The Social Cancer, by José Rizal - Home

CHAPTER II 33
started toward them in a simple and natural manner.
"Allow me," he said, "to overstep the rules of strict etiquette. It has been seven years since I have been in my
own country and upon returning to it I cannot suppress my admiration and refrain from paying my respects to
its most precious ornaments, the ladies."
But as none of them ventured a reply, he found himself obliged to retire. He then turned toward a group of
men who, upon seeing him approach, arranged themselves in a semicircle.
"Gentlemen," he addressed them, "it is a custom in Germany, when a stranger finds himself at a function and
there is no one to introduce him to those present, that he give his name and so introduce himself. Allow me to
adopt this usage here, not to introduce foreign customs when our own are so beautiful, but because I find
myself driven to it by necessity. I have already paid my respects to the skies and to the ladies of my native
land; now I wish to greet its citizens, my fellow-countrymen. Gentlemen, my name is Juan Crisostomo Ibarra
y Magsalin."
The others gave their names, more or less obscure, and unimportant here.
"My name is A----," said one youth dryly, as he made a slight bow.
"Then I have the honor of addressing the poet whose works have done so much to keep up my enthusiasm for
my native land. It is said that you do not write any more, but I could not learn the reason."
"The reason? Because one does not seek inspiration in order to debase himself and lie. One writer has been
imprisoned for having put a very obvious truth into verse. They may have called me a poet but they sha'n't call
me a fool."
"And may I enquire what that truth was?"
"He said that the lion's son is also a lion. He came very near to being exiled for it," replied the strange youth,
moving away from the group.
A man with a smiling face, dressed in the fashion of the natives of the country, with diamond studs in his
shirt-bosom, came up at that moment almost running. He went directly to Ibarra and grasped his hand, saying,
"Señor Ibarra, I've been eager to make your acquaintance. Capitan Tiago is a friend of mine and I knew your
respected father. I am known as Capitan Tinong and live in Tondo, where you will always be welcome. I hope
that you will honor me with a visit. Come and dine with us tomorrow." He smiled and rubbed his hands.
"Thank you," replied Ibarra, warmly, charmed with such amiability, "but tomorrow morning I must leave for
San Diego."
"How unfortunate! Then it will be on your return."
"Dinner is served!" announced a waiter from the café La Campana, and the guests began to file out toward the
table, the women, especially the Filipinas, with great hesitation.