Reading Help The Three Musketeers Ch.19-40
descend, "now, as you have heard, d'Artagnan, Monsieur the `
` Principal is desirous that my thesis should be dogmatic, while I, `
` for my part, would rather it should be ideal. This is the reason `
` why Monsieur the Principal has proposed to me the following `
` subject, which has not yet been treated upon, and in which I `
` perceive there is matter for magnificent elaboration-'UTRAQUE `
` MANUS IN BENEDICENDO CLERICIS INFERIORIBUS NECESSARIA EST.'" `
` `
` D'Artagnan, whose erudition we are well acquainted with, evinced `
` no more interest on hearing this quotation than he had at that of `
` M. de Treville in allusion to the gifts he pretended that `
` d'Artagnan had received from the Duke of Buckingham. `
` `
` "Which means," resumed Aramis, that he might perfectly `
` understand, "'The two hands are indispensable for priests of the `
` inferior orders, when they bestow the benediction.'" `
` `
` "An admirable subject!" cried the Jesuit. `
` `
` "Admirable and dogmatic!" repeated the curate, who, about as `
` strong as d'Artagnan with respect to Latin, carefully watched the `
` Jesuit in order to keep step with him, and repeated his words `
` like an echo. `
` `
` As to d'Artagnan, he remained perfectly insensible to the `
` enthusiasm of the two men in black. `
` `
` "Yes, admirable! PRORSUS ADMIRABILE!" continued Aramis; "but `
` which requires a profound study of both the Scriptures and the `
` Fathers. Now, I have confessed to these learned ecclesiastics, `
` and that in all humility, that the duties of mounting guard and `
` the service of the king have caused me to neglect study a little. `
` I should find myself, therefore, more at my ease, FACILUS NATANS, `
` in a subject of my own choice, which would be to these hard `
` theological questions what morals are to metaphysics in `
` philosophy." `
` `
` D'Artagnan began to be tired, and so did the curate. `
` `
` "See what an exordium!" cried the Jesuit. `
` `
` "Exordium," repeated the curate, for the sake of saying `
` something. "QUEMADMODUM INTER COELORUM IMMENSITATEM." `
` `
` Aramis cast a glance upon d'Artagnan to see what effect all this `
` produced, and found his friend gaping enough to split his jaws. `
` `
` "Let us speak French, my father," said he to the Jesuit; `
` "Monsieur d'Artagnan will enjoy our conversation better." `
` `
` "Yes," replied d'Artagnan; "I am fatigued with reading, and all `
` this Latin confuses me." `
` `
` "Certainly," replied the Jesuit, a little put out, while the `
` curate, greatly delighted, turned upon d'Artagnan a look full of `
` gratitude. "Well, let us see what is to be derived from this `
` gloss. Moses, the servant of God-he was but a servant, please to `
` understand-Moses blessed with the hands; he held out both his `
` arms while the Hebrews beat their enemies, and then he blessed `
` them with his two hands. Besides, what does the Gospel say? `
` IMPONITE MANUS, and not MANUM-place the HANDS, not the HAND." `
` `
` "Place the HANDS," repeated the curate, with a gesture. `
` `
` "St. Peter, on the contrary, of whom the Popes are the `
` successors," continued the Jesuit; "PORRIGE DIGITOS-present the `
` fingers. Are you there, now?" `
` `
` "CERTES," replied Aramis, in a pleased tone, "but the thing is `
` subtle." `
` `
` "The FINGERS," resumed the Jesuit, "St. Peter blessed with the `
` FINGERS. The Pope, therefore blesses with the fingers. And with `
` how many fingers does he bless? With THREE fingers, to be sure- `
` one for the Father, one for the Son, and one for the Holy Ghost." `
` `
` All crossed themselves. D'Artagnan thought it was proper to `
` follow this example. `
` `
` "The Pope is the successor of St. Peter, and represents the three `
` divine powers; the rest-ORDINES INFERIORES-of the ecclesiastical `
` hierarchy bless in the name of the holy archangels and angels. `
` The most humble clerks such as our deacons and sacristans, bless `
` with holy water sprinklers, which resemble an infinite number of `
` blessing fingers. There is the subject simplified. ARGUMENTUM `
` OMNI DENUDATUM ORNAMENTO. I could make of that subject two `
` volumes the size of this," continued the Jesuit; and in his `
` enthusiasm he struck a St. Chrysostom in folio, which made the `
` table bend beneath its weight. `
` `
` D'Artagnan trembled. `
` `
` "CERTES," said Aramis, "I do justice to the beauties of this `
` thesis; but at the same time I perceive it would be overwhelming `
` for me. I had chosen this text-tell me, dear d'Artagnan, if it `
` is not to your taste-'NON INUTILE EST DESIDERIUM IN OBLATIONE'; `
` that is, 'A little regret is not unsuitable in an offering to the `
` Lord.'" `
` `
` "Stop there!" cried the Jesuit, "for that thesis touches closely `
` upon heresy. There is a proposition almost like it in the `
` AUGUSTINUS of the heresiarch Jansenius, whose book will sooner or `
` later be burned by the hands of the executioner. Take care, my `
` young friend. You are inclining toward false doctrines, my young `
` friend; you will be lost." `
` `
` "You will be lost," said the curate, shaking his head `
` sorrowfully. `
` `
` "You approach that famous point of free will which is a mortal `
` rock. You face the insinuations of the Pelagians and the semi- `
` Pelagians." `
` `
` "But, my Reverend-" replied Aramis, a little amazed by the shower `
` of arguments that poured upon his head. `
` `
` "How will you prove," continued the Jesuit, without allowing him `
` time to speak, "that we ought to regret the world when we offer `
` ourselves to God? Listen to this dilemma: God is God, and the `
` world is the devil. To regret the world is to regret the devil; `
` that is my conclusion." `
` `
` "And that is mine also," said the curate. `
` `
` "But, for heaven's sake-" resumed Aramis. `
` `
` "DESIDERAS DIABOLUM, unhappy man!" cried the Jesuit. `
` `
` "He regrets the devil! Ah, my young friend," added the curate, `
` groaning, "do not regret the devil, I implore you!" `
` `
` D'Artagnan felt himself bewildered. It seemed to him as though `
` he were in a madhouse, and was becoming as mad as those he saw. `
` He was, however, forced to hold his tongue from not comprehending `
` half the language they employed. `
` `
` "But listen to me, then," resumed Aramis with politeness mingled `
` with a little impatience. "I do not say I regret; no, I will `
` never pronounce that sentence, which would not be orthodox." `
` `
` The Jesuit raised his hands toward heaven, and the curate did the `
` same. `
` `
` "No; but pray grant me that it is acting with an ill grace to `
` offer to the Lord only that with which we are perfectly `
` disgusted! Don't you think so, d'Artagnan?" `
` `
` "I think so, indeed," cried he. `
` `
` The Jesuit and the curate quite started from their chairs. `
` `
` "This is the point of departure; it is a syllogism. The world is `
` not wanting in attractions. I quit the world; then I make a `
` sacrifice. Now, the Scripture says positively, 'Make a sacrifice `
` unto the Lord.'" `
` `
` "That is true," said his antagonists. `
` `
` "And then," said Aramis, pinching his ear to make it red, as he `
` rubbed his hands to make them white, "and then I made a certain `
` RONDEAU upon it last year, which I showed to Monsieur Voiture, `
` and that great man paid me a thousand compliments." `
` `
` "A RONDEAU!" said the Jesuit, disdainfully. `
` `
` "A RONDEAU!" said the curate, mechanically. `
` `
` "Repeat it! Repeat it!" cried d'Artagnan; "it will make a little `
` change." `
` `
` "Not so, for it is religious," replied Aramis; "it is theology in `
` verse." `
` `
` "The devil!" said d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "Here it is," said Aramis, with a little look of diffidence, `
` which, however, was not exempt from a shade of hypocrisy: `
` `
` `
` "Vous qui pleurez un passe plein de charmes, `
` Et qui trainez des jours infortunes, `
` Tous vos malheurs se verront termines, `
` Quand a Dieu seul vous offrirez vos larmes, `
` Vous qui pleurez!" `
` `
` "You who weep for pleasures fled, `
` While dragging on a life of care, `
` All your woes will melt in air, `
` If to God your tears are shed, `
` You who weep!" `
` `
` `
` d'Artagnan and the curate appeared pleased. The Jesuit persisted `
` in his opinion. "Beware of a profane taste in your theological `
` style. What says Augustine on this subject: 'SEVERUS SIT `
` CLERICORUM VERBO.'" `
` `
` "Yes, let the sermon be clear," said the curate. `
` `
` "Now," hastily interrupted the Jesuit, on seeing that his acolyte `
` was going astray, "now your thesis would please the ladies; it `
`
` Principal is desirous that my thesis should be dogmatic, while I, `
` for my part, would rather it should be ideal. This is the reason `
` why Monsieur the Principal has proposed to me the following `
` subject, which has not yet been treated upon, and in which I `
` perceive there is matter for magnificent elaboration-'UTRAQUE `
` MANUS IN BENEDICENDO CLERICIS INFERIORIBUS NECESSARIA EST.'" `
` `
` D'Artagnan, whose erudition we are well acquainted with, evinced `
` no more interest on hearing this quotation than he had at that of `
` M. de Treville in allusion to the gifts he pretended that `
` d'Artagnan had received from the Duke of Buckingham. `
` `
` "Which means," resumed Aramis, that he might perfectly `
` understand, "'The two hands are indispensable for priests of the `
` inferior orders, when they bestow the benediction.'" `
` `
` "An admirable subject!" cried the Jesuit. `
` `
` "Admirable and dogmatic!" repeated the curate, who, about as `
` strong as d'Artagnan with respect to Latin, carefully watched the `
` Jesuit in order to keep step with him, and repeated his words `
` like an echo. `
` `
` As to d'Artagnan, he remained perfectly insensible to the `
` enthusiasm of the two men in black. `
` `
` "Yes, admirable! PRORSUS ADMIRABILE!" continued Aramis; "but `
` which requires a profound study of both the Scriptures and the `
` Fathers. Now, I have confessed to these learned ecclesiastics, `
` and that in all humility, that the duties of mounting guard and `
` the service of the king have caused me to neglect study a little. `
` I should find myself, therefore, more at my ease, FACILUS NATANS, `
` in a subject of my own choice, which would be to these hard `
` theological questions what morals are to metaphysics in `
` philosophy." `
` `
` D'Artagnan began to be tired, and so did the curate. `
` `
` "See what an exordium!" cried the Jesuit. `
` `
` "Exordium," repeated the curate, for the sake of saying `
` something. "QUEMADMODUM INTER COELORUM IMMENSITATEM." `
` `
` Aramis cast a glance upon d'Artagnan to see what effect all this `
` produced, and found his friend gaping enough to split his jaws. `
` `
` "Let us speak French, my father," said he to the Jesuit; `
` "Monsieur d'Artagnan will enjoy our conversation better." `
` `
` "Yes," replied d'Artagnan; "I am fatigued with reading, and all `
` this Latin confuses me." `
` `
` "Certainly," replied the Jesuit, a little put out, while the `
` curate, greatly delighted, turned upon d'Artagnan a look full of `
` gratitude. "Well, let us see what is to be derived from this `
` gloss. Moses, the servant of God-he was but a servant, please to `
` understand-Moses blessed with the hands; he held out both his `
` arms while the Hebrews beat their enemies, and then he blessed `
` them with his two hands. Besides, what does the Gospel say? `
` IMPONITE MANUS, and not MANUM-place the HANDS, not the HAND." `
` `
` "Place the HANDS," repeated the curate, with a gesture. `
` `
` "St. Peter, on the contrary, of whom the Popes are the `
` successors," continued the Jesuit; "PORRIGE DIGITOS-present the `
` fingers. Are you there, now?" `
` `
` "CERTES," replied Aramis, in a pleased tone, "but the thing is `
` subtle." `
` `
` "The FINGERS," resumed the Jesuit, "St. Peter blessed with the `
` FINGERS. The Pope, therefore blesses with the fingers. And with `
` how many fingers does he bless? With THREE fingers, to be sure- `
` one for the Father, one for the Son, and one for the Holy Ghost." `
` `
` All crossed themselves. D'Artagnan thought it was proper to `
` follow this example. `
` `
` "The Pope is the successor of St. Peter, and represents the three `
` divine powers; the rest-ORDINES INFERIORES-of the ecclesiastical `
` hierarchy bless in the name of the holy archangels and angels. `
` The most humble clerks such as our deacons and sacristans, bless `
` with holy water sprinklers, which resemble an infinite number of `
` blessing fingers. There is the subject simplified. ARGUMENTUM `
` OMNI DENUDATUM ORNAMENTO. I could make of that subject two `
` volumes the size of this," continued the Jesuit; and in his `
` enthusiasm he struck a St. Chrysostom in folio, which made the `
` table bend beneath its weight. `
` `
` D'Artagnan trembled. `
` `
` "CERTES," said Aramis, "I do justice to the beauties of this `
` thesis; but at the same time I perceive it would be overwhelming `
` for me. I had chosen this text-tell me, dear d'Artagnan, if it `
` is not to your taste-'NON INUTILE EST DESIDERIUM IN OBLATIONE'; `
` that is, 'A little regret is not unsuitable in an offering to the `
` Lord.'" `
` `
` "Stop there!" cried the Jesuit, "for that thesis touches closely `
` upon heresy. There is a proposition almost like it in the `
` AUGUSTINUS of the heresiarch Jansenius, whose book will sooner or `
` later be burned by the hands of the executioner. Take care, my `
` young friend. You are inclining toward false doctrines, my young `
` friend; you will be lost." `
` `
` "You will be lost," said the curate, shaking his head `
` sorrowfully. `
` `
` "You approach that famous point of free will which is a mortal `
` rock. You face the insinuations of the Pelagians and the semi- `
` Pelagians." `
` `
` "But, my Reverend-" replied Aramis, a little amazed by the shower `
` of arguments that poured upon his head. `
` `
` "How will you prove," continued the Jesuit, without allowing him `
` time to speak, "that we ought to regret the world when we offer `
` ourselves to God? Listen to this dilemma: God is God, and the `
` world is the devil. To regret the world is to regret the devil; `
` that is my conclusion." `
` `
` "And that is mine also," said the curate. `
` `
` "But, for heaven's sake-" resumed Aramis. `
` `
` "DESIDERAS DIABOLUM, unhappy man!" cried the Jesuit. `
` `
` "He regrets the devil! Ah, my young friend," added the curate, `
` groaning, "do not regret the devil, I implore you!" `
` `
` D'Artagnan felt himself bewildered. It seemed to him as though `
` he were in a madhouse, and was becoming as mad as those he saw. `
` He was, however, forced to hold his tongue from not comprehending `
` half the language they employed. `
` `
` "But listen to me, then," resumed Aramis with politeness mingled `
` with a little impatience. "I do not say I regret; no, I will `
` never pronounce that sentence, which would not be orthodox." `
` `
` The Jesuit raised his hands toward heaven, and the curate did the `
` same. `
` `
` "No; but pray grant me that it is acting with an ill grace to `
` offer to the Lord only that with which we are perfectly `
` disgusted! Don't you think so, d'Artagnan?" `
` `
` "I think so, indeed," cried he. `
` `
` The Jesuit and the curate quite started from their chairs. `
` `
` "This is the point of departure; it is a syllogism. The world is `
` not wanting in attractions. I quit the world; then I make a `
` sacrifice. Now, the Scripture says positively, 'Make a sacrifice `
` unto the Lord.'" `
` `
` "That is true," said his antagonists. `
` `
` "And then," said Aramis, pinching his ear to make it red, as he `
` rubbed his hands to make them white, "and then I made a certain `
` RONDEAU upon it last year, which I showed to Monsieur Voiture, `
` and that great man paid me a thousand compliments." `
` `
` "A RONDEAU!" said the Jesuit, disdainfully. `
` `
` "A RONDEAU!" said the curate, mechanically. `
` `
` "Repeat it! Repeat it!" cried d'Artagnan; "it will make a little `
` change." `
` `
` "Not so, for it is religious," replied Aramis; "it is theology in `
` verse." `
` `
` "The devil!" said d'Artagnan. `
` `
` "Here it is," said Aramis, with a little look of diffidence, `
` which, however, was not exempt from a shade of hypocrisy: `
` `
` `
` "Vous qui pleurez un passe plein de charmes, `
` Et qui trainez des jours infortunes, `
` Tous vos malheurs se verront termines, `
` Quand a Dieu seul vous offrirez vos larmes, `
` Vous qui pleurez!" `
` `
` "You who weep for pleasures fled, `
` While dragging on a life of care, `
` All your woes will melt in air, `
` If to God your tears are shed, `
` You who weep!" `
` `
` `
` d'Artagnan and the curate appeared pleased. The Jesuit persisted `
` in his opinion. "Beware of a profane taste in your theological `
` style. What says Augustine on this subject: 'SEVERUS SIT `
` CLERICORUM VERBO.'" `
` `
` "Yes, let the sermon be clear," said the curate. `
` `
` "Now," hastily interrupted the Jesuit, on seeing that his acolyte `
` was going astray, "now your thesis would please the ladies; it `
`