which I excused hearing, and begged him to forbear

[enkidu68]

Hi folks, this is cited from a book A new voyage around the world… by Daniel Defoe.

Q: “which I excused hearing, and begged him to forbear.” Does it mean “I wish I hadn’t heard this, please be patient?”

I let him know I had a commission to make prize of the Spaniards, and appear their open enemy, but that I had chosen to treat them as friends, in a way of commerce, as he had seen. He admired much the moderation I had used, and how I had avoided enriching myself with the spoil, as I might have done; and he made me many compliments upon that head, which I excused hearing, and begged him to forbear.

 

[The Newt]

I read it as meaning "which I chose not to hear and begged him not to say."

 

[PaulQ]

The speaker is being very polite and modest.

 

[enkidu68]

In other words, speaker pretends not to prefer those compliments as if he is not deserved to them.
Something like that?

 

[PaulQ]

Yes. That is how I understand it.

 

[Rover_KE]

Hi folks, this is cited from a book A new voyage around the world… by Daniel Defoe.

If you mean The Novels of Daniel Defoe, enkidu68, please mention that it was written nearly 300 years ago (in 1725), lest other students think it's some example of modern English that they should be learning about.

 

[enkidu68]

If you mean The Novels of Daniel Defoe, enkidu68, please mention that it was written nearly 300 years ago (in 1725), lest other students think it's some example of modern English that they should be learning about.

You are right, since I have been here for a long time and asking questions about Defoe I thought everyone does know this!

 

[Rover_KE]

New members are joining the forum all the time, and existing members need to be reminded of stuff like this in every new thread.