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第4章

the zincali-第4章

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mind the appearance of an aged Ziganskie Attaman; or Captain of 



Zigani; and his grandson; who approached me on the meadow before 



Novo Gorod; where stood the encampment of a numerous horde。  The 



boy was of a form and face which might have entitled him to 



represent Astyanax; and Hector of Troy might have pressed him to 



his bosom; and called him his pride; but the old man was; perhaps; 



such a shape as Milton has alluded to; but could only describe as 



execrable … he wanted but the dart and kingly crown to have 



represented the monster who opposed the progress of Lucifer; whilst 



careering in burning arms and infernal glory to the outlet of his 



hellish prison。







But in speaking of the Russian Gypsies; those of Moscow must not be 



passed over in silence。  The station to which they have attained in 



society in that most remarkable of cities is so far above the 



sphere in which the remainder of their race pass their lives; that 



it may be considered as a phenomenon in Gypsy history; and on that 



account is entitled to particular notice。







Those who have been accustomed to consider the Gypsy as a wandering 



outcast; incapable of appreciating the blessings of a settled and 



civilised life; or … if abandoning vagabond propensities; and 



becoming stationary … as one who never ascends higher than the 



condition of a low trafficker; will be surprised to learn; that 



amongst the Gypsies of Moscow there are not a few who inhabit 



stately houses; go abroad in elegant equipages; and are behind the 



higher orders of the Russians neither in appearance nor mental 



acquirements。  To the power of song alone this phenomenon is to be 



attributed。  From time immemorial the female Gypsies of Moscow have 



been much addicted to the vocal art; and bands or quires of them 



have sung for pay in the halls of the nobility or upon the boards 



of the theatre。  Some first…rate songsters have been produced among 



them; whose merits have been acknowledged; not only by the Russian 



public; but by the most fastidious foreign critics。  Perhaps the 



highest compliment ever paid to a songster was paid by Catalani 



herself to one of these daughters of Roma。  It is well known 



throughout Russia that the celebrated Italian was so enchanted with 



the voice of a Moscow Gypsy (who; after the former had displayed 



her noble talent before a splendid audience in the old Russian 



capital; stepped forward and poured forth one of her national 



strains); that she tore from her own shoulders a shawl of cashmire; 



which had been presented to her by the Pope; and; embracing the 



Gypsy; insisted on her acceptance of the splendid gift; saying; 



that it had been intended for the matchless songster; which she now 



perceived she herself was not。







The sums obtained by many of these females by the exercise of their 



art enable them to support their relatives in affluence and luxury:  



some are married to Russians; and no one who has visited Russia can 



but be aware that a lovely and accomplished countess; of the noble 



and numerous family of Tolstoy; is by birth a Zigana; and was 



originally one of the principal attractions of a Rommany choir at 



Moscow。







But it is not to be supposed that the whole of the Gypsy females at 



Moscow are of this high and talented description; the majority of 



them are of far lower quality; and obtain their livelihood by 



singing and dancing at taverns; whilst their husbands in general 



follow the occupation of horse…dealing。







Their favourite place of resort in the summer time is Marina Rotze; 



a species of sylvan garden about two versts from Moscow; and 



thither; tempted by curiosity; I drove one fine evening。  On my 



arrival the Ziganas came flocking out from their little tents; and 



from the tractir or inn which has been erected for the 



accommodation of the public。  Standing on the seat of the calash; I 



addressed them in a loud voice in the English dialect of the 



Rommany; of which I have some knowledge。  A shrill scream of wonder 



was instantly raised; and welcomes and blessings were poured forth 



in floods of musical Rommany; above all of which predominated the 



cry of KAK CAMENNA TUTE PRALA … or; How we love you; brother! … for 



at first they mistook me for one of their wandering brethren from 



the distant lands; come over the great panee or ocean to visit 



them。







After some conversation they commenced singing; and favoured me 



with many songs; both in Russian and Rommany:  the former were 



modern popular pieces; such as are accustomed to be sung on the 



boards of the theatre; but the latter were evidently of great 



antiquity; exhibiting the strongest marks of originality; the 



metaphors bold and sublime; and the metre differing from anything 



of the kind which it has been my fortune to observe in Oriental or 



European prosody。







One of the most remarkable; and which commences thus:











'Za mateia rosherroro odolata



Bravintata;'











(or; Her head is aching with grief; as if she had tasted wine) 



describes the anguish of a maiden separated from her lover; and who 



calls for her steed:











'Tedjav manga gurraoro' …











that she may depart in quest of the lord of her bosom; and share 



his joys and pleasures。







A collection of these songs; with a translation and vocabulary; 



would be no slight accession to literature; and would probably 



throw more light on the history of this race than anything which 



has yet appeared; and; as there is no want of zeal and talent in 



Russia amongst the cultivators of every branch of literature; and 



especially philology; it is only surprising that such a collection 



still remains a desideratum。







The religion which these singular females externally professed was 



the Greek; and they mostly wore crosses of copper or gold; but when 



I questioned them on this subject in their native language; they 



laughed; and said it was only to please the Russians。  Their names 



for God and his adversary are Deval and Bengel; which differ little 



from the Spanish Un…debel and Bengi; which signify the same。  I 



will now say something of











THE HUNGARIAN GYPSIES; OR CZIGANY











Hungary; though a country not a tenth part so extensive as the huge 



colossus of the Russian empire; whose tzar reigns over a hundred 



lands; contains perhaps as many Gypsies; it not being uncommon to 



find whole villages inhabited by this race; they likewise abound in 



the suburbs of the towns。  In Hungary the feudal system still 



exists in all its pristine barbarity; in no country does the hard 



hand of this oppression bear so heavy upon the lower classes … not 



even in Russia。  The peasants of Russia are serfs; it is true; but 



their condition is enviable compared with that of the same class in 



the other country; they have certain rights and privileges; and 



are; upon the whole; happy and contented; whilst the Hungarians are 



ground to powder。  Two classes are free in Hungary to do almost 



what they please … the nobility and … the Gypsies; the former are 



above the law … the latter below it:  a toll is wrung from the 



hands of the hard…working labourers; that most meritorious class; 



in passing over a bridge; for example at Pesth; which is not 



demanded from a well…dressed person … nor from the Czigany; who 



have frequently no dress at all … and whose insouciance stands in 



striking contrast with the trembling submission of the peasants。  



The Gypsy; wherever you find him; is an incomprehensible being; but 



nowhere more than in Hungary; where; in the midst of slavery; he is 



free; though apparently one step lower than the lowest slave。  The 



habits of the Hungarian Gypsies a

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