Lavengro - George Borrow (nice books to read TXT) 📗

calling was to endeavour to get back a piece of literary property which his friend had obtained from him many years previously, and which, though he had frequently applied for it, he never could get back. Well, the writer called; he did not get his property, which, indeed, he had scarcely time to press for, being almost instantly attacked by his good friend and his wife⁠—yes, it was then that the author was set upon by an old Radical and his wife⁠—the wife, who looked the very image of shame and malignity, did not say much, it is true, but encouraged her husband in all he said. Both of their own accord introduced the subject of Lavengro. The Radical called the writer a grumbler, just as if there had ever been a greater grumbler than himself until, by the means above described, he had obtained a place; he said that the book contained a melancholy view of human nature⁠—just as if anybody could look in his face without having a melancholy view of human nature. On the writer quietly observing that the book contained an exposition of his principles, the pseudo-Radical replied, that he cared nothing for his principles⁠—which was probably true, it not being likely that he would care for another person’s principles after having shown so thorough a disregard for his own. The writer said that the book, of course, would give offence to humbugs; the Radical then demanded whether he thought him a humbug⁠—the wretched wife was the Radical’s protection, even as he knew she would be; it was on her account that the writer did not kick his good friend; as it was, he looked at him in the face and thought to himself, “How is it possible I should think you a humbug, when only last night I was taking your part in a company in which everybody called you a humbug?”

The Radical, probably observing something in the writer’s eye which he did not like, became all on a sudden abjectly submissive, and, professing the highest admiration for the writer, begged him to visit him in his government; this the writer promised faithfully to do, and he takes the present opportunity of performing his promise.

This is one of the pseudo-Radical calumniators of Lavengro and its author; were the writer on his deathbed he would lay his hand on his heart and say, that he does not believe that there is one trait of exaggeration in the portrait which he has drawn. This is one of the pseudo-Radical calumniators of Lavengro and its author; and this is one of the genus, who, after having railed against jobbery for perhaps a quarter of a century, at present batten on large official salaries which they do not earn. England is a great country, and her interests require that she should have many a well-paid official both at home and abroad; but will England long continue a great country if the care of her interests, both at home and abroad, is in many instances entrusted to beings like him described above, whose only recommendation for an official appointment was that he was deeply versed in the secrets of his party and of the Whigs?

Before he concludes, the writer will take the liberty of saying of Lavengro that it is a book written for the express purpose of inculcating virtue, love of country, learning, manly pursuits, and genuine religion, for example, that of the Church of England, and for awakening a contempt for nonsense of every kind, and a hatred for priestcraft, more especially that of Rome.

And in conclusion, with respect to many passages of his book in which he has expressed himself in terms neither measured nor mealy, he will beg leave to observe, in the words of a great poet, who lived a profligate life, it is true, but who died a sincere penitent⁠—thanks, after God, to good Bishop Burnet⁠—

“All this with indignation I have hurl’d
At the pretending part of this proud world,
Who, swollen with selfish vanity, devise
False freedoms, formal cheats, and holy lies,
Over their fellow fools to tyrannise.”

—⁠Rochester. Complete List of English Gypsy Words Scattered Through Lavengro and Romany Rye

Common European Gypsy forms are in parenthesis.

Abri

(Avrí), out, forth.

Adré / Adrey

(André), in, into.

Ambról

A pear.

Andé

In, into.

Angár

Charcoal, coal.

Apopli

Again, once more.

Ava / Ávali

Yes.

Avella

(3rd singular of aváva), he comes; gorgio avella, some one is coming. [Avava, avesa, avela.]

Ballúva

(Baló), pork.

Baló

Hog.

Baró

Feminine barí, plural baré, big, great.

Bátu

Father.

Baulo

See baló.

Bawlor

(Plural of baló), swine.

Bebee

(Bibí), aunt; (in George Borrow grandmother, with and without grand).

Beng

Toad; dragon, devil.

Bengui

(Spanish Gypsy Bengue), i.q. beng.

Besh

(Beshava), to sit.

Beti

A little, a bit of.

Bitchadey

(Bichavdé; plural of bichavdó), sent. With pawdel,transported.

Bokht

(Bakht), fate, luck, fortune.

Boró

See (baró).

Borodromengro

Highwayman.

Boshom

(Bashava, I sing or play), violin, fiddle.

Boshomengro

Fiddler.

Bovaló

(Barvaló), rich.

Bute

(But), much. Bute dosta, a good many, plenty of.

Cafi

(καρφἱ), horseshoe nail.

Caloró / Calorí

A Spanish Gypsy. Diminutive of caló; see kaló.

Cambrí

(Kamní), with child.

Camomescro

(From kamama, I love), a Lovell (Gypsy tribe-name).

Cana

(Kánna), when.

Caulor

(Collor), plural shillings.

Chabé

Plural of Chabó.

Chabó

(Tchavó), child, lad; Gypsy.

Chachipen

(Tchatchipé), truth.

Chal

[Noun] (