Читать книгу A Book of Voyages - Patrick O’Brian - Страница 6

… for thy more easier understanding, I have divided this … into … parts … which being seriously perused, doubtlesse thy Labour shall receive both profit and pleasure. Accept them therefore with the same love, that I offer them to thee, since they cost thee nothing but the reading, but how deare soever they are to me. But understand me better, I scorne to draw my Pen to the Ignorant Foole, for I contemne both. To the Wise I know it will be welcome; to the profound Historian yeeld knowledge, contemplation and direction: and to the understanding Gentleman, insight, instruction, and recreation: and to the true bred Poet fraternal love, both in meane and manner. Now as touching the hissing of snakish Papists, a tush for that snarling Crew; for as this Worke, being sensed with experience and garnished with trueth, is more than able to batter downe the stinging venome of their despitefull Waspishness: so also they may clearely see therein, as in a Mirrour, their owne blindnes, and the damnable errours of their blind guiders, Deceivers and Idolaters: and above all the cruel inflictions imposed upon me, by the mercilesse Inquisition of their profession in Malaga; which for Christ’s sake I constantly suffered, in Tortures, Torments, and Hunger.

And lastly, they may perceive God’s miraculous Mercy, in discovering and delivering me from such a concealed and inhumane murther.

And now referring the well set Reader to the History it selfe, where satisfaction lyeth ready to receive him, and expectation desirous of deserved thankes: I come to talke with the scelerate Companion: If thou beest a Villain, a Ruffian, a Momus, a Knave, a Carper, a Critick, a Bubo, a stupid Asse, and a gnawing Worme with envious Lips, I bequeath thee to a Carnificiall reward, where a hempen Rope will soon dispatch thy snarling slander, and free my toylesome Travailes and now painefull Labours, from the deadly Poyson of thy sharpe edged calumnies, and so goe hang thy selfe; for I neither will respect thy Love, nor regard thy Malice: and shall ever and alwayes remaine,

To the Courteous still Observant:

And to the Criticall Knave as he deserveth.

WM. LITHGOW

The Prologue to the Reader, from William Lithgow’s The Totall Discourse of the Rare Adventures, and Painefull Peregrinations of long nineteene yeares Travailes from Scotland … etc. ed. 1640. Lithgow has recently been republished, so I have included none of his travels; however, he says what so many travellers feel on meeting with a doubtful reception at home, and says it with so much force and ability that he must be included: furthermore, I had the good luck many years ago to pick up a battered copy of the 1640 edition for fourpence, so I feel that I have a certain property in him.