with oil of juniper at the house in--'" "Don't read the place or name
of the house," interrupted Monipodio, "for we know where it is, and I am
myself the _tuautem_ and _secutor_ of this trifling matter; four crowns
have already been given on account, and the total is eight." "That is
exactly what is here written," replied Rinconete. "A little lower down,"
continued the boy, "I find, 'Horns to be attached to the house--'" "Read
neither the name nor the place where," interrupted Monipodio. "It is
quite enough that we offer this outrage to the people in question; we
need not make it public in our community, for that would be an
unnecessary load on your consciences. I would rather nail a hundred
horns, and as many sanbenitos, on a man's door, provided I were paid for
my work, than once tell that I had done so, were it to the mother that
bore me." "The executor of this is Nariqueta,"[45] resumed Rinconete.
"It is already done and paid for," said Monipodio; "see if there be not
something else, for if my memory is not at fault, there ought to be a
fright of the value of twenty crowns. One half the money has already
been paid, and the work is to be done by the whole community, the time
within which it is to come off being all the current month. Nor will we
fail in our duty; the commission shall be fulfilled to the very letter
without missing a tilde,[46] and it will be one of the finest things
that has been executed in this city for many years. Give me the book,
boy, I know there is nothing more, and it is certain that business is
very slack with us just now; but times will mend, and we shall perhaps
have more to do than we want. There is not a leaf on the tree that moves
without the will of God, and we cannot force people to avenge
themselves, whether they will or not. Besides, many a man has the habit
of being brave in his own cause, and does not care to pay for the
execution of work which he can do as well with his own hands."
[45] The flat-nose.
[46] The _tilde_ is the mark placed over the Spanish letter n, as in
Señor.
"That is true," said Repolido; "but will your worship, Señor Monipodio,
see what you have for us to do, as it is getting late, and the heat is
coming on at more than a foot-pace."
"What you have now to do is this," rejoined Monipodio: "Every one is to
return to his post of the week, and is not to change it until Sunday. We
will then meet here again, and make the distribution of all that shall
have come in, without defrauding any one. To Rinconete and Cortadillo I
assign for their district, until Sunday, from the Tower of Gold, all
without the city, and to the postern of the Alcazar, where they can work
with their fine flowers.[47] I have known those who were much less
clever than they appear to be, come home daily with more than twenty
reals in small money, to say nothing of silver, all made with a single
pack, and that four cards short. Ganchuelo will show them the limits of
their district, and even though they should extend it as far as to San
Sebastian, or Santelmo, there will be no great harm done, although it is
perhaps of more equal justice that none should enter on the domain of
another."
[47] Tricks of cheatery at cards.
The two boys kissed his hand in acknowledgment of the favour he was
doing them; and promised to perform their parts zealously and
faithfully, and with all possible caution and prudence.
Monipodio then drew from the hood of his cloak a folded paper, on which
was the list of the brotherhood, desiring Rinconete to inscribe his name
thereon, with that of Cortadillo; but as there was no escritoire in the
place, he gave them the paper to take with them, bidding them enter the
first apothecary's shop they could find, and there write what was
needful: "Rinconete, and Cortadillo," namely, "comrades; novitiate,
none; Rinconete, a florist; Cortadillo, a bassoon-player."[48] To this
was to be added the year, month, and day, but not the parents or
birthplace.
[48] Cutpurse.
At this moment one of the old hornets came in and said, "I come to tell
your worships that I have just now met on the steps, Lobillo[49] of
Malaga, who tells me that he has made such progress in his art as to be
capable of cheating Satan himself out of his money, if he have but clean
cards. He is so ragged and out of condition at this moment, that he
dares not instantly make his appearance to register himself, and pay his
respects as usual, but will be here without fail on Sunday."
[49] The wolf-cub.
"I have always been convinced," said Monipodio, "that Lobillo would some
day become supereminent in his art, for he has the best hands for the
purpose that have ever been seen; and to be a good workman in his trade,
a man should be possessed of good tools, as well as capacity for
learning."
"I have also met the Jew," returned the hornet; "he wears the garb of a
priest, and is at a tavern in the Street of the Dyers, because he has
learned that two Peruleros[50] are now stopping there. He wishes to try
if he cannot do business with them, even though it should be but in a
trifling way to begin; for from small endeavours often come great
achievements. He, too, will be here on Sunday, and will then give an
account of himself."
[50] For Peruvians, which the American merchants were then called.
"The Jew is a keen hawk too," observed Monipodio, "but it is long since
I have set eyes on him, and he does not do well in staying away, for, by
my faith, if he do not mend, I will cut his crown for him. The scoundrel
has received orders as much as the Grand Turk, and knows no more Latin
than my grandmother. Have you anything further to report?"
The old man replied that he had not. "Very well," said Monipodio; "Take
this trifle among you," distributing at the same time some forty reals
among those assembled, "and do not fail to be here on Sunday, when there
shall be nothing wanting of the booty." All returned him thanks.
Repolido and Cariharta embraced each other; so did Maniferro and
Escalanta, and Chiquiznaque and Gananciosa; and all agreed that they
would meet that same evening, when they left off work at the house of
Dame Pipota, whither Monipodio likewise promised to repair, for the
examination of the linen announced in the morning, before he went to his
job with the juniper oil.
The master finally embraced Rinconete and Cortadillo, giving them his
benediction; he then dismissed them, exhorting them to have no fixed
dwelling or known habitation, since that was a precaution most important
to the safety of all. Ganchuelo accompanied the friends for the purpose
of guiding them to their districts, and pointing out the limits thereof.
He warned them on no account to miss the assembly on Sunday, when it
seemed that Monipodio intended to give them a lecture on matters
concerning their profession. That done, the lad went away, leaving the
two novices in great astonishment at all they had seen.
Now Rinconete, although very young, had a good understanding, and much
intelligence. Having often accompanied his father in the sale of his
bulls, he had acquired the knowledge of a more refined language than
that they had just been hearing, and laughed with all his heart as he
recalled the expressions used by Monipodio, and the other members of the
respectable community they had entered. He was especially entertained by
the solecising sanctimonies; and by Cariharta calling Repolido a
Tarpeian Mariner, and a Tiger of Ocaña. He was also mightily edified by
the expectation of Cariharta that the pains she had taken to earn the
twenty-four reals would be accepted in heaven as a set-off against her
sins, and was amazed to see with what security they all counted on
going to heaven by means of the devotions they performed,
notwithstanding the many thefts, homicides, and other offences against
God and their neighbour which they were daily committing. The boy
laughed too with all his heart, as he thought of the good old woman
Pipota, who suffered the basket of stolen linen to be concealed in her
house, and then went to place her little wax candles before the images
of the saints, expecting thereby to enter heaven full dressed in her
mantle and clogs.
But he was most surprised at the respect and deference which all these
people paid to Monipodio, whom he saw to be nothing better than a coarse
and brutal barbarian. He recalled the various entries which he had read
in the singular memorandum-book of the burly thief, and thought over all
the various occupations in which that goodly company was hourly engaged.
Pondering all these things, he could not but marvel at the carelessness
with which justice was administered in that renowned city of Seville,
since such pernicious hordes and inhuman ruffians were permitted to live
there almost openly.
He determined to dissuade his companion from continuing long in such a
reprobate course of life. Nevertheless, led away by his extreme youth,
and want of experience, he remained with these people for some months,
during which there happened to him adventures which would require much
writing to detail them; wherefore I propose to remit the description of
his life and adventures to some other occasion, when I will also relate
those of his master, Monipodio, with other circumstances connected with
the members of that infamous academy, which may serve as warnings to
those who read them.
END OF PETER OF THE CORNER AND THE LITTLE CUTTER.
THE LICENTIATE VIDRIERA; OR, DOCTOR GLASS-CASE.
Two students were one day passing along the banks of the Tormes, when
they found a boy, about eleven years old, dressed as a labourer, and
sleeping under a tree. They sent a servant to wake him, and when he had
well opened his eyes, they asked him whence he came, and what he was
doing, to be lying asleep and defenceless in that lonely place. The boy
replied, that he had forgotten the name of his birthplace, but was going
to Salamanca, there to seek a master whom he might serve, on condition
of being permitted and aided to pursue his studies.
The gentlemen then asked if he could read, and he replied that he could,
and write also.
"It is not from want of memory, then, that you have forgotten the name
of your country," remarked the students.
"Let the cause be what it may," replied the boy, "neither that nor the
name of my parents shall be known to any one until I can do honour to
them both."
"But in what manner do you propose to do them honour?" inquired the
gentlemen.
"By the results of my studies," said the boy, "and when I have rendered
myself famous by the learning I mean to acquire; for I have heard that
some men have made themselves bishops by their studies."
This reply moved the two gentlemen to receive the lad into their
service, and take him with them to Salamanca, giving him such facilities
for studying as it is not unusual for masters to afford in that
university to those who serve them.
The youth subsequently informed his masters, that they might call him
Thomas Rodaja; whence the students judged him to be the son of some poor
labourer. A day or two after their meeting, they caused him to be
clothed in a suit of black; and, in the course of a few weeks, he gave
proof of extraordinary talent. He was, besides, very grateful, and
laboured so earnestly in the service of his masters, that although in
fact exceedingly attentive to his studies, it might well have been
thought that he did nothing but wait upon those he served.
Now the good service of the valet led the masters to treat him well;
Thomas soon became their companion rather than servant, and, during
eight years, all of which he passed with them, he acquired for himself
so high a reputation in the university, by his great ability and
excellent conduct, that he was beloved and esteemed by those of every
rank.
The principal object of Rodaja's study was the law, but he was almost
equally distinguished in polite learning, and his memory was matter of
marvel to all; and the correctness of his views on all subjects was not
less remarkable.
The time had now arrived when the studies of his masters were completed,
and they returned to their birthplace, which was one of the most
important cities of Andalusia. They took Rodaja with them, and he
remained in their company for some time; but, assailed by a perpetual
longing to return to his studies at Salamanca,--a city that enchains the
will of all who have tasted the amenities of life in that fair seat of
learning--he entreated permission of his masters to depart for that
purpose. With their usual kindness, they accorded him the favour he
desired, and took such measures in his behalf that by their bounty he
was supplied with a sufficiency to support him in the university for
three years.
Rodaja took his leave with manifest proofs of gratitude, and departed
from Malaga, for that was the native city of his masters, without
further delay. Descending the declivity of the Zambra on the road to
Antequera, he chanced to encounter a gentleman on horseback, gaily
accoutred in a rich travelling dress, and attended by two servants, also
on horseback, whose company he joined; their journey thenceforward lay
in the same direction, and the gentleman accepted Thomas as his
comrade.[51] They discoursed of various matters, and, in a short time,
Rodaja gave such proof of his quality as much delighted his
fellow-traveller; while the latter, on his part, soon proved himself to
be a kind and courteous man. He told Rodaja that he was a captain of
infantry in the service of the king, and that his ensign was then
completing their company at Salamanca. He praised the life of a soldier
in the highest terms, describing, with much encomium, the many cities
and other places visited by those who lead that life. Among other themes
of which he spoke were the beauty of Naples, the feasting and pleasures
of Palermo, the rich abundance of Milan, and the frequent festivals held
in other parts of Lombardy--not omitting the good cheer of the numerous
hostelries--in the description of which he broke forth rapturously in
the Tuscan language, discoursing of _Macarela_, _Macarroni_, and
_Polastri_, with the most cordial goodwill. He expatiated largely on the
free enjoyment of life in Italy, and on the pleasures of the soldier's
life in general, which he exalted to the skies; but he did not say a
word of the chilling night-watch, the perils of the assault, the terrors
of battle, the hunger and privation endured in blockades and sieges, or
the ruin caused by mines, with other matters of similar kind whereof he
might have spoken, but which he passed over in silence--although there
are those who would consider such things as having something to do with
the life of the soldier, not to call them its principal features. In a
word, he said so much on the subject, that the resolution of our Thomas
Rodaja began to waver, and his inclination went near to fix itself on
that life, which is so near a neighbour to death.
[51] Don Augustin de Arrieta, a Spanish commentator of our author,
informs us that the _camarada_ not only journeyed and lived with his
companion of the way, but even slept in the same chamber, and not
unfrequently in the same bed.
The captain, whose name was Don Diego de Valdivia, charmed, on his part,
with the handsome looks, cheerful manners, and admirable abilities of
Rodaja, entreated him to accompany the march into Italy, were it only
for the purpose of seeing the country. He offered him his table, and
even, if he would adopt the military life, he proposed to procure him a
pair of colours; nay, he assured him that those of his own regiment
would soon be vacant, and should be at his service.
But little persuasion was required to induce Rodaja's acceptance of a
part of this offer. Weighing it in his mind, he considered that it would
be well to see Italy and Flanders, to say nothing of other countries,
since travel contributes to increase knowledge and discretion. He
thought, too, that although he should spend three, or even four years
in that occupation, yet these, added to the few he then counted, would
not make him so old but that he might afterwards return to his studies.
These and other considerations had their weight, and the opportunity
being so much to his taste, Rodaja finally told the captain that he
would go with him into Italy; but it must be on condition of being left
at perfect liberty. He would not consent to enlist under his banner, nor
to have his name enrolled in the books of the regiment, that he might
not be subjected to the restraints of service. The captain represented
that his being inscribed on the lists was a matter which involved no
duty, and that he would thereby obtain all the appointments, with the
regular pay accorded to his rank; while he, Don Diego, would take care
that he should have leave of absence whenever he might demand it. Yet
Rodaja was not to be moved from his determination. "For this," said he,
"would be to act against the dictates of my conscience and of yours,
señor captain; I would, besides, much rather go free than be attached to
military service in any manner."
"A conscience so scrupulous is more suitable to the cowl of a monk than
the helmet of a soldier," said Don Diego, laughing; "but let it be as
you will, so we but remain comrades."
The first night of their journey they had passed at Antequera, and
making long stages each day, they speedily arrived at the place where
the captain was to join his company. All arrangements being completed,
the company began its march with four others to Carthagena, quartering
at such places as fell in their way.
And now Rodaja could not fail to remark the authority assumed by the
commissaries; the intractable character of many among the captains; the
rapacity of the quartermasters, and the unreasonable nature of their
demands; the fashion in which the paymasters managed their accounts; the
complaints of the people; the traffic in and exchange of billets; the
insolence of the undisciplined troops; their quarrels with the other
guests at the inns; the requisition of more rations and other stores
than were rightful or necessary; and, finally, the almost inevitable
consequences of all this. Much besides came under his observation,
which he could not but see to be in every way wrong and injurious.
For Rodaja himself, he had now abandoned the garb of a student, and
dressed himself parrot-fashion (as we say), conforming to such things as
the life around him presented. The many books he had possessed were now
reduced to the "Orisons of Our Lady," and a "Garcilaso without
Comments," which he carried in two of his pockets.
The party with which he travelled arrived at Carthagena much earlier
than he desired, for the varied life he led was very pleasant, and each
day brought something new and agreeable. At Carthagena the troops
embarked in four galleys for Naples; and in his cabin, also, Kodaja made
many observations on the strange life passed in those maritime houses,
where, for the most part, a man is devoured by vermin and destroyed by
rats, vexed by the sailors, robbed by the galley-slaves, and tormented
by the swell of the waters. He endured terrible fear from violent storms
and tempests, more especially in the Gulf of Lyons, where they had two,
by one of which they were cast on the Island of Corsica, while the other
drove them back upon Toulon, in France. At last, weary and half-drowned,
they reached land in the darkness of the night, and with great
difficulty arrived at the most peaceful and beautiful city of Genoa.
Having disembarked, and hastily visited a church to return thanks for
their safety, the captain with all his comrades adjourned to a tavern,
where they quickly forgot past storms and tempests in present rejoicing
and feasting.
Here they learned to appreciate the respective merits of the different
wines presented to them by their active and voluble host; the delicacy
of Trebbiano, the fine body of Montefiascone, the purity of Asperino,
the generous spirit of the wines from Candia and Soma, and the strength
of those from the Cincovinas, or Five Vineyards. Neither did they
disregard the sweetness and amenity of the Señora Guarnacha, or the
rustic bloom of the Centola, not forgetting even in this bright array
the humble Romanesco, which likewise came in for its meed of praise.
The host having passed in review all these and other wines, of many
various qualities, offered besides to place before his guests, without
having any recourse to magic, and not as one marks down places on a
map, but in all their vivid reality, Madriga, Coca, Alacjos, and the
imperial, rather than royal city--that favourite abode of the god of
smiles--Ciudad Real. He furthermore offered Esquibias, Alanis, Cazalla,
Guadalcanal, and Membrilla, without forgetting the wines of Ribadavia or
of Descargamaria. At a word, the host offered and even gave them more
wines than Bacchus himself could have stored in all his cellars.
Nor was the good Thomas unmindful of the admiration due to the radiant
locks of the Genoese maidens, renowned for those fair tresses, while he
likewise appreciated the obliging and cheerful disposition of the male
inhabitants, and was never weary of expatiating on the beauty of the
city itself, which, as you look at it from the sea, appears to hold the
houses enchased amidst the rocks, as diamonds are set in gold.
The day after their arrival, such of the companies as were destined for
Piedmont were disembarked; Rodaja, however, had no wish to proceed
thither, but determined to go from Genoa by land to Rome and Naples, and
return by the way of Our Lady of Loretto to the great and magnificent
Venice, and thence to Milan and Piedmont, where it was agreed that he
should rejoin Don Diego, if the latter had not previously been compelled
to set off for Flanders, as was expected.
Two days after these arrangements were made, Rodaja took leave of the
captain, and in five days from that time he reached Florence, having
first seen Lucca, a city which is small but very well built, and one
where Spaniards are more kindly received and better treated than in any
other part of Italy.
With Florence Rodaja was infinitely delighted, as well for the
pleasantness of its position as for its sumptuous buildings, its fine
river, agreeable streets, and cleanliness of aspect. He remained there
but four days, and then departed for Rome, the queen of cities and
mistress of the world, whose temples he visited, whose relics he adored,
and whose grandeur he admired: and as from the claws of the lion you may
judge of its mass and force, so did Rodaja infer the greatness of Rome
from the fragments of her marbles--her statues, broken or entire--her
arches, fallen or fractured--her baths, crumbled to ruin--her
magnificent porticos and vast amphitheatres--her renowned and holy
river, which ever fills the banks with water to the brim, while it
blesses them with innumerable remains of the martyrs whose bodies have
found a burial beneath its waves. Nor did our traveller fail to estimate
the beauty of the bridges, which one might fancy to be admiring each
other, or the streets, which, by their very names alone, claim authority
and pre-eminence over those of all other cities in the world: the Via
Flaminia, for example, the Via Julia, the Appia, and others of the same
character.
No less was Rodaja satisfied with the division of those hills which
exist within the city itself, the Cælian, the Quirinal, the Vatican, and
the other four, whose very names bear evidence to the Roman greatness
and majesty. He took careful note, moreover, of that authority which
attaches to the College of Cardinals, and of the dignity represented in
the person of the Supreme Pontiff; nor did he suffer to pass unnoticed
that great concourse and variety of men from all nations ever
congregated within the walls of the city.
All these things Rodaja admired, reflected on, and arranged in the order
of their importance; and having made the station of the Seven Churches,
confessed to a Penitentiary, and kissed the feet of his Holiness, he
departed, well loaded with _Agnus Deis_ and legends, determining thence
to proceed to Naples.
But the time was one of important changes and much disorder; this
rendered the roads dangerous for all desiring to enter or travel out of
Rome; and as he had come to the city by land, so he now resolved to
depart by sea, wherefore, proceeding to the port of Ostia, he there
embarked, and having reached Naples, added to the satisfaction which he
had previously felt at seeing Rome, that of finding himself in a city,
in his estimation, and in the opinion of all who have seen it, the
finest in Europe, or even in the whole world.