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第22章

the black tulip-第22章

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The upshot of all these reasonings was; that his Highness 

the Prince Stadtholder of Holland would feel infinitely 

obliged to the magistracy of the Hague if they simplified 

for him the government of the Seven Provinces by destroying 

even the least germ of conspiracy against his authority。 



This argument capped all the others; and; in order so much 

the more effectually to destroy the germ of conspiracy; 

sentence of death was unanimously pronounced against 

Cornelius van Baerle; as being arraigned; and convicted; for 

having; under the innocent appearance of a tulip…fancier; 

participated in the detestable intrigues and abominable 

plots of the brothers De Witt against Dutch nationality and 

in their secret relations with their French enemy。 



A supplementary clause was tacked to the sentence; to the 

effect that 〃the aforesaid Cornelius van Baerle should be 

led from the prison of the Buytenhof to the scaffold in the 

yard of the same name; where the public executioner would 

cut off his head。〃 



As this deliberation was a most serious affair; it lasted a 

full half…hour; during which the prisoner was remanded to 

his cell。 



There the Recorder of the States came to read the sentence 

to him。 



Master Gryphus was detained in bed by the fever caused by 

the fracture of his arm。 His keys passed into the hands of 

one of his assistants。 Behind this turnkey; who introduced 

the Recorder; Rosa; the fair Frisian maid; had slipped into 

the recess of the door; with a handkerchief to her mouth to 

stifle her sobs。 



Cornelius listened to the sentence with an expression rather 

of surprise than sadness。 



After the sentence was read; the Recorder asked him whether 

he had anything to answer。 



〃Indeed; I have not;〃 he replied。 〃Only I confess that; 

among all the causes of death against which a cautious man 

may guard; I should never have supposed this to be 

comprised。〃 



On this answer; the Recorder saluted Van Baerle with all 

that consideration which such functionaries generally bestow 

upon great criminals of every sort。 



But whilst he was about to withdraw; Cornelius asked; 〃By 

the bye; Mr。 Recorder; what day is the thing  you know 

what I mean  to take place?〃 



〃Why; to…day;〃 answered the Recorder; a little surprised by 

the self…possession of the condemned man。 



A sob was heard behind the door; and Cornelius turned round 

to look from whom it came; but Rosa; who had foreseen this 

movement; had fallen back。 



〃And;〃 continued Cornelius; 〃what hour is appointed?〃 



〃Twelve o'clock; sir。〃 



〃Indeed;〃 said Cornelius; 〃I think I heard the clock strike 

ten about twenty minutes ago; I have not much time to 

spare。〃 



〃Indeed you have not; if you wish to make your peace with 

God;〃 said the Recorder; bowing to the ground。 〃You may ask 

for any clergyman you please。〃 



Saying these words he went out backwards; and the assistant 

turnkey was going to follow him; and to lock the door of 

Cornelius's cell; when a white and trembling arm interposed 

between him and the heavy door。 



Cornelius saw nothing but the golden brocade cap; tipped 

with lace; such as the Frisian girls wore; he heard nothing 

but some one whispering into the ear of the turnkey。 But the 

latter put his heavy keys into the white hand which was 

stretched out to receive them; and; descending some steps; 

sat down on the staircase which was thus guarded above by 

himself; and below by the dog。 The head…dress turned round; 

and Cornelius beheld the face of Rosa; blanched with grief; 

and her beautiful eyes streaming with tears。 



She went up to Cornelius; crossing her arms on her heaving 

breast。 



〃Oh; sir; sir!〃 she said; but sobs choked her utterance。 



〃My good girl;〃 Cornelius replied with emotion; 〃what do you 

wish? I may tell you that my time on earth is short。〃 



〃I come to ask a favour of you;〃 said Rosa; extending her 

arms partly towards him and partly towards heaven。 



〃Don't weep so; Rosa;〃 said the prisoner; 〃for your tears go 

much more to my heart than my approaching fate; and you 

know; the less guilty a prisoner is; the more it is his duty 

to die calmly; and even joyfully; as he dies a martyr。 Come; 

there's a dear; don't cry any more; and tell me what you 

want; my pretty Rosa。〃 



She fell on her knees。 〃Forgive my father;〃 she said。 



〃Your father; your father!〃 said Cornelius; astonished。 



〃Yes; he has been so harsh to you; but it is his nature; he 

is so to every one; and you are not the only one whom he has 

bullied。〃 



〃He is punished; my dear Rosa; more than punished; by the 

accident that has befallen him; and I forgive him。〃 



〃I thank you; sir;〃 said Rosa。 〃And now tell me  oh; tell 

me  can I do anything for you?〃 



〃You can dry your beautiful eyes; my dear child;〃 answered 

Cornelius; with a good…tempered smile。 



〃But what can I do for you;  for you I mean?〃 



〃A man who has only one hour longer to live must be a great 

Sybarite still to want anything; my dear Rosa。〃 



〃The clergyman whom they have proposed to you?〃 



〃I have worshipped God all my life; I have worshipped Him in 

His works; and praised Him in His decrees。 I am at peace 

with Him and do not wish for a clergyman。 The last thought 

which occupies my mind; however has reference to the glory 

of the Almighty; and; indeed; my dear; I should ask you to 

help me in carrying out this last thought。〃 



〃Oh; Mynheer Cornelius; speak; speak!〃 exclaimed Rosa; still 

bathed in tears。 



〃Give me your hand; and promise me not to laugh; my dear 

child。〃 



〃Laugh;〃 exclaimed Rosa; frantic with grief; 〃laugh at this 

moment! do you not see my tears?〃 



〃Rosa; you are no stranger to me。 I have not seen much of 

you; but that little is enough to make me appreciate your 

character。 I have never seen a woman more fair or more pure 

than you are; and if from this moment I take no more notice 

of you; forgive me; it is only because; on leaving this 

world; I do not wish to have any further regret。〃 



Rosa felt a shudder creeping over her frame; for; whilst the 

prisoner pronounced these words; the belfry clock of the 

Buytenhof struck eleven。 



Cornelius understood her。 〃Yes; yes; let us make haste;〃 he 

said; 〃you are right; Rosa。〃 



Then; taking the paper with the three suckers from his 

breast; where he had again put it; since he had no longer 

any fear of being searched; he said: 〃My dear girl; I have 

been very fond of flowers。 That was at a time when I did not 

know that there was anything else to be loved。 Don't blush; 

Rosa; nor turn away; and even if I were making you a 

declaration of love; alas! poor dear; it would be of no more 

consequence。 Down there in the yard; there is an instrument 

of steel; which in sixty minutes will put an end to my 

boldness。 Well; Rosa; I loved flowers dearly; and I have 

found; or at least I believe so; the secret of the great 

black tulip; which it has been considered impossible to 

grow; and for which; as you know; or may not know; a prize 

of a hundred thousand guilders has been offered by the 

Horticultural Society of Haarlem。 These hundred thousand 

guilders  and Heaven knows I do not regret them  these 

hundred thousand guilders I have here in this paper; for 

they are won by the three bulbs wrapped up in it; which you 

may take; Rosa; as I make you a present of them。〃 



〃Mynheer Cornelius!〃 



〃Yes; yes; Rosa; you may take them; you are not wronging any 

one; my child。 I am alone in this world; my parents are 

dead; I never had a sister or a brother。 I have never had a 

thought of loving any one with what is called love; and if 

any one has loved me; I have not known it。 However; you see 

well; Rosa; that I am abandoned by everybody; as in this sad 

hour you alone are with me in my prison;

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