Formypart,IhavenocuriositytoseeFrance\",saidCandide。\"Youmayeasilyconceive,myfriend,thatafterspendingamonthinElDorado,IcandesiretobeholdnothinguponearthbutMissCunegonde。

  IamgoingtowaitforheratVenice。IintendtopassthroughFrance,onmywaytoItaly。Willyounotbearmecompany?\"

  \"Withallmyheart\",saidMartin。\"TheysayVeniceisagreeabletononebutnobleVenetians,butthat,nevertheless,strangersarewellreceivedtherewhentheyhaveplentyofmoney;nowIhavenone,butyouhave,thereforeI

  willattendyouwhereveryouplease。\"

  \"Nowweareuponthissubject\",saidCandide,\"doyouthinkthattheearthwasoriginallysea,aswereadinthatgreatbookwhichbelongstothecaptainoftheship?\"

  \"Ibelievenothingofit\",repliedMartin,\"anymorethanIdoofthemanyotherchimeraswhichhavebeenrelatedtousforsometimepast。\"

  \"Butthen,towhatend\",saidCandide,\"wastheworldformed?\"

  \"Tomakeusmad\",saidMartin。

  \"Areyounotsurprised\",continuedCandide,\"atthelovewhichthetwogirlsinthecountryoftheOreillonshadforthosetwomonkeys?-

  YouknowI

  havetoldyouthestory。\"

  \"Surprised?\"repliedMartin,\"notintheleast。Iseenothingstrangeinthispassion。Ihaveseensomanyextraordinarythingsthatthereisnothingextraordinarytomenow。\"

  \"Doyouthink\",saidCandide,\"thatmankindalwaysmassacredoneanotherastheydonow?Weretheyalwaysguiltyoflies,fraud,treachery,ingratitude,inconstancy,envy,ambition,andcruelty?

  Weretheyalwaysthieves,fools,cowards,gluttons,drunkards,misers,calumniators,debauchees,fanatics,andhypocrites?\"

  \"Doyoubelieve\",saidMartin,\"thathawkshavealwaysbeenaccustomedtoeatpigeonswhentheycameintheirway?\"

  \"Doubtless\",saidCandide。

  \"Wellthen\",repliedMartin,\"ifhawkshavealwayshadthesamenature,whyshouldyoupretendthatmankindchangetheirs?\"

  \"Oh\",saidCandide,\"thereisagreatdealofdifference;

  forfreewill-\"andreasoningthustheyarrivedatBordeaux。

  chapter22CHAPTERXXII

  WHATHAPPENEDTOCANDIDE

  ANDMARTININ

  FRANCE

  CandidestayednolongeratBordeauxthanwasnecessarytodisposeofafewofthepebbleshehadbroughtfromElDorado,andtoprovidehimselfwithapost-chaisefortwopersons,forhecouldnolongerstirastepwithouthisphilosopherMartin。Theonlythingthatgivehimconcernwasbeingobligedtoleavehissheepbehindhim,whichheintrustedtothecareoftheAcademyofSciencesatBordeaux,whoproposed,asaprizesubjectfortheyear,toprovewhythewoolofthissheepwasred;

  andtheprizewasadjudgedtoanorthernsage,whodemonstratedbyAplusB,minusC,dividedbyZ,thatthesheepmustnecessarilybered,anddieofthemange。

  Inthemeantime,alltravelerswhomCandidemetwithintheinns,orontheroad,toldhimtoaman,thattheyweregoingtoParis。

  Thisgeneraleagernessgavehimlikewiseagreatdesiretoseethiscapital;anditwasnotmuchoutofhiswaytoVenice。

  HeenteredthecitybythesuburbsofSaint-Marceau,andthoughthimselfinoneofthevilesthamletsinallWestphalia。

  Candidehadnotbeenlongathisinn,beforehewasseizedwithaslightdisorder,owingtothefatiguehehadundergone。Asheworeadiamondofanenormoussizeonhisfingerandhadamongtherestofhisequipageastrongboxthatseemedveryweighty,hesoonfoundhimselfbetweentwophysicians,whomhehadnotsentfor,anumberofintimatefriendswhomhehadneverseen,andwhowouldnotquithisbedside,andtwowomendevotees,whowereverycarefulinprovidinghimhotbroths。

  \"Iremember\",saidMartintohim,\"thatthefirsttimeIcametoParisIwaslikewisetakenill。Iwasverypoor,andaccordinglyI

  hadneitherfriends,nurses,norphysicians,andyetIdidverywell。\"

  However,bydintofpurgingandbleeding,Candide’sdisorderbecameveryserious。Thepriestoftheparishcamewithallimaginablepolitenesstodesireanoteofhim,payabletothebearerintheotherworld。Candiderefusedtocomplywithhisrequest;butthetwodevoteesassuredhimthatitwasanewfashion。Candidereplied,thathewasnotonethatfollowedthefashion。Martinwasforthrowingthepriestoutofthewindow。TheclerksworeCandideshouldnothaveChristianburial。Martinsworeinhisturnthathewouldburytheclerkaliveifhecontinuedtoplaguethemanylonger。Thedisputegrewwarm;Martintookhimbytheshouldersandturnedhimoutoftheroom,whichgavegreatscandal,andoccasionedaproces-verbal。

  Candiderecovered,andtillhewasinaconditiontogoabroadhadagreatdealofgoodcompanytopasstheeveningswithhiminhischamber。Theyplayeddeep。Candidewassurprisedtofindhecouldneverturnatrick;andMartinwasnotatallsurprisedatthematter。

  AmongthosewhodidhimthehonorsoftheplacewasalittlespruceabbeofPerigord,oneofthoseinsinuating,busy,fawning,impudent,necessaryfellows,thatlaywaitforstrangersontheirarrival,tellthemallthescandalofthetown,andoffertoministertotheirpleasuresatvariousprices。ThismanconductedCandideandMartintotheplayhouse;theywereactinganewtragedy。Candidefoundhimselfplacednearaclusterofwits:this,however,didnotpreventhimfromsheddingtearsatsomepartsofthepiecewhichweremostaffecting,andbestacted。

  Oneofthesetalkerssaidtohimbetweenacts,\"Youaregreatlytoblametoshedtears;thatactressplayshorribly,andthemanthatplayswithherstillworse,andthepieceitselfisstillmoreexecrablethantherepresentation。

  TheauthordoesnotunderstandawordofArabic,andyethehaslaidhissceneinArabia,andwhatismore,heisafellowwhodoesnotbelieveininnateideas。TomorrowIwillbringyouascoreofpamphletsthathavebeenwrittenagainsthim。\"

  \"Pray,sir\",saidCandidetotheabbe,\"howmanytheatricalpieceshaveyouinFrance?\"

  \"Fiveorsixthousand\",repliedtheabbe。

  \"Indeed!thatisagreatnumber\",saidCandide,\"buthowmanygoodonesmaytherebe?\"

  \"Aboutfifteenorsixteen。\"

  \"Oh!thatisagreatnumber\",saidMartin。

  Candidewasgreatlytakenwithanactress,whoperformedthepartofQueenElizabethinadullkindoftragedythatisplayedsometimes。

  \"Thatactress\",saidhetoMartin,\"pleasesmegreatly;

  shehassomesortofresemblancetoMissCunegonde。Ishouldbeverygladtopaymyrespectstoher。\"

  TheabbeofPerigordofferedhisservicetointroducehimtoheratherownhouse。Candide,whowasbroughtupinGermany,desiredtoknowwhatmightbetheceremonialusedonthoseoccasions,andhowaqueenofEnglandwastreatedinFrance。

  \"Thereisanecessarydistinctiontobeobservedinthesematters\",saidtheabbe。\"Inacountrytownwetakethemtoatavern;hereinParis,theyaretreatedwithgreatrespectduringtheirlifetime,providedtheyarehandsome,andwhentheydiewethrowtheirbodiesuponadunghill。\"

  \"How?\"saidCandide,\"throwaqueen’sbodyuponadunghill!\"

  \"Thegentlemanisquiteright\",saidMartin,\"hetellsyounothingbutthetruth。IhappenedtobeatPariswhenMissMonimiamadeherexit,asonemaysay,outofthisworldintoanother。Shewasrefusedwhattheycallheretheritesofsepulture;thatistosay,shewasdeniedtheprivilegeofrottinginachurchyardbythesideofallthebeggarsintheparish。

  TheyburiedheratthecornerofBurgundyStreet,whichmustcertainlyhaveshockedherextremely,asshehadveryexaltednotionsofthings。\"

  \"Thisisactingveryimpolitely\",saidCandide。

  \"Lord!\"saidMartin,\"whatcanbesaidtoit?Itisthewayofthesepeople。

  Figuretoyourselfallthecontradictions,alltheinconsistenciespossible,andyoumaymeetwiththeminthegovernment,thecourtsofjustice,thechurches,andthepublicspectaclesofthisoddnation。\"

  \"Isittrue\",saidCandide,\"thatthepeopleofParisarealwayslaughing?\"

  \"Yes\",repliedtheabbe,\"butitiswithangerintheirhearts;theyexpressalltheircomplaintsbyloudburstsoflaughter,andcommitthemostdetestablecrimeswithasmileontheirfaces。\"

  \"Whowasthatgreatovergrownbeast\",saidCandide,\"whospokesoilltomeofthepiecewithwhichIwassomuchaffected,andoftheplayerswhogavemesomuchpleasure?\"

  \"Averygood-for-nothingsortofamanIassureyou\",answeredtheabbe,\"onewhogetshislivelihoodbyabusingeverynewbookandplaythatiswrittenorperformed;hedislikesmuchtoseeanyonemeetwithsuccess,likeeunuchs,whodetesteveryonethatpossessesthosepowerstheyaredeprivedof;heisoneofthosevipersinliteraturewhonourishthemselveswiththeirownvenom;apamphlet-monger。\"

  \"Apamphlet-manger!\"saidCandide,\"whatisthat?\"

  \"Why,apamphlet-manger\",repliedtheabbe,\"isawriterofpamphlets-afool。\"

  Candide,Martin,andtheabbeofPerigordarguedthusonthestaircase,whiletheystoodtoseethepeoplegooutoftheplayhouse。

  \"ThoughIamveryanxioustoseeMissCunegondeagain\",saidCandide,\"yetIhaveagreatinclinationtosupwithMissClairon,forIamreallymuchtakenwithher。\"

  Theabbewasnotapersontoshowhisfaceatthislady’shouse,whichwasfrequentedbynonebutthebestcompany。

  \"Sheisengagedthisevening\",saidhe,\"butIwilldomyselfthehonortointroduceyoutoaladyofqualityofmyacquaintance,atwhosehouseyouwillseeasmuchofthemannersofParisasifyouhadlivedhereforfortyyears。\"

  Candide,whowasnaturallycurious,sufferedhimselftobeconductedtothislady’shouse,whichwasinthesuburbsofSaint-Honore。

  Thecompanywasengagedatbasser;twelvemelancholypuntersheldeachinhishandasmallpackofcards,thecornersofwhichweredoubleddown,andweresomanyregistersoftheirillfortune。Aprofoundsilencereignedthroughouttheassembly,apalliddreadhadtakenpossessionofthecountenancesofthepunters,andrestlessinquietudestretchedeverymuscleofthefaceofhimwhokeptthebank;andtheladyofthehouse,whowasseatednexttohim,observedwithlynx’seyeseveryplaymade,andnotedthosewhotallied,andmadethemundoubletheircardswithasevereexactness,thoughmixedwithapoliteness,whichshethoughtnecessarynottofrightenawayhercustomers。ThisladyassumedthetitleofMarchionessofParolignac。Herdaughter,agirlofaboutfifteenyearsofage,wasoneofthepunters,andtookcaretogivehermammaahint,bysigns,whenanyoneoftheplayersattemptedtorepairtherigoroftheirillfortunebyalittleinnocentdeception。

  ThecompanywerethusoccupiedwhenCandide,Martin,andtheabbemadetheirentrance;notacreaturerosetosalutethem,orindeedtooktheleastnoticeofthem,beingwhollyintentuponthebusinessathand。

  \"Ah!\"saidCandide,\"MyLadyBaronessofThunder-ten-tronckhwouldhavebehavedmorecivilly。\"

  However,theabbewhisperedintheearoftheMarchioness,whohalfraisingherselffromherseat,honoredCandidewithagracioussmile,andgaveMartinanodofherhead,withanairofinexpressibledignity。ShethenorderedaseatforCandide,anddesiredhimtomakeoneoftheirpartyatplay;hedidso,andinafewdealslostnearathousandpieces;afterwhichtheysuppedveryelegantly,andeveryonewassurprisedatseeingCandidelosesomuchmoneywithoutappearingtobetheleastdisturbedatit。Theservantsinwaitingsaidtoeachother,\"ThisiscertainlysomeEnglishlord。\"

  ThesupperwaslikemostothersofitskindinParis。Atfirsteveryonewassilent;thenfollowedafewconfusedmurmurs,andafterwardsseveralinsipidjokespassedandrepassed,withfalsereports,falsereasonings,alittlepolitics,andagreatdealofscandal。Theconversationthenturneduponthenewproductionsinliterature。

  \"Pray\",saidtheabbe,\"goodfolks,haveyouseentheromancewrittenbyacertainGauchat,DoctorofDivinity?\"

  \"Yes\",answeredoneofthecompany,\"butIhadnotpatiencetogothroughit。Thetownispesteredwithaswarmofimpertinentproductions,butthisofDr。Gauchat’soutdoesthemall。Inshort,IwassocursedlytiredofreadingthisvilestuffthatIevenresolvedtocomehere,andmakeapartyatbasset。\"

  \"ButwhatsayyoutothearchdeaconT-’smiscellaneouscollection\",saidtheabbe。

  \"OhmyGod!\"criedtheMarchionessofParolignac,\"nevermentionthetediouscreature!Onlythinkwhatpainsheisattotellonethingsthatalltheworldknows;andhowhelaborsanargumentthatishardlyworththeslightestconsideration!howabsurdlyhemakesuseofotherpeople’swit!

  howmiserablyhemangleswhathehaspilferedfromthem!

  Themanmakesmequitesick!Afewpagesofthegoodarchdeaconareenoughinconsciencetosatisfyanyone。\"

  Therewasatthetableapersonoflearningandtaste,whosupportedwhattheMarchionesshadadvanced。Theynextbegantotalkoftragedies。Theladydesiredtoknowhowitcameaboutthattherewereseveraltragedies,whichstillcontinuedtobeplayed,thoughtheywouldnotbearreading?Themanoftasteexplainedveryclearlyhowapiecemaybeinsomemannerinterestingwithouthavingagrainofmerit。Heshowed,inafewwords,thatitisnotsufficienttothrowtogetherafewincidentsthataretobemetwithineveryromance,andthattodazzlethespectatorthethoughtsshouldbenew,withoutbeingfarfetched;frequentlysublime,butalwaysnatural;theauthorshouldhaveathoroughknowledgeofthehumanheartandmakeitspeakproperly;heshouldbeacompletepoet,withoutshowinganaffectationofitinanyofthecharactersofhispiece;heshouldbeaperfectmasterofhislanguage,speakitwithallitspurity,andwiththeutmostharmony,andyetsoasnottomakethesenseaslavetotherhyme。

  \"Whoever\",addedhe,\"neglectsanyoneoftheserules,thoughhemaywritetwoorthreetragedieswithtolerablesuccess,willneverbereckonedinthenumberofgoodauthors。Thereareveryfewgoodtragedies;

  someareidylls,inverywell-writtenandharmoniousdialogue;

  andothersachainofpoliticalreasoningsthatsetoneasleep,orelsepompousandhigh-flownamplification,thatdisgustratherthanplease。Othersagainaretheravingsofamadman,inanuncouthstyle,unmeaningflights,orlongapostrophestothedeities,forwantofknowinghowtoaddressmankind;

  inawordacollectionoffalsemaximsanddullcommonplace。\"

  Candidelistenedtothisdiscoursewithgreatattention,andconceivedahighopinionofthepersonwhodeliveredit;andastheMarchionesshadtakencaretoplacehimnearherside,hetookthelibertytowhisperhersoftlyintheearandaskwhothispersonwasthatspokesowell。

  \"Heisamanofletters\",repliedHerLadyship,\"whoneverplays,andwhomtheabbebringswithhimtomyhousesometimestospendanevening。Heisagreatjudgeofwriting,especiallyintragedy;hehascomposedonehimself,whichwasdamned,andhaswrittenabookthatwasneverseenoutofhisbookseller’sshop,exceptingonlyonecopy,whichhesentmewithadedication,towhichhehadprefixedmyname。\"

  \"Ohthegreatman\",criedCandide,\"heisasecondPangloss。\"

  Thenturningtowardshim,\"Sir\",saidhe,\"youaredoubtlessofopinionthateverythingisforthebestinthephysicalandmoralworld,andthatnothingcouldbeotherwisethanitis?\"

  \"I,sir!\"repliedthemanofletters,\"Ithinknosuchthing,Iassureyou;Ifindthatallinthisworldissetthewrongenduppermost。

  Nooneknowswhatishisrank,hisoffice,norwhathedoes,norwhatheshoulddo。Withtheexceptionofourevenings,whichwegenerallypasstolerablymerrily,therestofourtimeisspentinidledisputesandquarrels,JansenistsagainstMolinists,theParliamentagainsttheChurch,andonearmedbodyofmenagainstanother;courtieragainstcourtier,husbandagainstwife,andrelationsagainstrelations。Inshort,thisworldisnothingbutonecontinuedsceneofcivilwar。\"

  \"Yes\",saidCandide,\"andIhaveseenworsethanallthat;

  andyetalearnedman,whohadthemisfortunetobehanged,taughtmethateverythingwasmarvelouslywell,andthattheseevilsyouarespeakingofwereonlysomanyshadesinabeautifulpicture。\"

  \"Yourhempensage\",saidMartin,\"laughedatyou;theseshades,asyoucallthem,aremosthorribleblemishes。\"

  \"Themenmaketheseblemishes\",rejoinedCandide,\"andtheycannotdootherwise。\"

  \"Thenitisnottheirfault\",addedMartin。

  Thegreatestpartofthegamesters,whodidnotunderstandasyllableofthisdiscourse,amusedthemselveswithdrinking,whileMartinreasonedwiththelearnedgentlemanandCandideentertainedtheladyofthehousewithapartofhisadventures。

  AftersuppertheMarchionessconductedCandideintoherdressingroom,andmadehimsitdownunderacanopy。

  \"Well\",saidshe,\"areyoustillsoviolentlyfondofMissCunegondeofThunder-ten-tronckh?\"

  \"Yes,madam\",repliedCandide。

  TheMarchionesssaidtohimwithatendersmile,\"YouanswermelikeayoungmanborninWestphalia;aFrenchmanwouldhavesaid,’Itistrue,madam,IhadagreatpassionforMissCunegonde;butsinceIhaveseenyou,IfearIcannolongerloveherasIdid。’\"

  \"Alas!madam\",repliedCandide,\"Iwillmakeyouwhatansweryouplease。\"

  \"Youfellinlovewithher,Ifind,instoopingtopickupherhandkerchiefwhichshehaddropped;youshallpickupmygarter。\"

  \"Withallmyheart,madam\",saidCandide,andhepickeditup。

  \"Butyoumusttieitonagain\",saidthelady。

  Candidetieditonagain。

  \"Lookye,youngman\",saidtheMarchioness,\"youareastranger;ImakesomeofmylovershereinParislanguishformeawholefortnight;butI

  surrendertoyouatfirstsight,becauseIamwillingtodothehonorsofmycountrytoayoungWestphalian。\"

  Thefaironehavingcasthereyeontwoverylargediamondsthatwereupontheyoungstranger’sfinger,praisedtheminsoearnestamannerthattheywereinaninstanttransferredfromhisfingertohers。

  AsCandidewasgoinghomewiththeabbehefeltsomequalmsofconscienceforhavingbeenguiltyofinfidelitytoMissCunegonde。Theabbetookpartwithhiminhisuneasiness;hehadbutaninconsiderableshareinthethousandpiecesCandidehadlostatplay,andthetwodiamondswhichhadbeeninamannerextortedfromhim;andthereforeveryprudentlydesignedtomakethemosthecouldofhisnewacquaintance,whichchancehadthrowninhisway。HetalkedmuchofMissCunegonde,andCandideassuredhimthathewouldheartilyaskpardonofthatfaironeforhisinfidelitytoher,whenhesawheratVenice。

  TheabberedoubledhiscivilitiesandseemedtointeresthimselfwarmlyineverythingthatCandidesaid,did,orseemedinclinedtodo。

  \"Andso,sir,youhaveanengagementatVenice?\"

  \"Yes,Monsieurl’Abbe\",answeredCandide,\"ImustabsolutelywaituponMissCunegonde\",andthenthepleasurehetookintalkingabouttheobjectheloved,ledhiminsensiblytorelate,accordingtocustom,partofhisadventureswiththatillustriousWestphalianbeauty。

  \"Ifancy\",saidtheabbe,\"MissCunegondehasagreatdealofwit,andthatherlettersmustbeveryentertaining。\"

  \"Ineverreceivedanyfromher\",saidCandide;\"foryouaretoconsiderthat,beingexpelledfromthecastleuponheraccount,Icouldnotwritetoher,especiallyassoonaftermydepartureIheardshewasdead;butthankGodIfoundafterwardsshewasliving。Ileftheragainafterthis,andnowIhavesentamessengertoherneartwothousandleaguesfromhere,andwaithereforhisreturnwithananswerfromher。\"

  Theartfulabbeletnotawordofallthisescapehim,thoughheseemedtobemusinguponsomethingelse。Hesoontookhisleaveofthetwoadventurers,afterhavingembracedthemwiththegreatestcordiality。

  Thenextmorning,almostassoonashiseyeswereopen,Candidereceivedthefollowingbillet:

  \"MyDearestLover-Ihavebeenillinthiscitytheseeightdays。Ihaveheardofyourarrival,andshouldflytoyourarmswereIabletostir。IwasinformedofyourbeingonthewayhitheratBordeaux,whereIleftthefaithfulCacambo,andtheoldwoman,whowillsoonfollowme。TheGovernorofBuenosAyreshastakeneverythingfrommebutyourheart,whichIstillretain。Cometomeimmediatelyonthereceiptofthis。Yourpresencewilleithergivemenewlife,orkillmewiththepleasure。\"

  Atthereceiptofthischarming,thisunexpectedletter,Candidefelttheutmosttransportsofjoy;though,ontheotherhand,theindispositionofhisbelovedMissCunegondeoverwhelmedhimwithgrief。Distractedbetweenthesetwopassionshetookhisgoldandhisdiamonds,andprocuredapersontoconducthimandMartintothehousewhereMissCunegondelodged。Uponenteringtheroomhefelthislimbstremble,hisheartflutter,histonguefalter;heattemptedtoundrawthecurtain,andcalledforalighttothebedside。

  \"Lordsir\",criedamaidservant,whowaswaitingintheroom,\"takecarewhatyoudo,Misscannotbeartheleastlight\",andsosayingshepulledthecurtaincloseagain。

  \"Cunegonde!mydearcriedCandide,bathedintears,\"howdoyoudo?Ifyoucannotbearthelight,speaktomeatleast。\"

  \"Alas!shecannotspeak\",saidthemaid。

  ThesickladythenputaplumphandoutofthebedandCandidefirstbatheditwithtears,thenfilleditwithdiamonds,leavingapurseofgoldupontheeasychair。

  Inthemidstofhistransportscameanofficerintotheroom,followedbytheabbe,andafileofmusketeers。

  \"There\",saidhe,\"arethetwosuspectedforeigners。\"Atthesametimeheorderedthemtobeseizedandcarriedtoprison。

  \"TravelersarenottreatedinthismannerinthecountryofElDorado\",saidCandide。

  \"IammoreofaManichaeannowthanever\",saidMartin。

  \"Butpray,goodsir,whereareyougoingtocarryus?\"

  saidCandide。

  \"Toadungeon,mydearsir\",repliedtheofficer。

  WhenMartinhadalittlerecoveredhimself,soastoformacooljudgmentofwhathadpassed,heplainlyperceivedthatthepersonwhohadactedthepartofMissCunegondewasacheat;thattheabbeofPerigordwasasharperwhohadimposeduponthehonestsimplicityofCandide,andthattheofficerwasaknave,whomtheymighteasilygetridof。

  CandidefollowingtheadviceofhisfriendMartin,andburningwithimpatiencetoseetherealMissCunegonde,ratherthanbeobligedtoappearatacourtofjustice,proposedtotheofficertomakehimapresentofthreesmalldiamonds,eachofthemworththreethousandpistoles。

  \"Ah,sir\",saidtheunderstrapperofjustice,\"hadyoucommitedeversomuchvillainy,thiswouldrenderyouthehonestestmanliving,inmyeyes。

  Threediamondsworththreethousandpistoles!Why,mydearsir,sofarfromcarryingyoutojail,Iwouldlosemylifetoserveyou。Thereareordersforstoppingallstrangers;butleaveittome,IhaveabrotheratDieppe,inNormandy。Imyselfwillconductyouthither,andifyouhaveadiamondlefttogivehimhewilltakeasmuchcareofyouasImyselfshould。\"

  \"Butwhy\",saidCandide,\"dotheystopallstrangers?\"

  TheabbeofPerigordmadeanswerthatitwasbecauseapoordevilofthecountryofAtrebataheardsomebodytellfoolishstories,andthisinducedhimtocommitaparricide;notsuchaoneasthatinthemonthofMay,1610,butsuchasthatinthemonthofDecemberintheyear1594,andsuchasmanythathavebeenperpetratedinothermonthsandyears,byotherpoordevilswhohadheardfoolishstories。

  Theofficerthenexplainedtothemwhattheabbemeant。

  \"Horridmonsters\",exclaimedCandide,\"isitpossiblethatsuchscenesshouldpassamongapeoplewhoareperpetuallysinginganddancing?Istherenoflyingthisabominablecountryimmediately,thisexecrablekingdomwheremonkeysprovoketigers?Ihaveseenbearsinmycountry,butmenI

  havebeheldnowherebutinElDorado。InthenameofGod,sir\",saidhetotheofficer,\"domethekindnesstoconductmetoVenice,whereIamtowaitforMissCunegonde。\"

  \"Really,sir\",repliedtheofficer,\"IcannotpossiblywaitonyoufartherthanLowerNormandy。\"

  Sosaying,heorderedCandide’sironstobestruckoff,acknowledgedhimselfmistaken,andsenthisfollowersabouttheirbusiness,afterwhichheconductedCandideandMartintoDieppe,andleftthemtothecareofhisbrother。

  TherehappenedjustthentobeasmallDutchshipintheharbor。TheNorman,whomtheotherthreediamondshadconvertedintothemostobliging,serviceablebeingthateverbreathed,tookcaretoseeCandideandhisattendantssafeonboardthisvessel,thatwasjustreadytosailforPortsmouthinEngland。ThiswasnotthenearestwaytoVenice,indeed,butCandidethoughthimselfescapedoutofHell,anddidnot,intheleast,doubtbutheshouldquicklyfindanopportunityofresuminghisvoyagetoVenice。

  chapter23CHAPTERXXIII

  CANDIDEANDMARTINTOUCHUPONTHEENGLISH

  COAST。WHATTHEYSEEHERE

  AhPangloss!Pangloss!ahMartin!ahmydearMissCunegonde!

  Whatsortofaworldisthis?\"ThusexclaimedCandideassoonashegotonboardtheDutchship。

  \"Whysomethingveryfoolish,andveryabominable\",saidMartin。

  \"YouareacquaintedwithEngland\",saidCandide;\"aretheyasgreatfoolsinthatcountryasinFrance?\"

  \"Yes,butinadifferentmanner\",answeredMartin。\"YouknowthatthesetwonationsareatwaraboutafewacresofbarrenlandintheneighborhoodofCanada,andthattheyhaveexpendedmuchgreatersumsinthecontestthanallCanadaisworth。Tosayexactlywhetherthereareagreaternumberfittobeinhabitantsofamadhouseintheonecountrythantheother,exceedsthelimitsofmyimperfectcapacity;Iknowingeneralthatthepeoplewearegoingtovisitareofaverydarkandgloomydisposition。\"

  AstheywerechattingthustogethertheyarrivedatPortsmouth。

  Theshoreoneachsidetheharborwaslinedwithamultitudeofpeople,whoseeyesweresteadfastlyfixedonalustymanwhowaskneelingdownonthedeckofoneofthemen-of-war,withsomethingtiedbeforehiseyes。Oppositetothispersonagestoodfoursoldiers,eachofwhomshotthreebulletsintohisskull,withallthecomposureimaginable;andwhenitwasdone,thewholecompanywentawayperfectlywellsatisfied。

  \"Whatthedevilisallthisfor?\"saidCandide,\"andwhatdemon,orfoeofmankind,lordsitthustyrannicallyovertheworld?\"

  Hethenaskedwhowasthatlustymanwhohadbeensentoutoftheworldwithsomuchceremony。Whenhereceivedforanswer,thatitwasanadmiral。

  \"Andpraywhydoyouputyouradmiraltodeath?\"

  \"Becausehedidnotputasufficientnumberofhisfellowcreaturestodeath。

  Youmustknow,hehadanengagementwithaFrenchadmiral,andithasbeenprovedagainsthimthathewasnotnearenoughtohisantagonist。\"

  \"But\",repliedCandide,\"theFrenchadmiralmusthavebeenasfarfromhim。\"

  \"Thereisnodoubtofthat;butinthiscountryitisfoundrequisite,nowandthen,toputanadmiraltodeath,inordertoencouragetheotherstofight。\"

  Candidewassoshockedatwhathesawandheard,thathewouldnotsetfootonshore,butmadeabargainwiththeDutchskipper(wereheeventorobhimlikethecaptainofSurinam)tocarryhimdirectlytoVenice。

  Theskipperwasreadyintwodays。TheysailedalongthecoastofFrance,andpassedwithinsightofLisbon,atwhichCandidetrembled。

点击下载App,搜索"Candide",免费读到尾