Page:Hoffmann's Strange Stories - Hoffman - 1855.djvu/278

 who wither by their illiterate criticisms the most distinguished talent in Italy! The air that I have just sung is from the most celebrated composer of our age, whom I have the honor to serve, in the capacity of valet, and who pays me generously in lessons of solfeggio and singing!"

At these words, Graziano began to enumerate, by their names, all the known artists; but, at each celebrated name Pasquarello shook his head disdainfully.

"Foolish animal!" said he, drawing himself up; "is it necessary to submit to the judgment of such appreciators?"

"What, do you not even know what all the world proclaims, that the most admirable musician of our time is no other than Signor Pasquale Capuzzi di Senegaglia, who has deigned to do me the honor to accept me for his humble valet?"

Graziano burst out laughing at the extravagance of his questioner.

"Ingrate, do-nothing!" exclaimed he, "dost thou not blush at having quitted my service, which gave you bread, honest wages and blows, to go and scout with the most notorious miser in all Rome, with a kind of maccaroni bag, with a double ass, who tries to look like a virtuoso, and only knows how to bray day and night, to the great discomfort of all Ripetta street!"

"Miserable envier," replied Pasquarello; and, turning his back on his abusive adversary, he branched off into an interminable panegyric on Capuzzi, in which he took care not to forget the description of his physical advantages, seasoned with such burlesque features, that the hilarity of the spectators rose to its utmost height. But Capuzzi alone comprehended nothing of this parody. He was ready to die for joy, and felt himself avenged for what he called, in his own breast, the injustice of his cotemporaries [sic].

At this moment, the scene at the end of the stage opened to give entrance to a caricature of Capuzzi in person, copied, mask and dress, with the most minute fidelity. It was his