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Guzman and my Lord Cardinal – Mateo Aleman (1547 – 1614)
Little is known of Aleman, though it is stated that he was a native of Seville and was employed in the government service. He lived for a time in Mexico where he wrote certain works of no great importance. But he is remembered by his famous picaresque novel, Guzman de Alfara- che, which was published in 1599, and soon translated into all the languages of Europe. This romance depicts in vivid fashion the life of the underworld.

The present version is reprinted from Thomas Roscoe’s Spanish Novelists, London, no date. The translation is by Thomas Roscoe. The full title of the chapter in the original is How Guzman Excited the Compassion of My Lord Cardinal, and What Ensued.
Guzman and my Lord Cardinal
Having roused myself early one fine morning, according to custom, I went and seated myself at the door of a cardinal, concerning whom I had heard an excellent character, being one of the most charitably disposed in Rome. I had taken the trouble of getting one of my legs swelled, on which, notwithstanding what had passed, was to be seen a new ulcer, one that might set at defiance the most penetrating eye or probe of a surgeon.

Guzman and my Lord Cardinal – I had not this time omitted to have my face as pale as death; and thus, filling the air with horrible lamentations while I was asking alms, I moved the souls of the different domestics who came in and out to take pity upon me; they gave me something; but I was yet only beating up for game—it was their master I wanted. He at length made his appearance—I redoubled my cries and groans— I writhed in anguish;—and I then accosted him in these terms: “Oh! most noble Christian; thou friend of Christ and his afflicted ones! have pity upon me, a poor wretched sinner.

Guzman and my Lord Cardinal part 4

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Upon this the men of physic again consulted, and at length came to the resolution of pocketing their fees, “secundum artem.” Being all of one mind, we now begged to be ushered into the...

Guzman and my Lord Cardinal part 3

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“You cannot be serious,” said the first speaker. “By St. Comus, I know something of ulcers; and here, I maintain it, we have a gangrene.” “No, no, friend,” replied the second, “we have no...

Guzman and my Lord Cardinal part 2

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He was obeyed; and, oh, charity! how didst thou shame those lordly prelates who think Heaven in debt to them, if they do but look down on some poor wretch: while my good cardinal,...

Guzman and my Lord Cardinal part 1

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Mateo Aleman (1547 – 1614)Little is known of Aleman, though it is stated that he was a native of Seville and was employed in the government service. He lived for a time in Mexico...

The Selfish Giant part 4

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“It is your garden now, little children,” said the Giant, and he took a great axe and knocked down the wall. And when the people were going to market at twelve o`clock they found...

Danube

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