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lavengro-第103部分
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stream; but shallow; with here and there a deep place where the
water ran dark and still。
Always fond of the pure lymph; I undressed; and plunged into one of
these gulfs; from which I emerged; my whole frame in a glow; and
tingling with delicious sensations。 After conveying my clothes and
scanty baggage to the farther side; I dressed; and then with
hurried steps bent my course in the direction of some lofty ground;
I at length found myself on a high…road; leading over wide and arid
downs; following the road for some miles without seeing anything
remarkable; I supposed at length that I had taken the wrong path;
and wended on slowly and disconsolately for some time; till; having
nearly surmounted a steep hill; I knew at once; from certain
appearances; that I was near the object of my search。 Turning to
the right near the brow of the hill; I proceeded along a path which
brought me to a causeway leading over a deep ravine; and connecting
the hill with another which had once formed part of it; for the
ravine was evidently the work of art。 I passed over the causeway;
and found myself in a kind of gateway which admitted me into a
square space of many acres; surrounded on all sides by mounds or
ramparts of earth。 Though I had never been in such a place before;
I knew that I stood within the precincts of what had been a Roman
encampment; and one probably of the largest size; for many thousand
warriors might have found room to perform their evolutions in that
space; in which corn was now growing; the green ears waving in the
morning wind。
After I had gazed about the space for a time; standing in the
gateway formed by the mounds; I clambered up the mound to the left
hand; and on the top of that mound I found myself at a great
altitude; beneath; at the distance of a mile; was a fair old city;
situated amongst verdant meadows; watered with streams; and from
the heart of that old city; from amidst mighty trees; I beheld
towering to the sky the finest spire in the world。
And after I had looked from the Roman rampart for a long time; I
hurried away; and; retracing my steps along the cause…way; regained
the road; and; passing over the brow of the hill; descended to the
city of the spire。
CHAPTER LXII
The hostelry … Life uncertain … Open countenance … The grand point
… Thank you; master … A hard mother … Poor dear! … Considerable
odds … The better country … English fashion … Landlord…looking
person。
AND in the old city I remained two days; passing my time as I best
could … inspecting the curiosities of the place; eating and
drinking when I felt so disposed; which I frequently did; the
digestive organs having assumed a tone to which for many months
they had been strangers … enjoying at night balmy sleep in a large
bed in a dusky room; at the end of a corridor; in a certain
hostelry in which I had taken up my quarters … receiving from the
people of the hostelry such civility and condescension as people
who travel on foot with bundle and stick; but who nevertheless are
perceived to be not altogether destitute of coin; are in the habit
of receiving。 On the third day; on a fine sunny afternoon; I
departed from the city of the spire。
As I was passing through one of the suburbs; I saw; all on a
sudden; a respectable…looking female fall down in a fit; several
persons hastened to her assistance。 'She is dead;' said one。 'No;
she is not;' said another。 'I am afraid she is;' said a third。
'Life is very uncertain;' said a fourth。 'It is Mrs。 …;' said a
fifth; 'let us carry her to her own house。' Not being able to
render any assistance; I left the poor female in the hands of her
townsfolk; and proceeded on my way。 I had chosen a road in the
direction of the north…west; it led over downs where corn was
growing; but where neither tree nor hedge was to be seen; two or
three hours' walking brought me to a beautiful valley; abounding
with trees of various kinds; with a delightful village at its
farthest extremity; passing through it; I ascended a lofty
acclivity; on the top of which I sat down on a bank; and; taking
off my hat; permitted a breeze; which swept coolly and refreshingly
over the downs; to dry my hair; dripping from the effects of
exercise and the heat of the day。
And as I sat there; gazing now at the blue heavens; now at the
downs before me; a man came along the road in the direction in
which I had hitherto been proceeding: just opposite to me he
stopped; and; looking at me; cried … 'Am I right for London;
master?'
He was dressed like a sailor; and appeared to be between twenty…
five and thirty years of age … he had an open manly countenance;
and there was a bold and fearless expression in his eye。
'Yes;' said I; in reply to his question; 'this is one of the ways
to London。 Do you come from far?'
'From …;' said the man; naming a well…known seaport。
'Is this the direct road to London from that place?' I demanded。
'No;' said the man; 'but I had to visit two or three other places
on certain commissions I was intrusted with; amongst others to …;
where I had to take a small sum of money。 I am rather tired;
master; and; if you please; I will sit down beside you。'
'You have as much right to sit down here as I have;' said I; 'the
road is free for every one; as for sitting down beside me; you have
the look of an honest man; and I have no objection to your
company。'
'Why; as for being honest; master;' said the man; laughing and
sitting down by me; 'I haven't much to say … many is the wild thing
I have done when I was younger; however; what is done; is done。 To
learn; one must live; master; and I have lived long enough to learn
the grand point of wisdom。'
'What is that?' said I。
'That honesty is the best policy; master。'
'You appear to be a sailor;' said I; looking at his dress。
'I was not bred a sailor;' said the man; 'though; when my foot is
on the salt water; I can play the part … and play it well too。 I
am now from a long voyage。'
'From America?' said I。
'Farther than that;' said the man。
'Have you any objection to tell me?' said I。
'From New South Wales;' said the man; looking me full in the face。
'Dear me;' said I。
'Why do you say 〃Dear me〃?' said the man。
'It is a very long way off;' said I。
'Was that your reason for saying so?' said the man。
'Not exactly;' said I。
'No;' said the man; with something of a bitter smile; 'it was
something else that made you say so; you were thinking of the
convicts。'
'Well;' said I; 'what then … you are no convict。'
'How do you know?'
'You do not look like one。'
'Thank you; master;' said the man cheerfully; 'and; to a certain
extent; you are right … bygones are bygones … I am no longer what I
was; nor ever will be again; the truth; h
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