the governess-第8章
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laid him down upon his iron couch； to try if he could close his eyes and quiet the tumultuous passions of his breast。 He tossed and tumbled and could get no rest； starting with fearful dreams； and horrid visions of tormenting furies。
Meanwhile the gentle Mignon had prepared a little delicate repast； and having seen the monster lay himself at length； and thinking now that a fit occasion offered in which to comfort and refresh his long…expecting friend； was hastening with it to the cell where the faithful Fidus was confined。 At the fatal moment the giant； rearing himself up on his couch； perceived the little Mignon just at the entrance of the cell； when calling to him in a hollow voice； that dismally resounded through the cave； he so startled the poor unhappy page； that he dropped the cover from his trembling hand and stood fixed and motionless as a statue。
'Come hither； Mignon； caitiff； dwarf；' said then the taunting homicide： but the poor little creature was so thunderstruck he was quite unable to stir one foot。 Whereat the giant； rousing himself from off his couch； with one huge stride reached out his brawny arm； and seized him by the waist； and； pointing to the scattered delicates； cried out； 'Vile miscreant！ is it thus thou hast obeyed my orders？ Is this the mouldy bread and muddy water； with which alone it was my command thou shouldst sustain that puny mortal？ But I'll' Here raising him aloft； he was about to dash him to the ground； when suddenly revolving in his wicked thoughts； that if at once he should destroy his patient slave； his cruelty to him must also have an end； he pausedand then recovering； he stretched out his arm； and bringing the little trembler near his glaring eyes； he thus subjoins： 'No； I'll not destroy thy wretched life； but thou shalt waste thy weary days in a dark dungeon； as far remote from the least dawn of light as from thy loved companion。 And I myself will carefully supply you both so equally with mouldy bread and water； that each by his own sufferings shall daily know what his dear friend endures。' So saying； he hastened with him to his deepest dungeon； and having thrust him in； he doubly barred the iron door。 And now again retiring to his couch； this new…wrought mischief； which greatly gratified his raging mind； soon sunk him down into a sound and heavy sleep。 The reason this horrid monster had not long ago devoured his little captive （for he thought him a delicious morsel） was； that he might never want an object at hand to gratify his cruelty。 For though extremely great was his voracious hunger； yet greater still was his desire of tormenting； and oftentimes when he had teased； beat； and tortured the poor gentle Mignon； so as to force from him tears； and sometimes a soft complaint； he would； with a malicious sneer； scornfully reproach him in the following words： 'Little does it avail to whine； to blubber； or complain； for； remember； abject wretch；
I am a giant； and I can eat thee： Thou art a dwarf； and thou canst not eat me。'
When Mignon was thus alone； he threw himself on the cold ground； bemoaning his unhappy fate。 However； he soon recollected that patience and resignation were his only succour in this distressful condition； not doubting but that； as goodness cannot always suffer； he should in time meet with some unforeseen deliverance from the savage power of the inhuman Barbarico。
Whilst the gentle Mignon was endeavouring to comfort himself in his dungeon with these good reflections； he suddenly perceived； at a little distance from him； a small glimmering light。 Immediately he rose from the ground； and going towards it； found that it shone through a little door that had been left at jar； which led him to a spacious hall； wherein the giant hoarded his immense treasures。 Mignon was at first dazzled with the lustre of so much gold and silver； and sparkling jewels as were there heaped together。 But casting his eyes on a statue that was placed in the middle of the room； he read on the pedestal； written in very small letters； the following verses：
Wouldst thou from the rage be free Of the tyrant's tyranny； Loose the fillet which is bound Twice three times my brows around； Bolts and bars shall open fly； By a magic sympathy。 Take him in his sleeping hour； Bind his neck and break his pow'r。 Patience bids； make no delay： Haste to bind him； haste away。
Mignon's little heart now leapt for joy； that he had found the means of such a speedy deliverance； and eagerly climbing up the statue； he quickly unbound the magic fillet； which was no sooner done； but suddenly the bolts and bars of the brazen gates through which the giant used to pass to this his treasury； were all unloosed； and the folding…doors of their own accord flew open； grating harsh thunder on their massy hinges。 At the same instant； stretched on his iron couch in the room adjoining to the hall； the giant gave a deadly groan。 Here again the little Mignon's trembling heart began to fail； for he feared the monster was awakened by the noise； and that he should now suffer the cruellest torments his wicked malice could invent。 Wherefore for a short space he remained clinging round the statue； till he perceived that all again was hushed and silent； when； getting down； he gently stole into the giant's chamber； where he found him still in a profound sleep。
But here； to the great mortification of Miss Jenny's attentive hearers； the hour of entertaining themselves being at an end； they were obliged to leave the poor little Mignon in the greatest distress and fright lest the giant should awake before he could fulfil the commands of the oracle； and to wait for the remainder of the story till another opportunity。
In the evening； as soon as school was over； the little company again met in their arbour； and nothing could be greater than their impatience to hear the event of Mignon's hazardous undertaking。 Miss Dolly Friendly said that if the poor little creature was destroyed； she should not sleep that night。 But they all joined in entreating Miss Jenny to proceed； which she did in the following manner：
A CONTINUATION OF THE STORY OF THE GIANTS。
Now； thought Mignon； is the lucky moment to fulfil the instructions of the oracle。 And then cautiously getting up the side of the couch； with trembling hands he put the fillet round the monster's neck； and tied it firmly in a threefold knot； and again softly creeping down； he retired into a corner of the room to wait the wished event。 In a few minutes the giant waked； and opening his enormous eyes； he glared their horrid orbs around （but without the least motion of his head or body） and spied the little Mignon where he lay； close shrinking to avoid his baleful sight。
The giant no sooner perceived his little page at liberty； but his heart sorely smote him； and he began to suspect the worst that could befall； for； recollecting that he had carelessly left open the little door leading from the dungeon to the great hall wherein was placed the fatal magic statue； he was now entirely convinced that Mignon had discovered the secret charm on which his power depended； for he already found the magic of the fillet round his neck fully to operate； his sinews all relax； his joints all tremble； and when he would by his own hand have tried to free himself； his shivering limbs he found refused obedience to their office。 Thus bereft of all his strength； and well nigh motionless； in this extremity of impotence he cast about within himself by what sly fraud （for fraud and subtlety were now his only refuge） he best might work upon the gentle Mignon to lend his kind assistance to unloose him。 Wherefore with guileful words and seeming courtesy； still striving to conceal his cursed condition； he thus bespake his little captive：
'Come hither Mignon； my pretty gentle boy； come near me。 This fillet thou has bound around my neck； to keep me from the cold； gives me some pain。 I know thy gentle nature will not let thee see thy tender master in the least uneasiness； without affording him thy cheerful aid and kind relief。 Come hither； my dear child； I say； and loose the knot which in thy kind concern （I thank thee for thy care） thou hast tied so hard； it somewhat frets my neck。'
