We were in some little time fixed in our seats, and sat with that dislike which people not too good-natured usually conceive of each other at first sight. The coach jumbled us insensibly into some sort of familiarity; and we had not moved above two miles, when the widow asked the captain what success he had in his recruiting? The officer, with a frankness he believed very graceful, told her, "That indeed he had but very little luck, and had suffered much by desertion, therefore should be glad to end his warfare in the service of her or her fair daughter. In a word," continued he, "I am a soldier, and to be plain is my character: you see me, Madam, young, sound, and impudent; take me yourself, widow, or give me to her, I will be wholly at your disposal. I am a soldier of fortune, ha!" This was followed by a vain laugh of his own, and a deep silence of all the rest of the company. I had nothing left for it but to fall fast asleep, which I did with all speed. "Come," said he, "resolve upon it, we will make a wedding at the next town. We will wake this pleasant companion who has fallen asleep, to be the brideman"(and giving the quaker a clap on the knee) he concluded "This sly saint, who I'll warrant, understands what's what as well as you or I, widow, shall give the bride as father." The quaker, who happened to be a man of smartness, answered, "Friend, I take it in good part that thou hast given me the authority of a father over this comely and virtuous child; and I must assure thee, that if I have the giving her, I shall not bestow her on thee. Thy mirth, friend, savoureth of folly: Thou art a person of a light mind; thy drum is a type of thee, it soundeth because it is empty. Verily, it is not from thy fulness, but thy emptiness that thou hast spoken this day. Friend, friend, we have hired this coach in partnership with thee, to carry us to the great city; we cannot go any other way. This worthy mother must hear thee if thou wilt needs utter thy follies; we cannot help it, friend, I say: if thou wilt, we must hear thee; but if thou wert a man of understanding, thou wouldst not take advantage of thy courageous countenance to abash us children of peace. Thou art, thou sayest, a soldier; give quarter to us, who cannot resist thee. Why didst thou fleer at our friend, who feigned himself asleep? He said nothing; but how dost thou know what he containeth? If thou speakest improper things in the hearing of this virtuous young virgin, consider it as an outrage against a distressed person that cannot get from thee: 'To speak indiscreetly what we are obliged to hear, by being hasped up with thee in this publick vehicle, is in some degree assaulting on the high road."Here Ephraim paused, and the captain with a happy and uncommon impudence (which can be convicted and support itself at the same time) cries, "Faith, friend, I thank thee; I should have been a little impertinent if thou hadst not reprimanded me. Come, thou art, I see, a smoky old fellow, and I'll be very orderly the ensuing part of my journey. I was going to give myself airs, but, ladies, I beg pardon."The captain was so little out of humour, and our company was so far from being soured by this little ruffle, that Ephraim and he took a particular delight in being agreeable to each other for the future; and assumed their different provinces in the conduct of the company. Our reckonings, apartments, and accommodation, fell under Ephraim; and the captain looked to all disputes upon the road, as the good behaviour of our coachman, and the right we had of taking place as going to London of all vehicles coming from thence. The occurrences we met with were ordinary, and very little happened which could entertain by the relation of them: but when I consider'd the company we were in, I took it for no small good-fortune that the whole journey was not spent in impertinences, which to the one part of us might be an entertainment, to the other a suffering. What therefore Ephraim said when we were almost arriv'd at London had to me an air not only of good understanding but good breeding. Upon the young lady's expressing her satisfaction in the journey, and declaring how delightful it had been to her, Ephraim delivered himself as follows: "There is no ordinary part of human life which expresseth so much a good mind, and a right inward man, as his behaviour upon meeting with strangers, especially such as may seem the most unsuitable companions to him: such a man, when he falleth in the way with persons of simplicity and innocence, however knowing he may be in the ways of men, will not vaunt himself thereof; but will the rather hide his superiority to them, that he may not be painful unto them. My good friend (continued he, turning to the officer), thee and I are to part by and by, and peradventure we may never meet again: but be advised by a plain man: modes and apparel are but trifles to the real man, therefore do not think such a man as thyself terrible for thy garb, nor such a one as me contemptible for mine. When two such as thee and I meet, with affections as we ought to have towards each other, thou shouldst rejoice to see my peaceable demeanour, and I should be glad to see thy strength and ability to protect me in it."
同类推荐
热门推荐
旧日领主系统
巨龙,火药,与魔法;一批得到了耕战系统的穿越者在不属于他们的土地上建立了强大了领地,他们随后组成了联盟,他们在整片大陆上势如破竹!剥开笼罩在整片大陆上的战争阴影,由眼睛与触手组成结合体游走在天地之间,仿若一位旁观者在欣赏着一幅精美绝伦的战争壁画。“真是美妙的时刻啊。”当穿越者们一拥而上攻陷了帝国的首都之后,旧神们建立的离天之塔轰然倒塌。“我们是为了阻止从外世界入侵的邪恶末日!”“可你们也是来自于他世界,不是么?”“天神在上,一切都完了,还有谁能够阻止他们!”——说书人架起了摊子,摊开了手中已经泛黄的书页。“你的故事都太古老了”“可你看啊,这页故事是它刚生出来的,新鲜极了。”在最美的时候,遇见你
最好不相见,如此便可不相恋。最好不相知,如此便可不相思。最好不相伴,如此便可不相欠。最好不相惜,如此便可不相忆。最好不相爱,如此便可不相弃。最好不相对,如此便可不相会。最好不相误,如此便可不相负。最好不相许,如此便可不相续。最好不相依,如此便可不相偎。最好不相遇,如此便可不相聚。使魔召唤
本书讲述的是一个废材宅男被召唤到异世界成了使魔的故事。“什么?我居然成了一个小萝莉的使魔?不幸啊!”孙箭又一次喊出了他的口头禅。“额……我居然能召唤动漫中所有的非人生物?这次终于发达了!”“《圣杯战争》?当然是saber了——saber大爱!《宠物小精灵》?那还用说,必定是喷火龙了——咱好歹也当一回龙骑士啊!还有《出包王女》、《海贼王》、《灼眼的夏娜》……”孙箭陷入了无限的YY中。可事实是残酷的,当孙箭召唤出了……之后,“不幸啊!”三个字又一次在空中回响……--------------------------------------------喜欢的请收藏!请将票票投给本书!新人新书需要大家的支持!盖子在这里拜谢了!