Черный тюльпан
The Happy Man makes Acquaintance with Misfortune
Littledreamingofthejealoushatredofhisneighbour,VanBaerlehadproceededstepbysteptowardsgainingtheprizeofferedbytheHorticulturalSocietyofHaarlem.Hehadprogressedfromhazel-nutshadetothatofroastedcoffee,andontheverydaywhenthefrightfuleventstookplaceattheHaguewhichwehaverelatedintheprecedingchapters,wefindhim,aboutoneo’clockintheday,gatheringfromthebordertheyoungsuckersraisedfromtulipsofthecolourofroastedcoffee;andwhich,beingexpectedtoflowerforthefirsttimeinthespringof1675,wouldundoubtedlyproducethelargeblacktuliprequiredbytheHaarlemSociety.
Onthe20thofAugust,1672,atoneo’clock,Corneliuswasthereforeinhisdry-room,withhisfeetrestingonthefoot-barofthetable,andhiselbowsonthecover,lookingwithintensedelightonthreesuckerswhichhehadjustdetachedfromthemotherbulb,pure,perfect,andentire,andfromwhichwastogrowthatwonderfulproduceofhorticulturewhichwouldrenderthenameofCorneliusvanBaerleforeverillustrious.
“Ishallfindtheblacktulip,”saidCorneliustohimself,whilstdetachingthesuckers.“IshallobtainthehundredthousandguildersofferedbytheSociety.IshalldistributethemamongthepoorofDort;andthusthehatredwhicheveryrichmanhastoencounterintimesofcivilwarswillbesootheddown,andIshallbeable,withoutfearinganyharmeitherfromRepublicansorOrangists,tokeepasheretoforemybordersinsplendidcondition.
