the life and adventures of baron trenck-2-第29节
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assions of this son were most unbridled。 Endowed with extraordinary talents； this ardent youth was early allowed to indulge the impetuous fire of his constitution。 Moderation was utterly unknown to him； and good fortune most remarkably favoured all his enterprises。 These were numerous； undertaken from no principle of virtue； nor actuated by any motives of morality。 The love of money； and the desire of fame； were the passions of his soul。 To his warlike inclination was added the insensibility of a heart natively wicked： and he found himself an actor； on the great scene of life； at a time when the earth was drenched with human gore； and when the sword decided the fate of nations： hence this chief of pandours； this scourge of the unprotected； became an iron…hearted enemy； a ferocious foe of the human race； a formidable enemy in private life； and a perfidious friend。
Constitutionally sanguinary； addicted to pleasures； sensual； and brave； he was unappeased when affronted； prompt to act； in the moment of danger circumspect； and； when under the dominion of anger； cruel even to fury； irreconcilable； artful； fertile in invention； and ever intent on great projects。 When youth and beauty inspired love； he then became supple； insinuating； amiable； gentle； respectful； yet； ever excited by pride； each conquest gave but new desires of adding another slave over whom he might domineer； and； whenever he encountered resistance； he then even ceased to be avaricious。 A prudent and intelligent woman； turning this part of his character to advantage； might have formed this man to virtue； probity； and the love of the human race： but； from his infancy； his will had never suffered restraint； and he thought nothing impossible。 As a soldier； he was bold even to temerity； capable of the most hazardous enterprise； and laughing at the danger he provoked。 His projects were the more elevated because the acquirement of renown was the intent of all his actions。 In council he was dangerous； everything must be conceded to his views。 To him the means by which his end was to be obtained were indifferent。
The Croats at this time were undisciplined； prone to rapine； thirsting for human blood； and only taught obedience by violence； these had been the companions of his infancy： these he undertook to subject； by servitude and fear； to military subordination； and from banditti to make them soldiers。
With respect to his exterior； Nature had been prodigal of her favours。 His height was six feet three inches； and the symmetry of his limbs was exact； his form was upright； his countenance agreeable； yet masculine； and his strength almost incredible。 He could sever the head from the body of the largest ox with one stroke of his sabre； and was so adroit at this Turkish practice； that he at length could behead men in the manner boys do nettles。 In the latter years of his life； his aspect had become terrible； for； during the Bavarian war； he had been scorched by the explosion of a powder…barrel； and ever after his face remained scarred and impregnated with black spots。 In company he rendered himself exceedingly agreeable； spoke seven languages fluently； was jocular； possessed wit； and in serious conversation； understanding； had learned music； sung with taste； and had a good voice； so that he might have been well paid as an actor； had that been his fate。 He could even； when so disposed； become gentle and complaisant。
His look told the man of observation that he was cunning and choleric； and his wrath was terrible。 He was ever suspicious； because he judged others by himself。 Self…interest and avarice constituted his ruling passion； and； whenever he had an opportunity of increasing his wealth； he disregarded the duties of religion； the ties of honour； and human pity。 In the thirty…first year of his age； when he was possessed of nearly two millions； he did not expend a florin per day。
As he and his pandours always led the van； and as he thence had an opportunity to ravage the enemy's country； at the head of troops addicted to rapine； we must not wonder that Bavaria； Silesia； and Alsatia were so plundered。 He alone purchased the booty from his troops at a low price； and this he sent by water to his own estates。 If any one of his officers had made a rich capture； Trenck instantly became his enemy。 He was sent on every dangerous expedition till he fell； and the colonel became his universal heir； for Trenck appropriated all he could to himself。 He was reputed to be a man most expert in military science； an excellent engineer； and to possess an exact eye in estimating heights and distances。 In all enterprises he was first； inured to fatigue； his iron body could support it without inconvenience。 Nothing escaped his vigilance； all was turned to account； and what valour could not accomplish； cunning supplied。 His pride suffered him not to incur an obligation； and thus he was unthankful； his actions all centred in self； and as he was remarkably fortunate in whatever he undertook； he ascribed even that； which accident gave； to foresight and genius。
Yet was he ever； as an officer； a most useful and inestimable man to the state。 His respect for his sovereign； and his zeal in her service； were unbounded； whenever her glory was at stake； he devoted himself her victim。 This I assert to be truth： I knew him well。 Of little consequence is it to me； whether the historians of Maria Theresa have； or have not； misrepresented his talents and the fame he deserved。
The life of Trenck I write for the following reasons。 He had the honour first to form； and command； regular troops； raised in Sclavonia。 The soldiers acquired glory under their leader； and sustained the tottering power of Austria： they made libations of their blood in its defence； as did Trenck； in various battles。 He served like a brave warrior； with zeal； loyalty； and effect。 The vile persecutions of his enemies at Vienna； with whom he refused to share the plunder he had made； lost him honour； liberty； and not only the personal property he had acquired； but likewise the family patrimony in Hungary。 He died like a malefactor； illegally sentenced to imprisonment； and knaves have affirmed； and fools have believed； and believe still； he took the King of Prussia prisoner； and that he granted him freedom in consequence of a bribe。 So have the loyal Hungarians been led to suppose that an Hungarian had really been a traitor。
By my writings； I wish to prove to this noble nation on the contrary； that Trenck； for his loyalty deserved compassion； esteem； and honour in his country。 This I have already done in the former part of my history。 The dead Trenck can speak no more； but it is the duty of the living ever to speak in defence of right。
Trenck wrote his own history while he was confined in the arsenal at Vienna； and； in the last two sheets he openly related the manner in which he had been treated by the council of war； of which Count Loewenwalde； his greatest enemy； was president。 The count； however； found supporters too powerful； and these sheets were torn from the book and publicly burnt at Vienna。 Defence after this became impossible： he groaned under the grip of his adversaries。
I have given a literal copy of these sheets in the first part of this history； and I again repeat I am able to prove the truth of what is there asserted； by the acts； proceedings； and judicial registers which are in my possession。 He was confined in the Spielberg； because much was to be dreaded from an injured man； whom they knew capable of the most desperate enterprises。 He died defenceless； the sacrifice of iniquity and unjust judges。 He died； and his honour remained unprotected。 I am by duty his defender： although he expired my personal enemy； the author of nearly all the ills I have suffered。 I came to the knowledge of his persecutors too late for the unfortunate Trenck。 And who are those who have divided his spoilswho slew him that they might fatten themselves？ Your titles have been paid for from the coffers of Trenck！ Yet neither can your cabals； your wealthy protectors； your own riches； nor your credit at court； deprive me of the right of vindicating his fame。
I have boldly written； have openly shown； that Trenck was pillaged by you； that he served the house of Austria as a worthy man； with zeal； not in court…martials and committees of inquiry； but fighting for his country； sharing the soldier's glory； falling the victim of envy and power； falling by the hands of those who are unworthy of judging merit。 He take the King of Prussia！ They might as well say he took the Emperor of Morocco。
Yes； he is dead。 But should any man dare affirm that the Hungarian or the Prussian Trenck were capable of treason； that either of them merited punishment for having betrayed their country； he will not have long to seek before he will be informed that he has done us both injustice。 After this preface； I shall continue my narrative on the plan I proposed。 Trenck； the father； was a miser； yet a well…meaning man。 Trenck the son； was a youthful soldier； who stood in need of money to indulge his pleasures。 Many curious pranks he played； when an ensign in I know not what regiment of foot。 He went to one of the coll
