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 Martin Guerre



by  Alexandre Dumas; Pere









We are sometimes astonished at the striking resemblance existing

between two persons who are absolute strangers to each other; but in

fact it is the opposite which ought to surprise us。  Indeed; why

should we not rather admire a Creative Power so infinite in its

variety that it never ceases to produce entirely different

combinations with precisely the same elements?  The more one

considers this prodigious versatility of form; the more overwhelming

it appears。



To begin with; each nation has its own distinct and characteristic

type; separating it from other races of men。  Thus there are the

English; Spanish; German; or Slavonic types; again; in each nation we

find families distinguished from each other by less general but still

well…pronounced features; and lastly; the individuals of each family;

differing again in more or less marked gradations。  What a multitude

of physiognomies!  What variety of impression from the innumerable

stamps of the human countenance!  What millions of models and no

copies!  Considering this ever changing spectacle; which ought to

inspire us with most astonishmentthe perpetual difference of faces

or the accidental resemblance of a few individuals?  Is it impossible

that in the whole wide world there should be found by chance two

people whose features are cast in one and the same mould?  Certainly

not; therefore that which ought to surprise us is not that these

duplicates exist here and there upon the earth; but that they are to

be met with in the same place; and appear together before our eyes;

little accustomed to see such resemblances。  From Amphitryon down to

our own days; many fables have owed their origin to this fact; and

history also has provided a few examples; such as the false Demetrius

in Russia; the English Perkin Warbeck; and several other celebrated

impostors; whilst the story we now present to our readers is no less

curious and strange。



On the 10th of; August 1557; an inauspicious day in the history of

France; the roar of cannon was still heard at six in the evening in

the plains of St。 Quentin; where the French army had just been

destroyed by the united troops of England and Spain; commanded by the

famous Captain Emanuel Philibert; Duke of Savoy。  An utterly beaten

infantry; the Constable Montmorency and several generals taken

prisoner; the Duke d'Enghien mortally wounded; the flower of the

nobility cut down like grass;such were the terrible results of a

battle which plunged France into mourning; and which would have been

a blot on the reign of Henry II; had not the Duke of Guise obtained a

brilliant revenge the following year。



In a little village less than a mile from the field of battle were to

be heard the groans of the wounded and dying; who had been carried

thither from the field of battle。  The inhabitants had given up their

houses to be used as hospitals; and two or three barber surgeons went

hither and thither; hastily ordering operations which they left to

their assistants; and driving out fugitives who had contrived to

accompany the wounded under pretence of assisting friends or near

relations。  They had already expelled a good number of these poor

fellows; when; opening the door of a small room; they found a soldier

soaked in blood lying on a rough mat; and another soldier apparently

attending on him with the utmost care。



〃Who are you?〃 said one of the surgeons to the sufferer。  〃I don't

think you belong to our French troops。〃



〃Help!〃 cried the soldier; 〃only help me! and may God bless you for

it!〃



〃From the colour of that tunic;〃 remarked the other surgeon; 〃I

should wager the rascal belongs to some Spanish gentleman。  By what

blunder was he brought here?〃



〃For pity's sake! murmured the poor fellow; 〃I am in such pain。〃



〃Die; wretch!〃 responded the last speaker; pushing him with his foot。

〃Die; like the dog you are!〃



But this brutality; answered as it was by an agonised groan;

disgusted the other surgeon。



〃After all; he is a man; and a wounded man who implores help。  Leave

him to me; Rene。〃



Rene went out grumbling; and the one who remained proceeded to

examine the wound。  A terrible arquebus…shot had passed through the

leg; shattering the bone: amputation was absolutely necessary。



Before proceeding to the operation; the surgeon turned to the other

soldier; who had retired into the darkest corner of the room。



〃And you; who may you be?〃 he asked。



The man replied by coming forward into the light: no other answer was

needed。  He resembled his companion so closely that no one could

doubt they were brothers…twin brothers; probably。  Both were above

middle height; both had olive…brown complexions; black eyes; hooked

noses; pointed chins; a slightly projecting lower lip; both were

round…shouldered; though this defect did not amount to disfigurement:

the whole personality suggested strength; and was not destitute of

masculine beauty。  So strong a likeness is hardly ever seen; even

their ages appeared to agree; for one would not have supposed either

to be more than thirty…two; and the only difference noticeable;

besides the pale countenance of the wounded man; was that he was thin

as compared with the moderate fleshiness of the other; also that he

had a large scar over the right eyebrow。



〃Look well after your brother's soul;〃 said the surgeon to the

soldier; who remained standing; 〃if it is in no better case than his

body; it is much to be pitied。〃



〃Is there no hope?〃 inquired the Sosia of the wounded man。



〃The wound is too large and too deep;〃 replied the man of science;

〃to be cauterised with boiling oil; according to the ancient method。

'Delenda est causa mali;' the source of evil must be destroyed; as

says the learned Ambrose Pare; I ought therefore 'secareferro;'that

is to say; take off the leg。  May God grant that he survive the

operation!〃



While seeking his instruments; he looked the supposed brother full in

the face; and added



〃But how is it that you are carrying muskets in opposing armies; for

I see that you belong to us; while this poor fellow wears Spanish

uniform?〃



〃Oh; that would be a long story to tell;〃 replied the soldier;

shaking his head。  〃As for me; I followed the career which was open

to me; and took service of my own free will under the banner of our

lord king; Henry II。  This man; whom you rightly suppose to be my

brother; was born in Biscay; and became attached to the household of

the Cardinal of Burgos; and afterwards to the cardinal's brother;

whom he was obliged to follow to the war。  I recognised him on the

battle…field just as he fell; I dragged him out of a heap of dead;

and brought him here。〃



During his recital this individual's features betrayed considerable

agitation; but the surgeon did not heed it。  Not finding some

necessary instruments; 〃My colleague;〃 he exclaimed; 〃must have

carried them off。  He constantly does this; out of jealousy of my

reputation; but I will be even with him yet!  Such splendid

instruments!  They will almost work of themselves; and are capable of

imparting some skill even to him; dunce as he is!。。。  I shall be back

in an hour or two; he must rest; sleep; have nothing to excite him;

nothing to inflame the wound; and when the operation is well over; we

shall see!  May the Lord be gracious to him!〃



Then he went to the door; leaving the poor wretch to the care of his

supposed brother。



〃My God!〃 he added; shaking his head; 〃if he survive; it will be by

the help of a miracle。〃



Scarcely had he left the room; when the unwounded soldier carefully

examined the features of the wounded one。



〃Yes;〃 he murmured between his teeth; 〃they were right in saying that

my exact double was to be found in the hostile army 。  。  。  。  Truly

one would not know us apart!  。  。  。  I might be surveying myself in

a mirror。  I did well to look for him in the rear of the Spanish

army; and; thanks to the fellow who rolled him over so conveniently

with that arquebus…shot; I was able to escape the dangers of the

melee by carrying him out of it。〃



〃But that's not all;〃 he thought; still carefully studying the

tortured face of the unhappy sufferer; 〃it is not enough to have got

out of that。  I have absolutely nothing in the world; no home; no

resources。  Beggar by birth; adventurer by fortune; I have enlisted;

and have consumed my pay; I hoped for plunder; and here we are in

full flight!  What am I to do?  Go and drown myself?  No; certainly

a cannon…ball would be as good as that。  But can't I profit by this

chance; and obtain a decent position by turning to my own advantage

this curious resemblance; and making some use of this man whom Fate

has thrown in my way; and who has but a short time to live?〃



Arguing thus; he bent over the prostrate man with a cynical laugh:

one mig

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