下载辰思小说免费APP
THEmorningwasgrayandIsatbytheseanearPalosinagraymood.IwasJaymedeMarchena,andthatwasagood,_oldChristian_name.ButmygrandmotherwasJewess,andincornerstheysaidthatshenevertrulyrecanted,andIhadbeenmuchwithherasachild.
Shewasdead,butstilltheytalkedofher.JaymedeMarchena,lookingbackfromthehillsideofforty-six,sawsomeservicedonefortheQueenandthefolk.Thisthingandthatthing.Notdemandingtrumpets,butserviceable.ItwouldbeneithercountednorweighedbesideandagainstthatwhichDonPedroandtheDominicanfoundtosay.
Whattheyfoundtosaytheymade,notfound.Theytookclayofmisrepresentation,andinthefieldoffalsehoodsatthemdown,andconsultingtheparchmentofmalice,proceededtocreate.Butfalseaswasalltheysetup,thetimewouldcryittrue.
ItwasreasonablethatIshouldfindthedaygray.
Studyandstudyandstudy,yearonyear,andatlastimageagreatthing,justundertherimofthemind\'socean,sendingupforthosewhowilllookstreamersabovehorizon,streamersofcoloredandwonderfullight!Studyandreasonandwithaweanddelighttakelightfromabove.Dreamofgoodnewsforoneandall,oflifegivendepthandbroughtintomusic,dreamofgivingthegiven,neverholdingitback,whichwouldbeavariceandbetraying!Write,andgivemenandwomentoreadwhatyouhavewritten,andbelieve——poorDeluded!——thattheyalsofeelinnerwarmthandlightandrejoice.
Oh,graytheseaandgraytheshore!
Butsomedidfeelit.
TheDominican,whenitfellintohishands,calleditperdition.AJewessforgrandmother,andDonPedroforenemy.AndnowtheDominican——theDominicans!
TheQueenandtheKingmadeedictagainsttheJews,andtheresattheInquisition.
Iwas——Iam——Christian.Itisawideanddeepandhighword.Whenyouask,``Whatisit——Christian?\'\'
thenmusteachofusanswerasitisgiventohimtoanswer.
Iandthou——andtheTrue,theUniversalChristgiveuslight!
To-dayallAndalusia,allCastileandallSpaintomeseemedgray,andgraytheutterOceanthatstretchednomanknewwhere.Thegraywasthegrayoffettersandofashes.
Thetidemade,andasthewavescamenearer,eatingthesandbeforeme,theyutteredalowcrying._Indanger——
danger——indanger,JaymedeMarchena!_
Ihadbeenindangerbefore.Whoisnotoftenandalwaysindanger,inlife?Butthiswasadangertodaunt.
Minewerenopowerfulfriends.Ihadonlythatwhichwaswithinme.Iwasonlysonofonlyson,andmyparentsandgrandparentsweredead,andmydistantkindredcold,seeingnaughtofgoodinsomuchstudyandthinkingofthatold,dark,beautiful,questionableone,mygrandmother.
Ihadindeedaremotekinsman,headofaconventinthisneighborhood,andhewasawisemanandakindly.Butnotheeithercoulddoaughthere!
AlltheJewstobebanished,andDonPedrowithasteadyforefinger,``Thatman——takehim,too!WhodoesnotknowthathisgrandmotherwasJewess,andthathelivedwithheranddrankpoison?\'\'ButtheDominican,``No!
TheHolyOfficewilltakehim.Youhavebuttoread——onlyyoumustnotread——whathehaswrittentoseewhy!\'\'
GrayOcean,stretchingendlesslyandnowcomingclose,wereitnotwellifIdrownedmyselfthisgraymorningwhileIcanchoosethedeathIshalldie?Nowthegreatmurmursang_Well_,andnowitsangNotwell.
Lowcliffandheapedsandandasolitarybirdwide-wingingtowardthemountainsofPortugal,andtheOceangray-
blueandsalt!Thesaltsavorenteredme,andaninnerzestcameforwardandsaidNo,tobeingcraven.Inbanishmentcertainly,intheHouseoftheInquisitionmoredoubtfully,theimmortalmanmightyetfindmarketfromwhichtobuy!
Ifthemindcouldsurmount,theeternalquestneednotbeinterrupted——eventhere!
BlueOceansangtome.
Avision——itcametomeattimes,vision——setitselfinair.IsawAPeoplewhopersecutedneitherJewnorthinker.
ItroseoneFigure,formedofaninfinitenumberofsmallfigures,butalltheiredgesmetinoneglow.Thefigurestoodupontheseaandheldaparttheclouds,andwasfreeandfairandmighty,andwasmanandwomanmeltedtogether,andittookallcolorsandmadeofthemasunforitsbrow.Ididnotknowwhenitwouldlive,butIknewthatitshouldlive.Perhapsitwasthewholeworld.
Itvanished,leavingskyandoceanandAndalusia.Butgreatvisionsleavegreatpeace.Afterit,forthisday,itseemednotworthwhiletogrieveandmiserablytoforebode.
ThroughthehoursthatIlaytherebythesea,airsfromthatlandorthatearthblewaboutmeandfaintsongsvisitedmyears,andthegraydaywasonlygraylikeadove\'sbreast.
JaymedeMarchenastayedbythelonelyseabecausethatseemedthesafestplacetostay.AthandwasthesmallportofPalosthatmightnotknowwhatwasbreedinginSeville,andgoingthitheratnightfallIfoundlodgingandsupperinastillcornerwhereallnightIheardtheTintoflowingby.
IhadwanderedtoPalosbecauseoftheFranciscanconventofSantaMariadelaRabidaandmyverydistantkins-
man,FrayJuanPerez.ThedayafterthegraydaybytheshoreIwalkedhalfaleagueofsandyroadandcametoconventgate.Theporterletmein,andIwaitedinalittlecourtwithdovesaboutmeandaswingingbellaboveuntilthebrotherwhomhehadcalledreturnedandtookmetoPrior\'sroom.AtfirstFrayJuanPerezwasstiffandcold,butbylittlesthischangedandhebecameagoodman,large-
mindedandwithasenseforkindred.ClearlyhethoughtthatIshouldnothavehadaJewishgrandmother,norhavelivedwithherfrommythirdtomytenthbirthday,andmostclearlythatIshouldnothavewrittenthatwhichIhadwritten.ButhisGodwasanenergetic,enterprising,kindlyPrince,ratherboldhimselfandtolerantofheathen.FrayJuanPerezevenintimatedadoubtifGodwantedtheInquisition.``Butthat\'sgoingratherfar!\'\'hesaidhastilyandsatdrummingthetableandpursinghislips.
Presentlyhebroughtout,``ButyouknowIcan\'tdoanything!\'\'
Ididknowit.Whatcouldhedo?IsupposeIhadhadahalf-hopeofsomething.Iknewnotwhat.WithoutahopeIwouldnothavecometoLaRabida.Butitwasmaimedfromthefirst,andnowitdied.Imadeagestureofrelinquishment.``No,Isupposeyoucannot——\'\'
HesaidafteramomentthathewasgladtoseethatI
hadletmybeardgrowandwasveryplainlydressed,thoughIhadneverbeenelaboratethere,andespeciallywashegladthatIwascometoPalosnotasJaymedeMarchena,butunderaplainandsimplename,JuanLepe,towit.Hisadvicewastofleefromthewrathtocome.HewouldnotsayfleefromtheHolyOffice——thatwouldbeheinous!——buthewouldsayabsentmyself,abscond,bebanished,JaymedeMarchenabyJaymedeMarchena.TherewerebarquesinPalosandrudeseamenwhoaskednoquestionwhengoldjustenough,andnevermorethanenough,wasshown.
HehesitatedamomentandthenaskedifIhadfunds.Ifnot——
IthankedhimandsaidthatIhadmadeprovision.
``Then,\'\'saidhe,``gotoBarbary,DonJayme!AnintelligentandprudentmanmayprosperatErcillaoratFez.
Ifyoumuststudy,studythere.\'\'
``Youalsostudy,\'\'Isaid.
``Infairtroddenhighways——neverinthickforestandmerefog!\'\'heanswered.``NowifyouwerelikeonewhohasbeenhereandisnowbeforeGranada,atSantaFe,sentforthitherbytheQueen!ThatonehathindeedstudiedtobenefitSpain——Spain,Christendom,andtheworld!\'\'
Iaskedwhowasthatgreatone,butbeforehecouldtellmecameinterruption.Avisitorentered,astrong-lipped,bold-eyedmannamedMartinPinzon.Iwastomeethimagainandoften,butatthistimeIdidnotknowthat.FrayJuanPerezevidentlydesiringthatIshouldgo,Ithoughtitrighttoobligehimwhowouldhavedonemekindnesshadheknownhow.IwentwithoutintimatewordofpartingandafteronlyacasualstarefromMartinPinzon.
Butwithout,mykinsmancameafterme.``Iwanttosay,DonJayme,thatifIamaskedfortestimonyIshallholdtoitthatyouareasgoodChristianasany——\'\'
Itwaskinsman\'spartandallthattrulyIcouldhavehopedfor,andItoldhimso.Aboutuswasquiet,vacantcloister,andwepartedmorewarmlythanwehaddonewithin.
ThewhiteconventofLaRabidaissetonaheadlandamongvineyardsandpinetrees.Itregardstheoceanand,afar,themountainsofPortugal,andbelowitrunsasmallriver,goingouttoseathroughsandswiththeTintoandtheOdiel.Againthedaywasgrayandthepinetreessighing.
Theporterletmeoutatgate.
IwalkedbacktowardPalosthroughthesandyways.I
didnotwishtogotoAfrica.
ItismybeliefthatthatlargerSelfwhomtheywillcallprotectingSaintorheavenlyGuardiantakeshandinaffairsoftenerthanwethink!LeavingthePalosroad,IwenttotheseaasIhaddoneyesterdayandagainsatunderheapedsandwithaboutmeaseregrassthroughwhichthewindwhined.Atfirstitwhinedandthenitsanginathin,outlandishvoice.Sittingthus,ImighthavelookedtowardAfrica,butIknewnowthatIwasnotgoingtoAfrica.
Often,perhaps,intheunrememberedpastIhadbeeninAfrica;often,doubtless,inagestocomeitssoilwouldbeundermyfoot,butnowIwasnotgoingthere!To-dayI
lookedwestwardoverRiver-Ocean,unknowntoourfathersandunknowntoourselves.Itwasunknownasthefutureoftheworld.
Oceanpiledbeforeme.FromwhereIlayitseemedtorunuphilltoonepaleline,norbluenorwhite,setbeneaththesolidgray.Overthathilltop,what?Onlyotherhillsandplains,water,endlesslywater,untilthewaves,somuchmightierthanwavesofthatblueseaweknewbest,shouldbeatatlastagainstAsiashore!Sohigh,sodeep,sovast,soreal,yetsoempty-seemingsaveforstrangedangers!Nosailsoverthehilltop;nosailsinallthatVastsavecloseathandwheremarinersheldtotheskirtsofMother.Europe.
Oceanvast,Oceanblack,Oceanunknown.Yetthere,too,lifeandtheknowingofliferansomehowcontinuous.
Itwiledmefrommysmallerself.Howhadweallsuffered,wethewholeearth!Butweweremoving,wetheworldwithnoneleftout,movingtowardThatwhichheldworlds,whichwasconsciousaboveworlds.Longthejourney,longtheadventure,butitwasnotworthwhilefearing,itwasnotworthwhilewhining!IwasnotaloneJaymedeMarchena,norJuanLepe,northisnamenorthatnortheother.
Therewasnowagreatspaceofquietinmymind.SuddenlyformedtherethefaceandfigureofDonEnriquedeCerdawhoselifeIhadhadthegoodhaptosave.HewasfarawaywiththeQueenandKingwhobeleagueredGranada.
Ihadnotseenhimfortenyears.Amomentbeforehehadrestedamongthehostoffiguresintheunevenlylightedlandofmemory.Nowhestoodforthplainlyandseemedtosmile.
Itooktheleading.WiththeinnereyeIhaveseenlinesoflightlikesubtleshiningcordsrunningbetweenpersons.
SuchathreadstretchednowbetweenmeandEnriquedeCerda.Ideterminedtomakemyway,asJuanLepe,throughthemountainsandovertheplainofGranadatoSantaFe.
CHAPTERII
SETwilltoanendandpromptlyeyesopentomeans!
IdidnotstartforGranadafromPalosbutfromHuelva,andIquittedAndalusiaasaporterinasmallmerchanttraincarryinggoodsofsortstoZarafathatwasamountaintowntakenfromtheMoorsfiveyearsback.I
wastothesefolkJuanLepe,astrong,middle-agedmanusedtoshipsbutnowforsomereasontiredofthem.Mymerchantshadonlyeyesforthesafetyoftheirpersonsandtheirbales,plungedthethirddayintomountainouswildcountryechoingandghastlywithlong-lastingwar.Theirservantsandmuleteerswalkedandrode,lamentedorweregay,raisedfaction,swore,laughed,traveledgrimlyorinadullmelancholyormirthfully;quarreledandmadepeace,turnbyturn,daybyday,muchalike.Onewhowasabullyfixedaquarreluponmeandanothertookmypart.
Allleapedtosides.Iwasforgotteninthemidstofthem;
theycouldhardlyhavetoldnowwhatwasthecauseofbattle.
Ayoungmerchantrodebacktochideandsettlematters.
AtlastsomeonerememberedthatDiegohadstruckJuanLepewhohadflunghimoff.ThenTomasohadsprunginandstruckDiego.ThenMiguel——``LetJuanLepealone!\'\'saidmymerchant.``Fie!apoorPalosseafaringchild,andyougreatHuelvamen!\'\'Theylaughedatthat,andthestormvanishedasithadcome.
Ilikedtheyoungman.
Howwildandwithoutlaw,save``Holdifyoucan!\'\'
werethesemountains!\'\'Holdifyoucantolife——holdifyoucantoknowledge——holdifyoucantojoy!\'\'Blackcliffoverhungblackglenandweknewthereweredensofrobbers.Farandnearviolencefallslikeblacksnow.Thismerchantbandgatheredtosleepunderoakswithagreatrockatourback.Wehadjourneyers\'supperandfire,foritwascold,coldintheseheights.Alittlewinewasgivenandmenfelltosleepbytheheapedbales;horses,assesandmulesbeingfastenedcloseunderthecrag.Threemenwatched,toberelievedinmiddlenightbyotherthreewhonowslept.AmuleteernamedRodrigoandJuanLepeandtheyoungmerchanttookthefirstturn.Thefirsttwosatononesideofthefireandtheyoungmerchantontheother.
Themuleteerremainedsunkeninagreatcloak,hischinonhisarmsfoldeduponhisknees,andwhathesawinthelandwithinIcannottell.Buttheyoungmerchantwasofaquickdispositionandpresentlymusttalk.Forsomedistancearoundusspreadbareearthsetonlywithshrubsandstones.
Alsotherisingmoongavelight,andwiththatandourownstrengthwedidnottrulylookforanyattack.Wesatandtalkedatease,thoughwithloweredvoices,Rodrigosomewhereawayandtherestofthepicturesleeping.Themerchantaskedwhathadbeenmylastvoyage.
Ianswered,afteramoment,toEngland.
``Youdonotseemtome,\'\'hesaid,``aseaman.ButI
supposethereareallkindsofseamen.\'\'
Isaidyes,theseawaswide.
``Englandnow,atthepresentmoment?\'\'hesaid,andquestionedmeastoBristol,ofwhichporthehadtrader\'sknowledge.IansweredoutofabookIhadread.Itwastruethat,livingoncebythesea,Iknewhowtohandleaboat.Icouldfindinmemorysailors\'terms.Butstillhesaid,``YouarenotaseamansuchasweseeatPalosandSanLucar.\'\'
Itisoftenbestnottohaltdenial.Letitpassbyandwanderamongthewildgrasses!
``Imyself,\'\'hesaidpresently,``havegonebyseatoVigoandtoBordeaux.\'\'Hewarmedhishandsatthefire,thenclaspedthemabouthiskneesandgazedintothenight.
``What,JuanLepe,isthatOceanwelookuponwhenwelookwest?Imean,wheredoesitgo?Whatdoesitstrike?\'\'
``India,belike.AndCathay.To-dayallmenbelievetheearthtoberound.\'\'
``Alongway!\'\'hesaid.``OSanctaMaria!Allthatwater!\'\'
``Wedonothavetodrinkit.\'\'
Helaughed.``No!Norsailit.ButafterIhadbeenonthatvoyageIcouldseeusalwayslikemicerunningclosetoawall,foreverandforever!JuanLepe,wearelittleandtimid!\'\'
Ilikedhisspirit.``Onedayweshallbelionsandeaglesandboldprophets!ThenourtongueshalltastemuchbesideIndiaandCathay!\'\'
``Well,Ihopeit,\'\'hesaid.``Micerunningundertheheadlands.\'\'
Hefellsilent,cherishinghiskneesandstaringintothefire.ItwasnotJuanLepe\'splacetotalkwhenmastermerchanttalkednot.I,too,regardedthefire,andtheherdedmountainsrobedinnight,andthehalf-moonlikeasailrisingfromaninvisibleboat.
Thenightwentpeacefullyby.Itwasfollowedbyahardday\'stravelandtheincidentoftheroad.AteveningwesawthewallsofZarafainasunsetglory.Themerchantsandtheirtrainpassedthroughthegateandfoundtheircustomaryinn.Withothers,JuanLepeworkedhard,unladingandstoring.Alldone,heandthebullysleptalmostineachother\'sarms,underthearchesofthecourt,dreamlessly.
Thenextdayandthenextwerestilldaysoflabor.ItwasnotuntilthethirdthatJuanLepeconsideredthathemightnowabsenthimselfandthereberaisednohueandcryafterstrongshoulders.Hehadearnedhisquittance,andinthenighttime,uponhishandsandknees,hecreptfromthesleepersinthecourt.Justbeforedawntheinngateswungopen.Hehadbeenwaitingclosetoit,andhepassedoutnoiselessly.
Inthetwodays,carryinggoodsthroughstreetstomarketsquareanduptocitadelandpausingatvaryinglevelsforbreathandtheprospect,Ihadlearnedthistownwellenough.Iknewwherewenttheascendinganddescendingways.Nowalmostalllayasleep,antique,shaded,Moorish,still,underthestars.Thesoldieryandthehidalgos,theirofficers,slept;onlythesentinelswakedbeforethecitadelentryandonthetownwallsandbythethreegates.Thetownfolkslept,allbutthesickandthesorrowfulandthecarefulandthosewhohadworkatdawn.Listen,andyoumighthearsoundlikethefirstmovingofbirds,orbreathofdawnwindcomingupatsea.ThegreaterpartnowofthetownfolkwereChristian,broughtinsincethefive-year-
gonesiegethatstillresounded.Moorswerehere,buttheyhadturnedChristian,orwereslaves,orbothslaveandChristian.Ihadseenmonksofallhabitsandheardringabovetheinnthebellsofanunnery.Nowagaintheyrang.Themosquewasnowachurch.Itroseathand,——
white,square,domed.Iwentbyaladder-likelanedowntowardZarafawallandtheGateoftheLion.Atsunriseinwouldpourpeasantsfromthevalebelow,bringingvegetablesandpoultry,andmountaineerswithquailsandconies,andotherswithdiversaffairs.Outgoingwouldbethosewhotilledafewsteepgardensbeyondthewall,messengersanderrandfolk,soldiersandtradersforthearmybeforeGranada.
ItwasfullearlywhenIcametothewall.Icouldmakeouttheheavyandtallarchwayofthegate,butasyetwasnothrongbeforeit.Iwaited;thefolkbegantogather,thesuncameup.Zarafagrewrosy.Nowwasclatterenough,voicesofmenandbrutes,bothsidesthegate.Thegateopened.JuanLepewonoutwithaknotofbrawnyfolkgoingtothemountainpastures.Wellforth,helookedbackandsawZarafagleamingroseandpearlintheblinkofthesun,andsentyoungmerchantwardawishforgood.Thenhetooktheeastwardwaydownthemountain,towardlowermountainsandatlasttheVegaofGranada.
CHAPTERIII
THEdaypassed.Ihadadventuresoftheroad,butnoneofconsequence.Isleptwellamongtherocks,waked,atethebitofbreadIhadwithme,andfellagaintowalking.
Mountainswerenowwithdrawingtothedistanthorizonwheretheystoodaround,amightyandbeautifulwall.I
wascomingdownintotheplainofGranada,thatoncehadbeenagarden.Now,north,south,east,west,itlaywar-
trampled.Oldownersweredead,menandwomen,orwere_mudexares_,vassals,orwerefled,menandwomen,allwhocouldflee,totheirkindredinAfrica.Ortheyyetcowered,menandwomen,inthebrokengarden,awaitingindividualdisaster.TheKingdomofGranadahadsins,andtheKingdomofCastile,andtheKingdomofLeon.TheMoorwasstained,andtheSpaniard,theMoslemandtheChristianandtheJew.WhohadstainstheleastorthemostGodknew——anditwasapoorinquiry.Seekthevirtuesandbindthemwithlove,eachineach!
Ifthemountainroadhadbeenlargelysolitary,itwasnotsoofthisroad.TherewerefolkenoughinthewideVegaofGranada.Clearly,asthoughtheonepartyhadbeendressedinblackandtheotherinred,theydividedintovanquishedandvictor.Bitbybit,nowthroughyears,allthesetownsandvillages,allthesefertilefieldsandboskyplaces,richandsinging,hadleftthehandoftheMoorforthehandoftheSpaniard.
InallthispartofhisoldkingdomtheMoorlaylowindefeat.InhadswarmedtheChristianandwiththeChristiantheJew,thoughnowtheJewmustleave.ThecityofGranadawasnotyetsurrendered,andtheQueenandKingheldallsoldierythattheymightatSantaFe,builtasitwereinanightbeforeGranadawalls.Yetthereseemedatlargebandsenough,licentiousandloud,thescumofsoldiery.EreIreachedthevillagethatInowsawbeforemeIhadmettwosuchbands,Iwondered,andthenwonderedatmyownwonder.
Thechiefhouseofthevillagewasbecomeaninn.Twolongtablesstoodinthepatiowherenofountainnowflowednororangetreesgrewnorbirdssangincornersnorfineawningkeptawaytheglare.Twentyofthesewildandbasefightingmencrowdedonetable,eatinganddrinking,clamorousandspoutingoaths.Attheothertablesattogetheratanendthreemenwhombyanumberoftokensmightberobbersofthemountains.Theysatquiet,indifferenttothenoise,talkinglowamongthemselvesinatongueoftheirown,kinenoughtothesoldierynottofearthem.TheoppositeendofthelongtablewasgiventoagrouptowhichInowjoinedmyself.HeresattwoFranciscanfriars,andamanwhoseemedalawyer;andonewhohadtheairoftheseaandturnedouttobemasterofaLevantine;andabrisk,talkative,importantperson,aCatalan,andasitpresentlyappearedalcaldeonceofaso-sovillage;andayoung,unhealthy-lookingmaninblackwithanopenbookbesidehim;andastrangefellowwhoseSpanishwasimperfect.
Isatdownnearthefriars,crossedmyself,andcutapieceofbreadfromtheloafbeforeme.Theinnkeeperandhiswife,agaunt,extraordinarilytallwoman,served,runningfromtabletotable.Theplacewasallheatandnoise.
Presentlythesoldiers,endingtheirmeal,gotupwithclamorandsurgedfromthecourttotheirwaitinghorses.Afterthemrantheinnkeeper,appealingforpay.Denials,expostulation,angerandbeseechingreachedtheearsofthepatio,thenthesoundofhorsesgoingdownstonyways.``OGodofthepoor!\'\'criedthegauntwoman.``Howarewerobbed!\'\'
``WhyaretheynotbeforeGranada?\'\'demandedthelawyerandalertlyprovidedtheanswertohisownquestion.
``Takelocustsandgivethemleavetoeat,beingcarefultosay,`Thisfellow\'sfieldsonly!\'Butthelocustshavewingsandtheirnatureistoeat!\'\'
Themountainrobbers,ifrobberstheywere,dinedquietly,thegauntwomanpromptlyandpainstakinglyservingthem.
Theyweregoingtopay,Iwassure,thoughitmightnotbethisnoon.
Thetwofriarsseemed,quiet,simplemen,diningasdumblyasiftheysatinSaintFrancis\'srefectory.Thesometimealcaldeandtheshipmasterwerethetalkers,thestudentsittingasthoughhewereinthedesert,eatingbreadandcheeseandonionsandlookingonhisbook.Thelawyerwatchedall,talkedtomakethemtalk,thencameinandsettledmatters.Thealcaldewasthepolitician,knowingtheaffairsoftheworldandspeakingfamiliarlyoftheKingandtheQueenandtheMarquisofCadiz.
Theshipmastersaid,``ThistimelastyearIwasinLondon,andIsawtheirKing.HisnameisHenry.KingHenrytheSeventh,andagoodcarrierofhiskingship!\'\'
``Thatforhim!\'\'saidthealcalde.``Lethimstayinhisfoggyisland!ButSpainistoosmallforKingFerdinand.\'\'
``Allkingsfindtheirlandstoosmall,\'\'saidthelawyer.
Theshipmasterspokeagain.``TheKingofPortugal\'sshipsailsaheadofoursinthatmatter.He\'sstuckhisbannerinthenewislands,MaderiaandtheHawkIslandsandwherenot!IwastalkinginCadizwithonewhowaswithBartholomewDiazwhenheturnedAfricaandnameditGoodHope.Whichistosay,KingJohnhasGoodHopeofseeingPortugalswell.Portugal!Well,Isay,`WhynotSpain\'?\'\'
Thestudentlookedupfromhisbook.``ItisagreatAge!\'\'hesaidandreturnedtohisreading.
Whenwehadfinisheddinner,wepaidthetall,gauntwomanandleavingtherobbers,ifrobberstheywere,stillattable,wentoutintothestreet.Herethefriars,thealcaldeandthelawyermovedinthedirectionofthesmall,staringwhiteandruinedmosquethatwastobetransformedintothechurchofSanJagotheDeliverer.Thatwastheonethingofwhichthefriarshadspoken.Alongbenchranbyinnwallandheretheshipmastertookhisseatandbegantodiscoursewiththosealreadythere.Bookunderarm,thestudentmoveddreamilydowntheoppositelane.JuanLepewalkedawayalone.
Throughtheremainderofthisdayhehadnowcompanyandadventurewithout,nowsolitudeandadventurewithin.
Thatnighthespentinaruinedtowerwhereyoungtreesgrewandanowlwashiscomradeandhereadthefaceofagloriousmoon.Dawn.Hebathedinastreamthatranbythemoundofthetowerandateapieceofbreadfromhiswalletandtooktheroad.
Thesunmountedabovethetrees.Amanuponamulecameupbehindmeandwaspassing.``Thereisastonewedgedinhisshoe,\'\'Isaid.TheriderdrewreinandI
liftedthecreature\'sforelegandtookoutthepebble.Theridermadesearchforabitofmoney.Isaidthatthedeedwasshortandeasyandneedednopayment,whereuponheputupthecoinandregardedmeoutofhisfineblueeyes.
Hewasquitefair,ayoungmanstill,anddressedafteramannerofhisowningarmentsnotatallnewbutwithabeautyoffashioningandputtingon.Heandhismulelookedacorneroutofagreatpainting.AndIhadnosoonerthoughtthatthanhesaid,``Iseeinyou,friend,afaceandfigureformy`DraughtofFishes.\'AndbySaintChristopher,thereiswateroveryonderandjustthelandscape!\'\'
Heleanedfromthesaddleandspokepersuasively,``Comefromtheroadabitdowntothewaterandletmedrawyou!YouarenotdressedlikethekinofMidas!I
willgiveyouthepriceofdinner.\'\'Ashetalkedhedrewoutofarichlyworkedbagabookofpaperandpencils.
Ithought,``ThisbeardandtheclothesofJuanLepe.Hecanhardlymakeitsothatanymayrecognize.\'\'Itwasrestingtimeandthemanattracted.Iagreed,ifhewouldtakenomorethananhour.
``Thedrawing,no!——Bentfarover,gatheringthenetstrongly——AndreworMarkperhaps,since,traditionally,Johnmusthaveyouth.\'\'
Hehadcontinuedtostudymeallthistime,andnowwelefttheroadandmovedovertheplaintothestreamthatherewidenedintoapoolfringedwithrushesandafewtwistedtrees.Anancient,half-sunkenboatdrowsingunderthebankhehailedagaininthenameofSaintChristopher.
Dismounting,hefastenedhismuletoawillowandproceededtoplaceme,thenhimselffoundarootofatree,andtakingouthisknifefelltosharpeningpencil.Thisdone,herestedbookagainstkneeandbegantodraw.
Havingmadehisfigureinonepostureheroseandshowedmeanotheranddrewhisfishermanso.Thenhedemonstratedathirdwayanddrewagain.Nowhewassilent,workinghard,andnowhedroppedhishand,threwbackhisheadandtalked.Hehimselfmadeapicture,palygoldoflocks,subtleandquickofface,plasteredagainstablueshieldwithawillowwreathgoingaround.
Istoodsoorso,drawingharduponthenetwiththefishes.ThenathiscommandIapproachedmorenearly,andhedrewfullfaceandthree-quarterandprofile.Itwasbetweentheseaccomplishingsthathetalkedmoreintimately.
``SeamengotoItaly,\'\'hesaid.``WereyoueverinMilan?Butthatisinland.\'\'
IansweredthatIhadbeenfromGenoatoMilan.
``ItisnotlikelythatyousawagreatpainterthereMesserLeonardo?\'\'
IthappenedthatIhaddonethis,andmoreoverhadseenhimatworkandheardhimputrightthoughtintomostrightwords.IwassotiredoflyingthatafteramomentIsaidthatIhadseenandheardMesserLeonardo.
``Didyouseethestatue?\'\'
``ThefirsttimeIsawhimhewasatworkuponit.ThenexttimehewaspaintinginthechurchofSantaMaria.
Thethirdtimehesatinagarden,sippedwineandtalked.\'\'
``Iholdyou,\'\'hesaid,``tobeafortunatefisherman!
JustasthisfisherIampainting,andwhetheritisAndreworMark,Idonotyetknow,wasamostfortunatefisherman!\'\'
Heendedmeditatively,``Thoughwhoeveritis,probablyhewascrucifiedorbeheadedorburned.\'\'
Ifeltacertainshiverofpremonition.Thedaythathadbeenwarmandbrightturnedinaflashashyandchill.Thenitswungbacktoitsfirstfairseeming,ornottoitsfirst,buttoadeeper,brighteryet.TheFishermanbyGalileewasfortunate.Whoeverperceivedtruthandbeautywasfortunate,fortunatenowandforever!
WecamebacktoMesserLeonardo.``IspentsixmonthsatthecourtinMilan,\'\'saidthefairman.``IpaintedtheDukeandtheDuchessandtwogreatcourtiers.MesserLeonardowasaway.Hereturned,andIvisitedhimandfoundamaster.SincethattimeIstudylightandshadowandsmallthingsandseekoutinneraction.\'\'
Heworkedinsilence,thenagainbegantospeakofpainters,ItalianandSpanish.HeaskedmeifIhadseensuchandsuchpicturesinSeville.
``Yes.Theyaregood.\'\'
``DoyouknowMonsalvat?\'\'
IsaidthatIhadclimbedthereoneday.``Idreamapainting!\'\'
hesaid,``TheQuestoftheGrail.NowIseeitrunningoverthefourwallsofachurch,andnowIseeitallpackedintoonemanwhorides.Thenagainithasseemedtometruertohaveitinamanandwomanwhowalk,orperhapsevenareseated.Whatdoyouthink?\'\'
IwasthinkingofIsabelwhodiedinmyarmstwentyyearsago.``Iwouldhaveitmanandwoman,\'\'Isaid.
Unless,likeMesserLeonardo,youcanputbothinone.\'\'
Hesatstill,hismindworking,whileinafairinnerlandIsabelandImovedtogether;theninameditativequiethefinishedhisdrawing.Hehimselfwasadmirable,finegoldandbronze,sapphire-eyed,withafacewherestreamsofvisionsmovedthemuscles,andallagainsttheblueandthewillowtree.
Atlastheputawaypencil,andathisgestureIcamefromtheboatandthereeds.Ilookedatwhathehaddrawn,andthenheshutbookand,themulefollowingus,wemovedbacktotheroad.
``Mydearfisherman,\'\'hesaid,``youaretrudgingafootandyourdressexhibitspoverty.PaintersmaypaintJovedescendinginshowersofgoldenpesosandyethavefewpesosinpurse.Ihaveatpresentten.Ishouldliketosharethemwithyouwhohavedonemevariousgoodturnsto-day.\'\'
Isaidthathewasgenerousbutthathehaddonemegoodturns.MoreoverIwasnotutterlywithoutcoin,andcertainlythehourhadpaidforitself.Sohemountedhismuleandwishedmegoodfortune,andIwishedhimgoodfortune.
``AreyougoingtoSantaFe?\'\'
``Yes.Ihaveafriendinthecamp.\'\'
``IgotheretopaintherHighnesstheQueenforhisHighnesstheKing.Perhapsweshallmeetagain.IamManuelRodriguez.\'\'
``Iguessedthat,\'\'Ianswered,``anhourago!Besogood,greatpainter,asnottorememberme.Itwillservemebetter.\'\'
Thelightplayedagainoverhisface.``_TheDisguisedHidalgo_.Excellentpicturescometomelikethat,inagreatwarmlight,andexcellentnamesforpictures——Verygood.
Inaway,sotospeak,Ishallcompletelyforgetyou!\'\'
Twoonhorseback,achurchmanandaknight,withservantsfollowing,camearoundabendofthedustyroadandrecognizingManuelRodriguez,calledtohimbyname.
Awayherodeuponhismule,keepingcompanywiththem.
Thedozenintheirtrainfollowed,raisingastheywentbysuchadustcloudthatpresentlyallbecamelikefiguresuponwornarras.TheyrodetowardSantaFe,andIfollowedonfoot.
CHAPTERIV
SANTAFerosebeforeme,acampinwood,plasterandstone,acampwithapalace,acampwithchurches.
Builtofapiecewherenotownhadstood,builtthatMajestyanditsCourtanditsArmymighthaveroofsandwalls,nottents,forsolongasiege,itcoveredtheplain,acityraisedinanight.Thesiegehadbeenlongasthewarhadbeenlong.HidalgoSpainandsimpleSpainweregatheredhereingreatsquaresandribbonsofvalor,ambition,emulation,desireofexcitementandoflivelihood,andlikewise,Isayit,inpiecesnotsmall,herdedandbroughtherewithoutany``Isayyes\'\'oftheirown,andtotheirmisery.
Thereheldfullflavorofcrusade,asallalongthewarhadbeenpreachedasacrusade.HolyChurchhadhereherowngrandees,cavaliersandfootmen.Theyworecopeandtheyworecowl,andonoccasionmanyenduedthemselveswitharmorandhackedandhewedwithanearthlysword.
Attimesthereseemedasmanyfriarsandpriestsassoldiers.
OutandinwentagreatQueenandKing.Theircourtwashere.ThechurchmenpressedaroundtheQueen.FamousleadersputonortookoffarmorinSantaFe,——theMarquisofCadizandmanyothersonlylessthanheinestimation,andoneDonGonsalvodeCordova,whosegreaterfamewasyettocome.Militaryandshiningyouthcametotrainandfightunderthese.Oldcaptains-at-arms,gauntandscarred,madetheirwaythitherfromafar.AllwerenotSpaniard;manyasoldieroutatfortuneorwishfuloffamecamefromFranceandItaly,evenfromEnglandandGermany.
WomenwereinSantaFe.TheQueenhadherladies.Wives,sistersanddaughtersofhidalgoscametovisit,andthecommonsoldieryhadtheirmates.Nordidtherelackcourtesans.
Pettymerchantsthrongedtheplace.Allmannerofrichgoodswereboughtbytheflushedsoldiers,thehighandthelow.Andtheredwelledhereahostofthosewhosoldentertainment,——mummersandjugglersandsingers,dwarfsandgiants.Dicerattled,nowtherewerecastanetsanddancing,andnowchurchbellsseemedtorocktheplace.
Wineflowed.
OutoftheplainaleagueandmoreawaysprangthetwohillsofGranada,andprickedagainstthesky,herwallsandthousandtowersandnoblegates.BetweenthemandSantaFestretchedopenandruinedground,andhereformanyadayhadshockedtogethertheSpaniardandtheMoor.Butnowtherewasnolongerbattle.Granadahadaskedandbeengrantedseventydaysinwhichtoenvisageandacceptherfate.Thesewerenearingtheend.Lostandbeaten,haggardwithwoeandhungerandpestilence,thecitystoodoveragainstus,abovethenakedplain,allheroutergardensstrippedaway,barelightstrikingtheredAlhambraandtheCitadel.WhenthewindsweptoverherandontoSantaFeitseemedtobringasoundofwailingandthefaintandterribleodorofalongbesiegedplace.
IcameateveintoSantaFe,foundatlastaninnofthepoorersort,atescantsupperandwenttobed.Dawncamewithagreatringingofchurchbells.
Outoftheinn,inthethrobbingstreet,IbeganmysearchforDonEnriquedeCerda.Onetoldmeonethingandoneanother,butatlastIgottruedirection.AtnoonIfoundhiminagoodlyroomwherebemaderecoveryfromwounds.
Nowhewalkedandnowhesat,hisarminaslingandabandagelikeaturbanaroundhishead.ApagetookhimthewordIgave.``JuanLepe.Fromthehermitageintheoakwood.\'\'Itsufficed.WhenIenteredhegazed,thencomingtome,puthisunboundhandovermine.``Why,\'\'
heasked,```JuanLepe\'?\'\'
Iglancedtowardthepageandhedismissedhim,whereuponIexplainedthecircumstances.
Wesatbythewindow,andagainroseforusthehermitageintheoakwoodatfootofamountain,andthesmalltowerthatslewinuglyfashion.Againwewereyoungmen,togetherinstrangedangers,learningthereeachother\'smettle.Hehadnotatallforgotten.
HeofferedtogotoSeville,assoonasGranadashouldfall,andfindandfightDonPedro.Ishookmyhead.I
couldhavedonethathadIseenitastheway.\'\'
HeagreedthatDonPedrowasnowtheminorperil.Itiseviltochainthought!Inourdaywethinkboldlyofanumberofthings.ButtouchKingortouchChurch——thecordisaroundyourneck!\'\'
IsaidthatIsupposedIhadbeenrash.
Henodded.``Yes.Youwererashthatdayintheoakwood.Lessrash,andmyboneswouldbelyingthere,undertree.\'\'Heroseandwalkedtheroom,thencametomeandputhisunhurtarmaboutmyshoulders.``DonJayme,wesworethatdaycomradeloveandservice——andthatdayisnow;twilighthasnevercometoit,theleavesoftheoakwoodhaveneverfallen!TheHolyOfficeshallnothavethee!\'\'
``DonEnrique——\'\'
Wesatdownanddrankeachalittlewine,andfelltowaysandmeans.
