Reading Help The Three Musketeers Ch.1-18
In those times panics were common, and few days passed without `
` some city or other registering in its archives an event of this `
` kind. There were nobles, who made war against each other; there `
` was the king, who made war against the cardinal; there was Spain, `
` which made war against the king. Then, in addition to these `
` concealed or public, secret or open wars, there were robbers, `
` mendicants, Huguenots, wolves, and scoundrels, who made war upon `
` everybody. The citizens always took up arms readily against `
` thieves, wolves or scoundrels, often against nobles or Huguenots, `
` sometimes against the king, but never against cardinal or Spain. `
` It resulted, then, from this habit that on the said first Monday `
` of April, 1625, the citizens, on hearing the clamor, and seeing `
` neither the red-and-yellow standard nor the livery of the Duc de `
` Richelieu, rushed toward the hostel of the Jolly Miller. When `
` arrived there, the cause of the hubbub was apparent to all. `
` `
` A young man--we can sketch his portrait at a dash. Imagine to `
` yourself a Don Quixote of eighteen; a Don Quixote without his `
` corselet, without his coat of mail, without his cuisses; a Don `
` Quixote clothed in a wooden doublet, the blue color of which had `
` faded into a nameless shade between lees of wine and a heavenly `
` azure; face long and brown; high cheek bones, a sign of sagacity; `
` the maxillary muscles enormously developed, an infallible sign by `
` which a Gascon may always be detected, even without his cap--and `
` our young man wore a cap set off with a sort of feather; the eye `
` open and intelligent; the nose hooked, but finely chiseled. Too `
` big for a youth, too small for a grown man, an experienced eye `
` might have taken him for a farmer's son upon a journey had it not `
` been for the long sword which, dangling from a leather baldric, `
` hit against the calves of its owner as he walked, and against the `
` rough side of his steed when he was on horseback. `
` `
` For our young man had a steed which was the observed of all `
` observers. It was a Bearn pony, from twelve to fourteen years `
` old, yellow in his hide, without a hair in his tail, but not `
` without windgalls on his legs, which, though going with his head `
` lower than his knees, rendering a martingale quite unnecessary, `
` contrived nevertheless to perform his eight leagues a day. `
` Unfortunately, the qualities of this horse were so well concealed `
` under his strange-colored hide and his unaccountable gait, that `
` at a time when everybody was a connoisseur in horseflesh, the `
` appearance of the aforesaid pony at Meung--which place he had `
` entered about a quarter of an hour before, by the gate of `
` Beaugency--produced an unfavorable feeling, which extended to his `
` rider. `
` `
` And this feeling had been more painfully perceived by young `
` d'Artagnan--for so was the Don Quixote of this second Rosinante `
` named--from his not being able to conceal from himself the `
` ridiculous appearance that such a steed gave him, good horseman `
` as he was. He had sighed deeply, therefore, when accepting the `
` gift of the pony from M. d'Artagnan the elder. He was not `
` ignorant that such a beast was worth at least twenty livres; and `
` the words which had accompanied the present were above all price. `
` `
` "My son," said the old Gascon gentleman, in that pure Bearn `
` PATOIS of which Henry IV could never rid himself, "this horse was `
` born in the house of your father about thirteen years ago, and `
` has remained in it ever since, which ought to make you love it. `
` Never sell it; allow it to die tranquilly and honorably of old `
` age, and if you make a campaign with it, take as much care of it `
` as you would of an old servant. At court, provided you have ever `
` the honor to go there," continued M. d'Artagnan the elder, "--an `
` honor to which, remember, your ancient nobility gives you the `
` right--sustain worthily your name of gentleman, which has been `
` worthily borne by your ancestors for five hundred years, both for `
` your own sake and the sake of those who belong to you. By the `
` latter I mean your relatives and friends. Endure nothing from `
` anyone except Monsieur the Cardinal and the king. It is by his `
` courage, please observe, by his courage alone, that a gentleman `
` can make his way nowadays. Whoever hesitates for a second `
` perhaps allows the bait to escape which during that exact second `
` fortune held out to him. You are young. You ought to be brave `
` for two reasons: the first is that you are a Gascon, and the `
` second is that you are my son. Never fear quarrels, but seek `
` adventures. I have taught you how to handle a sword; you have `
` thews of iron, a wrist of steel. Fight on all occasions. Fight `
` the more for duels being forbidden, since consequently there is `
` twice as much courage in fighting. I have nothing to give you, `
` my son, but fifteen crowns, my horse, and the counsels you have `
` just heard. Your mother will add to them a recipe for a certain `
` balsam, which she had from a Bohemian and which has the `
` miraculous virtue of curing all wounds that do not reach the `
` heart. Take advantage of all, and live happily and long. I have `
` but one word to add, and that is to propose an example to you-- `
` not mine, for I myself have never appeared at court, and have `
` only taken part in religious wars as a volunteer; I speak of `
` Monsieur de Treville, who was formerly my neighbor, and who had `
` the honor to be, as a child, the play-fellow of our king, Louis `
` XIII, whom God preserve! Sometimes their play degenerated into `
` battles, and in these battles the king was not always the `
` stronger. The blows which he received increased greatly his `
` esteem and friendship for Monsieur de Treville. Afterward, `
` Monsieur de Treville fought with others: in his first journey to `
` Paris, five times; from the death of the late king till the young `
` one came of age, without reckoning wars and sieges, seven times; `
` and from that date up to the present day, a hundred times, `
` perhaps! So that in spite of edicts, ordinances, and decrees, `
` there he is, captain of the Musketeers; that is to say, chief of `
` a legion of Caesars, whom the king holds in great esteem and whom `
` the cardinal dreads--he who dreads nothing, as it is said. Still `
` further, Monsieur de Treville gains ten thousand crowns a year; `
` he is therefore a great noble. He began as you begin. Go to him `
` with this letter, and make him your model in order that you may `
` do as he has done." `
` `
` Upon which M. d'Artagnan the elder girded his own sword round his `
` son, kissed him tenderly on both cheeks, and gave him his `
` benediction. `
` `
` On leaving the paternal chamber, the young man found his mother, `
` who was waiting for him with the famous recipe of which the `
` counsels we have just repeated would necessitate frequent `
` employment. The adieux were on this side longer and more tender `
` than they had been on the other--not that M. d'Artagnan did not `
` love his son, who was his only offspring, but M. d'Artagnan was a `
` man, and he would have considered it unworthy of a man to give `
` way to his feelings; whereas Mme. d'Artagnan was a woman, and `
` still more, a mother. She wept abundantly; and--let us speak it `
` to the praise of M. d'Artagnan the younger--notwithstanding the `
` efforts he made to remain firm, as a future Musketeer ought, `
` nature prevailed, and he shed many tears, of which he succeeded `
` with great difficulty in concealing the half. `
` `
` The same day the young man set forward on his journey, furnished `
` with the three paternal gifts, which consisted, as we have said, `
` of fifteen crowns, the horse, and the letter for M. de Treville-- `
` the counsels being thrown into the bargain. `
` `
` With such a VADE MECUM d'Artagnan was morally and physically an `
` exact copy of the hero of Cervantes, to whom we so happily `
` compared him when our duty of an historian placed us under the `
` necessity of sketching his portrait. Don Quixote took windmills `
` for giants, and sheep for armies; d'Artagnan took every smile for `
` an insult, and every look as a provocation--whence it resulted `
` that from Tarbes to Meung his fist was constantly doubled, or his `
` hand on the hilt of his sword; and yet the fist did not descend `
` upon any jaw, nor did the sword issue from its scabbard. It was `
` not that the sight of the wretched pony did not excite numerous `
` smiles on the countenances of passers-by; but as against the side `
` of this pony rattled a sword of respectable length, and as over `
` this sword gleamed an eye rather ferocious than haughty, these `
` passers-by repressed their hilarity, or if hilarity prevailed `
` over prudence, they endeavored to laugh only on one side, like `
` the masks of the ancients. D'Artagnan, then, remained majestic `
` and intact in his susceptibility, till he came to this unlucky `
` city of Meung. `
` `
` But there, as he was alighting from his horse at the gate of the `
` Jolly Miller, without anyone--host, waiter, or hostler--coming to `
` hold his stirrup or take his horse, d'Artagnan spied, though an `
` open window on the ground floor, a gentleman, well-made and of `
` good carriage, although of rather a stern countenance, talking `
` with two persons who appeared to listen to him with respect. `
` d'Artagnan fancied quite naturally, according to his custom, that `
` he must be the object of their conversation, and listened. This `
` time d'Artagnan was only in part mistaken; he himself was not in `
` question, but his horse was. The gentleman appeared to be `
` enumerating all his qualities to his auditors; and, as I have `
` said, the auditors seeming to have great deference for the `
` narrator, they every moment burst into fits of laughter. Now, as `
` a half-smile was sufficient to awaken the irascibility of the `
` young man, the effect produced upon him by this vociferous mirth `
` may be easily imagined. `
` `
` Nevertheless, d'Artagnan was desirous of examining the appearance `
` of this impertinent personage who ridiculed him. He fixed his `
` haughty eye upon the stranger, and perceived a man of from forty `
` to forty-five years of age, with black and piercing eyes, pale `
` complexion, a strongly marked nose, and a black and well-shaped `
` mustache. He was dressed in a doublet and hose of a violet `
` color, with aiguillettes of the same color, without any other `
` ornaments than the customary slashes, through which the shirt `
` appeared. This doublet and hose, though new, were creased, like `
` traveling clothes for a long time packed in a portmanteau. `
` d'Artagnan made all these remarks with the rapidity of a most `
` minute observer, and doubtless from an instinctive feeling that `
` this stranger was destined to have a great influence over his `
` future life. `
` `
` Now, as at the moment in which d'Artagnan fixed his eyes upon the `
` gentleman in the violet doublet, the gentleman made one of his `
` most knowing and profound remarks respecting the Bearnese pony, `
` his two auditors laughed even louder than before, and he himself, `
` though contrary to his custom, allowed a pale smile (if I may `
` allowed to use such an expression) to stray over his countenance. `
` This time there could be no doubt; d'Artagnan was really `
` insulted. Full, then, of this conviction, he pulled his cap down `
` over his eyes, and endeavoring to copy some of the court airs he `
` had picked up in Gascony among young traveling nobles, he `
` advanced with one hand on the hilt of his sword and the other `
` resting on his hip. Unfortunately, as he advanced, his anger `
` increased at every step; and instead of the proper and lofty `
` speech he had prepared as a prelude to his challenge, he found `
` nothing at the tip of his tongue but a gross personality, which `
` he accompanied with a furious gesture. `
` `
` "I say, sir, you sir, who are hiding yourself behind that `
` shutter--yes, you, sir, tell me what you are laughing at, and we `
` will laugh together!" `
` `
`
` some city or other registering in its archives an event of this `
` kind. There were nobles, who made war against each other; there `
` was the king, who made war against the cardinal; there was Spain, `
` which made war against the king. Then, in addition to these `
` concealed or public, secret or open wars, there were robbers, `
` mendicants, Huguenots, wolves, and scoundrels, who made war upon `
` everybody. The citizens always took up arms readily against `
` thieves, wolves or scoundrels, often against nobles or Huguenots, `
` sometimes against the king, but never against cardinal or Spain. `
` It resulted, then, from this habit that on the said first Monday `
` of April, 1625, the citizens, on hearing the clamor, and seeing `
` neither the red-and-yellow standard nor the livery of the Duc de `
` Richelieu, rushed toward the hostel of the Jolly Miller. When `
` arrived there, the cause of the hubbub was apparent to all. `
` `
` A young man--we can sketch his portrait at a dash. Imagine to `
` yourself a Don Quixote of eighteen; a Don Quixote without his `
` corselet, without his coat of mail, without his cuisses; a Don `
` Quixote clothed in a wooden doublet, the blue color of which had `
` faded into a nameless shade between lees of wine and a heavenly `
` azure; face long and brown; high cheek bones, a sign of sagacity; `
` the maxillary muscles enormously developed, an infallible sign by `
` which a Gascon may always be detected, even without his cap--and `
` our young man wore a cap set off with a sort of feather; the eye `
` open and intelligent; the nose hooked, but finely chiseled. Too `
` big for a youth, too small for a grown man, an experienced eye `
` might have taken him for a farmer's son upon a journey had it not `
` been for the long sword which, dangling from a leather baldric, `
` hit against the calves of its owner as he walked, and against the `
` rough side of his steed when he was on horseback. `
` `
` For our young man had a steed which was the observed of all `
` observers. It was a Bearn pony, from twelve to fourteen years `
` old, yellow in his hide, without a hair in his tail, but not `
` without windgalls on his legs, which, though going with his head `
` lower than his knees, rendering a martingale quite unnecessary, `
` contrived nevertheless to perform his eight leagues a day. `
` Unfortunately, the qualities of this horse were so well concealed `
` under his strange-colored hide and his unaccountable gait, that `
` at a time when everybody was a connoisseur in horseflesh, the `
` appearance of the aforesaid pony at Meung--which place he had `
` entered about a quarter of an hour before, by the gate of `
` Beaugency--produced an unfavorable feeling, which extended to his `
` rider. `
` `
` And this feeling had been more painfully perceived by young `
` d'Artagnan--for so was the Don Quixote of this second Rosinante `
` named--from his not being able to conceal from himself the `
` ridiculous appearance that such a steed gave him, good horseman `
` as he was. He had sighed deeply, therefore, when accepting the `
` gift of the pony from M. d'Artagnan the elder. He was not `
` ignorant that such a beast was worth at least twenty livres; and `
` the words which had accompanied the present were above all price. `
` `
` "My son," said the old Gascon gentleman, in that pure Bearn `
` PATOIS of which Henry IV could never rid himself, "this horse was `
` born in the house of your father about thirteen years ago, and `
` has remained in it ever since, which ought to make you love it. `
` Never sell it; allow it to die tranquilly and honorably of old `
` age, and if you make a campaign with it, take as much care of it `
` as you would of an old servant. At court, provided you have ever `
` the honor to go there," continued M. d'Artagnan the elder, "--an `
` honor to which, remember, your ancient nobility gives you the `
` right--sustain worthily your name of gentleman, which has been `
` worthily borne by your ancestors for five hundred years, both for `
` your own sake and the sake of those who belong to you. By the `
` latter I mean your relatives and friends. Endure nothing from `
` anyone except Monsieur the Cardinal and the king. It is by his `
` courage, please observe, by his courage alone, that a gentleman `
` can make his way nowadays. Whoever hesitates for a second `
` perhaps allows the bait to escape which during that exact second `
` fortune held out to him. You are young. You ought to be brave `
` for two reasons: the first is that you are a Gascon, and the `
` second is that you are my son. Never fear quarrels, but seek `
` adventures. I have taught you how to handle a sword; you have `
` thews of iron, a wrist of steel. Fight on all occasions. Fight `
` the more for duels being forbidden, since consequently there is `
` twice as much courage in fighting. I have nothing to give you, `
` my son, but fifteen crowns, my horse, and the counsels you have `
` just heard. Your mother will add to them a recipe for a certain `
` balsam, which she had from a Bohemian and which has the `
` miraculous virtue of curing all wounds that do not reach the `
` heart. Take advantage of all, and live happily and long. I have `
` but one word to add, and that is to propose an example to you-- `
` not mine, for I myself have never appeared at court, and have `
` only taken part in religious wars as a volunteer; I speak of `
` Monsieur de Treville, who was formerly my neighbor, and who had `
` the honor to be, as a child, the play-fellow of our king, Louis `
` XIII, whom God preserve! Sometimes their play degenerated into `
` battles, and in these battles the king was not always the `
` stronger. The blows which he received increased greatly his `
` esteem and friendship for Monsieur de Treville. Afterward, `
` Monsieur de Treville fought with others: in his first journey to `
` Paris, five times; from the death of the late king till the young `
` one came of age, without reckoning wars and sieges, seven times; `
` and from that date up to the present day, a hundred times, `
` perhaps! So that in spite of edicts, ordinances, and decrees, `
` there he is, captain of the Musketeers; that is to say, chief of `
` a legion of Caesars, whom the king holds in great esteem and whom `
` the cardinal dreads--he who dreads nothing, as it is said. Still `
` further, Monsieur de Treville gains ten thousand crowns a year; `
` he is therefore a great noble. He began as you begin. Go to him `
` with this letter, and make him your model in order that you may `
` do as he has done." `
` `
` Upon which M. d'Artagnan the elder girded his own sword round his `
` son, kissed him tenderly on both cheeks, and gave him his `
` benediction. `
` `
` On leaving the paternal chamber, the young man found his mother, `
` who was waiting for him with the famous recipe of which the `
` counsels we have just repeated would necessitate frequent `
` employment. The adieux were on this side longer and more tender `
` than they had been on the other--not that M. d'Artagnan did not `
` love his son, who was his only offspring, but M. d'Artagnan was a `
` man, and he would have considered it unworthy of a man to give `
` way to his feelings; whereas Mme. d'Artagnan was a woman, and `
` still more, a mother. She wept abundantly; and--let us speak it `
` to the praise of M. d'Artagnan the younger--notwithstanding the `
` efforts he made to remain firm, as a future Musketeer ought, `
` nature prevailed, and he shed many tears, of which he succeeded `
` with great difficulty in concealing the half. `
` `
` The same day the young man set forward on his journey, furnished `
` with the three paternal gifts, which consisted, as we have said, `
` of fifteen crowns, the horse, and the letter for M. de Treville-- `
` the counsels being thrown into the bargain. `
` `
` With such a VADE MECUM d'Artagnan was morally and physically an `
` exact copy of the hero of Cervantes, to whom we so happily `
` compared him when our duty of an historian placed us under the `
` necessity of sketching his portrait. Don Quixote took windmills `
` for giants, and sheep for armies; d'Artagnan took every smile for `
` an insult, and every look as a provocation--whence it resulted `
` that from Tarbes to Meung his fist was constantly doubled, or his `
` hand on the hilt of his sword; and yet the fist did not descend `
` upon any jaw, nor did the sword issue from its scabbard. It was `
` not that the sight of the wretched pony did not excite numerous `
` smiles on the countenances of passers-by; but as against the side `
` of this pony rattled a sword of respectable length, and as over `
` this sword gleamed an eye rather ferocious than haughty, these `
` passers-by repressed their hilarity, or if hilarity prevailed `
` over prudence, they endeavored to laugh only on one side, like `
` the masks of the ancients. D'Artagnan, then, remained majestic `
` and intact in his susceptibility, till he came to this unlucky `
` city of Meung. `
` `
` But there, as he was alighting from his horse at the gate of the `
` Jolly Miller, without anyone--host, waiter, or hostler--coming to `
` hold his stirrup or take his horse, d'Artagnan spied, though an `
` open window on the ground floor, a gentleman, well-made and of `
` good carriage, although of rather a stern countenance, talking `
` with two persons who appeared to listen to him with respect. `
` d'Artagnan fancied quite naturally, according to his custom, that `
` he must be the object of their conversation, and listened. This `
` time d'Artagnan was only in part mistaken; he himself was not in `
` question, but his horse was. The gentleman appeared to be `
` enumerating all his qualities to his auditors; and, as I have `
` said, the auditors seeming to have great deference for the `
` narrator, they every moment burst into fits of laughter. Now, as `
` a half-smile was sufficient to awaken the irascibility of the `
` young man, the effect produced upon him by this vociferous mirth `
` may be easily imagined. `
` `
` Nevertheless, d'Artagnan was desirous of examining the appearance `
` of this impertinent personage who ridiculed him. He fixed his `
` haughty eye upon the stranger, and perceived a man of from forty `
` to forty-five years of age, with black and piercing eyes, pale `
` complexion, a strongly marked nose, and a black and well-shaped `
` mustache. He was dressed in a doublet and hose of a violet `
` color, with aiguillettes of the same color, without any other `
` ornaments than the customary slashes, through which the shirt `
` appeared. This doublet and hose, though new, were creased, like `
` traveling clothes for a long time packed in a portmanteau. `
` d'Artagnan made all these remarks with the rapidity of a most `
` minute observer, and doubtless from an instinctive feeling that `
` this stranger was destined to have a great influence over his `
` future life. `
` `
` Now, as at the moment in which d'Artagnan fixed his eyes upon the `
` gentleman in the violet doublet, the gentleman made one of his `
` most knowing and profound remarks respecting the Bearnese pony, `
` his two auditors laughed even louder than before, and he himself, `
` though contrary to his custom, allowed a pale smile (if I may `
` allowed to use such an expression) to stray over his countenance. `
` This time there could be no doubt; d'Artagnan was really `
` insulted. Full, then, of this conviction, he pulled his cap down `
` over his eyes, and endeavoring to copy some of the court airs he `
` had picked up in Gascony among young traveling nobles, he `
` advanced with one hand on the hilt of his sword and the other `
` resting on his hip. Unfortunately, as he advanced, his anger `
` increased at every step; and instead of the proper and lofty `
` speech he had prepared as a prelude to his challenge, he found `
` nothing at the tip of his tongue but a gross personality, which `
` he accompanied with a furious gesture. `
` `
` "I say, sir, you sir, who are hiding yourself behind that `
` shutter--yes, you, sir, tell me what you are laughing at, and we `
` will laugh together!" `
` `
`