Friars and Filipinos: An Abridged Translation of Dr. Jose Rizal's Tagalog Novel,; 'Noli Me Tangere.'Rizal, José
History
Friars and Filipinos: An Abridged Translation of Dr. Jose Rizal's Tagalog Novel,; 'Noli Me Tangere.'
Rizal, José
Historical fiction; Philippines -- History -- 1812-1898 -- Fiction
The prayer had scarcely ended, when Ibarra presented himself. The young
man was wearing mourning, not only in his dress, but in his face. In
fact, it was so evident that Maria Clara, on seeing him, arose and
took a step toward him as if to ask what ailed him, but at the same
instant a discharge of musketry was heard. Ibarra stopped, his eyes
rolled and he was unable to speak. The curate hid himself behind a
pillar. More shooting and more noise was heard in the direction of the
convent, followed by cries and the sound of people running. Captain
Tiago, Aunt Isabel and Linares entered the room, hurriedly crying
"tulisan! tulisan!" Andeng followed them, brandishing a spit and ran
toward her foster sister.
Aunt Isabel fell on her knees and prayed the Kyrie eleison. Captain
Tiago, pale and trembling, carried a chicken's liver on his fork, and,
in tears, offered it to the Virgin of Antipolo. Linares had his mouth
full and was armed with a spoon. Sinang and Maria Clara embraced each
other. The only person who did not move was Ibarra. He stood as if
petrified, his face indescribably pale.
The cries and blows continued, the windows were shut with a bang,
a whistle was heard, and occasionally a shot.
"Christe eleison! Santiago, fasten the windows," groaned Aunt Isabel.
"Fifty great bombs and a thanksgiving mass," replied Captain
Tiago. "Ora pro nobis!"
After a time, things quieted down and there was a terrible silence. The
voice of the alferez was distinguished, as he came running in, and
crying: "Father curate! Father Salví! Come!"
"Misere! The alferez is asking for confession!" cried Aunt Isabel.
"Is he wounded?" asked Linares at last. "Ah!"
"Come, Father Salví! There is nothing to fear now," continued the
alferez, shouting.
Father Salví, pale, and decided at last, came out of his hiding-place
and went downstairs.
"The tulisanes have killed the alferez!" said Aunt Isabel.
"Maria Clara, Sinang, go to your room! Fasten the door! Kyrie eleison!"
Ibarra also went toward the stairs, in spite of Aunt Isabel, who was
saying: "Don't go out! You haven't confessed yet. Don't go out!"
The good old woman had been a great friend of Ibarra's mother.
But Ibarra left the house. It seemed to him that all about him was
revolving through the air, that even the ground was gone from under his
feet. His ears buzzed. His legs moved heavily and irregularly. Waves
of blood, light and darkness, succeeded one another on the retina of
his eye.
Despite the fact that the moon was shining brightly in the heavens, the
young man stumbled on every stone in the solitary and deserted street.
Near the cuartel he saw some soldiers with their bayonets fixed,
talking excitedly. He passed by unseen.
In the tribunal, blows, cries, wails, and curses were heard. The
alferez's voice drowned all the others.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account