American Promise Value Volume 1 7th

Edition Roark Test Bank

Visit to download the full and correct content document: https://testbankdeal.com/dow
nload/american-promise-value-volume-1-7th-edition-roark-test-bank/
Name: __________________________ Date: _____________

1. What made Robert Shurtliff of Massachusetts an atypical member of the Continental

army?
A) He was much older than the other soldiers.
B) He was born in French Canada.
C) He was the wealthiest man to serve in the army.
D) He was a woman disguised as a man.

2. Where did delegates from all of the colonies meet to discuss their course of action after
the skirmishes at Lexington and Concord?
A) Continental Association
B) First Continental Congress
C) Second Continental Congress
D) House of Burgesses

3. What was the initial goal of the Second Continental Congress?

A) To declare independence immediately
B) To raise and supply an army
C) To send the Continental army to Massachusetts
D) To elect a president of the Congress

4. Why did delegates to the Second Continental Congress remain reluctant to break with
Britain in 1775?
A) The delegates maintained strong ties to the British Parliament.
B) Colonists feared invasions from the Dutch and Portuguese.
C) The delegates worried that independence would destroy political stability.
D) The delegates feared independence would encourage slaves to rebel.

5. The delegates to the Second Continental Congress chose George Washington as

commander in chief because
A) he was the most radical and outspoken proponent of Independence.
B) he had distinguished himself as a brilliant strategist during the Seven Years' War.
C) they wanted to show England that there was commitment to war outside New
England.
D) he had curried favor with many of the most influential delegates.

Page 1
 6. Which statement characterizes the continental dollars authorized by the congress in
1775?
A) The dollars were backed by silver but not gold.
B) The dollars were merely paper backed by no precious metals.
C) The dollars were backed by gold but at only half the value.
D) The dollars were backed by gold at full value.

7. What was the significance of the battle of Bunker Hill?

A) The patriots scored a key victory early in the war.
B) The British realized they had to move west.
C) Washington proved his leadership abilities.
D) The British won a very costly battle.

8. What did the British general William Howe do after the victory at Bunker Hill?
A) He pursued the Americans fleeing from Boston.
B) He retreated to Boston.
C) He abandoned Boston.
D) He attacked Boston directly.

9. In the Olive Branch Petition of July 1775, congressional moderates proposed that
A) the king immediately remove all British troops from America.
B) American colonial assemblies be recognized as individual parliaments.
C) the king remove all legislation imposed by Parliament in the colonies.
D) colonists sever their connections with the British monarchy.

10. In his radical pamphlet Common Sense, Thomas Paine encouraged Americans to
A) declare independence from Great Britain.
B) ignore calls for a republican government.
C) form an alliance with France.
D) revolt against wealthy urban merchants.

11. In their revisions to the Declaration of Independence, Georgia and South Carolina
removed
A) any mention of the issue of slavery.
B) the phrase “give me liberty or give me death.”
C) any mention of the natural equality of “all men.”
D) the theory that the king staged Pontiac's Rebellion.

Page 2
12. What was the significance of the New York delegates' endorsement of the Declaration
of Independence on July 15, 1776?
A) Only South Carolina had yet to endorse the resolution.
B) The resolution for independence had passed unanimously.
C) The war with England had come to a victorious conclusion.
D) The resolution had passed by just one vote.

13. What obstacle did the British army face in the Revolutionary War?
A) Most soldiers feared the fighting prowess of the Americans.
B) No British loyalists lived in the southern colonies.
C) It was difficult to supply their army with food and supplies.
D) The British had too many inexperienced generals.

14. The British goal in fighting the war in America was to

A) lay waste to American resources.
B) gain support from Indian tribes.
C) win a lengthy war of attrition.
D) regain colonial allegiance.

15. How did the congress raise the necessary troops for the Continental army?
A) It offered land grants to those who committed for the war's duration.
B) It relied exclusively on trained local militias.
C) It promised freedom for any slaves who joined the army.
D) It required that soldiers sign on for five years of service.

16. Women served in the Continental army by

A) publicly enlisting.
B) performing domestic tasks.
C) spying on British commanders.
D) sewing American flags.

17. As manpower needs in the Continental army increased,

A) southerners allowed their black slaves to serve.
B) Indians were promised the return of their land if they enlisted.
C) about twenty thousand black men enlisted to fight.
D) free blacks were welcomed into service in the northern states.

Page 3
18. What was one of the many weaknesses of the Continental army?
A) It was undermanned.
B) It was fighting on its own soil.
C) Loyalists infiltrated its ranks.
D) It fought for an unpopular cause.

19. What was the American strategy in the war with Britain?
A) Maintain and protect all seaports.
B) Keep a strong force in New York.
C) Turn back and defeat the invading armies.
D) Use state militias as much as possible.

20. What was the significance of the Continental army's campaign in Montreal and Quebec?
A) It showed that the war was more than a reaction to the invasion of Massachusetts.
B) British troops stationed in Montreal turned back the American forces.
C) The Continental army quickly and bloodlessly captured Quebec.
D) The mission was foiled when Indians in the area joined British troops.

21. In the fall of 1776, the British hired 8,000 Hessian mercenaries and
A) brought in 10,000 additional troops from Scotland.
B) concentrated their military might in New York.
C) further swelled their ranks by emptying the jails in England.
D) focused on protecting their holdings in Canada.

22. The Continental army enjoyed its first victory over the British on Christmas night in
1776, when the Americans
A) attacked and captured Quebec.
B) defeated the British outside of Boston.
C) surprised the Hessians in New Jersey.
D) recaptured Philadelphia.

23. At the time of the war with Britain, white women

A) were forbidden to discuss politics without the approval of their husbands.
B) participated in public political rallies aimed at boosting morale.
C) were allowed to join the army if and when male recruits became scarce.
D) began to participate in politics through discussion and fundraising.

Page 4
24. According to Map 7.2: Loyalist Strength and Rebel Support, which of the following was
a loyalist stronghold?

A) Norfolk, VA
B) Boston
C) Maryland
D) Eastern North Carolina

25. How did American Indians respond to the outbreak of the Revolutionary War?
A) They hoped at first to stay neutral before being forced to choose sides.
B) Indians voted unanimously to join the British during the war.
C) They convinced the rebels to give them a say in important decisions.
D) They embraced the revolutionary cause from the onset of hostilities.

Page 5
26. “I . . . am glad to find that you desire to revive the affectionate Intercourse, that formerly
existed between us. It will be very agreeable to me; indeed nothing has ever hurt me so
much and affected me with such keen Sensations, as to find myself deserted in my old
age by my only Son; and not only deserted, but to find him taking up Arms against me,
in a Cause, wherein my good Fame, Fortune and Life were all at Stake. You conceived,
you say, that your Duty to your King and regard for your Country requir'd this. I ought
not to blame you for differing in Sentiment with me in Public Affairs. We are Men, all
subject to errors. Our opinions are not in our own Power; they are form'd and govern'd
much by Circumstances, that are often as inexplicable as they are irresistible. Your
Situation was such that few would have censured your remaining Neuter, tho' there are
Natural Duties which preceded political ones, and cannot be extinguish'd by them.”
What was Benjamin Franklin's reaction to his estranged loyalist son William's attempt
to reconcile their relationship after the Revolution?
A) He rejected his attempt to reconcile.
B) He agreed to reconcile, although they remained in disagreement about politics.
C) He agreed to reconcile and admitted that he had come to support his son's loyalist
position.
D) He agreed to reconcile, but only because his son admitted that he should have
supported the patriot cause.

27. Which of the following was a treasonable act as defined by state laws in 1775 and 1776?
A) Supplying the British army
B) Being a Mennonite
C) Being the relative of a traitor
D) Offering blacks their freedom

28. “Brother, you have merited death! The hatchet or the war-club shall finish your career!
When I begged of you to follow me in the fortunes of war, you was deaf to my
cries—you spurned my entreaties!
Brother! You have merited death and shall have your deserts! When the rebels raised
their hatchets to fight their good master, you sharpened your knife, you brightened your
rifle and led on our foes to the fields of our fathers! You have merited death and shall
die by our hands! When those rebels had drove us from the fields of our fathers to seek
out new homes, it was you who could dare to step forth as their pilot, and conduct them
even to the doors of our wigwams, to butcher our children and put us to death! No crime
can be greater! But though you have merited death and shall die on this spot, my hands
shall not be stained in the blood of a brother! Who will strike?”
Which of the following reasons did the Oneida warrior give for believing his brother
deserved death?
A) Because his brother did not follow him into war for their tribe
B) Because his brother helped the enemies kidnap Oneida children
C) Because his brother converted to Christianity, thus betraying their native customs
D) Because he betrayed the trust of Little Beard

Page 6
29. How did the British army treat prisoners of war?
A) It provided them ample food.
B) It paid for their material needs.
C) It treated them worse than criminals.
D) It sent them to Massachusetts encampments.

30. What proportion of Revolutionary War fatalities occurred on British prison ships?
A) A relatively small number
B) About 1,000 deaths
C) The same as the number killed in battle
D) More than the number killed in battle

31. What was the economic result of the Continental Congress's decision to issue paper
money?
A) Prices fell rapidly.
B) Bonds sold quickly.
C) Money became devalued.
D) Foreign credit became available.

32. As the currency depreciated, the Continental Congress paid soldiers by

A) using the black market.
B) issuing land-grant certificates.
C) taxing property in all of the colonies.
D) borrowing money from Spain.

33. In August 1777, instead of sailing north on the Hudson River, General Howe chose
which surprising military strategy?
A) He invaded Fort Stanwix.
B) He remained in Manhattan.
C) He sailed to Philadelphia.
D) He forged an alliance with Mohawk Indians.

34. What did the British government do after capturing Philadelphia in September 1777?
A) Offered independence to the Americans if they released all prisoners of war
B) Convinced France and Spain to join the war on the side of the British
C) Proposed a negotiated settlement that did not include American independence
D) Offered increased monarchial protection if the patriots surrendered

Page 7
35. During the winter of 1777–78, the Continental army's morale was
A) high, owing to the army's recent string of victories.
B) high, because the British appeared ready to surrender.
C) increasing, owing to Americans' support for the troops.
D) low, because corruption was undermining the patriots' cause.

36. Relationships between Americans and Indians during the war were increasingly
characterized by
A) violent anti-Indian campaigns.
B) cooperation in fighting the British.
C) mutual respect forged through difficult battles.
D) cooperation because the Indians allied with the French.

37. Who led a group of Kentucky militiamen dressed as Indians in an attack at Kaskaskia?
A) Chief Red Hawk
B) Chief White Eyes
C) George Rogers Clark
D) John Sullivan

38. Why did Indian tribes ally with the Americans as the war wore on?
A) They came to believe in American principles.
B) The British military treated them very poorly.
C) Americans paid them for their military assistance.
D) They realized the likelihood of American victory.

39. Why was General John Burgoyne's defeat at the battle of Saratoga a decisive moment in
the Revolutionary War?
A) It caused Benedict Arnold to defect to the British.
B) It brought France into the war on the side of the patriots.
C) It ended the military career of General Horatio Gates.
D) It vindicated Burgoyne's strategy of attacking from Canada.

40. Why did France ally with the Americans after the battle of Saratoga?
A) It saw an opportunity to defeat England.
B) It wanted to gain a foothold in Canada.
C) It wanted to link the colonies with Quebec.
D) It feared losing the West Indies.

Page 8
41. What immediate impact did the Americans' alliance with France have on the British
during the Revolutionary War?
A) The British were uniformly undaunted in their optimism for winning the war.
B) The commander of the British navy argued for abandoning the war.
C) The British naval commander convinced the king that the British would still win.
D) Parliament called for a truce with both the Americans and the French.

42. Where did British troops achieve victory at the beginning of their campaign in the South
in 1778 and 1780?
A) Yorktown and Williamsburg
B) Charleston and Charlottesville
C) Virginia and North Carolina
D) Georgia and South Carolina

43. Where did the Americans suffer their worst defeat of the Revolutionary War?
A) Augusta, Georgia
B) Camden, South Carolina
C) Richmond, Virginia
D) Baltimore, Maryland

44. How did news of Benedict Arnold's treason affect the Revolutionary War?
A) It ended rebel support in the South for good.
B) It caused the French to withdraw their support from the Americans.
C) It caused American morale to sink to an all-time low.
D) It inspired renewed patriotism in America.

45. How did battle tactics in the South change after Gates's defeat and Arnold's treason?
A) Guerrilla warfare erupted across the southern backcountry.
B) British forces benefited from increasing loyalist strength in the South.
C) Cherokee units in the Carolina backcountry switched to the patriots' side.
D) The French convinced the Indians to fight the British alongside French forces.

46. After General Charles Cornwallis achieved the upper hand in Virginia, the balance of
power on the battlefield changed dramatically because
A) Washington had better information about Cornwallis's position.
B) the French gave military support to Washington.
C) the British had strong positions in the North and South.
D) Cornwallis had momentum in his favor after a string of losses.

Page 9
47. Which event led to the end of the Revolutionary War at Yorktown?
A) Lafayette's arrival at Yorktown from the west
B) The introduction of more sophisticated cannons
C) The French forces taking control of the Chesapeake
D) General Cornwallis's cowardly retreat

48. What was the content of the first article of the Treaty of Paris?
A) The king recognized the independence of the United States.
B) The Indians retained their land in the Ohio Valley.
C) Loyalists' land was to be returned to them as soon as possible.
D) The Americans were given Florida and half of Louisiana.

49. What did the peace between the Americans and the British that began in 1783 mean for
the Indians?
A) Only a temporary lull in fighting
B) The beginning of the reservation system
C) The temporary return of their land
D) Unification with the new United States

50. After five and a half years of fighting, how long did it take to negotiate peace and
evacuate the British from its former colonies?
A) One month
B) Nine months
C) Two years
D) Five years

51. How did Thomas Paine justify his case for complete independence from England in his
pamphlet Common Sense? How was his pamphlet received in the colonies?

52. List at least two of the colonists' grievances with the British government by July 1776.
How did the Continental Congress respond to these grievances? (You may want to
consult Thomas Jefferson's Declaration of Independence in the text appendix.)

53. Discuss several of the advantages and disadvantages for the British in fighting a war
against the colonists.

54. Discuss some of the advantages and disadvantages for the patriots in rebelling against
England.

Page 10
55. Who were the loyalists during the Revolutionary War? From which social strata of
colonial society did loyalists tend to come?

56. What economic challenges did the Continental Congress face? What did it do to finance
the war?

57. What impact did the French alliance have on the Revolutionary War's outcome?

58. Why did the British decide to move their Revolutionary War campaign south in 1778?
Was this strategy successful?

59. What events led up to General Cornwallis's surrender in October 1781?

60. Discuss the terms of the Treaty of Paris. Which issues were left unresolved?

61. Discuss the two tasks facing the Second Continental Congress, when the delegates met
on May 10, 1775. What initial steps did they take to carry out their goals?

62. In the Revolutionary War, American colonists fought each other as well as the British.
How did the events of the war influence colonial Americans as they chose sides?

63. Discuss the role of women and blacks in the Revolutionary War, both at home and on
the battlefields.

64. Discuss American successes and failures in the North and West. What role did Indian
tribes play, and what convinced the French to ally with the Americans during these
pivotal years?

65. Discuss why the British lost the Revolutionary War. What advantages did they misuse?

Page 11
Use the following to answer questions 66-77:

A) battle of Bunker Hill

B) battle of Long Island
C) battle of Oriskany
D) battle of Saratoga
E) battle of Yorktown
F) Common Sense
G) Continental army
H) Declaration of Independence
I) Ladies Association
J) loyalists
K) Second Continental Congress
L) Treaty (Peace) of Paris, 1783

Match the term with the definition.

66. October 1781 battle that sealed American victory in the Revolutionary War. American
troops and a French fleet trapped the British army under the command of General
Charles Cornwallis in Virginia.

67. A multistage battle in New York ending with the decisive defeat and surrender of
British General John Burgoyne on October 17, 1777. France was convinced by this
victory to throw its official support to the Americans.

68. Second battle of the war, on June 16, 1775, involving a massive British attack on New
England militia units near Boston. The militiamen finally yielded, but not before
inflicting heavy casualties on the British.

69. A punishing defeat for Americans in a ravine near Fort Stanwix in New York in August
1777. German-American militiamen aided by allied Oneida warriors were ambushed by
Mohawk and Seneca Indians, and 500 on the revolutionary side were killed.

70. Pamphlet written by Thomas Paine in 1776 that laid out the case for independence. In it,
Paine rejected monarchy, advocating its replacement with republican government based
on the consent of the people. The pamphlet influenced public opinion throughout the
colonies.

Page 12
71. A Philadelphia organization that collected substantial money donations in 1780 to gift to
the Continental troops showing citizens' appreciation.

72. A document containing philosophical principles and a list of grievances that declared
separation from Britain. Adopted by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776,
it ended a period of intense debate with moderates still hoping to reconcile with Britain.

73. Legislative body that governed the United States from May 1775 through the war's
duration. It established an army, created its own money, and declared independence
once all hope for a peaceful reconciliation with Britain was gone.

74. September 3, 1783, agreement that ended the Revolutionary War. The pact
acknowledged America's independence, set its boundaries, and promised the quick
withdrawal of British troops from American soil. It failed to recognize Indians as
players in the conflict.

75. First major engagement of the new Continental army, defending against 45,000 British
troops newly arrived in what is now Brooklyn. The Continentals retreated, with high
casualties and many taken prisoner.

76. Colonists who remained loyal to Britain during the Revolutionary War, probably
numbering around one-fifth of the population in 1776.

77. The army created in June 1775 by the Second Continental Congress to oppose the
British. Virginian George Washington, commander in chief, had the task of turning
local militias and untrained volunteers into a disciplined army.

Page 13
Answer Key
1. D
2. C
3. B
4. C
5. C
6. B
7. D
8. B
9. B
10. A
11. A
12. B
13. C
14. D
15. A
16. B
17. D
18. A
19. C
20. A
21. B
22. C
23. D
24. A
25. A
26. B
27. A
28. A
29. C
30. D
31. C
32. B
33. C
34. C
35. D
36. A
37. C
38. D
39. B
40. A
41. B
42. D
43. B
44. D

Page 14
45. A
46. B
47. C
48. A
49. A
50. C
51. Answer would ideally include:
Common Sense: Paine's pamphlet focused first on the absurdities of the British
monarchy, asking why one man, by accident of birth, should claim extensive power over
others. He suggested that nature proved the folly of hereditary monarchy by “giving
mankind an ass for a lion,” thereby calling King George an ass. He advocated
republican government with frequent elections in place of monarchy. Common Sense
was well received, selling 150,000 copies in a matter of weeks.
52. Answer would ideally include:
Grievances: By July of 1776, the American colonies had many grievances with the
British government. These included the maintenance of a standing army in the colonies,
the dissolution of colonial legislatures, taxation without colonial representation in
Parliament, Britain's incitement of Indian warfare, Britain's efforts to hire German
mercenary soldiers to support their fight in the colonies, and so on.
Response from the Continental Congress: The Congress responded to these grievances
by directing Thomas Jefferson and others to write the Declaration of Independence,
formally adopting the document, and gathering delegates together to sign it. The
document was then printed, widely distributed, and read aloud at celebrations
throughout the colonies.
53. Answer would ideally include:
Advantages: The most significant advantage for Britain was its standing as the mightiest
military power in the world. In addition, it faced inexperienced colonial militias, and
many colonists remained loyal to Britain.
Disadvantages: Disadvantages included the difficulties associated with supplying an
army stationed three thousand miles away, across the Atlantic; the need to put down the
colonial rebellion without destroying the buildings, farms, and other resources and
infrastructure of the colonies in the process; and the absence of a single colonial
political nerve center for the British to capture.
54. Answer would ideally include:
Advantages: Advantages included the enthusiasm of the patriots, the patriots' diffuse
distribution over a large geographical area, their ability to fight within their home
country, and Britain's reluctance to follow through militarily when they had the
advantage.
Disadvantages: The patriots' disadvantages included their inexperienced militias, lack
of unification behind the patriot case in the colonies, and little money to command and
supply an army.
55. Answer would ideally include:
Loyalists: Loyalists were about 20 percent of the American population in the 1770s.
They believed that social stability depended on a government anchored by monarchy
and aristocracy. They feared democratic tyranny. Many loyalists were royal officials:
governors, judges, and customs officers. Others were wealthy merchants and

Page 15
 conservative urban lawyers. While many came from the wealthier classes, some
southern backcountry farmers who resented the gentry were also loyal to England.
These colonists chose loyalism simply to oppose traditional adversaries. Southern slaves
looked to Britain for freedom, and many Indian tribes also took the British side.
56. Answer would ideally include:
Economic Challenges: The Continental Congress faced many economic challenges. The
war was expensive, and the congress printed Continental dollars to pay for it. This
currency soon lost much of its value because it was not backed by reserves of gold or
silver. With the devaluation of Continental money came inflation. As an additional
complication, states were also printing paper money.
Financing the War Efforts: The congress was forced to borrow hard money from
wealthy men in exchange for certificates of debt, which promised to repay the money
with interest once the war was over. To pay soldiers, the congress issued land-grant
certificates, which quickly became forms of negotiable currency.
57. Answer would ideally include:
Consequences of French Involvement in the War: The French alliance with the infant
United States was critically important for its victory over the British. The Continental
army depended on the French government for aid in the form of cannons, muskets,
gunpowder, and highly trained military advisors. After the patriots' victory at Saratoga,
French troops also arrived to provide direct military support to American troops. The
participation of the French navy, with its infusion of troops and moral support for the
patriot cause, made the American victory at Yorktown possible.
58. Answer would ideally include:
The War in the Southern Colonies: The British decided to move their campaign south in
1778 in large part because of France's entry into the war. The British assumed that the
southern colonies were full of loyalists. In addition, Britain thought the large slave
population would join the British, disrupting the economy and unnerving white slave
owners. The British hoped to capture the southern colonies one by one and then move
north to the middle colonies, saving New England for last. Despite the traitorous actions
of Benedict Arnold and help from thousands of escaped slaves, the strategy was not
successful. Although several colonies fell quickly, guerrilla fighters in backcountry
areas harassed British forces and prevented them from foraging for food. In the end, the
British were stretched too thin to hold on to the South.
59. Answer would ideally include:
Events Leading to Britain's Surrender: Cornwallis had some small victories in the South
in early 1781, and then proceeded to Yorktown, Virginia, to await reinforcement troops
coming from New York City. At that point, French regiments commanded by
Rochambeau and de Grasse arrived in Virginia ahead of the British troops and, after a
five-day battle, took control of the Virginia coast. This eliminated the possibility of
reinforcements for Cornwallis and made rescue by the British army impossible. In
addition, 4,000 escaped slaves who had joined Cornwallis's army were ravaged by
typhus and smallpox. After twelve more days of fighting, Cornwallis ran low on food
and ammunition and, realizing the impossibility of escape, announced his surrender.
60. Answer would ideally include:
Terms of the Treaty of Paris: The Treaty of Paris acknowledged the sovereignty of the
United States, set its western boundary at the Mississippi River, and guaranteed that

Page 16
 creditors on both sides could collect debts owed them in sterling money. Britain agreed
to withdraw its troops quickly but was prohibited from taking “Negroes” or other
property of the Americans.
Unresolved Issues: The treaty failed to recognize the Indians as players in the conflict.
Indian lands were assigned to the victors as though they were uninhabited. For the
Indians, the Treaty of Paris brought no peace at all. Despite the treaty provision
regarding property, Britain aided the emancipation of perhaps 10,000 slaves.
61. Answer would ideally include:
Congress's Tasks: The congress was required to pursue both war and peace
simultaneously. First, the Second Continental Congress would raise and supply an army
for the colonies. Second, it would explore the possibility of reconciliation with Britain.
Creation of Army: The congress created the Continental army, chose George
Washington as its commander, drew up a document titled “A Declaration on the Causes
and Necessity of Taking Up Arms” to defend the need for an army, and issued $2
million of Continental currency to finance the military buildup.
Exploration of Reconciliation vs. Independence: When they began to meet, most
delegates were not yet prepared to break with Britain. They first appealed to the king
with the Olive Branch petition, which affirmed loyalty to the monarchy and blamed
problems on Parliament and the king's ministers. It proposed that the American colonial
assemblies be recognized as individual parliaments, under the umbrella of the
monarchy.
62. Answer would ideally include:
Loyalists: Loyalists of the elite classes were royal officials, wealthy merchants, and
conservative urban lawyers. The wartime behavior of patriots on committees and in
community actions spurred this group's fears about social instability and the social
effects of challenges to traditional forms of hierarchy. They viewed patriots as
unscrupulous, violent, self-interested men who sought power only for the sake of having
power. Non-elite loyalists were a diverse group who often had local reasons for siding
with Britain, such as backcountry Carolina farmers who resented the power of the
pro-revolution gentry.
Neutrals: Probably two-fifths of the American population tried to stay neutral. Both
persuasion and force were used to convince them to join the patriot side.
Revolutionaries in control of local governments punished loyalists and intimidated
neutrals, and the tactics of the local committees of correspondence were rarely
challenged. Their “persuasive powers” convinced many middle-of-the-road citizens that
neutrality was not a comfortable option. Another major factor was the British treatment
of prisoners of war. Great Britain defined captives as traitors, not as prisoners as war.
More than 15,000 men endured captivity on the British death ships, and two-thirds of
them died. Although Indians initially tried to remain neutral, many were drawn to the
British side because of the threats posed by American settlers and soldiers.
Patriots: Patriots at the local level served on committees of correspondence, of public
safety, and of inspection. These committees served as the wartime government of their
communities. They enforced boycotts, picked army draftees, and policed suspected
traitors. Sometimes they invaded homes to search for contraband. These committees
were quite powerful and convinced many ambivalent people to take the patriot side.
63. Answer would ideally include:

Page 17
 Women at Home: White women participated as patriots by taking on traditionally
masculine duties and roles in society, such as running farms and becoming involved
with politics. Philadelphia women formed the Ladies Association to collect money for
Continental soldiers. Some women remained loyalists while their husbands took the
patriot side, and vice versa. Women participated in boycotts and helped to produce
homemade goods as alternatives to imported ones.
Women in the Field: Although they did not fight (except for rare exceptions like
Deborah Sampson), women served the Continental army by cooking, washing, and
nursing the wounded. Camp followers, including women and children, tagged along
with the army.
African Americans: After their initial exclusion from the Continental army, free black
men were welcomed into the army once manpower needs increased. About five
thousand black men—primarily northerners—served in the Revolutionary War on the
rebel side. Some were draftees, while others hoped that their service would bring them
freedom. There were also African Americans—mostly escaped slaves—who served in
the British army. Although untrained in warfare, many were of use as guides, laborers,
and pilots of boats. Cornwallis's army, for example, included 4,000 escaped slaves. In
the South, skirmishes involved runaway black insurgents who teamed up with white
loyalists.
64. Answer would ideally include:
Burgoyne and Saratoga: The British strategy was to isolate New England by taking
control of the Hudson River. To that end, General Burgoyne began to march his soldiers
down the Hudson River Valley from Canada. The British soldiers sent to reinforce
Burgoyne, however, were forced to retreat from Fort Stanwix after deadly warfare
involving complex groups of Indians, Germans, British, and colonists. The Americans
were also successful at Saratoga. Burgoyne was forced to surrender as his troops faced
dwindling food supplies and no reinforcements.
The West and Indian Involvement: In the interior western areas, the war of Indians
against patriot forces heated up from 1777 to 1778. Loyalists and Indians engaged in
numerous raids on farms throughout 1778, and patriot forces responded. In the summer
of 1778, Washington authorized a campaign against all the Iroquoian villages of central
New York; forty Indian towns met with total destruction. The Ohio Valley and west of
North Carolina witnessed a complex story of alliances and betrayals with escalating
violence. Owing to violent raids by Americans, by 1780, very few Indians remained
neutral. But American treatment of even friendly Indians showed that there was no
winning strategy for them.
The French Alliance: The American victory at Saratoga convinced the French to enter
the war. In 1778, the French and patriots signed a formal alliance that became
indispensable to the patriot war effort. The French felt that, regardless of the war's
outcome, they would benefit in terms of their relationship with Britain. For the
Americans, the French navy would play a crucial role in the war, and the French had
already been supplying cannons, muskets, gunpowder, and military advisors.
65. Answer would ideally include:
Strategy and Supply Problems: The British army and navy were the strongest and best
trained in the world, but they were unwilling to ravage the American countryside,
confiscate food, or burn villages. Britain did not want to destroy the resources and

Page 18
 infrastructure of the colonies, and the army and navy were therefore dependent on
supply ships from England. The logistics of supplying an army with food across three
thousand miles of water were daunting. Because the British goal was to regain
allegiance, not to destroy and conquer, the army was often constrained in its actions.
They had to continually contend with an armed and motivated insurgent population, and
there was no single political nerve center whose capture would spell certain victory.
Misuse of Loyalist Energies: Large numbers of Americans—both colonists and
Indians—were loyal to Britain and could have aided the British effort significantly.
Britain, however, failed to back the loyalists enough to make them useful allies. It left
loyalists at the mercy of vengeful rebels, driving away potential converts to the British
cause.
Prisoners of War: British leaders refused to see captives as soldiers employed by a
sovereign nation. In their eyes, the captives were traitors—and therefore worse than
common criminals. More than 15,000 men endured captivity in the prison ships, and
two-thirds of them died. News of the horrors of the British death ships increased the
revolutionaries' resolve and convinced some neutrals of the necessity of the war.
French Aid to Americans: French support in the form of supplies, advice, and troops
was tremendously important for the American victory against the British.
British Abdication of Civil Power: Britain effectively lost control of the colonies when
royal officials fled to safety in 1775 and 1776. Rebel colonists were able to fill the
power vacuum caused by the departure of the British officials. Once the rebel
committees stepped up to govern local communities—and especially after the patriots
ruled for several years—it was nearly impossible for Britain to return to power.
66. E
67. D
68. A
69. C
70. F
71. I
72. H
73. K
74. L
75. B
76. J
77. G

Page 19
Another random document with
no related content on Scribd:
deseas hacerme placer, yo deseo
darte todo el contentamiento que
pudiese; y pues que en esto
puedes estar satisfecho de mi
voluntad, debrías contentarte con
ella y no pedirme las obras que
sin perjuicio de mi honestidad no
pueden hacerse. Lo que con
grande affición te ruego es que
me ames con el verdadero amor
que yo te tengo, y no con amores
ilícitos y dañosos, porque mi
voluntad nunca se ha podido
inclinar á consentirlos; y si con los
favores que yo te pudiere dar
desta manera te contentare,
jamás por mí te serán negados; y
los que fuera dellos me pidieres,
no pienso darlos en tanto que mi
propósito no se mudare, el cual,
poniendo á la razón de por medio,
no dexará de estar firme en esto
que te digo. Aunque no puedo
negarte que nunca supe qué cosa
era verdadero amor, si no es el
que de mí para contigo he
conocido; y así querría conocer el
tuyo, dando alivio á la pena que
en ti sientes, la cual me da á mi
poca fatiga, ni me tiene puesta en
poco cuidado de verte sin ella,
conociendo que á mi causa la
recibes.»
Ningún alivio me dieron las
razones desta carta, más del que
recibí con el favor que Belisia me
daba en escribirme, ni tampoco
perdí del todo la esperanza por lo
que en ella me decía, conociendo
la condición de las mujeres y que,
haciendo guerra contra el Amor,
se ha de combatir procurando ir
ganando las entradas y salidas de
su fortaleza poco á poco. Y como
no pudiese hallar lugar para
hablar con ella, si no era en
público y delante de mucha gente,
le torné á escrebir otras cartas, á
las cuales siempre me respondió
con unas razones tan dudosas,
que ni podía tomar de ellas
verdadera esperanza ni tampoco
perderla del todo. Así andaba
confuso, cargado de
pensamientos y cuidados, y el
mayor que tenía era procurar que
mis ojos pudiessen contemplar en
presencia de Belisia la causa de
su mal, y esto buscaba todas las
ocasiones y achaques que podía;
el mayor trabajo, ó uno de los
mayores, era la disimulación
fingida que traía con Aurelia, en la
cual conocía siempre algún recelo
sospechoso de lo que
verdaderamente pasaba, sin
poder averiguar la verdad, porque
andaba recatado para que
ninguna persona del mundo
entenderme pudiese. Desta
manera se pasaron algunos días,
hasta que la ventura quiso que la
mi Belisia de una muy grave
enfermedad se hallase fatigada;
que como á mi noticia viniese,
ninguna adversidad en el mundo
pudiera venirme que en tan gran
confusión y fatiga me pusiera; y
así mayor esfuerzo que el mío era
necesario para poder passarla, y
desmayando el corazón y las
fuerzas, quedé con esta triste
nueva hecho un hombre de
piedra, sin sentido, de manera
que ni oía lo que me hablaban ni
respondía á lo que me decían;
tenía el juicio alterado y todo lo
que hacía y decía desatinaba,
porque el Amor mostraba
estonces contra mí todo su poder,
y como los que andaban
embelesados con algún espanto
por haber visto visiones ó
fantasmas, así anduve yo hasta
que, siendo Belisia sabidora dello,
con alguna lástima buscó aparejo
para que yo pudiese entrar á verla
donde estaba, que para mí,
después de su salud, ninguna
cosa pudiera darme mayor alivio y
consuelo; y assí puesto delante
su lecho, viendo en su hermoso
gesto las señales del mal que
tenía, que eran amarillez y
flaqueza, le dixe: «No sé cómo
pudo tener fuerza el mal donde
tan gran bien se encierra; y ten
por cierto, dulce ánima y señora
mía, que más verdaderamente lo
siento yo en el alma que tú lo
puedes sentir en el cuerpo; y en
tanto que lo tuvieres enfermo,
poca salud puedo yo tener, pues
toda la que en mí hay, por ti y por
tu esperanza la tengo. ¡Ay de mí,
Belisia mía, que me sobra el
sentimiento y me faltan las
palabras para poderte encarecer
lo que siento! Pluguiesse á Dios
que con todo el mal que la fortuna
puede darme pudiese merecer de
verte á ti sin el que padeces, que
todo se me hacía poco por el
menor bien que venirte pudiese,
para que por mi causa lo
gozases; y si por decir lo que
querría y deseo dixese desatinos,
no me pongas, señora mía, culpa,
que el dolor de verte á ti tal me
hace que no pueda atinar en
ninguna cosa que diga ni haga; y
así te suplico tú mesma guíes mi
lengua como eres señora de la
voluntad, para que mejor puedas
entenderme lo que ella por sí sóla
como muda delante de ti
manifestar no te puede».
Diciendo esto, mis lágrimas
daban señal muy manifiesta de
que era más lo que quedaba
encubierto en mi corazón que lo
que la torpeza de mi lengua
publicaba. Y Belisia, viéndome tal,
me dixo: «Satisfecha estoy,
Torcato, de todo lo que me dices,
y cada día me vas obligando más
con ver la verdadera fe que
conmigo tienes, de la cual no eres
tan mal pagado que no halles en
mí mucha parte della para
agradecerte y pagarte la affición
con que conozco que de ti soy
amada. Mi mal me ha dado hasta
agora fatiga; mas ya se me va
aliviando, de manera que tengo
esperanza de verme presto buena
del todo; y si en tanto que del
lecho no me levantare pudieres
alguna vez visitarme, no dexes de
hacerlo, que aunque no se puede
hacer en secreto, como hoy lo
has hecho, ocasiones habrá para
que públicamente puedas verme
y hablarme, que para mí no será
pequeño alivio, pues no puedo
negarte que no recibo gran
consolación con tu vista, y mayor
que de ninguno de los que
visitarme pueden».
Diciendo esto, tomando mis
grosseras manos con las suyas
delicadas y hermosas, me las
apretó con ellas, dándome á
entender que no era fingido lo que
me decía, sino que sus palabras
procedían de verdadero amor y
voluntad que tenía.
Yo, con este favor transportado en
una gloria comparada, en mi
entendimiento, á la mayor que en
la tierra se puede recebir,
después de aquella que los
bienaventurados reciben en el
cielo, cobré un poco de más
esfuerzo y osadía, mezclados con
un temor que me embarazaba
para no saber en qué
determinarme; pero al fin, vencido
de mi mesmo deseo, junté mi
boca con la de mi Belisia,
hallándome con tan gran bien
subido en un contentamiento tan
glorioso, que casi estaba para
desconocerme, pensando que era
impossible que tan gran gloria se
pudiese hallar en el mundo para
quien con tantos trabajos y penas
infernales contino andaba
padeciendo; y no sabiendo si por
mi atrevimiento de mí quedaba
enojada, le dixe:
«Perdonadme, señora mía, si
algún agravio de mí has recebido,
el cual no era yo parte para
hacerlo si el Amor no me forzara
sin poder resistirle, y aunque yo
no tengo toda la culpa, aparejado
estoy para sufrir toda la pena que
por haberte ofendido te
merezco».
Belisia, sintiéndome confuso y
afligido, me respondió: «La causa
de tu yerro, Torcato, trae consigo
el perdón que me pides; bien
fuera que esperaras mi licencia,
pero pues tú la has tomado, yo
habré de tenerlo por bueno, que
no veo otro remedio para quedar
satisfecha de lo que conmigo has
hecho». Yo, que tanto miraba lo
que me daba á entender en su
hermoso gesto como lo que en
sus palabras me decía, la vi
quedar alegre y sonriéndose, con
que cobré mayor ánimo y
esfuerzo para tornar á gozar de lo
que me había consentido; y
estando desta manera, con un
gozo y contentamiento
incomparable, que yo jamás
quisiera que se acabara, fueme
forzado, para no ser sentido, que
me saliese, y abrazando y
besando á la mi Belisia, le dixe:
«Aquel consuelo y alegría con
que, señora, me envías quede
contigo, para que con ella tengas
la salud que yo te deseo, la cual
plegue á Dios que te dé á ti,
pasando en mí la dolencia que te
aflige, para que en mí se junte
todo el mal que tú tienes y en ti
todo el bien que yo tengo y tener
puedo».
«Dios vaya contigo, respondió
Belisia, que mi mal no es tanto
que no piense levantarme muy
presto del lecho, y así holgaría
dello por el contentamiento tuyo
como por la salud que me
deseas».
Con esto me salí templando la
gloria de lo que por mí había
pasado con la pena de verme tan
presto sin ella; y con ver á Belisia
en poco tiempo fuera de su
enfermedad se me alivió la pasión
que por esta causa muy
congojoso y fatigado me traía.
Con estos favores que
sustentaban mi esperanza y con
el deseo que se contentaba hasta
haberla gozado, pasaba la vida
en la soledad de los desiertos
campos y deshabitados montes,
con una alegre tristeza, y tal que
yo no la entendía; porque cuando
se ponía ante mis ojos la razón
que para estar triste se me
mostraba, la alegría, muy
agraviada, decía que por fuerza y
por sola mi voluntad era de mí
desechada, pues sentía ser
amado con el verdadero amor
que yo amaba y pagado de lo que
mis mortales ansias y cuitas
merecían.
¡Oh, cuántos y cuán diversos
pensamientos eran los que
combatían mi entendimiento, sin
que pudiese quedar de ninguno
dellos vencido, por las razones
contrarias que por cada parte
hallaba! Y, en fin, siempre me
parecía inclinar á la tristeza, que
con mayores y más sufficientes
razones y pruebas me combatía,
assí admirando el fin tan áspero,
cruel y engañoso con que de la mi
Belisia he sido tratado, que al
estado y punto de la muerte en
que me habéis visto me ha traído.
Andando desta manera, dando
sus vueltas acostumbradas el
movible tiempo, estando ya
Belisia fuera de la enfermedad y
vuelta á lo que de antes solía,
parecíame ser requestada de
algunos zagales polidos, que
confiando en su apostura y
vencidos de la gracia y hermosura
de Belisia, daban señales
manifiestas del amor que los
aquexaba, serviéndola en lo que
podían y festejándola con bailes y
danzas; y de día y de noche,
tañendo flautas y chirumbelas,
con músicas de rabeles muy
acordados, procuraban agradarla
con alboradas, cantando versos
muy bien compuestos y
canciones bien ordenadas. Lo
cual todo para mí era muy grande
aflición y tormento, y mayor lo
fuera si la mi Belisia no me
confiara diciéndome que todas
estas cosas le eran enojosas y
que no tenía de qué recelarme ni
vivir con cuidado, porque ninguno
en el mundo, por mayor valor que
tuviese, llevaría della jamás los
favores que á mí me había dado;
y assí me traxo vacilando de mi
ventura algunas veces, con
grandes sinsabores y sobresaltos
de disfavor, y otras con alguna
manera de esperanza, aunque
siempre dudosa, porque Belisia
me daba á entender que no por
affición sino por lástima era lo que
conmigo hacía, y que yo no tenía
más que esperar de lo passado, y
que con ello pensaba haber
offendido á lo que á sí mesma se
debía.
Y yo, aquexado con la tristeza
que estas cosas me causaban,
andaba siempre buscando
aparejo para persuadirla á que de
mis fatigas se doliese, y así un
día que mi ventura quiso que en
el campo entre unos espesos
árboles la hallase sentada,
apartada de la compañía de las
otras pastoras y mirando cómo su
ganado por los verdes y floridos
prados se apacentaba,
llegándome á ella con la voz
temerosa y temblándole,
comencé á decir: «Ya, hermosa
Belisia mía, mi ánima no puede
con mis fatigas ni el cuerpo con el
trabajo de mis cuidados, ni todo
junto con el tormento que
padezco en ver que de mí no te
dueles para satisfacer al deseo
con la gloria de gozar tan
excelentes gracias y hermosura;
porque los favores que me das y
la merced que con tus palabras
me haces, y el amor y voluntad
que me muestras, todo es para
acrecentar en mí el dolor,
poniéndome en mayor agonía,
como á los que, estando con gran
calentura y rabiosa sed con ella,
si les muestran alguna vasija de
agua clara y dulce sin poder
beber della, muy más sedientos y
fatigados los dexa, y pues que
conoces que mis palabras no
pueden acabar de manifestarte lo
que mi corazón siente, en mis
ojos podrás conocer cuánto es
mayor mi fatiga y congoxa y
cuánta ventaja hace el dolor y
pasión encerrada en mi pecho al
que publica mi lengua, que para
poder decirlo delante de ti se me
enmudece; por el verdadero amor
que te tengo, por la affición y
fidelidad con que te amo, te
conjuro y requiero que no uses
conmigo de crueldad, dexándome
acabar la vida, pues con la
muerte ningún servicio te hago,
que si con ella lo recibieses, en
poco tendría que se sacrificasse
por tu voluntad, sin dilatarlo por la
mía solo una hora».
En medio de estas palabras eran
tantos mis sospiros y sollozos,
que me impidieron lo que más
pudiera decirle. Y Belisia,
mirándome con los ojos húmedos
de la compasión y lástima que de
mí tuvo, me comenzó á decir:
«Vencido han, Torcato, tus
lágrimas á mi determinación y
propósito; mudado has mi
voluntad para hacer contigo lo
que jamás pensé hacer con
ningún hombre del mundo,
porque el verdadero amor que en
ti conozco me fuerza á que te
pague con amarte y quererte,
procurando darte el descanso y
alivio que fuere en mi mano; y no
digo el que desseas, porque,
aunque yo quisiese, no sería
verdadero amor el que tú me
tienes si me quisieres poner en el
peligro que de ello podría
seguirse. Y si de ti tengo
seguridad que en ninguna cosa
procurarás offenderme, yo
holgaré de que de noche me veas
á donde con más libertad puedas
hablarme y gozar de aquellos
favores que yo sin dañar del todo
á mi honestidad y bondad pudiere
darte».
Tan gran contentamiento me dió
esta nueva de alegría, que para
mí ninguna pudiera ser mayor en
la vida para resucitar la vida que
muerta andaba, que tomándole
sus hermosas manos, se las besé
muchas veces, bañándolas con
otras lágrimas alegres que mi
corazón con el nuevo descanso
por mis ojos destilaba. Y después
lo mejor que supe di las gracias
de tan gran merced y beneficio y
le supliqué que no dilatase tan
gran bien como me hacía; y ella
me señaló tercero día,
diciéndome que, por quitar la
ocasión de alguna sospecha, me
fuese, lo cual yo hice luego tan
alegre, que á mí mesmo por el
bien que esperaba no me
conocía; y llegando con muy gran
regocijo á donde los otros zagales
y pastores estaban, y la mi Belisia
por otra parte, comenzamos
todos, en tanto que el ganado
pacía, á hacer muchos juegos con
que nos solazamos, y después,
rogándome que con mi flauta les
hiciese algunos sones, bailaron
hasta que de cansados tornaron á
sentarse. Y yo, que la alegría me
tenía otro del que solía ser,
comencé á cantar estos versos,
que agora quiero deciros:

Alegre tiempo, sereno y

claro día
en que el sol resplandeciente
se ha mostrado,
no dexes parecer algún
nublado
que pueda oscurecer nuestra
alegría;
el campo con sus flores se
cubría,
las yerbas con verdura se
mostraban,
las rosas de sí olor suave
daban
y la fruta estando en flor se
descubría,
y el zagal enamorado,
aunque más ande penado
su gran dolor y tormento
despedía.
Huyendo se va el pesar de
este rebaño,
donde el placer en tal día se
ha sentido;
el trabajo y el dolor se han
escondido
de manera que no pueden
hacer daño;
el regocijo y contento es ya
tamaño
en pastores y pastoras de esta
sierra
que ningún trabajo pueda
darles guerra,
por ser el día mejor de todo el
año;
y los zagales polidos
que de amor están heridos
hoy no pueden recelar algún
engaño.
Las cabras con sus cabritos
retozaban;
las ovejas y corderos van
saltando;
las terneras van corriendo y
saltos dando,
y este día con placer
regocijaban;
los páxaros con dulzura voces
daban,
mostrando en su dulce canto
estar contentos;
los animales que andan muy
hambrientos
en los pastos abundosos se
hartaban;
 los zagales con amores
hoy no sienten sus dolores
contemplando los favores que
llevaban.

Acabando de cantar nos partimos

los unos de los otros, y yo,
esperando la tercera noche por
mí tan deseada, unas veces reñía
con el tiempo, pareciéndome que
contra mi ventura se alegraba, y
otras le rogaba que, apresurando
su curso, diese lugar para que se
cumpliese mi deseo; y pasando
en estas consideraciones, Belisia
me dió aviso de la manera que
había de tener para entrar á
donde ella me esperaría, y no
siendo yo perezoso, sin faltar un
punto y sin ser de ninguno sentido
me vine á hablar solo con ella
sola, pareciéndome que, dexando
de estar en la tierra, gozaba de la
gloria del cielo; pero Belisia, antes
que yo palabra ninguna pudiese
hablarle, más de besar sus
hermosas manos, que para mi
boca eran el más precioso manjar
que gustar en el mundo podía, me
dixo: «Mira, Torcato, que,
confiando yo en el grande y
verdadero amor que me muestras
y tengo por cierto que me tienes,
me he osado poner en tus manos,
no para que de mí pienses
aprovecharte de manera que
fueses causa de ponerme en
fatiga, procurando quitarme el
mayor bien de que la naturaleza
me ha dotado, porque entonces
no sería amistad la tuya para
conmigo, antes te juzgaría por el
mayor enemigo de todos los que
tener puedo, y aunque yo
inconsideradamente te diese
lugar para cumplir lo que deseas,
obligado estás tanto á mi honra
como á tu contentamiento. Bien
sé que no tengo fuerzas para
poder resistir las tuyas si
quisieses; pero tú eres el que has
de forzarte á ti mismo,
contentándote con lo que fuera
desto yo pudiere hacer para
aliviarte de la pena con que estos
días te he visto andar tan
fatigado, porque si otra cosa
hicieses gozarías breve tiempo de
tu voluntad, poniéndome á mí en
el peligro de la vida y á ti de
perderme para siempre». Con
muy gran tristeza estuve
escuchando estas razones; pero
pensando que el tiempo, que
todas las cosas trueca y muda,
podría hacer en esto lo mesmo,
me hizo recibirlo con paciencia
respondiéndole: «Dulce ánima y
señora mía, yo no tengo, no
puedo tener otra voluntad sino la
tuya, y aunque con tan duro freno
quieras gobernarme, yo lo pasaré
todo en paciencia, gozando de la
merced que me haces, y con la
condición que tú hacérmela
quisieres; no tengas recelo de mis
fuerzas para contigo, que la
mayor fuerza de todas es tu
mandamiento, que por mí en
ninguna manera puede dexar de
ser obedecido». Hablando en esto
y en otras muchas cosas
pasamos toda aquella noche,
estando yo siempre abrazado con
la mi Belisia, y las más veces la
una boca con la otra, gozando
della y de sus hermosas manos,
sin que otra cosa yo intentase ni
ella me lo prometiese, y
acercándose la mañana harto
más presto de lo que yo quisiera,
fueme forzado salirme, pasando
entre nosotros al despedirnos
muchas cosas con que cada uno
procuraba dar á entender al otro
el amor que le tenía.
Y tornándome yo á mi ganado,
anduve muchos días contento y
ufano con una sabrosa y
agradable vida, aunque no era
cumplida mi gloria del todo,
porque algunas veces que con
importunidad y casi forzada
Belisia me hacía la merced
pasada de verme y hablarme á
solas de noche y de día, era con
las condiciones que la primera
vez lo había consentido; pero
tanto podía el Amor para
conmigo, que tenía en más
cualquier enojo, por muy
pequeño, que Belisia á mi causa
recibiese que todo el tormento y
trabajo que yo recibía con el buen
comedimiento, el cual tengo
agora por cierto que fué la causa
de todo mi daño. Desta manera
anduvimos muchos días,
passando el tiempo con
entretenimientos aplacibles,
buscando siempre lugares
oportunos para que unas veces
descansasen los ojos y otras las
lenguas, publicando lo que los
corazones sentían y procurando
darnos todo el contento que
podíamos, sin passar jamás
aquella ley que me estaba puesta,
la que para mí no tenía menos
fuerza que si con quebrarla
hubiera de perder la vida.
Y como las cosas no pueden
estar siempre en su ser,
passándose este tiempo comenzó
á acercarse aquel en que nos era
forzado hacer mudanza, porque la
aspereza del viento cierzo,
acarreando las heladas y nieves,
y el viento ábrego hinchiendo el
cielo de nubes, que con grandes
avenidas de aguas nos
amenazaban, nos pusieron á
todos en cuidado de baxar los
ganados á la tierra llana. Y como
esta nueva fatiga tuviese
acongoxada mi ánima,
comenzándose á mostrar en mi
gesto la tristeza grande de que
comenzaba á andar acompañado,
sintiéndolo Belisia me dixo:
¿Qué nuevo cuidado es éste,
Torcato? Jamás te tengo de ver
tan alegre que no sea más parte
la tristeza para hacer huir de ti la
alegría. Flaco andas y amarillo,
de que á mí muy de veras me
pesa, porque el Amor no
consiente que yo pueda ver en ti
tal experiencia sin que te haya de
consentir lo mesmo que tú
sientes; y assí, holgaría de que no
te fatigasses, pues nos es forzado
passar las cosas como la ventura
las ordena, debrías contentarte
con haber conocido mi voluntad y
obras, sin querer con el fin dellas
ponerme en aquella turbación que
sólo mi muerte tendría por
remedio».
«No es eso, le respondí yo, mi
Belisia, lo que agora me
atormenta y desatina para andar
como me ves, que con la vida que
tengo más verdaderamente
podría ser contado entre los
muertos. Mi nuevo cuidado nace
de ver que se allega para mí el
día más temeroso que podría
haber después de aquel universal
juicio; porque assí como los que
estonces fueren condenados
carecerán de la gloria que los
bienaventurados gozan en el
cielo, assí me falta á mí la mayor
de que gozo ni podría gozar sin tu
vista en la tierra. Si alguna cosa
me puede dar alivio será verte á
ti, ánima mía, con alguna parte
del sentimiento que yo tengo,
para que conozcas que, ya que
me aparto de tu presencia, no me
apartaré de tu memoria ni de tu
gracia, que son dos cosas que
pueden sustentarme la vida que
anda por acabarse muy presto».
«Desso puedes estar cierto,
respondió Belisia, que no será
menos lo que yo sentiré que lo
que tú sientas; pero menester es
que tengamos paciencia á donde
no vemos otro remedio.» Con
esto nos apartamos, y todas las
veces que después nos podimos
ver fueron para tratar esta
materia, preveniendo el trabajo y
apercibiéndonos contra la fatiga;
porque, á tomarnos
desapercibidos, ninguna
paciencia bastara según lo que de
mí conocía y lo que Belisia me
mostraba, la cual con sus
palabras siempre procuraba
consolarme mostrándome una fe
tan verdadera, que yo jamás
pensé que me faltara; y bien fué
menester estonces, porque
verdaderamente creo que sin ella
en aquella partida también se
partiera el ánima de mi cuerpo.