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lavengro-第113部分

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conducted me in so singular a manner; at last I heaved a sigh; I 

was thinking of my own homeless condition; and imagining where I 

should find myself on the following morning。  Unwilling; however; 

to indulge in melancholy thoughts; I sprang out of bed and 

proceeded to dress myself; and; whilst dressing; I felt an 

irresistible inclination to touch the bed…post。



I finished dressing and left the room; feeling compelled; however; 

as I left it; to touch the lintel of the door。  Is it possible; 

thought I; that from what I have lately heard the long…forgotten 

influence should have possessed me again? but I will not give way 

to it; so I hurried downstairs; resisting as I went a certain 

inclination which I occasionally felt to touch the rail of the 

banister。  I was presently upon the gravel walk before the house:  

it was indeed a glorious morning。  I stood for some time observing 

the golden fish disporting in the waters of the pond; and then 

strolled about amongst the noble trees of the park; the beauty and 

freshness of the morning … for the air had been considerably cooled 

by the late storm … soon enabled me to cast away the gloomy ideas 

which had previously taken possession of my mind; and; after a 

stroll of about half an hour; I returned towards the house in high 

spirits。  It is true that once I felt very much inclined to go and 

touch the leaves of a flowery shrub which I saw at some distance; 

and had even moved two or three paces towards it; but; bethinking 

myself; I manfully resisted the temptation。  'Begone!' I exclaimed; 

'ye sorceries; in which I formerly trusted … begone for ever 

vagaries which I had almost forgotten; good luck is not to be 

obtained; or bad averted; by magic touches; besides; two wizards in 

one parish would be too much; in all conscience。'



I returned to the house; and entered the library; breakfast was 

laid on the table; and my friend was standing before the portrait 

which I have already said hung above the mantelpiece; so intently 

was he occupied in gazing at it that he did not hear me enter; nor 

was aware of my presence till I advanced close to him and spoke; 

when he turned round and shook me by the hand。



'What can possibly have induced you to hang up that portrait in 

your library? it is a staring likeness; it is true; but it appears 

to me a wretched daub。'



'Daub as you call it;' said my friend; smiling; 'I would not part 

with it for the best piece of Rafael。  For many a happy thought I 

am indebted to that picture … it is my principal source of 

inspiration; when my imagination flags; as of course it 

occasionally does; I stare upon those features; and forthwith 

strange ideas of fun and drollery begin to flow into my mind; these 

I round; amplify; or combine into goodly creations; and bring forth 

as I find an opportunity。  It is true that I am occasionally 

tormented by the thought that; by doing this; I am committing 

plagiarism; though; in that case; all thoughts must be plagiarisms; 

all that we think being the result of what we hear; see; or feel。  

What can I do?  I must derive my thoughts from some source or 

other; and; after all; it is better to plagiarise from the features 

of my landlord than from the works of Butler and Cervantes。  My 

works; as you are aware; are of a serio…comic character。  My 

neighbours are of opinion that I am a great reader; and so I am; 

but only of those features … my real library is that picture。'



'But how did you obtain it?' said I。



'Some years ago a travelling painter came into this neighbourhood; 


and my jolly host; at the request of his wife; consented to sit for 

his portrait; she highly admired the picture; but she soon died; 

and then my fat friend; who is of an affectionate disposition; said 

he could not bear the sight of it; as it put him in mind of his 

poor wife。  I purchased it of him for five pounds … I would not 

take five thousand for it; when you called that picture a daub; you 

did not see all the poetry of it。'



We sat down to breakfast; my entertainer appeared to be in much 

better spirits than on the preceding day; I did not observe him 

touch once; ere breakfast was over a servant entered … 'The 

Reverend Mr。 Platitude; sir;' said he。



A shade of dissatisfaction came over the countenance of my host。  

'What does the silly pestilent fellow mean by coming here?' said 

he; half to himself; 'let him come in;' said he to the servant。



The servant went out; and in a moment reappeared; introducing the 

Reverend Mr。 Platitude。  The Reverend Mr。 Platitude; having what is 

vulgarly called a game leg; came shambling into the room; he was 

about thirty years of age; and about five feet three inches high; 

his face was of the colour of pepper; and nearly as rugged as a 

nutmeg…grater; his hair was black; with his eyes he squinted; and 

grinned with his lips; which were very much apart; disclosing two 

very irregular rows of teeth; he was dressed in the true Levitical 

fashion; in a suit of spotless black; and a neckerchief of spotless 

white。



The Reverend Mr。 Platitude advanced winking and grinning to my 

entertainer; who received him politely but with evident coldness; 

nothing daunted; however; the Reverend Mr。 Platitude took a seat by 

the table; and; being asked to take a cup of coffee; winked; 

grinned; and consented。



In company I am occasionally subject to fits of what is generally 

called absence; my mind takes flight and returns to former scenes; 

or presses forward into the future。  One of these fits of absence 

came over me at this time … I looked at the Reverend Mr。 Platitude 

for a moment; heard a word or two that proceeded from his mouth; 

and saying to myself; 'You are no man for me;' fell into a fit of 

musing … into the same train of thought as in the morning; no very 

pleasant one … I was thinking of the future。



I continued in my reverie for some time; and probably should have 

continued longer; had I not been suddenly aroused by the voice of 

Mr。 Platitude raised to a very high key。  'Yes; my dear sir;' said 

he; 'it is but too true; I have it on good authority … a gone 

church … a lost church … a ruined church … a demolished church is 

the Church of England。  Toleration to Dissenters! … oh; monstrous!'



'I suppose;' said my host; 'that the repeal of the Test Acts will 

be merely a precursor of the emancipation of the Papists?'



'Of the Catholics;' said the Reverend Mr。 Platitude。  'Ahem。  There 

was a time; as I believe you are aware; my dear sir; when I was as 

much opposed to the emancipation of the Catholics as it was 

possible for any one to be; but I was prejudiced; my dear sir; 

labouring under a cloud of most unfortunate prejudice; but I thank 

my Maker I am so no longer。  I have travelled; as you are aware。  

It is only by travelling that one can rub off prejudices; I think 

you will agree with me there。  I am speaking to a traveller。
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