Volume I Part 59 (1/2)
Por su gran sabiduria, En duende se corivirtio, Y la guerra declaro, Al arte de fulleria.
”I'll have revenge,” he cried, then wrought So wondrous cunningly, That in a trice transformed he was, A brisk _Duende_ he.
La vecindad asombrada, De sus fuertes alaridos, Corriendo despavoridos, Abandon an la Posada.
This pedant, now a ”Boggart” made, No soul could rest in quiet; Nor rogue nor bully was his match For kicking up a riot.
Dueno absolute ya el duende, De la espantosa mansion, Se auniento la confusion, Y el temor entre la gente.
At last none dared that garret drear, His dwelling, to come nigh; Sole master of his attic, he Reigned peremptorily.
Pero siendo tan demente El hombre que es codicioso, No falto quien jactancioso, Despreciase al senor duende.
Not so the sharpers, who this house Had made their special haunt: ”Senor Duende!--Humph!”--cried they ”May suck eggs with his aunt!”
Unos cuantos jugadores, Que llaman de profesion, Eligieron la mansion Para exercer sus primores.
They and their worthy company, Of the black-limbed profession, Here cheated in a lawful way, By that best right--possession!
Mui luego la compania, Numerosa vino a ser, Y el que Ilegaba a perder, Contra al duende maldecia.
The crowd increased. Some luckless wight His winnings at an end, he Swore by his trumps, 'twas owing to That rascally _Duende_!
La confusa griteria, p.r.o.nto al duende incomodo, Y al complot se aparecio Que apenas, cuarta tenia.
This roused him from his garret, where He heard the daily squabble; And lo, in human form, he stands Before the s.h.i.+rtless rabble!
En voz, como chirimia, Dijoles cortes y atento _Que habitaba el aposento_ _Donde su amo existia_.
He squeaked, ”Your servant, gentlemen; I would not thus intrude, 'Pon honour, but your conduct is So very-very rude.
_Que en alta camara fiero,_ _Todo senor, reclamaba_ _El orden, y lo aperaba,_ _Aunque ageno de en fullero_.
”My master,--he who sits up-stairs I mean,--no jesting, gents,-- Expects that you'll be quiet, else He'll scold at all events.”
No fue poca la sorpresa, Del mensage y la vision; Y aun con todo, un temeron, Quiso de ella hacer presa.
The gamblers stared, some tumbled down, Some gaped, some told their prayers But one, more daring, swore, i'fack, He'd kick the brute down-stairs!
Mas el caso se fustro, Sin saber como ni cuando, Pues por el ayre volando Nuestro duende se fugo.
But ere he felt th' uplifted foot He 'scaped,--how none could tell; But, sooth it was, this messenger No bodily harm befell!
El suceso maldecian Los unos por el temor, Y gritaban con furor Los que el dinero perdian.
The rogues, who saw him disappear, Waxed paler than before: Some said an _Ave_; some for fear, And some for folly, swore.
Vuelve por segunda vez, El mensajero, crecido Media vara, y atrevido, Les dice, menos cortes.
When suddenly amidst them all, Again the demon stands; A full half-yard in stature grown!
Their business he demands.