the zincali-第25章
按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页,按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页,按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部!
————未阅读完?加入书签已便下次继续阅读!
difficulty in arriving at it; as it is enchanted; and to remove it
is impossible; save alone on the eve of Saint John。 We are now at
the eighteenth of June; and it wants five days to the twenty…third;
therefore; in the meanwhile; collect some jewels of gold and
silver; and likewise some money; whatever you please; provided it
be not copper; and provide six tapers; of white or yellow wax; for
at the time appointed I will come with a sister of mine; when we
will extract from the cellar such abundance of riches; that you
will be able to live in a style which will excite the envy of the
whole country。〃 The ignorant widow; hearing these words; put
implicit confidence in the deceiver; and imagined that she already
possessed all the gold of Arabia and the silver of Potosi。
'The appointed day arrived; and not more punctual were the two
Gypsies; than anxiously expected by the lady。 Being asked whether
she had prepared all as she had been desired; she replied in the
affirmative; when the Gypsy thus addressed her: 〃You must know;
good lady; that gold calls forth gold; and silver calls forth
silver; let us light these tapers; and descend to the cellar before
it grows late; in order that we may have time for our
conjurations。〃 Thereupon the trio; the widow and the two Gypsies;
went down; and having lighted the tapers and placed them in
candlesticks in the shape of a circle; they deposited in the midst
a silver tankard; with some pieces of eight; and some corals tipped
with gold; and other jewels of small value。 They then told the
lady; that it was necessary for them all to return to the staircase
by which they had descended to the cellar; and there they uplifted
their hands; and remained for a short time as if engaged in prayer。
'The two Gypsies then bade the widow wait for them; and descended
again; when they commenced holding a conversation; speaking and
answering alternately; and altering their voices in such a manner
that five or six people appeared to be in the cellar。 〃Blessed
little Saint John;〃 said one; 〃will it be possible to remove the
treasure which you keep hidden here?〃 〃O yes; and with a little
more trouble it will be yours;〃 replied the Gypsy sister; altering
her voice to a thin treble; as if it proceeded from a child four or
five years old。 In the meantime; the lady remained astonished;
expecting the promised riches; and the two Gitanas presently coming
to her; said; 〃Come up; lady; for our desire is upon the point of
being gratified。 Bring down the best petticoat; gown; and mantle
which you have in your chest; that I may dress myself; and appear
in other guise to what I do now。〃 The simple woman; not perceiving
the trick they were playing upon her; ascended with them to the
doorway; and leaving them alone; went to fetch the things which
they demanded。 Thereupon the two Gypsies; seeing themselves at
liberty; and having already pocketed the gold and silver which had
been deposited for their conjuration; opened the street door; and
escaped with all the speed they could。
'The beguiled widow returned laden with the clothes; and not
finding those whom she had left waiting; descended into the cellar;
when; perceiving the trick which they had played her; and the
robbery which they had committed in stealing her jewels; she began
to cry and weep; but all in vain。 All the neighbours hastened to
her; and to them she related her misfortune; which served more to
raise laughter and jeers at her expense than to excite pity; though
the subtlety of the two she…thieves was universally praised。 These
latter; as soon as they had got out of the door; knew well how to
conceal themselves; for having once reached the mountain it was not
possible to find them。 So much for their divination; their
foreseeing things to come; their power over the secrets of nature;
and their knowledge of the stars。'
The Gitanas in the olden time appear to have not unfrequently been
subjected to punishment as sorceresses; and with great justice; as
the abominable trade which they drove in philtres and decoctions
certainly entitled them to that appellation; and to the pains and
penalties reserved for those who practised what was termed
'witchcraft。'
Amongst the crimes laid to their charge; connected with the
exercise of occult powers; there is one; however; of which they
were certainly not capable; as it is a purely imaginary one; though
if they were punished for it; they had assuredly little right to
complain; as the chastisement they met was fully merited by
practices equally malefic as the crime imputed to them; provided
that were possible。 IT WAS CASTING THE EVIL EYE。
CHAPTER VIII
IN the Gitano language; casting the evil eye is called QUERELAR
NASULA; which simply means making sick; and which; according to the
common superstition; is accomplished by casting an evil look at
people; especially children; who; from the tenderness of their
constitution; are supposed to be more easily blighted than those of
a more mature age。 After receiving the evil glance; they fall
sick; and die in a few hours。
The Spaniards have very little to say respecting the evil eye;
though the belief in it is very prevalent; especially in Andalusia
amongst the lower orders。 A stag's horn is considered a good
safeguard; and on that account a small horn; tipped with silver; is
frequently attached to the children's necks by means of a cord
braided from the hair of a black mare's tail。 Should the evil
glance be cast; it is imagined that the horn receives it; and
instantly snaps asunder。 Such horns may be purchased in some of
the silversmiths' shops at Seville。
The Gitanos have nothing more to say on this species of sorcery
than the Spaniards; which can cause but little surprise; when we
consider that they have no traditions; and can give no rational
account of themselves; nor of the country from which they come。
Some of the women; however; pretend to have the power of casting
it; though if questioned how they accomplish it; they can return no
answer。 They will likewise sell remedies for the evil eye; which
need not be particularised; as they consist of any drugs which they
happen to possess or be acquainted with; the prescribers being
perfectly reckless as to the effect produced on the patient;
provided they receive their paltry reward。
I have known these beings offer to cure the glanders in a horse (an
incurable disorder) with the very same powders which they offer as
a specific for the evil eye。
Leaving; therefore; for a time; the Spaniards and Gitanos; whose
ideas on this subject are very scanty and indistinct; let us turn
to other nations amongst whom this superstition exists; and
endeavour to ascertain on what it is founded; and in what it
consists。 The fear of the evil eye is common amongst all oriental
people; whether Turks; Arabs; or Hindoos。 It is dangerous in some
parts to survey a person with a fixed glance; as he instantly
concludes that you are casting the evil eye upon him。 Children;
particularly; are afraid of the evil eye from the superstitious
fear inculcated in their minds in the nursery。 Parents in the East
feel no delight when strangers look at their children in admiration
of their loveliness; they consider that you merely look at them in
order to blight them。 The attendants on the children of the great
are enjoined never to permit strangers to fix their glance upon
them。 I was once in the shop of an Armenian at Constantinople;
waiting to see a procession which was expected t