Title The Life of Lazarillo de Tormes His Fortunes and Adversities

Author(s) Hanamura, Tetsuo

Citation (1956), 13: 105-172

Issue Date 1956-12-05

URL http://hdl.handle.net/10252/3534

Rights

This document is downloaded at: 2012-11-09T11:20:55Z

Barrel - Otaru University of Commerce Academic Collections

ThelifeofLazarillodeTormes (105)

`TheLifeofLazarillodeTormes

IlisFortunesandAdversities,,

TetsuoHanamura

"LavidadehazailldeT mesydesusf tunaSyadvesidades"

ap edan6nymulyTh tyw fistpublishdin1554in

Burgos,AlcalaandAntwerpandwasimmediatelysuccessful,butwas

probablywrittene{irlier.Fiveyear81ateritwasbImnedbytheInquisi

tion,butitneverthelesscontiIIuedtobercpriIIted,withsomexpur

=gation8inSpain,andinisentiretyinothercountries.A8sucessive

xlitionsappeared,thelittlebookworkeditselfpermanentlyintothe

liteaturenotonlyofSpainbutoftheresoftbewold.

A8totheauthorshipnothingitiveisknown.We(mnonly

lnferthattheauthorwasamallofscantcultureandconsiderable

ommonsense,asincerereformer,keeh1alivetoabusesNVithinchurch

andse.HeseemstohavehvedinToledoandohavesympahiz(,(l

wihagroupofErastiainswhostrovetoreform.thechurchwithin.

Heprobablyconcealedhisident1yil}ordertoavoidanpunishmellt

-thatmightbemetedoutbythelnquisition
.

ThepicaresquenovelisacontibutpnofSpaiu.Itistruethat

therehadapPearedworkssomewhasimilarinnareinothercoullties

satirizingthesocialclasses .Theimalepic,represelltedbytheRoma

46Renardwashighlyrealisticinitspresentationofhumanfoibles.

TheArabianNg'3,Entertainmentfumishedmanyexamplesof

suddenshiftsoffortuneandsuggetedvariouspicaresqueelements.So

:aresomeoftheworksofenryF{elding,T.GeorgeSmollettalldLe
(106)

Sage.ButitwasreservedforSpaintoproducethefir8tgreatrogue

nove1.Ithadbeenforeshadowedil1' 1 odbuenalorofJuan

RuizandreacheditsfullbloominLa2ariodeTormes.

TheLagarillomarkdt}lefirstoffieialaPl)earanceofthepica-

resquenovelandhero.Thenwhatisthepicaresquellovel?Itisa

novelwhosecharacersaredrawnfromthatparticularclassofpeople.

oflowbirthorfa11eninstaion,whohaveaallohers,expenser

deliberatelyplacedthemselvesbeyondthepaleof80cialconventionand

law,andkeepthemselvesalivebysheertrickery,bythefertilityofanL

unscupulousiaginatio .SuehadventuesareinSpain,Picaro.ln

otherwords,thisstylefnarratinisansatiicalsuveyfsciety

presentedinanautobiographicform.A.ccordingtotheWebster7sNew

WoldDctionay,apicaresquenoveldealswichdeepwittedvagabondsand

theirroguishadventures,andde8ignatesastyleoffictionotiginating,

inSpainandLavillgaroguish}1erO.

Theword"picaresque,,wasscarecelyknoWnbeorethesecolldhalf

ofthe8ixteenthcenturyTheLagarioitselfdoesnotcontainitIn

spiteofthat,thenovelpreservesforusthemoscompleeaccounof

thepicaresqueworld.

Thisgenreofliteratureccu)existexistonlyillasocietythatisih

anunsatisfactorymoralalldeconomic'state.Asaresultoftheincessan

wafae,Snfthesixteence ywasp,jnspiefheiches

thatcamefrombeyondtheseas.Inadditionot}1isI)overty,the

maladministrionbroughtoutaprofounddisrbanceinsocialcohditi-

ons.'Thisstateofaffairsincreasedthenumberofloafersandcriminals.
`

TheimmediatecaUSefOthecOmpOSitiOnOfhiSimpOrtantrOgue

rolnanceremahlsobscure,butwecaneasilyimaginethattheLazaril1(

clerlysprangfromthismorallyalldeconmicallysicksociety,manyo

'

TheIifeofLazarillodeTormes(107)

theevilsofwhichireflecswihstrikhlgvividlless

ThestoryisdividedilltoseventratadesorchaptersTheIazarillo

re1#teshisbirth,hischildhoodalldhisstaywithhedifferenmasters,

whomheserved;thebliIldman,theclergymanofMaqneda,thepoor

hidalgo,theMercenarianfriar,thesellerofbuIls,thechaplainandthe

bailiff.Th6third-ch)teristhethegemofhewholenovel,because

thecharacter"esudero"orsquirepeculiartothesixteenthcentury

Spafnisvividlydepicted.Thefurfina1haptesaesuspiciusly

shortalldrevealthehandoftheI)ruller.

Thfsworkisirollicalldsarcasticintone,ratherhalldidacicor

oralizin9Whatmadethisworkwil}suchpopularity?This

isbecausethetalewasullfoldedil1hefirspersollsingular,hena

noveldevice;idepicedtheweaknessofhumannarewhichfew

dareduterandsatirizeseachofthesocialclasseswithwhomLazarro

camentcntact;thecharacersaresovividlydepicteda8tonakeus
'

almostSeeandhearthem.

HispersonagesIivealldconveyallimpressionorrealityunequa11ed

inanySpanishnovelsotherthanCelestinaor1)o"Quixote.

SmemainnthatLa2ariohasthealertsimplicityofstye,

butIthinkitisclumsyndobscure,andtherearesevera11)assageson

whichscholarshaveneverbeellinagreementastotheexactlneanin9.

IhavetriedtoillterpretasbestIcouldolltheseambiguousPoihts.

Moreover,thisworkisoneoftheSpanishClas8ics,eselltellcescompared

withModemSpanish,areinmoscaseslengthydue efrequent

useoftheconjuncion.Rowever,Ihavetrallslaedverbatininorder

tobefaihfultotheorigillalatt}1esacrificeofthebrevitwhichis

characteristicoftheEnglis}1]Lem1gugUage.

IncaSethepunperiSheShltranSlatiOn,iti8heeaUiSelhaVe
(108)

rendexeditilltoEnglishfreely.Ihol)emypresenttranslationretains

atleastsomeoftheflavouroft}1eoriginal.

!PROLOGUE

Iconsideritfittiugthatanthingremarkableperhaps1everbefore

heardofIlorseel1shouldcometotheknowledgeofmanyandnobe

buriedir}thesepulcherofoblivion,foritisPossiblethatsomebody

whoreadsitmayfindsomehiIlgtopleasehimalldthosewhodono

scrgtinizekeenlymaybedelighted.

Alldillthisconneotion,Plinysaystllathereisnobook,however

baditmaybe,buthassomethingofprofit.Especially,allmen's

tastesarenotthesame;whatonedoesnotwanteat,othersmay

haveirresistiblepassionfor.Andsoweseethatmanythingsscorned

bysomearenotsoregardedbyothers.Mopinionissimplythat

nothingshouldbedestroyedordiscarded,'butthatitoughttobe

impartedtoeverybody,especi311ysincesomethingfruitfulmaybe

obtainedfromitandthatwit}10utallyilljuy.

Ifitwerenotso,veryfewwouldtrytopleaseonlyoneI)erson,

sinceonedoesnotwritewithouteffor;andtheyvant,whenthey

havebeentbroughitoberewardednotwithmoneybutbyhaving

theirworksseenandread,andiftherebeanycause,tobepraised.

r['uli
mm
nti thi epecti Hnubeedtht .

WhothillksthathesoldierwhoisfirstogoupaIadderhasan

abhorrenceofIivil19?Ofcoursenot;ratheritisthedesireforpraise

thatiInpelshimtoruIllheriskAndsoitgoesiIItheartsalldiIl

Iierre.Atheologica18tudentwhoisabouttoreceivehisdegree

preachesveryweI1,andletusassumethatheisasinceremanwho

cravesfothebenefitofsouls;bujusaskhimwhetherhefeels
ThelifeofLazatiliodeTormes(109)

np1)aqnttha,hi1itnesex1im,Oh,hwmav1uslyyu

Reverencehasdolleit:"Mr.Soandsojoustedverywretchedlyina

tournamentollhorsebackandgehiscoatofarmstothewagbecause

theIatterpraisedhimforhavinghandledlancesverywe.Wha

wouldtheknighthavedolleifthewaghadtoldhimtketruth?

Everythinggoesinthismalmer,sinceIconfessthatIamIlomore

saintlythanmyfellwwiers;theefrelshuldfeelnounpleasant-

nessifallthosewhofindsomethingpleasurableinthistrifleofa

book,writeniIIsnchacrudesyIe,wouldreaditwithenjoymentand

learnthattherelivesamanofsuchfortuIles,dangersandadversities.

Ibegyoutoacceptthispoorpleceofworkfromthehandofone

whowouldhaveproducedanicerworkifhisabilityanddesirelnad

eellollahigherleve1.Andsinceyouhaverequestedmetowrite

yu{tndrelateabumycaLeinde,itseemedbesttmenotto

beginatthemiddle,buatthebegillning80thatyoulnayhavethe

intimateknowlodgeofmycharacter.Also,1etthosewhohaveinherited

handsomepropery,butareunabletoelljoytheirrichesbroodaboutthc

wayFornehasmistreatedthemalldcollsiderhowmuchmorethose

hvdnwh,1thughF lewasntinthifv eathd

portbydinofrowinghardalldskilfu11y.

C}[APTERONIi

LazaroTellstheSoryofHisIifeandBirh

Wellthel1,Iwal1youoknowrstofa11tha heycallme

LazarodeTormes,hesollofTomeGonzalesandofAntollaPerez,

whowerenaivesofTelares,avilIagenearSalalnanca.Mybirthtook

Plaeinth iv T mes,f mwhihIt kmysunam.Thisis

howioccurred.MyfathermayGodforgivehissillsmadeithisJob
Q
(110),.

toIookafterthemillinginawatermillwhichstandsonthebankof

thatriver,whereheworkedformorethanfifteenyearsasmiller.One

:nightwhenmyotherwasinthewatermilI,beingnpregantwithme,

shefelt1abourpains,andgavebirthto'me.SoIcansaywlth

eonfidencethatIwasbornintheriver.

Well,whenIwasaboyofeightyears,theyaccusedmyfatherof

pilferingthebagsofthosewhobroughtthemtheretohavetheir

grainground.Onthisclargehewasarrested;heconfessedariddid

notdcnytheblame,sufferingpersecutionforrighteousness'sake.I

praytoGodthatheisinGlory,sincetheg6speltellsus,``blessedare

theywhicharepersecutedforrighteousness,sake',.Onthatoccasiona

certahnex]peditionagainsttheMoorswasmade,andsinceatthattime

myfathevwasbanishedbecauseofthemisfortunealreadymentionedhe

tookpartinitasmuleteerforagentlemanwhohad .iolnedthe

expedition,andasafaithfulservallt,}1eendedhislifebesidehis

maser.

Mywidowedmother,beingwithouthusbandandprotection,

decidedtQassocilteherselfwithgoodpeopleasshewasoneofthem

herself.Soshecametothecitytolive,rentedasmallhouseand

begantodothecookingforoertaillstudentsandwashingtheclothes

ofcertaingroomsoftheknightcommallderofLaMagdalena.Accord

inglysheoftenvisitedthestables.

Sheandatawnyman,oneofthosethattookcaeofthebeasts,

becameacquainted.Thisfellowwouldoftencometoourhouse

andgobackinthemoming.Sometimeshewouldcometothedoor

underthepretextofbuying.eggsandwouldenterthehouse.Whellhe

firstcame,Idislikedhimandwasfrightenedbyhiseolorandbadtaste.

Butwheulsawthatwithhisarrivalthefaeimproved,lkegantolike

The
.lif f arilldT m'(111)

himwel1,forhealwaysbroughtbread,piecesofmeatandinwinter

firewoodwithwhichwewarmedour)lves.

Theefoeastheintimacywitheachthecnti ued,mymthe

finallygavemeacuteanddarklittlenegro'whomIusedtodandle

alldhelptowarm.AndIrememberthatwhenmystepfatherwas

playingwiththebaby,seillgthatmymotherandIwerewhiteand

hisfaherwasnot,heranawayfromhimtomymothef.Pointing

withthefingerathim,hesajd,``Mama,bugaboo!"Hea swered

laughing,``Sollofharlot,,

ThoughIwasquiteabo,mylittlebrother,utteranceofthat

worddeeplymovednealldIsaidtomyself,``Howmanypeoplethere

mustbewhorunawayfromothersbecausetheycah,tseethemselves!,,

U11fortuIlatelythemiscollductwithZaide,fort}1athewascalled,

reachedt}eearsofthestewardwho,whellaninvestigationhadbeen

made,fou1dthatabouthalfofthebarleygivenhlmforthehorsewas

stolenby.him;andhepretendedthatbral1,firewood,currycombs,

aprolls,blallketsalldhorsecoverswerelost.A1dwhellIloohert}in9

couldbefoundtosteal,heunshodthehorses
.VNithallthesehe

hastelledto .mymotherobringupInylit1ebrother.

ItishardlytobewollderedthataprfestWillstealfro thepoor,

rafriarwi11sealfromotherhousesforhisfemaledevoteesinorder

tohe11)hiscompanion,collsiderillgthefactthatevellaPoo8slaveis

driventothisextreme .'

AIIIhavesaidwasprovedandevellmore,becausetheyquestiolled

mewihthreatsandlike
.achildIanswered;IdisclosedeverythingI

knewfromfeafevellabouteertainhorseshoesWhichIhadsoldtoa

"bJacksmithatmymother,sbidding.

TheywhippedahdscaldedmypoorstepfatherwithbOilingfat.
(12)

Asformother,theyimposedpenaltyforju8tice,ssake,inadditionto

t}1eusual}iundredlashes,thatshecouldnotbeallowedtoenterthe

houseoftheabovementionedknightcommander,norwasshetoreceive

pitifulZaideatherhouse.Notto}1avearunofillluck,thesad

womanbracedierselfandacceptedtheverdict.Toavoiddangerand.

gossip,shewelltoworkforthosewhowerelivingatthattimeatan

inncalledSolana.Thereundergoillgallsortsoftroubles,shemanaged

tobringupmylittlebrothertothepointwhereheknewhowtowalk

andmetoayouugladwhowouldgoafterwineandcandlesforthe

guestswhowerestingattheinnorwhateverelsetheymig1torder.

Atthistimeablindman(anetostopattheinn.Ashethought

mesuitableforhisguide,heaskedmymotherformeandsheleftme

inhi8ds,saylngthatIwasthesonofagoodmanwho,inorder

topropagatetheFah,had'diedinthebattleofGelves,andthatshe

trustedtr)GodthatIshouldnotbecomeworsethanmyfather.S

sheimploredtheblindmantotreatmewellandl kaiterme,frI

wasanorphan.HerepliedthathewouIddosoandwouldtakem

notforhisserVantbuthisson.ThusIbegai toserveaidgudemy

newlyacquiredoldmaster. .

WhenwehadbeeninSalaman(raforseveraldays,mymaster,

havingfoundthathecouldnotgetgainselloughtosatisfyhim
,,

determinedtogoaway.Onthedayofmydeparture,Iwel}ttosee

mymother,andbOthofusweeping,shegavemetheblessingandsaid,

"Myson
,IknowthatIshallseeyounomore.Trytobegoodand

mayGodguldeyou,Ihavebroughtyouupuntiltodayandprovided-

youwithagoodmaster.Goodbye.,,

ThusIwenttomymasterwhowaswaitingforme.

WeleftSalamallcaandcametothebridge,attheeritranceofwhich
ThelifeofrazaillrodeTormes(113)

therewasanstonecarvedanimalhavingalmostheappearanceofa.

bul1.TheblindmanorderedmetogoneartheanimalandwhenIdid,

hesaidtome, azaro,putyourearothebullandyouwillheara,

greatnoiseinsideit:Inaivelywelltuptoit,believingthatitmust

beso.WhenhegotscenthatIhadmy
,headclosetothestone,

elenchillgthefisttightlyhegavemyheadsuchaharshblowagahlst

thedevilishbuIlthatthepainoftheblgwlastedmeformorethan

threedays.Hesaidtonle,``Youdunce,remeberthis;Ablindman's

boyustbealittlebitwiserthanthedevil,andhelaughedatthe

jest.

ItseemedtomeathatmomenIawokefromthesi1nplicityin

whichIhadbccnsleepingasachild.Isaidto1nyself,``Thisfellow

isright,becauseheawakenedme,opelledmyeyesandenlightenedme

tobeonthealertandtoconsiderhowIshallbeabletotakecareof

myself8inceIamalone.Webegantogoonourwayandinafew

days}letaughnethieves,eant.FindingthatIwasbrigh,hewa8

muchdelighedalldsaidtome,``1(ungiveyouneithergoldnor

silver,butI'wi11eachyoualotofhinsforliving.

Aditprovedexaetlyso,fornexttoGodhegavemelife;andi

althoughhei8blindheopenedmkmind'seyeandguidedlmehowto

getoninthewOrld.

Iamgladtotellyouaboutheserivialaffairshlordertoshow

howlnuehvirtueisinmellkllowinghowtorisewheyaredown,and

howviciousitistoallowthemselvestosinkwhenheyareexalted.

We11,torerntomygoodblindal1,Ishouldlikeyoutoknow

tllat,bygivinganaceountofhisaffairs,hehasneermadeamore

a8tueormoresagaciousm3nsinceGodcreatedtheworld.Hewa8a

eagleathisPursuit.Helearntbyheartahundredprayer8andmore.
114)

Hehadalowtoneofvoice,calmanderyresonantfhatmadethe

churchwheehewasprayingesound;whenhewasPayinghe

assumeda ,dignifiedattitudeandworeahumbleanddevoutIook

withoutmakillggesturesorgrimaceswithhiseyesandmouthas

otherSusuallydo.

Besidesthis,hehadathousandothermeansandwaysoftaking

moneyoutofpeople.Hesaidheknewinanyeffectiveprayersfor

womenw}10hadnoexperienceofpregnancy;forthosewhowereil)

'travail;forunhapPymarriedwomelltomaketheirhusbandslove

themmore.Hewoulddevineforthethepregnantwomenwhethershe

wascarryingasonoradaughter.Astomedicine,hesaidthateven

GalendidnotknowthehalfofwhaheknewabOutmolars,faintings

.andfemaleills.Inbrief,nobodytoldhimthathewassufferingfro

anyillnesswithoutbeingtold Dothis,ordothat,getthisorthat

herb,takesuchandsucharoot,,.

Forthisreasoneverybodyfollowedhim,esFeciallywomen,and

believedallhetoldthem.Fromthemhesweatedagreatdealof

moneywiththedeviceswhichIhavementionedandmadeaIarger

profitinamonththanahundredblindmenwouldinayear.

Iwishalsoyoutoknowthat,withallthatheobtainedandset

aside,IhaveIleverseensoavariciousadniggardlyafeUowbefore.so

muchsothathealmoststarvedmetodeath,yetnotsharemewhat

Iwanted.Thisisdovnrighttrue,andiflhadl}otknownhowto

makeupforitwithmysubtletyanddexterousfeats,18houldhave

diedofhungermanytimes.Butinspiteofallhiswitsandshrewdness

Iouwittedhiminsuehawaythatalwaysormostofthetim.e,the

biggestandbestpartofthefoodmightcometomyhands.For

thislplayedwickedjokesonhim
,notinallcaseswithouthamto
1!hejifeofLazar110deTormes(115)

myself.SomeofthemIshalltellyou.

Healwaysearriedbreadandallotllerthingsinalinenbagthe

mouthofwhichwa8fatenedwithaIargeironrillgsecuredbypadlock

andke.Andhltakingthesethingsinandouhewssocarcful

andcountedsowellthatpobodyinheworldcouldhavebeenableto

8tealevellacrumb.Iusedtoeatbutthemerepittancehegaveme,

whichIfinishedinIessthantwomouthifuls.

Ascertainingthathehadlogkedthcpadlockandwascareless,

thinkingthatIwasattending
,tootherthings,t}ronghalitteseamon

ollesideoftheba,whichIrippedopenandsewedagain,Iwould

piIfOrthecoveablebag,takingoutbread,110tmea8uredquantities,but

largepieoec,batchesofbaconandsausage.InthiswayIwaitedfora

goodopPortunitytomakegoodnotthepointinthegameofpelota

butthedevilishwantw}ichhewickedblilldmancausedmeosuffer.
*(1)
.AllthatIcouldfiltchandrobwaskeptinhalfblacas

Whenhewasrequesedtoprayhewasgivenablancaasa

reward.Ashewasdeprivedofeyesight,iwasnosooner
.proffered

thanIthrewitintomymouthandahalfblancareadyinstead.So

thathoweverquicklyheheldouthishand,hisremunerationwasalread}

reducedbymymoneychangingtohalfitsvalue.Thebadblindman

omplainedbeseheknewlatebythetouchthatitwasnota

ole oandhewouldsay,"Whatthedeuceisthis?Sinceyou

havebeenwithme,theyhavegivellmeonlyhalfblancas,while
*2)
beforetheypaidmeinfullblan`aandoftenaza7aedi.Thisill

luckisattributabletoyou.,,

Sohewould8kipovertheprayeranddidnotperformhalfof

(1)ASpanishcinftheperi{x1 fverysmallva1ue

(2)anoldSpanishcoin
(116)

ibecnuse
.hehadorderedmethatwhentheper80nwtawayw}1

hadaskedhimtpray,tpu11the fhishoodedcloak.Ad80

1woulddo.Soonhewouldbeginshouting,8aying,``Whowould
.like

tohavemesaysuchandsuchaprayer?astheyarewonttOsay

Heusedtoputasmalljugofwinenearhimwhenheate.

wouldquicklygraspit,kissacoupleofimesadreturnittOi

place8ilently.Butthis8tatedidnotla8tlong,sineebeforelonghe

be(umeawareoftheshortagemadebymysips,amdaftertinorder

tokeephiswinesafeneverletthejuggoofhim;onthecontrary}1

graspedittightlyonhe})andleBunomagnetha8everattraoted80

8tnglyasa1ngy wwhihlhadmdf th up e.'I

putitintothemouhofthejugandsuckupthewinetoafare well.

Thetraitor,however,wassoastutethathemusthavefoundmytrick..

Fromthenon,hechangedhi8tactics:Setgthejugbetweenhis

1egs,heoovereditwiththehandandinthiswaydrankin8afety

AsIwaswhollygivenuptothetasteofwine,1vasdyingforit

Seeingthattheevildesignwithhestrawwouldnolongerbeof

avai1,IfinallythoughtofmakingaIittledraininthebottOmofthe

jug,tObecoveredgkifullywithaerysmallcakeofwax.At

mealtime,pretendingbecold,Icreptbetweenthelegsofthispoor

blindmaltowarmmyselfatthefaintfirethatwehad.1'heheatof

thesoone1edthewax,becauseitwasalittlepiece,andthe

ittledrainbegantodripintomymouth,whichIheldin8ucha

posrethatnothblesseddropwaslost.Whenthepoorblindbegan

todrk,therewa8nothingleftini.

Hewa8quitea8tonished:cursed,uttereddamnedwordsothe

jugandthewine;heddnotlmoww}1atOdo.

``Don,tyousay
,uncle,thatIamheonewhohasbeendrinking,,"
ThelifeofLazarillo'deTormes(117)

said,``becauseyouddnotletgoyourhand.

Afterpa8singhisfinger80 eritagainandagain,hefoundthe

holeandsawthepointNevertheless,heptetendedasifhehadnever

noticeditThentheverynextdayIsatdowntosupoffmyjuga8

usua1,unawareofthedangerthatawaitedme,notrealizingthatthe

,ldblindmanknew."hileIwashavingthosesweetsipping8withmy

headbaekandwithmyeyesalittleclosedforlastingadelicious

:quor,thedesperteblilldmanthoughtithightimefor1imtorevenge.

Withllhis ght,liftingtsweetyetbitterlugwithbothofhis

hands,heletitfalldowlluponmymouth.ConsequentlypoorIzaro,1

wasl(expetedofthisand
,asonotheroc ons,wa8carelesslygiven

tothegoodta8teofheliquor
.Tru1 it8eemedtometheheavenwith

dinithadfallendownonme
.Thegentlelhtleblowwas8uohthati

dazedandknockedmesenselessandtheblowwithajugwas801arge

thatthepieSOfhejUg90tintOmyfaee
,CUttingmeinmany

;plaeesandbreakingmyteeth.Iamtoothles8untiltodayforthat.

Fromthatti1eIhate(1tlatbadblindmanandalthoug}1heliked

'me
,tr{dmekindlycuredme,clearlydidIseethathehadbeen

delightedwiththeoruelpunishment.Hewasedwithwinethewound

whichhehehadillflictedonmewiththepiecesofthejugandd

,ihng,"Whatisyouropinion,ILeearo?Theveryhing adeyou

siCkh(youandresoresyourhea]th
."andotherswittyremarks

ichwerenottomyte.

AfterIwashalfrecooveredfrommyblackfloggingalldwale8,I

knewthatafewmoresuohblowswouldputanendtome;801

decidedorunawayfromhim,butnotso800n
,forIwantedtodoso

withoutmoreharmtomyselfand,tom)advatitage.AlthoughI

wantedtosoftenmyfeelingsandpardonhi8blowwit}1ajug
,hatwas

(118)

impossibleconsideringtheilltreatmenthehasdonelnesincetha

time.Hemaltreatedmewithoutanycauseorreasoll,givingbum n

myheadandpuingmyhair.Ifsomeoneaskedhimwhyhetreated

mesobadly,hewouldthentellabouttheineidentofthejugand.

say,``Iwonderifyouthinkthisboyofmineaninnocentone?Then

listentomeahdseeifyouthinkisotofevilschemecouldbe

designedevenbythcdevil. .

ThosewhoheIrdthestorywouldcrossthemselvesandsRy;``1.ook:

whowouldthhkoutsuchasmallboyasthissoruined?,,Andthey

'wouldlaugh
attheartificeaudI)resshim,``Punishhim,foryouwill.

getyourrewardfrolnHeaven".,

Trulyhedidnothingbutontheiradvioe.InregardforhiscrueI

t,lwuldtakhimintntin11ynthw6 t adin dtdit-

esShim;iftherewere'stohes,overthem;iftllere'wasmud,throughthe

deepestpart,alt'houghIdidn6tgothroughthedriestpartmyself.It

Pleasedmetos][nasholleeyeoflnyown'in6rderthatImightfurther

injurehistwoblindones.T}lereuponhewouldouchwiththeendof

hiscaneon,thebackofmy,head,wllichcametobealwaysfuof

bumpsandnearlyhairwasnearlyI)uedoubyhishandsAnd

althoughIsworethatIaeted,notoutofspitebutonlybecauseIcould.

notfindabetterroad,myoathsdidmenogoodandhedidhottrust

me,suchwasthehtuitionahdsharl)understandingoftheraSca1.

lnorderthatyoumayunderstandhowsagaciousthisthisastute
blindmanwas,lshallrelateyouoneexampleoutofmanythat

happenedtohimandme,whichIthinkwillrevealhiscunnings.

WhenweIeftSalaman(ra,hisintentionwastogotoToledo,be(}ausehe

8aidthatpeopIewerericher,althoughnotverycharitable.Herelied

uponthisproverb:"Thehardofheartgivemorethanthenaked."We
ThelifeofLazarillodLormes(119)

wentollourwaytoToledoforourlobviathebe8tplaces.We

stoppedwherewewerewelconedalldouldgetagoodincome;where

wecouldnot,wemvedawayonthethidday.

IthapPendtw(etaplaeralledAhnxwhenthey

weregatheringgrapesandtllevintagergavetheblindmanabunchof

grapesasalms.Asthegrapesinthebasketwereusuallyroughly

handledanda11themrebe(nusetheywereveryripeathetime,the-

bunchfella'parthlhishand,andspoiIedwhatevert}1eycamein

ntactwith.Hee9lved,therefoe,thaveafenoonlybecause

hecouIdnocarryi,bualsobausehewishedtop1)aLaeme,forthat

dayhehad1edmewithkicksandblows.Wesatonawa11,{md

hesaid,"Now,IwanttoshowaIittleliberalitytowardyo.We

arebothgoingtoeatthi8bunchofgral)es,andIwantyoutohav{>

aslargeashareasIhave.Weshalldivideitinthisway:Youwill

pickonetime,andIshallPlckqnotherprovfdedyouptoMisemeIlot

totakemorethanohegapeatatime.Ishalldothe8ameunti1.

wefinishthemandinthiswaytherewi11bellodeceit."

Thu8theagreementwasmade,andwebegan.Butonhissecond

ttirn,thisvnlainchangedhisplanandbegantopicktwobytwo,,

thnkillgthatImustbedoingthesame.WhenIsawthathebroke

theagreeme lwasnotconte oeatatanevenpasewithhim,bu

Ihurriedtogetaheadofhim,eatingwo,hreebythreeasfa8tasI

could.Whenwehadfinisd,heremainedalittlewhilewiththestem

illhishad;alldmovillghishandhesadtome,``]Lazar youhave

deceivedme.IswearontheTestamentthatyouatethegrapesthree

bythree."

`61didn,t
,,,saidI.``Butwhydoyoususpectthat?

Answeredtheveryshrcwedblind1nan.``DoyouknowhowIknow
(120)

thatyouheatenthemthreebythree?WileIatethemtwoby

two,youdidnotcomplain"

IIaughedtomyselfandalthoughIwasachild,Iwassurprised

tonotieewhata8hrewedobservationtheblindn}anhad

Inordernottobeomediffuse,1efainedfromrelatingyoumany

episdesbthfunnyandwpthyfntethathapPend'whi1Iat(

inconertwiththi8firstmasterofmine.ButlwtoteUyouhow

Ibadefarewelltohimandwithtmakeanendofhis8tory.

Wewereatatavern.inthevillageoftheDukeofEs(ralona.The

blindman ,11adgivenmeapieoeofsausagetoroagtforhim;as80011

asthesausagewasbastedanddone,hesoPthedripPingswitha

chunkofbreadandatetlem.presentlyhetookamaravedifromhis

purseandtoldmetogoforwineTherascaldevisedansituation,

they,whichwouldtemptmetothieveandputitjnstbefore

myyes.ThissiaapPaedneathfieinthef m(>f-asma11

rnip.Itwa8solongandwieredthatitmusthavebeenhrown

awaybau8eitwasunsuitablefOrstew.

AtthatmomentonlyheandIwereintheroom.Myappetite

hadsharpenedwhenImStedtheflavorofthesavoysausage;which

tistelknewwouldbeallthatlwuldbepermittrltenjoy.So

eagerwasItosati8fymyapeti,11ayasideallfearwhichmight

p)sblyemelateron.Whileheblindmanwastakingmoneyout

ofthepur,18natchedthesau8ageandveryquicklyputtheabOe.

mentionedturniponhespitMymastergavememoneyforwine,

an(ltooktheturnipandbegantoturnroundandroundoverthefire,

tryingtor(asttlleonewhiohhadescapedbeing8tewedbecauseitwas

rvorthless.

110snotimeinea gitoffonlnywayf wine.WhenI

retUrnOd,I
ThelifefLazarilldeTrmes(121)
o
foundthattheblindrascltiEiKEI.puttheturnipbewteentwo

slicesof whichhehadnotyetnotioedbePtusehehadnotfelt
.bread,

itbyhishands Whenhetooktheslicesofbreaddmunchedthem,

thinkingthata partofthesausagemust .beinserd,hefoundthat

hehapfeceived aoold.deaIintheformofthecoIdturnipHegot

"Whatisthis
angryandsaid, ,Lazaro?""Wretchedme!"Isaid,"I

wonderifyou wisll toblamemefor)methingHaven,tIju8tcome

backfroman errandfOrwine? Smebdy .wastheeandp hablyhaye

donethi8asajoke.

``No ``becausethe8pithasnotbeenoutofmyhand
,no,hesaid, ,

t,8im ible,,

IrepeatedSWeari19and8WearingfaldythatIWa8nOtguiltyOf

theexehge,butnlyfalseswearhlghadnoeff60t,forweoouldhide

nothingfPr)mthecursedastuteblindman
.Hegotup,8eizedmeby

thehead,andGametosmell'meHefeltitnee8sayto8niffmy

b=eathinthemannerofahoundhlodertoverifythetru Keeping

.alotofangui811inhi811eart,hetookmyjawsinhishandandopeed

mymouthfrwidertllanitought go.Thenheinconsiderably

thrUstadhisno8e.ehadalongandpointednoseandhisangerin

'thatin8nthadmadeitaPmlonger
.Hepokedtheendofitall

thewaydowpmygu11et

AIIt}]atw 8doneinamomelt,Iwasverymuchfrightened,e

cursedsausagehdnotyethadtimetosettleinmy8tomach;moe

importanstill,IwasalrmedattheinIsionfehugeIlosewhioh

-almostohokedme
.Allthe8ethillgscombinedandgausedeexposure

ofmyexploitandgluttonandthereturntotheownerofwhatwas

hi8SobeforetheblindmancouIdpullouthistrumpetofanose.1

sickatthestomahandthewa11estolengoodsinhi
sface;

(122) '

oonsequentlyhisnoseandthatilldigestedblacksausageleftmy

mouthatthesametime.

OhholyGod!WouldthatIhadbeenburiedatthattime!1nfact

Igughttohavebeendead.Thewrathofthewickedblindmapwas

suchthatffacrowdhadnohastenedothespo,hewouldnothsve

a110wedme01ive.TheypUlled]neoutof}iselutch,leavinghi8

handsfullofwhatlittlehairIhadthen.Ihadmyfacesc tehedalld

h}ynkandthroatlaceraedIwelldeservedtobetreatedlikethis

becauseofmybadconducs,butIhad8ufferedSomanyrersecuin'ons..

Thewfckedblindmmrelatedallmymisfortunesoallthepeople

whohadcrowdedhere,tellinghemonceandagainab6UttheaccoUnts

ofthcjug,thegral)es,asweUasaboutthatofhepresenthapPening,

TheirlaughterwassoloudthatthepeopeI)assingbyinthestree

enteredtojo{nthefeastHgwever,thebindmanre1edmprank&

withsomuehgraceandwicismth itseemedtomethatIwasnot

doingjustioenotto .ioinint}eirlaugher.

Whenth{swasover,itcameomymindthatIhadbeenguilty-

ofcowardiceandweakness.Iwa8chagrinedthatIhadlefthimwilh

nosewhenIhadsucharareopportunitytobitehisnoseoff.Indeed

halfofthe ,iobwasalreadydone.IfonlyIhadI)ressednlyeeh

togetheritwouldhaveremainedinmylnouth.Andbecau8ei

belongedtothatfiend,mysmachmighthavebeenmorewelcomet(>

hisnosethantot}latsausage.Oncethenosehaddeparted,itwould

havebeenpossibletodenytheclaim.Thensincehewouldneverb

abletoI)roducethelostn(seforevidence,Icouldhavedeniedthe

claim.WouldtoHeaventhatIhaddoneso,forthatwouldhave
,been

aprettygoodidea. `

Thehstssandthsewh beenth emadepeacebetweenU8.

ThelifcofLazarillo'deTormes123)

andtheJrwashedmythroatandfacewiththewinewhichI,had

broughtforhimtodrink. ewickedb1{ndmanerackedjokesatthis

Scene,Saying``lntruthIuSemoreWineinOneyeartOWahthi

urchinthanIcan,drinkintwoAte,azaro,youaremore

indebtedtowinethanoyourf}lerhegaveyoulifeonlyonce,and
!
winehadgivenyouyourlifeathousandtimes; Andhewoldtell

howofenhehadbruisedalldscratchedmyfaceamdhad.curedme

withwine.

``Itellyou,hesaid
,``ifallymanintheworldisprobably

blessedwithwine,itmustbeyou.,,

Athiswordsmanywhowerewashingnewit}1wineroaredwith

Iaughtera1houghIcursedagrily.]Butthepredictionofthat

blindman,sdidIlotprovetobeuntrue. .Sincethen.Ihaveofencalled

tomindthatfellowwhomusthavebeengiftedwihpredictionandI

havregrettedhedispleasureshatIcausedhim,eventhoughIpaid

dearlyfortheln1.Asyouwillunderstandlater,hisremark,thaty

predictedsoaccuratelythefutureeourseofmylife.

Invfwfthiadthbad,i tthblindmnplay 1nm I

madeupmymindtoeleaveofhfmonceamdforal1.Ithadbeen

onInymindandhadbeenmydesiretQdosoforalongtime,and

withthislastprankofhis,Iconfiedmydecision.!

Sothenextdaywewentoutthroughthevil1geto-askalmsIt

hadrainedhardthepreviousnightadt}1adaywasalsorainyso

wetalongptayingundersomedoorwayswherevecouldavo1d

gettingwet.Butasnighcameonandtheraincontinued,the

blindmansaidome,``Lazaro,hisrainisveryrelentless;hemore

thenightadanceshe}1eavierirsins.Let,sseekshelterintheinp

1110rdertogothere,wehadtocrossachanhelwhiehwas
(124)`

overflowihgwithwater.Isaidtohim,``Uncle,thechannelisvery

widebutIknowaplacewhere,ifyouwish,wecancrossitmore

quicklywithoutgettingwet;itbecomesmuchnarroweoverthere,

mdwecanjumpacrossdrysllod.

Thisseemedtohimagoodadviee,andhetoldme, Youarevery

Pudent,andIlikeyouforthat.Takeme,totheplacewherethe

channelbomesnarrow.ltiswinternowandwaterisharu1,notto

speakofwettingOUrfeet.,,

Pereivingthatmysehemeworkedwelluslhadhoped,Itook

himohtundertheportiooandlefthiminftontofastonepi11ar,one

ofthosethatsupPortedtheprojectingarchofthosehousesatthe

8quare.ThenItoldhlm, Uncle,thisi8thensrrowestcrossinginthe

channel".Itwasraininghd,the-unfortunatefellowwaswetandwe

werefrsnticforshelterfromtheatinwhiehasfallingollus,but

chiaflyGodhadblindedhisreasonatthatinstantinorderthatI

mighttakerevengeonhimwhobelievedme.

"Placemeintherightposition
,"heorderedme;"now.jumpover

theditoh.,,

Iplaeedhimrightinfrontofthepillar,jumpedacrosslandput

lnyselfbehindtheeolumn,1ikeamatadorwaitigfortheattackof

thebu11.

Goon1 IoriedouttOhim
.``Jumpasasfarasyoucantoreach

thi8sideofthewaterl,,

HardlyhadIsaidthiswhenthepoorblindman,goingbaeka

littleforarunning8tarthrew}}imselfforwardIikeanoldgoatand

struckhisheadagainstthepillar, .makingasoundasthoughahuge

gourdhadbeenstruckviolentlyagainstastone.Theblindmenbounced

backhalfdeadwithhisskullsplit.
ThelifeofLazarilodeTrmes(125)

We11,we11!Howisityousme11edsausage,butnotthepillar?

HowdoyouIeisfragrance?

Leavinghiminthecareofacrowdwhohadcon1etoelphi

Ireachedthegateoft}1etownwit}10netrot,andthenbeforeniglltfa

IfuudmyselfinT rijs.Ineve1(ranedwhatbecam fhimand

didnotcaretoknow.

CHAPTEHTWO

HowLazaroeneredtheserviceofaclergylnanand

thingsthhappenedtOhimhere.

Tlenext .da),8inoeIdidnotfeelsaferthere,Iwenttoaplace

calledMaqu{a,wheremysinsmademeencounteraclergyman.Wheh

IapP achedhimtaskf alm8,heaskedmeifIknewhow

helpatthe]hass.ItoldhimId;d,whichwasthetruth;forthough

thatsinnerofabldmanhadtreatedmebadly,athousandthingshad

hetoldme,andoneofthemwasthis.Finally,theclergymantookme

intolliSScrvice.

Ihadfledfledfromthethunderolllytobesruokbylighelling,

bause,asIhadtoldyoubefore,comLparedwiththisfellow,the

blindman,eventhoughhcwastheincarnation`ofavarice,wasareaI

AIexandertheGreat.Alhhestinginessintheworldwa8embodiedin

theclergymall.Idonotknowwhetherhistraitwasofhisown

inventionorassumedwhenheputonhisclericalrobes.

Hhadan1dhe8t1 kriwithakywhihhekptfas nd,n

theleatherstringofacassockWhentheholybread(ramefromthe

church,hewouldhrustiafterwardinthische8tandlockitagain,

Nothingeaablewa8obehadinthewholehouse,contrarytOtheway

thereu8uallyisinothers.somebaconhanginginthechimmney,a
'

(126)

wedgeofcheeseputinbackoft}eboardorinthe'cul)board,ora

o
smallbasketwithafewpiecesofbreadlefoverfromthetable.

ThoughIknewthatIcouldtastenothingofthese,Ifeltthatjust

fastingmyeyesatthemwouldhavebeenaconsolationtome.

Th ewnly tingfninkptinth mnthtP

floorofthellouse.OneofheseIwasgivenformyrationofone

everyfourdays.WhenIaskhimforthekeyogofortheonion,if

someoneelsewaspr6sent,hewouldputhishandintohispocket,and

withgreatdeliberaten6ssunfastebthekey,giveittomeandsay,

``Takethisandreturnittomesoon
,anddon,tonlygorgedainties,as

fIcouldhaveallthegoodiesinValenciabyhehe1Pofthiskey,when

infacttherewasnotanothercursedthghlt}1esaidroo,asIhave

toldyou,excepttheonion8hangingfromanaHekeptsoaccurate

'
anaccountofthemthatifbecauseofmywicketsil)sIhadindulged

inmorethanmyallotment,Iwouldhavepaiddearlyforthemiseol1.

duct.

AtlastIwasdyingofhunger.Forthoughhebestovedlittle

Charityonme,hehimselfateasumptuousmeal'.FiVeblanca'sworth

of]matwaShisusualportionfordinllerandsupper.Itistruethat

hesharedthebrothwithme.Asforthemeat,Icouldolllylookatit

andIwasgivenonly.alittlebread.WouldtoHeaver}thathehad

givenmehalfenoughofthat.

OnSundaystheyeattheheadsofsheepalldhewouldsendme

outforoneoostingthreemaravedis,whichhewouldeookandeat

theeyes,thetongue,thebrains,theneck,thebran,alldt}iemeat

sttachedtothejaws;thenhewouldgivemeallthewellsuckedlicked

bones,puttiugthemonmyplateandaying,``Takethem,eat,cheer

up;foryoutheworldexists.YouleadabetterlifethanthePope"
TheifeofLazarillodeTormes(127)

``MayGodgra11yousuchalife",Iwouldmurmurtomyself.

AttheendofthreeweeksIspentwithhim,Iwassodebilitated

outofsheerhungerthatIcouldDot'standonmyfeet.Iclearlysaw

thatImighthavebeenipthegreifGodandmywitsshouldnot

havesavedme.Ihadnochancetousemys.ki11,becauseIhadno

oPPortunityostcalfromhim.A1devenifIbad,Icouldnothave

madehimblindaswasmyoldmaster(mayGodforgivehissins,if

thatblowonhisheadfillishedhim).Althoughtheblindman"as

shrewed,Ihadbeenabletodeprivehimonlybecausehehadlostthe

mstprec ussense.Butnbdyelseevehadsuchshapsighashe

WhellweweretakingoffertoryI}otashlgleblancafenillthe

shellwithoutbeillgIlot1cedbyhim
.Hecastoneeyeolltheli)eople

andtheotherollmyhallds.Hiseyesdancedillhissku11asifthey

weremadeofquicksilverHealwayscountedalltheblacasthathad

beenoffered
.AIldwhentheofferingwasoverhewouldquicklytake

'thebowlfrommeandpuitonthe
.altar.Icouldnosealevena

.lancadurillgmyIifewithh{m,aIdinsteadratherleadthelifeof

starvation
.Ineverbroughtablanca,sworthofwinefromthetavern

-forhim
,butwhatlittleofferinghegothewouldputinhischestand

measuredouttohimselfsostingilythatitmigh1asthimallweek.

IDordertoconcealhisniggardlinesshewouldsaytome,``Yousee,

boy,priestsmustbeverytemperateintbeireatinganddrillkng,and

forhisreasollIdol1,tindulgemyselfasohersdo Butthewretch

toldamollstrouslie,beoauseatt}emeetingsofthebrotherhoodand

thefulleralserviceswhereweofficiated,heatelikeawolfatthe

expenseofohersanddra kmorethan 4za"dor

'Ispokeaboutfunerals
,andIprayedtoGodhahewould

xsalamandor=aqauckdoctorwopretenedtocebyspitting .
(128)
forgiveme,asIwasneveranenemyofhumanbeingsexceptduring'

thatI)eriod.AndthiswasbauseIcouldeat .alotonlyheart,s

eonentatfuneralservices.IwishedundevenprayedtoGodthat

HecouldcalluntoHimselfoneofHisown.Whenweadminisered

thesaeramellttoaninvalid,esPiallytheextremeunction,andwhen

thepriesthadorderedthosewhowerepresenttoI)ray,Iwasnever

behindothersinprayerandprayedtoGodwithallmybe8theart

andsinceritythatnototherthanHiswillbedone,asweusuallysay

whenweofferprayer8,butIal80prayedthatHewouldtaeaway

theinvaJidfromthiswOrld

Andwhenoneoftheseescapeddea,Godforgiveme,Isworeat:

himathousandtimes,whilethosedepartedweregivenwordsofmy

blessings.WhileIwasthere,whichmusthavebeenalmostabOutsix

month8,0nlytwentyperson8diedandIfirmlybelievethatIkille(it-

themall,orratherthaltheydiedatmyrequestEorwhenGodsaw

myriousandcontinuoushungerwhichalmostdrovemetothet,'

grave,IthinkthatHewaspleasedtodoaaywiththeminplaceof

mylife.ButIcouldfindnoremedyforthesufferingI1dath

time,foronedayswhenweburiedsoln.ebodyIwouldIive,but,

whentherewa8nofuneralandIresumedmydailyfamine,Isuffered.

allthemoreaftergettingaccustomedtoeatingtolnyheart'scontent.

ConsequentlyIcouldfindnorestexceptthatofdeath,forwhichI

sometimescravedbothformyselfandthoseothers.IcouIdnot,.

however,encounterdeath,althQughIwashhwaysinthegripofDeath.

ManytimesIthoughtofrunningawayfromthatmiserlymasterr

butIgaveupfortworeasons.FirstlyIdidnottrustmylegs,forI

wasafraidofthefeeblenesswhichhadre8ultedfromthesheerhullger.

Secondly,Ithoughtoverthegituationandsaid, .``Ihavehadtw(

masters;thefirstmademestandonthevergeofstarvationandwhen.
TheIifeofIazalilIodeTorInes(129>

IIefthm,Icameacrossthisotheronewhohasputmeinthegrave

withhunger.ButffItakeleaveoft}lisfellowandcolneupona

worseone,whatwillhappellbuthatI8ha11die?SoIdidl1,tdarel

stir.IwaseonvincedthatallthedebfrTeesfmightcomeintocolltac

withinfurewouldbedecendgones.Tod6sendoue]morostep

wouldputanendtoI.azaro,andnomoewouldbeheardofhimi1L

thiswOrld.

Wen,Iwashlsuchagri( mayi1(lasetG)dtorescuean

thefaithfulChri6tiansfromit.Idldnoknowwat advice091ve

my1f.dIwasgo9frombadwo 0e daywhenmy

eworrujnedwretchedfellowofamarhadbeell Othere'ce

tmydpehapstikewh lbllev{dw ngelinthose

robegsenttomebthehandofGod. Heaskedmeif1'hadanything
o
toberepair{d.

``
WithmeyouwouldheplentyltodoandwouldbenosI

troubleifyoucouldrepairlne.,, Isaidinsolowavofcethhedid.

notheame Buthi8wasnotimeforcrackiug.jokesoinpiredby

heHolyGho,101dhim,,,UIlcle, Ihavelostthekeytothischest

andIfearmymotherwillflogme. Forgo(xeS8,sake,pleaseSeeif

oneofthesekeysyoucarrytherewillfit10ck IshallpayyOU

fOrhetrouble.

Theangelictinkerbegantotry ou6keyaferanotherfromthe

largebunchthathecarried,whileI begantohelphim,withmyfeeble

Pe Whenllittleexpectedit,Isaw,astheysay, inthechestthe

faceofGodintheformofhebread.

Isaidtohimopeningi,``Ihavenomoneyto
payyoufOrthe-

key,buttakeanythingfromthechestin plaeofthemoney"He

tkutthhiy breadwhichseemedtobebestofalltheloavesand
130)

wentawayquitesatisfied,'leavingmeevenmoreso.ButItouched

nothingatallatthattime,becauseIfeltthatsolongasIcould

havethechanceofusingthistreasureatanytimeIlike,hungerwould

neverdaretocomenearme.Myniggardly'masterretumed,butthanks

'toGodhedidnotmisstheoblationthatangelhadca
rriedaway.

T}1enextdayw}1enheleftthehouse,Iol)enedtheparadiseof

breadandtookaloafofholybreadbetweenmyhandsandteethand

dispatcheditina ,jiffy,notforgettingtheopenchestAdIbegan

tosweepthehousecheefully,foritseemedtomethatlhadfouud

themeansofmakingupfortherestofmylonelylife
.Inthisway,

Ispentthedayandstillasecolldmerrily.Butitwasnotmyuck

thatthatrestshouIdlastlong,bauseol)thethirddaythegenuine

tertianfeverattackedme
.

ThisishowithapPened.AtanunreasonablehourIsawtheman,

,.amanwhowasstarvingmetodeath,sandingoverourohestturning

theloavesoverandoveragain

,andcountingthemmanytlmes.I

pretendednottnoticewhathewasdoingandwithmys6cretprayers

7anddevotionsandsupplicationsIsaid,``St.Johncomeandblindhim!

Afterspendingquitealongtimefiguringoutonhisfingers,he

}said,``lfIdidnotkeepthischestsowellclosed,Ishouldsaythat

somebodyhadstolensomeoftheloaves,butfromtOday,toclosethe

dt upiinIwtkeep t{taccuntfthmTh e

remainsnineandahalf.

``MayGodglveyouninetrials
.,,Imurnlured.AthiswordsI

thoughthehadpiercedlnyheartWithanhuntingarrowandmy

.stomachbegantofeelthegnawingofhunger,remeberingtherich

Tepastlhadenjoyedbefore

Hewentoutofthehouse.IIIordertoconsoleyselfIopened
ThelifeofLazarillodeTormes(131)

'thechestandWhaIfoundb
readIbeg3ntoadoreinodaring
.to

eatit.Icountedillcasethewretchbygoodfortuneshouldhavemade

ami8take
,but,IfoundhiscalculationmoreaccuratethanIshould

haveliked.AllIcouIddowastogivehemahousandkssesand

-fromthebrokenIoafIbrokeoffalittlepiecewhereitwasbroken
.

Withhis
,Ispentthatdanotsocheerfullyasbofore

Myhunger,howover,waswhetted,espiallybecausemystomach

hadgrownaccustomedogettingmorebreadduringepasttwoor

-threedays
Iwasdyingahorribledeath,sothatIcoulddonothing

wheneverIfoundmyselfalonebutopenanddosethechestan

ontemplate-``thefaceofGod'asghildrensa).ButthesaeGod

whohelp8thoseinafflictionputsoneinmindof]ittlemeasures

Thinkinginwardly,Isaid,``Thishugechestisoldandbrokeninsome

PlaceseveniftheholesarelittleItisconceivablehatmicemight

getinanddodamagetothisbread.Totakeoutbreadwholewould

notbedesirable,becausehewhocausessomuchshorewilleasily

noticehemissingofthebread.Thisitwilleasilystand.

Ibegantobreakoffcrumbsonsomecheaptableclothswhichwere

inthechesandIwouldtakeoneIoafandanotherandfinallyI

ulnbleditsrespeetivebitoffthreecorfourIoaves.AfterthatIate

asifitwerebonbonsandIfeltaIi lesaisfied.Whellhecame

backtgeatandopendthecest,hesawthebadwokandeasily

believedthatmicehaddonethedamage,foritwasdexterouslycounter-

feitedtoresemblethewaymicewouIddoit.Heexalninedthechest

fmneendtantherndffpd h1 th ughwhihh

suspectedthatmicehadentered.Hecalledmeandsaid,``]Lazaro1

ook!WhatagreatharmwasdonetoourbreadIastnight!

Ipretendedtobesurprisedandaskedhim.
(132)

"WhatdyusupPseitis!"saidhe Bywhat?ltwa81hice;.

theysha11nolongerlive.

Webegantoeatand'thankstoGod,thingswentwellwithme,.

forbetookoutaknifeandshavedoffallthatIlethoughtthemice

hadnibbledandtoldlne,``Eatthisbecauseamou8ei8acleancreaturc"'

Alldso,onthatday,by}elaborof!nyhandsorrathcrmy

fingersIatelarger(luantitiesofallotmentthanusual.Ofcourse

hardlyhadIbegantoeatbefore wasgone.SoollIhadanother

shock.Isawhimgoingaround earnestlypullingnailsoff'thewa1B

andlookingforsmallboards,wwhichhenaileddownandfilleduP

allthehlesithechest.

``Oh
,mylord!,,Isaidthen,``howmuchmi6eryandri8kand}disaster

wemortals8ufferandwhatashorttimethepleasuresofoqrtiresome-

1ifelast:"HereIwasexpectingbythisp randsorrowfulmeanstI

relieveandputawaymymisery,andIwasratherjoyou8andingood

luckButmymisfortunedidnotsowillit.Thiswickedmaserof-

minehadbecomeawareofthisanddecameevellmorecautiou8thanhe

wa8bynare(sincemisersforthemostpartneverlockthistrait>

Nowthat"hehasplugged heholesinhechest,thedoortomypleasure

ha8beenclosedandnlytroubleshavebeguninstead.

SoIgrieved;inthernean'timemdiligentcarpenterfurni8hedhis,

workusingmImynaiIsandsmalIboards.Hesaid, NowMessrsMice,..

you1adbetterohangethescheme,becauseyouhavenothingbutvery

hardwo6dtonibble!

No800nerhad}1eleftthehousethanIwenttoexaminethework.

andfoundthathehadIlotIefahole,throUghwhichnotevena

mosquitocouldenter.Iopenedthechestwithmyuselesskeywithout

anyhopeofge ingI)rofi.IsawtwoorthreeloavesthatwereI)artly
ThelifefIazarillodeTormes'(133)

eaten,theonesthatmymasterhadthoughtnibbledbymice,andI

shaveda1ttlemoreoffthem
,tonchiDgverylightlyillthe[nannerof

askillfullfeIlcer..

Necessityisagr(ntteacherandsincelhadsomuchneegsity,I
H

keptonthnkingdaand
ghthowtofindoutthemean8to8usn

mylife.Andinorddrtofindtheseblackremedies,hungerwa8

cert11yalightome,sineeitissaidfhataperson,8witsbecome

h,pbyhung,;th,nt ylscuedy,tityanditw

ertainlythecaSewirhme.

Wellthen,onenightIwassleeplessthinkingovertheeeughs;

thatis,thinkinghowlcouldtakecareofmyselfd putthechest

htouse,Inoticedthatmymasterwassleepi,whichwasc rfrom

tesnorhlgandtheloud8nortsthatealwaysmadewenheslept.

Igoupveryquietly.Duringtheday,Ihad'plImedwhatI

oughtodo,andhadIeftanoldknifethatlayhlthehlsein .the

=placewhereIcouldfinditeasily.lwentuptothepoorchestand

.afterexaminingthePlacewhereiwasweakest,Ibegantoatack

withheknifeinthesamewaIuseaglmlet
.Andthisoldches
b
eeauseitwasold,neitherthestrengthDortheheartwasfoundinit

ratheriwassosoftandwormeatellthatitsoollyieldedtomealld

throughmyefforscollsel)edmetohaveagoodholeinitsside.This

done,Iopenedveryquietlytheslashedchestandbyfeelingthe

loafwhichhadbeenbrokel1,IdidasIhavedescribedbefore.

Somewhatcohsoledafterthis,110ckedthechestagainandreturned'

`tornystrawnatess
,wheellaydwndsleptwell,settingit

dowI1onogettingfood.Andhat .wasprobablyso,foratthattime

eventheorderofthekingofFraIlceshouldllothaveawakeIledme

fromsleeping.Thenextdaymymasersawthedamagetothebread
(134)

aswellastotheholethatIhadmadc.Hebegantocursethemice

and,"Whatonearthisthis?,Neverhavewenoicednlicein'this

housetillnow!,,"

Undoubtedlywhathesaidwastrue,foriftherewasah6usein

thekingdomjustlyprivilegedtobefreeofmice,itmustsurelyhave

beenhis,becausemicedonotstaywheretheycanfilldnofood.He

againbegantolooktornailsadsmallboardsonthewallsofthe

houseil)ordertocovertheholes.Whennighteameendhetookhis

rest,Iwouldgetupatoncewithmyusualtoolinhalld,andripa

theholeshehadpatchedanight.

Itwentalonginhisway,andwemadesuchhasteinourwork

thatnodoubt,wemustdepictthisstateofthingsbythefollowing

proverb``Wheneveronedoorislocked,anoherisunlocked.,,Finally

weseemedtohavePenelope,swebasourjob,forwhathewoveduring'

thenight,Iunraveledatnight.Inafewdaysandnightswe}1adth(

poorchestinsuchamiserableshapethatanyonewishingodescribeit

properlywouldhaverathercalleditanoldcar(rassofformertimes

thanachestbeoauseofthenailworkand1)atchesithad.

Whenhesawthathecouldfindnowayofrering,hesaidp

``Thischestissuchawreckandthewoodissooldandro enthatit

wi11notbeabletostandtheattackofthemice.Suchbeingthecase,

ifwecontinuetouseit,itwi11giveusnoprotectionatal1.Adyet

theworstI)a[rrtofitisthatalthoughitI)rovideslittledefense,itis

betterthannot}1ing.InsteadIshallhave .topaythteeorfourreales,

Thebestwaylcanthinkof,sincethemeanswehaveuseduntilnow

hasbeenofnouse,istosetatrapinsidethechestforheseconfound

edlnice,,

Thenborrowingamousetrapandsomepiecesofrilldfromhis
ThelifeofLazari]lodeTormes(35}

neighbors,hesetthetral)insidethechest.Butthiswas(luiteastroke

ofgoodluckforme.Becausealt}onghIdidnotneedlotsofapPetizer,

Iwasdelightedohavethecheeserinds,whichIookfromthctral);

moreoverIdidnoteglectnibblingatheho1bread.

Wh6nhfundth ,eadnibbldand'heeeeatn,andytth

icewhichhaveeatenitunenraphecursed.Heaskedthe

neighbors``Howcanamouseeatthecheese,takeitoffthemousetrapl

andIlotbecaughtandremaininthetrapnotwithstandingitwasT
`

sprung?Theneighborsagreedtlaitwasnoamousethathad

dn'th'dmagbecueitldnthlpblng ught metim

Oneneighborsadtohim,``Ireem.berasrlakeusedtocreepinyour

housealldthismustbetrue.Itisreaeonablethatsincethesnakeis

10ng,itcouldtakehebaitandevenifthetrap shouldfa11dowllon

t,itcouldrunBNvayagaininasmuchasitdidnotputitswholebody
o

{n.

Whatthatfellowsdpleasedthemall,anditupsetmymaster

whfromthenondidnosleepsosoundly.Whenevertheworm

thewoodmakesanoiseatnight,1ethoughtthesnakewasgnaWing.

Thenhcwouldstandupandwithacudgelhehadkeptatthehead

of
hisbedsinceheytoldhimaboutthesnakehe'wouldwhack

violelltlyonthepoorehest,tryingtofrightenit.Hearousedthe

neighborswitht}1enoisehemadealldIeftmesleepless.Hewould

cometomystrawmattressalldupsetit-andmetogetherwihit"

thinkiughattheshakemighmakeformeandcoilitselfinmystraw

Mattressoril}mycoat.ltwasbecausetheyLadt1dhimthatthese

allimalssometimesgotothecradlesIookingforwarmth,auddoharm

byevenbitingtLem.MostofthetimeIpretendedtobeasleepalldin

themorninghewouldsay,``Lastnight,boy,didn,tyouhearany
136)
't

thing?Iranaftert}lesnakeandstillIth{nkitmusthavegonetoward

.youillthebed,fortheyareverycoldandsearchforwarmth,,

"MitpleasetheLordthatitdoesn'tbiteme'lsaid;Iam
,

verymuchafraidQfit,,

Inthismannerhewassomuchdistractedandwakefulthat,upon

myword,thesnakedidnotdareogetupadgotothechestto

gnaw.Butduringthedaywhilehewasatthechurchoroutinthe

village
,Iwouldmakearobbery.Hesawthedamageandfindingno

properstepstobeken,hewalkedaboutatnight,asIhevemention

ed,1ikeagoblin.

Iwasafraidthatwithallthiszealhemightrunagainstmykey,

whihlkeptundeneathmymattess;soitseemedsafetoputinmy

lnouthatnight.BausesincemyIifewiththeblindmanIhadit

convertedtosuchanextentintoapursethatIeouldkeel)fremtwelve

tofifteenmaravedisinit,allinhalf.blancas,[tlloutdisturbing

myeating.OtherwiseIeouldnotkeepablancawithoutthatwieked

blindman,sfinding;therewasneveramannorapatchofmy

clothesthatdidnotundergohisfrequentexamination.ThenasIsa,

everynightIwonldputthekeyinthemouthandaleepwithoutfear

thatmyfiendishmastervouldeomeuponit.Butwhentheillluck

istocome,nocareisofanyuse.

Mydestiny,ortobeexact,mysinsgaverisetothefollowing

happenings:onenightIwassleepingwithmymouthopenandthe

keywaspuintosuchapositionthatmbreathasIsleptcameout

throughthehollowofthekey,whichwaslikeatube.

Unfortunatelyitmadesuchaloudutteringsoundthatitsurely

musthavesemedlikethehissingofthesnake.

[egotupveryquietlwiththecudgelillhishandandby

TheifeofLazariIodeTQres(137)

gropingtowardthesoulldofthesnakeapproachedmevery(uietlynot

tobescentedbythesnake.Whenhecamenearer,hethoughthatthe

/snakehcmef wamh theplaceah)uwhe11ayonhe

mattres8.Thinkingemakemustbelyingdirectlybelow,he8wg

thestickupandintendingtogivea}ardblowenoughtokillihe
,

gavemesuchagoodhrashing`ontheheadhati1eftmesenseless

,andbruiSed.

Hetoldmelerthatwhenheknewthathehadme,forI

mushavemadeagreatouryattheviolentblow
,hecametomeand

riedtobringtomysen8esbygivingalondsereamandcallingme
.

Butwhenheouchedmewithhihmd,hetouchedthegreatdealof

b1 dwasunningf mmandeali dthathhadinflit n

inlurymme
.Adhehaenedfofetchafre.Whenhererned

-withit
,hefoundmemoaing,stillwiththekeinmymouth,forI

hadIleverabandonedit;ithingbeenhalfontofm outhjustas

whenIhadbeenmakingahissingsoundwithit
.

Thes11kerki1erwpsastoundedandwonderiugwha hekeycould

be,hetokitcompletelyfrommouth,examiuedindsawthe

wholecircumstances,becausethevardsofmykeywerenotabit

diffeentfromthosefhisown.Heatncewenttcompareiskey

withhisownandtherebyheI)rovedmevildeed.Thecruelhunter

mustavesaid,``Ihavefoundthemouseandthesnaketuathasbeen

wagingwaronmeandeagmeoutofthehouseandhome.

Icallnotgiveacerifiedaoulltofwhathappenedthenextthree

days,forIspenthereinthevhale,sbelly.ButasforwhatIhave

toldyousofar,11eamedaferIregailledconsciousness,fromthe

accountsoftheincidentIheardmymastergiveindetailtoa11who

cameO'thehOUSe."
(138)'

Attheendofthreedays,Icameroundtomysclfandfoun(

myselfstretchOdoutonthestrawmattresswithmyheadallPlasered.

upandoilsadointmentsapPliedallovlr.stoundedatthis,Iasked"

``Whaisthematter?

Thecruelpriestanswered,``Ihaveonlydvivenoutthemicean

snakesoutwhichwcredoingmeharm.

IlookcdmyselfoverandfoundIhadbeensoi11-treatedthatI

soonsuspectedmytrouble.

Atthismomentthereenteredthomeighborsandanoldwomanwho

wasahealerTheybegantotaketheragsoffmyheadaiidnurscthe

woundmadebytheblowofthecudgel.WhentheylearnedthatI

cametomysenses,theyweredelightedandsaid,"We11,h6has

regailled -hssensesIlow.BythegraceofGod,itisprobablynohing

SeriOU.,,

Thentheyagainbegantotellofmymishapsandlaughed,while

I,poorsinner,wept.AfterthistheygaveInesomethingtoeat,for'

Iwasalmogtstarvedodeahandtheycouldnothllfsatisfyme.In

thisway,Iregainedmyhealhlittlebylittlealldil)fifteendaysr

gotoutofbed.T}10ughinasateof,halfrecovery,Iwasoutof

dangerbutnotoutofhunger.'

TheverynextdayafterIgotuP,1nymastertookmebyt}e

hand,tookmeoutofthedoor,a1dputmeoutinohestreet.He

saidtome,``Lazaro,fromnowonyouareyourownmasterandno

Iongermysevant.Lookfornothermaster.Godbewithyou.I

don,tliketohavesodiligentaservantasmypartner.Youmusthave

beenablindman,sboy.

CrossinghimselfasaproectionagainstmeasifIwerepossessed

.wthhcdevil,heweninothehouseagaInandshutthedoor .
T}ielifeofLazari110deTormes(139)

CHAPTERTHREE

HowLazaroenteredtLeserviceofaSquireandwhat

happelledtohi.

ThusIhadtodrawsrengfromweakness.Littlebylittle,with

thehelpofthegoodpeope,Iarrivedinthisillustriouscity
.of

Toledo,wherebythegraceofGod,mywoundhealedinfifteendays

WhilIwasi11,theyalwaysgavemealms,butafrIwaswell

again,theyasaidtome,``Youarearogueandavagabond.Lookfor

amaster
tOServe"

"Andlwonderwheehe(}alnLefound"lsaidtomyself
,"Whatif

Goddoesnotcreaeanotheragainnowashecreatedeworld?,,.

WanderingthusfromdoortodoorwithveryIittlehelp,because

charityhadascendedtoheaven,thankstodivillewill,Iranagainsta

squrewhowaswalkingalongthestreet,decentlydressed,well

9md,hiwlkndb f{n9 diy.W1 kdthth1 d

hesaid,``Boy,areyoulookingforamaster?Iansweredhim,``Yes,

sir.,,``Thencomewithme,hereplied,foritisbydivinemercythat

wecouldthusmeeteachother.Youmusthaveofferedgoodprayers

today.

Ifoowedhim,thankingGodforwhathesaid{mdalsobecause

heseemed,accordingtohisclothesandcountenance,tobethevery

manIneeded.

ItwasinthemorllingwbenIcaeacrossthisthirdmasterof

mineHt km fthimth ugh1 9p fh ityW

passedthroughhepublicsquarewherebreadandotherprovisions

wereonsale.Ithoughtarldevellwahtedt6crryonmyback

whatwasonsalethere,becauseitwasthesuitabletimewhenpeople

areaccustomedtobuythcirnecessarygoods.Buthewentpastthere
(140)

thingsatalivelygait.

``Perhapshedoestseeanythingtohissa sfacionhere,,Isaid
.

``ProbablyhewantsustodotheshopPingatother()uarte
r.

Inthiseitywewalkeduntilits uckeleven.Thenheenteredhe

cathedralandIfollowedafterhim.HeverydevoutlYheardMassand

otF.erdivineservices,untileerythingwasoverandthecongregation

haddel)arted.Thenwewentoutofthechurch.
'

Atagoodroundpace,webegantogodownthestreet.Iwas

thohappiestmaninthisworldwhenIsawthatwehadnotbusied

ourselvesaboutfood.Icertainlythoughtthatlnynewmasterbeaa

mallwhoprovidedhimselfwithhisprovisionsinbulk,andthatt}1e

mealforwhiehIlongedandneededwouldbeeadyforus.

JustatthatmomentitstruCkoneintheaftemoonandwecame

toahouse,jnfrontofwhichmymasterstoppedThrowingtheendof

theeaFebacktotheleftside,hetookakeyoutofhiswalletand

openedtkedoor."eenteredthehouse.Theentrancewassoobscure

anddisnalthatitgavetheimpressionthat.thosewhoentereditmight

beseizedwithfear.Inside,however,wereasmallinnercourtalldnice

rOoms.

Assoonaswecamein,heookoffhiscape,andaskillgmeifmy

ha[ridswereclean,hadmebrushitandfoldit;hecarefullydustedoff

thestonebenchnearbyandputthecapeonit.Aferthis,hesat

dowhbesidetheeaFeandaskedmeilidetailwhereIcamefronla1d

howlcametotcity.

ItoldhimlongerthanIshouldhaveliked,foritseemedamore

convenienttimeforhimtoordermetosetthetableanddishoutthe

stewthalltoaskmequestions.IIIspiteofthisIgratifiedhimabou

myselfbytellinghimapackoflies.MoreoverIonlymentionedmy
ThelifeofLazaillodeTor nes(141)

goodpointsandkeptsilenabou heresbecauseIthoughttheJwere

notfitting.AIldashekeptonthiswayforawhile,Isoosawab

sign,becauseitwagnowalmosttwoo,clockandIdidllotseeinhiln

any!norede3iretoeathahaldea(lmanwouldhave.

Afterthis,Ithoughtoverhiskeepingthedoorlockedandmy

not}1earingaboveorbelowanysoupdofthestepsofalivingsouI

hroughoutthe}iouse.AllthatIhadseenwerewalls,andc}1aits,no

meatbl'oek,nobench,notevenachestsuchas1yprevisCusmaster

usedtohavelonghgo.Inshort,itseemedtobe enchantedhouse.

AsIwa8smkinthesemeditati6ns,ed,"Y,bqy,heyou

eaten?'"N),si,"Isaid"forithadnotsckeghwhen tyou"

``Vellthell
,alhoughitwasearlyIhadalreadyeaellbsa}

WhenIeatSomethingthatWay,IWalltyOutoknoWthuntilnight

Idowithoutfood.Sogetalongthebestyou,ca,.andwesha'

havesupPerlate.Youlmaybe1evetwhenIheamdt`hislwa8

n(mlyd Pinafaintn smuchf mhungerasf mthe

absoluerecognitionthatFortunedidnotfavorme.Thenmyhardships

preselltedthemselvestonlegain,andIshcdtearsovermytrouble.I

als collectedtheougwhichhadometomyndwhenl

thinkingaboutrunningawayfromthepriest,whichwasthathongh

thispriestwasunfornateandmeanperhapsImightcomeaerossa

woseone.AtlastlIamentedmypa8ttoilsonlelifeandlny

apl)roachiagdeah.Inspjeofhis,concealiagmyfeeling8a8bestI

could,Itoldhim,``Sir,fortunatelyIamaboywhodoegnotconoem

myselfaboufoodAstofood,Icanboasamongmyequalsasbeipg

themostabstemiousandhavebeenpraisedforthisbymymas
,ters

whomIhaveserveduntilnow.

``Thisavirfue,,saidhe
,``andIbecomefondofyouforit.To
(142)

stuffoneselfisfhewayofapigandtoeatregularyisthatofa

gentleman.

``Icompletelyunderstandyou!,'Isaidtomyself
.ConfoundedalI

tbesemastersofmine.whoprescribehungeras4cureforeverything

andmakeavitueofstarvation.,,IwenttotheendoftheI)ortico

andtookafewpiecesofbreadoutofthebosomwhichremainedof

thosewhichIhadbegged.Whenhesawthis,Iwentandshowed

himthebread.HetookoneofthethreepiecesIhad-thebestand

biggest.Hetoldme,``Uponmylife,thislookslikegoodbread,,

`Yes
,indeedrDoesitreallylooktastytoyou,sir?,,

"Yes
,really"heid,"Wheredidyougetit?Wasitkneadedby

cleanhands?',

``Idon'tknowaboutthat
,"Isaid,``butthetasteofitdoesn,t

akeIn.enauseate,,

"WouldtoGodthatitisclean
,"saidmypoormaster.And

carryingittothemouth,hebegantotakeiniwithasviolentbites

asIdid.,,

``GodbeI)raised
,thisnseadisawfullydelicious,,,hesaid.

AsIknewwhathisdesirewas,Iatehastily,becauseIcouldsee

thatifhefinishedbeforeIdid,hewouldbekindenoughtohelpme

withwhatwasreminedofmine.We,therefore,finishedalmostatthe'

sametilne.Withhishandshebegantoshaketoshakeoffafov

erumbsandyettheextremelyminuteonesthathadremainodol}his

breast.Heenetredthesmallroolnnearbyandtookoutamouthless

jugwhiehwasnotanewone.Assoollashefinisheddrinking,he

treatedrr.titTryingt hwlnhhldingbackf mt muh

food,Isaid,``Sir,Idon,tdrinkwiIle,,

"Heansweredme/rIswater
.Youcandrink".

ThelifeofLazarillodeTormes.(143)

ThenItookthejuganddrank.Ididn,ttakemuch,becausenly

:afflictionvasno hatofthirst.

Inthiswaywestayedunilnighttalking.Heaskedmemany

questiohs,whichIansweredasbostIcould.Then,takingmetothe
.:
Toomwherethejugfromwhichwedrankhadbeenput
,hesaid,``Boy,

Placeyourselfoverthereandseehowwemakeabedsothatyouay

doifromthistimeon
.,,Istoodatoneendandheattheother,d

weInadeadirtybed'.
Wehadnotmuchtodo,becauseitwasareed

-frameworkollsomesmallbellches
,overwhichwerespreadtheunclean

mattress.Fromnotbeingwashedveryofen,the.mattresshadnot

TtaineditsorigiIlalappearance.Therewasnodoubt,however,thatit

wasusedassuch,alhoughithadawholelotlesswoolinitthanit

needed.Westretchedit,tryingtosoftellit.whichwasimpossible,

8inceoDecanhardlymardathingsoftel1 .Thewretchedsaddlepad

hadadvilofath11gnside.Wiheverythingontopoftheframe

workthereedswerevisible,sothatitlookedlikeaswineofavery

thinpig,Overthatstarvednlattresss,therewasacoverofhesame

.kind.Icouldnottellwhicbcoloritwas.Whenthebedwasmade,

nightclosedin.Hesaidtome,``1azaro,itislatealreadyandisquite

-farfromhere
.Illthecitytherearealsomanyrobberswhowillsteal

iaanother,scloakassoonasiisnight..Let,sgetthroughasbestwe

can,andomorrow,whenitgetslight,Godwillhavemercyonus .I

havebeenliv11galoleand}1avenotaockofI)rovisionsnow
.1'.huve

beeneatingoutt}eSedays,butwes}1allhavetochangethemallner

ofmakingfood
.

``Sir
,,,Isaid.``Don'tbeanxiousabout.me,becauseIknowwell

lhowtosrelldanight,andstillmore,ifnecessary,withouteating.,,

``Youwillbeabletolivelongandbehealthy
,,,heansweredme,

(144)

"f asweweresayingtday
,theeisnobetterway.frlngev{ty

thanlighteating.,,

``lfthisistrue,11nurmured
,``Ishallneverdie,forIhavebeen

undercompulsiontoconformtotherule;onthecontraryIsha11.

posSiblybeobligedtoobservet}1erulethroughoutmylife.

HeputtLebreechesandjacketattheheadofthebed,andturned

in.HeordoredetokneelathisfeewhichIdid.Butwhata

wakefulnightIpa8sed!Thereedsandmyprojtingbone8never'

stopquarrellingandfightingallnightlong.Asaresultofall

myafth'c'tions,evilsandmyhunger,ldoubtevenaPundofflesh

wasputonmyenireboy.Moreover,asIhadeatenalmostnothing;

thedaybefore,Iwasmadwithhunger,withwhich81umberwasui

notonfriendlyterms.Ilaythereandcursedmyself(mayGodforgive

me)andmyruinusfortuneathusandtimesth ughoutmostofthe

night;worstofa11,not .daingtornoverillmysleepforfearof'r

awakeninghim,IbeggedGodmanytimestoletnledie. ,

Whenmoming(mmewegotupandhebegantocleanandbrushk

awayhis'breeches,jacket,hi800atandcape,whileIhelpedhi na8an.

idleassismt.Heleisurelyputonhisclotheswithgreatrelish.I

pouredwateronhishands.Het}1encombedhishairadworethe-

swordonhissword-belt.Wherihedidthis,hesaidtome,"Oh,ifyou

onlyknewmyboywhatasplendidpieoeof.bladethisis!Iwould.

neverpartwiththi8foranyweightofgold.Noneofthebladesof

Antonioeverhadsuchsharpedgesasthisone,,

Heunsheathedhisswordalldtoucheditwithhisfingers.Hesaidl

tome,``Canyouseethis?Ishallattempttopareaflakeofwoolwith

myswOrd.',

Isaidtomyself,``AndIshouldtryafourpoundloafofbread
TibeifeofazariilodeTomes(145

withmyteeth
,thoughmiearenotmadeofseel.,,

Heputheswordbackintothe8heathagainandfasteneditand

asringofbigbeedstohisswordbelt.Thenwithacalm8tel)andalr

uprightbody,swayinghisheadandbodyinagenteelway,het}1rewV

thetanofhiscapeoverhisshoulder,1eavingitpartlyunderhisarm

Heplacedhisrighthandonhisflallkandwentthrought}1edoor}

saying,``Laro,examiIlethehousewhileIgotohearMas.Make

thebedndgototberiverjustbelowhereforaI)itdlerofvaerr

Lockthedoorsothattheymaynotstealanythingfromus,andput'

thekeyundertLehingesothatIcangetinwhenIcameback.

Andhewentupthestreetwithsuchageneelvisageandmanner

thatanyollewhodidnotknowwouIdthinkhewasarelaiveofthe

CounofArcos,oratIeasthevaletwhohelpedhimdress.

``Ble8sedbeGod,,Isaid
.Thoubringsonai11es8andgiveshelp

WhotmightmeetthismIterofminewouldbutthink,judging

byhismannerofself-content,hat}1ehadsuppedwellthenightbefor

and81eptinagoodbed?Whowouldnotsupposehebreakfast{

welI,althoughitisstillearlyinthemorning?Deeparethesrets

thtThuhtOhG)(1andmnyaeth ewhfhthPepldntl

know!WhowouldnotbedeoeivedthatgoOdapp{)aranceofhisand'.

bythatdecencal)eandcoat?Andwhowouldimaginethatgeneer

inanidedoverallofyesterdayonlyonthecrumbofbreadwhichhis

servantI.azarohadkeptforadaalldnightinhfspketillwhich

heeouldIlohavekeptitclean?Wouldaloneknowthatwhenh

washedhishdsandfacetoday,heusedtheshirtofeblousebaus(}

hehadnotatowe1?Ofcoursenobodywouldsusl)ectit.OhGod7

howlnanyoftho8ewhowouldbearthuscoolly,hastThouscattered

a110vertheworldforthewrechedsakeofwhatheycallhnnor,an(}

146)

howmanysafferthusforThysake?"

In swayIwasatthedoor,watchingandmeditatingovertnese

things,untilmymasterwentouofsightupthelollgandnarrowstree4.

Ihurriedbackintothe}10useandinajiffyIwalkeda11throughit,

upstairsanddownstairs
,neitherhaltingnorfindiganyreasonto

halt.Imadethe.dirty,bardbed,tookthejugamdwenttotheriver.

'Th
erein tlievegetablegardenIsawmymasterearnestlyseducingtwo

v
.eiledwomen,whowereapparentlytheindispensableadjunctsoflthis

locality.NowImEaStsaythatduringsumlnermanyofthemarein

thehabitofgoingintheveryearlymorningtotherive
rbanktoget

tllecoolairadtohavebreakfast.Theyusuallygowithouttaking

alonganysortoffood,expectingthatsomeonewillgladlygiveitto

them.Thispractice,accordingtothewomen,issaidtohavebeen

foredbythosenoblenlenofthevic{nity
.

AIhave
said,andwichedbetweenthesewomel1,hetoldthem

likeaM sweeternothingsthanOvideverwrote.Whenthey

dis6ernedthathewasfalrlysoftened,theyfeltnoshameinaskfllgh{m

forbreakfastiiEitheusulprice.

Feelingascoldinhispurseashewashotin}1isbosom,hefelt

suchachillthatittookthecolorfromhisface;sobecomengconfused

inconversation,begantomakeineffectiveexcuses.Perceivingwhat

hiscondfonwasthey,whomusthevebeentrainedinthesesortof

things
,desertedhimforwhathewas.

Ihaveeatenseveralcabbagestalksformybreakfastandreturned

h
omepayingmuchattention,asanewboyusuallydoes,nottobe

:seenbylnynaser
.IthoughtIwouIdsweelsomepartofthehouse,

b
ecauseitwasverynecessary.ButIdidn'tfindthewherewithal.1

eganothinkofwhattodoanditseemedbetterformetowaitfor
ThelifeofLazarillodeTormes(147)

'masteruntiIIloontoseeifhemightpossiblybxingsomethingtoeat

f
8tW
MyexpetinhWVWaSinV

Althoughithashadalreadystrucktwo,hedidnotoomebackand

wassomuchafflictedwithhungerthatIlockedthedoorandput

thekew}1erehehadtoldmeandagainreturnedtomytrade.Ina

lowandfeeblevoice,myhandserossedonthebreast,withGodfloating

beforemyeyesandHisnameonmyongue.18tartedbeggingfor

breada hedoor8amdhouseswhichlobkedlarge.AsIhadlearnod

'thisbusinessatave
ryealyageunderagreatmaster,heblindman,

andhadbecomeanskillfulldisciple,Imadegooduseofmywits.

onsequentlyevehift}1erewasnoeharitinthbtownandthat
,year

thecrophadnotbeenveryabundallt,beforetheclockstruckfour,I

hadalreadysffedmystomachwithfourandtwomoreinmysleeve

,alldwallet.

Ipassedbyameatmarketonmywayhome.WhenIbegged

fromoneofthewomellclerks,shegavemeapieceofcow,sheeland

afewquantitiesofcookedripe.

WhenIrernedhome,mygoodmasterwasalreadythere,saun

teringaboutthecourtyard,hiscapefoldedandputonthestonebellch

WhenIentered,hecametowardme.Ithoughthewouldscoldme

formydela,butGodwillediallright.Eea8kedmewherehad

been.Imurnlured,``S{r,Isayed.hereulltiltwoo'elockandwhenI

foundta)ouhadnotcomeback,Iwenttothecitytorecommed

myselftothegoodpeoplethere.Look!Thesearewhattheygaveme.

18howedhimebreadandthetripepuintlletailofmycoa,

twhichheinadeacheerfullook.Hesaid,"We11 hen,lrefrained

fromeng,waitingfOryou,butsillceyoudidnotcomebakIate.

Butyouactedlikeanhonestman,foritisbettertobeg'thatosteal

(148)

Itisoiilyrightandpropertothinka8suchbecaucegodhashelpedme

thronghyon.IurgeyounottoletthepeopleknOWWeareliVing

together,becauseitconcernsmyhonoralthoughIdon,tthinkthe

eeetwi111akutinviwfthfw )1aintncelhvinthi{

town;1hopenot.

`Don'tbeallxiousaboutthat
,sir,,Itoldhim,``fornobodygives

ahootabOytaskingmethatquestionnordoIcaretoanswer=it
1

Comeon:eat
,yousinner.Godwillingweshellsoonwantfor

nothingalthoughIte11youplainlythateversineeIhavelivedin

thishouse,everythinghasgonewrongwithme.Thismustbeduet(

thebadearth.Thereareunluckyandi11placedhouses,andafter

thosewholiveinthemmisfortunealwaysruns.Thsmustbeoneof

thosekindsofhouses.ButIpromiseyouthatIshallmovewithin

amonth,evenifIcanPossessthishou8ef6rnothing.

Isatdownontheendofthestonebenchanddidnotrefertothe

lightlunchIhadalreddyeaen,takingcarenotobenlis enfora

gluttOn.IbegantosnapmytrilPeandbreadforlunch,secretly

castingmyeyesolltheunfornatemasterofmine,whoneveraverted

i yfmmyhitwhihluedIpltetthtt{m.M}y

GodtakeasmuchpityonmeasItookonhiln,forIhadfeltwha

hewasfeeling.ThisisbecauseIhadundergo:esuchexl)eriences
y

timesandstillmoremanydays.Ithoughtitwouldbegoodforme

to'treathim,butIfearedthathewouldnotacceptmy{nvitation.

seeingthathetOldlnehehadalreadyeaten.AtlastIwantedtohelp

thatpoorfe110woutofhistroublebythesefruitsofmine,and

satisfyhishungerasIhaddonethedaybefore.Fornatelyitwas

agoedopportunityforhim;thefoodwasrichandmyappetitewas

notkeen.IthinkGodwilledtogratifymywishandalsothatofhis
ThelifeofLazarillodeTormes'(14g)

wn.WhenIcommencedtoeat,hewhowaswalkingbackalldforth

etomeandsaid,"lndeed,Lazao,whenyoueatyouhavethebes

.mannersthatIhaveeverseeninanyonc,sonobodycanseeyouatit

withoutyourgivinghimadesiretoeat,eventhoughhehasno

appet1ata11.,,

`Itisbauseyouarehungrythatmymannerofeatingseem9

.9racefultoyou,,

Nevertheless,itseemedbesttohelphim,sinceheassistedmein

clearlngtheway .Isaldtoh{m,``Slr,agoodtoolmakesagood

:arti8an,,Thisbreadismoststy,andhiscow,sheells80wellcooked

amdseasonedthattherewouldbenoonewhowouldnothavehis

apPtitp vkribyitf1v .

``What
,cow,sfeet?

``YeS
,sir',

"Reallythaisthemosdeliciousmorselintheworldandnot

eventhePleasantesttastessogoodtome,,.

``Thentryi
,siraIldyouwillfindhowittases,,

Ipu hecow,sheelandthreeorfourpiecesofthewhitesbread

inhi8and.Hesatdownbesidemeandbegantoeat,ashewasrave

nouslyhungry

,gnawingeachlit1ebonebetterthahisgreyhound

ouldhavedone.

``lfIputgar1csauceonthisdish
,thiswouldbesplellddfood,,

``Yourhungerisabe ersaucehahhat
,,,Isaidtomyself.

``ForGod'ssake
,ittastedasgoodasifI}1adnoteatenamorsel

allday,,

"ManyhapPyyeaswillsurelycometomefo his
,"lmurm-

Ured,

Heasked meforajugofwaterandIgaveitohim,itbeingas
(150)

fullaswhenIhadbrought{tfromtheriver.Whenhewasnot

11eedofwater,iwasasignthatmymaserhadnothadtoomucht(>

eat.Wedrankandwellttobadquiteassatisfiedasonthenight

befOre

TomakealollgstoryshotweI)assedeightortendaysinthis

city.Mywreteliedmasterwould
.goouinthemorn{ngwiththat'

contentedandmeasuredstePotaketheairiT}thestreets,handling'

PoOrLazoasadUpe.

Icons{deredmanytimesmymisfor11e;Ihaveegcapedfromthe

degradhgmastersIhadserveduptothistimeandinspiteofmy

effortstofindabetterone,Ihavecometoentertheserviceofard

whohaslloabilitytosupportme,butwholetmesupporhim.-

NeverthelessIIikedhim,seeingthathehadDothiIgandcoulddon

betterIhadsmpathyforhimratherthanhatred.ManytimesIhad.

ahardtimeofiillordertobrillgelloughfoodoprovideforhim..

Onemornillgthepoorfellowgotupil}ashirtandwentuptoth()-

garrettotakecareofacertainnecessity;inthemeantiMQillorder9

clearmysuspiciolls,Iuufoldedejacketandbreecheswhathadbeen.

puattheheadofhebed.Ifoundasma11,Plafllvelvepursefolded.

ahundredtimes.Notaeursedblancawasillit,norwasthereany.

te1ftthtithadhadnymnyinitf a1ngim.

``Thisman
,,,Isaid,``ispoor,,andnobodygiveshimwhathehas.

not."Butheavariciousblindlnanandheullhappyniggardlypries

evenoughGodhadprovidedforhemboh,onethroughhishand-

kissingandtheotherthroughareadytongue,keptlnealmoststarved

todeath.ItisonlyrightIladproperformetohatethosetwoandbe

sorryforthisfellov
.

AsGodbearswiesstome,odaywhenIcomeacrossanyolleof
ThelifeofazarmodeTonnes(151>

hiskind,withthatgaitandafftedattitude,Ifeelsorryforhimand

wonderifheissufferingvhatIsawthisonesuffer.oweverI)oorhe

maybe,Ishouldbegladertoservehimthanservetheothersforthe

reasonthatIhavetoldyou.Hehadonlyonedrawback:Iwis}1edh6

wouldnotbesopresumingbutdiminishhisconceitalittlewithth

SeOfhiSneceSSity.ButinmyOPniOn,itiSarUleamOngtheSe

peopleandisobserved,thateveniftheyhaven,acoPpercoin,they'

mustputonagoodappearanoe.MaytheI.ordrernedyit,foritwill

soonruinthem

Well,IwasIeadingaliffeinsuchastateasIhavesbutmy

unfornaefae(whichwasnosaisfiedenoughtoI)ersecue e)wa8,

notwilillgtoendurehisIabor1ousalldshamefulIife.Wehavehada

shortcropofwheatthisyearillthisvicil)itY,sothetowncouncilagreed

thatallthepoostangesshallleavethscitywiththeproclamation

thata01efoundfothatdayQnshouldbelashed.Thu8thelawwas

ellforced,andfromthedaysaftertheproclamationIsawthattheywere

eadhlgaprocessionofpaupersthroughthePlazaoftheFourStreets

andbeatillgthem.ThesightmademesofrightenedthatIdidn,tdare

tobegforitbygoingou begagain.

Whoevercouldlook,mightseeheabstinellceofourhouse.Ald

alsosadnessandsilellce .ofthetenants.Somuchsothatweweutfor

dayswithoutabiteorsayhlgaword,SemewomenspinnersIlearby

savedmyIifebygivhlglnealittlesolneugou fthemerepince

theyearnedfromspinllhlgcottollalldmakihgbonnetsandonth{sI

couldmakeshiftforawhile.

Id{dnotfeelassorryformyself'asIdidformypitifulmaster

whohadnotevellamorsetoeateightdays.Atleastforalong

timewedidnoteataholne.Idol1'tknow}10worwerehewandered,.

'
152)

.norwhatheate.Andtseehimcmedwnthesteewithhisbdy

:8tretchedaldmoreslenderthanagreyhoundofgoodbreed!Forthe

sakeofthewretchedthingtheycallhonorehewouIdtakeastraw_

thesewerenotevenenoughoftheseinthehouseandwentoutofthe

doorpickingnothingfrombetweenhisteeth,complainingaseverof

thatunluckyIocationofthehouse.1{esaidtome,``ltisbadtosee

howtheil11uckofthishousecausesevil.Asyousee,itisgloomy,

adanddark.Aslongaswestayhere,wemnstsufferIwishthis

monthwouldsool)passsothatwemightIeavet}1ishouse.,,

Wewerethusinthisafflictedandstarvedstate,whenoneday,

Idon,tkmowbywhatohanceorgoodluck,t}lerefellintothehar}ds

ofmymasteareal'Hecamehomewithitasproudasif

hehadthetreasureofVeniceandhegaveittomewithavery

cheerfulandsmilin'gface.``Takeit,Lazaro.Godhasopenedhishand.

Gotothemarkettobuybread,wineandmeat.Let'sputthedevi1's

eyeoutAndIhavesomethingelsetotellyouwhichpleasesyou:

Ihaverentedanotherhouse,andinthisill-fatedhouseweIleednot

remainuntiltheendofthismonth.Tohedevnwithitandwhoever

Iaidthefirsttile!AIleedlessdeedmademetomovetothishouse.1

8weartoGodthatallthetimeIhavebeenlivinghereIhaven,thada

fagantofmeatnoradropofwine,nohavelanyrestatall.But,

whatadirty,darkappearanceithas!Goandcomebacksoon,apd

let,seatlikecounts.ItookmyrealndjugandcallingonmyIegs

tomakehaste,begantogoupthestreetcheerfullytowardthemarket

place.Whatusisis.ittmeiflamdestinedthatnpleasuesha11

cometonleunaccompaniedbyanxiety?AIldsoitwasthistime.1

real=asilvercoin

ThelifeofI8azarillodeTormes(153)

o
wentupthestreecalculatingllowIwoulduseitsothatitlnightbe

bestandmostdvantageouslys]penandalsoexpressingmyheartfelt

thankstoGodwhoadmademymasterwealth.Atthisunreason

abletime,Isawadeadmancomingthiswaycarriedonastretcherby

.mImypriestsandpeOPle.

11eanedagainstthewalltomakeroomforthem.Soonafterthe

orpsepa8sed,therecameseveralwomenwalkingclosoothelitter.

Oneofthemmusthave
,beenthewifeofthedeadman,shewa8ill

deepmourn{ng.Shecriedinaloudvoiceandsaid,``Oh,myhusband

andmaster!Wherearetheycarryingyou?Tothesadandunfornate

house,tothedismalanddarkhousedwelling,totheplacewherethey

}evereanOrdrink!

HearinghersthaIthought1atheavenandtheearthhad

ometogether.

``Oh
,howunfortunateIam!Thearecarryillgthisdeadmanto

yhouse!"

Reversingmydirection,Ipus}1edmyselfilltothecrowdandran

backdownthestreettowardmyhouseattopspeed.ThemomenI

go{,Iclosedthedoorveryhastilyandcalledupollmyma8terfor

helpadfavor,embracinghimalldaskinghimtocomeandhelpme

checktheentrance.Hewasalittledisrbedthinkingsomethinghad

hapPened.``What,sthematter,boy?Whatareyoushoillgabout?

Whathaveyoudone?Whyd;dyouclosethedoorsofur usly?

"Oh
,si,"lcied,"ComeeequiklyTheyaecarryirgac pse

`h
ere!,,

What,sthat?heasked.

Imethimjustupthesree,andhlswifesaid,``Oh,mhusband

andmaster!Wherearetheycarryillgyou?Tohesadadunfortunate

(154)

house,othedismalanddarkhousedwelling,toheplacewhrethey

nevereatnordrink!,,TothisveryhouSetheyarebringinghim.

Asamatterofcoursewhenmymasterheardthis,althoughhehad

nosl)ecialreasontobeamused,helaughedsohrdthathecouldnot

speakf6ralongtime.MeallwhiIeIhadfastenedthedoorwithaba

andhadpressedmyshoulderagainstitwitheverypossibleprecaution.

'Thefuneralprocessionpass
edbymyhouse,butIwasstillfeaulthat

theyweregoingtomarryhiminoUrhouseMygoodmaser,having

indulgodmoregenerouslyinlaug1terthaninfood,saidtome,``Lazaro,

thetruthis1atyouwererightinthink9whatyouthought,in

considerationofwhatthewidowsaid.ButGodhassettledasHe

thoughtfiandtheyaregoingpastrnyhouse.Openthedoor'and

9tbuysmthingt rat

``Sir
,Ietmestayuutiltheyha'edisapPearedfromthisstreet,,,'

Ibegged.

AtIastmymasercametothedoorfacillgthestreetandopenedl

itvigorously,becausethedoorwassosecurelybolted.ThenIsetou

agaln.'

AlthoughweateIuxuribuslythatday,IdidnotenjoythemeaI.

IlordidIgemycolorforthreedays.IVneneverInymasterremembered

mymisunderstandingaboutthefuneralprocession,hesmiled,

Inthisway,whileIlivedwiththisthrdmasterofmillewho

wasaI)overtystrickensouire,Ihadbeenwonderingabouthisreasons,

foreomingtoliveinthispartofthecountry,becausesillceIentered

theserviceofmymaserIhadknownthathewasastrangerowing

tothelimitedcircleoffriendshehadhere.

AtlastmywishwasrealizedandIfoundouwhatIwar)edto

know.Onedaywhenwehadacomparativelygoodmealandhewas
TllelifeofLazarillodeTomes(i55)

somewIatsatisfiedhetoldmehislifesor;hesaidhathewa8from

OldCastille,andthathehadefthisnativecountyjustbavord

takngoffhiscaptotheknightwhowashisneighbor.

``Sir,,,Isaid,`ifhewasaknightasyousayamdricherthanyou,

wereyouIlotmistakeninnottakingitofftohimffrst?Besides,you

saidthathealsotookhiscapofftoyou".

``Yes
,hewasaknightandricherthanI.Moreoverhet()okhiscap

offtome,butmanyinesIra{sedminefirs.Yououghttohave

salutedmeforonceandbethefirstyourelfItoldhim.,,

``Itseemstome
,sir,thsuchathingdoesn,tgetonmynerves,

espocia11ywithmybettersalldosewhohavemore."

Heansweredme,``Youareolllyachild,andcannotundersanda

poi!itofhonorwhichisanlaterofconcerntohonestpeopleinthis

dyandg.Iwntyutknwthtlm, yu ,aquie

upohmywordifImeetthecountinthestreetandifhedoesnot

takehishatcompletelyofftome,thenexttilnehecomesIwiII

pretendbefore}1ecoilesnearme,toenterahouseonsomebusinesss

orwanderintoaby-road,ifthereisone,inordernottotakem

hatofftohim.AnoblemallowesnothingexcepttoGodandhe

king.Moredver,it{snohightforarespectablepersontoinjurehis

SelfreS]pect.

``IrememberolledayIinsuIedalloffidalalldnearlyresortedto

forceallbecauseeveryimeImehln,hesaid,`Godpreserveyou,

Yuweth nt!1 fdthim

,whyw eyunt 11bed?

Doyouhavetosay``Godpreserveyou,,tomeasifIwerenobody?

Fromthattimeon,a]1deverywhere,'hetookoffhiscaPa]idsPoke

toIneasheshould

``Adtoaddresshim`Godpreserveyou'isthatnotagoodway

156)

saluting?

``Look
,confoulldyou!,,hesaid.``Theysaysotothepeopleoflow

breeding,buttothoseofhigherbreedingsuohasme,theyshouldsay

atleast,`lkissyuhands,sir,'ifthemanwhaddessesmeisa

knight.ThusIcouldnotbearthatdoltfrommycountrywhokept

sufferiugmewithmaintenance,norwouldIendure,norwillIendure

anyoneintkeworld,fromthekingondown,thatsays`Godpreserve

yout,,

`PoorsinnerthatIam,,Isaidtomyself
,``thatiswhyGoddoes

notworryaboutmaintainingyou,becauseyoudollotallowanyoneto

askHim.

"Especially
,"hewenton,"sinceIamnotsopoothatldonot

haveinmycountry,sixteenleaguesfoMwhereIwasborl1,0nthat

810peofValladolidthegroundforbuildingahouse,whichifitwere

standingandwellconstructed,wouldbeworthmorethantivohundred

thousandmaravedis,accordingtohowIargeandmagnifioientitwas

builtAndIhaveapigeonhousewhich,ifitwerenotdilapidatedas

itisnowwouldbreedmorethaIItwohundredpigeonseveryyear.Of

theotherthingstowhichIdonotrefer,11eftt}1enlbehindforthe

sakeofhonOr. J

``IcametothecitytofindagoodJob
,butithasnotturnedout

asIhadexpeeted.Ihavefoundmanycaronsandothemenfthe

hrchbut
.thy e fuglthtnbdy .inthw 1d uldgt

themoutoftheirslowstep.LesserIloblesalsohaveaskedfQrmy

selvicebuttoservethemisaverydifficultjob;youmustchangefrom

amm]il)toa`joker,andifyouareI)otwillingtodoso,theytellyou

`Goodbye,
.Generallythepay{sgivenextendingoveralollgperiodof

tineandmostoftentheI)ayforyourserv{ceisthefoodyoueat.And
ThelifeofLazarillodeTores(157)E

whentheywanttosalvetheirconscienceandrepayyouforyoIlr

Iahr)r,yuarepaidfffrmtheiwardobewithasweatyjacketoa

threadbarecapeorblouse.Nwwhena'manentersheqervieofa

gentlemanllavingsomeitle,'hismiserwiIIbegone.ThedoI8tiU

nothaveallycapaciyforservingandpleasingheseIlobleset?Fbr

God,ssake,ifIcouldcomeacrosswithone,Ithin,kIshouldbehis

verygreatfavourie.Iooulddohimat}10usandservicesdpease ,

him'wonderfullywell,knowingaswe11asthe'nextfellowhowtolie

tohiIshouldlaughloud1athiswittyremarksandmanner,even

iftheymightnotbethebestintheworld.Ishouldneversayany-

thingthatwouldoffedhim,althoughitwouldbeverygoodforhim.

Ishouldbecarefulillmyspeechalldbehaviour.Ishouldnotexert

myselftodowe11whathewouldneversee.Ishouldbegintoscoldhe

servantswherehecouldhearlnesoastolethimknowthatIwa8

muchinterestedinhisaffairs.Ifhescoldedsomeservantofhis,I

shouldmelltionsomesharpthingsoflittleimportancethatwouldseem

takepartwithhimandtoexciteh{sanger.S]peaktohinfavorably

ofwhatmightbetohisliking,andonhecontaryIshouldbe

malicious,andmockerandslanderothersinthehouseholdandout8ide

it,andtrytoinvestigatetheIivingconditionsofothers.18houldmake

upmanyotherspecialtreatsofthissortwhichareowadaysin

fashioninpalacesandwhichpleasesthegentlementhere.Theydon,

Iiketohavevrtuousmenintheirhouses;onthecontrarytheyabhor

andscorllandcallthemduIloes.Soneithermenofbusinessnora1{

withwhomamastercanentrustataskcallbefound.AsIsay,these

arethemeansthatthe
astuteonesusethesedaysasIshould.But

ullfornatelyIcannotfindaIloblemanlikethat.,,

ThusInymasterwouldlamenthisadversefortuIe,tellingmehow
(158)

USefulhes

Atthismomentanoldwomanandamanealneinbythedoor.

Themanaskedforthehouserenandthewomandemandedtherent

frtbebedTheymadecalculatinandf twmnthstheytiOd ,t

collectfromhimanamountthathewouldnotearninayear.Ithink

itwa8twelveort}1irteenreales]egavethemaverycleveranswer

thathewouldgotothemakettochangeadoubloonandthathe

wouldgomebakintheafternoon.Buthedidn,tcomebaokafterall.

Therefore.intheafternoonthgYcameback,butitwastooIe.I

t1 ththhadnt m b
kytNight mbuth idn't

rurnAsIWasafraidtostayinthehousealone,Iwenttothehouse

ofthewomenintheneighbourhood,Itoldthemthestateofaffairs

andsleptthere.Thenextdaythecreditorscametothe houseoftho

neighboringmenandaskedabouthim,butt}eyweretoldtotrynext

door.Thewomentoldthem,``Hereishis .boywhohasthekeyto

thedoor,,.TheyaskcdmeabOuthim,ahdItoldthemthatIdidnot

knowwherehewasaudnorhadhecomebacksincehewentoutto

getsomechange.1dedalsothathehadrunawaywiththechange

fromyouandme.

WhentheyheardthatIsaid,theywentforabailiffandanotary

'Th
eycamehackwiththemsoon,tookthekey,calledme,summoned

witness,openedthedoorandenteredinordertoattachmymaster,s

propertyuntithedebtswereclearedoff.Theywalkedalloverthe

housedfounditasemptyasIhavetoldyou.

Heaskedme,``WhathasbeoomeofyourInaster,spropertysuch

aschests,wallhangingsandhousefurnishings?

``Idon,tknowaboutthem ,,,Iaiisxvered.
``Nodoubtheclearedawayallhisfurnitureandremoveditto
ThelifeofLazarillodeTormes(159)

'someoherplacelastnight
,"hesaid."Mr.Bai1{ff,arrestthisboy

whoknowshiswhereabouts,,

H eupnthbiliff m ndt kmbyth t ll nd

said
,``YouwiIIbeanswerableifyoudon,ttelluswhereyourmaster,s

fUrnitUreis
.,,

IhadneverseenmyselfiIIasimiIarsituationbefore(Thetruth

isthatIhadbeenseizedbythecollarmanytimes,buttheseizurehad

beensogelltlethaIcouldshowtheroadtoollewhgwasblind).I

wasvermuc}1afra1dalldsobbiugoutheanswerstoal1questionhe

ightaskme.

`'That,sgood
,',theysaid,saywhatouknowanddon,tbefright

-e!ed .,'

TheIotarysatollabellchtowrite.anhventoryalld4skedme

wh ym t
hd

``GntIemell
,,,Isaid,``accordingtowhathehastoIdme,his

propertyisthegroulldforbuildirighousesandademolishedpigeon

hOuse,,

``That'sfine
,',theysa{d.``Howeverlittlethe8emaybeworth,these

willbeenoughopaythedebt.Alldillwhapartoftheciydoes

hehavethispoperty?the ed

"Ihhis ativecullty"
,lansweedthem.

``ByJove
,this{safinebusiness,,'theysaid.``Audwhereishis

'nativePlace?"

"HeisfromOldCasIle
,sohetoldme."Thebailiffandthe

notaryhadagoodlaughandsaid,``Thisboy'sstatemelltisenougho

collectyourdebt,perhapsbetter!,'

Thewomellintheneighborhoodwhowerepresent,gaid,``Genle

:en,echidisincent;hehasbeennlyafewdayswiththa

(60)

squireanddoesnotkuowmoreabouthimthanyoudo.Be8idesthe'

1ittlercalhasbeencomingtoourhouseandwegivehimfoodas

muchaswecanoutofcharityandatnighthehasbeengoingbackto'

theSqUire'ShOUSetOSIeep."

Thinkingthatmyinnocencewaspr6ved,theyIetmego.The-

bailiffandthenotarydemandedarewardofthemanandthewoman

fotheiservices.Thisrequestprovokedatemendousquarrelamong'

them.Theonemaintainedthathewerenotobligedtopay,sincethere

wasnothingtOpytherebecausethepropertyhadnotbeenleviedon.

TheothersaidthatinordertOoomehereshehadgivenupanother

jobwhichwasmOreimportant.

Finay,aftershoutingagreatdeal,theyputtheoldwoman,s:-

beddingonthe8houlderofthebailiff,butthebu enwasnotso

heavy.Thenallfiveofthemwentaway,shoutingateachother.Idon,t':

knowwhetherthemterwassattled.Ibelievethewretchedold.

beddingwouldbeworthenoughtopforthelrwants.Wemustsay-

thathi8beddingwasmadethemostof,foratanagewhenitshouldl

havetakenrestfromitspastservice,itwa8goingabOutforrent.

Alhvtldyu,thiihwmy ,tiredm 1ftm -

Inthisway,asIhavetoldyou,Iwasforsakenbythispoor,third.

masterofmineandthusIcametorealizevividlyhowdisastrousmy

Fortunecouldbe.Shehad.shownherselfascontrarytomeasshe

could,andeverythingIddhadgonewrongwithme.So,contrary

totheusualfashioninwhichmastersaredesrrtedbytheirservants

mymasternotohIyleftme,buthehimselffledfromme.

CHAPTERFOUR

HowLazaroenteredtheserviceofaFriarofLa
The]ifeofLazari110deTormes (161)!

Merced,andofthethingswhichhappenedtohim

there.

IhadtoIookformyfourthmaser,afriendofLaMerced,oneof

ewomenIhavementiolleddfrecedmetohim,sayhlgthahewasa

relativeofhers.Hehadanaversiohtothechoirsandthefoodserved

inthemonastebey,andwasmdlyfolldofgoingouta1dofworldly

affairs.SoIthinkheworeoutmoreshoesthanalItheothersinthe

monastery.Thismangavenlemfirstpairofshoes,buttheydidnot

Iastmeeightdays.NorcouldIholdouthistrotal10nger,andfor

thisreasonandot}rerrifleswhichIshallnotmentioP,Itookleave

ofhim.

CAPTERFIV

HowLazaroenteredtheserviceofadistributorof

papalbul18andwhahappenedtohim.

Imetby cemyfifthmasterwhohappenedtobeadistributor

ofbulls.Hewa8themostunrestrained,impudelltse11erofbullsand

wastheg1eatesthandatdisposingofthemthatI-oranybodyelse-

eversaworhopetosee.Forhehadvariousmeansamdskillfu1.

tricks,andalwayst1oughtofsubtlehlvelltions.

Whenheellteredaviagewherehewastoofferthebulls,the

firstthlng'hedidwastopresentthepriestsorcuratesometrifles,

neitherveryexpensive1orsubstantial;aheadbfMucianlece,ifit

wasinseason,acoupleoflimesororanges,aclingstonepeachora

pairoffreestonepeachesandgreeDishpeasforeachoneofthem.In

thiswayhewould}1avethemwellinhandforrenderillghelptohis

busillessalldgetthemtocalltheirparishionerstQgethertotakethe

(162)

bulls.

Whilethepriestsweregivingthanksohim,hecouldgetinfor-

mationabouttheirability.IftheysaidtheycouldunderstandLatin,

1h
ewouldneverspeak.awordofitinordernottomakeablunder,but

woulduseagraceful,shortandsmoothSpanish.Ifhecouldknow

-that`thesaidp
riestswereofthereverenedswhowereordainednot

withlettersbutwithmoney,hesethimselfupforatrueSt.Thomas

amgugthosepriestsandspokefortwohoursinLatin.Atleastthat

iswhatitresembled,althoughitwasnotactuallyso.

Whenthepeoplewouldnotbuyhisintelligencesvillingly,he

soughttodistributethembysomefoulmeans
.Forthathewould

givethevillUgeFeoplealotofrouble,andsometimeshewould

'concoctancraftyPlot .SillceitwouldtaketooIongtorelaeallt}1e

artificestowhich .Isawhimresort,onlyolle,averysubleand

amusingone,willIrelatebywhichyouwillknowhowskillfulhe

was.

Inacertainl)laceinSagradeToledo}lehadpreachedfortwoor

'threedays
,withhisusualassiduityandthepeoplehadnotboughtthe

bulls,norinmyopiniondidtheyseemohaveallyil)tentionof

tbuyingthem.Hewascursinghimselfecauseofthatandthinking 1

outwhattodo
,hemadeuphismindtogatherthevilagepeople

'thenextmorningtosellindulgellce
.

Thatnig}1taferdinnerhearldthebailiffbegantolayawager

nthe .dessertbuttheystartedaquarreIoverthegameendto
abuse

eachotherinfoullamguages.Heca11edthebailiffahief,andthe

.lattercalledhimafalsifier.Thehmymaserthepardonerookthe

.1ancewhichwasintheporticowheretheywereplayng,alldthe

barilifflaidahandtotheswordhewore .
TheIifeofLazariilodeTormse(163)

1{earinghenoiseaudshoutingthatweallmade,theboardersan(1

'neighborshasenedtothespotandwedgedinthetwo
.Astheywere

veryangry,eachtriedtofreehimselffromthoseinthemiddleil}

ordertokillhisalltagonist.oever,somanypeoplehadbeendrawn

othecommoionthathehousewasfu110fthem;thereforet}1ey

ouldnotattackeachotherwiththeirweaponsandcoulddonothing

utshoutoutallmannerofabuse.Inthemiddleofhisquarrel,the

bailiffsaidatmymasterwasaswindIeralldassertedthathebulls

.he}1awkedwerefalSe.

Atlastthepeoplesawthatt}1etwocouldnotbereconciled,alld

decidedtotakethebailiffawayfromheinntosomeotherplace.

ThusmymasterremainedathomeiIIanger,buafterheboardersand

theneighborshadaskedhimtopaifhisangerandgotobed,he

decdedunwillinglytodoso
.Sodidweall.

Whenmorningcame,mymasterwenttothechurchandordered

themtolettheparishionersknowtheMassandhissermonbyringing

abellsoastodistributethe.indulgences.Thepeopleassembled,

omplainingaboutthebulls,mutteringthattheywerefalseandthat

evenbailiffhimselfhadseellthrought}leirfalsity
,sothat,t}leywere

notonlyreluctanttotaketheindulgencesbutalsohatedtheidea

heartily.hepardonerwentuptothepulpitandbegantopreacha

.sermonandencouragetheFeoplnottodowithoutsuchblessingsand

remissionofsinsasthesesacredbullswouldbrillg.

Whenthesermonreeheditsclimax,thebailiffcameinthrough

thedoorofthechurch.Heofferedaprayer,stoodup,andbeganto

8peakprudentlyinaloud,slowvoice.``Mygoodpeople,hearole

wordfromme,andatterthatyoumaylistentoanythingyouIike.1

0ame ,herewiththissharperwhoispreachhlgtoyounow.Hedeceved
(164)

me{ntohel!)inghiminthisbusinessontheunderstandingthathe-

wouldsharetheprofitswithme.Andnow,aiterseeingthe}armit

woulddotomyoon8cienoeandtoyourproperty.Ihaverel)ellted

ofwhatIhavedone.Idlaretoyouplainlythatthebull8which

heisgoingtopalmoffonyouaefalse.Don't,therefore,believe-

himanddon,tbuytheindUlgencgIassertthatIamnotinthelea8t

ocncernedinthismatter,eitherdirectlyorindirectly,sofromnowon,

Ishallpartwiththiswandandthrowitontheground.Andifat

sometimethismani8punishedforhisfalsehood,allofyouwibet

mywiessthatIamnotinconspiracywithhimandnotrendering

hima8sstallee.OnthecontraryIamenlighteningandpointingouthis

wickedpess,,

Thu8hefinishedhisstatement.

Somehonestmenwhoweretherestoodupandtriedtothrowthe

bailiffoutofthechurchinordertoavoidaseandal.Bumymaster

had8toppedthemandorderedeverybody,underpenaltyofexcommu

nication,nottointerferewilthim,buttohavehimsaywhathelikedr

Thenmymaserhimselfwa8silentwhiletLebailiffsa{dallthatI

havetold.

Whenheheldhisongue,mymaster01dhfmthatifhehad. j

anythingfurthertosay,}1ehadbettersayit.

``Ihavealotofthingstotellabeutyouandyourfalsity
,but,

fOrthepreSenthatisenough,, .

Thecommisarykneltdownnthepnlpitwuhh.ishandsfolded,

lookingupheavenward,said:``Oh,God,frowhomnothingi8hidden,,,

buttowhomeverythingismanifest;forwhonnothngisimpossible,,

butforwhomeverythingispossible;Thouknowestthetruthand

knowesthowunjustlylamacked.Sfaaslamconcened,1
ThelifeofLazarillodeTormes(165)

pardonhimbecauseThouforgivethrne.Don'beconcemedwihthis

mwhodQe'tknowwhathedcesnowhathesays.Butforthe

injurydonetoThee,IprayTheeandbegofTheeinhecauseof

justienottooverlookit,1estsomeoneherewho'wantedperhapsto

takethese8acredpardonsshouldstopdoingso,believingthatma,s

falsewords.And8incehisissuchagrievoussinagainsthisneighbors,

IentreatTheenottoov6rlookit;butshowushereaonceamiracle

andleitbethus;Ifwhatthismansaysistrue,ifIdowrongd

tellafalsehood,thenletthispulpitsinkwithmesevenfathomsunder

,ground,fromwhereneithershallcomeupagail1;butifwhatIsayis

-true
,andhewasmisledbyanevilspirit,andtellsalfeinorderto

deprivet}108ewhoateI)resenofh6irgreatbenefit,1ehimbe

punishedalsandhisviciousnessbeknowntoall."

Hardlyhadlnydevutma8tefinishedhispayewhgnhedismal

bailifffellfuUlengthaudstruckfloor80hardthatthesoundrang

throug}10ut}1cchurch. ebegantoroar,andfrohathistwised

outhandtomakefaces,strugglillgandkickingandro11ingaround

onthefloorfromollesidetotheotller

ThepeoPlemadesuchagreatuproarthattheycouldlnothear

eachother.Somewereseizedwithterrorjsomewentonsaying,``The

k)rdsaveandpocthim!"Othes,"Thatisthedesevedpunishment

fOrhisfalsestatement,,

FinallysomewhohapPenedobepesenthere,apProachedhlm

(nowithoutconsiderableterror,iseemedtome)andgrabbedhimby

thearm,withwhichhekeptgivlngablowoeverybodynearhim.

Otherspulledhimbythelegsandheldhimdownwihalltheirmight,

fortherewasIleveranuntrustworthymuleil1heworldthacould

.kickanyharder.Theypinnedhimdownillthatwayforalongtime,
(166)

bausemorethanfifteenmenwereuponhimwithaunitedefforts.If

theywereofftheirguard,}ewouldboxthemontheirsnouts.

Meanwhilemymasterremainedkneelinginthepulpitwithhisl

handsandeyesheavenwards,andhewassoenral}tattheholyessence

thattheuproarandthenoiseandtheshoutinginsidethechurch

couldnotsel)aratefromhisreligiouscontemplation.

T}losegoodmenmovedontovardhimandawakenedhimwiht

shoutsandaskedhimtohelpthatpoormanwhowasdying.They

beggedhimtooverlookhispastcrimesandoffensivelanguage:"He

hasalreadyatonedforthem,andifyoucaninanywayendhis

daugerandsuffering,thenpleasedoitoutofcharityWeclearly

knewtheculprit,sguiltandyourowntruthandkindness,forthe

I.orddidnotdeferthepunishmentgrantingYQurpetition,,

ThpaTdn ,lik newhawaknsf masweetdeam1 ked

atthem,lookedattheculpit,thenatthepeopleaoundhim,and

saidtOthemveryslowIy.``Mygood]people,yououghtnottosay

prayersforamantowhomGodhasshownsomarkedIyHisinfluence.

However,asHecommandsusnottoreturnevilforevil,buttoforgive

allthecrimes,wemayaskimwithconfidencetograntwhatHe

oommandedustodoandalsotoforgivethismanwhohasoffended

GodbythrowinganobstacleinthepathofHissaintlyfaith.Let's

a11PrayfOrhim

Withthishedescendedfremthepulpitandurgedthemtoentr(}at

GoddevoutlythatHesh6uldwillinglyforgivethatsinner,restore

himtohealthandrightmindandexorciseevilspiritsfromhim,if

Godcausedhimtobepossessedofdevi1.

Everybodykneltinfrontofthealtarwiththeclergymenand

begantochant}lelitatlyiTIalowvoice.Afterhehadprayedfor

The!ifeofazarillodeTormes(167

hm,mymastercametothecu1Pitwiththecrossandholywater.

Thenwithhishandsseddhiseyescast,untilonlythewhites

ofthemcouldbeseen,owardheaven,hebeganalongandsincere1 .

prayer,whichmadeallthepeoPleweep(justastheyareusedtodo

duringmyHolWeeksermonswithadevoutpreacherandaudienee).:

HeentreatedourLordthatthissinner,whohathbeentempedbythe

devilandledintodeathandsin,s}ouIdbeforgivenandrestoredto

healhandlife80thathemayrepentandconfesss;ns,inasmuchasHe

doesnotdesfrethedeat}10fthesinnerbutratherdesiresthathelive

andrel)ent..

Whenhehadfinishedtheprayer,heorderedthemtobringpapal

bullsandputoneofthemonhishead.Soonthewickedbailiffbeg

togetbetterIittlebylittleandtorecovercollsciousness.Whenhehad

complelycomeroundtohimself,hethrewhimselfathepardoller,s

feetandbeggedtobepardoned.Heconfessedthathehadbeen

cajoledandorderedbythedeviltosaythesethingsfortwomotives..

Onewastodoharmtothepapalbulldi8tributedandrevengemyself

onhim;theother,moreimportantstil1,isthathedevilsuffereda

greatpainoverthegoodthatwouldresultfromthedistributollof

Lebullsint}1evillage.

Mymasterpardonedhim,alld,theymadepeacewieachother.

sothedemandforindulgenceswassoactivethathardlyalivngsour

iuthevillagerenla1edwitheutollebusba1dsandwives,sons,and

daughters,manservantsandmaidservants.

T}1ellewsoftheoccurencespreadtothenefghboringplacesan(

whenwereachedthem,itwasnhecessaytpeachasemn g(

othechurcl,because theinntheycametobuytheindulgencesas

iftheywerethepearstobegivenaway.Inthiswayintenortwelve
168)

adjaentvmageswevisied,hesldtn welvethusandint11i

9enceswithoutPreachingasermon.

Whenhestagedoutthis"show"IconfessthatIwasamazedand

believedthatIhadseenagenuinemiracle,asmanyothersdid.But

whenIsawlaterbowmymasterandthebailifflaughedandlikedover

thismischevousdeption,Iknewthatithadbeenplotdbythe

industriousandtrickerymasterofmine.

AndalthoughIwasonlyachildthen,Iwasverymuchpleased

withthistrickandmurmured;"Iwonderhowoftenthesetaicksters

cheattheseinnocentpeoplewiththesesorts6fconspiracy.Inal11

stayedwithefifthmasterofminesomefourmonths,duingwhich

lalsowentthroughmm)yhardshipoflife.

CHAPTERSIX

owIazaroenteredtheserviceofaChaplainand

what
.happendtohim

AfterthisIworkedunderadrmlnpainter.Igroundcolorsfor

him,butIunderwentallsortsoftroubles.

BythistimeIwasquitegrownup.OnedayIenteredthe

.cathedralandachaplain kmehltoh{sservice.Hehandedmeagood

donkey,fourIargepitchers,andalashandIbegantosellwater

throught}1ecityThiswasthefirsttimehatIascepdedtogeta

,goodliving,formybellywasfuII.OIIweekdaysIgavemymaster

thirtymravedisoutofmydailyearnings;onSaturdaysIearnedfo

myselfandtheoth6rdaysoftheweekallthatexceededthirty

maravedis.

Thisbusinesswassoprosperousthatattheendofthefouryears,

bywatehingmyearningsverycarefully,Isavedenoughtodress

'
8

ThelifeofLazarillodeTores(169>

myselfveryresp ablyeveniftheclothesareold.Withthese

}arningsIboughtanoldfUstianjacket,athreadbareblousewith

braidedsleeve,acapewiththeIlapwomoffmdoneftheoldest

swordsmadebyCuellarintheearlystage.AssoonasIdressed

myselflikeagentleman,ItoldmymasterthathecouldhaPvehis
,

donkeyandthatIdidnotwttocontinnethatjobanylonger
.

CHAPTERSEVE]9

HowLazaroenteredtheserviDeofabailiff,and

whathappendtohim.

Afterpartingfromthechaplain,Iworkedunderaba1iffasa

judieialofficer.ButIdidnotliveIongwithhim,becausetheoccupa

'tionseelnedomedangerous
.EspeciallyonemightsomecuIpritsran

afermmaserandmewithstonesandclubs
.Theytreatedmy

-maste
rwhowa8waitingtosuppressthembad,buttheywerenot3ble

'tocatchupwithme
.ThereforeIresiglledt}lejob.

WhileIwasthinkiugoverthekindofoccupaionIshouldfollow

inordertohaveresandtohoardmolleyagainstmyoldage,Godwas

kindenoghtoenlfghtenmmindandleadmetoaprofiableroad.

Bythekindassisanceofmyfr1endsahdgentlemen,allmyefforts

,ndhardshipswerecompletel:compensatedbywhatIacquiredthen.

ItwasapositionapPointedbythegovernment,fornobodyprospers

eXCeptthOSeWhOWOrkfOrthegOVerllmellt.

Evenoda}Isi11workilthispositiollalldliverendering

servicestoGodandyou.Thatistosay,itlieswithmeo

-cryoutthewinesthaaresoldillthiscity;Ialsoallnounceauctions

andlosaricles,andgoalongwiththosewho'sufferpersecutionfor

orighteousness,sakealldmaketeircrimesknowIIinaIoudvolce.To

(170)

putitplainlyingoodRomancelanguage,Iwasatowncrier.

EverythingfellintomylapandIhavebeensopromptinmy

occupationthateverythinghastodowiththisofficepassesthrough

myhands.Theef eanybdyinallthccitywhexpectstse11wine

oranythingelsecannotcountonaprofitunlessLazarodeTormesis

concernedinit

Atthistimeyourfriendandservant,theArehpriestofSalvador,

whosewinesIhaudled,earnedofmytalentsandcharacterand

skifulwayofliving.Hearrangedformetomarryhismaidservant,

andsincenothingbutprofitandadvantagecoudcometomefrom

suchaperson,Iresolvedtoaecel)ttheI)roposal.

ThusImarriedher,andtothisdayIhaveneverrepented,for

lesidesthefactthats}1eisaverygood,hardworkingondoblinging

woman,Iamgiveneveryfavorandassistancebymymalsterthe

archpriest.Duringtheyearhegivesherfromtimetotimeaboutone

loafofwheat,onchurchholidaysandnowandthenacoupleofholy

bread,andoldbreecheshehasdiscarded.Herentedalittlehouseforus

cIosetohisown.OnSundaysandholidaysweusualIydineinhis

house.

However,therehavebeenandalwayswillbemalicioustongues

andtheyneverletusIiveinpeace.TheysayIdonotknow,butI

doknow,aboutmywife,sgoingtothearchbriest'shousetomigkehis

bedandcookhismeals.Butitwouldbemuchhappierforthemtobe

lovedbyGodthantotellsuchtruthsasthis.ButsheisIlotawomn

Gwhopocketstheseinsults
.Moreover,mymasterhaspromisedme,and

Ithinkhewillperformit.Onedayhetoldmeatgreatlengthbefore

her.``LazarodeTormes,whoevermindsthemaliciousgossipofothers

willneverprosper.IsaythisbecauseIdon,tcareastrawifsomeone
ThejfeofLazarilIodeTmes(171)

8houldalkabouseeingyourwifecometmyhouseandleaveit.

Tha8heentersmyhouseisanhonortoherselfandtoyou.Iassure

you.Sodon,tmindwhateverothersmaysay,butconcerllyourself

wiwhatwouldbetoyouradvantage.

``Sir'Isaidtohim
,``Ideterminedtorelyonthegoodpeople.

Thetruthisthasomeofmyfriendshavesaidsomehinglikethatto

me,naymore,moret}1anthreetimespeopleassuredmethatmywife

gavebirththreetimesbeforeshemarriedme.Irnentionthissortof

thingtoyoubecausesheispresenthere.

ThenmywifebegantoswearsuchaterribleoaththatIthought

thehousewouldcaveinthegroundwithus.Thenshebegallweeping

andcursingthemanwhohadarrangedamatchwithus.IthoughtI

hadratherdiethutterthesewordsunwittingly.Withmeon

ollesideandthearchpriestolltheosher,wecajoledherandassumed

soconciliatoryanattitudethatshestoppedweeping.Isworeherthat

neveragaininmylifewouldIrefertothematternorhaveIthe

leastobjectiontoherenteringandIeavinghi8house,dayandnight,

forIamsureofhervirtue.Thusthethreeofusreahedacomplete

mutualunderstallding.

Uptothepresent,oollehaseverheardustouchonit.Moreover,

wheneversomeolleisgoingosaysomethingabouther,Icuthim

shortandsay,"Mindyou,ifyouaremyfrlend,do11,tsayalthiDg

tomethatwillcausemepain,forIdon,twanttohaveauyolleasmy

friendwhogrievesmeespecfallyifhetriestosetmeatoddsw h

mywife.Sheisthethingillthevorldtha110vemostofa11,andI

lovehermorethanrnyself.GodhasbeeIImercifulinmaryriIIgher

tomeandsheismoreefawomanhaIcandeserve.Iwillswear

bythecollsratedHosthatsheisasgoodasalwomanwholives
(172) '

withinthedoorsofToledo.Iwillfighthimwhotellsmeotherwise.

Inthiswaytheysaynothingtome,andIhavepeaceinmy

house.

Thiswasthesameyeainwhichouvictoiousempe rentered

thisiustriouscityofToledoandorganizedtheCortes,and'agreat

festivslwasheld,assyouhaveheard.

AtthistimeIwasprosperousandatthe]peakofallgoodfortune.

'