the zincali-第12章
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horses; and of mules; skirted by its brown sierra; ever eager to
afford its shelter to their dusky race。 Equally suitable;
Estremadura and New Castile; but far; far more; Andalusia; with its
three kingdoms; Jaen; Granada; and Seville; one of which was still
possessed by the swarthy Moor; … Andalusia; the land of the proud
steed and the stubborn mule; the land of the savage sierra and the
fruitful and cultivated plain: to Andalusia they hied; in bands of
thirties and sixties; the hoofs of their asses might be heard
clattering in the passes of the stony hills; the girls might be
seen bounding in lascivious dance in the streets of many a town;
and the beldames standing beneath the eaves telling the 'buena
ventura' to many a credulous female dupe; the men the while
chaffered in the fair and market…place with the labourers and
chalanes; casting significant glances on each other; or exchanging
a word or two in Rommany; whilst they placed some uncouth animal in
a particular posture which served to conceal its ugliness from the
eyes of the chapman。 Yes; of all provinces of Spain; Andalusia was
the most frequented by the Gitano race; and in Andalusia they most
abound at the present day; though no longer as restless independent
wanderers of the fields and hills; but as residents in villages and
towns; especially in Seville。
CHAPTER II
HAVING already stated to the reader at what period and by what
means these wanderers introduced themselves into Spain; we shall
now say something concerning their manner of life。
It would appear that; for many years after their arrival in the
Peninsula; their manners and habits underwent no change; they were
wanderers; in the strictest sense of the word; and lived much in
the same way as their brethren exist in the present day in England;
Russia; and Bessarabia; with the exception perhaps of being more
reckless; mischievous; and having less respect for the laws; it is
true that their superiority in wickedness in these points may have
been more the effect of the moral state of the country in which
they were; than of any other operating cause。
Arriving in Spain with a predisposition to every species of crime
and villainy; they were not likely to be improved or reclaimed by
the example of the people with whom they were about to mix; nor was
it probable that they would entertain much respect for laws which;
from time immemorial; have principally served; not to protect the
honest and useful members of society; but to enrich those entrusted
with the administration of them。 Thus; if they came thieves; it
is not probable that they would become ashamed of the title of
thief in Spain; where the officers of justice were ever willing to
shield an offender on receiving the largest portion of the booty
obtained。 If on their arrival they held the lives of others in
very low estimation; could it be expected that they would become
gentle as lambs in a land where blood had its price; and the
shedder was seldom executed unless he was poor and friendless; and
unable to cram with ounces of yellow gold the greedy hands of the
pursuers of blood; … the alguazil and escribano? therefore; if the
Spanish Gypsies have been more bloody and more wolfishly eager in
the pursuit of booty than those of their race in most other
regions; the cause must be attributed to their residence in a
country unsound in every branch of its civil polity; where right
has ever been in less esteem; and wrong in less disrepute; than in
any other part of the world。
However; if the moral state of Spain was not calculated to have a
favourable effect on the habits and pursuits of the Gypsies; their
manners were as little calculated to operate beneficially; in any
point of view; on the country where they had lately arrived。
Divided into numerous bodies; frequently formidable in point of
number; their presence was an evil and a curse in whatever quarter
they directed their steps。 As might be expected; the labourers;
who in all countries are the most honest; most useful; and
meritorious class; were the principal sufferers; their mules and
horses were stolen; carried away to distant fairs; and there
disposed of; perhaps; to individuals destined to be deprived of
them in a similar manner; whilst their flocks of sheep and goats
were laid under requisition to assuage the hungry cravings of these
thievish cormorants。
It was not uncommon for a large band or tribe to encamp in the
vicinity of a remote village scantily peopled; and to remain there
until; like a flight of locusts; they had consumed everything which
the inhabitants possessed for their support; or until they were
scared away by the approach of justice; or by an army of rustics
assembled from the surrounding country。 Then would ensue the
hurried march; the women and children; mounted on lean but spirited
asses; would scour along the plains fleeter than the wind; ragged
and savage…looking men; wielding the scourge and goad; would
scamper by their side or close behind; whilst perhaps a small party
on strong horses; armed with rusty matchlocks or sabres; would
bring up the rear; threatening the distant foe; and now and then
saluting them with a hoarse blast from the Gypsy horn:…
'O; when I sit my courser bold;
My bantling in my rear;
And in my hand my musket hold …
O how they quake with fear!'
Let us for a moment suppose some unfortunate traveller; mounted on
a handsome mule or beast of some value; meeting; unarmed and alone;
such a rabble rout at the close of eve; in the wildest part; for
example; of La Mancha; we will suppose that he is journeying from
Seville to Madrid; and that he has left at a considerable distance
behind him the gloomy and horrible passes of the Sierra Morena; his
bosom; which for some time past has been contracted with dreadful
forebodings; is beginning to expand; his blood; which has been
congealed in his veins; is beginning to circulate warmly and
freely; he is fondly anticipating the still distant posada and
savoury omelet。 The sun is sinking rapidly behind the savage and
uncouth hills in his rear; he has reached the bottom of a small
valley; where runs a rivulet at which he allows his tired animal to
drink; he is about to ascend the side of the hill; his eyes are
turned upwards; suddenly he beholds strange and uncouth forms at
the top of the ascent … the sun descending slants its rays upon red
cloaks; with here and there a turbaned head; or long streaming
hair。 The traveller hesitates; but reflecting that he is no longer
in the mountains; and that in the open road there is no danger of
banditti; he advances。 In a moment he is in the midst of the Gypsy
group; in a moment there is a general halt; fiery eyes are turned
upon him replete with an expression which only the eyes of the Roma
possess; then ensues a jabber in a language or jargon which is
strange to the ears of the traveller; at last an ugly urchin
springs from the crupper of a halting mule; and in a lisping accent
entreats charity in the name of the Virgin and the Majoro。 The
traveller; with a faltering hand; produces his purse; and is
proceeding to loosen its strings; but he accomplishes not his
purpose; for; struck violently by a huge knotted club in an unseen
hand; he tumbles headlong from his mule。 Next morning a naked
corse; besmeared with brains and blood; is found by an arriero; and
within a week a simple cross records the event; according to the
custom of Spain。
'Below there in the dusky pass
Was wrought a murder dread