哈克贝利·费恩历险记（中文导读英文版）
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作者： （美）马克吐温原著，王勋等编译
出 版 社： 清华大学出版社
出版时间： 2008-7-1字数：版次： 1页数： 360印刷时间：开本： 16开印次：纸张：I S B N ： 9787302178996包装： 平装内容简介
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn，中文译名《哈克贝利费恩历险记》是19世纪末20世纪初最伟大的文学著作之一，其作者是美国著名作家马克吐温。这是一部现实主义浪漫主义抒情交相辉映的作品，描写了两个少年为了追求自由生活所经历的惊险离奇的故事。
故事发生在美国内战前的南方，聪明、善良、勇敢的白人少年哈克贝利为了追求自由的生活，逃亡到密西西比河上。在逃亡途中，他结识了从主人家出逃的勤劳朴实、热情诚实的黑奴吉姆。他们成了好朋友，一起漂泊在密西西比河上，沿途逃避追捕，经历了种种奇遇与坎坷，最后哈克贝利帮助吉姆获得了自由。
本书一经出版，很快就成为当时最受关注和最畅销的文学作品，至今已被译成世界上几十种文字，曾经先后十多次被改编成电影、话剧和舞台剧。无论作为语言学习的课本，还是作为通俗的文学读本，本书对当代中国的青少年都将产生积极的影响。为了使读者能够了解英文故事概况，进而提高阅读速度和阅读水平，在每章的开始部分增加了中文导读。
作者简介
马克吐温（Mark Twain，1835-1910）、近代美国著名作家，被誉为美国文学界的林肯、美国文学之父。《哈克贝利费恩历险记》是其代表作之一。该书思想内容深刻，艺术风格独特。海明威曾说：”所有美国现代文学皆起源于马克吐温的一本书，名叫《哈克贝利费恩历险记》，这是我们前所未有的最佳之作。这部小说把现实主义的细致刻画和浪漫主义的抒情描写紧密结合，把人物心理的剖析和幽默风趣的想象紧密结合，自然而又生动地展现了美国南北战争前密西西比河流域的风土人情和社会面貌，既歌颂了追求自由的决心和毅力，也赞美了良知战胜社会偏见，还揭露了宗教礼法和奴隶制度对人性的扭曲。充分表现了马克吐温无与伦比的艺术造诣。
目录
第一章 摩西和“赶牛人”/
Chapter 1 Discover Moses and the Bulrushers1
第二章 秘密的誓词/
Chapter 2 Our Gang's Dark Oath5
第三章 伏击阿拉伯人/
Chapter 3 We Ambuscade the A-rabs13
第四章 毛球算卦/
Chapter 4 The Hair-ball Oracle19
第五章 爸爸开始新生活/
Chapter 5 Pap Starts in on a New Life24
第六章 爸爸大战索命鬼/
Chapter 6 Pap Struggles with the Death Angel30
第七章 从爸爸眼皮底下跑掉/
Chapter 7 I Fool Pap and Get Away39
第八章 我宽恕了瓦岑小姐家的吉姆/
Chapter 8 I Spare Miss Watson's Jim47
第九章 河上漂来死人宅/
Chapter 9 The House of Death Floats By59
第十章 玩蛇皮的倒霉结果/
Chapter 10 What Comes of Handlin' Snake-skin64
第十一章 他们在追我们!/
Chapter 11 They're After Us!68
第十二章 “干脆把他丢下吧”/
Chapter 12 "Better Let Blame Well Alone"78
第十三章 破船上的抢劫/
Chapter 13 Honest Loot from the "Walter Scott"86
第十四章 所罗门真的聪明吗?/
Chapter 14 Was Solomon Wise?92
第十五章 愚弄老吉姆/
Chapter 15 Fooling Poor Old Jim98
第十六章 蛇皮又起作用了/
Chapter 16 The Rattlesnake-skin Does Its Work105
第十七章 古冉福家收留了我/
Chapter 17 The Grangerfords Take Me In115
第十八章 为什么海奈的帽子掉了/
Chapter 18 Why Harney Rode Away for His Hat127
第十九章 公爵和皇太子来了/
Chapter 19 The Duke and the Dauphin Come Aboard141
第二十章 皇室在剖克卫都干些什么/
Chapter 20 What Royalty Did to Parkville151
第二十一章 阿肯色的难题/
Chapter 21 An Arkansaw Difficulty163
第二十二章 为什么乌合之众私刑治人失败/
Chapter 22 Why the Lynching Bee Failed175
第二十三章 皇帝的确卑鄙/
Chapter 23 The Orneriness of Kings182
第二十四章 皇帝假扮成牧师/
Chapter 24 The King Turns Parson189
第二十五章 除了落泪就是胡说/
Chapter 25 All Full of Tears and Flapdoodle198
第二十六章 我偷了皇帝的赃款/
Chapter 26 I Steal the King's Plunder207
第二十七章 物归彼得/
Chapter 27 Dead Peter Has His Gold217
第二十八章 骗人实在不合算/
Chapter 28 Overreaching Don't Pay227
第二十九章 我在暴风雨中逃脱/
Chapter 29 I Light Out in the Storm238
第三十章 黄金救了小偷的命/
Chapter 30 The Gold Saves the Thieves250
第三十一章 不能在祷告中扯谎/
Chapter 31 You Can't Pray a Lie256
第三十二章 我有一个新的名字/
Chapter 32 I Have a New Name267
第三十三章 王权的可怜下场/
Chapter 33 The Pitiful Ending of Royalty275
第三十四章 我们向吉姆祝贺/
Chapter 34 We Cheer Up Jim285
第三十五章 阴谋诡计/
Chapter 35 Dark, Deep-laid Plans292
第三十六章 尽量帮助吉姆/
Chapter 36 Trying to Help Jim300
.第三十七章 吉姆得到了辟邪馅饼/
Chapter 37 Jim Gets His Witch Pie307
第三十八章 “囚犯的心在这里碎了”/
Chapter 38 "Here a Captive Heart Busted"315
第三十九章 汤姆写匿名信/
Chapter 39 Tom Writes Nonnamous Letters324
第四十章 绝妙的救人计划/
Chapter 40 A Mixed-up and Splendid Rescue331
第四十一章 “一定是鬼怪”/
Chapter 41 "Must 'A' Been Sperits"338
第四十二章 为什么他们不绞死吉姆/
Chapter 42 Why They Didn't Hang Jim347
第四十三章 再也没有什么可写的了/
Chapter 43 Nothing More to Write357
书摘插图
第一章
Chapter One
我人生的这番遭遇大概早在我读书的时候就注定了，但我从不后悔。
我14岁时就离家去剑桥读书，后来又去荷兰进修。我学习努力，而且可能因为我那时就立志周游四方，所以一直对数学、医学和航海有着浓厚的兴趣。命运指引着我从医，并娶妻生子。后来因为生计的问题，我决定辞别亲人出海远行。在此之前，我曾经断断续续有过长达九年的航海经历。再说船长给我的待遇不错，这一点更使我动心。
谁知在驶往东印度群岛的途中，我们遭遇了海上风暴。我死里逃生，被风浪裹挟着推到了一块荒无人烟的陆地上——至少那晚我爬上岸时是这样想的。我疲倦极了，昏沉沉睡到了天大亮。
当我睡眼朦胧地想站起来时，却吃惊地发现我动不了了——我被细细的绳索捆了个结结实实，连头发也被捆上了！我浑身酸疼，却只能仰面 躺着。
接下来，更让我惊异的事情发生了：一队和我手指头差不多长短的小人儿来到了我的下巴前！他们拿着弓，背着箭，对我喊着我听不懂的语言。我使足力气挣脱出了一只手，这下可把那群小人儿吓坏了，他们先是狂叫着逃散，接着又聚集在一起连珠炮似的向我放箭，用长矛刺我。
我不打算用武力解决问题，便决定按兵不动，到晚上再寻机脱身。渐
渐地，小人儿们不再躁动，可是却越聚越多。接下来的事似乎顺理成章了：先是有一位看起来很有身份的中年人走上前对我来了一场声情并茂的演讲——我当然什么也听不懂，只能根据他的表情和音调来猜想大概是劝降的意思。我饥饿难耐，不时插言（尽管他们也听不懂），并用手指指着嘴巴，表示自己要吃。那个小人儿智商不低，很快就明白了我的意思，指挥100多个手下抬来了装满肉食和子弹大小面包的篮子，我一口可以吃下几篮。小人儿们既兴奋又有点儿羡慕我的好胃口，还有几个头脑机灵的抬来了他们的大号酒桶，里面装满了好喝的葡萄酒。可那酒桶对于我来说却小了点儿，我一饮而尽。
小人们高兴地在我身上又蹦又跳。我吃了人家的，总不好意思把他们轰下去，再说我身上被他们扎得余痛犹在，只得老老实实地躺着，心里则暗暗佩服他们的胆量。待我吃饱喝足，一位大臣模样的人率领文武百官向我宣读了诏书。我猜大意是要把我押送都城。我比划着要求获得自由，可他表示坚决要执行命令，但可以保障我的人身安全。我虽然想挣脱绳索，但浑身伤痛，又看到他们人多势众，想到这样可以不愁吃喝，就同意了。
看来他们是早有准备，大概从我登陆熟睡时就有人报告了国王，说不定他们还为此召开了御前会议，商讨了对策。总之，目前看来一切安排得井井有条——500名工匠赶制了一辆对于他们来说巨大的有22个轱辘的运送车，900人运用滑轮花了3个小时把我吊上车，在上千名卫兵的监护下，500匹国王的骏马把我拉往都城。这期间我却毫不知情，因为小人儿们给我的伤口涂了药膏，我正舒服地呼呼大睡呢。我们昼夜兼程，次日中午抵达都城。
国王率满朝文武来迎接我。我被安置在该国面积最大的寺庙里，脚上锁上了铁链。国王在寺庙对面的塔上观察我，而上百万市民争相围观，其中还有上万人次爬到了我的身上！后来朝廷明令禁止，这种事才绝迹。
尽管我身上的绳索被去掉了，可是失去自由的我却感到万分悲伤。
HE AUTHOR GIVETH SOME ACCOUNT OF HIMSELF AND FAMILY; BIS FIRST INDUCEMENTS TO TRAVEL. HE IS SHIPWRECKED, AND SWIMS FOR HIS LIFE, GETS SAFE ON SHORE IN THE COUNTRY OF LILLIPUT; IS MADE A PRISONER, AND CARRIED UP THE COUNTRY.
My father had a small estate in Nottinghamshire; I was the third of five sons. He sent me to Emanuel-College in Cambridge, at fourteen years old, where I resided three years, and applied myself close to my studies: but the charge of maintaining me (although I had a very scanty allowance) being too great for a narrow fortune; I was bound apprentice to Mr James Bates, an eminent surgeon in London, with whom I continued four years; and my father now and then sending me small sums of money, I laid them out in learning navigation, and other parts of the mathematicks, useful to those who intend to travel, as I always believed it would be some time or other my fortune to do. When I left Mr Bates, I went down to my father, where, by the assistance of him and my Uncle John, and some other relations, I got forty pounds, and a promise of thirty pounds a year to maintain me at Leyden: there I studied physick two years and seven months, knowing it would be useful in long voyages.
Soon after my return from Leyden, I was recommended by my good master Mr Bates, to be surgeon to the Swallow, Captain Abraham Pannell commander; with whom I continued three years and a half, making a voyage or two into the Levant, and some other parts. When I came back, I resolved to settle in London, to which Mr Bates, my master, encouraged me; and by him I was recommended to several patients. I took part of a small house in the Old-Jury; and being advised to alter my condition, I married Mrs Mary Burton, second daughter to Mr Edmond Burton, hosier, in Newgate-street, with whom I received four hundred pounds for a portion.
But, my good master Bates dying in two years after, and I having few friends, my business began to fail; for my conscience would not suffer me to imitate the bad practice of too many among my brethren. Having therefore consulted with my wife, and some of my acquaintance, I determined to go again to sea. I was surgeon successively in two ships, and made several voyages, for six years, to the East and WestIndies; by which I got some addition to my fortune. My hours of leisure I spent in reading the best authors, ancient and modern; being always provided with a good number of books; and when I was ashore, in observing the manners and dispositions of the people, as well as learning their language; wherein I had a great facility by the strength of my memory.
The last of these voyages not proving very fortunate, I grew weary of the sea, and intended to stay at home with my wife and family. I removed from the Old-Jury to Fetter-lane, and from thence to Wapping, hoping to get business among the sailors; but it would not turn to account. After three years expectation, that things would mend, I accepted an advantageous offer from Captain William Prichard, master of the Antelope, who was making a voyage to the South-Sea. We set sail from Bristol, May 4th, 1699, and our voyage at first was very prosperous.
It would not be proper for some reasons, to trouble the reader with the particulars of our adventures in those seas: let it suffice to inform him, that in our passage from thence to the East-Indies, we were driven by a violent storm to the north-west of Van Diemen’s Land. By an observation, we found ourselves in the latitude of 30 degrees 2 minutes south. Twelve of our crew were dead by immoderate labour, and ill food; the rest were in a very weak condition. On the fifth of November, which was the beginning of summer in those parts, the weather being very hazy, the seamen spyed a rock, within half a cable’s length of the ship; but the wind was so strong, that we were driven directly upon it, and immediately split. Six of the crew, of whom I was one, having let down the boat into the sea, made a shift to get clear of the ship, and the rock. We rowed by my computation, about three leagues, until we were able to work no longer, being already spent with labour while we were in the ship: we therefore trusted ourselves to the mercy of the waves; and in about half an hour the boat was overset by a sudden flurry from the north. What became of my companions in the boat, as well as of those who escaped on the rock, or were left in the vessel, I cannot tell; but conclude they were all lost. For my own part, I swam as fortune directed me, and was pushed forward by wind and tide. I often let my legs drop; and could feel no bottom: but when I was almost gone, and able to struggle no longer, I found myself within my depth; and by this time the storm was much abated. The declivity was so small, that I walked near a mile before I got to the shore, which I conjectured was about eight o’clock in the evening. I then advanced forward near half a mile, but could not discover any sign of houses or inhabitants; at least I was in so weak a condition, that I did not observe them. I was extremely tired, and with that, and the heat of the weather, and about half a pint of brandy that I drank as I left the ship, I found myself much inclined to sleep. I lay down on the grass, which was very short and soft; where I slept sounder than ever I remember to have done in my life, and as I reckoned, above nine hours; for when I awaked, it was just day-light. I attempted to rise, but was not able to stir: for, as I happened to lie on my back, I found my arms and legs were strongly fastned on each side to the ground; and my hair, which was long and thick, tied down in the same manner. I likewise felt several slender ligatures across my body, from my arm-pits to my thighs. I could only look upwards; the sun began to grew hot, and the light offended mine eyes. I heard a confused noise about me, but in the posture I lay, could see nothing except the sky. In a little time I felt something alive moving on my left leg, which advancing gently forward over my breast, came almost up to my chin; when bending mine eyes downwards as much as I could, I perceived it to be a human creature not six inches high, with a bow and arrow in his hands, and a quiver at his back. In the mean time, I felt at least forty more of the same kind (as I conjectured) following the first. I was in the utmost astonishment, and roared so loud, that they all ran back in a fright; and some of them, as I was afterwards told, were hurt with the falls they got by leaping from my sides upon the ground. However, they soon returned; and one of them, who ventured so far as to get a full sight of my face, lifting up his hands and eyes by way of admiration, cryed out in a shrill, but distinct voice, “Hekina degul”: the others repeated the same words several times, but I then knew not what they meant. I lay all this while, as the reader may believe, in great uneasiness: at length, struggling to get loose, I had the fortune to break the strings, and wrench out the pegs that fastned my left arm to the ground: for, by lifting it up to my face, I discovered the methods they had taken to bind me; and, at the same time, with a violent pull, which gave me excessive pain, I a little loosened the strings that tied down my hair on the left side; so that I was just able to turn my head about two inches. But the creatures ran off a second time, before I could seize them; whereupon there was a great shout in a very shrill accent; and after it ceased, I heard one of them cry aloud, “Tolgo Phonac”; when in an instant, I felt above an hundred arrows discharged on my left hand, which pricked me like so many needles; and besides, they shot another flight into the air, as we do bombs in Europe; whereof many, I suppose, fell on my body, (though I felt them not) and some on my face which I immediately covered with my left hand. When this shower of arrows was over, I fell a groaning with grief and pain; and then striving again to get loose, they discharged another volley larger than the first; and some of them attempted with spears to stick me in the sides; but, by good luck, I had on me a buff jerkin, which they could not pierce. I thought it the most prudent method to lie still; and my design was to continue so until night, when my left hand being already loose, I could easily free myself: and, as for the inhabitants, I had reason to believe I might be a match for the greatest armies they could bring against me, if they were all of the same size with him that I saw. But fortune disposed otherwise of me. When the people observed I was quiet, they discharged no more arrows: but by the noise encreasing, I knew their numbers were greater; and about four yards from me over against my right ear, I heard a knocking for above an hour, like people at work; when turning my head that way, as well as the pegs and strings would permit me, I saw a stage erected about a foot and a half from the ground, capable of holding four of the inhabitants, with two or three ladders to mount it: from whence one of them, who seemed to be a person of quality, made me a long speech, whereof I understood not one syllable. But I should have mentioned, that before the principal person began his oration, he cryed out three times “Langro dehul san”. (these words and the former were afterwards repeated and explained to me. ) Whereupon immediately about fifty of the inhabitants came, and cut the strings that fastened the left side of my head, which gave me the liberty of turning it to the fight, and of observing the person and gesture of him who was to speak. He appeared to be of a middle age, and taller than any of the other three who attended him; whereof one was a page, who held up his train, and seemed to be somewhat longer than my middle finger; the other two stood one on each side to support him. He acted every part of an orator; and I could observe many periods of threatnings, and others of promises, pity, and kindness. I answered in a few words, but in the most submissive manner, lifting up my left hand and both mine eyes to the sun, as calling him for a witness; and being almost famished with hunger, having not eaten a morsel for some hours before I left the ship, I found the demands of nature so strong upon me, that I could not forbear shewing my impatience (perhaps against the strict rules of decency) by putting my finger frequently on my mouth, to signify that I wanted food. The Hurgo (for so they call a great lord, as I afterwards learnt ) understood me very well: he descended from the stage, and commanded that several ladders should be applied to my sides, on which above an hundred of the inhabitants mounted and walked towards my mouth, laden with baskets full of meat, which had been provided, and sent thither by the king’s orders upon the first intelligence he received of me. I observed there was the flesh of several animals, but could not distinguish them by the taste. There were shoulders, legs, and loins shaped like those of mutton, and very well dressed, but smaller than the wings of a lark. I eat them by two or three at a mouthful; and took three loaves at a time, about the bigness of musket-bullets. They supplyed me as fast as they could, shewing a thousand marks of wonder and astonishment at my bulk and appetite. I then made another sign that I wanted drink. They found by my eating that a small quantity would not suffice me; and being a most ingenious people, they slung up with great dexterity one of their largest hogsheads; then rolled it towards my hand, and beat out the top; I drank it off at a draught, which I might well do, for it hardly held half a pint, and tasted like a small wine of Burgundy, but much more delicious. They brought me a second hogshead, which I drank in the same manner, and made signs for more, but they had none to give me. When I had performed these wonders, they shouted for joy, and danced upon my breast, repeating several times as they did at first, “Hekinah degul”. They made me a sign, that I should throw down the two hogsheads, but first warned the people below to stand out of the way, crying aloud, “Borach mivola”; and when they saw the vessels in the air, there was an universal shout of “Hekinah degul”. I confess I was often tempted, while they were passing backwards and forwards on my body, to seize forty or fifty of the first that came in my reach, and dash them against the ground. But the remembrance of what I had felt, which probably might not be the worst they could do; and the promise of honour I made them, for so I interpreted my submissive behaviour, soon drove out those imaginations. Besides I now considered myself as bound by the laws of hospitality to a people who had treated me with so much expence and magnificence. However, in my thoughts I could not sufficiently wonder at the intrepidity of these diminutive mortals, who durst venture to mount and walk on my body, while one of my hands was at liberty, without trembling at the very sight of so prodigious a creature as I must appear to them. After some time, when they observed, that I made no more demands for meat, there appeared before me a person of high rank from his Imperial Majesty. His excellency having mounted on the small of my fight leg, advanced forwards up to my face, with about a dozen of his retinue; and producing his credentials under the signet royal, which he applied close to mine eyes, spoke about ten minutes, without any signs of anger, but with a kind of determinate resolution; often pointing forwards, which, as I afterwards found was towards the capital city, about half a mile distant, whither it was agreed by his Majesty in council that I must be conveyed. I answered in few words, but to no purpose, and made a sign with my hand that was loose, putting it to the other, (but over his excellency’s head, for fear of hurting him or his train) and then to my own head and body, to signify that I desired my liberty. It appeared that he understood me well enough; for he shook his head by way of disapprobation, and held his hand in a posture to shew that I must be carried as a prisoner. However, he made other signs to let me understand, that I should have meat and drink enough, and very good treatment. Whereupon I once more thought of attempting to break my bonds; but again, when I felt the smart of their arrows upon my face and hands, which were all in blisters, and many of the darts still sticking in them; and observing likewise, that the number of my enemies encreased; I gave tokens to let them know that they might do with me what they pleased. Upon this, the Hurgo and his train withdrew, with much civility and cheerful countenances. Soon after I heard a general shout, with frequent repetitions of the words, “Peplom selan”, and I felt great numbers of the people on my left side relaxing the cords to such a degree, that I was able to turn upon my fight, and to ease myself with making water; which I very plentifully did, to the great astonishment of the people, who conjecturing by my motions what I was going to do, immediately opened to the fight and left on that side, to avoid the torrent which fell with such noise and violence from me. But before this, they had dawbed my face and both my hands with a sort of ointment very pleasant to the smell, which in a few minutes removed all the smart of their arrows. These circumstances, added to the refreshment I had received by their victuals and drink, which were very nourishing, disposed me to sleep. I slept about eight hours as I was afterwards assured; and it was no wonder; for the physicians, by the emperor’s order, had mingled a sleeping potion in the hogsheads of wine.
It seems, that upon the first moment I was discovered sleeping on the ground after my landing, the emperor had early notice of it by an express; and determined in council, that I should be tyed in the manner I have related (which was done in the night while I slept); that plenty of meat and drink should be sent me, and a machine prepared to carry me to the capital city.
This resolution perhaps may appear very bold and dangerous, and I am confident would not be imitated by any prince in Europe on the like occasion; however, in my opinion, it was extremely prudent as well as generous. For, supposing these people had endeavoured to kill me with their spears and arrows while I was asleep; I should certainly have awaked with the first sense of smart, which might so far have roused my rage and strength, as to enable me to break the strings wherewith I was tyed; after which, as they were not able to make resistance, so they could expect no mercy.
These people are most excellent mathematicians, and arrived to a great perfection in mechanicks, by the countenance and encouragement of the emperor, who is a renowned patron of learning. This prince hath several machines fixed on wheels, for the carriage of trees and other great weights. He often buildeth his largest men of war, whereof some are nine foot long, in the woods where the timber grows, and has them carried on these engines three or four hundred yards to the sea. Five hundred carpenters and engineers were immediately set at work to prepare the greatest engine they had. It was a frame of wood raised three inches from the ground, about seven foot long and four wide, moving upon twenty two wheels. The shout I heard, was upon the arrival of this engine, which, it seems, set out in four hours after my landing. It was brought parallel to me as I lay. But the principal difficulty was to raise and place me in this vehicle. Eighty poles, each of one foot high, were erected for this purpose, and very strong cords of the bigness of packthread were fastened by hooks to many bandages, which the workmen had girt round my neck, my hands, my body, and my legs. Nine hundred of the strongest men were employed to draw up these cords by many pullies fastened on the poles; and thus in less than three hours, I was raised and slung into the engine, and there tyed fast. All this I was told; for while the whole operation was performing, I lay in a profound sleep, by the force of that soporiferous medicine infused into my liquor. Fifteen hundred of the emperor’s largest horses, each about four inches and a half high, were employed to draw me towards the metropolis, which, as I said, was half a mile distant.
About four hours after we began our journey, I awaked by a very ridiculous accident; for the carriage being stopt a while to adjust something that was out of order, two or three of the young natives had the curiosity to see how I looked when I was asleep; they climbed up into the engine, and advancing very softly to my face, one of them, an officer in the guards, put the sharp end of his half-pike a good way up into my left nostril, which tickled my nose like a straw, and made me sneeze violently: whereupon they stole off unperceived; and it was three weeks before I knew the cause of my awaking so suddenly. We made a long march the remaining part of the day, and rested at night with five hundred guards on each side of me, half with torches, and half with bows and arrows, ready to shoot me if I should offer to stir. The next morning at sunrise we continued our march, and arrived within two hundred yards of the city-gates about noon. The emperor, and all his court, came out to meet us; but his great officers would by no means suffer his Majesty to endanger his person by mounting on my body.
At the place where the carriage stopt, there stood an ancient temple, esteemed to be the largest in the whole kingdom; which having been polluted some years before by an unnatural murder, was, according to the zeal of those people, looked upon as prophane, and therefore had been applied to common use, and all the ornaments and furniture carried away. In this edifice it was determined I should lodge. The great gate fronting to the north was about four feet high, and almost two feet wide, through which I could easily creep. On each side of the gate was a small window not above six inches from the ground: into that on the left side, the king’s smiths conveyed fourscore and eleven chains, like those that hang to a lady’s watch in Europe, and almost as large, which were locked to my left leg with six and thirty padlocks. Over against this temple, on the other side of the great highway, at twenty feet distance, there was a turret at least five feet high. Here the emperor ascended with many principal lords of his court, to have an opportunity of viewing me, as I was told, for I could not see them. It was reckoned that above an hundred thousand inhabitants came out of the town upon the same errand; and in spight of my guards, I believe there could not be fewer than ten thousand, at several times, who mounted upon my body by the help of ladders. But a proclamation was soon issued to forbid it, upon pain of death. When the workmen found it was impossible for me to break loose, they cut all the strings that bound me; whereupon I rose up with as melancholly a disposition as ever I had in my life. But the noise and astonishment of the people at seeing me rise and walk, are not to be expressed. The chains that held my left leg were about two yards long, and gave me not only the liberty of walking backwards and forwards in a semi-circle; but being fixed within four inches of the gate, allowed me to creep in, and lie at my full length in the temple.
