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326 pages

English

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The Romany Rye is a fictional, yet highly autobiographical novel by George Borrow, which follows his novel Lavengro. It is a philosophical adventure story about a young man who falls in with a band of gypsies.

Informations

Publié par	The Floating Press
Date de parution	01 avril 2009
Nombre de lectures	0
EAN13	9781775414940
Langue	English

Informations légales : prix de location à la page 0,0164€. Cette information est donnée uniquement à titre indicatif conformément à la législation en vigueur.

Extrait

THE ROMANY RYE
* * *
GEORGE HENRY BORROW

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The Romany Rye From a 1907 edition ISBN 978-1-775414-94-0 © 2009 The Floating Press
While every effort has been used to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information contained in The Floating Press edition of this book, The Floating Press does not assume liability or responsibility for any errors or omissions in this book. The Floating Press does not accept responsibility for loss suffered as a result of reliance upon the accuracy or currency of information contained in this book. Do not use while operating a motor vehicle or heavy equipment. Many suitcases look alike.
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Contents
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Chapter I Chapter II Chapter III Chapter IV Chapter V Chapter VI Chapter VII Chapter VIII Chapter IX Chapter X Chapter XI Chapter XII Chapter XIII Chapter XIV Chapter XV Chapter XVI Chapter XVII Chapter XVIII Chapter XIX Chapter XX Chapter XXI Chapter XXII Chapter XXIII Chapter XXIV Chapter XXV Chapter XXVI Chapter XXVII Chapter XXVIII Chapter XXIX Chapter XXX Chapter XXXI Chapter XXXII Chapter XXXIII Chapter XXXIV Chapter XXXV Chapter XXXVI Chapter XXXVII Chapter XXXVIII Chapter XXXIX Chapter XL Chapter XLI Chapter XLII Chapter XLIII Chapter XLIV Chapter XLV Chapter XLVI Chapter XLVII Appendix Endnotes
Chapter I
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The Making of the Linch-pin—The Sound Sleeper—Breakfast—ThePostillion's Departure.
I awoke at the first break of day, and, leaving the postillion fastasleep, stepped out of the tent. The dingle was dank and dripping.I lighted a fire of coals, and got my forge in readiness. I thenascended to the field, where the chaise was standing as we had leftit on the previous evening. After looking at the cloud-stone nearit, now cold, and split into three pieces, I set about pryingnarrowly into the condition of the wheel and axletree—the latterhad sustained no damage of any consequence, and the wheel, as faras I was able to judge, was sound, being only slightly injured inthe box. The only thing requisite to set the chaise in atravelling condition appeared to be a linch-pin, which I determinedto make. Going to the companion wheel, I took out the linch-pin,which I carried down with me to the dingle, to serve as a model.
I found Belle by this time dressed, and seated near the forge:with a slight nod to her like that which a person gives who happensto see an acquaintance when his mind is occupied with importantbusiness, I forthwith set about my work. Selecting a piece of ironwhich I thought would serve my purpose, I placed it in the fire,and plying the bellows in a furious manner, soon made it hot; thenseizing it with the tongs, I laid it on my anvil, and began to beatit with my hammer, according to the rules of my art. The dingleresounded with my strokes. Belle sat still, and occasionallysmiled, but suddenly started up, and retreated towards herencampment, on a spark which I purposely sent in her directionalighting on her knee. I found the making of a linch-pin no easymatter; it was, however, less difficult than the fabrication of apony-shoe; my work, indeed, was much facilitated by my havinganother pin to look at. In about three-quarters of an hour I hadsucceeded tolerably well, and had produced a linch-pin which Ithought would serve. During all this time, notwithstanding thenoise which I was making, the postillion never showed his face.His non-appearance at first alarmed me: I was afraid he might bedead, but, on looking into the tent, I found him still buried inthe soundest sleep. "He must surely be descended from one of theseven sleepers," said I, as I turned away, and resumed my work. Mywork finished, I took a little oil, leather, and sand, and polishedthe pin as well as I could; then, summoning Belle, we both went tothe chaise, where, with her assistance, I put on the wheel. Thelinch-pin which I had made fitted its place very well, and havingreplaced the other, I gazed at the chaise for some time with myheart full of that satisfaction which results from theconsciousness of having achieved a great action; then, afterlooking at Belle in the hope of obtaining a compliment from herlips, which did not come, I returned to the dingle, without sayinga word, followed by her. Belle set about making preparations forbreakfast; and I taking the kettle, went and filled it at thespring. Having hung it over the fire, I went to the tent in whichthe postillion was still sleeping, and called upon him to arise.He awoke with a start, and stared around him at first with theutmost surprise, not unmixed, I could observe, with a certaindegree of fear. At last, looking in my face, he appeared torecollect himself. "I had quite forgot," said he, as he got up,"where I was, and all that happened yesterday. However, I remembernow the whole affair, thunder-storm, thunder-bolt, frightenedhorses, and all your kindness. Come, I must see after my coach andhorses; I hope we shall be able to repair the damage." "The damageis already quite repaired," said I, "as you will see, if you cometo the field above." "You don't say so," said the postillion,coming out of the tent; "well, I am mightily beholden to you. Goodmorning, young gentle-woman," said he, addressing Belle, who,having finished her preparations, was seated near the fire. "Goodmorning, young man," said Belle, "I suppose you would be glad ofsome breakfast; however, you must wait a little, the kettle doesnot boil." "Come and look at your chaise," said I; "but tell mehow it happened that the noise which I have been making did notawake you; for three-quarters of an hour at least I was hammeringclose at your ear." "I heard you all the time," said thepostillion, "but your hammering made me sleep all the sounder; I amused to hear hammering in my morning sleep. There's a forge closeby the room where I sleep when I'm at home, at my inn; for we haveall kinds of conveniences at my inn—forge, carpenter's shop, andwheel-wright's,—so that when I heard you hammering I thought, nodoubt, that it was the old noise, and that I was comfortable in mybed at my own inn." We now ascended to the field, where I showedthe postillion his chaise. He looked at the pin attentively,rubbed his hands, and gave a loud laugh. "Is it not well done?"said I. "It will do till I get home," he replied. "And that isall you have to say?" I demanded. "And that's a good deal," saidhe, "considering who made it. But don't be offended," he added, "Ishall prize it all the more for its being made by a gentleman, andno blacksmith; and so will my governor, when I show it to him. Ishan't let it remain where it is, but will keep it, as aremembrance of you, as long as I live." He then again rubbed hishands with great glee, and said, "I will now go and see after myhorses, and then to breakfast, partner, if you please." Suddenly,however, looking at his hands, he said, "Before sitting down tobreakfast I am in the habit of washing my hands and face: Isuppose you could not furnish me with a little soap and water.""As much water as you please," said I, "but if you want soap, Imust go and trouble the young gentle-woman for some." "By nomeans," said the postillion, "water will do at a pinch." "Followme," said I, and leading him to the pond of the frogs and newts, Isaid, "this is my ewer; you are welcome to part of it—the water isso soft that it is scarcely necessary to add soap to it;" thenlying down on the bank, I plunged my head into the water, thenscrubbed my hands and face, and afterwards wiped them with somelong grass which grew on the margin of the pond. "Bravo," said thepostillion, "I see you know how to make a shift:" he then followedmy example, declared he never felt more refreshed in his life, and,giving a bound, said, "he would go and look after his horses."
We then went to look after the horses, which we found not much theworse for having spent the night in the open air. My companionagain inserted their heads in the corn-bags, and, leaving theanimals to discuss their corn, returned with me to the dingle,where we found the kettle boiling. We sat down, and Belle made teaand did the honours of the meal. The postillion was in highspirits, ate heartily, and, to Belle's evident satisfaction,declared that he had never drank better tea in his life, or indeedany half so good. Breakfast over, he said that he must now go andharness his horses, as it was high time for him to return to hisinn. Belle gave him her hand and wished him farewell: thepostillion shook her hand warmly, and was advancing close up toher—for what purpose I cannot say—whereupon Belle, withdrawingher hand, drew herself up with an air which caused the postillionto retreat a step or two with an exceedingly sheepish look.Recovering himself, however, he made a low bow, and proceeded upthe path. I attended him, and helped to harness his horses and putthem to the vehicle; he then shook me by the hand, and taking thereins and whip, mounted to his seat; ere he drove away he thusaddressed me: "If ever I forget your kindness and that of theyoung woman below, dash my buttons. If ever either of you shouldenter my inn you may depend upon a warm welcome, the best that canbe set before you, and no expense to either, for I will give bothof you the best of characters to the governor, who is the very bestfellow upon all the road. As for your linch-pin, I trust it willserve till I get home, when I will take it out and keep it inremembrance of you all the days of my life:" then giving the horsesa jerk with his reins, he cracked his whip and drove off.
I returned to the dingle, Belle had removed the breakfast things,and was busy in her own encampment: nothing occurred, worthy ofbeing related, for two hours, at the end of which time Belledeparted on a short expedition, and I again found myself alone inthe dingle.
Chapter II
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The Man in Black—The Emperor of Germany—Nepotism—Donna Olympia—Omnipotence—Camillo Astalli—The Five Propositions.
In the evening I received another visit from the man in black. Ihad bee