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第43节

the black tulip-第43节

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had not she to suffer even worse torments than those of 

seclusion and separation? Did this brutal; blaspheming; 

drunken bully take revenge on his daughter; like the 

ruthless fathers of the Greek drama? And when the Genievre 

had heated his brain; would it not give to his arm; which 

had been only too well set by Cornelius; even double force? 



The idea that Rosa might perhaps be ill…treated nearly drove 

Cornelius mad。 



He then felt his own powerlessness。 He asked himself whether 

God was just in inflicting so much tribulation on two 

innocent creatures。 And certainly in these moments he began 

to doubt the wisdom of Providence。 It is one of the curses 

of misfortune that it thus begets doubt。 



Van Baerle had proposed to write to Rosa; but where was she? 



He also would have wished to write to the Hague to be 

beforehand with Gryphus; who; he had no doubt; would by 

denouncing him do his best to bring new storms on his head。 



But how should he write? Gryphus had taken the paper and 

pencil from him; and even if he had both; he could hardly 

expect Gryphus to despatch his letter。 



Then Cornelius revolved in his mind all those stratagems 

resorted to by unfortunate prisoners。 



He had thought of an attempt to escape; a thing which never 

entered his head whilst he could see Rosa every day; but the 

more he thought of it; the more clearly he saw the 

impracticability of such an attempt。 He was one of those 

choice spirits who abhor everything that is common; and who 

often lose a good chance through not taking the way of the 

vulgar; that high road of mediocrity which leads to 

everything。 



〃How is it possible;〃 said Cornelius to himself; 〃that I 

should escape from Loewestein; as Grotius has done the same 

thing before me? Has not every precaution been taken since? 

Are not the windows barred? Are not the doors of double and 

even of treble strength; and the sentinels ten times more 

watchful? And have not I; besides all this; an Argus so much 

the more dangerous as he has the keen eyes of hatred? 

Finally; is there not one fact which takes away all my 

spirit; I mean Rosa's absence? But suppose I should waste 

ten years of my life in making a file to file off my bars; 

or in braiding cords to let myself down from the window; or 

in sticking wings on my shoulders to fly; like Daedalus? But 

luck is against me now。 The file would get dull; the rope 

would break; or my wings would melt in the sun; I should 

surely kill myself; I should be picked up maimed and 

crippled; I should be labelled; and put on exhibition in the 

museum at the Hague between the blood…stained doublet of 

William the Taciturn and the female walrus captured at 

Stavesen; and the only result of my enterprise will have 

been to procure me a place among the curiosities of Holland。 



〃But no; and it is much better so。 Some fine day Gryphus 

will commit some atrocity。 I am losing my patience; since I 

have lost the joy and company of Rosa; and especially since 

I have lost my tulip。 Undoubtedly; some day or other Gryphus 

will attack me in a manner painful to my self…respect; or to 

my love; or even threaten my personal safety。 I don't know 

how it is; but since my imprisonment I feel a strange and 

almost irresistible pugnacity。 Well; I shall get at the 

throat of that old villain; and strangle him。〃 



Cornelius at these words stopped for a moment; biting his 

lips and staring out before him; then; eagerly returning to 

an idea which seemed to possess a strange fascination for 

him; he continued;  



〃Well; and once having strangled him; why should I not take 

his keys from him; why not go down the stairs as if I had 

done the most virtuous action; why not go and fetch Rosa 

from her room; why not tell her all; and jump from her 

window into the Waal? I am expert enough as a swimmer to 

save both of us。 Rosa;  but; oh Heaven; Gryphus is her 

father! Whatever may be her affection for me; she will never 

approve of my having strangled her father; brutal and 

malicious as he has been。 



〃I shall have to enter into an argument with her; and in the 

midst of my speech some wretched turnkey who has found 

Gryphus with the death…rattle in his throat; or perhaps 

actually dead; will come along and put his hand on my 

shoulder。 Then I shall see the Buytenhof again; and the 

gleam of that infernal sword;  which will not stop 

half…way a second time; but will make acquaintance with the 

nape of my neck。 



〃It will not do; Cornelius; my fine fellow;  it is a bad 

plan。 But; then; what is to become of me; and how shall I 

find Rosa again?〃 



Such were the cogitations of Cornelius three days after the 

sad scene of separation from Rosa; at the moment when we 

find him standing at the window。 



And at that very moment Gryphus entered。 



He held in his hand a huge stick; his eyes glistening with 

spiteful thoughts; a malignant smile played round his lips; 

and the whole of his carriage; and even all his movements; 

betokened bad and malicious intentions。 



Cornelius heard him enter; and guessed that it was he; but 

did not turn round; as he knew well that Rosa was not coming 

after him。 



There is nothing more galling to angry people than the 

coolness of those on whom they wish to vent their spleen。 



The expense being once incurred; one does not like to lose 

it; one's passion is roused; and one's blood boiling; so it 

would be labour lost not to have at least a nice little row。 



Gryphus; therefore; on seeing that Cornelius did not stir; 

tried to attract his attention by a loud  



〃Umph; umph!〃 



Cornelius was humming between his teeth the 〃Hymn of 

Flowers;〃  a sad but very charming song;  





〃We are the daughters of the secret fire 

Of the fire which runs through the veins of the earth; 

We are the daughters of Aurora and of the dew; 

We are the daughters of the air; 

We are the daughters of the water; 

But we are; above all; the daughters of heaven。〃 





This song; the placid melancholy of which was still 

heightened by its calm and sweet melody; exasperated Gryphus。 



He struck his stick on the stone pavement of the cell;

and called out;  



〃Halloa! my warbling gentleman; don't you hear me?〃 



Cornelius turned round; merely saying; 〃Good morning;〃 and 

then began his song again:  





〃Men defile us and kill us while loving us; 

We hang to the earth by a thread; 

This thread is our root; that is to say; our life; 

But we raise on high our arms towards heaven。〃 





〃Ah; you accursed sorcerer! you are making game of me; I 

believe;〃 roared Gryphus。 



Cornelius continued:  





〃For heaven is our home; 

Our true home; as from thence comes our soul; 

As thither our soul returns;  

Our soul; that is to say; our perfume。〃 





Gryphus went up to the prisoner and said;  



〃But you don't see that I have taken means to get you under; 

and to force you to confess your crimes。〃 



〃Are you mad; my dear Master Gryphus?〃 asked Cornelius。 



And; as he now for the first time observed the frenzied 

features; the flashing eyes; and foaming mouth of the old 

jailer; he said;  



〃Bless the man; he is more than mad; he is furious。〃 



Gryphus flourished his stick above his head; but Van Baerle 

moved not; and remained standing with his arms akimbo。 



〃It seems your intention to threaten me; Master Gryphus。〃 



〃Yes; indeed; I threaten you;〃 cried the jailer。 



〃And with what?〃 



〃First of all; look at what I have in my hand。〃 



〃I think that's a stick;〃 said Cornelius calmly; 〃but I 

don't suppose you will threaten me with that。〃 



〃Oh; you don't suppose! why not?〃 



〃Because any jailer who strikes a prisoner is liable to two 

penalties;  the first laid down in Article 9 of the 

regulations at Loewestein:  



〃'Any jailer; inspector; or turnkey who lays hands upon any 

prisoner of State will be dismissed。'〃 



〃Yes; who lays hands;〃 said Gryphus; mad with rage; 〃but 

there is not a word about a stick in the regulation。〃 



〃And the second;〃 continued Cornelius; 〃which is not written 

in the regulation; but which is to be found elsewhere:  



〃'Whosoever takes up the stick will be thrashed by the 

stick。'〃 



Gryphus; growing more and more exasperated by the calm and 

sententious tone of Cornelius; brandished his cudgel; but at 

the moment when he raised it Cornelius rushed at him; 

snatched it from his hands; and put it under his own arm。 



Gryphus fairly bellowed with rage。 



〃Hush; hush; my good man;〃 said Cornelius; 〃don't do 

anything to lose your place。〃 



〃Ah; you sorcerer! I'll pinch you worse;〃 roared Gryphus。 



〃I wish you may。〃 



〃Don't you see my hand is empty?〃 



〃Yes; I see it; and I am glad of it。〃 



〃You know that it is 

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