SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE. Mute thanks and secret ecstasy! Awake, Thou first and chief, sole sovereign of the vale! Or when they climb the sky, or when they sink : And you, ye five wild torrents fiercely glad! Your strength, your speed, your fury, and your joy, And who commanded (and the silence came), Ye ice-falls! ye that from the mountain's brow Who made you glorious as the gates of heaven 121 VANITY:-GIL BLAS. WHEN I arrived at the inn, I called for supper, and, it being a meagre day, was fain to put up with eggs. While they were getting ready, I made up to my landlady, whom I had not seen before. She appeared handsome enough, and withal so sprightly and gay, that I should have concluded (even if her husband had not told me so) that her house was pretty well frequented. When the omelet I had bespoken was ready, I sat down to table by myself; but had not swallowed the first morsel when the landlord came in, followed by the man who had stopped him in the street. This cavalier, who wore a long sword, and seemed to be about thirty years of age, advanced towards me with an eager air, saying: "Mr. Student, I am informed that you are that Signor Gil Blas of Santillane, who is the flambeau of philosophy and ornament of Oviedo! Is it possible that you are that mirror of learning, that sublime genius, whose reputation is so great in this country? You know not,” continued he, addressing himself to the innkeeper and his wife, "you know not what you possess! You have a treasure in your house! Behold, in this young gentleman, the eighth wonder of the world!" Then, turning to me, and throwing his arms about my neck, "Forgive," cried he, "my transports! I cannot contain the joy your presence creates !" VANITY- GIL BLAS. 123 I could not answer for some time, because he locked me so close in his arms, that I was almost suffocated for want of breath; and it was not till I had disengaged my head from his embrace, that I replied, "Signor Cavalier, I did not think my name was known at Pennaflor." 66 "How! known!" replied he in his former strain; we keep a register of all the celebrated names within twenty leagues of us. You, in particular, are looked upon as a prodigy; and I don't at all doubt that Spain will one day be as proud of you as Greece was of the Seven Sages." These words were followed by a fresh hug, which I was forced to endure, though at the risk of strangulation. With the little experience I had, I ought not to have been the dupe of his professions and hyperbolical compliments: I ought to have known, by his extravagant flattery, that he was one of those parasites who abound in every town, and who, when a stranger arrives, introduce themselves to him, in order to fill their bellies at his expense. But my youth and vanity made me judge quite otherwise: my admirer appeared to me so much of a gentleman, that I invited him to take a share of my supper. "Ah, with all my heart," cried he; I am too much obliged to my kind stars for having thrown me in the way of the illustrious Gil Blas, not to enjoy my good fortune as long as I can. I own I have no great appetite," pursued he; "but I will sit down to bear you company, and eat a mouthful purely out of complaisance." 124 VANITY:- GIL BLAS. So saying, my panegyrist took his place right over against me, and a cover being laid for him, attacked the omelet as voraciously as if he had fasted three whole days. By his complaisant beginning, I foresaw that our dish would not last long, and therefore ordered a second, which they dressed with such dispatch, that it was served up just as we-or rather he-had made an end of the first. He proceeded on this with the same vigour; and found means, without losing one stroke of his teeth, to overwhelm me with praises during the whole repast, which made me very well pleased with my sweet self. He drank in proportion to his eating; sometimes to my health, sometimes to that of my father and mother, whose happiness in having such a son as I, he could not enough admire. In the meantime, he plied me with wine, and insisted upon my doing him justice, while I toasted health for health-a circumstance which, together with his intoxicating flattery, put me into such good-humour, that, seeing our second omelet half devoured, I asked the landlord if he had no fish in the house. Signor Corcuelo, who, in all likelihood had a fellowfeeling with the parasite, replied: "I have a delicate trout, but those who eat it must pay for the sauce: 'tis a bit too dainty for your palate, I doubt." " What do you call too dainty ?" said the sycophant, raising his voice; "you're a wiseacre, indeed! Know, that there is nothing in this house too good for Signor Gil Blas de Santillane, who deserves to be entertained like a prince." VANITY-GIL BLAS. 125 I was pleased at his laying hold of the landlord's last, words, in which he prevented me; and, feeling myself offended, said, with an air of disdain: "Produce this trout of yours, Gaffer Corcuelo, and give yourself no trouble about the consequence." This was what the innkeeper wanted: he got it ready, and served it up in a trice. At sight of this new dish, I could perceive the parasite's eyes sparkle with joy, and he renewed that complaisance-I mean for the fish— which he had already shown for the eggs. At last, however, he was obliged to give out for fear of accident, being crammed to the very throat. Having, therefore, eaten and drunk enough, he thought proper to conclude the farce by rising from table, and accosting me in these words: "Signor Gil Blas, I am too well satisfied with your good cheer, to leave you without offering you an important advice, which you seem to have great occasion for. Henceforth beware of flattery, and be upon your guard against everybody you do not know. You may meet with other people inclined to divert themselves with your credulity, and perhaps to push things still further; but don't be duped again, nor believe yourself, though they should swear it, the EIGHTH WONDER OF THE WORLD!" |