far above it the snowy summits of the Sierra Nevada shone like silver。
Our repast finished; we spread our cloaks and took our last siesta
al fresco; lulled by the humming of bees among the flowers and the
notes of doves among the olive…trees。 When the sultry hours were
passed we resumed our journey。 After a time we overtook a pursy little
man; shaped not unlike a toad and mounted on a mule。 He fell into
conversation with Sancho; and finding we were strangers; undertook
to guide us to a good posada。 He was an escribano (notary); he said;
and knew the city as thoroughly as his own pocket。 〃Ah Dios;
senores! what a city you are going to see。 Such streets! such squares!
such palaces! and then the women… ah Santa Maria purisima… what
women!〃 〃But the posada you talk of;〃 said I; 〃are you sure it is a
good one?〃
〃Good! Santa Maria! the best in Granada。 Salones grandes… camas de
luxo… colchones de pluma (grand saloons… luxurious sleeping rooms…
beds of down)。 Ah; senores; you will fare like King Chico in the
Alhambra。〃
〃And how will my horses fare?〃 cried Sancho。
〃Like King Chico's horses。 Chocolate con leche y bollos para
almuerza〃 (〃chocolate and milk with sugar cakes for breakfast〃);
giving the squire a knowing wink and a leer。
After such satisfactory accounts nothing more was to be desired on
that head。 So we rode quietly on; the squab little notary taking the
lead; and turning to us every moment with some fresh exclamation about
the grandeurs of Granada and the famous times we were to have at the
posada。
Thus escorted; we passed between hedges of aloes and Indian figs;
and through that wilderness of gardens with which the Vega is
embroidered; and arrived about sunset at the gates of the city。 Our
officious little conductor conveyed us up one street and down another;
until he rode into the courtyard of an inn where he appeared to be
perfectly at home。 Summoning the landlord by his Christian name; he
committed us to his care as two caballeros de mucho valor; worthy of
his best apartments and most sumptuous fare。 We were instantly
reminded of the patronizing stranger who introduced Gil Blas with such
a flourish of trumpets to the host and hostess of the inn at
Pennaflor; ordering trouts for his supper; and eating voraciously at
his expense。 〃You know not what you possess;〃 cried he to the
innkeeper and his wife。 〃You have a treasure in your house。 Behold
in this young gentleman the eighth wonder of the world… nothing in
this house is too good for Senor Gil Blas of Santillane; who
deserves to be entertained like a prince。〃
Determined that the little notary should not eat trouts at our
expense; like his prototype of Pennaflor; we forbore to ask him to
supper; nor had we reason to reproach ourselves with ingratitude;
for we found before morning the little varlet; who was no doubt a good
friend of the landlord; had decoyed us into one of the shabbiest
posadas in Granada。
小提示:按 回车 [Enter] 键 返回书目,按 ← 键 返回上一页, 按 → 键 进入下一页。
赞一下
添加书签加入书架