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+====== TRAVELS OF BARON MUNCHAUSEN ======
+===== CHAPTER XXI =====
+//The Baron insists on the veracity of his former Memoirs--Forms a
+design of making discoveries in the interior parts of Africa--His
+discourse with Hilaro Frosticos about it--His conversation with
+Lady Fragrantia--The Baron goes, with other persons of
+distinction, to Court; relates an anecdote of the Marquis de
+Bellecourt.//
+All that I have related before, said the Baron, is gospel; and if
+there be any one so hardy as to deny it, I am ready to fight him with
+any weapon he pleases. Yes, cried he, in a more elevated tone, as he
+started from his seat, I will condemn him to swallow this decanter,
+glass and all perhaps, and filled with kerren-wasser [a kind of ardent
+spirit distilled from cherries, and much used in some parts of
+Germany]. Therefore, my dear friends and companions, have confidence
+in what I say, and pay honour to the tales of Munchausen. A traveller
+has a right to relate and embellish his adventures as he pleases, and
+it is very unpolite to refuse that deference and applause they
+deserve.
+Having passed some time in England since the completion of my former
+memoirs, I at length began to revolve in my mind what a prodigious
+field of discovery must be in the interior part of Africa. I could not
+sleep with the thoughts of it; I therefore determined to gain every
+proper assistance from Government to penetrate the celebrated source
+of the Nile, and assume the viceroyship of the interior kingdoms of
+Africa, or, at least, the great realm of Monomotapa. It was happy for
+me that I had one most powerful friend at court, whom I shall call the
+illustrious Hilaro Frosticos. You perchance know him not by that name;
+but we had a language among ourselves, as well we may, for in the
+course of my peregrinations I have acquired precisely nine hundred and
+ninety-nine leash of languages. What! gentlemen, do you stare? Well, I
+allow there are not so many languages spoken in this vile world; but
+then, have I not been in the moon? and trust me, whenever I write a
+treatise upon education, I shall delineate methods of inculcating
+whole dozens of languages at once, French, Spanish, Greek, Hebrew,
+Cherokee, &c., in such a style as will shame all the pedagogues
+existing.
+Having passed a whole night without being able to sleep for the vivid
+imagination of African discoveries, I hastened to the levee of my
+illustrious friend Hilaro Frosticos, and having mentioned my intention
+with all the vigour of fancy, he gravely considered my words, and
+after some awful meditations thus he spoke: //Olough, ma genesat, istum
+fullanah, cum dera kargos belgarasah eseum balgo bartigos
+triangulissimus!// However, added he, it behoveth thee to consider and
+ponder well upon the perils and the multitudinous dangers in the way
+of that wight who thus advanceth in all the perambulation of
+adventures: and verily, most valiant sire and Baron, I hope thou wilt
+demean thyself with all that laudable gravity and precaution which, as
+is related in the three hundred and forty-seventh chapter of the
+Prophilactics, is of more consideration than all the merit in this
+terraqueous globe. Yes, most truly do I advise thee unto thy good, and
+speak unto thee, most valiant Munchausen, with the greatest esteem,
+and wish thee to succeed in thy voyage; for it is said, that in the
+interior realms of Africa there are tribes that can see but just three
+inches and a half beyond the extremity of their noses; and verily thou
+shouldest moderate thyself, even sure and slow; they stumble who walk
+fast. But we shall bring you unto the Lady Fragrantia, and have her
+opinion of the matter. He then took from his pocket a cap of dignity,
+such as described in the most honourable and antique heraldry, and
+placing it upon my head, addressed me thus:--"As thou seemest again to
+revive the spirit of ancient adventure, permit me to place upon thy
+head this favour, as a mark of the esteem in which I hold thy valorous
+disposition."
+The Lady Fragrantia, my dear friends, was one of the most divine
+creatures in all Great Britain, and was desperately in love with me.
+She was drawing my portrait upon a piece of white satin, when the most
+noble Hilaro Frosticos advanced. He pointed to the cap of dignity
+which he had placed upon my head. "I do declare, Hilaro," said the
+lovely Fragrantia, "'tis pretty, 'tis interesting; I love you, and I
+like you, my dear Baron," said she, putting on another plume: "this
+gives it an air more delicate and more fantastical. I do thus, my dear
+Munchausen, as your friend, yet you can reject or accept my present
+just as you please; but I like the fancy, 'tis a good one, and I mean
+to improve it: and against whatever enemies you go, I shall have the
+sweet satisfaction to remember you bear my favour on your head!"
+I snatched it with trepidation, and gracefully dropping on my knees, I
+three times kissed it with all the rapture of romantic love. "I
+swear," cried I, "by thy bright eyes, and by the lovely whiteness of
+thine arm, that no savage, tyrant, or enemy upon the face of the earth
+shall despoil me of this favour, while one drop of the blood of the
+Munchausens doth circulate in my veins! I will bear it triumphant
+through the realms of Africa, whither I now intend my course, and make
+it respected, even in the court of Prester John."
+"I admire your spirit," replied she, "and shall use my utmost interest
+at court to have you despatched with every pomp, and as soon as
+possible; but here comes a most brilliant company indeed, Lady
+Carolina Wilhelmina Amelia Skeggs, Lord Spigot, and Lady Faucet, and
+the Countess of Belleair."
+After the ceremonies of introduction to this company were over, we
+proceeded to consult upon the business; and as the cause met with
+general applause, it was immediately determined that I should proceed
+without delay, as soon as I obtained the sovereign approbation. "I am
+convinced," said Lord Spigot, "that if there be any thing really
+unknown and worthy of our most ardent curiosity, it must be in the
+immense regions of Africa; that country, which seems to be the oldest
+on the globe, and yet with the greater part of which we are almost
+utterly unacquainted; what prodigious wealth of gold and diamonds must
+not lie concealed in those torrid regions, when the very rivers on the
+coast pour forth continual specimens of golden sand! 'Tis my opinion,
+therefore, that the Baron deserves the applause of all Europe for his
+spirit, and merits the most powerful assistance of the sovereign."
+So flattering an approbation, you may be sure, was delightful to my
+heart, and with every confidence and joy I suffered them to take me to
+court that instant. After the usual ceremonies of introduction,
+suffice it to say that I met with every honour and applause that my
+most sanguine expectations could demand. I had always a taste for the
+fashionable //je ne sais quoi// of the most elegant society, and in the
+presence of all the sovereigns of Europe I ever found myself quite at
+home, and experienced from the whole court the most flattering esteem
+and admiration. I remember, one particular day, the fate of the
+unfortunate Marquis de Bellecourt. The Countess of Rassinda, who
+accompanied him, looked most divinely. "Yes, I am confident," said the
+Marquis de Bellecourt to me, "that I have acted according to the
+strictest sentiments of justice and of loyalty to my sovereign. What
+stronger breast-plate than a heart untainted? and though I did not
+receive a word nor a look, yet I cannot think--no, it were impossible
+to be misrepresented. Conscious of my own integrity, I will try again
+--I will go boldly up." The Marquis de Bellecourt saw the opportunity;
+he advanced three paces, put his hand upon his breast and bowed.
+"Permit me," said he, "with the most profound respect, to----." His
+tongue faltered--he could scarcely believe his sight, for at that
+moment the whole company were moving out of the room. He found himself
+almost alone, deserted by every one. "What!" said he, "and did he turn
+upon his heel with the most marked contempt? Would he not speak to me?
+Would he not even hear me utter a word in my defence?" His heart died
+within him--not even a look, a smile from any one. "My friends! Do
+they not know me? Do they not see me? Alas! they fear to catch the
+contagion of my----. Then," said he, "adieu!--'tis more than I can
+bear. I shall go to my country seat, and never, never will return.
+Adieu, fond court, adieu!--"
+The venerable Marquis de Bellecourt stopped for a moment ere he
+entered his carriage. Thrice he looked back, and thrice he wiped the
+starting tear from his eye. "Yes," said he, "for once, at least, truth
+shall be found--in the bottom of a well!"
+Peace to thy ghost, most noble marquis! a King of kings shall pity
+thee; and thousands who are yet unborn shall owe their happiness to
+thee, and have cause to bless the thousands, perhaps, that shall never
+even know thy name; but Munchausen's self shall celebrate thy glory!
+----
+Go to [[CHAPTER XXII]]