The Adventures of Roderick Random

Companions Share Trivial and Boorish Anecdotes

Companions Share Trivial and Boorish Anecdotes

Chatter breaks a long silence with a tedious recital of the dress and ornaments of every person at the last Hampstead assembly. Bragwell boasts of his duelling exploits, claiming he can wound any antagonist in a vital yet non-lethal spot; Slyboot, in turn, asks Bragwell to pink a man so he can study the agony for a painting of the crucified Christ, and Wagtail gravely offers anatomical instruction. The wine goes freely about: Bragwell grows noisy, Banter more severe, Ranter rehearses, Slyboot makes faces at the company, Random sings French catches, Chatter kisses him with affection, while the doctor sits in dismal silence. Bragwell caps the debauch with a proposal to “scour the hundreds, sweat the constable, maul the watch, and reel soberly to bed.”

Fake Lover Confronts Wagtail at the Tavern

Fake Lover Confronts Wagtail at the Tavern

As the company deliberates on this final expedition, a tall strumpet is sent up from below claiming to seek Wagtail. With theatrical solemnity she is admitted and, after fixing a melancholy gaze upon the doctor, accuses him of having won her heart under pretence of honourable addresses, robbed her of her virginity, and abandoned her now that she is four months gone with child and turned out by her relations. She denounces him as a faithless barbarian, declares she will tear out his heart, and springs at him; Wagtail leaps over the table and takes refuge behind Bragwell. Random easily perceives that the scene is a concerted scheme to torment the doctor and cheerfully joins the conspiracy.

Wagtail Bribes the Fake Lover and Is Humiliated

Wagtail Bribes the Fake Lover and Is Humiliated

Ranter recommends that Wagtail marry the woman to save his reputation; Slyboot suggests buying a father for the child and settling an alimony. Bragwell offers to rid the doctor of her importunity for half a guinea, which Wagtail eagerly presses into his hand; half a piece is passed to the complainant. She then demands a parting kiss, seizes Wagtail’s cheek between her teeth, and holds on while he roars with anguish to the huge diversion of the company. When she releases him, Banter calls for the actual cautery, Ranter proposes scooping out the wound with a sword-point, but Slyboot produces a “balsam” from his pocket—a bladder of black paint—which he smears over the sore and most of the patient’s face. The terrified and humiliated Wagtail is at last packed into a chair and sent home, much to Random’s pity and against the inclination of everyone else present.

CHAPITRE XLVI.

Chapter XLVI describes a late-night tavern scene that erupts into confrontation. After Slyboot provokes the narrator regarding Bragwell, the actor Ranter falsely accuses the narrator of insult, prompting the narrator to challenge Ranter to leap over a sword. Ranter is forced over the blade by Bragwell and flees, after which the group pays the bill near two o’clock, deposits Bragwell asleep at Moll King’s coffee-house, and the narrator reconciles with Banter on their walk toward Charing-cross.

Slyboot Provokes Tension With Bragwell

Slyboot, sitting beside the narrator, whispers that Bragwell has used him ill while leaving each man to judge his own affairs. The narrator answers aloud that he will suffer neither Bragwell nor Slyboot to abuse him with impunity and needs no counsel about his conduct. Slyboot profusely asks pardon and insists he meant no offence, while Bragwell feigns sleep to avoid taking notice of the exchange.

Ranter Falsely Accuses Narrator of Insult

The player Ranter, having more spirit than discretion, jogs Bragwell and whispers that the narrator has called him names and threatened to cudgel him. Bragwell startles up and demands to know if the narrator has so insulted him. The narrator denies the imputation and proposes instead to punish the scoundrel who is trying to foment disturbance in the company, a suggestion Bragwell approves.

Narrator Challenges Ranter to Sword Leap

Drawing his sword alongside Bragwell, the narrator addresses Ranter as possessing the mimicry and mischievous qualities of an ape, having observed these traits displayed throughout the evening. He challenges Ranter to demonstrate ape-like nimbleness by leaping over the sword, which he holds parallel to the horizon about three feet from the floor. He counts “once, twice, thrice, and away” as his demand.