I.

In the year 1774, being (S. 55, N. 1) much indisposed both in mind and body[2], incapable of diverting myself either[3] with company or books, and yet in a condition[4] that made some diversion necessary[5], I was glad of anything that would engage my attention[6], without fatiguing it.

The children of a neighbour of mine had a leveret given them for a play-thing[7]; it was at that time about three months old. Understanding better how to tease the poor creature than to feed it, and soon becoming weary of their charge[8], they readily consented[9] that their father, who saw it pining[10] and growing leaner every day, should offer[11] it to my acceptance. I was willing enough to take the prisoner under my protection, perceiving that (S. 66, N. 15), in the management[12] of such an animal, and in the attempt to tame it, I should find just that sort of employment which my case required[13]. It was soon known among the neighbours that I was pleased[14] with the present, and the consequence of it was, that[15] in a short time I had as many leverets offered to me as would have stocked a paddock[16]. I undertook the care[17] of three, which it is necessary that I should here distinguish by the names I gave them[18]: Puss, Tiny, and Bess. Notwithstanding the two feminine appellatives, I must inform[19] you they were all males.

[1] +Die in dieser und den drei darauf folgenden Abschnitten gegebene interessante Erzählung ist den Schriften des wohlbekannten englischen Dichters und Schriftstellers William Cowper entnommen, welcher am 26. November 1731 im Pfarrhause von Great Berkhampstead in Hertfordshire geboren wurde und am 25. April 1780 starb. Seine beste Schöpfung ist unstreitig die von ihm mit dem Titel+: ‘The Task’ +benannte Dichtung, durch welche er seinen Ruf als Dichter begründete, und welche von keinem seiner späteren Werke übertroffen wurde.+

[2] to be much indisposed both in mind and body, +sowohl geistig als auch körperlich zerrüttet sein+.

[3] incapable — either = and could neither divert myself (+sich zerstreuen+); with, +durch+, which repeat before books; or = nor.

[4] +mich aber dabei so befand+.

[5] that — necessary = that some diversion was necessary.

[6] I shall be glad of anything that will engage my attention, +ich werde gern alles ergreifen, was meine Aufmerksamkeit fesseln kann+.

[7] +zum Spielen+, which place after the auxiliary ‘had’; given them, +geschenkt erhalten+.

[8] to become weary of one’s charge, +seines Schützlings überdrüssig werden+.

[9] I readily consented, +ich hatte nichts dagegen+.

[10] +sich ab´zehren+.

[11] should offer = offered it. We offered it to his acceptance, +wir boten es ihm zum Geschenk an+.

[12] = treatment.

[13] I hope he will find just that sort of employment which his case requires, +ich hoffe, er wird gerade die für seinen Zustand passende Beschäftigung finden+.

[14] My father will be greatly pleased with the picture, +das Bild wird meinem Vater große Freude machen+.

[15] Read App. § 21. In order to avoid a repetition of the conjunction +daß+, it is advisable to construe the clause ‘that — me’ = there were (+es wurden+, S. 104, N. 19) offered to me in _a_ short time so many leverets. ‘To offer’, here +zum Geschenk anbieten+.

[16] as — paddock, +daß ich einen Wildpark damit hätte ausrüsten können+.

[17] +Pflege.+

[18] which — them = the names of which I must mention (+an´führen+) here, in order to distinguish them from one another; I called them.

[19] +bemerken+; you = to the reader; they = the little animals (for which use the diminutive).

_Section 188._

THE FAVOURITE HARES.