The Adventures of Roderick Random
up into the Downs at once, but the wind shifting when we were abreast
of the Isle of Wight, he was obliged to turn into St. Helen’s, and come
to Spithead, to the great mortification of the crew, thirty of whom
were immediately pressed on board a man-of-war.
My father and I went ashore immediately at Portsmouth, leaving Strap
with the captain to go round with the ship and take care of our
effects; and I discovered so much impatience to see my charming
Narcissa, that my father permitted me to ride across the country to her
brother’s house; while he should hire a post-chaise for London, where
he would wait for me at a place to which I directed him.
Fired with all the eagerness of passion, I took post that very night,
and in the morning reached an inn about three miles from the squire’s
habitation; here I remained till next morning, allaying the torture of
my impatience with the rapturous hope of seeing that divine creature
after an absence of eighteen months, which, far from impairing, had
raised my love to the most exalted pitch! Neither were my reflections
free from apprehensions: that something intervened in spite of all my
hope, and represented her as having yielded to the importunity of her
brother and blessed the arms of a happy rival. My thoughts were even
maddened with the fear of her death; and, when I arrived in the dark at
the house of Mrs. Sagely, I had not for some time courage to desire
admittance, lest my soul should be shocked with dismal tidings. At
length, however, I knocked, and no sooner certified the good
gentlewoman of my voice than she opened the door, and received me with
the most affectionate embrace, that brought tears into her aged eyes:
“For heaven’s sake, dear mother,” cried I, “tell me how is Narcissa? is
she the same that I left her?” She blessed my ears with saying, “She is
as beautiful, in as good health, and as much yours as ever.”
Transported at this assurance, I begged to know if I could not see her
that very night, when this sage matron gave me to understand that my
mistress was in London, and that things were strangely altered in the
squire’s house since my departure; that he had been married a whole
year to Melinda, who at first found means to wean his attention so much
from Narcissa, that he became quite careless of that lovely sister,
comforting himself with the clause in his father’s will, by which she
should forfeit her fortune, by marrying without his consent: that my
mistress, being but indifferently treated by her sister-in-law, had
made use of her freedom some months ago, and gone to town, where she
was lodged with Miss Williams, in expectation of my arrival; and had
been pestered with the addresses of Lord Quiverwit, who, finding her
heart engaged, had fallen upon a great many shifts to persuade her that
I was dead; but, finding all his artifices unsuccessful, and despairing
of gaining her affection, he had consoled himself for her indifference,
by marrying another lady some weeks ago, who had already left him on
account of some family uneasiness. Besides this interesting
information, she told me there was not a great deal of harmony between
Melinda and the squire, who was so much disgusted at the number of
gallants who continued to hover about her even after her marriage, that
he had hurried her down into the country, much against her own
inclination, where their mutual animosities had risen to such a height,
that they preserved no decency before company or servants, but abused
one another in the grossest terms.
This good old gentlewoman, to give me a convincing proof of my dear
Narcissa’s unalterable love, gratified me with a sight of the last
letter she had favoured her with, in which I was mentioned with so much
honour, tenderness, and concern, that my soul was fired with
impatience, and I determined to ride all night, that I might have it
the sooner in my power to make her happy. Mrs. Sagely, perceiving my
eagerness, and her maternal affection being equally divided between
Narcissa and me, begged leave to remind me of the sentiments with which
I went abroad, that would not permit me for any selfish gratification
to prejudice the fortune of that amiable young lady, who must entirely
depend upon me, after having bestowed herself in marriage. I thanked
her for her kind concern, and as briefly as possible described my
flourishing situation, which afforded this humane person infinite
wonder and satisfaction. I told her, that now I had an opportunity to
manifest my gratitude for the many obligations I owed, I would
endeavour to make her old age comfortable and easy; as a step to which
I proposed she should come and live with Narcissa and me. This
venerable gentlewoman was so much affected with my words, that the
tears ran down her ancient cheeks; she thanked heaven that I had not
belied the presages she had made, on her first acquaintance with me;
acknowledging my generosity, as she called it, in the most elegant and
pathetic expressions; but declined my proposal, on account of her
attachment to the dear melancholy cottage where she had so peacefully
consumed her solitary widowhood. Finding her immovable on this subject,
I insisted on her accepting a present of thirty guineas, and took my
leave, resolving to accommodate her with the same sum annually, for the
more comfortable support of the infirmities of old age.
Having rode all night, I found myself at Canterbury in the morning,
where I alighted to procure fresh horses; and, as I walked into the
inn, perceived an apothecary’s on the other side of the street, with
the name of Morgan over the door; alarmed at this discovery, I could
not help thinking that my old messmate had settled in this place, and
upon inquiry found my conjecture true, and that he was married lately
to a widow in that city, by whom he had got three thousand pounds.
Rejoiced at this intelligence, I went to his shop as soon as it was
open, and found my friend behind the counter, busy in preparing a
clyster. I saluted him at entrance, with, “Your servant, Mr. Morgan.”
Upon which he looked at me, and replying, “Your most humble servant,
good sir,” rubbed his ingredients in the mortar without any emotion.
“What,” said I, “Morgan, have you forgot your old messmate?” At these
words he looked up again, and starting, cried, “As Cot is my—sure it
cannot—yes, by my salfation, I pelieve it is my dear friend Mr.
Rantom.” He was no sooner convinced of my identity, than he threw down
the pestle, overset the mortar, and jumping over the board, swept up
the contents with his clothes, flew about my neck, hugged me
affectionately, and daubed me all over with turpentine and the yolks of
eggs which he had been mixing when I came in. Our mutual
congratulations being over, he told me, that he found himself a widower
upon his return from the West Indies; that he had got interest to be
appointed surgeon of a man-of-war, in which capacity he had served some
years, until he married an apothecary’s widow, with whom he now enjoyed
a pretty good sum of money, peace, and quiet, and an indifferent good
trade. He was very desirous of hearing my adventures, which I assured
him I had not time to relate, but told him in general, my circumstances
were very good, and that I hoped to see him when I should not be in
such a hurry as at present. He insisted, however, on my staying
breakfast, and introduced me to his wife, who seemed to be a decent
sensible woman, pretty well stricken in years. In the course of our
conversation, he showed the sleeve-buttons I had exchanged with him at
our parting in the West Indies, and was not a little proud to see that
I had preserved his with the same care. When I informed him of
Mackshane’s condition, he seemed at first to exult over his distress;
but, after a little recollection, said, “Well, he has paid for his
malice; I forgife him, and may Cot forgife him likewise.” He expressed
great concern for the soul of Captain Oakum, which he believed was now
gnashing its teeth; but it was some time before I could convince him of
Thompson’s being alive, at whose good fortune, nevertheless, he was
extremely glad.
Having renewed our protestations of friendship, I bade the honest
Welshman and his spouse farewell, and, taking post-horses, arrived at
London that same night, where I found my father in good health, to whom
I imparted what I had learned of Narcissa. This indulgent parent
approved of my intention of marrying her, even without fortune,
provided her brother’s consent could not be obtained; promised to make
over to me in a few days a sufficiency to maintain her in a fashionable
manner and expressed a desire of seeing this amiable creature, who had
captivated me so much. As I had not slept the night before, and was
besides fatigued with my journey, I found myself under a necessity of
taking some repose, and went to bed accordingly: next morning, about
ten o’clock, took a chair, and according to Mrs. Sagely’s directions,
went to my charmer’s lodgings, and inquired for Miss Williams. I had
not waited in the parlour longer than a minute, when this young woman
entered, and no sooner perceived me, than she shrieked and ran
backward: but I got between her and the door, and clasping her in my
arms, brought her to herself with an embrace. “Good heaven,” cried she,
“Mr. Random, is it you indeed? My mistress will run distracted with
joy.” I told her, it was from an apprehension that my sudden appearance
might have had some bad effect on my dear Narcissa, that I had desired
to see her first, in order to concert some method of acquainting her
mistress gradually with my arrival. She approved of my conduct, and,
after having yielded to the suggestions of her own friendship, in
asking if my voyage had been successful, charged herself with that
office, and left me glowing with desire of seeing and embracing the
object of my love. In a very little time I heard some body coming down
the stairs in haste, and the voice of my angel pronounce, with an eager
tone, “O heaven! is it possible! where is he?” How were my faculties
aroused at this well known sound! and how was my soul transported when
she broke in upon my view in all the bloom of ripened beauty! Grace was
in all her steps, heaven in her eye, in every gesture dignity and love!
You, whose souls are susceptible of the most delicate impressions,
whose tender bosoms have felt the affecting vicissitudes of love, who
have suffered an absence of eighteen long months from the dear object
of your hope, and found at your return the melting fair as kind and
constant as your heart can wish, do me justice on this occasion, and
conceive what unutterable rapture possessed us both, while we flew into
each other’s arms! This was no time for speech: locked in a mutual
embrace, we continued some minutes in a silent trance of joy! When I
thus encircled all my soul held dear—while I hung over her
beauties—beheld her eyes sparkle, and every feature flush with virtuous
fondness—when I saw her enchanting bosom heave with undissembled
rapture, and knew myself the happy cause—heavens! what was my
situation! I am tempted to commit my paper to the flames, and to
renounce my pen for ever, because its most ardent and lucky expression
so poorly describes the emotions of my soul. “O adorable Narcissa!”
cried I, “O miracle of beauty, love and truth! I at last fold thee in
my arms! I at last can call thee mine! No jealous brother shall thwart
our happiness again; fortune hath at length recompensed me for all my
sufferings, and enabled me to do justice to my love.” The dear creature
smiled ineffably charmingly, and, with a look of bewitching tenderness,
said, “and shall we never part again?” “Never,” I replied, “thou
wondrous pattern of all earthly perfection! never, until death shall