Traditions of Lancashire Volume I Part 59

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.

_Que su amo, era absoluto,_ _De aquella encantada casa,_ _Y su paciencia era escasa,_ _Con todo fullero astuto_.

"I tell ye, villains, gamblers, thieves!

His patience is but small, With such as you,--so master says, Who master will you all!

_Que les mandaba salir_ _De aquel lugar, con presteza,_ _Pues de no, su gentileza,_ _Los haria consumir_.

"Out of the house, ye rabble rout!

Out of the house! I say, Or otherwise his honour will Consume you utterly!"

Del duendecito quisieron Apodera.r.s.e valientes, Mas se les fue entre los dientes, Y sin la presa se vieron.

Thought one, "I'll seize this varlet vile,"

And speedily arose; He caught him in his clutch--the sprite Vanished and tweaked his nose!

Ya el temor empezo a obrar Y entraron las reflexiones, Apoyando con varones, Que era Duende, a no dudar.

"San Jerome, save us, we are loo'd If this should be the sprite; The big _Duende_, best we bid His boggarts.h.i.+p good night."

Como siempre al jugador, Lo sostiene la esperanza, Fundaron la confianza, En que un Duende es vividor.

But hope, the gambler's enemy, Beguiled them to their ruin; "These ugly sprites, they say, are rich, Yet yield nought without wooing.

Que su ciencia atrae dinero, Y medios paro adquirirlo, Y era cuerdo el admitirlo, Dandole el lugar primero.

"His skill may help us to repair Our cloaks, and eke our breeches; Best speak him fair. We'll wors.h.i.+p Nick If he but grant us riches!"

Mas el duende que escuchaba La trama de los fulleros, Quiso en tales caballeros, _Vengar,_ lo que suspiraba.

The sly _Duende_, like a mouse, Hearkening behind the wall, Did now resolve he quickly would The greedy rogues bemaul

En efecto, agigantado, Con negro manto talar, Cornamenta singular, Ufias largas y barbado.

A mighty giant, lo he comes.

Wrapped in a cloak of sable; With horns, hoofs, nails, and beard yclad, He jumped upon the table!

Un garrote enarbolado Y brotando espuma y fuego, Les dijo: _Yo devo al juego_ _Mi desgracia y este estado._

A cudgel of some seven years' growth He brandished. Fire and smoke Shot from his lips, while thus he spake;-- "I'll gripe you gambling folk.

_Los fulleros me han quitado_ _Con mi dinero, la vida,_ _Y pues que sois homicida_ _De todo hombre inocente!_

"To gaming my disgrace I owe, With money went my wife; 'Tis such as you the murderers be,-- This night shall end your life!

_No quede vicho viviente,_ _En toda culta nacion,_ _Que ejerza la profesion_ _De fullero y vagamundo_.

"In every nation, called refined, Or gamblers or their wives, Or wealthy wight shall ne'er be found, Who shakes the bones and thrives."