the ways of men(人们的手段)-第36章
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and asking myself if； after all； the dreamland Oriental was not about right。
Custom makes many inconsistencies appear so logical that they no longer
cause us either surprise or emotion。 But can we explain them？
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CHAPTER 29 … Modern 〃Cadets
de Gascogne〃
AFTER witnessing the performance given by the Comedie Francaise
in the antique theatre at Orange； we determined … my companion and I … if
ever another opportunity of the kind offered； to attend； be the material
difficulties what they might。
The theatrical 〃stars〃 in their courses proved favorable to the
accomplishment of this vow。 Before the year ended it was whispered to us
that the 〃Cadets de Gascogne〃 were planning a tram through the Cevennes
Mountains and their native Languedoc … a sort of lay pilgrimage to famous
historic and literary shrines； a voyage to be enlivened by much crowning
of busts and reciting of verses in the open air； and incidentally； by the
eating of Gascony dishes and the degustation of delicate local wines； the
whole to culminate with a representation in the arena at Beziers of
DEJANIRE； Louis Gallet's and Saint… Saens's latest work； under the
personal supervision of those two masters。
A tempting programme； was it not； in these days of cockney tours and
〃Cook〃 couriers？ At any rate； one that we； with plenty of time on our
hands and a weakness for out…of…the…way corners and untrodden paths；
found it impossible to resist。
Rostand； in CYRANO DE BERGERAC； has shown us the 〃Cadets〃 of
Moliere's time； a fighting； rhyming； devil…may…care band； who wore their
hearts on their sleeves and chips on their stalwart shoulders； much such a
brotherhood； in short； as we love to imagine that Shakespeare； Kit
Marlowe； Greene； and their intimates formed when they met at the 〃Ship〃
to celebrate a success or drink a health to the drama。
The men who compose the present society （which has now for many
years borne a name only recently made famous by M。 Rostand's genius）
come delightfully near realizing the happy conditions of other days； and …
less the fighting … form as joyous and picturesque a company as their
historic elders。 They are for the most part Southern…born youths； whose
interests and ambitions centre around the stage； devotees at the altar of
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Melpomene； ardent lovers of letters and kindred arts； and proud of the debt
that literary France owes to Gascony。
It is the pleasant custom of this coterie to meet on winter evenings in
unfrequented CAFES； transformed by them for the time into clubs； where
they recite new…made verses； discuss books and plays； enunciate
paradoxes that make the very waiters shudder； and； between their 〃bocks；〃
plan vast revolutions in the world of literature。
As the pursuit of 〃letters〃 is； if anything； less lucrative in France than
in other countries； the question of next day's dinner is also much discussed
among these budding Molieres； who are often forced to learn early in their
careers； when meals have been meagre； to satisfy themselves with rich
rhymes and drink their fill of flowing verse。
From time to time older and more successful members of the
corporation stray back into the circle； laying aside their laurel crowns and
Olympian pose； in the society of the new… comers to Bohemia。 These
honorary members enjoy nothing more when occasion offers than to
escape from the toils of greatness and join the 〃Cadets〃 in their summer
journeys to and fro in France； trips which are made to combine the
pleasures of an outing with the aims of a literary campaign。 It was an
invitation to join one of these tramps that tempted my friend and me away
from Paris at the season when that city is at its best。 Being unable； on
account of other engagements； to start with the cohort from the capital； we
made a dash for it and caught them up at Carcassonne during the fetes that
the little Languedoc city was offering to its guests。
After having seen Aigues Mortes； it was difficult to believe that any
other place in Europe could suggest more vividly the days of military
feudalism。 St。 Louis's tiny city is； however； surpassed by Carcassonne！
Thanks to twenty years of studious restoration by Viollet le Duc； this
antique jewel shines in its setting of slope and plain as perfect to…day （seen
from the distance） as when the Crusaders started from its crenelated gates
for the conquest of the Holy Sepulchre。 The acropolis of Carcassonne is
crowned with Gothic battlements； the golden polygon of whose walls；
rising from Roman foundations and layers of ruddy Visigoth brick to the
stately marvel of its fifty towers； forms a whole that few can view
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unmoved。
We found the Cadets lunching on the platform of the great western
keep； while a historic pageant organized in their honor was winding
through the steep mediaeval streets … a cavalcade of archers； men at arms；
and many…colored troubadours； who； after effecting a triumphal entrance
to the town over lowered drawbridges； mounted to unfurl their banner on
our tower。 As the gaudy standard unfolded on the evening air； Mounet…
Sully's incomparable voice breathed the very soul of the 〃Burgraves〃
across the silent plain and down through the echoing corridors below。
While we were still under the impression of the stirring lines； he changed
his key and whispered：…
LE SOIR TOMBE。 。 。 。 L'HEURE DOUCE QUI S'ELOIGNE SANS
SECOUSSE； POSE A PEINE SUR LA MOUSSE SES PIEDS。 UN JOUR
INDECIS PERSISTE； ET LE CREPUSCULE TRISTE OUVRE SES
YEUX D'AMETHYSTE MOUILLES。
Night came on ere the singing and reciting ended； a balmy Southern
evening； lit by a thousand fires from tower and battlement and moat； the
old walls glowing red against the violet sky。
Picture this scene to yourself； reader mine； and you will understand the
enthusiasm of the artists and writers in our clan。 It needed but little
imagination then to reconstruct the past and fancy one's self back in the
days when the 〃Trancavel〃 held this city against the world。
Sleep that night was filled with a strange phantasmagoria of crenelated
chateaux and armored knights； until the bright Provencal sunlight and the
call for a hurried departure dispelled such illusions。 By noon we were far
away from Carcassonne； mounting the rocky slopes of the Cevennes amid
a wild and noble landscape； the towering cliffs of the 〃Causses；〃 zebraed
by zig…zag paths； lay below us； disclosing glimpses of fertile valley and
vine…engarlanded plain。
One asks one's self in wonder why these enchanting regions are so
unknown。 EN ROUTE our companions were like children fresh from
school； taking haphazard meals at the local inns and clambering gayly into
any conveyance that came to hand。 As our way led us through the
Cevennes country； another charm gradually stole over the senses。
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〃I imagine that Citheron must look like this；〃 murmured Catulle
Mendes； as we stood looking down from a sun…baked eminence； 〃with the
Gulf of Corinth there where you see that gleam of water。〃 As he spoke he
began declaiming the passage from Sophocles's OEDIPUS THE KING
descriptive if that classic scene。
Two thousand feet below lay Ispanhac in a verdant valley； the River
Tarn gleaming amid the cultivated fields like a cimeter thrown on a
Turkish carpet。 Our descent was an avalanche of laughing； singing
〃Cadets；〃 who rolled in the fresh…cut grass and chased each other through
the ripening vineyards； shouting lines from tragedies to groups of open…
mouthed farm…hands； and invading the tiny inns on the road with song and
tumult。 As we neared our goal its entire population； headed by the cure；
came out to meet us and offer the hospitality of the town。
In the market…place； one of our number； inspired by the antique
solemnity of the surroundings； burst into the noble lines of Hugo's
DEVANT DIEU； before which the awestruck population uncovered and
crossed themselves； imagining； doubtless； that it was a religious ceremony。
Another scene recurs vividly to my memory。 We were at St。 Enimie。 I
had opened my window to breathe the night air after the heat and dust of
the day and watch the moonlight on the quaint bridge at my feet。 Suddenly
from out the shadows there rose （like sounds in a dream） the exquisite
tone of Sylvain's voice； alternating with the baritone of d'Esparbes。 They
were seated at the water's edge； intoxicated by the beauty of the scene and
apparently oblivious of all else。
The next day was passed on the Tarn； our ten little boats following
each other single file on the narrow river； winding around the feet of
mighty cliffs； or wandering out into sunny pasture lands where solitary
peasants； interrupted in their labors； listened in astonishment to the chorus
thundered from the passing boats； and waved us a welcome as we moved
by。
Space is lacking to give more than a suggestion of those days； passed
in every known conveyance from the antique diligence to the hissing
trolley； in company with men who seemed to have left their cares and their
years behind them in Paris。
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Our
