Trans-Atlantyk by Witold Gombrowicz

Author:Witold Gombrowicz [Gombrowicz, Witold]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Yale University Press
Published: 1994-12-11T05:00:00+00:00

But this laughter not out of will, forced; and belike they would instead undo me. But the Minister speaks: “What say you? With that Pan Kobrzycki, a Major, apparently there was a jangle; and then likewise when Pan Counsellor to the Baron rode yesterday, to see horses, the Baron said there would be a duel. Is’t true? “Seeing that already they have news about it, I said: “All that was about a Mug the which at Tomasz was hurled!” The Minister speaks: “Besides, the Baron said that Major Kobrzycki’s bearing in this situation was exceeding worthy, honourable, for the edification of all Foreigners present there, and likewise ’tis certain that by that Duel he will not bring shame, indeed as a Cavalier, as a worthy Man will stand up. Ergo, ’tis important, gentlemen, that that Manliness of ours is not hidden under a bushel, and indeed is to all four sides of the world trumpeted to the greater fame of our name, and chiefly at the time when we at Berlin, at Berlin, to Berlin!” (Herewith all sprang up, viz. first the Envoy, second the Colonel, third the Counsellor, and shout: “Berlin, Berlin, at Berlin, at Berlin, to Berlin!”)

I fell to my knees. But they instantly ceased their shouting, whereupon the Counsellor put it into the Minutes. Speaks further His Excellency the Envoy: “With this thought did I summon you here, Gentlemen, for a Conference with Pan Gombrowicz to counsel what to do and how; viz. not only with Geniuses, Thinkers, and extraordinary Authors is our Nation glorious, surpassing Glorious, but also with Heroes: so, whilst over there, in our Country, Heroism is extraordinary today, let people over here see how a Pole can stand up! ’Tis likewise the duty of the Legation to strike whilst the iron is hot, and to the divers and sundry our Heroism shew since our Heroism will conquer the enemy, that Heroism, that unbeatable, unconquerable Heroism of our Heroes with fear will fill the infernal forces, the which before that Heroism of ours will tremble and withdraw!” (Thereupon they sprang up, viz. first the Minister, second the Colonel, third the Counsellor and shout: “Hero, hero, Heroism, heroism!”)

I fell to my knees. But spake the Minister: “’Tis why after the Duel—God grant it fortune—I will honour Pan Kobrzycki, the Major, with a sumptuous repast in the Legation, to the which likewise Foreigners I will invite; and indeed we will conquer the Infernal Forces!” This speech of His Excellency the Envoy the Counsellor straightway put into the Minutes and, upon finishing his inscription, being overwhelmed with fervour, he cried: “Splendid Thought, Your Excellency, Your Grace, splendid thought!”

The Colonel exclaimed: “Nonpareil Your Grace’s thought!”

Speaks then the Minister: “Belike ’tis Not Badly Thought.” At which they cried “Splendid, magnificent Thought! …” and instantly into the Minutes put. Having put it, the Counsel lor, again overwhelmed with fervour, cried: “Not till hell freezes over will that Enemy of ours conquer our strength, our Courage, and indeed in the whole

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