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margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0.5em; } + .c018 { margin-left: 5.56%; margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 0.5em; } + div.tnotes { padding-left:1em;padding-right:1em;background-color:#E3E4FA; + border:1px solid silver;margin:1em 5% 0 5%;text-align:justify; } + abbr {border:none; text-decoration:none; font-variant:normal; } + </style> + </head> + <body> +<div style='text-align:center'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 77095 ***</div> + +<div class='figcenter id001'> +<span class='pageno' id='Page_on'>on</span> +<img src='images/cover.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +</div> +<div class='pbb'> + <hr class='pb c000'> +</div> +<div> + <h1 class='c001'>The History and Adventures of the Renowned Don Quixote</h1> +</div> +<div id='plate3' class='figcenter id002'> +<img src='images/frontispiece.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +<div class='ic002'> +<p>Don Quixote and Sancho Panza on the road.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<div class='nf-center-c1'> +<div class='nf-center c002'> + <div><span class='pageno' id='Page_i'>i</span><span class='xxlarge'><b>THE HISTORY AND ADVENTURES OF THE RENOWNED DON QUIXOTE</b></span></div> + <div class='c000'><span class='large'><b>TRANSLATED FROM THE SPANISH</b></span></div> + <div class='c000'><span class='large'><b>OF</b></span></div> + <div class='c000'><span class='xxlarge'><b>MIGUEL DE CERVANTES SAAVEDRA.</b></span></div> + <div class='c003'><span class='large'><b>TO WHICH IS PREFIXED,</b></span></div> + <div class='c000'><span class='large'><b>SOME ACCOUNT OF THE AUTHOR’S LIFE,</b></span></div> + <div class='c000'><span class='xlarge'><b>BY DR. SMOLLETT.</b></span></div> + <div class='c003'><span class='large'><b>IN FOUR VOLUMES.</b></span></div> + <div class='c000'>LONDON:</div> + <div>Printed for <span class='sc'>Harrison</span> and Co. No. 18, Paternoster Row.</div> + <div><abbr class='spell'>M DCC XCII.</abbr></div> + </div> +</div> + +<div class='nf-center-c1'> +<div class='nf-center c002'> + <div><span class='pageno' id='Page_iv'>iv</span>TO</div> + <div class='c000'>HIS EXCELLENCY</div> + <div class='c000'>DON RICARDO WALL,</div> + <div class='c000'>PRINCIPAL SECRETARY OF STATE TO HIS MOST CATHOLICK MAJESTY,</div> + <div class='c000'>LIEUTENANT GENERAL OF THE ARMIES OF SPAIN,</div> + <div class='c000'>COMMENDARY OF PENAUZENDE IN THE ORDER OF SAINT JAGO, &C.</div> + <div class='c000'>AND HERETOFORE</div> + <div class='c000'>AMBASSADOR AND PLENIPOTENTIARY AT THE COURT OF GREAT BRITAIN.</div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c004'>SIR,</p> + +<p class='c005'>The permission I obtained to inscribe the following Translation of +<span class='sc'>Don Quixote</span> to your Excellency, while you resided in this +Capital, affords me a double pleasure; as it not only gives me an opportunity +of expressing that profound respect and veneration with which +I contemplate your Excellency’s character; but also implies your approbation, +which cannot fail to influence the publick in behalf of the +performance.</p> + +<p class='c005'>I have the honour to be,</p> + +<p class='c005'>Sir,</p> + +<p class='c005'>Your Excellency’s most obedient,</p> + +<p class='c005'>Humble Servant,</p> + +<p class='c005'><abbr class='spell'>T.</abbr> SMOLLETT.</p> + +<p class='c005'><span class='sc'>London</span>, +<abbr title='February'>Feb.</abbr> 7, 1755.</p> +<p class='c004'><span class='pageno' id='Page_v'>v</span>CONTENTS</p> + +<div class='lg-container-l c006'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'><a href='#trans-life'>The Life of Cervantes</a> ... v</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'><a href='#trans-note'>Translator’s Note</a> ... xvii</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'><a href='#preface'>Preface</a> ... xix</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'><a href='#vol1'>Volume I</a> ... 25</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in4'><a href='#book1-1'>Book I</a> ... 25</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap1-1-1'>Chapter I</a> ... 25</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap1-1-2'>Chapter II</a> ... 29</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap1-1-3'>Chapter III</a> ... 32</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap1-1-4'>Chapter IV</a> ... 36</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap1-1-5'>Chapter V</a> ... 40</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap1-1-6'>Chapter VI</a> ... 42</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap1-1-7'>Chapter VII</a> ... 46</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap1-1-8'>Chapter VIII</a> ... 49</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in4'><a href='#book1-2'>Book II</a> ... 54</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap1-2-1'>Chapter I</a> ... 54</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap1-2-2'>Chapter II</a> ... 57</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap1-2-3'>Chapter III</a> ... 60</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap1-2-4'>Chapter IV</a> ... 64</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap1-2-5'>Chapter V</a> ... 67</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in4'><a href='#book1-3'>Book III</a> ... 77</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap1-3-1'>Chapter I</a> ... 77</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap1-3-2'>Chapter II</a> ... 81</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap1-3-3'>Chapter III</a> ... 85</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap1-3-4'>Chapter IV</a> ... 90</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap1-3-5'>Chapter V</a> ... 95</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap1-3-6'>Chapter VI</a> ... 99</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap1-3-7'>Chapter VII</a> ... 106</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap1-3-8'>Chapter VIII</a> ... 113</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap1-3-9'>Chapter IX</a> ... 119</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap1-3-10'>Chapter X</a> ... 125</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap1-3-11'>Chapter XI</a> ... 130</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap1-3-12'>Chapter XII</a> ... 139</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap1-3-13'>Chapter XIII</a> ... 143</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'><a href='#vol2'>Volume II</a> ... 153</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in4'><a href='#book2-4'>Book IV</a> ... 153</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap2-4-1'>Chapter I</a> ... 153</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap2-4-2'>Chapter II</a> ... 161</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap2-4-3'>Chapter III</a> ... 167</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap2-4-4'>Chapter IV</a> ... 173</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap2-4-5'>Chapter V</a> ... 178</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap2-4-6'>Chapter VI</a> ... 182</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap2-4-7'>Chapter VII</a> ... 192</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap2-4-8'>Chapter VIII</a> ... 203</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap2-4-9'>Chapter IX</a> ... 207</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap2-4-10'>Chapter X</a> ... 212</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap2-4-11'>Chapter XI</a> ... 218</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap2-4-12'>Chapter XII</a> ... 220</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap2-4-13'>Chapter XIII</a> ... 225</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap2-4-14'>Chapter XIV</a> ... 232</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap2-4-15'>Chapter XV</a> ... 242</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap2-4-16'>Chapter XVI</a> ... 246</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap2-4-17'>Chapter XVII</a> ... 251</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap2-4-18'>Chapter XVIII</a> ... 256</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap2-4-19'>Chapter XIX</a> ... 260</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap2-4-20'>Chapter XX</a> ... 265</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap2-4-21'>Chapter XXI</a> ... 270</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap2-4-22'>Chapter XXII</a> ... 274</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap2-4-23'>Chapter XXIII</a> ... 278</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap2-4-24'>Chapter XXIV</a> ... 282</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap2-4-25'>Chapter XXV</a> ... 285</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'><a href='#vol3'>Volume III</a> ... 293</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in4'><a href='#vol3-pref'>Preface</a> ... 293</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in4'><a href='#vol3-app'>Approbation</a> ... 296</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in4'><a href='#book3-1'>Book I</a> ... 299</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap3-1-1'>Chapter I</a> ... 299</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap3-1-2'>Chapter II</a> ... 305</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap3-1-3'>Chapter III</a> ... 308</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap3-1-4'>Chapter IV</a> ... 312</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap3-1-5'>Chapter V</a> ... 315</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap3-1-6'>Chapter VI</a> ... 318</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap3-1-7'>Chapter VII</a> ... 321</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap3-1-8'>Chapter VIII</a> ... 325</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap3-1-9'>Chapter IX</a> ... 329</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap3-1-10'>Chapter X</a> ... 331</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap3-1-11'>Chapter XI</a> ... 336</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap3-1-12'>Chapter XII</a> .. 339</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap3-1-13'>Chapter XIII</a> ... 342</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap3-1-14'>Chapter XIV</a> ... 346</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap3-1-15'>Chapter XV</a> ... 351</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap3-1-16'>Chapter XVI</a> ... 353</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap3-1-17'>Chapter XVII</a> ... 358</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in4'><a href='#book3-2'>Book II</a> ... 364</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap3-2-1'>Chapter I</a> ... 364</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap3-2-2'>Chapter II</a> ... 368</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap3-2-3'>Chapter III</a> ... 372</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap3-2-4'>Chapter IV</a> ... 377</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap3-2-5'>Chapter V</a> ... 380</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap3-2-6'>Chapter VI</a> ... 385</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap3-2-7'>Chapter VII</a> ... 390</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap3-2-8'>Chapter VIII</a> ... 394</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap3-2-9'>Chapter IX</a> ... 401</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap3-2-10'>Chapter X</a> ... 406</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap3-2-11'>Chapter XI</a> ... 409</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap3-2-12'>Chapter XII</a> ... 412</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap3-2-13'>Chapter XIII</a> ... 416</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap3-2-14'>Chapter XIV</a> ... 418</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap3-2-15'>Chapter XV</a> ... 423</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in4'><a href='#book3-3'>Book III</a> ... 431</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap3-3-1'>Chapter I</a> ... 431</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap3-3-2'>Chapter II</a> ... 435</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap3-3-3'>Chapter III</a> ... 439</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap3-3-4'>Chapter IV</a> ... 443</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap3-3-5'>Chapter V</a> ... 446</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in2'><a href='#vol4'>Volume IV</a> ... 447</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in4'><a href='#book4-3'>Book III</a> ... 447</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap4-3-6'>Chapter VI</a> ... 447</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap4-3-7'>Chapter VII</a> ... 450</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap4-3-8'>Chapter VIII</a> ... 452</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap4-3-9'>Chapter IX</a> ... 455</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap4-3-10'>Chapter X</a> ... 461</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap4-3-11'>Chapter XI</a> ... 464</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap4-3-12'>Chapter XII</a> ... 467</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap4-3-13'>Chapter XIII</a> ... 472</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap4-3-14'>Chapter XIV</a> ... 475</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap4-3-15'>Chapter XV</a> ... 477</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap4-3-16'>Chapter XVI</a> ... 482</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap4-3-17'>Chapter XVII</a> ... 487</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap4-3-18'>Chapter XVIII</a> ... 493</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap4-3-19'>Chapter XIX</a> ... 498</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap4-3-20'>Chapter XX</a> ... 502</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in4'><a href='#book4-4'>Book IV</a> ... 507</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap4-4-1'>Chapter I</a> ... 507</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap4-4-2'>Chapter II</a> ... 510</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap4-4-3'>Chapter III</a> ... 514</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap4-4-4'>Chapter IV</a> ... 519</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap4-4-5'>Chapter V</a> ... 521</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap4-4-6'>Chapter VI</a> ... 523</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap4-4-7'>Chapter VII</a> ... 530</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap4-4-8'>Chapter VIII</a> ... 534</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap4-4-9'>Chapter IX</a> ... 542</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap4-4-10'>Chapter X</a> ... 543</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap4-4-11'>Chapter XI</a> ... 550</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap4-4-12'>Chapter XII</a> ... 556</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap4-4-13'>Chapter XIII</a> ... 558</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap4-4-14'>Chapter XIV</a> ... 561</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap4-4-15'>Chapter XV</a> ... 564</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap4-4-16'>Chapter XVI</a> ... 567</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap4-4-17'>Chapter XVII</a> ... 570</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap4-4-18'>Chapter XVIII</a> ... 572</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap4-4-19'>Chapter XIX</a> ... 576</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap4-4-20'>Chapter XX</a> ... 580</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap4-4-21'>Chapter XXI</a> ... 582</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in6'><a href='#chap4-4-22'>Chapter XXII</a> ... 585</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c005'>PLATES</p> + +<div class='lg-container-l c006'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in4'><a href='#plate3'>Plate III, Don Quixote and Sancho Panza on the road.</a> ... i</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in4'><a href='#plate12'>Plate XII, Don Quixote Defends His Armour.</a> ... 34</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in4'><a href='#plate1'>Plate I, Sancho Being Tossed.</a> ... 89</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in4'><a href='#plate8'>Plate VIII, Don Quixote Valiantly Charging the Herd of Sheep.</a> ... 93</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in4'><a href='#plate11'>Plate XI, Sancho’s Ass Stolen As They Sleep.</a> ... 120</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in4'><a href='#plate14'>Plate XIV, The Tattered Gentleman Tells His Tale.</a> ... 126</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in4'><a href='#plate9'>Plate IX, Don Quixote Displays the Bason.</a> ... 257</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in4'><a href='#plate2'>Plate II, Don Quixote Worships His Lady.</a> ... 334</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in4'><a href='#plate13'>Plate XIII, Don Quixote Braves the Lions.</a> ... 360</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in4'><a href='#plate4'>Plate IV, Don Quixote Meets the Soldiers.</a> ... 406</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in4'><a href='#plate7'>Plate VII, Sancho Panza and the Duchess and Her Ladies.</a> ... 431</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in4'><a href='#plate6'>Plate VI, Governor Sancho Panza and the Woman.</a> ... 474</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in4'><a href='#plate5'>Plate V, Don Quixote and the Shepherdesses.</a> ... 527</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in4'><a href='#plate16'>Plate XVI, Don Quixote Attempts to Scourge Sancho Panza.</a> ... 535</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in4'><a href='#plate10'>Plate X, Don Quixote Dancing.</a> ... 546</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line in4'><a href='#plate15'>Plate XV, Don Quixote on His Death-Bed.</a> ... 585</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div class='chapter'> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_vi'>vi</span> + <h2 id='trans-life' class='c007'>THE LIFE OF CERVANTES.</h2> +</div> +<p class='c004'>Miguel De Cervantes Saavedra was at once the glory and reproach of +Spain; for, if his admirable genius and heroick spirit conduced to the honour +of his country, the distress and obscurity which attended his old age, as +effectually redounded to her disgrace. Had he lived amidst Gothick darkness and +barbarity, where no records were used, and letters altogether unknown, we might +have expected to derive from tradition a number of particulars relating to the +family and fortune of a man so remarkably admired even in his own time. But one +would imagine pains had been taken to throw a veil of oblivion over the personal +concerns of this excellent author. No enquiry hath as yet been able to ascertain +the place of his nativity; and, although in his works he has declared himself a +gentleman by birth, no house has hitherto laid claim to such an illustrious descendant.</p> + +<p class='c005'>One author says he was born at Esquivias<a id='r1'></a><a href='#f1' class='c008'><sup>[1]</sup></a>; but offers no argument in support +of his assertion: and probably the conjecture was founded upon the encomiums +which Cervantes himself bestows on that place, to which he gives the epithet of +renowned, in his preface to Persiles and Sigismunda. Others affirm he first drew +breath in Lucena, grounding their opinion upon a vague tradition which there +prevails; and a third set take it for granted that he was a native of Seville, because +there are families in that city known by the names of Cervantes and Saavedra<a id='r2'></a><a href='#f2' class='c008'><sup>[2]</sup></a>; +and our author mentions his having, in his early youth, seen plays acted +by Lope Rueda, who was a Sevilian. These, indeed, are presumptions that deserve +some regard, though far from implying certain information, they scarce even +amount to probable conjecture; nay, these very circumstances seem to disprove the +supposition; for, had he been actually descended from those families, they would +in all likelihood have preserved some memorials of his birth, which Don Nicholas +Antonio would have recorded, in speaking of his fellow-citizen. All these pretensions +are now generally set aside in favour of Madrid, which claims the honour +of having produced Cervantes, and builds her title on an expression in his +Voyage to Parnassus<a id='r3'></a><a href='#f3' class='c008'><sup>[3]</sup></a>, which, in my opinion, is altogether equivocal and inconclusive.</p> + +<p class='c005'>In the midst of such undecided contention, if I may be allowed to hazard a +conjecture, I would suppose that there was something mysterious in his extraction, +which he had no inclination to explain, and that his family had domestick reasons +for maintaining the like reserve. Without admitting some such motive, we can +hardly account for his silence on a subject that would have afforded him an opportunity +to indulge that self-respect which he so honestly displays in the course of +his writings. Unless we conclude that he was instigated to renounce all connection +with his kindred and allies, by some contemptuous slight, mortifying repulse, or +real injury he had sustained; a supposition which, I own, is not at all improbable, +considering the jealous sensibility of the Spaniards in general, and the warmth of +resentment peculiar to our author, which glows through his productions, unrestrained +by all the fears of poverty, and all the maxims of old age and experience.</p> + +<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_vii'>vii</span>Whatever may have been the place of his nativity, we gather from the preface +to his novels, that he was born in the year 1549: and his writings declare that his +education was by no means neglected; for, over and above a natural fund of +humour and invention, he appears to have possessed a valuable stock of acquired +knowledge; we find him intimately acquainted with the Latin classicks, well read +in the history of nations, versed in the philosophy, rhetorick, and divinity of the +schools, tinctured with astrology and geography, conversant with the best Italian +authors, and perfectly master of his own Castilian language. His genius, which +was too delicate and volatile to engage in the severer studies, directed his attention +to the productions of taste and polite literature; which, while they amused his +fancy, enlarged, augmented, and improved his ideas, and taught him to set proper +bounds to the excursions of his imagination.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Thus qualified, he could not fail to make pertinent observations in his commerce +with mankind: the peculiarities of character could not escape his penetration; +whatever he saw became familiar to his judgment and understanding; and +every scene he exhibits is a just well-drawn characteristick picture of human life.</p> + +<p class='c005'>How he exercised these talents in his youth, and in what manner the first years +of his manhood were employed, we are not able to explain, because history and +tradition are altogether silent on the subject; unless we admit the authority of one +author<a id='r4'></a><a href='#f4' class='c008'><sup>[4]</sup></a>, who says he was secretary to the Duke of Alva, without alledging any +one fact or argument in support of his assertion. Had he actually enjoyed a post +of such importance, we should not, in all probability, have wanted materials to +supply this chasm in his life; nor should we find him afterwards in the station of +a common soldier.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Others imagine that he served as a volunteer in Flanders, where he was raised to +the rank of ensign in the company commanded by Don Diego de Urbina; grounding +this belief on the supposition that the history of the captive related in the first +part of Don Quixote, is a literal detail of his own adventures. But this notion +is rejected by those who consider that Cervantes would hardly have contented +himself with the humble appellation of Soldier, which, in speaking of himself, he +constantly assumes, had he ever appeared in any superior station of a military character. +In a word, we have very little information touching the transactions of +his life, but what he himself is pleased to give through the course of his writings; +and from this we learn, that he was chamberlain to Cardinal Aquaviva in Rome, +and followed the profession of a soldier for some years, in the army commanded +by Marco Antonio Colona<a id='r5'></a><a href='#f5' class='c008'><sup>[5]</sup></a>; who was, by Pope Pius <abbr title='the fifth'>V.</abbr> appointed general of +the ecclesiastical forces employed against the Turks, and received the consecrated +standard from the hands of his holiness, in the church of <abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr> Peter.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Under this celebrated captain, Cervantes embarked in the Christian fleet commanded +by Don John of Austria, who obtained over the Turks the glorious victory +of Lepanto, where our author lost his left hand by the shot of an arquebus. +This mutilation, which redounded so much to his honour, he has taken care to record +on divers occasions: and, indeed, it is very natural to suppose his imagination +would dwell upon such an adventure, as the favourite incident of his life. I wish +he had told us what recompence he received for his services, and what consolation +he enjoyed for the loss of his limb; which must have effectually disqualified him +for the office of a common soldier, and reduced him to the necessity of exercising +some other employment.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Perhaps it was at this period he entered into the service of Cardinal Aquaviva, +to whose protection he was entitled by his gallantry and misfortune; and now, +in all likelihood, he had leisure and opportunity to prosecute his favourite studies, +to cultivate the muse, and render himself conspicuous by the productions of his +genius; which was known and admired by several authors of distinction, even +before his captivity; for Louis Galvez De Montalvo, in his poem prefixed to +Galatea, says, “The world lamented his misfortune in tears, and the muse expressed +a widow’s grief at his absence.” I will even venture to suppose, that, in +this interval, his situation was such as enabled him to raise an independent fortune; +<span class='pageno' id='Page_viii'>viii</span>for we find him afterwards relieving the wants of his fellow-captives in Barbary, +with such liberality as denoted the affluence of his own circumstances; and, +in his Voyage to Parnassus, which was published in his old age, Apollo upbraids +him with want of œconomy; and reminds him of his having once made his own +fortune, which in the sequel he squandered away.</p> + +<p class='c005'>I make no doubt but this was the most fortunate period of Saavedra’s life; +during which, he reformed and improved the Spanish theatre, and ushered into the +world a number of dramatick performances, which were acted with universal applause. +He tells us that he had seen plays acted by the great Lope De Rueda<a id='r6'></a><a href='#f6' class='c008'><sup>[6]</sup></a>, +who was a native of Seville, and originally a gold-beater. When this genius first +appeared, the Spanish drama was in its infancy: one large sack or bag contained +all the furniture and dress of the theatre, consisting of four sheep skin jackets with +the wool on, trimmed with gilt leather; four beards and perriwigs, and the same +number of pastoral crooks. The piece was no other than a dialogue or eclogue +between two or three swains and a shepherdess, seasoned with comick interludes, or +rather low buffoonery, exhibited in the characters of a black-moor, a bravo, a fool, +and a Biscayan. The stage itself was composed of a few boards, raised about +three feet from the ground, upon four benches or forms. There was no other +scenery than a blanket or horse-cloth stretched across, behind which the musicians +sung old ballads, unaccompanied by any sort of instrument. Lope de Rueda not +only composed theatrical pieces, but also acted in every character with great +reputation; in which he was succeeded by Naharro, a Toledan, who improved and +augmented the decorations; brought the musick from behind the blanket, and +placed it forwards to the audience; deprived the actors of their counterfeit beards, +without which no man’s part had been hitherto performed; invented machines, +clouds, thunder, and lightning; and introduced challenges and combats with incredible +success. But still the drama was rude, unpolished, and irregular; and +the fable, though divided into five acts, was almost altogether destitute of manners, +propriety, and invention.</p> + +<p class='c005'>From this uncultivated state of ignorance and barbarity, Cervantes raised the +Spanish theatre to dignity and esteem, by enriching his dramatick productions with +moral sentiments, regularity of plan, and propriety of character; together with the +graces of poetry, and the beauties of imagination. He published thirty pieces, +which were represented at Madrid with universal applause; so that he may be +justly deemed the patriarch of the Spanish drama; and, in this particular, revered +above Lope de Vega himself, who did not appear until he had left off writing +for the stage.</p> + +<p class='c005'>In the year 1574, he was unfortunately taken by a Barbary corsair, and conveyed +to Algiers, where he was sold to a Moor, and remained a slave for the space +of five years and a half: during which, he exhibited repeated proofs of the most +enterprizing genius and heroick generosity. Though we know not on what occasion +he fell into the hands of the Barbarians, he himself gives us to understand, in +the story of the Captive, that he resided at Algiers in the reign of Hassan Aga, a +ruffian renegado, whose cruelty he describes in these terms. ‘He was every day +hanging one, impaling another, maiming a third, upon such slight occasions, +frequently without any cause assigned, that the Turks themselves owned he acted +thus out of mere wantonness and barbarity, as being naturally of a savage disposition, +and an inveterate enemy to the whole human race. The person who +used the greatest freedom with him, was one Saavedra, a Spanish soldier; who, +though he did many things which those people will not soon forget, in attempting +to regain his liberty, he never gave him one blow, nor ordered him once to +be chastised, nor even chid him with one hasty word; and yet the least of all his +pranks was sufficient, as we thought, to bring him to the stake; nay, he himself +was more than once afraid of being impaled alive. If time would permit, I +could here recount some of that soldier’s actions, which perhaps might entertain +and surprize you more than the relation of my own story.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Thus Cervantes ascertains the time of his own slavery, delineates with great exactness +the character of that inhuman tyrant, who is recorded in history as a +<span class='pageno' id='Page_ix'>ix</span>monster of cruelty and avarice; and proves to demonstration, that his own story +was quite different from that which the Captive related of himself. Saavedra’s adventures +at Algiers were truly surprizing; and though we cannot favour the publick +with a substantial detail of every incident, we have found means to learn such +particulars of his conduct, as cannot fail to reflect an additional lustre on a character +which has been long the object of admiration.</p> + +<p class='c005'>We are informed by a respectable historian<a id='r7'></a><a href='#f7' class='c008'><sup>[7]</sup></a>, who was his fellow-slave, and an +eye-witness of the transaction, that Don Miguel de Cervantes, a gallant, enterprizing, +Spanish cavalier, who, though he never wanted money, could not obtain +his release without paying an exorbitant ransom, contrived a scheme for setting +himself free, together with fourteen unhappy gentlemen of his own country, who +were all in the like circumstances of thraldom under different patrons. His first +step was to redeem one Viana, a bold Mayorcan mariner, in whom he could confide, +and with whom he sent letters to the governor of that island, desiring, in the +name of himself and the other gentlemen captives, that he would send over a brigantine +under the direction of Viana, who had undertaken, at an appointed time, +to touch upon a certain part of the coast, where he should find them ready to embark. +In consequence of this agreement, they withdrew themselves from their respective +masters, and privately repaired to a garden near the sea-side, belonging to +a renegado Greek, whose name was Al-Caid Hassan; where they were concealed +in a cave, and carefully screened from the knowledge of the owner, by his gardener, +who was a Christian captive. Viana punctually performed his promise, and returned +in a vessel, with which he was supplied by the governor of Mayorca; but +some Moors chancing to pass just as he anchored at the appointed place, the coast +was instantly alarmed, and he found himself obliged to relinquish the enterprize. +Meanwhile, the captives being ignorant of this accident, remained in the cavern, +which they never quitted except in the night, and were maintained by the liberality +of Cervantes, for the space of seven months; during which the necessaries of life were +brought to them by a Spanish slave, known by the appellation of El Dorador, or the +Gilder. No wonder that their hope and patience began to fail, and their constitutions +to be affected by the dampness of the place, and the grief of their disappointment, +which Don Miguel endeavoured to alleviate by the exercise of his reason, good-humour, +and humanity; till at last their purveyor turned traitor; and, allured by the +hope of receiving a considerable reward, discovered the whole affair to Hassan Basha. +This tyrant, transported with joy at the information, immediately ordered the +guardian Basha, with a body of armed men, to follow the perfidious wretch, who +conducted them to the cave, where they seized those unhappy fugitives, together +with their faithful gardener, and forthwith carried the whole number to the publick +bagnio, except Cervantes, touching whose person they had received particular directions +from Hassan, who knew his character, and had been long desirous of possessing +such a notable slave. At present, however, his intention was to persuade +Don Miguel to accuse Oliver, one of the fathers of the redemption then at Algiers, +as an accomplice in the scheme they had projected, that he might, on this pretence, +extort from the friar, by way of composition, the greatest part of the money +which had been collected for the ransom of Christian slaves. Accordingly, he +endeavoured to inveigle Saavedra with artful promises, and to intimidate him with +dreadful threats and imprecations, into the confession or impeachment on which +he wanted to lay hold: but that generous Spaniard, with a resolution peculiar to +himself, rejected all his offers, and despising the terrors of his menaces, persisted +in affirming that he had no associate in the plan of their escape, which was purely +the result of his own reflection.</p> + +<p class='c005'>After having in vain tampered with his integrity, in repeated trials that lasted +for several days, he restored him and his companions to their respective patrons, +notwithstanding the remonstrances of Al Caid Hassan, owner of the garden in +which they had been apprehended; who, probably with a view to manifest his +own innocence, strenuously exhorted the Basha to inflict the most exemplary punishment +on the offenders, and actually put his own gardener to death. Cervantes +<span class='pageno' id='Page_x'>x</span>had so often signalized his genius, courage, and activity, that Hassan resolved to +make him his own, and purchased him from his master for five hundred ducats; +then he was heard to say, ‘While I hold that maimed Spaniard in safe custody, +my vessels, slaves, and even my whole city, are secure.’ For he had not only +concerted a number of schemes for the deliverance of his fellow-captives, but his +designs had even aspired to the conquest of Algiers, and he was at four different +times on the point of being impaled, hooked, or burned alive. Any single attempt +of that kind would have been deemed a capital offence, under the mildest +government that ever subsisted among the Moors; but there was something in the +character or personal deportment of Cervantes, which commanded respect from +barbarity itself: for we find that Hassan Basha treated him with incredible lenity, +and his redemption was afterwards effected by the intercession of a trinitarian father, +for a thousand ducats<a id='r8'></a><a href='#f8' class='c008'><sup>[8]</sup></a>.</p> + +<p class='c005'>From this account of his behaviour in Barbary, it appears that he acted a far +more important part than that of a poor mutilated soldier: he is dignified with the +appellation of Don Miguel De Cervantes, and represented as a cavalier whose affluent +fortune enabled him to gratify the benevolence and liberality of his disposition. +We must therefore take it for granted, that he acquired this wealth after +the battle of Lepanto, where he surely would not have fought as a private soldier, +could he have commanded either money or interest to procure a more conspicuous +station in the service. Be that as it will, his conduct at Algiers reflects honour +upon his country; and while we applaud him as an author, we ought to revere +him as a man; nor will his modesty be less the object of our admiration, if we +consider that he has, upon this occasion, neglected the fairest opportunity a man +could possibly enjoy, of displaying his own character to the greatest advantage, and +indulging that self complacency which is so natural to the human heart.</p> + +<p class='c005'>As he returned to his own country with those principles by which he had been +distinguished in his exile, and an heart entendered and exercised in sympathizing +with his fellow-creatures in distress; we may suppose he could not advert to the +lessons of Oeconomy, which a warm imagination seldom or never retains; but that +his heart glowed with all the enthusiasm of friendship, and that his bounty extended +to every object of compassion which fell within his view.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Notwithstanding all the shafts of ridicule which he hath so successfully levelled +against the absurdities of the Spanish romance, we can plainly perceive from his +own writings, that he himself had a turn for chivalry: his life was a chain of extraordinary +adventures, his temper was altogether heroick, and his actions were, +without doubt, influenced by the most romantick notions of honour.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Spain has produced a greater number of these characters than we meet with +upon record in any other nation; and whether such singularity be the effect of natural +or moral causes, or of both combined, I shall not pretend to determine. Let +us only affirm, that this disposition is not confined to any particular people or period +of time: even in our own country, and in these degenerate days, we sometimes +find individuals whom nature seems to have intended for members of those ideal +societies which never did, and perhaps never can exist, but in imagination; and +who remind us of the characters described by Homer and Plutarch, as patriots +sacrificing their lives for their country, and heroes encountering danger, not with +indifference and contempt, but with all the rapture and impetuosity of a passionate +admirer.</p> + +<p class='c005'>If we consider Cervantes as a man inspired by such sentiments, and actuated by +<span class='pageno' id='Page_xi'>xi</span>such motives; and at the same time, from his known sensibility and natural complexion, +suppose him to have been addicted to pleasure and the amusements of +gallantry; we cannot be surprized to find his finances in a little time exhausted, +and the face of his affairs totally reversed. It was probably in the decline of his +fortune, that he resolved to re-appear in the character of an author, and stand candidate +for the publick favour, which would be a certain resource in the day of +trouble: he therefore composed his Galatea, in six books, which was published in +the year 1584, dedicated to Ascanio Colonna, at that time abbot of <abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr> Sophia, +and afterwards cardinal of the holy cross of Jerusalem.</p> + +<p class='c005'>The rich vein of invention, the tenderness of passion, the delicacy of sentiment, +the power and purity of diction, displayed in this performance, are celebrated +by Don Louis De Vargas Manrique, in a commendatory sonnet, which is +a very elegant and honourable testimony of our author’s success. Nevertheless, +the production has been censured for the irregularity of its stile, the incorrectness +of its versification, and the multiplicity of its incidents, which incumber and +perplex the principal narration; and, over and above these objections, the design +is not brought to a conclusion, so that the plan appears meagre and defective. He +himself pleads guilty to some part of the charge, in the sentence pronounced by the +curate, in the first part of Don Quixote; who, when the barber takes up the Galatea +of Miguel De Cervantes, ‘That same Cervantes,’ says he, ‘has been an +intimate friend of mine these many years; and is to my certain knowledge, +more conversant with misfortunes than with poetry. There is a good vein of +invention in his book, which proposes something, though it concludes nothing. +We must wait for the second part which he promises; and then, perhaps, his +amendment may deserve a full pardon, which is now denied.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Whether the success of Galatea encouraged our author to oblige the world with +some of those theatrical pieces, which we have already mentioned as the first regular +productions of the Spanish drama, or the whole number of these was written +and acted before his captivity, I have not been able to determine; but, in all probability, +his first essays of that kind were exhibited in the interval between the battle +of Lepanto and the commencement of his slavery, and the rest published after +his redemption.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Unless we suppose him to have been employed at Madrid in this manner for his +subsistence, we must pass over two and twenty years, which afford us no particular +information touching the life of Saavedra; though, in that period, he married +Donna Cataline De Salazar, dissipated the remains of his fortune, experienced the +ingratitude of those he had befriended in his prosperity, and after having sustained +a series of mortifications and distress, was committed to prison in consequence of +the debts he had contracted.</p> + +<p class='c005'>In this dismal situation, he composed that performance which is the delight and +admiration of all Europe; I mean, the first part of Don Quixote, which he +wrote with a view to ridicule and discredit those absurd romances, filled with the +most nauseous improbability and unnatural extravagance, which had debauched the +taste of mankind, and were indeed a disgrace to common sense and reason. Not +that Cervantes had any intention to combat the spirit of knight-errantry, so prevalent +among the Spaniards; on the contrary, I am persuaded he would have been +the first man in the nation to stand up for the honour and defence of chivalry; +which, when restrained within due bounds, was an excellent institution, that inspired +the most heroick sentiments of courage and patriotism, and on many occasions +conduced to the peace and safety of the commonwealth. In the character of +Don Quixote, he exhibits a good understanding perverted by reading romantick +stories, which had no foundation in nature or in fact. His intellects are not supposed +to have been damaged by the perusal of authentick histories, which recount +the exploits of knights and heroes who really existed; but his madness seems to +have flowed from his credulity, and a certain wildness of imagination, which was +captivated by the marvellous representation of dwarfs, giants, necromancers, and +other preternatural extravagance. From these legends he formed his whole plan +of conduct; and, though nothing can be more ridiculous than the terms upon +which he is described to have commenced knight-errant, at a time when the regulations +of society had rendered the profession unnecessary, and indeed illegal; +<span class='pageno' id='Page_xii'>xii</span>the criterion of his frenzy consists in that strange faculty of mistaking and confounding +the most familiar objects with the fantastical illusions which those romances +had engendered in his fancy. So that our author did not enter the lists +against the memory of the real substantial chivalry, which he held in veneration; +but with design to expel an hideous phantom that possessed the brains of the people, +waging perpetual war with true genius and invention.</p> + +<p class='c005'>The success of this undertaking must have exceeded his most sanguine hopes. +Don Quixote no sooner made his appearance, than the old romances vanished like +mist before the sun. The ridicule was so striking, that even the warmest admirers +of Amadis and his posterity seemed to awake from a dream, and reflected with +amazement upon their former infatuation. Every dispassionate reader was charmed +with the humorous characters of the knight and squire, who straight became the +favourites of his fancy; he was delighted with the variety of entertaining incidents, +and considered the author’s good sense and purity of stile with admiration +and applause.</p> + +<p class='c005'>He informs us, by the mouth of the batchelor Sampson Carrasco, that even +before the publication of the second part, twelve thousand copies of the first were +already in print, besides a new impression then working off at Antwerp. ‘The +very children,’ says he, ‘handle it, boys read it, men understand, and old people +applaud the performance. It is no sooner laid down by one, than another takes +it up, some struggling, and some entreating for a sight of it; in fine, this history +is the most delightful and least prejudicial entertainment that ever was seen; for, +in the whole book, there is not the least shadow of a dishonourable word, nor +one thought unworthy of a good catholick.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Nor was this applause confined to the kingdoms and territories of Spain. The +fame of Don Quixote diffused itself through all the civilized countries of Europe; +and the work was so much admired in France, that some gentlemen who attended +the French ambassador to Madrid, in a conversation with the licentiate Marques +Torres, chaplain to the archbishop of Toledo, expressed their surprize that Cervantes +was not maintained from the publick treasury, as the honour and pride of +the Spanish nation. Nay, this work, which was first published at Madrid in the +year 1605, had the good fortune to extort the approbation of royalty itself: Philip +<abbr title='the third'>III.</abbr> standing in a balcony of his palace, and surveying the adjacent country, +perceived a student on the bank of the Manzanares, reading a book, and every now +and then striking his forehead and bursting out into loud fits of laughter. His majesty +having observed his emotions for some time, ‘That student,’ said he, ‘is either mad, +or reading Don Quixote.’ Some of the courtiers in attendance, had the curiosity +to go out and enquire, and actually found the scholar engaged in the adventures +of our Manchegan.</p> + +<p class='c005'>As the book was dedicated to the Duke de Bejar, we may naturally suppose +that nobleman, either by his purse or interest, obtained the author’s discharge from +prison; for he congratulates himself upon the protection of such a patron, in +certain verses prefixed to the book, and supposed to be written by Urganda the +unknown. He afterwards attracted the notice of the Count De Lemos, who +seems to have been his chief and favourite benefactor; and even enjoyed a small +share of the countenance of the cardinal archbishop of Toledo: so that we cannot, +with any probability, espouse the opinion of those who believe his Don +Quixote was intended as a satire upon the administration of that nobleman. Nor +is there the least plausible reason for thinking his aim was to ridicule the conduct +of Charles <abbr title='the fifth'>V.</abbr> whose name he never mentions without expressions of the utmost +reverence and regard. Indeed, his own indigence was a more severe satire than +any thing he could have invented against the ministry of Philip <abbr title='the third'>III.</abbr> for, though +their protection kept him from starving, it did not exempt him from the difficulties +and mortifications of want; and no man of taste and humanity can reflect upon +his character and circumstances, without being shocked at the barbarous indifference +of his patrons. What he obtained was not the offering of liberality and taste, but +the scanted alms of compassion: he was not respected as a genius, but relieved +as a beggar.</p> + +<p class='c005'>One would hardly imagine that an author could languish in the shade of poverty +and contempt, while his works afforded entertainment and delight to whole +<span class='pageno' id='Page_xiii'>xiii</span>nations, and even sovereigns were found in the number of his admirers; but Cervantes +had the misfortune to write in the reign of a prince whose disposition was +sordid, and whose talents, naturally mean, had received no manner of cultivation; +so that his head was altogether untinctured with science, and his heart an utter +stranger to the virtues of beneficence. Nor did the liberal arts derive the least encouragement +from his ministry, which was ever weak and wavering. The Duke +De Lerma seems to have been a proud, irresolute, shallow-brained politician, whose +whole attention was employed in preserving the good graces of his master; though, +notwithstanding all his efforts, he still fluctuated between favour and disgrace, and +at last was fain to shelter himself under the hat of a cardinal. As for the Count +de Lemos, who had some share in the administration, he affected to patronize men +of genius, though he had hardly penetration enough to distinguish merit; and the +little taste he possessed was so much warped by vanity and self-conceit, that there +was no other avenue to his friendship but the road of adulation and panegyrick: +we need not, therefore, wonder that his bounty was so sparingly bestowed upon +Cervantes, whose conscious worth and spirit would not suffer him to practise such +servility of prostration.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Rather than stoop so far beneath the dignity of his own character, he resolved to +endure the severest stings of fortune; and, for a series of years, wrestled with inconceivable +vexation and distress. Even in this low situation, he was not exempted +from the ill offices of those who envied his talents and his fame. The bad writers +vilified his genius, and censured his morals; they construed Don Quixote into +an impertinent libel, and endeavoured to depreciate his Exemplary Novels, which +were published at Madrid, in the year 1613. This performance is such as might +be expected from the invention and elegance of Cervantes, and was accordingly approved +by the best judges of his time. Indeed, it must have been a great consolation +to him, in the midst of his misfortunes, to see himself celebrated by the choicest +wits of Spain; and, among the rest, by the renowned Lope De Vega, prince of +the Spanish theatre, who, both during the life and after the death of our author, +mentioned him in the most respectful terms of admiration<a id='r9'></a><a href='#f9' class='c008'><sup>[9]</sup></a>.</p> + +<p class='c005'>But, of all the insults to which he was exposed from the malevolence of mankind, +nothing provoked him so much, as the outrage he sustained, from the insolence +and knavery of an author, who, while he was preparing the second part of +Don Quixote for the press, in the year 1614, published a performance, intitled, +The Second Volume of the sage Hidalgo Don Quixote De La Mancha, containing +his third sally. Composed by the licentiate Alonzo Fernandez De Avellaneda, +a native of Tordesillas; dedicated to the alcalde, regidors, and gentlemen, of the +noble town of Argamasilla, the happy country of Don Quixote De La Mancha. +This impostor, not contented with having robbed Cervantes of his plan, and, as +some people believe, of a good part of his copy, attacked him personally, in his +preface, in the most virulent manner; accusing him of envy, malice, peevishness, +and rancour; reproaching him with his poverty, and taxing him with having +abused his cotemporary writers, particularly Lope De Vega, under the shadow +of whose reputation this spurious writer takes shelter, pretending to have been +lashed, together with that great genius, in some of our author’s critical reflections.</p> + +<p class='c005'>In spite of the disguise he assumed, Cervantes discovered him to be an Arragonian; +and in all probability knew his real name, which, however, he did not +think proper to transmit to posterity; and his silence in this particular was the +result either of discretion, or contempt. If he was a person of consequence, as +some people suppose, it was undoubtedly prudent in Cervantes to pretend ignorance +of his true name and quality; because, under the shadow of that pretence, he +could the more securely chastise him for his dullness, scurrility, and presumption: +but if he knew him to be a man of no character or estimation in life, he ought to +have deemed him altogether unworthy of his resentment; for his production was +such as could not possibly prejudice our author’s interest or reputation. It is altogether +void of invention and propriety; the characters of Don Quixote and +<span class='pageno' id='Page_xiv'>xiv</span>Sancho are flattened into the most insipid absurdity; the adventures are unentertaining +and improbable; and the stile barbarous, swoln, and pedantick.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Howsoever Saavedra’s fortune might have been affected by this fraudulent anticipation, +I am persuaded, from the consideration of his magnanimity, that he +would have looked upon the attempt with silent disdain, had the fictitious Avellaneda +abstained from personal abuse; but finding himself so injuriously upbraided +with crimes which his soul abhorred, he gave a loose to his indignation and ridicule, +which appear through the preface and second part of Don Quixote, in a +variety of animadversions equally witty and severe. Indeed, the genuine continuation, +which was published in the year 1615, convinced the world that no other +person could compleat the plan of the original projector. It was received with +universal joy and approbation; and in a very little time translated into the languages +of Italy, France, England, and other countries, where, though the knight +appeared to disadvantage, he was treated as a noble stranger of superlative merit +and distinction.</p> + +<p class='c005'>In the year after the publication of his novels, Cervantes ushered into the +world a poem called, A Voyage to Parnassus, dedicated to Don Rodrigo De +Tapia, knight of <abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr> Jago. This performance is an ironical satire on the Spanish +poets of his time, written in imitation of Cæsar Caporali, who lashed his +cotemporaries of Italy under the same title; though Saavedra seems to have had +also another scope, namely, to complain of the little regard that was paid to his +own age and talents. Those who will not allow this piece to be an excellent +poem, cannot help owning that it abounds with wit and manly satire; and that +nothing could be a more keen reproach upon the taste and patronage of the times, +than the dialogue that passes between him and Apollo; to whom, after having +made a bold, yet just recapitulation of his own success in writing, he pathetically +complains, that he was denied a seat among his brethren; and takes occasion to +observe, that rewards were not bestowed according to merit, but in consequence of +interest and favour.</p> + +<p class='c005'>He has, upon other occasions, made severe remarks upon the scarcity of patrons +among the nobility of Spain, and even aimed the shafts of his satire at the throne +itself. In his dedication of the second part of Don Quixote, to the Count De +Lemos, he proceeds in this ironical strain: ‘But no person expresses a greater +desire of seeing my Don Quixote, than the mighty Emperor of China, who, +about a month ago, sent me a letter by an express, desiring, or rather beseeching, +me to supply him with a copy of that performance, as he intended to build +and endow a college for teaching the Spanish language from my book, and was +resolved to make me rector or principal teacher. I asked if his majesty had +sent me any thing towards defraying the charges; and, when he answered in the +negative, “Why, then, friend,” said I, “you may return to China as soon as +you please; for my own part, I am not in a state of health to undertake such a +long journey: besides, I am not only weak in body, but still weaker in purse, +and so I am the emperor’s most humble servant.” In short, emperor for emperor, +and monarch for monarch, to take one with the other, and set the hare’s head +against the goose giblets, there is the noble Count De Lemos, at Naples, who, +without any rectorships, supports, protects, and favours me, to my heart’s +content.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>This facetious paragraph certainly alludes to some unsubstantial promise he had +received from the court. At the same time I cannot help observing, that his gratitude +and acknowledgment to the Count De Lemos, seem to have greatly exceeded +the obligation; for, at this very time, while he is extolling his generosity, he gives +us to understand that his circumstances were extremely indigent.</p> + +<p class='c005'>At the very time of this dedication, the poverty of Cervantes had increased to +such a degree of distress, that he was fain to sell eight plays, and as many +interludes, to Juan Villaroel, because he had neither means nor credit for printing +them at his own expence. These theatrical pieces, which were published at Madrid +in the year 1615, though counted inferior to many productions of Lope De Vega, +have nevertheless merit enough to persuade the discerning reader that they would +have succeeded in the representation; but he was no favourite with the players, who +have always arrogated to themselves the prerogative of judging and rejecting the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_xv'>xv</span>productions of the drama; and, as they forbore to offer, he disdained to solicit +their acceptance. The truth is, he considered actors as the servants of the publick, +who, though entitled to a certain degree of favour and encouragement for the entertainment +they afforded, ought ever to demean themselves with modesty and respect +for their benefactors; and he had often professed himself an enemy to the +self-sufficiency, insolence, and outrageous behaviour of the king’s company; some +of whom had been guilty of the most flagrant crimes, and even committed murder +with impunity.</p> + +<p class='c005'>It is sometimes in the power of the most inconsiderable wretch to mortify a character +of the highest dignity. Cervantes, notwithstanding his contempt of such petty +criticks, could not help feeling the petulance of a puny player, who presumed to +depreciate the talents of this venerable father of the stage. ‘Some years ago<a id='r10'></a><a href='#f10' class='c008'><sup>[10]</sup></a>,’ +says he, ‘I had recourse again to my old amusement; and, on the supposition that +the times were not altered since my name was in some estimation, I composed a +few pieces for the stage; but found no birds in last year’s nests: my meaning is, +I could find no player who would ask for my performances, though the whole +company knew they were finished; so that I threw them aside, and condemned +them to perpetual silence. About this time, a certain bookseller told me he +would have purchased my plays, had he not been prevented by an actor, who +said, that from my prose much might be expected, but nothing from my verse. +I confess, I was not a little chagrined at hearing this declaration; and said to +myself, “Either I am quite altered, or the times are greatly improved, contrary +to common observation, by which the past is always preferred to the present.” +I revised my comedies, together with some interludes which had lain some time +in a corner, and I did not think them so wretched, but that they might appeal +from the muddy brain of this player, to the clearer perception of other actors less +scrupulous and more judicious. Being quite out of humour, I parted with the +copy to a bookseller, who offered me a tolerable price: I took his money, without +giving myself any farther trouble about the actors, and he printed them as you +see. I could wish they were the best in the world; or, at least, possessed of some +merit. Gentle reader, thou wilt soon see how they are, and if thou canst find +any thing to thy liking, and afterwards should happen to meet with my back-biting +actor, desire him, from me, to take care and mend himself; for I offend +no man: as for the plays, thou mayest tell him, they contain no glaring nonsense, +no palpable absurdities.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>The source of this indifference towards Cervantes, we can easily explain, by observing +that Lope De Vega had, by this time, engrossed the theatre, and the favour +of the publick, to such a degree, as ensured success to all his performances; so that +the players would not run any risk of miscarriage, in exhibiting the productions of an +old neglected veteran, who had neither inclination nor ability to support his theatrical +pieces by dint of interest and cabal. Far from being able to raise factions in his +favour, he could hardly subsist in the most parsimonious manner, and in all probability +would have actually starved, had not the charity of the Count De Lemos +enabled him barely to breathe.</p> + +<p class='c005'>The last work he finished was a novel, intitled, The Troubles of Persiles and +Sigismunda; which, however, he did not live to see in print. This child of his +old age he mentions in the warmest terms of paternal affection<a id='r11'></a><a href='#f11' class='c008'><sup>[11]</sup></a>, preferring it to all +the rest of his productions; a compliment which every author pays to the youngest +offspring of his genius; for, whatever sentence the world may pronounce, every +man thinks he daily improves in experience and understanding; and that in refusing +the pre-eminence to his last effort, he would fairly own the decay and degeneracy +of his own talents.</p> + +<p class='c005'>We must not, however, impute the encomiums which Cervantes bestows upon +his last performance to this fond partiality alone; because the book has indubitable +merit; and, as he himself says, may presume to vie with the celebrated romance +of Heliodorus<a id='r12'></a><a href='#f12' class='c008'><sup>[12]</sup></a>, in elegance of diction, entertaining incidents, and fecundity of +<span class='pageno' id='Page_xvi'>xvi</span>invention. Before this novel saw the light, our author was seized with a dropsy, +which gradually conveyed him to his grave; and nothing could give a more advantageous +idea of his character, than the fortitude and good-humour which he +appears to have maintained to the last moment of his life, overwhelmed as he was +with misery, old age, and an incurable distemper. The preface and dedication of +his Persiles and Sigismunda contain a journal of his last stage, by which we are +enabled to guess at the precise time of his decease. ‘Loving reader,’ said he, ‘as +two of my friends and myself were coming from the famous town of Esquivias—famous, +I say, on a thousand accounts; first, for its illustrious families, and +secondly, for its more illustrious wines, &c.—I heard somebody galloping after +us, with intent, as I imagined, to join our company; and, indeed, he soon justified +my conjecture, by calling out to us to ride more softly. We accordingly +waited for this stranger; who riding up to us upon a she ass, appeared to be a +grey student; for he was cloathed in grey, with country buskins, such as peasants +wear to defend their legs in harvest-time, round-toed shoes, a sword provided, +as it happened, with a tolerable chape, a starched band, and an even +number of three-thread bredes; for the truth is, he had but two; and as his +band would every now and then shift to one side, he took incredible pains to adjust +it again. “Gentlemen,” said he, “you are going, belike, to solicit some +post or pension at court: his eminence of Toledo must be there, to be sure, or +the king at least, by your making such haste. In good faith I could hardly +overtake you, though my ass hath been more than once applauded for a tolerable +ambler.” To this address one of my companions replied, “We are obliged +to set on at a good rate, to keep up with that there mettlesome nag, belonging to +Signior Miguel De Cervantes.” Scarce had the student heard my name, when +springing from the back of his ass, whilst his pannel fell one way, and his wallet +another, he ran towards me, and taking hold of my stirrup, “Aye, aye,” +cried he, “this is the sound cripple! the renowned, the merry writer; in a +word, the darling of the muses!” In order to make some return to these high +compliments, I threw my arms about his neck, so as that he lost his band +by the eagerness of my embraces; and told him that he was mistaken, like many +of my well-wishers. “I am, indeed, Cervantes,” said I; “but not the darling +of the muses, or in any shape deserving of those encomiums you have +bestowed: be pleased, therefore, good Signior, to remount your beast and +let us travel together like friends the rest of the way.” The courteous student +took my advice; and, as we jogged on softly together, the conversation happening +to turn on the subject of my illness, the stranger soon pronounced my +doom, by assuring me that my distemper was a dropsy, which all the water of +the ocean, although it were not salt, would never be able to quench. “Therefore, +Signior Cervantes,” added the student, “you must totally abstain from +drink; but do not forget to eat heartily: and this regimen will effect your +recovery without physick.”—“I have received the same advice from other +people,” answered I, “but I cannot help drinking, as if I had been born to +do nothing else but drink. My life is drawing to a period; and, by the +daily journal of my pulse, which I find will have finished its course by +next Sunday at farthest, I shall also have finished my career; so that you come +in the very nick of time to be acquainted with me, though I shall have no +opportunity of shewing how much I am obliged to you for your good will.” +By this time we had reached the Toledo Bridge; where, finding we must part, +I embraced my student once more, and he having returned the compliment +with great cordiality, spurred up his beast, and left me as ill-disposed on my +horse as he was ill-mounted on his ass; although my pen itched to be writing +some humourous description of his equipage: but, adieu my merry friends all; +for I am going to die, and I hope to meet you again in the other world, as happy +as heart can wish.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>After this adventure, which he so pleasantly relates, (nay, even in his last +moments) he dictated a most affectionate dedication to his patron, the Count +De Lemos, who was at that time president of the Supreme Council in Italy. +He begins facetiously with a quotation from an old ballad; then proceeds to +tell his excellency, that he had received extreme unction, and was on the brink +<span class='pageno' id='Page_xvii'>xvii</span>of eternity; yet he wished he could live to see the count’s return, and even to +finish the Weeks of the Garden, and the second part of Galatea, in which he had +made some progress.</p> + +<p class='c005'>This dedication was dated April 19, 1617; and, in all probability, the author +died the very next day, as the ceremony of the unction is never performed until +the patient is supposed to be in extremity: certain it is, he did not long survive +this period; for, in September, a licence was granted to Donna Catalina De Salazar, +widow of Miguel De Cervantes Saavedra, to print the Troubles of Persiles +and Sigismunda, a northern history; which was accordingly published at Madrid, +and afterwards translated into Italian.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Thus have I collected and related all the material circumstances mentioned by +history and tradition, concerning the life of Cervantes; which I shall conclude +with the portrait of his person, drawn by his own pen, in the preface to his +novels. His visage was sharp and aquiline, his hair of a chesnut colour, his +forehead smooth and high, his nose hookish or hawkish, his eyes brisk and chearful, +his mouth little, his beard originally of a golden hue, his upper-lip furnished +with large mustachios, his complexion fair, his stature of the middling size; +and he tells us, moreover, that he was thick in the shoulders, and not very light +of foot.</p> + +<p class='c005'>In a word, Cervantes, whether considered as a writer or a man, will be found +worthy of universal approbation and esteem; and we cannot help applauding that +fortitude and courage, which no difficulty could disturb, and no danger dismay; +while we admire that delightful stream of humour and invention, which flowed so +plenteous and so pure, surmounting all the mounds of malice and adversity.</p> + +<div class='chapter'> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_xviii'>xviii</span> + <h2 id='trans-note' class='c007'>Translator’s Note</h2> +</div> +<p class='c004'>The translator’s aim, in this undertaking, was to maintain +that ludicrous solemnity and self-importance by which the +inimitable Cervantes has distinguished the character of Don +Quixote, without raising him to the insipid rank of a dry philosopher, +or debasing him to the melancholy circumstances and unentertaining +caprice of an ordinary madman; and to preserve the +native humour of Sancho Panza from degenerating into mere proverbial +phlegm, or affected buffoonery.</p> + +<p class='c005'>He has endeavoured to retain the spirit and ideas, without servilely +adhering to the literal expression of the original; from which, +however, he has not so far deviated, as to destroy that formality of +idiom, so peculiar to the Spaniards, and so essential to the character +of the work.</p> + +<p class='c005'>The satire and propriety of many allusions, which had been lost in +the change of custom and lapse of time, are restored in explanatory +notes; and the whole is conducted with that care and circumspection, +which ought to be exerted by every author, who, in attempting to +improve upon a task already performed, subjects himself to the most +invidious comparison.</p> +<div class='chapter'> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_xix'>xix</span> + <h2 id='preface' class='c007'>PREFACE TO THE READER.</h2> +</div> +<p class='c004'>Idle reader, without an oath thou mayest believe, that I wish this +book, as the child of my understanding, were the most beautiful, +sprightly, and discreet production, that ever was conceived. But it +was not in my power to contravene the order of nature: in consequence +of which, every creature procreates its own resemblance. +What, therefore, could be engendered in my barren, ill-cultivated +genius, but a dry, meagre offspring, wayward, capricious, and full +of whimsical notions peculiar to my own imagination, as if produced +in a prison, which is the seat of inconvenience, and the habitation +of every dismal sound<a id='r13'></a><a href='#f13' class='c008'><sup>[13]</sup></a>. Quiet solitude, pleasant fields, serene weather, +purling streams, and tranquillity of mind, contribute so much +to the fecundity even of the most barren genius, that it will bring +forth productions so fair as to awaken the admiration and delight of +mankind.</p> + +<p class='c005'>A man who is so unfortunate as to have an ugly child, destitute of +every grace and favourable endowment, may be so hood-winked by +paternal tenderness, that he cannot perceive his defects; but, on the +contrary, looks upon every blemish as a beauty, and recounts to his +friends every instance of his folly as a sample of his wit: but I, who, +though seemingly the parent, am no other than the step-father of Don +Quixote, will not sail with the stream of custom; nor, like some others, +supplicate thee, gentle reader, with the tears in my eyes, to pardon or +conceal the faults which thou mayest spy in this production. Thou +art neither its father nor kinsman; hast thy own soul in thy own body, +and a will as free as the finest; thou art in thy own house, of which I +hold thee as absolute master as the king of his revenue; and thou +knowest the common saying, ‘Under my cloak the king is a joke.’ +These considerations free and exempt thee from all manner of restraint +and obligation; so that thou mayest fully and frankly declare +thy opinion of this history, without fear of calumny for thy censure, and +without hope of recompence for thy approbation.</p> + +<p class='c005'>I wished only to present thee with the performance, clean, neat, and +naked, without the ornament of a preface, and unincumbered with an +innumerable catalogue of such sonnets, epigrams, and commendatory +verses, as are generally prefixed to the productions of the present age; +for I can assure thee, that although the composition of the book hath +cost me some trouble, I have found more difficulty in writing this preface, +which is now under thy inspection: divers and sundry times did I +seize the pen, and as often laid it aside, for want of knowing what to +say; and during this uneasy state of suspence, while I was one day ruminating +on the subject, with the paper before me, the quill behind my +ear, my elbow fixed on the table, and my cheek leaning on my hand; a +<span class='pageno' id='Page_xx'>xx</span>friend of mine, who possesses a great fund of humour and an excellent +understanding, suddenly entered the apartment, and finding me in +this musing posture, asked the cause of my being so contemplative. +As I had no occasion to conceal the nature of my perplexity, I told him +I was studying a Preface for the History of Don Quixote; a talk which I +found so difficult, that I was resolved to desist, and even suppress the adventures +of such a noble cavalier: for you may easily suppose how much I +must be confounded at the animadversions of that ancient law-giver the +vulgar, when it shall see me, after so many years that I have slept in silence +and oblivion, produce, in my old age, a performance as dry as a rush, +barren of invention, meagre in stile, beggarly in conceit, and utterly +destitute of wit and erudition; without quotations in the margin, or annotations +at the end, as we see in other books, let them be never so +fabulous and profane; indeed, they are generally so stuffed with apothegms +from Aristotle, Plato, and the whole body of philosophers, +that they excite the admiration of the readers, who look upon such +authors as men of unbounded knowledge, eloquence, and erudition. +When they bring a citation from the Holy Scripture, one would take +them for so many Saint Thomas’s, and other doctors of the church; +herein observing such ingenious decorum, that in one line they will +represent a frantick lover, and in the very next begin with a godly +sermon, from which the Christian readers, and even the hearers, receive +much comfort and edification. Now, my book must appear +without all these advantages; for I can neither quote in the margin, +nor note in the end: nor do I know what authors I have imitated, that +I may, like the rest of my brethren, prefix them to the work in alphabetical +order, beginning with Aristotle, and ending in Xenophon, +Zoilus, or Zeuxis, though one was a back biter, and the other a painter. +My history must likewise be published without poems at the beginning, +at least without sonnets written by dukes, marquisses, counts, bishops, +ladies, and celebrated poets: although, should I make the demand, I +know two or three good-natured friends, who would oblige me with +such verses as should not be equalled by the most famous poetry in +Spain.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘In a word, my good friend,’ said I, ‘Signior Don Quixote shall +be buried in the archives of La Mancha, until Heaven shall provide +some person to adorn him with those decorations he seems to want; +for I find myself altogether unequal to the task, through insufficiency +and want of learning; and because I am naturally too bashful and +indolent to go in quest of authors to say what I myself can say as +well without their assistance. Hence arose my thoughtfulness and +meditation, which you will not wonder at, now that you have heard +the cause.’ My friend having listened attentively to my remonstrances, +slapped his forehead with the palm of his hand; and, bursting into a +loud laugh, ‘’Fore God! brother,’ said he, ‘I am now undeceived +of an error, in which I have lived during the whole term of our acquaintance; +for I always looked upon you as a person of prudence +and discretion; but now, I see, you are as far from that character as +heaven is distant from the earth. What! is it possible that such a trifling +inconvenience, so easily remedied, should have power to mortify and +perplex a genius like yours, brought to such maturity, and so well +calculated to demolish and surmount much greater difficulties? In +good faith, this does not proceed from want of ability, but from excessive +<span class='pageno' id='Page_xxi'>xxi</span>indolence, that impedes the exercise of reason. If you would +be convinced of the truth of what I alledge, give me the hearing, +and, in the twinkling of an eye, all your difficulties shall vanish, +and a remedy be prescribed for all those defects which, you say, +perplex your understanding, and deter you from ushering to the light +your history of the renowned Don Quixote, the luminary and sole +mirror of knight-errantry.’ Hearing this declaration, I desired he +would tell me in what manner he proposed to fill up the vacuity of my +apprehension, to diffuse light, and reduce to order the chaos of my +confusion; and he replied, ‘Your first objection, namely, the want of +sonnets, epigrams, and commendatory verses from persons of rank +and gravity, may be obviated, by your taking the trouble to compose +them yourself, and then you may christen them by any name +you shall think proper to chuse, fathering them upon Prestor John of +the Indies, or the Emperor of Trebisond; who, I am well informed, +were very famous poets: and even should this intelligence be untrue, +and a few pedants and batchelors of arts should backbite and grumble +at your conduct, you need not value them three farthings; for although +they convict you of a lye, they cannot cut off the hand that +wrote it<a id='r14'></a><a href='#f14' class='c008'><sup>[14]</sup></a>.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘With regard to the practice of quoting in the margin, such books +and authors as have furnished you with sentences and sayings for the +embellishment of your history, you have nothing to do, but to season +the work with some Latin maxims, which your own memory will +suggest, or a little industry in searching easily obtain: for example, +in treating of freedom and captivity, you may say, <span lang="la"><i>Non bene pro toto +libertas venditur auro</i></span>; and quote Horace, or whom you please, in +the margin. If the power of death happens to be your subject, you +have at hand, <span lang="la"><i>Pallida mors æquo pulsat pede pauperum tabernas regumque +turres</i></span>. And expatiating upon that love and friendship which +God commands us to entertain even for our enemies, you may have +recourse to the Holy Scripture, though you should have never so little +curiosity, and say, in the very words of God himself, <span lang="la"><i>Ego autem +dico vobis, diligite inimicos vestros</i></span>. In explaining the nature of malevolence, +you may again extract from the Gospel, <span lang="la"><i>De corde exeunt +cogitationes malæ</i></span>. And the instability of friends may be aptly illustrated +by this distich of Cato, <span lang="la"><i>Donec eris felix, multos numerabis +amicos; tempora si fuerint nubila, solus eris</i></span>. By these, and other such +scraps of Latin, you may pass for an able grammarian; a character +of no small honour and advantage in these days. And as to the annotations +at the end of the book, you may safely furnish them in +this manner: when you chance to write about giants, be sure to +mention Goliah; and this name alone, which costs you nothing, will +afford a grand annotation, couched in these words, “The giant +Golias, or Goliat, was a Philistine, whom the shepherd David slew +with a stone from a sling, in the valley of Terebinthus, as it is written +in such a chapter of the book of Kings.”</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘If you have a mind to display your erudition and knowledge of +cosmography, take an opportunity to introduce the River Tagus into +your history, and this will supply you with another famous annotation, +thus expressed. “The River Tagus, so called from a king of +<span class='pageno' id='Page_xxii'>xxii</span>Spain, takes its rise in such a place, and is lost in the sea, after +having kissed the walls of the famous city of Lisbon; and is said +to have golden sands, &c.” If you treat of robbers, I will relate +the story of Cacus, which I have by rote. If of harlots, the +Bishop of Mondoneda will lend you a Lamia, a Lais, and a Flora; +and such a note will greatly redound to your credit. When you +write of cruelty, Ovid will surrender his Medea. When you mention +wizzards and inchanters, you will find a Calypso in Homer, +and a Circe in Virgil. If you have occasion to speak of valiant +captains, Julius Cæsar stands ready drawn in his own Commentaries; +and from Plutarch you may extract a thousand Alexanders. +If your theme be love, and you have but two ounces of the Tuscan +tongue, you will light upon Leon Hebreo, who will fill up the measure +of your desire: and if you do not chuse to travel into foreign +countries, you have at home Fonseca’s Treatise on the Love of God, +in which all that you, or the most ingenious critick can desire, is +fully decyphered and discussed. In a word, there is nothing more +to be done, than to procure a number of these names, and hint at +their particular stories in your text; and to leave me the talk of making +annotations and quotations, with which I will engage, on pain +of death, to fill up all the margins, besides four whole sheets at the +end of the book. Let us now proceed to the citation of authors, +so frequent in other books, and so little used in your performance; +the remedy is obvious and easy; take the trouble to find a book that +quotes the whole tribe alphabetically, as you observed, from Alpha +to Omega, and transfer them into your book; and though the absurdity +should appear never so glaring, as there is no necessity for using +such names, it will signify nothing. Nay, perhaps, some reader +will be weak enough to believe you have actually availed yourself +of all those authors, in the simple and sincere history you have composed; +and, if such a large catalogue of writers should answer no +other purpose, it may serve at first sight to give some authority to +the production: nor will any person take the trouble to examine, +whether you have or have not followed those originals, because he +can reap no benefit from his labour. But, if I am not mistaken, +your book needs none of those embellishments in which you say it +is defective: for it is one continued satire upon books of chivalry; +a subject which Aristotle never investigated, <abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr> Basil never mentioned, +and Cicero never explained. The punctuality of truth, and +the observations of astrology, fall not within the fabulous relation +of our adventures; to the description of which, neither the proportions +of geometry, nor the confirmation of rhetorical arguments, +are of the least importance: nor hath it any connection with preaching, +or mingling divine truths with human imagination; a mixture +which no Christian’s fancy should conceive. It only seeks to avail +itself of imitation; and the more perfect this is, the more entertaining +the book will be: new, as your sole aim in writing, is +to invalidate the authority, and ridicule the absurdity, of those +books of chivalry, which have, as it were, fascinated the eyes +and judgment of the world, and in particular of the vulgar, you +have no occasion to go a begging maxims from philosophers, exhortations +from Holy Writ, fables from poets, speeches from orators, +or miracles from saints; your business is, with plain, significant, well-chosen, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_xxiii'>xxiii</span>and elegant words, to render your periods sonorous, and your +stile entertaining; to give spirit and expression to all your descriptions, +and communicate your ideas without obscurity and confusion. +You must endeavour to write in such a manner as to convert melancholy +into mirth, increase good-humour, entertain the ignorant, excite +the admiration of the learned, escape the contempt of gravity, +and attract applause from persons of ingenuity and taste. Finally, let +your aim be levelled against that ill-founded bulwark of idle books of +chivalry, abhorred by many, but applauded by more; which if you +can batter down, you will have atchieved no inconsiderable exploit.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>I listened to my friend’s advice in profound silence, and his remarks +made such impression upon my mind, that I admitted them without hesitation +or dispute; and resolved that they should appear instead of a +Preface. Thou wilt, therefore, gentle reader, perceive his discretion, +and my good luck in finding such a counsellor in such an emergency; +nor wilt thou be sorry to receive, thus genuine and undisguised, the History +of the renowned Don Quixote de La Mancha, who, in the opinion +of all the people that live in the district of Montiel, was the most virtuous +and valiant knight who had appeared for many years in that +neighbourhood. I shall not pretend to enhance the merit of having +introduced thee to such a famous and honourable cavalier; but I expect +thanks for having made thee acquainted with Sancho Panza, in +whom I think are united all the squirish graces which we find scattered +through the whole tribe of vain books written on the subject of chivalry. +So, praying God will give thee health, without forgetting such an +humble creature as me, I bid thee heartily farewel.</p> + +<div class='chapter'> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_25'>25</span> + <h2 id='vol1' class='c007'>VOLUME THE FIRST. <br> PART <abbr title='one'>I.</abbr></h2> +</div> +<h3 id='book1-1' class='c009'>BOOK <abbr title='one'>I.</abbr></h3> +<h4 id='chap1-1-1' class='c010'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='one'>I.</abbr> <br> OF THE QUALITY AND AMUSEMENTS<br> OF THE RENOWNED DON QUIXOTE DE LA MANCHA.</h4> +<p class='c004'>In a certain corner of La +Mancha, the name of +which I do not chuse to +remember, there lately +lived one of those country +gentlemen, who adorn their +halls with a rusty lance and worm-eaten +target, and ride forth on the skeleton of +a horse, to course with a sort of a starved +greyhound.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Three-fourths of his income were +scarce sufficient to afford a dish of hodgepodge, +in which the mutton bore no +proportion to the beef<a id='r15'></a><a href='#f15' class='c008'><sup>[15]</sup></a>, for dinner; a +plate of salmagundy, commonly at supper<a id='r16'></a><a href='#f16' class='c008'><sup>[16]</sup></a>; +gripes and grumblings on Saturdays<a id='r17'></a><a href='#f17' class='c008'><sup>[17]</sup></a>, +lentils on Fridays, and the addition +of a pigeon or some such thing on +the Lord’s day. The remaining part of +his revenue was consumed in the purchase +<span class='pageno' id='Page_26'>26</span>of a fine black suit, with velvet +breeches, and slippers of the same, for +holidays; and a coat of home-spun, +which he wore in honour of his country +during the rest of the week.</p> + +<p class='c005'>He maintained a female housekeeper +turned of forty, a niece of about half +that age, and a trusty young fellow, fit +for field and market, who could turn +his hand to any thing, either to saddle +the horse or handle the hough<a id='r18'></a><a href='#f18' class='c008'><sup>[18]</sup></a>.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Our squire, who bordered upon fifty, +was of a tough constitution, extremely +meagre, and hard featured, an early riser, +and in point of exercise, another +Nimrod<a id='r19'></a><a href='#f19' class='c008'><sup>[19]</sup></a>. He is said to have gone by +the name of Quixada, or Quesada, (for +in this particular the authors who mention +that circumstance disagree) though, +from the most probable conjectures, we +may conclude that he was called by the +significant name of Quixada<a id='r20'></a><a href='#f20' class='c008'><sup>[20]</sup></a>; but this is +of small importance to the history, in +the course of which it will be sufficient +if we swerve not a tittle from the truth.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Be it known, therefore, that this said +honest gentleman, at his leisure hours, +which engrossed the greatest part of the +year, addicted himself to the reading of +books of chivalry, which he perused with +such rapture and application, that he not +only forgot the pleasures of the chace, +but also utterly neglected the management +of his estate: nay, to such a pass +did his curiosity and madness in this +particular drive him, that he sold many +good acres of Terra Firma, to purchase +books of knight-errantry, with which +he furnished his library to the utmost of +his power; but none of them pleased +him so much as those that were written +by the famous Feliciano De Silva, whom +he admired as the pearl of all authors, +for the brilliancy of his prose, and the +beautiful perplexity of his expression. +How was he transported, when he read +those amorous complaints, and doughty +challenges, that so often occur in his +works!</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘The reason of the unreasonable usage +my reason has met with, so unreasons +my reason, that I have reason to complain +of your beauty!’ And how did +he enjoy the following flower of composition! +‘The high heaven of your divinity, +which with stars divinely fortifies +your beauty, and renders you meritorious +of that merit, which by your +highness is merited.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>The poor gentleman lost his senses in +poring over, and attempting to discover +the meaning of these and other such +rhapsodies, which Aristotle himself would +not be able to unravel, were he to rise +from the dead for that purpose only. He +could not comprehend the probability of +those direful wounds, given and received +by Don Bellianis, whose face and +whose carcase must have remained quite +covered with marks and scars, even allowing +him to have been cured by the +most expert surgeons of the age in which +he lived.</p> + +<p class='c005'>He, notwithstanding, bestowed great +commendations on the author, who concludes +his book, with the promise of finishing +that interminable adventure; +and was more than once inclined to seize +the quill, with a view of performing +what was left undone; nay, he would +have actually accomplished the affair, +and published it accordingly, had not +reflections of greater moment employed +his imagination, and diverted him from +the execution of that design.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Divers and obstinate were the disputes +he maintained against the parson of the +parish, (a man of some learning, who +had taken his degrees at Siguenza<a id='r21'></a><a href='#f21' class='c008'><sup>[21]</sup></a>,) on +that puzzling question, whether Palmerin +of England, or Amadis De Gaul, +was the most illustrious knight-errant: +<span class='pageno' id='Page_27'>27</span>but master Nicholas, who acted as barber +to the village, affirmed, that none +of them equalled the knight of the sun, +or indeed could be compared to him in +any degree, except Don Galaor, brother +of Amadis De Gaul; for his disposition +was adapted to all emergencies; +he was neither such a precise, nor such a +puling coxcomb, as his brother; and in +point of valour, his equal at least.</p> + +<p class='c005'>So eager and entangled was our hidalgo<a id='r22'></a><a href='#f22' class='c008'><sup>[22]</sup></a>, +in this kind of history, that he +would often read from morning to +night, and from night to morning again, +without interruption; till at last the +moisture of his brain being quite exhausted +with indefatigable watching and +study, he fairly lost his wits; all that +he had read of quarrels, inchantments, +battles, challenges, wounds, tortures, +amorous complaints, and other improbable +conceits, took full possession of +his fancy; and he believed all those romantick +exploits so implicitly, that, in +his opinion, the Holy Scripture was not +more true. He observed that Cid Ruydias +was an excellent knight; but not +equal to the lord of the flaming-sword, +who with one back-stroke had cut two +fierce and monstrous giants through the +middle. He had still a better opinion +of Bernardo Del Carpio; who, at the +battle of Roncevalles, put the inchanted +Orlando to death<a id='r23'></a><a href='#f23' class='c008'><sup>[23]</sup></a>, by the same +means that Hercules used when he +strangled the earth born Anteus. Neither +was he silent in the praise of Morgante; +who, though of that gigantick +race which is noted for insolence and +incivility, was perfectly affable and +well-bred. But his chief favourite was +Reynaldo of Montalban, whom he +hugely admired for his prowess, in sallying +from his castle to rob travellers; +and, above all things, for his dexterity +in stealing that idol of the impostor Mahomet, +which, according to the history, +was of solid gold. For an opportunity +of pummelling the traitor Galalon<a id='r24'></a><a href='#f24' class='c008'><sup>[24]</sup></a>, he +would willingly have given his house-keeper, +body and soul; nay, and his +niece into the bargain. In short, his +understanding being quite perverted, he +was seized with the strangest whim that +ever entered the brain of a madman: +this was no other than a full persuasion, +that it was highly expedient and necessary, +not only for his own honour, +but also for the good of the publick, +that he should profess knight-errantry, +and ride through the world in arms, to +seek adventures, and conform in all +points to the practice of those itinerant +heroes whose exploits he had read; redressing +all manner of grievances, and +courting all occasions of exposing himself +to such dangers, as in the event +would entitle him to everlasting renown. +This poor lunatick looked upon himself +already as good as seated, by his +own single valour, on the throne of +Trebisond; and, intoxicated with these +agreeable vapours of his unaccountable +folly, resolved to put his design in practice +forthwith.</p> + +<p class='c005'>In the first place he cleaned an old +suit of armour, which had belonged to +some of his ancestors, and which he +found in his garret, where it had lain +for several ages, quite covered over with +mouldiness and rust; but having scoured +and put it to rights, as well as he +could, he perceived, that instead of a +compleat helmet, there was only a +simple head-piece without a beaver. +This unlucky defect, however, his industry +supplied by a vizor, which he +made of paste-board, and fixed so artificially +to the morrion, that it looked +like an entire helmet. True it is, that +in order to try if it was strong enough +to risk his jaws in, he unsheathed his +sword, and bestowed upon it two hearty +strokes, the first of which in a twinkling +undid his whole week’s labour. +He did not at all approve of the facility +with which he hewed it in pieces; and +therefore, to secure himself from any +such danger for the future, went to work +anew. He faced it with a plate of iron, +in such a manner as that he remained +satisfied of its strength without putting +<span class='pageno' id='Page_28'>28</span>it to a second trial, and looked upon it +as a most finished piece of armour.</p> + +<p class='c005'>He next visited his horse, which +(though he had more corners than a +rial<a id='r25'></a><a href='#f25' class='c008'><sup>[25]</sup></a>, being as lean as Gonela’s, that +<span lang="la"><i>tantum pellis et ossa fuit</i></span>) nevertheless, +in his eye, appeared infinitely preferable +to Alexander’s Bucephalus, or the Cid’s +Babieca. Four days he consumed in +inventing a name for this remarkable +steed; suggesting to himself what an +impropriety it would be if an horse of +his qualities, belonging to such a renowned +knight, should go without some +sounding and significant appellation: he +therefore resolved to accommodate him +with one that should not only declare +his past, but also his present capacity; +for he thought it but reasonable, that +since his master had altered his condition, +he should also change his horse’s +name, and invest him with some sublime +and sonorous epithet, suitable to +the new order and employment he professed. +Accordingly, after having chosen, +rejected, amended, tortured, and +revolved, a world of names in his imagination, +he fixed upon Rozinante<a id='r26'></a><a href='#f26' class='c008'><sup>[26]</sup></a>, an +appellation, in his opinion, lofty, sonorous, +and expressive, not only of his +former, but likewise of his present situation, +which entitled him to the preference +over all other horses under the sun. +Having thus denominated his horse, so +much to his own satisfaction, he was +desirous of doing himself the like justice; +and after eight days study, actually +assumed the title of Don Quixote: +from whence, as hath been observed, +the authors of this authentick history +concluded, that his former name must +have been Quixada, and not Quesada, +as others are pleased to affirm. But recollecting +that the valiant Amadis, not +satisfied with that simple appellation, +added to it that of his country; and +in order to dignify the place of his +nativity, called himself Amadis De +Gaul. He resolved, like a worthy +knight, to follow such an illustrious example, +and assume the name of Don +Quixote de La Mancha, which, in his +opinion, fully expressed his generation, +and at the same time reflected infinite +honour on his fortunate country.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Accordingly, his armour being scowered, +his beaver fitted to his head-piece, +his steed accommodated with a name, +and his own dignified with these additions, +he reflected, that nothing else +was wanting but a lady to inspire him +with love; for a knight-errant without +a mistress, would be like a tree +destitute of leaves and fruit, or a body +without a soul. ‘If,’ said he, ‘for my +sins, or rather for my honour, I should +engage with some giant, an adventure +common in knight-errantry, and +overthrow him in the field, by cleaving +him in twain, or, in short, disarm +and subdue him; will it not be highly +proper that I should have a mistress, +to whom I may send my conquered +foe; who, coming into the presence +of the charming fair, will fall upon +his knees, and say, in an humble +and submissive tone; “Incomparable +princess, I am the giant Carculiambro, +lord of the island Malindrania, +who being vanquished in single combat +by the invincible knight Don +Quixote de La Mancha, am commanded +by him to present myself before +your beauty, that I may be disposed +of, according to the pleasure of +your highness?”’ How did the heart +of our worthy knight dance with joy +when he uttered this address; and still +more, when he found a lady worthy +of his affection! This, they say, was +an hale, buxom, country wench, called +Aldonza Lorenço, who lived in the +neighbourhood, and with whom he had +formerly been in love; though, by all +accounts, she never knew, nor gave +herself the least concern about the matter. +Her he looked upon as one qualified, +in all respects, to be the queen +of his inclinations; and putting his invention +again to the rack for a name +that should bear some affinity with her +own, and at the same time become a +princess or lady of quality, he determined +to call her Dulcinea del Toboso, she +being a native of that place; a name, +in his opinion, musical, romantick, and +<span class='pageno' id='Page_29'>29</span>expressive, like the rest which he had +appropriated to himself and his concerns.</p> + +<h4 id='chap1-1-2' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='two'>II.</abbr> <br> OF THE SAGE DON QUIXOTE’S FIRST SALLY FROM HIS OWN HABITATION.</h4> +<p class='c004'>These preparations being made, +he could no longer resist the desire +of executing his design; reflecting +with impatience on the injury his delay +occasioned in the world, where there +was abundance of grievances to be redressed, +wrongs to be rectified, errors +to be amended, abuses to be reformed, +and doubts to be removed; he therefore, +without communicating his intention +to any body, or being seen by a +living soul, one morning before day, in +the scorching month of July, put on +his armour, mounted Rozinante, buckled +his ill-contrived helmet, braced his +target, seized his lance, and through +the back door of his yard sallied into +the fields in a rapture of joy, occasioned +by this easy and successful beginning +of his admirable undertaking: but +scarce was he clear of the village, when +he was assaulted by such a terrible objection, +as had well-nigh induced our +hero to abandon his enterprize directly; +for he recollected that he had never been +knighted; and therefore, according to +the laws of chivalry, he neither could +nor ought to enter the lists with any antagonist +of that degree; nay, even granting +he had received that mark of distinction, +it was his duty to wear white +armour, like a new knight, without any +device on his shield, until such time as +his valour should entitle him to that honour<a id='r27'></a><a href='#f27' class='c008'><sup>[27]</sup></a>.</p> + +<p class='c005'>These cogitations made him waver a +little in his plan; but his madness prevailing +over every other consideration, +suggested that he might be dubbed by +the first person he should meet, after the +example of many others who had fallen +upon the same expedient; as he had read +in those mischievous books which had +disordered his imagination<a id='r28'></a><a href='#f28' class='c008'><sup>[28]</sup></a>. With respect +to the white armour, he proposed, +with the first opportunity, to scower his +own, until it should be fairer than ermine: +and having satisfied his conscience +in this manner, he pursued his design, +without following any other road +than that which his horse was pleased to +chuse; being persuaded that, in so doing, +he manifested the true spirit of adventure. +Thus proceeded our flaming +adventurer, while he uttered the following +soliloquy.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Doubtless, in future ages, when +the true history of my famed exploits +shall come to light, the sage author, +when he recounts my first and early +sally, will express himself in this +manner: “Scarce had ruddy Phœbus, +o’er this wide and spacious earth, displayed +the golden threads of his refulgent +hair; and scarce the little +painted warblers with their forky +tongues, in soft, mellifluous harmony, +had hailed the approach of +rosy-winged Aurora, who stealing +from her jealous husband’s couch, +through the balconies and aërial +gates of Mancha’s bright horizon, +stood confessed to wondering mortals; +when lo! the illustrious knight Don +Quixote de La Mancha, up-springing +from the lazy down, bestrode famed +Rozinante his unrivalled steed! and +through Monteil’s ancient, well-known +field,” which was really the +case, “pursued his way.”’ Then he +added, ‘O fortunate age! O happy +times! in which shall be made publick +my incomparable atchievements, +worthy to be engraved in brass, on +marble sculptured, and in painting +shewn, as great examples to futurity! +And O! thou sage enchanter, whosoever +thou may’st be, doomed to record +the wondrous story, forget not, +I beseech thee, my trusty Rozinante, +the firm companion of my various +fate!’ Then making a sudden transition, +he exclaimed, as if he had been +actually in love, ‘O Dulcinea! sovereign +princess of this captive heart, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_30'>30</span>what dire affliction hast thou made me +suffer, thus banished from thy presence +with reproach, and fettered by +thy rigorous command, not to appear +again before thy beauteous face! +Deign, princess, to remember this thy +faithful slave, who now endures such +misery for love of thee!’ These, and +other such rhapsodies, he strung together; +imitating, as much as in him lay, +the stile of those ridiculous books which +he had read; and jogging along, in +spite of the sun, which beamed upon +him so intensely hot, that surely his +brains, if any had remained, would +have been fried in his skull: that whole +day did he travel without encountering +any thing worth mentioning; a circumstance +that grieved him sorely, for he +had expected to find some object on +which he could try the prowess of his +valiant arm<a id='r29'></a><a href='#f29' class='c008'><sup>[29]</sup></a>.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Some authors say, his first adventure +was that of the pass of Lapice; but +others affirm, that the windmills had +the maidenhead of his valour: all +that I can aver of the matter, in consequence +of what I found recorded in +the annals of La Mancha, is, that having +travelled the whole day, his horse +and he, about twilight, found themselves +excessively wearied, and half dead +with hunger; and that looking around +for some castle or sheep-cote, in which +he might allay the cravings of nature, +by repose and refreshment; he descried, +not far from the road, an inn, which +he looked upon as the star that would +guide him to the porch, if not the palace, +of his redemption: in this hope, +he put spurs to his horse, and just in +the twilight reached the gate, where at +that time there happened to be two ladies +of the game; who, being on their +journey to Seville, with the carriers, had +chanced to take up their night’s lodging +in this place.</p> + +<p class='c005'>As our hero’s imagination converted +whatsoever he saw, heard, or considered, +into something of which he had read in +books of chivalry; he no sooner perceived +the inn, than his fancy represented +it as a stately castle, with its +four towers and pinnacles of shining silver, +accommodated with a draw-bridge, +deep moat, and all other conveniences +that are described as belonging to buildings +of that kind.</p> + +<p class='c005'>When he was within a small distance +of this inn, which to him seemed a castle, +he drew bridle, and stopped Rozinante, +in hope that some dwarf would appear +upon the battlements, and signify his +arrival by sound of trumpet: but as +this ceremony was not performed so +soon as he expected, and his steed expressed +great eagerness to be in the stable, +he rode up to the gate, and observing +the battered wenches before-mentioned, +mistook them for two beautiful +maidens, or agreeable ladies, enjoying +the cool breeze at the castle gate. At +that instant, a swine-herd, who, in a +field hard by, was tending a drove of +hogs, (with leave be it spoken) chanced +to blow his horn, in order to collect +his scattered subjects: immediately the +knight’s expectation was fulfilled, and +concluding that now the dwarf had given +the signal of his approach, he rode +towards the inn with infinite satisfaction. +The ladies no sooner perceived such a +strange figure, armed with lance and +target, than they were seized with consternation, +and ran affrighted to the gate; +but Don Quixote, guessing their terror +by their flight, lifted up his paste-board +vizor, and discovering his meagre lanthorn-jaws +besmeared with dust, addressed +them thus, with gentle voice and +courteous demeanor: ‘Fly me not, ladies; +nor dread the least affront; for +it belongs not to the order of knighthood, +which I profess, to injure any +mortal, much less such high-born +damsels as your appearance declares +you to be.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>The wenches, who stared at him with +all their curiosity, in order to discover +his face, which the sorry beaver concealed, +hearing themselves stiled <span class='fss'>HIGH-BORN +DAMSELS</span>, an epithet so foreign +to their profession, could contain themselves +no longer, but burst out into such +a fit of laughter, that Don Quixote, being +offended, rebuked them in these +words: ‘Nothing is more commendable +in beautiful women than modesty; +and nothing more ridiculous +than laughter proceeding from a slight +<span class='pageno' id='Page_31'>31</span>cause: but this I mention not as a +reproach, by which I may incur your +indignation; on the contrary, my intention +is only to do you service.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>This address, which was wholly unintelligible +to the ladies, together with +the ludicrous appearance of him who +pronounced it, increased their mirth; +which kindled the knight’s anger, and +he began to wax wroth; when luckily +the landlord interposed. This inn-keeper, +who, by reason of his unwieldy belly, +was of a pacifick disposition, no +sooner beheld the preposterous figure of +our hero, equipped with such ill-suited +accoutrements as his bridle, lance, target, +and corslet composed, than he was +seized with an inclination to join the +nymphs in their unseasonable merriment; +but being justly afraid of incensing the +owner of such unaccountable furniture, +he resolved to behave civilly, and accordingly +accosted him in these words: +‘Sir knight, if your worship wants +lodging, you may be accommodated +in this inn with every thing in great +abundance, except a bed; for at present +we have not one unengaged.’ +Don Quixote perceiving the humility of +the governor of the castle, for such he +supposed the landlord to be, answered, +‘For me, Signior Castellano, any thing +will suffice; my dress is armour, battles +my repose, &c.’ Mine host imagining +that he called him Castellano<a id='r30'></a><a href='#f30' class='c008'><sup>[30]</sup></a>, +because he looked like a hypocritical +rogue; though indeed, he was an Andalusian, +born on the coast of <abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr> Lucar, +as great a thief as Cacus, and more +mischievous than a collegian or a page, +replied with a sneer, ‘If that be the +case, I suppose your worship’s couch +is no other than the flinty rock, and +your sleep perpetual waking; so that +you may alight with the comfortable +assurance, that you will find, in this +mansion, continual opportunities of +defying sleep, not only for one night, +but for a whole year, if you please to +try the experiment.’ With these words, +he laid hold of the stirrup of Don Quixote; +who, dismounting with infinite pain +and difficulty, occasioned by his having +travelled all day long without any +refreshment, bade the landlord take special +care of his steed; for, he observed, +a better piece of horse-flesh had never +broke bread.</p> + +<p class='c005'>The innkeeper, though with all his +penetration he could not discern any +qualities in Rozinante sufficient to justify +one half of what was said in his +praise, led him civilly into the stable; +and having done the honours of the +place, returned to receive the commands +of his other guest, whom he found in +the hands of the high born damsels; +who having by this time reconciled +themselves to him, were busied in taking +off his armour: they had already disincumbered +him of his back and breast-plates, +but could fall upon no method +of disengaging his head and neck from +his ill-contrived helmet and gorget, +which were fast tied with green ribbands, +the Gordian knots of which no human +hands could loose; and he would by +no means allow them to be cut; so that +he remained all night armed from the +throat upwards, and afforded as odd and +comical a spectacle as ever was seen<a id='r31'></a><a href='#f31' class='c008'><sup>[31]</sup></a>. +While these kind harridans, whom he +supposed to be the constable’s lady and +daughter, were employed in this hospitable +office, he said to them with a +smile of inconceivable pleasure, ‘Never +was knight so honoured by the service +of ladies as Don Quixote, when +he first ushered himself into the world; +ladies ministered unto him, and princesses +took charge of his Rozinante. +O Rozinante! (for that, fair ladies, +is the name of my steed, and Don +Quixote de La Mancha the appellation +of his master) not that I intended +to have disclosed myself until the +deeds atchieved in your service should +have made me known; but, in order +to accommodate my present situation +to that venerable romance of Sir Lancelot, +I am obliged to discover my +name a little prematurely; yet the time +<span class='pageno' id='Page_32'>32</span>will come, when your highness shall +command, and I will obey, and the +valour of this arm testify the desire I +feel of being your slave.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>The charmers, whom nature never +desired to expose to such extraordinary +compliments, answered not a syllable, +but asked if he chose to have any thing +for supper. To which kind question +Don Quixote replied, that from the information +of his bowels, he believed +nothing eatable could come amiss. As +it was unluckily a meagre day, the inn +afforded no other fare than some bundles +of that fish which is called abadexo +in Castile, baccalao in Andalusia, curadillo +in some parts of Spain, and +truchuela in others: so that they inquired +if his worship could eat truchuela; +for there was no other fish to be +had. ‘A number of troutlings,’ answered +the knight, ‘will please me as +much as one trout; for, in my opinion, +eight single rials are equivalent +to one piece of eight; besides, those +troutlings may be as much preferable +to trouts, as veal is to beef, or lamb +to mutton<a id='r32'></a><a href='#f32' class='c008'><sup>[32]</sup></a>: be that as it will, let +the fish be immediately produced; +for the toil and burden of arms are +not to be borne without satisfying the +cravings of the stomach.’ A table +being therefore covered at the inn-door, +for the benefit of the cool air, mine host +brought out a cut of baccalao, wretchedly +watered, and villainously cooked, +with a loaf as black and greasy as his +guest’s own armour: but his manner +of eating afforded infinite subject for +mirth; for, his head being inclosed in +his helmet, and the beaver lifted up, +his own hands could be of no service in +reaching the food to his mouth; and +therefore one of the ladies undertook +to perform that office: but they found +it impossible to convey drink in the same +manner; and our hero must have made +an uncomfortable meal, if the landlord +had not bored a cane, and putting one +end of it in his mouth, poured some +wine into the other; an operation he endured +with patience, rather than suffer the +ribbands of his helmet to be destroyed.</p> + +<p class='c005'>While they were thus employed, a +sow-gelder happened to arrive at the +inn, and winding three or four blasts +with his horn, confirmed Don Quixote +in his opinion, that he sat in some stately +castle, entertained with musick during +his repast, which, consisting of delicate +troutling and bread of the finest +flour, was served up, not by a brace of +harlots and a thievish innkeeper, but +by the fair hands of two beautiful ladies, +and the courteous governor of the +place. This conceit justified his undertaking +and rendered him very happy +in the success of his first sally: but +he was mortified when he recollected +that he was not as yet knighted; because +he thought he could not lawfully +atchieve any adventure without having +been first invested with that honourable +order.</p> + +<h4 id='chap1-1-3' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='three'>III.</abbr> <br> THE DIVERTING EXPEDIENT DON QUIXOTE FALLS UPON<br> IN ORDER TO BE KNIGHTED.</h4> +<p class='c004'>Harassed by this reflection, +he abridged his sorry meal, and +called for the landlord; with whom +having shut himself up in the stable, he +fell upon his knees, and addressed the +supposed constable in these words: +‘Never will I rise from this suppliant +posture, thrice valiant knight, until +your courtesy shall grant the boon I +mean to beg; a boon, that will not +only redound to your particular praise, +but also to the inestimable benefit of +mankind in general<a id='r33'></a><a href='#f33' class='c008'><sup>[33]</sup></a>.’ The innkeeper +hearing such discourse proceed +from the mouth of his guest, who +kneeled before him, was astonished; +and gazed at our hero, without knowing +what to say or do: at length, however, +he intreated him to rise; but this +request was absolutely refused, until he +assured him that his boon should be +granted. ‘Signior,’ said Don Quixote, +‘I could expect no less from the +courtesy of your magnificence; I will +now therefore tell you, that the boon +which I have begged, and obtained +from your generosity, is, that you +will, to-morrow morning, vouchsafe +to confer upon me the honour of +<span class='pageno' id='Page_33'>33</span>knighthood. This night will I watch +my arms in the chapel of your castle; +that the morning, as I said, may fulfil +my eager desire, and enable me, as +I ought, to traverse the four corners +of the world, in search of adventures +for the relief of the distressed, according +to the duty and office of chivalry, +and of those knight-errants, in imitation +of whom my genius is strongly +addicted to such atchievements.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>The landlord, who, as we have already +observed, was a sort of a wag, +and had, from the beginning, suspected +that his lodger’s brain was none of the +soundest, having heard him to an end, +no longer entertained any doubts about +the matter; and, in order to regale +himself and the rest of his guests with a +dish of mirth, resolved to humour him +in his extravagance. With this view, +he told him, that nothing could be more +just and reasonable than his request, his +conceptions being extremely well-suited, +and natural to such a peerless knight as +his commanding presence and gallant +demeanour demonstrated him to be; that +he himself had, in his youth, exercised +the honourable profession of errantry, +strolling from place to place in quest of +adventures, in the course of which he +did not fail to visit the suburbs of Malaga, +the isles of Riaran, the booths of +Seville, the market-place of Segovia, +the olive-gardens of Valencia, the little +tower of Grenada, the bay of <abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr> Lucar, +the spout of Cordova<a id='r34'></a><a href='#f34' class='c008'><sup>[34]</sup></a>, the publick +houses of Toledo, and many other +places, in which he had exercised the +dexterity of his hands as well as the +lightness of his heels, doing infinite mischief; +courting widows without number, +debauching damsels, ruining heirs, +and, in short, making himself known +at the bar of every tribunal in Spain: +that, at length, he had retired to the +castle, where he lived on his own means, +together with those of other people; accommodating +knights-errant of every +quality and degree, solely on account of +the affection he bore to them, and to +the coin which they parted with in return +for his hospitality. He, moreover, +informed him, that there was no chapel +in the castle at present, where he could +watch his armour, it having been demolished +in order to be rebuilt; but +that, in case of necessity, as he very +well knew, he might chuse any other +place; that the court-yard of the castle +would very well serve the purpose; +where, when the knight should have +watched all night, he, the host, would +in the morning, with God’s permission, +perform all the other ceremonies required, +and create him not only a knight, +but such an one as should not have his +fellow in the whole universe.</p> + +<p class='c005'>He then asked, if he carried any money +about with him: and the knight +replied, that he had not a sous; for +he had never read in the history of +knights-errant, that they had ever troubled +themselves with any such incumbrance. +The innkeeper assured him, +that his was very much mistaken, for +that though no such circumstance was +to be found in those histories, the authors +having thought it superfluous to +mention things that were so plainly necessary +as money and clean shirts, it +was not to be supposed that their heroes +travelled without supplies of both; he +might therefore take it for granted and +uncontrovertible, that all those knights, +whose actions are so voluminously recorded, +never rode without their purses +well lined in cases of emergency<a id='r35'></a><a href='#f35' class='c008'><sup>[35]</sup></a>; not +forgetting to carry a stock of linen, with +a small box of ointment to cure the +wounds they might receive in the course +of their adventures; for it was not to +be imagined, that any other relief was +to be had every time they should have +occasion to fight, and be wounded in +fields and desarts; unless they were befriended +by some sage inchanter, who +would assist them, by transporting through +the air, in a cloud, some damsel, or +dwarf, with a cordial of such virtue, +that one drop of it would instantly cure +them of their bruises and wounds, and +make them as sound as if no such mischance +had happened: but the knights +<span class='pageno' id='Page_34'>34</span>of former ages, who had no such assistance +to depend upon, laid it down as a +constant maxim, to order their squires +to provide themselves with money and other +necessaries, such as ointment and lint +for immediate application: and, when +the knight happened to be without a +squire, which was very seldom the case, +he himself kept them in very small bags, +that hung, scarce perceptible, at his +horse’s rump, as if it were a treasure of +much greater importance. Though, indeed, +except upon such an occasion, that +of carrying bags was not much for the +honour of knight-errantry; for which +reason, he advised Don Quixote, and +now that he was on the brink of being +his godson, he might command him, +never thenceforward to travel without +money, and those other indispensible necessaries, +with which he should provide +himself as soon as possible; and then +he would, when he least thought of it, +find his account in having made such +provision.</p> + +<p class='c005'>The knight promised to follow his +advice with all deference and punctuality; +and thereupon received orders to +watch his armour in a large court on +one side of the inn; where, having gathered +the several pieces on a heap, he +placed them in a cistern that belonged to +the well; then bracing on his target, +and grasping his lance, he walked with +courteous demeanour backward and forward +before the cistern; beginning this +knightly exercise as soon as it was dark<a id='r36'></a><a href='#f36' class='c008'><sup>[36]</sup></a>. +The roguish landlord having informed +every lodger in his house of our hero’s +frenzy, the watching of his armour, +and his expectation of being dubbed a +knight; they were astonished at such a +peculiar strain of madness, and going +out to observe him at a distance, beheld +him with silent gesture sometimes stalking +along, sometimes leaning on his spear, +with his eyes fixed upon his armour, +for a considerable space of time. Though +it was now night, the moon shone with +such splendour, as might even vie with +the source from which she derived her +brightness; so that every motion of our +noviciate was distinctly perceived by all +present. At this instant, a carrier, who +lodged in the inn, took it in his head +to water his mules; and it being necessary +for this purpose to clear the cistern, +he went to lift off Don Quixote’s +armour; when a loud voice accosted him +in these words: ‘O thou! whosoever +thou art, bold and insolent knight! +who presumest to touch the armour of +the most valiant errant that ever girded +himself with cold iron, consider what +thou art about to attempt, and touch +it not, unless thou art desirous of +yielding thy life as the price of thy +temerity.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>The carrier, far from regarding these +threats, which, had he regarded his own +carcase, he would not have despised, laid +hold on the sacred deposit, and threw it +piece-meal into the yard with all his +might. Don Quixote no sooner beheld +this profanation, than lifting up his eyes +to Heaven, and addressing himself, in +all likelihood, to his Mistress Dulcinea, +he said, ‘Grant me thy assistance, dear +lady of my heart! in this insult offered +to thy lowly vassal, and let me not +be deprived of thy favourable protection +in this my first perilous atchievement.’ +Having uttered this and some +other ejaculation, he quitted his target, +and raising his lance with both hands, +bestowed it with such good-will upon +the carrier’s head, that he fell prostrate +on the ground, so effectually mauled, +that had the blow been repeated, there +would have been no occasion to call a +surgeon. This exploit being performed, +he replaced his armour, and returned +to his walk, which he continued with +his former composure.</p> + +<div id='plate12' class='figcenter id002'> +<img src='images/plate-xii.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +<div class='ic002'> +<p>Plate XII: Don Quixote Defends His Armour.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<p class='c005'>It was not long before another carrier, +not knowing what had happened to his +companion, who still lay without sense +or motion, arrived, with the same intention +of watering his mules, and went +straight up to the cistern, in order to remove +the armour; when Don Quixote, +without speaking a syllable, or asking +leave of any living soul, once more quitted +his target, and lifting up his lance, +made another experiment of its hardness +upon the pate of the second carrier, +which failed in the application, giving +way in four different places. At the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_35'>35</span>noise of this encounter, every body +in the house, innkeeper, and all, came +running to the field; at sight of whom +Don Quixote, snatching up his target, +and drawing his sword, pronounced aloud, +‘O lady, of transcendent beauty! +the force and vigour of my enfeebled +heart; now, if ever, is the time for +thee to turn thy princely eyes on this +thy caitif knight, who is on the eve +of so mighty an adventure.’ So saying, +he seemed to have acquired such +courage, that had he been assaulted by +all the carriers in the universe, he would +not have retreated one step.</p> + +<p class='c005'>The companions of the wounded, +seeing how their friends had been handled, +began at a distance to discharge a +shower of stones upon the knight; who, +as well as he could, sheltered himself +under his shield, not daring to leave the +cistern, lest some mischance should happen +to his armour. The innkeeper called +aloud, entreating them to leave off; +for, as he had told them before, the +man being mad, would be acquitted on +account of his lunacy, even though he +should put every soul of them to death. +At the same time, Don Quixote, in a +voice louder still, upbraided them as +cowardly traitors, and called the constable +of the castle a worthless and base-born +knight, for allowing his guest to +be treated in such an inhospitable manner; +swearing, that if he had received +the honour of knighthood, he would +make him repent his discourteous behaviour. +‘But as for you,’ said he, +‘ye vile, ill-mannered scum, ye are beneath +my notice. Discharge, approach, +come forward, and annoy me as much +as you can, you shall soon see what +reward you will receive for your insolent +extravagance.’ These words, +delivered in a bold and resolute tone, +struck terror into the hearts of the assailants; +who, partly for this menace, +and partly on account of the landlord’s +persuasion, gave over their attack; while +he, on his side, allowed the wounded to +retire, and returned to his watch, with +his former ease and tranquillity.</p> + +<p class='c005'>These pranks of the knight were not +at all to the liking of the landlord, who +resolved to abridge the ceremony, and +bestow this unlucky order of knighthood +immediately, before any other mischief +should happen. Approaching him, +therefore, he disclaimed the insolence +with which his guest had been treated +by those saucy plebeians, without his +knowledge or consent; and observed that +they had been justly chastised for their +impudence: that, as he had told him +before, there was no chapel in the castle, +nor indeed, for what was to be done, +was it at all necessary; nothing of the +ceremony now remaining unperformed, +except the cuff on the neck, and the +thwack on the shoulders, as they are +prescribed in the ceremonial of the order; +and that this part might be executed +in the middle of a field: he assured +him also, that he had punctually +complied with every thing that regarded +the watching of his armour, which +might have been finished in two hours, +though he had already remained double +the time on that duty. Don Quixote +believing every syllable that he spoke, +said, he was ready to obey him in all +things, and besought him to conclude +the matter as soon as possible: for, in +case he should be attacked again, after +having been knighted, he would not leave +a soul alive in the castle, except those +whom he should spare at his request.</p> + +<p class='c005'>The constable, alarmed at this declaration, +immediately brought out his day-book, +in which he kept an account of +the barley and straw that was expended +for the use of the carriers, and attended +by a boy with a candle’s end in his hand, +together with the two ladies before mentioned, +came to the place where Don +Quixote stood; then ordering him to +kneel before him, mumbled in his manual, +as if he had been putting up some +very devout petition; in the midst of +which he lifted up his hand, and gave +him a hearty thump on the neck; then, +with the flat of his own sword, bestowed +an handsome application across his shoulders, +muttering all the time between his +teeth, as if he had been employed in +some fervent ejaculation<a id='r37'></a><a href='#f37' class='c008'><sup>[37]</sup></a>. This article +being fulfilled, he commanded one +of the ladies to gird on his sword, an +office she performed with great dexterity +and discretion, of which there was no +small need to restrain her laughter at each +particular of this strange ceremony: but +<span class='pageno' id='Page_36'>36</span>the effects they had already seen of the +knight’s disposition, kept their mirth effectually +under the rein.</p> + +<p class='c005'>When this good lady had girded on +his sword, ‘Heaven preserve your worship! +adventurous knight,’ said she, +‘and make you fortunate in all your +encounters.’ Don Quixote then begged +to know her name, that he might +thenceforward understand to whom he +was obliged for the favour he had received +at her hands, and to whom he +might ascribe some part of the honour +he should acquire by the valour of his +invincible arm. She answered with great +humility, that her name was Tobosa, +daughter of an honest butcher in Toledo, +who lived in one of the stalls of +Sancho Minaya: that she should always +be at his service, and acknowledge him +for her lord and master. The knight +professed himself extremely obliged to +her for her love; and begged she would, +for the future, dignify her name by +calling herself Donna Tobosa. This +request she promised faithfully to comply +with; and a dialogue of the same +kind passed between him and the other +lady who buckled on his spur: when he +asked her name, she told him it was +Mollinera; and that her father was an +honourable miller of Antequera. Don +Quixote entreated her also to ennoble her +name with the same title of Donna, loaded +her with thanks, and made a tender +of his service. These hitherto unseen +ceremonies being dispatched, as it were +with post-haste, Don Quixote, impatient +to see himself on horseback, in quest +of adventures, saddled and mounted +Rozinante forthwith, and embracing his +host, uttered such a strange rhapsody of +thanks for his having dubbed him knight, +that it is impossible to rehearse the compliment. +The landlord, in order to get +rid of him the sooner, answered in terms +no less eloquent, though something more +laconick, and let him march off in a +happy hour, without demanding one farthing +for his lodging.</p> + +<h4 id='chap1-1-4' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='four'>IV.</abbr> <br> OF WHAT BEFEL OUR KNIGHT, WHEN HE SALLIED FROM THE INN.</h4> +<p class='c004'>It was early in the morning when +Don Quixote sallied from the inn, so +well satisfied, so sprightly, and so glad +to see himself invested with the order of +knighthood, that the very girths of his +horse vibrated with joy: but, remembering +his landlord’s advice, with regard +to the necessaries he ought to carry +along with him, in particular the money +and clean shirts, he resolved to return +to his own house, and furnish himself +not only with these, but also with a +squire. For this office he fixed, in his +own mind, upon a poor ploughman who +lived in his neighbourhood, maintaining +a family of children by his labour; +a person in all respects qualified for the +lower services of chivalry. With this +view he steered his course homeward: +and Rozinante, as if he had guessed the +knight’s intention, began to move with +such alacrity and nimbleness, that his +hoofs scarce seemed to touch the ground.</p> + +<p class='c005'>He had not travelled far, when from +the thickest part of a wood that grew on +his right-hand, his ear was saluted with +shrill repeated cries, which seemed to +issue from the mouth of some creature +in grievous distress. No sooner did our +hero hear this lamentation, than he exclaimed, +‘Heaven be praised for the favour +with which it now indulges me, +in giving me an opportunity so soon +of fulfilling the duties of my profession, +and reaping the fruit of my +laudable intention! These cries doubtless +proceed from some miserable male +or female, who stands in need of my +immediate aid and protection.’ Then +turning Rozinante, he rode towards the +place whence the complaint seemed to +come; and having entered the wood a +few paces, he found a mare tied to one +oak, and a lad about fifteen, naked from +the waist upwards, made fast to another. +This was he who screamed so +piteously, and indeed not without reason; +for a sturdy peasant was employed +in making applications to his carcase +with a leathern strap, accompanying each +stripe with a word of reproof and advice. +Above all things, laying upon +him strong injunctions, to use his tongue +less, and his eyes more: the young fellow +replied, with great fervency, ‘I +will never do so again, master, so help +me God! I won’t do so any more; but +for the future take more care, and use +more dispatch.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Don Quixote observing what passed, +pronounced aloud with great indignation: +‘Discourteous knight, it ill becomes +thee to attack one who cannot +<span class='pageno' id='Page_37'>37</span>defend himself: mount thy steed, +couch thy lance,’ (for there was actually +a lance leaning against the tree to +which the mare was tied) ‘and I will +make thee sensible of the cowardice of +the action in which thou art now engaged.’ +The peasant seeing this strange +figure, buckled in armour, and brandishing +a lance over his head, was mortally +afraid, and with great humility replied, +‘Sir knight, this lad whom I +am chastising, is my own servant hired +to keep a flock of sheep, which feed in +these fields; but he is so negligent, that +every day I lose one of the number, +and because I punish him for his carelessness, +or knavery, he says that I +scourge him out of avarice, rather than +pay him his wages; though, upon my +conscience, and as I shall answer to +God, he tells a lye.’—‘How! a lye, +before me, base caitif!’ cried Don +Quixote; ‘by the sun that enlightens +this globe, I have a good mind to thrust +this lance through thy body! Pay the +young man his wages straight, without +reply; or, by the Power that rules us, +I will finish and annihilate thee in an +instant! unbind him therefore without +hesitation.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>The countryman hung his head, and +without speaking a syllable, untied his +man; who, being asked by the knight +how much money was due to him, said +his master owed him for three quarters, +at the rate of six rials a month. His deliverer +having cast it up, found that the +whole amounted to sixty-three rials, and +ordered the peasant to disburse them instantly, +unless he had a mind to perish under +his hands. The affrighted farmer affirmed, +by the grievous situation in which +he was, and the oath he had already taken, +though, by the bye, he had taken +no oath at all, that the sum did not amount +to so much; for that he was to +discount and allow for three pair of +shoes he had received, and a rial for two +bleedings while he was sick. ‘Granting +that to be true,’ replied Don Quixote, +‘the shoes and the bleeding shall +stand for the stripes you have given +him without cause; for, if he has wore +out the leather of the shoes that you +paid for, you have made as free with +the leather of his carcase; and if the +barber let out his blood when he was +sick, you have blooded him when he +was well; he therefore stands acquitted +of these debts.’—‘The misfortune, +Sir knight,’ said the peasant, ‘is +this; I have not coin about me: but +if Andrew will go home to my house, +I will pay him honestly in ready-money.’—‘Go +with you!’ cried the lad; +‘the devil fetch me if I do! No, no, +master, I must not think of that; were +I to go home with him alone, he would +flay me like another Saint Bartholomew.’—‘He +won’t do so,’ replied the +knight, ‘but shew more regard to my +commands; and if he will swear to +me by the laws of that order of knighthood +which he has received, that he +will pay you your wages, I will set +him free, and warrant the payment.’—‘Lord, +how your worship talks!’ said +the boy; ‘this master of mine is no +gentleman, nor has he received any +order of knighthood, but is known by +the name of rich John Haldudo, and +lives in the neighbourhood of Quintanar.’—‘No +matter,’ replied Don Quixote, +‘there may be knights among the +Haldudos, especially as every one is +the son of his own works.’—‘True,’ +said Andrew; ‘but what works is my +master the son of, since he refuses to pay +me for my labour, and the sweat of my +brows?’—‘I don’t refuse; honest Andrew,’ +answered the peasant; ‘thou wilt +do me a pleasure in going home with +me; and I swear by all the honours of +knighthood in the universe, that I will +pay thee thy wages, as I said before, +in ready-money; nay, you shall +have it perfumed into the bargain.’—‘Thank +you for your perfumes!’ said +the knight; ‘pay him in lawful coin, +and I shall be satisfied: and be sure +you fulfil the oath you have taken; +for, by the same obligation, I swear, +that in case you fail, I will return to +chastise you, and ferret you out, even +though you should be more concealed +than a lizard. If you would understand +who it is that lays such commands +upon you, that you may find +yourself under a necessity of performing +them with reverence and awe, +know that I am the valiant Don +Quixote de La Mancha, the redresser +of wrongs, and scourge of injustice: +so farewel. Remember, not to belye +your promise and oath, on pain of the +penalty prescribed.’ With these words, +he clapped spurs to Rozinante, and was +out of sight in a moment.</p> + +<p class='c005'>The countryman followed him with +his eyes, till he saw him quite clear of +<span class='pageno' id='Page_38'>38</span>the wood; then turning to Andrew, +said, ‘Come hither, child, I must pay +what I owe you, according to the +order of that redresser of wrongs.’—‘And +adad,’ said Andrew, ‘you had +best not neglect the orders of that +worthy knight, who (blessings on his +heart!) is equally valiant and upright; +for odds bobs, if you do not pay me, +he will return and be as good as his +word.’—‘In faith, I am of the same +opinion,’ replied the peasant; ‘but, +out of my infinite regard for you, I +am desirous of encreasing the debt, +that the payment may be doubled.’ +So saying, he laid hold of his arm, and +tying him again to the tree, flogged him +so severely, that he had like to have +died on the spot. ‘Now is the time, +Mr. Andrew,’ said the executioner, +‘to call upon the redresser of grievances, +who will find it difficult to redress +this, which by the bye I am loth +to finish, being very much inclined +to justify your fear of being flayed +alive.’ At length, however, he unbound +and left him at liberty to find +out his judge, who was to execute the +sentence he had pronounced. Andrew +sneaked off, not extremely well satisfied: +on the contrary, vowing to go in +quest of the valiant Don Quixote de +La Mancha, and inform him punctually +of every thing that had happened, +an account which would certainly induce +him to pay the countryman sevenfold.</p> + +<p class='c005'>In spite of this consolation, however, +he departed blubbering with pain, while +his master remained weeping with +laughter. And thus was the grievance +redressed by the valiant Don Quixote, +who, transported with the success, and +the happy and sublime beginning which +he imagined his chivalry had been favoured +with, jogged on towards his +own village, with infinite self satisfaction, +pronouncing with a low voice, +‘O Dulcinea del Toboso, fairest among +the fair! well may’st thou be counted +the most fortunate beauty upon +earth, seeing it is thy fate to keep in +subjection and wholly resigned to thy +will and pleasure, such a daring and +renowned knight as Don Quixote de +La Mancha now is, and always will +remain. He who, as all the world +knows, but yesterday received the honour +of knighthood, and has this day +redressed the greatest wrong and grievance +that ever injustice hatched, and +cruelty committed! To-day he wrested +the lash from the hand of the merciless +enemy, who so unjustly scourged +the body of that tender infant!’ Having +uttered this exclamation, he found +himself in a road that divided into four +paths, and straight his imagination suggested +those cross-ways that were wont +to perplex knights-errant in their choice; +in imitation of whom, he paused a little, +and after mature deliberation, threw +the reins on Rozinante’s neck, leaving +the decision to him, who following his +first intention, took the path that led directly +to his own stable.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Having travelled about two miles farther, +Don Quixote descried a number of +people, who, as was afterwards known, +were six merchants of Toledo, going to +buy silks at Mercia, and who travelled +with umbrellas, attended by four servants +on horseback, and three mule-drivers +on foot. Don Quixote no sooner +perceived them at a distance, than he +imagined them to be some new adventure; +and, in order to imitate, as much +as in him lay, those scenes he had read +in his books of chivalry, he thought +this was an occasion expressly ordained +for him to execute his purposed atchievement.</p> + +<p class='c005'>He therefore, with gallant and resolute +deportment, seated himself firmly +in his stirrups, grasped his lance, braced +on his target, and posting himself in +the middle of the road, waited the arrival +of those knights-errant, for such +he judged them to be. When they were +near enough to hear him, he pronounced +in a loud and arrogant tone: ‘Let the +whole universe cease to move, if the +whole universe refuses to confess, that +there is not in the whole universe a +more beautiful damsel than the peerless +Dulcinea del Toboso, the high +and mighty Empress of La Mancha.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>The merchants hearing this declaration, +and seeing the strange figure +from which it proceeded, were alarmed +at both, and halting immediately, at a +distance reconnoitred the madness of the +author. Curious, however, to know +the meaning of that confession which he +exacted, one of them, who was a sort of +a wag, though at the same time a man of +prudence and discretion, accosted him +thus: ‘Sir Knight, as we have not the +honour to know who this worthy lady +is, be so good as to produce her; +<span class='pageno' id='Page_39'>39</span>and if we find her so beautiful as you +proclaim her to be, we will gladly, +and without any sort of reward, confess +the truth, according to your desire.’—‘If +I produce her,’ replied +Don Quixote, ‘what is the mighty merit +of your confessing such a notorious +truth? The importance of my demand +consists in your believing, acknowledging, +affirming upon oath, and +defending her beauty, before you have +seen it. And this ye shall do, ye insolent +and uncivil race, or engage +with me in battle forthwith. Come +on then, one by one, according to +the laws of chivalry, or all together, +as the treacherous custom is among +such wretches as you; here I expect +you with full hope and confidence in +the justice of my cause.’—‘Sir knight,’ +replied the merchant, ‘I humbly beg, +in the name of all these princes here +present, that your worship will not +oblige us to burden our consciences, +by giving testimony to a thing that we +have neither seen nor heard, especially +as it tends to the prejudice of the +queens and princesses of Alcarria and +Estremadura; but, if your worship +will be pleased to shew us any sort of +a picture of this lady, though it be no +bigger than a grain of wheat, so as +we can judge the clue by the thread, +we will be satisfied with this sample, +and you shall be obeyed to your +heart’s content; for I believe we are +already so prepossessed in her favour, +that though the portrait should represent +her squinting with one eye, and +distilling vermilion and brimstone +with the other, we will, notwithstanding, +in compliance to your worship, +say what you desire in her favour.’—‘Her +eyes, infamous wretch!’ +replied Don Quixote, in a rage, ‘distil +not such productions, but teem with +amber and rich perfume; neither is +there any defect in her sight, or in her +body, which is more straight than a +Guadarrama spindle; but you shall +suffer for the licentious blasphemy you +have uttered against the unparalleled +beauty of my sovereign mistress.’ So +saying, he couched his lance, and attacked +the spokesman with such rage +and fury, that had not Rozinante luckily +stumbled and fallen in the midst of +his career, the merchant would have +had no cause to rejoice in his rashness; +but when the unhappy steed fell to the +ground, the rider was thrown over his +head, and pitched at a good distance +upon the field, where he found all his +endeavours to get up again ineffectual, +so much was he encumbered with his +lance, target, helmet, and spurs, together +with the weight of his ancient +armour.</p> + +<p class='c005'>While he thus struggled, but in vain, +to rise, he bellowed forth, ‘Fly not, +ye cowardly crew; tarry a little, ye +base caitiffs: not through any fault +of my own, but of my horse, am I +thus discomfited.’ One of the mule-drivers, +who seems not to have been of +a very milky disposition, could not bear +this arrogant language of the poor overthrown +knight, without making a reply +upon his ribs. Going up to him, therefore, +he laid hold on his lance, and +breaking it, began to thresh him so severely, +that, in spite of the resistance +of his armour, he was almost beaten +into mummy; and though the fellow’s +master called to him to forbear, he was +so incensed, that he could not leave off +the game, until he had exhausted the +whole of his choler. Gathering the +other pieces of the lance, he reduced +them all to shivers, one after another, +on the miserable carcase of the Don, +who, notwithstanding this storm of +blows which descended on him, never +closed his mouth, but continued threatening +heaven and earth, and those banditti, +for such he took the merchants +to be.</p> + +<p class='c005'>The driver was tired at length of his +exercise, and his masters pursued their +journey, carrying with them sufficient +food for conversation about this poor +battered knight; who no sooner found +himself alone, than he made another +effort to rise; but if he found this design +impracticable when he was safe +and sound, much less could he accomplish +it now that he was disabled, and +as it were wrought into a paste. He +did not, however, look upon himself +as unhappy, because this misfortune +was in his opinion peculiar to knights-errant; +and, that he was not able to +rise on account of the innumerable +bruises he had received, he ascribed entirely +to the fault of his horse.</p> +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_40'>40</span> + <h4 id='chap1-1-5' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='five'>V.</abbr> <br> IN WHICH THE STORY OF OUR KNIGHT’S MISFORTUNE IS CONTINUED.</h4> +</div> +<p class='c004'>Finding it therefore impossible +to move, he was fain to have recourse +to his usual remedy, which was to +amuse his imagination with some passages +of the books he had read; and +his madness immediately recalled to his +memory that of Valdovinos and the +Marquis of Mantua, when Carloto left +him wounded on the mountain; a piece +of history that every body knows, that +every young man is acquainted with, +and which is celebrated, nay more, believed, +by old age itself, though it be as +apocryphal as the miracles of Mahomet: +nevertheless, it occurred to him as an +occasion expressly adapted to his present +situation. Therefore, with marks +of extreme affliction, he began to roll +about upon the ground, and with a languid +voice, exclaim, in the words of +the wounded knight of the wood—</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c012'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘Where art thou, lady of my heart,</div> + <div class='line in2'>‘Regardless of my misery?</div> + <div class='line'>‘Thou little know’st thy lover’s smart,</div> + <div class='line in2'>‘Or faithless art and false pardie!’</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>In this manner he went on repeating +the romance until he came to these lines:</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c012'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘O noble prince of Mantuan plains.</div> + <div class='line in2'>‘My carnal kinsman, and my lord!’</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>Before he could repeat the whole couplet, +a peasant who was a neighbour of +his own, and lived in the same village, +chanced to pass, in his way from the +mill where he had been with a load of +wheat. This honest countryman seeing +a man lying stretched upon the ground, +came up, and asked him who he was, +and the reason of his lamenting so piteously. +Don Quixote doubtless believed +that this was his uncle the Marquis +of Mantua, and made no other reply +but the continuation of his romance, +in which he gave an account of +his own misfortune, occasioned by the +amour betwixt his wife and the emperor’s +son, exactly as it is related in +the book. The peasant, astonished at +such a rhapsody, took off his beaver, +which had been beaten to pieces by the +mule-driver, and wiping his face, which +was covered with dust, immediately +knew the unfortunate knight. ‘Signior +Quixada,’ said he, (for so he was +called before he had lost his senses, and +was transformed from a sober country +gentleman into a knight-errant) ‘who +has left your worship in such a woeful +condition?’ But he, without minding +the question that was put to him, proceeded, +as before, with his romance; +which the honest man perceiving, went +to work, and took off his back and +breast-plates, to see if he had received +any wound, but he could perceive neither +blood nor scar upon his body. He +then raised him upon his legs, and with +infinite difficulty mounted him upon his +own beast, which appeared to him a safer +carriage than the knight’s steed.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Having gathered up his armour, even +to the splinters of the lance, he tied +them upon Rozinante, and taking hold +of the reins, together with the halter of +his own ass, jogged on towards the +village, not a little concerned to hear the +mad exclamations of Don Quixote, who +did not find himself extremely easy; for +he was so battered and bruised, that he +could not sit upright upon the beast, but +from time to time vented such dismal +groans, as obliged the peasant to ask +again what was the matter with him. +Indeed, one would have thought, that +the devil had assisted his memory in supplying +him with tales accommodated +to the circumstances of his own situation; +for at that instant, forgetting Valdovinos, +he recollected the story of +Abindar-raez the Moor, whom Rodrigo +de Narvaez, governor of Antequera, +took prisoner, and carried into +captivity to the place of his residence; +so that when the countryman repeated +his desire of knowing where he had +been, and what was the matter with +him, he answered to the purpose, nay, +indeed, in the very words, used by the +captive Abencerraje to the said Rodrigo +de Narvaez, as may be seen in the Diana +of George Monte-major, which he +had read, and so well-adapted for his +purpose, that the countryman hearing +such a composition of folly, wished them +both at the devil.</p> + +<p class='c005'>It was then he discovered that his +neighbour was mad; and therefore made +all the haste he could to the village, that +he might be the sooner rid of his uneasiness +at the unaccountable harangue +of Don Quixote; who had no sooner +finished this exclamation, than he accosted +<span class='pageno' id='Page_41'>41</span>his conductor in these words—‘Know, +then, valiant Don Rodrigo de +Narvaez, that this same beautiful Xarifa, +whom I have mentioned, is no +other than the fair Dulcinea del Toboso, +for whom I have performed, +undertake, and will atchieve, the most +renowned exploits, that ever were, +are, or will be seen on earth.’ To +this address the countryman replied with +great simplicity—‘How your worship +talks! As I am a sinner, I am neither +Don Rodrigo de Narvaez, nor the +Marquis of Mantua, but Pedro Alonzo, +your neighbour; nor is your +worship either Valdovinos, or Abindar-raez, +but the worthy gentleman +Signior Quixada.’—‘I know very well +who I am,’ replied Don Quixote; +‘and that it is possible for me to be not +only those whom I have mentioned, +but also the whole Twelve Peers of +France, and even the Nine Worthies, +seeing that my atchievements will excel +not only those of each of them +singly, but even the exploits of them +all joined together.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Discoursing in this manner, they arrived +at the village about twilight; but the +peasant staid till it was quite dark, that +the poor rib-roasted knight might not be +seen in such a woeful condition. Then +he conducted Don Quixote to his own +house, which was all in confusion. +When he arrived, the curate and the +barber of the village, two of his best +friends and companions, were present, +and his housekeeper was just saying with +a woeful countenance, ‘Mr. Licentiate +Pero Perez,’ that was the curate’s +name, ‘some misfortune must certainly +have happened to my master; for six +days, both he and his horse, together +with the target, lance, and armour, +have been missing<a id='r38'></a><a href='#f38' class='c008'><sup>[38]</sup></a>: as I am a sinner, +it is just come into my head, and +it is certainly as true as that every one +is born to die, those hellish books of +knight-errantry, which he used to read +with so much pleasure, have turned +his brain; for now I remember to have +heard him say to himself more than +once, that he longed to be a knight-errant, +and stroll about in quest of +adventures. May the devil and +Barrabas lay hold of such legends, +which have perverted one of the soundest +understandings in all La Mancha!’</p> + +<p class='c005'>To this remark the niece assented, +saying—‘Moreover, you must know, +Mr. Nicolas,’ this was the name of +the barber, ‘my uncle would frequently, +after having been reading in these +profane books of misadventures, for +two whole days and nights together, +start up, throw the book upon the +ground, and drawing his sword, fence +with the walls till he was quite fatigued, +then affirm that he had killed +four giants as big as steeples, and +swear that the sweat of his brows, occasioned +by this violent exercise, was +the blood of the wounds he had received +in battle; then he would drink +of a large pitcher of cold water, and +remain quiet and refreshed, saying, +that the water was a most precious beverage, +with which he was supplied by +the sage Isquife, a mighty inchanter +and friend of his; but I take the +whole blame to myself, for not having +informed your worship of my dear +uncle’s extravagancies, that some remedy +might have been applied before +they had proceeded to such excess; +and that you might have burnt all +those excommunicated books, which +deserve the fire as much as if they +were crammed with heresy.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘I am of the same opinion,’ said the +curate; ‘and assure you, before another +day shall pass, they shall undergo +a severe trial, and be condemned to the +flames, that they may not induce other +readers to follow the same path which +I am afraid my good friend has taken.’ +Every syllable of this conversation was +overheard by Don Quixote and his +guide, which last had now no longer +any doubt about his neighbour’s infirmity, +and therefore pronounced with a +loud voice—‘Open your gates to the +valiant Valdovinos, and the great +Marquis of Mantua, who comes home +wounded from the field together with +the Moor Abindar-raez, who drags in +captivity the valiant Rodrigo de Narvaez, +governor of Antequera.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Alarmed at these words, they came +all to the door, and perceiving who it +was, the barber and curate went to receive +their friend, and the women ran +<span class='pageno' id='Page_42'>42</span>to embrace their master and kinsman; +who, though he had not as yet alighted, +for indeed it was not in his power, proclaimed +aloud—‘Let the whole world +take notice, that the wounds I have +received were owing to the fault of +my horse alone; carry me therefore to +bed, and send if possible for the sage +Urganda<a id='r39'></a><a href='#f39' class='c008'><sup>[39]</sup></a>, to search and cure them.’—‘See +now, in an evil hour,’ cried +the housekeeper, hearing these words, +‘if I did not truly foretel of what leg +my master was lame!—Your worship +shall understand, in good time, that +without the assistance of that same +Urganda, we know how to cure the +hurts you have received; and cursed, +I say, nay a hundred and a hundred +times cursed, be those books of chivalry, +which have so disordered your +honour’s brain!’ Having carried him +to his bed, they began to search for his +wounds, but could find none; and he +told them that his whole body was one +continued bruise, occasioned by the fall +of his horse Rozinante, during his engagement +with ten of the most insolent +and outrageous giants that ever appeared +upon the face of the earth. ‘Ah, +ha!’ cried the curate, ‘have we got +giants too in the dance! Now, by the +faith of my function, I will reduce +them all to ashes before to-morrow +night!’</p> + +<p class='c005'>A thousand questions did they ask of +the knight, who made no other answer, +but desired them to bring him some food, +and leave him to his repose, which indeed +was what he had most occasion for. +They complied with his request, and +the curate informed himself at large of +the manner in which he had been found +by the countryman, who gave him full +satisfaction in that particular, and repeated +all the nonsense he had uttered +when he first found him, as well as what +he afterwards spoke in their way home. +This information confirmed the licentiate +in his resolution, which was executed +next day, when he brought his +friend master Nicolas the barber along +with him to Don Quixote’s house.</p> + +<h4 id='chap1-1-6' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='six'>VI.</abbr> <br> OF THE DIVERTING AND MINUTE SCRUTINY PERFORMED BY THE CURATE AND THE BARBER, IN THE LIBRARY OF OUR SAGACIOUS HERO.</h4> +<p class='c004'>While the knight was asleep, +his friends came and demanded +of his niece the key of the closet in +which those books, the authors of his +misfortune, were kept; and she delivering +it with great chearfulness, they went +into it in a body, housekeeper and all, +and found upwards of a hundred volumes, +great and small, extremely well +bound; which were no sooner perceived +by the governante, than she ran out +with great eagerness, and immediately +returned with a porringer of holy water, +and a sprig of hyssop, saying—‘Here, +Master Licentiate, pray take +and sprinkle the closet, lest some one +of the many inchanters contained in +these books should exercise his art +upon us, as a punishment for our +burning and banishing them from the +face of the earth.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>The licentiate, smiling at the old +housekeeper’s simplicity, desired the barber +to hand him the books one by one, +that he might see of what subjects they +treated, because they might possibly find +some that did not deserve to be purged +by fire. ‘There is not one of them,’ +replied the niece, ‘which deserves the +least mercy, for they are all full of mischief +and deceit. You had better, +therefore, throw them out of the window +into the court-yard, and there set +fire to them in a heap: or let them be +carried into the back-yard, where the +bonfire may be made, and the smoke +will offend nobody.’ The housekeeper +assented to this proposal, so eager were +they both to destroy those innocents; +but the curate would by no means encourage +such barbarity, without reading +first, if possible, the title-pages.</p> + +<p class='c005'>The first that Master Nicolas delivered +into his hand, were the four volumes +of Amadis de Gaul. ‘There is,’ said +<span class='pageno' id='Page_43'>43</span>the good man, ‘something mysterious +in this circumstance; for, as I have +heard, that was the first book of chivalry +printed in Spain, from which +all the rest have derived their origin +and plan; and therefore, in my opinion, +we ought to condemn him to +the fire, without hesitation, as the law-giver +of such a pernicious sect.’—‘By +no means,’ cried the barber; ‘for I +have also heard, that this is the best +book of the kind that was ever composed; +and therefore ought to be pardoned, +as an original and model in +its way.’—‘Right,’ said the curate; +‘and for that reason he shall be spared +for the present. Let us see that author +who stands next to him.’—‘This,’ +says the barber, ‘contains the atchievements +of Esplandian, the lawful son of +Amadis de Gaul.’—‘Truly, then,’ +said the curate, ‘the virtues of the father +shall not avail the son. Here, +Mrs Housekeeper, open that window, +and toss him into the yard, +where he shall serve as a foundation +for the bonfire we intend to make.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>This talk the housekeeper performed +with infinite satisfaction; and the worthy +Esplandian took his flight into the +yard, to wait in patience for the fire +with which he was threatened. ‘Proceed,’ +cried the curate. ‘This that +comes next,’ said the barber, ‘is Amadis +of Greece; and I believe all +the authors on this shelf are of the +same family.’—‘To the yard, then, +with all of them,’ replied the curate; +‘for rather than not burn Queen Pintiquiniestra, +and the shepherd Darinel +with his eclogues, together with the +unintelligible and bedevilled discourses +of his author; I would even +consume the father who begat me, +should he appear in the figure of a +knight-errant.’—‘I am of your opinion,’ +said the barber. ‘And I,’ +cried the niece. ‘Since that is the case,’ +said the housekeeper, ‘to the yard with +them immediately.’ Accordingly, they +delivered a number into her hands; and +she, out of tenderness for the stair-case, +sent them all out of the window.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Who may that tun-like author be?’ +said the curate. ‘This here,’ answered +the barber, ‘is Don Olivante de Laura.’—‘The +very same,’ replied the curate, +‘who composed the Garden of Flowers; +and truly it is hard to determine, +which of his two books is the most +true, or rather which of them is least +false: all that I know is, that he shall +go to the pile for his arrogance and +folly.’—‘He that follows,’ says the +barber, ‘is Florismarte of Hircania.’—‘What, +Signior Florismarte?’ replied +the curate: ‘in faith, then he must +prepare for his fate; notwithstanding +his surprizing birth, and mighty adventures, +and the unparalleled stiffness +and sterility of his stile.—Down +with him, Mistress Housekeeper! and +take this other along with you also.’—‘With +all my heart, dear Sir!’ replied +the governante; who executed his commands +with vast alacrity.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘He that comes next,’ said the barber, +‘is the knight Platir.’—‘That is +an old book,’ said the clergyman; +‘but as I can find nothing in him that +deserves the least regard, he must e’en +keep the rest company.’ He was accordingly +doomed to the flames, without +farther question. The next book +they opened was intituled, The Knight +of the Cross; which the curate having +read, ‘The ignorance of this author,’ +said he, ‘might be pardoned, on account +of his holy title; but according +to the proverb, “The devil skulks +behind the cross;” and therefore let +him descend into the fire.’ Master +Nicolas taking up another book, found +it was the Mirror of Chivalry. ‘Oh, +ho!’ cried the curate, ‘I have the honour +to know his worship. Away +with Signior Rinaldo de Mont-alban, +with his friends and companions, +who were greater thieves than Cacus; +not forgetting the Twelve Peers, together +with Turpin, their candid historian. +Though, truly, in my opinion, +their punishment ought not to exceed +perpetual banishment, because they +contain some part of the invention +of the renowned Matteo Boyardo, +on which was weaved the ingenious +web of the Christian poet Ludovico +Ariosto; to whom, should I find +him here speaking in any other language +than his own, I would pay +no regard; but, if he talks in his +own idiom, I will place him on +my head, in token of respect.’—‘I +have got him at home,’ said the barber, +‘in Italian, but I don’t understand +that language.’—‘Nor is it +necessary you should,’ replied the curate: +‘and here let us pray Heaven to +forgive the captain, who has impoverished +<span class='pageno' id='Page_44'>44</span>him so much, by translating +him into Spanish, and making him +a Castilian. And, indeed, the same +thing will happen to all those who +pretend to translate books of poetry +into a foreign language; for, in spite +of all their care and ability, they will +find it impossible to give the translation +the same energy which is found +in the original. In short, I sentence +this book, and all those which we +shall find treating of French matters, +to be thrown and deposited in a dry +well, until we can determine at more +leisure what fate they must undergo, +except Bernardo del Carpio, and another +called Roncesvalles, which if +they fall into my hands, shall pass +into those of the housekeeper, and +thence into the fire, without any mitigation.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>This was approved of as an equitable +decision, and accordingly confirmed +by the barber, who knew the curate to +be such a good Christian, and so much +a friend to truth, that he would not be +guilty of an equivocation for the whole +universe. The next volume he opened +was Palmerin D’Oliva; and hard by +him stood another, called Palmerin of +England; which was no sooner perceived +by the licentiate, than he cried, +‘Let that Oliva be hewn in pieces, and +burned; so as not so much as a cinder +of him shall remain; but let the +English Palmerin be defended, and +preferred as an inestimable jewel, and +such another casket be made for him +as that which Alexander found among +the spoils of Darius, and destined as +a case for the works of Homer. That +book, neighbour, is venerable for two +reasons, first, because it is in itself +excellent; and, secondly, because it +is said to have been composed by an +ingenious king of Portugal. All the +adventures of the castle of Miraguarda +are incomparable, and contrived +with infinite art; the language perspicuous +and elegant, and the characters +supported with great propriety +of sentiment and decorum. I propose, +Mr. Nicolas, saving your better +judgment, to exempt this book and +Amadis de Gaul from the flames, and +let all the rest perish without farther +enquiry.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Pardon me, neighbour,’ replied the +barber, ‘I have here got in my hand +the renowned Don Bellianis.’—‘Even +he,’ answered the priest, ‘with the second, +third, and fourth parts, stands +very much in need of a little rhubarb +to purge his excessive choler, and +ought to be pruned of that whole +Castle of Fame, and other more important +impertinences. For which reason, +let the sentence be changed into +transportation; and, according as he +reforms he shall be treated with lenity +and justice. In the mean time, friend +Nicolas, keep him safe in your house, +out of the reach of every reader.’—‘With +all my soul!’ answered the barber; +and without giving themselves the +trouble of reading any more titles, they +ordered the housekeeper to dismiss all +the large books into the yard.</p> + +<p class='c005'>This direction was not given to a +person who was either doating or deaf, +but to one who was much more inclined +to perform that office than to compose +the largest and finest web that ever was +seen. Taking up, therefore, seven or +eight at a time, she heaved them out of +the window, with incredible dispatch. +While she was thus endeavouring to lift +a good many together, one of them +chanced to fall at the feet of the barber, +who being seized with an inclination of +knowing the contents, found upon examination, +that it was called the History +of the famous Knight Tirante the White. +‘Heaven be praised!’ cried the curate, +aloud, ‘that we have discovered Tirante +the White in this place: pray give it +me, neighbour; for in this book I +reckon I have found a treasure of satisfaction, +and a rich mine of amusement. +Here is the famous Godamercy<a id='r40'></a><a href='#f40' class='c008'><sup>[40]</sup></a>, +of Mont-alban, and his brother +Thomas of Mont-alban, and the +knight Fonseca, as also an account +of the battle fought between Alano +and the valiant Detriante, together +with the Witticisms of the Young +Lady, Joy of my Life, with the amorous +stratagems of the Widow Quiet, +and her highness the Empress who was +enamoured of her Squire Hippolito. +I do assure you, upon my word, Mr. +Nicolas, that, in point of stile, this +is the best book that ever was written. +Here the knights eat, sleep, and die, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_45'>45</span>in their beds, after having made their +wills, with many circumstances that +are wanting in other books of the same +kind. Notwithstanding, the author +who composed it certainly deserved to +be sent to the gallies for life, for having +spent his time in writing so much +nonsense. Take and read him at +home, and you shall find what I say +to be true.’—‘Very like,’ replied the +barber: ‘what shall we do with these +small books that remain?’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘These,’ said the curate, ‘cannot be +books of chivalry, but must be poems.’ +Accordingly, opening one, he found it +was the Diana of George de Monte-major, +and taking it for granted that +all the rest were of the same kind, said, +‘These books do not deserve to be burnt +with the rest; for they neither are nor +ever will be guilty of so much mischief, +as those of chivalry have done; being +books of entertainment, and no ways +prejudicial to religion.’—‘Pray, Sir,’ +said the niece, ‘be so good as to order +these to be burnt with the rest; for my +uncle will no sooner be cured of his +knight-errantry, than by reading these, +he will turn shepherd, and wander about +the groves and meadows, piping +and singing. Nay, what is worse, +perhaps turn poet, which they say is +an infectious and incurable distemper.’—‘The +young woman is in the right,’ +said the curate; ‘and therefore it won’t +be amiss to remove this temptation and +stumbling block out of our friend’s +way. Since we have therefore begun +with the Diana of Monte-major, I am +of opinion that we should not burn him, +but only expunge what relates to the +sage Felicia, and the inchanted water, +together with all the larger poems, and +leave to him, a God’s name, all the +prose, and the honour of being the +ring-leader of the writers of that class.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘This that follows,’ said the barber, +‘is called Diana the Second of Salmantino, +and this other that bears the +same name, is written by Gil Polo.’—‘Let +Salmantino,’ replied the curate, +‘increase the number of those that are +already condemned to the yard; but +let Gil Polo be preserved as carefully +as if it was the production of Apollo +himself. Proceed, friend Nicolas, +and let us dispatch, for it grows late.’—‘This +here book,’ said the barber, +opening the next, ‘is called the ten +books of the Fortune of Love, the +production of Antonio Lofrasco, a +Sardinian poet.’—‘By my holy orders,’ +cried the curate, ‘since Phœbus +was Apollo, the Muses the daughters +of Jove, and bards delighted in poetry, +there never was such a pleasant +and comical performance composed as +this, which is the best and most original +of the kind which ever saw the +light; and he who has not read it may +assure himself, that he has never read +any thing of taste: reach it me, neighbour; +it gives me more pleasure to +have found this, than if I had received +a cassock of Florence silk.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Accordingly, he laid it carefully by +with infinite pleasure, and the barber +proceeded in his talk, saying; ‘Those +that come next are the Shepherd of +Iberia, the Nymphs of Henares, and +the Undeceptions of Jealousy.’—‘Then +there is no more to do,’ said the +priest, ‘but to deliver them over to the +secular arm of the housekeeper; and +do not ask me why, else we shall never +have done.’—‘Here comes the Shepherd +of Filida.’—‘He is no shepherd,’ +cried the curate, ‘but a very elegant +courtier, and therefore preserve him as +a precious jewel.’ Then the barber +laid hold of a very large volume, which +was entitled, The Treasure of Poetry. +‘If there was not so much of him, he +would be more esteemed,’ said the +licentiate, ‘that book ought to be weeded +and cleared of certain meannesses, +which have crept into the midst of its +excellencies: take care of it, for the +author is my friend, and deserves regard +for some other more heroick and +elevated works, which he has composed.’—‘And +this,’ continued the +barber, ‘is a Collection of Songs, by +Lopez Maldonado.’—‘That author +is my very good friend also,’ replied +the curate; ‘and his own verses out of +his own mouth are the admiration of +every body; for he chants them with +so sweet a voice, that the hearers are +inchanted. His eclogues are indeed +a little diffuse, but there cannot be too +much of a good thing. Let them be +preserved among the elect: but, pray +what book is that next to it?’ When +the barber told him it was the Galatea +of Miguel de Cervantes; ‘That same +Cervantes,’ said he, ‘has been an intimate +friend of mine these many years, +and is to my certain knowledge more +conversant with misfortunes than poetry. +<span class='pageno' id='Page_46'>46</span>There is a good vein of invention +in his book, which proposes +something, though it concludes nothing. +We must wait for the second +part, which he promises, and then +perhaps his amendment may deserve +a full pardon, which is now denied: +until that happens, let him be close +confined in your closet.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘With all my heart,’ replied the barber; +‘but here come three more together, +the Araucana of Don Alonzo +de Ercilla, the Austriada of Juan +Ruso Jurado de Cordova, and the +Monserrato of Christoval de Virues, a +Valentian poet.’—‘These three books,’ +said the curate, ‘are the best epic poems +in the Castilian language, and may be +compared with the most renowned performances +of Italy. Let them be kept +as the inestimable pledges of Spanish +poetry.’ The curate grew tired of examining +more books, and would have +condemned all the rest, contents unknown, +if the barber had not already +opened another, which was called the +Tears of Angelica. ‘I should have +shed tears for my rashness,’ said the +curate, hearing the name, ‘if I had ordered +that book to be burned: for its +author was one of the most celebrated +poets, not only of Spain, but of the +whole world; and, in particular, extremely +successful in translating some +of the Metamorphoses of Ovid.’</p> + +<h4 id='chap1-1-7' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='seven'>VII.</abbr> <br> THE SECOND SALLY OF OUR WORTHY KNIGHT DON QUIXOTE DE LA MANCHA.</h4> +<p class='c004'>While they were busied in this +manner, Don Quixote began to +cry aloud, ‘This way, this way, ye +valiant knights! now is the time to +shew the strength of your invincible +arms, that the courtiers may not carry +off the honour of the tournament.’ +The scrutiny of the books that remained +was deserted by the curate and barber, +who hastened to the author of this noisy +exclamation, and it is believed that all +were committed to the flames, unseen, +unheard, not even excepting the Carolea, +and Lyon of Spain, together with +the exploits of the emperor, composed +by Don Louis D’Avila; which were, +doubtless, among those committed to the +fire; though, perhaps, had the curate +seen them, they would not have undergone +so severe a sentence.</p> + +<p class='c005'>When they arrived in Don Quixote’s +chamber, they found him on the floor, +proceeding with his rhapsody, and fencing +with the walls, as broad awake as +if he had never felt the influence of +sleep. Laying hold on him, by force they +re-conveyed him to his bed; where, after +having rested a little, he returned to +his ravings, and addressed himself to +the curate in these words: ‘Certainly, +my Lord Archbishop Turpin, we, +who are called the Twelve Peers of +France, will be greatly disgraced, if +we allow the court-knights to win the +victory in this tournament, after we, +the adventurers, have gained the prize +in the three preceding days.’—‘Give +yourself no trouble about that consideration, +my worthy friend,’ said the +curate; ‘for Providence may turn the +scale, and what is lost to-day may be +retrieved to-morrow. In the mean +time, have a reverend care of your +health, for you seem to be excessively +fatigued, if not wounded grievously.’—‘I +am not wounded,’ replied the +knight: ‘but that I am battered and +bruised, there is no manner of doubt; +for the bastard Don Orlando has mauled +me to mummy with the trunk of +an oak, and all out of mere envy, because +he saw that I alone withstood +his valour. But may I no longer deserve +the name of Reynaldos de Montalban, +if, when I rise from this bed, I +do not repay him in his own coin, in +spite of all his inchantments! Meanwhile, +bring me some food, which is +what I chiefly want at present, and +let me alone to take vengeance for the +injury I have received.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>In compliance with his desire they +brought him something to eat, and left +him again to his repose, not without admiration +of his madness and extravagance. +That very night the housekeeper +set fire to, and consumed, not +only all the books that were in the yard, +but also every one she could find in the +house; and no doubt many were burned, +which deserved to have been kept as +perpetual archives. But this their destiny, +and the laziness of the inquisitors, +would not allow; so that in them was +fulfilled the old proverb, <i>a saint may +sometimes suffer for a sinner</i>. Another +remedy which the curate and barber +<span class='pageno' id='Page_47'>47</span>prescribed for the distemper of their +friend, was to alter and block up the +closet where his books had been kept; +that upon his getting up, he should not +find them, and the cause being taken +away, the effect might cease; and that, +upon his inquiry, they should tell him +an inchanter had carried them off, closet +and all; this resolution was executed +with all imaginable dispatch, during +the two days that Don Quixote kept his +bed.</p> + +<p class='c005'>The first thing he did when he got up, +was to go and visit his books, and not +finding the apartment where he had left +it, he went from one corner of the house +to the other in quest of his study. Coming +to the place where the door stood, +he endeavoured but in vain to get in, +and cast his eyes all around without uttering +one syllable; but after he had spent +some time in this sort of examination, +he inquired of his housekeeper whereabouts +he might find his book-closet. +She being well instructed, readily answered, +‘What closet, or what nothing +is your worship in search of? There +are neither books nor closet in this +house; for the devil himself has run +away with both.’—‘It was not the +devil,’ cried the niece, ‘but an inchanter +that conveyed himself hither +in a cloud, one night after your worship’s +departure, and alighting from a +dragon on which he was mounted, +entered the closet, where I know not +what he did, but having staid a very +little while, he came flying through +the roof, leaving the whole house full +of smoke. And when we went to see +what he had done, we could neither +find books nor closet; only the housekeeper +and I can very well remember, +that when the old wicked conjuror went +away, he cried in a loud voice, that for +the hatred he bore to the master of those +books and closet, he had done that +mischief, which would afterwards appear: +he said also, that his name was +the sage Munaton.’—‘You mean +Freston,’ said Don Quixote. ‘I do +not know,’ answered the housekeeper, +‘whether it was Freston or Friton; but +this I am certain of, that his name +ended in ton.’—‘The case then is +plain,’ said the knight; ‘that same sage +inchanter is one of my greatest enemies; +who bears me a grudge, because he +knows, by the mystery of his art, +that the time will come when I shall +fight and vanquish in single battle a +certain knight, whom he favours, in +spite of all he can do to prevent my +success; and for this reason, he endeavours +to give me every mortification +in his power; but let me tell him +he won’t find it an easy matter to +contradict or evade what Heaven has +decreed.’—‘Who ever doubted that?’ +said the niece; ‘but what business have +you, dear uncle, with these quarrels? +Would it not be better to live in peace +at home, than to stray up and down +the world in search of superfine bread, +without considering that many a one +goes out for wool, and comes home +quite shorn.’—‘My dear niece,’ replied +Don Quixote, ‘you are altogether +out of your reckoning. Before I be +shorn, I will pull and pluck off the +beards of all those who pretend to +touch a single hair of my mustacho.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>The two women did not chuse to +make any farther answer, because they +perceived that his choler was very much +inflamed. After this transaction, however, +he staid at home fifteen days in +great tranquillity, without giving the +least sign or inclination to repeat his folly; +during which time, many infinitely +diverting conversations passed between +him and his friends, the curate and the +barber; wherein he observed, that the +world was in want of nothing so much +as of knights-errant, and that in him +this honourable order was revived. The +clergyman sometimes contradicted him, +and sometimes assented to what he said, +because, without this artful conduct, he +would have had no chance of bringing +him to reason.</p> + +<p class='c005'>About this time, too, the knight tampered +with a peasant in the neighbourhood, +a very honest fellow, if a poor +man may deserve that title, but one who +had a very small quantity of brains in +his skull. In short, he said so much, +used so many arguments to persuade, +and promised him such mountains of +wealth, that this poor simpleton determined +to follow and serve him in quality +of squire. Among other things, +that he might be disposed to engage +chearfully, the knight told him that an +adventure might one day happen, in which +he should win some island in the twinkling +of an eye, and appoint him governor +of his conquest. Intoxicated with +these and other such promises, Sancho +Panza (so was the countryman called) +<span class='pageno' id='Page_48'>48</span>deserted his wife and children, and listed +himself as his neighbour’s squire.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Thus far successful, Don Quixote took +measures for supplying himself with +money; and what by selling one thing, +mortgaging another, and making a +great many very bad bargains, he raised +a tolerable sum. At the same time accommodating +himself with a target, +which he borrowed of a friend, and +patching up the remains of his vizor as +well as he could, he advertised his squire +Sancho of the day and hour in which +he resolved to set out, that he might +provide himself with those things which +he thought most necessary for the occasion; +above all things, charging him to +purchase a wallet. Sancho promised to +obey his orders; and moreover said he +was resolved to carry along with him an +excellent ass which he had, as he was +not designed by nature to travel far on +foot.</p> + +<p class='c005'>With regard to the ass, Don Quixote +demurred a little, endeavouring to recollect +some knight-errant who had entertained +a squire mounted on an ass; +but as no such instance occurred to his +memory, he was nevertheless determined +to allow it on this occasion, on a +supposition that he should be able to accommodate +him with a more honourable +carriage, by dismounting the first +discourteous knight he should meet with. +He also laid in a store of linen, and every +thing else in his power, conformable to +the advice of the innkeeper.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Every thing being thus settled and fulfilled, +Panza, without taking leave of his +children and wife; and Don Quixote, +without bidding adieu to his niece and +housekeeper, sallied forth from the village +one night, unperceived by any living +soul, and travelled so hard, that before +dawn they found themselves secure from +all search, if any such had been made: +Sancho Panza journeying upon his ass +like a venerable patriarch, with his wallet +and leathern bottle, longing extremely +to see himself settled in the government +of that island which was promised +to him by his master.</p> + +<p class='c005'>The knight happened to take the +same route and follow the same road +in which he travelled at his first sally +through the field of Montiel, over which +he now passed with much less pains than +formerly, because it was now early in +the morning, the rays of the sun were +more oblique, consequently he was less +disturbed by the heat. It was hereabouts +that Sancho first opened his mouth, +saying to his master, ‘Sir knight-errant, +I hope your worship will not +forget that same island which you +have promised me, and which I warrant +myself able to govern, let it be +as great as it will.’ To this remonstrance +Don Quixote replied, ‘You +must know, friend Sancho Panza, +that it was an established custom among +the ancient knights-errant, to invest +their squires with the government of +such islands and kingdoms as they had +laid under their subjection; and I +am firmly resolved, that such a grateful +practice shall never fail in me, +who, on the contrary, mean to improve +it by my generosity; for they +sometimes, nay generally, waited until +their squires turned grey-haired, +and then, after they were worn out with +service, and had endured many dismal +days and doleful nights, bestowed +upon them the title of count +or marquis, at least of some valley or +province, more or less; but if Heaven +spares thy life and mine, before +six days be at an end, I may chance to +acquire such a kingdom as shall have +others depending upon it, as if expressly +designed for thee to be crowned +sovereign in one of them. And +thou oughtest not to be surprized, that +such incidents and accidents happen +to knights-errant, by means never before +known or conceived, as will +enable me even to exceed my promise.’—‘In +that case,’ replied Sancho Panza, +‘if I should ever become a king, +by any of those miracles which your +worship mentions, my duck Juana +Gutierez would also be a queen, and +each of my daughters an infanta.’—‘Certainly,’ +said the knight; ‘who +doubts that?’—‘That do I,’ said the +squire; ‘for certain I am, that though +it were to rain kingdoms upon the +earth, not one of them would fit seemly +on the head of Mary Gutierez<a id='r41'></a><a href='#f41' class='c008'><sup>[41]</sup></a>; +your worship must know, she is not +worth a farthing for a queen; she +might do indeed for a countess, with +the blessing of God, and good assistance.’—‘Recommend +the matter to +Providence,’ replied Don Quixote, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_49'>49</span>which will bestow upon thee what will +be best adapted to thy capacity; but +let not thy soul be so far debased, as +to content itself with any thing less +than a vice-royalty.’—‘That I will +not,’ answered Sancho, ‘especially +as I have a powerful master in your +worship, who will load me with as +much preferment as I can conveniently +bear.’</p> + +<h4 id='chap1-1-8' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='eight'>VIII.</abbr> <br> OF THE HAPPY SUCCESS OF THE VALIANT DON QUIXOTE,<br> AND THE DREADFUL AND INCONCEIVABLE ADVENTURE OF THE WIND-MILLS,<br> WITH OTHER INCIDENTS WORTHY TO BE RECORDED<br> BY THE MOST ABLE HISTORIAN.</h4> +<p class='c004'>In the midst of this their conversation, +they discovered thirty or forty wind-mills +all together on the plain, which +the knight no sooner perceived, than he +said to his squire, ‘Chance has conducted +our affairs even better than we +could either wish or hope for; look +there, friend Sancho, and behold +thirty or forty outrageous giants, with +whom I intend to engage in battle, +and put every soul of them to death, +so that we may begin to enrich ourselves +with their spoils; for it is a +meritorious warfare, and serviceable +both to God and man, to extirpate +such a wicked race from the face of +the earth.’—‘What giants do you +mean?’ said Sancho Panza in amaze. +‘Those you see yonder,’ replied his +master, ‘with vast extended arms; +some of which are two leagues long.’—‘I +would your worship would take +notice,’ replied Sancho, ‘that those +you see yonder are no giants, but +wind-mills; and what seem arms to +you, are sails, which being turned +with the wind, make the mill-stone +work.’—‘It seems very plain,’ said +the knight, ‘that you are but a novice +in adventures; these I affirm to be +giants; and if thou art afraid, get out +of the reach of danger, and put up +thy prayers for me, while I join with +them in fierce and unequal combat.’ +So saying, he put spurs to his steed +Rozinante, without paying the least regard +to the cries of his squire Sancho, +who assured him, that those he was going +to attack were no giants, but innocent +wind-mills: but he was so much +possessed with the opinion that they were +giants, that he neither heard the advice +of his squire Sancho, nor would use the +intelligence of his own eyes, though he +was very near them; on the contrary, +when he approached them, he called +aloud, ‘Fly not, ye base and cowardly +miscreants, for he is but a single +knight who now attacks you.’ At +that instant a breeze of wind springing +up, the great sails began to turn; which +being perceived by Don Quixote, ‘Tho’ +you wield,’ said he, ‘more arms than +ever belonged to the giant Briareus, I +will make you pay for your insolence.’ +So saying, and heartily recommending +himself to his Lady Dulcinea, whom he +implored to succour him in this emergency, +bracing on his target, and setting +his lance in the rest, he put his Rozinante +to full speed, and assaulting the +nearest wind-mill, thrust it into one of +the sails, which was drove about by the +wind with so much fury, that the lance +was shivered to pieces, and both knight +and steed whirled aloft, and overthrown +in very bad plight upon the plain.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Sancho Panza rode as fast as the ass +could carry him to his assistance; and +when he came up, found him unable to +stir, by reason of the bruises which he +and Rozinante had received. ‘Lord +have mercy upon us!’ said the squire, +‘did not I tell your worship to consider +well what you were about? Did not +I assure you, they were no other than +wind-mills? Indeed, no body could +mistake them for any thing else, but +one who has wind-mills in his own +head!’—‘Pr’ythee, hold thy peace, +friend Sancho,’ replied Don Quixote; +‘the affairs of war are more than any +thing subject to change. How much +more so, as I believe, nay, am certain, +that the sage Freston, who stole my +closet and books, has converted those +giants into mills, in order to rob me +of the honour of their overthrow; such +is the enmity he bears me; but in the +end, all his treacherous arts will but +little avail against the vigour of my +sword.’—‘God’s will be done!’ replied +Sancho Panza, who helped him to +rise and mount Rozinante that was almost +disjointed.</p> + +<p class='c005'>While they conversed together upon +what had happened, they followed the +road that leads to the pass of Lapice; +<span class='pageno' id='Page_50'>50</span>for in that, which was a great thoroughfare, +as Don Quixote observed, it was +impossible but they must meet with many +and divers adventures. As he jogged +along, a good deal concerned for the +loss of his lance, he said to his squire, +‘I remember to have read of a Spanish +knight, called Diego Perez de Vargos, +who, having broke his sword in battle, +tore off a mighty branch or +bough from an oak, with which he +performed such wonders, and felled +so many Moors, that he retained the +name of Machuca, or the Feller, and +all his descendants from that day forward +have gone by the name of Vargos +and Machuca. This circumstance +I mention to thee, because, from the +first ash or oak that I meet with, I +am resolved to rend as large and stout +a bough as that, with which I expect, +and intend to perform such exploits, +as thou shalt think thyself extremely +happy in being thought worthy +to see, and give testimony to feats +otherwise incredible.’—‘By God’s +help,’ says Sancho, ‘I believe that +every thing will happen as your worship +says: but pray, Sir, sit a little +more upright; for you seem to lean +strangely to one side, which must proceed +from the bruises you received in +your fall.’—‘Thou art in the right,’ +answered Don Quixote; ‘and if I do +not complain of the pain, it is because +knights-errant are not permitted to +complain of any wound they receive, +even though their bowels should come +out of their bodies.’—‘If that be the +case, I have nothing to reply,’ said Sancho; +‘but God knows, I should be glad +your worship would complain when +any thing gives you pain; this I know, +that, for my own part, the smallest +prick in the world would make me +complain, if that law of not complaining +does not reach to the squires +as well as the knights.’ Don Quixote +could not help smiling at the simplicity +of his squire, to whom he gave permission +to complain as much and as often +as he pleased, whether he had cause +or no; for, as yet, he had read nothing +to the contrary in the history of knight-errantry.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Then Sancho observing that it was +dinner-time, his master told him, that +for the present he had no occasion for +food; but that he, his squire, might go +to victuals when he pleased. With this +permission, Sancho adjusted himself as +well as he could upon his ass, and taking +out the provision with which he had +stuffed his wallet, he dropped behind his +master a good way, and kept his jaws +agoing as he jogged along, lifting the +bottle to his head, from time to time, +with so much satisfaction, that the most +pampered vintner of Malaga might have +envied his situation.</p> + +<p class='c005'>While he travelled in this manner, +repeating his agreeable draughts, he never +thought of the promise which his +master had made to him, nor considered +it as a toil, but rather as a diversion, to +go in quest of adventures, how dangerous +soever they might be: in fine, that night +they passed under a tuft of trees, from +one of which Don Quixote tore a withered +branch to serve instead of a lance; and +fitted to it the iron head he had taken from +that which was broken: all night long +the knight closed not an eye, but mused +upon his Lady Dulcinea, in order to accommodate +himself to what he had read +of those errants who had passed many +sleepless nights in woods and desarts, +entertaining themselves with the remembrance +of their mistresses.</p> + +<p class='c005'>This was not the case with Sancho +Panza, whose belly being well replenished, +and that not with plantane water, +made but one nap of the whole +night, and even then would not have +waked, unless his master had called to +him, notwithstanding the sun-beams +that played upon his face, and the singing +of the birds, which in great numbers, +and joyous melody, saluted the +approach of the new day. The first +thing he did when he got up, was to +visit his bottle, which finding considerably +more lank than it was the night +before, he was grievously afflicted, because +in the road that they pursued, he +had no hopes of being able in a little +time to supply its defect. Don Quixote +refusing to breakfast, because, as +we have already said, he regaled himself +with the savoury remembrance of +his mistress, they pursued their journey +towards the pass; which, after three days +travelling, they discovered. ‘Here,’ cried +Don Quixote, ‘here, brother Sancho +Panza, we shall be able to dip +our hands up to our elbows in what +is called adventure; but take notice, +although thou seest me beset with the +most extreme danger, thou must by +no means even so much as lay thy +<span class='pageno' id='Page_51'>51</span>hand upon thy sword, with design +to defend me, unless I am assaulted +by vulgar and low-born antagonists; +in which case thou mayest come to +my assistance; but if they are knights, +thou art by no means permitted or +licensed, by the laws of chivalry, to +give me the least succour, until thou +thyself hast received the honour of +knighthood<a id='r42'></a><a href='#f42' class='c008'><sup>[42]</sup></a>.’—‘As for that matter,’ +replied Sancho, ‘your worship +shall be obeyed to a tittle; for I am +a very peaceable man, and not at all +fond of meddling with riots and quarrels. +True, indeed, in the defence +of my own person, I shall not pay +much regard to the said laws, seeing +every one that is aggrieved is permitted +to defend himself by all the laws of +God and man.’—‘I say nothing to +the contrary,’ replied Don Quixote; +‘but in the affair of assisting me against +knights, thou must keep thy natural +impetuosity under the rein.’—‘That +will I,’ answered Sancho, ‘and keep +your honour’s command as strictly as +I keep the Lord’s day.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>While they were engaged in this conversation, +there appeared before them +two Benedictine monks mounted upon +dromedaries, for their mules were not +much less, with their travelling spectacles +and umbrellas; after them came a +coach, accompanied by four or five people +on horseback, and two mule-drivers +on foot. In this carriage, it was afterwards +known, a Biscayan lady was +travelling to Seville to her husband, who +was bound to the Indies with a rich +cargo.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Don Quixote no sooner perceived the +friars, (who though they travelled the +same road, were not of her company) +than he said to his squire, ‘If I am not +very much mistaken, that will be the +most famous adventure that ever was +known, for those black apparitions +on the road must doubtless be inchanters, +who are carrying off in that +coach some princess they have stolen; +and there is a necessity for my exerting +my whole power in redressing +her wrongs.’—‘This will be worse +than the wind-mills,’ cried Sancho: +‘for the love of God! Sir, consider that +these are Benedictine friars; and those +who are in the coach can be no other +than common travellers. Mind what +I say, and consider what you do, and +let not the devil deceive you.’—‘I +have told thee already, Sancho,’ replied +Don Quixote, ‘that with regard +to adventures, thou art utterly ignorant: +what I say is true, and in a moment +thou shalt be convinced.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>So saying, he rode forward, and placed +himself in the middle of the highway +through which the friars were to pass; +and when he thought them near enough +to hear what he said, he pronounced, in +a loud voice, ‘Monstrous and diabolical +race! surrender, this instant, those +high-born princesses, whom you carry +captives in that coach; or prepare +to receive immediate death, as a just +punishment for your misdeeds.’ The +friars immediately stopped short, astonished +as much at the figure as at the +discourse of Don Quixote: to which +they replied, ‘Sir knight, we are neither +diabolical nor monstrous, but innocent +monks of the order of <abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr> Benedict, +who are going this way about +our own affairs; neither do we know +of any princesses that are carried captives +in that coach.’—‘These fawning +speeches,’ said Don Quixote, ‘shall +not impose upon me, who know too +well what a treacherous pack ye are.’ +And without waiting for any other reply, +he put spurs to Rozinante; and +couching his lance, attacked the first +friar with such fury and resolution, that +if he had not thrown himself from his +mule, he would have come to the ground +extremely ill-handled, not without some +desperate wound, nay, perhaps stone +dead. The second monk, who saw how +his companion had been treated, clapped +spurs to the flanks of his trusty mule, +and flew through the field even swifter +than the wind.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Sancho Panza seeing the friar on the +ground, leaped from his ass with great +<span class='pageno' id='Page_52'>52</span>agility, and beginning to uncase him +with the utmost dexterity, two of their +servants came up, and asked for what +reason he stripped their master. The +squire replied, that the cloaths belonged +to him, as the spoils that Don Quixote, +his lord, had won in battle: but the +others, who did not understand raillery, +nor knew any thing of spoils and +battles, seeing Don Quixote at a good +distance, talking with the ladies in the +coach, went to loggerheads with Sancho, +whom they soon overthrew; and, +without leaving one hair of his beard, +mauled him so unmercifully, that he lay +stretched upon the ground, without sense +or motion. Then, with the utmost dispatch, +the friar mounted, as pale as a +sheet, and almost frightened to death; +and no sooner found himself on horseback, +than he galloped towards his companion, +who tarried at a good distance, to +see the issue of this strange adventure. +However, being joined again, without +waiting for the conclusion of it, they +pursued their journey; making as many +crosses as if the devil had been at their +backs.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Don Quixote, in the mean time, as +we have already observed, was engaged +in conversation with the lady in the coach, +to whom he expressed himself in this +manner; ‘Beautiful lady, you may now +dispose of your own person according +to your pleasure; for the pride of your +ravishers lies level with the ground, +being overthrown by this my invincible +arm; and that you may be at no +difficulty in understanding the same +of your deliverer, know that I am +Don Quixote de la Mancha, knight-errant, +adventurer and captive of the +unparalleled and beautiful Donna Dulcinea +del Toboso: and the only acknowledgment +I expect for the benefit +you have received is, that you return +to that place, and presenting +yourself before my mistress, tell her +what I have performed in behalf of +your liberty.’ This whole address of +the knight was overheard by a Biscayan +squire, who accompanied the coach, and +who, seeing that he would not allow +the carriage to pass forward, but insisted +upon their immediate returning to Toboso, +rode up to Don Quixote, and laying +hold of his lance, spoke to him +thus in bad Castilian, and worse Biscayan: +‘Get thee gone, cavalier! go +to the devil, I zay! vor, by the God +that made her, if thou wilt not let the +coach alone, che will kill thee dead, +as zure as che was a Biscayan.’ The +knight, understanding very well what +he said, replied with great composure; +‘If thou wast a gentleman, as thou art +not, I would chastise thy insolence +and rashness, wretched creature.’—‘I +not a gentleman!’ replied the Biscayan +in great choler; ‘by God in heaven, +thou lyest, as I am a Christian! if +thou wilt throw away thy lance, and +draw thy sword, che will soon zee +which be the better man<a id='r43'></a><a href='#f43' class='c008'><sup>[43]</sup></a>. Biscayan +by land, gentleman by zea, +gentleman by devil; and thou liest, +look ye, in thy throat, if thou zayest +otherwise.’—‘Thou shalt see that presently, +as Agragis said,’ replied Don +Quixote; who, throwing his lance upon +the ground, unsheathing his sword, and +bracing on his target, attacked the Biscayan +with full resolution to put him to +death<a id='r44'></a><a href='#f44' class='c008'><sup>[44]</sup></a>.</p> + +<p class='c005'>His antagonist, who saw him approach, +fain would have alighted from +his mule, (which being one of the +worst that ever was let out for hire, +could not much be depended upon;) +but he scarce had time to draw his sword; +however, being luckily near the coach, +he snatched out of it a cushion, which +served him as a shield, and then they +flew upon each other as two mortal enemies. +The rest of the people who were +present endeavoured, but in vain, to appease +them; for the Biscayan swore, in +his uncouth expressions, that if they did +not leave him to fight the battle, he +would certainly murder his mistress, and +every body who should pretend to oppose +it. The lady in the coach, surprized +and frightened at what she saw, +ordered the coachman to drive a little +<span class='pageno' id='Page_53'>53</span>out of the road, to a place from whence +she should see at a distance this rigorous +engagement. In the course of which, +the Biscayan bellowed such a huge stroke +upon the shoulder of Don Quixote, +that if it had not been for the defence of +his buckler, he would have been cleft +down to his girdle. The knight feeling +the shock of such an unconscionable +blow, exclaimed aloud, ‘O Dulcinea! +lady of my soul, thou rose of beauty, +succour thy knight, who, for the satisfaction +of thy excessive goodness, is +now involved in this dreadful emergency.’ +To pronounce these words, +to raise his sword, to secure himself with +his target, and attack the Biscayan, was +the work of one instant; for he was determined +to risk his all upon a single +stroke. His antagonist, who saw him +advance, and by this time was convinced +of his courage by his resolution, determined +to follow his example; and covering +himself with his cushion, waited +his assault, without being able to turn his +mule either on one side or the other; for +she was already so jaded, and so little accustomed +to such pastime, that she would +not move one step out of the way.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Don Quixote, then, as we have said, +advanced against the cautious Biscayan, +his sword lifted up with an intention +to cleave him through the middle; the +Biscayan waited his attack in the same +posture, being shielded with his cushion. +The frightened bye-standers stood aloof, +intent upon the success of those +mighty strokes that threatened each of +the combatants; and the lady in the +coach, with the rest of her attendants, +put up a thousand prayers to Heaven, +and vowed an offering to every image, +and house of devotion in Spain, provided +God would deliver the squire and +them from the imminent danger in which +they were: but the misfortune is, that +in this very critical instant, the author of +the history has left this battle in suspence, +excusing himself, that he could +find no other account of Don Quixote’s +exploits, but what has already been related. +True it is, that this second author +of this work could not believe that +such a curious history was consigned to +oblivion; nor, that there could be such +a scarcity of curious virtuosi in La Mancha, +but that some papers relating to +this famous knight should be found in +their archives or cabinets: and therefore, +possessed of this opinion, he did not despair +of finding the conclusion of this +delightful history, which indeed he very +providentially lighted upon, in the manner +which will be related in the second +book.</p> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_54'>54</span> + <h3 id='book1-2' class='c014'>BOOK <abbr title='two'>II.</abbr></h3> +</div> +<h4 id='chap1-2-1' class='c010'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='one'>I.</abbr> <br> THE CONCLUSION AND CONSEQUENCE OF THE STUPENDOUS COMBAT BETWEEN THE GALLANT BISCAYAN, AND THE VALIANT KNIGHT OF LA MANCHA.</h4> +<p class='c004'>In the first book of this history +we left the valiant +Biscayan and renowned +Don Quixote with their +gleaming swords brandished +aloft, about to discharge two such +furious strokes, as must (if they had cut +sheer) have cleft them both asunder from +top to toe, like a couple of pomegranates; +and in this dubious and critical conjuncture, +the delicious history abruptly +breaks off, without our being informed +by the author where or how that which +is wanting may be found.</p> + +<p class='c005'>I was not a little concerned at this +disappointment; for the pleasure I enjoyed +in the little I had read, was changed +into disgust, when I reflected on the +small prospect I had of finding the greater +part of this relishing story, which in my +opinion was lost: and yet it seemed +impossible, and contrary to every laudable +custom, that such an excellent +knight should be unprovided with some +sage to undertake the history of his unheard +of exploits; a convenience which +none of those knights-errant, who went +in quest of adventures, ever wanted, each +of them having been accommodated +with one or two necromancers, on purpose +to record not only his atchievements, +but even his most hidden thoughts and +amusements. Surely, then, such a compleat +errant could not be so unlucky as to +want that, which even Platil, and other +such second-rate warriors, enjoyed.</p> + +<p class='c005'>I could not therefore prevail upon +myself to believe that such a spirited history +was left so lame and unfinished, +but laid the whole blame on the malignity +of time, which wastes and devours +all things, and by which, no doubt, +this was either consumed or concealed: +on the other hand, I considered, that as +some books had been found in his library +so modern as the Undeceptions of +Jealousy, together with the Nymphs and +Shepherds of Henares; his own history +must also be of a modern date, and the +circumstances, though not committed to +writing, still fresh in the memory of his +neighbours and townsmen. This consideration +perplexed and inflamed me +with the desire of knowing the true and +genuine account of the life and wonderful +exploits of our Spanish worthy Don +Quixote de La Mancha, the sun and +mirror of Manchegan chivalry; the first +<span class='pageno' id='Page_55'>55</span>who, in this our age, and these degenerate +times, undertook the toil and exercise +of errantry and arms, to redress +grievances, support the widow, and protect +those damsels who stroll about with +whip and palfrey, from hill to hill, and +from dale to dale, on the strength of their +virginity alone: for in times past, unless +some libidinous clown with hatchet and +morrion, or monstrous giant, forced her +to his brutal wishes, a damsel might have +lived fourscore years without ever lying +under any other cover than that of heaven, +and then gone to her grave as good +a maiden as the mother that bore her. +I say, therefore, that for these and many +other considerations, our gallant Don +Quixote merits incessant and immortal +praise; and even I myself may claim +some share, for my labour and diligence +in finding the conclusion of this agreeable +history; though I am well aware, +that if I had not been favoured by fortune, +chance, or Providence, the world +would have been deprived of that pleasure +and satisfaction which the attentive +reader may enjoy for an hour or two, in +perusing what follows: the manner of +my finding it I will now recount.</p> + +<p class='c005'>While I was walking one day on the +exchange of Toledo, a boy coming up +to a certain mercer, offered to sell him a +bundle of old papers he had in his hand: +now, as I have always a strong propensity +to read even those scraps that sometimes +fly about the streets, I was led by +this my natural curiosity, to turn over +some of the leaves; I found them written +in Arabick, which not being able +to read, though I knew the characters, +I looked about for some Portuguese +Moor who should understand it; and, +indeed, though the language had been +both more elegant and ancient, I might +easily have found an interpreter. In +short, I lighted upon one, to whom expressing +my desire, and putting the pamphlet +into his hands, he opened it in the +middle, and after having read a few lines, +began to laugh; when I asked the cause +of his laughter, he said it was occasioned +by a whimsical annotation in the margin +of the book. I begged he would +tell me what it was, and he answered, +still laughing, ‘What I find written in +the margin, is to this purpose: “this +same Dulcinea, so often mentioned in +the history, is said to have had the +best hand at salting pork of any woman +in La Mancha.”’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Not a little surprized at hearing Dulcinea +del Toboso mentioned, I immediately +conjectured that the bundle actually +contained the history of Don +Quixote. Possessed with this notion, I +bade him, with great eagerness, read the +title-page, which having perused, he +translated it extempore from Arabic to +Spanish, in these words: ‘The History +of Don Quixote de La Mancha, written +by Cid Hamet Benengeli, an Arabian +author.’ No small discretion was +requisite to dissemble the satisfaction I +felt, when my ears were saluted with +the title of these papers, which, snatching +from the master, I immediately +bought in the lump for half a rial; +though, if the owner had been cunning +enough to discover my eagerness to possess +them, he might have laid his account +with getting twelve times the sum +by the bargain.</p> + +<p class='c005'>I then retired with my Moor through +the cloisters of the cathedral, and desired +him to translate all those papers that related +to Don Quixote into the Castilian +tongue, without addition or diminution, +offering to pay any thing he should charge +for his labour: his demand was limited +to two quarters of raisins, and as many +bushels of wheat, for which he promised +to translate them with great care, conciseness, +and fidelity: but I, the more +to facilitate the business without parting +with such a rich prize, conducted him to +my own house, where, in little less than +six weeks, he translated the whole, in +the same manner as shall here be related.</p> + +<p class='c005'>In the first sheet was painted to the +life the battle betwixt Don Quixote and +the Biscayan, who were represented in +the same posture as the history has already +described, their swords brandished +aloft, one of the antagonists covered with +his shield, the other with his cushion, +and the Biscayan’s mule so naturally set +forth, that you might have known her +to have been an hireling, at the distance +of a bow-shot. Under the feet of her +rider was a label containing these words, +‘Don Sancho de Azpetia,’ which was +doubtless his name; and beneath our +knight was another, with the title of +‘Don Quixote.’ Rozinante was most +wonderfully delineated, so long and +raw-boned, so lank and meagre, so +sharp in the back, and consumptive, that +one might easily perceive, with what +propriety and penetration the name of +Rozinante had been bestowed upon him. +<span class='pageno' id='Page_56'>56</span>Hard by the steed was Sancho Panza, +holding his ass by the halter, at whose +feet was a third label, inscribed ‘Sancho +Zancas,’ who, in the picture, was represented +as a person of a short stature, +swag belly, and long spindle-shanks: +for this reason he ought to be called indiscriminately +by the names of Panza<a id='r45'></a><a href='#f45' class='c008'><sup>[45]</sup></a> +and Zanchas; for by both these surnames +is he sometimes mentioned in history.</p> + +<p class='c005'>There were divers other minute circumstances +to be observed, but all of +them of small importance and concern +to the truth of the history, though, indeed, +nothing that is true can be impertinent: +however, if any objection can +be started to the truth of this, it can be +no other, but that the author was an +Arabian, of a nation but too much addicted +to falshood, though, as they are +at present our enemies, it may be supposed, +that he has rather failed than exceeded +in the representation of our hero’s +exploits; for, in my opinion, when he +had frequently opportunities and calls +to exercise his pen in the praise of such +an illustrious knight, he seems to be industriously +silent on the subject; a circumstance +very little to his commendation, +for all historians ought to be punctual, +candid, and dispassionate, that neither +interest, rancour, fear, or affection, +may mislead them from the road of Truth, +whose mother is History, that rival of +Time, that repository of great actions, +witness of the past, example and pattern +of the present, and oracle of future ages. +In this, I know, will be found whatsoever +can be expected in the most pleasant +performance; and if any thing seems +imperfect, I affirm it must be owing to +the fault of the infidel its author, rather +than to any failure of the subject itself: +in short, the second book in the translation +begins thus—</p> + +<p class='c005'>The flaming swords of the two valiant +and incensed combatants, brandished in +the air, seemed to threaten heaven, earth, +and hell, such was the rage and resolution +of those that wielded them; but the +first blow was discharged by the cholerick +Biscayan, who struck with such +force and fury, that if the blade had not +turned by the way, that single stroke +would have been sufficient to have put +an end to this dreadful conflict, and all +the other adventures of our knight; but +his good genius, which preserved him +for mightier things, turned the sword of +his antagonist aside, so that though it +fell upon his left shoulder, it did no +other damage than disarm that whole +side, slicing off in its passage, the greatest +part of his helmet, with half of his +ear, which fell to the ground with hideous +ruin, leaving him in a very uncomfortable +situation. Good Heavens! where +is the man who can worthily express the +rage and indignation which entered into +the heart of our Manchegan, when he +saw himself handled in this manner! I +shall only say, his fury was such, that +raising himself again in his stirrups, and +grasping his sword with both hands, he +discharged it so full upon the cushion +and head of the Biscayan, which it but +ill-defended, that, as if a mountain had +fallen upon him, he began to spout +blood from his nostrils, mouth, and +ears, and seemed ready to fall from his +mule, which would certainly have been +the case, if he had not laid hold of the +mane: yet notwithstanding this effort, +his feet falling out of the stirrups, and +his arms quitting their hold, the mule, +which was frightened at the terrible +stroke, began to run across the field, +and after a few plunges came with her +master to the ground. Don Quixote, +who sat observing him with great tranquillity, +no sooner perceived him fall, +than leaping from his horse, he ran up +to him with great agility, and setting +the point of his sword to his throat, bade +him surrender on pain of having his head +cut off. The Biscayan was so confounded +by the blow and fall he had +sustained, that he could not answer one +syllable; and as Don Quixote was +blinded by his rage, he would have +fared very ill, if the ladies of the coach, +who had hitherto, in great consternation, +been spectators of the battle, had not +run to the place where he was, and requested, +with the most fervent entreaties, +that his worship would grant them the +favour to spare the life of their squire.</p> + +<p class='c005'>To this petition the knight replied, +with great stateliness and gravity, ‘Assuredly, +most beautiful ladies, I am +very ready to do what you desire, but +it shall be upon condition and proviso, +that this cavalier promise to go straight +to Toboso, and present himself in my +behalf, before the unparalleled Donna +<span class='pageno' id='Page_57'>57</span>Dulcinea, that she may use him according +to her good pleasure.’ The +timorous and disconsolate ladies, without +entering into the detail of what +Don Quixote desired, or enquiring who +this Dulcinea was, promised that the +squire should obey the knight’s commands +in every thing. ‘Upon the +faith of your word, then,’ said Don +Quixote, ‘I will do him no farther +damage, though he has richly deserved +it at my hand.’</p> + +<h4 id='chap1-2-2' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='two'>II.</abbr> <br> OF WHAT FARTHER HAPPENED BETWEEN DON QUIXOTE AND THE BISCAYAN.</h4> +<p class='c004'>All this time, Sancho Panza having +got up, though very roughly +handled by the lacquies of the friars, +stood very attentively beholding the +battle of his master Don Quixote, and +put up ejaculatory petitions to heaven, +that it would please to grant him the +victory, and that he might gain by it +some island, of which he himself might +be made governor, in consequence of +the knight’s promise. Seeing therefore +the battle ended, and his master returning +to mount Rozinante, he went to +hold his stirrup, and before he got up, +fell on his knees before him; then laying +hold of his hand, and kissing it, +pronounced with great fervency, ‘Sir +Don Quixote, will your worship be +pleased to bestow on me the government +of that island which you have +won in this dreadful combat; for let +it be ever so great, I find I have +strength enough to govern it, as well +as any he who governs an island in +this world.’ To this request Don +Quixote replied, ‘You must know, +Brother Sancho, that such as these are +not adventures of islands, but frays +that happen in bye-roads, in which +there is nothing to be got but a broken +head, with the loss of an ear; +have a little patience, and we shall +meet with adventures, which will enable +me to make you not only a governor, +but something more.’ Sancho +made him many hearty acknowledgments +for his promise, then kissing +his hand again, and his coat of mail, +helped him to mount Rozinante; and +he himself getting upon his ass, followed +his master, who set off at a round +pace, and without bidding adieu, or +speaking one syllable to those in the +coach, entered a wood that was in the +neighbourhood.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Sancho followed him as hard as his +beast would trot; but Rozinante exerted +such speed, that seeing himself +left behind, he was obliged to call to his +master to wait for him. The knight +complied with his request, and checked +his horse, until he was overtaken by his +weary squire; who, when he approached +him, ‘Sir,’ said he, ‘methinks it +would be the wisest course for us to +retreat to some church; for as he with +whom you fought remains but in a +sorry condition, it is odds but they +inform the holy brotherhood of the +affair<a id='r46'></a><a href='#f46' class='c008'><sup>[46]</sup></a>, and have us apprehended; +and verily, if they do, before we get +out of prison we may chance to sweat +for it.’—‘Peace, Sancho,’ said Don +Quixote, ‘where didst thou ever see or +hear, that a knight-errant was brought +to justice for the greatest homicides he +had committed?’—‘I know nothing +of your honey-seeds,’ answered Sancho, +‘nor in my life did I ever see one +of them; this only I know, that the +holy brotherhood commonly looks after +those who quarrel and fight up and +down the country; and as to the other +affair, I have no business to intermeddle +in it.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Set your heart at ease then, friend +Sancho,’ replied Don Quixote, ‘for +I will deliver you from the hands of +the Philistines, much more from the +clutches of the brotherhood; but tell +me, on thy life, hast thou ever seen a +more valiant knight than me in any +country of the known world? Hast +thou ever read in story of any other +who possesses, or has possessed, more +courage in attacking, more breath in +persevering, more dexterity in wounding, +and more agility in overthrowing +his antagonist?’—‘The truth is,’ answered +Sancho, ‘I never read a history +since I was born; for indeed I can +neither read nor write; but what I +will make bold to wager upon is, that +a more daring master than your worship +<span class='pageno' id='Page_58'>58</span>I never served in the days of my +life; and I wish to God, that your +courage may not meet with that reward +I have already mentioned. +What I beg of your worship at present +is, that you would allow me to +dress that ear, which bleeds very much, +for I have got some lint, and a little +white ointment in my wallet.’—‘These +would have been altogether +needless,’ answered the knight, ‘if I +had remembered to make a phial of +the balsam of Fierabras, one single +drop of which would save abundance +of time and trouble.’—‘What sort +of a phial and balsam is that?’ said +Sancho Panza. ‘It is a balsam,’ replied +Don Quixote, ‘the receipt of +which I retain in my memory, and +he that possesses the valuable composition +needs be in no fear of death, +nor think of perishing by any wound +whatsoever: and therefore, when I +shall have made it, and delivered it +into thy keeping, thou hast no more +to do when thou seest me in any combat +cut through the middle, a circumstance +that very often happens, but +to snatch up that part of the body +which falls to the ground, and before +the blood shall congeal, set it upon the +other half that remains in the saddle, +taking care to join them with the utmost +nicety and exactness; then making +me swallow a couple of draughts +of the aforesaid balsam, thou wilt see +me in a twinkling, as whole and as +sound as an apple.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘If that be the case,’ said Sancho +Panza, ‘I henceforth renounce the government +of that island you promised +me, and desire no other reward for my +long and faithful service, but that +your worship will give me the receipt +of that same most exceeding liquor; +for I imagine, that it will sell for two +rials an ounce at least, and that will +be sufficient to make me spend the +rest of my days in credit and ease: +but it will be necessary to know if the +composition be costly.’—‘I can make +a gallon of it for less than three rials,’ +replied the knight. ‘Sinner that I am!’ +cried Sancho, ‘what hinders your worship +from teaching me to make it this +moment?’—‘Hold thy tongue, friend,’ +said the knight. ‘I intend to teach +thee greater secrets, and bestow upon +thee more considerable rewards than +that; but, in the mean time, let us +dress my ear, which pains me more +than I could wish.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>The squire accordingly took out his +lint and ointment: but when his master +found that his helmet was quite demolished, +he had almost run stark mad: +he laid his hand upon his sword, and +lifting up his hands to heaven, pronounced +aloud, ‘I swear by the Creator of +all things, and by all that is written +in the four holy evangelists! to lead +the life which the great Marquis of +Mantua led, when he swore to revenge +the death of his cousin Valdovinos; +neither to eat food upon a table, nor +enjoy his wife, with many other things, +which, though I do not remember, I +here consider as expressed, until I shall +have taken full vengeance upon him +who has done me this injury<a id='r47'></a><a href='#f47' class='c008'><sup>[47]</sup></a>.’ Sancho +hearing this invocation, ‘Sir Don +Quixote,’ said he, ‘I hope your worship +will consider, that if the knight +shall accomplish what he was ordered +to do, namely, to present himself before +my Lady Dulcinea del Toboso, +he will have done his duty, and certainly +deserves no other punishment, +unless he commits a new crime.’—‘Thou +hast spoke very much to the +purpose, and hit the nail on the head,’ +replied Don Quixote, ‘therefore I annul +my oath, so far as it regards my +revenge, but I make and confirm it +anew, to lead the life I have mentioned, +until such time as I can take by +force as good a helmet as this from +some other knight; and thou must +not think, Sancho, that I am now +making a smoke of straw; for I know +very well whom I imitate in this affair; +the same thing having literally +<span class='pageno' id='Page_59'>59</span>happened about the helmet of Mambrino, +which cost Sacripante so dear.<a id='r48'></a><a href='#f48' class='c008'><sup>[48]</sup></a>’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Sir, Sir,’ replied Sancho, with some +heat, ‘I wish your worship would send +to the devil all such oaths, which are +so mischievous to the health and prejudicial +to the conscience; for, tell +me now, if we should not find in many +days, a man armed with a helmet, +what must we do? must we perform +this vow, in spite of all the rubs and +inconveniences in the way; such as +to lie in one’s cloaths, and not to sleep +in an inhabited place, with a thousand +other penances contained in the oath +of that old mad Marquis of Mantua, +which your worship now wants to renew? +Pray, Sir, consider that there +are no armed people in these roads, +none but carriers and carters, which +far from wearing helmets themselves, +perhaps never heard of any such thing +during the whole course of their lives.’—‘There +thou art egregiously mistaken,’ +replied Don Quixote; ‘for, +before we are two hours in the cross-ways, +we shall see armed men more +numerous than those that came to +Albraca, in order to win Angelica the +fair.’—‘On then, and be it so,’ said +Sancho, ‘and pray God we may succeed, +and that the time may come +when we shall gain that island which +has cost me so dear, and then I care +not how soon I die.’—‘I have already +advised thee, Sancho,’ said the +knight, ‘to give thyself no trouble +about that affair; for, should we be +disappointed in the expectation of an +island, there is the kingdom of Denmark; +or that of Sobrediza, which +will suit thee as well as ever a ring +fitted a finger, and ought to give thee +more joy, because it is situated on +Terra Firma; but let us leave these +things to the determination of time, and +see if thou hast got any thing in thy +wallet; for we must go presently in +quest of some castle, where we may +procure a night’s lodging, and ingredients +to make that same balsam I +mentioned; for, I vow to God! my +ear gives me infinite pain.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘I have got here in my bags,’ said +Sancho, ‘an onion, a slice of cheese, +and a few crusts of bread; but these +are eatables which do not suit the palate +of such a valiant knight-errant +as your worship.’—‘How little you +understand of the matter!’ answered +Don Quixote. ‘Thou must know, +Sancho, that it is for the honour +of knights-errant, to abstain whole +months together from food, and when +they do eat, to be contented with what +is next at hand; this thou wouldst not +have been ignorant of, hadst thou read +so many histories as I have perused, +in which, numerous as they are, I +have never found any account of +knights-errant eating, except occasionally, +at some sumptuous banquet +made on purpose for them; at other +times, living upon air; and though it +must be taken for granted, that they +could not altogether live without eating, +or complying with the other necessities +of nature, being in effect men +as we are; yet we are likewise to +consider, that as the greatest part of +their lives was spent in travelling +through woods and desarts, without +any cook or caterer, their ordinary +diet was no other than such rustick +food as thou hast now got for our +present occasions<a id='r49'></a><a href='#f49' class='c008'><sup>[49]</sup></a>; therefore, friend +Sancho, give thyself no uneasiness, +because thou hast got nothing to gratify +the palate, nor seek to unhinge +or alter the constitution of things.’</p> + +<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_60'>60</span>‘I beg your worship’s pardon,’ said +Sancho, ‘for as I can neither read nor +write, as I have already observed, I +may have mistaken the rules of your +knightly profession; but from henceforward +I will store my budget with +all sorts of dry fruits for your worship, +who are a knight; and for myself, who +am none, I will provide other more +volatile and substantial food<a id='r50'></a><a href='#f50' class='c008'><sup>[50]</sup></a>.’—‘I +do not say, Sancho, that knights-errant +are obliged to eat nothing except +these fruits, but only that their most +ordinary sustenance is composed of +them and some certain herbs, which +they know how to gather in the fields; +a species of knowledge which I myself +am no stranger to.’—‘Surely,’ +answered Sancho, ‘it is a great comfort +to know these same herbs; for it +comes into my head, we shall one day +or another have occasion to make use +of the knowledge:’ and taking out +the contents of his wallet, they eat together +with great harmony and satisfaction; +but, being desirous of finding +some place for their night’s lodging, they +finished their humble repast in a hurry, +and mounting their beasts, put on at a +good rate, in order to reach some village +before it should be dark; but the +hope of gratifying that desire failed them +with day-light, just when they happened +to be near a goatherd’s hut, in which +they resolved to pass the night; and in +the same proportion that Sancho was +disgusted at not being able to reach some +village, his master was rejoiced at an +opportunity of sleeping under the cope +of heaven, because he looked upon every +occasion of this kind as an act of +possession that strengthened the proof of +his knight-errantry.</p> + +<h4 id='chap1-2-3' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='three'>III.</abbr> <br> OF WHAT HAPPENED TO DON QUIXOTE<br> WHILE HE REMAINED WITH THE GOATHERDS.</h4> +<p class='c004'>He received a very hearty welcome +from the goatherds; and Sancho +having, as well as he could, accommodated +Rozinante and his ass, was attracted +by the odour that issued from +some pieces of goat’s flesh that were +boiling in a kettle; but though he longed +very much at that instant to see if it +was time to transfer them from the kettle +to the belly, he checked his curiosity, +because the landlord took them from the +fire, and spreading some sheep-skins +upon the ground, let out their rustick +table without loss of time; inviting +their two guests to a share of their mess, +with many expressions of good-will and +hospitality. Then those who belonged +to the cot, being six in number, seated +themselves round the skins, having first, +with their boorish ceremony, desired +Don Quixote to sit down on a trough, +which they had overturned for that purpose.</p> + +<p class='c005'>The knight accepted their offer, and +Sancho remained standing, to administer +the cup, which was made of horn; but +his master perceiving him in this attitude, +‘That thou may’st see, Sancho,’ said +he, ‘the benefit which is concentered +in knight-errantry; and how near all +those who exercise themselves in any +sort of ministry belonging to it, are to +preferment and esteem of the world, +I desire thee to sit down here by my +side, in company with these worthy +people; and that thou may’st be on +an equal footing with me, thy natural +lord and master, eating in the same +dish, and drinking out of the same +cup that I use; for what is said of +love may be observed of knight-errantry, +that it puts all things upon +a level.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘I give you a thousand thanks,’ said +Sancho; ‘but I must tell your worship +that, provided I have plenty, I can eat +as much, nay more to my satisfaction, +standing on my legs, and in my own +company, than if I was to sit by the +side of an emperor; and, if all the +truth must be told, I had much rather +dine by myself in a corner, though it +should be upon a bit of bread and an +onion, without all your niceties and +ceremonies, than eat turkey-cocks at +another man’s table, where I am obliged +to chew softly, to drink sparingly, +to wipe my mouth every minute, +to abstain from sneezing or coughing, +though I should be never so +much inclined to either, and from a +<span class='pageno' id='Page_61'>61</span>great many other things, which I can +freely do when alone; therefore, Sir +master of mine, I hope these honours +which your worship would put upon +me, as being the servant and abettor +of knight errantry, which to be sure +I am, while I remain in quality of your +squire, may be converted into other +things of more ease and advantage to +me, than those which, though I hold +them as received in full, I renounce +from henceforth for ever, amen.’—‘Thou +must nevertheless sit thee down,’ +said his master; ‘for him that is humble, +God will exalt;’ and, seizing him +by the arm, he pulled him down to the +seat on which he himself sat.</p> + +<p class='c005'>The goatherds, who understood not a +word of all this jargon of squire and +knights-errant, did nothing but eat in +silence, and gaze upon their guests; +who, with keen appetite, and infinite +relish, solaced their stomachs, by swallowing +pieces as large as their fists. +This service of meat being finished, +they spread upon their skins great quantities +of acorns, and half a cheese, +harder than plaister of Paris: all this +time the horn was not idle, but went +round so fast, sometimes full, sometimes +empty, like the buckets of a well, +that they soon voided one of the two +skins of wine that hung in view.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Don Quixote having satisfied his appetite, +took up an handful of the acorns, +and after looking at them attentively, +delivered himself to this purpose: ‘Happy +age, and happy days were those, +to which the ancients gave the name +of golden; not that gold, which in +these our iron times is so much esteemed, +was to be acquired without trouble, +in that fortunate period; but +because people were then ignorant of +those two words <span class='fss'>MINE</span> and <span class='fss'>THINE</span>: +in that sacred age, all things were in +common; no man was necessitated, +in search of his daily food, to undergo +any other trouble than that of +reaching out his hand, and receiving +it from the sturdy oak, that liberally +invited him to pull his sweet and salutary +fruit. The limpid fountains +and murmuring rills afforded him +their savoury and transparent waters +in magnificent abundance. In clefts +of rocks and hollow trees, the prudent +and industrious bees formed their +commonwealths, offering without interest +to every hand the fruitful harvest +of their delicious toil. The stately +cork-trees voluntarily stripped themselves +of their light extended bark, +with which men began to cover their +rural cottages, supported upon rustick +poles, with a view only to defend +themselves from the inclemencies of +the weather. All was then peace, all +was harmony, and all was friendship. +As yet the ponderous coulter of the +crooked plough had not presumed to +open, or visit the pious entrails of our +first mother, who, without compulsion, +presented on every part of her +wide and fertile bosom, every thing +that could satisfy, sustain, and delight +her sons, who then possessed her. +Then did the simple and beautiful +shepherdesses rove from hill to hill, and +dale to dale, bare-headed, in their +braided locks, without any other +cloaths than what were necessary to +cover modestly that which modesty +commands, and always has commanded +to be covered. Neither were +their ornaments such as are used now-a-days, +enhanced in value by the +Tyrian purple, and the many-ways +martyred silk, but composed of verdant +dock-leaves, and ivy interwove together; +with which they appeared, +perhaps, with as great pomp and contrivance +as the court ladies of our +days, dressed in all the rare and foreign +fashions which idle curiosity has +invented. Then were the amorous +dictates of the soul expressed in sensible +simplicity, just as they were +conceived, undisguised by the artificial +cloak of specious words. There +was no fraud, no deceit, no malice +intermixed with plain dealing truth; +justice then kept within her proper +bounds, undisturbed and unbiased by +interest and favour, which now impair, +confound, and persecute, her so +much; law was not then centered +in the arbitrary bosom of the judge, +for, at that time, there was neither +cause nor contest. Damsels and decency, +as I have already laid, went +about single, and without fear of being +injured by insolence or lust; and +their ruin, when it happened, was the +fruit of their own will and pleasure. +But, now-a-days, in this detestable +age, no maid is secure, though she +was concealed and shut up in such +another labyrinth as was that of Crete; +for, even there, the amorous pestilence, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_62'>62</span>with the zeal of mischievous +importunity, would enter either by the +help of wings, or by gliding through +some chink or other, and all her barricadoed +chastity would go to wreck. +For the security of this virtue, in process +of time, when mischief grew to a +greater head, the order of knight-errantry +was first instituted to defend +damsels, protect widows, and succour +the needy and the fatherless. This +order, brother goatherds, I profess; +and thank you for this kind entertainment +and reception, which I and +my squire have received at your hands; +for though, by the law of nature, all +mankind are obliged to favour and +assist knights-errant, during the whole +course of their lives; yet, as you have +received and regaled me, before you +knew yourselves to be under that obligation, +I think it my duty to return +my most sincere acknowledgment for +your hospitality.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>The whole of this tedious harangue, +which might very well have been spared, +was pronounced by our knight, because +the acorns they presented recalled to his +memory the golden age: therefore he +took it in his head to make these useless +reflections to the goatherds; who, without +answering one syllable, listened with +suspence and astonishment. Sancho was +also silent, but kept his teeth employed +upon the acorns, and paid many a visit +to the second wine-bag; which, that the +contents might be the cooler, was hung +upon a cork-tree. Don Quixote was +less tedious in his discourse than at his +meal, which being ended, one of the +goatherds said, ‘That your worship, +knight-errant, may be convinced of +our readiness and good-will to give +you all the entertainment in our power, +you shall have the pleasure and satisfaction +of hearing a song from one of +our companions, who will soon be here. +He is an understanding young fellow, +very much in love, who, moreover, +can read and write, and play upon +the rebeck<a id='r51'></a><a href='#f51' class='c008'><sup>[51]</sup></a>, that it will delight you to +hear him.’ Scarce had the goatherd +pronounced these words, when their ears +were saluted with a sound of this instrument; +and presently after appeared +the musician, who was a young fellow +of about twenty, or twenty two years +of age, and of a very graceful appearance. +His companions asked him if he +had supped, and he answering in the +affirmative, one of them, who made the +offer to the knight, said to him, ‘If +that be the case, Antonio, you will +do us the pleasure to sing a song, that +this gentleman, our guest, may see +there are some, even among these +woods and mountains, who understand +musick. We have already informed +him of thy uncommon talents, +and we desire thou wouldst shew them, +in order to justify what we have said +in thy praise; I therefore earnestly +beseech thee to sit down and sing the +ballad of thy love, composed by thy +uncle the curate, which is so much +commended in our village.’—‘With +all my heart,’ replied the young man; +who, without farther entreaty, sat down +upon the trunk of an ancient oak, and +tuning his instrument, began in a very +graceful manner to sing and accompany +the following song.</p> +<div class='lg-container-b c015'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><abbr title='one'>I.</abbr></div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>You love, Olalla, nay, adore me;</div> + <div class='line in2'>In spite of all your art I know it,</div> + <div class='line'>Although you never smile before me,</div> + <div class='line in2'>And neither tongue nor eyes avow it.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><abbr title='two'>II.</abbr></div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>For, sure to slight a lover’s passion</div> + <div class='line in2'>So try’d as that which lives this heart in,</div> + <div class='line'>Were but small proof of penetration;</div> + <div class='line in2'>And that you are no fool is certain.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><abbr title='three'>III.</abbr></div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Sometimes, indeed, and ’tis amazing,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Tho’ prov’d by evidence of twenty,</div> + <div class='line'>You’ve plainly shewn your soul was brazen,</div> + <div class='line in2'>And eke your snowy bosom flinty.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><abbr title='four'>IV.</abbr></div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Yet in the midst of maiden shyness,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Affected scorn and decent scolding,</div> + <div class='line'>Kind Hope appear’d with proffer’d spy-glass,</div> + <div class='line in2'>The border of her robe unfolding.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><abbr title='five'>V.</abbr></div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Then balance in the scales of reason,</div> + <div class='line in2'>My love unshaken and untainted,</div> + <div class='line'>Unapt to change from truth to treason,</div> + <div class='line in2'>By frowns impair’d, by smiles augmented.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><abbr title='six'>VI.</abbr></div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>If love be courtesy refin’d,</div> + <div class='line in2'>And you be civil to profusion,</div> + <div class='line'>That you will to my hopes prove kind,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Is but a natural conclusion.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_63'>63</span><abbr title='seven'>VII.</abbr></div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>If gratitude that breast can soften,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Which bids to other arts defiance,</div> + <div class='line'>The services I’ve render’d often,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Must melt your soul to kind compliance.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><abbr title='eight'>VIII.</abbr></div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>For, more than once, had you attended,</div> + <div class='line in2'>You might have seen me wear on Monday,</div> + <div class='line'>My best apparel scower’d and mended,</div> + <div class='line in2'>With which I wont to honour Sunday.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><abbr title='nine'>IX.</abbr></div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>As love delights in finery,</div> + <div class='line in2'>And women oft are won by tightness,</div> + <div class='line'>I’ve still endeavour’d in your eye,</div> + <div class='line in2'>To shine the mirror of politeness.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><abbr title='ten'>X.</abbr></div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>That I have danc’d the swains among,</div> + <div class='line in2'>To please your pride, what need I mention;</div> + <div class='line'>Or with the cock begun my song,</div> + <div class='line in2'>To wake my sleeping fair’s attention!</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><abbr title='eleven'>XI.</abbr></div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Or that, enamour’d of your beauty,</div> + <div class='line in2'>I’ve loudly sounded forth its praises;</div> + <div class='line'>A talk which, tho’ a lover’s duty,</div> + <div class='line in2'>The spite of other women raises!</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><abbr title='twelve'>XII.</abbr></div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>For, once, Teresa of the hill,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Beneath all notice would have sunk ye,</div> + <div class='line'>‘You think Olalla angel still,’</div> + <div class='line in2'>Said she, ‘but others scorn the monkey.’</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><abbr title='thirteen'>XIII.</abbr></div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘Thanks to her beads of glittering glass,</div> + <div class='line in2'>‘And her false locks in ringlets curling,</div> + <div class='line'>‘And the false colour of her face,</div> + <div class='line in2'>‘Which Love himself might take for sterling.’</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><abbr title='fourteen'>XIV.</abbr></div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>She ly’d, I told her in her throat;</div> + <div class='line in2'>And when her kinsman kept a racket,</div> + <div class='line'>You know I made him change his note,</div> + <div class='line in2'>And soundly thresh’d the booby’s jacket.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><abbr title='fifteen'>XV.</abbr></div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Your lovely person, not your wealth,</div> + <div class='line in2'>At first engag’d my inclination;</div> + <div class='line'>Nor would I now possess by stealth,</div> + <div class='line in2'>The guilty joys of fornication.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><abbr title='sixteen'>XVI.</abbr></div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>The church has silken ties in store,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Then yield thy neck to Hymen’s fetters;</div> + <div class='line'>Behold, I put my own before,</div> + <div class='line in2'>And trust the noose that binds our betters.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><abbr title='seventeen'>XVII.</abbr></div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Else, by each blessed saint I swear,</div> + <div class='line in2'>And Heav’n forbid I prove a liar!</div> + <div class='line'>Never to quit this desart drear,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Except in form of hooded friar<a id='r52'></a><a href='#f52' class='c008'><sup>[52]</sup></a>.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>Thus ended the goatherd’s ditty; and +though Don Quixote desired him to sing +another, yet Sancho Panza would by no +means give his consent, being more inclined +to take his natural rest than to +hear ballads; and therefore, he said to +his master, ‘Your worship had better +consider where you are to lodge this +night; for the labour that these honest +men undergo in the day, will not +suffer them to pass the night in singing.’—‘I +understand thee, Sancho,’ +replied the knight, ‘it plainly appears +that the visits thou hast made to the +wine-bag, demand the consolation of +sleep, rather than that of musick.’—‘They +agreed with us all very well, +blessed be God!’ replied Sancho. ‘I +do not deny it,’ said the knight; ‘and +thou mayest bestow thyself in the best +manner thou canst; but it is more +seemly for those of my profession to +watch than to sleep: it would not be +amiss, however, Sancho, to dress my +ear again; for it gives me more pain +than I could wish.’ Sancho did as he +desired: when one of the goatherds perceiving +the wound, bade him give himself +<span class='pageno' id='Page_64'>64</span>no trouble about it, for he would +apply a remedy that would heal it in a +trice: so saying, he took some leaves of +rosemary, which grew in great plenty +round the hut, and having chewed and +mixed them with a little salt, applied +the poultice to his ear; and binding it +up carefully, assured him, as it actually +happened, that it would need no +other plaister.</p> + +<h4 id='chap1-2-4' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='four'>IV.</abbr> <br> WHAT WAS RELATED BY A GOATHERD, WHO CHANCED TO COME INTO THE HUT.</h4> +<p class='c004'>In the mean time, another of the +lads, who brought them victuals +from the village, entering the hut, said, +‘Do you know what has happened in +our town, comrades?’ When one +of them answered, ‘How should we!’ +‘Know, then,’ continued he, ‘that the +famous student Chrysostom died this +morning; and it is murmured about, +that his death was occasioned by his +love for that devilish girl Marcella, +daughter of William the rich. She +that roves about these plains in the +habit of a shepherdess.’—‘For Marcella, +said you!’ cried one. ‘The +same,’ answered the goatherd; ‘and it +is certain, that in his last will he +ordered himself to be buried in the +field like a Moor (God bless us!) +at the foot of the rock, hard by the +cork-tree spring; for, the report goes, +and they say he said so himself, as +how the first time he saw her was in +that place; and he has also ordained +many other such things as the clergy +say must not be accomplished; nor +is it right they should be accomplished; +for, truly, they seem quite heathenish: +to all which objections his dear friend, +Ambrosio the student, who also dressed +himself like a shepherd, to keep him +company, replies, that he will perform +every thing, without fail, that +Chrysostom has ordered; and the +whole village is in an uproar about it: +but it is believed that every thing, at +last, will be done according to the +desire of Ambrosio, and all the rest +of the shepherds, his friends; and +that to-morrow he will be interred +with great pomp in the very spot I +have mentioned. I am resolved, therefore, +as it will be a thing well worth +seeing, to go thither without fail, even +though I thought I should not be +able to return to the village that +night.’—‘We will do so too,’ replied +the goatherds, ‘and cast lots to see +which of us must stay and take care +of our flocks.’—‘You are in the +right, Pedro,’ said one; ‘but there +will be no occasion to use that shift, +for I myself will stay and take care of +the whole; and you must not impute +my tarrying to virtue, or the want of +curiosity, but to the plaguy thorn +that ran into my foot the other day, +and hinders me from walking.’—‘We +are obliged to thee, however,’ +answered Pedro; whom Don Quixote +desired to tell him who that same dead +shepherd and living shepherdess were.</p> + +<p class='c005'>To this question the goatherd replied, +all that he knew of the matter was, +that the deceased was the son of a rich +farmer, who lived in the neighbourhood +of a village in these mountains; +that he had studied in Salamanca many +years, at the end of which he had returned +to his family with the character +of a great scholar: in particular, they +said he was very knowing in the science +of the stars, and what passed betwixt +the sun and moon, and the heavens; for +he had punctually foretold the clipse +of them both! ‘The obscuration of +those two great luminaries,’ said the +knight, ‘is called the eclipse, and not +the clipse, friend.’ But Pedro, without +troubling his head with these trifles, +proceeded, saying, ‘he likewise foresaw +when the year would be plentiful or +staril.’—‘You mean, sterile,’ said +Don Quixote. ‘Sterile, or staril,’ replied +Pedro, ‘comes all to the same purpose; +and I say, that his father and +his friends, taking his advice, became +very rich: for they gave credit to his +words, and followed his counsel in +all things. When he would say, this +year you must sow barley, and no +wheat; here you must sow carabances, +but no barley; next year there will +be a good harvest of oil; but for three +years to come there will not be a drop.’—‘That +science,’ replied Don Quixote, +‘is called astrology.’—‘I know not +how it is called,’ replied Pedro; ‘but +this I know, that he knew all this, +and much more. In short, not many +months after he came from Salamanca, +he appeared all of a sudden in +<span class='pageno' id='Page_65'>65</span>shepherd-weeds, with his woolly jacket, +and a flock of sheep, having laid +aside the long dress of a student. +And he was accompanied by a friend +of his in the same habit, whose name +was Ambrosio, and who had been his +fellow student at college. I forgot to +tell you that Chrysostom the defunct +was such a great man at composing +couplets, that he made carols for +Christmas eve, and plays for the +Lord’s-day, which were represented +by the young men in our village; and +every body said, that they were tip-top. +When the people of the village +saw the two scholars so suddenly +cloathed like shepherds, they were surprized, +and could not guess their reason +for such an odd change. About +that time the father of this Chrysostom +dying, he inherited great riches, that +were in moveables and in lands, with +no small number of sheep, more or +less, and a great deal of money: of +all which this young man remained +desolate lord and master: and truly +he deserved it all; for he was an excellent +companion, very charitable, a +great friend to good folks, and had a +most blessed countenance. Afterwards +it came to be known, that his +reason for changing his garb, was no +other than with a view of strolling +through the woods and desarts after +that same shepherdess Marcella, whose +name my friend mentioned just now, +and with whom the poor defunct +Chrysostom was woundily in love: +and I will now tell you, for it is necessary +that you should know who this +wench is; for, mayhap, nay even +without a mayhap, you never heard +of such a thing in all the days of +your life, though you be older than +<abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr> Paul<a id='r53'></a><a href='#f53' class='c008'><sup>[53]</sup></a>.’—‘Say, Paul’s,’ replied +Don Quixote, offended at the goatherd’s +perverting the words. ‘Saint Paul was +no chicken,’ replied Pedro; ‘and if +your worship be resolved to correct +my words every moment, we shall not +have done in a twelvemonth.’—‘I +ask your pardon friend,’ said the +knight; ‘I only mention this, because +there is a wide difference between the +person of <abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr> Paul, and a church +that goes by his name: but, however, +you made a very sensible reply; for, +to be sure, the saint lived long before +the church was built: therefore go on +with your story, and I promise not to +interrupt you again.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Well, then, my good master,’ said +the goatherd, ‘there lived in our village +a farmer, still richer than Chrysostom’s +father; his name was William, +and God gave him, over and +above great wealth, a daughter, who +at her birth was the death of her mother, +the most worthy dame in all +the country. Methinks I see her now +with that face of her’s, which seemed +to have the sun on one side, and the +moon on the other; she was an excellent +housewife, and a great friend to +the poor, for which reason I believe +her soul is enjoying the presence of +God in paradise. Her husband died +of grief for the loss of so good a wife, +leaving his daughter Marcella, young +and rich, to the care of an uncle, who +has got a living in our village. The +girl grew up with so much beauty, +that she put us in mind of her mother, +who had a great share, and yet +it was thought it would be surpassed +by the daughter’s. It happened accordingly; +for when she came to the +age of fourteen or fifteen, nobody +could behold her without blessing +God, for having made so beautiful a +creature; and every body almost grew +desperately in love with her. Her +uncle kept her up with great care; +but, for all that, the fame of her exceeding +beauty spread in such a manner, +that both for her person and her +fortune, not only the richest people +in our town, but likewise in many +leagues about, came to ask her in +marriage of her uncle, with much +importunity and felicitation. But he, +who, to give him his due, was a good +christian, although he wanted to dispose +of her as soon as she came to the +age fit for matrimony, would not give +her away without her own consent; +neither had he a view in deferring her +marriage, to the gain and advantage +which he might enjoy in managing the +girl’s fortune. And truly I have +<span class='pageno' id='Page_66'>66</span>heard this spoken in more companies +than one, very much to the praise of +the honest priest. For I would have +you know, Sir traveller, that in these +small towns people intermeddle and +grumble about every thing. And +this you may take for certain, as I +know it to be so, that a clergyman +must be excessively good indeed, if +he can oblige his flock to speak well +of him, especially in country villages.’—‘You +are certainly in the right,’ said +Don Quixote; ‘and pray go on, for +your story is very entertaining; and +you, honest Pedro, relate it with a +good grace.’—‘May I never want +God’s grace!’ said the shepherd; ‘for +that is the main chance; and you must +know, moreover, that though the +uncle proposed to his niece, and described +the good qualities of each in +particular who asked her in marriage, +desiring her to give her hand to some +one or other, and chuse for herself; +she never would give him any other +answer, but that she did not chuse to +marry, for she was too young to bear +the burden of matrimony. On account +of these excuses, which seemed +to have some reason in them, her uncle +forbore to importune her, and waited +till she should have more years and +discernment to make choice of her +own company; for he said, and to be +sure it was well said, that parents +should never dispose of their children +against their own inclinations. But +behold, when we least thought of it, +the timorous Marcella one day appeared +in the habit of a shepherdess; +and without imparting her design to +her uncle, or any body in the village, +for fear they might have dissuaded her +from it, she took to the field with her +own flock, in company of the other +damsels of the village. As she now +appeared in publick, and her beauty +was exposed to the eyes of every body, +you cannot conceive what a number +of rich youths, gentlemen and farmers, +immediately took the garb of +Chrysostom, and went wooing her +through the fields. One of these suitors, +as you have heard, was the deceased, +who, they say, left off loving +to adore her; and you must not think, +that because Marcella took to this +free and unconfined way of living, +she brought the least disparagement +upon her chastity and good name; on +the contrary, such is the vigilance +with which she guards her honour, +that of all those who serve and solicit +her, not one has boasted, nor indeed +can boast with any truth, that she has +given him the smallest hope of accomplishing +his desire; for though she +neither flies, or avoids the company +and conversation of the shepherds, but +treats them in a courteous and friendly +manner, whenever any one of them +comes to disclose his intention, let it +be ever so just and holy, even marriage +itself, she throws him from her like a +stone from a sling; and being of this +disposition, does more damage in this +country, than if a pestilence had seized +it; for her affability and beauty allures +all the hearts of those that converse +with her to serve and love her, +but her coyness and plain dealing +drives them even to the borders of despair; +therefore they know not what +to say, but upbraid her with cruelty +and ingratitude, and give her a great +many such titles, as plainly shew the +nature of her disposition: and if your +worship was but to stay here one day, +you would hear these hills and dales +resound with the lamentations of her +rejected followers. Not far from this +place there is a tuft of about a dozen +of tall beeches, upon every one of +which you may read engraved the name +of Marcella, and over some a crown +cut out in the bark, as if her lover +would have declared, that Marcella +wears, and deserves to wear, the crown +of all earthly beauty. Here one shepherd +sighs, there another complains; +in one place you may hear amorous +ditties, in another the dirges of despair; +one lover sits musing through +all the hours of the night, at the foot +of some tall ash or rugged rock, and +there, without having closed his weeping +eyes, shrunk up as it were, and +intranced in his own reflections, he is +found by the rising sun; a second, +without giving respite or truce to his +sighs, exposed to the heat of the most +sultry summer’s sun, lies stretched +upon the burning sand, breathing his +complaints to pitying Heaven, and +over this and that, and these and those, +the free, the unconcerned, the fair +Marcella triumphs. We who are acquainted +with her disposition, wait with +impatience to see the end of all this +disdain, and long to know what happy +<span class='pageno' id='Page_67'>67</span>man will tame such an unsociable +humour, and enjoy such exceeding +beauty. As every thing that I have +recounted is true to a tittle, I have +no reason to doubt the truth of what +our comrades said concerning the +cause of Chrysostom’s death; and +therefore I advise you, Sir, not to +fail being to-morrow at his burial, +which will be well worth seeing; for +Chrysostom had a great many friends, +and the spot in which he ordered himself +to be buried is not more than half +a league from hence.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘I will take care to be present,’ said +the knight, ‘and thank you heartily +for the pleasure you have given me in +relating such an interesting story.’—‘Oh! +as for that,’ cried the goatherd, +‘I do not know one half of what has +happened to the lovers of Marcella: +but to-morrow, perhaps, we may +light upon some shepherd on the road, +who is better acquainted with them. +In the mean time you will do well to +go to sleep under some cover, for the +cold night air may not agree with the +hurt your jaws have received, though +the remedy I have applied is such, that +you have nothing else to fear.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Sancho Panza, who wished the goatherd’s +loquacity at the devil, earnestly +intreated his master to go to sleep in Pedro’s +hut. This request the knight +complied with, and spent the greatest +part of the night in thinking of his +Lady Dulcinea, in imitation of Marcella’s +lovers; while Sancho Panza, +taking up his lodging betwixt Rozinante +and his ass, slept soundly, not +like a discarded lover, but like one who +had been battered and bruised the day +before.</p> + +<h4 id='chap1-2-5' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='five'>V.</abbr> <br> THE CONCLUSION OF THE STORY OF THE SHEPHERDESS MARCELLA, AND OTHER INCIDENTS.</h4> +<p class='c004'>Scarce had Aurora disclosed herself +through the balconies of the +east, when five of the six goatherds +arising, went to waken Don Quixote, +and told him, that if he continued in +his resolution of going to see the famous +funeral of Chrysostom, they would +keep him company. The knight, who +desired nothing better, arose, and commanded +Sancho to saddle his horse and +pannel his ass immediately. This order +was executed with great dispatch, +and they set out without loss of time. +They had not travelled more than a +quarter of a league, when, upon crossing +a path, they saw coming towards +them six shepherds, cloathed in jackets +of black sheep-skin, and crowned with +garlands of cypress and bitter-bay, +each having a club of holly in his hand. +Along with them came also two gentlemen +on horseback, very well equipped +for travel, accompanied by three young +men on foot.</p> + +<p class='c005'>When they advanced they saluted one +another, and understanding, upon inquiry, +that they were all bound to the +place of interment, they joined company, +and travelled together. One of the +horsemen said to his companion, ‘Signior +Vivaldo, we shall not have reason +to grudge our tarrying to see this famous +funeral, which must certainly +be very extraordinary, by the strange +account we have received from these +people, of the dead shepherd, and the +murderous shepherdess.’—‘I am of +the same opinion,’ answered Vivaldo; +‘and would not only tarry one day, +but even four or five, on purpose to +see it.’ Don Quixote asking what +they had heard of Marcella and Chrysostom, +the traveller replied, that early +in the morning they had met with these +shepherds, of whom inquiring the cause +of their being cloathed in such melancholy +weeds, they had been informed of +the coyness and beauty of a certain +shepherdess called Marcella, and the +hapless love of many who courted her, +together with the death of that same +Chrysostom to whose funeral they were +going. In short, he recounted every +circumstance of what Pedro had told +Don Quixote before.</p> + +<p class='c005'>This conversation being ended, another +began by Vivaldo’s asking Don +Quixote why he travelled thus in armour +in a peaceable country. To this +question the knight replied, ‘The exercise +of my profession will not permit +or allow me to go in any other +manner. Revels, feasting, and repose, +were invented by effeminate courtiers; +but toil, anxiety, and arms, are peculiar +to those whom the world calls +knights-errant, of which order I, +though unworthy, and the least, am +one.’ He had no sooner pronounced +these words, than all present took him +<span class='pageno' id='Page_68'>68</span>for a madman; but, in order to confirm +their opinion, and discover what +kind of madness it was, Vivaldo desired +to know what he meant by knights-errant. +‘What!’ said Don Quixote, +‘have you never read the annals and +history of England, which treat of +the famous exploits of Arthur, who, +at present, in our Castilian language, +is called King Artus, and of whom +there is an ancient tradition, generally +believed all over Great Britain, +that he did not die, but was, by the +art of inchantment, metamorphosed +into a raven; and that the time will +come when he shall return, and recover +his sceptre and throne; for +which reason it cannot be proved, that +from that period to this, any Englishman +has killed a raven. In the reign +of that excellent king was instituted +that famous order of chivalry, called +the Knights of the Round Table; and +those amours punctually happened, +which are recounted of Don Lancelot +of the Lake, with Queen Ginebra, by +the help and mediation of that sage +and venerable duenna Quitaniona, +from whence that delightful ballad, +so much sung in Spain, took its rise:</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c012'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘For never, sure, was any knight</div> + <div class='line in2'>‘So serv’d by damsel, or by dame,</div> + <div class='line'>‘As Lancelot, that man of might,</div> + <div class='line in2'>‘When he at first from Britain came.’</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>‘With the rest of that most relishing +and delicious account of his amours +and valiant exploits. From that time +the order of knight-errantry was extended, +as it were, from hand to hand, +and spread through divers and sundry +parts of the world, producing, among +many other worthies celebrated for +their atchievements, the valiant Amadis +de Gaul, with all his sons and nephews, +even to the fifth generation; +the courageous Fleximarte of Hicarnia, +the never-enough to be commended +Tirante the White, and he whom, +in this our age, we have as it were seen, +heard, and conversed with, the invincible +and valorous knight Don Belianis +of Greece. This, gentlemen, is +what I meant by knight-errant; and +such as I have described is the order of +chivalry, which, as I have already +told you, I, though a sinner, have +professed; and the very same which +those knights I mentioned professed, +I profess also. On which account I +am found in these desarts and solitudes, +in quest of adventures, fully determined +to lift my arm, and expose my +person, to the greatest danger that my +destiny shall decree, in behalf of the +needy and oppressed.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>By this declaration, the travellers were +convinced that the knight had lost his +wits, and easily perceived the species of +folly which had taken possession of his +brain, and which struck them with the +same surprise that always seized those +who became acquainted with our knight. +Vivaldo, who was a person of discretion +and a great deal of archness, in order +to travel agreeably the rest of the road +which they had to go till they should +come to the place of interment, wanted +to give him an opportunity of proceeding +in his extravagance, and in that +view said to him: ‘Sir knight-errant, +methinks your worship professes one +of the strictest orders upon earth; nay, +I will affirm, more strict than that of +the Carthusian friars.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘The order of the Carthusians,’ answered +Don Quixote, ‘may be as strict, +but, that it is as beneficial to mankind, +I am within a hair’s breadth of +doubting; for, to be plain with you, +the soldier who executes his captain’s +command, is no less valuable than the +captain who gave the order. I mean, +that the monks pray to God for their +fellow-creatures in peace and safety; +but we soldiers and knights put in execution +that for which they pray, by +the valour of our arms, and the edge +of our swords; living under no other +cover than the cope of heaven; set up +in a manner as marks for the intolerable +heat of the sun in summer, and +the chilly breath of frosty winter; we +are therefore God’s ministers, and the +arms by which he executes his justice +upon earth; and as the circumstances +of war, and what has the least affinity +and concern with it, cannot be accomplished +without sweat, anxiety, and fatigue; +it follows, that those who profess +it, are doubtless more subject to toil, +than those who in rest and security implore +the favour of God for persons +who can do nothing for themselves; +not that I would be thought to say or +imagine, the condition of a knight-errant +is equal to that of a recluse +monk; I would only infer from what +we suffer, that it is without doubt +<span class='pageno' id='Page_69'>69</span>more troublesome, more battered, more +famished, more miserable, ragged, and +lousy; for the knights-errant of past +times certainly underwent numberless +misfortunes in the course of their +lives. And if some of them came to be +emperors by the valour of their arms, +considering the blood and sweat it cost +them, in faith it was a dear purchase; +and if those who attained such a supreme +station, had been without their +sage inchanters to assist them, they +might have been defrauded by their +desires, and grievously baulked of their +expectations.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘I am very much of your opinion,’ +answered the traveller; ‘but there is +one thing among you knights-errant, +that I cannot approve of, and that is, +when any great and dangerous adventure +occurs, in which you run a manifest +risk of losing your lives, in the +instant of an engagement, you never +think of recommending your souls to +God, as every Christian ought to do +on such occasions; but, on the contrary, +put up your petitions to your +mistresses, with as much fervour +and devotion as if they were your +deities; a circumstance which, in my +opinion, smells strong of paganism.’—‘Sir,’ +replied Don Quixote, ‘that +practice must in no degree be altered; +and woe be to that knight-errant who +should do otherwise; for, according +to the practice and custom of chivalry, +every knight, when he is upon the +point of atchieving some great feat, +must call up the idea of his mistress, +and turning his eyes upon her with all +the gentleness of love, implore, as it +were, by his looks, her favour and +protection in the doubtful dilemma in +which he is about to involve himself: +nay, even though nobody should hear +him, he is obliged to mutter between +his teeth an ejaculation, by which he +heartily and confidently recommends +himself to her good wishes: and of +this practice we have innumerable examples +in history; but I would not +have you think, that we are to forbear +recommending ourselves to God also; +there will be time and opportunity +enough for that duty in the course of +action.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘But, nevertheless,’ said the traveller, +‘I have still one scruple remaining; +which is, that I have often read of a +dispute between two knights, which +proceeding to rage from one word to +another, they have turned about their +steeds, to gain ground for a good career; +and then, without any more +ceremony, returned to the encounter +at full gallop, recommending themselves +to their mistresses by the way; +and the common issue of such an engagement +is, that one of them is thrown +down by his horse’s crupper, stuck +through and through with his adversary’s +lance, while the other, with +difficulty, avoids a fall by laying hold +of his horse’s mane: now, I cannot +comprehend how the dead man could +have time to recommend himself to +God, in the course of so sudden an +attack; surely it would have been +better for his soul, if, instead of the +words he uttered in his career, he had +put up a petition to Heaven, according +to the duty and obligation of every +Christian; especially, as I take it for +granted that every knight-errant has +not a mistress; for all of them cannot +be in love.’—‘That’s impossible,’ +answered Don Quixote. ‘I affirm, that +there never could be a knight-errant +without a mistress; for to be in love +is as natural and peculiar to them, as +the stars are to the heavens. I am +very certain that you never read an +history that gives an account of a +knight-errant without an amour; for +he that has never been in love, would +not be held as a legitimate member, +but some adulterate brood, who had +got into the fortress of chivalry, not +through the gate, but over the walls, +like a thief in the night.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Yet, notwithstanding,’ said the traveller, +‘I have read that Don Galaor, +brother of the valiant Amadis de +Gaul, never had any known mistress +to whom he could recommend himself; +and he was not disregarded, but looked +upon as a very valiant and famous +knight.’—‘Signior,’ answered our +hero, Don Quixote, ‘one swallow makes +not a summer; besides, to my certain +knowledge, that knight was privately +very much in love; indeed, he +made love to every handsome woman +who came in his way; for that was +his natural disposition, which he by +no means could resist: in short, it is +very well attested, that he had one +mistress, whom he enthroned as sovereign +of his heart, and to whom he +recommended himself with great caution +<span class='pageno' id='Page_70'>70</span>and privacy, because he piqued +himself upon being a secret knight.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Since, then, it is essential to every +knight to be in love, we may conclude +that your worship, being of that +profession, is no stranger to that passion: +and if you do not value yourself +upon being as secret a knight as Don +Galaor, I earnestly entreat you, in +behalf of myself, and the rest of the +company, to tell us the name, country, +station, and qualities of your +mistress; who must think herself extremely +happy in reflecting, that all +the world knows how much she is +beloved and adored by so valiant a +knight as your worship appears to be.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Here Don Quixote uttered a grievous +sigh, saying, ‘I am not positively certain, +whether or not that beauteous +enemy of mine takes pleasure in the +world’s knowing I am her slave; this +only I can say, in answer to the question +you asked with so much civility, +that her name is Dulcinea; her native +country, a certain part of La Mancha +called Toboso; her station must +at least be that of a princess, since she +is queen and lady of my soul; her +beauty supernatural, in that it justifies +all those impossible and chimerical attributes +of excellence, which the poets +bestow upon their nymphs; her hair +is of gold, her forehead the Elysian +Fields, her eye-brows heavenly arches, +her eyes themselves suns, her cheeks +roses, her lips of coral, her teeth of +pearl, her neck alabaster, her breast +marble, her hands ivory, her skin +whiter than snow; and those parts +which decency conceals from human +view are such, according my belief +and apprehension, as discretion ought +to enhance above all comparison.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘I wish we knew her lineage, race, +and family,’ replied Vivaldo. To +this hint the knight answered, ‘She is +not descended of the ancient Caii, +Curtii, and Scipios of Rome, nor of +the modern Colonas and Orsini, nor +of the Moncades and Requesenes of +Catalonia, much less of the Rebellas +and Villanovas of Valencia; or the +Palafaxes, Newcas, Rocabertis, Corellas, +Lunas, Alagones, Urreas, Fozes +and Gurreas of Arragon; or the +Cerdas, Manriquez, Mendozas and +Gusmans of Castile; or the Alencastros, +Pallas and Menesis of Portugal: +but she sprung from the family +of Tobosa de La Mancha: a lineage +which, though modern, may give a +noble rise to the most illustrious families +of future ages; and let no man +contradict what I say, except upon +the conditions expressed in that inscription +placed by Cerbino under the +trophy of Orlando’s arms!</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c012'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘“That knight alone these arms shall move,</div> + <div class='line'>”Who dares Orlando’s prowess prove<a id='r54'></a><a href='#f54' class='c008'><sup>[54]</sup></a>.”</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>‘Although I myself am descended +from the Cachopines of Loredo<a id='r55'></a><a href='#f55' class='c008'><sup>[55]</sup></a>,’ +said the traveller, ‘I won’t presume to +compare with that of Toboso de La +Mancha; though, to be plain with +you, I never before heard of any such +generation.’—‘How, not heard!’ replied +Don Quixote. The rest of the +company jogged on, listening with great +attention to this discourse, and all of +them, even the goatherds, by this time +were convinced, that our knight’s judgment +<span class='pageno' id='Page_71'>71</span>was grievously impaired. Sancho +alone believed that every thing his +master said was true, because he knew +his family, and had been acquainted +with himself from his cradle. The only +doubt that he entertained was of this +same beautiful Dulcinea del Toboso; +for never had such a name or such a +princess come within the sphere of his +observation, although he lived in the +neighbourhood of that place.</p> + +<p class='c005'>While they travelled along, conversing +in this manner, they perceived about +twenty shepherds descend through a +cleft made by two high mountains. +They were all clad in jackets of black +sheep-skin, and each of them crowned +with a garland, which was composed, +as we afterwards learned, partly of cypress, +and partly of yew; six of the +foremost carried a bier, upon which they +had strewed a variety of branches and +flowers. And this was no sooner perceived +by one of the goatherds, than he +said, ‘These are the people who carry +the corpse of Chrysostom, and the +foot of that mountain is the place +where he ordered himself to be interred.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Upon this information they made +haste, and came up just at the time that +the bearers having laid down the body, +began to dig the grave with pick-axes +on one side of a flinty rock. They received +our travellers with great courtesy; +and Don Quixote, with his company, +went towards the bier to look at +the dead body, which was covered with +flowers, clad in shepherds weeds, and +seemingly thirty years old. Notwithstanding +he was dead, they could plainly +perceive that he had been a man of an +engaging aspect, and genteel stature; +and could not help wondering at the +sight of a great many papers, both sealed +and loose, that lay round him in the +coffin.</p> + +<p class='c005'>While the new-comers were observing +this phænomenon, and the shepherds +busied in digging a grave, a wonderful +and universal silence prevailed, +till such time as one of the bearers said +to another, ‘Consider, Ambrosio, if +this be the very spot which Chrysostom +mentioned, that his last will may +be punctually fulfilled.’—‘This,’ +answered Ambrosio, ‘is the very place +in which my unhappy friend has often +recounted to me the story of his +misfortunes. Here it was he first +beheld that mortal enemy of the human +race; here also did he first declare his +amorous and honourable intention; +and here, at last, did Marcella signify +her disgust and disdain, which put an +end to the tragedy of his wretched life; +and in this place, as a monument of +his mishap, did he desire to be deposited +in the bowels of eternal oblivion.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Then addressing himself to Don +Quixote, and the travellers, he thus +proceeded: ‘This corpse, gentlemen, +which you behold with compassionate +eyes, was the habitation of a soul +which possessed an infinite share of the +riches of Heaven: this is the body of +Chrysostom, who was a man of unparalleled +genius, the pink of courtesy +and kindness; in friendship a +very phœnix, liberal without bounds, +grave without arrogance, gay without +meanness, and in short second to +none in every thing that was good, +and without second in all that was +unfortunate. He loved, and was abhorred; +he adored and was disdained; +he implored a savage; he importuned +a statue; he hunted the wind; cried +aloud to the desart; he was a slave +to the most ungrateful of women; and +the fruit of his servitude was death, +which overtook him in the middle of +his career; in short, he perished by +the cruelty of a shepherdess, whom +he has eternized in the memory of all +the people in this country; as these +papers which you gaze at would shew, +if he had not ordered me to commit +them to the flames as soon as his body +shall be deposited in the earth.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘You will use them, then, with more +cruelty and rigour,’ said Vivaldo, +‘than that of the author himself; seeing +it is neither just nor convenient to +fulfil the will of any man, provided +it be unreasonable. Augustus Cæsar +would have been in the wrong, had +he consented to the execution of what +the divine Mantuan ordered on his +death-bed. Wherefore, Signior Ambrosio, +while you commit the body of +your friend to the earth, you ought +not likewise to consign his writings to +oblivion; nor perform indiscreetly +what he in his affliction ordained; on +the contrary, by publishing these papers, +you ought to immortalize the +cruelty of Marcella, that it may serve +as an example in time to come, and +warn young men to shun and avoid +<span class='pageno' id='Page_72'>72</span>such dangerous precipices; for I, and +the rest of this company, already +know the history of that enamoured +and unhappy friend, the nature of +your friendship, the occasion of his +death, together with the orders that he +left upon his death-bed: from which +lamentable story, it is easy to conclude +how excessive must have been +the cruelty of Marcella, the love of +Chrysostom, the faith of your friendship, +and the check which those receive, +who precipitately run through +the path exhibited to them by idle and +mischievous love. Last night, we understood +the death of Chrysostom, +who, we are informed, was to be buried +in this place; and therefore, out +of curiosity and concern, have turned +out of our way, resolving to come and +see with our eyes, what had affected +us so much in the hearing; and in return +for that concern, and the desire +we felt in remedying it, if it had been +in our power, we entreat thee, O discreet +Ambrosio! at least, for my own +part, I beg of thee, not to burn these +papers, but allow me to preserve some +of them.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Accordingly, without staying for an +answer, he reached out his hand, and +took some of those that were nearest +him; which Ambrosio perceiving, said, +‘Out of civility, Signior, I will consent +to your keeping what you have taken +up; but to think that I will fail to +burn the rest, is a vain supposition.’ +Vivaldo being desirous of seeing the contents, +immediately opened one, intitled, +A Song of Despair; which Ambrosio +hearing, said, ‘That is the last poem +my unhappy friend composed; and +that you may see, Signior, to what a +pass his misfortunes had reduced him, +read it aloud, and you’ll have time +enough to finish it before the grave be +made!’—‘That I will do with all +my heart,’ said Vivaldo; and every +body present being seized with the same +desire, they stood around him in a circle, +and he read what follows, with an audible +voice.</p> +<div class='lg-container-b c015'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>A SONG OF DESPAIR.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><abbr title='one'>I.</abbr></div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Since then, thy pleasure, cruel maid!</div> + <div class='line in2'>Is, that thy rigour and disdain</div> + <div class='line'>Should be from clime to clime convey’d,</div> + <div class='line in2'>All hell shall aid me to complain!</div> + <div class='line'>The torments of my heart to tell,</div> + <div class='line in2'>And thy achievements to record,</div> + <div class='line'>My voice shall raise a dreadful yell,</div> + <div class='line in2'>My bowels burst at every word:</div> + <div class='line'>Then listen to the baleful sound</div> + <div class='line in2'>That issues from my throbbing breast,</div> + <div class='line'>Thy pride, perhaps, it may confound,</div> + <div class='line in2'>And yield my madd’ning soul some rest.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><abbr title='two'>II.</abbr></div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Let the snake’s hiss and wolf’s dire howl,</div> + <div class='line in2'>The bull’s harsh note, the lion’s roar,</div> + <div class='line'>The boding crow and screeching owl,</div> + <div class='line in2'>The tempest rattling on the shore,</div> + <div class='line'>The monster’s scream, the turtle’s moan,</div> + <div class='line in2'>The shrieks of the infernal crew,</div> + <div class='line'>Be mingled with my dying groan,</div> + <div class='line in2'>A concert terrible and new!</div> + <div class='line'>The hearer’s senses to appal,</div> + <div class='line in2'>And Reason from her throne depose;</div> + <div class='line'>Such melody will suit the gall</div> + <div class='line in2'>That from my burning liver flows!</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><abbr title='three'>III.</abbr></div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Old Tagus with his yellow hair,</div> + <div class='line in2'>And Betis with her olive wreath,</div> + <div class='line'>Shall never echo such despair,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Or listen to such notes of death,</div> + <div class='line'>As here I’ll utter and repeat,</div> + <div class='line in2'>From hill to dale, from rock to cave,</div> + <div class='line'>In wilds untrod by human feet,</div> + <div class='line in2'>In dungeons dreary as the grave.</div> + <div class='line'>The beasts of prey that scour the plain,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Shall thy more savage nature know,</div> + <div class='line'>The spacious earth resound my strain;</div> + <div class='line in2'>Such is the privilege of woe!</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><abbr title='four'>IV.</abbr></div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Disdain is death, and doubt o’erturns</div> + <div class='line in2'>The patience of the firmest mind;</div> + <div class='line'>But jealousy still fiercer burns,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Like all the flames of hell combin’d!</div> + <div class='line'>The horrors of that cursed fiend,</div> + <div class='line in2'>In absence to distraction rage,</div> + <div class='line'>And all the succour hope can lend,</div> + <div class='line in2'>The direful pangs will not assuage.</div> + <div class='line'>Such agonies will surely kill;</div> + <div class='line in2'>Yet spite of absence, doubts and scorn,</div> + <div class='line'>I live a miracle, and still</div> + <div class='line in2'>Those deadly flames within me burn!</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><abbr title='five'>V.</abbr></div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Hope’s shadow ne’er refresh’d my view,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Despair attends with wakeful strife;</div> + <div class='line'>The first let happier swains pursue,</div> + <div class='line in2'>The last my consort is for life.</div> + <div class='line'>Can hope and fear at once prevail,</div> + <div class='line in2'>When fear on certainty is fed?</div> + <div class='line'>To shut mine eyes will nought avail,</div> + <div class='line in2'>When thunder bursts around my head,</div> + <div class='line'>When cold Disdain in native dye</div> + <div class='line in2'>Appears, and Falshood’s cunning lore</div> + <div class='line'>Perverts the tale of Truth, shall I</div> + <div class='line in2'>Against Despondence shut the door?</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_73'>73</span><abbr title='six'>VI.</abbr></div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>O jealousy! love’s tyrant lord,</div> + <div class='line in2'>And thou, soul-chilling, dire disdain!</div> + <div class='line'>Lend me the dagger and the cord,</div> + <div class='line in2'>To stab remembrance, strangle pain.</div> + <div class='line'>I die bereft of hope in death,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Yet still those are the freest souls,</div> + <div class='line'>(I’ll vouch it with my latest breath)</div> + <div class='line in2'>Whom love’s old tyranny controuls.</div> + <div class='line'>My fatal enemy is fair,</div> + <div class='line in2'>In body and in mind, I’ll say,</div> + <div class='line'>And I have earn’d the woes I bear:</div> + <div class='line in2'>By rigour love maintains the sway.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><abbr title='seven'>VII.</abbr></div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>With this opinion let me fall</div> + <div class='line in2'>A prey to unrelenting scorn;</div> + <div class='line'>No fun’ral pomp shall grace my pall,</div> + <div class='line in2'>No laurel my pale corpse adorn.</div> + <div class='line'>O thou! whose cruelty and hate</div> + <div class='line in2'>The tortures of my breast proclaim,</div> + <div class='line'>Behold how willingly to fate</div> + <div class='line in2'>I offer this devoted frame.</div> + <div class='line'>If thou, when I am past all pain,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Should’st think my fall deserves a tear,</div> + <div class='line'>Let not one single drop distain</div> + <div class='line in2'>Those eyes so killing and so clear.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><abbr title='eight'>VIII.</abbr></div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>No! rather let thy mirth display</div> + <div class='line in2'>The joys that in thy bosom flow;</div> + <div class='line'>Ah! need I bid that heart be gay</div> + <div class='line in2'>Which always triumph’d in my woe!</div> + <div class='line'>Come then, for ever barr’d of bliss,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Ye, who with ceaseless torment dwell,</div> + <div class='line'>And agonizing, howl and hiss</div> + <div class='line in2'>In the profoundest shades of hell:</div> + <div class='line'>Come, Tantalus, with raging thirst,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Bring, Sysiphus, thy rolling stone,</div> + <div class='line'>Come, Titius, with thy vulture curst,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Nor leave Ixion rack’d alone.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><abbr title='nine'>IX.</abbr></div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>The toiling sisters too shall join,</div> + <div class='line in2'>And my sad, solemn dirge repeat,</div> + <div class='line'>When to the grave my friends consign</div> + <div class='line in2'>These limbs deny’d a winding-sheet;</div> + <div class='line'>Fierce Cerberus shall clank his chain,</div> + <div class='line in2'>In chorus with chimæras dire:</div> + <div class='line'>What other pomp, what other strain,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Should he who dies of love require?</div> + <div class='line'>Be hush’d, my song, complain no more</div> + <div class='line in2'>Of her whose pleasure gave thee birth;</div> + <div class='line'>But let the sorrows I deplore</div> + <div class='line in2'>Sleep with me in the silent earth.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>This ditty of Chrysostom was approved +by all the hearers; but he who read +it observed, that it did not seem to agree +with the report he had heard of Marcella’s +virtue and circumspection; inasmuch +as the author complained of +jealousy, absence, and suspicion, which +tended to the prejudice of her morals +and reputation. To this objection, +Ambrosio, as one that was acquainted +with the most secret sentiments of his +friend, answered, ‘Signior, for your +satisfaction in this point, it is necessary +you should know, that the +forlorn shepherd composed this song +in the absence of Marcella, from +whose presence he had gone into voluntary +exile, in order to try if he +could reap the usual fruits of absence, +and forget the cause of his despair; +and as one in that situation is apt to +be fretted by every circumstance, and +invaded by every apprehension, poor +Chrysostom was harassed by groundless +jealousy and imaginary fears, +which tormented him as much as if +they had been real; for which reason, +this circumstance ought not to invalidate +the fame of Marcella’s virtue, +against which, exclusive of her cruelty, +arrogance, and disdain, envy itself +hath not been able to lay the least +imputation.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘That may be very true,’ replied +Vivaldo; who, being about to read another +of the papers he had saved from the +flames, was diverted from his purpose +by a wonderful vision, for such it seemed, +that all of a sudden presented itself +to their eyes. This was no other than +the shepherdess Marcella, who appeared +upon the top of the rock, just above the +grave they were digging, so beautiful that +she surpassed all report. Those who +had never seen her before, gazed with +silent admiration; nor were the rest, +who had been accustomed to see her, +less astonished at her appearance. But +no sooner did Ambrosio perceive her, +than with indignation in his looks, he +cried—</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Comest thou hither, fierce basilisk +of these mountains! to see if the +wounds of this unhappy youth whom +thy cruelty hath slain, will bleed at +thy approach? or art thou come to +rejoice in the exploits of thy barbarity, +and from the top of that mountain, +behold, like another Nero, the +flames which thy impiety hath kindled? +or inhumanly to trample upon +this unfortunate corpse, as the unnatural +daughter insulted the dead body +of her father Tarquin? Tell us at +once the cause of thy approach, and +deign to signify thy pleasure, that I +who know how devoutly Chrysostom +<span class='pageno' id='Page_74'>74</span>obeyed thee, when alive, may, now +that he is dead, dispose his friends to +yield the same obedience.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘I come not,’ answered Marcella, +for any of the purposes you have mentioned, +Ambrosio; but rather personally +to demonstrate how unreasonably +people blame me for their own +affliction, as well as for the death and +sufferings of Chrysostom. I beg, +therefore, that all present will give me +the hearing, as it will be unnecessary +to spend much time, or waste many +words, to convince those that are unprejudiced +of the truth. Heaven, you +say, hath given me beauty, nay, such +a share of it, as compels you to love +me, in spite of your resolutions to +the contrary; from whence you draw +this inference, and insist upon it, that +it is my duty to return your passion. +By the help of that small capacity +which nature has bestowed upon me, I +know that which is beautiful is lovely; +but I can by no means conceive, why +the object which is beloved for being +beautiful, is bound to be enamoured +of its admirer; more especially, +as it may happen that this same +admirer is an object of disgust and +abhorrence; in which case would it +be reasonable in him to say, “I love +thee because thou art beautiful, and +thou must favour my passion, although +I am deformed?” But granting the +beauty equal on both sides, it does +not follow that the desires ought to be +mutual; for all sorts of beauty do +not equally affect the spectator; some, +for example, delighting the eye only, +without captivating the heart. And +well it is for mankind, that things +are thus disposed; otherwise there +would be a strange perplexity and confusion +of desires, without power of +distinguishing and chusing particular +objects; for beauty being infinitely +diversified, the inclination would be +infinitely divided: and I have heard, +that true love must be undivided and +unconstrained; if this be the case, as +I believe it is, why should I constrain +my inclination, when I am under no +other obligation so to do, but your +saying that you are in love with me? +Otherwise tell me, if Heaven that made +me handsome, had created me a monster +of deformity, should I have had +cause to complain of you for not loving +me? Besides, you are to consider, +that I did not chuse the beauty I possess; +such as it is, God was pleased +of his own free will and favour to +bestow it upon me, without any solicitation +on my part. Therefore, as +the viper deserves no blame for its +sting, although it be mortal, because +it is the gift of nature; neither ought +I to be reviled for being beautiful: +for beauty in a virtuous woman, is +like a distant flame and a sharp sword +afar off, which prove fatal to none but +those who approach too near them. +Honour and virtue are the ornaments +of the soul; without which the body, +though never so handsome, ought to +seem ugly. If chastity then be one of +the virtues which chiefly adorns and +beautifies both body and soul, why +should she that is beloved, lose that +jewel for which she is chiefly beloved, +merely to satisfy the appetite of one +who, for his own selfish enjoyment, +employs his whole care and industry +to destroy it? I was born free; and +to enjoy that freedom, have I chosen +the solitude of these fields. The trees +on these mountains are my companions; +and I have no other mirror than +the limpid streams of these crystal +brooks. With the trees and the streams +I share my contemplation and my beauty; +I am a distant flame, and a sword +afar off; those whom my eyes have +captivated, my tongue has undeceived; +and if hope be the food of desire, as +I gave none to Chrysostom, or to any +other person, so neither can his death, +nor that of any other of my admirers, +be justly imputed to my cruelty, but +rather, to their own obstinate despair. +To those who observe that his +intentions were honourable, and that +therefore I was bound to comply with +them, I answer, when he declared the +honesty of his designs in that very spot +where now his grave is digging, I told +him, my purpose was to live in perpetual +solitude, and let the earth alone +enjoy the fruits of my retirement, and +the spoils of my beauty: wherefore, +if he, notwithstanding this my explanation, +persevered without hope, and +sailed against the wind; it is no wonder +that he was overwhelmed in the +gulph of his rashness. Had I cajoled +him, I should have been perfidious; +had I gratified his inclination, I should +have acted contrary to my own reason +and resolution. But because he +<span class='pageno' id='Page_75'>75</span>persisted after I had explained myself, +and despaired before he had cause to +think I abhorred him, I leave you to +judge whether or not it be reasonable +to lay his misfortune at my door. Let +him whom I have deceived complain, +and let him despair to whom I have +broke my promise; if I call upon any +man, he may depend upon me; if I +admit of his addresses, he may rejoice +in his success: but why should +I be stiled a barbarous homicide by +him whom I never soothed, deceived, +called, or admitted? Hitherto Heaven +has not thought fit that I should love +by destiny; and the world must excuse +me from loving by election. Let +this general declaration serve as an +answer to all those who solicit me in +particular, and henceforward give +them to understand, that whosoever +dies for me, perishes not by jealousy +or disdain, for she who never gave her +love, can never give just cause of jealousy; +neither ought her plain-dealing +to be interpreted into disdain. +Let him who terms me a fierce basilisk, +shun me as an evil being; if any man +thinks me ungrateful, let him refuse +his services when I ask them. If I +have disowned any one, let him renounce +me in his turn; and let him +who has found me cruel, abandon +me in my distress; this fierce basilisk, +this ungrateful, cruel, supercilious +wretch, will neither seek, serve, +own, nor follow you, in any shape +whatever. If Chrysostom perished by +the impatience of his own extravagant +desire, why should my innocent +reserve be inveighed against? If +I have preserved my virginity in these +desarts, why should he that loves me, +wish to see me lose it among mankind! +I have riches of my own, as you all +know, and covet no man’s wealth. I +am free, and will not be subjected; I +neither love nor hate any man; I do +not cajole this one, nor teaze that, nor +do I joke with one, or discourse with +another; but amuse myself with the +care of my goats, and the innocent +conversation of the shepherdesses belonging +to the neighbouring villages. +My desires are bounded by these +mountains; or if my meditation surpasses +these bounds, it is only to contemplate +the beauty of the heavens, +those steps by which the soul ascends +to its original mansion.’ So saying, +without waiting for any reply, she turned +her back, and vanished into a thicket +on a neighbouring mountain, leaving +all that were present equally surprized +with her beauty and discretion.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Some of the by-standers being wounded +by the powerful shafts that were +darted from her fair eyes, manifested an +inclination to follow her, without availing +themselves of the ingenuous declaration +they had heard; which being +perceived by Don Quixote, who thought +this a proper occasion for exercising +his chivalry in defence of distressed +damsels; he laid his hand upon the +hilt of his sword, and in a lofty and +audible voice, pronounced, ‘Let no +person, of whatsoever rank or degree, +presume to follow the beautiful Marcella, +on pain of incurring my most +furious indignation. She has demonstrated, +by clear and undeniable arguments, +how little, if at all, she is +to be blamed for the death of Chrysostom; +and how averse she is to +comply with the desires of any of her +admirers; for which reason, instead +of being pursued and persecuted, she +ought to be honoured and esteemed by +all virtuous men, as the only person +in the universe who lives in such a +chaste and laudable intention.’ Whether +it was owing to these menaces of +the knight, or to the advice of Ambrose, +who desired them to perform the +last office to their deceased friend, not +one of the shepherds attempted to stir +from the spot, until the grave being finished, +and the papers burnt, the body +of poor Chrysostom was interred, not +without abundance of tears shed by his +surviving companions. The grave was +secured by a large fragment of the rock +which they rolled upon it, till such time +as a tomb-stone could be made, under +the direction of Ambrose, who was resolved +to have the following epitaph engraved +upon it.</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c012'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>The body of a wretched swain,</div> + <div class='line'>Kill’d by a cruel maid’s disdain,</div> + <div class='line in2'>In this cold bed neglected lies.</div> + <div class='line'>He liv’d, fond hapless youth! to prove,</div> + <div class='line'>Th’ inhuman tyranny of love,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Exerted in Marcella’s eyes.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>Having strewed the place with a profusion +of flowers and branches, every +body present condoled, and took leave +of the afflicted executor; and Don +Quixote bade farewel to his kind landlords, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_76'>76</span>as well as to the travellers, who +would have persuaded him to accompany +them to Seville, which they said was +a city so well adapted for adventures, +that they occurred in every street, nay, +at the corner of every blind alley. Our +hero thanked them most courteously for +their advice, and the inclination they +expressed to give him pleasure; but assured +them, he neither could nor would +set out for Seville, until he should have +cleared these desarts of the robbers and +banditti, of whom they were reported to +be full.</p> + +<p class='c005'>The travellers seeing him thus laudably +determined, importuned him no farther, +but, taking leave of him anew, +pursued their journey, during which they +did not fail to discuss the story of Marcella +and Chrysostom, as well as the +madness of Don Quixote; who, on his +part, resolved to go in quest of the shepherdess, +and offer her all the service in +his power: but this scheme did not turn +out according to his expectation, as will +be related in the course of this faithful +history, the second book of which is here +concluded.</p> + +<p class='c005'>END OF THE SECOND BOOK.</p> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_77'>77</span> + <h3 id='book1-3' class='c014'>BOOK <abbr title='three'>III.</abbr></h3> +</div> +<h4 id='chap1-3-1' class='c010'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='one'>I.</abbr> <br> WHEREIN IS RECOUNTED THE UNLUCKY ADVENTURE WHICH HAPPENED TO DON QUIXOTE, IN MEETING WITH CERTAIN UNMERCIFUL YANGUESIANS.</h4> +<p class='c004'>The sage Cid Hamet Benengeli +relates, that Don +Quixote having bid adieu +to his entertainers, and to +all who were present at the +funeral of the shepherd +Chrysostom, entered, with his squire, +the same wood to which Marcella had +retreated; where, when they had wandered +about upwards of two hours, without +seeing her, they chanced to find +themselves in a delightful spot, overgrown +with verdant grass, and watered +by a cool and pleasant stream; which +was so inviting as to induce them to stay +in it during the heat of the day, that +now began to be very sultry; the knight +and squire, therefore, dismounting, and +leaving the ass and Rozinante at pleasure +to regale themselves with the rich +pasture, emptied their knapsack; and, +without any ceremony, attacked the +contents, which they eat together like +good friends, laying aside all vain distinction +of master and man.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Sancho had been at no pains to tether +Rozinante; secure, as he thought, in +knowing him to be so meek and peaceable, +that all the mares in the meadows +of Cordova could not provoke his concupiscence. +Chance, however, or the +devil, who is not often found napping, +ordered it so, as that a drove of Gallician +fillies belonging to certain Yanguesian +carriers, happened, at that very +instant, to be feeding in the same valley: +for, it being the custom of these +people to halt and refresh themselves and +their beasts in places where there is plenty +of water and grass, they could not +have lighted on a more convenient spot +than that where Don Quixote chanced +to be. It was then that Rozinante, +seized with an inclination to solace himself +with some of those skittish females, +no sooner had them in the wind, than +deviating from his natural disposition +and accustomed deliberation, without +asking leave of his lord and master, he +went off at a small trot, to communicate +his occasions to the objects of his +desire. But they, it seems, more fond +of their pasture than of his addresses, +received him so uncivilly with their +hoofs and teeth, that, in a twinkling, +his girth was broke, his saddle kicked +off, and he himself remained in cuerpo. +But what he chiefly suffered was from +the carriers, who, seeing violence offered +to their mares, ran to their assistance +<span class='pageno' id='Page_78'>78</span>with long staves, which they exercised +upon him so unmercifully, that +he fell prostrate to the ground, almost +battered to death.</p> + +<p class='c005'>The knight and Sancho seeing their +steed thus bastinadoed, made all the haste +they could to his rescue; the former addressing +the latter in this manner: ‘I +perceive, friend Sancho, that these are +no knights, but fellows of low degree +and infamous descent: this particular +I mention, because thou mayest now +assist me in taking just vengeance upon +them, for the injury they have +done to Rozinante before my face.’—‘What +a devil of vengeance can we +pretend to take,’ answered the squire, +‘when they are more than twenty, and +we but two? Nay, I believe, if it +was put to the trial, no better than +one and a half.’—‘I myself am worth +an hundred of such vagabonds!’ cried +Don Quixote: and without uttering +another syllable, he unsheathed his +sword, and assaulted the Yanguesians, +being seconded by Sancho, who suffered +himself to be rouzed and encouraged by +the example of his master; and, indeed, +the knight lent the first he met with +such a hearty stroke, as laid open a leathern +jacket he wore, together with a +large portion of his shoulder.</p> + +<p class='c005'>The carriers seeing themselves thus +maltreated by two men only, took the +benefit of their numbers, and ran to +sustain one another with their staves; +then surrounding the two assailants, began +to drum upon their carcases with +infinite eagerness and dexterity. True +it is, at the second application, Sancho +fell to the earth; a misfortune that also +happened to his master; who, in spite of +all his own address, together with the +assistance of his good friend, soon found +himself stretched at the feet of Rozinante, +who had not as yet been able to rise: +from whence we may learn what furious +execution is often done by packstaves, +when managed by the hands of such +enraged clowns.</p> + +<p class='c005'>The carriers perceiving the havock +they had made, thought proper to load +again with all dispatch, and pursue +their journey, leaving our adventurers +in miserable plight and doleful dilemma. +The first that recovered the use +of his senses was Sancho Panza; who, +finding himself laid along by the side of +his master, pronounced, with a weak +and lamentable voice, ‘Sir Don Quixote! +ah, Sir Don Quixote!’—‘What +wouldst thou have, brother Sancho?’ +replied the knight, in the same feeble +and complaining tone. ‘I wish,’ resumed +Sancho, ‘your worship would, +if it be possible, comfort me with a +couple of gulps of that same balsam +made by fairy Blas, if you have got +any of it about you: perhaps it may +be serviceable in bruises and broken +bones, as well as in wounds and running +sores.’—‘Would to God I had +it here, unfortunate wight that I am!’ +cried Don Quixote; ‘but I swear to +thee, Sancho, on the faith of a knight-errant, +that ere two days pass, if some +mischievous accident does not intervene, +I will have it in my possession, +if my hands do not very much misgive +me.’—‘In how many days does +your worship think we shall be able +to move our feet?’ said the squire. +‘With regard to myself,’ answered the +battered knight, ‘I really cannot fix +any number of days; but this I know, +that I alone am to blame for what has +happened, in condescending to use my +sword against antagonists who were +not dubbed and knighted like myself. +I therefore firmly believe, that as a +punishment for having transgressed the +laws of chivalry, the God of battles +hath permitted me to receive this disgraceful +chastisement; for which reason, +brother Sancho, it is proper that +thou shouldst be apprized of what I +am going to say, as it may be of great +importance to the safety of us both: +whenever thou shalt see us insulted or +aggrieved for the future, by such rascally +scum, thou shalt not wait for my +drawing upon them; for I will in no +shape meddle with such unworthy foes; +but lay thy hand upon thy sword, and +with thy own arm chastise them to thy +heart’s content; but should any knights +make up to their defence and assistance, +then shall I know how to protect thee, +and assault them with all my might; +and thou art already convinced, by a +thousand amazing proofs, how far extends +the valour of this my invincible +arm.’ So arrogant was the poor knight +become by his victory over the valiant +Biscayan.</p> + +<p class='c005'>This wholesome advice, however, +was not so much relished by Sancho, +but that he replied, ‘Sir, I am a quiet, +meek, peaceable man, and can digest +any injury, be it never so hard; for I +<span class='pageno' id='Page_79'>79</span>have a wife and small children to +maintain and bring up: wherefore, +let me also apprize, (since I cannot lay +my commands upon) your worship, +that I will in no shape whatever use +my sword against either knight or +knave; and that henceforward, in +the fight of God, I forgive all injuries, +past, present, or to come, which +I have already received, at this present +time suffer, or may hereafter undergo, +from any person whatsoever, +high or low, rich or poor, gentle or +simple, without exception to rank or +circumstance.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>His master hearing this declaration, +answered, ‘I with the grievous pain I +feel in this rib would abate a little, +so as that I could speak for a few moments +with ease, and convince thee +of thy damnable error, Panza. Hark +ye me, sinner! suppose the gale of fortune, +which hath been hitherto so adverse, +should change in our favour; +and, swelling the sails of our desire, +conduct us safely, without the least +impediment, into the haven of some +one of those islands which I have promised +thee: what would become of +thy wretched affairs, if after I had won +and given it into thy possession, thou +shouldst frustrate my intention, by +thy lack of knighthood, ambition, +valour and courage, to revenge thy +wrongs, or defend thy government? +for I would have thee to know, that +in all new-conquered kingdoms or +provinces, the friends of their natural +masters are never so quiet or reconciled +to their new sovereign, as to dispel +all fear of some fresh insurrection, +to alter the government again, and, +as the saying is, try fortune once +more: it is therefore requisite that the +new possessor should have understanding +to govern, resolution to punish, +and valour to defend himself, in case +of any such accident.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘In this last accident which hath befallen +us,’ said Sancho, ‘I wish the +Lord had pleased to give me that same +understanding and valour your worship +mentions: but I protest, upon +the word of a poor sinner, that I am +at present more fit for a searcloth than +such conversation. See if your worship +can make shift to rise, and then +we will give some assistance to Rozinante, +though it be more than he deserves; +for he was the principal cause +of all this plaguy-rib-roasting: never +could I believe such a thing of Rozinante, +who I always thought was as +chaste and sober a person as myself; +but this verifies the common remark, +that you must keep company a long +time with a man before you know +him thoroughly; and that there is nothing +certain in this life. Who could +have thought that those huge back-strokes +your worship dealt so heartily +to the unlucky traveller, would be followed, +as it were post-haste, by such +a mighty tempest of blows, as just +now discharged itself upon our shoulders!’—‘Thy +carcase, Sancho,’ said +Don Quixote, ‘was formed for enduring +such rough weather; but my limbs +were tenderly nursed in soft wool and +fine linen; and therefore must feel +more sensibly the pain of this discomfiture; +and if I did not believe (believe, +said I) if I were not certain, that +all these inconveniencies are inseparably +annexed to the exercise of arms, +I would lie still where I am, and die +with pure vexation.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>To this protestation the squire replied, +‘Seeing these misfortunes are the natural +crops of chivalry, pray good +your worship, do they happen at all +times of the year, or only fall at an +appointed season; because, in my simple +conjecture, two such harvests will +leave us altogether incapable of reaping +a third, if God, of his infinite +mercy, will not be pleased to send +us extraordinary succour.’—‘Thou +must know, friend Sancho,’ answered +Don Quixote, ‘that the life of a knight-errant +is subject to a thousand dangers +and mishaps; but then he enjoys the +self-same chance of being a king or +emperor, as experience demonstrates +to have been the case of divers and +sundry knights, the history of whose +lives I am perfectly well acquainted +with; and I could now relate, if this +pain would give me leave, the fortunes +of some, who, by their valour alone, +have risen to that supreme degree: +and those very persons, both before +and after their success, have undergone +various calamities and affliction; +witness the valiant Amadis de Gaul, +who saw himself in the power of his +mortal enemy Arcalaus the inchanter, +of whom it is positively affirmed, that +while the knight was his prisoner, he +caused him to be bound to a pillar in +<span class='pageno' id='Page_80'>80</span>his court-yard, and gave him two +hundred stripes with the reins of his +horse’s bridle. There is likewise a +certain secret author of no small credit, +who relates that the knight of +the sun was caught in a trap in a certain +castle, and falling found himself +tied hand and foot in a deep dungeon +below ground, where was administered +unto him one of those things they call +clysters, composed of sand and water, +which had well nigh cost him his life; +and if he had not been succoured in +that perilous conjuncture by a sage who +was his good friend, the poor knight +would have fared very ill. Wherefore +what hath happened to me, may +easily pass unheeded, among those +much greater affronts that such worthy +people have undergone: besides, I +would have thee know, Sancho, that +it is never reckoned an affront to be +wounded by those instruments which +are casually in the hands of our enemies; +for it is expressly mentioned in +the laws of duelling, that if a shoe-maker +beats a man with a last he has +by accident in his hand, the man cannot +properly be said to be cudgelled, +although the said last was made of +wood. This particular I mention, that +thou mayest not suppose us affronted, +although we have been mauled in this +unlucky fray; for the weapons with +which those men threshed us so severely, +were no other than their own +pack-staves; and so far as I can remember, +there was neither tuck, poignard, +nor sword, among them.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘They did not give me time,’ answered +Sancho, ‘to make any such observation: +for scarce had I laid my +fingers upon my Toledo<a id='r56'></a><a href='#f56' class='c008'><sup>[56]</sup></a>, when there +rained a shower of cudgels upon my +poor shoulders, that banished the light +from my eyes, and strength from my +feet, and laid me flat upon the spot +where I now lie, not so much concerned +about thinking whether this +drubbing be an affront or not, as +about the intolerable pain of the +blows, which remain imprinted upon +my memory as well as upon my carcase.’——‘Notwithstanding +all this +complaining,’ said the knight, ‘I +aver, brother Sancho, that there is no +remembrance which time does not +efface, nor pain that death does not +remove.’—‘And pray, what greater +misfortune can there be,’ answered +Sancho, ‘than that which nothing but +time can remove, or death put a stop +to? If this mishap of ours were such +a one as might be cured with a couple +of snips of searcloth, it would not +be altogether so vexatious; but so far +as I can see, all the plaister of an hospital +will not be sufficient to set us +cleverly on our legs again.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Truce with thy reflections,’ replied +Don Quixote, ‘and collecting strength +out of weakness, as I will endeavour +to do, let us rise and examine Rozinante’s +case; for, in all appearance, +the poor beast hath not suffered the +least part of the misfortune.’—‘That +is not to be wondered at,’ said the +squire, ‘he being a knight-errant also; +but what surprizes me most is, that +my dapple should get off without paying +his score, when we are scored all +over.’—‘Destiny, when one door is +shut, always leaves another open, is a +resource in all calamities,’ said Don +Quixote: ‘this I observe, because thy +ass will now supply the place of Rozinante, +and carry me from hence to +some castle, where my wounds may be +cured: more especially as such carriage +will be no dishonour to chivalry; for +I remember to have read, that the +good old Silenus, tutor and companion +to the jolly god of mirth and +wine, entered the city of the hundred +gates, lolling at his ease upon a most +comely ass.’—‘It may be very true +that he rode upon an ass,’ replied Sancho; +‘but there is some difference, I +apprehend, between riding, and lying +across the beast like a bag of dirt.’ +To this observation the knight answered, +‘Those wounds which are received +in battle, may well give, but can never +deprive one of honour: therefore, +friend Sancho, do as I bid thee, without +farther reply; get up as well as +thou canst, and lay me upon dapple +just as thou shalt find most convenient, +that we may be gone before night +comes to surprize us in this unfrequented +place.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘And yet,’ said Sancho, ‘I have +<span class='pageno' id='Page_81'>81</span>heard your worship remark, that it is +usual for knights-errant to sleep upon +commons and heaths the greatest part +of the year; aye, and to be thankful +for their good fortune in being able +so to do.’—‘Yes,’ said the knight, +‘when they can do no better, or are in +love; and this is so true, that there +was a knight who lay upon a bare +rock, exposed to the sultry noon and +midnight damps, with all the inclemencies +of the weather, during two +whole years, before his mistress knew +any thing of the matter: this was no +other than Amadis, who, assuming the +name of Beltenebros, took up his +quarters upon the naked rock, for the +space of either eight years, or eight +months, I really do not remember +which; only that he remained doing +penance in that place, for some disgust +shewn to him by his dame Oriana: +but truce with this conversation, +Sancho, and make haste, before such +another accident can happen to thy +beast, as that which hath already befallen +Rozinante.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Odds my life! that would be the +devil indeed!’ cried Sancho, who uttering +thirty ah’s and sixty oh’s! together +with a hundred and fifty ola’s! +and curses upon him who had brought +him to that pass, raised himself up, +though he could not for his soul stand +upright, but in spite of all his efforts, +remained bent like a Turkish bow; and +in that attitude, with infinite labour, +made shift to equip his ass, which had +also gone a little astray, presuming upon +the excessive licence of the time; he then +lifted up Rozinante, who, could he have +found a tongue to complain with, would +certainly have surpassed both his master +and Sancho in lamentation: in short, +the squire disposed of Don Quixote upon +the ass, to whose tail Rozinante was +tied; then taking his own dapple by the +halter, jogged on, sometimes faster, +sometimes slower, towards the place +where he conjectured the high road to +lie; and indeed, they had not exceeded +a short league, when by good luck, +which now seemed to take the management +of their affairs, they arrived at +the highway, and discovered an inn, +which, to Sancho’s great grief, was +mistaken for a castle by the joyful +knight. This difference of opinion +begat an obstinate dispute that lasted +until they arrived at the place, into +which Sancho immediately conveyed his +cargo, without farther expostulation.</p> + +<h4 id='chap1-3-2' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='two'>II.</abbr> <br> THE ADVENTURE THAT HAPPENED TO THIS SAGACIOUS KNIGHT AT THE INN,<br> WHICH HE MISTOOK FOR A CASTLE.</h4> +<p class='c004'>The innkeeper seeing Don Quixote +laid athwart the ass, asked what +was the matter? to which interrogation +Sancho replied, ‘Nothing but a few +bruises which my master has received +in a fall from a rock in this neighbourhood.’ +The landlady, who differed +in disposition from most of your innkeepers +wives, being naturally charitable +and sympathizing with the calamities +of her fellow-creatures, came running to +the relief of the battered knight, and +brought her daughter, who was a very +handsome girl, to assist in taking care of +her guest. There was in the same house a +servant-maid from the Asturies, remarkable +for her capacious countenance, beetle +brow’d, flat-nosed, blind of one eye, +and bleared in the other: true it is, the +gentility of her shape made amends for +her other defects; she was something +short of seven hands from head to foot, +and moreover incumbered so much by her +shoulders, that she was obliged to contemplate +the dust beneath her feet oftener +than she could have wished.</p> + +<p class='c005'>This comely creature, with the assistance +of the other damsel, made up a sort +of sorry bed for our hero in a garret; +which gave evident tokens of having +been formerly an hay-loft, and in which +at that time a certain carrier had taken +up his quarters, in a bed of his own +making, a little on one side our knight’s: +and though his couch was composed of +the pannels and furniture of his mules, +it had greatly the advantage over Don +Quixote’s, which consisted only of four +rough boards, supported on two benches +of unequal height, covered by a mattras, +so thin it might have passed for a quilt, +and full of knots so hard as to be mistaken +for pebble stones, had not the wool +appeared through divers openings; with +a couple of sheets made of bull’s hide, +and a blanket so bare, that you might +have counted every thread, without +losing one of the reckoning.</p> + +<p class='c005'>In this wretched bed, Don Quixote +<span class='pageno' id='Page_82'>82</span>having laid himself down, was anointed +from head to foot by the good woman +and her daughter, while Maritornes +(that was the Asturian’s name) stood +hard by holding a light. The landlady, +in the course of her application, perceiving +the knight’s whole body black +and blue, observed that those marks +seemed rather the effects of drubbing +than of a fall; but Sancho affirmed she +was mistaken, and that the marks in +question were occasioned by the knobs +and corners of the rocks among which +he fell. ‘And now I think of it,’ said +he, ‘pray, Madam, manage matters so +as to leave a little of your ointment, +for it will be needed, I’ll assure you; +my own loins are none of the soundest +at present.’—‘What, did you fall +too?’ said she. ‘I can’t say I did,’ +answered the squire, ‘but I was so infected +by seeing my master tumble, +that my whole body aches as much as +if I had been cudgelled without mercy.’—‘That +may very easily happen,’ +cried the daughter: ‘I myself have +often dreamed that I was falling from +a high tower, without ever coming to +the ground; and, upon waking, have +found myself bruised and battered, as +if I had actually got a great fall.’—‘Ah, +mistress!’ replied the squire, ‘here +is the point; I, without dreaming at +all, but on the contrary, being as +broad awake as I am this precious +minute, found almost as many marks +upon my own shoulders, as you have +observed upon those of my master Don +Quixote.’—‘What is the name of +that knight?’ said the Asturian. +‘Don Quixote de La Mancha,’ answered +the squire: ‘he is a knight-adventurer, +and one of the greatest and most +valiant that have been seen in this +world for many ages.’—‘And what +is a knight-adventurer?’ resumed the +wench. ‘Are you such a suckling as +not to know that?’ cried Sancho; +‘well, I’ll tell you, mistress of mine, +a knight-adventurer is a thing, that +before you count a couple, may be +kicked and be crowned: to-day he is +the most despicable and beggarly +wretch upon earth, and to-morrow he +will have a brace of kingdoms to bestow +upon his squires.’—‘Methinks,’ +said the landlady, ‘seeing you appertain +to such a great man, you ought +to be a count at least.’—‘All in good +time,’ replied Sancho; ‘we have not +been out a month in search of adventures, +and have found none worth +naming; besides, people sometimes +go in quest of one thing, and meet +with another: indeed, if my master +Don Quixote gets well of this drubbing——fall, +I mean, and I myself +escape without being crippled, I +won’t barter my hopes for the best +lordship in Spain.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>The knight having listened attentively +to this whole conversation, sat up in his +bed as well as he could, and taking his +landlady by the hand, ‘Believe me, +beautiful lady,’ said he, ‘you may +account yourself extremely happy in +having within your castle my person +as your guest; such a guest, that if I +praise him not, it is on account of the +common saying, that self-commendation +is in effect self-dispraise. My +squire, however, will intimate who I +am; while I content myself with assuring +you, that I will, to all eternity, +preserve engraven upon the tables of +my memory the benevolence you this +day vouchsafed unto me, that I may +be grateful for the favour, as long as +life shall remain. And, oh! that it +pleased you, Heaven supreme, that love +had not so vanquished and enslaved my +heart to the triumphant eyes of the +beautiful ingrate whom I now mention +between my teeth, but that the +charms of this amiable young lady +could be the authors of my freedom.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>The good woman, her daughter, and +the gentle Maritornes, were astonished +at this rhapsody, which they understood +as much as if it had been delivered +in Greek; though they could +easily comprehend, that the whole of +it tended to compliment and proffers of +service: as they were therefore altogether +unaccustomed to such language, +they gazed at him with admiration, as +a person of a different species from other +men; and having thanked him for +his courtesy, in their tapster phrase, left +him to his repose; while the Asturian +Maritornes administered to Sancho, +who had as much need of assistance as +his master.</p> + +<p class='c005'>She and the carrier had made an assignation +to divert themselves that night; +nay, she had given her word that as +soon as the company should be quiet, +and her master and mistress asleep, she +would visit him in the dark, and give +him all the satisfaction he desired; and +<span class='pageno' id='Page_83'>83</span>indeed it is recorded, for the honour of +this good creature, that she never failed +to perform her promises of that kind +punctually, although they had been made +in the midst of a heath, and out of the +hearing of all evidence: for she valued +herself much upon her gentility, and +did not look upon it as any affront to +be servant at an inn, because, she observed, +disappointments and misfortunes +had reduced her to that condition.</p> + +<p class='c005'>The bed of Don Quixote, which we +have described so hard, so narrow, crazy, +and uncomfortable, stood foremost, and +exactly in the middle of this ruinous +hay-loft; hard by had Sancho taken up +his quarters upon a rush-mat, covered +with a rug, which seemed to be manufactured +of hemp, rather than wool; and +last of all was the carrier’s couch, composed, +as we have already said, of the +pannels and furniture of his two best +mules; for he had no less than twelve +plump, sleek, and notable beasts, being +one of the richest carriers in Arevalo, +according to the report of the author of +this history, who makes particular mention +of him, and says he knew him perfectly +well; nay, some go so far as to +affirm, that he was his distant relation: +be this as it will, Cid Hamet Benengeli +was a most curious historian, and punctual +to admiration, as appears from what +hath been related, which, though in itself +mean and trivial, he would by no +means pass over in silence. This ought +to serve as an example to those important +and weighty historians, who recount +events so succinctly and superficially, +that the reader can scarce get +a smack of them; while the most substantial +circumstances are left, as it +were, in the ink-horn, through carelessness, +ignorance, and malice. A thousand +times blessed be the authors of +Tablante and Ricamonte, and he that +compiled that other book, in which are +recounted the atchievements of Count +Tomillas! How punctually have they +described the most minute particular!—But, +to return to our story.</p> + +<p class='c005'>The carrier having visited his cattle, +and given them their night’s allowance, +stretched himself upon his pannels, in +expectation of the most faithful Maritornes; +while Sancho, plaistered all over, +and huddled up in his kennel, endeavoured +with all his might to sleep; but +the aching of his ribs would by no +means allow him to enjoy that satisfaction; +and Don Quixote, for the same +uncomfortable reason, lay like a hare, +with his eyes wide open. A profound +silence reigned throughout the whole +house, in which there was no other light +than a lamp stuck up in the passage; and +this wonderful quiet, together with those +reflections which always occurred to our +knight, relating to the events continually +recorded in the books of chivalry, that +first disordered his understanding; I say, +those reflections suggested to his fancy +one of the strangest whims that ever entered +a man’s imagination. This was +no other than a full persuasion that he +was arrived at some famous castle; for, +as we have before observed, all the inns +he lodged at seemed castles to him; and +that the landlord’s daughter was the governor’s +only child, who, captivated by +his genteel appearance, was become +deeply enamoured of him, and had actually +promised to come, without the +knowledge of her parents, and pass the +best part of the night in bed with him. +Believing, therefore, this chimera (which +was the work of his own brain) to be +a firm and undoubted fact, he began to +reflect with extreme anxiety upon the +dangerous dilemma into which his virtue +was like to be drawn; and resolved +in his heart to commit no treason against +his mistress Dulcinea del Toboso; even +though Queen Ginebra herself, and the +lady Quintaniona, should make him a +tender of their favours.</p> + +<p class='c005'>While his mind was engrossed by these +extravagant fancies, the hour of assignation +arrived, and an unlucky hour it +was for him, when the kind Asturian, +barefoot and in her smock, having her +hair tucked up under a fustian nightcap, +entered the apartment in which the +three guests were lodged, and with silence +and caution directed her steps towards +the nest of her beloved carrier. +But scarce had she got within the door, +when her approach was perceived by +our knight, who sitting up in his bed, +in spite of his plaisters and the aching +of his ribs, stretched forth his arms to +receive this beautiful young lady, who, +on her part, holding in her breath, moved +softly on her tiptoes, groping her way +with her hands before her.</p> + +<p class='c005'>While she thus crept along, in quest +of her lover, she chanced to come within +arm’s-length of Don Quixote, who +laid fast hold of her by the wrist, and +without her daring to speak a syllable, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_84'>84</span>pulled her towards him, and made her +sit down upon the bed; he then felt her +smock, which, though made of the +coarsest canvas, to him seemed a shift +of the finest and softest lawn; the string +of glass beads she wore about her wrist, +in his apprehension out-shone the brightest +oriental pearl: her hair, which bore +some resemblance to a horse’s mane, he +mistook for threads of pure Arabian +gold, that even eclipsed the splendor of +the sun; and her breath, which doubtless +smelt strong of broken meat and +garlick, his fancy converted into an +aromatick flavour, proceeding from her +delicate mouth: in short, his imagination +represented her in the same form +and situation with that of a certain princess, +recorded in one of his books, who +came to visit a wounded knight of whom +she was enamoured; with all the other +embellishments there described. Nay, +such was the infatuation of this poor +gentleman, that he was not to be undeceived, +either by the touch, the breath, +or any other circumstance of this honest +wench, though they were powerful +enough to discompose the stomach of +anybody but a rampant carrier.</p> + +<p class='c005'>But our knight believed he folded in +his arms the goddess of beauty, straining +her in his embrace, began to pronounce, +in a soft and amorous tone, +‘Would to Heaven! I were so circumstanced, +beautiful and high-born lady! +as to be able to pay the transcendent +favour bestowed upon me, in the contemplation +of your amazing charms; +but it hath pleased fortune, that never +ceases to persecute the virtuous, to lay +me upon this bed, so bruised and battered, +that even if it was my desire to +gratify yours, I should find it utterly +impossible; how much more so, when +that impossibility is linked to another +still greater? I mean the plighted faith +I have vowed to the peerless Dulcinea +del Toboso, the sole mistress of my +most hidden thoughts: did not that +consideration interpose, I should not +be such a simple knight, as to let slip +this happy occasion which your benevolence +hath tendered to my choice.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Maritornes, sweating with vexation +to find herself thus pinioned, as it were, +by the knight, whose discourse she neither +heeded nor understood; endeavoured, +without answering a syllable, to disengage +herself from his embrace: while +the honest carrier, whose lewd desires +kept him awake, and made him perceive +his doxy from the moment she entered, +listened attentively to every thing that +Don Quixote said; and being jealous +that the Asturian had broke her promise +to him, in order to keep it with another, +crept nearer the bed of his rival, to wait +the issue of this rhapsody, the meaning +of which he could not comprehend; +observing, however, that the wench +struggled to get loose, and that the +knight endeavoured to detain her, he +could not relish the joke, but lifting +his arm on high, discharged such a terrible +blow on the lanthorn jaws of the +enamoured Don, as bathed his whole +countenance in blood; and not satisfied +with this application, jumped upon his +ribs, and travelled over his whole carcase, +at a pace somewhat exceeding that +of a brisk trot, until the bed, which was +none of the strongest, either in materials +or foundation, unable to sustain +the additional weight, sunk to the +ground with both; and made such a +hideous noise in its fall, as waked the +inn-keeper, who immediately concluded +that Maritornes was concerned in the +adventure, because she made no answer +when he called.</p> + +<p class='c005'>On this supposition he arose, and +lighting a candle, went directly to the +place where he had heard the scuffle: +meanwhile, the poor wench, confused +and affrighted at the approach of her +master, who was a fellow of a most savage +disposition, retreated to the kennel +of Sancho Panza, who slept in spite of +all this din, and nestling in beside him, +wound herself up like a ball, and lay +snug. The landlord now entered the +apartment, and crying with a loud +voice, ‘Where have you got, strumpet? +to be sure these must be your jade’s +tricks, with a vengeance!’ Sancho +started, and feeling a prodigious weight +upon him, thought he was labouring +under the night-mare, and beginning to +lay about him on all sides, chanced, in +course of his efforts, to bestow divers +cuffs on Maritornes, who feeling herself +thus belaboured, forgot the care of +her reputation, and returned the squire’s +compliments so heartily, that sleep forsook +him whether he would or not: +without knowing the person who treated +him so roughly, he raised himself up, +as well as he could, and going to loggerheads +with Maritornes, a most furious +and diverting skirmish ensued.</p> + +<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_85'>85</span>By this time, the carrier perceiving +by the light the situation of his mistress, +ran to her assistance; and the landlord +followed the same course, though with a +very different intention, namely, to +chastise the maid; being fully persuaded, +that she was the sole cause of all this +uproar; and so, as the saying is, the cat +to the rat, the rat to the rope, the rope +to the gallows. The carrier drummed +upon Sancho, Sancho struck at the +maid, the maid pummelled him, the innkeeper +disciplined her; all of them exerting +themselves with such eagerness, +that there was not one moment’s pause. +But, to crown the joke, the landlord’s +candle went out, and the combatants +being left in the dark, such a circulation +of blows ensued, that wheresoever +the fist fell, there the patient was disabled.</p> + +<p class='c005'>There chanced to lodge at the inn +that night, a trooper belonging to the +ancient holy brotherhood of Toledo, +who also hearing the strange noise of +this fray, arose, and seizing his tipstaff, +together with the tin-box that contained +his commission, entered the apartment +in the dark, calling aloud—‘Keep the +peace, in the king’s name; keep the +peace, in the name of the holy brotherhood.’ +The first he encountered +was the forlorn Don Quixote, who lay +insensible on his demolished bed, with +his face uppermost; so that groping +about, he happened to lay hold of his +beard, and cried—‘Assist, I charge +you, the officers of justice:’ but perceiving +that the person he held neither +stirred nor spoke, he concluded that he +must be dead, and that the people +within were the assassins. In this persuasion +he raised his voice, crying—‘Shut +the gates of the inn, that none +may escape; for here is a man murdered.’ +This exclamation, which astonished +them all, was no sooner heard, +than every one quitted his share in the +battle; the landlord retreated to his own +chamber, the carrier sneaked to his panniers, +and the damsel to her straw: +while the unfortunate knight and squire +were left on the spot, unable to move +from the places where they lay. The +trooper letting go the beard of Don +Quixote, went out for a light to search +for and apprehend the delinquents; but +in this design he was disappointed; the +landlord having purposely extinguished +the lamp when he retired to his apartment; +so that he was obliged to have +recourse to the embers, at which, with +great industry and time, he made shift +to light another candle.</p> +<h4 id='chap1-3-3' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='three'>III.</abbr> <br> CONTAINING THE SEQUEL OF THOSE INCREDIBLE GRIEVANCES <br>WHICH THE VALIANT DON QUIXOTE, AND HIS TRUSTY SQUIRE SANCHO PANZA,<br> UNDERWENT AT THE INN,<br> WHICH FOR THEIR MISFORTUNE THE KNIGHT MISTOOK FOR A CASTLE.</h4> +<p class='c004'>About this time, Don Quixote +recovering the use of his tongue, +began to call in the same feeble tone +with which he spoke the preceding day, +when he lay stretched in the pack-staff +valley—‘Art thou asleep, friend Sancho? +friend Sancho, art thou asleep?’—‘God’s +my life!’ replied Sancho, full +of peevishness and pain, ‘how should I +be asleep, seeing all the devils in hell +have been upon me this whole night?’—‘That +thou mayest assure thyself of,’ +answered the knight: ‘for either I understand +nothing at all, or this castle +is inchanted. Thou must know, Sancho, +(but what I am going to disclose +to thee, thou shalt swear to keep secret +till after my death.)’—‘I do swear,’ +said Sancho. ‘This secrecy I insist +upon,’ replied his master, ‘because I +would by no means take away the +reputation of any person.’—‘Well +then,’ cried the squire, ‘I swear to +keep it secret till the days of your +worship be past and gone; and God +grant that I may be at liberty to reveal +it to-morrow.’—‘Have I done +you so much mischief, Sancho,’ said +Don Quixote, ‘that you wish to see me +dead so soon?’—‘It is not for that,’ +replied the squire, ‘but because I am +an enemy to all secrets, and would +not have any thing rot in my keeping.’—‘Be +that as it may,’ said the +knight, ‘I will trust greater things to +thy love and fidelity. Know, therefore, +that this very night I have been +engaged in a most rare and wonderful +adventure; which, that I may +briefly relate, take notice, that a little +while ago, I was visited by the constable’s +daughter, than whom a more +beautiful and gracious young lady is +<span class='pageno' id='Page_86'>86</span>scarce to be found on this terraqueous +globe. How shall I paint to thee the +comeliness of her person? how delineate +the acuteness of her understanding? +or, how shall I describe those +mysterious charms which, that I may +preserve the fealty I have sworn to +my own sovereign mistress Dulcinea +del Toboso, I must pass over in sacred +silence? I shall only tell thee, that +Heaven itself was jealous of the happiness +which fortune had put into my +power; or, perhaps, which is more +probable, this castle, as I have already +observed, is inchanted: for, while I +was engaged with her in a most delightful +and amorous conversation, an +unseen hand, belonging, doubtless, to +the arm of some monstrous giant, descended, +I know not whence, upon my +jaws, leaving my whole face bathed +in gore; and afterwards bruised me +in such a manner, that I am infinitely +worse than I was yesterday, when the +carriers maltreated us, as thou knowest, +for the excesses of Rozinante; +from whence I conjecture, that the +treasure of this fair damsel’s beauty +is guarded by some inchanted Moor, +and not destined for my possession.’—‘Nor +for mine neither,’ cried Sancho; +‘for I have been drubbed by five hundred +Moors, so unmercifully, that the +pack-stave threshing was but cakes and +gingerbread to what I now feel: so +that I see no great cause you have to +brag of that rare adventure, which +has left us in this comfortable pickle. +Indeed, your worship was not so badly +off, because you had that same incomparable +beauty in your arms; but +what had I, except the hardest knocks, +which, I hope, I shall ever feel in my +born days? Cursed am I, and the +mother that bore me; for though I +neither am knight errant, nor ever +design to be one, the greatest part of +the mischief that betides us for ever +falls to my share.’—‘It seems, then, +thou hast suffered too,’ said Don Quixote. +‘Woe be unto me and my whole +pedigree!’ cried Sancho; ‘have I +not been telling you so all this time?’—‘Give +thyself no concern about that +matter,’ answered the knight; ‘for +now I am determined to prepare that +precious balsam, which will cure us +both in the twinkling of an eye.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>About this time the officer of the holy +brotherhood, having made shift to light +his candle, came back to examine the +person whom he supposed murdered; +and Sancho, seeing him approach in his +shirt and woollen night-cap, with a very +unfavourable aspect, and a light in his +hand, said to his master, ‘Pray, Sir, is +this the inchanted Moor returned to +spend the last drop of his vengeance +upon us<a id='r57'></a><a href='#f57' class='c008'><sup>[57]</sup></a>?’—‘That cannot be the +Moor,’ answered Don Quixote, ‘for +inchanters never suffer themselves to +be seen.’—‘If they won’t allow themselves +to be seen,’ cried the squire, +‘they make no bones of letting themselves +be felt; that my shoulders can +testify.’—‘And mine too,’ said the +knight; ‘but we have no sufficient reason +to believe that he whom we now +see is the inchanted Moor.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Meanwhile, the trooper drawing near, +and hearing them talk so deliberately, +remained some time in suspence; then +observing Don Quixote, who still lay on +his back, unable to stir, on account of +his bruises and plaisters, he went up to +him, saying, ‘How do’st do, honest +friend?’—‘I would speak more submissively,’ +answered the knight, ‘were +I such a plebeian as you. Is that the +language used in this country to +knights-errant, you blockhead?’ The +officer finding himself treated with so +little ceremony, by such a miserable +wight, could not bear the reproach, but +lifting up his lamp, oil and all, discharged +it upon Don Quixote’s pate, +which suffered greatly in the encounter; +and the light being again extinguished, +slipped away in the dark. Things being +in this situation, ‘Sir,’ said Sancho +Panza, ‘without doubt, that was +the inchanted Moor, who keeps the +treasure for other people, and the fisty-cuffs +and lamp-leavings for us.’—‘It +must be so,’ replied the knight; +‘but we must not mind those affairs of +inchantment so much, as to let them +ruffle or inflame us; because, they being +invisible and fantastical, do what +we can we shall never be able to take +vengeance upon the authors of them: +get up, therefore, Sancho, if thou +canst, and desire the constable of this +castle to supply me with some oil, wine, +salt, and rosemary; that I may prepare +the salutiferous balsam, which, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_87'>87</span>really, I believe, I stand in great need +of at present, for the wound which the +phantom hath given me bleeds apace.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Accordingly the squire made shift to +rise, notwithstanding the intolerable aching +of his bones; and creeping in the +dark towards the innkeeper’s bed-chamber, +happened to meet with the trooper, +who stood listening, to know the intention +of his adversary. ‘Signior,’ cried +he, ‘whosoever you are, do us the benefit +and favour to assist us with some +rosemary, salt, wine, and oil; in order +to cure one of the most mighty +knights errant upon earth, who lies +in that bed, desperately wounded by +the hands of an inchanted Moor that +frequents this inn.’ The officer, hearing +such an address, concluded that the +man had lost his senses; and it being +by this time dawn, opened the inn-gate, +and calling to the landlord, told him +what this honest man wanted. The +innkeeper having provided Sancho with +the ingredients, he immediately carried +them to his master; who lay holding his +head between his two hands, and complaining +very much of the effect of the +lamp; which, however, had done no +farther damage than that of raising a +couple of large tumours upon his pate; +that which he took for blood being no +other than sweat forced out by the anguish +and pain he had undergone. In +short, he made a composition, by mixing +the materials together, and boiling +them a good while, until he found he +had brought the whole to a due consistence: +then he asked for a phial to +contain the balsam; but as there was +none in the house, he resolved to cork it +up in a tin oil-flask, of which the landlord +made him a present. Which being +done, he repeated over it more than +fourscore pater-nosters, with the like +number of ave-maria’s, salve’s and credo’s, +accompanying every word with +the sign of the cross, by way of benediction: +and this whole ceremony was +performed in presence of Sancho, the +innkeeper, and officer; the carrier having +very quietly gone to take care of his +beasts.</p> + +<p class='c005'>This precious balsam being thus composed, +the knight was determined to make +instant trial of the efficacy with which +he imagined it endued; and accordingly +swallowed about a pint and a half of +what remained in the pot, after the oil-flask +was full; which had scarce got +down his throat, when he began to vomit +in such a manner, as left nothing +in his stomach; and a most copious +sweat breaking out upon him, in consequence +of the violent operation, he desired +they would wrap him up warm, +and leave him to his repose. They complied +with his request, and he fell into +a profound sleep that lasted three hours; +at the end of which awaking, he found +himself exceedingly refreshed, and so +well recovered of his bruises, that he +seemed perfectly well; and implicitly +believed that he had now made sure of +the balsam of Fierabras; which, while +he possessed, he might, with the utmost +confidence and safety, engage in the +most perilous quarrels, combats, and +havock, that could possibly happen.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Sancho Panza seeing his master recovered +to a miracle, begged he would +bestow upon him the sediment of the +pot, which was no small quantity: and +his request being granted, he laid hold +of it with both hands, and setting it +to his head, drank off, with strong faith +and eager inclination, almost as much +as his master had swallowed before. But +the poor squire’s stomach chanced to +be not quite so delicate as that of the +knight; and therefore, before he could +discharge a drop, he suffered such pangs +and reachings, such qualms and cold +sweats, that he verily believed his last +hour was come; and in the midst of his +wamblings and affliction cursed the balsam +and the miscreant that made it. +Don Quixote perceiving his situation, +said, ‘I believe that all this mischief +happens to thee, Sancho, because thou +art not a knight; for I am persuaded, +that this liquor will be of service to +none but such as are of the order of +knighthood.’—‘If your worship knew +so much,’ cried Sancho, ‘woe be unto +me and my whole generation! +why did you allow me to taste it?’ +At this instant the potion began to operate, +and the poor squire to unload at +both ends with such fury, that the mat +upon which he had thrown himself, +and the sheet that covered him, were +soon in a woeful pickle: he sweated +and shivered with such violent motions +and fits, that not only he himself, but +every body present, thought he would +have given up the ghost.</p> + +<p class='c005'>This tempest of evacuation lasted near +two hours; at the expiration of which, +he found himself far from being relieved +<span class='pageno' id='Page_88'>88</span>like his master, but, on the contrary, +so much fatigued that he was not able +to stand. The knight, as we have already +observed, finding himself in good +health and excellent spirits, longed fervently +to depart in quest of adventures, +thinking every minute he spent in that +place was an injury to the world in +general, and to those miserable objects +who wanted his favour and protection; +especially as he was now in possession +of the certain means of safety and confidence, +in that efficacious balsam he +had made. Prompted by these suggestions, +he himself saddled Rozinante, +and with his own hands put the pannel +upon the beast of the squire, whom he +also assisted in getting on his cloaths, +and mounting his ass. He then bestrode +his own steed; and laying hold +of a pitchfork that stood in the corner +of the yard, appropriated it to the use +of a lance; while all the people in the +house, exceeding twenty persons, beheld +him with admiration: the landlord’s +daughter being among the spectators, +he fixed his eyes upon her, and +from time to time uttered a profound +sigh, which seemed to be heaved from +the very bottom of his bowels; and +which, in the opinion of all those who +had seen him anointed over night, was +occasioned by the aching of his bones.</p> + +<p class='c005'>He and his squire being by this time +mounted, he halted at the gate, and +calling to the innkeeper, pronounced, +in a grave and solemn tone, ‘Numerous +and mighty are the favours, Sir +Constable, which I have received in +this castle of yours; and I shall think +myself under the highest obligation +to retain a grateful remembrance of +your courtesy all the days of my life. +If I can make you any return, in +taking vengeance on some insolent adversary, +who hath, perhaps, aggrieved +you; know, that it is my province +and profession to assist the helpless, +avenge the injured, and chastise +the false: recollect, therefore; and if +you have any boon of that sort to ask, +speak the word; I promise, by the +order of knighthood which I have +received, that you shall be righted +and redressed to your heart’s content.’—‘Sir +knight,’ replied the innkeeper, +with the same deliberation, ‘I have no +occasion for your worship’s assistance, +to redress any grievance of mine; for +I know how to revenge my own +wrongs when I suffer any: all I desire +is, that you will pay the score +you have run up in this inn, for provender +to your cattle, and food and +lodging to yourself and servant.’—‘It +seems, then, this is an inn,’ answered +the knight. ‘Aye, and a well-respected +one,’ said the landlord. ‘I +have been in a mistake all this time,’ +resumed Don Quixote, ‘for I really +thought it was a castle; and that none +of the meanest neither: but since it is +no other than a house of publick entertainment, +you have nothing to do +but excuse me from paying a farthing; +for I can by no means transgress +the custom of knights-errant, +who, I am sure, as having read nothing +to the contrary<a id='r58'></a><a href='#f58' class='c008'><sup>[58]</sup></a>, never paid +for lodging nor any thing else, in any +inn or house whatsoever, because they +had a right and title to the best of entertainment, +in recompence for the +intolerable sufferings they underwent, +in seeking adventures by night and by +day, in winter as well as summer, +on foot and on horseback, exposed to +hunger and thirst, to heat and cold, +and to all the inclemencies of heaven, +as well as the inconveniencies of earth.’—‘All +this is nothing to my purpose,’ +said the innkeeper; ‘pay me what you +owe, and save all your idle tales of +knight-errantry for those who will be +<span class='pageno' id='Page_89'>89</span>amused with them; for my own part, +I mind no tale but that of the money +I take.’—‘You are a saucy publican, +and a blockhead to boot,’ cried Don +Quixote; who, putting spurs to Rozinante, +and brandishing his pitchfork, +sallied out of the inn without opposition; +and was a good way off before he looked +behind to see if he was followed by his +squire.</p> + +<p class='c005'>The landlord, seeing the knight depart +without paying, ran up to seize +Sancho; who told him, that since his +master had refused to discharge the bill, +he must not expect any money from +him, who being the squire of a knight-errant, +was, as well as his master, +bound by the same laws to pay for nothing +in taverns and inns. The publican, +irritated at this answer, threatened, +if he would not pay him, to indemnify +himself in a manner that should +not be so much to the squire’s liking: +but Panza swore by the laws of chivalry +his master professed, that he would not +pay a doit, though it should cost him +his life; for he was resolved that the honourable +and ancient customs of knight-errantry +should not be lost through +his misbehaviour; neither should those +squires, who were to come into the world +after him, have occasion to complain +of his conduct, or reproach him with +the breach of so just a privilege.</p> + +<div id='plate1' class='figcenter id002'> +<img src='images/plate-i.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +<div class='ic002'> +<p>Plate I: Sancho Being Tossed.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<p class='c005'>As the unfortunate Sancho’s evil +genius would have it, there were among +the company that lodged that night in +the house, four clothiers of Segovia, +three pin-makers from the great square +of Cordova, and a couple of shopkeepers +from the market-place of Seville; all +of them brisk jolly fellows, and mischievous +wags. These companions, as +if they had been inspired and instigated +by the same spirit, came up to the squire, +and pulled him from his ass; then, one +of them fetching a blanket from the +landlord’s bed, they put Sancho into it, +and lifting up their eyes, perceived the +roof was too low for their purpose; +therefore determined to carry him out into +the yard, which had no other ceiling +than the sky: there placing Panza in the +middle of the blanket, they began to +toss him on high, and divert themselves +with his capers, as the mob do with +dogs at Shrove-tide. The cries uttered +by this miserable vaulter, were so +piercing as to reach the ears of his +master, who halting to listen the more +attentively, believed that some new adventure +was approaching, until he clearly +recognized the shrieks of his squire: +he immediately turned his horse, and +with infinite straining, made shift to +gallop back to the inn; but finding the +gate shut, rode round in search of some +other entrance; and when he approached +the yard-wall, which was not very +high, perceived the disagreeable joke +they were practising upon his squire, +who rose in the air, and sunk again with +such grace and celerity, that if his indignation +would have allowed him, I +verily believe the knight himself would +have laughed at the occasion. He attempted +to step from his horse upon the +wall, but was so bruised and battered, +that he could not move from his seat; +and therefore, situated as he was, began +to vent such a torrent of reproachful +and opprobrious language against Sancho’s +executioners, that it is impossible +to repeat the half of what he said. +This, however, neither interrupted their +mirth nor their diversion, nor gave the +least truce to the lamentations of Sancho, +who prayed and threatened by turns, as he +flew. Indeed, nothing of this sort either +could or did avail him, until leaving +off, out of pure weariness, they thought +fit to wrap him up in his great coat, and +set him on his ass again. The compassionate +Maritornes seeing him so +much fatigued, thought he would be +the better for a draught of water, which, +that it might be the cooler, she fetched +from the well; and Sancho had just +put the mug to his lips, when his draught +was retarded by the voice of his master, +who cried aloud, ‘Son Sancho, drink +not water, drink not that which will +be the occasion of thy death, my son; +behold this most sacred balsam,’ holding +up the cruse of potion in his hand, +‘two drops of which will effectually +cure thee.’ At these words the squire +eyed him, as it were, askance, and in a +tone still more vociferous, replied, ‘Perchance +your worship has forgot that I +am no knight; or may be, you want +to see me vomit up all the entrails I +have left, after last night’s quandary. +Keep your liquor for yourself, and +may all the devils in hell give you joy +of it; and leave me to my own discretion!’ +He had no sooner pronounced +these words than he began to swallow; +and perceiving at the first draught, +that the cordial was no other than water, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_90'>90</span>he did not chuse to repeat it; but +desired Maritornes to bring him some +wine. This request she complied with +very chearfully, and paid for it with her +own money; for it was reported of her, +that although she was reduced to that +low degree in life, she actually retained +some faint sketches and shadows of the +Christian.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Sancho having finished his draught, +clapped heels to his ass, and the inn-gate +being thrown wide open, sallied forth +very well satisfied with having got off +without paying any thing, although he +had succeeded at the expence of his +shoulders, which were indeed his usual +sureties. True it is, the landlord had +detained his bags for the reckoning; +but these Sancho did not miss in the +confusion of his retreat. As soon as +he was clear of the house, the innkeeper +would have barricadoed the gate, had +he not been prevented by the blanket +companions, who were of that sort of +people, who would not have valued Don +Quixote a farthing, even if he had been +actually one of the knights of the round-table.</p> + +<h4 id='chap1-3-4' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='four'>IV.</abbr> <br> IN WHICH IS RECOUNTED THE DISCOURSE<br> THAT PASSED BETWEEN SANCHO PANZA AND HIS MASTER DON QUIXOTE;<br> WITH OTHER ADVENTURES WORTHY OF RECORD.</h4> +<p class='c004'>Sancho made shift to overtake +his master, so haggard and dismayed, +that he was scarce able to manage +his beast: and when the knight perceived +his melancholy situation, ‘Honest +Sancho,’ said he, ‘I am now +convinced beyond all doubt, that this +castle or inn is inchanted; for those +who made such a barbarous pastime +of thy sufferings, could be no other +than phantoms and beings belonging +to the other world. I am confirmed +in this opinion, from having found, +that while I was by the wall of the +yard, a spectator of the acts of thy +mournful tragedy, I could neither +climb over to thy assistance, nor indeed +move from Rozinante, but was +fixed in the saddle by the power of +inchantment; for I swear to thee, by +the faith of my character! if I could +have alighted from my steed, and surmounted +the wall, I would have revenged +thy wrongs in such a manner, +that those idle miscreants should have +remembered the jest to their dying +day: although I know, that in so doing, +I should have transgressed the +laws of chivalry, which, I have often +told thee, do not allow a knight to +lift his arm against any person of an +inferior degree, except in defence of +his own life and limbs, or in cases of +the most pressing necessity.’—‘So +would I have revenged myself,’ said +Sancho, ‘knighted or not knighted; +but it was not in my power; though +I am very well satisfied that those who +diverted themselves at my cost were no +phantoms, nor inchanted beings, as +your worship imagines, but men made +of flesh and bones, as we are, and all +of them have Christian names, which I +heard repeated, while they tossed me +in the blanket; one, for example, is +called Pedro Martinez, another Tenorio +Harnandez, and the innkeeper +goes by the name of Juan Palameque +the left-handed; and therefore, Signior, +your being disabled from alighting +and getting over the wall, must +have been owing to something else +than inchantment. What I can clearly +discern from the whole is, that these +adventures we go in search of, will, +at the long run, bring us into such +misventures, that we shall not know +our right hands from our left; and +therefore, in my small judgment, the +best and wholesomest thing we can do, +will be to jog back again to our own +habitation now, while the harvest is +going on, to take care of our crops, +and leave off sauntering from post to +pillar<a id='r59'></a><a href='#f59' class='c008'><sup>[59]</sup></a>, and falling out of the frying-pan +into the fire, as the saying is.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘How little art thou acquainted, Sancho,’ +replied Don Quixote, ‘with +the pretensions of chivalry! hold thy +tongue and have patience; for the day +will soon arrive on which thy own +eyes shall judge what an honourable +profession it is: pray, tell me, now, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_91'>91</span>what greater satisfaction can there be +in this world, or what pleasure can +equal that of a conqueror, who triumphs +over his adversary in battle? +None, sure!’—‘That may be,’ answered +the squire, ‘though I know nothing +of the matter. This only I +know, that since we have taken up the +trade of knights-errant, your worship +I mean, for as to my own part I have +no manner of title to be reckoned in +such an honourable list, we have not +gained one battle, except that with +the Biscayan; and even there your +worship came off with half an ear, +and the loss of one side of your helmet: +from that day to this good hour, +our lot hath been nothing but cudgelling +upon cudgelling, pummelling +upon pummelling; except the advantage +I have had over your worship, in +being tossed in a blanket by inchanted +Moors, whom I cannot be revenged +of, in order to know how pleasant +a pastime it is to overcome one’s enemy, +as your worship observes.’—‘That +is the very grievance, Sancho, +under which both you and I labour,’ +said Don Quixote: ‘but, for the future, +I will endeavour to procure a +sword tempered with such masterly +skill, that he who wears it shall be +subject to no kind of inchantment; +and who knows but accident may +furnish me with that which Amadis +possessed, when he stiled himself the +knight of the flaming sword; and truly +it was one of the most excellent blades +that ever a warrior unsheathed; for, +besides that sovereign virtue it contained, +it cut keen as a razor, and no +armour, though ever so strong or inchanted, +could stand before its edge.’—‘I +am so devilishly lucky,’ said Sancho, +‘that if the case was really so, and +your worship should light on that same +sword, it would, like the precious +balsam, be of no service or security +to any but your true knights; and +we that are squires might sing for sorrow.’—‘Thou +must not be afraid of +that,’ replied the knight; ‘Heaven +will surely deal more mercifully with +thee.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>In such conversation, Don Quixote +and his squire jogged along, when the +former descrying on the road in which +they travelled, a large and thick cloud +of dust rolling towards them, turned to +Sancho, saying, ‘This, O Sancho, is +the day that shall manifest the great +things which fortune hath in store for +me! This, I say, is the day on which +the valour of this arm shall be displayed +as much as upon any other +occasion; and on which I am resolved +to perform deeds that shall remain +engraven on the leaves of fame to all +posterity! Seest thou that cloud of +dust before us? The whole of it is +raised by a vast army, composed of various +and innumerable nations that +are marching this way.’—‘By that +way of reckoning, there must be two,’ +said Sancho, ‘for right over against it +there is just such another.’ Don Quixote +immediately turned his eyes, and +perceiving Sancho’s information to be +true, was rejoiced beyond measure; +firmly believing that what he saw were +two armies in full march to attack each +other, and engage in the middle of that +spacious plain; for every hour and minute +of the day his imagination was engrossed +by those battles, inchantments, +dreadful accidents, extravagant amours, +and rhodomontades, which are recorded +in books of chivalry; and indeed every +thing he thought, said, or did, had a +tendency that way.</p> + +<p class='c005'>As for the dust he now saw, it was +raised by two flocks of sheep which +chanced to be driven from different parts +into the same road, and were so much +involved in this cloud of their own +making, that it was impossible to discern +them until they were very near. The +knight affirmed they were armies with +such assurance, that Sancho actually believed +it, and said to his master, ‘And +pray now, good your worship, what +must we do?’—‘What,’ answered +Don Quixote, ‘but assist and support +that side which is weak and discomfited? +Thou must know, Sancho, +that yonder host which fronts us, is +led and commanded by the mighty +Emperor Alifanfaron, sovereign of +the great island of Trapoban; and +that other behind us belongs to his +mortal enemy the king of the Garamanteans, +known by the name Pentapolin +with the naked arm, because +he always goes to battle with the sleeve +of his right-arm tucked up.’—‘But +why are those chieftains so mischievously +inclined towards each other?’ +said Sancho. ‘The cause of their enmity,’ +replied the knight, ‘is this: +Alifanfaron, who is a most outrageous +<span class='pageno' id='Page_92'>92</span>Pagan, is enamoured of Pentapolin’s +daughter, a most beautiful and +courteous lady, who being a Christian, +her father will by no means betroth +her to the infidel prince, unless he shall +first renounce the law of his false prophet +Mahomet, and become a convert +to the true faith.’—‘Now, by +my whiskers!’ cried Sancho, ‘King +Pentapolin is an honest man, and I +am resolved to give him all the assistance +in my power.’—‘In so doing +thou wilt perform thy duty, Sancho,’ +said his master; ‘for to engage in such +battles as these, it is not necessary to +be dubbed a knight.’—‘That I can +easily comprehend,’ replied the other; +‘but where shall we secure the ass, that +we may be sure of finding him after +the fray is over; for I believe it is not +the fashion now-a-days, to go to +battle on such a beast.’—‘True,’ said +the knight, ‘and I think the best way +will be to leave him to his chance, +whether he be lost or not; for we shall +have such choice of steeds, when once +we have gained the victory, that Rozinante +himself will run some risk of +being exchanged for another: but +observe and listen attentively; I will +now give thee a detail of the principal +knights that serve in these two armies; +and that thou may’st see and mark +them the better, let us retire to yon +rising ground, from whence we can +distinctly view the line of battle in +both.’ They accordingly placed themselves +upon a hillock, whence they could +easily have discerned the two flocks of +sheep which Don Quixote metamorphosed +into armies, had not the dust they +raised confounded and obscured the view; +but nevertheless, beholding in his imagination +that which could not otherwise +be seen, because it did not exist, he began +to pronounce with an audible voice—</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘That knight whom thou seest with +yellow armour, bearing in his shield +a lion crowned and crouching at the +feet of a young lady, is the gallant +Laucalco, lord of the silver bridge; +that other beside him, who wears armour +powdered with flowers of gold, +and bears for his device three crowns +argent in a field azure, is the amorous +Micocolembo, Grand Duke of +Quiracia; and he upon his right-hand, +with those gigantick limbs, is the never +to be daunted Brandabarbaran de +Boliche, sovereign of the three Arabias, +who comes armed with a serpent’s +skin, and, instead of a shield, +brandishes a huge gate, which, it is +said, belonged to the temple that Samson +overthrew, when he avenged himself +of his enemies at his death; but +turn thine eyes, and behold in the +front of this other army, the ever-conquering +and never-conquered Timonel +de Carcajona, prince of New-Biscay, +whose arms are quartered +azure, vert, argent, and or; and the +device in his shield, a cat or, in a field +gules, with the letters Miau, which +constitute the beginning of his lady’s +name; and she, they say, is the peerless +Miaulina, daughter of Alfeniquen, +Duke of Algarve; the other +who loads and oppresses the loins of +that fiery Arabian steed, with armour +white as snow, and a shield without +a device, is a noviciate knight of the +French nation, called Pierre Papin, +Baron of Utrique; the third, who +strikes his iron rowels into the flanks +of that spotted nimble zebra<a id='r60'></a><a href='#f60' class='c008'><sup>[60]</sup></a>, is the +potent Duke of Nerbia, esparta-filardo +of the wood, who bears in his shield +for a device, a bunch of asparagus, +with an inscription signifying, “By +destiny I am dogged.”’</p> + +<p class='c005'>In this manner did he invent names +for a great many knights in either army, +to all of whom also he gave arms, colours, +mottos, and devices, without the +least hesitation, being incredibly inspired +by the fumes of a distempered fancy; +nay, he proceeded without any pause, +saying, ‘That squadron forming in our +front is composed of people of divers +nations: there be those who drink the +delicious waters of the celebrated Xanthus, +with the mountaineers who tread +the Masilican plains: and those who +sift the purest golden ore of Arabia +Felix; there also may be seen the people +who sport upon the cool and famous +banks of the translucent Thermodonte; +and those who conduct the +yellow Pactolus in many a winding +stream; the promise-breaking Numidians; +the Persians for their archery +renowned; the Parthians and the +Medes who combat as they fly; the +Arabians famed for shifting habitations; +the Scythians cruel as they are +<span class='pageno' id='Page_93'>93</span>fair; the thick-lipped race of Ethiopia; +and an infinite variety of other +nations, whose looks I know, and can +discern, though I cannot recollect their +names. In that other squadron march +those men who lave in the crystal current +of the olive-bearing Betis; those +whose visages are cleaned and polished +with the limpid wave of the ever rich +and golden Tagus; those who delight +in the salutiferous draughts of Genil +the divine; those who scour the Tartesian +fields that with fat pasture teem; +those who make merry in the Elysian +meads of Herezan; the rich Manchegans +crowned with ruddy ears of corn; +those cloathed in steel the bold remains +of ancient Gothick blood; those who +bathe in Pisuerga, famous for its +gentle current; those who feed their +flocks upon the spacious meads of the +meandring Guadiana, celebrated for +its secret course; those who shiver +with the chill blasts of the woody Pyrenees; +and those who feel the snowy +flakes of lofty Appenine: in fine, +whatever nation Europe imbosoms and +contains.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Heaven preserve us! what provinces +did he mention! what nations did he +name! bestowing, with wonderful facility, +those attributes that belonged +to each; being all the while absorpt, +and, as it were, immersed in the contents +of his deceitful books. Sancho +Panza listened attentively to his master, +without uttering one syllable; and from +time to time turned his eyes from one +side to another to see if he could discern +those knights and giants who were thus +described: but not being able to discover +one of them, ‘Sir,’ said he, ‘your +worship may say what you please, but +the devil a man, giant, or knight, that +you have mentioned, is there; at least +I can see none: perhaps, indeed, the +whole is inchantment, like the phantoms +of last night.’—‘How say’st thou?’ +replied Don Quixote, ‘dost thou not +hear the neighing of steeds, the sound +of clarions, and noise of drums?’—‘I +hear nothing,’ answered Sancho, +‘but abundance of bleating of ewes and +lambs.’ And truly that was the case; +for by this time the two flocks were +pretty near them. ‘Thy fear,’ said +Don Quixote, ‘hinders thee from seeing +and hearing aright: for one effect of +terror is to disturb the senses, and make +objects appear otherwise than they are; +if thou art therefore under such consternation, +retire on one side, and leave +me alone; for I myself am sufficient +to bestow victory on that cause which +I espouse.’ So saying, he clapped +spurs to Rozinante, and putting his lance +in the rest, darted down from the hillock +like lightning. In vain did Sancho +bellow forth, ‘Turn, Signior Don +Quixote: good your worship, turn! so +help me God, those are ewes and +lambs you are going to attack! Woe +be to the father that begat me! Will +you not turn? What madness possesses +you! Consider, here are no giants, +nor knights, nor cats, nor arms, nor +shields quartered or whole, nor inverted +azures, and the devils knows +what: was there ever such distraction? +sinner that I am!’</p> + +<div id='plate8' class='figcenter id002'> +<img src='images/plate-viii.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +<div class='ic002'> +<p>Plate VIII: Don Quixote Valiantly Charging the Herd of Sheep.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<p class='c005'>The knight, however, did not regard +this exclamation: on the contrary, he +rode on, bauling aloud, ‘So ho, knights! +you that attend and serve under the +banners of the valiant Emperor Pentapolin, +with the naked arm, follow +me in a body, and you shall behold +how easily I will avenge him, on his +adversary Alifanfaron, of Trapoban.’ +Having uttered these words, he rushed +into the thickest of the squadron of sheep, +and began to lay about him, with as +much eagerness and fury, as if he had +been actually engaged with his mortal +enemies. The herdsmen and shepherds +who were driving the flock, called to +him to forbear; but finding their admonition +had no effect, they ungirded +their slings, and began to salute his ears +with stones, the least of which was as +large as an ordinary fist; but he, far +from minding their missiles, rode about +the field, crying, ‘Where art thou, proud +Alifanfaron? face me if thou darest; +I am but a single knight, who want +to prove thy prowess hand to hand, +and sacrifice thy life for the injury +thou hast done to Pentapolin Garamanta.’ +Just as he pronounced these +words, he received a pebble on his side, +that seemed to have buried a couple of +his ribs in his belly; and gave him such +a rude shock, that he believed himself +either dead or desperately wounded; then +remembering his specifick, he pulled out +the cruse, and setting it to his mouth, +began to swallow the balsam; but before +he had drank what he thought a +sufficient dose, there came another such +almond, so plump upon his hand and +<span class='pageno' id='Page_94'>94</span>cruse, that after having shivered the pot +to pieces, it carried off in its way three +or four of his grinders, and shattered +two of his fingers in a grievous manner: +in short, so irresistible were both the applications, +that the poor knight could +not help tumbling from his horse. The +shepherds immediately came up, and believing +him actually dead, gathered together +their flock with all imaginable +dispatch; and taking their dead, which +might be about seven in number, upon +their shoulders, made off without any +farther inquiry.</p> + +<p class='c005'>All this time Sancho remained upon +the hill, beholding, with amazement, +the madness of his master, tearing his +beard, and cursing the hour and minute +on which it was his fate to know him: +and now seeing him fallen, and the shepherds +gone, he descended to his assistance, +when finding him still sensible, +though in a miserable situation, ‘Did +not I warn you, Signior Don Quixote,’ +said he, ‘to turn; and assure you +that those you went to attack were no +armies, but flocks of innocent sheep?’—‘How +strangely can that miscreant +inchanter, who is my enemy, transmography +things to thwart me? Know, +Sancho, that it is a very easy matter +for necromancers to make us assume +what shapes they please; and the malicious +wretch who persecutes me, envying +the glory I should have gained +in this battle, hath doubtless metamorphosed +the squadrons of the foe +into flocks of sheep: but thou shalt +do one thing, I intreat thee, Sancho, in +order to be undeceived and convinced +of the truth; mount thy ass, and follow +them fair and softly; and when +they are at a convenient distance from +hence, thou wilt see them return to their +former shapes, and ceasing to be sheep, +become men again, right and tight as I +at first described them; but do not go +at present, for I have occasion for thy +service and assistance: come hither, and +see how many teeth I have lost; methinks +there is not one left in my whole jaw.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Sancho accordingly approached so +near as to trust his eyes into his master’s +mouth, just at the time when the balsam +began to operate in his stomach, +which, with the force of a culverin, discharged +its contents full in the beard +of the compassionate squire. ‘Holy Virgin!’ +cried Sancho, ‘what is this that +hath befallen me? Without doubt, +this poor sinner is mortally wounded, +since he vomits blood.’ But considering +the case more maturely, he found +by the colour, taste, and smell, that it +was not blood, but the balsam he had +seen him drink: and such was the loathing +he conceived at this recognition, +that his stomach turned, and he emptied +his bowels upon his master; so +that both of them remained in a handsome +pickle. Sancho ran to his ass, for +a towel to clean them, and some application +for his master’s hurt; but when +he missed his bags, he had well-nigh +lost his senses; he cursed his fate again, +and determined with himself to leave +the knight, and return to his habitation, +even though he should lose his +wages for the time he had already served, +as well as his hopes of governing +the Island of Promise.</p> + +<p class='c005'>At this juncture Don Quixote arose, +and clapping his left-hand to his cheek, +in order to prevent his teeth from falling +out, with the right laid hold of the +bridle of Rozinante; who, like a faithful +and affectionate servant, had never +stirred from his master’s side; and went +up to the place where his squire stood, +leaning upon his ass, with one hand applied +to his jaw, in the posture of a person +who is exceedingly pensive; the +knight perceiving him in this situation, +with manifest signs of melancholy in his +countenance, ‘Know Sancho,’ said he, +‘that one man is no more than another, +unless he can do more than another. +All those hurricanes that have happened +to us prognosticate that we soon +shall have fair weather, and that every +thing will succeed to our wish: for it +is impossible that either good or bad +fortune should be eternal; and therefore +it follows, that our adversity having +lasted so long, our prosperity must +be now at hand. Be not grieved then, +at the misfortunes that happen to me, +since no part of them falls to thy +share.’—‘Not to my share!’ answered +Sancho; ‘mayhap, then, he whom +they tossed in the blanket yesterday +was not the son of my father; and the +bags that are lost to-day, with all +the goods in them, belonged to some +other person.’—‘What, hast thou lost +the bags, Sancho!’ cried Don Quixote. +‘Yes, sure,’ said the other. ‘At +that rate, then, we have no victuals +to eat?’ resumed the knight. ‘That +would certainly be the case,’ answered +<span class='pageno' id='Page_95'>95</span>the squire, ‘if the meadows did not furnish +those herbs you say you know +with which unfortunate knights like +your worship are wont to make up +such losses.’—‘Yes, but for all that,’ +replied Don Quixote, ‘I could at present +relish a luncheon of brown bread, or a +loaf, with a couple of red herrings, +better than all the herbs described by +Dioscorides, even with the annotations +of Doctor Laguna; but, nevertheless, +mount thy beast, honest Sancho, and +follow me. God, who provides all +things, will not be wanting to us; +more especially as we are employed in +his immediate service: he faileth not +to provide for the gnats of the air, +the insects of the earth, the spawn of +the sea; and is so beneficent, as to +cause the sun to shine upon the good +and bad, and sendeth rain to the wicked +as well as the righteous.’—‘Your +worship,’ said Sancho, ‘is more fit +to be a preacher than a knight-errant.’—‘Knights-errant,’ +replied his master, +‘ever had, and ought to have, some +knowledge of every thing; nay, some +there have been in times past, who +would stop to make a sermon or discourse +upon the highway, with as +much eloquence as if they had taken +their degrees at the university of Paris: +from whence it maybe inferred, that +the lance was never blunted by the pen, +nor the quill impeded by the lance.’—‘What +your worship observes may be +very true,’ said Sancho; ‘but, in the +mean time, let us leave this place, +and endeavour to get a night’s lodging +in some house or other, where, God +grant there may be neither blankets +nor blanketeers, nor phantoms, nor +inchanted Moors; else, may the devil +confound both hook and crook!’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Implore the protection of God, my +son,’ answered the knight, ‘and lead +me where thou wilt: for this once, I +leave our lodging to thy care; but +reach hither thy hand, and feel with +thy finger how many teeth I have lost +on this right side of my upper jaw, +which is the place that gives me the +greatest pain.’ Sancho introduced his +fingers, and having carefully examined +his gums. ‘How many teeth,’ said he, +was your worship wont to have in +this place?’—‘Four, besides the dog-tooth,’ +answered Don Quixote, ‘all +of them sound and whole.’—‘Consider +what your worship says,’ replied +Sancho. ‘I say, four, if not five,’ +resumed the knight; ‘for, in all my life, +I never lost tooth or fang, either by +worm, rheum, or scurvy.’—‘At present,’ +said the squire, ‘in that part of +the lower jaw, your worship has but +two grinders and a half; and above, +neither half nor whole; all is smooth +as the palm of my hand.’—‘Cruel +fortune!’ cried Don Quixote, hearing +this melancholy piece of news; +‘would they had rather demolished a +limb, so it had not been the sword-arm: +for I would have thee to know, +Sancho, that a mouth without grinders, +is like a mill without a milstone; +and a tooth is worth a treasure<a id='r61'></a><a href='#f61' class='c008'><sup>[61]</sup></a>; but +such mischances always attend us who +profess the strict order of chivalry. +Get up, friend, and lead the way, +and I will follow at thy own pace.’ +Sancho complied with his desire, and +took the way that seemed most likely to +lead to some accommodation, without +quitting the high road, which was thereabouts +very much frequented. While +they jogged on softly, because the pain +in Don Quixote’s jaws would not suffer +him to be quiet, or exert himself in +pushing forward, Sancho being desirous +of entertaining and diverting him with +his discourse, said, among other things, +what will be rehearsed in the following +chapter.</p> + +<h4 id='chap1-3-5' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='five'>V.</abbr> <br> AN ACCOUNT OF THE SAGE DISCOURSE THAT PASSED BETWEEN SANCHO AND HIS MASTER—THE SUCCEEDING ADVENTURE OF THE CORPSE—WITH OTHER REMARKABLE EVENTS.</h4> +<p class='c004'>‘In my opinion, my good master, +all the misventures, which have +this day happened to us, are designed +as a punishment for the sins committed +by your worship, in neglecting to +fulfil the oath you took, not to eat +off a table-cloth, nor solace yourself +with the queen; together with all the +rest that follows, which your worship +<span class='pageno' id='Page_96'>96</span>swore to observe, until such time as +you could carry off that helmet of +Malandrino, or how d’ye call the +Moor? for I don’t remember his right +name.’—‘Thou art very much in the +right,’ said Don Quixote: ‘to deal +ingenuously with thee, Sancho, that +affair had actually slipt out of my +remembrance; and thou mayest depend +upon it, that affair of the blanketing +happened to thee, for the fault +thou wast guilty of, in omitting to +put me in mind of it in time: but I +will make an atonement; for there +are methods for compounding every +thing, in the order of chivalry.’—‘Did +I swear any thing?’ replied Sancho. +‘Your not having sworn is of +no importance,’ said Don Quixote; +‘it is enough that I know you to be +concerned as an accessary; and whether +that be the case or not, it will +not be amiss to provide a remedy.’—‘Well, +then,’ replied the squire, ‘I +hope your worship will not forget this, +as you did the oath: perhaps the phantoms +may take it in their heads +again to divert themselves with me, +and even with your worship, if they +find you obstinate.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>In this and other such discourse, night +overtook them in the midst of their +journey, before they could light on or +discover any house where they could +procure lodging; and what was worse, +they were almost famished; for in their +bags they had lost their whole buttery +and provision: nay, to crown their misfortune, +an adventure happened to them, +that, without any exaggeration, might +have actually passed for something preternatural. +Though the night shut in +very dark, they continued travelling; +Sancho believing, that, as they were in +the king’s highway, they should probably +find an inn at the distance of a +league or two.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Jogging on, therefore, under cloud of +night, the squire exceeding hungry, and +the master very well disposed to eat, they +descried upon the road before them a +vast number of lights, that seemed like +moving stars, approaching them. Sancho +was confounded at the sight, the +meaning of which even Don Quixote +could not comprehend: the one checked +his ass, the other pulled in his horse’s +bridle, and both halted, in order to gaze +attentively at the apparition of the lights, +which seemed to increase the nearer they +came. This being perceived by the +squire, he began to quake like quicksilver; +and the hair bristled up on Don +Quixote’s head: nevertheless, recollecting +himself a little, ‘Without doubt, +Sancho,’ said he, ‘this must be a vast +and perilous adventure in which I +shall be obliged to exert my whole +strength and prowess.’—‘Woe is me!’ +cried Sancho, ‘if perchance this should +be an adventure of phantoms, as I +am afraid it is, where shall I find +ribs for the occasion?’—‘Phantoms +or not phantoms,’ said the knight, +‘I will not suffer them to touch a +thread of thy cloaths: if they made +merry at thy expence before, it was +owing to my incapacity to climb over +the yard wall; but at present we are +in an open field, where I can manage +my sword as I please.’—‘But if they +should benumb and bewitch you, as +they did in the morning,’ said the +squire, ‘what benefit shall I receive +from being in the open field?’—‘Be +that as it will,’ replied Don Quixote, +‘I beseech thee, Sancho, be of good +courage, and thou shalt soon know +by experience how much I am master +of that virtue.’ Sancho accordingly +promised to do his best, with God’s +assistance. Then they both stepped to +one side of the road, and began to gaze +again with great attention. While they +were thus endeavouring to discern the +meaning of the lights, they perceived +a great number of persons in white; +which dreadful vision entirely extinguished +the courage of Sancho Panza, +whose teeth began to chatter, as if he +had been in the cold fit of an ague; +and this agitation and chattering increased, +when they saw them more +distinctly; for, first and foremost appeared +about twenty persons on horseback, +all of them cloathed in white, +with each a lighted flambeau in his hand, +muttering in a low and plaintive tone. +Behind them came a litter covered with +black, followed by six mounted cavaliers +in deep mourning, that trailed at +the very heels of their mules, which +were easily distinguished from horses +by the slowness of their pace.</p> + +<p class='c005'>This strange vision, at such an hour, +and in such a desart place, was surely +sufficient to smite the heart of Sancho +with fear, and even make an impression +upon his master; and this would +have been the case, had he been any +<span class='pageno' id='Page_97'>97</span>other than Don Quixote; as for the +squire, his whole stock of resolution +went to wreck. It was not so with his +master, whose imagination clearly represented +to him, that this was exactly +an adventure of the same kind with those +he had read in books of chivalry; that +the close litter was a bier, in which was +carried some dead or wounded knight, +the revenge of whose wrongs was reserved +for him alone: wherefore, without +canvassing the matter any farther, +he set his lance in the rest, fixed himself +in his seat, and with the most genteel +and gallant deportment, placing himself +in the middle of the road, through +which they were indispensibly obliged to +pass, he raised his voice, and called to +them as they approached—</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Halt, knights, whosoever ye are, +and give an account of yourselves: +whence come ye? whither go ye? and +what are you carrying off in that bier? +for, in all appearance, you have either +done or received an injury; and it is +necessary and convenient that I should +know it, in order to chastise you for +what you are now doing, or revenge +the wrong you have already done.’—‘We +are at present in a hurry,’ replied +one of the phantoms in white; ‘the +inn we intend to lodge at is far off, +and we cannot stay to give such a tedious +account as you desire.’ So saying, +he spurred on his mule; while +Don Quixote, mightily incensed at this +reply, laid hold of his bridle, saying, +‘Stand, and answer the questions I +have asked, with more civility; otherwise +I will give battle to you all.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>The mule being skittish, was frighted +in such a manner, at being seized by +the bridle, that rearing on her hind feet, +she fell backward upon her rider; and +a servant on foot, seeing his master fall, +began to revile Don Quixote, whose +choler being already provoked, he couched +his lance, and without hesitation attacked +one of the mourners, who soon +fell to the ground, most miserably +mauled; then wheeling about upon the +rest, it was surprizing to see with what +dispatch he assaulted and put them to the +rout! while Rozinante acted with such +agility and fury, that one would have +sworn, at that instant, a pair of wings +had sprung from his back. All the +squadron arrayed in white, was composed +of timorous and unarmed people, +who were fain to get out of the fray as +soon as possible, and began to fly across +the plain, with their lighted torches +like so many maskers in carnival time. +The mourners being involved and intangled +in their long robes, could not +stir out of the way; so that Don Quixote, +without running any risk, drubbed +them all round, and obliged them at +length to quit the field, much against +their inclination; for they actually believed +he was no man, but a devil incarnate, +who lay in wait to carry off +the dead body that was in the litter.</p> + +<p class='c005'>All this while Sancho stood beholding +with admiration the courage and intrepidity +of the knight; saying within +himself, ‘This master of mine is certainly +as strong and valiant as he pretends +to be.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Meanwhile, Don Quixote, by the +light of a torch that lay burning on the +ground, perceiving the first whom the +mule overthrew, rode up to him, and +clapping the point of his lance to the poor +man’s throat, commanded him to yield, +otherwise he would put him to death. +To this declaration the other answered, +‘Methinks I am already sufficiently +quiet; for one of my legs is broke, +so that I cannot stir; I beseech your +worship, therefore, if you be a Christian, +not to kill me, as in so doing you +will commit the horrid sin of sacrilege; +for I am a licentiate, and have +taken holy orders.’—‘If you are an +ecclesiastick, what the devil brought +you here?’ cried Don Quixote. ‘The +devil, indeed, I think it was,’ answered +the overthrown priest. ‘You will have +to do with worse than the devil,’ said +the knight, ‘if you refuse the satisfaction +I at first demanded.’—‘That is +easily granted,’ replied the other; ‘and +in the first place your worship must +know, that though I just now called +myself a licentiate, I am no more than +a batchelor: my name is Alonzo Lopez; +I was born at Alcovendas; and +now come from the city of Baeça, in +company with eleven other priests, +who are those who fled with the torches; +we are conveying to Segovia that litter +which contains the corpse of a gentleman +who died at Baeça, where it was +deposited till now, (as I was saying) +that we are carrying his bones to be +interred at Segovia, which was the +place of his nativity.’—‘And who +killed him?’ said Don Quixote. ‘God +himself,’ replied the batchelor, ‘by +<span class='pageno' id='Page_98'>98</span>means of a pestilential calenture that +seized him!’—‘At that rate,’ resumed +the knight, ‘the Lord hath saved +me the trouble of avenging his death, +as I would have done, had he been +slain by any mortal arm; but, considering +how he died, there is nothing +to be done, except to shrug up our +shoulders in silence, for this is all that +could happen, even if I myself should +fall by the same hand; and I desire +your reverence would take notice, that +I am a knight of La Mancha, called +Don Quixote, whose office and exercise +is to travel through the world, +redressing grievances and righting +wrongs<a id='r62'></a><a href='#f62' class='c008'><sup>[62]</sup></a>.’—‘I do not know how +you can call this behaviour righting +wrongs,’ said the batchelor: ‘I am +sure you have changed my right into +wrong, by breaking my leg, which +will never be set to rights again so +long as I live; and the grievances +you have redressed for me, have been +to aggrieve me in such a manner, as +that I shall never cease to grieve at my +misventure, in meeting with you, +while you was in search of adventures.’—‘All +things do not equally +succeed,’ observed the knight; ‘it +was the misfortune of you and your +companions, Mr. Batchelor Alonzo +Lopez, to travel in the night, with +these surplices and lighted flambeaus, +singing all the way, before people clad +in deep mourning, so that you seemed +a company of ghosts broke from the +other world, therefore I could not +help performing my duty in attacking +you; and I would have behaved in the +same manner, had I actually known +you to be really and truly the inhabitants +of hell; for such indeed I thought +you were.’—‘Since my hard fate +would have it so,’ said the batchelor, +‘I entreat your worship, Sir knight-errant, +who have been the cause of an +unlucky errand to me, to help me from +getting under the mule, which keeps +one of my legs fast jammed between +the stirrup and the saddle.’—‘I might +have talked on till morning,’ said the +knight; ‘why did not you inform me +of your distress sooner?’</p> + +<p class='c005'>He then called aloud to Sancho, who +was in no hurry to hear him, but busy +in rummaging a sumpter-mule which +those honest priests brought along with +them, well furnished with provisions. +Having made a bag of his great coat, +into which he crammed as much of their +victuals as it would hold, he loaded his +ass with the bundle, and then running +up to his master, helped to free Mr. +Batchelor from the oppression of his +mule, on which having mounted him, +with a torch in his hand, Don Quixote +advised him to follow the route of his +companions; and desired him to beg +their pardon in his name, for the injury +he had done them, as it was not in +his power to avoid it. Sancho, likewise +interposing, said, ‘If in case the gentleman +should want to know who the +valiant hero is who put them to flight, +your worship may tell them, that he is +the famous Don Quixote de La Mancha, +otherwise surnamed the Knight +of the Rueful Countenance.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Thus dismissed, the batchelor pursued +his way; and the knight asked +what had induced Sancho, now, rather +than at any other time, to stile him the +Knight of the Rueful Countenance. +‘Truly,’ answered Sancho, ‘I have +been looking at you some time by the +light of that torch the unfortunate +traveller held in his hand; and in good +faith, your worship cuts the most dismal +figure I have almost ever seen; +and it must certainly be occasioned +either by the fatigue you have undergone +in this battle, or by the want of +your teeth.’—‘That is not the case,’ +replied his master; ‘but the sage who +is destined to write the history of my +exploits, hath thought proper that I +should assume some appellation, by the +example of former knights, one of +whom took the title of the Flaming +Sword; another of the Unicorn; a +third of the Ladies; a fourth of the +Phœnix; a fifth of the Griffin; a +sixth called himself the Knight of +Death; and by these epithets and +symbols they were known all over the +face of the earth; and therefore I say, +that the forementioned sage hath now +put it into thy thoughts, and directed +thy tongue to call me the Knight of +the Rueful Countenance; an appellation +that henceforward I adopt; and +<span class='pageno' id='Page_99'>99</span>that it may suit me the better, I am +resolved to have a most woeful figure +painted upon my shield, with the first +opportunity.’—‘There is no occasion,’ +said Sancho, ‘to throw away +time and money on such a device; +your worship has nothing more to do +but uncover your face; and I’ll warrant +those who behold it will call it a rueful +one, without your having recourse +to pictures and shields to explain your +meaning; and you may believe I tell +you nothing but the truth, when I +maintain, though it be but in jest, that +hunger and want of teeth makes your +worship look so ill-favouredly, that +we may very well save the expence of +a rueful picture.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Don Quixote could not help laughing +at the pleasantry of Sancho, though he +actually determined to assume that name, +and have his shield and target painted +according to his fancy, ‘I know, Sancho,’ +said he, ‘that I have incurred +the sentence of excommunication, for +having laid violent hands on consecrated +things, according to the canon; +“<span lang="la"><i>Si quis suadente diabolo, &c.</i></span>” yet +you know I touched them not with +my hands, but with my lance; and +even then never dreamed of injuring +priests, or of giving the smallest offence +to the church, which I respect +and adore, like a faithful catholick +and Christian as I am; but, on the +contrary, took them for phantoms and +beings of another world: but the case +being as it is, I remember what happened +to the Cid Ruy Diaz, who broke +to pieces the chair of a certain king’s +ambassador, in presence of his holiness +the pope; for which outrage he was +excommunicated; and that very day +the worthy Rodrigo de Vivar behaved +like a valiant and honourable knight.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>The batchelor being gone, as we have +observed, without answering one word, +Don Quixote expressed a desire of examining +the litter, to see if it really contained +a corpse; but Sancho would by no +means consent to this enquiry, saying, +‘Your worship has already finished this +perilous adventure with less damage +to yourself than I have seen you receive +in any other; but the people +whom you have conquered and overthrown, +may chance to recollect that +they were vanquished by a single man, +and be so much ashamed and confounded +at their own cowardice as to +rally, and if they find us, give us our +belly-full. Dapple is at present very +comfortably furnished; there is an uninhabited +mountain hard by, hunger +is craving, we have nothing to do but +retreat thither at a gentle trot; and, +as the saying is, “The dead to the +bier, and the living to good cheer.”’ +With these words he took the lead with +his ass, and the knight thinking there +was a good deal of reason in what he +said, followed him very peaceably, without +making any reply.</p> + +<p class='c005'>When they had travelled a little way +between two hills, they found themselves +in a spacious and retired valley, +where they alighted; Sancho unloaded +the ass, they sat down on the green turf, +and with hunger for their sauce, dispatched +their breakfast, dinner, afternoon’s +luncheon, and supper, at one +meal; solacing their stomachs out of +more than one basket, which the ecclesiastical +attendants of the defunct, who +seldom neglect these things, had brought +along with them on their sumpter-mule: +but another misfortune befel them, +which, in Sancho’s opinion, was the +worst that could happen: they had not +one drop of wine to drink, nor indeed +of water to cool their throats, so that +they were parched with thirst; then the +squire, perceiving the meadow where +they sat was overgrown with green and +tender grass, made the proposal which +may be seen in the following chapter.</p> + +<h4 id='chap1-3-6' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='six'>VI.</abbr> <br> OF THE UNSEEN AND UNHEARD OF ADVENTURE<br> ATCHIEVED BY THE VALIANT DON QUIXOTE DE LA MANCHA,<br> WITH LESS HAZARD THAN EVER ATTENDED ANY EXPLOIT<br> PERFORMED BY THE MOST RENOWNED KNIGHT ON EARTH.</h4> +<p class='c004'>‘This grass, my good master, +proves beyond all contradiction, +that there must be some spring +or rivulet hereabouts by which it is +watered; and therefore we had better +proceed a little farther, until we +find wherewith to allay this terrible +thirst, which is more painful and fatiguing +than hunger alone.’ This +advice appearing rational to Don Quixote, +he took hold of Rozinante’s bridle, +and Sancho leading Dapple by the halter, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_100'>100</span>after he had loaded him again with +the fragments of their supper, they began +to move farther into the meadow, +at a venture; for the night was so dark, +they could not distinguish one object +from another: but they had not gone +two hundred paces, when their ears +were saluted with a prodigious noise of +water, that seemed to rush down from +some huge and lofty rocks; they were +infinitely rejoiced at the sound, when +halting to listen, that they might know +whence it came, they were all of a sudden +surprized with another kind of noise, +that soon damped the pleasure occasioned +by the water, especially in Sancho, +who was naturally fearful and faint-hearted; +I say they heard the sound of regular +strokes, accompanied with strange +clanking of iron chains, which, added +to the dreadful din of the cataract, +would have smote the heart of any other +but Don Quixote with fear and consternation.</p> + +<p class='c005'>The night, as we have already observed, +was dark; our travellers happened +at this time to be in a grove of +tall trees, whose leaves, moving gently +by the wind, yielded a sort of dreary +whisper: so that the solitude of the place, +the darkness of the night, the noise of +the water, and rustling of the leaves, +concurred to inspire them with horror +and dismay; the more so, as the strokes +were continued, the wind sighed on, +and the morning was far off; and all +these circumstances were aggravated by +their ignorance of the place in which they +were. But Don Quixote, encouraged by +his own intrepid heart, mounted Rozinante, +braced his shield, and brandishing +his lance, ‘Friend Sancho,’ cried +he, ‘know that I was born by Heaven’s +appointment in these iron times to revive +the age of gold, or, as it is +usually called, the golden age. I am +he for whom strange perils, valiant +deeds, and vast adventures, are reserved! +I am he, I say, ordained to re-establish +the Knights of the Round-table, +the Twelve Peers of France, with +the Nine Worthies! He whose feats +shall bury, in oblivion the Platirs, +Tablantes, Olivantes, and Tirantes, +the Febuses and Belianises, together +with the whole tribe of knights-errant +who lived in former times; performing +such mighty and amazing +deeds of arms, as will eclipse their +most renowned acts! Consider well, +thou true and loyal squire, the darkness +and the solemn stillness of this +night, the indistinct and hollow whispering +of these trees, the dreadful din +of that water we came to seek, which +seems to rush and rumble down from +the lofty mountains of the moon; together +with these incessant strokes that +strike and wound our ears: all those +circumstances united, or each singly by +itself, is sufficient to infuse fear, terror, +and dismay, into the breast of Mars +himself; much more in him who is +altogether unaccustomed to such adventures +and events. Yet all I have +described are only incentives that awaken +my courage, and already cause +my heart to rebound within my breast, +with desire to atchieve this adventure, +howsoever difficult it may appear to +be! Therefore straiten Rozinante’s +girth, recommend thyself to God, and +wait for me in this place, three days +at farthest; within which time, if I +come not back, thou mayest return to +our village; and, as the last favour and +service done to me, go from thence to +Toboso, and inform my incomparable +mistress, Dulcinea, that her captive +knight died in attempting things +that might render him worthy to be +called her lover.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>When Sancho heard these last words +of his master, he began to blubber with +incredible tenderness. ‘I cannot conceive,’ +said he, ‘why your worship +should attempt such a terrible adventure: +it is now dark, and nobody sees +us; therefore we may turn out of this +road and avoid the danger, though we +should not taste liquor these three days; +and if nobody sees us, we run no risk +of being accused of cowardice; besides, +I have heard the curate of our +town, whom your worship knows very +well, remark in his preaching, “He +that seeketh danger perisheth therein;” +therefore it must be a sin to tempt +God by engaging in this rash exploit, +from whence there is no escaping without +a miracle; and Heaven hath +wrought enow of them already, in +preserving you from being blanketed +as I was, and bringing you off conqueror, +and sound wind and limb, +from the midst of so many adversaries +as accompanied the dead man: +and if all this will not move you, nor +soften your rugged heart, sure you +will relent, when you consider and +<span class='pageno' id='Page_101'>101</span>are assured that your worship will be +scarce gone from hence, when I shall I +through pure fear yield my life to any +thing that may chuse to take it. I +left my habitation, wife and children, +to come and serve your worship, believing +it would be the better, not the +worse for me so to do; but as greediness +bursts the bag, so is the bag of +my hopes bursten; for when they are +at the highest pitch, in expectation of +that curst unlucky island your worship +has promised me so often, I find in +lieu of that, you want to make me +amends by leaving me in this desart, +removed from all human footsteps: for +the love of God, dear master, do me +not such wrong; or if your worship is +resolved to attempt this atchievement +at any rate, at least delay it till morning, +which, according to the signs I +learned when I was a shepherd, will appear +in less than three hours; for the +muzzle of the bear is at the top of his +head<a id='r63'></a><a href='#f63' class='c008'><sup>[63]</sup></a>, and shews midnight in the line +of the left paw.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘How canst thou perceive,’ said Don +Quixote, ‘that line, or head, or muzzle, +thou talked of, when the night is so +dark that there is not a star to be seen?’—‘It +is so,’ answered Sancho; ‘but +fear hath many eyes; and I can at +present behold things that are hid within +the bowels of the earth; much more +those that appear in the firmament above: +a man of sound judgment, like +me, can easily foretel that it will soon +be day.’—‘Let it come when it will,’ +answered Don Quixote, ‘it shall not be +said of me, either now or at any other +time, that I was diverted by tears and +intreaties from doing what I owed to +the customs of chivalry; I therefore +beseech thee, Sancho, to hold thy +peace; for God, who hath put it +in my heart to attempt this dreadful +and unseen adventure, will doubtless +take care of my safety, and comfort +thee in thy affliction: thy business at +present is to gird fast Rozinante, and +remain in this place, for dead or alive +I will soon return.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Sancho finding this was the final resolution +of his master, and how little all +his tears, advice, and intreaties availed, +determined, to make use of stratagem to detain +the knight, if possible, till morning: +with this purpose, under pretence of adjusting +the girth of Rozinante, he fair and +softly, without being perceived, tied two +of the horse’s feet together with the halter +of his ass, in such a manner, that +when Don Quixote attempted to depart, +he found it impossible, because his steed +could move no otherwise than by leaps. +The squire perceiving the success of his +invention, ‘Sir,’ said he, ‘you may see +that Heaven, melted by my tears and +prayers, hath ordained that Rozinante +shall not stir; and if you obstinately +persist in spurring and driving him +on, you will only give offence to Providence, +and, as the saying is, “Kick +against the pricks.”’</p> + +<p class='c005'>The knight actually despaired of +making him go forward, because the +more he goaded his horse, the less was +he inclined to stir; and therefore, without +guessing a tittle of the ligature, +thought proper to submit and wait with +patience, either till morning, or such +time as Rozinante should recover the use +of his limbs; believing for certain, that +his disappointment was owing to another +cause than the craft of his squire, to +whom he said, ‘Since Rozinante is incapable +of moving, I am content to +wait for the dawn, though I cannot +help lamenting its delay.’—‘You +shall have no cause for lamentation,’ +answered Sancho; ‘I will entertain your +worship with telling stories till day, +unless you chuse to alight, and take a +nap on the soft grass according to the +custom of knights-errant, that you +may find yourself refreshed when day +breaks, and ready to undertake the +unconscionable adventure that awaits +you.’—‘Talk not to me of alighting +or sleeping,’ said Don Quixote; ‘dost +thou imagine me to be one of those +knights who seek their repose in times +of danger? Sleep thou who wast born +to sleep, or follow thy own inclinations; +for my own part, I will behave +as becomes a person of my pretensions.’—‘Let +not your worship be +offended; for that was not my intention +when I spoke;’ answered Sancho; +who coming close to him, laid hold of +the saddle before and behind, and stood +embracing his master’s left thigh, without +daring to stir a finger’s breadth from +the spot; such was his consternation, inspired +<span class='pageno' id='Page_102'>102</span>by the strokes, which all this time +sounded alternately in his ears.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Then Don Quixote claiming his promise +of entertaining him with some story; +‘I would with all my heart,’ said Sancho, +‘if the dread of what I hear would +allow me; but nevertheless I will try +to force out one story, which if I hit +it aright, without letting it slip through +my hands, is the best tale that ever +was told; therefore I would have your +worship be attentive, for thus I begin.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘There was, so there was; the good +that shall fall, betide us all; and he +that seeks evil, may he meet with the +devil. Your worship may take notice, +that the beginning of ancient tales is +not just what came into the head of the +teller: no, they always began with +some saying of Cato the censor of +Rome, like this of, “He that seeks +evil, may he meet with the devil.” +And truly it comes as pat to the purpose +as the ring to my finger, in order +to persuade your worship to remain +where you are, without going in search +of evil in any manner of way; or else +to turn into another road, since we +are not bound to follow this in which +we have been surprized with fear and +terror.’—‘Follow thy story, Sancho,’ +said Don Quixote; ‘and as to the road we +have to follow, leave the care of that +to me.’—‘To proceed, then,’ said +Sancho; ‘in a certain village of Estremadura +there lived a certain goat shepherd; +I mean, one that kept goats; +and this shepherd or goatherd, as the +story goes, was called Lope Ruyz; +and it came to pass, that this Lope +Ruyz fell in love with a shepherdess +whose name was Torralva; which +shepherdess, whose name was Torralva, +was the daughter of a rich +herdsman; and this rich herdsman—’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘If thou telleth thy tale in this manner,’ +cried Don Quixote, ‘repeating +every circumstance twice over, it will +not be finished these two days: proceed +therefore connectedly, and rehearse +it like a man of understanding; +otherwise thou hadst better hold thy +tongue.’—‘In my country,’ answered +Sancho, ‘all the old stories are told in +this manner; neither can I tell it in any +other; nor is it civil in your worship +to desire I should change the custom.’—‘Take +thy own way,’ said the knight; +‘and since it is the will of fate that I +should hear thee, pray go on.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Well, then, good master of mine,’ +proceeded Sancho, ‘that same shepherd, +as I have already remarked, fell in +love with the shepherdess Torralva, +who was a thick, brawny wench, a +little coy, and somewhat masculine; +for she wore a sort of mustachios: methinks +I see her now for all the world.’—‘Then +thou knewest her?’ said the +knight. ‘Not I,’ answered the squire; +‘but the person who told me the story, +said it was so true and certain, that if +ever I should chance to tell it again, +I might affirm upon oath that I had +seen it with my own eyes—And so, +in process of time, the devil, who never +sleeps, but wants to have a finger +in every pye, managed matters in such +a manner, that the shepherd’s love for +the shepherdess was turned into malice +and deadly hate: and the cause, according +to evil tongues, was a certain +quantity of small jealousies she gave +him, exceeding all bounds of measure. +And such was the abhorrence the shepherd +conceived for her, from that good +day forward, that, in order to avoid +the sight of her, he resolved to absent +himself from his own country, and go +where he should never set eyes on her +again. Torralva, finding herself despised +by Lope, began to love him +more than ever.’—‘That is the natural +disposition of the sex,’ said Don Quixote, +‘to disdain those who adore them, +and love those by whom they are +abhorred: but proceed, Sancho.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘It so fell out,’ said Sancho, ‘that +the shepherd put his resolution in +practice, and driving his goats before +him, travelled through the plains of +Estremadura, towards the kingdom of +Portugal. Torralva, having got an +inkling of his design, was soon at his +heels, following him on foot, aye, and +barefoot too, with a pilgrim’s staff in +her hand, and a wallet at her back, +in which, as the report goes, she carried +a bit of a looking-glass, a broken +comb, and a kind of phial of wash +for her complexion: but howsomever, +whether she carried these things or +not, I shall not at present take upon +me to aver; but only say what is recorded, +that the shepherd came with +his flock to the river Guadiana, which +at that time was very high, having +almost forsaken its channel; and finding +at the place neither boat nor bark +to carry himself and his flock to the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_103'>103</span>other side, he was very much in the +dumps, because he saw Torralva behind +him, and knew what he must +suffer from her tears and complaints: +but looking about, he at last perceived +hard by him a fisherman in a boat, +that was so small as to contain only +one person and one goat: nevertheless, +they struck up a bargain, by +which the man was to ferry over the +shepherd with his three hundred goats. +Accordingly the fisherman took one +goat into the boat, and carried it over; +then he returned and carried over another, +then he returned again to fetch +another. Pray, good your worship, +keep an exact account of the goats, +as the fisherman ferried them over; +for, if one only should be lost in the +reckoning, the story will break off, +and it will be impossible for me to relate +one word more. To be short, +then, I say, the landing-place on the +other side being full of mud and slippery, +was a great hindrance to the fisherman +in his going and coming; but however +he returned for the other goat, and +then for some more, and then for another.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Suppose them all passed over at +once,’ said Don Quixote, ‘for if thou +goest backwards and forwards in this +manner, thou wilt not have them all +ferried over in a year.’—‘How many +have already passed?’ said the squire. +‘How the devil should I know?’ answered +the knight. ‘Did not I tell +you to keep a good account?’ said +Sancho; ‘now, before God, the tale is +ended, and it is impossible to proceed!’—‘How +can that be?’ replied Don +Quixote; ‘is it so essential to the story +to know the number of goats as they +passed, so precisely, that if I misreckon +one, thou canst not proceed?’—‘Certainly, +Sir,’ said Sancho, ‘I can proceed +in no manner of way: for when +I desired your worship to tell me what +number of goats had passed, and you +answered you did not know; at that +instant the whole of the story that remained +untold, vanished from my remembrance; +and, upon my conscience! +it was very curious and entertaining.’—‘At +that rate, then, the story is at +an end?’ said Don Quixote. ‘As +much at an end,’ replied the squire, +‘as the mother that bore me.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘In good sooth,’ resumed the knight, +‘thou hast related the strangest fable, +tale, or story, that ever was invented; +and finished thy relation in such a +manner as never was or will be heard +again in this world; but nothing else +was to be expected from thy sound +judgment; and indeed it is a matter +of no admiration with me, because I +take it for granted, that these incessant +strokes have disordered thy understanding.’—‘Not +unlikely,’ said Sancho; +‘but this I know, that there is no more +to be said of the tale, which ended in +that place where the mistake began +about the passage of the goats.’—‘In +good time end it according to thy +own pleasure,’ replied the knight, ‘and +now let us see if Rozinante will move.’ +So saying, he began again to spur, and +the horse to leap without moving from +his station, so effectually had Sancho +fettered him.</p> + +<p class='c005'>About this time, whether it was owing +to the coolness of the morning that +approached, or to his having supped +upon something that was laxative; or, +which is more probable, to the operation +of nature; Sancho was seized with +an inclination and desire of doing that +which could not be performed by proxy; +but such was the terror that had taken +possession of his soul, that he durst not +move the breadth of a nail-pairing from +his master’s side; at the same time it was +as impossible for him to resist the motion of +his bowels; and therefore, to compromise +the matter, he slipped his right-hand +from the hinder part of the saddle, +and without any noise softly undid the +slip-knot by which his breeches were +kept up; upon which they of themselves +fell down to his heels, where +they remained like a pair of shackles; +he then gathered up his shirt behind as +well as he could, and exposed his posteriors, +which were none of the smallest, +to the open air: this being done, and +he imagined it was the chief step he +could take to deliver himself from the +pressing occasion and dilemma in which +he was, another difficulty still greater +occurred, namely, that he should not +be able to disincumber himself without +noise; he therefore began to fix his +teeth close, shrug up his shoulders, and +hold in his breath with all his might. +But, notwithstanding these precautions, +he was so unlucky in the issue, as to +produce a rumbling sound very different +from that which had terrified him +so much. It did not escape the ears of +<span class='pageno' id='Page_104'>104</span>Don Quixote, who immediately cried, +‘What noise is that, Sancho?’—‘I +know not, Sir,’ said the squire; ‘it +must be some new affair, for adventures +and misventures never begin +with trifles.’ He tried his fortune a +second time; and, without any more +noise or disorder, freed himself from +the load which had given him so much +uneasiness. But as Don Quixote’s sense +of smelling was altogether as acute as +that of his hearing, and Sancho stood +so close to him that the vapours ascended +towards him almost in a direct line, he +could not exclude some of them from +paying a visit to his nose. No sooner +was he sensible of the first salutation, +than, in his own defence, he pressed +his nose between his finger and thumb, +and, in a snuffling tone, pronounced, +‘Sancho, thou seemest to be in great +fear.’—‘I am so,’ answered the squire; +‘but how comes your worship to perceive +my fears now more than ever?’—‘Because +at present thou smellest +more than ever, and that not of amber,’ +replied the knight. ‘That may +be,’ said Sancho; ‘but I am not so +much to blame as your worship, who +drags me at such unseasonable hours +into these uninhabited places.’—‘Retire +three or four steps farther off, +friend,’ resumed Don Quixote, stopping +his nose all the time, ‘and henceforth +take more heed of thy own person, +and remember what thou owest to +mine; for I find the frequent conversation +I maintain with thee, hath +engendered this disrespect.’—‘I’ll +lay a wager,’ replied Sancho, ‘that +your worship thinks I have been doing +something I ought not to have +done.’—‘The more you stir it, friend +Sancho,’ said the knight, ‘the more it +will stink.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>In this and other such discourse, the +master and his squire passed the night; +but Sancho perceiving the day begin to +break apace, with great care and secresy +unbound Rozinante, and tied up his +breeches. The beast, which was naturally +none of the briskest, seemed to +rejoice at his freedom, and began to +paw the ground; for as to curvetting, +with his leave be it spoken, he knew +nothing of the matter. Don Quixote, +finding him so mettlesome, conceived a +good omen from his eagerness, believing +it a certain presage of his success in +the dreadful adventure he was about to +atchieve. Aurora now disclosed herself, +and objects appearing distinctly, +Don Quixote found himself in a grove +of tall chesnut-trees, which formed a +very thick shade. The strokes still continuing, +though he could not conceive +the meaning of them, he, without farther +delay, made Rozinante feel the spur; +then turning to take leave of Sancho, +commanded him to wait three days at +farthest, as he had directed before; and +if he should not return before that time +was expired, he might take it for granted +that God had been pleased to put a +period to his life in that perilous adventure; +he again recommended to him the +embassy and message he should carry +from him to his mistress Dulcinea, and +bade him give himself no uneasiness about +his wages; for he had made a +will before he quitted his family, in +which he should find his services repaid, +by a salary proportioned to the time of +his attendance: but if Heaven should +be pleased to bring him off from that +danger, safe, sound, and free, he might, +beyond all question, lay his account +with the government of the island he +had promised him. Sancho, hearing +these dismal expressions of his worthy +master repeated, began to blubber afresh, +and resolved not to leave him until +the last circumstance and issue of the +affair.</p> + +<p class='c005'>From these tears, and this honourable +determination of Sancho Panza, +the author of this history concludes, that +he must have been a gentleman born, +or an old Christian at least. His master +himself was melted a little at this testimony +of his affection, but not so much +as to discover the least weakness: on +the contrary, disguising his sentiments, +he rode forward towards the place from +whence the noise of the strokes and +water seemed to come; Sancho followed +on foot, and according to custom, +leading by the halter his ass, which +was the constant companion of his good +and evil fortune. Having travelled a +good way among those shady chesnut-trees, +they arrived in a small meadow +lying at the foot of a huge rock, over +which a stream of water rushed down +with vast impetuosity. Below appeared +a few wretched huts, that looked more +like ruins than houses; and they observed +that from them proceeded the +horrible din of the strokes, which had +not yet ceased.</p> + +<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_105'>105</span>Rozinante being startled at the dreadful +noise of the strokes and water, Don +Quixote endeavoured to soothe him, and +advanced by little and little towards the +huts, recommending himself in the most +earnest manner to his mistress, whose +favour he implored in the atchievement +of that fearful enterprize: neither did +he omit praying to God for his protection. +Sancho, who never stirred from +his side, thrust his neck as far as he +could between the legs of Rozinante, +in order to discover the objects that +kept him in such terror and suspence; +and when they had proceeded about a +hundred paces farther, at the doubling +of a corner, stood fully disclosed to view +the very individual and undoubted cause +of this tremendous sound and terrible +noise, which had filled them with such +doubts and consternation all night long.</p> + +<p class='c005'>This was no other, (be not offended, +gentle reader) than six fulling-hammers, +which, by their alternate strokes, +produced that amazing din. Don Quixote +was struck dumb with astonishment +at the sight; Sancho looked at him, and +found his head hanging down upon his +breast, and other manifest signs of his +being out of countenance. The knight, +in his turn, looked at the squire, and +saw his mouth shut, his cheeks puffed +up, with other symptoms of his being +ready to burst with laughing. This +comical situation of the squire, in spite +of all his own melancholy, obliged the +master to begin; and Sancho no sooner +beheld the severity of the knight’s features +relaxed, than he opened the flood-gates +of his mirth, which broke forth +with such violence, that he was under +the necessity of supporting his sides with +both fists, that they might not be rent +to pieces by the convulsion. Four times +did he exhaust, and as often renew the +laugh with the same impetuosity as at +first; for which Don Quixote already +wished him at the devil, more especially +when he heard him pronounce, by way +of sneer, ‘Know, friend Sancho, that I +was born by Heaven’s appointment, +in these iron times, to revive the age +of gold, or the Golden Age! I am he +for whom strange perils, valiant deeds, +and vast adventures, are reserved!’ +And in this manner he proceeded, repeating +all, or the greater part of the +knight’s exclamation, when they first +heard the terrible noise.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Don Quixote finding that Sancho made +a jest of him, was so much ashamed and +provoked, that, lifting up his lance, he +bestowed upon him two or three thwacks, +which, had they fallen upon his head, +as they lighted on his shoulders, would +have saved his master the trouble of paying +his salary, unless it might be to his +heirs. Sancho feeling his joke turned +into such disagreeable earnest, which he +was afraid might not be as yet over, +addressed himself to his master with +great humility, saying, ‘Good your +worship, forbear; before God, I was +only in jest.’—‘Though you was in +jest,’ answered Don Quixote, ‘I was +not quite so merrily disposed: come hither, +Mr. Joker; don’t you think, that +if, instead of fulling-hammers, these +had been some very dangerous adventure, +I have shewn courage enough to +undertake and atchieve it? Am I, +who am a knight, obliged, for sooth, to +distinguish sounds, and know which +proceed from fulling-mills, and which +do not? especially as it may be the +case, and it really is so, that I never +saw one before; though it is otherwise +with thee, base plebeian as thou +art, who was born and bred up among +them: but see if thou canst metamorphose +these six hammers into so many +giants, and bring them within arm’s +length of me, one by one, or all +together; and if I don’t make them +lie with their heels uppermost, make +a jest of me as much as you please.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Enough, dear master,’ replied Sancho, +‘I confess I have exceeded a little +in my pleasantry; but, pray tell me +now, that we are at peace again, as +God shall deliver your worship from +all succeeding adventures as safe and +sound as you have been extricated +from this, is not the terror with +which we were seized, a thing to be +laughed at and repeated? I mean, +my own terror; for, as to your worship, +I know you are an utter stranger +to terror and dismay!’—‘I do +not deny,’ answered Don Quixote, +‘that what hath happened to us is ridiculous +enough; but, nevertheless, it +ought not to be repeated; because +every body has not discretion to take +things by the right handle.’—‘I am +sure,’ replied Sancho, ‘that your worship +knows how to handle your lance, +with which, while you wanted to +handle my head, you happened to +salute my shoulders; thanks be to +<span class='pageno' id='Page_106'>106</span>God, and my own activity, in avoiding +the blow: but all that, when it is +dry, will rub out; and I have often +heard it said, “He that loves thee +well, will often make thee cry.” +Nay, it is a common thing for your +gentry, when they have said a harsh +thing to a servant, to make it up +with him by giving him a pair of cast +breeches; though I don’t know what +they used to give after having beaten +him, unless it be the practice of +knights-errant, after blows, to give +islands, or kingdoms on the main +land.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Who knows,’ said Don Quixote, +‘but the dice may run that way, and +all that thou hast mentioned come to +pass. I ask pardon for what is past, +since you are resolved to be more discreet +for the future; and as the first +emotions are not in a man’s own +power, I must apprize thee henceforward +to be more reserved, and abstain +from speaking so freely to me; for +in all the books of chivalry I have +read, and they are almost infinite, I +never found that any squire talked so +much to his master as thou hast talked +to thine: and really both you and I +are very much to blame; thou, in regarding +me so little; and I, in not +making myself regarded more. Was +not Gandalin, squire of Amadis de +Gaul, count of the Firm Island? and +yet we read of him, that he always +spoke to his master cap in hand, with +an inclination of his head, and his +body bent in the Turkish manner. +What need I mention Gasabal, squire +to Don Galaor, who was so reserved, +that, in order to express the excellence +of his surprizing silence, his +name is mentioned but once in the +whole course of that equally vast and +true history. From what I have said, +Sancho, thou art to draw this inference, +that there is a necessity for +maintaining some distinction between +the master and his man, the gentleman +and his servant, and the knight +and his squire: wherefore, from this +day forward, we are to be treated +with more respect and less provocation; +for if ever I am incensed by +you again, in any shape whatever, +the pitcher will pay for all. The favours +and benefits I have promised +will come in due time; and if they +should fail, your wages at least will +be forthcoming, as I have already informed +you.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘All that your worship observes is +very just,’ said Sancho; ‘but I should +be glad to know, since if the benefits +come not in time, I must be fain to put +up with the wages, what was the hire +of a knight-errant’s squire in those +days; and whether they agreed by the +month or the day, like common labourers?’—‘I +do not believe,’ answered +Don Quixote, ‘that they were retained +for hire, but depended altogether +on favour; and though I have bequeathed +a sum to thee in my will, +which I have left signed and sealed at +home, it was done in case of the +worst; for one does not know how +chivalry may succeed in these calamitous +times: and I would not have my +soul punished in the other world for +so small a matter; for, let me tell +thee, Sancho, in this there is not a +more dangerous course than that of +adventures.’—‘That I know to be +true,’ answered the squire, ‘since the +noise of a fulling-mill could daunt +and disturb the heart of such a valiant +knight-errant as your worship: but +this I assure you of, that from this +good hour, my lips shall never give +umbrage to your worship in turning +your affairs to jest again; but, on the +contrary, honour you as my natural +lord and master.’—‘In so doing,’ replied +Don Quixote, ‘thou shalt live +long upon the face of the earth; for, +after your father and mother, you +ought to respect your master as another +parent.’</p> + +<h4 id='chap1-3-7' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='seven'>VII.</abbr> <br> OF THE SUBLIME ADVENTURE AND SHINING ACQUISITION OF MAMBRINO’S HELMET—WITH OTHER ACCIDENTS THAT HAPPENED TO OUR INVINCIBLE KNIGHT.</h4> +<p class='c004'>About this time some rain beginning +to fall, Sancho proposed +that they should shelter themselves in +the fulling-mill; but Don Quixote had +conceived such abhorrence for it on account +of what was past, that he would +by no means set foot within its walls; +wherefore, turning to the right-hand, +they chanced to fall in with a road different +from that in which they had travelled +<span class='pageno' id='Page_107'>107</span>the day before: they had not +gone far, when the knight discovered a +man riding with something on his head, +that glittered like polished gold; and +scarce had he descried this phænomenon, +when turning to Sancho, ‘I find,’ said +he, ‘that every proverb is strictly true; +indeed all of them are apothegms dictated +by Experience herself, the mother +of all science; more especially +that which says, “Shut one door, and +another will soon open:” this I mention, +because if last night Fortune shut +against us the door we sought to enter, +by deceiving us with the fulling-hammers; +to-day another stands wide +open, in profering to us another greater +and more certain adventure, by which +if I fail to enter, it shall be my own +fault, and not imputed to my ignorance +of fulling-mills, or the darkness +of the night. This I take upon +me to say, because, if I am not egregiously +mistaken, the person who +comes towards us, wears upon his +head the very helmet of Mambrino, +about which I swore the oath which +thou mayest remember.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Consider well what your worship +says, and better still what you do!’ +said Sancho. ‘I should not chuse to +meet with more fulling-mills to mill +us and maul us altogether out of our +senses.’—‘The devil take the fellow,’ +cried Don Quixote, ‘what affinity is +there between a fulling-mill and a +helmet?’—‘Truly, I know not,’ answered +the squire; ‘but in good faith, +if I were permitted to speak freely, as +usual, I could perhaps give such reasons +as would convince your worship, +that you are mistaken in what you +say.’—‘How can I be mistaken, scrupulous +traitor?’ replied Don Quixote: +‘seest thou not yonder knight who rides +this way upon a dapple steed with a +golden helmet on his head?’—‘What +I perceive and discern,’ said Sancho, +‘is no other than a man upon a grey +ass, like my own, with something that +glitters on his head.’—‘And that is +the very helmet of Mambrino,’ replied +the knight: ‘stand aside, and +leave me alone to deal with him: thou +shalt see, that without speaking a syllable, +in order to spare time, this adventure +will be concluded by my acquisition +of the helmet I have longed +for so much.’—‘Yes, I will take care +to get out of the way,’ answered Sancho; +‘and God grant,’ cried he, as he +went off, ‘that this may turn out a +melon rather than a milling<a id='r64'></a><a href='#f64' class='c008'><sup>[64]</sup></a>.’—‘I +have already warned thee, brother,’ +said the knight, ‘not to mention, nor +even so much as think of the mill +again: else, by Heaven! I’ll say no +more, but mill the soul out of thy +body.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Sancho was fain to hold his tongue, +dreading the performance of his master’s +oath, which had already struck him all +of a heap. The whole affair of the +helmet, steed, and knight, which Don +Quixote saw, was no more than this: +in that neighbourhood were two villages, +one of them so poor and small, +that it had neither shop nor barber: for +which reason, the trimmer of the larger +that was hard by, served the lesser also, +in which, at that time, there was a sick +person to be blooded, and another to be +shaved; so that this barber was going +thither with his brass bason under his +arm; but, as it chanced to rain while he +was on the road, that he might not spoil +his hat, which probably was a new one, +he sheltered his head under the bason, +which being clean scoured, made a flaming +appearance, at the distance of half +a league; and, as Sancho had observed, +he rode upon a grey ass, which gave occasion +to Don Quixote to believe he was +some knight with a helmet of gold, +mounted upon a dapple steed; for he +accommodated every thing he saw, with +incredible facility, to the extravagant +ravings of his disordered judgment. +When he, therefore, saw this unlucky +knight approach, without the least expostulation, +he put Rozinante to full +speed, and couching his lance in the +rest, resolved to run him through the +body at once; but, when he was almost +up with him, without checking the impetuosity +of his career, he cried aloud, +‘Defend thyself, wretched caitiff, or +voluntarily yield what so justly belongs +to me.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>The poor barber, who neither dreaded +nor dreamed of any such demand, seeing +this phantom coming full speed +upon him, could find no other means to +defend himself from the stroke of the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_108'>108</span>lance, than to throw himself down over +the buttocks of his ass: then getting +up, before he had scarce touched the +ground, with the nimbleness of a stag, +he began to fly across the plain so swift, +that the wind itself could not overtake +him: but he left his bason upon the +spot, with which Don Quixote was satisfied, +saying, ‘The pagan hath acted +with discretion, in imitating the beaver, +which, seeing itself chaced by the +hunters, tears off with its teeth, by +natural instinct, these parts for which +it is pursued.’ Then, he ordered +Sancho to take up the helmet, which +the squire having examined all round, +‘Egad!’ said he, ‘it is a special good +bason, well worth a piece of eight, if +it be worth a farthing!’ and gave it +to his master, who putting it on his head, +and turning it round and round, without +being able to find the vizor, said, +‘Without doubt, the pagan for whom +this renowned helmet was first forged, +must have had a most capacious head: +but the worst of it is, that one half is +wanting.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>When Sancho heard him call the bason +a helmet, he could not refrain from +laughing; but, remembering the indignation +of his master, checked his +mirth all of a sudden; and when Don +Quixote asked what he laughed at, +replied, ‘I cannot help laughing when +I think of the huge head of the pagan +who owned that helmet, which looks +for all the world like a barber’s bason.’—‘Why, +truly Sancho,’ said he, +‘I imagine that this very individual inchanted +helmet, by some strange accident +or other, must have fallen into +the hands of somebody who did not +know its inestimable value, but seeing +it was made of the purest gold, +melted down one half of it for sale, +and left the other in this shape, resembling, +as thou sayest, a barber’s +bason: but be that as it may, since I +am satisfied of its real worth and identity, +the transmutation is of small +consequence; for I will order it to be +repaired in the first village where we +can find a blacksmith, in such a +manner as to be unexcelled, nay even +unequalled by that which Vulcan +forged and finished for the god of +war; meanwhile, I will wear it in +this manner, for it is still better than +nothing at all, and will be sufficient +to defend me from any shower of stones +that may chance to fall.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Yes, if they come not out of +slings, as was the case in the skirmish +between the two armies, when they +demolished your worship’s grinders, +and broke the cruse which contained +that blessed balsam, which made me +vomit up my liver and lights!’—‘That +loss gives me not much uneasiness,’ +answered the knight, ‘because +thou knowest, Sancho, I retain the +receipt of it in my memory.’—‘So do +I,’ replied the squire. ‘But, Lord, +let me never stir from the place where +I now stand, if ever I either make or +meddle with it for the future; especially +as I hope I never shall have occasion +for it again, being resolved, +with the assistance of my five senses, +to avoid being hurt myself, and also +to refrain from hurting any person +whatsoever. As to another bout of +blanketing, I have little to say: such +misfortunes are not easily prevented; +but when they happen, there is nothing +else to be done, but to shrug up +our shoulders, hold in our breath, shut +our eyes, and leave ourselves to the determination +of chance and the blanket.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Thou art a bad Christian, Sancho,’ +said Don Quixote, when he heard these +words; ‘for once you receive an injury, +you never forget it; but know it is +peculiar to noble and generous minds +to overlook such trifles: hast thou got +a leg lamed, a rib fractured, or thy +head broke in the prosecution of that +jest, that thou canst not forget it? for +the affair, when duly considered, was +no more than jest and pastime; had I +not understood it so, I should have +returned ere now, and done more +mischief in revenging thy quarrel, +than the Grecians did for the rape of +Helen; who, it she had lived in this age, +or if my Dulcinea had flourished in +her time, would not have been so renowned +for beauty.’ Here he fetched +a profound sigh, and sent it to the +clouds. ‘Let it pass, then, for a joke,’ +said Sancho, ‘since there is no likelihood +of its being revenged in earnest: +but I know what sort of jokes and +earnests those are; and I believe they +will scarce slip out of my memory, +while they remain engraven on my +shoulders. But, setting this aside, I +wish your worship would tell me what +<span class='pageno' id='Page_109'>109</span>I shall do with this dapple steed so +like a grey ass, which was abandoned +by that caitiff, whom your worship +overthrew; for by the swiftness of his +heels, when he ran away, he seems to +have no thoughts of returning; and +by my whiskers ’tis an excellent beast!’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘It is never my custom,’ said Don +Quixote, ‘to plunder those I overcome; +neither is it according to the laws of +chivalry, to take them from their +horses and leave them on foot, unless +the conqueror hath lost his own during +the engagement; in which case we +are allowed to take the horse of the +vanquished as the lawful spoils of +war: wherefore, Sancho, leave that +horse or ass, or what thou wilt, where +he now stands, and perhaps his master, +perceiving we are gone, will return +and find him.’—‘God is my witness,’ +answered Sancho, ‘I should be glad to +carry him off, or at least exchange +him for my own, which seems to be +the worst of the two: truly the laws +of chivalry are too confined; and +since they do not extend to the exchange +of one ass for another, I +would fain know if they allow me to +change the furniture of the one for +that of the other?’—‘I am not quite +clear in that particular,’ replied the +knight; ‘and in such a dubious case, +till such time as we can get better information, +I think thou mayest exchange +the furniture, if the necessity for so +doing be extreme.’—‘It is so extreme,’ +said Sancho, ‘that if it were +for my own particular wearing, I +could not want it more.’ Thus provided +with a licence, he made the exchange +of caparisons, and equipped his +beast with such finery, that he looked +ten per cent. the better.</p> + +<p class='c005'>This exploit being performed, they +went to breakfast on the remains of what +they had plundered from the sumpter-mule, +and quenched their thirst with +the water from the fulling-mills, without +turning their heads that way, so +much did they abhor them on account +of the dread which they had inspired. +The rage of hunger and anxiety being +thus appeased, they mounted, and without +following any determined course, +(for it is the practice of true knights-errant +to keep no certain road) they +left the choice of their route to the will +and pleasure of Rozinante, which was +always a rule to his master, as well as +to the ass, that followed whithersoever he +led, like a trusty friend and companion. +In consequence, therefore, of his determination, +they returned into the high-road, +in which they travelled at random +without any particular scheme.</p> + +<p class='c005'>While they thus jogged on, ‘Sir,’ +said Sancho to his master, ‘I wish +your worship would allow me to confer +a little with you; for, since you +imposed that severe command of silence +upon me, divers things have +perished in my stomach; and this moment +I have somewhat at my tongue’s +end, which I would not for the world +have miscarry.’—‘Speak then,’ said +Don Quixote, ‘and be concise in thy +discourse; for nothing that is prolix +can relish well.’—‘I say, Sir,’ answered +Sancho, ‘that for some days +past I have been considering how little +is to be got and saved by going in +quest of those adventures your worship +hunts after, through these cross-paths +and desarts, where, though you +conquer and atchieve the most perilous +exploits, there is nobody present +to be witness of your prowess; so that +it may remain in everlasting silence, +contrary to the intention, and prejudicial +to the merits of your worship; +wherefore, in my opinion, with submission +to your better judgment, our +wisest course would be to go into the +service of some emperor or great +prince, who hath a war upon his +hands, in whose service your worship +may have occasion to shew your personal +valour, your great strength, and +greater understanding; which being +perceived by the king we serve, he +cannot chuse but reward each of us +according to his deserts; neither will +there be wanting some person to write +the history of your worship’s exploits, +for a perpetual memorial: I shall not +mention my own, because they cannot +exceed the bounds of a squire’s province; +though this I will venture to say, +that if it was customary in chivalry to +recount the atchievements of our fraternity, +I don’t think but mine might +be inferred between the lines of the +book.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Thou art not much in the wrong,’ +replied Don Quixote; ‘but before it +comes to that issue, a knight must +travel up and down the world as a +probationer in quest of adventures, +until by his repeated atchievements he +<span class='pageno' id='Page_110'>110</span>shall have acquired a sufficient stock +of fame; so that when he arrives at +the court of some mighty monarch, +he may be immediately known by his +works. In that case, as soon as he +shall be seen to enter the gates of the +city, all the boys will surround and follow +him, shouting and crying, “Behold +the knight of the sun,” or the +serpent, or of any other badge under +which he hath performed his great exploits. +“Behold,” they will say, +“the man who vanquished in single +combat the mighty giant Brocarbruno, +and delivered the great Mamaluke +of Persia from the strange inchantment +that prevailed over him for the +space of nine hundred years.” Thus +shall they proceed, recounting his exploits +from mouth to mouth; until, +surprized at the noise of the children +and populace, the king of that country +shall appear at one of the palace-windows; +and no sooner behold the +knight, than knowing him immediately +by his armour, or the device +upon his shield, he will certainly exclaim, +“So ho, there! let all the +knights belonging to my court go +forth and receive the flower of chivalry +that comes yonder.”</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘At this command all of them will +come out, and the king himself advance +to meet him on the middle of +the stair-case, where he will embrace +him most affectionately, giving him +the kiss of friendship and welcome; +then taking him by the hand, will he +conduct him to the queen’s closet, +where he will find her majesty with +the princess her daughter, who is one +of the most beautiful and accomplished +young ladies that ever was seen in +the known world. In this interview +she will immediately fix her eyes upon +the knight, who at that instant shall +be gazing at her, and each will appear +to the other something supernatural; +without knowing how or wherefore, +they will find themselves presently +caught and intangled in the +inextricable net of love, and be infinitely +concerned because they have +no opportunity of conversing together, +and of disclosing the reciprocal anxiety +of their thoughts. After this audience, +he will, doubtless, be carried +to some apartment of the palace richly +furnished, where, after they shall have +taken off his armour, they will clothe +him in a rich scarlet robe brought for +the purpose; and if he made a fine +appearance in armour, he will look +infinitely more genteel in his doublet. +At night he will sup at the same +table with the king, queen, and infanta, +upon whom he will fix his +eyes as often as he can, without being +perceived by the by-standers; while +she will practise the same expedient +with equal sagacity: for, as I have +already observed, she must be a young +lady of vast discretion.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘The table being uncovered, there +will enter at midnight through the +hall-door, a little deformed dwarf, +followed by a beautiful lady, guarded +by two giants; and he will propose a +certain adventure, contrived by a most +ancient sage, which whosoever shall +finish, will be deemed the most valiant +knight in the whole world: then the +king will order every warrior in waiting +to attempt it; but all of them +shall fail except the strange knight, +who will perform and accomplish it +very much to his own credit, as well +as to the satisfaction of the princess, +who will think herself extremely happy, +and well requited, for having placed +her affections so worthily. What is +better still, this king or prince, or +whatever he is, being at that time engaged +in a most obstinate war with a +potentate of equal strength, his guest, +after having staid a few days at court, +begs leave to go and serve him in the +field; and the king granting his +request with pleasure, the knight +most politely kisses his hand for the +great honour he hath done him; that +same night he goes to take his leave +of his mistress the infanta, through +the rails of a garden adjoining to the +chamber in which she lies; where +they have already at different times +enjoyed each other’s conversation, by +the means of a damsel, who being the +infanta’s confidante, is privy to the +whole amour: on this occasion he will +sigh most piteously, she will actually +faint away; the damsel will run for +water, and the knight will be extremely +concerned, because the day +begins to break, and he would not +for the world be discovered to the +prejudice of the lady’s reputation. In +fine, the princess recovers, and reaches +her fair hand through the rails to the +knight, who kisses it a thousand +<span class='pageno' id='Page_111'>111</span>times, and bathes it with his tears; +then is concerted between them some +method by which he is to inform her +of his good or bad success, and the +infanta intreats him to return as soon +as possible: he swears solemnly to +comply with her request, kisses her +hand again, and bids her farewel with +such affliction as well-nigh deprives +him of life: from thence he retreats +to his chamber, throws himself upon +the bed, but cannot sleep, so grieved +is he at parting; he rises early in the +morning, goes to take leave of the +king, queen, and infanta; their majesties +accordingly bid him farewel, +after having informed him that the +princess is indisposed, and cannot see +company; the knight imputing her +disorder to her sorrow for his departure, +is pierced to the soul, and well-nigh +betrays his own anxiety. The +confidante being present all the while, +takes notice of every circumstance, +which she imparts to her lady, who +listens with tears in her eyes, and observes +that nothing gives so much uneasiness +as her ignorance of the knight’s +pedigree, and her impatience to know +whether or not he is of royal extraction: +the damsel assures her, that so +much politeness, gentility, and valour +as he possessed, could never be united +except in a dignified and royal disposition; +the afflicted infanta consoles +herself with this observation, and endeavouring +to regain her serenity, that +she may not give cause of suspicion to +her parents, in two days appears again +in publick.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘The knight having set out for the +army, comes to battle, overcomes the +king’s adversary, takes many towns, +makes divers conquests, returns to +court, visits his mistress in the usual +manner, and the affair being concerted +between them, demands her in +marriage, as the reward of his service; +her father refuses to grant the boon, on +pretence of not knowing who this hero +is: but, nevertheless, either by stealth, +or some other way, the infanta becomes +his wife; and at last the king +is overjoyed at his good fortune, when +this knight proves to be the son of a +valiant monarch of some unknown +country, for I suppose it could not be +found in the map. The father dies, +the infanta succeeds, and in two words +the knight becomes king; this, then, +is the time to reward his squire, and +all those who helped him to ascend +the throne. The squire accordingly +is married to a damsel belonging to +the infanta, who doubtless must be +she that was privy to her amour, and +daughter of some powerful duke.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘This is what I want,’ cried Sancho, +‘and what with fair play I shall obtain; +for all that you have mentioned will +exactly happen to your worship, under +the title of The Knight of the Rueful +Countenance.’—‘Never doubt it, +Sancho,’ replied Don Quixote; ‘for +in the same manner, and by the same +steps I have recounted, knights errant +rise, and have risen to the rank +of kings and emperors. Our only +business now is to look out for some +Christian or Pagan king who is at +war, and hath a beautiful daughter; +but there will be time to think of that, +since, as I have already told thee, renown +must be acquired elsewhere, before +we repair to court; nay, another +difficulty occurs, namely, that +though we should find a king at war +who has a beautiful daughter, after +I shall have acquired incredible glory +through the whole universe; I do not +know how it can be proved that I am +of royal extraction, or even second +cousin to an emperor; and no king +will grant his daughter to me in marriage, +until he is first thoroughly satisfied +in that particular, though my +famous exploits should merit a much +more valuable reward; wherefore, on +account of this defect, I am afraid I +shall lose that which the prowess of +my arm may well deserve. True it +is, I am a gentleman of an ancient +and honourable family, not without +property, possession, and a title to the +revenge of the five hundred sueldos<a id='r65'></a><a href='#f65' class='c008'><sup>[65]</sup></a>; +and it is not impossible, that the sage +ordained to write my history, may +furnish up my parentage and pedigree +in such a manner, as to prove me descended +in the fifteenth or sixteenth +<span class='pageno' id='Page_112'>112</span>generation from a king; for I must +tell thee, Sancho, there are two sorts +of pedigree in the world; one that +brings and derives its original from +princes and monarchs, which time +hath defaced by little and little, till +at last it ends in a point like a pyramid; +the other owes its beginning to +people of mean degree, and increases +gradually to nobility and power; so +that the difference is, the one was +once something, but is now nothing; +and the other was once nothing, but +is now something! perhaps, therefore, +I may be one of the first mentioned +division; and my origin, upon +enquiry, be found high and mighty; +a circumstance that ought to satisfy +the king, who is to be my father-in-law; +and if it should not have that +effect, the infanta will be so enamoured +of me, that in spite of her father, +she will receive me as her lord and +husband, even though she were certain +of my being the son of a porter; +but should she be shy, then is the time +to carry her away by force, to any +corner of the earth I shall chuse for +my residence, until time or death shall +put an end to the resentment of her +parents.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘And here,’ cried Sancho, ‘nothing +can be more pat to the purpose, than +what some of your unconscionable +fellows often say, “Who would beg +a benison, that for the taking may +have venison<a id='r66'></a><a href='#f66' class='c008'><sup>[66]</sup></a>?” though it would +still be more proper, if they had said, +“Better thieve than grieve<a id='r67'></a><a href='#f67' class='c008'><sup>[67]</sup></a>.” This +I observe, that in case the king, your +worship’s father-in-law, should not +prevail upon himself to give you the +infanta his daughter, you may, as +your worship says, steal and convey +her off by main force; but the misfortune +is, that while the peace is on +the anvil, and before you come to +the peaceable enjoyment of your kingdom, +the poor squire may chew his +cud in expectation of his recompense, +unless that confidante damsel, who is +to be his spouse, should make her +escape with the princess, and be content +to join her evil fortune to his, +until such time as Heaven shall ordain +it otherwise; for I believe his +master may very safely give her away +in lawful marriage.’—‘That thou +mayest depend upon,’ said Don Quixote. +‘Since it is so, then,’ answered Sancho, +‘we have nothing to do but recommend +ourselves to God, and let +fortune take its own course.’—‘The +Lord conduct it,’ replied the knight, +‘according to my desires and my necessity; +and small be his grace, who +counts himself base.’—‘A God’s +name be it so,’ said Sancho; ‘for my +own part I am an old Christian, and +therefore fit to be a lord.’—‘Aye, to +be greater than a lord,’ answered Don +Quixote; ‘and even if thou wast not +so well qualified, it would be of no +signification<a id='r68'></a><a href='#f68' class='c008'><sup>[68]</sup></a>, because I being king, +can confer nobility upon thee, without +putting thee to the expence of purchasing, +or of subjecting thyself to +any kind of servitude; for, in creating +thee an earl, behold thou art a gentleman +at once; and let people say +what they will, in good faith, they +must call thee your lordship, if it +should make their hearts ache.’—‘And +do you reckon that I should not know +how to give authority to the portent?’ +said the squire. ‘Patent, thou wouldst +say, and not portent,’ replied the +knight. ‘It may be so,’ answered Sancho; +‘but I insist upon it, that I should +demean myself very decently; for +once in my life-time I was beadle of +a corporation, and the gown became +me so well, that every body said I +had the presence of a warden: then +what shall I be when I am clothed +in a ducal-robe, all glittering with +pearls like a foreign count? Upon +my conscience, I believe people will +come a hundred leagues on purpose +to see me.’—‘You will make a very +good appearance,’ said Don Quixote; +‘but thou must take care to keep thy +beard close shaved; for it is so thick, +matted, and unseemly, that unless +thou hast recourse to the razor, every +second day at least, they will see what +<span class='pageno' id='Page_113'>113</span>thou art a gun-shot off.’—‘What +else have I to do,’ said the squire, +‘but to hire a barber, and keep him +constantly in the house; and if I +find occasion for it, even make him +follow me as a master of the horse follows +one of your grandees.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘How do’st thou know,’ said Don +Quixote, ‘that our grandees are attended +by their masters of horse?’—‘That +you shall be satisfied in,’ answered +the squire: ‘heretofore I was a +whole month at court, where I saw a +very little gentleman, who they told +me was a very great lord, passing to +and fro, and a man following him a +horseback, turning ever and anon as +he turned, as if he had been the nobleman’s +own tail: when I asked why +the man did not overtake the other, +but always kept behind him; they +answered, that he was his master of +horse, and that it was a fashion among +the great, for each to be attended by +an officer of that name. Ever since +that time I have remembered their office +so distinctly, that I believe I shall +never forget it.’—‘I think thou art +much in the right,’ said Don Quixote, +‘in resolving to carry thy barber +along with thee; for customs come +not all together, because they were not +invented all at once; therefore thou +mayest be the first earl that ever went +attended by a shaver; and truly it is +an office of greater confidence to trim +the beard than to saddle the horse.’—‘Leave +that affair of the barber to my +management,’ said Sancho, ‘and be +it your care to make yourself a king, +and me an earl, with all convenient +speed.’—‘That shall be done,’ replied +the knight; who lifting up his +eyes, perceived that which shall be recounted +in the succeeding chapter.</p> + +<h4 id='chap1-3-8' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='eight'>VIII.</abbr> <br> DON QUIXOTE SETS AT LIBERTY<br> A NUMBER OF UNFORTUNATE PEOPLE,<br> WHO, MUCH AGAINST THEIR WILLS,<br> WERE GOING ON A JOURNEY THAT WAS NOT AT ALL TO THEIR LIKING.</h4> +<p class='c004'>Cid Hamet Benengeli, the Arabian +and Manchegan author, recounts +in this solemn, sublime, minute, pleasant, +and fanciful history, that the conversation +between the renowned Don +Quixote, and his squire Sancho Panza, +as related in the foregoing chapter, was +no sooner concluded, than the knight +lifting up his eyes, beheld upon the road +before him about twelve men on foot, +strung together like beads, with a great +iron chain fastened to their necks, and +he perceived shackles upon the arms of +each. They were conducted by two +men on horseback, and the like number +on foot: the horsemen armed with firelocks, +and the foot with javelins and +swords. Sancho seeing them advance, +‘That,’ said he, ‘is the chain of slaves +compelled by the king to work in the +gallies.’—‘How, compelled!’ cried +the knight; ‘is it possible the king compels +people into his service?’—‘I don’t +say so,’ answered Sancho; ‘those +people are condemned for their crimes +to serve in the king’s gallies on compulsion.’—‘In +short,’ replied Don Quixote, +‘be that as it will, they go not voluntarily, +but are driven by force.’—‘Certainly,’ +said Sancho. ‘Since that +is the case,’ resumed his master, ‘here +the execution of my office is concerned, +to annul force, and bring succour +to the miserable.’—‘Pray, good your +worship, take notice that justice, +which is the king himself, never uses +violence nor severity to such people, +except as a punishment for their crimes.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>By this time the chain of galley-slaves +being come up, Don Quixote, with much +courtesy, desired the guards would be +pleased to inform him of the cause or +causes for which those people were treated +in that manner: one of the horsemen +replied, that they were slaves belonging +to his majesty going to the gallies, and +that was all he could say, or the enquirer +had occasion to know of the matter. +‘Nevertheless,’ resumed the knight, ‘I +am desirous of knowing from each in +particular the occasion of his misfortune.’ +To these be added other such +courteous entreaties to induce them to +satisfy his desire, that the other man on +horseback said, ‘Though we have got +along with us the register and certificate +of the sentence of each of those +malefactors, we have no time at present +to take it out and give you the +reading of it; but if you have a mind +to go and question themselves, they +will answer every thing you ask, to +the best of their knowledge; for they +are a set of miscreants, who delight in +<span class='pageno' id='Page_114'>114</span>recounting as well as in acting their +roguery.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>With this permission, which he would +have taken if they had not granted it, +Don Quixote approached the chain and +asked of the foremost, for what offence +he travelled in that equipage. ‘Only +for being in love,’ answered the criminal. +‘For that only!’ replied the +knight. ‘If they condemn people +for being in love, I might have been +tugging in the gallies long ago.’—‘But +my love,’ answered the slave, +‘was quite different from what your +worship imagines. I fell deeply in love +with a basket crammed full of white +linen, and locked it so fast in my embrace, +that if justice had not tore it +from my arms by force, I should not +have quitted it willingly to this good +hour: the thing being flagrant, there +was no room for putting me to the +torture, and therefore the cause was +soon discussed; my shoulders were accommodated +with a cool hundred, I +was advised to divert myself three +years in the gurapas, and so the business +ended.’—‘Pray what are the gurapas?’ +said Don Quixote. ‘The gurapas +are the gallies,’ answered the +thief; who was a young fellow, about +twenty years of age, and said he was a +native of Piedrahita.</p> + +<p class='c005'>The knight put the same question to +the second, who seemed so overwhelmed +with grief and melancholy, that he could +not answer one word; but the first saved +him the trouble, by saying, ‘This man, +Sir, goes to the gallies for being a +canary bird; I mean, for his skill in +vocal musick.’—‘What!’ said the +knight, ‘are people sentenced to the +gallies for their skill in musick.’—‘Yes, +Sir,’ answered the other, ‘for +nothing is worse than to sing in the +heart-ache.’—‘On the contrary,’ said +Don Quixote, ‘I have always heard it +observed, that musick and play will +fright sorrow away.’—‘But here,’ replied +the slave, ‘the case is quite different; +for he that sings but once will +have cause to weep for ever.’ Don +Quixote saying he could not comprehend +his meaning, one of the guards explained +it. ‘Sir,’ said he, ‘to sing in the +heart-ache, is a term used by these miscreants +to express a criminal who confesses +under the torture; and it hath +been applied to that delinquent, he +owned his crime, which was horse-stealing; +accordingly, having received +two hundred lashes he was condemned +for six years to the gallies, and he +appears always pensive and sad, because +his brother-rogues who keep him +company, continually maltreat, upbraid, +despise, and scoff at him, for +having confessed out of pure pusillanimity. +“For,” say they, “No contains +as many letters as Ay: an offender +is very lucky, when his life or +death depends upon his own tongue, +and not upon the evidence of witnesses;” +and truly I think they are not +far mistaken.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘I am of the same opinion,’ said +Don Quixote; and passing on, repeated +his former question to the third, who, +with great readiness and alacrity, answered, +‘I am going to pay a visit of +five years to Lady Gurapa, for having +wanted ten ducats.’—‘I will give +twenty with all my soul,’ replied the +knight, ‘to ease you of your misfortune.’—‘That,’ +resumed the slave, +‘is like giving money to a man perishing +with hunger at sea, where there +is no food to be bought. I say this, +because had I been master in time of +those twenty ducats your worship now +offers, I would have anointed the secretary’s +pen, and quickened my lawyer’s +invention with them, to so good +purpose, that I should be now standing +at liberty in the square of Zocodover +in Toledo, and not dragging +like a hound to the gallies; but Heaven +is above—Patience and—that is +enough.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Don Quixote then advanced to the +fourth, who was a man of a venerable +aspect, with a long white beard hanging +down to his girdle; and he no sooner +heard the knight ask the cause of his +being in that situation, than he began +to weep bitterly, without answering one +word; but the fifth criminal lent him +his tongue, saying, ‘That honourable +gentleman is going to the gallies for +four years, after having made his +publick appearance on horseback with +great solemnity.’—‘That is, I suppose,’ +said Sancho, ‘after having been +exposed to publick shame<a id='r69'></a><a href='#f69' class='c008'><sup>[69]</sup></a>.’—‘Even +<span class='pageno' id='Page_115'>115</span>so,’ replied the slave, ‘and that punishment +was inflicted upon him for +being an ear-broker, or rather a broker +for the whole body: to be plain +with you, the gentleman was convicted +of pimping, and giving himself +out for a conjurer.’—‘Were it not +for the addition of his conjuring +scheme,’ said Don Quixote, ‘he is so +far from deserving to row in the gallies +for pure pimping, that it rather +intitles him to the command of them<a id='r70'></a><a href='#f70' class='c008'><sup>[70]</sup></a>, +as general in chief; for if the office of +a pander was well regulated, it would +be a most honourable and necessary +employment in a well-ordered commonwealth, +reserved for people of birth +and talents, and like the other places +of trust, laid under the inspection of +proper comptrollers, and limited to a +certain number, like the brokers of +merchandize: such a regulation would +prevent many mischiefs, which are now +occasioned by that employment’s being +in the hands of idiots or simple +wretches, such as silly women, pages, +and buffoons, without either age or +experience; who, upon the most urgent +occasions, when there is need of +the most important contrivance, let +the morsel freeze between the dish and +the mouth, and can scarce distinguish +betwixt their right-hands and their +left. I could proceed and advance +many arguments to prove how advantageous +it would be in a commonwealth +to make proper distinctions in +the choice of those who exercise such a +necessary employment; but this is no +place to settle that affair in; and one +day I may chance to recommend it to +the consideration of those who can +both discern and provide a suitable remedy +for this defect. I shall only at +present observe, that the compassion +I feel at sight of these grey hairs, +and that venerable countenance in +distress for having been a pander, is +extinguished by the additional crime +of sorcery; though I am well apprized +there are no conjurers in the world, +who can force or alter the will, as +some weak minded people imagine: +for the inclination is free, and not to +be enslaved by any incantation whatsoever. +The practice of some simple +women, and knavish impostors, is to +compose poisonous mixtures, to deprive +people of their senses, under pretence of +causing them to be beloved; it being +a thing impossible, as I have said, to +compel the will.’—‘What your honour +says is very true,’ replied the +good old man; ‘and really, Sir, as to +the affair of conjuring, I am not guilty; +though I cannot deny that I have +been a pimp; but I never thought I +was to blame in that capacity, because +my whole intention was, that all the +world should enjoy themselves, and +live in peace and quiet without quarrels +and anxiety. Yet the uprightness +of my intention was of no service +in preventing my being sent to a place +from which I shall never return, oppressed +as I am with years and a violent +strangury, that will not allow +me a moment’s rest.’ So saying, he +began to weep again, as before; and his +tears raised the pity of Sancho to such a +degree, that he took a rial out of his +bosom, and gave it in charity to the distressed +senior.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Then Don Quixote addressed himself +to the next, who answered his question, +not with less, but infinitely more vivacity +than that of the former; saying, +‘I trudge in this manner, for having +jested a little extravagantly with two +of my female cousins, and with two +more, who, though not related to me, +were in the same degree of blood to +each other: in short, I jested with +them so long, that in the end there +was such an intricate increase of kindred +as no casuist could unravel. +Every thing was proved against me, +I had neither interest nor money, and +ran some risk of having my windpipe +stopped; but they only condemned +me for six years to the gallies; I submitted +to the sentence, as the punishment +of my crime: youth is on my side, +life may be long, and time brings +every thing to bear; if your worship, +Sir knight, will part with any small +matter for the comfort of poor wretches +like us, God will requite you in heaven, +and we upon earth will take +care to petition him for long life and +health to your worship, that you may +be as happy as by your goodly appearance +you deserve to be.’ The person +who spoke in this manner appeared in +<span class='pageno' id='Page_116'>116</span>the dress of a student, and one of the +guards said he was a great orator and +excellent Latin scholar.</p> + +<p class='c005'>After all these came a man of a good +mien, about thirty years of age, who +squinted so horribly, that his eyes seemed +to look at each other: he was equipped +in a very different manner from the +rest; his foot being loaded with a huge +chain that went round his whole body, +and his neck adorned with two iron +rings, to one of which the chain was +fastened; and the other was called a +keep-friend, or friend’s-foot; from +which descended to his middle a couple +of iron bolts fitted with a pair of manacles +for his arms, secured by a large +padlock, in such a fashion, as to hinder +him from lifting up his hands to +his mouth, and to disable him from +bending his head to his hands. Don +Quixote enquiring why that man was +more fettered than all the rest, one of +the guard answered, ‘Because he is a +greater rogue than all the rest put together, +and so daring a villain, that +although he is shackled in that manner, +we are under some apprehension +that he will give us the slip.’—‘What +crime has he committed,’ said the +knight, ‘that deserves no greater punishment +than that of going to the +gallies?’—‘He goes for ten years,’ +replied the guard, ‘which is a kind of +civil death; but you need not enquire +any farther, when you know that this +honest gentleman is the famous Gines +de Passamonte, alias Genisello de Parapilla.’—‘Softly, +Mr. Commissary,’ +said the slave, hearing these words, +‘don’t transmography names and sir-names +in that manner. Gines is my +name, and not Ginesello, and Passamonte +the title of my family; not +Parapilla, as your worship says: let +every body turn about and look at +home, and he will have business +enough.’—‘Speak with less insolence, +Mr. Thief above sterling,’ replied the +commissary, ‘or else I shall make you +hold your peace with a vengeance.’—‘It +appears by this oppression,’ answered +the galley-slave, ‘that God’s will +must be done; but one day somebody +shall know whether or not my name +is Ginesello de Parapilla.’—‘An’t +you called so, you lying vagabond?’ +said the guard. ‘Yes, yes, I am so +called,’ answered Gines; ‘but I will +make them change that name, or their +skins shall pay for it, if ever I meet +them in a place I don’t chuse at present +to name.—Sir knight, if you have +any thing to bestow, pray let us have +it, and the Lord be with you, for you +only tire us with enquiring about +other people’s affairs; if you want to +be informed of my history, know, I +am that Gines de Passamonte, whose +life is written by these ten fingers.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘He tells nothing but the truth,’ +said the commissary; ‘for he has actually +written his own history, as well +as could be desired, and pawned the +manuscript in gaol for two hundred +rials.’—‘Aye, and I shall redeem it,’ +said Gines, ‘if it were for as many ducats.’—‘What! +is it so entertaining?’ +said Don Quixote. ‘Yes,’ answered +Gines, ‘it is so entertaining, +that woe be unto Lazarillo de Tormes, +and all who have written or shall +write in that manner. What I can +affirm of mine is, that it contains +truths, and such ingenious and savoury +truths, as no fiction can equal.’—‘And +what is the title of your +book?’ said the knight. ‘The Life +of Gines de Passamonte,’ replied the +other. ‘Is it finished?’ said Don Quixote. +‘How can it be finished,’ answered +the author, ‘when my natural life is +not yet concluded? I have already +written my whole history from my +birth till the last time I was sent to +the gallies.’—‘You have visited them +before now then?’ said the knight. +‘For the service of God, and the good +of my country, I have already served +in them, during the space of four +years, and know the difference between +the biscuit and the bull’s pizzle,’ +answered the thief; ‘and my journey to +them now gives me no great pain, for +there I shall have time to finish my +book, and set down a great many +things I have to say: there being spare +time enough in the gallies of Spain +for that purpose, which does not require +much leisure, as I have every +circumstance by heart.’—‘You seem +to be an ingenious fellow,’ said Don +Quixote. ‘And unfortunate,’ answered +Gines; ‘for genius is always attended +by evil fortune.’—‘Evil fortune +ought to attend villains like you,’ +said the guard. ‘I have already desired +you, Mr. Commissary, to proceed fair +and softly,’ answered Passamonte; +‘your superiors did not give you that +<span class='pageno' id='Page_117'>117</span>rod to maltreat us poor wretches, but +to conduct and carry us to the place +of our destination, according to his +majesty’s command: and by the life +of—but ’tis no matter. The spots we +received in the inn, may one day be +rubbed out in washing. Mum’s the +word. Let us live while we can, +speak while we may, and at present +pursue our journey; for this joke has +already lasted too long.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>The commissary lifted up his rod, in +order to give a proper reply to the +threats of Passamonte; but Don Quixote +interposing, begged he would not +chastise him; because it was not to be +wondered at, if one whose limbs were +so shackled, should take such liberties +with his tongue: then addressing himself +to the prisoners, ‘From all that you +have told me, dear brethren,’ said he, +‘I clearly perceive, that although you +ought to be chastised for your crimes, +the punishment you are going to suffer +is not much to your liking; on +the contrary, you make this journey +very much against your inclination; +and perhaps, the pusillanimity of one +of you under the torture, this man’s +want of money, and that others +scarcity of friends, and last of all, +the partiality of the judge, may have +been the cause of your perdition, in +depriving you of that justice your several +cases entitled you to. Which +consideration now operates within me, +suggesting, persuading, and even compelling +me to shew in your behalf, +the end and aim for which Heaven +sent me into this world, and made me +profess the order of knight-errantry, +by which I am bound by oath, to +succour the needy and oppressed; but +because I know, that one maxim of +prudence is, not to do that by foul +means which can be accomplished by +fair, I beseech Mr. Commissary and +the guards to unchain and let you depart +in peace. The king will not want +people to serve him on better occasions; +and I think it is very hard to +enslave those whom God and nature +have made free. Besides, gentlemen +soldiers,’ added the knight, ‘those poor +people have committed no offence +against you: and every body hath +sins to answer for. There is a God +in heaven, who will take care to chastise +the wicked and reward the righteous: +and it is not seemly, that honest +men should be the executioners +of their fellow-creatures, on account +of matters with which they have no +concern. This favour I entreat in a +mild and peaceable manner; and if +you grant my request, will thank you +heartily: whereas, if you refuse to +do quietly what I desire, this lance +and sword, with the valour of my invincible +arm, shall make you do it +on compulsion.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘A fine joke, truly!’ replied the +commissary; ‘he has brought his harangue +to a very merry conclusion; +desiring us to set at liberty the king’s +prisoners, as if we had authority to +grant, or he to demand, their discharge. +I wish your worship would +go about your business, and set to +rights that bason on your skull, without +going in quest of a cat with three +feet.’—‘You are a cat, and a rat, and +a scoundrel to boot!’ replied the +knight, attacking him with such wonderful +dispatch, that he had not time to +put himself in a posture of defence, so +was thrown from his horse, dangerously +wounded by a thrust of the knight’s +lance. And it happened luckily that +this was one of the two who had firelocks. +The rest of the guard were at +first astonished and confounded at this +unexpected assault; but they soon recollected +themselves, and the horsemen +drawing their swords, while those on +foot handled their javelins, set upon +Don Quixote in their turn, who waited +for them with vast composure; and +doubtless he would have fared ill, if +the galley-slaves, seeing a fair occasion +offered of gaining their liberty, had +not made shift to obtain it, by breaking +the chain with which they were fettered. +Such was the confusion, that the +guards, between their endeavours to detain +the slaves that were unbound, and +their efforts against Don Quixote who +assaulted them, could do nothing at all +effectual. Sancho, for his part, assisted +in disengaging Gines de Passamonte, +who being the first that leaped free and +disencumbered on the plain, attacked +the wounded commissary, and robbed +him of his sword and musket, with +which pointing at one, and taking +aim at another, without firing, however, +in a trice there was not one of the guards +to be seen; for they made the best of +their way, not only from Passamonte’s +firelock, but also from the shower of +<span class='pageno' id='Page_118'>118</span>stones which was rained upon them by +the rest of the slaves, who had by this +time disengaged themselves.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Sancho was infinitely grieved at this +event, representing to himself, that those +who fled would instantly give notice of +the affair to the holy brotherhood, which, +upon the tolling of a bell, would immediately +sally forth in search of the +delinquents. This supposition he suggested +to his master, whom he entreated +to depart forthwith, and conceal himself +somewhere in the neighbouring +mountain. ‘That may be a very good +expedient,’ said the knight; ‘but I +know what is proper for me to do at +present.’ He then called to the slaves, +who were all in confusion, and after +they had plundered and stripped the +commissary to the skin, they assembled +round him in a circle in order to receive +his commands, and he accosted them in +this manner: ‘It is the duty of honest +men to be thankful for benefits received: +and one of the sins that gives +the greatest offence to God, is ingratitude. +This truth I observe, gentlemen, +because you must be sensible, by +manifest experience, of that which you +have received from me; as an acknowledgment +for which, it is my will and +pleasure, that you set out immediately, +loaded with that chain from which +I have delivered your neck, and repairing +to the city of Toboso; there +present yourselves before the lady +Dulcinea del Toboso, and tell her that +her Knight of the Rueful Countenance +hath sent you to her, with his hearty +commendations. You shall also punctually +recount to her every circumstance +of this famous adventure, even +to the granting you that liberty you +so ardently wished for: and this duty +being performed, you may go a God’s +name whithersoever ye list.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>To this command Gines de Passamonte, +in the name of all the rest, answered, +‘What your worship commands, +most worthy deliverer, is of +all impossibilities the most impossible +to fulfil. For we must by no means +travel in a body, but single and divided, +and each by himself endeavour +to abscond within the bowels of the +earth, in order to avoid the holy brotherhood, +which will doubtless come +out in search of us. But your worship +may, and it is but justice you +should, change that service and tribute +intended for my lady Dulcinea +del Toboso, into a certain number of +Ave maria’s and Credo’s, which we +will say for your prosperity; and this +is a duty we can fulfil by night as well +as by day, in motion and at rest, and +in peace as well as in war: but to +suppose that we will now return to +the flesh-pots of Egypt, I mean, to +the carriage of our chain, and take +the road to Toboso, is to suppose that +it is now midnight, though it wants +little more than two hours of noon; +and indeed, to expect this condescension +of us, is like expecting pears +from an elm.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Then, by heavens!’ said Don Quixote +in a rage, ‘Don Son of a Whore, +Don Ginesello de Parapilla, or whatsoever +is thy name, you shall go alone, +with your tail between your legs, and +carry the whole chain upon your own +shoulders.’ Passamonte, who was none +of the most passive people in the world, +having already smoaked the knight’s +weak side, from the mad action he had +committed in giving them their freedom, +and finding himself treated by him in +this haughty manner, tipped the wink +to his companions; who retiring with +him at a little distance, began to shower +forth such a number of stones upon their +deliverer, that he could not contrive how +to cover himself with his shield; and +poor Rozinante minded the spur no more +than if he had been made of brass. Sancho +retired behind his ass, which sheltered +him from the storm of hail that +descended on them both; but his master +could not screen himself so well, as +to avoid an infinite number of pebble-shot +which took place upon different +parts of his body, some of them with +such force, that he came tumbling to +the ground; and no sooner was he +fallen, than the student set upon him, +and snatching the bason from his head, +made a most furious application of it to +the knight’s shoulders, and then dashed +it upon the ground with such force, that +it went into a thousand pieces. They +likewise stripped him of a jacket<a id='r71'></a><a href='#f71' class='c008'><sup>[71]</sup></a> he +<span class='pageno' id='Page_119'>119</span>wore above his armour; and would +even have taken his hose, had not his +greaves been in the way: they plundered +Sancho of his great coat, leaving +him in his doublet and hose; and dividing +the spoils of the battle among +them, each took his own separate route, +more anxious to escape the holy brotherhood, +which they dreaded, than to +load themselves with the chain again, +and go to present themselves before the +Lady Dulcinea del Toboso.</p> + +<p class='c005'>The ass and Rozinante, Sancho and +Don Quixote, were the only persons +remaining on the field. Dapple, with +his head hanging down in a pensive attitude, +and every now and then shaking +his ears, as if he imagined the hurricane +of stones that whizzed about +them was not yet over; Rozinante lying +stretched upon the ground, to which, +like his master, he was humbled by a +pebble: Sancho, in his doublet, terrified +at the thoughts of the holy brotherhood; +and Don Quixote excessively +out of humour, at seeing himself so ill +requited by those people whom he had +served in such an essential manner.</p> + +<h4 id='chap1-3-9' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='nine'>IX.</abbr> <br> OF WHAT BEFEL THE RENOWNED DON QUIXOTE IN THE BROWN MOUNTAIN;<br> BEING ONE OF THE MOST SURPRIZING ADVENTURES<br>WHICH IS RECOUNTED IN THIS TRUE HISTORY.</h4> +<p class='c004'>Don Quixote, finding himself so +evil entreated, said to his squire, +‘I have always heard it observed, Sancho, +that benefits conferred on base-minded +people are like drops of water +thrown into the sea. Had I taken thy +advice, I might have avoided this vexation: +but, now the affair is over, +we must have recourse to patience, +and take warning for the future.’—‘Yes,’ +replied Sancho, ‘your worship +will take warning as sure as I am a +Turk; but, since you allow, that if +you had taken my advice, you would +have avoided this misfortune, take +my advice now, and you avoid a +greater still! for I give you notice, +that all your errantry will stand you +in little stead against the holy brotherhood, +who don’t value all the +knights-errant in the universe three +farthings: and, in faith, this minute +methinks I hear their arrows buzzing +about my ears.’—‘Thou art naturally +a coward, Sancho,’ said the +knight; ‘but that thou mayest have no +reason to say I am obstinate, and never +follow thy counsel, for once thou +shalt prevail; I will retreat from the +danger thou dreadest so much; but +it shall be on condition, that thou +shalt never, either in life or death, +hint to any person whatsoever, that I +retired and avoided this peril through +fear, but merely in compliance with +thy earned request; for to say otherwise +would be to propagate falsehood; +and from this hour to that, and +from that hour to this, I give thee +the lye, and affirm thou lyest, and wilt +lye as often as thou shalt say or think +any such thing: make no reply, therefore; +the very thought of my being +supposed to abscond, or retreat from +danger, especially from this, as it implies +some sort of shadow of fear, inspires +me with such courage, that +here am I alone, ready to remain, and +expect not only the holy brotherhood, +which thou hast mentioned with fear +and trembling, but also the brothers +of the twelve tribes of Israel, those of +the seven Maccabees, with Castor and +Pollux, and all the brethren and brotherhoods +in the universe.’—‘Sir,’ +replied Sancho, ‘to retreat is not to +fly; nor is it prudent to tarry when +the danger overbalances the hope, and +it is always the practice of wise people, +to reserve something for to-morrow, +without venturing all upon one +cast; and you must know, that though +I be a rustick and a clown, I have +all my life-time had a small share of +what is called good conduct; wherefore +you need not repent of having +taken my advice, but mount Rozinante, +if you can; if not, I will lend +you my assistance, and follow me; +for this noddle of mine tells me, that, +at present, we have more need of heels +than of hands.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Don Quixote accordingly mounted, +without the least reply; and Sancho leading +the way upon his ass, they took refuge +in that part of the brown mountain +which was nearest, the squire intending +to go quite across to Viso or +Almodavar del Campo, after they should +have lurked for some days amongst the +rocks, that they might not be found, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_120'>120</span>in case the holy brotherhood should +come in search of them: he was encouraged +to this resolution, by seeing, that +in the scuffle with the galley slaves, +the provisions his ass carried had escaped +untouched<a id='r72'></a><a href='#f72' class='c008'><sup>[72]</sup></a>; a circumstance that, in his +opinion, amounted to a miracle, considering +what the thieves had taken, and +how narrowly they had searched.</p> + +<p class='c005'>That evening they arrived in the very +heart of the Sierra Morena<a id='r73'></a><a href='#f73' class='c008'><sup>[73]</sup></a>, where +Sancho proposed to spend the night, +and even to pass a few days, at least to +stay as long as their store should last: +accordingly they took up their lodging +between two rocks in the midst of a +great number of cork-trees; but fate, +which, according to the opinion of +those who do not enjoy the light of the +true faith, guides, conducts, and disposes +all things after its own way, ordained +that Gines de Passamonte, that +famous robber and cheat, who had been +delivered from the chain by the valour +and madness of Don Quixote; I say, +fate ordained that he, impelled by the +fear of the holy brotherhood, which he +did not dread without good reason happened +likewise to take refuge in those +mountains; and even to be carried by +this fear to the same place whither the +same principle had directed Don Quixote +and Sancho Panza, just time enough +to know who they were, notwithstanding +their being gone to sleep. As the +wicked are always ungrateful, and necessity +puts them to their shifts, and the +present convenience overcomes the prospect +of future quiet; Gines, who was +neither grateful nor good-natured, resolved +to steal Sancho’s ass, undervaluing +Rozinante, as a subject that he +could neither pawn nor sell: accordingly, +while the squire was asleep, he +stole Dapple; and, before morning, was +gone far enough to elude all pursuit.</p> + +<div id='plate11' class='figcenter id002'> +<img src='images/plate-xi.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +<div class='ic002'> +<p>Plate XI: Sancho’s Ass Stolen As They Sleep.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<p class='c005'>The appearance of Aurora that rejoices +the earth, had a quite contrary +effect upon Sancho Panza; who, missing +his Dapple, and searching for him +in vain, began to utter the most woeful +lamentation that ever was heard; and +Don Quixote, waked by the noise, heard +him exclaiming in this manner: ‘O +son of my bowels! born in my house, +the play fellow of my children, the +delight of my spouse, the envy of my +neighbours, and comforter of my +cares! in short, the half of my sustenance: +for with six and twenty maravedis, +which thou hast daily earned, +did I defray one half of my family-expence!’ +Don Quixote hearing this +complaint, and being informed of the +cause, consoled Sancho with all the +arguments in his power; and, begging +him to have patience, promised to give +him a bill of exchange, on sight of +which he should receive three asses out +of five, which the knight had left at +home. Sancho being comforted with +this declaration, dried up his tears, moderated +his sighs, and returned a thousand +thanks to Don Quixote for his generosity. +As they sauntered among the +rocks, the knight’s heart was rejoiced +to see places so well adapted to those +adventures he was in quest of; for they +recalled to his remembrance those wonderful +events which had happened to +knights-errant among such rocks and +solitudes: he went on, musing on these +subjects, and indeed so wrapped up and +engrossed by them, that he minded nothing +else; while Sancho’s only care, +now that he thought he travelled in safety, +was to satisfy his appetite with what +remained of the spoils of the clergy; +he therefore jogged on leisurely after his +master, sitting side-ways on his ass<a id='r74'></a><a href='#f74' class='c008'><sup>[74]</sup></a>, +and replenishing his own bags out of +that which contained the provision; and +while he was thus employed, would +not have given a farthing for the best +adventure that could happen.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Chancing, however, to lift up his +eyes, he perceived his master had stopped, +and was endeavouring, with the +point of his lance to raise some bundle +that lay upon the ground; he therefore +hastened up to him, in order to lend his +assistance, should it be found necessary; +and arrived just as the knight had turned +up with his lance, a pillion with a +<span class='pageno' id='Page_121'>121</span>portmanteau fixed to it, all rotted and +consumed by the weather; but so heavy, +that Sancho was obliged to alight, in +order to take them up. His master having +ordered him to examine the contents +of the portmanteau, he obeyed with great +alacrity, and though it was shut with a +chain and padlock, there were so many +holes in it, that he soon reached the inside, +where he found four shirts of fine +holland, with other provision of linen, +equally fashionable and clean, together +with a pretty large heap of crowns of +gold, wrapped up in a rag; which he no +sooner perceived, than he cried in a rapture, +‘Blessed be Heaven for granting +us one advantageous adventure!’ then +continuing his search, he found a +pocket-book richly garnished, which +Don Quixote desired to have, bidding +him keep the money for his own use. +Sancho kissed his hand for the favour, +and taking the linen out of the portmanteau, +crammed it into the bag that +held their provision.</p> + +<p class='c005'>The knight having considered the +whole affair, ‘Sancho,’ said he, ‘I am +of opinion, and I cannot possibly be +mistaken, that some bewildered traveller, +in his passage over these mountains, +has been set upon by robbers, +who having slain him, must have +dragged his body to be buried in this +unfrequented place.’—‘That cannot +be the case,’ answered the squire; ‘for +if they had been robbers, they would +not have left the money behind them.’—‘Thou +art in the right,’ said Don +Quixote; ‘and I cannot guess nor conceive +what the matter can have been. +Let us see if there be any thing written +in this pocket-book, by which we +may trace out and come to the certainty +of what we want to know.’ He +opened it accordingly, and the first +thing he found was the rough draught, +though very legible, of a sonnet, which +he read aloud for the benefit of Sancho, +in these words.</p> +<div class='lg-container-b c015'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><abbr title='one'>I.</abbr></div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Love either cruel is or blind;</div> + <div class='line in2'>Or still unequal to the cause,</div> + <div class='line'>Is this distemper of the mind,</div> + <div class='line in2'>That with infernal torture gnaws.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><abbr title='two'>II.</abbr></div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>But Love’s a god, and cruelty</div> + <div class='line in2'>In heavenly breasts can never dwell:</div> + <div class='line'>Then say by what authority,</div> + <div class='line in2'>I’m doom’d to feel the pains of hell?</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><abbr title='three'>III.</abbr></div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Of all my sufferings and my woe,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Is Chloe then the fatal source?</div> + <div class='line'>Sure ill from good can never flow,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Nor so much beauty gild a curse.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><abbr title='four'>IV.</abbr></div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>With hopeless misery weigh’d down,</div> + <div class='line in2'>I’ll seek for quiet in the grave;</div> + <div class='line'>For when the malady’s unknown,</div> + <div class='line in2'>A miracle alone can save.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>‘From such rhyme,’ said Sancho, +‘there is no information to be got, unless +by that Clue we could come to +the bottom of the affair<a id='r75'></a><a href='#f75' class='c008'><sup>[75]</sup></a>.’—‘What +clue dost thou mean?’ said the knight. +‘The Clue your worship mentioned just +now in the sonnet,’ answered the +squire. ‘I mentioned no clue,’ replied +Don Quixote, ‘but Chloe, which is +without doubt the name of the lady +of whom the author of these verses +complains; and really he must have +been a very ingenious poet, or else I +know very little of the art.’—‘Then +your worship understands crambo?’ +said the squire. ‘Better than you imagine,’ +answered the knight, ‘as you +will see when you carry from me a +letter to my mistress Dulcinea del Toboso, +written in verse from top to +bottom; for thou must know, Sancho, +that all, or the greatest part of +the knights-errant who lived in former +ages, were very much addicted to +poetry and musick; these two qualities, +or rather gifts of nature, being +annexed to all errants in love; though +the truth is, their couplets were rather +sprightly than elegant.’—‘I wish +your worship would read on,’ said +Sancho; ‘perhaps you may find something +more to our satisfaction.’ Accordingly +the knight having turned over +the leaf, ‘Here is prose,’ said he; ‘and +seems to be a letter.’ Sancho asking +if it was upon business, his master replied, +‘In the beginning there was nothing +<span class='pageno' id='Page_122'>122</span>but love.’—‘Pray, Sir,’ cried +Sancho, ‘read it aloud; for I am highly +delighted with matters of love.’—‘With +all my heart,’ answered Don +Quixote; who raising his voice, in compliance +with the squire’s request, read +what follows.</p> + +<p class='c016'>‘Thy false promises, together with +the certainty of my misfortune, have +exiled me to a corner of the world, +from whence thou wilt hear an account +of my death, before this my +complaint shall reach thine ears. +Thou hast cast me off, ungrateful as +thou art, in favour of one who, +though he is richer, is not a more deserving +lover than me: for if virtue +were the wealth that is most esteemed, +I should have no cause to envy the happiness +of others, or to bewail my own +mishap. What thy beauty had raised, +thy behaviour has overthrown: by +the first I mistook thee for an angel; +by the last I discovered thee to be a +woman. Mayest thou live in peace, +fair authoress of my misfortunes; +and Heaven grant that the deceit of +thy husband may never be disclosed, +that thou mayest never repent of what +thou hast done, nor I enjoy the revenge +I do not desire!’</p> + +<p class='c013'>Don Quixote having read this letter, +observed that nothing else could be inferred +either from it, or the verses, but +that the author was some despairing +lover. Then perusing the rest of the +book, he found more verses and letters, +some legible, and others not intelligible; +but the substance of them all was composed +of complaints, lamentations, suspicions, +desires, disgusts, favours, and +disdain, some of which were extolled, +and others deplored. While Don Quixote +examined the book, Sancho rummaged +the portmanteau, without leaving +a corner in that of the pillion which he +did not search, pry into, and overhaul; +no seam was left unripped, no lock of +wool unpicked, that nothing might be +lost through negligence and want of +care; so much was his cupidity awakened, +by finding the money, which amounted +to more than a hundred +crowns; and though he reaped no other +fruit from his industry, he thought himself +abundantly requited for his capers +in the blanket, his vomit of the balsam, +the benediction of the pack-staves, +the fisty-cuffs of the carrier, the loss of +his bags, the robbery of his great coat, +with all the hunger, thirst, and fatigue +he had undergone in the service of his +worthy master, who had made him +more than amends by his generous present +of this windfall.</p> + +<p class='c005'>The knight of the rueful countenance +was impatient to know the owner +of the portmanteau; conjecturing by +the sonnet, the letter, the gold, and the +fine linen, that he must be some lover of +quality, whom the disdain and barbarity +of his mistress had driven to some desperate +end: but, as in that uninhabited +and rocky place, there was nobody who +could give him the information he wanted, +he resolved to penetrate still farther +into the mountain, without taking any +other road than what Rozinante should +chuse for his own conveniency, still confident +of meeting with some strange adventure +among these briars and brambles.</p> + +<p class='c005'>As he went on, entertaining himself +with these reflections, he perceived upon +the top of a hill right before him, a man +skipping from bush to bush, and rock +to rock, with wonderful agility; his +body seemed naked, his beard black and +bushy, his hair long and matted, his feet +unshod, his legs bare, and his thighs +covered with breeches, which to all appearance +were of crimson, but so ragged, +that his skin appeared through many +different holes, while his head was +without any sort of covering. Notwithstanding +the nimbleness with which +he passed, all these minute circumstances +were seen and remarked by the knight +of the rueful countenance, who in vain +attempted to follow him; those rough +roads being quite unpassable by the +feeble Rozinante, who was naturally +phlegmatick and tender-footed. However, +Don Quixote concluded that this +must be the owner of the pillion and +portmanteau, and determined within +himself to find him out, although he +should travel a whole year through the +mountains for that very purpose. With +this view he ordered Sancho to alight, +and take a short cut over one part of +the mountain, while he should go round +the other; and by this expedient they +might come up with the man who had +so suddenly vanished from their sight. +‘That proposal I can by no means +comply with,’ answered the squire; +‘for if I stir but an inch from your +worship, fear instantly lays hold on +<span class='pageno' id='Page_123'>123</span>me, and assaults me in a thousand +horrid shapes and visions; and let this +serve to apprize you, that henceforward, +I will not budge a finger’s +breadth from your presence.’—‘Be +it so,’ said he of the rueful countenance; +‘and I am very glad that thou +canst avail thyself of my courage, +which shall never fail thee, even if +thy soul should fail thy body; follow +me, therefore, step by step, or at +thy own leisure; and use thine eyes +like two spy glasses; we will take +a compass round this little mountain, +and perhaps we may meet again with +that man, who is certainly no other +than the owner of what we found.’ +To this observation Sancho replied, +‘Methinks we may save ourselves that +trouble; for if, upon finding him, +he should prove to be the owner of +the money, I must of course make +restitution; therefore we had better +spare all this fruitless search; and +keep it <i>bona fide</i>, until the true owner +appear of himself, without all this +intricate enquiry: and before that +happens, perhaps I shall have spent +the whole, and then I shall be discharged +by law.’—‘In that notion +thou art mistaken, Sancho,’ resumed +the knight; ‘for as we have already +good grounds to believe he is the +owner, it is our duty to find him +out, and restore what we have taken; +and though we should not find him, +the strong reason we have to believe +that it belongs to him will make us +equally guilty in detaining it, as we +should be if it really did. Wherefore, +friend Sancho, do not give thyself +any uneasiness about the enquiry; +because if we find him, I shall be +freed from a great deal of anxiety.’ +So saying, he put spurs to Rozinante, +and Sancho followed him in his usual +manner. Having surrounded part of +the mountain, they found in a brook +that watered the foot of it, a dead mule +saddled and bridled, and half consumed +by the dogs and crows; another circumstance +which confirmed them in the +opinion, that he who fled from them +was master both of the mule and portmanteau.</p> + +<p class='c005'>While they were looking at this object, +they heard a shepherd’s whistle, +and presently on the left appeared a good +number of goats, and behind them, on +the top of the mountain, they descried +the goatherd, who seemed to be a man +in years. Don Quixote calling aloud, +entreated him to come down; and he, +in the same tone, asked what had brought +them to that place, which was seldom +trodden, except by the feet of goats, +wolves, and other wild beasts that harboured +thereabouts? Sancho bade him +come down, and they would tell him +what had brought them thither; upon +which the goatherd descended, and coming +up to Don Quixote, ‘I will wager,’ +said he, ‘that you are looking at the +hireling mule, which lies dead in that +bottom, where in good sooth it hath +lain full six months. Pray, have you +met with its master?’—‘We have +met with nothing,’ answered the +knight, ‘but a pillion and portmanteau, +which we found not far from +hence.’—‘I have often seen the same +things,’ replied the goatherd, ‘but +would never touch nor go near them, +being afraid of some misfortune, or +of being questioned for theft; for the +devil is very cunning, and raises +blocks under our feet, over which we +stumble, and very often fall, without +knowing how or wherefore.’—‘That +is the very thing I say,’ answered Sancho, +‘though I saw them also, I would +not go within a stone’s throw of them; +there I left them, and there they remain +as they were; for I don’t chuse +to steal a dog with a collar about his +neck<a id='r76'></a><a href='#f76' class='c008'><sup>[76]</sup></a>.’—‘Pr’ythee, honest friend,’ +said Quixote, ‘dost thou know who the +owner of these things is?’—‘All that +I can say of the matter,’ answered +the goatherd, ‘is, that it may be about +six months, more or less, since there +came to our hut, which is about three +leagues from hence, a very genteel +young man of a comely appearance, +riding upon that very mule that now +lies dead, with the same pillion and +portmanteau which you say you found. +He asked what part of the mountain +was the most woody and concealed, +and we told him, that it was this very +spot where we now are; and it is so, +for if you go half a league farther +<span class='pageno' id='Page_124'>124</span>into the mountain, you will perhaps +find it a very difficult matter to return: +and I marvel much how you have got +so far, for there is neither high-road +nor by-path that leads to this place. +But as I was saying, the young man +hearing our reply, turned his mule, +and rode towards the place to which +we had directed him, leaving us all +very much pleased with his appearance, +though not a little surprized at +his question, and the speed with which +we saw him ride back, into the heart +of the mountain: from that time we +saw no more of him, till a few days +after; when he sprung upon one of our +shepherds on the road; and, without +saying why or wherefore, beat and +bruised him unmercifully; after which +he went to the sumpter ass, and carrying +off all the bread and cheese that +was on his back, with surprizing nimbleness, +ran back again to the thicket. +As soon as we understood this particular, +several of us goatherds went in +search of him, through the most wild +and unfrequented part of the mountain, +for the space of two days, at the +end of which we found him lying in +the hollow of a large cork-tree. He +came out to us in a very civil manner, +with his cloaths all torn, and his +face so tanned and disfigured by the +sun, that we should scarce have known +him, had not his cloaths, tattered as +they were, which we had before taken +particular notice of, assured us that he +was the person we went in search of. +He saluted us very courteously, and in +a few words, though very well chosen, +bade us not wonder at seeing him +in that condition; for he was obliged +in that manner to do penance, which +had been enjoined him, on account +of his manifold sins and transgressions. +We earnestly begged to know +who he was; but that he never could +be prevailed upon to tell: we desired +him also, whenever he should have occasion +for food, without which he +could not live, to tell us where we +should find him, and we would bring +it to him with great care and affection; +or if that was not to his liking, we +desired him to ask it civilly, without +taking it by force. He thanked us +kindly for our tenders of service, begged +pardon for the assaults he had +committed, and promised for the future, +to ask it for God’s sake, without +giving offence to any person whatsoever. +With regard to the place of +his habitation, he said, he had no +other than that which chance presented +every night when it grew dark; +and concluded his discourse with such +piteous lamentation, that our hearts +must have been made of flint, if we +could have heard it without shedding +tears, considering the woeful change he +had undergone since we saw him at first: +for as I have already observed, he was a +genteel, comely youth, and by his courteous +and polite discourse, shewed himself +to be a person of good birth and +excellent breeding; and though we who +heard him were only home-bred country +people, the gentility of his carriage +was easily perceived by our +clownish ignorance. In the midst of +this conversation that passed between +him and us, he grew silent all of a +sudden, and nailed, as it were, his +eyes to the ground, for a considerable +space of time, during which we remained +in suspense and no small concern, +to see the effect of this stupefaction; +for by his staring at the ground +for a good while, without moving his +eye-lids, then shutting them close and +biting his lips, and then drawing up +the skin of his forehead, we could +easily perceive that he was seized with +some fit of madness; and he soon confirmed +the truth of our opinion, for +he sprung up with surprizing force +from the ground on which he had +thrown himself, and attacked the +person who was next to him with +such rage and resolution, that if we +had not taken him off, he would have +beaten and bit him to death; crying +aloud all the time, “Ha, treacherous +Fernando! now shalt thou pay for +the injury thou hast done me. These +hands shall tear out thy heart, in +which all kinds of wickedness, particularly +fraud and deceit, are harboured +and dwell!” To these he +added other expressions, tending to reproach +that Fernando with treachery +and baseness. When we had got our +friend out of his clutches, with no +small trouble, he went off without +speaking another word, and ran at +full speed among these shrubs and +brambles, so as that it was impossible +for us to follow him. From these +things we conjectured that his madness +came upon him by fits, and that +<span class='pageno' id='Page_125'>125</span>some person of the name of Fernando +must have done him some deadly +wrong, which hath driven him to +distraction. Indeed, this conjecture +has been since confirmed by his different +behaviour on divers occasions, +when he hath met with our shepherds, +from whom he hath sometimes begged +part of their provision, and at +other times hath taken it by force; +for when the fit of lunacy is upon +him, though they offer it of their own +free will, he will not accept of it +peaceably, without coming to blows; +but when he is in his right senses, he +begs it for God’s sake, in a very +courteous and civil manner, and returns +many thanks for the favour, accompanied +with abundance of tears. +And truly, gentlemen,’ added the goatherd, +‘I and four more country lads, +two of them my own servants, and +the other two friends of mine, yesterday +resolved to go in search of him, +and after having found him, to carry +him, either by force or fair means, to +the city of Almodavar, which is about +eight leagues from hence, and there +have him cured, if he be curable; or +learn of him, when he is in his +senses, who he is, or whether or not +he has any relations to whom we may +give an account of his misfortune. +This, gentlemen, is all I can say, in +answer to the questions you asked; +and you may take it for granted, that +the owner of the goods you found, is +the very same person whom you saw +skip about half-naked, with such agility:’ +for Don Quixote had said that +they had seen a man in that condition, +leaping from rock to rock.</p> + +<p class='c005'>The knight was very much surprized +at this information of the goatherd, +which making him still more impatient +to know who this unfortunate lunatick +was, he determined with himself to put +his former design in execution, and +go in quest of him, through the whole +mountain, without leaving a cave or +corner unsearched until he should find +him. But accident was more his friend +on this occasion than he could either +imagine or expect; for at that instant, +the young man of himself appeared +in the cleft of a rock hard by the +place where they stood; and came towards +them, muttering something to +himself, which they could not have understood +had he been near, much less +as he was at some distance from them. +His equipage was just as it has been +described; but, as he approached, Don +Quixote perceived that his buff doublet, +though torn to rags, still retained the +perfume: from whence he concluded, +that the person who wore such dress, +could not be a man of the lowest rank. +When he came up, he saluted them very +politely, though with a hoarse, mistuned +voice; and the salutation was returned +with no less courtesy by Don Quixote, +who alighting from Rozinante, with +genteel and graceful deportment, went +and embraced the stranger, whom he +strained within his arms a good while, +as if he had been a very old acquaintance. +The other, who might have been +called the tatterdemalion of the distracted, +as Don Quixote was stiled the +knight of the rueful countenance, after +having submitted to this embrace, stepped +back, and laying his hands on the +shoulders of the knight, stood looking +attentively in his face, in order to recollect +him; no less astonished, perhaps, +at the figure, mien, and armour of Don +Quixote, than this last was surprized +at his forlorn appearance. At length, +the first who broke silence after the embrace, +was the ragged youth, who spoke +what you may read in the following +chapter.</p> + +<h4 id='chap1-3-10' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='ten'>X.</abbr> <br> THE CONTINUATION OF THE ADVENTURE IN THE SIERRA MORENA.</h4> +<p class='c004'>The history relates, that Don +Quixote listened with vast attention +to the shabby knight of the mountain, +who began the conversation thus: +‘Assuredly, Signior, though I have not +the honour to know who you are, +I thank you heartily for those expressions +of kindness with which you +treat me; and wish I were in such a +situation as would enable me to repay +this courteous reception with something +more than mere good-will: but my +hapless fortune affords me nothing to +offer in return for the civilities that +are shewn me, except a hearty inclination +to make a more adequate satisfaction.’—‘My +will and desire,’ answered +Don Quixote, ‘to serve you is +so strong, that I was determined not +<span class='pageno' id='Page_126'>126</span>to quit these mountains until I had +found you, and learned of yourself +whether or not the grief you manifest +in this strange course of life, could be +alleviated by any kind of remedy, for +which, had need required, I would +have searched with all possible diligence; +and had your misfortune been +such as shut up all the avenues to advice +and redress, I was resolved to +join your lamentations, and bemoan +your misery to the utmost of my power: +for, in all misfortunes, the greatest +consolation is a sympathizing friend; +and if this my friendly intention deserves +the least return of civility, I +entreat you, Signior, by that courtesy +which I see you so eminently possess, +and moreover conjure you by that +object, which of all others in this life +you have most loved, or are most in +love with, to tell me who you are, +and inform me of the cause that +brings you to live and die in this solitude, +like the brute beasts among +which you dwell, so different from +that rank and situation to which your +appearance and person declare you are +entitled. And I swear by the order +of chivalry which I have received, unworthy +sinner that I am! and by the +profession of a knight-errant, that if +you comply with this my request, I will +serve you with that earnestness which +my duty obliges me to express; either +in remedying your mishap, if it admits +of remedy, or in condoling with +you, as I have already promised.’ +The knight of the wood, hearing him +of the rueful countenance talk in this +manner, could do nothing for some +time but gaze, and stare, and survey +him from head to foot; at length, +having examined him thoroughly, he +said, ‘If you have got any food, for +God’s sake spare me a little; and after +I shall have eaten it, I will do as +you desire, in return for the civility +you now shew me.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Sancho immediately pulled from his +bag, and the goatherd from his scrip, +some victuals to appease the hunger of +the tatterdemalion, who swallowed what +they gave him like a frantick person, +with such hurry, that he left not the +interval of an instant between one mouthful +and another, but seemed to devour +rather than eat, without either speaking +or being spoke to by the spectators. His +repast being ended, he beckoned them +to follow, and conducted them to a +verdant spot of grass, at the turning of +a rock, a little way from the place where +they were; and sitting down on the +green turf, they followed his example; +not a word being spoke all the time, until +the ragged knight, after having adjusted +himself in his seat, began in this +manner. ‘If you desire, gentlemen, +that I should, in a few words, inform +you of the immensity of my misfortunes, +you must give me your promise +that you will not by any question, +or otherwise, interrupt the thread +of my doleful story; for if you should, +that instant I will break off the narration.’ +This warning recalled to the +knight’s memory the story recounted by +his squire, which still remained unfinished, +because he had not kept an exact +account of the goats, as they passed +the river. But, to return to the tattered +knight: ‘I give you this precaution,’ +added he, ‘because I would briefly pass +over the detail of my misfortunes, +the remembrance of which brings +fresh addition to my woe; and the +fewer questions you ask, the sooner +shall I have finished the relation; although, +in order to satisfy your curiosity +to the full, I will not fail to +mention every material circumstance.’ +Don Quixote promised, in behalf of +himself and the company, to avoid all +manner of interruption; and the stranger, +thus assured, began in these words:</p> + +<div id='plate14' class='figcenter id002'> +<img src='images/plate-xiv.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +<div class='ic002'> +<p>Plate XIV: The Tattered Gentleman Tells His Tale.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<p class='c005'>‘My name is Cardenio, the place of +my nativity one of the best cities in +this province of Andalusia, my family +noble, my parents rich, and my misfortunes +so great, that no doubt they +have been lamented by them, and even +felt through my whole kindred, though +all their wealth would not alleviate +my woe; for the goods of fortune are +but of little service against those ills +inflicted by the hand of Heaven. In +the same country lived, shall I call her, +a paradise, which love had adorned +with all the charms I could desire to +possess; such was the beauty of Lucinda, +a young lady as well-born +and rich as I, though more fortunate +and endowed with less constancy than +what was due to my honourable intentions. +This Lucinda did I admire, +love, and adore, even from my most +tender years; and she made me all the +returns of love and inclination that I +could expect from her infant age. +<span class='pageno' id='Page_127'>127</span>Our parents were not ignorant of our +mutual affection, which gave them no +offence, because they foresaw that if +it should increase with our years, it +could have no other issue than marriage; +an union which the equality +of our age and fortune seemed to point +out. Meanwhile, our passion growing +up with our age, Lucinda’s father +thought himself obliged to forbid me +his house, imitating in that particular, +the parents of Thisbe, whom the +poets have celebrated so much. This +prohibition added flame to flame, and +wish to wish, for though our tongues +were restrained, they could not silence +our pens, which commonly express +the sentiments of the heart with more +liberty, because the presence of the +beloved object often confounds the +most determined intention, and puts +to silence the most undaunted tongue.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Good Heaven! what letters did I +write! what chaste endearing answers +did I receive! what songs did I compose, +inspired by love that displayed +the soul unmasked, inflamed each soft +desire, regaled the fancy, and indulged +the wish! in fine, my patience being +exhausted, and my heart almost consumed +with the desire of seeing her, I +resolved to execute the scheme which +seemed most favourable for my love +and pretensions; and this I put in +practice, by demanding her in marriage +of her father, who thanked me +for the honour I intended him, by this +proposal of marrying into his family; +but said, as my own father was alive, +it was properly his business to make +the demand; for, unless his consent +and inclination were obtained, Lucinda +was not a person either to be given +or taken in marriage by stealth. I +thanked him in my turn, for his politeness; +and thinking there was a great +deal of reason in what he said, assured +myself that my father would readily +agree to the proposal whenever I should +make it. I therefore flew instantly to +disclose my sentiments to him on that +subject; and entering the closet where +he was, found him reading a letter, +which, before I could speak a syllable, +he put into my hands saying, “By +this letter, Cardenio, you will see +how much Duke Ricardo is inclined +to do you service.” This Duke Ricardo, +as you must know, gentlemen, +is a grandee of Spain, whose estate lies +in the best part of this province. I +took and read this letter, which was +so extremely kind, that I myself should +have blamed my father, had he refused +to comply with what he requested in +it: this was to send me immediately +to this house, he being desirous that I +should live as the companion, not the +servant, of the eldest son; and he would +take care of my fortune in such a manner +as should manifest the esteem he +had for me. Having read the letter, +I was struck dumb at knowing the +contents; especially when I heard my +father pronounce, “Two days hence, +Cardenio, you shall set out, according +to the pleasure of the duke; and you +ought to thank God for having opened +an avenue, through which you +may arrive at that fortune I know +you deserve.” To this declaration +he added other services, as became a +prudent father; and I, the night before +I departed, finding means to speak +with Lucinda, told her what had happened; +nay, I even imparted it to +her father, entreating him to wait a +few days, without disposing of her to +any other, until I should know in +what manner Ricardo wanted to employ +me. He gave me his promise +accordingly, and she confirmed it by +a thousand vows and anxious sighs.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘I at length arrived at the seat of +Duke Ricardo, by whom I was so +well received and kindly entertained, +that Envy presently began to do her +office, possessing the old servants with +the opinion, that every expression of +favour I received from the duke was +prejudicial to their interest. But he +who was most rejoiced at my residing +there, was the duke’s second son, Fernando, +a gay, genteel, liberal, and +amorous youth, who in a short time +was pleased to honour me with such +intimacy of friendship as became the +subject of every body’s discourse; and +though the eldest brother loved and +favoured me also, he did not carry his +favour and affection to such a pitch. +Now, as all secrets are communicated +between friends, and the confidence +in which I lived with Fernando was +soon changed into friendship, he imparted +to me his most secret thoughts, +and among other things, a love affair +that gave him a good deal of disquiet. +In short, he had an inclination for a +country-maid, who was his father’s +<span class='pageno' id='Page_128'>128</span>vassal; her parents were very rich, +and she herself so beautiful, reserved, +modest and discreet, that nobody who +knew her could determine in which of +these qualifications she most excelled. +These accomplishments of this fair +maiden inflamed the desires of Don +Fernando to such a pitch, that he resolved, +as the easiest conquest over her +virtue, to promise he would marry her; +for he found it impossible to gratify +his wish in any other way. I, prompted +and bound by my friendship, endeavoured +to dissuade and divert him +from his purpose, by the strongest arguments +and most lively examples I +could produce; but finding them all +ineffectual, I resolved to communicate +the whole affair to his father Duke +Ricardo.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Don Fernando, having abundance of +cunning and discernment, suspected +my intention; and was afraid, that +the obligation he saw I was under, +as a faithful servant, would not allow +me to conceal an affair so prejudicial +to the honour of the duke my +master; he therefore, in order to divert +and deceive me, observed that +he could find no better remedy to remove +the beauty that enslaved him +from his remembrance, than that of +absence for a few months; and therefore +desired that we should go to my +father’s house, upon pretence, as he +would tell the duke, of seeing and +purchasing some fine horses in our +town, which produces the best in the +world. Scarce had he uttered this +proposal, when prompted by my love, +exclusive of his prudent intention, I +approved of it, as one of the best concerted +schemes that could be imagined; +and was rejoiced at meeting with +such a fair conjuncture and occasion +of returning to my dear Lucinda. Induced +by this motive and desire, I applauded +his pretence, and enforced his +proposal, advising him to execute his +plan with all speed; for absence would +certainly do its office, in spite of the +most established inclination. At that +very time, as I afterwards understood, +he had enjoyed the country-maid, under +the title of her husband, and waited +for an opportunity of owning it +with safety to himself, being afraid of +the duke’s resentment, in case he should +discover his folly. It happened afterwards, +that as love in young people +is, for the most part, nothing but +appetite, whose only aim is pleasure, +and this being enjoyed, what seemed +love vanishes, because it cannot exceed +the bounds of nature; whereas +real love is bounded by no such limits: +I say, as soon as Don Fernando +enjoyed the country girl, his desires +were appeased, and his raptures abated; +and if at first he pretended to seek +a cure for them in absence, he now +earnestly desired to be absent, that he +might avoid any farther gratification.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘The duke having given him leave, +and ordered me to attend him, we arrived +at our habitation, where he was +received by my father in a manner +suitable to his rank and family. I +went instantly to visit Lucinda, whose +presence in a moment rekindled all +my desires, which indeed were neither +dead nor decayed within me: and, to +my infinite misfortune, I made Don +Fernando acquainted with my love, +because I thought, by the laws of that +intimate friendship with which he honoured +me, I ought to conceal nothing +from him. I therefore praised the beauty, +grace, and discretion of Lucinda, +in such a manner, as excited his curiosity +to see such an accomplished +young lady. Prompted by my evil +genius, I gratified his desire, shewing +her to him one night by the light of +a taper at the window from which I +used to converse with her. At sight +of her he absolutely forgot all the +beauties he had formerly seen; he +was struck dumb with wonder; he +seemed to lose all sense, became absent +and pensive; and in short, enamoured +of her to that degree, which +you will perceive in the course of my +unhappy story: and the more to inflame +his desire, which he concealed +from me, and disclosed to Heaven +alone, he happened one day to find a +letter which she had written, desiring +me to ask her in marriage of her father, +so prudent, modest, and tender, +that upon perusing it, he said, “In +Lucinda alone are concentered all the +charms of beauty and understanding, +which are divided among the rest of +her sex.” True it is, and I will now +confess it, and although I knew how +justly Fernando applauded Lucinda, +I was vexed at hearing these praises +proceed from his mouth, and began +to dread and suspect his inclination; +<span class='pageno' id='Page_129'>129</span>for he was eternally talking of her, +and always turned the discourse upon +her, even when he was obliged to +bring her in by the head and shoulders; +a circumstance that waked a +sort of jealousy within me; not that I +imagined ought could alter the faith +and affection of Lucinda; yet, notwithstanding, +my destiny made me +dread the very thing that confidence +insured. Don Fernando always contrived +means to read the letters I sent +to Lucinda, together with her answers, +on pretence of being highly +pleased with the good sense they contained; +and it once happened, that +she having desired me to send her a +book of knight-errantry, in which +she took great delight, called Amadis +de Gaul——’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Don Quixote no sooner heard him +mention this book, than he said, ‘Had +you told me in the beginning of your +story, that your mistress Lucinda was +an admirer of books of chivalry, you +would have had no occasion to use any +other argument to convince me of +her sublime understanding; which I +should not have deemed quite so extraordinary +as you have represented it, +had she wanted relish for that sort of +reading: wherefore you need not spend +any more words with me, in extolling +her beauty, virtue, and good sense; +for, upon the knowledge of her taste +only, I pronounce her to be the most +beautiful and discreet lady in the universe. +I wish, however, that you had +sent along with Amadis de Gaul, the +worthy Don Rugel of Greece; for I +know your mistress Lucinda would +have been greatly pleased with Darayra +and Garaya, together with the +judicious sayings of the shepherd Darinel, +and those admirable verses of his +eclogues, sung and represented by him +with such grace, spirit, and discretion; +but the time will come when that +omission may be rectified; indeed, the +fault may be repaired as soon as you +shall please to accompany me to the +place of my habitation, where I can +supply you with more than three hundred +books, which are the feast of my +soul, and entertainment of my life; +though now I recollect, not one of +them remains in my possession; thanks +to the malice of wicked and envious +inchanters. But I hope you will +be so good as to forgive me for having +contradicted my promise of not +interrupting your story; for when +the subject turns upon chivalry or +knights-errant, I can no more forbear +interposing, than the rays of the +sun can cease to warm, or those of +the moon to wet: but I ask pardon; +pray proceed with your story; for +that is most to the purpose at present.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>While Don Quixote was talking in +this manner, Cardenio hung his head, +and fell into a profound reverie; and +though the knight repeated his request, +would neither lift up his head, nor answer +one word. At length, after a long +pause, looking up, ‘You cannot,’ said +he, ‘beat it out of my thoughts; nor +is there any person upon earth, who +can persuade me to the contrary; and +he must be a blockhead, who imagines +or believes otherwise, than that +the villain Master Elisabat carried on +a criminal correspondence with Queen +Madasima.’—‘By Heaven, ’tis false,’ +cried Don Quixote, with great indignation +and impetuosity, as usual; ‘that +report is the effect of malice, or rather +mere wantonness. Queen Madasima +was a most royal dame, and it is not +to be presumed, that a princess of her +rank would confer favours upon a +mere quack doctor. Whosoever thinks +otherwise, lyes like a very great scoundrel; +and I will prove him such either +on horseback or a foot, armed or disarmed, +by night or by day, as will most +suit his inclination.’ Cardenio stood +all the while looking attentively at him, +and being by this time seized with the +paroxism of his madness, could not proceed +with his story; neither, if he had +proceeded, would Don Quixote have +listened to it, for he was offended at +what he had heard to the prejudice of +Queen Madasima<a id='r77'></a><a href='#f77' class='c008'><sup>[77]</sup></a>, whose reputation +interested him as much as if she had +been actually his own mistress: such +wonderful impression had those profane +books made on his imagination!</p> + +<p class='c005'>I say, then, Cardenio being by this +time under the influence of his distraction, +and hearing himself called lyar +and scoundrel, with other terms of reproach, +could not relish the joke; but, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_130'>130</span>snatching up a large pebble that lay +near him, aimed it so successfully at +Don Quixote’s breast, that he fell fairly +on his back with the blow. Sancho +Panza, seeing his master treated in this +manner, attacked the madman with his +clenched fist; but the lunatick received +him with such a blow, as knocked him +down to the ground at once, and then +getting upon him, mauled his carcase +to his heart’s content; while the goatherd, +who attempted to defend him, +met with the same fate. Having thus +mastered and pummelled them all round, +he left off, and with great composure +retreated to the thickets from whence he +came. Sancho then arose; and, enraged +to find himself handled in this manner +for nothing, ran to take vengeance +on the goatherd, saying that he was to +blame for the whole, because he had not +informed him, that the man had intervals +of madness; which had they +known, they might have guarded against +them. The goatherd affirmed, that he +had apprized them of what might happen; +and if they had not heard him, +it was no fault of his. The squire replied; +the goatherd retorted; and, in +conclusion, they went by the ears together, +and pulled each other’s beards +with such fury, that there would not +have been a single hair left on either +chin, had not Don Quixote interposed. +Sancho, grappling stoutly with his adversary, +cried, ‘Give me leave, Sir +Knight of the Rueful Countenance; +this is no armed knight, but a plebeian +like myself, of whom I can +securely take satisfaction for the injury +he has done me, by fighting with +him hand to hand, like a man of honour.’—‘True,’ +said Don Quixote; +‘but the cause of what hath happened, +cannot be justly imputed to him.’ +Peace accordingly ensued, and the knight +asked the goatherd again, if there was +a possibility of finding Cardenio; for +he was extremely desirous of hearing +the conclusion of his story. The goatherd +repeated what he had said before, +that he did not certainly know whereabouts +he resided; but, if they should +stay long in these parts, they could not +fail of finding him either mad or sober.</p> + +<h4 id='chap1-3-11' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='eleven'>XI.</abbr> <br> OF THE STRANGE ADVENTURES THAT HAPPENED TO THE VALIANT KNIGHT OF LA MANCHA IN THE SIERRA MORENA, WHERE HE DID PENANCE, IN IMITATION OF BELTENEBROS.</h4> +<p class='c004'>Don Quixote, having taken leave +of the goatherd, and mounted Rozinante +again, commanded Sancho to +follow him; and the squire, bestriding +his ass, obeyed with great reluctance. +As they advanced at leisure, into the +most rocky part of the mountain, Sancho +longed to death for an opportunity of +talking, and waited impatiently till his +master should begin, that he might not +transgress his orders; but, being utterly +unable to keep silence any longer, +‘Sir Don Quixote,’ said he, ‘be pleased +to give me your blessing, and grant +me leave to return immediately to my +wife and children, with whom, at +least, I can talk and prattle my fill; +for in commanding me to travel with +you, through these desarts, night and +day, without opening my lips when +I am disposed to speak, your worship +buries me alive; if it were the will of +Heaven, that beasts spoke as they did +in the days of Hyssop, I should be +the less uneasy, because I would converse +with my ass at pleasure; and +that would be some comfort to me in +my misfortunes; but it is a very +hard case, and what I cannot bear +with patience, to travel in search of adventures +all my life, and find nought +but rib-roastings, blankettings, robberies, +and fisty-cuffs; and, after all, +be obliged to sew up our mouths, +without daring to bring up what lies +upon our stomachs, more than if we +were dumb.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘I understand thee, Sancho,’ replied +the knight; ‘thou art impatient until +I take off the interdiction I have laid +upon thy tongue. I take it off, then; +say what you please, on condition +that this repeal shall last no longer +than our stay in this mountain.’—‘Be +it so,’ said Sancho; ‘to-day I +will speak, to-morrow God’s will be +done; and the first use I make of this +safe conduct, is to ask why your worship +was in such a passion about that +Queen Magimasa, or how d’ye call +her; or of what signification was it +to you, whether that same Abat was +her sweetheart or not? Had your worship +overlooked that circumstance, that +you had no concern in, I firmly believe +the madman would, have gone +<span class='pageno' id='Page_131'>131</span>on with his story, and you would +have saved yourself the pebble-shot, +with more than half a dozen kicks +and cuffs.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘In faith, Sancho,’ answered Don +Quixote, ‘If thou knewest, as I do, +what an honourable and princely lady +that Queen Madasima was, thou +wouldst say, I had great patience in +forbearing to demolish the mouth +from whence such blasphemy proceeded; +for sure, ’tis no less to say, +or even think, that a queen should +take a surgeon to her bed. The truth +of the story is, that Master Elisabat, +whom the lunatick mentioned, was +a man of prudence and discernment, +and served the queen in quality of tutor +and physician; but to suppose +that there was any indecent familiarity +between them, is a piece of folly +that deserves to be severely chastised: +and to convince thee that Cardenio +knew not what he said, thou mayest +remember he was deprived of his +senses, when he took notice of that +circumstance.’—‘This I’ll venture to +say,’ replied the squire, ‘that the +words of a madman are not to be +minded; for, if fortune had not stood +your worship’s friend, and directed +to your breast the pebble that was +aimed at your head, we should have +been in a fine condition, for your +having quarrelled about that lady, +whom Heaven confound! you may +depend upon it, Cardenio would have +been acquitted on account of his madness.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Every knight-errant,’ said Don +Quixote, ‘is obliged to quarrel with +those who are out of their senses, as +well as those who are in them, if they +asperse the honour of women, whatsoever +they might be. How much +more, then, in behalf of princesses of +such high quality and accomplishments +as adorned Queen Madasima, for +whom I have a particular affection, +on account of her admirable qualifications; +for, over and above her +beauty, she had a great share of prudence +and resignation in her calamities, +which were manifold: and the +advice and company of Master Elisabat +were of great service in encouraging +her to bear her afflictions with +patience and equanimity. From hence, +the ignorant and malicious vulgar +took occasion to say and suppose, that +she admitted of his caresses; but they +lye. I say again, all those who either +say or think so, lye in their throats, +and I will tell them so two hundred +times over.’—‘As for my own part,’ +said Sancho, ‘I neither say nor think +any such thing; those that do may dine +upon it: if they were too familiar, +by this time they have answered for it +to God. I prune my own vine, and +know nothing about thine. I never +meddle with other people’s concerns. +He that buys and denies, his own +purse belyes, as the saying is. Bare +I was born, and bare I remain; and +if I lose nothing, as little I gain. If +he did lie with her, that is no matter +of mine. Many people hunt the hare +without ever finding the scut; for, +Till you hedge in the sky, the starlings +will fly. And evil tongues will +not refrain from God himself.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Good Heaven,’ cried Don Quixote, +‘what fooleries art thou stringing +together, Sancho? Pray, what relation +have these old saws to the subject +of our conversation? I charge thee to +hold thy peace, and henceforth entertain +thyself with spurring up thy +ass, and leave off talking of things +which do not concern thee: or let thy +whole five senses be convinced, that +every thing I have done, am doing, +or will do, is highly reasonable, and +in exact conformity with the laws of +chivalry, which I understand better +than any knight that ever professed +the order.’—‘Yes Sir,’ replied Sancho, +‘to be sure it is an excellent law of chivalry, +to stroll about bewildered in these +mountains, where there is neither high +road nor bye path, in search of a madman, +who, after we have found him, +will perhaps take it in his head to finish +what he left undone; not of his +story, but of your worship’s pate and +my ribs, which he may chance to +break in a thousand shivers.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘I say again, Sancho,’ resumed the +knight, ‘hold thy peace; for I would +have thee know, that I am not detained +in this place, so much by the +desire of finding the lunatick, as of +performing in it an exploit by which +I shall acquire everlasting renown +throughout the whole known world; +and put the stamp of perfection upon +the wonderful efforts of knight-errantry?’—‘And +will this exploit be +attended with much danger?’ said Sancho. +<span class='pageno' id='Page_132'>132</span>‘No,’ answered he of the rueful +countenance, ‘though the dice may run +so as to produce bad instead of good +fortune; but the whole will depend +upon thy diligence.’—‘Upon my diligence!’ +cried the squire. ‘Without +doubt,’ answered his master; ‘for, if +thou wilt return speedily, from the +place to which thou must be sent, my +affliction will soon be at an end, and +my glory will speedily begin: and, +that I may no longer keep thee in suspence +about the meaning of my +words, know, Sancho, that the celebrated +Amadis de Gaul was one of +the most perfect knights-errant; one +of them, said I? he alone was the +only, single, chief, and superior of all +his cotemporaries. Contempt and +shame upon Bellianis, and all those +who say he equalled him in any one +particular; for, by this light, they +are all egregiously deceived! I say, +moreover, when a painter desires to +become famous in his art, he endeavours +to imitate the originals painted +by the most noted artists; and the +same maxim holds in every other +science and exercise that adorns a +commonwealth: therefore, he who +wants to attain the virtues of prudence +and equanimity, must endeavour +to imitate the character of Ulysses, +in whose person and sufferings +Homer has drawn an excellent picture +of wisdom and patience, as Virgil, in +the person of Æneas, represents the +piety of an affectionate son, and the +sagacity of a wise and valiant general; +not that they are described and +set forth exactly as they were, but as +they ought to have been, as examples +of virtue to posterity. In the same +manner, Amadis shone like the north-star, +the Lucifer and sun of all valiant +and amorous knights; and therefore +must be imitated as a pattern, by all +those who serve under the banners of +love and chivalry. Now, this being +the case, friend Sancho, I find that +the knight-errant who approaches the +nearest to this great original, will bid +fairest for attaining the perfection of +chivalry: and one of the circumstances +in which that knight gave the +highest proofs of his worth, prudence, +valour, patience, constancy, +and love, was his retiring to the poor +rock, when he was in disgrace with +his mistress Oriana, there to do penance +under the feigned name Beltenebros<a id='r78'></a><a href='#f78' class='c008'><sup>[78]</sup></a>; +an appellation certainly +very significant and proper to the way +of life he had voluntarily chosen. As +it is therefore more easy for me to +imitate him in this than in cleaving +giants, beheading serpents, slaying +dragons, overthrowing armies, scattering +navies, and dissolving inchantments; +and as this solitude is so well +adapted to such designs, I am resolved +to seize occasion by the forelock, +which she now so complaisantly presents.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘In reality,’ said Sancho, ‘what is +your worship resolved to do in this remote +place?’—‘Have I not already +told thee,’ replied the knight, ‘that I +am determined to imitate Amadis, in +acting the desperado, the lunatick, +the madman: to copy also after the +valiant Don Roldan, when he discovered, +in a fountain, certain marks by +which he was convinced that Angelica +the fair had committed uncleanness +with Medoro. A piece of information +attended with such grief +and anxiety, that he ran mad, tore +up the trees by the root, sullied the +waters of the transparent springs, slew +shepherds, destroyed flocks, set fire to +cottages, demolished houses, dragged +mares along the ground, and performed +a thousand other insolent feats +worthy to be inserted in Fame’s eternal +record; and because I do not propose +to imitate Roldan, or Orlando, or Rotolando, +for he went by all these +names, literally in all the extravagancies +he thought, said, and did, I will +copy his outlines as well as I can, in +the most essential parts of his character; +nay, perhaps, I may content +myself with the sole imitation of +Amadis, who, by his tears and sighs +alone, acquired as much fame as the +other with all the mischief he did.’—‘If +I apprehend the matter aright,’ said +Sancho, ‘the knights who played such +mad pranks were provoked, and had +some reason to act these fooleries and +penance: but what cause hath your +worship to turn madman? With what +lady are you in disgrace? or by what +<span class='pageno' id='Page_133'>133</span>signs are you given to understand that +the Lady Dulcinea del Toboso has +been playing the rogue either with +Moor or Christian!’—‘This is the +point,’ answered Don Quixote, ‘and +refinement of my design; a knight +who turns madman, because he cannot +help it, can claim no merit from +his misfortune; but the great matter +is to run distracted without cause, +and give my lady reason to conceive +what I could do were I moistened, +when I can do so much being +dry. More especially, as I have sufficient +cause in the long absence to +which I am doomed by my ever-darling +mistress Dulcinea del Toboso; +for, according to the words of the +shepherd Matias Ambrosio, which +thou mayest have heard,</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c012'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>“In absence of my charming fair,</div> + <div class='line'>“I suffer all those ills I fear.”</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>‘Wherefore, friend Sancho, you need +not throw away your time unprofitably, +in advising me to refrain from +an imitation at once so admirable, +rare, and happy: mad I am, and +mad I shall be until thou returnest +with the answer of a letter which I +propose to send by thee to my Lady +Dulcinea; and if it be such as I am +entitled to by my love and fidelity, +my distraction and penance will end; +but, should it be otherwise, I shall +run mad in earnest, and consequently +be insensible of my misfortune: wherefore, +let her answer be as it may, it +will extricate me from the doubts and +affliction in which thou leaved me; +because, if it be favourable, I shall +enjoy it in my right senses; and if +it be unfavourable, my frenzy will +not feel it.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘But tell me, Sancho, hast thou +taken care of Mambrino’s helmet, +which I saw thee take up, after that +ungrateful vagabond endeavoured in +vain to break it in pieces; a circumstance +that proves the excellency of +its temper?’ To this exclamation, +Sancho replied, ‘’Fore God! Sir Knight +of the Rueful Countenance, I cannot +suffer, nor bear with patience, some +things which your worship says; for +they make me imagine, that all you +have mentioned about chivalry, and +acquiring kingdoms and empires, and +giving away islands, with other favours +and presents, according to the +practice of knights-errant, is nothing +but puffs of falshood, and the mere +effect of piction or fiction, or what do +you call it: for who that hears your +worship call a barber’s bason the helmet +of Mambrino, and sees you continue +in that error so many days, but +will believe, that he who affirms such +nonsense must be very much crazed +in his understanding? The bason, +which is all bruised and battered, I +have put up in my bag, in order to be +mended at home, and used for the service +of my own beard, if ever, by the +grace of God, I come to see my wife +and family.’—‘Hark ye, Sancho,’ +said Don Quixote, ‘by the same oath +you swore, I swear again, that thou +hast the most slender understanding +that any squire in this world does or +ever did possess! Is it possible, that +after all thy travelling in my company, +thou art not convinced that +every thing belonging to knights-errant, +appears chimera, folly, and +distraction, being metamorphosed into +the reverse of what it is, by the +power of a tribe of inchanters who +attend us, changing, converting, and +restoring each particular, according to +their pleasure, and the inclination they +have to favour or annoy us: for which +reason, what seems a barber’s bason to +thee, I can easily discern to be the +helmet of Mambrino, and perhaps to +a third, it will assume a quite different +appearance; and I cannot but +admire the providence of the sage who +is my friend, in making that which is +really and truly Mambrino’s helmet, +appear a bason to the rest of mankind, +because it is of such inestimable value, +that if it was known, the whole +world would combine to ravish it from +me; but as it appears to them no +more than a barber’s bason, they never +attempt to obtain it. This was +plainly the case with the villain, who, +having endeavoured to break it in +pieces, left it on the ground, when +he went off; whereas, had he known +what it was, in good faith he would +not have quitted it so easily. Keep it +therefore with care, my friend, for at +present there is no occasion for it; on +the contrary, I shall strip off all my +armour, and remain naked as I was +<span class='pageno' id='Page_134'>134</span>born, in case I be inclined to imitate +the penance of Roldan, rather than +that of Amadis.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Conversing in this manner, they arrived +at the foot of a high mountain +that stood alone, as if it had been cut +out from the rest that surrounded it. +A gentle rill murmured by the skirts +of it, winding along a meadow, so +green and fertile, that it ravished the +spectator’s eye; while a number of +forest trees that grew around, together +with some delicious herbs and flowers, +conspired to make the place inchanting. +This was the scene in which the +knight of the rueful countenance chose +to do penance; and therefore he no +sooner perceived it, than he began to exclaim +aloud, as if he had actually lost +his senses, ‘This is the spot, ye heavens! +which I chuse and appoint my +residence, while I bewail that misfortune +to which you yourselves have reduced +me. This is the place where +the tears from these eyes will increase +the waters of that little brook; +and where my profound and uninterrupted +sighs will incessantly move the +leaves of these mountain-oaks, in +witness and testimony of the pangs +which my tormented heart endures. +O ye rural deities, whosoever ye are, +who take up your mansion in this uninhabited +place, give ear to the complaints +of an unhappy lover, whom a +tedious absence and imaginary doubts +have brought to lament among these +craggy hills, and bemoan the cruel +disposition of that ungrateful fair, +who is the end and perfection of all +human beauty? O ye nymphs and +dryads, who were wont to inhabit the +hills and groves, (so may no nimble +and lascivious satyrs, by whom you +are beloved, though loved in vain, +disturb your sweet repose) help me to +bewail my mishap: or at least disdain +not to hear my moan!—O Dulcinea +del Toboso! light of my darkness! +glory of my affliction! north-star of +my inclinations! and planet of my +fortune! as Heaven shall pour upon +you the blessings which you ask; consider +the place and condition to which +your absence hath exiled me, and put +such a period to my woe, as my fidelity +shall seem to deserve! O ye solitary +trees, who henceforth are to bear +me company in this retreat, convince +me, by the gentle waving of your +boughs, that my presence gives you +no disgust.—And thou, my squire, the +agreeable companion of my good and +evil fortune, faithfully retain in thy +remembrance what thou shalt see me +do, that thou mayest recount and rehearse +every circumstance to the lovely +cause of all my distraction!’ So saying, +he alighted; and, taking off the +bridle and saddle from Rozinante, gave +him a slap on the buttocks, pronouncing +these words: ‘He who is a slave himself, +bestows freedom upon thee, O +steed, as excellent in thy qualities as +unlucky in thy fate! go wheresoever +thou wilt; thou bearest engraven on +thy forehead, that thou wast never +equalled in swiftness, either by Astolpho’s +Hypogriff, or the renowned +Frontino that cost Bradamante so +dear.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Sancho, hearing this apostrophe, ‘My +blessing,’ cried he, ‘be upon him +whose industry now saves us the trouble +of taking the halter from the head +of Dapple<a id='r79'></a><a href='#f79' class='c008'><sup>[79]</sup></a>, who, in good faith, +should not want slaps on the buttocks, +nor abundance of fine things said in +his praise; but, if he was here, I +would not consent to his being turned +loose, there being no reason for so doing; +for he was never acquainted +with love and despair, no more than +I, who was his master, while it pleased +God I should be so: and truly, +Sir Knight of the Rueful Countenance, +if this departure of mine, and distraction +of your worship, are really +to take place, you had better saddle +Rozinante again, to supply the want +of Dapple; by which means a great +deal of time will be saved in my going +and coming; whereas, if I make +the journey on foot, I know not when +it will be performed; for, in short, +I am a very sorry walker.’—‘I say, +be it so, then, Sancho,’ answered +Don Quixote: ‘I approve of thy proposal; +and assure thee, that thou shalt +set out in three days, during which I +would have thee take notice of what +I shall do for her sake, that thou +mayest be able to give her a full account +of my behaviour.’—‘What +more can I see,’ said Sancho, ‘than +I have seen already?’—‘You are pretty +<span class='pageno' id='Page_135'>135</span>perfect in your story,’ answered the +knight; ‘but, as yet, I have not torn my +cloaths, scattered my armour, and +dashed my head against the rocks, nor +performed many other things of this +sort, which thou wilt behold with admiration.’—‘For +the love of God, +Sir!’ cried Sancho, ‘take care how +you dash your head against the rocks; +for you may chance to meet with such +a one as will, at the first push, put the +finishing stroke to this whole scheme +of penance; and I should think, that +as knocks of the head are absolutely +necessary to compleat the work, your +worship might content yourself, seeing +the whole affair is a sham, a +counterfeit, and a joke; I say, your +worship might content yourself with +ramming your skull against water, or +some soft thing, like a cotton bag; and +leave it to my care to tell my lady, that +your worship went to loggerheads with +the point of a rock a thousand times +harder than adamant.’—‘Friend Sancho,’ +replied the knight, ‘I am obliged +to thee, for thy kind intention; +but, thou must know, that what I +do is not a sham, but a very serious +matter; for, to behave otherwise, were +to transgress the orders of chivalry, +which forbid us to lye, under pain of +being degraded; and you know, that +to substitute one thing instead of another, +is downright telling a lye: +wherefore, my knocks on the head +must be real, hard, and effectual, +and not sophisticated or imaginary; +and it will be necessary to leave me +some lint for my wounds, since it was +the will of fate that we should lose +the balsam.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘It was a much greater misfortune,’ +said the squire, ‘to lose the ass, and +with him the lint and all; but I beseech +your worship, not to talk of that +accursed drench, the sole mention of +which not only turns my stomach, +but even my very soul; and I beseech +you, moreover, to suppose we have +passed those three days, which you +have appointed for shewing me your +mad pranks; for I take them all for +granted, and will tell wonders of +them to my lady. Write the letter, +therefore, and dispatch me forthwith: +because I am impatient till I return +and deliver your worship from that +purgatory in which I leave you.’—‘Purgatory! +call you it, Sancho?’ replied +Don Quixote: ‘it rather deserves +the name of hell, or something worse, +if worse can be.’—‘I have heard,’ +said the squire, ‘that from hell there is +no retention.’—‘I know not,’ replied +the knight, ‘what you mean by +retention.’—‘Retention,’ answered +Sancho, ‘signifies, that whosoever goeth +to hell, neither will nor can come +back again. The contrary of which +shall happen to your worship, or my +feet will misgive me, provided I carry +spurs to quicken Rozinante: and +set me once face to face before my Lady +Dulcinea, at Toboso, I will tell her +such stories of the folly and madness, +for they are both the same thing, which +your worship has committed, and will +then be committing, that though I +should find her harder than a cork-tree, +I will make her as pliant as a +glove; and, with her sweet and honied +answer, return through the air, +like a witch, and deliver your worship +from this purgatory, that appears like +hell, though it be not really so, because +there are some hopes of getting out of +it; whereas those who are actually in +hell can have no such expectation; and +I dare say, your worship will not advance +any thing to the contrary.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘That is all very true,’ said he of +the rueful countenance; ‘but how shall +we make shift to write this letter?’—‘Aye, +and the bill for the colts?’ +added Sancho. ‘That shall be inserted +in the letter,’ answered his master; +‘and I think, as there is no paper to +be had in this place, the best thing +we can do, will be to write in the +manner of the ancients, on the leaf +of a tree, or on waxen tables; though, +I believe, those will be as difficult to +be found as the paper. But, now I +remember what will do well, and excellently +well, for our purpose: I will +write it in the pocket-book which belonged +to Cardenio, and thou shalt +take care to have it fairly transcribed +in the first place where thou canst find +a school-master or a parish-clerk to +copy it. But, by no means employ +a scrivener, who way write it in such +an unintelligible court-hand, that Satan +himself could not understand it.’—‘But +what is to be done about the +signing of it?’ said Sancho. ‘Love-letters +are never signed,’ replied Don +<span class='pageno' id='Page_136'>136</span>Quixote. ‘True,’ resumed the squire; +‘but all bills must be subscribed: and +if this of yours were to be copied, +they would say the subscription was +counterfeit, and I might go whistle +for my colts.’—‘The bill shall be +subscribed with my own hand in the +pocket-book; which my niece shall +no sooner see, than she will comply +with the order, without any farther +objection: and with regard to the letter, +instead of my subscription, thou +shalt cause to be inserted, “Yours, +till death; the Knight of the Rueful +Countenance.” And though it be +written by another hand, it is of small +importance, because, now I remember, +Dulcinea can neither read nor +write, nor ever set eyes on any writing +or letter of mine: for our mutual +love has been altogether platonick, +without extending farther than a modest +glance; and even that so seldom, +that I can safely swear, in twelve +years, during which I have loved her +more than the light of these eyes, which +will one day be closed in dust, I have +not seen her more than four times, +and even in these four times, perhaps, +she hath not perceived me looking at +her more than once. Such is the restraint +and reserve in which her father +Lorenzo Corchuelo, and her mother +Aldonza Nogales, have brought her +up!’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Ah, ha!’ cried Sancho, ‘is the +daughter of Lorenzo Corchuelo, whose +other name is Aldonza Lorenza, the +same with the Lady Dulcinea?’—‘Yes,’ +answered the knight; ‘and she +deserves to be lady of the whole universe.’—‘I +know her perfectly well,’ +said Sancho; ‘and this will venture to +say in her behalf, that she will pitch +the bar as well as e’er a lusty young +fellow in the village. Bless the sender! +she is a strapper, tall, and hale wind +and limb; and can lift out of the +mire any squire or knight errant, who +shall chuse her for his sweetheart. +Ah! the whore’s chick! what a pair +of lungs and voice has she got! I +heard her one day halloo from the +belfray to some young fellows of her +acquaintance, who were at work in a +corn-field of her father’s; and, though +it was at the distance of half a league, +they heard her as plain as if they had +been right under the steeple; and what +is better still, she is not at all coy, +but behaves herself civilly; and jokes +and romps, and plays the rogue with +any body. Now, Sir Knight of the +Rueful Countenance, I say that your +worship not only has cause to run +mad for her, but even to despair and +hang yourself, and I am sure nobody +that heard it, but would say you had +done extremely well; even though the +devil should run away with you; and +truly, I wish I were now upon my way, +merely to see her; for I have not beheld +her these many days: and, surely, +she must be greatly altered; for +the sun and weather does very much +damage to the face of a woman +who is always at work in the field. +To tell you the truth, Sir Don Quixote, +I have hitherto lived in great ignorance +with respect to my Lady Dulcinea, +whom I verily believed to be +some princess, that your worship was +in love with; or a person of such +rank as to deserve the rich presents +you sent to her; namely, the Biscayan +and galley-slaves, with many others +whom you conquered in the course of +your numberless victories, both before +and since I have been your squire, +But, when one considers the affair, +what benefits can my Lady Aldonza +Lorenzo—I mean, my Lady Dulcinea +del Toboso, reap from your worship’s +sending, or having sent those whom +you overcome in battle, to fall upon +their knees before her? especially as +they might chance to come at a time +when she is busy, carding flax and +threshing corn; in which case, they +would be ashamed to see her, and she +laugh and be out of humour at their +arrival.’—‘I have frequently observed +before now, Sancho,’ said Don Quixote, +‘that thou art an everlasting babbler; +and, though of a shallow understanding, +thy bluntness borders often on +severity; but, to convince thee of thy +own ignorance and my discretion, thou +shalt give ear to a short story which I +will relate.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Know, then, that once upon a time +a certain handsome widow, young, free, +wealthy, and, above all, good-humoured, +fell in love with a thick, +squat, brawny, lay-brother, belonging +to a neighbouring convent; the +superior of which being informed +of the affair, said to the widow, one +day, by way of brotherly reproof, +“I am amazed, Madam, and not without +<span class='pageno' id='Page_137'>137</span>cause, that a lady of your rank, +beauty, and fortune, should bestow +your affection upon such a low, simple, +clownish fellow; when there are +so many masters, graduates, and divines, +in the convent, among whom +your ladyship may chuse, as one +picks pears, saying, ‘This I like, +that I loath.’” The lady answered, +with great freedom and vivacity, +“Signior, you are very much deceived, +and very old-fashioned in your +opinion, if you think I have made a +bad choice in that fellow who seems +so simple: for, in that particular +which I admire, he is as much of a +philosopher, nay, more than Aristotle +himself.” In like manner, Sancho, +Dulcinea del Toboso is as proper +for my occasions as the highest +princess upon earth. All the poets, +who have celebrated ladies, under +names which they invented at pleasure, +had not really such mistresses as +they describe. Dost thou imagine, +that all the Amaryllis’s, Silvia’s, Phillis’s, +Diana’s, Galatea’s, Alida’s, and +other names so often met with in romances, +poems, barbers shops, and on +the stage, actually belonging to ladies +of flesh and blood, who were adored +by those who sing, and have sung +their praises? No, surely; but, on +the contrary, are, for the most part, +feigned and adopted as the subjects of +verse, that the poets may be thought +men of amorous and gallant dispositions. +Wherefore, let it suffice, that +I imagine and believe the worthy Aldonza +Lorenzo to be beautiful and +modest: and, as to her pedigree, it is +a matter of small importance; there +is no necessity for taking information +on that head, as if she were to be invested +with some order of knighthood; +and I take it for granted, that she is +the noblest princess in the universe; +for, thou must know, Sancho, if it +be a thing of which thou art ignorant, +that the two qualities, which, above +all others, inspire love, are beauty +and reputation: and these two is Dulcinea +in consummate possession of; +for in beauty she excels all women, +and is equalled by very few in point +of reputation. And, to conclude, I +imagine that all I have said is true, +without exaggeration or diminution. +I paint her in my fancy according to +my wish, as well in beauty as in rank; +unexcelled by Helen, unrivalled by +Lucretia, or any other heroine of ages +past, whether Grecian, Roman, or +Barbarian; and let people say what +they will, if I am blamed by the ignorant, +I shall be acquitted by the +most rigid of those who are proper +judges of the case.’—‘I say,’ answered +Sancho, ‘that your worship is +very much in the right, and I am no +better than an ass: but I know not +why I should mention the word ass; +for one ought not to talk of halters in +the house of a man who was hanged. +But give me the letter, and farewel +till I return.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Don Quixote pulled out the memorandum-book, +and, stepping aside, with +great composure, began to write the +letter; which, when he had finished, +he called to Sancho, saying he wanted +to read it to him, that he might retain +it in his memory, in case he should lose +it by the way; for every thing was to +be feared from his evil fortune. ‘Your +worship,’ answered Sancho, ‘may +write it down two or three times in +the book, and I will take special care +to convey it safely; but it is folly to +suppose that I can retain it in my memory, +which is so bad, that I have +many a time forgot my own name; +but, notwithstanding, pray, Sir, read +it to me; I shall be hugely rejoiced +to hear it; for it must certainly be +curiously penned.’—‘Listen then, and +I will read it,’ said Don Quixote; +who began as follows.</p> + +<p class='c016'>Don Quixote’s Letter to Dulcinea del +Toboso.</p> + +<p class='c017'>‘SOVEREIGN AND SUBLIME +PRINCESS,</p> + +<p class='c017'>‘He who is wounded by the edge +of absence, and whose heart +is stuck full of the darts of affliction, +most divine Dulcinea del Toboso! +wishes thee that health which he is +not doomed to enjoy. If I am scorned +by thy beauty, if thy virtue affords +me no relief, if thy disdain compleats +my misfortune; albeit, I am inured +to suffering, I can ill support the +misery I bear; which hath not only +been excessive, but also of long duration. +My trusty squire Sancho will give +thee an ample relation, O ungrateful +beauty and lovely foe! of the situation +in which I remain on thy account: +<span class='pageno' id='Page_138'>138</span>if it be thy will to succour me, I am +thy slave: if not, use thy pleasure; +for the end of my life will satisfy thy +cruelty and my desire. Thine till +death,</p> + +<p class='c017'>‘THE KNIGHT OF THE RUEFUL +COUNTENANCE.’</p> + +<p class='c013'>‘By my father’s soul!’ cried Sancho, +‘this is the highest thing I ever heard. +Odds-niggers! how your worship +writes whatsoever you please, and how +curiously you conclude, “The Knight +of the Rueful Countenance.” I verily +believe your worship is the devil himself, +and knows every thing.’—‘All +that knowledge,’ replied the knight, +‘is necessary for the employment I profess.’—‘Why, +then,’ said the squire, +‘be so good as to write on the other +leaf the order for the three colts, and +be sure to subscribe distinctly, that +when it is presented, your hand-writing +may be known.’—‘With all my +heart!’ said Don Quixote, who having +written the order, read it aloud in these +terms.</p> + +<p class='c016'>‘DEAR NIECE,</p> + +<p class='c017'>‘Please deliver to Sancho Panza, +my squire, or order, at sight of +this my first bill of colts, three of the +five which I left at home in your custody; +which three colts I order you +to pay, in return for the like number +received of him: and this bill, together +with his receipt, shall be a sufficient +acquittance to you.</p> + +<p class='c017'>‘Given in the heart of the brown +mountain, the twentieth and second of +August, this present year.’</p> + +<p class='c013'>Sancho liked the form, and desired +his master to sign it. ‘There is no occasion +for my signing it,’ said Don +Quixote, ‘with any thing but my cypher, +which is sufficient not only for +three, but three hundred asses.’—‘As +to that, I will take your worship’s +word; and now give me leave to go +and saddle Rozinante, which when +I have done, and received your blessing, +I intend forthwith to depart, +without staying to see you play any +foolish tricks, though I will affirm, I +have beheld you perform so many, that +she will desire to hear no more of +the matter.’—‘At least, Sancho,’ +said the knight, ‘I would have thee, +because there is a necessity for it, stay +and see me strip, and perform a dozen +or two of mad pranks, which I +can easily finish in half an hour; for, +when thine eyes shall have been witnesses +of some things I will act, thou +mayest safely swear to what additions +thou shalt make in thy report; and +I assure thee, thou wilt not relate the +half of what I intend to atchieve.’—‘For +the love of God, dear Sir!’ cried +Sancho, ‘let me not see your worship +naked; for it will give me so much +uneasiness, that I shall not be able to +refrain from weeping; and my head +aches already with the sorrow I felt +last night about Dapple; so that I +cannot bear to be set a mourning again; +wherefore, if it be your worship’s +pleasure that I should see some of +your mad actions, pray dispatch them +in your cloaths; and let them be such +as will stand you in most stead: for my +own part, I think there is no occasion +for any such thing; and if you dispense +with them, it will save time, +and send me back the sooner with +such news as your worship desires +and deserves. For, if my Lady +Dulcinea is not prepared to send a +reasonable answer, I solemnly protest, +I will extract a favourable reply +out of her maw, by kicking and cussing. +What! is it to be borne, that +such a renowned knight-errant as your +worship, should run mad without why +or wherefore, on account of a —— I +would not have her ladyship compel +me to speak; or, egad, I shall blab +things by the dozen, even though they +should spoil the market. I am a rare +fellow at that sport. I find she knows +a little of my temper, otherwise i’faith! +she would take care to give me no offence.’—‘In +good faith, Sancho,’ said +Don Quixote, ‘thou seemest to be as +mad as myself.’—‘Not quite so mad,’ +replied the squire, ‘but a little more +cholerick; but enough of that. What +eatables has your worship got to live +upon till my return? will you go to +the high-road, and rob the shepherds, +like Cardenio?’—‘Let not that give +thee any concern,’ answered the knight; +‘though I had store of provisions by me, +I should eat nothing but the herbs and +fruits which this meadow and these +trees afford; the perfection of my design +consisting in abstaining from food, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_139'>139</span>and in encountering other hardships.’—‘Your +worship must know,’ said Sancho, +‘that I am afraid I shall not find +my way back again to this concealed +and unfrequented place, in which I +leave your worship.’—‘Take good +notice of the marks,’ answered the +knight, ‘and I shall endeavour to remain +always near this very spot: nay, +I will take care to ascend the highest +rocks hereabouts, that I may have a +chance of descrying thee afar off, in +thy return. But, the best scheme for +preventing thy being bewildered, will +be, to cut down some of the furze +that grows here in great plenty, and +drop bunches of it, at small distances +on the way, until thou shalt reach +the flat country: and they will serve +as land-marks to guide thee hither on +thy return, like the clue of Theseus, +in the labyrinth of Crete.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘I will take your advice,’ said Sancho; +who accordingly cutting a large +bundle, begged his master’s blessing, and +took his leave, not without many tears +on both sides. Then mounting Rozinante, +whom Don Quixote strongly recommended +to his care, commanding +him to pay as much regard to the steed +as he would shew for his own person; +he set out for the plain, scattering, by +the way, the furze he had cut, according +to the direction of his master. In +this manner then, did he begin his +journey, notwithstanding the incessant +importunities of Don Quixote, who solicited +him to stay and see some of his +extravagancies: but, he had not travelled +above an hundred yards, when he +returned, saying, ‘I confess your worship +was in the right, when you observed, +that, in order to my swearing +with a safe conscience that I have +seen you perform mad pranks, it would +be necessary for you to play some in +my presence; although, in my opinion, +I have seen a pretty good sample +already in your staying here by yourself.’—‘Did +not I tell thee so, Sancho?’ +said Don Quixote: ‘wait a little, +and I will finish them in a twinkling.’ +So saying, he stripped off his +breeches in a great hurry, leaving his +posteriors covered by the tail of his shirt +alone, and without farther ceremony, +cut a couple of capers, and a like number +of tumbles, with his head down +and his heels up, disclosing particulars, +which shocked the modesty of Sancho +so much, that in order to avoid the sight +of them a second time, he turned Rozinante, +fully satisfied and pleased, that +he might now honestly swear he had +left his master distracted. We will +therefore let him pursue his journey, +till his return, which was more speedy +than could be expected.</p> + +<h4 id='chap1-3-12' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='twelve'>XII.</abbr> <br> A CONTINUATION OF THE REFINEMENTS IN LOVE,<br> PRACTISED BY DON QUIXOTE IN THE BROWN MOUNTAIN.</h4> +<p class='c004'>But, to return to the account of +what the Knight of the Rueful +Countenance executed when he found +himself alone. The history relates, +that, having performed the capers and +the tumbles, naked, from the waist +downward, and perceived that Sancho +was gone, without waiting to see more +of his extravagancies, he climbed to +the top of a high rock, and there revolved +what he had often reflected +upon without coming to any conclusion; +namely, whether it was better +and more fit for his purpose, to imitate +Orlando in his outrageous, or Amadis +in his melancholy madness. ‘It is not +to be wondered at,’ said he within +himself, ‘if Orlando was such a stout +and valiant knight as he is represented; +for he was actually inchanted, +and invulnerable by every weapon but +the point of a pin, thrust into his +foot, upon which he always wore a +shoe with seven soles of iron: though +that precaution did not avail him against +Bernardo del Carpeio, who being informed +of the contrivance, strangled +him in his arms at the battle of Roncevalles: +but the circumstance of his +valour apart, let us consider that of +his losing his senses, which actually +happened, when he found the tokens +in the fountain, and received the information +of the shepherd, by which +he learned that Angelica had slept +more than two afternoons with Modero, +the little Moor with curled +locks, who was Agramante’s page; +and, truly, if he was convinced in his +own mind, that his mistress had misbehaved +in that manner, it was no +great feat to run mad upon the discovery. +But why should I imitate +<span class='pageno' id='Page_140'>140</span>him in his madness, when the occasion +is not similar; for, my Dulcinea +del Toboso, I dare swear, never +in all the days of her life, beheld one +Moor in his own likeness; and is this +day as much a virgin as the mother +that bore her; I should therefore do +her a manifest injury, in imagining +otherwise, and adopting that kind of +madness which possessed Orlando Furioso. +On the other hand, I am sensible +that Amadis de Gaul, without +losing his senses, or acting the madman, +acquired as much, or more fame +than he, in the character of a lover; +for, according to the history, all that +he did, when he found himself in +disgrace with his mistress Oriana, who +banished him from her presence during +pleasure, was to retire, in company +of a hermit, to the poor rock, +where he contented himself with bemoaning +his misfortune, until Heaven +sent him succour, in the midst of +his great necessity and affliction. If +this circumstance, therefore, be true, +as I know it is, why should I now +take the trouble of stripping myself +naked, or give umbrage to these +trees, which have done me no harm! +or what reason have I to defile the +pure stream of these rivulets, which, +when I want it, will yield me pleasant +drink! Flourish, then, the memory of +Amadis! and let him be imitated as +much as possible, by Don Quixote de +La Mancha, of whom may be said, +that which is recorded of another<a id='r80'></a><a href='#f80' class='c008'><sup>[80]</sup></a>, +“If he did not atchieve great things, +at least he died in attempting.” And, +though I am not banished nor disdained +by my Dulcinea, let it suffice, +as I have already said, that I am absent +from her. Come, then, let us begin: +recur to my remembrance, ye +feats of Amadis, and initiate me in +the imitation of your fame. I know +his chief exercise was prayer, and in +that too will I follow his example.’ +So saying, he composed a rosary of the +large galls of a cork tree, which he +strung together instead of beads; but, +he found an unsurmountable difficulty +in the want of an hermit to confess and +console him: wherefore, he entertained +himself in strolling about the meadow, +writing and engraving verses on the +barks of trees, and the smooth sand; all +of them on the subject of his own +melancholy, or in praise of his mistress +Dulcinea; but, after he was found in +this place, none, except the following, +remained intelligible and entire.</p> +<div class='lg-container-b c015'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><abbr title='one'>I.</abbr></div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Ye trees and herbs, so green and tall,</div> + <div class='line in2'>That shade this meadow, and adorn,</div> + <div class='line'>If you rejoice not at my thrall,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Give ear unto a wretch forlorn;</div> + <div class='line'>Nor let my grief, though loud, invade</div> + <div class='line in2'>Your peace; but, by Don Quixote, be a</div> + <div class='line'>Self-offer’d tax of sorrow, paid</div> + <div class='line in2'>In absence of his Dulcinea</div> + <div class='line in26'>del Toboso.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><abbr title='two'>II.</abbr></div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>These are the rocks to which he’s driven</div> + <div class='line in2'>By her who seems not much to care for</div> + <div class='line'>The truest lover under heaven:</div> + <div class='line in2'>And yet he knows not why nor wherefore.</div> + <div class='line'>By love toss’d like a tennis-ball,</div> + <div class='line in2'>A cask of tears will not defray a</div> + <div class='line'>Whole day’s expence of grief and gall,</div> + <div class='line in2'>In absence of his Dulcinea</div> + <div class='line in26'>del Toboso.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><abbr title='three'>III.</abbr></div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Among these craggy rocks and brambles,</div> + <div class='line in2'>He hangs, alas! on sorrow’s tenters;</div> + <div class='line'>Or curses, as alone he rambles,</div> + <div class='line in2'>The cruel cause of his misventures.</div> + <div class='line'>Unpitying love about his ears,</div> + <div class='line in2'>With scourge severe began to play a</div> + <div class='line'>Most dreadful game, that made his tears</div> + <div class='line in2'>Flow for his absent Dulcinea</div> + <div class='line in26'>del Toboso.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>These verses, with the addition of del +Toboso, to the name of Dulcinea, afforded +infinite diversion to those who +found them: for, they concluded Don +Quixote had imagined, that, if he +named her without this title, the stanza +could not possibly be understood; +and this was really the case, as he afterwards +owned. Many other ditties +did he compose; but, as we have already +observed, none but these three +stanzas could be decyphered and read. +In this amusement, in sighing, invoking +the fauns and sylvans of those +woods, the nymphs of the brooks, with +<span class='pageno' id='Page_141'>141</span>the damp and doleful echo to hear, +console, and resound his complaints; +and, in culling plants to sustain nature, +he employed himself till the return of +Sancho, who, had he stayed three weeks, +instead of three days, the knight of the +rueful countenance would have been so +emaciated and disfigured, that he could +not have been known by the mother who +bore him.</p> + +<p class='c005'>However, it will not be amiss to leave +him, engrossed by his sighs and poetry; in +order to recount what happened to Sancho +Panza, in the execution of his embassy. +Having reached the highway, this trusty +messenger took the road to Toboso, and +next day arrived at the very inn where +he had met with the disgraceful adventure +of the blanketting. He no sooner +perceived the unlucky house, than he +fancied himself cutting capers in the +air again; and was very lothe to enter, +although it was then dinner time, and +he was very much instigated by the desire +of tasting something hot, as he had +lived for a great many days past on cold +victuals only. This inclination compelled +him to ride close up to the inn, +where, while he was sitting in suspence, +and hesitating whether or not he should +enter, two persons happened to come +to the door, and knowing him immediately, +the one said to the other, ‘Pray, +Mr. Licentiate, is not that man on +horseback our neighbour Sancho Panza; +who, as the housekeeper told us, +went out with our adventurer in quality +of squire?’—‘The very same,’ answered +the licentiate, ‘and that is the individual +horse of our friend Don Quixote.’ +And no wonder they should know +him so easily; for they were no other +than the curate and barber of the knight’s +town, by whom the scrutiny and trial +of his books were held. Having therefore +recognized Sancho Panza and Rozinante, +and being impatient to hear +news of Don Quixote, they ran up to +the squire, and the curate called him +by name, saying, ‘Friend Sancho, +where is your master?’ Sancho, who +recollected them also, resolved to conceal +the place and condition in which he +had left his master; and therefore answered, +that the knight was in a certain +place, employed about a certain affair +of the utmost importance, which he +durst not disclose for the eyes that stood +in his head. ‘That pretence will not +do, Sancho,’ said the barber; ‘if +you refuse to tell where he is, we shall +imagine, as indeed we do, that you +have robbed and murdered him, and +taken possession of his horse; so that +in good sooth, you must either produce +him, or in this very spot, we +will——’ ‘You have no occasion,’ +cried Sancho, interrupting him, ‘to +threaten people in this manner; I am +not the man to rob and murder any +person; every man must fall by his +own fortune, or by the will of God +that created him: my master is sound +and safe, doing penance in the midst +of that mountain, to his heart’s content.’ +He then, without pausing, in +a breath informed them of the condition +in which he left him, recounted all +the adventures which had happened to +him, and told them of the letter he was +carrying to my Lady Dulcinea del Toboso, +who was no other than Lorenzo +Corchuelo’s daughter, with whom his +master was up to his ears in love.</p> + +<p class='c005'>They were astonished at what the +squire related, and though well acquainted +with the particular species of +Don Quixote’s madness, this instance +afforded fresh admiration: they desired +Sancho to shew them the letter for the +Lady Dulcinea del Toboso; and he told +them it was only a rough draught, +written on the leaf of a pocket-book; and +that his master had ordered him to get +it transcribed on a sheet of paper, with +the first convenient opportunity. The +curate promised to transcribe it in a fair +legible hand, and again desiring a sight +of it, Sancho put his hand in his bosom, +in search of the book, which, however, +he could not find; and indeed, +had he fumbled till this time, it would +have been to no purpose; for he had left +it with Don Quixote, who had forgot +to give, as he to ask it of him, before +he set out. Sancho missing his charge, +grew pale as death, and searching again +his whole body with great eagerness, +could find nothing; upon which, without +more ado, he laid hold of his beard +with both hands, and plucked one half +of it from his chin; then, with vast +dispatch and precipitation, belaboured +his face and nose in such a manner, as +left the whole covered with blood. The +curate and barber seeing him make so +free with his own person, asked what +had happened to him, that made him +handle himself so roughly. ‘What +has happened to me?’ cried the squire, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_142'>142</span>‘I have lost and let slip through my +fingers in an instant, three ass colts, +each of which was as tall as a tower.’—‘By +what means?’ resumed the barber. +‘I have lost,’ answered Sancho, +‘the pocket-book, in which was written +the letter for Dulcinea, together +with an order, signed by my master’s +own hand, desiring his niece to deliver +to me three colts out of four or +five which he has at home.’ At the +same time he told them how he had lost +Dapple. The curate comforted him, +by saying, that when he returned, his +master would renew the order, and give +him a bill upon paper, as the custom is, +for those written in pocket-books are +never accepted or paid.</p> + +<p class='c005'>With this assurance Sancho consoled +himself, observing, since that was the +case, he should not give himself much +uneasiness about the loss of the letter, +which, as he retained it by heart, he +could cause to be transcribed where and +when he pleased. The barber desired +him to repeat it, telling him they would +transcribe it; upon which Sancho began +to scratch his head, in order to recollect +it, standing sometimes on one +foot, sometimes on the other. One +while he fixed his eyes upon the ground, +then lifted them up to Heaven; at last, +after a most tedious pause, during which +he gnawed off the half of one of his +nails, and kept his hearers in the most +impatient suspence; ‘‘Fore God, Mr. +Licentiate,’ said he, ‘I believe the devil +has run away with every word that +I remembered of this letter; though I +am positive it began with subterrene +and sublime princess!’—‘It could +not be subterrene,’ said the barber, +‘but superterrene or sovereign.’—‘You +are in the right,’ resumed Sancho; +‘then, if my memory does not fail me, +it went on with the smitten, the sleepless, +and the sore, kisses your hands, +most ungrateful and unregarded beauty; +and something or other of health +and distemper which he wished her; +running on at this rate, till he concluded +with, “yours, till death, the +Knight of the Rueful Countenance.”’</p> + +<p class='c005'>The hearers were not a little diverted +with this specimen of Sancho’s memory, +which they applauded very much; +desiring him to repeat the letter again, +twice over, that they might retain it, until +they could have an opportunity of transcribing +it. He accordingly renewed his +efforts, repeated it three times; and as +often recited three thousand other absurdities. +He likewise gave them an +account of every thing which had befallen +his master; but mentioned not a syllable +of the blanketting that had happened +to himself, in that very inn which +he refused to enter; nay, he gave them +to understand that his master, as soon as +he could bring him a favourable dispatch +from my Lady Dulcinea del Toboso, +would put himself in the way of +becoming an emperor or monarch at +least, according to the plan settled between +them. This he represented as a +very easy matter, considering the valour +of his person, and strength of his +arm; and told them, that this design +would be no sooner accomplished, than +the knight would bestow upon him in +marriage, (for by that time, he must of +necessity be a widower) one of the maids +of honour to the empress; a fine young +lady, and heiress of a vast and wealthy +estate upon the main land, without any +oilands or islands, which he did not +much care for.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Sancho uttered this piece of wrong-headed +information with such composure, +wiping his nose from time to time, +that his townsmen could not help admiring +anew the madness of Don Quixote; +which, like a whirlpool, had sucked +in and swept along with it the understanding +of this poor simpleton. They +did not chuse to fatigue themselves with +endeavours to convince him of his error; +but, as they believed it was not +prejudicial to his conscience, resolved, +for their amusement, to encourage him +in his folly; with this view they advised +him to pray to God for long +life and health to his master; and observed, +that it was a thing both likely +and feasible that he should, in process +of time, become an emperor, at least an +archbishop, or attain some station of +equal dignity. To this encouragement +Sancho replied, ‘Gentlemen, if fortune +should bring matters about, so +as that my master should incline to +be an archbishop rather than an emperor, +I should be glad to know what +archbishops-errant bestow upon their +squires?’ The curate told him, that +they commonly gave him some simple +benefice, curacy, or the office of sacristan, +with a good yearly income, besides +the fees of the altar, which are +usually reckoned at as much more. +<span class='pageno' id='Page_143'>143</span>‘In order to fill an employment of that +kind,’ answered Sancho, ‘the squire +must be unmarried, and at least capable +of assisting at mass; and if that +be the case, what will become of me, +who have not only the misfortune to +be married, but am also ignorant of +the first letter of the <abbr class='spell'>A, B, C</abbr>; should +my master take it in his head to be an +archbishop, rather than an emperor, +according to the custom of knights-errant?’—‘Don’t +make yourself uneasy +about that matter, friend Sancho,’ +said the barber; ‘for we will +intreat and advise your master, nay, +even make it an affair of conscience, +for him to become an emperor rather +than archbishop, as a station more suited +to his disposition, which is more war-like +than studious.’—‘I was of the +same opinion,’ resumed Sancho; ‘but +now, I’ll venture to say, he has a capacity +for every thing; and what I +intend to do, is to beseech our Lord +to direct his choice to that station +which will be most for his own honour +and my advantage.’—‘You +speak like a sensible man,’ said the +curate; ‘and in so doing will act the +part of a good Christian; but, our +present business is to think on some +means of putting an end to this useless +penance your master has imposed +upon himself; and in the mean time +go in to dinner.’ Sancho desired them +to enter, saying he would wait for them +at the door, and afterwards tell them +why he did not go in, and wherefore it +was not proper for him so to do; but +begged they would be so good as to +bring out something hot for himself, +and some barley for Rozinante. They +accordingly went in, and in a little +time the barber brought him out a mess +of hot victuals. After they had both +maturely deliberated about the means +of accomplishing their design, the curate +fell upon a scheme, extremely well-adapted +to the taste of the knight, as +well as to their purpose. He proposed +to clothe himself in the dress of a lady-errant, +and that the barber should disguise +himself as well as he could, in the +likeness of a squire; which being done, +they should go to the place where Don +Quixote was, and the priest, on pretence +of being a damsel in distress, should beg +a boon, which he, as a valiant knight-errant, +could not help granting. This +boon should be a request, that he would +accompany her to a certain place whither +she would conduct him, there to +redress an injury she had received from +a discourteous knight; and the boon +should be attended with an humble supplication, +that he would not desire her +to take off her mask, nor ask any question +about her affairs, until he should +have done her justice upon her adversary. +And as he firmly believed that +Don Quixote would comply with any +request made in that stile, he hoped, by +these means, to withdraw him from the +mountain, and conduct him to his own +habitation, where they would endeavour +to find some remedy for his strange disorder.</p> + +<h4 id='chap1-3-13' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='thirteen'>XIII.</abbr> <br> HOW THE CURATE AND BARBER SET OUT<br> ON THE EXECUTION OF THEIR PLAN;<br> WITH OTHER EVENTS WORTHY TO BE RECORDED IN THIS SUBLIME HISTORY.</h4> +<p class='c004'>This scheme of the curate was so +well relished by the barber, that +they began to put it in execution immediately; +by borrowing of the landlady +a petticoat and tucker, for which +the priest lent a new cassock in pawn; +while the barber made an artificial beard +of the tail of a pied ox, in which the +innkeeper used to stick his comb. When +the hostess asked what occasion they had +for these things, the curate gave her a +brief account of Don Quixote’s madness, +and explained the use to which +they intended to put the disguise, in +order to disengage him from the mountain +where he then was. The innkeeper +and his wife immediately discovered +that this lunatick was no other +than their quondam guest, who was author +of the balsam, and master of the +blanketted squire; and recounted to the +curate every thing that had happened, not +even forgetting the circumstance which +Sancho was at such pains to conceal. +In short, the landlady dressed up the +curate in a most curious manner; she +put upon him a cloth petticoat flounced +and furbelowed, with a broad border +of black velvet, and a close jerkin of +green velvet, garnished with robings of +white sattin, which, together with the +petticoat, seemed to have been made in +<span class='pageno' id='Page_144'>144</span>the reign of King Bamba<a id='r81'></a><a href='#f81' class='c008'><sup>[81]</sup></a>; he would +not suffer himself to be coifed, but covered +his head with a quilted linen +night-cap, which he always carried about +with him; and bound his forehead with +a garter of black taffety, making a sort +of mask with the other, which effectually +concealed his countenance and +beard. Over all, he slapped his beaver, +which was so broad that it might have +served for an umbrella; and, wrapping +himself up in his cloak, mounted his +mule, sitting sideways like a woman; +while the barber bestrid his own beast, +with his beard flowing down to his +girdle, of a white and red colour, being +made, as we have before observed, of a +pied ox’s tail.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Thus equipped, they took leave of +every body present, even the kind Maritornes, +who promised, though a sinner, +to mumble a whole rosary over in +prayers to God, for the good success of +that arduous and Christian design they +had undertaken; but scarce had they +sallied from the inn, when the curate +began to think he was to blame for disguising +himself; it being, in his opinion, +indecent for a priest to appear in such a +manner, how much soever depended +upon their success. He therefore proposed +that he should exchange characters +with the barber, who might act the +part of the damsel in distress, while he +took that of the squire, which he thought +did not so much profane the dignity of +the cloth; and unless his neighbour +would agree to this proposal, he assured +him that he was resolved to go no farther, +even if the devil himself should +carry off Don Quixote. At that instant +Sancho chanced to come up, and +seeing them in such a garb, could not +refrain from laughing; in short, the +barber assented to every thing the other +proposed; and the plan being thus altered, +the curate began to instruct him +touching his behaviour and speech to +Don Quixote, in order to move and induce +him to accompany them, and quit +that place he had chosen for the scene of +his vain and extravagant penance. The +barber told him, that without his lessons, +he knew very well how to demean himself +in the character; and as he did not +chuse to put on the dress till they should +be near Don Quixote, he folded it +up with great care; the priest adjusted +his beard; and both together proceeded, +on their journey, under the direction, +of Sancho Panza, who by the way related +to them what happened between +his master and the madman whom they +met with in the Brown Mountain; concealing, +nevertheless, the circumstance +of the portmanteau, and its contents; +for, notwithstanding his simplicity, our +youth was as covetous as wiser people.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Next day they came to the broom +boughs, which Sancho had strewed, in +order to ascertain the place where he had +left his master: he no sooner, therefore, +perceived his marks, than he told them, +that was the entrance into the mountain; +and desired them to put on their +dresses, if they were necessary towards +the deliverance of his master: for they +had already assured him, that their travelling +in such disguise was of the utmost +importance, in disengaging the +knight from that disagreeable course of +life he had chosen: and they charged +him not to tell his master that he knew +who they were; and if he should ask, +as doubtless he would, whether or not +he had delivered the letter to Dulcinea, +they advised him to answer in the affirmative, +and tell him, that as she could +not read it, she had sent her answer by +word of mouth, commanding him, on +pain of her displeasure, to appear in her +presence with all convenient speed, on +an affair of the utmost consequence to +him: for, with this answer, and other +speeches they intended to make, they +did not at all doubt of reconciling him +to a better way of life, and prevail upon +him immediately to begin his career +towards being an emperor or king; +and as to the office of archbishop, Sancho +had nothing to fear. The squire +listened to these directions, which he +carefully deposited in his memory, +thanking them heartily for their intention +to advise his master to accept of an +emperor’s crown, rather than an archbishop’s +mitre; as he was very sensible +that emperors could do more for their +squires than archbishops-errant. He +also proposed to go before, in search of +his master, and impart to him this answer +of his lady, which, he assured them, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_145'>145</span>would be sufficient to bring him out of +the mountain, without their being put +to any farther trouble. They approved +of his opinion, and resolved to stay where +they were until he should return with the +news of his having found Don Quixote: +accordingly, Sancho proceeded towards +the heart of the mountain, leaving them +in a spot watered by a small purling +brook, and shaded in a most cool and +agreeable manner by some rocks and +trees that grew round it.</p> + +<p class='c005'>It being then the month of August, +when the heat in those parts is excessive, +and three in the afternoon, which is the +hottest time of the day, they were the +more charmed with the situation, which +was so inviting, that they chose it for +the place of their residence, until Sancho +should return. While they lay at their +ease, under the covert of this shade, their +ears were saluted with the sound of a +voice, which, though unaccompanied by +any instrument, sung so sweet and melodiously, +that they were struck with +astonishment; little expecting to meet +with such a delicious warbler in that +unfrequented place; for though it is +usually said, that the woods and mountains +abound with shepherds, who sing +most inchantingly, that report is rather +the fiction of poets than the voice of +truth: besides, the verses which they +heard were not composed in the rustick +phrase of clowns, but in a polite and +courtly strain; as may be perceived by +the song itself, which follows:</p> +<div class='lg-container-b c015'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><abbr title='one'>I.</abbr></div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Ah! what inspires my woeful strain?</div> + <div class='line in18'>Unkind disdain!</div> + <div class='line'>Ah what augments my misery?</div> + <div class='line in18'>Fell jealousy!</div> + <div class='line'>Or say, what hath my patience worn?</div> + <div class='line in18'>An absent lover’s scorn.</div> + <div class='line'>The torments, then, that I endure,</div> + <div class='line'>No mortal remedy can cure:</div> + <div class='line'>For every languid hope is slain,</div> + <div class='line'>By absence, jealousy, disdain!</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><abbr title='two'>II.</abbr></div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>From Love, my unrelenting foe,</div> + <div class='line in18'>These sorrows flow!</div> + <div class='line'>My infant glory’s overthrown,</div> + <div class='line in18'>By Fortune’s frown;</div> + <div class='line'>Confirm’d in this my wretched state,</div> + <div class='line in18'>By the decrees of Fate.</div> + <div class='line'>In Death alone I hope release</div> + <div class='line'>From this compounded, dire disease;</div> + <div class='line'>Whole cruel pangs to aggravate,</div> + <div class='line'>Fortune and Love conspire with Fate!</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><abbr title='three'>III.</abbr></div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Ah, what will mitigate my doom?</div> + <div class='line in18'>The silent tomb!</div> + <div class='line'>Ah! what retrieve departed joy?</div> + <div class='line in18'>Inconstancy!</div> + <div class='line'>Or say, can aught but frenzy, bear</div> + <div class='line'>This tempest of despair?</div> + <div class='line'>All other efforts, then, are vain,</div> + <div class='line'>To cure this soul-tormenting pain,</div> + <div class='line'>That owns no other remedy</div> + <div class='line'>Than madness, death, inconstancy.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>The hour, the season, and the solitude, +conspired with the agreeable voice of the +singer, to increase the wonder and satisfaction +of the hearers, who listened for +some time in expectation of something +else; but the silence having continued +a good while, they resolved to go in quest +of the person who sung so enchantingly, +and were just going to set out on this +design, when they were arrested by the +same voice, which again saluted their +ears with this other song:</p> +<div class='lg-container-b c015'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><abbr title='one'>I.</abbr></div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>O sacred Friendship! mild and gay,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Who to the regions of the bless’d</div> + <div class='line'>Hath soar’d, and left mankind a prey</div> + <div class='line in2'>To fraud, in thy resemblance dress’d:</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><abbr title='two'>II.</abbr></div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Auspicious hear, and hither send</div> + <div class='line in2'>Thy sister Truth, with radiant eyes,</div> + <div class='line'>To brand the false professing friend,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Detected in the fair disguise.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><abbr title='three'>III.</abbr></div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Or come thyself, and re-inspire</div> + <div class='line in2'>The purpose candid and humane;</div> + <div class='line'>Else Peace and Order will retire,</div> + <div class='line in2'>While Horror and Confusion reign.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>This sonnet was concluded with a most +profound sigh, and the curate and barber +began again to listen for more; but, +finding the musick converted into mournful +sobs and interjections, they were determined +to know who this melancholy +person was, who sung so well, and +groaned so piteously. They had not +gone many paces with this intent, when +turning the point of a rock, they perceived +a man of the same make and appearance +that Sancho described, when +he related the story of Cardenio: he did +not seem surprized at sight of them, but +stood with his head reclining upon his +breast, in a very pensive posture, without +lifting his eyes to look at them, +after their first sudden appearance. The +<span class='pageno' id='Page_146'>146</span>curate, who was a well-spoken man, +concluding, from the description, that +this must be he whose misfortune he had +been apprized of, went up, and in a +short, but pathetick address, exhorted +and entreated him to quit that miserable +course of life, which was the greatest +of all misfortunes, and altogether +perverted the end of his being. Cardenio +being at that time in one of his +lucid intervals, entirely free of that +frantick paroxism which used so utterly +to deprive him of his senses, and seeing +two people so differently dressed from +those he commonly met with in that solitude, +could not help being somewhat +surprized; especially, when he heard +him talk of his misfortune as a circumstance +with which they were well acquainted; +for the curate had mentioned +it in the course of his expostulation: +and therefore he answered in this manner: +‘I plainly perceive, gentlemen, that +Heaven, which is careful in succouring +the good, and sometimes even the +bad, hath sent, though I little deserve +such favour and condescension, divers +people into this unfrequented solitude, +so remote from all commerce and society, +in order to convince me by just +and various arguments, how unreasonably +I act in leading this kind of +life, which they have endeavoured to +make me exchange for a better; and, +as they know not the reasons I have to +think that, in quitting this situation, +I shall be plunged into a worse; they +have perhaps looked upon me as a +person of very shallow understanding, +or, which is still a conjecture more +unfavourable, a downright madman: +and truly, it is not to be wondered at, +if that was really the case; for I can +easily conceive, that my misfortunes +operate so intensely upon my imagination, +and impair my faculties so +much, that sometimes, in spite of +all my endeavours to the contrary, I +become, like that rock, void of all +sentiment and knowledge; and am +convinced of my infirmity too late, +when people shew me the marks of +what I have done, while I was under +the influence of that terrible transport: +then, all that I can do, is to +bewail my distemper; curse my lot in +vain; and, in excuse of my madness, +relate my sufferings to all who express +the least desire of hearing them; that +those of sounder judgment, knowing +the cause, may not wonder at the effects; +and if they cannot prevent, at +least pardon my frenzy; converting +their indignation at my extravagance +into compassion for my woes; and if +you, gentlemen, are come with that +intention, which hath brought others +to this place, before you proceed with +your prudent admonitions, I intreat +you to hear the detail of my misfortunes, +which you do not yet know, +and then, perhaps, you will save yourselves +the trouble which you might +otherwise take, in consoling an affliction +that admits of no consolation.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>The two friends, who desired nothing +else than to hear from his own mouth +the cause of his misfortune, earnestly +begged he would recount it, and promised +to attempt nothing contrary to his +own inclination in the way of remedy or +comfort. Thus assured, the melancholy +gentleman began his distressful story, +nearly in the same words and circumstances +which he had used a few days before, +to Don Quixote and the goatherd, +when he was interrupted in the affair of, +Mr. Elisabat, by the knight’s punctuality +in asserting the decorum of chivalry, +as the particulars of that quarrel +have been already related: but now he +remained fortunately free from his paroxism, +and of consequence, had time +to finish the narration, which was imperfect +before. When he therefore +came to the circumstances of the letter +which Don Fernando had found between +the leaves of Amadis de Gaul<a id='r82'></a><a href='#f82' class='c008'><sup>[82]</sup></a>, he said +he remembered the contents, and accordingly +repeated them in these terms.</p> +<p class='c018'>‘“LUCINDA TO CARDENIO.</p> + +<p class='c017'>‘“I every day discover new qualities in +Cardenio, which oblige and compel +me to esteem him the more. If +you are inclined to extricate me out of +all suspence, you may effectuate your +purpose, without the least prejudice to +my honour; for my father, who is, +well acquainted with your virtues, +loves me dearly, and far from tyrannizing +over my affections, will chearfully +<span class='pageno' id='Page_147'>147</span>grant that which is so justly your +due, if your passion is such as I wish +and believe it to be.”</p> + +<p class='c013'>‘I resolved, as I have already told +you, to demand Lucinda in marriage, +upon the receipt of this letter, which +not only confirmed Don Fernando’s +high opinion of her prudence and virtue, +but also inflamed him with the +desire of ruining my hopes, before I +should be able to bring them to maturity. +I told this faithless friend, Lucinda’s +father expected that mine +should propose the match; and that +I durst not communicate my desire to +him, lest he should refuse to comply +with it: not that he was ignorant of +Lucinda’s rank, virtue, beauty, and +qualifications, which were sufficient +to ennoble any other family in Spain; +but, because I understood he was +averse to my being married, until he +should see what Duke Ricardo would +do in my behalf; in short, I told him +that I would not venture to propose it, +being afraid not only of this ill consequence, +but also of many others +which I could not foresee; although I +had a strong impression upon my +mind, that my wishes would never +be compleated. In answer to this declaration, +Don Fernando undertook +to manage the affair, and prevail upon +my father to propose the match to Lucinda’s +parents.——O villain! more +ambitious than Marius, more cruel +than Catiline, more savage than Sylla, +more fraudulent than Galalon, more +treacherous than Vellido<a id='r83'></a><a href='#f83' class='c008'><sup>[83]</sup></a>, more vengeful +than Julian, and more covetous +than Judas! cruel, false, vindictive +traitor! what injuries hast thou suffered +from this poor credulous wretch, +who with such confidence disclosed to +thee the most secret recesses of his soul! +What offence had he given? what +words had he uttered, or what advice +had he offered, that did not directly +tend to thy honour and advantage?——But, +unhappy that I am! +wherefore should I complain? seeing +it is a thing certain, that when once +the tide of misfortune, heaped up by +one’s malignant stars, begins to descend +with violence and fury, no earthly +mound can oppose, nor human industry +divert its course. Who could +imagine, that such an illustrious, accomplished +young gentleman, as Don +Fernando, who lay under obligations +for the services I had done him, and +was powerful enough to obtain the +gratification of his wish, whithersoever +his amorous inclination pointed, +should plague himself, as I may +say, in attempts to rob me of my +single lamb, even before I had possessed +it?</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘But, let us lay aside these vain and +unprofitable reflections, and rejoin the +broken thread of my unfortunate story. +Well, then, Don Fernando, perceiving +that my presence would be an +obstruction to the execution of his +false and perfidious design, resolved +to send me back to his elder brother, +on pretence of getting money to pay +for six horses, which he purposely +bought that very day he undertook to +speak to my father, in order to have +an excuse for sending me away, that +he might, in my absence, the more +easily succeed in his villainous intention. +Was it possible for me to prevent +this treachery, or indeed conceive +his design! No, surely. On the contrary, +I offered, with the utmost alacrity, +to set out forthwith, so pleased +was I with the purchase he had made. +That very night I had a private conversation +with Lucinda, in which I +told her the scheme I had concerted +with Don Fernando, and bade her rest +assured in the hope that our just and +honourable desires would soon be gratified. +She, as little suspicious of +Don Fernando’s perfidy as I was, entreated +me to return with speed, believing +that our wishes would be compleated, +as soon as my father should +mention the affair to hers. I don’t +know upon what account, her eyes +were filled with tears when she pronounced +these words; and something +that seemed to swell in her throat, +prevented her from uttering another +syllable, though she looked as if she +had something more to say. I was +confounded at this new circumstance, +which had never happened before; in +all our former conversations, which +my good fortune offered, or my diligence +effected, there had been nothing +<span class='pageno' id='Page_148'>148</span>but joy and satisfaction, without any +mixture of tears, sighs, jealousy, +dread, or suspicion; all my discourse +used to consist of acknowledgments +to Heaven, for having bestowed upon +me such a mistress, whose beauty I +extolled, and whose virtue and good +sense I admired; while she returned +the compliment, by praising those +qualities in me, which she, in the +partiality of her fondness, deemed +worthy of applause; besides, we +used to entertain each other with an +account of a thousand trifling accidents +that happened among our +neighbours and acquaintance: and +the heighth of my vivacity never +amounted to more than the seizing of +one of her delicate white hands, and +pressing it to my lips, through the +narrow distance betwixt the rails that +divided us. But, on that night, +which preceded the fatal day of my +departure, she wept, sighed, and sobbed, +and left me filled with confusion +and surprize, and terrified at such +unusual and melancholy marks of +grief and affliction in my Lucinda. +But I was flattered by my hopes, +which ascribed the whole to the +strength of her passion, and that sorrow +which is commonly produced by +the absence of a beloved object. In +fine, I set out, pensive and sad, my +imagination tortured with suspicions +and doubts, which my reflection +could neither digest nor explain: a +sure presage of the melancholy fate +that awaited me.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘I arrived at the place of my destination, +and delivered my letters to +Don Fernando’s brother, who received +me kindly; but, far from dispatching +me immediately, desired me, +to my infinite regret, to wait eight +whole days in a place where his father +should not see me, because his +brother had writ to him to send the +money without the knowledge of the +duke. But this was altogether an +invention of the false Fernando, whose +brother had money enough, and could +have sent me back the very same day +on which I arrived. This was such +an order as I was scarce able to obey, +for I thought it impossible to support +life for so many days in the absence of +Lucinda, considering the sorrow in +which I had left her. Yet, notwithstanding, +I resolved to do my duty +like a faithful servant, though I very +well foresaw that my obedience must +be at the expence of my peace. Four +days of the eight were not yet elapsed, +when a man came in search of +me, and gave me a letter, the superscription +of which I no sooner beheld, +than I knew it to be written by Lucinda’s +own hand. I opened it with +fear and trembling, believing that +there must be something very extraordinary +in the case, which induced her +to write to me in my absence; considering +that while I was present, she +had been so sparing of her pen<a id='r84'></a><a href='#f84' class='c008'><sup>[84]</sup></a>. +But, before I read a syllable, I asked +the messenger, who had put it into his +hands, and how long he had been upon +his journey? He answered, that passing +through a certain street, about noon, +he was stopped by a very beautiful +young lady, who called to him from +a window, saying, with great earnestness, +while the tears trickled from +her eyes, “Brother, if you are a +Christian, as you seem to be, I entreat +you, for God’s sake, to carry +this letter to the place and person for +whom it is directed; they are both +well known; and in so doing, you +will render a piece of service acceptable +to the Lord. That you may +not want conveniences upon the +road, here is something to defray +the expence of your journey.”” So +saying, she threw down a handkerchief, +in which were tied a hundred +rials, this gold ring, and the letter I +have delivered. Then, without waiting +for a reply, she went from the +window, after having seen me take +up the handkerchief and the letter, +and make signs that I would do as +she desired. Accordingly, finding +myself so well paid for the trouble I +should be at, and seeing, by the direction, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_149'>149</span>that you was the person to +whom it was sent, (and I know you +perfectly well;) induced, moreover, +by the tears of that beautiful young +lady, I resolved to trust no other +messenger, but come and deliver it +with my own hand; and in sixteen +hours, which are past since I received +it, I have travelled to this place, +which, as you know, is about eighteen +leagues from our town. While +I listened attentively to the information +of this grateful and extraordinary +courier, my legs shook under me in +such a manner, that I could scarce +stand upright. At length, however, +I ventured to read the letter, which +contained these words.</p> + +<p class='c016'>‘“The promise which Don Fernando +made, to prevail upon your +father to propose a match to mine, +hath been performed more to his +inclination than your advantage. +Know, Cardenio, that your pretended +friend allied me in marriage +for himself; and my father, swayed +by the advantage which he thinks +Don Fernando has over you in point +of fortune, hath given his consent so +much in earnest, that two days hence +the nuptials are to be celebrated so +privately, that none but Heaven, and +some people in the family, are to be +present at the marriage. My situation +you may guess. If it be in +your power, return with all speed, +and the event of this affair will shew +whether I love you tenderly or not. +Heaven grant that this may come to +your hand, before mine shall be presented +to him who so ill performs the +duty of a friend!”</p> + +<p class='c013'>‘This, which was the sum of what +the letter contained, made me set out +immediately, without waiting for any +answer, or the money for which I had +come. For, by that time, I plainly +perceived that it was not the purchase +of the horses, but his own treacherous +intention, which had induced Don +Fernando to send me out of the way. +The indignation I conceived against +him, together with the fear of losing +the jewel which I had acquired, and +treasured up with such unwearied services +and care, added wings to my +speed, and conveyed me to the place +of my habitation, just at the hour and +minute proper for my going to visit +Lucinda. I entered the town privately, +and leaving my mule at the house of +the honest man who brought the letter, +I went to the rail, which was the +constant witness of our love, and there +was so far favoured by fortune as to +find Lucinda.—We knew each other +presently; though not as we ought to +have known each other. But, who +is he who can arrogate praise to himself, +for having fathomed and discerned +the capricious sentiments and +sickly disposition of woman? Surely +no man on earth.—But this apart. +Lucinda perceiving me, “Cardenio,” +said she, “I am now in my +bridal dress, and this moment expected +in the hall by the traitor Don +Fernando, my covetous father, and +some other people, who shall bear +witness to my death sooner than to +my marriage. Be not confounded, +my friend, but endeavour to be present +at the sacrifice, which, if I cannot +prevent by my declaration, I +wear a dagger concealed, which can +obstruct a more vigorous determination; +and, by putting an end to my +life, begin to convince thee of the +sincere passion I have always entertained, +and shall retain for my Cardenio.” +Afraid I should want time +to answer her, I replied with great +hurry and confusion, “Let your +words be verified by your deeds, Madam. +If you have a dagger to assert +your love, I wear a sword to defend +it; or, should fortune prove our foe, +to rid myself of life.” I believe she +did not hear all that I said, because +she was called away in a hurry, to the +bridegroom, who waited for her.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Thus deepened the night of my +distress; thus set the sun of my happiness! +I remained without light to +my eyes, or reflection to my mind, +for some time; I could neither resolve +to enter her father’s house, nor remove +to any other place; at length, +however, considering of what consequence +my presence might be, in case +any thing extraordinary should happen, +I recollected myself, as well as +I could, and went in, without being +perceived, as I was well acquainted +with all the passages and corners of +the house, and was favoured by the +confusion which then prevailed in it +on account of the nuptials. Thus +<span class='pageno' id='Page_150'>150</span>entering, unseen, I found means to +conceal myself in the hollow of a +window in the hall, that was covered +by the meeting of two pieces of tapestry, +from behind which I could, +without being perceived, observe every +thing that happened.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘How shall I describe the throbbings +and palpitations of my heart, the +images that occurred to my fancy, +the reflections that I made while I remained +in that situation! they were +such as I neither can nor ought to describe. +Let it suffice to say, the bridegroom +came into the hall, without +any other ornaments than his usual +dress, attended by a first cousin of +Lucinda, in quality of bridesman, no +other person being present, except +some servants of the family. A little +while after Lucinda came in from +her closet, accompanied by her mother +and two waiting-women; and as +richly dressed and adorned as her rank +and beauty deserved, or as the perfection +of gaiety and gallantry could +invent. The suspence and transport +of my soul would not allow me to observe +and mark the particulars of her +dress; I could only take notice of the +colours, which were carnation and +white; and the blaze of jewels that +adorned her, which was even excelled +by the singular beauty of her golden +locks, that struck the eye with more +splendor than all the precious stones, +together with the light of four torches +that burned in the hall.—O memory! +thou mortal enemy of my repose! to +what purpose dost thou now represent +to my fancy the unparalleled beauty +of that adorable foe? Cruel remembrance! +rather recal to my view the +particulars of what then happened, +that, incensed by such a manifest injury, +I may take vengeance, if not +upon her, at least upon my own life. +But you, gentlemen, must be tired +with these digressions; though my +misfortune is such as neither can, nor +ought to be superficially or succinctly +related; because every circumstance, +in my opinion, requires a full discussion.’ +The curate answered, that +far from being tired, they were very +much entertained by those minute particulars, +which he thought deserved as +much attention as the principal events +of the story.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘I say, then,’ resumed Cardenio, +that the parties being assembled in the +hall, the curate of the parish entered, +and taking them both by the hands, in +order to perform his function, he said, +“Madam Lucinda, are you willing to +take Don Fernando here present for +your lawful spouse, as holy mother +church ordains?” At this question, I +thrust out my whole head and neck +from behind the tapestry, and, with +the utmost attention and disorder of +soul, listened, to Lucinda’s answer, +which I expected, as either the sentence +of my death or confirmation +of my life.—O that I had boldly advanced, +and called aloud, “Ah Lucinda! +Lucinda! take care what you +do; reflect upon your duty to me, +remember you are mine, and can never +belong to any other husband. +Consider, that my life must end the +moment you answer yes.—Ha! treacherous +Don Fernando! robber of +my glory! death of my life! what +are thy intentions! What wouldst +thou have! remember that, as a Christian, +thou canst not fulfil thy desires; +for I am Lucinda’s husband, +and she is my lawful wife!”—Fool +that I am! now, when I am absent, +and far removed from the danger, I +can reflect upon what I ought to have +done. Now that I am robbed of all +that was dear to my soul! accursed +be the robber, on whom I might have +taken vengeance, had my heart supplied +me with courage, as it now affords +inclination to complain. In +fine, as I then acted like a booby +and a coward, it is but reasonable +that I should now die of madness, +sorrow, and shame. The priest waited +for the reply of Lucinda, who +declined it a good while; and when I +expected she would either unsheath +her dagger to vindicate her love, employ +her tongue in the cause of truth, +or utter some ingenious fraud that +should tend to my advantage, I heard +her pronounce with a weak and faultering +voice, “Yes, I will.” Don +Fernando repeated the same words, +and the ring being put upon her finger, +they were united in the indissoluble +bond of marriage; then he embraced +his new-married spouse, who, +laying her hand on her heart, fainted +away in the arms of her mother. It +now remains to describe my own situation, +when I heard and saw my +<span class='pageno' id='Page_151'>151</span>hopes thus baffled by Lucinda’s breach +of promise; and found myself rendered +incapable of ever retrieving the +happiness I had that instant lost. I +remained without sense or reflection, +abandoned, as I thought, by Heaven, +and a declared enemy to that earth on +which I lived. The air refused breath +for my sighs, the water denied moisture +for my tears, fire alone increased +within me, to such a degree, that I +was scorched with jealousy and rage! +Lucinda’s swooning threw the whole +company into confusion; and her mother +opening her breast to give her +air, found in it a folded paper, which +Don Fernando taking, read by the +light of one of the torches, and then +sat down in a chair, and leaned one +side of his head upon his hand, in a +pensive attitude, without minding the +remedies they were applying for the +recovery of his spouse.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘I, seeing the whole family in confusion, +ventured to come out, cost +what it would; resolving, should I +be seen, to do some desperate action +that would convince the whole world +of my just indignation, in chastising +the false Don Fernando, and the fickle +fainting traitress. But fate, that reserved +me, if possible, for greater misfortunes, +ordained that I should then +abound in reflection, which hath since +failed me; and resolve, rather than take +vengeance upon my greatest enemies, +who, as they had no suspicion of me, +were then at my mercy, to turn upon +myself that resentment which they so +justly deferred to feel; and, perhaps, +with more rigour than I should have +exercised upon them, had I at that +time sacrificed them to my rage, because +sudden death is infinitely more +easy than that which is lengthened +out by lingering torments. In short, +I quitted the house, and went to the +place where I had left my mule, +which being saddled, I mounted her, +and without taking leave of my host, +sallied out of town, dreading, like another +Lot, to look behind me. When +I found myself alone in the open field, +shrouded by the darkness of the night, +and invited by the silence to complain, +without caution or fear of being overheard +or known, I raised my voice, +and gave a loose to my indignation, +in venting curses upon Lucinda and +Don Fernando, as if those vain exclamations +could have atoned for the +injury they had done me. I bestowed +upon her the epithets of cruel, false, +perfidious, and ungrateful; but, above +all, avaricious; since the wealth of +my rival had shut the eyes of her love, +detached her from me, and swayed +her inclination towards him to whom +fortune had shewn herself more kind +and liberal. Yet, in the midst of these +reproaches and invectives, I could not +help excusing her, observing, it was +no wonder, that a damsel educated +under restraint, in the house of her +parents, bred up, and always accustomed +to obey them, should comply +with their will and pleasure, in marrying +a young gentleman of such +wealth, rank, and qualifications, that +her refusal might have been thought +to proceed either from want of sense, +or a passion for some other man, which +would have been a suspicion equally +prejudicial to her virtue and reputation: +then I argued on the other side +of the question; saying, had she owned +that I was her husband, her parents +would have seen she had not +committed an unpardonable crime in +making such a choice; since, before +the offer of Don Fernando, they themselves +could not have desired, had +their desires been bounded by reason, +a better match than me for their daughter; +and consequently, before she complied +with that compulsive injunction +of giving her hand to another, she +might have told them, that she had already +given it to me; in which case, I +would have appeared and confirmed +the truth of every thing she should +have feigned for the occasion; in fine, +I concluded, that superficial love, slender +understanding, vast ambition, and +thirst after grandeur, had obliterated +in her memory those professions by +which I had been deceived, cherished, +and supported, in the unshaken +hope of my honourable desires.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘In this exclamation and anxiety I +travelled all night; and in the morning +found myself in one of the passages +to this mountain, in which I +proceeded three days more, without +high-road, or bye-path, till I stopped +at a small meadow, that lies either on +the right or left of these rocks; there +I enquired of some goatherds whereabouts +the most craggy part of the +mountain was; and, according to +<span class='pageno' id='Page_152'>152</span>their directions, thither I rode, resolving +to put an end to my life. +When I arrived among those ragged +rocks, my mule fell down dead of +weariness and hunger; or, as I rather +believe, to disencumber herself +of such a useless load as then burdened +her; and I remained on foot, +quite spent and famished, without +having or desiring any support. In +this situation, I know not how long I +continued stretched upon the ground: +but, at length, I got up without feeling +any cravings or hunger, and found +myself in the midst of some shepherds, +who, doubtless, had relieved +my necessity. Indeed, they told me in +what condition I had been found, uttering +such incoherent and extravagant +expressions, as clearly demonstrated +that I had lost my senses. +Since that time, I have frequently +perceived my intellects so crazy and +unsound, that I perform a thousand +mad actions, tearing my cloaths, bellowing +through those unfrequented +places, cursing my fate, and repeating +in vain the beloved name of my fair +enemy, without any connected sentences, +or indeed any other intent +than that of putting an end to my +life by violent outcries; and when I +recover the use of my senses, I find +myself so weak and exhausted, that I +scarce can move. My usual habitation +is the hollow of a cork tree, large +enough to contain this miserable carcase; +the cow and goatherds who +frequent these mountains, maintain me +out of charity, by leaving food upon +the road, or rocks, on which they +think I may chance to find it; and, +even while I am deprived of my understanding, +natural instinct teaches +me to distinguish this necessary nourishment, +awakening my appetite and +desire of seizing it for my use. They +tell me, too, when they meet with me +in one of my lucid intervals, that at +other times I sally out by the highway, +and take it by force from the +shepherds, as they are bringing it +from their cots, although they offer it +of their own accord. In this manner +I lead my woeful and wretched +life, until Heaven shall be pleased to +put a period to it, or give me grace to +forget the beauty and falshood of Lucinda, +together with the wrong I +have suffered from Don Fernando. +If this shall happen before I die, my +intellects will return into their right +channel; otherwise there is nothing +to be done, but to supplicate Heaven +to have mercy on my soul; for I find +I have neither virtue nor strength to +extricate myself out of this extremity +into which I was voluntarily plunged.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘This, gentlemen, is the bitter story +of my misfortune; tell me, if you +think it could have been rehearsed +with less concern than I have shewn; +and pray give yourselves no trouble +in offering to me such persuasions and +advice, as your reason prompts you to +think will do me service; for they can +have no other effect upon me, than the +prescription of a celebrated physician +upon a patient who will not receive +it. I will have no health without +Lucinda; and since she who is, or +ought to be mine, hath attached herself +to another, I, who might have +been the child of happiness, am now +the willing votary of woe. She, by +her inconstancy, wants to fix my perdition; +and I welcome it, in order to +gratify her desire, and be an example +to posterity, of one who wanted that +consolation, which almost all the +wretched use! namely, the impossibility +of receiving comfort; a consideration +that increases my misery, +which, I fear, will not end even with +death.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Thus did Cardenio wind up the long +thread of his amorous and unfortunate +story; and just as the curate was about to +give him his best advice and consolation, +he was prevented by a voice that saluted +his ears, and in mournful accents pronounced +what will be rehearsed in the +fourth book of this narration; for, in +this place, the third is concluded by the +sage and attentive historian Cid Hamet +Benengeli.</p> +<p class='c004'>END OF THE FIRST VOLUME.</p> + +<div class='chapter'> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_153'>153</span> + <h2 id='vol2' class='c007'>VOLUME THE SECOND. <br> PART <abbr title='one'>I.</abbr></h2> +</div> +<h3 id='book2-4' class='c009'>BOOK <abbr title='four'>IV.</abbr></h3> +<h4 id='chap2-4-1' class='c010'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='one'>I.</abbr> <br> OF THE NEW AND AGREEABLE ADVENTURE THAT HAPPENED TO THE CURATE AND BARBER, IN THE BROWN MOUNTAIN.</h4> +<p class='c004'>Thrice happy and fortunate +was that age which +produced the most audacious +knight Don Quixote +de la Mancha, in consequence +of whose honourable +resolution to restore and revive the +lost, and, as it were, buried order of +knight-errantry, we of these times, +barren and unfruitful of sprightly +amusements, enjoy the agreeable entertainment, +not only of his own true and +delightful adventures, but also the intervening +episodes, which are no less +real, artful, and delicious, than the +main history itself, the twisted, reeled, +and ravelled thread of which is continued +thus!</p> + +<p class='c005'>Just as the curate was ready to offer +some consolation to Cardenio, he was +prevented by a voice that saluted his +ears in these mournful accents, ‘Would +to God I could find a place to serve +as a private tomb for this wearisome +burden of life, which I bear so much +against my inclination! this very spot +will yield me what I ask, if I can +trust the solitary appearance of these +mountains. Alas! how much more +agreeable is the company of these +rocks and thickets, which give me opportunities +of complaining to Heaven, +than that of faithless man! since nature +hath not created one of whom I +could reasonably expect advice in difficulty, +comfort in affliction, or remedy +in distress!’</p> + +<p class='c005'>This exclamation was distinctly overheard +by the priest and his company, +who, concluding that the person who +spoke must be hard by, arose to make +farther enquiry, and had not gone twenty +paces, when behind the fragment of a +rock they perceived a boy sitting under +an ash-tree, in the habit of a peasant, +whose face, as he stooped, in order to +wash his feet in a brook that murmured +by him, they could not then survey. +Their approach they managed with softness +and silence, while his whole attention +was employed in bathing his legs, +that seemed two crystal pillars, which +had been produced among the pebbles +in the rill. They were surprized at the +whiteness and beauty of his feet, which +they could not believe had been formed +to tread the clods, and follow the cattle +or plough, as his dress would have seemed +to intimate; and the curate, who went +foremost, finding himself still unperceived +by the youth, made signs to the rest to +<span class='pageno' id='Page_154'>154</span>crouch down, or hide themselves behind +a neighbouring rock. This being +done, all three stood gazing attentively +at the apparition, which was clad in a +double-skirted grey jacket, girt about +the middle with a white napkin, and +wore breeches and hose of the same +cloth, with a grey hunting-cap upon +his head; the hose being pulled up to +the middle of his leg, which actually +seemed of white alabaster. Having +washed his delicate feet, he wiped them +with a handkerchief which he took out +of his cap, and in so doing, lifted up +his head, shewing to the by-standers +a face of such exquisite beauty, that +Cardenio said in a whisper to the curate, +‘Since that is not Lucinda, it +can be no earthly, but some celestial +being!’ The youth taking off his cap, +and shaking his head, a large quantity +of hair, that Apollo himself might +envy, flowed down upon his shoulders, +and discovered to the spectators, that +the supposed peasant was no other than +a woman, the most delicate and handsome +that the curate and barber had ever +beheld; or even Cardenio, had he not +seen and been acquainted with Lucinda, +who alone, as he afterwards owned, +could contend with her in beauty. +Her golden locks fell down in such +length and quantity, as not only covered +her shoulders, but also concealed +every other part of her body except her +feet: and, instead of a comb, she made +use of her hands, which, if her feet +looked like crystal in the brook, appeared +among her hair like moulds of drifted +snow. All these circumstances increasing +the desire of the by-standers +to know who she was, they resolved to +shew themselves, and at the stir they +made in advancing, the beauteous phantom +raised her head, and parting her +locks with both hands, to see what occasioned +the noise she heard, no sooner +perceived them than the started up, and, +without staying to put on her shoes, or +tie up her hair, seized a bundle that lay +by her, and betook herself to flight, full +of consternation and surprize: but she +had not run six yards, when her delicate +feet, unable to bear the roughness of +the stones, failed under her, and she +fell to the ground. This accident +being perceived by the other three, they +ran to her assistance, and the curate approaching +her first, ‘Stay, Madam,’ +said he, ‘whosoever you are; those +whom you see have no other design +than that of doing you service: therefore +there is no necessity for your attempting +such a precipitate flight, which +neither your own feet nor our inclination +will allow.’ To this address +she made no reply, being quite astonished +and confused; but the priest taking +her by the hand, proceeded in this manner: +‘Madam, though your dress concealed, +your hair hath discovered manifest +signs, that it must be no slight +cause which hath shrouded your beauty +in such unworthy disguise, and +brought you to this solitude, where it +is our fortune to find you; and to +offer, if not a certain remedy for your +misfortune, at least our best advice; +for no grievance can harass or drive +the afflicted to such extremity, while +life remains, as to make them shut +their ears against that counsel which +is given with the most humane and +benevolent intention. Wherefore, +Madam, or Sir, or what you please to +be, recollect yourself from the confusion +in which the sight of us hath +thrown you, and tell us the particulars +of your good or evil fortune, in +full assurance of finding us all together, +or each by himself, disposed to +sympathize with your affliction.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>While the curate pronounced these +words, the disguised damsel stood wrapt +in attention, gazing at them all round, +without moving her lips, or uttering one +syllable, like a country villager gaping +at rarities which he had never seen before: +but the priest enforcing what he +had said, with other arguments to the +same effect, she heaved a profound sigh, +and broke silence, saying, ‘Since these +solitary mountains have not been able +to conceal me, and my loose dishevelled +hair allows me not to disguise the +truth, it would be in vain for me to +feign such things as your reason could +not believe, though your courtesy +might excuse them. On that supposition, +I thank you, gentlemen, for +your humane offer, which lays me +under the obligation of giving you +all the satisfaction you desire; though +I am afraid, that the relation I shall +make of my misfortunes will, instead +of compassion, excite your disgust, +for you will find it impossible either +to cure my woes, or teach me to bear +them with fortitude; but, nevertheless, +that my reputation may not suffer +<span class='pageno' id='Page_155'>155</span>in your opinion, as you have discovered +me to be a woman, and a young +one, alone, and in this disguise; circumstances +which, considered either +together or apart, might prejudice my +good name in this world; I will freely +disclose to you those things, which, if +possible, I would have willingly concealed.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>All this preamble was uttered in a +breath by the beautiful apparition, with +such volubility of tongue, and sweetness +of voice, that they admired her +good sense as much as her beauty; and +repeating their proffers of service, as well +as their intreaties that she would perform +her promise; she, without farther +importunity, put on her shoes with +great modesty, adjusted her hair, and +sat down in the midst of her three hearers, +upon a seat in the rock, where, +after having endeavoured to repress a +few tears that started in her eyes, she, +with a clear and deliberate voice, began +the story of her life in this manner.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘In this province of Andalusia, +there is a place, from whence a certain +duke, one of those who are called +grandees of Spain, derives his title: +he hath two sons, the eldest of whom +is heir to his estate, and, in all appearance, +to his good qualities; but +the younger inherits nothing that I +know, but the treachery of Vellido, +and falshood of Galalon. To this +nobleman my parents are vassals; and +though low in pedigree, so considerable +in wealth, that if their descent +was equal to their fortune, they +would have nothing more to desire, +nor I the mortification of seeing myself +in this distress; for, I believe, +my misfortunes proceed from their +defect in point of birth, which though +not so mean as to make them ashamed +of their origin, is not splendid enough +to overthrow my conjecture about the +source of my affliction: in short, +they are farmers, of a plain honest +family, without the least intermixture +of Moorish blood; but, as the saying +is, old, rusty Christians; aye, and so +rusty, that by their riches and opulent +way of living, they are gradually acquiring +the title of gentlefolks, nay, +of quality too; though what they +prized above all riches and title, was +their happiness in having me for their +daughter; and therefore, as they had +no other child to inherit their estate, +and were naturally the most affectionate +of parents, I was beloved and indulged +by them with the utmost degree +of parental fondness. I was the +mirror in which they beheld themselves, +the staff of their age, and +shared with Heaven their whole attention +and desires, with which, as they +were pure and unblemished, my own +perfectly corresponded; and therefore, +I was mistress of their affection as +well as their wealth. By my advice, +they received and dismissed their servants; +the tale and account of what +was both sowed and reaped, passed +through my hands; I managed the +oil-mills, the vineyards, the herds and +the flocks, the bee-hives, and every +thing that such a rich farmer as my +father may be supposed to possess: in +short, I was steward and mistress; and +acted with such care and œconomy, +that I should not find it easy to exaggerate +the pleasure and satisfaction +which my parents enjoyed. Those +parts of the day that remained, after +I had given all due attention to the +herdsmen, overseers, and other day-labourers, +I employed in exercises +equally decent and necessary for young +women, such as lace-making, needle-work, +and spinning; and if, at any +time, I interrupted these employments, +in order to recreate the mind, +I entertained myself with some religious +book, or diversified my amusement +with the harp; being convinced +by experience, that musick +lulls the disordered thoughts, and +elevates the dejected spirits. Such +was the life I led in my father’s house; +and if I have described it too minutely, +it is not through ostentation, in +order to display our riches, but with +a view of manifesting how innocently +I forfeited that happy situation, and +incurred the misery of my present +state. While I passed my time in +these occupations, my retirement was +such as almost equalled that of a nunnery, +being seen by nobody, as I +thought, but the servants of the family; +for I went to mass early in +the morning, accompanied by my +mother and the maids, and veiled +with such reserve, that my eyes scarce +beheld the ground on which I trod; +yet, nevertheless, I was perceived by +those of love, or rather libertinism, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_156'>156</span>which even exceeds the lynx in penetration, +and then possessed the faculties +of Don Fernando, younger son +of the duke whom I have already +mentioned.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>She no sooner mentioned the name of +Don Fernando, than Cardenio changed +colour, and began to sweat with such +agitation, that the curate and barber, +perceiving it, were afraid he would be +seized with one of those fits of distraction +which, as they had heard, assaulted him +from time to time; but, after some drops +of sweat had burst out upon his skin, +he remained quiet, and looking earnestly +at the farmer’s fair daughter, immediately +guessed who she was; while she, +without observing the emotions of Cardenio, +went on with her story, in these +words: ‘And he no sooner beheld me, +than, as he afterwards protested, he +deeply felt the power of love, which +indeed his behaviour clearly evinced; +but, to shorten the account of my +misfortune, which is lengthened beyond +all comfort, I will pass over in +silence the industrious schemes that +Don Fernando planned, for opportunities +of declaring his passion. He +bribed every servant in the family, +and even made presents and proffers +of service to my relations: there was +nothing but gaiety and rejoicing all +day long in our street; and all night, +it was impossible to sleep for serenades. +The letters which, through an unknown +channel, came to my hand, +were without number, filled with the +most amorous flights and professions, +and vows and promises in every line; +but all these efforts, far from soothing, +hardened me against him, as +much as if he had been my mortal +foe; and all the stratagems he practised, +in order to subdue my coyness, +had a quite contrary effect: not that +I was disgusted at the gallantry of +Don Fernando, or enraged at his importunities, +for I felt a certain kind +of pleasure in being courted and beloved +by such a noble cavalier; neither +did I take umbrage at seeing myself +praised in his letters; for it is +my opinion, that all women, let them +be never so homely, are pleased to +hear themselves celebrated for beauty; +but, to all these artifices, I opposed my +own virtue, together with the repeated +advices of my parents, who plainly +perceived the passion of Don Fernando, +because he himself took no care +to conceal it from the world. They +assured me, that in my virtue and prudence +alone they confided and deposited +their own honour and reputation: +they bade me consider the inequality +between Don Fernando and +me, which was a convincing proof +that his love, though he himself +asserted the contrary, tended more to +his gratification than my advantage; +and said, if I could throw any +obstruction in his way, to make him +quit his unjust pretensions, I should +be married immediately, according to +my own choice, either to one of the +principal persons of our own town, or +to some gentleman in the neighbourhood, +as I had abundance of lovers, +attracted by their wealth, and my reputation. +With these assurances, the +truth of which I could not doubt, I +fortified my integrity, and would never +send any reply to Don Fernando, +that could in the most distant manner +flatter him with the hope of accomplishing +his wish: but all my +reserve, which he ought to have looked +upon as the effect of disdain, served +only to whet his libidinous appetite, +which is the true name of the passion +he professed; for, had it been genuine +love, you would not now be listening +to my story, which I should have had +no occasion to recount.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘In fine, Don Fernando got notice +that my parents intended to bestow +me in marriage, that they might deprive +him of all hope of possessing +me, or, at least, provide me with +more guards to protect my virtue; +and this piece of news alarmed him +so much, that he put in practice an +expedient to retard the dreaded match. +One night, while I sat in my apartment, +attended by my maid only, the +doors being all fast locked, that +through negligence my virtue might +not be in danger, without knowing +or comprehending the means of his +conveyance, he appeared before me, in +the midst of this reserve, precaution, +solitude, silence, and retreat! At +sight of him, I was so much confounded, +that the light forsook my +eyes, and my tongue denied its office; +so that being deprived of the power +of utterance, I could not cry for +help, neither, I believe, would he have +suffered me to exclaim; for he instantly +<span class='pageno' id='Page_157'>157</span>seized me in his arms, my confusion +being such, that I had not +strength to defend myself, and began +to pour forth such protestations, that +I cannot conceive how falshood is able +to ape truth so exactly. The traitor’s +tears gave credit to his words, and +his sighs confirmed the honesty of his +intention. I, being a poor young creature +by myself, altogether unexperienced +in those affairs, began, I know +not how, to believe his false professions; +but, not so as to be moved to +weak compassion, either by his vows +or artful sorrow; on the contrary, my +first surprize being over, I recollected +my dissipated spirits, and with more +courage than I thought myself possessed +of, said to him, “Signior, if, instead +of being within your arms, as I +now am, I was in the paws of a fierce +lion, and my deliverance entirely depended +upon my doing or saying +any thing prejudicial to my virtue, it +would be as impossible for me to +comply with these terms, as it as +impossible for that which is, to lose +its existence; wherefore, though you +keep my body confined within your +arms, I am in full possession of my +soul, with all her chaste desires, +which are entirely opposite to yours, +as you will plainly perceive, if you +resolve to proceed in gratifying your +wishes by force. I am your vassal, +but not your slave; the nobility of +your blood neither has, nor ought +to have, the power of dishonouring +or despising the lowliness of mine; +and my character is as precious to +me, though I am but a plebeian +farmer’s daughter, as yours can be +to you, who are a nobleman and cavalier. +All your strength shall not +effect your purpose, neither am I +to be influenced by your riches, deceived +by your words, or melted by +your sighs and tears. Any of these +expressions in a man, to whom my +parents should give me in marriage, +would gain my consent and reciprocal +inclination; nay, if my honour +were safe, I could sacrifice my satisfaction, +and voluntarily yield what +you, Signior, now attempt to obtain +by force; this I observe, that you +may rest assured, I will never grant +any favour to him who is not my +lawful spouse.”</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘“If that be your sole objection, +charming Dorothea,” (for that is the +name of this wretched creature) said +the perfidious cavalier, “behold I here +present my hand, in pledge, of being +yours for ever; and may Heaven, from +which nothing is concealed, together +with that image of the blessed Virgin, +bear witness to the sincerity and truth +of this declaration!”’ Cardenio, when +she called herself Dorothea, was surprized +anew, and confirmed in his first +conjecture; but, unwilling to interrupt +the story in which he expected to hear +the issue of what he already knew, he +only said, ‘Is your name Dorothea, +Madam? I have heard of one of that +name, to whose misfortunes yours +bear a great resemblance: but pray +proceed; the time will come when I +shall tell you such things as will equally +excite your terror and affliction.’ +Dorothea, surprized at the discourse of +Cardenio, as well as at his strange and +ragged attire, intreated him, if he knew +any thing of her affairs, to communicate +it immediately; saying, that if fortune +had left her any thing of value, it +was the courage to endure any disaster +that might befal her; though she was +almost certain, that what she had already +suffered could admit of no addition. +‘Madam,’ replied Cardenio, ‘I +would not be the means of impairing +that fortitude, by telling you what I +know, if my conjecture be right; +neither is there any opportunity lost, +nor is it of any consequence to you, +whether you hear it or not.’—‘Be +that as it will,’ answered Dorothea, +‘I will go on with the sequel of my +story. Don Fernando, addressing himself +to the image he found in my +apartment, invoked the blessed Virgin +to bear witness to our nuptials, and +avowed himself my husband with the +most binding and solemn oaths; though, +before he proceeded so far, I desired +him to reflect upon what he was going +to do, and consider how much his father +might be incensed at his conduct, +when he should find him married to +the daughter of his own farmer and +vassal. I cautioned him against being +blinded by my beauty, such as it was, +telling him it would be far from being +a sufficient excuse for his error; +and begged, if he had any love and +regard for me, he would manifest it, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_158'>158</span>in leaving me to a fate more adequate +to my rank and circumstances; observing, +that such unequal matches +were seldom blessed with a long duration +of those raptures with which +they begin.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘All these reflections I repeated to +him, with many more which I do not +remember; but they had no effect in +diverting him from the prosecution of +his purpose; for he was like a man, +who, in making a bargain, never +boggles at the price of the commodity, +because he never intends to pay it. +At the same time, I held a short conference +with my own breast, saying +within myself, “Neither shall I be +the first, who, by marriage, has risen +from a low station to rank, and grandeur; +nor will Don Fernando be the +first nobleman whom beauty, or rather +blind affection, hath induced to +share his greatness with a partner of +unequal birth. Since, therefore, I +neither make a new world nor a new +custom, it is but reasonable in me to +embrace this honour that fortune +throws in my way; and although +the affection he professes should not +survive the accomplishment of his +wish, I shall nevertheless, in the sight +of God, remain his true and lawful +wife. Besides, should I treat him +with disdain, I see he is determined +to transgress the bounds of duty, and +avail himself of force; in which case, +I shall be dishonoured and inexcusable +in the opinion of those who do +not know how innocently I have incurred +their censure; for where shall +I find arguments to persuade my parents, +that this cavalier entered my +apartment without my knowledge and +consent?”</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘All these reflections, which my imagination +revolved in an instant, began +to sway me towards that which +(though I little thought so) proved +my ruin; especially when aided and +enforced by the oaths of Don Fernando, +the powers he called to witness, +the tears he shed, and, in short, +by his genteel carriage and agreeable +disposition accompanied by such marks +of real passion, as might have melted +any other heart as soft and unexperienced +as mine. I called my maid +to be a joint evidence with the powers +of Heaven: Don Fernando repeated +and confirmed his oaths; took +other saints to witness his integrity; +imprecated a thousand curses on his +head, in case he should fail to fulfil +his promise; had recourse to sighs and +tears again, straining me still closer in +his arms, from which he had never released +me. By these means, and the +departure of my maid, I forfeited that +name, and he became a false and finished +traitor.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘The morning that succeeded this +night of my misfortune, did not arrive +so soon, I believe, as Don Fernando +could have wished; for, when +once a man hath satisfied his rage of +appetite, his chief inclination is to +quit the scene of his success. This I +observe, because Don Fernando seemed +impatient to be gone; and, by the +industry of my maid, who had conducted +him to my chamber, found +himself in the street before day: when +he took his leave, he told me, though +not with such violence of rapture as +he expressed on his first coming, that +I might depend upon his honour, and +the sincerity of the oaths he had sworn; +as a farther confirmation of which, +he took a ring of value from his finger, +and put it upon mine. In short, +he vanished, leaving me in a situation +which I can neither call joyful nor sad. +This I know, that I remained in a +state of confusion and perplexity, and, +as it were, beside myself, on account +of what had happened; but I either +wanted courage or memory to quarrel +with my maid for the perfidy she had +been guilty of, in conducting Don +Fernando to my apartment; indeed, +I could not as yet determine, whether +the adventure would redound to my +advantage or misfortune. I told him, +at parting, that now I was his wife, +he might see me any night, by the +same means he had used to procure +the first interview, until he should +think proper to make our marriage +publick: but, except the following +night, I could never set eyes on him, +either in the street or at church, during +a whole month, which I spent in +the utmost anxiety of expectation; although +I knew he was in town, and +almost every day employed in the +chace, an exercise to which he was +greatly addicted. Those were doleful +and distracting hours and days +<span class='pageno' id='Page_159'>159</span>to me; for then I began to doubt, +and afterwards to disbelieve the faith +of Don Fernando; then was my +maid exposed to those rebukes for her +presumption, which she had never +heard before; then was I obliged to +husband my tears, and wear composure +on my countenance, that I might +not give occasion to my parents to +ask the cause of my discontent, and +be put to the trouble of inventing falshoods +to deceive them. But all this +constraint was banished by an event, +the knowledge of which trod down +all other respects, put an end to all +my prudent measures, and by destroying +my patience, published my misfortune +to the world. This was no +other than a report that soon after prevailed +in our town, by which I learned +that Don Fernando was married, +in a neighbouring city, to a young +lady of exceeding beauty, and distinguished +birth, though her parents +could not give her a portion suitable +to such a noble alliance. I understood +her name was Lucinda, and that several +surprizing accidents had happened +at their nuptials.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Cardenio hearing Lucinda’s name, +though he said nothing, shrugged up +his shoulders, bit his lips, contracted +the skin of his forehead, and discharged +from his eyes two fountains of tears; +but, notwithstanding, Dorothea continued +her story, saying, ‘This melancholy +piece of news no sooner reached +my ears, than, instead of freezing, +it inflamed my heart with such rage +and fury, that I had well-nigh run +out into the streets, and published +aloud the falshood and treachery he +had practised upon me: but my rage +was restrained for that time, by a plan +which I conceived, and actually put +in execution that very night. I dressed +myself in this garb, which I received +from one of the swains belonging +to the house, to whom I disclosed +my whole misfortune, intreating +him to attend me to the city, where +I understood my adversary was. After +having disapproved of the attempt, +and blamed my resolution, seeing me +determined, he offered to keep me +company, as he said, to the world’s +end: that moment I packed up my +woman’s dress in a pillow-case, together +with some jewels and money, +as a resource in time of need; and in +the dead of that very night, without +giving the least hint to my perfidious +maid, left my father’s house, and +accompanied by my servant, and a +thousand strange imaginations, set out +for that city on foot, winged with the +desire of finding Don Fernando; and +resolved, though I could not prevent +what was already done, to demand +with what confidence he had done it.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘In two days and an half I arrived +at the city, and enquiring for the house +of Lucinda’s parents, the first person +to whom I put the question, told me +more than I desired to hear. He directed +me to the house, and related +every incident which had happened at +his daughter’s wedding; a story so +publick, that it was the common town-talk. +He said, that on the night of +their nuptials, after she had pronounced +the “Yes,” by which he became +her husband, Lucinda was seized with +a violent fit; that Don Fernando opening +her breast to give her fresh air, +found in it a paper written with her +own hand, importing that she could +not lawfully espouse Fernando, being +already the wife of Cardenio, who, +as the man told me, was one of the +principal cavaliers of that town; and +that she had now pronounced the fatal +“Yes,” merely because she would not +swerve from the obedience she owed to +her parents; in short, he said, the contents +of the paper plainly gave them +to understand, that she intended to +make away with herself, immediately +after the ceremony, induced by the +reasons which were there contained; +and this resolution was confirmed by +a poignard which they found concealed +in some part of her dress. Don +Fernando perceiving, by what happened, +that Lucinda had baffled, scorned, +and undervalued his addresses, +ran to her before she had recovered the +use of her senses, and with the poignard +they had found, would have +stabbed her to the heart, had he not +been prevented by her parents and +the rest of the company. It was, +moreover, reported that Don Fernando +immediately retired; and that Lucinda +continued in a fit till next day. +When she recovered from her swoon, +she declared to her father and mother, +that she was the true and lawful wife +of that same Cardenio, who, it seems, +was present at the ceremony; and +<span class='pageno' id='Page_160'>160</span>who, when he saw her actually married, +contrary to his former belief and +firm expectation, quitted the city in +despair, having first left a writing +that declared the wrong she had done +him, and signified his intention to +banish himself for ever from the society +of mankind. All this transaction +was so notorious and publick +in the city, as to furnish discourse for +every body; and the subject was not +diminished, when it was known that +Lucinda was not to be found either +in her father’s house, or in any other +part of the town, which were searched +all over by her parents, who had almost +run distracted, not knowing what +other method they should take to retrieve +her. This information revived +my hopes a little; for I was better +pleased to have missed Don Fernando, +than to have found him married to +another; thinking, that every gate of +comfort was not yet shut against me; +and that Heaven, perhaps, had thrown +that impediment in the way of his second +marriage, with a view of making +him reflect upon what he owed to the +first; and reminding him of his being +a Christian, consequently more interested +in the care of his soul than in +any other human concern. All these +things I revolved in my imagination; +and, as I had no real comfort, consoled +myself with the most feeble and +distant hope, in order to support a life +which I now abhor.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘While I remained in this city, undetermined +what course to take, as I +could not find Don Fernando, I heard +a publick crier describe my person and +dress, and offer a considerable reward +to any one that should discover where +I was. Nay, it was said, that I had +seduced from my father’s house, the +young man who attended me; a circumstance +that touched me to the +very soul: finding my credit fallen so +low, that they were not satisfied with +publishing my escape, but must needs +also mention my attendant, a creature +so mean and unworthy of my attention +and regard, as soon as I heard +myself proclaimed, I quitted the town, +accompanied by my servant, who already +began to give marks of staggering +in his promised faith and fidelity, +and that night reached the most +woody part of this mountain, urged +by the fear of being discovered; but, +as it is commonly observed, one mischance +invites another, and the end of +one misfortune is often the beginning +of a worse, this was literally my case: +my trusty servant, who had hitherto +behaved with such zeal and fidelity, +seeing me in this solitary place, and +instigated by his own villainy rather +than any beauty of mine, attempted +to avail himself of the opportunity +which he thought this desart offered; +and with great impudence, contempt +of Heaven, and disregard to me, began +to talk of love; when, finding +that I rejected his immodest proposals +with just indignation and disdain, he +laid aside intreaties for the use of +those who might please to use them, +and began to employ force for the +accomplishment of his will; but, just +Heaven, who seldom or never abandons +the righteous intention, favoured +and assisted mine so effectually, that +with the little strength I have, and +no great trouble, I pushed him over +a precipice, unknowing whether or +nor he survived the fall; then, as +nimbly as my weariness and terror +would allow, I penetrated farther into +the mountain, without any other +thought or intention, than that of +keeping myself concealed from my +father, and those whom he had employed +to find me out.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘I know not how many months I have +lived in this place, where I met with +a grazier, who took me into his service, +and carried me to his house, +which stands in the very heart of the +mountain. Him I served all this +time, in quality of a cowherd, endeavouring +to be always in the field, that +I might the more easily conceal that +hair which now so unexpectedly discovered +my sex: yet, all my care and +industry were vain; for, my master +having found me out to be a woman, +was seized with the same desire that +took possession of my own servant. +But fortune, with the evil, does not always +send the remedy; for, I could +neither find rock nor bog, by which +I might have disabled my master, as I +had before punished my man; and +therefore, as the least inconvenience, +I have left his house, and chosen to +hide myself again among these thickets, +rather than try my strength against +him, in defence of my innocence. I +say, I returned to these woods in hopes +<span class='pageno' id='Page_161'>161</span>of finding a place in which I might, +without impediment, implore Heaven +with sighs and tears, to have compassion +upon my misery, and give me +industry and grace to overcome it, or +quit my being in this solitude, without +leaving behind me the least trace +or remembrance of this forlorn wretch, +who, without any fault of her own, +hath afforded so much matter for conversation +and censure both at home +and abroad.</p> +<h4 id='chap2-4-2' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='two'>II.</abbr> <br> OF THE BEAUTIFUL DOROTHEA’S DISCRETION—WITH OTHER PLEASANT AND ENTERTAINING PARTICULARS.</h4> +<p class='c004'>‘This, gentlemen, is the genuine +detail of my tragick story; +consider, therefore, and judge whether +or not I have sufficient cause to +heave more sighs than I have vented, +utter more complaints than you have +heard, and shed more tears than have +flowed from mine eyes; and when +you shall have deliberated upon the +quality of my misfortune, you will +perceive how vain all consolation +must be, as the disease admits of no +remedy. I only ask what you easily +can, and ought to grant, namely, that +you would inform me where I can pass +my life, without being harrassed by +the surprize and fear of being found by +those who are in search of me. For, +though I am well assured, that my parents, +out of their great love and affection, +would receive me again into their +favour, such is the shame and confusion +I feel at the bare thought of their +having altered their opinion to my +prejudice, that I would rather conceal +myself from their sight for ever, than +appear in their presence under the +suspicion of having acted contrary to +the expectations they entertained from +my virtue.’ So saying, she left off +speaking, and her face was overspread +with a blush that plainly denoted the +sentiments and confusion of her soul. +Those who had heard her story, were +equally surprized and afflicted at her +misfortune; to which the curate was +going to offer some consolation and advice, +when Cardenio took her by the +hand, saying, ‘It seems, then, Madam, +you are the beauteous Dorothea, only +daughter of Cleonardo the rich!’ She +was astonished to hear her father’s name +pronounced by one of such a miserable +appearance, (for we have already observed, +how wretchedly Cardenio was +cloathed) and said to him, ‘And who +are you, brother, who know so well +my father’s name; which, if I remember +aright, I have not once mentioned +in the whole course of my unfortunate +story?’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘I am,’ replied Cardenio, ‘that unfortunate +man, to whom, as you have +observed, Lucinda said she was married. +I am that miserable Cardenio, +whom the villainy of him who reduced +you to your present situation, +hath brought to this deplorable condition +in which you now see me, ragged, +half-naked, destitute of all human +comfort, and, which is still +worse, deprived of my understanding, +except at certain short intervals, that +I enjoy by the permission of Heaven. +I, Dorothea, am the person who was +present at the perfidy of Don Fernando, +and heard Lucinda pronounce the +fatal “Yes,” by which she accepted +him for a husband. I am he who wanted +resolution to wait the issue of her +swoon, or stay and see the result of +that paper which was found in her +bosom; for, my soul could not sustain +the shock of such accumulated +misfortune; and therefore, I quitted +the house, already abandoned by my +patience, and leaving a letter with my +host, whom I charged to deliver it +into Lucinda’s own hand, betook myself +to these desarts, with an intention +here to finish the life which from that +instant I have abhorred as my most +inveterate foe. But fate hath not +been pleased to grant my wish, contenting +itself with having deprived me +of my judgment, with a view, perhaps, +of reserving me for better fortune; +which I begin to hope may +proceed from this lucky meeting with +you, since, if that which you have +recounted be true, as I believe it is, +there is a possibility that Heaven may +have in store for us both, a more favourable +termination of our disasters +than we imagine; for, supposing that +Lucinda, who is already my wife, +as she hath openly declared, cannot +be married to Don Fernando, nor he +lawfully wed her, being already +<span class='pageno' id='Page_162'>162</span>espoused to you, I think we have +reason to hope, that Heaven will one +day restore what mutually belongs to +us; as it is neither alienated, ruined, +nor irretrievable. And since this consolation +still remains, sprung from +hopes that are not very remote, and +founded on expectations which are not +the effects of a disordered imagination, +I entreat you, Madam, in the +purity of your sentiments, to change +your present resolution, as I intend to +alter mine, and accommodate yourself +to the hopes of better fortune; for, I +swear upon the faith of a gentleman +and a Christian, that I will never abandon +you, until I see you in the +arms of Don Fernando, whom, if I +cannot by reasonable arguments, bring +to a true sense of his duty towards +you, I will then use that privilege to +which every gentleman is intitled, +and in single combat demand satisfaction +for the injury he has done you, +without minding my own wrongs, +which I will leave to the vengeance +of Heaven, that I may the sooner revenge +yours upon earth.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>This speech of Cardenio put an end +to the surprize of Dorothea, who being +at a loss how to thank him for his kind +and generous offer, stooped in order to +kiss his feet, but this piece of condescension +he would by no means allow. +The priest answering for both, approved +of Cardenio’s declaration; and, in a +particular manner, intreated, advised, +and persuaded them, to accompany him +to the village where he lived, in order +to provide themselves with what they +wanted; and there consult some scheme +either for finding Don Fernando, or for +carrying Dorothea back to her parents, +or, in short, for doing that which should +seem most necessary and convenient. +Cardenio and Dorothea thanked him for +his courteous offer, which they immediately +embraced; and the barber, who +had been silent and attentive all this +time, having joined the curate in his +compliments and hearty proffers of service, +briefly recounted the cause which +had brought them thither; namely, the +strange madness of Don Quixote; observing, +that they were then waiting for +the return of his squire, whom they had +sent in quest of his master. Cardenio +immediately, as if it had been the faint +impression of a dream, recollected and +related the quarrel which had happened +between the knight and him, though +he could not remember the cause of the +dispute.</p> + +<p class='c005'>At that instant they heard and recognized +the voice of Sancho; who, not +finding them in the place where he had +left them, hallooed aloud; upon which +they went to meet him, and enquiring +about Don Quixote, were told by the +squire, that he found him naked to the +shirt, wan, meagre, half famished, and +sighing for his mistress Dulcinea; that +when he (Sancho) told him she had +commanded him to quit that place, and +go immediately to Toboso, where she +waited with impatience to see him, he +had answered, that he was determined +never to appear before her, until he +should have performed such atchievements +as would render him worthy of +her favour; and Sancho observed, that +if this resolution should hold, it was +possible he might never attain to the +rank of an emperor, as he was in duty +bound, nor even to that of an archbishop, +which was the least he could +expect. He desired them, therefore, to +consider some means of disengaging the +knight from his solitude. The priest +bade him be under no concern, for they +would fall upon a method to remove his +master, whether he would or no.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Then he explained to Cardenio and +Dorothea, the plan they had laid to +cure Don Quixote of his madness, or +at least bring him back to his own +house. This Dorothea no sooner understood, +than she told him, that she +was more proper than the barber for +acting the part of the distressed damsel; +especially, as she had cloaths along with +her, that would answer the purpose; +and bade them trust to her, for representing +every part of the character +which should be necessary towards the +success of their design, for she had +read a great many books of chivalry, +and was perfectly well acquainted with +the stile in which afflicted damsels were +wont to beg boons of knights-errant. +‘If that be the case,’ said the curate, +‘let us not delay the execution of our +scheme; for, without doubt, Heaven +seems to favour my endeavours; not +only in opening a door so unexpectedly, +towards the cure of your +misfortunes, but also in making you +subservient in facilitating our success.’ +Dorothea then pulled out of her pillow-case, +a gown and petticoat of very +<span class='pageno' id='Page_163'>163</span>rich stuff, with a beautiful green mantelet, +and opening a little casket, took out +a rich necklace and other jewels, with +which she instantly dressed herself to +such advantage that she appeared like a +lady of the first rank and fortune. All +these, and other ornaments, she said, +she had carried off from her father’s +house, in case of what might happen; +though hitherto she had met with no +opportunity of using them. Every one +present was charmed with her graceful +mien, easy deportment, and exceeding +beauty; and passed sentence on Don +Fernando, as a person of little taste +and discernment, for having abandoned +such excellence. But the admiration +of Sancho was superior to that of all +the rest; for he actually thought, and +indeed it was true, that in all the days of +his life, he had never seen such a beautiful +creature; and, accordingly, asked +the curate, with great eagerness, who +that handsome lady was, and what she +looked for in these bye places. ‘Friend +Sancho,’ answered the curate, ‘that +handsome lady, to say no more of her, +is heiress, in the direct male line, of +the kingdom of Micomicon<a id='r85'></a><a href='#f85' class='c008'><sup>[85]</sup></a>, come +hither to beg a boon of your master, +that he would redress a wrong and +grievance done to her by a discourteous +giant; for such is the fame and +reputation of that excellent knight, +Don Quixote, through the whole extent +of Guinea, as to induce this +princess to come from thence in quest +of him.’—‘Blessed quest!’ cried Sancho, +‘and happy finding, say I! especially +if my master should be so fortunate +as to right the wrong, and redress +the grievance, by killing that +son of a whore of a giant that your +worship mentions; and kill him he +certainly will, if they should once +meet, provided he be not a phantom; +for you must know, my master has +no power over phantoms. But one +thing, among many others, I must +beg of you, Mr. Licentiate, and +that is, to put my master out of +conceit of an archbishoprick, for I +am afraid his inclination leans that +way, and advise him to marry this +princess out of hand, a match which +will make it impossible for him to receive +holy orders; and therefore he +will the more easily arrive at the seat +of empire, and I at the end of my +wish. For I have carefully considered +the affair, and by my reckoning, +I shall not find my account in +his being an archbishop, as I am altogether +unfit for the church, by reason +of my being married; and for +me, who have a wife and children, +to be petitioning for dispensations to +hold livings, would be an endless task. +Wherefore, Signior, the point is this: +let my master immediately take to +wife the same lady, whose name I do +not know; for, indeed, I never saw +her grace before this blessed minute.’—‘She +is called the princess Micomicona,’ +replied the curate, ‘because +her kingdom being Micomicon, it is +plain her name must be Micomicona.’—‘Yes, +to be sure,’ said Sancho, ‘I +have known several people take a surname +and addition from the place of +their nativity, calling themselves, for +example, Pedro d’Alcala, Juna de +Ubeda, Diego de Valladolid; and I +suppose they have the same custom in +Guinea, where the queens take their +names from the kingdoms they rule.’ +The priest confirmed Sancho’s opinion, +and promised to use his utmost influence +to promote the marriage of the knight. +With this assurance Sancho rested as +much satisfied as the other was surprized +at his simplicity, when he perceived +how carefully he cherished, in his imagination, +the same extravagant whims +that possessed his master, who he firmly +believed would one day become an +emperor.</p> + +<p class='c005'>By this time, Dorothea being mounted +on the curate’s mule, and the barber’s +face accommodated with the ox’s +tail by way of beard, they desired +Sancho to guide them to the place +where Don Quixote was, and cautioned +him against pretending to know the licentiate +and his companion, assuring +him that his master’s becoming an emperor +entirely depended upon his professing +ignorance of their persons. Yet +neither the curate nor Cardenio would +accompany them; because the presence +of this last might recal to the knight’s +memory the quarrel which had happened +between them; and it was not +yet proper that the priest should appear; +for which reasons, they let the rest proceed +by themselves, and they followed +<span class='pageno' id='Page_164'>164</span>at a small distance, after the curate had +given her cue to Dorothea; who desired +him to make himself perfectly easy on +her account, for she would act the +part assigned to her, without the least +occasion for a prompter, in the true stile +and spirit of knight-errantry.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Having travelled about three quarters +of a league, they discovered Don Quixote +already cloathed, though still unarmed, +sitting in the midst of a labyrinth +of rocks: and Dorothea no sooner +understood it was he, in consequence of +Sancho’s information, than she whipped +up her palfrey, close attended by the +well-bearded barber, who, when she +approached the knight, threw himself +from his mule, and ran to help his lady +to alight. But she, dismounting with +great agility, went and fell upon her +knees before Don Quixote, whom, in +spite of his repeated endeavours to raise +her, she accosted in these words.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Never will I rise from this posture, +most valiant and invincible knight, +until your benevolence and courtesy +grant me a boon, which will not only +redound to the honour and applause +of your own person, but also to the +advantage of the most injured and +disconsolate damsel that ever the sun +beheld; and if the valour of your +mighty arm corresponds with the +voice of your immortal fame, you +are obliged to favour the unfortunate, +who, attracted by the odour +of your celebrated name, come from +far distant regions, in quest of your +assistance.’—‘Beauteous lady,’ replied +Don Quixote, ‘I will not answer one +word, nor hear one circumstance of +your affairs, until you rise from the +ground.’—‘I will not rise, Signior,’ +answered the afflicted damsel, ‘until I +shall have obtained from your condescension, +the boon I beg.’—‘I condescend +and grant it,’ resumed the +knight, ‘provided, in so doing, I act +neither to the detriment nor derogation +of my king, my country, and +her who holds my heart and liberty<a id='r86'></a><a href='#f86' class='c008'><sup>[86]</sup></a>.’—‘Your +compliance, worthy Signior,’ +replied the mourning lady, ‘shall in no +ways affect the exceptions you have +made.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>At that instant Sancho came up, and +whispered softly in his master’s ear: +‘Your worship may safely grant the +boon she asks, which is a mere trifle; +no more than slaying a giantish sort +of a fellow; and she who begs it, +is the high and mighty princess Micomicona, +queen of the great empire +of Micomicon in Ethiopia.’—‘Whosoever +she is,’ answered Don Quixote, +‘I will do what I am in duty bound to +perform, and act according to the +dictates of my own conscience, and +conformable to the order I profess.’ +Then turning to Dorothea, ‘Rise, most +beautiful lady,’ said he, ‘the boon +you ask is granted.’—‘Then, what I +ask is this,’ resumed the damsel, ‘that +your magnanimity would immediately +accompany me to the place from +whence I came, and promise to attempt +no other adventure, nor grant +any other request, until you shall have +taken vengeance on a traitor who hath +usurped my crown, contrary to all +right, human and divine.’—‘I grant +your request, Madam,’ answered Don +Quixote; ‘henceforth you may dispel +that melancholy with which you are +depressed, and let your fainting hope +resume new strength and vigour; for, +with the assistance of God, and this my +arm, you shall, in a short time, see +yourself restored to your kingdom, +and seated on the throne of your royal +ancestors, in defiance and despite of +all those evil-designing persons who +mean to oppose you: let us set hands +to the work then; for, according to +the common observation, Delay breeds +danger.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>The distressed damsel struggled with +great perseverance, to kiss his hand;</p> + +<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_165'>165</span>but Don Quixote, who was in all respects +a well-bred knight, would by no +means allow such humiliation: on the +contrary, raising her up, he embraced +her with great politeness and cordiality, +ordering Sancho to secure Rozinante’s +girths, and help him to arm with all +expedition. The squire taking down +the armour, which hung on a tree, in +the manner of a trophy, and adjusting +the horse’s girths, in a twinkling, equipped +his master, who finding himself +armed, ‘Now,’ said he, ‘let us go, in +the name of God, to the assistance of +this high-born lady.’ The barber, +who was all this time on his knees, at +infinite pains to preserve his gravity and +his beard, the fall of which, perhaps, +would have utterly ruined their laudable +design, when he found the boon was +granted, and saw with what eagerness +the knight undertook to fulfil it, rose +up, and with the assistance of Don +Quixote, helped his lady upon her mule +again; then her protector bestrode Rozinante, +and he himself mounted his +own beast, while Sancho Panza being +left on foot, felt the loss of Dapple anew: +but this he contentedly bore, believing +that his master was now in the +right road, and almost at the very point +of being an emperor; for he assured +himself, that the knight would wed that +princess, and so become King of Micomicon +at least; the only uneasiness he +felt, was, on account of that kingdom’s +being in the land of negroes, so that all +his servants and vassals must be black; +but, his imagination supplied him with +a remedy for this inconvenience, and he +said within himself, ‘Suppose my vassals +are negroes, what else have I to +do, but transport them to Spain, +where I can sell them for ready-money, +with which I may purchase some +title or post that will maintain me +at my ease all the days of my life? +No, to be sure! sleep on, void of all +invention or ability to dispose of your +ware, and sell thirty, or ten thousand +slaves in the turning of a straw! Before +God! I’ll make them fly, little +and big, or just as I may; and, +blacks as they are, turn them all into +whites and yellows! Let me alone to +suck my own fingers.’ With these +conceits he was so much engrossed, and +so well satisfied, that he actually forgot +the pain of travelling on foot.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Cardenio and the curate saw every +thing that passed, from behind some +bushes where they were hid, and could +fall upon no method of joining them +conveniently, until the priest, who was +an excellent schemer, thought of an +expedient for the purpose; having a +pair of scissars about him, he cut off +the beard of Cardenio with infinite dispatch, +and giving him a grey jacket, +with his own black cloak, he himself +remaining in his doublet and hose, the +tattered cavalier was so much altered in +point of appearance, that he would +scarce have known himself had he looked +in a glass. Although the others +were jogging on, while they disguised +themselves in this manner, they easily +reached the highway, before the knight +and his company, whose beasts were retarded +by the bushes and rockiness of +the ground; and taking their station +just at the mouth of the entrance to the +mountain, no sooner perceived the +knight and his attendants come forth, +than the curate looked earnestly at him +a good while, as if he had been recollecting +a person whom he knew, then +ran to him with open arms, crying +aloud, ‘Blessed be this meeting with +the mirror of chivalry, my worthy +compatriot Don Quixote de La Mancha, +the flower and cream of gentility, +the protector and physician of the distressed, +and quintessence of knights-errant!’ +So saying, he embraced the +left-knee of Don Quixote; who being +astonished at the words and action of +the man, began to consider his features +with great attention, and at length, recollecting +him, was struck dumb with +admiration, at seeing him in that place, +and made many efforts to alight; which +when the priest opposed, ‘Give me +leave, Mr. Licentiate,’ said he, ‘it +is not seemly that I should remain +on horseback, when such a reverend +person as you travels on foot.’—‘I +will by no means,’ answered the curate, +‘consent to your alighting; since, +on horseback, your mighty arm hath +atchieved the greatest exploits and adventures +that this age hath seen; it +shall suffice for me, who am but an +unworthy priest, to get up, with permission, +behind this gentleman who +travels in your worship’s company; +and then I shall imagine myself +mounted upon Pegasus, a zebra, or +<span class='pageno' id='Page_166'>166</span>that fiery courser that carried the famous +Moor Muzaraque, who still +lies inchanted in the vast mountain +Zulema, at a little distance from the +great Compluto.’—‘I did not think +of that expedient, Mr. Licentiate,’ resumed +the knight; ‘but I know that +my lady the princess will, out of regard +to me, be pleased to order her +squire to accommodate you with the +saddle of his mule, and he himself +may ride upon the crupper, if the +beast will carry double.’—‘I believe +she will,’ said the princess; ‘and I +am sure, there will be no occasion to +lay my commands upon my squire +who is too courteous and polite, to +suffer an ecclesiastick to travel on foot, +when it is in his power to provide him +with a beast.’—‘Your majesty is in +the right,’ answered the barber; who +instantly alighting, complimented the +curate with the saddle, which was accepted +without much intreaty.</p> + +<p class='c005'>But the misfortune was, when the +squire attempted to get up behind, the +mule, which was an hireling, consequently +mischievous, lifted up her hind +legs, and kicked with such fury, that +had they lighted on the head or breast +of Mr. Nicholas, he would have had +reason to curse the hour on which he set +out in quest of Don Quixote: such, +however, was his confusion, that he +came to the ground, and his beard being +neglected, fell off; so that he could +find no other method to prevent a discovery, +than to clap both hands to his +face, with great expedition, and roar +out that his teeth were demolished. Don +Quixote, seeing that huge mass of beard +torn from the jaw, without blood, and +lying at a good distance from the squire’s +face, ‘Good Heavens!’ cried he, ‘what +a wonderful phænomenon is this! The +beard is taken off and shaved as clean by +the heel of the mule, as if it had been +done by the hand of a barber.’ The +curate, seeing the risk he ran of being +detected in his scheme, snatched up the +tail, and running with it to Mr. Nicholas, +who still lay bellowing for help, +pulled his head to his breast with one +jerk, and clapping it on again, muttered +some words, which he said were +an infallible charm for fixing on beards, +as they should presently see; accordingly, +when the affair was adjusted, he +quitted the squire, who now seemed as +well bearded and as sound as ever; a +circumstance that, above measure, surprized +the knight, who begged that the +curate, at a proper opportunity, would +impart to him the charm, which he imagined +must contain more virtues than +that of cementing beards, because it +was plain, that where the hair was torn +off, the skin and flesh must be lacerated +and hurt, and if the application could +heal those wounded parts, it was good +for something more than mere mustachios. +The curate confirmed his conjecture, +and promised to disclose the +secret to him, with the first proper opportunity; +then it was agreed, that the +priest should mount the mule by himself, +and, with the other two, ride her +by turns, until they should arrive at +the inn, which was about two leagues +off.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Don Quixote, the princess, and the +curate, being thus mounted, and Cardenio, +the barber, and Sancho Panza following +on foot, the knight told the damsel, +that her highness might conduct +him whithersoever she pleased; but, before +she could make any reply, the +priest interposed, saying, ‘Towards +what kingdom is your majesty journeying? +I am much mistaken in my +notions of kingdoms, if you are not +bound for Micomicon?’ She, who +had been well instructed in her cue, +concluding that the must answer in the +affirmative, said, ‘Yes, Signior, that +is the place of my destination.’—‘Then +you must pass through our village,’ +answered the curate, ‘and take +your route to Carthagena, where your +highness may happily embark; and +if you meet with no hurricane, but +be favoured with a fair wind and +smooth sea, in something less than +nine years, you may get sight of that +vast Lake Meona, I mean, Meotis, +which is a little more than one hundred +days journey from your majesty’s +kingdom.’—‘Your worship must +be mistaken,’ said the princess, ‘for +two years are not yet elapsed since I +set out from thence; and though the +weather has always been bad, I have +already obtained what I so much +longed after, namely, the sight of +Signior Don Quixote de La Mancha, +whose fame reached my ears as soon +as I landed in Spain, and induced me +to come in quest of him, that I might +solicit his courtesy, and trust my +righteous cause to the valour of his +<span class='pageno' id='Page_167'>167</span>invincible arm.’—‘Enough, Madam,’ +said Don Quixote; ‘spare your encomiums; +for I am an utter enemy to +all sorts of adulation; and, although +you are not to be suspected of flattery, +my chaste ears are always offended at +that kind of discourse. What I can +safely affirm, is this; whether I have +valour or not, here is he, valiant or +pusillanimous, who will exert himself +to the last drop of his blood in the +service of your highness. But, this +apart——Pray, Mr. Licentiate, what +cause hath brought you hither alone, +where I am really astonished to find +you so ill attended, and so slightly +cloathed?’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘In that particular you shall soon be +satisfied,’ answered the curate: ‘your +worship must know that I and our +friend Mr. Nicholas the barber, set +out for Seville, to recover a sum of +money, which was lent to me by a relation +of mine that went to the Indies, +a good many years ago; no less than +sixty thousand pieces of eight in good +silver, which make no inconsiderable +sum: and yesterday, passing through +this place, we were set upon by four +highwaymen, who stripped us even +to our very whiskers, and that in such +a manner as obliged the barber to +wear artificial ones; and you may see,’ +pointing to Cardenio, ‘how they have +despoiled the face of this young man +who accompanied us; and the cream +of the story is, that, according to the +publick report, which prevails in this +neighbourhood, those who robbed us +were galley-slaves, that, almost in +this very place, were set at liberty by +a man so valiant, as to let them all +loose, in spite of the commissary and +his guards. Without all doubt he +must have been deprived of his senses, +or as great a villain as any of those he +freed, or some person void of all conscience +and feeling, who could thus +turn loose the wolf among the lambs, +the fox among the poultry, and the +flies among the honey-pots; defrauding +justice, and rebelling against his +king and rightful sovereign, by acting +contrary to his just commands, in depriving +the gallies of their hands, and +putting in confusion the holy brotherhood, +which have continued so many +years in undisturbed repose: in short, +he hath done a deed that may tend to +the perdition of his own soul as well +as body.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Sancho had before recounted to them +the adventure of the galley-slaves, which +he had atchieved with so much glory; +and therefore the curate urged it home, +in order to observe the behaviour of Don +Quixote, who changed colour at every +word, without daring to own himself +the deliverer of that worthy crew. +‘Those,’ added the priest, ‘were the +persons who rifled us; and God of +his infinite mercy forgive the man +who prevented the punishment they +so richly deserved!’</p> + +<h4 id='chap2-4-3' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='three'>III.</abbr> <br> THE PLEASANT ARTIFICE PRACTISED TO EXTRICATE OUR ENAMOURED KNIGHT<br> FROM THE MOST RIGOROUS PENANCE HE HAD IMPOSED UPON HIMSELF.</h4> +<p class='c004'>Scarce had the curate pronounced +this apostrophe, when Sancho +blundered out—‘Then, in good faith, +Mr. Licentiate, he who performed +this exploit, was no other than my +master; not that I neglected to tell +and advise him beforehand, to consider +what he was about, and think +what a sin it would be to let loose +those who were going to the gallies +for the most grievous enormities.’—‘You +blockhead,’ cried Don Quixote, +incensed, ‘it neither concerns, nor belongs +to knights-errant, to examine +whether the afflicted, the enslaved, and +oppressed, whom they meet on the highway, +are reduced, to these wretched +circumstances by their crimes, or +their misfortunes; our business is only +to assist them in their distress, having +an eye to their sufferings, and not to +their demerits. I chanced to light +upon a string of miserable and discontented +objects, in behalf of whom +I acted according to the dictates of +my religion, without minding the +consequence; and he who takes umbrage +at what I have done, saving the +sacred character and honourable person +of Mr. Licentiate, is, I insist +upon it, utterly ignorant of chivalry, +and lyes like the base-born son of a +whore; and this assertion I will make +good with my sword, in the most +<span class='pageno' id='Page_168'>168</span>ample manner.’ So saying, he fixed +himself in the stirrups, and cocked his +beaver; the barber’s bason, which he +mistook for Mambrino’s helmet, hanging +useless at the saddle-bow, until the +damage it received from the galley-slaves +could be repaired.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Dorothea, who was equally prudent +and witty, understanding that every +body present, except Sancho, diverted +themselves with the extravagant humour +of Don Quixote, was willing to +have her share of the entertainment; +and accordingly, perceiving that his indignation +was raised, ‘Sir knight,’ said +she, ‘I hope your worship will remember +your promise to me, by which +you are restricted from engaging in +any other adventure, howsoever pressing +it may be. Subdue your resentment +therefore, and be assured, that +had Mr. Licentiate known the galley-slaves +were set at liberty by that invincible +arm, he would have taken +three stitches in his mouth, and bit +his tongue three times, rather than +have uttered one word that should redound +to the prejudice of your worship.’—‘That +I swear I would have +done,’ said the curate; ‘aye, and have +plucked off one of my whiskers to +boot.’—‘Madam,’ answered the +knight, ‘I am silent. I will restrain the +just indignation which begins to rise +within me, and proceed in the utmost +peace and quiet, until I shall have +fulfilled the boon I promised to your +highness; but, in recompence for +this my kind intention, I beseech +you, if it be not too much trouble, +to make me acquainted with the nature +of your misfortune; and tell me +the number, quality, and condition +of those persons on whom I am to +take just satisfaction and full vengeance, +in your behalf.’—‘With all +my heart,’ answered Dorothea; +‘though I am afraid of tiring you with +a recital of woes and misfortunes.’ +The knight assured her that would be +impossible; and she resumed, ‘Well +then, be so good as to favour me with +your attention.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>At these words, Cardenio and the +barber went up close to her, in order to +hear what story she, in her discretion, +would invent; and Sancho Panza, who +was as much deceived as his master, followed +their example. After she had +seated herself firmly in the saddle, cleared +her pipes with a hem or two, and +made other preliminary gestures, she +with great sprightliness thus began:</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘In the first place, gentlemen, you +must know that my name is ——’ +Here she made a full stop, having forgot +how the curate had christened her: +but this defect was soon remedied; for, +immediately conceiving the cause of her +hesitation, he said, ‘It is no wonder, +Madam, that your highness is disturbed +and disordered at the recollection of +your misfortunes, which are often so +great, as to impair the memory to such +a degree, that the afflicted cannot even +remember their own names: this effect +they have had upon you, Madam, +who have forgot that you are the Princess +Micomicona, legitimate heiress +of the great kingdom of Micomicon. +With the assistance of this hint, your +highness will easily recal the whole +thread of your story to your sorrowful +remembrance.’—‘You are in the +right,’ replied the damsel; ‘and I believe +I shall be able to bring my true +narrative to a happy conclusion without +farther prompting.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘The king, my father, whose name +was Tinacrio the sage, foresaw, by +his profound skill in magick, that my +mother, who was called Queen Zaramilla, +would die before him; and +that, as he himself must quit this life +soon after, I should be left an helpless +orphan; but this consideration, +he said, did not give him so much +pain and confusion, as the certain +foreknowledge that a monstrous giant, +lord of a great island that bordered on +our kingdom, called Pandafilando of +the Gloomy Aspect: (for, it is affirmed, +that although his eyes are, like +any other person’s, placed in the middle +of his face, he always looks +askance, as if he squinted; and this +obliquity the malicious tyrant practises, +in order to surprize and intimidate +those who behold him;) I say, +my father foresaw by his art, that this +giant, informed of my being an orphan, +would invade me with a great +army, and deprive me of my whole +kingdom, without leaving so much as +a village for my retreat; and that +nothing could prevent this my ruin +and misfortune, unless I would consent +to marry him; though, so far as +he could learn, it would never come +into my thoughts to make such an +<span class='pageno' id='Page_169'>169</span>unequal match; and truly his conjecture +was well founded; for, it never +entered into my head, to wed this +giant, or any other person, howsoever +tall and unmeasurable he might be. +My father, therefore, advised me, +that when, after his death, I should +get notice that Pandafilando was beginning +to invade my kingdom, I +should not stay to put myself in a posture +of defence, which would prove +my destruction, but freely leave him +the possession of my realms, if I was +resolved to avoid my own death, and +to prevent the total destruction of my +good and faithful subjects; for it +would be impossible to defend myself +against the infernal force of the giant: +but, that I should immediately set +out for Spain, where I would find a +remedy for all my misfortunes, in the +person of a certain knight-errant, +whose fame would be at that time +spread over the whole kingdom, and +whose name, if I right remember, +would be Don Hackfot, or Kickfot.’—‘Don +Quixote your ladyship would +say,’ cried Sancho, interposing, ‘alias +the Knight of the Rueful Countenance.’—‘The +very same,’ replied +Dorothea: ‘he told me, moreover, that +this knight would be a tall man, +with a long meagre visage, and have +on his right-side, below his left-shoulder, +or thereabouts, a grey mole garnished +with hairs, which bear some +resemblance to a hog’s bristles.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Don Quixote hearing this circumstance, +said to his squire, ‘Come hither, +son Sancho, and help me to strip; +for I want to see if I am actually +the knight of whom that sage king +foretold.’—‘Why should your worship +strip?’ said Dorothea. ‘In order +to satisfy myself about that mole +which your royal father mentioned.’—‘You +need not give yourself the +trouble,’ said Sancho; ‘I know your +worship hath just such a mole on the +middle of your back-bone, which is +a sign of strength.’—‘That assurance +is sufficient,’ resumed Dorothea, ‘for, +among friends, we ought not to stand +upon trifles; and it is of very little +consequence whether the mole be upon +the shoulder or the back bone; provided +there is really such a mark on +any part of your body, which is all +composed of the same flesh. Without +doubt my worthy father was right +in every thing he prognosticated; and +I have exactly followed his directions, +in recommending my cause to the protection +of Signior Don Quixote, who +is certainly the individual knight my +father described; since his features +correspond with his fame, which fills +not only Spain, but likewise the whole +province of La Mancha<a id='r87'></a><a href='#f87' class='c008'><sup>[87]</sup></a>; for scarce +had I landed at Ossuna, than hearing +of his vast exploits, my mind suggested +that he must be the very person I came +in quest of.’—‘How could your highness,’ +said Don Quixote, ‘land at +Ossuna, which is not a sea-port?’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Before she had time to make a reply, +the curate took the task upon himself, +saying, ‘The princess must mean, that +after she landed at Malaga, Ossuna +was the first place in which she heard +of your worship.’—‘That was my +meaning,’ said Dorothea. ‘There is +nothing more plain,’ answered the +priest; ‘and now your majesty may +proceed.’—‘I have nothing more to +say,’ resumed the princess, ‘but that, +at length, destiny has been so favourable +to me, in my finding Don Quixote, +I reckon and look upon myself +as queen again, and mistress of my +whole realms, since out of his great +courtesy and magnificence, he hath +promised, in consequence of the boon +I asked, to go with me whithersoever +I shall conduct him; and my intention +is no other than to bring him +face to face with Pandafilando of the +Gloomy Aspect, that he may, by putting +him to death, restore me to the +possession of that which he so unjustly +usurps; and all this will literally happen, +as it was prophesied by my worthy +father Tinacrio the Sage, who hath +also left it written in Chaldean or +Greek characters, for I cannot read +them, that if the knight mentioned in +the prophecy should, after having cut +off the giant’s head, demand me in +marriage, I must instantly accept of +him as my lawful husband, without the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_170'>170</span>least hesitation, and give him immediate +possession of my person and +throne.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Don Quixote hearing this circumstance, +cried, ‘What do you think +now, friend Sancho? do you hear +what passes? and did not I tell thee +as much? Observe now, whether or +not we have not a queen to marry, +and a kingdom to govern.’—‘Adzookers, +it is even so!’ cried the +squire; ‘and plague upon the son of a +whore who refuses to marry her, as +soon as Mr. Pandahiladoe’s weazond +is cut; then, what a delicate morsel +the queen is! odd, I wish all the fleas +in my bed were such as she!’ So saying, +he cut a brace of capers, with +marks of infinite satisfaction; then running +up, and taking hold of the bridle +of Dorothea’s mule, made her halt, +while he, falling down on his knees before +her, besought the princess to let +him kiss her hand, in token of his receiving +her as his queen and mistress. +Which of the company could behold +the madness of the master, and the simplicity +of the man, without laughing! +Dorothea actually gave him her hand, +and promised to make him a grandee, +as soon as, by the favour of Heaven, +she should be restored to the possession of +her kingdom; and he thanked her in +terms which redoubled the mirth of all +present.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘This, gentlemen,’ added the damsel, +‘is my story, and nothing now remains +but to tell you, that of all the +people who attended me when I left +my own country, not one survives, +except this well-bearded squire; all +the rest having perished in a dreadful +storm that overtook us after we were +within sight of land: he and I miraculously +floated to the shore on two +planks; and indeed the whole course +of my life, as you may have observed +in my narration, hath been full of +mystery and wonder. If I have in +any thing exceeded the bounds of credibility, +or been less accurate than I +ought, I hope you will impute it to +that cause assigned by the licentiate, +in the beginning of my story; namely, +the continual and extraordinary +affliction, that often impairs the memory +of the unfortunate.’—‘But, +mine shall not be impaired, most high +and virtuous lady!’ said Don Quixote, +‘by all the misfortunes I shall undergo +in your service, let them be never +so great and unprecedented: therefore +I again confirm the boon I have +promised, and swear to attend you +even to the world’s end, until I get +sight of that ferocious adversary of +yours, whose proud head I hope to +slice off, with the assistance of God, +my own arm, and the edge of this +(I will not say good) sword; thanks +to Gines de Passamonte who run away +with my own<a id='r88'></a><a href='#f88' class='c008'><sup>[88]</sup></a>.’ This last apostrophe +he muttered between his teeth, and then +proceeded aloud, saying—‘and after I +shall have deprived him of his head, +and put you in peaceable possession of +your throne, you shall be at free liberty +to dispose of your person, according +to your own will and pleasure; +for, while my memory is engrossed, +my will enslaved, and my understanding +subjected to her who——I +say no more; but, that it is impossible +I should incline, or have the least +thought towards marrying any other +person, though she were a perfect +phœnix.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Sancho was so much disgusted at this +last declaration of his master, refusing +the marriage, that raising his voice, he +cried with great indignation, ‘Signior +Don Quixote, I vow and swear your +worship is crazy, else you would never +boggle at marrying such a high-born +princess as this! Do you imagine +that fortune will offer such good luck +at every turn, as she now presents? +or pray, do you think my Lady Dulcinea +more handsome than the princess? +I am sure she is not half so beautiful, +and will even venture to say, +that she is not worthy to tie her majesty’s +shoe-strings. How the plague +shall I ever obtain the earldom I expect, +if your worship goes thus a-fishing +for mushrooms at sea? Marry +her, marry her, in the devil’s name, +without much ado; lay hold on this +kingdom that drops, as it were, into +your hand; and, after your coronation, +make me a marquis or lord-lieutenant, +and then the devil, if he +will, may run away with the rest.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Don Quixote was enraged, when he +<span class='pageno' id='Page_171'>171</span>heard such blasphemies uttered against +his mistress Dulcinea, and lifting up +his lance, without speaking a syllable, +or giving the least notice of his intention, +discharged two such hearty blows +upon the squire, as brought him instantly +to the ground; and had not Dorothea +called aloud, and begged of him +to forbear, would certainly have murdered +poor Sancho on the spot. ‘Do you +think,’ said he, after some pause, +‘you plebeian scoundrel, that I will always +stand with my hands in my +pockets; and that there is nothing to +be done, but for you to misbehave, +and for me to forgive you? I’ll teach +you better manners, you excommunicated +rascal; for such to be sure you +are, else you would not wag your +tongue against the peerless Dulcinea. +Don’t you know, you grovelling beggarly +villain, that were it not for the +valour with which she inspires this +arm, I should not have enough to kill +a flea? Tell me, you viperish scoffer, +what you think hath won this kingdom, +cut off the giant’s head, and +made you a marquis, for all this I +look upon as already done and determined? +Is it not the valour of +Dulcinea that makes use of my arm +as the instrument of her exploits? In +me she fights and overcomes; in her +I live, breathe, and have my being. +O thou whoreson, ungrateful ruffian, +who seest thyself raised from the dust +of the earth to the rank of nobility, +and repayest the obligation by slandering +thy benefactress.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Sancho was not so roughly handled +but he heard every syllable that his +master spoke; and, starting up as nimbly +as he could, ran behind Dorothea’s +palfrey, from whence he said to the +knight, ‘Pray, Sir, if your worship +is determined against marrying this +great princess, is it not plain, that the +kingdom cannot be yours; and if that +be the case, what favours can you bestow +upon me? This is what I complain +of. I would your worship would, +once for all, marry this queen, who +is, as it were, rained down from +Heaven upon us; and then you may +converse with my Lady Dulcinea, according +to the custom of some kings +who keep concubines. As to the +affair of beauty, I will not intermeddle; +but, if the truth may be +told, I like them both very well, +though I never saw my Lady Dulcinea +in my life.’—‘How! not seen +her, blasphemous traitor!’ cried Don +Quixote; ‘have you not just brought a +message from her?’—‘I say,’ answered +Sancho, ‘that when I saw her, I had +not an opportunity of examining the +particulars of her beauty and good +qualities one by one; but all together +she pleased me very much.’—‘Now, +Sancho,’ said Don Quixote, ‘I exculpate +thee, and thou must forgive +what I did in my wrath; for no man +can command the first emotions of his +passion.’—‘That I can plainly perceive,’ +answered the squire, ‘and +therefore, the desire of speaking is always +the first motion in me; and +truly, when once my tongue begins to +itch, I cannot for my blood keep it +within my teeth.’—‘For all that, +friend Sancho,’ said the knight, ‘I +would have you consider before you +speak; for, though the pitcher goes +often to the well—I need not mention +what follows.’—‘In good time,’ replied +the squire, ‘there is a God above, +who sees the snare, and will judge +which of us is the more to blame; I in +speaking, or your worship in doing +evil.’—‘Let there be no more of this, +Sancho,’ said Dorothea, ‘but run +and kiss your master’s hand, and beg +his pardon; and henceforth set a better +guard upon your praise and disparagement; +above all things, beware +of saying any thing to the prejudice +of that Lady Toboso, whom I know +by nothing else than my inclination to +serve her: and if you put your trust in +God, you will not fail of acquiring +some estate, by which you will live +like a prince.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Sancho took her advice, and, hanging +his head, went to beg a kiss of his +master’s hand, which was granted with +great solemnity of deportment; nay, +the knight gave him his blessing also, +desiring he would attend him while he +rode on a little before the rest of the +company, that he might have a better +opportunity of asking a few questions, +and conversing with him about affairs +of the utmost importance. Sancho obeyed +the order; and the two having advanced +a good way before the rest, +‘Since thy return,’ said Don Quixote, +‘I have had neither time nor convenience, +to enquire about many particular +circumstances of thy embassy, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_172'>172</span>with the answer thou hast brought: +and now that fortune favours us with +a fit opportunity, thou must not deny +me the pleasure I shall receive from +thy agreeable information.’—‘Your +worship,’ answered the squire, ‘may +ask as many questions as you please: +I shall make every thing come out as +clear as it went in; but I intreat your +worship, dear Sir, not to be so revengeful +for the future.’—‘Why dost thou +call me revengeful?’ said the knight. +‘Because,’ resumed the squire, ‘those +blows I was just now honoured with, +were more owing to the quarrel the +devil picked between us, t’other night, +than to any thing I said against my +Lady Dulcinea, whom I love and reverence +as a relick, though she be not +one, merely, because she appertains to +your worship.’—‘No more of these +reflections, on thy life,’ said Don +Quixote; ‘else thou wilt give me fresh +umbrage: I freely forgave thee at that +time, and thou knowest, that, according +to the common observation, +Every new fault deserves a new penance.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>While this conversation passed between +them, they perceived a man riding +towards them on an ass; and, when he +came a little nearer, discerned him to be +a gypsie; but Sancho Panza, who sent +his soul abroad with his eyes, to examine +every ass that appeared, no sooner beheld +the rider, than he recognized Gines +de Passamonte, and by the thread of the +gypsie discovered the clue of his own ass; +for it was actually Dapple that carried +Passamonte, who, for the better convenience +of selling the beast, had disguised +himself in the dress of a gypsie, whose +language, with many others, he could +speak as fluently as his mother-tongue. +Sancho saw and recollected him, and no +sooner had he seen and recollected him, +than he bellowed forth, ‘Ah, villain, +Ginesillo! restore my goods! give me +back the comfort of my life! rob me +not of my heart’s content! give me +my ass! give me my darling! Fly, +thief! skip, robber; and seek not to +preserve that which is none of thy +own.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>There was no need of all this exclamation +and reproach; for Gines leaped +off at the first word, and at a pretty +round trot, which might have passed for +a gallop, made the best of his way, and +vanished in a twinkling. Sancho running +to his ass, embraced it with great +affection, saying, ‘How hast thou been, +my dear Dapple? my trusty companion +and joy of my eyes!’ Then +kissed and caressed it as if it had been a +Christian; while Dapple very peaceably +received these demonstrations of love and +kindness, without answering one word. +The whole company wished him joy +of his recovery; particularly Don Quixote, +who assured him, that although he +had retrieved Dapple, the promise of +the three colts should not be annulled; +and Sancho thanked him for his generosity.</p> + +<p class='c005'>While the master and man were conversing +by themselves, the curate told +Dorothea, that she had behaved with +great discretion in her story, both with +regard to the matter and brevity of it, +as well as the resemblance it bore to +those legends that are found in books of +chivalry. She observed that she had +employed a good part of her leisure +time in reading such romances; but, +being ignorant of the situation of different +provinces and sea-ports, she had +spoke at random, when she mentioned +her landing at Ossuna.’—‘I thought so,’ +resumed the priest, ‘and made all haste +to adjust matters by what I said; but, +is it not very strange, to see with what +facility this poor unfortunate gentleman +swallows all those lyes and fictions, +merely, because they are delivered +in the stile and manner of his +nonsensical books?’—‘So very strange +and singular,’ said Cardenio, ‘that +I question if there be any genius +whatever, so fertile as to frame such +a character by the mere force of invention.’—‘And +what is a very remarkable +circumstance,’ replied the +curate, ‘waving those extravagancies +which this worthy gentleman utters +upon the subject of his disorder, he +can discourse upon other topicks with +surprizing ability, and appears to be a +man of great knowledge and intellects; +so that, if you do not touch +upon chivalry, his hearers must look +upon him as a person of excellent understanding.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>While they were engaged in this conversation, +Don Quixote proceeded in +his with Sancho; to whom he said, +‘Come, friend Panza, let us forget +what is past, with regard to animosity, +and tell me, without any ingredient +of rancour and resentment, where +<span class='pageno' id='Page_173'>173</span>and how you found Dulcinea? What +was she doing? What did she say? +What answer did she make? How did +she look when she read my letter? Who +transcribed it for her perusal? These +particulars, and every other circumstance +of the affair, which you think +worthy to be known, asked, and answered, +I expect you will explain, +without seeking to increase my pleasure +with false additions, much less to +diminish it by malicious omission.’—‘Signior,’ +said Sancho, ‘if the truth +must be told, nobody transcribed the +letter; because I had no letter to be +transcribed.’—‘That is very true,’ +replied the knight; ‘for, two days after +thy departure, I found the pocket-book +in which it was written; a circumstance +that gave me infinite pain, +as I could not conceive what thou +wouldst do when the mistake should +appear; indeed I always imagined +thou wouldst have returned hither immediately +upon the discovery.’—‘That +would certainly have been the case,’ +said the squire, ‘if, when your worship +read it to me, I had not retained it in +my memory, so perfect as to be able +to dictate it to a parish clerk, who, as +I repeated, transcribed it so exactly, +that he said, in all the days of his life, +though he had read many letters of +excommunication, he had never seen +such a clever letter as yours.’—‘And +dost thou still retain it?’ said Don +Quixote. ‘No, Sir’ replied Sancho, ‘For, +after I had put it into her hand, I +thought there was no farther occasion +to retain it, and therefore let it slip out +of my remembrance; or, if any part +remains, it is that of the subterrene, I +mean sovereign lady, and the conclusion +Yours till death, the Knight of +the Rueful Countenance; with about +three hundred souls, and lives, and pigsnies, +which I set down in the middle.’</p> + +<h4 id='chap2-4-4' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='four'>IV.</abbr> <br> THE SAVOURY CONVERSATION<br> THAT PASSED BETWEEN DON QUIXOTE AND HIS SQUIRE SANCHO PANZA,<br> WITH MANY OTHER INCIDENTS.</h4> +<p class='c004'>‘All this is pretty well; proceed!’ +said Don Quixote: ‘how was +that queen of beauty employed, when +you arrived? I dare say, you found +her stringing pearls, or embroidering +some device for this her captive knight, +with threads of gold.’—‘No, truly,’ +answered the squire; ‘I found her winnowing +two bushels of wheat in the +yard.’—‘Then you may depend +upon it,’ resumed the knight, ‘the +grains of that wheat were converted +into pearls by the touch of her hand; +and didst thou observe, my friend, +whether it was of the finer or common +sort?’—‘Why, neither!’ said +Sancho; ‘it seemed to be, as it were, +red wheat.’—‘But, since it was winnowed +by her fair hands,’ answered +Don Quixote, ‘I dare affirm, it will +make the whitest bread in Spain. Go +on with thy information. When the +letter was delivered, did she not kiss +it, and place it on the crown of her +head, in token of respect? Did she not +perform some ceremony worthy of such +a letter? Pray, how did she receive +it?’—‘When I presented the letter,’ +answered Sancho, ‘she was in a main +hurry, winnowing a large heap of +wheat that was in her sieve; and said +to me, “Friend, lay down the letter +on that sack; for I cannot pretend +to read it, until I have made an end +of my work.”’—‘Discreet lady!’ +cried the knight; ‘her intention certainly +was to read it at her leisure, that +she might recreate herself with the +contents. Proceed, Sancho; and while +she was thus employed, what conversation +passed between you? what +questions did she ask concerning me? +and what answers didst thou make? +Recount the whole, without leaving +one syllable untold.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘She asked me no questions,’ replied +the squire; ‘but I told her, how I had +left your worship doing penance for +love of her, skipping among those +rocks, naked from the waist upwards, +like a mere savage, sleeping +on the bare ground; neglecting to +eat your food like a Christian, or to +comb your beard like a decent man; +but whining, and weeping, and cursing +your fortune.’—‘If you said +I cursed my fortune, you misrepresented +me,’ said Don Quixote; ‘for +I bless my fate, and will bless it all +the days of my life, for having made +me worthy to aspire to the love of such +an high lady as Dulcinea del Toboso.’—‘High +indeed!’ answered Sancho, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_174'>174</span>‘for, in faith, she is a good hand +taller than I am.’—‘How hast thou +been measured with her, Sancho?’ +said the knight. ‘I’ll tell you how,’ +answered the squire; ‘while I was helping +to lay a load of corn upon an ass, +we came so close together, that I +could easily perceive she over-topped +me by a full hand.’—‘That may be +true,’ said Don Quixote; ‘though +her tallness is accompanied and adorned +by a myriad of mental graces. +But this you will not deny, Sancho, +that while you was so near her, +your nostrils were regaled by a Sabæan +odour, an aromatick fragrance, a certain +delicious sensation, for which +there is no name. I mean, a scent, a +perfume, such as fills the shop of +some curious glover.’—‘All that I +can say,’ answered Sancho, ‘is, that I +was sensible of a sort of rammish smell, +which I believe was owing to her being +in a muck sweat with hard work.’—‘That +is impossible,’ cried the knight; +‘thy sense must have been depraved, or +that smell must have proceeded from +thy own body; for I am perfectly +well acquainted with the odour of +that rose among briars, that lily of +the valley, that liquid amber.’—‘It +may be so,’ said Sancho: ‘I have often +known such smells come from +myself, as then seemed to come from +my Lady Dulcinea: but that is not to +be wondered at; because, as the saying +is, every fiend may stink of brimstone.’—‘Well, +then,’ added Don +Quixote, ‘she hath now winnowed the +wheat and sent it to the mill; how +did she behave after she had read my +letter?’—‘The letter,’ answered Sancho, +‘was not read at all; for, as she +could neither read nor write, she +chose to rend and tear it to pieces, rather +than give it to any body who +might publish her secrets in the village, +saying, she was very well satisfied +with the information I gave her +by word of mouth, concerning your +worship’s love for her, and the extraordinary +penance I left you doing on +her account. Finally, she bade me +tell you, that she kissed your worship’s +hands, being much more desirous +of seeing than writing to you; +and therefore she entreated and commanded +your worship, by these presents, +to quit this desart, and leave off +playing the fool, and forthwith set +out on your journey to Toboso, provided +that something else of greater +importance should not happen, for +she longed very much for a sight of +your worship, and laughed heartily +when I told her, that you had taken +the name of the Knight with the +Rueful Countenance. When I asked +if the Biscayan had been lately with +her, she answered, “Yes;” and that +he was very much of a gentleman; +but, when I enquired about the galley-slaves, +she said she had as yet seen +none of them.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Hitherto all goes well,’ said the +knight, ‘but pray tell me what jewel +she gave you at parting, for the news +you had brought of me her lover; for, +it is an ancient practice and custom +among knights-errant and their mistresses, +to bestow upon their squires, +damsels, or dwarfs, who bring them +news of each other, some rich jewel, +as a reward and acknowledgment +for the message.’—‘It may be so,’ +said Sancho; ‘and I think it an excellent +custom, but that must have been +in time past; for in this age it is +customary to give nothing but a piece +of bread and cheese, which was all +the present I received from my Lady +Dulcinea, who reached it over the +yard wall, when I took my leave; +by this token, that the cheese was +made of ewe’s milk.’—‘She is liberal +to excess,’ said the knight; ‘and if +she omitted giving thee a jewel, it must +certainly have been owing to her not +having any by her; but all in good +time<a id='r89'></a><a href='#f89' class='c008'><sup>[89]</sup></a>; I shall see her soon, and then +every thing will be set to rights. Yet +there is one thing, Sancho, which +overwhelms me with astonishment. +You seem to have travelled through +the air; for you have spent little +more than three days in your journey; +though Toboso is more than thirty +leagues distant from hence. From +this extraordinary expedition, I conjecture, +that the sage, who is my +friend, and interests himself in my +affairs, and such there certainly is, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_175'>175</span>and must be, else I should be no +true knight-errant; I say, this inchanter +must have assisted thee in thy +journey, though thou didst not perceive +it; for some there are of that +class, who will take up a knight-errant +while he is asleep in his bed, and +without his knowing any thing of the +matter, he shall awake next morning +in some place more than a thousand +leagues from the house where he took +up his lodging the night before; and +without such sudden transportations, it +would be impossible for knights to +succour each other in distress, as they +frequently do. A knight errant, for +example, happens to be fighting in +the desarts of Armenia, with some +fierce dragon, dreadful goblin, or rival +knight; and being worsted, and +just at the point of being slain, behold, +when he least expects it, there +suddenly appears in a cloud or fiery +chariot, another knight, a friend of +his, who but a minute before resided +in England, and who assists and delivers +him from death; and that same +night, he finds himself supping at his +ease at his own house, which is often +two or three thousand leagues from +the field of battle; and all this is effected +by the industry and art of sage +inchanters, who take those valiant +knights under their protection.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Wherefore, friend Sancho, I can +easily believe that thou hast in so +little time travelled from hence to +Toboso and back again; because, as +I have already observed, some friendly +sage must have carried thee through +the air, though thou didst not perceive +it.’—‘Not unlikely,’ replied the +squire, ‘for, in good faith, Rozinante +went like a gypsy’s ass, with quicksilver +in his ears.’—‘With quicksilver,’ +cried the knight; ‘ay, and a +legion of dæmons to boot, who are +beings that travel themselves, and +make other people travel as fast as +they please, without tiring.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘But, waving this subject, how doest +thou think I ought to regulate my +conduct, now that my mistress commands +me to appear in her presence! +for, although I find myself obliged to +comply with her orders, I am utterly +incapacitated by the boon I have granted +to this princess: and I am bound +by the laws of chivalry to fulfil my +promise, before I indulge my inclination. +On one hand, I am persecuted +and harrassed by the desire of seeing +Dulcinea; on the other, I am incited +and invited by my honour and the +glory I shall acquire in this enterprize. +I am therefore determined to travel +with all expedition, until I arrive at +the place where the giant resides; and, +when I shall have restored the princess +to the peaceful possession of her +kingdom, after having shortened the +usurper by the head, I will return to +the rays of that beauty which enlightens +my thoughts, and excuse +myself in such a manner as to obtain +her forgiveness, as she will plainly +perceive that my delay tended to the +increase of her glory and fame; seeing +all my reputation in arms, past, +present, or to come, proceeds from +her favour and inspiration.’—‘Lord!’ +cried Sancho ‘how your worship is +concerned about a parcel of potsherds. +Pray tell me, Sir, do you +intend to make this journey for nothing, +and to let such a rich and +noble marriage as this slip through +your fingers; while the dowry is no +less than a kingdom, which I have +actually heard is more than twenty +thousand leagues round, plentifully +stored with every thing that is needful +for the sustenance of mortal man, and +larger than Portugal and Castile put +together? Hold your tongue, a God’s +name, and take shame to yourself, for +what you have said; pardon my freedom, +take my advice, and marry in +the first place where we can find a +curate, or make use of our friend the +licentiate, who will buckle you handsomely. +Take notice, therefore, that +I am of an age to give good counsel, +and this that I offer will fit you to a +hair, for a bird in hand is worth two +in the bush; and, as the saying is, +He that hath good in his view, and +yet will not evil eschew, his folly deserveth +to rue.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Sancho,’ answered Don Quixote, +‘if thou advisest me to marry, with a +view of seeing me king, after I shall +have killed the giant, that I may have +an opportunity of rewarding thee with +what I have promised, thou must +know that I can easily gratify thy +wishes, without wedding the princess; +for, before I engage in the combat, I +will covenant, that, provided I come +off conqueror, and decline the marriage, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_176'>176</span>I shall have it in my power to +dispose of one part of the kingdom, +as I shall think proper; and to whom +should I give it but to thee?’—‘That +is very plain,’ replied the squire; ‘but +I beseech your worship to make choice +of the sea-coast, because if I should +happen to dislike the country, I may +ship off my black slaves, and sell them, +as I have already hinted. Wherefore, +without troubling yourself at present, +about my Lady Dulcinea, I would +have you go and slay the giant, and +conclude that affair from which, before +God! we shall certainly reap +much honour and advantage.’—‘I +tell thee, Sancho,’ said Don Quixote, +‘thou art in the right, and I will follow +thy advice, so far as it regards my attendance +upon the princess, before I +visit Dulcinea. But say not a word +to any body, even those of our company +not excepted, of this conversation; +for, as she is so reserved and +careful of concealing her sentiments, +it would be inexcusable in me, if I, +or any other through my means, +should disclose them.’—‘Since this is +the case,’ said the squire, ‘why does +your worship command all those that +are vanquished by your arm to go and +present themselves before my Lady +Dulcinea? you may as well give it +under your hand, that you are her +true and trusty lover; for, if you compel +them to fall upon their knees before +her, and say they are sent by your +worship to pay homage to her, how +is it possible that the sentiments of +either you or her can be concealed?’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘What an ignorant and simple fellow +thou art!’ resumed the knight; +‘canst thou not see that all this redounds +to her praise and exaltation? +Thou must know, that in our stile +of chivalry, it is deemed a great honour +for a lady to be admired by a +great many knights, whose wishes extend +no farther than to the desire of +serving her for her own sake, without +expecting any other reward for their +great and manifold services, than the +glory of being admitted into the number +of her knights.’—‘In like manner,’ +said Sancho, ‘I have heard a +priest in the pulpit observe, that we +must love our Saviour for his own +sake, without being moved thereto, +by any fear of punishment or hopes +of applause, though, for my own +part, I am inclined to love and serve +him on account of his power.’—‘Now, +the devil take the clown!’ cried +Don Quixote; ‘he sometimes makes +such shrewd observations that one +would think he had actually studied!’—‘And +yet, upon my conscience,’ answered +the squire, ‘I know not so much +as my letters.’ At that instant Master +Nicholas calling aloud to them to +stop a little, that the rest might have +time to drink at a spring which they +found in the way; Don Quixote turned +back, to the no small satisfaction of +Sancho, who was already tired with telling +lyes, and afraid of being detected +by his master; for, although he knew +that Dulcinea was the daughter of a +peasant at Toboso, he had never seen +her in his life. By this time Cardenio +had put on the cloaths which Dorothea +wore when they found her; and, though +they were none of the most elegant, he +made a much better figure than with +his tattered dress, which he now threw +away. The whole company sat down, +by the spring, where, while they appeased +the keen hunger that possessed them +all, with what the curate had brought +from the inn, a lad chanced to pass that +way, who, looking earnestly at the +whole company, at length run up to +Don Quixote, and embracing his knees, +began to blubber most heartily, saying, +‘Ah! Signior, don’t you know me? +look at me again; I am that same individual +young man called Andrew, +whom your worship delivered from +the tree to which I was tied.’ The +knight recollected his features, and taking +him by the hand, addressed himself +to the company in these words.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘That you may see of what importance +knight-errantry is, to redress the +wrongs and grievances which are daily +committed by the insolent and +wicked wretches who live upon this +earth; know, that as I passed by a +wood some time ago, I heard the +screams and woeful cries of some afflicted +creature in the utmost distress: +and in consequence of my oath +and obligation, riding towards the +place from which the lamentation +seemed to come, I found this very +young man tied to an oak tree; and +I am glad from my soul that he is +here in person, to bear witness to the +truth. I say, he was bound to an +oak, naked, from the waist upwards; +<span class='pageno' id='Page_177'>177</span>and a peasant, who I afterwards +understood was his master, stood +scourging him with the reins of a +bridle. When I enquired into the +cause of this barbarous treatment, the +rustick answered, that he only whipped +his own servant for being guilty of +some neglect that savoured more of +knavishness than simplicity. The +boy protested he had done nothing but +asked his wages: to this affirmation +the master replied, by some asseverations +which I have forgot; but though +I heard his excuses, I would not admit +of them. In short, I ordered the +peasant to untie the youth, and made +him swear that he would carry him +home and pay him his wages in ready +cash, nay, and pay him in rials that +should be perfumed. Is not this literally +true, son Andrew? Didst thou not +observe with what authority I commanded, +and with what humility he +promised to comply with every thing +that I imposed, suggested, and desired? +Answer without perturbation or doubt, +and tell this honourable company what +passed, that they may see and be convinced +of what use it is, as I said, to +have knights-errant continually upon +duty.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘All that your worship hath told is +very true,’ answered the young man; +‘but the end of the business was quite +the reverse of what you imagined.’—‘How! +the reverse!’ cried the knight; +‘has not the peasant paid thee thy wages?’—‘Far +from paying me my wages,’ +said Andrew, ‘your worship was +no sooner out of the wood, and we by +ourselves again, than he bound me a +second time to the same oak, and +lashed me so severely, that I remained +like <abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr> Bartholomew, flayed alive, +and at every stripe he jeered and scoffed, +and made game of your worship +in such a manner, that if it had not +been for the excessive pain I felt, I +could not have refrained from laughing +at what he said. In short, he +treated me so cruelly, that till this very +day, I have been in the hospital, for +the cure of the wounds I received from +that mischievous farmer; and truly +your worship was the cause of all that +I suffered; for if you had followed +your own road, without going where +nobody called you, or meddling with +other people’s affairs, my master +would have been satisfied with giving +me a cool dozen or two, and then +loosed and paid me my due. But +when your worship abused him so unseasonably, +and called him so many +bad names, his choler was inflamed; +and, as he could not be revenged upon +you, as soon as you was gone, he +discharged the storm of his wrath upon +me, in such a manner that I shall +never be my own man again.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘The misfortune,’ said the knight, +‘was in my leaving him before I had +seen thee paid; for I ought to have +known by long experience, that no +peasant will keep his word, if he +thinks it his interest to break it. +But thou mayest remember, Andrew, +that I swore if he did not perform his +promise, I would return and search +for him, until he should be found, +even if he should hide himself in the +whale’s belly.’—‘Very true,’ replied +Andrew; ‘but that threat signified +nothing.’—‘Thou shalt presently see +what it signifies!’ resumed Don Quixote; +who, getting up hastily, ordered +Sancho to bridle Rozinante, who was +following their example in refreshing +himself with grass.</p> + +<p class='c005'>When Dorothea asked what he intended +to do, he replied, he was going +in quest of the peasant, to chastise him +for his villainous behaviour, and make +him pay Andrew to the last farthing, in +despite and defiance of all the rusticks +upon earth. To this declaration, she +answered, by desiring him to consider, +that according to the promised boon, +he could not engage in any enterprize, +until her affair should be finished; and +since this stipulation was known to himself +better than to any other person, she +intreated him to repress his resentment +till his return from her kingdom. +‘That is very true,’ resumed the knight, +‘and Andrew must wait with patience +for my return, as your majesty observes; +but I repeat my oath and my +promise, never to desist until I shall +have seen his wages paid, and his injuries +revenged.’—‘I don’t trust to +those oaths,’ said Andrew, ‘and +would rather, at present, have wherewithal +to bear my expences to Seville, +than all the revenge in the world; be +so good, if you have any victuals, to +give me something to eat upon my +journey, and the Lord be with your +worship and all knights-errant, who, +I wish, may always err as much in +<span class='pageno' id='Page_178'>178</span>their own affairs, as they have done +in mine.’ Sancho, taking a luncheon +of bread and cheese from the store, gave +it to the young man, saying, ‘Here, +brother Andrew, take this; and now +we have all shared in your misfortune.’ +When Andrew asked what +share of it had fallen to him, he replied, +‘That share of bread and cheese, which +I have given you; and God knows whether +I shall not feel the loss of it; for +you must know, friend, that we squires +of knights-errant are subject to many +a hungry belly, with other misfortunes +which are more easily felt than +described.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Andrew accepted of the bread and +cheese, and seeing that nobody offered +him any thing else, made his bows, and as +the saying is, took his foot in his hand<a id='r90'></a><a href='#f90' class='c008'><sup>[90]</sup></a>. +True it is, before he departed, he addressed +himself to Don Quixote, saying, +‘For the love of God! Sir knight-errant, +if ever you meet me again, +spare yourself the trouble of coming +to my assistance, even though you +should see me cut into minced meat, +but leave me to my misfortune, which +cannot be so great but that it may be +increased by the succour of your worship, +whom God confound, together +with all the knights errant that ever +were born.’ Don Quixote started up, in +order to chastise him, but he ran away +with such nimbleness, that nobody attempted +to pursue him; and the knight +was so ashamed of his exploit, that the +company were at great pains to contain +their laughter, to prevent his being quite +out of countenance.</p> + +<h4 id='chap2-4-5' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='five'>V.</abbr> <br> WHICH TREATS OF WHAT HAPPENED TO DON QUIXOTE AND HIS COMPANY <br>AT THE INN.</h4> +<p class='c004'>Their sumptuous meal being ended, +they saddled their beasts, and +without meeting any thing worthy of +mention, arrived next day at the very +inn which was so much the dread and +terror of Sancho; but, unwilling as he +was to enter, he could not avoid going +into it. The innkeeper, his wife, daughter, +and Maritornes, seeing Don Quixote +and Sancho at the gate, went out to +receive them, with great demonstrations +of joy; and the knight returned their +compliments with grave deportment and +solemn approbation, desiring them to +prepare a better bed for him than that +which he had occupied before. To this +demand, the landlady answered, that, +provided he would pay better than he +did before, he should lie like a prince; +he promised to see her satisfied, and they +immediately made up a tolerable bed, in +the same garret where he had formerly +lodged, in which he laid himself down, +very much disordered, both in body and +mind. He was no sooner locked up in +his chamber, than the landlady attacked +the barber, and seizing him by the +beard, cried, ‘By my faith! you shall +no longer use my tail for a beard. +Give me my tail, I say; for it is a +shame to see how my husband’s thing +is bandied about for want of it; I +mean the comb that he used to stick +in my tail.’ But the barber would +not part with it, for all her tugging, +until the priest desired him to restore it: +because there was no farther occasion for +the disguise, as he might now appear in +his own shape, and tell the knight, that +after he had been robbed by the galley-slaves, +he had fled to that inn; and if +he should enquire for the princess’s gentleman +usher, they would tell him, she +had dispatched him away before her, +to advertise her friends and subjects, +that she was upon the road, accompanied +by the deliverer of them all. Thus +satisfied, the barber willingly restored the +landlady’s tail, and every thing else they +had borrowed with a view of disengaging +Don Quixote from the mountain; +and all the people of the inn were +astonished at the beauty of Dorothea, +as also at the genteel mien of the swain +Cardenio. The curate ordered them to +get ready something to eat; and the +innkeeper, in hope of being well paid, +dressed, with all dispatch, a pretty reasonable +dinner; but they did not think +proper to waken Don Quixote, who, they +believed, stood at that time more in need +of sleep than of food.</p> + +<p class='c005'>The discourse at table, in presence of +the innkeeper, his wife, daughter, Maritornes, +and all the other lodgers, happening +to turn upon the uncommon +madness of the knight, and the condition +in which they found him; the +hostess recounted to them, what had +<span class='pageno' id='Page_179'>179</span>happened in her house between him and +the carrier; then looking round the +room, and seeing Sancho was not present, +she told the whole story of the +blanketting, to the no small entertainment +of the company. The curate observing +that Don Quixote’s understanding +was disordered by the books of chivalry +he had read, the innkeeper replied, ‘I +cannot conceive how that is possible; +for, really, in my opinion, they are +the best reading in the world: I have +now in my custody two or three of +them, together with some other papers, +which, I verily believe, have +preserved not only my life, but also +that of many others; for, in harvest-time, +a great number of reapers come +hither, to pass the heat of the day; +and there being always one among +them who can read, he takes up a +book, and we, to the number of thirty +or more, forming a ring about him, +listen with such pleasure, as were +enough to make an old man grow +young again; at least, I can say for +myself; when I hear him read of those +furious and terrible strokes that have +been given by certain knights, I am +seized with the desire of being at it +myself, and could listen to such stories +whole nights and days without +ceasing.’—‘I wish you would, with +all my heart,’ replied the wife; ‘for, +I am sure, I never enjoy a quiet minute +in the house, except when they +are reading, and then you are so bamboozled +with what you hear, you forget +to scold for that time.’—‘That +is the very truth of the matter,’ said +Maritornes; ‘in good faith, I myself +am hugely diverted, when I hear +those things; they are so clever, especially +when they tell us how yon t’other +lady lay among orange trees, in the +embraces of her knight, while a duenna, +half dead with envy and surprize, +kept sentry over them; odd! all these +things make my chops water.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘And what is your opinion of the +matter, my young mistress?’ said the +priest to the innkeeper’s daughter. +‘Truly, Signior, I don’t well know,’ +she replied; ‘but listen among the rest; +and really, though I do not understand +it, I am pleased with what I +hear; yet I take no delight in those +strokes that my father loves; but, in +the lamentations made by the knights, +when they are absent from their mistresses, +which in good sooth, often +make me weep with compassion.’—‘Then +you would soon give them relief, +if they mourned for you, my +pretty maid?’ said Dorothea. ‘I +don’t know what I should do,’ answered +the girl; ‘but, this I know, that +some of those ladies are so cruel, their +knights call them lions, tygers, and +a thousand other reproachful names. +Jesus! I can’t conceive what sort of +folks those must be, who are so hard-hearted +and unconscionable as to let a +man of honour die, or lose his senses, +rather than take the least notice of +him; why should they be so coy? If +their suitors court them in an honest +way, let them marry, and that is all +the men desire.’—‘Hold your peace, +child,’ said the landlady; ‘methinks, +you are too well acquainted with these +things; young maidens, like you, +should neither know nor speak so +much.’ The daughter said, as the +gentleman asked her the question, she +could do no less than answer him: and +the curate demanding a sight of the +books, ‘With all my heart,’ replied +the innkeeper, who, going to his own +chamber, brought out an old portmanteau +secured with a chain, which +being opened, the priest found in it +three large volumes and some manuscripts +written in a very fair character.</p> + +<p class='c005'>The first book they opened appeared +to be Don Cirongilio of Thrace; the +second, Felixmarte of Hyrcania; and +the third, was the history of that great +Captain Gonçalo Hernandes de Cordova, +with the life of Diego Garcia de +Paredes. The curate having read the +titles of the two first, turned to the +barber, saying, ‘We now want our +friend’s housekeeper and cousin.’—‘Not +at all,’ answered Mr. Nicholas, +‘I myself can convey them to the yard, +or rather to the chimney, where there +is actually a special good fire.’—‘What! +you intend to burn these +books, then?’ said the innkeeper. +‘Only these two,’ answered the curate, +pointing to Don Cirongilio and Felixmarte. +‘I suppose, then,’ resumed the +landlord, ‘my books are heretick and +flegmatick?’—‘You mean schismatick, +honest friend, and not flegmatick,’ +said the barber. ‘Even so,’ +replied the landlord; ‘but, if any of +them be burnt, let it be the history of +that great captain, together with Diego +<span class='pageno' id='Page_180'>180</span>Garcia; for, I would rather suffer you +to commit my son to the flames, than +to burn e’er a one of the rest.’—‘Heark +ye, brother,’ said the curate, +‘these two books are stuffed with lyes, +vanity and extravagance; but that +of the great captain is a true history, +containing the exploits of Gonçalo +Hernandez de Cordova, who, by his +numerous and valiant atchievements, +acquired, all the world over, the epithet +of the Great Captain, a renowned +and splendid appellation, merited by +him alone; and that Diego Garcia de +Paredes was a noble cavalier, born in +the city of Truxillo in Estremadura, +a most valiant soldier, and endowed +with such bodily strength, that with +a single finger he could stop a mill-wheel +in the heat of its motion; and +being once posted at the end of a +bridge, with a two-handed sword, he +alone prevented a vast army from passing +over it; he performed a great +many actions of the same kind, which +he himself hath recounted with all +the modesty of a gentleman who writes +his own memoirs; whereas, had they +been committed to writing by any +other free and dispassionate author, +they would have eclipsed all the Hectors, +Achilles’, and Orlandos, that +ever lived.’—‘You may tell such +stuff to my grannam,’ said the inn-keeper. +‘Lord! how you are surprized +at the stopping of a mill-wheel! +before God, I advise your worship to +read, as I have done<a id='r91'></a><a href='#f91' class='c008'><sup>[91]</sup></a>, the history of +Felixmarte of Hyrcania, who, with a +single back-stroke, cut five giants +through the middle, as easily as if they +had been made of beans, like the figures +with which the boys divert +themselves. Another time, he engaged +a most infinite and powerful army, +consisting of a million and six hundred +thousand soldiers, all armed cap-a-pee, +whom he totally routed, as if they +had been flocks of sheep. Then what +shall we say of the most excellent +Don Cirongilio of Thrace, who was +so valiant and courageous, as may be +seen in the book of his history, that +while he was sailing on the river, a +fiery serpent rose above the water, +which he no sooner saw, than leaping +on its back, he fastened himself astride +upon its scaly shoulders, and seized if +by the throat, with both hands, so +forcibly, that the serpent feeling itself +well-nigh strangled, could find no +other remedy but dive into the profound, +with the knight, who would +not quit his hold; and when he descended +to the bottom, he found himself +in a palace situated in the midst of +a garden that was wonderfully pleasant; +and then the serpent turned itself +into an ancient man, who told +him such things as you would rejoice +to hear. Say no more, Signior; if +you was to hear it, you would run +stark mad for joy; so that, a fig for +your great captain, and that same +Diego Garcia you talk of!’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Dorothea hearing this harangue, whispered +to Cardenio, ‘Our host wants not +much to make the second edition of +Don Quixote.’—‘I think so too,’ answered +Cardenio; ‘for, by his discourse, +he seems to take it for granted, +that every thing which is recounted in +these books, is neither more nor less +than the truth; and all the capuchins +in Spain will not be able to alter his +belief.’—‘Consider, brother,’ resumed +the curate, ‘that there never was upon +earth such a person as Felixmarte +of Hyrcania, nor Don Cirongilio +of Thrace, nor any other of such +knights as are celebrated in books of +chivalry. The whole is a fiction +composed by idle persons of genius, +for the very purpose you mentioned, +namely pastime, which was the aim of +your reapers; for, I swear to you, no +such knights ever existed, nor were +any such exploits and extravagancies +ever performed in this world.’—‘You +must throw that bone to some other +dog!’ replied the landlord: ‘as if I +did not know that two and three make +five; or where my own shoe pinches. +Your worship must not think to feed me +with pap, for egad I am no such suckling! +A good joke, faith! You would +make me believe that all the contents +of these books are madness and lyes, +although they are printed by licence +from the king’s council; as if they +were persons who would wink at the +printing of such lyes, battles, and inchantments, +as turn people’s brains.’—‘Friend,’ +replied the curate, ‘I have +<span class='pageno' id='Page_181'>181</span>already told you, that they are designed +for the amusement of our idle +hours; and, as in every well-governed +commonwealth, the games of chess, +billiards, and tennis, are licensed for +the entertainment of those who neither +can nor ought to work; in like manner, +those books are allowed to be +printed, on the supposition, that no +body is so ignorant as to believe a syllable +of what they contain; and if I +was now permitted, or the company +required it, I could give some hints +towards the improvements of books of +chivalry, which perhaps might be +both serviceable and entertaining; +but, I hope, the time will come, when +I may have an opportunity of imparting +my suggestions to those who +can convert them to general use: +meanwhile, Mr. Publican, you may +depend upon the truth of what I have +said; take your books away, and settle +the affair of their truth or falshood, just +as your own comprehension will permit; +much good may they do you, +and God grant that you may never +halt on the same foot on which your +lodger Don Quixote is lame!’—‘I +hope,’ answered the innkeeper, ‘I +shall never be mad enough to turn +knight-errant, as I can easily perceive +that the customs now-a-days are quite +different from those in times past, +when, as it is reported, those famous +heroes travelled about the world.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Sancho, who had come into the room, +about the middle of this conversation, +was very much confounded and perplexed, +when he heard them observe, +that there was no such thing as knight-errantry +in the present age, and that all +the books of chivalry were filled with +extravagance and fiction; he therefore +determined within himself, to wait the +issue of his master’s last undertaking; +and if it should not succeed as happily +as he expected, to leave him, and return, +with his wife and children, to his former +labour.</p> + +<p class='c005'>When the innkeeper took up the portmanteau +with the books, in order to +carry them away, ‘Stay,’ said the curate, +‘until I examine these papers +which are written in such a fair character.’ +The landlord accordingly +pulled out a manuscript, consisting of +eight sheets of paper, intitled, in large +letters, ‘The Novel of the Impertinent +Curiosity<a id='r92'></a><a href='#f92' class='c008'><sup>[92]</sup></a>.’ The priest having +read three or four lines to himself, said, +‘Really the title of this novel pleases +me so much, that I have a strong inclination +to peruse the whole.’ To +this observation, the innkeeper replied, +‘Then your reverence may read it aloud; +for, you must know, the reading of it +hath given great satisfaction to several +lodgers at this inn, who have earnestly +begged the copy; but that request I +would not comply with, because I +think of restoring it to the right owner, +as I expect that the person who left +the portmanteau with the books and +papers, in a mistake, will return, on +purpose to fetch them; or, you know, +he may chance to travel this way on, +other business; and though I should +miss them heavily, in faith they shall +be restored; for, though an innkeeper, +I am still a Christian.’—‘Friend,’ +said the curate, ‘you are very much in +the right; but, for all that, if I like +the novel, you shall give me leave to +transcribe it.’—‘With all my heart,’ +replied the landlord. While this discourse +passed between them, Cardenio +having taken up the manuscript, and began +to read, was of the curate’s opinion, +and intreated him to read it aloud, +that the whole company might hear it. +‘I will,’ answered the priest, ‘if you +think we had not better spend the time +in sleeping than in reading.’—‘For +my own part,’ said Dorothea, ‘it will +be a sufficient refreshment for me to +listen to some entertaining story; for +my mind is not composed enough +to let me sleep, even if I stood in need +of repose.’—‘If that be the case,’ resumed +the curate, ‘I will read it out +of curiosity, at a venture, and perhaps +it will yield us some entertainment +into the bargain.’ Master Nicholas +earnestly joined in the request, +and Sancho himself expressed a desire of +hearing it; upon which the licentiate +finding he should please the whole company +as well as himself, ‘Well, then,’ +said he, ‘listen with attention, for the +novel begins in this manner.’</p> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_182'>182</span> + <h4 id='chap2-4-6' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='six'>VI.</abbr> <br> THE NOVEL OF THE IMPERTINENT CURIOSITY.</h4> +</div> +<p class='c004'>‘In Florence, a rich and celebrated +city of Italy, situated in the province +called Tuscany, lived Anselmo +and Lothario, two wealthy and noble +cavaliers, so strictly united in the +bands of amity, that every body who +knew them, called them by way of +excellence and epithet, the Two +Friends; and, indeed, being both +batchelors, and their age and education +so much alike, it was not to be +wondered at if a reciprocal affection +sprung up between them; true it is, +Anselmo was rather more addicted to +amorous pastime than Lothario, whose +chief delight was in hunting; yet, +upon occasion, Anselmo could quit +his own amusements to pursue those +of his friend; and Lothario could +postpone his favourite diversion, in +order to practise that of Anselmo; in +this manner their inclinations proceeded +so mutually, that no clock ever +went with more regularity. Anselmo +happened to fall desperately in love +with a young lady of rank and beauty +in the same city, descended from such +a noble family, and so amiable in herself, +that he determined, with the approbation +of his friend, without which +he did nothing, to demand her of her +parents in marriage; and accordingly +put his resolution in practice. Lothario +was intrusted with the message, +and concluded the affair so much to +the satisfaction of his friends, that in +a very little time Anselmo saw himself +in possession of his heart’s desire; +and Camilla thought herself so happy +in having obtained such a husband, +that she was incessant in her +acknowledgments to Heaven and Lothario, +by whose mediation her happiness +was effected.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘During the first two days after marriage, +which are commonly spent in +feasting and mirth, Lothario, as usual, +frequented the house of his friend, +with a view of honouring his nuptials, +and endeavouring, as much as in +him lay, to promote the joy and festivity +attending all such occasions; but +the wedding being over, and the frequency +of visits and congratulations +abated, he began carefully and gradually +to absent himself from Anselmo’s +house, thinking, as every prudent +person would naturally conclude, +that a man ought not to visit and frequent +the house of a friend after he is +married, in the same manner as he had +practised while he was single; for, +though suspicion should never find +harbour with true and virtuous friendship, +yet the honour of a married +man is so delicate, as to be thought +subject to injury, not only from a +friend, but even from a brother. +Anselmo perceived Lothario’s remissness, +and complained of it loudly; saying, +that if he had thought his marriage +would have impaired their former +correspondence, he never would +have altered his condition; and begged, +that as by the mutual friendship +which inspired them while he was +single, they had acquired such an +agreeable title as that of the Two +Friends, he would not now suffer +that endearing and celebrated name to +be lost, by a scrupulous adherence to +mere form and punctilio. He therefore +entreated him, if he might be allowed +to use the expression, to be +master of his house, and to come in +and go out as formerly, assuring him +that the inclinations of Camilla, in +that respect, were exactly conformable +to his own; and that knowing the +perfect friendship which subsisted between +them, she was extremely mortified +at his late shyness.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘To these and many other arguments +used by Anselmo, to persuade his +friend to frequent his house as usual, +Lothario answered with such prudence, +force, and discernment, that the other +was convinced of his discreet conduct; +and it was agreed betwixt them, that +Lothario should dine with him twice +a week, besides holidays; but, notwithstanding +this agreement, he resolved +to comply with it no farther +than he should see convenient for the +honour of Anselmo, which was dearer +to him than his own. He said, and +his observation was just, that a man +on whom Heaven hath bestowed a +beautiful wife, should be as cautious +of the men he brings home to his +house, as careful in observing the female +friends with whom his spouse +converses abroad; for that which cannot +<span class='pageno' id='Page_183'>183</span>be performed nor concerted in the +street or the church, or at public +shows and diversions, with which a +husband must sometimes indulge his +wife, may be easily transacted in the +house of a female friend or relation, +in whom his chief confidence is reposed. +Wherefore, Lothario observed, +that every married man had occasion +for some friend to apprize him of any +omission in her conduct; for it often +happens that he is too much in love +with his wife, to observe, or too +much afraid of offending her, to +prescribe limits to her behaviour, in +those things, the following or eschewing +of which may tend to his honour +or reproach, whereas that inconvenience +might be easily amended by the +advice of a friend. But where shall +we find such a zealous, discreet, trusty +friend, as is here required? I really +know not, except in Lothario himself, +who, consulting the honour of Anselmo, +with the utmost care and circumspection, +was at great pains to contract, +abridge, and diminish, the number +of the days on which he had agreed +to frequent his house; that the +idle vulgar, and prying eyes of malice, +might not indulge their love of +slander, when they perceived a genteel +young man of such birth, fortune, +and accomplishments as he knew himself +possessed of, go into the house of +such a celebrated beauty as Camilla; +for, although his virtue and honour +might be a sufficient check, to the most +malevolent tongue, he would not expose +his own character, or that of his +friend, to the smallest censure; and +therefore employed the greatest part +of those days on which he had agreed +to visit Anselmo, in such things as he +pretended were indispensible; so that +when they were present, a great deal +of time was consumed by the complaints +of the one, and excuses of the +other. One day, however, as they +were walking through a meadow, +near the suburbs of the city, Anselmo +addressed himself to Lothario in +these terms.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘“You believe, my friend Lothario, +that I can never be thankful enough +to Heaven for the blessings I enjoy, +not only in the most indulgent parents, +and in the abundance of those +things which are called the goods +of nature and fortune, but also in a +friend like you, and a wife like Camilla, +two pledges which I esteem, +if not as highly as I ought, at least +as much as I can. Yet, though I +possess all those benefits which usually +constitute the happiness of mankind, +I find myself one of the most +disgusted and discontented men alive. +I have been for these many days so +harrassed and fatigued with such an +odd unaccountable desire, that I cannot +help being amazed at my infatuation, +for which I often blame and +rebuke myself, endeavouring to suppress +and conceal it from my own reflection; +but I find it as impossible to +keep the secret, as if I had industriously +published it to the whole world, +and since it must actually be disclosed +to somebody, I would have it deposited +in the most secret archives of +your heart, in full confidence, that by +the diligence which you as a trusty +friend will exert in my behalf, when +you know it, I shall soon see myself +delivered from that anxiety to which +it hath reduced me, and by your assiduity +be raised to a pitch of joy equal +to the degree of vexation which my +own folly hath intailed upon me.”</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Lothario was astonished at this discourse +of Anselmo, as he could not +comprehend the meaning of such a +long preface and preamble, and endeavoured, +by revolving every thing in +his imagination, to find out what this +desire could be, that preyed so much +upon the spirits of his friend; but, +finding himself always wide of the +mark, he was willing to ease himself +immediately of the excessive pain his +suspence occasioned; and with this view +told Anselmo, that he did a manifest +injury to the warmth of his friendship, +in going about the bush, seeking +indirect methods to impart his most +secret thoughts, since he was well assured +that he might entirely depend +upon him, either for advice to suppress, +or assistance to support them. +“I am well convinced of the truth of +what you say,” answered Anselmo, +“and in that confidence will tell you, +my friend, that the desire with which +I am possessed, is to be certain, whether +or not my wife Camilla is as +virtuous and perfect as I believe her +to be; and this truth I shall never +be fully persuaded of, until the perfection +of her nature appear upon +<span class='pageno' id='Page_184'>184</span>trial, as pure gold is proved by fire; +for it is my opinion, that there is no +woman virtuous, but in proportion +to the solicitation she hath withstood; +and that she only is chaste, who hath +not yielded to the promises, presents, +tears, and continual importunities +of persevering lovers. And +pray where is the merit of a woman’s +being chaste, when nobody ever +courted her to be otherwise? what +wonder that she should be reserved +and cautious, who has no opportunity +of indulging loose inclinations, +and who knows her husband would +immediately put her to death should +he once catch her tripping? Wherefore +I can never entertain the same +degree of esteem for a woman who +is chaste out of fear, or want of +opportunity, as I would for her who +hath triumphed over perseverance of +solicitation; so that for these, and +many other reasons I could urge to +sanction and enforce my opinion, I +desire that my wife Camilla may undergo +the test, and be refined in the +fire of importunate addresses, by one +possessed of sufficient accomplishments +to inspire a woman with love; +and if she comes off, as I believe she +will, victorious in the trial, I shall +think my own happiness unparalleled. +I shall then be able to say that +my wishes are fulfilled, and that she +hath fallen to my lot, of whom the +wise man saith, ‘<i>Who hath found +her?</i>’ And even if the contrary of +what I expect should happen, the +satisfaction of seeing my opinion +confirmed, will help me to bear with +patience that which would otherwise +prove such a costly experiment. Supposing, +then, that nothing you can say, +in opposition to this desire of mine, +can avail in diverting me from my +purpose, I expect and entreat that +you, my friend Lothario, will condescend +to be the instrument with +which I execute this work of my inclination. +I will give you proper +opportunities, and supply you with +every thing I see necessary for soliciting +a woman of virtue, honour, and +disinterested reserve; and what among +other things induces me to intrust +you with this enterprize, is the consideration, +that should Camilla’s +scruples be overcome, you will not +pursue your conquest to the last circumstance +of rigour, but only suppose +that done, which, for good reason, +ought to remain undone; so that +I shall be injured by her inclination +alone, and my wrongs lie buried in +the virtue of your silence, which I +know, in whatever concerns my welfare, +will be eternal as that of death. +Wherefore, if you would have me +enjoy what deserves to be called life, +you will forthwith undertake this +amorous contest, not with lukewarmness +and languor, but with that +eagerness and diligence which corresponds +with my wish, and the confidence +in which I am secured by +your friendship.”</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Such was the discourse of Anselmo; +to which Lothario listened so attentively, +that except what he is already +said to have uttered, he did not +open his lips, until his friend had finished +his proposal: but finding he +had nothing more to alledge, after +having for some time gazed upon him +as an object hitherto unseen, that inspired +him with astonishment and surprize, +“I cannot be persuaded, Anselmo,” +said he, “but what you have +said was spoke in jest; for, had I +thought you in earnest, I should +not have suffered you to proceed +so far; but, by refusing to listen, +have prevented such a long harangue. +Without doubt, you must either mistake +my disposition, or I be utterly +unacquainted with yours; and yet I +know you to be Anselmo, and you +must be sensible that I am Lothario; +the misfortune is, I no longer find +you the same Anselmo you was wont +to be, nor do I appear to you the same +Lothario as before; your discourse +favours not of that Anselmo who was +my friend, nor is what you ask a +thing to be demanded of that Lothario +who shared your confidence. +Good men, as a certain poet observes, +may try and avail themselves of their +friends, <i>usque ad aras</i>; I mean, not +presume upon their friendship, in +things contrary to the decrees of +Heaven. Now, if a heathen entertained +such ideas of friendship, how +much more should they be cherished +by a Christian, who knows, that no +human affection ought to interfere +with our love to God; and, when a +person stretches his connections so far +as to lay aside all respect for Heaven, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_185'>185</span>in order to manifest his regard for a +friend, he ought not to be swayed by +trifles or matters of small consequence, +but by those things only on which the +life and honour of a friend depend. +Tell me then, Anselmo, which of these +is in danger, before I venture to gratify +your wish, by complying with the +detestable proposal you have made? +Surely, neither; on the contrary, if +I conceive you aright, you are desirous +that I should indefatigably endeavour +to deprive you, and myself +also, of that very life and honour +which it is my duty to preserve; for +if I rob you of honour, I rob you +of life; since a man without honour, +is worse than dead, and I being the +instrument, as you desire I should be, +that entails such a curse upon you, +shall not I be dishonoured, and of +consequence dead to all enjoyment +and fame. Listen with patience, my +friend Anselmo, and make no answer +until I shall have done with imparting +the suggestions of my mind, concerning +the strange proposal you have +made; for there will be time enough +for you to reply, and me to listen in +my turn.”—“With all my heart,” +cried Anselmo; “you may speak as +long as you please.”</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Accordingly, Lothario proceeded, +saying, “In my opinion, Anselmo, +your disposition is at present like that +of the Moors, who will not suffer +themselves to be convicted of the errors +of their sect, by quotations from +the Holy Scripture, nor with arguments +founded on speculation, or the +articles of faith; but must be confuted +or convinced by examples that +are palpable, easy, familiar, and subject +to the certainty of mathematical +demonstration; for instance, if from +equal parts, we take equal parts, +those that remain are equal. And if +they do not understand this proposition +verbally, as is frequently the +case, it must be explained and set before +their eyes by manual operation, +which is also insufficient to persuade +them of the truth of our holy religion. +The self-same method must I +practise with you, whole desire deviates +so far from every thing that +bears the least shadow of reason, that +I should look upon it as time misspent, +to endeavour to convince you of +your folly, which is the only name +your intention seems to deserve. Nay, +I am even tempted to leave you in +your extravagancy, as a punishment +for your preposterous desire; but I +am prevented from using such rigour +by my friendship, which will not permit +me to desert you in such manifest +danger of perdition. But, to make +this affair still more plain, tell me, +Anselmo, did not you desire me +to solicit one that was reserved, seduce +one that was chaste, make presents +to one that was disinterested, +and assiduously court one that was +wise? Yes, such was your demand. +If you are apprized, then, of the reserve, +virtue, disinterestedness, and +prudence of your wife, pray what is +your aim? If you believe that she will +triumph over all my assaults, as undoubtedly +she will, what fairer titles +can you bestow upon her, than those +she possesses already? or how will she +be more perfect after that trial, than +she is at present? You either do not +believe she is so virtuous as you have +represented her, or know not the nature +of your demand. If you think +she is not so chaste as you have described +her, you should not hazard +the trial; but rather, according to +the dictates of your own prudence, +treat her as a vicious woman: if you +are satisfied of her virtue, it would +be altogether impertinent to make +trial of that truth, which, from the +test, can acquire no additional esteem. +From whence we may reasonably +conclude, that for men to execute +designs which are clearly productive +of more hurt than benefit, is +the province of madness and temerity; +especially, when they are not +incited or compelled to these designs +by any sort of consideration; but, +on the contrary, may at a greater +distance perceive the manifest madness +of their intention. Difficulties +are undertaken, either for the sake of +God, of this world, or of both. The +first are incurred by holy men, who +live the life of angels here on earth; +the second, by those who traverse the +boundless ocean, visiting such a diversity +of climates and nations, with +a view of acquiring what are called +the goods of fortune; and such undertakings +as equally regard God and +man, fall to the share of those valiant +soldiers, who no sooner behold, in +<span class='pageno' id='Page_186'>186</span>the wall of an adverse city, a breach, +though no bigger than that which is +made by a single cannon ball, than +laying aside all fear, and overlooking +with unconcern the manifest danger +that menaces them, winged with desire +of signalizing their valour in behalf +of their king, country, and religion, +throw themselves, with the +utmost intrepidity, into the midst of a +thousand deaths that oppose and await +them. These are the enterprizes which +are generally undertaken, and though +full of peril and inconvenience, attended +with glory, honour, and advantage; +but that which you have +planned, and purpose to put in execution, +neither tends to your acquiring +the approbation of God, +the goods of fortune, nor the applause +of mankind; for, granting +that the experiment should succeed +to your wish, it will make you neither +more happy, rich, or respected +than you are; and should it turn +out contrary to your expectation, +you will find yourself the most miserable +of all mortals. It will then +give you little ease to reflect, that +your misfortune is unknown; for, +the bare knowing it yourself, will be +sufficient to plunge you in affliction +and despair. As a confirmation of +this truth, you must give me leave to +repeat the following stanza, written +by the celebrated poet Lewis Tansilo, +at the end of the first part of the +tears of <abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr> Peter.</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c012'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘“When Peter saw the approach of rosy morn,</div> + <div class='line'>His soul with sorrow and remorse was torn;</div> + <div class='line'>For, though from ev’ry mortal eye conceal’d,</div> + <div class='line'>The guilt to his own bosom stood reveal’d:</div> + <div class='line'>The candid breast will self-accusing, own</div> + <div class='line'>Each conscious fault, though to the world unknown,</div> + <div class='line'>Nor will th’ offender ’scape internal shame,</div> + <div class='line'>Tho’ unimpeach’d by justice or by fame.”</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>‘“Wherefore, secresy will never assuage +your grief; but, on the contrary, +you will incessantly weep, not +tears from your eyes, but drops of +blood from your heart, like that +simple doctor, whom our poet mentions<a id='r93'></a><a href='#f93' class='c008'><sup>[93]</sup></a>, +who made trial of the vessel, +which the prudent Rinaldo, with +more discretion, refused to touch; +and although this be a poetical fiction, +it nevertheless contains a well couched +moral, worthy of notice, study +and imitation; especially, as what I +am going to say, will, I hope, bring +you to a due sense of the great error +you want to commit.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘“Tell me, Anselmo, if Heaven or +good fortune had made you master +and lawful possessor of an exquisite +diamond, the brilliancy of which was +admired by all the lapidaries who +had seen it, and unanimously allowed +to be the most perfect of its kind; +an opinion, which, as you knew nothing +to the contrary, was exactly +conformable to your own; would it +be wise or pardonable in you, to put +that jewel betwixt an anvil and a +hammer, and by mere dint of blows +and strength of arm, try if it was as +hard and perfect as it had been pronounced? +for, supposing that the diamond +should resist the force of this +foolish experiment, it would thereby +acquire no addition of value or +fame; and, if it should be broke to +pieces, a thing that might easily happen, +would not all be lost? Yes, +for certain; and the owner be universally +deemed a fool. Consider, +then, my friend, that Camilla is an +exquisite diamond, not only in your +estimation, but in that of every one +who knows her; and it would be +highly unreasonable to expose her to +the least possibility of being broke; +for, even should she remain intire, +her reputation will receive no increase; +but, should she fail in the +trial, reflect upon what you must feel, +and the reason you will then have to +<span class='pageno' id='Page_187'>187</span>complain of yourself, for having been +the fatal cause of her perdition and +your own despair. Consider, that no +jewel upon earth is comparable to a +woman of virtue and honour; and, +that the honour of the sex consists in +the fair characters they maintain. +Since, therefore, the reputation of +your wife is already as high as it +possibly can be, why would you bring +this truth into question? Remember, +my friend, that woman is an imperfect +creature; and that, far from laying +blocks in her way, over which +she might stumble and fall, we ought +to remove them with care, and clear +her paths from all obstructions, that +she may, without trouble, proceed +smoothly, in attaining to that perfection +which she may still want, +namely, immaculate virtue. We are +informed by naturalists, that the ermin +is a little animal, covered with +a furr of excessive whiteness, and that +the hunters use this artifice to catch +it: being well acquainted with the +places through which it chuses to +pass in its flight, they daub them +all over with mud, and as soon as +they get sight of the creature, drive +it directly thither. The ermin finding +himself thus barricadoed, stands +still, and is taken; chusing captivity, +rather than, by passing through the +filth, to stain and sully the whiteness +of its furr, which it prizes above liberty, +and even life itself. A chaste +and virtuous wife is like the ermin, +her character being more pure and +white than drifted snow; but he, +who would guard and preserve it, must +use a method quite different from +that which is practised upon the little +animal, and beware of clogging +her way with the mud of entertainments, +and the addresses of importunate +lovers; lest, perhaps, (nay, +without a perhaps) she should not +possess such virtue and resolution as +are sufficient of themselves to surmount +those obstructions. It is therefore +necessary to remove them, and +place before her the purity of virtue, +and the beauty of an unblemished reputation. +A virtuous woman also +resembles a bright transparent mirror, +which is liable to be stained and +obscured by the breath of those who +approach too near it. A virtuous +woman, like relicks, ought to be +adored at a distance. She ought to be +preserved and esteemed as a beautiful +garden, full of flowers and roses, the +owner of which will suffer nobody +to handle them or pass through it, +permitting them only to enjoy its +fragrance and beauty afar off, through +the iron rails that surround it. In +fine, I will repeat a few verses that I +just now recollect, from a modern +comedy, because they seem to have +been composed upon the very subject +of our present discourse. A sage old +man advising his friend, who is blessed +with a handsome daughter, to +lock her up, and watch over her with +the utmost vigilance and care, among +other reasons, cautions him with +these—</p> +<div class='lg-container-b c015'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><abbr title='one'>I.</abbr></div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>“Woman is form’d of brittle ware;</div> + <div class='line in2'>Then, wherefore rashly seek to know</div> + <div class='line'>What force, unbroken, she will bear,</div> + <div class='line in2'>And strike, perhaps, some fatal blow.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><abbr title='two'>II.</abbr></div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>“Though easily to fragments tore,</div> + <div class='line in2'>’Twere equally absurd and vain,</div> + <div class='line'>To dash in pieces on the floor,</div> + <div class='line in2'>What never can be join’d again.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><abbr title='three'>III.</abbr></div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>“This maxim, then, by facts assur’d,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Should henceforth be espous’d by all;</div> + <div class='line'>Where’er a Danæ lies immur’d,</div> + <div class='line in2'>The tempting show’r of gold will fall.”</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>‘“All that I have hitherto suggested, +Anselmo, regards yourself; and now +it is but reasonable you should hear +something that concerns me; and if +I should be prolix in my observations, +you must excuse me, because +it is absolutely necessary to expatiate +on the subject, in order to extricate +you from the labyrinth in +which you are involved, and from +which you desire to be disengaged by +my assistance. You consider me as +a friend, and yet seek to deprive me +of my honour; a desire opposite to +all friendship or regard; nay, even +endeavour to make me rob you of +your own. That you want to destroy +mine, is plain; for Camilla, +finding herself exposed to my solicitations, +as you desire, will certainly +look upon me as a man void of all +principle and honour; because I attempt +<span class='pageno' id='Page_188'>188</span>to succeed in a design so contrary +to the dignity of my own character, +and the friendship subsisting +between us. That you desire I +should rob you of yours, is not to be +doubted; because, Camilla, seeing +herself importuned by my addresses, +will think I must have observed some +levity in her conduct, which hath +encouraged me to disclose my vicious +inclinations, and think herself dishonoured +accordingly; so that you +will be as much concerned in her +dishonour, as if it was your own. +Hence springs the common observation, +that the husband of a lewd woman, +though he neither knows, nor +hath given the least occasion for the +misconduct of his wife, and though +his misfortune was neither owing to +his want of prudence or care, is, notwithstanding, +pointed at, and distinguished +by a name of scandal and +reproach; being looked upon, by +those who know the frailty of his +wife, with an eye of disdain, instead +of compassion, which he certainly deserves, +as his disgrace proceeds not +from any fault of his, but from the +loose inclinations of his worthless +spouse. I will now explain the reason, +why the husband of a bad woman +is justly dishonoured, though he +neither knows, nor hath been in any +shape accessary to her backslidings; +and you must hear me with patience, +because my remarks will, I hope, redound +to your own advantage.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘“When God created our first parent +in the terrestrial paradise, we are +told, by the holy Scripture, that he +was thrown into a deep sleep, during +which, the Almighty took a rib +from his left side, and of this Eve +being formed, Adam no sooner awoke +and beheld her, than he cried, ‘<i>This +creature is flesh of my flesh, and bone +of my bone.</i>’ Nay, God himself pronounced, +‘<i>For this shall a man leave +father and mother, and they two +shall be one flesh.</i>’ Then was instituted +the divine sacrament of marriage, +consisting of such ties as death alone +can unbind; and endowed with such +miraculous virtue and power, as to +unite two different persons in one +flesh; nay, what is still more wonderful, +to combine two souls, so as +to produce but one will; provided +the union be happily effected. From +hence it follows, that the flesh of the +wife being the same with that of the +husband, whatever stains or blemishes +are imbibed by the first, must equally +affect the other, although, as I have +already observed, he is in no manner +accessary to the misfortune. +Wherefore, as the whole person is +affected by the pain of the foot or +any other member of the human body; +and the head, though no way +concerned in the cause, be a fellow-sufferer +with the ancle when it is +hurt; by the same rule, an husband, +being a part of the same whole, must +bear a share of his wife’s dishonour; +for, as all the honours and disgraces +of this life proceed from flesh and +blood; the infamy of a vicious woman, +being of the same origin, must +be shared by her husband, who ought +to be looked upon as a dishonoured +person, though he be utterly ignorant +of the guilt. Reflect, therefore, Anselmo, +on the danger into which you +bring yourself, by seeking to disturb +the peace and tranquillity of your +virtuous wife. Reflect upon the vanity +and impertinence of that curiosity, +which prompts you to awaken +and stir up those humours, that now +lie tamed and quiet in the bosom of +your chaste spouse. Consider, that in +this rash adventure, your gain must +be very small, but your loss may be +so great, that I leave it unmentioned, +because I want words to express its +estimation. On the whole, if what +I have said be insufficient to divert +you from your mischievous design, +I desire you will chuse some other instrument +of your misfortune and disgrace; +for I will not undertake the +office, though, by my refusal, I +should even lose your friendship, +which is dearer to me than any thing +upon earth.”</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Here the virtuous and prudent Lothario +left off speaking, and Anselmo +remained in such confusion and +perplexity, that, for some time, he +could not answer one word; at length, +however, he broke silence, saying, +“I have listened, my friend Lothario, +as you may have perceived, with +great attention to all you had to say, +and by your arguments, examples, +and comparisons, am fully convinced, +not only of your great discretion, +but also of that perfection of friendship +<span class='pageno' id='Page_189'>189</span>to which you have attained: I +see also, and own, that in refusing +your counsel, and following my own, +I avoid the good and pursue the evil. +This truth being acknowledged, you +must consider me as a person afflicted +with that infirmity, which induces +some women to swallow earth, chalk, +coals, and other things of a worse +nature, which, if loathsome to the +sight, how much more disagreeable +must they be to the taste. Wherefore, +there is an absolute necessity for +using some method of cure, which +you may easily effect, by beginning +to solicit the love of Camilla, though +coldly and feignedly; and, sure, she +cannot be so frail as to surrender her +virtue at the first encounter. With +this slight attempt I shall rest satisfied, +and you fulfil the duty of friendship, +not only in giving me new life, +but also in dissuading me from being +the cause of my own dishonour. Nay, +you are obliged to comply with my +request, by this other consideration, +that, determined as I am to put my +design in execution, you ought not +to allow me to communicate this +extravagant resolution to any other +person, lest I run the risk of losing +that honour which you endeavour to +preserve; and, as to your suffering in +the opinion of Camilla, by attempting +to seduce her, that is a reflection of +small importance, because, when her +integrity is proved, you can soon inform +her of our whole contrivance; +consequently, regain and repossess the +former place you held in her esteem. +Since, therefore, by adventuring so +little, it is in your power to give me +so much satisfaction; I hope, you +will not refuse the office, even if it +was attended with more inconvenience; +for, I have already told you, +that I shall look upon the affair as +concluded, whenever you shall have +made the first attempt.”</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Lothario seeing him fixed in his resolution, +even after he had exhausted +all his rhetorick to dissuade him from +it; and fearing he would execute his +threat of imparting his unhappy design +to some other person, determined +to prevent a greater misfortune, by +complying with his desire; purposing, +however, to manage the business in +such a manner, as to satisfy Anselmo, +without altering the sentiment of his +wife. With this view, he told Anselmo +that he should have no occasion +to communicate his intention to any +other man; for he, Lothario, would +undertake the affair, and begin when +he pleased. Anselmo, embracing his +friend with great tenderness and affection, +thanked him as much for his +compliance, as if he had granted him +some vast favour; and it was concerted +between them, that Lothario +should begin the enterprize the very +next day, when Anselmo would give +him time and opportunity of being +alone with Camilla, that he might +speak to her with freedom; and also +supply him with money and jewels, +that with such presents he might promote +his suit; he, moreover, advised, +him to attempt her by musick, and +write verses in her praise; or, if that +would be too much trouble for the +gallant, he himself would compose +them for the purpose. Lothario undertook +every thing, but with a very +different intention from what Anselmo +supposed; and the agreement being +made, they returned to the house +of this last, where they found Camilla +waiting with great anxiety, for +her husband, who had that day tarried +longer than usual abroad. Lothario +soon after went home to his +own lodgings, leaving his friend as +happy as himself was perplexed how +to contrive a scheme for bringing this +affair to a fortunate issue; but that +night he fell upon an expedient to deceive +Anselmo, without giving offence +to his wife.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Next day he went to dine with his +friend, and was very kindly received +by Camilla, who entertained him +with great cordiality, as her husband’s +intimate companion. Dinner +being ended, and the table withdrawn, +Anselmo rising up, desired Lothario +to stay with Camilla till his return +from an indispensable piece of business, +that would detain him an hour +and a half. Camilla intreated him to +defer it until another time, and Lothario +offered to go along with him; +but he was deaf to both, pressing Lothario +to let him go, while he should +wait at his house till he came back, +for he wanted to talk with him upon +a subject of the last importance; at +the same time, desiring Camilla to +keep Lothario company till his return; +<span class='pageno' id='Page_190'>190</span>in short, he so well feigned +the necessity, or rather folly of his +absence, that nobody could have suspected +the deceit. He accordingly +went out, and left Camilla and his +friend by themselves, for the rest of +the family had gone to dinner; so +that Lothario seeing himself within the +lists, according to Anselmo’s desire, +with his fair enemy, whose beauty +alone was powerful enough to overcome +a whole squadron of armed +knights, it may be easily conceived +what reason he had to fear, yet all he +did was to lean his head on his hand, +while his elbow rested upon the arm +of the chair in which he sat, and after +having begged pardon for his ill-manners, +to tell Camilla he would +take a nap till Anselmo’s return. She +said he would be more at his ease in a +couch than in the chair, and advised +him to walk into a chamber where he +would find one. This offer, however, +he declined, and slept where he +was till the return of his friend, who +finding Camilla in her own apartment, +and Lothario asleep, concluded that +by his long stay he had given them +time not only to speak, but also to +take their repose, and was impatient +for Lothario’s waking, that he might +carry him out to walk, and enquire +about his own fortune.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Every thing succeeded to his wish; +when his friend awoke, they went +forth together, and he put every question +to him that his curiosity suggested. +Lothario answered, that thinking +it improper to explain himself on the +first occasion, he had done nothing +but praised Camilla’s beauty, which, +together with her discretion, he told +her engrossed the conversation of the +whole city; this he imagined was the +most prudent beginning, as it might +prepossess her in his favour, and dispose +her to listen to him another time +with pleasure; being the same artifice +which is practised by the devil, who, +when he would seduce those who are +on their guard, transforms himself +from an imp of darkness into an angel +of light, and flattering them with +specious appearances, at length discovers +his cloven foot, and succeeds +in his design, provided his deceit be +not detected in the beginning. This +declaration was altogether satisfactory +to Anselmo, who said he would give +him the same opportunity every day, +without quitting the house, in which +he would employ himself so artfully, +that Camilla should never suspect his +design. Many days passed, in which, +though Lothario never opened his +mouth on the subject to Camilla, he +told Anselmo that he had made many +efforts, but could never perceive in +her the least tendency to weakness, or +obtain the least shadow of hope; on +the contrary, that she had threatened, +if he did not lay aside the wicked design, +to disclose the whole affair to +her husband. “Very well,” said +Anselmo, “hitherto she is proof against +words, we must now try whether or +not she can resist works also. Tomorrow +you shall have two thousand +crowns in gold, for a present to her; +and as much more to purchase jewels, +for a bait; these are things with +which all beautiful women are captivated; +for, be they ever so chaste, they +love finery and gay apparel, if she withstands +that temptation, I will rest satisfied +and give you no farther trouble.”</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Lothario promised to go through +with the enterprize, now that he had +begun, though he was persuaded he +should be fatigued and baffled in the +execution. Next day he received four +thousand crowns, and as many perplexities +along with them; for he did +not know what lye he should next invent; +however, he determined to tell +his friend, that Camilla was as invincible +to presents as to words, and that +he should give himself no farther vexation, +since all his endeavours were +thrown away to no purpose: but fortune, +which conduced matters in another +manner, ordained that Anselmo, +one day, after having, according to +custom, left Lothario and his wife by +themselves, and gone to his own +chamber, should peep through the +key-hole, and listen to their conversation, +it was then he perceived, that +in half an hour and more, Lothario +did not speak one word, neither +would he have opened his mouth, +had he remained a whole age in the +same situation. From hence he concluded, +that every thing his friend +had told him of Camilla’s replies, +was mere fiction; but, to be still +more assured, he came out of his +chamber, and calling Lothario aside, +asked what news he had, and how +<span class='pageno' id='Page_191'>191</span>Camilla stood affected to him? He replied, +that he was resolved to drop the +business entirely, for she had checked +him with such bitterness and indignation, +that he had no mind to return to +the charge. “Ah, Lothario! Lothario!” +said Anselmo, “how much +you have failed in the duty of friendship, +and abused the confidence I +have reposed in your affection! I have +been all this time looking through the +key-hole of that door, and perceived +that you have not spoken one word +to Camilla, from whence I suspect +that your first declaration is yet to +come; and if that be the case, as +without doubt it is, wherefore have +you thus deceived me; and in so +doing, prevented me from other +means to satisfy my desire?” He said +no more, but this was sufficient to +cover Lothario with shame and confusion; +who, thinking his honour concerned +in being convicted of a lye, +swore to Anselmo, he would from +that moment take the charge of giving +him the satisfaction he required, +without the least equivocation, as +he might perceive by watching him +narrowly; though there would be no +occasion for using such diligence, because +his future behaviour in that affair +would acquit him of all suspicion.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Anselmo gave credit to his protestation; +and, that his opportunities might +be more secure, and less subject to interruption, +resolved to absent himself +from his own house for eight days, +during which he proposed to visit a +friend who lived in a village not far +from the city; and whom he desired +to invite him to his house with the +most earnest intreaties, that he might +excuse himself to Camilla for his absence. +Unfortunate and imprudent +Anselmo! what art thou doing? what +art thou contriving and concerting? +Consider that thou art acting against +thyself, planning thy own dishonour +and perdition. Your wife Camilla is +virtuous and sober, and you possess +her at present in quiet, enjoying uninterrupted +pleasure; her inclinations +never ramble beyond the walls of your +own house; you are her paradise +upon earth, the goal of her desires, +the accomplishment of her wishes, +and the standard by which she measures +her will, adjusting it in all respects +according to your pleasure and +the directions of Heaven. Since the +mine of her honour, beauty, modesty, +and virtue, yields thee, without trouble, +all the riches which it contains, +or thou canst desire; why wouldst +thou, by digging in search of a new +and unheard-of treasure, risk the fall +or destruction of the whole, which is +sustained by the feeble props of female +constancy? Remember it is but +just, that he who builds on impossibilities +should be denied the privilege +of any other foundation; as the poet +hath better expressed it in the following +couplets—</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c012'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘“In death I sought new life to find,</div> + <div class='line'>And health, where pale distemper pin’d:</div> + <div class='line'>I look’d for freedom in the gaol,</div> + <div class='line'>And faith, where perjuries prevail;</div> + <div class='line'>But Fate supreme, whose stern decree</div> + <div class='line'>To sorrow match’d my destiny,</div> + <div class='line'>All possible relief withdrew,</div> + <div class='line'>Because th’impossible I kept in view.”</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>‘Next day Anselmo went to the +country, after having told Camilla, +that in his absence Lothario would +take charge of the family, and dine +with her every day; he therefore desired +her to treat him with all the respect +due to his own person. Camilla, +being a woman of honour and +discretion, was disgusted at this order, +and bade him consider how unseemly +it was for another man to sit +at the head of his table in his absence; +at the same time begging, +that if his directions proceeded from +his diffidence in her capacity, he +would for once put her management +to the trial, and be convinced by experience, +that she was equal to a more +important charge. Anselmo replied, +that such was his pleasure, and her +province was to bow the head and +obey; upon which, she, though unwillingly, +submitted. Next day he +set out accordingly, and Lothario +went to his house, where he met with +a very kind and honourable reception +from Camilla, who never gave him +an opportunity of being alone with +her, but was always surrounded by +her servants, generally attended by +her own maid, whose name was Leonela, +for whom her mistress had a +particular affection, because they had +been brought up together from their +infancy, in the house of Camilla’s +parents; and when she married Anselmo, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_192'>192</span>she accompanied her to his +house in quality of waiting-woman.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘During the first three days Lothario +did not declare himself, although +he had opportunities immediately after +the table was uncovered, while +the servants were at dinner, which +Camilla always ordered them to finish +with all expedition. Nay, she +gave directions to Leonela, to dine +every day before the cloth was laid +for herself, that she might always be +in waiting; but her maid’s thoughts +were too much engrossed by her own +amusements, the enjoyment of which +required such time and opportunity, +as often hindered her from obeying +the commands of her mistress, so that +she frequently behaved as if she had +received orders to leave them alone; +but the dignified presence of Camilla, +the gravity of her countenance, +and awfulness of person, were +such as effectually bridled Lothario’s +tongue: yet the energy of virtue, in +having this very effect, redounded the +more to the disadvantage of them +both; for, though his tongue was restricted, +his thoughts had a full and +free opportunity of contemplating at +leisure the charms both of her mind +and person, which were sufficient to +captivate not only an heart of flesh, +but even a statue of stone.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Lothario, by gazing at her during +those opportunities, beheld how worthy +she was to be beloved; and this +conviction began gradually to sap his +regard for his friend, so that he made +a thousand resolutions to quit the +city, and go where he should never +more be seen by Anselmo, or be exposed +to danger from the beauty of +his wife; but all these were baffled +by the pleasure he had already felt, in +seeing and admiring her charms; he +constrained himself, and combated his +own inclinations, in order to expel +and efface that satisfaction: when he +was alone he condemned his own madness, +and reproached himself as a false +friend and worthless Christian; he +made a thousand reflections and comparisons +between himself and Anselmo; +and they all terminated in this +conclusion, that the madness and rash +confidence of his friend greatly exceeded +his own infidelity, and that if +he could excuse himself to Heaven, +for what he intended to do, as easily +as to mankind, he had no reason to +dread any punishment for the crime. +In short, the beauty and other accomplishments +of Camilla, together with +the opportunity which the ignorant +husband put into his hands, entirely +overthrew the integrity of Lothario; +who, giving way at once to the dictates +of his passion, began at the end +of three days, during which he had +been at continual war with his desires, +to address himself to Camilla +with such disorder and amorous discourse, +that she was utterly astonished, +and rising up went to her own chamber +without answering one word. But +this coyness did not abate Lothario’s +hope, which always increases with a +man’s love; on the contrary, he redoubled +his efforts: while she, perceiving +him behave so wide of expectation, +did not well know what conduct +to espouse; but, thinking it +would be both unseemly and unsafe +in her, to grant him another opportunity, +she determined that very night +to send a message to her husband, and +actually dispatched a servant to him +with the following letter.</p> + +<h4 id='chap2-4-7' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='seven'>VII.</abbr> <br> THE CONTINUATION OF THE NOVEL CALLED THE IMPERTINENT CURIOSITY.</h4> +<p class='c004'>‘“It is a common observation, that +an army without a general, and +a garrison without a chief, make but +a very indifferent appearance; but I +say, that a young married woman +without a husband makes a worse, +especially when his absence is not +the effect of absolute necessity; for +my own part, I find myself so uneasy, +and unable to support our separation, +that if you do not return +immediately, I must go and pass my +time at my father’s house, though I +should leave yours without a guard; +for I believe he that you left, if he +was designed for that purpose, hath +more regard to his own pleasure than +to your advantage; and since you are +wise, I have nothing more to say, +nor is it proper I should.”</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘When Anselmo received this letter, +he was convinced that Lothario had began +<span class='pageno' id='Page_193'>193</span>the enterprize, and that his wife +had behaved according to his wish; +rejoiced beyond measure at this information, +he answered by a verbal message, +that she should by no means +leave the house, for he would return +in a very little time. Camilla was +astonished at this reply, which perplexed +her more than ever, as she +durst neither stay in her own house, +nor go to her father’s; for, in staying +at home, she endangered her honour, +and in going to her parents she transgressed +the commands of her husband. +In fine, she resolved upon that which +was worst of all, namely to remain +where she was, determined not to +avoid Lothario, that the servants +might not observe her situation; and +she was already sorry for what she +had written to Anselmo, being afraid +he would imagine Lothario had perceived +some levity in her conduct, +which encouraged him to lay aside +the decorum he ought to have preserved. +Confident of her own virtue, +she trusted to God and her conscious +prudence, by the help of which she +thought she could in silence refill all +the felicitations of Lothario, without +giving her husband any farther information, +lest it should involve him in +some trouble or dangerous dispute; +nay, she was even industrious in +inventing some excuse for Lothario, +in case Anselmo should ask the +reason that induced her to write such +a letter.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘With these sentiments, which were +more honourable than prudent and +advantageous, she next day sat listening +to Lothario, who exerted himself +in such a manner, as to shake +her fortitude, which, with all her virtue, +was barely sufficient to hinder her +eyes from giving manifest indications +of the amorous compassion that his +tears and addresses had awakened in +her breast. All this tenderness, which +Lothario observed, inflamed his passion +the more; and thinking there +was a necessity for shortening the +siege, while this opportunity of Anselmo’s +absence lasted, he assaulted her +pride with the praises of her beauty; +for nothing sooner succeeds in overthrowing +the embattled towers of +female vanity, than vanity itself, employed +by the tongue of adulation: in +short, he so assiduously undermined +the fortress of her virtue, and plied it +with such irresistible engines, that +though she had been made of brass, +she must have surrendered at mercy. +He wept, intreated, promised, flattered, +feigned, and importuned, with +such earnest expressions of love, as +conquered all her reserve; at last he +obtained a compleat triumph, which, +though what he least expected, was +what of all things he most ardently +desired; she yielded—the chaste Camilla +yielded! But what wonder? +since even Lothario’s friendship gave +way: a clear and incontestible proof, +that love is to be conquered by flight +alone; and that no person whatever +ought to engage such a powerful adversary, +hand to hand, because nothing +but force divine can subdue that +human power.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Leonela alone was privy to the +weakness of her mistress, which the +two new lovers and false friends could +not possibly conceal from her knowledge; +and Lothario did not chuse to +tell Camilla the contrivance of Anselmo, +who had given him the opportunity +of accomplishing his design; +that she might not undervalue his +love, by supposing that he courted her +by accident, without being at first +really enamoured of her charms. Anselmo +returning in a few days, did +not perceive the loss of that, which, +though he preserved with the least +care, he prized above all other possessions; +but going in quest of Lothario, +whom he found in his own lodging, +after a mutual embrace, he desired +he would tell him the news that +must determine his life or death. “The +news which I have to give you, my +friend,” said Lothario, “are these; +you have a wife who truly deserves +to be the pattern and queen of all +good women. The expressions I +used to her were spent in the air, my +promises were despised, my presents +rejected, and some tears that I feigned, +most heartily ridiculed; in short, +Camilla is the sum of all beauty, and +the casket in which are deposited honour, +affability, modesty, and all the +qualifications that dignify and adorn +a woman of virtue. Here, take back +your money, which I have had no occasion +to use: the chastity of your +spouse is not to be shaken by such +mean considerations as those of promises +<span class='pageno' id='Page_194'>194</span>and presents; be satisfied, Anselmo, +and make no more unprofitable +trials; since you have dry-shod +crossed the sea of those doubts +and suspicions which are and may +be entertained of women, seek not to +plunge yourself anew into the dangerous +gulf of fresh difficulties, by +using another pilot to make a second +trial of the strength and tightness of +the vessel which you have received +from Heaven to perform the voyage +of this life, but consider yourself as +in a safe harbour, where you ought +to secure yourself with the anchor of +sound reflection, and remain until +you are called upon to pay that tax +from which no human rank can exempt +you.”</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Anselmo was infinitely rejoiced at +this information of Lothario, which +he believed as implicitly as if it had +been pronounced by an oracle; but, +nevertheless, he besought him to continue +his addresses, merely for curiosity +and amusement, though not with +the same eagerness and diligence which +he had used before; he desired him +to write verses in praise of Camilla, +under the name of Chloris, promising +to tell his wife, that he, Lothario, was +in love with a lady whom he celebrated +under that fictitious name, in +order to preserve the decorum due to +her character; and he assured him, +that if Lothario did not chuse to take +the trouble of making verses, he himself +would compose them for the occasion. +“You shall not need,” said +Lothario; “the muses are not quite +so averse, but they visit me sometimes: +you may tell Camilla what +you have mentioned, concerning my +pretended love; and as for the verses, +if not adequate to the subject, they +shall at all events be the best I can +make.”</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘This agreement being concerted between +the impertinent husband and +treacherous friend, Anselmo returned +to his own house, and asked Camilla, +what she wondered he had not mentioned +before; namely, the meaning +of that letter which she had dispatched +to him in the country. She answered, +that she then fancied Lothario +looked at her with more freedom +than he used to take when Anselmo +was at home: but now she was undeceived, +and convinced of it’s being +no more than mere imagination, for +he had of late avoided all occasions of +being alone with her. Anselmo said +she might make herself entirely easy, +from that quarter; for he knew that +Lothario was in love with a lady of +fashion in the city, whom he celebrated +under the name of Chloris; and even, +if he was free of any such engagements, +there was nothing to be feared +from the honour of Lothario, and the +friendship subsisting between them. +If Camilla had not been previously +advertised by her secret gallant, of +this supposed love of Chloris, with +which he intended to hoodwink her +husband, that he might sometimes indulge +himself in her own praise, under +the cover of that name, she would, +without doubt, have been distracted +with jealousy; but thus instructed, +she heard him without surprize or +concern.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Next day, while they were at dinner, +Anselmo intreated his friend to +repeat some of the verses he had composed +in praise of Chloris, who being +utterly unknown to Camilla, he might +securely say what he pleased. “Tho’ +she were of her acquaintance,” answered +Lothario, “I should not think +myself bound to conceal my passion; +for, when a lover praises the beauty, +and at the same time bewails the +cruelty of his mistress, her reputation +can suffer no prejudice; but, be that +as it will, I own, I yesterday wrote a +song on the ingratitude of Chloris, +which you shall hear.</p> +<div class='lg-container-b c015'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><abbr title='one'>I.</abbr></div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>“When night extends her silent reign,</div> + <div class='line in2'>”And sleep vouchsafes the world to bless,</div> + <div class='line'>“To Heav’n and Chloris I complain</div> + <div class='line in2'>”Of dire and affluent distress.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line c003'><abbr title='two'>II.</abbr></div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>“When Phœbus, led by rosy morn,</div> + <div class='line in2'>”At first, his radiant visage shews,</div> + <div class='line'>“With tears, and sighs, and groans forlorn,</div> + <div class='line in2'>”My soul the bitter plaint renews.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line c003'><abbr title='three'>III.</abbr></div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>“When from his bright meridian throne,</div> + <div class='line in2'>”The dazzling rays descend amain,</div> + <div class='line'>“With aggravated grief I moan,</div> + <div class='line in2'>”And night brings back the woeful strain,</div> + <div class='line'>“Thus, to my vows and pray’rs, I find,</div> + <div class='line in2'>”My Chloris deaf, and Heav’n unkind.“</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'><span class='pageno' id='Page_195'>195</span>‘The song was approved by Camilla, +and much more so by her husband, +who applauded it to the skies, +and observed that the lady must be +excessively cruel, who could resist +such a true and pathetick complaint. +“What!” said Camilla, “is every +thing true that we are told by the +poets when they are in love?”—“What +they rehearse as poets,” answered +Lothario, “is not always truth; +but what they affirm as lovers, is always +from the heart.”—“You are certainly +in the right,” replied Anselmo, +with a view of supporting and giving +sanction to Lothario’s sentiments, in +the opinion of Camilla, whose indifference +about her husband’s artifice +was now equal to her love for his pretended +friend. Pleased therefore with +his performances, because she very +well knew that his inclinations and +compositions were inspired by, and addressed +to her, who was the true Chloris, +she desired him, if he had any +more songs or verses, to repeat them. +“I have another,” said Lothario, “but +I believe it is not so good; or, rather, +it is less tolerable than the last. However, +you shall judge for yourself; +here it is.”</p> +<div class='lg-container-b c015'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><abbr title='one'>I.</abbr></div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>“Yes, cruel maid! I welcome death,</div> + <div class='line in2'>”And tho’ I perish undeplor’d,</div> + <div class='line'>“Thy beauty with my latest breath,</div> + <div class='line in2'>”Shall be applauded and ador’d.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line c003'><abbr title='two'>II.</abbr></div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>“Tho’ lost in dark oblivion’s shade,</div> + <div class='line in2'>”Bereft of favour, life, and fame,</div> + <div class='line'>“My faithful heart, when open laid,</div> + <div class='line in2'>”Will shew thine image and thy name.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line c003'><abbr title='three'>III.</abbr></div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>“These reliques I preserve with care,</div> + <div class='line in2'>”My comfort in disastrous fate;</div> + <div class='line'>“For, steel’d and whetted by despair,</div> + <div class='line in2'>”My love new force acquires from hate.</div> + <div class='line'>“Unhappy those! who, darkling, sail</div> + <div class='line in2'>”Where stars, and ports, and pilots sail.“</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>‘This song was commended as much +as the first, by Anselmo, who in this +manner added link to link of the +chain with which he enslaved himself, +and secured his own dishonour: for +then Lothario disgraced him most, +when he thought himself most honoured, +and every step that Camilla descended +towards the very center of contempt, +she, in the opinion of her husband, +mounted to the very summit of +virtuous reputation. About this time, +happening to be alone with her maid, +“I am ashamed, dear Leonela,” said +she, “when I consider how I have undervalued +myself; for I ought to +have made Lothario employ a great +deal of time in purchasing the entire +possession of my favours, which I so +willingly surrendered at once; and I +am afraid that he will look upon my +sudden yielding as the effect of levity, +without reflecting upon the violence +of his own addresses, which it was +impossible to resist.”—“Let not that +give you the least disturbance, Madam,” +answered Leonela, “for there +is no reason why a thing should lose +its estimation, by being freely given, +if it is actually good in its kind and +worthy of esteem; nay, it is a common +saying, That he who gives freely, +gives twice.”—“There is also another +common observation,” replied +Camilla, “That which is easily got +is little valued.”—“You are not at +all affected by that observation,” resumed +Leonela, “for love, they say, +sometimes flies, sometimes walks, +runs with one, creeps with another, +warms a third, burns a fourth, wounding +some, and slaying others. In +one moment it begins, performs, and +concludes its career; lays siege in +the morning to a fortress, which is +surrendered before night, there being +no fortress that can withstand its +power. This being the case, what +cause have you to be alarmed or afraid? +This was the power that assisted +Lothario, by making use of my master’s +absence, as the instrument of his +success; and what love had determined, +must of necessity have been +concluded during that period, before +Anselmo could, by his return, prevent +the perfection of the work. Opportunity +is the best minister for executing +the designs of love; and is +employed in all his undertakings, +especially in the beginning of them. +This I know to be true, more by +experience than hearsay; and I shall +one day tell you, Madam, that I am a +girl of flesh and blood, as well as your +ladyship. Besides, your ladyship did +not yield until you had discerned in +the looks, sighs, protestations, promises, +and presents of Lothario, his +<span class='pageno' id='Page_196'>196</span>whole soul undisguised, and adorned +with such virtues as rendered him +worthy of your love. Let not, therefore, +these scrupulous and whining +reflections harrass your imagination; +but assure yourself, that Lothario’s +love and yours are mutual: so that +you may think yourself extremely +happy, in being caught in the amorous +snare by a man of worth and +honour, who not only possesses the +four qualities beginning with <abbr class='spell'>S</abbr><a id='r94'></a><a href='#f94' class='c008'><sup>[94]</sup></a>, +which ought to be the case of all true +lovers, but also a whole alphabet of +accomplishments. Listen, and you +shall hear how cleverly I will recount +them. He is, in my simple +opinion, amiable, benevolent, courageous, +diverting, enamoured, firm, +gay, honourable, illustrious, loyal, +mettlesome, noble, obedient, princely, +qualified, rich, and the <abbr class='spell'>S. S.</abbr> as I +have already observed. Then, he is +trusty, vigilant; the <abbr class='spell'>X</abbr> does not suit +him, because it is a harsh letter; <abbr class='spell'>Y</abbr> +stands for youth, and <abbr class='spell'>Z</abbr> for zeal, in +his attachment to you.”</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Camilla laughed at the alphabet of +her maid, whom she found more +knowing in the affairs of love than +she pretended to be; and this +knowledge indeed she confessed, disclosing +to her mistress an intrigue that +she carried on with a young man of a +good family in town. Camilla was +disturbed at this information, fearing +that her honour ran some risk from +their correspondence; and when she +pressed her to confess, whether or not +it had been brought to the last extremity, +she, without the least symptom +of shame, answered in the affirmative; +for, it is very certain, that +the failings of mistresses divest their +servants of all modesty; because, seeing +their ladies trip, they think themselves +intitled to halt, without being +at the trouble to conceal their defect. +Camilla, thus circumstanced, could +fall upon no other expedient than that +of cautioning her maid against betraying +her to the person who was her gallant, +and beseeching her to keep her +own intrigue secret, that it might not +fall under the observation of Anselmo +and Lothario.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Leonela promised to be upon her +guard, but managed her affairs with +so little discretion, that she confirmed +Camilla in the apprehension of losing +her reputation by the carelessness of +her maid; for the bold and immodest +Leonela, seeing that her lady’s conduct +was not the same as formerly, had the +assurance to introduce and conceal her +lover in the house, conscious, that although +her mistress should perceive, +she durst not detect him in that situation. +Among other disadvantages +incurred by these slips of women of fashion, +they become slaves to their +own servants, and find themselves +obliged to connive at their impudence +and vice.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘This was the very case of Camilla, +who, though she more than once observed +Leonela engaged with her gallant, +in one of the chambers, far from +reprimanding her on that score, she +gave opportunities of concealing him, +and did all she could to prevent his +being seen by her husband. But all +their caution could not screen him +from the notice of Lothario; who, +perceiving him come out of the house, +one morning at break of day, and not +knowing who he was, at first mistook +him for a phantom; but seeing him +run away, and seek to hide himself +with care and concern, he soon changed +that simple opinion for another, +which would have ruined them all, +had not Camilla found out an expedient +to prevent their destruction. He +was so far from thinking, that this +man whom he saw coming out of Anselmo’s +house, at such an unseasonable +hour, had gone in on Leonela’s account, +that he did not even remember +there was such a person in the world; +on the contrary, he was firmly persuaded, +that Camilla, who yielded so +easily to his addresses, had acted in the +same manner to some other person; +for this additional misfortune attends +a loose woman, that she loses her credit +even with the man by whose importunities +and intreaties her honour +has subdued. Nay, he believes, that +she will be more easily won by another +than by him, and implicitly credits +every suspicion that may arise from +that unjust inference. On this occasion, +Lothario’s good sense failed, and +<span class='pageno' id='Page_197'>197</span>all his caution seemed to vanish; +since, regardless of every thing that +was right or reasonable, without farther +examination, he hied him to Anselmo +before he was up, where, impatient +and blind with the jealous fury +that preyed upon his entrails, and inflamed +with the desire of being revenged +upon Camilla, who had given +him no offence, he expressed himself +thus.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘“You must know, Anselmo, that +for some days past, I have had a continual +struggle with myself, endeavouring +to suppress that which I +no longer either can or ought to conceal +from your knowledge. The +fortress of Camilla is at last surrendered, +and submitted entirely to the +dominion of my will. This I have +delayed imparting to you, until I +should be certain whether her compliance +was owing to some transient +flash of affection, or to the desire of +trying the sincerity of those addresses +which, by your own direction, were +carried on; and I likewise concluded, +that if she was a woman of honour +and virtue as we both imagined, +she would ere now have given +you an account of my solicitation. +But finding that still undone, I take +it for granted she means to keep her +promise of giving me an interview in +the wardrobe, the very next time you +go to the country; (and here it was +where Camilla actually used to entertain +him) but I should not wish +that you would run precipitately into +any scheme of vengeance. However, +as the crime is committed in +thought only, before an opportunity +offers of performing that promise, +Camilla may change her mind, and +repent of her weakness. Wherefore, +as you have hitherto, in whole or in +part, followed my advice, I hope +you will treasure up and observe one +which I shall now offer, that you +may, without the least possibility of +being deceived, carefully and cautiously +satisfy yourself, so as to take +such measures as your prudence shall +suggest. You may pretend that you +are going, as usual, for two or three +days to the country, and in the mean +time conceal yourself in the wardrobe, +where you will find tapestry +and plenty of other things for the +purpose; from thence you, with your +own eyes, as I with mine, will observe +the conduct of Camilla, and +if unhappily you should find more +cause to fear than to hope, you may +in person revenge your own wrongs, +with silence, safety, and discretion.”</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Anselmo was thunderstruck at this +declaration of Lothario, which came +upon him when he least expected it; +for he already looked upon Camilla +as a conqueror in the fictitious assaults +of his friend, and had actually began +to enjoy the glory of her triumph. +After having stood silent for +a long time, with his eyes fixed upon +the ground, “Lothario,” said he, +“you have acted up to the expectation +of my friendship: I will adhere to +your advice in every thing; do what +you please; I hope you will keep +this unexpected affair as secret as the +nature of it requires.”</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘His false friend promised to observe +the caution; but soon as he quitted +the apartment, repented of every +thing he had said, reflecting how +foolishly he had proceeded, and that +he might have punished Camilla by +means less cruel and dishonourable. +He cursed his own folly, condemned +his precipitation, and endeavoured to +find out some expedient to undo what +he had done, or at least bring it to +some favourable issue. At length, +he resolved to disclose the whole to +Camilla, as there wanted not opportunities +of being with her alone; and +that very day being together, she +made use of the first that happened, +addressing herself to him in this manner. +“Know, my dear Lothario, +that my heart is ready to burst with +one affliction, which is so grievous +that it will be a wonder if I survive +it: Leonela is arrived to such a +pitch of impudence, that every +night she introduces a gallant into +the house, and remains with him +till morning, very much at the expence +of my reputation, as the field +is left open for any malicious construction, +upon seeing a man come +out of my house at such unseasonable +hours; and the misfortune is, I dare +neither chide nor chastise her for her +audacity; for her being privy to our +correspondence puts a bridle in my +mouth, obliging me to be silent on +the subject of her folly, from which +I fear some mischance will befal us.”</p> + +<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_198'>198</span>‘When Camilla began this discourse, +Lothario imagined it was an artifice +to deceive and persuade him that the +man he had seen coming out of the +house had been there on Leonela’s account +only; but, seeing his mistress +weep, and in the utmost affection entreat +him to find out some remedy for +this inconvenience, he was convinced +of the truth, and covered with shame +and remorse for what he had done; +nevertheless, he desired Camilla to +make herself easy, and promised to +fall upon some method to curb Leonela’s +insolence. He then told her +what, instigated by the rage of jealousy, +he had disclosed to Anselmo, +who by his appointment was to conceal +himself in the wardrobe, that he +might have an incontestible proof of +her infidelity: he begged pardon for +his madness, with advice how to remedy +it, and to extricate himself from +the labyrinth in which he was involved +by his own imprudence. Camilla +was astonished at the discourse of Lothario, +whom she chid and reprimanded +with great reason and resentment, +for the groundless suspicion which had +driven him to such a mad and mischievous +resolution; but women having +naturally more invention than men +can boast of, either for a good or bad +occasion, though sometimes they fail +in premeditated schemes, Camilla instantly +thought of a cure for this seemingly +incurable dilemma, and bade +Lothario prevail upon her husband to +conceal himself in the appointed place, +the very next day; for she hoped to +reap such advantage from his concealment, +as that for the future they +should enjoy each other without the +least fear or interruption. She, therefore, +without disclosing to her lover +the whole of her plan, desired him to +take care, when Anselmo was hid, to +come at Leonela’s call, and answer +every question she should ask, in the +same manner as he would reply if he +did not know that her husband was +within hearing. Lothario insisted upon +knowing the particulars of her scheme, +that he might with more security and +success perform his cue; but Camilla +assured him he had nothing to do but +answer her questions with truth and +sincerity; being unwilling to make +him previously acquainted with her design, +lest he should disapprove of that +which to her seemed so necessary, and +recommend another which perhaps +she might not think so effectual. Accordingly, +Lothario took his leave, and +next day Anselmo, under pretence of +going to his friend’s country-house, +set out, but soon returned to his hiding-place; +Camilla and her maid having +purposely given him an opportunity +of getting in unseen. There he +remained in a state of perturbation, +which may be easily conceived to harrass +the breast of a man who expected +to see with his own eyes the bowels +of his honour dissected, and found +himself on the brink of losing that supreme +bliss which he thought he possessed +in his beloved Camilla.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘She and her maid, by this time, +certified of his being there, went to +the wardrobe, which Camilla no sooner +entered, than heaving a profound +sigh, “Dear Leonela,” said she, “rather +than execute the design which I +conceal from your knowledge, that +you may not endeavour to prevent it, +would it not be better for you to +take this poignard of Anselmo, and +plunge it in my unfortunate bosom? +Yet do not, Leonela; for it were unreasonable +that I should be punished +for another’s crime; I want first to +know what the daring and licentious +eyes of Lothario have discerned in my +conduct, that should encourage him +to declare a passion so guilty as that +which he hath owned, so much to my +dishonour and the prejudice of his +friend. Go to that window, Leonela, +and beckon to him, for doubtless +he is now in the street, expecting to +succeed in his wicked intention; but +I shall first execute mine, which is +equally honourable and severe.”—“Alas, +Madam!” answered the cunning +and well-instructed Leonela, +“how do you intend to use that fatal +poignard? are you determined to +take away your own life, or that of +Lothario? by sacrificing either the +one or the other, you will entirely +ruin your own reputation. You +should rather stifle your wrongs, than +give that wicked wretch an opportunity +of finding us here alone; consider, +Madam, that we are but weak +women, and he a determined man, +who, blinded by his guilty passion, +may by force deprive you of that +which you value more than life, before +<span class='pageno' id='Page_199'>199</span>you can execute your purpose +upon him. A plague upon my master +Anselmo, for allowing that impudent +fellow to be so free in his +house! besides, Madam, should you +kill him, as I believe you intend to +do, what shall we do with him after +he is dead?”—“Nothing, my friend,” +replied Camilla, “but let Anselmo +bury him; for he ought to take +pleasure in the task of interring his +own infamy. Go and beckon to him, +I say, for every moment I delay my +just revenge seems to injure afresh +that fidelity which I owe to my +husband.”</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘All this conversation was overheard +by Anselmo, whose sentiments were +entirely changed by what Camilla said; +and when he understood that she intended +to kill Lothario, he was inclined +to come out and discover himself, +in order to prevent the deed; but +he was diverted from that resolution +by the desire of seeing the issue of his +wife’s gallant and virtuous determination; +purposing, however, to appear +seasonably enough for the safety +of his friend.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘About this time Camilla throwing +herself upon a couch, was seized with +a violent fit, during which Leonela +wept bitterly, exclaiming, “Ah, +woe is me! must I then see, expiring +in these unfortunate arms, the flower +of human virtue, the queen of excellent +wives, the pattern of chastity!” +with other epithets of the same +kind, which nobody could have heard, +without esteeming her the most faithful +and afflicted damsel upon earth, +and her mistress another persecuted +Penelope. Camilla, having soon recovered +from her fit, said to her woman, +“Why don’t you go and call +this the most faithful friend that ever +was seen by the day, or shrouded by +the night? Make haste; go, run, fly; +let not the fire of my rage be consumed +by your delay, and the just +vengeance I mean to take evaporate +in curses and unsubstantial threats.”—“I +go,” answered Leonela, “but +you must first give me that poignard, +lest, in my absence, you do a deed +to make all those who love you weep +to the end of their lives.”—“Go, +dear Leonela,” replied her mistress, +“and fear nothing; for although, in +your opinion, I may be rash and even +unreasonable, in thus resenting the +affront upon my honour; I shall not +behave like that Lucretia, who, ’tis +said, killed herself, though innocent, +without having first punished the villainous +cause of her misfortune. If +I must die, I will at least fall fully +revenged of him who is the occasion +of my being here, to bewail his audacious +behaviour, which, I am sure, +proceeded from no misconduct of +mine.”</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Many intreaties did she use, before +Leonela would go and call Lothario, +but at length she prevailed; the maid +went out to seek him, and, in her absence, +Camilla uttered the following +soliloquy. “Good Heaven! would +it not have been more prudent to dismiss +Lothario as usual, than to give +him this occasion of thinking me vicious +and immodest, even though that +opinion can only last until I have an +opportunity of undeceiving him? +Yes, certainly; but I shall not think +myself revenged, nor the honour of my +husband sufficiently vindicated, if he +escapes so smooth and clean from this +snare into which his wicked inclinations +have decoyed him. Let the traitor +pay with his life for the enterprize +of his lascivious desire; the world +shall know, if even the affair be made +publick, that Camilla not only preserved +her affection for her husband +inviolate, but also took vengeance on +the man who thought to impair it. +Yet, methinks, I ought to disclose +the whole to Anselmo; but I have +already touched upon the subject, in +the letter I sent to him when he was +in the country; and his omitting to +apply a remedy to the evil I then +hinted at, must certainly be owing to +his own integrity and unsuspecting +heart, which would not suffer him to +believe, that the breast of such a constant +friend could harbour one +thought to the prejudice of his honour; +indeed, this was my own opinion, +until his behaviour became intolerably +licentious, and his presents, +promises, and tears, fully manifested +his guilty purpose. But, wherefore +these reflections? does a gallant resolution +stand in need of hesitating +advice? No! traitor, avaunt! hither +vengeance! enter, thou false, perfidious +wretch, come, quick, be speedy, +die, and let the consequence be what +<span class='pageno' id='Page_200'>200</span>it will! Pure and unspotted I came +into the possession of him whom Heaven +appointed to be my husband and +my lord, and equally pure shall I +leave his embrace, though bathed in +my own chaste blood, and embrued +in the tainted gore of the falsest +friend that ever friendship saw!” So +saying, she brandished the drawn dagger +in her hand, and stalked across +the room with such disordered steps +and violent gestures, that she seemed +to have lost her senses, and looked +more like a desperate ruffian than a +delicate wife.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘All this transport and agitation was +perceived, with astonishment, by Anselmo, +where he stood concealed behind +the tapestry; he thought he had +now seen and heard enough to dispel +suspicions of a stronger kind than those +he entertained; and even wished that +the proof might proceed no farther, +by Lothario’s failing to keep the +appointment; for he was afraid that +some sudden unlucky accident might +happen. Being therefore on the point +of shewing himself, and running to +embrace and undeceive his wife, he +was prevented by seeing Leonela return +with his friend, whom Camilla +no sooner beheld, than drawing a line +before her, with the dagger, she said, +“Take notice, Lothario, if you attempt +to pass this line, or even approach +it, the moment I perceive your +intention, I will plunge the poignard +in my breast. Without offering +the least reply, therefore, to this +declaration, I desire you will listen +to some questions I mean to ask, +which you may answer as you shall +think proper; in the first place, tell +me, Lothario, if you know my husband +Anselmo, and what station he +maintains in your opinion? and then +be as explicit in your sentiments of +me; answer without perturbation or +difficulty, for the questions I ask are +easily solved.”</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Lothario was not so ignorant, but +that he had conceived her design, from +the moment of her desiring him to advise +Anselmo to conceal himself; and +therefore his replies were so seasonable, +and corresponded so exactly with her +aim, that this fiction had all the air +of the most genuine truth. “Beauteous +Camilla,” said he, “I did not +imagine you had sent for me with a +view of asking questions so foreign +to the purpose for which I come; if +you meant to delay the promised bliss, +you might have protracted the assignation +to a more distant term; for, +the nearer the prospect of enjoyment +is, the more grievous will the disappointment +be: but that you may +have no cause to complain of my refusing +to answer your demands, I +will own that I know your husband +Anselmo, with whom I have been +intimate from our most tender years. +Of the friendship (as you know) subsisting +between us, I will say nothing, +that I may not bear witness to the +wrong which love, the powerful excuse +of greater crimes, compels me +to commit: you too I know, and +rate as high as you can possibly be in +his esteem; for a prize of less value I +should not have acted so unbecoming +my own character, or transgressed +those laws of perfect friendship, +which I have broken and violated, at +the instigation of that mischievous +and irresistible power.”</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘“Since thou art self-convicted so +far,” replied Camilla, “thou mortal +enemy to all that merits love! +with what face darest thou appear +before her who is the mirror that reflects +him, and in which thou oughtest +to have seen how little reason and encouragement +thou hadst to wrong his +honour; but, unfortunate that I am! +I have found out the cause that induced +thee to forget thyself so far; +it must have been some lightness of +carriage in me; immodesty I will not +call it, because it could not be the +effect of deliberate determination, but +must have proceeded from a neglect +of some of those forms which women +often inadvertently omit before those +whom they think they can entertain +without ceremony. Otherwise, tell +me, traitor, when did I ever answer +thy addresses with any word or sign +that could awaken in thy breast the +least glimpse of hope to accomplish +thy infamous aim? Did I not always +reject and reprove thy amorous protestations +with rigour and severity? +and when were thy promises +and presents believed and accepted? +But, as I think no person could long +persevere in such a flagitious intention, +without being supported by +some sort of hope, I am willing to +<span class='pageno' id='Page_201'>201</span>lay the blame of your impertinence +at my own door; since, without doubt, +some failure of care in me, hath +enabled you to exert yours so long; +and therefore, I will inflict upon +myself the punishment that your +crime deserves; but that you may +see, in being thus inhuman to myself, +it was impossible for me to deal +mildly by you, I have invited you +hither, to be witness of the sacrifice +I mean to offer to the injured honour +of my noble husband, whom you +have aggrieved to the utmost of your +power, I myself being accessary to +the wrong, because I have not industriously +enough avoided all occasion, +if I gave you any, of favouring +and countenancing your wicked +inclinations. I say, the suspicion I +have, that some levity of mine engendered +such frantick sentiments in +your bosom, gives me the utmost +pain, and prompts me to chastise my +indiscretion with my own hands, rather +than make my fault more publick, +by submitting to another executioner; +but, if I must perish, my +fall shall be accompanied with the +death of him whose blood will satisfy +the vengeance which I already in +some measure enjoy, when I consider +that wheresoever I go, I shall +have before mine eyes, the victim I +offered to the most disinterested justice, +in punishing the wretch who hath reduced +me to this despair.”</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘So saying, she assaulted Lothario +with incredible force and agility, manifesting +such eagerness to plunge the +poignard in his breast, that he himself +doubted whether her endeavours +were feigned or real; and was actually +obliged to exert his whole strength +in defending himself from Camilla, +who acted this strange imposture so +much to the life, that, in order to +give it the greater appearance of truth, +she resolved to colour it with her own +blood; for seeing, or feigning, that she +could not touch Lothario, she cried, +“Though fate denies me the full satisfaction +of my just desire, it cannot +rob me of one part of my revenge.” +With these words, struggling to disengage +her dagger-hand, which was +held by Lothario, she at last succeeded, +and directing her poignard to a +part of her body, which she thought +she might slightly wound without danger, +she sheathed it between her shoulder +and left-breast, and fell upon the +floor as in a swoon.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Leonela and Lothario were astonished +and confounded at this +event, and still dubious whether or +not Camilla was in earnest, when they +saw her stretched upon the ground, +and bathed in her own blood. Lothario +ran, in the utmost fright and +consternation, to draw forth the dagger; +but perceiving what a superficial +wound she had made, he recovered +of the terror which had began to seize +him, and could not help admiring +anew, the uncommon sagacity, prudence, +and discretion, of the beautiful +Camilla; that he might therefore proceed +in the part he had to act, he began +to make long and sorrowful lamentation +over the body, as if she +had been really dead, imprecating a +thousand curses, not only upon himself, +but also upon him who was the +original cause of this disaster; and as +he knew that Anselmo was listening, +said such melancholy things, that +whosoever had heard him, would have +pitied his case, as much as that of Camilla, +though they had believed her +actually dead.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Leonela lifted her up, and laying +her on the bed, earnestly entreated +Lothario to find some person who +would cure her privately; and begged +he would advise her, with regard to +what she should tell Anselmo, about +her lady’s wound, in case he should +return before she was cured: he said +she might tell him what she pleased, +for he was then in no condition to +give any profitable advice about the +matter; he only desired her to fall +upon some method of staunching the +blood, and declared that for his own +part he would go where man should +never see him. He accordingly departed +with the appearance of infinite +grief and anxiety, and when he found +himself alone, in a private place, +crossed himself with amazement at the +invention of Camilla, and the artful +behaviour of her maid. He could easily +conceive that Anselmo was by this +time thoroughly convinced of his having +a second Portia for his wife; and +was impatient to see him, that they +might together extol her behaviour, +which, though imposture, had more +appearance of truth than any thing +<span class='pageno' id='Page_202'>202</span>of the same kind that had ever been +practised.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Leonela, as she was desired, stopped +her lady’s blood, of which there was +just enough to give credit to her artifice; +and washing the wound with a +little wine, bound it up as well as she +could, uttering such sorrowful expressions +all the time, as would have been +sufficient, without any previous lamentation, +to persuade Anselmo that +his wife was the mirror of chastity. +Leonela’s complaints were joined by +those of her mistress, who taxed herself +with cowardice and pusillanimity, +in having lost the best opportunity +she should ever have of parting with +that life which she abhorred. She +consulted her maid about disclosing +the whole affair to her beloved spouse; +but this scheme Leonela opposed, observing +that it would lay her master under +an obligation of taking vengeance +on Lothario; a satisfaction he could +not enjoy without exposing himself +to great danger; and that a virtuous +woman, far from seeking to involve +her husband in quarrels, was in duty +bound to keep him free of all such +disputes, by every method in her +power. Camilla seemed to approve +of her maid’s prudence, and promised +to follow her advice; but said it +would be necessary at all events to +invent some excuse to Anselmo about +the wound, which he could not fail +of observing. Leonela assuring her, +that they could never tell a lye even in +jest, the mistress replied, “What +shall I do then, child? for I would +not attempt to frame and maintain +a falshood, even though my life depended +upon it; since, therefore, we +know not how to extricate ourselves +otherwise, we must e’en discover the +naked truth, rather than run the risk +of being detected in a lye.”—“Don’t +give yourself any farther uneasiness, +Madam,” said Leonela; “by to-morrow +morning I shall have found some +expedient; perhaps the wound being +where it is, may be concealed from +his view, and Heaven vouchsafe to +favour our upright and honourable +intention. Compose yourself, dear +Madam, endeavour to calm the perturbation +of your spirits, that my +master may not perceive your disorder, +and leave the consequence to my +care and that of Heaven, which never +fails to favour the righteous design.”</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Anselmo listened with the utmost +attention to this tragedy of the death +of his honour, which was represented +with such exquisite and surprizing address, +that the actors seemed really +transformed into the very characters +they feigned; he longed impatiently +for night, and an opportunity of +escaping unseen, that he might fly to +his worthy friend Lothario, and receive +his congratulation upon the precious +jewel he had found in this vindication +of his wife’s virtue; they +took care to furnish him with the occasion +he wanted; and he, without +letting it slip, ran immediately in +quest of Lothario. It would be difficult +to describe the eagerness of his +embraces at meeting, or to recount the +expressions he used in the overflowings +of his satisfaction, and the extravagant +praises he bestowed on Camilla. +All these Lothario heard, without being +able to manifest the least signs of +joy; his reflections taxed him with the +deceit he had practised, and the injury +he had done his unsuspecting +friend. Anselmo took notice that he +did not seem to participate in his pleasure, +but believed his concern proceeded +from the thoughts of having +been the occasion of Camilla’s wound: +he therefore, among other things, told +him to make himself easy on that +score, for the hurt must certainly have +been very slight, as they had agreed +to conceal it from his knowledge; +and since there was no bad consequence +to be apprehended, he hoped +for the future to enjoy, in mirth and +good-humour, the friendship of his +dear Lothario, by whose industry and +mediation he now saw himself raised +to the most sublime pitch of human +felicity; at the same time he signified, +that his desire and design was to pursue +no other amusement than that of +composing verses in praise of Camilla, +that should transmit to latest posterity +the remembrance of her worth.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Lothario commended his laudable +determination, and promised to contribute +all that lay in his power towards +the rearing of such an illustrious +edifice; so that Anselmo being +the most agreeably deceived of any +man that ever lived, led by the hand +<span class='pageno' id='Page_203'>203</span>to his own house, the very man who, +though in his opinion the instrument +of his glory, was the total perdition +of his fame. Camilla received him +with a countenance expressing resentment, +but a soul brimful of joy; and +their secret correspondence continued +uninterrupted for a few months, at +the end of which the wheel of fortune +having performed a full circle, the +intrigue, which had been hitherto so +artfully concealed, was discovered, +and Anselmo’s Impertinent Curiosity +cost him his life.’</p> + +<h4 id='chap2-4-8' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='eight'>VIII.</abbr> <br> THE CONCLUSION OF THE IMPERTINENT CURIOSITY.</h4> +<p class='c004'>A little more of this novel remained +to be read, when Sancho came +running in great confusion, from the +garret where his master Don Quixote +lay, bawling aloud, ‘Come hither, +gentlemen! make haste to the assistance +of my master, who is this precious +minute engaged and grappled in +the toughest battle that ever my eyes +beheld! Egad, he has given that same +giant, the enemy to my Lady the +princess of Micomicona, such a back-stroke, +as hath sliced off his head as +smooth and clean as the skin of a +turnip.’—‘What do you mean, brother?’ +said the curate, closing the +book; ‘are you in your right wits, +Sancho? How the devil can your master +be fighting with a giant who is +two thousand leagues from hence?’</p> + +<p class='c005'>That instant they heard a great noise +in the apartment, and Don Quixote proclaiming +aloud, ‘Stay, villain! robber! +caitiff! here I have thee, and thy scymitar +shall not avail.’ Then he began +to strike furiously at the walls; and +Sancho exclaimed, ‘Don’t stand here +listening, but go in and part the fray, +or lend your assistance to my master, +though I believe that will be needless +by this time, for the giant is certainly +dead, and giving an account to God +of his wicked and misspent life: nay, +I saw, with my own eyes, his blood +running about the floor, and his head +cut off, laying on one side, as a large +wine bag.’—‘May I be hanged,’ +cried the innkeeper, at these words, ‘if +this Don Quixote, or Don Devil, has +not cut open one of the skins filled +with red wine, that stood at his bed’s +head, and the wine that ran out is +mistaken by this simple fellow for +blood!’</p> + +<p class='c005'>So saying, he rushed into the apartment +with the whole company at his +heels, and found the knight in a very +ludicrous situation; he appeared in his +shirt, which was too scanty before to +cover his thighs, and still shorter behind, +by six inches at least, and displayed +a pair of long lank legs, imbrowned +with hair, and not extremely +clean; his head was covered with a little, +red, greasy night-cap, belonging to +the landlord; round his left-arm he +had wrapped the blanket of his bed, to +which Sancho, for good reasons known +to himself, bore an inveterate grudge; +and in his right, he wielded his drawn +sword, with which he laid about him +at a furious rate, talking as if he was +actually at blows with the giant; but, +what was very surprizing, his eyes were +shut all the time, and he was fast asleep, +dreaming of this encounter; for his +imagination was so much engrossed by +the adventure he had undertaken to atchieve, +as to make him dream that he +was already arrived in the kingdom of +Micomicon, and engaged in single combat +with his gigantick adversary; instead +of whom, he hacked the wine-bags +so furiously, that the whole room +was afloat with their contents.</p> + +<p class='c005'>The innkeeper no sooner perceived +this havock, than incensed to the last +degree, he assaulted Don Quixote with +his clenched fists, and began to pummel +him so severely, that if the curate +and Cardenio had not interposed, he +would soon have put an end to the adventure +of the giant; yet, for all that, +the poor knight did not awake until the +barber fetching a kettle of cold water +from the well, soused him all +over; even then, though sleep forsook +him, he did not recollect the situation +he was in; and Dorothea, seeing him +so slight and airily equipped, did not +chuse to be a spectator of the combat +between her adversary and protector. +Meanwhile, Sancho went about the +room, prying into every corner, and +searching for the giant’s head; which +when he could not find, ‘I know,’ +said he, ‘that every thing goes by inchantment +in this house: the last +time I was in this very spot, I received +<span class='pageno' id='Page_204'>204</span>a great many thwacks and +thumps without seeing a soul, or being +able to guess from whence they +came; and now this head is vanished, +though I saw it cut off with mine own +eyes, and the blood spout out of the +body, like water from a fountain.’—‘What! +dost thou talk of blood and +fountains, thou enemy of God and +his saints!’ cried the inn-keeper; +‘don’t you see, rascal, that there is no +blood or fountain, but the skins that +are pierced, and the red wine that +swims about the room? I hope the +soul of him who pierced them, will +swim in hell!’—‘I know nothing of +the matter,’ replied Sancho; ‘but that, +on account of my not finding the +head, I shall see my earldom dissolve +like salt in water.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Thus the squire, though awake, was +more extravagant than Don Quixote in +his dream; such an impression had his +master’s promises made upon his imagination. +The phlegmatick temper of +the squire, together with the mischievous +disposition of the knight, well-nigh +distracted the landlord, who swore, that +they should not now, as formerly, go +away without paying; and that all the +privilege of their errantry should not +exempt them from paying both reckonings +to the last farthing, for the damage +they had done, even to the bits of leather +for patching the wine-skins that +were cut. The curate, by this time, had +got hold of the hands of Don Quixote, +who, believing he had now finished the +adventure, and was in presence of the +Princess Micomicona, fell upon his +knees before the priest, saying, ‘Renowned +princess, your highness may +henceforth live secure of what that +misbegotten wretch can do; and I, +from this day forward, am acquitted +of my promise, which is now, by the +assistance of Heaven above, and the +favour of her for whom I live and +breathe, happily and fully performed.’—‘Did +not I tell you so?’ cried +Sancho, hearing these words. ‘You +see I am not drunk, and may take +notice that my master hath put the +giant in pickle: the holidays will certainly +come round, and the earldom +fit me to a hair.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Who could refrain from laughing at +the follies of the master and man? they +occasioned abundance of mirth to every +one present, except the landlord, who +cursed himself to the devil. At length +the barber, curate, and Cardenio, with +no small difficulty, put the knight to +bed again, where he fell fast asleep in +an instant, like one who had been excessively +fatigued; they left him to his +repose, and went out to console Sancho +for his disappointment in losing the giant’s +head; but they found it a harder +task to pacify the innkeeper, who was +driven almost to despair, by the sudden +death of his wine-bags; besides, the +landlady began to cry, in a whimpering +tone, ‘In an unlucky minute and evil +hour did this knight-errant enter my +doors! for I am sure, I never beheld +him without paying dearly for the +sight! The last time he was here, he +refused to defray a whole night’s expence +of supper, lodging, straw, and +barley, for himself and his squire, +his horse and his ass; saying that he +was a knight-errant, forsooth: (God +send him and all other knights-errant +upon errands that will tend to their +sorrow!) and therefore, was not obliged +to pay for any thing, because +it was not ordained in the registers of +chivalry; then, this gentleman coming +after him t’other day, borrowed +my tail, and though I have got it +again, it is a good penny the worse +for the wearing, the hair being plucked +off in such a manner as makes it +unfit for my husband’s purpose; and +to finish and conclude the whole, my +bags are broke, and my wine spilt; +(would I could see his heart’s blood +in the same condition!) but he must +not think to get off so easily, for by +the bones of my father, and my mother’s +soul! they shall pay for every +thing upon the nail; or, may I never +be called by my own name again, or +believed to be my father’s own child!’</p> + +<p class='c005'>These, and other expressions of the +same kind, were uttered, with great +bitterness, by the landlady; and her +faithful servant Maritornes joined in the +exclamation; while the daughter held +her peace, and, from time to time, +smiled at their indignation, which at +last was appeased by the curate, who +promised to give them satisfaction, to +the best of his power, for the loss they +had sustained in bags and wine, and, +in particular, for the damage done to +the tail, which they valued so highly; +and Dorothea comforted Sancho, by telling +him, that as soon as ever it should +<span class='pageno' id='Page_205'>205</span>appear that his master had actually cut +off the giant’s head, and she should +find herself in quiet possession of her +kingdom, she would bestow upon him +the best earldom in her gift. The +squire was consoled by this promise, +and assured the princess, that he was +certain he had seen the giant’s head, by +the same token that he had a huge +beard that flowed down to his middle; +and that the whole was now vanished, +because every thing in that house was +performed by inchantment, as he had +found by woeful experience, the last +time he had lodged in that apartment. +Dorothea said she was of the same opinion, +desiring he would give himself no +uneasiness, for every thing would be +for the best, and succeed to his heart’s +content. The quiet of the house being +thus re-established, the curate wanted +to read the remaining part of the novel, +which he perceived already drew near +a close; and Cardenio, Dorothea, and +the rest, intreating him to finish the story, +he, with a view of pleasing them as +well as himself, proceeded in these +words.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Anselmo being now satisfied of his +wife’s virtue, enjoyed himself without +the least disturbance or care; while +Camilla, in order to disguise her real +sentiments, affected always to frown +upon Lothario, who, as a farther sanction +to this stratagem, desired Anselmo +to excuse him from coming to his +house, since it was plain that Camilla +was disgusted at his presence: but the +infatuated Anselmo would by no +means comply with this request; so +that this unhappy husband was, in a +thousand shapes, the author of his +own dishonour, while, in his own +opinion, he was laying up a store of +happiness and reputation.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘About this time Leonela’s desire of +gratifying her own loose wishes, carried +her to such a pitch of imprudence, that +she gave her wantonness the rein without +the least caution; conscious that +her mistress would conceal her conduct, +and even advise her how to carry +on the intrigue without the least danger +of being detected. At length, however, +Anselmo, one night heard somebody +walking in her apartment, and +endeavouring to get in and see who it +was, found the door shut against him. +This circumstance increased his desire, +he made a violent effort, and the +door flew open, upon which he entered, +and seeing a man leap out of +the window into the street, ran hastily +to lay hold or get sight of him; +but he was disappointed in both by +Leonela, who hanging upon her master, +cried, “Hold, dear Sir! be not +surprized, nor seek to pursue the person +who is fled; he was here on my +account, and is as good as my wedded +husband.”</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Anselmo would give no credit to +her words, but, blinded with passion, +drew his poignard to stab Leonela, +whom he commanded to reveal the +truth on pain of immediate death. +She, terrified by his threats, answered, +without knowing what she said, +“Spare my life, good Sir, and I will +disclose things of greater importance +than you imagine.”—“Speak, then,” +cried Anselmo, “or thou shalt instantly +die.”—“At present,” replied +Leonela, “I am in such perturbation, +that I cannot possibly make a distinct +confession; delay your vengeance +till to-morrow morning, and then +you shall hear something that will +strike you with astonishment: meanwhile, +be assured, that he who leaped +out of the window, is a young man +of this city, who has given me a +promise of marriage.”</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Anselmo being somewhat pacified +by this declaration, resolved to grant +the respite she demanded; though he +never dreamed of hearing any thing +to the prejudice of Camilla, of whose +virtue he was satisfied and secure; +he therefore quitted the room, in +which however he locked up Leonela, +telling her she must continue in that +place, until she should have made this +promised discovery; then going to +Camilla, informed her of every thing +that had passed, together with the +promise her maid had made of discovering +things of great importance. +It is almost needless to say that Camilla +was disturbed at this information: +the terror that took possession +of her was such, that believing, with +good reason too, Leonela would actually +disclose to Anselmo every circumstance +of her infidelity, she had +not resolution enough to wait the issue +of her suspicion; but that very night, +while her husband was asleep, collected +the best of her jewels, with some +money, and getting out of the house, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_206'>206</span>without being perceived, fled to Lothario, +and recounted what had happened, +at the same time beseeching +him to put her in a place of safety, or +accompany her to some retreat, where +they should be secure from the search +of Anselmo.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Such was the confusion of Lothario, +at the news of this unexpected +event, that he could not answer one +syllable, nor for some time resolve +upon what was to be done. At length +he proposed to carry Camilla to a monastery, +the abbess of which was his +first cousin; and his mistress consenting +to the proposal, he conducted her +thither with all the dispatch which the +nature of the case required, and leaving +her to the care of his relation, +quitted the city that very night, without +imparting the cause of his absence +to any living soul.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Next morning, soon as it was day, +Anselmo, without perceiving that Camilla +was gone, so eagerly did he +long to hear this confession of her +maid, arose and went directly to the +room in which he had confined her; +but he no sooner opened the door, +and entered the apartment, than he +perceived the sheets of the bed tied together, +hanging out of the window; +a manifest proof that Leonela had +lowered herself down into the street, +by means of that contrivance: he then +returned, with a good deal of chagrin, +to communicate his disappointment to +Camilla, whom when he could not +find, he was seized with the utmost +consternation, especially as none of +the servants could give the least account +of her departure; but chancing, +in the course of his enquiry, to +find the coffers open, and the best +part of her jewels carried off, he began +to comprehend his disgrace; and +concluded that Leonela was not the +cause of his misfortune.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Dispirited with this reflection, he +did not stay to dress, but went in a +most disconsolate situation, to give an +account of his mishap to his friend +Lothario; and when he understood +from his servants, that their master +had gone out in the night, and carried +all his ready money along with +him, he had well-nigh lost his senses. +To crown his misery, he returned to +his own house, which was deserted +by all his servants, and found himself +the most solitary being in nature; he +knew not what to think, say, or do, +and his judgment began to be impaired; +for, upon recollection, he perceived +that he was in an instant deprived +of wife, friend, and servants, +renounced by Heaven, and, what +he felt more deeply than any other +part of his disaster, destitute of honour, +by the misconduct of Camilla, +from which he dated his utter destruction. +At length, after a long +internal struggle, he resolved to go to +the country-house of his friend, where +he had been, when he furnished the +opportunity of planning his own ruin. +Accordingly, having locked his door, +he mounted his horse, and almost +fainting under the burden of his woes, +set out for that place; but scarce had +he travelled one half of the way, when +harrassed by his shocking reflections, +he was obliged to alight and tie his +horse to a tree, at the root of which +he threw himself down, giving vent +to the most lamentable sighs that ever +were heaved: there he remained till +the twilight; about which time, +perceiving a man coming on horseback +from the city, after salutation, +he asked what news were stirring at +Florence. “The strangest,” replied +the citizen, “that have been +heard these many days; it is publickly +reported, that Lothario, the +intimate friend of Anselmo the rich, +who lived at <abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr> John’s, hath this +last night carried off the wife of +his friend, who is also missing. +This discovery was made to the governor +by Camilla’s maid, who was +detected in letting herself down by +a sheet, from one of the windows of +Anselmo’s house. In short, I do not +know the particulars exactly; but +the whole city is astonished at this +event, which they could never have +expected from the intimacy of the +two gentlemen, who were so strictly +united in the bands of amity, as to +acquire the title of the Two Friends.”—“Do +you know what road Lothario +and Camilla have taken?” said Anselmo. +“That is not yet discovered,” +replied the traveller; “though the governor +hath used great diligence in +the enquiry.” Anselmo wished him +a good evening; and the citizen having +returned the compliment, proceeded +on his journey.</p> + +<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_207'>207</span>‘These unhappy news reduced this +ill-fated husband to the verge of +death as well as distraction. He +mounted, however, as well as he +could, and arrived at the house of his +friend, who had not as yet heard of +his misfortune; but seeing him so exhausted, +ghastly, and pale, imagined he +had met with some grievous disaster. +Anselmo begged to be put to bed immediately, +and furnished with pen, +ink, and paper: thus provided, he +was left alone, and the chamber locked +at his own desire; then the remembrance +of his misfortune began to be +so heavy upon his soul, that he plainly +perceived his end approaching, and +being desirous of declaring the cause +of his strange and sudden death, he +took up the pen; but, before he could +execute his design, his breath failed +him, and he expired, a victim to that +sorrow which was occasioned by his +own impertinent curiosity. His friend +finding it grow late, and that Anselmo +had not called, went into his +chamber, to enquire about his health; +there he found him lying upon his +face, one half of his body in bed, +and the other on the table, with a pen +in his hand, and a written paper lying +open before him.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘The gentleman having spoke to +him without receiving any answer, +took him by the hand, and feeling +him cold and stiff, concluded he was +dead. Surprized and concerned to +the last degree, he called up his family +to be witnesses of this melancholy +event, and knowing the paper +to be Anselmo’s own hand-writing, +read the contents, in these words: +“I am deprived of life by my own impertinent +curiosity. If the news of +my death reach Camilla’s ears, let +her know that I forgive her infidelity; +for she was not bound to perform +miracles, nor I under any necessity +of expecting them at her +hands: since, therefore, I have been +the contriver of my own dishonour, +there is no reason that——” So far he +had written, but life had forsaken +him, before he could finish the sentence. +Next day his friend sent an +account of his death to his parents, +who were already informed of his +mischance, as also of the convent to +which Camilla had retreated; and +where she now lay at the point of accompanying +her spouse in his last indispensible +journey; not so much on +account of Anselmo’s death, as in +consequence of the information she +received concerning her absent lover; +it was said, that though she was now +a widow, she would neither quit the +convent nor take the veil; but, in a +little time the news arrived of Lothario’s +being killed in a battle which +was fought between the renowned +Captain Gonçalo Fernandes de Cordova, +and Monsieur De Lautrec, in +the kingdom of Naples, whither this +too-late repenting friend had made his +retreat. This event was no sooner +known, than Camilla professed herself +a nun, and in a few days yielded up +her life a prey to grief and melancholy. +Such was the untimely end +to which they were all brought from a +beginning of whim and indiscretion.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘This novel,’ said the curate, ‘is +not amiss; but I cannot think the +story is true; and if it be feigned, the +author has erred in point of invention; +for it cannot be supposed that +any husband would be so mad as to +try this dangerous experiment of Anselmo: +had it been related of a gallant +and his mistress, it might have +passed; but with regard to a husband +and his wife, it is altogether improbable; +however, the manner of narrating +it is not disagreeable.’</p> +<h4 id='chap2-4-9' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='nine'>IX.</abbr> <br> AN ACCOUNT OF OTHER STRANGE ADVENTURES THAT HAPPENED AT THE INN.</h4> +<p class='c004'>At that instant the landlord, standing +at the inn-door, exclaimed, +‘There is a noble company: odd! if +they halt here, we shall sing for joy.’—‘What +company?’ said Cardenio. +‘Four men,’ replied the inn-keeper, +‘who ride with short stirrups, each of +them equipped with lance, target, and +mask, with a lady on a side-saddle, +dressed in white and veiled, and two +attendants on foot.’ When the priest +asked if they were near, he answered, +‘So near, that they are already at the +gate.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Dorothea hearing this information, +put on her veil, and Cardenio withdrew +<span class='pageno' id='Page_208'>208</span>into Don Quixote’s apartment. Immediately +the whole company announced +by the landlord, entered the inn-yard; +and the four horsemen, who +were persons of genteel mien and carriage, +instantly alighting, went to help +the lady from her horse, when one of +them taking her in his arms, placed her +in a chair that stood by the door of the +room in which Cardenio had concealed +himself. All this time neither she nor +they took off their masks, nor uttered +one syllable; but when she was seated, +she heaved a profound sigh, and let her +arms fall down on each side, like a person +fainting with weakness. While +the footman led the horses into the +stable, the curate being curious to know +who those persons were, so remarkable +in their silence and dress, went up and +put the question to one of the lacquies, +who answered, ‘Truly, Signior, we +are as ignorant in that particular as +you are; though they seem to be +people of condition, especially he who +took the lady in his arms, because +all the rest behave to him with great +respect, following his directions in +every thing with the utmost punctuality.’—‘And, +pray, who may the +lady be?’ said the priest. ‘We know +as little of her as of the man,’ replied +the lacquey; ‘for during the journey +I have never once beheld her face; I +have often heard her sigh bitterly, +and utter piercing groans, in every +one of which she seemed to yield her +very soul; but it is not to be wondered +at that we should know so little of +their affairs, my companion and I +having attended them two days only; +for, meeting us on the road, they intreated +and persuaded us to accompany +them as far as Andalusia, promising +to pay us handsomely for our +trouble.’—‘Have you never heard +one of them named?’ resumed the curate. +‘Never once,’ answered the young +man; ‘they travel with surprizing +silence; nothing is heard but the sobs +and sighs of the poor lady, which +move us to compassion; we firmly believe +that she is forced upon this journey, +and gather from her dress that +she is a nun; or, which is more probable, +going to take the veil; and +finding herself very little inclined to +that way of life, is melancholy at the +prospect.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>The curate said, nothing was more +probable; and leaving the lacquey, returned +to Dorothea, who by this time, +out of natural sympathy with the affliction +of the masked lady, had approached +and accosted her in these words: +‘What is the matter with you, dear +Madam? If you labour under any +indisposition which the practice and +experience of women can relieve, my +assistance is heartily at your service.’ +To this kind offer no reply was made +by the sorrowful lady, who, notwithstanding +the other’s repeated intreaties, +would not open her mouth; until the +person who by the lacquey’s information +was chief of the company, addressing +himself to Dorothea, said, ‘Do +not fatigue yourself, Madam, in +making proffers of service to that woman, +who cannot be grateful for any +favour she receives; nor importune her +for any reply, unless you desire to +hear some falshoods proceed from her +lips.’—‘My lips,’ said the hitherto +silent lady, ‘were never profaned with +falshood; on the contrary, my present +misfortune is owing to my sincerity +and my abhorrence of lyes. +Of this assertion you yourself are too +sensible; since your own perfidy and +falshood are the effects of my constancy +and truth.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>These words were distinctly overheard +by Cardenio, who was only separated +from them by the door of Don +Quixote’s chamber; and they no sooner +reached his ear, than he cried aloud, +‘Good Heaven, what do I hear! +What voice is that which struck +my sense!’ The lady being exceedingly +surprized at that exclamation, +turned about her head, and not seeing +the person that pronounced it, started +up, and ran towards the apartment from +whence it seemed to come; but was +prevented by her conductor, who would +not suffer her to move one step farther. +In the disorder occasioned by +her struggle, her mask dropped off, +and discovered a countenance of incomparable +and amazing beauty, even +though disguised with paleness and horror; +for her eyes rolled about to every +corner which her sight could reach, with +such eagerness and wildness, that she +looked like a woman possessed.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Dorothea, and all present, were infinitely +concerned at these symptoms, +the meaning of which they could not +understand; meanwhile, the cavalier +<span class='pageno' id='Page_209'>209</span>was so busied in holding her fast by the +shoulders, that he could not attend to +his mask, which also fell to the ground: +and Dorothea lifting up her eyes towards +him, as he held the lady in his +arms, perceived that this cavalier was +no other than her own husband, Don +Fernando. No sooner did she recognize +his features, than fetching a long and +melancholy sigh from the very bottom +of her soul, she fell backward in a +swoon; and if the barber had not been +at hand to support her, would have certainly +come to the ground. The curate +ran instantly to take off her veil, that +he might sprinkle water on her face, +which was immediately known by Don +Fernando, who held the other lady in +his arms, and was thunderstruck at the +sight: he would not, however, quit +Lucinda, who struggled to get loose; +she and Cardenio having by this time +recognized each other by their mutual +exclamations. He had also overheard +the groan uttered by Dorothea when +she fainted; and believing that it proceeded +from Lucinda, rushed out of his +apartment in a fright, when the first object +he beheld was Don Fernando clasping +her in his arms. This nobleman +knew him immediately; and all three +(namely, Lucinda, Cardenio, and Dorothea) +were struck dumb with astonishment, +and seemed insensible of what +had happened, gazing in silence at one +another.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Dorothea directed her eager view to +Don Fernando, who stared at Cardenio, +whose eyes were fixed upon Lucinda, +who looked wishfully at him; but the +first that broke silence, was this last, +who addressed herself in these words to +Don Fernando: ‘Suffer me, Signior, +in regard to your own character, since +you are deaf to every other consideration, +to cleave to that wall of which +I am the ivy, to avail myself of that +prop from which you could not disengage +me, with all your importunities, +promises, and threats. Behold +how Heaven, by unusual and mysterious +means, hath brought me to my +true and lawful husband; and since +you know, by dear-bought experience, +that nothing but death can expel +his image from my breast, let this +plain demonstration, since all other +attempts are vain, convert your love +into rage, your friendship into hate, +and instantly deprive me of life, which +I shall yield with pleasure in the presence +of my legal lord, who will then +perhaps be convinced of the fidelity +I preserved to the last moment of my +existence.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>In the mean time, Dorothea being recovered +from her swoon, had listened to +Lucinda’s declaration, by which she +discovered her situation and name; but +perceiving that Don Fernando neither +quitted his hold, nor answered one word +to her solicitation, she exerted her whole +strength in falling down on her knees +before him, and having shed a large +quantity of tears from her beautiful +eyes, accosted him in these words: ‘My +dear lord! if your eyes were not +dazzled and obscured by the rays of +that sun which you hold eclipsed within +your arms, you would perceive that +she who thus kneels before you, is the +unhappy (so long as you are pleased she +should be so) and forlorn Dorothea—I +am that humble country maiden +whom your generosity or passion +vouchsafed to raise to the honour of +calling you her own. I am she who, +confined within the bounds of modesty, +lived a contented life, until +moved by your importunities, and +seemingly upright addresses, she opened +the gates of her reserve, and surrendered +to you the keys of her freedom. +An offering but ill requited, +as plainly appears by that hard fate, +in consequence of which I am found +in this place, and also find you in +your present situation. Nevertheless, +I would not have you imagine that I +came hither, induced by any dishonourable +motives; but that the sorrow +conceived at seeing myself forsaken +and forgotten by you, was the sole +cause of my retreat. You desired I +should be your own; and that desire +you accomplished so effectually, that +although your inclinations may be +changed, it is impossible you should +cease to be mine. Consider, my lord, +that my unparalleled affection may +counterbalance the beauty and birth +of her for whom I am abandoned; +you cannot be the fair Lucinda’s husband, +because you are already mine; +nor she become your wife, while she +appertains to Cardenio; and it will +be a much easier task, if you reflect +upon it impartially, to recal your love +for her who adores you, than to gain +the affection of one by whom you are +<span class='pageno' id='Page_210'>210</span>abhorred. You solicited my unsuspecting +heart, you importuned my +integrity, you was not ignorant of my +lowly station, and know in what +manner I yielded to your will; so +that you have no subterfuge, nor the +least room to say you was deceived. +If this be the case, as doubtless it is, +and you be a Christian as well as a +gentleman, why do you, by such evasions, +delay to make the end as happy +as the beginning of my fortune? If +you will not receive me as what I +really am, your lawful wife, at least +admit me into the number of your +slaves; for, in whatever shape I belong +to you, I shall account myself +fortunate and blessed; do not, therefore, +by renouncing me entirely, give +scandal an opportunity of impeaching +my honour. Make not my parents +miserable in their old age; their faithful +services to your father merit a more +kind return! if you think your blood +will be debased in mixing with mine, +consider, that almost all the great families +on earth have undergone the +same intercourse, and that the woman’s +quality in no manner affects illustrious +descents: besides, true nobility +consists in virtue; and in that +shall I have the advantage over you, +if you deny and oppose the justice of +my claim. In fine, the last argument +I shall use is this, whether you are +pleased or displeased with your destiny, +I am your lawful wife: witness +your own words, which neither +are nor ought to be false; if you value +yourself on that for which you +undervalue me; witness your handwriting, +and Heaven above, to the +testimony of which you appealed for +the performance of your promise; and +if all these should fail, your conscience +will never cease whispering to +you, amidst your pleasures, in vindication +of this truth, which will disturb +your most exalted enjoyments.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>This supplication, enforced with +other arguments, was pronounced so +feelingly by the afflicted and weeping +Dorothea, that tears of sympathy were +shed by all present, the companions of +Don Fernando not excepted; he himself +listened without answering one word, +until she had made an end of her address, +and began to utter such woeful +sighs and groans, as were almost sufficient +to melt an heart of brass. Lucinda +stood gazing upon her with equal +compassion for her sorrow, and admiration +of her beauty and good sense; +nay, she would have gone and offered +her all the consolation in her power, +had she not still been kept fast locked in +the arms of Don Fernando; who, full of +confusion and surprize, after having for +a good while fixed his eyes upon Dorothea, +with great attention, opened his +arms, and leaving Lucinda at liberty, +said, ‘You have conquered, beauteous +Dorothea: the victory is yours; for +so many truths conjoined are surely +irresistible.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Lucinda was so faint and weak, that +when Don Fernando quitted her, she +would have fallen to the ground, had it +not been for Cardenio, who had placed +himself behind her ravisher, that he +might not be known<a id='r95'></a><a href='#f95' class='c008'><sup>[95]</sup></a>; but now, laying +aside all fear, and resolving to adventure +every thing, he sprung to the +assistance of Lucinda, and catching her +in his arms, ‘If,’ said he, ‘it be the +will and pleasure of pitying Heaven, +that you should find repose, my faithful, +constant, and charming Lucinda! +I think you can enjoy it no where +so securely, as in these arms, which +now receive, and formerly encircled +you, when fortune was pleased that I +should call you mine.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>At these words, she gazed upon him +with great eagerness; she had before began +to recognize his voice, and now, +recollecting his features, like a person +deprived of judgment, who disregards +all decency and form, she threw her +arms about his neck, and joining her +lips to his, ‘Yes, my dear Cardenio,’ +said she, ‘you are the real lord of this +your slave, in spite of adverse fate, +and all those threats, though greater +than they are, that persecute my life, +which now depends on yours alone.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>An unexpected sight was this to Don +Fernando, and all the bye-standers, +who were not a little surprized at what +they saw. While Dorothea observing +her husband change colour, and signify +an inclination of being revenged upon +Cardenio, by laying his hand upon his +sword, ran, with incredible agility, and +<span class='pageno' id='Page_211'>211</span>clasping his knees, which she kissed, +held him so firmly embraced, that he +could not move, saying, while the tears +trickled from her eyes, ‘What means +my only refuge to do on this unexpected +occasion? Your own wife is +now kneeling before you, and she +whom you desire to wed is in the arms +of her lawful husband; consider whether +it be just or possible for you to +undo that which Heaven hath done; +why should you seek to unite yourself +with one, who disdaining all opposition +and inconvenience, and confirmed +in her own constancy and +truth, even before your eyes, lets fall +from hers a shower of tenderness +into the bosom of her lawful spouse? +For the sake of God and of yourself, I +entreat and beseech you, that this remarkable +recognition may not only +fail to increase your indignation, but +even diminish it in such a manner, that +these two lovers may, without any +impediment from you, enjoy each +other as long as Heaven will permit +them to live. In this self-denial you +will manifest the generosity of your +noble and illustrious soul, and convince +the world, that you are governed +more by reason than by appetite.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>While Dorothea pronounced these +words, Cardenio, though he held Lucinda +in his arms, kept his eyes still +fixed upon Don Fernando, with full resolution, +if he attempted any thing to +his prejudice, to defend himself as well +as he could, against his adversary and +all his adherents, although it should +cost him his life; but this young nobleman’s +friends, together with the curate +and barber, not forgetting honest +Sancho Panza, who were present at the +whole affair, interposed, and making a +circle about him, begged earnestly that +he would be pleased to consider the tears +of Dorothea; and if what she alledged +was true, as they firmly believed it was, +no longer suffer her to be defrauded of +her just and reasonable hope. They +desired him to observe, that in all appearance +it was not by accident, but +the immediate direction of Providence, +that they had all met together so unexpectedly +in this place; and the curate +intreated him to reflect, that death alone +could divide Lucinda from Cardenio; +that though they might be parted by the +edge of the sword, they would look, +upon death as the greatest blessing that +could befal them, and that, in a case +of this kind, which admitted of no +other remedy, it would be his wisest +course to constrain and conquer his own +passion, and demonstrate the generosity +of his heart, by permitting, of his own +free-will, these two lovers to enjoy that +state of happiness which heaven had ordained +for their lot; that he should contemplate +Dorothea’s beauty, which, far +from being excelled, was equalled in +few or none; and to her beauty, add +the consideration of her humility and +excessive love; above all, take notice, +that if he valued himself upon being a +gentleman and a Christian, he could do +no less than perform the promise he had +given, and in so doing, act in conformity +to the will of God, and satisfy +the discreet part of mankind, who are +very sensible that it is the prerogative +of beauty, even in a low estate, when +accompanied with virtue, to be lifted up +to the highest rank, without any disparagement +to the person who thus raises +it to an equality with himself; and since +the irresistible force of inclination must +prevail, provided there be nothing criminal +in the means, he is not to be +blamed who acts according to its dictates.</p> + +<p class='c005'>To these arguments were added so +many of the same sort, that the valiant +heart of Don Fernando, nourished by +illustrious blood, relented, and he was +overcome by the force of that truth, +which, however inclined, he could not +deny. The signal of his surrender, and +yielding to this reasonable and just proposal, +was his stooping down and embracing +Dorothea: to whom he said, +‘Rise, Madam; it is not just that she +who reigns in my soul, should lie +prostrate at my feet. If hitherto I +have given small proof of what I now +profess, perhaps my omission hath +been owing to the appointment of +Heaven, that by giving you an opportunity +of manifesting the sincerity of +your love, I might know how to esteem +you according to your deserts. +I beg, therefore, you will not upbraid +me with my misconduct and unkind +neglect; since the same force and occasion +that attached me to you, was +the cause of my endeavour to disengage +myself. That you may be convinced +of the truth, behold and contemplate +the eyes of the now contented +Lucinda, in which you will find +<span class='pageno' id='Page_212'>212</span>an excuse for all my errors; and, since +she hath found and attained her +heart’s desire, and my utmost wish is +fulfilled in thus retrieving you, may +she live in peace and quiet, for many +happy years, with her Cardenio, and +may Heaven grant the same felicity +to me with Dorothea!’</p> + +<p class='c005'>So saying, he embraced her again, +pressing his lips to her’s with such tenderness, +that it required his greatest efforts +to forbear giving, with his tears, +indubitable signs of his affection and +remorse. But those endeavours did not +succeed with Lucinda, Cardenio, and +every other person present, who began +to weep so plentifully, either at their +own happiness, or the satisfaction of +their friends, that one would have +thought some grievous misfortune had +happened to the whole company. Even +Sancho blubbered, though he afterwards +owned, that his sorrow proceeded from +seeing that Dorothea was not, as he +imagined, the Queen of Micomicon, +from whom he expelled such favours.</p> + +<p class='c005'>This universal admiration and thaw +having lasted some time, Cardenio and +Lucinda fell upon their knees before +Don Fernando, whom they thanked for +his generosity in such polite terms, that +he scarce knew what answer to make, +but raised and embraced them both with +demonstrations of uncommon courtesy +and affection. Then asking Dorothea +how she had come to that place, so distant +from her own home, she with great +elegance and brevity repeated what she +had before recounted to Cardenio; and +her husband and his company were so +pleased with her narration, that they +wished it could have been spun out to a +much greater length; so gracefully did +she relate her own misfortunes.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Her talk being finished, Don Fernando +informed them of what had happened +to him in the city, after he +found, in Lucinda’s bosom, the paper +in which she declared herself Cardenio’s +wife. Seeing that she could not possibly +be his, he said, he was determined to +put her to death, and would actually +have executed his purpose, had not her +parents interposed. He then quitted the +house, full of shame and resentment, +resolving to revenge himself with the +first opportunity; and next day understood +that she was gone off, without any +body’s knowing whither she had directed +her flight. At length, however, in a +few months, he got notice that she was +in a certain monastery, where she intended +to spend her whole life, if she +could not enjoy it in the company of +Cardenio. He no sooner received this +intimation, than chusing these three +gentlemen for his companions, he went +straight to the place of her residence; +but without speaking to her, or making +himself known, lest the monastery +should be more strictly guarded on his +account. He waited, therefore, until +one day he found the porter’s lodge +open; when leaving two of his friends +to secure the door, he entered the monastery +with the other, in quest of Lucinda, +whom he found in the cloisters, +talking with a nun; and snatching her +off, without giving her a moment’s +time for recollection, carried her instantly +to a place where they provided +themselves with necessaries for their journey. +This exploit they were enabled to +perform with safety, because the monastery +stood in the middle of a field, +at a good distance from any village or +town. He said, Lucinda no sooner +perceived herself in his power, than she +fainted away; and when she recovered +the use of her senses, did nothing but +weep and sigh, without speaking one +word: so that, accompanied with silence +and tears, they had arrived at that +inn, which he looked upon as the heavenly +goal where all earthly misfortunes +are happily terminated.</p> + +<h4 id='chap2-4-10' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='ten'>X.</abbr> <br> A CONTINUATION OF THE HISTORY OF THE RENOWNED PRINCESS MICOMICONA,<br> WITH OTHER PLEASANT ADVENTURES.</h4> +<p class='c004'>Sancho heard every thing that +passed with no small anxiety of +mind, seeing the hopes of his preferment +vanish into smoke, the beautiful +Princess Micomicona transformed into +Dorothea, the giant into Don Fernando, +and his master in a sound sleep, little +dreaming of what had happened. Dorothea +could not persuade herself, that +all her good fortune was not a dream; +Cardenio entertained the same opinion, +which was also embraced by Lucinda; +while Don Fernando gave thanks to +Heaven for its favour, in extricating +him from that labyrinth of perplexity, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_213'>213</span>in which he was at the point of losing his +reputation and soul. In fine, every person +present was well satisfied, and rejoiced +at the happy issue of such intricate and +desperate affairs. The curate represented +every thing in the right point of +view, with great discretion, and congratulated +the parties concerned on the +felicity they had acquired; but she +whose joy was most vociferous was the +landlady, who loudly exulted in the +promise of Cardenio and the curate, who +had undertaken to pay her with interest, +for the damage she had sustained on +Don Quixote’s account. Sancho alone, +as we have already observed, was afflicted, +unfortunate, and sad, and going +to his master who was just awake, +said, with a lamentable tone, ‘Sir +Knight of the Rueful Countenance, +your worship may now sleep as long as +you please, without giving yourself +the trouble of slaying the giant, or +restoring the princess to her throne; +that whole affair is already brought to +a conclusion.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘I really believe what you say,’ answered +the knight, ‘for I have been +engaged with the giant, in the most +obstinate and outrageous combat that +I believe I shall ever fight in all the +days of my life; with one back-stroke, +slam went his head to the +ground, and discharged such a quantity +of blood, that it ran like rills of +water along the field.’—‘Or rather +like red wine, your worship should +say,’ replied the squire; ‘for I must +inform you, if you do not already +know it, that the dead giant is no +other than a wine bag, and the blood, +eighteen gallons of good red wine, +which was contained in its belly: +the head you cut off is the whore my +mother, and the whole affair is gone +to the devil.’—‘What does the lunatick +mean?’ said Don Quixote; ‘are +you in your right senses, Sancho?’—‘Rise, +Sir,’ resumed the squire, ‘and +see what a fine piece of work you have +made, and what a score you have +run. You shall behold the queen +converted into a private lady, called +Dorothea, with many other strange +events, at which, if you take them +right, you will be hugely, astonished.’—‘I +shall not wonder at any thing of +that kind,’ replied his master; ‘for +thou may’st remember, the last time +we were in this house, I told thee that +every incident which happened was +conducted and brought about by inchantment, +so that we need not be surprized +if the same power should prevail +at present.’—‘I should be of +your worship’s opinion,’ answered +Sancho, ‘if my blanketting had been +of the same stamp; but that was not +the case, for it was really and truly a +substantial tossing. This very innkeeper +whom we saw to-day, held a +corner of the blanket, and canted me +into the air with great strength and +nimbleness, passing a thousand waggish +jokes, and laughing at me all the +while; from whence I concluded, +simple and sinner as I am, that as I +knew their persons, there was no inchantment +in the case, but abundance +of bruising and bad fortune.’—‘Well, +heaven will make thee amends,’ +said the knight; ‘meanwhile reach me +my clothes; for I want to go forth and +examine those events and transformations +which thou hast mentioned.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>While Sancho was helping him to +dress, the curate gave Don Fernando +and his company an account of Don +Quixote’s madness, and the artifice they +had used to disengage him from the +poor rock to which he imagined himself +exiled by the disdain of his mistress. +He also recounted all those adventures +that Sancho had imparted to him, at +which they were not a little surprized, +and laughed immoderately; agreeing in +opinion with every body who knew the +knight, that it was the strangest extravagance +that ever entered a disturbed +imagination. The priest moreover observed, +that since the good fortune of +Dorothea obstructed the progress of their +design, there was a necessity for inventing +another plan that should bring him +home to his own house. Cardenio proposed +that they should prosecute the +scheme they had already begun; and +Lucinda would act and represent the +part of Dorothea. ‘No,’ said Don +Fernando, ‘that must not be: Dorothea +shall still proceed with her own +invention; for, as it cannot be far +from hence to the habitation of that +honest gentleman, I shall be glad to +contribute towards his cure.’ And +when he understood that they would arrive +in two days at his house; ‘Were +it farther off,’ said he, ‘I should go +<span class='pageno' id='Page_214'>214</span>with pleasure to assist in such a laudable +design.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>At that instant Don Quixote came +forth, armed at all points, with Mambrino’s +helmet, battered as it was, upon +his head, his shield braced upon his +arm, and his pole or lance in his hand. +Don Fernando and his companions were +amazed at this strange apparition, when +they beheld such a rueful length of face, +so withered and tawney, together with +his ill-sorted armour, and the solemnity +of his gait. They gazed upon him in +silent expectation of what he would +say; while he, with infinite gravity of +aspect, fixing his eyes upon Dorothea, +accosted her in these words; ‘Fair lady, +I am informed by this my squire, +that your greatness is annihilated, and +your quality undone, by being changed +from your former rank of queen +and sovereign princess, into the condition +of a private damsel. If this +hath been done by the necromancy of +the king your father, who is perhaps +afraid that I should not be able to +give you the assistance required, I say +he neither knows, nor ever did know, +the half of that art which he professeth, +and that he is but little conversant +in the history of chivalry; for +had he read and perused it with such +leisure and attention as I have bestowed +upon that subject, he would have +found, that on every occasion, knights +of much less reputation than I possess, +have atchieved much more difficult +enterprizes than this, it being a matter +of small moment to kill a pitiful +giant, let him be as arrogant as he +will; for not many hours ago, I saw +myself engaged with one,—but I chuse +to be silent rather than have my veracity +called in question, though time, +that unmasks all things, will shew +when we least expect it—’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘That you was engaged with wine-bags, +and not with a giant!’ cried the +innkeeper; who was silenced by Don +Fernando, and forbid to interrupt the +knight’s discourse in any shape whatever. +So that Don Quixote proceeded, +saying, ‘In fine, if the father of your +disinterested highness hath performed +this metamorphosis on your person, +for the causes I have mentioned, I +hope you will give no credit to such +considerations; for there is no danger +upon earth through which my sword +will not open a way, and by laying +the head of your adversary in the +dust in a few days, invest yours with +that crown to which you have an undoubted +right.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Here Don Quixote left off speaking, +in expectation of a reply from the princess, +who knowing it was Don Fernando’s +pleasure that she should continue +the deceit, until the knight could be +brought back to his own house, answered +with equal gravity and grace, ‘Whosoever +hath told you, most valiant +Knight of the Rueful Countenance, +that I am changed and transformed +from what I was, has not adhered to +the truth in his information: indeed I +am somewhat changed by certain fortunate +events which have happened +even beyond my own expectation; +but; nevertheless, I have not ceased +to be what I was, nor altered that resolution +which I have always maintained, +of taking the advantage of +your valiant and invincible arm. +Wherefore, dear Sir, be so good as +to do justice to the honour of the father +who begat me, and look upon +him as a man of sagacity and foresight; +since, by the science he possessed, +he found such an easy and effectual +path to the cure of my misfortune; +for I firmly believe, that were +it not for you, I should not now be so +happy as I am, as the greatest part of +these gentlemen can truly witness. +Nothing then remains, but that we +set out to-morrow, because we could +not propose to travel far to-day; +and as for the success on which my +hopes are built, I leave it entirely to +God, and the worth of your heroick +breast.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Don Quixote hearing these words, turned +to Sancho in the most violent indignation, +saying, ‘I protest, sirrah! you +are the most malicious little slanderer +in Spain. Say, you rascal—you vagabond—did +not you tell me just +now, that the princess was transformed +into a private gentlewoman called +Dorothea; and that the head, which +I know I cut from the giant’s shoulders, +was the whore your mother; +with many more foolish particulars, +which threw me into the greatest confusion +that I ever felt since I was born? +By Heaven!’ (here he turned up his +eyes and bit his lips) ‘I have a strong +<span class='pageno' id='Page_215'>215</span>inclination to commit such slaughter +upon thee, as will be an instructive +warning<a id='r96'></a><a href='#f96' class='c008'><sup>[96]</sup></a> to all the lying squires who +shall henceforth attend knights-errant, +in the course of their adventures.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Pray be pacified, good your worship!’ +cried Sancho: ‘I may possibly +be deceived in what concerns the +change of my Lady Princess Micomicona; +but as to the giant’s +head being a wine-bag, and the blood +no other than good red wine, I am +not mistaken, as I shall answer to +God; for the skins that were slashed +are still to be seen by your worship’s +bed-side, and the whole room is +flooded with the wine. But the proof +of the pudding is in the eating of it<a id='r97'></a><a href='#f97' class='c008'><sup>[97]</sup></a>; +you will be convinced when Mr. +What-d’ye call him our landlord +here makes out a bill of the damage +he has suffered. As to the rest, I am +rejoiced from my soul, to find that +the queen’s majesty is the same as +usual, because it concerns me, as well +as any other neighbour’s child.’—‘I +tell thee, Sancho,’ replied Don +Quixote, ‘that thou art distracted; forgive +me, that is enough.’—‘Enough +in all conscience,’ said Don Fernando; +‘there is nothing more to be said +on this subject. I think the princess +judges very prudently in deferring her +journey till to-morrow, because the +day is already far advanced; let us +therefore spend this night in agreeable +conversation, and at the approach of +day, we will in a body attend the gallant +Don Quixote, that we may be +witnesses of the unheard-of exploits +which he will doubtless perform in +the course of this vast enterprize he +hath undertaken.’—‘It is my duty +and resolution to serve and attend +you,’ answered the knight; ‘and I +have the most grateful sense of your +favour and good opinion, which I +shall endeavour to justify, though it +should cost me my life, or even more—if +more I can pay.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Many compliments and proffers of +service passed between Don Fernando +and Don Quixote; but they were interrupted +by the arrival of a traveller, who, +by his garb, seemed to be a Christian +slave lately escaped from Barbary; for +he was clad in a coat of blue cloth, +wanting a collar, with short skirts and +half-sleeves; his breeches and cap were +of the same stuff; and he wore date-coloured +buskins, with a Moorish scymitar +flung in a shoulder-belt across his +breast. He was followed by a woman +dressed in the Moorish habit, mounted +upon an ass, with a veil over her face, +a brocaded bonnet on her head, and a +mantle that flowed from her shoulders +to her heels. The man was robust, and +well-proportioned, seemingly turned of +forty, with a brownish complexion, +large whiskers, and a well-furnished +beard; in short, his mean was so genteel, +that if he had been properly dressed, +they would have taken him for a man +of birth and quality.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Soon as he entered the gate, he called +for a private apartment, and seemed very +much concerned, when he understood +that all the rooms of the inn were engaged; +however, he went to the lady in +Moorish dress, and lifted her off in +his arms. Upon which Lucinda, Dorothea, +the landlady, her daughter, and +Maritornes, flocked around her; their +curiosity being excited by the novelty +of the garb, which none of them had +ever seen before; and Dorothea, who +was always good-humoured, mannerly, +and discreet, concluding that both she +and her conductor were chagrined at +their want of a chamber, spoke to her +thus: ‘Be not uneasy, Madam, at +your want of accommodation here; it +is the inconvenience of almost all +inns; but if you will be pleased to +partake with us, (pointing to Lucinda) +perhaps you will find that in the +course of your journey you have been +fain to put up with harder fare.’ The +veiled lady made no answer; but only +rising from her seat, signified her thanks +by crossing her hands upon her bosom, +bending her body, and bowing her head; +so that from her silence they conjectured +that she must be a native Moor, and +that she could not speak any Christian +language.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Her attendant, who had hitherto been +<span class='pageno' id='Page_216'>216</span>employed in something else, perceiving +that the company had made a circle +about his companion, who could make +no replies to their interrogations, said +to them, ‘Ladies, this young woman +understands little or no Spanish, and +speaks no language but that of her +own country; so that she is incapable +of answering any questions you may +have asked.’—‘We have asked no +questions,’ said Lucinda, ‘but only +made her an offer of our company +for this night, with a share of our +lodging, and what accommodation is +to be had: and this we tender with +that hearty good-will which obliges +us to serve all strangers, especially +those of our own sex who stand in +need of our assistance.’—‘Dear Madam,’ +replied the conductor, ‘in her +name, and in my own, I return you a +thousand thanks, and highly esteem +your proffered favour, which on this +occasion, and from such persons as +your appearance proclaims you to be, +must certainly be very kind and condescending.’—‘Signior,’ +said Dorothea, +‘is this lady Christian or Moor? +By her silence and her dress, we are +induced to believe she is not what we +could wish her to be.’—‘In her body +and dress,’ replied the stranger, ‘she +is a Moor, but altogether a Christian +in her soul; for she longs ardently to +be a professed convert to our faith.’—‘Then +she is not baptized?’ resumed +Lucinda. ‘She has had no opportunity,’ +said the captive, ‘since she quitted +Algiers, which is her native country; +and hitherto hath never been in +such imminent danger of her life, as to +make it necessary before she is instructed +in all the ceremonies enjoined +by our holy mother church; but, if +it please Heaven, she shall be baptized +very soon, with decency suitable to +the quality of her person, which is +greater than either her dress or mine +seems to declare.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>This intimation raised the curiosity of +all the spectators, to know who this +Moor and captive were; but nobody +chose to ask the question at that time, +which seemed more proper for reposing +themselves than relating the history of +their lives. Dorothea taking her by +the hand, seated the stranger close by her +side, and entreated her to take off the +veil; she looked at her conductor, as +if she wanted to know what the lady +desired, and he told her in Arabick, +that they entreated her to be uncovered; +at the same time, advising her to comply +with their request. She accordingly +unveiled herself, and discovered a face +so amiable, that Dorothea thought her +handsomer than Lucinda, who, in her +turn, gave her the preference to Dorothea; +and all present concluded, that +if any creature upon earth could vie +with them in beauty, it was this Moorish +lady, who, in the opinion of some of +the company, excelled them both in certain +particulars. As beauty, therefore, +has the privilege and energy to +conciliate minds and attract affections, +every body present was seized with +an inclination to serve and cherish +the charming Moor. Don Fernando +asked her name of the captive, who +answered, ‘Lela Zorayda.’ This she no +sooner heard, than understanding the +question which had been put to the +Christian, she pronounced with great +eagerness and sweetness of concern, +‘No, no Zorayda; Maria, Maria!’ +signifying that her name was Maria, and +not Zorayda: these words, with the +affecting manner in which they were expressed, +brought tears from the eyes of +some of the hearers, especially the women, +who are naturally tender and compassionate. +Lucinda embraced her affectionately, +saying, ‘Yes, yes, Maria, +Maria.’ And to this the Moor +replied, ‘Yes, yes, Maria; Zorayda, +‘<i>macange</i>;’ which, in the Arabick, +signifies ‘<i>No</i>.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Meanwhile it grew late, and the innkeeper, +by order of Don Fernando’s +attendants, prepared with great diligence +and care, as good a repast as he +could possibly provide; so that when +supper-time arrived, they sat down all +together at a long hall-table, for there +was neither a round nor square one in +the house. They forced the head and +principal seat, in spite of all his excuses +on Don Quixote, who desired that +the Princess Micomicona might sit by +the side of her protector; next to her, +Lucinda and Zorayda placed themselves, +being fronted by Fernando and Cardenio, +at whose left-hand sat the captive +and the other gentlemen, while the curate +and the barber took their station +close to the ladies. In this manner they +supped with vast satisfaction, which was +<span class='pageno' id='Page_217'>217</span>still increased, when Don Quixote leaving +off eating, and inspired by the same +spirit that moved him to harangue among +the goat-herds, began the following dissertation: +‘Verily, gentlemen, if it be +duly considered, great and unexpected +events are seen by those who profess +the order of knight-errantry. What +inhabitant of this earth, if he should +now enter the gates of this castle, +and behold us seated in this manner, +could conceive or credit that we are +what we are? Who could imagine, +that this lady on my right-hand is the +great queen whom we all know her to +be; and that I am the Knight of the +Rueful Countenance, so celebrated by +the voice of fame? Now there is no +manner of doubt, that this exercise +and art exceeds all others hitherto invented +by man, and that it ought to +be more esteemed, because it is more +exposed to danger. Away with those +who give letters the preference over +arms! I affirm, that such people, +whosoever they are, know not what +they say; for the sole reason to +which they adhere, in this decision, +is, that the labour of the body is exceeded +by that of the mind; and that +the profession of arms is altogether +as corporeal as the exercise and office +of a common day-labourer, that +requires nothing more than bodily +strength; as if that which is called +soldiership by us who profess it, did +not include acts of valour which none +but persons of uncommon genius +could execute; or, as if the toil of a +warrior who has the charge of an army, +or commands in a town that is +besieged, doth not affect the mind as +well as the body. Is it to be supposed, +that by mere corporeal strength he +can penetrate and discover the intention +of the enemy? To anticipate +designs, baffle stratagems, surmount +difficulties, and prevent the mischief +that is to be dreaded, are all efforts +of the understanding, in which +the body hath no share; if the profession +of arms, therefore, requires genius, +as well as that of letters, let +us see which of the two requires most +mental toil: and this question may +be determined by considering the end +and aim of each; for that occupation +deserves the highest esteem, which +hath the noblest purpose in view, the +end and scope of letters. I speak not +here of that divine learning, whose +aim is to raise and conduct the soul to +Heaven; to an end so infinite, no intention +whatever can be compared. I +speak of human learning, the ultimate +end of which is to regulate distributive +justice, render to every one his +due, and to understand and to protect +the equitable laws: an aim certainly +generous and highly commendable! +yet not so deserving of the most sublime +praise as the profession of arms, +the object and the end of which is +peace, the greatest good that mortals +can enjoy; for the first blessed news +which this world and mankind heard, +were those pronounced by the angels, +on that night which was our day, +when they sung in the air, “Glory be +to God on high; and on earth, peace +and good will towards men!” and +the salutation, which the best Master, +either in heaven or upon earth, taught +his adherents and favourites; which +was to say when they entered any +house, “Peace be to this house!” +Nay, he himself at different times, +said, “My peace I give unto you! +My peace I leave with you! Peace +be among you!” A jewel and legacy +well worthy of him who left it! a +jewel, without which there can be no +felicity, either on earth or in heaven! +This peace is the genuine aim of war; +for arms and war are the same; and +this being taken for granted, the end +of war is nobler than that of learning; +wherefore let us next consider +the bodily toil sustained by each, that +we may see on which side the balance +lies in that particular.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>In this sensible manner did Don +Quixote continue his discourse, from +which nobody that heard him could distinguish +that he was mad; on the contrary, +his audience confiding chiefly of +gentlemen, to which title the profession +of arms is annexed, they listened with +great pleasure, while he proceeded thus.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘The hardships of a student, I say, +are these; first of all, poverty, (not +that all students are poor, but that we +may suppose the worst that can happen) +and when I have named his indigence, +the whole of his misfortune +is mentioned; for he that is poor can +enjoy nothing that is good, but must +endure necessity in all its forms; sometimes +<span class='pageno' id='Page_218'>218</span>hunger, sometimes cold, sometimes +nakedness, and often all three +together. Nevertheless, his necessity +is not so great, but that he eats, though +perhaps later than usual, or though +he may feed upon the leavings of the +rich, or which is the greatest misery +to which a scholar can be reduced, go +a-sopping<a id='r98'></a><a href='#f98' class='c008'><sup>[98]</sup></a>, as they term it; then +they are always admitted to some +charitable person’s fire-side or chimney-corner, +where, if they cannot +warm themselves effectually, they +may at least defy the cold; and at +night they sleep under cover. I need +not descend to minute particulars; +such as want of linen, scarcity of +shoes, flimsy and thread-bare cloaths, +nor the surfeits which they so eagerly +incur, when their good fortune sets a +plentiful table in their way. By this +path, rough and difficult as I have +already described it, after many tumblings, +slidings, risings, and fallings, +they at last attain to the wished degree, +which being gained, we have +seen many who have passed with a favourable +gale of fortune, through these +quicksands and straits of Scylla and +Charybdis; I say, we have seen many +such command and dictate to the world, +from a chair of state; their hunger +being changed into satiety, their cold +into refreshment, their rags into gay +apparel, and the matts on which they +lay, to the richest damask and finest +holland: a recompence which their +merit most justly enjoys! but their labours, +when fairly stated and compared, +are infinitely short of the warrior’s, +as I shall now clearly demonstrate.’</p> + +<h4 id='chap2-4-11' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='eleven'>XI.</abbr> <br> THE SEQUEL OF DON QUIXOTE’S CURIOUS DISCOURSE, ON THE SUBJECTS OF LEARNING AND WAR.</h4> +<p class='c004'>The knight proceeded thus: ‘Since +we began with the student, representing +his poverty in all its circumstances, +let us see if the soldier +be more wealthy: and we shall find +that poverty itself is not poorer; for he +is restricted to his miserable pay, which +comes always late, if ever, or to what +he can plunder by force with the imminent +danger of his life and conscience; +and frequently his nakedness +is such, that his slashed buff +doublet serves him instead of coat, +shirt, and all other parts of apparel. +In a winter campaign, while +he remains in the open field, he has +nothing to mitigate the severity of the +cold, but his own breath, which, as +it proceeds from an empty place, +must, I believe, be cold, contrary to +all the rules of nature: but stay till +the approach of night, when it is to +be hoped his bed will make amends +for all these inconveniencies; and this, +if it be not his own fault, will never +offend in point of narrowness, for +he may measure as many feet of +ground as he thinks sufficient, and +there tumble about at pleasure, without +any danger of discomposing the +sheets. Then, instead of the day and +hour of receiving the degrees of his +art, comes the day of battle, in which +his head is adorned with the doctoral +tossle, made in form of a pledgit, to +stuff the wound made by some ball, +which perhaps hath gone through his +temples, or left him maimed of a +leg or arm; and even if this should +not happen, but merciful Heaven +guard and preserve him safe and +sound, he continues as poor as ever; +he must risk himself in several more +rencounters and battles, and be victorious +in each, before his circumstances +be bettered; but these miracles +rarely happen. Tell me, gentlemen, +have you considered what a +small proportion those who make their +fortunes by war bear to those who perish +in the field? Doubtless, you must +answer that there is no sort of comparison; +that the slain are scarce to +be numbered, while the living who +are recompensed for their services, +may be comprehended within three figures +of arithmetick<a id='r99'></a><a href='#f99' class='c008'><sup>[99]</sup></a>. The case of +<span class='pageno' id='Page_219'>219</span>the learned is quite the reverse<a id='r100'></a><a href='#f100' class='c008'><sup>[100]</sup></a>; for, +one way or another, they are all provided: +so that, though the toil of a +soldier is greater, his reward is much +less. To this observation, it may +be replied, that it is far more easy to +reward two thousand scholars than +thirty thousand soldiers; for the first +are recompensed with offices, which +must of course be bestowed on people +of their profession; whereas, the +others can enjoy no reward, except a +share of the property belonging to +their master whom they serve: even +this impossibility strengthens my asseveration.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘But waving that consideration, +which would lead us into a most intricate +labyrinth, let us return to the +pre-eminence which arms have over +learning; a point hitherto undecided, +of such force are the reasons alledged +on both sides of the question; one of +which, in favour of the last, is, that +without letters, the profession of arms +could not be supported, because there +are laws to which war itself is subject; +and all laws fall within the +province of letters and learned men. +To this observation, the partizans +of the other opinion reply, that no +laws could be maintained without +arms, which preserve the constitution, +defend kingdoms, guard cities, scour +the highways, and clear the seas of +piratical corsairs. In short, that without +arms, all republicks, kingdoms, +monarchies, cities, journies by land, +and voyages by sea, would be exposed +to the horror and confusion that attend +unbridled war, while it continues +in all its licentious privilege +and force. It is a general and established +maxim, that every thing ought +to be esteemed in proportion to what +it costs. Now, to become eminent in +letters, costs the student much time, +watching, hunger, nakedness, vertigoes, +indigestion, and their consequences, +which are in part mentioned +above: but, to acquire in a +regular manner the character of a good +soldier, a man must undergo all these +inconveniences in an incomparably +greater degree; because he is every +moment in danger of losing his life. +What fear of indigence and poverty +can seize and harrass the student’s apprehension, +equal to that which must +possess the soldier besieged in a fortress, +who being placed centinel or +guard in some ravelin or cavalier<a id='r101'></a><a href='#f101' class='c008'><sup>[101]</sup></a>, +perceives the enemy at work undermining +the very spot whereon he +stands, without daring to stir from +his post, or avoid the danger by which +he is so imminently threatened? All +he can do, is to give notice of what +passes to his captain, who must endeavour +to baffle the foe by some countermine, +while he remains upon the +place in terror and expectation of +being suddenly whirled aloft into +the clouds without wings, and of +falling thence headlong into the profound +abyss: if this danger seems +inconsiderable, let us see whether it +be equalled or exceeded in the grappling +of two gallies, by their prows, +in the midst of the extended ocean; +when they are locked and fastened +into each other, and the soldier hath +not an inch more than two feet of +the beak to stand upon, while he +sees himself threatened and opposed +by as many ministers of death as +there are cannon in the enemy’s vessel, +and these within a spear’s length +of his body; and is sensible, that if +his feet should chance to slip, he +would instantly visit the profound +bosom of the sea; yet, nevertheless, +with an intrepid heart, incited and +transported by honour, he bears the +brunt of their whole artillery, and +endeavours by that narrow passage +to board the adverse vessel; and, +what is very much to be admired, is, +that as soon as one falls, never to +rise again till the general resurrection, +another occupies his place; and +should he also drop into the sea, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_220'>220</span>which, like an enemy, gapes to devour +him, another and another still +succeeds, without the smallest intermission: +an instance of gallantry and +boldness the greatest to be found in +all the extremities of war. Happy +were the ages past, while strangers +to those infernal instruments of artillery, +the author of which is, I +firmly believe, now in hell, enjoying +the reward of his diabolical invention, +that puts it in the power of an +infamous coward to deprive the most +valiant cavalier of life; for, often in +the heat of that courage and resolution +that fires and animates the gallant +breast, there comes a random +ball, how or from whence no man +can tell, shot off, perhaps, by one +that fled, and was afraid at the +flash of his own accursed machine, +and, in an instant, puts an end to +the schemes and exigence of a man +who deserved to live for ages. This +very consideration makes me almost +own, that I am sorry for having +chosen this profession of a knight-errant +in this detestable age; for, +though no danger can daunt my resolution, +it gives me some uneasiness +to think that powder and shot may +deprive me of the opportunity of +making myself famous and renowned +through the whole globe, for the +valour of my arm, and the keenness +of my sword: but, let the will of +Heaven be fulfilled! if I accomplish +my aim, I shall be more esteemed, +because I have faced more danger +than ever was incurred by the knights-errant +in ages past.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>While the rest of the company were +employed in eating, this long harangue +was uttered by Don Quixote, who never +thought of swallowing a morsel; +though Sancho frequently put him in +mind of eating his supper, observing, +that he would afterwards have time +enough to say what he pleased. The +hearers were moved with fresh concern, +at seeing a man, who in every +other subject seemed to have a large +share of sense and discernment, lose it +so irrecoverably, whenever the discourse +turned upon the cursed mischievous +theme of chivalry. The curate +observed, that there was a great +deal of reason in what he had advanced +in favour of arms; and that he +himself, though a graduate, consequently +a man of letters, was entirely of the +knight’s opinion.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Supper being ended, and the table +uncovered, while the landlady, her +daughter, and Maritornes, were busied +in fitting up the garret of Don +Quixote de La Mancha, in which it +was determined the three ladies should +pass the night by themselves; Don Fernando +intreated the captive to recount +the story of his life, which he imagined +must be both uncommon and entertaining, +from the specimen they had already +seen, in his arriving thus equipped, +in company with the fair Zorayda. +To this request the stranger answered, +that he would willingly obey his command, +though he was afraid the company +would not find the relation to their +liking; but, nevertheless, rather than +fail in point of obedience, he was ready +to make it. The curate and whole +company thanked him for his complaisance, +and joined in the request; and +he seeing himself besought by so many, +said there was no occasion for entreaties, +where they might so effectually +command: ‘Lend me your attention, +therefore, and you shall hear a true +story, perhaps unequalled by those +fictions which are usually adorned +with all the curious and profound +artifice of composition.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>At this preamble, all present adjusted +and composed themselves; and he +perceiving the general silence in which +they waited for the performance of his +promise, began in this manner, with +a grave and agreeable voice.</p> + +<h4 id='chap2-4-12' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='twelve'>XII.</abbr> <br> IN WHICH THE CAPTIVE RECOUNTS HIS LIFE AND ADVENTURES.</h4> +<p class='c004'>‘In a certain place among the mountains +of Leon, my family had +its origin; more beholden to the liberality +of nature than to the smiles +of fortune: though, amidst the narrowness +of circumstances, which prevails +in that country, my father had +the reputation of being rich, and +really was so, had he possessed the +art of preserving, as he practised the +means of spending his estate. This +liberal and profuse disposition was +owing to his having been a soldier +in his youth, the army being a school +<span class='pageno' id='Page_221'>221</span>in which the miser becomes generous, +and the benevolent man grows prodigal; +for a covetous soldier is a +monster which is rarely seen. My +father exceeded the bounds of liberality, +and bordered upon those of +prodigality; a disposition of very +little service to a married man who +has children to succeed him in rank +as well as name: and he had no less +than three; all of them sons, already +at an age to chuse for themselves. +The old gentleman finding it impossible, +as he said, to resist the bent of +his inclination, was resolved to deprive +himself of the means that induced +and enabled him to spend so +lavishly, by giving up his estate; +as without money Alexander himself +must have seemed frugal.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘One day, therefore, calling us +all three together into his chamber, +he delivered himself in these or +the like words: “Sons, to say I +love you, is no more than to say +and know you are my own children; +though it would seem that I do not +love you, by my squandering away +the fortune which is your due. But +that you may be henceforth convinced +that I love you like a true +parent, rather than seek your destruction +like a step-father, I am resolved +to execute a plan which I +have formed a good while ago, and +digested with the most mature deliberation. +You are now of an age +to chuse settlements for yourselves, +or at least to pitch upon employments +which, in your riper years, may +conduce to your honour and advantage. +My intention is to divide +my estate into four equal parts, +three of which you shall receive +among you, in equal shares, without +the least difference or distinction; +and the fourth I will reserve for my +own sustenance and support, while +Heaven will be pleased to protract +the days of my life. But after you +have received your portions, I should +be glad to find you inclined to follow +the paths which I shall propose. +We have a saying in Spain, which +I believe is very true, as indeed all +proverbs are, because they are short +sentences dictated by long and sage +experience; that which I mean, +contains no more than these words: +The church, the court, or the sea; +as if it more fully expressed the following +advice, ‘He that would make +his fortune, ought either to dedicate +his time to the church, go to sea as +a merchant, or attach himself to the +court,’ for it is commonly observed +that, ‘The king’s crumb is worth +the baron’s batch.’ This I mention, +because I wish and desire that +one of you would follow letters, +another merchandize, and a third +serve his sovereign in the field, since +it is difficult to obtain an office at +court: and although much wealth +cannot be expected, there is a great +deal of valour and reputation to be +acquired in war. In eight days I +will give each of you his share, in +ready-money, without defrauding +you of one farthing, as you will see +by my distribution. Tell me, therefore, +if you are willing to follow +my advice in what I have proposed?” +said my father, addressing himself to +me as the eldest. After having dissuaded +him from parting with his +estate, and desired him to spend as +much of it as he pleased, observing, +that we were young men, and capable +of making our own fortunes, I concluded +with saying, I would obey his +will, and for my own part, chuse to +serve God and my king, in adhering +to the exercise of arms. My second +brother made the same offer, proposing +to set sail for the Indies, and +employ his stock of ready-money in +traffick. The youngest, and I believe +the wisest, said he would qualify +himself for the church, by going and +finishing his studies at Salamanca.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘We having thus agreed in the choice +of our different employments, our father +embraced us all affectionately, and +within the time he had proposed, performed +his promise of giving us our +portions, which to the best of my remembrance +amounted to three thousand +ducats each; for an uncle of +ours paid ready-money for the whole +estate, that it might not be alienated +from the family. In one day, all +three took leave of our worthy father; +when I thinking it a piece of inhumanity +to leave him so straitened in his +old age, prevailed upon him to accept +two thousand of the three I had received, +as the remainder was sufficient +to accommodate me with all the +necessaries of a soldier. Each of my +<span class='pageno' id='Page_222'>222</span>brothers, induced by my example, +gave him back one-third of their +shares; so that he remained possessed +of four thousand ducats in cash, +and the value of three thousand more +in land, which he did not chuse to +sell. At length, I say, we took +leave of him, and that uncle whom I +have mentioned, not without great +concern and many tears on all sides; +they charging us to seize every opportunity +of making them acquainted +with our adventures, either in prosperity +or adversity. Having given +this promise, and received their embraces +and blessing, one took the +road to Salamanca, another went to +Seville, and I set out for Alicant, +where I understood there was a ship +taking in a lading of wool for Genoa. +Two and twenty years are now +elapsed since I left my father’s house; +and during all that time, though I +have written several letters, I never +received the least information concerning +him or my brothers. What +hath happened to myself within that +period, I will now briefly relate.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Embarking at Alicant, I had a +favourable passage to Genoa, from +whence I went to Milan, where I +provided myself with arms and some +gay military furniture. Then I departed +for Piedmont, with a resolution +of inlisting in the service; and +being upon the road to Alexandria +de la Paglia, was informed that the +great duke of Alva was on his march +into Flanders. Upon receiving this +intimation, I changed my design, attended +him to the Low Countries, +served in all his campaigns, and was +present at the death of the counts +Egmont and Horn. There I obtained +an ensign’s commission in the +company of a famous captain of +Guadalajara, whose name was Diego +de Urbina: but after I had been +some time in Flanders, the news arrived +of the league between his Holiness +Pope Pius the Fifth of happy +memory, and the Spanish monarchy, +against their common enemy the +Turk, who about that time had, by +means of his fleet, made a conquest +of the famous island of Cyrus, which +was under the dominion of the Venetians; +a most lamentable and unfortunate +loss. It was certainly +known that the most serene Don John +of Austria, natural brother to our +good King Philip, was to be general +of this league; and the vast preparations +for this war were publickly reported. +All these rumours raised +and excited within me the desire and +resolution of being present in a +campaign of such expectation; and +though I had strong hopes, and indeed +certain promises, of being promoted +to the rank of a captain as +soon as a vacancy should happen, I +chose to quit that prospect, and go, +as I actually did, to Italy; and +luckily for me, Don John of Austria +was then at Genoa, just going to +embark for Naples, in order to join +the Venetian fleet, which he afterwards +found at Messina. In short, I +served in that most happy campaign, +and was advanced to the rank of +captain of foot, which honourable +post I obtained more by good fortune +than merit, and that day which was +so fortunate for Christendom, on +which the world was convinced of +the error they had espoused in believing +the Turks invincible by sea; +on that day, I say, when the Ottoman +pride and insolence were humbled +and broke among so many happy +Christians there present, (and sure +those who fell were happier than the +living victors!) I alone was unfortunate; +for, instead of receiving +a naval crown, which would have +been my reward, had I lived in the +Roman ages, on the night that succeeded +that glorious day, I found +myself a captive loaded with chains! +And this was the cause of my misfortune: +Uchali, King of Algiers, a +bold and fortunate corsair, having +attacked and mastered the capitan +galley of Malta, in which there remained +only three knights alive, and +these desperately wounded; the vessel +commanded by John Andrea Doria, +in which my company was stationed, +hastened to her relief, and I doing +my duty on that occasion, leaped +into the enemy’s ship, which disengaging +herself immediately from +our galley, that was grappled with +her, my soldiers were prevented from +following their officer, and I found +myself alone among my foes, whom, +by reason of their numbers, I could +not resist; therefore was obliged to +submit after having been almost +<span class='pageno' id='Page_223'>223</span>covered over with wounds; and +Uchali, as you have heard, gentlemen, +having saved himself with his whole +squadron, I remained his prisoner, +the only sad person amidst the general +joy, and captive among so many that +were set free; for full fifteen thousand +Christians who came into the +action chained to the Turkish oars, +that day recovered their long wished +for liberty.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘I was carried to Constantinople, +where Selim, the grand Turk, created +my master general of the sea, for having +done his duty in the battle, and +as a proof of his valour brought off +the high standard of Malta. Next +year, which was that of seventy-two, +I rowed in the capitan galley of the +Three Lanthorns, at Navarino, where +I saw and observed the Christians lose +the opportunity of taking the whole +Turkish fleet in the harbour; for, +all the Levantines and Janissaries belonging +to it laid their account with +being attacked in port, and had actually +got in readiness their knapsacks +and passamaques, (which are a kind of +shoes) in order to go on shore, and +seek their safety in flight, without +waiting for the assault; such was the +consternation that prevailed among +them! But Heaven ordained things to +happen in another manner; not through +any error or neglect of the general +who commanded the expedition, but +on account of the sins of Christendom; +it being the will and permission of +God, that we should never want executioners +to chastise us. In short, Uchali +retreated to Modon, which is an +island almost contiguous to Navarino, +where he disembarked his men, fortified +the mouth of the harbour, and +remained until Don John set sail on his +return. In this expedition, the galley +called the Prize, commanded by a +son of the famous corsair Barbarossa, +was taken by the capitan galley of Naples +called the She-wolf, the commander +of which was that thunderbolt of +war, that father of his soldiers, that +fortunate and invincible chief, Don +Alvaro de Basan, marquis of Santa +Cruz: and I cannot help mentioning +what happened at the taking of this +prize. The son of Barbarossa was so +cruel, and treated his captives so inhumanly, +that when the rowers perceived +the She-wolf ready to board, +and in a fair way of taking her, they +quitted their oars all at once, and +seizing the captain, who stood upon +the strentrel<a id='r102'></a><a href='#f102' class='c008'><sup>[102]</sup></a>, calling to them to +row lustily, they tossed him forwards +from bench to bench, and bit him so +severely as he went along, that before +he passed the main-mast, his soul passed +into hell. Such was his barbarity, +as I have already observed, and +such the revenge which their hatred +to him inspired!</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘We returned to Constantinople; +and during the following year, which +was seventy-three, understood that +Don John had taken Tunis, wrested +that whole kingdom from the Turks, +and put Muley Hamet in possession +of the whole; thus cutting off all +the hopes of a restoration from Muley +Hamida, the most valiant and most +cruel Moor of his time. The grand +Signior was deeply affected with his +loss, and practising that sagacity which +is peculiar to all those of his family, +clapped up a peace with the Venetians, +who were much more desirous +of it than he. Next year, being seventy-four, +he attacked the goleta +and fort, which Don John had left +half-finished, near Tunis: and on +all these occasions I was present, +being tied to the oar, without the +least hope of freedom, especially by +ransom; for, I was resolved not to +write to my father an account of my +misfortune. At length, the goleta +and fort were both lost, having been +besieged by seventy-five thousand +Turkish soldiers, regularly paid, and +upwards of four hundred thousand +Moors and Arabs from the other +parts of Africa; this multitude being +provided with a vast quantity of +warlike stores and ammunition, and +attended with such a number of pioneers, +that, by throwing handfuls of +earth, they might have covered both +the places they came to besiege. The +goleta, which had been counted impregnable, +was first taken; not through +any fault of the besieged, who performed +all that men could do in its defence, +but because experience shewed +that trenches could be made with ease +in that loose sand, under which, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_224'>224</span>though water was commonly found +at the depth of two spans, the Turks, +at that time, dug as many fathoms, +without finding one drop; and so filling +a vast number of sacks, raised +their works so high as to overlook the +fort; then mounting this cavalier +with cannon, kept such a firing as +rendered it impossible for the garrison +to make any longer defence. It was +a common opinion, that our troops +ought not to have shut themselves up +in the goleta, but opposed the disembarkation +in the plain; however, +those who talk in that manner, speak +at random, and must be persons of +small experience in such affairs; for, +if the whole garrison in both places +scarce amounted to seven thousand +soldiers, how could such a small number, +though ever so valiant, take the +field, and at the same time defend +the forts, against such a multitude +of foes? And how could the forts be +possibly maintained without supplies, +in an enemy’s country, when they +were hemmed in by such a numerous +and obstinate army? But others +thought, and I am of the same opinion, +that Heaven manifested a particular +grace and favour to Spain, in +permitting them to destroy that rendezvous +and pretence of mischief, +that sink, spunge, and devourer of infinite +sums of money, which were +there unprofitably spent, without serving +any other purpose than that of +preserving the memory of its being +the most happy conquest of the invincible +Charles the Fifth: as if it was +necessary for those stones to support +his fame, which is already immortal. +The fort was also yielded, though the +Turks won it by inches; for the garrison +behaved with such gallantry +and resolution, that in two and twenty +general assaults, the enemy lost upwards +of twenty-five thousand men; +and of the three hundred Spanish soldiers +that remained alive, they did not +make one prisoner who had not been +wounded during the siege: a clear +and certain proof of the obstinate valour +with which the places were defended. +A small fort, or tower, +that stood in the middle of the lake, +under the command of Don Juan +Zanoguera, a Valentian knight and +celebrated soldier, surrendered upon +terms: but, Don Pedro Puertocarrero, +general of the goleta, was made +prisoner; and though he did all that +man could do in defence of the place, +he was so deeply affected by the loss +of it, that he died of grief on the road +to Constantinople, whither they were +carrying him captive. The general +of the fort, whose name was Gabrio +Cerbellon, a Milanese gentleman, a +great engineer, and excellent soldier, +was likewise taken prisoner; and in +these two forts perished many persons +of note, among whom was one Pagan +d’Oria, a knight of <abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr> John, a gentleman +of a most generous disposition, +as appeared from his excessive liberality +to his brother the famous Juan +Andrea d’Oria; and what made his +death still more lamentable, was, that +he perished by the hands of some +Arabs, to whom, seeing the fort already +lost, he trusted himself, relying +upon their promise to carry him disguised +in a Moorish dress, to Tabarca, +which is a small port or settlement +belonging to the Genoese, who fish +for coral on that part of the coast; +but those perfidious Arabs cut off +his head, which they carried to the +general of the Turkish navy, who +fulfilled upon them our Castilian proverb, +which imports, that though we +love the treason, we abhor the traitor; +for it was reported, that he ordered +them all to be hanged, because they +had not brought him alive.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Among the Christians who were +taken in the fort, was one Don Pedro +de Aguilar, a native of some town in +Andalousia, who had been an ensign +in the garrison, a soldier of great +worth and rare endowments, particularly +blessed with a happy talent for +poetry. This circumstance I mention, +because it was his fate to belong +to our galley, where he was my companion +at the oar, and fellow-slave; +and before we departed from that +harbour, he composed two songs, by +way of epitaph upon the goleta and the +fort. As I have them both by heart, +I believe it will not be disagreeable to +the company if I repeat them.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>When the captive mentioned Don +Pedro de Aguilar, Don Fernando +looked at his companions, who smiled; +and when the stranger was going to repeat +the songs, one of the three said to +him, ‘Before you proceed, I beg the +favour to know what became of that +<span class='pageno' id='Page_225'>225</span>Don Pedro de Aguilar?’—‘All +that I know of the matter,’ replied +the captive, ‘is, that after having +staid two years at Constantinople, +he made off in the habit of an arnaut<a id='r103'></a><a href='#f103' class='c008'><sup>[103]</sup></a>, +with a Greek spy: but I do +not know whether or not he obtained +his liberty, though I believe be succeeded; +for about a year after, I +saw the same Greek at Constantinople; +but I had not an opportunity +to enquire about the success of +their scheme.’—‘Then I can satisfy +you in that particular,’ resumed +the cavalier; ‘Don Pedro is my brother, +and now lives at home, in +good health and easy circumstances, +blessed with a wife and three hopeful +sons.’——‘Thanks be to God +for the great mercies bestowed upon +him!’ answered the captive; ‘for, in +my opinion, there is no happiness +on earth equal to that of liberty +regained.’—‘Besides,’ said the gentleman, +‘I retain in my memory the +songs which my brother composed.’—‘Be +so good, then,’ replied the stranger, +‘as to entertain the company with +them; for, doubtless, you can repeat +them more perfectly than I can.’—‘With +all my heart,’ said the cavalier: +‘that upon the goleta runs thus.’</p> + +<h4 id='chap2-4-13' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='thirteen'>XIII.</abbr> <br> THE CONTINUATION OF THE CAPTIVE’S HISTORY.</h4> +<div class='lg-container-b c015'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><abbr title='one'>I.</abbr></div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>“Ye happy shades, whose deeds renown’d</div> + <div class='line in2'>”Have freed you from encumb’ring clay;</div> + <div class='line'>“From this low scene, where woes abound,</div> + <div class='line in2'>”Ascending to eternal day.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><abbr title='two'>II.</abbr></div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>“With glorious zeal your bosoms glow’d,</div> + <div class='line in2'>”Your bodies brav’d excessive toil:</div> + <div class='line'>“Your blood with that of Pagans flow’d,</div> + <div class='line in2'>”To drench the hostile, barren soil.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><abbr title='three'>III.</abbr></div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>“Your lives, but not your courage, fail’d;</div> + <div class='line in2'>”Death seal’d your just, victorious claim;</div> + <div class='line'>“Enjoy, still honour’d and bewail’d,</div> + <div class='line in2'>”Immortal happiness and fame.“</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>‘These are the very words which I +remember,’ said the captive. ‘And +if my memory does not fail me,’ replied +the gentleman, ‘the other upon +the fort is this.</p> +<div class='lg-container-b c015'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><abbr title='one'>I.</abbr></div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>“Lo! from yon ruins on the desart plain,</div> + <div class='line in2'>”Oppress’d with numbers, in th’ unequal fight,</div> + <div class='line'>“Three thousand souls of Christian warriors slain,</div> + <div class='line in2'>”To happier regions, wing’d their joyous flight.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><abbr title='two'>II.</abbr></div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>“Yet not before in vain they had essay’d</div> + <div class='line in2'>”The force and vigour of their dauntless arms;</div> + <div class='line'>“Till wearied and reduc’d, though undismay’d,</div> + <div class='line in2'>”They welcom’d death, encompass’d with alarms.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><abbr title='three'>III.</abbr></div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>“On Afric’s coast, as records tell,</div> + <div class='line in2'>”The scene of past and present woes,</div> + <div class='line'>“More valiant bodies never fell,</div> + <div class='line in2'>”More spotless spirits never rose.“</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>The songs were not disliked; and +the captive rejoicing at the good fortune +of his comrade, proceeded thus in +his narration.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘The goleta and forts being taken, +the Turks ordered the first to be dismantled, +the other being quite demolished +before it was surrendered; +and that this might be done with the +less trouble, and greater dispatch, it +was undermined in three parts, but +they could by no means blow up +the old walls, which seemed to be +the weakest part, while that which +was executed by Fratin, was destroyed +with great facility. In short, +the victorious fleet returned in +triumph to Constantinople, where, +in a few months, happened the death +of my master Uchali, who went by +the name of Uchali Fartax, which, +in the language of that country, +signifies the Scabby Renegado; for +such he actually was, and it is a +custom among the Turks, to bestow +epithets upon people, derived either +from some defect or virtue inherent +in them: this method they practise, +because they have but four families +distinguished by particular names, +and these are descended from the +house of Ottoman; so that the rest, +as I have observed, adopt some appellation, +either from the blemishes +<span class='pageno' id='Page_226'>226</span>of the body, or the virtues of the +mind. This leper, therefore, tugged +at the oar, during fourteen years, +as slave to the Grand Signior; and +when he was turned of thirty-four, +apostatized, out of resentment against +a Turk, who struck him at the oar; +renouncing his religion, that he +might be able to revenge the affront. +Such was his gallantry and conduct, +that without practising those vile +steps and methods by which the +sultan’s favourites are raised, he +was promoted to the throne of Algiers, +and afterwards created general +at sea, which is the third post in +the empire. He was a native of +Calabria, a man of good morals, +and behaved with great humanity +to his slaves, who, to the number of +three thousand, were at his death, +in consequence of his last will, divided +between his renegadoes and the +Grand Signior, who is also coheir with +the children of all his deceased subjects. +I fell to the share of a Venetian, +who had been a common sailor +when he was taken; and Uchali +had such an affection for him, that +he enjoyed the greatest share of his +favour, and became the most cruel +renegado that ever was known. This +man, whose name was Azanaga, +acquired great riches, and even succeeded +to the crown of Algiers, to +which place I accompanied him from +Constantinople, with some degree of +satisfaction, at the thoughts of being +so near my own country; not that I +intended to send home an account of +my unhappy fate, but to see if +fortune would not prove more favourable +at Algiers than at Constantinople, +where I had laid a thousand +schemes for my escape, without having +an opportunity of putting one of +them in execution; but I was in +hope of finding at Algiers some +other more effectual means of obtaining +that which I so ardently desired: +for the hope of gaining my liberty +never forsook my breast; on the +contrary, when all my pains, efforts, +and expectations, miscarried, far from +abandoning myself to despair, I endeavoured +to find out some new expedient, +which though ever so frail and +unsubstantial, served to support my +spirits, and flatter my imagination. +Thus I made shift to live within a +house or prison, called a bath, in +which the Turks confine the Christian +captives, whether belonging to the +king, or private persons, or of that +class which they call magazine-slaves; +these are the captives of the +council, who serve the state in publick +works, and other kinds of day-labour; +and find great difficulty in +obtaining their freedom, because +they belong to the community, and +have no particular master with whom +they can treat concerning their ransom, +even though they can command +money for the purpose.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘In these baths, as I have already +said, some private persons lodge +their slaves, especially when their +ransom is agreed upon; and there +they remain secure, and at their ease, +until it arrives. Neither do the king’s +captives, who are to be ransomed, +go out to work with the rest of the +crew, except when the money is delayed; +and then, that they may be +induced to write with more importunity, +they are sent out with the rest +to cut wood, an office of no small +mortification and toil. As they knew +I had been a captain, I in vain +assured them, that I had neither interest +nor money; they put me into +the number of those who were to be +ransomed, loading me with a chain, +rather to denote my condition than +to secure my person; so that I spent +my time in that bath, among a great +many cavaliers and people of fashion, +who were thus marked and designed +for ransom; and though we were sometimes, +nay, almost always exposed +to hunger and nakedness, nothing +gave us so much pain, as to hear and +see, upon every occasion, the new +and unheard of cruelties which my +master exercised upon the Christians. +He was every day hanging one, impaling +another, maiming a third, +upon such slight occasions, frequently +without any cause assigned, that the +Turks themselves owned he acted +thus out of mere wantonness or barbarity, +as being naturally of a savage +disposition, and an inveterate enemy +to the whole human race. The person +who used the greatest freedom +with him was a Spanish soldier, +called such-a-one de Saavedra; who, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_227'>227</span>though he did many things which +those people will not soon forget, in +attempting to regain his liberty, he +never gave him one blow, nor ordered +him once to be chastised, nor +even chid him with one hasty word; +and yet the least of all his pranks +was sufficient, as we thought, to +bring him to the stake: nay, he +himself was more than once afraid +of being impaled alive. If time +would permit, I could here recount +some of that soldier’s actions, which +perhaps, might entertain and surprize +you more than the relation of +my own story.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘But to return to the thread of my +narration: just over the yard of our +prison were the windows of a rich +and principal Moor; but, according +to the custom of the country, they +were rather like peep-holes than windows, +and even these covered with +very thick and close lattices. One +day I chanced to be on the terrace of +our gaol, with three of my companions, +passing the time in trying which of +us could leap farthest in our shackles, +the rest of the Christians being +gone out to work; I casually lifted +up my eyes, and perceived a cane +with a handkerchief tied to it, held +out at these little openings I have +mentioned, and waving to and fro, +as if by way of signal for some of us +to go and catch it. This object was +no sooner observed, than one of my +companions ran hastily to the place +that was directly under it, to see if +the cane would be dropped, or what +would be the consequence; but when +he arrived it was pulled up, and +moved from one side to another, as if +a man should signify his dissent from +any proposal, by shaking his head: +when the Christian returned, the cane +was lowered again, with the same +motion as at first, upon which another +of our company tried the experiment, +but succeeded no better than +the first; a third went, and miscarried +like the other two. Observing +their disappointment, I was resolved +to try my fortune also; accordingly, +I had no sooner placed myself under +the cane than it was dropped, and +fell down within the bath, just at my +feet. I snatched it up immediately, +and untied the handkerchief, in +which I found a knot containing ten +zianiys, which are pieces of bad gold, +current among the Moors, each of +them valued at ten rials of our money. +It would be superfluous to say that I +rejoiced at this windfall: indeed, my +joy was equal to my surprize; for I +could not conceive from whence that +present could come, especially to me, +the circumstance of the cane’s being +refused to every other person plainly +shewing that the favour was intended +for me. I pocketed this lucky sum, +broke the cane, returned to the terrace, +and looked at the window, through +which appeared a very white hand, +that opened the lattice, and hastily +shut it again: from this circumstance +we understood, or at least imagined, +that we owed the present to some lady +who lived in that house; and, in +token of thanks, made our obeisance +in the Moorish manner, by bowing +the head, bending the body, and +crossing the hands upon the breast. +Soon after this ceremony, a small +cross made of cane, was held out at +the window, and immediately withdrawn: +a signal which confirmed us +in the opinion that we were befriended +by some Christian woman, +who lived as a slave in that house; +but this supposition was changed, +when we reflected upon the whiteness +of the hand, and the bracelets which +we had perceived; and then we +concluded that she must be one of +those Christian renegades whom their +masters frequently take to wife; and +even think themselves fortunate in +having such an opportunity; for they +esteem them much more than the +women of their own nation. But all +our conjectures were wide of the truth.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘From this day forward, our whole +entertainment was to gaze at the window, +as the north in which the star +of the cane had appeared; but full +fifteen days elapsed, before we had +another glimpse either of that or the +hand, or indeed of any other signal; +and during this interval, though we +endeavoured by all the means in our +power to learn who lived in that +house, and whether or not there was a +Christian renegado in it, we never +could get any other information, but +that it belonged to a rich Moor of +great note, called Agimorato, who +had been alcaide of Pata, an office +of great honour among that people; +<span class='pageno' id='Page_228'>228</span>but, when we least expected another +shower of zianiys, the cane reappeared +all of a sudden, with +another handkerchief, and a larger +knot than before, and this occurrence +happened as formerly, when none but +ourselves were in the bath: we made +the usual experiment, each of my three +companions, going towards it as at +first without success, until I approached, +and then it was immediately +dropped. I untied the knot, within +which I found forty crowns in Spanish +gold, and a paper written in +Arabian characters, with a large cross +at the head of the page. I kissed the +sacred sign, put up the money, returned +to the terrace, where we made +our obeisance; the hand appearing +again, I made signs that I should read +the letter, and then the window was +shut. We were equally pleased and +perplexed at this event, for none of +us understood Arabick; and although +our impatience to know the contents +of the paper was very great, the difficulty +of finding an interpreter was +still greater. At length I determined +to trust a renegade a native of Murcia, +who had professed himself my +friend, and given me such pledges of +his fidelity, as obliged him to keep +any secret I should think proper to +impart: for those renegades who intend +to return to Christendom, usually +carry about with them certificates +signed by the principal captives, attesting +in the most ample form they +can devise, that such a renegade is an +honest man, who hath always been +obliging to the Christians, and is desirous +of making his escape with the +first opportunity. Some there are who +procure these testimonials with a good +intention, others use them occasionally, +as the instruments of their +craft: for, going to rob and plunder +on the Christian coasts, if they should +chance to be shipwrecked or taken, +they produce their certificates, and observe +that these papers will shew the +real design of their coming on a +cruize with Turks, which was no +other than to take the first occasion of +returning to their native country; by +these means they escape the first fury +of resentment, and are reconciled to +the church, without suffering the least +damage; but when they see their opportunity, +they return to Barbary, +and re-assume their former way of +life; whereas those who procure recommendations +with a good design, +make use of them accordingly, and +remain in peace among the Christians. +Such a renegado was this friend, +who had obtained certificates from all +my companions, conceived in the +strongest terms of confidence and applause; +for which, had he been detected, +the Moors would have burned +him alive. I knew that he could +both speak and write the Arabian +tongue; but, before I would disclose +the whole affair, I desired him to read +that paper which I had found by +chance in a corner of my cabbin. He +opened it accordingly, and having +pored and perused it a good while, +muttering between his teeth, I asked +if he understood the contents. He +answered in the affirmative, bidding +me, if I chose to have the literal meaning, +furnish him with pen and ink, +that he might translate it the more exactly. +I accordingly accommodated +him with what he desired; and when +he had made an end of the translation +at his own leisure, he said, “This +that I have written in Spanish is the +literal meaning of that Moorish paper; +and you are to take notice, that +wheresoever you meet with the words +Lela Marien, they signify our Lady +the Blessed Virgin.”</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘The paper contained these words—“When +I was a child, my father had a +woman slave, who in my own language +taught me the Christian worship, +and told me divers things of +Lela Marien. This Christian died, +and I am sure her soul did not go to +the fire, but to Ala; for I saw her +twice after her death, and she advised +me to go to the land of the Christians, +where I should see Lela Marien, +by whom I was beloved. I know +not which way to go; many Christians +I have seen from this window, +but not one who seems so much a +gentleman as yourself. I am very +beautiful and young, and have a great +deal of money in my possession. If +thou canst find out any method of +carrying me to thy country, thou +shalt there be my husband, if thou +art so inclined; but, if that be contrary +to thy inclination, I shall not +be uneasy, for Lela Marien will provide +me with a spouse. I write this +<span class='pageno' id='Page_229'>229</span>with my own hand; let nobody read +it, but such as you can trust. Beware +of the Moors, for they are altogether +deceitful; therefore I am +very much concerned, for I would +not have it disclosed to any person +whatever; because, if it should come +to my father’s ears, he would instantly +cause me to be sunk in a well, and +covered with stones. I will fasten a +thread to the cane, to which thou +mayest tie thine answer; and if thou +hast not a proper person to write for +thee in Arabick, let me know by +signs; for Lela Marien will help me +to understand them. May she and +Ala preserve thee, by means of this +cross, which I often kiss, according +to the direction of my deceased +slave!”</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘You may easily conceive, gentlemen, +whether or not we were surprized +and rejoiced at the contents of this +paper. Indeed, the symptoms of joy +and admiration appeared so plain in +our behaviour, that the renegado suspected +it was not found by accident, +but actually written and addressed to +one of our company. He accordingly +intreated us to tell him if his conjecture +was true, protesting that we +might safely trust to his fidelity, and +assuring us, if we would favour him +with our confidence, he would venture +his life in procuring our freedom. +So saying, he pulled from his bosom +a crucifix of metal, and with many +tears, swore by the God represented +under the form of that image, in +whom he, though a wretched sinner, +fully and faithfully believed, that he +would be trusty and secret in every +thing we should please to communicate; +for he firmly believed, and as it +were prognosticated, that by means of +her who had written the paper, we +should all obtain liberty, and he accomplish +that which he had so much +at heart, namely, his re-admission into +the bosom of his holy mother church, +from which he, through his ignorance +and guilt, had been like a rotten +member, divided and cut off. +This declaration he made with so +many tears and signs of repentance, +that we unanimously agreed to intrust +him with the affair, and accordingly +gave him an account of every +thing that had happened, without suppressing +one circumstance; and shewed +him the window at which the cane +appeared: so that from thence he had +took, his mark of the house, resolving +to inform himself, with great care and +caution, of the name and quality of +those who lived in it. Meanwhile, +we were all of opinion, that there was +a necessity for answering the billet; +and there being a person present, who +could perform that office, the renegado +that instant wrote in Arabick +what I dictated, which was literally +as I shall now repeat, for of all the +material circumstances of that affair, +not one hath escaped my memory, +which will retain them all to my last +breath. In short, this was the answer +which I sent to the beautiful +Moor.</p> + +<p class='c016'>“MY DEAR LADY!</p> + +<p class='c017'>“Mayest thou be protected by +the true Ala, and that blessed +Mary the real mother of God, who, +because she loves thee, hath put it into +thy heart to go to the land of Christians; +beseech her therefore, that she +will be pleased to teach thee how thou +mayest obey her commands; for she +is so benevolent that she will grant +thy request. For my own part, and +in behalf of those who are my fellow +prisoners, I promise to serve +thee with our whole power, even unto +death. Fail not to write and give +me notice of what thou shalt resolve +to do; and I will always answer +thy letters; for the great Ala hath +favoured us with the friendship of +a Christian captive, who can speak +and write thy language, as thou +wilt perceive by this paper; wherefore +thou mayest communicate thy +will and pleasure to us without fear. +As to thy offer of becoming my +wife, when thou shalt be safely settled +in the land of the Christians, I +pledge myself thine, on the faith of +a good Christian; and know, that +those of our religion perform their +promises more punctually than the +Moors. God, and his mother Mary, +take my dear lady into their holy +protection!”</p> + +<p class='c013'>‘This letter being written and sealed, +I waited two days until the bath +was empty, and then went to the +usual place on the terrace, to look +<span class='pageno' id='Page_230'>230</span>for the cane, which in a little time +appeared. I no sooner perceived the +sign, though I could not see who made +it, than I held up the letter to make +her understand that she should fasten +a thread to the cane; but that was already +done, and I tied the paper to it +accordingly. In a little time our star +appeared again, loaded with the white +flag of peace; which being dropped, +I took it up, and found, in different +coins of gold and silver, to the amount +of fifty crowns, which increased +our satisfaction fifty-fold, and confirmed +us in the hope of obtaining our +freedom. That same night our renegade +returned, and told us, he was +informed the house was inhabited by +that same Moor I have mentioned +under the name of Agimorato, who +was excessively rich, and had only +one daughter to inherit his whole fortune; +that by the current report in +the city, she was the most beautiful +woman in Barbary; and that many +of the viceroys who went thither, had +demanded her in marriage, but she +would never yield her consent; he likewise +understood that she had once a +Christian slave, who had died some +time ago; so that all these circumstances +agreed with the contents of +her letter. We then consulted with +the renegade about the means of transporting +ourselves with the Moorish +lady, into Christendom; and, at +length, we came to the resolution of +waiting for another intimation from +Zorayda, which is the name of her +who now desires to be called Maria; +for we plainly perceived, that by +means of her, and no other, we should +be enabled to surmount all the difficulties +that occurred.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Having come to this determination, +the renegado bid us give ourselves no +uneasiness, for he would either procure +our liberty or forfeit his own life. The +bath being full of people during four +days, no cane appeared all that time; at +the end of which the usual solitude prevailing, +we perceived it with a handkerchief +so pregnant as to promise a +most happy birth. I stood under it; +the whole was dropped as usual, and +I found in the handkerchief another +paper with one hundred crowns +in gold, without any mixture of other +coin. The renegade being then present, +we carried him to our cabbin, +where we desired him to read the letter, +which he interpreted in these +words.</p> + +<p class='c016'>“I know not, dear Sir, how to give +directions about our passage into +Spain; nor hath Lela Marien told +me, though I have earnestly implored +her assistance. But what may be +easily effected is this: I will from this +window furnish you with a great +quantity of money; so that you may +ransom yourself and your companions; +and going to the land of the +Christians, purchase a bark with +which you may return for the rest; +and you will find me in my father’s +garden, which is by the gate of Barbazon, +close to the sea-side. There +I shall be during the whole summer, +with my father and servants; and +from thence you may, in the night, +carry me to the bark without fear. +But remember thou shalt be my husband; +otherwise I will pray to Marien +to chastise thee. If thou canst +depend upon no other person for purchasing +the bark, ransom thyself for +that purpose. I know thou wilt be +more apt than any other body to return, +because thou art a gentleman +and a Christian. Be sure to inform +thyself well about the garden. When +I see thee walking where thou art at +present, I shall know the bath is +empty, and provide thee with more +money. Ala preserve thee, my dear +gentleman!”</p> + +<p class='c013'>‘These were the contents and purport +of the second paper; which being +read in presence of us all, each proposed +himself as the person to be ransomed, +promising to go and return +with the utmost punctuality; I likewise +offered myself for that purpose. +But the renegado opposed the proposal; +saying, that he could by no +means consent that one should be set +free, before we had all obtained our liberty: +because experience had taught +him, how ill those who are free perform +the promises they have made in +their captivity; for prisoners of note +had often practised the expedient of +ransoming one of their number, to go +to Valencia or Majorca, with money +to purchase an armed bark, and return +for his companions, but they +never saw his face again; for having +<span class='pageno' id='Page_231'>231</span>once obtained his own liberty, the +dread of losing it again, by returning, +blots all manner of obligations out of +his remembrance. As a confirmation +of the truth of what he alledged, he +briefly recounted a case which had +lately happened to some Christian +gentlemen, attended with the strangest +circumstances ever known even in +these parts, where the most uncommon +and surprizing events occur almost +every day. In short, he told +us, the most practicable and prudent +scheme was, to give him the money +we should receive for our ransom, +with which he would purchase a bark +at Algiers, under pretence of becoming +merchant, and trading to Tetuan, +and the other places on that +coast; and that being master of the +vessel, he would soon contrive the +means of disengaging us from the +bath, and getting us all on board; +especially if the Moorish lady should +perform her promise in supplying us +with money sufficient to pay the ransom +of our whole company; in which +case, being no longer slaves, we might +embark with the greatest ease and +safety, even at noon-day. The greatest +difficulty that occurred, was the backwardness +of the Moors, to allow a +renegade to purchase or command a +vessel, unless it be a large cruizer for +pirating; because they suspect, especially +if he be a Spaniard, that his +sole motive in buying a small bark, is +to make his escape into Christendom; +but he undertook to remedy that inconvenience, +by giving a share of the +bark and profits of the merchandize +to a Tangarin Moor; by which means +he should be master of the bark, and +of consequence have it in his power +to accomplish the whole affair.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Although, in the opinion of me and +my companions, there was no better +plan than that of sending to Majorca +for a bark, as the Moorish lady had +proposed, we durst not contradict the +sentiments of the renegade, lest he, +being disobliged by our acting contrary +to his intention, should make +a discovery of our correspondence +with the fair Moor, and endanger not +only our lives, but also that of Zorayda, +for which we would have willingly +sacrificed our own. We therefore +determined to rely upon God and +the renegado; and immediately wrote +an answer to Zorayda, importing, that +we would adhere in every thing to her +advice, which was as prudent as if +it had been dictated by Lela Marien; +and that it depended solely upon her, +either to hasten or retard the negociation; +pledging my faith anew to become +her spouse. In consequence of +this intimation, the very next day, +when the bath happened to be empty, +she, at different times, by means of +the cane and handkerchief, transmitted +two thousand crowns in gold, +with a paper signifying, that on the +first Jama, which is Friday, she should +set out for her father’s garden, but before +her departure, supply us with +more money; and desired us to inform +her, if we should find that insufficient; +for she would give us as +much as we could desire, her father +having such vast sums, that he would +never be sensible of what she took, +especially as all his keys were in her +possession. We immediately accommodated +the renegado with five hundred +crowns, for the purchase of the bark; +with eight hundred more I ransomed +myself, depositing the money with a +Valentian merchant then residing at +Algiers, who bargained for my ransom +with the king, and obtained my +freedom, upon giving his word to pay +the money on the arrival of the first +ship from Valencia; for, if he had paid +it immediately, the king would have +suspected that the ransom had been +some time at Algiers, and that the +merchant had hitherto detained it for +his own convenience. In short, my +master was so contentious, that I durst +by no means disburse the money at +once. On the Thursday before the +fair Zorayda removed to her father’s +country house, she gave us another +thousand crowns, and apprized us of +her departure; intreating me, as soon +as I should be ransomed, to make myself +acquainted with her father’s garden, +and find some opportunity of +going thither to see her. I answered, +in few words, that I would obey her +in every thing, desiring she would fervently +recommend us to Lela Marien +in all those prayers which she had +learned of the slave.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘This affair being transacted, means +were concerted for ransoming my three +companions; lest, seeing me at liberty +and themselves confined, since I had +<span class='pageno' id='Page_232'>232</span>money enough to procure their freedom, +they should be chagrined and +tempted by the devil to do something +to the prejudice of Zorayda; for, although +their honour and integrity +might have secured me against any +such apprehension, I would not run +the smallest risk, and therefore took +care they should be ransomed by the +same canal through which my liberty +was obtained; depositing the whole +sum required in the merchant’s hands, +that he might with more certainty +and confidence act the part of their +bondsman; though we never disclosed +to him our secret commerce with Zorayda, +for fear of what might happen.’</p> +<h4 id='chap2-4-14' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='fourteen'>XIV.</abbr> <br> THE CONTINUATION OF THE CAPTIVE’S ADVENTURES.</h4> +<p class='c004'>‘Before fifteen days had elapsed, +our renegado had purchased +a stout vessel capable of containing thirty +persons at least; and to secure what he +had done with a favourable pretext, he +made a voyage to a place called Sargel, +about thirty leagues from Algiers, +towards the coast of Oran, where there +is a great traffick of dried figs; and he +made two or three trips of this kind +in company with the Tagarin Moor +already mentioned. The Moors of +Arragon are in Barbary called Tagarins, +and those of Grenada go by the +name of Mudajares; though these last +are in the kingdom of Fez called +Elches, being the people whom the +king chiefly uses in his wars. I say, +then, in every passage, the renegado +brought his bark to an anchor in a +small creek, within two bow shots of +Agimorato’s garden, and there purposely +employed himself and his +Moorish rowers in practising the Zala<a id='r104'></a><a href='#f104' class='c008'><sup>[104]</sup></a>, +or attempted that in jest which he +intended to execute in earnest. He +went frequently to Zorayda’s garden, +on pretence of asking fruit, which he always +received from her father, though +he did not know him; but although, +as he afterwards owned, he wanted to +speak with Zorayda, and tell her that he +was the person appointed by me to carry +her off to the land of the Christians, +that she might be satisfied and secure +of his fidelity; he never had an opportunity +of executing his design, for +the Moorish women avoid the sight of +their own countrymen and the Turks, +unless when they are commanded to +appear by their parents and husbands: +though they talk and converse with +Christian captives even more freely +than decency allows. I should have +been very much concerned had he +spoke with her, because it would perhaps +have given her great uneasiness +to see renegades intrusted with the +affair; but God, who ordained all for +the best, gave him no opportunity of +fulfilling his well-meaning intention.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Perceiving how securely he traded +to and from Sargel, and anchored +when, where, and how he pleased, his +partner submitting to his direction in +all things; and that I being ransomed, +there was nothing wanted but +some Christians to row, he desired me +to pick out those who should accompany +me exclusive of my friends who +were ransomed, and bespeak them for +the Friday following, which he had +appointed for the day of our departure. +Seeing him thus determined, I spoke to +a dozen Spaniards, all of them able-bodied +rowers, and people who could +easily get out of the city; and indeed +it was no small difficulty to find so +many at that conjuncture, for no +fewer than twenty gallies being then +out upon the cruize, almost all the +rowers were employed; so that I should +not have found those I have mentioned +had not their master staid at home that +summer to finish a vessel which he had +on the stocks. All I said to them was, +that next Friday in the evening they +should slily slip out of the city one by +one, and betake themselves to Agimorato’s +garden, where they should wait +my coming; and I directed every one +by himself, if he should meet with +other Christians at the rendezvous, to +say nothing but that I had ordered him +to wait for me in that place.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘This point being settled, another +precaution still more necessary remained +untaken; this was to advertise +Zorayda of the situation of our affairs, +that she might be prepared and guarded +against surprize at our sudden assault, +before she could think it possible that +the Christian bark was arrived. Resolved +<span class='pageno' id='Page_233'>233</span>therefore to see and speak with +her if possible one day before our departure, +I went to the garden on pretence +of gathering some herbs, and the +first person I met was her father, who +spoke to me in a language used +through all Barbary, and even at +Constantinople, between the captives +and the Moors; it is neither Arabick +nor Castilian, nor indeed peculiar to +any nation, but a mixture of different +tongues by which we may make shift to +understand each other. I say, he asked +in this sort of jargon who I was, and +what I wanted in his garden? I answered +that I was a slave belonging to +Arnaute Mami, who I knew to be an +intimate friend of his, and that I +wanted a few herbs for a sallad. In +consequence of this answer, he enquired +whether or not I was to be ransomed, +and what my master demanded for my +freedom? And while we were thus +conversing together, the fair Zorayda +came out into the garden. She had +already perceived me from a window +of the house; and as the Moorish women +make no scruple of shewing +themselves to Christians, with whom, +as I have already observed, they are +not at all shy, she without any hesitation +walked towards the place where I +was standing with her father, who no +sooner saw her, than he called at a distance +desiring her to come up. It +would be a difficult task for me at +present to describe the exceeding beauty, +the genteel mien, the gay and rich +ornaments with which my beloved +Zorayda then presented herself before +mine eyes: I shall only observe, that +the pearls about her beauteous neck +and ears, out-numbered the hairs of her +head. On her ancles, which were +bare, according to the custom of the +country, she wore carcaxes, (by which +name the bracelets for the feet are +called in the Morisco language) of +the purest gold, set with such a quantity +of diamonds, that she afterwards +told me her father valued them at +twenty thousand ducats; and those +she wore upon her wrists were of equal +richness. The pearls, though in such +a vast number, were extremely fine; +for the greatest pride and magnificence +of the Moorish women lie in pearls +and embroidery; consequently there +is a greater quantity of pearls and +seed-pearl in Barbary than in all the +other nations of the world, and Zorayda’s +father had the reputation of +possessing the greatest number and the +best in Algiers, together with a fortune +of two hundred thousand Spanish +crowns, of all which she who is now +mine was once mistress. Whether +with the assistance of all these ornaments +she appeared beautiful or not, +and what she must have been in her +prosperity, may be conjectured by what +remains after the great fatigues she +hath undergone; for it is well known +that the beauty of some women hath +its days and seasons, and is diminished +or increased according to the circumstances +that happen; being improved +or impaired, nay, often totally destroyed, +by the passions of the mind. +In short, she approached in all the +pomp of dress, and all the excess of +beauty; at least to me she seemed the +most beautiful creature I had ever +seen; which circumstance, joined to +the obligation I lay under, made me +look upon her as an angel sent from +heaven for my delight and deliverance. +When she came up, her father told +her in their own language that I was +a captive belonging to his friend Arnaute +Mami, and had come for a sallad; +upon which she took up the discourse, +and in that jumble of languages +before-mentioned, asked if I +was a gentleman, and why I did not +ransom myself? I answered that I +was already ransomed, and that she +might see in what esteem I was with +my master by the sum he received for +my freedom, which was no less than +fifteen hundred sultanins. To this +observation she replied, “Truly, if +thou hadst belonged to my father, he +should not have parted with thee for +twice the sum; for you Christians always +dissemble, and call yourselves +poorer than you really are, with a +view of imposing upon the Moors.”—“That +may be sometimes the case, +Madam,” said I, “but I adhered to +the truth in bargaining with my master, +and will deal honestly with all +mankind.” She then asked how +soon I intended to depart: and I answered, +“To-morrow, I believe; there +is a French ship in the harbour to +sail in the morning, and I have some +thoughts of taking my passage on +board of her.”—“Had not you better +stay till the arrival of a vessel from +<span class='pageno' id='Page_234'>234</span>Spain,” said Zorayda, “than trust +yourself with the French, who are +no good friends of yours?”—“No, +Madam,” answered I; “though, as +there is a Spanish ship expected, if +she arrives immediately, I believe I +shall wait for her; but it is more likely +that I shall sail to-morrow; for the desire +I have to see myself in my native +country with those I love, is too strong +to let me wait for any other convenience, +let it be ever so good.”—“Without +doubt,” said Zorayda, “thou +art married in thy own country, and +therefore desirous of being with thy +wife?”—“I am not yet wedded,” +I replied; “but under promise of being +married at my return.”—“And +is the woman beautiful to whom +thou hast pledged thy faith?” said +she. “So beautiful,” answered I, +“that, to compliment her, and tell +thee the truth, she is the exact resemblance +of thyself.”</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Her father laughed heartily at this +declaration, saying, “Truly, Christian, +she must be very handsome indeed, +if she resembles my daughter, +who is the most beautiful woman in +this kingdom: look at her, and thou +wilt see whether or not I speak truth.”</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘In the greatest part of this conversation, +Agimorato served as interpreter +for his daughter, he being +better acquainted with this spurious +language, which though she understood +a little in consequence of its +being much spoke among the Moors, +she explained, her meaning by signs, +oftener than by words.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘While we were engaged in this +and other such conversation, a Moor +ran towards us, crying aloud, that +four Turks having got through the +pales, or leaped over the garden wall, +were gathering the fruit, though it +was not yet ripe. At this information +the old man and Zorayda started; +for the Moors are commonly, and as +it were, naturally, afraid of the Turks, +especially the soldiers, who are so insolent +and imperious to their Moorish +subjects, that they treat them worse +than if they were slaves. Accordingly, +the father said to Zorayda, “Daughter, +retire to the house, and lock thyself +up, while I go and talk to those +dogs; and thou Christian,” (turning +to me) “gather thy herbs, and depart +in peace; and Ala send thee safe into +thy own country!” I made my +obeysance, and he went in search of +the Turks, leaving me alone with +Zorayda, who pretended to go homeward +according to her father’s desire; +but no sooner was he out of sight, +among the trees of the garden, than +she came back, with her eyes drowned +in tears, saying, “Amexi, Christiano, +amexi!” the signification of which +address is, “Thou art going away, +Christian, thou art going away!”—“Yes, +Madam,” answered I, “but by +no means without you: on the next Jama +expect me, and be not afraid when +you see us; for we shall certainly +go to the land of the Christians.” I +made shift to express myself in such +a manner, that she understood this, +and every thing else that I said; and +throwing her arm about my neck, +began to walk towards the house, +with a slow and faultering pace: but +it pleased fortune, which might have +proved very unlucky, had not Heaven +otherwise ordained, that while we +walked in this attitude, with her arm +about my neck, we were observed by +her father, on his return from having +sent away the Turks; and we immediately +perceived ourselves discovered. +Nevertheless, Zorayda, prompted by +her discretion and presence of mind, +would not take her arm from my +neck; but, on the contrary, coming +closer to me; let her head drop upon +my bosom, and her knees sunk under +her, as if she was fainting; while I +seemed to support her with a sort of +strained civility.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘The father seeing his daughter in +this situation, ran towards us with +great concern, and asked what was +the matter: but she making no reply, +“Doubtless,” said he, “she hath +fainted with the fright occasioned by +the insolence of those dogs.” Then, +taking her out of my arms, he supported +her in his own; while she, +fetching a deep sigh, the tears still +continuing in her eyes, repeated, +“Amexi, Christiano, amexi!——Begone, +Christian, begone.”—“There +is no necessity for the Christian’s +departure,” said the father, “he hath +done thee no harm; and as the +Turks are gone already, be not disturbed: +thou hast no cause to be +uneasy; for as I have already said, +the Turks, at my entreaty, went out +<span class='pageno' id='Page_235'>235</span>as they had come in.”—“Indeed, +Sir,” said I, “they have discomposed +her very much, as you observe; +but since she desires me to go, I will +not stay to give offence. Peace be +with you! I will, with your permission, +return to this garden for herbs, +if they should be wanted; for my +master says there are none better to be +found in any other place.”—“Thou +mayest come as often as thou wilt,” +answered Agimorato: “what my +daughter says is not out of resentment +against thee or any other +Christian; but instead of bidding the +Turks begone, she applied the words +to thee, or else thought it was time +for thee to go and gather thy herbs.” +I then took leave of them both; and +she, as if her soul had been rent from +her body, went away with her father; +while I, on pretence of culling my +sallad, went round the whole garden +at my pleasure, observing all the entries +and outlets, together with the +strength of the house, and every convenience +that might tend to facilitate +our purpose.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Having thus reconnoitered, I went +and communicated my observations +to the renegado and the rest of my +companions, longing eagerly for the +hour of seeing myself in peaceable +possession of the blessing which fortune +presented in the beauteous and +charming Zorayda. At length the +intervening time elapsed, and the long-wished-for +day and period arrived, +when all of us, following the order +and plan which had been often canvassed, +and at last settled, after the +most mature deliberation, our desires +were happily accomplished. On the +Friday after I had spoke with Zorayda, +Morrenago, which was the +renegade’s name, anchored his bark, +at night-fall, opposite to the place +where my charming mistress resided; +and the Christians who were to row, +in consequence of my directions, lay +already concealed in different corners, +all around the place, waiting for me +with impatience, joy, and desire of +attacking the vessel which was in +view; for they were ignorant of our +confederacy with the renegade, and +believed that they must win and maintain +their liberty by force of arms, in +killing all the Moors who belonged +to the bark; wherefore, as soon as I +and my companions appeared, those +who were hid came and joined us immediately, +about the time when the +city gates were shut, so that not a soul +was to be seen in the fields. Being +all met together, we were in some +doubt whether we should go immediately +for Zorayda; or first of all secure +the Moorish rowers belonging to +the bark. While we hesitated on this +point, the renegado arriving, asked +what we waited for; observing, that +now was the time, the Moors being +altogether unguarded, and the greatest +part of them actually asleep. We +told him the subject of our doubt; +upon which he assured us, that it was +of the greatest consequence to make +ourselves first masters of the bark, a +precaution which might be easily taken, +without running the least hazard, +and then we could go in quest of Zorayda, +with greater security. His advice +was unanimously approved; and +therefore without farther delay, we +followed him as guide to the vessel, +into which he leaped, and drawing a +scymitar, called in the Moorish language, +“Let none of you stir on +pain of death.” The Christians +were at his back in an instant; while +the Moors being naturally pusillanimous, +hearing their master talk in this +manner, were seized with consternation: +and as there were few or no +arms on board, suffered themselves, +without the least resistance, to be fettered +by the Christians, who performed +this office with infinite dexterity +and dispatch, threatening to put +them all to the sword, if any one of +them should raise his voice, or attempt +to make the least noise.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘This scheme being executed, we +left one half of our number to guard +them, and with the rest, using the renegado +still as our guide, went to +Agimorato’s garden door, which fortunately +opened with as much ease as +if it had not been locked; so that, +without being perceived, we proceeded +to the house with great silence and +composure. The adorable Zorayda, +who stood waiting for us at a window, +no sooner perceived people at the door, +than she asked with a low voice, if we +were Nazarini? which in their language +signifies Christians. I replied in +the affirmative, desiring her to come +down; when she knew my voice, she +<span class='pageno' id='Page_236'>236</span>made no delay, but without answering +one syllable, came down in a moment, +opened the door, and appeared +so beautiful and richly dressed, as to +surpass all description. Transported +at the sight, I took her hand and kissed +it most devoutly; the renegado +and my two companions did the +same; and the rest, though ignorant +of the occasion, followed our example, +thinking we expressed our +thanks and acknowledgments to her +as the instrument of our deliverance. +The renegado asked, in the Morisco +tongue, if her father was in the +house: and she assuring him, that he +was asleep in his own apartment; +“Then it will be necessary,” said Morrenago, +“to wake and carry him off, +together with every thing of value, +in this agreeable habitation.”—“Touch +not my father,” said she, +“and take my word for it there is nothing +valuable in this house but what +I have secured, which is enough to +make you all rich and happy; stay +a little, and thou shalt see.”</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘So saying, she went back into the +house, protesting she would immediately +return, and desiring us to make +no noise. I then asked the renegade +what had passed between them, and +when he told me, charged him to do +nothing that should be disagreeable +to Zorayda, who soon returned with +a coffer so full of golden crowns, that +she could scarce support the weight. +But our evil fortune ordained that her +father should wake in the interim, +and hear a noise in the garden; upon +which he started up, and running to +the window, no sooner perceived that +we were all Christians, than he began +to bawl in Arabick with vast vociferation, +“Christians! Christians! +thieves! thieves!” and his cries +threw us all into the utmost terror +and confusion; however, the renegado +seeing the danger we were in, +and how much it imported him to atchieve +the enterprize without being +detected, ran up to Agimorato, with +infinite agility, being accompanied +with some others of our company, +as I could not leave Zorayda, who by +this time had fainted in my arms; in +short, those who entered the house +managed him so well, that in a moment +they brought him down with +his hands tied, and an handkerchief +in his mouth, to hinder him from crying, +threatening all the while, that if +he presumed to speak, it would cost +him his life. His daughter covered +her eyes, that she might not see her +father in that condition; while he was +astonished at sight of her, little thinking +how willingly she had put herself +in our power, and our feet being then +more necessary than our hands, we, +with great industry and dispatch, returned +to the vessel, where we were +expected with impatience by those we +had left, who had began to fear we +had met with some mischance.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Before two hours of the night had +elapsed, we were all safe on board, +where we untied the hands of Zorayda’s +father, and took the handkerchief +out of his mouth; though +the renegado commanded him again to +be silent, on pain of death. Seeing his +daughter also in our power, he began +to sigh most bitterly, more especially +as he perceived her lie quietly in my +arms, without resisting, complaining, +or the least appearance of constraint; +but he was fain to hold his tongue, +lest the renegado should put his repeated +threats in execution. Zorayda +now seeing us embarked, and on the +point of manning the oars, while her +father and the other Moors remained +fettered, as prisoners among us, bade +the renegado desire, in her name, that +I would be so good as to dismiss the +Moors, and set her father at liberty; +for she would rather throw herself into +the sea, than behold a parent, who +loved her so much, dragged into captivity +on her account. Morrenago +having made me acquainted with her +request, I consented to the proposal; but +he said it was by no means expedient, +because, should we leave them there, +they would instantly alarm both town +and country; so that some light frigates +would be sent out in pursuit of +us, and then we should be so beset, +both by sea and land, that it would be +impossible for us to escape; he proposed +therefore, to set them at liberty +on the first Christian land he should +make. We were all of the same opinion, +which was also embraced by +Zorayda, to whom he imparted the +reasons which hindered us from complying +immediately with her desire; +then each of our valiant rowers laid +hold of his oar with joy, silence, and +<span class='pageno' id='Page_237'>237</span>alacrity, and recommending ourselves +to the protection of God, we took our +departure, directing our course towards +the island of Majorca, which +was the nearest Christian land; but, +the north wind beginning to blow, +and the sea becoming rough, it was +impossible to steer our course, and we +were obliged to row along shore towards +Oran, not without great apprehension +of being discovered from +the town of Sargel, which lies upon +that coast, about sixty miles from +Algiers; we were also afraid of meeting, +in those parts, with some of the +gallies which frequently come thither +from Tetuan to trade; though each +of us singly, and all of us together, +presumed, that if we could fall in +with a merchant-vessel not fitted out, +or manned for a corsair, far from losing +our liberty again, we should make +ourselves masters of a ship in which +we might perform our voyage with +more security. While we thus coasted +along, Zorayda lay with her head +in my bosom, that she might not see +her father in distress; and I could +hear her imploring Lela Marien to +assist us in our design.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘When we had rowed about thirty +miles, day-breaking discovered that +we were about three gun shots distant +from the shore of a desart country, +where not a soul appeared to detect +us; but, for all that, we plied +hard to get a little farther off to sea, +which was now somewhat calmer; +and having made about two leagues, +directed the men to row by turns, that +we might refresh ourselves with the +provisions, of which we had plenty in +the bark; but the rowers said, it was +then no time to be idle, and desired +the rest to bring them victuals, which +they would eat while at work, protesting +that they would by no means quit their +oars; this hint was accordingly taken, +and a fresh gale springing up, we +were obliged to lay aside our oars, and +make sail directly for Oran; for it was +impossible to follow any other course. +All this was done with great expedition; +we sailed at the rate of eight +miles in an hour, without any other +dread than that of falling in with some +corsair. We ordered some victuals +to be given to the Moors, who were +consoled by the renegado’s telling +them, that they were not slaves, and +should have their freedom with the +first opportunity; the same declaration +he made to Zorayda’s father, +who answered, “I might expect any +other favour from your generosity and +courteous behaviour, O Christians! +but, you must not think me so simple +as to believe you will give me my freedom; +for you would never have run +such risk in depriving me of it, with +a view of restoring it so liberally; +especially when you know who I am, +and the advantage you may reap from +my ransom, which, if you will now +propose, I here promise to pay your +utmost demand, for myself and this +unhappy daughter, or for her alone, +who is the better part of my +soul!”</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘So saying, he wept with such bitterness, +as moved us all to compassion, +and obliged Zorayda to lift up +her eyes; when seeing the tears trickle +down from his aged cheeks, she was +melted, and rising from the place +where I supported her, went to embrace +her father; then joining her face +to his, the two uttered such a tender +lamentation, as drew tears of sympathy +from the eyes of almost all those +who heard it; but, when Agimorato +perceived her so gayly dressed, with +all her jewels about her, he said +with some surprize, in their language, +“What is the meaning of this finery, +my child? Last night, before this +terrible misfortune happened, I saw +thee in thy ordinary and common +dress; but now, though thou hadst +neither time, nor any happy tidings +to solemnize with such ornaments and +finery, I see thee decked in all the richest +apparel I could contrive or bestow +upon thee, while fortune was much +more favourable than at present! Answer +me in this particular, at which +I am more concerned and surprized, +than at the mishap which hath befallen +us?” The renegado interpreted +to us all that the Moor said to +his daughter, who made no answer to +his question; but when he saw on one +side of the bark the coffer in which +she used to keep her jewels, which +he knew he had left at Algiers, when +he moved to his country house; he +was still more confounded, and asked +how that casket had fallen into our +hands, and what it contained. To +this question the renegado replied, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_238'>238</span>without waiting for Zorayda’s answer; +“You need not weary yourself, Signior, +in putting so many questions to +your daughter; for I can satisfy you +in one word: know, then, that Zorayda +is a Christian; that she hath +filed off our chains, and converted +our captivity into freedom; that she +came hither of her own accord, and +is now, I believe, as well satisfied +with her present condition as one delivered +from darkness to light, from +death to life, and from affliction to +triumph.”—“Daughter!” cried the +Moor, “is that which he affirms +true?”—“Yes,” replied Zorayda. +“That thou art actually a Christian, +and the very person who hath put +thy father into the hands of his enemies?” +resumed the old man. “I +am a Christian, ’tis true,” said Zorayda, +“but not the person who reduced +you to this situation; for my +desire never extended so far as either +to leave or render you unhappy, my +sole intention being to provide for my +own welfare.”—“And how hast +thou provided for it, my child?” +replied the father. “Put that question +to Lela Marien,” said she, “who +will inform you better than I can.”</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Scarce had these words reached +the ears of Agimorato, than, with +incredible agility, he darted himself +headlong into the sea; where, without +all doubt, he must have perished, +had not his large entangling +robes helped to keep him afloat. +Zorayda shrieking, begged we would +save her father; upon which we all +exerted ourselves, and laying hold +of his upper garment, pulled him +on board, already half drowned, and +deprived of all sensation; when she +was so much affected with his condition, +that she uttered a most tender +and doleful lamentation over +him, as if he had been actually dead. +Having turned him upon his face, +a great quantity of water ran out of +his mouth, and he recovered the use +of his senses, in the space of two +hours, during which, the wind shifting, +we were driven towards the +shore, and by main dint of rowing +kept from running aground; +but by good fortune, we arrived in +a creek formed by a small creek or +promontory, known among the +Moors by the name of Cava Rumia, +which signifies, the wicked Christian +woman; there being a tradition among +them, that Cava<a id='r105'></a><a href='#f105' class='c008'><sup>[105]</sup></a>, on whose +account they lost their possessions in +Spain, is interred in that place; for +Cava, in their language, implies a +wicked woman, and Rumia, signifies +Christian: so that they look +upon it as a bad omen, when they +are obliged, by necessity, to drop +anchor here; and, except in cases of +emergency, they never attempt it: +though to us, it was by no means +the shelter of a wicked woman, but +a secure harbour in stormy weather. +Having placed centinels on +shore, without quitting our oars, we +made another meal of what the renegado +had provided; and prayed +heartily to God and the blessed Virgin, +to favour and assist us, in bringing +such a fortunate beginning to a +happy conclusion. We then determined, +at the intreaty of Zorayda, to +set her father and the Moors, whom +we had fettered, on shore, because +she had not resolution enough, nor +could her tender disposition endure +to see her parent and countrymen in +the condition of captives; we accordingly +promised to gratify her +desire, at our departure, since we +ran no risk in setting them at liberty +in that uninhabited place.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Our prayers were not so vain as to +be rejected by Heaven, that sent a +favourable wind and a smooth sea, +inviting us to proceed with alacrity +in the voyage we had undertaken. +This we no sooner perceived, than +unbinding the Moors, we put them +all on shore, one by one, to their no +small astonishment: but, when we +came to dismiss Zorayda’s father, +who by this time had recovered the +entire use of his senses, “Christians,” +said he, “do you think that bad woman +rejoices at my freedom through +filial piety? No surely! but merely +to be rid of the check which she +would receive from my presence, in +seeking to gratify her vicious desires. +<span class='pageno' id='Page_239'>239</span>Do not imagine that she hath +been induced to change her religion, +because she believes that the +Christian faith is preferable to ours? +No; she hath apostatized, because +she understood that, in your country +she might indulge her loose inclinations +more freely than in her own.” +Then turning to Zorayda, while I +and another Christian held him fast; +that she might not commit some desperate +action, he said, “O infamous +wretch, and ill-advised +maiden! what blindness and distraction +hath prompted thee to put +thyself in the power of these dogs, +who are all our natural foes? Cursed +be the hour in which thou wast +engendered! and cursed be the gaiety +and indulgence in which I brought +thee up!”</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Perceiving that there was no likelihood +of his ending his exclamations +for some time, I presently set +him on shore, where he proceeded +with his reproaches, imprecations, +and complaints, imploring the mediation +of Mahomet with Ala, +to confound, overwhelm, and destroy +us: and when we had sailed +out of hearing, we could perceive +him act his despair, pulling his +beard, and rolling himself upon the +ground; nay, once he raised his +voice in such a manner, that we +could distinctly hear him pronounce, +“Return, my beloved daughter! return +to the shore; I forgive all that +is past: leave with these men the +money which they already have in +their possession, and return to comfort +thy disconsolate father, who, if +thou forsakest him, will lie down +and breathe his last upon this barren +sand!” This pathetick address +was heard by Zorayda, who lamented +his affliction with the utmost sensibility, +though she could make no +other reply than this: “Ala grant, my +dear father, that Lela Marien, who +was the cause of my conversion, +may console you in your distress! +Ala knows, I could not do otherwise +than I have acted, and that +these Christians owe nothing to any +particular good-will I bore them; +for if I had not assisted and accompanied +them in their escape, but remained +at home with you, it would +have been impossible for me, in +conference of the earnest solicitations +of my own soul, to execute +that which, in my opinion, is as +righteous as it is infamous and +wicked in yours.” But these +words never reached the ears of her +father, whom by this time we could +not perceive: I therefore endeavoured +to console my amiable mistress; +while the rest were intent upon our +voyage, which was so much favoured +by a fair wind, that we laid our account +with being next day on the +coast of Spain.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘But, as good fortune seldom comes +pure and single, unattended or unpursued +by some troublesome and unexpected +circumstance, it was ordained +by Heaven, (perhaps, in consequence +of the curses imprecated by +the Moor upon his daughter; for +such curses are to be dreaded, let the +parent be what he will:) I say, Heaven +ordained, that when we were a good +way off at sea, with a flowing sheet, +three hours of the night being already +spent, the oars lashed up, because +the fair wind made it unnecessary +to use them, and the moon +shining with remarkable brightness; +we perceived a large round vessel +with all her sails out, steering a little +upon the wind, right athwart our +hause, and so near that we were +obliged to shorten sail, that she +might not run foul of us, while she +clapped her helm a-weather that we +might have time to pass: those upon +deck hailed us, asking who we were, +whence we came, and whither bound; +but, as they spoke in French, the +renegado said, “Let no man answer; +these are French privateers, +who make prize of every thing that +falls in their way.”</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Thus cautioned, we made no reply, +but sailed on, leaving the ship +a little to windward; when all of a +sudden, they discharged two pieces +of cannon, loaded, in all appearance, +with chain-shot: for one of +them cut away our mast in the middle; +which, with the sail, fell overboard +into the sea; and the other coming a +moment after, took us amidships, +and laid the side of the bark entirely +open, without doing any other mischief. +Seeing ourselves going to the +bottom, we began to cry aloud for +assistance, beseeching the people in +the ship to save us from perishing: +then they brought to, and hoisting +<span class='pageno' id='Page_240'>240</span>out their boat or pinnace, it was +instantly manned by a dozen of +Frenchmen, well armed with their +muskets, and lighted match, who +rowing up to us, and seeing how few +we were, as also that our bark was +on the point of foundering, took us +in, observing that this misfortune +had happened, because we had been +so uncivil as to refuse an answer to +their hail: while the renegado, without +being perceived, took up the +coffer in which Zorayda’s treasure +was contained, and threw it into +the sea. In short, we went onboard +with the French; who, when they +had informed themselves of every +thing we could impart, for their +purpose; as if they had been our +enemies, plundered us of all that we +had, taking from Zorayda the very +bracelets she wore upon her ancles. +But their behaviour to her gave me +the more anxiety, as I was afraid +that, after having pilfered all her +rich and precious jewels, they would +proceed to rob her of that which was +of greater value, and which she herself +esteemed infinitely more than all +the rest: but the desires of those +people extend no farther than to +money, and with that they can +never satiate their avarice, which +then engrossed them so much, that +they would even have robbed us of +the wretched garments we wore in +our captivity, if they could have +applied them to any sort of use; nay, +some among them proposed to wrap +us all together in a sail, and throw us +into the sea; because they intended +to trade in the ports of Spain, under +pretence of being Bretons, and if +they carried us thither alive, their +depredation would be discovered, +and themselves chastised accordingly. +But the captain, who had +with his own hands rifled my beloved +Zorayda, said, he was satisfied +with the prize he had got, and +resolved to touch at no port in Spain, +but pass the Straits of Gibraltar in +the night, or take the best opportunity +of so doing that should occur, +and return to Rochelle, from whence +he had sailed on the cruize; they, +therefore, agreed to give us their +boat, with what necessaries we should +want, to finish the little that remained +of our voyage: this promise +they actually performed the next day, +at a small distance from the Spanish +coast, at sight of which, all our poverty +and vexation vanished from +our remembrance, as if we had never +endured them; such is the transport +occasioned by liberty regained! It +might be about noon when we were +put into the boat, with two casks of +water and some biscuit; and the +captain, moved to compassion at the +distress of the lovely Zorayda, gave +her to the amount of forty crowns +in gold, and would not suffer his +soldiers to strip her of the cloaths +which she now wears: so that, at parting, +instead of complaining of the +hard usage we met with, we thanked +them kindly for the benefit we had +received at their hands. They steered +right before the wind for the Straits, +while we, without minding any other +compass than that of the land that +appeared a-head, plied our oars so vigorously, +that at sun-set we were near +enough to conclude, that we could +easily reach the shore before the night +should be far advanced; but that +night being dark, without any moonshine, +and every body on board ignorant +of the coast, some of our company +judged it unsafe to row ashore, +while others insisted upon our running +that hazard, even if we should land +among rocks, or in some uninhabited +part of the country, that we might be +secured from the just apprehension of +meeting with some rovers from Tetuan, +who are frequently in the beginning +of the night in Barbary, and in +the morning on the Spanish coast, +where having taken a prize, they return +the same day, and sleep at home +in their own houses. Of these contrary +opinions, we chose that of rowing +gently towards the shore, with intent, +if the smoothness of the sea would +permit, to land at the first convenient +place. In consequence of this resolution, +a little before midnight we +arrived at the foot of a huge and lofty +mountain, though not so rocky towards +the sea but that there was a +little space left for commodious landing. +The boat being run ashore, and +all of us disembarked, we kissed the +ground, and with tears of unutterable +joy, returned sincere thanks to our +gracious Lord, for his unparalleled +protection vouchsafed to us in the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_241'>241</span>voyage: then we took out the provision, +and dragging her on shore, ascended +a vast way up the mountain; +not being as yet able to quiet our apprehensions, +or persuade ourselves, +though it actually was so, that the soil +we trod was Christian ground. The +day broke much later than we could +have wished, and about this time we +gained the summit of the mountain; +purposing to look from thence for +some village or shepherd-huts; but, +although we viewed the whole country +around, we could neither discern +village, house, highway, path, nor +the least trace of human footsteps. +Nevertheless, we determined to penetrate +farther into the country, since +it could not be long before we should +discover some person who would give +information; but what gave me +the greatest concern was, to see Zorayda +travelling on foot among the +flinty rocks: for though I sometimes +took her on my shoulders, she was +much more fatigued with seeing me +weary, than refreshed by finding herself +exempted from walking, and +therefore would not allow me to take +any more trouble of that kind, but +proceeded with infinite chearfulness +and patience, while I led her by the +hand all the way.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘In this manner we had gone about +a quarter of a league, when our ears +were saluted by the sound of a small +sheep-bell, which was a sure sign of +a flock’s being somewhere not far off: +looking therefore attentively to discover +it, we perceived a young shepherd, +sitting with great composure at +the root of a cork-tree, smoothing a +stick with his knife. When we called +to him he raised his head, and +started nimbly up; and, as we afterwards +understood, the renegade and +Zorayda, who were in Moorish dress, +being the first objects that presented +themselves to his eyes, he thought all +the corsairs of Barbary were upon +him, and running with incredible +swiftness into a wood that grew near +the place where he was, he began to +cry as loud as he could bawl, “The +Moors! The Moors are landed! The +Moors! The Moors! to arms, to +arms!” These exclamations threw +us all into a perplexity; but reflecting +that his cries would alarm the country, +and that the cavalry of the coast would +immediately come and see what was +the matter; it was agreed, that the +renegade should pull off his Turkish +robes, and put on a slave’s jacket, +with which one of our company accommodated +him, though he himself +remained in his shirt. This being +done, we recommended ourselves to +God, and followed the same road +which we saw the shepherd take, expecting +every moment to see ourselves +surrounded by the cavalry of +the coast. Neither were we deceived +in our expectation; for in less than +two hours, having crossed those thickets, +and entered a plain on the other +side, we descried about fifty horsemen +riding briskly towards us, at a hand-gallop; +upon which we halted until +they should come up: but when they +arrived, and instead of the Moors +they came in quest of beheld so many +poor Christian captives, they were +utterly confounded; and one of them +asked, if we were the people who had +been the occasion of a shepherd’s calling +to arms. I answered in the affirmative, +and being desirous of telling +him who we were, whence we came, +and what had happened to us, one +of our company knew the horseman +who accosted us, and without giving +me time to speak another word, said, +“Thanks be to God, gentlemen, for +having conducted us to such an agreeable +part of the country; for, if I am +not mistaken, the ground we now +tread belongs to Velez Malaga—and, +if the years of my captivity have not +impaired my remembrance, you, Signior, +who ask that question, are Pedro +Bustamante, my uncle.”</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Scarce had the captive pronounced +these words, when the cavalier threw +himself from his horse, and ran to +embrace the young man; saying, +“Dear nephew of my life and soul! I +now recollect thee; thy supposed +death has been mourned by myself, +my sister, thy mother, and all thy +relations, who are still alive; for +Heaven hath been pleased to spare +their lives, that they might enjoy the +pleasure of seeing thee again. I knew +thou wast at Algiers, and from the +information of thy habit, and that +of all your company, I guess you +have made a miraculous escape.”—“Your +conjecture is true,” replied the +young man, “and we shall have time +<span class='pageno' id='Page_242'>242</span>to recount the particulars.” As soon +as the horsemen understood we were +Christian captives, they alighted, and +each of them made a tender of his +horse to carry us to the city of Velez +Malaga, which was about a league +and a half from the place where they +found us. Some of them went to +bring the boat round to the city, after +we had told them where she lay; others +took us up behind them; and Zorayda +rode with the Christian’s uncle. +All the people came out to receive us, +being apprized of our arrival, by one +of the troopers who had pushed on before; +not that they were surprized +at the sight of the captives freed, or +Moors in captivity, for the inhabitants +on that coast are accustomed to +see great numbers of both; but they +were amazed at the beauty of Zorayda +which was at that instant in full +perfection; the fatigue of her journey, +co-operating with the joy the felt +in seeing herself in a Christian country, +without the fear of being lost, +having produced such a bloom upon her +countenance, that, unless I was then +prejudiced by my affection, I will +venture to say, the world never produced, +at least I had never seen, a +more beautiful creature.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘We went directly to church, to +make our acknowledgments to God +for his mercies; and as soon as Zorayda +entered, she said she perceived +some faces that resembled Lela Marien: +we told her these were the images +of the blessed Virgin; and the renegado, +as well as he could, informed +her of their signification, that she might +adore them, as if each was actually the +person of Lela Marien, who had spoke +to her; so that, having naturally a +good understanding, with a docile and +discerning disposition; she easily comprehended +what he said upon the subject. +From thence they conducted us +to our lodgings in different families +of the town; the renegado, Zorayda, +and I, being invited by the Christian +who escaped with us, to the house of +his father, who was moderately provided +with the good things of this life, +and treated us with the same affection +he expressed for his own son. Six days +we tarried at Velez, during which the +renegado having informed himself of +what was necessary for him to do, +went to the city of Grenada, there, +by means of the holy inquisition, to +be re-admitted into the bosom of our +most sacred church: the rest of our +company departed, each for his own +home; leaving Zorayda and me by +ourselves, destitute of every thing but +the few crowns which she received +from the courtesy or the French corsair. +With part of these I bought +the animal on which she arrived at +this inn, and hitherto have cherished +her with the affection of a parent, +and the service of a squire, without +using the prerogative of a husband; +we are now upon the road to the place +of my nativity, to see if my father be +still alive, and if either of my brothers +has been more fortunate than +myself; though, as heaven hath made +Zorayda my companion for life, fortune +could not have possibly bestowed +upon me any other favour which I +should have valued at so high a rate. +The patience with which she bears +the inconveniences attending poverty, +and the zeal she manifests to become +a Christian, is so great and extraordinary, +as to raise my admiration, +and engage me to serve her all the +days of my life; but the pleasure I +take in this office, and in the prospect +of seeing her mine, is disturbed and +perverted, by reflecting that possibly +in my own country I shall not find a +corner in which I can shelter the dear +object of my love; and that time or +death may have made such alterations +in the fortune and lives of my father +and his other children, that I shall +scarce meet with a soul that knows +me.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘This, gentlemen, is the substance +of my story; whether or not it be agreeable +and uncommon, I leave to +the decision of your better judgment; +assuring you, that I wish I could have +related it more succinctly, though the +fear of tiring you hath made me suppress +a good number of circumstances.’</p> + +<h4 id='chap2-4-15' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='fifteen'>XV.</abbr> <br> OF WHAT FARTHER HAPPENED AT THE INN,<br> WITH MANY OTHER PARTICULARS WORTHY TO BE KNOWN.</h4> +<p class='c004'>Here the captive left off speaking; +and Don Fernando said to him, +‘Really, Signior Captain, the novelty +<span class='pageno' id='Page_243'>243</span>of your strange adventures is equalled +by your agreeable manner of relating +them. Your whole story is uncommon, +surprizing, and full of incidents +that keep the hearers in admiration +and suspence; and such is the pleasure +we have received from it, that though +the narration should have continued +till to-morrow morning, we should rejoice +at your beginning it anew.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>When this compliment was passed, +Cardenio, and all the rest of the company, +offered to serve him to the utmost +of their power, with such affectionate +and sincere expressions of friendship, +that the captain was extremely well satisfied +of their good-will. Don Fernando, +in particular, promised, that +if he would go home with him, his +brother the marquis should stand godfather +to Zorayda; and that he, for +his part, would accommodate him in +such a manner, that he should return to +the place of his nativity with that authority +and ease to which he was intitled +by his birth and merit. The captive +thanked him in the most courteous manner, +but declined accepting any of his +generous offers.</p> + +<p class='c005'>It was now night, when a coach arrived +at the inn, attended by some men +on horseback, who demanded lodging; +and the landlady made answer, that +there was not in the whole house an +handful of room unengaged. ‘Be +that as it will,’ said one of the horsemen, +who had entered the gate, ‘there +must be some found for my lord +judge.’ At mention of that name +the hostess was disturbed, saying, ‘Signior, +the greatest difficulty is my want +of beds; but if his lordship hath +brought one along with him, as I suppose +he hath, he is very welcome to +come in: I and my husband will quit +our own apartment to accommodate +his worship.’—‘Be it so,’ said the +attendant. By this time a person had +alighted from the coach, who, by his +garb, immediately shewed the nature +of his rank and office; for his long +robe, with high sleeves tucked up, +plainly distinguished him to be a judge, +as the servant had affirmed. He led +by the hand a young lady seemingly +sixteen years of age, dressed in a riding +suit, and so sprightly, beautiful, +and genteel, as to raise the admiration +of all who beheld her: so that those +who had not seen Dorothea, Lucinda, +and Zorayda then present, would have +thought it a very difficult talk to find +another woman of equal beauty. Don +Quixote seeing the judge and young +lady as they entered, pronounced with +great solemnity, ‘Your worship may +securely enter and recreate yourself in +this castle, which, though narrow and +inconvenient, there is no narrowness +and inconvenience in this world, but +what will make room for arms and +letters, especially if they have for their +guide and conductor such beauty as +that which accompanies the letters of +your worship, in the person of that +amiable young lady, to whom not only +castles ought to open and unfold their +gates, but also rocks divide, and +mountains bow their heads at her approach. +Enter, I say, this paradise, +where you will find stars and suns to +accompany that heaven which you +have brought hither. Here you will +find arms in perfection, and beauty +in excess!’</p> + +<p class='c005'>The judge marvelled greatly at this +address of the knight, whom he earnestly +considered, no less surprized at +his figure than his words, without +knowing what reply to make, so much +was he confounded at both; when he +was relieved by the appearance of +Lucinda, Dorothea, and Zorayda; +who, upon hearing the news of their +arrival, and the landlady’s description +of the young beauty, had come out to +welcome and receive her: the beauteous +ladies of the inn welcomed this +beauteous damsel; while Don Fernando, +Cardenio, and the curate, +paid their compliments to the judge, +in the most civil and polite terms. +He was more and more astonished at +what he saw and heard, though he +could easily perceive that his fellow-lodgers +were persons of rank and consequence: +but the mien, visage, and +figure of Don Quixote, baffled all +his conjectures. Compliments having +thus passed on all sides, and the +conveniences of the inn being duly +considered, it was agreed, as before, +that all the ladies should sleep together +in the fore-mentioned apartment, +and the men sit in another room to +guard them. The judge was very +well satisfied, that his daughter (for +such the young maiden was) should +lodge with the other ladies, she herself +willingly consenting to the proposal; +<span class='pageno' id='Page_244'>244</span>and what with part of the +inn-keeper’s narrow bed, and the +half of that which the judge brought +along with him, they made shift to +pass the night more agreeably than +they expected.</p> + +<p class='c005'>The captive, who, from the first +moment he beheld the judge, felt his +heart throb with a sort of intimation +that this was his own brother, asked +of one of the servants that attended +him, his master’s name, with the +place of his nativity. The footman +replied, that his name was the licentiate +Juan Perez de Viedma; and +born, as he had been informed, in +the mountains of Leon. This information, +together with what he himself +had before observed, confirmed +him in the opinion, that he was his +brother, who by his father’s advice +had followed his studies. Transported +with this discovery, he called aside +Don Fernando, the curate, and Cardenio, +to whom he imparted the affair, +and assured them that the judge was his +own brother by the servant’s report, +so far on his way to the West Indies, +in quality of supreme judge of Mexico. +He understood also by the same canal, +that the young lady was his daughter, +whose birth had cost the mother her +life; and that he was very much enriched +by his wife’s fortune, which +had been settled on the children of the +marriage. The captive therefore consulted +them about the method he +should take to make himself known, +or rather to be assured before-hand +whether upon the discovery his brother +would be ashamed of his poverty, +or receive him with the bowels of affection. +‘Leave that talk to my conduct, +Signior Captain,’ said the curate; +‘though there is all the reason +in the world to believe that you will +meet with a brotherly reception: for +the virtue and prudence that appear +in his courteous demeanor give no +indications of his being proud and +unnatural, but rather declare that he +knows how to consider the accidents +of fortune in the right point of +view.’—‘Nevertheless,’ replied the +captain, ‘I would not willingly disclose +myself of a sudden, but prepare +him by some round-about insinuation.’—‘I +have already told you,’ +answered the curate, ‘that I will manage +the affair to your mutual satisfaction.’ +By this time, the cloth +being laid<a id='r106'></a><a href='#f106' class='c008'><sup>[106]</sup></a>, and every body sat down +to table, except the captive and the +ladies, who supped in their own apartment, +the curate addressed himself to +the judge, saying—‘I had once a +comrade of your lordship’s name at +Constantinople, where I was a slave +for many years. He was one of the +bravest soldiers and best officers in +the Spanish infantry, but his misfortunes +were equal to his valour and +ability.’——‘Dear Sir,’ cried the +judge, ‘what was that officer’s +name?’—‘He was called Ruy Perez +de Viedma,’ replied the priest, +‘and a native of some town in the +mountains of Leon. He told me a +circumstance that happened between +his father, two brothers, and himself, +which, had it not been affirmed by a +person of his veracity, I should have +looked upon as one of those tales +which old women tell by the fire-side +in winter; for he said his father divided +his estate equally among his three +sons, whom he at the same time enriched +with advice more salutary than +any that ever Cato gave. This I +know, the choice he made of going +into the army succeeded so +well, that in a few years, by his gallant +behaviour, and without any other +assistance than that of his extraordinary +virtue, he rose to be captain of +foot, and saw himself in the straight +road of becoming a field officer very +soon: but there, where he had reason +to expect the smiles of fortune, she +proved most unkind; he having lost +her, with his liberty, on that glorious +day of the battle at Lepanto, in +which it was found by so many +Christians. I was taken in the goleta; +and, after various vicissitudes, +we happened to be fellow-slaves at +Constantinople, from whence he was +transported to Algiers, where he met +with one of the strangest adventures +that ever was known.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Then the curate briefly recapitulated +the story of Zorayda, to which +the judge listened with more attention +than ever he had yielded on the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_245'>245</span>bench<a id='r107'></a><a href='#f107' class='c008'><sup>[107]</sup></a>. But the priest brought it no +farther than the period when the French +corsairs plundered the Christians who +were in the bark, describing the poverty +and distress to which they had reduced +his comrade and the beautiful Moor; +and observing that he did not know +what farther befel them, nor whether +they had arrived in Spain, or been carried +into France.</p> + +<p class='c005'>The captain stood at some distance +behind, listening to what the curate said, +and observing the emotions of his brother; +who, seeing that the curate had +made an end of his story, uttered a profound +sigh, saying, while the tears +gushed from his eyes, ‘O Signior! if +you knew how nearly I am concerned +in what you have related, you would +not wonder at these tears, which, in +spite of all my fortitude and discretion, +trickle from mine eyes. That +valiant captain whom you have mentioned +is my father’s eldest son, who +being more brave and noble-minded +than my youngest<a id='r108'></a><a href='#f108' class='c008'><sup>[108]</sup></a> brother and me, +chose the honourable exercise of arms, +which was one of the three paths proposed +by our father in his advice, as +you seem to have been informed by +your companion in adversity. I followed +that of letters, in which God +hath been pleased to reward my diligence +with that station which you see +I now maintain: my younger brother +is at present in Peru, so rich, that his +remittances to my father and me have +made large amends for the small sum +he carried with him at first; and even +enabled the old gentleman fully to +indulge his liberal disposition, impowering +me also to prosecute my studies +with more honour and decency, +until I acquired the post I now enjoy. +My father is still alive, though daily +pining with the desire of hearing from +his eldest son, and putting up petitions +to Heaven incessantly, that his +own eyes may not be closed for ever +until he shall have seen those of his first-born +in life. What gives me a great +deal of surprize is, that a person of +his discretion should, in the midst of +such trouble and affliction, or even +in his prosperity, omit writing to his +father; for if he, or either of us, had +known his situation, he should have +had no occasion to wait for the miracle +of the cane in obtaining his liberty; +but at present the uncertainty +of his fate gives me the greatest concern, +as it is doubtful whether those +French have set him at liberty, or +taken away his life to conceal their +robbery. This apprehension will +convert the joy and satisfaction with +which I undertook my journey into +melancholy and despondence.—O my +dear brother! would to Heaven I +knew where thou art, that I might +go and free thee from all trouble and +affliction, though at the expence of +my own! Who shall carry the news +of thy being alive to our aged father, +that although thou art shut up in the +deepest dungeon of Barbary, thou +mayest be delivered by my brother’s +riches and my own!—O generous and +lovely Zorayda! who shall requite +thy benevolence to my brother, be +present at the regeneration of thy +soul, and assist at the nuptials which +would afford such pleasure to us all!’</p> + +<p class='c005'>These and many other exclamations +the judge pronounced with such symptoms +of sorrow at the news he had +received of his brother, that all the +hearers sympathized with him in the +expressions of his grief. The curate, +seeing every thing succeed to his own +expectation, and the captain’s desire, +was unwilling to protract the judge’s +anguish, and the impatience of the +whole company; so rising from the +table, and going into the other apartment, +he led out Zorayda, who was +followed by Lucinda, Dorothea, and +the young lady lately arrived; then, +taking in his other hand the captain, +who stood waiting to see what he intended, +he went into the room, where +the judge and the rest of the gentlemen +sat, and presenting them both, +said, ‘Dry your tears, my lord judge, +and enjoy the completion of your +wish; behold your worthy brother, +and virtuous sister-in-law: this is +Captain Viedma, and that the beautiful +Moor who behaved so generously +to him in his distress: the French +<span class='pageno' id='Page_246'>246</span>corsairs have reduced them to this +extremity, that you may have an opportunity +of displaying the liberality +of your noble breast.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>The captain ran to embrace his +brother, who kept him off with both +hands fixed on his shoulders, that he +might consider him the more attentively; +but no sooner did he recollect his +features, than he flew into his arms, +and shed a flood of tears of joy, while +the greatest part of those who were present +wept in concert at the affecting +scene. The expressions of both the +brothers, and their mutual demonstrations +of affection, are, I believe, scarce +to be conceived, much less described. +They briefly recounted their adventures +to each other, and manifested the genuine +flame of fraternal affection. There the +judge embraced Zorayda, making her +a tender of all his wealth; there he +commanded his daughter to receive her +with open arms; there the mutual caresses +of the beautiful Christian and +lovely Moor renewed the tears of the +whole company; there Don Quixote +silently observed these surprising accidents, +which he wholly attributed to +the chimeras of knight-errantry; there it +was concerted that the captain and Zorayda +should return to Seville with his +brother, from whence they could advertise +their father of the liberty and arrival +of his son; that the old gentleman being +still able to undertake such a journey, +might come and be present at the +baptism and nuptials of his daughter-in-law; +as it would be impossible for +the judge to go far out of his way, because +he was informed, that in a month +the flota would set sail from Seville for +New Spain; and it would be extremely +inconvenient for him to lose his passage. +In short, the whole company were exceedingly +rejoiced at the captive’s good +fortune; and two-thirds of the night +being already exhausted, they agreed +to retire and repose themselves during +the remaining part of it; while Don +Quixote undertook to guard the castle +from the assaults of any giant or wicked +adventurer that might possibly covet +the vast treasure of beauty which it contained. +Those of his acquaintance +thanked him for his courteous offer, +and afterwards gave an account of his +strange disorder to the judge, who was +not a little diverted with the detail of +his extravagance. Sancho Panza alone +was distracted at their sitting up so late: +though, in point of lodging, he was +better accommodated than all the rest; +for he made his bed of the furniture of +his ass, which cost him so dear, as will +hereafter be seen.</p> + +<p class='c005'>The ladies having retired to their +apartment, and every other person disposed +of himself as tolerably as he +could, Don Quixote went out to keep +guard at the castle gate, according to +his promise; and a little before morning, +the ladies were serenaded by a +voice so clear and well tuned, as to +attract the attention of them all, especially +of Dorothea, who was awake, +and lay in the same bed with Donna +Clara de Viedma, the judge’s daughter. +Nobody could imagine who the +singer was, the voice being single, and +unaccompanied by any instrument, +and seeming to come sometimes from +the stable, and sometimes from the +court-yard. While they listened with +equal surprize and attention, Cardenio +came to the door, saying, ‘You that +are not asleep, take notice, and you +will hear the voice of a mule-driver, +who chaunts most enchantingly.’ +When Dorothea told him that +they had heard it already, he went +away; while she, employing her whole +attention, when he began to sing again, +could plainly distinguish the following +words.</p> + +<h4 id='chap2-4-16' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='sixteen'>XVI.</abbr> <br> THE AGREEABLE STORY OF THE YOUNG MULETEER, WITH MANY OTHER STRANGE INCIDENTS THAT HAPPENED IN THE INN.</h4> +<div class='lg-container-b c015'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><abbr title='one'>I.</abbr></div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘Toss’d in a sea of doubts and fears,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Love’s hapless mariner I sail,</div> + <div class='line'>Where no inviting port appears,</div> + <div class='line in2'>To screen me from the stormy gale.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><abbr title='two'>II.</abbr></div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘At distance view’d, a chearing star</div> + <div class='line in2'>Conducts me thro’ the swelling tide;</div> + <div class='line'>A brighter luminary, far,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Than Palinurus e’er descry’d.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><abbr title='three'>III.</abbr></div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘My soul, attracted by its blaze,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Still follows where it points the way,</div> + <div class='line'>And while attentively I gaze,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Considers not how far I stray.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_247'>247</span><abbr title='four'>IV.</abbr></div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘But female pride, reserv’d and shy,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Like clouds that deepen on the day,</div> + <div class='line'>Oft shroud it from my longing eye,</div> + <div class='line in2'>When most I need the genial ray.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><abbr title='five'>V.</abbr></div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘O lovely star, so pure and bright!</div> + <div class='line in2'>Whole splendour feeds my vital fire;</div> + <div class='line'>The moment thou deny’st thy light,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Thy lost adorer will expire!’</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>Here the musician pausing, Dorothea +thought it was pity Clara should +not hear such an excellent voice; therefore, +by gently jogging, she waked her, +saying, ‘I ask pardon, my dear Clara, +for disturbing you; but my intention +in so doing, was to regale you with +one of the best voices that ever you +heard.’ Clara, being still half asleep, +did not at first understand what she said, +which, at her desire, Dorothea repeated; +and the young lady listened accordingly; +but scarce had she heard two +lines of the song, which was now resumed, +when she began to tremble as +violently as if she had been seized with +a severe fit of the ague, saying, while +she hugged Dorothea, ‘Ah! dear lady +of my life and soul, why did you +wake me? The greatest favour that +fortune could at present bestow, would +be to keep both my eyes and ears fast +shut, that I might neither see nor hear +that unfortunate musician.’—‘What +do you mean, my dear child?’ answered +Dorothea; ‘consider what you say; +he that sings is a young muleteer!’—‘Ah, +no!’ replied Clara, ‘he is a +young gentleman of great fortune, +and so much master of my heart, +that unless he quits it of his own +accord, it shall remain eternally in +his possession.’ Dorothea was surprized +at this passionate declaration of +such a young creature, who seemed to +have so much more sensibility than could +be expected from her tender years; and +said to her, ‘Truly, Donna Clara, you +talk in such a manner that I do not +understand you. Pray explain yourself, +and tell me the meaning of those +expressions, about fortune and heart, +and that musician whose voice hath +thrown you into such disorder: but +say no more at present; for I would +not, by attending to your transports, +lose the pleasure of hearing the singer, +who now seems to be tuning his voice, +and preparing to give us another +song.’—‘With all my heart,’ said +Clara, stopping her ears with her fingers, +to the farther admiration of Dorothea, +who listening attentively, heard +the musician proceed in these words:</p> +<div class='lg-container-b c015'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><abbr title='one'>I.</abbr></div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘Aspiring Hope, thou, unconfin’d,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Pursu’st th’ imaginary path,</div> + <div class='line'>Thro’ woods, and rocks, and waves combin’d,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Defying danger, toil, and death.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><abbr title='two'>II.</abbr></div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘No laurel shall adorn his brow,</div> + <div class='line in2'>No happiness the sluggard crown;</div> + <div class='line'>Who tamely can to fortune bow,</div> + <div class='line in2'>And slumber on th’ inglorious down.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><abbr title='three'>III.</abbr></div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘The joys unmatch’d bestow’d by love,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Can never be too dearly priz’d;</div> + <div class='line'>For undeny’d examples prove,</div> + <div class='line in2'>What’s cheaply bought, is soon despis’d.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><abbr title='four'>IV.</abbr></div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘Success, by the consenting fair,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Is oft to perseverance given;</div> + <div class='line'>Then wherefore should my soul despair</div> + <div class='line in2'>Of mounting from this earth to Heaven!’</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>Here the voice ended, and Clara’s +sighs beginning afresh, kindled Dorothea’s +curiosity to know the cause of +such agreeable musick and grievous lamentation; +she therefore now desired +to hear what her bed-fellow had before +proffered to impart. Then Clara, fearful +of being overheard by Lucinda, crept +close to Dorothea, and applying her +mouth to her ear, so that she could securely +speak without being perceived, +‘Dear Madam,’ said she, ‘that singer +is the son of an Arragonian gentleman, +who is lord of two towns, and +when at court lives opposite to my father’s +house; and although our windows +are covered with canvas in +winter, and lattices in summer, I +know not how this young gentleman, +while he prosecuted his studies, got +sight of me, either at church or somewhere +else; and, in short, being smitten, +disclosed his passion from the +windows of his own apartment, by so +many tears and significant expressions, +that I believed him sincere, and even +loved him in my turn, without knowing +the nature of my own desires. +Among other signs, he made that of +<span class='pageno' id='Page_248'>248</span>joining his hands, giving me to understand +that he would take me to +wife; and though I should have been +extremely glad to comply with that +proposal, as I was alone and motherless, +I had nobody to consult, and +therefore let it rest, without granting +him any other favour, except +(when his father and mine were +abroad) that of lifting up the canvas +or lattice, that he might have a more +perfect view of my person; and this +condescension always transported him +so much, that I was afraid he would +have run stark mad with joy. In the +midst of this commerce, the time of +my father’s departure drew near, of +which being informed, though not by +me, for I never had an opportunity +of telling him, he fell sick, as I understand, +of grief, so that when we +set out I could not see him, as I wished, +to indulge one parting look; but, +having travelled two days, just as I +entered the place at which we lodged +last night, I perceived him standing +at the gate, disguised so naturally +in the habit of a muleteer, that it +would have been impossible for me +to know him, had not his image been +so deeply imprinted on my soul. The +sight of him filled me with joy and +surprize; and he gazed upon me by +stealth, unperceived by my father, +from whom he always conceals his +face when he crosses the road before +me, or is obliged to appear at the inns +where we lodge. Knowing, therefore, +who he is, and that he travels on +foot, undergoing so much hardship +and fatigue for love of me, I am half +dead with grief and anxiety, and +wheresoever he sets his feet, there I +fix my pitying eyes. I know not +what he intends by thus following +me, nor how he could manage to +escape from his father, who loves him +tenderly, because he has no heir but +him; and the young gentleman deserves +all his affection, as you will +perceive when you see him. I can +moreover assure you, what he sings is +the product of his own head; for I +have been told that he is a great scholar, +and an excellent poet; every time +I behold him or hear him sing, I start +and tremble from head to foot, being +afraid that he will be known by my +father, and thus our mutual love be +discovered; for, though I never spoke +to him in my life, my passion is so +violent, that without him I shall not +be able to live. This, dear Madam, +is all I can say concerning that musician, +whose voice hath given you +such pleasure, and is alone sufficient +to convince you that he is not a muleteer, +but the lord of towns and hearts, +as I have described him.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Enough, Donna Clara,’ said Dorothea, +kissing her with great affection; +‘say no more, but wait with patience +till the approach of a new day, when +I hope in God to manage matters so +well as to bring such a virtuous beginning +to an happy end.’—‘Ah, +Madam!’ replied the young lady, +‘what happy end can be expected, seeing +his father is a man of such rank +and fortune, that he would think me +unworthy to be the servant, much less +the wife of his son! and as to marrying +him without my own father’s +consent, I would not do it for the +whole universe. All I desire is, that +the young gentleman would return; +perhaps his absence, and the length of +the journey we have undertaken, will +alleviate the uneasiness I at present +felt, though I must own I believe that +remedy will have small effect. I cannot +conceive what the deuce is the +matter with me; nor how this same +love got entrance into my heart, considering +how young we both are; for +I really believe we are of the same +age, and my father says, that till +Michaelmas next, I shall not be sixteen.’ +Dorothea could not help +laughing at these innocent observations +of Donna Clara; to whom she said, +‘Let us sleep, my dear, during the +little that I believe remains of the +night; God will grant us a new day, +and if my skill fails me not, every +thing will succeed to our wish.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>They accordingly went to rest, and a +general silence prevailed over the whole +house, in which there was not a soul +awake, except the innkeeper’s daughter +and her maid Maritornes, who by this +time being acquainted with the extravagant +humour of Don Quixote, and +knowing that he was then without the +gate, keeping guard in arms and on +horseback, determined to play some trick +upon him, or at least divert themselves +in listening to his folly.</p> + +<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_249'>249</span>The inn chancing to have no window +nor opening towards the field, but +a hole through which they took in their +straw; this pair of demi-ladies<a id='r109'></a><a href='#f109' class='c008'><sup>[109]</sup></a> there +took their station, and observed Don +Quixote, who sat on horseback, leaning +upon his lance, and breathing from time +to time such profound and doleful sighs, +as seemed to tear his very soul; they +likewise heard him pronounce, in a soft, +complacent, and amorous tone, ‘O my +dear mistress, Dulcinea del Toboso! +thou perfection of beauty, scope and +sum total of discretion, cabinet of +good humour, depository of virtue, +and lastly, the idea of all that is useful, +chaste, and delectable in this life! +in what art thou at present employed? +Art thou reflecting upon thy captive +knight, who voluntarily subjects himself +to such dangers, with the sole +view of serving thee? Give me some +information of my love, thou three-faced +luminary! who now, perhaps, +with envious eyes, beholdest her walking +through some gallery of her sumptuous +palace, or leaning over some +balcony, revolving in her mind, how, +without impairing the delicacy of her +honour, she may asswage the torments +that this heart endures on her account; +how she may crown my sufferings +with glory; my care with +comfort; in fine, my death with new +life, and my service with reward; and +thou, sun, who by this time must be +busy in harnessing thy steeds to light +the world, and enjoy the sight of her +who is the sovereign of my soul, I +entreat thee to salute her in my behalf; +but, in thy salutation, beware +of touching her amiable countenance, +else I shall be more jealous of thee +than ever thou wast of that nimble ingrate, +who made thee sweat so much +along the plains of Thessaly, or banks +of Peneus, for I do not remember +through which thou ran’st, so jealous +and enamoured.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>So far had the knight proceeded in +this piteous exclamation, when the innkeepers +daughter whispered softly, ‘Sir +knight, will your worship be pleased +to come this way?’ Hearing this invitation, +he lifted up his eyes, and by +the light of the moon, which was then +in full splendour, perceived them beckon +to him from the straw-hole, which he +mistook for a window adorned with +gilded bars, suitable to the grandeur of +such a magnificent castle as the inn appeared; +then his crazy imagination instantly +suggested, as before, that the +beauteous damsel, daughter of the constable, +being captivated by his person, +intended again to solicit his love. On +this supposition, that he might not seem +discourteous or ungrateful, he turned +Rozinante, and riding up to the hole, no +sooner perceived the two lasses, than he +said, ‘I am extremely concerned, most +beautiful lady, that you have fixed +your amorous inclinations where it is +impossible they should meet with that +return which is due to your rank and +qualifications; but you ought not to +impute your disappointment to any +fault in me, whom love hath rendered +incapable of yielding my heart to any +other but to her, who at first sight +took absolute possession of my soul. +Pardon my refusal, honoured Madam, +and retire to your apartment, without +seeking to explain your sentiments +more fully, that I may not appear insensible +or ungrateful; and if your +love can find in me the power of giving +you any other sort of satisfaction, you +may freely command my service; for +I swear by that absent and amiable +enemy of mine, to gratify your wish +immediately; even if you should desire +to have a lock of Medusa’s hair, +which was altogether composed of +snakes, or the rays of the sun confined +in a phial.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Sir knight,’ answered Maritornes, +‘my lady has no occasion for either of +these things.’—‘What then is your +lady’s pleasure, discreet duenna?’ resumed +the knight. ‘Only the favour +of one of your beautiful hands,’ replied +Maritornes, ‘with which she may, +in some measure, indulge the longing +desire that brought her to the straw-hole, +so much to the danger of her +reputation, that if she should be detected +by her father, the first slice of +his indignation would cost her an ear +at least.’—‘I would fain see him take +that liberty,’ said Don Quixote; ‘but +he will take care to refrain from any +such acts of barbarity, unless he +has a mind I should bring him to the +most calamitous exit that ever happened +to a father, for having laid violent +<span class='pageno' id='Page_250'>250</span>hands upon the delicate members +of his enamoured daughter.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Maritornes concluding that he would +certainly grant the request, and having +already determined on what she was to +do, ran down to the stable, and laid +hold of the halter belonging to Sancho’s +ass, with which she instantly returned, +just when Don Quixote had made shift +to set his feet on the saddle that he might +reach the gilded window, at which he +imagined the wounded damsel was +standing: presenting therefore his hand, +‘Receive, Madam,’ said he, ‘that hand, +or rather that chastiser of all evil-doers; +receive, I say, that hand, +which was never touched by any +other woman, not even by her who is +in possession of my whole body. I +do not present it to be kissed; but +that you may contemplate the contexture +of its nerves, the knittings +of the muscles, the large and swelling +veins, from whence you may conjecture +what strength must reside in the +arm to which it belongs.’—‘That +we shall see presently,’ said Maritornes; +who having made a running +knot on the halter, fixed it upon his +wrist, and descending from the hole, +made fast the other end to the bolt of the +hay-loft door. The knight feeling the +roughness of this bracelet, said, ‘Your +ladyship seems to rasp rather than to +clasp thy hand; do not treat it so +cruelly; for it is not to blame for +what you suffer, from my inclination; +nor is it just that such a small +part should bear the whole brunt of +your indignation; consider, that one +who is such a friend to love, ought not +to be so attached to revenge.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>All these expostulations of Don Quixote +were uttered in vain; for as soon as +Maritornes had tied him up, she and her +companion, ready to expire with laughing, +left him fastened in such a manner, +that it was impossible for him to get +loose: thus, while he stood on Rozinante’s +back, with his whole arm thrust +up into the straw-hole, and fast tied to +the bolt of the door, he was in the utmost +apprehension and dread, that if his horse +should make the least motion to either +side, he must lose his support, and the +weight of his whole body hang by one +arm, so that he durst not venture to stir; +though he might have expected, from +the patience and peaceful disposition of +Rozinante, that he would stand motionless +for a whole century. In short, +finding himself thus tucked up, and +the ladies vanished, he imagined that +the whole had been effected by the power +of inchantment, which he had experienced +once before, in that same castle, +when he was belaboured by the inchanted +Moor of a carrier; and cursed, +within himself, his want of conduct +and discretion, in entering a second +time that fortress in which he had fared +so ill at first; it being a maxim among +knights-errant, that when they prove an +adventure, without success, they conclude +it is reserved for another, and +therefore think it unnecessary to make a +second trial. Nevertheless, he pulled +with intention to disengage his arm, +but he was so well secured, that all his +efforts were ineffectual; true it is, he +pulled with caution, that Rozinante +might not be disturbed; and though he +had a longing desire of sitting down upon +the saddle again, he found that he +must either continue in his present upright +posture, or part with his hand; +then he began to wish for the sword of +Amadis, against which no inchantment +could prevail; then cursed his fortune; +then exaggerated the loss which the +world would sustain, while he remained +inchanted, as he firmly believed himself to +be; then he reflected anew upon his beloved +Dulcinea del Toboso; then he called +to his trusty squire Sancho Panza, who, +stretched upon the pannel of his ass, +and buried in sleep, at that instant, retained +no remembrance of the mother +that bore him; then he implored the +assistance of the two sages, Lirgando and +Alquife; then he invoked his good +friend Urganda, for succour in his +distress; and, in fine, the morning +found him in that situation, so distracted +and perplexed, that he roared aloud like +a bull, without expecting that the day +would put an end to this disaster, which +he thought would be eternal, believing +himself actually inchanted: and this +opinion was confirmed, by his seeing +that Rozinante scarce offered to stir; +for he was persuaded, that in this manner, +without eating, drinking, or sleeping, +he and his horse would continue +until the evil influence of the stars should +pass over, or some other sage of superior +skill disengage them from their inchantment.</p> + +<p class='c005'>But for once he was mistaken in his +calculation; for day had scarce began +<span class='pageno' id='Page_251'>251</span>to dawn, when four men on horseback +arrived at the inn, well mounted, and +accoutred with carbines hanging at their +saddle-bows; the knight perceiving +from the place, where in spite of his +misfortune, he still kept guard, that +they thundered for entrance at the gate, +which was still shut, called in an arrogant +and haughty tone, ‘Knights or +squires, or whosoever you are, you +have no business to make such a noise +at the gate of this castle; for it is very +plain, that either the people within +are asleep, or unaccustomed, at these +hours, to open the fortress, which +you cannot enter before the sun rise. +Retire, therefore, and wait until the +day be farther advanced, and then we +shall see whether or not you have any +title to be admitted.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘What the devil of a fortress or +castle is this, that we must observe +such ceremony!’ said one of the company: +‘if you are the innkeeper, order +somebody to open the door; we are all +travellers, and only want to bait, that +we may forthwith proceed on our journey, +for we are in haste.’—‘Gentlemen,’ +replied Don Quixote, ‘do you think I +resemble an innkeeper?’—‘I don’t +know what you resemble,’ answered +the other, ‘but this I know, that you +talk nonsense in calling this inn a +castle.’—‘A castle it is,’ cried the +knight, ‘and one of the best in this +province; nay, at this very instant, it +contains those who have wore crowns +on their heads, and wielded sceptres in +their hands.’—‘Or rather the reverse,’ +said the traveller; ‘that is, the sceptre +on the head, and crown in the hand<a id='r110'></a><a href='#f110' class='c008'><sup>[110]</sup></a>: +but perhaps there may be within +some company of strollers, who frequently +wear these crowns and sceptres +you mention; for otherwise, in such a +sorry inn, without any sort of noise or +stir, I cannot believe that any persons +of such note would lodge.’—‘You +know little of the world,’ replied Don +Quixote, ‘since you are so ignorant of +the events that happen in knight-errantry.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>The other horsemen being tired with +this dialogue that passed between the +knight and their companion, began +again to knock and bawl with such vociferation, +that the landlord and all the +persons in the inn waking, rose to see +who called so furiously: about this time +one of the horses belonging to the travellers +drew near and smelled at Rozinante, +who, sad and melancholy, with +his ears hanging down, stood supporting +his outstretched master without stirring; +but at length, being made of +flesh, though he seemed to have been +carved out of a block, he was sensible of +the civility, and turned about to repay +the compliment to the courteous stranger; +and scarce had he moved one step, +when both his master’s feet slipping +from the saddle, he would have tumbled +to the ground had he not hung by his +arm, which endured such torture in the +shock, that he verily believed it was cut +off by the wrist, or torn away by the +shoulder. He was suspended so low, +that the tops of his toes almost touched +the ground; a circumstance that increased +his calamity: for feeling how +little he wanted of being firmly sustained, +he stretched and fatigued himself +with endeavouring to set his feet +upon the ground; like those wretches, +who, in undergoing the strappado, being +hoisted up a very little space, increase +their own torment by their eager +efforts to lengthen their bodies, misled +by the vain hope of reaching the +ground.</p> + +<h4 id='chap2-4-17' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='seventeen'>XVII.</abbr> <br> A CONTINUATION OF THE SURPRIZING EVENTS THAT HAPPENED IN THE INN.</h4> +<p class='c004'>Don Quixote actually made such +a hideous outcry, that the innkeeper +opened the door, and ran out to +see what was the matter; while the +strangers that remained without were +no less astonished at his bellowing. +Maritornes being also waked by the +same noise, conjectured what might be +the case, and going straight to the hay-loft +without being perceived, untied the +halter that sustained him, so that the +knight came to the ground in sight of +the landlord and strangers, who running +up, asked what was the matter with +him, and wherefore he cried so violently? +Without answering one word, he loosed +<span class='pageno' id='Page_252'>252</span>the tether from his wrist, and rising up, +mounted Rozinante, braced his target, +couched his lance, and making a pretty +large circuit in the field, returned at a +half gallop, pronouncing with great emphasis, +‘If any person whatever sayeth +that I have justly suffered inchantment, +I here with the permission of my Lady +Princess Micomicona give him the +lye, challenge, and defy him to single +combat.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>The travellers were amazed at his +words; but their astonishment abated +when the innkeeper told them who Don +Quixote was, observing that they ought +not to mind what he did, because he +was disordered in his brain: they then +asked if he had seen a youth about fifteen +years of age, dressed like a young +muleteer, with such and such marks, +giving an exact description of Donna +Clara’s lover. The landlord answered, +there were so many people in his house, +that he could not possibly distinguish the +person for whom they enquired; but +one of them perceiving the judge’s +coach, ‘He must certainly be here,’ +said he; ‘for this is the coach which +they say he followed: let one of us +stay at the door, and the rest go in to +search for him; it will also be proper +that one go round the whole house, +to prevent his escaping over the yard +wall.’ This plan being agreed upon, +two of them entered the inn, another +remained at the door, and the fourth +rode round the house to reconnoitre; +while the landlord observing every thing +that passed, could not conceive the +meaning of all this care and diligence, +although he believed they were in search +of the youth whom they had described. +By this time it was clear day-light, and +upon that account, as well as in consequence +of Don Quixote’s roaring, all +the company were awake, and got up, +especially Donna Clara and Dorothea, +who had slept very little that night; +the first being disturbed and alarmed by +reflecting that her lover was so near, and +the other kept awake by the desire of +seeing this pretended muleteer.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Don Quixote seeing that none of the +travellers took the least notice of him, +or made any answer to his defiance, was +transported with rage and vexation; and +if he could have recollected any law of +chivalry, authorizing a knight-errant to +undertake another enterprize while he +was under promise and oath to abstain +from any adventure until that in which +he was engaged was already atchieved, +he would have assaulted them all together, +and forced them to reply, contrary +to their inclination: but thinking it +was neither expedient nor just to begin +a new enterprize until he had re-established +the Princess Micomicona on her +throne, he chose to be silent, waiting to +see the effects of that diligence practised +by the new comers, one of whom found +the youth they came in quest of sleeping +by the side of a muleteer, and little +dreaming that any body was in search +of him, much less that he was in any +danger of being discovered. The man, +however, shook him by the arm, saying, +‘Truly, Signior Don Lewis, this is +a very suitable dress for one of your +quality, and the bed in which you +now lie extremely well-adapted to the +tenderness and delicacy in which your +mother brought you up.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>The youth rubbed his sleepy eyes, +and looking stedfastly at the person who +held him by the arm, no sooner perceived +that he was one of his father’s +servants, than he was so much surprized +and confounded, that for a good while +he could not speak one word; while the +domestick proceeded, saying, ‘At present, +Don Lewis, there is nothing +else to be done but to exert your patience +and return home, if you are +not resolved that your father and my +lady shall visit the other world; for +nothing else can be expected from +their anxiety at your absence.’—‘How +did my father get notice that I travelled +this road, and in this habit?’ +said Don Lewis. ‘A student,’ replied +the servant, ‘to whom you imparted +your intention, was so much moved +by the sorrow that took possession of +your parents the moment you were +missed, that he disclosed your scheme +to your father, who instantly dispatched +four of his domesticks in +search of you; and we are all here, at +your service, infinitely rejoiced that +we have now an opportunity of returning +speedily, and carrying you +back to the longing eyes of those by +whom you are so much beloved.’—‘That +may depend upon my own will, +and the appointment of Heaven,’ said +the young nobleman. ‘What should +you will, or Heaven ordain, but your +immediate return, which indeed you +cannot possibly avoid?’</p> + +<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_253'>253</span>All this conversation was overheard +by the muleteer with whom Don Lewis +lay, who got up immediately, and going +to Don Fernando, Cardenio, and +the ladies, who were already dressed, +told them how the man called his fellow-servant, +Don, and communicated +every thing that passed between them +concerning the domestick’s proposal of +conducting him home again, and the +youth’s refusal to comply with his desire. +This information, together with the +knowledge of that sweet voice with +which Heaven had endowed him, excited +in all the company a desire of +knowing more particularly who he was, +and even of assisting him, should they +offer any violence to his inclination: +for this purpose, therefore, they repaired +to the place where he still stood talking and +disputing with his father’s servant. At +the same time Dorothea coming out of +her apartment, followed by Donna Clara, +in the utmost confusion called Cardenio +aside, and briefly related to him the story +of the musician and the judge’s daughter; +and he in his turn informed her of +what passed on the arrival of his father’s +servants. This he spoke not so softly +but that he was overheard by Clara, +who was so much affected at the news, +that if Dorothea had not supported her, +she would have fallen to the ground; +but Cardenio desired them to retire into +their apartment, saying, he would endeavour +to set every thing to rights, +and they accordingly followed his advice. +Meanwhile, the four who had +come in quest of Don Lewis stood +round him in the inn, persuading him +to return without loss of time, and console +his melancholy father; but he assured +them he could by no means comply +with their request until he had finished +an affair upon which his honour, +life, and soul, depended. Then the +domesticks began to be more urgent, +protesting they would in no shape return +without him; and declaring that +if he would not go willingly, they would +be obliged to carry him off by force. +‘That you shall never do,’ replied Don +Lewis, ‘unless you carry me off dead: +and indeed you may as well kill me, +as force me away in any shape.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Most of the people in the house were +now gathered together to hear the dispute, +particularly Cardenio, Don Fernando, +his companions, the judge, curate, +barber, and Don Quixote, who +thought it was no longer necessary to +guard the castle. Cardenio being already +acquainted with the young man’s +story, asked what reason the domesticks +had to carry off the youth contrary to +his own inclination. ‘Our motive,’ +replied one of the four, ‘is to retrieve +his father’s life, which is in danger of +being lost on account of this young +gentleman’s absence.’ To this declaration +Don Lewis answered, ‘There +is no reason why I should here give +an account of my affairs; I am free, +and will return if I please, otherwise +none of you shall compel me into +your measures.’—‘Your honour will, +I hope, hear reason,’ said the servant; +‘or if you should not, it will be enough +for us to execute our errand, as we are +in duty bound.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Here the judge desiring to know the +whole affair from the bottom, the man +having lived in the same neighbourhood, +knew him, and replied, ‘My Lord +Judge, don’t you know that young +gentleman is your neighbour’s son, +who hath absented himself from his +father’s house, in a dress altogether +unbecoming his quality, as your +lordship may perceive?’ Then the +judge looking at him more attentively, +recollected his features, and embracing +him said, ‘What a frolick is this, +Don Lewis? or what powerful cause +hath induced you to come hither in a +garb so ill-suited to your rank and fortune?’ +The tears gushing into the +young man’s eyes, he could not answer +one word to the judge, who desired the +four domesticks to make themselves +easy, for all would be well; then taking +Don Lewis by the hand, he led him +aside, and asked again the cause of his +coming in that manner.</p> + +<p class='c005'>While he was employed in this and +other questions, they heard a great noise +at the inn door, occasioned by two +men who had lodged all night in the +house, and who seeing every body intent +upon knowing the business of the four +last comers, resolved to march off without +paying their reckoning; but the innkeeper, +who minded his own affairs +more than those of any other person, +stopped them on the threshold, demanded +his money, and upbraided them for +their evil intention, with such abusive +language, as provoked them to answer +by dint of fists, which they began to +employ so dextrously, that the poor +<span class='pageno' id='Page_254'>254</span>landlord found himself under the necessity +of calling aloud for assistance. +His wife and daughter seeing nobody +so idle, consequently so proper for the +purpose as Don Quixote, the damsel addressed +him in these words: ‘Sir knight, +I beseech your worship, by the valour +which God hath given you, to go to +the assistance of my poor father, whom +two wicked men are now beating to +a jelly.’ To this request the knight +replied, with great leisure, and infinite +phlegm, ‘Beautiful young lady, I cannot +at present grant your petition, +being restricted from intermeddling +in any other adventure, until I shall +have accomplished one in which my +honour is already engaged; all that I +can do for your service is this, run +and desire your father to maintain the +combat as well as he can, and by no +means allow himself to be overcome, +until I go and ask permission of the +Princess Micomicona, to succour him +in his distress; and if I obtain it, be +assured that I will rescue him from all +danger.’—‘Sinner that I am!’ cried +Maritornes, who was then present, +‘before your worship can obtain that +permission, my master will be in the +other world.’—‘Allow me, Madam,’ +answered Don Quixote, ‘to go and +solicit the licence I mention, which +if I obtain, I shall not make much +account of his being in the other +world, from whence I will retrieve +him, though all its inhabitants should +combine to oppose me; at least I shall +take such vengeance on those who +have sent him thither, as will give +you full and ample satisfaction.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>So saying, he went and kneeled before +Dorothea, begging in the stile and +manner of knight-errantry, that her +highness would be pleased to give him +permission to run and assist the constable +of the castle, who was at that time involved +in a very grievous disaster. The +princess having very graciously granted +his request, he braced on his target, unsheathed +his sword, and ran to the gate, +where the two guests still continued pummelling +the landlord; but as soon as he +beheld them, he stopped short, as if +suddenly surprized, and when Maritornes +and her mistress asked what hindered +him from giving assistance to their +master and husband, ‘I am hindered,’ +answered the knight, ‘by a law, which +will not permit me to use my sword +against plebeians; but call hither my +squire Sancho, for to him it belongs, +and is peculiar, to engage in such vengeance +and defence.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>This transaction happened on the very +field of battle, while kicks and cuffs +were dealt with infinite dexterity, to the +no small prejudice of the innkeeper’s +carcase, and the rage of his wife, daughter, +and Maritornes, who were half-distracted +at seeing the cowardice of +Don Quixote, and the distress of their +lord and master. But let us here leave +him awhile, for he shall not want one +to assist him; or else, let him suffer with +patience, and hold his tongue as becomes +those who rashly undertake adventures +which they have not strength +to atchieve; and let us retreat backwards, +about fifty yards, to see what +answer Don Lewis made to the judge, +whom we left enquiring the cause of his +travelling on foot in such a mean habit. +The youth, squeezing both his +hands with great eagerness, in token of +the excessive grief that wrung his heart, +and shedding a flood of tears, replied to +this question, ‘Dear Sir, I can give you +no other reason, but that from the first +moment that fortune made us neighbours, +and Heaven ordained that I +should see Donna Clara, your daughter +and my delight, I, that instant, +made her mistress of my heart; and if +your inclination, my real lord and father, +does not oppose my happiness, this +very day she shall be my lawful wife; +for her I forsook my father’s house, and +disguised myself in this manner, with +a resolution to follow whithersoever +she should go, directing my views towards +her, like the arrow to its mark, +and the needle to the pole; though +she knows no more of my passion +than what she may have understood +from the tears which, at a distance, +she hath often seen me shed. You +yourself, my lord, know the rank and +fortune of my father, whose sole heir +I am. If you think that a motive +sufficient for venturing to make me +perfectly happy, receive me immediately +as your son; and though my father, +prompted perhaps by other +views, should be disobliged at the +blessing which I have chosen for myself, +it is in the power of time to work +greater changes and alterations than +human prudence can foresee.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Here the enamoured youth left off +<span class='pageno' id='Page_255'>255</span>speaking, and the judge remained in +the utmost suspense; not only admiring +the discretion with which Don Lewis +had disclosed his passion, but also finding +himself perplexed about the resolution +he was to take, in such a sudden +and unexpected affair. He therefore +made no other reply for the present, but +to desire he would make himself easy, +and detain his servants a day longer, +that he might have time to consider +what steps it would be most proper to +take, for the satisfaction of all concerned. +Don Lewis kissed his hands by +force, and even bathed them with his +tears; a circumstance sufficient to melt +a heart of marble, much more that of +the judge, who, being a man of prudence, +had already conceived all the +advantages of such a match for his +daughter; though he wished it could be +effected, if possible, with the consent of +the young man’s father, who, he knew, +had some pretensions to a title for his +son.</p> + +<p class='c005'>By this time peace was re-established +between the innkeeper and his two +lodgers, who being persuaded by the +arguments and exhortations of Don +Quixote, more than by his threats, had +paid their reckoning to the last farthing; +and the servants of Don Lewis waited +the result of the judge’s advice, together +with their master’s resolution; when +the devil, who is ever watchful, so ordered +matters, that the barber should +just then enter the inn; that very barber +from whom Don Quixote had retrieved +Mambrino’s helmet, and Sancho Panza +taken the furniture of his ass, which he +had exchanged for his own. This individual +shaver, as he led his beast to the +stable, perceived Sancho employed in +mending something that belonged to the +pannel, and knowing him at first sight, +assaulted the squire in a trice, crying, +‘Ha! Don thief, I have caught you +at last. Restore my bason and pannel, +with all the furniture you stole +from me.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Sancho seeing himself so suddenly attacked, +and hearing the reproachful language +of his antagonist, with one hand +laid fast hold on the pannel, and with +the other bestowed upon the barber such +a slap in the face, as bathed his whole +jaws in blood. But for all that, he +would not quit the pannel which he had +also seized; on the contrary, he raised +his voice so high as to alarm the whole +company, and bring them to the scene +of contention, crying, ‘Justice! help +in the king’s name! this robber wants +to murder me, because I endeavour +to recover my own property.’—‘You +lye,’ answered the squire; ‘I am no +robber; my Lord Don Quixote won +these spoils fairly in battle.’ The +knight coming up among the rest, beheld +with infinite satisfaction, his squire +so alert in offending and defending, and +looking upon him from thenceforward +as a man of valour, resolved in his +heart, to have him dubbed with the first +opportunity, confident that on him the +order of knighthood would be very well +bestowed. Among other things alledged +by the barber in the course of the +fray, ‘Gentlemen,’ said he, ‘that pannel +belongs as much to me as my +soul belongs to God; for I know it +as well as if it had been produced by +my own body, and though I had all +the mind in the world, my ass, which +is now in the stable, would not suffer +me to tell a falshood; since you will +not take my word, pray go and try it +upon his back, and if it does not fit +him to a hair, I shall give you leave +to call me the greatest lyar upon earth. +Besides, the very same day on which +they took my pannel, they also robbed +me of a new brass bason, never hanselled, +that cost me a good crown<a id='r111'></a><a href='#f111' class='c008'><sup>[111]</sup></a>.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Don Quixote hearing this, could contain +himself no longer, but interposed +between the combatants, whom he parted, +and depositing the pannel on the +ground, to be publickly viewed until +the truth should appear, addressed himself +thus to the spectators: ‘Gentlemen, +you may now clearly and manifestly +perceive how this honest squire +errs in his judgment, by calling that +a bason, which was, is, and shall be, +Mambrino’s helmet; a piece of armour +I won in fair and open battle, +and now possess by the just laws of +conquest. With regard to the pannel, +I will not intermeddle; all that I +can say of the matter is, that my +squire Sancho having asked permission +to take the trappings of that coward’s +horse, and adorn his own with them, +I gave him leave, and he took them +accordingly; though I can give no +<span class='pageno' id='Page_256'>256</span>other reason for their being now converted +into a pannel, but that such +transformations frequently happen in +the events of chivalry: yet, as a confirmation +of what I say, run, friend +Sancho, and bring hither the helmet, +which this honest man calls a bason.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘’Fore God!’ answered Sancho, ‘if +your worship has no better proof of +our honourable doings than what you +mention, Mambrino’s helmet will turn +out a bason, as certainly as this honest +man’s trappings are transmographied +into a pannel.’—‘Do what I order,’ +replied the knight; ‘sure I am +every thing in this castle cannot be +conducted by inchantment.’ Sancho +went accordingly, and fetched this bason +or helmet of Mambrino, as his master +called it, which Don Quixote taking in +his hand, said, ‘Behold, gentlemen, +with what face this plebeian can affirm +that this is a bason, and not the helmet +I have mentioned: now, I swear +by the order of knighthood I profess, +that this is the individual helmet which +I took from him, without the least +addition or diminution.’—‘Without +all manner of doubt,’ said Sancho; +‘for since my master won it, to this +good hour, he hath used it but in one +battle, when he delivered those mischievous +galley-slaves; and if it had +not been for that same bason-helmet, +he could not have come off so well: +for there was a deadly shower of stones +rained upon his pate in that storm.’</p> + +<h4 id='chap2-4-18' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='eighteen'>XVIII.</abbr> <br> THE DECISION OF THE DOUBTS CONCERNING MAMBRINO’S HELMET AND THE PANNEL—WITH A FULL AND TRUE ACCOUNT OF MANY OTHER ADVENTURES.</h4> +<p class='c004'>‘Gentlemen,’ said the barber, +‘pray favour me with +your opinion concerning what is affirmed +by these gentlefolks, who so +obstinately maintain that this is not a +bason, but a helmet!’—‘And if any +one affirms to the contrary,’ replied +Don Quixote, ‘I will make him sensible +that he lyes, if he be a knight; +and if a plebeian, that he lyes a thousand +times.’ His own townsman, +who was present all the while, being +well acquainted with the knight’s humour, +resolved to encourage him in his +extravagance, and carry on the joke for +the diversion of the company; with this +view he addressed himself to the other +shaver, saying, ‘Mr. Barber, or whosoever +you are, you must know that I am of +the same profession; I have had a certificate +of my examination these twenty +years; and know very well all the instruments +of the art, without excepting +one. I was, moreover, a soldier +in my youth, consequently can +distinguish an helmet, a morrion, and +a casque with its beaver, together +with every thing relating to military +affairs; I mean the different kinds of +armour wore by soldiers in the field: +I say, under correction, and still with +submission to better judgment, that +the object now in dispute, which that +worthy gentleman holds in his hand, +is not only no barbers bason, but +also, as far from being one as black +is from white, or falshood from truth. +I likewise aver, that though it is an +helmet, it is not entire.’—‘You +are certainly in the right,’ said Don +Quixote, ‘for it wants one half, which +is the beaver.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>The curate, who by this time understood +the intention of his friend, seconded +his asseveration, which was also +confirmed by Cardenio, Don Fernando, +and his companions; and the judge +himself would have bore a part in the +jest, had he not been engrossed by the +affair of Don Lewis; but that earnest +business kept him in such perplexity of +thought, that he could give little or no +attention to the joke that was going forward.</p> + +<div id='plate9' class='figcenter id002'> +<img src='images/plate-ix.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +<div class='ic002'> +<p>Plate IX: Don Quixote Displays the Bason.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<p class='c005'>‘Good God!’ cried the barber, with +amazement, ‘is it possible that so many +honourable persons should pronounce +this bason to be a helmet! an assertion +sufficient to astonish a whole university, +let it be never so learned. +Well, if that bason be an helmet, I +suppose the pannel must be a horses +trappings too, as this gentleman +says.’—‘To me it seems a pannel,’ +replied the knight; ‘but, as I have already +observed, I will not pretend to +decide whether it be the pannel of an +ass, or the furniture of a steed.’—‘Don +Quixote has no more to do but +speak his opinion,’ said the curate; +‘for in affairs of chivalry, all these +gentlemen, myself, and even the ladies, +yield to his superior understanding.’—‘By +<span class='pageno' id='Page_257'>257</span>Heaven! gentlemen,’ cried +the knight, ‘so many strange accidents +have happened to me, twice that I +have lodged in this castle, that I will +not venture positively to affirm the +truth of any thing that may be asked +relating to it; for I imagine that +every thing in this place is conducted +by the power of inchantment. The +first time I passed the night in this +place, I was harrassed extremely by +an inchanted Moor that resides in the +castle, while Sancho was almost as +roughly handled by some of his attendants; +and this very night I was +suspended by one arm for the space +of two hours, without knowing how +or wherefore I incurred that misfortune. +For me, therefore, to give my +opinion in a case of such perplexity, +would be a rash decision: with regard +to the helmet, which they say is +a bason, I have already expressed my +sentiments; but dare not give a definitive +sentence by declaring whether +that be a pannel or a horse’s furniture. +That I leave to the judgment of the good +company, who not being knights, as +I am, perhaps are not subjected to +the inchantments of this place; but, +enjoying their faculties clear and undisturbed, +can judge of these things +as they really and truly are, not as +they appear to my imagination.’—‘Doubtless,’ +replied Don Fernando, +‘Signior Don Quixote manifests his +own prudence, in observing that to +us belongs the determination of this +affair, which, that it may be the better +founded, I will in private take the +opinions of this good company one by +one, and then openly declare the full +result of my enquiry.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>To those who are acquainted with +the knight’s humour, this proposal afforded +matter of infinite diversion; but +the rest being ignorant of the joke, +looked upon it as a piece of downright +madness: this was particularly the opinion +of the domesticks belonging to +Don Lewis, which was even espoused +by himself and three travellers just arrived, +who seemed to be troopers of the +holy brotherhood, as indeed they were; +but he that almost ran distracted was +the barber, whose bason was, even in +his own sight, transformed into Mambrino’s +helmet, while he expected every +moment that his pannel would be certainly +declared the rich trappings and +furniture of a horse. Every body +laughed to see Don Fernando going +about with great gravity collecting opinions +in whispers, that each might privately +declare whether that jewel, about +which there had been such obstinate disputes, +was the pannel of an ass, or the +furniture of a steed. Having received +the answers of all those who knew Don +Quixote, he pronounced aloud, ‘Truly, +honest friend, I am quite tired with +asking so many opinions: for every +one to whom I put the question, affirms +it is downright distraction to +call this a pannel, which is certainly +the furniture of a horse, and that too +of an excellent breed. Therefore, you +must e’en have patience: for in spite +of you, and the testimony of your ass +to boot, an horse’s furniture it must +remain, as you have failed so egregiously +in the proof of what you alledge.’—‘May +I never taste the joys +of heaven!’ cried the transported barber, +‘if you are not all deceived; and +so may my soul appear before God, as +this appears to me, a mere pannel, +and not the furniture of an horse! but +thus might overcomes<a id='r112'></a><a href='#f112' class='c008'><sup>[112]</sup></a>——I say no +more, neither am I drunk, being +fresh and fasting from every thing +but sin.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>The company laughed as heartily at +the simplicity of the barber as the extravagance +of the knight, who upon this +decision, said, ‘Nothing now remains, +but that every one should take his +own again; and may <abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr> Peter bless +what God bestows<a id='r113'></a><a href='#f113' class='c008'><sup>[113]</sup></a>.’ One of the four +servants belonging to Don Lewis now +interposed, saying, ‘If this be not a +premeditated joke, I cannot persuade +myself that people of sound understanding, +such as all this company are +or seem to be, should venture to say +and affirm that this is no bason, nor +that a pannel; yet seeing this is both +said and affirmed, I conceive there +must be some mystery in thus insisting +upon a thing so contrary to truth +and experience; for, by God!’ (an +oath he swore with great emphasis) ‘all +<span class='pageno' id='Page_258'>258</span>the people on earth shall never make +me believe that this is not a barber’s +bason, or that not the pannel of an +he-ass.’—‘Why not of a she-ass?’ +said the curate. ‘That distinction +makes no difference,’ said the servant; +‘nor has it any concern with the dispute, +which is occasioned by your +saying that it is not a pannel at all.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>At the same time, one of the troopers +who had entered and been witness to +the quarrel and question, could no +longer contain his choler and displeasure +at what he heard; and therefore +said, in a furious tone, ‘If that is not a +pannel, my father never begat me; +and he that says, or shall say the contrary, +must be drunk.’—‘You lye, +like an infamous scoundrel!’ replied +Don Quixote; who lifting up his lance, +which he still kept in his hand, aimed +such a stroke at the troopers skull, that +if he had not been very expeditious in +shifting it, he would have been stretched +at full length upon the ground, on +which the weapon was shivered to +pieces: the rest of the troop, seeing +their companion so roughly handled, +raised their voices, crying for help to +the holy brotherhood; the innkeeper +being of that fraternity, ran in for his +tipstaff and sword, and espoused the +cause of his brethren; the domesticks +surrounded Don Lewis, that he might +not escape in the scuffle; the barber seeing +the house turned topsy-turvey, laid +hold again of the pannel, which was at +the same time seized by Sancho; Don +Quixote attacked the troopers sword-in-hand; +Don Lewis called to his servants +to leave him, and go to the assistance of +Cardenio and Don Fernando, who had +ranged themselves on the side of Don +Quixote; the curate exhorted, the landlady +screamed, the daughter wept, Maritornes +blubbered, Dorothea was confounded, +Lucinda perplexed, and Donna +Clara fainted away. The barber pummelled +Sancho, who returned the compliment; +one of the servants presuming +to seize Don Lewis by the arm, that he +might not run away, the young gentleman +gave him such a slap in the face as +bathed all his teeth in blood; the judge +exerted himself in his defence. Don +Fernando having brought one of the +troopers to the ground, kicked his +whole carcase to his heart’s content; +the landlord raised his voice again, +roaring for help to the holy brotherhood; +so that the whole inn was a scene +of lamentation, cries, shrieks, confusion, +dread, dismay, disaster, back-strokes, +cudgelling, kicks, cuffs, and +effusion of blood. In the midst of this +labyrinth, chaos, and composition of +mischief, Don Quixote’s imagination +suggested that he was all of a sudden +involved in the confusion of Agramonte’s +camp, and therefore pronounced +with a voice that made the whole inn +resound, ‘Let every man forbear, put +up his sword, be quiet and listen, unless +he be weary of his life.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>On hearing this exclamation, all the +combatants paused, while he proceeded +thus: ‘Did not I tell you, gentlemen, +that this castle was inchanted, and +doubtless inhabited by a whole legion +of devils? as a proof of which, you +may now perceive with your own eyes +how the discord and mutiny in Agramonte’s +camp is translated hither: +behold, in one place, we fight for a +sword; in another, for a horse; in a +third, for an eagle; and in a fourth, +for a helmet; in short, we are all by +the ears together, for we know not +what.—Advance, therefore, my lord +judge, and Mr. Curate, and in the +persons of Agramonte and King Sobrino, +re-establish peace among us; +for, by Almighty God! it were wicked +and absurd, that persons of our importance +should be slain in such a frivolous +cause.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>The troopers, who did not understand +the knight’s stile, and found +themselves very severely treated by Don +Fernando, Cardenio, and their companions, +would not be pacified; but it +was otherwise with the barber, who, +in the scuffle, had lost both his pannel +and beard: Sancho, who, like a faithful +servant, minded the least hint of his +master, willingly obeyed, and the servants +of Don Lewis were fain to be +quiet, seeing how little they had got by +concerning themselves in the fray; the +innkeeper alone insisted upon their +chastising the insolence of that madman, +who was every moment throwing +the whole house into confusion; at +length the disturbance was appeased, +the pannel remained as an horse’s furniture +till the day of judgment, the +bason as an helmet, and the inn as a +castle, in Don Quixote’s imagination.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Every thing being thus amicably +composed by the persuasion of the judge +<span class='pageno' id='Page_259'>259</span>and priest, the servants of Don Lewis +began again to press him with great +obstinacy to set out with them for his +father’s house immediately; and while +he expostulated with them, the judge +consulted with Don Fernando, Cardenio, +and the curate, about what he +should do on this occasion; imparting +to them the declaration Don Lewis had +made; at last it was agreed that Don +Fernando should tell the servants who +he was, and express a desire that Don +Lewis should accompany him to Andalousia, +where his brother the marquis +should entertain him according to his +rank and merit; for he well knew the +young gentleman was fixed in the determination +of being cut to pieces rather +than return to his father at that +time. The domesticks being informed +of Don Fernando’s quality, and understanding +the resolution of Don Lewis, +determined amongst themselves that +three of them should return and give +the father an account of what had happened, +while the fourth should attend +the young gentleman, until they should +either come back for him, or know his +father’s pleasure.</p> + +<p class='c005'>In this manner was that accumulation +of quarrels appeased by the authority of +Agramonte and prudence of King Sobrino; +but the enemy of concord and +rival of peace being thus foiled and disappointed, +and seeing how little fruit +he had reaped from the labyrinth of +confusion in which he had involved +them, determined to try his hand once +more, and revive discord and disturbance +anew; and these were the means +he practised for this purpose: the +troopers, apprized of the quality of +those with whom they had been engaged, +were fain to be quiet and retreat +from the fray, concluding that +whatever might happen they would have +the worst of the battle; but one of +them who had been pummelled and +kicked by Don Fernando, recollected +that among other warrants for apprehending +delinquents, he had one against +Don Quixote, issued by the holy brotherhood, +on account of his having set +the galley-slaves at liberty, as Sancho +had very justly feared: this coming into +his head, he was resolved to assure himself +whether or not the knight’s person +agreed with the description, and pulling +out of his bosom a bundle of parchment, +he soon found what he sought, +and beginning to spell with great deliberation +(for he was by no means an +expert reader) between every word he +fixed his eyes upon the knight, whose +physiognomy he compared with the +marks specified in the warrant, and discovered +beyond all doubt that he was +the very person described; no sooner +was he thus convinced, than putting +up the parchment, and holding the +warrant in his left-hand, he with his +right seized Don Quixote so fast by the +collar that he could scarce fetch his +breath, roaring aloud, ‘Help, in the +name of the holy brotherhood; and +that you may see my demand is just, +read that warrant for apprehending +this highwayman.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>The curate, upon perusing the warrant, +found what the trooper said was +true, and that the description exactly +agreed with the person of Don Quixote, +who seeing himself so unworthily treated +by such a ragamuffin, was incensed to +the highest degree, so that every bone +in his body trembled with rage; and +he made shift to fasten on the trooper’s +throat with both hands so violently, +that if his companions had not come to +his assistance, he would have quitted +his life before the knight had quitted +his hold. The innkeeper being obliged +to succour his brethren, ran immediately +to their assistance; his wife seeing +her husband re-engaged in the quarrel, +exalted her voice anew; Maritornes and +the daughter squalled in concert, imploring +heaven and the bye-standers for +help: Sancho perceiving what passed, +‘By the Lord!’ cried he, ‘what my +master says about the inchantments +of this castle is certainly true; for it is +impossible to live an hour in quiet +within its walls.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Don Fernando parted the knight and +trooper, to their mutual satisfaction; +unlocking their hands, which were fast +clinched in the doublet-collar of the +one, and the wind-pipe of the other, but +for all that they did not cease demanding +their prisoner, and the assistance of +the company, in binding and delivering +him to their charge, agreeable to the service +of the king, and the order of the +holy brotherhood, in whose behalf they +repeated their demand of favour and assistance, +to secure that felon, robber, +and thief. Don Quixote smiled at hearing +these epithets, and with much composure +replied, ‘Come hither, ye vile +<span class='pageno' id='Page_260'>260</span>and base-born race! do you call it the +province of an highwayman to loose +the chains of the captive, and set the +prisoner free! to succour the miserable, +raise the fallen, and relieve the +distressed? Ah! infamous crew! whose +low and grovelling understanding renders +you unworthy that Heaven should +reveal to you the worth that is contained +in knight-errantry, or make +you sensible of your sin and ignorance, +in neglecting to revere the very shadow, +much more the substance of any +knight. Come hither, ye rogues in a +troop, and not troopers; ye robbers +licensed by the holy brotherhood; and +tell me what ignorant wretch he was, +who signed a warrant of caption +against such a knight as me? Who +did not know that we are exempted +from all judicial authority, and that +a knight’s own sword is his law, he +being privileged by his valour, and +restricted only by his will and pleasure? +Who was the blockhead, I +say, who does not know, that no +gentleman’s charter contains so many +rights and indulgences as adhere to +a knight-errant, the very day on +which he is dubbed, and devotes himself +to the painful exercise of arms? +What knight-errant ever paid tax, +toll, custom, duty, or excise? What +taylor ever brought in a bill for making +his cloaths? What governor ever +made him pay for lodging in his +castle? What king did ever neglect to +seat him at his own table? What +damsel ever resisted his charms, or refused +to submit herself entirely to his +pleasure and will? And, in fine, what +knight-errant ever was, is, or will be, +whose single valour is not sufficient +to annihilate four hundred troopers, +should they presume to oppose him?’</p> + +<h4 id='chap2-4-19' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='nineteen'>XIX.</abbr> <br> IN WHICH IS CONCLUDED THE NOTABLE ADVENTURE OF THE TROOPERS—WITH AN ACCOUNT OF THE SURPRIZING FEROCITY OF OUR WORTHY KNIGHT DON QUIXOTE.</h4> +<p class='c004'>While Don Quixote harangued +in this manner, the curate was +employed in persuading the troopers, +that he was a man disordered in his +judgment, as they might perceive both +by his words and actions, and therefore +they ought not to proceed any farther +in the affair; for even if they +should apprehend him, he would soon +be dismissed as a person <i>non compos</i>. +To this observation the man who had +the warrant replied, that it was not +his business to judge of Don Quixote’s +madness, but to obey the orders +of his superiors; and that if he was +apprehended once, they might discharge +him three hundred times over, +if they would. ‘For all that,’ said +the priest, ‘you must not carry him off +at present, nor do I believe he will +suffer himself to be so treated.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>In short, the curate talked so effectually, +and the knight himself acted such +extravagancies, that the troopers must +have been more mad than he, if they +had not plainly perceived his defect; +therefore they thought proper to be satisfied, +and even performed the office +of mediators betwixt the barber and +Sancho Panza, who still maintained the +fray with great animosity; for the troopers, +as limbs of justice, brought the +cause to an arbitration, and decided it +in such a manner as left both parties if +not fully satisfied, at least in some sort +content with the determination, which +was, that the pannels should be exchanged, +but the girths and halters remain +as they were. With regard to +Mambrino’s helmet, the curate, unperceived +by Don Quixote, took the barber +aside, and paid him eight rials for the +bason, taking a receipt in full, that +cleared the knight from any suspicion +of fraud from thence forward, for +ever, Amen.</p> + +<p class='c005'>These two quarrels, which were of +the greatest importance of any that +happened, being luckily composed, it +remained that three of the servants belonging +to Don Lewis should return, +and the fourth accompany his master to +the place whither Don Fernando intended +to conduct him; and as good luck +and favourable fortune had already began +to quell the spirit of discord, and +smooth all difficulties, in behalf of the +lovers and heroes of the inn, they were +resolved to proceed in such a laudable +work, and bring every thing to a happy +conclusion; for the domesticks were satisfied +with what Don Lewis proposed; +a circumstance that gave such pleasure +to Donna Clara, that every body who +<span class='pageno' id='Page_261'>261</span>beheld her face might have discerned +the joy of her soul. Zorayda, though +she did not well understand the incidents +she had seen, was sorrowful and +gay, by turns, according as she perceived +the company affected, particularly +her Spaniard, upon whom her eyes +and heart were always fixed. The innkeeper, +who took particular notice of the +full satisfaction which the barber had +received from the curate, demanded +payment of Don Quixote, of the reckoning, +as well as for the damage he had +done to the bags, and the loss of his +wine; swearing that neither Rozinante +nor Sancho’s ass should stir from the +stable, until he should be satisfied to +the last farthing<a id='r114'></a><a href='#f114' class='c008'><sup>[114]</sup></a>. The curate pacified +the landlord, and Don Fernando paid +the bill, although the judge very frankly +offered to take that upon himself. +In this manner universal concord was +restored; so that the inn no longer represented +the disorder in Agramonte’s +camp, but rather the peace and quiet +that reigned in the time of Octavius +Cæsar; and this blessing was generally +ascribed to the laudable intention and +great eloquence of the priest, together +with the incomparable generosity of Don +Fernando.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Don Quixote now finding himself +freed and disentangled from so many +broils in which both he and his squire +had been involved, thought it high time +to proceed on his journey, in order to +finish that great adventure to which he had +been summoned and chosen: he therefore, +with determined purpose, went and +fell upon his knees before Dorothea, who +refusing to hear him in that posture, +he rose in obedience to her will, and +expressed himself in this manner: ‘It +is a common proverb, beauteous princess, +that diligence is the mother of +success; and in many important causes, +experience hath shewn that the assiduity +of the solicitor hath brought +a very doubtful suit to a very fortunate +issue. But the truth of this +maxim is no where more evinced than +in war, where activity and dispatch +anticipate the designs of the enemy, +and obtain the victory before he has +time to put himself in a posture of +defence. This I observe, most high +and excellent princess, because, in my +opinion, our stay in this castle is unprofitable +and prejudicial, as we may +one day perceive, when it is too late; +for who knows but by means of secret +and artful spies, your enemy, the +giant, may get notice that I am coming +to destroy him; and taking the +opportunity of our delay, fortify himself +in some impregnable castle, against +which all my diligence, and the +strength of my indefatigable arm, will +not avail. Wherefore, most noble +princess, let us, as I have already observed, +prevent his designs by our activity, +and set out immediately, in the +name of good fortune, which your +highness shall not long sigh for, after +I shall have come within sight of your +adversary.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Here the knight left off speaking, +and with great composure expected the +answer of the beautiful infanta; who, +with a most princely air, and in a +stile perfectly well-suited to his address, +replied in this manner: ‘I thank you, +Sir Knight, for the desire you express +to assist me in my necessity, like a +true knight, whose duty and province +it is, to succour the fatherless and +distressed; and Heaven grant that +your desire and my expectation may +be fulfilled, that you may see there +are grateful women upon earth. With +regard to my departure, let it be as +speedy as you please: my will is altogether +included in yours; dispose +of me, therefore, according to your +own pleasure; for she who hath once +invested you with the charge and defence +of her person, and solely depends +upon your valour, for being re-established +on her throne, would act +preposterously, in seeking to contradict +what your prudence shall ordain.’—‘In +the name of God, then,’ cried +Don Quixote, ‘since a princess humbles +herself thus before me, I will +not let slip the opportunity of raising +her up, and placing her upon the +throne of her ancestors. Let us depart +immediately; for the desire of +seeing you restored, the length of the +journey, and the common reflection, +that “delays are dangerous,” act as +spurs upon my resolution; and since +<span class='pageno' id='Page_262'>262</span>Heaven hath not created, nor hell ever +seen an object that could strike me +with terror and consternation—go, +Sancho, saddle Rozinante, prepare the +queen’s palfrey, and get ready your +own ass, while we take leave of the +constable and these noble personages, +and set forward on our journey, without +loss of time.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Here Sancho, who was present all the +time, shook his head, saying, ‘Ah, +master, master! there are more tricks +in town than you dream of; with +submission to the honourable lappets +be it spoken.’—‘What tricks can +there be either in town or city, that +can redound to my discredit, rascal?’ +cried the knight. ‘Nay, if your worship +be in a passion,’ replied the squire, +‘I will keep my tongue within my +teeth, and not mention a syllable of +what, as a trusty squire and faithful +servant, I am bound to reveal to my +master.’—‘Say what thou wouldst,’ +answered Don Quixote, ‘so thy words +have no tendency to make me afraid; +for in being susceptible of fear, thou +shewest the baseness of thy own character, +as I, in being proof against +all sorts of terror, preserve the dignity +of mine.’—‘As I am a sinner to +God,’ cried Sancho, ‘that is not the +case; but this I know for truth and +positive certainty, that this lady, who +calls herself queen of the great kingdom +of Micomicon, is no more a +queen than my mother; for if she +were what she pretends to be, she +would not be nuzzling into a corner +with one of this company, at every +snatch of an opportunity.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Dorothea’s face was overspread with +a blush, at these words of Sancho; for, +sooth to say, her husband Don Fernando +had several times, as he thought unperceived, +made free with her lips, as +earnest of that reward his affection deserved; +and in so doing, she was observed +by Sancho, who thought that +such condescension in her looked more +like the behaviour of a courtezan than +that of such a mighty princess; so that +she neither could nor would answer one +word to this charge, but suffered him +to proceed in these words: ‘This, dear +master, I make bold to mention; because, +if after we have travelled the +Lord knows how far, and passed +many weary days and bitter nights, +he that is taking his recreation in this +inn should gather the fruit of all our +labour; we need not be in such a perilous +hurry to saddle Rozinante, prepare +the palfrey, and get ready the +ass; but had better remain in peace +where we are; and, as the saying is, +“While we enjoy our meal, let every +harlot mind her spinning-wheel.”’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Gracious Heaven! what a torrent of +indignation entered the breast of Don +Quixote, when he heard these indecent +expressions of his squire: such, I say, +was the rage that took possession of his +faculties, that with a faltering voice +and stammering tongue, while his eyes +flashed lightning, he exclaimed, ‘O +villainous, inconsiderate, indecent and +ignorant peasant! thou foul-mouthed, +unmannerly, insolent, and malicious +slanderer! darest thou utter such language +against these honourable ladies +in my presence? darest thou entertain +such disgraceful and audacious ideas +in thy confused imagination? Get out +of my sight, monster of nature, depository +of lyes, cupboard of deceit, granary +of knavery, inventor of mischief, +publisher of folly, and foe to that respect +which is due to royalty; go, nor +presume to see my face again, on pain +of my highest displeasure!’ so saying, +he pulled up his eye-brows, distended +his cheeks, looked round him, and with +his right-foot stamped violently upon +the floor, in consequence of the wrath +that preyed upon his intrails.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Sancho was so shrunk and terrified +at these words and furious gestures, that +he would have been glad, if the earth +had opened that instant under his feet +and swallowed him up; and not knowing +what else to do, he sneaked off from +the presence of his incensed master: but +the discreet Dorothea, who was so well +acquainted with Don Quixote’s humour, +in order to appease his indignation, +accosted him thus; ‘Sir Knight +of the Rueful Countenance, let not +your wrath be kindled by the nonsense +which your good squire hath uttered, +for, perhaps, he might have had some +sort of reason for what he said; and +as from his good understanding and +Christian conscience, he cannot be +suspected of a design to bear false +witness against any person whatever, +it is to be supposed, and indeed I firmly +believe, that every thing in this +castle, as you, Sir Knight, have observed, +being conducted by means of +<span class='pageno' id='Page_263'>263</span>inchantment, Sancho, through that +diabolical medium, must have seen +what he affirms, so much to the prejudice +of my honour and reputation.’—‘I +swear by Almighty God!’ cried +Don Quixote, ‘that your highness hath +hit upon the true cause! and the eyes +of that poor sinner, Sancho, have been +fascinated by some delusive vision, of +what could not possibly be real; for, +unless he had been misled by inchantment, +such is the innocence and simplicity +of that miserable wretch, that I +know he neither could nor would invent +a slander against any living soul.’—‘That +certainly is, and shall be the +case,’ said Don Fernando; ‘for +which reason, Signior Don Quixote +ought to pardon and restore him to +the bosom of his favour, <span lang="la"><i>Sicut erat +in principio</i></span>, before those illusions impaired +his understanding.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>The knight promised to forgive him +accordingly; upon which the curate +went in quest of Sancho, who came in +with great humility, and falling on his +knees, begged leave to kiss his master’s +hand; this favour was granted by Don +Quixote, who also gave him his benediction, +saying, ‘Thou wilt now, son +Sancho, be convinced of the truth of +what I have so often told thee, that +all things in this castle are performed +by the power of inchantment.’—‘I believe +so too,’ replied the squire, ‘except +in the affair of the blanketting, which +really happened in the ordinary course +of things.’—‘Thou must not imagine +any such thing,’ answered the +knight; ‘for had that been the case, I +should have revenged thy cause at the +time, and even now would do thee +justice; but neither at that time nor +now, could I, or can I find any persons +to chastise as the cause of thy +disaster.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>The company being desirous of knowing +the affair of the blanket, the landlord +gave a very minute detail of Sancho’s +capering, to the no small diversion +of all present, except the squire +himself, who would have been very +much out of countenance, had not the +knight assured him anew, that the whole +was effected by inchantment; though +the folly of Sancho never rose to such +a pitch, but that he firmly believed, +without the least mixture of doubt or +delusion, that his blanketting had been +performed by persons of flesh and blood, +and not by phantoms or imaginary beings, +according to the opinion and affirmation +of his master.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Two days had this illustrious company +already passed at the inn, from +whence thinking it now high time to depart, +they concerted matters in such a +manner, as that, without putting Dorothea +and Don Fernando to the trouble +of returning with Don Quixote to the +place of his habitation, in order to carry +on the scheme concerning the restoration +of Queen Micomicona, the curate and +barber were enabled to execute their design +of carrying him to his own house, +where endeavours might be used for the +cure of his disorder. In consequence +of this plan, they agreed with the master +of an ox waggon, who chanced to +pass that way, for transporting the +knight in the following manner; having +made a sort of wooden cage, capacious +enough to hold Don Quixote at his ease, +Don Fernando, with his companions, +the servants of Don Lewis, together +with the troopers and innkeeper, by order +and direction of the curate, covered +their faces and disguised themselves, +some in one shape, some in another, so +as to appear, in Don Quixote’s eyes, +quite different from the people he had +seen in the castle. Thus equipped, they +entered, with all imaginable silence, into +the chamber where he lay asleep and +fatigued with the toil he had undergone +in the skirmishes already described; and +laying fast hold on him, while he securely +enjoyed his ease, without dreaming +of such an accident, tied both his +hands and feet so effectually, that when +he waked, in surprize, he could neither +move, nor do any other thing but testify +his wonder and perplexity at the sight +of such strange faces. He then had recourse +to what his distempered imagination +continually suggested, and concluded +that all these figures were phantoms +of that inchanted castle; and that +he himself was, without all question, +under the power of incantation, seeing +he could not even stir in his own defence; +and this conceit was exactly +foreseen by the curate, who was author +of the whole contrivance. The only +person of the whole company who remained +unaltered, both in figure and +intellect, was Sancho; who, though his +lack of understanding fell very little +short of his master’s infirmity, was not +so mad but that he knew every one of +<span class='pageno' id='Page_264'>264</span>the apparitions, though he durst not +open his mouth, until he should see the +meaning of this assault and capture of +the knight, who likewise expected, in +silence, the issue of his own misfortune.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Having brought the cage into his +apartment, they inclosed him in it, and +fixed the bars so fast, that it was impossible +to pull them asunder; then taking +it on their shoulders, in carrying it +out, they were saluted by as dreadful +a voice as could be assumed by the barber +(I do not mean the owner of the +pannel) who pronounced these words; +‘O Knight of the Rueful Countenance! +afflict not thyself on account of thy +present confinement, which is necessary +towards the more speedy accomplishment +of that great adventure +in which thy valour hath engaged +thee; and which will be atchieved +when the furious Manchegan +lion is coupled with the white Tobosian +dove, their lofty necks being +humbled to the soft matrimonial yoke: +from which unheard-of conjunction, +the world shall be blessed with courageous +whelps, who will imitate the +tearing talons of their valiant sire; +and this will happen, ere the pursuer +of the fugitive nymph shall have +twice performed his visit through the +resplendent constellations, in his natural +and rapid course.—And O! thou +the most noble and obedient squire +that ever wore sword in belt, beard on +chin, or smell in nostril, be not dismayed +nor discontented at seeing the +flower of knight-errantry thus carried +off before thine eyes; for, if it +please the Creator of this world, soon +shalt thou be so exalted and sublimed, +as that thou wilt not even know thyself; +neither shalt thou be defrauded +of the fruit of those promises which +thy worthy lord has made in thy behalf; +and I assure thee, in the name +of the sage Fibberiana<a id='r115'></a><a href='#f115' class='c008'><sup>[115]</sup></a>, that thy salary +shall be faithfully paid, as in effect +thou wilt see; follow, therefore, +the footsteps of the valiant and inchanted +knight; for it is necessary +that you should proceed together to +the end of your career; and as I am +not permitted to declare myself more +explicitly, I bid you heartily farewel, +and will return I well know whither.’ +Towards the end of this prophecy, he +raised his voice to the highest pitch, and +then sunk it gradually to such a faint +and distant tone, that even those who +were privy to the joke, were tempted to +believe what they had heard.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Don Quixote remained very much +comforted by this prophecy, the meaning +of which he no sooner heard than +comprehended; interpreting the whole +into a promise, that he should one day +see himself joined in the just and holy +hands of matrimony with his beloved +Dulcinea del Toboso, from whose fortunate +womb would proceed those whelps +(meaning his sons) which would perpetuate +the glory of La Mancha. In +this persuasion, therefore, and firm belief, +he raised his voice, and heaving a +profound sigh, replied, ‘O thou! whosoever +thou art, whose prognostication +sounds so favourably in mine +ears, I beg thou wilt, in my name +beseech the sage inchanter who takes +charge of my affairs, that he will not +leave me to perish in the confinement +which I now suffer, until I shall have +seen the accomplishment of those joyful +and incomparable promises which +thou hast uttered in my behalf. So +shall I glory in the hardships of this +prison, and bear with pleasure these +chains with which my limbs are fettered; +and instead of comparing the +boards on which I lie, to the rough, +uncomfortable field of battle, consider +them as the soothing down of the +most happy and luxurious marriage-bed. +With respect to the consolation +of Sancho Panza, my squire, I confide +in his virtue and affection, which +will not allow him to forsake me +either in prosperity or adversity; for +should his evil fortune, or my unhappy +fate, hinder me from bestowing +upon him the island, or some equivalent, +according to my promise; at +least, he shall not lose his wages, specified +and bequeathed to him in my +will, that is already made; a recompence +which, though proportioned to +my own slender ability, comes far short +of his great and faithful services.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Here the squire bowed in the most +respectful manner, and kissed both his +hands, as he could not make his compliments +to one of them apart, they +being fast bound together. Then the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_265'>265</span>apparitions taking the cage upon their +shoulders, carried it to the waggon, in +which it was immediately fixed.</p> + +<h4 id='chap2-4-20' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='twenty'>XX.</abbr> <br> AN ACCOUNT OF THE STRANGE MANNER IN WHICH DON QUIXOTE<br> WAS INCHANTED—WITH OTHER REMARKABLE EVENTS.</h4> +<p class='c004'>Don Quixote seeing himself thus +encaged, and placed upon a cart, +could not help saying, ‘Many very +grave histories have I read, concerning +knights-errant; but never did I +read, see, or hear, that inchanted +knights were transported in this manner, +at such a pace as these lazy, slow-footed +animals, seem to promise; for +they used always to be carried through +the air with surprizing swiftness, wrapped +up in some dark and dusky cloud, +or in a fiery chariot, or mounted on a +hypogriff, or some such creature; so +that, before God! I am utterly confounded +at my own fate, in being +thus transported on a waggon drawn +by oxen. But, perhaps, the chivalry +and inchantments of this age follow +a different path from that which was +pursued of old; and as I am a new +knight on the face of the earth, and +the first who revived the long-forgotten +order of errantry, perhaps they +might have also newly invented other +kinds of incantation, and other methods +of conveying those whom they +inchant.—What is thy opinion of the +matter, son Sancho?’—‘I know not +what my opinion is,’ replied the +squire, ‘because I am not so well read +in the scriptures of errantry as your +worship; but, for all that, I will venture +to affirm, aye and swear to it, +that these apparitions who stroll about +us, are not altogether catholick.’—‘Catholick! +my stars<a id='r116'></a><a href='#f116' class='c008'><sup>[116]</sup></a>!’ answered the +knight, ‘how can they be catholick, +when they are all devils, who have assumed +fantastical shapes, and come +hither on purpose to perform this +deed, and leave me in my present situation? +But that thou mayest be convinced +of the truth of what I alledge<a id='r117'></a><a href='#f117' class='c008'><sup>[117]</sup></a>, +endeavour to touch and feel +them, and thou wilt perceive that +they have no other bodies but forms +of condensed air consisting of nothing +but mere semblance.’—‘’Fore +God, Sir!’ cried Sancho, ‘I have +made that trial already, and that same +devil who goes about so busy, is well +provided with good substantial flesh, +and has another property widely different +from what is reported of evil +spirits, all of whom, they say, stink +of brimstone and other bad smells; +whereas, he is so well scented with +amber, that you may perceive it +at the distance of half a league.’ +Sancho made this remark on Don Fernando, +who being a man of fashion, +probably wore scented linen. ‘Marvel +not at that circumstance, friend +Sancho,’ replied the knight; ‘for +thou must know that devils are a set +of very sagacious beings; and although +they bring smells along with +them, they themselves being spirits, +can produce no smell; or if any odour +proceeds from them, it cannot be agreeable, +but rather stinking and unwholesome, +because they carry their hell about +them wheresoever they are, and their +torments admit of no kind of alleviation; +now, sweet smells being agreeable +and delicious, cannot possibly +proceed from beings which are +productive of nought but evil; therefore, +if in thy opinion that devil +smells of amber, either thy senses are +perverted, or he wants to impose upon +thy understanding, by making +thee believe that he is not an inhabitant +of hell.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Don Fernando and Cardenio overhearing +this dialogue between the master +and the squire, were afraid of Sancho’s +stumbling upon the discovery of their +whole plot, in which he seemed already +to have made great progress, therefore +determined to hasten their departure, +and calling the landlord aside, ordered +him to saddle Rozinante, and put the +pannel on Sancho’s ass. This talk he +performed with great dispatch, while the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_266'>266</span>curate agreed to give the troopers so +much a day for attending Don Quixote +to the town where he lived. Cardenio +having fastened the target to one side of +the pummel of Rozinante’s saddle, and +the bason to the other, made signs for +Sancho to mount his ass, and lead his +master’s steed by the bridle, and then +stationed two of the troopers with their +carbines on each side of the waggon. +But before it began to move, the landlady, +her daughter, and Maritornes, +came out to take leave of Don Quixote, +feigning themselves extremely affected +with his misfortune; upon which +he said to them, ‘Weep not, worthy +ladies; all these disasters are incident +to those who chuse my profession; +and if I were not subject to such calamities, +I should not deem myself a +renowned knight-errant; for these +things never happen to knights of +little fame and reputation, who are +never regarded, scarce even remembered +on the face of the earth. It is +quite otherwise with the valiant, +whose virtue and valour are envied by +many princes and rivals, who endeavour +by the most perfidious means to +destroy them; but, nevertheless, virtue +is so powerful, that of herself she +will, in spite of all the necromancy +possessed by the first inventor, Zoroaster, +come off conqueror in every severe +trial, and shine refulgent in the +world, as the sun shines in the heavens. +Pardon me, beauteous ladies, +if I have given you any disgust, +through neglect or omission; for willingly +and knowingly I never offended +a living soul; and pray to God to deliver +me from this prison, in which I +am confined by some malicious inchanter; +for, if I regain my liberty, +the favours I have received from your +courtesy in this castle, shall never +escape my remembrance, but always +be acknowledged with gratitude, service, +and respect.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>While the knight made these professions +to the ladies of the castle, the curate +and barber took their leave of Don +Fernando and his companions, the captain +and his brother, and all the happy +ladies, especially Dorothea and Lucinda; +they embraced each other, and +agreed to maintain a correspondence by +letters; Don Fernando giving the curate +a direction by which he might write +to him an account of the knight’s future +behaviour and fate, than which, he protested, +nothing could yield him more +pleasure; and promising, for his own +part, to inform the priest of every thing +which he thought would conduce to his +satisfaction, relating to his own marriage, +the baptism of Zorayda, the success +of Don Lewis, and the return of +Lucinda to her father’s house; the priest +having assured him that he would obey +his commands with the utmost punctuality, +they embraced again, and repeated +their mutual proffers of service. The +innkeeper coming to the curate, put into +his hand a bundle of papers which he +said he had found in the lining of the +portmanteau, along with the novel of +the Impertinent Curiosity; and since the +owner had not returned that way, he +desired the priest to accept of them, for +as he himself could not read, he had no +occasion for such useless furniture: the +curate thanked him for his present, +which he immediately opened, and found +written in the title-page, ‘Rinconete and +Cortadilla, a novel<a id='r118'></a><a href='#f118' class='c008'><sup>[118]</sup></a>;’ from hence he +concluded, that since the Impertinent +Curiosity was an entertaining story, this +might also have some merit, as being +probably a work of the same author; +and on this supposition put it carefully +up, intending to peruse it with the first +convenient opportunity; then he and +his friend the barber mounting their +beasts, with their faces still disguised, +that they might not be known by Don +Quixote, jogged on behind the waggon. +And the order of their march was this: +first of all proceeded the cart, conducted +by the driver, and guarded on each +side by the troopers with their carbines, +as we have already observed; then followed +Sancho Panza upon his ass, leading +Rozinante by the bridle; and in the +rear of all came the curate and the barber, +masked, and mounted on their trusty +mules, with a grave and solemn air, +marching no faster than the slow pace +of the oxen would allow; while the +knight sat within his cage, his hands +fettered, and his legs outstretched, leaning +against the bars, with such silence +and resignation, that he looked more +like a statue of stone than a man of +<span class='pageno' id='Page_267'>267</span>flesh and blood. In this slow and silent +manner had they travelled about a couple +of leagues, when they arrived in a valley, +which the waggoner thinking a convenient +spot for his purpose, proposed to +the curate that they should halt to refresh +themselves, and let the oxen feed; +but the barber was of opinion that they +should proceed a little farther, to the +other side of a rising ground, which appeared +at a small distance, where he +knew there was another valley better +stored with grass, and much more agreeable +than this in which the waggoner +proposed to halt. The advice of Mr. +Nicholas was approved, and they jogged +on accordingly.</p> + +<p class='c005'>About this time the curate chancing +to look back, perceived behind them six +or seven men well mounted, who soon +overtook them, as they did not travel at +the phlegmatick pace of the oxen, but +like people who rode on ecclesiastick +mules, and were desirous of spending +the heat of the day at an inn that appeared +within less than a league of the +waggon. These expeditious strangers +coming up with our slow travellers, saluted +them courteously; and one among +them, who was actually a canon of +Toledo, and master of those who accompanied +him, observing the regular +procession of the waggon, troopers, +Sancho, Rozinante, the curate, and barber, +and in particular Don Quixote encaged +and secured as he was, could not +help asking why and whither they were +conveying that man in such a manner? +though he had already conjectured, from +the badges of the troopers, that he must +be some atrocious robber or delinquent, +the punishment of whom belonged to +the holy brotherhood. One of the +troopers to whom the question was put, +answered, ‘Signior, the gentleman himself +will tell you the meaning of his +travelling in this manner; for our +parts we know nothing at all of the +matter.’ The knight, overhearing +what passed, said to the strangers, +‘Gentlemen, if you are skilled and +conversant in matters of knight-errantry, +I will communicate my misfortune; +otherwise there is no reason +why I should fatigue myself with the +relation.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>By this time the curate and barber, +having perceived the travellers in conversation +with the knight, came up in +order to prevent their plot from being +discovered, just as the canon had begun +to answer Don Quixote in these words: +‘Truly, brother, I am better acquainted +with books of chivalry than with +the Summaries of Villalpando; so that +if there be nothing else requisite, you +may freely impart to me as much as +you please.’—‘A God’s name, then,’ +said Don Quixote, ‘if that be the case, +‘you must know, Signior cavalier, that +I am inchanted in this cage, through +the envy and fraud of mischievous +necromancers; for virtue is always +more persecuted by the wicked than +beloved by the righteous. A knight-errant +I am, though none of those +whose names Fame never enrolled +in her eternal records; but of that +number, whom maugre, and in despite +of Envy herself, and all the magi +whom Persia ever produced, with the +brachmans of India, and gymnosophists +of Ethiopia, will leave their +names engraved on the temple of immortality, +as examples and patterns +to succeeding ages, by which all +knights errant may see what steps +they must follow, if they wish to attain +the height and honourable summit +of arms.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Here the curate interposing, said, +‘Signior Don Quixote speaks no more +than the truth: he is inchanted in +that waggon, not on account of his +own crimes or misdemeanors, but +through the malice of those who are +disgusted at virtue, and offended at +valour. This, Signior, is the Knight +of the Rueful Countenance, whose +name perhaps you have heard, and +whose valiant exploits and mighty +atchievements will be engraved on +durable brass, and carved in eternal +marble, in spite of the unwearied efforts +of malice to cancel, and of envy +to obscure them.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>The canon hearing such a stile proceed +not only from the prisoner’s +mouth, but also from the lips of him +who was free, had well-nigh crossed +himself with astonishment, and could +not conceive what had befallen him, +while his whole company were seized +with the same degree of amazement: +but Sancho Panza, who was near +enough to hear what passed, being +willing to undeceive the strangers, said +to them, ‘Gentlemen, whether what I +am going to say be ill or well taken, +I must tell you the case is this: my +<span class='pageno' id='Page_268'>268</span>master Don Quixote is no more inchanted +than the mother that bore +me; he enjoys his right wits, eats, +drinks, and does his occasions, like +other men, and as he himself was +wont to do before he was encaged; +now, if this be the truth of the matter, +how can any man persuade me +that he is inchanted? since I have +heard divers persons observe, that +those who were inchanted neither eat, +sleep, nor speak; whereas my master, +if he is not hindered, will talk like +thirty barristers.’ Then turning to +the curate, he proceeded thus: ‘Ah, +Mr. Curate, Mr. Curate! you think +I don’t know you, and imagine that +I cannot dive into the meaning of +these new inchantments, but you are +mistaken; I know you very well for +all your masking, and can smell out +your plots, disguise them as you will; +in short, as the saying is, Just are +virtue’s fears, when envy domineers, +and Bounty will not stay, where niggards +bear the sway. Damn the devil! +if it had not been for your reverence, +my master by this time would +have been married to the Princess +Micomicona, and I should have been +an earl at least; for less I could not +expect, either from the generosity of +my Lord of the Rueful Countenance, +or from the greatness of my own services: +but now I see the truth of +what is commonly said, That fortune +turns faster than a mill-wheel; and +that those who were yesterday at top, +may find themselves at bottom to-day. +It grieves me on account of my +poor wife and children, who, instead +of seeing their father come home in the +post of governor or viceroy of some +land or kingdom, as they had great +reason to expect, will behold him returning +in the station of a common +groom: all this I have observed, Mr. +Curate, for no other reason but to +prevail upon your fathership to make +a conscience of the ill-treatment my +master receives at your hands, and +consider that God may call you to +account in the next world for this +captivity of my Lord Don Quixote, +and for all the succours and benefits +that are prevented by his being thus +confined.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Snuff me these candles!’ cried the +barber, hearing the squire’s declaration; +‘why, sure, Sancho, you belong to +your master’s fraternity; by the Lord! +I find you ought to keep him company +in his cage, and undergo the +same sort of inchantment, so much +are you infected with the humour of +his chivalry: in an unhappy moment +were you got with child by his promises, +and in an evil hour did that +island you harp so much upon take +possession of your skull.’—‘I am not +with child by any person whatever,’ +answered Sancho, ‘nor will I suffer any +king in Christendom to beget a child +upon my body; for though I be a poor +man, I’m an old Christian, and owe +no man a farthing: if I long for an +island, others long for things that are +worse, every one being the son of his +own works; the lowest mortal may +come to be pope, much more governor +of an island, especially as my master +may gain more than he knows well +what to do with. Mr. Barber, you +had better think before you speak: +there is something else to do than +shaving of beards, and one Pedro +may differ from another<a id='r119'></a><a href='#f119' class='c008'><sup>[119]</sup></a>; this I say +because we know one another, and +you must not think to palm false dice +upon me: with regard to the inchantment +of my master, God knows the +truth, and there let it lie; for, as the +saying is, The more you stir it, the +more it will—you know what.’ The +barber durst not make any reply, lest +Sancho’s simplicity should discover +what he and the curate were so desirous +of concealing; and the priest being under +the same apprehension, desired the +canon to ride on with him a little before +the waggon, promising to disclose +the mystery of the encaged knight, with +other particulars that would yield him +some diversion: the canon put on accordingly +with his servants, listening +attentively to every thing the curate +was pleased to communicate concerning +the rank, employment, madness, and +manners, of Don Quixote; for he briefly +recounted the cause and beginning of +his disorder, with the whole progress of +his adventures, until he was secured in +the cage by their contrivance, that they +might carry him home to his own house, +and endeavour to find some cure for his +distemper.</p> + +<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_269'>269</span>The canon and his servants were +astonished anew at hearing the strange +story of Don Quixote; which being finished, +the Toledan replied, ‘Truly, +Mr. Curate, I am firmly persuaded +that those books of chivalry are very +prejudicial in the commonwealth; +for though I have been induced by a +false taste and idle curiosity to read +the beginning of almost every one +that hath been printed, I never could +prevail upon myself to read any one +of them from the first to the last page; +because, in my opinion, they are all +of the same stamp, without any essential +difference. And, indeed, that kind +of composition seems to fall under +that species of writing called the Milesian +Fables, which are no other than +extravagant tales calculated for mere +amusement, without any tendency to +instruction; on the contrary, the scope +of your apologues is to convey instruction +and delight together. Now, +though the principal intention of those +books is to delight and entertain the +reader, I do not see how they can answer +that end, being, as they are, +stuffed with such improbable nonsense; +for the pleasure that the soul +conceives, is from the beauty and +harmony of those things which are +contemplated by the view, or suggested +by the imagination; so that +we can receive no pleasure from objects +that are unnatural and deformed. +And what beauty, symmetry, +or proportion, can be observed +in a book containing the history of a +youth of seventeen, who with one +back-stroke cuts through the middle +a giant like a tower, with as much +ease as if he had been made of paste; +and in the description of a battle, +after having observed that there are +no less than a million of combatants +on the side opposite to that which the +hero of the piece espouses, we must, +in despite of common-sense, believe, +that such a knight obtained the victory +by the single valour of his invincible +arm. Then, how shall we +account for the confidence with which +some queen, empress, or orphan +heiress, throws herself into the protection +of an unknown knight-errant? +What mind, if not wholly barbarous +and uncultivated, can be pleased with +an account of a huge tower full of +knights sailing upon the sea like a +ship before the wind; being overnight +upon the coast of Lombardy, and +next morning arrived in the dominions +of Prester John in the Indies, +or in some other country which Ptolemy +never discovered, nor Marcus +Polus ever saw? If to this observation +it be answered, that the authors +of those books do not pretend that +the stories they contain are true, and +therefore they are under no necessity +of adhering to such niceties of composition; +I reply, that fiction is always +the better the nearer it resembles +truth, and agreeable in proportion to +the probability it bears, and the +doubtful credit which it inspires. +Wherefore, all such fables ought to +be suited to the understanding of +those who read them, and written so +as that by softening impossibilities, +smoothing what is rough, and keeping +the mind in suspense, they may +surprize, agreeably perplex, and entertain, +creating equal admiration +and delight; and these never can be +excited by authors who forsake probability +and imitation, in which the +perfection of writing consists. I have +never as yet seen in any book of chivalry +an entire body of a fable, with +all its members so proportioned, as +that the middle corresponds with the +beginning, and the end is suitable to +both; on the contrary, one would +think the author’s intention is commonly +to form a chimera or monster, +instead of a figure well proportioned +in all its parts. Besides, their stile +is usually harsh, their atchievements +incredible, their amours lascivious, +their courtesy impertinent, their +battles tedious, their dialogue insipid, +their voyages extravagant, and, +in short, the whole void of all ingenuity +of invention; so that they deserve +to be banished as useless members +from every Christian commonwealth.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>The curate, who had listened with +great attention, hearing the canon talk +so sensibly, looked upon him as a +man of excellent understanding, and +assented to every thing he said; observing, +that, in consequence of his +being of the same opinion, and of the +grudge he bore to such books of chivalry, +he had burned a great number +of those that belonged to Don Quixote. +He then gave him a detail of the scrutiny +<span class='pageno' id='Page_270'>270</span>which had been made, distinguishing +such as he spared from those that he +condemned to the flames.</p> + +<p class='c005'>The traveller laughed heartily at this +account of such an extraordinary trial, +saying, that notwithstanding what he +had advanced to the disadvantage of +such books, there was one thing in +them which he could not but approve; +namely, the subject they presented for a +good genius to display itself, opening a +large and ample field in which the pen +might at leisure expatiate in the description +of shipwrecks, tempests, battles, +and encounters; painting a valiant general +with all his necessary accomplishments, +sage, and penetrating into the +enemy’s designs, eloquent and effectual +either in persuading or dissuading his +soldiers, ripe in council, prompt in execution, +and equally brave in standing +or in giving an assault. One while recounting +a piteous tragical story, at +another time describing a joyful and +unexpected event; here, a most beautiful +lady, endued with virtue, discretion, +and reserve; there, a Christian knight, +possessed of courtesy and valour; in the +third place, an outrageous boasting barbarian; +and in a fourth, a polite, considerate, +gallant prince; not forgetting +to describe the faith and loyalty of +vassals, together with the grandeur and +generosity of great men. The author +may also shew himself an astrologer, +geographer, musician, and well skilled +in state-affairs; nay, if he be so minded, +he will sometimes have an opportunity +of manifesting his skill in necromancy +and magick; he may represent the cunning +of Ulysses, the piety of Æneas, the +valour of Achilles, the misfortunes of +Hector, the perfidy of Sinon, the friendship +of Euryalus, the liberality of Alexander, +the ability of Cæsar, the clemency +and candour of Trajan, the fidelity +of Zopyrus, the wisdom of Cato, +and finally, all those qualifications +which constitute the perfection of an +illustrious hero; sometimes uniting them +in one, sometimes dividing them into +several characters: and the whole being +expressed in an agreeable stile and ingenious +invention, that borders as near +as possible upon the truth, will doubtless +produce a web of such various and +beautiful texture, as when finished, +to display that perfection which will +attain the chief end and scope of such +writings; which, as I have already observed, +is to convey instruction mingled +with delight. Besides, the unlimited +competition of such books gives +the author opportunities of shewing his +talents in epicks, lyricks, tragedy, and +comedy, and all the different branches +of the delicious and agreeable arts of +poetry and rhetorick; for epicks may +be written in prose as well as verse.</p> + +<h4 id='chap2-4-21' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='twenty-one'>XXI.</abbr> <br> IN WHICH THE CANON PROSECUTES THE SUBJECT OF KNIGHT-ERRANTRY, <br>AND MAKES OTHER OBSERVATIONS WORTHY OF HIS GENIUS.</h4> +<p class='c004'>‘Mr. Canon,’ said the curate, +‘what you have observed, is +extremely just, and therefore those +authors deserve the greater reprehension, +who have composed such books, +without the least regard to good sense +or the rules of art, by which they +might have conducted their plans, +and rendered themselves as famous in +prose as the two princes of Greek +and Latin poetry are now in verse.’—‘I +myself,’ replied the canon, ‘have +been tempted to write a book of chivalry, +observing all the maxims and +precautions I have now laid down; +nay, to tell you the truth, no less +than a hundred sheets of it are already +written; and, in order to try if +my own opinion of it was well founded, +I have communicated my performance +to a great many people +who are passionately fond of that kind +of reading; not only men of learning +and taste, but also ignorant persons, +who chiefly delight in extravagant +adventures; and I have been favoured +with the agreeable approbation +of them all: nevertheless, I have +not proceeded on the work; because, +I not only thought it foreign to my +profession, but likewise concluded, +that the world abounds much more +with fools than people of sense; and +though an author had better be applauded +by the few that are wise, than +laughed at by the many that are foolish, +I was unwilling to expose myself +to the uninformed judgment of +the arrogant vulgar, whose province +it principally is to read books of this +kind. But what contributed most to +<span class='pageno' id='Page_271'>271</span>my laying aside the pen, and indeed +all thoughts of bringing the work +to a conclusion, was a reflection I +made upon the comedies of the present +age. “If,” said I to myself, +“our modern plays, not only those +which are formed upon fiction, but +likewise such as are founded on the +truth of history, are all, or for the +greatest part, universally known to +be monstrous productions, without +either head or tail, and yet received +with pleasure by the multitude, who +approve and esteem them as excellent +performances, though they are far +from deserving that title; and if the +authors who compose, and the actors +who represent them, affirm, that this +and no other method is to be practised, +because the multitude must be +pleased; that those which bear the +marks of contrivance, and produce +a fable digested according to the rules +of art, serve only for entertainment +to four or five people of taste, who +discern the beauties of the plan, which +utterly escape all the rest of the audience; +and that it is better for them +to gain a comfortable livelihood by +the many, than starve upon reputation +with the few.”—“At this rate,” +said I, “if I should finish my book, +after having scorched every hair in +my whiskers, in poring over it, to +preserve those rules and precepts already +mentioned, I might fare at +last, like the sagacious botcher, +who sewed for nothing, and found +his customers in thread<a id='r120'></a><a href='#f120' class='c008'><sup>[120]</sup></a>.” I have +sometimes endeavoured to persuade +the players, that they were mistaken +in their maxims; and that +they would bring more company to +their house, and acquire much more +reputation, by representing regular +comedies, than such absurd performances; +but I always found +them so obstinately bigotted to their +own fancies, that no evidence or demonstration +could alter their opinion +in the least. I remember, I once +said to one of these pragmatick fellows, +“Don’t you recollect, that a +few years ago, three tragedies were +acted, composed by a celebrated poet +of this kingdom; and that they +raised admiration, pleasure, and surprize, +in all who saw them exhibited, +gentle as well as simple, ignorant +as well as learned, and brought +more money to the actors than thirty +of the best that have since appeared?”—“Doubtless,” +answered the player, +“you mean Isabella, Phillis, and Alexandria.”—“The +very same,” +said I; “and pray take notice, whether +or not they are composed according +to rule, or failed to please +every body, because they were regular? +Wherefore, the fault does +not lie in the multitude’s demanding +absurdities, but in those who can represent +nothing else; for there is +nothing absurd in the play of Ingratitude +Revenged, nor in Numantia, +the Merchant Lover, the Favourable +Female Foe, nor in some +others which are composed by poets +of genius, to their own reputation, +and the advantage of those who represented +them.” I made use of many +more arguments, by which he seemed +to be confuted, though not so much +satisfied or convinced, as to retract +his erroneous opinions.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Mr. Canon,’ said the curate, interrupting +him in this place, ‘the subject +you have touched upon awakes +in me an old grudge I have bore to +our modern plays, even equal to that +I entertain against books of chivalry. +Comedy, according to Tully, ought +to be the mirrour of life, the exemplar +of manners, and picture of truth; +whereas, those that are represented +in this age, are mirrours of absurdity, +exemplars of folly, and pictures of +lewdness; for sure nothing can be +more absurd in a dramatick performance, +than to see the person, who in +the first scene of the first act, was +produced a child in swaddling-cloaths, +appear a full grown man with a beard, +in the second; or to represent an old +man active and valiant, a young soldier +cowardly, a footman eloquent, +a page a counsellor, a king a porter, +and a princess a scullion. Then what +shall we say concerning their management +of the time and place, in which +the actions have or may be supposed +to have happened? I have seen a comedy, +the first act of which was laid in +Europe, the second in Asia, and the +third was finished in Africa; nay, +had there been a fourth, the scene +would have shifted to America; so +that the fable would have travelled +<span class='pageno' id='Page_272'>272</span>through all the four divisions of the +globe. If imitation be the chief aim +of comedy, how can any ordinary +understanding be satisfied with seeing +an action that passed in the time +of King Pepin and Charlemagne, +ascribed to the Emperor Heraclius, +who being the principal personage, is +represented, like Godfrey of Bulloign, +carrying the cross into Jerusalem, +and making himself master of the holy +sepulchre; an infinite number of years +having passed between the one and +the other. Or, when a comedy is +founded upon fiction, to see scraps of +real history introduced, and facts misrepresented +both with regard to persons +and times; not with any ingenuity +of contrivance, but with the +most manifest and inexcusable errors +and stupidity; and what is worst of +all, there is a set of ignorant pretenders, +who call this the perfection of +writing; and that every attempt to +succeed by a contrary method is no +other than a wild-goose chace<a id='r121'></a><a href='#f121' class='c008'><sup>[121]</sup></a>. Again, +if we consider those plays that +are written on divine subjects, how +many false miracles do they contain? +how many apocryphal events misunderstood +by the author, who frequently +confounds the operations of one +saint with those of another? Nay, in +prophane subjects, they have the assurance +to work miracles, for no other +respect or consideration, but because +they think such a miracle will +make a very decent appearance in such +a place; and, as they term it, attract +the admiration of the vulgar, and +bring them in crowds to the play: +but all this redounds to the prejudice +of truth, the contempt of history, +and scandal of our Spanish wits; so +that the authors of other nations, who +punctually observe the unities of the +drama, conclude that we are barbarous +and ignorant, from our absurd +and preposterous productions. Neither +is it a sufficient excuse to say, +that the intent of all well-governed +commonwealths, in permitting publick +plays to be acted, is to entertain +the common people with some honest +recreation, in order to divert those +bad humours which idleness usually +engenders; and that, since this end +is answered by any play whatever, +either good or bad, there is no occasion +to cramp and limit the authors +or actors to the just laws of composition; +the purpose of the legislature +being, as I have said, accomplished +without any such restriction. To +this suggestion I answer, that the same +end, without any sort of comparison, +will be much better answered by good +than bad comedies; for, after having +seen an artful and well-digested play +represented, the hearer will go away, +delighted with the comic parts, instructed +by the serious, and agreeably +surprized with the incidents; collecting +information from the dialogue, +precaution from the deceits of the +fable, experience from the examples +exhibited, affection for virtue, and indignation +for vice. All these sensations, +I say, will a good comedy +excite in the spectator’s mind, let it be +never so stupid and uncultivated; for +of all impossibilities, it is the most +impossible, that a comedy, thus perfect +in all its parts, should not yield +more entertainment, satisfaction, and +delight, than one that is defective in +each particular, as the greatest part +of our modern pieces are. Neither +is this want of correctness always to +be laid to the author’s charge; for +there are some poets among us who +are perfectly well acquainted with the +rules of writing, and could easily +avoid any such errors of composition; +but as their pieces are made for +sale, they say, and it is very true, +that the players would not purchase +them, if they were of any other +stamp; so that the author is fain to +accommodate himself to the demand +of the actor who pays him for his +work. The truth of this observation +evidently appears in a great number +of comedies which have been composed +by a most happy genius of these +kingdoms<a id='r122'></a><a href='#f122' class='c008'><sup>[122]</sup></a>, with so much wit, pleasantry, +elegance of versification, genteel +dialogue, sententious gravity, and +finally, with such elocution and sublimity +of stile, that the whole world +resounds with his fame; yet in suiting +himself to the false taste of the +actors, he hath not been able to bring +them all to the requisite point of perfection. +<span class='pageno' id='Page_273'>273</span>Others again are so inconsiderate +in their productions, that after +representation, the players have +been frequently obliged to fly and +abscond for fear of chastisement, on +account of having exhibited something +to the prejudice of royal +heads, or dishonour of noble families; +now all these inconveniences, with +many more that I do not chuse +to mention, might be prevented, if +there was at court some person of taste +and learning, appointed to examine +every dramatick performance before +its appearance on the stage; and this +precaution should affect not only the +plays composed in Madrid, but all +pieces whatever to be represented +within the monarchy of Spain; for, +without the approbation of this licencer, +signed and sealed, no magistrate +should allow any production to +be acted within the bounds of his jurisdiction. +In consequence of this +expedient the actors would take care +to submit every play to the censure of +the examiner, that they might afterwards +represent them with safety; +and the authors would employ more +caution and study in their compositions, +knowing that they must pass +the rigorous examination of an intelligent +judge; in this manner, good +comedies would be produced, and the +aim of such writings happily accomplished, +to the entertainment of the +people, and the credit of Spanish +wits; while the actors would represent +them with security and advantage, +and the state be exempted from +the trouble of chastising such delinquents. +And if the same licencer, +or any other person, were invested +with the charge of examining books +of chivalry, before they see the light, +some performances of that sort would +certainly appear in all the perfection +you have described, enriching our +language with the delightful and precious +treasure of eloquence; while +the old romances would be entirely +eclipsed by the light of the new, that +would furnish rational amusement, +not only for the idle, but also for +those who are most industrious; seeing +it is impossible for the bow to continue +always bent, or that feeble nature +can subsist without some innocent +recreation.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Thus far had the canon and curate +proceeded in their conversation, when +the barber coming up to them, said to +his townsman, ‘Mr. Licentiate, this +is the place in which I proposed to +halt, that the oxen might have fresh +pasture in abundance.’ The curate +approved of the hint, and communicated +their intention to the canon, who +resolved to stay with them, being invited +by the situation of a delicious valley +that presented itself to his view; that +he might therefore enjoy the agreeable +spot, together with the conversation of +the curate, for whom he had already +conceived an affection, and be more +particularly informed of Don Quixote’s +exploits, he ordered his domesticks +to proceed to an inn, which was +not far off, and bring from thence +victuals sufficient for the whole company; +for he was resolved to spend the +afternoon where he was. One of the +servants told him that the sumpter-mule, +which by that time had +reached the inn, carried provision +enough, and that they should want nothing +but barley for the beasts. ‘If +that be the case,’ said the canon, +‘carry the rest to the inn, and bring +the sumpter-mule hither.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Meanwhile Sancho perceiving that +he might now speak to his master, +without being overheard by the curate +and barber, of whom he was suspicious, +approached the cage, and thus addressed +himself to the knight: ‘Truly, +Sir, in order to disburthen my conscience, +I must tell you something +concerning this same inchantment. +These people, with masks on their +faces, are no other than the curate +and barber of our town, who, I verily +believe, have contrived to carry +you off in this manner, out of pure +envy and spite, because your worship +has got the heels of them in your famous +atchievements: now, this being +supposed, it follows as plain as the +nose upon my face, that you are not +inchanted, but rather fooled and +bamboozled. As a proof of which, I +desire to ask you one question, which +if you answer, as I do believe you +will, your worship may clap your ten +fingers on the trick, and perceive that +you are not inchanted, but that your +whole brain is turned topsy-turvy.’—‘Ask +what you will, son Sancho,’ +replied Don Quixote, ‘I will freely answer, +and satisfy your doubts to the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_274'>274</span>best of my power; with regard to +your saying, that those who attend +us are our friends and townsmen, the +curate and barber, so indeed they +may appear to your eye; but that they +are really and effectually so, you +must by no means believe: on the +contrary, you are to conclude, that +if they resemble our friends, the inchanters, +who can assume what form +they please, have taken that appearance +and resemblance, to mislead your +credit, and bewilder your imagination +in such a labyrinth of perplexity, +that even the clue of Theseus would +not extricate your thoughts. Besides, +they may have done it with a +view of confounding my judgment, +that I might not be able to guess +from what quarter my misfortune +proceeds; for, if on the one hand you +affirm that I am attended by the barber +and curate of our town; and on +the other hand, I find myself encaged; +though I am sensible that nothing but +supernatural force could suffice to +confine me thus, what would you +have me say or think, but that the +manner of my inchantment exceeds +every thing I have read in all the histories +that treat of inchanted knights? +Wherefore set your heart at rest, and +take it for granted, that these are as +far from being the persons you have +mentioned, as I am from being a +Turk. With respect to thy desire of +asking me questions, I repeat my promise +of answering, even if thy interrogation +should last till to-morrow +morning.’—‘God’s blessed mother!’ +cried the squire, with great vociferation, +‘is it possible that your worship can be +so thick-skulled and brainless, as not +to perceive the truth of what I alledge, +and see that this imprisonment +and misfortune is more owing to malice +than inchantment? But seeing it +is so, I will venture to prove, beyond +all contradiction, that you are no +more inchanted than my ass. Tell me, +therefore, as God shall deliver you +from this mischance, and as you hope +to see yourself in the arms of my +Lady Dulcinea, when you least expect +any such good luck—’ ‘Truce with +thy conjuration,’ said the knight, +‘and ask what thou wilt, I have already +promised to answer with the utmost +punctuality.’—‘That is my request,’ +answered Sancho, ‘and what +I want to know is, that your worship +will tell me, without eking or +curtailing God’s precious truth, but +in honest simplicity of heart as it +ought to be, and always is told those +who, like your worship, profess the +occupation of arms, under the title +of knight-errants—’ ‘I tell thee,’ +cried the knight, interrupting him, ‘I +will not in the least prevaricate. Dispatch +then, Sancho, for truly I am +quite tired with so many salvos, solicitations, +and preambles.’—‘I make +so bold,’ replied the squire, ‘because +I am well aware of my master’s goodness +and sincerity, which being as it +were to the purpose, I ask (with reverence +be it spoken) whether or not, +since you have been confined, and as +you suppose inchanted in this cage, +your worship hath felt any motion or +desire to undam either way, as the +saying is?’—‘I do not know what +you mean by undamming,’ answered +Don Quixote; ‘you must be more explicit, +Sancho, if you expect an answer +to the purpose.’—‘Is it possible,’ +said the squire, ‘that your worship +should be ignorant of the meaning +of the word undamming, which is +the first thing the boys learn at school? +Well, then, you must know, I wanted +to ask if you never had any inclination +to do that which nobody else +can do for you?’—‘Now I understand +thee, Sancho,’ said the knight; ‘verily +I have had divers calls of that +nature, one of which is at present +very importunate: pray fall upon +some method to disembarrass me, for +I believe all is not so sweet and clean +as it ought to be.’</p> + +<h4 id='chap2-4-22' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='twenty-two'>XXII.</abbr> <br> THE SAGE CONVERSATION THAT PASSED BETWEEN SANCHO PANZA<br> AND HIS MASTER DON QUIXOTE.</h4> +<p class='c004'>‘Ha!’ cried Sancho, ‘have I caught +you at last? This is what I +wanted to know with all my heart +and soul: come on, Sir, there is no +denying of what is commonly said, +when any person is in the dumps, I +know not what is the matter with +such an one; he neither eats, drinks, +nor sleeps, nor answers to the purpose, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_275'>275</span>when he is spoke to; sure the +man must be enchanted: from whence +we are to conclude, that those who are +inchanted neither eat, drink, sleep, +nor do their natural occasions, as I +have observed. But this is not the +case with such as are disturbed with +the inclination that your worship at +present feels, drinking when they can +get liquor, eating when they can lay +hold on food, and giving plain answers +to every question that is asked.’—‘Thou +art in the right,’ replied Don +Quixote; ‘but I have already told thee, +that there are different kinds of inchantment; +and time may have so entirely +altered the fashion, that those +who are under the power of inchantment +in this age, may, like me, retain +the use of their faculties, though +it was quite otherwise of old; so that +there is no arguing or drawing consequences +against the different practice +of different times. I am sensible +and certain of my being inchanted, +and this is sufficient for the quiet of +my conscience, which would give me +great uneasiness if I had the least +doubt about my fate, and allowed myself +to be in this cage like an idle +coward, deceitfully withholding my +succour from a great number of the +needy and oppressed, who at this very +hour must be in the most absolute and +extreme necessity, from the want of +my aid and protection.’—‘Nevertheless,’ +answered the squire, ‘for your +more abundant satisfaction, your worship, +methinks, might try to escape +from this prison; for my own part, +I’ll be bound not only to give my assistance, +but even to work your deliverance, +and then you may endeavour +to remount your trusty Rozinante, +who trudges along as melancholy +and sad as if he was inchanted +also. This being performed, let us +try our fate once more in quest of adventures; +and if they do not turn out +to our expectation, it will be time +enough to return to the cage, in which +I promise, on the faith of a true and +loyal squire, to shut myself up with +your worship, if perchance, through +your ill fortune or my folly, this that +I mention should not succeed.’—‘I +am content to follow thy counsel, +brother Sancho,’ replied the knight; +‘and whenever thou shalt perceive a +proper conjuncture for effecting my +deliverance, I will implicitly obey +thee in every thing, but thou wilt +soon find thyself deceived in thy opinion +of my mishap.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>This conversation between the knight-errant +and the erring squire, lasted until +they arrived at the place in which the +curate, canon, and barber, who had +already alighted, waited for them. The +waggoner immediately unyoking his +oxen, turned them loose in that verdant +and delicious spot, the coolness of +which was extremely inviting, not only +to inchanted people like Don Quixote, +but also to persons of intelligence and +discretion like his squire, who besought +the curate to let his master come out of +the cage for a few minutes; because, +without such permission, the prison +would not be quite so clean as the decency +of such a knight required. The +curate, understanding what he meant, +told him that he would willingly grant +his request, were he not under some apprehension +that his master, finding himself +at liberty, would play one of his +old pranks, and be gone where men +should never see his face again. ‘I +will be bound for his good behaviour,’ +answered Sancho; ‘and I +also,’ said the canon, ‘especially if +he will promise, on the word of a +knight, not to stir from our presence, +until he shall have obtained our consent.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘I will,’ cried the knight (who overheard +all that passed;) ‘the more so, as +one, who, like me, is inchanted, cannot +be at liberty to make use of his +own person; for the inchanter can so +utterly deprive him of all motion, that +he shall not be able to stir from the +place for three whole ages; and if he +should make his escape, would whisk +him back through the air in a twinkling.’ +This being the case, he said +they might very safely uncage him, +especially as such indulgence would redound +to the benefit of the whole company; +for he protested that if they did +not comply with his present necessities, +he should be obliged to incommode their +sense of smelling, unless they removed +to a greater distance from the place of +his confinement.</p> + +<p class='c005'>The canon, confiding in his word +and honour, took him by the hands, +tied as they were, and helped him to +descend from his cage: then the knight, +being infinitely rejoiced at his momentary +<span class='pageno' id='Page_276'>276</span>deliverance, stretched every joint +in his body, and going up to Rozinante, +gave him a slap on the buttocks, saying, +‘I still hope in God and his blessed +mother, thou flower and mirrour of +steeds! that in a short time we shall +both obtain our heart’s desire; thou +prancing under the agreeable pressure +of thy lord, and I mounted upon thy +trusty back, exercising the employment +for which Heaven sent me into +the world.’ Having pronounced this +apostrophe, he retired with Sancho to +a remote place, from whence he returned +much eased and comforted, and +more desirous than ever of executing +the project of his squire. The canon +could not help gazing upon him, being +struck with admiration at the strange +unaccountable symptoms of his disorder; +for in all his conversation and +replies, he gave evident proofs of an +excellent understanding, and never lost +himself<a id='r123'></a><a href='#f123' class='c008'><sup>[123]</sup></a> except on the subject of chivalry, +as we have formerly observed: +he was therefore touched with compassion +for his infirmity, and when the +whole company were seated on the +grass, waiting for the return of the +sumpter-mule, addressed himself to the +knight in this manner:</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Is it possible, good Sir, that the +idle and unlucky reading of books +of chivalry can have so far impaired +your judgment, as that you should now +believe yourself inchanted, and give +credit to other illusions of the same +kind, which are as far from being +true as truth is distant from falshood? +Is it possible that the human understanding +can suppose that ever this +world produced that infinite number +of Amadis’s, with the whole crowd +of famous knights, so many emperors +of Trebisond, Fleximarte’s of Hyrcania, +palfreys, damsels, serpents, dragons, +and giants; so many incredible +adventures, inchantments of different +kinds, battles, dreadful encounters, +magnificence of apparel, enamoured +princesses, squires created earls, witty +dwarfs, billets, amorous expressions, +valiant ladies, and finally, such extravagant +events as are contained in +books of knight-errantry? For my +own part, when I read a performance +of that sort, without reflecting that it +is a legend of vanity and lyes, my +imagination is a little amused; but +as soon as I begin to consider it in the +right point of view, I dash the volume +against the wall, and would even +commit it to the flames, (if I should +chance to be near a fire) as a criminal +richly deserving such punishment on +account of its falshood and imposture, +so contrary to nature, and bewildered +from the track of common-sense, and +as an inventor of new sects and preposterous +ways of life, misleading +and inducing the ignorant vulgar to +believe the absurdities which it contains; +nay, so presumptuous are such +productions, as to disturb the minds +of gentlemen of birth and education, +as may be too plainly perceived by +their effects upon you, Signior, whom +they have reduced to such a pass as +to make it necessary that you should +be cooped up in a cage, and transported +from place to place on a waggon, +like a lion or tyger exhibited as +a shew for money. Go to, Signior +Don Quixote! have pity upon yourself, +return into the bosom of discretion, +and put those happy talents +which Heaven hath been pleased to +bestow upon you to a better use, employing +your genius in other studies, +which may redound to the increase of +your honour, as well as to the good +of your soul; or, if swayed by your +natural inclination, you are still desirous +of reading the histories of exploits +and atchievements, you may +have recourse to the book of Judges +in the Holy Scripture, and there you +will find real miracles of might, and +actions equally valiant and true, +Portugal produced a Viriatus, Rome +a Cæsar, Carthage an Hannibal, +Greece an Alexander, Castile a count +Fernan Gonçales, Valencia a Cid, +Andalousia a Gonzalo Fernandez, +Estremadura a Diego Garcia de Paredes, +Xerez a Garcia Perez de Vargas, +Toledo a Garcilasso, Seville a +Don Manuel de Leon; the history of +their valiant exploits will afford entertainment, +instruction, surprize, and +delight, to readers of the most sublime +conception. Such study as +this would be worthy of the good +sense of Signior Don Quixote, who +would thus become learned in history, +enamoured of virtue, improved +<span class='pageno' id='Page_277'>277</span>in worth, bettered in morals, brave +without rashness, cautious without +cowardice; while the whole would +redound to the honour of God, his +own particular emolument, and the +renown of La Mancha, from whence +I understand his family and origin is +derived.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Don Quixote listened with infinite +attention to his harangue; and even +after he perceived it was finished, looked +stedfastly at the canon for some time, +before he answered in these words: +‘Signior Hidalgo, if I am not mistaken, +the scope of your discourse +was to convince me that there never +were knights-errant in this world; +that all the books of chivalry are +false, deceitful, unprofitable, nay +mischievous, in a commonwealth; +that I have been much to blame in +reading, more so in believing, and +most of all in imitating, the characters +they describe, by following the most +painful profession of knight-errantry; +and, lastly, you deny that ever there +was an Amadis, either of Gaul or +Greece, or that any one of that vast +number of knights recorded in those +writings had any real existence.’—‘You +have exactly summed up my +allegations,’ said the canon. ‘You +were likewise pleased to add,’ resumed +the knight, ‘that such books +had done me infinite prejudice, impaired +my judgment, and reduced me +to the necessity of being confined in a +cage; and that I would do well to +amend and alter my course of studies, +and to use performances which +contain more truth, instruction, and +delight.’—‘That,’ said the canon, +‘was my precise meaning.’—‘Why, +then,’ cried Don Quixote, ‘in my +opinion the person impaired in his +judgment, and inchanted, is no other +than your worship, who have presumed +to utter such blasphemies +against an order so well received in +the world, and established as truth, +that he who like you denies it deserves +the same punishment you inflicted +upon those books that gave +you disgust; for, to say that there +never was such a person as Amadis, +or any other of those adventurous +knights with whom history abounds, +is like an endeavour to persuade +people that frost is not cold, that the +sun yields no light, and the earth no +sustenance. Will any earthly eloquence +make a man believe, that the +story of the infanta Floripes, and +Guy of Burgundy, is false; or that +of Fierabras, with the bridge of Mantible, +which happened in the time of +Charlemagne, and I vow to God is +as true as that the sun shines at noon-day? +If this be a lye, you may also +affirm that there never was such an +event as the Trojan war, nor such +persons as Hector and Achilles, or the +Twelve Peers of France, or Arthur +King of England, who to this day +survives in the likeness of a raven, +and is every moment expected to reascend +his throne. People may as +well venture to say, that the history +of Guarino Mesquino, and the suit of +<abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr> Grial, are pure fiction; and look +upon the amours of Don Tristan and +Queen Iseo, with those of Ginebra +and Lancelot, as altogether apocryphal; +though there are people who +almost remember to have seen the +Duenna Quintanona, who was the +best wine-skinker in Great Britain: +this is so true, that I myself have +heard my grandmother by the father’s +side often say, when she happened to +see a Duenna with a reverend biggen<a id='r124'></a><a href='#f124' class='c008'><sup>[124]</sup></a>, +“Grandson, there is a person very like +the Duenna Quintanona.” From +whence I conclude, that she must either +have known her personally, or +at least seen some picture of that venerable +matron. Then, who can +deny the history of Peter of Provence +and the fair Magalona, since, to this +day, may be seen in the royal armoury +the very peg that turned the wooden +horse upon which the valiant Peter +travelled through the air; by the +same token, that it is something +larger than the pole of a coach, +and stands near the saddle of Babieca. +Nay, at Roncevalles you may see +Orlando’s horn, as big as a weaver’s +beam. From all which circumstances +we may justly infer, that the +Twelve Peers, the Peters, the Cids, +with all those who were called +knights-errant, actually existed, according +to the records of their fame; +otherwise they may as well deny +that the valiant Portuguese, Juan de +<span class='pageno' id='Page_278'>278</span>Merlo, was a knight-errant; though +it is well known, that he went to +Burgundy and fought in the city of +Ras, with the famous lord of Charne, +called Monseigneur Pierre, and afterwards +in the city of Basil, with +Monseigneur Henrique de Remestan; +gaining the victory in each of these +combats, with abundance of honourable +fame. Neither, I suppose, will +they credit the defiance and adventures +that were also atchieved in Burgundy, +by those valiant Spaniards, Pedro Barba +and Guttierre Quixada, (from whom +I am lineally descended on the father’s +side) who conquered the sons +of the Count de <abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr> Paul: nay, let +them likewise refuse to own that Don +Fernando de Guevara went in quest +of adventures into Germany, where +he fought with Messire George, a +knight of the houshold to the Duke +of Austria; and say that the justs and +tournaments at Suero de Quinones, +and the pass, were mere illusion, as +well as the enterprizes of Monseigneur +Lewis de Falses, against Don +Gonçalo de Guzman, a Castilian +knight, together with many other exploits +performed by Christian warriors +belonging to these and other foreign +realms, so authentick and true, +that (I repeat my asseveration) he who +denies them is void of all reason and +common sense.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>The canon was struck with admiration, +when he heard Don Quixote utter +such a medley of fiction and truth; and +perceiving that he was intimately acquainted +with every circumstance regarding +and concerning the atchievements +of knight-errantry, answered him +in these words: ‘Signior Don Quixote, +I cannot deny but what you have said +is partly true, particularly that which +regards the Spanish knights; I grant +also that there was an order called the +Twelve Peers of France, but cannot +believe that they performed all +those exploits recounted by archbishop +Turpin; for the truth is, they were a +set of knights chosen by the kings of +France, under the title of the Twelve +Peers, because they were all equal in +point of virtue, rank, and valour; at +least, if they were not, they ought to +have been possessed of this parity of +qualifications; for it was an association +resembling the modern orders of +<abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr> Jago and Calatrava, which suppose, +that every member is valiant, virtuous, +and noble; and as we now +say a knight of <abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr> Juan or Alcantara, +in those days they said a knight +of the Twelve Peers; because those +who professed that military order were +equal in all respects, and twelve in +number; that there were such persons +as the Cid and Bernardo del Carpio, +I make no question; but whether or +not they performed all those exploits +which are ascribed to them, is, I believe, +extremely doubtful; with respect +to the peg of Count Peter, which +you say stands by the saddle of Babieca +in the royal armoury, to my +shame be it spoken, I am either so +ignorant or short-sighted, that although +I have seen the saddle, I could +never observe the peg, large as you +have been pleased to describe it.’—‘But +there it certainly is,’ replied the +knight; ‘and what makes it the more +remarkable, it is said to be kept in a +case of calves leather, that it may not +rust.’—‘It may be so,’ said the +canon; ‘but, by my holy orders! I do +not remember to have seen any such +thing; yet, granting it to be in that +place, I am not therefore bound to +believe the stories that are recounted +of so many Amadis’s, and such a +rabble of knights; nor is it reasonable, +that a person of honour, like +you, endowed with so many happy +talents, should give credit to such extravagant +rhodomontades as are related +in the lying legends of knight-errantry.’</p> + +<h4 id='chap2-4-23' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='twenty-three'>XXIII.</abbr> <br> OF THE SAGE CONTEST BETWEEN DON QUIXOTE<br> AND THE CANON—WITH OTHER EVENTS.</h4> +<p class='c004'>‘A good jest, truly,’ replied Don +Quixote, ‘that books printed +with the licence of kings, and approbation +of those who are appointed +to examine them, read with universal +delight, celebrated by great and small, +rich and poor, knights and plebeians, +the learned and illiterate; finally, by +persons of all ranks and degrees whatever; +should contain nothing but +lyes; notwithstanding the appearance +of truth which they maintain, in +mentioning the father, mother, country, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_279'>279</span>relations, condition, birth-place; +and in giving an exact journal of the +exploits peculiar to every individual +knight; cease, therefore, good Sir, +to vent such blasphemy, and believe +that in this particular, I advise you to +act according to the dictates of good +sense: read them again, and you will +see what pleasure you will reap for +your pains; for what can be more +entertaining than to see, as it were, +before our eyes, a vast lake of boiling +pitch, through which an infinite +number of serpents, snakes, and +alligators, with many other kinds +of fierce and terrible creatures, are +continually winding and writhing +along; then to hear a most dismal +voice that seems to issue from the +middle of this pitchy pool, pronounce, +“O knight, whosoever thou art, that +now standest gazing at the dreadful +lake, if thou wouldst enjoy the +bliss that is concealed beneath these +sable waves, display the valour of +thy dauntless breast, and dart thyself +amidst these black and burning billows; +otherwise, thou art not worthy +to behold the mighty wonders deposited +and contained within the seven +castles of the seven nymphs, that dwell +below this sullen flood.” Scarce +hath the sound of this dismal voice +ceased to vibrate on his ear, when +the knight, without the least hesitation, +or reflecting upon the danger +he incurs, nay, without putting off +his heavy armour, but recommending +himself to God and his mistress, +plunges at once into the burning lake; +and when he neither cares nor knows +what will be his fate, finds himself +in the midst of a delightful plain, by +which the Elysian fields are infinitely +excelled: there the heaven seems more +transparent, and the sun shines with +new lustre; the eye is entertained with +an agreeable forest of tall and leafy +trees, whose verdure delights the +view; while the ear is regaled with +the sweet and artless notes of an infinite +number of little painted warblers +that hop from bough to bough; +here he perceives a brook, whose refreshing +waters, clear as liquid chrystal, +run murmuring on the yellow +sand, and glistening pebbles, that +emulate the purest pearls, and heaps +of sifted gold.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘In one place springs an artificial +fountain adorned with variegated jasper +and polished marble; in another +rises a rustick grotto, in which the +small shells of the mussel, and the +white and yellow twisted domes of +the snail, placed in beauteous disorder, +and mixed with bits of shining +chrystal and counterfeit emeralds, compose +such an agreeable variety, that +nature seems to be excelled by imitative +art. In a third place, all of a +sudden, appears a strong castle or +magnificent palace, the walls of massy +gold, the battlements of diamond, +the gates of hyacinth, and, finally, +the workmanship so admirable, as infinitely +to excel the materials, which +are no less than adamant, carbuncles, +rubies, pearls, emeralds, and gold. +Nay, after having thus feasted his +eyes, there still remains for him to see +a fair bevy of damsels coming out at +the castle gate, dressed in such gay +and splendid attire, that were I to describe +it minutely, as it is represented +in the history, I should never have +done. Then she who appears the +principal, takes by the hand the undaunted +knight, who threw himself +into the boiling-lake, and silently leading +him into the rich castle or palace, +strips him as naked as he was when +his mother bore him, and bathes him +in water of an agreeable temperature, +then anoints his whole body with aromatick +essences, and puts upon him a +shirt of the finest lawn, all scented and +perfumed; then comes another damsel, +and throws over his shoulders a +mantle, which, at least, is usually +valued at the price of a whole city, or +more. After all this ceremony, what +a sight it is, when, as they relate, +he is conducted into another hall, in +which a table is furnished with such +elegance as to excite his admiration +and suspense! when they sprinkle upon +his hands water distilled from amber +and odoriferous flowers! when he is +seated upon a chair of ivory, and attended +by all those damsels, who +serve him in amazing silence! when +he is allured by such a variety of +dishes, and so savourily cooked, that +the appetite is confounded in its +choice! Then to hear musick during +his repast, without seeing the minstrel, +or knowing from whence the +sounds proceeds; and, after he has +refreshed himself, and the table is +<span class='pageno' id='Page_280'>280</span>uncovered, while he lolls at ease upon +his chair, perhaps picking his teeth, +according to custom, he is surprized +with the sight of another young lady, +much more beautiful than any of the +former, who enters the hall, and sitting +down by the knight, begins to +tell him whose castle that is, and how +she is inchanted within it, relating +other circumstances which create wonder +in him, and raise the admiration +of those who read the story. I need +not farther expatiate on this subject, +since, from what hath been said, it +plainly appears, that any part whatever +of the history of any knight-errant +whatever, must yield pleasure and +surprize to any reader whatsoever. +Believe me, therefore, good Sir, and +as I have already hinted, take the +trouble of reading those books, and +you will see what effectual antidotes +they are against melancholy, and how +they improve the disposition, when it +is bad. For my own part I can safely +aver, that since I professed the order +of knight errantry, I have been valiant, +courteous, liberal, well-bred, +generous, civil, daring, good-humoured, +and a patient endurer of +toils, captivities, and inchantment; +and though I so lately found myself +shut up in a cage like a madman, I +hope, by the valour of this my arm, +provided Heaven shall favour, and +fortune cease to oppose me, in a few +days to see myself sovereign of some +kingdom, when I shall be enabled to +demonstrate the gratitude and generosity +which reside within my breast; +for, truly, Signior, a poor man is incapable +of exerting the virtue of liberality, +let him possess it in never so +eminent a degree; and that gratitude +which is restrained to good-will alone, +is like faith without works, no more +than the ghost of virtue. Wherefore +I wish fortune would speedily furnish +me with an opportunity of making +myself an emperor, that I may exercise +the virtues of my heart, in bestowing +benefits on my friends, especially +on my poor squire Sancho Panza, +one of the best men in the world, +whom I intend to create an earl, in +consequence of a promise which he +obtained from me long ago, though +I fear he wants capacity to manage +his estate.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>These last words being overheard by +Sancho, he said to his master, ‘Signior +Don Quixote, I wish you would +take the trouble to give me that same +earldom, which is as firmly promised +by your worship as expected by me, +and I will undertake to find ability to +manage it; or, if I should find myself +at a loss, I have heard it often said, +that there are certain persons who farm +the estates of great noblemen at so +much a year, and take charge of the +whole, while the owner lolls at his +ease, enjoying his income, without +troubling his noddle about any other +affairs. Now, I would live in the +very same manner, minding the cares +of this world as little as possible; but +leaving off all sorts of business, enjoying +my rents, like any duke, and +let the world wag.’—‘Brother Sancho,’ +said the canon, ‘that is to be +understood only of the spending your +income; but the lord of a great estate +must have regard to the administration +of justice, which requires ability, +sound judgment, and principally an +upright intention; for if this be +wanting in the beginning, the middle +and end will always be involved in +error; and therefore Heaven usually +assists the righteous intent of the simple, +while it confounds the wicked aims +of the cunning.’—‘I know nothing +of these philosophies,’ answered the +squire; ‘but this I know, that I wish +to God I had this earldom, as soon +as I should find understanding to manage +it; for I have as big a soul as +my neighbours, and as much body as +he that has more; and would be as +much a king in my own estate, as any +he that wears a head: and so being, +I would do what I pleased; and doing +what I pleased, I should please +myself; and pleasing myself, I should +be satisfied; and in being satisfied, I +should have nothing more to desire; +and having nothing more to desire, +there would be an end; so let the +earldom come a God’s name! I wish +we could see it, as one blind man said +to another.’—‘These are no bad philosophies, +as you call them, Sancho,’ +said the canon; ‘but, for all that, there +is much to be said on the subject of +earldoms.’—‘I know not what more +can be said,’ replied Don Quixote; +‘for my own part, I do no more than +follow the example transmitted to me +by the great Amadis de Gaul, who +<span class='pageno' id='Page_281'>281</span>created his squire earl of the Firm +Island; and therefore I may, without +scruple of conscience, bestow the same +honour on Sancho Panza, who is one +of the best squires that ever served +knight-errant.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>The canon was amazed at the methodical +madness of Don Quixote, manifested +in his description of the Knight +of the Lake; and in the impression +which the false adventures of chivalry +had made upon his imagination; neither +was his wonder diminished, when +he considered the folly of Sancho, who +so ardently desired the possession of that +island which his master had promised to +give him, as the reward of his services.</p> + +<p class='c005'>By this time the canon’s servants had +returned from the inn, with the sumpter-mule; +and, instead of a table, spread +a carpet on the green grass, under the +shade of some trees, where the company +seating themselves all round, went +to dinner, that the waggoner might not +lose the opportunity of such a convenient +situation as we have already observed. +While they thus enjoyed themselves, +their ears were struck with a sudden +noise, and the sound of a bell, issuing +from the midst of some briars and +thickets that surrounded the place where +they sat; and immediately appeared a +beautiful she-goat, her skin speckled +with spots of white, black, and grey, +followed by the goatherd; who, in his +rustick dialect, called to her to stop and +return to the fold. The fugitive goat +trembling with affright, came towards +the company, and there stopped, as if +to implore their protection; while her +keeper, seizing her by the horns, accosted +her in these words, as if she had +been possessed of sense and understanding; +‘Ah! you spotted wanton, what +a rambler you have become of late; +the wolves will feast upon you one +day; what is the matter with you, +my pretty child? Yet what else can it +be but that you are a female, and +consequently inconstant! a plague +upon your disposition, and all those +you resemble: return, return, my darling; +and if you are not so happy, at +least you will be more secure, in the +fold among your companions! for if +you, who ought to watch over and guide +the rest, stray about in this imprudent +manner, what must become of them?’</p> + +<p class='c005'>These words of the goatherd diverted +those who heard them, especially the +canon, who said to him, ‘I beseech +you, brother, to pacify yourself, and +be not in such a hurry to drive back +your goat, which being a female, as +you observe, will follow her natural +disposition, in spite of all you can do +to oppose it. Take this morsel, and +assuage your choler with a cup of +wine, and in the mean time the goat +will repose herself.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>So saying, he presented to him, on +the point of a fork, the hind-quarter of +a cold rabbit, which was thankfully +accepted by the goatherd; who having +taken a long draught, and composed +himself, said to the company, ‘Gentlemen, +you must not take me for a simpleton, +because I talk to this animal +as if it were a rational creature; for +really there is a mystery concealed +beneath the words I have uttered. I +am a peasant, ’tis true, yet not so +rustick but that I know how to converse +with men as well as beasts.’—‘I +firmly believe what you say,’ replied +the curate; ‘for I myself have experienced +that the mountains produce +learned men, and that philosophers +are to be found within the shepherd’s +cot.’—‘At least,’ resumed the goatherd, +‘the cottage may contain those +who are warned by woeful experience; +and to convince you feelingly +that what I alledge is true, I, though +undesired, and self-invited, saving the +good pleasure of this good company, +entreat a moment’s hearing, while I +recount a true story, which will confirm +what that gentleman,’ pointing +to the curate, ‘and myself have observed.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>To this proposal Don Quixote replied, +‘As this affair seems to bear something +of the shadow of an adventure, I for my +part will gladly give you the hearing, +brother, and so will all those gentlemen +who are persons of taste, and lovers of +curious novels, that surprize, delight, +and entertain the sensible hearer, for +I hope your story will certainly produce +these agreeable effects: begin +then, friend, we are all attention.’—‘By +your leave,’ cried Sancho, ‘I will +e’en betake myself with this piece of +pasty to yonder brook, and lay in store +for three days; for I have heard my +master Don Quixote observe, that the +squire of a knight-errant ought to eat +as often and as much as he can; because +they are frequently so bewildered +<span class='pageno' id='Page_282'>282</span>in woods and forests, that it +will take them six whole days to disengage +themselves; and if a man’s +belly or his bags be not well lined +with provision, there he may stay, as +he often does, till he withers into +perfect mummy.’—‘You are in the +right, Sancho,’ said the knight, ‘go +where you will, and eat as much as +you please; for my own part, my +grosser appetite is satisfied, and now I +want refreshment for the mind, which +I shall enjoy in listening to this honest +countryman’s story.’—‘We shall all +share in the repast,’ replied the canon, +who intreated the peasant to perform his +promise.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Then the goatherd gave the goat, +which he held by the horns, two slaps +on the buttocks, saying, ‘Lie down by +my side, you speckled Nanny; we shall +have time enough to return to the +fold.’ The creature seemed to understand +his meaning, for he was no sooner +set than she lay down very quietly, and +looking in his face, gave him to understand +that she was attentive to what he +was going to say; upon which he began +his story in these words.</p> +<h4 id='chap2-4-24' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='twenty-four'>XXIV.</abbr> <br> THE STORY WHICH THE GOATHERD RECOUNTED<br> TO THE CONDUCTORS OF DON QUIXOTE.</h4> +<p class='c004'>‘Three leagues from this valley +stands a village, which +though small, is one of the richest +in all this country; and therein dwelt +a farmer in great repute: and albeit +respect follows worldly wealth, he +was more beloved for his virtue than +respected for his riches; but what he +regarded as the best part of his good +fortune, (as he himself was wont +to say) was a daughter he had, of +such exceeding beauty, rare discretion, +modesty, and grace, that every +one who saw and knew her, marvelled +at the happy talents with +which Heaven and nature had enriched +her body and her soul. In +the cradle she was handsome, and +continually increased in beauty, till +at the age of sixteen she was a most +inchanting creature: the fame of her +charms began to spread over all the +neighbouring villages; but what +need I say the neighbouring villages! +it extended to distant cities, and +even made its way into the king’s +court, filling the ears of all sorts of +people, who came from all parts to +see her, as if she had been some +great curiosity, or miracle-working +image. Her father watched over +her with great care, and she took +great care of herself; for, truly, a +maiden’s own prudent reserve is a +better guard upon her conduct than +all the bolts and spies, and padlocks +upon earth. The father’s wealth, +and the daughter’s beauty, moved a +great many people, both of town and +country, to demand her in marriage; +but he, like one who has the disposal +of a rich jewel, was perplexed +in his mind, and could not determine +in favour of any one of the +infinite number that solicited his +consent. Among the crowd of her +suitors, I was one who conceived +great and flattering hopes of success, +because her father knew me to be +his townsman, of an honest family, +in the flower of my age, rich in +wealth, and in point of understanding +not very poor. She was also +courted by another young man of +our town, who was in every respect +my equal; so that her father was +perplexed, and wavered in his choice, +because he thought his daughter +would be well bestowed upon either +of us; wherefore, in order to deliver +himself from this suspence, he +resolved to communicate our demands +to Leandra, (for that is the +name of this wealthy maiden, who +hath made me miserable) and since +we were equal in all qualifications, to +refer the whole affair to the choice and +decision of his beloved daughter. +An example worthy to be followed +by every father in the settlement of +his children: not that I would have +parents leave them to their own +choice, in things that are manifestly +wicked and base; but first propose +a number of prudent schemes, out +of which they may be allowed to +fix upon that which is most to their +liking. I know not to which of +us Leandra gave the preference; +this only I know, that her father +put us off, on pretence of his daughter’s +tender years, in general terms, +which neither laid him under any +<span class='pageno' id='Page_283'>283</span>obligation nor gave us any cause of +complaint. I think proper to tell +you, that I am called Eugenio, and +my rival Anselmo, that you may be +acquainted with the names of the +persons principally concerned in this +tragedy, which is still depending; +though one may easily foresee, that +it must have a melancholy end.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘But, to return to my story: just +about that time, there came to our +town one Vincent de La Rosa, the son +of a poor labouring man that lived +in the village: this Vincent, who +was just returned from being a soldier +in Italy, and other foreign parts, +had been carried away, when he +was a boy about twelve years of age, +by a captain that chanced to march +through the town with his company; +and now, after an absence of +another dozen of years, he returned, +in the garb of a soldier, pinked up +in a thousand colours, and bedecked +with a power of glass toys and slender-chains +of steel. To-day he dressed +himself out in one gay suit, to-morrow +in another: but all his finery and +gewgaws were of little weight or value. +The labouring people, who are +naturally malicious, nay, when idleness +gives them opportunity, downright +malice itself, observed and took +an exact account of all his ornaments +and fine apparel, and found that he +had no more than three suits of different +colours, with garters and hose; +but he found means to disguise them +by such inventions, that one who +had not been at the pains to detect +him, would have sworn that he had +appeared in more than ten different +dresses, and in upwards of twenty +plumes of feathers; and you +must not think it impertinent or +foolish in me to give you this account +of his cloaths, because they +bear a considerable share in the story. +He used to seat himself upon a stone, +under a tall poplar that grew in +our market-place, and there keep +us all gaping around him at the exploits +which he recounted; if you +would take his word for it, there +was not a country on the face of the +earth, which he had not seen, nor +a battle in which he had not served: +he had killed a greater number of +Moors than ever Tunis or Morocco +produced; and, by his own account, +fought more single combats than +were ever maintained by Gante, +Luna, Diego Garcia de Paredez, +and a thousand more whom he +named, gaining the victory in each, +without losing one single drop of +his blood; then he would shew the +marks of wounds, which though +not to be distinguished, he gave us +to understand were the effects of +musket-shot he had received in different +actions and encounters; finally, +with incredible arrogance, he used +to <i>thou</i> his own equals, even those +who knew his extraction, and say +that his own arm was his father, +his family the work of his own +hands, and being a soldier, he owed +nothing even to the king himself: +with all his boasting, he knew something +of musick, and could thrum upon +the guittar so as that some people +said he made it speak. But his talents +did not end here; for he was +also a piece of a poet, and wrote +ballads a league and a half long, +upon every silly trifle that happened +in the village. Well, then, +this soldier whom I have described, +this Vincent de La Rosa, this braggadocio, +this gallant, this musician, +and poet, was often seen and observed +by Leandra from the window +of her apartment, that looked +towards the market-place. She was +captivated by the tinsel of his gaudy +cloaths, and inchanted by his +ballads; for he gave away twenty +copies of each that he composed; the +feats he related of himself, reached +her ears: in short, (as the devil +himself must certainly have ordained) +she fell in love with him, +even before he had the presumption +to make any attempt upon her heart; +and, as in the affairs of love every +thing is easily accomplished by the +man who is already in possession of +the woman’s affection, Leandra and +Vincent soon came to a right understanding; +and before any one of +her numerous admirers had the least +inkling of her inclination, she had +already gratified it, by leaving the +house of her loving and indulgent +father, (mother she had none) and +running away with the soldier, who +triumphed in that enterprise, and +more effectually than in any one he +had ever undertaken.</p> + +<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_284'>284</span>‘This event filled not only the +whole village, but likewise all who +heard of it, with admiration: I, for +my part, was amazed, Anselmo +astonished, the father overwhelmed +with sorrow, and the relations with +shame. Justice, however, being solicited, +the troopers immediately took +the road, examined every copse and +thicket thereabouts, and after a +search of three days, found the giddy +Leandra in the cave of a mountain, +naked to the smock, and stripped +of a great quantity of money +and precious jewels, which she had +carried off when she made her escape. +When she was brought back +to the presence of her afflicted father, +and questioned about her misfortune, +she frankly owned that Vincent +de La Rosa had imposed upon +her; that under promise of marriage, +he had persuaded her to forsake +her father’s house, promising +to conduct her to Naples, which +he said, was the most beautiful and +flourishing city in the whole world; +that she inadvertently and fondly +believed his false professions, and +robbing her father, put herself under +his protection that same night +she was missed, when he carried her +to a rocky mountain, and confined +her in the cave where she was found: +she likewise affirmed that the soldier, +without making any attempt upon +her virtue, had stripped her of all +she had, and left her in that forlorn +condition; a circumstance that surprized +all who heard it, the soldier’s +continence being so incredible; but +she insisted upon it with such earnest +asseverations, that the disconsolate +father was in some sort comforted, +making little account of the money +he had lost, since his daughter was +allowed to keep the jewel which +when once lost there is no hope of +retrieving.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘The same day that Leandra appeared, +her father removed her from +our eyes, and shut her up in a +monastery of a neighbouring town, +hoping that time would efface some +part of the bad opinion his daughter +had incurred. The tender years +of Leandra served as an excuse for +her misconduct, especially with those +who are not concerned in the affair; +but those who know her discretion +and good sense, do not ascribe her +fault to ignorance, but to mere levity, +and the natural disposition of +women, which is always injudicious +and imperfect. Leandra being thus +secured, Anselmo’s eyes were blind +to every thing that could yield him +pleasure; and mine remained in darkness, +without the least glimpse of +light to direct them to any agreeable +object: the absence of Leandra +increased our affliction, and exhausted +our patience; we cursed the soldier’s +finery, and exclaimed against +her father’s want of care. At length +we agreed to quit the village, and +repair to this valley, where he feeding +a vast flock of sheep, which are +his own property, and I tending a +numerous fold of goats, which are +also mine, we spend our lives under +the cool shade of lofty trees, +and give vent to our passion, either +by singing, in concert, the praise or +dispraise of the beautiful Leandra, or +each by himself singing in the lonely +grove, and ejaculating his complaint +to Heaven. In imitation of us, many +more of Leandra’s lovers have betaken +themselves to these rugged +mountains, and the exercise of the same +employment; so that this spot seems to +be transformed into a pastoral Arcadia, +every field being crouded with +shepherds and folds, and every corner +resounding with the name of the +fair Leandra. One curses and calls +her fickle, inconstant, and immodest; a +second condemns her credulity and +lightness of behaviour; a third acquits +and forgives her, while she is +arraigned and reproached by a fourth; +some celebrate her beauty; others find +fault with her disposition: in short, +she is censured and adored by them +all; nay, to such a pitch hath their +extravagance risen, that some of them +complain of her disdain, though they +never spoke to her; and others, in +their lamentations, pretend to feel +the rage of jealousy, which is a passion +she never inspired; for, as I have +already mentioned, her fault was +known before her inclination was suspected: +there is not the hollow of a +rock, the margin of a rill, nor the +shade of a tree, that is not occupied +by some shepherd, recounting his +misfortune to the winds; wherever +an echo can be formed, it repeats the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_285'>285</span>name of Leandra; the hills resound +with Leandra; the rivulets murmur +Leandra; in short, Leandra +keeps us all inchanted and perplexed, +hoping we know not how, +and dreading we know not what. +Among the wrong-headed society, he +that shews the least, though he has +the greatest share of judgment, is my +rival Anselmo; who, notwithstanding +all the cause he has to be dissatisfied, +complains of absence only, turning +his lamentation to the sound of the +rebeck, which he touches with admirable +skill, in verses that shew the excellence +of his genius. I follow a +more easy, and in my opinion, a wiser +course, namely, to inveigh against the +levity of the female sex; their fickleness, +their double dealing, their +rotten promises, their broken faith; +and finally, their want of judgment +in bestowing their affections. These, +gentlemen, are my reasons for the discourse +you heard me address to my +goat, whom (because she is a female) +I despise, although she be the best of +the fold. This is the story I promised +to recount, and if I have been prolix +in the narration, I shall not be brief +in what service you shall please to +command. Hard by is my cottage, +in which I have plenty of new milk, +and most savoury cheese, with abundance +of the fruit in season, no less +agreeable to the taste than to the view.’</p> +<h4 id='chap2-4-25' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='twenty-five'>XXV.</abbr> <br> OF THE QUARREL THAT HAPPENED BETWEEN DON QUIXOTE AND THE GOATHERD,<br> WITH THE CURIOUS ADVENTURE OF THE DISCIPLINANTS, WHICH THE KNIGHT HAPPILY ATCHIEVED WITH THE SWEAT OF HIS BROW.</h4> +<p class='c004'>This story of the goatherd gave +infinite pleasure to all that heard +it, especially to the canon, who observed, +with admiration, his manner +of relating it, as distant from the rustick +phrase of a peasant as near approaching +to the polite stile of a courtier; +and therefore he said, the curate +had justly observed that the mountains +sometimes produced learned men. +Every body made proffers of service to +Eugenio, but he that shewed himself +most liberal in compliment was Don +Quixote, who said to him, ‘Truly, +brother goatherd, were it possible +for me to undertake any new adventure, +I would forthwith set forward +in your behalf, and deliver Leandra +from that monastery, in which she +is, doubtless, detained against her +will, in spite of the abbess and all +that should oppose my design; and +would put her into your hands to be +treated according to your good will +and pleasure, so far as is consistent +with the laws of chivalry, by which +all damsels are protected from +wrongs: though I hope in God, that +a malicious inchanter shall not so +far prevail, but that he may be +excelled in power, by another of a +more righteous disposition; and then +you may depend upon my favour +and assistance, according to the duty +of my profession, which is no other +than to succour the wretched and +the weak.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>The goatherd stared at Don Quixote, +and being struck with admiration at +his rueful aspect and dishevelled locks, +said to the barber, who sat near him, +‘Signior, pray, who is that man who +looks and talks so wildly?’—‘Who +should it be,’ answered the barber, +‘but the renowned Don Quixote de La +Mancha! the redresser of grievances, +the righter of wrongs, the protector +of damsels, the terror of giants, +and thunder-bolt of war?’—‘That +discourse,’ replied the peasant, ‘puts +me in mind of those books which treat +of knights errant, who were commonly +distinguished by such titles as +you bestow on that man: but, I suppose, +you are pleased to be merry, +or else the apartments of this poor +gentleman’s skull are but indifferent-furnished.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘You are a most impudent rascal!’ +(cried the knight, over-hearing what +he said) ‘it is your skull that is unfurnished +and unsound; but mine is +more pregnant than the abominable +whore that brought you forth.’ So +saying, he snatched up a loaf, and flung +it at the goatherd with such fury, that +he levelled his nose with his face.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Eugenio, who did not understand +raillery, finding himself maltreated +in earnest, without any respect for the +carpet, table-cloth, or company, leaped +upon the knight, and laying hold of +<span class='pageno' id='Page_286'>286</span>his collar, with both hands, would +certainly have strangled him, if Sancho +Panza had not at that instant sprung to +his master’s assistance, and pulling his +antagonist backwards, tumbled him +over upon the table, where plates, cups, +victuals, wine, and all went to wreck. +Don Quixote finding himself disengaged, +arose, and in his turn, got upon +the goatherd, who being battered +by the master, and kicked by the man, +was creeping about on all fours in quest +of a table-knife, with which he intended +to take some bloody revenge, but +was prevented by the canon and curate; +the goatherd, however, managed matters +so as that he got the knight under +him, when he rained such a shower +of kicks and cuffs upon his carcase, +that our hero’s countenance was as +much overflowed with blood as his +own; the curate and canon were ready +to burst with laughing, the troopers +capered about with joy, and the +whole company hallooed, according +to the practice of the spectators +when two dogs are engaged: Sancho +Panza alone was distracted, because he +could not get out of the clutches of one +of the canon’s servants, who hindered +him from assisting his master. In fine, +when every body was thus regaled and +rejoiced, except the combatants, who +worried each other, they heard a trumpet +utter such a melancholy note, that +they could not help turning their +heads, and looking towards the place +from whence the sound seemed to +come: but he on whom it made the +greatest impression was Don Quixote; +who, though lying under his antagonist, +very much against his inclination, +and more than sufficiently pummelled, +said to the goatherd, ‘Brother devil, +(for sure thou canst be nothing else, +who hast strength and valour sufficient +to overcome my efforts) I beg a +truce for one hour only; because the +doleful sound of that trumpet which +salutes our ears, seems to summon +me to some new adventure.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>The goatherd being by this time +heartily tired of drubbing, as well as of +being drubbed, immediately complied +with his request; and Don Quixote +starting up, directed his view towards +the place whence the sound seemed to +issue, where he descried a great number +of people dressed in white like disciplinants, +coming down the side of a +neighbouring hill. That year the heavens +had withheld refreshing showers +from the earth; and through all the +villages of that district the people instituted +processions, disciplines, and prayers, +beseeching God to open the fountains +of his mercy, and favour them +with rain: for this purpose, the inhabitants +of a neighbouring village were +then going in procession to a holy hermitage +built on an eminence that skirted +the valley; and Don Quixote seeing the +strange dress of the disciplinants<a id='r125'></a><a href='#f125' class='c008'><sup>[125]</sup></a>, +without recollecting that he had frequently +seen such habits before, concluded +the whole to be an adventure, +which it was the province of him as a +knight-errant to atchieve: what served +to confirm him in this notion, was an +image cloathed in black, which was +carried before them, and which he supposed +to be some princess whom those +discourteous robbers were carrying off +by force.</p> + +<p class='c005'>This whim no sooner entered his +brain, than he ran with great agility to +Rozinante, who was feeding very quietly, +and taking the bridle and shield, +which hung upon the pummel of the +saddle, clapped the bit in his mouth +in a twinkling, and demanding his +sword from Sancho, mounted his steed, +and braced his target, calling aloud to +the company, ‘Now, honourable gentlemen, +ye shall perceive the importance +of those who profess the order of +knight-errantry! now, I say, ye shall, +in the deliverance of that excellent +lady, who is at present a captive, behold +how much knights-errant ought +to be esteemed.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>So saying, he clapped heels to Rozinante, +(spurs he had none) and at a +hand-gallop (for we do not find in this +true history that ever Rozinante went +full-speed) rode up to attack the disciplinants. +Though the canon, curate +and barber, made efforts to detain him, +they found it impracticable; he was +even deaf to the cries of Sancho, who +bawled with great vociferation: ‘Where +are you going, Signior Don Quixote? +what devil possesses and provokes you +to act against our Catholick faith! +take notice—a plague upon me!—take +notice that this is no other than a +procession of disciplinants, and that +lady carried on the bier the blessed +<span class='pageno' id='Page_287'>287</span>image of the immaculate Virgin! +Consider, Signior, what you are +about, for sure I am you do not +know!’</p> + +<p class='c005'>In vain did Sancho strain his lungs: +his master was so intent upon overtaking +the apparitions, and setting the lady +in black at liberty, that he heard not +one syllable; nor if he had, would he +have returned, even if the king had +commanded him so to do. When he +approached the procession, he stopped +Rozinante, who was already out of +breath, and with a hoarse disordered +voice, pronounced, ‘You there, who +perhaps disguise yourselves for no +good, stop, and give ear to what I am +going to say.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Those who carried the image were +the first that halted, and one of the four +priests who sung the litanies, observing +the strange aspect of Don Quixote, the +leanness of Rozinante, with other ridiculous +circumstances belonging to both, +answered in these words: ‘Friend, if +you have any thing to say, speak +quickly; for these our brethren are +all this while scourging their own +flesh; and we cannot, nor is it reasonable +we should tarry to hear any thing +that cannot be comprehended in two +words.’—‘I will comprehend what +I have to say in one,’ replied the +knight; ‘and it is this: I command +you instantly to set free that beautiful +lady, whose tears and melancholy deportment +clearly demonstrate that you +are carrying her off, contrary to her +inclination, after having done her +some notorious wrong; and I, who +was born to redress such grievances, +will not suffer you to proceed one step +farther, until she shall have obtained +that liberty she deserves.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>From these words, concluding that he +must be some madman, all of them began +to laugh very heartily; and their +mirth acting as a train of gunpowder +to the knight’s choler, he drew his +sword, and without uttering another +word, attacked the bearers; one of +whom, leaving his share of the load to +his companions, opposed himself to this +aggressor, brandishing a fork or pole, +on which (when they were wearied) +they supported the bier. Don Quixote, +with a furious back-stroke, cut this +implement in two; but with the piece +which remained in the hand of the defendant, +received such a thwack upon +the shoulder above his sword-arm, that +his buckler was unable to sustain the +shock of such a rude assault, and down +came the poor knight in a most lamentable +condition.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Sancho Panza, who came puffing after +his master, seeing him fall, called +aloud to his antagonist to forbear; for +he was a poor inchanted knight, who +had never done the least harm to man, +woman, or child; but the peasant’s forbearance +was not owing to this exclamation +of the squire, so much as to the +situation of Don Quixote, who neither +moved hand nor foot; so that believing +he had done his business, he hastily gathered +up his frock, and fled through +the field as nimble as a buck. By this +time the whole company were come up +to the place where Don Quixote lay; +and those belonging to the procession +seeing so many people running towards +them, accompanied by the troopers with +their cross-bows, began to be in dread +of some mischievous event, and formed +themselves into a circle around the +image: then the disciplinants lifting +up their hoods, and wielding their +scourges, and the priests their long tapers, +waited the assault, with full determination +to defend themselves, and, +if possible, act offensively against all +who should attack them. But fortune +disposed of things more favourably +than they expected; for all that +Sancho did, was to throw himself upon +the body of his master, who he believed +was actually dead, and utter +the most doleful and ludicrous lamentation +that ever was heard. The curate +was immediately known by a brother +of the cloth, who belonged to the procession, +and this acquaintance dispelled +the apprehension which both squadrons +had began to conceive. Our licentiate +told his friend in a few words who Don +Quixote was, upon which he and the +whole crowd of disciplinants went to +see whether or not the poor knight was +dead, and heard Sancho Panza, with +tears in his eyes, lamenting in these words: +‘O flower of chivalry, who +by the single stroke of a cudgel, hast +finished the career of thy well-spent +life! O thou honour of thy family, +thou glory of La Mancha! aye, and +of the whole world, which being deprived +of thee, will soon be filled +<span class='pageno' id='Page_288'>288</span>with evil-doers, who will prosper +without fear of chastisement for their +wicked deeds! Oh, thou wast more +liberal than all the Alexanders that +ever lived! for thou gavest me, for +eight months service only, the best +island that ever the sea surrounded. +Oh! thou wast humble with the +haughty, and haughty with the humble, +tempting dangers, enduring disgraces, +in love without cause, imitating +the good, scourging the wicked, +a professed enemy to every thing +that was base; in short, a knight-errant, +and that is every thing in one +word!’</p> + +<p class='c005'>The cries and groans of Sancho revived +his master, and the first words he +pronounced were these: ‘He who is +condemned to live absent from thee, +most amiable Dulcinea! is subjected +to much greater hardships than these. +Friend Sancho, help to lay me on the +inchanted car; for I am incapable +of pressing Rozinante’s saddle, this +whole shoulder being crushed to +pieces.’—‘That I’ll do very willingly, +dear master,’ replied the squire; +‘and let us return to our own habitation, +in company of these gentlemen, +who wish you well; and there we will +lay a scheme for another sally, which +I hope will be more fortunate and +creditable.’—‘You are in the right, +Sancho,’ replied Don Quixote, ‘and +it will be very prudent in us to let the +malign influence of the stars pass +over.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>The canon, curate, and barber, approved +of his intention, and being extremely +diverted with the squire’s simplicity, +conveyed the knight to his former +situation in the waggon. The procession +was formed anew, and set forwards +accordingly: the goatherd took +his leave of the company; the troopers, +being unwilling to go farther, were +paid by the curate for their trouble; the +canon having intreated the priest to inform +him by letter of Don Quixote’s +fate, with regard to the continuation or +cure of his extravagance, bade him farewel, +and proceeded on his journey; in +short, there was a general separation, +till at length the curate, barber, Don +Quixote, and Panza, were left by themselves, +with the trusty Rozinante, who, +with the patience of his master, bore +and beheld every thing that passed.</p> + +<p class='c005'>The waggoner yoking his oxen, accommodated +the knight with a truss of +hay, and with his usual phlegm jogged +on according to the priest’s directions, +till, at the end of six days, they arrived +at their own village, which they +entered about noon; and it chancing to +be Sunday, the market-place through +which they were obliged to pass was +crouded with people, who running to +see what was in the cage, recognized +their townsman, and were struck with +astonishment. A boy ran immediately +to his housekeeper and niece, whom +when he informed of their master’s arrival, +in a most meagre, withered condition, +stretched upon a truss of hay, +in a waggon; it was a piteous thing to +hear the cries that were uttered by these +worthy ladies, who buffetted themselves +through vexation, and vented +bitter curses against the wicked books +of chivalry; which lamentations, buffettings, +and curses, were repeated with +greater violence than ever, when they +saw the knight enter his own gate.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Sancho Panza’s wife, who had got +intimation that he was gone with Don +Quixote in quality of his squire, hearing +of his return, ran straight to her +husband, and the first question she asked +was, whether or not the ass was in +good health? when the squire answered, +that the ass was in better health +than his master, ‘Thanks be to God,’ +cried she, ‘for that and all his other +mercies. But, now tell me, friend, +what good you have got by your +squireship? Have you brought home +a new petticoat for me, or shoes for +your children?’—‘I have brought no +such matters, my dear,’ replied Sancho, +‘but things of greater consideration +and importance.’—‘I am glad +of that, with all my heart!’ said the +wife; ‘pray shew me these things of +greater consideration and importance, +that the sight of them may rejoice my +heart, which hath been so sad and +discontented all the weary time of +your being away.’—‘You shall see +them at home,’ answered Sancho; +‘and heark’ee, wife, make yourself easy +for the present; for, an it please God +that we set out again in quest of adventures, +you shall speedily behold +your husband an earl, or governor of +an island; I don’t mean your common +islands, but one of the best that +<span class='pageno' id='Page_289'>289</span>ever was seen.’—‘The Lord in heaven +grant it, husband; for I am sure +we have need enough of such windfalls: +but tell me, what is an island; +for, truly, I know not the meaning of +the word?’—‘Honey was not made +for the mouth of an ass,’ said the +squire; ‘you shall see what it is, all +in good time, my dear; aye, and admire +to hear all your vassals call you, +my lady.’—‘What is that you say, +Sancho, of ladies, islands, and vassals?’ +cried Joan Panza; for that was +the name of the squire’s wife, though +she was not related to Sancho before +marriage; but it is the custom in La +Mancha for the women to take the +names of their husbands. ‘Don’t be +in such a hurry to know every thing, +Joan,’ replied the squire; ‘it is sufficient +that I tell thee nothing but +truth; let this, therefore, stop that +mouth of thine. Mean time, however, +I care not if I tell thee, that +it is one of the most pleasant occupations +in the world for an honourable +person, like me, to be squire +to a knight-errant, when he is in quest +of adventures. True it is, the greatest +part of them do not fall out quite +so much to one’s liking as one could +wish; for, out of a hundred in which +we are engaged, ninety-nine are generally +cross and unfortunate. That +I know by experience, having been +sometimes threshed, and sometimes +blanketted; but howsomever, it is a +curious pastime to be always in expectation +of adventures, crossing huge +mountains, searching woods, climbing +rocks, visiting castles, lodging at +inns, where we live at rack and +manger, and the devil a farthing to +pay.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>While this conversation passed between +Sancho and his wife, the housekeeper +and niece received Don Quixote, +whom they undressed and put to bed +in his old chamber, while he eyed them +askance, without being able to comprehend +where he was. The curate laid +his injunctions on the niece to cherish +her uncle with great tenderness, and +charged them both to take especial care +that he might not escape again, giving +them an account of the trouble he had +been at in bringing him back to his own +house. Here they raised their voices again +in concert, renewing their curses upon +the books of chivalry, and beseeching +Heaven to confound the authors of such +madness and lyes to the lowest pit of +hell; in short they were half distracted +with the apprehension of losing him +again, as soon as his health should be +re-established; and this was actually +the case.</p> + +<p class='c005'>But the author of this history, although +he inquired with the utmost curiosity +and diligence, concerning the +actions of Don Quixote in his third +sally, could never find any satisfactory +and authentick account of them; only, +fame hath preserved some memoirs in +La Mancha, by which it appears that +Don Quixote, when he set out the third +time, went to Saragossa, where he was +present at a most celebrated tournament, +in which many things happened to him +worthy of his genius and valour: but +with regard to his death and burial, he +could obtain no information; and must +have remained entirely ignorant of that +event, had he not luckily met with an +old physician, who had in his custody a +leaden box, which he said he found under +the foundation of an ancient hermitage +that was repairing. This box +contained some skins of parchment, on +which were written in Gothick characters +and Castilian verse, many of +our knight’s exploits, with a description +of Dulcinea’s beauty, Rozinante’s figure, +Sancho’s fidelity, and Don Quixote’s +own funeral, celebrated by divers +epitaphs, and panegyricks on his life +and morals. All that could be read, +and fairly copied, are those which are here +inserted by the faithful author of this +new and surprizing history, who, in recompence +for the immense trouble he has +undergone in his enquiries, and in examining +the archives of La Mancha, +that he might publish it with more certainty, +desires the reader to favour him +with the same credit which intelligent +persons give to those books of chivalry +that pass so currently in the world; +and herewith he will rest fully satisfied; +and perhaps be animated to search after, +and find out other histories, if not as +authentick, at least as full of invention +and entertainment.</p> + +<p class='c005'>The verses which were written in the +first skin of parchment found in the +leaden box were these—</p> +<p class='c004'><span class='pageno' id='Page_290'>290</span>THE ACADEMICIANS OF ARGAMASILLA, +A TOWN OF LA MANCHA, +ON THE LIFE AND DEATH OF THE +VALIANT DON QUIXOTE DE LA +MANCHA, HOC SCRIPSERUNT.</p> +<p class='c004'>MONICONGO, ACADEMICIAN OF ARGAMASILLA, +ON THE SEPULTURE +OF DON QUIXOTE.</p> +<div class='lg-container-b c015'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>EPITAPH.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>The bully that La Mancha deck’d</div> + <div class='line in2'>With spoils that shame the Cretan Jason,</div> + <div class='line'>Whose judgment ripe, and wit uncheck’d,</div> + <div class='line in2'>The trumpet of renown shall blazon;</div> + <div class='line'>That arm, whose valour did extend</div> + <div class='line in2'>To Gæta, from remote Cathay;</div> + <div class='line'>That muse which did the welkin rend</div> + <div class='line in2'>With verse which brazen plates display;</div> + <div class='line'>Who Amadis left far behind,</div> + <div class='line in2'>And deem’d Galaor a mere baby,</div> + <div class='line'>Whose valour with such lustre shin’d,</div> + <div class='line in2'>As shew’d ev’n Belianis shabby;</div> + <div class='line'>He that on Rozinante rode,</div> + <div class='line'>Now mingles with this clay-cold clod!</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c004'>PANIGUADO, ACADEMICIAN OF ARGAMASILLA, +IN PRAISE OF DULCINEA +DEL TOBOSO.</p> +<div class='lg-container-b c015'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>SONG.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>The maid, you see, with cheeks so blouzy,</div> + <div class='line'>High-chested, vigorous, and frouzy,</div> + <div class='line'>Dulcinea, fam’d Toboso’s princess,</div> + <div class='line'>Don Quixote’s gen’rous flame evinces:</div> + <div class='line'>For her, on foot, he did explore</div> + <div class='line'>The sable mountain o’er and o’er,</div> + <div class='line'>Through many a weary field did halt,</div> + <div class='line'>And all through Rozinante’s fault.</div> + <div class='line'>Hard fate! that such a dame should die</div> + <div class='line'>In spite of him and chivalry;</div> + <div class='line'>That he whose deeds e’en stones proclaim,</div> + <div class='line'>Should mourn a disappointed flame!</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c004'>CAPRICHOSO, A MOST INGENIOUS +ACADEMICIAN OF ARGAMASILLA, +IN PRAISE OF ROZINANTE, +THE RENOWNED STEED OF DON +QUIXOTE DE LA MANCHA.</p> +<div class='lg-container-b c015'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>On a proud trunk of Adamant,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Whose bloody branches smell’d of war,</div> + <div class='line'>La Mancha’s frantick wight did plant</div> + <div class='line in2'>His standard glitt’ring from afar.</div> + <div class='line'>There hung his arms; there gleam’d his sword,</div> + <div class='line in2'>That wont to level, hack, and hew;</div> + <div class='line'>Yet shall the wond’ring muse afford</div> + <div class='line in2'>For new exploits, a stile that’s new.</div> + <div class='line'>Let Gaul of Amadis be proud,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Greece boast the champions she hath bore;</div> + <div class='line'>Don Quixote triumphs o’er the crowd</div> + <div class='line in2'>Of all the warlike knights of yore:</div> + <div class='line'>For neither Gaul nor Greece can vie</div> + <div class='line'>With fam’d La Mancha’s chivalry.</div> + <div class='line'>Ev’n Rozinante wears the bay;</div> + <div class='line'>Let Brilladore and Bayard bray<a id='r126'></a><a href='#f126' class='c008'><sup>[126]</sup></a>.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c004'>BURLADOR, AN ARGAMASILLAN +ACADEMICIAN, ON SANCHO +PANZA.</p> +<div class='lg-container-b c015'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>SONG.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Here Sancho view of body small,</div> + <div class='line in2'>But great in worth, in action clear,</div> + <div class='line'>The best and simplest squire of all</div> + <div class='line in2'>The world e’er saw, I vow and swear.</div> + <div class='line'>And earl he surely might have been,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Had not this knavish age of brass,</div> + <div class='line'>With insolence and envious spleen,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Conspir’d against him and his ass;</div> + <div class='line'>That ass, on which he gently trotted</div> + <div class='line in2'>At gentle Rozinante’s tail;</div> + <div class='line'>Vain man, with flatt’ring hope besotted,</div> + <div class='line in2'>How, in a dream, thy prospects fail!</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c004'>CACHIDIABLO, ACADEMICIAN OF +ARGAMASILLA, ON THE SEPULTURE +OF DON QUIXOTE.</p> +<div class='lg-container-b c015'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>EPITAPH.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>On Rozinante’s back</div> + <div class='line in2'>The knight that whilome travell’d</div> + <div class='line'>Thro’ highway, path, and track,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Is here bemir’d and gravell’d:</div> + <div class='line'>And eke as stiff as he,</div> + <div class='line in2'>The block of Sancho Panza,</div> + <div class='line'>A trusty squire, perdie!</div> + <div class='line in2'>As ever mortal man saw.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c004'>TIQUITOCK, ACADEMICIAN OF +ARGAMASILLA, ON THE SEPULTURE +OF DULCINEA DEL TOBOSO.</p> +<div class='lg-container-b c015'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Here lies Dulcinea, once so plump,</div> + <div class='line in2'>But now her fat all melts away;</div> + <div class='line'>For death, with an inhuman thump,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Has turn’d her into dust and clay.</div> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_291'>291</span>Of a true breed she surely sprung,</div> + <div class='line in2'>And wanted not external grace;</div> + <div class='line'>Quixote’s heart with love she stung,</div> + <div class='line in2'>And shone the glory of her race.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>These were all the verses which could +be read; the rest being worm-eaten, +were delivered to an academician, that +he might attempt to unravel their meaning +by conjecture. This task we understand, +he has performed with infinite +pains and study, intending to publish +them to the world, in expectation of +the third sally of Don Quixote.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘<i>Forse altri canterà con miglior plettro.</i>’</p> + +<p class='c005'>END OF THE SECOND VOLUME.</p> + +<div class='chapter'> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_293'>293</span> + <h2 id='vol3' class='c007'>VOLUME THE THIRD. <br> PART <abbr title='two'>II.</abbr></h2> +</div> +<h3 id='vol3-pref' class='c009'>PREFACE.</h3> +<p class='c004'>Heavens! with what eagerness must thou be waiting for this +prologue, courteous reader, whosoever thou art, gentle or simple, +in hopes of finding it replete with resentment, reproaches, and revenge, +against the author of the Second Don Quixote; him, I mean, +who, it is reported, was engendered at Tordesillas, and brought forth +in Tarragona. But, truly, I have no intention to give thee that satisfaction: +for, although injuries may awaken indignation in vulgar +breasts; mine, I hope, will always be an exception to that rule. Thou +wouldst be glad, perhaps, to find me bellowing upon him the epithets +of ass, blockhead, and insolent coxcomb; but such low revenge never +once entered my imagination: his own conscience will sufficiently +chastise him; let him therefore chew the cud of remorse, and digest +it if he can. I own, I cannot help feeling the unjust reproach when +he taxes me with lameness and old age, as if it had been in my +power to retard the lapse of time; or that I had been maimed in some +tavern-brawl, and not on the most glorious occasion that ever the past +or present age beheld, or posterity can ever hope to see. If my +wounds do not brighten in the eyes of every spectator, they are at +least esteemed by those who know where they were acquired<a id='r127'></a><a href='#f127' class='c008'><sup>[127]</sup></a>; and +who thinks that a soldier who falls in battle makes a much more +noble appearance than he who saves himself by flight. This opinion +is so rooted within my own breast, that, were such an impossibility +proposed and effected, I would rather be lame as I am, with the share +I had in that stupendous action, than sound of body, without the +honour of having been there. The wounds that appear in a soldier’s +countenance and bosom, are so many stars to guide the rest of mankind +to the haven of honour, and the desire of honest praise; and it +ought to be observed, that an author does not write with his grey hairs, +but according to the dictates of his understanding, which is usually +improved by years and experience. I perceive also, that he calls me +envious; and, as if I were utterly ignorant, is at the pains to describe +the nature of envy; though I protest of the two kinds, I only harbour +that which is pure, virtuous, and noble. This being the case, +as it undoubtedly is, I have not the least inclination to inveigh against +any priest, especially one who bears the office of familiar to the holy +inquisition; and if what he says be advanced in behalf of him whose +cause he seems to espouse, he is altogether mistaken, in my opinion, +of that person, whose genius I adore: I admire his works, together +with his continual occupation in the practice of virtues; but I am actually +obliged to this honourable author, for saying that my novels<a id='r128'></a><a href='#f128' class='c008'><sup>[128]</sup></a> +are more satirical than exemplary, though he owns they are good of +<span class='pageno' id='Page_294'>294</span>their kind; for, without being exemplary, they cannot possibly be +good.</p> + +<p class='c005'>I suppose, gentle reader, thou art by this time of opinion, that I +walk with great circumspection, and scrupulously confine myself within +the bounds of modesty, conscious that it is inhuman to heap affliction +on the afflicted; and that this gentleman’s must needs be very great, +since he dares not appear in the open field, and in the face of Heaven, +but conceals his name, and dissembles his country, as if he had +been guilty of high treason: tell him, therefore, in my name, if ever +thou shouldst chance to find him out, that I do not at all think myself +injured by what he has done, for well do I know, what temptations +the devil spreads before us; and that one of his most effectual snares, +is to make a man believe that he has capacity to write a book, by which +he shall obtain an equal share of money and reputation. In confirmation +of what I say, I will beg the favour of you to tell him a short +story.</p> + +<p class='c005'>There was in Seville, a certain madman seized with the most diverting +whim that ever entered the brain of a lunatick. He used to walk +with a hollow cane, pointed at one end; and whenever he met with a +dog in the street, or in any other place, he clapped his foot on one of +the creature’s hind-legs, pulled up the other with his hand, and applying, +as well as he could, the pipe to his posteriors, instantly blew +him up as round as a ball. This operation being performed, he clapped +him twice on the belly, and dismissed the patient, saying, very +gravely, to the mob that never failed to gather round him, ‘Gentlemen, +I suppose, now, you think it is an easy matter to blow up a +dog!’ In like manner, I say, ‘I suppose your worship thinks it +an easy matter to write a book.’ If this story should not be to his +liking, be so good, friendly reader, as to tell this other, which also relates +to a dog and a madman.</p> + +<p class='c005'>There was another ideot in Cordova, who had a trick of carrying +upon his head a piece of marble, or heavy stone; and, as often as he +perceived any dog off his guard, he would approach him slily, and let +it fall plump upon his head. This was no joke to the poor dog, who +used to run barking and howling the length of three whole streets, +before he ventured to look behind. But, among others, he one day +happened to discharge his burden on a cap-maker’s favourite dog; +down went the stone upon his head, and the injured beast set up the +howl: the master seeing what passed, was filled with indignation, +snatched up his measure, and sallying out upon the lunatick, did not +leave a whole bone in his skin; saying, at every blow he bestowed, +‘Dog! rascal! use my spaniel in this manner! Did not you see, barbarous +villain, that my dog was a spaniel!’ Thus repeating the word +spaniel a great many times, he beat the aggressor into jelly.</p> + +<p class='c005'>The madman being documented, sneaked off, and kept his chamber +a whole month; at the end of which, he returned to his former pastime, +with a greater stone than ever, and coming up to a dog that lay +asleep, considered him with great attention, but was afraid of discharging +the stone, saying, ‘’Ware spaniel!’ In short, all the dogs +he afterwards met with, whether curs or mastiffs, were in his opinion +spaniels; so that he never ventured to repeat his experiment.——Now +this may be the fate of our historian, who will not chuse to open the +flood-gates of his wit again, in composing books, which, if bad, are +harder than stone.</p> + +<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_295'>295</span>Tell him, likewise, that I value not his threats a farthing, when he +says that his performance will deprive me of bread; but answer him +with a quotation from the famous interlude of the Perendenga: ‘To +four and twenty, live, my lord, and Christ be with us all.’ Long +live the great Count de Lemos, whose well-known Christian generosity +supports me against all the strokes of adverse fortune; and long life to +the transcendent charity of the most illustrious archbishop of Toledo, +Don Bernardo de Sandoval y Rojas; if there was not one printing-press +in the whole world, or if more books were published against me +than there are letters in the couplets of Mingo Rebulgo; these two +princes, unsolicited by any adulation or other kind of praise on my +part, but purely out of their own benevolence, have been pleased to +honour me with their countenance and favour, in which I think myself +infinitely more happy and rich, than if I had been conducted to the +highest pinnacle of fortune, in the ordinary way. Honour may be +enjoyed by a poor, but never by a vicious man; nobility may be clouded +by indigence, but never altogether obscured; for virtue, shining by +its own internal light, even through the inconveniencies and crannies +of poverty, will recommend itself to the esteem of high and princely +minds, and of consequence obtain their favour and protection. Thou +needest say no more to him; nor will I give thee any farther trouble, +except to observe, that thou art to consider this second part of Don +Quixote as a work of the same artificer, and composed of the same +materials with the first, in which I present the knight at full length; +and, in short, exhibit him dead and buried; that no man, for the future, +may presume to raise fresh evidence against him; those already +examined being sufficient for the purpose. The more so, as a man of +honour has already given an account of his ingenious follies, without +any intention to resume the subject; for there may be too much even +of a good thing; and the scarcity of those things which are in themselves +indifferent, often brings them into some degree of estimation. +I had almost forgot to tell thee, that thou mayest expect the Persiles, +which I am now finishing, together with the second part of Galatea.</p> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_296'>296</span> + <h3 id='vol3-app' class='c009'>APPROBATION.</h3> +</div> +<p class='c004'>By order of Signior Doctor Gutierrez de Cetina, vicar-general of +the city of Madrid, where his majesty keeps his court, I have +perused the second part of the sage knight, Don Quixote de La Mancha, +written by Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra; in which I can find +nothing unworthy of a zealous Christian, or deviating from that respect +which is justly due to good example and moral virtue. On the contrary, +the performance contains much erudition and profitable amusement; +not only in the well-supported sequel of his design, to extirpate +those vain and lying books of chivalry, which had already too far +spread their infection; but also in the purity of his Castilian language, +unadulterated with insipid affectation, which every man of sense abhors; +and in his manner of correcting the vicious, who generally feel +the point of his satire. Yet he so wisely observes the laws of Christian +rebuke, that the patient labouring under the infirmity which he +intends to cure, may, in such sweet and palatable medicine, even +without his own knowledge, or the least hindrance and loathing, swallow +down an effectual detestation for vice; so that he will find himself +at once delighted and reformed, in consequence of an art which is +known to few. There are many authors, who not knowing how to +blend and mix instruction with delight, have seen all their tedious labours +miscarry; because, not being able to imitate Diogenes, as a +learned philosopher, they have presumed licentiously, not to say obscurely, +to mimick him as a cynic, giving ear to slander, and inventing +things that never happened, by which means they enlarge the vicious +capacity of those whom their harsh reproofs stigmatize; and, perhaps, +strike out new paths of lewdness hitherto unknown; so that instead of +reformers, they become teachers and abettors of vice. In this manner +they grow hateful to men of sense, and lose all their credit, if they +had any, with the people, who refuse to encourage their writings; while +the vicious are rather hardened than amended by their rash and imprudent +corruption; for the knife and caustick are not proper for all kinds +of tumours, some of which are more successfully treated by soft and +gentle remedies, by the application of which, the experienced and +learned physician often attains his end of discussing them; a period +much more eligible than that which is obtained by the barbarity of +steel.</p> + +<p class='c005'>The writings of Miguel de Cervantes have met with a very different +reception, not only from our nation, but likewise from strangers; who, +as if he was something miraculous, are inflamed with the desire of seeing +the author of those books which have met with such general applause, +on account of the decency and decorum, as well as the agreeable +sweetness of his stile, in Spain, France, Italy, Germany, and +Flanders. This I can with great truth affirm, that on the twentieth +and fifth day of February, in this year of God, one thousand six hundred +<span class='pageno' id='Page_297'>297</span>and fifteen, I attended my master, his grace Don Bernardo de +Sandoval y Rojas, cardinal archbishop of Toledo, when he returned +the visit of the French ambassador, who came to treat about a double +match betwixt the princes and princesses of France and Spain; and +several gentlemen of that country, belonging to the embassy, who +were equally sensible and well-bred, as well as lovers of the Belles +Lettres, in their conversation with me and the other chaplains of the +cardinal, desired to know what books of genius were in highest esteem +among us; I chanced to mention this performance, which was then +under my examination: but no sooner did they hear the name of Miguel +de Cervantes, than they began to expatiate upon the high esteem +in which France and the neighbouring kingdoms held his productions; +namely, the Galatea, which one of them could almost repeat, with +the novels, and the first part of Don Quixote. Such were the commendations +they bestowed upon them, that I offered to introduce them +to the author, whom they honoured with a thousand demonstrations of +regard. They were curious to know his age, profession, quality, and +fortune; and when I found myself obliged to tell them he was a soldier +and a gentleman, oppressed with poverty and old age; one of them +replied in these very words: ‘What! does not Spain load such a man +with riches, and maintain him out of the publick treasury?’——Another +of those gentlemen, hearing this observation, interposed, saying, +with great vivacity, ‘If necessity compels him to write, God grant +that he may never enjoy affluence; but, in being poor, enrich the +world with his works.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>I believe this will be thought rather too much for a certificate; and +some will say, that I have even encroached upon the bounds of flattery; +but the truth of my allegation disproves that suspicion, and acquits +me of the charge; besides, in this age, adulation is bestowed +upon none but those who are in a capacity of greasing the fist of the +flatterer; who, though he praises in fulsome fiction, experts to be rewarded +in substantial truth.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Madrid, Feb. 27, 1615. <span class='sc'>The Licentiate Marques Torres.</span></p> +<h4 class='c011'>THE ORDINARY LICENCE.</h4> +<p class='c004'>By order and command of the lords of council, I have caused to +be examined, the book specified in this petition: which book contains +nothing to the prejudice of religion or morals; but, on the contrary, +is fraught with much lawful amusement, blended with moral +philosophy; wherefore it may be allowed to be printed.</p> +<p class='c004'>Madrid, Nov. 5, 1615. <span class='sc'>Doctor Gutierrez de Cetina.</span></p> +<h4 class='c011'>APPROBATION.</h4> +<p class='c004'>By order and command of the lords of council, I have perused +the second part of Don Quixote de La Mancha, written by Miguel +de Cervantes; a book that contains nothing to the prejudice of +<span class='pageno' id='Page_298'>298</span>our holy catholick faith, or sound morals; on the contrary, much honest +recreation, and agreeable amusement, such as the ancients judged not +only allowable, but convenient for the commonwealth: even the severe +Lacedemonians erected a statue to the goddess of laughter; and the +Thessalians instituted festivals to the same power, according to Pausanias, +quoted by Vossius, lib. <abbr title='two'>ii.</abbr> <span lang="la"><i>De signis eccles.</i></span> cap. 10. for exhilarating +the melancholy, and raising the dejected spirits; as observed by +Tully in his first book, <i>De Legibus</i>; and by the poet, who says, <span lang="la">‘<i>Interpone +tuis interdum gaudia curis.</i>’</span> Which maxim hath been the +guide of this author, who has mingled fiction with truth, delight with +instruction, and morals with pleasantry; disguising the hook of reproof +with the bait of sprightly entertainment, and fulfilling the sequel of his +well-executed scheme, to depreciate and expel the books of chivalry, +from the mischievous contagion of which he hath purged these kingdoms, +with admirable diligence and dexterity. In short, it is a work +worthy of that great genius, which is the honour and ornament of our +nation, and the envy and admiration of strangers. This is my opinion, +with submission, &c.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Madrid, March 17, 1615. <span class='sc'>Joseph de Valdivielso.</span></p> +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_299'>299</span> + <h3 id='book3-1' class='c014'>BOOK <abbr title='one'>I.</abbr></h3> +</div> +<h4 id='chap3-1-1' class='c010'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='one'>I.</abbr> <br> OF THE BEHAVIOUR OF THE CURATE AND BARBER,<br> WITH REGARD TO DON QUIXOTE’S INFIRMITY.</h4> +<p class='c004'>Cid Hamet Benengeli, in +the second part of this history, +containing the third +sally of Don Quixote, relates +that the curate and +barber forbore to visit him +for a whole month, that they might +not revive and recal to his imagination +the remembrance of things past; +but, during all that time, they frequently +went to see the housekeeper +and niece, on whom they laid strong +injunctions to cherish the knight with +great care and tenderness, and treat him +with such comfortable food as should +be most agreeable to his stomach and +brain, in which they reasonably supposed +that his whole disorder lay. The +ladies assured them it was their chief +study, which they would prosecute with +all imaginable care and satisfaction; +for they began to perceive that their +master, at certain intervals, gave tokens +of being in his right wits. This information +afforded great pleasure to the +two friends, who now concluded they +had acted wisely in bringing him home on +the inchanted waggon, as hath been recounted +in the last chapter of the first part +of this sublime and punctual history; and +determined to pay him a visit, that they +might be convinced of his amendment, +which they deemed almost impossible; +though they agreed to avoid, with great +care, the subject of chivalry, that they +might run no risk of ripping up the +wound so lately closed.</p> + +<p class='c005'>In short, they entered his chamber, +and found him sitting upon his bed, in +a waistcoat of green baize, and a red +Toledan night-cap, so meagre, shrunk, +and withered, that he looked like an +Egyptian mummy; he received them +very courteously, and when they enquired +into the state of his health, spoke +of his indisposition and himself with +great judgment and elocution. The +conversation happening to turn on what +is called reasons of state, and modes of +administration, they amended certain +abuses, and condemned others, reforming +one custom, and banishing another; +as if each of the three had been a new +legislator, a modern Lycurgus, or regenerated +Solon; and in such a manner +did they furbish up the common-wealth, +that one would have imagined they had +committed it to a forge, and brought +out another quite different from that +which they put in. Don Quixote spoke +on every subject that was handled, with +<span class='pageno' id='Page_300'>300</span>such discretion, as actually convinced the +two examiners, that he was quite sound, +and had recovered the right exercise +of his judgment; while the niece and +housekeeper, who were present all the +time, thought they could never be thankful +enough to God, when they heard +their master talk so sensibly. But the +curate altering his first resolution, which +was to avoid the subject of chivalry, +now determined to make an experiment, +by which he should be thoroughly satisfied, +whether the knight’s cure was real +or imaginary; with this view, he from +one thing to another came to mention +some news from court; and among other +pieces of intelligence, said he was certainly +informed that the Turk had taken +the sea, with a powerful armament, +though his design was not known, nor +could it be guessed where the expected +storm would burst; but that these preparations, +which keep us almost constantly +in arms, had alarmed all Christendom; +and that his majesty had ordered +the coasts of Naples and Sicily, +with the island of Malta, to be provided +against all attempts. To this intimation +Don Quixote replied, ‘His majesty +has acted like a most prudent +warrior, in providing for the safety of +his dominions, that the enemy may +not find them unprepared; but, if he +would take my advice, I would furnish +him with an expedient, which I +believe our sovereign at present little +thinks of.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>The curate no sooner heard these +words, than he said within himself, +‘Lord have mercy upon thee, poor Don +Quixote! if I am not mistaken, thou +art just going to cast thyself headlong +from the highest pinnacle of madness, +into the profound abyss of thy folly.’ +But the barber, who immediately adopted +the same suspicion, asked the knight +what that expedient was, which he +thought should be put in practice by way +of prevention; observing, that it was, +perhaps, such a scheme as deserved to +be inserted in the list of those impertinent +advices usually offered to crowned +heads. ‘Mine, Mr. Shaver,’ said Don +Quixote, ‘will be pertinent, not impertinent.’—‘I +don’t say otherwise,’ +replied the barber; ‘I only made that +observation, because experience hath +shewn that all, or the greatest part of +those projects which have been offered +to his majesty, are either impossible, +extravagant, or prejudicial to the state.’—‘My +scheme,’ answered the knight, +‘is neither impossible nor extravagant; +but, on the contrary, the most easy, +just, brief, and expeditious, that ever +projector conceived.’—‘Methinks +your worship is very slow in delivering +it, Signior Don Quixote,’ said the +priest. ‘I should not chuse,’ answered +the knight, ‘to have what I say here +carried by to-morrow morning, to the +ears of the lords of the council; by +which means, another may reap the +credit and reward of my labour.’—‘For +my own part,’ cried the barber, +‘I here give my word, before God! +never to disclose what your worship +shall impart, either to king or knave, +or any mortal man; an oath I learned +in the romance of the Curate, who, +in the preface, gives the king notice +of the robber that stole his hundred +ducats, and ambling mule.’—‘I am +not acquainted with the story,’ said +Don Quixote, ‘but the oath is a good +oath, because I am convinced that Mr. +Nicholas is an honest man.’—‘Be that +as it will,’ replied the curate, ‘I will +be bound for him, and undertake, that +with regard to this affair, he shall speak +no more than if he was actually dumb, +on pain of whatever penalty you shall +think proper to inflict.’—‘And who +will be security for you, Mr. Curate?’ +said the knight. ‘My profession,’ +answered the priest, ‘by which +I am bound to keep secrets.’—‘Body +of me!’ cried Don Quixote, ‘his +majesty has nothing to do, but to issue +a proclamation, commanding all the +knights-errant in Spain to assemble at +his court, by such a day; and although +not more than half a dozen +should come, among these one may be +found, who is alone sufficient to overthrow +the whole Turkish power. +Pray, gentlemen, give attention, and +take me along with you; is it such a +new thing, for a single knight to cut in +pieces a whole army of two hundred +thousand men, as if they had but one +common throat, or were made of ginger-bread? +How many histories are +there, think you, filled with such marvellous +exploits? Unfortunate it is for +me, (I will not say, for any other) +that the renowned Don Belianis is not +now alive, or some knight of the innumerable +race of Amadis de Gaul; +for if any one of them was now living, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_301'>301</span>to confront the Turks, in good +sooth, I should not chuse to farm +their conquests; but God will provide +for his own people, and produce +some champion, who, if not equal +in valour to former knights-errant, +at least will be inferior to none of +them in point of courage<a id='r129'></a><a href='#f129' class='c008'><sup>[129]</sup></a>; Heaven +knows my meaning; I will say no +more.’—‘Lack-a-day!’ cried the +niece, when she heard this insinuation, +‘I’ll be hanged, if my uncle is not +resolved to turn knight errant again.’—‘A +knight-errant,’ replied Don Quixote, +‘I will live and die; and the Turks +may make their descents or ascents, +when they will, with all the power they +are masters of. I say again, Heaven +knows my meaning.’ Here the barber +interposing, ‘Gentlemen,’ said he, +‘I beg you will give me leave to tell +a short story of what happened at Seville; +it comes so pat to the purpose, +that I have a strong inclination to relate +it.’ Don Quixote and the curate +granted his request, and the rest yielded +him attention, when he began in these +words.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘There was in the mad-house at Seville, +a certain lunatick, whom his +relations had sent thither on account +of the defect in his judgment; he +had taken his degrees in the canon +law, at Ossuna; and many were of +opinion, that if he had acquired them +at Salamanca, he would not have been +a bit the wiser; this graduate, having +been confined some years, took it in his +head, that he was quite well, and restored +to his right wits; and in this +imagination, wrote to the archbishop, +earnestly entreating him, with many +sensible arguments, to give order that +he should be extricated from the misery +in which he lived; since, through +the mercy of God, he had recovered +his lost judgment, though his relations +kept him still in confinement, +that they might enjoy his estate, and, +in despite of truth, were resolved that +he should be mad to the day of his +death. The archbishop, persuaded +by the many sensible and pathetick +letters he received, ordered one of his +chaplains to go to the rector of the +mad-house, and enquire into the truth +of what the licentiate alledged, and +even to talk with himself, that, if he +should find him quite recovered, he +might bring him away, and set him +at liberty. The chaplain obeyed the +command of his grace, and the rector +assured him that the man was still +mad; for although he would very often +talk like a person of excellent understanding, +at the long run he commonly +broke out into folly and nonsense, +as absurd as the first part of his +discourse was rational and discreet; +however, he himself might make the +experiment, by conversing with the +licentiate. The chaplain accordingly +went to his apartment, and talked +with him a whole hour and more, +during which time the lunatick did +not utter one vague or incoherent +sentence; but, on the contrary, spoke +so judiciously, that the chaplain could +not help believing him quite sound of +intellect; among other things, he told +him the rector was his enemy, and +pronounced him still distracted, though +with lucid intervals, that he might not +lose the presents which he received from +his relations; so that the greatest cause +of his misfortune was no other than +his own affluent estate, which to enjoy, +his adversaries craftily pretended to +doubt of the mercy which the Lord had +vouchsafed him, in re-converting him +from a beast into a man; in short, he +talked so effectually as to render the +rector suspected, to prove his relations +covetous and unnatural, and himself +so discreet, that the chaplain determined +to carry him forthwith to the +archbishop, that his grace might be +personally satisfied of the truth. With +<span class='pageno' id='Page_302'>302</span>this laudable intention, he desired the +rector to order the licentiate to be dressed +with the cloaths in which he entered +the house: the rector again advised +him to consider what he was +about; for the licentiate was, without +all question, still distracted. But +these cautions and counsels had no +effect in dissuading the chaplain from +carrying him off, and the rector seeing +the archbishop’s order, was obliged +to obey; so that the licentiate received +his own cloaths, which were +decent and new. Seeing himself thus +diverted of the badge of his disorder, +and habited again like a person of +sound intellects, he besought the chaplain, +that he would be so charitable +as to allow him to go and take leave of +his companions in affliction; the other +granted his request, and said he would +accompany him, in order to see the +patients; upon which they went up +stairs, followed by several persons +who chanced to be then present. The +licentiate, going to the gate of a cell, +in which there was a furious madman, +though at that time he was calm and +quiet, said to him, “Brother, have +you any commands for me? I am +going to my own house, for God of +his infinite goodness and mercy, without +any desert of mine, hath been +pleased to restore unto me the use of +my reason, and I am now perfectly +recovered; so that there is nothing +impossible to the power of the Almighty; +put, therefore, your hope +and trust in him, who, as he hath restored +me to my former state, will +grant the same indulgence to you, +if you confide in his protection. I +will take care to send you some cordial +food, and be sure, at all events, +to eat it; for, you must know, I +conclude from experience, that all +our disorder proceeds from an empty +stomach, and the brain’s being filled +with wind. Take heart, brother, +take heart; for despondence under +misfortune consumes the constitution, +and hastens the stroke of death.” +This discourse being overheard by +another lunatick, who was confined +in a cell opposite to that of the furious +patient, he started up stark naked +from an old mat on which he lay, and +roared aloud, “Who is that going +away so sober and so sound?” The +licentiate replied, “’Tis I, brother, +who am going home, being under +no necessity of tarrying longer in this +place; thanks be to Heaven for the +signal favour I have received!”—“Take +care what you say, Mr. Licentiate, +and let not the devil deceive +you,” answered the madman: “halt +a little, stay where you are, and spare +yourself the trouble of being brought +back.”—“I know that I am perfectly +recovered,” said the licentiate, +“and shall, have no farther occasion to +visit the Stations<a id='r130'></a><a href='#f130' class='c008'><sup>[130]</sup></a>.”—“You recovered!” +cried the other, “good! +we shall see—adieu—but, I swear +by Jupiter, whose majesty I represent +on earth, that, for the transgression +this day committed in Seville, +by discharging you from the +house, as a person of sound judgment, +I will take such vengeance as +shall be a monument of wrath for +ever and ever, amen. Do’st thou not +know, pitiful licentiate, that all this +is in my power, being, as I have already +observed, Jove the thunderer, +who wield the flaming bolts, with +which I use to threaten, and can destroy +the universe? But with one evil +only will I chastise this ignorant people; +I will not suffer one drop of +rain to fall upon the city, nor its +confines, nor indeed in any part of +this district, for the space of three +whole years, reckoning from the day +and minute in which this dreadful +menace is made. Thou free! thou +sound! thou recovered! and I mad! +I distracted and confined! I will +sooner hang myself than rain one +spoonful.” The by-standers were +very attentive to the vociferous exclamations +of this madman, when our +licentiate turning to the chaplain, and +taking him by the hand, said, “Dear +Sir, give yourself no uneasiness or +concern about what he says; for if +he who is Jupiter, witholds refreshing +showers from the earth, I who am +Neptune, the father and god of waters, +will rain as often as I please, +should there be occasion for it, in +consequence of the privilege I possess.” +To this promise the chaplain +<span class='pageno' id='Page_303'>303</span>replied, “Nevertheless, Signior Neptune, +it will not be politick to incense +Signior Jupiter; therefore, your +worship will be so good as to stay +where you are, till some other day, +when we may have more leisure and +convenience to remove you.” The +rector and the rest of the company +could not help laughing, the chaplain +was out of countenance, the licentiate +was stripped, and sent back to +his cell; and so ends my story.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘And this is the story, Mr. Barber,’ +said Don Quixote, ‘which +came so pat to the purpose, that you +could not help relating it? Ah, Mr. +Shaver! Mr. Shaver! he must be +blind indeed, that cannot see through +the bottom of a sieve. Is it possible +your worship does not know that comparisons +in point of genius, virtue, +beauty, and descent, are always odious +and ill received? I, Mr. Barber, +am not Neptune, god of waters; +neither do I set up for being thought +a wise man, knowing that I am not +so: the sole end of my labours is to +convince the world of its error, in +not seeking to renew those most happy +times when the order of knight-errantry +exerted itself in full perfection; +but this depraved age of ours is unworthy +of tasting that felicity which +was enjoyed by those ages, when +knights-errant undertook the charge, +and burdened their shoulders with +the defence of kingdoms, the protection +of damsels, the relief of wards +and orphans, the chastisement of the +proud, and the promotion of the humble. +The greatest part of your modern +knights rustle in damasks, brocades, +and other rich and splendid +attire, instead of rattling in coats of +mail; no knight now sleeps in the +open field, exposed to the inclemency +of the weather, armed at all points +cap-a-pee; no warrior, in this degenerate age, +sits on horseback, and +without disengaging his feet from +the stirrups, but leaning upon his +lance, endeavours to take as it were +a snatch of sleep, after the example +of former knights-errant; no champion, +now-a-days, coming out of +some dreary wood, immediately enters +another rocky wilderness, through +which he reaches the barren and deserted +coast of the rough and stormy +sea, where, finding in some creek, a +crazy boat without oars, sails, mast, +or tackle, he intrepidly throws himself +into it, and launches out upon +the implacable billows that whirl him +aloft to heaven, and then sink him to +the profound abyss, while his unshaken +soul defies the storm; then, +when he dreams of no such matter, +he finds himself three thousand leagues +and more from the place where he embarked, +and leaping ashore on some +remote and unknown country, achieves +adventures worthy to be written, +not on parchment, but on brass. +But now sloth triumphs over activity, +idleness over toil, vice over virtue, +arrogance over valour, and the theory +over the practice of arms, which obtained +and shone resplendent in those +golden ages that produced knights-errant. +Pray, tell me, who could be +more honourable and valiant than the +famous Amadis de Gaul? who more +discreet than Palmerin of England? +who more insinuating and pliant than +Tirante the White? who more gallant +than Lifuarte of Greece? who +more hacked and hacking than Don +Belianis? who more intrepid than +Perion of Gaul? or, who more daring +than Felixmarte of Hircania? +who more sincere than Esplandian? +who more desperate than Cirongilio +of Thrace? who more brave than Rodamont? +who more prudent than King +Sobrino? who more bold than Reynaldo? +who more invincible than Roldan? +and who more gallant and courteous +than Rugero? from whom (according +to Turpin, in his Cosmographia) the +present Dukes of Ferrara are descended. +All these, with many more which I +could name, Mr. Curate, were knights-errant, +and the very light and glory of +chivalry; these, or such as these, are +the champions proposed by my scheme, +which, should it take place, would +effectually serve his majesty’s purpose, +spare an infinite expence, and the +Turk would even tear his own beard +in despair; in that case I would tarry +where I am, since the chaplain would +not think fit to enlarge me; and if +Jupiter, as the barber said, would +not rain, here am I ready to frustrate +his intent; this I mention, that Mr. +Bason, there, may know I understand +his meaning.’—‘Verily, Signior Don +Quixote,’ said Mr. Nicholas, ‘I +meant no harm, so help me God! my +<span class='pageno' id='Page_304'>304</span>intention was good, and therefore +your worship ought not to be displeased.’—‘Whether +I am displeased or +not,’ replied the knight, ‘I myself +know best.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Here the curate interposing, said, +‘Though I have hitherto scarce opened +my mouth, I cannot be easy under +a scruple which tears and gnaws +my conscience, and which arose +from what Signior Don Quixote hath +just now asserted.’—‘In greater matters, +Mr. Curate may command me,’ +answered the knight; ‘out with your +scruple, then; for scruples of conscience +are very uncomfortable companions.’—‘With +your good permission,’ +replied the priest, ‘this it is: +I can by no means persuade myself +that the whole tribe of knights-errant, +whom your worship have named, +were really and truly earthly persons +of flesh and blood; on the contrary, +I imagine all these things are +fictions, fables, and lying dreams, +recounted by men who are awake, or +rather by those who are half asleep.’—‘That,’ +said Don Quixote, ‘is another +error incident to many people, +who do not believe that any such +knights ever existed; and I have, on +divers and sundry occasions, endeavoured +to dissipate that almost general +mistake by the light of truth. Sometimes, +indeed, I have not succeeded +in my attempts; however, I have +frequently gained my point, by supporting +it on the shoulders of demonstration; +and truly the case is so +clear, that I could almost affirm I +have with my own eyes beheld Amadis +de Gaul, who was a tall man, +of a fair complexion, well furnished +with a black beard, his aspect something +between mild and severe, concise +of speech, slow to anger, and +soon appeased. In the same manner, +methinks, I could delineate and paint +all the knights-errant that ever were +recorded in history; for, according to +the ideas formed by reading these +histories, and by comparing their exploits +and dispositions, sound philosophy +may discover their lineaments, +statures, and complexions.’—‘Signior +Don Quixote,’ said the barber, +‘how large do you think the giant +Morgante must have been?’—‘As to +the affair of giants,’ answered the +knight, ‘there are different opinions; +some affirming, and others denying, +the existence of any such beings: but +the Holy Scriptures, which surely cannot +fail one atom in point of truth, +put that affair beyond all dispute, in +relating the story of that Philistine +Goliath, who was seven cubits and +an half in height; a most amazing +stature! Besides, in the island of +Sicily, several thigh and shoulder-bones +have been dug up, so large as +to manifest, that the persons to whom +they belonged must have been huge +giants, as tall as high towers; and +this can be proved by mathematical +demonstration; but, nevertheless, I +will not pretend to ascertain the size +of Morgante; though I believe he +was not very tall, because I find in +the history which gives a particular +account of his exploits, that he often +slept under a roof: now, if there was +any house capacious enough to receive +him, his magnitude could not +be very extraordinary.’—‘No, surely,’ +said the curate: who, being diverted +with his extravagant assertions, +asked his opinion concerning +the looks and persons of Reynaldo de +Montalban, Don Orlando, and the +rest of the Twelve Peers of France, +who were all knights-errant. ‘With +regard to Reynaldo,’ answered Don +Quixote, ‘I will venture to say, he +was broad visaged, and of a ruddy +complexion, with large rolling +eyes, full of punctilio, excessively +cholerick, and a friend to robbers +and vagabonds. As for Roldan, or +Rotolando, or Orlando, (for he is +mentioned in history by all these +names) it is my opinion, and I affirm, +that he was of a middling +stature, broad-shouldered, somewhat +bandy-legged, of a dark complexion +and carrotty beard, hairy all over, +with a frowning aspect, sparing of +speech, though very affable and well +bred.’—‘If Roldan was not more +comely than you have represented +him,’ replied the curate, ‘I do not +wonder that Angelica the Fair disdained +and deserted him, for the gallantry, +mirth, and pleasantry of the +little smock-faced Moor, to whose +embraces she yielded; and, surely, +she was in the right, to prefer the +smoothness of Medoro to the roughness +<span class='pageno' id='Page_305'>305</span>of Roldan.’—‘That same Angelica, +Mr. Curate,’ said the knight, +‘was an unsettled rambling young +woman, that longed after novelties, +and left the world as full of her impertinent +actions as of the fame of +her beauty. She undervalued a thousand +noblemen, a thousand valiant +and discreet admirers, and contented +herself with a yellow haired page, +who had neither fortune nor reputation, +but that of being grateful to his +friend. The renowned Ariosto, who +sung the praises of her beauty, either +not daring or not designing to rehearse +what happened to her after her +base intrigue, because he deemed it a +theme not extremely honourable for +his muse, dropped her at these lines:</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c012'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘“Another bard may sing, in loftier lay,</div> + <div class='line'>How he obtain’d the sceptre of Cathay.”</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>‘And truly this was a sort of prophecy, +for the poets are also called <span lang="la"><i>vates</i></span>, +which in Latin signifies <i>diviners</i>, and +it was plainly verified in the event, +an Andalusian bard having since that +time sung in verse her tears and lamentation, +as the most famous and +sublime genius of Castile hath celebrated +her beauty.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Pray tell me, Signior Don Quixote,’ +said the barber, ‘among all +those authors who have written in her +praise, hath not some one or other +composed a satire against my Lady +Angelica?’—‘I firmly believe,’ replied +the knight, ‘that if Sacripante or +Roldan had been bards, they would +have made the damsel smart severely, +it being natural and peculiar to poets, +who are disdained and rejected by +their false mistresses, whether real or +imaginary, to revenge themselves by +satires and lampoons; a resentment +altogether unworthy of generous +breasts; but hitherto I have not met +with any such defamatory verses +against the Lady Angelica, though +she made strange confusion in the +world.’—‘That is a wonder, indeed!’ +said the curate.—When hearing the +housekeeper and niece, who had some +time before quitted the company, +bawling aloud in the yard, they ran +out to see what was the occasion of +such noise.</p> + +<h4 id='chap3-1-2' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='two'>II.</abbr> <br> THE NOTABLE FRAY THAT HAPPENED<br> BETWEEN SANCHO AND DON QUIXOTE’S NIECE AND HOUSEKEEPER—WITH OTHER DIVERTING INCIDENTS.</h4> +<p class='c004'>The history relates, that the noise +which Don Quixote, the curate, +and barber heard, was occasioned by +the niece and housekeeper scolding at +Sancho, who struggled to get in and +see his master, while they defended the +door. ‘What does the swag-bellied +lurcher want in this house?’ said +the housekeeper: ‘get you home, brother; +it was you, and none but you, +that turned my poor master’s brain, +enticing him from his own home, to +stroll about the highways.’ To this +apostrophe Sancho replied, ‘Housekeeper +of Satan! ’tis my brain that’s +turned; ’twas I that was enticed to +stroll about the highways, and not +thy master, for he carried me a rambling; +so that you have reckoned without +your host. ’Twas he that wheedled +me from my own house, with the +promise of an island, which I expect +to this good hour.’—‘Devil choak +thee with islands, thou cursed cormorant!’ +cried the niece: ‘and pray +what is an island; is it any thing to +eat, thou gorbellied glutton, ha?’—‘No, +not to eat, but to govern,’ answered +Sancho, ‘and a fat government +it is. Better than four cities, or the +places of any four of the king’s alcades.’—‘Be +that as it will,’ said the +housekeeper, ‘thou shan’t set foot in +this house, thou bag of mischief, and +bundle of malice! go and look after +thy own family, fatten thy hogs, and +let us hear no more of these islands or +oil-lands.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>The curate and barber were highly +entertained with this dialogue; but Don +Quixote fearing that Sancho would open +his budget, and disburden himself of +some mischievous load of folly, by +blabbing things not much to his credit, +called him in, bidding the women hold +their tongues, and give him entrance. +Sancho being accordingly admitted, the +curate and barber took their leave of +Don Quixote, whose recovery they despaired +of, seeing him so unalterably +<span class='pageno' id='Page_306'>306</span>fixed in his folly, and so wholly possessed +with the frantick spirit of knight-errantry. +‘You shall see, neighbour,’ +said the curate to the barber, ‘that +when we least think of it, this poor +gentleman will make another sally.’—‘That +I make no doubt of,’ answered +the barber, ‘but I don’t wonder so +much at the madness of the knight, +as at the simplicity of the squire, who +believes so devoutly in this island, +that I think all the invention of man +could not extract it from his skull.’—‘God +mend them!’ replied the curate: +‘meanwhile, let us keep a strict +eye over their behaviour, and observe +the operation of their joint extravagance; +for the madness of the master +seems to have been cast in the same +mould with the foolishness of the +man, and in my opinion, the one +without the other would not be worth +a farthing.’—‘True,’ said the barber; +‘and I should be glad to know +what they are now talking of.’—‘I +dare say,’ replied the curate, ‘the +niece and house-keeper will give us a +good account of their conversation; +for they are none of those who can +resist the opportunity of listening.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>In the mean time, Don Quixote having +shut himself up in his apartment +with Sancho, said, ‘It gives me much +concern, Sancho, to hear thee say, as +thou dost, that I enticed thee from +thy cottage, when thou knowest that +I, at the same time, quitted my own +house; together we set out, lived and +travelled together; sharing the same +fortune and the same fate. If +thou hast been once tossed in a blanket, +I have been bruised an hundred +times; and this is the only +pre-eminence I enjoyed.’—‘And +that’s but reasonable,’ replied Sancho, +‘according to your worship’s own +remark, that misfortune belongs more +to knights-errant than to their squires.’—‘There +you are mistaken, Sancho,’ +said Don Quixote; ‘for the Latin adage +says, <span lang="la"><i>Quando caput dolet, &c.</i></span>’—‘Nay,’ +quoth Sancho, ‘I understand +no lingo but my mother-tongue.’—‘The +meaning,’ said the master, ‘is, +When the head aches, all the members +are affected. I, therefore, as thy +lord and master, am thy head, and +thou, as my servant, are a part of +me; so that whatever mischief has +happened, or may happen to me, +ought to extend to thee likewise, +in the same manner as I bear a share +in all thy sufferings.’—‘So it ought +to be,’ said Sancho, ‘but when I, as +a member, was tossed in a blanket, +my head sat peaceably on the other +side of the wall, and beheld me vaulting +in the air, without feeling the +least uneasiness; and since the members +are obliged to ache with the head, +I think it is but just that the head +should ache with the members.’—‘How +canst thou affirm, Sancho,’ replied +Don Quixote, ‘that I felt no +pain while thou was tossed in the +blanket? Say, or think so no more; +for I was, at that time, more afflicted +in mind than thou in body.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘But let us wave this subject for the +present, and time will, no doubt, offer +an opportunity of considering it +more maturely, and of setting every +thing to rights: and tell me, friend +Sancho, how I am spoke of in this +place? What say the vulgar? What +character do I bear among the gentry? +and how am I treated by the knights? +What is their opinion of my valour, +exploits, and courteous behaviour? +and how do they relish the design I +have undertaken of raising and restoring +to the world the long-forgotten +order of knight-errantry? In short, +Sancho, I desire that thou wilt inform +me of every thing thou hast heard +on this subject, without adding to the +good, or subtracting from the evil; +it being the duty of faithful servants +to represent the truth to their masters +in its own native form, neither exaggerated +by adulation, nor diminished +by any other vain respect: and +let me tell thee, Sancho, if the naked +truth was always conveyed to the ears +of princes, undisguised by flattery, +we should see better days, and other +æras would deserve the name of the +iron age more than the present, which +would be justly looked upon as the +age of gold. Remember this advice, +Sancho, and inform me with honesty +and discretion, of all that thou knowest +in regard to what I have asked.’—‘That +I will with all my heart, Sir,’ +answered Sancho, ‘on condition that +your worship won’t be offended with +the truth, since you desire to see it in +its nakedness, just as it came to my +knowledge.’—‘I shall not be offended +in the least,’ replied Don Quixote: +<span class='pageno' id='Page_307'>307</span>‘speak therefore freely, without going +about the bush.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Well, then,’ said the squire, ‘in the +first place, you must know that the +common people think your worship a +stark-staring madman, and me a most +notorious fool: the better sort say, +that, scorning the rank of a private +gentleman, you have put Don before +your name, and dubbed yourself +knight, with a small garden, a few +acres of land, and a doublet clouted +on both sides. The knights, forsooth, +are affronted that your small gentry +should pretend to vie with them, especially +those needy squires who sole +their own shoes, and darn their black +hose with green silk.’—‘That observation,’ +said Don Quixote, ‘cannot +affect me; for I always wear good +cloaths, and never appear patched. +My doublet may, indeed, be torn, +but then it is by my armour, not by +time.’—‘Touching the valour, courtesy, +adventures, and design of your +worship,’ said Sancho, ‘there are different +opinions. Some say, he is mad, +but a diverting madman; others allow +that he is valiant, but unlucky; a +third set observe that he is courteous, +but impertinent; and in this manner we +are handled so severely, that neither your +worship nor I have a whole bone left.’—‘You +see, Sancho,’ said Don Quixote, +‘that whenever virtue shines in an eminent +degree, she always meets with +persecution. Few or none of the +celebrated heroes of antiquity could +escape the calumnies of malice: Julius +Cæsar, a most daring, wise, and +valiant general, was accused of being +ambitious, and not over-cleanly +in his customs or apparel; Alexander, +who by his atchievements acquired +the name of Great, was said to be a +drunkard; and Hercules, renowned +for his labours, reported to have been +lewd and effeminate; Don Galaor, +brother of Amadis de Gaul, was +grumbled at for being excessively +quarrelsome; and Amadis himself +ridiculed as an arrant whiner. Therefore, +son Sancho, among so many +aspersions thrown upon such great +men, I may well overlook what is +said against me; since it is no worse +than what thou hast repeated.’—‘That’s +the very thing, body of my +father!’ replied Sancho. ‘What, is +there any thing more!’ said his master. +‘More!’ cried the squire, ‘the +tail is yet unfleaed. What you have +heard is but cakes and gingerbread; +but, if your worship would know all +the backbitings we suffer, I will this +moment bring hither one who can +inform you of every circumstance, +without losing a crumb; for, last +night, the son of Bartholomew Carrasco +arrived from Salamanca, where +he has been at his studies, and got a +batchelor’s degree; and when I went +to welcome him home, he told me +there was a printed book of your +worship’s history, in which you go by +the name of The Ingenious Squire +Don Quixote de La Mancha; and +that I am mentioned in it by my own +name of Sancho Panza, as well as +my Lady Dulcinea del Toboso, with +other things that passed between you +and me only; at hearing of which +I crossed myself through fear, wondering +how they should come to the +knowledge of the historian.’—‘You +may depend upon it, Sancho,’ said +Don Quixote, ‘the author of our history +must be some sage inchanter; for +nothing is hid from writers of that +class.’—‘How can he be a sage inchanter,’ +said Sancho, ‘when batchelor +Sampson Carrasco (for that’s +the name of him who told me) says +the author of our history is called +Cid Hamet Bean-and-jelly?’—‘That +name is Moorish,’ replied Don Quixote. +‘Very like,’ said the squire; ‘for +I have often heard, that the Moors +are very fond of beans and jellies.’—‘Thou +must certainly be mistaken, +Sancho,’ said Don Quixote, ‘in the +surname of that Cid, which, in +Arabick, signifies Signior.’—‘Very +possible,’ answered the squire; ‘but +if your worship desires to see the +batchelor, I will bring him hither in +a twinkling.’—‘Thou wilt oblige +me very much, my friend,’ said Don +Quixote; ‘for what thou hast told me +has bred such doubts and suspense +within me, that I cannot eat a morsel +with any satisfaction, until I am +informed of the whole affair.’—‘Then +I’ll go seek him,’ replied Sancho: +who, leaving his master, went in quest +of the batchelor, with whom he returned +in a little time, and a most pleasant +dialogue ensued.</p> +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_308'>308</span> + <h4 id='chap3-1-3' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='three'>III.</abbr> <br> THE LUDICROUS CONVERSATION THAT PASSED BETWEEN DON QUIXOTE, SANCHO PANZA, AND THE BATCHELOR SAMPSON CARRASCO.</h4> +</div> +<p class='c004'>Don Quixote remained extremely +pensive, in expectation of the Batchelor +Sampson Carrasco, from whom +he hoped to hear news of himself, in +print, according to Sancho’s information; +though he could hardly persuade +himself that there could be such a history +extant; the blood of his enemies +whom he had slain, being scarce, as yet, +dry upon the blade of his sword, and yet +they would have his high atchievements +already recorded in printed books. He +therefore imagined that some sage, either +friend or foe, had cast them off, by the +power of inchantment: if a friend, in +order to aggrandize and extol them above +the most distinguished exploits of knight-errantry; +if an enemy, to annihilate +and depress them beneath the meanest +actions that ever were recorded of any +squire. ‘Although,’ said he, within +himself, ‘the deeds of squires are never +committed to writing; and if my history +actually exists, seeing it treats +of a knight-errant, it must, of necessity, +be pompous, sublime, surprizing, +magnificent, and true.’ This +reflection consoled him a little; but he +became uneasy again, when he recollected +that his author was a Moor, as +appeared by the name of Cid; and that +no truth was to be expected from that +people, who are all false, deceitful, and +chimerical. He was afraid that his +amours were treated with some indecency, +that might impair and prejudice +the honour of his Lady Dulcinea del +Toboso, wishing for nothing more than +a true representation of his fidelity, and +the decorum he always preserved, in +refusing queens, empresses, and damsels +of all ranks, thus keeping the impulse +of his passions under the rein. Tossed, +therefore, and fluctuating on these and +many other fancies, he was found by +Sancho and Carrasco, whom the knight +received with great courtesy.</p> + +<p class='c005'>The batchelor, though his name was +Sampson, was not very big, but a great +wag, of a pale complexion and excellent +understanding; he was about the +age of four and twenty; had a round +visage, flat nose, and capacious mouth, +all symptoms of a mischievous disposition, +addicted to jokes and raillery; as +appeared when he approached Don +Quixote, before whom he fell upon his +knees, saying, ‘Permit me to kiss your +most puissant hand, Signior Don Quixote +de La Mancha; for by the habit +of <abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr> Peter, which I wear, though +I have received no other orders than +the first four, your worship is one of +the most famous knights-errant that +ever were, or ever will be, within the +circumference of the globe! Blessed +be Cid Hamet Benengeli, who wrote +the history of your greatness! and +thrice blessed that curious person who +took care to have it translated from +the Arabick into our mother-tongue, +for the entertainment of mankind!’ +Don Quixote, raising him up, said, +‘’Tis true, then, that there is a history +of me, and that the sage who composed +it is a Moor.’—‘So true, Signior,’ +said Sampson, ‘that, to my +certain knowledge, there are twelve +thousand volumes of it this day in +print; let Portugal, Barcelona, and +Valencia, where they were printed, +contradict me if they can. It is even +reported to be now in the press at +Antwerp; and I can easily perceive, +that there is scarce a nation or language +into which it will not be translated.’—‘One +of the things,’ said +Don Quixote on this occasion, ‘which +ought to afford the greatest satisfaction +to a virtuous and eminent man, +is to live and see himself celebrated +in different languages, and his actions +recorded in print, with universal approbation; +I say, with approbation; +because, to be represented otherwise, is +worse than the worst of deaths.’—‘In +point of reputation and renown,’ +said the batchelor, ‘your worship alone +bears away the palm from all other +knights-errant; for the Moor in +Arabick, and the Christian in his language, +have been careful in painting +the gallantry of your worship to the +life; your vast courage in encountering +dangers, your patience in adversity, +your fortitude in the midst of +wounds and mischance, together with +the honour and chastity of your platonick +love for my Lady Donna Dulcinea +del Toboso.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Here Sancho interposing, said, ‘I +<span class='pageno' id='Page_309'>309</span>never heard my lady called Donna +Dulcinea, but simply the Lady Dulcinea +del Toboso; so that there the +history is wrong.’—‘That is no material +objection,’ answered Carrasco. +‘No, sure,’ replied the knight. ‘But +tell me, Mr. Batchelor, which of my +exploits is most esteemed in this history.’—‘As +to that particular,’ said +the batchelor, ‘there are as many different +opinions as there are different +tastes. Some stick to the adventure +of the wind-mills, which to your worship +appeared monstrous giants; others, +to that of the fulling-mills; this reader, +to the description of the two armies, +which were afterwards metamorphosed +into flocks of sheep; while +another magnifies that of the dead +body, which was carrying to the place +of interment at Segovia: one says, +that the deliverance of the galley-slaves +excels all the rest; and a second +affirms, that none of them equals the +adventure of the Benedictine giants, +and your battle with the valiant Biscayner.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Here Sancho interrupting him again, +said, ‘Tell me, Mr. Batchelor, is the +adventure of the Yanguesians mentioned, +when our modest Rozinante longed +for green peas in December<a id='r131'></a><a href='#f131' class='c008'><sup>[131]</sup></a>.’—‘Nothing,’ +replied Sampson, ‘has escaped +the pen of the sage author, who relates +every thing most minutely, even +to the capers which honest Sancho cut +in the blanket.’—‘I cut no capers in +the blanket,’ answered Sancho; ‘but +in the air, I grant you, I performed +more than I desired.’—‘In my opinion,’ +said Don Quixote, ‘there is no +human history that does not contain +reverses of fortune, especially those +that treat of chivalry, which cannot +always be attended with success.’—‘Nevertheless,’ +resumed the batchelor, +‘some who have read your history, say +they should not have been sorry, had +the author forgot a few of those infinite +drubbings which, in different +encounters, were bestowed on the great +Don Quixote.’—‘But in this consists +the truth of history,’ said the +squire.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Don Quixote observed, that they +might as well have omitted them; for +those incidents, which neither change +nor affect the truth of the story, ought +to be left out, if they tend to depreciate +the chief character. ‘Take my word +for it,’ said he, ‘Æneas was not so +pious as Virgil represents him, nor +Ulysses so prudent as he is exhibited +by Homer,’—‘True,’ said Sampson; +‘but it is one thing to compose as +a poet, and another to record as an +historian: the poet may relate or rehearse +things, not as they were, but +as they ought to have been; whereas +an historian must transmit them, not +as they ought to have been, but exactly +as they were; without adding to, +or subtracting the least tittle from the +truth.’—‘Since this Moorish gentleman +has told all the truth,’ said Sancho, +‘I don’t doubt that, among the +drubbings of my master, he has mentioned +mine also; for they never took +the measure of his shoulders, without +crossing my whole body: but at this +I ought not to wonder, since, as he observes, +when the head aches, the members +ought to have their share of the +pain.’—‘You are a sly rogue, Sancho,’ +replied Don Quixote; ‘and I find +you don’t want memory, when you +think proper to use it.’—‘If I had +all the mind in the world,’ said Sancho, +‘to forget the blows I have received, +the marks, which are still fresh +upon my carcase, would by no means +allow me.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Hold your peace, Sancho,’ said the +knight, ‘and don’t interrupt Mr. +Batchelor, whom I intreat to proceed; +and let me know what more is +said of me in this same history.’—‘Aye, +and of me too,’ cried Sancho; +‘who, they say, am one of the principal +personages of it.’—‘You mean +persons, and not personages, friend +Sancho,’ said Sampson. ‘What! +have we got another reprimander of +words?’ said the squire; ‘since it is +come to this, we shall never have +done.’—‘Plague light on me! Sancho!’ +replied the batchelor, ‘if you +are not the second person of the history; +<span class='pageno' id='Page_310'>310</span>and there are many who would +rather hear you speak than the first +character in the book; though some +there be also, who say you are excessively +credulous, in believing there +could be any foundation for the government +of that island, which was +promised to you by Signior Don Quixote, +here present.’—‘There is no +time lost<a id='r132'></a><a href='#f132' class='c008'><sup>[132]</sup></a>,’ said Don Quixote; ‘while +thou art advancing in years, Sancho, +age will bring experience; and then +thou wilt be more qualified and fit to +govern than thou art at present.’—‘’Fore +God! Sir,’ said Sancho, ‘the +island which I cannot govern with +these years, I shall never govern, were +I as old as Methusalem: the mischief +is, that this same island is delayed +I don’t know how; not that I +want noddle to govern it.’—‘Recommend +it, Sancho,’ said Don Quixote, +‘to the direction of Heaven, which +does all for the best, and may, perhaps, +exceed your expectation; for +not a leaf can move upon a tree, +without the permission of God.’—‘True,’ +said Sampson, ‘if it be the +will of God, Sancho shall not want +a thousand islands, much less one, to +govern.’—‘I have seen governors in +my time,’ quoth Sancho, ‘who, to +my thinking, did not come up to the +sole of my shoe, and yet they were +called your lordship, and served in +plate.’—‘Those were not governors +of islands,’ replied Sampson, ‘but +of other governments more easily managed; +for such as govern islands +ought at least to have some grammatical +knowledge.’—‘I know very +well how to cram<a id='r133'></a><a href='#f133' class='c008'><sup>[133]</sup></a>,’ said Sancho; +‘but as to the matted cawl, I will neither +meddle nor make, because I +don’t understand it; but leaving this +government in the hands of God, +who will dispose of me the best for +his own service, I am, Mr. Batchelor, +Sampson Carrasco, infinitely pleased +and rejoiced that the author of our +history has spoke of me in such a +manner as not to give offence; for, +by the faith of a good squire! if he +had said any thing of me, that did +not become an old Christian, as I am, +the deaf should have heard of it.’—‘That +were a miracle, indeed!’ answered +Sampson. ‘Miracle or no miracle,’ +said Sancho, ‘let every man +take care how he speaks or writes of +honest people, and not set down at a +venture the first thing that comes into +his jolter-head.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘One of the faults that are found +with the history,’ added the batchelor, +‘is, that the author has inserted +in it a novel, intitled, The Impertinent +Curiosity. Not that the thing +itself is bad, or poorly executed, but +because it is unseasonable, and has +nothing to do with the story of his +worship Signior Don Quixote.’—‘I’ll +lay a wager,’ cried Sancho, ‘that this +son of a cur has made a strange hodge-podge +of the whole.’—‘Now I find,’ +said the knight, ‘that the author of +my history is no sage, but some ignorant +prater, who, without either judgment +or premeditation, has undertaken +to write it at random, like Orbaneja +the painter of Ubeda, who +being asked what he painted, answered, +“Just as it happens;” and when +he would sometimes scrawl out a +misshapen cock, was fain to write under +it in Gothick letters, “This is a +cock;” and my history being of the +same kind, will need a commentary +to make it intelligible.’—‘Not at all,’ +answered Sampson, ‘it is already so +plain, that there is not the least ambiguity +in it; the very children handle +it, boys read it, men understand, and +old people applaud it: in short, it is +so thumbed, so read, so well known +by every body, that no sooner a +meagre horse appears, than they say, +“There goes Rozinante!”, but those +who peruse it most, are your pages; +you cannot go into a nobleman’s antichamber +where you won’t find a +Don Quixote, which is no sooner laid +down by one, than another takes it +up, some struggling, and some intreating +for a sight of it; in fine, this +history is the most delightful and least +prejudicial entertainment that ever was +seen; for in the whole book there is +<span class='pageno' id='Page_311'>311</span>not the least shadow of a dishonourable +word, nor one thought unworthy +of a good Catholick.’—‘To write +otherwise,’ said Don Quixote, ‘were +not to publish truth, but to propagate +lyes; and those historians who deal in +such, ought to be burnt like coiners +of false money; but I cannot imagine +what induced the author to avail himself +of novels and stories that did +not belong to the subject, when he +had such a fund of my adventures to +relate: he, doubtless, stuck to the proverb, +So the gizzard is crammed, it +matters not how<a id='r134'></a><a href='#f134' class='c008'><sup>[134]</sup></a>; for truly, had he +confined himself to the manifestation +of my reveries, my sighs, my tears, +my benevolence, and undertakings, +he might have compiled a volume +larger, or as large, as all the works of +Tostatus bound together<a id='r135'></a><a href='#f135' class='c008'><sup>[135]</sup></a>. Really, +Mr. Batchelor, according to my comprehension, +it requires great judgment, +and a ripe understanding, to +compose histories, or indeed any books +whatever; for to write with elegance +and wit, is the province of great geniuses +only. The wittiest person in +the comedy is he that plays the fool; +for he must be no simpleton who can +exhibit a diverting representation of +folly. History is a sacred subject, because +the soul of it is truth; and +where truth is, there the divinity will +reside: yet there are some who compose +and cast off books, as if they +were tossing up a dish of pancakes.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘There is no book so bad,’ said the +batchelor, ‘but you may find something +good in it.’—‘Doubtless,’ replied +the knight; ‘but it frequently +happens, that those who have deservedly +purchased and acquired great reputation +by their writings, lose it all, +or at least forfeit a part of it, in printing +them.’—‘The reason,’ said Sampson, +‘is, that printed works are perused +with leisure, consequently their +faults easily observed; and the greater +the reputation of the author is, the +more severely are they scrutinized: +men celebrated for their genius, great +poets, and illustrious historians, are, +for the most part, if not always, envied +by those whose pleasure and particular +entertainment consists in criticising +the works of others, without +having obliged the world with any +thing of their own.’—‘That is not +to be wondered at,’ said Don Quixote; +‘for there are many theologists +who make but a poor figure in the +pulpit, and yet are excellent in discerning +the faults and superfluities of +those who preach well.’—‘That is +all true, Signior Don Quixote,’ said +Carrasco; ‘and I could wish that those +censurers were either a little more compassionate, +or something less scrupulous, +than to insist upon such blemishes +of the work they decry, as may be compared +to little spots in the sun, and +as <span lang="la"><i>aliquando bonus dormitat Homerus</i></span>, +consider how long the author watched, +in order to display the light of his performance, +with as little shade as possible. +Perhaps, too, those things which +disgust them are no other than moles, +that sometimes add to the beauty of +the face on which they grow; and +therefore I affirm, that he who publishes +a book runs an immense risk; +because it is absolutely impossible to +compose such an one as will please and +entertain every reader.’—‘I believe +few will relish that which treats of +me,’ said the knight. ‘Quite the +contrary,’ answered Sampson; ‘for, as +<span lang="la"><i>stultorum infinitus est numerus</i></span>, the +number of those who are delighted +with your history is infinite; though +some accuse the author’s memory as +false or faulty, because he has forgot +to tell who the thief was that stole +Sancho’s Dapple, of whom there was +not a word mentioned: we can only +infer from the history, that he was +stolen; and by-and-by we find the +squire mounted on the same beast, +without knowing how he was retrieved. +They say, likewise, that he has +omitted telling what Sancho did with +<span class='pageno' id='Page_312'>312</span>those hundred crowns which he found +in the portmanteau, in Sierra Morena; +and which are never mentioned +though many people desire to know +what use he made of them; and this +is one of the chief defects in the +work.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Mr. Sampson,’ answered the squire, +‘I am not in an humour at present to +give accounts and reckonings of that +affair; for I feel a certain qualmishness +in my stomach, and if I don’t +recruit it with a couple of draughts +of old stingo, I shall be in most grievous +taking<a id='r136'></a><a href='#f136' class='c008'><sup>[136]</sup></a>; I have the cordial at +home, and my dame waits for me; +but when I have filled my belly, I +will return and satisfy your worship, +and all the world, in whatever +they shall desire to ask, both with regard +to the loss of my beast, and the +spending of the hundred crowns.’ So, +without expecting a reply, or speaking +another word, he hied him home, while +Don Quixote desired and intreated the +batchelor to stay and do penance with +him. The batchelor accepted the invitation, +and stayed; a pair of pigeons +was added to the knight’s ordinary; he +talked of nothing but chivalry at table, +and Carrasco encouraged the discourse. +The repast ended, they took their afternoon’s +nap, Sancho returned, and the +former conversation was renewed.</p> + +<h4 id='chap3-1-4' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='four'>IV.</abbr> <br> IN WHICH SANCHO PANZA SATISFIES THE DOUBTS,<br> AND ANSWERS THE QUESTIONS OF BATCHELOR SAMPSON CARRASCO;<br> WITH OTHER INCIDENTS WORTHY TO BE RECITED AND KNOWN.</h4> +<p class='c004'>Sancho returning to his master’s +house, resumed the former conversation, +to gratify Mr. Sampson, who +said he wanted to know when, in what +manner, and by whom his ass had been +stolen; ‘You must know, then,’ said +he, ‘that very night we fled from the +holy brotherhood, and got into the +Brown Mountain, after the misventuresome +adventure of the galley-slaves, +and the corpse that was carrying +to Segovia, we took up our quarters +in a thicket, where my master and +I, being both fatigued, and sorely +bruised in the frays we had just finished, +went to rest, he leaning upon +his lance, and I lolling upon Dapple, +as if we had been stretched upon four +feather-beds; I, in particular, slept +so sound, that the thief, whosoever +he was, had an opportunity of coming +and propping me up with four +stakes, fixed under the corner of my +pannel, on which I was left astride; +so that he slipped Dapple from under +me, without my perceiving it in the +least.’—‘And this is no difficult +matter, nor new device,’ said Don +Quixote; ‘for the same thing happened +to Sacripante at the siege of Albraca, +where, by this contrivance, +his horse was stolen from between his +legs by the famous robber Brunelo<a id='r137'></a><a href='#f137' class='c008'><sup>[137]</sup></a>.’—‘When +morning came,’ proceeded +Sancho, ‘I no sooner began to stretch +myself, than the stakes gave way, +and down I came to the ground with +a vengeance; I looked for my beast, +and finding he was gone, the tears +gushed from my eyes, and I set up a +lamentation, which, if the author of +our history has not set down, you may +depend upon it, he hath neglected a +very excellent circumstance; a good +many days after this mischance, as I +chanced to be travelling with my lady +the Princess Micomicona, descrying +a person riding towards me in the habit +of a gypsy, I immediately knew +my own ass, and discovered the rider +to be Gines de Passamonte, that impostor +and notorious malefactor, whom +my master and I delivered from the +galley-chain.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘The error lies not in that part of +the history,’ replied the batchelor, +‘but consists in the author’s saying that +Sancho rode on the same ass, before +it appears that he had retrieved him.’—‘As +so that affair,’ said the squire, +‘I can give you no satisfactory answer; +perhaps it was an oversight in the historian, +or owing to the carelessness of +the printer.’—‘Doubtless it was so,’ +replied Sampson; ‘but what became +<span class='pageno' id='Page_313'>313</span>of those hundred crowns? were they +laid up or laid out?’—‘I laid them +out,’ answered Sancho, ‘in necessaries +for my own person, my wife, and +children; and those crowns were the +cause of my gossip’s bearing patiently +my ramblings and rovings in the service +of my lord and master Don Quixote; +for if, after such a long absence, +I had come home without my ass, +and never a cross in my pocket, I +might have expected a welcome the +wrong way. Now, if you have any +thing else to ask, here I am ready to +answer the king in person; and it +matters not to any person, whether I +did or did not bring them home, or +whether I spent them or lent them; +for if the blows I have received in our +peregrinations were to be repaid with +money, rated at no more than four +maravedis a piece, another hundred +crowns would not quit one half of +the score; therefore, let every man +lay his hand upon his heart, and not +pretend to mistake an hawk for a +hand-saw<a id='r138'></a><a href='#f138' class='c008'><sup>[138]</sup></a>; for we are all as God +made us, and a great many of us much +worse.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘I will take care,’ said Carrasco, ‘to +apprize the author of the history, that +if it should come to another edition, +he may not forget to insert what honest +Sancho observes, as it will not a +little contribute to raise the value of +the work.’—‘Mr. Batchelor,’ said +the knight, ‘did you, in reading it, +perceive any thing else that ought to +be amended?’—‘There might be +some things altered for the better,’ +replied Carrasco; ‘but none of such +consequence as those already mentioned.’—‘And +pray,’ resumed Don +Quixote, ‘does the author promise a +second part?’—‘Yes,’ said Sampson, +‘but he says he has not yet found it, +nor does he know in whose possession +it is; so that we are still in doubt, +whether or not it will see the light: +on that account, therefore, and likewise +because some people say, that second +parts are never good, while +others observe, that too much already +hath been written concerning Don +Quixote, it is believed that there will +be no second part; though there is a +a third sort more jovial than wise, who +cry, “Quixote for ever! let the knight +engage, and Sancho Panza harangue; +come what will, we shall be satisfied.”’—‘And +how does the author seem inclined?’ +said the knight. ‘How?’ +answered Carrasco, ‘to set the press +a-going, as soon as he can find the +history, for which he is now searching +with all imaginable diligence; +thereto swayed by interest, more than +by any motive of praise.’—‘Since +the author keeps interest and money +in his eye,’ said Sancho, ‘it will be +a wonder if he succeeds; for he’ll do +nothing but hurry, hurry, like a taylor +on Easter-eve; and your works +that are trumped up in a haste, are +never finished with that perfection +they require; I would have Mr. Moor +take care, and consider what he is +about; for my master and I will furnish +him with materials, in point of +adventures and different events, sufficient +to compose not only one, but a +hundred second parts. What! I suppose +the honest man thinks we are +now sleeping among straw; but let +him lift up our feet, and then he will +see which of them wants to be shod; +all that I shall say is, if my master +had taken my advice, we might have +been already in the fields, redressing +grievances, and righting wrongs, according +to the use and custom of true +knights-errant.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Scarce had Sancho pronounced these +last words, when their ears were saluted +by the neighing of Rozinante, which +Don Quixote considered as a most happy +omen, and determined in three or four +days to set out on his third expedition; +accordingly, he declared his intention +to the batchelor, whose advice he asked +with regard to the route he should take. +Sampson said, that in his opinion, he +ought to direct his course towards the +kingdom of Arragon, and go to Saragossa, +where, in a few days, was to be +held a most solemn tournament on the +festival of <abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr> George; there he would +have an opportunity of winning the +palm from the Arragonian knights, +which would raise his reputation above +that of all the champions upon earth: +he applauded his design as a most valiant +and honourable determination, and +begged he would be more cautious in +encountering dangers, because his life +was not his own, but the property of +<span class='pageno' id='Page_314'>314</span>all those who had occasion for protection +and succour in distress.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘That is the very thing I repose, +Mr. Sampson,’ said the squire; ‘for +my master thinks no more of attacking +a hundred men in arms, than +a hungry boy would think of swallowing +half a dozen pippins<a id='r139'></a><a href='#f139' class='c008'><sup>[139]</sup></a>. Body +of the universe! Mr. Batchelor, if +there are times for attacking, there +are also seasons for retreating; the +cry must not always be “<abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr> Jago! +charge, Spain<a id='r140'></a><a href='#f140' class='c008'><sup>[140]</sup></a>!” especially as I have +heard, and, if I remember aright, my +master himself has often observed, +that valour lies in the middle, between +the extremes of cowardice and rashness; +this being the case, I would not +have him fly without good reason, +nor give the assault when he is likely +to be overpowered by numbers; but, +above all things, I give my master notice, +that if he carries me along with +him, it shall be on condition that he +fight all the battles himself, and I be +obliged to do nothing, but tend his +person, that is, take care of his belly, +and keep him sweet and clean; in +which case, I will jig it away with +pleasure<a id='r141'></a><a href='#f141' class='c008'><sup>[141]</sup></a>; but to think that I will put +hand to sword, even against base-born +plebeians with cap and hatchet, is a +wild imagination: for my own part, +Mr. Sampson, I do not pretend to +the reputation of being valiant, but +of being the best and loyalest squire +that ever served a knight-errant; and +if my master Don Quixote, in consideration +of my great and faithful +services, shall be pleased to bestow +upon me one of those many islands +which his worship says will fall in his +way, I shall very thankfully receive +the favour; and even if he should not +keep his word, here stand I, simple +as I am, and one man must not depend +upon another, but trust in God +alone; besides, the bread I eat, without +a government, mayhap will relish +better than the dainties of a governor; +and how do I know but the +devil may, in these governments, raise +some stumbling-block, over which I +shall fall and beat out my grinders? +Sancho I was born, and Sancho will I +die; but, nevertheless, if by the favour +of Providence, I could fairly and +softly, without much risk or anxiety, +obtain an island, or some such matter, +I am not such a ninny as to throw +it away; for, as the saying is, When +the heifer is offered, be ready with the +rope; and, When good fortune comes +to thy door, be sure to bid it welcome.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Brother Sancho,’ said the batchelor, +‘you have spoke like a professor; but +for all that, put your trust in God, +and Signior Don Quixote, who instead +of an island, will give you a whole +kingdom.’—‘The one as likely as the +other,’ answered Sancho; ‘though I +dare venture to assure Signior Carrasco, +that the kingdom, which my master +shall bestow upon me, will not be put +into a rotten sack; for I have felt my +own pulse, and find myself in health +sufficient to rule kingdoms and govern +islands, as I have, upon many +other occasions, hinted to my master.’—‘Consider, +Sancho,’ said the batchelor, +‘that honours often change the +disposition; and, perhaps, when you +come to be governor, you will not +know the mother that bore you.’—‘That +may be the case,’ answered the +squire, ‘with those who were born +among mallows; but not with me, +who have got four inches of old christian +suet on my ribs; then if you +come to consider my disposition, you +will find I am incapable of behaving +ungratefully to any person whatever.’—‘God +grant it to be so,’ said the +knight; ‘but this will appear when you +arrive at the government, which methinks +I have already in mine eye.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>He then intreated the batchelor, if he +was a poet, to favour him with a copy +of verses on his intended parting from +his mistress Dulcinea del Toboso, +and desired that every line might begin +with a letter of her name, so that the +initials being joined together, might +make Dulcinea del Toboso. Carrasco, +though he owned he was not one of the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_315'>315</span>famous poets of Spain, who were said to +be but three and a half<a id='r142'></a><a href='#f142' class='c008'><sup>[142]</sup></a>, promised to +compose such an acrostick as he desired, +which, by the bye, he foresaw would be +no easy task, because the name consisted +of seventeen letters, and if he should +make four stanzas of four lines each, +one must be left out; or should they be +composed of five, called decimas or +roundelays, three letters would be wanting +to compleat the number; however, +he would endeavour to sink one letter +as much as he could, so that in four +stanzas the name Dulcinea del Toboso +should be included. ‘That must be +done, at all events,’ said Don Quixote; +‘for if the name be not plain and manifest, +no woman will believe that she +was the subject of the poem.’ This +affair being thus settled, as also the +time of their departure, which was fixed +at the distance of eight days, Don +Quixote charged the batchelor to keep it +secret, especially from the curate, Mr. +Nicholas, his niece, and housekeeper, +that they might not obstruct his honourable +and valiant determination. Carrasco, +having promised to observe this +caution, took his leave of the knight, +whom he begged to favour him on every +occasion, with an account of his good +or evil fortune; and Sancho went home, +to provide every thing necessary for their +expedition.</p> + +<h4 id='chap3-1-5' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='five'>V.</abbr> <br> OF THE SAGE AND PLEASANT DIALOGUE BETWEEN SANCHO PANZA<br> AND HIS WIFE TERESA PANZA,<br> WITH OTHER INCIDENTS WORTHY TO BE MOST HAPPILY RECORDED.</h4> +<p class='c004'>The translator says he looks upon +this chapter as apocryphal, because +it represents Sancho Panza speaking in a +stile quite different from that which +might be expected from his shallow understanding, +and making such ingenious +observations, as he thinks it impossible +he should know; but he would not +leave it out, that he might punctually +perform the duty of a faithful translator, +and therefore proceeds in these words.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Sancho returned to his own house in +such high spirits, that his wife perceived +his gaiety at the distance of a bow shot, +and could not help saying, ‘What is +the matter, friend Sancho, that you +seem so joyful?’ To this question the +squire answered, ‘An it pleased God, +wife, I should be very glad if I were +not so joyful as I seem to be.’—‘Truly, +husband,’ replied Teresa<a id='r143'></a><a href='#f143' class='c008'><sup>[143]</sup></a>, ‘I +don’t understand you; and cannot +conceive what you mean, by saying +you should be very glad, an it pleased +God, you were not so joyful; for, +simple though I be, I am always glad +with what makes me joyful.’—‘Mark +me, Teresa,’ said the squire, ‘I am rejoiced, +because it is determined that I +shall return to the service of my master +Don Quixote, who is going to +make a third sally in quest of adventures, +and I must accompany him in +his expedition; for so my destiny will +have it, together with the comfortable +and lively hope of finding another +hundred crowns like those I have expended: +on the other hand, sorry am +I to part with thee and my children; +and if God would permit me to eat +my bread dry-shod at home, without +dragging me over clifts and cross-paths; +(and this might be done at a +small expence, if he would only say +the word) it is plain that my joy +would be more firm and perfect; +whereas that which I feel at present, is +mingled with the melancholy thoughts +of leaving thee, my duck; wherefore +I justly said I should be glad, an it +pleased God, I were less joyful.’—‘Verily, +Sancho,’ said his wife, ‘ever +since you made yourself a member of +knight-errantry, you talk in such a +round-about manner, that there is no +understanding what you say.’—‘Let it +suffice,’ answered the squire, ‘that I am +understood by God, who is the understander +of all things; and there let it +rest: meanwhile, take notice, gossip, +it will be convenient for you to tend +Dapple for these two or three days +with special care; let his allowance +<span class='pageno' id='Page_316'>316</span>be doubled, that he may be enabled +to carry arms; and look out for the +pannel and the red of the tackle, for +we are not going to a wedding, but to +traverse the globe, and give and take +dry blows with your giants, dragons, +and hobgoblins, and hear nothing but +hissing, roaring, bellowing, and bleating; +and all this would be but flowers +of lavender, were it not our doom to +encounter with Yanguesians and inchanted +Moors.’—‘I very well believe +that squires-errant do not eat the bread +of idleness,’ replied Teresa; ‘and +therefore, husband, I shall continually +pray to our Lord, to deliver you from +such misfortunes.’—‘I tell thee, wife,’ +said Sancho, ‘if I did not expect to +see myself in a little time governor of +an island, I should drop down dead +upon the spot.’—‘By no means, dear +husband,’ cried Teresa, ‘Let the hen +live, though she have the pip; and I +hope you will live, though the devil +run away with all the governments +upon earth; without a government +did you come from your mother’s +womb; without a government have +you lived to this good hour; and without +a government shall you go or be +carried to your grave, in God’s own +time: there are many in the world +who have no governments, and yet, +for all that, they live and are numbered +among the people. Hunger is the +best sauce, and as that is never wanting +among the poor, they always relish +what they eat; but take care, Sancho, +if you come to a government, that you +do not forget me and your children: +consider, Sanchico has already fifteen +good years over his head, and that it +is time for him to go to school, if in +case his uncle the abbot has a mind to +breed him to the church: consider too, +that your daughter Mary Sancha, will +not break her heart if we marry her, +for I am much mistaken if she does +not long for a husband, as much as +you do for a government; and the +short and long of it is, you had better +have your daughter ill buckled as a +wife, than well kept as a concubine.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Take my word for it,’ answered +Sancho, ‘if by the blessing of God I +come to any sort of government, I intend, +my dear, to match Mary Sancha +so high, that nobody shall come near +her, without calling her, <i>your ladyship</i>.’—‘Never +think of that, Sancho!’ +cried Teresa, ‘match her with her +equal, which will be more prudent +than to raise her from clogs to pattens, +from good fourteen-penny hoyden +grey, to farthingales and petticoats of +silk, and from <i>Molly</i> and <i>thou</i>, to +<i>Donna</i> and <i>my lady such-a-one</i>; the +girl’s head would be quite turned, and +she would be continually falling into +some blunder, that would discover the +coarse thread of her home-spun breeding.’—‘Shut +that foolish mouth of +thine,’ said Sancho; ‘in two or three +years practice, quality and politeness +will become quite familiar to her; or, +if they should not, what does it signify? +Let her first be a lady, and then +happen what will.’—‘Meddle, Sancho, +with those of your own station,’ replied +Teresa, ‘and seek not to lift your +head too high; but remember the proverb +that says, When your neighbour’s +son comes to the door, wipe his nose, +and take him in. It would be a fine +thing, truly, to match our Mary with +a great count or cavalier, who would, +when he should take it in his head, look +upon her as a monster, and call her +country wench, and clod-breaker’s +and hemp-spinner’s brat; that shall +never happen in my life time, husband; +it was not for that I brought +up my child; do you find a portion, +and as to her marriage, leave that to +my care; there is Lope Tocho, old +John Tocho’s son, a jolly young fellow, +stout and wholesome, whom we +all know, and I can perceive that he has +no dislike to the girl; besides, he being +our equal, she will be very well +matched with him; for we shall always +have them under our eye, and +the two families will live together, +parents and children, sons-in-law and +grandsons, and the peace and blessing +of God will dwell amongst us; wherefore +you shall not match me her in +your courts and grand palaces, where +she will neither understand nor be understood.’—‘Hark +ye, you beast and +yoke-fellow for Barrabas!’ replied +Sancho, ‘why wouldst thou now, without +rhime or reason, prevent me from +matching my daughter, so as that my +grand-children shall be persons of +quality? remember, Teresa, I have +often heard my elders and betters observe, +He that’s coy when fortune’s +kind, may after seek but never find. +And should not I be to blame, if, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_317'>317</span>now that she knocks at my door, I +should bolt it against her? Let us, +therefore, take the advantage of the +favourable gale that blows.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>It was this uncommon stile, with +what Sancho says below, that induced +the translator to pronounce the whole +chapter apocryphal.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Can’t you perceive, animal, with +half an eye,’ proceeded Sancho, ‘that +I shall act wisely, in devoting this +body of mine to some beneficial government +that will lift us out of the +dirt, and enable me to match Mary +Sancha according to my own good +pleasure: then wilt thou hear thyself +called Donna Teresa Panza, and find +thyself seated at church upon carpets, +cushions, and tapestry, in despite and +defiance of all the small gentry in the +parish; and not be always in the same +moping circumstances, without increase +or diminution, like a picture in +the hangings: but no more of this; +Sanchica shall be a countess, though +thou shouldst cry thy heart out.’—‘Look +before you leap, husband,’ answered +Teresa: ‘after all, I wish to +God this quality of my daughter may +not be the cause of her perdition; take +your own way, and make her dutchess +or princess, or what you please, but +I’ll assure you, it shall never be with +my consent or good will; I was always +a lover of equality, my dear, +and can’t bear to see people hold +their heads high without reason. +Teresa was I christened, a bare and +simple name, without the addition, +garniture, and embroidery of Don or +Donna; my father’s name is Cascajo, +and mine, as being your spouse, Teresa +Panza, though by rights I should +be called Teresa Cascajo: but as the +king minds, the law binds; and with +that name am I contented, though it +be not burdened with a Don, which +weighs so heavy, that I should not be +able to bear it; neither will I put it in +the power of those who see me dressed +like a countess or governor’s lady, to +say, “Mind Mrs. Porkfeeder; how +proud she looks! it was but yesterday +she toiled hard at the distaff, and went +to mass with the tail of her gown +about her head, instead of a veil: but +now, forsooth, she has got her fine farthingales +and jewels, and holds up her +head as if we did not know her.” If +God preserve me in my seven or five +senses, or as many as they be, I shall +never bring myself into such a quandary: +as for your part, spouse, you +may go to your governments and +islands, and be as proud as a peacock; +but as for my daughter and me, by +the life of my father! we will not stir +one step from the village; for, The +wife that deserves a good name, stays +at home as if she were lame; and, The +maid must be still a doing, that hopes +to see the men come a wooing. You +and Don Quixote may therefore go to +your adventures, and leave us to our +misventures; for God will better our +condition, if we deserve his mercy; +though truly I cannot imagine who +made him a Don; I am sure, neither +his father nor grandfather had any +such title.’—‘I tell thee, wife,’ replied +the squire, ‘thou hast certainly +got some devil in that carcase of thine; +the Lord watch over thee, woman! +what a deal of stuff hast thou been +tacking together, without either head +or tail? What the devil has your Cascajos, +jewels, proverbs, and pride, to +do with what I have been saying? +Heark ye, you ignorant beast, for +such I may call thee, as thou hast +neither capacity to understand my discourse, +nor prudence to make sure of +good fortune when it lies in thy way, +were I to say, that my daughter shall +throw herself from the top of a steeple, +or go strolling about the world, like +the Infanta Donna Uraca, thou +wouldst have reason to contradict my +pleasure; but if, in two turnings of a +ball and one twinkling of an eye, our +good fortune should lay a title across +our shoulders, and raising thee from +the stubble, set thee in a chair of state, +under a canopy, or lay thee upon a +sofa, consisting of more velvet almohadas<a id='r144'></a><a href='#f144' class='c008'><sup>[144]</sup></a>, +than there are Moors in all the +family of the Almohadas in Morocco; +wherefore wouldst not thou consent, +and with me enjoy the good-luck that +falls?’—‘I’ll tell thee wherefore, +husband,’ replied Teresa, ‘because, as +the saying is, What covers, discovers +thee; the eyes of people always run +slightly over the poor, but make an +halt to examine the rich; and if a person +so examined was once poor, then +<span class='pageno' id='Page_318'>318</span>comes the grumbling and the slandering; +and he is persecuted by back-biters, +who swarm in our streets like +bees.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Give ear, Teresa, and listen to what +I am going to say,’ answered Sancho: +‘for mayhap thou hast never heard such +a thing in all the days of thy life; +and I do not now pretend to speak +from my own reflection, but to repeat +the remarks of the good father who +preached last Lent in our village. He +said, if I right remember, that all +objects present to the view, exist, and +are impressed upon the imagination, +with much greater energy and force, +than those which we only remember +to have seen.’ (The arguments here +used by Sancho, contributed also to +make the translator believe this chapter +apocryphal; because they seem to exceed +the capacity of the squire, who +proceeded thus:) ‘From whence it happens, +that when we see any person +magnificently dressed, and surrounded +with the pomp of servants, we find +ourselves invited, and, as it were, +compelled to pay him respect; although +the memory should, at that instant, +represent to us some mean circumstances +of his former life; because +that defect, whether in point of family +or fortune, is already past and +removed, and we only regard what +is present to our view; and if the +person, whom fortune hath thus raised +from the lowness of oblivion to +the height of prosperity, be well-bred, +liberal, and courteous, without +pretending to vie with the ancient nobility, +you may take it for granted, +Teresa, that nobody will remember +what he was, but reverence what he +now is, except the children of Envy, +from whom no thriving person is secure.’—‘I +really do not understand +you,’ said Teresa: ‘you may do what +you will; but seek not to distract my +brain with your rhetorick and harranguing, +for if you be revolved to +do what you say—’ ‘You must call +it resolved, woman, and not revolved,’ +cried Sancho. ‘Never plague yourself +to dispute with me, husband,’ answered +Teresa: ‘I speak as God pleases, +and meddle not with other people’s +concerns. If you are obstinately bent +upon this same government, I desire +you will carry your son Sancho along +with you, and from this hour teach +him the art of that profession; for it +is but reasonable that the sons should +inherit and learn the trade of their +fathers.’—‘As soon as I have obtained +my government,’ said Sancho, ‘I +will send the money for him by the +post, as by that time I shall have +plenty; for there are always people in +abundance that will lend to a governor +who has no money of his own; +and be sure you cloath him in such a +manner as to disguise his present condition, +and make him appear like +what he is to be.’—‘Send you the +money,’ answered Teresa, ‘and I will +dress him up like any branch of +palm<a id='r145'></a><a href='#f145' class='c008'><sup>[145]</sup></a>.’—‘Well, then,’ said Sancho, +‘we are agreed about making our +daughter a countess——’ ‘That day +I behold her a countess,’ cried the +wife, ‘I shall reckon her dead and +buried; but, I tell you again, you +may use your pleasure: for we women +are born to be obedient to our husbands, +though they are no better than +blocks.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>So saying, she began to weep as bitterly +as if she had actually seen her +daughter laid in her grave. Sancho +consoled her, by saying, that although +she must be a countess, he would defer +her promotion as long as he could. +Thus ended the conversation, and the +squire went back to Don Quixote to +concert measures for their speedy departure.</p> + +<h4 id='chap3-1-6' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='six'>VI.</abbr> <br> OF WHAT PASSED BETWEEN DON QUIXOTE,<br> HIS NIECE, AND HOUSEKEEPER,<br> BEING ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT CHAPTERS OF THE WHOLE HISTORY.</h4> +<p class='c004'>While this impertinent conversation +passed between Sancho +Panza and his wife Teresa Cascajo, +Don Quixote’s niece and housekeeper +were not idle; for, collecting from a +thousand symptoms that their master +wanted to give them the slip a third +time, and return to the exercise of his +unlucky knight-errantry, they endeavoured, +by all possible means, to divert +<span class='pageno' id='Page_319'>319</span>him from his extravagant design; but +all they could say was like preaching to +the desart, or hammering cold iron. +However, among many other arguments, +the housekeeper said to him, +‘As I hope to be saved, dear master, if +your worship will not settle at home in +your own house, but are resolved to +stray about the mountains and vallies, +like a troubled ghost, in quest of what +you term adventures, but what I call +mischances, I will complain in person, +and raise up my voice to God +and the king, that they may apply +some remedy to your disorder.’ To +this declaration, the knight replied, +‘Mrs. Housekeeper, how God will +accept of thy complaints I know not; +neither can I guess in what manner +his majesty will answer thy petition: +this only I know, that if I were king, +I would excuse myself from answering +that infinite number of impertinent +memorials which are daily presented; +for one of the greatest of the +many fatigues that attend royalty, is +that of being obliged to listen and reply +to all petitions; therefore I would +not have his majesty troubled with any +affair of mine.’—‘Pray, Sir,’ said the +housekeeper, ‘are there no knights at +court?’—‘Yes, there are many,’ answered +Don Quixote; ‘and it is reasonable, +that there should be always a +good number in attendance to adorn +the court, and support the pomp and +magnificence of majesty.’—‘Would +it not be better, then, for your worship,’ +replied the matron, ‘to be one +of that number, and serve your king +and master quietly and safely at court?’—‘You +must know, good woman,’ +said Don Quixote, ‘all knights cannot +be courtiers; neither can or ought all +courtiers to be knights errant: there +ought to be plenty of both; and though +we are all knights, there is a great +difference between the one sort and the +other; your courtiers, without crossing +the thresholds of their own apartments, +travel over the world, in maps, gratis, +and never know what it is to suffer +either heat, cold, hunger, or thirst, +in their journey; whereas, we real +knights-errant measure the whole +globe with our own footsteps, exposed +night and day, on horse-back and a-foot, +to the summer’s sun and winter’s +cold, and all the inclemencies of the +weather; we not only seek to see the +picture, but the person of our foe, and +on all emergencies and occasions attack him, +without paying any regard +to the trifling rules of challenges; +whether, for example, his sword and +lance be shorter or longer than our +own; whether he wears about him any +relick or secret coat of mail; or whether +the sun and wind be equally divided; +with other ceremonies of that +nature, which are usually observed in +duelling, and which, though I know +them punctually, thou art little acquainted +with: thou must also know, +that a good knight-errant, though he +sees ten giants, whose heads not only +touch, but overtop the clouds, with +legs like lofty steeples, and arms resembling +the masts of vast and warlike +ships; while each eye, as large as +a mill-wheel, beams and burns like a +glass furnace, is by no means confounded +or abashed; but, on the contrary, +with genteel demeanour, and +intrepid heart, approaches, assaults, +and, if possible, vanquishes and overthrows +them in a twinkling, though +they are armed with the shell of a certain +fish, said to be harder than adamant; +and instead of a sword, use a +keen scymitar of damasked steel, or a +huge club, armed with a point of the +same metal, as I have seen on a dozen +different occasions. All this I have +mentioned, good woman, that thou +mayest see what difference there is between +knights of different orders; +and every prince ought, in reason, to +pay greater respect to his second, or +rather this first species of knights-errant, +among whom, as we read in +history, there have been some who +were the bulwarks not only of one, +but of many kingdoms.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Ah, dear Sir,’ cried the niece, interrupting +him, ‘consider that all those +stories of knights-errant are nothing +but lyes and invention; and every one +of the books that contain them deserves, +if not to be burnt, at least to +wear a <i>san benito</i><a id='r146'></a><a href='#f146' class='c008'><sup>[146]</sup></a>, or some other +badge, by which it may be known for +an infamous perverter of virtue and +good sense.’—‘By the God that protects +<span class='pageno' id='Page_320'>320</span>me!’ cried the knight, ‘wert +thou not undoubtedly my niece, as +being my own sister’s child, I would +chastise thee in such a manner, for the +blasphemy thou hast uttered, that the +whole world would resound with the +example. How! shall a pert baggage, +who has scarce capacity enough to +manage a dozen lace bobbins, dare +to wag her tongue in censuring the +histories of knights-errant? What +would Signior Amadis say to such +presumption? But, surely, he would +forgive thy arrogance; for he was the +most humble and courteous knight of +his time, and besides the particular +champion and protector of damsels: +but thou mightest have been heard by +another who would not treat thee so +gently; for all are not affable and +well-bred; on the contrary, some there +are extremely brutal and impolite. +All those who call themselves knights, +are not entitled to that distinction; +some being of pure gold, and others +of baser metal, notwithstanding the +denomination they assume. But these +last cannot stand the touchstone of +truth: there are many plebeians, who +sweat and struggle to maintain the +appearance of gentlemen; and, on +the other hand, there are gentlemen +of rank who seem industrious to appear +mean and degenerate; the one +sort raise themselves either by ambition +or virtue, while the other abase +themselves by viciousness or sloth; so +that we must avail ourselves of our +understanding and discernment, in +distinguishing those persons, who, +though they bear the same appellation, +are yet so different in point of character.’—‘Good +God!’ said the niece, +‘that your worship should be so learned, +that even, if need were, you might +mount the pulpit, or go a preaching +in the streets, and yet remain in such +woeful blindness and palpable folly, +as to persuade the world that you are +a valiant and vigorous righter of +wrongs, when you are old, feeble, +and almost crippled with age; but, +above all things, to give yourself out +for a knight, when you are no such +thing; for, though rich gentlemen +may be knighted, poor gentlemen, +like you, seldom are.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘There is a good deal of truth in +what thou hast observed, cousin,’ replied +Don Quixote; ‘and I could +tell thee such things, concerning families, +as would raise thine admiration; +but these I suppress, that I may not +seem to mix what’s human with what’s +divine. Take notice, however, my +friends, and be attentive to what I +am going to say: all the families in +the world may be reduced to four +kinds, which are these; one that, +from low beginnings, hath extended +and dilated to a pitch of power and +greatness; another, that from great +beginnings hath continued to preserve +and maintain its original importance; +a third, that from vast beginnings +hath ended in a point, diminishing +and decaying from its foundation, into +an inconsiderable point like that of +a pyramid, which in respect of its +base, is next kin to nothing; a fourth, +and that the most numerous, had neither +a good foundation, nor reasonable +superstructure, and therefore sinks +into oblivion, unobserved; such are +the families of plebeians and ordinary +people. The first, that from low beginnings +hath mounted to power and +greatness, which it preserves to this +day, is exemplified in the house of +Ottoman, that from an humble shepherd, +who gave rise to it, attained +that pinnacle of grandeur on which it +now stands; the second sort of pedigree, +that without augmentation hath +preserved its original importance, is +exhibited in the persons of many +princes, who are such by inheritance; +and support their rank without addition +or diminution, containing themselves +peaceably within the limits of +their own dominions; of those who, +from illustrious beginnings, have +dwindled into a point, there are a +thousand examples in the Pharaohs +and Ptolemeys of Egypt, the Cæsars +of Rome, with all the tribe, if they +may be so called, of our Median, Assyrian, +Persian, Greek, and Barbarian +princes, monarchs, and great men. +All these families and states, together +with their founders, have ended in a +very inconsiderable point; since, at +this day, it is impossible to trace out +one of their descendants; or, if we +could, he would be found in some base +and low degree. I have nothing to +say of the plebeians, who only serve +to increase the number of the living, +without deferring any other fame or +panegyrick. From what I have said, I +<span class='pageno' id='Page_321'>321</span>would have you infer, my precious +wise-acres, that there is a great confusion +of pedigrees; and that those only +appear grand and illustrious, whole +representatives abound with virtue, liberality, +and wealth: I say, virtue, liberality, +and wealth; because the vicious +great man is no more than a +great sinner; and the rich man without +liberality, a mere covetous beggar; +for happiness does not consist +in possessing, but in spending riches; +and that not in squandering them +away, but in knowing how to use +them with taste. Now a poor knight +has no other way of signalizing his +birth, but the practice of virtue, being +affable, well-bred, courteous, +kind, and obliging; a stranger to +pride, arrogance, and slander; and, +above all things, charitable; for, by +giving two farthings chearfully to the +poor, he may shew himself as generous +as he that dispenses alms by +sound of bell: and whosoever sees +him adorned with these virtues, although +he should be an utter stranger +to his race, will conclude that he is +descended of a good family. Indeed, +it would be a sort of miracle to find +it otherwise; so that praise is always +the reward of virtue, and never fails +to attend the righteous. There are +two paths, my children, that lead to +wealth and honour: one is that of +learning, the other that of arms; now +I am better qualified for the last than +for the first; and (as I judge from my +inclination to arms) was born under +the influence of the planet Mars; so +that I am, as it were, obliged to chuse +that road, which I will pursue in spite +of the whole universe: you will therefore +fatigue yourselves to no purpose, +in attempting to persuade me from +that which Heaven inspires, fortune +ordains, reason demands, and, above +all things, my own inclination dictates; +knowing, as I do, the innumerable +toils annexed to knight errantry, +I am also well acquainted with +the infinite benefits acquired in the +exercise of that profession. I know +the path of virtue is very strait, while +the road of vice is broad and spacious. +I know their end and issue is different: +the wide extended way of vice conducts +the traveller to death; while the +narrow toilful path of virtue leads to +happiness and life—not that which +perisheth, but that which hath no end; +and I know, as our great Castilian +poet observes—</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c012'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘“By these rough paths of toil and pain,</div> + <div class='line'>Th’ immortal feats of bliss we gain,</div> + <div class='line'>Deny’d to those who heedless stray</div> + <div class='line'>In tempting pleasure’s flow’ry way.”’</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>‘Ah! woe is me!’ cried the cousin, +‘my uncle is a poet too! he knows +every thing, and can do every thing: +I’ll lay a wager, if he should turn +bricklayer, he could build a house +like any cage.’—‘I do assure thee, +niece,’ replied Don Quixote, ‘if those +knightly sentiments did not wholly +engross my attention, there is not a +thing on earth that I could not make, +nor a curiosity that should not go +through my hands, especially bird-cages +and tooth-picks.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Here the conversation was interrupted +by a knocking at the gate; which, as +they found upon enquiry, was made +by Sancho; whose presence was no +sooner intimated, than the housekeeper +ran away to hide herself that she might +avoid the sight of him whom she abhorred: +the niece, therefore, opened the +door, and his master came out to receive +him with open arms; then, shutting +themselves up together, another dialogue +passed, no ways inferior to the +former.</p> + +<h4 id='chap3-1-7' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='seven'>VII.</abbr> <br> OF WHAT PASSED BETWEEN DON QUIXOTE AND HIS SQUIRE;<br> WITH OTHER SURPRIZING INCIDENTS.</h4> +<p class='c004'>The housekeeper seeing that her +master and Sancho were locked +up together, immediately guessed the +subject of the conversation; and imagining, +that the result of this confutation +would be a third sally, she put on +her veil, and full of trouble and anxiety, +went in quest of the batchelor Sampson +Carrasco, thinking, that as he was a +well spoken man, and her master’s new +friend, he might persuade him to lay +aside such an extravagant design: accordingly, +she found him taking a turn +in his own yard, and fell upon her +knees before him, in a cold sweat, occasioned +by her vexation. Carrasco seeing +her appear with such marks of sorrow +<span class='pageno' id='Page_322'>322</span>and consternation, said, ‘What is +the matter, Mrs. Housekeeper? what +hath befallen you? something seems +to have harrowed up your very +soul!’—‘Nothing at all, dear Mr. +Sampson,’ cried the housekeeper, +‘only my master is breaking out; +he is certainly breaking out!’—‘How +breaking out?’ said Sampson; +‘is any part of his body unsound?’—‘Where +should it break +out,’ replied the other, ‘but through +the gate of his madness? My meaning, +dear batchelor of my soul! is, that he +is going to make another sally, (and +that will be the third) searching up +and down the world for what he calls +adventures, though I cannot imagine +why they should have that name<a id='r147'></a><a href='#f147' class='c008'><sup>[147]</sup></a>: +the first time, he returned so battered +and bruised, that they were fain to +lay him across an ass, like a sack of +oats, because he could not sit upright; +the second time, he was brought +home in a waggon, stretched and +cooped up in a cage, in which he imagined +himself inchanted, in such a +woeful plight, that he could scarce be +known by the mother that bore him, +so lank and meagre, with his eyes sunk +into the lowest pit of his brain; so that +before I could bring him into any tolerable +degree of strength, I expended +more than six hundred new-laid eggs, +as God and all the world know, as +well as my hens, that will not suffer +me to tell a lye.’—‘That I verily believe,’ +said the batchelor; ‘your hens +are so good, plump, and well bred, +that they would rather burst than say +one thing, and mean another. Well, +then, Mrs. Housekeeper, nothing else +hath happened, neither have you met +with any other misfortune, but the +apprehension of what your master Don +Quixote will do?’—‘Nothing else,’ +said she. ‘Give yourself no trouble +then,’ resumed the batchelor, ‘but go +home a-God’s name, and get ready +something hot for my breakfast; and +in your way, repeat <abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr> Apollonia’s +prayer, if you can; I will follow +in a little time, and then you shall +see wonders.’—‘Dear heart!’ cried +the housekeeper, ‘<abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr> Apollonia’s +prayer, say you? that I should repeat +if my master had the tooth-ach; +but, lack-a-day! his distemper lies +in his skull.’—‘I know what I say,’ +answered Sampson: ‘take my advice, +Mrs. Housekeeper, and do not pretend +to dispute with me; for I +would have thee to know that I +am a batchelor of Salamanca; there’s +no higher batcheleering than that.’ +She accordingly moved homeward, while +Sampson went to communicate to the +curate that which will be in due time +disclosed.</p> + +<p class='c005'>While Don Quixote and Sancho were +closeted together, there passed between +them a conversation which the history +recounts with great punctuality and +truth. ‘Signior,’ said the squire, ‘I have +at length traduced my wife to consent +that I shall attend your worship +wheresoever you please to carry me.’-‘Say +reduced, and not traduced, Sancho,’ +replied the knight. ‘I have +once or twice, if my memory serves +me,’ said Sancho, ‘intreated your +worship not to correct my words, if +you understand my meaning; and +when you can’t make it out, I desire +you would say, “Sancho,” or “devil, +I don’t understand thee:” then if I +fail in explaining myself, you may +correct me as much as you please; +for I am so fossile.’—‘I do not understand +thee now,’ cried Don Quixote, +‘nor can I comprehend what +thou wouldst be at, in saying I am +so fossile.’—‘So fossile!’ said the +squire; ‘that is, whereby as how I +am just so.’—‘Nay, now thou art +more and more unintelligible,’ replied +the knight. ‘If your worship +does not understand me now,’ +answered Sancho, ‘I know not how +to express it; for I am already at +my wit’s end, and Lord have mercy +upon me.’—‘O! now I conceive +thy meaning,’ said the knight; +‘thou wouldst say thou art so docile, +gentle, and tractable, as to comprehend +every thing I say, and +retain whatsoever I shall teach thee.’—‘I’ll +lay a wager,’ said the squire, +‘that from the beginning, you knew +my meaning by my mumping, but +wanted to confound me by leading +me into a thousand more blunders.’—‘It +may be so,’ said the knight; ‘but +in reality, what says Teresa?’—‘Teresa,’ +answered Sancho, ‘says +I must be sharp with your worship. +<span class='pageno' id='Page_323'>323</span>Fast bind, fast find; He that shuffles +does not always cut; and that, A +bird in the hand is worth two in the +bush: now I know that A wife’s +counsel is bad, but he that will not +take it is mad.’—‘So say I,’ replied +Don Quixote; ‘proceed, friend +Sancho, you speak like an oracle to-day.’—‘Why +then the case is this,’ +resumed Sancho; ‘your worship very +well knows we are all mortal, here to-day, +and gone to-morrow; for the +lamb goes as fast as the dam; and no +man in this world can promise himself +more hours of life than God is +pleased to grant him; because death is +deaf, and when he knocks at the door +of life is always in a hurry, and will +not be detained either by fair means or +force, by sceptres or mitres, as the report +goes, and as we have often heard +it declared from the pulpit.’—‘All +this is very true,’ said the knight; +‘but I cannot guess what you drive at.’—‘What +I drive at,’ answered Sancho, +‘is, that your worship would appoint +me a certain monthly salary for the +time I shall serve you, to be paid out +of your estate; for I do not chuse to +depend upon recompences that come +late, or low, or never. God will protect +me with my own. In short, I +would know what I have to trust to, +whether little or much; for, The hen +clucks though but on one egg; Many +littles make a mickle; and, He that is +getting aught, is losing nought. True +it is, if it should happen, which I +neither believe nor expect, that your +worship can give me that island you +have promised me so long; I am not so +greedy or ungrateful, but that I will +suffer my rent to be appraised, and my +salary deducted in due portion<a id='r148'></a><a href='#f148' class='c008'><sup>[148]</sup></a>’.—‘To +be sure, friend Sancho,’ said the knight, +‘all portions ought to be proportioned.’—‘I +understand you,’ replied the squire, +‘I should have said proportion instead +of portion; but that is of no signification, +since my meaning is comprehended +by your worship.’—‘Aye, +and so thoroughly comprehended,’ said +Don Quixote, ‘that I have penetrated +into the inmost recesses of thy thoughts, +and perceive the mark at which those +innumerable shafts of thy proverbs +are aimed. Look you, Sancho, I +would appoint thee a salary, if I could +find in any history of knights-errant, +one precedent, by which I might discover, +or have the least glimpse of +what they used to give monthly or +yearly; but I have carefully perused +all, or the greatest part or those histories, +and cannot remember to have +read, that any knight-errant ever paid +a certain salary to his squire. I only +know that all of them trusted to +favour, and when it was least in their +thoughts, provided their masters +chanced to be fortunate, they found +themselves rewarded with an island +or something equivalent, and at least +were honoured with rank and title. +If with these hopes and expectations, +you are willing to return to my service, +do it a-God’s name; but if you +think I will unhinge and deviate from +the ancient customs of chivalry, you +are grievously mistaken: wherefore, +friend Sancho, you may go home +again, and declare my intention to +your wife Teresa; and if she is pleased, +and you are willing to depend upon +my favour, <span lang="la"><i>bene quidem</i></span>; if not, let us +shake hands and part: while there are +peas in the dove-house, I shall never +want pigeons; and remember, my +child, that it is better to be rich in hope +than poor in possession; and that a +good claim is preferable to bad pay. +I talk in this manner, Sancho, to show +that I can pour forth a volley of proverbs +as well as you; and finally, I +must and will give you to understand, +that if you do not chuse to serve me +on those terms, and share my fortune, +whatsoever it may be, I pray God may +prosper and make a saint of you; for +my part, I shall not want squires more +obedient and careful, though less troublesome +and talkative than your worship.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>When Sancho heard this firm resolution +of his master, the sky began to +lour, and down flagged the wings of his +heart in a moment: for he had believed +that the knight would not set out without +him for all the wealth in the world. +While he thus remained pensive and dejected, +in came Sampson Carrasco, followed +by the niece, who was very desirous +<span class='pageno' id='Page_324'>324</span>to hear with what arguments he +would dissuade her uncle from going +again in quest of adventures. Sampson, +who was a notable wag, no sooner entered, +than embracing the knight, as at +first, he pronounced with an audible +voice, ‘O flower of knight-errantry, +resplendent sun of arms, thou glory +and mirrour of the Spanish nation! +may it please the Almighty, of his +infinite power, that if any person or +persons shall raise any impediment to +obstruct thy third sally, they may never +extricate themselves from the labyrinth +of their desires, or accomplish +what they so unjustly wish!’ Then +turning to the duenna, ‘Mrs. Housekeeper,’ +said he, ‘you need not now +repeat <abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr> Apollonia’s prayer; for I +know it is the precise determination +of the stars, that Signior Don Quixote +shall again execute his new and +lofty plan: and I should greatly burden +my confidence if I forbore to intimate, +and desire, that this knight +will no longer withold and detain the +force of his valiant arm, and the virtue +of his heroick soul; because, by +his delay he retards the righting of +wrongs, the protection of orphans, +the honour of maidens, the favour of +widows, the support of wives, with +many other things of that nature, +which regard, concern, depend upon, +and appertain, to the order of knight-errantry. +Courage! Signior Don +Quixote, beautiful and brave; may +your worship and grandeur set out before +to morrow morning; and if any +thing be wanting to forward your expedition, +here am I, ready to make +it good with my person and fortune; +and, if need be, to serve your magnificence +in quality of squire; an office +in the execution of which I +should think myself extremely happy.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Don Quixote hearing this proffer, +turned to Sancho, saying, ‘Did not I +tell thee, Sancho, that I should not +want for squires? Take notice who it +is that offers to attend me; who, but +the unheard of batchelor Sampson +Carrasco; the perpetual darling and +delight of the court-yards belonging +to the Salamancan schools; sound of +body, strong of limb, a silent sufferer +of heat and cold, hunger and thirst, +and endued with all those qualifications +which are requisite in the squire +of a knight-errant: but Heaven will +not permit me, for my own satisfaction, +to break and demolish this pillar +of learning, this urn of sciences, +and to hew down such an eminent +branch of the liberal arts. No, let +this new Sampson stay at home, and +honour the place of his nativity, together +with the grey hairs of his ancient +parents; while I make shift with +any sort of squire, since Sancho will +not vouchsafe to go along with me.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Y—yes, I do vouchsafe!’ cried +Sancho, blubbering; ‘it shall never be +said of me, dear master, that when the +victuals were eaten up, the company +sneaked off; I am not come of such an +ungrateful stock; for all the world, and +especially my own townsmen, know +what sort of people the Panzas were, of +whom I am descended; besides, I have +perceived, and am sensible, by many +good works, and more good words, that +your worship is actually inclined +to do for me; and if I have haggled +more than enough about my +wages, it was to please my wife, who, +if she once takes in hand to persuade me +to any thing, no cooper’s adze drives the +hoops of a barrel as she drives at her +purpose, until she hath gained it; but, +after all, a man must be a man, and a +woman a woman: now I being a man +every inch of me, when or wheresoever +I please to shew myself, (that I cannot +deny) I am resolved to be master in my +own house, in spite of the devil, the +world, and the flesh; and therefore your +worship has no more to do but prepare +your will, with the codicil, so as that +it cannot be rebuked; and then let us +take our departure, that we may not +endanger the soul of Mr. Sampson, +whose conscience, he says, prompts +him to persuade your worship to make +a third sally through the world; and +here I promise again to serve your +worship faithfully and lawfully, as +well as, and better than, all the +squires that ever attended the knights-errant, +either in past or present time.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>The batchelor was astonished at hearing +the manner and conclusion of Sancho’s +speech; for although he had read +the first part of his master’s history, he +never believed him so diverting as he is +there represented; but now, hearing him +talk of the will and codicil that could +not be rebuked, instead of revoked, he +was convinced of the truth of what he +had read, and confirmed in the opinion +<span class='pageno' id='Page_325'>325</span>of his being one of the most solemn +simpletons of the present age; saying, +within himself, two such madmen as +the master and his squire are not to be +paralleled upon earth. In fine, Don +Quixote and Sancho were reconciled, +and embraced each other; and, in consequence +of the opinion and assent of +the great Carrasco, whom they looked +upon as an oracle, it was determined +that they should depart in three days, +during which they would have time to +provide themselves with necessaries for +the journey, and find a compleat helmet +for the knight, who insisted upon +carrying one along with him into the +field. Sampson, accordingly, undertook +to accommodate him, saying he +could command an helmet that was in +possession of a friend of his; though the +brightness of the metal was not a little +obscured by the rust and mould which it +had contracted.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Innumerable were the curses which +were vented against the batchelor by the +housekeeper and niece, who tore their +hair, and scratched their faces; and +like the hired mourners, formerly in +use, lamented the departure, as if it +had been the death of their master. But +Sampson’s view in persuading him to +another sally, was to execute a design +which he had concerted with the curate +and barber, as will appear in the sequel. +In short, during those three days, Don +Quixote and Sancho furnished themselves +with every thing they thought +they should have occasion for; the squire +pacified his wife, the knight appeased +his niece and housekeeper; and on the +evening of the fourth day, without being +perceived by any living soul but the +batchelor, who insisted upon accompanying +them half a league out of +town, they set out, and took the road to +Toboso; Don Quixote mounted on his +trusty Rozinante, and Sancho throned +upon his old friend Dapple, with a pair +of bags well lined with belly-timber, +and a purse of money, which his master +deposited in his hands, in case of accidents +in their expedition.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Sampson, embracing the knight, intreated +him to write an account of his +good or evil fortune, that he might congratulate +or sympathize with him, as +the laws of friendship require. Don +Quixote assured him, he would comply +with his request; the batchelor returned +to the village, and the other two pursued +their way towards the great city of +Toboso.</p> + +<h4 id='chap3-1-8' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='eight'>VIII.</abbr> <br> AN ACCOUNT OF WHAT HAPPENED TO DON QUIXOTE,<br> IN HIS JOURNEY TO VISIT HIS MISTRESS DULCINEA DEL TOBOSO.</h4> +<p class='c004'>‘Blessed be the Almighty Ala,’ +saith Cid Hamet Benengeli, in +the beginning of this chapter; and this +benediction he repeats three times, in +consequence of finding Don Quixote +and Sancho in the field again; observing, +that the readers of this agreeable +history may assure themselves that, from +this period, the exploits of the knight +and his squire begin. He therefore +persuades them to forget the former adventures +of our sage hero, and fix their +attention upon those which are to come; +and which now begin in the road to Toboso, +as the others took their origin in +the field of Montiel; and truly his demand +is but reasonable, considering the +fair promise he makes. Thus, therefore, +he proceeds.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Scarce had Sampson left Don Quixote +and Sancho by themselves, when Rozinante +began to neigh, and Dapple to +bray most melodiously; a circumstance +which was looked upon by both our adventurers +as a fortunate signal and most +happy omen; though, to deal candidly +with the reader, the brayings of the ass +exceeded in number the neighings of +the horse; from whence Sancho concluded, +his fortune would surmount and +overtop that of his master. But whether +or not he founded his belief on his +knowledge in judicial astrology, I cannot +determine, the history being silent on +that subject; yet certain it is he had +been heard to say when he stumbled or +fell, that he wished he had not stirred +over his own threshold; for nothing was +to be got by a stumble or fall but a torn +shoe, or broken bone; and truly, simple +as he was, he had some reason for making +that observation.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Friend Sancho,’ said Don Quixote, +‘the night is so far advanced, that we +shall not be able to reach Toboso by +day-light; yet thither I am determined +to go, before I engage in any +<span class='pageno' id='Page_326'>326</span>other adventure, that I may receive +the benediction and good leave of the +peerless Dulcinea, by the help of +which I shall certainly atchieve, and +happily perform, the most perilous exploits; +for nothing in this life exalts +the valour of knights-errant so much +as the favour of their mistresses.’—‘I +am of the same way of thinking,’ replied +the squire; ‘but I believe your +worship will find some difficulty in +seeing her in a proper place for courtship, +or indeed for receiving her blessing, +unless she throws it over the +pales of the yard through which I +saw her for the first time, when I carried +the letter that gave an account of +the folly and mad pranks I left your +worship committing in the heart of the +brown mountain.’—‘Didst thou then +actually imagine,’ said Don Quixote, +‘that those were the pales of a yard, +over or through which thou sawest that +paragon of gentleness and beauty? +Certainly they could be no other than +galleries, arcades, or corridores, such +as belong to rich and royal palaces.’—‘It +may be so,’ answered Sancho, ‘but +either my memory fails me very much, +or to me they seemed no better than +the pales of a farmer’s yard.’—‘Be +that as it will,’ resumed Don Quixote, +‘thither we will go, and at any rate +get sight of her; for be it through +pales, windows, crannies, or the rails +of a garden, so the least ray of that +sun of beauty reach mine eyes, it +will enlighten my understanding, +and fortify my heart in such a manner, +that I shall remain the unequalled +phœnix of valour and discretion.’—‘Truly, +Sir,’ said the squire, +‘when I saw that same sun of my Lady +Dulcinea del Toboso, it was not so +bright as to send forth any rays at +all; but the case was, the wheat that +her ladyship was winnowing, as I +told you before, raised such a cloud +of dust about her, as quite darkened +her countenance.’—‘Wilt thou still +persist, Sancho,’ replied the errant, +‘in saying, thinking, believing, and affirming, +that my mistress Dulcinea +was employed in such a mean office, +so wide of all that is or ought to be +practised by persons of rank, who are +created and reserved for other exercises +and amusements, that denote +their quality at the distance of a bow-shot. +Thou seemest to forget, O +Sancho! those verses of our poet, in +which he paints the labours that in +their chrystal bowers engrossed the +four nymphs, who, raising their heads +above the waves of their beloved Tagus, +sat down to work in the verdant +meadow those rich and silken webs, +which, as the ingenious poet describes, +were with gold and pearls adorned +and interweaved. In this manner my +mistress must have been employed +when thou sawest her; but some +wicked inchanter, envious of my happiness +and fame, converts and perverts +every thing that yields me pleasure, +into shapes and figures different from +its real appearance; and in that history +of my atchievements which they +say is printed, if the author be some +sage who is an enemy to my success, +I am afraid he hath confounded one +thing with another, and clogged every +fact with a thousand falsehoods; straying +from his subject, to recount +actions quite foreign to the skilful detail +of a true history! O envy! thou +root of infinite mischief, and canker-worm +of virtue! The commission of +all other vices, Sancho, is attended +with some sort of delight; but envy +produces nothing in the heart that +harbours it but rage, rancour, and +disgust.’—‘So say I, master,’ answered +Sancho: ‘and I suppose, in this legend +or history of us, which Batchelor +Carrasco says he has seen, my reputation +goes like a jolting hackney-coach, +and is tossed about, as the +saying is, like a tennis-ball; though +in good faith, I never spoke an ill +word of any inchanter whatsoever; +nor am I rich enough to stir up envy +in any living soul: true it is I am a +little waggish, and have a small spice +of knavery at bottom; but all this is +crowned and covered with the broad +cloak of my simplicity, which is always +natural and never affected; and +if there was nothing else but my believing, +as I always do firmly and +sincerely, in God, as well as in all +that is owned and believed by the holy +Roman catholick church; and my being +a mortal enemy, as I certainly am, +to the Jews, the historians ought to have +mercy upon me, and use me tenderly +in their writings: but let them say +what they will, I naked was born, +and naked remain; and if I lose nothing, +as little I gain: though, provided +<span class='pageno' id='Page_327'>327</span>I see myself mentioned in a book, +and circulate through the world from +hand to hand, I don’t value what they +can say of me a fig’s end.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘That observation,’ said Don Quixote, +‘puts me in mind of what happened +to a famous poet of this age, who +having composed a severe satire against +the court ladies, omitted to insert one +in particular, by name, so that it was +doubtful whether or not she was implied +in any part of the performance. +The lady, thus neglected, complained +to the poet, asking what he had seen +in her character unworthy of being +described among the rest, and desiring +him to enlarge the satire, that she +might be included in the supplement, +or look to himself. The author complied +with her request, lashing her in +terms not fit to be named; and she +was perfectly well satisfied with the +fame of being infamous. Of a piece +with this ambition was that reported +of the shepherd, who set fire to the +celebrated temple of Diana, reckoned +one of the wonders of the world, with +no other view than to render his name +immortal; and although there was a +severe edict, prohibiting all persons +whatever from making mention of +his name, either by word or writing, +that he might not accomplish his aim, +it is very well known at this day, +that his name was Erostratus. This +likewise bears an affinity to that occurrence +which passed at Rome, between +that great emperor Charles the Fifth, +and a certain knight. The emperor +went to visit the famous temple of the +Rotunda, which was of old called the +Pantheon, but is now more happily +named the Church of All-Saints, the +most entire edifice that remains of +heathen Rome, and which most of all +evinces the grandeur and magnificence +of its founders. It is built in the +shape of half an orange, of a vast extent, +and very well lighted, though it +has but one window, or rather a round +lanthorn at its top, from whence the +emperor considered the inside of the +structure, being attended by a Roman +knight, who described the excellence +and ingenious contrivance of that vast +and memorable work; and, after they +had descended, said to him, “Sacred +Sir, a thousand times was I seized +with an inclination to clasp your majesty +in my arms, and throw myself +down from the lanthorn, in order to +eternize my name.”—“I thank you,” +replied the emperor, “for having resisted +such a wicked suggestion, and +henceforward will never give you an +opportunity of repeating such a proof +of your loyalty; avoid my presence, +and never presume to speak to me +again.” But, notwithstanding this +severe command, he conferred upon +him some extraordinary favour. My +meaning, Sancho, is, that the desire +of fame is a most active principle in +the human breast. What dost thou +imagine was the motive that prevailed +on Horatius to throw himself from +the bridge, armed at all points, into +the depth of the river Tyber? what +induced Mutius to burn his hand and +arm? what impelled Curtius to dart +himself into the flaming gulph which +opened in the midst of Rome? what +prompted Cæsar to pass the Rubicon, +in spite of all the unfavourable omens +that appeared? and, to give you a +more modern instance, what consideration +bore the ships, and left on +shore, encompassed with enemies, those +valiant Spaniards in the new world, +under the conduct of the most courteous +Cortez? All these, and many +other great and various exploits, are, +were, and shall be performed, in consequence +of that desire of fame, which +flatters mortals with a share of that +immortality which they deem the +merited reward of their renowned atchievements: +although we catholick +Christian knights-errant ought to pay +greater attention to that glory which +is to come, and eternally survives +within the etherial and celestial mansions, +than to the vanity of that same, +which is obtained in this present perishable +state, and which, considered +in its longest duration, must end at +length with the world itself, which +hath its appointed period. Wherefore, +Sancho, our works must not exceed +the limits prescribed by the Christian +religion which we profess. We +must, in slaying giants, extirpate pride; +get the better of envy by benevolence +and virtue; resist anger with patience +and forbearance; conquer gluttony +and sloth by temperance and watchfulness; +luxury and lewdness by our +fidelity to those whom we constitute +mistresses of our inclination; and idleness +by travelling through all parts of +<span class='pageno' id='Page_328'>328</span>the world in quest of opportunities to +evince ourselves not only Christians, +but, moreover, renowned knights. +Thus, Sancho, thou seest the means +of acquiring that superlative praise +which produces fame and reputation.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘All that your worship hath hitherto +said,’ replied the squire, ‘I understand +perfectly well; but, for all +that, I wish you would dissolve me +one doubt, which hath this moment +struck me in the noddle.’—‘Thy +meaning is resolve, Sancho,’ said the +knight: ‘in good time, out with it, and +I will give thee satisfaction, as far as +my own knowledge extends.’—‘Tell +me, then, Signior,’ proceeded Sancho, +‘where now are all those Julys and +Augusts, and adventuresome knights +who died so long ago?’—‘The Heathens,’ +answered Don Quixote, ‘are +doubtless in hell; and the Christians, +if they were good catholicks, either +in purgatory or in heaven.’—‘Right,’ +said the squire; ‘let us next enquire, +if the tombs that contain the bodies +of that sort of gentry are lighted with +silver lamps; or the walls of their +chapels adorned with crutches, winding +sheets, periwigs, legs, and eyes, +made of wax; if not, pray in what +manner are they adorned?’ To this +question Don Quixote answered, that +the sepulchres of the heathen heroes +were, for the most part, sumptuous +temples; the ashes of Julius Cæsar +were placed upon the top of a stone +pyramid, of vast dimensions, still to +be seen at Rome, under the name of +<abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr> Peter’s obelisk; the emperor Adrian’s +tomb was a building as large as +a good village, formerly called Moles +Adriani, but at present the Castle of <abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr> +Angelo; and Queen Artemisia buried +her husband Mausolus in a monument, +that was accounted one of the seven +wonders of the world; but none of +these sepulchres, nor any other belonging +to the heathens, were adorned +with shrouds, offerings, or marks, to +denote the sanctity of the persons +there buried. ‘So I perceive,’ said +Sancho; ‘and now tell me, whether it +be more meritorious to slay a giant, +or raise up the dead to life again?’—‘The +answer is plain,’ replied the +knight; ‘it is more meritorious to re-animate +the dead.’—‘Then I have +caught you fairly,’ cried the squire; +‘he who revives the dead, restores sight +to the blind, straightens the crooked, +heals the sick; before whose tomb the +lamps continually burn, whose chapels +are filled with devout people who +adore his relicks upon their knees; +I say, he shall have more fame in this +world, and that which is to come, than +all the heathen emperors and knights-errant +that ever lived have left or will +leave behind them.’—‘I am very sensible +of the truth of what you alledge,’ +answered the knight. ‘Now this same, +this grace, this prerogative, or what +you call it,’ resumed the squire, ‘is +veiled in the bodies and relicks of the +saints; and with the approbation and +licence of our holy mother church, +they have their lamps, tapers, shrouds, +crutches, pictures, periwigs, eyes, +and legs, whereby the devotion of the +people is increased, and their own +Christian fame promulgated; the bodies +and relicks of saints are carried +upon the shoulders of kings, who kiss +the very fragments of their bones, +with which they enrich and adorn +their most precious altars and oratories.’—‘What +wouldst thou have me +infer from all this?’ said Don Quixote. +‘My meaning,’ replied Sancho, +‘is, that we should turn saints immediately, +and so with the greater dispatch +acquire that fame which we are +in search of; and pray take notice, +Signior, it was but yesterday, or t’other +day, as one may say in comparison, +that they canonized and beatified two +bare-footed friars; and people now +think it a great happiness to be allowed +to touch and kiss the iron chains +with which they girded and tormented +their poor bodies; and which are +in greater esteem than the sword of +Orlando, which, as the report goes, +is kept in the armoury of our lord the +king, whom God in Heaven bless: +wherefore, dear master, it is better to +be an humble friar of any order whatever, +than the most valiant knight +that ever breathed; for, with God, +two dozen of disciplines will more +avail than as many thousand back-strokes, +whether they be bestowed on +giants, dragons, or hobgoblins.’—‘All +this is very true,’ answered Don +Quixote; ‘but we cannot all be friars; +and various are the paths by which +God conducts the good to Heaven. +Chivalry itself is a religious order, +and some that were knights are now +<span class='pageno' id='Page_329'>329</span>saints in glory.’—‘True,’ resumed +the squire, ‘but I have often heard it +observed, that there are more friars +than knights in Heaven.’—‘The +reason,’ said the knight, ‘is, because +there is a greater number of monks +than of the other order.’—‘And yet +there are many knights-errant,’ replied +the squire. ‘There is, indeed, a +good number,’ answered Don Quixote; +‘but very few that deserve the +name.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>In this, and other such discourse, they +passed that night and the following day, +without encountering any thing worthy +of being mentioned; a circumstance +that chagrined our knight not a little. +Next day, however, in the twilight, +they descried the great city of Toboso; +at sight of which Don Quixote’s spirits +were exhilarated, and Sancho’s depressed, +because he did not know where to +find the house of Dulcinea, whom he +had never seen, neither had his master +ever beheld this peerless princess; so that +the one suffered perturbation from the +desire of seeing her, and the other because +he had not seen her; and, indeed, +Sancho could not contrive how to manage +the affair, when his master should +send him to Toboso. In fine, Don +Quixote resolved to enter the city in the +dark; and with this view they tarried +in a grove of oaks, not far from the +gate, till the night was advanced; then +entered the town, where they met with +things which amount to things indeed.</p> +<h4 id='chap3-1-9' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='nine'>IX.</abbr> <br> WHICH CONTAINS WHAT YOU WILL SEE IN THE PERUSAL OF IT.</h4> +<p class='c004'>It was midnight, or thereabout, when +Don Quixote and Sancho, leaving +their covert, entered the city of Toboso, +which was then in profound silence, +all its inhabitants being asleep, and +lying with outstretched legs, as the saying +is. The night was clear, though +Sancho wished it otherwise, that in the +darkness he might find an excuse for +his imposition; and nothing was heard +in the whole town but the barking of +dogs, which thundered in Don Quixote’s +ears, and very much disturbed +the heart of Sancho; yet, from time to +time, they were saluted by the braying +of asses, the grunting of hogs, and the +mewing of cats; which different notes +being augmented by the stillness of the +night, were considered as ill omens by +the enamoured knight, who nevertheless +said to his squire, ‘Son Sancho, +lead on to the palace of Dulcinea, +whom, perhaps, we shall find awake.’—‘Body +of the sun!’ cried Sancho, +‘what palace should I lead to? when I +saw her highness she was in a very +small cottage.’—‘Then she must have +been retired,’ answered the knight, +‘to some small apartment of her castle, +to divert herself with her damsels, according +to the use and custom of princesses +and ladies of rank.’—‘Signior,’ +said the squire, ‘since your worship, in +spite of all that I can say, will +have my Lady Dulcinea’s house to +be a castle, is this an hour to find the +gate open? and will it be decent for +us to throw the whole family into +confusion and uproar, by making a +racket, and demanding entrance, at +this time of night? Do you think we +are going to a bawdy-house, like your +fornicators, who rap and knock, and +enter at any hour of the four and +twenty?’—‘First of all, let us fairly +find the castle,’ replied the knight, +‘and then I will tell thee what is to be +done; and take notice, Sancho, for +either mine eye-sight fails me, or that +great shadowy building before us is +the palace of Dulcinea.’—‘Advance, +then,’ answered Sancho, ‘perhaps it +may be so; and yet, though I should +see it with mine eyes, and touch it +with my hands, I will believe it as +much as I believe it is now twelve +o’clock at noon.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Don Quixote, however, proceeded; +and having gone about two hundred +paces, came up with the building that +produced the shadow, and perceiving it +an high steeple, found it was no castle, +but in reality the principal church in +town. ‘We are arrived at the cathedral, +Sancho,’ said he. ‘So I perceive,’ +replied the squire, ‘and God +grant we be not arrived at our graves! +for it is no good sign to be strolling +about church-yards at these hours: +besides, I have already told your +worship, (if my memory serves me +right) that my lady’s house stands in +a blind alley.’—‘The curse of God +light on thee, for a blockhead as thou +art!’ cried Don Quixote; ‘where didst +thou ever hear of castles and royal palaces, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_330'>330</span>built in blind alleys?’—‘Signior,’ +answered Sancho, ‘every country +has its own customs; and perhaps +it is the custom here, in Toboso, to +raise palaces and grand edifices in +blind alleys; I therefore humbly beseech +your worship to let me search +all the streets and alleys I shall meet +with; and who knows but in some +corner I may light on this same +castle, which I wish the dogs had devoured, +before it had brought us to +such perplexity and confusion?’—‘Talk +respectfully, Sancho, of those +things that appertain to my mistress,’ +said the knight; ‘let us spend our holiday +in peace, and not throw the +helve after the hatchet.’—‘Well, I +will be pacified,’ answered the squire; +‘though how can I endure your worship +should expect that I who have +seen my lady’s house but once, +should know it always, and even +find it out in the middle of the night, +when you yourself are at a loss, though +you must have seen it a thousand +times?’—‘You distract me, Sancho,’ +cried Don Quixote; ‘heark ye, heretick, +have not I told you a thousand +times, that in all the days of my life, +I never saw the peerless Dulcinea, nor +ever crossed the threshold of her palace, +being only enamoured by hearsay, +and the great reputation of her +beauty and discretion?’—‘I hear your +worship say so now,’ replied Sancho; +‘and tell you in my turn, that if you +have not seen her, no more have I.’—‘That +is impossible,’ resumed the +knight; ‘at least, you told me you +had seen her winnowing wheat, +when you brought back an answer to +the letter with which I sent you to +her habitation.’—‘Truly, Signior, +you must not depend upon that,’ answered +Sancho; ‘for you must know, +my seeing her, and bringing back the +answer, was also upon hearsay; and +I am as incapable of giving any account +of the Lady Dulcinea, as I am +of pulling the moon by the nose.’ +‘Sancho! Sancho!’ said Don Quixote, +‘there is a time for jesting, and a time +when jokes are very unseasonable; +though I say I have never seen or +spoke with the mistress of my soul, +there is no reason for thy making the +same declaration, which thou knowest +is so contrary to the truth.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>While they thus conversed together, +they perceived a person passing that way +with a couple of mules; and by the noise +of a plough-share, which they dragged +along, justly concluded that he was a +peasant who had risen before day to go +to labour: they were not mistaken; it +was actually a labourer, who went +along singing the ballad of Ronscevalles<a id='r149'></a><a href='#f149' class='c008'><sup>[149]</sup></a>; +which the knight no sooner heard, +than he exclaimed, ‘Let me die, Sancho! +if any thing lucky will befal +us to-night; don’t you hear what +that peasant is singing?’—‘Yes,’ said +Sancho; ‘but what has the defeat at +Ronscevalles to do with our affair? +If he had sung the ballad of Calaynos, +it would have been the same +thing with regard to our good or evil +fortune.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Don Quixote said to the peasant, who +was by this time come-up, ‘Can you +tell me, honest friend, and the blessing +of God attend you, in what +part of this city stands the palace of +the peerless princess Donna Dulcinea +del Toboso?’—‘Signor,’ answered +the young man, ‘I am a stranger, and +have been but a few days in town, in +the service of a rich farmer, whose +lands I till; but in that house that +fronts you live the curate and sexton +of the parish, and either or both can +give your worship an account of that +same princess, for they keep a register +of all the inhabitants of Toboso, +though I believe, there is no such +thing as a princess in the whole place: +there are, indeed, many ladies of fashion, +and every one may be a princess +in her own house.’—‘She whom +I ask for must be one of these,’ said +the knight. ‘It may be so,’ answered +the peasant; ‘but I shall be overtaken +by the morning.’ So saying, he drove +on his mules, without waiting for any +more questions.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Sancho, seeing his matter in suspence, +and over and above dissatisfied, ‘Signior,’ +said he, ‘day begins to break, +and it will not be altogether convenient +to let the sun find us here in the +street: we had better quit the city, and +look out for some wood in the neighbourhood, +where your worship may +<span class='pageno' id='Page_331'>331</span>enjoy the cool shade; and I will return +by day, and search every hole +and cranny in Toboso for this house, +castle, or palace of my lady, and it +will be very unfortunate, indeed, if I +cannot find it; and if I have the good +luck, to meet with her ladyship, I will +tell her where and how I have left +your worship, in expectation of her +contriving some means whereby you +may visit her, without any prejudice +to her honour and reputation.’—‘Sancho,’ +cried Don Quixote, ‘thou +hast uttered a thousand sentences +within the compass of a few words: +the counsel thou hast given me I relish, +and most willingly receive. Come, +my son, let us go in quest of some +thicket, where I may embower myself, +while thou shalt return to seek, +see, and talk with my mistress, from +whose courtesy and discretion I hope +to receive more than miraculous favours.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Sancho burned with impatience to +see his master fairly out of town, that +he might not detect the falshood of the +answer which he pretended to bring +from Dulcinea, while he remained in +the Brown Mountain: he therefore pressed +him to depart, and about two miles +from the city they found a thicket or +wood, where Don Quixote took up his +residence, while Sancho went back to +commune with Dulcinea; and, in the +course of his embassy, met with adventures +that demand new credit and fresh +attention.</p> + +<h4 id='chap3-1-10' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='ten'>X.</abbr> <br> GIVES AN ACCOUNT OF THE STRATAGEM WHICH SANCHO PRACTISED,<br> IN ORDER TO INCHANT THE LADY DULCINEA<br>—WITH OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES EQUALLY LUDICROUS AND TRUE.</h4> +<p class='c004'>The author of this stupendous +history, when he comes to relate +what is contained in this chapter, says, +he would have willingly passed it over +in silence, because he was afraid that it +would not be believed; for here the +madness of Don Quixote soars to the +highest pitch of extravagance that can +be imagined, and even by two bow +shots, at least, exceeds all credit and +conception: yet, notwithstanding this +jealousy and apprehension, he has recounted +it in the same manner as it happened, +without adding to the history, or +detracting one tittle from the truth, undervaluing +the risk he runs of being +deemed apocryphal: and surely he was +in the right; for truth may bend, but +will never break, and always surmounts +falshood, as oil floats above water. +Wherefore he proceeds in the narrative, +saying—</p> + +<p class='c005'>Don Quixote having taken his station +in the forest, grove, or wood, near +to the great city of Toboso, ordered +Sancho to go back to town, and not return +to his presence before he should +have spoken to his mistress, and begged, +in his name, that she would be pleased +to grant an interview to her captive +knight, and deign to bestow upon him +her blessing, through which he might +expect the most happy issue to all his +attempts and enterprizes.</p> + +<p class='c005'>The squire, having undertaken to execute +this command, and to bring back +as favourable an answer as he had +brought the first time; ‘Go, my son,’ +said the knight, ‘and be not confounded +when you find yourself beamed +upon by that resplendent sun of beauty, +which is the object of your enquiry: +happy thou, above all the +squires that ever lived! Be sure to +retain in thy memory every circumstance +of thy reception; observe if +she changes colour, while thou art +delivering my message; if she is discomposed, +and under confusion at the +mention of my name; whether she +sinks upon her cushion, or happens at +the time to be seated under the rich +canopy of her authority; if she be +standing, take notice whether or not +she sometimes supports herself on one +foot, sometimes on the other; and if +she repeats her answer more than once, +changing it from kind to harsh, from +sour to amorous; and if she lifts up +her hand to adjust her hair, although +it be not disorderd; finally, son, +mark all her gestures and emotions; +and if thou bringest me an exact detail +of them, I shall be able to divine +her most abstruse sentiments, +touching the concerns of my passion: +for know, Sancho, if thou art still +to learn, among lovers, the least gesticulation +in their external behaviour, +while the conversation turns upon +their amours, is, as it were, a messenger +<span class='pageno' id='Page_332'>332</span>that brings a most certain account +of what passes within the soul. +Go, friend, and enjoy thy fate, so +much more favourable than thy master’s; +and return with much more +success than that which I dread and +expect in this cruel solitude, where I +now remain.’—‘I go,’ replied Sancho, +‘and will return in a twinkling; +therefore, good your worship, do encourage +that little heart of yours, +which, at present, must be no bigger +than a hazle-nut; and consider, as +the saying is, A stout heart flings +misfortune; Where you meet with no +hooks, you need expect no bacon; +and again, The hare often starts, +where the hunter leasts expects her. +This I observe, because, though we +did not find the palace and castle of +my lady in the night; now that it is +day, I hope to stumble upon it, when +I least expect to see it; and if so be +I once catch it, let me alone with +her.’—‘Sancho,’ said the knight, +‘God grant me better fortune in my +desires than you have in the application +of the proverbs you utter.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>This was no sooner said, than Sancho +switching Dapple, quitted the knight, +who remained on horseback, resting his +legs upon his stirrups, and leaning upon +his lance, his imagination being engrossed +by the most melancholy suggestions. +Here let us leave him, and proceed with +Sancho Panza; who, parting from his +master, in equal perplexity and confusion, +no sooner found himself clear of +the wood, than looking back, and perceiving +that Don Quixote was not in +sight, he alighted from his ass, and sitting +down at the root of a tree, began +to catechise himself in these words: +‘Brother Sancho, be so good as to +let us know, where your worship is +going? Are you in search of some +stray beast?—No, truly!—What then +is your errand?—Why, really, I am +going in search of a thing of nought, +a princess, God wot! and in her, the +sun and the whole heaven of beauty. +And, pray, where may you expect to +meet with this that you mention, Sancho?—Where, +but in the great city of +Toboso.—Well, and by whose order +are you going upon this enquiry?—By +order of the renowned knight Don +Quixote de La Mancha, the righter of +wrongs, who gives thirst to the hungry, +and food to those that are dry.—All +this is mighty well; but do you +know the house, Sancho?—My master +says, it must be some royal palace, +or stately castle.—But have you never +once seen this same princess?—Neither +I nor he ever set eyes on her.—And +do you think it will be well bestowed, +if the inhabitants of Toboso, getting +notice that you are come with an intention +to wheedle away their princesses, +and disturb their dames, should +break every bone of your skin, and +grind your ribs to a paste, with pure +cudgelling?—Verily they would not be +much to blame, unless they considered, +that I do nothing but execute my +master’s command, and being only a +messenger, am not in fault.—Never +trust to that, Sancho; for the Manchegans +are as cholerick as honourable, +and will not suffer themselves to +be tickled by any person whatever. +Ecod! if you are once smoked, you +will come but scurvily off.—Bodikins! +since that be the case, why +should I plague myself, seeking a cat +with three legs, for another man’s +pleasure?—Besides, you may as well +seek for a magpye in Rabena, or a +batchelor in Salamanca, as for Dulcinea +in Toboso.—The devil, and +none but the devil, has sent me on +this fool’s errand!’</p> + +<p class='c005'>The result of this soliloquy was another, +that broke out in these words: +‘There is a remedy for every thing but +death, under whose yoke we must all +pass, will we nill we, when this life is +at an end. This master of mine, as +I have perceived by a thousand instances, +is mad enough to be shackled +among straw; and truly I am not +much behind him in folly; nay, indeed, +I am more mad than he, +seeing I serve and follow him, if +there be any truth in the proverb +that says, Tell me your company, +and I will tell you your manners: +and the other, Not he with whom +you was bred, but he by whom +you are fed. Now he being, as he +certainly is, a madman; aye, and so +mad as for the most part to mistake +one thing for another, affirming white +to be black, and black to be white; +as plainly appeared when he took the +windmills for giants, the mules of the +friars for dromedaries, the flocks of +sheep for opposite armies; and a great +many other things in the same stile: I +<span class='pageno' id='Page_333'>333</span>say, it will be no difficult matter to +make him believe the first country-wench +I shall meet with to be his +mistress Dulcinea; and if he boggles +at swallowing the cheat, I will swear +lustily to the truth of what I affirm; +and if he swears also, I will swear +again; and if he is positive, I will be +more positive; so that come what will, +my obstinacy shall always exceed his. +Perhaps, by this stubborn behaviour, +I shall get rid of all such troublesome +messages for the future; when he finds +what disagreeable answers I bring; or +perhaps, which I rather believe, he +will think that one of those inchanters, +who, he says, bear him a grudge, +hath transmographied her shape, in +order to vex and disquiet him.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Sancho having found out this expedient, +was quite calm and satisfied in +his mind, and thinking he had brought +the business to a good bearing, remained +where he was till the evening, that +Don Quixote might think he had sufficient +time to execute his orders, and return. +Everything succeeded so well to +his wish, that when he got up to mount +Dapple, he descried three country wenches +riding from Toboso, towards the +place where he stood, upon three young +he or she asses, for the author does not +declare their sex; though in all likelihood +they were of the female gender, +as your village maidens commonly ride +upon she-asses; but this being a circumstance +of small importance, we shall +not give ourselves any trouble to ascertain +it.</p> + +<p class='c005'>In short, Sancho no sooner perceived +the wenches, than he rode back at a +round trot to his master, whom he found +sighing bitterly, and pouring forth a +thousand amorous complaints; the +knight seeing him arrive, ‘Well, friend +Sancho,’ said he, ‘is this day to be +marked with a white or black stone?’—‘Your +worship,’ answered the squire, +‘had better mark it with red ochre, +like the titles on a professor’s chair, +that it may be seen the better by those +who look at it.’—‘At that rate,’ replied +Don Quixote, ‘thou bringest me +good news.’—‘So good,’ answered +Sancho, ‘that your worship has nothing +to do but to mount Rozinante, and +gallop into the plain, where you will +see my Lady Dulcinea del Toboso and +two of her damsels coming this way +to pay you a visit.’—‘Gracious God!’ +cried the knight, ‘what is that you +say, friend Sancho? Take care how +you deceive me! endeavouring, by +feigned joy, to enliven my real sadness.’—‘What +should I get by deceiving +your worship?’ said the squire. +‘Besides, you can easily be satisfied of +the truth of what I say. Make haste, +Signior, come and see our mistress the +princess, arrayed and adorned; in +short, as she ought to be; her damsels +and she are all one flame of gold; +all covered with pearls, diamonds, +rubies, and brocade, more than ten +hands deep; their hair flowing loose +about their shoulders, like so many +sun-beams waving with the wind; +and moreover they are mounted on +three pied belfreys, that it would do +one’s heart good to see them.’—‘Palfreys, +you mean, Sancho,’ said the +knight. ‘There is no great difference,’ +answered the squire, ‘between palfreys +and belfreys; but, be that as it will, +they are the finest creatures one would +desire to see, especially my Lady Dulcinea, +who is enough to stupify the +five senses.’—‘Come, then, my son,’ +replied Don Quixote; ‘and as a gratuity +for bringing this piece of news, +equally welcome and unexpected, I +bestow upon thee the spoils of the first +adventure I shall atchieve; and if +thou art not satisfied with that recompence, +I will give unto thee the foals +that shall this year be brought forth +by my three mares, which thou +knowest we left with young upon our +town common.’—‘I stick to the +foals,’ cried the squire, ‘for as to the +spoils of our first adventure, I question +whether or not they will be worth +accepting.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>By this time, they were clear of the +wood, and in sight of the three country-maidens; +when the knight lifting +up his eyes, and surveying the whole +road to Toboso, without seeing any +thing but them, began to be troubled in +mind, and asked Sancho if the ladies +had got out of town when he left them. +‘Out of town?’ said Sancho. ‘What! +are your worship’s eyes in the nape of +your neck, that you don’t see them +coming towards us, glittering and +shining like the sun at noon?’—‘I +see nobody,’ replied the knight, ‘but +three country-wenches riding upon +asses.’—‘God deliver me from the +devil!’ cried the squire, ‘is it possible +<span class='pageno' id='Page_334'>334</span>that three belfreys, or how-d’ye-call-ums, +white as the driven snow, +should appear no better than asses in +your worship’s eyes? By the Lord! +I’ll give you leave to pluck off every +hair of my beard if that be the case.’—‘Then +I tell thee, Sancho,’ said his +master, ‘they are as certainly he or she-asses +as I am Don Quixote, and thou +Sancho Panza; at least, so they seem to +me.’—‘Hold your tongue, Signior,’ +replied Sancho, ‘and never talk in that +manner, but snuff your eyes, and go +and make your reverence to the mistress +of your heart, who is just at +hand.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>So saying, he advanced towards the +damsels, and alighting from Dapple, +seized one of their beasts by the halter; +then fell upon his knees before the rider, +to whom he addressed himself in +this manner: ‘Queen, princess, and duchess +of beauty, will your highness +and greatness be pleased to receive +into grace and favour your captive +knight, who sits there stupified to +stone, utterly confounded and deprived +of pulse, at seeing himself in presence +of your magnificence; I am +Sancho Panza his squire, and he is the +perplexed and down trodden knight +Don Quixote de La Mancha, alias +the Knight of the Rueful Countenance.’</p> + +<div id='plate2' class='figcenter id002'> +<img src='images/plate-ii.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +<div class='ic002'> +<p>Plate II: Don Quixote Worships His Lady.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<p class='c005'>By this time Don Quixote having +placed himself on his knees, by Sancho, +gazed with staring eyes and troubled vision, +upon the object which the squire +called queen and princess; and perceiving +nothing but a country-wench’s +visage, and that none of the most agreeable, +for it was round and flat-nosed, +he remained in the utmost confusion and +surprize, without daring to open his +lips. The other two damsels were +equally astonished at seeing a couple of +such different figures kneeling before +their companion, whom they had detained; +but she, breaking silence, pronounced +in a most ungracious and resentful +manner, ‘Get out of the way, +and let us pass, for we are in a hurry.’ +To this apostrophe Sancho replied, ‘O +princess and universal Lady of Toboso! +do not your magnificent bowels +yearn, to see upon his marrow-bones +before your sublimated presence, the +very pillar and prop of knight-errantry?’ +One of the other two hearing +this pathetick remonstrance, bauled aloud, +‘Would I had the currying that ass’s +hide of thine: mind, forsooth, how +your small gentry come and pass their +gibes upon us country-folks; as if +we could not give them as good as +they bring. Go about your business, +friend, and leave us to mind our’n, +and so God b’w’ye.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Here the knight interposing, said, +‘Rise, Sancho, I can plainly perceive +that fortune, not yet tired of persecuting +me, hath barred every avenue +by which any comfort could arrive at +the miserable soul that this carcase +contains: and thou! the essence of +every thing that is desirable in nature, +thou sum of human perfection, and +sole remedy of this afflicted heart, by +which thou art adored! although that +malicious inchanter, my inveterate +enemy, hath spread clouds and cataracts +before mine eyes, to them and +them only changing and transforming +thy unequalled beauty into the appearance +of a poor country-wench; +if he hath not also altered my figure +into that of some frightful spectre +horrid to thy view, deign to look upon +me with complacency and love; because +thou mayest perceive by this +submissive posture I have assumed, +even before thy person thus disguised, +the humility with which my soul +adores thy charms.’—‘You may go +kiss my grannam,’ cried the damsel; +‘I’m a fine Madam, truly, to hear such +gibberish; we should be more obliged +to you if you would get out of our +way, and let us go about our own +affairs.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Sancho accordingly quitted his hold, +leaving her free to go whither she would, +and highly pleased with the issue of his +stratagem. The supposititious Dulcinea +no sooner found herself at liberty, +than pricking her palfrey with a goad +which was in the end of a stick +she had in her hand, the creature galloped, +across the field with great speed, +and feeling the application more severe +than usual, began to plunge and kick in +such a manner, that my lady fell to the +ground. Don Quixote perceiving this +accident, ran with great eagerness to +raise her up, and Sancho made haste to +adjust and gird on the pannel, which +had got under the ass’s belly. This affair +being set to rights, the knight went +to lift his inchanted mistress in his +arms, and placed her on her seat again; +<span class='pageno' id='Page_335'>335</span>but she, starting up from the ground, +saved him that trouble; for, retreating +a few paces backwards, she made a small +run, and clapping both hands upon the +crupper, leaped upon the pannel as +nimble as a falcon, seating herself +astride like a man.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘By <abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr> Roque!’ cried Sancho, ‘my +lady mistress is as light as a hawk, +and can teach the most dextrous horseman +to ride; at one jump she has +sprung into the saddle, and, without +spurs, made her palfrey fly like any +zebra: and truly, her damsels are not +a whit behind; for they go scouring +along as swift as the wind.’ This +was actually true; for Dulcinea was no +sooner remounted than the other two +trotted after her, and at last disappeared, +after having gone more than half a +league, at full speed, without once +looking behind them.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Don Quixote followed them with his +eyes, until they vanished; then turning +to his squire, ‘Sancho,’ said he, ‘thou +seest how I am persecuted by inchanters, +and mayest perceive how far the +malice and grudge they bear me extends; +seeing they have deprived me +of the pleasure I should have enjoyed +at the sight of my mistress in her own +beauteous form. Surely, I was born +to be an example of misery; the very +mark and butt for all the arrows of +misfortune; nay, thou art also to observe, +Sancho, that those traitors were +not contented with a simple metamorphosis +of my Dulcinea, but have +transformed and changed her into the +base and homely figure of that country-wench; +robbing her, at the same +time, of that which is so peculiar to +ladies of fashion, I mean, that sweet +scent which is the result of their living +among flowers and perfume; for +know, my friend, when I went to +lift Dulcinea upon her palfrey, as +thou sayest it was, though to me it +seemed neither more nor less than a +she-ass, I was almost suffocated and +poisoned with a whiff of undigested +garlick!’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘O ye miscreants!’ cried Sancho, +‘O ye malicious and mischievous inchanters! +would to God, I could see +you all strung by the gills, like so +many haddocks! much you know, +much you can, and much more will +you still be doing. Was it not +enough, ye knaves, to change the +pearls of my lady’s eyes into a couple +of cork-tree galls, and her hair of +shining gold into the bristles of a red +cow’s tail; and, in short, so transmography +every feature of her countenance; +without your meddling with +the sweetness of her breath, by which +they might have discovered what was +concealed beneath that bark of homeliness: +though, to tell the truth, I saw +not her homeliness but beauty, which +was exceedingly increased by a mole +upon her upper lip, something like a +whisker, consisting of seven or eight red +hairs, like threads of gold, as long as +my hand.’—‘According to the correspondence +which the moles of the +face have with those of the body,’ +said Don Quixote, ‘Dulcinea must +have just such another on the brawny +part of her thigh, of the same side; +but hairs of such a length are, methinks, +rather too long for moles.’—‘I +do assure your worship,’ answered +Sancho, ‘they seemed as if they had +come into the world with her.’—‘I +very well believe what you say, my +friend,’ replied the knight; ‘for nature +hath bestowed nothing on Dulcinea +but what is perfectly finished; +wherefore, if thou hadst seen an hundred +such moles, in her would they +be so many moons and resplendent +stars: but tell me, Sancho, that which +you adjusted, and which to me seemed +a pannel, was it a plain pad or a side-saddle?’—‘It +was a great side-saddle,’ +answered the squire, ‘so rich that +half the kingdom would not buy it.’—‘And +why could not I see all this!’ +said the knight. ‘I say again, Sancho, +and will repeat it a thousand +times, that I am the most unfortunate +of men.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>The rogue Sancho, finding his master +so dextrously gulled, and hearing him +talk in this mad strain, could scarce refrain +from laughing in his face: in +fine, a good deal more of this sort of +conversation having passed between them, +they remounted their beasts, and took +the road to Saragosa, where they expected +to arrive time enough to be +present at the solemn festival yearly celebrated +in that famous city; but before +they accomplished their journey, they +met with adventures, which, for their +variety, novelty, and greatness, deserve +to be read and recorded, as in the sequel.</p> +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_336'>336</span> + <h4 id='chap3-1-11' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='eleven'>XI.</abbr> <br> OF THE STRANGE ADVENTURE WHICH BEFEL THE VALIANT DON QUIXOTE,<br> WITH THE CART OR WAGGON CONTAINING THE PARLIAMENT OF DEATH.</h4> +</div> +<p class='c004'>Don Quixote jogged along exceedingly +pensive, his thoughts being +engrossed by the scurvy trick which the +inchanters had played him, in transforming +his mistress Dulcinea into the +disagreeable figure of a country-wench; +and he could not conceive what remedy +he should find for restoring her to +her former shape. So much was he absorbed +in this reflection, that he insensibly +dropped the reins upon the neck of Rozinante, +who being sensible of the liberty +he enjoyed, at every two steps turned +aside to take a pluck at the inviting +pasture with which those fields abounded. +At length Sancho Panza rouzed +him from this fit of musing, saying, +‘Signior, melancholy was not made for +beasts, but for men; and yet if men +encourage melancholy too much, they +become no better than beasts; good +your worship, be contented, mind +what you’re about, take hold of Rozinante’s +reins, rouze up, awake, and +shew that gaiety which all knights-errant +ought to have. What the +devil is the meaning of all this faint-heartedness? +Sure you don’t know +whether we are here or in France! let +Satan rather run away with all the +Dulcineas upon earth; for the health +of one single knight is of more value +than all the inchanted persons or transformations +that ever were known.’—‘Peace, +Sancho,’ cried Don Quixote, +with a voice that was none of the faintest, +‘Peace, I say; and utter not such +blasphemies against that inchanted +lady, of whose disgrace and misfortune +I am the sole cause: for, from +the envy of my wicked foes, her mischance +hath sprung.’—‘So I say,’ answered +Sancho; ‘for, He that hath seen +her before, let him look at her now, +and her fortune deplore.’—‘Well +mayest thou make that observation, +Sancho,’ said the knight, ‘seeing thou +sawest her in the full perfection of her +beauty; as the inchantment did not +extend so far as to disturb thy vision, +or conceal her charms from thy view. +No! against me alone, and my longing +eyes, was the force of its poison +directed! Yet, nevertheless, Sancho, +I cannot help observing, that you +made but an indifferent picture of her +beauty; for if I rightly remember, +you likened her eyes to pearls; now, +eyes resembling pearls, are more peculiar +to dead whitings than to living +beauties; and, in my conjecture, +Dulcinea’s must be rather like green +emeralds, arched over with two celestial +rainbows: those pearls, therefore, +must be compared to her teeth, +which, without doubt, you have mistaken +for her eyes.’—‘Nothing more +likely,’ answered the squire, ‘for I +was as much confounded by her beauty +as your worship by her ugliness; but +let us recommend this whole business +to God, who fore-ordains every thing +that is to happen in this vale of tears; +in this evil world of ours, where +scarce any thing is to be had, without +a mixture of falshood, knavery, +and sin. One thing, dear Sir, of all +others, gives me the greatest pain; +and that is, to think what method is +to be fallen upon, when your worship, +after having vanquished some +giant or knight, shall command him +to go and present himself before the +beauty of the Lady Dulcinea, where +will this poor giant, or this poor miserable +object of a vanquished knight, +find out the person to whom he is sent? +Methinks I see them strolling up and +down, and gaping about thro’ the streets +of Toboso, in quest of my Lady Dulcinea; +and if they should stumble upon +her in their way, they would no more +know her than they would know my +father.’—‘Sancho,’ resumed Don Quixote, +‘perhaps the inchantment will not +extend so far as to disguise Dulcinea +to the eyes of those vanquished giants +and knights who shall present themselves +before her; and in one or two +of the first whom I shall conquer +and send thither, we will make the +experiment, commanding them to return +and give me an account of what +shall happen to them, with regard to +that affair.’—‘Truly, Signior,’ said +Sancho, ‘I heartily approve of your +worship’s scheme; because, by this +artifice, we will soon learn what we +want to know; and if so be that she +is only concealed from your worship, +you are the most unfortunate person +<span class='pageno' id='Page_337'>337</span>of the two; for as my Lady Dulcinea +enjoys good health and satisfaction, +we will comfort ourselves, and make +the best of a bad bargain, going about +in quest of adventures, and leaving +the rest to time, who is the best physician +for these and other greater calamities.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Don Quixote would have replied, but +was prevented by the appearance of a +sort of waggon that crossed the road, +full of the strangest figures that can be +imagined, and conducted by a frightful +dæmon that drove the mules. The cart +being altogether open, without tilt or +cover, the first figure that struck the eyes +of Don Quixote, was Death itself in +human shape; next to which appeared +an angel with broad painted wings; +on one side, stood an emperor with a +crown (seemingly) of gold, upon his +head; and hard by Death, was the god +Cupid, with his bow, quiver, and arrows, +but without the bandage on his +eyes; there was likewise a knight armed +cap-a-pee, except that he wore neither +helmet nor head-piece, but a hat +adorned with a plume of variegated +feathers. Besides these, there were +other personages of different countenance +and dress; so that the whole +groupe appearing of a sudden, discomposed +our hero a little, and filled the +heart of Sancho with fear; but Don +Quixote soon recollected himself, and +rejoiced, because he looked upon it as +some new and perilous adventure. On +this supposition, and with an effort of +courage capable of encountering the +greatest danger, he placed himself before +the wain, and with a loud and +threatening voice, pronounced, ‘Driver, +coachman, devil, or whatsoever thou +art, tell me straight, whither thou art +going, and who those people are whom +thou drivest in that carriage, which +looks more like Charon’s bark than +any modern vehicle.’ The devil +stopping his waggon very courteously, +replied, ‘Signior, we are players belonging +to the company of Angulo el +Malo, and have, this morning, which +is the octave of Corpus Christi, been +representing, in a village on the other +side of yon hill, the piece called the +Parliament of Death, which we are +going to act over again, this very +evening, in that other village now in +sight; we therefore travel in our habits, +to save ourselves the trouble of +undressing and dressing anew; this +young man plays the part of Death, +that other represents an angel; the +woman, who is the author’s wife, +acts the queen; he with the plume of +feathers is our hero; the emperor you +may distinguish by his gilded crown; +and I am the devil, which is one of +the best characters in the performance, +for I myself am the chief actor +of this company. If your worship +is desirous of knowing any thing +else concerning our affairs, question +me freely, and I will answer with the +utmost punctuality, for being a devil +I understand every thing.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘By the faith of a knight-errant!’ +said Don Quixote, ‘when I first descried +the waggon, I thought myself +on the eve of some great adventure; +and now I affirm, that a man ought +to examine things with more senses +than one, before he can be assured of +the truth; proceed, my honest friends, +a God’s name, in order to exhibit +your entertainment, and if I can serve +you in any respect, you may command +my endeavours, which shall be +heartily and freely exerted for your +advantage; for, from my childhood, +I have been a great lover of masques +and theatrical representations.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>While this conversation passed between +them, they chanced to be overtaken +by one of the company, dressed +in motley, hung round with a number +of morrice-bells, with a pole in his +hand, to the end of which were tied +three blown ox-bladders. This merry-andrew +advancing to Don Quixote, +began to fence with his pole, beating +the ground with his bladders, and skipping +about, so that his bells rung continually: +till at length Rozinante, being +disturbed at the uncommon apparition, +took the bridle between his teeth; and +the knight being unable to restrain him, +began to gallop across the plain with +more nimbleness than could have been +expected from the bones of his anatomy. +Sancho seeing his master in +danger of falling, leaped from Dapple, +and ran with all dispatch to give him +all possible assistance; but before he +came up, the knight was overthrown +close by Rozinante, who had come to +the ground with his lord; and this was +the usual end and consequence of all his +frolicksome adventures. Scarce had +Sancho quitted his beast, to run to the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_338'>338</span>assistance of his master, when the bladder +shaking devil jumped upon Dapple, +and began to belabour him with his +rattle; so that being frightened at the +noise, rather than with the smart of the +application, he took to his heels, and +flew towards the village where they intended +to perform. Sancho seeing, at +the same time, the career of Dapple, +and his master’s fall, scarce knew which +of these misfortunes he ought first to remedy; +but at length, as became a loyal +servant and trusty squire, his love for +his master prevailed over his tenderness +for the beast; though every time he +saw the bladders railed aloft, and discharged +upon Dapple’s buttocks, he +felt the pangs and tortures of death, and +would rather have received every thwack +upon the apple of his own eye than have +seen it fall upon the least hair of his +ass’s tail.</p> + +<p class='c005'>In this state of perplexity and tribulation, +he arrived at the place where +Don Quixote lay in a very indifferent +plight, and helping him to mount Rozinante, +‘Signior,’ said he, ‘the devil +has run away with Dapple.’—‘Which +devil?’ cried the knight. ‘He with +the bladders,’ answered the squire. +‘I will retrieve him,’ replied Don Quixote, +‘even if he should conceal him +in the darkest and deepest dungeon in +hell; follow me, Sancho, the waggon +moves slowly, and the mules shall +atone for the loss of Dapple.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘There is no occasion for putting +ourselves to that trouble,’ said the +squire: ‘good your worship, be pacified! +for I see the devil has quitted +my ass, and returned to the rest of his +crew.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>This observation was actually true; +Dapple and his new rider had come to +the ground, in imitation of the knight +and Rozinante: upon which the devil +trudged on foot to the village, and the +ass returned to his right owner. ‘For +all that,’ said Don Quixote, ‘it will +not be amiss to punish the troop for +that devil’s incivility, though it should +be in the person of the emperor himself.’—‘I +hope your worship’s imagination +will harbour no such thoughts,’ +answered Sancho; ‘take my advice, +and never meddle with players, who +are a set of people in such high favour +with the publick, that I have +known an actor taken up for two +murders, and yet ’scape scot-free: +your worship must know, that being +the ministers of mirth and pleasure, +they are favoured, protected, assisted, +and esteemed by every body; especially +if they belong to the king’s +company, or to some grandee; in +which case all, or most of them, look +like princes in their manners and +dress.’—‘Nevertheless,’ replied the +knight, ‘that farcical devil shall not +escape unpunished, or applaud himself +for what he has done, though all +mankind should appear in his favour.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>So saying, he rode towards the waggon, +which was by this time pretty +near the village, and called aloud, +‘Stay, my merry men; halt a little, +and I will teach you how to treat the +asses and cattle belonging to the +squires of knights-errant.’ Don +Quixote hallooed so loud as to be heard +and understood by the people in the +waggon, who judging, by his words, +the intention of the speaker, Death instantly +jumped out of the cart, and was +followed by the Emperor, the Devil-driver, +and the Angel, with the Queen +and Cupid in their train; in short, the +whole company armed themselves with +stones, and, drawing up in order of +battle, stood without flinching, to receive +the assailant at point of pebble.</p> + +<p class='c005'>The knight perceiving them arranged +in such a formidable squadron, their +arms lifted up in a posture that threatened +a powerful discharge of stones, +checked Rozinante, and began to consider +in what manner he should attack +them, with least hazard to his person. +During this pause, Sancho came up, +and seeing him bent upon a assaulting such +a well-compacted brigade, ‘It will be +the height of madness,’ said he, ‘to +attempt any such adventure; consider, +dear Sir, that there is no kicking +against the pricks; and that there is +no armour upon earth sufficient to defend +your body from such a shower, +unless your worship could creep into +a bell of brass; you ought also to remember, +that it favours more of rashness +than of true valour, for one man +to attack a whole army, in which Death +and emperors fight in person, being +aided and assisted both by good and +evil angels; and if that consideration +will not prevail upon you to be quiet, +you ought to be diverted from your +purpose, by knowing certainly, that +among all those enemies in the appearances +<span class='pageno' id='Page_339'>339</span>of kings, princes, and emperors, +there is not so much as one +single knight-errant.’—‘Now, indeed,’ +cried Don Quixote, ‘thou hast +hit upon the sole reason that can and +ought to dissuade me from my determined +design; I neither can nor ought +to draw my sword (as I have told thee, +on many other occasions) against any +person who hath not received the honour +of knighthood; to thee, Sancho, +it belongs, if so thou art inclined, +to take vengeance for the injury +done to Dapple, while I from hence +will assist and encourage thee with salutary +advice.’—‘Signior,’ answered +the squire, ‘there is no occasion to take +vengeance of any person whatever; +for it is not the part of a good Christian +to revenge the wrongs he hath +suffered: besides, I will prevail upon +my ass to leave the affair to my inclination, +which is to live peaceably +all the days that Heaven shall grant +me in this life.’—‘Since that is thy +determination,’ replied the knight, +‘honest Sancho, discreet Sancho, christian +and sincere Sancho, let us leave +these phantoms, and go in quest of adventures +more dignified and substantial; +for this country seems to promise +a great many, and those very +extraordinary too.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>He accordingly turned his horse, +Sancho went to catch Dapple, while +Death, with his whole flying squadron, +returned to their waggon, and proceeded +on their journey. Thus was the dismal +adventure of the waggon of Death +happily terminated by the wholesome +advice which Sancho Panza gave to his +master; who next day met with another +equally surprizing, in the person of an +enamoured knight-errant.</p> +<h4 id='chap3-1-12' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='twelve'>XII.</abbr> <br> OF THE STRANGE ADVENTURE THAT HAPPENED TO THE VALIANT DON QUIXOTE,<br> IN HIS ENCOUNTER WITH THE KNIGHT OF THE MIRROURS.</h4> +<p class='c004'>The night that followed the rencounter +with Death, Don Quixote +and his squire passed among some tall +and shady trees; the knight, by Sancho’s +persuasion, having eaten of what +was found in the store that Dapple carried. +During this meal, Sancho said +to his master, ‘What a fool should I +have been, Signior, if I had chosen, +by way of gratification, the spoils +of your worship’s first adventure, instead +of the three foals? Verily, verily, +a bird in hand is worth two in +the bush.’—‘But, for all that,’ answered +Don Quixote, ‘hadst thou suffered +me to attack them, as I intended, +thou wouldst have enjoyed among +the spoils the emperor’s golden crown, +with Cupid’s painted wings, which I +would have stripped off against the +grain, and put into thy possession.’—‘The +sceptres and crowns of your +stage emperors are never made of pure +gold, but of tin or tinsel,’ replied the +squire. ‘True,’ said the knight, ‘the +ornaments of comedy ought not to be +rich and real, but feigned and artificial, +like the drama itself, which I +would have thee respect, Sancho, and +receive into favour, together with +those who represent and compose it; +for they are all instruments of great +benefit to the commonwealth, holding, +as it were, a looking-glass always +before us, in which we see naturally +delineated all the actions of +life; and no other companion whatever +represents to us more lively what +we are, and what we ought to be, +than comedy and her attendants; for +example, hast thou never seen a play +acted, in which kings, emperors, +popes, knights, ladies, and many +other characters, were introduced? +One acts the ruffian, another the +sharper, a third the merchant, a fourth +the soldier, a fifth the designing fool, +and a sixth the simple lover; but the +play being ended, and the dresses laid +aside, all the actors remain upon an +equal footing.’—‘Yes, I have seen +all this,’ answered Sancho. ‘Then +the very same thing,’ said the knight, +‘happens in the comedy and commerce +of this world, where one meets with +some people playing the parts of emperors, +others in the characters of +popes; and, finally, all the different +personages that can be introduced in +a comedy; but when the play is done, +that is, when life is at an end, +Death strips them of the robes that +distinguished their stations, and they +become all equal in the grave.’—‘A +brave comparison!’ cried Sancho, +‘though not so new but I have heard +<span class='pageno' id='Page_340'>340</span>it made on divers and sundry occasions +as well as that of the game of +chess, during which every piece maintains +a particular station and character; +and when the game is over, they +are all mixed, jumbled, and shaken +together in a bag, like mortals in +the grave.’—‘Sancho,’ resumed the +knight, ‘every day you become less +simple and more discreet.’—‘Yes,’ +said the squire, ‘some small portion of +your worship’s discretion must needs +stick to me; as lands which are, in +their own nature, sapless and barren, +being well dunged and cultivated, +come to yield excellent fruit. My +meaning is, that your worship’s conversation +hath fallen like dung upon +the barren desart of my understanding, +which being cultivated by the +time of my service and communication, +will, I hope, produce blessed +fruit, such as shall not disgrace, nor +stray from the path of that good breeding +which your worship hath bestowed +on my narrow capacity.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Don Quixote could not help smiling +at the affected terms in which Sancho +delivered himself, though what he said +of his own improvement was actually +true; for at certain times he talked to +admiration; and yet when he attempted +to argue, or speak in a polite stile, +his efforts always, or for the most part, +ended in precipitating himself from the +pinnacle of simplicity to the depth of +ignorance; his chief talent laying in his +memory, which never failed to furnish +him with proverbs that he lugged into +his discourse, whether they were pat to +the purpose or not, as may be seen and +observed through the whole course of +this history.</p> + +<p class='c005'>In this, and other such conversation, +the greatest part of the night elapsed, +when Sancho began to be inclined to +let fall the portcullices of his eyes, as +he termed it, when he wanted to go to +sleep: he therefore unpannelled Dapple, +to let him graze among the rich pasture +with which the place abounded; but +Rozinante’s saddle he would not remove, +in consequence of his master’s +express order, which was never to unsaddle +his steed while they were in the +field, or did not sleep under cover; it +being an ancient established custom, observed +by all knights errant, in these +cases, to take the bridle out of the horse’s +mouth, and hang it upon the pummel +of the saddle, but to leave the saddle +itself untouched. This expedient was +accordingly performed by Sancho, who +turned Rozinante loose with Dapple; +and between these two animals such a +strict reciprocal friendship subsisted, that, +according to tradition from father to +son, the author of this true history wrote +particular chapters on this very subject; +but, in order to preserve the decency and +decorum which belongs to such an heroick +composition, omitted them; though +sometimes he seems to neglect this precaution, +and writes, that these two +friends used to approach and scrub each +other most lovingly; and after they had +rested and refreshed themselves, Rozinante +would stretch his head more than +half a yard over Dapple’s neck, while +the two were wont to stand in this posture, +with their eyes fixed upon the +ground, three whole days together; at +least, till they were parted, or compelled +by hunger to go in quest of sustenance; +nay, it is confidently reported, that the +author had compared their mutual attachment +to the friendship of Nisus or +Euryalus, or that which subsisted between +Pylades and Orestes. If this be +the case, we may with admiration conceive +how firm the fellowship of those +two pacifick animals must have been; to +the utter confusion of mankind, who so +little regard the laws of friendship and +society, according to the common saying, +‘there is no trust in profession; +the staff will turn into a spear<a id='r150'></a><a href='#f150' class='c008'><sup>[150]</sup></a>,’ and, +as the song goes, ‘the modes of the +court so common are grown, that a +true friend can hardly be met.’ Let +no man imagine the author went out of +his road, in comparing the friendship of +brutes with that of the human species; +for men have received valuable hints, +and learned many things of importance +from beasts, such as the clyster from +storks, gratitude and the use of vomits +from dogs, vigilance from the crane, +foresight and frugality from the ant, +honesty from the elephant, and loyalty +from the horse.</p> + +<p class='c005'>In fine, Sancho went to sleep at the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_341'>341</span>root of a cork-tree, and Don Quixote +began to slumber under an oak; but +being in a very little time awaked by a +noise behind him, he started up, and +employing both eyes and ears to distinguish +whence it proceeded, he perceived +two men on horseback, one of whom, +letting himself drop, as it were, from +the saddle, said to the other, ‘Alight, +my friend, and unbit the horses; for +this place seems to abound with pasture +for them, and with silence and +solitude, which are the necessary food +of my amorous thoughts.’ He had +no sooner pronounced these words, than +he threw himself upon the ground, and +his armour rattled as he fell, furnishing +Don Quixote with a manifest proof of +his being a knight-errant: he therefore +approached Sancho, who was asleep, and +shaking him by the arm, with no small +difficulty, brought him to himself; saying, +in a low voice, ‘Brother Sancho, +here is an adventure.’—‘God grant +it may be a good one,’ answered the +squire; ‘and pray, Signior, whereabouts +may her ladyship be?’—‘Where?’ +said Don Quixote, ‘turn thine eyes this +way, and behold lying upon the grass +a knight-errant, who, by what I have +already observed, cannot be over and +above easy in his mind? for I saw him +throw himself upon the ground, with +evident marks of vexation, and heard +his armour clatter in his fall.’—‘But +how has your worship found that this +is an adventure?’ replied the squire. +‘I will not positively say that it is +altogether an adventure,’ answered the +knight, ‘but rather the beginning of +one: for thus they usually commence: +but hark! he seems to tune a lute or +rebeck, and by his hawking and hemming, +I suppose he is going to sing.’—‘In +good faith, it is even so,’ said +Sancho, ‘and he must be some knight-errant +in love.’—‘All knights-errant +are so,’ resumed Don Quixote; +‘but let us listen, and by the thread of +his song, discover the clue of his +thoughts; for, From the abundance +of the heart the tongue speaketh.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Sancho would have made some reply, +but was prevented by the voice of the +Knight of the Wood, which was neither +very sweet nor disagreeable; and, +listening with surprize, they heard him +sing the following song:</p> +<div class='lg-container-b c015'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><abbr title='one'>I.</abbr></div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘Subjected to thy sov’reign will,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Ah, cruel maid! my fate decree:</div> + <div class='line'>The sentence, tho’ inhuman, still</div> + <div class='line in2'>Shall never be declin’d by me.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line c003'><abbr title='two'>II.</abbr></div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘Say, that my death thy joy would move,</div> + <div class='line in2'>My breath with freedom I’ll resign—</div> + <div class='line'>Or wouldst thou listen to my love,</div> + <div class='line in2'>The God himself shall whisper mine.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><abbr title='three'>III.</abbr></div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘This heart, thy vassal whilst I live,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Like ductile wax, and diamond hard,</div> + <div class='line'>Thy stamp will yieldingly receive,</div> + <div class='line in2'>And keep th’ impression unimpair’d.’</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c004'>The Knight of the Wood finished +this complaint with an ‘Ah!’ that seemed +to be heaved from the bottom of +his soul, and soon after exclaimed, in a +sorrowful tone, ‘O thou most beautiful +and ungrateful woman upon earth! is +it possible, that the most serene Casildea +de Vandalia has doomed this her +captive knight to consume and exhaust +himself in continual peregrinations, in +harsh and rugged toils? Is it not +enough that I have established the +fame of thy beauty above all comparison, +by the extorted confession of +all the knights of Navarre, Leon, +Tartesia, Castile, and finally of La +Mancha?’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Not so, neither,’ cried Don Quixote, +interposing; ‘for I, who am of La +Mancha, never made any such acknowledgment; +neither could I, or +ought I, to make a confession so prejudicial +to the beauty of my own mistress: +therefore, Sancho, this knight +must certainly be disordered in his +judgment; but let us listen, perhaps +he will explain himself.’—‘Very +like,’ answered the squire, ‘he seems +to be in the humour of complaining +for a whole month.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>But this was not the case; for the +Knight of the Wood, hearing people +talk so near him, proceeded no farther +in his lamentation, but starting up, +called with a courteous and sonorous +voice, ‘Who is there? are you of the +number of the happy or afflicted?’—‘Of +the afflicted,’ replied Don Quixote.—‘Come +hither, then,’ resumed the +stranger, ‘and depend upon it you will +<span class='pageno' id='Page_342'>342</span>find the very essence of sorrow and +affliction.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Don Quixote hearing him speak in +such civil and pathetick terms, went towards +him, with Sancho at his back, +when the complaining knight took him +by the hand, saying, ‘Sit down, Sir +knight, for that you are one of those +who profess knight-errantry, I am +convinced by finding you in this +place, accompanied by solitude and +the dews of night, which are the peculiar +companions of those who belong +to our order.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>To this address Don Quixote replied, +‘I am a knight of that order you mention; +and though melancholy, mischance, +and misfortune, have taken +up their habitation in my soul, they +have not been able to banish from it +that compassion which I feel for the +unhappy. From the soliloquy you +just now uttered, I gather that your +misfortunes are of the amorous kind; +I mean, that they proceed from the passion +you entertain for that beautiful +ingrate whom you named in your +complaint.’ While this conversation +passed, they sat down together upon the +grass, with all the marks of amity and +good fellowship, as if at break of day +they had not been doomed to break each +other’s head. ‘Perchance, Sir Knight,’ +said the stranger, ‘you are in love?’—‘By +mischance I am so,’ answered Don +Quixote, ‘though the vexation that proceeds +from well placed affection +ought rather to be deemed a benefit +than misfortune.’—‘True,’ said the +Knight of the Wood, ‘if our judgment +and reason are not disturbed by disdain, +which, if exerted severely, seems +a-kin to revenge.’—‘I never was disdained +by my mistress,’ replied Don +Quixote. ‘No, indeed,’ (cried Sancho, +who stood hard by) ‘my lady is as +meek as a lamb, and as soft as butter.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>The stranger knight asked if that +was his squire; and the other answering +in the affirmative, ‘I never saw a +squire,’ said he, ‘that, like him, durst +intrude upon his master’s conversation; +at least, I can say so much for +mine, who, though as tall as his father, +was never known to open his +lips, when I was engaged in discourse.’—‘In +good faith!’ cried Sancho, ‘I +have spoke, and will speak again, before +as good a man as—but let that +rest—the more you stir it, the more it +will——.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Here the other squire took hold on +Sancho by the arm, saying, ‘Let you +and I go somewhere, and talk our +bellies-full, in our own way, and +leave our masters at liberty to recount +their amours; for sure I am, the night +will be spent before they are done.’—‘With +all my heart,’ replied Sancho, +‘and I will tell your worship who I +am, that you may see whether or not +I am qualified to be ranked among +your talking squires.’ They accordingly +retired together, and between them +passed a conversation every bit as merry +as that of their masters was grave.</p> + +<h4 id='chap3-1-13' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='thirteen'>XIII.</abbr> <br> IN WHICH IS CONTINUED THE ADVENTURE OF THE KNIGHT OF THE WOOD—WITH A SAGE, UNCOMMON, AND AGREEABLE DIALOGUE, THAT PASSED BETWEEN THE TWO SQUIRES.</h4> +<p class='c004'>The knights and their squires +being thus parted, the first entertained +each other with the story of +their loves, while the last indulged themselves +with a reciprocal account of their +own lives: but the history first of all +records the conversation of the domesticks, +and then proceeds to relate what +passed between the masters. The squires, +therefore, having chosen a situation at a +convenient distance from the knights, +he of the wood accosted Sancho in these +words: ‘Signior, this is a troublesome +life that we squires to knights-errant +lead; in good soothe, we earn our +bread with the sweat of our brows, +which is one of the curses that God +denounced against our first parents.’—‘It +may also be said,’ replied Sancho, +‘that we earn it with the frost of our +bodies; for no creatures on earth suffer +more heat and cold than the miserable +squires of knight-errantry; and +even that would be more tolerable, if +we had any thing good to eat; for, +Hearty fare lightens care, as the +saying is; but we often pass a whole +day, nay sometimes two, without +ever breaking our fast, except upon +the winds of heaven.’—‘All this,’ +said the other, ‘may be endured, with +the hope of reward; for if the knight-errant +<span class='pageno' id='Page_343'>343</span>is not extremely unfortunate, +his squire must, in a very little time, +see himself recompensed with the handsome +government of some island, or +with the possession of a profitable earldom.’—‘For +my own part,’ answered +Sancho, ‘I have already told my master, +that I shall be satisfied with the +government of an island, which he +has been so noble and generous as to +promise me, divers and sundry times.’—‘And +I,’ said the stranger, ‘am contented +with a canonship, which my +master has already bespoke for me, +on account of my faithful services.’—‘It +seems, then, your master must be +an ecclesiastical knight,’ replied Sancho, +‘seeing he can provide for his squire +in the church: but as for mine, he is +a mere layman; though I remember, +that certain very wise persons (and +yet, I believe, not very honest at bottom) +advised him to procure for himself +an archbishoprick; but he would +be nothing but an emperor: and I was +then in a grievous quandary, for fear +he should take it in his head to be of +the church; in which case, I should +not have been qualified to hold a benefice; +for your worship must know, +though I look like a man, I am no +better than a beast at church-matters.’—‘Verily,’ +said he of the wood, ‘your +worship mistakes the matter quite; +your governments of islands are not +at all desirable; some are vexatious, +some are beggarly, others attended +with much melancholy and fatigue; +in short, the most creditable and orderly +brings along with it a load of +care and inconvenience, that lies heavy +on the shoulders of the unhappy +person whose lot it is to bear it: it +would be abundantly better for us to +undergo this accursed slavery, to return +to our own homes, and there amuse +ourselves with more agreeable +pastime; such, for example, as hunting +or fishing; for what squire is there +on earth, so poor as to want a horse, +a couple of hounds, and a fishing-rod, +wherewith to entertain himself at his +own habitation?’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘For my own part,’ answered Sancho, +‘I want none of these conveniencies: +true it is I have not a horse, +but then I am in possession of an ass, +which is worth my master’s steed twice +over. God let me never see a joyful +Easter, if I would truck with him for +four bushels of barley to boot; you +may laugh, if you will, at the price +I set upon Dapple, (for that is the +colour of my beast;) then, I should +never be in want of hounds; for there +are plenty, and to spare, in our town, +and you know nothing is so relishing +as to hunt at another’s expence.’—‘Really +and truly, Signior Squire,’ +resumed the stranger, ‘I am fully resolved +and determined to quit these +knights-errant, with all their crazy +pranks, and betake myself to my own +town, where I will bring up my children; +for, thank God, I have three, +like as many oriental pearls.’—‘And +I have a couple,’ said Sancho, ‘that +may be presented to the pope in person; +especially my daughter, whom I +breed up to be a countess, by the blessing +of God, though it be contrary +to her mother’s inclination.’—‘And +of what age may this young lady be, +whom you are breeding for a countess?’ +said the squire of the wood. +‘Fifteen years, or thereabouts,’ answered +Sancho; ‘but she is as tall as a +spear, fresh as an April morn, and +strong as a porter.’—‘These are qualifications +not only for a countess, but +even for the nymph of the greenwood-tree,’ +said the other: ‘ah, the +whoreson baggage! what a buxom jade +she must be.’ Sancho, nettled at this +epithet, replied, ‘She is no whore, neither +was her mother before her; nor +shall either of them be so, an please +God, whilst I live: so I think you +might talk more civilly; for, considering +your worship has been bred among +knights-errant, who are, as it were, +courtesy itself, methinks your words +might be better chosen.’—‘How little +are you acquainted with the nature of +commendation, Signior Squire?’ answered +he of the wood. ‘Don’t you +know, that when any cavalier, at a +bull-feast, wounds the bull dextrously, +or when any person behaves +remarkably well, the people exclaim, +“How cleverly the son of a whore has +done it?” and that which looks like +reproach, is on such occasions a notable +commendation. Take my word, +Signior, you ought to renounce all +children, if their behaviour does not +entitle the parents to such praise.’—‘I +do renounce them,’ answered Sancho; +‘at that rate, and for that reason, +your worship may call my wife and +<span class='pageno' id='Page_344'>344</span>daughter as many whores as you +please; for both in word and deed, +they richly deserve the name; and that +I may see them again, I beseech God +to deliver me from this mortal sin, +which will be the case, if he delivers +me from this dangerous employment +of squire, which I have incurred a +second time, being seduced and enticed +by a purse of one hundred ducats, +which I found one day in the midst +of the Brown Mountain; and the +devil continually sets before mine eyes, +here and there and every where, a bag +full of doubloons, which, at every +step, methinks I have fast in my +clutches, hugging it in my arms, +and carrying it home to my own +house, where I purchase mortgages +and estates, and live like any +prince; and while I please myself +with these notions, I bear, without +murmuring, all the toils and fatigues +I undergo, in the service of the wiseacre +my master, who, I know, is more +of a madman than a knight.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘So that, according to the proverb,’ +replied the stranger, ‘Covetousness +bursts the bag. But if you talk of +wiseacres, there is not a greater in the +universe than my master, who is one +of those concerning whom people say, +He is burdened like an ass, with another +man’s load; for truly he is +turned mad, that another knight may +turn wise, and is going about in quest +of that which, when he hath found +it, may hit him in the teeth.’—‘And +pray, is he in love?’ said Sancho. +‘Yes,’ replied the other, ‘he is enamoured +of one Casildea de Vandalia, +the most fickle dame that ever was +seen; but her cruelty is not the foot +that he halts upon at present: he has +got other crotchets of greater importance +grumbling in his gizzard, which +ere long will more plainly appear.’—‘There +is no road so smooth,’ resumed +Sancho, ‘but you’ll meet with rubs and +hollows in it. Other people use beans, +but I boil whole kettles full. Madness +is always more accompanied and +followed after, than discretion: but +if it be true, as it is commonly alledged, +that company in affliction lessens +the weight of it, I shall comfort myself +by reflecting that your worship +serves a master who is as distracted as +mine.’—‘Distracted, I grant you,’ +said he of the wood, ‘but valiant, and +still mere mischievous than valiant or +distracted.’—‘That is not the case +with my master,’ replied Sancho, ‘he +has nothing at all mischievous about +him; on the contrary, is as dull as a +beetle, and knows not what it is to +harm man, woman, or child, or to +harbour the least malice, but seeks to +do good unto all mankind. A child +may persuade him that it is night at +noon; and, indeed, for that very simplicity, +I love him as my own bowels, +and cannot find in my heart to +leave him, notwithstanding all the +mad pranks he is guilty of.’—‘But +for all that, Signior and brother of +mine,’ said the stranger, ‘if the +blind lead the blind, they are both in +danger of falling into the ditch. We +had much better retire fair and softly, +and return to our own habitations; +for they who go in search of adventures +do not always find them to +their liking.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>About this time Sancho began to +hawk a kind of dry spitting; which +being observed by the charitable squire +of the wood, ‘Methinks,’ said he, ‘we +have talked till our tongues cleave to +the roofs of our mouths; but I have +got something that will agreeably +moisten them, at my saddle-bow.’ He +accordingly got up, and going aside to +his horse, soon returned with a large +leathern bottle of wine, and a pye half a +yard long: and this is really no exaggeration; +for it contained a whole fed +rabbit, so large, that when Sancho felt +it, he took it for a whole goat or a large +kid at least, crying, as soon as he perceived +it, ‘How! does your worship +usually carry such provision as this +about with you?’—‘What d’ye +think?’ answered the other; ‘d’ye +take me for a hackney squire<a id='r151'></a><a href='#f151' class='c008'><sup>[151]</sup></a>? I +carry a better cupboard on my horse’s +crupper than e’er a general on his +march.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Sancho fell to, without staying for +intreaty, and swallowed, in the dark, +huge mouthfuls, with as much ease as +if it had been flummery, saying between +<span class='pageno' id='Page_345'>345</span>whiles, ‘Yes, indeed, your worship +is a true and loyal squire, well +dammed and gristed, as the saying is, +grand and magnificent withal, as +plainly appears from this banquet, +which, if it did not come hither by +the art of inchantment, at least seems +so to have done; this is not the case +with such an unlucky poor devil as +me, who carry nothing in my bags +but a piece of cheese hard enough to +knock out a giant’s brains, accompanied +by three or four dozen of carrobes, +and as many hazle-nuts; +thanks to the niggardliness and opinion +of my master, and the rule he +observes, by which knights-errant +must maintain and support themselves +with nothing but dried fruits, and +the herbs of the field.’—‘In good +faith, brother!’ resumed he of the +wood, ‘my stomach was not made for +your sweet thistle, wild pear, and +mountain roots; let our masters please +themselves with their own opinions +and rules of chivalry, and live according +to their meagre commands; +for my own part, I always carry some +cold pasty, happen what will, and +this bottle hanging at my saddle-bow, +which I love so devoutly, that I kiss +and embrace it almost every minute.’ +So saying, he handed it to Sancho, who +lifting it up to his mouth, stood gazing +at the stars a whole quarter of an hour, +and when his draught was out, he hung +his head on one side, pronouncing with +a long sigh, ‘Ah, whoreson! how catholick +it is!’—‘You see now,’ said +he of the wood, hearing Sancho’s whoreson, +‘how you have praised the wine, +by giving it such a title.’—‘I am sensible,’ +replied Sancho, ‘and confess that +it is no disparagement to any body +to be called the son of a whore, when +it is understood in the way of commendation; +but tell me, Signior, by +the life of what you best love, is not +this wine from Cividad Real?’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘You have an excellent taste,’ answered +he of the wood, ‘it comes from +no other part, I’ll assure you; and +has, moreover, some good years over +its head.’—‘Let me alone for that,’ +said Sancho, ‘you’ll never catch me +tripping in the knowledge of wine, +let it be never so difficult to distinguish; +is it not an extraordinary +thing, Signior Squire, that I should +have such a sure and natural instinct +in the knowledge of wine, that give +me but a smell of any kind whatever, +and I will tell you exactly its country, +growth, and age, together with +the changes it will undergo, and all +other circumstances appertaining to the +mystery? But this is not to be wondered +at; for, by my father’s side, I +had two kinsmen who were the most +excellent tasters that La Mancha hath +known for these many years; as a +proof of which, I will tell you what +once happened to them. A sample of +wine was presented to them out of a +hogshead, and their opinions asked +concerning the condition and quality; +that is, the goodness or badness of +the liquor to which it belonged; one +of them tasted it with the tip of his +tongue, the other did no more than +clap it to his nose; the first said the +wine tasted of iron, the other affirmed +it had a twang of goats leather; the +owner protested that the pipe was +clean, and the contents without any +sort of mixture that could give the +liquor either the taste of iron, or the +smell of goats leather: nevertheless, +the two famous tasters stuck to the +judgment they had given; time passed +on, the wine was sold, and when the +pipe came to be cleaned, they found +in it a small key, tied to a leathern +thong. By this your worship may +perceive, whether or not one who is +descended from such a race, may venture +to give his opinion in cases of +this nature.’—‘Therefore, I say,’ replied +the stranger, ‘that we ought to +quit this trade of going in quest of +adventures, and be contented with our +loaf, without longing for dainties; +let us return to our own cottages, +where God will find us, if it be his +blessed will.’—‘I will serve my master +till he arrives at Saragossa,’ said +Sancho, ‘and then we shall come to a +right understanding.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>In fine, the two honest squires talked +and drank so copiously, that sleep was +fain to tie up their tongues, and allay +their drought, which it was impossible +to remove; each, therefore, grasping +the bottle, which by this time was almost +empty, fell asleep, with the morsel +half chewed in his mouth. In this +situation we will leave them for the +present, and relate what happened between +the knight of the wood, and him +of the rueful countenance.</p> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_346'>346</span> + <h4 id='chap3-1-14' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='fourteen'>XIV.</abbr> <br> WHEREIN THE ADVENTURE OF THE KNIGHT OF THE WOOD IS CONTINUED.</h4> +</div> +<p class='c004'>In the course of the conversation that +passed between the two knights, the +history relates, that he of the wood said +to Don Quixote, ‘Finally, Sir Knight, +you must know, my destiny, or rather +my choice, led me to place my +affection on the peerless Casildea de +Vandalia. I call her peerless, because +she has no equal, either in point of +stature, quality, fortune, or beauty. +Now this lady, in return for all my +virtuous inclination and amorous desires, +like the stepmother of Hercules, +employs me in many various +toils and dangers, promising at the +conclusion of each, that with the next +my cares shall be finished; but thus +she goes on, stringing one labour to +another, without number, and I know +not which will be the last that is to +produce the accomplishment of my +wishes. At one time she commanded +me to go and challenge that famous +giantess of Seville, called Giralda<a id='r152'></a><a href='#f152' class='c008'><sup>[152]</sup></a>, +who is so valiant and strong, +(her body being made of brass) and +who, without shifting her station, is +the most changeable and fickle female +in the whole world. I came, saw, and +conquered; fixing her motionless to +one point, for during a whole week, +the wind blew from the north. Another +time, she ordered me to weigh +the ancient figures called the Valiant +Bulls of Guisando<a id='r153'></a><a href='#f153' class='c008'><sup>[153]</sup></a>; an enterprize +more suitable to porters than to knights; +nay, she even commanded me to throw +myself headlong into the gulph of Cabra, +an adventure equally new and +dangerous, and bring to her a particular +account of what is contained in +that dark and deep abyss. I fixed the +inconstant Giralda, weighed the bulls +of Guisando, precipitated myself into +the gulph, and brought to light the +secrets of its abyss; and yet my +hopes are dead; ah, how dead! while +her cruelty and disdain are still alive; +ah, how much alive! In short, to conclude, +she ordered me to traverse all +the provinces of Spain, and compel +every knight-errant in the kingdom +to confess that she is preferable, in +point of beauty, to all the women +upon earth; and that I am the most +valiant and amorous knight in the +world. In consequence of this command, +I have travelled over the greatest +part of Spain, and vanquished many +knights who have presumed to contradict +my assertion: but I value and +applaud myself chiefly for having +conquered in single combat, that so +renowned knight Don Quixote de La +Mancha, and made him confess that +my Casildea is more beautiful than +his Dulcinea. Now, in that single +conquest, I deem myself superior to +all the knights in the universe; for +that same Don Quixote hath vanquished +all his cotemporaries; and I, +in conquering him, have transferred +and conveyed to my own person all +his honour, glory, and reputation; +the victor being always honoured in +proportion to the fame of his vanquished +foe; wherefore, the innumerable +atchievements of the said Don +Quixote are placed to my credit, as if +they were the effects of my own personal +prowess.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Don Quixote was astonished at hearing +the knight of the wood talk in this +manner, and was a thousand times +tempted to give him the lye; nay, ‘You +lye,’ was at the very tip of his tongue; +but repressing his indignation as well as +he could, that he might make the +stranger’s own tongue convict him of +falshood, he replied very calmly, ‘That +your worship, Sir Knight, may have +vanquished the greatest part of the +knights-errant in Spain, and even in +the whole world, I do not pretend to +question; but that you have conquered +Don Quixote de La Mancha, +I doubt very much; perhaps it might +be another who resembles him, though +there are few such.’—‘How! not +conquer him?’ cried he of the wood; +‘now, by yon canopy of Heaven, under +which we sit, I engaged, overcame, +and subjected that very individual +<span class='pageno' id='Page_347'>347</span>Don Quixote; he is a tall, +meagre, long-legged, lanthorn-jawed, +stalking figure; his hair inclining to +grey, his nose hooked and aquiline, +with long, straight, black, mustachios; +in his excursions he assumes the name +of the Knight of the Rueful Countenance; +and is attended by a peasant +called Sancho Panza, who serves +him in quality of squire; he presses +the loins, and governs the reins of a +famous steed hight Rozinante; and, +in fine, he avows, as the mistress of +his heart, one Dulcinea del Toboso, +formerly known by the name of Aldonza +Lorenzo; in like manner, my +own mistress, whose name is Casildea, +being a native of Andalousia, is now +distinguished by the appellation of +Casildea de Vandalia. If all these +proofs are not sufficient to evince my +veracity, here is my sword, which +shall make a convert of incredulity +itself.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Have a little patience, Sir Knight,’ +said Don Quixote, ‘and give ear unto +what I am going to say. You must +know, that same Don Quixote you +mention, is the dearest friend I have +upon earth; so that I may say, I love +him as well as my own individual +person; now your description of him +is so punctual and exact, that I should +never doubt but he is actually the +person you have vanquished, did I +not see with my eyes, and, as it were, +feel with my hands, the impossibility +of the fact; and yet, as divers inchanters +are his enemies, particularly +one who persecutes him incessantly, +some one among them may have assumed +his figure, and allowed himself +to be overcome, in order to defraud +the knight of that fame which +his gallant exploits had collected and +acquired through the whole known +world; in confirmation of this conjecture, +I must also tell you, that +about two days ago, those perverse inchanters +transformed the shape and person +of the beautiful Dulcinea del Toboso, +into that of a mean and plebeian +country-wench; so that Don Quixote +must have also undergone a transformation. +And if all this is not +enough to ascertain the truth of what +I say, here is Don Quixote himself, +who will maintain it by force of arms, +on horseback or on foot, or in any +shape you please.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>So saying, he started up, and grasping +his sword, stood waiting for the resolution +of the Knight of the Wood, who +with great deliberation replied; ‘A +good paymaster needs no pawn, Signior +Don Quixote; he who could vanquish +you when you was transformed, +may well hope to reduce you in <span lang="la"><i>propria +persona</i></span>; but as it is unseemly +for knights to perform their exploits +in the dark, like robbers and ruffians, +let us wait for day, that the sun may +shine upon our works; and let this +be the condition of our combat, that +the vanquished shall comply with the +will of the victor, and do every thing +that he shall desire, provided his commands +be such as a knight-errant can +decently obey.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Don Quixote assured him, that he +was extremely well satisfied with the +condition and proviso; upon which they +went in quest of their squires, who were +found snoring in the very same attitudes +in which sleep had surprized them. +They wakened, and ordered them to +get their horses ready; for by sun-rise +they intended to engage in a most unparalleled +and bloody single combat. +Sancho was astonished and confounded +at this piece of news; despairing of his +master’s safety, when he recollected +what the other squire had told him concerning +the valour of the knight of +the wood. The two squires, however, +without pretending to make any words, +went to look for their cattle, and found +the three steeds, with Dapple, (for they +had smelled each other out) very sociably +met together. While they were thus employed, +‘Brother,’ said he of the wood +to Sancho, ‘you must know that it is +customary with your warriors of Andalousia, +when they are godfathers in +any quarrel, not to stand idle, with +their arms across, while their godsons +are engaged. This I hint, by way of +apprising you that, while our masters +are at it, we must exchange a few dry +blows too.’—‘That custom, Signior +squire,’ answered Sancho, ‘may pass +current with those ruffians and warriors +you mention; but that it prevails +among the squires of knights-errant, +I can by no means believe; at least, I +have never heard such a custom mentioned +by my master, who knows all +the ordinances of chivalry by rote. +Besides, granting it to be fact, and +expressly ordained, that the squires +<span class='pageno' id='Page_348'>348</span>must go to loggerheads while their +masters are engaged; I will by no +means comply with it, but pay the +penalty incurred by peaceable squires, +which I am sure cannot exceed a couple +of pounds of wax; and that will +not cost me so much as the pence I +should expend in the cure of my head, +which I should lay my account with +having split and divided into two halves; +and moreover, it is impossible that I +should fight, because I have got no +sword, and never wore one in my born +days.’—‘I know a very good remedy +for that inconvenience,’ said the stranger: +‘here are a couple of linen bags, +of the same size; you shall take one, +and I the other, and play away upon +each other with equal arms.’—‘With +all my heart,’ answered Sancho; ‘that +sort of exercise will serve to dust our +jackets, without hurting our skin.’—‘Not +quite so neither,’ resumed the +other, ‘for that the bags may not flap in +the air, we will clap into each half a +dozen clear smooth pebbles, of equal +weight and magnitude; so that we +may thwack one another without hurt +or damage.’—‘Body of my father,’ +cried Sancho, ‘mind what sable furrs +and flakes of carded cotton he would +line the bags withal, to prevent them +from grinding our skulls, and making +a paste of our bones! Hark ye, master +of mine, I’ll have nothing to do +with them, though they were fluffed +with balls of silk; let our masters +fight as they shall think proper, but +for our parts, let us drink and live +quietly; for old father Time will take +care to rid us of our lives, without +our seeking occasions to throw them +away before the appointed season, at +which, being ripe, they drop off of +their own accord.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘But, for all that,’ replied he of the +wood, ‘we must have a bout, if it +should not last half an hour.’—‘By +no means,’ said Sancho; ‘I shall not be +so uncivil and ungrateful as to have +any difference, let it be never so small, +with a person at whose cost I have +both eaten and drank: besides, who +the devil do you think can fight in +cool blood, without any sort of anger +or provocation?’—‘I know how to +remove that objection,’ resumed the +stranger: ‘before we begin the battle, +I will come up fair and softly, and +give your worship two or three such +hearty boxes on the ear, as will lay +you flat at my feet, and awaken your +choler, though it should sleep sounder +than a dormouse.’—‘Against that expedient,’ +answered Sancho, ‘I know +another twice as good: for I will lay +hold on a good cudgel, and before +your worship comes to awaken my +choler, give your own such a lullaby +of dry beating, that it shall never +wake but in the next world, where +you’ll have reason to know that I am +not a man who will suffer his nose to +be handled by any person whatsomever; +wherefore, let every one look to +his own affairs. Though it would be +the wisest course for every man to let +his own choler lie still and sleep: for +nobody knows the heart of his neighbour, +and some who go out for wool, +come home quite shorn. God himself +bestowed his blessing upon peace, +and curse upon contention; for if a +cat that is confined, provoked, and +persecuted, turns into a lion, the Lord +knows what I, who am a man, may +turn into: I therefore, Signior Squire, +give your worship notice, that all the +mischief and damage which shall proceed +from our quarrel, must be charged +to your account.’—‘Mighty well,’ +replied the stranger, ‘we shall see what +is to be done, when God sends us +morning.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Now a thousand kinds of painted +birds began to warble from the trees, +and in their various and sprightly notes +seemed to welcome and salute the fresh +and joyous morn, which already, +through the gates and balconies of the +east, disclosed her beauteous visage; +while from her hair distilled an infinite +number of liquid pearls, in which delicious +liquor the herbs being bathed, +seemed to sprout and rain a shower of +seed-pearl upon the earth. The willows +shed savoury manna, the fountains +laughed, the brooks murmured, the +woods rejoiced, and the meadows adorned +themselves at her approach.</p> + +<p class='c005'>But scarce had the light of day rendered +objects distinguishable, when the +first thing that presented itself to the +eyes of Sancho Panza was the nose of +his brother squire, which was so large as +almost to over-shadow his whole body. +It is actually said to have been of excessive +magnitude, crooked in the middle, +and studded all over with warts of +a mulberry colour, like the fruit called +<span class='pageno' id='Page_349'>349</span>berengena; and it hung down two fingers +breadth below his mouth. The +size, colour, warts, and curvature of +this feature, rendered the face so frightful +and deformed, that Sancho no sooner +beheld it than he began to shake in +every limb, like a child troubled with +convulsions; and resolved, in his heart, +to endure two hundred buffetings, before +his choler should be awaked, so as +to fight with such a hobgoblin.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Don Quixote surveying his antagonist, +found his vizor already down, and closed +in such a manner as effectually concealed +his face; but he perceived him +to be a muscular man, of a middling +stature. Over his arms he wore a loose +coat or cassock, to all appearance of the +finest cloth of gold, powdered with a +number of small moons formed of the +brightest looking-glass, which had a +most magnificent, gay, and shewy effect. +Over his helmet waved a great quantity +of green, yellow, and white plumes; and +his lance, which leaned against a tree, +was excessively long and large, armed +with above a hand’s breadth of pointed +steel. All these particulars were observed +and considered by Don Quixote, +who concluded, from what he saw and +observed, that the said knight must be a +person of Herculean strength. Nevertheless, +far from being afraid, like +Sancho Panza, he, with the most gallant +intrepidity, thus addressed himself +to the Knight of the Mirrours: ‘I entreat +you, by your courtesy, Sir Knight, +if your eager desire of fighting hath +not destroyed that quality, to lift up +your beaver a little, that I may see +whether or not the grace of your +countenance corresponds with the gallantry +of your demeanour.’—‘Signior +cavalier,’ replied he of the looking-glasses, +‘whether you are victor or vanquished +in this enterprize, you will +have time and opportunity more than +sufficient to consider my visage: my +reason for not satisfying your desire +at present, is, that I should deem it a +notable injury to the beautiful Casildea +de Vandalia, to spend so much +time as it would take to lift up my +beaver, before I compel you to confess +what you know I pretend to maintain.’—‘Yet, +while we mount our +steeds,’ said Don Quixote, ‘you may +easily tell me if I am that same Don +Quixote whom you pretend to have +overcome.’—‘To that question I answer,’ +said he of the mirrours, ‘that +you are as like the knight I overcame, +as one egg is like another; but +as you say you are persecuted by inchanters, +I will not venture to affirm +whether or not you are the same person.’—‘That +is enough,’ replied Don +Quixote, ‘to convince me that you are +mistaken: nevertheless, to persuade +you beyond all possibility of doubt, +let us have recourse to our horses, and +in less time than you would have taken +to lift your beaver, if God, my mistress, +and my arm avail me, I shall +see your face; and you will see I am +not that conquered Don Quixote whom +you suppose me to be.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Thus breaking off the conversation, +they mounted their horses; and Don +Quixote turned Rozinante, in order to +take a sufficiency of ground for returning +to encounter his antagonist, while +he of the mirrours took the same precaution. +But the first had not proceeded +twenty paces when he was called back +by the other, and the two meeting again +half way, ‘Take notice, Sir Knight,’ +said he of the looking glasses, ‘the condition +of our combat is, that the conquered, +as I have already observed, +must be at the discretion of the conqueror.’—‘I +know it,’ answered Don +Quixote, ‘provided the commands imposed +upon the vanquished be such as +do not transgress the bounds of chivalry.’—‘So +I understand the conditions,’ +answered he of the mirrours.</p> + +<p class='c005'>At that instant the strange nose of +the squire presented itself to the eyes of +Don Quixote, who was no less astonished +than Sancho at the sight; insomuch +that he took him for some monster, or +new-fashioned man, such as are not +commonly found in this world. Sancho, +seeing his master set out, in order to +take his career, would not stay alone +with nozzle, being afraid, that one flirt +of such a snout in his face would determine +the quarrel, and lay him stretched +along the ground, either through fear +or the severity of the blow, he therefore +ran after his master, and laying hold +of one of Rozinante’s stirrups, when he +saw him ready to turn, ‘I beseech your +worship, dear master,’ cried he, ‘before +you turn to begin the combat, +help me in climbing this cork-tree, +from whence I may behold, more to +my liking than from the ground, +your worship’s gallant encounter with +<span class='pageno' id='Page_350'>350</span>that same knight.’—‘I rather believe, +Sancho,’ said Don Quixote, ‘that thy +motive for clambering up is to see the +bull-fight from a scaffold, without +any danger to thyself.’—‘The truth +is,’ answered Panza, ‘the outrageous +nose of that squire fills me with such +astonishment and affright, that I dare +not tarry along with him.’—‘It is +such indeed,’ replied the knight, ‘that +were I any other than what I am, I +should be feared at its appearance: +come, therefore, and I will help thee +to ascend to the place you mention.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>While Don Quixote stopped until +Sancho should get up into the cork-tree, +the Knight of the Mirrours took as +much ground as he thought necessary, +and imagining that Don Quixote had +done the same, without waiting for +sound of trumpet, or other signal, he +turned his horse, which was not a whit +superior to Rozinante, either in fleetness +or appearance, and at his full speed, +which was a middling trot, rode forwards +to encounter his antagonist; but +seeing him busy in the exaltation of +Sancho, he pulled in the reins, and +halted in the middle of his career; a +circumstance that gave infinite joy to +his steed, which was already so tired, +that he could not move another step. +Don Quixote perceiving his enemy approaching +with such speed, drove his +spurs stoutly into the meagre flanks of +Rozinante, and made him spring forwards +in such a manner, that the history +says, this was the only occasion on +which he was ever known to gallop; +for, at all other times, his swiftest pace +was no other than a downright trot; +and with this hitherto unseen fury he +arrived at the spot where the Knight of +the Mirrours sat, thrusting his spurs +rowel-deep into the sides of his horse, +without being able to move him one +finger’s breadth from the place where +he had made his halt. In this confusion +and dilemma Don Quixote found his +antagonist embroiled with his horse, +and embarrassed with his lance, which, +either through want of knowledge or of +time, he had not as yet fixed in the rest. +Our Manchegan, who never minded +these incumbrances, safely, and without +the least danger to his own person, +encountered him of the mirrours with +such vigour, as to bring him, very much +against his inclination, to the ground, +over the crupper of his horse, with such +a fall, that he lay without sense or motion, +to all appearance bereft of life.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Sancho no sooner saw him unhorsed, +than sliding down from the cork-tree, +he ran down to his master, who having +alighted from Rozinante, stood over the +Knight of the Mirrours, untying his +helmet, in order to see, whether or not +he was actually dead, and to give him +air, in case he should be alive. Then it +was he saw—who can relate what he +saw, without creating admiration, wonder, +and affright in those who hear it! +He saw, says the history, the very face, +the very figure, the very aspect, the very +physiognomy, the very effigies, the very +perspective of the batchelor, Sampson +Carrasco; and this he no sooner beheld, +than raising his voice, he cried, ‘Come +hither, Sancho, and behold what thou +shalt see, but not believe; quick, my +child, and contemplate the power of +magick: here thou wilt see what those +wizards and inchanters can do.’ +Sancho accordingly approached, and +seeing the face of batchelor Carrasco, +began to cross and bless himself a +thousand times.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Mean while, the overthrown knight, +giving no signs of life, Sancho said to +Don Quixote, ‘In my opinion, master, +right or wrong, your worship should +thrust your sword through the jaws +of this miscreant, who seems to +be the batchelor Sampson Carrasco, +and in him, perhaps, you may slay +one of those inchanters who are your +enemies.’—‘That is no bad advice,’ +said the knight, ‘for the fewer enemies +the better.’ So saying, he drew his +sword, in order to put in execution the +advice and counsel of Sancho, when the +squire belonging to the Knight of the +Mirrours, came up without his frightful +nose, and cried aloud, ‘Take care +what you do, Signior Don Quixote; +he who lies at your feet is your friend +the batchelor Sampson Carrasco, and +I am his squire.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Sancho seeing him without his original +deformity, ‘And the nose?’ said +he. ‘I have it here,’ replied the other; +who putting his hand in his right side-pocket, +pulled out a paste-board nose, +covered with varnish, such as we have +already described. Sancho having considered +him more and more attentively, +broke out into a loud exclamation of +wonder, crying, ‘Blessed virgin watch +over me! Sure this is not my neighbour +<span class='pageno' id='Page_351'>351</span>and gossip Tommy Cecial?’—‘The +very same,’ answered the unsnouted +squire, ‘Thomas Cecial I am, +your own friend and gossip, Sancho +Panza, and I will presently tell you +by what round-about conduits, tricks, +and mischievous stories, I have been +brought hither: in the mean time, supplicate +and beseech your master’s worship +not to treat, maltreat, wound, or +slay, the Knight of the Looking-glasses, +who now lies at his feet; for, without +all doubt, he is no other than our +townsman, the inconsiderate and ill-advised +batchelor Sampson Carrasco.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>About this time, the Knight of the +Mirrours came to himself; and Don +Quixote perceiving he had recovered +the use of his senses, clapped the point +of his naked sword to his throat, saying, +‘Knight, you are a dead man, if you +do not instantly confess that the peerless +Dulcinea del Toboso excels your +Casildea de Vandalia, in beauty; and +in the next place, you must promise, +(provided you escape with life from +this contention and overthrow) to go +to the city of Toboso, and present +yourself before her, in my name, that +she may dispose of you according to +her good pleasure; and if she leaves +you at your own disposal, you shall +return in quest of me; for the tracks +of my exploits will serve as a guide to +conduct you to the place where I shall +be, and give me an account of what +hath passed between you; these conditions +being conformable to what we +agreed upon before the combat, and +not deviating from the customs of +knight-errantry.’—‘I confess,’ said +the vanquished knight, ‘that the clouted +dirty shoe of the Lady Dulcinea +del Toboso, excels the dishevelled, +though shining locks of Casildea: I +promise to go and return from her to +your presence, and give you a full and +particular detail of what you demand.’—‘You +must, in like manner, confess +and believe,’ added Don Quixote, ‘that +the knight whom you overcame neither +was nor could be Don Quixote +de La Mancha, but some other who +resembled him; as I confess and believe, +that although you appear to be +the batchelor Sampson Carrasco, you +are not really he, but another cloathed +in his appearance, with which my +enemies have invested you, in order +to arrest my arm, and restrain the impetuosity +of my rage, so as that I +may bear the glory of my conquest +with moderation.’—‘I confess, judge, +and perceive, in all respects, as you +believe, judge, and perceive,’ answered +the discomfited knight; ‘and I beseech +you to allow me to rise, if the +severity of my fall, which hath put +me in a miserable plight, will permit +me to get up.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>He was accordingly assisted in rising, +by Don Quixote and his own squire +Tommy Cecial, from whose person +Sancho could not withdraw his eyes, +while he asked a thousand questions; +the answers to which manifestly shewed, +that he was really and truly the individual +Tommy Cecial, whom he pretended +to be; but the apprehension +which Sancho had conceived, from +what his master said touching the inchanters, +who had metamorphosed the +Knight of the Mirrours into the Batchelor +Carrasco, hindered him from giving +credit to the truth of what he saw with +his own eyes. Finally, both master +and man remained under the influence +of that deception, while he of the mirrours, +with his squire, in exceeding bad +humour and evil plight, took his leave of +Don Quixote and Sancho, to go in quest +of some place where he might beplaister +and besplinter his ribs. Don Quixote +and Sancho returned to the prosecution +of their journey; in which the history +leaves them, to explain the mystery of +the knight of the looking-glasses and +his snouted squire.</p> + +<h4 id='chap3-1-15' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='fifteen'>XV.</abbr> <br> WHICH GIVES AN ACCOUNT AND INFORMATION<br> OF THE KNIGHT OF THE MIRROURS AND HIS SQUIRE.</h4> +<p class='c004'>Don Quixote went on his way rejoicing; +he gloried, he triumphed +in the importance of his conquest, imagining +the knight of the mirrours to be +the most redoubtable of all knights that +had yet ever appeared; and what afforded +him likewise great matter of comfort +was, that this knight, having engaged +himself by the ties of honour, +from which he could not deviate, without +forfeiting his title to the order, he +conceived hopes of hearing soon from +Dulcinea, and of being certainly informed +<span class='pageno' id='Page_352'>352</span>whether the inchantment of that +princess still continued; though, indeed, +it happened, that he and the +knight of the mirrours thought, at that +time, differently upon this subject; inasmuch +as the latter was solely intent +upon thinking how he should repair the +damage done to his carcase.</p> + +<p class='c005'>And here the historian informs his +readers, that when Sampson Carrasco +advised Don Quixote to resume the profession +of knight-errantry, it was in +consequence of mature consultation between +him, the curate, and the barber, +when they deliberated upon the means +of keeping him in peace and quiet at +home, so that his brains, for the future, +should not be disturbed in pursuit of +those wild extravagances; the result of +which was, that the only way to cure +the frenzy of this unhappy man, was +at present not to check his ungovernable +obstinacy, but to humour it, and +encourage him to go out again, as they +saw it was impossible to prevent him; +that Sampson should arm himself, and +take an opportunity of meeting and +challenging him, as a knight-errant; +that he should settle the terms with him, +that the vanquished should be at the +disposal of the conqueror; that, in consequence +of this agreement, Don Quixote, +when overcome, (which they looked +upon as a matter of little doubt and +difficulty) should be ordered to return +home, and not to pass the bounds of +his own village for the space of two +years, without the good-will and permission +of the other; that, no doubt, +this he would religiously comply with, +as not daring to violate the laws of the +order; and that there might be hopes, +he would either in that space of time be +naturally cured of those extravagant +follies, or they might find out some +method of diverting his mind from the +farther pursuit of them. Carrasco undertook +the affair very readily; and +this Thomas Cecial, an intimate friend +and companion of Sancho, and a queer +sort of fellow, proffered his service to +go upon the expedition, in the quality +of squire. Sampson got himself accoutred +in the manner you have read, +and Cecial appeared in the terrors of +that tremendous paste-board nose, to +disguise himself from Sancho; and being +thus equipped, they followed him +so close, that they were very near coming +up with him at the adventure of +the waggon of Death; they met him +however in the wood, where ensued +what the attentive reader must already +be acquainted with; and where, had it +not been for Don Quixote’s heated imagination, +which hurried him into the +belief that the batchelor was not the +batchelor Signior Sampson Carrasco, +would have been effectually stopped +in the progress of his university degrees, +and would not even have found +a nest where he expected a flight of +sparrows.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Thomas Cecial, finding the unhappy +success that attended their undertaking, +said, ‘Mr. Carrasco, I cannot in my +conscience see why we ought to complain; +it is one thing to undertake, +but another thing to finish: we looked +upon Don Quixote as mad, and +ourselves as hugely wise; but, behold +the end! we take our march +back again, both from a fool’s errand, +and you most handsomely drubbed +to boot, while he pursues his journey +in safety and triumph; and I +should really be curious to know which +is the greatest fool, he who is made +so by nature, or he who makes himself +one?’—‘There is this difference,’ +replied the batchelor, ‘between +a natural and a wilful fool; that the +former will always remain so, the +latter may cease to be so when he has +a mind.’—‘As that is the case,’ said +Thomas, ‘I think I have been a monstrous +fool in coming here to attend +you as your squire; and therefore, +that I may be so no longer, I will +this instant hie me to my own habitation.’—‘In +that particular, you +may do what seems good unto you,’ +replied Sampson; ‘but as for me, I see +not the place of my dwelling, until +I shall have taken bodily vengeance +upon Don Quixote: ’tis not now +from motives of charity or benevolence; +no, ’tis revenge, and the anguish +of my ribs, that prompt me to +persevere in attempting the work of +his reformation.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>They entertained one another in this +manner, till they came to a village, +where they had the good fortune to find +a bone-setter, who put the batchelor’s +ribs somewhat to rights; and Cecial +took the route for his own village, leaving +Carrasco deep in his meditations, +projecting schemes of revenge. In due +time, the history will again mention +<span class='pageno' id='Page_353'>353</span>him; but, at present, let us share with +Don Quixote in the transports of his +joy.</p> +<h4 id='chap3-1-16' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='sixteen'>XVI.</abbr> <br> WHAT HAPPENED TO DON QUIXOTE WITH A GRAVE GENTLEMAN OF LA MANCHA.</h4> +<p class='c004'>Don Quixote, as we have observed, +went on his way, glorying +in his success. From that day, he +dated himself the most renowned and +invincible of all knights that had ever +yet gone through a course of labours +on this our earth: he looked upon all +dangers, all difficulties that possibly +could come in his way, as already vanquished, +already overcome: he now +valued not a rush the machinations of +the most powerful inchanters. The +very traces of former misfortunes, those +drubbings out of number he had undergone, +in discharging the functions +of knighthood, were now quite obliterated +from his memory. He thought +no more of the shower of stones which +had so sorely afflicted his jaw-bones, +nor the mortifying ingratitude of the +galley-slaves; nor did he think any +more of the pack-staves of the Yanguesian +carriers, who had the hardiness to +make his sides resound like the dusting +of a carpet: in short, the idea he +conceived of his own felicity was so +great, that, ‘Could I,’ said he to himself, +‘but accomplish the great point of delivering +my celestial princess from the +power of inchantment, I should not +envy the glory that ever was or will be +purchased by any knight in the universe.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>He was lost in these reveries, when +Sancho interrupted him: ‘Signior, you +will hardly believe what a fool I am; +but it is an actual truth, that I cannot +keep myself from thinking on +that horrid and unmeasurable nose of +my neighbour Tom Cecial.’—‘And +dost thou really believe,’ replied the +other, ‘that the Knight of the Mirrours +was Sampson Carrasco; and +that thy old companion, Thomas +Cecial, was his squire?’—‘As to +that affair, I can say nothing to it,’ +answered Sancho; ‘only one thing I +am positive in, that no one but himself +could have given me such an account +of my house, my wife, and +my children; and as to his face, +when that nose was slipt off, it was +the very individual face of Thomas +Cecial, just as I have beheld it many +a time, when we were next door +neighbours in our village: and as for +his voice, I will take my oath, it is +the same to a tittle.’—‘Come, Sancho,’ +said Don Quixote, ‘let us reason +coolly upon this head: what probability +is there, that Sampson Carrasco +should come, as a knight-errant, +armed cap-a-pee, to offer me +combat? Am I his enemy, or did I +ever give him occasion to bear resentment +against me? Do you imagine +I am his rival, or that he has +entered into the profession of chivalry, +as envying the glory I have acquired +by arms?’—‘But then, Sir,’ answered +Sancho, ‘what account can we give +of the resemblance of that same +knight and his squire to Sampson +Carrasco, and my old friend Thomas +Cecial? And if it be inchantment, +as your worship says, were there no +other two in the world but them +whose likeness they could assume?’—‘It +is all design,’ answered the other; +‘and the contrivance of those cursed +inchanters that persecute me, who +easily foreseeing I should be victorious +in the combat, changed the form of +the vanquished knight into that of +the batchelor, that the friendship I +have for him might check the fury +of my sword, and shield him against +the effects of my just indignation; +and by that means save the life of +him who by treachery and artifice +had attempted to take away mine. +But what farther proof need there be +of the power of those inchanters, to +change the appearance of human countenances, +the fair into the deformed, +and the deformed into the fair, than +what thou thyself hast lately found +by certain experience? Thou, who +not two days since beheld the peerless +Dulcinea in all the charms and +lustre of perfect beauty, while at the +same time she appeared to me an +ugly rustick wench, with bleared eyes, +and stinking breath; and doubtless, +if the wicked magician could effect +such a diabolical inchantment as that, +it is not to be wondered at, if he did +the like by Carrasco and Thomas +Cecial, to rob me of the glory of my +victory: however, this is my consolation, +that the prowess of my arm +<span class='pageno' id='Page_354'>354</span>hath prevailed against my enemy, +whatever shape he has assumed.’—‘It +is God alone who knows the truth +of all things,’ answered Sancho: who, +well knowing that the transformation +of Dulcinea was the effect of his own +inchantments, upon that account was +not quite convinced by his master’s arguments; +but durst not mutter the +least word, lest something should have +dropped from him, by which he might +have betrayed himself.</p> + +<p class='c005'>While they were discoursing in this +manner, a gentleman, mounted in the +jockey-fashion, on a fine flea-bitten +mare, came up with them, dressed in a +riding-coat of fine green cloth, faced +with murry-coloured velvet, and a +hunting-cap of the same; his furniture +of a piece, murry-coloured and +green; he had a belt of green and gold, +at which hung a Moorish scymitar, +and his buskins were wrought in the +same manner; his spurs were not gilt, +but so finely varnished with green, that +as they were more of a piece with the +rest of his dress, they looked better +than if they had been pure gold. +When this gentleman overtook them, +he saluted them with great politeness, +and was spurring on, in order to pass +them, when Don Quixote calling to +him, said, ‘Signior, if you are not in +haste, and are a going this way, I +should be exceeding glad to join company +with you.’—‘Sir,’ answered +the other, ‘I should not have been in +such haste to pass you, but was afraid +your horse might be unruly, in the +company of my mare.’—‘If that be +all,’ answered Sancho, ‘you may stop +your mare when you please, with +great safety; ours is the most sober +and most discreet horse in the world, +and has more breeding than ever to let +his naughtiness get the better of him +upon such occasions, and never transgressed +in this particular but once, +and then my master and I both suffered +severely in the flesh for it: I say +once more, your worship may stop; +for if your mare was served up in a +dish, our steed would not so much +as smell to her.’ Upon this assurance, +the gentleman stopped, and looked with +amazement at the air and appearance of +Don Quixote, who rode without his +helmet, which hung like a wallet before +Sancho, at the pummel of his ass’s +pannel; and, on the other hand, Don +Quixote beheld him with no less attention, +conceiving him to be some person +of figure and distinction. The traveller +seemed to be a man about fifty; +he had some, though few, grey hairs; +his features were sharp, and in his looks +appeared neither levity nor moroseness: +in short, his appearance bespoke him a +man of consequence. He looked with +a kind of astonishment at Don Quixote, +as having never beheld such a +phænomenon before; the lankness of +the horse, and the tall stature of the +person that rode him, the sepulchral +meagreness of his aspect, his solemn +gravity, the strangeness of his armour, +all together forming such a composition +as perhaps had never before been seen +in that country.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Don Quixote observed with what attention +the traveller considered him; +and, by the surprize he saw him in, +guessing what he wanted to know, as +he was himself the very flower of civility, +and of excessive complaisance, +he was resolved to be beforehand with +him, and save him the trouble of asking +any question: ‘Signior,’ said he, +‘I am not at all surprized to find, that +with amazement you contemplate this +my appearance, so new to you, and +so different from that of other mortals; +but your wonder will cease, +when I have told you that I am of +the fraternity of those knights whom +people distinguish by the title of adventure-hunters. +I have left my native +home, mortgaged my all, bid +adieu to ease and pleasure, and cast +myself upon fortune, to dispose of +me as she shall think proper; my design +being to awaken the lost and decayed +spirit of knight-errantry: it is +now some time since I entered upon +the resolution of accomplishing this +aim, during which period I have suffered +a variety of fortune, tossed about +from one adventure to another, sometimes +triumphant, at other times not +so successful, until I have in a great +measure fulfilled my design, having +relieved many disconsolate widows, +afforded protection to many distressed +damsels, and been of aid and assistance +to divers married women and +fatherless children, the true duty and +intent of our order; so that, by numberless +exploits becoming a Christian +hero, I am now celebrated in print +through almost all the nations of the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_355'>355</span>habitable globe. Thirty thousand +copies of my renowned history are already +in the hands of the publick; +and if Heaven does not think proper +to put a stop to it, in all likelihood +there will be a thousand times as many +more. In one word, Sir, I am Don +Quixote de La Mancha, otherwise +stiled the Knight of the Rueful Countenance; +and though I own it is illiberal +to sound one’s own praises, yet +am I sometimes obliged to do it; but +then, never unless when no one is by +to do it for me; so that, Signior, after +what I have told you, neither my +lance nor my shield, my horse nor my +squire, the wanness of my countenance, +nor the lankness of my person, +and all my whole composition +together, ought any more to affect +you with surprize, since you know +the profession I am of, and the order +I belong to.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>There Don Quixote stopped to give +the traveller an opportunity of reply; +but he was so long before he opened his +mouth, that it seemed as if he could +make no answer; however, after a long +pause, ‘Sir Knight,’ said he, ‘you +was not mistaken, when, by the surprize +you saw me in, you guessed the +desire I had to be informed; but I +am still as much surprized as ever, +and though what you say may be +right, that my knowing who you are +ought to have made my wonder cease, +it is yet far from having that effect +upon me. Can it be possible, that there +are indeed now in the world knights-errant +really existing, and that there +are published accounts of real adventures? +I should never have once +dreamed that there was such a thing +upon earth as any one who assisted +married women and orphans, relieved +widows, and protected damsels, if I +had not had this opportunity of being +convinced by now seeing you; and +Heaven be praised, that this noble +history of your real and glorious atchievements +is in print, as it must efface +and discredit those numberless +romances about knights-errant, who +never had being, and with which the +world was so pestered and abused, to +the apparent corruption of the mind +of the readers, and the discredit of +real and true history.’—‘As to that +circumstance, Sir, there is much to +be said, and you must not be too rash +in believing, that the histories of +knight errantry are all fable.’—‘Is +there any one,’ answered the traveller, +‘who makes a doubt of it?’—‘I +do, for one,’ answered Don Quixote; +‘but we will drop that subject for the +present, as I doubt not but, if we +continue any time travelling together, +I shall be able, by the blessing of +God, to convince you of your error, +and to shew you that you are prejudiced +only by the number of those +who have entertained a notion, that +such accounts are fictitious.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>These last words of Don Quixote +gave the gentleman in green a suspicious +idea of his understanding: he had a notion +that he must be disordered in his +senses, and was expecting some other +proof of it; but, without entering into +farther discourse, Don Quixote desired +his companion to let him know who he +was, as he himself had given an account +of his life and situation. To which +request the gentleman replied, ‘Sir +Knight of the Rueful Countenance, +I am a gentleman born in a village +where, if it pleases God, we shall all +dine to-day; my fortune is better than +moderate, and my name Don Diego +de Miranda. I pass my time chearfully, +with my wife, my children, +and my friends; my usual diversions +are fishing and hunting; but I neither +keep hounds nor hawks; all I have +are some decoy-partridges and a good +ferret. My library consists of about +some six dozen of Spanish and Latin +books; some are books of history, +others of piety; for as to books of +chivalry, I have not yet allowed them +to come under my roof: I am more +inclined to the reading of profane +than religious authors, if the subjects +they treat of are of an innocent nature, +if the stile is engaging, and the +incidents affecting and surprizing: but, +indeed, Spain produces mighty few +performances of this sort. I live in +terms of good neighbourhood with +all about me; sometimes I go to their +houses, sometimes I invite them to +mine; my table is neat and clean, and +sufficiently affluent, without extravagance. +I slander no one, nor do I +allow backbiters to come near me; +my eyes pry not into the actions of +other men, nor have I any impertinent +curiosity to know the secrets of +their lives. I go to mass every day, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_356'>356</span>and the poor man partakes of my +substance; I make no ostentation in +the good I do, that I may defend +myself against the attacks of hypocrisy +and vain-glory, well knowing, +that the best fortified heart is hardly +proof against these sly deceivers. As +far as I have an opportunity, I am a +reconciler of differences among my +neighbours: I particularly pay my +devotions to the blessed Mother, and +have an entire dependance on the +mercies of God our Saviour.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Sancho had listened with uncommon +attention to what the gentleman in green +said; and this discourse seemed to him +of such exalted piety and virtue, that +he immediately conceived such a man +must be endowed with the power of +working miracles: fully persuaded of +the truth of this supposition, he threw +himself off his ass, ran up to the gentleman, +seized his right stirrup, and with +a heart overflowing with devotion, and +eyes full of tears, fell a kissing his +feet. Which humility, when the traveller +perceived, ‘What is the matter, +friend,’ said he; ‘what is the meaning +of these embraces?’—‘Pray let +me alone,’ said Sancho; ‘for in my +life before, excepting your worship, +did I never know a saint mounted on +horseback.’—‘I have no title to be +thought so,’ answered the gentleman; +‘on the contrary, I am a miserable sinner; +but the simplicity of your behaviour, +my friend, shews, that you +yourself must be a very good man.’ +Upon this declaration Sancho quitted +him, and again remounted Dapple, having +by his behaviour unbended the solemn +gravity of his master into a smile, +and increased the wonder of Don Diego.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Don Quixote then made enquiry into +the number of children he had, informing +him at the same time, that the +ancient sages, who were not enlightened +with the knowledge of the true God, +reckoned the gifts of fortune and nature, +abundance of friends and encrease +of dutiful children, as constituting part +of the supreme happiness. ‘Sir,’ answered +Don Diego, ‘I have one son; and if I +had none, should, peradventure, think +myself happier than I am; not that +he is very bad, but because he does +not come up to what I would wish +him to be. He is now eighteen years +of age, six of which he has spent at +Salamanca, studying Greek and Latin; +and when I would have had him +apply to something else, I found him +so dipt in poetry, if that deserves the +name of science, that I could not prevail +upon him to take to the study of +the law, which was what I wanted he +should do; nor would he apply to divinity, +the first and noblest of all +sciences. I was desirous to make him +the honour and ornament of his family, +as we live in an age, and under +a monarch, where useful and virtuous +learning is so amply recompensed: +for what is learning without virtue; +no better than pearls on a dunghill! +He will spend whole days in examining +whether such a verse in Homer’s +Iliad be expressed with propriety, whether +such an epigram of Martial is +to be construed into a lewd sense or +not, and whether such a verse in Virgil +will bear this or that meaning. In +a word, these authors, with Horace, +Persius, Juvenal, and Tibullus, engross +the whole of his time and conversation. +As to the modern authors +of his own country, he seems to have +no great relish for them, though, notwithstanding +his seeming disregard, +he is now busied in making a kind of +commentary upon four verses, which, +I believe, are designed as a subject for +a prize in the schools.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>To this information, the other answered, +‘Signior, children are to be considered +as part of the bowels of the parents, +and be they good or bad, we +must treat them as such, and cherish +them accordingly. It is incumbent +upon parents to lead them betimes into +the paths of decency and virtue, to +instil into them sound principles, and +train them up in Christian discipline, +that by these means they may be the +stay of their declining years, and an +honour to their own descendants. I +am not against using persuasion to incline +them either to the study of this or +that science, but look upon using force +as altogether unwarrantable; more +especially as the young gentleman +does not study in view of getting his +livelihood, he being so fortunate as +to have that secured by inheritance: +then I think he should be indulged in +pursuing whatever his genius or inclination +mostly prompts him to; and +though in poetry there is more pleasure +than utility, it generally does honour +to the person who has a vein for +<span class='pageno' id='Page_357'>357</span>it. I liken poetry to a young, tender, +and beautiful virgin, whom many +other virgins, that is, all the other +sciences, are assiduous to ornament, +enrich, and embellish; now as she +makes use of them all, so likewise +does she reflect a lustre upon them +all. But then this tender virgin is +not to be handled roughly; she is not +to be dragged through the streets, exposed +in publick places, or stand as a +prostitute at the gates of palaces. +She is a kind of alchemy of such rare +virtue, that whoever knows the nature +of her composition may change her +into pure gold of inestimable value: +whoever would keep her must narrowly +look after her; she must not be indulged +in the indecency of obscene +satire, nor allowed to run into insipid +sonnets; and though she may enjoy +the profits arising from heroick poetry, +weeping tragedy, or laughing comedy, +yet the muse must not be venal; +no buffoons must have any thing to +do with her, and she must be kept sacred +from the unhallowed multitude, +who neither know nor esteem those +hidden treasures she carries about her. +And think not that by the multitude +I only mean the common rank of +men; no, under that class I number +all who are strangers to real knowledge, +be they peers or be they princes. +But, whoever is possessed of +those qualifications I have been mentioning, +and with them attempts the +study and execution of poetry, I say, +his name will be famous and held in +veneration wherever politeness extends +its influence. As to what you +say of your son’s not esteeming the +poetry of his own country, I don’t +think he is quite right in that opinion, +and for this reason: the mighty +Homer did not write in Latin, because +he was a Greek; nor Virgil in Greek, +for the same reason that he was a Roman; +and, in general, every one of +the ancient poets wrote in the language +of his own country, and did not seek +for another to clothe the majesty of +his ideas. As this is the case, I think +it should be a prevailing maxim in all +countries; nor should we undervalue +the German poet for writing in his +own language, nor the Castilian, nor +even the Biscayan, for writing in +his; but, perhaps, your son does not +dislike Spanish poetry, but Spanish +poets, as being destitute of the knowledge +of other languages or sciences, +that might contribute to cultivate, assist, +and enliven their own natural genius; +and even this prejudice might be +carried too far; for the maxim that a +poet is born with his talent, is certainly +just; that is, a real poet comes +forth a poet into the world, and with +this natural endowment, implanted in +him by his Creator, produces, without +the help of study or cultivation, +such things as verify that of the poets +when they say, <span lang="la">“<i>Est Deus in nobis.</i>”</span> +One so born a poet, if he cultivates +his genius by the assistance of art, +must be much better, nay, greatly +preferable to him who, without natural +fire, attains to the knowledge of +the rules only; for it is obvious, that +as art does not exceed nature, but +serves to polish and bring it to perfection, +so art assisting nature, and nature +so assisted by art, form the accomplished +poet. To conclude, Signior, +my advice is, that your son +should be allowed to follow the bent +of his own inclination; and as he +must be already an exceeding good +scholar, having mastered the learned +languages, which may be looked upon +as having mounted the first steps in his +progress to the seat of the sciences, +by the assistance of that knowledge he +will be able, without more help, to +climb to the top of human literature, +which as much adorns and sets off a +gentleman as a mitre does a bishop, +or the long robe the counsel learned +in the law. If you find him writing +satires injurious to private characters, +burn his works and rebuke him; but +if he composes discourses, that comprehend +for their subject of satire vice +in general, as Horace did with so +much elegance, then commend him: +for, though it be unlawful to mark +and single out particular persons, it is +allowable to write against particular +vices; for example, to write against +envy, or to lash the envious, and so +of others. Here are some poets, indeed, +who, rather than baulk their +fancy of saying a smart thing, will risk +being sent to the isles of Pontus. As +the manners, so will the verses be; +if the former are chaste, the latter will +be so likewise. Writing is the interpreter +of the mind, which will always +produce what is consonant to +<span class='pageno' id='Page_358'>358</span>its own native conceptions; and when +kings, and the great men of the earth, +once see this wonderful gift of poetry +employed on subjects of wisdom, +virtue, and dignity, they bestow +marks of honour, esteem, and munificence +upon the poet; they crown +him from the leaves of that tree, which +is proof against the glancing thunderbolt, +emblematically denoting, that +such as wear that crown ought to be +secure against all hurt or offence.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>The traveller wondered so much at +Don Quixote’s discourse, that he began +to be staggered in his mind, whether he +was a madman or not. But as this +conversation did not altogether hit Sancho’s +taste, he had, in the midst of it, +gone out of the road, to beg a little +milk of some shepherds who were milking +ewes hard by; and the gentleman +in green, who seemed very fond of the +good sense and ingenious conversation +of Don Quixote, was going to renew +their dialogue, when the Don, suddenly +lifting up his eyes, saw a carriage with +the king’s colours meeting them upon +the road, and taking this for some new +adventure, called to Sancho to bring +his helmet. Sancho, hearing the voice +of his master, left the shepherd in great +hurry, and mounting Dapple, arrived +where Don Quixote was, to whom there +happened a very terrible and tremendous +adventure.</p> +<h4 id='chap3-1-17' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='seventeen'>XVII.</abbr> <br> WHICH SETS BEFORE THE READER THAT HIGHEST AND MOST EXALTED PINNACLE, WHICH THE INCREDIBLE MAGNANIMITY OF DON QUIXOTE EVER DID,<br> OR EVER COULD ARRIVE AT—WITH THE HAPPY ISSUE OF THE ADVENTURE OF THE LIONS.</h4> +<p class='c004'>The history then proceeds to inform +us, that when Don Quixote +called upon Sancho to bring him his +helmet, he, Sancho, was deep in bargain +with the shepherds about some +curds; and finding himself summoned in +such violent haste by his master, was at +a prodigious loss what to do with them, +for he had paid for them, and could not +bear the thoughts of losing his purchase: +in this extremity he had recourse to his +master’s helmet, in which he safely stowed +them, and hugging himself in this +lucky thought, away he trotted to receive +the commands of his lord and +master, who desired him to deliver his +helmet; ‘For,’ said he, ‘if I know +aught of adventures, that which I descry +yonder will prove such a one as +will oblige me to have recourse to +arms.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Don Diego, upon hearing this declaration, +looked about him every where, +but could discover nothing, except a +carriage coming towards them, with +two or three flying flags, by which he +guessed the carriage might be loaded +with some of the king’s money, and +mentioned this observation to Don +Quixote, who minded not what he said, +his brain wandering so upon adventures, +that every thing must be one, and nothing +but a series of one adventure upon +the back of another; he therefore answered +the gentleman to this effect; +‘Sir, forewarned and fore-armed is +half the day; I am not now to learn +that I have enemies of all kinds, visible +and invisible, neither know I the +time, the place, the hour, nor under +what appearance they will attack +me.’ With these words, turning +about, he demanded his helmet of Sancho; +who not having time to disengage +the curds from it, was obliged to deliver +it, with that lining in the inside, to his +master, who took it, and without farther +examination, clapped it in a great +hurry upon his head, which pressing and +squeezing the curds, the whey began to +ooze down his beard; and this circumstance +so startled him, that he called out +to Sancho, ‘What can this mean? Is +my skull softening, or my brains melting, +or do I sweat from head to foot? +Surely, this I can say, that if I do +sweat, it is not through fear, though +I am fully persuaded this will prove a +most terrible adventure. If you have +got any thing, let me have it to wipe +me; for this deluge of sweat blinds +my eyes.’ Sancho replied not, but +gave him a cloth, and with it sent up +his thanks to the Almighty, that his +master had not found out what it was. +Don Quixote, after rubbing himself, +took off his helmet, to see what it was +that sat so cool upon his head, and, perceiving +something white and clotted, +put it to his nose, and snuffed at it; +‘By the life of my Lady Dulcinea del +Toboso,’ cried he, ‘thou hast put +curds into my helmet, thou traitor, +thou ill-bred squire!’ To which apostrophe, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_359'>359</span>Sancho answered with great +unconcern and tranquillity, ‘If they +are curds, let me have them to eat; +but the devil ought rather to eat them, +for I am sure it must be he who put +them there. I offer to defile your +worship’s helmet! in good troth, I can +perceive, by the help of that understanding +God has given me, that I +am not without my inchanters too, +who are at me, as a sort of member +and limb of your worship; and I’ll +be sworn, have put that nastiness there, +to instigate your worship to wrath +against me, and stir up your worship +to anoint my ribs in the manner your +worship was wont to do. But this +time they have missed their aim I +trow, as I can depend upon the just +sentence of my master, who will easily +weigh with himself, that I had neither +curds, cream, nor any such stuff; +and that, if I had, it was more likely +I should have crammed them into my +own guts than put them into his worship’s +helmet.’—‘All this is possible,’ +cried Don Quixote: and all this the +other gentleman saw, and saw with +astonishment, more especially when our +hero, after having cleaned his head, +beard, chops, and helmet, clapped the +latter upon his skull, and fixing himself +in his seat, tried whether or not his +sword could be easily drawn; then +grasping his spear, ‘Now,’ cried he, +‘happen what will happen, here am I, +determined for the combat, should the +prince of the evil spirits set himself in +battle array against me.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>By this time the carriage with the +streamers was come up, attended only +by the driver (who rode one of the +mules) and a man who sat upon the +fore-part of it. Don Quixote wedged +himself directly in their way, and called +out, ‘Whither, my brethren, are you +bound? what carriage is this? what +does it contain? what ensigns are +those displayed?’ To which interrogations +the waggoner replied, ‘The +carriage itself belongs to me, and +within are two savage lions, which +the general of Oran sends to court to +his majesty: the streamers are the ensigns +of our lord the king, to shew +that what is here contained belongs +to the crown.’—‘Are these lions +large?’ answered Don Quixote.—‘So +large,’ replied the man, who sat +on the fore-part of the waggon, ‘that +lions of a more monstrous size never +came from Barbary into this kingdom. +I am their keeper, and have +had several under my charge before +now, but never any so big as they: +there is a male and female; the he +is in the first cage, and the female in +the other; they are now ravenous +with hunger, having had no food to-day, +and therefore I must entreat you +to get out of the way, as we must +make haste to the place where they are +to be fed.’ To which intreaty, Don +Quixote answered with a half smile, +‘What are your lion whelps to me, +and at this time of day too! are lion +whelps brought against me! I’ll make +those who sent them hither—yes, by +the holy God! I’ll make them see +whether I am a man to be scared by +lions. Come, honest friend, get off; +and as you are their keeper, open the +cages and turn them out; for, in the +midst of this plain, will I make the +savage beasts of the wilderness know +who Don Quixote de La Mancha is, +in defiance of the inchanters who have +sent them against me.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Aha!’ said Don Diego to himself, +‘I think our Knight of the Rueful +Countenance has now given us a pretty +incontestable sample of what he is; +these curds have certainly soaked his +skull, and suppurated his brains.’ +Then Sancho came up to Diego, and +said, ‘For God’s sake, Signior, take +care that my master’s worship does +not encounter these lions, or belike +we shall all of us be tore to pieces.’—‘What!’ +answered he, ‘is your master +then really so much out of his wits, +that you believe and dread he will +engage these savage monsters?’—‘He +is not out of his wits,’ replied Sancho, +‘but prodigious bold.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘I’ll make him give over,’ answered +the other; then going up to Don Quixote, +who was pressing the keeper to +open the cages, he said, ‘Signior, gentlemen +of the order of knights-errant +ought to go upon adventures +that have a probability of success, not +such as are quite desperate; for that +courage which is almost temerity, savours +rather of madness than true +fortitude. Besides, these lions do not +come with any hostile design against +you; no, they think of nothing less; +they are going to be presented to the +king, and as they are on their way +<span class='pageno' id='Page_360'>360</span>to court, I think they should not be +stopped in their journey.’—‘Pray, +good Signior,’ said Don Quixote, ‘if +you will please to get away from +hence, and look after your ferrets and +decoy-partridges, do, and leave every +one to mind his own business: this +is my business, and it behoves me to +know whether or not these lions come +against me.’ Then turning to the +keeper, ‘Sirrah,’ said he, ‘if you +do not immediately open the cages, I +swear by the living God, I will this +instant pin you to the place where +you sit.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>The carter seeing the obstinate resolution +of this armed phantom, who addressed +him, begged for the sake of +charity, he would let him take off his +mules, and get with them out of danger, +before the lions were uncaged, +‘For should my cattle be slain,’ said he, +‘I am undone for ever, having nothing +to depend upon for bread but this +cart and these mules.’—‘Man of little +faith,’ said Don Quixote, ‘alight; +take off thy mules, and do what thou +wilt; but thou shalt quickly see thou +hast laboured in vain, and that thou +mightest have spared thyself this unnecessary +trouble.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>The carter then got off, and unharnessed +in great hurry, and the keeper +spoke aloud, ‘I call all present to witness +that I am forced against my +will, to open the cages, and let loose +the lions; and I here declare, that +this gentleman is chargeable with, +and answerable for, all the harm they +shall do, as also for my salary and +perquisites over and above. And +now, gentlemen, pray take care of +yourselves, and get out of the way; +for, as to me, I know they will do +me no harm.’ Don Diego again urged +him to forbear attempting so extravagant +an action, alledging it was +tempting of God, to think of going +about such a desperate undertaking. +The other replied, that he knew what +he did, and Don Diego once more desired +him to think well of what he was +about, as he was certain that he deceived +himself. ‘Signior,’ said Don +Quixote, ‘if you do not care to be a +spectator of what you think will be a +tragical adventure, set spurs to your +mare, and provide for your own +safety.’ Sancho, upon this intimation, +fell a blubbering, and earnestly besought +him not to think of entering upon +this adventure; ‘For, in companion +of this,’ said he, ‘the windmills, the +terrible adventure of the fulling-mill +hammers, nay, all the exploits your +worship has performed during the +course of your life, are but custards +and puff-paste. Consider, Sir,’ continued +he, ‘that there can be no inchantment +in this cage; I myself +have peeped through the cage, and +there I saw the claw of a real living +lion; and sure I am, that the beast +that owns such a claw must be bigger +than a mountain.’—‘Be he large or +small,’ answered Don Quixote, ‘thy +fear would magnify him to the bigness +of one half of the globe. Be +gone, leave me: if I die, you know +our old agreement; repair to Dulcinea. +I say no more!’ He spoke +several other things, which shewed he +was determined on what he was about, +and that all attempts to dissuade him +were in vain.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Don Diego would willingly have +stopped him; but had neither weapons +nor armour equal to the other’s, and, +besides, did not think it prudent to engage +with a man who was frantick; for, +by this time, he was convinced that +Don Quixote was so in all respects; +who still pressing the keeper, and repeating +his threats, Don Diego clapped +spurs to his mare, Sancho applied his +heels to Dapple, the carter put forward +his mules, and all endeavoured to get +as fast out of the way as they could, +before the beasts were let loose. Sancho +deplored the fate of his master, +who he believed was just going to be +sacrificed by the lions: he bewailed his +own hard fortune, and cursed the hour +when he thought of serving him again; +however, amidst the intenseness of his +grief, he ceased not to punch and jog +on his ass, that he might get from the +cart as fast as possible. The keeper +seeing that these runaways were now +safe at a sufficient distance, renewed +his expostulations with Don Quixote, +who said, ‘I hear you, friend; but +give yourself no more trouble with +arguments or entreaties, it will all +signify nothing; and therefore I desire +you will make haste.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>While the keeper protracted the time +in opening the first grate, Don Quixote +considered with himself, whether he +had best alight for the combat, or continue +<span class='pageno' id='Page_361'>361</span>on the back of Rozinante; and +determined, at last, to fight on foot, +lest his steed might take fright at the +sight of the lions. Accordingly, he +leaped upon the ground, threw away +his lance, braced his shield, and drew +his sword; in which attitude, approaching +with great steadiness, he placed +himself just before the cart, recommending +himself, with great devotion, +first to the protection of the Almighty, +and then to his mistress Dulcinea del +Toboso.</p> + +<div id='plate13' class='figcenter id002'> +<img src='images/plate-xiii.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +<div class='ic002'> +<p>Plate XIII: Don Quixote Braves the Lions.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<p class='c005'>We must observe, that at this place +the author of this history breaks out +into pathetick exclamations, expressing +himself to this purpose: O Don Quixote +de La Mancha! renowned for fortitude, +brave beyond human expression; +thou mirrour, in which all heroes of +the earth may contemplate their own +perfections! thou second and other Don +Manual de Leon, glory and ornament +of Spanish knights! how shall I find +words worthy to relate this matchless +atchievement: by what power of argument +shall I make it gain credit among +future generations? for what encomiums +ever so exalted, even beyond +the hyperbole, can there be but what +thou deservest? On foot thou stood’st, +collected within thy magnanimous self, +with a sword far from being sharp, with +a shield far from bright and shining; +there, I say, didst thou stand waiting +and expecting two of the fiercest lions +that were ever yet engendered in the +dens of Libya. I want words wherewithal +to embellish thy great atchievements: +let thy own exploits, then, be +the harbinger of thy praises, O heroick +Manchegan!</p> + +<p class='c005'>The author here breaks off his exclamation, +and proceeds in the recital +of the history, saying,—</p> + +<p class='c005'>The keeper seeing Don Quixote fixed +in this posture, and finding himself under +a necessity of letting loose the he-lion, +to avoid the resentment of this +enraged and intrepid hero, flung the +door of the first cage open, where the +lion appeared lying, of a monstrous +bigness and terrifying aspect: he immediately +turned himself round in the +cage, put out one of his paws, and +stretching himself at full length yawned +and gaped with great composure, and +then, with a tongue of about half a +yard long, cleaned his face and eyes; +after which he thrust his head out of the +cage, and stared around him with eyes +like firebrands; a sight sufficient to +have struck a damp into the most intrepid +heart: but Don Quixote only fixed +his eyes attentively upon him, wishing +for the minute he would leap out of +the cart, that he might engage and cut +him in pieces; to such an unaccountable +degree had his frenzy worked up +his disturbed imagination. But the +lion, naturally generous, and more inclinable +to be gentle than rough, heeded +not his bravadoes or flourishing: on the +contrary, after having looked around +him, as we have observed, turned +about, and shewing our hero his backside, +with great composure and tranquillity, +laid himself down again to +rest; which circumstance Don Quixote +perceiving, ordered the keeper to rouze +him by blows, and oblige him to come +forth. ‘Nay, that I wont,’ answered +he; ‘for, should I enrage him, he +would immediately tear me to pieces: +come, Sir Knight, be contented with +what you have done, which is all that +can be expected from any man’s +courage, and give over tempting fortune +any more. The door of his +cage is open, and he may come forth, +or not, as he pleases; but as he has +not come out now, he will not all +day. The intrepidity of your worship’s +valour is sufficiently vouched; +I apprehend the bravery of no combatant +needs do more than challenge +his adversary, and await him in the +field; and if the enemy won’t meet +him, the imputation of cowardice lies +with him, and the crown of victory +devolves upon the other.’—‘You say +true,’ said Don Quixote; ‘shut the +door, my friend, and let me have, +under your hand, in the best manner +you are able to draw it, a certificate +of what you have now seen; for I +think it is highly fitting mankind +should know that you opened the lion’s +cage; that I waited for him, and he +came not out; and that I waited for him +again, and he came not out, and that +again he laid himself down. I am not +bound to do any more; so inchantments +avaunt, and God prosper truth, +justice, and noble chivalry! shut the +door therefore, and I will wave a +signal for those who have run off to +return, and have an account of this +action from your own mouth.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>The keeper obeyed; and Don Quixote +<span class='pageno' id='Page_362'>362</span>clapping upon the point of his +lance the cloth Sancho had given him +to wipe off the curds, called out to +them who were still pursuing their flight, +and at every step, all in a body, turning +about their heads, and Don Diego leading +them on; but Sancho chancing to espy +the signal of the linen cloth, ‘I’ll be +bound to be crucified,’ said he, ‘if my +master has not got the better of the +lions; for he now calls to us.’ They +all stopped, and perceived it was Don +Quixote who made the sign; upon which +the violence of their terrors somewhat +abated, and they approached nearer and +nearer by degrees, till they could distinctly +hear the voice of Don Quixote +calling to them; at last they came back +to the cart, and Don Quixote said to +the carter, ‘Harness your mules again, +my friend, and go on in your journey; +and, Sancho, give him and the +keeper two crowns of gold, as a recompence +for the time I have detained +them.’—‘That I will most willingly +do; but where are the lions, dead or +alive?’ Then the keeper very circumstantially, +and dividing his discourse +with great propriety, gave an account +of the issue of this adventure, exaggerating +with all his might, and all the +power of rhetorick he could muster up, +the courage of Don Quixote: ‘At sight +of whom,’ said he, ‘the lion, overawed, +would not, or rather durst not, +venture out of the cage, though I +held the door open a considerable +time; and that, upon remonstrating +to the great knight, that it was tempting +of God to provoke the lion so far +as to oblige him to come out by force, +as he wanted him to have done, and +was going to make him do whether +he would or not, his honour had suffered +the cage-door to be shut.’—‘Sancho,’ +said Don Quixote, ‘what +dost thou think now; can inchantments +avail aught against true courage? +they may, indeed, and with +ease, stand in the way of my good +fortune; but of valour and resolution +they never can deprive me.’ Sancho +gave the crowns to the people; the +carter harnessed his mules, and the +keeper kissed Don Quixote’s hand for +his liberality, and promised, when he +arrived at court, he would give an account +of this heroick atchievement to +his majesty himself. ‘Should the king,’ +said Don Quixote, ‘perchance enquire +who performed it, tell him it was +the Knight of the Lions; for I am determined, +that, from this time forward, +the title I have been hitherto +distinguished by, of Knight of the +Rueful Countenance, shall be changed, +bartered, and sunk, into that of +Knight of the Lions; and in this +alteration I imitate the example of +knights-errant of old, who, as they +pleased, altered their designations as +it best suited their purposes.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>The carriage went forward, Don +Quixote, Sancho, and the traveller in +green, pursued their journey; and during +all this time, Don Diego de Miranda +was so attentive to remark and +observe the actions of Don Quixote, +that he had not opened his mouth; but +looked upon him as a man whose good +sense was blended with a strange sort of +madness: the reason was, he knew as +yet nothing of the first part of his history; +had he read that, his amazement +at the knight’s words and actions would +have vanished, as it would have cleared +up to him the nature of his frenzy; +but as he knew not that, he was at +times divided in his opinion, sometimes +believing him in his senses, and at +other times thinking him frantick; because +what he spoke was sensible, consistent, +and genteelly expressed; but +his actions discovered all the symptoms +of wildness, folly, and temerity. ‘For +what greater sign of disorder,’ said he +to himself, ‘can there be, than for a +man to clap on a helmet full of curds, +and then take it into his head that +some magician had liquified his skull; +and what more certain proof of foolhardiness +and wild frenzy, than for a +person, in spite of all that can be +said to him, to resolve to engage lions?’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Don Quixote interrupted these reflections +and soliloquy of his fellow-traveller, +by saying, ‘Signior Don Diego +de Miranda, I don’t doubt but that +in your judgment I must pass for an +extravagant madman; and, indeed, no +wonder; for, to be sure, my actions +would seem to declare me such: but, +at the same time, I must beg leave to +say to you, that I am not so disordered, +or so bereft of understanding, +as to you I may have seemed. The +gay cavalier, who in burnished armour, +before the ladies, prances over +the lists, makes a gallant appearance! +the adventurous knight too shews off +<span class='pageno' id='Page_363'>363</span>to great advantage, when in the midst +of the spacious square, in view of his +prince, he transfixes the furious bull. +And a noble appearance make those +knights, who, in military exercises, +or such like, are the life, spirit, and +even honour of their prince’s court. +But a much more noble figure than all +these makes the knight-errant, who, +in the solitudes of the desart, through +the almost impervious passages of the +forest, and over the craggy mountains, +goes in quest of perilous adventures, +to bring them to a successful +issue, and that only to obtain +glory, honour, and an immortal name. +A knight-errant, I say, makes a more +glorious appearance, when he assists +the widow in some solitary plain, +than the courtier knight, when he +lavishes his gallantry on a town-lady. +All cavaliers have their different +spheres, in which they act; let the +courtier pay his attendance to the ladies, +adorn the court of his prince +with the splendor of his equipage, entertain +gentlemen of inferior fortunes +with the hospitality of his sumptuous +table; let him propose matches of different +exercise, and direct the justs +and tournaments; let him shew himself +splendid, liberal, and munificent; +and, above all, approve himself +a good Christian: in acting thus, he +will discharge the duties that belong +to him. But for the knight-errant, +let him explore the most hidden recesses +of the universe, plunge into +the perplexities of the labyrinths; let +him, at all times, not be afraid of +even impossibilities; in the barren, +wasteful wilderness, let him defy the +scorching rays of the solstitial sun, +and the piercing chillings of the nipping +frost. Lions must not frighten +him, phantoms must not terrify him, +nor dragons dismay him; for, in +searching after such, engaging with +and getting the better of all difficulties, +consists his true and proper occupation. +It being my fortune, then, +to be of this last order, I cannot, +consistent with that, avoid engaging +in whatever I deem to be part of the +duty of my calling; and for these +reasons, though I knew, that encountering +the lions was in itself an +act of the greatest temerity, yet it +immediately belonged to my profession: +I am very sensible that true fortitude +is placed between the two extremes +of cowardice and fool-hardiness; +but then, it is better valour +should mount even to an over-daring +hardiness, than be debased to pusillanimity; +for, as the prodigal is more +likely to become truly generous than +the miser, so will the over-courageous +sooner be brought to true valour, than +the coward to be courageous at all; +and in undertaking adventures, I assure +you, Don Diego, it is much better +to overdo than underdo, and much +better does it sound in the ear of him +to whom it is related, that a knight +is daring and presumptuous, than +that he is pusillanimous and faint-hearted.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Signior Don Quixote,’ answered +Diego, ‘I think all you have said is +consonant to the rule of right reason; +and I am of opinion, that if the laws +and statutes of true chivalry were lost, +they would be found deposited and +faithfully recorded in your breast: but +if you please, we will put on, for it +grows late; let us get towards my +house and village, that you may have +some rest, and taste of some refreshment +after your late fatigue, which, +if it does not weary the body, must +be heavy upon the mind, the labours +of which often affect the body likewise.’—‘I +accept of your invitation, +Don Diego,’ said the other, ‘as a +favour and mark of politeness.’ And +hastening forward a little quicker than +they had done before, they arrived about +two in the afternoon at the habitation +of Diego, on whom Don Quixote bestowed +the appellation of the Knight of +the Green Surtout.</p> + +<p class='c005'>END OF BOOK I. PART II.</p> +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_364'>364</span> + <h3 id='book3-2' class='c014'>BOOK <abbr title='two'>II.</abbr></h3> +</div> +<h4 id='chap3-2-1' class='c010'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='one'>I.</abbr> <br> OF WHAT BEFEL DON QUIXOTE<br> AT THE CASTLE OR HOUSE OF THE KNIGHT OF THE GREEN SURTOUT—WITH OTHER OUT-OF-THE-WAY MATTERS.</h4> +<p class='c004'>Don Quixote found that +Diego’s house, like the +houses of most country +gentlemen, was large and +roomy, with the arms of +the family over the great +gates, cut out in rough stone; the buttery +was in the yard, the cellar was under +the porch, and around were placed +divers jars, which jars being of the +manufactory of Toboso, recalled the +memory of the metamorphosed and inchanted +Dulcinea; upon which, without +reflecting what he said, or before +whom he poured out his sighs and +tears: ‘O dearest pledges,’ said he, +‘which now I find in bitterness of sorrow, +but sweet and ravishing when +Heaven’s high will ordained it so. +O jars of Toboso, which have recalled +into my mind the dear idea of my +greatest sorrow!’ This exclamation +was overheard by the young poet, Diego’s +son; who, along with his mother, +had come down to receive Don Quixote. +Both mother and son were struck +with his uncouth figure, and he, alighting +from Rozinante, with great good +breeding, begged leave to kiss the lady’s +hand. To which intreaty Don Diego +added, ‘Madam, receive with your +usual politeness, Signior Don Quixote +de La Mancha, knight-errant, whom +I here introduce to you as a gentleman +of the brightest parts and most +intrepid courage of any in the world.’ +Donna Christina (for that was the lady’s +name) received him with all the +marks of respect and esteem, and Don +Quixote overpaid them in polite and +mannerly acknowledgments; the same +kind of intercourse passed between him +and the young scholar, whom he took +by his conversation to be a gentleman +of vivacity and acuteness.</p> + +<p class='c005'>The author here minutely describes +Don Diego’s house, gives an inventory +of the furniture usually contained in +the house of a rich country gentleman: +but the translators of this history have +thought it adviseable not to mention +these and such other particular matters, +as being rather foreign from the main +scope of this history, in which truth has +more energy than needless and languid +digressions.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Don Quixote was conducted into a +hall, where Sancho disarmed him; after +which, he remained in his other accoutrements, +a pair of wide walloon breeches, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_365'>365</span>and a shamoy-leather doublet, stained +with the rust of his armour; his band +was collegian, neither starched nor +laced; his buskins of the colour of dates, +and his shoes of waxed leather; he girded +upon his thigh his trusty sword, +which hung at a belt of seal’s skin, for +it is believed he had been for some years +troubled with an imbecility in his +loins; and over all these was a long +cloak of good grey cloth; but, before +he stirred any farther, he applied to his +face five or six pitchers (the precise +number not being exactly ascertained) +of fair water, which, nevertheless, still +ran off exhibiting a whey colour; and +it was undoubtedly owing to the irregular +appetite of Sancho, and his having +made the bargain for these nasty curds, +that his master was now scoured so +white and so clean. In this equipment, +as here described, and with a +gallant air and address, Don Quixote +walked into another hall, where the +young gentleman of the house was +waiting to receive and entertain him, +till dinner should be got ready; for as +to the Lady Donna Christina, she was +busy in ordering matters so, upon the +arrival of this noble guest, as to let it +be seen she knew what reception to give +those who came to visit under her roof.</p> + +<p class='c005'>While Don Quixote was unarming, +Don Lorenzo (that was the name of +Diego’s son) took the opportunity of +that leisure time to ask his father, who +that knight was he had brought home +to them; ‘For,’ said he, ‘his name +and his uncouth figure, and your +telling us, at the same time, that he is +a knight-errant, puzzle both my mother +and me prodigiously.’—‘I know +not,’ said Don Diego, ‘what answer +to make you; all I can say is, I never +saw a madman act more frantickly, +and have heard him talk so very +sensibly, as gave the lye to all his actions: +but I would have you enter +into conversation with him, and sound +the depth of his understanding; you +have sense enough, and therefore +I would have you form a judgment +of him according to your own +observation; to say the truth, I myself +am more inclined to believe him +distracted than otherwise.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Upon this intimation, Don Lorenzo +went to entertain Don Quixote, as we +have mentioned; who, among other discourse, +said to Lorenzo, ‘Signior Don +Diego de Miranda, your father has +been pleased to inform me a little of +your great genius and good judgment, +and particularly that you are a great +poet.’—‘A poet, in some sense, I +may be,’ said Lorenzo; ‘but a great +one did I never so much as dare even +in my own imagination to think myself. +True it is, I am a little fond of poetry, +and of reading the good poets; +but don’t at all for that reason merit +the title my father is pleased to bestow +upon me.’—‘I love your reserve,’ +said Don Quixote: ‘for poets are usually +far removed from modesty, each thinking +himself the greatest in the world.’—‘No +rule holds universally,’ answered +Lorenzo, ‘and there may be one who is +really a great poet, and yet does not +think himself so.’—‘There must be very +few such,’ answered the other; ‘but +pray, Sir,’ continued he, ‘what verses +are those you are about, which your +father says make you so anxious and +studious? for, if it be commenting +upon some theme, I know somewhat +of the art of paraphrasing, and should +be glad to see what your performance +is; and if they are designed as a poetical +prize, let me advise you to obtain +the second, for the first is decreed +in view of interest, or in favour of the +great quality of some person; but merit +carries the second: so that, according +to the general practice of our universities, +the third becomes the second, +and the first the third; but, notwithstanding +this acceptation, the name of +the first makes a great shew.’—‘So +far, surely,’ said Lorenzo to himself, +‘this gentleman shews no signs of a +disturbed understanding; but we’ll go +on.—Your worship, I presume, has +been long at the schools; pray, Sir, +what sciences have you addicted yourself +to?’—‘That of knight-errantry,’ +replied Don Quixote; ‘a science equally +sublime as your poetry; and, in my +humble opinion, even mounted a few +steps above it.’—‘That science,’ answered +Lorenzo, ‘I am hitherto a stranger +to; it has not yet come within +the extent of my knowledge.’—‘It is +a science,’ answered the other, ‘that +includes in itself virtually, most, +if not all the other sciences in the +world; for he who professes it must be +a civilian, and know the laws both +of distributive and communicative justice, +to determine, with equity and +<span class='pageno' id='Page_366'>366</span>propriety, what lawfully and properly +belongs to every individual: he must +be a good divine and casuist, that he +may, with clearness and precision, +defend the principles of the Christian +faith, which he professes, as often as +he shall be required so to do: he ought +to be a physician, and particularly a +botanist, that, in the midst of desarts +and wildernesses, he may know those +herbs that are of efficacy in curing +wounds; for a knight-errant cannot +at every turn have recourse to a surgeon. +He ought to be an astronomer, +to distinguish by the stars the time of +the night, together with the climate +and part of the globe on which he +chances to be: he must be learned in +the mathematicks, for which he will +frequently have occasion; and besides +being adorned with all the theological +and cardinal virtues, he ought to descend +to other minute branches of +science. I say, for example, he must +know how to swim like an herring, to +shoe an horse, to mend a saddle and +bridle; and, returning to what we +have observed above, he must preserve +his fealty to God and his mistress; he +must be chaste in thought, decent in +speech, liberal in action, valiant in exploits, +patient in toil, charitable with +the needy; and finally, an asserter of +truth, even though the defence of it +should cost him his life. Of all these +great and small qualities is a good +knight-errant composed; so that +Signior Don Lorenzo may judge, +whether it be a snivelling science which +is learned and professed by a knight-errant: +and whether it may not be +compared with the sublimest which +are taught in colleges and schools.’—‘If +that be the case,’ replied Don Lorenzo, +‘I affirm, that it has the advantage +over all others.’—‘How!’ cried +Don Quixote, ‘if that be the case!’—‘What +I would say,’ resumed Lorenzo, +‘is, that I doubt whether there ever +were or are knights-errants adorned +with so many virtues.’—‘I have often +said what I am now going to repeat,’ +answered Don Quixote, ‘that the greatest +part of the world believes there +never were knights-errant; and, in +my opinion, if Heaven does not work +a miracle to prove that they both did +and do exist, whatever trouble may be +taken will fail of success, as I know +by repeated experience. I will not, +therefore, spend time at present, in refuting +and rectifying the error in +which you and many others are involved; +but my intention is to pray +that Heaven will extricate you from +your mistake, and give you to understand +how advantageous and necessary +knights-errant have been to the world +in past ages, and how useful they +might be to the present, were it the +custom to solicit their assistance: but, +now, for the sins of mankind, idleness, +sloth, gluttony, and extravagance, +prevail and triumph.’ Here +Don Lorenzo said within himself, ‘Now +hath our guest given us the slip; but, +nevertheless, he is a whimsical madman, +and I should be an idle fool, if I +thought otherwise.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>In this place their discourse was interrupted +by a call to table; and Don +Diego asked his son, what he had fairly +extracted from the genius of his guest. +To this question he replied, ‘All the +best physicians and writers that the +world contains, will not extract him +fairly from the blotted sheet of his +madness; but he is a party-coloured +maniack, full of lucid intervals.’ +They sat down to eat, and their repast +was such as Don Diego had said upon +the road he was wont to bestow upon his +friends whom he invited, neat, plentiful, +and savoury; but what yielded more satisfaction +to Don Quixote, was the wonderful +silence that prevailed over the +whole house, which in this particular resembled +a monastery of Carthusians.</p> + +<p class='c005'>The cloth being removed, grace said, +and hands washed, Don Quixote earnestly +desired that Don Lorenzo would repeat +the verses designed for the literary +contest; and the young gentleman answered, +‘Rather than appear one of those +authors, who when they are requested +to rehearse their works, refuse to grant +the favour, and on the other hand, +disgorge them upon those who have no +inclination to hear them; I will repeat +my gloss, from which I expect no reward, +as I composed it solely with a +view to exercise my genius.’—‘It was +the opinion of an ingenious friend of +mine,’ said Don Quixote, ‘that no man +ought to fatigue himself in glossing +upon verses; because, as he observed, +the gloss could never come up to the +text; and very often, or indeed almost +always, the gloss was foreign to the +original proposition; besides, the laws +<span class='pageno' id='Page_367'>367</span>of the gloss were extremely narrow, +restricting the paraphraser from the +use of interrogations; and, “Said +he,” or, “I will say;” as well as +from changing verbs into nouns, and +altering the sentiment; with other ties +and shackles incurred by those who +try their fortune in this way, as you +yourself undoubtedly know.’—‘Verily, +Signior Don Quixote,’ cried Don +Lorenzo, ‘I am very desirous of intrapping +your worship in false Latin; but +it is not in my power, for you slip +through my fingers like an eel.’—‘I +do not know,’ answered the knight, +‘what you mean by saying I slip through +your fingers.’—‘I will explain myself +some other time,’ replied Don Lorenzo; +‘mean-while, your worship +will be pleased to hear the paraphrase +and the text, which run thus—</p> +<div class='lg-container-b c015'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘THE TEXT.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘Could I the moments past renew,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Though fate should other joys deny;</div> + <div class='line'>Or bring the future scenes to view</div> + <div class='line in2'>In time’s dark womb that rip’ning lie.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line c003'>‘THE GLOSS.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘As all things perish and decay;</div> + <div class='line in2'>So did that happiness I mourn,</div> + <div class='line'>On silent pinion fleet away;</div> + <div class='line in2'>Ah! never—never to return.</div> + <div class='line'>At Fortune’s feet forlorn I lie:</div> + <div class='line in2'>Would she again propitious strew</div> + <div class='line'>Her favours, who more blest than I,</div> + <div class='line in2'><i>Could I the moments past renew</i>!</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘No pleasure, palm, or wreathe I claim,</div> + <div class='line in2'>No wealth or triumph seek to find;</div> + <div class='line'>For all my wish, and all my aim,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Is to retrieve my peace of mind.</div> + <div class='line'>Ah, Fortune! thy returning smile</div> + <div class='line in2'>Would change to bliss my destiny,</div> + <div class='line'>And ev’ry gloomy thought beguile,</div> + <div class='line in2'><i>Though fate should other joys deny</i>.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘Fond wish! impossible and vain;</div> + <div class='line in2'>No pow’r on this terrestrial ball</div> + <div class='line'>Can Time’s unwearied foot detain,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Or his accomplish’d flight recall.</div> + <div class='line'>He forward flies, nor looks behind;</div> + <div class='line in2'>And those miscarriage will pursue,</div> + <div class='line'>Who hope this fugitive to bind,</div> + <div class='line in2'><i>Or bring the future scenes to view</i>.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘Perplex’d with hopes and fears I live,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Tho’ death at once would ease my pain;</div> + <div class='line'>What folly, then, for me to grieve,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Who can that easy cure obtain?</div> + <div class='line'>No! yet a wiser course I’ll steer,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Resolv’d my fortune still to try,</div> + <div class='line'>Until those happier days appear,</div> + <div class='line in2'><i>In time’s dark womb that rip’ning lie</i>.’</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>Don Lorenzo no sooner concluded +his paraphrase, than Don Quixote starting +up, took the young gentleman by +the right-hand, and raising his voice +even almost to a halloo, pronounced, +‘Now, by the Heaven of heavens! noble +youth, you are the best poet in the +world, and deserve to be crowned +with laurel, not by Cyprus or Gaeta, +as an author said, whom God pardon, +but by the academy of Athens, did +it now subsist, and by those of Paris, +Bologna, and Salamanca, which are +still in being. Heaven grant, that +those judges who deny you the first +prize, may be transfixed by the arrows +of Apollo, and that the Muses +may never deign to cross the thresholds +of their doors. Signior, let me +hear, if you please, some of your more +majestick verses, that I may be thoroughly +acquainted with the pulse of +your admirable genius.’ Is it not +diverting to observe, that Don Lorenzo +was pleased with the applause of Don +Quixote, although he considered him as +a madman? O influence of flattery, how +far dost thou extend! and how unlimited +are the limits of thy agreeable jurisdiction! +This truth is verified in the +behaviour of Lorenzo; who, in compliance +with the desire and intreaty of +the knight, repeated this sonnet, on the +fable or story of Pyramus and Thisbe.</p> +<div class='lg-container-b c015'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>SONNET.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Fair Thisbe’s charms what bulwarks could withstand!</div> + <div class='line in2'>They pierc’d e’en to her gallant lover’s soul;</div> + <div class='line'>And Cupid hasten’d from the Cyprian strand,</div> + <div class='line in2'>To view the narrow paths by which they stole.</div> + <div class='line'>Here silence spoke; and through that narrow breach,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Which e’en the timid voice durst not essay,</div> + <div class='line'>Th’ intrepid souls to perfect union stretch:</div> + <div class='line in2'>Inspir’d, impower’d, by love’s almighty sway.</div> + <div class='line'>Th’ ill-fated pair to death untimely came,</div> + <div class='line in2'>With flow’ry pleasure’s tempting bait intic’d:</div> + <div class='line'>By the same poignard, monument, and fame,</div> + <div class='line in2'>At once destroy’d, enclos’d, immortaliz’d.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'><span class='pageno' id='Page_368'>368</span>‘Blessed be God!’ cried Don Quixote, +when he had heard the sonnet of +Don Lorenzo, ‘that amidst the infinite +number of consumptive poets that now +exist, I have found one consummate, +as your worship has plainly evinced +yourself, by the art and execution of +those stanzas.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>The knight was sumptuously regaled +in the house of Don Diego, for the space +of four days; at the expiration of which +he thanked his entertainer for the noble +treatment he had received from his hospitality, +and begged leave to depart; for +as it did not become knights-errant to +devote much time to ease and banquetting, +he was desirous of fulfilling the +duty of his profession in seeking adventures, +with which he understood that +country abounded, and in which he +hoped to employ the time till the day of +the tournament of Saragossa, whither he +was bound; but, first of all, he was resolved +to enter the cave of Montesinos, +about which so many strange stories were +recounted all over that neighbourhood, +that he might investigate and discover +the origin and real springs of the seven +lakes of Ruydera. Don Diego and his +son applauded the glorious design, and +desired he would supply himself with +whatever their house or fortune could +afford; for they would, with the utmost +good-will, perform that service, which +they equally owed to his personal valour +and honourable profession. At +length arrived the day of his departure, +as joyful to the knight as dismal and unfortunate +to Sancho Panza, who had +lived so much at his ease amidst the +plenty of Don Diego’s house, that he +could not without reluctance return to +the hunger that prevails in dreary forests, +and to the poverty of his ill provided +bags, which, however, he now took +care to fill and stuff with what he thought +most necessary for his occasions.</p> + +<p class='c005'>At parting, Don Quixote addressing +himself to Don Lorenzo, ‘I know not,’ +said he, ‘whether I have already told +your worship, but if I have, let me +now repeat the intimation, that when +you are inclined to take the shortest +and easiest road to the inaccessible summit +of the temple of fame, you have +no more to do, but to leave on one +side the path of poetry, which is pretty +narrow, and follow that of knight-errantry, +which, though the narrowest +of all others, will conduct you to the +throne of empire, in the turning of a +straw.’ With this advice did the +knight, as it were, sum up the process +of his madness; which, however, was +still more manifest in this addition: +‘Heaven knows what pleasure I should +feel in the company and association of +Don Lorenzo, whom I would teach, +by my own example, to spare the fallen, +and trample the haughty under foot; +virtues annexed to the order I profess: +but as his tender years do not require +such tutorage, nor would his laudable +exercises permit him to pursue +my steps, I shall content myself with +assuring his worship, that being a poet, +he may certainly acquire renown, if +he will conduct himself rather by the +opinion of others, than his own; for +no parent ever thought his own off-spring +ugly, and this prejudice is still +more strong towards the children of +the understanding.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Both father and son admired anew +the strange medley of Don Quixote’s +discourse, in which so much discretion +and madness were jumbled together; +and were astonished at the wilfulness +and obstinacy with which he was so +wholly bent upon the search of his misadventurous +adventures, that constituted +the very aim of all his desires. Nevertheless, +they repeated their offers of service +and civility, and with the good +leave of the lady of the castle, Don +Quixote and Sancho set out on Rozinante +and Dapple.</p> +<h4 id='chap3-2-2' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='two'>II.</abbr> <br> IN WHICH IS RECOUNTED<br> THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENAMOURED SHEPHERD—WITH OTHER TRULY DIVERTING INCIDENTS.</h4> +<p class='c004'>A little way Don Quixote had travelled +from the habitation of Don +Diego, when he was joined by two persons +dressed like ecclesiasticks, or students, +and a couple of labouring men +mounted upon asses; behind one of the +students was a bundle wrapped up in +green buckram, seemingly consisting of +some linen and two pair of coarse thread +stockings; while the other was encumbered +with nothing but a couple of +new black fencing-foils, with their buttons. +The countrymen carried other +<span class='pageno' id='Page_369'>369</span>things, which discovered and gave notice, +that they were on their return from +some great town, where they had made +a purchase, and were bringing it home +to their own village; and they, as well +as the students, were seized with that +admiration which was incident to all +those who for the first time beheld Don +Quixote; indeed, they burned with curiosity +to know what sort of a creature +he was, so different in appearance from +other men.</p> + +<p class='c005'>The knight saluted them courteously, +and understanding their road was +the same route that he designed to follow, +made a proffer of his company, at +the same time begging they would +slacken their pace, as the beasts travelled +faster than his horse. In order to facilitate +their compliance with his request, +he briefly told them who he was, made +them acquainted with his office and profession, +which was chivalry, and observed +that he was going in quest of adventures, +through all parts of the world; +giving them to understand, that his proper +name was Don Quixote de La Mancha, +and his appellative the Knight of +the Lions.</p> + +<p class='c005'>All this information was Greek or +gibberish to the countrymen, but not +to the students, who immediately discovered +the weakness of Don Quixote’s +brain; nevertheless, they beheld him +with admiration, and one of them, in a +respectful manner accosted him thus: +‘If your worship, Sir Knight, follows +no determined road, as those who go +in quest of adventures seldom do, be +so good as to accompany us, and you +will be an eye-witness of one of the +most splendid and opulent weddings +that ever was celebrated in La Mancha, +or in many leagues around.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>When Don Quixote asked if it was +the marriage of any prince, which he so +highly extolled, the other replied, ‘It +is no other than the bridal of a farmer +and a country maid; he the richest +of all this neighbourhood, and she +the comeliest that ever man beheld. +The preparations are new and extraordinary; +for the marriage is to be +celebrated in a meadow adjoining to +the village of the bride who, by way +of excellency, is called Quiteria the +Beautiful, and the bridegroom is +known by the appellation of Camacho +the Rich; she is but eighteen, and +he turned of twenty, to that they are +extremely well matched; though some +curious persons, who remember all +the pedigrees in the world, are pleased +to say, that her family has in that +respect the advantage of Camacho’s: +but now-a-days these circumstances +are altogether overlooked; for wealth +is able to repair a number of flaws. +In a word, Camacho is liberal, and +has taken it in his head to overshadow +and cover the whole meadow in such +a manner, that the sun will find some +difficulty in penetrating, so as to visit +the verdant plants with which the +ground is adorned. He has likewise +bespoke choice dancers, both with +swords and morrice-bells; for there +are people in the village who can jingle +and snap to perfection; not to mention +your shoe-slappers, a power of +whom are summoned to the nuptials: +but none of those things I have mentioned, +or of a great many circumstances +I have left untold, are likely +to render the marriage so memorable +as the behaviour which is on this occasion +expected from the rejected Basilius.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘This Basilius is a neighbouring +swain, and townsman of Quiteria, and +there is nothing but a partition wall +between his house and that of her parents, +whence Cupid took occasion to +renew the long forgotten loves of Pyramus +and Thisbe, for Basilius became +enamoured of Quiteria, even +from his tender years, and she smiled +upon his passion with all manner +of honourable indulgence; insomuch +that the love of the two children, Basilius +and Quiteria, furnished entertainment +and discourse for the whole +village. As their age increased, Quiteria’s +father resolved to forbid Basilius +the usual access he had to his +house; and, to free himself from all +sorts of jealousy and suspicion, proposed +a match between his daughter +and the rich Camacho, thinking it +would not be so well to give her away +to Basilius, to whom fortune had not +been so kind as nature; though, to tell +the truth, without envy or affection, +he is the most active young man we +know, an expert pitcher of the bar, +an excellent wrestler, and great judge +of hand-ball: he runs like a deer, +leaps nimbler than a goat, plays at +<span class='pageno' id='Page_370'>370</span>nine-pins as if he used inchantment, +sings like a sky lark, touches the guittar +so as to make it perfectly speak, +and handles a foil like the best fencer +in the world.’—‘For that sole accomplishment,’ +cried Don Quixote, +‘the young man deserves not only to +be married to the beautiful Quiteria, +but even to Queen Ginebra herself, +were she now alive, in spite of Sir +Lancelot, and all those who should endeavour +to oppose the match.’—‘Let +my wife alone for that,’ said Sancho +Panza, who had hitherto travelled in +silent attention; ‘she, good woman, +would have every body match +with his equal, sticking to the old +proverb, that says, Let every goose a +gander chuse. What I would willingly +see is the marriage of this worthy +Basilius; for he has already got +my good-will, with that same lady +Quiteria; and God grant them peace +and plenty, and rest their souls in heaven—[his +meaning was quite the reverse]—who +prevent lovers from marrying +according to their inclinations.’—‘If +that was always the case,’ replied +Don Quixote, ‘parents would be deprived +of that election and jurisdiction +they possess, to marry their children +when and how they shall think +proper; and if every daughter was at +liberty to indulge her own inclination +in the choice of an husband, one would +perhaps chuse her father’s servant, +and another place her affection upon +some gaudy coxcomb, whom she +might chance to see passing along the +street, even though he should be a disorderly +ruffian: for love and affection +easily blind the eyes of the understanding, +which are so necessary towards +the settlement of one’s condition +in life; and as we are apt to commit +very important mistakes in the +article of matrimony, it requires great +caution, as well as the particular favour +of Heaven, to succeed in the +choice of a wife. A prudent man, +who is resolved to undertake a long +journey, will, before he sets out, endeavour +to find a safe, quiet, and agreeable +fellow-traveller. Then why +should not the same pains be taken by +the man who is going to travel through +the whole journey of life? especially +in the choice of a companion for bed, +board, and every other purpose for +which the wife is subservient to the +husband; a man’s own wedded wife +is not like a commodity which being +once bought may be bartered, exchanged, +or returned, but is an inseparable +appendage that lasts for +life.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Marriage is a noose, into which if +the neck should happen to slip, it becomes +inexplicable as the Gordian +knot, and cannot be undone till cut +asunder by the scythe of death. Much +more could I add upon this subject, +if I were not prevented by the desire +I have to know whether Mr. Licentiate +has any thing farther to entertain +us with, relative to the history of +Basilius.’ To this hint the other (call +him scholar, batchelor, or licentiate) +replied, ‘I have not any thing material +to add, but that from the time he understood +Quiteria was to be married +to Camacho the Rich, he was never +seen to smile, or heard to speak consistently: +he is thoughtful and melancholy, +talks to himself; all which are +undoubtedly symptoms of a disordered +mind. He scarce either eats or sleeps; +and what little he does eat is fruit; +when he sleeps at all it is upon the +bare ground, and in the open air, like +the beasts of the field. He every now +and then looks up to heaven; at other +times, like one stupid, fixes his eyes +on the ground, and seems as if he was a +cloathed statue, with the drapery flowing +to the gales of the wind: in a +word, he gives such indications of a +fatal passion, that we believe for certain, +when Quiteria to-morrow pronounces +the Word “Yes,” she will +in that seal the sentence of his death.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘God will order things better,’ said +Sancho, ‘for he inflicts the wound, and +will also perform the cure. No one +knows what may happen; there are a +great many hours between this and +to-morrow, and in one hour, even in +a moment, down comes the house; I +have myself seen sun-shine and rain at +the same time; a man goes to bed +well at night, but cannot bestir himself +next morning. Let me know, +the best of ye, if any man can brag +of having put a spoke in fortune’s +wheel? No one, to be sure; and between +the Yes and No of a woman, I +would not venture to thrust the point +of a pin, and that for a weighty reason, +because there would-not be room +for it; if you will only allow me one +<span class='pageno' id='Page_371'>371</span>thing, that Quiteria loves Basilius, +I’ll yet engage to give him a wallet-full +of good-luck; for I have been +told, that love wears a pair of spectacles, +which spectacles make copper +look like gold, and poverty appear to +be riches, and specks in the eyes to +seem pearls.’—‘A curse on thee!’ +cried Don Quixote, ‘what is it thou +wouldst be at! once thou art set in +to stringing thy proverbs, none but +Judas, with whom wish thou wert, +can have patience to hear thee out! +Say, animal, what knowest thou about +spokes or wheels, or any other thing +whatsoever?’—‘O! since you do not +understand me,’ answered the squire, +‘no wonder you think it nonsense what +I say; but that signifies nothing: I understand +myself, nor have I said many +nonsensical things yet, only your worship +always plays the cricket upon +my words and actions.’—‘God confound +thee, thou confounder of all +language!’ said Don Quixote. ‘Cricket! +I suppose thou meanest critick.’—‘As +to that matter, Sir,’ said Sancho, +‘be not too severe upon me; you know +I was neither bred at court, nor studied +at Salamanca, to know when I +am right in the letter of a word; and +as I hope for mercy from God, I think +it unreasonable to expect that, the +Sayagues<a id='r154'></a><a href='#f154' class='c008'><sup>[154]</sup></a> should speak in the same +manner as the Toledans; though, for +that matter, there are Toledans who +are not more nice than other folks at +the work of speaking properly.’—‘Very +true,’ said the licentiate, ‘for +how should a man, whose business is +in the tan yards, and in the Zocodover<a id='r155'></a><a href='#f155' class='c008'><sup>[155]</sup></a>, +speak so good language as they +who do nothing but walk from morning +to night in the cloysters of the +cathedral? and yet they are all Toledans; +on the other hand, purity, propriety, +elegance, and perspicuity, are +to be found among polite people of +sense; though they be natives of Majalahonda; +I say people of sense, because +so great a number of people are +not so, and sense is the foundation of +good language, assisted by custom and +use. I must tell you, gentlemen, it +has pleased God, for my sins, that +I have studied the canon-law at Salamanca, +and I pique myself a little +on being able to converse in clear, +easy, and expressive language.’—‘If +you had not piqued yourself more upon +your dexterity at these good-for-nothing +foils you carry about with +you, than upon your knowledge in +languages, instead of lagging the hindmost, +you might have been at the head +of your class,’ said the other student. +‘I tell you, Mr. Batchelor, that you +are the most prejudiced man in the +world, in that respect, for treating +dexterity at the sword as a matter of +no signification.’—‘It is no prejudice +with me, it is a confirmed +opinion and truth,’ replied Corchuelo; +‘and if you please to make +the experiment, I will convince you. +You carry foils now along with you, +and an opportunity offers; I’ll shew +you that I have nerves and strength, +backed with such courage as will +prove sufficient to demonstrate to you +that my opinion is not the effect of +prejudice; get off your ass, and try +your measured distances, your wheelings, +your longes, and art of defence; +and I’ll engage, with only the plain +rustick skill I have, to make you see +the stars at noon-day; for I trust under +God, the man is yet unborn who +can make me turn my back; nor have +I met with any man whom I will not +oblige to give ground.’—‘As to turning +your back, or not turning your +back, that is none of my business,’ replied +the master of the science; ‘though +it is not impossible but that the first +spot you fix your foot on may prove +your burying-ground: I mean, it is +possible you may be left dead there, +for slighting the noble science of defence.’—‘That +we shall see presently,’ +replied Corchuelo, jumping hastily +upon the ground, and snatching +with great fury one of the foils, which +the other carried upon his ass.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Here Don Quixote cried out, ‘Not +so, by heavens! I will be umpire of +this fencing-match, and judge of this +long-controverted dispute.’ So saying, +he alighted from Rozinante, and +grasping his lance, planted himself in +the very middle of the road, just as +master licentiate, in a masterly posture +and regular advances, was making +towards Corchuelo, who ran at him with +<span class='pageno' id='Page_372'>372</span>fire, as the saying is, flashing from his +eyes; while the two country fellows, +without dismounting, sat still as spectators +of this most deadly tragedy. Corchuelo +assailed him every way with high +strokes, low strokes, back-strokes, cuts, +thrusts, flashes out of number, and as +thick as hail; in short, he fell upon the +licentiate like an enraged lion, but was +checked a little in the career of his fury +by a smart push in the mouth from the +licentiate’s foil, who made him kiss the +button, though with less devotion than +if it had been a relick. In a word, the +licentiate, by skilful and well-planted +thrusts, counted the buttons of his cassock, +and went through it so often, that +it hung in rags like the tails of the polypus: +twice was Corchuelo’s hat struck +off; and so spent was he, that in rage +and spite, and furious choler, he flung +the foil into the air with so much force, +that one of the countrymen, who went +to fetch it, being a kind of scrivener, +declared upon oath, that it went near +three quarters of a league; which affidavit +being preserved, has been, and is, +a testimony to demonstrate that art prevails +over strength.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Corchuelo, quite tired out, sat down; +and Sancho going up to him, ‘Mr. +Batchelor,’ said he, ‘if you will be +ruled by me, from henceforth challenge +no one to fence, but dare them +to wrestle and pitch the bar, since now +you are of a proper age and strength +for that exercise; for I have heard say +of these fencers, that they can thrust +you the point of a sword through the +eye of a needle.’—‘I am now convinced,’ +answered Corchuelo, ‘and +am taught by experience a truth I +could not otherwise have believed.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>So getting up, he went and embraced +his adversary, and they were now better +friends than ever. The company not +being willing to wait for the scrivener, +who was gone after the foil, imagining +he might be too long absent, resolved to +put forward as fast as they could, that +they might arrive early at Quiteria’s +village, whither they were all going. +As they travelled on their way, the licentiate +demonstrated to them the excellencies +of the noble science of defence, +by such convincing arguments, drawn +from the nature of truth and mathematical +certainty, that every one was convinced +of the usefulness of the science; +and Corchuelo particularly was made a +convert, and entirely cured of his obstinacy.</p> + +<p class='c005'>The night was just fallen, and before +they came to the village, it seemed as if +something like a heaven full of an infinite +number of bright stars was between +them and it; they likewise heard an +harmonious but mixed sound of flutes, +tambourines, psalters, cymbals, drums, +and bells. As they came nearer, they +perceived the boughs of an arbour, +which was made on one side of the entrance +into the village; and this all +flaming with lights, which were not in +the least disturbed by the wind; for the +evening was so calm, that there was not +a breath of air, so much as to move a +leaf upon a tree. But the life and spirit +of the wedding consisted in the musicians, +who in bands ranged up and +down that delightful place, some singing, +some dancing, and others playing +upon the different instruments. In a +word, it looked as if joy and delight +were sporting and playing through this +meadow: a great many were employed +in raising scaffolds, that they might view +from them more commodiously the plays +and dances which were to be in that +place, to solemnize the nuptials of Camacho +the Rich, and the obsequies of +Basilius. Don Quixote refused to enter +the village, though both the batchelor +and the countryman invited him: but +he pleaded what he thought a sufficient +excuse, the custom of knights-errant +to sleep in fields and forests, rather than +in towns, though under gilded roofs; +and therefore he turned a little aside, +grievously against the will of Sancho, +who had not yet forgotten the good +lodgings he had enjoyed in the house of +Don Diego.</p> + +<h4 id='chap3-2-3' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='three'>III.</abbr> <br> AN ACCOUNT OF THE WEDDING OF CAMACHO THE RICH, AND WHAT HAPPENED TO BASILIUS THE POOR.</h4> +<p class='c004'>The fair Aurora had hardly allowed +Phœbus time to dry up the +liquid pearls that hung upon his golden +locks, when Don Quixote shaking from +his limbs the drowsy fetters of sloth, +got upon his legs, and called to Sancho +Panza, who lay stretched along, and +snoring; which situation his master seeing, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_373'>373</span>before he awaked him, broke out +into this soliloquy: ‘Happy thou, and +blessed beyond the fate of other mortals, +who, neither envying nor envied, +sleepest sound, with unconcern of +soul! Inchanters neither persecute, +nor inchantments terrify thee: sleep +on, I say again, and a hundred times +more I say, sleep on; no jealousies on +account of a mistress torture thee with +perpetual watchings, no anxious cares +of paying debts awake thee, no solicitude +how thou must to-morrow provide +for thyself and little ones breaks +in upon thy slumbers. Ambitious +views create thee no disquiet, nor the +vain pomp of this empty world occasions +thee any disturbance; thy concern +is centered within the bounds of +taking care of thy ass; for, as to taking +care of thy person, that is laid +upon my shoulders, a charge and burden +that both nature and custom have +laid upon masters; the servant sleeps, +while the master is awake, and thinking +how he shall maintain him, advance +him in life, or do him some service. +The uneasiness that arises from +seeing the heavens as it were hard as +brass, locked up, and refusing rain +to cherish the earth, brings no anxiety +upon the servant, but upon the +master; who, in the days of dearth +and famine, is bound to provide for +him who served him in the time of +abundant and plentiful harvest.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>To all this effusion Sancho answered +not one word, for he was fast asleep, nor +would have waked when he did, but +that his master jogged him with the +butt-end of his lance. He waked yawning +and drowsy; and turning his face +every way, ‘Umph!’ said he, ‘from +yonder shady bower, if my nostrils +deceive me not, proceeds rather the +steam and savour of broiled rashers of +bacon, than the fragrance of thyme +and jessamine. O’ my conscience! +weddings that begin in this savoury +manner, must needs, in truth, be magnificent +and abundant.’—‘Thou epicure,’ +said Don Quixote, ‘have done, +and let us go see this wedding, and +what will be the fate of the slighted +Basilius.’—‘Let his fate be as it +pleases,’ quoth Sancho; ‘what, he +poor and marry Quiteria! A pretty +fancy truly, for one not worth a groat +to think of matching so high; ’tis my +opinion, a man who is poor ought to +bless God for what he finds, and not +be diving to find truffles at the bottom +of the sea. I’ll lay a limb that +Camacho can cover this same Basilius +from head to foot with sixpenny +pieces; and if this be so, as it certainly +is, Quiteria would be a pretty lady +of a bride, indeed, to refuse all the +fine cloaths and fine things that, I +warrant you, Camacho has given her +already, and can give her still more; +and to prefer, instead of them, a pitch +at the bar truly, and a pass at the foils, +which, it seems, make up Basilius’s +riches. Go into a tavern for a pint +of wine, and see if they will take a +pitch of the bar, or a clever push of +the foils, in lieu of the reckoning; as +for your abilities, and your refinements, +and graces, that will bring in +none of the ready; Count Dirlos may +have them for me: but when they +happen to take their resting-place on +a man who has wherewithal, O then, +I wish no better than that my life may +shew off as well as they do. Upon +a good foundation a good house may +be raised, and the very best bottom and +best foundation of any is wealth.’—‘Oh!’ +cried Don Quixote, ‘have done; +have done with this harangue: I do +from my soul believe, if one would +but suffer thee to go on, thou wouldst +lose both thy eating and sleeping in +talking.’—‘Was your worship possessed +of a good memory,’ replied Sancho, +‘you would remember certain articles +stipulated between us, before we +sallied forth upon this expedition; one +of which was, that I was to talk as +much as I pleased, provided it was not +scandal against my neighbour, or derogating +from your worship’s authority; +and I imagine that nothing I +have hitherto said is a breach of this +agreement.’—‘I remember no such +agreement,’ said Don Quixote; ‘but, +allowing it to be so, it is my pleasure +you should give over, and come attend +me; for now the instruments we +heard last evening send their chearing +sounds through the vallies; and +beyond all doubt the nuptials will +not be put off to the sultry heat of the +noon-day, but be solemnized in the +fresh cool of the morning.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Sancho did as he was commanded, +and putting on Rozinante’s saddle and +Dapple’s pannel, they both mounted, +and gently walked their beasts into the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_374'>374</span>artificial shade. The first object that +presented itself to the eyes of Sancho, +was an entire bullock spitted whole, +upon an elm, roasting by a fire of wood +of the size of a middling mountain, and +round it six pots, but not such pots as +are cast in common moulds, for they +were half jars, and each of them contained +a whole shamble of meat; whole +sheep found room in them, and were +stowed as commodiously as if they had +been so many pigeons. There was an +innumerable quantity of cased hares; +and ready-plucked fowls that hung +about the branches of the trees, ready +to be swallowed up in these receivers; +and an infinite number of wild-fowl, +with vast quantities of venison, were +likewise hanging about the trees, for the +air to cool them. Sancho himself told +above threescore skins, which, as it was +afterwards discovered, were full of rich +wines, every skin containing above +twenty-four quarts. Loaves of the +whitest bread were piled up like heaps +of wheat on a threshing-floor; and such +a quantity of cheese ranged in the form +of bricks, as seemed a wall; two cauldrons +of oil, larger than a dyer’s vat, +were ready for frying their fritters and +pancakes; and when fried, they took +them out with strong peels, and dipped +them in another pot that stood by full of +prepared honey. The cooks, men and +women, amounted to above fifty, clean, +good-humoured, and all busy; in the +belly of the roasting bullock were sewed +a dozen sucking pigs, to make it tender +and savoury. Spices of all sorts, which +seemed to have been bought by wholesale +and not by retail, stood in a vast +chest. In short, the preparations for the +wedding were indeed in a rustick taste, +but in such plenty and profusion as +might have feasted an army.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Sancho looked at every thing, attentively +considered each particular, and +was in raptures with the whole. But +his whole heart and affections were +chiefly captivated by the flesh pots; out +of them he would have been glad, with +all his heart, to have filled about a moderate +barrel. Then the wine-skins +made his bowels yearn; and after these +the contents of the frying-pans, if vessels +of such immoderate size may be so +called. He could hold out no longer; +it was not in the power of his nature to +contain himself; therefore up he went +to one of the cooks, who was busy, and +addressing himself to him with a humble +and hungry air, begged that he might +be permitted to sop a luncheon of bread +in one of the pots. To which request +the cook replied, ‘Hunger does not +preside over this day, thanks be to +Camacho the Rich; e’en alight, and +see if thou canst find any where a ladle, +and skim out a fowl or two, and much +good may it do thy good heart.’—‘I +see no ladle,’ laid Sancho. ‘God +forgive me all my sins!’ cried the +cook, ‘what a poor helpless thing thou +art! stay.’ So saying, he laid hold +of a kettle, and dipping it at once into +one of the half-jar pots, brought up +three pullets, and a couple of geese. +‘Here,’ said he, ‘eat; make a breakfast +of this scum, and see if you can stay +your stomach with it till dinner-time.’—‘I +have nothing to put it in,’ said +Sancho. ‘Then take ladle and all,’ +replied the cook; ‘for Camacho’s riches +and good fortune are sufficient to supply +every thing.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>While Sancho Panza passed his time +in this manner, Don Quixote was attentive +in observing about a dozen of +countrymen, who entered in at one side +of this spacious arbour, mounted upon +beautiful mares, each of them accoutred +with rich and gay caparisons, and hung +round with little bells. They were clad +in holiday apparel, and coursed round +the meadow in a body, and, in regular +careers, several times, with a joyous +Moorish shout, flourishing, and crying +out, ‘Long live Camacho and Quiteria, +he as rich as she is fair, and she the +fairest of the universe.’ Which exclamation, +Don Quixote hearing, said +within himself, ‘It is evident they never +have beheld the beauty of my +Dulcinea del Toboso; had they ever +been blessed with a sight of her transcendant +charms, they would be more +sparing in their praises of this their +Quiteria.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Some time after there entered, at different +parts of the arbour, different sets +of dancers; one of whom consisted of +twenty-four sword dancers, all of them +clean, well-made, jolly swains, clad in +fine white linen, and white handkerchiefs +embroidered with silk of various +colours. One of those who were +mounted upon the mares asked a youth, +who led the band of the sword-dancers, +whether any of his companions had received +any hurt? ‘As yet,’ replied the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_375'>375</span>other, ‘we are all safe and sound, +thanks be to God, no one is wounded!’ +and immediately upon that mixed +among his companions with so many +twistings and windings, and with such +dexterity, that though Don Quixote had +been used to behold such dances, he +never saw any he approved so much. +Another dance likewise pleased him +prodigiously; that was another chorus +of twelve most beautiful damsels, of +such an age, that none appeared under +fourteen, nor did any seem to be quite +eighteen; they were all clad in green +stuff of Cuenca, their locks were, some +plaited, some flowing loose, and all so +fine and flaxen, as to rival those of +Phœbus himself, and crowned with +garlands of roses, of jessamine, and of +woodbine. This beautiful bevy was +led up to the dance by a venerable old +man and an ancient matron, both more +airy and agile than could be expected +from their years. A bagpipe of Zamora +was their musick, and with modesty +in their looks and countenances, and +lightness of foot, they danced and tripped +it away the prettiest in the world. +After these, entered an emblematick +dance of eight nymphs divided into two +bodies: the God of Love led one, and Interest +the other; Cupid with his wings, +his bow, his quiver, and arrows; Interest +clad in gold, and silk of rich and +various colours. The nymphs, attendants +on Cupid, had their names displayed +in white parchment, and capital +letters on their backs: the first was named +Poetry, the second Discretion, the third +Pedigree, the fourth Bravery. The +attendants on Interest were likewise +characterised: the first was Liberality, +the second Bounty, the third Treasure, +the fourth Quiet possession. The whole +masque was preceded by a wooden +castle, drawn by savages, clad in ivy and +hemp dyed green, and so savage they +looked, that they had almost frightened +Sancho. On the front and on each of +the four sides of this machine were inscribed +these words, ‘The Castle of +Discretion.’ Four able musicians +played on the tabor and the pipe. Cupid, +who began the dance, after he had +made two movements, lifted up his +eyes, and bent his bow against a damsel +that stood upon the battlements of the +castle, to whom he pronounced this address—</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c012'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘I am the God whose pow’r extends</div> + <div class='line in2'>Thro’ the wide ocean, earth, and sky;</div> + <div class='line'>To my soft sway all nature bends,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Compell’d by beauty to comply.</div> + <div class='line'>Fearless, I rule, in calm and storm,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Indulge my pleasure to the full,</div> + <div class='line'>Things deem’d impossible perform,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Bestow, resume, ordain, annul.’</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>Having repeated these stanzas, he shot +an arrow to the top of the castle, and +retired to his station. Then Interest advanced, +and performed other two movements; +after which the tabors were +silent, and the power rehearsed these +lines—</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c012'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘My pow’r exceeds the might of Love;</div> + <div class='line in2'>For Cupid bows to me alone,</div> + <div class='line'>Of all things fram’d by Heav’n above,</div> + <div class='line in2'>The most respected, sought, and known.</div> + <div class='line'>My name is Interest, mine aid</div> + <div class='line in2'>But few obtain, though all desire;</div> + <div class='line'>Yet shall thy virtue, beauteous maid,</div> + <div class='line in2'>My constant services acquire.’</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>Interest retiring, was succeeded by +Poetry; who, after having performed his +motions like the rest, fixed his eyes upon +the lady of the castle, and said—</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c012'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘Let Poetry, whose strain divine</div> + <div class='line in2'>The wond’rous pow’r of song displays,</div> + <div class='line'>His heart to thee, fair nymph, consign,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Transported, in melodious lays;</div> + <div class='line'>If haply, thou wilt not refuse</div> + <div class='line in2'>To grant my supplicated boon,</div> + <div class='line'>Thy fame shall, wafted by the muse,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Surmount the circle of the moon.’</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>Poetry disappearing, Liberality advanced +from the side of Interest, and, +after several movements, repeated these +lines—</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c012'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘My name is Liberality,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Alike beneficent and wise,</div> + <div class='line'>To shun wild prodigality,</div> + <div class='line in2'>And sordid avarice despise:</div> + <div class='line'>Yet, for thy favour lavish grown,</div> + <div class='line in2'>A prodigal I mean to prove;</div> + <div class='line'>An honourable vice, I own,</div> + <div class='line in2'>But giving is the test of love.’</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>In this manner, all the figures of the +two squadrons advanced and retired, +every one performing his movements, +and repeating his verses, some of which +were elegant, and others foolish enough; +but those we have inserted were all that +Don Quixote could retain, although his +memory was very tenacious: then mixing +<span class='pageno' id='Page_376'>376</span>all together in the dance, they winded +and turned with great ease, grace, and +agility. Cupid, in passing, shot arrows +at the castle, while Interest battered it +with round gilded earthen pots: at +length, after the dance had continued +a good while, this last pulled out a large +purse made of Roman cat skin, to all +appearance full of money, and throwing +it at the castle, the boards seemed to +be disjointed by the blow, and immediately +fell asunder, leaving the damsel +quite discovered and defenceless; then +Interest, with the figures of his train, +advancing, and throwing a great gold +chain about her neck, seemed bent upon +taking and dragging her into captivity. +This design being perceived by Cupid +and his partisans, they made an effort to +release her, and all their motions were +performed by the sound of the tabors, +to which they danced and capered in +concert. Then the savages interposing, +and effecting an accommodation, refitted +and rejoined the boards of the castle +with admirable dispatch, the damsel enclosed +herself anew; and thus the dance +was finished, to the infinite satisfaction +of the spectators.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Don Quixote asked one of the nymphs, +what author had contrived and composed +this entertainment; and being +told it was the production of the parson, +who had a rare noddle for such conceits, +‘I’ll lay a wager,’ said he, ‘that +this same batchelor or curate is more +a friend of Camacho than of Basilius; +and that he is better acquainted with +satire than prayer; for he has very +artfully interwoven in this mask the +talents of Basilius, and the wealth +of his rival.’ Sancho Panza overhearing +this observation, ‘My cock is +the king,’ said he; ‘and I hold fast by +Camacho.’—‘Then am I convinced,’ +replied the knight, ‘that Sancho is +one of those low-born peasants, who +cry, “Long life to the conqueror.”’—‘I +know not,’ resumed the squire, +‘what sect I am of; but this I know +perfectly well, that I shall never skim +from the flesh pots of Basilius, such +a delicate scum as this that I have +taken from the boilers of Camacho.’ +With these words, he produced the +kettle full of geese and pullets, and +seizing a bird, began to eat with great +glee and satisfaction; saying, in defiance +of the talents possessed by Basilius, +‘Thou art worth just as much as +thou hast, and hast just as much as thou +art worth. There are only two families +in the world, as my grannum +was wont to observe, the Have-somethings +and the Have-nothings: though +she always stuck to the former; and +now-a-days, my good master, we are +more apt to feel the pulse of property +than of wisdom. An ass with golden +trappings, makes a better appearance +than a horse with a pack saddle. +Therefore, I say again, I hold fast +by Camacho, the plentiful scum of +whose pots contains geese, hares, and +conies; while that of Basilius, if it +comes to hand, or even if it should +only come to the feet, is no better +than dish-washings.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Sancho,’ cried Don Quixote, ‘hast +thou finished thy harangue?’—‘It +shall be finished,’ replied the squire, +‘as I see your worship is displeased +with it; though, if your disgust had +not fallen in the way, I had cut out +work enough for three days.’—‘Grant +Heaven,’ said the knight, ‘that I may +see thee dumb before I die!’—‘At +the rate we follow,’ answered Panza, +‘before your worship dies, my mouth +will be crammed with clay, and then +I may chance to be so dumb, that I +shall not speak another word to the +end of the world, or at least till the +day of judgment.’—‘Even should +that be the case,’ replied Don Quixote, +‘I say unto thee, O Sancho! thy +silence will never counterbalance what +thou didst, dost, and wilt say, during +the course of thy life; moreover, +according to the nature of things, the +day of my death will happen before +thine; so that I have no hope of ever +seeing thee silent, even while thou art +drinking or sleeping, and that is the +greatest favour I could expect.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘In good sooth, Signior,’ said the +squire, ‘there is no trusting to Mrs. +Ghostly, (I mean, death) who gobbles +up the goslin as well as the goose<a id='r156'></a><a href='#f156' class='c008'><sup>[156]</sup></a>; +and as I have heard our curate observe, +tramples down the lofty turrets +of the prince, as well as the lowly +<span class='pageno' id='Page_377'>377</span>cottage of the swain. That same lady +who is more powerful than coy, +knows not what it is to be dainty and +squeamish; but eats of every thing, +and crams her wallet with people of +all nations, degrees, and conditions; +she is none of your labourers that +take this afternoon’s nap, but mows +at all hours, cutting down the dry +stubble as well as the green grass; nor +does she seem to chew, but rather +swallows and devours every thing +that falls in her way; for she is gnawed +by a dog’s hunger that is never satisfied; +and though she has no belly, +plainly shews herself dropsical, and +so thirsty as to drink up the lives of +all the people upon earth, just as one +would swallow a draught of cool water.’—‘Enough, +friend Sancho,’ cried +the knight, interrupting him in this +place; ‘keep thyself well, now thou +art in order, and beware of stumbling +again; for, really, a good preacher +could not speak more to the purpose +than thou hast spoken upon death, in +thy rustick manner of expression; I +say unto thee, Sancho, if thy discretion +was equal to thy natural parts, +thou mightest ascend the pulpit, and +go about teaching and preaching to +admiration.’—‘He is a good preacher +who is a good liver,’ answered Panza; +‘and that is all the divinity I know.’—‘And +that is sufficient,’ said the +knight; ‘yet I shall never understand +or comprehend, as the fear of God is +the beginning of wisdom, how thou, +who art more afraid of a lizard than +of thy Maker, should be so wise?’—‘Signior,’ +replied Sancho, ‘I desire +your worship would determine in your +own affairs of chivalry, without taking +the trouble to judge of other people’s +valour or fears; for my own +part, I am as pretty a fearer of God as +one would desire to see in any neighbour’s +child; wherefore, I beseech +your worship, let me discuss this +same scum; for every thing else is +idle chat, of which we shall be able +to give a bad account in the other +world.’ So saying, he renewed his +attack upon his kettle, with such keen +appetite as awakened that of his master, +who would certainly have joined in the +assault, had not he been prevented by +that which we must now relate.</p> + +<h4 id='chap3-2-4' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='four'>IV.</abbr> <br> WHICH CONTINUES TO TREAT OF CAMACHO’S WEDDING, AND OTHER INCIDENTS.</h4> +<p class='c004'>While Don Quixote and Sancho +were engaged in the conversation +related in the preceding chapter, +they heard a great noise and shouting, +raised by a company mounted on mares, +galloping in full cry, to meet the young +couple; who came surrounded by a +thousand kinds of instruments, and accompanied +by the curate, the relations, +and all the creditable people of the +neighbouring villages, in their holiday +cloaths. Sancho, seeing the bride, exclaimed +with marks of admiration, +‘I ’faith! she looks more like one of +your gay court-dames, than a plain +country-maid. Now, by the biggest +beads of my rosary! instead of a tin +brooch<a id='r157'></a><a href='#f157' class='c008'><sup>[157]</sup></a>, her breast is bedizened with +rich coral, and her hoyden-grey is +turned into thirty-piled velvet; and, +body o’me! the trimming is not of +white linen, but of silk and sattin: +then handle me her hands, set off with +what? jewels of jet? No! let me +never thrive, if they an’t decked with +rings of gold! aye, and of massy +gold, paved with pearls as white as +a curd, every one of which is worth +a Jew’s eye. O the whoreson baggage! +and such hair! if it is not +false, I never saw any so long, and +so fair in my born-days. Do but +mind how buxom, straight, and tall +she is, and see whether she may not +be compared to a moving palm-tree, +loaded with clusters of dates; for nothing +can be more like the gewgaws +and toys that hang from her hair and +neck. By my salvation! the damsel +is well covered, and might pass +through all the banks of Flanders.’ +Don Quixote, though he smiled at the +rustick praises of his squire, owned that, +exclusive of his mistress Dulcinea del +Toboso, she was the most beautiful female +he had ever seen.</p> + +<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_378'>378</span>Nevertheless, the fair Quiteria was +paler than usual; and this change of +complexion must have been owing to +the bad night which brides always pass +in adorning themselves for the approaching +day of their nuptials. The +company repaired to a theatre erected +at one side of the meadow, and ornamented +with carpets and boughs, where +the ceremony was to be performed, and +from whence they were to see the +masques and other diversions; and they +had just arrived at the place when their +ears were saluted with a noise behind +them, and a voice that pronounced, +‘Stay a little, hasty and inconsiderate +people.’—In consequence of this address, +they turned about, and perceived +it was uttered by a man cloathed in a +loose black coat, interspersed with crimson +flames, crowned, as they soon perceived, +with a chaplet of funeral cypress, +and holding in his hand a truncheon +of uncommon size. As he approached, +he was known to be the +gallant Basilius; at sight of whom they +were surprized, and waited in suspence +to see the issue of his exclamation, +dreading some mischance from such an +unseasonable visit. At length, wearied +and breathless, he came up to the bride +and bridegroom, and thrusting in the +ground his staff that was pointed with +steel, he fixed his eyes upon Quiteria, +and with a pale aspect and hoarse quavering +voice, pronounced these words: +‘Thou well knowest, ungrateful Quiteria, +that, according to the holy faith +we profess, thou canst not espouse +another husband while I am alive; +nor art thou ignorant, that while I +waited until time and diligence should +meliorate my fortune, I never sought +to deviate from that decorum which +thy honour required I should preserve; +yet thou, disburdening thyself +of all the obligations which thou +owest to my honest passion, hast made +another person master of what is justly +mine; a man whose wealth is not +only subservient to his good fortune, +but even renders him superlatively +happy; which happiness, that he may +enjoy to the full (not that I think he +deserves it, but because it is the will of +Heaven to bestow it) I will, with my +own hands, remove the impossibility +or inconvenience that may obstruct +it, by taking myself out of the way. +Long live, long live Camacho the +Rich, with Quiteria the Ungrateful, to +enjoy many quiet and happy years; +and death be the portion of the poor +Basilius, whose poverty clipped the +wings of his fortune, and laid him in +an untimely grave.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>So saying, he laid hold of the staff +which he had stuck in the earth, and +drew from it a middling tuck, which +was concealed in it as in a scabbard; +then fixing that which may be called +the hilt on the ground, he threw himself, +with great activity and resolution, +upon the point, which in an instant +came out bloody at his shoulder, leaving +the unhappy youth weltering in gore, +and stretched upon the ground, transfixed +with his own weapon. His friends immediately +ran to his assistance, pierced +with affliction at his misery and lamentable +fate; and Don Quixote, dismounting, +flew to his relief, held him +in his arms, and found that he had +not as yet expired. They were inclined +to withdraw the tuck; but the +curate, who was present, gave his opinion +that it should not be withdrawn +before he had confessed himself, because +his death would be the immediate +consequence of pulling out the weapon. +Meanwhile, Basilius recovering +a little, said, in a faint and piteous tone, +‘Ah, cruel Quiteria! wouldst thou, +in this last and fatal agony, bestow +upon me thy hand in marriage, I +should deem my rashness exculpated, +seeing by that I should acquire the +happiness of calling thee my own.’ +The curate, hearing this address, exhorted +him to employ his attention +upon the health of his soul, rather than +upon such carnal pleasures, and earnestly +pray to God to pardon his sins, +and in particular this last desperate determination. +To this remonstrance Basilius +replied, that he would by no +means confess, until Quiteria should first +grant him her hand, a favour which +would set his heart at rest, and give him +spirits to undergo his confession.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Don Quixote hearing the petition of +the wounded man, declared, in an audible +voice, that Basilius requested nothing +but what was just and reasonable, +and besides very practicable; and that +Signior Camacho’s honour would suffer +no more, in wedding Signora Quiteria +as the widow of Basilius, than in +receiving her from her father’s own +hands; for here nothing was required +but the monosyllable of assent, which +could have no other effect than the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_379'>379</span>trouble of pronouncing it, as the bridal +bed must also be the tomb of such a +marriage. Camacho heard the whole, +which kept him in such confusion and +suspence, that he knew not what to say +or do: but the friends of Basilius were +so clamorous in soliciting him to consent +to Quiteria’s giving her hand in +marriage to the hapless youth, whose +soul would otherwise perish in despair, +that he was persuaded, and as it were +compelled to say, that if his bride +would grant that favour, he should be +satisfied, as it would only for a moment +delay the accomplishment of his +desires. Immediately they surrounded +Quiteria, whom with tears, intreaties, +and other pathetic remonstrances, they +pressed to give her hand to poor Basilius; +but she, more obdurate than +marble, and more inflexible than a +statue, neither could, would, or desired +to answer one word; nor would +she have made the least reply, had not +the curate desired her to come to a +speedy determination, for the soul of +Basilius being already between his teeth, +would not afford long time for hesitation.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Then the beautiful Quiteria, without +speaking one syllable, but seemingly +disordered, sad, and sorrowful, advanced +to the place where Basilius lay, with +his eyes already fixed, breathing short +and thick, murmuring the name of +Quiteria, and, to all appearance, dying +rather like an heathen than a Christian. +The bride at length approaching, and +kneeling before him, desired by signs +he would hold out his hand: then Basilius +unfixing his eyes, and stedfastly +gazing upon her, ‘O Quiteria!’ said +he, ‘thou art become kind at a time +when thy kindness must serve as a +sword to finish my unfortunate life; +seeing I have not strength enough left +to obtain that glory which thou +wouldst confer in calling me thine; or +to suspend the grief that comes so +fast to cover mine eyes with the dismal +shades of death. What I request, +O fatal star of my destiny! is, +that thy consent to this exchange of +vows may not be a mere compliment +to deceive me anew; but that thou +wilt confess and declare there is no +restraint upon thy inclination, while +thy hand is given and delivered to +me as thy lawful husband, for it +would be cruel to use deceit and dissimulation +with one in such extremity, +who has always behaved to thee with +such sincerity and truth.’ Having +pronounced these words, he fainted +away, so that all the bye-standers thought +his soul would forsake his body in that +swoon: but when he retrieved the use +of his faculties, Quiteria, all-blushing +with modesty, took hold of his right +hand, saying, ‘No force upon earth +would be sufficient to biass my will; +and therefore, with all the freedom of +inclination, I give thee my hand as +thy lawful wife, and receive thine +on the same terms, if thou bestowest +it with the same good will, undisturbed +and unconfounded by the calamity +into which thou hast been hurried by +thy own precipitate conduct.’—‘I +do,’ answered Basilius, ‘without either +disorder or confusion; but, on the +contrary, with all the clearness of understanding +with which Heaven hath +thought proper to endow me, I give +and deliver myself for thy true and +faithful husband.’—‘And I take +thee for such,’ replied Quiteria, ‘whether +thou mayest live many years, or +now be hurried from mine arms to +the grave.’—‘Considering how desperately +this spark is wounded,’ said +Sancho Panza, ‘methinks he talks +woundily: make him lay aside his +courtship, and mind his soul, which +seems to be in his tongue rather than +between his teeth.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>The hands of Basilius and Quiteria +being joined, the tender-hearted curate, +with tears in his eyes, pronounced the +nuptial benediction, and fervently prayed, +that God would grant forgiveness +and repose to the soul of the bridegroom; +who no sooner perceived the ceremony +was performed, than he nimbly sprung +upon his legs with incredible activity, +withdrew the tuck which was +sheathed in his body, to the admiration +of the by-standers; some of whom, +being more simple than curious, began +to cry aloud, ‘A miracle! a miracle!’ +But Basilius replied, ‘No miracle! no +miracle! but sheer industry! nothing +but industry!’ The curate, confounded +and astonished, ran up to feel the +wound with both his hands, and found +that the blade, instead of passing through +the body of Basilius, had run through +an iron tube fitted to the part, and full +of blood, which, as they afterwards +understood, was prepared so as to retain +its fluidity: in a word, the curate and +Camacho, with almost all the company, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_380'>380</span>found themselves fairly out-witted. +The bride, however, expressed no mortification +at the deceit: on the contrary, +hearing somebody observe that such a +marriage, obtained by fraud, could not +be valid, she said she confirmed it anew. +From which circumstance every one +concluded that the stratagem had been +contrived and executed with her privity +and consent. This supposition enraged +Camacho and his adherents to such a +degree, that they referred their revenge +to the prowess of their hands, and, unsheathing +a great many swords, assaulted +Basilius, in whose favour almost an +equal number were instantly produced. +Don Quixote taking the lead on horseback, +well armed with his lance and +shield, made the whole company give +ground; while Sancho, who had no +delight or comfort in such exploits, retired +to the jars from which he had extracted +his agreeable scum, looking +upon that place as a sacred sanctuary +and respected retreat. The knight exclaimed, +in an audible voice, ‘Forbear, +gentlemen, forbear: it is unjust +to revenge the grievances of love; +for, in this particular, love and war +are the same; and, as in the last, it is +lawful and customary to use feints +and stratagems against the enemy; so +likewise in amorous contests and competitions, +all sorts of tricks and contrivances, +are allowed in attaining the +accomplishment of the lover’s desire, +provided they do not tend to the disparagement +or dishonour of the beloved +object. Quiteria was fated to Basilius, +and Basilius to Quiteria, by the just +and favourable determination of Heaven. +Camacho is rich, and may purchase +his pleasure when, where, and +how his inclination shall require: +whereas Basilius has but this one +poor sheep, of which he ought not to +be deprived by any person how powerful +soever he may be; for those whom +God hath joined, no man shall put +asunder; and he who attempts it must +first pass through the point of this +lance.’ So saying, he brandished it +with such strength and dexterity, as +filled the hearts of those who did not +know him with fear and consternation; +and the disdain of Quiteria made such +a deep impression upon the imagination +of Camacho, that he shook her from his +heart in an instant; so that the persuasions +of the curate, who was a prudent +and well-meaning priest, pacified +and quieted him and his partizans, who, +in token of peace, sheathed their weapons, +blaming the inconstancy of Quiteria +more than the contrivance of Basilius; +and Camacho himself observed, +that if she loved Basilius before marriage, +the same love would have continued +after it; and that he had more +reason to thank Heaven for having lost, +than he should have had for obtaining +such an help-mate.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Camacho, and those of his train, +being thus consoled and appeased, the +friends of Basilius took no step to disturb +their peace; and Camacho the +Rich, in order to shew how little he resented +or thought of the trick which +had been played him, desired that the +entertainments might proceed as if he +was really to be married: but Basilius +with his bride and followers refusing to +partake of them, set out in a body for +the place of his habitation; for the +poor, who are virtuous and discreet, +will always find people to honour, attend, +and support them, as well as the +rich with all their parasites and companions. +In consequence of their earnest +intreaty, they were accompanied by +Don Quixote, whom they esteemed as +a prodigy of valour and integrity; and +nothing was cloudy but the soul of +Sancho, when he found it impossible to +enjoy the splendid banquets and diversions +of Camacho, that lasted till night: +he therefore, in a fretful and melancholy +mood, followed his master, who joined +the troop of Basilius; leaving behind +the flesh-pots of Egypt, although he +still retained them in his fancy; and the +half-finished scum of his kettle inhanced +the glory and abundance of the benefit +he had lost; so that, pensive, sullen, +and sad, yet without hunger or dismounting +from Dapple, he silently +trudged after the heels of Rozinante.</p> + +<h4 id='chap3-2-5' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='five'>V.</abbr> <br> IN WHICH IS RECOUNTED THE VAST ADVENTURE OF THE CAVE OF MONTESINOS,<br> IN THE HEART OF LA MANCHA, WHICH WAS HAPPILY ATCHIEVED<br> BY THE VALIANT DON QUIXOTE.</h4> +<p class='c004'>Great and manifold were the +treats and particulars of respect, +paid to Don Quixote by the new-married +couple, who thought themselves +<span class='pageno' id='Page_381'>381</span>greatly obliged by the readiness he had +shewn to defend their cause, and looked +upon his discretion to be equal to his +valour; indeed, they esteemed him a +perfect Cid in arms, and a Cicero in +elocution. Honest Sancho regaled himself +three days at their expence, during +which it was known that the contrivance +of the fictitious wound had not been +communicated to Quiteria, but was +hatched by the ingenuity of Basilius +himself, in hope of meeting with that +success which, as we have seen, he actually +attained; true it is, he confessed +he had imparted his design to some of +his friends, that they might, in case of +necessity, favour his intention, and facilitate +the execution of his deceit.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Whatsoever hath virtue for its ultimate +aim,’ said Don Quixote, ‘neither +can or ought to be called deceit; and +surely no aim can be more excellent +than the union of two lovers in the +holy bands of marriage.’ He observed, +that the greatest enemy of love is +hunger and necessity; for love is altogether +sprightly, joyous, and satisfied, +especially when the object of desire is +in possession of the lover, whose fierce +and declared adversaries are want and +inconvenience. He made these observations +with a view to persuade Signior +Basilius to quiet the exercise of those +talents he possessed, which, though they +acquired reputation, would not earn a +farthing of money, and to employ his +attention in augmenting his estate by +legal and industrious means, that never +fail the prudent and the careful. The +poor man of honour (if a poor man can +deserve that title) possesses, in a beautiful +wife, a jewel; and when that is +taken away, he is deprived of his honour, +which is murdered: a beautiful +and chaste woman, whose husband is +poor, deserves to be crowned with laurel +and palms of triumph; for beauty +alone attracts the inclinations of those +who behold it, just as the royal eagle +and soaring hawk stoop to the savoury +lure; but if that beauty is incumbered +by poverty and want, it is likewise +attacked by ravens, kites, and +other birds of prey; and if she who +possesses it firmly withstands all these +assaults, she well deserves to be called +the crown of her husband. ‘Take +notice, dearest Basilius,’ added the +knight, ‘it was the opinion of a certain +sage, that there was but one good +wife in the whole world; and he advised +every husband to believe she had +fallen to his share, and accordingly +be satisfied with his lot. I myself am +not married, nor hitherto have I entertained +the least thought of changing +my condition; nevertheless, I will +venture to advise him who asks my +advice, in such a manner, that he +may find a woman to his wish: in the +first place, I would exhort him to pay +more regard to reputation than to fortune; +for a virtuous woman does not +acquire a good name, merely by being +virtuous, she must likewise maintain +the exteriors of deportment, for the +honour of the sex suffers much more +from levity and freedom of behaviour +in publick, than from any private +misdeeds. If thou bringest a good +woman to thy house, it will be an +easy task to preserve and even improve +her virtue; but, shouldst thou chuse +a wife of a different character, it will +cost thee abundance of pains to mend +her; for it is not very practicable to +pass from one extreme to another: I +do not say it is altogether impossible, +though I hold it for a matter of much +difficulty.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Sancho hearing these remarks, said to +himself, ‘This master of mine, whenever +I chance to utter any thing pithy +or substantial, will say I might take +a pulpit in hand, and travel through +the world, teaching and preaching to +admiration; now, I will say for him, +that when he begins to string sentences, +and give advice, he might not +only take one pulpit in hand, but even +a couple on each finger, and stroll +about the market-towns. Wit, whither +wouldst thou? May the devil +fetch him for a knight-errant! he +knows but every thing. I thought +for certain, he could be acquainted +with nothing but what relates to his +chivalries; but he pecks at every +thing, and throws his spoonful in +every man’s dish.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>His master overheard him murmuring +in this manner, and asking what he +grumbled at, ‘I don’t grumble,’ answered +Sancho, ‘I was only saying to +myself, I wished I had heard those +remarks of your worship before I +married; in which case I might now, +perhaps, remark in my turn, “The +<span class='pageno' id='Page_382'>382</span>loosened ox is well licked.”’—‘What, +is Teresa such a bad wife?’ said the +knight. ‘Not very bad,’ answered the +squire, ‘but then she is not very good; +at least, not so good as I could wish.’—‘You +are in the wrong, Sancho,’ +said Don Quixote, ‘to disparage your +wife, who in effect is the mother of +your children.’—‘As to that matter,’ +replied Sancho, ‘we are not at all in +one another’s debt; for she can disparage +me fast enough, especially +when she takes it in her head to be +jealous, and then Satan himself could +not endure her.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>In a word, they stayed three days +with the new-married couple, during +which they were treated and served like +the king’s own person; and here Don +Quixote desired the nimble-wristed licentiate +to provide him with a guide to +direct his steps to the cave of Montesinos, +which he had a longing desire to +explore, that he might investigate with +his own eyes the truth of those wonderful +stories that were reported of it +through the whole neighbourhood. The +licentiate promised to accommodate him +with a first cousin of his own, a famous +student deeply read in books of chivalry, +who would willingly conduct him +to the very mouth of the cave, and +point out the lakes of Ruydera, so famous +not only in the province of La +Mancha, but also through the whole +kingdom of Spain; and he likewise observed, +that he would find his conversation +very entertaining; for he was a +lad who knew how to compose books +for the press, and even dedicate them to +princes. At length this cousin arrived +upon an ass big with foal, whose pannel +was covered with a piece of tawdry +tapestry or carpet: Sancho saddled Rozinante, +put Dapple in order, stowed his +wallet, which was reinforced by the +cousin’s, likewise very well stored; then +recommending themselves to God, and +taking leave of the company, they set +out, chusing the shortest road to the +famous cave of Montesinos.</p> + +<p class='c005'>While they travelled along, Don +Quixote addressing himself to the student, +asked what was the nature and +quality of his exercises, studies, and +profession? To this question the other +answered, that his profession was humanity; +and that his exercise and study +consisted in composing books for the +press, of great emolument, and no less +entertainment to the publick; that one of +them was intitled, The Book of Liveries, +in which he had described seven hundred +and three liveries, with their colours, +mottos, and cyphers: ‘From these,’ +said he, ‘your courtiers may extract +and assume such devices as will suit +their fancies, in times of festivity and +rejoicing, without going about begging +from any person whatever, or +cudgelling their brains, as the saying is, +in order to invent what will suit their +several desires and dispositions; for I +insert those that will fit the jealous, the +disdained, the forgotten, and absent, so +exactly, that the just will far exceed the +number of the Gentiles, I have likewise +finished another book, which I +propose to call, The Metamorphoses; +or, The Spanish Ovid; of an invention +equally new and agreeable; for +there, in imitation of Naso, I give a +burlesque description and history of +the Giralda of Seville, the Angel of La +Madalina, the Conduit of Vecinguerra +at Cordova, the bulls of Guisanda, +the Sierra Morena, the Fountains of +Leganitos, and the Levapies of Madrid, +not forgetting those of the Piojo, +the Golden Pipe, and the Priora, with +their allegories, metaphors, and transformations, +which at once surprize, +instruct, and entertain. I have a +third performance, which I denominate, +The Supplement to Polydore’s +Virgil, which treats of the invention +of things, and is a work of great study +and erudition; for many things of +great importance, which Polydore has +omitted, I examine and explain in a +most elegant stile: he, for example, +has forgot to let us know who was +the first person troubled with a defluxion +or rheum, and who was first +anointed for the cure of the French +distemper: now these two questions +I resolve in the most accurate manner, +upon the authority of above five and +twenty authors; so your worship will +perceive whether I have laboured to +good purpose, and composed a book +that will be useful to the world in general.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Sancho having listened very attentively +to this narration, ‘Tell me, +Signior,’ said he, ‘so may God lend +an helping hand to the printing of +your books; tell me, if you know, +and surely you know every thing, +who was the first man that scratched +<span class='pageno' id='Page_383'>383</span>his own head? for my own part, I +firmly believe it must have been our +father Adam.’—‘Certainly,’ answered +the student; ‘for Adam without +doubt had a head, and hair upon it; +now that being the case, and he being +the first man in the world, he must +have scratched it sometimes.’—‘I am +of the same opinion,’ resumed Sancho; +‘but now, pray tell me who was the +first tumbler!’—‘Verily, brother,’ resumed +the scholar, ‘I cannot determine +that point until I shall have studied it, +and study it I will, upon my return +to the place where I keep my books; +so that I shall satisfy you the next +time we meet, for I hope this will not +be the last time of our meeting.’—‘Then +I desire you will give yourself +no trouble about the matter,’ said Sancho; +‘for I have already found out the +solution of my question: know, Signior, +that the first tumbler must have +been Lucifer, who, when he was +thrown and rejected from heaven, came +tumbling down to the bottomless pit.’—‘Friend,’ +cried the student, ‘you +are certainly in the right.’—‘That +question and answer,’ said Don Quixote, +‘is none of thy own; thou must have +learned them from some other person, +Sancho.’—‘Hold your tongue, Signior,’ +replied the squire: ‘for, in good +faith! if I begin to question and answer, +I shall not have done till morning: +yes, as to the matter of asking +like a fool, and answering like a simpleton, +I have no occasion to crave the +assistance of my neighbours.’—‘Thou +hast said more than thou art aware of,’ +answered Don Quixote; ‘for some people +there are who fatigue themselves +in learning, and investigating that +which, when learned and investigated, +is not worth a farthing either to the +memory or understanding.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>In this and other such relishing discourse +they passed that day, and at night +took up their lodging in a small village, +from whence, as the scholar told the +knight, the distance to the cave of Montesinos +did not exceed a couple of leagues; +and he observed, that if Don Quixote +was really determined to explore the +cavern, it would be necessary to provide +ropes, by which he might be lowered +down to its bottom. The knight said, +that although he should descend to the +abyss, he would see the bottom, for +which purpose he purchased about a +hundred fathoms of rope. Next day, +about two o’clock in the afternoon, they +arrived at the cave, and found the mouth +broad and spacious, though overgrown +with thorns, weeds, brambles, and +brakes, so thick and intricate, that it was +almost quite covered and concealed; at +sight of the place all three alighted; +the student and Sancho immediately began +to fasten the rope strongly about +the knight, and while they were thus +employed in cording and girding him, +Sancho addressing himself to the adventurer, +‘Dear master,’ said he, ‘consider +what your worship is about; seek not +to bury yourself alive, and to be used +like a bottle of wine, let down to cool +in some well; for it neither concerns +nor belongs to your worship to be the +surveyor of that pit, which must be +worse than a dungeon.’—‘Tie the +knot, and hold thy tongue, friend Sancho,’ +answered Don Quixote, ‘for +such an enterprize as this was reserved +for me alone.’ Then the guide +interposing, ‘I intreat your worship, +Signior Don Quixote,’ said he, ‘to +consider attentively and examine, as +it were, with a hundred eyes, every +circumstance within this cave, where, +perhaps, there may be things which I +shall insert among my transformations.’—‘The +cymbal,’ answered +Sancho, ‘is in the hands that can play +it to the utmost nicety.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>This discourse having passed, and +the ligature being made, not over the +knight’s armour but his doublet, ‘We +have been guilty of an inadvertency,’ +said Don Quixote, ‘in coming hither +unprovided with a small bell, which, +had it been tied to me with the same +cord, would, with its sound, have +given you notice, as I descended, of +my being alive; but, as it is now impossible +to be accommodated, I commit +myself to the hands of God, who +will conduct me.’ Then falling upon +his knees, he in a low voice preferred +a prayer to Heaven, beseeching God to +assist and crown him with success, in +this seemingly perilous and new adventure. +His ejaculation being finished, +he pronounced, in a loud voice, ‘O! +thou mistress of my deeds and motions, +the most resplendent and peerless Dulcinea +del Toboso! if the prayer and +petition of this thy adventurous lover +<span class='pageno' id='Page_384'>384</span>can possibly reach thine ears, I conjure +thee, by thy unheard-of beauty, +to grant my request, which is no other +than that thou wouldst not now deny +me thy favour and protection, when I +stand so much in need of both; for I +am just upon the brink of darting, +plunging, and ingulphing myself into +the profound abyss that opens wide +before me, on purpose that the world +may know there is nothing so impossible +that I will not attempt and execute, +under the wings of thy favour.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>So saying, he approached the pit, +where he found it would be impracticable +to slip down, or make way for entering, +without the strength of arms and +back-strokes: he therefore, unsheathing +his sword, began to lay about him, and +mow down the bushes that grew around +the mouth of the cave, out of which an +infinite number of huge crows and daws, +affrighted at the noise and disturbance, +sallied forth with such force and velocity, +as laid the knight upon his back; and had +he been as superstitious as he was a good +catholick, he would have looked upon +this irruption as a bad omen, and excused +himself from visiting the bowels +of such a dreary place; at length he rose, +and seeing that the flight of crows, and +other birds of night, was now over, (for +a number of bats had likewise come +forth) he put the rope into the hands of +Sancho and the scholar, desiring them +to lower him down to the bottom of that +dreadful cavern, which when he entered, +Sancho gave him his benediction, +and making a thousand crosses over him, +exclaimed, ‘God and the Rock of +France, together with the Trinity of +Gaeta, be thy guides, thou flower, and +cream, and scum of knights-errant: +there thou goest, bully of the globe, +heart of steel, and arm of brass! I say +again, God be thy guide, and bring +thee back safe, sound, and without +deceit, to the light of this life, which +thou art now forsaking to bury thyself +in that obscurity.’ Almost the +same prayer and deprecation was uttered +by the scholar; while Don Quixote +called aloud for rope, and afterwards for +more rope, which they gave him by little +and little. By that time the voice, +which ascended through the windings +and turnings of the cave, ceased to vibrate +on their ears, they had already uncoiled +the hundred fathoms, and were +inclined to hoist him up again, as they +had no more cord to spare: they stayed, +however, about half an hour, at the expiration +of which they began to pull up +the rope, which seemed to have no +weight attached to it, and came up with +such ease, that they imagined the knight +was left below; a supposition, in consequence +of which the squire wept most +bitterly, while he pulled with great eagerness +in order to discover the truth; +but when they had coiled up about four-score +fathoms they felt the weight again, +and were exceedingly rejoiced: finally, +at the distance of ten fathoms, they distinctly +perceived Don Quixote; to whom +Sancho addressed himself, saying, ‘Dear +master, I wish your worship an happy +return; we began to think you had +tarried below to breed.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>To this welcome the knight answered +not a word. When they had pulled +him up, they perceived his eyes were +shut, and that, to all appearance, he was +fast asleep; then he was laid upon the +ground, and untied, but still he did not +awake: however, by dint of turning, +jogging, shaking, and moving, they, +after some time, brought him to himself, +when yawning hideously as if he +had awoke from a profound and heavy +sleep, he looked around with amazement, +and pronounced, ‘God forgive +you, friends, for having withdrawn +me from the most delightful prospect +and agreeable life that ever mortal +saw or enjoyed: in effect, I am +now fully convinced, that all the +pleasures of this life fleet away like +a shadow or dream, or fade like the +flowers of the field. O unfortunate +Montesinos! O deeply wounded Durandarte! +O hapless Belerma! O weeping +Guadiana! and you forlorn daughters +of Ruydera, who by your waters +shew the copious floods of tears that +fall from your beauteous eyes!’</p> + +<p class='c005'>The scholar and Sancho hearing +these words, which Don Quixote seemed +to heave with immense pain from +his very entrails, begged he would explain +the meaning of what he had said, +and inform them of what he had seen +in that infernal gulph. ‘Infernal, call +you it?’ said the knight; ‘pray give +it a better epithet, for that it surely +does deserve, as you will presently +<span class='pageno' id='Page_385'>385</span>perceive.’ Then he desired they would +give him something to eat, for he was +excessively hungry; and they, spreading +the carpet upon the grass, produced +the buttery of their bags, when all +three sitting around them, in love and +good fellowship, made one meal serve +for supper and afternoon’s luncheon, +which being finished, and the cloth +taken away, ‘My sons,’ said Don +Quixote, ‘let no man stir, but listen +with your whole attention to that +which I am going to rehearse.’</p> +<h4 id='chap3-2-6' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='six'>VI.</abbr> <br> OF THE WONDERFUL INCIDENTS RECOUNTED BY THE EXTRAVAGANT DON QUIXOTE,<br> WHO PRETENDED TO HAVE SEEN THEM IN THE PROFOUND CAVE OF MONTESINOS;<br> FROM THE GREATNESS AND IMPOSSIBILITY OF WHICH <br>THIS ADVENTURE HAS BEEN DEEMED APOCRYPHAL.</h4> +<p class='c004'>It might be about four o’clock in +the afternoon, when the sun retiring +behind a cloud, so as to emit a +scanty light and temperate rays, gave +Don Quixote an opportunity of relating +coolly and comfortably to his two +illustrious hearers the particulars he +had seen in the cave of Montesinos; +and he accordingly began to recite what +follows.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘About twelve or fourteen fathoms +below the mouth of this dungeon, +there is a concavity on the right +hand, wide enough to contain a large +waggon with its cattle, and illuminated +by a small stream of light that descends +through corresponding cracks +and crannies, which open at a distance +on the surface of the earth: +this spacious cavity I perceived, +when I was tired and out of humour +at finding myself hanging and descending +by a rope, through that +dark and dreary dungeon, without +knowing any certain and determined +way; I therefore resolved to enter it, +and repose myself a little, and called +to you to leave off lowering the rope, +until I should give you farther notice; +but I suppose you did not hear +me, so that I gathered up the cord +you let down, and making it into +an heap or coil, sat down upon it in +a very pensive mood, to consider how +I should descend to the bottom, +having no person to support my +weight. While I sat musing on this +misfortune, I was all of a sudden +overpowered by a most profound +sleep, and without dreaming of the +matter, or knowing how, or wherefore, +I awoke, and found myself in +the midst of the most beautiful, +charming and delightful meadow that +nature could create, or the most fertile +imagination conceive. I rubbed and +wiped my eyes, so as to see that far +from sleeping I was broad awake: +nevertheless, I felt my head, and +fumbled in my bosom, in order to +be assured, whether it was really my +identical self or some unsubstantial +phantom and counterfeit; but the +touch, the reflection, and connected +discourse I held with myself, concurred +to convince me, that I was +the same at that time as I find myself +at present. Then was my view +regaled with a sumptuous palace or +castle, with walls and battlements of +clear, transparent chrystal, and two +large folding gates, which, opening, +there came forth, advancing towards +me, a venerable old man, clad in a +long cloak of purple baize, that trailed +upon the ground: his shoulders and +breast were girded with a collegiate +scarf of green sattin; his head was +covered with a black Milan cap; and +his beard, white as the drifted snow, +descended to his middle. He wore +no arms, but held in his hand a rosary +of beads as large as walnuts; +though the tens were as big as ostrich-eggs; +and his deportment, air, gravity, +and dignified presence, filled +me with surprize and veneration. +Coming up to me, the first thing he +did was to hug me closely in his arms; +then he said, “Long, very long, +most valiant knight Don Quixote de +La Mancha, have we, who are inchanted +in these solitudes, expected +thy arrival, that thou mayest inform +the world of what is contained and +concealed in this profound cavern, +which is called the cave of Montesinos; +an adventure hitherto reserved +on purpose to be atchieved by +thy invincible heart and most stupendous +courage. Follow me, illustrious +Signior, and I will shew +thee the wonders that lie hid in this +<span class='pageno' id='Page_386'>386</span>transparent castle, of which I am +governor and perpetual warder, as +being that identical Montesinos, +from whom the cavern takes its +name.” No sooner had he told +me who he was, than I asked if it +was true, what the world above related +of him, namely, that he had, +with a small dagger, cut out the +heart of his great friend Durandarte, +and carried it to the Lady Belerma, +according to his own desire, while +he was in the agonies of death. He +answered, every circumstance was +true, except that of the dagger; for +it was neither a dagger, nor small +in its dimensions, but a polished +poignard as sharp as an awl.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Here Sancho interposing, observed, +that such a poignard must have been +made by Raymond de Hozes of Seville. +‘I do not know who was the maker,’ +said the knight, ‘but it could not be +that sword-cutler; for Raymond de +Hozes was living t’other day; whereas +many years are elapsed since the +battle of Roncesvalles, where that +misfortune happened; but this enquiry +is of no importance; nor does +it disturb or alter the truth and evidence +of the story.’—‘No, surely,’ +cried the scholar, ‘pray good your +worship Don Quixote proceed; for I +listen to your narration with infinite +pleasure.’—‘And I feel no less in +recounting it,’ answered the knight.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Well, then, the venerable Montesinos +led me into the chrystalline +palace, where, in a low hall, cool +beyond conception, and lined with +alabaster, stood a monument of +marble of exquisite workmanship, +upon which I perceived a knight lying +at full length, I do not mean a +statue of bronze, marble, or jasper, +such as we commonly see on other +tombs, but a man of real flesh and +bones; he held his right-hand, which +being muscular and hairy, denoted +the great strength of the owner, over +the region of the heart; and before +I had time to ask any questions, +Montesinos seeing me astonished, and +gazing attentively at the sepulchre, +“This is my friend Durandarte,” said +he, “the flower and mirrour of all +the valiant and enamoured knights +of his time: here he is kept inchanted +as well as myself, and many others +of both sexes, by Merlin, that French +inchanter, who is said to have been +begotten by the devil; though, for +my own part, I believe he is not really +the devil’s son, but that, according +to the proverb, He knows one point +more than the devil. How, or for +what reason he inchanted us, nobody +knows, but time will discover the mystery; +and, in my opinion, that time is +not far off: what surprizes me is, +I know as certainly as the sun shines, +that Durandarte breathed his last in +my arms, and after he was dead, I +with my own individual hands took +out his heart, which must certainly +have weighed a couple of pounds; +for, according to the observation of +naturalists, the man who has a large +heart is endowed with more valour +than he whose heart is of smaller +dimensions: this being the case, and +the knight certainly dead, how comes +he, even at this day, to sigh and +complain, from time to time, as if +he was actually alive?”</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘He had no sooner pronounced these +words, than the wretched Durandarte +cried, in a loud voice, “O cousin +Montesinos! the last favour I requested +of you, was, that when my +soul should quit my body, you would +extract my heart either with poignard +or dagger, and carry it to Belerma.” +The venerable Montesinos, hearing +this apostrophe, kneeled before the +piteous knight, and with tears in his +eyes, replied, “Already, Signior +Durandarte, my dearest cousin! already +have I executed what you +commanded me to perform, on that +unlucky day of our defeat: I extracted +your heart as well as I could, +without leaving the smallest particle +of it in your breast; I wiped it with +a laced handkerchief, and set out +with it full gallop for France, after +having first committed you to the +bosom of the earth with such a flood +of tears as was sufficient to bathe +and wash my hands of the blood +they had contracted by raking in +your bowels; and as a surer token, +dear cousin of my soul! at the first +place I reached, in my way from +Roncesvalles, I sprinkled your heart +with a little salt, that it might not +acquire a bad smell, and continue, +if not quite fresh, at least tolerably +sweet, until it could be presented to +the Lady Belerma, who, together +<span class='pageno' id='Page_387'>387</span>with you and me, and your squire +Guadiana, the duenna Ruydera, her +seven daughters, and two nieces, +and many others of your friends and +acquaintance, have been long inchanted +in this place by the sage +Merlin; and although five hundred +years are elapsed, not one of us is +dead; though we have lost Ruydera +with her daughters and nieces, who, +by weeping, are, through the compassion +of Merlin, converted into so +many lakes, which, in the world above, +and in the province of La Mancha, +are called the Lakes of Ruydera; +the Seven Sisters belong to the king +of Spain, and the Two Nieces to the +knights of a very holy order, called +<abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr> John. Your squire Guadiana +bewailing likewise your misfortune, +was changed into a river of the +same name, which, when it reached +the surface of the earth, and saw +the sun of the other sky, was so +grieved at the thoughts of leaving +you, that he sunk down into the +bowels of the globe; but, as it was +not possible for him to resist his natural +current, he from time to time +rises up, shewing himself to the sun, +and to the nations: he receives a reinforcement +from the waters of the +forementioned lakes, with which, +and many others that join his stream, +he enters Portugal in majesty and +pomp. Nevertheless, wheresoever he +runs, he discovers a sullen melancholy, +and does not pique himself +upon breeding within his channel +fish of dainty relish and esteem; but +only such as are coarse and unsavoury, +and widely different from +those of the golden Tagus. What +I now say, my dear cousin, I have +often expressed, and as you make +no reply, I conclude you either do +not hear or do not give credit to my +words: a circumstance which, as +Heaven doth know, overwhelms me +with affliction. I will at present +make you acquainted with one piece +of news, which, if it does not alleviate +your sorrow, can surely, in +no shape, tend to its augmentation. +Know then, here stands in your presence +(open your eyes and behold +him) that great knight of whom so +many things have been prophesied +by the sage Merlin; that Don Quixote +de La Mancha, I say, who has +renewed, and, with greater advantages +than in times past, raised again +from oblivion the long forgotten +chivalry, by the means and favour +of whom, perhaps, we ourselves may +be disenchanted; for great men such +great achievements are reserved.”—“And +if that should not be the case,” +replied the afflicted Durandarte, in a +faint and languid tone; “and if that +should not be the case, cousin, I say, +patience, and shuffle the cards.” +Then turning himself upon one side, +he relapsed into his usual silence, +without speaking another word.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘At that instant, hearing a great noise +of shrieks and lamentations, accompanied +by doleful sighing and dismal +sobbing, I turned about, and saw +through the chrystal walls into another +apartment, through which a procession +passed, consisting of two flies of +most beautiful damsels in mourning, +with white turbans on their heads, in +the Turkish manner; in the rear of +these came a lady, for such, by her +stately demeanour, she seemed to be, +cloathed like the rest in black, with a +veil so full and long that it kissed the +ground: her turban was twice as +large as the largest of the others, her +eye brows met above her nose, which +was flattish; her mouth was large, +but her lips retained the colour of vermillion; +her teeth, which she sometimes +disclosed, were thin and ill-set, +though white as blanched almonds; +and in her hand she held a fine linen +cloth, in which, as near as I could +guess, was an heart so dried and +shrivelled, that it seemed to be of perfect +mummy. Montesinos gave me +to understand, that all those of the +procession were domesticks of Durandarte +and Belarma, inchanted in that +place, together with their lord and +lady; and that the last who carried +the heart in the napkin, was Belerma +herself, who, with her damsels, never +failed to appear in that procession four +days in the week, and sung, or rather +howl, dirges over the body, and the +woeful heart of his cousin: and that, +if she now seemed a little homely, or +not quite so beautiful as fame reported +her, the change proceeded from +the bad nights and worse days +she passed in that state of inchantment, +as I might perceive in her large +wrinkles and wan complexion; nor +<span class='pageno' id='Page_388'>388</span>did that yellowness and those furrows +proceed from any irregularity in the +monthly disorder incident to women; +for many months and even +years had passed since she had the +least shew of any such evacuation; +but solely from the anguish of her +heart, occasioned by that which she +holds incessantly in her hand, and +which renews and recalls to her memory +the misfortune of her ill-fated +lover: had it not been for that mischance, +scarce would she have been +equalled in beauty, sprightliness, and +grace, even by the fair Dulcinea del +Toboso, celebrated as she is not +only in this country, but also through +the whole universe.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘“Softly, Signior Don Montesinos,” +said I, interrupting him at the period, +“be so good as to tell your story as it +ought to be told; for you know all +comparisons are odious, and therefore +there is no occasion to compare +any person with another; the peerless +Dulcinea del Toboso is what +she is, and the Lady Donna Belerma +is likewise what she is and has been, +and there let the matter rest.” To +this remonstrance he replied, “Pardon +me, Signior Don Quixote; I +confess I have been to blame, and +egregiously erred, in saying, the +Lady Dulcinea would scarce equal +the Lady Belerma; seeing, my having +known by certain guesses that +your worship is the knight of Dulcinea, +was sufficient to have induced +me to bite off my tongue, rather +than compare her with any thing but +Heaven itself.” Such satisfaction from +the great Montesinos allayed the disgust +that my heart received in hearing +Belerma compared with my mistress.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘I marvel much,’ said Sancho, ‘that +your worship did not fall upon the +old hunks, and break every bone in +his skin; aye, and pull his beard in +such a manner as not to leave one +single hair.’—‘By no means, friend +Sancho,’ answered the knight, ‘it +would not have become me to behave +in that manner; for we are all obliged +to respect our seniors, although they +are not knights; but more especially +those who are really of that quality, +and besides in a state of inchantment. +This I know full well, that there +was nothing left unpaid on either side, +in the course of the questions and answers +that passed between us.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Here the scholar, interposing, ‘I +cannot conceive,’ said he, ‘Signior +Don Quixote, how your worship, in +such a short time as that you have +spent below, could see so many things, +and ask and answer such a number of +questions.’—‘How long is it since I +descended?’ said the knight. ‘Little +more than an hour,’ replied the +squire. ‘That’s impossible,’ resumed +Don Quixote; ‘for night fell, and +morning dawned, and darkness and +light succeeded each other three times; +so that, by my reckoning, I must +have remained three days in those sequestered +shades, which are hidden +from our view.’—‘My master must +be in the right,’ said Sancho, ‘for as +all those things have happened by inchantment, +perhaps what appeared +but one hour to us, might seem three +days and nights to your worship.’—‘It +may be so,’ answered the knight. +Then the student asking if his worship +had eaten any thing in all that +time, ‘I have not tasted one mouthful,’ +said he, ‘nor had I the least sensation +of hunger.’—‘And do those who are +inchanted, eat?’ resumed the scholar, +‘They do not eat,’ answered Don Quixote, +‘nor do they void the larger excrements, +though, it is supposed, that +their nails, beards, and hair, are always +growing.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Here Sancho desired to know, if ever +those inchanted gentry enjoyed the benefit +of sleep. To which interrogation his +master replied, ‘No, surely; at least, in +those three days that I passed among +them, neither they nor myself once +closed an eye.’—‘Here then,’ said the +squire, ‘we may conveniently trust in +the proverb, Tell me your company, +and I’ll tell you your manners. +While your worship keeps company +with inchanted people, who are always +fasting and watching, it is no +great wonder if you neither eat nor +sleep while you are among them; but +really, Signior, your worship must +forgive me, if I say, that of all you +have told us, God take me, I was +going to say the devil, if I believe +one circumstance.’—‘How!’ cried the +scholar, ‘then Signior Don Quixote +must have lyed: who even if we could +entertain such a supposition, has not +<span class='pageno' id='Page_389'>389</span>had time to compose and contrive such +a number of fables.’—‘I do not believe +that my master tells lies,’ answered +Sancho. ‘What, then, is thy +conception?’ said the knight. ‘I conceive,’ +replied Sancho, ‘that Merlin, +or those magicians who have inchanted +the whole rabble which your worship +hath seen and discoursed with below, +have likewise stuffed your noddle +or memory with all that nonsense +which you have already recounted, as +well as what you have left untold.’—‘That +might be the case,’ said Don +Quixote, ‘but I assure you it is not so +at present; for what I have recounted +I saw with my own eyes, and touched +with my own hands. But, what wilt +thou say, when I now tell thee, that +among an infinite number of other +wonderful things, which I shall relate +hereafter in the course of our +travels, as they do not all belong to +this place, Montesinos shewed me +three country-wenches, leaping and +skipping like so many goats through +those delightful plains; and scarce +had I set eyes on them, when I recognize +them to be the peerless Dulcinea, +and those two individual young +women, with whom we spoke in the +neighbourhood of Toboso. When +I asked Montesinos if he knew them, +he answered in the negative, but said +he took them to be some inchanted +ladies of quality; for they had appeared +but a few days in that meadow; +nor ought I to wonder at that circumstance, +forasmuch as in the same place +there were many ladies of the past +and present age, inchanted in different +and strange forms; among whom he +recollected Queen Ginebra and her +duenna Quintanona, who was skinker +to Lancelot, when he came from +Britain.’ Sancho, hearing his master +talk in this manner, was ready +to run distracted, or burst with laughing; +for, knowing the truth of the +feigned inchantment of Dulcinea, of +which indeed he himself had been the +author and evidence, he was convinced +beyond all doubt, that his master +was stark-staring mad; and in that +persuasion exclaimed, ‘In evil hour, +accursed season, and unlucky day, my +dear master, did your worship go +down to the other world; and in a +mischievous moment did you meet +with Signior Montesinos, who has +sent you back in such a woeful +condition. Well was your worship +here above, in your sound judgment, +such as God had bestowed upon you, +saying sentences, and giving counsel +at every turn, and not as at present, +venting a heap of the greatest nonsense, +that was ever conceived.’—‘I +know thee too well, Sancho,’ answered +Don Quixote, ‘to mind what +thou sayest.’—‘And I, in like manner,’ +replied the squire, ‘know you +too well to regard what you say: +wound me, or confound me, or kill +me if you will, for what I have said, +and what I mean to say, if your worship +does not mend and correct your +own speeches; but, now we are at +peace, pray tell me how or by what +token you came to know our lady mistress, +and if you spoke to her, what +answer she made?’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘I knew her again,’ replied the +knight, ‘by the same cloaths she wore +when thou thyself didst shew her to +my astonished eyes; I likewise addressed +myself to her, but she answered +not a syllable; on the contrary, she +turned about, and fled so swiftly, +that an arrow would not have overtaken +her: nevertheless, I wished to +follow, and would certainly have pursued +her, had not Montesinos advised +me not to fatigue myself; for it would +be to no purpose, and besides, it was +time for me to return to the light +above. He likewise told me, that, +in process of time, he would give me +notice in what manner he, Durandarte, +Belerma, and all the rest, in +those sequestered shades, were to be +disenchanted. But what of all I saw +and observed gave me the greatest +pain was this; while I was engaged +in this conversation with Montesinos, +one of the hapless Dulcinea’s companions +came up to me, unperceived, +and with tears in her eyes, thus accosted +me, in a low and whimpering +voice: “My Lady Dulcinea Del Toboso +kisses your worship’s hands, +and begs your worship will be pleased +to let her know how your worship +does; moreover, being in great necessity, +she supplicates your worship, +in the most earnest manner, to be +pleased to lend her, upon this her new +cotton under petticoat, half a dozen +<span class='pageno' id='Page_390'>390</span>rials, or any small matter your worship +can spare, which upon her honest +word, shall be restored in a very +short time.” This message filled +me with surprize and concern; and +turning to the sage, “Is it possible, +Signior Montesinos,” said I, “that +people of condition are exposed to +necessity, in a state of inchantment?” +To this question he replied, “Take +my word for it, Signior Don Quixote +de La Mancha, that which we +call necessity is known in all states, +extending to all conditions, prevailing +among every class of people, +and not even sparing those who are +inchanted; and since Signora Dulcinea +Del Toboso sends to beg these +six rials, and the pledge seems to +be well worth the money, you +had better let her have them; for +she must certainly be in great trouble.”—“The +pledge I will not +touch,” said I, “nor indeed can I +comply with her request; for I have +not above four rials!” which I gave +her; and these were the very individual +pieces which I received from thee, +Sancho, t’other day, in order to give +away in charity to the poor I might +meet with on the road, “Sweet-heart,” +said I, “tell your lady that +her distress affects me to the very +soul, and I wish I were as rich as +Fouckar<a id='r158'></a><a href='#f158' class='c008'><sup>[158]</sup></a> to remove it; let her +know, that I neither can, nor will +enjoy health while deprived of her +agreeable presence and improving +conversation; and that I fervently +and earnestly beg her goodness will +be pleased to indulge with her company, +this her captive servant and +afflicted knight. Tell her also, that, +when least she dreams of any such +matter, she shall hear that I have +made a vow, like that which was +sworn by the Marquis of Mantua, +to revenge his cousin Valdovinos; +when he found him at the last gasp, +in the middle of the mountain; +namely, that he would not eat from +off a table-cloth, together with some +whimsical additions, until he should +have revenged his death; and, in like +manner, I will swear never to be +quiet, but traverse the seven divisions +of the globe, more punctually than +did the infant Don Pedro of Portugal<a id='r159'></a><a href='#f159' class='c008'><sup>[159]</sup></a>, +until she be restored to the +upper world.”—“All that and +much more you owe to my lady,” +said the damsel; who, taking the rials +instead of curtseying, cut a caper in +the air two yards high.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘O holy God!’ cried Sancho, with +a loud voice, ‘is it possible that those +inchanters and enchantments should +have such power to change the good +sense of my master into such nonsensical +madness! O Signior, Signior! +for the love of God, look to yourself, +have some respect for your own honour, +and give no credit to those vanities, +which have diminished and +disturbed your senses.’—‘Thy regard +for me, Sancho, makes thee +talk in that manner,’ answered the +knight: ‘and as thou art not experienced +in the events of this world, +every thing that is uncommon, to +thee seems impossible; but the time +will come, as I have already observed, +when I shall recount some +circumstances which I saw below, +that will compel thee to believe what +I have now related, the truth of which +neither admits of dispute or reply.’</p> + +<h4 id='chap3-2-7' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='seven'>VII.</abbr> <br> IN WHICH ARE RECOUNTED A THOUSAND FOOLERIES,<br> EQUALLY IMPERTINENT,<br> AND NECESSARY TO THE TRUE UNDERSTANDING OF THIS SUBLIME HISTORY.</h4> +<p class='c004'>He who translated this sublime +history from the original, composed +by its first author Cid Hamet +<span class='pageno' id='Page_391'>391</span>Benengeli, says, that coming to the +chapter which treats of the adventure +of the cave, he found this observation +written on the margin in the handwriting +of the said Hamet.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘I cannot conceive or persuade myself +that the valiant Don Quixote literally +saw and heard all that is recounted +in the foregoing chapter, for +this reason: all the adventures in +which he has hitherto been engaged, +are feasible and likely to have happened; +but this of the cave I can by no +means believe true, in any circumstance, +because it is so wide of all +reason and probability; then to suppose +that Don Quixote would tell +lyes, he that was the truest gentleman +and most noble knight of his time! +it is not possible! He certainly would +have suffered himself to be shot to +death, rather than deviate one tittle +from the truth; besides, I consider +that he explained and recounted the +adventure so circumstantially, that he +could not be supposed to have contrived +extempore such a large concatenation +of extravagances; but, after +all, should the adventure seem apocryphal, +the blame cannot be laid to +my door, and therefore I give it to +the publick without affirming it either +to be true or false. Reader, if thou +hast discernment, thou mayest judge +for thyself; for it is neither my duty, +nor is it in my power to do more: +though it is held for certain, that the +knight, on his death-bed, retracted +the whole, saying he had invented the +story because it seemed to agree and +quadrate with those adventures he had +read in his books.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Then the Arabian proceeds in his +history to this effect.</p> + +<p class='c005'>The scholar was equally astonished +at the presumption of Sancho Panza +and the forbearance of his master, and +concluded that the satisfaction he derived +from having seen his mistress +Dulcinea del Toboso, even though inchanted, +had produced that milkiness of +temper, which was now so remarkable; +had not this been the case, Sancho’s +freedom and remarks were such as +would have brought a wooden shower +upon his shoulders; for he was downright +impertinent to his master, to whom +the student thus addressed himself: ‘For +my own part, Signior Don Quixote +de La Mancha, I look upon this as +the happiest journey I ever performed; +for, in the course of it, I have made +four valuable acquisitions. In the +first place, I have gained the acquaintance +of your worship, which I deem +a piece of singular felicity. Secondly, +I have been made acquainted with +what is locked up and contained in +the cave of Montesinos, together with +the Metamorphoses of Guadiana, +and the Lakes of Ruydera; transmutations +that will aptly fill a place in +the Spanish Ovid which I have in +hand. Thirdly, I have discovered +the antiquity of card-playing, which, +at least, must be as old as the time of +Charlemagne, as may be gathered +from the words which your worship +heard Durandarte pronounce, when, +at the end of that long harangue of +Montesinos, he awoke and said, “Patience, +and shuffle the cards.” For +that phrase and manner of speaking +he could not have learned during his +inchantment; but certainly, when he +was alive and well in France, during +the reign of the said Charlemagne: +and this investigation comes pat to +the purpose, for the other book which +I am composing; I mean, the Supplement +to Polydore Virgil, on the invention +of antiquities; for I take it +for granted, he has forgot to insert in +his book the discovery of card-playing, +which I will now explain, and +doubtless it will be a very material +circumstance, especially when confirmed +by such a grave and authentick evidence +as Signior Durandarte. Fourthly +and lastly, I have now ascertained +the source of the Guadiana, hitherto +unknown among the nations.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘You have indeed good reason to be +satisfied,’ replied the knight; ‘but I +should be glad to know, if, by God’s +assistance, you should obtain a licence +for printing those books, (which is a +matter of doubt with me) to what +patron you intend they should be dedicated?’—‘There +are plenty of lords +and grandees in Spain,’ answered the +scholar, ‘to whom they may be dedicated.’—‘But +a very few,’ said Don +Quixote; ‘not but that a great many +deserve dedications, but because few +will receive them, that they may not +lay themselves under the obligation of +making such a recompence as may +seem due to the labour and courtesy +of authors: one prince, indeed, I +<span class='pageno' id='Page_392'>392</span>know, who supplies the defect of the +rest with such advantages, that if I +durst presume to describe them, I +might perhaps excite envy in many +noble hearts. But let that circumstance +rest till a more convenient season; +and, in the mean time, let us endeavour +to find some place where we +may procure a night’s lodging.’—‘Not +far from hence,’ replied the student, +‘is an hermitage where lives an +anchorite, who is said to have been a +soldier, and bears the character of +being a good Christian, and moreover +a very discreet and charitable man: +adjoining to the hermitage is a little +house, built by the labour of his own +hands, which, though narrow, is +large enough to receive travellers.’—‘Can +that same hermitage produce any +poultry?’ said Sancho. ‘There are +few hermitages destitute of that provision,’ +answered the knight; ‘for the +anchorites of these days are not like +those who dwelt in the desarts of +Egypt, cloathing themselves with +palm-leaves, and subsisting on the +roots of the earth. And here I would +not be understood to extol one sort, +in order to depreciate another; for the +penance now in use does not come up +to the rigour and austerity of those +times. Nevertheless, they are all +good, at least, so I suppose them to be +be; and even should the stream run +foul, the hypocrite, who cloaks his +knavery, is less dangerous to the +commonwealth than he who transgresses +in the face of day.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>This conversation was interrupted by +the appearance of a man coming towards +them on foot, walking fast, and +switching a mule loaded with lances +and halberts: when he came up he +saluted them, and passed on at a good +pace, and Don Quixote perceiving his +hurry, ‘Honest friend,’ said he, ‘pray +stop a little, for you seem to go faster +than your mule could wish.’—‘Signior,’ +answered the man, ‘I cannot +tarry at present, because these arms +of which I have the charge, are to +be used to-morrow morning, so that +I cannot possibly stay, therefore adieu: +but if you desire to know for what +purpose they were procured, at the +inn which is beyond the hermitage I +have some thoughts of taking my +night’s lodging, and if you are travelling +the same road, there you will +find me, and there you shall hear +strange tidings; so, once more I bid +you farewel.’ So saying, he whipped +up the mule in such a manner, +that Don Quixote had not time to ask +another question concerning those strange +tidings which he promised to relate; +but, being extremely curious, and continually +fatigued with the desire of +learning novelties, he ordered his company +to set off that instant, and proceed +to the inn, without touching at +the hermitage, where the scholar wished +to pass the evening. In compliance +with the knight’s desire, all three mounted +their beasts, and followed the direct +road to the inn, which they reached a +little before the twilight. The student, +however, proposed that they should call +and take a draught at the hermitage. +Sancho Panza, hearing this proposal, +immediately turned Dapple’s head towards +it, being followed by Don Quixote +and the scholar: but his ill luck +seemed to have ordained, that the hermit +should not be at home, as they were +told by an under-hermit, whom they +found in the place. When the squire +demanded a flask of his best and dearest, +he answered, that his master had no +wine, but if he chose a pitcher of his +cheapest water, he should have it with all +his heart. ‘If I had chosen water,’ said +Sancho, ‘there is plenty of wells upon +the road, from which I might have +quenched my thirst. O the wedding +of Camacho! and the abundance of +Don Diego’s house! how often shall +I lament the loss of you?’</p> + +<p class='c005'>When he had uttered this ejaculation, +they quitted the hermitage, and +pushed on towards the inn; and having +rode forwards a little way, they +overtook a lad who travelled the same +road at his own leisure: he carried a +sword over his shoulder, that supported +a bundle of cloaths, which seemed to +consist of trousers, a cloak, and shirt; +for he wore a velvet jacket with some +slips of sattin, and the shirt hanging +out; he had silk stockings, and square-toed +shoes in the court fashion; his age +seemed to be about eighteen or nineteen; +he had a sprightly countenance, and an +agility in his person; he amused himself +in singing couplets to beguile the +fatigue of travelling, and when they +overtook him, had just finished one, +which the student remembered to have +run in this strain.</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c012'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_393'>393</span>‘To the wars my necessity drags me away,</div> + <div class='line'>But if I had money at home I would stay.’</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>The first who accosted him was Don +Quixote, saying, ‘You travel very light, +young gentleman; pray, good now, +whither may you be going?’ To this +interrogation the youth replied, ‘I travel +so light on account of poverty, and +the heat of the weather; and I am +going to the wars.’—‘The heat may +be a very good reason,’ resumed the +knight; ‘but how should poverty be the +cause of your travelling in that manner?’—‘Signior,’ +answered the youth, +‘I carry in this bundle a pair of velvet +trunk-breeches, fellows to this jacket, +which if I wear out in the country, +they will do me no credit in town, +and I have not wherewithal to purchase +a reinforcement; for this reason, +therefore, and the benefit of the free +air, I travel as you see me, until I +get up with some companies of foot, +which are quartered at a town about +twelve leagues from hence; there I +shall inlist among them, and there will +not be wanting some baggage-waggon, +in which I may proceed to the +place of embarkation, which they say +is to be Carthagena; and I would +much rather have the king for my lord +and master, and serve him in his wars, +than be the lacquey of some scoundrel +at court.’—‘And have you obtained +any post?’ said the scholar. ‘Had I +served a grandee of Spain, or some +person of quality,’ replied the youth, +‘I should certainly have got something +of that kind; for this is the advantage +of being in good service, that a +man is frequently preferred from the +back of his master’s chair to a pair +of colours, a company, or some handsome +provision: but it was my unhappy +fate to be always in the service +of poor idle rascals, or foreigners, +who give such a miserable and consumptive +allowance of board-wages, +that one half was expended in the +starching of a ruff; and it would be +looked upon as a miracle, if any such +page adventurer should obtain a tolerable +provision.’—‘And pray, +friend,’ said Don Quixote, ‘is is possible, +that during all the years you +have been in service, you never had a +livery?’—‘Yes,’ answered the page, +‘I have had two; but, as he who quits +a convent before he professes, is stripped +of his habit, and obliged to resume +his own cloaths, so was I served +by my masters, who, after having +transacted the business that brought +them to court, returned to their own +homes, and took back the liveries, +which they had given me out of mere +ostentation.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘A very scandalous espilocheria<a id='r160'></a><a href='#f160' class='c008'><sup>[160]</sup></a>, +indeed, as the Italians call it,’ said +Don Quixote; ‘but, notwithstanding, +you may think yourself very happy +in having left the court with such a +laudable intention; for there is nothing +upon earth more productive of +honour and profit, next to the service +of God, than the service of the king, +our natural lord and master; especially +in the exercise of arms, by +which more honour, if not more +wealth, is acquired than by learning +itself; for, as I have divers and sundry +times observed, although a greater +number of families has been raised by +learning than by arms, yet those founded +upon arms rise, I don’t know how, +above their fellows, with a kind of +natural splendor, by which all others +are outshone; and what I am now going +to say, I desire you will lay up in +your remembrance, for it will be of +much comfort and utility to you, in +the midst of all your sufferings: never +entertain a thought of what adversity +may happen, for the worst is death; +and provided it comes with honour, it +is the greatest happiness to die. Julius +Cæsar, that valiant emperor of Rome, +being asked which was the most agreeable +death, answered, “That which +is sudden, unexpected, and unforeseen:” +and though this reply savoured +of the pagan, ignorant of the knowledge +of the true God, nevertheless, +with regard to his being freed from +the pangs of human infirmity, he said +well; for supposing you should be +slain in the first action or skirmish, +either by a cannon ball, or the explosion +of a mine, what does it signify? +we must all die, and there is an end +to the whole; and, according to Terence, +a dead soldier, who falls in battle, +makes a much nobler appearance +than one who lives by running away: +the good soldier acquires reputation +<span class='pageno' id='Page_394'>394</span>in proportion to the obedience he pays +to his captain, or those who have a +right to command him; and pray, +take notice, child, a soldier had much +better smell of gunpowder than of +civet; and if old age overtake you in +that noble employment, though you +should be covered over with wounds, +paralytick, or lame, it can never overtake +you without such honour as poverty +cannot diminish; especially now, +that provision is to be made for the +maintenance and relief of old disabled +soldiers; for it is not reasonable that +they should be treated like negro +slaves, to whom, when they are old +and incapable of service, their masters +often give their freedom, driving them +from their houses, and under the title +of liberty, leaving them still slaves to +hunger, which nothing but death can +dispel. This is all I have to say at +present; therefore get up and ride behind +me to the inn, where I shall treat +you with a supper, and in the morning +you may pursue your journey, +which I pray God may be as fortunate +as your intention is good.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>The page excused himself from riding +behind the knight, though he embraced +his invitation to supper at the inn; and +Sancho said within himself, ‘Lord +comfort thee for a master! Is it possible +that a man who can utter so many +good things, should affirm that he +has seen all that impossible nonsense +which he has told of the cave of +Montesinos! But, time is the trier of +all things.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>In such discourse they arrived at the +inn, just as it grew dark, and Sancho +was not a little rejoiced to find that his +master took it to be a real inn, and not +a castle, according to his usual whims. +They had scarcely entered, when Don +Quixote enquired of the landlord about +the man with the lances and halberts, +and understood he was in the stable, +providing for the accommodation of his +beast; an example which was followed +by the student and Sancho, who preferred +Rozinante to the best manger and +stall of the whole stable.</p> + +<h4 id='chap3-2-8' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='eight'>VIII.</abbr> <br> IN WHICH IS SET FORTH THE BRAYING ADVENTURE, AND THE DIVERTING ATCHIEVEMENT OF THE PUPPETS, WITH THE MEMORABLE RESPONSES OF THE DIVINING APE.</h4> +<p class='c004'>Don Quixote would not stay till +his bread was baked, as the saying +is, so impatient was he to hear and +know the strange tidings that were promised +by the arms-carrier, in quest of +whom he forthwith went to the place +where the landlord said he was; and +having found him, desired he would by +all means gratify him with a circumstantial +account of those things he had +mentioned on the road. ‘The account +of my strange tidings,’ answered the +man, ‘I shall give when I am more at +leisure, and not at work as I am at +present: if your worship will give me +time to take care of my beast, I will +tell you such things as you will be +surprized to hear.’—‘They shall not +be delayed on that account,’ said the +knight, ‘for I myself will lend you an +helping hand.’ He accordingly winnowed +the corn and cleaned the manger; +so that the man, induced by his humility, +could do no less than grant his request, +with good will: sitting down, +therefore, in a hollow of the wall, close +by Don Quixote, who, with the scholar, +page, Sancho Panza, and the inn-keeper, +composed his council and audience, he +began to relate what follows.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘You must know, gentlemen, that +in a village at the distance of four +leagues and a half from this inn, it +came to pass, that a certain alderman, +through the craft and malice +of a servant wench, which I have +not time to explain, lost an ass; and +though the said alderman used all +possible means to find him, he found +it impossible to succeed: fifteen days +had the ass been missing, according +to publick fame and report, when +the owner was, in the market-place, +accosted by another alderman of the +same town, who said, “Hansel me +for my good news, neighbour; your +beast has appeared.”—“That I will, +neighbour, and heartily,” answered +the other; “but let us know where +he has appeared.”—“Upon the +mountain,” replied the finder: “I +saw him this morning, without +pack-saddle or any sort of furniture; +and so lean, that it was piteous to +behold him. I would have driven +him before me, and brought him +<span class='pageno' id='Page_395'>395</span>home; but he is so wild and shy, +that when I went near him, he took +to his heels, and ran into the most +concealed part of the mountain: if +you chuse it, we two will go in quest +of him; stay till I house my own +beast, and I’ll return presently.”—“I +shall be much obliged to you,” +said he of the strayed ass; “and I +shall endeavour to repay you in the +same coin.” With these very circumstances, +and in the self-same +manner that I relate the affair to you, +it is told and related by all those who +have entered into the true spirit of +the case.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘In conclusion, the two aldermen +walked hand in hand to the mountain, +and coming to the place and +spot where they expected to find the +ass, they found him not; nor could +they get one glimpse of him, although +they searched all about, over and over. +Perceiving that he was not likely to +appear, “Heark ye, neighbour,” +said the alderman who had seen him, +“there is a contrivance come into my +head, by which we shall certainly +discover this animal, even though +he should be concealed in the bowels +of the earth, much more if he is +in this mountain; and that is this, +I have a marvellous knack at braying, +and if you have any turn +that way, you may conclude the +business is done.”—“Any turn, +neighbour!” cried the other: “by +the Lord! I will not yield in point +of braying to the best man alive, +not even to an identical ass,”—“We +shall see presently,” answered +the second alderman; “for my +intention is that you should go +to one side of the mountain, and +I to the other, so as to walk round +it quite, and every now and then +you shall bray, and I will bray; +and it cannot be but that the ass +will hear, and answer, if he is on +this mountain.” To this proposal +the owner replied, “Neighbour, it is +an excellent scheme, and worthy +your great genius.” So parting, +according to agreement, it came to +pass that both brayed almost at the +same time, and each being deceived +by the other’s braying ran forward +in hopes of finding the ass; when +perceiving their mistake, “Neighbour,” +said the loser, “is it possible +that was not my ass which +brayed just now?”—“No: it was +I,” answered the other. “Agad, +then,” cried the owner, “there is +not the least difference, in point of +braying, between you and an ass! +for in my life did I never hear or +see such a resemblance.”—“That +compliment and approbation,” answered +the contriver, “would be +much better bestowed upon yourself +than upon me, neighbour; for +by the God that made me, you would +give two heats of advantage to the +biggest and best brayer in Christendom; +for the sound you produce is +deep, sonorous, within proper time +and compass, and the falls frequent +and sharp; in a word, I own myself +overcome, and yield you the palm +and banner of that rare talent.”—“By +the mass!” said the owner, “I +will from henceforward have a higher +opinion of my own ability, and believe +I know something, since I really +possess such a gift; for although +I always thought I brayed tolerably +well, I never imagined I excelled so +much as you say I do.”—“I therefore +tell you,” replied the other, +“that many rare talents are lost in this +world; and that they are ill-bestowed +on those who cannot turn +them to advantage.”—“Ours,” +said the owner, “except in such +cases as this, that we have now in +hand, can be but of little service, +and even in this God grant it may +turn to account.”</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘After these mutual compliments +they parted a second time, and began +to bray again; but still they were +deceived, and met as before, until, +by way of counter-signal, from +which they might know one another, +they agreed to bray twice in a breath: +accordingly they doubled their brayings, +and encompassed the whole +mountain, without being favoured +with the least answer or sign from +the strayed ass; and, indeed, no wonder, +the poor unfortunate animal did +not answer; for they found him in +the remotest part of the wood, almost +devoured by the wolves. The owner +seeing him in this plight, “I marvelled +much,” said he, “that he did +not answer, for had he been alive +and heard you, he must have brayed +again, else he had been no ass; but +<span class='pageno' id='Page_396'>396</span>as I have had the pleasure of hearing +you bray so melodiously, neighbour, +I think my trouble well bestowed, +even although I have found him +dead.”—“’Tis in good hands, neighbour,” +replied the other; “for in +chanting the clerk is not a whit inferior +to the curate.”</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Having made these mutual remarks, +they returned to the village, equally +hoarse and disconsolate, and recounted +to their friends, neighbours, and +acquaintance, what had happened to +them, in their searching for the ass, +extolling one another to the skies for +the talent of braying; so that every +circumstance of the story was related +among the neighbouring villages; +and the devil, who is never at rest, +but always glad of an opportunity +to sow discord and scatter quarrels, +raising lyes in the wind, and huge +chimeras from little or no foundation, +so ordered matters, that the +people of the other villages, when +they saw any person belonging to our +town, began to bray, as if to hit +him in the teeth with the braying of +our aldermen. The story was taken +up by the boys, which was all one +as if he had fallen into the hands and +mouths of all the devils in hell, and +the braying was circulated from one +town to another in such a manner, +that the natives of the village of +Braywick are as well known and distinguished +as a Blackmore from a +Spaniard; and this joke has become +so serious, that our townsmen have +frequently gone forth in arms and regular +order to give battle to the jokers, +without any regard to king or rook, +or fear or shame; I believe that tomorrow +or next day, the men of +Braywick will take the field once +more against the people of another +village within two leagues of us, who +are our chief persecutors; and that +we may be well provided for the occasion, +I have purchased the lances +and halberts, you have seen. Now +these are the strange tidings which I +said I would relate; and if you do +not think them so, I have no other +worth your hearing.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Thus the honest man concluded his +story; and at that instant came into +the house, a man cloathed in a doublet, +breeches, and hose of shamoy-leather, +who said with a loud voice, +‘So ho, Mr. Landlord! have you got +any lodging for the fortune-telling +ape, and the puppet-shew of the deliverance +of Melisendra?’—‘Odd’s +bodikins!’ cried the inn-keeper, ‘Master +Peter here! we shall have rare doings +i’faith.’ We forgot to observe +that the left-eye, and half of the cheek +of this Master Peter was covered with +a patch of green silk, from whence it +was supposed all that side of the face +laboured under some infirmity. Be +that as it will, the innkeeper proceeded, +saying, ‘Welcome, good Master Peter; +but where is the ape and the +puppet-shew? for I see neither.’—‘They +are at hand,’ answered the owner +of the shamoy-suit; ‘but I came before +to know whether or not we could have +lodging.’—‘The Duke D’Alva himself +should be turned out to make +room for Master Peter,’ said the landlord; +‘bring hither your ape and your +shew, for there is company in the +house that will pay for a sight of +them.’—‘In good time, then,’ replied +the wearer of the patch. ‘I will +lower the price, and think myself well +paid, if they defray the expence of +my lodging; meanwhile, I’ll go and +lead hither the cart that contains my +puppets and my ape.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>So saying, he went out; and Don +Quixote enquiring who this Master Peter +was, with the puppet-shew and ape, the +landlord replied, ‘This is a famous +puppet-shew man, who had long travelled +through La Mancha and Arragon, +representing the story of Melisendra, +who was delivered by the +famous Don Gayferos, one of the +most entertaining and best represented +histories which have been for many +years seen in this kingdom; he likewise +carries along with him an ape of +the rarest talent that ever was known +among apes, or conceived among men: +for if you ask any question, it listens +attentively to what you say, then leaping +upon his master’s shoulders, and +clapping its mouth to his ear, it gives +an answer, which Master Peter immediately +explains. Of things that +are past it says much more than of +those that are to come, and though +it does not hit the truth exactly in +every thing, it errs but seldom; so +that we are inclined to believe it is inspired +by the devil. Every question +costs a couple of rials, provided the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_397'>397</span>ape answers; I mean, supposing the +master answers for the ape, after it +has whispered in his ear; wherefore, +Master Peter is thought to be woundy +rich: indeed, he is a gallant man, as +they say in Italy, an excellent companion, +and lives the pleasantest life +in the world; he talks as much as any +six, and drinks more than a dozen, +and all at the expence of his tongue, +his ape, and his puppet-shew.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Just as he spoke these words, Master +Peter returned with the cart that contained +the puppets and the ape, which +was a very large animal, without a tail; +his buttocks were like felt, but not ugly +withal; and Don Quixote no sooner beheld +him than he asked, ‘Pray, Mr. +Fortune-teller, what have we got in +the net? what fortune awaits us? Behold, +here are my two rials.’ So saying, +he ordered Sancho to give them to +Mr. Peter; who answered in the name +of the ape, ‘Signior, this animal +gives no response or intelligence concerning +what is to come; he is only +acquainted with the past, and knows +something of the present.’—‘Rabbit +it!’ cried Sancho, ‘I would not give +a doit to be told of the past; for who +knows that better than myself; and to +pay for being informed of what I know, +would be downright folly; but since +he knows the present, here are my two +rials; and tell me, good your apeship, +how my wife Teresa Panza is at present +employed?’ Master Peter refused +to take the money; saying, ‘I will not +receive a premium per advance, until +it is preceded by service.’ Then clapping +his hand twice upon his left shoulder, +the ape with one skip, leaped upon +it, and laying its mouth to his ear, +began to mow and chatter with great +eagerness; having made this motion, +which continued as long time as one +would take in repeating the creed, with +another skip he leaped upon the ground. +Immediately Master Peter, with infinite +hurry, threw himself on his knees +before Don Quixote, and hugging his +shins, exclaimed, ‘These legs I embrace, +as I would embrace the pillars +of Hercules, O thou celebrated reviver +of the already forgotten order +of knight-errantry! thou never enough +to be applauded cavalier Don Quixote +de La Mancha; the soul of the dejected, +the prop of the falling, the +shield of those that are fallen, the staff +and comfort of all the unhappy!’ +Don Quixote was alarmed, Sancho +thunderstruck; the scholar surprized, +the page confounded, the Braywick +carrier amazed, the landlord astonished, +and, in a word, admiration prevailed +among all those who heard the words +of the shewman; while he proceeded, +saying, ‘And thou, worthy Sancho +Panza, the best squire of the bravest +knight in the universe, be merry and +rejoice; for thine agreeable helpmate +Teresa is in good health, and this +very moment employed in dressing a +pound of flax; by the same token, +there stands at her right-hand a broken +mouthed pitcher, containing a good +sup of wine, with which she comforts +herself while she is at work.’—‘That +I can easily believe,’ answered Sancho; +‘for she is a rare one, and if she +was not a little given to jealousy, I +would not exchange her for the giantess +Andandona, who, as my master +says, was a very proper and compleat +housewife; and truly my Teresa is +one of those who will live to their +heart’s content, even though their +heirs pay for it.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘I am now convinced,’ said Don +Quixote, ‘that he who reads and travels +much, will see and learn a great +deal. This observation I make, because +no arguments would have been +sufficient to persuade me, that there +are apes in the world endowed with +the gift of divination, as I have this +day seen with my own eyes; for I am +the very Don Quixote named by that +good animal, which, however, has expatiated +rather too much in my praise; +but be that as it may, I give thanks +to God, who bestowed upon me a mild +and compassionate disposition, ever inclined +to do good to all mankind, and +harm to no person whatever.’—‘If I +had money,’ said the page, ‘I would +ask Signior Ape, what will be the +success of my present perigrination?’ +To this hint, Master Peter, who had +rose from his prostration, replied, ‘I +have already told you, that this creature +does not answer for what is to +come; if he did, your want of money +would be no objection; for, in order to +to serve Don Quixote here present, I +would willingly forfeit all the interested +views in the world; and now, as in +duty bound, I will, for his amusement, +set up my shew, and divert all +<span class='pageno' id='Page_398'>398</span>the people in the house, without fee or +reward.’ The landlord, hearing this +declaration, was rejoiced beyond measure, +and pointed out a proper place for +the exhibition of his entertainment, +which was prepared in a twinkling.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Don Quixote was not very well satisfied +with the divinations of the ape, as +he did not think it natural for such an +animal to divine, in things either past, +present, or to come; and, therefore, while +Master Peter was busy in setting up his +shew, he retired, with his squire, to a +corner of the stable, where they could +confer together without being overheard, +and spoke to this effect: ‘Hark +ye, Sancho, I have considered this +wonderful talent of the ape; and, according +to my notion, this same Master +Peter, its owner, must certainly +have made a secret or express pact +with the devil.’—‘Nay, if it be the +devil’s pack,’ answered Sancho, ‘it +must be a very dirty pack; but what +signifies such a pack to Master Peter?’—‘Sancho,’ +replied the knight, ‘you +do not understand my meaning; what +I would say is, that he must certainly +have made some concert with the devil +who hath infused this talent into +the ape, by which he gains his livelihood; +and when he becomes rich, +he must yield him his soul, which is +the aim of that universal enemy of +mankind; and what confirms me in +this opinion, is, that the ape answers +no questions but such as regard the +past and present time: now, the devil’s +understanding reaches no farther; +what is to come he knows only +by conjecture, and that not always; +for it is the attribute of God alone to +know times and seasons; to him there +is neither past nor future, but all things +are ever present to his eyes. This being +the case, as doubtless it is, the ape +certainly speaks from the inspiration +of the devil; and I am surprized it +hath not been accused and examined +by the holy office, which would soon +discover by virtue of whom it presumes +to divine; for surely this ape +is no astrologer, nor did he or his +master ever raise, or were capable of +raising, those figures called judicial, +which are now so common in Spain, +that every pitiful little hussy, page, +and even cobler, has the impudence +to raise an horoscope, as readily as a +knave of trumps, from the ground, +ruining and disgracing, by their ignorance +and falsities, the wonderful +truth of that noble science. One lady +I myself know, who having enquired +of one of those pretenders, whether +a little bitch she had would have puppies, +how many, and of what colour +they would be; Mr. Astrologer, after +having raised his figure, replied, +that the bitch would bring forth three +puppies, one of a green, another of +carnation, and a third of a mixed +colour, provided the bitch would take +the dog between the hours of eleven +and twelve at noon or night, on Saturday +or Monday. Notwithstanding +this prediction, the bitch died in three +days of a surfeit; and yet Mr. Figure-caster +was still esteemed in the +place a most infallible astrologer, as +almost all those fellows are.’—‘Nevertheless,’ +answered Sancho, ‘I wish +your worship would desire Master +Peter to ask his ape, if what happened +to your worship in the cave of Montesinos +is really true; as for my own +part, begging your worship’s pardon, +I cannot for the blood of me help +thinking it was all a flam and a lye, +or at least no better than a dream.’—‘It +may be so,’ replied Don Quixote: +‘But I will take thy advice; for truly, +I myself have some sort of scruples +about the matter.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Here he was interrupted by the arrival +of Mr. Peter, who came to tell him +that the shew was ready, and invite him +to come and see it; for it would be well +worth his trouble. Then the knight +imparted his sentiments, desiring he +would ask the ape whether or not certain +incidents that happened in the cave +of Montesinos, were dreams or realities, +for to him the whole seemed to be a +mixture of both, Master Peter, without +answering one word, went and +brought the ape into the presence of Don +Quixote and Sancho, and thus accosted +it: ‘Look ye, Mr. Ape, this knight +wants to know, whether certain things +that happened to him in a place called +the cave of Montesinos be true or +false.’ Then making the usual signal, +the creature leaped upon his left-shoulder, +and seemingly whispered something +in his ear. In consequence of this communication, +‘The ape,’ said Master +Peter, ‘declares, that part of what your +worship saw and underwent in that +same cave is false, and part is likely to +<span class='pageno' id='Page_401'>401</span>be true; and this, and nothing else, is +all he knows touching that interrogation: +but if your worship desires to be +farther informed he will next Friday +answer all the questions you can ask; +at present his virtue has left him, and +will not return till Friday, as I have +already observed.’—‘Signior,’ said +Sancho to his master, ‘did not I always +affirm your worship should never make +me believe that all, or even the half of +those accidents you pretended to have +met with in the cave was true?’—‘The +event will shew,’ answered Don +Quixote; ‘for there is nothing that +time, the discoverer of all things, will +not bring to light, even though it +should be hidden in the bowels of the +earth. Let that suffice for the present; +and now we will go and see the +puppet-shew of honest Master Peter, +which I really believe will be productive +of some novelty.’—‘Of some!’ +cried master Peter: ‘my shew is productive +of sixty thousand. Why, I +tell your worship, Signior Don Quixote, +there is nothing equal to it in the +whole world; but, <span lang="la"><i>Operibus credite & +non verbis</i></span>: let us begin presently; +for it grows late, and we have a great +deal to do, to say, and to shew.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>In consequence of this request, Don +Quixote and Sancho repaired to the +place where the puppet-shew was set up, +and set forth with a great number of +little wax-lights, which made a most +resplendent appearance. Master Peter +withdrew within the curtain, in order to +play the figures of the piece; and on +the outside sat a boy, who was his servant, +to interpret and explain the mysteries +of the shew, holding a wand, +with which he pointed out the puppets +as they entered. All the people of the +inn being seated, some fronting the +stage, and Don Quixote with Sancho, +the page and the scholar, accommodated +with the best places, the dragoman began +to pronounce that which will be +heard and seen by those who will take +the trouble to read or peruse the following +chapter.</p> +<h4 id='chap3-2-9' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='nine'>IX.</abbr> <br> IN WHICH IS CONTINUED THE DIVERTING ADVENTURE OF THE PUPPET-SHEW;<br> WITH OTHER MATTERS REALLY ENTERTAINING ENOUGH.</h4> +<p class='c004'>Universal silence prevailed +among Tyrians as well as Trojans; +that is, all the spectators of the +shew sat in silent expectation, suspended +as it were on the mouth of him who +was appointed to expound the wonders +of the piece; when their ears were saluted +with the sound of attabals, trumpets, +and artillery, that issued from behind +the scene; and this noise being +soon over, the boy thus began in an +audible voice: ‘This true history, +which will now be represented before +the honourable company, is literally +extracted from the French chronicles +and Spanish ballads, which may be +heard every day repeated in the streets +by man, woman, and child. It exhibits +the manner in which Signior Don +Gayferos accomplished the deliverance +of his spouse Melisendra, who was a +captive in Spain, detained by the +Moors in the city of Sansuenna, +which was formerly the name given +to what we now call Saragossa; and +pray, gentlemen, take notice, Don +Gayferos is playing at tables, according +to the old song:</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c012'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘“Now Gayferos, at tables playing,</div> + <div class='line'>Of Melisendra thinks no more.”</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>‘And that personage who next appears, +with a crown on his head and +a sceptre in his hand, is the emperor +Charlemagne, the supposed father of +Melisendra, who, vexed at the indolence +and carelessness of his son-in-law, +comes forth to chide him; and +observe with what vehemence and +keenness he seems to scold; one would +imagine he intended to give him half +a dozen raps on the pate with his +sceptre; nay, some authors say that he +actually did bestow them, aye, and +that with very good-will: after having +said abundance of things concerning +the risk his honour would run, +if he did not effect the deliverance of +his spouse, he is reported to have added +these words, “I have said enough, +look to it.” Behold, gentlemen, how +the emperor turns about and walks +off, leaving Don Gayferos in a fume, +who, in the impatience of his anger, +throws away the tablet and pieces, and +<span class='pageno' id='Page_402'>402</span>calls hastily for his armour, desiring +his cousin Orlando to lend him his +sword Durindana. Don Orlando will +not comply with his request; but +offers to attend him in his difficult +enterprize: however, the provoked +hero will not accept of his offer; on +the contrary, he says his own single arm +is sufficient to deliver his wife, even +though she were concealed in the profoundest +centre of the earth. So saying, +he goes in to arm, that he may +be able to set out with all expedition. +Gentlemen, turn your eyes to the +tower that appears yonder, and suppose +it one of the towers belonging +to the castle of Saragossa, now called +Aljaferia. That lady who stands in +the balcony in the Moorish dress is +the peerless Melisendra, who from +thence hath often cast her longing +eyes towards the road to France, and +consoled herself in her captivity, by +thinking on the city of Paris and her +valiant lord. Observe likewise a new +incident, the like of which perhaps +you have never seen before: don’t you +see that Moor stealing along silently +and softly, step by step, with his finger +on his mouth, behind Melisendra? +Now mind how he prints a kiss +in the very middle of her lips, and +with what eagerness she spits, and +wipes them with the sleeves of her +shift, lamenting aloud, and tearing, +for anger, her beautiful hair, as if it +had been guilty of the transgression. +Behold, now, that venerable Moor in +yon gallery; he is Marsilius, the king +of Sansuenna, who, having perceived +the insolence of the Moor, although +he was his own relation, and a great +favourite, orders him to be apprehended, +and carried through the principal +streets of the city, with the +criers before, and the rods behind, +with which he is to receive two hundred +stripes; and here you shall see +the sentence executed, almost as soon +as the crime is committed; for among +the Moors there is no copy of a +writ, trial, or delay, as in our courts +of justice.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Here Don Quixote interposing, said, +with a loud voice, ‘Boy, boy, follow your +story in a right line, without falling into +curves and crosses; for there is not so +much proof and counter-proof required +to bring truth to light.’—‘Sirrah,’ +cried Mr. Peter, from the curtain, +‘none of your vagaries, but follow +that gentleman’s counsel, which is +good and wholesome; sing your plain +song, without counterpoints; for you +may spin your thread so fine as to +break it.’—‘I shall obey your orders,’ +answered the boy, who proceeded, saying—</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘That there figure a horseback, +wrapped up in a cloak of Gascony, +is the very individual Don Gayferos, +to whom his only lady, by this time +revenged of the presumptuous and +enamoured Moor, talks with more +seeming composure from the battlements +of the tower, supposing him to +be some traveller, and between the +two passeth the whole discourse and +conversation, recorded in the ballad, +which says,</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c012'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘“Sir knight, if you to France do go,</div> + <div class='line'>For Gayferos enquire:”</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>‘together with what follows, which I +shall not at present repeat, because +prolixity engenders disgust. Let it +suffice that you see how Gayferos discovers +himself, and that we learn from +the joyful gestures of Melisendra, that +she recognizes her husband; especially +as we now see her let herself down +from the balcony, in order to get a-horseback +behind her loving spouse; +but as ill luck would have it, the +border of her under petticoat has +caught hold of one of the iron spikes +of the balcony, and there she hangs +dangling, without being able to reach +the ground: but you see how compassionate +Heaven brings relief in the +most pressing emergencies; for Don +Gayferos comes to her assistance, and +without minding whether or not the +rich petticoat may be torn, seizes +his lady, and by main force brings +her to the ground; then with one +jerk, sets her upon the crupper of his +horse, astride like a man, bidding her +hold fast, and throw her arms around +his neck, so as to cross them on his +breast, that she may be in no danger +of falling; for my Lady Melisendra +was not used to ride in that manner: +you likewise perceive how the horse, +by his neighing, expresses the satisfaction +he feels in carrying the valiant +and beautiful burden of his lord +and mistress. You see how they turn +about, and quitting the city, take the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_403'>403</span>road to Paris, with equal eagerness +and joy. Go in peace, ye peerless +pair of faithful lovers; may you arrive +in safety at your desired country, +without fortune’s raising any obstruction +to your happy journey; and may +the eyes of your friends and kindred +behold you enjoy in peace all the +days of your life, which I hope will +exceed the age of Nestor!’ Here Mr. +Peter interposing again, called aloud, +‘None of your flourishes, sirrah; seek +not to entangle yourself, for all affectation +is naught.’ The interpreter, +without answering a syllable, went on +in this manner. ‘There were not +wanting some idle eyes which nothing +can escape, and they, perceiving the +descent and flight of Melisendra, +gave notice of it to king Marsilio, who +straight gave orders for sounding to +arms: and behold the hurry and commotion +of the city, occasioned by the +sound of bells that ring in every minaret.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘It cannot be,’ cried Don Quixote. +‘In what regards the bells, Mr. Peter +is guilty of an impropriety; for the +Moors use no bells, but attabals or +kettle-drums, and a kind of dulcimers, +like those belonging to our +waits; so that the circumstance of +ringing bells in Sansuenna is a downright +absurdity.’ Mr. Peter hearing +this observation, left off ringing and +answered, ‘Signior Don Quixote, +your worship must not mind such +trifles, nor seek for that perfection +which is not to be found. How +many plays do you see every day represented, +full of impropriety and +absurdities? yet they happily run +their career, and are heard, not simply +with applause, but even with universal +admiration. Proceed, boy, and +let people talk; for, provided I fill +my pocket, I don’t care if there +should be more improprieties than +there are atoms in the sun.’—‘You +are in the right,’ replied the knight; +and thus the boy went on:</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Behold what a number of resplendent +cavalry marches out of the city +in pursuit of the two catholick lovers: +what a sound of trumpets, +tinkling of dulcimers, and rattling +of drums and kettle-drums! I am +afraid they will overtake and bring +them back tied to their horse’s tail, +and that would be a most dismal spectacle.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Don Quixote seeing such a number +of Moors, and hearing this uproar, +thought it was incumbent upon him to +assist the fugitives; and therefore starting +up, he pronounced with a loud +voice, ‘Never, while I breathe, will I +consent that such an injury should be +done in my presence to a knight so +famous, daring, and enamoured, as is +Don Gayferos: desist, ye base-born +plebeians; seek not to follow and +punish him, but face me in battle, +if you dare.’ With these words and +actions he unsheathed his sword, and +springing up to the puppet shew, began +with incredible agility and fury to lay +about him among the Moorish puppets, +demolishing some, beheading +others, maiming this, and hacking +that; and in the course of this exercise, +he fetched such a back-stroke, that +had not Mr. Peter stooped and squatted +down with great expedition, he would +have sliced off his head as easily as if it +had been made of ginger-bread. This +unfortunate shew-man exalting his +voice, ‘Hold, for the love of God! +Signior Don Quixote,’ said he, ‘and +take notice, that those whom you +overthrow, kill and destroy, are not +real Moors, but poor, harmless, little +figures of paste; consider, sinner that +I am! you are ruining me, by depriving +me of my livelihood.’ Notwithstanding +this remonstrance, the +knight continued to play away in a perfect +shower of back-strokes, fore strokes, +outside and inside, that fell as thick as +hail; so that in less than a couple of credos, +he brought the whole shew to the +ground, all the tackle and figures being +hewed down and dismembered; king +Marsilio himself sorely wounded, and the +crown, together with the head of the +emperor, cleft in twain. The whole audience +was involved in confusion; the +ape fled to the roof of the house, the +scholar trembled, the page was seized +with consternation, and Sancho Panza +himself overwhelmed with terror and +dismay; for, as he swore after the hurricane +subsided, he had never before seen +his master in such a frantick rage.</p> + +<p class='c005'>The puppet-shew being thus entirely +demolished, Don Quixote became a +little more composed, saying, ‘I wish +I had before me, at this very moment, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_404'>404</span>those who either do not, or +will not believe that knights-errant +are of any benefit or service to mankind, +that they might see what would +have become of the worthy Don +Gayferos, and the beautiful Melisendra, +had not I been present on this +occasion; certainly, by this time, they +would have been overtaken by these +dogs, who would have done them +some grievous injury: let knight-errantry, +therefore, live and flourish +above all things upon the face of the +earth.’—‘In a happy hour let it live,’ +cried Mr. Peter in a languid tone, ‘and +let me die, who am so unfortunate, +that I may say with king Rodrigo, +“Yesterday I was lord of Spain, and +now there is not one battlement I +can call my own.” Half an hour, +yea not half a minute is elapsed, since +I saw myself in possession of kings +and emperors; my stables, coffers, +and bags, were filled with an infinite +number of horses and other +gay particulars, and now I find myself +quite desolate and abased, poor +and beggarly, and, which is worst of +all, deprived of my ape, who in good +faith will make my teeth sweat, before +he returns to me his lawful master; +and all this misfortune I have suffered +from this here Sir Knight, who +is said to protect orphans, rectify +wrongs, and perform other charitable +actions; but, in me alone, his generous +intention has failed; blessed and +praised be the highest Heavens above! +In a word, the Knight of the Rueful +Figure is he by whom I and mine are +disfigured and undone.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Sancho Panza melted at this piteous +lamentation: ‘Do not weep, Mr. Peter,’ +said he, ‘do not whine so piteously, +or thou’lt break my heart, for +I’d have thee know, my master Don +Quixote is such a catholick and scrupulous +Christian, that provided he be +convinced of having done thee wrong, +he knows how to make amends, and +will satisfy and repay thee with double +interest.’—‘If Signior Don Quixote,’ +replied the shew-man, ‘will +make some atonement for the deeds +by which he has undone me, I shall +rest satisfied, and his worship’s conscience +will be at peace; for that man +cannot expect salvation who withholds +the effects of his neighbour +against his will, and refuses to make +restitution.’—‘You are in the right,’ +said Don Quixote; ‘but as yet I do +not know that I withhold any of +your effects, Mr. Peter.’—‘How! +none of mine?’ cried the shew-man, +‘and these unfortunate remains that +lie extended on the hard and barren +pavement, were they not thus scattered +and annihilated by the invincible +force of that redoubted arm? +to whom but me did their unhappy +bodies belong? and with what but +them did I procure a comfortable subsistence?’—‘Now,’ +cried Don Quixote, +‘I am fully convinced of what I have +on divers occasions believed; namely, +that those inchanters, by whom I am +persecuted, take pleasure in presenting +realities to my view, and then changing +and metamorphosing them into +such figures and forms as they chuse +to bestow: believe me, gentlemen, to +me every thing that has passed appeared +a true and literal concurrence of +real facts; and the figures represented +seemed to be really and truly the +very individual persons of Melisendra, +Don Gayferos, Marsilio, and +Charlemagne: in consequence of that +belief, my wrath was provoked; and, +in order to fulfil the function of a +knight-errant, I resolved to favour +and assist the fair fugitive; in the +execution of which resolve, I have +done what you see. If the exploit +has turned out contrary to my expectation, +the blame ought not to +lie with me, but with those miscreants, +by whom I am persecuted: +nevertheless, as I have committed an +error, although it did not proceed +from malice aforethought, I stand by +my own award condemned in costs; +let Mr. Peter make out his own bill +of the figures that are demolished, +and I promise it shall be paid on the +spot, in good and lawful current coin +of this kingdom.’ The shew-man +hearing this declaration, made a profound +bow, saying, ‘I expected no less +from the unheard-of Christianity of +the valiant Don Quixote de La Mancha, +the unflinching auxiliary and +support of the whole tribe of needy +and forlorn vagabonds: Mr. Landlord +and the great Sancho shall act as +moderators and appraisers between +your worship and me, with regard to +what the injured figures are or might +be worth.’</p> + +<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_405'>405</span>The innkeeper and squire having undertaken +this office, Mr. Peter lifted up +the headless Marsilio king of Saragossa, +saying, ‘You see how impossible it is +to reinstate the king in his former +situation; and, therefore, with submission +to better judgments, I think +I must be allowed four rials and an +half, on account of his death and final +perdition.’ The knight desiring +him to proceed, ‘Then,’ said he, ‘for +this dreadful gash from top to bottom,’ +(taking up the cloven emperor +Charlemagne) ‘I cannot be thought +exorbitant, if I demand five rials and +a quarter.’—‘That’s no small matter,’ +said Sancho. ‘Nor a great deal +too much,’ replied the landlord. +‘Split the difference, and set him down +at five rials.’—‘Let him have the +whole five and a quarter,’ said Don +Quixote; ‘for in such a notable misfortune, +a quarter more or less is a mere +trifle. And pray, dispatch, Mr. Peter, +for it is now supper-time, and I +begin to feel some symptoms of a keen +appetite.’—‘For that figure without +a nose, and deprived of one eye, which +is the beautiful Melisendra,’ proceeded +Peter, ‘I demand two rials and +twelve maravedis.’—‘The devil’s +in’t,’ cried the knight, ‘if Melisendra +is not by this time, with her +husband, at least upon the frontiers +of France; for the horse on which they +were mounted, seemed to fly rather +than tread the ground; so that there +is no reason for your selling me a cat +instead of a coney; that is, in presenting +me with a noseless Melisendra, +when, in all probability, that lady is +now enjoying herself at leisure with +her husband in France. God give +every man joy of his own, Mr. Peter, +and let us all endeavour to walk +tightly and rightly! and now you may +proceed.’ Mr. Peter perceiving Don +Quixote beginning to warp and return +to his old bias, resolved to be even with +him, and with that view said, ‘This +cannot be Melisendra, but must be +one of her waiting-women, for whom +I shall think myself very well paid, +and rest satisfied with threescore maravedis.’ +In the same manner did he +set prices on many other maimed figures, +so that, after they were moderated by +the two arbitrators to the satisfaction +of both parties, the whole sum amounted +to forty rials and three quarters, +which being disbursed by Sancho, Mr. +Peter demanded another brace of rials +for the trouble he should have in catching +the ape. ‘Let him have them, +Sancho,’ said Don Quixote, ‘not for +catching the ape but the juice of the +grape<a id='r161'></a><a href='#f161' class='c008'><sup>[161]</sup></a>; and I would now give two +hundred as a reward to any person +who would certify that the Lady Donna +Melisendra, and her lord Don +Gayferos, are now safe among their +friends in France.’—‘No person upon +earth can resolve that question sooner +or better than my ape,’ replied Mr. +Peter; ‘but the devil himself cannot +catch him at present, though I imagine +hunger and affection will compel +him to return to me some time to-night; +and if God will send us a new +day, we shall see what can be done.’ +In time, the hurricane of the puppet-shew +being quite blown over, the whole company +supped together in peace and good +fellowship, at the expence of Don +Quixote, who was liberal to excess.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Before day-break, the lance and halbert +carrier set out for his village, and +early in the morning the scholar and +the page came to take their leave of +Don Quixote, the first intending to return +to his own home, and the other +to pursue his journey, for the comfort +of which the knight made him a present +of a dozen rials. Mr. Peter, having +no inclination to re-involve himself in +any sort of dispute with Don Quixote, +to whose disposition he was no stranger, +arose before the sun, and packing up +the remains of his puppets, together +with his ape, sallied forth also in quest +of farther adventures. The innkeeper, +who knew not Don Quixote, was +equally astonished at his madness and +liberality. Finally, Sancho paid him +handsomely, by his master’s order, and +the two bidding him farewel about +eight o’clock in the morning, left the +inn, and betook themselves to the road, +in which we will leave them, having now +a proper opportunity to recount other +incidents appertaining and necessary to +the illustration of this famous history.</p> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_406'>406</span> + <h4 id='chap3-2-10' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='ten'>X.</abbr> <br> IN WHICH THE READER WILL DISCOVER WHO<br> MR. PETER AND HIS APE WERE—TOGETHER WITH<br> DON QUIXOTE’S BAD SUCCESS IN THE BRAYING ADVENTURE,<br> WHICH DID NOT AT ALL TURN OUT ACCORDING TO HIS WISH AND EXPECTATION.</h4> +</div> +<p class='c004'>Cid Hamet, author of this sublime +history, begins this chapter with +these words: ‘I swear, as a Catholick +Christian:’ and upon this occasion, +the translator observes, that Cid Hamet +being a Moor, as he certainly was, in +swearing as a Catholick Christian, +means no more than that, as a Catholick +Christian, when he makes oath, +swears he will speak the truth, and nothing +but the truth, in like manner he +would adhere to it, as a Catholick +Christian adheres to his oath, in what +he intended to write concerning Don +Quixote, especially in disclosing the +mystery of Mr. Peter and the fortune-telling +ape, whose talent attracted the +admiration of all that country. He +then proceeds to observe, that he who +has read the first part of this history, +cannot but remember that same Gines +de Passamonte, whom, together with his +fellow-slaves, Don Quixote set at liberty +near the Brown Mountain; a benefit +for which he was ill thanked, and worse +requited, by that mischievous and immoral +crew. This Gines de Passamonte, +whom Don Quixote called Ginesillo +de Parapilla, was the very thief +who stole Sancho’s Dapple; and as, +through the fault of the printers, neither +the time nor the manner of that +conveyance is described, in the first part +of the book, many people ascribed this +error of the press to want of memory +in the author: but, in short, stolen he +was, by Gines, even while Sancho was +sitting sleeping on his back, by means +of the same contrivance and expedient +that was used by Brunelo, who, while +Sacripante lay at Albraça, withdrew +his horse from between his legs; and +Sancho afterwards retrieved him, as we +have already related. Gines, then, +afraid of being overtaken by justice, +that was in quest of him, to chastise him +for his numberless tricks and transgressions, +which were so manifold and remarkable +as to fill a large volume of +his own composing, resolved to remove +himself into the kingdom of Arragon, +to cover his left eye with a patch, and +profess the occupation of playing puppets, +and performing tricks of legerdemain, +which he understood to great perfection; +he afterwards happened to fall +in company with some Christians just +delivered from bondage in Barbary, of +whom he purchased that ape, which he +taught to leap upon his shoulder, at a +certain signal, and whisper, or seem to +whisper in his ear. Having so far succeeded, +before he entered any place +with his puppet-shew and ape, he took +care to inform himself at the next village, +or of any person whom he could +conveniently pump, of the particular accidents +that had happened at that place, +with all their circumstances, which he +retained by dint of a tenacious memory. +The first thing he did, was to represent +his puppet-shew, the subject of +which he extracted sometimes from one +story, and sometimes from another; but +it was always full of mirth and entertainment, +and well known; and this +being ended, he propounded the talents +of his ape; telling the audience that +he could disclose the past and present; +but with regard to the future, he pretended +to no knowledge: for every response +he demanded two rials, though +sometimes he afforded them cheaper, +just as he felt the pulse of his consulters; +and as he sometimes came to families, +the anecdotes of which he +knew, even though they would spend +no money upon questions, he would +make the signal to the ape, and then +say he had communicated this and that +circumstance, which tallied exactly with +what had really happened. By these +means he acquired the credit of infallibility, +and drew the whole country +after him; at other times, as he had +abundance of cunning and penetration, +he would answer in such a manner, that +the responses agreed perfectly well with +the questions; and there being nobody +to hamper him, by enquiring and sifting +into the bottom of this pretended divination +of the monkey, he found means +to make monkeys of all his followers, +and fill his bags at the same time. As +soon as he entered the inn, he knew +Don Quixote and Sancho, and this recognition +enabled him to excite the admiration +of the knight, squire, and all +<span class='pageno' id='Page_407'>407</span>the by-standers: but his art would have +cost him dear, had Don Quixote lowered +his hand a little, when he decapitated +king Marsilio, and destroyed his whole +cavalry, as we have related that adventure +in the preceding chapter.</p> + +<div id='plate4' class='figcenter id002'> +<img src='images/plate-iv.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +<div class='ic002'> +<p>Plate IV: Don Quixote Meets the Soldiers.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<p class='c005'>So much for Mr. Peter and his ape; +and now returning to Don Quixote de +La Mancha, we must observe, that after +having departed from the inn, he +resolved, in the first place, to visit the +banks of the river Ebro, and all the +circumjacent country, before he should +enter the city of Saragossa, as the +length of time between this period and +the tournaments permitted him to make +such an excursion. With this resolution +he proceeded in the road, through +which he travelled two days, without +encountering any thing worth relating, +until on the third, as he ascended a +rising ground, his ears were saluted +with a mighty noise of kettle-drums, +trumpets, and muskets, which he at first +imagined might proceed from some +company of soldiers marching that way; +in order, therefore, to view them, he +spurred up Rozinante, and when he +reached the top of the rising ground, +saw below, as near as he could guess, +above two hundred men, equipped with +different kinds of arms, such as lances, +cross-bows, partisans, halberts, pikes, +a few muskets, and a great number of +targets. He rode down the hill, and +drew so near this squadron, that he could +distinguish their colours, and observe +their devices, particularly a banner or +pendant of white sattin, on which was +painted to the life, an ass of the small +Sardinian breed, with his head raised, +his mouth open, and his tongue lolling +out as if in the very act and attitude of +braying, and surrounded by this motto, +in capital letters—</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c012'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘It is no children’s play,</div> + <div class='line'>When brother bailiffs bray.’</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>From this symbol Don Quixote gathered, +that those people belonged to the +village of Braywick; and this discovery +he communicated to Sancho, whom he +likewise made acquainted with the motto +of the standard; observing, at the +same time, that he, by whom they were +informed of the adventure, had committed +a mistake, in saying the brayers +were aldermen; for, according to this +couplet, they must have been bailiffs. +To this observation, Sancho replied, +‘Signior, in that circumstance, there +is nothing to be mended; for those +who were aldermen when they brayed, +might very well in time come to +be bailiffs of the corporation, consequently +they may be mentioned with +both titles; especially as it is of small +signification to the truth of the story, +whether the brayers were aldermen or +bailiffs, provided they really conjunctly +and severally did bray, for a bailiff +is as likely to bray as an alderman.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Finally, conjecturing and understanding +that the people who were ridiculed +had come forth to fight those who had +ridiculed them, and carried the joke beyond +the bounds of reason and good +neighbourhood, Don Quixote approached +their line of battle, to the no small +chagrin of Sancho, who was never fond +of interposing on such occasions; and +they were immediately received by the +whole squadron, who believed the knight +was come to espouse their quarrel. +Then Don Quixote lifting up his visor, +with graceful ease and courteous demeanour, +advanced to the standard of +the ass, where he was environed by the +chiefs of the army, who gazed at him +with that admiration incident to all +those who beheld him for the first time. +The knight perceiving them looking +at him so attentively, without speaking +or asking any question, resolved to take +advantage of their silence, and breaking +his own, began in this manner, +with an audible voice, ‘Worthy gentlemen, +I beg, in the most earnest +manner, that you will not interrupt +a discourse I intend to make until +you perceive it becomes insipid and +disgusting; in which case, I will, upon +the least sign, put a seal upon my lips, +and a gag upon my tongue.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>All the spectators assured him, he +might say what he pleased, and they +would willingly give him the hearing; +so that, thus licensed, he proceeded to +this effect: ‘I, gentlemen, am a +knight-errant, whose exercise is that +of arms, and whose profession is to +assist the needy, and favour those who +want favour and protection. Some +days ago I was informed of your +disgrace, and the motives which +have induced you to arm at every +turn, in order to take vengeance on +your enemies: and having once and +<span class='pageno' id='Page_408'>408</span>again revolved your affairs in my +mind, I find that, according to the +laws of duel, you are in the wrong +to suppose yourselves affronted: for +no individual can affront a whole +community, unless they are accused +of treason by the lump, because the +person guilty of the said treason is +not known, consequently cannot be +challenged by himself. Of this practice, +we have an instance in Don +Diego Ordonnez de Lara, who challenged +the whole town of Zamorano, +because he did not know that Velido +Dolfos alone was the traitor who had +slain his king; he therefore defied +the whole body of inhabitants, and +to the whole body of them did the +answer and revenge belong: though, +indeed, Signior Don Diego bordered +upon extravagance, and exceeded the +bounds of defiance; for he had not +sufficient reason to challenge the dead, +the water and the bread, or those +who were yet unborn, as well as +other minute matters therein set forth: +but let that pass. When choler once +is born, the tongue all curb doth +scorn<a id='r162'></a><a href='#f162' class='c008'><sup>[162]</sup></a>; I mean, a bridle to restrain it. +This being the case, then, that one +single person cannot affront an entire +kingdom, province, city, society, or +corporation, it plainly appears, that +you have no just cause to come forth, +in order to take vengeance for that +which was not really an affront: for +it would be a good joke, indeed, if +the inhabitants of a town called +Clockwell, should take it in their +heads, at every turn, to slay every +person that might ask, “What is’t +o’clock<a id='r163'></a><a href='#f163' class='c008'><sup>[163]</sup></a>?” Or if the cheesemongers, +fruiterers, whalebone-sellers, soap-boilers, +and those of other names and +appellations that are in the mouth +of every boy, and hacknied among +the vulgar; I say, it would surely be +a good joke, if all those people, +who are distinguished by their different +callings, should be ashamed +and incensed at such simple provocations, +and be always making +sacbuts of their swords, in every trifling +quarrel: no, no; God neither +likes, nor will suffer such unjustifiable +revenge. Prudent men, and +well-ordered commonwealths, ought +to take up arms, unsheathe their +swords, and risque their persons, +lives, and fortunes, for four causes +only: Firstly, to defend the Catholick +faith; secondly, in self-defence, which +is justified by the laws of God and +nature; thirdly, in behalf of one’s +honour, family, and fortune; and +fourthly, in the service of his majesty, +when he is engaged in a just war: and +if we should add a fifth cause (which, +indeed, ought to be ranked as a second) +it is the defence of one’s country. +To these principle causes may +be annexed some others, both just +and reasonable, which may oblige +us to have recourse to arms; but to +take them up for childish trifles, and +things that are rather subjects of +laughter and diversion than of serious +revenge, seems to denote a total defect +of reason and discretion; especially as +unjust vengeance (and surely no vengeance +can be just) is diametrically +opposite to that holy law we profess, +by which we are enjoined to do good +to our enemies, and love those by +whom we are abhorred: a command +which, though seemingly difficult, is +not really hard to be observed, except +by those who have less of God than +of this world, and more of the flesh +than of the Spirit; for Jesus Christ, +the true God and true man, who never +lyed, who neither was nor is capable +of falshood, as being our eternal +Lawgiver, tells us, that his yoke +is easy, and his burden is light: +therefore, he would not impose a command +which we could not possibly +fulfil; and consequently, good gentlemen, +you are obliged by laws divine +and human, to be appeased.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>At his period, Sancho said within +himself, ‘The devil run away with me, +if this master of mine is not a downright +theologister! at least, if he is not, +no two eggs were ever more alike.’ +Don Quixote having taken breath a +little, and finding the audience still attentive, +was inclined to prosecute his +harangue, and would certainly have +pursued the subject, had not he been +<span class='pageno' id='Page_409'>409</span>prevented by the archness of Sancho, +who, during his master’s pause, took it +in hand, saying, ‘My master, Don +Quixote de La Mancha, who, at one +time, went by the name of the Knight +of the Rueful Countenance, but is at +present called the Knight of the Lions, +is a very learned gentleman, that understands +Latin and Castilian like a +perfect batchelor of arts. In all his +sermons and exhortations, he proceeds +like a very able soldier, as having +all the laws and ordinances of +what you call duel, at his finger’s +end; therefore, you have no more to +do but let yourselves be guided by his +counsel; and if you go wrong, the +blame shall lie upon my shoulders; +especially, as he hath already told you +that it is mere madness to be angry +without any cause but that of a man’s +braying. I remember, when I was a +boy, I brayed whensoever and wheresoever +I pleased, without lett or molestation; +aye, and so prettily and naturally, +that I was always answered +by all the asses of the common; yet, +for all that, I did not cease to be the +son of my parents, who were most +worthy people; and though, for this +talent, I was envied by more than +enow of the gravest folks in the parish, +I valued not their envy two farthings: +and, that you may see I speak +nothing but the truth, wait a little, +and give me the hearing; for the art +of braying is like that of swimming, +which, when once learned, is never +forgot.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>So saying, he clapped his fingers to +his nostrils, and began to bray so stoutly, +that all the neighbouring vallies re-echoed +the sound. But one of those +who stood next him, supposing the +squire made himself merry at their expence, +lifted up a pole that was in his +hand, and bestowed it upon him with +such good will, that Sancho, in spite +of his efforts, came to the ground.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Don Quixote, seeing his squire so +roughly handled, attacked the aggressor +lance in hand; but such a number of +people interposed, that he found it impossible +to take vengeance: on the contrary, +perceiving a cloud of stones +ready to pour upon him, and being +threatened by a vast number of presented +cross-bows and muskets, he wheeled +Rozinante about, and galloped off as +fast as the steed could carry him; recommending +himself heartily to the +protection of God, that he might be +delivered from that danger; and in the +apprehension that some ball would enter +at his shoulder, and make its exit +through his breast, he held in his breath, +at every step, in order to know whether +or not he was wounded. But those +who composed the squadron, being satisfied +with his flight, did not shoot +after him; and as for Sancho, they laid +him across upon his beast, as soon as he +recovered the use of his senses, and allowed +him to follow his master; not +that he was able to manage the ass; but +Dapple followed the footsteps of Rozinante, +from whom he could not bear to +be parted, though but for a moment. +The knight having rode a good way, +turned his horse’s head, and seeing +Sancho following, waited for his coming +up, as he perceived nobody attempted +to pursue him.</p> + +<p class='c005'>The warriors of Braywick kept their +ground till night, and as their adversaries +did not think proper to give them +battle, returned to their own town +with joy and satisfaction; and had they +known the ancient custom of the Greeks, +they would have erected a trophy on +the spot.</p> + +<h4 id='chap3-2-11' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='eleven'>XI.</abbr> <br> OF THINGS RELATED BY BENENGELI, WHICH HE WHO READS THEM ATTENTIVELY, WILL KNOW.</h4> +<p class='c004'>When a brave man flies, he +must have discovered some +odds or foul play; and it is the business +of prudent captains, to reserve +themselves for better occasions. This +maxim was verified in Don Quixote, +who, by giving way to popular fury, +and the evil intention of that incensed +squadron, took to his heels, and without +paying the least regard to Sancho, +or the danger in which he left him, +moved off to such a distance as he judged +sufficient for his own security. He +was followed by Sancho lying across +the ass, as we have already observed, +who, by that time he was brought up +to his master, had just recovered the +use of his senses, and fell from Dapple +at the feet of Rozinante, all battered +and bruised, and in an agony of pain.</p> + +<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_410'>410</span>The knight dismounting to search his +wounds, no sooner perceived he was +sound from head to foot, than he thus accosted +him in an angry tone: ‘In evil +hour, you must understand braying, sirrah! +Where did you learn it was convenient +to talk of halters in the house of +a man that was hanged? To the tenor +of braying what bass could you expect +but the basting of a cudgel? You +have reason to thank God that, instead +of receiving a benediction with a pole, +you have not been crossed with a scymitar.’—‘I +am at present in no condition +to answer,’ said Sancho; ‘for +methinks I talk through my shoulders: +let us mount and depart from +this place, and I shall make an end +of my braying; though I shall never +be weary of telling as how knights-errant +run away, and leave their honest +squires, beaten to chaff and +pounded to cinders, in the power of +their enemies.’—‘There is a wide +difference between flying and retreating,’ +answered Don Quixote; ‘for +you must know, Sancho, that valour +which is not founded on the base of +discretion, is termed temerity or rashness; +and the achievements of a rash +person ought to be ascribed rather to +good fortune than courage. I own, +therefore, I have retreated, but not +fled; and in so doing have imitated +a great number of valiant chiefs, who +reserved themselves for more dignified +occasions: and of these instances histories +are full; but I omit rehearsing +them at present, because the recital +would be of no advantage to thee, or +entertainment to myself.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>By this time, Sancho being set upon +his ass again by Don Quixote, who +likewise mounted Rozinante, they jogged +along softly, in order to shelter +themselves in a grove that appeared at +the distance of a quarter of a league; +and the squire, every now and then +heaving up a most profound ‘Ah!’ +accompanied with piteous groans, his +master desired to know the cause of such +bitter ejaculations. To which question +the squire replied, that from the extremity +of his rump to the nape of his +neck, he felt such intolerable pain as +was like to deprive him of his senses. +‘The cause of that pain,’ said Don +Quixote, ‘must doubtless be this; as +the pole or staff by which you have +suffered was long and large, it extended +over the whole back, comprehending +all those parts that now +give you pain; and if it had reached +still farther, the pain would have been +more extensive.’—‘’Fore God,’ cried +Sancho, ‘your worship has taken me +out of a huge uncertainty, and resolved +the doubt in delicate terms. Body +o’me! was the cause of my pain so +mysterious, that there was a necessity +for telling me, I feel pain in those +parts that were cudgelled? Had my +shins ached, there might have been +some reason for guessing at the cause +of their aching; but, surely, there is +no great witchcraft required to tell me +that my back aches, because it was +crossed with a quarter staff! In good +faith, Sir Master of mine, Our neighbour’s +care hangs by a hair. Every +day I see more and more how the land +lies, and how little I have to expect +from keeping your worship’s company; +for if you left me to be cudgelled +at this time, we shall, upon a hundred +different occasions, return to our +late blankettings and other such toys; +and though this misfortune has fallen +upon my shoulders, they next may +light upon my eyes. Abundantly +better should I have done, but I am +such a barbarian, that in all the days +of my life, I never did well; I say +again, abundantly better should I have +done, had I returned to my house, +my wife, and my children, and maintained +and brought them up with +what Providence should please to +bestow, rather than fag after your +worship in this manner, through +roadless roads, and pathless paths, +drinking bad liquor and eating worse +food; then, when I come to sleep—“Brother +squire, measure out seven +feet of ground; and if you chuse to be +more at your ease, take as much more, +for the ladle is in your own hand, +and lay yourself out to your heart’s +desire.” Would to God I could +see the first man who meddled with +knight-errantry burnt to a cinder; at +least the first booby who chose to be +squire to such wiseacres as all former +knights-errant must have been! Of +the present, I say nothing; as your +worship is one of the number, I hold +them in respect, because I am sensible, +that in speeching and understanding, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_411'>411</span>you know a point more than the devil +himself.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘I would venture to lay a good +wager, Sancho,’ said Don Quixote, +‘that now, while you are permitted to +speak without the least hindrance, +you feel no pain in any part of your +body. Proceed, child, and out with +every thing that comes into your head, +or tarries at your tongue’s end; for, +provided you are free from pain, I +shall convert into pleasure that disgust +which proceeds from your folly and +impertinence; and if you are so much +bent upon returning to your house, +your wife and your family, God forbid +that I should oppose your resolution. +You have some of my money +in your hands; recollect how +long it is since we set out on this +my third sally; then reckon what +you might and should have earned +monthly, and be your own paymaster.’—‘When +I worked for Thomas +Carrasco, father of Batchelor Sampson, +who is your worship’s acquaintance,’ +answered Sancho, ‘I earned +two ducats a month, besides my +victuals: with your worship I know +not what I can earn; though well I +know that the squire of a knight-errant +has a much more troublesome +office than that of a farmer’s servant; +for, in fact, we who serve husbandmen, +let us work never so hard through +the day, and happen what will, have +a hot supper out of the pot at night, +and lie in a good bed, which I have +never enjoyed since I have been in +your worship’s service, except for that +short space of time that we stayed in +the house of Don Diego de Miranda; +and bating the good cheer I found +among the scum of Camacho’s kettle, +and my eating, drinking, and sleeping, +at the habitation of Basilius; all the +rest of the time I have slept on the +hard ground, under the cope of heaven, +exposed to what you call the inclemencies +of the weather, living upon +cheese-pairings and crusts of bread, +and drinking cold water, sometimes +from the brooks and sometimes from +the springs we met with in the publick +roads through which we travelled.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Allowing,’ said Don Quixote, ‘that +all you have mentioned is true, how +much more do you think I ought to +give you than that which you received +from Thomas Carrasco?’—‘With +the addition of two rials a month,’ +replied Sancho, ‘I shall think myself +well paid, that is, with regard to my +wages; but, as to some satisfaction +for your worship’s word and promise +of making me a governor of an island, +methinks it would be but fair and +honest to add six rials more; and +then, altogether will come to thirty.’—‘Very +well reckoned,’ answered the +knight; ‘now, according to the tale of +wages you have mentioned, calculate +fairly and exactly what I am indebted +to you, for the five and twenty +days that are elapsed since our departure +from our own village, and, +as I said before, be your own paymaster.’—‘Body +o’me!’ cried Sancho, +‘your worship is quite out in your +reckoning; for in regard to the promise +of the island, we must compute +from the day in which your honour +made the said promise to this blessed +hour.’—‘How long, then, has that +same promise been made?’ said Don +Quixote. ‘If my memory does not +fail me,’ answered the squire, ‘it must +be above twenty years, a few days +over or under.’ Here, the knight +slapping his forehead with his hand, +began to laugh heartily, saying, +‘Why, my stay in the Sierra Morena, +with the whole course of our peregrinations, +has scarce employed two +months: and wilt thou say I have +promised thee that island these twenty +years? Now I perceive thy intention +is to keep, in lieu of wages, all my +money that is in thy hands; and if +that be the case, and thou really lookest +upon it with an eye of desire, I give +thee the whole sum from this moment, +and much good may it do +thee; for, provided I find myself rid +of such a wretched squire, I shall +think myself happy, though poor and +pennyless. But, tell me, thou prevaricator +of all the squirely ordinances +of chivalry! where hast thou seen or +read that any squire of a knight-errant +ever presumed to bargain with +his master touching a certain monthly +salary for his service? Launch out, +launch out! you ruffian, vagabond, +and hobgoblin! for such you are; +launch out, I say, into the <span lang="la"><i>mare +magnum</i></span> of chivalry; and if you +find that any squire ever attempted to +say, or even to think, what thou hast +here uttered, I will give thee leave to +<span class='pageno' id='Page_412'>412</span>nail the passage on my forehead, and +pinch the sign of the four nipples on +my face, by way of additional mortification. +Turn immediately the reins +of the halter of your ass, and return +to your house, your wife, and your +family; for one step farther thou shalt +not travel with me. O bread ill-bestowed! +O promise misapplied! O +wretch that favoured more of the +beast than of the man! At this juncture, +when I was on the eve of raising +thee to such a station as would have +ennobled thee, even in spite of thy +wife, thou seekest to leave me! Now +thou art going away, when I had +firmly and unalterably resolved to +make thee lord of the best island in +the universe! In a word, as thou thyself +hast observed upon other occasions, +An ass’s mouth was not made +for honey, &c. An ass thou art, an +ass wilt thou be; aye, and thou wilt +die like an ass, when the course of +thy life is finished; for I am convinced +that thy days will reach their utmost +period, before thou shalt learn +and know what a beast thou art!’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Sancho looked woefully at his master, +while he poured forth these reproaches, +from which the squire felt +such compunction, that the tears started +in his eyes; and he replied in a faint, +whimpering tone, ‘My good master, +I confess that, in order to be really +and truly an ass, I want nothing but +a tail, which, if your worship will +furnish me with, I shall think it well +bestowed, and serve you as a beast of +burden all the days of my life. +Good your worship, forgive and look +upon my green years with compassion, +and consider that I know very little; +and if I speak a great deal of nonsense, +it does not proceed from malice +but infirmity; and Those who sin and +kiss the rod, find favour in the sight +of God.’—‘I should have been surprized, +Sancho,’ said the knight, ‘if +thou hadst not seasoned thy discourse +with some proverbial expression. Well, +then, for the present, I forgive thee, +in hope of thy amendment, and on +condition that thou wilt not henceforward +betray such a sordid and selfish +disposition, but endeavour to enlarge +thy heart, fortify and encourage +thy mind, to wait the accomplishment +of my promises; which, though it +may not speedily happen, is nevertheless +far from being impossible?’ Sancho +said he would do his endeavour, +and follow his advice, even though +he should gather strength from feebleness.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Then they betook themselves to the +covert of the grove, where the knight +accommodated himself at the root of an +elm, and the squire retreated to the foot +of a beech; for these and other such trees +never want feet, though they are always +destitute of hands. Sancho passed +the night in great trouble; for the cold +air augmented the pain of his bruises; +whereas, Don Quixote amused himself +with his incessant meditations. Nevertheless, +both master and man gave way +to the operations of sleep, and at the +approach of morn, prosecuted their way +to the banks of the renowned Ebro, +where they were involved in an adventure +that will be recounted in the +succeeding chapter.</p> +<h4 id='chap3-2-12' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='twelve'>XII.</abbr> <br> OF THE FAMOUS ADVENTURE OF THE INCHANTED BARK.</h4> +<p class='c004'>By dint of travelling at a very deliberate +pace for the space of two +days after they quitted the grove, Don +Quixote and Sancho arrived at the river +Ebro, the sight of which afforded infinite +pleasure to the knight, who eagerly +contemplated the amenity of its +banks, the transparency of its water, +the tranquillity of its course, and the +abundance of its chrystal stream, the +joyous prospect of which renewed in +his remembrance a thousand amorous +thoughts, that chiefly turned upon what +he had seen in the cave of Montesinos; +for, although Master Peter’s ape had +declared, that part of those circumstances +was true, and part of them false, +he inclined more to the belief that they +were altogether real; while Sancho, on +the contrary, looked upon the whole +detail as one continued lye.</p> + +<p class='c005'>As they jogged on in this manner, +their view was saluted by a small boat, +without oars, or any other tackle, close +to the river-side, and made fast to a +tree that grew on the bank. Don +Quixote looking around him, without +perceiving any living soul, alighted +immediately from Rozinante, commanding +Sancho to quit the back of Dapple, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_413'>413</span>and tie both beasts securely to the trunk +of a poplar or willow that grew upon +the spot. When the squire desired to +know the cause of this sudden descent +and ligation, ‘You must know, Sancho,’ +said the knight, ‘that this vessel +is here on purpose, without a possibility +of any other design, to call +and invite me to embark, that I may +be conveyed to the succour of some +knight, or other necessitous personage +of high degree, who must certainly +be involved in some dire disaster; +for this is the very spirit of +books of chivalry, and the practice +of those inchanters concerning whom +they treat, who, when any knight in +distress cannot be delivered by their +art, but solely by the prowess of another +errant, though perhaps at the +distance of two or three thousand +leagues or more, they snatch him +up in a cloud, or provide him +with a vessel, in which he embarks, +and in the twinkling of an eye he is +transported either through the air, or +by sea, to the place where his assistance +is required: this bark, therefore, O +Sancho, is brought hither for the like +purpose, as sure as it is now day; +and before the day be spent, take and +secure Dapple and Rozinante together, +and let us commit ourselves to the direction +of God; for even the barefooted +Carmelites shall not dissuade +me from embarking.’—‘Since that is +the case,’ answered Sancho, ‘and +your worship is resolved at every turn +to plunge into these (I know not +whether I should call them mad) vagaries, +I have nothing to do but bow +and obey; according to the proverb, +If you obey the commands of your +lord, you may sit as a guest at his board. +Nevertheless, in order to disburden +my confidence, I must give your worship +notice, that in my opinion this +same bark has nothing to do with +inchanted people, but belongs to some +fishermen of this river, in which they +catch the best shads in the world.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>This remonstrance was made while +he tied the cattle, which he could not +leave to the protection of inchanters, +without being grieved to the very soul. +But the knight exhorted him to banish +his anxiety on account of the animals, +which would be carefully maintained +and protected by the same sage destined +to transport their riders through roads +and regions of such longitude. ‘I do not +understand what you mean by logickhood,’ +said the squire; ‘for I never +heard such a word before in the whole +course of my life.’—‘By longitude +I mean, length,’ answered the knight, +‘but I do not at all wonder that thou +shouldst not understand the word; +for thou art not obliged to be acquainted +with the Latin tongue, +like some arrogant people who pretend +to knowledge of which they are +entirely ignorant.’—‘The beasts are +now secured,’ said Sancho, ‘what is +next to be done?’—‘What!’ replied +Don Quixote, ‘but to cross ourselves +and weigh anchor; I mean to embark, +and cut the rope by which the +vessel is made fast.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>So saying, he leaped on board, whither +he was followed by Sancho, and +the fastening being cut, the boat edged +gently off from the bank. The squire +seeing himself about two fathoms from +the shore, began to tremble, in the apprehension +of perishing; but nothing +gave him more pain than hearing Dapple +raise his voice, and seeing Rozinante +struggle for his freedom. ‘Now, Dapple,’ +said he to his master, ‘brays for +grief at our departure; and Rozinante +strives to get loose, that he may throw +himself into the water and swim after +us!—Farewel, my dearly beloved +friends, peace be with you, and may +the madness that parts us be converted +and undeceived, that we may be +restored to your agreeable company.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Then he began to weep so bitterly, +that the knight exclaimed, in a tone of +rage and vexation, ‘Of what art thou +afraid, cowardly miscreant! wherefore +dost thou weep, thou heart of butter! +who persecutes, who molests +thee, thou soul of a garret-mouse! +or what wants dost thou suffer, beggarly +wretch, rolling as thou art in +the very bowels of abundance! art +thou, peradventure, travelling, barefoot +over the Riphean mountains! +No: seated like an archduke upon +a convenient bench, thou art softly +conveyed by the gentle current of +this delicious river, from which in a +little time we shall launch into the +wide and extended ocean: but, indeed, +we must have already entered +the open sea; aye, and sailed at least +seven or eight hundred leagues; and, +if I had here an astrolabe to take the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_414'>414</span>elevation of the pole, I would tell +thee exactly what way we have made; +though either I have little skill, or +we have already passed, or will pass +in a very little time, the equinoctial +line, that divides the globe into two +equal parts.’—‘And how far shall +we have gone when we come to that +same line your worship mentions?’ +said Sancho. ‘A great way,’ replied +the knight; ‘for, of three hundred and +sixty degrees, comprehending the +whole terraqueous globe, according +to the computation of Ptolemy, who +was the greatest cosmographer ever +known, we shall have traversed one +half when we reach the equinoctial +line.’—‘’Fore God!’ cried Sancho, +‘your worship has brought a set of +rare witnesses to prove the truth of +what you say, Copulation and Kiss-me-gaffer, +with the addition of Tool-i’me, +or some such name<a id='r164'></a><a href='#f164' class='c008'><sup>[164]</sup></a>.’ Don Quixote +laughed at Sancho’s blunders, upon +the computation of the cosmographer +Ptolemy; adding, ‘You must know, +Sancho, that one of the signs by +which those who embark at Cadiz +for the East Indies, know they have +passed the equinoctial, is the total +destruction of vermin among the +passengers and seamen: so that not +one louse remains alive, or can be +had in the whole ship, even though +you should give its weight in gold; +thou mayest therefore slip thy hand +along thy thigh, Sancho, and if thou +canst catch any thing alive, our doubt +will be resolved; but if there is nothing +to be found, we must certainly +have passed the line.’—‘I can hardly +believe it,’ answered the squire; ‘but, +however, I will do as your worship +desires; though there is no necessity +for trying those experiments; for I +can see with my own eyes, that we +have not moved five yards from the +bank, no, nor have we driven two +yards below the cattle; for there stand +Rozinante and Dapple, in the very +spot where they were left; and taking +aim as I do now, I vow to God, we +do not move or go at the pace of a +pismire.’—‘Sancho,’ said the knight, +‘perform the investigation I have mentioned, +and give thyself no trouble +about any other circumstance; for +thou dost not know the meaning of +colours, lines, parallels, zodiacks, +eclipticks, poles, solstices, equinoxes, +planets, constellations, points, and +measures, that compose the spheres +celestial and terrestrial. Wert thou acquainted +with these, or even a part of +them, thou wouldst distinctly perceive +what parallels we have crossed, +what signs we have seen, and what +constellations we have left, and are +now leaving behind us. I therefore +repeat my request, that thou wouldst +examine and go afishing upon thyself; +for I am persuaded thou art +clean and smooth as a sheet of white +paper.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Sancho, in compliance with his desire, +slipped down his hand softly, and +felt about his left ham; then raising his +head, and looking at his master, ‘Either +the experiment is false,’ said he; ‘or we +have not reached the place your worship +mentioned, by many leagues.’—‘What!’ +said the knight, ‘hast thou +found something?’—‘Aye, more than +one something,’ answered the squire: +who snapped his fingers, and afterwards +washed them in the river, along +the current of which the boat glided +softly, without the assistance of any secret +power, or concealed inchanter, being +conveyed by nothing but the stream, +which then ran with a smooth and +gentle course.</p> + +<p class='c005'>In this manner they proceeded, when +they discovered some large mills, built +in the middle of the river, which Don +Quixote no sooner perceived, than he +addressed himself to Sancho, in an exalted +voice: ‘Behold, my friend, yonder +appears the city, castle, or fortress, +that contains some oppressed knight-errant, +queen, infanta, or princess in +distress, for whose relief I am brought +hither.’—‘What the devil does your +worship mean by a city, fortress, or +castle!’ cried the squire; ‘don’t you see +these are mills, built in the river, for +<span class='pageno' id='Page_415'>415</span>grinding wheat?’—‘Peace, Sancho,’ +replied the knight, ‘although they appear +to be mills, they are in reality +edifices of a very different nature: I +have already told thee, that all things +are transformed and changed by the +power of inchantment; I do not mean +that they are really changed in any +circumstance but appearance, as we +have been taught by woeful experience +in the transformation of Dulcinea, +the sole refuge of my hope.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>By this time, the boat being sucked +into the middle of the stream, so as to +move considerably faster than at first, +was perceived by the millers, who seeing +it advancing to the indraught of the +wheels, came suddenly out in a body, +with long poles, to stop its motion; and +as their faces and cloaths were be-powdered +with meal, they made a +frightful figure, while they exclaimed, +with great vociferation, ‘You devils +of men! where are you going: are +you mad; to come and drown yourselves, +or be ground to pieces by the +wheels?’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Don Quixote, hearing this address, +‘Did not I tell thee, Sancho,’ said he, +‘that we had arrived at the scene in +which I must exert the prowess of +mine arm? Behold, what felons and +assassins come forth to try my valour; +behold what a number of hobgoblins +range themselves against me; behold, +I say, what horrid physiognomies appear +to scare and overawe us; but you +shall presently see what will happen. +Ye ruffians!’ Then, starting up, he +began to threaten and revile them, exclaiming +aloud, ‘Ye scum, ye scoundrels, +ill-intentioned and worse-advised! +release, I charge you, and restore +to the full fruition of freedom, +the person whom ye keep confined +and oppressed in that fortress or gaol, +let him be high or low, or of what +rank and quality soever he may be; +for I am Don Quixote de La Mancha, +otherwise intitled the Knight of the +Lions, destined by the appointment of +Heaven above, to bring this adventure +to an happy issue.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>So saying, he unsheathed his sword, +and brandished it in the air, in defiance +of the millers, who hearing this rhapsody +without understanding it, began +to employ their poles, in order to turn +aside the boat, which by this time had +entered the current and canal of the +wheels. As for Sancho, he fell upon +his knees, and prayed devoutly that +Heaven would deliver him from such +imminent danger; and his deliverance +was accordingly effected by the alertness +and dexterity of the millers, who +pushed back the boat with their poles; +yet not without oversetting the vessel; +so as that the knight and his squire +were soused over head and ears in the +water. It was well for Don Quixote +that he could swim like a goose; nevertheless, +the weight of his armour sunk +him twice to the bottom, and had not +the millers thrown themselves into the +river, and weighed them up by main +strength, it might have been said, ‘Here +Troy once stood<a id='r165'></a><a href='#f165' class='c008'><sup>[165]</sup></a>.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>They were no sooner dragged ashore, +rather drenched than dead of drought, +than the squire, humbling himself upon +his knees, again clasping his hands and +lifting up his eyes to Heaven, uttered a +very fervent petition to God, that he +might be from thenceforward delivered +from the frantick projects and mad attempts +of his master. This ejaculation +was scarce finished, when they were +joined by the fishermen who were owners +of the boat, which was crushed to pieces +by the mill-wheels; and they perceiving +the wreck, began to strip Sancho, and +demand indemnification of his master, +who, with great tranquillity, as if nothing +at all had happened told the millers +and fishermen that he would pay +for the bark with the utmost chearfulness, +on condition that they would release, +without ransom or security, the +person or persons whom they detained +in durance and oppression within the +castle.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘What does the madman mean by +persons and castles?’ answered one of +the millers; ‘wouldst thou carry off the +customers that bring grist to our mills, +forsooth?’—‘Enough,’ said Don +Quixote within himself, ‘I might as +<span class='pageno' id='Page_416'>416</span>well preach to the desart, as attempt, +by intreaties, to prevail upon such +miscreants to do any virtuous action. +In this adventure there must certainly +be two powerful inchanters engaged +on opposite sides, one of whom baffles +the designs of the other; by one I was +provided with a bark, and his antagonist +overturned me in the water. +Lord mend us! the world is nothing +but a continual warfare of opposite +machinations and deceit; for my own +part, I can do no more.’ Then raising +his voice, and fixing his eyes upon +the mills, ‘Friends,’ cried he, ‘whosoever +you are who lie confined within +that prison, forgive me, that for my +misfortune, as well as yours, it is not +in my power to extricate you from +your distress; for some other knight +the adventure must be reserved.’ +Having pronounced this apostrophe, he +compounded with the fishermen, for +whose boat he paid fifty rials, which +Sancho disbursed with great reluctance, +saying, ‘Two such boatfuls will sink +our whole stock to the bottom.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>The fishermen and millers gazed with +admiration at those two figures, so different +in appearance from other men; +and as they could by no means understand +the meaning and tendency of Don +Quixote’s discourse, and the questions +he asked, they looked upon them as +madmen, and went away. The millers +retreated to their mills; the fishermen +betook themselves to their cottage; the +knight and squire, like beasts, returned +to their beasts; and thus ended the adventure +of the enchanted bark.</p> + +<h4 id='chap3-2-13' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='thirteen'>XIII.</abbr> <br> OF WHAT PASSED BETWEEN DON QUIXOTE AND A FAIR HUNTRESS.</h4> +<p class='c004'>In a melancholy plight did the knight +and squire reach the place where +their cattle stood; indeed, they were +both sufficiently out of humour, especially +Sancho, who was cut to the soul +by the incroachment upon their capital, +which to him was as precious as the +apple of his eye. At length, they +mounted, in the most profound silence, +and departed from the banks of that +famous river; Don Quixote buried as +it were amidst the meditations of his +love, and Sancho immersed in those of +his preferment, which at that time +seemed to be at a weary distance; for +maugre all his simplicity and folly, he +could easily perceive that all, or the +greatest part of his master’s actions, +proceeded from frenzy and distraction; +he therefore resolved to take an opportunity +of retreating abruptly to his own +house, without expostulation, or the ceremony +of taking leave. But fortune +ordained that things should fall out +quite contrary to his apprehensions.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Next day, at sun-set, as they came out +of a wood, Don Quixote extending his +view over a delightful green meadow, +perceived some people at the farther end +of it; and as he proceeded, saw they +were hawkers: approaching still nearer, +he observed among them a gay lady, +mounted upon a palfrey or beautiful pad +as white as the driven snow, adorned with +green furniture and a saddle of silver; +the lady was likewise dressed in a rich +habit of the same colour, as fine as finery +itself. On her left-hand she carried +a hawk, a circumstance from which the +knight concluded she was some lady of +high rank, and mistress of all the rest; nor +was he mistaken. On this supposition, +therefore, he said to his squire, ‘Make +haste, son Sancho, go and tell that +lady of the palfrey and hawk, that I, +the Knight of the Lions, send my +respects to her exceeding beauty; and +that, with her good leave, I will go +and pay my compliments in person, +and make her a tender of my service +to the utmost of my power, in whatever +she shall please to command; but +keep a guard upon your tongue, Sancho, +and beware of thrusting in some +of your proverbs, while you deliver +my embassy.’—‘To be sure, you have +found me a deadly thruster,’ answered +the squire, ‘that you give me such +warning! as if this were the first time +in my life, that I have carried embassies +to ladies of high rank and augmentation.’—‘Except +that which you +carried to the Lady Dulcinea,’ said +the knight, ‘I do not know that ever +you carried another; at least while in +my service.’—‘That’s true,’ replied +Sancho, ‘but a good paymaster never +wants bail; and a dinner is easily got, +where there is plenty of meat for the +pot: what I mean is, that there is no +occasion to tell me or advertise me of +any thing; for I am never out, and +have a sort of a smack of every thing.’—‘I +<span class='pageno' id='Page_417'>417</span>believe it, Sancho,’ said Don +Quixote; ‘go in peace, and God be +your guide.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>The squire setting out accordingly, +at a good rate, and spurring Dapple beyond +his natural pace, came up with +the fair huntress; then alighting and +kneeling before her, ‘Beautiful lady,’ +said he, ‘yonder knight, called the +Knight of the Lions, is my master, +and I am this squire, known at my +own home by the name of Sancho +Panza; and that same Knight of the +Lions, though formerly of the Rueful +Countenance, sends me to beg your +grandeur would be pleased to allow +him purposely, courteously, and consentingly, +to come and gratify his desire, +which is no other, as he says, +and I believe, than to serve your exalted +beauty and hawkingship; and +in so doing, your excellency will do a +thing that will redound to your own +advantage, and from which he will +receive the most notorious honour and +satisfaction.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Worthy squire,’ replied the lady, +‘assuredly you have delivered your embassy +with all the circumstances that +such embassies require; pray rise, for +it is not reasonable, that the squire of +such a great knight-errant as he of +the Rueful Countenance, whose character +is well known in these parts, +should remain in that posture; rise, +friend, and go tell your master, that +he shall be extremely welcome to +command the services of me and the +duke my husband, at our country-house +in the neighbourhood.’ Sancho +arose, equally astonished at the +beauty, good-breeding, and affability, +of this worthy lady: but he was still +more surprized at what she said concerning +the well-known character of +the Knight of the Rueful Countenance; +for if she did not give him the appellation +of the Lions, it was because he had +but lately assumed that epithet. ‘Pray, +tell me, brother squire,’ said the +duchess, whose title is not known, ‘is +not your master the person whose history +is printed under the name of the +sage Hidalgo Don Quixote de La +Mancha, who professes himself the +admirer of one Dulcinea del Toboso?’—‘The +very same, my lady,’ answered +Sancho, ‘and I myself am that very +squire of his who is mentioned, or +ought to be mentioned, in that history, +by the name of Sancho Panza, +unless they have changed me in the +cradle, I mean, in the press.’—‘I am +extremely glad to hear it,’ replied the +duchess; ‘go, brother Sancho, and +tell your master, that he is well met, +and welcome to my estate; and that +nothing could give me more pleasure +than his arrival.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Sancho, in an excess of joy, occasioned +by this agreeable answer, returned, +and recounted to his master all that +this lady of rank had said, extolling +to the skies, in his rustick phrase, her +exceeding beauty, good-humour, and +politeness. The knight chose one of +his genteelest attitudes, fixed himself +well in his stirrups, adjusted his vizor, +quickened Rozinante, and with an agreeable +air, advanced to pay his respects +to the duchess; who, while he approached, +ordered her husband to be called, and +communicated the curious embassy. As +they had read the first part of the history, +from which they learned the extravagant +humour of Don Quixote, they +waited with infinite pleasure, and the +most eager desire of being acquainted +with the original, fully determined to +gratify his humour in every thing, and +treat him all the time he should stay +with them, as a real knight-errant; +that is, with all the ceremonies described +in those books of chivalry they had +read, and to which, indeed, they were +greatly attached. Meanwhile, Don +Quixote approaching with his beaver +up, made a motion to alight, and Sancho +made haste to hold the stirrup; but +he was so unfortunate, that in dismounting +from Dapple, he slipped his foot +through the noose of the stirrup rope, +in such a manner, that he could not +possibly disentangle himself, but continued +hanging with his face and part +of his body on the ground. The +knight, who never alighted without +his assistance, imagining that Sancho, +as usual, held the stirrup, threw himself +off with a swing, and the saddle, +which must have been very ill girted, +and he, came to the ground together; +not without great disgrace, and a thousand +curses which he muttered between +his teeth against the unfortunate Sancho, +whose leg was still in the stocks.</p> + +<p class='c005'>The duke, seeing their distress, ordered +his huntsman to assist the knight +and squire; and they lifted up Don +Quixote, who was very much bruised +<span class='pageno' id='Page_418'>418</span>by the fall; nevertheless, he advanced +as well as he could, with a limping +pace, and kneeled before this noble +pair: but the duke would by no means +allow him to remain in that posture; +on the contrary, alighting from his +horse, he ran to embrace the knight, +saying, ‘I am heartily sorry, Sir Knight +of the Rueful Countenance, that the +first time you touch my ground, you +should be so unlucky; but the carelessness +of squires is often the cause +of greater misfortunes.’—‘This accident, +valiant prince,’ replied Don +Quixote, ‘cannot possibly be deemed +a misfortune, though I had been +plunged into the profound abyss; +for even from thence should I have +been raised and extricated by the +glory of seeing your grace. My +squire, whom God confound! is more +ready at untying his tongue, in order +to utter malicious insinuations, than +at tying and securing the girth of a +saddle; but whether fallen or exalted, +afoot or on horseback, I shall always +be devoted to your service, and +that of my Lady Duchess, your grace’s +worthy consort, the dignified queen +of beauty, and universal princess of +politeness’—‘Softly, my good Signior +Don Quixote de La Mancha,’ +said the duke, ‘where my Lady Dulcinea +del Toboso reigns, no other +beauty deserves applause.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>By this time Sancho Panza had disentangled +himself and come up, and +interposing in the discourse, before his +master could make any reply, ‘It cannot +be denied,’ said he, ‘but must always +be affirmed, that my Lady Dulcinea +del Toboso is extremely beautiful: +but the hare starts where she is +least expected; for I have heard it +said, that the power called Nature is +like a potter, who, if he can make +one beautiful vessel, can in like manner +make two, three, aye, and a +hundred; this, I observe, because, in +good faith, my Lady Duchess comes +not a whit behind my Lady Mistress +Donna Dulcinea del Toboso.’ Don +Quixote turning to the duchess, ‘Your +grace must know,’ said he, ‘that no +knight-errant upon earth has such a +prattling and free-spoken squire as +mine; and he will certainly verify +my words, if your highness shall be +pleased to make use of my service for +a few days.’—‘I have the better opinion +of honest Sancho, for his being +free-spoken,’ answered the duchess: +‘that is a sign of his discretion; for +pleasantry and wit, Signior Don +Quixote, as your worship very well +knows, do not love to dwell in a reserved +disposition; and therefore, since +honest Sancho is frank and free-spoken, +I from henceforth set him down as a +man of discretion.’—‘And loquacity,’ +added the knight. ‘So much +the better,’ said the duke; ‘for a great +deal of wit cannot be expressed in a +few words; and that we may not +spend more time in them, come, renowned +Knight of the Rueful Countenance——’ +‘Of the Lions, your +highness must call him,’ cried Sancho; +‘the Rueful Countenance is no +more.’—‘Of the Lions let it be then,’ +continued the duke; ‘I say, come, Sir +Knight of the Lions, to a castle I +have in this neighbourhood, where +you shall meet with that reception +which is due to a person of your +fame and character, and that respect +which I and the duchess always pay +to the knights-errant who favour us +with their company.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>By this time Sancho having replaced +and secured Rozinante’s saddle, Don +Quixote bestrode that famous steed; and +the duke mounting a beautiful courser, +they rode towards the castle, on each +side of the duchess, who desired Sancho +to keep close to her; for she took +infinite pleasure in hearing his conceits. +Indeed, the squire did not need +intreaty, but mingling among the three, +made a fourth in the conversation, to +the unspeakable satisfaction of their +graces, who thought themselves extremely +fortunate in having an opportunity +of entertaining, at their castle, +such a knight-errant, and such an erring +squire.</p> +<h4 id='chap3-2-14' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='fourteen'>XIV.</abbr> <br> WHICH TREATS OF MANIFOLD IMPORTANT SUBJECTS.</h4> +<p class='c004'>Sancho rejoiced exceedingly at +seeing himself, as he thought, a favourite +with the duchess; for being a +staunch well-wisher to good cheer, he +imagined he should find the same abundance +in the castle, which prevailed in +the houses of Don Diego and Basilius, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_419'>419</span>and always took by the forelock every +occasion of living at his ease. The history +then relates, that before they reached +the castle or pleasure-house, the duke +riding on before, directed his servants +how to behave to Don Quixote; who no +sooner arrived at the gate with the duchess, +than two lacquies or grooms came +forth, clad in long trailing morning-gowns +of fine crimson sattin, and lifting +him off, said, without being heard +or perceived, ‘Your highness must go +and help my Lady Duchess to dismount.’ +The knight took the hint, +and a dispute of compliments passed +between them on the subject; but, at +length, the obstinacy of the duchess prevailed; +for she would not quit her palfrey, +or alight, except in the arms of +the duke, saying, she was not worthy +to load such an excellent knight with +such an useless burden; at last, the +duke came out to perform the office, and +when they entered the court-yard, they +were met by two beautiful damsels, +who threw a mantle of the finest scarlet +over Don Quixote’s shoulders, and +the corridores were instantly crouded +with servants of both sexes, who exclaimed +aloud, ‘Welcome, thou flower +and cream of knights-errant!’ while +all, or the greatest part of them, emptied +bottles of sweet water upon him and +their graces, to the admiration of Don +Quixote, who now, for the first time, +was sure and satisfied of his being a +real, and not a fantastick knight-errant, +because he saw himself treated as +the knights of former ages whose histories +he had read.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Sancho quitted Dapple, and betaking +himself to the duchess, entered the +castle; where, however, his confidence +upbraiding him for having left his +beast alone, he made up to a reverend +duenna, who with others had come out +to receive the duchess, and accosting +her in a soft voice, ‘Signora Gonçalez,’ +said he, ‘or what’s your name, +Madam?’—‘My name is Duenna +Rodrigues de Grijalva,’ answered the +gentlewoman; ‘what are your commands, +brother?’—‘I wish you would +do me the favour, good Madam,’ replied +the squire, ‘to go to the castle-gate, +where you will find a dapple ass +of mine, and be so good as either +to send or lead him to the stable; +for the poor creature is a little timorous, +and cannot bear to be alone, +by any manner of means.’—‘If the +master be as wise as the man,’ cried +the duenna, ‘we have brought our pigs +to a fine market; get you gone, brother, +with a vengeance to you, and +those who brought you hither, and +take care of your ass with your own +hands; the duennas of this house are +not used to such employment.’—‘But, +for all that,’ said Sancho, ‘I have +heard my master, who is a perfect +mine of history, tell us how, when +Lancelot came from Britain, ladies +tended his own person, and duennas +took care of his horse; now, with +respect to my ass, I declare I would +not exchange him for Signior Lancelot’s +courser.’—‘Hark ye, friend,’ +replied the duenna, ‘if you are a jack-pudding, +keep your jokes for a proper +place, where they may turn to account; +from me you’ll get nothing +but a fig for them.’—‘Very well,’ +said the squire, ‘I’ll answer for its +ripeness; your worship won’t lose +your game by a short reckoning.’—‘You +whoreson,’ cried the duenna, in +a violent rage, ‘whether I am old or +not, I must render an account to God, +and not to such a garlick-eating rascal +as you.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>This address she pronounced in such +an audible voice, that she was overheard +by the duchess; who, turning +about, and seeing her woman in such +wrath and trepidation, asked, with whom +she was in such passion. ‘With this +honest fellow, here,’ answered the duenna; +‘who has earnestly desired me to +go and house an ass of his, that stands +at the castle-gate, telling me, forsooth, +as an example, that the same +employment was undertaken by some +ladies, who took care of one Lancelot, +while the duennas looked after +his horse; and to crown the compliment, +he tells me I am old.’—‘I, +myself,’ said the duchess, ‘would +construe that into the greatest affront +that could be given.—Take notice, +friend Sancho, that Donna Rodriguez +is in the prime of her youth; and +that the veil she wears is more for authority +and custom, than on account +of her years.’—‘Accursed be those I +have to live,’ cried the squire, ‘if +I spoke to her for that reason; but, +only for the great affection I bear to +my ass, whom I thought I could not +recommend to a more charitable person +<span class='pageno' id='Page_420'>420</span>than Signora Donna Rodriguez.’ +Don Quixote overhearing all that passed, +‘Is that proper discourse for this place, +Sancho?’ said he. ‘Signior,’ replied +the squire, ‘every man must speak of +his wants where he finds them; here +I thought of Dapple, and here I talked +of him; and if he had come into +my head in the stable, there too he +should have been honourably mentioned.’ +Here the duke interposing, +‘Sancho is very much in the right,’ said +he, ‘and must not be blamed for what +he has said; Dapple shall have no +more to do but ask and have as much +provender as he can eat; for that Sancho +may be quite easy in that respect, +for his beast shall be treated like his +own person.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>This conversation, which was extremely +agreeable to all, except Don +Quixote, brought them to the top of +the stair-case: and the knight being +conducted into an apartment, hung +with the richest tissue and brocade, +was unarmed, and attended by six +sprightly damsels, well instructed by +the duke and duchess in the particulars +of behaviour which they were to +observe towards Don Quixote, in order +to convince him that he was treated +in all respects like a knight-errant. +Thus disarmed, he remained in his +strait breeches and shamoy doublet, +so long, so lank, so lean, with +his lanthorn jaws kissing each other, +that if the damsels had not been +very careful in preserving their gravity, +according to the precise orders +they had received, they must certainly +have burst with laughing at sight +of such an uncouth figure. They desired +he would allow them to undress +and shift him; but he would not assent +to this proposal, saying that knights-errant +ought to be as remarkable for +decency as for valour: he therefore +bade them deliver the shirt to Sancho, +with whom shutting himself up in a +chamber, furnished with a magnificent +bed, he was immediately undressed +and shifted. Then being alone with +his squire, ‘Tell me,’ said he, ‘thou +modern buffoon and ancient blockhead! +was it thy province to dishonour +and affront a venerable duenna, +so worthy of reverence and respect! +Was that a time to think of +Dapple? or couldst thou imagine +those noble persons would neglect +the cattle belonging to guests +whom they treated with such elegance? +For the love of God, Sancho; +set a guard upon thy tongue, and behave +so as that people may not discover, +by the thread, the coarse country +web of which thou art woven: +consider, sinner as thou art, that the +matter is respected in proportion to +the discretion and good-breeding of +his servants; and this is one of the +great advantages which noblemen +have over people of inferior rank: +dost thou not consider, thou plague +to thyself, and vexation to me! that if +they perceive thee to be a base-bred +clown or blundering fool, they will +take me for some cheating impostor +or knight of the post! No, no, Sancho, +shun and avoid those inconveniences; +for he who sets up for a merry-andrew, +falls at the first stumble +into a disgraced buffoon: bridle thy +tongue, therefore, consider and ruminate +well, before the words issue +from thy mouth; and remember that +we are now arrived at a place from +whence by the favour of God, and +the valour of mine arm, we shall depart, +bettered three, nay, five-fold, +both in fortune and in fame.’ Sancho +promised, with repeated assurances, +that he would rather stitch up his +mouth, or bite off his tongue, than utter +one word that should not be pat to +the purpose, and well considered, according +to his command; and that he +might make himself perfectly easy on +that score, for by him it should never +be discovered who they were.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Don Quixote having dressed himself, +girded on his sword, thrown the scarlet +mantle over his shoulders, and covered +his head with a cap of green +velvet, which he received from the +damsels, came forth thus equipped, +into the great hall, where he found the +maidens placed in two equal rows, +furnished with the implements for +hands-washing, which they administered +with profound respect and abundance +of ceremony: then came the +major-domo, attended by twelve pages, +to conduct him to the table where +their graces waited for him; he was +accordingly surrounded by these domesticks, +and led with great pomp and +majesty into another hall, in which appeared +a table, nobly decorated, with +four covers. The duke and duchess +<span class='pageno' id='Page_421'>421</span>came to the door to receive him, attended +by one of those grave ecclesiasticks +who govern the families of noblemen; +who being of no birth themselves, +know not how to direct those who are; +who seek to measure the grandeur of +the great by the narrowness of their +own souls; and, in attempting to +make their pupils œconomists, convert +them into downright misers: such, I +say, was the grave clergyman who +came out to receive Don Quixote, with +the duke and duchess. After a thousand +courteous compliments, they +walked on each side of him to the table, +where the duke complimented him with +the upper end; and though he refused +that honour, they importuned him so +much, that he was obliged to comply; +the clergyman sitting opposite to him, +and the duke and duchess taking their +places at the sides.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Sancho, who was present at all this +ceremony, being confounded and astonished +at the honours which were paid +to his master, and perceiving the formality +and entreaties that passed between +his grace and Don Quixote, about +sitting at the head of the table, intruded +himself, as usual, into the discourse, +saying, ‘With your honour’s +leave, I’ll tell you a story of what +happened in our village, with respect +to the upper-hand in sitting.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Scarce had he pronounced these +words, when the knight began to tremble +with apprehensions that he was +going to utter some absurdity; but the +squire seeing and understanding the cause +of his matter’s trepidation, ‘Signior,’ +said he, ‘Your worship needs not be +afraid that I shall misbehave, or say, +something that is not to the matter +in hand; for I have not forgot the +advice I just now received from your +worship, about speaking a little or a +great deal, to the purpose, and not +to the purpose.’—‘I know nothing +at all of the matter,’ answered the +knight; ‘say what thou wilt, so thou +sayest it quickly.’—‘Well then,’ replied +Sancho, ‘what I am going to say, +is true, for my master Don Quixote, +here present, would not suffer me to +tell a lye.’—‘As for me,’ said Don +Quixote, ‘you may lye as much as you +please, without lett or molestation: +but I advise you to consider well what +you are about to say.’—‘I have it so +well considered and reconsidered, that I +am as safe as he that has the repique in +hand, as will appear in the performance.’—‘Your +graces will do well,’ said +Don Quixote, ‘to order the servants to +turn out this madman, who will commit +a thousand blunders.’—‘By the +life of the duke!’ cried the duchess, +‘I will not part with my good friend +Sancho, for whom I have a very great +respect, because I know him to be +a person of wit and pleasantry.’—‘Pleasant +may all the days of your +holiness be, for your good opinion, +of my deserts,’ said the squire; ‘though +God knows, they are but slender +enough: however, my story is this.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘There was an invitation given by a +gentleman of our town, who was +both rich and well born, as being +come of the Alamos of Medina del +Campo, and married to Donna Mencia +de Quinones, daughter of Don +Alonzo de Maranon, Knight of the +Order of <abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr> Jago, who was drowned +in the Herradura, and occasioned a +quarrel some years ago in our village, +in which, if I am not mistaken, my +master Don Quixote was concerned; +but this I know, mad Tom, the son +of old Balvastro the blacksmith, was +hurt on that occasion.—Now, Sir +Master of mine, is not this God’s +truth; speak upon your worship’s +honour, that these noble persons may +not look upon me as a chattering +lyar?’—‘Hitherto,’ said the clergyman, +‘I take you to be a chatterer +rather than a lyar; but I know not +what I shall take you for in the sequel.’—‘Thou +hast produced so +many witnesses and tokens,’ replied +the knight, ‘that I cannot but say thy +story looks like truth; proceed, however, +and shorten thy tale, for thou +art in the way of lengthening it out +for the space of two whole days.’—‘He +shall not shorten it,’ said the +duchess, ‘if he consults my entertainment; +but, on the contrary, tell +it in his own way, though it should +not be finished in six days; for should +it hold out so long, they will be some +of the pleasantest I ever passed.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Well, then, my masters,’ proceeded +Sancho, ‘that same gentleman, whom +I know as well as I know these two +hands, for it is not above a bow-shot +from his house to mine; invited a +<span class='pageno' id='Page_422'>422</span>farmer, who, though not rich, was a +very honest man.’—‘Dispatch, brother,’ +cried the priest, interposing, +‘for at this rate, your story will reach +to the other world.’—‘It will hardly +go half so far, an it please God,’ +answered the squire; who thus proceeded: +‘So, as I was saying, the +farmer going to the house of the +gentleman inviter, who is now dead, +God rest his soul! by the same token +they say he died like an angel; for +my own part, I was not present at his +death, having gone a reaping to Tembleque.’—‘As +you hope to live, +son,’ cried the ecclesiastick, ‘return +quickly from Tembleque, and finish +your story, without staying to inter +the gentleman, unless you have a +mind to bury us all?’—‘Well, to +come to the point,’ replied Sancho; +‘when the two came to be seated at +table. Methinks I see them now +more than ever.’ The duke and +duchess were infinitely pleased with the +disgust which the reverend ecclesiastick +expressed at the tedious and circumstantial +manner in which the squire related +his story, while Don Quixote was almost +consumed by shame and indignation. +‘I say, moreover,’ resumed +Sancho, ‘that the two, as I have already +observed, coming to sit down at the table, +the farmer obstinately refused to +take the upper-end, according to the +desire of the entertainer; while the gentleman +on the other hand as obstinately +insisted upon his compliance, alledging +that he ought to be master in his +own house; but the farmer, who +piqued himself upon his politeness +and good-breeding, still persisted in +his refusal, until the gentleman, +growing angry, took him by the +shoulders, and thrust him into the +seat, saying, “Know, Mr. Chaff-thresher, +that wheresoever I sit, I +shall always be at the head of the +table.” Now this is my tale, and +I really believe it was brought in +pretty pat to the purpose.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Don Quixote’s brown face was +speckled with a thousand different colours +at this recital: and their graces +restrained their laughter, that he might +not be quite abashed at the sarcastick +insinuation of his squire. To change +the discourse, therefore, and prevent +Sancho from uttering any other such +dangerous contents, the duchess addressing +herself to the knight, asked, +when he had heard from the Lady +Dulcinea; and if he had lately sent her +any presents from the great number of +giants and robbers whom he must have +vanquished. To this interrogation the +knight replied, ‘My misfortunes, +Madam, though they had a beginning, +will never have an end. Giants I +have vanquished; felons and robbers +I have sent; but where must they +find her, inchanted and transformed +as she is, into the most homely country +wench that can be imagined!’—‘This +I know,’ said Sancho Panza: +‘to me she seemed the most beautiful +creature in the whole world; at +least, in point of nimbleness and leaping, +she would get the better of a +professed rope-dancer.—In good faith, +my Lady Duchess, she skipped from +the ground upon her ass, like a perfect +cat.’—‘What! have you seen her +inchanted, Sancho?’ said the duke. +‘How! I seen her?’ replied the squire: +‘who the devil but I was the first that +fell upon the plot of the inchantment: +to be sure she was as much inchanted +as my father.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>The ecclesiastick hearing them talk +of giants, felons, and inchantments, +began to imagine that this must be the +Don Quixote de La Mancha, whose +history the duke took such delight in +reading, that he had often reprehended +his grace for being so mad as to read +such nonsense; and being now confirmed +in his suspicion, he said to the duke, +in a very cholerick tone, ‘Signior, your +excellency is accountable to Heaven +for the actions of that poor man. +That Don Quixote, or Don Driveller, +or what’s his name, would not, I +imagine, be such a fool, if your excellency +did not administer fuel and +encouragement to his madness and +folly.’ Then addressing himself to +the knight, ‘And pray, Mr. Wiseacre,’ +said he, ‘who has stuffed your brain +with the ridiculous conceit of your +being a knight-errant, conquering +giants, and apprehending robbers? +Return, in good hour, (for in good +hour I advise you) return to your own +house, educate your children, if you +have any, take care of your own +concerns, and leave off strolling about +the country, sucking the wind, and +exposing yourself to the laughter of +those who do, and those who do not, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_423'>423</span>know your infirmity. Where, in +evil hour, did you find that there are, +or ever were, knights-errant? Where +did you ever see giants in Spain, caitiffs +in La Mancha, or inchanted Dulcineas, +with all that tribe of absurdities +that are recounted as your adventures?’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Don Quixote, who listened attentively +to the discourse of this venerable person, +no sooner perceived he had left off +speaking, than forgetting the respect he +owed the duke and duchess, he started +up, and with ireful aspect and glowing +visage, replied——But the reply deserves +a chapter for itself.</p> +<h4 id='chap3-2-15' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='fifteen'>XV.</abbr> <br> CONTAINING DON QUIXOTE’S REPLY TO HIS REPROVER;<br> WITH OTHER SERIOUS AND DIVERTING INCIDENTS.</h4> +<p class='c004'>Don Quixote starting up, and trembling +from head to foot, like +quicksilver, thus accosted the ecclesiastick, +with an eager, yet faultering +tongue: ‘The place and presence in +which I am, and the respect which I +always had and still have for the function +you profess, withold and tie up +the hands of my just resentment; for +these reasons, as well as because I +know what all the world knows, that +gownmen and women make use of no +weapons but their tongues, I will, +with mine, fairly engage your reverence, +of whom I might have expected +good advice, rather than infamous +reproach; as wholesome and well-meant +reproof requires far other circumstances, +and ought to be conveyed +in gentler terms: at least, a rebuke in +publick, delivered with such asperity, +has exceeded all the bounds of Christian +reprehension, the beginning of +which ought to be mild rather than +severe; nor is it just to call the delinquent +in plain terms, a wiseacre and +a fool, without knowing the nature +of the fault for which he is reprehensible. +But, pray tell me, reverend +Signior, for which of the absurdities +you have noted in my behaviour, do +you condemn and reproach me, bidding +me return to my own house, to +take care of my family, my wife and +children, without knowing whether +I have either wife or children? What +then! is there nothing required but +to enter a house at random, in order +to lead the master by the nose; and +shall a narrow-minded pedant, on the +strength of having taught a few pupils +to read Latin, though he has +seen no more of the world than what +may be contained in twenty or thirty +leagues of district, presume abruptly, +without permission, to give laws to +chivalry, and judge of knights-errant? +Is it a vain undertaking then, +or is the time misspent, which we employ +in travelling about the world, +not in quest of its delights, but its +adversities, by which good men ascend +the throne of immortality? Had I been +counted a fool by knights, or people +of fashion, birth, or generosity, I +should have deemed myself irreparably +affronted; but my being regarded as +a madman by book-worms who never +entered or trod the paths of chivalry, +I value not a farthing; a knight I +am, and a knight I shall die according +to the pleasure of the Almighty. +Some chuse the spacious field of proud +ambition; others take that of base and +servile adulation; a third set follow +the paths of deceitful hypocrisy; and +a fourth proceed in that of true religion; +but I, by the influence of my +stars, pursue the narrow track of +knight-errantry, for the exercise of +which, I undervalue fortune in the +chace of honour. I have assisted the +aggrieved, redressed wrongs, chastised +the insolent, overcome giants, and +overthrown hobgoblins. I am enamoured, +for no other reason but because +it is necessary that knights-errant +should be in love; and this being +the case, I am not a vicious libertine, +but a chaste platonick admirer. My +intention I always direct to a worthy +aim, namely, to do good unto all men, +and harm to no creature.—Whether +or not he who thinks, acts, and speaks +in this manner, deserves to be called +a fool, let your graces determine?’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Well argued, master!’ cried Sancho: +’‘Fore God! your worship needs +say no more in behalf of your +own character; for there is no +more to be said, thought, or insisted +upon; especially as that gentleman +denies, and he certainly has denied, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_424'>424</span>that there either are, or ever were, +knights-errant in this world; so that +he knows nothing at all of the matter!’—‘Brother,’ +replied the priest, +‘belike you are that Sancho Panza, to +whom they say your master has promised +an island?’—‘Yes, I am,’ said +the squire, ‘and I hope I deserve it as +well as another. I am one of whom +you may say, Keep good company, +and you’ll learn good manners; and, +I ask not where you was hatched, but +where you was watched. And again, +Well sheltered shall he be, who leans +against a sturdy tree. Now I have +leaned against a good master, and accompanied +him many months, and +will learn to be just such another as +himself; and if God pleases, and he +live and I live, he will not want governments +to give, nor I islands to +govern.’—‘No, surely, friend Sancho,’ +said the duke, ‘for I myself, +in the name of Signior Don Quixote, +will confer upon you the government +of an odd island, and that not inconsiderable, +which is in my possession.’—‘Fall +upon your knees, Sancho,’ +cried Don Quixote, ‘and kiss his excellency’s +feet, for the honour he has +done you.’ Sancho did as he was +desired: and the ecclesiastick no sooner +saw the ceremony performed, than he +rose from table in a violent passion, +saying, ‘By the habit which I wear, +I affirm, that your excellency is as +mad as these poor sinners: what +wonder that they should be frantick, +when people who are in their senses +canonize their phrenzy! Your excellency +may enjoy their company by +yourself; for while they remain in +this house, I shall stay in my own, +and excuse myself from reproving +what I cannot remedy.’ Without +farther speech, or eating another mouthful, +he went away abruptly, in spite +of all their graces could say to detain +him. Indeed the duke said not much; +for he was hindered by the laughter +which the priest’s impertinent indignation +had produced; however, as soon +as he could resume his gravity, he addressed +himself to Don Quixote in these +words.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Sir Knight of the Lions, your +worship has made such an ample reply, +that nothing farther remains to +be done, by way of satisfaction for +that, which though it may seem an +affront, falls by no means under that +denomination; for neither the female +sex nor the clergy, can give affronts, +as your worship so very well knows.’—‘Undoubtedly,’ +answered the knight; +‘and the reason is, because those persons +who cannot receive, are not capable +of giving an affront. Women, +children, and ecclesiasticks, as they +cannot defend themselves when attacked, +so neither can they be affronted: +for there is this difference between +an injury and affront, as your excellency +well knows; an affront +comes from a person who is capable +of giving an affront, and when it is +given, maintains it; whereas, an injury +may come from any quarter, unattended +by an affront. For example, +a man walking carelessly in the street, +is assaulted and cudgelled by ten +armed persons, against whom he draws +his sword, and behaves like a man of +honour; but he is overpowered by +the number of his antagonists, +and prevented from executing his +intention, which is to revenge the +wrong; this man is injured, not +affronted. A truth which we will +confirm by another example: A man +comes and strikes another, whose +back is turned, and then betakes +himself to his heels; and the other +pursues, though he cannot overtake +the fugitive. The man so struck +received an injury, but no affront, +because an affront ought to be maintained. +If he who gave the blow, +though it was done by stealth, in a +cowardly manner, had drawn his +sword, and stood facing the enemy, +he who received the blow would have +been both injured and affronted: +injured, because he was surprized; and +affronted, because he who gave the +blow maintained it by keeping his +ground. And therefore, according +to the punctilios of honour, I may +be injured but not affronted; for women +and children do not feel those +things; they can neither fly nor stand +their ground: and the same rule holds +good with those who are consecrated +to the service of religion. Now these +three classes of mankind are destitute +of offensive and defensive weapons; +and though nature obliges them to +stand in their own defence, yet they +can offend nobody: and albeit I +just now said I might be injured, I +<span class='pageno' id='Page_425'>425</span>now affirm it cannot be in any shape; +for he who cannot receive, much less +can he give an affront. For which +reasons I ought not to resent, nor do +I resent, the reproaches of that honest +man; I only wish he had staid a +little, until I should have convinced +him of his error, in thinking and +saying, there never were, nor are, +knights-errant upon the face of the +earth; an asseveration which might +have turned to his prejudice, had it +been overheard by Amadis, or any +one of his infinite progeny.’—‘I’ll +take my corporal oath,’ cried Sancho, +‘that they would have given a back-stroke +that would have laid him open +from top to toe, like a pomegranate +or ripe melon: they were a rare set +to endure such tickling. By my +holy-dame! I am well assured, that if +Reynaldos of Montalvan had heard +this manikin’s discourse, he would +have given him such a slap in the +mouth, that he should not have spoke +another word in three long years. +No, no! let him meddle with them, +and he’ll see how well he’ll escape out +of their clutches.’ The duchess had +well-nigh died with laughing at this +speech of Sancho; who, in her sentiment, +was a more diverting madman +than his master, and a great many people +at that time were of the same way of +thinking.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Finally, Don Quixote was appeased, +dinner ended, and the cloth being taken +away, in came four damsels, one of +them with a silver ewer, another with a +flask of the same metal, a third with a +couple of very fine white towels over her +arm, and a fourth with her arms bare +up to the elbow, and in her white +hands, for doubtless they were white, a +wash ball of Neapolitan soap. She who +carried the ewer, approaching with a +genteel carriage, and modest assurance, +thrust it under the beard of Don Quixote, +who, without speaking one word, +wondered at this ceremony; from which +he concluded, that it was the custom of +the country to wash beards, instead of +hands: he therefore stretched out his +chin as far as he could, and immediately +the flask began to rain; the damsel +with the soap-ball lathered him with +great expedition, raising flakes of snow, +(for the suds were as white) not only +upon the beard, but also over the whole +face of the obedient knight, insomuch +that he was obliged to shut his eyes in +their defence; while the duke and duchess, +who were not in the secret, sat +impatiently waiting to see the issue of +this ablution. The young she-barber +having raised the lather as high as her +hand, pretended the water was spent, +and bade the damsel of the flask go for +a fresh supply, and Signior Don Quixote +would have patience till her +return. He accordingly waited with +patience, exhibiting the strangest and +most ludicrous figure that ever was conceived, +to the view of numerous spectators, +who seeing half a yard of neck +more than moderately brown, two eyes +shut, and his beard covered with lather, +had need of great discretion to restrain +their laughter, and it was a wonder they +could smother it at any rate. As for +the damsels concerned in the joke, they +kept their eyes fixed on the ground, +without daring to look at the duke and +duchess, who were at once agitated by +mirth and indignation; and did not +know, whether they should resolve upon +chastising their presumption, or rewarding +them for the pleasure they received +in seeing the knight in such an +attitude. At length the damsel returning +with more water, they finished the +ablution of Don Quixote; then she who +carried the towels having wiped and +dried him with great composure, all +four at once made a most profound +curtsey, and were going away. But the +duke, fearing the knight would smell +the joke, called to the damsel of the +ewer, saying—‘Come hither, and wash +me too, and be sure you have water +enough.’ The girl being very handy +and acute, obeyed without hesitation, +placed the ewer under his grace’s chin, +and when he was well washed, lathered, +wiped, and dried, they dropped their +curtsies and retired. It was afterwards +known, the duke had sworn within himself, +that if they should have refused to +serve him in that manner, he would +have chastised them for their assurance; +but they prudently escaped a scouring, +by scouring his grace.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Sancho having attentively considered +this ceremony of cleansing—‘God’s +mercy!’ said he within himself, ‘is +it the custom in this country to wash +the squire’s beard as well as the +knight’s? For God and my own conscience +knows, I have need of such +purification; and if they would give +<span class='pageno' id='Page_426'>426</span>me the touch of a razor, the benefit +would still be the greater.’—‘What +is that you mutter, Sancho?’ said the +duchess. ‘I say, my lady,’ answered +the squire, ‘I have always heard it said, +that in the courts of other princes, +when the cloth is taken away, water +for the hands is brought in, but not +suds for the beard; so that the longer +we live, the more we learn: yet it is +also observed, that he who lives much +time will bear much misfortune; +though to undergo such a purification +as this may pass for a pleasure rather +than a toil.’—‘Give yourself no concern, +friend Sancho,’ said the duchess, +‘for I will order my maids not only to +wash, but also to lay you a-bucking, +should it be necessary.’—‘I shall be +satisfied with the lathering of my +beard,’ replied the squire; ‘at least +for the present, and God will ordain +what is to happen in the sequel.’ The +duchess turning to the major-domo—‘Remember,’ +said she, ‘what honest +Sancho desires, and gratify his inclination +with the utmost punctuality.’ +This domestick promised that Signior +Sancho should be obeyed in all things; +and returning to dinner with the squire, +left their graces and Don Quixote sitting +at the table, discoursing on many +and various subjects, though all of them +related to chivalry and the exercise of +arms.</p> + +<p class='c005'>The duchess entreated the knight, +who seemed to possess such a tenacious +memory, to delineate and describe the +beauty and deportment of the Lady +Dulcinea del Toboso, who, she concluded, +from what fame had proclaimed +of her charms, must be the fairest creature, +not only in the whole world, but +even in La Mancha. Don Quixote +sighing, at her grace’s request—‘If,’ +said he, ‘I could take out my heart, +and lay it before your highness in a +plate, upon this table, I should save +my tongue the trouble of saying what +is almost inconceivable, for in it your +excellency would see her picture at +full length: but why should I now +attempt to delineate and describe circumstantially +the particular charms of +the peerless Dulcinea? A burden +worthy of other shoulders than mine, +and a task which ought to employ the +pencils of Parrhasius, Timanthes, +and Apelles, together with the chissel +of Lysippus, to exhibit her image on +canvas, brass, and marble, as well as +the Ciceronian and Demosthenian +eloquence to sound her praise.’—‘What +does Signior Don Quixote +mean by Demosthenian,’ said the duchess, +‘which is a word I never heard +before in the whole course of my life.’—‘Demosthenian +eloquence,’ answered +the knight, ‘has the same signification +as the eloquence of Demosthenes, and +Ciceronian means that of Cicero; for +these two were the greatest orators in +the whole world.’—‘Certainly,’ said +the duke, ‘and you exposed yourself by +such an interrogation: nevertheless, +Signior Don Quixote would give us +infinite pleasure, could he be prevailed +upon to describe that beauty which, +even in a sketch or rough draught, +would certainly appear such as might +excite envy in the most beautiful women +of the creation.’—‘I would assuredly +comply with your grace’s desire,’ +replied the knight, ‘were not +her idea blotted from my remembrance, +by the misfortune which hath +lately befallen her; a misfortune +which induces me to bewail rather +than describe her; for your highness +must observe, that when I went some +time ago to kiss her hands and receive +her benediction, consent, and +licence, for this my third sally, I +found her quite otherwise than I expected; +I found her enchanted and +transformed from a princess into a +country wench, from beauty into +deformity, from an angel into a dæmon, +from a delicious perfume into +a pestilential vapour, from the pink of +compliment into the most clownish +dialect, from light into darkness, +from a sedate young lady into a rustick +romp, and finally, from Dulcinea del +Toboso into a Sayago<a id='r166'></a><a href='#f166' class='c008'><sup>[166]</sup></a> drab.’—‘God +protect us!’ cried the duke with a +loud voice, ‘who can have done such +mischief to the world, in robbing it +of that beauty by which it was delighted, +that good humour by which +it was entertained, and that modesty +which did it honour?’—‘Who?’ answered +the knight; ‘who could it be, +but one of the malignant and envious +<span class='pageno' id='Page_427'>427</span>tribe of enchanters, by whom I am +persecuted? That accursed race, +brought into the world on purpose to +obscure and annihilate the exploits of +the good, and to illustrate and extol +the deeds of the wicked. Persecuted +I have been by enchanters, persecuted +I am by enchanters, and enchanters +will persecute me, until I and all my +lofty feats of chivalry are plunged into +the abyss of oblivion: nay, they +injure and wound me in that part +where they know my feeling is most +acute; for to deprive a knight-errant +of his mistress, is to rob him of +the eyes with which he sees, the sun +by which he is enlightened, and the +support by which he is maintained. +I have many times said, and now I +repeat the observation, that a knight-errant +without a mistress, is like a tree +without leaves, a building without +cement, and a shadow without the +substance by which it is produced.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘There is no more to be said,’ replied +the duchess; ‘nevertheless, if we +are to believe the history of Signior +Don Quixote, which has lately been +ushered into the world, with the general +applause of the different nations +that compose it, we must conclude (if +I right remember) that your worship +never saw the Lady Dulcinea, and +that there is no such person in being; +but that it is only a fantastical mistress, +begot and born in your imagination, +which hath decked her with +all the graces and perfection that fancy +could conceive.’—‘Much may be +said on that subject,’ answered Don +Quixote; ‘God knows whether or +not there is such a person as Dulcinea +in the world, whether she is fantastical +or not fantastical; for these things are +not to be too nicely investigated: for +my own part, I neither begat nor bore +my mistress, although I contemplate +her with that admiration which is due +to a lady, in whom are concentered +those qualities that ought to render +her renowned throughout the whole +world, such as beauty without blemish, +gravity without pride, tenderness with +chastity, affability from courtesy, +courtesy from good-breeding; and, +finally, dignity from birth, because +nobleness of blood reflects an additional +splendor upon beauty, and +shews it to greater perfection than that +which we find, among the fairest of +those who are meanly born.’—‘Your +observation is extremely just,’ said +the duke: ‘but Signior Don Quixote +must give me leave to mention what +the history of his adventures, which I +have read, obliges me to declare; +namely, that though we grant there +may be a Dulcinea, either in or out +of Toboso, and that she may be +beautiful to excess, as your worship +has described her, yet, in respect to +pedigree, she is by no means on a +footing with the Orianas, the Alastrajareas, +Madasimas, together with +the rest of that class, which occurs so +often in those histories that are so familiar +to your worship.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘To that observation I can answer,’ +said the knight, ‘that Dulcinea is the +daughter of her own works; that +good qualities ennoble the blood, and +that a virtuous person of low descent +ought to be more esteemed than a vicious +man of high degree; especially +as Dulcinea possesses qualifications +which may raise her to the throne of +a crowned and sceptered queen; for +the merit of a virtuous and beautiful +woman is sufficient to work still +greater miracles, and virtually, though +not formally, contains within itself +still greater advantages.’—‘Signior +Don Quixote,’ said the duchess, ‘every +thing you say is spoken with deliberation, +and, according to the proverb, +you proceed with the plummet in your +hand: henceforth I shall firmly believe, +and make my whole family, +even the duke himself, should there be +occasion, believe, that Dulcinea is +living at this day in Toboso; that she +is beautiful, high born, and in all respects +worthy to be served and admired +by such a knight as Signior +Don Quixote; and that is the highest +compliment that can be bestowed. +But I cannot help forming a scruple, +and entertaining a kind of grudge +against Sancho Panza: the scruple +arises from a particular of the history, +importing, that the said Sancho found +the Lady Dulcinea winnowing a sack +of wheat, when he carried a letter to +her from your worship, by the same +token it is said to have been red +wheat; a circumstance that makes +me doubt the nobleness of her pedigree.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>To this remark Don Quixote replied—‘Madam, +your highness must know +<span class='pageno' id='Page_428'>428</span>that all or the greatest part of the incidents +that happen to me, deviate +from the ordinary limits of those adventures +which occur to other knights-errant, +either conduced by the inscrutable +will of destiny, or effected by +the malice of some envious enchanter; +and it is a circumstance well known +of all or the greatest part of renowned +knights-errant, that one possessed the +virtue of being proof against enchantment, +another of being invulnerable, +which was the case of the famous Orlando, +one of the Twelve Peers of +France, who, as it is recorded, could +not be wounded in any other place but +the sole of his left foot, and even there, +with no other weapon than the point +of a large pin; so that Bernardo del +Carpio, who slew him at the battle of +Roncesvalles, perceiving that he could +make no impression upon him with +steel, lifted him off the ground, and +strangled him between his arms, in +imitation of the manner in which +Hercules destroyed Anteus, that ferocious +giant said to be the son of +Earth. What I would infer from +what I have said, is, that I too may +have some of these virtues centered +in my person, though not that of +being invulnerable, for I have been +frequently convinced by experience, +that my flesh is very tender, and by +no means impenetrable; nor that of +being proof against enchantment, for +I once found myself cooped up in a +cage, in which the whole world would +not have had strength enough to inclose +me, without the additional power +of enchantment; but since I freed +myself from that confinement, I am +apt to believe that no other will ever +interrupt the course of my adventures; +and, therefore, those enchanters, +seeing that their wicked arts will +not take effect upon my own person, +revenge themselves on those things +to which my affection is chiefly attached, +and endeavour to deprive me +of life, by persecuting that of Dulcinea, +for whom alone I live. I +therefore am persuaded, that when my +squire delivered my message, they had +converted her into a coarse country +wench, employed in such a mean exercise +as that of winnowing wheat: +but I have already said, that it could +not be red wheat, nor indeed any sort +of wheat, but oriental pearls; and as +a proof of this asseveration, I must +tell your highnesses, that when I lately +went to Toboso, I could by no means +find Dulcinea’s palace; and the day +following, while my squire Sancho beheld +her in her own figure, which is +the fairest in the whole world, to me +she seemed a rustick and homely country +wench, without any thing sensible in +her conversation; whereas she is in fact +the very pink of discretion and good +sense. Now, since I myself neither am, +nor, in all probability, can be enchanted, +she is the person enchanted, offended, +changed, perverted, and transformed, +and in her my enemies have +taken vengeance upon me; so that, for +her, I shall live in perpetual affliction, +until I see her restored to her former +state; all this I have observed, that +nobody may scruple about what Sancho +said of her sifting and winnowing; +for, since they have transformed her in +my view, no wonder they should change +her form in his. Dulcinea is a person +of birth and fashion, one of the genteel +families of Toboso, which are +very numerous, ancient and noble; and +certainly no small part of these qualifications +falls to the share of the peerless +Dulcinea, on whose account the +place of her nativity will become famous +and renowned in future ages, +as Troy is become famous by Helen, +and Spain by Cava, though with a +better title and nobler fame. On the +other hand, I must inform your graces, +that Sancho Panza is one of the most +pleasant squires that ever served a +knight-errant: sometimes his simplicity +is so arch, that to consider whether +he is more fool or wag, yields abundance +of pleasure; he hath roguery +enough to pass for a knave, and absurdities +sufficient to confirm him a +fool; he doubts every thing, and believes +every thing; and often, when +I think, he is going to discharge nonsense, +he will utter apophthegms that +will raise him to the skies; in a word, +I would not exchange him for any +other squire, even with a city to boot; +and therefore I am in doubt whether +or not it will be expedient to send him +to that government which your grace +has been so good as to bestow upon +him; although I can perceive in him +a certain aptitude for such an office; +<span class='pageno' id='Page_429'>429</span>so that, when his understanding is a +very little polished, he will agree with +any government, like the king with +his customs; for we know by repeated +experience, that great talents and +learning are not necessary in a governor, +as there are a hundred at least, +who govern like <i>jerfaulcons</i>, though +they can hardly read their mother +tongue; provided their intention is +righteous, and their desire to do justice, +they will never want counsellors +to direct them in every transaction, +like your military governors, who +being illiterate themselves, never decide +without the advice of an assessor. +I shall advise him corruption to eschew, +but never quit his due: and inculcate +some other small matters that are in my +head, which, in process of time, may +redound to his own interest, as well as +to the advantage of the island under +his command.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Thus far the conversation had proceeded +between their graces and Don +Quixote, when they heard a number of +people talking, and a great noise in the +palace, and presently Sancho entered +the hall in a fright, tucked with a dish-clout +by way of bib, and followed by +several boys, or rather scullions and +other small gentry, one of whom brought +a tray full of water, which, by its colour +and filth, appeared to be dish-washings, +pursuing and persecuting the poor +squire, and struggling to thrust it under +his chin; while another, with the same +earnestness, endeavoured to lather his +beard. ‘What is the matter, fellows?’ +cried the duchess, ‘what is the matter? +What designs have you upon that +worthy gentleman? Hah! don’t you +consider he is governor elect?’ To +this apostrophe, the barber scullion replied—‘The +gentleman won’t suffer +himself to be washed according to the +custom and manner practised upon my +Lord Duke and his own master.’—‘Yes, +I will,’ cried Sancho in a violent +passion, ‘but it must be with whiter +towels, clearer suds, and cleaner +hands; for surely there is not such a +difference between me and my master, +as that he should be washed with +angel water, and I drenched with +devil’s lye. The customs of different +countries, and the fashions of princely +courts, are no farther good than as +they are agreeable; but this here +custom of lathering is worse than the +exercise of disciplinants<a id='r167'></a><a href='#f167' class='c008'><sup>[167]</sup></a>. My beard +is clean enough, and needs no such +scrubbing; and if any man pretends +to lather me, or touch a hair of my +head, (my beard I mean) saving this +honourable presence, I’ll drive my +fist in his scull; for these ceremonies +of soap scouring look rather like +making game than making welcome.’ +The duchess was ready to +burst with laughing at the rage and remonstrance +of Sancho: but Don Quixote +was not extremely well pleased, to +see his squire tucked up with such a dirty +cloth, and surrounded with so many +sons of the kitchen; he therefore, +making a low bow to the duke and +duchess, by way of asking their permission +to speak, thus addressed himself +to the scullions, in a solemn tone—‘So +ho, you gentlemen cavaliers! I desire +your worships will let the young man +alone, and return to the place from +whence you came, or go whithersoever +you please; my squire is as +cleanly as another, and those trays +are as unfit for him as a narrow-necked +bottle: take my advice, therefore, +and let him alone; for neither he nor +I understand such impertinent jokes.’ +Here Sancho, taking the word out of +his master’s mouth, proceeded, saying—‘No, +no, let them perform their clumsy +joke, which I shall bear as sure as +it is now night! let them fetch a +comb, or what they will, to curry this +beard, and if they catch any thing that +should give offence to cleanliness, +they shall shear me against the hair.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>At this period, the duchess still laughing—‘Sancho +<span class='pageno' id='Page_430'>430</span>Panza,’ said she, ‘is +certainly in the right in all that he +has said, and will be in the right in +all that he shall say; he is already +clean enough, and as he observes, has +no occasion to be washed; and if he +does not like the custom of the place, +he shall follow his own inclination<a id='r168'></a><a href='#f168' class='c008'><sup>[168]</sup></a>; +besides, you ministers of cleanliness +have been extremely remiss and negligent, +not to say presumptuous, in +bringing to such a personage and +such a beard, trays, wooden troughs, +and dishclouts, instead of ewers and +golden basons, and towels of the +finest holland: but the case is, you are +base-born miscreants, and like caitiffs +as you are, cannot forbear shewing +the grudge you bear to the squires of +knights errant.’ The whole scullion +ministry, as well as the major-domo, +who came in with them, believed +her grace was actually in earnest, and +sneaked away in great shame and confusion, +after having untied the dishclout +from the neck of Sancho, who seeing +himself delivered from that imminent +danger, went and fell upon his knees +before the duchess, saying—‘From great +ladies great benefits are expected; and +this that I have now received from +your grace, I can in no other shape +repay, than in wishing I were dubbed +a knight-errant, that I might +spend all the days of my life in the +service of such a noble and exalted +lady; a peasant I am, and Sancho +Panza by name, with a wife and family, +and serve in quality of a squire; +and if in any of these respects I can +serve your highness, I shall be more +speedy in obeying than your grace in +laying your commands.’—‘Sancho,’ +replied the duchess, ‘it plainly appears +that you have learned politeness +in the school of courtesy itself; I say, +it plainly appears, that you have been +bred up at the feet of Don Quixote, +who is the cream of compliment, and +flower of ceremony, or, as you term +it, Sarah-money: long life and prosperity +to such a master and such a +pupil; one the north-pole of knight-errantry, +and the other the very star +of squirish fidelity. Rise, friend Sancho, +and I will remunerate your politeness, +by prevailing upon my Lord +Duke to perform his promise of the +government with all possible dispatch.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Here the conversation being broke off, +the knight retired to take his afternoon’s +nap<a id='r169'></a><a href='#f169' class='c008'><sup>[169]</sup></a>, and the duchess desired Sancho, +if he was not very much disposed to +sleep, to go and pass the evening with +her and her women, in a very cool and +pleasant apartment. Sancho told her, +that although it was really his custom +to sleep for four or five hours every afternoon +in the heat of summer, yet, +for the satisfaction of her grace’s goodness, +he would that day strive, with all +his might, to keep himself awake, and +obey her commands in all things: he accordingly +attended her steps; while the +duke gave fresh directions for treating +Don Quixote as a real knight-errant, +without deviating one tittle from the +stile in which the ancient knights are +said to have been entertained.</p> + +<p class='c005'>END OF BOOK II. PART II.</p> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_431'>431</span> + <h3 id='book3-3' class='c014'>BOOK <abbr title='three'>III.</abbr></h3> +</div> +<h4 id='chap3-3-1' class='c010'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='one'>I.</abbr> <br> OF THE PLEASANT CONVERSATION THAT PASSED BETWEEN THE DUCHESS,<br> HER WOMEN, AND SANCHO PANZA;<br> WORTHY TO BE READ AND REMEMBERED.</h4> +<p class='c004'>The history then relates, +that Sancho did not sleep +that afternoon; but, according +to his promise, +went, eating all the way, +into the apartment of the +duchess, who took great delight in hearing +his conversation, and desired him +to sit close by her on a joint-stool, +though the squire, out of pure good-breeding, +begged to be excused; but +her grace told him, he should sit as governor, +and speak as squire, for in +both capacities he deserved the individual +seat of the champion Cid Roy +Dias.</p> + +<div id='plate7' class='figcenter id002'> +<img src='images/plate-vii.jpg' alt='"' class='ig001'> +<div class='ic002'> +<p>Plate VII: Sancho Panza and the Duchess and Her Ladies.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<p class='c004'>Sancho, shrugging up his shoulders, +obeyed and took his place, surrounded +by all the damsels and duennas, who +listened with profound silence and attention. +Nevertheless, the duchess was +the first who began the discourse, saying—‘Now +that we are by ourselves, +unheard by any body, I must entreat +Mr. Governor, to resolve certain +doubts of mine, produced by the +printed history of the great Don Quixote; +one of which doubts is this: +as honest Sancho never saw Dulcinea, +I mean, the Lady Dulcinea del Toboso, +nor conveyed to her the letter +of Signior Don Quixote, which remained +with the memorandum book +in Sierra Morena, how durst he feign +an answer, and pretend that he found +her winnowing wheat, a circumstance +altogether ridiculous and untrue, so +much to the prejudice of the peerless +Dulcinea’s reputation, and so ill becoming +the station and fidelity of a +trusty squire?’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Without making any immediate answer +to this interrogation, Sancho rose +from his seat, and moving softly on his +tiptoes, with his body bent, and a finger +on his lips, examined the whole +apartment, lifting up and looking behind +the tapestry; and this scrutiny being +made, returned to his stool, and replied—‘Now, +my Lady Duchess, that I +am assured there is no skulker listening, +and that we are not overheard +by any but this good company, I will, +without fear or trembling, answer all +the questions of your grace; and first +and foremost, I will own, I look upon +my master Don Quixote as an incurable +madman; although sometimes +he says things, which, to my thinking, +and in the opinion of all who +hear them, are so sensible and well-directed, +that even Satan himself could +<span class='pageno' id='Page_432'>432</span>not mend them: nevertheless, I am +really and truly, and without any +scruple, fully persuaded within myself, +that he is downright distracted. +Now as I am possessed with this notion, +I venture to make him believe +any story, without either head or tail, +like that of the answer to his letter, +and another trick that I played him +six or eight days ago, which is not +yet recorded in the history; I mean, +the enchantment of Donna Dulcinea, +which I palmed upon him, though it +was a tale as wild and uncertain as +the hills of Ubeda<a id='r170'></a><a href='#f170' class='c008'><sup>[170]</sup></a>.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>The duchess desired he would recount +that enchantment or deception; and he +accordingly related it exactly as it happened, +to the no small entertainment of +the hearers; but when he was about to +proceed in his discourse, her grace interposing, +said—‘From this recital of honest +Sancho, a scruple has started in +my mind, and whispers me in the ear, +since Don Quixote de La Mancha is so +lunatick, crazy, and mad, and his +squire Sancho Panza, who knows his +infirmity, nevertheless serves and follows +him, and even depends upon his +vain promises; the said squire must, +without all doubt, be more crazy and +mad than his master; and if this be +the case, as it certainly is, it would +be no great sign of wisdom in you, +my Lady Duchess, to bestow an island +on such a governor; for how will +he be able to govern other people, +who cannot govern himself?’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘’Fore God, my lady,’ cried the +squire, ‘your scruple starts in the right +place; and I beg your ladyship will +let it speak out in its own way, for +I know it speaks truth. Had I been +wise, I should have left my master +long ago; but this was my fate and +my misventure: I cannot do otherwise, +but follow him I must. We +are of the same town; I have eaten +of his bread; I have an affection for +him; he returns me his love, and has +given me his colts; but, above all, +I am constant and faithful, and therefore +nothing can possibly part us but +the sexton’s shovel. If your highness +does not chuse to perform your +promise of the island, God made me +of a less matter, and perhaps your +refusal may turn out to the ease of my +conscience; for maugre all my madness, +I understand the proverb that +says, The pismire found wings to her +sorrow: and perhaps Sancho the +Squire may get sooner to heaven than +Governor Sancho; There’s as good +bread baked here as in France; and +By night all cats are grey; and +sure, The man his lot may rue, who +has not broke his fast by two; Between +man and man the maw cannot +differ a span; and, as the saying is, +With hay or with straw we’ll fill up +the craw; The little birds of the field +have God for their steward and shield; +Four yards of coarse Cuenca stuff are +warmer than as much of fine Segovia +serge; When we leave this world and +are laid in the ground, the Lord goes +in as narrow a path as his labourer; +and, The pope’s body takes up no more +room than the sexton’s; for though +the one be higher than the other, +When we go to the pit, we must lie +snug, and make it fit; or, We shall be +obliged to find room, though scanty +is the tomb: and so good night. +Wherefore, I say again, if your +grace will not give me the island, +because I’m a fool, I shall be so wise +as not to break my heart at the disappointment; +and I have often heard, +that the devil skulks behind the cross; +It is not all gold that glitters; and +that, From his oxen, his yokes, and +his ploughs, Bamba the husbandman +was raised to the throne of Spain; and +that from his riches, pastime, and +embroidery, Rodorigo was taken to +be devoured by serpents, if the rhimes +of old ballads do not lye.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Here Donna Rodriguez the duenna, +who was one of the hearers, interposing, +‘Wherefore should they lye?’ said she, +‘for the ballad says as how they thrust +King Rodorigo all alive into a tomb +full of toads, lizards, and snakes; +and two days after, he was heard to +cry with a weak and doleful voice, +“Now they eat me! now they gnaw +the part in which I sinned so heinously!” +And therefore the gentleman +<span class='pageno' id='Page_433'>433</span>is in the right to say he would +rather be a husbandman than a king, +to be devoured by vermin.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>The duchess could neither help +laughing at the simplicity of her duenna, +nor admiring the discourse and proverbs +of Sancho, to whom she replied—‘Honest +Sancho very well knows +whatsoever a knight promises must be +fulfilled, even though it should cost +him his life; now, my lord and husband +the duke, though no errant, is, +nevertheless, a knight; and therefore +will perform his promise of the island, +in spite of all the envy and malice of +the world; let Sancho, then, be of +good cheer; for when he least thinks +of the matter, he will see himself +seated in the saddle of his island and +dominion, and grasp his government, +which he would not exchange for one +of superfine brocade; but I charge +him to mind how he governs his +vassals, who, I give him notice, are +all people of honest parents and approved +loyalty.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘With respect to their being happy +under my government,’ said the squire, +‘you need not give me any thing in +charge; for I am naturally charitable +and compassionate towards the poor; +and, From him who can knead and +bake, it is not easy to steal a cake. +By my salvation, they shall not pass +false dice upon me! I am an old dog, +not to be taken in with, “Come hither, +poor Tray<a id='r171'></a><a href='#f171' class='c008'><sup>[171]</sup></a>.” I know how to snuff +my peepers upon proper occasions; +nor will I consent to walk with cobwebs +in my eyes; for I know where +the shoe pinches. This I observe, +because the righteous shall always +have the benefit of my heart and +hand, but the wicked shall have neither +foot nor footing. In my opinion, +every governor must have a beginning +in the art and mystery of government, +and perhaps, in a fortnight’s administration, +I shall lick my fingers after +the office, and know as much of +the matter as I do of day-labour, to +which I was bred.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Sancho,’ said the duchess, ‘you are +certainly in the right; for no man +was ever a scholar at his birth; and +bishops are made of men, and not of +blocks, but to return to our former +discourse about the inchantment of +the Lady Dulcinea; I take it for an +absolute certainty, and not a bare asseveration, +that Sancho’s scheme of +deceiving his master, and making him +believe that the country wench was +Dulcinea, whom the knight could +not know, because she was inchanted; +I say, this scheme was altogether +the invention of one of those inchanters +who persecute Don Quixote; for I +know, from very good authority, that +the village maiden who skipped upon +the ass, was really and truly the individual +Dulcinea del Toboso; and +that Sancho, in thinking himself the +deceiver, was, in fast, the person deceived: +a truth of which we ought +no more to doubt, than of things we +never saw; for Signior Sancho Panza +must know, that here also we have +friendly inchanters, who, out of real +regard, impart to us every thing that +passes, truly and distinctly, without +circumlocution or deceit; and therefore, +Sancho may believe me, when +I affirm, that the jumping wench +was, and is, Dulcinea del Toboso, +who is as much inchanted as the mother +that bore her; and when we +dream of no such thing, we shall see +her in her own shape, and then Sancho +will be undeceived.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘There is nothing more likely,’ cried +the squire; ‘and now I am apt to believe +my master’s account of the cave +of Montesinos, where he saw my +Lady Dulcinea del Toboso, dressed in +the same manner that I described, +when I inchanted her for my own +amusement. Now, the whole affair +must have been quite the reverse, as +your ladyship observes; for it cannot +be supposed that my ignorant pate +could contrive, in an instant, such an +ingenious stratagem; nor can I think +my master such a fool, as upon my +weak and meagre persuasion, to believe +such an improbable device; but +for all that, my lady, your goodness +ought not to take me for an evil-minded +person, seeing a blockhead, +like me, is not obliged to bore into +the designs and knavery of abominable +inchanters. I contrived the scheme, +in order to escape the displeasure of +my master Don Quixote, and not +<span class='pageno' id='Page_434'>434</span>with any design to do him hurt; and +if it has turned out otherwise, there’s +a Judge in heaven who knows the +heart.’—‘Very true,’ answered the +duchess; ‘but tell me now, Sancho, +the story of the cave of Montesinos, +which I shall be extremely glad to +hear.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Then Sancho Panza recounted every +circumstance of that adventure, as it +hath been already related; and her +grace having heard the whole—‘From +this incident,’ said she, ‘we may infer, +that since the great Don Quixote +says he beheld in that place the same +country wench whom Sancho saw in +the neighbourhood of Toboso, it +could be no other than Dulcinea, +and that the inchanters of this country +are very officious, and extremely +curious.’—‘This I will venture to +say,’ replied Panza, ‘that if my Lady +Dulcinea del Toboso is really inchanted, +’tis her own loss, and that it +is no business of mine to enter the +lists with my master’s enemies, who +are certainly both wicked and numerous. +True it is, she I saw was a +country-wench, for such I took her, +and such I judged her to be. If that +was Dulcinea, it ought not to be laid +to my charge, nor am I to be blackened +for that reason; yet I must be +lugged in, at every bawdy house +bench, with “Sancho said this; Sancho +did that; Sancho went, and +Sancho came!” as if Sancho were +just such as they would please to make +him, and not the very same Sancho +Panza who has already travelled all +the world over in books, as I have +been informed by Samson Carrasco, +who is, at least, a batcheleering person +of Salamanca; and such people +cannot tell an untruth, except +when it comes into their heads, or +will turn to their account; wherefore, +nobody has any right to meddle with +me; and seeing I live in good repute, +and I have heard my master say, A +good name is better than tons of +wealth, even shove me into this government, +and they shall see marvellous +things; for he who has been a +good squire, will never become a bad +governor.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘All that honest Sancho has uttered,’ +said the duchess, ‘is Catonian wisdom, +or at least the very essence of Michael +Verino<a id='r172'></a><a href='#f172' class='c008'><sup>[172]</sup></a>, <span lang="la"><i>Florentibus occidit annis</i></span>. In +a word, to speak in his own stile, A +good drinker is often found under a +rusty cloak.’—‘In sober truth, my +Lady,’ answered Sancho, ‘I never in +my life drank out of malice; from +thirst I might, for I have not the least +spice of hypocrisy in my belly; I +drink when I chuse it, and even when +I would rather be excused, because I +am desired so to do, that I may not +seem shy or ill-bred; for sure he must +have an heart of marble who can refuse +to pledge a friend; for though I +put on my shoes, I will not defile +them; especially, as the squires of +knights-errant usually drink water, +as they are always strolling through +forests, woods, and meadows, and over +rocks and mountains, without finding +the smallest charity of wine, even +though one should offer to purchase it +with an eye.’—‘I believe what you +say,’ answered the duchess: ‘at present +Sancho may go to rest; and we +shall afterwards talk more at large +upon these subjects, and take order +that with all convenient dispatch he +may be, to use his own words, shoved +into that same government.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Sancho kissed his hands again, and +begged her grace would be so good as +to give directions about the entertainment +of Dapple, who was the light of +his eyes. When she asked, what he +meant by Dapple—‘My ass,’ replied +the squire, ‘whom, rather than use the +vulgar term, I call Dapple: when I +first came to the castle, I desired Madam +Duenna here to take care of +him; and truly she was as much +affronted as if I had called her ugly +and old; though I think it would +be more natural and proper for duennas +to look after cattle, than to +regulate rooms of state. God’s my +life! what a spite a gentleman of +our town had to these waiting-gentlewomen.’—‘He +must be some ill-bred +clown,’ said Donna Rodriguez +the duenna; ‘for had he been a gentleman +of birth, he would have exalted +them above the horns of the moon.’—‘Enough, +for the present,’ resumed +the duchess: ‘hold your tongue, Donna +<span class='pageno' id='Page_435'>435</span>Rodriguez, and let Signior Panza +make himself perfectly easy, and leave +me to take special care of Dapple, +whom, as being a moveable appertaining +to Sancho, I will place him +above the apple of mine eye.’—‘The +stable is a place good enough for him,’ +answered the squire; ‘for neither he +nor I are worthy of being placed for +one moment above the apple of your +highness’s eye; and I will as soon +consent to his being disposed of in +that manner, as I would to drive a +dagger in my breast; for although, +as my master says, in point of courtesy, +one ought to lose the game by a +card too much, rather than by a card +too little; in respect to asses, and the +apple of an eye, one ought to proceed +cautiously with the compass in his +hand, and measure as he goes.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Sancho may conduct him to his government,’ +said the duchess, ‘and there +entertain him to his heart’s content; +nay, even infranchise him from all +labour.’—‘Your grace, my Lady +Duchess, needs not think much of +that,’ replied the squire; ‘for I have +seen more than one or two asses go to +governments; and therefore it will +be no new practice if I carry Dapple +to mine.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>This remark renewed the laughter +and satisfaction of the duchess, who +having dismissed him to his repose, went +to communicate the conversation to the +duke; and this noble couple contrived +and gave directions about the execution +of a pleasant joke upon Don Quixote, +which should turn out a famous incident, +and be conformable in all respects +to the stile of chivalry; in which they +invented a number, with such propriety +and discretion, that they are counted +the best adventures contained in this important +history.</p> + +<h4 id='chap3-3-2' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='two'>II.</abbr> <br> WHICH GIVES AN ACCOUNT OF THE INFORMATION RECEIVED,<br> TOUCHING THE MEANS FOR DISINCHANTING<br> THE PEERLESS DULCINEA DEL TOBOSO:<br> ONE OF THE MOST RENOWNED ADVENTURES OF THIS BOOK.</h4> +<p class='c004'>Great was the satisfaction +which the duke and duchess received +from the conversation of Don +Quixote and Sancho Panza; and being +confirmed in their design of practising +some jokes, which should bear a faint +shadow and appearance of adventures, +they took the hint for a very extraordinary +contrivance, from the knight’s +account of what had happened to him +in the cave of Montesinos: but what +mostly excited the admiration of the +duchess, was the amazing simplicity of +Sancho, who was by this time brought +to believe, as an infallible truth, the +inchantment of Dulcinea, though he +himself was the only inchanter and projector +of that whole stratagem. Their +graces having given directions to the +servants, touching the execution of +the scheme they had laid, at the end +of six days they went forth to hunt +the wild boar, with as great an apparatus +of hunters and spearmen as used +to attend the king in person. Don +Quixote was presented with a hunting +suit, and Sancho received another of +superfine green cloth; but the knight +excused himself from accepting the +present, observing that, in a few days, +he should be obliged to resume the +rugged exercise of arms, and therefore +could not encumber himself with +baggage and wardrobes; as for the +squire, he took that which was +offered to him, without scruple, intending +to sell it with the first opportunity.</p> + +<p class='c005'>On the morning of the appointed +day, Don Quixote armed himself at all +points, Sancho put on his green suit, +and mounting Dapple, which he would +not exchange for the best steed in the +stable, mingled among the troop of +hunters: the duchess came forth very +gaily caparisoned, and the knight, out +of pure courtesy and good breeding, +would have held the reins of her palfrey; +but the duke would not consent +to his performing such an office. At +length they arrived at a wood, between +two very high mountains, where the disposition +being made, the toils set, and +the people distributed in their different +posts, the hunt began with a vast noise +of hallooing and crying, and nothing +could be distinctly heard for the barking +of the dogs and the sound of the +horns. The duchess alighted, and +with a pointed boar-spear in her hand, +took post in a place through which she +knew the wild beasts were used to come; +the duke and Don Quixote likewise dismounting, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_436'>436</span>posted themselves on each +side of her grace, while Sancho stayed +in the rear, without parting from Dapple, +whom he durst not quit, lest some +misfortune should happen to that darling +beast.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Scarce had they set foot on ground, +and taken their stations, supported by +a number of servants, when they beheld +a monstrous boar baited by the dogs +and pursued by the hunters, running +towards them, gnashing his teeth and +tusks, and foaming at the mouth. The +knight no sooner perceived this savage, +than bracing his shield and unsheathing +his sword, he advanced to receive him; +while the duke did the same with his +boar-spear; but the duchess would have +been the foremost of the three, had +she not been restrained by her lord. +Sancho alone seeing this furious animal, +forsook his friend Dapple, and +running full speed, in order to climb a +lofty oak, found his endeavours altogether +ineffectual; for having surmounted +one half of the ascent, the branch +on which he stood struggling to gain +the top, unfortunately gave way, and +in falling, he was caught by another +stump of the tree, so that he hung +dangling in the air, without being able +to reach the ground. Perceiving himself +thus suspended, that his green suit +was torn, and supposing that if the wild +boar should come up, he would be +able to seize him as he hung, he began +to utter such doleful cries, and roar +so hideously for assistance, that all those +who heard his clamour, without +seeing his situation, actually believed +he was in the jaws of some savage +beast. At length the tusky boar being +pierced and killed by the number of +spears that opposed him, Don Quixote +turned about his head, in consequence +of Sancho’s cries, by which he recognized +his faithful squire, whom he saw +hanging from the oak, with his head +downwards, and hard by he perceived +Dapple, who did not forsake him in +his calamity: and Cid Hamet observes, +that he very seldom saw Sancho without +Dapple, or Dapple without Sancho, +such was the friendship and fidelity +subsisting between them. Don +Quixote immediately advanced and unhooked +Sancho; who finding himself +delivered, and fairly placed upon firm +ground, examined the rent in his hunting-suit, +which grieved him to the soul; +for in that dress he thought he had obtained +an invaluable inheritance.</p> + +<p class='c005'>About this time they laid the mighty +boar across a sumpter mule, and covering +him with sprigs of myrtle and rosemary, +carried him in triumph, as the +spoils of victory, to a large field-tent, +pitched in the middle of the wood, +where they found the cloth ready laid, +and the table furnished with such a +grand and sumptuous entertainment as +well bespoke the wealth and magnificence +of the founder. Sancho presenting +to the duchess the skirts of his torn +suit—‘If,’ said he, ‘this had been +hare or sparrow-hunting, my coat +would have been secure from this unlucky +accident; for my own part, +I do not know what pleasure there +is in attacking an animal, which, if +he can once fasten his tusks on you, +will deprive you of life. I remember +to have heard people sing an old ballad, +that says—</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c012'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘“May bears upon thy carcase feed,</div> + <div class='line'>As erst on Fabila they did.”’</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>‘That was a Gothick king,’ said +Don Quixote, ‘who in going to the +chace, was devoured by a bear.’—‘That +is the very thing I say,’ replied +the squire, ‘I would not have kings +and noblemen run themselves into +such dangers, for the enjoyment of +a diversion which, in my opinion, +hardly deserves the name, as it consists +in murdering a poor beast that +never committed any crime.’—‘There, +Sancho, you are mistaken,’ +said the duke, ‘for the exercise of +hunting wild-beasts is of all others +the most necessary and suitable to +kings and noblemen. The chace is +a picture of war, comprehending +schemes, feints, and stratagems, for +taking advantage of the enemy; by +this we are enabled to endure extreme +cold and excessive heat, to contemn +ease and undervalue sleep; our bodies +acquire strength, and our limbs +agility; in a word, it is an exercise +that affords pleasure to numbers, and +does prejudice to none; and what +renders it superior to all others is, +that it cannot be enjoyed by every +body, like all the other kinds of +sport, except hawking, which is also +peculiar to sovereigns and persons +of rank; you must therefore alter +<span class='pageno' id='Page_437'>437</span>your opinion, Sancho, and when you +are governor, employ yourself in the +chace, which you will find of incredible +service.<a id='r173'></a><a href='#f173' class='c008'><sup>[173]</sup></a>’—‘Surely, that cannot +be,’ answered the squire; ‘a +good governor will stay at home, as +if he had a broken bone. It would +look rarely indeed, if, when people +fatigued with a journey, come to visit +him upon business, he should be +taking his diversion upon the hills; +in that case the government would go +to wreck. In good faith, my lord, +such pastime is more proper for idle +folks than for governors: I intend, +God willing, to amuse myself with a +game at cards at Easter, and with +nine pins on Sundays and holidays; +for as to these chaces or cases, they +neither suit my condition, nor agree +with my confidence.’—‘God grant +Sancho may behave as he says he +will,’ replied the duke; ‘but there is +a wide difference between saying and +doing.’—‘Let it be as wide as it +pleases,’ cried Sancho. ‘A good paymaster +needs no pawn; God’s blessing +is better than early rising; and, +The belly is carried by the feet, and +not the feet by the belly; I mean, +that with God’s assistance, and a +righteous intention, I shall certainly +be able to govern like any goshawk; +aye, aye, let them thrust their fingers +in my mouth, and they shall see +whether or no I can bite.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘The curse of God, and all his +saints, light on thee, accursed babbler!’ +cried Don Quixote: ‘will that +day never come, as I have often said, +when I shall hear thee speak sensibly +and distinctly, without lugging in old +saws?—My Lord and Lady Duchess, I +entreat your graces to let that madman +alone; otherwise he will grind your +souls, not between two but two thousand +proverbs, dragged in as much +to the purpose, and as seasonably as I +wish God may give him health, or +me protection, if I desire to hear +them.’—‘The proverbs of Sancho +Panza,’ said the duchess, ‘though +more in number than those of the +Greek commentator, are not the less +to be esteemed for the conciseness of +the apophthegms. I can safely say +for myself, that they give me much +more pleasure than I should receive +from others, though better culled and +more suitable to the occasion.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>In the midst of this and other such +savoury conversation, they quitted the +tent, to examine some snares they had +laid; in which amusement the day was +soon elapsed, and was succeeded by the +night, which did not appear so serene +and composed as it might have been +expected at the season of the year, which +was midsummer, but along with it +came a certain <i>darkness visible</i>, which +greatly assisted the design of the duke +and duchess. When the night, therefore, +began to fall, a little after the twilight, +all of a sudden the four quarters +of the wood seemed to be on fire, and +here and there, and every where, they +heard an infinite number of cornets and +other warlike instruments, as if a great +number of cavalry had been marching +through the wood; so that the light of +the flames, and the sound of those warlike +instruments, dazzled and astonished +the eyes and ears of the bye-standers, and +indeed of all the people in the wood. +This noise was succeeded by innumerable +<i>lelilles</i>, or cries used by the Moors +in battle; the trumpets and clarions exalted +their brazen throats, the drums +rattled, and the fires resounded all together, +in such a continued and alarming +concert, that the man must have +been utterly devoid of all sense who did +not lose it in consequence of such confusion +and uproar. The duke was confounded, +the duchess amazed, Don +Quixote astonished, Sancho Panza affrighted; +and, finally, even those who +were let into the secret, seemed to be +seized with consternation, which produced +among them a most dreary silence.</p> + +<p class='c005'>During this pause, came a postillion +dressed, like a devil, and instead of a +cornet, blew an unmeasurable horn, +which yielded an hoarse and dreadful +sound. ‘Holla! brother courier,’ cried +the duke, ‘who are you? where are you +going? and what troops are those that +seem to march across the wood?’ To +these interrogations the courier replied, +in a dismal, hollow tone—‘I am the +devil, going in quest of Don Quixote +de La Mancha; those who follow are +six troops of inchanters, who bring +upon a triumphant car the peerless +Dulcinea del Toboso inchanted, accompanied +<span class='pageno' id='Page_438'>438</span>by the gallant Frenchman +Montesinos, to instruct Don Quixote +in a certain method for disinchanting +the said Lady Dulcinea.’—‘If you +were the devil,’ answered the duke, +‘as you say you are, and your figure +seems to declare, you would have +distinguished that same knight Don +Quixote de La Mancha, who now +stands before you.’—‘’Fore God! +and upon my conscience,’ cried the +devil, ‘I did not see him; for my +thoughts are so much distracted by +different avocations, that I had forgot +the principal aim of my coming.’—‘Without +doubt,’ said Sancho, ‘that +devil must be an honest man, and a +good Christian, otherwise he would not +swear, ’Fore God, and on my conscience! +Now I am fully convinced +that there must be some worthy people +even in hell.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Then the courier, without alighting, +fixed his eyes upon Don Quixote, and +pronounced—‘To thee, the Knight of +the Lions (and would I might see +thee in their clutches) am I sent by +the unfortunate though valiant knight +Montesinos, who commanded me to +desire, in his name, that thou wouldst +wait on the very spot where I should +find thee, because he brings along +with him one Dulcinea del Toboso, +in order to communicate what will be +necessary towards her disinchantment; +and as this message was the sole cause +of my coming, there is no cause that +requires my longer stay. Devils like +me be with thee, and good angels +guard that noble pair!’ So saying, +he sounded his dreadful horn, and rode +off, without waiting for the least reply.</p> + +<p class='c005'>This address renewed the astonishment +of all present, especially of Sancho +and Don Quixote; of Sancho, because, +in despite of truth, he saw they +were resolved that Dulcinea should be +inchanted; and of Don Quixote, because +he could not be certain of the truth of +what had happened to him in the cave +of Montesinos. While he was wrapped +in these meditations, the duke accosted +him, saying—‘Signior Don Quixote, do +you intend to wait?’—‘Wherefore +not?’ replied the knight; ‘here will I +wait, courageous and intrepid, though +all hell should come to assault me.’—‘Then, +for my part,’ cried Sancho, +‘if I see another devil, and hear another +horn like that which passed, I +should as soon wait here as in Flanders.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>About this time the night being more +advanced, a number of lights began to +gleam through the wood, like the dry +exhalations of the earth that glide +through the air, and are mistaken by +ignorant people for shooting stars: their +fears were likewise invaded by a frightful +sound, like that occasioned by the +massy wheels of waggons drawn by +oxen; an harsh and grating noise, from +which the very bears and wolves (if any +chance to be in the way) are said to fly +with terror. This uproar was succeeded +by another more terrible than all the +rest; for all at once, at the four corners +of the wood, there really seemed to be +four encounters or battles: in one place +was heard the horrid din of cannon; +in another a vast number of muskets +were fired; here resounded the cries of +the combatants; there the Moorish <i>lelilles</i> +were repeated with vast vociferation. +In a word, the cornets, horns, +bugles, clarions, trumpets, drums, +artillery, and musketry, but, above all, +the dismal noise of the cars, formed all +together such a confused and horrible +concert, that Don Quixote was obliged +to recollect his whole courage, in order +to bear it without emotion; but Sancho’s +heart died within him, and down +he came in a swoon upon the train of the +duchess, who received him as he fell, +and with marks of great concern, ordered +her servants to throw water in his +face: in consequence of this application, +he recovered, just as one of the waggons +with the creaking wheels came up +to the place where they stood. It was +drawn by four lazy oxen, wholly covered +with black trappings, with a large +lighted taper tied to each horn, and in +the waggon was raised a lofty seat, on +which sat a venerable old man, with a +beard as white as snow itself, that flowed +down below his middle, and a large +loose garment of black buckram; for +the waggon being stuck full of lights, it +was easy to observe and distinguish every +thing that it contained. It was conducted +by two ugly devils clad also in +buckram, with such hideous features, +that Sancho no sooner saw them than +he shut his eyes, that they might not +encounter such frightful objects. This +carriage being come up, the venerable +senior rose up from his lofty seat, and +pronounced aloud—‘I am the sage Lirgandeo.’ +<span class='pageno' id='Page_439'>439</span>He said no more; and the +waggon proceeded. Another carriage +followed in the same manner, with another +old man inthroned, who ordering +the waggon to stop, said with a voice as +solemn as the first—‘I am the sage Alquife, +the great friend of Urganda +the unknown.’ And so the carriage +proceeded. Then a third approached +in the same stile: but he who possessed +this throne, instead of being old like the +others, was a robust man of a very disagreeable +aspect, who rising from his +seat, like the other two, exclaimed in a +more hoarse and diabolical tone—‘I am +the inchanter Arcalaus, the mortal +enemy of Amadis de Gaul, and his +whole race.’ And so the carriage +passed on; but when they had proceeded +a little way, the three waggons halted, +then ceased the dismal creaking of the +wheels, and no other sound was heard +but that of an agreeable musical concert, +which rejoiced the heart of Sancho, +who took it as a good omen, and in +that persuasion said to the duchess, from +whom he had not budged an hair’s +breadth—‘My Lady Duchess, where +there is musick there can be no harm.’—‘As +little should we expect any +harm where there is light and illumination,’ +answered the duchess. ‘And +yet,’ replied the squire, ‘we may be +easily burnt by such torches and bonfires +as these, notwithstanding all the +light and illuminations they produced; +but musick is always a sign of joy and +feasting.’—‘Time will shew,’ said +Don Quixote, who overheard the conversation; +and he said well, as will appear +in the following chapter.</p> + +<h4 id='chap3-3-3' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='three'>III.</abbr> <br> BEING A CONTINUATION OF WHAT WAS IMPARTED TO DON QUIXOTE,<br> TOUCHING THE MEANS FOR DISINCHANTING<br> DULCINEA—WITH AN ACCOUNT OF OTHER SURPRIZING INCIDENTS.</h4> +<p class='c004'>Moving to the sound of this +agreeable musick, came one of +those carriages, called triumphal cars, +drawn by six grey mules, covered with +white linen, and upon each was mounted +a penitent of light<a id='r174'></a><a href='#f174' class='c008'><sup>[174]</sup></a>, clad also in white, +with a large lighted wax taper in his +hand. The car was twice, nay thrice +as large as the carriages which had +passed, and the tops and sides were occupied +by twelve other penitents as +white as snow, with their lighted tapers: +a sight that excited equal terror +and surprise. Seated on a lofty throne +appeared a nymph, habited in robes of +silver tissue, bespangled with innumerable +leaves of gold brocade; so that her +dress, if not rich, was extremely gaudy; +her face was covered with a delicate and +transparent veil of fine tiffany, the plaits +of which could not conceal the beauteous +features of a young lady; and the number +of lights enabled the spectators to +distinguish her charms and her age, +which seemed to be turned of seventeen, +but under twenty. Close by her appeared +a figure clad in what is called a +robe of state, that reached to his feet; +and his head was muffled in a black +veil. The cart had no sooner come opposite +to the duke and duchess and +Don Quixote, than the musick of the +waits, the harps, and lutes, ceased all +at once; then this figure rising, threw +aside his robe, and taking off the veil, +disclosed to view the horrible and incarnate +form of death; at sight of which +Don Quixote was startled, Sancho overwhelmed +with fear, and the duke and +duchess exhibited some affected marks +of consternation.</p> + +<p class='c005'>This living death standing upright, +began, with a languid voice and tongue, +but half awake, to repeat the following +address—</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c012'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘I Merlin am, by histories bely’d.</div> + <div class='line'>That represent the devil as my fire:</div> + <div class='line'>A falshood sanction’d by the lapse of time.</div> + <div class='line'>I am the prince of magick, in whose breast</div> + <div class='line'>The Zoroastrick science lies intomb’d:</div> + <div class='line'>The rival of invidious Time, whose wings</div> + <div class='line'>Still seek to shade and darken all exploits</div> + <div class='line'>Atchiev’d by the illustrious errant knights,</div> + <div class='line'>For whom my friendship glows, and ever glow’d.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘Tho’ all my fellows of th’inchanting tribe,</div> + <div class='line'>The magi and magicians, ever nurs’d</div> + <div class='line'>A disposition barbarous and harsh,</div> + <div class='line'>Mine still was tender, gentle, and humane,</div> + <div class='line'>A friend to all the various race of man.</div> + <div class='line'>In the profoundest cave of gloomy Dis,</div> + <div class='line'>Where my industrious spirit was employ’d</div> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_440'>440</span>In forming mystick characters and spells,</div> + <div class='line'>Mine ears were wounded with the wailing cries</div> + <div class='line'>Of fam’d Dulcinea, that matchless fair.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘I learn’d her strange inchantment, and condol’d</div> + <div class='line'>Her transformation from a gentle nymph</div> + <div class='line'>To the vile figure of a rustick wench.</div> + <div class='line'>And hundred thousand volumes I perus’d,</div> + <div class='line'>Fraught with the dark and diabolick art;</div> + <div class='line'>Then in the horrible and ghastly trunk</div> + <div class='line'>Of this dry skeleton my soul enclosed:</div> + <div class='line'>And now I come on purpose to impart</div> + <div class='line'>An easy remedy for her mishap.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘O thou! the glory of all knights who wear</div> + <div class='line'>Impervious coats of mail and adamant;</div> + <div class='line'>Thou light and lanthorn, path, and north, and guide</div> + <div class='line'>Of all who quit the drowsy joys of sloth,</div> + <div class='line'>And starting from the lazy down, embrace</div> + <div class='line'>Th’ intolerable use and exercise</div> + <div class='line'>Of rude, unwieldy, sanguinary arms:</div> + <div class='line'>To thee I speak, great chief, whose valiant deeds</div> + <div class='line'>So far transcend the loudest blast of fame.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘Quixote, for courage and discretion fam’d,</div> + <div class='line'>La Mancha’s mirrour, and the star of Spain,</div> + <div class='line'>In order to recover and restore</div> + <div class='line'>Thy peerless mistress to her former state,</div> + <div class='line'>Sancho, thy faithful squire, must undergo</div> + <div class='line'>Three thousand and three hundred stripes, apply’d</div> + <div class='line'>To his posteriors, passively expos’d;</div> + <div class='line'>And he himself must wield the pliant scourge</div> + <div class='line'>And start, and smart, and tingle with the pain.</div> + <div class='line'>Thus stands th’ irrevocable doom pronounc’d</div> + <div class='line'>By the fell authors of her dire mischance;</div> + <div class='line'>And on this errand, gentles, am I come.’</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>‘I vow to God!’ cried Sancho at +this period, ‘not to mention three +thousand, I will as soon give myself +three stabs with a dagger as three single +stripes with a scourge. Now, devil +take such ways of disenchanting! +I cannot conceive what my buttocks +have to do with inchantments. Before +God! if Signior Merlin can find +no other method for disinchanting my +Lady Dulcinea del Toboso, he may +e’en go enchanted to her grave.’—‘Hark +ye, Don Garlick-eating rustick,’ +said Don Quixote, ‘I shall +take and tie you to a tree, naked as +your mother bore you, and not to +mention three thousand three hundred, +give you six thousand six hundred +lashes, so well laid on, that three thousand +three hundred twitches shall not +pull them off; and answer me not a +syllable, or I will tear thy soul from +thy body.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Merlin hearing this declaration—‘Not +so, neither,’ said he; ‘the lashes +to be received by honest Sancho must +be voluntary, not upon compulsion, +and at his own leisure, for there is +no time fixed for the final execution; +nevertheless, he is so far indulged, +that he may be quit for one half of +the stripes, provided he will allow +the other half to be inflicted by another +hand, though it may chance to +be a little weighty.’—‘No man’s +hand shall touch my flesh! neither +another’s, nor my own, nor weighty +nor unweighed. What a plague! did +I, forsooth, bring my Lady Dulcinea +into the world, that my backside +must suffer for the transgression of her +eyes? My master, indeed, who is a +part of her, and is continually calling +her his life, his soul, his sustenance +and support, may, and ought +to lash himself for her sake, and take +with all dispatch the necessary steps +for her disenchantment; but for me +to scourge my own body, I denounce +it!’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Scarce had Sancho uttered this remonstrance, +when the embroidered +nymph who sat by Merlin’s spirit, rising +up, took off her transparent veil, +and disclosing a face, which to all the +spectators seemed more than exceedingly +beautiful, addressed herself in these +words directly to Sancho Panza, with +a masculine assurance, and a voice that +was not extremely melodious—‘O ill-conditioned +squire! thou soul of a +pitcher, heart of cork, and bowels +of flinty pebbles! hadst thou been +commanded, thou nose-slaying caitiff, +to throw thyself down from a lofty +tower; hadst thou been desired, thou +enemy of human species, to swallow a +dozen of toads, twice the number of +lizards, and three dozen of snakes; +hadst thou been urged to murder thy +wife and children with some sharp +and ruthless scymitar, it would not +have been strange to see thee shy and +fearful; but to make such objections +to three thousand three hundred stripes, +which there is scarce a naughty boy +that does not receive every month, +astounds, astonishes, and affrights the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_441'>441</span>compassionate bowels of all this audience, +as well as of all those who shall +hear it in the future course of time. +Turn, O miserable, hard-hearted animal! +turn, I say, thy mulish goggle +eyes upon these balls of mine that +emulate the glittering stars, and see +how they weep, thread by thread, +and skein by skein, creating trenches, +paths, and furrows, through the delightful +meadows of my cheeks! +Wilt thou not relent, thou crafty and +malicious monster, at seeing me, in +the flower of my age, (for I am still +in my teens, being no more than +nineteen, which is one year short of +twenty) consume and pine within the +bark of a homely rustick wench? in +which form if I do not now appear, +it is owing to the particular favour of +Signior Merlin, who has indulged me +so far, that my beauty might melt thy +savage heart; for the tears of afflicted +beauty soften rocks to cotton, and +transform tygers into gentle lambs. +Chastise, chastise, obdurate beast, that +brawny beef of thine; arouze that +slothful spirit which inclines thee to +nothing but to gorge and regorge thy +voracious maw, and set at liberty the +beauty of my face; and if, for my +sake, thou wilt not mollify thyself, +and listen to any reasonable terms, at +least relent in favour of that poor +knight who stands forlorn at thy elbow; +I mean, thy master, whose soul +I now can see traversed in his throat, +not above ten fingers breadth from +his lips, waiting for nothing but thy +kind or rigorous reply, in consequence +of which it will either leap out of his +mouth, or retire to his stomach.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Don Quixote hearing these words, +felt his throat, and turning to the duke, +‘By Heaven! my lord,’ said he, +‘Dulcinea has spoke truth; for here +do I feel my soul traversed in my +throat, like the nut of a cross-bow.’ +When the duchess asked what Sancho +said to that circumstance, ‘I say,’ replied +the squire, ‘what I have said already, +that the whipping I denounce.’—‘You +must call it renounce,’ said +the duke, ‘and not denounce.’—‘I +would your grace would let me alone,’ +answered Sancho, ‘this is no time for +me to mind niceties and letters, more +or less; for I am so confounded at +those stripes which I am to receive, +or execute upon myself, that I neither +know what I am saying or doing: +yet I should be glad to know where +my Lady Dulcinea del Toboso learned +that manner of asking favours. +She comes to desire me to tear open +my flesh with a horse-whip, and calls +me soul of a pitcher, obdurate beast, +and a whole rigmarole of villainous +names, which the devil may suffer +for me! What a plague, is my flesh +made of brass; or is it any thing to +me, whether she is disinchanted or +no? What baskets of white linen, +shirts, caps, and socks, (though I wear +none) does she bring to soften me? +Nothing but abuse upon abuse; +without remembering the proverb, +that says, An ass loaded with gold +will skip over a mountain. A generous +gift the rock will rift. We must +fervently pray, and hammer away. +I will give thee, is good; but, Here, +take it, is better. Then, my master, +who ought to lead me fair and softly +by the hand, and persuade me with +gentle words to whip myself into wool +and carded cotton, declares, forsooth, +that if he should once take me in +hand, he will tie me naked to a tree, +and double the allowance of stripes. +These angry gentlemen ought to consider +it is not only a squire, but a governor +whom they desire to flog himself, +as if it was no more than drinking +after cherries. Let them learn, +let them learn, with a vengeance, +how to entreat and beg with good-breeding; +for all seasons are not the +same; and a man is not always in +good-humour; here am I ready to +burst with vexation to see the rent in +my green coat, and they must needs +come and desire me to whip myself +with good will, when, God knows, I +am as far from doing it with good +will, as I am from turning Turk<a id='r175'></a><a href='#f175' class='c008'><sup>[175]</sup></a>.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Nevertheless, friend Sancho,’ said +the duke, ‘if your heart does not become +softer than a ripe fig, you shall +finger no government of mine. It +would be a fine scheme, indeed, if I +should send to my islanders a cruel, +flinty-hearted governor, who would +not melt at the tears of damsels in affliction; +nor at the entreaties of wise, +imperious, ancient sages and inchanters! +<span class='pageno' id='Page_442'>442</span>In a word, Sancho, you must +either consent to whip yourself, or be +whipped, or lay aside all thoughts of +being a governor.’—‘My good lord,’ +replied the squire, ‘will not they give +me two days to consider and determine +what will be for the best?’—‘By +no means,’ cried Merlin: ‘on +this very spot, and this very instant, +the business must be discussed; otherwise +Dulcinea will return to the cave +of Montesinos, and the appearance of +a country-wench; whereas, if you +comply, she will, in her present form, +be transported to the Elysian fields, +where she must reside until the number +of the stripes be accomplished.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Go to, honest Sancho,’ said the +duchess, ‘pluck up your spirits, and +behave like a grateful squire that has +eaten the bread of Signior Don Quixote, +who is intitled to the service and +acknowledgments of us all, by his +amiable disposition and sublime chivalry. +Say Aye, my son, to this same +flagellation, and let the devil fetch +the devil; leave fear to the coward; +for a stout heart quails misfortune, as +you very well know.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>To these exhortations Sancho made +no reply; but addressing himself to +Merlin, with his usual extravagance, +‘Good, your worship, pray tell me, +Signior Merlin, the meaning of one +thing: a certain courier devil came +here with a message to my master, +from Signior Montesinos, desiring +him to stay in this place until he +should come up; for he would teach +him a way to disinchant my Lady +Dulcinea del Toboso; and hitherto +we have seen no such person?’ To +this interrogation Merlin replied, ‘That +devil, friend Sancho, is an ignorant +blockhead, and a very great knave. +I sent him hither in quest of your +master; not with a message from +Montesinos, but from myself; for +Montesinos is still in his cave, planning, +or rather expecting his disinchantment, +the worst of which is still +to come; but if he owes you any +thing, or you have any business to +transact with him, I will bring you +face to face wherever you shall appoint. +In the mean time, dispatch, +and give your consent to this discipline; +which, I assure you, will +greatly redound to the advantage both +of your soul and body: to your soul, +from the charity of the undertaking; +and to your body, as I know you are +of a florid complexion, and will be +the better for losing a little blood.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘What a number of leeches have we +got in this world!’ said Sancho; ‘the +very inchanters are physicians; but +since every body says so, although I +cannot perceive it myself, I am content +to give myself three thousand +three hundred lashes, on condition +that I may give them when and where +I shall think proper, without being +confined to any certain time, or rate +of allowance; and I will endeavour +to discharge the debt as soon as possible, +that the world may enjoy the +beauty of the Lady Dulcinea del Toboso, +since, contrary to my former +belief, she appears to be really beautiful. +I likewise covenant that I shall +not be obliged to fetch blood with the +scourge, and that in case I should +chance to be whipped by the officers +of justice<a id='r176'></a><a href='#f176' class='c008'><sup>[176]</sup></a>, every lash so received shall +enter into the tale: Item, lest I should +commit a mistake in the number, Signior +Merlin, who knows every thing, +shall take care to reckon them, and +give me to understand how far I have +fallen short, or exceeded the appointed +score.’—‘There will be no occasion +to apprize you of the overplus,’ said +Merlin; ‘for as soon as the number shall +be compleated, the Lady Dulcinea will +be disinchanted, and come, out of pure +gratitude, to return thanks, and even +a recompence to the charitable Sancho +for his good work. You need +not, therefore, make any scruple about +the superplus or the deficiency; nor +will Heaven allow me to defraud any +person, even of a single hair.’—‘A +God’s name, then,’ cried Sancho, +‘I consent in my tribulation; I say, I +accept of the penance on the conditions +aforesaid.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Scarce had Sancho pronounced these +last words, when the musick of the +waits began to play again, and an infinite +<span class='pageno' id='Page_443'>443</span>number of muskets were discharged, +while Don Quixote, hanging about Sancho’s +neck, imprinted a world of kisses +on his cheeks and forehead; the duke +and duchess, and all the by-standers, +expressed the utmost pleasure, the car +began to move, and the beauteous Dulcinea, +in passing, bowed to their graces, +and made a profound curtsy to Sancho.</p> + +<p class='c005'>About this time the chearful smiling +morn advanced; the flowerets of the +field, with heads erect, diffused their +fragrance; and the liquid chrystal of the +rills murmuring among the variegated +pebbles, went sliding on to pay its tribute +to the rivers, that waited to receive +their customary dues: the joyous +earth, the splendid firmament, the buxom +air, and light unclouded; each singly, +and all together joined, prognosticated +plainly, that the day, which trod +upon Aurora’s skirts, would be serene +and fair. The duke and duchess, extremely +well satisfied with the chace, as +well as with the ingenious and fortunate +execution of their design, returned +to the castle, with full intention to perform +the sequel of their jest, than which +no real adventure could have given +them more delight.</p> + +<h4 id='chap3-3-4' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='four'>IV.</abbr> <br> WHICH GIVES AN ACCOUNT OF THE PERILOUS AND INCONCEIVABLE<br> ADVENTURE OF THE AFFLICTED DUENNA,<br> ALIAS THE COUNTESS TRIFALDI—<br>TOGETHER WITH A LETTER WHICH SANCHO PANZA WROTE TO HIS WIFE TERESA PANZA.</h4> +<p class='c004'>The duke’s steward was a man of +humour and ingenuity, who acted +the part of Merlin, and adjusted all the +apparatus of the foregoing adventure; +for he composed the verses, and directed +a page to represent Dulcinea; finally, +under the auspices of his lord and lady, +he projected another of the most agreeable +and strange fancy that could possibly +be conceived.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Next day the duchess asking Sancho +if he had begun the task of the penance, +which he was to undergo for the disinchantment +of Dulcinea, he answered in +the affirmative, and said, he had that +same night given himself five lashes; +but when she enquired about the instrument +with which they were inflicted, he +owned they were applied with his hand. +‘That is rather clapping than lashing,’ +replied her grace; ‘and I take it for +granted, the sage Merlin will not be +content with such delicacy; it will be +absolutely necessary that honest Sancho +should make a scourge of briars, +or use a switch that will make him +feel it; for learning is not acquired +without pain, and the liberty of such +an high-born lady as Dulcinea is not +to be purchased for a trifle.’ To +this remonstrance Sancho replied, ‘I +wish your grace would lend me some +convenient whip, or ragged rope’s +end, which would do the business +without giving me a great deal of +pain; for I would have your grace to +know, that although I am a labouring +man, my flesh has more of the +cotton than the mat weed in it; and +there is no reason that I should destroy +myself for another’s advantage.’—‘In +good time be it,’ answered the duchess; +‘to-morrow morning I will give +you a scourge that will fit you to an +hair, and agree as well with the tenderness +of your flesh, as if it was its +own brother.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>This affair being adjusted, ‘My lady,’ +said Sancho Panza, ‘your highness +must know I have writ a letter to +my wife Teresa Panza, giving an account +of all that hath befallen me +since we parted: here it is in my bosom, +and wants nothing but a superscription. +I wish your grace, in your +great understanding, would read it; +for, in my mind, it smacks of the +governor; I mean, of the manner in +which governors ought to write.’—‘And +who was the inditer?’ said the +duchess. ‘Who should indite it, sinner +that I am, but myself!’ answered +the squire. ‘Did you likewise write it +yourself?’ replied her grace. ‘I did +not so much as think of any such +matter,’ said Sancho; ‘for the truth is, +I can neither read nor write, though +I know very well how to set my +mark.’—‘Let us see this epistle,’ +quoth the duchess, ‘in which, I dare +say, you have displayed the quality and +extent of your understanding.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Then Sancho pulling an open letter +from his bosom, the duchess took and +read it to this effect.</p> +<p class='c018'><span class='pageno' id='Page_444'>444</span>SANCHO’S LETTER TO HIS WIFE TERESA PANZA.</p> +<p class='c018'>‘If I have been finely lashed, I have +been well mounted; If I have +obtained a good government, it has +cost me a good whipping. This, +Teresa, thou wilt not now understand, +but shalt learn some other opportunity. +Know, Teresa, I am determined +thou shalt ride in a coach, which is a +resolution pat to the purpose; for any +other way of travelling is fit for none +but cats. A governor’s lady you +shall be, and I would fain see the +best of them tread upon thy heels. +I have sent thee a green hunting suit, +which was a present from my Lady +Duchess. Make it up into a petticoat +and jacket for our daughter. My +master Don Quixote, as I have heard +in this country, is a sensible madman, +and a diverting fool, and I myself +am nothing short of him in these +respects. We have been in the cave +of Montesinos, and the sage Merlin +has pitched upon me to disinchant the +Lady Dulcinea del Toboso, who in +your parts is called Aldonza Lorenzo; +with three thousand three hundred +stripes, lacking five, which I am to +give myself, she will be as much disinchanted +as the mother that bore her. +Thou shalt not mention a syllable of +this to any person whatsoever; for if +you go to seek advice about your own +concerns, one will say it is white, +and another swear ’tis black.’</p> + +<p class='c017'>A few days hence I shall set out for +my government, whither I go with a +most outrageous desire of getting money; +and I am told, this is the case +with all new governors. I will feel +the pulse of it, and give thee notice +whether or no thou shalt come and +live with me.</p> + +<p class='c017'>Dapple is in good health, and sends +his most hearty commendations: I +believe I shall not forsake him even if +they should make me the Grand Turk. +My Lady Duchess kisses thy hand a +thousand times: return the compliment +with two thousand; for, as my +master says, Nothing is so reasonable +and cheap as good manners. It has +not pleased God that I should stumble +upon another portmanteau with a hundred +crowns, as heretofore; but let +that give thee no uneasiness, my dear +Teresa, for he is safe who has good +cards to play; and what is amiss will +come out in the washing of this same +government. One thing, I own, gives +me great concern: I am told, that if +once I taste it, I shall be apt to eat my +fingers; and should that be the case, +it will be no cheap bargain; though +the lame and the paralytick enjoy a +sort of canonry in the alms they receive. +Wherefore, one way or another, +thou wilt certainly be rich and +fortunate. The Lord make thee so, +as he very well may, and preserve for +thy service thy husband the governor.</p> + +<p class='c017'>‘<span class='sc'>Sancho Panza.</span></p> + +<p class='c017'>‘From the Duke’s Castle, July 20, 1614.’</p> +<p class='c004'>The Duchess having read the letter to +an end, ‘In two circumstances,’ said +she, ‘the honest governor is a little out +of the way. First, in saying or insinuating, +that the government was +bestowed upon him, in return for the +stripes he must undergo; whereas he +knows, and cannot deny, that when my +Lord Duke promised him the island, +nobody thought of any such thing as +stripes in the world: Secondly, he +discovers an avaricious disposition, +and I should not like to see him a +skin flint; for greediness bursts the +bag, and a covetous governor will do +very ungoverned justice.’—‘I did not +write with that intention,’ answered +the squire: ‘and if your ladyship +thinks this is not a proper letter, there +is nothing to do but tear it and +write another, which perhaps will be +still worse, if it be left to my own numbskull.’—‘No, +no,’ cried the duchess, +‘this will do very well, and must be +shewn to the duke.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Accordingly, repairing to a garden, +where they were to dine that day, she +communicated Sancho’s epistle to the +duke, who perused it with infinite pleasure. +Here they went to dinner, and +after the cloth was taken away, and they +had entertained themselves a good while +with the savoury conversation of Sancho, +their ears were suddenly invaded +with the dismal sound of a fife and a +hoarse unbraced drum: all the company +were startled at this confused, martial, +and melancholy musick, especially Don +Quixote, whose emotion would not allow +him to sit quiet. With regard to +Sancho, all that can be said is, that +he was driven by fear to his usual shelter, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_445'>445</span>the sides or skirts of the duchess: +for the sound they heard was really and +truly horrible and dreary. In the midst +of this confusion and surprize, which +took hold on all present, they saw two +men enter the garden, in mourning-cloaks, +so large and long that they +trailed upon the ground. These figures +were employed in beating two large +drums, which were likewise covered +with black, and they were accompanied +by a fifer as black and dismal as themselves, +and followed by a personage of +gigantick stature, rolled rather than +cloathed in a cassock of the blackest hue, +furnished with a train of unmeasurable +length. Over this cassock, his body +was girded and crossed with a broad +black belt, from which depended an +immense scymitar, with hilt and sheath +of the same sable colour. His face was +covered with a black, transparent veil, +through which appeared a huge and +bushy beard as white as snow; and in +walking he kept time to the sound of +the drums, with great gravity and +composure. In a word, his tallness, +his demeanour, his melancholy dress, +and his attendants, were sufficient +to surprize, and did surprize, all those +who beheld him, without knowing +the nature of the scheme. With the +said solemnity of personification he advanced +in order to kneel before the +duke, who, with the rest of the company, +received him standing; but his +grace would by no means hear his address +until he rose. The prodigious +spectre complied with his desire and +stood upright; then unveiling his face, +and displaying the largest, whitest, +thickest, and most stupendous beard +that ever human eyes beheld, he fixed +his eyes upon the duke, and in a grave, +sonorous voice, extracted and discharged +from his ample and dilated +chest, pronounced, ‘Most high and +mighty prince, I am Trifaldin of the +Snowy Beard, squire to the Countess +Trifaldi, otherwise distinguished by +the appellation of the afflicted duenna: +from her I bring a message +to your grace, requesting that your +magnificence would be pleased to +give her leave and opportunity to +enter and declare in person her mishap; +which is the strangest and the +newest that ever the most hapless imagination +could conceive; and first +of all, she wants to know if the +valiant and invincible knight Don +Quixote de La Mancha now resides +within your castle; for in quest of +him, she is come a-foot and fasting +from the kingdom of Candaya to +these your territories: a circumstance +which might and ought to be deemed +a miracle, or at least effected by +the power of inchantment. She is +now at the gate of this fortress or +pleasure-house, and only waits for +your permission to come in.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>So saying, he hemmed; and with +both hands stroaking his beard from +top to bottom, waited with great composure +for the duke’s reply, which was +this: ‘Worthy Squire Trifaldin of +the Snowy Beard, many days are +passed since we have been apprized of +the misfortune of my Lady Countess +Trifaldi, on whom the inchanters +have intailed the epithet of the afflicted +duenna; well may you, +stupendous squire, desire her to come +in; and here is the valiant knight +Don Quixote de La Mancha, from +whose generous disposition she may +securely promise herself all manner +of aid and protection; and you may +likewise give her to understand, in +my name, that if my assistance be +necessary, it shall not be wanting; +for I think myself obliged to grant +it, as being a knight, to which +title is annexed and belongs, that +maxim of assisting the fair-sex with +all our might, especially widowed, +reduced, and afflicted duennas, like +her ladyship.’ Trifaldin hearing this +declaration, bent his knee to the +ground, and making a signal to the +fifer and drums to repeat the same note, +and resume the same pace with which +they entered, he retired from the garden, +leaving the whole company astonished +at his presence and deportment.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Then the duke turning to Don +Quixote, ‘In a word, renowned +knight,’ said he, ‘it is not in the +power of all the clouds of ignorance +and malice to conceal or obscure the +light of valour and of virtue. This +observation I make, because your +excellency has been scarce six days +in this castle, when, the melancholy +and afflicted come in quest of you from +the most distant and sequestered countries, +not in coaches or on dromedaries, +but a-foot and fasting, confident +of finding in that most valiant +<span class='pageno' id='Page_446'>446</span>arm the remedy and cure of their toils +and misfortunes: thanks to your +illustrious exploits, which pervade +and encircle the whole habitable +globe.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘My Lord Duke,’ replied the knight, +‘I wish that same pious ecclesiastick +was here at present; he, who at +your grace’s table, the other day, +expressed so much ill-will and such +an inveterate grudge to knights-errant, +that he might see with his +own eyes whether or not such knights +are of any service in this world; or +at least, be fully convinced that the +distressed and disconsolate, overwhelmed +with extraordinary woes, +and enormous misfortunes, do not +go for redress to the houses of learned +men, to the mansions of parish priests, +nor to the knight who never dreamed +of going beyond the limits of his +own estate; nor to the idle courtier, +who would rather enquire about +news, that he might have the pleasure +of repeating and retailing +them, than endeavour to perform +actions and exploits for others to +perpetuate and record: the redress of +grievances, the support of the necessitous, +the protection of damsels, and +the consolation of widows, are found +in no set of people more than in +knights-errant; that I am one of +these, I return infinite thanks to +Heaven, and shall cheerfully undergo +whatever danger and disgrace may +befall me in the course of such an +honourable exercise. Let this duenna +approach, and beg what boon she +shall desire, I will commit her cause +to the strength of my arm, and the +intrepid resolution of my aspiring +soul.’</p> +<h4 id='chap3-3-5' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='five'>V.</abbr> <br> IN WHICH IS CONTINUED THE FAMOUS ADVENTURE OF THE AFFLICTED DUENNA.</h4> +<p class='c004'>The duke and duchess were exceedingly +rejoiced to see Don +Quixote’s behaviour correspond so well +with their design. Sancho interposing, +‘I wish,’ said he, ‘this Madam Duenna +may not throw some stumbling-block +in the way of my government; for I +have heard an apothecary of Toledo, +who talked like any goldfinch, observe, +that nothing good could happen +where duennas interfered. Lord +help us! what a spite that same +apothecary had to the whole tribe; +from whence I conclude that seeing +duennas of all qualities and degrees +whatsoever are offensive and impertinent, +what must those be who are +afflicted, which they say is the case +with this Trifaldis<a id='r177'></a><a href='#f177' class='c008'><sup>[177]</sup></a>, or three-tailed +countess? for, in my country, skirts +and tails, and tails and skirts, are +the same thing.’—‘Hold your tongue, +friend Sancho,’ said Don Quixote: +‘this lady, who is come in quest of +me from remote countries, cannot +be one of those to whom the apothecary +alluded, especially as she is a +countess; and when ladies of that +rank serve as duennas, it must be +under queens and empresses; for in +their own houses they are honoured +with the title of Ladyship, and have +other duennas in their service.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>To this remark Donna Rodriguez, +who was present, replied, ‘My lady +duchess has duennas in her service, +who might have been countesses, had +it pleased fortune; but the law’s +measure is the king’s pleasure; and +let no body speak disrespectfully of +duennas, especially of those who are +ancient and maidens; for although I +am not of that class, I can easily +perceive and comprehend the advantage +a maiden duenna has over one +that is a widow: and he that undertakes +to hear us, will have no easy +talk to perform.’—‘And yet, for all +that,’ replied Sancho, ‘if my barber’s +word may be taken, you duennas require +so much to be shorn, that—You +had better not stir the porridge though +it stick to the pot.’—‘The squires are +always our enemies,’ answered Donna +Rodriguez: ‘they are imps of the +antichamber, who are every minute +making a jest of us; and except when +they are at prayers, which is not often +the case, their whole time is spent in +back-biting, disinterring our bones, +and interring our reputation. But +let met tell those moving blocks, that, +in spite of all they can do, we will +live in the world, aye, in noble families, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_447'>447</span>though we should die of hunger, +and clothe our delicate or indelicate +bodies with a black shroud, as they +cover or shade a dunghill with tapestry +on a day of procession. In good +faith! if I were allowed, and the +time required it, I could demonstrate +not only to those who are now present, +but likewise to the whole world, that +there is no kind of virtue which does +not center in a duenna.’—‘I believe +there is reason, and a great deal of reason, +in what the worthy Donna Rodriguez +observes,’ said the duchess; ‘but +she must wait for a proper opportunity +to appear in behalf of herself and other +duennas, and confute the ill opinion +of that malicious apothecary, as well +as to eradicate those sentiments from +the breast of the mighty Sancho +Panza.’ To this remark the squire +replied: ‘Since the fumes of a governor +have expelled the vapours of a squire, +I value not all the duennas upon earth +a fig’s end.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>They would have proceeded with +this duennian conference, had not +they heard again the sound of the fife +and drums, which announced the entrance +of the afflicted duenna. The +duchess asked the duke, if it would +be proper to advance and receive her, +as she was a countess and person of quality. +‘With regard to her being a countess,’ +said Sancho, before the duke +could reply, ‘it would be right for your +graces to go and receive her; but in +respect to her being a duenna, I think +you should not move a step.’—‘Who +taught thee to interfere in such matters?’ +said Don Quixote. ‘Who, Signior?’ +replied Sancho, ‘I interfere, because +I am qualified to interfere, as a +squire who has learned all the punctilios +of courtesy in the school of your worship, +who is the most courteous and +best-bred knight that ever the province +of courtesy produced; and in +these matters, as I have heard your +worship observe, the game is as often +lost by a card too many as one +too few; but a word to the wise is +sufficient.’—‘It is even so as Sancho +has remarked,’ said the duke; ‘let +us first see a specimen of the countess, +and from that sample consider what +courtesy she deserves.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>At that instant the fifer and drummers +entered as before:—and here the +author concludes this short chapter, in +order to begin another with the sequel +of the same adventure, which is among +the most remarkable of the whole history.</p> + +<p class='c005'>END OF THE THIRD VOLUME.</p> + +<div class='chapter'> + <h2 id='vol4' class='c007'>VOLUME THE FOURTH. <br> PART <abbr title='two'>II.</abbr></h2> +</div> +<h3 id='book4-3' class='c009'>BOOK <abbr title='three'>III.</abbr></h3> +<h4 id='chap4-3-6' class='c010'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='six'>VI.</abbr> <br> IN WHICH IS RECOUNTED THE MISFORTUNE OF THE AFFLICTED DUENNA.</h4> +<p class='c004'>In the rear of those melancholy +musicians, about a +dozen duennas, divided +into two files, began to +enter the garden, clad in +loose mourning-gowns, +seemingly of milled stuff, with white +veils of fine muslin, so long that nothing +but the borders of the gowns were seen. +After these came the Countess Trifaldi, +led by her Squire Trifaldin of the +Snowy Beard, and cloathed in a robe of +the finest black serge, which, had it +been napped, would have displayed +grains as large as the best Martos garavances<a id='r178'></a><a href='#f178' class='c008'><sup>[178]</sup></a>. +The tail or skirt, or whatsoever +it is called, was divided into three +parts, supported by three pages, who +were likewise in mourning, making a +remarkable mathematical figure, with +the three acute angles formed by the +three divisions, a circumstance from +which all who saw this divided train, +concluded that from hence she was +called the Countess of Trifaldi, as if +we should say, the Countess of Three +Skirts: and this is what Benengeli affirms +for truth: observing, that her proper +appellation was, the Countess de +Wolf, because her country produced a +great number of those animals; and if +it had been famous for foxes, she would +have been called, my Lady Fox; for it +is the custom in those countries, for +people of fashion to take their denomination +from the thing or things with +which their estates chiefly abound; but +this countess, in order to favour the +fashion of her train, laid aside the name +of Wolf, and assumed that of Trifaldi.</p> + +<p class='c005'>The twelve duennas and their lady +advanced at a procession-pace, their +faces covered with white veils, though +not transparent like that of the Squire +Trifaldin; on the contrary, they were +so close that nothing appeared through +them. When the whole duennian +squadron appeared, the duke and duchess, +Don Quixote, and all those who +beheld the procession, stood up; and the +twelve duennas halting, made a lane +through which the afflicted lady advanced, +without quitting the hand of +Trifaldin, while their graces and Don +Quixote went forwards about a dozen +steps to receive her: then she kneeled +<span class='pageno' id='Page_448'>448</span>upon the ground, and with a voice that +was coarse and rough, rather than +smooth and delicate, pronounced this +address: ‘I beg your graces will be +pleased to wave all this courtesy to +your humble valets—I mean, your +handmaid<a id='r179'></a><a href='#f179' class='c008'><sup>[179]</sup></a>—Indeed, I am so overwhelmed +with affliction, that I can +hardly return a rational answer; for +my strange and unheard-of misfortune +hath hurried away my understanding, +I know not whither, though +it must be at a great distance, because +the more I seek, the farther I am from +finding it.’—‘He must be deprived of +it all together, my Lady Countess,’ +answered the duke, ‘who could not +discover your worth from the appearance +of your person, which, without +farther enquiry, is deserving of the +whole cream of courtesy, and the very +essence of polite ceremony.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>So saying, he presented his hand, and +raising her up, seated her in a chair close +by the duchess, who likewise received +her with great respect. Don Quixote +was silent, and Sancho ready to burst +with curiosity to see the faces of the +Countess Trifaldi and some of her duennas; +but he could not possibly gratify +his desire, until they unveiled themselves +of their own free will and motion. +Every body was hushed, expecting +who would put an end to the general +silence, which the afflicted countess +broke in these words: ‘Confident +I am, O powerful lord, most beautiful +lady, and most sagacious bystanders, +that my most wretchedness +will find a reception equally placid, +generous, and dolorous, within your +valorous bosoms; for such it is, as +were enough to soften marble, melt +the diamond, and mollify the steel of +the most obdurate heart; but before +it appears in the parade of your hearing, +not to say your ears, I would I +were certified whether or not the perfectionatissimo +Knight Don Quixote +de La Manchissima, and his Squirissimo +Panza, are in this groupe, circle, +or assembly?’ Before any other person +could reply, ‘Panza,’ cried Sancho, +‘is here, and likewise Don Quixotissimo; +and therefore, most dolorous duennissima, +you may say what you +think properissimo; for we are all +ready and promptissimos to be your +servantissimos.’ Then Don Quixote +rising and addressing himself to the +afflicted duenna, ‘If your misfortunes, +distressed lady,’ said he, ‘can +derive any remedy or redress from the +valour or strength of any knight-errant, +here are mine, which, though +feeble and defective, shall be wholly +exerted in your behalf. I am Don +Quixote de La Mancha, whose office it +is to assist the necessitous of all degrees: +and this being the case, as it +really is, you have no occasion, Madam, +to bespeak benevolence, and +seek after preambles: but only to rehearse +your misfortunes plainly and +without circumlocution, and they +shall be heard by those who, though +perhaps unable to redress, will at least +condole them.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>The afflicted duenna, hearing this +declaration, attempted to throw herself +at the feet of Don Quixote; nay, even +executed the attempt, and struggling to +embrace them, exclaimed, ‘O invincible +knight, I prostrate myself before these +feet and legs, which are the bases and +supporters of knight-errantry; suffer +me to kiss these feet, on whose footsteps +the cure of my misfortune solely +depends. O valiant errant! whose +real exploits outstrip and obscure the +fabulous feats of all the Amadises, +Belianises, and Esplandians——’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Then turning from the knight, and +seizing Sancho by the hand, ‘And O!’ +said she, ‘thou loyallest squire that ever +served knight-errant, in the past or +present age, whose virtue exceeds in +length the beard of this my domestick +Trifaldin, well mayest thou boast that, +in attending the great Don Quixote, +thou dost attend in epitome, the whole +tribe of knights that ever handled +arms on this terrestrial ball; I conjure +thee, by thy own most faithful benevolence, +to be my intercessor with thy +master, that he may instantly favour +me, the most humble and unfortunate +countess that ever was born.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>To this address Sancho replied, +‘Whether my virtue, my lady, be as +<span class='pageno' id='Page_449'>449</span>long and broad as your squire’s +beard, is of very little signification; +so that my soul be bearded and +whiskered when it leaves this life, +which is the main point, I care little +or nothing for beards here below. +But, without all this coaxing and begging, +I will desire my master, who, +I believe, has a respect for me, especially +now that I am become necessary +in a certain affair, to favour and assist +your ladyship to the utmost of his +power: your ladyship may therefore +unpack, and recount your griefs, that +all of us may understand the nature +of your misfortune.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>The duke and duchess were ready to +burst with laughing at this dialogue; +for they knew the drift of the adventure, +and were extremely well pleased with the +acuteness and dissimulation of the Countess +Trifaldi, who seating herself again, +began her story in these words:</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Of the famous kingdom of Candaya, +situated between the great Trapobana +and the South Sea, two leagues beyond +Cape Comorin, Donna Maguncia +was queen, as widow of King +Archipiela, her lord and husband, in +which marriage they begat and procreated +the Infanta Antonomasia, heiress +of the crown, which said Infanta +Antonomasia was bred and brought +up under my care and instruction; +for I was her mother’s most ancient +and principal duenna. And it came +to pass, in process of time, that the +young Antonomasia attained the age +of fourteen, with such perfection and +beauty as nature could not exceed. +Nay, we may even say that discretion +itself was but a girl, compared to +her, who was equally discreet and +beautiful, and surely she was the +most beautiful creature upon earth, +and is so still, if the invidious fates +and hard-hearted sisters have not cut +short the yarn of her life: but surely +they have not, for Heaven would not +permit such mischief to be done on +earth, as to tear the green cluster from +the most beautiful vine that ever soil +produced. Of this beauty, which my +coarse tongue can never extol, an infinite +number of noblemen, natives +as well as strangers, became enamoured. +Among these, a private +knight belonging to the court had +the presumption to raise his thoughts +to the heaven of such perfection, +confiding in his youth, his gallantry, +his various talents and accomplishments, +and the facility and felicity +of his wit; for, I must tell your +graces, if you are not offended at the +subject, that he touched the guittar +so nicely as to make it speak; besides, +he was a poet, a great dancer, and +could make bird cages so curiously, +that he might have earned his bread +by that employment, had he been reduced +to want. Such a number of +natural gifts and qualifications was +enough to overthrow a mountain, much +more a delicate young maiden; but +all his gaiety and gallantry, his gifts +and graces, would have availed little +or nothing against the fortress of my +charge, if the treacherous ruffian had +not practiced means to reduce me first. +The base robber and lewd vagabond +began by cultivating my good-will, +and corrupting my taste, that, like a +disloyal governor, I might deliver up +the keys of the fort which I guarded. +In a word, he flattered my understanding, +and obtained my consent, +by presenting me with some +jewels and trinkets; but what chiefly +contributed to lay me on my back, +were some couplets which I heard him +sing one night while I stood at a rail +that looked into an ally where he was, +and which, to the best of my remembrance, +were to this effect—</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c012'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘“A thousand shafts from my sweet foe</div> + <div class='line in2'>Are launch’d unerring to my heart;</div> + <div class='line in2'>Yet must I not reveal the smart,</div> + <div class='line'>And silence aggravates my woe!”</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>‘I thought the turn of the rhime was +as smooth as pearls, and his voice as +sweet as sugar-candy; and, since that +time, seeing the mischief that hath +befallen me, through these and other +such verses, I have often thought, +that wise and well-regulated commonwealths +ought to expel the poets, +according to the advice of Plato; at +least your lascivious writers who compose +couplets, not like those of the +Marquis of Mantua, that entertain +and draw tears from women and +children; but your pointed conceits, +which, like agreeable thorns, prick, +as it were, the very soul, and wound +like lightning, leaving the garment +<span class='pageno' id='Page_450'>450</span>whole and untouched. Another time +he sung the following stanza—</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c012'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘“Come, gentle death, so soft and sly,</div> + <div class='line in2'>That thy approach I may not see;</div> + <div class='line in2'>Lest I rejoice to such degree,</div> + <div class='line'>That I shall not have pow’r to die.”</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>‘And other tags and couplets of the +same kidney; which, when written, +confound, and when chanted, inchant; +for when they condescend to +compose a sort of verse in fashion at +that time in Candaya, called roundelays, +they produce a kind of palpitation +in the soul, a titillation of good +humour, an agitation in the nerves, +and finally, a tremulous motion, like +that of quicksilver, in all the senses. +Therefore, I repeat it to this honourable +company, that such dangerous +rhymers ought to be banished to the +isle of lizards: yet, they are not so +much to blame, as the simple wretches +who applaud, and the boobies who +believe them. If I had adhered to +the duty of a good duenna, I should +not have been moved by his serenading +concerts, nor believed the truth +of these expressions—“In death I +live; in frost I burn; in fire I shiver; +in despair I hope; though I depart I +still remain;” and other impossibilities +of the same strain, with which their +works abound. When they promise +the phœnix of Arabia, the crown of +Ariadne, the locks of Apollo, the +pearls of the South Sea, the gold of +Tyber, and the balsams of Pancaya, +they give the greatest latitude to their +pens; for it costs them but a small +matter to promise what they have neither +inclination nor ability to perform.—But, +woe is me! ah, wretched +creature! whither am I straying? +What madness or despair thus hurries +and prompts me to rehearse the faults +of other people! me, who have so +much to say of my own infirmities. +Woe is me again, unhappy woman! +Not by his verses, but my own simplicity, +was I vanquished: it was +not his musick that softened me; but +my own levity, inadvertency, and +ignorance, opened the way, and +cleared the path, for the passage of +Don Clavijo, which is the name of +the said knight; and therefore, I +being the go-between, he was once +and often admitted into the chamber +of the (by me, and not by him) +misled Antonomasia, under the title +of her lawful spouse; for, sinner as +I am, without being her husband, he +should not have come near enough +to touch the sole of her slipper. No, +no, marriage must go before in every +business of that kind, where I am +concerned! the only misfortune in +this affair, was the inequality between +Clavijo, who was but a private +knight, and the Infanta Antonomasia, +who, as I have already said, +was heiress of the kingdom. For +some time, the plot was covered and +concealed in the sagacity of my circumspection, +until I perceived a small +protuberance daily increasing in the +belly of my Antonomasia, whose +fears obliged us to lay our three +heads together; and the result of our +consultation was, that before the misfortune +should come to light, Clavijo +should demand Antonomasia in marriage, +before the vicar-general, by +virtue of a contract signed by the +infanta, which was indited by my +ingenuity, in such strength of terms +as Samson himself could not break. +The scheme was accordingly executed; +the vicar perused the contract, +and confessed the princess, who owned +the whole affair, and was committed +to the care of a very honourable +alguazil of the court.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Here Sancho interposing, ‘So then,’ +said he, ‘there are alguazils of the +court, poets and roundelays in Candaya +as well as in Spain? I swear, I think +the world is every where the same! +but I beg your ladyship, Madam +Trifaldi, would dispatch; for it +grows late, and I die with impatience +to know the end of this +long-winded story.’—‘I will comply +with your request,’ answered the +countess.</p> + +<h4 id='chap4-3-7' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='seven'>VII.</abbr> <br> IN WHICH THE LADY TRIFALDI PROCEEDS<br> WITH HER MEMORABLE AND STUPENDOUS STORY.</h4> +<p class='c004'>Every word that Sancho uttered +gave as much pleasure to the duchess +as pain to Don Quixote; who having +imposed silence on the squire, the +afflicted duenna thus proceeded: ‘At +<span class='pageno' id='Page_451'>451</span>length, after innumerable questions +and replies, as the infanta continued +still in her story without variation, the +vicar pronounced sentence in favour +of Don Clavijo, whom he declared +her lawful husband; a circumstance +that so deeply affected Queen Maguncia, +mother to the Infanta Antonomasia, +that we buried her in three +days.’—‘Not before she was dead, I +hope,’ said Sancho. ‘No, certainly,’ +replied Trifaldin; ‘for in Candaya, +people do nor bury the living, but +the dead.’—‘And yet, Signior Squire,’ +said Sancho, ‘we have seen a person in +a swoon buried for dead: and in my +opinion, Queen Maguncia ought to +have swooned rather than died; for +while there is life there is hope, and +the infanta’s slip was not so great as +to oblige her to take on so much. +Had the young lady buckled with her +own page, or any other servant in +the family, as I have heard many +others have done, the mischief would +not have been easily repaired; but to +marry such a genteel, accomplished +knight, as the countess hath described——verily, +verily, although it +was indiscreet, the indiscretion was +not so great as people may imagine; +for, according to the maxims of +my master, who is here present, and +will not suffer me to tell a lye, as +learned men are created bishops, so +may knights, especially knights-errant, +be created kings and emperors.’—‘Thou +art in the right, Sancho,’ +said Don Quixote, ‘for a +knight-errant, with two fingers-breadth +of good fortune, is the very +next in promotion to the greatest lord +in the universe.—But, pray, afflicted +lady, proceed; for I guess the bitter +part of this hitherto agreeable story is +still to come.’—‘How! the bitter +part to come?’ replied the countess; +‘aye, and so bitter, that in comparison +with it, gall and wormwood are +sweet and savoury.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Well, then, the queen being really +dead, and not in a swoon, was buried; +but scarce was she covered with the +mould, and scarce had we pronounced +the long and last farewel, when, +<i>Quis talia fando, temperet a lacrymis?</i> +all of a sudden, above the tomb, +appeared upon a wooden horse the +giant Malambruno, Maguncia’s first +cousin, who, exclusive of his cruel +disposition, was an inchanter, and +by his diabolical art, in order to +revenge his relation’s death, and chastise +the presumption of Don Clavijo, +together with the folly of Antonomasia, +fixed them both inchanted on +Maguncia’s tomb, after having converted +her into a monkey of brass, +and him into a frightful crocodile of +some unknown substance; between +them is a plate of metal, displaying +an inscription in the Syrian language, +which being translated into the Candayan, +and afterwards into the Castilian +tongue, contains this sentence: +“These two presumptuous lovers will +not recover their pristine form, until +the valorous Manchegan shall engage +with me in single combat; for +his stupendous valour alone, the fates +have reserved this unseen adventure.” +This metamorphosis being effected, +he unsheathed a vast unmeasurable +scymitar, and twisting his left hand +in my hair, threatened to slit my +windpipe, and slice off my head. I +was confounded, my voice stuck in +my throat, and I remained in an agony +of fear: nevertheless, I made one +effort, and in a faultering accent and +plaintive tone, uttered such a pathetick +remonstrance as induced him to +suspend the execution of his rigorous +revenge. In fine, he ordered all the +duennas of the palace (there they +are) to be brought into his presence, +when, after having exaggerated our +fault, reviled the disposition of duennas, +their wicked schemes and contrivances, +and accused them all of +the crime of which I alone was guilty, +he said he would not punish us +with instant death, but with a more +tedious penalty, by which we should +suffer a civil and continued death. +He had no sooner done speaking, +than that very moment and instant, +we all felt the pores of our faces open, +and the whole surface tingle as if +pricked with the points of needles; +then clapping our hands on the part, +every one found her visage in the +condition which you shall now behold.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>So saying, the afflicted duenna and +her companions, lifting up their veils, +disclosed so many faces overgrown with +huge beards, red, black, white, and +party-coloured; at sight of which, the +duke and duchess were amazed, Don +<span class='pageno' id='Page_452'>452</span>Quixote and Sancho confounded, and +all present overwhelmed with astonishment; +as for the countess, she pursued +her story in these words.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘In this manner were we punished +by the felonious and ill-designing Malambruno, +who covered the smoothness +and delicacy of our faces with +the roughness of these bristles; and +would to Heaven he had rather struck +off our heads with his unmeasurable +scymitar, than obscured the light of +our countenances with this frightful +bush; for if this honourable company +will but consider, and in speaking +what I am now going to say, I +wish I could turn my eyes into fountains; +but the consideration of our +misfortune, and the oceans they have +already rained, have drained them as +dry as beards of corn; and, therefore, +I must speak without tears: I say +then, whither can a duenna go with +a beard upon her chin? What father +or mother will condole her disgrace? +or who will give her the least assistance? +for if, when her face is +smoothed and martyred by a thousand +cosmetick slops and washes, she can +scarce find one who will favour her +with affection, what must she do +when her face becomes a perfect coppice +of brushwood? O ye wretched +duennas! my companions dear! in an +unlucky minute did we see the light, +and in an hapless hour were we engendered +by our fathers!’</p> + +<p class='c005'>So saying, she pretended to faint +away.</p> +<h4 id='chap4-3-8' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='eight'>VIII.</abbr> <br> OF CIRCUMSTANCES APPERTAINING AND RELATING TO THIS ADVENTURE AND MEMORABLE STORY.</h4> +<p class='c004'>Verily, and in good truth! all +those who take pleasure in reading +such histories, ought to manifest +their gratitude to its first author Cid +Hamet, for his curiosity in recounting +the most trivial incident, without neglecting +to bring to light the least circumstance, +how minute soever it may +be. He describes the thought, discloses +the fancy, answers the silent, explains +doubts, discusses arguments, and finally +displays the very atoms of the most curious +disposition. O celebrated author! +O happy Don Quixote! O renowned +Dulcinea! O facetious Sancho Panza! +may you flourish conjunctly and severally +to the end of time, for the entertainment +and pastime of mankind in +general!</p> + +<p class='c005'>The history relates, that Sancho seeing +the Afflicted faint away, ‘Now, by +the faith of man!’ cried he, ‘and by +the pedigree of all the Panzas my +forefathers! never did I hear or see, +nor did my master recount, or indeed +conceive, such an adventure as +this!—A legion of devils confound +thee for a giant and inchanter, accursed +Malambruno! couldst thou +find no other method to punish these +sinners, but by clapping beards to +them? Would it not have been better, +at least it would have been more +for their advantage, to cut off half +their noses, even though they should +snuffle in their speech, than to encumber +them with beards? I’d lay +a wager, too, that they have not +wherewithal to pay a barber.’—‘What +you say is very true,’ replied one of +the dozen; ‘we have not wherewithal +to be trimmed, and therefore some of +us, by way of œconomy, make use +of sticking plaister, which being applied +to our faces, and plucked off with +a jerk, leave us as sleek and smooth as +the bottom of a marble mortar; for, +although there are women in Candaya +who go from house to house, +taking of the hair, arching the eyebrows, +and composing slipslops for the +use of the fair-sex, we who belonged +to her ladyship would never admit +them into the family, because, for the +most part, they are persons who having +ceased to be principals, exercise +the occupation of procuresses; and +therefore, if we are not redressed by +Signior Don Quixote, we must e’en +carry our beards to the grave.’—‘If +I do not redress your whiskers,’ cried +the knight, ‘I will leave mine among +the Moors!’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Here the Countess Trifaldi recovering, +‘Valiant knight,’ said she, ‘the +tingling of that promise reached mine +ears while I lay in a swoon, and hath +been the cause of my recovering and +retrieving the use of all my senses; +therefore, renowned errant, and invincible +knight, I again entreat you, +to put your gracious promise in execution.’—‘In +<span class='pageno' id='Page_453'>453</span>me there shall be no delay,’ +replied Don Quixote: ‘consider +then, my lady, and tell me what I +am to do; my mind is perfectly disposed +for your service.’—‘The case +is this, then,’ answered the afflicted +duenna: ‘from hence to the kingdom +of Candaya, if you go by land, you +must travel five thousand leagues, it +may be one or two more or less; but +if you go through the air, in a right +line, you measure no more than three +thousand two hundred and twenty-seven. +You must likewise know, +Malambruno told me, that whenever +fortune should furnish me with our +deliverer, he would send him a steed +that should be much better and less +vicious than any of your return post-horses, +as being the very individual +wooden-horse upon which the valiant +Peter carried off the fair Magalona: +he is governed by a peg in his forehead, +that serves instead of a bridle; +and he flies so swiftly through the +air, that one would think he was +transported by all the devils in hell. +This steed, according to ancient tradition, +was contrived by the Sage +Merlin, and he lent him to his friend +Peter, who, by means of such conveyance, +performed incredible journies, +and stole, as I have observed, the +fair Magalona, who sat behind him, +and was transported through the air, +to the astonishment of all those who +gaped after her from the earth. Yet +he would lend him to none but his particular +favourites, or such as would +pay him a handsome price; we do +not know that he was ever mounted +from the days of the great Peter to +the present time. Malambruno, by +dint of art, has got, and keeps him in +his possession, making use of him in +his journies, which he performs in an +instant, from one part of the world +to another; now here, to-morrow in +France, and next day in Peru: and +there is one great advantage in this +horse, he neither eats nor sleeps, nor +costs any thing in shoeing, and ambles +through the air without wings in +such a manner, that the rider may +hold a cup full of water in his hand +without spilling a single drop, his motion +is so smooth and easy; for which +reason, the fair Magalona delighted +much in taking the air upon his back.’—‘As +for his going smooth and easy,’ +said Sancho, ‘there is my Dapple, +whom (though he does not go through +the air, but along the ground) I will +match against all the amblers that ever +the earth produced.’ All the company +laughed at this observation, and +the afflicted duenna proceeded; ‘Now, +this horse, if Malambruno is actually +disposed to put an end to our misfortune, +will be herein less than half an +hour after it is dark: for he told me +the signal by which I should be certain +of having found the knight I was +in quest of, would be his sending the +horse thither with all convenient dispatch.’—‘And +pray,’ said Sancho, +‘how many persons will this horse +carry?’—‘Two,’ replied the Afflicted; +‘one upon the saddle, and the other +upon the crupper, and these are commonly +the knight and the squire, +when there is no damsel to be stolen.’—‘I +should be glad to know, afflicted +Madam,’ resumed the squire, ‘what is +the name of that same horse?’—‘His +name,’ answered the Afflicted, ‘is +not like that of Bellerophon’s horse, +which was called Pegasus; nor does +it resemble that which distinguished +the steed of Alexander the Great, Bucephalus; +nor that of Orlando Furioso, +whose appellation was Brilladoro; +nor Bayete, which belonged to Reynaldo +de Montalban; nor Frontino, +that appertained to Rugiero; nor +Bootes, nor Peritoa, the horses of the +sun; nor is he called Orelia, like that +steed upon which the unfortunate Rodrigo, +last king of the Goths, engaged +in that battle where he lost his crown +and life.’—‘I will lay a wager,’ cried +Sancho, ‘that as he is not distinguished +by any of those famous names of horses +so well known, so neither have they +given him the name of my master’s +horse Rozinante; a name which, in +propriety, exceeds all those that have +been named.’—‘Very true,’ replied +the bearded countess; ‘nevertheless, +it fits him very well; for he is called +Clavileno Aligero<a id='r180'></a><a href='#f180' class='c008'><sup>[180]</sup></a>, an appellation +that suits exactly with his wooden +substance, the peg in his forehead, +and the swiftness with which he travels; +so that, for his name, he may be +brought in competition even with the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_454'>454</span>famous Rozinante.’—‘The name +pleases me well enough,’ said Sancho; +‘but what sort of bridle or halter must +be used in managing him?’—‘I have +already told you,’ answered Trifaldi, +‘that by turning the peg, the knight +who rides can make him travel just as +he pleases, either mounting through +the air; or else sweeping, and, as it +were, brushing the surface of the +earth; or lastly, sailing through the +middle region, which is the course to +be sought after and pursued, in all +well-concerted enterprizes.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘I should be glad to see this same +beast,’ replied the squire; ‘but to think +that I will mount him, either in the +saddle or in the crupper, is all the +same thing as to look for pears upon +an elm. A fine joke, i’faith! I can +scarce keep the back of my own Dapple, +though sitting upon a pannel as +soft as sattin, and they would now +have me get upon a crupper of board, +with out any pillow or cushion. By +the Lord! I have no intention to bruise +myself, in order to take off the beard +of any person whatsoever; let every +beard be shaved according to the +owner’s fancy: for my own part, I +have no notion of accompanying my +master in such a long and tedious +journey; for surely I have no concern +in the shaving of beards, whatever I +may have in the disinchantment of +Dulcinea.’—‘Indeed, you have, my +friend,’ answered Trifaldi; ‘aye, and +so much, that without your presence +I believe we shall do no good.’—‘In +the king’s name!’ cried Sancho, +‘what have squires to do with the +adventures of their masters? What! +are they to run away with all the reputation, +and we to undergo all the +trouble? Body o’me! would your +historians but mention, that such a +knight atchieved such and such an +adventure, with the assistance of his +Squire What-d’ye-call-um, without +whom he could not possibly have +finished the exploit; but, they drily relate, +as how Don Paralipomenon of +the Three Stars, finished the adventure +of the six goblins, without even naming +the squire who was present all the +time, no more than if there was not +such a person in the world: I therefore +say again to this honourable +company, that my master may go by +himself, and good luck attend him; +but, for my own part, I will stay +where I am, and keep my Lady Duchess +company; and peradventure, at +his return, he may find my Lady +Dulcinea’s business well forwarded; +for I intend, at my idle and leisure +hours, to whip myself to such a tune, +that not a single hair shall stand before +me.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘But, for all that,’ said the duchess, +‘honest Sancho, you must attend +him, should there be occasion, for +you will be solicited by the righteous; +and surely it would be a great pity, +that the faces of these gentlewomen +should continue overshadowed with +hair, merely for your needless apprehension.’—‘I +say again, in the +king’s name!’ cried Sancho, ‘if this +charity should be of any benefit to +release maidens or parish-children, +a man might venture to undergo some +trouble; but to take such pains in +order to rid duennas of their beards! +a plague upon the whole generation! +I had rather see them all bearded from +the highest to the lowest, tag, rag, +and bobtail.’—‘Friend Sancho,’ said +the duchess, ‘you are on bad terms +with duennas, and very much infected +with the opinion of that apothecary +of Toledo; but, in good +sooth, you are very much in the +wrong: there are duennas in my +house, who might serve as patterns +of virtue; and here stands Donna Rodriguez, +who would not suffer me to +say otherwise.’—‘Your excellency +may say what you please,’ answered +Rodriguez; ‘but God knows the truth +of all things, and good or bad, bearded +or smooth, we duennas were born +of our mothers, as well as other +women; since, therefore, God sent +us into the world, he knows for what, +and in his mercy do I put my trust, +and not in the beard of any person +whatsoever.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘’Tis very well, Signora Rodriguez, +Madam Trifaldi, and you ladies +of her company,’ said Don Quixote; +‘Heaven, I hope, will look upon +your misfortunes with propitious +eyes, and Sancho will chearfully obey +my orders; let Clavileno come, so +as that I may once see myself engaged +with Malambruno, and confident +I am, that no razor can shave +your ladyships with more facility than +my sword should find in shaving the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_455'>455</span>giant’s head from his shoulders; for +though God permits the wicked to +prosper, it is but for a time.’ The +afflicted duenna hearing this declaration, +exclaimed, ‘Now, may all the stars +of the celestial regions shed their benign +influence upon your worship, most +valiant knight, infusing courage into +your soul, and crowning your atchievements +with prosperity, that you +may be the shield and support of this +our slighted and depressed duennian +order, abominated by apothecaries, +grumbled at by squires, and jeered by +pages! now, ill betide the wretch, +who, in the flower of her youth, +would not rather take the veil than +become a duenna. Unfortunate duennas +that we are! for, though we +may be descended in a direct male line +from Hector of Troy, our ladies will +not fail to throw “Thou” in our +teeth, even if they thought they should +be crowned for it. O thou giant Malambruno! +who, though an inchanter, +art always punctual in thy promises, +send hither the peerless Clavileno, that +our disaster may be done away; for, +if our beards continue until the dog-days +begin, woe be unto us!’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Trifaldi pronounced these words in +such a pathetick strain, as brought tears +from the eyes of all the by standers, and +even filled Sancho’s to the brim; so that +he resolved in his heart, to accompany +his master to the utmost limits of the +earth, provided his attendance should be +necessary towards shearing the wool of +those venerable countenances.</p> + +<h4 id='chap4-3-9' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='nine'>IX.</abbr> <br> OF CLAVILENO’S ARRIVAL—AND THE CONCLUSION<br> OF THIS PROTRACTED ADVENTURE.</h4> +<p class='c004'>Meanwhile, night came on, +and along with it the time fixed +for the arrival of the famous steed Clavileno, +whose delay began already to +afflict Don Quixote; for he looked upon +the detention of the horse, as a sign +that he himself was not the knight for +whom the adventure was reserved, or +that Malambruno was afraid to engage +with him in single combat. But, lo! +all of a sudden, four savages, clad in +green ivy, entered the garden, bearing +on their backs a green wooden horse, +which being placed on the ground, one +of the number pronounced, ‘Let him +who has courage mount this machine.’—‘For +my own part,’ said Sancho, +‘I do not mount; for neither have I +courage, nor am I a knight.’ But +the savage proceeded, saying, ‘Let +the squire, if he has one, occupy the +crupper; and he may confide in the +valiant Malambruno; for, except +the sword of that giant, no other steel +or malice shall offend him; and the +knight has no more to do, but to +turn this peg upon his neck, and he +will carry them through the air to the +place where Malambruno waits for +their arrival; but lest the height and +sublimity of the road should turn their +heads, their eyes must be covered until +such time as the horse shall neigh, +for that will be the signal of their +having performed the journey.’ This +intimation being given, they left the +horse, and retired to the place from +whence they came, with great solemnity.</p> + +<p class='c005'>The afflicted duenna no sooner beheld +the steed, than addressing herself to +Don Quixote, with tears in her eyes, +‘Valiant knight,’ said she, ‘Malambruno’s +promise is made good: here +stands the horse, our beards are still +growing, and each of us, nay, every +hair upon our chins, supplicate thee +to shave and shear them, since there +is nothing else required but to mount +with thy squire, and happily begin +your journey.’—‘That will I do, +my Lady Countess Trifaldi,’ replied +Don Quixote, ‘with good will, and +hearty inclination; nor will I delay +the expedition, by spending time in +furnishing myself with a cushion, or +even in putting on my spurs, so impatient +I am to see your ladyship and +those duennas quite smooth and shaven.’—‘That +will I not do,’ cried +Sancho, ‘neither with hearty nor +heartless inclination, nor in any manner +of way; and if the shaving cannot +be performed without my mounting +upon the crupper, my master +must look for another squire to attend +him, and these ladies must find +another method for smoothing their +faces; for I am no wizard, to take +<span class='pageno' id='Page_456'>456</span>delight in flying through the air: and +pray, what would my islanders say, +should they know their governor was +riding upon the wind? Moreover, it +being three thousand and so many +more leagues from hence to Candaya, +should the horse be tired, or the giant +out of humour, we may spend half a +dozen years in returning; and by that +time, the devil an island or islander in +the whole world will know my face. +It is a common saying, that Delay +breeds danger; and, When the heifer +you receive, have a halter in your +sleeve. The beards of these ladies +must therefore excuse me: I know <abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr> +Peter is well at Rome; my meaning +is, I find myself very well in this +mansion, where I am treated with such +respect, and from the master of which +I expect so great a favour as that of +being made a governor.’ To this remonstrance +the duke replied, ‘Friend +Sancho, the island I have promised +is neither floating nor fugitive, but +its roots are so deeply fixed in the +bowels of the earth, that three good +pulls will not remove or tear it away; +and, as you are sensible, I know +there is no kind of office of any importance +that is not obtained by some +sort of bribe, more or less, the present +I expect for the government is, +that you will attend your master, +Don Quixote, in crowning and accomplishing +this memorable adventure; +and, whether you return upon +Clavileno with that dispatch which +his speed seems to promise; or, by +the cruelty of adverse fortune, you +come back in the habit of a pilgrim, +begging on foot, from house to house, +and from one inn to another; you +shall, nevertheless, at your return, +find your island where you left it; +and your islanders actuated by the +same desire of receiving you as their +governor, which they have always +indulged; and as for my inclination, +it can never change; for, to entertain +the least doubt of my sincerity, +Signior Sancho, would be a notorious +injury to the attachment I feel +for your service.’—‘Enough, my +lord,’ cried Sancho: ‘I am a poor +squire, and cannot bear such a load +of courtesy; let my master mount, +and my eyes be covered; recommend +me to God; and let me know whether, +while we travel through those altitudes, +I may call upon the name of +the Lord, or implore the protection of +his angels.’ To this interrogation, +the countess replied, ‘You may recommend +yourself to God, or to whom +you will; for Malambruno, though an +inchanter, is nevertheless a Christian, +and performs his inchantments with +great sagacity and caution, nor does +he intermeddle in any person’s affairs.’—‘Well, +then,’ cried Sancho, ‘God, +and the most Holy Trinity of Gaeta, +be my guide and protection!’—‘Since +the memorable adventure of the fulling-mills,’ +said Don Quixote, ‘I have +never seen Sancho so infected with +fear, as upon this occasion; and, if I +were as much addicted to superstition +as some people are, his pusillanimity +would produce some compunction in +my soul: but, come hither, Sancho; +for, with the permission of that noble +pair, I would speak two words with +you in private.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Then taking his squire aside into a +tuft of trees, and grasping both his +hands, ‘You see, brother Sancho,’ +said he, ‘the long journey that awaits +us; and God knows when we shall +return, and what leisure or convenience +our business may allow; I +therefore beg thou wilt now retire to +thy apartment, on pretence of fetching +some necessaries for the road, +and, in the twinkling of a straw, inflict +upon thyself some five hundred +of those three thousand three hundred +lashes for which thou art engaged, +and they shall stand good in the account; +for, when a thing is once began, +it is almost as good as half finished.’—‘Before +God!’ cried Sancho, +‘your worship must be out of +your senses; this is just as they say, +You see me in a hurry, and ask me to +marry. Now, when I am going to +ride upon a wooden crupper, would +your worship have me afflict my posteriors? +Verily, verily, your worship +was never more out of the way; at present, +let us proceed and shave those +duennas, and at our return, I promise +to your worship, on the faith of my +character, to quit my score with such +dispatch, that your worship shall be +satisfied; and I’ll say no more.’—‘Well, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_457'>457</span>then,’ answered the knight, ‘I +will console myself, honest Sancho, +with that promise, which I really believe +thou wilt perform; for, surely, +though thy head be but green, thy +heart is true blue.’—‘Green,’ said +Sancho; ‘my head is not green, but +black; but even though it were pye-bald, +I would perform my promise.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>After this short dialogue they returned, +in order to take horse; then, +the knight addressing himself to the +squire, ‘Sancho,’ said he, ‘suffer yourself +to be hoodwinked, and get up: +he who sends for us from such distant +regions, can have no intention to deceive +us, because he could reap no +glory from having deceived those who +depended on his sincerity; and, although +the event may turn out contrary +to my expectation, the glory of +having undertaken such an exploit no +malice whatsoever can impair.’—‘Come, +then, Signior,’ cried the squire, +‘for the beards and tears of those ladies +are so imprinted in my heart, that +I shall not swallow a mouthful to do +me good, until I see them restored to +their original smoothness. Get up, +Signior, and hoodwink yourself first: +for, if the crupper is to be my seat, it +is plain that you must mount first into +the saddle.’—‘You are in the right,’ +replied Don Quixote; who, pulling an +handkerchief from his pocket, desired +the afflicted duenna to fasten it round +his eyes, which, however, were no +sooner covered, than he took off the +bandage, saying, ‘If I remember +aright, I have read in Virgil, of the +Trojan Palladium, a wooden horse offered +to the goddess Pallas, the bowels +of which horse were filled with armed +men, who afterwards occasioned the total +destruction of Troy; and, therefore, +it will not be amiss, first of all, +to examine the belly of Clavileno.’—‘There +is no occasion,’ said the afflicted +duenna; ‘for I am certain that Malambruno +has neither treachery nor malice +in his heart: your worship, Signior +Don Quixote, may therefore mount, +without the least apprehension; and if +any mischief befal you, lay it at my +door.’ The knight reflecting that any +hesitation about his personal safety would +be a disparagement to his valour, mounted +Clavileno without farther altercation, +and tried the peg, which turned with +ease; and his legs hanging down at full +length, for want of stirrups, he looked +like a figure in some Roman triumph, +painted or wrought in Flemish +tapestry.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Then Sancho, very slowly, and much +against his will, crept up behind, and +seating himself as well as he could upon +the crupper, found it so hard and uneasy, +that he begged the duke would order +him to be accommodated with some +cushion or pillow, though it should be +taken from my Lady Duchess’s sopha, or +some page’s bed; for the crupper of that +horse seemed to be made of marble rather +than of wood.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Here Trifaldi interposing, assured him +that Clavileno would bear no kind of +furniture or ornament; but said he might +sit sideways like a woman, in which attitude +he would not be so sensible of the +hardness. Sancho took her advice, and +saying adieu, allowed his eyes to be covered; +but, afterwards pulling up the +bandage, and looking ruefully at all +the people in the garden, he, with tears +in his eyes, besought them to assist him +in that extremity with a brace of Paternosters, +and as many Ave Marias, as +God should provide somebody to do as +much for them in like time or need.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Don Quixote hearing this apostrophe, +‘How now, miscreant!’ said he, ‘are +you brought to the gallows, or in +the last agonies of death, that you +make use of such intreaties? Dispirited +and cowardly creature! Art +not thou seated in the very same +place which was occupied by the +fair Magalona, and from which she +descended, not to her grave, but to the +crown of France, if history speaks +truth? And I, who sit by thy side, +surely may vie with valiant Peter, +who pressed the self same back now +pressed by me. Shroud, shroud thine +eyes, thou animal without a soul, +and let not those symptoms of fear +escape thy lips, at least in my presence.’—‘Hoodwink +me then,’ answered +Sancho, ‘and since I must neither +recommend myself, nor be recommended, +to the protection of God, +what wonder is it, if I am afraid we +shall meet with some legion of devils, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_458'>458</span>who will treat us according to the +Peralvillo law<a id='r181'></a><a href='#f181' class='c008'><sup>[181]</sup></a>?’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Their eyes being covered, and Don +Quixote perceiving he was fixed in his +seat, turned the peg; and scarce had +his finger touched this rudder, when the +whole bevy of duennas, and all that were +present, raised their voices, crying, +‘Heaven be thy guide, valorous knight! +God be thy protection, intrepid +squire!—Now, now, you rise and cut +the liquid sky more swiftly than an arrow; +now, you begin to astonish and +confound all those who gaze upon you +from this earthly spot!—Hold fast, +valiant Sancho, for we see thee totter; +beware of falling: to fall from +such an height would be more fatal +than the fall of that aspiring youth +whose ambition prompted him to drive +the chariot of the sun his father.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Sancho, hearing this exclamation, +crept closer to his master, and hugging +him fast in his arms, ‘Signior,’ said +he, ‘how can we be so high as those +people say we are, seeing we can hear +them speak as well as if we were within +a few yards of them?’—‘You +must not mind that circumstance,’ answered +the knight; ‘for these incidents +and flights being all together out of +the ordinary course of things, you +may hear and see what you please, at +the distance of a thousand leagues: but +do not squeeze me so hard, lest I +tumble from my seat. I really cannot +imagine what it is that disturbs and +affrights thee; for I swear, in all the +days of my life, I never bestrode a +horse of a more easy pace: indeed, he +goes so smoothly, that I can hardly feel +him move. Dispel thy fear, my friend, +for truly the business goes on swimmingly, +and we sail right afore the +wind.’—‘You are certainly in the +right,’ answered Sancho; ‘for on this +side, there blows as fresh a gale as if I +was fanned with a thousand pair of +bellows.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Nor was he much mistaken in his +conjecture; for the wind that blew was +actually produced by one of those machines: +so well had the adventure been +contrived by the duke and duchess, and, +their steward, that nought was wanting +to render it compleat. Then the knight +feeling the same breeze, ‘Without +doubt,’ said he, ‘we must be arrived +at the second region of the air, in +which hail and snow are produced; +meteors, thunder and lightning, are +engendered in the third region: if we +continue to mount at this rate, we shall +in a very little time reach the region of +fire; and I know not how to manage +this peg, so as to put a stop to our rising, +and prevent our being scorched +to a cinder.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>In the midst of this conversation their +faces were warmed with some tow that +was kindled for the purpose, at the end +of a long pole, and Sancho feeling the +heat, ‘Let me perish!’ cried he, ‘if we +are not now come to that same habitation +of fire; for a great part of my +beard is already singed; and I am resolved +to uncover my eyes, that I +may see whereabouts we are.’—‘By +no means,’ answered the knight: ‘remember +the true story of the licentiate +Toralva, who being mounted on a +cane, was conveyed through the air, +with his eyes shut, by the devils: in +twelve hours he arrived at Rome, and +alighted on the tower of Nona, which +is in one of the streets of that city, +whence he beheld the whole tumult, +assault, and death, of the constable of +Bourbon; and before morning he had +returned to Madrid, where he gave an +account of that transaction. He likewise +affirmed, that while he travelled +through the air, the devil bade him +open his eyes, and he saw himself so +near the body of the moon, that he +could have touched it with his hand; +but he durst not look towards the +earth, lest his head should have turned +giddy. Let us not, therefore, uncover +our eyes, Sancho; he in whose +charge we are will give a good account +of us; and, perhaps, we are +now at the very point of our elevation, +from whence we shall come +souse upon the kingdom of Candaya, +as a faker or jerfaulcon darts down +<span class='pageno' id='Page_459'>459</span>upon an heron with a force proportioned +to his rise: and, although it +seems to us no more than half an hour +since we set out from the garden, you +may depend upon it we have travelled +an immense way.’—‘As to that matter, +I am quite ignorant,’ said Sancho: +‘this only I know, that if Madam +Magallanes or Magalona took +pleasure in sitting upon this crupper, +her flesh must not have been very +tender.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>All this dialogue of the two heroes +was overheard by the duke and duchess, +and the rest of the company in the garden, +to whom it afforded extraordinary +entertainment: at length, desirous of +finishing this strange and well-concerted +adventure, they set fire to Clavileno’s +tail with some lighted flax; his belly being +filled with squibs and crackers, he instantly +blew up with a dreadful explosion, +and Don Quixote, with his squire, +came to the ground more than half +singed. By this time the whole bearded +squadron, with my Lady Trifaldi, had +vanished from the garden, and all the +rest of the company were stretched upon +the ground as in a trance. Don Quixote +and Sancho getting on their feet, in +a very indifferent condition, and looking +all around, were astonished to find themselves +in the same garden from which +they took their flight, and to see such a +number of people extended along the +grass: but their admiration was still +more increased, when at one corner of +the garden they beheld a huge lance fixed +in the ground, and tied to this lance, by +two cords of green silk, a smooth, white +skin of parchment, on which was the +following inscription in large golden +letters:</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘The renowned knight Don Quixote +de la Mancha has finished and atchieved +the adventure of the Countess +Trifaldi, alias the afflicted Duenna, +and her companions solely by his having +undertaken the enterprize.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Malambruno is wholly satisfied and +appeased; the chins of the duennas are +smooth and clean; their Majesties Don +Clavijo and Antonomasia are restored +to their original form: and when the +squirely flagellation shall be accomplished, +the white dove will be delivered +from the pestilential talons of +her persecutors, and find herself within +the arms of her beloved turtle; for +such is the decree of the sage Merlin, +the prince and prototype of all enchanters.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Don Quixote having read this scroll, +at once comprehended the meaning, +which related to the disinchantment of +Dulcinea, and returning a thousand +thanks to Heaven for his success in having +finished such a mighty exploit with +so little danger, and reduced to their +pristine form the faces of those venerable +duennas who had disappeared, he went +towards the place where the duke and +duchess still lay intranced, and pulling +his grace by the arm, ‘Courage! courage, +my noble lord!’ said he; ‘all is +over now; the adventure is finished, +without damage to the barrier, as will +plainly appear by the inscription of +yonder scroll.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>The duke seemed to recover gradually, +like one waking from a profound sleep; +his example was followed by the duchess, +and all the rest who lay along the garden; +and they exhibited such marks of +fear and astonishment, that even almost +to themselves, that seemed to have happened +in earnest which they had so well +acted in jest. The duke having read +the inscription with his eyes half shut, +ran with open arms to embrace Don +Quixote, calling him the most worthy +knight that any age had ever produced: +while Sancho went looking about for +the afflicted matron, to see if her beard +was quite gone, and whether her face, +without hair, was as beautiful as her gallant +deportment seemed to promise. But +he was told, that as Clavileno descended +in a flame from the sky, the whole squadron +of duennas, with Trifaldi at their +head, had vanished, and their faces +smack-smooth as if they had been clean +shaven.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Then the duchess asking, how it had +fared with Sancho in his long journey, +the squire replied, ‘As for me, my lady, +I perceived, as my master told me, that +we flew threw the region of fire, and +I felt a strong inclination to have a +peep; but my master would not consent, +when I begged his permission to uncover +my eyes; nevertheless, I, who have +a sort of a chip of curiosity, and an +eager desire to know what I am forbid +to enquire about fair and softly, without +being perceived by any living soul, +pulled down upon my nose the handkerchief +that covered my eyes, and by +<span class='pageno' id='Page_460'>460</span>these means had a glimpse of the earth, +which seemed no bigger than a grain +of mustard, and the men that walked +upon it almost as little as hazle nuts; +so you may guess how high we must +have soared by that time.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>To this asseveration the duchess answered, +‘Have a care, friend Sancho; +from what you say, it appears that it +could not be the earth, but the men +walking upon it, whom you saw: for +if the earth appeared like a grain of +mustard, and every man as big as a +nut, it clearly follows, that one man +must have covered the whole earth.’—‘Very +true,’ said Sancho; ‘but, for all +that, I had a side-view, by which I +discovered the whole globe.’—‘Take +notice, Sancho,’ resumed the duchess, +‘it is impossible to see the whole of any +thing by a side-view.’—‘I know nothing +of views,’ replied the squire; +‘this only I know, your ladyship ought +to consider, that as we flew by inchantment, +so might I, by inchantment, see +the whole earth, and all the men upon +it, in any sort of view whatsoever: and +if your ladyship will not believe me in +that, no more will you believe me when +I tell you, that pushing up the handkerchief +towards my eye-brows, I +found myself within a hand’s breadth +and a half of heaven, which I’ll assure +your ladyship upon oath is very huge; +and it came to pass, that our road lay +close to the seven nanny-goats<a id='r182'></a><a href='#f182' class='c008'><sup>[182]</sup></a>: now, +I having been a goatherd in my youth, +before God and my conscience! I no +sooner set eyes on them, than I was +seized with the inclination to divert myself +a little with the pretty creatures, +and if I had not done it, I believe I +should have burst for vexation. Come +on then, what does me I? but, without +saying a word to any living soul, +not even to my master, fairly and softly +slide down from Clavileno, and sport +with the nannies, which are like violets +and lilies, for the space of three +quarters of an hour, and all that time +the horse did not budge a step from +the place.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘And while honest Sancho diverted +himself with the goats,’ said the duke, +‘how was Signior Don Quixote entertained?’ +To this interrogation the +knight replied, ‘As all these adventures +and incidents are out of the ordinary +course of nature, we are not to wonder +at what Sancho has told; for my own +part, I can safely affirm, that I neither +shoved up nor pulled down the bandage, +nor did see either heaven, or +earth, or sea, or land. True it is, I +perceived we passed through the region +of the air, and even bordered +upon the region of fire, but that we +travelled beyond it I cannot believe; +for the fiery region being between the +sphere of the moon and the utmost region +of the air, we could not reach +that firmament in which are placed the +seven nannies, as Sancho calls them, +without being scorched to death; and +seeing we are not scorched, either Sancho +lyes, or Sancho dreams.’—‘I neither +lye nor dream,’ cried the squire; +‘let them ask the marks of the nanny-goats, +and by my answers you will perceive +whether or not I speak truth.’—‘Describe +them, then, Sancho,’ said the +duchess. ‘Two of them,’ replied Sancho, +‘are green, two carnation, two +blue, and one motley.’—‘This is a +new breed,’ said the duke; ‘in our region +of earth there are no such colours; +I mean, among the nanny-goats.’—‘That +is very plain,’ replied the squire; +‘there must be some difference between +the goats of heaven and those upon +earth.’—‘Pray, tell me, Sancho,’ said +his grace, ‘didst thou see never a he-goat +among those females<a id='r183'></a><a href='#f183' class='c008'><sup>[183]</sup></a>?’—‘No, +my lord,’ answered the squire; ‘I have +been told none of those pass beyond +the horns of the moon.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>They did not chuse to interrogate him +farther about his journey; for they concluded +that Sancho was in a fair way to +travel through all the heavens above, and +tell the news of each, though he had never +stirred from the garden.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Finally, thus ended the adventure of +the afflicted duenna, which afforded a +fund for laughter to the duke and duchess, +not only at that time, but during +the whole course of their lives; as well as +matter for Sancho to relate, had he lived +whole centuries.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Don Quixote coming to the squire, +whispered in his ear, ‘Hark ye, Sancho; +since you would have us believe +<span class='pageno' id='Page_461'>461</span>what you say, touching the things +you saw in heaven, I desire the like +credit from you with regard to those +things I saw in the cave of Montesinos: +that’s all.’</p> + +<h4 id='chap4-3-10' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='ten'>X.</abbr> <br> CONTAINING DON QUIXOTE’S INSTRUCTIONS TO SANCHO PANZA,<br> BEFORE HE SET OUT FOR HIS GOVERNMENT—<br>WITH OTHER WELL WEIGHED INCIDENTS.</h4> +<p class='c004'>The duke and duchess were so well +pleased with the diverting and happy +success of the adventure of the afflicted +duenna, that they resolved to proceed +with the jest, seeing what a proper +subject they had to make it pass for +earnest. Having, therefore, communicated +their scheme and instructions to +their servants and vassals, touching their +behaviour to Sancho in his government +of the promised island; on the day succeeding +the flight of Clavileno, the duke +desired him to prepare and make himself +ready to set out for his government, as +the islanders already longed for him as +much as for May showers.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Sancho, having made his obeisance, +‘Since my descent from heaven,’ said +he, ‘and since from its lofty summit I +have viewed the earth, and found it of +such small extent, my desire of being +a governor is much moderated; for +what grandeur can there be in reigning +over a grain of mustard-seed? or +what dignity and empire in governing +half a dozen of mortals no bigger than +filberts? for the whole earth seemed to +contain nothing more. If your lordship +would be pleased to bestow upon +me a small trifling space in heaven, +though it should not be above half a +league, I would more gladly receive +it than the best island in the world.’—‘You +must consider, friend Sancho,’ replied +the duke, ‘that I have it not in +my power to give away any part of +heaven; no, not a nail’s breadth, these +favours and benefits are in the gift of +God alone. What is in my power, I +freely give you; namely, a good island, +right and tight, round and well-proportioned, +above measure fertile, and +so abounding with all good things, +that if you mind your hits, you may +with the riches of earth purchase the +opulence of heaven.’—‘Well, then,’ +cried Sancho, ‘let this island be forthcoming, +and I will struggle hard, but I +shall be such a governor that in spite +of knaves, I may go to heaven; and +take notice, it is not from avarice that +I desire to quit my cottage, and raise +myself to a footing with my betters; +but solely to taste and try what it is to +be a governor.’—‘Nay, if once you +taste it,’ said the duke, ‘you will be +ready to eat your fingers after the government; +for nothing is so delicious +as to command and be obeyed; certain +I am, that when your master shall +come to be an emperor, as will doubtless +be the case, considering the current +of his affairs, it will not be in the +power of any person upon earth to tear +it from him, and he will sorely grieve, +and heartily rue the time he has lost +before his advancement to such an imperial +station.’—‘Indeed, my lord,’ +replied Sancho, ‘I imagine it must be a +very pleasant thing to govern, even +though it should be but a flock of sheep.’—‘May +I be buried with you, Sancho, +but you know every thing!’ answered +the duke; ‘I hope you will turn out such +a governor as your judgment and sagacity +seem to promise: but here let +that matter rest; and take notice, that +tomorrow morning you must set out +for the government of the island; and +this evening you shall be accommodated +with a convenient dress, and all +other necessaries for your departure.’—‘They +may dress me as they will,’ said +the squire; ‘but, be that as it may, I +shall still be Sancho Panza.’—‘True,’ +replied the duke; ‘but the garb ought +always to be suited to the dignity and +function of the profession; for it would +be a great impropriety in a lawyer to +appear in the dress of a soldier, or in a +soldier to wear canonicals; you, Sancho, +must wear an habit that shall partly +bespeak the gown, and partly the +sword; for in the island which I have +bestowed upon you, letters and arms +are both necessary.’—‘As for letters,’ +answered Sancho, ‘I am but indifferently +stored, as I am even ignorant of +the <abbr class='spell'>a, b, c</abbr>; but, provided I remember +my Christ-cross, I shall be sufficiently +qualified for a good governor. With +regard to arms, I shall use those that +may be put into my hand, until I can +<span class='pageno' id='Page_462'>462</span>stand no longer, and God be my shield!’—‘With +such an excellent memory,’ +said the duke, ‘Sancho can never fall +into the least mistake.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Here they were joined by Don Quixote, +who understanding the subject of +their conversation, and the short space +allotted to Sancho to prepare for his departure, +took the squire by the hand, +with the duke’s permission, and led him +to his apartment, in order to instruct him +how to behave in his office. Having entered +the chamber, he locked the door, +and obliging Sancho to sit down by him, +spoke to this effect, in a grave and solemn +tone.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘I return infinite thanks to Heaven, +friend Sancho, for having ordained, +that, before I myself have met with the +least success, good fortune hath gone +forth to bid thee welcome. I, who +had balanced the remuneration of thy +service in my own prosperity, find myself +in the very rudiments of promotion; +while thou, before thy time, and +contrary to all the laws of reasonable +progression, findest thy desire accomplished. +Other people bribe, solicit, importune, +attend levees, intreat, and +persevere, without obtaining their suit; +and another comes, who, without +knowing why or wherefore, finds himself +in possession of that office to which +so many people laid claim; and here +the old saying is aptly introduced, A +pound of good luck is worth a ton of +merit. Thou, who in comparison to +me, art doubtless an ignorant dunce, +without rising early, or sitting up late, +or, indeed, exerting the least industry; +without any pretension more or less, +than that of being breathed upon by +knight-errantry, seest thyself created +governor of an island, as if it was a +matter of moonshine. All this I observe, +O Sancho, that thou mayest not +attribute thy success to thy own deserts; +but give thanks to Heaven for +having disposed matters so beneficially +in thy behalf, and then make thy acknowledgments +to that grandeur which +centers in the profession of knight-errantry. +Thy heart being thus predisposed +to believe what I have said, +be attentive, O my son, to me, who am +thy Cato, thy counsellor, thy north +pole, and guide, to conduct thee into a +secure harbour, from the tempestuous +sea into which thou art going to be +engulphed; for great posts, and offices +of state, are no other than a profound +gulph of confusion.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘In the first place, O my son, you +are to fear God: the fear of God is +the beginning of wisdom; and if you +are wise you cannot err.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Secondly, you must always remember +who you are, and endeavour to +know yourself; a study of all others +the most difficult. This self knowledge +will hinder you from blowing +yourself up like a frog, in order to rival +the size of an ox; if, therefore, you +succeed in this learning, the consideration +of thy having been a swineherd, +will, like the peacock’s ugly +feet, be a check upon thy folly and +pride.’—‘I own, I once kept hogs, +when I was a boy,’ said Sancho; ‘but +after I grew up, I quitted that employment, +and took care of geese; but +I apprehend that matter is not of great +consequence, for all governors are not +descended from the kingly race.’—‘No, +sure,’ answered the knight; ‘and, +for that reason, those who are not of +noble extraction, ought to sweeten the +gravity of their function with mildness +and affability; which, being prudently +conducted, will screen them from those +malicious murmurs that no station can +escape. Rejoice, Sancho, in the lowness +of your pedigree, and make no +scruple of owning yourself descended +from peasants; for nobody will endeavour +to make you blush for that of +which they see you are not ashamed; +and value yourself more upon being +a virtuous man of low degree, +than upon being a proud sinner of +noble birth. Innumerable are those, +who, from an humble stock, have +risen to the pontifical and imperatorial +dignity; a truth which I could +prove by so many examples, that +you would not have patience to hear +them.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Take notice, Sancho, if you chuse +virtue for your medium, and pique +yourself upon performing worthy actions, +you will have no cause to envy +noblemen and princes; for blood is +hereditary, but virtue is acquired; +consequently, this last has an intrinsick +value, which the other does not +possess.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘This being the case, as undoubtedly +it is, if peradventure any one of your +<span class='pageno' id='Page_463'>463</span>relations should come to visit you in +your island, you must not discountenance +and affront him; but, on the contrary, +let him be kindly received and +entertained; and, in so doing, you will +act conformably to the will of Heaven, +which is displeased at seeing its own +handy work despised; and perform +your duty to the well-concerted rights +of nature.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘If you send for your wife, (and, indeed, +those who are concerned in governing +ought not to be long without +their helpmates) take pains in teaching, +improving, and civilizing her; for all +that a sagacious governor can acquire, +is very often lost and squandered by a +foolish rustick wife.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘If, perchance, you should become a +widower, a circumstance that may possibly +happen, and have it in your power +to make a more advantageous match, +you must not chuse such a yoke-fellow +as will serve for an angling-hook, +fishing-rod, or equivocating hood<a id='r184'></a><a href='#f184' class='c008'><sup>[184]</sup></a>; +for verily I say unto thee, all that a +judge’s wife receives must be accounted +for at the general clearance, by the +husband, who will repay fourfold after +death what he made no reckoning +of during life.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Never conduct yourself by the law +of your own arbitrary opinion, which +is generally the case with those ignorant +people who presume upon their +own self-sufficiency.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Let the tears of the poor find more +compassion in thy breast, though not +more justice, than the informations of +the rich.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Endeavour to investigate the truth +from among the promises and presents +of the opulent, as well as from the sighs +and importunities of the needy.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘When equity can, and ought to +take place, inflict not the whole rigour +of the law upon the delinquent; +for severity is not more respected than +compassion, in the character of a +judge.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘If ever you suffer the rod of justice +to be bent a little, let it not be warped +by the weight of corruption, but the +bowels of mercy.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘If ever you should have an opportunity +to judge the process of your enemy, +recal the attention from the injury +you have received, and fix it wholly +upon the truth of the case.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘In another man’s cause, be not blinded +by private affection; for the errors +thus committed are generally incurable; +or, if they admit of remedy, it +will be greatly at the expence of your +fortune and credit.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘If a beautiful woman should come +to demand justice, withdraw your eyes +from her tears, and your hearing from +her sighs, and deliberate at a distance +upon the substance of her demand, +unless you have a mind that your reason +should be overwhelmed by her +complaint, and your virtue buried in +her sighs.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Abuse not him in word whom you +are resolved to chastise in deed; for to +such a wretch, the pain of the punishment +will be sufficient, without the +addition of reproach.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘In judging the delinquents who +shall fall under your jurisdiction, consider +the miserable object man, subject +to the infirmities of our depraved +nature; and, as much as lies in your +power, without injury to the contrary +party, display your clemency and +compassion; for although all the attributes +of God are equally excellent, +that of mercy has a better effect in our +eye, and strikes with greater lustre than +justice.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘If you observe and conduct yourself +by these rules and precepts, Sancho, +your days will be long upon the +face of the earth; your fame will be +eternal, your reward compleat, and +your felicity unutterable; your children +will be married according to your +wish; they and their descendants will +enjoy titles; you shall live in peace +and friendship with all mankind: when +your course of life is run, death will +overtake you in an happy and mature +old age, and your eyes will be shut by +the tender and delicate hands of your +posterity, in the third or fourth generation.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘The remarks I have hitherto made, +are documents touching the decoration +of your soul; and now you will listen +to those that regard the ornaments of +the body.’</p> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_464'>464</span> + <h4 id='chap4-3-11' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='eleven'>XI.</abbr> <br> OF THE SECOND SERIES OF INSTRUCTIONS WHICH DON QUIXOTE GAVE<br> TO SANCHO PANZA.</h4> +</div> +<p class='c004'>Who that had heard this discourse +of Don Quixote, would not have +taken him for a person of sound judgment, +and excellent disposition? but, as +we have oftentimes observed, in the progress +of this sublime history, his madness +never appeared except when the string of +chivalry was touched; and on all other +subjects of conversation, he displayed a +clear and ready understanding; so that +every minute his works discredit his +judgment, and his judgment his works. +But, in this second set of instructions +communicated to Sancho, he discovered +great ingenuity, and raised his madness +and discretion to a most elevated pitch.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Sancho listened with the utmost attention, +and endeavoured to retain his advice, +like a man who desired to preserve +it, as the infallible means to promote the +happy birth of that government with +which he was so far gone. Don Quixote +then proceeded in these terms.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘With respect to the government of +your person and family, Sancho: in +the first place, I charge you to be cleanly, +and pare your nails; and do not let +them grow, like some people whose ignorance +teaches them that long nails +beautify the hand, as if that additional +excrement which they neglect +to cut, were really and truly the nail; +whereas, it more nearly resembles the +talons of a lizard-hunting wind-whiffer, +and is a most beastly and extraordinary +abuse.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘You must never appear loose and unbuttoned; +for a slovenly dress denotes +a disorderly mind; unless that looseness +and negligence be the effect of +cunning, as we suppose to have been +the case with Julius Cæsar.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Examine sagaciously the profits of +your place, and if they will afford livery +to your servants, let it be rather +decent and substantial, than gay and +tawdry; and be sure to divide it between +your servants and the poor. For +example, if you can clothe six pages, +put three in livery, and clothe as many +poor boys; and then you will have +pages for Heaven as well as earth: +now, this is a method of giving livery, +which the vain-glorious could never +conceive.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Abstain from eating garlick and +onions, lest your breath should discover +your rusticity.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Walk leisurely, speak distinctly, but +not so as to seem delighted with your +own discourse; for all affectation is +disagreeable.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Dine sparingly, and eat very little +at supper; for the health of the whole +body depends upon the operation of the +stomach.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Be temperate in drinking; and consider, +that excess of wine will neither +keep a secret nor perform a promise.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Beware, Sancho, of chewing on both +sides of your mouth, as well as eructing +before company.’—‘I do not understand +what you mean by eructing,’ said +the squire. ‘By eructing,’ answered +the knight, ‘I mean belching; which +though one of the most expressive, is +at the same time one of the most vulgar +terms of our language; therefore, people +of taste have had recourse to the +Latin tongue, saying “To eruct,” instead +of “To belch,” and substituting +eructations in the room of belchings; +and though some people may not understand +these terms, it is of small importance; +for time and use will introduce +and render them intelligible; and +this is what we call enriching the language, +over which the practice of the +vulgar has great influence.’—‘Truly, +Signior,’ said Sancho, ‘one of the advices +and good counsels which I intend +to remember, must be that of not belching; +for it is a fault of which I am very +often guilty.’—‘Eructing, Sancho, +and not belching.’ replied Don Quixote. +‘Eructing it shall be henceforward,’ answered +the squire; ‘and I will take care +that it shall not be forgotten.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Moreover, Sancho, you must not intermingle +so many proverbs with your +discourse; for, although proverbs are +short sentences, you very often bring +them in by the head and shoulders, so +preposterously, that they look more like +the ravings of distraction than well-chosen +apothegms.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘That defect God himself must remedy,’ +said Sancho; ‘for I have more +proverbs by heart, than would be +<span class='pageno' id='Page_465'>465</span>sufficient to fill a large book; and, when +I speak, they croud together in such a +manner, as to quarrel for utterance; +so that my tongue discharges them just +as they happen to be in the way, whether +they are or are not to the purpose: +but I will take care henceforward, to +throw out those that may be suitable to +the gravity of my office; for, Where +there’s plenty of meat, the supper will +soon be compleat. He that shuffles +does not cut. A good hand makes a +short game; and, It requires a good +brain, to know when to give and retain.’—‘Courage, +Sancho,’ cried +Don Quixote, ‘squeeze, tack, and string +your proverbs together, here are none +to oppose you. My mother whips me, +and I whip the top. Here am I exhorting +thee to suppress thy proverbs, +and in an instant thou hast spewed forth +a whole litany of them, which are as +foreign from the subject as an old ballad. +Remember, Sancho, I do not +say that a proverb, properly applied, is +amiss; but to throw in, and string together, +old saws, helter skelter, renders +conversation altogether mean and +despicable.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘When you appear on horseback, do +not lean backwards over the saddle, +nor stretch out your legs stiffly from the +horse’s belly, nor let them hang dangling +in a slovenly manner, as if you was +upon the back of Dapple; for some +ride like jockies, and some like gentlemen.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Be very moderate in sleeping; for +he who does not rise with the sun, cannot +enjoy the day; and observe, O +Sancho! Industry is the mother of prosperity; +and Laziness, her opposite, never +saw the accomplishment of a good +wish.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘The last advice which I shall now give +thee, although it does not relate to the +ornament of the body, I desire thou wilt +carefully remember; for, in my opinion, +it will be of as much service to +thee, as any I have hitherto mentioned; +and this it is: Never engage in a +dispute upon pedigree, at least, never +compare one with another; for in all +comparisons, one must of consequence +be preferred to the other; and he whom +you have abased will abhor you; nor +will you ever reap the least return from +him whom you have extolled.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Your garb shall consist of breeches +and stockings; a full waistcoat, with +skirts and hanging sleeves, and a loose +coat; but never think, of wearing trunk +hose, which neither become gentlemen +nor governors.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘This is all that occurs to me at present, +in the way of advice; but, in process +of time, my instructions shall be +proportioned to thy occasions, provided +thou wilt take care to communicate, +from time to time, the nature of thy +situation.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Signior,’ said Sancho, ‘I plainly perceive +that all the advices you have given +me, are sound and good, and profitable; +but of what signification will +they be, if I forget them all? Indeed, +as for the matter of not letting my +nails grow, or marrying another wife, +in case I should have an opportunity, +it will not easily slip out of my brain; +but as to those other gallimawfries, +quirks, and quiddities, I neither do retain them, +nor shall I ever retain more +of them than of last year’s rain; and +therefore, it will be necessary to let me +have them in writing; for, though I +myself can neither read nor write, I +will give them to my confessor, that he +may repeat and beat them into my +noddle, as there shall be occasion.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Ah, sinner that I am!’ exclaimed +Don Quixote, ‘what a scandal it is for +governors to be so ignorant, that they +can neither read nor write! Thou must +know, Sancho, that for a man to be +totally devoid of letters, or left-handed, +argues either that he was descended +from the very lowest and meanest of people, +or that he was so wicked and stubborn, +that good example and judicious +precept have had no effect upon his +mind or understanding. This is a +great defect in thy character, and I +wish thou wouldst learn, if possible, to +write thy name.’—‘I can sign my +name very well,’ answered Sancho; +‘for, during my stewardship of the brotherhood, +I learned to make such letters +as are ruddled into packs, and +those they tell me stood for my name; +besides, I can feign myself lame of my +right-hand, and keep a secretary to +sign in my room; so that there is a remedy +for every thing but death. And +I having the cudgel in my hand, will +make them do as I command; for he +<span class='pageno' id='Page_466'>466</span>whose father is mayor—you know—and +I shall be a governor, which is still +better——Let them come and see, but +not throw their squibs or slanders at +me: otherwise they may come for +wool and go home shorn. The house +itself will tell, if God loves its master +well. A rich man’s folly is wisdom +in the world’s eye: now, I being rich +as being governor, and liberal withal, +as I intend to be, nobody will spy my +defects. Make yourself honey, and a +clown will have flies. You are worth +as much as you have, said my grannam; +and, Might overcomes right.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘O! God’s curse light on thee,’ cried +Don Quixote: ‘threescore thousand devils +fly away with thee and thy proverbs! +A full hour hast thou been +stringing them together, and every one +has been like a dagger to my soul. +Take my word for it, these proverbs +will bring thee one day to the gallows! +for these, thy vassals will deprive thee +of thy government, or at least enter +into associations against thee. Tell +me, numscull, where didst thou find +this heap of old saws? or how didst +thou learn to apply them, wiseacre? It +makes me sweat like a day-labourer, +to utter one proverb as it ought to be +applied.’—‘’Fore God, Sir master of +mine,’ replied Sancho, ‘your worship +complains of mere trifles. Why the +devil should you be in dudgeon with +me for making use of my own? I have +no other fortune or stock, but proverbs +upon proverbs; and now there are no +less than four at my tongue’s end, that +come as pat to the purpose as pears in +a basket; but, for all that, they shall +not come forth; for, sagacious silence +is Sancho.<a id='r185'></a><a href='#f185' class='c008'><sup>[185]</sup></a>’—‘That thou art not, +Sancho,’ said the knight; ‘far from +being sagaciously silent, thou art an +obstinate and eternal babbler. Nevertheless, +I would fain hear those four +proverbs that are so pat to the purpose; +for I have been rummaging my whole +memory, which I take to be a good +one, and not a proverb occurs to my +recollection.’—‘What can be better +than these?’ replied the squire: ‘Never +thrust your thumb between another +man’s grinders; and to, Get out of +my house! what would you with my +wife? there is no reply: Whether the +stone goes to the pitcher, or the pitcher +to the stone, ’ware pitcher. Now all +these fit to a hair. Let no man meddle +with a governor or his substitute; otherwise +he will suffer, as if he had thrust +his finger between two grinders; and +even if they should not be grinders, if +they are teeth, it makes little difference: +then, to what a governor says, there is +no reply to be made, no more than to, +Get out of my house! what would you +with my wife? and as to the stone and +the pitcher, a blind man may see the +meaning of it: Wherefore, let him +who spies a mote in his neighbour’s +eye, look first to the beam in his own, +that people may not say of him, The +dead mare was frighted at the flay’d +mule; and your worship is very sensible +that a fool knows more in his own +house than a wise man in that of his +neighbour.’—‘There, Sancho, you +are mistaken.’ answered Don Quixote; +‘a fool knows nothing either in his own +or his neighbour’s house; because no +edifice of understanding can be raised +upon the foundation of folly. But +here let the subject rest: if thou shouldest +misbehave in thy government, thine +will be the fault and mine the shame; +I console myself, however, in reflecting +that I have done my duty in giving +thee advice, with all the earnestness +and discretion in my power; so that I +have acquitted myself in point of promise +and obligation. God conduct +thee, Sancho, and govern thee in thy +government, and deliver me from an +apprehension I have, that thou wilt turn +the island topsy turvy; a misfortune +which I might prevent, by discovering +to the duke what thou art, and telling +him all that paunch and corpulency of +thine is no other than a bag full of proverbs +and impertinence.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Signior,’ replied Sancho, ‘if your +worship really thinks I am not qualified +for that government, I renounce +it from henceforward forever. +Amen. I have a greater regard for a +nail’s breadth of my soul, than my +whole body; and I can subsist as +bare Sancho, upon a crust of bread +and an onion, as well as governor on +capons and partridges; for, While we +<span class='pageno' id='Page_467'>467</span>sleep, great and small, rich and poor, +are equal all. If your worship will +consider, your worship will find, that +you yourself put this scheme of government +into my head; as for my +own part, I know no more of the matter +than a bustard; and if you think +the governorship will be the means of +my going to the devil, I would much +rather go as simple Sancho to Heaven, +than as a governor to hell fire.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Before God!’ cried the knight, +‘from these last reflections thou hast +uttered, I pronounce thee worthy to +govern a thousand islands. Thou +hast an excellent natural disposition, +without which all science is naught: +recommend thyself to God, and endeavour +to avoid errors in the first intention; +I mean, let thy intention and +unshaken purpose be, to deal righteously +in all thy transactions; for +Heaven always favours the upright +design. And now let us go in to +dinner; for I believe their graces wait +for us.’</p> + +<h4 id='chap4-3-12' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='twelve'>XII.</abbr> <br> GIVING AN ACCOUNT OF THE MANNER IN WHICH<br> SANCHO WAS CONDUCTED TO THE GOVERNMENT,<br> AND A STRANGE ADVENTURE THAT HAPPENED TO DON QUIXOTE IN THE CASTLE.</h4> +<p class='c004'>The original of the history, it is +said, relates that the interpreter +did not translate this chapter as it had +been written by Cid Hamet Benengeli, +who bewails his fate in having undertaken +such a dry and confined history +as that of Don Quixote; which obliged +him to treat of nothing but the knight +and his squire, without daring to launch +out into other more grave and entertaining +episodes and digressions. He +complained, that to be thus restricted in +his hand, his pen, and his invention, +to one subject only, so as to be obliged +to speak through the mouths of a few +persons, was an insupportable toil, that +produced no fruit to the advantage of +the author; and that in order to avoid +this inconvenience, he had in the first +part used the artifice of some novels, +such as the Impertinent Curiosity, and +the Captive, which were detached from +the history, although many particulars +there recounted are really incidents +which happened to Don Quixote; and, +therefore, could not be suppressed. It +was likewise his opinion, as he observes, +that many readers being wholly ingrossed +with the exploits of Don Quixote, +would not bestow attention upon novels, +but pass them over either with negligence +or disgust, without adverting +to the spirit and artifice they contain: +a truth which would plainly appear, +were they to be published by themselves, +independent of the madness of +Don Quixote, and the simplicities of +Sancho. He would not therefore insert +in the second part any novels, whether +detached or attached; but only a few +episodes that seem to spring from those +very incidents which truth represents; +and even these, as brief and concise as +they could possibly be related: and +since he includes and confines himself +within the narrow limits of narration, +though his abilities and understanding +are sufficient to treat the whole +universe, he hopes that his work will not +be depreciated; and begs he may receive +due praise, not for what he has written, +but for what he has left unwrit. Then +the history proceeds in this manner.</p> + +<p class='c005'>In the evening that succeeded the afternoon +on which the knight admonished +his squire, he gave him his admonitions +in writing, that he might find some +person to read them occasionally; but, +scarce had Sancho received, than he +dropped them by accident, and they fell +into the hands of the duke, who communicated +the paper to the duchess, and +both admired anew the madness and +ingenuity of Don Quixote. Revolving +to prosecute the jest, they, that very +evening, dismissed Sancho with a large +retinue to the place, which he supposed +to be an island; the execution of the +whole scheme being left to the sagacity +of the duke’s steward, who was a person +of great humour and discretion; for +without discretion there can be no humour. +He it was who acted the part +of the Countess Trifaldi, with that +pleasantry above related. Thus qualified, +and in consequence of the instructions +he received from their graces +touching his behaviour to Sancho, he +had performed his part to admiration. +<span class='pageno' id='Page_468'>468</span>It happened, then, that Sancho no sooner +beheld the said steward, than he traced +in his countenance the very features of +Trifaldi; and turning to his master, +‘Signior,’ said he, ‘the devil may fly +away with me from this spot where I +stand, as an honest man, and a believer, +if your worship will not confess +that the face of the duke’s steward +here present, is the very same with +that of the afflicted duenna!’ Don +Quixote, having attentively considered +the steward’s countenance, replied, +‘There is no occasion for the devil’s +running away with thee, Sancho, +either as an honest man or a believer; +(indeed, I cannot guess thy meaning) +for, sure enough, this steward’s face +is the very same with that of the afflicted +duenna; but, nevertheless, the +steward and the duenna cannot possibly +be the same person: that would +imply a downright contradiction, and +this is no time to set on foot such enquiries, +which would entangle us in +the maze of inextricable labyrinths. +Believe me, friend, we ought to beseech +the Lord very earnestly to deliver +us from those two evils of wicked +wizzards, and vile inchanters.’—‘But +this is no joke,’ answered Sancho; +‘for I heard him speak a little +while ago, and methought the very +voice of Trifaldi sounded in mine +ears. At present, however, I will +hold my tongue; but, nevertheless, I +will keep a strict eye over him from +henceforward, in order to discover +some other mark either to destroy or +confirm my suspicion.’—‘Do so, Sancho,’ +said Don Quixote; ‘and be sure +to send me notice of the discoveries +thou shalt make in this particular, as +well as of every thing that shall happen +to thee in the course of thine administration.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>At length Sancho departed with a +numerous attendance; he was dressed +like a gownman, with a long cloak of +murrey-coloured camblet, and a cap of +the same stuff: he rode upon a mule, +with short stirrups; and was followed +by Dapple, who, by the duke’s express +order, was adorned with rich trappings +of flaming silk; so that the governor from +time to time turned about his head to +contemplate the finery of his ass, with +whose company he was so well content, +that he would not have exchanged +it for that of the German emperor.</p> + +<p class='c005'>At parting, he kissed the hands of +the duke and duchess; and asked the +benediction of his master, which was +given with tears, and received with a +whimper.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Courteous reader, suffer honest Sancho +to depart in peace and happy time, +and lay thy account with two bushels +of laughter, which will proceed from +thy knowing how he behaved himself in +office; and in the mean time, attend to +what befel his master this very night; +an incident which, if it cannot excite +thy laughter, will, at least, induce thee +to grin like a monkey; for the adventures +of Don Quixote must be celebrated, +either with mirth or admiration.</p> + +<p class='c005'>It is related, then, that Sancho was +no sooner gone than his master became +solitary; and had it been possible, +would have revoked the commission, and +deprived him of his government; but +the duchess being apprized of his melancholy, +desired to know the cause, +observing, that if it proceeded from +Sancho’s absence, there was plenty of +squires, duennas, and damsels, in the +family, who should serve him to the +satisfaction of his utmost wish. ‘True +it is, my Lady Duchess,’ replied Don +Quixote, ‘I feel the absence of Sancho; +but that is not the principal +cause of my seeming sadness; and of +all the generous proffers of your excellency, +I chuse to accept nothing +but the good-will with which they are +made; for the rest, I humbly beg +your excellency will consent, and permit +me to wait upon myself in my +own apartment.’—‘Truly,’ said the +duchess, ‘that must not be; Signior +Don Quixote shall be served by four +of my damsels, as beautiful as roses.’—‘With +regard to me,’ answered the +knight, ‘they will not be roses, but +thorns to prick my very soul; and, +therefore, I will as soon fly as permit +them, or any thing like them, to +enter my chamber. If your grace +would continue to bestow your favours, +which, I own, I do not deserve, +suffer me to be private, and +make use of my own doors, that I +may raise a wall between my passions +and my chastity; a custom which I +would not forego for all the liberality +which your highness is pleased to display +in my behalf; and, in a word, I +will rather sleep in my cloaths than +consent to be undressed by any person +<span class='pageno' id='Page_469'>469</span>whatsoever.’—‘Enough, enough, +Signior Don Quixote,’ answered her +grace; ‘you may depend upon it, I +shall give such orders, that not even +a fly, much less a damsel, shall enter +your apartment; I am not a person to +discompose the decency of Signior Don +Quixote, among whose virtues, I +perceive, that of decorum shines with +superior lustre. Your worship may +dress and undress yourself alone, after +your own fashion, when and how you +please, without lett or impediment; +for in your chamber you will find +every utensil suited to those who sleep +under lock and key, without being +obliged to open upon any necessary +occasion. Long live the great Dulcinea +del Toboso, and may her fame +be extended around the whole circumference +of the earth, seeing she +is worthy to be beloved by a knight +of such valour and chastity; and may +propitious Heaven infuse into the +heart of Sancho Panza, our governor, +a promptitude to finish his flagellation, +that the world may soon re-enjoy +the beauty of such an excellent +lady!’ To this compliment the knight +replied; ‘Your highness hath spoken +like yourself; for from the mouths of +such benevolent ladies nothing evil +can proceed; and Dulcinea will be +more fortunate, and more renowned +through the world, by your grace’s +approbation, than by all the applause +of the greatest orators upon earth.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Well then, Signior Don Quixote,’ +answered the duchess, ‘it is now supper +time, and the duke probably stays +for us; let us go and sup, therefore, +that you may be a-bed betimes; for +your journey to Candaya was not so +short, but that it must have fatigued +your worship in some measure.’—‘Madam,’ +replied Don Quixote, ‘I feel +no sort of weariness; and I swear to +your excellency, that in my life I +never crossed a better or easier going +steed than Clavileno; nor can I conceive +what should induce Malambruno +to deprive himself of such a light +and gentle carriage, by burning it +without scruple or hesitation.’—‘As +to that particular,’ said the duchess, +‘we may suppose, that repenting of the +injury he had done to the countess and +her company, as well as to other +people, and being sorry for the mischief +he must certainly have produced +as a wizzard and inchanter, he resolved +to destroy all the instruments of his +art; as the principal of these, which +gave him the greatest uneasiness, because +it has transported him from +place to place in his operations, he +burned Clavileno, that by means of +his ashes, and the trophy of the parchment, +the valour of Don Quixote +might be eternized.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>The knight made fresh acknowledgments +of her grace’s politeness, and after +supper retired to his apartment, without +suffering any person to accompany +or minister unto his occasions; so much +was he afraid of meeting with trials, +which might provoke or compel him to +forego the chastity and decorum which +he had hitherto preserved for his mistress +Dulcinea, ever schooling his imagination +with the exemplary virtue of +Amadis, the flower and mirrour of +knight-errantry.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Having locked the door behind him, +he undressed himself by the light of two +wax tapers; and in the course of this +occupation (O misfortune, ill decreed +to such a personage!) forth broke—not +a volley of sighs, or any thing else to +discredit the purity of his politeness, +but about two dozen of stitches in one +stocking; which, being thus torn, resembled +a lattice: a mishap which was +the source of extreme affliction to our +worthy Signior; who, on this occasion, +would have given an ounce of silver for +a drachm of green silk, for his stockings +were of that colour.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Here Benengeli exclaims, ‘O poverty, +poverty! I know not what should +induce the great Cordovan poet to +call thee an holy unfrequented gift. +I, though a Moor, am very sensible, +from my correspondence with Christians, +that holiness consists in charity, +humility, faith, poverty, and obedience; +yet, nevertheless, I will affirm, +that he must be holy indeed, +who can sit down content with poverty, +unless we mean that kind of +poverty to which one of the greatest +saints alludes, when he says, “Possess +all things as not possessing them,” and +this is called spiritual poverty. But +thou second poverty, which is the +cause I spoke of, why wouldst thou +assault gentlemen of birth rather than +any other class of people? Why dost +thou compel them to cobble their +shoes, and wear upon their coats one +<span class='pageno' id='Page_470'>470</span>button of silk, another of hair, and +a third of glass? Why must their ruffs +be generally yellow and ill starched?’ +(By the bye, from this circumstance we +learn the antiquity of ruffs and starch<a id='r186'></a><a href='#f186' class='c008'><sup>[186]</sup></a>.) +But, thus he proceeds: ‘O wretched +man of noble pedigree! who is obliged +to administer cordials to his honour, +in the midst of hunger and solitude, +by playing the hypocrite with +a toothpick, which he affects to use +in the street, though he has eat nothing +to require that act of cleanliness; +wretched he! I say, whose honour +is ever apt to be startled, and +thinks that every body, at a league’s +distance, observes the patch upon his +shoe, his greasy hat, and thread-bare +cloak, and even the hunger that predominates +in his belly!’</p> + +<p class='c005'>All these reflections occurred to Don +Quixote when he tore his stockings; but +he consoled himself for the misfortune, +when he perceived that Sancho +had left behind him a pair of travelling-boots, +which he resolved to wear next +day: finally, he crept into bed, where +he lay pensive and melancholy, as well +for the absence of Sancho, as for the +irreparable misfortune of his stocking, +which he would have gladly mended, +even with silk of a different colour; +one of the greatest marks of misery +which a gentleman can exhibit in the +course of his tedious poverty. After +having extinguished the lights, he found +the weather so hot that he could not +sleep: he therefore arose again, and +opened the casement of a great window +that looked into a fine garden; then it +was, that perceiving and hearing people +walking and talking together, he +began to listen attentively, while those +below spoke so loud that he heard the +following dialogue.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Do not, O Emerencia, press me to +sing; for well thou knowest, that +from the moment this stranger entered +the castle, and mine eyes beheld his +merit, instead of singing, I can do +nothing but weep; besides, my lady’s +sleep is rather slight than profound; +and I would not for all the wealth in +the world, that her grace should find +us here. Moreover, suppose she +should still sleep on, without waking, +vain would be my song, unless it +should awake, and attract the attention +of this new Æneas, who is arrived +in my territories, in order to +leave me forlorn.’—‘Let not these +suppositions have any weight with +you, my dear Altisidora,’ replied another +voice; ‘the duchess is doubtless +asleep, and every body in the house, +except the lord of your heart, and +watchman of your soul, who must +certainly be awake, for I just now +heard him open the casement in his +apartment; sing, therefore, my disastrous +friend, in a low, sweet, and +plaintive tone, to the sound of thy +harp; and should the duchess overhear +us, we will lay the blame upon +the heat of the weather.’—‘That is +not the cause of my hesitation, O +Emerencia,’ replied Altisidora; ‘but, +I am afraid that my song will disclose +the situation of my heart, and I myself +be censured by those who never +felt the almighty power of Love, as a +light and liquorish damsel; but, come +what will, better have an hot face +than an heavy heart.’ At that instant +an harp was ravishingly touched, and +Don Quixote hearing the sound, was +struck with amazement; for his imagination +was instantly filled with an infinity +of similar adventures of rails +and gardens, serenades, courtships and +swoonings, which he had read in his +vain books of chivalry; and he concluded +that some damsel of the duchess +was enamoured of him, but that modesty +compelled her to keep her inclinations +secret. Possessed of this notion, +he began to be afraid of his virtue: but +he resolved, in his own mind, to hold +out to the last; and, recommending +himself, with all his soul and spirit, to +his mistress Dulcinea del Toboso, determined +to listen to the song. With a +view, therefore, to let them know he was +there, he pretended to sneeze, a circumstance +which not a little pleased the +damsels, who desired nothing so much +as that Don Quixote should hear them. +Then the harp being tuned, Altisidora, +after a flourish, began the following +ditty.</p> +<div class='lg-container-b c015'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_471'>471</span>SONG.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line c003'>‘O Thou! who now a-bed,</div> + <div class='line'>In Holland sheets are laid,</div> + <div class='line'>And sleep’st from night till morn,</div> + <div class='line'>Untouch’d by care and scorn;</div> + <div class='line'>The knight of greatest worth</div> + <div class='line'>La Mancha e’er brought forth;</div> + <div class='line'>More chaste an hundred fold,</div> + <div class='line'>Than pure Arabian gold;</div> + <div class='line'>O hear an hapless maid</div> + <div class='line'>By cruel love betray’d!</div> + <div class='line'>The flame of thy two suns</div> + <div class='line'>Hath scorch’d her to the bones!</div> + <div class='line'>Thou seeking thy own foe,</div> + <div class='line'>Hast found another’s woe:</div> + <div class='line'>Thou gav’st the wound, and sure</div> + <div class='line'>Wilt not refuse the cure.</div> + <div class='line'>O tell me, valiant youth,</div> + <div class='line'>(So God shall prosper truth)</div> + <div class='line'>Wast thou in desarts bred,</div> + <div class='line'>Or among mountains fed?</div> + <div class='line'>Did serpents give thee suck,</div> + <div class='line'>On some bleak barren rock,</div> + <div class='line'>Deep in the wild recess</div> + <div class='line'>Of forest or morass?</div> + <div class='line'>Dulcinea fat and fair,</div> + <div class='line'>May boast her shape and air,</div> + <div class='line'>That in subjection hold</div> + <div class='line'>A tyger fierce and bold:</div> + <div class='line'>Her fame shall live in stanza,</div> + <div class='line'>From Ebro to Arlanza,</div> + <div class='line'>From Tagus to Henarez,</div> + <div class='line'>From Seine to Manganarez,</div> + <div class='line'>Would I her place could fill,</div> + <div class='line'>I’d give her for good will,</div> + <div class='line'>My gayest petticoat</div> + <div class='line'>With golden fringes wrought,</div> + <div class='line'>How happy then should I</div> + <div class='line'>In thine embraces lie!</div> + <div class='line'>Or on some cushion loll,</div> + <div class='line'>And scratch thy valiant poll.</div> + <div class='line'>Such joys are far above</div> + <div class='line'>The merits of my love;</div> + <div class='line'>Let me, then, bending low,</div> + <div class='line'>With rapture kiss thy toe.</div> + <div class='line'>What presents would be made,</div> + <div class='line'>Of sattin and brocade!</div> + <div class='line'>I’d give thee shoes and socks,</div> + <div class='line'>Silk hose with silver clocks;</div> + <div class='line'>Of cash uncounted sums,</div> + <div class='line'>And pearls as big as plums;</div> + <div class='line'>So precious, each would sell</div> + <div class='line'>As perfect nonpareil.</div> + <div class='line'>Manchegan Nero, say,</div> + <div class='line'>Dost thou, aloof, survey</div> + <div class='line'>The flames that rage and smart</div> + <div class='line'>Within my love-sick heart?</div> + <div class='line'>A maid I vow and swear,</div> + <div class='line'>Young, tender, and sincere;</div> + <div class='line'>As yet I have not seen</div> + <div class='line'>The borders of fifteen.</div> + <div class='line'>My sides are not awry,</div> + <div class='line'>Nor lame, nor blind, am I:</div> + <div class='line'>My locks with ribbands bound,</div> + <div class='line'>Like lilies, sweep the ground:</div> + <div class='line'>My nose is flat, ’tis true,</div> + <div class='line'>And eke my mouth askew;</div> + <div class='line'>But teeth as topaz fine,</div> + <div class='line'>Compleat my charms divine;</div> + <div class='line'>My voice, as you may hear,</div> + <div class='line'>Is tuneful, sweet, and clear;</div> + <div class='line'>My temper soft and good,</div> + <div class='line'>If rightly understood.</div> + <div class='line'>These beauties all so clever,</div> + <div class='line'>Are yielded to thy quiver,</div> + <div class='line'>And I who tell my story,</div> + <div class='line'>Am call’d Altisidory.’</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>Here ended the song of the hapless +Altisidora; and here began the horror +of the courted Don Quixote; who, +fetching a heavy sigh, said within himself—‘What +an unfortunate errant am +I, whom no damsel can behold without +being enamoured of my person! +and how hapless is the peerless Dulcinea +del Toboso, who cannot enjoy +my incomparable constancy, without +a rival! Queens, what would you +have? Empresses, why do you persecute +her beauty? Damsels of fifteen, +why do you molest such virtue? Leave, +leave, I say, that wretched lady, to +taste, enjoy, and triumph, in the lot +which love hath decreed her, by subduing +my heart, and captivating my +soul. Take notice, enamoured tribe, +that to Dulcinea alone I am sugar +paste, but flint to all the rest of her +sex: to her I am honey; but gall +and bitterness to such as you. In +my eye, Dulcinea alone is beauteous, +wise, gay, chaste, and well-born; but +all others are homely, foolish, idle, +and of humble birth. To be her +slave, and her’s alone, nature has +thrown me into the world; Altisidora +may weep or sing; and that lady may +despair, on whose account I was pummelled +in the castle of the inchanted +Moor; Dulcinea’s I am resolved to +be, boiled or roasted, neat, chaste, +and well-bred, in spite of all the +witchcraft upon earth.’ So saying, +he shut the casement with a flap, and +retired to bed, in as much anxiety and +concern as if some great misfortune had +befallen him. There, then, we will +leave him for the present, as we are +summoned by the mighty Panza, who +is impatient to begin his famous administration.</p> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_472'>472</span> + <h4 id='chap4-3-13' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='thirteen'>XIII.</abbr> <br> GIVING AN ACCOUNT OF THE MANNER IN WHICH SANCHO PANZA<br> TOOK POSSESSION OF HIS ISLAND, AND BEGAN HIS ADMINISTRATION.</h4> +</div> +<p class='c004'>O Thou! perpetual explorer of the +antipodes, torch of nature, eye +of Heaven, and agreeable motive for +wine-cooling jars, Thymbrius here, +Phœbus there, archer in one place, +physician in another, father of poetry, +and inventor of musick; thou who always +risest, but never settest, although +thou seemest to set. Thee I invoke, +O sun! by whose assistance man is by +man engendered; thee I implore, that +thou would’st favour and enlighten the +obscurity of my genius, and enable +me to write with precision an account +of the great Sancho Panza’s administration: +for, without thy aid, I find +myself lukewarm, feeble, and confused.</p> + +<p class='c005'>To begin, then: Sancho, with his +whole retinue, arrived at a town containing +about a thousand inhabitants, +one of the best in the duke’s possession; +which they told Sancho was called the +Island Barataria, either because the name +of the place was really Barataria, or +because he had very cheaply purchased +the government<a id='r187'></a><a href='#f187' class='c008'><sup>[187]</sup></a>. When he reached +the gates of the town, which was walled, +the magistrates came forth to receive +him, the bells were set a ringing, +and the inhabitants, with expressions of +universal joy, conducted him with vast +pomp to the great church, in order to +return thanks to Heaven for his safe +arrival; then, with some ridiculous ceremonies, +they delivered to him the +keys of the town, and admitted him as +perpetual governor of the Island Barataria.</p> + +<p class='c005'>The equipage, matted beard, corpulency, +and diminutive stature of the new +governor, furnished food for admiration +to every body who did not know +the juggle of the contrivance; aye, and +even to those acquainted with the mystery, +who were not a few. In fine, +they carried him from the church to +the town-hall, and placing him upon +the bench, the duke’s steward addressed +himself to the governor in these words: +‘It is an ancient custom in this famous +island, my lord governor, that he who +comes to take possession of it is obliged +to answer some difficult and intricate +question that shall be put to him, +and by his response the inhabitants +feel the pulse of their new governor’s +genius, according to which they rejoice +or repine at his arrival.’ While +the steward pronounced this address, +Sancho was contemplating a number +of large letters written upon the wall +that fronted his tribunal, and as he +could not read, he desired to know the +meaning of that painting on the wall. +‘In that place, my lord,’ replied the +steward, ‘is written and recorded, the +day on which your excellency has +taken possession of this island, for the +inscription runs, On such a day and +such a month, Signior Don Sancho +Panza took possession of this +island, and long may he enjoy the +government thereof.’—‘And whom +do they call Don Sancho Panza?’ +said the governor. ‘Who, but your +excellency,’ answered the steward; +‘for this island never saw any other +Panza than him who sits on that tribunal.’—‘Take +notice, then, brother,’ +replied Sancho, ‘that Don belongs +not to me, nor did it ever belong +to any of my generation. Simple +Sancho is my name; so was my +father called, and so my grandfather; +and they were all Panzas, without +addition of Don or Donna; and I +begin to imagine there are as many +Dons as stones in this island; but no +more of that: God knows my meaning; +and peradventure, if my government +lasts above three days, I +shall weed out these Dons, which, +from their swarms, must be as troublesome +as vermin. But pray, Mr. +Steward, proceed with your question, +which I shall answer to the best of +my understanding, whether the townsmen +should repine or not repine.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>At that instant two men entered the +hall, one in the habit of a labouring +man, and the other a taylor with shears +in his hand, who, approaching the +bench, ‘My lord governor,’ said he, +‘this countryman and I are come before +your lordship about an affair +which I am going to explain. This +<span class='pageno' id='Page_473'>473</span>honest man comes yesterday to my +shop—for, saving your presence, I am +an examined taylor, God be praised! +and putting a remnant of cloth in my +hand, “Gaffer,” said he, “is there +stuff enough here to make me a cap?” +I having handled the piece, replied, +“Yes.” Now he supposing, as I suppose, +and to be sure it was a right +supposition, that I wanted to cabbage +part of the stuff, grounding his suspicion +on his own deceit, and the +bad character of us taylors, desired I +would see if there was enough for two +caps; and I, guessing his thoughts, +answered, “Yes.” And so my gentleman, +persisting in his first and evil intention, +went on adding cap to cap; +and I proceeded to answer Yes upon +Yes, until the number increased to +five caps. This very moment he called +for them; and when I produced them, +he not only refused to pay me for +my work, but even demanded that I +should either restore the cloth, or pay +him the price of it.’—‘Is this really +the case, brother?’ said Sancho. ‘Yes, +my lord,’ replied the countryman; +‘but I beg your lordship would order +him to shew what sort of caps he +has made.’—‘With all my heart,’ +cried the taylor; who immediately +pulling out his hand from under his +cloak, produced five small caps fixed +upon the tops of his four fingers and +thumb; saying, ‘Here are the five +caps which this honest man desired +me to make; as I shall answer to +God and my own conscience, there is +not a scrap of the stuff remaining; +and I am willing to submit the work +to the inspection of the masters of +the company.’ All the people in +court laughed at the number of caps, and +the novelty of the dispute, which Sancho +having considered for a few moments, +‘Methinks,’ said he, ‘this suit +requires no great discussion, but may +be equitably determined out of hand: +and therefore my determination is, +that the taylor shall lose his work, +and the countryman forfeit his cloth; +and that the caps shall be distributed +among the poor prisoners, without +farther hesitation.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>If the sentence he afterwards passed +upon the herdsman’s purse excited the +admiration of the spectators, this decision +provoked their laughter: nevertheless, +they executed the orders of their +governor, before whom two old men +now presented themselves, one of them +having a cane, which he used as a +walking-staff. The other making up +to the governor, ‘My lord,’ said he, +‘some time ago, I lent this man ten +crowns of gold, to oblige and assist +him in an emergency, on condition +that he should pay them upon demand; +and for a good while I never +asked my money, that I might not +put him to greater inconvenience in +repaying than that which he felt +when he borrowed the sum; but as +he seemed to neglect the payment entirely, +I have demanded the money +again and again, and he not only refuses +to refund, but also denies that +I ever lent him the ten crowns; or, if +I did, he says he is sure they were +repaid: now, I having no witnesses +to prove the loan, nor he evidence of +the re-payment, for indeed they never +were repaid, I entreat your lordship +to take his oath; and if he swears +the money was returned, I here forgive +him the debt, in the presence of +God.’—‘What have you to say to +this charge, honest gaffer with the +staff?’ said Sancho. ‘My lord,’ replied +the senior, ‘I confess he lent me +the money; and since he leaves the +matter to my oath, if your lordship +will lower your rod of justice, I will +make affidavit, that I have really +and truly returned, and repaid the +sum I borrowed.’ The governor accordingly +lowering his wand, the defendant +desired the plaintiff to hold his +cane until he should make oath, because +it incumbered him; then laying +his hand upon the cross of the rod, +he declared that the other had indeed +lent him those ten crowns which he +now demanded; but that he, the borrower, +had returned them into the lender’s +own hand, and he supposed he +dunned him in this manner, because he +had forgot that circumstance. This +oath being administered, the great governor +asked what farther the creditor +had to say to the allegation of the +other party. And he answered, that +doubtless the defendant had spoke the +truth; for he looked upon him as an +honest man, and a good Christian; and +that as he himself must have forgot the +particulars of the payment, he would +never demand it from thenceforward. +Then the defendant, taking back his +<span class='pageno' id='Page_474'>474</span>cane, and making his obeisance, quitted +the court; while Sancho seeing him +retire in this manner, and perceiving +the resignation of the plaintiff, hung +down his head a little, and laying the +fore-finger of his right-hand on one +side of his nose, continued in this +musing posture for a very small space +of time: then, raising his head, he ordered +them to call back the old man +with the staff, who had retired: he +was accordingly brought before Sancho; +who said to him, ‘Honest friend, +lend me that staff, I have occasion for +it.’—‘With all my heart, my lord,’ +replied the elder, reaching it to the +judge: then Sancho took and delivered +it to the plaintiff, saying: ‘Now, go +your ways, a God’s name! you are +fully paid.’—‘How, my lord!’ said +the old man, ‘is this cane then worth +ten crowns of Gold?’—‘Yes,’ replied +the governor, ‘otherwise I am +the greatest dunce in nature: and +now it shall appear, whether or not I +have a noddle sufficient to govern a +whole kingdom.’ So saying, he ordered +the cane to be broke in publick; +and when, in consequence of his command, +it was split asunder, ten crowns +of gold were found in the heart of it, +to the astonishment of all the spectators, +who looked upon their new governor +as another Solomon. When he was +asked how he could conceive that the +money was in the cane, he answered, +that seeing the deponent give his staff +to the other party before he made oath, +then hearing him declare that he had +really and truly returned the money; +and lastly, perceiving that after his deposition +he took back the staff, it came +into his head that the money was concealed +within the cane. And in this +instance, we see that governors, though +otherwise fools, are sometimes directed +in their decisions by the hand of God: +besides, Sancho had heard such a story +told by the curate of his village, and +his memory was so tenacious, in retaining +every thing he wanted to remember, +that there was not such another +in the whole island. Finally, the +two old men went away: the one overwhelmed +with shame, and the other +miraculously repaid; the by-standers +were astonished; and he whose province +it was to record the sayings, actions, +and conduct of Sancho, could not determine +in his own mind, whether he +should regard and report him as a simpleton, +or a sage.</p> + +<div id='plate6' class='figcenter id002'> +<img src='images/plate-vi.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +<div class='ic002'> +<p>Plate VI: Governor Sancho Panza and the Woman.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<p class='c005'>This suit being determined, a woman +came into court, holding fast by +a man habited like a rich herdsman, +and exclaiming with great vociferation, +‘Justice, my lord governor, justice! +which, if I find not on earth, I will +go in quest of to heaven! My lord +governor of my soul, this wicked +man has forced me in the middle of a +field, and made use of my body as +if it had been a dirty dishclout: +alack, and a-well-a-day! he has robbed +me of that which I had preserved +for three and twenty years, in spite of +Moors and Christians, natives and +foreigners: and have I, who was always +as hard as a cork-tree, maintained +my virtue entire, like a salamander +in the midst of flames, or +wool among brambles, to be handled +by the clean hands of this Robin +Goodfellow?’—‘That must be enquired +into,’ said Sancho, ‘whether +the gallant’s hands be clean or no.’ +Then turning to the man, he asked +what he had to say to the complaint of +that woman? To this question the culprit +replied, with great perturbation, +‘My lord, I am a poor herdsman who +deal in swine, and this morning went +to market, saving your presence, with +some hogs, and the duties and extortions, +and one thing and another, +ran away with almost all they were +worth; and so, in my return, I lighted +on this honest damsel on the road; +and the devil, who will always meddle +and make, and have a finger in +every pye, yoked us together. I +paid her handsomely; but she, not +satisfied, laid fast hold on me, nor +would she quit her hold until she had +brought me hither: she alledges I +forced her; but, by the oath I have +taken, or am to take, she lyes; and +this is the whole truth, without the +least crumb of prevarication.’ Then +the governor asked if he had any money +about him; and when he owned he +had a leathern purse with twenty ducats +in his bosom, Sancho ordered him to +pull it out, and deliver the whole to +the complainant. The man obeyed +this command with fear and trembling; +the woman received this money, and +making a thousand curtsies to all the +by-standers, prayed God would preserve +the life and health of my lord governor, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_475'>475</span>who took such care of damsels +and orphans in necessity. So saying, +she went away, holding the purse with +both hands, though not before she had +examined the contents. Scarce had she +quitted the court, when Sancho said to +the herdsman, who stood with tears in +his eyes, sending his heart, and many +a long look after his purse, ‘Harkye, +friend! go after that woman, and +take the purse from her, either by fair +means or force, and bring it hither to +me.’ This command was not imposed +upon one that was either deaf or +doating; for he darted like lightning, +in order to put it in execution: while +all the spectators waited in suspence to +see the issue of the suit. In a little +time the parties returned, but more +closely engaged, and clinging faster together +than before; she, with her petticoat +tucked up, and the purse in her +lap; and he struggling, to no purpose, +to take it from her; so vigorously did +she defend her acquisition, crying aloud, +‘Justice, in the name of God and his +creatures! Take notice, my lord governor, +of the impudence and presumption +of this miscreant, who, in +the very face of the people, and the +middle of the street, wanted to rob +me of the purse which I received by +your lordship’s decree.’—‘Has he +taken it from you, then?’ said the +governor. ‘Taken it from me!’ replied +the wench; ‘I’ll sooner part with +my life than with my purse. I should +be a precious ninny indeed! otherguise +cats must scratch my beard, +and not such a pitiful muckworm as +he. Pincers and hammers, mallets +and chissels, should not tear it out of +my clutches; no, not the claws of a +lion; my soul and body shall rather +be tore asunder.’—‘It is even so,’ +said the man; ‘I submit as the weaker +vessel, and own I have not strength +enough to recover my purse.’ He +quitted her accordingly. Then the +governor said to the woman, ‘Come +hither, my virtuous and spirited +dame; let me see thy purse.’ Which, +when she delivered it, he restored to +the man; and turning to the wench, +who was too forceful to be forced, +‘Sister of mine,’ quoth he, ‘if you +had exerted the same vigour and perseverance, +or even half so much, in +preserving your chastity, as you have +shewn in defending the purse, the +force of Hercules would not have +forced you. Be gone, a-God’s name! +be gone, I say, with a vengeance, and +never more appear in this island, or +within six leagues of it, on pain of +receiving two hundred stripes. Be +gone immediately, you chattering, +shameless impostor!’ The woman, +terrified at his menaces, sneaked off, +hanging her head, and discontented; +and the governor spoke to the man in +these words: ‘Honest friend, get you +home with your money, in the name +of God; and unless you are inclined +to lose it again, from henceforward +avoid all temptations to yoke with any +woman whatsoever.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>The herdsman thanked him as sheepishly +as he could, and went away, and +the audience were struck with admiration +afresh, at the judgment and decisions +of their new governor; every circumstance +of which being recorded by +his historiographer, was immediately +communicated to the duke, who waited +for the account with the utmost impatience.</p> + +<p class='c005'>But here let honest Sancho rest a little; +for we are summoned in all haste by +his master, who is greatly disturbed by +the musick of Altisidora.</p> + +<h4 id='chap4-3-14' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='fourteen'>XIV.</abbr> <br> OF THE DREADFUL CONSTERNATION, AND CATTISH CONCERT,<br> TO WHICH DON QUIXOTE WAS EXPOSED,<br> IN THE COURSE OF THE ENAMOURED ALTISIDORA’S AMOUR.</h4> +<p class='c004'>We left the great Don Quixote +wrapped up in those cogitations +that were suggested by the musick of the +enamoured damsel Altisidora. With +these companions he crept into bed; +but, as if they had been fleas and vermin, +they would not suffer him to sleep, +or indeed enjoy a moment’s repose, +especially when reinforced with the reflection +of his wounded stocking. But +as time is so light and nimble, that no +rub can retard his career, he galloped +along upon the hours, and soon ushered +in the morning, which was no sooner +beheld by the knight, than he forsook +the gentle down, and being the reverse +of lazy, dressed himself in his chamoy +suit. He put on his travelling boots to +<span class='pageno' id='Page_476'>476</span>conceal the misfortune of his hose; +threw his scarlet cloak over his shoulder, +cased his head in a green velvet +cap trimmed with silver, slung his trusty +hanging sword in his buff-belt, took up +his large rosary, which always depended +from his wrist, and with great port and +solemnity went forth into the hall, +where the duke and duchess, already +dressed, stayed for him. As he passed +through a gallery, he perceived Altisidora, +and the other maiden her friend, +who stood waiting for his appearance; +and he was no sooner beheld by the +love-sick damsel, than she pretended to +faint away; while her companion received +her in her arms, and with all +possible dispatch began to unclasp her +bosom. The knight seeing her fall, +approached the place where they were, +saying, ‘I know whence these accidents +proceed.’ And the companion replied, +‘I do not know whence; for +Altisidora is the healthiest damsel of +the whole family, and I never knew +her so much as fetch a sigh from the +first minute of our acquaintance. Ill +betide all the knights-errant in the +world, if they are all so shy and +scornful. Signior Don Quixote, I +wish your worship would leave the +place; for this poor girl will not come +to herself while you stand here.’ +To this entreaty the knight replied, +‘Be so good, Madam, as to order a +lute to be left in my apartment; and, +at night, I will, to the best of my +power, console this unfortunate damsel: +for a speedy explanation in the +beginning, is often an effectual cure +for those who are indiscreetly in love.’ +So saying, he went away, that he might +not be observed in conference with the +damsels; and scarce was he gone, when +the swooning Altisidora coming to herself, +said to her companion, ‘It will +be requisite to leave the lute; for, +doubtless, Don Quixote intends to +entertain us with musick, which cannot +be bad if he is the performer.’ +Then they went and gave an account +of what had passed, and in particular +of the lute, to the duchess, who was rejoiced +beyond measure, and concerted +with her lord and her women, how to +execute another joke which should be +more merry than mischievous. This +being accordingly contrived, they with +great glee waited for night; and it +came posting along in the same pace +that brought in the day, which their +graces spent in savoury discourse with +Don Quixote. On this day the duchess +really and truly dispatched one of her +pages, who acted the part of the enchanted +Dulcinea in the wood, to Tereza +Panza, with her husband’s letter, +and a bundle, which he had left on purpose +to be sent home; and the messenger +had particular orders to bring back a +circumstantial detail of every thing that +should pass between him and the governor’s +lady.</p> + +<p class='c005'>This step being taken, and the hour +of eleven at night arrived, Don Quixote +found a lute in his apartment; this +he tuned, and having opened the window, +perceived people walking below +in the garden: he immediately ran over +the strings of his instrument, making +as good a prelude as he could, then +hemming and clearing his pipes, he +with an hoarse, though not untuneful +voice, sung the following sonnet, which +he had that very day composed.</p> +<div class='lg-container-b c015'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>SONG.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘Love, with idleness combin’d,</div> + <div class='line'>Will unhinge the tender mind:</div> + <div class='line'>But to sew, to work, and move,</div> + <div class='line'>Will exclude the force of love.</div> + <div class='line'>Blooming maids that would be married,</div> + <div class='line'>Must in virtue be unwearied:</div> + <div class='line'>Modesty a dow’r will raise,</div> + <div class='line'>And be trumpet of their praise.</div> + <div class='line'>A cavalier will sport and play</div> + <div class='line'>With a damsel frank and gay;</div> + <div class='line'>But, when wedlock is his aim,</div> + <div class='line'>Chuse a maid of sober fame.</div> + <div class='line'>Passion kindled in the breast,</div> + <div class='line'>By a stranger or a guest,</div> + <div class='line'>Enters with the rising sun,</div> + <div class='line'>And fleets before his race be run.</div> + <div class='line'>Love that come so suddenly,</div> + <div class='line'>Ever on the wing to fly,</div> + <div class='line'>Neither can or will impart</div> + <div class='line'>Strong impressions to the heart.</div> + <div class='line'>Pictures drawn on pictures, shew</div> + <div class='line'>Strange confusion to the view:</div> + <div class='line'>Second beauty find no base,</div> + <div class='line'>Where a first has taken place.</div> + <div class='line'>Then Dulcinea still shall reign</div> + <div class='line'>Without a rival or a stain;</div> + <div class='line'>Nor shall fate itself controul</div> + <div class='line'>Her sway, or blot her from my soul:</div> + <div class='line'>Constancy, the lover’s boast,</div> + <div class='line'>I’ll maintain, whate’er it cost.</div> + <div class='line'>This my virtue will refine;</div> + <div class='line'>This will stamp my joy divine.’</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>So far had Don Quixote proceeded +with his song, which was overheard by +<span class='pageno' id='Page_477'>477</span>the duke and duchess, Altisidora, and +almost all the people in the castle, when +all of a sudden, from the top of a corridore +immediately above Don Quixote’s +window, came down a cord to +which above a hundred horse-bells were +tied; and after these was discharged a +whole sackful of cats with smaller bells +fastened to their tails. Such was the +noise occasioned by the tinkling of these +bells, and the mewling of the cats, +that even the duke and duchess, who invented +the joke, were terrified and confounded, +and Don Quixote astonished +and dismayed; especially when two or +three cats chanced to enter his window, +and coursed up and down through his +apartment, which seemed to be haunted +by a whole legion of devils; for they +extinguished the lights, and ran to and +fro, endeavouring to escape, while the +rope with the large bells was lowering +down, and pulling up incessantly; so +that the greatest part of the people in +the family, who were ignorant of the +scheme, listened with fear and admiration. +Then Don Quixote starting +up, and unsheathing his sword, began +to fence with the window, exclaiming +aloud, ‘Avaunt, malignant enchanters! +avaunt, ye wizzard crew! for I +am Don Quixote de La Mancha, +against whom your whole power and +malice shall not avail.’ So saying, +he laid about him among the cats, +which had entered his apartments; and +they sprung towards the casement, from +whence two of them made their escape; +but the third, finding itself hard pressed +by the valour and back-strokes of the +knight, flew at his face, and laid fast +hold on his nose with its teeth and +claws. The pain of this assault affected +Don Quixote in such a manner, that +he began to roar with vast vociferation, +which being heard by the duke and duchess, +who guessed the cause of his cries, +they ran instantly to his chamber, which +they opened with a master-key; and +lights being brought, they found the +poor knight endeavouring with all his +strength to disengage the cat from his +visage. Seeing the unequal fray, they +made haste to part the combatants; +when Don Quixote called aloud, ‘Let +no man part us; but leave me hand +to hand with this dæmon, this wizard, +this enchanter; and I will make +him sensible of the difference between +him and me, who am Don Quixote +de La Mancha.’ The cat, however, +without minding his threats, stuck fast +to his nose; but, at length, the duke +tore it away, and threw it out at the +window; so that the knight remained +with his face like a sieve, and his nose +in no very sound condition; though he +was very much dissatisfied, that they +would not suffer him to finish the engagement +he had so obstinately maintained +with that felonious enchanter.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Oil of Aparicio was immediately +fetched, and Altisidora herself, with +her snowy hands, applied the balsam, +saying in a low voice, as she bound up +his wounds, ‘All these misadventures +befal thee, hard-hearted knight, as a +punishment for thy cruelty and disdain; +and God grant thy squire Sancho +may forget to scourge himself, +that they so much beloved Dulcinea +may never be disenchanted, nor thou +enjoy her as a wedded wife; at least, +during the life of me, by whom thou +art adored.’ To all this apostrophe +Don Quixote answered not a word; but, +heaving a profound sigh, laid himself +along in his bed, and thanked their +graces for this instance of their concern; +not that he was afraid of such +a cattish-enchanting and bell-ringing +crew, but on account of the kind intention +they had manifested in coming +to his relief. As for the duke and duchess, +they left him to his repose, and +went away extremely sorry for the unfortunate +issue of his joke; for they did +not think Don Quixote would have suffered +so terribly by the adventure, which +cost him five days confinement in his +bed, where he was engaged in another +still more diverting, which, however, the +historian will not at present recount, +that he may return to Sancho Panza, +who proceeded in his administration +with equal pleasantry and solicitude.</p> +<h4 id='chap4-3-15' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='fifteen'>XV.</abbr> <br> CONTAINING A FARTHER ACCOUNT OF SANCHO’S<br> BEHAVIOUR IN HIS GOVERNMENT.</h4> +<p class='c004'>The history relates, that from the +town-hall Sancho Panza was conducted +to a sumptuous palace, in the +great hall of which was a royal table, +most elegantly furnished. When the +governor entered, the waits struck up, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_478'>478</span>and four pages came forth and presented +him with water for his hands, which he +received with great solemnity; then the +musick ceasing, he took his place at the +upper end of the table, which was accommodated +with one seat only, and a +cover for himself alone: while close by +him stood a personage, who afterwards +proved to be a physician, with a rod of +whalebone in his hand. They removed +a very fine white cloth that covered +the fruit and a great variety of dishes. +One who looked like a student, said +grace; a page tucked a laced bib under +Sancho’s chin, and another person, who +acted the part of sewer, set a plate of +fruit before the governor; but scarce +had he swallowed a mouthful, when +the doctor touching the said plate with +his wand, it was snatched from him in +a twinkling: the sewer presented him +with another dish, which the governor +resolved to prove; but, before he could +finger or taste it, the plate being also +touched by the wand, one of the pages +conveyed it away with incredible dispatch, +to the amazement of Sancho, +who, looking round him, asked if he +must be obliged to eat like a juggler, +by slight of hand!</p> + +<p class='c005'>To this interrogation he of the wand +replied: ‘My lord governor must, in +eating, conform to the use and customs +of other islands where governors +reside. I, my lord, enjoy a salary +as physician to the governors of this +island, and take more care of their +health than of my own; studying +night and day, and considering the +governor’s constitution, that I may be +able to cure him, in case he should be +taken ill; but the principal part of +my office is to be present at his meals, +where I allow him to eat what I think +will agree with his complexion, and +restrain him from that which I conceive +will be hurtful and prejudicial +to his stomach. I therefore ordered +the fruit to be removed, because it is +dangerously moist; and likewise commanded +the other dish to be conveyed +away, because it is extremely hot, as +containing a number of spices which +create thirst, and copious drinking +drowns and destroys the radical moisture, +which is the essence of life.’—‘By +that way of reasoning,’ said Sancho, +‘that there dish of roasted partridges, +which seems to be very well +seasoned; will do me no harm.’ To +this hint the physician replied: ‘Of +these my lord governor shall not eat +while there is breath in my body.’—‘And +pray for what reason?’ said the +governor. ‘Because our master Hippocrates, +the north star and luminary +of physic, expressly says, in one of his +aphorisms, <span lang="la">“<i>Omnis saturatio mala, +perdix autem pessima</i>;”</span> that is, All +repletion is bad, but that with partridge +worst of all.’—‘If that be the +case,’ said Sancho, ‘good Mr. Doctor, +pray examine all the messes on +the table, so as to point out that +which will do me least harm and most +good, that I may eat without fear of +conjuration; for, by the life of the +governor, and as God shall prolong +it! I am ready to die of hunger; and +to deny me victuals, even though Signior Doctor +should prescribe fasting, +and say a thousand things in its +praise, will, instead of preserving my +health, deprive me of life entirely.’—‘Your +lordship is very much in the +right,’ replied the physician: ‘and to +begin, I would not have you touch +these ragoo’d rabbits, because they +are a sharp haired food: of that veal, +indeed, you might pick, a little, if it +was not roasted <i>a la daube</i>; but as it +is, touch it not.’—‘The dish that +smokes yonder,’ said Sancho, ‘seems +to be an <span lang="es"><i>olla podrida</i></span>, and considering +the variety of ingredients of +which these <span lang="es"><i>ollas</i></span> are composed, +surely I cannot fail to light on something +that will be both savoury and +wholesome.’—‘<i>Absit!</i>’ cried the +physician, ‘far from us be such a +thought. There is not a more pernicious +nutriment upon the face of +the earth: leave your <span lang="es"><i>ollas</i></span> to canons, +rectors of colleges, and country weddings; +but let them never appear upon +the tables of governors, where elegance +and neatness ought to reign. +The reason is clear; at all times, in +all places, and by all the learned, simple +medicines are more esteemed than +those that are compound: for in the +first, no mistakes can be committed; +whereas, in the other, numberless errors +may take place, in the quantity +and proportion of the ingredients; +but what I would advise my lord governor +to eat at present, in order to +preserve and corroborate his health, is +about a hundred confected wafers, +and a few thin slices of quinces, which +<span class='pageno' id='Page_479'>479</span>will sit easy on his stomach, and assist +digestion.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Sancho, hearing this prescription, +threw himself backwards in his chair, +and surveying the physician from head +to foot, asked in a grave and solemn +tone, ‘What was his name, and where +he had studied?’ To this question, +the other replied, ‘I, my lord governor, +am called Doctor Pedro Positive +de Bodewell<a id='r188'></a><a href='#f188' class='c008'><sup>[188]</sup></a>, native of a place called +Snatchaway, on the right hand between +Caraquel and Almodobar del +Campo; and I took my doctor’s degree +at the university of Ossuna.’ To +this declaration Sancho replied, in a +rage, ‘Hark ye, then, Mr. Doctor +Pedro Positive de Bode-ill, native of +Snatchaway, which is on the right +hand as we go from Caraquel to Almodobar +del Campo, graduate of +Ossuna, get out of my presence this +instant, or by the body of the sun! I +will snatch up a cudgel, and beginning +with you, employ it in such a +manner as not to leave a physician on +the whole island; of those, I mean, +who are ignorant fellows. As for the +learned, virtuous, and discreet members +of the faculty, I will place them +on my head, in token of respect, and +honour them as things divine. But, +I say again, be gone, Doctor Pedro +Positive, or positively I will take up +this chair on which I sit, and make +immediate application to your skull; +and, should I be called to account for +it, when I resign my government, I +will exculpate myself by proving that +I have done service to God, in slaying +a wicked physician, who was a scandal +to the commonwealth. Let me +have something to eat, therefore, or +take back your government; for a +post that will not afford victuals, is +not worth a pease-cod.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>The doctor was frightened at seeing +the governor in such a passion, and was +going to snatch himself away from his +presence; when, at the very instant, +their ears were saluted with the noise of +a post-boy’s horn in the street; and the +gentleman sewer going to the window, +informed the governor that there was a +courier arrived from my lord duke, +with some dispatches of importance. +Accordingly the messenger entered the +hall, sweating, with marks of consternation +in his countenance; and taking +a packet out of his bosom, delivered it +into the hands of the governor, who +gave it to the steward, with orders to +read the superscription, which ran +thus: ‘To Don Sancho Panza, governor +of the island Barataria, to be +delivered into his own hand, or that +of his secretary.’ Sancho hearing the +direction, ‘Who is my secretary?’ +said he. One of the people who were +present, answered, ‘I am secretary, +my lord; for I can read and write, +and am a Biscayan.’—‘Nay, with +that addition,’ said Sancho, ‘you +might be secretary to the emperor +himself: open this packet, and see +what it contains.’ The new-born +secretary obeyed the command; and +having perused the contents, told his +excellency, it was business for his private +ear. Then Sancho ordered every +body to quit the place, except the steward +and gentleman sewer: accordingly +the rest retired, with the doctor at their +head: and the secretary recited the letter +to this effect—</p> + +<p class='c016'>‘I have received information, Signior +Don Sancho Panza, that +certain enemies of mine and of the +island, intend one of these nights, to +give you a furious assault; you will +therefore be vigilant and alert, that +they may not find you unprepared. +I am likewise informed, by trusty +spies, that four persons in disguise +have entered the town, with intention +to take away your life, as they +dread the extent of your abilities: be +upon your guard, therefore, examine +every person who comes to speak with +you, and taste nothing that comes in a +present. I will take care to reinforce +you, should you stand in need of assistance; +meanwhile, you will act in +every thing according to the good +opinion I have of your understanding. +Your friend,</p> + +<p class='c017'>‘<span class='sc'>The Duke.</span></p> + +<p class='c017'>‘From my castle, August 16th,</p> + +<p class='c017'>at 4 in the morning.’</p> + +<p class='c013'>This epistle overwhelmed Sancho +with astonishment, which the rest pretended +<span class='pageno' id='Page_480'>480</span>to share; and turning to the +steward, ‘What is to be done,’ said +he, ‘and that immediately, is to confine +Doctor Positive in a dungeon; +for if any body has a design to take +away my life, he is the man; aye, +and by the most pitiful, and worst of +all deaths; namely, hunger.’—‘True’ +replied the gentleman sewer; ‘and, in +my opinion, your lordship ought not +to eat any of the victuals now on the +table, for they were a present from +certain nuns; and, as the saying is, +The devil skulks behind the cross.’—‘That +is a truth not to be denied,’ +said Sancho; ‘but, in the mean time, +let me have a luncheon of bread, and +about for pounds of raisins, which +cannot be poisoned: for really and +truly, I cannot live without eating; +and if we must be prepared for those +battles with which we are threatened, +at least let us be well fed; for the +stomach supports the heart, and not +the heart the stomach. You, secretary +must write an answer to my Lord +Duke; and tell him his commands +shall be obeyed to a tittle. You shall +likewise make my compliments to +my Lady Duchess, beseeching her, +in my name, to remember to send an +express, with my letter and bundle, +to my wife Teresa Panza; in so doing +she will lay me under great obligation, +and I shall take care to be +her humble servant to the utmost of +my power. By the bye, you may +thrust in a How d’ye to my master +Don Quixote de La Mancha, that he +may see I am not of an ungrateful +leaven; you may, as a faithful secretary, +and honest Biscayan, add +what you shall think proper, and +most likely to turn out to advantage. +At present, take away these things, +and let me have something to eat; +and I shall manage any spies, murderers, +or inchanters, that may presume +to attack me or my island.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Here he was interrupted by a page, +who, coming into the hall, told him +there was a countryman without, who +wanted to speak with his lordship upon +some business of the utmost importance. +‘Those people of business are strange +fellows,’ said Sancho; ‘is it possible +they are so ignorant, as not to see that +this is not a proper hour for the transaction +of business? Mayhap they +think, we governors and judges are +not made of flesh and blood, and +therefore require no time for refreshment, +any more than if we were +created of marble. As I shall answer +to God! if my government holds, +(though I begin to perceive it will +not be of long duration) I will sit +upon the skirts of more than one of +these men of business<a id='r189'></a><a href='#f189' class='c008'><sup>[189]</sup></a>. At present, +tell that honest man to come; but, +first of all, take care that he is not +one of the spies or murderers.’—‘There +is no occasion, my lord,’ answered +the page; ‘for he seems to be a +simple soul, and either I am very +much mistaken, or he is as honest as +a well-weighed loaf.’—‘While we +are present,’ said the steward, ‘there +is nothing to fear.’—‘Mr. Sewer,’ +said Sancho, ‘now that Doctor Pedro +Positive is not here, might not I eat +something substantial, even though it +should be nothing better than a luncheon +of bread and an onion?’—‘This +night your supper shall make +amends for the defect of dinner, so +as that your lordship shall be perfectly +well pleased, and satisfied,’ replied +the sewer. ‘God grant I may +be so!’ quoth the governor.</p> + +<p class='c005'>At that instant the countryman entered +the hall, of a goodly presence, and +indeed one might have seen that he was +an honest soul, even at the distance of a +thousand leagues. The first thing he +said, was, ‘Which of all this company +is my lord governor?’—‘Who should +be governor,’ replied the secretary, +‘but he who sits in the chair?’—‘Then, +I humble myself before him,’ +said the peasant; who, falling on his +knees, begged leave to kiss his lordship’s +hand. This request, however, +Sancho would not grant; but ordered +him to rise and explain his business. +Accordingly, the countryman getting +up, ‘My lord,’ said he, ‘I am a husbandman +belonging to Miguel Turra, +a place about two leagues from Cividad +Real.’—‘What! have we got +another Snatchaway?’ cried Sancho: +‘proceed, brother; for I can tell you, +that I am very well acquainted with +Miguel Turra, which is not far from +our own village.’—‘This here, then, +is the case, my lord,’ said the countryman; +<span class='pageno' id='Page_481'>481</span>‘by the mercy of God, I was +married in peace, and in the face of +the holy Roman Catholick church; +and I have two sons now at college, +the youngest of whom is to be a batchelor, +and the elder is intended for a +licentiate. I am a widower; for my +wife died, or rather she was killed by +a wicked physician, who gave her a +purge when she was big with child; +and, had it pleased God that the +fruit of her womb had come to light, +and had been a boy, I would have +bred him up a doctor, that he might +not have envied his brothers, the batchelor +and licentiate.’—‘So then,’ +said Sancho, ‘if your wife had not +died, or been killed, in all likelihood +you should not now be a widower.’—‘No, +my lord, by no manner of means,’ +answered the countryman. ‘Agad!’ +cried Sancho, ‘we are in a thriving +way! Pray, go on, brother; +for this is an hour more proper for +sleep than for business.’—‘Well, +then,’ replied the countryman, ‘this +son of mine, who is to be bred a batchelor, +became enamoured of a young +lady of the same town, called Clara +Paralina<a id='r190'></a><a href='#f190' class='c008'><sup>[190]</sup></a>, daughter of Andrew Paralino, +a very wealthy yeoman; and +this name of Paralino does not come +from their pedigree, or any family +descent; but they have acquired it, +because the whole race of them is paralitick; +and so, in order to improve +the sound, they are called Paralino; +though to say the truth, the young +lady is a perfect oriental pearl, and +when you look at her, on her right +side, seems to be a very flower of +the field; on the left, indeed, she is +not quite so amiable, being blind of +an eye, which she lost in the small-pox; +and although the pits in her +face are very large and numerous, +her admirers say, that these are not +pits, but graves, in which the hearts +of her lovers are buried. Then she +is so cleanly, that to prevent her face +from being defiled, she carries her +nose cocked up, as the saying is, so +that it seems to be running away from +her mouth; yet, for all that, she is extremely +beautiful, for she has a very +wide mouth, and if she did not want +some ten or a dozen teeth, might pass +for a very phœnix of beauty. Of her +lips I shall say nothing; but they are +so thin and delicate, that if it was the +custom to reel lips, they might be +made up into a skein; but as they are +of a different colour from common +lips, they appear quite miraculous; +for they contain a mixture of blue, +green, and orange tawny. My lord +governor will pardon me for painting +so exactly the parts of her who is to +be my daughter, for I love her exceedingly, +and like to dwell upon the +subject.’—‘Paint what you will,’ +said Sancho; ‘for my own part I am +hugely delighted with your description, +and if I had dined, should not +desire a better desert than the picture +you have drawn.’—‘That shall be +always at your service,’ replied the +countryman; ‘and though we are not +at present known to each other, the +time will come when we shall be better +acquainted. And now, my lord, +if I could describe her genteel deportment, +and tall stature, you would +be struck with admiration; but that +is an impossible task, because she is so +doubled and bent, that her knees +touch her mouth; and yet, for all +that, one may see with half an eye, +that if she could stand upright, her +head would touch the cieling; and +she would have given her hand in +marriage to my batchelor before this +time, if she could have stretched it +out, but it happens to be shrunk and +withered; though, by the long channelled +nails, one may easily perceive +the beauty of its form and texture.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Very well,’ said Sancho. ‘Now, +brother, let us suppose you have painted +her from head to foot; tell me +what is your request, and come to the +point, without going about the bush, +through lanes and alleys with a parcel +of scraps and circumlocutions.’—‘Well +then, my lord,’ replied the countryman, +‘my request is, that you +would give me a letter of recommendation +to the young lady’s father, entreating +him to give his consent to +the match, as the parties are pretty +equal in the gifts of fortune, and of +nature; for, to say the truth, my +Lord Governor, my son is possessed, +and scarce a day passes, but he is three +<span class='pageno' id='Page_482'>482</span>or four times tormented by the foul +fiend; and, in consequence of having +once fallen into the fire, his face is +shrivelled up like a skin of parchment, +and his eyes are bleared, and run +woundily; but yet he has the temper +of an angel, and if he did not +beat and buffet himself, he would be +a perfect saint.’—‘Do you want any +thing else, honest friend?’ replied +Sancho. ‘I did want something else,’ +said the countryman, ‘but I dare not +be so bold as to mention it: but, out +it shall go; for, take or not take, it +shall never rot in my belly. Why +then, my lord, I wish your lordship +would bestow three or six hundred +ducats, to help to set up my batchelor; +I mean, to furnish his house; +for, the truth is, the young couple are +to live by themselves, without being +subject to the peevishness of us old +folks.’—‘Consider if you want any +thing else,’ said Sancho, ‘and speak +without bashfulness or restraint.’—‘Truly, +I want nothing else,’ replied +the countryman. Scarce had he pronounced +these words, when, the governor +starting up, and laying hold on the +chair that was under him, exclaimed, +‘I vow to God, you Don lubberly, +rascally rustick, if you don’t get you +gone, and abscond from my presence +this instant, I will with this chair demolish +your scull, you knavish son +of a whore, and painter for the devil +himself; is this a time to come +and demand six hundred ducats? +Where the devil should I find them, +you stinkard? or, if I had found +them, why the devil should I give +them to you, you idiotical scoundrel? +What a pox have I to do with Miguel +Turra, or any of the generation +of the Paralino’s? Be gone, I say, or, +by the life of my Lord Duke, I’ll be +as good as my word; thou art no native +of Miguel Turra, but some fiend +sent from hell to torment me. Hark +ye, miscreant, I have been governor +but a day and a half, and you +would have me already in possession +of six hundred ducats!’</p> + +<p class='c005'>The gentleman sewer made signs to +the countryman to leave the place; and +he accordingly quitted the hall, hanging +his head, and seemingly afraid that +the governor would execute his threats; +for the rogue acted his part to admiration. +But let us leave Sancho’s indignation +to cool, and peace attend him in +his career, while we return to Don +Quixote, whom we left with his face +bandaged up for the cure of his cattish +wounds, which were not healed in the +space of eight days; and in that time +an adventure happened to him, which +Cid Hamet promises to recount, with +that truth and punctuality he has hitherto +maintained, in recording even +the most trivial and minute incidents of +this authentick history.</p> + +<h4 id='chap4-3-16' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='sixteen'>XVI.</abbr> <br> OF DON QUIXOTE’S ADVENTURE WITH DONNA RODRIGUEZ, THE DUCHESS’S DUENNA—AND OTHER INCIDENTS WORTHY OF ETERNAL FAME.</h4> +<p class='c004'>Exceedingly peevish and +melancholy was the sore wounded +Don Quixote, with his face bandaged +and marked; not by the hand of his +Maker, but by the claws of a cat; and, +indeed, such misfortunes are annexed +to chivalry. Six days did he remain +in his chamber, without appearing in +publick; and during this time it was, +that one night, while he lay watchful +and awake, musing upon his disaster, +and the persecution of Altisidora, he +heard a key turning in the door of his +apartment, and straight imagined the +enamoured damsel was come to surprize +his chastity, and tempt him to forego +the fidelity he owned to his mistress Dulcinea +del Toboso. On this supposition, +he pronounced with an audible voice, +‘No! the greatest beauty upon earth +shall never have such an effect as to +interfere with my adoration of her, +who is impressed and engraved in the +midst of my heart, and in the depth +of my bowels! No, my dear mistress! +whether thou art transformed into a +garlick-eating wench, or as a nymph +of the golden Tagus, art weaving +webs of gold and silver twist: whether +thou art in the power of Merlin +or Montesinos; wheresoever thou +mayest be, mine thou art, and wheresoever +I am, I must be thine.’ This +ejaculation being uttered, just as the +door opened, he stood upright in his +bed, wrapped up in a quilt of yellow +silk, with a woollen night-cap on his +head, his face and whiskers being bound +up; the first, on account of the scratches +<span class='pageno' id='Page_483'>483</span>he had received, and the last, in order +to preserve the buckle; and in this +equipage, he appeared the most extraordinary +phantom that the imagination +can conceive. His eyes were fixed upon +the door, and when he expected to +see the yielding and afflicted Altisidora +enter, he beheld a most reverend duenna, +with a white hemmed veil, so long +as to cover her from head to foot. Between +the fingers of her left hand she +held a lighted candle’s end, and with +her right she formed a shade to keep the +glare from her eyes, which were furnished +with large spectacles; and, in +this trim, she came treading very softly, +and moving her feet with great tranquillity +as she advanced. Don Quixote +surveyed her from his post, and +marking her silence and appearance, +concluded she was some hag or sorceress, +come in that equipage to annoy +him; and, in this opinion, he began to +cross himself with great eagerness and +devotion. The apparition advancing +to the middle of the chamber, and lifting +up its eyes, perceived the knight +busily employed in these devout precautions: +if he was afraid at sight of +her, she was no less terrified at his figure; +for seeing him so tall and yellow, +wrapped up in the quilt, and disfigured +by the bandages, she cried aloud, ‘O +Jesus! what do I see?’ and in the +surprize dropped the candle. Finding +herself now in the dark, she attempted +to make her retreat, and treading upon +her own skirts in the confusion of her +fear, she stumbled and fell to the +ground: while Don Quixote, sweating +with terror, began to ejaculate, ‘I +conjure thee, O phantom! or whatever +thou mayest be, to tell me who +thou art, and what thou would’st +have. If thou art a perturbed spirit, +let me know, and I will do all that +lies in my power to give thee relief; +for I am a catholick Christian, well-disposed +to befriend all mankind; +and, in consequence of this disposition, +I received the order of knight-errantry, +which I now profess, and +the exercise of that profession extends +even so far as to give assistance to souls +in purgatory.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>The duenna, bruised as she was with +her fall; hearing herself exercised in +this manner, guessed from her own fear +the terrors of Don Quixote, and in a low +and plaintive tone replied, ‘Signior +Don Quixote, I am no phantom, apparition, +or soul in purgatory, as +your worship seems to suppose, but +Donna Rodriguez, chief duenna to +my Lady Duchess, and I come with +one of those necessitous cases which +your worship is wont to remedy.’—‘Pray, +tell me, Signora Donna Rodriguez,’ +said Don Quixote, ‘are you +come in the office of a go-between? +because, I would have you to know, +that I am altogether unfit for any such +commerce, thanks to the peerless +beauty of my own mistress Dulcinea +del Toboso. Finally, I say unto +you, Signora Donna Rodriguez, if +you will suppress, and lay aside all +amorous messages, you may go and +light your candle, and return; and +we will discourse upon any subject +you shall think proper to introduce, +saving, as I have already observed, +all your dainty incitements.’—‘Signior,’ +answered the duenna, ‘I carry +messages for no person. Your worship +is but little acquainted with my +character. Nor am I so stricken in +years as to take to those fooleries; +for, God be praised! there is still +some soul in my body, and my teeth, +grinders and all, are still in my head, +except a very few I have lost by the +rheums that are so rife in this country +of Arragon; but, if your worship +will wait a minute, I will go and light +my candle, and return in an instant, +and then I shall recount my disaster +to you, as the physician of all disasters +upon earth.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>So saying, she, without waiting for +an answer, quitted the apartment, where +the knight waited for her, in the utmost +suspence and concern; then being assaulted +by a thousand reflections upon +this new adventure, he began to think +it would be very indiscreet, even so +much as to dream of exposing himself +to the danger of breaking his fidelity to +his own mistress. ‘Who knows,’ said +he to himself, ‘but the devil, who is +equally crafty and dextrous, intends +at present to seduce me by means of +a duenna, after having in vain attempted +me with empresses, queens, +duchesses, marquisses, and countesses? +for I have often heard it observed by +a number of people of good understanding, +that he will never give you +an high nose, if a flat nose will serve +your turn, and who knows but this +<span class='pageno' id='Page_484'>484</span>solitude, opportunity, and silence, may +waken those desires in me, which are +now asleep, and compel me at these +years to fall, where hitherto I never +so much as stumbled? In such emergencies, +it is surely better to avoid +than await the battle. And yet, I must +certainly be deprived of my senses, to +talk and think at this rate; for it is absolutely +impossible, that a long, meagre, +white veiled, and spectacled duenna, +should move or excite a lascivious +thought in the lewdest bosom +upon earth. Is there, for example, a +duenna in nature who has a tolerable +person? Is there a duenna upon this +our globe who is not wrinkled, loathsome, +and impertinent? Avaunt, then, +ye duennian tribe, unfit for any human +entertainment! Praise be to that +lady who is said to have had at one +end of her sopha two marble duennas, +with their spectacles and bobbin cushions +in the attitude of working; and +these statues fulfilled the dignity of +the apartment, as well as if they had +been duennas of flesh and blood.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>So saying, he started from his bed, +with intention to lock the door, and +deny admittance to Signora Rodriguez; +but, before he could execute his resolution, +that lady had returned with a +lighted wax taper, and seeing Don +Quixote so near her, with his quilt, +bandages, night cap, or hood, she was +again affrighted, and retired backwards +a couple of paces, saying, ‘Am I safe, +Sir knight? for your worship’s getting +out of bed is no great sign of virtue, +methinks.’—‘Madam,’ replied Don +Quixote, ‘I ought to ask you the +same question; and I do accordingly +ask, whether or not I am safe from +assault and ravishment?’—‘Of whom, +or from whom, do you demand that +security, Sir Knight?’ said the duenna.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Of you, and from you, and you +alone,’ answered Don Quixote: ‘for +I am not made of marble, nor you of +brass; nor is it now ten o’clock in +the forenoon, but midnight, and something +more, if I am not mistaken; and +we are here in a more close and secret +apartment than in the cave in which +the treacherous and daring Æneas enjoyed +the beautiful and tender-hearted +Dido: yet give me your hand, Madam; +for I require no other security +than my own reserve and continence, +together with the appearance of that +most reverend veil.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>So saying, he kissed his right-hand; +and took hold of hers, which she presented +with the like ceremony.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Here Cid Hamet, in a parenthesis, +swears by Mahomet, that to have seen +these two originals thus linked, and +walking from the door to the bed, he +would have given the best of his two +jackets.</p> + +<p class='c005'>At length Don Quixote slipped into +bed, and Donna Rodriguez seated herself +in a chair at some distance from it, +without quitting her spectacles or candle; +then the knight shrunk under the clothes, +with which he covered himself in such +a manner that nothing but his face appeared; +and both parties having composed +themselves, the first who broke +silence was Don Quixote, who accosted +her in these words: ‘Now, Madam +Duenna Rodriguez, you may unrip +and unload all that lies upon your +sorrowful heart and afflicted bowels; +and I shall listen to your grievances +with chaste ears, and redress them +with generous works.’—‘I believe +as much,’ said the duenna: ‘for, +from the genteel and agreeable presence +of your worship, I could expect +no other than such a christian reply.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘This, then, is the case, Signior Don +Quixote; although your worship now +sees me seated in this chair, in the +midst of Arragon, and in the dress of +a contemptible and injured duenna, +I was born in the Asturias of Oviedo, +of a family which intermarried with +many of the best in that province; +but my niggardly fate, and the extravagance +of my parents, who came +to untimely want, without knowing +how or wherefore, drove me to the +court of Madrid, where, for the sake +of peace, and in order to prevent +greater misfortunes, my parents provided +me with the place of needle-woman, +in the service of a lady of +quality; and, I would have your +worship to know, that in making +knitting-sheaths and plain-work, no +person had ever the advantage of me +in the whole course of my life. As +for my parents, after they had seen +me settled in this place, they returned +to the country, and in a few years +went to heaven; for they were exceeding +good catholick Christians. +Meanwhile, I was left an orphan, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_485'>485</span>stinted to the wretched salary, and +pitiful wages, commonly given to +such servants in great families: and +so, about that time, a squire of the +house fell in love with me, though +I am sure I gave him no occasion. +He was a man already well stricken +in years, with a venerable beard, and +of a comely appearance, and besides, +as good a gentleman as the king, for +he was a mountaineer. We did not +correspond so secretly but our intrigue +came to the knowledge of my +lady; who, waving all questions and +commands, caused us to be married +in peace and in the face of our holy +mother the Roman catholick church. +The fruit of this marriage was a +daughter, who was the death of my +good fortune, if any such I had: not +that I died in child-bed; on the contrary, +I was safely and seasonably delivered; +but because, soon after that +event, my poor husband died of a +fright; and if I had now time to recount +the manner, I know your worship +would be struck with admiration.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Here she began to weep most bitterly, +and thus proceeded: ‘Your worship, +Signior Don Quixote, will pardon me +for not being able to contain myself, +for as often as I remember my unfortunate +husband, mine eyes run +over. God be my comfort! with +what dignity did he ride before my +lady, on a mighty mule as black as +jet; for, at that time, they did not +use coaches or chairs, which, they +say, are now in fashion; and the ladies +always rode behind their squires. +This one circumstance, however, I +cannot help recounting, because it +demonstrates the good breeding and +punctilio of my worthy spouse. One +day, as he entered the street of <abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr> +Jago, in Madrid, which is but narrow, +he happened to meet a judge, +preceded by two of his officers; and +my good squire no sooner beheld +him, than he turned his mule in order +to attend his worship. My lady, +who sat behind him, said in a whisper, +“Blockhead, what are you going +to do? Don’t you know that I am +here?” while the judge, out of politeness, +stopped his horse, saying, +“Pray proceed, Signior; for, it is rather +my duty to attend my Lady +Donna Casilda,” that was the name +of my mistress. Nevertheless, my +husband still persisted, with his cap in +hand, in his resolution to attend the +judge; and my lady, enraged at his +obstinacy, pulled out a large pin, or +rather, I believe, a bodkin, from her +tweezer-case, and thrust it into his +loins; so that my poor man roared +aloud, and writhed his body in such +a manner, that both he and my lady +came to the ground. Her two lacquies +ran immediately to lift her up, +and were assisted by the judge and +his officers. The whole gate of +Guadalajara, (I mean, the idle people +about it) were in an uproar: my lady +came home a-foot; and my husband +hastened to a surgeon, declaring he +was thrust through the bowels. His +great courtesy soon became publick, +insomuch that the very children mocked +him in the street; for which reason, +and because he was a little short-sighted, +my lady dismissed him from +her service; and he took his dismission +so much to heart, that I am positively +certain it was the cause of his +death. Thus was I left a forlorn +widow, with a daughter upon my +hands, who, as she grew up, increased +in beauty, like the foam of the +sea. In a word, as I had the character +of being an excellent needle-woman, +my Lady Duchess, who was +just then married to my Lord Duke, +carried me and my daughter, without +more ado, along with her to this +kingdom of Arragon; where, in process +of time, my child improved in +all manner of accomplishments; she +sings like any sky lark, dances light +as thought, cuts a caper as if she was +mad, reads and writes like a school-master, +and casts accounts like a miser. +I say nothing of her cleanliness, +for the running water is not +more pure; and if my memory does +not fail me, she is now sixteen years, +five months, and three days, perhaps +one over or under. In a word, this +maiden of mine captivated the son of +a rich farmer, who lives in a village +not far from hence, belonging to +my Lord Duke; and so, the young +couple meeting, I know not where +nor how, he, under promise of marriage, +played the rogue with my +daughter, and refuses to perform his +promise; and although my Lord +Duke is well acquainted with the affair; +<span class='pageno' id='Page_486'>486</span>for you must know, I complained +to him—not once, but divers +and sundry times, desiring he would +order the young farmer to take my +daughter to wife; he lends a deaf ear +to my complaint, and indeed will +scarce give me a hearing, because, +forsooth, the young rogue’s father is +extremely rich, and lends him money; +nay, becomes surety for him +when he happens to be in trouble; so +that he will by no manner of means +give him the least umbrage or disgust. +Now, dear Sir, my request is, +that your worship would undertake to +redress this grievance, either by entreaty +or force of arms; for, as all +the world says, your worship was +born for such purposes, to rectify +wrongs, and protect the wretched. +And I beg your worship will consider +the orphan state of my daughter, +her gentility, her youth, and all those +good qualities which I have told you +she possesses: for in the light of Heaven, +and in my own conscience, I +dare aver, that of all the damsels belonging +to my Lady Duchess, there +is not one that comes up to the sole +of her shoe: and though she whom +they call Altisidora, is reckoned the +most sprightly and good-humoured, +when compared to my daughter, she +does not come within two leagues of +her; for, your worship must know, +Signior, all is not gold that glitters. +This same creature, Altisidora, has +more forwardness than beauty, and +more airiness than modesty; besides, +she is not over and above wholesome; +her breath has such a flavour that nobody +can be near her; no, not for a +moment; and even my Lady Duchess—but, +mum for that! Walls have +ears, as the saying is.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘What of my Lady Duchess?’ +cried Don Quixote. ‘Signora Donna +Rodriguez, I conjure you tell me, +by the life of my soul.’—‘Nay, if +you conjure me in that manner,’ answered +the duenna, ‘I cannot help telling +the truth. Signior Don Quixote +your worship has, no doubt, perceived +the beauty of my Lady Duchess; +that freshness of complexion that +shines like polished steel, those cheeks +of milk and crimson, with the sun +on one side, and the moon on the +other, and that gaiety with which she +treads, or rather disdains the ground, +seeming to diffuse health and joy +wheresoever she walks. Well, then, +your worship must know, that she +may thank God, in the first place; +and, secondly, two issues in her legs, +that discharge the bad humours with +which the doctors say she abounds.’—‘Blessed +Virgin!’ cried the knight, ‘is +it possible that my Lady Duchess +should have occasion for such sluices? +I would hardly believe the bare-footed +friars, should they make the assertion; +yet, since Donna Rodriguez +avers it, there is no reason to doubt, +but from those issues, surely nothing +but liquid amber can flow; and, in +good sooth, I am now fully convinced +that the use of issues must be a +matter of great importance to the preservation +of health.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Scarce had Don Quixote pronounced +these words, when the chamber door +flew open, with a sudden slap, which +surprized and disordered the duenna to +such a degree, that she dropped the +candle, and in a moment the apartment +was dark as a dog’s mouth, as +the saying is. Immediately, the poor +duenna felt her throat assaulted by two +hands, which pressed it so close that +she could not speak: while another person, +with incredible dispatch, and in +great silence, turned up her petticoats, +and with something like a flipper, began +to make such application to her +posterior parts, that she was in a most +piteous taking. Although Don Quixote +compassionated her case, he stirred +not from his bed, as he did not know +the nature of the assault, but lay snug +and silent, in great fear that the same +discipline would come round and sound +to his own carcase. Nor was his apprehension +altogether groundless; for +the silent executioners having severely +flogged the duenna, who durst not +complain, advanced to Don Quixote; +and stripping off the sheets and the +quilt, pinched him so fast and so smartly, +that he could not forbear defending +himself by dint of fist; and the whole affair +was transacted in wonderful silence. +The battle having lasted about half an +hour, the phantoms vanished, Donna +Rodriguez adjusted her petticoats, and +groaning over her misfortune, sneaked +away, without speaking a syllable to +the knight, who remained alone, full +of pains and pinches, sorrow and confusion. +And here we will leave him, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_487'>487</span>burning with desire to knew who the +perverse inchanter was, who had used +him in such a cruel manner; but that +secret shall be revealed in due season. +Meanwhile we are summoned by Sancho +Panza; and the excellent plan of our history +obliges us to obey his call.</p> +<h4 id='chap4-3-17' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='seventeen'>XVII.</abbr> <br> OF WHAT HAPPENED TO SANCHO PANZA, IN GOING THE ROUND OF HIS ISLAND.</h4> +<p class='c004'>We left the great governor out of +humour, and enraged at the same +painting country wag, who had received +his cue from the duke’s steward +and gentleman-sewer, sent thither on +purpose to make merry at his expence: +nevertheless, he held out toughly against +the whole combination, Rude, and +brood, and simple as he stood; and addressing +himself to all present, and +among the rest to Doctor Pedro Positive, +who, after the duke’s letter was +read, had returned to the hall, ‘Now,’ +said he, ‘I am fully convinced that +judges and governors are, or ought +to be, made of brass, so as that +they may not feel the importunity of +people of business, who expect to be +heard, and dispatched, at all hours +and at all seasons, come what will, +attending only to their own affairs; +and if the poor devil of a judge does +not hear and dispatch them, either +because it is not in his power, or it +happens to be an unseasonable time +for giving audience, then they grumble +and backbite, gnaw him to the very +bones, and even bespatter his whole +generation. Ignorant man of business! +foolish man of business! be not +in such a violent hurry; wait for the +proper season and conjuncture, and +come not at meals and sleeping time; +for judges are made of flesh and blood, +and must give to nature that which +nature requires, excepting myself, +unhappy wretch that I am! who cannot +indulge my appetite, thanks to +Doctor Pedro Positive Snatchaway +here present, who intends that I shall +die of hunger, and affirms that such +a death is good living, which I pray +God may fall to the share of him and +all of his kidney! I mean, bad physicians; +as for the good, they deserve +palms and laurel.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Every body who knew Sancho was +struck with admiration at hearing him +talk so elegantly, and could not account +for his improvement any other +way, than by supposing that posts and +places of importance enlarge the faculties +of some, while they stupefy the +understanding of others. Finally, Doctor +Pedro Positive Bodewell de Snatchaway +promised to indulge his excellency +with a plentiful supper at night, +even though he should transgress all +the aphorisms of Hippocrates. The +governor rested satisfied with this declaration, +waiting for the approach of +night and supper with great impatience; +and although time seemed to stand stock-still, +the wished for hour at length arrived, +when they treated him with an +hachis of beef well onioned, and some +calves feet not very fresh: nevertheless, +he attacked these dishes with more relish +than if he had been served with +Milan godwits, Roman pheasants, Sorrento +veal, partridges of Moron, or +geese of Lavajos: and, in the midst of +supper, turning towards his physician, +‘Take notice, doctor,’ said he, ‘that +from henceforth you need not take +the trouble to provide dainties and delicate +dishes for me; they will only +serve to unhinge my stomach, which +is used to goats flesh, cow beef, and +bacon, with turnips and onions; and, +if by accident it chances to receive +any of your titbits, it contains them +with loathing, and sometimes throws +them up: but, Master Sewer may +bring me those dishes called <span lang="es"><i>olla podridas</i></span><a id='r191'></a><a href='#f191' class='c008'><sup>[191]</sup></a>; +and the staler they are, so much +the better. In one of these he may +croud and cram all the eatables he can +think of, and I will thank him for +his pains; nay, one day or other, I +shall make him amends; and let no +man play the rogue with me: either we +are or we are not; let us live and eat +in harmony and peace; for, when God +sends the morning, the light shines +upon all. I will govern this island +<span class='pageno' id='Page_488'>488</span>without favour or corruption: and +let every body keep a good look-out, +and mind his own affairs; for, I +would have you to know, the devil’s +in the dice<a id='r192'></a><a href='#f192' class='c008'><sup>[192]</sup></a>; and if you give me +cause, you shall see wonders—yes, +yes; make yourself honey, and the +flies will bite.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Assuredly, my lord governor,’ said +the steward, ‘your lordship hath said +nothing but the truth; and I promise, +in the name of all the islanders +of this island, to serve your lordship +with perfect love, benevolence, and +punctuality: for, the agreeable sample +of government which your lordship +hath given in the beginning, +leaves us no room to do, or even to +conceive, any thing that shall redound +to the disgust and detriment of your +honour.’—‘I believe what you say,’ +replied Sancho; ‘and indeed they must +be fools to think or act any otherwise. +And I say again, let the maintenance +of me and my Dapple be taken care of; +for that is the main point in this business: +and when the time comes, let +us go and make the round; my intention +is to clear the island from all +sort of filth, such as vagabonds, idlers, +and immoral people; for I would +have you to know, my friends, that +your idle and lazy fellows are the +same in a commonwealth as drones +in a bee-hive, that consume the honey +which the industrious labourers have +made. My resolution is to protect +the farmers and handicrafts-men, +maintain the prerogative of gentlemen, +reward virtue; and, above all +things, respect religion and the honour +of the clergy. Tell me, my +friends, what is your opinion of my +plan? Does it smack of something? +or do I thresh my skull to no purpose?’—‘My +lord governor,’ said the +steward, ‘your lordship speaks so much +to the purpose, that I am struck with +admiration, to hear a man so illiterate +as your lordship (for I believe you do +not know your letters) make so many +observations full of sagacity, and +give counsel so much above every +thing that was expected from your +lordship’s capacity, by those who sent +us, as well as by ourselves who are +come hither. Every day produces +something new: jokes are turned into +earnest, and the biters are bit.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Night being come, and the governor +having supped with the good leave of +Doctor Pedro, they prepared for going +the round. Accordingly his excellency +went forth, accompanied by the steward, +notary, gentleman-sewer, and historiographer, +whose office it was to record +his actions; and attended by such a +number of alguazils and scriveners, as +would have formed a moderate squadron. +Sancho walked in the middle +with his rod, and a goodly sight he +was to see. Having traversed a few +streets, they heard the clashing of swords, +upon which hastening to the place of +action, they found two men fighting, +who, seeing the officers of justice, desisted; +and one of them exclaimed, +‘Help, in God’s name, and the king’s! +What, are people suffered to be robbed +in this town, and assaulted in +the very middle of the street?’—‘Compose +yourself, honest friend,’ said Sancho, +‘and let me know the cause of +this quarrel, for I am governor.’ +Then his adversary interposing, ‘My +lord governor,’ said he, ‘I will tell +you the whole story in a few words: +Your worship must know, that this +gentleman has been at play at that +gaming-house over the way, where +he has won above a thousand rials, +and God knows how fairly; now, I +being present, decided more than +once in his favour, when the bett was +doubtful, against the dictates of my +own conscience. He took up his winning, +and when I expected he would +gratify me with a crown at least, for +good will, as players generally make +such presents to men of honour like +me, who attend in those places, ready +at all adventures to support unreasonable +demands, and prevent disturbance, +he pocketed the cash, and +went away; I followed him out of +humour, yet in the most courteous +manner begged he would indulge +me with eight rials, as he knew me +to be a gentleman without either business +or fortune; for my parents neither +bred me up to the one, nor left +me the other; and the rascal, who, +by the bye, is as great a thief as +Cacus, and as arrant a sharper as +<span class='pageno' id='Page_489'>489</span>Andradilla, would not give me a +farthing more than four rials; so +that, my lord governor, your excellency +may perceive what a shameless +and unconscionable rogue it is: but +in good faith, if your lordship had not +come up, I would have made him +disgorge his winning, and taught him +how to trim the balance.’ When +Sancho asked what the other had to say +in his own defence, he owned that, as +his adversary alledged, he had refused +to give him more than four rials, because +the plaintiff had often tasted of +his bounty; and those who expect such +gratifications, ought to be thankful, +and take chearfully what their benefactors +bestow, without pretending to +make peremptory demands upon those +who win, unless they know them to be +cheats, and that their winning is unfairly +acquired. He likewise observed, +that there could be no surer mark of his +honour and fair play, than his having +refused to comply with the demands +of such a rascal; for sharpers are always +tributary to those lookers-on who +know their knavery. ‘The remark is +certainly just,’ said the steward: ‘how +will your excellency please to dispose +of these men?’—‘What must be +done, is this,’ replied the governor: +‘You, Mr. Winner, whether you be +good, bad, or indifferent, must immediately +pay to this here slash-buckler, +one hundred rials; and, besides, +disburse thirty more for the use and +behoof of the poor prisoners—and +you, Sir, who have neither business, +fortune, or employment in this island, +take these hundred rials, and some +time to-morrow banish yourself from +this island for the space of ten years, +on penalty (if you disobey the sentence) +of compleating the term of +your exile in the other world; for, in +that case, I will hang you on a gibbet; +at least, the executioner shall do +it by my order; and let no man presume +to reply, or I will chastise him +severely.’ The one disbursed, the +other received the rials; this quitted +the island, that retired to his own +lodgings; and the governor, who remained +on the spot, said to his followers, +‘If my power is not very small, I +will suppress those gaming-houses, +which I begin to perceive are very +prejudicial to the publick.’—‘This, +at least,’ said the notary, ‘your excellency +cannot suppress; for it is +kept by a person of quality, who, in +the course of the year, loses a great +deal more than he gets by the cards. +Against petty gaming-houses of small +account, which are productive of +most mischief, and cover more crimes, +your lordship may exert your authority; +but, in the houses of noblemen +and gentlemen of rank, the noted +sharpers dare not put their tricks in +practice; and since the vice of gaming +is become a common exercise, +better play in houses of fashion than +in any publick gaming-house, into +which an unfortunate wretch is often +seduced in the middle of the night, +and as it were skinned alive.’—‘Mr. +Notary,’ replied the governor, ‘much +may be said on that subject.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Here he was interrupted by the arrival +of a serjeant who had fast hold of +a youth, and thus addressed himself to +the governor: ‘This spark, my lord, +was coming towards us; but no +sooner had a glimpse of the officers +of justice, than he turned his back, +and began to scamper off as nimbly +as a fallow-deer; a sure sign of his +being some sort of a delinquent: I +pursued him immediately, but should +never have overtaken him, had not he +stumbled and fallen.’—‘Young man,’ +said Sancho, ‘what did you run for?’ +To this question the youth replied, ‘I +ran, my lord, in order to avoid the tedious +interrogations of justice.’—‘What +business do you follow?’—‘I +am a weaver.’—‘And what sort of +stuff do you weave?’—‘Iron heads +for lances, with your honour’s leave.’—‘What! +you are a small wit, methinks, +and set up for a joker! Very +well, Sir, and where was you going +now?’—‘To take the air, my lord.’—‘And +whereabouts do you take the +air in this island?’—‘Just where it +happens to blow.’—‘Good again! +your answers are pat; and, to be sure, +you are a pretty smart young fellow: +but, hark ye, youngster, I am the air +that will blow in your poop, until you +are safely lodged in prison.—Here, +take and order him to gaol, I will +take order that he shall sleep for one +night without air.’—‘’Fore God!’ +cried the youth, ‘your honour can no +more make me sleep in gaol, than you +can make me king.’—‘And wherefore +cannot I make thee sleep in gaol?’ +<span class='pageno' id='Page_490'>490</span>replied Sancho; ‘is it not in my power +to confine and release thee, when and +where I please!’—‘How great soever +your honour’s power may be,’ said +the young man, ‘it is not sufficient to +make me sleep in prison.’—‘How! +not sufficient?’ cried Sancho: ‘away +with him, and let his own eyes convince +him of his mistake; and lest the +gaoler should practise his interested +generosity upon him, I will fine him +in two thousand ducats, if he suffers +thee to move one step from the prison.’—‘All +this is matter of mirth,’ answered +the youth; ‘for the truth is, +all the people upon earth shall not +make me sleep in prison.’—‘Tell me, +devil,’ said Sancho, ‘hast thou got a +familiar to release thee, and loose the +chains with which I intend thou shalt +be fettered?’—‘Now, my lord governor,’ +replied the youth with a +graceful air, ‘let us argue the matter, +and come to the point. Suppose your +excellency should order me to be carried +to gaol, to be loaded with chains +and shackles, and thrust into a dungeon, +and lay an heavy penalty upon +the gaoler, in case he should allow me +to escape; and lastly, suppose he should +perform his duty with all imaginable +care and success; notwithstanding all +these precautions, if I have no inclination +to sleep, and can keep myself +awake all night, without closing an +eye, pray tell me, is all your lordship’s +power sufficient to make me +sleep against my will?’—‘No, surely,’ +said the secretary; ‘and the young +man has made good his assertion.’—‘Provided +always,’ said Sancho, ‘that +your defying sleep would be merely +for your own pleasure, without any +intention to contradict mine.’—‘No, +my lord,’ replied the youth; ‘I never +dreamt of any such intention.’—‘Then, +peace be with you,’ resumed +the governor, ‘you may go and sleep at +home, and God send you a sound sleep, +for I have no design to disturb your +repose: but let me advise you, never +henceforth to crack a joke upon justice; +otherwise you may chance to +light upon some of her ministers that +will crack your scull.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>The youth went away, the governor +continued his circuit; and he had not +gone far, when two serjeants brought +in a person they had taken, saying, +‘My lord governor, this here person +that seems to be a man, is no other +than a woman, and that not ugly neither, +in man’s cloaths.’ Here they +held up two or three lanthorns, by the +light of which they discovered the face +of a woman, seemingly about sixteen +years of age, beautiful as a thousand +pearls, with her hair tied up in a net +of green silk and gold. Having surveyed +her from head to foot, they perceived +her stockings were of flesh coloured +silk, tied with garters of white +taffeta, and fringes of gold embroidery; +her breeches were of green cloth of +gold; she had a loose coat of the same +stuff, under which she wore a jacket of +the finest brocade; and her shoes were +white, and made like those used by +men. She had no sword about her, but +a very rich dagger, and upon her fingers +were a great number of valuable rings: +in a word, all who beheld the girl were +struck with her appearance, though not +one of them knew her face; and the inhabitants +of the town said they could +not conceive who she was. But those +who concerted the jokes that were practised +upon Sancho were most struck +with admiration; for this incident and +salvage was not of their contriving; and +therefore they stood in suspence, waiting +to see the issue of the adventure; +while Sancho, confounded at the girl’s +beauty, asked who she was, whither +she was going, and what had induced +her to appear in the habit of a man. +She, fixing her eyes upon the ground, +with the most engaging bashfulness, replied, +‘My lord, I cannot disclose, in +such a publick company, what it concerns +me so much to conceal. One +circumstance I beg leave to communicate: +I am no thief or criminal person; +but an unfortunate young lady, +compelled by jealousy to trespass upon +that decorum which is due to my +honour and reputation.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>The steward hearing these words, +said to Sancho, ‘My lord governor, +be so good as to bid the people retire, +that this lady may disburden her mind +with more freedom.’ The governor +accordingly laid his commands upon +his attendants, all of whom retired, except +the steward, the gentleman sewer, +and the secretary; and the young lady, +finding they were gone, proceeded to +this effect: ‘Gentlemen, I am the +daughter of Pedro Perez Mazorca, +farmer of the wool in this town, who +<span class='pageno' id='Page_491'>491</span>comes frequently to my father’s house.’—‘Madam,’ +said the steward, ‘this +will not go down. I am very well +acquainted with Pedro Perez, and +know he has neither chick nor child, +male or female; besides, you first say +he is your father, and then add, he +frequently comes to your father’s +house.’—‘That circumstance I likewise +took notice of,’ said Sancho. +‘Well, gentlemen,’ replied the damsel, +‘I am in such confusion, that I +know not what to say, but the truth +is, I am the daughter of Diego de +Llana, whom you must all know.’—‘Aye, +this goes better,’ answered the +steward; ‘Diego de Llana is my acquaintance, +and a gentleman of rank +and fortune; I know, too, he has a +son and daughter; though, since he +was a widower, no person in this +town can pretend to say he ever saw +the face of his daughter, whom her +father keeps so closely shut up, that +the sun himself has no opportunity +to behold her; and yet, report says +she is extremely beautiful.’—‘True,’ +said the damsel; ‘I am that very +daughter, and whether or not fame +has belyed me in point of beauty, +you yourselves, gentlemen, may judge +from your own observation.’ So saying, +she began to weep most tenderly.</p> + +<p class='c005'>The secretary perceiving her distress, +said to the sewer in a whisper, ‘Doubtless, +something of consequence must +have happened to this poor young lady, +seeing a person of her quality quits +her own home at such an hour, and in +such an equipage.’—‘Certainly,’ replied +the other, ‘that suspicion is confirmed +by her tears.’ As for Sancho, +he consoled her in the best terms he +could use, and desired that she would, +without fear or constraint, communicate +what had befallen her; for they would +endeavour to remedy her disaster with +great sincerity, and by all possible means. +‘This, then, is the case, gentlemen,’ +answered the damsel: ‘my father has +locked me up for the space of ten years, +which are elapsed since my mother +was committed to her grave: there is +in the house a rich oratory where mass +is said; and, in all that time, I have +seen nothing but the sun in the heavens +by day, and the moon and stars +by night. I am utterly unacquainted +with the streets, squares, churches, +and all mankind, except my father, +my brother, and Pedro Perez, the wool +farmer, whom, because he comes frequently +to our house, I took it in my +head to call my father, in order to +conceal the name of my real parent. +I have been very disconsolate for many +days and months, on account of +this confinement, and his constant refusal +to let me go to church; I longed +to see the world, at least the town in +which I first drew breath; and I did +not think this desire transgressed the +bounds of that decorum which young +women of fashion ought to preserve. +When I heard of bull-feasts, darting +the javelin, and plays, I desired my +brother, who is a year younger than +myself, to describe the nature of these +and many other things which I had +not seen, and he gratified my desire +to the utmost of his power; but his +description served only to inflame my +impatience to behold those spectacles: +in a word, to cut short the account of +my ruin, I say, I desired and intreated +my brother—would to God I had +never desired or intreated him!’</p> + +<p class='c005'>And here she renewed her lamentation; +when the steward interposing, +‘Madam,’ said he, ‘be so good as to +proceed, and finish the story of your +adventure; for your own words and +tears keep us all in the utmost suspence.’—‘I +have little else to say,’ +replied the damsel, ‘though a great many +tears to shed; for such irregular desires +are always, without fail, attended +by such misfortunes.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>The beauty of this damsel having +made an impression on the soul of the +gentleman sewer, he once more held up +the lanthorn to take another view, and +the tears she let fall, he took to be +seed-pearl, or the dew-drops of the +meadow; nay, his fancy even compared +them to oriental pearls, and he ardently +wished that her misfortunes might not +appear so great as her sighs and lamentation +seemed to indicate.</p> + +<p class='c005'>The governor being tired of the dilatory +manner in which the girl told her +story, desired she would keep them no +longer in suspence; for it was late, and +they had a great part of their round still +to perform. Then she, in the midst of +interrupted sobbings and broken sighs, +proceeded thus: ‘My misfortune and +my disaster is nothing else than this; +I begged my brother to disguise me +in one of his suits, and carry me out +<span class='pageno' id='Page_492'>492</span>to see the town, some night while my +father should be asleep; he, importuned +by my intreaties, complied with +my request, and gave me this dress, +while he himself put on a suit of +mine, which fits him to a nicety; for +he has not one hair upon his chin, +and looks exactly like a very handsome +girl. This night, about an hour +ago, little more or less, we sallied +forth from our own house; and conducted +by our foot-boy, and our own +unruly desire, went round the whole +town; but, when we wanted to return +home again, we perceived a +great number of people coming up, +and my brother said, “Sister, this +must be the patrole; quicken your +pace, put wings to your feet, and run +after me, that they may not know +who we are, otherwise we shall be in +evil taking.” So saying, he took to +his heels, and began—not to run, but +to fly; but scarce had I followed him +six paces, when I fell through fear, +and then came the officers of justice, +who brought me before your lordship, +where, in consequence of my foolish +and rash conduct, I find myself confounded +and ashamed before so much +company.’—‘So that after all, Madam,’ +said Sancho, ‘no other mishap +has befallen you, nor was it jealousy +that brought you from your own +house, as you alledged in the beginning +of your story?’—‘Nothing else +hath happened to me, nor did I quit +my own home from jealousy, but +merely from the desire of seeing the +world, which extended no farther +than a wish to see the streets of this +town.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>The truth of this assertion was confirmed +by the arrival of two other serjeants +with her brother, whom they had +taken in his flight. He had no other +cloaths but a rich petticoat, and a mantle +of blue damask laced with gold; +on his head there was no cap, or any +other ornament but his own hair, which +was so rich and ruddy, that it looked +like ringlets of gold. The governor, +steward, and sewer, taking him aside, +that he might not be overheard by his +sister, questioned him about his being +disguised in that dress; and the youth, +with equal bashfulness and disorder, +repeated the same story which his sister +had related, to the unspeakable satisfaction +of the enamoured sewer.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Gentlefolks,’ said the governor, +‘this is certainly a very childish trick, +and in giving an account of your simplicity +and rashness, there needed not +all this weeping and wailing. Had +you said at first, our names are so and +so, and we fell upon this contrivance +to steal out of our father’s house, +merely to gratify our curiosity, without +any other design, the affair would +have been at an end, and you might +have spared all this grunting and +groaning.’—‘Very true,’ replied the +damsel; ‘but your honour must know, +my confusion was so great, that I was +not mistress of my own behaviour.’—‘There +is no harm done,’ replied Sancho; +‘let us go and see you safe home +to the house of your father, who perhaps +has not missed you as yet; and +henceforward be not such a baby, or +so desirous to see the world. The +maid that would keep her good name, +stays at home as if she was lame. A +hen and a housewife, whatever they +cost, if once they go gadding will +surely be lost. And she that longs to +see, I ween, is as desirous to be seen. +This is all I shall at present say upon +the subject.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>The young man thanked the governor +for his intended civility in seeing +them home; and accordingly they took +the road to their father’s house, which +was not far off. When they arrived +at the gate, the brother threw a pebble, +at a casement, and immediately a maid-servant +who sat up for them, came down +and opened the door, at which they entered, +leaving all the company in admiration +at their beauty and genteel deportment, +as well as at their scheme of +seeing the world by night, without going +out of the town; but this they ascribed +to their tender years.</p> + +<p class='c005'>The sewer’s heart was transpierced +by the charms of the sister, whom he +resolved to demand in marriage of her +father the very next day, concluding +he should not meet with a denial because +he was a domestick of the duke’s. +Even Sancho was seized with a whim +and inclination to make a match between +the youth and his daughter Sanchica, +and he actually resolved to effectuate it +in due season; taking it for granted no +man would refuse his hand to a governor’s +daughter.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Thus ended the round for that night, +and in two days he saw the end of his +<span class='pageno' id='Page_493'>493</span>government, which overthrew and destroyed +all his designs, as will be seen in +the sequel.</p> + +<h4 id='chap4-3-18' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='eighteen'>XVIII.</abbr> <br> WHICH DECLARES WHO WERE THE INCHANTERS AND EXECUTIONERS<br> THAT SCOURGED THE DUENNA,<br> AND PINCHED AND SCRATCHED DON QUIXOTE—<br>TOGETHER WITH THE EXPEDITION OF THE PAGE,<br> WHO CARRIED THE LETTER TO TERESA PANZA, SANCHO’S SPOUSE.</h4> +<p class='c004'>Cid Hamet, the most punctual investigator +of the most minute +atoms belonging to this genuine history, +says, that when Donna Rodriguez +quitted her apartment to visit Don Quixote +in his chamber, another duenna, +who was her bedfellow, perceived her +motions, and as all the individuals of +that class are naturally disposed to enquire, +to pry, and to smell into the affairs +of their neighbours, she followed +her so softly, that honest Rodriguez +knew nothing at all of the matter; +and when she saw her enter Don Quixote’s +apartment, that she might conform +to the general custom of all duennas, +who are much addicted to tale-bearing, +she, that instant, went and +informed my Lady Duchess, that Donna +Rodriguez was in the knight’s bed-chamber; +the duchess communicated +this intelligence to the duke, and asked +leave to go along with Altisidora, and +see what the duenna wanted with Don +Quixote: the duke granted his permission, +and the two, with great caution, +treading softly, step by step, went up +so close to the chamber-door, as to +overhear every thing that was said; and +the duchess hearing how Rodriguez divulged +the secret of those healing +streams<a id='r193'></a><a href='#f193' class='c008'><sup>[193]</sup></a>, that flowed from her body, +could not bear the duenna’s presumption, +which was equally resented by +Altisidora. Exasperated, therefore, and +bent upon vengeance, they burst into +the apartment, where they pinched the +knight, and flogged the duenna, as +hath been already recited; for, affronts +levelled directly against the beauty and +pride of the fair sex, waken the indignation +of the offended party to a great +degree, and inspire her with the desire +of revenge.</p> + +<p class='c005'>The duchess recounted the adventure +to the duke, who was extremely diverted +with the particulars; and her grace +resolving to proceed with her jokes, and +extract entertainment from Don Quixote, +dispatched the page who had acted +the part of Dulcinea, in the contrivance +of the disinchantment, which, by the +bye, Sancho Panza had by this time +forgot, so much was he engrossed by +the affairs of his government——the +duchess, I say, dispatched the page to +Teresa Panza, with her husband’s letter, +and another from her grace, together +with a rosary of rich coral in a +present.</p> + +<p class='c005'>The history relates, then, that the +page, who was a very intelligent acute +young fellow, extremely well disposed +to contribute to the entertainment of his +lord and lady, set out with great satisfaction +for Sancho’s native place; but, +before he entered the village, he saw a +number of women washing linen in a +brook, and of these he asked, if they +could inform him whereabouts lived +one Teresa Panza, wife of one Sancho +Panza, squire to a certain knight, called +Don Quixote de La Mancha. This +question was no sooner pronounced, +than a girl, who was washing, starting +up, ‘That Teresa Panza,’ cried she, +‘is my mother; and that same Sancho +my honoured father, and that +knight our master.’—‘Come, then, +young mistress,’ replied the page, +‘conduct me to your mother, for I +bring her a letter and a present from +that same father of yours.’—‘That +I will do with all my heart, kind Sir,’ +answered the girl; who seemed to be +fourteen years of age, over or under; +and, leaving the cloaths upon which +she was at work, to one of her companions, +without putting on her cap or +her shoes, for she was barefoot, and +her hair hung about her eyes, she ran +before the page’s horse, saying, ‘Come +along, good Sir, our house is at this +end of the village, and there you +<span class='pageno' id='Page_494'>494</span>will find my poor mother in a sorrowful +taking, because she has not for +many days heard any news of my honoured +father’—‘But now,’ said the +page, ‘I bring her such good news, +that she will have reason to bless God +for this happy day.’ In a word, what +with dancing, running, and skipping, +the wench arrived at the village; but +before she entered the house, she called +aloud at the door, ‘Come out, mother +Teresa, come out; pray come +out; here’s a gentleman who brings +letters, and other good things, from +my good father!’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Teresa Panza hearing this exclamation, +came forth spinning tow from a +distaff, with a grey petticoat, so short +that it seemed to have been cut close to +the placket; a jacket of the same stuff, +and an open breasted shift; she was not +very old, though seemingly turned of +forty; but strong, hale, nervous, and +tough. Seeing her daughter, with the +page on horseback, ‘What is the matter, +child?’ said she; ‘what gentleman +is that?’—‘The very humble servant +of my Lady Donna Teresa Panza,’ +replied the page; who, throwing himself +from his horse, ran with great eagerness +and humility, to kneel before Madam +Teresa, saying, ‘Grant me permission +to kiss your ladyship’s hand, Madam +Donna Teresa, as the legitimate and +particular consort of my Lord Don +Sancho Panza, sole governor of the +island Barataria.’—‘Nay, good Sir, +forbear; do not so!’ answered Teresa; +‘I am none of your court dames; but +a poor country-woman, a ploughman’s +daughter; and wife to a squire-errant, +but no governor.’—‘Your +ladyship,’ replied the page, ‘is the +most worthy consort of the most superlatively +worthy governor; and this +letter and present is an incontestible +proof of the truth of what I say.’ +So saying, he instantly pulled from his +pocket the lining of coral, set in gold, +and tied it round her neck; then producing +a letter, ‘This,’ said he, ‘is from +my Lord Governor, and this other +with the necklace, from my Lady Duchess +who sent me hither.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Teresa was confounded; and her +daughter no less astonished, exclaimed, +‘I’ll be hanged if our master Don +Quixote be not at the bottom of all +this; and surely must have given my +father that same government or countship, +which he promised him so often!’—‘You +are certainly in the right,’ answered +the page; ‘for it is entirely on +Signior Don Quixote’s account, that +Signior Sancho is now governor of +the island Barataria, as will appear +in this letter.’—‘Pray, good gentleman, +read it,’ said Teresa; ‘for +though I can spin, I cannot read so +much as a crumb.’—‘Nor I, neither,’ +added Sanchica; ‘but stay a moment, +I’ll go and fetch one that shall read +it, either the curate himself, or the +batchelor Sampson Carrasco, who +will come with pleasure to hear news +of my father.’—‘There is no occasion +to fetch any person whatever,’ +said the page; ‘for though I cannot +spin, I can read; and read it I shall.’ +He accordingly read Sancho’s letter +from beginning to end; but as it hath +been already recited, we shall not repeat +it in this place. Then he rehearsed the +other, which came from the duchess, +in these words—</p> + +<p class='c016'>‘FRIEND TERESA,</p> + +<p class='c017'>‘The great talents, and excellent +disposition of your husband +Sancho, induced and obliged me to +beg of the duke my husband, that he +would confer upon him the government +of one, among many islands +that are in his possession; and I understand +he governs like any jerfaulcon; +a circumstance that affords great +pleasure to me, and of consequence +to my Lord Duke; and I thank Heaven +heartily, that I have not been deceived +in chusing him for that same +government: for, Madam Teresa +must know, it is a very hard matter +to find a good governor in this world, +and God make me as good a woman +as Sancho is a governor. I have sent +you, my dear friend, a coral necklace +set in gold; and I wish, for your sake, +it had been of oriental pearls; but, He +that gives, though it were but an +egg, would be sorry to see thee lame +of a leg. The time will come when +we shall be better acquainted, and +carry on a closer correspondence, and +Heaven knows what may come to +pass. Commend me to your daughter +Sanchica, and tell her from me, to +keep herself in readiness; for I mean +to match her very high, when perhaps +she thinks least of the matter. I +<span class='pageno' id='Page_495'>495</span>am told your town is famous for fine +large acorns; pray send me two dozen, +which I shall greatly esteem as +coming from your hand. Write me +a long letter, giving an account of +your health and welfare; and if you +should want any thing, you have nothing +to do but open your mouth, +and it shall be measured. That God +would protect you, is the prayer of +your-loving friend,</p> + +<p class='c017'>‘<span class='sc'>The Duchess.</span>’</p> + +<p class='c013'>‘La! now,’ cried Teresa, when she +heard the contents of the letter, ‘what +a kind, and plain, and humble lady! +would I might live, and die, and be +buried among such ladies, and not +your gentlewomen of this town, who +think, forsooth, because they are +gentlefolks, the wind must not touch +them, and go to church in such finery +as if they were perfect queens; +nay, they seem to think it a disgrace +to look at a poor body; and see here +now, how this worthy lady, even +though no less than a duchess, calls +me friend, and treats me as if I were +her own equal; and equal may she be +to the highest steeple in all La Mancha. +As to what concerns the acorns, +kind Sir, I’ll send her a whole peck, +so fair and large, that people shall +come far and near to see and admire +them.—For the present, Sanchica, we +must look to the entertainment of this +gentleman; let his horse be taken +care of; fetch some eggs from the +stable, and cut some rashers of bacon, +and let us treat him like a prince; +for the good news he has brought, +and his own good countenance, deserves +every thing at our hands. In +the mean time I’ll go out, and give +an account of our good fortune to my +neighbours, especially our father the +curate, and Master Nicholas the barber, +who are, and always were, such +friends to your father.’—‘I will do +as you desire, mother,’ answered Sanchica; +‘but remember, you shall give +me one half of the string of coral; +for I don’t take my lady duchess to +be such a ninny as to send the whole +for your use.’—‘It is all thy own, +daughter,’ replied Teresa; ‘but thou +must let me wear it a few days about +my neck; for in faith and troth, it +will rejoice my poor heart.’—‘It +will be still more rejoiced,’ said the +page, ‘when you see the bundle in that +portmanteau, consisting of a suit of +superfine cloth, which was never wore +but one day at the hunting, by the +governor, who sends it for the sole +use of Miss Sanchica.’—‘May he +live a thousand years!’ cried Sanchica, +‘as well as he that brings it, +neither more nor less; and even two +thousand, if there should be occasion.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Now Teresa going out with the letters, +and the string about her neck, +went along playing with her fingers +upon the paper, as if it had been a +cymbal; and casually meeting the curate +and Sampson Carrasco, she began +to caper about, saying, ‘In good faith, +we have no poor kindred now; we +have caught the governorship: aye, +aye, pick me up the best gentlewoman +of them all, ifack! I’ll look +upon her as an upstart.’—‘What is +the matter, Teresa Panza?’ said the +curate; ‘What is the meaning of this +rhapsody? and what papers are these?’—‘No +rhapsody at all,’ replied Teresa, +‘but only these letters are from +duchesses and governors, and these +here upon my neck are true corals; +the Ave Marias and Paternosters are +of beaten gold, and I am a governess!’—‘God +shield us, Teresa,’ cried +the curate, ‘as we do not understand +a word of what you say!’—‘Seeing +is believing,’ answered the good woman, +putting the letters into his hand; +which he having read, in the hearing +of Sampson Carrasco, they looked at +one another with astonishment. When +the batchelor asked who brought those +letters, Teresa desired they would go +along with her to her house, and they +would see the messenger, who was a +comely youth, like a perfect golden +pine-tree, and had brought another present +worth twice as much. The curate +taking the string of coral from her +neck, viewed and reviewed it with great +deliberation; and, being satisfied the +beads were real fine coral, was again +struck with admiration, and exclaimed, +‘Now, by the habit which I wear! I +know not what to say, or what to +think of these letters and presents: on +one side I see, and even feel, the +worth of these corals; and on the +other, I read a letter from a duchess, +who begs two dozen of acorns!’—‘Reconcile +<span class='pageno' id='Page_496'>496</span>these things if you can,’ +said Carrasco; ‘but now let us go and +see the bearer of this packet, whose +information will solve all these difficulties.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>They accordingly accompanied Teresa, +and found the page winnowing a +little barley for his beast, while Sanchica +was employed in cutting rashers to +fry with the eggs, for the entertainment +of their guest, whose appearance and +equipage gave great satisfaction to the +new-comers. After the compliments +of salutation had courteously passed between +them, Sampson intreated him to +tell them news of Don Quixote, as well +as of Sancho Panza; for although they +had perused the letters of this last, and +of my lady duchess, they were still +overwhelmed with confusion, and could +by no means comprehend the meaning +of that government, especially of an +island, seeing all, or the greatest part +of the islands in the Mediterranean, +belonged to his majesty. To this remonstrance +the page replied, ‘That +Signior Sancho Panza is a governor, +there is no sort of doubt; but whether +of an island or not, I do not pretend +to decide: let it suffice, however, +that he governs a place of above +a thousand inhabitants; and with respect +to the acorns, I can affirm, my +Lady Duchess is of such a frank and +humble disposition, that her sending +for acorns to a countrywoman is not +to be wondered at; nay, I once knew +her send and borrow a comb of one +of her neighbours; for you must +know, gentlemen, the ladies of Arragon, +although as noble, are not so +ceremonious and superb, as the quality +of Castile, but treat their inferiors +with more frankness and familiarity.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>In the midst of this conversation, +Sanchica coming in with her lap full of +eggs, addressed herself to the page, +saying, ‘Pray, tell me, Signior, does +my honoured father wear trunk-hose +since he was a governor?’—‘I have +not observed that particular,’ replied +the page; ‘but certainly he must.’—‘My +God!’ cried Sanchica, ‘how +glad I should be to see my father +with trunk hose! let me never thrive, +but I have, ever since I was born, +longed to see father in laced trunk-breeches.’—‘Laced +hose!’ said the +page; ‘Lord, Madam, if he lives, and +his government should hold but two +months, he is in a fair way of travelling +with a hood to his riding-coat.’ The curate and batchelor +could easily perceive the page made a +jest of his entertainers; but the worth +of the coral beads, and the hunting-suit +which Sancho had sent, destroyed +all their conjectures; for Teresa had +shewn them the green garment: nor +did they fail to laugh at the ambition +of Sanchica; and their mirth was not +extinguished, when Teresa accosting the +priest, ‘Mr. Curate,’ said she, ‘do pray +cast your eyes about a little, and see +if any body be going to Madrid or +Toledo, that I may have an opportunity +to purchase a round farthing-gale, +right and tight, fashionable and +of the best sort; for truly and truly, +I am resolved to honour my spouse’s +government as much as lies in my +power; aye, and if they vex me, I’ll +go to court, and ride in my coach, +like all the rest, and the best of them; +for she who is married to a governor, +may very well procure and maintain +such a convenience.’—‘Yea, forsooth,’ +replied Sanchica; ‘and would to God +it were to-day rather than to-morrow, +although those who saw me +seated with my lady mother in the +coach, should say, Look, at such a +one, daughter of such a garlick-eater, +how she sits and lolls in a coach, like +the pope’s lady; but let them trudge +in the dirt, so I ride in my coach, +with my feet lifted off the ground: +An ill year, and worse month, betide +all the envious grumblers upon +earth; and, So I am warm, without +and within, the mob may laugh, and +the malicious grin. Speak I to the +purpose, mother?’—‘To the purpose! +yes, to be sure, daughter; and +all this good luck, and even more, +was prophesied by my good man +Sancho, and thou shalt see, daughter, +it will not stop until I am a countess; +for good fortune wants only +a beginning, as I have often heard it +observed by thy worthy father, who +is likewise the father of proverbs; +When they bring thee a heifer, be +ready with the halter; When they +give thee a government, seize it a-God’s +name; When they bestow a +countship, lay thy clutches upon +it; and, When they throw thee +<span class='pageno' id='Page_497'>497</span>some good beneficial bone, wag thy +tail, and snap at the favour; if not, +sleep on, and never answer to good +fortune and preferment, when they +knock at thy door.’—‘And what do +I care?’ said Sanchica, ‘let them say +what they will, when they see me +exalted in all my finery, and cry, +There goes Mrs. Ape, with her buttocks +cased in crape: and all the rest +of that stuff.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>The curate hearing her remark, ‘I +cannot believe,’ said he, ‘but that +all the family of the Panzas are born +with a bag of proverbs in their bowels; +for I have never seen one of them, +who does not scatter about old saws, +at all times, and in all conversations.’—‘Your +observation is very just,’ said +the page; ‘for my Lord Governor Sancho +utters them at every step; and although +many of his proverbs are not +much to the purpose, they nevertheless +give great pleasure, and are much extolled +by my lady duchess and the +duke.’—‘What! and do you still, my +good Sir,’ said the batchelor, ‘affirm +the truth of that government of Sancho; +and that there is actually a duchess +who sends letters and presents to +his wife? For our parts, although +we handle the presents, and have perused +the letters, we cannot believe the +evidence of our senses, and imagine +this is one of those things which our +townsman Don Quixote supposed to +have been effected by inchantment; +and therefore, I own, I have an inclination +to touch and feel your person, +that I may know whether you are a +fantastical ambassador, or really a man +of flesh and blood.’—‘Gentlemen,’ +replied the page, ‘all that I know of +the matter is, that I am a real ambassador; +that Signior Sancho Panza is +effectually a governor; and that my +lord duke, and lady duchess, not only +could, but actually did, invest him +with that government, in which I +hear the said Sancho Panza behaves +with vast ability. Whether or not +there is any inchantment in the case, +I leave you, gentlemen, to dispute and +decide among yourselves; that this is +all I know of the matter, I swear by +the life of my parents, who are still +alive, and whom I love and honour +with the utmost reverence of affection.’—‘What +you say may be true,’ +answered the batchelor: ‘but, <span lang="la"><i>Dubitat +Augustinus</i></span>.’—‘Doubt as much as you +please,’ resumed the page: ‘what I +have said is the naked truth, which +will always swim above falshood, like +oil above water; but, <span lang="la"><i>Operibus credite +& non verbis</i></span>: let one of you, gentlemen, +go along with me, and he shall +see with his eyes what he will not believe +upon hearsay.’—‘I am for that +jaunt,’ cried Sanchica: ‘good Sir, if +you will take me up behind you, I +shall be glad to go and see my father’s +worship.’—‘The daughters of governors,’ +said the page, ‘never travel alone; +but always accompanied by coaches, +and litters, and a great number of attendants.’—‘’Fore +God,’ replied +Sanchica, ‘I can travel upon a she-ass +as well as in a coach: you won’t find +me shy or fearful.’—‘Hold your +tongue, wench,’ said Teresa: ‘you +know not what you say. The gentleman +is in the right; for, Every season +has its reason. When it was plain +Sancho, it was plain Sancha; but now, +being governor, my Lady——I know +not if what I say be to the purpose.’—‘Madam +Teresa has said more than she +is aware of,’ replied the page: ‘but, +pray, let me have some victuals, and +dispatch me immediately; for I intend +to return this evening.’ To this remonstrance +the curate answered, ‘Sir, you +shall come and do penance with me; +for Madam Teresa has more inclination +than ability to entertain such a worthy +guest.’ The page, at first, declined the +invitation; but, at length, found it was +his interest to consent; and the curate +conducted him to his parsonage, with +great pleasure, that he might have an +opportunity to enquire at leisure about +Don Quixote and his exploits.</p> + +<p class='c005'>The batchelor offered to write answers +to Teresa’s letters; but she did +not chuse that he should intermeddle +in her affairs; for she looked upon him +as a wag. She therefore gave a roll of +bread, and a couple of eggs, to a noviciate +monk who could write; and he +penned two letters, one for her husband, +and another for the duchess, indited +by Teresa’s own noddle, which +are not the least entertaining that occur +<span class='pageno' id='Page_498'>498</span>in this sublime history, as will be seen +in the sequel.</p> + +<h4 id='chap4-3-19' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='nineteen'>XIX.</abbr> <br> OF THE PROGRESS OF SANCHO PANZA’S GOVERNMENT—<br>AND OTHER SUCH DIVERTING INCIDENTS.</h4> +<p class='c004'>At length arrived the morning that +succeeded the night of the governor’s +round, which the gentleman-sewer +passed without sleep, so much +were his thoughts engrossed by the face, +the air, and beauty of the disguised +damsel; while the steward employed the +time in writing an account of Sancho’s +conduct to his lord and lady, equally +astonished at his words and actions, in +which folly and discretion were strangely +blended.</p> + +<p class='c005'>At last my lord governor arose, and +by direction of Doctor Pedro Positive, +he was fain to break his fast with a +little conserve, and four gulps of cold +water, which Sancho would have gladly +exchanged for a luncheon of bread and +a bunch of grapes; but, finding himself +under compulsion, he bore his fate +with grief of soul and anxiety of stomach; +Pedro Positive giving him to +understand, that your slight and delicate +dishes animate the genius, consequently +were most proper for persons +appointed to posts and offices of importance, +in which corporal strength +cannot avail so much as the vigour of +the understanding. By this sort of +sophistry Sancho was subjected to such +severe hunger, that he in secret cursed +the government; aye, and him who +conferred it: nevertheless, in despight +of hunger, and upon the strength of +the conserve, he, that day, sat in judgment; +and the first case that occurred, +was a question put by a stranger, in +presence of the steward and the rest of +the assistants: ‘My lord,’ said he, ‘a +certain manor is divided by a large +river—I beg your honour will be attentive; +for the case is of great consequence, +and some difficulty. I say, +then, upon this river is a bridge, and +at one end of it the gibbet, together +with a sort of court-hall, in which +four judges usually sit, to execute +the law enacted by the lord of the +river, bridge, and manor, which +runs to this effect: “Whosoever shall +pass over this bridge, must first +swear whence he comes, and whither +he goes: if he swears the truth, he +shall be allowed to pass; but if he +forswears himself, he shall die upon +the gallows, without mercy or respite.”</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘This law, together with the rigorous +penalty, being known, numbers +passed, and as it appeared they swore +nothing but the truth, the judges +permitted them to pass freely, and +without controul. It happened, however, +that one man’s oath being taken, +he affirmed, and swore by his deposition, +that he was going to be hanged +on that gibbet, and had no other errand +or intention. The judges having +considered this oath, observed, if +we allow the man to pass freely, he +swore to a lye, and therefore ought to +be hanged according to law; and if +we order him to be hanged, after he +hath sworn he was going to be suspended +on that gibbet, he will have +sworn the truth, and by the same law +ought to be acquitted. I beg, therefore, +to know of your honour, my +lord governor, what the judges must +do with this man: for hitherto they +are doubtful and in suspense; and +having heard of your lordship’s acute +and elevated understanding, they have +sent me to intreat your honour, in +their names, to favour them with your +opinion in a case of such doubt and +intricacy.’ To this address Sancho +replied, ‘Assuredly, those judges who +sent you to me, might have spared +themselves the trouble; for I am a +man that may be said to be rather +blunt than acute: nevertheless, repeat +the business so that I may understand +it fully, and who knows but +I may chance to hit the nail on the +head.’ The interrogator having repeated +his story again and again, Sancho +said, ‘I think I can now explain +the case in the twinkling of two balls: +and this it is: A man swears he is +going to be hanged on such a gibbet; +if he actually suffers upon that gibbet, +he swore the truth, and by the +enacted law ought to be allowed +freely to pass the bridge; but if he +is not hanged, he swore false, and +for that reason ought to suffer upon +the gibbet.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘The case is exactly as my lord governor +<span class='pageno' id='Page_499'>499</span>conceives it,’ said the messenger: +‘and with respect to the scope, +and understanding of the matter, there +is no farther room for doubt or interrogation,’—‘I say, +then,’ replied +Sancho, ‘that part of the man which +swore truth, ought to be allowed to +pass; and that which told a lye, +ought to be hanged; and in this manner +the terms or condition of passing +will be literally fulfilled.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘But, my lord governor,’ replied +the questioner, ‘in that case it will be +necessary to divide the man into two +parts, namely, the false and the true; +and if he is so divided, he must certainly +die: therefore, the intent of +the law will be frustrated, whereas, +there is an express necessity for its +being accomplished.’—‘Come hither, +honest friend,’ said Sancho; ‘either +I am a blockhead, or this passenger +you mention has an equal title to be +hanged, and to live and pass over the +bridge; for, if the truth saves him +on one side, his falshood condemns +him equally on the other. Now, +this being the case, as it certainly +is, I think you must tell the gentleman +who sent you hither, that as +the reasons for condemning and for +acquitting the culprit are equally +balanced, they shall let him freely +pass; for it is always more laudable +to do good than harm; and to +this opinion I would subscribe if I +could write my name. Nor, indeed, +have I spoken my own sentiment on +this occasion: but I have recollected +one, among the many precepts I received +from my master Don Quixote, +the night before I set out for the government +of this island; he said, that +when justice was doubtful, I should +chuse and lean towards mercy; and +it pleased God that I should now remember +this maxim, which falls so +pat to the present purpose.’—‘So it +does,’ said the steward; ‘and I firmly +believe, that Lycurgus himself, +who gave laws to the Lacedemonians +could not have uttered a more +sagacious decision than that which the +great Panza has pronounced. Now, +let the audience end for this morning, +and I will give orders that my lord +governor shall dine to his heart’s content.’—‘That +is my request,’ cried +Sancho: ‘nothing but fair play; give +me plenty of victuals, and let them +load me with cases and doubts, I will +soon make them vanish into smoke.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>The steward kept his word; for he +had a scruple of conscience in famishing +such a discreet governor; especially as +he intended that night to conclude the +farce with the last joke he had a commission +to execute.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Well, then, Sancho having dined +that day, contrary to all the rules and +aphorisms of Doctor Snatchaway, the +cloth was no sooner removed than a +courier entered with a letter from Don +Quixote to the governor, who desired +the secretary to read it by himself; and +then, if there was nothing in it which +required to be kept secret, to rehearse +it in an audible voice. The secretary, in +obedience to his command, having perused +it in secret, ‘It may be very safely +read aloud,’ said he; ‘what Signior +Don Quixote writes to your +lordship, deserves to be printed, and +even displayed in golden letters. This +is the purport of the letter.’</p> + +<p class='c016'>THE LETTER FROM DON QUIXOTE +DE LA MANCHA TO SANCHO PANZA, +GOVERNOR OF THE ISLAND +BARATARIA.</p> + +<p class='c017'>‘FRIEND SANCHO,</p> + +<p class='c017'>‘When I expected to hear of +thy negligence and impertinence, +I was informed of thy discretion, +for which I have returned +particular thanks to Heaven, that +can raise the poor from the dunghill, +and extract wisdom from the heart +of the fool. I am told thou hast +governed like a man, and that thou +art a man as if thou wert a beast; +such is the humility of thy deportment. +Take notice, Sancho, it is +often convenient and necessary, for +the authority of office, to refill the +humility of the heart; for the ornament +of the person invested with +charges of dignity, ought to be conformable +to what these require, and +not measured according to the will +of an humble disposition. Appear +always well-dressed; for a maypole +when decorated loses its original appearance: +not that I advise thee to +wear jewels and finery; or, as thou +art a judge, to go in the habit of a +soldier; but to adorn thyself with +that garb which thine office requires, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_500'>500</span>and to be always clean, and neatly +dressed. In order to acquire the good +will of the people over whom thou +art set, among other things, remember +two particulars; one is to be affable +to every body—but this I have +mentioned upon another occasion; +the other is to procure plenty of provision; +for there is nothing that gives +such vexation to the poor as hunger +and dearth.</p> + +<p class='c017'>‘Do not issue a great number of ordinances, +but take care that those +which are published be good; and, +above all things, see they are maintained +and put in execution; for those +ordinances which are not observed, +might as well be annulled, as they +serve to demonstrate that the prince +who had discretion and authority to +enact them, wanted power to enforce +obedience; and those laws which +only intimidate, without being put +in execution, resemble the King Log +of the frogs, which at first terrified +his subjects, by whom, however, at +the long run, he was despised and +insulted. Be thou a father to the +virtuous, and a stepfather to the wicked. +Thou must not be always rigorous, +nor always gentle; but chuse +the medium between these two extremities, +in which lies the point of +discretion. Visit the prisons, the +slaughter-houses, and the markets; +for in such places the presence of the +governor will be of great importance. +Console the prisoners with hope of +being speedily dispatched. Be a bug-bear +to butchers, for then they will +use honest weights; and a terror to +market-women, for the same reason. +Beware of shewing thyself (though +thou really shouldst be so, and yet I +believe thou art not) a miser, a letcher, +or a glutton; for thy people, and +those who have concerns with thee, +knowing the bias of thine inclination, +will batter thee from that quarter, +until thou art overthrown into +the profundity of perdition. Consider +and reconsider, peruse and re-peruse, +the advices and instructions +which I gave thee in writing before +thy departure for thy government; +and, if thou observest the contents, +thou wilt find in them a precious aid, +that will alleviate the toils and difficulties +which every moment occur +to governors. Write to thy noble +patrons, to evince thy gratitude; for +ingratitude is the daughter of pride, +and one of the vilest sins that can be +committed; and the person who is +grateful to his benefactor gives indication +that he is also grateful to God, +whose benefits are so manifold and +incessant. My lady duchess dispatched +a messenger with thy hunting-suit, +and another present to thy wife Teresa, +and we expect her answer every +moment.</p> + +<p class='c017'>‘I have been somewhat indisposed, +in consequence of a certain cat-clawing +adventure, which I lately atchieved +with some discomfiture of my nose; +but that was of no consequence; for +if I am maltreated by one set of inchanters, +I am protected by another. +Let me know if the steward, who is +with thee, had any concern in the +adventure of the Countess Trifaldi, +as thou once seemedst to suspect; and +give me an account of every thing +that betides thee, seeing the distance +between us is so small. I think of +leaving, in a little time, this idle life, +for which I was never designed. I +am like to be engaged in an affair, +which, I believe, will bring me into +disgrace with the duke and duchess; +but, although this affects my mind, +it shall not influence my conduct; +for, in a word, I am resolved to +comply with the duties of my profession, +rather than with the dictates +of their pleasure; in conformity with +the old saying, <span lang="la">“<i>Amicus Plato, sed +magis amica veritas.</i>”</span> I write this +sentence in Latin, because I apprehend +thou hast learned that language +since thou wast a governor. I commit +thee to the protection of God, +who is the fountain of all good; and +am thy friend,</p> + +<p class='c017'>‘<span class='sc'>Don Quixote de La Mancha</span>.’</p> + +<p class='c013'>Sancho listened with great attention +to the letter, which was applauded, for +the good sense it contained, by all the +hearers; then the governor rising from +table, shut himself up in his apartment +with the secretary, in order to compose +an answer to his master, without loss +of time. He desired the scribe to write +what he should dictate, without the +least addition or diminution. The secretary +obeyed his command, and the +answer was to this effect—</p> + +<p class='c016'><span class='pageno' id='Page_501'>501</span>SANCHO PANZA’S LETTER TO DON QUIXOTE DE LA MANCHA.</p> + +<p class='c017'>‘The employment of my office is +so severe, that I have not time +to scratch my head, or even to pair +my nails, which I, therefore, wear so +long, that God must find some remedy. +This I observe, dear master +of my soul, that your worship need +not be confounded because I have not +hitherto given you an account of my +well or ill-being in this government; +where, by the bye, I suffer more pinching +hunger than when we two used to +travel through woods and desarts.</p> + +<p class='c017'>‘My lord duke gave me notice the +other day, in a letter, that certain +spies had entered the island, in order +to murder me; but, as yet, I have, +discovered none, except a doctor, who +has a salary in the place, for killing +all the governors that come hither. +They call him Doctor Pedro Positive, +and he is a native of Snatchaway; +so that your worship may see by his +name, what reason I have to fear I shall +perish by his hands. This very doctor +frankly owns, that he does not cure +the distempers which are already formed, +but only prevents their formation; +and the medicine he prescribes, is fasting +upon fasting, until the patient is +clean skin and bone, as if a consumption +was not worse than a fever. Finally, +he is killing me by inches with +hunger; and I find myself dying of +pure vexation; for I thought, in +coming to this government, I should +have hot meals and cool liquor, and +regale my body in Holland sheets, +upon beds of down; whereas, I am +come to penance like a hermit; and +as I cannot even do that, I believe, at +the long run, the devil will fly away +with me.</p> + +<p class='c017'>‘Hitherto I have neither touched +fee nor fingered bribe; nor can I +conceive the reason of such proceeding; +for I have been told, that the +governors who used to come to this +island, even before their entrance, +always received a good sum of money, +either by way of present or +loan, from the inhabitants; a custom +observed in other governments as well +as in this.</p> + +<p class='c017'>‘In going the round last night, I +found a very beautiful damsel in +man’s cloaths, and her brother in the +dress of a woman: my gentleman-sewer +is in love with the girl, and, +as he says, hath fixed his fancy on +her for a wife, and I have chosen the +youth for my son-in-law; to-day we +two will communicate our thoughts +to the father of this young pair, who +is one Diego de Llana, a gentleman, +and as old a Christian as one would +desire.</p> + +<p class='c017'>‘I visit the markets, according to +your worship’s advice; and yesterday +seeing a huckster selling new nuts, I +discovered that she had mixed with +a bushel of the new, the same quantity +of old nuts that were empty and rotten; +upon which I gave the whole to +the charity boys, who know very +well how to separate the good from +the bad, and forbade her to enter the +market for fifteen days: I was told I +had done gallantly. What I can +assure your worship is, that according +to the report of this town, there is +not a more wicked set of people than +those market-women; for they are all +without shame, conscience, and moderation; +and, indeed, I believe the +report, from what I have seen in other +corporations.</p> + +<p class='c017'>‘It gives me great satisfaction to +hear that my lady duchess has written +to my wife Teresa Panza, and +sent the present your worship mentions; +and I will endeavour to shew +my gratitude in due season. I beg +your worship will kiss her grace’s +hand, in my name, and tell her +I say, she has not thrown her favour +into a rotten sack, as our deeds +shall declare. I should be sorry that +your worship came to any reckonings +of disgust with my lord duke and +lady duchess; for should there be any +breach between you, it is very plain +the whole would redound to my loss; +and, considering the advice you gave +me to be always grateful, it would +not look well in your worship to be +otherwise to those who have done you +such favours, and treated you so nobly +in their castle.</p> + +<p class='c017'>‘The story of the cat-clawing I do +not understand; but do suppose it +must have been one of those unlucky +frays in which your worship is often +engaged with wicked inchanters; but +I shall know when we meet.</p> + +<p class='c017'><span class='pageno' id='Page_502'>502</span>‘I would fain present your worship +with something, but I know not what +to send, except some clyster-pipes, +which are very curiously turned and +mounted in this island; though, if +my office holds, it shall go hard but +I will find something to send, either +by hook or crook. If my wife Teresa +Panza should write to me, I beg +your worship will pay the postage, +and forward the letter; for I am extremely +desirous to know the state of +my family, my wife, and children. +And, now, the Lord deliver your +worship from evil-designing inchanters, +and safely and peaceably quit me +of this government; which I very +much doubt; for I believe I shall leave +my bones in it, so cruelly am I treated +by Doctor Pedro Positive. Your worship’s +humble servant,</p> + +<p class='c017'>‘<span class='sc'>Sancho Panza the Governor</span>.’</p> + +<p class='c013'>The secretary having sealed this letter, +dispatched it with the courier; and +those who executed the jokes upon Sancho, +laying their heads together, contrived +a scheme for dismissing him from +the administration. The evening his +excellency spent in making some wholesome +regulations touching the government +of what he imagined to be an +island. Among other things, he ordained +that there should be no monopolizers +of provisions in the commonwealth: +that wine should be imported +from all parts indifferently, at the pleasure +of the merchant; with this addition, +that he should declare the place +from whence it came, so as that a price +might be set upon it, according to its +worth, fame, and estimation: and he +who should be detected in dashing it +with water, or falsifying its name, should +suffer death for the offence. He moderated +the price of all kinds of hose, +and particularly that of shoes, which +he looked upon as exorbitant; he rated +the wages of servants who went at full +gallop in the road of interest; he laid +severe penalties upon those who should +sing lewd and lascivious ballads, by +night or by day; he ordered that no +blind man should sing his miracle in +couplets, without an authentick testimony +of the truth; it appearing that +the greatest part of those sung by blind +persons, are false and feigned, to the +prejudice of those which are true; he +made and appointed an overseer of the +poor, not to persecute, but to examine +whether or not they were real objects; +for sturdy thieves and hale drunkards +often screen themselves in the shade of +feigned lameness, and counterfeit sores. +In a word, he made so many good regulations, +that they are hitherto preserved +in the place, and called, The Constitutions +of the Great Governor Sancho +Panza.</p> +<h4 id='chap4-3-20' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='twenty'>XX.</abbr> <br> IN WHICH IS RECORDED THE ADVENTURE OF THE SECOND AFFLICTED,<br> OR SORROWFUL MATRON,<br> OTHERWISE CALLED DONNA RODRIGUEZ.</h4> +<p class='c004'>Cid Hamet recounts, that Don +Quixote being now cured of his +scratches, began to think the life he led +in the castle was altogether contrary to +the order of chivalry which he professed; +and therefore he determined to +beg leave of the duke and duchess to set +out for Saragossa, as the time of the +tournament approached; for there he +laid his account with winning the armour +which is the reward of the victor. +Accordingly, while he one day sat at +table with the duke and duchess, he +began to execute his resolution in asking +leave; when behold, all of a sudden, +two women, as it afterwards appeared, +entered the dining-room, covered with +mourning from head to foot. One of +them approaching Don Quixote, prostrated +herself before him, and with her +mouth close to his feet, uttered such melancholy, +profound, and doleful groans, +as overwhelmed all the spectators with +confusion: for, although the duke and +duchess imagined it was some joke +which the servants intended to perpetrate +upon the knight; yet, seeing how +violently the woman sighed, groaned, +and wept, they remained doubtful and +in suspense, until the compassionate +Don Quixote raised her from the ground, +and intreated her to discover herself, by +taking away the veil that concealed her +rueful face. She complied with his +request, and shewed herself to be what +nobody believed she was; for she displayed +the individual countenance of +Donna Rodriguez, the duenna of the +house, and the other mourner was her +<span class='pageno' id='Page_503'>503</span>daughter, who had been seduced by +the rich farmer’s son. All who knew +her were struck with admiration, and +the duke and duchess more than any +body; for, although they took her to +be a fool, and a person of a soft disposition, +they did not think her folly could +have risen to such acts of extravagance. +In fine, Donna Rodriguez addressing +herself to the duke and duchess, ‘I +hope,’ said she, ‘your excellencies +will give me leave to communicate a +little with this knight: for it is necessary +I should confer with him, +that I may be safely extricated from +the dilemma in which I am involved +by the presumption of an evil-minded +clown.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>The duke having assured her she was +at full liberty to confer with Signior +Don Quixote as much as she pleased, +she directed her voice and her countenance +to the knight, saying, ‘Some +days are elapsed, most valiant knight, +since I gave you an account of the +wrong and treachery which a wicked +peasant has done my dearly-beloved +daughter, who is this unfortunate +creature now standing before you; +and you promised, in her behalf, to +redress the wrong she had suffered: +but now I am informed that you are +going to depart from this castle, in +quest of the happy adventures God +shall throw in your way; and therefore +I could wish that before you begin +your career through those paths, +you would defy this inflexible rustick, +and compel him to marry my daughter, +and so fulfil the promise he made +of being her spouse, before he first +yoked with her in the way of love; +for, to think my lord duke will do +me justice, is the same as to look for +pears upon an elm, for the reason +which I explained to your worship in +private. And upon these terms, the +Lord preserve your worship’s health, +and grant us his protection.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>To this address, Don Quixote, with +great gravity and stateliness of deportment, +replied, ‘Worthy duenna, moderate, +or rather dry up your tears, +and spare your sighs; for here I undertake +to redress the grievances of +your daughter: though it would have +been better for her, had not she so +easily believed the protestations of +lovers, who, for the most part, are +very ready and alert to promise, but +very heavy and backward in the performance; +nevertheless, with the good +leave of my lord duke, I will forthwith +set out in quest of this perfidious +youth, and having found him, defy +and slay him, whensoe’er and wheresoe’er +he shall refuse to perform his +promise; for the principal aim of my +profession is, to pardon the humble, +and chastize the haughty; that is, to +succour the wretched, and destroy the +cruel.’—‘Your worship,’ replied the +duke, ‘need not give yourself the +trouble to go in quest of the rustick +who is the subject of this worthy +duenna’s complaint; nor is there any +occasion for your worship’s asking my +leave to challenge him to single combat; +I consider the challenge as already +given; I undertake for its being +conveyed to the party, and even +for its acceptance; and promise that +he shall come to answer for himself in +person at this castle, where I will furnish +both with a listed field, and observe +all the conditions that are wont +and ought to be observed in such encounters; +for justice shall be equally +done to each, according to the obligation +that lies on all those princes +who furnish lists for combatants within +the limits of their territories.’—‘With +this security, then, and the good +leave of your grace,’ replied Don +Quixote, ‘I now, for once, renounce +my gentility, humble and adjust myself +to the level of the delinquent, making +myself equal with him, that he may +be entitled and enabled to fight with +me: I therefore, though in his absence, +challenge and defy him, for his wickedness +in seducing this poor creature, +who was a maid, and now, through +his fault, is deprived of her maidenhead; +and he shall either perform the +promise he made of being her lawful +spouse, or die in default of the performance.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>So saying, he pulled off one of his +gloves, and threw it into the middle of +the hall; this was taken up by the +duke, who said he accepted the challenge +in the name of his vassal: he likewise +appointed the time at the distance +of six days, and pitched upon the courtyard +of the castle as the field of action: +then they agreed to wear the usual arms +of knights; namely, the lance, the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_504'>504</span>shield, the plaited coat of mail, and all +other pieces, without the least fraud, +treachery, or superstition, to be viewed +and examined by the judges of the lists.—‘But, +before we proceed,’ said the +duke, ‘it will be necessary that this +good duenna, and this mistaken maid, +should put the justice of their cause +into the hands of Signior Don Quixote; +otherwise nothing to the purpose +will be done, nor will the challenge +ever come to due execution.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘I do put my cause into his hands,’ +replied the duenna. ‘And I too,’ cried +the daughter; all in tears, and overwhelmed +with shame and confusion. +The particulars of this affair being adjusted, +and the duke having determined +with himself what was to be done in +the family, the mourners retired, and +the duchess ordered that for the future +they should not be treated as her servants, +but as ladies adventurers come +to her house to demand justice: she +therefore allotted a separate apartment +to themselves, and they were attended +as strangers, not without the amazement +of other servants, who could not conceive +what would be the issue of the +folly and effrontery of Donna Rodriguez +and her indiscreet and unhappy +daughter.</p> + +<p class='c005'>At this instant, in order to compleat +the mirth of the company, and finish +their meal with more enjoyment, who +should enter the hall but the page who +carried the letters and presents to Teresa +Panza, the wife of Governor Sancho +Panza! The duke and duchess were extremely +pleased at his arrival, and desirous +to know the particulars of his +journey, about which he was questioned +accordingly. The page answered that +he could not describe them in publick, or +in a few words; but begged their excellencies +would be pleased to reserve the account +for their private ear; and, in the +mean time entertain themselves with these +letters. So saying, he produced two letters, +and gave them to the duchess, one +superscribed in these words: ‘To my +Lady Duchess of I know not what nor +where.’ And the other directed, ‘To +my husband Sancho Panza, governor +of the island Barataria, whom God +prosper many more years than myself.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>The duchess would not toast her +cake, as the saying is, until she had +read her letter, which having opened and +perused by herself, when she perceived +it might be recited aloud for the benefit +of the duke and the company, she rehearsed +it with an audible voice, to this +effect.</p> + +<p class='c016'>TERESA PANZA’S LETTER TO THE DUCHESS.</p> + +<p class='c017'>‘I received great satisfaction, my lady, +from the letter your grace +was pleased to write to me; for, in +truth, it was what I greatly desired; +the string of coral is very good, and +my husband’s hunting-suit comes not +short of it. Your ladyship’s having +made my spouse Sancho a governor, +has given great pleasure to all our +town, although there are some who +cannot believe it, especially the curate +Mr. Nicholas, the barber, and +the batchelor Sampson Carrasco; but +that gives me no trouble; for seeing +it be so, as it certainly is, let people +say what they will: though, if the +truth must be told, had not the string +of coral and the hunting-suit come, +I should not have believed it myself; +for in our town, every body +takes my husband for a noodle, and +taken as he was, from governing an +herd of goats, they cannot conceive +what other government he can be +good for. The Lord make him fit +for his office, and conduct him in +that way which will be most for the +advantage of his children!</p> + +<p class='c017'>‘For my own part, dear lady of my +soul, I am resolved, with your honour’s +leave, to bring this happy day +home to my own house, and hie me +to the court, where I will loll in my +coach, and burst the eyes of a thousand +people who envy my good fortune: +I beg, therefore, your excellency +will tell my husband to send me +money, and let it be a round sum; +for it is very expensive living at +court, where bread sells for a rial, +and meat for thirty maravedis a +pound; and that is an unconscionable +price. If he does not chuse +that I should go, let him give me +notice in time, for my feet itch to +be a travelling; and my neighbours +and gossips tell me, if I and my +daughter go to court, and appear in +pomp and grandeur, my husband +will come to be known by me, more +<span class='pageno' id='Page_505'>505</span>than I by him; because, when people +ask, “Who are these ladies in that +coach?” one of my servants will answer, +“These are the wife and daughter +of Sancho Panza, governor of +the island Barataria.” And in this +manner Sancho will be known, I +shall be respected, and to Rome for +every thing.</p> + +<p class='c017'>‘I was vexed to the heart that this +year there was no acorn harvest in +our town; nevertheless I send your +highness about half a peck, which I +gathered one by one upon the mountain, +and went thither on purpose: +I could find none larger, though I +wish they were as big as ostrich eggs.</p> + +<p class='c017'>‘I hope your pomposity will not +forget to write to me, and I will +take care to send an answer, giving +an account of my own health, and +of every thing that may be worth +mentioning from this place, where I +remain praying to our Lord that he +will preserve your grace, without +forgetting me. My daughter Sanchica +and my son kiss your honour’s +hand: and this is all at present from +her who had much rather see your +grace, than subscribe herself, your +humble servant,</p> + +<p class='c017'>‘<span class='sc'>Teresa Panza</span>.’</p> + +<p class='c013'>Great was the satisfaction which all +the hearers received from this letter of +Teresa Panza, though the greatest share +fell to the duke and duchess; and her +grace asked Don Quixote, whether or +not he thought it would be proper to +open the letter directed for the governor, +which she imagined must be excellent +in its kind. The knight said +he would open it, to oblige her grace; +and having done so, found the contents +to this purpose.</p> + +<p class='c016'>TERESA PANZA’S LETTER TO HER HUSBAND SANCHO PANZA.</p> + +<p class='c017'>‘I received thy letter, dear Sancho +of my soul, and I promise and +swear to thee, on the faith of a catholick +christian, I was within two +fingers breadth of running mad with +joy; and take notice, brother, when +I heard thou wast a governor, I had +like to have dropped down dead with +pure pleasure; for thou knowest they +say, sudden joy kills as well as deadly +sorrow: thy daughter Sanchica scattered +her water about insensibly, out +of mere satisfaction: thy hunting-suit +lay before me, the string of corals +sent by my lady duchess was tied +round my neck, the letters were in +my hand, and the messenger in my +presence; and yet, I imagined and +believed, that all I saw and handled +was a dream; for who could conceive +that a goatherd should come +to be governor of islands? Thou +know’st, my friend, that my mother +said, One must live long to see a +great deal: this I mention, because +I hope to see more if I live longer; +for I do not intend to stop, until I +see thee a farmer, or collector of the +revenue; offices which, though they +carry those who abuse them to the +devil, are, in short, always bringing +in the penny.</p> + +<p class='c017'>‘My lady duchess will tell thee +how desirous I am of going to court: +consider of it, and let me know thy +pleasure; for I will endeavour to do +thee honour there, by riding in my +coach.</p> + +<p class='c017'>‘The curate, barber, batchelor, and +even the sexton, cannot believe thou +art a governor, and say the whole is +a deception or matter of inchantment, +like all the affairs of thy master +Don Quixote. Sampson vows he +will go in quest of thee, and drive +this government out of thy head, as +well as the madness out of Don +Quixote’s scull: I say nothing, but +laugh in my own sleeve, look at my +beads, and contrive how to make +thy hunting-suit into a gown and +petticoat for our daughter. I have +sent some acorns to my lady duchess, +and I wish they were of gold: +send me some strings of pearl, if they +are in fashion in thy island. The +news of our town are these: the +widow of the hill has matched her +daughter with a bungling painter, +who came here and undertook all +sorts of brush-work; the corporation +employed him to paint his majesty’s +arms over the door of the town +house; he demanded two ducats for +the job, and they paid him beforehand; +but after he had laboured +eight whole days, he produced nothing, +and saying he could not hit +<span class='pageno' id='Page_506'>506</span>upon such trifles, returned the money; +and yet for all that, he married +with the character of a good workman; +true it is, he hath already laid +aside the pencil, and taken up the +spade, and goes to the field like a +gentleman. Pedro de Lobo’s son +has taken orders, and shaved his +head, with intention to become a +priest; and this circumstance being +known by Minguilla, niece of Mingo +Silvato, she is going to sue him +upon promise of marriage: evil +tongues scruple not to say she is with +child by him; but this he positively +denies. This year there are no +olives, nor a drop of vinegar in the +whole town. A company of soldiers +marching this way, carried off three +girls belonging to the village; but I +will not tell thee who they are, because +perhaps they will return, and +then there will not be wanting husbands +who will take them with all +their faults. Sanchica, by making +bone-lace, clears eight maravedis a +day, which she keeps in a pipkin, to +be a stock to her when she grows +up: but now, that she is a governor’s +daughter, thou wilt give her a portion +without her working for it. +The publick fountain is dried up. +A thunder-bolt fell upon the pillory, +and there may they always light! I +expect an answer to this epistle, and +thy resolution about my going to +court: and so, God preserve thee +more years than I have to live, or +as many; for I should not chuse to +leave thee behind me in this world. +Thy faithful spouse,</p> + +<p class='c017'>‘<span class='sc'>Teresa Panza</span>.’</p> + +<p class='c013'>The letters were read with admiration, +esteem, laughter, and applause; +and the entertainment was crowned by +the arrival of the courier who brought +Sancho’s epistle to Don Quixote, which, +being likewise recited in publick, rendered +the governor’s folly extremely +doubtful. The duchess retired, in order +to be informed by the page of +what had happened to him in Sancho’s +village; and he recounted the particulars +at large, without leaving one +circumstance untold: he delivered the +acorns, together with a cheese, which +Teresa vouched for excellent, and +even preferred to those of Tronchon. +This the duchess received with excessive +pleasure, in the enjoyment of +which we will leave her grace, and relate +in what manner concluded the government +of the great Sancho Panza, +the flower and mirrour of all insulary +governors.</p> +<p class='c004'>END OF BOOK III. PART II.</p> +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_507'>507</span> + <h3 id='book4-4' class='c014'>BOOK <abbr title='four'>IV.</abbr></h3> +</div> +<h4 id='chap4-4-1' class='c010'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='one'>I.</abbr> <br> OF THE TOILFUL END AND CONCLUSION OF SANCHO PANZA’S GOVERNMENT.</h4> +<p class='c004'>To think the affairs of this +life will always remain in +the same posture, is a wild +supposition; on the contrary, +every thing goes in +a round; I mean, goes +round. Spring succeeds winter, summer +follows spring, autumn comes after +summer, and winter comes in the +rear of autumn; then spring resumes +its verdure, and time turns round on +an incessant wheel. The life of man +alone runs lightly to its end, unlike the +circle of time, without hope of renewal, +except in another life, which knows no +bounds. Thus moralizes Cid Hamet, +the Mahometan philosopher; for the +knowledge of the frailty and instability +of the present life, together with +the eternal duration of that which we +expect, many, without the light of +faith, by natural instinct have attained. +But here our author makes the observation +on account of the celerity with +which Sancho’s government was finished, +consumed, destroyed, and dissolved +into smoke and vapour.</p> + +<p class='c005'>This poor governor being a-bed on +the seventh night of his administration, +not crammed with bread and wine, but +fatigued with sitting in judgment, passing +sentence, and making statutes and +regulations; and sleep, maugre and in +despight of hunger, beginning to weigh +down his eye-lids, his ears were saluted +with a terrible noise of bells and cries, +as if the whole island had been going to +wreck.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Sitting up in his bed, he listened attentively, +in hope of comprehending +the meaning and cause of such a mighty +uproar: however, he not only failed in +his expectation; but the noise of the +cries and the bells being reinforced by +that of an infinite number of drums +and trumpets, he remained more terrified, +confounded, and aghast, than +ever. Then starting up, he put on his +slippers, on account of the dampness of +the ground; though without wrapping +himself up in his morning-gown, or in +any other sort of apparel; and opening +the door of his apartment, saw above +twenty persons running through the gallery, +with lighted torches, and naked +swords in their hands, exclaiming aloud, +and all together, ‘Arm, arm, my Lord +Governor, arm! a vast number of +the enemy has landed on the island; +and we are lost and undone, unless +protected by your valour and activity.’</p> + +<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_508'>508</span>With this clamour, fury, and disturbance, +they rushed towards Sancho, +who stood astonished and perplexed at +what he saw and heard, and when they +came up to the spot, one of them accosting +him, ‘Arm, my lord,’ said he, +‘unless you want to perish, and see +the whole island destroyed.’—‘For +what should I arm?’ replied Sancho; +‘I neither know the use of arms, nor +can I give you protection. These +matters had better be left to my master +Don Quixote; who, in the turning +of a straw, would dispatch the +whole affair, and put every thing in +safety; but, for me, as I am a sinner +to God, I understand nothing of +these hurly-burlys!’—‘How! my +Lord Governor,’ cried another, ‘what +despondence is this? Put on your armour, +Signior; here we have brought +arms offensive and defensive; come +forth to the market-place, and be our +guide and our general, seeing of right +that place belongs to you, as being our +governor.’—‘Arm me, then, a God’s +name!’ replied Sancho. At that instant +they took two large bucklers they +had brought along with them, and putting +over his shirt (for they would not +give him time to clothe himself) one +buckler before and another behind, they +pulled his arms through certain holes +they had made in the targets, and fastened +them well together with cords, +in such a manner, that the poor governor +remained quite inclosed, and boarded +up as straight as a spindle, without +being able to bend his knees, or move +one single step; and in his hands they put +a lance, with which he supported himself +as he stood. Having cooped him up in +this manner, they desired him to march +out, and conduct and animate his people; +in which case he being the north +star, their lanthorn, and Lucifer, their +affairs would be brought to a prosperous +issue. ‘How should I march, unfortunate +wight that I am,’ said Sancho, +‘when my very knee pans have +not room to play, so much am I +cramped by those boards, which are +squeezed into my very flesh? Your +only way is to take me up in your +arms, and lay me across, or set me +upright in some postern, which I will +defend either with this lance or this +carcase.’—‘Come, my Lord Governor,’ +replied the other, ‘you are more +hampered by fear than by your bucklers. +Make haste, and exert yourself, +for it grows late; the enemies +swarm, the noise increases, and the +danger is very pressing.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>In consequence of this persuasion and +reproach, the poor governor endeavoured +to move, and down he came to the +ground with such a fall that he believed +himself split to pieces. There +he lay like a tortoise covered with its +shell, or a flitch of bacon between two +trays; or, lastly, like a boat stranded +with her keel uppermost. Yet his fall +did not excite the compassion of those +unlucky wags; on the contrary, extinguishing +their torches, they renewed +the clamour, and repeated the alarm +with such hurry and confusion, trampling +upon the unhappy Sancho, and +bestowing a thousand strokes upon the +bucklers, that if he had not gathered, +and shrunk himself up, with drawing +his head within the targets, the poor +governor would have passed his time but +very indifferently; shrunk as he was +within that narrow lodging, he sweated +all over with fear and consternation, +and heartily recommended himself to +God, that he might be delivered from +the danger that encompassed him. Some +stumbled, and others fell over him; +nay, one of the party stood upon him +for a considerable time, and thence, as +from a watch-tower, gave orders to +the army, exclaiming with a loud voice, +‘This way, my fellow-soldiers; for +here the enemy make their chief effort! +Guard this breach; shut that +gate; down with those scaling ladders; +bring up the fire-pots, with the +kettles of melted pitch, rosin, and +boiling oil; barricado the streets with +woolpacks!’ In a word, he named +with great eagerness, all the implements, +instruments, and munition of war, used +in the defence of a city assaulted; while +the bruised and battered Sancho, who +heard the din, and suffered grievously, +said within himself, ‘O! would it +please the Lord that the island were +quickly lost, that I might see myself +either dead or delivered from this distress!’ +Heaven heard his petition, and +when he least expected such relief, his +ears were saluted with a number of +voices, crying, ‘Victory! victory! the +enemy is overcome! Rise, my Lord +Governor, and enjoy your conquest; +<span class='pageno' id='Page_509'>509</span>and divide the spoil taken from the +foe by the valour of your invincible +arm.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>The afflicted Sancho, with a plaintive +voice, desired them to lift him up; +and when they helped him to rise and +set him on his legs again, ‘I wish,’ said +he, ‘the enemy I have conquered were +nailed to my forehead. I want to +divide no spoils; but I beg, and supplicate +some friend, if any such I +have, to bring me a draught of wine; +and that he will wipe me dry of this +sweat which has turned me into water.’ +They accordingly wiped him +clean, brought the wine, untied the +bucklers, and seated him upon his bed, +where he fainted away through fear, +consternation, and fatigue. Those concerned +in the joke now began to be sorry +for having laid it on so heavy; but +Sancho’s recovery moderated their uneasiness +at his swooning. He asked +what it was o’clock; and they answered +it was day-break: then, without speaking +another syllable, he began to dress +himself, in the most profound silence; +and all present gazed upon him with +looks of expectation, impatient to know +the meaning of his dressing himself so +earnestly. At length, having put on +his cloaths very leisurely, for his +bruises would not admit of precipitation, +he hied him to the stable, attended +by all the by-standers, where, +advancing to Dapple, he embraced him +affectionately, and gave him the kiss of +peace upon the forehead, saying, while +the tears trickled from his eyes, ‘Come +hither, my dear companion! my +friend, and sharer of all my toil and +distress; when you and I consorted +together, and I was plagued with no +other thoughts than the care of mending +your furniture and pampering +your little body, happy were my +hours, my days, and my years! but +since I quitted you, and mounted on +the towers of pride and ambition, my +soul has been invaded by a thousand +miseries, a thousand toils, and four +thousand disquiets.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>While he uttered this apostrophe, he +was employed in putting the pack-saddle +on his ass, without being interrupted +by any living soul; and Dapple being +equipped for the road, he made shift to +mount him, with great pain and difficulty: +then, directing his words and +discourse to the steward, secretary, sewer, +Doctor Pedro, and many others who +were present, ‘Make way, gentlemen,’ +said he, ‘and let me return to my ancient +liberty; let me go in quest of +my former life, that I may enjoy a +resurrection from this present death: +I was not born to be a governor, or +to defend islands and cities from the +assaults of their enemies. I am better +versed in ploughing and delving, +in pruning and planting vines, than +in enacting laws, and defending provinces +and kingdoms. I know <abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr> +Peter is well at Rome—that is, every +one does well in following the employment +to which he was bred; a +sickle becomes my hand better than a +governor’s sceptre; and I would rather +fill my belly with soup-meagre, +than undergo the misery of an impertinent +physician who starves me to +death. I would much rather solace myself +under the shade of an oak in summer, +and clothe myself with a sheepskin +jacket in the winter, being my own +master, than indulge, under the subjection +of a government, with holland +sheets, and robes of sables—God +be with you, gentlemen; and +pray tell my lord duke, Naked I +was born, and naked I remain; and +if I lose nothing, as little I gain. +That is, I would say, Pennyless I +took possession of this government, +and pennyless I resign my office; +quite the reverse of what is usually +the case with governors of other +islands. Make way, therefore, and +let me go and be plaistered; for I believe +all my ribs are crushed, thanks +to the enemies who have this night +passed and repassed over my carcase.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘It must not be so, my Lord Governor,’ +said Doctor Positive: ‘I will +give your worship a draught, calculated +for falls and bruises, that will +instantly restore you to your former +health and vigour; and with respect +to the article of eating, I promise +your lordship to make amends, and +let you eat abundantly of every thing +you desire.’—‘Your promise comes +too late,’ answered Sancho; ‘and I +will as soon turn Turk as forbear +going. Those are no jokes to be repeated. +Before God! I will as soon +remain in this, or accept of any other +government, even though it should +be presented in a covered dish, as I +will fly to Heaven without the help +<span class='pageno' id='Page_510'>510</span>of wings. I am of the family of the +Panzas, who are all headstrong, and +if once they say Odds, odds it must +be, though in fact it be even, in spite +of all the world. In this stable I +leave the pismire’s wings, that carried +me up into the clouds, to make +me a prey to martlets and other birds; +and now let us alight, and walk softly +and securely on the ground; and +if my feet are not adorned with +pinked shoes of Cordovan leather, +they shall not want coarse sandals of +cord or rushes; Let ewe and wether +go together; and, Nobody thrust his +feet beyond the length of his sheet. +Now, therefore, let me pass, for it +grows late.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>To this address the steward replied, +‘We shall freely allow your lordship +to go, although we shall be great +sufferers in losing you, whose ingenuity, +and Christian conduct, oblige +us to desire your stay; but it is well +known that every governor is obliged, +before he quits his government, to submit +his administration to a scrutiny; +and if your lordship will give an account +of yours, during the seven days +you have stood at the helm, you may +depart in peace, and God be your +guide.’—‘Nobody can call me to an +account,’ said Sancho, ‘but such as +are appointed by my lord duke. Now +to him am I a going, and to him will +I render it fairly and squarely; besides, +there is no occasion for any other +proof than my leaving you naked as +I am, to shew that I have governed +like an angel.’—‘’Fore God! the +great Sancho is in the right,’ cried +Doctor Positive; ‘and, in my opinion, +we ought to let him retire; for the +duke will be infinitely rejoiced to see +him.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>All the rest assented to the proposal, +and allowed him to pass; after having +offered to bear him company, and provide +him with every thing he should +want for entertainment of his person, +and the convenience of the journey. +Sancho said he wanted nothing but a +little barley for Dapple, and half a +cheese, with half a loaf, for himself, +the journey being so short, that he had +no occasion for any better or more +ample provision. All the company +embraced him, and were in their turns +embraced by the weeping Sancho, who +left them, equally astonished at his discourse, +as at his resolute and wise determination.</p> +<h4 id='chap4-4-2' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='two'>II.</abbr> <br> WHICH TREATS OF MATTERS BELONGING TO THIS HISTORY, AND NO OTHER WHATSOEVER.</h4> +<p class='c004'>The duke and duchess resolved, +that the defiance which Don +Quixote breathed against their vassal +for the cause already mentioned, should +be answered; and although the young +man was in Flanders, whither he had +fled to avoid such a mother-in-law as +Donna Rodriguez, they determined to +supply his place with a Gascon lacquey, +called Tosilos, whom they beforehand +minutely instructed how to +behave on this occasion.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Two days after these measures were +taken, the duke told Don Quixote +that in four days his antagonist would +come and present himself in the lists, +armed as a knight, and maintain that +the damsel lyed by one half of her +beard, and even by every hair of it, +if she affirmed that he had promised her +marriage. The knight received these +tidings with great pleasure, flattering +himself he should do something to excite +the admiration of the whole family; +and he thought himself extremely fortunate +in having found an opportunity +of shewing this noble pair how far the +valour of his powerful arm extended. +He, therefore, with great joy and satisfaction, +waited the expiration of the +four days, which, reckoned by his impatience, +seemed equal to four hundred +centuries.</p> + +<p class='c005'>In the mean time, let them pass, as we +have already let many other matters pass; +and attend Sancho, who, between merry +and sad, jogged along upon Dapple, +in quest of his master, whose company +he preferred to the government of all +the islands upon earth. Well, then, +he had not travelled far from the island +of his government, (for he never dreamed +of being certified whether what he +governed was island, city, town, or village) +when he saw coming towards him +six pilgrims, with their staves, of that +sort which begs charity by singing. +So soon, therefore, as they approached +him, they made a lane; and, raising +their voices together, began to sing in +<span class='pageno' id='Page_511'>511</span>their language, though Sancho understood +nothing of what they said, except +the word Charity, which they distinctly +pronounced; so that he immediately +conceived the meaning of their outlandish +song. Now, he being, according +to the asseveration of Cid Hamet, +extremely charitable, took out of his +bags and gave them the bread and +cheese with which he had been furnished, +making them understand by signs, +that he had nothing else to give. They +received his benefaction chearfully, pronouncing, +however, the word, <span lang="es">‘<i>Guelte</i>, +<i>Guelte</i>;’</span> to which Sancho answering—‘I +really do not understand what you +want, good people:’ one of them +took a purse from his bosom, and held +it up, giving him to understand they +wanted money. Then Sancho clapping +his thumb to his throat, and displaying +the back of his hand, signified that +he had not so much as the corner of a +rial, and spurred up Dapple, in order +to make his way through the midst of +them. As he passed, one of them having +considered him very attentively, laid +hold on Dapple’s halter, and clasping +him round the middle, exclaimed aloud, +in very good Castilian—‘The Lord protect +me! what is this I see? Is it possible +that I actually held in my arms +my dear friend, and good neighbour, +Sancho Panza? Yes, doubtless; for +I am neither asleep nor drunk.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Sancho was astonished to hear his +own name, and see himself embraced +by a pilgrim, and a stranger, whom, +though he silently gazed upon him with +the utmost attention, he could by no +means recollect. The pilgrim perceiving +his surprize—‘Is it possible, +brother Sancho Panza,’ said he, ‘that +thou dost not know thy neighbour +Ricote, the Moresco shopkeeper, that +lived in your town?’ Then Sancho, +reviewing him with greater attention, +began to recal his features; and at +length, perfectly recognizing the Moor, +he, without alighting, threw his arms +about his neck, saying—‘Who the devil +could know thee, Ricote, in that +disguise? Tell me who has pilgrimized +thee; and wherefore hast thou +dared to return to Spain, where, if +thou art found and known, thou +wilt suffer for thy rashness?’—‘If +thou wilt not discover me, Sancho, +I am secure,’ replied the pilgrim; ‘for +in this disguise, nobody will know +me. Let us quit the high-road, and +remove to yon poplar grove, where +my companions intend to take some +refreshment and repose; there thou +shalt partake with them, for they +are a very good sort of people; and +there I shall have leisure to recount +every thing that has befallen me since +I departed from our town, in obedience +to his majesty’s proclamation, +which so severely threatened the unfortunate +people of my nation; as, +no doubt, thou hast heard.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Sancho assented to his proposal; and +Ricote having spoke to the other pilgrims, +they betook themselves to the +tuft of poplars, at a good distance from +the high-road. There they threw down +their staves, laid aside their rochets or +mantles, so as to remain in their doublets; +and all of them appeared to be +young men of genteel persons, except +Ricote, who was already advanced in +years. Each had a wallet, in all appearance +well provided; at least, with +incentives which provoked thirst, at the +distance of two leagues. They stretched +themselves upon the ground, and +using the grass as a table-cloth, spread +upon it bread, salt, knives, nuts, +crusts of cheese, and some clean bones +of bacon, which, though they could +not be eaten, were in a condition to be +sucked with pleasure. They likewise +produced a black dish, which they called +caviere, made of the roes of fishes, +a great awakener of drought; nor did +they want olives, which, though dry +and without pickles, were very savoury +and delicate; but what made +the best figure in the field of this banquet, +was a bottle of wine which every +pilgrim drew forth from his wallet, +not excepting honest Ricote, who, being +transformed from a Moor into a +German or Teutonian, pulled out his +bottle also, which in size might have +vied with all the other five. They began +to eat with infinite relish, and great +deliberation, smacking their lips at +every mouthful which they took with +the point of a knife, though they are +but little; then, all at once, the whole +squadron together raised their arms and +bottles aloft, and joining mouth to +mouth, with their eyes fixed on the +firmament, they seemed to take aim at +heaven. In this manner, shaking their +heads from side to side, in token of the +satisfaction they received, they continued +<span class='pageno' id='Page_512'>512</span>a good while in the act of transfusing +the contents of the bottles into +their own bellies.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Sancho beheld this scene, with every +part of which he was perfectly well +pleased; and, in compliance with the +proverb which he very well knew, importing, +‘When thou art at Rome, +follow the fashion of Rome,’ he begged +an embrace of Ricote’s bottle, and +took his aim like the rest; nor was his +satisfaction inferior to theirs. Four +times did their bottles admit of elevation; +but the fifth was to no purpose: +for, by that time, they were as clean +and as dry as a rush; a circumstance +that threw a damp upon the mirth +which had hitherto prevailed. From +time to time each pilgrim, in his turn, +shook hands with Sancho, saying—‘Spaniard +or German, all one, goot +companion.’ To which compliment +Sancho replied—‘Goot companion, by +the Lord!’ bursting out into a fit +of laughter which lasted a whole hour, +without remembering at that time the +least circumstance of what had happened +to him in his government; for +over the times and seasons of eating +and drinking, care seldom holds jurisdiction. +Finally, the conclusion of +the wine was the beginning of sleep, +which overwhelmed the whole company, +and stretched them along upon the +table and cloth they had been using. +Ricote and Sancho were the only two +who remained awake, in consequence +of having eaten more, and drank less, +than their fellows: then Ricote taking +Sancho aside, they sat down at the root +of a beech, leaving the pilgrims buried +in an agreeable slumber; and without +stumbling in the least upon his Moresco +language, he spoke in pure Castilian to +this effect.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Well thou knowest, O Sancho +Panza, my neighbour and friend, how +the edict and proclamation which his +majesty published against those of +my religion, overwhelmed us all with +terror and consternation; at least, +they terrified me to such a degree, +that long before the time allotted to +us for our removal from Spain, I +thought the rigour of the penalty was +already executed against me and my +children. I therefore resolved, and, +I think, wisely, like the man who +knowing he must quit the house he +lives in, at such a time, provides +himself with another to which he +may remove—I resolved, I say, to +retire by myself, without my family, +and go in quest of some place to +which I might carry it commodiously, +without that hurry and confusion +which attended the departure of my +neighbours; for I was very well convinced, +and so were all our elders, +that those edicts were not only threats, +as some people said, but real laws, +that would certainly be put in execution +at the appointed time: and +this truth I was compelled to believe, +by knowing the base and mad designs +which our people harboured; such +designs that, I verily think, his majesty +was divinely inspired to execute +such a gallant resolution. Not that +we were all guilty; for some among +us were firm and staunch Christians: +but they were so few in number, that +they could not oppose the schemes of +those who were otherwise; and it was +dangerous to nurse a serpent in one’s +bosom, by allowing the enemy to +live within the house. In a word, +we were justly chastised by the sentence +of banishment, mild and gentle +in the opinion of some, but to us the +most terrible that could be pronounced. +In what country soever +we are, we lament our exile from +Spain: for, in fine, here we were +born; this is our native country; in +no clime do we find a reception suitable +to our misfortunes; nay, in +Barbary, and all the other parts of +Africk, where we expected to be received, +cherished, and entertained, we +have been most injured and maltreated; +we knew not our happiness until +we lost it; and so intense is the +longing desire which almost all of us +have to return to Spain, that the +greatest part of those, and they are +many, who understand the language +like me, return to this kingdom, +leaving their wives and children, unprotected +abroad, such is their affection +for this their native soil; and +now, I know, by experience, the +truth of the common saying, Sweet is +the love of native land.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Leaving our town, as I have already +said, I repaired to France; and, +though there we met with a civil reception, +I was desirous of seeing other +countries. I, therefore, travelled into +Italy, from whence I passed into +<span class='pageno' id='Page_513'>513</span>Germany, where people seemed to live +with more freedom: the natives do not +pry with curious eyes into one another’s +concerns; every one lives according to +his own humour; for in most parts of +the empire there is liberty of conscience. +I left a house which I hired in +a village near Augsburg, and joined +these pilgrims, a great number of +whom are wont to come hither yearly, +on pretence of visiting the sanctuaries +of Spain, which are their Indies, as +being productive of well known advantage, +and most certain gain. They +traverse the whole country; and there +is not a village from which they are not +dismissed with a belly full of meat +and drink, as the saying is, and a rial +at least, in money; so that at the end +of their peregrination, they are above +a hundred crowns in pocket, which, +being changed into gold, they conceal +in the hollow of their staves, or in the +patches of their cloaks; or task their +industry in such a manner as to carry +off their purchase to their own country, +in spite of the guards at the passes and +gates, where they are examined and +registered.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘My present intention, Sancho, is to +carry off the money I have buried, +which being without the town, I can +retrieve without danger; then I shall +write, or take a passage from Valencia, +to my wife and daughter, who, I know, +are at Algiers, in order to contrive a +method for transporting them to some +port of France, from whence I will +conduct them to Germany, where we +will bear with resignation the will of +Heaven: for, in fine, Sancho, I am +positively certain that my daughter Ricota, +and my wife Francisca Ricote, +are real Catholick Christians; and, +though I myself am not entirely of that +way of thinking, I have more of the +Christian than the Mussulman; and I +incessantly pray to God to open the +eyes of my understanding, that I +may know how to serve him in the +right way. But what excites my +wonder, and baffles my penetration, +is the conduct of my wife and daughter; +who have chosen to retire into +Barbary, rather than to France, +where they might have lived as Christians.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>To this observation Sancho replied—‘Why, +look ye, Ricote, they were not, +I suppose, at liberty to chuse for themselves, +inasmuch as they were carried +off by your wife’s brother, John Tiopieyo, +who, being a rank Moor, would +naturally go to the place where he +himself intended to make his abode: +and, I can tell you, moreover, I believe +it will be in vain for you to go in +search of what you left under ground; +for we are informed that thy wife and +brother-in-law were stripped of a +number of pears, and a great deal of +money, which was carried off to be registered.’—‘That +may be very true,’ +said Ricote: ‘but I am certain, Sancho, +they have not touched my hoard; +for I would not tell them where it +was hid, because I dreaded some misfortune: +and, therefore, Sancho, if +thou wilt come along with me, and +assist me in taking up and concealing +it, I will gratify thee with two hundred +crowns, to relieve thy necessities, +which thou art sensible I know to be +manifold.’—‘I would comply with +thy proposal,’ answered Sancho; ‘but +I am not at all covetous; were I that +way inclined, I this morning quitted +an employment by which I might +have been enabled to build the walls of +my house of beaten gold, and in less +than six months, eat out of plate: for +this reason, therefore, and because I +should think myself guilty of treason +to my king, in favouring his enemies, +I will not go along with thee, even +though in lieu of promising me two +hundred, thou shouldst here lay +down four hundred crowns upon the +nail.’—‘And, pray, what office is +this that thou halt quitted?’ said Ricote. +‘I have quitted the government +of an island,’ replied Sancho: ‘aye, +and such a one as, in good faith, you +will not find its fellow in three bow-shots.’—‘And +whereabouts is this +island?’ resumed the other. ‘Whereabouts!’ +cried Panza: ‘about two +leagues from hence, and it is called +the Island Barataria.’—‘Spare me, +spare me, good Sancho,’ said Ricote: +‘islands are far at sea; there are none +upon the continent.’—‘How, none!’ +replied Sancho: ‘I tell thee, friend Ricote, +I left it but this mornings and +yesterday governed in it at my pleasure, +like a perfect sagittary; but, for +<span class='pageno' id='Page_514'>514</span>all that, I resigned my place; for I +found the office of governors is very +troublesome and dangerous.’—‘And +what hast thou got by this government?’ +said Ricote. ‘I have got sense +enough to know that I am fit for governing +nothing but a flock of sheep,’ +answered Sancho: ‘and that the wealth +acquired in such governments is got +at the expence of ease, sleep, and even +sustenance; for in islands the governors +must eat very little, especially if +they have physicians to watch over +their health.’—‘I really do not understand +thee, Sancho,’ said Ricote: ‘but +every thing thou hast spoke, to me +seems mere madness; for who would +give thee islands to govern, when there +is plenty of men in the world so much +more capable of governing than thou? +Keep thy own counsel, Sancho, and +recollect thy judgment, and consider +whether or not thou wilt accompany +me, as I proposed, to assist me in conveying +the treasure I have hid; for the +sum is really so great, it may well be +called a treasure, and I will give thee +wherewithal to live, as I have already +promised.’—‘I have already told thee, +Ricote, that I will not,’ answered +Sancho: ‘be satisfied that by me thou +shalt not be discovered; continue thy +journey in happy hour, and let me +proceed in mine: for, well I know, +What’s honestly earned may be easily +lost, but ill-got wealth is ever at the +owner’s cost.’—‘Well, I will not +farther importune thee,’ said Ricote: +‘but, pray tell me, Sancho, wast thou +in our village when my wife and +daughter departed with my brother-in-law?’—‘Yes, +I was,’ replied Sancho: +‘and I can tell thee, thy daughter +appeared so beautiful, that all the +people in town went forth to see her, +and every body owned she was the +fairest creature under the sun; she +went along weeping, and embraced +all her friends and acquaintance; and +begged of all that came to see her, +that they would recommend her to +God, and our Lady his blessed mother. +Indeed, her behaviour was so +moving, that I myself, who am no +blubberer, could not help shedding +tears; and, in good sooth, many persons +were very desirous of going after, +and carrying her off, in order to +conceal her; but they were diverted +from that design, by the fear of acting +contrary to the king’s proclamation. +He that shewed himself the +most passionately fond of her, was Don +Pedro Gregorio, the young rich heir, +who, thou knowest, was said to be in +love with her. After her departure, +he never more appeared in our town, +and every body believed he went away +in order to carry her off; but hitherto +we have had no account of his motions.’—‘I +had always a suspicion,’ said Ricote, +‘that the young gentleman was +enamoured of my daughter; but, as I +confided in the virtue of Ricota, his +passion gave me no disturbance; for +thou must have heard, Sancho, that +the Moorish women seldom or never +engage in amorous intercourse with +old Christians; and my daughter, +whose inclination, I believe, leaned +more to Christianity than to love, +paid no attention to the importunities +of that young heir.’—‘God grant it +may be so,’ replied Sancho; ‘for it +would have been to the prejudice of +both: and now let me depart in peace, +friend Ricote; for, this night, I intend +to be with my master Don Quixote.’—‘God +be thy guide, brother Sancho,’ +said the Moor: ‘I see my companions +are stirring, and it is time for us to +make the best of our way.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Then the two having embraced one +another, Sancho mounted Dapple, Ricote +supported himself with his staff, and in +this manner they parted different ways.</p> +<h4 id='chap4-4-3' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='three'>III.</abbr> <br> OF CERTAIN ACCIDENTS THAT BEFEL SANCHO UPON THE ROAD—AND OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES, WHICH TO KNOW YOU NEED ONLY LOOK FORWARD.</h4> +<p class='c004'>Sancho was so long detained +by Ricote, that he could not reach +the duke’s castle that day, though he +was within half a league of it, and there +overtaken by the night, which was +dark and close; but it being the summer +season, he was not much concerned, +and retired a little from the high-road +with intention to wait patiently for +morning. It was, however, the pleasure +of his niggard and unhappy fortune, +that in seeking a place proper +<span class='pageno' id='Page_515'>515</span>for his accommodation, he and Dapple +tumbled into a deep and very dark +pit, among a number of old buildings. +In falling, he recommended himself to +God, with all his heart, in the firm +persuasion that he would not stop until +he reached the bottom of the profound +abyss: but this apprehension was happily +disappointed; for Dapple having +descended little more than three fathoms, +touched the ground, and his +rider found himself on his beast’s back, +without having sustained the least hurt +of damage. He felt his body all over, +and held in his breath to know whether +he was sound or perforated in any part; +and when he found himself safe, whole, +and in Catholick health, he did not +fail to thank our Lord God for his +protection, as he actually thought +he had been shattered into a thousand +pieces. He likewise felt about the sides +of the pit, to know if there was any +possibility of being extricated without +assistance; but he found them all +smooth and perpendicular, without +any projection or cranny of which he +could take the least advantage; a circumstance +that greatly increased his +chagrin, especially when he heard Dapple +complain in a most pathetick and +lamentable tone; and, indeed, it was +no great wonder, nor did he lament +out of wantonness, for in truth he +was in a very sorry condition.</p> + +<p class='c005'>It was then that Sancho Panza exclaimed—‘Alack, +and a-well-a-day! +how unexpected are the accidents +which, at every turn, befal those who +live in this miserable world! Who +could foretel, that he who yesterday +saw himself enthroned as governor +of an island, giving orders to his +servants and vassals, should to-day +be buried in a dungeon, without a +soul to remedy his misfortune, or a +servant or vassal to hasten to his relief? +Here I and my poor beast must perish +by hunger, if we do not give up +the ghost before that period; he, in +consequence of being battered and +bruised, and I, from pure sorrow and +vexation. At least, I shall not be +so lucky as my master Don Quixote +de La Mancha; who, when he descended, +and sunk into the cave of +that same enchanted Montesinos, was +better entertained than he could have +been in his own house; so that the +cloth seemed to be laid, and the bed +fairly made. There he enjoyed beautiful +and agreeable visions; but here, +I believe, I shall see nothing but +toads and serpents. Unfortunate +wretch that I am! to what a pass am +I brought by my fantasies and folly! +From this cavern (when Heaven shall +be pleased to discover them) my +bones, together with those of my honest +friend Dapple, will be taken +up smooth, and white, and bare as +an atomy; and, from this particular, +perhaps, it will be discovered who +we are, especially by those who know +that Sancho Panza never parted from +his ass, nor his ass from Sancho Panza. +I say again, miserable creatures that +we are! why would not our niggard +fortune allow us to die at home, in +our own country, in the midst of our +friends? where, though our misfortune +would admit of no remedy, we +should not have wanted relations to +grieve at our fate, and close our eyes +in the last hour of our trial!</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘O my dear companion, and my +friend! how ill have I rewarded thy +good services! Forgive me, honest +Dapple, and entreat fortune, in the +best terms thou canst use, to deliver +us from this vexatious misery in +which we are equally involved; in +which case, I promise to put a crown +of laurel upon thy head, so as that +thou shalt look like a poet-laureat; +and, withal, to give thee double allowance +of provender.’ In this manner +did Sancho Panza pour forth his +lamentation, to which the poor beast +listened without answering one word; +such was the danger and distress to +which the poor animal found himself +exposed.</p> + +<p class='c005'>At length, after they had passed the +whole night in miserable complaints +and lamentations, day broke; and +by the light and splendor of the morning, +Sancho perceived, that of all impossibilities +it was the most impossible +to free himself from that pit without +assistance; so that he began to lament +afresh, and roar aloud, in hope that +somebody might hear his voice: but +all his cries were uttered to the desart; +for in all that neighbourhood there +was not a soul by whom he could be +heard; and therefore he gave himself +up for lost. As Dapple lay with +his mouth uppermost, Sancho Panza +exerted himself in such a manner as to +<span class='pageno' id='Page_516'>516</span>raise his friend upon his legs, which, +by the bye, could scarce bear his +weight; and, taking a piece of bread +out of his wallet, which had likewise +suffered the same unfortunate fall, gave +it to the poor beast, who received it +very thankfully; and Sancho told him, +as if he understood his words—‘All +ills are good, when attended with +food.’ About this time he discovered +a hole at one side of the dungeon, +large enough to give passage to a man, +provided he could bend his body, and +creep through; to this he hastened, +and squeezing himself into it, perceived, +within, a large extensive +space, the particulars of which he +could distinguish; for, through what +may be termed the roof, descended +a small stream of light that illuminated +the whole place, which, as he observed, +dilated and extended itself through +another spacious concavity.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Sancho, having made these remarks, +returned to the place where his companion +stood, and with a stone began to +clear away the rubbish from the hole, +which he in a little time enlarged to +such a degree that Dapple passed with +ease. Then taking the halter in his +hand, he led him forwards through that +cavern, in hope of finding an exit at +the other end: and sometimes he proceeded +darkling, and sometimes without +one ray of light; but always in +fear and trepidation. ‘God Almighty +protect me!’ said he within himself; +‘this, that is such a dismal expedition +to me, would be an excellent adventure +to my master, who would +look upon these depths and dungeons +as so many flower-gardens, and palaces +of Galiana<a id='r194'></a><a href='#f194' class='c008'><sup>[194]</sup></a>; and expect to pass +from this distress and obscurity, into +some blooming meadow adorned with +the pride of spring: whereas I, a +miserable wretch! equally impudent +and poor-spirited, dread, at every +step, that another dungeon, still more +deep, will suddenly open under my +feet, and swallow me up at once. +We may bear, without a groan, the +misfortune that comes alone.’ In +venting these ejaculations, he fancied +he had proceeded about half a league, +when he perceived a kind of confused +light, like that of day, glimmering +through a passage that seemed to be the +road from this to the other world.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Here Cid Hamet Benengeli, leaving +the squire, returns to Don Quixote, +waiting with joy and transport for the +combat in which he was to engage with +the person who had robbed the daughter +of Donna Rodriguez of her precious +virtue; for he made no doubt of redressing +the grievance and disgrace which +the delinquent had feloniously entailed +upon the innocent damsel.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Chancing one morning to go out, in +order to improve and inure himself to +the exercise of arms, which he meant to +practise in that combat to which in a +few days he must be exposed, he, in +wheeling about, or giving the charge +with Rozinante, rode so near the mouth +of a cavern, that if he had not vigorously +pulled in the reins, he must have +plunged into it, without all possibility +of escape. He kept his seat, however, +and at length made his retreat good; +then, re-approaching the hole, he, without +alighting, surveyed the depth of +the cave; and, while he was thus employed, +heard loud cries issuing from +below; in consequence of which, listening +with great attention, he could distinguish +articulate sounds, and distinctly +understand the following exclamation: +‘So ho! above there; is there any +Christian within hearing? or any +charitable gentleman whose bowels +yearn at the distress of a sinner buried +alive, and an unfortunate misgoverned +governor?’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Don Quixote thought he recognized +the voice of Sancho Panza, at hearing +which he was confounded and astonished; +and raising his own voice as high +as he could strain—‘Who is that below,’ +cried he, ‘complaining so grievously?’—‘Who +should be here, or +who complain, but the bewildered +Sancho Panza, for his sins and misfortune, +appointed governor of the +Island Barataria, who was formerly +squire to the renowned knight Don +Quixote de La Mancha?’ When the +knight heard this declaration, his surprize +redoubled, his amazement increased, +and he was struck with the +notion that Sancho Panza was dead, +and his soul doing penance in that +place. Swayed by this conjecture, he +<span class='pageno' id='Page_517'>517</span>exclaimed—‘I conjure thee, by all +that is sacred, as a Catholick Christian, +to tell me who thou art? If a +soul in punishment, let me know +what I can do in thy behalf; for, as +it is my profession to savour and assist +the needy of this world, so likewise +am I ready to succour and relieve +the miserable objects of the +other world, who cannot relieve themselves.’—‘At +that rate, and by your +worship’s discourse,’ answered the +voice, ‘you should be my master Don +Quixote de la Mancha; and, indeed, +by the tone of your voice, I know +you can be no other.’—‘Don Quixote +I am,’ replied the knight; ‘he +who professed to aid and assist the +living, as well as the dead, in their +distresses. Tell me, therefore, who +thou art, by whom I am thus held +in astonishment; for if thou art my +squire Sancho Panza, and hast quitted +this life, seeing the devils have not +got possession of thy soul, but through +the mercy of God thou art now in +purgatory, our holy mother, the Roman +Catholick Church, has prayers +sufficient to deliver thee from thy present +pain; and I, for my part, will +solicit them in thy behalf, as far as +my whole fortune will extend; I say, +therefore, make haste, and declare thy +name and situation.’—‘I vow to +God!’ answered the voice, ‘and swear +by the birth of whom your worship +pleases, Signior Don Quixote de La +Mancha, that I am your identical +squire, Sancho Panza, and was never +yet dead in the whole course of my +life, but I quitted my government +for causes and considerations which I +must have more leisure to explain. +Last night I fell into this dungeon, +together with Dapple, who will not +suffer me to tell an untruth; by the +same token he stands now at my +back.’ One would have imagined +the beast understood what his master +said; for that moment he began to bray +so strenuously, that the whole cave +echoed with the sound. ‘A most unexceptionable +evidence!’ cried Don +Quixote; ‘I know that note as well as +if I had given it birth; and, besides, +I recognize thy voice, my good Sancho. +Wait a little, I will ride to the +duke’s castle, which is hard by, and +bring people to extricate thee from +that dungeon into which thou hast +been plunged for thy sins and transgressions.’—‘I +entreat your worship +to go, for the love of God! and return +speedily; for I cannot bear to +be buried here alive; and, moreover, +I am ready to die with fear!’</p> + +<p class='c005'>The knight leaving him accordingly, +repaired to the castle, where he recounted +to the duke and duchess the accident +which had befallen poor Sancho, at +which they were not a little surprized, +though they at once comprehended how +he must have fallen by the correspondence +of that cavern which had been +there time out of mind; but they could +not conceive how he should have quitted +the government without giving them +notice of his coming. Finally, ropes +and cables were provided, together with +a good number of people; and Dapple +and Sancho Panza, though not without +a great deal of trouble, were hoisted +up from dungeons and darkness to the +chearful light of day. ‘In this manner,’ +said a student, who chanced to +be among the spectators, ‘should all +bad governors be dragged from their +governments like that poor sinner +from the profound abyss, half dead +with hunger, pale with fear, and, as +I believe, without a penny in his +pocket.’ Sancho, hearing this observation, +replied—‘Eight or ten days +are now elapsed, brother growler, +since I assumed the reins of government +in that island, which was committed +to my charge; and, in all +that time, I never once had my belly-full, +even of dry bread. I have been +persecuted by physicians; my bones +have been crushed by the enemy; but +I never had a bribe in view, nor did +I ever receive my due. And this +being the case, as it certainly is, methinks, +I have not deserved to be +dragged out in this manner; but +Man projects in vain, for God doth +still ordain; Heaven knows how +meet it is to grant, what every one +pretends to want; Every season has +its reason; Let no man presume to +think, of this cup I will not drink; +for, Where the stitch we hoped to +find, not even a hook is left behind. +God knows my meaning, and that’s +enough; I shall say no more, though +perhaps I could speak more plainly.’—‘Be +not angry, Sancho,’ replied Don +<span class='pageno' id='Page_518'>518</span>Quixote, ‘and give thyself no concern +about what thou mayest hear, +otherwise there will be no end of thy +vexation; console thyself with a good +conscience, and let them say what +they will; for it is as impracticable +to tye up the tongue of malice, as to +erect barricadoes in the open fields. +If a governor resigns his office in good +circumstances, people say he must +have been an oppressor and a knave; +and if poverty attends him in his retreat, +they set him down as an idiot +and fool.’—‘For this time,’ answered +Sancho, ‘I am certain they will think +me more fool than knave.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Thus discoursing, and surrounded by +a number of boys, and other spectators, +they arrived at the castle, where +the duke and duchess waited to receive +them in a gallery; but Sancho would +not go up stairs, until he saw Dapple +properly accommodated in the stable; +for, he observed, the poor creature had +passed the preceding night in very indifferent +lodging. Then he went to +pay his respects to his noble patrons; +before whom, falling on his knees—‘According +to the good pleasure of +your graces,’ said he, ‘and without +any merit on my side, I went to govern +your Island Barataria, which +Naked I entered, and naked I remain; +and if I lose nothing, as little +I gain. Whether I have governed +righteously or amiss, there are witnesses, +who will declare, and say, +whatsoever they think proper, I have +explained doubts, and decided causes, +though all the time half dead with +hunger, because my fasting seemed +good under Doctor Pedro Positive, native +of Snatchaway, the island and governor’s +physician. We were assaulted +in the night by the enemy, who put +us all in great jeopardy and consternation; +and the inhabitants of the +island said they were delivered, and +proved victorious, by the valour of +my invincible arm; but, so may God +deal with them as they speak truth. +In a word, I have, during my administration, +considered the cares and +obligations that attend the exercise of +power, and found them, by my reckoning, +too weighty for my shoulders; +they are neither fit burthens for my +back, nor arrows for my quiver; and, +therefore, that the government might +not discard me, I have thought proper +to discard the government; and +yesterday I left the island as I found +it, with the same streets, houses, and +roofs, which belonged to it when I +took possession. I have borrowed of +no man, nor consulted my own private +gain or advantage; and, although +my intention was to make +some wholesome regulations, I did +not put my design in execution, because +I was afraid they would not be +observed; and a law neglected, is the +same thing as one that never was +enacted.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘I quitted the island, as I have said, +without any other company than that +of Dapple; I fell into a dungeon, +through which I groped my way, until +this morning, by the light of the +sun, I perceived a passage out of it, +though not so easy but that if Heaven +had not sent my master Don +Quixote to my assistance, there I +should have remained to the day of +judgment. Here, then, my Lord +Duke and Lady Duchess, is your governor +Sancho Panza, who, during +the ten days of his administration, +has gained nothing but so much knowledge, +that he would not give a farthing +to be governor, not only of an +island, but even of the whole world; +and in this opinion, kissing your +graces’ feet, and imitating the game +of boys, who cry, “Leap and away,” +I take a leap from the government +into the service of my master Don +Quixote; for, in short, though with +him I eat my bread in terror and +alarm, I at least fill my belly; and +so that is full, I care not whether it +be with carrots or partridge.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Here Sancho concluded his harangue, +during which the knight was in continual +apprehension that he would utter +a thousand absurdities; but when he +heard it finished with so few, he thanked +Heaven in his heart; while the duke +embraced Sancho, and told him he was +grieved to the soul that he had so soon +left his government; but he would find +means to invest him with another office +in his estate, which would be attended +with less care and more advantage. +He was likewise consoled by the duchess, +who gave particular orders about +his entertainment, as he seemed to be +sorely bruised, and in a lamentable +condition.</p> + +<div> + <span class='pageno' id='Page_519'>519</span> + <h4 id='chap4-4-4' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='four'>IV.</abbr> <br> OF THE DREADFUL AND UNSEEN BATTLE,<br> FOUGHT BETWEEN DON QUIXOTE DE LA MANCHA,<br> AND THE LACQUEY TOSILOS,<br> IN BEHALF OF THE DAUGHTER OF RODRIGUEZ THE DUENNA.</h4> +</div> +<p class='c004'>The duke and duchess did not repent +of the joke they had executed +upon Sancho Panza, with respect to +his government, especially as the steward +arrived the same day, and gave a +circumstantial detail of all the words +and actions which he had said and performed +during the term of his administration. +In fine, he magnified the +assault of the island, and the terror of +Sancho, and described the manner of +his departure, from the account of +which they received no small pleasure +and satisfaction.</p> + +<p class='c005'>The history afterwards relates, that +the day appointed for the combat arrived; +and the duke having again and +again instructed his lacquey Tosilos +how to manage Don Quixote, so as to +conquer without slaying, or even wounding +the knight, ordered the lances to be +divested of their iron heads, observing +to Don Quixote that Christianity, upon +which he valued himself, would not +allow him to let the combat be fought +with any risk or danger of his life; and +that he hoped the knight would be satisfied +with his granting a field for the +lists in his territories, an indulgence +contrary to the decree of the holy council, +which prohibits all such challenges: +he therefore desired that the battle might +not be fought to the last extremity. +Don Quixote said his excellency might +order the particulars of that affair according +to his own pleasure, and that +he would punctually comply with every +circumstance of the disposition.</p> + +<p class='c005'>The dreadful day then being arrived, +and the duke having caused a spacious +scaffold to be erected before the courtyard +of the castle, for the accommodation +of the judges of the field, and the +mother and daughter, who were plaintiffs +in the cause; an infinite number +of people assembled from all the neighbouring +towns and villages, to see the +novelty of this battle; for such a combat +had never been seen nor heard of +in that country, by either the living or +the dead. The first that entered the +lists was the master of the ceremonies, +in order to examine the ground; and he +accordingly surveyed the whole field, +to see that there was no deceit, or any +thing concealed that might occasion +stumbling or falling; then came the +duennas and took their seats, veiled +down to the eyes, and even to the bosom, +with demonstrations of excessive +grief. They being seated, Don Quixote +presented himself in the lists; and +in a little time appeared the great lacquey +Tosilos upon a mighty steed that +shook the very ground, accompanied +with a number of trumpets, his vizor +being down, and his whole body stiffened +with strong and shining armour; +his horse seemed to be of the Friezland +breed, broad built, and of a flea-bitten +colour, with a stone of wool hanging +to every foot. Thus approached the +valiant combatant, well instructed by +the duke how to engage the valorous +Don Quixote de La Mancha, and particularly +cautioned against taking away +the life of his knightly opponent; for +he was warned to avoid the first encounter +as he would shun his own death, +which must have been certain had they +met full shock in the midst of their +career. This champion, crossing the +field, and riding up to the place where +the duennas were seated, began very +earnestly to contemplate the person who +claimed him as her husband<a id='r195'></a><a href='#f195' class='c008'><sup>[195]</sup></a>; while +the master of the field, calling to Don +Quixote, who had likewise entered the +lists, and kept close to Tosilos, asked +the duennas if they consented to depend +upon Don Quixote de La Mancha for +the redress of their grievances; they +replied in the affirmative, declaring, at +the same time, that whatever he should +<span class='pageno' id='Page_520'>520</span>do in the affair they would hold as well +done, firm, and sufficient<a id='r196'></a><a href='#f196' class='c008'><sup>[196]</sup></a>. By this +time, the duke and duchess had placed +themselves in a gallery that overlooked +the barriers, which were crouded with +an infinite number of people, who came +to see the dreadful and never-beheld encounter; +but, before they engaged, it +was stipulated, that if Don Quixote +should overcome his antagonist, he, the +said antagonist, should marry the daughter +of Donna Rodriguez; but should +victory declare for the defendant, he +should be released from the promise +they pretended he had made, without +giving any other satisfaction.</p> + +<p class='c005'>The master of the ceremonies having +divided the sun, and stationed each +combatant in his proper post, the drums +began to thunder, the sound of trumpets +filled the air, the earth trembled +beneath their feet, and the hearts of +the gazing multitude throbbed with +suspense and expectation, some hoping, +and others fearing, the good or bad +success of the battle. Finally, Don +Quixote, recommending himself with +all his heart to our Lord God, and to +the Lady Dulcinea del Toboso, waited +with impatience for the precise signal of +engaging; while our lacquey, engrossed +by far other sentiments, thought of nothing +but what we will now explain. +While he stood gazing at his female +enemy, she appeared in his eyes the +most beautiful creature he had ever +seen in the whole course of his life, and +the little blind urchin, vulgarly known +by the name of Cupid, was unwilling +to lose this opportunity to triumph +over a lacqueyan soul, and register this +subject in the list of his atchievements; +he, therefore, approached him fairly +and softly, and unperceived let fly an +arrow two yards long, which, entering +his left side, transfixed his heart: +nor was it difficult to perform this +exploit; for Love is invincible, and +makes his entrance and exit wheresoever +he chuses to pass, without being +called to account by any person +upon earth—I say, when they gave the +signal for battle, our lacquey’s soul +was transported by the beauty of her, +to whom, by this time, he had surrendered +his liberty; and therefore, he +was not so much affected by the sound +of the trumpet as his antagonist Don +Quixote, whose ears it no sooner saluted, +than he sprang forwards to assault +his adversary with all the mettle +that Rozinante could exert; and his +good squire Sancho seeing him begin +his career, exclaimed with an audible +voice, ‘God be thy guide, thou cream +and flower of knights-errant: God +grant thee the victory, seeing thy +cause is the best!’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Although Tosilos saw Don Quixote +advancing against him, he did not +budge one step from his station, but +called aloud to the field-master, to +whom, when he went up to see what +he wanted, he thus addressed himself: +‘Tell me, Signior, is not this combat +appointed to determine whether I shall +or shall not marry that lady?’ To +this question the other having replied +in the affirmative, ‘Well, then,’ resumed +the lacquey, ‘I have a tender +conscience, that would be grievously +burdened should I proceed in this +quarrel; and, therefore, I own myself +vanquished, and will forthwith +take the lady to wife.’ The field-master +was surprized at this declaration +of Tosilos; and, being in the secret of +the plan, knew not what answer to +make; while Don Quixote, perceiving +his enemy did not come on to the assault, +checked Rozinante in the middle of his +career. The duke, being ignorant +of the cause that retarded the battle, +was by the field-master, informed of +what Tosilos had said, at which he +was extremely surprized and incensed; +whereas, Tosilos, in the mean time, +rode up towards the place where Donna +Rodriguez was seated, and pronounced +with a loud voice, ‘Madam, as I am +willing to marry your daughter, there +is no occasion to seek that by disputes +and contention which I may obtain +peaceably without the danger of +death.’ The valiant Don Quixote +hearing this address, ‘Since that is the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_521'>521</span>case,’ said he, ‘I am released and +acquitted of my promise; let them +marry a-God’s name, and as our +Lord bestows the bride, may <abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr> Peter +bless the nuptials!’</p> + +<p class='c005'>The duke descending into the court-yard +of the castle, and advancing to +Tosilos, ‘Knight,’ said he, ‘is it true, +that you own yourself vanquished, and +that, instigated by your timorous conscience, +you consent to marry this +damsel?’ When he answered, ‘Yes, +my lord.’—‘He is very much in the +right,’ cried Sancho: ‘Give always +to the cat what was kept for the rat; +and, Let it still be thy view all mischief +to eschew.’ As for Tosilos, he began +to unlace his helmet, and earnestly +begged that somebody would come to +his assistance; for his breath was almost +gone, and he could not bear to be +confined so long in such a narrow lodging. +People accordingly ran to his relief; +and his head being uncased, Donna +Rodriguez discovered the individual +countenance of our lacquey, which the +daughter no sooner beheld than she cried +aloud, ‘A cheat! a cheat! My Lord +Duke has palmed his lacquey upon +us, in lieu of my lawful husband: I +demand justice of God and the king, +for this malicious, not to call it knavish +contrivance.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Ladies,’ said Don Quixote, ‘give +yourselves no concern; there is neither +malice nor knavery in the case; +or if there is, it cannot be occasioned +by the duke, but by those wicked inchanters +who persecute me without +ceasing: envious of the glory I should +have acquired in this atchievement, +they have metamorphosed your husband’s +face into the aspect of this +man, who, you say, is the duke’s lacquey. +Take my advice, therefore, +maugre the malice of mine enemies, +bestow your hand upon him; for, +without all doubt, he is the very person +whom you desire to obtain as an +husband.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>The duke, overhearing this admonition, +had well-nigh vented all his indignation +in laughter, saying, ‘The adventures +that happen to Signior Don Quixote +are so extraordinary, that I am apt +to believe this is not really my lacquey; +but, let us make use of this +expedient and stratagem: we will, if +it be agreeable, delay the marriage a +fortnight, and confine this person, of +whom we are doubtful, and in that +time perhaps he will retrieve his former +figure; for surely the rancour of +those wicked inchanters, who hate +Don Quixote, cannot last so long; +especially as such delusions and transformations +avail them so little.’—‘O +my lord!’ cried Sancho, ‘those banditti +have been long accustomed to +chop, change, and transmography +every thing that belongs to my master; +some time ago he vanquished an +errant, called the Knight of the Mirrours, +and in a twinkling they transformed +him into the figure of the batchelor +Sampson Carrasco, a townsman +and great friend of ours; as for +my Lady Dulcinea del Toboso, they +have changed her into a homely +country wench; and, therefore, I +take it for granted that this man +will die and live a lacquey all the days + of his life.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Here the daughter of Donna Rodriguez +interposing, ‘Be he who he will,’ +said she, ‘I am obliged to him for asking +me in marriage: and I would rather +be the lawful wife of a lacquey, +than the deluded mistress of a gentleman; +although he who deluded me +has no pretensions to that title.’ In +fine, all these incidents and explanations +ended in the resolution to confine +Tosilos, until they should see the issue +of his transformation; while, with unusual +acclamation, the victory was adjudged +to Don Quixote; though the +greatest part of the spectators seemed +melancholy and disappointed, because +they had not seen two such hopeful combatants +hew one another in pieces: in +the same manner as the boys are out of +humour, when the execution is prevented +by the malefactor’s being pardoned, +either by the party or the king.</p> + +<p class='c005'>The crowd dispersed, the duke and +Don Quixote returned to the castle, Tosilos +was sent to prison; Donna Rodriguez +and her daughter rejoiced exceedingly, +when they saw, that one way or +another, this affair would end in marriage, +and the lover consoled himself +with the same prospect.</p> + +<h4 id='chap4-4-5' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='five'>V.</abbr> <br> GIVING AN ACCOUNT OF THE MANNER IN WHICH DON QUIXOTE<br> TOOK LEAVE OF THE DUKE;<br> AND OF WHAT PASSED BETWEEN HIM<br> AND THE GAY AND WITTY ALTISIDORA, ONE OF THE DUCHESS’S DAMSELS.</h4> +<p class='c004'><span class='pageno' id='Page_522'>522</span>By this time Don Quixote thought +he would do well to quit that idle +way of life which he led in the castle; +for he imagined himself much to blame +in living thus buried and inactive +among those infinite dainties and entertainments +with which he, as a +knight-errant, was indulged by that +noble pair; and he concluded that he +would be obliged to give a severe account +to Heaven of this idleness and +sequestration. He, therefore, one day, +begged leave of the duke and duchess +to depart; and they granted his request, +with marks of being extremely +grieved at his intention. The duchess +delivered to Sancho Panza his wife’s +letter, and the good squire wept bitterly +when he understood the contents; +saying, ‘Who could have thought +such mighty hopes as were engendered +in the breast of my wife Teresa Panza, +by the news of my government, +would vanish in my returning again +to the woeful adventures of my master +Don Quixote de La Mancha? +Nevertheless, I am pleased to find that +my Teresa behaved like herself, in +sending the acorns to the duchess; +for had she failed in that particular, I +should have been sorely vexed, and +she would have shewn herself ungrateful: +what comforts my poor +heart is, that they cannot call this +present a bribe; for I was actually +in possession of the government before +the acorns were sent: and it is but +reasonable, that folks who receive +any sort of benefit should shew their +gratitude, even though in trifles. In +effect, naked I took possession of the +government, and naked I resigned +my office; therefore, I may say with +a safe conscience, which is no small +boast, I naked was born, and naked +remain; and if I lose nothing, as little +I gain.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>This conference Sancho held with +his own bosom on the day of their +departure: as for Don Quixote, having +taken leave of their graces over-night, +he in the morning presented himself +armed in the court-yard of the castle, +where he furnished a spectacle to all +the people of the family, not even +excepting the duke and duchess, who +viewed him from the gallery. Sancho +was mounted upon Dapple, extremely +well pleased with the contents of his +bags, wallet, or store; for the duke’s +steward, who acted the part of the +Countess Trifaldi, had given him a +small purse of two hundred crowns, to +answer the emergencies of the road: but +of this supply Don Quixote was ignorant. +While every individual, as we +have said, stood gazing at the knight, +all of a sudden, from among the other +duennas and damsels of the duchess, +the gay and witty Altisidora, raising +her voice, pronounced what follows, in +a lamentable tone.</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c012'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘Ah! hear my plaint, unlucky knight,</div> + <div class='line'>Pull in thy rein, and do me right;</div> + <div class='line'>And pr’ythee spare, at my request,</div> + <div class='line'>The flanks of that poor batter’d beast.</div> + <div class='line'>Consider she whose heart’s at stake,</div> + <div class='line'>False man! is not a scaly snake;</div> + <div class='line'>But a young lambkin, meek and true,</div> + <div class='line'>Just wean’d from teat of mother ewe.</div> + <div class='line'>Say, monster, why undo a maid</div> + <div class='line'>More beautiful than ever stray’d</div> + <div class='line'>With Cynthia, huntress of the wood,</div> + <div class='line'>Or Venus, native of the flood?</div> + <div class='line'>But Æneas-like thou mean’st to fly,</div> + <div class='line'>The death of Barrabas may Quixote die!</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘Thou, robber! in thy claws hast got</div> + <div class='line'>The heart and bowels, and what not,</div> + <div class='line'>Of a weak virgin, Heav’n befriend her!</div> + <div class='line'>Mild, humble, timorous, and tender.</div> + <div class='line'>Three linen night-caps hast thou stole,</div> + <div class='line'>And silken garters strong and whole,</div> + <div class='line'>That to these legs did appertain;</div> + <div class='line'>These legs, as marble smooth and clean.</div> + <div class='line'>Thou carriest off two thousand sighs,</div> + <div class='line'>Which, kindled by thy beaming eyes,</div> + <div class='line'>Would in a twinkling quite destroy</div> + <div class='line'>Two thousand cities great as Troy.</div> + <div class='line'>But if Æneas-like thou mean’st to fly,</div> + <div class='line'>The death of Barrabas may Quixote die!</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘May Sancho’s buttocks, and his heart,</div> + <div class='line'>Ne’er feel the ignominious smart</div> + <div class='line'>Prescrib’d, when he is pleas’d and ready</div> + <div class='line'>To disinchant thy fav’rite lady!</div> + <div class='line'>Since thine’s the offence, and thine the blame,</div> + <div class='line'>Endure the punishment and shame</div> + <div class='line'>Which in my country, once a year,</div> + <div class='line'>The righteous for the wicked bear.</div> + <div class='line'>Be thy adventures (small and great)</div> + <div class='line'>Inglorious and unfortunate;</div> + <div class='line'>Like dreams may all thy pleasures fade,</div> + <div class='line'>Thy constancy oblivion shade;</div> + <div class='line'>And if Æneas-like thou mean’st to fly,</div> + <div class='line'>The death of Barrabas may Quixote die!</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘May’st thou be deem’d a perjur’d devil,</div> + <div class='line'>E’en from Marchena unto Seville;</div> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_523'>523</span>From Loja to Granada hated,</div> + <div class='line'>From London Tow’r to England baited.</div> + <div class='line'>At drafts should’st thou attempt to play,</div> + <div class='line'>Or waste at ombre all the day,</div> + <div class='line'>May no crown’d monarch or spadille</div> + <div class='line'>Attend the efforts of thy skill;</div> + <div class='line'>When angry corn disturbs thy toe,</div> + <div class='line'>May blood at ev’ry paring flow;</div> + <div class='line'>And of each tooth the barbers draw,</div> + <div class='line'>The stump still fester in thy jaw:</div> + <div class='line'>Nay, since Æneaslike thou mean’st to fly,</div> + <div class='line'>The death of Barrabas may Quixote die!’</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>While the afflicted Altisidora complained +in these strains, Don Quixote +surveyed her attentively; and, without +answering a word to her lamentation, +turned to Sancho, saying, ‘By the age +of thine ancestors, my dear Sancho, +I conjure thee to tell me the truth: say, +hast thou actually got the three caps +and the garters, which this enamoured +damsel mentions?’ To this question +the squire replied, ‘The three caps I +have; but as to the garters, I know +nothing of the matter.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>The duchess was surprized at the +freedom of Altisidora’s behaviour; for, +although she knew her to be forward, +merry, and frank, she did not think the +girl possessed of assurance enough to attempt +a scheme of this nature; and her +admiration was the greater, as she had +not been previously apprized of the intended +joke. The duke, however, in +order to reinforce the jest, addressed himself +to Don Quixote in these words: ‘It +does not look well, Sir Knight, that +you who have met with such honourable +reception and treatment in this +my castle, should presume to carry off +by stealth three knight-caps, at least, +if not a pair of garters likewise, belonging +to my damsel: these are marks +of a bad heart, and but ill agree with +your reputation. Restore the garters +to the right owner; otherwise, I challenge +you to mortal combat, without +any apprehension that knavish inchanters +will transform or change my face, +as they have practised upon my lacquey +Tosilos, your last antagonist.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘God forbid,’ replied Don Quixote, +‘that I should unsheath my sword against +your illustrious person, of whom +I received such favours! The three +night-caps shall be restored; for Sancho +owns they are in his custody: +but it is impossible to make restitution +of the garters, as neither he nor I did +ever receive them; and I dare say your +damsel will find them, if she will take +the trouble to rummage her own drawers. +I, my lord duke, was never a +thief, and I hope never shall in the +whole course of my lite, provided God +will not withdraw from me his guiding +hand. The damsel, according +to her own declaration, talks like an +enamoured person; but surely I am +not to blame for her impertinence: +and, therefore, I have no reason to ask +pardon either of her or your excellency, +whom I entreat to look upon me with +more favourable sentiments, and beseech +anew to consent that I may prosecute +my journey.’—‘God grant +your departure may be so happy,’ +said the duchess, ‘that we may always +hear good news of Don Quixote’s +exploits. Go, then, a God’s name; +for the longer you stay, your presence +blows up the fire the more fiercely in +the bosoms of the damsels who behold +you: as for mine, I will chastise her +in such a manner, that from henceforward +she shall never transgress either +in word or deed.’—‘One word +more, however, I beg thou wilt hear +me speak, O valiant Don Quixote!’ +said Altisidora. ‘I crave pardon for +having taxed you with the garters; +for, as I shall answer to Heaven and +my own conscience, they are now +upon my legs; and I have been +guilty of a mistake, like the man who +went in search of his ass, while he +was mounted on his back.’—‘Did +not I tell you so?’ cried the squire: +‘I should be a rare fellow indeed, to +receive and conceal stolen goods; had +I been that way inclined, I might have +had opportunity enough in my government.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Don Quixote bowing his head, made +a profound reverence to the duke and +duchess, and all the spectators; then +turning Rozinante, and being followed +by Sancho upon Dapple, he set out from +the castle, directing his course to Saragossa.</p> +<h4 id='chap4-4-6' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='six'>VI.</abbr> <br> SHEWING HOW ADVENTURES THRONGED UPON DON QUIXOTE<br> SO THICK AS TO ENTANGLE ONE ANOTHER.</h4> +<p class='c004'>When Don Quixote found himself +in the open field, free and +disembarrassed from the complaints of +<span class='pageno' id='Page_524'>524</span>Altisidora, he seemed to be placed in the +very center of his own wish, and to enjoy +a renovation of spirits, in order to +prosecute anew the aim of his chivalry. +Turning, therefore, to his squire, ‘Sancho,’ +said he, ‘liberty is one of the +most precious gifts which Heaven hath +bestowed on man, exceeding all the +treasures which earth encloses, or +which ocean hides; and for this blessing, +as well as for honour, we may +and ought to venture life itself: on the +other hand, captivity and restraint are +the greatest evils that human nature +can endure. I make this observation, +Sancho, because thou hast seen the delicacies +and the plenty with which we +were entertained in that castle: yet, in +the midst of those savoury banquets, +and ice-cooled potations, I thought +myself confined within the very straits +of famine, because I did not enjoy +the treat with that liberty which I +should have felt, had it been my own; +for obligations incurred by benefits +and favours received, are fetters which +hamper the freeborn soul. Happy is +he to whom Heaven hath sent a morsel +of bread, for which he is obliged +to none but Heaven itself.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘But notwithstanding all that your +worship hath said,’ replied Sancho, +‘we, for our parts, ought not to be ungrateful, +considering the two hundred +crowns of gold which the duke’s steward +gave me in a purse, and which, as +a plaister and a cordial, I keep next +my heart, in case of emergency; for we +shall not always find such castles +where we can be entertained; on the +contrary, we may sometimes stumble +upon sorry inns, where we shall be +soundly cudgelled.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>With this and other such discourse, +the two errants, knight and squire, +amused themselves while they proceeded +on their journey. Having travelled a +little more than a league, they perceived +upon a green spot of ground, about +a dozen countrymen at dinner, with their +cloaks spread under them; and hard +by, certain white sheets at some distance +from one another, that seemed to cover +something, above which they were raised +up and stretched with great care and +caution. Don Quixote approaching +the men, first of all saluted them courteously, +and then asked what it was they +covered so carefully with these pieces of +linen. ‘Signior,’ replied one of the +countrymen, ‘under these sheets are +carved images for an altar-piece to be +set up in our town; we cover them in +this manner, that they may not be sullied, +and carry them upon our shoulders +that they may not be broken.’—‘If +you please,’ replied the knight, +‘I should be glad to see them; they +must certainly be good images, which +you so carefully convey.’—‘Good!’ +cried the other, ‘aye, that the price of +them will declare: I can assure you +there is not one of them that does not +cost above fifty ducats; and that your +worship may be convinced of the +truth of what I say, stay a moment, +and you shall see it with your own +eyes.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>So saying, he left his dinner, and +rising up, uncovered the first piece, +which represented <abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr> George on horseback, +with his lance thrust into the +throat of a serpent coiled at his feet, +exhibiting all the fierceness with which +that animal is usually painted; and the +whole groupe looked, as the saying +is, like a flame of gold.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Don Quixote, immediately recognizing +the subject, ‘This knight,’ said +he, ‘was one of the best errants that +ever signalized themselves in divine +warfare; his name was <abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr> George, +and he was, moreover, a protector of +damsels. Let us see the next;’ which, +when displayed, appeared to be the +image of <abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr> Martin on horseback, +dividing his cloak with the beggar. +Don Quixote no sooner beheld it, than +he said to Sancho, ‘This knight was +also one of the Christian adventurers, +and, I believe, more liberal than valiant, +as thou mayest perceive by +this circumstance of dividing his +cloak, and giving one half to the +beggar; and, doubtless, this incident +must have happened in the winter +season, otherwise the saint was so +charitable he would have given the +whole.’—‘Nay, that surely was not +the case,’ replied the squire; ‘but +he held fast by the old proverb, which +says, The man in wisdom must be +old, who knows in giving where to +hold.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Don Quixote smiled at this remark, +and desired the man to lift the third cover, +under which appeared the figure of +the patron of Spain on horseback, with his +bloody sword, trampling down and +bruising the heads of the Moors. Don +<span class='pageno' id='Page_525'>525</span>Quixote seeing this representation, exclaimed, +‘Ah! this is a knight, and +chief in the squadrons of Christ; his +name is Don San Diego Mata Moros<a id='r197'></a><a href='#f197' class='c008'><sup>[197]</sup></a>, +and he was one of the most +valiant saints and knights which earth +ever produced, or heaven now contains.’ +Then they unveiled the fourth, +which exhibited <abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr> Paul falling from +his horse, with all the circumstances +usually set forth in the picture of his +conversion, so lively represented, that +one would have almost thought Christ +was speaking, and Paul answering the +voice. ‘This,’ said Don Quixote, +‘was the most bitter enemy the church +of God ever had, while our Lord and +Saviour was on earth, and afterwards +the greatest defender it will ever have: +a knight-errant in his life, and a perfect +saint in his death; an unwearied +labourer in the vineyard of our Lord, +a teacher of the Gentiles, schooled by +Heaven, and whose professor and master +was Jesus Christ himself.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>There being no other images to see, +Don Quixote desired the man to cover +up those he had examined; and addressing +himself to the bearers, ‘Brothers,’ +said he, ‘I look upon it as a +good omen to have met with these +images; for these saints and knights +were of my profession, which is the +exercise of arms: with this difference, +however, they were saints, and +fought in a divine manner; and I, +who am a sinner, fight in the manner +of men. They conquered Heaven +by the force of their arms; for the +kingdom of Heaven suffers violence; +whereas I know not, hitherto, what +I have conquered by the toils and +troubles I have undergone: but if +my Dulcinea del Toboso should be +delivered from those she now sustains, +my fortune will be bettered, +my judgment repaired, and perhaps +my steps may be directed through a +better path than that which I at present +follow.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>This declaration was closed with an +exclamation of Sancho, who cried aloud, +‘The Lord give ear, I pray; and sin +be deaf for aye!’ The men were +equally astonished at the knight’s appearance +and discourse, one half of +which they did not understand; nevertheless, +they made an end of their meal, +shouldered their images, and taking +leave of Don Quixote, pursued their +journey. Sancho was, on this occasion, +as much astonished at the learning +of his master, as if he had never known +him before that day; and imagined +there was not an history or event in +the whole world, that was not decyphered +on his nail, or nailed to his +memory. ‘Truly, master of mine,’ +said he, ‘if what has happened to us +to-day may be called an adventure, +it is the most sweet and delicious of +all that have yet befallen us in the +whole course of our peregrinations; +from this we have escaped with whole +skins and fearless hearts; we have +neither unsheathed our swords, battered +the earth with our poor carcases, nor +are we left in a starving condition; +blessed be God who hath spared me to +see this good luck with my own +eyes!’—‘Thou sayest well, Sancho,’ +replied the knight; ‘but thou must +take notice, that all times are not the +same, nor equally fortunate; and those +incidents which the vulgar call omens, +though not founded on any natural +reason, have, even by persons of sagacity, +been held and deemed as fair +and fortunate. One of these superstitious +omen-mongers rises in the +morning, goes abroad, chances to +meet a friar belonging to the beatified +<abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr> Francis; and, as if he had encountered +a dragon in his way, runs +back to his own house with fear and +consternation. Another Foresight<a id='r198'></a><a href='#f198' class='c008'><sup>[198]</sup></a> by +accident scatters the salt upon the +table, by which fear and melancholy +are scattered through his heart; as if +nature was obliged to foretel future +misfortunes by such trivial signs and +tokens; whereas, a prudent man and +a good Christian will not so minutely +scrutinize the purposes of Heaven. +Scipio chancing to fall in landing +upon the coast of Africk, and perceiving +that his soldiers looked upon +this accident as a bad omen, he embraced +the soil with seeming eagerness, +saying, “Thou shalt not ’scape +me, Africk; for I have thee safe +within my arms.” Therefore, Sancho, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_526'>526</span>my meeting with those images I +consider as a most happy encounter.’—‘I +am of the same opinion,’ answered +the squire; ‘but I wish your worship +would be pleased to tell me, for what +reason the Spaniards, when they join +battle, and invoke that same <abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr> Diego +Mata Moros, cry, “<abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr> Jago!” and +“Close, Spain!” Is Spain cloven in +such a manner, as to want closing; or +what is the meaning of that ceremony?’—‘Sancho,’ +replied the knight, +‘thy simplicity is very great. You must +know, that God has given this great +Knight of the Red Cross, as a patron +and protector to Spain, especially in +those dreadful battles fought against +the Moors. The Spaniards, therefore, +invoke and call upon him as their defender +on all such occasions; nay, +many times hath he been seen overthrowing, +trampling, slaying, and destroying +the squadrons of the children +of Hagar<a id='r199'></a><a href='#f199' class='c008'><sup>[199]</sup></a>; and of this truth I could +convince thee by many examples recorded +in the authentick histories of +Spain<a id='r200'></a><a href='#f200' class='c008'><sup>[200]</sup></a>.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Sancho changing the subject of conversation, +‘Signior,’ said he, ‘I was +astonished at the boldness of her grace’s +damsel, Altisidora. I’faith! she must +be rarely pricked and stabbed by him +they call Cupid; who, they say, is a +mischievous blind boy, and is able, +with those bleared eyes of his, or rather +with no eyes at all, if once he takes +aim, to pierce through and through +with his arrows, the smallest heart that +ever was seen. I have also heard it observed, +that by the modesty and reserve +of young women, these same +amorous shafts are blunted and +broken; but in Altisidora they seem +rather to be whetted than blunted.’—‘Sancho,’ +replied Don Quixote, +‘you must know that love has no respect +of persons; nor, in his progress, +does he confine himself within the +bounds of reason; indeed he is of the +same disposition with death; for he +assaults the lofty palaces of kings, +as well as the humble cottages of +swains. When he once has taken +full possession of the soul, his first +exploit is to expel fear and modesty; +and without these did Altisidora +declare her passion, which engendered +not pity, but confusion in my +breast.’—‘O monstrous and notorious +cruelty!’ cried Sancho, ‘unheard-of +ingratitude! I can say for +myself, that the least kind word from +her would have subdued and made +me her bond slave. Ah, the son of +a whore! what a heart of marble, +bowels of brass, and soul of plaister!—But +I cannot, for the blood of me, +conceive what the damsel could see in +your worship, to tame and bring her +to such an humble pass; what finery, +what good humour, what gentility +could she observe about your person? +or what beauty could she spy in that +face? for women are taken with these +qualities either severally or conjunctly. +Verily, verily, I have often stopped +to survey your worship from the +sole of your foot to the last hair upon +your scull; and I protest before God! +I think you would be more apt to +frighten than to captivate a fair lady; +and as I have, moreover, heard it said, +that beauty is the chief and principal +article that inspires love, your worship +being quite destitute of that commodity, +I cannot imagine what the poor +creature was in love with.’—‘Take +notice, Sancho,’ replied Don Quixote, +‘there are two kinds of beauty, one of +the mind, and another of the body: +that of the mind displays itself in the +understanding, in honourable and +virtuous behaviour, in a liberality of +disposition, and in good breeding; +now, all these qualifications may +center in an ugly man; and when this +kind of beauty, preferable to that of +the body, is the object of admiration, +it produces love that glows with equal +impetuosity and advantage. For my +own part, Sancho, I can easily see +that I am not beautiful; but I likewise +know I am not deformed; and +a gentleman who is not altogether +monstrous, may inspire the most ardent +love, provided he is in possession +<span class='pageno' id='Page_527'>527</span>of those qualities of the mind which I +have mentioned.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Thus discoursing together they entered +a wood, at a small distance from +the highway; and, all of a sudden, +without dreaming of any such lett or impediment, +Don Quixote found himself +entangled among some nets of green +thread, which were spread and stretched +from tree to tree. As he could not conceive +the meaning of this phænomenon, +‘I believe,’ said he to Sancho, ‘that +this of the nets must be one of the +newest adventures that ever were imagined +or contrived. Let me die if the +inchanters by whom I am persecuted, +have not a mind to entangle me in +them, and obstruct my journey, in revenge +for my rigour and indifference +towards Altisidora! But I shall give +them to understand, that although +these nets, instead of thread, were made +of the hardest adamant, and stronger +than that in which the jealous God of +blacksmiths caught Mars and Venus +together, I would break through them +as easily as if they were of rushes and +unspun cotton.’</p> + +<div id='plate5' class='figcenter id002'> +<img src='images/plate-v.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +<div class='ic002'> +<p>Plate V: Don Quixote and the Shepherdesses.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<p class='c005'>So saying, he endeavoured to proceed +and destroy this obstacle, when all at +once, from a tuft of trees, came forth +two most beautiful shepherdesses, at least +they were clad like shepherdesses, though +their jackets and petticoats were of fine +brocade—I say, their petticoats were of +the richest gold tabby; their hair hung +loose upon their shoulders, and in shining +might have vied with the rays of +Apollo himself; their heads were adorned +with garlands of green laurel, interwoven +with sprigs of red amaranth; +and their age seemed to be neither under +fifteen, nor turned of eighteen; a sight +that struck Sancho with admiration, the +knight with surprize, and suspended the +sun in the middle of his career. All the +four, for some time, remained in silent +wonder; and at length, the first who +spoke was one of the two country maidens, +who, addressing herself to Don +Quixote, ‘Forbear, Sir Knight,’ said +she, ‘and do not break our nets, which, +I assure you, were not spread for your +inconvenience, but merely for our own +pastime: and because I know you +will ask for what reason they are +placed, and who we are, I will satisfy +your curiosity in a few words. At +a village about two leagues from +hence, which is inhabited by many +people of fortune and fashion, it was +agreed among a number of friends and +relations, that they, their wives, sons, +daughters, neighbours, friends and +kinsfolks, should come and enjoy the +fine season in this spot, which is the +most agreeable situation in all this +country; and here form a new pastoral +Arcadia, the girls being habited +like shepherdesses, and the young men +like swains. We have studied two +eclogues; one of the famous poet +Garcilasso, and another of the most +excellent Camoens, in his own Portuguese +language; though they are not +yet represented, for we arrived only +yesterday. Among these trees we have +pitched some field-tents, upon the +banks of a plentiful stream which fertilizes +all these meadows; and last +night we spread these nets from tree to +tree, in order to deceive and catch the +simple little birds, which, frightened +by the noise we make, may fly into the +snare: if you chuse to be our guest, +Signior, you shall be treated liberally +and courteously, for at present neither +melancholy nor disgust shall enter this +place.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Here she left off speaking; and Don +Quixote replied—‘Assuredly, most beauteous +nymph, Acteon himself could +not be seized with more surprize and +admiration, when he all of a sudden +beheld Diana bathing, than that +which but now overwhelmed me at +sight of such uncommon charms! I +applaud the scheme of your entertainments +and diversions; I thank you +heartily for your courteous proffer, +and if I can serve you in any shape, +you may command me, with full assurance +of being obeyed; for I have +chosen this profession solely because +it consists in being grateful and benevolent +to all mankind, especially +to persons of rank such as your appearance +declares you to be; and if +these nets, which I suppose occupy +but a small space, were extended over +the whole circumference of the globe, +I would find new worlds through +which I might pass, rather than by +breaking the least mesh, run the risque +of interrupting your diversion. That +you may give some credit to this exaggeration, +be pleased to take notice, +that he who makes it is no other than +<span class='pageno' id='Page_528'>528</span>Don Quixote de La Mancha, if peradventure +such a name hath ever reached +your ears.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>The young lady no sooner heard these +words, than turning to the other shepherdess, +‘O my dear companion!’ cried +she, ‘what an happy incident is this! +that there knight, I assure thee, is the +most valiant, enamoured, and courteous +person in the whole world, if we +are not misled and deceived by the +printed history of his exploits, which +I have read from end to end; and I’ll +lay a wager that honest man who accompanies +him is one Sancho Panza, +his squire, whose pleasantry is above +all comparison.’—‘You are in the +right,’ said Sancho; ‘I am that +same pleasant fellow and loyal squire +whom your ladyship hath so honourably +mentioned; and that gentleman +is my master, the very individual historified +and aforesaid Don Quixote de +La Mancha.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Good now, my dear,’ said the other, +‘let us beseech them to stay; our fathers +and brothers will be infinitely pleased +with their conversation; for I have +likewise heard the same account of the +knight’s valour and the squire’s pleasantry: +as for Don Quixote, in particular, +he is said to be the most constant +and loyal lover that ever was +known; and that his mistress is one +Dulcinea del Toboso, who bears away +the palm of beauty from all the ladies +in Spain.’—‘Aye, and justly too,’ +said the knight; ‘unless your unequalled +beauty should invalidate her claim. +Weary not yourselves, fair ladies, in +persuading me to stay; for the indispensible +duties of my profession will +not allow me to rest in any place whatever.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Just as he pronounced these words, +they were joined by a brother of one of +the two nymphs, clad likewise in the +fashion of a shepherd, though his dress, +in point of richness and gaiety, corresponded +with that of the ladies, who +told him that the gentleman on horseback +was the valiant Don Quixote de +La Mancha, and the other his squire +Sancho, whose characters he already +knew from his having perused their +history. The gallant youth paid his +compliments, and pressed Don Quixote +to accompany them to the tents, in such +a manner that he could not help complying. +Then setting up the shout, the +nets were filled with different kinds of +little birds, which, deceived by the +colour of the meshes, flew precipitately +into the very danger they sought to +avoid.</p> + +<p class='c005'>In this place they were joined by +above thirty persons, gaily clad like +shepherds and shepherdesses, who were +immediately informed of the names of +Don Quixote and his squire; a circumstance +which afforded them no small satisfaction, +as the history had already +made them acquainted with the characters +of both.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Repairing to the tents, where they +found tables ready furnished with elegance +and abundance, they complimented +the knight with the place of honour, +and all the company gazed upon +him with admiration. At length, when +the cloth was taken away, Don Quixote +raising his voice, thus harangued +them with great solemnity: ‘Of all the +crimes which mankind commit, though +some say pride is the greatest, I affirm +that ingratitude is the most atrocious, +adhering to the common supposition, +that hell is crouded with the ungrateful. +This crime I have, as much as +in me lies, endeavoured to avoid ever +since the first moment in which I could +exercise my reason; and though I may +not be able to repay in kind the benefits +which I receive, I substitute the +will for the deed: when that is not +sufficient, I publish them to the +world; for he that promulgates the +favours he has received, would also +requite them with equal generosity, if +it was in his power to make such recompence. +But, for the most part, +people who receive benefits are inferior +to those who bestow them; and, +therefore, God is above all, because +he is the fountain of all good things. +Yet there is an infinite difference between +the benefits conferred by men +and those bestowed by God, so as to +reject all comparison; and this narrowness +and insufficiency on our part, +is in some measure supplied by gratitude. +Now, I being grateful for the +favours you have done me, which I +cannot repay in the same measure, +and being hampered by the narrow +limits of my ability, must offer +that which is in my power to present; +I say, therefore, that I will +<span class='pageno' id='Page_529'>529</span>for two natural days, in the middle +of that high-road that leads to +Saragossa, maintain that the ladies +here present, disguised in pastoral habits, +are the most fair and courteous +damsels in the whole world, excepting +always and only, the peerless +Dulcinea del Toboso, sole mistress +of my thoughts; without offence +to the honourable hearers be it +spoken.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Here Sancho, who had stood listening +attentively to what he said, exclaimed +with great vociferation, ‘Is it possible, +now, that there can be persons +in the world, who have the presumption +to say and swear that my master is +a madman? Pray tell me, gentlemen +and ladies, shepherds and shepherdesses, +is there ever a country-curate in Spain, +let him be never so wise and learned, +that could say what my master has just +now said; or is there a knight-errant, +let him be never so famed for valour, +who could make such an offer as my +master has made!’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Don Quixote turning to Sancho, with +rage and indignation in his countenance, +‘Miscreant,’ said he, ‘is it possible +there should be a person upon earth +who would not say thou art stark +mad, and that thy soul is lined and +bordered with fillets of malice and +knavery? By what authority, wretch! +art thou entitled to intermeddle in +my affairs, and give thy opinion +whether my brain be sound or crazy? +Seal up thy lips, and make no reply; +but saddle Rozinante, if he is without +his saddle, and let us go immediately +and perform my promise; for +as I have justice on my side, you +may deem all those who shall contradict +my assertion as already vanquished.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>So saying, he rose from his seat with +great fury and demonstrations of wrath, +leaving the whole company astonished, +and doubting whether they should consider +him as a lunatick or person of sound +intellects. However, they endeavoured +to dissuade him from publishing such a +declaration, saying they took his gratitude +for granted, and that there was no need +of new proofs to demonstrate his valour, +seeing those were sufficient which they +had seen recorded in the history of his +atchievements.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Notwithstanding this remonstrance, +the knight executed his design; he +mounted Rozinante, embraced his shield, +and grasping his lance, posted himself in +the middle of the king’s highway, which +was not far from their verdant habitation, +being followed by Sancho upon +Dapple and the whole flock of those pastoral +gentry, who were curious to see the +issue of his arrogant and hitherto unseen +enterprize.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Having taken possession of the ground, +he wounded the very vault of heaven +with the loudness of the tone in which +he pronounced these words: ‘O ye passengers +and travellers, knights, squires, +persons on horseback or a-foot, who +come or are to come this way, within +the space of two days, from this present +hour, know that Don Quixote de +La Mancha, knight-errant, is here +posted to maintain that the nymphs +who inhabit these meadows and +woods, excel in beauty and courtesy all +the ladies upon earth, exclusive of Dulcinea +del Toboso, the mistress of my +soul. Let him who thinks the contrary, +advance; here I am ready to receive +him.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Twice did he repeat this declaration, +and twice was it repeated unheard by +any knight adventurer; but fortune, +which was bent upon directing his affairs +to better purpose, ordained, that in a +very little time he descried upon the road +a great number of men on horseback, +some of them armed with lances riding +towards him in great haste, and all in a +cluster. Those who were with Don +Quixote no sooner perceived this troop, +than they turned their backs and retired +a good way from the road, knowing +that some mischief would befal +them, should they keep their ground: +the knight alone maintained his post with +an undaunted heart, and Sancho Panza +shielded himself with the flanks of Rozinante.</p> + +<p class='c005'>When this troop of lancemen advanced, +one of them that rode before the +rest, began to halloo as loud as he could +cry to Don Quixote, ‘Get out of the +way, thou servant of the devil, or these +bulls will trample thee to dust!’—‘So +ho, caitiffs!’ replied the knight; ‘your +bulls shall not avail against me, even +though they are the fiercest that ever +fed upon the banks of Xarama; confess, +ye miscreants, unsight, unseen, +the truth of what I have proclaimed, +or meet my vengeance in the field of +battle.’</p> + +<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_530'>530</span>The herdsman had no time to reply, +nor Don Quixote to retire, had he been +never so willing; so that the drove of +wild bulls and tame cattle, together with +a multitude of drivers and other people +employed to convey them to a place +where, in a few days, they were to be +baited—the whole throng, I say, passed +over the bellies of Don Quixote, Sancho, +Rozinante, and Dapple, whom they +in a twinkling overthrew and rolled in +the mire, in such a manner that the +squire was squeezed as flat as a pancake, +his master astonished, Dapple terribly +bruised, and Rozinante in no very catholick +condition. At length, however, +all the four got upon their legs; and +Don Quixote, staggering here, and +tumbling there, began to pursue the +drove on foot, calling aloud—‘Halt, +and wait a little, ye felonious plebeians; +he is a single knight who defies +you to the combat, and not of the +disposition and opinion of those who +say—“Lay a bridge of silver for a +flying enemy.”’</p> + +<p class='c005'>But notwithstanding all his exclamation, +the drovers did not slacken their +pace, or mind his threats, more than +they minded last year’s weather. Don +Quixote being so tired, that he could run +no farther, sat down upon the side of +the road, more incensed than revenged, +and waited for Sancho, Rozinante, and +Dapple, who soon arrived. Then the +knight and squire, mounting their +beasts, proceeded on their journey with +more shame than satisfaction; and never +dreamed of returning to take a formal +leave of the feigned or counterfeit Arcadia.</p> + +<h4 id='chap4-4-7' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='seven'>VII.</abbr> <br> IN WHICH IS RECOUNTED THE EXTRAORDINARY INCIDENT<br> THAT HAPPENED TO DON QUIXOTE,<br> AND MAY WELL PASS FOR AN ADVENTURE.</h4> +<p class='c004'>The dust and drought which Don +Quixote and Sancho derived from +the uncivil behaviour of the bulls, were +remedied by a clear and limpid stream +which they had the good fortune to find +in a good shade, and on the margin of +which this down-trodden pair, the +master and man, seated themselves, after +Rozinante and Dapple were unbridled, +and unhaltered, and left to the +freedom of their own will. Sancho +immediately had recourse to the store +of his wallet, from which he drew +forth what he usually called his belly-timber; +but not before he had rinsed +his mouth, and his master had washed +his own face, in consequence of which +refreshment they recovered their exhausted +spirits. Nevertheless, Don +Quixote forbore eating, out of pure vexation; +while Sancho, who durst not +touch the food that was before him, +waited, out of pure good manners, until +his master should begin. Seeing, +however, the knight so absorbed in his +own imagination, that he forgot to lift +the bread to his mouth, he, without +letting one word escape his own, but +trampling under-foot all kind of good-breeding, +began to cram his paunch +with the bread and cheese which constituted +his provision. ‘Eat, friend +Sancho,’ said Don Quixote, ‘and +support life, which is of more importance +to thee than to me, and leave +me to die by the strength of imagination +and the severity of my misfortunes. +I, Sancho, was born to +live dying, and thou to die eating; +and that thou mayest be convinced of +this truth, consider me recorded in +history, renowned in arms, courteous +in demeanour, respected by princes, +courted by damsels; and, after all, +when I expected palms, triumphs, +crowns of laurel, obtained and merited +by my valiant atchievements, I +have this morning seen myself +trampled, spurned, and bruised, by +the feet of filthy, unclean animals! +This consideration blunts my teeth, +stupifies my grinders, benumbs my +hands, and deprives me wholly of +appetite; so that I believe I shall +die of hunger, the most cruel of all +deaths.’—‘At that rate,’ answered +the squire, without suspending the +action of his jaws, ‘your worship will +not approve of the proverb which +says—“Let Martha die, but not for +lack of pye.” At least I, for my +own part, have no intention to starve +myself; on the contrary, I am resolved +to follow the example of the cordwainer +who stretches the leather with +his teeth until it is sufficient for his +purpose; now, I will also employ +my teeth in stretching out my life +with eating, to that end which is ordained +<span class='pageno' id='Page_531'>531</span>by Heaven; and you must +know, Signior, that it is the greatest +madness in nature to seek to despair +like your worship. Take my advice; +eat a little for refreshment, and then +take a nap upon the green couch of +this delightful grass, and when you +awake you will see how much you’ll +be relieved.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>The knight relished his advice, which +he thought savoured more of the philosopher +than of the ideot; and said to +him, ‘Now, Sancho, if thou wouldst +do that for me which I am going to +mention, my relief would be more +certain, and my affliction diminished: +my proposal is, that while I sleep, in +compliance with thy advice, thou +wouldst go aside a little farther, and, +exposing thy flesh to the air, bestow +upon it, with the reins of Rozinante’s +bridle, three or four hundred stripes, +of the three thousand three hundred +which thou hast undertaken to endure +for the disinchantment of Dulcinea; +for it is a lamentable circumstance +that the poor lady should remain so +long inchanted, through thy carelessness +and neglect.’—‘There is much +to be said on that subject,’ replied +Sancho: ‘let us both go to sleep in the +mean time; and afterwards God must +ordain that which will come to pass. +Your worship must know, that it requires +great resolution in a man to +scourge himself in cold blood; especially +when the stripes fall upon a body +which is poorly fed and supported: let +my Lady Dulcinea have a little patience; +when she least thinks of it, she +will see my body scourged into a perfect +sieve; and while there is life there +is hope; my meaning is, that while I +hold life, I shall never quit the desire of +performing my promise.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Don Quixote, thanking him for his +good-will, took a little sustenance, Sancho +ate voraciously, and then both laid +themselves down to sleep, leaving Rozinante +and Dapple, those two friends and +inseparable companions, at full liberty +to feed, without restraint, upon the luxuriant +grass with which the meadow +abounded.</p> + +<p class='c005'>The day being far spent before they +awoke, they remounted their cattle, and +pursued their journey with uncommon +expedition, in order to reach an inn +which they descried at a league’s distance. +I say, an inn, because it was so +called by Don Quixote, contrary to his +former custom of mistaking every inn +for a castle. When they arrived at this +place of entertainment, they asked if they +could be accommodated with lodging; +and the landlord replied in the affirmative, +telling them at the same time, that +his house afforded as good conveniences +and entertainment as could be found in +the whole city of Saragossa. They +alighted accordingly, and Sancho carried +his bags into an apartment, of which +the innkeeper gave him the key; then +he led the cattle to the stable, where he +gave them their allowance; from thence +he went to receive the commands of his +master, who had sat down upon a bench, +and thanked Heaven, in a particular +manner, that Don Quixote had not committed +his usual mistake. They retired +to their chamber, and supper-time approaching, +Sancho desired to know what +they could have for that meal. To this +interrogation mine host replied, that his +taste should be fitted to a hair, and that +he might bespeak what he liked best; +for, as far as the birds of the air, the +fowls of the land, and the fish of the sea +could go, he would find the house provided. +‘Less than all that will serve,’ +answered Sancho: ‘we shall be satisfied +with a couple of chickens roasted; for +my master has a very delicate taste, +and eats but little; and as for myself, +I am not a very unconscionable cormorant.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>The other frankly owned he had no +chickens; for the kites had destroyed +the whole brood. ‘Well, then, Mr. +Landlord,’ said the squire, ‘you may +order a pullet to be put to the fire; +but see it be very tender.’—‘A pullet!’ +cried the innkeeper; ‘body o’ my +father! now, as I’m an honest man, +I sent above half a hundred yesterday +to market; but setting aside pullets, +you may have what you will.’—‘If +that be the case,’ said Sancho, +there will be no want of veal or kid.’—‘At +present,’ replied the innkeeper, +‘there is really none in the house; we +are just out of these articles; but +next week she shall have enough and +to spare.’—‘To be sure, we shall be +much the better for that!’ answered +Sancho; ‘I’ll lay a wager all these +<span class='pageno' id='Page_532'>532</span>wants will be supplied with plenty of +eggs and bacon.’—‘’Fore God!’ said +the host, ‘my guest has an admirable +knack at guessing; I have told him +there is neither hen nor pullet in the +house, and he would have me treat him +with eggs<a id='r201'></a><a href='#f201' class='c008'><sup>[201]</sup></a>! Shift about, if you please, +to some other delicacies, and think no +more of poultry.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Body o’ me!’ cried Sancho, ‘let us +come to some resolution; tell me at +once what is in the house, and pray, +Mr. Landlord, no more of your shiftings.’—‘What +I really and truly can +afford,’ said the innkeeper, ‘is a dish of +cow-heel, so delicate they might be +taken for calves-feet; or you may call +them calves-feet, that might pass for +cow-heel. They are stewed with pease, +onions, and bacon, and this blessed +minute cry—“Come, eat me; come, +eat me.”’—‘I mark them for my own,’ +cried Sancho, ‘from henceforth for ever, +amen. Let no man touch the mess, +for which I will pay you handsomely; +for nothing in the whole world could +be more agreeable to my taste; and, +provided I have cow-heel, the calves-feet +may go to the devil.’—‘No man +shall interfere with you,’ replied the +landlord; ‘as for the other company in +the house, they, out of pure gentility, +bring along with them their own cook, +butler and sumpter mule.’—‘Nay, as +for gentility,’ said the squire, ‘no man +has more of that than my master; but +his profession will not admit of travelling +stores and butteries: lack-a-day! +we lay ourselves down in the middle +of a green field, and fill our bellies +with medlars and acorns.’ Such was +the conversation that passed between the +innkeeper and Sancho; who would not, +however, go any greater lengths in satisfying +the curiosity of mine host, who +was very desirous to know the office or +profession of his master.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Supper being ready, Don Quixote retired +to his apartment, whither the landlord +brought the pot just as it was, and +very decently sat down to partake of the +meal. At that instant, the knight heard +people talking in the next room, from +which he was divided only by a partition +of lath, and could plainly distinguish these +words: ‘As you hope to live, Don Geronimo, +I conjure you, as supper is not +yet ready, to read another chapter of +the second part of Don Quixote de La +Mancha.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>The knight, hearing his own name +mentioned, started up immediately, and +listening with great attention, heard Geronimo +reply to this effect: ‘What +pleasure can you have in reading such +absurdities, Don John? No person who +has seen the first part of the history of +Don Quixote de La Mancha, can possibly +be entertained with this which is +called the second.’—‘Nevertheless,’ +said Don John, ‘it will not be amiss to +read a little; for there is no book so +bad as to contain nothing that deserves +regard. What displeases me most in +this performance is, the author’s describing +Don Quixote as altogether disengaged +and detached from Dulcinea +del Toboso.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>The knight, hearing this remark, was +filled with rage and vexation, and exclaimed +aloud, ‘If any person whatever +affirms that Don Quixote de La Mancha +either has forgotten or can forget +Dulcinea del Toboso, I will, with +equal arms, make him know and own, +that his affection is far distant from +the truth; for the peerless Dulcinea +del Toboso cannot possibly be forgot; +nor is Don Quixote susceptible of forgetfulness: +his motto is Constancy, +which he professes to maintain with +gentleness and suavity of manners.’—‘Who +is he that answers?’ cried the +voice. ‘Who should it be,’ replied Sancho, +‘but Don Quixote de La Mancha, +in his own person, who will make good +whatever he has said, and whatever he +shall say; for, “A good paymaster +wants no pawn.”’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Scarce had the squire pronounced these +words, when two gentlemen, for such +they appeared, entered the apartment; +and one of them throwing his arms about +Don Quixote’s neck, ‘Your appearance,’ +said he, ‘does not belye your name, and +your name cannot but give credit to +your appearance. Without all doubt, +you, Signior, are the true Don Quixote +de La Mancha, the north-star and +luminary of knight errantry, maugre +and in despite of him who has thought +proper to usurp your name, and annihilate +your exploits; I mean, the +author of this here book:’ which he +<span class='pageno' id='Page_533'>533</span>took from his companion, and put into +the hand of Don Quixote; who, +without answering one word, began to +turn over the leaves, and in a very little +time gave it back to the stranger, saying—‘In +the little I have read, I find three +things worthy of reprehension in the +author; first, some expressions in the +prologue or preface; secondly, his using +the Arragonian dialect, and writing +sometimes without articles; and thirdly, +that which confirms my opinion +of his ignorance, his erring and deviating +from the truth in the most material +circumstances of the history; for +he says, the wife of my squire Sancho +Panza, is called Mary Gutierrez, +whereas her name is Teresa Panza; +now, if he blunders in such an essential +circumstance, we may justly conclude +that his whole history is full of +mistakes<a id='r202'></a><a href='#f202' class='c008'><sup>[202]</sup></a>.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘A pleasant historian, i’faith!’ cried +Sancho: ‘he must be well acquainted +with our adventures, to be sure, when +he calls my dame Teresa by the name +of Mary Gutierrez! Take the book +again, Signior, and see if he has lugged +me in, too, under a borrowed +name!’—‘From what you have said, +friend,’ replied Don Geronimo, ‘I +find you must certainly be Sancho +Panza, squire to Signior Don Quixote.’—‘Even +so,’ answered the squire; ‘and +I am proud of the occupation.’—‘Then, +in good sooth!’ said the cavalier, +‘this author has not treated you so +handsomely as from your appearance +I conclude you deserve; he represents +you as a gormandizer, a simpleton +without the least vein of humour or +pleasantry; and, in short, quite different +from the Sancho described in the first +part of the history of your master!’—‘The +Lord in heaven forgive him!’ +cried Sancho: ‘he might have let me +sleep in my corner, without remembering +there was such a sinner as me +upon the face of the earth: for, “He +that has skill should handle the quill<a id='r203'></a><a href='#f203' class='c008'><sup>[203]</sup></a>;” +and I know that <abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr> Peter is well at +Rome.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>The two gentlemen invited Don +Quixote to sup with them in their apartment, +as they knew the inn could not +afford any thing proper for his entertainment; +and the knight, who was +always the pink of courtesy, complied +with their request; so that Sancho remained +undisputed master of the pot. +<span lang="la"><i>Cum mero mixto imperio</i></span>, he seated himself +at the head of the table, in company +with the landlord, who vied with him +in affection for the cow-heel and calves-feet.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Don John, in the course of the conversation +at supper, asked what news +Don Quixote had concerning the Lady +Dulcinea del Toboso; he begged to +know if she was married, brought to-bed, +or in a state of pregnancy; or, if +still single, she, as far as modesty and +decorum would permit, smiled upon the +passion of her lover Don Quixote. ‘Dulcinea,’ +answered the knight, ‘is still +unmarried, and my passion more intense +than ever: our correspondence +stands on the old footing, and her beauty +is transformed into the appearance of +a base-born, rustick wench.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Then he, in a very circumstantial +manner, related the inchantment of his +mistress, together with his adventure in +the cave of Montesinos, and the means +prescribed by the sage Merlin for her relief; +namely, the flagellation of Sancho.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Unspeakable was the satisfaction +which the two cavaliers enjoyed in +hearing Don Quixote recount the strange +incidents of his history; and they were +equally astonished at the folly of his +adventures and the elegance with which +he related them: here they esteemed +him as a man of sound understanding; +and there he slipped through their opinion +into the sink of madness; so that +they could not determine what rank he +should maintain between lunacy and +discretion.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Meanwhile, Sancho having finished +his meal, left his landlord more than +half seas over; and entering the chamber +where his master sat, ‘Gentlemen,’ +said he, ‘I’ll be hanged if the author +<span class='pageno' id='Page_534'>534</span>of that book your worships were talking +of, has any mind or inclination +that he and I should be messmates. +Since he has given me the character +of a glutton, as your worships have +observed, I wish he may not have likewise +called me a drunkard.’—‘He +has indeed,’ replied Don Geronimo: +‘but I do not remember the expression, +though I know the words are very +scurrilous and false above measure, as +I can plainly perceive in the physiognomy +of honest Sancho here present.’—‘Take +my word for it, noble gentlemen,’ +said the squire, ‘the Sancho +and Don Quixote of that history must +be persons quite different from those +recorded by Cid Hamet Benengeli, +who are no other than we ourselves, +here standing and sitting in your presence: +my master, valiant, sagacious, +and enamoured; and I simple, and +withal pleasant, but neither sot nor +gormandizer.’—‘I believe what you +say,’ replied Don John: ‘and wish it +were possible to obtain a mandate, prohibiting +any person or persons from +presuming to meddle with the affairs +of the great Don Quixote, excepting +Hamet, his original author; in the +same manner as Alexander the Great +decreed that no painter but Apelles +should draw his portrait.’—‘Any +body may draw my portrait,’ said the +knight; ‘but let no man maltreat my +character; for patience often falls to +the ground, when it is overloaded +with injuries.’—‘No injury can be +done to Don Quixote, but what he +can easily revenge,’ answered Don +John: ‘unless he chuse rather to ward +it off with the buckler of his patience, +which, I believe, is both strong and +ample.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>In this and other such conversation +they spent great part of the night; and +although Don John would fain have +persuaded Don Quixote to read a little +more of the book, that they might hear +him descant upon particulars, he could +not accomplish his purpose; the knight +assuring him he considered it as good as +read, and pronounced the whole an heap +of absurdities; nor did he chuse that the +author, who might perhaps hear it was +in his hands, should have the satisfaction +of thinking he had perused his performance; +for, from objects of obscenity +and turpitude, not only the eyes but +even the imagination ought to be kept +sacred. When they asked, whither his +course was at present directed, he told +them he was bound for Saragossa, in +order to signalize himself in the prize-jousts +which are yearly solemnized in that +city.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Then Don John gave him to understand +that the new history gives an account +of the spurious Don Quixote’s +having been in that place at a course, +the description of which was barren of +invention, low in stile, miserably poor +in devices, and rich in nothing but +folly and impertinence.—‘For that +very reason,’ said Don Quixote, ‘I +will not set foot in Saragossa, and so +demonstrate to the wide world, the +falshood of this modern historian, +and let the nations see I am not the +Don Quixote whom he has described.’—‘I +applaud your resolution,’ +replied Don Geronimo; ‘and there will +be a tournament in Barcelona, where +Don Quixote will have an opportunity +to signalize his valour.’—‘And +that I shall surely embrace,’ answered +the knight: ‘at present, gentlemen, as +it is high time, you will give me +leave to retire to bed; and I beg you +will esteem and place me among the +number of your most sincere friends +and humble servants.’—‘And me +also,’ said Sancho: ‘peradventure my +service may be good for something.’ +They accordingly took their leave, and +retired to their apartment, leaving Don +John and his companion astonished at +the medley of sense and madness they +had observed in his discourse: they believed, +without hesitation, these to be the +real Don Quixote and Sancho, and not +the persons described by the Arragonian +author.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Don Quixote rising early next morning, +tapped at the partition, and bade +farewel to his entertainers: and Sancho +paid his reckoning like a prince; advising +the landlord, however, either to furnish +his house better, or to brag less of his +accommodations.</p> + +<h4 id='chap4-4-8' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='eight'>VIII.</abbr> <br> OF WHAT BEFEL DON QUIXOTE IN HIS WAY TO BARCELONA.</h4> +<p class='c004'>The morning was cold, and +seemed to promise but little less +for the day on which Don Quixote departed +<span class='pageno' id='Page_535'>535</span>from the inn, after having informed +himself of the nearest road to +Barcelona which he could travel without +touching at Saragossa; so eager he +was to fix the lye upon the new historian +by whom they said he was so scurvily +treated.</p> + +<p class='c005'>So it happened that he met with nothing +worthy of record within six +days; at the end of which, having +quitted the high road, he was benighted +among a thick cluster of oak or cork-trees; +for, in this particular, Cid Hamet +has not preserved his usual punctuality. +The master and man alighting +from their beasts, and accommodating +themselves at the roots of two +separate trees, Sancho, who had laid in +a good afternoon’s luncheon, entered +the gates of sleep abruptly, and without +hesitation; whereas the knight, who +was kept awake more by fancy than by +hunger, could not close an eye; but, on +the contrary, rambled in his imagination +through a thousand different scenes. +Sometimes he conceived himself to be +in the cave of Montesinos; sometimes +he thought he saw Dulcinea skipping +and leaping upon her ass, in that dismal +state of rustick transformation; and +then his ears seemed to tingle with the +words of the sage Merlin, who pronounced +the conditions and endeavours +to be observed and exerted for +the disinchantment of his mistress. He +was driven almost to desperation, when +he reflected on the sloth and uncharitable +disposition of his squire Sancho, +who, to the best of his belief, had hitherto +given himself only five stripes; a number +poor and inconsiderable in comparison +with the infinite score unpaid: and this +consideration overwhelmed him with +such anxiety and chagrin, that he thus +argued with his own bosom.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘If Alexander the Great ventured +to cut the Gordian knot, on the supposition +that cutting would be as effectual +as untying it; and notwithstanding +this violence, became sole +master of all Asia, the same success +may now attend my efforts in disinchanting +Dulcinea, should I scourge +Sancho against his own consent; for +if the condition of this remedy be, +that Sancho shall receive three thousand +three hundred stripes, what signifies +it to me whether they are bestowed +by his own hand, or that of +some other person, seeing the essential +point is in his receiving them, from +what quarter soever they may come?’</p> + +<div id='plate16' class='figcenter id002'> +<img src='images/plate-xvi.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +<div class='ic002'> +<p>Plate XVI: Don Quixote Attempts to Scourge Sancho Panza.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<p class='c005'>Inspired with this notion, he took +the reins of Rozinante’s bridle, which +he formed into an instrument of flagellation; +and, approaching the sleeping +squire, began to untruss his points: +indeed, it is the general opinion, that +he had but one before which kept up +his breeches. But scarce had he began +to perform this operation, when Sancho, +shaking off the fetters of slumber at +one start, exclaimed aloud, ‘What’s the +matter? Who the devil is that so +busy untrussing me while I’m asleep?’—‘It +is I,’ answered the knight, ‘who +mean to atone for thy omissions, and +remedy my own misfortunes. I come +to scourge thee, Sancho, and discharge +some part of the debt which thou art +obligated to pay. Dulcinea pines in +a state of transformation; and, while +thou livest at thine heart’s ease, I am +dying with desire: untie these points, +therefore, of thy own free-will; for +mine, I assure thee, is to afflict thy posteriors +with two thousand stripes at +least, before we quit this unfrequented +place.’—‘By no manner of means!’ +cried Sancho; ‘I advise your worship to +be quiet, or, by the God of Israel! the +deaf shall hear us: the stripes I have +obliged myself to receive, must be given +with my own free-will and consent, not +by force or compulsion; and, at present, +I have not the least inclination +to discipline my own flesh: let it suffice, +I give your worship my word +and honour, that I will flog and fly-flap +my carcase as soon as ever I find +myself disposed for such exercise.’—‘I +must not leave it to thy courtesy,’ +replied the knight; ‘for thou hast a +stony heart, and though a peasant, +art very tender of thy flesh.’ He accordingly +struggled with all his might +to unbreech the squire; who, finding +the affair become very serious, started +up from the ground, sprung upon his +master, and closing with him in a trice, +tripped up his heels, so that the knight +came instantly to the ground, where he +lay with his face uppermost: then the +victor, clapping his right knee to the +breast of the vanquished party, and +griping him fast by both wrists, hampered +him in such a manner, that he +could scarce either breathe or move. +Nevertheless he made shift to pronounce +these words: ‘How now, traitor! dost +<span class='pageno' id='Page_536'>536</span>thou presume to rebel against thy +master and natural lord, whose bread +thou hast eaten?’—‘I neither exalt +kings nor dethrone them,’ answered +Sancho; ‘but, being my own master, +I stand up in my own defence: if +your worship will promise to be quiet, +and think no more of scourging me +for the present, I will forthwith free +and disencumber you from these +bonds: otherwise, here thou shalt die, +traitor and enemy to Donna Sancha.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>The knight subscribed to the conditions, +swearing by the life of his inclinations, +that he would not touch the +nap of his garment, but leave him at +full liberty to begin the flagellation +when he himself should think proper. +On these considerations Sancho arose, +and went aside a good away to another +tree, at whose root he resolved to take +his lodging for the remaining part of +the night. There he felt something +bob against his head, and putting up his +hand, found two legs provided with +shoes and stockings: trembling with +affright, he moved with great expedition +to another tree, where he met with +the same salutation, which increased his +terror to such a pitch, that he roared +aloud for assistance. His master hearing +this exclamation, ran towards the place, +and enquired into the cause of his fear +and confusion; when the squire gave +him to understand that all these trees +were loaded with human legs and feet. +The knight reaching up his hand, immediately +conceived the meaning of this +strange circumstance, and said to Sancho, +‘Thou needest not be afraid, for +those legs and feet which thou hast +felt without seeing, certainly belong +to some robbers and outlaws who are +hanged upon the trees; for, when +they are apprehended in this place, +the officers of justice string them up +by twenties and thirties; and from this +particular, I am convinced that we +must now be near Barcelona.’ And, +indeed, his conjecture was right. Soon +as objects were rendered visible by the +dawn, they lifted up their eyes, and saw +that the clusters depending from the +trees were no other than the bodies of +banditti. The morning forthwith +ushered in the day; and if they were +scared by the dead, they were no less +aghast when they found themselves all +of a sudden surrounded by above forty +living robbers, who called to them in +the Catalonian language to be quiet, +and stand still until their captain should +arrive.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Don Quixote being a-foot, his horse +unbridled, his lance leaning against a +tree, and, in short, his person without +any means of defence, he thought proper +to cross his arms upon his breast, +and hung his head, reserving himself +for a better season and more happy +conjuncture. Meanwhile, the robbers +made such dispatch in plundering Dapple, +that in the twinkling of an eye +there was not the least crumb left in the +wallet and pillion; and lucky it was for +Sancho that he had secured, in a concealed +girdle, the duke’s crowns and +the money he had brought from home; +nay, notwithstanding this precaution, +those honest gentlemen would have +searched and rummaged him in such a +manner as to have found the cash, even +though it had been hidden between the +flesh and the skin, had not they been interrupted +by the seasonable arrival of +their captain, who seemed to be about +four and thirty years of age, of a robust +make, middling stature, grave +countenance, and brown complexion; +he rode a strong horse, was provided +with a coat of mail, and he had slung a +pair of pistols with firelocks at each side +of him. Seeing his squires (for so +they call the gentlemen of that profession) +very busy in rifling Sancho Panza, +he ordered them to desist; and, as they +immediately obeyed his command, the +girdle happily escaped. Surprized to +see a lance leaning against a tree, a +shield lying on the ground, and Don +Quixote armed at all points and in manifest +despondence, exhibiting the most +rueful and melancholy figure that Melancholy +herself could have formed, he +approached the knight, saying, ‘Be +not so dejected, honest friend; you +have not fallen into the hands of a +cruel Osiris, but of those of Roque +Guinart, who has more of compassion +than cruelty in his disposition.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘My dejection,’ answered the knight, +‘does not proceed from my having +fallen under thy power, O valiant +Roque, whose fame the limits of this +earth cannot confine; but from the +consciousness of my own neglect, in +consequence of which thy soldiers +found me unprepared: whereas I am +bound by the order of chivalry, which +<span class='pageno' id='Page_537'>537</span>I profess, to be always alert and vigilant, +and to stand as it were at all +times sentry upon myself; and give +me leave to tell thee, O renowned +Roque! they would not have found it +such an easy task to subdue me, had +I been on horseback, armed with my +lance and shield: for know, I am +Don Quixote de La Mancha, whose +exploits are celebrated through this +whole terraqueous globe.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Roque Guinart immediately perceived +that the knight’s infirmity partook +more of madness than of valour; +and although he had frequently heard +him named, he looked upon his atchievements +as altogether fabulous, and +could not believe that such a humour +did ever prevail in the heart of man: +he was therefore extremely well pleased +with this encounter, that he might with +his own eyes see immediately before him +what he had heard reported afar off. +‘Valiant knight,’ said he, ‘do not vex +yourself, or consider your present +situation in the light of a misfortune; +perhaps, by stumbling in this manner +your crooked fate may be made +straight; for Heaven, by strange unforeseen +windings, which mankind +cannot comprehend, is wont to raise +the fallen, and enrich the needy.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Don Quixote’s mouth was already +open to thank him for his courteous +behaviour, when they heard behind +them a noise like that of a whole troop +of horse, though there was only one, +upon which came at full speed a youth +who seemed to be about the age of +twenty, dressed in green damask laced +with gold, long breeches, a loose coat, +a hat cocked in the Walloon fashion, +with strait waxed boots and spurs; +armed with a gold hilted sword and +dagger, a small fusil in his hand, and a +case of pistols by his side.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Roque hearing the noise, turned +about, and was surprized with the sight +of this handsome figure, who accosted +him in these terms: ‘In search of thee, +courageous Roque! I came hither, +hoping by thy means to find, if not a +remedy, at least an alleviation, of my +misfortune: and, to keep thee no +longer in suspense, as I am certain +you never saw me before, know that +I am Claudia Geronima, daughter of +Simon Forte, who is thy intimate +friend, as well as the particular +enemy of Clauquel Torellas, thy inveterate +foe, as being head of the +party which thou hast always opposed. +This Torellas, thou knowest, +has a son called Don Vincente Torrellas, +at least he was, two hours ago, +distinguished by that name. I will +be as brief as possible in the account +of my disaster, and explain the occasion +of it in a few words. That +youth happened to see me, and courted +my good graces; I listened to his addresses, +and gave him my heart, without +the knowledge of my father; for +there is no woman whatsoever so retired +and mewed up, but she will find +a time to execute and gratify her irresistible +desires. In a word, he promised +to be my husband, I consented +to become his wife, and this was the +farthest extent of our correspondence. +Yesterday I was informed, that, forgetting +this obligation, he intended +to marry another woman, and that +this morning he had set out to celebrate +his nuptials. My brain +was disturbed, and my indignation +arrouzed to such a degree by these +fatal tidings, that, taking the advantage +of my father’s absence, I disguised +myself in this apparel, pursued +a-horseback my perfidious lover, +whom, having overtaken about a +league from this place, I, without +staying to make complaints, or hear +apologies, discharged upon him this +fusil and these two pistols; so that, I +believe, he has more than a brace of +bullets in his body: thus I opened a +gate through which my honour, +though bathed in his blood, may +escape, and left him in the hands of +his servants, who neither could nor +presumed to exert themselves in his +defence. Thence I came in quest of +thee, to beg that thou wilt conduct +me safely to France, where I have relations; +and, at the same time, promise +to defend my father from the +numerous kindred of Don Vincente, +who may otherwise sacrifice him to +their insatiable revenge.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Roque was struck with admiration at +the gallantry, gay appearance, genteel +mien, and adventure of the beauteous +Claudia, to whom he replied, ‘Come, +Madam, let us first see whether or not +your enemy is actually dead, and then +we will consider about the most proper +measures to be taken in your behalf.’ +Here Don Quixote, who had +<span class='pageno' id='Page_538'>538</span>listened with great attention to Claudia’s +address, and Roque’s reply, interposing in +the conversation, exclaimed, ‘No man +has any occasion to give himself the +least trouble about the defence of this +lady, which I take upon my own +shoulders. Give me my horse and +my arms, and stay where you are; +I will go in quest of the gentleman, +and dead or alive compel him to perform +the promise he hath made to so +much beauty.’—‘Who doubts that!’ +cried Sancho; ‘adad! my master has +an excellent hand at match-making; +a few days ago, he compelled another +person who likewise refused to +keep his word with a young woman; +and if those plaguy inchanters +who persecute him so much, had not +transmographied the gallant into a +lacquey, that very hour, She that was +a maid before, would have been a +maid no more<a id='r204'></a><a href='#f204' class='c008'><sup>[204]</sup></a>.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Roque, whose attention was engrossed +by the adventure of the beautiful +Claudia, paid very little regard to what +was said either by the master or the +man; but, ordering his squires to restore +the spoils of Dapple to Sancho, and +retire to the place appointed for their +quarters that night, he set out with +Claudia, in great haste, to reconnoitre +the situation of the dead or wounded +Don Vincente. When they arrived at +the spot where he had been overtaken +by the young lady, they found nothing +but some recent blood; but, casting +their eyes around, they discovered some +people on the side of a hill, and conjectured +they could be no other than +the servants of Don Vincente carrying +their master to a proper place, where he +might be cured, if alive, or buried, +if dead. Their supposition was just; +and spurring up their horses, they +soon overtook the unhappy cavalier, +whom they found in the arms of his +attendants, whom he entreated, with +a faint and languid voice, to let him +die where he was; for the pain of his +wounds would not suffer him to proceed +farther. Then Claudia and Roque +approached him, to the great terror of +his servants, who stood aghast at sight +of this famous free-booter; but Claudia +was greatly disturbed at the melancholy +situation of Don Vincente; and +agitated by the conflicting passions of +tenderness and resentment, took him by +the hand, saying, ‘Hadst thou given +me this of thy own accord, conformable +to the mutual promise subsisting +between us, thou wouldst never have +been in this condition.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>The wounded cavalier opened his +eyes, which were almost shut for ever, +and recognizing Claudia, ‘I plainly +perceive,’ said he, ‘most beautiful +and misled young lady, that I owe my +death to your hand; a punishment +altogether unmerited and unsuited +to my inclinations, which, as well +as my conduct, were, in regard to +your person, altogether void of offence.’—‘What!’ +cried Claudia, +‘is it not true, that you, this morning, +intended to marry Leonora, daughter +of the rich Balvastro?’—‘No, surely,’ +replied Don Vincente; ‘my evil genius +must have alarmed you with such information, +that, your jealousy being +inflamed, you might deprive me of +life, which, as I leave it in your arms, +and your embrace, I consider as happily +lost; and, that you may be convinced +of my sincerity, give me your +hand, and, if you please, receive me +for your husband, this being the only +satisfaction I can make for the offence +I was supposed to have given.’ Accordingly, +Claudia and he joined hands +and hearts together, in such a manner +that she fainted away upon his bloody +breast, and he sunk into a mortal paroxism.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Roque being confounded and perplexed, +the servants ran for water which +they sprinkled upon their faces, and +Claudia recovered from her swoon; +but this was not the case with her unhappy +lover, who had already breathed +his last. The young lady, perceiving +her beloved husband was no more, rent +the air with her groans, wounded the +heavens with her lamentation, tore her +locks and scattered them to the winds, +and disfigured her face with her own +nails, exhibiting all the marks of the +most severe grief that ever took possession +of an afflicted bosom. ‘O cruel +and inconsiderate woman!’ she cried; +‘how easily wast thou provoked to execute +such dire revenge! O furious +jealousy! to what dire despair dost +thou conduct all those who give thee +harbour in their breasts! O my dear +<span class='pageno' id='Page_539'>539</span>husband! whose unhappy fate, in +being mine, hath made thy marriage-bed +thy grave!’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Such were the melancholy exclamations +of Claudia, which brought water +into the eyes of Roque, who had +seldom or never shed tears before; their +servants wept bitterly; the young lady +swooned almost at every step, and this +whole circuit seemed to be the scene of +sorrow, and field of misfortune. At +length Roque Guinart ordered the servants +to carry their master’s body to +his father’s country-seat, which was +hard by, that it might be buried according +to the old gentleman’s directions; +and Claudia expressed her desire +of retiring to a certain monastery, the +abbess of which was her aunt, where +she intended to finish her life, in company +of a better and more eternal +husband. Roque applauded her design, +and offered to conduct her to the place, +promising, at the same time, to defend +her father from the kindred of Don +Vincente, and all the world, should +they conspire against his peace. She +would by no means avail herself of his +attendance; but, thanking him for his +obliging offers in the most courteous +terms she could use, took her leave of +him, shedding a torrent of tears: the +servants of Don Vincente carried off the +body, Roque returned to his gang, and +thus ended the amour of Claudia Geronima; +a catastrophe not to be wondered +at, when we consider that the web of her +melancholy fate was woven by the baleful +and invincible force of jealousy.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Roque Guinart found his squires in +the place where he had ordered them to +take up their night’s lodging, and in +the midst of them Don Quixote upon +Rozinante, exhorting them in a long +harangue, to quit that way of life, so +dangerous both to soul and body; but +as the greatest part of them were Gascons, +a brutal and disorderly sort of +people, the knight’s arguments made +but little impression. The chief arriving, +asked Sancho Panza if the men +had restored the furniture and effects +they had taken from Dapple; and the +squire replied in the affirmative, excepting, +however, three night-caps worth +as many royal cities. ‘What the devil +does the fellow say!’ cried one of +the gang; ‘here they are, and any body +may see they would not sell for +three rials.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘True,’ said Don Quixote; ‘but +my squire values them at that rate, +on account of the person of whom I +received them in a present.’ Roque +commanded the man to restore them instantly; +then, forming his people into +a line, gave orders for bringing before +them all the cloaths, jewels, money, +and every thing they had acquired by +robbery since the last partition; then, +making a short valuation, and reducing +the indivisibles into cash, he shared the +whole among his company, with such +equity and discretion, that in the most +minute article, he neither exceeded nor +fell short of distributive justice.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Having made this partition, with +which every individual was perfectly well +satisfied and contented, Roque turning +to Don Quixote, ‘If we did not observe +this punctuality,’ said he, ‘there +would be no living among such a +crew.’ To this declaration Sancho +replied, ‘From what I have seen, I +find justice so excellent in itself, that +the practice of it is necessary even +among thieves.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>One of the squires overhearing the +remark, lifted up the butt-end of his +musket, with which, in all probability, +he would have shattered Sancho’s scull, +had not the general commanded him to +desist; while Panza, trembling in every +limb, resolved never to open his lips +again so long as he should sojourn among +such ruffians.</p> + +<p class='c005'>About this time arrived one of the +gang, who was placed centinel on the +road to reconnoitre travellers, and bring +intelligence; and riding up to their +chief, ‘Signior,’ said he, ‘not far +from hence, there is a large company +of people travelling to Barcelona.’—‘Have +you perceived,’ answered Roque, +‘whether they are such as we seek, or +such as are in quest of us.’ When +the squire replied that they were such +as he sought; ‘Set out, then, all together,’ +said he, ‘and bring the whole +company hither, without suffering +one to escape.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>This whole gang departed accordingly, +leaving their chief alone with +Don Quixote and Sancho, to wait the +issue of their expedition; and during +this interval, Roque addressing himself +to the knight, ‘This life of ours,’ said +he, ‘must appear very strange to Don +Quixote, exposed as it is to infinite +adventures and incidents replete with +<span class='pageno' id='Page_540'>540</span>danger; and, indeed, I do not wonder +that it should appear in that light; +for I must know there can be no situation +so full of terror and disquiet as +that in which I live, and into which +I was misled by the desire of revenge, +which is often powerful enough to +disturb the most philosophick breast. +I am naturally benevolent and compassionate; +but, as I have already +observed, the desire of revenging an +injury which I received, hath overturned +all my virtuous inclinations in +such a manner, that I persevere in +this career, maugre and in despite of +my own understanding; and, as deep +calleth unto deep, and sin unto sin, +different schemes of revenge are so +linked together, that I undertake not +only my own, but also those of other +people; yet, by the blessing of God, +although I find myself thus involved +in a labyrinth of confusion, I have not +lost the hope of being, one day, happily +extricated from all my troubles.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Don Quixote was surprized to hear +Roque talk so sensibly and with such +moderation; for he imagined, that +among those who were in the daily +practice of assaulting, robbing, and +murdering their fellow-creatures, there +could not surely be one single person of +sense and reflection. ‘Signior Roque,’ +said he, ‘the beginning of health is +the knowledge of the disease, and +the patient’s desire to comply with +the physician’s prescription. You are +now in the diseased condition, sensible +of your infirmity, and Heaven, or +rather God himself, who is the great +physician, will apply those medicines +which are proper for the cure of your +distemper; but these remedies are +wont to operate slowly, not in a sudden +miraculous manner; and sensible +sinners are much more likely to recover, +than delinquents of little understanding. +Now, as your discourse +evinces your discretion, be of good +chear, and courageously wait for the +perfect recovery of your conscience. +If you are in earnest inclined to quit +this road, and enter at once into that +which leads to salvation, come along +with me and learn to be a knight-errant, +in which capacity you will +undergo such toils and disasters as will +be deemed sufficient penance, and exalt +you to Heaven in the turning of +two balls.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Roque could not help smiling at +Don Quixote’s advice; but changing +the conversation, he recounted the +tragical adventure of Claudia Geronima, +at which Sancho was exceedingly +grieved; for he had been hugely +pleased with the beauty, vivacity, and +demeanor of the young lady.</p> + +<p class='c005'>About this time they were joined by +the squires of the booty, who brought +along with them two gentlemen on +horseback, two pilgrims on foot, and a +coach full of women, attended by six +servants, partly mounted, and partly +footmen, together with two muleteers, +who waited upon the gentlemen. These +came all in a troop surrounded by the +squires, and universal silence prevailed +among the victors and the vanquished; +both sides expecting, with resignation, +the commands of the great Roque Guinart, +who, approaching the gentlemen, +asked who they were, whither they were +going, and what money they had.</p> + +<p class='c005'>To these interrogations one of them +replied, ‘Signior, we are captains of +the Spanish infantry, our companies +are in Naples; our intention is to +embark on board of four gallies, +which, they say, are now in the harbour +of Barcelona, ready to sail for +Sicily; and our funds amount to two +or three hundred crowns, with the +possession of which we thought ourselves +rich and happy, considering the +narrow appointments of a soldier, +which will not permit him to heap +up a great deal of wealth.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Then Roque putting the same questions +to the pilgrims, they answered, +that their design was to embark for +Italy, in order to visit Rome; and that, +between both, they could muster about +sixty rials. He likewise desired to +know the quality of those who were in +the coach, the place to which they +were going, and the state of their finances. +In these particulars he was +satisfied by one of the horsemen, who +said, ‘The company in the coach consists +of my Lady Donna Guiomar de +Quinones, wife to the regent of the +vicariate of Naples, her little daughter +a damsel, and a duenna; I am one +of the six servants who attend them, +and her ladyship’s cash may amount +to six hundred crowns.’—‘At that +rate, then,’ replied the mighty Roques, +‘here are nine hundred crowns and, +sixty rials; I have sixty soldiers; see +<span class='pageno' id='Page_541'>541</span>what each man’s share will come to, +for I am but an indifferent arithmetician.’ +The robbers hearing this decision, +cried aloud, ‘Long life to Roque +Guinart, and confusion to the knaves +who endeavour to effect his ruin!’</p> + +<p class='c005'>The captains exhibited evident marks +of affliction, my lady regent assumed +a very sorrowful countenance, and the +pilgrims did not at all rejoice at this +confiscation of their effects. Although +Roque kept them for some time in suspense, +he had no mind to protract their +melancholy, which was plainly perceivable +a gunshot off; but, turning to +the captains, ‘Gentlemen,’ said he, +‘be so good as to lend me sixty crowns, +and my lady regent will favour me +with fourscore, in order to satisfy my +squadron; you know, The abbot must +not want, who for his bread doth +chant; then you may prosecute your +journey without fear or molestation, +by virtue of a safe conduct I will +grant; in consequence of which, you +will be exempted from plunder, in +case you should fall in with any other +of those squadrons which I have +posted up and down in different divisions; +for it is not my intention to +aggrieve either soldiers or ladies, especially +ladies of quality.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Infinite and well turned were the +compliments in which the captains acknowledged +their obligation to Roque +for his politeness and liberality, for +such they accounted it, in leaving them +possessed of their own money. My +Lady Donna Guiomar de Quinones +would have thrown herself from the +coach, in order to kiss the feet and +hands of the great Roque; but he would +by no means accept such marks of submission: +on the contrary, he begged +pardon for the injury which he was +compelled to do them, in compliance +with the precise duty of his wicked profession. +The lady ordered her servant +to pay instantly the eighty crowns +which were demanded; the captains had +already disbursed threescore; and the +pilgrims were going to surrender their +miserable pittance; when Roque desired +them to desist, and turning to his gang, +‘Of these crowns,’ said he, ‘two +shall fall to the share of each man, +and then there will be an overplus of +twenty, one half of which I give to +the pilgrims, and the other ten to this +honest squire, that he may make a +favourable report of the adventure.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>After this decision, he took pen, ink, +and paper, with which he was always +provided, and writing a safe conduct directed +to the chiefs of his squadrons, gave +it to the company, whom he courteously +dismissed, and they proceeded on their +journey, struck with admiration at his +noble demeanour, gallant disposition, +and strange conduct, looking upon him +rather as an Alexander the Great, than +a notorious robber. One of the squires, +displeased at the booty, said in his Catalonian +dialect, ‘This captain of ours +is fitter for praying than preying; if +henceforth he has a mind to shew his +generosity, let it be from his own +purse, and not what is ours by right +of conquest.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>The unhappy wretch did not speak +so softly, but that he was overheard by +Roque, who instantly unsheathing his +sword, cleft his head almost in two, +saying, ‘Thus I chastise mutiny and +presumption.’ All the rest of the +gang were terrified at this execution, +and not one of them durst open his lips, +so much were they over-awed by the +character of their chief.</p> + +<p class='c005'>As for Roque, he went aside and +wrote a letter to a friend at Barcelona, +giving him to understand how he had +met with the famous Don Quixote de +La Mancha, that knight-errant whose +exploits were in every body’s mouth; +and, he assured him, that the adventurer +was the most agreeable and understanding +man in the whole world: he likewise +gave him notice, that in four days +from the date of the letter, on the feast +of <abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr> John, the said knight-errant +would appear on the beach of the +city, armed cap-a-pee, mounted on +Rozinante, and accompanied by his +squire Sancho upon an ass. He, therefore, +desired his correspondent to communicate +this intelligence to his friends +the Nearri, that they might enjoy the +character of Don Quixote, and wished +his enemies the Cadelli might not partake +of the diversion. But that was a +vain desire, because the mixture of madness +and discretion in the knight, and +the pleasantries of his squire, were such +as could not fail to yield entertainment +to the whole world in general.</p> + +<p class='c005'>This letter was dispatched by one of +his squires; who, disguising himself in +<span class='pageno' id='Page_542'>542</span>the habit of a peasant, entered Barcelona, +and delivered it according to the +direction.</p> + +<h4 id='chap4-4-9' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='nine'>IX.</abbr> <br> OF WHAT HAPPENED TO DON QUIXOTE ON HIS ENTRANCE INTO BARCELONA—WITH OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES THAT PARTAKE MORE OF TRUTH THAN OF DISCRETION.</h4> +<p class='c004'>Three days and three nights +did Don Quixote remain with +Roque, and had he staid as many hundred +years, he would not have wanted +subject for enquiry and admiration at +their way of life: they lodged in one +place, dined in another; sometimes +they fled from they knew not what, +sometimes waited for they knew not +whom. They slept standing, and even +that slumber was often interrupted; +they shifted from place to place; in a +word, their whole time was spent in +appointing spies, examining centinels, +and blowing matches for their musquets, +though they had but few; for +they chiefly used firelocks. As for +Roque, he passed the night by himself, +in private haunts and places concealed +even from the knowledge of his own +gang; for the repeated proclamations +issued by the viceroy of Barcelona, setting +a price upon his head, had rendered +him restless, diffident, and fearful; +so that he durst not confide in any person +whatever, being apprehensive that +even his own followers would either +murder or deliver him up to justice; a +life, of all others, assuredly the most +tiresome and miserable! At length, this +renowned freebooter, accompanied by +Don Quixote and Sancho, and attended +by six of his own squires, set out for +Barcelona, through unfrequented roads, +short cuts, and private paths, and arrived +upon the strand, after it was +dark, on the eve of <abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr> John.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Here Roque, embracing Don Quixote, +and giving to Sancho the ten crowns, +which, though promised, had not hitherto +been paid, took his leave and +returned to his station, after mutual +protestations of friendship had passed between +him and our hero, who resolved +to sit on horseback as he was till day, +which was not far off. Accordingly, +they had not tarried long in this situation, +when Aurora disclosed her rosy +face through the balconies of the east, +infusing vigour and seeming joy into +every plant and flower, instead of gratifying +the ear, which, however, was +also that instant regaled with the sound +of waits and kettle-drums, together +with the noise of morrice bells; the +clatter of horses upon the pavement, +and the repetition, of ‘Clear the way!’ +pronounced by the couriers who came +forth from the city. Aurora vanished +before the sun; who, with a countenance +ample as a target, gradually +arose from below the horizon; then +Don Quixote and Sancho, extending +their view all around, perceived the sea, +which they had never before beheld, +and which seemed to be infinitely vast, +and abundantly more spacious than even +the lakes of Ruydera, which they had +seen in La Mancha: they likewise beheld +the gallies in the road, which, +when their awnings were furled, displayed +a glorious sight of pendants, +flags, and streamers, that wantoned in +the wind, and kissed and brushed the +surface of the deep; while they were +surrounded with clarions, trumpets, +and other sorts of musick, which filled +the air, for many leagues around, with +sweet and martial accents. Now they +began to move, and forming themselves +into line of battle, exhibited the representation +of a naval fight upon the +tranquil bosom of the sea. At the +same time, a mock skirmish was acted +on the shore, by a great number of gentlemen, +mounted on beautiful horses, +who came forth from the city, in gay +attire, with splendid liveries. The soldiers +of the gallies discharged an infinite +number of fire-arms, which were +answered from the wall and forts of the +city; and to the great guns, which +seemed to rend the air with their tremendous +sound, the midship cannons +of the gallies made a suitable reply; +the joy that resounded on board, the +pleasure that appeared on shore, together +with the serenity of the air, which was +sometimes disturbed by the smoke of +the artillery, seemed to infuse and engender +a sudden flow of spirits and delight +in every breast. As for Sancho, +he could not conceive how those great +hulks could use such a number of feet +in moving through the sea.</p> + +<p class='c005'>About this time, the cavaliers so +richly caparisoned, crying, hallooing, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_543'>543</span>and shouting, in the Moorish manner, +came riding up to the place where Don +Quixote sat on horseback, overwhelmed +with surprize and astonishment; and +one of their number, who had been apprized +by Roque, exclaimed in a loud +voice, ‘Welcome to our city, thou +mirrour; lanthorn, planet, and polar +star, of all chivalry in its utmost extent! +Welcome, valorous Don Quixote +de La Mancha, not the false, fictitious, +and apocryphal adventurer, lately in +spurious history described; but the +real, legal, and royal knight recorded +by Cid Hamet Benengeli, the flower +of historians.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Don Quixote answered not a word; +nor did the cavaliers wait for his reply; +but, with their followers, began to +wheel and turn, and curvet in a circle +round the knight; who, addressing himself +to Sancho, ‘As these people know +us so well,’ said he, ‘I will lay a +wager they have read our history, +and even that of the Arragonian, +which hath been lately printed.’ The +gentleman who had at first accosted +him returning, renewed his address in +these words; ‘Signior Don Quixote, +be so good as to go along with us, +who are all the intimate friends and +humble servants of Roque Guinart.’ +To this entreaty the knight replied, +‘If courtesy engenders courtesy, yours, +Signior Cavalier, is the daughter, or, +at least, nearly allied to that which I +experienced in the gallant Roque. +Conduct me whither you please to go; +my will shall, in all respects, be conformable +to yours, and I should be +proud if you would employ it in your +service.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>The gentleman answered this compliment +with expressions equally polite; +and all his companions surrounding the +knight in a body, they, to the musick +of the waits and kettle-drums, conducted +him to the city, his entrance +into which was attended with a small +misfortune. That mischief, from +which all mischief is produced, ordained, +that two bold and impudent +boys, more mischievous than mischief +itself, should squeeze themselves +through the crowd, and approaching +Rozinante and Dapple, clap a handful +of furze under the tail of each: the +poor animals, feeling the severity of +this new kind of spurs, augmented the +pain, by pressing their tails more closely +to their buttocks; so that, after a +thousand plunges, they came with their +riders to the ground, to the unutterable +shame and indignation of Don +Quixote; who, with great dispatch, delivered +the posteriors of his companion +from this disagreeable plumage; while +Sancho performed the same kind office +for his friend Dapple.</p> + +<p class='c005'>The gentlemen would have willingly +chastised the boys for their presumption; +but it was not in their power to +give the strangers that satisfaction; for, +they had no sooner executed their purpose, +than they concealed themselves +among the crowd of above a thousand +youngsters who followed the cavalcade: +so that Don Quixote and Sancho were +obliged to pocket the affront; and remounting +their beasts, proceeded with +the same musick and acclamation to +the house of their conductor, which +was large and magnificent, and in all +respects suitable to the rank of an +opulent cavalier. Here, then, we shall +leave him for the present; for such is +the will of Cid Hamet Benengeli.</p> +<h4 id='chap4-4-10' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='ten'>X.</abbr> <br> CONTAINING THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENCHANTED HEAD—WITH OTHER TRIVIAL INCIDENTS, WHICH, HOWEVER, MUST NOT BE OMITTED.</h4> +<p class='c004'>Don Quixote’s landlord was called +Don Antonio Moreno, a +wealthy gentleman of good understanding, +who loved a joke in a fair and +good-humoured way; so that finding +our knight safely housed under his roof, +he began to contrive means for extracting +diversion from the madness of his +guests, without prejudice to his person; +for those are no jests that give pain; +nor is that pastime to be indulged +which tends to the detriment of a fellow-creature. +His first step was to unarm +Don Quixote, and in that strait +shamoy doublet, which we have already +painted and described, expose +him to publick view in a balcony that +jetted out into one of the chief streets +in the city, where he was surveyed by +the people and the children, who gazed +upon him as if he had been a monster or +baboon. While he stood in this situation, +the gentlemen with the rich liveries +<span class='pageno' id='Page_544'>544</span>performed their courses before him, +as if for his sake only, and not in order +to celebrate the festival, they had +provided all their finery; and Sancho +was ravished with the thoughts of having +so luckily found, without knowing +how or wherefore, another wedding +of Camacho, another house like +that of Don Diego de Miranda, and +another place equal to the duke’s +castle, where he had been so hospitably +entertained.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Don Antonio had that day invited +some friends to dinner, and all of them +paid particular respect to Don Quixote, +whom they treated as a renowned +knight-errant, a circumstance that elevated +his vanity to such a pitch, that +he could scarce contain his satisfaction; +and Sancho’s conceits flowed so fast +and humourous, that all the servants +of the family, and all who heard his +sallies, seemed to hang upon his lips. +While he waited at table, Don Antonio +accosting him, ‘Honest Sancho,’ +said he, ‘we are informed you are such +a lover of fowls and balls of forced +meat, that, when you can eat no longer, +you pocket what remains for next +day.’—‘No, Signior,’ answered Sancho; +‘that is not the case, and your +worship must have been misinformed; +I am a cleanly squire, and no such +filthy glutton; for my master, here +present, knows very well, that we +have often passed eight whole days, +without any other sustenance than an +handful of nuts or acorns. True it +is, If ever the heifer is offered, the +tether is at hand; my meaning is, +I eat what I get, and ride the ford as +I find it<a id='r205'></a><a href='#f205' class='c008'><sup>[205]</sup></a>. If, therefore, any person +whatever hath said that I am an +exceeding glutton and foul feeder, +your worship may take it for granted +that he is in a mistake; and I would +tell him my mind in another manner, +if it was not for the respect I bear to +the honourable beards of this company.’—‘Assuredly,’ +said Don Quixote, +‘Sancho’s cleanliness, and moderation +in eating, might be inscribed +and engraved on tables of brass, for +an everlasting memorial and example +to succeeding ages. True it is, +when very hungry, he may seem to +be a little voracious; for he eats with +precipitation, chewing with both +sides of his jaws; but cleanliness he +punctually maintains; and, while a +governor, learned to eat so delicately, +that he took up grapes, and even the +grains of a pomegranate, with a +fork.’—‘How!’ cried Don Antonio, +‘hath Sancho been a governor?’—‘Yes, +sure,’ replied the squire; ‘and +that of an island called Barataria, +which I governed according to my +own will and pleasure, for the space +of ten days, during which I lost my +natural rest, and learned to despise all +the governments upon earth: I, therefore, +fled from it as I would fly from +the devil, and tumbled into a cavern, +from whence, though I gave myself +up as a dead man, I was brought up +alive by a perfect miracle.’ Then Don +Quixote gave them a circumstantial account +of Sancho’s government, which +afforded extraordinary entertainment to +the whole audience.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Dinner being ended, and the table +uncovered, Don Antonio took our hero +by the hand, and conducted him into +a private apartment, where there was no +furniture but a table, that seemed to be +of jasper, supported by one foot of the +same substance; and upon this table +was placed a bust of bronze, from the +breast upwards, representing a head of +one of the Roman emperors. Don +Antonio, after having traversed the +room with his guest, and more than +once walked round the table, ‘Signior +Don Quixote,’ said he, ‘now that I +am assured no person overhears us, as +nobody listens, and the door is bolted, +I will impart to your worship one of +the rarest adventures, or rather one +of the greatest rarities, that ever was +known; on condition, however, that +you will deposit the secret in the most +hidden recess of your heart.’—‘I +swear to the condition,’ answered +Don Quixote: ‘and, for the greater +security, will put a tomb-stone over +whatever you shall communicate; for, +know, Signior Don Antonio,’ (by +this time he had learned his name) +‘your worship is talking to one, who, +though he has ears to hear, has never +a tongue to tattle; so that you may +securely transfuse the contents of +your own breast into mine, and take +it for granted, you have ingulphed +them in the abyss of silence.’—‘On +<span class='pageno' id='Page_545'>545</span>the faith of that promise,’ replied +Don Antonio, ‘I will excite your +worship’s admiration with what you +shall see and hear; and I, myself, +will enjoy some alleviation of the +pain I have felt from having no person +to whom I could communicate +the secret, which is not to be trusted +to every body’s discretion.’ Don +Quixote waited with impatience and +surprize to see the result of this preamble; +when his entertainer, taking +him by the hand, made him feel all +around the bust, the table, and the +jasper foot upon which it was supported; +then accosting him with great solemnity +of aspect: ‘This bust, Signior Don +Quixote,’ said he, ‘was made and +contrived by one of the greatest inchanters +and necromancers that ever +the world produced. He was, I +think, a native of Poland, and disciple +of the famous Escotillo<a id='r206'></a><a href='#f206' class='c008'><sup>[206]</sup></a>, of +whose knowledge such wonders are +reported. As he chanced to be in +this part of the world, I took him +into my house, where, in consideration +of a thousand crowns which I +paid, he wrought this head, in +which is centered the surprizing power +and virtue of answering every +question communicated to its ear. +The master performed certain rites, +erected schemes, consulted the stars, +and carefully observed the lucky and +unlucky minutes, until, at length, he +brought it to that perfection which +we shall perceive to-morrow; for on +Fridays it is mute, and this being +Friday, we must wait till another +day: in the mean time, your worship +may consider and prepare your questions, +which I know by experience +it will truly answer.’ Don Quixote +was confounded and astonished at this +property and virtue of the head, and +indeed, almost tempted to disbelieve +Don Antonio’s account; but, seeing +how little time was required to make +the experiment, he would not mention +his incredulity; but, in very polite +terms, thanked his entertainer for +having entrusted him with such an important +secret. They accordingly quitted +the apartment, and Don Antonio +having locked the door, returned to +the rest of the company, who were +highly entertained with Sancho’s recapitulation +of many adventures and +incidents to which his master had been +exposed.</p> + +<p class='c005'>The same evening, they persuaded +Don Quixote to make a progress along +the streets with them, not in his armour, +but in a loose coat of tawny-coloured +cloth, which would have made +ice itself sweat at that season; and, in +the mean time, they directed their servants +to amuse Sancho within doors, +that he might not come forth and spoil +their diversion. The knight was not +mounted on Rozinante, but accommodated +with an ambling mule, gaily +caparisoned; and, upon the back of +his coat or cloak, they, without his +knowledge, pinned a parchment inscribed +in large letters, ‘This is Don +Quixote de La Mancha.’ The procession +no sooner began, than this scroll +attracted the eyes of the people; and, +when they read it aloud, the knight +was astonished to find himself known, +and hear his name repeated by all the +spectators. He, therefore, turning to +Don Antonio, who rode by his side, +‘Great,’ said he, ‘is the prerogative +that centers in knight-errantry, the +professors of which are known and +celebrated through all the corners of +the earth: take notice, Signior Don +Antonio, how my name is repeated +by the very boys who never saw me +before.’—‘It is even so, Signior Don +Quixote,’ replied Antonio; ‘for, as +light cannot be shut up and concealed, +so neither can virtue remain unknown; +and, that which is acquired +by the profession of arms, shines with +superior splendor over all other acquisitions.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>While our knight thus proceeded +amidst the acclamation of the crowd, a +certain Castilian happened to pass, and +reading the scroll, exclaimed aloud, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_546'>546</span>‘Now, the devil take thee, Don Quixote +de La Mancha! how hast thou +made shift to come so far without expiring +under some of those infinite +drubbings which thy ribs have received? +A madman thou surely art: +and if the defect of thine understanding +affected thyself only, and was +confined within the gates of thy own +madness, the misfortune would be +the smaller; but thy frenzy is of +such a peculiar nature as to turn the +brains of all those with whom thou +hast any commerce or communication; +witness these gentlemen by whom +thou art now accompanied. Return +to your own house, Mr. Goose-cap, +mind your family-concerns; look +after your wife and children; and +discard these vain maggots, which +have eaten and burrowed into your +brain, and skimmed off the very +cream of your understanding.’—‘Hark +ye, brother,’ said Don Antonio, +‘go about your business; and +do not pretend to offer your advice to +those who want none of your counsel: +Signior Don Quixote de La Mancha +is renowned for wisdom, and we who +accompany him are not so mad as +you may imagine. Virtue ought to +be honoured wheresoever it is found: +therefore be gone with a vengeance; +and seek not to meddle in those +affairs with which you have no concern.’—‘’Fore +God! your worship +is in the right,’ replied the Castilian: +‘advising that honest man is kicking +against the pricks. Nevertheless, I +am extremely sorry that the good +sense, which, they say, this madman +displays in some things, should be +unprofitably wasted through the canal +of his knight-errantry: and may that +vengeance which your worship imprecated, +overtake me and all my +posterity, if, from this day forwards, +I give advice to any person whatever, +asked, or unasked, even though I +should live to the age of Methusalem!’ +So saying, this counsellor went away, +and the procession went on; but the +throng was so great, occasioned by the +boys and other idle people who pressed +in to read the scroll, that Don Antonio +was fain to take it off, on pretence +of freeing the knight from some other +annoyance.</p> + +<p class='c005'>In the twilight they returned to the +house of Don Antonio, where they +found a ball prepared by his lady, who +was a woman of birth, beauty, good +humour, and discretion; and had invited +a number of friends to come and +honour her guest, and enjoy the strange +peculiarities of his madness: they accordingly +came, and after supper, at +which they were entertained in a very +splendid manner, the ball began about +ten o’clock. Among the company were +two ladies who had a turn for satire, +accompanied with a great deal of humour; +and who, though persons of +unblemished honour, indulged themselves +with uncommon freedom of behaviour, +in order to keep up the spirit +of the diversion, that it might not flag. +This pair of female wags persisted with +incredible eagerness, in dancing with +Don Quixote, until not only his body, +but even his very soul, seemed fainting +with fatigue; and nothing could be +more ludicrous than the figure of the +knight, so long, so lank, so lean, so +yellow, capering about in a straight shamoy +doublet, with an air unspeakably +aukward, and legs that were never designed +for such exercise. The young +ladies affected to court his good graces +by stealth; and he privately treated +their advances with disdain, until, finding +them become more and more pressing, +he pronounced aloud, <span lang="la">‘<i>Fugite +partes adversæ!</i></span> disturb not my repose, +ye unwelcome thoughts! avaunt, +ladies, with your unruly desires; for +she who is queen of mine, the peerless +Dulcinea del Toboso, will not +consent that I should surrender or be +subject to any other than her own!’</p> + +<div id='plate10' class='figcenter id002'> +<img src='images/plate-x.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +<div class='ic002'> +<p>Plate X: Don Quixote Dancing.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<p class='c005'>So saying, he sat down upon the +floor in the middle of the hall, quite +exhausted and demolished with the violent +exercise he had undergone; so that +Don Antonio gave orders for his being +carried forthwith to bed; and the first +person who touched him in obedience +to this order, was his own squire Sancho +Panza; who, as he endeavoured to +raise him upon his legs, could not help +reprehending him in these words: +‘What a plague tempted your worship +to fall a capering? Did you suppose +every valiant man was as nimble +as an harlequin, or that all knights-errant +must needs be masterly dancers? +If that was your opinion, I +say you were much deceived: for +there be men who would rather undertake +to slay a giant, than to cut a +<span class='pageno' id='Page_547'>547</span>caper. Had it been the shoe-slapping +horn-pipe, I could have supplied your +place; for I slap like a jerfaulcon; +but as for your figured dances, I know +not a stitch of the matter.’ With this +address Sancho raised a laugh from the +assembly, and his master from the floor, +and carrying the knight to bed, covered +him up very warm, that he might sweat +out the cold caught in dancing.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Next day Don Antonio thought proper +to try the experiment of the inchanted +head, and for this purpose entered +the apartment, accompanied by Don +Quixote, Sancho, a couple of friends, +with our hero’s two waggish partners, +who had staid all night with Antonio’s +lady. The door being fast bolted, he +explained the property of the bust, after +having laid injunctions on the company +to keep the secret, and declared +this was the day on which he intended +to make the first trial of the virtue contained +in the inchanted head<a id='r207'></a><a href='#f207' class='c008'><sup>[207]</sup></a>. Indeed, +except his two friends, no other person +knew the mystery; and if they had not +been previously informed by Don Antonio, +they would certainly have shared +in the same admiration which necessarily +seized the rest who were present at the +execution of a scheme so artfully contrived.</p> + +<p class='c005'>The first who approached the ear of +this inchanted head was Don Antonio +himself, who said in a low voice, but so +as to be overheard by all present, ‘Tell +me, O head, by thy inherent virtue, +what are my present thoughts?’ To +this interrogation the head, without +moving its lips, replied in a clear and +distinct voice, which was heard by the +whole company, ‘I do not pretend to +investigate the thoughts.’ Those who +knew not the plot were confounded at +hearing this answer, as they plainly +perceived there was not a living soul +under the table or in the whole apartment +to utter this reply. Don Antonio +addressing himself again to it, asked, +‘How many persons are here in company?’ +and was answered in the same +key, ‘You and your wife<a id='r208'></a><a href='#f208' class='c008'><sup>[208]</sup></a>, two friends +of yours, and two of her companions, +with a famous knight called Don +Quixote de La Mancha, and his squire +Sancho Panza by name.’ Here was +fresh amazement! here was their hair +standing on end with affright; while +Don Antonio, stepping aside from the +table, said, ‘This is enough to convince +me that I have not been deceived +by the person of whom I purchased +thee; thou sage, speaking, oracular, +and admirable head! Let some other +person go and question it at will.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>As women are usually very curious +and impatient, the next who approached +was one of the two ladies, and her +question was this: ‘Tell me, O head, +what I shall do to be extremely beautiful?’ +She received for answer, ‘Be +extremely virtuous;’ and replied, ‘I +ask no more.’ Then her companion +advanced, saying, ‘I want to know, +sagacious head, whether or not I am +fondly beloved by my husband?’ and +she was answered, ‘That you will +learn by observing his behaviour.’ +The married lady retired, observing +that it required no magick to solve that +question; for, in effect, an husband’s +behaviour to his wife will always declare +the state of his affection. The third +person that approached the table was +one of Don Antonio’s friends, who +asked, ‘What am I?’ and when the +voice answered, ‘Thou knowest best,’ +he replied, ‘That is not the purport of +my question; I desire thou wilt tell +me if thou knowest my name?’—‘Yes,’ +said the oracle; ‘I know thou +art Don Pedro Noriez.’—‘Then I +am satisfied,’ answered Don Pedro; +‘for that answer is sufficient to convince +me, O head, that thou knowest every +thing.’ Then he withdrew, and was +succeeded by the other gentleman; who, +advancing to the table, ‘Tell me, O +head,’ said he, ‘the wish of my eldest +son?’—‘I have already owned that I +cannot dive into the thoughts of men,’ +said the voice; ‘nevertheless, I will tell +thee, that the wish of thy son is to +bury his father.’—‘That is indeed +his wish,’ replied the cavalier; ‘I see +it with my eye, I touch it with my +finger, and do not chuse to ask another +question.’ Don Antonio’s lady +<span class='pageno' id='Page_548'>548</span>approached, saying, ‘I know not how +to interrogate thee, O head; but I +should be glad to know if I shall long +enjoy my good husband?’—‘Yes, +you will,’ replied the voice; ‘his +healthy constitution, and moderate +way of life, promise a long succession +of years and a good old age, of which +many men deprive themselves by their +own intemperance.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Don Quixote now took his turn, and +addressing himself to the bust, ‘Tell +me then, whatsoever thou art,’ said he, +‘is my account of what befel me in +the cave of Montesinos really fact, or +only the illusion of a dream? Will the +flagellation of my squire Sancho be +certainly accomplished? and will the +disinchantment of Dulcinea take effect?’—‘With +respect to the cave,’ +replied the oracle, ‘much may be said; +the adventure partakes both of truth +and illusion. The flagellation of +Sancho will proceed slowly; but Dulcinea +will be disinchanted in process +of time.’—‘And that is all I desire +to know,’ cried the knight; ‘for, +in the disinchantment of Dulcinea, I +shall reckon all my wishes at once +happily fulfilled.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>The last interrogator was Sancho; +who, approaching the table, ‘Pray, +good Mr. Head,’ said he, ‘shall I +peradventure obtain another government? +shall I ever rise above the +humble station of a squire? and lastly, +shall I ever see again my wife and +children?’ To these questions he received +these answers: ‘If it be thy fate +to return to thy own house, thou wilt +govern thy family, and see thy wife +and children; and in ceasing to serve, +thou wilt cease to be a squire.’—‘’Fore +God! an excellent response!’ +cried Sancho; ‘that I could have foretold +myself, and the prophet Perogrullo +could have said no more.’—‘What +answer would you have, you +beast?’ said Don Quixote; ‘is it not +sufficient that the responses delivered +by the head, correspond with the questions +you have asked?’—‘It shall +suffice,’ replied the squire; ‘but I wish +it had explained itself a little more +fully, and told me some more of my +fortune.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Thus ended the questions and answers, +but not the admiration of the +whole company; except Antonio’s two +friends, who had been let into the secret; +which Cid Hamet Benengeli will +now explain, that the world may not be +kept longer in suspense, or imagine that +any necromantick talisman or extraordinary +mystery was contained in this +wonderful bust. He gives us, therefore, +to understand, that Don Antonio Moreno, +in imitation of such another head +which he had seen at Madrid, contrived +by a statuary, ordered this to be made +in his own house for his private amusement, +and with a view to surprize the +vulgar; and in this manner was the +whole fabricated. The table was of +wood painted and varnished like jasper, +and the foot that supported it of the +same materials, carved into the resemblance +of four eagles talons, which +kept it firm and steady in its position. +The head formed from the medal of +one of the Roman emperors, and covered +with a copper colour, was hollow, +as well as the table, in which it was so +nicely fixed, that no eye could perceive +the joining; the foot was likewise hollow, +and answered to the neck and +breast of the bust; and the whole corresponed +with another chamber below, +by means of a concealed tin pipe which +passed through the bust, the table, and +the foot. In this lower apartment, +communicating with that of the inchanted +head, did the person who uttered +the responses fix his mouth to the +pipe, so as that the voice ascended and +descended in distinct and articulate +sounds, and it was impossible for any +person to discover the deception. The +respondent was Antonio’s nephew, a +student of acute parts, and a well-cultivated +understanding, who, being previously +informed by his uncle of the +number and names of the persons whom +he intended to introduce into the chamber +of the inchanted head, was enabled +to answer the first question with great facility +and precision; and to the rest he replied +by conjectures which were equally +ingenious and discreet.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Cid Hamet moreover relates, that for +ten or twelve days the virtue of this +wonderful machine continued in full +force; but a report diffusing itself +through the city, that Don Antonio +had in his house an inchanted head, +which could answer all manner of +questions, he began to be afraid that +these tidings might reach the ears of +the vigilant centinels of our faith; for +which reason he explained the whole +<span class='pageno' id='Page_549'>549</span>affair to the fathers of the inquisition, +who forbade him to proceed with the +deception, and gave orders that the +head should be broke in pieces, lest it +should give umbrage to the superstitious +vulgar: but, in the opinion of Don +Quixote and Sancho Panza, it passed +for a head that was really inchanted +and oracular; though it had given +more satisfaction to the knight than the +squire.</p> + +<p class='c005'>The gentlemen of the city, in complaisance +to Don Antonio, and for the +entertainment of Don Quixote, whom +they wanted to furnish with an opportunity +of discovering his diverting follies, +appointed a running at the ring to +be performed in six days; but this was +prevented by an incident which will be +explained in the sequel. Meanwhile, +the knight was desirous of going out +and viewing the city at leisure, and afoot; +fearing that, should he appear on +horseback, he would again be persecuted +by the boys and vulgar. He accordingly +went forth, attended by Sancho, +and two of Antonio’s servants, +whom their master had chosen for that +purpose; and chancing to lift up his +eyes in passing through one of the +streets, he saw inscribed over a gate, in +capital letters, ‘This is a printing-house;’ +a circumstance which gave +him uncommon satisfaction, as hitherto +he had never seen a printing-press, and +longed much to know something of +that art: he therefore entered the house +with all his train, and saw people casting +off in one part, correcting in another, +composing in a third, revising in a +fourth, and, in short, the whole œconomy +of a large printing-house. Going +up to one box, he asked what was doing; +and being informed by the workmen, +expressed his admiration, and proceeded +to a second. Among others, he +went up to one, and putting the same +question, the workman replied, ‘Signior, +that there gentleman,’ pointing to a +grave person of a very prepossessing appearance, +‘has translated a book from +the Tuscan into the Castilian language, +and I am now composing it +for the press.’—‘What is the name +of the book?’ said Don Quixote. +‘Signior,’ answered the author, ‘the +book in the original is called, <span lang="fr"><i>Le Bagatelle</i></span>.’—‘And +what is the signification +of <span lang="fr">Le Bagatelle</span> in our language?’ +resumed the knight. ‘<span lang="fr"><i>Le Bagatelle</i></span>,’ +replied the author, ‘is, as if we should +say, in Castilian, <span lang="es"><i>Juquetes</i></span><a id='r209'></a><a href='#f209' class='c008'><sup>[209]</sup></a>: and, +although the title of the book be so +humble, it includes and contains a +great deal of excellent and substantial +writing.’—‘I am not altogether +ignorant of the Tuscan language,’ said +Don Quixote, ‘for I value myself upon +singing some stanzas of Ariosto; but, +pray tell me, Signior, (and what I am +going to ask is not with any intention +to sound your genius, but merely to +satisfy my own curiosity) have you +ever, in composing your books, met +with the word <i>pignatta</i>?’—‘Yes, frequently,’ +replied the author. ‘And +how do you translate it into Castilian?’ +resumed the knight. ‘How should +I translate it,’ said the other, ‘but by +the word <span lang="es"><i>olla</i></span>?’—‘Body o’me!’ cried +Don Quixote, ‘what progress you have +made in the knowledge of the Tuscan +idiom! I will lay a good wager that +you translate <i>piace</i> into <span lang="es"><i>plaze</i></span>, <i>piu</i> +into <span lang="es"><i>mas</i></span>, <i>su</i> into <span lang="es"><i>arriba</i></span>, and <i>giu</i> into +<span lang="es"><i>abaxo</i></span>.’—‘Certainly,’ said the author, +‘because these words of the two languages +correspond with one another.’—‘Notwithstanding +all your learning,’ +replied the knight, ‘I could almost +swear you are hitherto unknown to +the world, which is ever averse to remunerate +a flourishing genius, and +works of merit. What talents are +lost, what abilities obscured, and what +virtues are undervalued, in this degenerate +age! yet, nevertheless, a translation +from one language to another, +excepting always those sovereign +tongues the Greek and Latin, is, in +my opinion, like the wrong side of +Flemish tapestry, in which, though +we distinguish the figures, they are +confused and obscured by ends and +threads, without that smoothness and +expression which the other side exhibits: +and to translate from easy languages, +argues neither genius nor +elocution, nor any merit superior to +that of transcribing from one paper +to another; but from hence I would +not infer that translation is not a +laudable exercise, for a man may employ +his time in a much worse and +more unprofitable occupation. At +any rate, my observation cannot affect +<span class='pageno' id='Page_550'>550</span>our two famous translators, Doctor +Christoval de Figueroa, in Pastor +Fido, and Don Juan de Xaurigui in +Aminta, two pieces they have so happily +executed, as to render it doubtful +which is the original and which the +translation: but pray, Signior, is this +book printed on your own account, +or have you sold the copy to a bookseller?’—‘I +publish it on my own account,’ +replied the author, ‘and expect +to gain a thousand ducats at least upon +the first impression, of which there +will be two thousand copies, that will +fetch six rials a piece in the turning of +a straw.’—‘That is a very clear and +comfortable reckoning,’ answered +Don Quixote; ‘but you seem to be +very little acquainted with the outgoings +and the incomings, the schemes, +conspiracies, and cabals of booksellers: +when you find your back burdened +with two thousand copies, I give you +my word both your mind and body +will be terribly fatigued; especially if +the books should be harsh, or a little +deficient in point of spirit.’—‘What!’ +said the author, ‘your worship thinks, +then, I ought to offer my performance +to a bookseller, who would give me +three maravedis for the copy, and insist +upon it that he had done me a favour +into the bargain? I do not publish +with a view to acquire reputation +in the world, where, thank Heaven, I +am already well known by my works; +I print for profit, without which, reputation +is not worth a doit.’—‘God +send you good luck, Signior,’ answered +the knight; who, advancing to +another box, where he saw the corrector +employed on the sheet of a book, intitled, +‘The Light of the Soul;’—‘Aye,’ +said he, ‘these are the books +that ought to be printed; for, although +there is already a pretty large +number of this kind in print, numerous +are the sinners for whose use they +are intended; and for such multitudes +who are in darkness, an infinite number +of lights is required.’ He proceeded +in his enquiry, and when he asked +another corrector the name of a book +on which he saw him at work, he understood +it was the second part of The +Sage Hidalgo Don Quixote de La +Mancha, written by a certain person +a native of Tordesillas. ‘I have heard +of this performance,’ said the knight; +‘and really, in my conscience, thought +it was long before this time burned +into ashes, or pounded into dust, for +the impertinence it contains; but, as +we say of hogs, “Martinmas will +come in due season<a id='r210'></a><a href='#f210' class='c008'><sup>[210]</sup></a>.” Works of +imagination are the more useful and +entertaining the nearer they approach +to truth, and the more probability they +contain; and even history is valued +according to its truth and authenticity.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>So saying, he quitted the printing-house +with some marks of displeasure; +and that same day, Don Antonio proposed +that he should go on board, and +see the gallies in the road; a proposal +which was extremely agreeable to Sancho, +who had never seen the inside of a +galley in the whole course of his life; +and he sent a message to inform the +commodore of his intention to visit him +in the evening, with his guest the renowned +Don Quixote de La Mancha, +whose name and person were already +well known to this commander and all +the citizens of Barcelona. What passed +during this visit, will be related in +the following chapter.</p> + +<h4 id='chap4-4-11' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='eleven'>XI.</abbr> <br> OF THE MISFORTUNE WHICH BEFEL SANCHO PANZA ON BOARD OF THE GALLIES,<br> AND THE RARE ADVENTURE OF THE BEAUTIFUL MOOR.</h4> +<p class='c004'>Manifold and profound +were the self-deliberations of +Don Quixote on the response of the inchanted +head, without his being able +to discover the deceit; and the result of +all his reflections was the promise of +Dulcinea’s being disinchanted, on which +he reposed himself with the most implicit +confidence. This was the goal +of all his thoughts, and he rejoiced, +in full assurance of seeing it suddenly +accomplished. As for Sancho, although +he abhorred the office of a governor, +as we have already observed, +he could not help wishing for another +opportunity of issuing out orders and +seeing them obeyed; a misfortune which +<span class='pageno' id='Page_551'>551</span>never fails to attend the exertion of +power, even though founded on mock +authority.</p> + +<p class='c005'>In a word, that very evening his +landlord Don Antonio Moreno, and +his two friends, went on board of the +gallies with Don Quixote and Sancho; +and the commodore being apprized of +the visit intended by two such famous +personages, no sooner perceived them +coming towards the sea-side, than he +ordered the awnings to be struck and +the musick to play; the barge was hoisted +out, covered with rich carpets, and +furnished with velvet cushions, and the +minute Don Quixote embarked, the +cannon a-midships of the captain-galley +was discharged, and the others followed +her example. When the knight +ascended the accommodation-ladder, on +the starboard side, the whole crew saluted +him with three cheers, a compliment +usually paid to persons of the first +quality; and the general, for by this +name we shall henceforth call him, who +was a noble Valentian, presented his +hand, and embracing Don Quixote, +‘This day,’ said he, ‘will I mark with +a white stone, as one of the happiest +I shall ever enjoy, on account of seeing +the renowned Signior Don Quixote +de La Mancha, in whom the +whole worth of knight-errantry is +cyphered and concentered.’ No less +courteous and polite was the reply of +Don Quixote, who rejoiced above measure +at seeing himself treated with such +respect. The whole company having +ascended the poop, which was very gaily +ornamented, and seated themselves upon +benches, the boatswain repaired to the +gangway, and making a signal with his +whistle for all the slaves to strip, was +obeyed in an instant, to the no small discomposure +of Sancho, who was terrified +at the sight of so many naked backs; +nor did his apprehension abate, when +he saw the awning stretched with such +incredible dispatch, that he thought all +the devils in hell had assisted in the operation. +Yet this was nothing but cakes +and gingerbread to what I am going to +relate.</p> + +<p class='c005'>The squire sat upon the stentril, close +by the aftermost rower on the starboard +side; who, in consequence of the previous +instructions he had received, lifted +up Sancho in his arms, and while the +whole crew of slaves stood up, alert +with the prospect of the joke, tossed +him like a tennis-ball to his fellow, who +in the same manner committed him to +a third; and thus he was bandied forwards +on the starboard side, from slave +to slave, and bench to bench, with such +expedition, that poor Panza lost his eyesight +entirely, and firmly believed himself +in the possession of the fiends: nor +did they desist from this exercise, until +he was reconveyed by the larboard-side +to the poop, where this miserable object +lay bruised, breathless, and covered with +a cold sweat, and in such perturbation +of spirits that he scarce knew what he +had undergone.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Don Quixote seeing Sancho flying in +that manner without wings, asked the +general, if it was a ceremony practised +upon every person at his first going on +board; for, in that case, as he himself +did not intend to make profession of a +seafaring life, he had no ambition to +perform such an exercise; and he vowed +to God, if any man should attempt to +seize him, as a fit subject for flying, he +would spurn his soul out of his body; +in confirmation of which resolve, he +started up, and laying his hand upon his +sword, put himself in a posture of defence.</p> + +<p class='c005'>At that instant the awning was furled, +and the main-yard lowered with +such a terrible noise, that Sancho imagined +the heavens were tore from off +their hinges and tumbling down upon +his head, which he forthwith shrunk +between his legs in an agony of terror: +nor was all serene in the breast of Don +Quixote; who, while his legs trembled +under him, shrugged up his shoulders, +and changed colour. The crew having +hoisted the main-yard, with the same +expedition and noise which were made +in its descent; while they themselves +continued as silent as if they had been +altogether without breath or utterance, +the boatswain piped all hands to weigh +anchor, and leaping into the middle of +the gangway, began to ply their shoulders +with his supple-jack, or bull’s-pizzle, +and the galley by little and little stood +out to sea.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Sancho beholding such a huge body, +moved by so many painted feet, for such +he took the oars to be, said within +himself, ‘This, indeed, is really inchantment; +but what my master takes +for it is no such matter. What have +these miserable wretches done to be +scourged in this manner? and I wonder +<span class='pageno' id='Page_552'>552</span>how the devil that single man, +who skips up and down, piping and +whistling, dares whip and flog so many +people; now, on my conscience, I +believe this is hell itself, or purgatory +at least!’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Don Quixote perceiving with what +attention the squire observed every circumstance, +‘Friend Sancho,’ said he, +‘with what facility and dispatch might +you now, if you please, strip yourself +from the middle upwards, and +taking your place among these gentlemen, +finish at once the disenchantment +of Dulcinea; for, amidst the +distress of so much good company, +you would hardly be sensible of bodily +pain: and who knows, but the sage +Merlin would reckon each of these +stripes, which are bestowed with goodwill, +equivalent to ten of these, which, +at the long run, you must receive +from your own hand.’ The general +had just opened his mouth to enquire +about the nature of this flagellation, +and Dulcinea’s disenchantment, +when a mariner came and told him, +that the fort of Munjuy had made +signal of a rowing bark upon the coast, +to the westward. He no sooner received +this intelligence, than advancing +into a gang-way, ‘Pull away, my +lads!’ cried he, ‘let not this corsair +brigantine escape; for certainly +she must be a vessel belonging to +Algiers which the castle has discovered.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>The other three gallies ranging alongside +of the admiral to receive orders, +the general directed that two of them +should stand out to sea, and the other +keep along shore, so that the Algerine +should not escape. The slaves immediately +began to ply their oars, which +impelled the gallies with such velocity, +that they seemed to fly; while the two +that put to sea, at the distance of two +miles, discovered a bark, which, from +the view, they judged to have fourteen +or fifteen banks, and their conjecture +was right. This vessel no sooner descried +the gallies, than she made the best +of her way, in hope of being able to +escape by her nimbleness; but she was +baffled in this expedition; for the admiral +being one of the swiftest gallies +that ever sailed, came up with her apace, +and the captain of the brigantine perceiving +plainly that he could not escape, +desired the rowers to quit their oars +and strike, that he might not by his +obstinacy incense the officer who commanded +the gallies: but fate, which +conducted their affairs in another manner, +ordained, that even after the admiral +was within hearing, and ordered +them to strike, two Toraquis, that is, +a couple of drunken Turks, belonging +to the brigantine, discharged two +firelocks, which killed as many soldiers +who chanced to be in the head of the +galley; an incident which was no sooner +perceived by the general, than he swore +he would not leave one person alive +in the brigantine, which he ordered his +people to board with all expedition; +nevertheless, she, for the present, escaped +under the oars, and the galley had +such way, that she shot a-head to a +good distance, so that the people on +board the chace, seeing themselves in +danger of being destroyed, hoisted their +sails and put before the wind, while +the galley tacked and pursued with all +her force of canvas and of oars. The +diligence and dexterity of the Algerines +did not turn out so much to their +advantage, as their presumption conduced +to their prejudice; for, the admiral +running along-side, grappled +with the brigantine, and took the whole +crew prisoners. The other two gallies +came up, and all returned with the +prize to the road, while a great concourse +of people stood on the beach, +to see the contents of the ship they had +taken. The general anchored close by +the shore, and understanding the viceroy +of the city was among the spectators, +he ordered the barge to be hoisted +out to fetch him on board, and commanded +the yard to be lowered for the +convenience of hanging the master of +the brigantine, and the other Turks he +had taken, to the number of thirty-six, +all stout young fellows, and mostly +Turkish musqueteers. When he asked +who commanded the brigantine, one +of the prisoners, who was afterwards +known to be a Spanish renegado, answered +in Castilian, ‘That there young +man is our master;’ pointing to one +of the most beautiful and genteel +youths that human imagination can +conceive, whose age to all appearance +was under twenty. ‘Ill-advised dog,’ +said the general, ‘what induced thee to +kill my soldiers, when thou sawest it +was impossible to escape? Is that the +respect which is due to admiral-gallies? +<span class='pageno' id='Page_553'>553</span>Dost thou not know, that rashness +is not valour, and that doubtful +hopes ought to make men resolute, +but not desperate?’</p> + +<p class='c005'>The Moor was about to reply, but +the general could not at that time hear +his answer, because he was obliged to go +and receive the viceroy, who had just +entered the galley, with some of his own +servants, and a few other persons. ‘General,’ +said this nobleman, ‘you have +had a fine chace.’—‘Aye, so fine,’ replied +the other, ‘that your excellency +shall see it presently hoisted up at the +yard-arm.’—‘For what reason?’ said +the viceroy. ‘I mean, the master of +the brigantine and his crew,’ answered +the commodore, ‘who have, against all +law, reason, and custom of war, killed +two of the best soldiers that ever served +on board; so that I have sworn to +hang all the prisoners, especially this +youth who was their captain,’ pointing +to the handsome Moor; who, by +this time, waited for execution, with +his hands tied, and a rope about his +neck.</p> + +<p class='c005'>The viceroy, surveying this unhappy +prisoner, (whose beauty, genteel mien, +and humility, served him instead of a +recommendation) was seized with the +desire of saving his life, and approaching +him, ‘Tell me, corsair,’ said he, +‘art thou a Turk, Moor, or Renegado?’ +To this question the youth answered, +in the Castilian tongue, ‘I am neither +Turk, Moor, or Renegado.’—‘Then, +what art thou?’ resumed the viceroy. +‘A Christian woman,’ replied the captive. +‘A Christian woman,’ cried the +viceroy, ‘in such dress and situation! +this is a circumstance more worthy of +admiration than of credit.’—‘Gentlemen,’ +said the youth, ‘be so good +as to suspend my execution, until I +shall have recounted the particulars +of my story; and that small delay +will not much retard the accomplishment +of your revenge.’ What heart +could be so obdurate as not to relent at +this address; so far at least, as to hear +the story of the afflicted youth? The +general, accordingly, told him he might +proceed with his relation, but by no +means expect pardon for the crime of +which he was convicted. With this permission +he began in these terms.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘I was born of that nation, more +unfortunate than wise, which hath +been lately overwhelmed by a sea of +trouble: in other words, my parents +were Moors; and, in the torrent of +their misfortune, I was carried +by two uncles into Barbary, notwithstanding +my professing myself a +Christian; not one of those impostors, +who are so only in appearance, but a +true and faithful Roman catholick. +This declaration did not avail me +with those who had the charge of our +miserable expulsion; nor was it believed +by my uncles, who, on the +contrary, supposing it no more than +a lye, and expedient, by which I +thought to obtain permission to remain +in my native country, hurried +me along with them in a forcible +manner. My mother was a Christian, +and my father a prudent man of the +same religion: I sucked in the catholick +faith when an infant at the +breast, and was trained up in the +ways of virtue; nor do I think I +have ever given the least marks of +Mahometanism, either in word or +deed. In equal pace with my virtue, +(for I really think my life was virtuous) +my beauty, such as it is, hath +ever walked; and notwithstanding +the extraordinary reserve in which I +lived, concealed from publick view, +it was my fate to be seen by a young +cavalier, called Don Gregorio, eldest +son of a gentleman who had an estate +in our neighbourhood. How he became +desperately enamoured of me, +and how I grew fond of him to distraction, +it would be tedious to relate, +considering my present situation, +standing as I am, with the fatal cord +between my tongue and throat: I +shall therefore only observe, that +Don Gregorio resolved to accompany +me in my exile, and actually mingled +with those Moors who joined us in +different places, without being discovered; +for he spoke the language +perfectly well. Nay, in the course +of our voyage, he insinuated himself +into the friendship of my two uncles, +with whom I travelled; for my father, +who was a man of prudence and +foresight, no sooner heard the first +mandate for our expulsion, than he +went abroad to foreign kingdoms in +quest of an asylum for his family, +leaving a large quantity of pearls, +valuable jewels, with some money, in +crusadoes and doubloons of gold, +concealed and interred in a certain +<span class='pageno' id='Page_554'>554</span>place, to which I alone was privy; +and laying strong injunctions upon me +to avoid touching this treasure, in case +we should be exiled before his return. +I obeyed his commands in this particular, +and as I have already observed, +set sail with my uncles, relations, and +friends, for Barbary; and the place +in which we settled was Algiers, +whereas we might as well have taken +up our habitation in hell itself. The +king hearing of my beauty, and the +report of my wealth, which was partly +fortunate for my designs, ordered me +to be brought before him, and asked +from what part of Spain I had come, +and what money and jewels I had +brought to Barbary. I told him the +place of my nativity, and gave him to +understand that the money and jewels +were buried under-ground: but that I +should easily recover the whole hoard, +provided I could return alone for that +purpose. This information I gave, +that he might be more blinded by his +own avarice than my beauty: but, +during the conversation, a person told +him that I was accompanied in my +voyage by one of the most beautiful +and genteel youths that ever was seen. +I immediately understood that this was +no other than Don Gasper Gregorio, +whose beauty far exceeds the fairest +that ever was extolled; and was exceedingly +afflicted at the prospect of +danger to which the dear youth might +be exposed; for, among those barbarous +Turks, a boy or handsome +youth is more prized and esteemed than +any woman, let her be never so beautiful.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘The king forthwith ordered his +people to bring Don Gregorio into his +presence, and in the mean time asked +me if his person actually corresponded +with this report. Then I, as if inspired +by Heaven, answered in the +affirmative; though at the same time +I assured him, it was no youth, but +a woman like myself; and begged +leave to go and dress her in her natural +attire, which would shew her +beauty to the best advantage, and +enable her to appear in his presence +with less confusion. He said I +might go, in good time, and that +some other day he would concert +measures for my return into Spain, +to bring off the hidden treasure. +Thus dismissed, I went and explained +to Don Gaspar the risque he would +run in appearing as a man, and +dressing him in the habit of a Moorish +woman, accompanied him that same +evening to the presence of the king, +who was seized with admiration at +sight of her beauty, and resolved to +keep her for a present to the Grand +Signior. In order to avoid the danger +to which this young creature might be +exposed in his seraglio, from his own +inordinate desires, he ordered her to be +lodged, quartered, and attended, in the +house of some Moorish ladies, whither +she was immediately conveyed; and +what we both felt at parting, for I cannot +deny that I love him tenderly, +I leave to the confederation of lovers +who have experienced such a cruel separation.</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘The king afterwards contrived a +scheme for my returning to Spain in +this brigantine, accompanied by two +native Turks, the very persons who +killed your soldiers, and that Spanish +renegado,’ (pointing to him who spoke +first) ‘who I know is a Christian in his +heart, and is much more desirous of +remaining in Spain than of returning +to Barbary; the rest of the crew are +Moors and Turks, whom we engaged +as rowers. The two insolent and rapacious +Turks, without minding the +order they received to land the renegado +and me in the habit of Christians, +with which we were provided on the +first part of Spain they could make, resolved +previously to scour the coast, +with a view to take prizes, fearing that +should they set us on shore beforehand, +we might meet with some accident +which would oblige us to discover +that there was a corsair on the coast, +and they of consequence run the risk +of being taken by the gallies. At +night we descried this road, though we +did not perceive the four gallies, and +being discovered, were taken as you +see. In a word, Don Gregorio remains +in the habit of a woman among +the Moorish ladies, at the imminent +hazard of his life, and here I stand +fettered and manacled, in expectation, +or rather in fear, of losing that existence +of which I am already tired. +This, Signior, is the end of my lamentable +story, which is equally true +and unfortunate; and all I beg of +you is, that I may die like a Christian, +seeing, as I have already observed, I +<span class='pageno' id='Page_555'>555</span>have in no shape been guilty of the fault +which hath been charged upon our unhappy +nation!’</p> + +<p class='c005'>So saying, she stood silent, her lovely +eyes impregnated with tears, which few +of the spectators could behold unmoved; +and the viceroy, whose disposition was +humane and compassionate, unable to +speak, advanced to the place, and with +his own hands released those of the +beautiful Moor.</p> + +<p class='c005'>While this Christian Moor related her +peregrinations, an ancient pilgrim who +had followed the viceroy into the galley, +kept his eyes close fixed upon her countenance, +and her story was no sooner finished +than he threw himself at her feet, +which he bathed with his tears, while +in accents interrupted with a thousand +sighs and groans, he exclaimed, ‘O, +Anna Felix! my unhappy daughter; +I am thy father Ricote, who have returned +in search of thee to Spain, because +I could not live without thee, who +art dear to my affection even as my +own soul!’</p> + +<p class='c005'>At these words, Sancho opened his +eyes, and raised his head, which he +had hitherto hung in manifest despondence, +reflecting upon the disgrace of +his flying adventure; and looking at the +pilgrim, recognized that same Ricote +whom he had encountered the very day +on which he quitted his government: +he likewise recollected the features of +his daughter, who being by this time +unbound, mingled her tears with those +of her father, whom she tenderly embraced; +and then the old man, addressing +himself to the viceroy and general, +‘My lords,’ said he, ‘this is my +daughter; not so happy in the incidents +of her life, as in her name, +which is Anna Felix, with the addition +of Ricote, as famous for her +beauty as for her father’s wealth. I left +my country in quest of a place where +we should be received and hospitably +entertained; and having found such +an asylum in Germany, I returned +as a pilgrim in the company of some +people of that nation; hoping to find +my daughter, and fetch away the +wealth which I had buried in the +earth: my daughter was gone, but I +recovered my hoard, which is in my +possession; and now, by this strange +vicissitude which you have seen, I +have retrieved that treasure which is +the chief object of my affection, I +mean, my beloved daughter. If our +innocence and mutual tears can have +influence enough upon your integrity +and justice, to open the gates of mercy, +O let it prevail in favour of us, +who never offended you even in +thought, nor in any shape corresponded +with the designs of our people, +who have been justly expelled.’ +Here Sancho interposing, ‘I am very +well acquainted with Ricote,’ said +he, ‘and know all he has said about +his daughter Anna Felix to be true; +but with respect to that other trash +of his comings and goings, and his +good or evil designs, I neither meddle +nor make.’ Every person present expressed +admiration at this strange incident; +and the general turning to the +daughter, ‘Every tear you let fall,’ +said he, ‘conspires in preventing the +performance of my oath. Live, +beauteous Anna Felix, the term of +your life prescribed by Heaven; and +let those insolent and presumptuous +wretches suffer punishment for the +crimes they have committed.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>So saying, he ordered the two Turks, +who had killed his soldiers, to be +hanged at the yard’s-arm; but the +viceroy earnestly entreated him to spare +their lives, as their crime was rather +the effect of madness than of preconceived +design. The general granted his request, +especially as he did not think it +commendable to execute revenge in cold +blood.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Then they began to contrive some +method for extricating Don Gaspar +Gregorio from the danger in which he +was involved; and Ricote offered to the +value of above two thousand ducats, +which he had about him in pearls and +jewels, to any person who could effect +his deliverance. Many schemes were +projected; but none of them seemed so +sensible as that which was presented by +the fore-mentioned Spanish renegado, +who offered to return to Algiers in +some small bark of about six banks, +manned with Christians, as he knew +where, how, and when he might land +with safety, and was well acquainted +with the house in which Don Gaspar +remained. The general and the viceroy +were dubious of the renegado, and +scrupled to trust him with the command +of Christian rowers; but Anna Felix +was satisfied of his integrity, and her +father said he would engage to ransom +<span class='pageno' id='Page_556'>556</span>them, should they chance to be taken +and enslaved.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Matters being settled on this footing, +the viceroy went ashore, after having +laid strong injunctions on Don Antonio +Moreno, who had invited the +Moorish beauty and her father to his +house, to make much of his guests, +and command whatever his own palace +could afford for their entertainment. +Such was the charity and benevolence +which Anna’s beauty had infused into +his heart!</p> +<h4 id='chap4-4-12' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='twelve'>XII.</abbr> <br> GIVING THE DETAIL OF AN ADVENTURE<br> WHICH GAVE DON QUIXOTE MORE MORTIFICATION<br> THAN HE HAD RECEIVED FROM ALL THE MISFORTUNES<br> WHICH HAD HITHERTO BEFALLEN HIM.</h4> +<p class='c004'>Don Antonio’s lady, as the history +relates, was extremely +pleased at the sight of Anna Felix, +whom she received with great cordiality, +equally enamoured of her beauty +and discretion; for, indeed, the Moor +excelled in both; and here she was visited +by all the people of fashion in +town, as if by toll of bell. As for +Don Quixote, he gave Antonio to understand, +that in his opinion, the plan +they had formed for the deliverance of +Don Gregorio was more dangerous +than expedient; and that it would be +much more effectual to set him on +shore in Barbary, with his arms and +horse; in which case he would bring +home the young gentleman in despight +of the whole Moorish race, as heretofore +Don Gayferos had delivered his +wife, Melisandra. Sancho, hearing +this proposal, ‘Consider,’ said he, +‘that Signior Don Gayferos delivered +his wife from captivity on the main +land, and carried her off to France +through the high road; but, in this +case, even granting we should have +the good luck to release Don Gregorio +from his confinement, we shall +not be able to convey him hither to +Spain, because the sea is between us +and Barbary.’—‘There’s a remedy +for all things but death,’ replied the +knight: ‘for, if there is a bark by the +shore, we can go aboard, in opposition +to the whole universe.’—‘Your +worship describes it a very easy matter,’ +said the squire; ‘but, between +Said and Done, a long race may be +run; and, for my part, I would +stick to the offer of the renegado, +who seems to be a very honest person, +and a man of compassionate bowels.’ +Don Antonio said, that if the renegado +should fail in his undertaking, they +would certainly find some means for +transporting the great Don Quixote to +Barbary; and in two days the renegado +departed in a light bark with six oars +on a side, manned with a crew of approved +valour. In two days after her +departure the gallies likewise set sail for +the Levant, after the general had begged +and obtained the viceroy’s promise to let +him know the success of the scheme they +had contrived for the deliverance of Don +Gregorio, together with the fate of the +lovely Anna Felix.</p> + +<p class='c005'>One morning, Don Quixote rode +forth upon the strand, completely +armed; for he often observed, arms +were his ornaments, and fighting his +diversion, and he never cared to appear +in any other dress; and as he pranced +along, he saw coming towards him a +knight, likewise armed cap-a-pee, having +a full moon painted on his shield. +This apparition was no sooner within +hearing, than he addressed his discourse +to Don Quixote, pronouncing aloud, +‘Renowned cavalier, never enough applauded +Don Quixote de La Mancha, +I, the Knight of the White Moon, +whose unheard-of exploits, may, peradventure, +recal him to your remembrance, +am come with hostile intent +to prove the force of thine arm; to +convince and compel thee to own +that my mistress, whosoever she is, +exceeds in beauty thy Dulcinea del +Toboso, beyond all comparison: +which truth, if thou wilt fairly and +fully confess, thou wilt avoid thy +own death, and spare me the trouble +of being thy executioner; but +shouldst thou presume to engage with +me in single combat, and be overcome, +all the satisfaction I demand +is, that thou wilt lay aside thine +arms, desist from travelling in quest +of adventures, and quitting the +field, retire to thine own habitation, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_557'>557</span>where thou shalt continue a whole +year, without drawing a sword, in +comfortable peace and profitable +tranquillity, which may tend to the +augmentation of thy fortune, and +the salvation of thy precious soul. +On the other hand, if it be my fate to +be vanquished, my life shall exist at +thy discretion; thine shall be the +spoils of all my arms and horse, and +to thee shall be transferred all the +fame of my atchievements: consider +which of these alternatives thou wilt +chuse, and answer me on the spot; +for, on this very day, the affair must +be dispatched and determined.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Don Quixote was astonished and confounded, +as well at the arrogance of +the Knight of the White Moon, as +at the cause of his defiance; and, after +a short pause of recollection, replied +with a solemn tone, and countenance +severe, ‘Sir Knight of the White +Moon, whose exploits have not as +yet reached mine ear, I dare say you +have never seen the illustrious Dulcinea; +for, had you enjoyed that +happiness, I know you would not +have dreamed of making such a rash +demand: one glimpse of her would +have undeceived you perfectly, and +plainly demonstrated, that there never +was, or will be, beauty comparable +to that which she possesses. I, therefore, +without giving you the lye, but +only affirming that you are egregiously +mistaken, accept of your defiance +on the conditions you have proposed, +and will fight you forthwith, before +the day you have pitched upon shall +be elapsed; with this exception, +however, that I will by no means +adopt the fame of your exploits; because +I know not how, where, or +wherefore they were atchieved, and +am content with my own, such as +they are: chuse your ground therefore, +and I will take my share of the +field; and let <abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr> Peter bless what +God shall bestow.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>The Knight of the White Moon +being discovered from the city, and +seen talking with Don Quixote, notice +was given to the viceroy; who, supposing +it was some new adventure contrived +by Don Antonio Moreno, or +some other gentleman of the town, +went down to the strand, accompanied +by the said Don Antonio, and a number +of other cavaliers, and reached the +spot just as Don Quixote wheeled about +on Rozinante to measure his distance. +Seeing both parties ready for returning +to the encounter, he placed himself +in the middle between them, and demanded +the cause that induced them +so suddenly to engage in single combat. +The Knight of the White Moon +answered, that it was the precedency of +beauty; and briefly repeated his proposal +to Don Quixote, with the mutual +acceptation of the conditions proposed. +Then the viceroy taking Don +Antonio aside, asked if he knew this +Knight of the White Moon; and if +this was a joke which he intended to +perpetrate upon Don Quixote. Don +Antonio assured him that he knew not +the stranger, nor could guess whether +the challenge was given in jest or earnest. +He was a little perplexed, and dubious +whether or not he should allow +the battle to be fought; but, as he +could not conceive it to be any thing +else than a preconcerted joke, he retired, +saying, ‘Valiant knights, seeing +there is no other remedy, but +you must confess or die; and Signior +Don Quixote persists in denying +what you, of the White Moon, presume +to affirm; I leave you to your +fate, and God stand by the righteous.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>The stranger, in very polite terms, +and well-selected phrase, thanked the +viceroy for the permission he had +granted; and his example was, in this +particular, followed by Don Quixote, +who, having recommended himself +heartily to Heaven and his Dulcinea, according +to his usual practice when he +engaged in any combat, turned about +to take a little more ground, in imitation +of his antagonist; then, without +receiving a signal for engaging, either +by sound of trumpet, or any other instrument, +both parties wheeled about +at the same instant. The Knight of +the White Moon having the fleeter +horse, coming up with his adversary, +before this last had run one third of +his career, lifting up his lance purposely +that he might not wound Don +Quixote, whom, however, he encountered +with such an irresistible shock, +that both he and Rozinante came to +the ground with a very dangerous fall: +the victor instantly sprung upon him, +and clapping his lance to his vizor, +‘Knight,’ said he, ‘you are vanquished, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_558'>558</span>and a dead man, unless +you acknowledge the terms of the +defiance.’ To this address the battered +and astonished Don Quixote, +without lifting up his beaver, replied +in a languid tone and feeble voice, +that seemed to issue from a tomb, +‘Dulcinea del Toboso is the most +beautiful woman in the world, and I +the most unfortunate knight on +earth; and, as it is not reasonable +that my weakness should discredit this +truth, make use of your weapon, +knight, and instantly deprive me of +life, as you have already divested me +of honour.’—‘By no means’ said he +of the White Moon: ‘let the fame of +my Lady Dulcinea’s beauty flourish +in full perfection; all the satisfaction +I ask is, that the great Don Quixote +shall retire to his own house, and +there abide for the space of one year, +or during the term which I shall prescribe, +according to the articles +agreed upon before we engaged.’ +This whole dialogue was overheard by +the viceroy, Don Antonio, and a number +of other people who were present, +and they were also ear-witnesses of the +answer made by Don Quixote, who +said, that as the victor had demanded +nothing to the prejudice of Dulcinea, +he would comply with his proposal like +a true and punctual knight.</p> + +<p class='c005'>He of the White Moon hearing his +declaration, turning his horse, and, +bowing courteously to the viceroy, entered +the city at an half gallop, whither +he was followed by Don Antonio, at +the desire of the viceroy, who entreated +him to make enquiry, and obtain satisfactory +information concerning this +romantick stranger. In the mean time, +they raised up Don Quixote; and uncovering +his face, found him pale as +death, and his forehead bedewed with +a cold sweat, while Rozinante lay motionless, +from the rough treatment he +had received. As for Sancho, he was +so overwhelmed with sorrow and vexation, +that he knew not what to say or +do: this unlucky incident seemed to be +a dream, and he looked upon the whole +scene as a matter of inchantment. Seeing +his lord and master overcome, and +obliged to lay aside his arms for the +space of a whole year, he imagined the +splendor of his exploits was eclipsed, +and all those fair hopes, produced from +his late promise, dispersed in the air, as +smoak is dissipated by the wind, in a +word, he was afraid that Rozinante +was maimed for ever, and his master’s +bones dislocated; and even thought it +would be a great mercy if he was not in +a worse condition.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Finally, the viceroy ordered his people +to bring a sedan, in which the +knight was carried to the city, accompanied +by that nobleman, who longed +very much to know who this Knight of +the White Moon was, by whom Don +Quixote had been left in such a cruel +dilemma.</p> +<h4 id='chap4-4-13' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='thirteen'>XIII.</abbr> <br> WHICH DISCOVERS WHO THE KNIGHT OF THE WHITE MOON WAS, AND GIVES AN ACCOUNT OF THE DELIVERANCE OF DON GREGORIO—WITH OTHER INCIDENTS.</h4> +<p class='c004'>Don Antonio Moreno followed +the Knight of the White Moon, +who was also accompanied, and even +persecuted by a number of boys, until +they had housed him in one of the city +inns, which was at the same time entered +by Don Antonio, who burned with +impatience to know what he was; and, +without ceremony, intruded himself into +the apartment to which the stranger +retired, with his squire, to be unarmed. +He of the White Moon, perceiving +how much the gentleman’s curiosity +was inflamed, and that he was +resolved to stick close by him until it +should be satisfied, ‘Signior,’ said he, +‘I am not ignorant that you are come +hither on purpose to know who I +am; and as there is no reason why +I should refuse you that satisfaction, I +will, while my servant is employed in +taking off my armour, explain the +whole mystery, without the least reserve: +you must know, then, Signior, +that I am called the Batchelor +Sampson Carrasco, a townsman of +Don Quixote de La Mancha, whose +madness and extravagance has given +great concern to all his acquaintance, +and to me in particular. Believing +that his recovery would depend upon +his living quietly at his own habitation, +I projected a scheme for compelling +him to stay at home; and, about three +months ago, sallied forth upon the +<span class='pageno' id='Page_559'>559</span>highway, as a knight-errant, assuming +the appellation of the Knight of +the Mirrours, fully resolved to engage +and vanquish Don Quixote, without +hurting him dangerously, after I +should have established, as the condition +of our combat, that the vanquished +should be at the discretion of +the victor: and, as I deemed him +already conquered, my intention was +to demand that he should return to +his own house, from which he should +not stir for the space of one year, in +which time I hoped his cure might +be effected. But fate ordained things +in another manner; I was conquered +and overthrown, and my design entirely +frustrated; he proceeded in quest +of new adventures, and I returned +vanquished, ashamed, and sorely +bruised by the dangerous fall I had +sustained in battle: nevertheless, I +did not lay aside the design of returning +in quest of him to overthrow him +in my turn, and you have this day +seen my intention succeed; for he +is so punctual in observing the ordinances +of chivalry, that he will, +doubtless, perform his promise in +complying with my demand. This, +Signior, is an account of the whole +affair: nor have I omitted one circumstance; +and I beg you will not +discover and disclose to Don Quixote +who I am, that my Christian intention +may take effect, and the poor gentleman +retrieve his judgement, which +would be altogether excellent, were +he once abandoned by those mad +notions of chivalry.’—‘God forgive +you, Signior,’ cried Don Antonio, +‘for the injury you have done the +world, in seeking to restore to his +senses the most agreeable madman +that ever lived! Do not you perceive, +Signior, that the benefit resulting +from the cure of Don Quixote will +never counterbalance the pleasure +produced by his extravagances? But, +I imagine, all the care and industry +of Signior Batchelor will hardly be +sufficient to effect the recovery of a +man who is so thoroughly mad, and, +if it was no breach of charity, I +would say, May Don Quixote never +be cured; for, in his recovery, we +not only lose his own diverting +flights, but also those of his squire +Sancho Panza; and any of these +conceits are such as might convert +Melancholy herself into merriment +and laughter: nevertheless, I shall +put a seal upon my lips, and say nothing, +that I may see whether or not +I shall judge aright, in supposing that +the diligence of Signior Carrasco will +not answer his expectation.’ The +batchelor answered, that all things considered, +the business was already in a +fair way; and, he did not doubt, would +be blessed with a prosperous issue. +Don Antonio having made a tender of +his services, and taken his leave, Sampson +ordered his arms to be fastened +upon a mule; then mounting the horse +on which he engaged Don Quixote, he +quitted the city the same day, on his +return to his own country, in which +he arrived without having met with +any incident worthy of being recorded +in this authentick history. Don Antonio +made the viceroy acquainted with +all the particulars he had learned from +Carrasco, which afforded no great pleasure +to that nobleman, as the retirement +of Don Quixote would destroy all +that entertainment enjoyed by those who +had the opportunity of observing his +madness.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Six whole days did Don Quixote lie +a-bed, pensive, melancholy, mauled, +and meagre, revolving in his imagination, +and meditating incessantly on the +unfortunate incident of his overthrow; +notwithstanding the consolations of +Sancho, who, among other arguments +of comfort, exhorted his worship to +hold up his head, and dispel his sorrow, +if possible. ‘Your worship,’ said +he, ‘has reason to thank God, that, +though you are overthrown, your +ribs are still whole: you know that, +in those matters, we must take as +well as give; and where there are +hooks we do not always find bacon—A +fig for the physician, seeing we +do not want his help in the cure +of this distemper: let us return to +our habitation, and leave off travelling +about in quest of adventures, +through lands and countries unknown; +nay, if we rightly consider +the case, I am the greatest loser, +though your worship is the most +roughly handled; for though, when +I quitted the government, I likewise +quitted all thought of governing, I +did not give up the desire of being +a count, which will never be fulfilled +if your worship should renounce your +<span class='pageno' id='Page_560'>560</span>design of being a king, and quit the +exercise of chivalry; in that case all +my hopes must vanish into smoke.’—‘Peace, +Sancho,’ said the disconsolate +knight; ‘the term of my penance and +retirement will not exceed a year, at +the end of which I will return to the +honourable duties of my profession, +and then we shall find kingdoms to +conquer and countships to bestow.’—‘The +Lord give ear, and my sin never +hear!’ cried Sancho: ‘and I have always +heard it said, that righteous hope +is better than unjust possession.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Their conversation was interrupted +by Don Antonio; who, entering the +apartment with marks of infinite satisfaction, +exclaimed—‘Money for my +good news, Signior Don Quixote: +Don Gregorio, and the renegado +who undertook his deliverance, are +now in the road—in the road! they +are, by this time, in the viceroy’s +palace, and will be here in an instant.’ +The knight was a little revived +by these tidings, and replied—‘In +truth, I was going to say, I should +have been glad to hear that the +scheme had not succeeded, so that I +should have been obliged to cross +over into Barbary, where I would, +by the strength of my arm, have +given liberty not only to Don Gregorio, +but also to all the Christian +captives in Algiers—but what am +I saying, miserable caitif? am not I +vanquished? am not I overthrown? +am not I excluded from the exercise +of arms for the space of a whole +year? wherefore, then, promise what I +cannot perform? wherefore praise my +own valour, when I am fitter for +handling a distaff than for wielding +a sword?’—‘No more of that, good +Signior,’ replied the squire; ‘Let the +hen live though she has the pip: To-day +for thee, and to-morrow for me: +as to those matters of encounters and +dry bastings, they are not to be +minded; for he that falls to-day +may rise to-morrow, if he does not +chuse to lie a-bed; I mean, if he does +not chuse to despair, without endeavouring +to recover fresh spirits for fresh +adventures. Get up, therefore, I beseech +your worship, and receive Don +Gregorio; for the people are in such an +uproar, that by this time he must be +in the house.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>This was really the case: Don Gregorio +and the renegado having given the +viceroy an account of the voyage and +success of the undertaking, the young +gentleman, impatient to see his dear +Anna Felix, was come with his deliverer +to the house of Don Antonio; +and although Don Gregorio was in +woman’s apparel when they delivered +him from Algeirs, he had exchanged +it in the vessel with another captive by +whom he was accompanied; but, in +any dress whatsoever, his appearance +was such as commanded friendship, +service, and esteem; for he was exceedingly +beautiful, and seemingly not +above seventeen or eighteen years of +age. Ricote and his daughter went +forth to receive him; the father with +tears of joy, and Anna with the most +modest deportment: nor did this fair +couple embrace one another; for, where +genuine love prevails, such freedom of +behaviour is seldom indulged. The +beauty of Don Gregorio and his mistress +excited the admiration of all the +spectators; while silence spoke for the +lovers themselves, and their eyes performing +the office of the tongue, disclosed +the joy of their virtuous thoughts. +The renegado recounted the stratagem +and means he had used for the deliverance +of the youth; who likewise entertained +the company with a detail of +the dangers and distresses to which he +was exposed among the women with +whom he had been left; and this task +he performed not with diffused prolixity, +but in elegant and concise terms, which +plainly proved that his discretion far exceeded +his years. Finally, Ricote liberally +rewarded the rowers and the renagado, +who re-united and re-incorporated +himself with the church, and from +a rotten member, became fair and sound, +by dint of mortification and sincere repentance.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Two days after the arrival of Don +Gregorio, the viceroy consulted with +Don Antonio about the means of obtaining +permission for Anna Felix and +her father to reside in Spain, as they +were persuaded that no inconvenience +could arise from such indulgence to a +daughter who was so perfectly a Christian, +and a father so righteously disposed. +Don Antonio offered to negotiate +this affair at court, whither he +was pressingly called by his own occasions; +observing, that by dint of interest +and presents many difficulties are +<span class='pageno' id='Page_561'>561</span>removed. Ricote, who was present at +this conversation, said, ‘There is nothing +to be hoped from favour or presents; +neither tears, entreaties, promises, +nor presents, will avail with +the great Don Bernandino de Velasco, +Count de Selaza, to whom his majesty +has entrusted the charge of our +expulsion; for, although he really +tempers justice with mercy, as he perceives +the whole body of our nation +contaminated and gangrened, he applies +the actual cautery instead of the +mollifying ointment; so that, by his +diligence, prudence, sagacity, and +terrifying threats, he has sustained +upon his able shoulders the weight of +that vast project which he has successfully +put in execution, without +suffering his Argus eyes, which are +always alert, to be blinded by all our +industry, stratagem, fraud, and solicitation. +He is resolved that none of +our people shall remain concealed; +lest, like an hidden root, they may +hereafter bud and bring forth fruit +which may be poisonous to Spain, already +cleansed and delivered from +those fears that arose from the prodigious +number of Moors: an heroick +resolution of the great Philip <abbr title='the third'>III.</abbr> +who has, at the same time, displayed +the most consummate wisdom, in +committing the execution of the +scheme to the courage and ability of +Don Bernandino de Velasco.’—‘Nevertheless,’ +said Don Antonio, ‘I +will, while at court, use all possible +means in your behalf, and leave the +determination to Heaven; Don Gregorio +shall go along with me, and +console his parents for the grief they +have suffered from his absence; Anna +Felix shall stay with my wife, or be +boarded in a monastery; and, I know, +my lord viceroy will be pleased to +lodge honest Ricote until we shall see +the issue of my negociation.’ The +viceroy agreed to every circumstance of +the proposal; but Don Gregorio, being +informed of the scheme, declared he +neither could nor would leave his charming +Anna Felix. At length, however, +he assented to the proposal, resolving to +go and visit his parents, with whom he +would concert measures for returning +to fetch away his mistress; so that +Anna Felix remained with Don Antonio’s +lady, and Ricote staid in the viceroy’s +palace.</p> + +<p class='c005'>The hour of Antonio’s departure arrived; +and, in two days, was followed +by that of Don Quixote, whose fall +would not permit him to travel before +that time. The parting of the lovers +was attended with weeping, sighing, +sobbing, and swooning; and Ricote +offered to accommodate Don Gregorio +with a thousand crowns; but the young +gentleman would take but five, which +he borrowed of Don Antonio, promising +to repay them at court. Thus +they set out together for Madrid; and +soon after, as we have already observed, +Don Quixote and Sancho departed from +Barcelona; the knight unarmed, in a +travelling dress, and the squire trudging +a-foot, because Dapple carried the armour +of his master.</p> +<h4 id='chap4-4-14' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='fourteen'>XIV.</abbr> <br> TREATING OF THAT WHICH WILL BE SEEN BY HIM WHO READS,<br> AND KNOWN BY HIM WHO HEARS IT READ.</h4> +<p class='c004'>Don Quixote, in leaving Barcelona, +turned about to survey +the fatal spot in which he had fallen, +and thus exclaimed: ‘Here Troy once +stood! here, by misfortune, not by +cowardice, was I despoiled of all +the glory I had acquired! Here did I +feel the vicissitudes of fortune! +here all my atchievements were +eclipsed! and, finally, here fell my +fortune, never more to rise!’ Sancho +hearing this effusion, ‘Signior,’ +said he, ‘it is the part of a valiant man +to bear with patience his sufferings +and adversity, as well as to enjoy his +prosperity with good humour. I judge +from my own feeling; for, if I was +merry when a governor, I am not +melancholy now that I am a poor +squire travelling a-foot; and I have +often heard, that she we call Fortune is +a drunken, fickle female, and so blind +withal, that she sees not what she +does, and knows not whom she is +abusing, or whom exalting.’—‘Sancho,’ +answered the knight, ‘thou art +very philosophical, and hast spoke +with great discretion, which I know +not where thou hast learned; I can +tell thee, however, there is no such +thing as fortune in the whole world; +nor do those things which happen, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_562'>562</span>whether good or evil, proceed from +chance, but solely from the particular +providence of Heaven; and hence +comes the usual saying, That every +man is the maker of his own fortune. +I at least have been the maker +of mine, though not with sufficient +prudence, and therefore my presumptuous +hopes miscarried. I ought to +have considered that Rozinante’s +weakness could not resist the weight +and magnitude of my adversary’s +horse; in a word, I tried my fortune, +did what I could, found myself vanquished +and overthrown, and though +I lost mine honour, I neither did +nor can forfeit my integrity, and +the merit of fulfilling my promise; +while I was a knight-errant valiant +and intrepid, my hand and my +performance gave credit to my exploits; +and now that I am no more +than a pedestrian squire, my word +shall be confirmed by the accomplishment +of my promise. Make haste, +then, friend Sancho, let us return +to our own country, and pass the +year of our probation, and during +that term of confinement acquire +fresh vigour and virtue, to resume +the never by me forgotten exercise of +arms.’—‘Signior,’ answered the +squire, ‘the pastime of trudging a-foot +is not quite so pleasant, as to move +and instigate me to travel a great pace; +let us leave these arms of yours, +hanging like a malefactor on some +tree; and then I, occupying the back +of Dapple, with my feet no longer +in the mire, we may travel just as +your worship shall desire or demand; +but, to think that I can make long +marches a-foot, is a vain supposition.’—‘Thou +art in the right, Sancho,’ +replied Don Quixote, ‘let my arms +be suspended in form of a trophy; +and beneath, or around them, we +will engrave upon the tree, an inscription +like that which appeared +under the armour of Orlando—</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c012'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘“Let him alone these arms displace,</div> + <div class='line'>Who dares Orlando’s fury face.”’</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>‘A most excellent device!’ cried the +squire; ‘and if it were not that we +should feel the want of him in our +journey, it would not be amiss to hang +up Rozinante at the same time.’—‘Nevertheless,’ +replied Don Quixote, +‘neither Rozinante nor my arms will I +suffer to be hung up; for it shall +never be said of me, that a good service +met with a bad remuneration.’—‘Your +worship talks very much to the +purpose,’ said Sancho; ‘for according +to the opinion of wise men, The +pannel ought not to suffer for the +fault of the ass; and since your worship +alone was to blame for the bad +success of the last adventure, you +ought to punish yourself only, and +not vent your indignation upon your +bloody and already rusted arms, or +upon the meekness of Rozinante, or, +lastly, upon the tenderness of my feet, +in desiring them to walk at a pace +which they cannot maintain.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>In this conversation, and other such +discourse, they passed that whole day +and the next four, without meeting +with any incident that could interrupt +their journey: on the fifth, which was +a holiday, they entered a village where +they saw a number of people making +merry at the gate of an inn; and when +Don Quixote approached, a countryman +exclaimed, ‘One of these gentlemen +travellers, who are unacquainted +with the parties, shall decide our +wager.’ The knight assuring them +he would give his opinion freely and +honestly, as soon as he should be informed +of the matter, the peasant replied, +‘Worthy Signior, this here is +the case: One of our townsmen, who +is so fat and bulky that he weighs +little less than three hundred weight, +has challenged one of his neighbours, +a thin creature, not half so +heavy, to run with him one hundred +yards with equal weight. The match +was accordingly made; but when the +challenger was asked how the weight +of both should be made equal, he insisted +on the other’s carrying the difference +in bars of iron, by which +means, Limberham would be upon a +footing with Loggerhead.’—‘By no +means,’ cried Sancho, interposing +before his master could answer one +word, ‘to me, who have been lately a +governor and a judge, as all the world +knows, it belongs to resolve these +doubts, and give my opinion in every +dispute.’—‘Speak, then, in happy +time, friend Sancho,’ said the knight, +‘for my judgment is so confounded +and disturbed, that I am hardly fit +to throw crumbs to a cat.’ With +<span class='pageno' id='Page_563'>563</span>this permission, Sancho addressing himself +to the peasants, who had assembled +around him, and waited his decision +with open mouths, ‘Brothers,’ said he, +‘the demand of Loggerhead will not +hold water, and is indeed without +the least shadow of justice; for if +what all the world says be true, +namely, that the challenged party has +the choice of the weapons, it is not +reasonable that the said Loggerhead +should pretend to chuse such arms +as will encumber his adversary, +and secure the victory to himself; it +is therefore my opinion, that Loggerhead, +the challenger, shall scrape, +shave, pare, polish, slice, and take +away, one hundred and fifty pounds +weight of his own individual flesh +from different parts of his body, according +to his own fancy and convenience; +so that, leaving the other +moiety, which will be sufficient to +counterbalance his antagonist, the +parties may run with equal advantage.’—‘’Fore +God!’ cried one of +the countrymen, hearing this wise decision, +‘the gentleman has spoken like +a saint, and given sentence like a +canon; but, sure I am, Loggerhead +will not part with an ounce, much +less one hundred and fifty pounds of +his flesh.’—‘The best part of the +joke,’ replied another peasant, ‘is, +that the match cannot be run; for +Limberham will not touch a bar of +iron, and Loggerhead will not pare +himself; let us therefore spend the +half of the money in treating these +gentlemen at the tavern with some of +the best wine; and, when it rains, let +the shower fall upon my cloak.’—‘Gentlemen,’ +said Don Quixote, ‘I +thank you for your invitation, but I +really cannot tarry a moment; for +melancholy thoughts and unlucky +adventures oblige me to appear uncivil +on this occasion, and to travel +faster than the ordinary pace.’ So +saying, he clapped spurs to Rozinante, +and set on; leaving them astonished in +consequence of having seen and observed +the strange figure of the master, +and the sagacity of the servant, for +such they supposed Sancho to be. One +of them could not help saying, ‘If the +servant is so wise, what must the +master be? I’ll lay a wager if they +go to study at Salamanca, they will +in a trice be created alcaldes of the +court; for it is nothing but children’s +play, studying and poring, and having +interest and good luck: and +when a man thinks least about the +matter, he finds himself with a white +rod in his hand, or a mitre upon his +head.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>That night our adventurer and his +squire passed in the middle of an open +field, under the spacious cope of heaven; +and next day, proceeding on their +journey, they saw coming towards them +a man on foot, with a javelin or half-pike +in his hand, and a wallet on his +back; circumstances from which they +judged he was a post or courier. As +he advanced he quickened his pace, and +running to Don Quixote, embraced +his right thigh, for he could reach no +higher, exclaiming, with marks of extraordinary +satisfaction, ‘O my good +Signior Don Quixote! how will the +heart of my lord duke be rejoiced +when he knows your worship is returning +to his castle, where he still +continues with my lady duchess!’—‘Friend,’ +said the knight, ‘I do not +recollect your features, nor do I know +who you are, unless you will be +pleased to tell me.’—‘Signior Don +Quixote,’ replied the courier, ‘I am +my lord duke’s lacquey Tosilos, who +refused to fight with your worship +concerning the marriage of the duenna’s +daughter.’—‘God in heaven +protect me!’ cried the knight, ‘is it +possible that you are he whom my +enemies the enchanters transformed +into that same lacquey you mention, +to deprive me of the glory of that +combat?’—‘No more of that, worthy +Signior,’ replied the post; ‘there was +no inchantment in the case, nor any +sort of transformation; I was as +much the lacquey Tosilos when I entered +the lists, as when I left them. +I thought the girl handsome, and +therefore would have married her +without fighting, but the event did +not answer my expectation. Your +worship was no sooner gone from the +castle, than my lord duke ordered me +to be severely bastinadoed, for having +contradicted the instructions he had +given me before I entered the lists; +and this is the upshot of the whole +affair: the girl is by this time a nun, +Donna Rodriguez is gone back to +<span class='pageno' id='Page_564'>564</span>Castile, and I am now bound for +Barcelona with a packet of letters from +his grace to the viceroy. If your worship +is inclined to take a small draught +of good wine, though not very cool, I +have here a calabash full of the best, +and some slices of Tronchon cheese, +which will serve as provocatives and +rouzers of thirst, if perchance it should +be asleep.’—‘Your invitation is accepted,’ +cried Sancho; ‘truce with +your compliments and skink away, +honest Tosilos, maugre and in despite +of all the inchanters of the Indies.’—‘Verily, +Sancho,’ said Don Quixote, +‘thou art the most insatiate glutton in +the universe, and the most ignorant +animal upon earth: but, as thou art +not persuaded that this courier is inchanted, +and no other than a counterfeit +Tosilos, thou mayst tarry along +with him and fill thy belly, and I will +jog on at a slow pace until thou shalt +overtake me.’ The lacquey smiled at +his infatuation, unsheathed his calabash, +unwalletted his cheese, and producing a +small loaf, he and Sancho sat down upon +the grass, where in peace and harmony +they dispatched and discussed the contents +of the wallet with great perseverance +and good-will, and even licked +the packet, because it smelled of cheese. +During the repast, Tosilos said to the +squire, ‘Doubtless, friend Sancho, thy +master is bankrupt in common-sense.’—‘How, +bankrupt!’ answered Panza; +‘he owes no man a farthing, but pays +like a prince, especially where madness +is the current coin; I see the +matter plain enough, and tell him +my opinion freely: but to what +purpose? Now, indeed, he is going +home in despair, for having been +vanquished by the Knight of the +White Moon.’ Tosilos earnestly +begged he would recount that adventure; +but Sancho declined the talk, +observing, that it would be unmannerly +to let his master wait for him; though +at their next meeting he should have +more leisure. He accordingly started +up, and shaking the crumbs from his +garment and beard, bade adieu to Tosilos; +then driving Dapple before him, +soon came up with his master, whom +he found waiting for him under the +shade of a tree.</p> +<h4 id='chap4-4-15' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='fifteen'>XV.</abbr> <br> OF THE RESOLUTION WHICH DON QUIXOTE TOOK TO BECOME A SHEPHERD,<br> AND LEAD A PASTORAL LIFE<br> UNTIL THE TERM OF HIS CONFINEMENT SHOULD BE ELAPSED—<br>WITH OTHER INCIDENTS TRULY ENTERTAINING.</h4> +<p class='c004'>If Don Quixote was perplexed with +cogitation before his overthrow, +much more was he fatigued by his own +thoughts after his late misfortune. +Under the shade of a tree, as we have +already observed, did he remain, and +there he was stung with reflections +that swarmed like flies about honey; +some dwelling upon the disinchantment +of Dulcinea, and others revolving plans +for the life he was to lead in his compulsive +retirement. When Sancho +joined him, and began to expatiate upon +the liberal disposition of Tosilos, ‘Is +it possible, O Sancho,’ said the +knight, ‘that thou still believest that +man to be the individual lacquey? +One would think thou hadst forgot +that thy own eyes have seen Dulcinea +converted and transformed into a +country wench, and the Knight of the +Mirrours into the Bachelor Carrasco, +by the wicked arts of those inchanters +who persecute my virtue. But, tell +me now didst thou ask Tosilos how +Providence hath disposed of Altisidora? +Hath she bewailed my absence, or +already consigned to oblivion those +amorous thoughts by which she was +tormented during my residence at the +castle?’—‘My thoughts,’ answered +Sancho, ‘were not such as allowed me +to ask these childish questions. Body +O me! Signior, is your worship at +present in a condition to enquire about +other people’s thoughts, especially those +you call amorous?’—‘Sancho,’ said +the knight, ‘you must consider there +is a wide difference between the suggestions +of love, and those of gratitude: +a gentleman may very well +be insensible to love; but, strictly +speaking, he can never be ungrateful. +Altisidora, in all appearance, +loved me to distraction: she, as thou +very well knowest, made me a present +of three night-caps; she bewailed +<span class='pageno' id='Page_565'>565</span>my departure, loaded me with curses +and reproach, and, in spite of maiden +shame, complained of me in publick; +undoubted proofs of my being +the object of her adoration; for the +indignation of lovers usually vents itself +in maledictions. I had no hopes +to give, nor treasures to offer; all my +affections are yielded to Dulcinea; and +the treasures of knights-errant are like +those of the fairies, altogether phantom +and illusion: all, therefore, that I can +return, is a kind remembrance, without +prejudice, however, to the memory +of Dulcinea, who is greatly aggrieved +by thy remissness in delaying to +scourge and chastise that flesh which +I hope will be a prey to the wolves; +seeing thou seemed more inclined to +reserve it for the worms, than to use +it in behalf of that poor distressed +lady.’—‘Signior,’ answered the +squire, ‘if the truth must be told, I +cannot persuade myself that the +whipping of my posteriors can have +any effect in disenchanting those +who are inchanted, no more than if +we should anoint the shins to cure the +head-ache; at least, I will venture to +swear that in all the histories your +worship has read concerning knight-errantry, +you have never found that +any person was disinchanted by such a +whipping: but be that as it may, I +will lay it on when I have time, convenience, +and inclination, to make free +with my own flesh.’—‘God grant +thou mayst,’ said Don Quixote; ‘and +Heaven give thee grace to understand +and be sensible of the obligation thou +liest under, to assist my mistress; who, +as thou art mine, is thine also.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>With such conversation they amused +themselves in travelling, until they arrived +at the very spot where they had +been overturned by the bulls; when +Don Quixote recognizing the ground, +‘This is the meadow,’ said he, ‘where +we met the gay shepherdesses and +gallant swains, who sought to renew +and re-act the pastoral Arcadia, a +project equally original and ingenious; +in imitation of which, shouldst +thou approve of the scheme, we will +assume the garb and employment of +shepherds during the term of our retirement. +I will purchase some sheep, +together with all the necessary implements + of a pastoral life, and taking +the name of Quixotiz, while thou +shalt bear that of the swain Pancino; +we will stroll about through mountains, +woods, and meadows, singing +here, lamenting there, drinking liquid +chrystal from the gelid springs, the +limpid rills, and mighty rivers. The +lofty oaks will shed upon us abundance +of their delightful fruit; the trunks of +hardest cork trees will yield us seats; +the willows will afford us shade; the +rose perfume; the extended meadow, +carpets of a thousand dyes; the pure +serenity of air will give us breath; the +moon and stars will grant us light in +spite of darkness; our singing will inspire +delight; our lamentations, mirth; +Apollo, verses; and Love himself, +conceits to render us immortal and renowned, +not only in the present age, +but also to the latest posterity.’—‘Odds +tens!’ cried Sancho, ‘such a +life will square, aye, and be the very +corner-stone of my wishes: the +Batchelor Sampson Carrasco and +Master Nicholas the barber, as soon +as they have a glimpse of it, will wish +to join us in the scheme, and turn shepherds +for our company; and God grant +that the curate himself may not take it +in his head to enter the fold; for he is +a merry companion, and a great friend +to good fellowship.’—‘Thou hast a +very good notion,’ said the knight; +‘and if the batchelor shall be inclined to +join our pastoral association, as he +doubtless will, he may take the appellation +of the shepherd Sansonino, +or of the swain Carrascon: Nicholas +the barber may be called Niculoso, +as old Boscan called himself Nemoroso: +and as for the curate, I +know not what title we can confer +upon him, except some derivative from +his own name, such as the shepherd +Curiambro. For the nymphs of +whom we must be enamoured, there +is plenty of names to chuse; but +seeing that of my mistress will suit +as well with a shepherdess as with a +princess, I need not give myself the +trouble to invent any other that +might be more proper; as for thee, +Sancho, thou mayest give thy mistress +what appellation will please thy +own fancy.’—‘I have no intention,’ +replied the squire, ‘to give her any +<span class='pageno' id='Page_566'>566</span>other than that of Teresona, which +will fit her fatness to an hair, as well +as be agreeable to her own name Teresa; +especially as in celebrating her +in verse, I shall disclose my chaste +desires, without going in search of +fine bread in a neighbour’s house: +the curate would be in the wrong to +chuse a shepherdess, because he ought +to set a good example to his flock; +and as for the batchelor, if he has +any such inclination, Let him please +his own soul, without lett or controul.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘Good Heaven! friend Sancho,’ said +Don Quixote, ‘what a life shall we +lead! how will our ears be regaled +with pipes and bagpipes of Zamora, +tambourines, timbrels, and rebecks! +and if these different kinds of musick +be reinforced with the sound of the +albogues, we shall have a full concert +of all the pastoral instruments.’—‘And +pray what are the albogues?’ +said Sancho, ‘I never saw nor heard +them named before, in the whole course +of my life.’—‘Albogues,’ answered +the knight, ‘are plates of brass resembling +candlesticks, the hollow parts of +which being clashed together produce +a sound, if not ravishing or harmonious, +at least not disagreeable nor unsuited +to the rusticity of the bagpipe +and tabor. The name of <i>albogues</i> is +Moorish, as are all the words in our +language beginning with <abbr class='spell'><i>al</i></abbr>; for example, +<i>almoaca</i>, <i>almorcar</i>, <i>alhombra</i>, +<i>alguazil</i>, <i>alucima</i>, <i>almacen</i>, <i>alcanzia</i>, +and a few others; and we have only +three Moorish words ending in <abbr class='spell'><i>i</i></abbr>, +namely, <i>borcegui</i>, <i>zaquicami</i>, and +<i>maravedi</i>; as for <i>alheli</i> and <i>alsaqui</i>, +they are known to be Arabick, as well +from their beginning with <abbr class='spell'><i>al</i></abbr>, as for +their ending in <abbr class='spell'><i>i</i></abbr>: these observations +I have made, by the bye, in consequence +of having mentioned <i>albogues</i>, +which recalled them to my remembrance. +But, to return to our scheme, +nothing will conduce so much to the +perfection of it, as my having a talent +for versification, as thou very well +knowest, and the batchelor’s being +an excellent poet. Of the curate I +shall say nothing; though I would +lay a good wager that his collars and +points are truly poetical: and that +Master Nicholas is in the same fashion +I do not at all doubt; for people +of his profession are famous for +making ballads and playing on the +guittar. For my own part, I will +complain of absence; thou wilt extol +the constancy of thy own love; +the swain Carrascon will lament the +disdain of his mistress; the curate +Curiambro chuse his own subject; and +every thing proceed in such a manner +as to fulfil the warmest wishes.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>To this effusion Sancho replied, ‘Verily, +Signior, I am such an unlucky +wretch, that I am afraid the time +will never come when I shall see myself +in that blessed occupation. O +what delicate wooden spoons shall I +make when I am a shepherd! O what +crumbs and cream shall I devour! +O what garlands and pastoral nick-nacks +shall I contrive! and though +these may not, perhaps, add much to +my reputation for wisdom, they will +not fail to convince the world of my +ingenuity. My daughter Sanchica +shall bring our victuals to the fold; +but ’ware mischief! the wench is +buxom, and there are some shepherds +more knavish than simple; I would +not have her come out for wool and go +home shorn. Those same amours, and +unruly desires, are gratified in the open +field as well as in the city chamber, in +a shepherd’s cot as well as in a royal +palace. The sin will cease when the +temptation is removed; The heart will +not grieve for what the eye does not +perceive; and, What prayers ne’er can +gain, a leap from a hedge will obtain.’ +‘No more of your proverbs, Sancho,’ +said Don Quixote; ‘any one of those +thou hast repeated is sufficient to explain +thy meaning; and I have often +exhorted thee to be less prodigal +of old saws, and keep them more +under command; but, I see, it is +like preaching to the desart: and My +mother whips me, and I scourge the +top.’—‘Under correction,’ answered +the squire, ‘your worship, methinks, +is like the frying-pan which called +to the pot, “Avaunt black-a-moor, +avaunt!” Even in the very act of rebuking +me for uttering proverbs, +your worship strings them together +in pairs.’—‘But, then, you must +consider, Sancho,’ said Don Quixote, +‘that when I use them, they are +<span class='pageno' id='Page_567'>567</span>seasonably brought in, and fit the +purpose as the ring fits the finger: +whereas, by thee, they are not +brought in, but lugged in, as it +were, by the head and shoulders. If +my memory fails me not, I have formerly +told thee, that proverbs are short +sentences extracted from the experience +and speculation of ancient sages; +and a proverb unseasonably introduced, +is rather an absurdity than a +judicious apothegm. But let us quit +the subject, and, as the day is already +spent, retire from the highway to +some place where we may pass the +night; for God alone knows what +will be to-morrow.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>They accordingly retired to a grove, +where they made a late and very indifferent +supper, to the no small mortification +of Sancho, who ruefully reflected +upon the meagre commons of chivalry, +so uncomfortably discussed among +woods and mountains; though his imagination +was also regaled with the remembrance +of that abundance which +he had enjoyed at the castle, as well as +at the wedding of the rich Camacho, +and in the houses of Don Diego de +Miranda, and Don Antonio de Moreno: +but, finally, considering it could +not be always day, or always night, he +resolved, for the present, to sleep, while +his master indulged his contemplations +awake.</p> +<h4 id='chap4-4-16' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='sixteen'>XVI.</abbr> <br> OF THE BRISTLY ADVENTURE IN WHICH DON QUIXOTE WAS INVOLVED.</h4> +<p class='c004'>The night was a little dark; for, +although the moon was in the +heavens, she was invisible to the people +of our hemisphere, Madam Diana having +taken a trip to the Antipodes, and +left our mountains obumbrated and +our vallies obscured.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Don Quixote, in compliance with nature, +enjoyed his first sleep without indulging +himself in a second, quite +contrary to the practice of Sancho, who +never desired a second, because the first +always lasted from night till morning; +a sure sign of little care, and an excellent +constitution. As for the knight, +his cares interfered so much with his +repose, that he wakened his squire, to +whom he said, ‘I am amazed, Sancho, +at the indifference of thy disposition, +and imagine thou art made of marble +or obdurate brass, unsusceptible of +sentiment or emotion. I watch +whilst thou art snoring; I weep +whilst thou art singing; I faint with +fasting, whilst thou art overloaded +and out of breath with eating! It is +the province of a good servant to +sympathize with his master’s pain, +and to share his anguish, even for the +sake of decorum. Observe the serenity +of the sky and the solitude of +the place, which invite us to make an +intermission in our repose. I conjure +thee, by thy life, to rise and go aside +to some proper place, where, with +good will and grateful inclination, +thou mayest conveniently inflict upon +thyself three or four hundred stripes, +on account of Dulcinea’s inchantment; +and this favour I humbly request, +without any intention to try +again the strength of thine arms, +which I know to be heavy and robust: +after the performance of that +task, we will pass the remainder of +the night in harmony; I, in singing +the torments of absence, and thou, +in chanting the constancy of thy passion; +and thus will we begin the pastoral +life which we are to lead at our +own village.’—‘Signior,’ answered the +squire, ‘I am no monk, to rise and discipline +my flesh in the middle of the +night; nor do I think the extremity +of pain is such a provocative to musick; +I therefore desire your worship +will let me take out my nap, +without pressing me farther to scourge +myself, lest I should grow desperate, +and solemnly swear never to whip the +nap of my garment, much less an +hair of my skin.’—‘Soul of a savage! +flinty-hearted squire!’ cried +Don Quixote: ‘O ill-bestowed bread! +O ill-requited benefits, intended or +conferred! By my means wast thou +created governor; and through me +alone dost thou now enjoy the near +prospect of being a count, or something +else of equal title; nor will the +accomplishment of thy wishes be retarded +longer than the term of one +fleeting year; for, <span lang="la"><i>Post tenebras +spero lucem</i></span>.’—‘Your conclusion,’ +said Sancho, ‘I do not understand; +but well I know, that while I sleep, +I am troubled neither with fear nor +<span class='pageno' id='Page_568'>568</span>hope, nor toil nor glory; and praise +be to him who invented sleep, which +is the mantle that shrouds all human +thoughts; the food that dispels hunger; +the drink that quenches thirst; +the fire that warms the cold; the +cool breeze that moderates heat; in a +word, the general coin that purchases +every commodity; the weight and +balance that makes the shepherd even +with his sovereign, and the simple +with the sage: there is only one bad +circumstance, as I have heard, in +sleep, it resembles death; inasmuch +as between a dead corpse and a sleeping +man there is no apparent difference.’—‘Truly, +Sancho,’ said the +knight, ‘I never heard thee talk so +elegantly before, whence I perceive +the truth of the proverb which thou +hast often repeated, Not he with +whom you was bred, but he by +whom you are fed.’—‘Odds my life! +Sir master of mine,’ cried Sancho, +‘I am not the only person who strings +proverbs: they fall from your worship’s +mouth in couples, faster than +from mine; indeed, there is some difference; +for your worship’s proverbs +come at a proper time, whereas mine +are always out of season; but, nevertheless, +they are all proverbs.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Thus far the conversation had proceeded, +when they heard a dull confused +noise, intermingled with very +harsh sounds, that seemed to extend +through the whole valley. The knight +immediately started up and unsheathed +his sword; while the squire squatted +down under Dapple, fencing himself +on each side with his master’s armour +and the pannel of the ass, being as +much afraid as Don Quixote was astonished; +for the noise increased every +moment, as the cause of it approached +the two tremblers, or rather one trembler, +for the other’s valour and courage +are well known. The case, in +fact, was this: some dealers were +driving about six hundred hogs to a +fair; and, as they travelled in the +night, the noise of their feet, together +with their grunting and blowing, made +such a din, as almost deafened Don +Quixote and Sancho, who could not +conceive the meaning of such an uproar. +Meanwhile, the numerous +grunting herd advanced; and, without +shewing the least respect to the authority +of Don Quixote or Sancho, ran +over them in a twinkling, demolished +the barricadoes of the squire, and +trampled down not only the master, but +also his steed Rozinante; the thronging, +the grunting, and the hurry of +those unclean animals, throwing every +thing in confusion, and strewing the +master and the man, the horse and the +ass, the pannel and the armour, along +the ground. Sancho, getting up as +well as he could, demanded his master’s +sword, in order to sacrifice half a +dozen of those discourteous gentlemen +porkers; for by this time he had discovered +what they were; but the +knight refused to grant his request, +saying, ‘Let them pass, friend Sancho; +this affront is the punishment of +my crime; and the just chastisement +of Heaven inflicted upon a vanquished +knight, is, that he shall be devoured +by dogs, stung by wasps, and +trampled upon by swine.’—‘At that +rate, then,’ replied the squire, ‘the +chastisement which Heaven inflicts +upon squires of vanquished knight-errants, +is, that they shall be bitten +by fleas, devoured by lice, and assaulted +by famine: if we squires +were sons of the knights we serve, or +even their near relations, it would +be no great wonder if the punishment +of our faults should overtake +us to the fourth generation: but +what affinity is there between the +Panzas and the Quixotes? At present +let us put things to rights again, +so that we may sleep out the remainder +of the night, and we shall be in +better plight when God sends us a +new day.’—‘Enjoy thy repose,’ said +Don Quixote; ‘thou wast born to sleep +and I to watch; and during the little +of night that remains, I will give my +thoughts the rein, and cool the furnace +of my reflections with a short +madrigal, which I have this evening, +unknown to thee, composed in my +own mind.’—‘In my opinion,’ answered +the squire, ‘your thoughts +could not be very troublesome and +unruly, if they gave you leisure to +make couplets; but, however, your +worship may couple as many as you +please, and I will sleep as much as I +can.’ So saying, he chose his +ground, on which he huddled himself +up, and enjoyed a most profound sleep, +which received no interruption from +the remembrance of debt, surety, or +<span class='pageno' id='Page_569'>569</span>any other grievance. As for Don +Quixote, he leaned against a beech or +cork-tree; for Cid Hamet Benengeli +has not distinguished the genus; and, +to the musick of his own sighs, sung the +following stanzas.</p> +<div class='lg-container-b c015'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>I.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘O cruel love! when I endure</div> + <div class='line in2'>The dreadful vengeance of thy bow,</div> + <div class='line'>I fly to death, the only cure</div> + <div class='line in2'>For such immensity of woe.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line c003'>II.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘But, when I touch the peaceful goal,</div> + <div class='line in2'>That port secure from storms of strife,</div> + <div class='line'>The fight revives my drooping soul,</div> + <div class='line in2'>I cannot enter for my life!</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line c003'>III.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘Thus life exhausts my vital flame,</div> + <div class='line in2'>But death still keeps the spark alive;</div> + <div class='line'>O wond’rous fate! unknown to fame!</div> + <div class='line in2'>That life should kill, and death revive.’</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>Every verse he accompanied with a +multitude of sighs and a torrent of tears, +as if his heart had been transpierced +with grief for his overthrow and the +absence of Dulcinea. In this situation +he was found by the day, when Phœbus +darting his rays into Sancho’s eyes, +the squire awoke, yawned, turned, +stretched his lazy limbs, and surveying +the havock which the swine had made in +his store, he bitterly cursed the whole +herd; aye, and even went farther with +his maledictions.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Then the two proceeded in their +journey; and, towards the close of the +afternoon, descried about ten men on +horseback, and half that number on +foot, advancing towards them; a sight +which made the knight’s heart throb +with surprize, and the squire’s with terror; +for this company was armed with +lance and target, and approached in a +very hostile manner. Don Quixote +turning to his squire, ‘Sancho,’ said he, +‘if I could now exercise my arms, +and my hands were not tied by a solemn +promise, I would look upon +that machine, which comes upon us, +with contempt, as so much cake and +gingerbread; but, perhaps, it may +be something else than we apprehend.’ +He had scarce pronounced these words, +when the horsemen coming up, and +couching their lances, surrounded him +in a trice; then clapping the points of +their weapons to his back and breast, +seemed to threaten immediate death and +destruction; while one of those on foot, +laying his finger on his mouth, as a signal +for him to be silent, seized Rozinante’s +bridle, and led him out of the +highway. The rest of the footpads +drove Sancho and Dapple before them, +and, while a wonderful silence prevailed, +followed the knight, who attempted +twice or thrice to ask whither they +conducted him, and what they wanted; +but scarce had he began to move his +lips when they threatened to shut them +for ever with the points of their spears. +The same menaces were practiced upon +Sancho, who no sooner expressed a desire +to be talking, than he was pricked +in the posteriors with a goad by one of +his attendants; and Dapple met with +the same fate, as if he too had made a +motion to speak, like his master.</p> + +<p class='c005'>As night approached they quickened +their pace, and the terrors of the captives +increased in proportion as the +darkness deepened, especially as their +guard pronounced from time to time, +‘Dispatch, ye Troglodytes! silence, +ye Barbarians! now ye shall suffer, +ye Antropophagi! not a word of complaint, +ye Scythians! open not your +eyes, ye murderous Polyphemuses! +ye carnivorous lions and beasts of +prey.’ With these and other such +appellations, they tormented the ears +of the miserable master and the forlorn +Sancho, who said within himself, +‘Draggle doits! Barber Anns! Henry +puff a Jay! City hens! and Paulfamouses! +these are fine names with a +vengeance! I’m afraid this is a bad +wind for winnowing our corn! the +mischief comes upon us altogether, +like drubbing to a dog; and I wish this +misventrous adventure, that threatens +so dismally, may end in nothing +worse!’ As for Don Quixote, he was +utterly astonished and confounded; nor +could he, with all his reflection, comprehend +the meaning of his own captivity, +and those reproachful terms, +from which he could only conclude, +that no good but a great deal of mischief +was to be expected. In this state +of anxious suspense he continued till +about an hour after it was dark, when +they arrived at a castle; which the +knight immediately recognizing to be +the duke’s habitation, where he had so +lately resided, ‘Good Heaven!’ cried +<span class='pageno' id='Page_570'>570</span>he, ‘where will this adventure end! +surely this is the dwelling place of +politeness and hospitality; but to +those who are vanquished, good is converted +into bad, and bad to worse.’ +This ejaculation he uttered as they entered +the court of the castle, which +was decorated in a strange manner that +increased their admiration, and redoubled +their fear, as will be seen in the +following chapter.</p> +<h4 id='chap4-4-17' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='seventeen'>XVII.</abbr> <br> OF THE MOST SINGULAR AND STRANGEST ADVENTURE THAT HAPPENED TO DON QUIXOTE IN THE WHOLE COURSE OF THIS SUBLIME HISTORY.</h4> +<p class='c004'>The horsemen alighting, with the +assistance of those who were on +foot, snatched up the bodies of Don +Quixote and Sancho, and carried them +hastily into the court of the castle, round +which above a hundred flaming torches +were placed, and the corridores of the +court were illuminated by five hundred +tapers, shining with such a blaze, that, +in spite of the night, which was dark, +there was no want of the day. In the +middle of the court appeared a monument +raised about two yards from the +ground, and covered with a spacious +canopy of black velvet; and, upon the +steps that led up to it, above a hundred +tapers of virgin wax stood burning +in silver candlesticks. On the tomb +lay the body of a young damsel, whose +beauty was such as rendered death itself +beautiful; her head was raised on +a cushion of brocade, and crowned with +a garland of various odoriferous flowers; +and in her hands, that were crossed upon +her breast, appeared a bough of green +victorious palm. On one side of the +court was erected a theatre, on which +were seated two personages, whom their +crowns and sceptres declared to be either +real or fictitious kings; and hard by +the theatre, which was furnished with +steps, two other chairs, upon which +Don Quixote and Sancho were seated +by their captors, who still maintained +their former silence, the observance of +which they likewise recommended, by +signs, to our hero and his squire; +though these injunctions were altogether +superfluous; for their astonishment +at what they saw, had effectually tied +their tongues; and, indeed, how could +they help being astonished at sight of +this apparatus! considering, too, that +by this time the knight had discovered +the dead body on the tomb to be no +other than the beauteous Altisidora? +At this juncture, two noble personages, +with a numerous retinue, ascended the +theatre, and seated themselves in magnificent +chairs, hard by the figures that +were crowned; then Don Quixote and +Sancho, perceiving the new comers to +be their former entertainers, the duke +and duchess, rose up and bowed with +great veneration, and their graces, rising +also, returned the compliment with +a slight inclination of the head. And +now an officer crossing the court, and +approaching Sancho, threw over him a +robe of black buckram, painted all over +with flames of fire; at the same time +pulling off his cap, he put upon his +head one of those pasteboard mitres +which are worn by the penitents of the +holy office; and in a whisper advised +him to keep his lips fast sewed together, +unless he had a mind to be gagged or +put to death without mercy. Sancho +surveyed himself from head to foot, +and saw his robe in flames; but as +they did not burn, he valued them not +a farthing; then he took off his mitre, +and perceiving it figured with pictures +of fiends, set it on his head again, saying +to himself, ‘As the flames do not +burn, and the fiends do not fly away +with me, I am very well satisfied.’ +Don Quixote likewise surveyed the +squire; and, although his reflection was +still disturbed with fear and suspense, +could not help smiling at the ludicrous +figure.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Sancho being thus equipped, a low +yet agreeable sound of flutes seemed to +issue from beneath the tomb, and being +uninterrupted by any human voice, for +here silence itself kept silence, produced +a very soft and pleasing melody. Then +all of a sudden, a beautiful youth, in a +Roman habit, appeared close by the +cushion on which the seemingly dead +body reposed, and to the sound of the +harp on which he himself played, with +a sweet harmonious voice he sung the +two following stanzas—</p> +<div class='lg-container-b c015'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_571'>571</span>I.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘Till fair Altisidora, slain</div> + <div class='line in2'>By Quixote’s cruelty, return;</div> + <div class='line'>And all th’ inchanted female train</div> + <div class='line in2'>Her hapless fate in sack-cloth mourn;</div> + <div class='line'>Until duennas clad in baize</div> + <div class='line in2'>Appear in presence of her grace,</div> + <div class='line'>I’ll celebrate the nymph in lays</div> + <div class='line in2'>That would not shame the bard of Thrace.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line c003'>II.</div> + </div> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘Nor shall thy beauty fade unsung,</div> + <div class='line in2'>When life forsakes my gelid veins;</div> + <div class='line'>My clay-cold lips and frozen tongue,</div> + <div class='line in2'>In death shall raise immortal strains.</div> + <div class='line'>My soul when freed from cumb’rous clay,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Her flight o’er Stygian waves shall take;</div> + <div class='line'>And while on Lethe’s banks I stray,</div> + <div class='line in2'>My song shall charm th’ oblivious lake.’</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>Here he was interrupted by one of +the two pretended kings; who said—‘Enough, +divine songster! it would +be an infinite task to describe the +death and beauties of the peerless +Altisidora, not dead as the ignorant +world imagines, but alive in the voice +of fame, and in the penance which +Sancho Panza here present must undergo, +in order to restore her to the +light she has lost; and therefore, O +Rhadamanthus! who sittest with me +in judgment, within the gloomy caverns +of Lethe, as thou art intimately +acquainted with all the determinations +of the inscrutable fates, touching +the revival of this damsel, relate +and declare them without loss of +time, that we may no longer delay +that happiness which we expect from +her recovery.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Scarce had Minos pronounced these +words, when his fellow-judge and companion +Rhadamanthus stood up, saying—‘So +ho! ye ministers of this house, +high and low, great and small, come +hither one by one, and mark the +face, the arms, and loins of Sancho, +with two dozen of tweaks, one dozen +of pinches, and half a dozen pricks +with a pin; for upon this execution +depends the revival of Altisidora.’ +Sancho Panza hearing this sentence, +broke silence, and exclaimed aloud—‘I +vow to God, I will sooner turn Turk, +than allow my face to be marked or +my flesh to be handled in any such +manner. Body o’ me! what has the +pinching of my face to do with the +resurrection of that damsel. The old +woman has got a liquorish tooth, +forsooth, and she is still licking her +fingers. Dulcinea is inchanted, and +I must be scourged for the disinchantment +of her ladyship: Altisidora +is dead by the hand of God, and in +order to bring her to life, I must +suffer two dozen of tweaks, my body +must be pinked into a sieve with large +pins, and my arms pinched into all +the colours of the rainbow! Such jokes +may pass upon a brother-in-law; but +I am an old dog, and will not be +coaxed with a crust.’—‘Then thou +shalt die,’ cried Rhadamanthus with +an audible voice. ‘Tame that savage +heart of thine, thou tyger; humble +thyself, thou proud Nimrod! suffer +and be silent. We ask not impossibilities, +and therefore thou must +not pretend to examine the difficulties +of this affair: tweaked thou shalt be; +pinked shalt thou find thyself, and +pinched until thy groans declare thine +anguish.—So ho! I say, ye ministers! +execute my command, or by the faith +of an honest man, you shall see for +what you were born!’</p> + +<p class='c005'>In consequence of this summons, six +duennas came walking through the +court yard in procession, one by one, +the four first with spectacles, and each +with her right-arm raised, about four +inches of the wrist being bared according +to the present fashion, that the hand +may seem the larger. Sancho no sooner +beheld these matrons, than he began to +bellow like a bull; exclaiming—‘I +might have allowed myself to be +handled by all the world besides, but +that duennas should touch me I will +by no means consent! they may cat-claw +my face, as my master was served +in this very castle; they may run +me through the guts with daggers of +steel; they may tear the flesh off my +arms with red-hot pincers; all these +tortures will I bear patiently, for the +service of these noble persons: but I +say again, the devil shall fly away +with me before I suffer a duenna to +lay a finger on my carcase!’ Then +Don Quixote addressing himself to Sancho, +broke silence in these terms—‘Exert +thy patience, my son, for the satisfaction +of these noble personages, +and give thanks to Heaven, which hath +indued thy person with such virtue, +that by the martyrdom of thy flesh, +the inchanted are delivered from inchantment, +and even the dead revived.’</p> + +<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_572'>572</span>By this time the duennas had surrounded +Sancho; who, being softened +and persuaded, seated himself in a proper +posture, and held out his face and +beard to the first, who treated him with +a well-planted twitch, and then dropped +a profound curtsey. ‘Less courtesy, +less anointing, good Madam Duenna,’ +cried the squire; ‘for, by the Lord, +your fingers smack of vinegar!’ In +a word, he was tweaked by all the +duennas, and pinched by a great number +of other persons belonging to the +family: but what he could by no means +be brought to endure, was the puncture +with pins, which they no sooner began +to perform, than starting up in a rage, +and seizing a lighted torch that stood +near him, he assaulted the duennas, and +all the rest of his executioners, crying—‘Avaunt, +ye ministers of hell! I am not +made of brass, to be insensible to such +torture.’ At this instant, Altisidora, +who must have been tired with lying +so long upon her back, turned herself on +one side; and this motion was no sooner +perceived by the spectators, than all of +them exclaimed, as if with one voice, +‘Altisidora moves! Altisidora lives!’ +Then Rhadamanthus desired Sancho to +lay aside his indignation, seeing the intended +aim was already accomplished.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Don Quixote seeing Altisidora stirring, +fell upon his knees before Sancho, +saying—‘Now is the time, dear son of +my bowels, and no longer my squire! +now is the time to inflict upon thyself +some of those lashes thou art +obliged to undergo for the disinchantment +of Dulcinea. This, I say, is +the time, when thy virtue is seasoned, +and of efficacy sufficient to perform +the cure which we expect from thy +compliance.’ To this apostrophe the +squire replied—‘This is reel upon reel, +and not honey upon pancakes; scourging, +to be sure, is a very agreeable +dessert to a dish of twitches, pinches, +and pin-prickings. There is no more +to be done, but to take and tie a great +stone about my neck, and toss me +into a well; it will be much better +for me to die at once, than to be always +the wedding-heifer, to remedy +the misfortunes of other people: either +let me live in peace! or, before God, +all shall out, sell or not sell.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>By this time Altisidora sat upright +on the tomb, and at that instant the +waits beginning to play, were accompanied +by the musick of flutes, and the +voices of all the spectators, who acclaimed—‘Live +Altisidora! Altisidora +live!’ The duke and duchess, together +with Minos and Rhadamanthus, +rising from their seats, and being joined +by Don Quixote and Sancho, went to +receive this young lady, and help her +in descending from the tomb; while, +they were thus employed, she assumed +a languid and fainting air, and inclining +her head towards the duke and duchess +and the two kings, darted a sidelong +glance to Don Quixote, saying—‘God +forgive thee, unrelenting knight! +by thy cruelty I have been doomed +to remain, as I believe, above a thousand +years in the other world! but as +for thee, thou most compassionate +squire that this wide earth contains! +I thank thee kindly for that life I +now enjoy. From this day, friend +Sancho, thou mayest command six of +my shifts to be converted into shirts +for thy own body; and if they are +not quite whole, at least they are white +and clean.’ Sancho thanked her for the +present, with mitre in hand and knee on +ground; and when the duke ordered his +servants to take away those badges of disgrace, +and restore his own cap and coat, +the squire entreated his grace to let him +keep the mitre and the flaming robe, and +carry them to his own country, as a +mark and memorial of this incredible, +adventure. To this supplication the +duchess replied, that he might keep these +testimonials, for he knew how much she +was his friend.</p> + +<p class='c005'>The duke ordered the court to be +cleared, the company to retire to their +several chambers, and the knight and +squire to be conduced to the apartments +which they had formerly occupied.</p> +<h4 id='chap4-4-18' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='eighteen'>XVIII.</abbr> <br> WHICH FOLLOWS THE PRECEDING, AND TREATS OF MATTERS THAT MUST BE DISCLOSED, IN ORDER TO MAKE THE HISTORY THE MORE INTELLIGIBLE AND DISTINCT.</h4> +<p class='c004'>Sancho slept that night in a +truckle-bed, in the apartment of +Don Quixote; a circumstance which he +<span class='pageno' id='Page_573'>573</span>would have waved, if possible, because +he well knew his master would keep +him awake with questions and replies, +and he was not at all in a talkative humour; +for the pain of his past sufferings +kept them still present in his fancy, +depriving his tongue of its usual freedom; +and he would have much rather +slept alone in a hut, than in the richest +chamber thus accompanied. His apprehension +was so true, and his suspicions +so just, that scarce had his master +committed his body to the bed, when +he accosted the squire in these words: +‘What is thy opinion, Sancho, of this +night’s adventure? Great and powerful +is the force of amorous disdain, +as thou hast seen with thy own eyes. +Altisidora dead—not by shaft, or +sword, or warlike instrument, or mortal +poison, but solely by the reflection +of that rigour and disdain with which +I have always treated her advances.’—‘She +might have died in good time, +when and how she thought proper,’ +cried Sancho, ‘and left me in quiet at +my own house, seeing I never treated +her either with love or disdain in the +whole course of my life; for my own +part, I neither know, nor can I conceive, +as I have formerly observed, +what the health or life of such a +whimsical girl as Altisidora has to do +with the martyrdom of Sancho Panza: +but now at length I can clearly and +distinctly perceive, that this world +actually abounds with inchanters and +inchantments, from which I pray God +may deliver me, since I cannot deliver +myself! in the mean time, I humbly +beseech your worship to let me sleep, +without farther question, if you have +not a mind to see me throw myself +out of the window.’—‘Sleep, then, +friend Sancho,’ said the knight, ‘if +thou canst enjoy the benefit of slumber +after the pinching, twitching, and +pricking thou hast undergone.’—‘No +pain is comparable to that of the +twitching,’ replied the squire; ‘for +no other reason, but because it was +inflicted by duennas, whom God in +heaven confound! I again intreat +your worship to leave me to my repose, +for deep is a remedy for those +miseries which we feel when awake.’—‘Be +it so,’ said the knight, ‘and the +Lord make thy sleep refreshing!’</p> + +<p class='c005'>While these two are left to their repose, +Cid Hamet, author of this sublime +history, takes occasion to explain the +motives that induced the duke and duchess +to raise the edifice of the adventure +above related. He says, the batchelor +Sampson Carrasco still remembering +how, as Knight of the Mirrours, +he had been vanquished and overthrown +by Don Quixote, and his whole design +blotted and defaced by that unlucky +fall and defeat, he resolved to try his +fortune once more, in hope of meeting +with better success; and learning +where the knight was, from the information +of the page who carried the +letter and the present to Sancho’s wife +Teresa Panza, he purchased a new suit +of armour and a horse, ordered a white +moon to be painted on his shield, and +fastened the whole cargo on the back of +an he-mule, which was conducted by a +certain ploughman, and not by his old +squire Tom Cecial, lest he should be +known by Sancho or Don Quixote. +With this equipage he set out for the +duke’s castle, where he was informed +of the knight’s motions and route, together +with his intention to assist at the +tournament in Saragossa. His grace +likewise gave him an account of the +jokes they had executed upon our adventurer, +with the contrivance of Dulcinea’s +disinchantment, to be effected at +the expence of Sancho’s posteriors. Nor +did he forget to relate the trick which +Sancho had practised on his master, in +making him believe that Dulcinea was +inchanted and transformed into a country-wench; +as also how my lady duchess +had persuaded the squire that Dulcinea +was really and truly inchanted +and transformed, and he himself the +person that was mistaken and deceived: +particulars which afforded abundance +of mirth to the batchelor, who could +not help admiring afresh the mixture of +archness and simplicity in Sancho, as +well as the unaccountable madness of +Don Quixote. The duke begged he +would return that way and communicate +his success, whether he should be +vanquished or victor. Sampson, having +promised to comply with his request, +set out in quest of our knight; and, +as he did not find him in Saragossa, +proceeded to Barcelona, where he met +with the adventure we have already related +in its proper place: then he returned +to the duke’s castle, where he +gave an account of the whole engagement, +and the conditions of the combat; +<span class='pageno' id='Page_574'>574</span>in consequence of which Don +Quixote was already on his return, to +fulfil, like a worthy knight-errant, the +promise he had made to reside at his +own habitation for the term of one +year, during which, the batchelor said, +he might possibly be cured of his madness. +He declared this was his sole +motive for disguising himself in such a +manner, as it was a thousand pities that +a gentleman of Don Quixote’s excellent +understanding should continue under +the influence of such infatuation. +He accordingly took his leave of the +duke, and returned to his own country, +in full hope that the knight was not far +behind.</p> + +<p class='c005'>From this information, his grace +took the opportunity to connive this +last adventure, so much was he delighted +with the behaviour of Sancho +and Don Quixote. He ordered a great +number of his people on horseback and +a-foot, to scour the country far and +near, and a patrole through every road +by which he thought the knight could +possibly return, with orders to bring +him to the castle, either by fair means +or foul. Accordingly, when they +found him, they gave notice to his +grace, who having already pre-concerted +what was to be done, no sooner +heard of his coming than he directed +that the torches and tapers should +be lighted around the court, and Altisidora +placed upon the tomb, together +with all the apparatus already described; +which was so naturally and +artfully executed, that it differed very +little from the real truth. Nay, Cid +Hamet moreover observes, that he looked +upon the jokers to be as mad as those +who were joked; and the duke and duchess +to be within two-fingers-breadth +of lunacy, seeing they placed such happiness +in playing pranks upon two confirmed +madmen; one of whom the +new day found sleeping at full snore, +and the other watching over his disastrous +thoughts, and very impatient to +quit his couch; for, whether vanquished +or victor, Don Quixote never +took pleasure in lolling on the lazy +down.</p> + +<p class='c005'>It was now that Altisidora, who in +the knight’s opinion had returned from +death, in compliance with the humour +of her lord and lady, entered his apartment +crowned with the same garland +she had worn on the tomb, clad in a +robe of white taffety powdered with +flowers of gold, her hair flowing loose +upon her shoulders, and supporting +herself upon a staff of fine polished +black ebony. This apparition discomposed +our hero to such a degree, that he +shrunk within his nest in silent confusion, +and almost covered himself wholly +with the sheets, fully determined against +making any return of compliment. +Meanwhile, Altisidora sitting down +upon a chair, at his bed’s head, heaved +a profound sigh, and thus addressed +herself to him, in a faint and tender +tone—‘When women of fashion, and +damsels of reserve, trample upon honour, +and give their tongues the liberty +to break through all inconveniences, +so as to divulge the secrets +which their hearts conceal, their condition +must be desperate indeed. I am +one of those, Signior Don Quixote de +La Mancha; sorely hampered, vanquished, +and enamoured; but withal +so patient and modest, that my soul +broke through my silence, and I lost +my life: in consequence of thy rigour, +O flinty-hearted knight! more +deaf than marble to my complaints, +have I been dead for two days, or at +least supposed to be dead by those +who saw me; and if love, in pity to +my fate, had not deposited a remedy +in the tortures of that worthy squire, I +should have remained for ever in the +other world.’—‘Love,’ said Sancho, +‘might as well have deposited the remedy +in the tortures of my ass, and I +should have thanked him for it heartily: +but pray, Madam, tell me, +so may Heaven send you a kinder +lover than my master, what did you +see in the other world? What is going +forward in hell? for surely those who +die in despair must go to that baiting-place.’—‘To +tell you the truth,’ +answered Altisidora, ‘I could not be +quite dead, seeing I did not enter the +infernal regions; for, had I been once +fairly introduced, I could not have +left the place again, whatever inclination +I might have had to return. +The truth is, I went no farther than +the gate, where I saw about a dozen +devils playing at tennis, in their +drawers and doublets, having bands +edged with Flanders lace, and ruffles +of the same at their wrists, which +were naked to the length of four +inches, in order to enlarge the appearance +<span class='pageno' id='Page_575'>575</span>of their hands, in which +they wielded rackets of fire: but what +I chiefly admired was, that instead of +balls, they made use of books, which +seemed to be filled with wind and +flocks; a circumstance equally new +and surprizing! and yet there was +another particular which still increased +my astonishment; for, whereas among +the gamesters of this world, it is natural +for the winners to be merry, +and for the losers to be sad; in that +diabolical pastime, all the players +growled and grumbled, and cursed +one another.’—‘That is not to be +wondered at,’ replied the squire; ‘for +the devils, play or not play, win or +not win, can never be content.’—‘That +must certainly be the case,’ answered +Altisidora; ‘but there was likewise +another peculiarity at which I +wonder, I mean, at which I then wondered; +namely, that after the first toss, +the ball was useless, and could not be +used a second time; so that they whirled +them away, new and old, in a marvellous +manner. On one of these, +which was finely gilt and lettered, +they bestowed such a violent stroke, +that the guts flew out in scattered +leaves. “What book is that?” said +one devil to his fellow. The other +answered, that it was the second part +of the history of Don Quixote de La +Mancha, composed not by the original +author Cid Hamet, but by an +Arragonian, who calls himself a native +of Tordesillas. “Away with it!” +cried the first, “plunge it into the +lowest abyss of hell, that mine eyes +may never behold it again.”—“What, +is it so bad!” said the second. “So +very bad,” replied the other, “that if +I myself had endeavoured to make it +worse, it would not have been in my +power.” They proceeded with their +play, driving about the unfortunate +books; and I hearing them mention +Don Quixote, whom I love and adore, +endeavoured to retain the vision in +my memory.’—‘A vision it must +have been, without all doubt,’ said +Don Quixote; ‘for there is no other I +in the whole world; and as for that +history, it is bandied from hand to +hand, without finding a resting place, +and every body has a fling at the author: +nor am I in the least mortified +to hear that I wander like a fantastick +shadow through the dark abodes of +hell, as well as through the enlightened +mansions of this globe, as +I am not the person recorded in that +history; which, were it elegant, faithful, +and authentick, would live for +ages; but, being false and execrable +as it is, there will be no great distance +between its birth and burial.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Altisidora was going to proceed with +her lamentations, when she was prevented +by the knight; who said, with +great solemnity, ‘I have often told you, +Madam, that I am sorry you have +placed your affection upon me, who +can make no other return than that +of gratitude and thanks; I was born +for Dulcinea del Toboso; and the +Fates, if such there be, have consecrated +me for her service; so that to +imagine any other beauty shall ever +occupy the place which she possesses +in my heart, is to suppose a mere impossibility. +Let this declaration, therefore, +undeceive and prevail upon you +to retire within the limits of virtue +and decorum, seeing no man is obliged +to perform impossibilities.’ Altisidora, +in consequence of this repulse, assumed +an air of indignation, and in an affected +transport of rage, exclaimed, ‘How +now, Don Stockfish! soul of a mortar! +stone of a date! more positive +and obstinate than a courted peasant +when his harrow hath chanced to hit +the mark, by the Lord! if I once +fall upon you, I will tear your eyes +out. Hark ye, Don Beaten-and-cudgelled, +are you such a wiseacre +as to suppose I died for love of +you? All you have seen this last +night was a pure fiction; for I am not +the woman to have a finger ache, +much less to die for such a camel.’—‘O +my conscience! I believe what you +say,’ cried Sancho; ‘that of dying for +love is a most ridiculous affair: your +lovers, indeed, may easily say they are +dying; but that they will actually +give up the ghost, Judas may believe +it for me.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>During this conversation, the musician +and poet, who had sung the two +stanzas which we have already repeated, +came into the apartment, and made a +profound bow to Don Quixote, saying, +‘Sir Knight, I beg you will esteem +and reckon me among the number of +your most humble servants; for many +days are elapsed since I have conceived +the warmest affection for your +<span class='pageno' id='Page_576'>576</span>person, from the fame of your character +and atchievements.’ When +Don Quixote desired to know who he +was, that he might respect him according +to his merit, he answered, that he +was the musician and panegyrist of the +preceding night. ‘Assuredly, your +voice is extremely sweet,’ said the +knight; ‘but, methinks, the verses you +sung were not much to the purpose; +for what affinity is there between the +stanzas of Garcilasso and the death of +this young lady?’—‘Your worship +must not wonder at that impropriety,’ +answered the musician; ‘it is a common +practice among the beardless poets of +this age to write what they will, and +steal from whom they please to pillage, +whether it be or be not to the purpose; +and every absurdity that occurs in +their singing or writing, they attribute +to the <span lang="la"><i>licentia poetica</i></span>.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Don Quixote’s reply was prevented +by the entrance of the duke and duchess, +who came to visit him in his +chamber, and a long diverting conversation +ensued, in the course of which +Sancho uttered so many humorous sallies, +and satirical jokes, that their +graces admired anew the mixture of +his acuteness and simplicity. As for +the knight, he humbly requested that +he might be allowed to depart that very +day, as it was much more proper that +vanquished knights, like him, should +live in hog-sties than in sumptuous +palaces. They graciously complied +with his request; and when the duchess +enquired if Altisidora had, as yet, +acquired his good graces, ‘Your grace +must know,’ said he, ‘that damsel’s +distemper wholly proceeds from +idleness, which may be easily cured +by continual and decent occupation: +she tells me it is the fashion in hell to +wear lace, and as she knows how to +make it, let the work never be out of +her hand, which being employed in +moving the bobbins, the idea or +ideas of what she loves will no longer +move in her imagination; and this +is the truth, the substance of my +opinion, and the marrow of my advice.’—‘Aye, +and of mine too,’ cried +Sancho; ‘for never in my born days +did I know a lace-maker die for love: +the thoughts of girls employed at +that work, run more upon the finishing +of their tasks than upon the idle +fancies of love; and, for myself, I +can safely say, that while I am digging +in the field, I never so much as +dream of my duck; I mean, my wife +Teresa Panza, whom I love as the +apple of mine eye.’—‘You talk like +an oracle, Sancho,’ said the duchess: +‘and I will take care, that, from this +day forward, Altisidora shall be employed +in some plain work, which she +understands to perfection.’—‘Your +ladyship shall not need to use any such +expedient,’ replied Altisidora; ‘for +the consideration of the cruelty with +which I have been used by that felonious +monster, will blot him effectually +from my remembrance, without +any other assistance; and, in the +mean time, with your grace’s permission, +I will retire, that I may no +longer have before my eyes—I will +not say his rueful countenance, but +his frightful and abominable aspect.’—‘These +reproaches,’ said the +duke, ‘put me in mind of the old observation, +that Scolding among lovers +is the next neighbour to forgiveness.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Altisidora, making a shew of wiping +the tears from her eyes with a white +handkerchief, dropped a low curtsey to +her lord and lady, and withdrew; and +Sancho sending after her an earnest look, +‘Poor damsel!’ cried he, ‘I can bequeath, +bequeath thee nothing, I say, +but bad luck, seeing thou hast placed +thine affection upon a soul of +rush, and an heart of oak: had it +lighted upon me, another sort of a +cock would have crowned thy fortune.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Thus the conversation ended, Don +Quixote put on his cloaths, dined with +the duke and duchess, and set out that +same evening for his own habitation.</p> +<h4 id='chap4-4-19' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='nineteen'>XIX.</abbr> <br> OF WHAT HAPPENED TO DON QUIXOTE AND HIS SQUIRE, IN THEIR JOURNEY TO THEIR OWN VILLAGE.</h4> +<p class='c004'>The perplexed and vanquished +Don Quixote travelled along, extremely +chagrined on one account, +though greatly rejoiced on another: his +melancholy was occasioned by his overthrow, +and his joy produced from the +consideration of that virtue inherent +in his squire, which he had seen demonstrated +<span class='pageno' id='Page_577'>577</span>in the resurrection of Altisidora, +though he had some scruples in +persuading himself that the enamoured +damsel was actually dead. As for +Sancho, he felt no sort of pleasure; +but, on the contrary, was much +mortified to find that Altisidora had +failed in performing her promise touching +the present of the shifts; and his +imagination dwelling upon this circumstance, +he said to his master—‘Truly, +Signior, I must certainly be +the most unfortunate physician that +ever lived upon the earth, in which +there are many leeches, who, though +they kill their patients, insist upon +being paid for their trouble, which, +by the bye, is no more than writing +and signing a list of medicines upon a +scrap of paper; for the apothecary +makes up the prescription, and so the +farce is acted; whereas, I receive not +a doit, though I cure other people’s +maladies at the expence of pinches, +twitches, pin-pricks, lashes, and +drops of blood; but, I vow to God! +if any other patient is put into my +hands, they shall be well anointed before +I undertake the cure; for, The +abbot chants but to supply his wants: +and I cannot believe that Heaven hath +bestowed such virtue upon me, in order +that I should throw it away upon +the undeserving.’—‘Thou art in the +right, friend Sancho,’ replied Don +Quixote; ‘and Altisidora is much to +blame in having witheld the promised +shifts, although thy virtue is <span lang="la"><i>gratis +data</i></span>, without having put thee to the +trouble of studying aught but the art +of enduring personal torture; for my +own part, I can say, that if thou +hadst demanded payment for the disinchanting +stripes, I should have allowed +it to thy own satisfaction; +though I know not how such hire +might interfere with the cure; and I +should not wish that the premium +might impede the effect of the medicine: +nevertheless, I do not think the +experiment could be attended with +any bad consequence. Consider, +Sancho, what thou wouldst have; +then proceed to the flagellation, and +pay thyself fairly out of my money +which is in thy own hands.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>At this proposal, the squire opened +his eyes and ears a full span, and resolving +in his heart to scourge himself +with good will, answered in these +words—‘Aye, now, Signior, I find +myself extremely well disposed to +comply with your worship’s desire, +since my compliance will be attended +with some profit; and, I own, my +regard for my poor wife and children +makes me seem a little selfish.—Pray +what will your worship chuse to +give for every stripe?’—‘Were I to +pay thee, Sancho,’ said the knight, +‘according to the greatness of thy deserts, +and the quality of the cure, the +bank of Venice and mines of Potosi +would not afford a sufficient recompence: +but, see how much of my money +thou hast got, and set thy own +price upon every lash.’—‘The number +of stripes to be given,’ answered +the squire, ‘amounts to three thousand +three hundred and odd: of these I +have received about five, which shall +stand for the odd; so that three thousand +three hundred remain. Now, if +we value each lash at a quarter of a +rial, and I would not bate a doit +though the whole world should desire me, +the sum will be three thousand +three hundred quartillos; the +three thousand quartillos make fifteen +hundred half-rials, which are equal +to seven hundred and fifty rials, and +the other three hundred quartillos +make one hundred and fifty half-rials, +which are equal to seventy five rials, +and these being added to the former +seven hundred and fifty, the whole +reckoning amounts to eight hundred +and twenty five rials. These I will +deduct from your cash that is in my +hands, and then I will return to my +own house, rich and satisfied, though +well scourged; for, We cannot catch +trouts without wetting our clouts: +and I will say no more upon the subject.’—‘O +blessed Sancho! O +lovely Sancho!’ cried Don Quixote; +‘Dulcinea and I will be bound to +serve thee all the days that Heaven +shall permit us to live; provided she +shall retrieve her lost-form: and, in +this hope, we cannot possibly be +mistaken; her misfortune will prove +fortunate, and my overthrow a most +happy triumph. And now, Sancho, +consider when thou wilt begin this +discipline; towards the speedy performance +of which, I add another +hundred rials.’—‘When?’ replied +<span class='pageno' id='Page_578'>578</span>the squire; ‘this very night, without +fail: if your worship will take care to +chuse our lodging in the open field, I +will take care to open my own carcase.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>At length the night arrived, after it +had been impatiently expected by Don +Quixote, who thought the wheels of +Apollo’s car had broken down, and +that the day was extended to an unusual +length; like those lovers whose desires +ever outstrip the career of time.</p> + +<p class='c005'>In the evening, they betook themselves +to the covert of some pleasant +trees at a little distance from the highway, +and vacating the saddle of Rozinante, +and the pannel of the ass, sat +down together upon the grass, and +supped upon the store contained in the +wallet of Sancho; who, forming a +strong and flexible scourge with Dapple’s +halter, retired into a tuft of +beeches about twenty paces from his +master. The knight seeing him withdraw +so brisk and resolute—‘Beware, +friend Sancho,’ said he, ‘of scourging +thyself to pieces; perform thy +discipline at leisure; let the stripes +follow one another in regular succession, +and do not run so fast as to be +out of breath in the middle of thy +career; I mean, do not lash thyself +so severely, as to destroy thy own +life before the number be compleated; +and, that thou mayest not lose it by a +card too many, or too few, I will +stand aside and count the stripes upon +my rosary. Mayest thou enjoy the +protection of Heaven, which thy +christian intention so richly deserves!’—‘A +good paymaster needs no bail,’ +answered the squire: ‘I intend to +scourge myself in such a manner as +will mortify my flesh, without any +hazard of my life; for, in that medium +the substance of the miracle +must consist.’ He forthwith stripped +himself naked from the waist upwards, +and snatching the scourge, began to +whip himself, while his master reckoned +the stripes. About half a dozen or +eight lashes had Sancho bestowed upon +himself, when he found the joke very +expensive, and the reward dog cheap; +and suspending the instrument, told the +knight he had been deceived, and +claimed the benefit of an appeal; for +every one of these stripes was worth +half a rial instead of a quartillo. ‘Proceed, +friend Sancho, without dismay,’ +replied Don Quixote, ‘and I +will double the allowance.’—‘At +that rate,’ replied the squire, ‘to it +again, by the grace of God, and let +it rain lashes.’ But, the cunning +knave no longer made application to +his own shoulders, in lieu of which he +began to scourge the trees, venting between +whiles such dismal groans as +seemed to tear his very soul up by the +roots. The knight, from the tenderness +of his own disposition, being apprehensive +that he would actually put +an end to his life, and of consequence +defeat the purpose of his flagellation +by his imprudence, exclaimed—‘I +conjure thee, by thy life, friend Sancho, +to let the business rest where it +now stands: the medicine seems to +have a very rough operation, and it +will be better to proceed leisurely; +for Zamora was not taken in one +hour. Above a thousand stripes hast +thou already inflicted upon thyself, if +my reckoning is just, and these shall +suffice for the present; for, if I may +use a vulgar expression, Though the +load must lie over the ass, he must +not be overloaded.’—‘No, no, Signior,’ +replied Sancho, ‘they shall +never say of me, When money’s +paid before its due, a broken limb +will straight ensue. Pray stand aside a +little, Signior, and let me lay on +another thousand, if you please: +two such bouts will perform the bargain, +and leave something to boot.’—‘Since +thou findest thyself in such +an excellent frame and disposition,’ +said the knight, ‘Heaven protect thee; +stick to the stuff, and I shall withdraw.’ +Sancho, resuming his task +and reckoning, had already disbarked +a number of trees, with the rigorous +application of his scourge; when, bestowing +a dreadful stroke upon an unfortunate +beech, he exclaimed with +great vociferation—‘Here, Sampson, +shalt thou die, with all thine abettors.’ +Don Quixote hearing this dismal ejaculation, +and the terrible sound of the +stroke, ran up to the spot, and seizing +the twisted halter that Sancho used +instead of a bull’s pizzle—‘Fate,’ said +he, ‘friend Sancho, will not permit +that for my pleasure thou shouldst +lose that life on which the sustenance +of thy wife and family must depend. +Dulcinea shall wait for a more favourable +conjuncture, and I will contain +<span class='pageno' id='Page_579'>579</span>myself within the limits of the +nearest hope, until thou shalt recover +new strength to conclude this affair to +the satisfaction of all parties.’—‘Since +your worship is so inclined,’ +answered the squire, ‘so be it in happy +time; and pray, good Signior, +throw your cloak, about my shoulders; +for I am all in a sweat, and would +not willingly catch cold, which is +so often the case with new disciplinants.’ +The knight, in compliance +with this request, stripped himself of +his upper garment, with which he covered +up Sancho, who slept until he was +wakened by the sun; then they proceeded +on their journey, which, for that +day, did not exceed three leagues.</p> + +<p class='c005'>They alighted at an inn; for such it +was acknowledged by Don Quixote, +who did not, as usual, suppose it a +castle furnished with a fosse, turrets, +portcullices, and draw-bridges: indeed, +since his defeat, he had talked with +more sanity on all subjects, as will +presently appear. He was shewn into +a low apartment, hung with old painted +serge, instead of tapestry, such as is used +in country places, in one piece of which +some wretched hand had drawn the +rape of Helen, who was carried off +from Menelaus by his presumptuous +guest; and in another was represented +the story of Dido and Æneas, the unhappy +queen standing upon a lofty +tower, making signals with a white +sheet to her fugitive lover, who, in a +frigate or brigantine, was flying from +her coast. He observed, of these two +history pieces, that Helen shewed no +marks of compulsion; but rather exhibited +her satisfaction in a roguish +smile; whereas, from the eyes of the +beautiful Dido, tears as big as walnuts +seemed to fall. Don Quixote +having considered both pictures, ‘These +two ladies,’ said he, ‘were most unfortunate, +because they did not live in +this our age; and I, above all men unhappy, +because I did not live in theirs. +Had I encountered these gentlemen, +Troy had ne’er been burnt, nor Carthage +laid in ruins; for, by killing +Paris only, I should have prevented +such disasters.’—‘I’ll lay a wager,’ +said Sancho, ‘that in a very little time, +every cook’s cellar, tavern, inn, and +barber’s shop in the kingdom, will be +ornamented with pictures containing +the history of our atchievements; but +I should be glad to see them painted +by a better workman than him who +made these daubings.’—‘Thou art +in the right,’ replied Don Quixote; +‘he that painted these pieces is just such +another as Orbaneja, a painter of +Ubeda, who being asked what he was +about, answered, “Just as it happens;” +and if he chanced to represent a cock, +he wrote under it, “This is a cock,” +that it might not be mistaken for a +fox. Such a person, I suppose, is +that same painter or author, for it is +the same thing, who ushered into the +world the lately published history of +the new Don Quixote: for he has +painted or described whatever came +uppermost; or, perhaps, he resembles +an old court poet called Mauleon, who +pretended to answer every question +extempore; and being one day asked +the meaning of <span lang="la"><i>Deum del Deo</i></span>, replied, +“<i>De doude diere</i><a id='r211'></a><a href='#f211' class='c008'><sup>[211]</sup></a>.” But, waving +this subject, tell me, Sancho, if +thou art resolved to take the other +turn to-night, and whether thou +wouldst chuse to go to work under an +humble roof, or beneath the high canopy +of Heaven?’—‘’Fore God! +Signior,’ replied the squire, ‘as to +what I intend to take, it matters not +much, whether it be taken within +doors or without: nevertheless, I +should chuse to go to work among +trees; for they seem to accompany +and assist me wonderfully in bearing +the brunt of the application.’—‘But +it must not be so at present, friend +Sancho,’ answered the knight; ‘in +order to recruit your strength, the +execution shall be postponed until we +arrive at our own village, which we +shall reach the day after to-morrow, +at farthest.’ Sancho said he might +take his own way; though he himself +should be glad to dispatch the business +now he was warm, and while the mill +was a going; ‘For, Delay breeds danger; +and We ought still to be doing +while to God we are suing. I will give +thee, is good; but, Here, take it, is better. +A sparrow in hand is worth an +eagle on wing.’—‘No more proverbs, +Sancho, for the love of God!’ cried +<span class='pageno' id='Page_580'>580</span>the knight; thou seemest to be returning +to <span lang="la"><i>sicut erat</i></span>. Speak plainly and +perspicuously, without such intricate +mazes, as I have often advised thee, +and thou wilt find thyself one loaf +per cent. in pocket.’—‘I am so unlucky,’ +answered the squire, ‘that I +cannot give a reason without a proverb, +nor a proverb that I do not +think a good reason; but I will mend +if I can!’ And here the conversation +ended for that time.</p> + +<h4 id='chap4-4-20' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='twenty'>XX.</abbr> <br> GIVING AN ACCOUNT OF DON QUIXOTE’S ARRIVAL AT HIS OWN HABITATION.</h4> +<p class='c004'>That whole day Don Quixote +and Sancho tarried at the inn, +waiting for night, during which the one +intended to finish his whipping task in +the open field, and the other hoped to +see the accomplishment of that discipline +on which depended the accomplishment +of his desire. In the mean +time, a gentleman on horseback arrived +at the door, attended by three or four +servants, one of whom said to him who +seemed to be the master, ‘Signior Don +Alvaro Tarfe, your worship may +pass the afternoon in this house; +the lodging seems to be cool and +cleanly.’ Don Quixote hearing this +address, ‘Hark ye, Sancho,’ said he, +‘when I glanced over the second part +of my history, I am very much mistaken +if I did not perceive, as I turned +over the leaves, this very name of Don +Alvaro Tarfe.’—‘Very likely,’ replied +the squire; ‘first let him alight, and +then we can ask questions.’ Accordingly +the traveller having alighted, was +conducted by the landlady into a room +that fronted the knight’s apartment, +and was ornamented with the same +kind of paintings which we have already +described. This new-come cavalier, +laying aside his upper garment, +came out into the porch, which was +cool and spacious, where seeing Don +Quixote walking backwards and forwards +for the benefit of the air, he asked +in a courteous manner, which way his +worship was travelling. The knight +told him he was going to the place of +his nativity, which was a village in the +neighbourhood; and, in his turn, expressed +a desire of knowing the direction +of the stranger’s course. ‘Signior,’ +said the cavalier, ‘I am travelling to +Grenada, which is my native country.’—‘And +a good country it is,’ +replied Don Quixote; ‘but will your +worship be so good as to tell me your +name, which I believe is of more +importance to me to know, than I +can well explain.’—‘My name,’ said +the stranger, ‘is Don Alvaro Tarfe.’—‘Without +doubt, then,’ replied the +knight, ‘you must be the gentleman +mentioned in the second part of the +history of Don Quixote de La Mancha, +lately printed and published by a modern +author.’—‘The very same,’ answered +the cavalier: ‘Don Quixote, the +principal character of that history, was +an intimate acquaintance of mine: I +brought him from his own habitation; +at least I persuaded him to assist at the +tournament of Saragossa, whither I was +going, and where I really and truly +did him signal services; and particularly +saved his back from being very +roughly handled by the hangman, +for his excessive impudence and knavery.’—‘And +pray, Signior Don Alvaro, +is there any resemblance between +me and that Don Quixote whom +your worship mentions?’ said the +knight. ‘No, surely, none at all,’ +replied the stranger. ‘Is not that Don +Quixote attended by a squire, called +Sancho Panza?’ resumed our hero. +‘Yes, he is,’ answered the other; ‘and +although he was reported to be a very +humorous companion, I never heard +him utter one merry conceit.’—‘That +I can very well believe,’ said Sancho, +mingling in the discourse; ‘it is not +every body that can utter conceits; and +that same Sancho, whom your worship +mentions, must be a very great knave, +and indeed both fool and knave; +for I am the true Sancho Panza, who +have as many conceits as there are +drops of rain. If your worship will +but try the experiment, and keep me +company for a year or so, you will +see them fall from me at every step; +nay, they are so merry and so numerous, +that very often when I myself +know not what I have said, they +make all the hearers burst their sides +with laughing; and the true Don +Quixote de La Mancha, the renowned, +the valiant, the sage, the enamoured +knight, the undoer of wrongs, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_581'>581</span>the tutor of wards and orphans, the +protector of widows, the destroyer of +maids, he who owns no other mistress +than the peerless Dulcinea del +Toboso, is my master, this very gentleman +here present: every other Don +Quixote, and every other Sancho +whatsoever, is no better than a dream +or delusion.’—‘Before God! I am +of the same opinion,’ replied Don Alvaro; +‘for, truly, my good friend, +you have uttered more pleasantry in +these few sentences you have spoke, +than ever I knew come from the +mouth of the other Sancho Panza, +though he was an eternal babbler; +he was much more of a glutton than +an orator, and rather idiotical than +humorous. Indeed, I am fully persuaded, +that those inchanters who +molest the good Don Quixote, have +been pleased to persecute me with the +bad Don Quixote: and yet I know +not what to say; for I can take my +oath that I left him at Toledo in the +nuncio’s house, under the care of +surgeons; and now, another Don +Quixote starts up in his place, though +of a very different character and complexion!’—‘I +know not whether or +not I am the good Don Quixote,’ replied +the knight; ‘but, I will venture +to say, I am not the bad Don Quixote; +and, as a proof of what I alledge, my +good Signior Don Alvaro Tarfe, +your worship must know, that in the +whole course of my life I never was +at Saragossa; on the contrary, having +been informed, that the fantastical +Don Quixote had been present at the +tournament of that city, I would not +set foot within its walls, that I might +demonstrate his imposture to the satisfaction +of the whole world: I, +therefore, openly repaired to Barcelona, +that repository of politeness, +that asylum of strangers, that hospital +of the poor, that native place of +gallantry, that avenging tribunal of +the injured, that agreeable scene of +unshaken friendship unparalleled both +in beauty and situation! and although +certain adventures which there befel +me did not so much contribute to my +satisfaction, but, on the contrary, conduced +to my unspeakable disquiet, I +bear my fate without repining, and +count myself happy in having seen +that celebrated place: finally, Signior +Don Alvaro Tarfe, I am the +real Don Quixote de La Mancha, so +well known to fame, and not that +wretched impostor who has thought +proper to usurp my name, and deck +himself with the spoils of my reputation. +I must therefore entreat your +worship, as you value yourself on the +character of a gentleman, to make a +declaration before the alcalde of the +place; importing, that, before this +day, you never saw me in the whole +course of your life; and that I am not +the Don Quixote described in the second +part, nor this Sancho Panza the +squire whom your worship knew in +his service.’—‘With all my heart,’ +said Don Alvaro; ‘and yet I cannot +help being astonished to see two Don +Quixotes, and two Sanchos, at the +same time, so similar in name, and so +unlike in character; so that I say +again, and even affirm, that I have +not really seen that which I thought +I had seen, nor met with those incidents +in which I supposed myself +concerned.’—‘Doubtless,’ cried Sancho, +‘your worship must be enchanted, +like my Lady Dulcinea del Toboso; +and would to God your disinchantment +depended upon my undergoing another +tale of three thousand three hundred +lashes, such as I have undertaken in +her favour; I would lay them on +without interest or deduction.’ When +Don Alvaro said he did not understand +what he meant by lashes, the squire answered +it was a long story, which, however, +he would relate to him should +they chance to travel the same road.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Don Quixote and Don Alvaro dined +together; and the alcalde of the town +chancing to enter the inn with a scrivener, +our hero demanded, by a formal +petition, that Don Alvaro Tarfe, the +gentleman there present, should depose +before his worship, that he was not acquainted +with him, Don Quixote there +present also; and that he the said Don +Quixote was not the person described in +a certain history, intitled, The second +part of Don Quixote de La Mancha; +composed by one Avellanada, native of +Tordesillas. In a word, the alcalde +proceeded in form; the deposition was +drawn up in the strongest terms, and +the knight and squire were as much +rejoiced as if this certificate had been of +the utmost consequence to their identity, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_582'>582</span>and as if the difference between the two +Quixotes and Sanchos would not have +plainly appeared from their words and +actions.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Many compliments and proffers of +service passed between Don Alvaro and +Don Quixote; and our great Manchegan +gave such proofs of discretion as undeceived +Don Alvaro, who persuaded +himself that he was certainly inchanted, +seeing he had felt, as it were with his +hand, two such contrary Don Quixotes. +In the evening they departed from the +village, and travelled together about +half a league, until they found the highway +divided into two roads, one of +which led to the habitation of Don +Quixote, and Don Alvaro’s journey lay +through the other: yet, in that small +space, the knight recounted the misfortune +of his overthrow, together with +Dulcinea’s inchantment, and the remedy +proposed; so as to excite anew +the admiration of the stranger; who, +embracing Don Quixote and Sancho, +took his leave, and proceeded on his +own affairs, while our knight jogged +on at an easy pace, and passed the night +in a grove of trees in order to give +Sancho an opportunity to perform his +penance, which he accomplished as before, +at the expence of the beeches, +and not of his own shoulders; these he +defended with such care, that they felt +not even the whiff of any stripe sufficient +to displace a fly. The credulous +knight lost not one in his reckoning of +the lashes; which including those of +the preceding night, amounted to three +thousand and twenty-nine: the sun +seemed to rise early on purpose to behold +this sacrifice, and to light our adventurer +on his way, which he prosecuted, +conversing with Sancho upon the +mistake and deception of Don Alvaro, +and his own presence of mind in obtaining +such an authentick testimonial +before the justice.</p> + +<p class='c005'>The whole day and night they travelled +without encountering any adventure +worthy of record, except that, in +the dark, Sancho finished his discipline, +to the unspeakable satisfaction of the +knight, who waited with impatience +for the day in hope of finding his +mistress Dulcinea disinchanted upon +the road: indeed, he was so much engrossed +by this notion, that he went up +to every woman he met in the remaining +part of his journey, to see if she +was not Dulcinea del Toboso; infallibly +persuaded that there could be no +deceit in the promises of Merlin. +While he indulged these reflections and +desires, they ascended a rising ground +from whence they descried their own +village; which Sancho no sooner perceived, +than he fell upon his knees, +saying, ‘Open thine eyes, beloved +country! and behold the return of thy +son Sancho Panza; who, though not +very rich in coin, is well stored with +lashes: open thine arms at the same +time, and receive thy son Don Quixote; +who, though vanquished by a +stranger’s hand, returns the victor of +himself; and that, as he hath often +told me, is the greatest conquest +which can be desired. With regard +to my own fate, I have money in my +purse; for, though the stripes fell +thick and heavy, I was rewarded like +a gentleman.’—‘Leave these fooleries,’ +said the knight, ‘and let us +go directly home, where we will indulge +our imagination with free +scope, in contriving the scheme of +pastoral felicity which we intend to +enjoy.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>They accordingly descended the hill, +and made the best of their way to their +own village.</p> +<h4 id='chap4-4-21' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='twenty-one'>XXI.</abbr> <br> OF THE OMENS THAT OCCURRED TO DON QUIXOTE<br> WHEN HE ENTERED THE VILLAGE—<br>WITH OTHER INCIDENTS WHICH ADORN<br> AND AUTHENTICATE THIS SUBLIME HISTORY.</h4> +<p class='c004'>Cid Hamet relates, that Don Quixote, +as he entered the village, +perceived two boys quarrelling in a +threshing-floor, and heard the one say +to his antagonist, ‘Struggle thy fill, +Periquillo, thou shalt never see it in +all the days of thy life.’ These +words no sooner reached the knight’s +ears, than turning to his squire, ‘Friend +Sancho,’ said he, ‘didst not thou +mark what the boy said? “Thou +shalt never see it in all the days of +thy life.”’—‘And what signifies +what the boy says?’ answered the +squire. ‘What!’ replied the knight, +‘dost thou not perceive that these +words, applied to my concerns, signify, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_583'>583</span>that I shall never behold Dulcinea?’ +Sancho was just going to +answer, when he was prevented by the +sight of an hare, which being pursued +by a number of greyhounds and hunters, +came running through the field +and squatted down in a fright under +Dapple; the squire immediately saved +it from the dogs, by seizing and presenting +it to his master, who said, ‘<span lang="la"><i>Malum +signum, malum signum!</i></span> the hare +flies, the hounds pursue, and Dulcinea +does not appear.’—‘That is a strange +fancy in your worship!’ replied the +squire; ‘let us, for example, suppose it +Dulcinea del Toboso, and these pursuing +hounds the felonious inchanters +who have transformed her into a +country-wench; she flies, I catch and +deliver her to your worship, who hold +and fondle her in your arms; what +bad sign is that? or what ill omen +can be conjured from such a circumstance?’ +At this juncture the two +boys who had been quarrelling, came +up to see the hare; and Sancho having +asked the cause of their quarrel, was +answered by him who said, ‘Thou +shalt never see it in all the days of +thy life,’ that he had taken a cage +full of crickets from the other boy, +which he did not intend to restore in +the whole course of his life. In consequence +of this information, the squire +pulled out of his pocket four farthings, +and gave them to the boy for the cage, +which he put into the hands of Don +Quixote, saying, ‘Behold, Signior, the +wreck and destruction of those omens, +which I (though a fool) imagine have +no more to do with our affairs than +last year’s clouds; and if I right remember, +I have heard the curate of +our parish observe, that no Christian +of common sense ought to mind such +childish trifles; nay, even your worship +made the same remark some time +ago, and told me those Christians +were actually mad who put any faith +in omens; and therefore we have no +occasion to make a stumbling-block +of this accident: but let us proceed, +and enter the town a-God’s name.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>The hunters coming up, demanded +the hare, which was delivered to them +by our knight, who jogging on with +his squire, perceived the curate and +batchelor Carrasco busy at their devotion, +in a little meadow that skirted the +town. Now the reader must know, +that Sancho Panza had, over the bundle +of armour carried by Dapple, thrown, +by way of sumpter-cloth, the buckram +robe painted with flames of fire, which +he had worn in the duke’s castle on the +night of Altisidora’s resurrection; and +he, at the same time, had fixed the mitre +upon the head of the ass, which, thus +adorned, exhibited the strangest transformation +that any beast of burden in +the world had ever undergone. Our +adventurers were immediately recognized +by the curate and batchelor, who +ran to receive them with open arms; +when Don Quixote alighting, embraced +them with great cordiality; and the +boys, who are quick-sighted as lynxes, +descrying the mitre of the ass, came running +in crowds to behold this new spectacle, +crying to one another, ‘Come +along, boys, and see Sancho Panza’s +Dapple, as fine as a May-morning<a id='r212'></a><a href='#f212' class='c008'><sup>[212]</sup></a>, +and Rozinante more lean than ever.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>In a word, they entered the town, +surrounded with boys, and accompanied +by the curate and batchelor, +who attended them to the knight’s +house, at the gate of which they +found the niece and housekeeper, +already apprized of his arrival. The +same intimation, neither more nor less, +had been given to Sancho’s spouse Teresa +Panza, who came running to see +her husband, half naked, with her hair +hanging about her ears, and her daughter +Sanchica in her hand; but, seeing +he was not so gayly equipped as she +thought a governor should be, ‘Hey-day, +husband!’ cried she, ‘you come +home a-foot, and seem to be quite +foundered, and look more like a governor +of hogs, than a ruler of men.’—‘Hold +your tongue, Teresa,’ replied +the squire; ‘you will often find hooks +where there is no bacon; let us e’en +trudge home, where I will tell thee +wonders: I have money in my purse, +(and that’s the one thing needful) +earned by my own industry, without +prejudice to any person whatsoever.’—‘Do +you bring home the money, +good husband,’ said Teresa, ‘and let +it be earned here or there, or got in +what shape you please, I give myself +<span class='pageno' id='Page_584'>584</span>no trouble about the matter; I am +sure, in getting it, you have introduced +no new fashion into the world.’ +Sanchica embraced her father, and +asked if he had brought any thing for +her, who had expected him as impatiently +as if he had been May-dew: +then taking hold of his girdle with one +hand, and leading Dapple with the +other, while her mother held him by the +fist, they repaired to their own house, +leaving Don Quixote to the care of his +niece and housekeeper, and in company +with the curate and batchelor.</p> + +<p class='c005'>The knight, disregarding times and +seasons, instantly retired into an apartment +with his two friends, to whom he +briefly related his overthrow, and the +obligation under which he lay, to stay +at home for the space of one year, +which obligation he intended literally to +observe, without failing in the least +tittle, like a true knight-errant, bound +by the punctuality of the order which +he had the honour to profess. During +this term of retirement, he proposed to +turn shepherd, and enjoy the solitude of +the field, where he would give full scope +to his amorous sentiments, and exercise +himself in all the virtues of a pastoral +life: he, at the same time, besought +them (provided they had any time to +spare, and were not hindered by business +of more consequence) to become his +companions; assuring them he would +purchase a flock of sheep sufficient for +a number of swains, and that the principal +part of the scheme was already +effected, inasmuch as he had invented +names that would suit them with the +utmost propriety. The curate expressing +a desire to know these appellations, +the knight said, he would call himself +the shepherd Quixotiz, the batchelor +should be distinguished by the name of +the swain Carrascon, the curate he denominated +Curiambro, and the squire, +Pancino. They were confounded at +this new species of madness; but, lest +he should once more forsake his habitation +to follow his new chivalries, and +in hope that he might possibly be cured +during the year of his confinement, +they seemingly assented to this new proposal, +extolled his madness as the very +essence of discretion, and promised to be +his companions in the exercise he had +planned. ‘All the world knows that +I am a celebrated poet,’ said Sampson +Carrasco, ‘and at every turn I +shall compose verses, pastorals, or +courtly sonnets, or such as will best +answer the purpose of entertaining +us in the fields through which we +shall rove: but there is one circumstance, +gentlemen, which we must +by no means neglect; and that is, +every man shall chuse a name for the +shepherdess he intends to celebrate, +and inscribe and engrave it on every +tree, let it be never so hard, according +to the constant practice of enamoured +swains.’—‘A very seasonable +suggestion,’ answered Don Quixote: +‘but, although I am at liberty to +chuse a fictitious name, I shall not +employ my invention for that purpose, +while there is such a person as +the peerless Dulcinea del Toboso, the +glory of these banks! the ornament +of these meadows! the support of +beauty! the cream of all gentility! +and, finally, the subject that suits all +praise, how hyperbolical soever it may +be.’—‘Very true,’ said the curate; +‘but we must put up with nymphs of +an inferior rank; who, though they +will not square, may corner with our +desires.’—‘And should we be at a +loss,’ added Sampson Carrasco, ‘we +will borrow names that abound in +printed books; such as Phillis, Amaryllis, +Diana, Florida, Galatea, and +Belisarda; which, as they are publickly +sold, we may purchase and appropriate +to our own use. If, for +example, my mistress, or rather +shepherdess, be called Ann, I will +celebrate her under the name of Anna; +if her name is Frances, she shall +be called Francenia; if Lucia, she +shall be known by the appellation of +Lucinda: in the same manner shall +other names be metamorphosed; and +if Sancho Panza is inclined to be +one of our fraternity, he may celebrate +his wife Teresa Panza, under +the name of Teresayna.’ Don Quixote +could not help smiling at this +transformation; and the curate, in very +high terms, applauded his honourable +and virtuous resolution, promising +anew to spend in his company all the +time he could spare from his indispensible +obligations. And now they took +leave of the knight; after having advised +and entreated him to have a reverend +care of his health, and comfort his +stomach with something good and substantial.</p> + +<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_585'>585</span>The niece and housekeeper having +by accident overheard this conversation, +entered the apartment as soon as the +curate and batchelor were gone; and +the former, addressing herself to Don +Quixote, ‘Uncle,’ said she, ‘what is +the meaning of all this! Now that +we thought you was returned to stay +at home, and lead a quiet and honourable +life in your own house, you +want to re-entangle yourself in new +labyrinths, and turn a poor shepherd. +Thou cam’st with a crook, +and with a scrip thou wilt go, as the +saying is; for, in good faith, the +straw is too old to make pipes of.’—‘And +does your worship think,’ +added the housekeeper, ‘that you can +stay in the field, during the heats of +summer, and the frosts of winter, to +hear the howling of wolves! no, +truly, that is the office and employment +of robust clowns, tanned by +the weather, and brought up to the +business, even from their christening +blankets and swaddling cloaths; and, +weighing one evil against another, +you had better still be a knight-errant +than a shepherd. Consider, Signior, +and take my advice, which I do not +give from a full stomach, but fresh +and fasting, with fifty good years +over my head: stay at home in your +own house, look after your estate, go +frequently to confession, be good to +the poor, and let my conscience answer +for the rest.’—‘Hold your +peace, my good children,’ answered +Don Quixote; ‘I know my own duty, +and what I have to do; meanwhile +carry me to bed, for methinks I am +not very well; and be assured, that +whether I continue knight-errant or +turn shepherd, you may depend upon +my good offices and assistance, as you +shall find by experience.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>Comforted by this declaration, the good +souls (for so they were, without doubt) +carried the knight to bed, where they +presented him with victuals, and cherished +him with all possible care.</p> + +<h4 id='chap4-4-22' class='c011'><abbr title='chapter'>CHAP.</abbr> <abbr title='twenty-two'>XXII.</abbr> <br> GIVING AN ACCOUNT OF DON QUIXOTE’S LAST ILLNESS AND DEATH.</h4> +<p class='c004'>As nothing human is eternal, but +every sublunary object, especially +the life of man, is always declining +from its origin to its decay; +and Don Quixote had no particular +privilege from Heaven, exempting him +from the common fate, the end and +period of his existence arrived, when +he least expected its approach. Either +in consequence of the melancholy produced +by his overthrow, or by the particular +dispensations of Heaven, he was +seized with a calenture which detained +him in bed for the space of six days, +during which he was often visited by +his friends; the curate, batchelor, and +barber, and his good squire Sancho Panza +never stirred from his bedside. These +gentlemen, supposing his distemper proceeded +from the chagrin inspired by his +overthrow, and the disappointment of +his hope, concerning the liberty and disenchantment +of Dulcinea, endeavoured +by all possible means to exhilarate his +spirits. The batchelor exhorted him to +chear up his heart, and forsake his +couch, that they might begin their pastoral +exercise, towards which he had already +composed an eclogue which would +disgrace all the pastorals that ever Sannazarius +wrote. He likewise gave him +to understand, that he had purchased +with his own money from an herdsman +of Quintanar, two famous dogs +called Barcino and Butron, to defend +their flock from the wolves. All these +consolations, however, could not dispel +the melancholy of Don Quixote; +so that his friends called a physician, +who having felt his pulse, made a very +doubtful prognostick; saying, happen +what would, they ought to provide for +the health of his soul, as that of his +body was in imminent danger; and he +gave it as his opinion, that the poor +gentleman was overwhelmed with melancholy +and vexation. The knight +heard this sentence with the most heroick +composure; but that was not the +case with his housekeeper, niece, and +squire, who began to weep and wail +most bitterly, as if they had already +seen him deprived of life.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Don Quixote finding himself inclined +to slumber, desired he might be +left alone; and the company retiring, +he is said to have slept six hours at a +stretch; so that the housekeeper and +niece began to fear he would never +awake. Nevertheless, he awoke at the +expiration of the aforesaid time, and +exclaimed aloud, ‘Praised be the Almighty +God, for the great benefit I +<span class='pageno' id='Page_586'>586</span>have received from his bounty! His +mercies know no bounds; nor are +they abridged or impeded by the +transgressions of man!’ The niece, +who listened attentively, hearing this +ejaculation, more sensible and connected +than any thing he had uttered since +the beginning of his illness; ‘Uncle,’ +said she, ‘what do you mean? Has +any thing new befallen us? What +mercies and transgressions are these +you mention?’—‘Mercies,’ replied +the knight, ‘which Heaven hath this +instant been pleased to vouchsafe unto +me, notwithstanding the heinousness +of my transgressions. I now +enjoy my judgment undisturbed, and +cleared from those dark shadows of +ignorance, in which my understanding +hath been involved, by the pernicious +and incessant reading of those +detestable books of chivalry. I am +now sensible of the falsity and folly +they contain; and nothing gives me +concern, but that this conviction +comes too late to give me time sufficient +to make amends, by reading +others, which would enlighten my +soul. I feel myself, cousin, at the +point of death; and I would not +undergo that great change, in such +a manner as to entail the imputation +of madness on my memory; for, +though I have acted as a madman, I +should not wish to confirm the character, +by my behaviour in the last +moments of my life. Be so good, +my dear child, as to send for my +worthy friend the curate, the batchelor +Sampson Carrasco, and master +Nicholas the barber; for I want to +confess, and make my will.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>The accidental arrival of these three, +saved her the trouble of sending a message +to each in particular; and Don Quixote +seeing them enter, ‘Good gentlemen,’ +said he, ‘congratulate and rejoice with +me, upon my being no longer Don +Quixote de La Mancha, but plain +Alonzo Quixano, surnamed the Good, +on account of the innocence of my +life and conversation. I am now an +enemy to Amadis de Gaul, and the +whole infinite tribe of his descendants; +now are all the profane histories +of knight errantry odious to my +reflection; now I am sensible of my +own madness, and the danger into +which I have been precipitated by +reading such absurdities, which I, +from dear-bought experience, abominate +and abhor.’ The three friends, +hearing this declaration, believed he was +certainly seized with some new species +of madness; and, on this supposition, +Sampson replied, ‘Now, Signior Don +Quixote, when we have received the +news of my Lady Dulcinea’s being +disenchanted, do you talk at this rate? +When we are on the point of becoming +shepherds, that we may pass away +our time happily in singing, like so +many princes, has your worship taken +the resolution to turn hermit? No +more of that, I beseech you; recollect +your spirits, and leave off talking +such idle stories!’—‘Those which I +have hitherto believed, have, indeed, +realized my misfortune,’ said the +knight; ‘but, with the assistance of +Heaven, I hope my death will turn +them to my advantage.—Gentlemen, +I feel myself hastening to the +goal of life; and therefore, jesting +apart, let me have the benefit of a +ghostly confessor, and send for a notary +to write my will; for in such extremities, +a man must not trifle with +his own soul: I entreat you, then, to +call a notary; and, in the mean time, +I will confess myself to Mr. Curate.’ +They looked at one another, surprized +at this discourse; and, though still dubious, +resolved to comply with his desire: +they considered this sudden and +easy transition from madness to sanity, +as a certain signal of his approaching +death; for to those expressions already +rehearsed, he added a great number so +rational, so christian and well-connected, +as to dispel the doubts of all present, +who were now firmly persuaded, +that he had retrieved the right use of +his intellects. The curate having dismissed +the company, confessed the penitent; +while the batchelor went in quest +of the notary, with whom he in a little +time returned, accompanied also by +Sancho, who having received an account +of his master’s condition, and +finding the niece and housekeeper in +tears, began to pucker up his face, and +open the flood-gates of his eyes.</p> + +<div id='plate15' class='figcenter id002'> +<img src='images/plate-xv.jpg' alt='' class='ig001'> +<div class='ic002'> +<p>Plate XV: Don Quixote on His Death-Bed.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<p class='c005'>Confession being ended, the curate +came forth, saying, ‘The good Alonzo +Quixano is really dying, and without +all doubt restored to his senses; +we may now go and see the will attested.’ +These tidings gave a terrible +stab to the overcharged hearts of +<span class='pageno' id='Page_587'>587</span>the two ladies and his faithful squire, +whose eyes overflowed with weeping, +and whose bosoms had well-nigh burst +with a thousand sighs and groans; for, +indeed, it must be owned, as we have +somewhere observed, that whether in +the character of Alonzo Quixano the +Good, or in the capacity of Don Quixote +de La Mancha, the poor gentleman +had always exhibited marks of a peaceable +temper and agreeable demeanour, +for which he was beloved, not only by +his own family, but also by all those +who had the pleasure of his acquaintance.</p> + +<p class='c005'>The notary entering the apartment +with the rest of the company, wrote the +preamble of the will, in which Don +Quixote disposed of his soul in all the +necessary Christian forms: then proceeding +to the legacies, he said, ‘<i>Item</i>, +Whereas Sancho Panza, whom, in +my madness, I made my squire, has +in his hands a certain sum of money +for my use; and as divers accounts, +disbursements, and pecuniary transactions +have passed between us; it is +my will, that he shall not be charged +or brought to account for the said money; +but, if there be any overplus, +after he has deducted the payment +of what I owe him, the said overplus, +which must be a mere trifle, shall be +his own, and much good may it do +him! and as, during my disorder, I +contributed to his being made governor +of an island, I would now, while +I enjoy my perfect senses, confer upon +him, were it in my power, a whole +kingdom; which he richly deserves +for the innocency of his heart, and +the fidelity of his service.’ Then +turning to the disconsolate squire, ‘Forgive +me, friend,’ said he, ‘for having +been the cause of thy appearing +in the eye of the world a madman, +like myself; by drawing thee into +my own erroneous notions, concerning +the existence and adventures of +knights-errant.’—‘Lack-a-day, dear +Sir!’ cried Sancho, blubbering, ‘do +not die; take my advice, and live +many years upon the face of the earth; +for the greatest madness a man can +be guilty of in this life, is to let himself +die outright, without being slain +by any person whatever, or destroyed +by any other weapon than the hands +of melancholy. Hark ye, Signior! +hang sloth! get up, and let us take +the field in shepherds apparel, according +to our agreement; who knows, +but behind some bush we may find +my Lady Dulcinea disenchanted, and +a comely sight for to see? If you take +your overthrow so much to heart, +lay the blame at my door, and say +you was vanquished by my carelessness, +in girting Rozinante; besides, +your worship must have read in your +books of chivalry, that it was common +for one knight to unhorse another, +and for him who was vanquished +to-day, to be victor to-morrow.’—‘Very +true,’ said Sampson; ‘honest +Sancho seems to be very well informed +of these matters.’—‘Gentlemen,’ +replied the knight, ‘let us proceed fair +and softly, without looking for this +year’s birds in last year’s nests. I +was mad; but now am in my right +senses. I was Don Quixote de La +Mancha; but now, as I have already +observed, I am Alonzo Quixano the +Good: and I hope, I shall, by my +veracity and repentance, recover that +degree of your esteem, which I formerly +enjoyed. So let Mr. Notary +proceed.’</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘<i>Item</i>, I bequeath my whole estate, +real and personal, to my niece Antonia +Quixano here present, after deducting +what shall be sufficient for the +payment of my debts and legacies; +and it is my will, that from the first +of the money thence arising, the +wages due to my housekeeper shall be +paid, together with twenty ducats for a +suit of mourning; and I appoint Mr. +Curate, and Mr. Batchelor Sampson +Carrasco, here present, my executors. +<i>Item</i>, It is my will, that if my niece +Antonia Quixano inclines to marriage, +she shall not wed any man until she +is fully satisfied, from previous information, +that he is an utter stranger +to books of chivalry; or, if she finds +he is addicted to this kind of reading, +and marries him nevertheless, she +shall forfeit the whole legacy, which +my executors may, in that case, dispose +of in pious uses. <i>Item</i>, I beseech +the said gentlemen, my executors, +if perchance they should become +acquainted with a certain author, +who composed and published +an history, entitled, “The Second +Part of the Atchievements of Don +Quixote de La Mancha;” that they +will, in my name, most earnestly entreat +him to forgive me for having +been the innocent cause of his writing +such a number of absurdities as +<span class='pageno' id='Page_588'>588</span>that performance contains; for I quit +this life with some scruples of conscience +arising from that consideration.’ +The will being thus concluded, +he was seized with a fainting-fit, +and stretched himself at full length in +the bed; so that all the company were +alarmed, and ran to his assistance. +During three days which he lived after +the will was signed and sealed, +he frequently fainted, and the whole +family was in confusion: nevertheless, +the niece eat her victuals, the housekeeper +drank to the repose of his soul, +and even Sancho cherished his little +carcase; for the prospect of succession +either dispels or moderates that affliction +which an heir ought to feel at the +death of the testator.</p> + +<p class='c005'>At last Don Quixote expired; after +having received all the sacraments, and +in the strongest terms, pathetically +enforced, expressed his abomination +against all books of chivalry; and the +notary observed, that in all the books +of that kind which he had perused, he +had never read of any knight-errant +who died quietly in his bed, as a good +Christian, like Don Quixote; who, +amidst the tears and lamentations of +all present, gave up the ghost, or in +other words, departed this life. The +curate was no sooner certified of his +decease, than he desired the notary to +make a testimonial, declaring, that +Alonzo Quixano the Good, commonly +called Don Quixote de La Mancha, had +taken his departure from this life, and +died of a natural death; that no other +author, different from Cid Hamet Benengeli, +should falsely pretend to raise +him from the dead, and write endless +histories of his atchievements.</p> + +<p class='c005'>This was the end of the sage Hidalgo +de La Mancha, whose native +place Cid Hamet would not punctually +describe, because he wished that all the +towns and villages of that province +should contend for the honour of having +given him birth, as the seven cities +of Greece contended for Homer. We +shall here omit the lamentations of the +housekeeper, niece, and squire, together +with all the epitaphs, except the following, +by Sampson Carrasco.</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c012'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Here lies a cavalier of fame,</div> + <div class='line in2'>Whose dauntless courage soar’d so high,</div> + <div class='line'>That death, which can the boldest tame,</div> + <div class='line in2'>He scorn’d to flatter or to fly.</div> + <div class='line'>A constant bugbear to the bad,</div> + <div class='line in2'>His might the world in arms defy’d;</div> + <div class='line'>And in his life though counted mad,</div> + <div class='line in2'>He in his perfect senses dy’d.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>The sagacious Cid Hamet addressing +himself to his pen, ‘And now, my +slender quill,’ said he, ‘whether cunningly +cut, or unskilfully formed, +it boots not much; here, from this +rack, suspended by a wire, shalt thou +enjoy repose, and live to future ages, +if no presumptuous and wicked hand +shall take thee down, in order to profane +thee in compiling idle histories. +But ere such insolent fingers can +touch thine hallowed plume, accost, +and warn them, if thou canst, in words +like these:</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c012'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>“Caitifs, forbear!—Illustrious prince, let none</div> + <div class='line'>”Attempt th’ emprize reserv’d for me alone<a id='r213'></a><a href='#f213' class='c008'><sup>[213]</sup></a>.”</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>‘For me alone was Don Quixote born, +and I produced for him; he to act, +and I to record: in a word, we were +destined for each other, maugre and +in despight of that fictitious Tordesilian +author, who has presumed, or +may presume, to write with his coarse, +aukward ostrich quill, the atchievements +of my valiant knight; a burden +too heavy for his weak shoulders, +and an undertaking too great for his +frozen genius. Advise him, therefore, +if ever thou shouldst chance to +be in his company, to let the wearied +and mouldering bones of Don Quixote +rest in the grave, without seeking +to carry him into Old Castile<a id='r214'></a><a href='#f214' class='c008'><sup>[214]</sup></a>, in +opposition to all the prerogatives of +death; or to drag him from his tomb, +where he really and truly lies extended +at full length, and utterly +incapable of making a third +sally: for all the exploits performed +by the whole tribe of knights-errant +are sufficiently ridiculed by the two +expeditions he has already made, so +much to the satisfaction and entertainment, +<span class='pageno' id='Page_589'>589</span>not only of Spain, but also +of every foreign nation to which the +fame of his adventures hath been +conveyed. In so doing, thou wilt +conform to thy Christian profession of +doing good to those who would do +thee harm; and I shall rest satisfied +and perfectly well pleased, in seeing +myself the first author who fully enjoyed +the fruit of his writings in the +success of his design: for mine was +no other than to inspire mankind with +an abhorrence of the false and improbable +stories recounted in books +of chivalry; which are already shaken +by the adventures of my true and +genuine Don Quixote, and in a little +time will certainly sink into oblivion. +Farewel.’</p> +<p class='c004'>FINIS.</p> + +<div class='nf-center-c1'> +<div class='nf-center c002'> + <div><span class='large'>Footnotes</span></div> + </div> +</div> + +<div class='footnote' id='f1'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r1'>1</a>.  </span>Thomas Tamayo De Vargas.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f2'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r2'>2</a>.  </span>Don Nicholas Antonio.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f3'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r3'>3</a>.  </span>He describes his departure from Madrid in these words: ‘Out of my country and +myself I go!’</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f4'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r4'>4</a>.  </span>Nicholas Antonio, biblioth. Hisp.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f5'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r5'>5</a>.  </span>His dedication of Galatea.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f6'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r6'>6</a>.  </span>In the preface to his plays.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f7'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r7'>7</a>.  </span><abbr class='spell'>F.</abbr> Diego Da Haedo.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f8'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r8'>8</a>.  </span>To this adventure he doubtless alludes, in the story of the Captive; who says, +that when he and his fellow-slaves were deliberating about ransoming one of their number, +who should go to Valencia and Mayorca, and procure a vessel with which he might return +and fetch off the rest, the renegado who was of their council opposed the scheme, observing, +that those who are once delivered seldom think of performing the promises they have +made in captivity: as a confirmation of the truth of what he alledged, he briefly recounted +a case which had lately happened to some Christian gentlemen, attended with the strangest +circumstances ever known, even in those parts, where the most uncommon and surprizing +events occur almost every day.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f9'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r9'>9</a>.  </span>Laurèl de Apollo Selva 8.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f10'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r10'>10</a>.  </span>In his preface to his plays.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f11'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r11'>11</a>.  </span>Preface to his novels. Dedication of the last part of Don Quixote.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f12'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r12'>12</a>.  </span>The Loves of Theagenes and Chariclea.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f13'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r13'>13</a>.  </span>This is a strong presumption that the first part of Don Quixote was actually +written in a gaol.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f14'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r14'>14</a>.  </span>Alluding to the loss of his hand in the battle of Lepanto.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f15'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r15'>15</a>.  </span>Mutton in Spain is counted greatly preferable to beef.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f16'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r16'>16</a>.  </span><i>Salpicon</i>, which is the word in the original, is no other than cold beef sliced, and +eaten with oil, vinegar, and pepper.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f17'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r17'>17</a>.  </span>Gripes and grumblings, in Spanish <span lang="es"><i>duelos y quebrantos</i></span>; the true meaning of which +the former translators have been at great pains to investigate, as the importance of the +subject (no doubt) required. But their labours have, unhappily, ended in nothing else +but conjectures, which, for the entertainment and instruction of our readers, we beg leave +to repeat. One interprets the phrase into collops and eggs; ‘Being,’ saith he, ‘a very +sorry dish.’ In this decision, however, he is contradicted by another commentator, +who affirms, ‘It is a mess too good to mortify withal:’ neither can this virtuoso agree +with a late editor, who translates the passage in question into an amlet; but takes occasion +to fall out with Boyer for his description of that dish, which he most sagaciously understands +to be a ‘bacon froize,’ or ‘rather fryze, from its being fried, from frit in French;’ +and concludes with this judicious query, ‘After all these learned disquisitions, who knows +but the author means a dish of nichils?’ If this was his meaning, indeed, surely we +may venture to conclude, that fasting was very expensive in La Mancha; for the author +mentions the <span lang="es"><i>duelos y quebrantos</i></span> among those articles that confirmed three-fourths of the +knight’s income.</p> + +<p class='c005'>Having considered this momentous affair with all the deliberation it deserves, we in our +turn present the reader with cucumbers, greens, or pease-porridge, as the fruit of our industrious +researches; being thereunto determined by the literal signification of the text, +which is not ‘grumblings and groanings,’ as the last-mentioned ingenious annotator seems +to think, but rather pains and breakings; and evidently points at such eatables as generate +and expel wind; qualities (as every body knows) eminently inherent in those vegetables we +have mentioned as our hero’s Saturday’s repast.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f18'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r18'>18</a>.  </span><span lang="es"><i>Podadera</i></span>, literally signifies a pruning-hook.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f19'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r19'>19</a>.  </span>In the original, a lover of hunting.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f20'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r20'>20</a>.  </span><span lang="es"><i>Quixadas</i></span>, signifies jaws, of which our knight had an extraordinary provision.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f21'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r21'>21</a>.  </span>Siguenza, a town situated on the banks of the Henares, in New Castile, in which +there is a small university.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f22'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r22'>22</a>.  </span>Hidalgo has much the same application in Spain as squire in England; though it +literally signifies the son of something, in contradistinction to those who are the sons of +nothing.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f23'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r23'>23</a>.  </span>Orlando, the supposed nephew of Charlemagne, and poetical hero of Boiardo and +Ariosto, is said to have been invulnerable in all parts of his body, except the soles of his +feet, which he therefore took care to secure with double plates of armour.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f24'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r24'>24</a>.  </span>Galalon is said to have betrayed Charlemagne’s army at Roncevalles, where it was +roughly handled by the Moors, in his retreat from Spain.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f25'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r25'>25</a>.  </span>This is a joke upon the knight’s steed, which was so meagre, that his bones stuck +out like the corners of a Spanish rial, a coin of very irregular shape, not unlike the figure in +geometry called a trapezium.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f26'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r26'>26</a>.  </span>Rozinante, implies that which was formerly an ordinary horse, though the <i>ante</i> +seems to have been intended by the knight as a badge of distinction, by which he was ranked +before all other horses.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f27'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r27'>27</a>.  </span>According to the ancient rules of chivalry, no man was entitled to the rank and +degree of knighthood, until he had been in actual battle, and taken a prisoner with his +own hand.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f28'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r28'>28</a>.  </span>It was common for one knight to dub another. Francis <abbr title='the first'>I.</abbr> King of France, was +knighted, at his own desire, by the Chevalier Bayard, who was looked upon as the flower +of chivalry.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f29'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r29'>29</a>.  </span>He might have imitated the young knight described in Perce Forest, who having +been dubbed by King Alexander, rode into a wood, and attacked the trees with such +fury and address, that the king and his whole court were convinced of his prowess and +dexterity.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f30'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r30'>30</a>.  </span><span lang="es"><i>Sano de Castella</i></span>, signifies a crafty knave.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f31'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r31'>31</a>.  </span>This circumstance of the ladies disarming the knight, is exactly conformable to the +practice of chivalry; though his refusing to lay aside his helmet is no great argument of +his courtesy or attachment to the laws and customs of his profession; for, among knights, +it was looked upon as an indispensible mark of respect, to appear without the helmet in +church, and in presence of ladies, or respectable personages; and, indeed, in those iron +times, this was considered as a necessary mark and proof of peaceable intention: hence we +derive the custom of uncovering the head in salutation.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f32'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r32'>32</a>.  </span>In the original, or kid to he-goat.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f33'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r33'>33</a>.  </span>This request was a little premature, inasmuch as the practice of chivalry did not +authorize the suppliant to ask a boon of his godfather, until he was dubbed, and then he +had a right to demand it.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f34'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r34'>34</a>.  </span>Literally, the colt of Cordova, because the water gushes out of a fountain resembling +an horse’s mouth. These are places of resort frequented by thieves and sharpers.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f35'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r35'>35</a>.  </span>Here the landlord was more selfish than observant of the customs of chivalry; for +knights were actually exempted from all expence whatever; except when damages were +awarded against them in a court of justice; and in that case they paid for their rank. +This they looked upon as a mark of their pre-eminence; in consequence of which, at +the siege of Dun le Roy, in the year 1411, each knight was ordered to carry eight fascines, +while the squire was quit for half the number.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f36'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r36'>36</a>.  </span>This custom of watching armour in church or chapel, was a religious duty imposed +upon knights, who used to consume the whole night in prayer to some saint, whom they +chose as their patron; and this exercise of devotion was performed on the night preceding +the said saint’s day. The same ceremony was observed by those who were sentenced +to the combat-proof.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f37'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r37'>37</a>.  </span>The slap on the shoulders, and the box on the ear being bestowed, the godfather pronounced, +‘In the name of God, <abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr> Michael, and <abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr> George, I dub thee knight: be +worthy, bold, and loyal.’</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f38'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r38'>38</a>.  </span>The author seems to have committed a small oversight in this paragraph; for the +knight had not been gone above two days and one night, which he spent in watching his +armour.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f39'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r39'>39</a>.  </span>The name of a good-natured inchantress in Amadis de Gaul. During the age of +knight-errantry, it was usual for ladies to study the art of surgery, in order to dress the +wounds of those knights who were their servants. One of the heroines of Perce Forest +says to Norgal, ‘Fair nephew, methinks your arm is not at ease.’—‘In faith, dear lady,’ +answered Norgal, ‘you are in the right; and I beseech you to take it under your care.’ +Then she called her daughter Helen, who entertained her cousin with good cheer, and afterwards +reduced his arm which was dislocated.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f40'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r40'>40</a>.  </span>In the original, <i>Quirielyson</i>, from the two Greek words κύριε ἐλέησον, signifying, +Lord have mercy.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f41'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r41'>41</a>.  </span>How comes Juana to be so suddenly metamorphosed into Mary?</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f42'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r42'>42</a>.  </span>Here Don Quixote seems to have been too scrupulous: for though no squire was permitted +to engage with a knight on horseback, yet they were allowed, and even enjoined, +to assist their masters when they were unhorsed or in danger, by mounting them on fresh +steeds, supplying them with arms, and warding off the blows that were aimed at them; +Davy Gam, at the battle of Agincourt, lost his life in defending Henry <abbr title='the fifth'>V.</abbr> of England, +and Saint Severin met with the same fate in warding off the blows that were aimed at +Francis <abbr title='the first'>I.</abbr> of France, in the battle of Pavia.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f43'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r43'>43</a>.  </span>The literal meaning of the Spanish is, ‘Thou shalt soon see who is to carry the cat to +the water:’ or rather, in the corrupted Biscayan phrase, ‘The water how soon thou wilt +see, that thou carriest to the cat.’</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f44'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r44'>44</a>.  </span>The behaviour of Don Quixote was exactly conformable to the rules of chivalry; +which, though they hindered a knight from fighting in armour with a squire, did not prevent +him from giving satisfaction to an inferior, at sword and target; and every squire who +was aggrieved had a right to demand it.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f45'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r45'>45</a>.  </span>Panza, in Castilian, signifies Paunch; and Zancas, Spindle-shanks.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f46'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r46'>46</a>.  </span>Santa Hermandad was a brotherhood or society instituted in Spain in times of confusion, +to suppress robbery, and render travelling safe.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f47'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r47'>47</a>.  </span>These ridiculous oaths or vows are not confined to romances. Philip, the good +Duke of Burgundy, at a publick banquet, vowed to God, the holy virgin, the peacock, +and the ladies, that he would declare war against the infidels; and a great number of +persons who were present, listed themselves under the same vow, and incurred voluntary +penance until it should be accomplished. Some swore they would never lie upon a bed, +others renounced the use of a table-cloth, a third set obliged themselves to fast one particular +day in the week, a fourth went without one particular piece of armour, a fifth +wore his armour night and day, and many confined themselves to shirts of sackcloth +and hair.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f48'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r48'>48</a>.  </span>Geoffroi de Rançon, having been injured by the Count de La Marche, swore by the +saints that he would wear his buskin like a woman, and never suffer himself to be shaved +in the manner of chivalry, until he should be revenged. This oath he scrupulously observed, +until he saw his adversary, with his wife and children, kneeling in distress before +the king, and imploring his forgiveness; then he called for a stool, adjusted his buskin, +and was shaved in presence of his majesty and the court.</p> + +<p class='c005'>The knight’s forehead was commonly shaved, that in case he should lose his helmet +in combat, his antagonist should have no hold by which he might be pulled off his +horse.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f49'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r49'>49</a>.  </span>We read in Perce Forest, that there were flat stones placed at certain distances in +uninhabited parts of the country, for the use of knights-errant; who, having killed a +roe-buck, pressed the blood out of it upon one of these tables by the help of another +smooth stone, and then eat it with some salt and spices, which they carried along with +them for that purpose. This diet is called in the French romances, <span lang="fr"><i>Chevraux de presse, +nourreture des heraux</i></span>.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f50'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r50'>50</a>.  </span>Volatile, in the original, signifies any things that fly; and therefore Sancho may +be supposed to mean, he would provide himself with game or poultry; but the blunder +which we have made him commit seems to be more in character.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f51'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r51'>51</a>.  </span>A sort of small fiddle of one piece, with three strings, used by shepherds.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f52'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r52'>52</a>.  </span>The reader will perceive that I have endeavoured to adapt the versification to the +plainness and rusticity of the sentiment, which are preserved through the whole of this +ballad; though all the other translators seem to have been bent upon setting the poetry at +variance with the pastoral simplicity of the thoughts. For example, who would ever +dream of a goatherd’s addressing his mistress in these terms?</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c012'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>‘With rapture on each charm I dwell,</div> + <div class='line in2'>‘And daily spread thy beauty’s fame;</div> + <div class='line'>‘And still my tongue thy praise shall tell,</div> + <div class='line in2'>‘Though envy swell, or malice blame.’</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>The original sentiments which this courtly stanza is designed to translate, are literally +these:</p> + +<p class='c005'>‘I do not mention the praises I have spoke of your beauty, which, though true in +fact, are the occasion of my being hated by some other women.’</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f53'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r53'>53</a>.  </span>In the original Spanish, the goatherd, instead of saying as old as Sarah, says, as old +as Sarna, which in that language signifies the itch; but as it is impossible to preserve +these mistakes in the translation, I have substituted another in its room, which I apprehend +is equally natural and expressive.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f54'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r54'>54</a>.  </span>When a knight challenged the whole world, he wore an emprize, consisting of a +gold chain, or some other badge of love and chivalry; and sometimes this emprize was +fixed in a publick place, to attract the attention of strangers. When any person accepted +the challenge for a trial of chivalry, called the combat of courtesy, he touched this emprize; +but, if he tore it away, it was considered as a resolution to fight the owner to extremity +or outrance. The combat of courtesy is still practised by our prize-fighters and +boxers, who shake hands before the engagement, in token of love.</p> + +<p class='c005'>But no defiance of this kind could be either published or accepted without the permission +of the prince at whose court the combatants chanced to be. Accordingly, we are +told by Oliver de La Marche, that the lord of Ternant having published a defiance at +the court of Burgundy, in the year 1445, Galiot asked the duke’s permission to touch +the challenger’s emprize; which being granted, he advanced and touched it, saying to +the bearer, while he bowed very low, ‘Noble knight, I touch your emprize; and, with +God’s permission, will do my utmost to fulfil your desire, either on horseback or on +foot.’ The lord of Ternant humbly thanked him for his condescension, said he was +extremely welcome, and promised to send him that same day a cartel, mentioning the +arms they should use.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f55'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r55'>55</a>.  </span>Cachopines is the name given to the Europeans by the Indians of Mexico.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f56'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r56'>56</a>.  </span>Tizona, which is the word in the original, is a romantick name given to the sword +that belonged to Roderick Dias de Bivar, the famous Spanish general against the Moors.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f57'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r57'>57</a>.  </span>Literally, what is left in the bottom of his inkhorn.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f58'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r58'>58</a>.  </span>Don Quixote seems in this place to have forgot one adventure of his great pattern, +Orlando, who, while he accompanied Angelica in her flight from Albracca, happened +to intrude upon the king of the Lestrigons as he sat at dinner in a valley; and being in +great want of victuals, accosted his most savage majesty in these words, recorded by Boyardo, +or rather Berni, in his poem intitled Orlando Innamorato.</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c012'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><i>Poichè fortuna a quest’ora ne mena</i></div> + <div class='line'><i>Da voi, vi prego, che non vi despiaccia,</i></div> + <div class='line'><i>O pe nostri danari o in cortesia,</i></div> + <div class='line'><i>Che noi cenium con voi di compagnia.</i></div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class='c013'>Thus humbly requesting, that he would either for love or money give them a bone to +pick.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f59'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r59'>59</a>.  </span>In the original, from Ceca to Mecca; a phrase derived from the customs of the +Moors, who used to go in pilgrimage to these two places. Ceca was in the city of Cordova.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f60'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r60'>60</a>.  </span>Zebra is a beautiful creature, native of Arabia, vulgarly called the wild ass.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f61'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r61'>61</a>.  </span>I have endeavoured to preserve an alliteration in tooth and treasure, after the example +of Cervantes, who seems to have intended it, in the words <span lang="es"><i>diente</i></span> and <span lang="es"><i>diamante</i></span>.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f62'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r62'>62</a>.  </span>Knights engaged themselves, by oath, to protect the widow and the orphan, to redress +all injuries; and, in a special manner, to defend the characters of ladies by force +of arms.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f63'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r63'>63</a>.  </span>In Castilian, <span lang="es"><i>bocina</i></span> signifies a cornet, or hunting-horn, to which the Spaniards +suppose the constellation of Ursa Minor bears some resemblance.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f64'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r64'>64</a>.  </span><span lang="es"><i>Oregano</i></span>, in the original, signifies sweet marjoram; as if Sancho had wished his +master might find a nosegay, rather than a bloody nose.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f65'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r65'>65</a>.  </span>The Spaniards of old paid a tribute of five hundred sueldos, or pieces of coin, to the +Moors, until they were delivered from this imposition by the gallantry of the gentlemen +or people of rank, from which exploit a Castilian of family used to express the nobility +and worth of his extraction, by saying he was of the revenge of the Sueldos.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f66'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r66'>66</a>.  </span>Literally, ‘Never beg when you can take.’</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f67'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r67'>67</a>.  </span>In the original, ‘A snatch from behind a bush is better than the prayer of good +men.’</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f68'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r68'>68</a>.  </span>This seems to have been intended as a stroke of satire against those princes who sell +nobility to the highest bidder, without any regard to the merit of the purchaser.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f69'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r69'>69</a>.  </span>A crime that is punished by the pillory in England, is in Spain expiated by the +convict’s being mounted upon an ass, in a particular dress, and led through the streets by +a crier, who proclaims the transgression.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f70'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r70'>70</a>.  </span>This is a good hint for a reforming legislature.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f71'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r71'>71</a>.  </span>It was the custom of knights to wear a coat of arms made of some rich stuff figured +in a particular manner. The Duke of Brabant being called in a hurry to the battle of +Agincourt, took a trumpeter’s banner, and making a hole through the middle, put it +over his head, and wore it as his coat of arms.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f72'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r72'>72</a>.  </span>This is an oversight of the author, who seems to have forgot that Sancho lost his +wallet at the inn, and was robbed by the galley-slaves of the great coat or cloak, in +which he carried the remains of that provision he had taken from those who attended the +dead body towards Segovia.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f73'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r73'>73</a>.  </span>A chain of dusky mountains that divide Castile from Andalusia.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f74'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r74'>74</a>.  </span>Here Cervantes hath been caught napping by the criticks; who observe, that Sancho +could not be mounted on the ass, which was but just now stolen by Gines de Passamonte.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f75'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r75'>75</a>.  </span>As it is impossible to preserve the original blunders of Sancho, who mistakes Fili or +Phillis, for Hilo, that signifies a thread, we are obliged to substitute another, by changing +Phillis into Chloe, which Sancho, in English, might have as naturally mistaken for +a clue; and by this expedient the sense of the passage is not hurt, and but very little altered.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f76'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r76'>76</a>.  </span>Methinks it is inconsistent with the character of the knight, to allow Sancho to tell +such a fraudulent untruth in his hearing; nor is Panza’s behaviour on this occasion much +for the honour of his simplicity.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f77'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r77'>77</a>.  </span>Queen Madasima, a lady in Amadis de Gaul, attended by one Elisabat, a surgeon +with whom she travels, and lies in woods and desarts.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f78'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r78'>78</a>.  </span>The Beautiful Obscure.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f79'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r79'>79</a>.  </span>Lo! Sancho’s ass hath disappeared again.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f80'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r80'>80</a>.  </span>Probably alluding to the epitaph of Phaeton.</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c012'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'><i>Hic situs est Phaeton, currus auriga paterni,</i></div> + <div class='line'><i>Quem si non tenuit, magnis tamen excidit ausis.</i></div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f81'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r81'>81</a>.  </span>Bamba, or Wamba, king of the Visigoths in Spain, mounted the throne in the year +672, and was famous for his success against the Arabians, as well as for his attachment to +the Christian religion, as a proof of which he retired into a monastery, and resigned the +kingdom to Ervige.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f82'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r82'>82</a>.  </span>There is no such letter mentioned in his conversation with Don Quixote.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f83'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r83'>83</a>.  </span>Who murdered Sancho <abbr title='the first'>I.</abbr> king of Castile, while he was engaged in the siege of Zamora.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f84'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r84'>84</a>.  </span>The original <span lang="es"><i>pues presente pocas vezes lo bazía</i></span>, signifies, ‘Since while I was present +she did it very seldom.’ This at first sight appears a solecism, and the petulant critick +will exclaim, ‘What occasion had she to write to her lover who was present, unless she +had lost the faculty of speech!’ But the seeming absurdity will vanish, when we reflect +that by <i>present</i>, he means, in the same city with his mistress; to whom, however, according +to the custom of Spain, he had little or no access but by a literary correspondence.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f85'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r85'>85</a>.  </span>As if he had said Ape-land, <span lang="es"><i>mico</i></span> signifying an ape.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f86'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r86'>86</a>.  </span>When a knight had once granted a boon in this manner, it was impossible for him to +retract, let the request be never so extravagant. We are told by Joinville, that the queen +of <abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr> Lewis, being big with child, and in the utmost terror of falling alive into the hands +of the infidels at Damietta in Egypt, fell upon her knees before an old knight turned +of fourscore, and conjured him to grant her boon: the old man having promised to comply, +on the faith of his knighthood, she told him the favour she so pressingly solicited, +was, that he would cut off her head before she should fall into the hands of the enemy, +provided the Saracens should become masters of the town. The senior answered without +hesitation, that she might depend upon his sword; and owned he had taken that resolution +even before she signified her request.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f87'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r87'>87</a>.  </span>This is a diverting example of the Bathos, not unlike that anticlimax repeated in the +art of sinking.</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c012'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>Nor Alps, nor Apennines could keep us out,</div> + <div class='line'>Nor fortified redoubt!</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f88'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r88'>88</a>.  </span>If the knight was robbed of his own sword by Gines, where did he find that which he +wore on this occasion?</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f89'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r89'>89</a>.  </span>Literally, Sleeves are good even after Easter; <abbr class='spell'>i. e.</abbr> Though a good thing comes +late, it is never unseasonable.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f90'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r90'>90</a>.  </span>Literally, “Took the road in his hands.”</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f91'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r91'>91</a>.  </span>It will appear in the sequel, that the landlord could not read at all; nevertheless, +he might boast of what he could not do.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f92'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r92'>92</a>.  </span>The original, which is <span lang="es"><i>curioso impertinente</i></span>, signifies one who is impertinently curious, +not a curious impertinent.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f93'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r93'>93</a>.  </span>Ludovico Ariosto, author of Orlando Furioso, to which poem Cervantes frequently +alludes. Here, however, he seems to have forgot the passage he meant to cite; for the person +who proffered the cup to Rinaldo, was no doctor. In Canto 43, of the Orlando Furioso, +mention is made, indeed, of one Anselmo, who was a Doctor of Law, but not at all +concerned in the inchanted cup: yet it must be owned, that Dr. Anselmo had recourse +to an astrologer, in order to know whether his wife preserved her chastity in his absence.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f94'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r94'>94</a>.  </span><span lang="es"><i>Sensato, secreto, sobrepusado, senzero</i></span>; Sensible, secret, surpassing, and sincere.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f95'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r95'>95</a>.  </span>But it appears in the preceding page, that he was already known both to Fernando +and Lucinda. <span lang="la"><i>Aliquando bonus dormitat Homerus.</i></span></p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f96'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r96'>96</a>.  </span>In the original, ‘As will put salt in the skull.’</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f97'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r97'>97</a>.  </span>Literally, ‘You shall see when the eggs are fried.’ A phrase alluding to the story +of a thief, who having stole a frying-pan, and being asked by the owner what he carried +under his cloak, replied, ‘You will see when the eggs are fried.’ Metaphorically, +‘Time will discover.’</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f98'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r98'>98</a>.  </span>Alluding to the charity given at the gates of monasteries.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f99'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r99'>99</a>.  </span><abbr class='spell'>I. e.</abbr> Do not amount to 1000, which is a number expressed by four figures.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f100'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r100'>100</a>.  </span>The literal translation is, ‘For, from the skirts—for I would not mention the +‘sleeves.’ The Spaniards, instead of the English phrase, ‘By Hook or by Crook,’ use this +of ‘From the sleeves, or the skirts;’ derived from the practice of taylors, who are supposed +to cabbage from those parts of the habit in which there is the greatest quantity +of cloth; but the knight’s exception of sleeves, on this occasion, seems to have proceeded +from a supposition that poor scholars are generally provided for in the church, and +consequently wear cassocks, which descend to the heels.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f101'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r101'>101</a>.  </span>Cavalier is an artificial mount raised in a fortress for the convenience of scouring a +field, or opposing a commanding work of the enemy.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f102'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r102'>102</a>.  </span>The strentrel, or estanterol, is a post that supports the awning of the poop.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f103'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r103'>103</a>.  </span>A Dalmatian trooper.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f104'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r104'>104</a>.  </span>Zala, or Sala, is the Moorish salutation.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f105'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r105'>105</a>.  </span>Cava, or Caba, daughter of Count Julian, Count of Ceuta, was violated by Roderick +king of Spain; and, in order to revenge this injury, the father called the Saracens into +that kingdom, in the year 712.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f106'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r106'>106</a>.  </span>This is the second time they have sat down to supper in one night. Vide <abbr title='page'>p.</abbr> <a href='#Page_216'>216</a>.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f107'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r107'>107</a>.  </span>A judge in Spanish is called <span lang="es"><i>Oyder</i></span>, <abbr class='spell'>i. e.</abbr> <i>Hearer</i>; and the original, literally translated, +is, ‘The hearer was never so much an hearer before.’</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f108'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r108'>108</a>.  </span>Cervantes seems to have forgot that the judge was the youngest of the three brothers, +the second having gone to the Indies.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f109'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r109'>109</a>.  </span>In the original <span lang="es">demi-donzellas</span>, equivalent to the modern term demi-reps.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f110'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r110'>110</a>.  </span>Alluding to the delinquents, who were branded and marked with these figures.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f111'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r111'>111</a>.  </span>Literally, ‘Lady of a crown.’</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f112'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r112'>112</a>.  </span>The original would be more literally translated, by saying, ‘The law’s measure is +the king’s pleasure.’</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f113'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r113'>113</a>.  </span>A bridal benediction.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f114'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r114'>114</a>.  </span>It were to be wished, for the honour of Spanish innkeepers, that Cervantes had +caused mine host to restore Sancho’s wallet, which he had detained on the day of the +blanketting; as such restitution would have increased the general satisfaction.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f115'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r115'>115</a>.  </span>A word of equal signification with <span lang="es"><i>mentironiana</i></span>, from <span lang="es"><i>mentereso</i></span>, a lyar.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f116'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r116'>116</a>.  </span>In the original, <span lang="es"><i>mi padre!</i></span> my father! which I have changed for an exclamation more +frequently used in our language.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f117'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r117'>117</a>.  </span>In the text, the knight is guilty of a palpable solecism, in desiring Sancho to touch +and feel that which he himself expressly observes was subject neither to touch or feeling.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f118'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r118'>118</a>.  </span>Written by Cervantes himself.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f119'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r119'>119</a>.  </span>Equivalent to our saying, ‘Every Jack is not a good fellow.’</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f120'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r120'>120</a>.  </span>A Spanish proverb, applicable to a great many modern projectors and reformers.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f121'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r121'>121</a>.  </span><span lang="es"><i>Buscar gullirias</i></span>, signifies to seek dainties.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f122'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r122'>122</a>.  </span>Lopez de Vega Carpio.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f123'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r123'>123</a>.  </span>Literally, ‘Never lost the stirrup.’</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f124'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r124'>124</a>.  </span><span lang="es"><i>Toca</i></span>, which is the original word, signifies a woman’s coif, veil, or handkerchief.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f125'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r125'>125</a>.  </span>Persons hired to whip themselves on such occasions.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f126'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r126'>126</a>.  </span>The horse of Orlando Furioso was called Brigliadoro; as Bayardo was the name +of the steed belonging to Ruggiero, the second, if not the first hero in Ariosto’s incomparable +poem.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f127'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r127'>127</a>.  </span>The battle of Lepanto.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f128'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r128'>128</a>.  </span>Novales Exemplares.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f129'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r129'>129</a>.  </span>Ridiculous as this scheme may seem to be, such an expedient has actually succeeded +in practice. During the captivity of John King of France, his dominions were ravaged +by above one hundred thousand peasants, who, under the name of Jacquieers, assembled +in arms to exterminate the noblesse; and among other horrid outrages, murdered +every gentleman that fell in their way. The Duchess of Normandy and Orleans, together +with three hundred ladies of rank, retired for protection to Meaux, where they +were surrounded, and would have actually perished by the swords of these banditti, had +they not been rescued by the Count de Foix, and the captal of Buch; who, hearing of +their distress, hastened to their relief with no more than sixty knights; and, without +hesitation, attacked that furious multitude with such bravery and vigour, that they were +soon routed and dispersed.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f130'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r130'>130</a>.  </span>A certain number of churches through which they made circuits, uttering an appointed +prayer at each.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f131'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r131'>131</a>.  </span><span lang="es"><i>Pedir cotufas en el golfo</i></span>, signifies to look for tartuffles in the sea; a proverb applicable +to those who are too sanguine in their expectations, and unreasonable in their +desires.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f132'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r132'>132</a>.  </span><span lang="es"><i>Aun ay sol en las bardas.</i></span> There is still sun-shine on the wall, <abbr class='spell'>i. e.</abbr> It is not yet +too late.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f133'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r133'>133</a>.  </span>Finding it impossible to translate the original pun or blunder, I have substituted another +in its room, on the word Grammatical, which I think has at least an equally good +effect.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f134'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r134'>134</a>.  </span>The original is, <span lang="es">‘<i>De paja, y di beno, el jergonelleno</i>;’</span> <abbr class='spell'>i. e.</abbr> ‘The bed is filled, though +it be with hay and straw.’</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f135'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r135'>135</a>.  </span>Alphonsus Tostatus, bishop of Avila, was said to have known every thing that could +be known. He made a figure at the council of Basil; wrote twenty-seven volumes; and +dying in the fortieth year of his age, was interred in the church of Avila, with this +epitaph:——<span lang="la"><i>Hic stupor est mundi, qui scibile discutit omne.</i></span></p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f136'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r136'>136</a>.  </span>In Spanish, <span lang="es"><i>Me pondra en la espina de Santa Lucia</i></span>; <abbr class='spell'>i. e.</abbr> ‘Will put me on <abbr title='Saint'>St.</abbr> +Lucia’s thorn:’ applicable to any uneasy situation.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f137'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r137'>137</a>.  </span>As related in the famous poem of Orlando Inamorato, composed by Boyardo, of +which the Orlando Furioso of Ariosto is the continuation.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f138'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r138'>138</a>.  </span>In the original, ‘Black for white.’</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f139'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r139'>139</a>.  </span>Literally, <span lang="es"><i>badeas</i></span>, a kind of water melon.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f140'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r140'>140</a>.  </span>This is the cry uttered by the Spaniards when they charge in battle.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f141'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r141'>141</a>.  </span><span lang="es"><i>Baylar el agua delante</i></span>, is a phrase applicable to those who do their duty with alacrity, +taken from the practice of watering the courts in Spain, an office which the maids +perform with a motion that resembles dancing.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f142'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r142'>142</a>.  </span>Alonzo de Ercilla, author of the Auraucana; Juan Rufo de Cordova, author of the +Austriada; Christopher Verves de Valentia, author of the Monserratte; and as for the +half, Cervantes in all probability meant himself.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f143'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r143'>143</a>.  </span>Sancho’s wife has already been mentioned under the names of Juana and Mary, and +now she is called Teresa.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f144'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r144'>144</a>.  </span>Almohada signifies a cushion.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f145'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r145'>145</a>.  </span>Alluding to the bough that is adorned and carried in procession on Palm Sunday.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f146'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r146'>146</a>.  </span>A dress put upon convicted hereticks.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f147'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r147'>147</a>.  </span>The original, <span lang="es"><i>ventura</i></span>, signifies good luck as well as adventures.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f148'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r148'>148</a>.  </span>I have substituted this play upon the word proportion, in lieu of Sancho’s blundering +on <span lang="es"><i>rata</i></span>.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f149'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r149'>149</a>.  </span>Like our Chevy Chase.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f150'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r150'>150</a>.  </span>As the original quotation is a fragment that will not complete the sense, I have +taken the liberty to make the allusion altogether English.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f151'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r151'>151</a>.  </span>Literally, ‘a squire of wool and water,’ an allusion to a custom among the Spaniards, +who sometimes have domesticks to attend them to mass, and sprinkle them with +holy water: these are generally shabby fellows, who have very poor appointments.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f152'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r152'>152</a>.  </span>A brass statue on a steeple at Seville, serving for a weather-cock.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f153'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r153'>153</a>.  </span>These are stone statues of bulls, erected by the Romans at Guisando, a town in +Castile; all the inscriptions are effaced, except the name of <abbr class='spell'>A.</abbr> Quintus Cæcilius, +Consul <abbr class='spell'>II</abbr>.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f154'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r154'>154</a>.  </span>Poor people that live about Zamora.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f155'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r155'>155</a>.  </span>Zocodover, a square in Toledo, like Smithfield, where cattle are sold.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f156'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r156'>156</a>.  </span>In the original there is a play upon the words <span lang="es">Descarnado</span>, <span lang="es">Cordero</span>, and <span lang="es">Carnero</span>, +which I have endeavoured to imitate, by substituting goose in the room of mutton, which +is the literal meaning of the text.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f157'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r157'>157</a>.  </span>The patina was a small consecrated plate which the Spanish women, especially those +of an inferior rank, wore upon their breasts.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f158'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r158'>158</a>.  </span>Fouckar was a very rich merchant of Augsburg, and a great favourite of Charles +<abbr title='the fifth'>V.</abbr> who owed him a very considerable sum. It is reported of him, that when the emperor +lodged at his house, in his return from Tunis, the fire in his chamber was of cinnamon, +and his landlord lighted it with his imperial majesty’s own obligation, thereby +cancelling an immense debt. The wealth of these traders, for there were two brothers, +became proverbial, and it was usual to say of any very opulent person, ‘He is as rich as +a Fouckar.’</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f159'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r159'>159</a>.  </span>This was the great patron of the Portuguese discoveries along the coast of Africa to +the Cape of Good Hope.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f160'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r160'>160</a>.  </span>A knavish trick.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f161'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r161'>161</a>.  </span>In the original there is a miserable pun upon the words Mono and Mona, the first +of which signifies an ape, and the other drunkenness.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f162'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r162'>162</a>.  </span>Literally, ‘When choler quits the mother, the tongue has then no father.’</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f163'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r163'>163</a>.  </span>I have ventured to deviate a little from the precise meaning of the original, which +the reader will own to be very insipid when he reads the literal translation: ‘For it would +be good, if the inhabitants of the town of Reloxa,’ (signifying a watch, or clock) +‘should, at every turn, slay those that call them so.’</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f164'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r164'>164</a>.  </span>As it is altogether impossible, in a translation, literally to preserve the low humour +arising from blunders upon words or sounds, I have been obliged to substitute an equivalent +jingle, in the room of <span lang="es"><i>puto</i></span>, <span lang="es"><i>gafo</i></span> and <span lang="es"><i>meon</i></span>, which are Spanish words, signifying, a +a <i>whore</i>, a <i>catamite</i>, and a <i>piss-a-bed</i>: so that Sancho, deceived by the affinity of these +sounds to <i>computo</i>, <i>cosmographa</i>, and <i>Ptolemeo</i>, thought he had reason to say his master +had produced a fair set of evidences.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f165'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r165'>165</a>.  </span>In allusion to the speech that Virgil puts in the mouth of Panthus Othryades, who +says to Æneas,</p> + +<div class='lg-container-b c012'> + <div class='linegroup'> + <div class='group'> + <div class='line'>——<span lang="la"><i>fuit Ilium, et ingens</i></span></div> + <div class='line'><span lang="la"><i>Gloria Teucrorum!</i></span></div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f166'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r166'>166</a>.  </span>Sayago is a district in the kingdom of Leon, the inhabitants of which were extremely +poor, and very meanly cloathed.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f167'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r167'>167</a>.  </span>In Spain and Italy there is, upon every Holy Thursday, a procession of disciplinants, or +people who do penance in sackcloth, carrying a flambeau in one hand, and in the other a +scourge, with which they belabour their own shoulders, in such a manner, that the very +street is sometimes coloured with their blood: some of these disciplinants, however, are +mere hypocrites, who under their sackcloth wear women’s stay’s, buff jackets, and even +plates of tin; so that they are often detected from the sound of the stroke: and at Rome +nothing is more common than to hear the people who accompany these devotees, call out, +according to the report of the application, ‘<span lang="it"><i>Guipponi di Buffalo!—Busti di Donna!</i></span> and +<span lang="it"><i>Corrazini di Latta!</i></span>’</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f168'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r168'>168</a>.  </span><span lang="es">‘<i>Su alma en su palma.</i>’</span> The original expression literally signifies, ‘His soul is in +his hand,’ <abbr class='spell'>i. e.</abbr> ‘He is at his own discretion.’</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f169'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r169'>169</a>.  </span>In Spain the people always retire after dinner, and sleep till six o’clock, whence +the afternoon’s nap is called <span lang="es"><i>siesta</i></span>.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f170'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r170'>170</a>.  </span>This is an expression proverbially applied to any story that is vague, inconsistent, or of +dubious authority; for the hills of Ubeda make an extensive chain, the different parts of +which are differently denominated, from the different countries or districts through which it +extends; so that the whole is not easily ascertained.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f171'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r171'>171</a>.  </span>In the original, ‘And thoroughly understand “<i>Tus, tus</i>”’; which is an expression in +Spain, to wheedle a cur.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f172'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r172'>172</a>.  </span>A young Florentine, of great genius, who died in the seventeenth year of his age, and +was lamented by all the poets of his time.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f173'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r173'>173</a>.  </span>Literally, ‘And you shall see it will be worth a loaf that will serve a hundred.’</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f174'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r174'>174</a>.  </span><span lang="la"><i>Disciplinante de lux</i></span>, is a cant phrase, applied to those who are exposed to publick +shame.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f175'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r175'>175</a>.  </span>Literally, <span lang="es"><i>cacique</i></span>, which was the appellation given to Indian princes.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f176'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r176'>176</a>.  </span>The other translators have interpreted <span lang="es"><i>mosqueo</i></span> into a fly-flap, which is undoubtedly +one of his meanings; but as it likewise signifies flagellation at the cart’s tail, I +have taken it in this last acceptation, which, I think, heightens the humour of the +passage.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f177'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r177'>177</a>.  </span><span lang="es"><i>Faldis</i></span>, in Spain, signifies skirts.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f178'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r178'>178</a>.  </span>A kind of pea that grows at Martos, a town in the province of Andalusia.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f179'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r179'>179</a>.  </span>This blunder is much more natural in the Spanish <span lang="es"><i>criado</i></span> for <span lang="es"><i>criada</i></span>; but, as in the +English language, the gender is not distinguished by the termination, I have been obliged +to substitute the words varlet and handmaid. Varlets were the servants of yeomen, though +formerly squires were known by that appellation.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f180'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r180'>180</a>.  </span>Or, in English, ‘Wooden Peg the Winged.’</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f181'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r181'>181</a>.  </span>Equivalent to Abington law; in consequence of which, a criminal is first executed, +and then tried. Peralvillo is a village near Ciuidad Real, in Castile, where the officers of +the holy brotherhood execute robbers taken <i>in flagrante</i>, who require no trial. Hence the +phrase, <span lang="es">‘<i>La justicia de Peralvillo, que aborcado el hombre, le baze la Pesquisa</i>.’</span> <abbr class='spell'>i. e.</abbr> +‘Peralvillo law, which begins the process after the man is hanged.’</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f182'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r182'>182</a>.  </span>In Spain, the Pleiades are vulgarly called <span lang="es"><i>cabrillas</i></span>, <abbr class='spell'>i. e.</abbr> nanny-goats.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f183'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r183'>183</a>.  </span>There is a kind of pleasantry in this question of the duke, which cannot be translated; +for the Spanish word, <span lang="es"><i>cabron</i></span>, signifies a cuckold, as well as an he-goat.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f184'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r184'>184</a>.  </span>The phrase, <span lang="es"><i>No quiero de tu capilla</i></span>, alludes to the practice of friars, who, when +charity is offered, hold out their hoods to receive it, while they pronounce a refusal with +their tongues.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f185'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r185'>185</a>.  </span>Instead of <i>saintly</i>.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f186'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r186'>186</a>.  </span>Cervantes has been frequently caught napping, and here in particular: How could +this be any proof of the antiquity of ruffs, when the adventure happened after the first +part of Don Quixote was published? But, perhaps, this is no other than an ironical +animadversion upon the trifling discoveries of antiquarians.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f187'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r187'>187</a>.  </span><span lang="es"><i>Barato</i></span>, signifies cheap.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f188'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r188'>188</a>.  </span>The Spanish name is Pedro Rezio de Aguero; which, together with Tirte Afuera, +the place of his nativity, I have translated into English, that the humour may be better +understood.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f189'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r189'>189</a>.  </span>The original <span lang="es"><i>Ponga en pretina</i></span>, signifies, I will put in my girdle.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f190'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r190'>190</a>.  </span>She is in the original called Perlerina, which I have changed into Paralina, in order +to preserve the subsequent play on the words.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f191'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r191'>191</a>.  </span><span lang="es"><i>Podrida</i></span>, signifies rotten or mortified; hence the <span lang="es"><i>olla podrida</i></span> is in French stiled +<span lang="fr"><i>pot-pourri</i></span>.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f192'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r192'>192</a>.  </span>Literally, The devil’s in Cantiliana, which is a town of Andalusia, near Seville.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f193'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r193'>193</a>.  </span>Literally, the Aranjuez of the fountains. <span lang="es"><i>Fuentes</i></span> signifies, either fountains or +issues; and <span lang="es"><i>Aranjeuz</i></span> is the name of a delightful palace, about seven leagues from Madrid, +famous for gardens and fountains.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f194'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r194'>194</a>.  </span>This was a Moorish princess, for whom her father built a stately palace near the +Tagus, the ruins of which remain to this day.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f195'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r195'>195</a>.  </span>A critick inclined to enumerate the inadvertencies of Cervantes, might observe that +Sancho pulled a piece of bread out of his wallet and gave it to Dapple, after he had +given the contents of the said wallet to the pilgrims; that he tells the duke and duchess +he had governed ten days, whereas he had continued but seven days in office; and, lastly, +that Tosilos contemplated the beauties of the damsel, though we are previously told that +she was veiled down to the bosom.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f196'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r196'>196</a>.  </span>In the romance of Gerard de Nevers we read, that a certain young lady, perceiving +the eagerness with which that knight undertook her defence, pulled the glove from her +left-hand, and presented it to him, saying, ‘Sir Knight, my body, life, lands, and honour, +I commit to the protection of God and you, to whom I pray he may grant grace +to obtain the victory, and deliver us from the danger in which we are now involved.’</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f197'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r197'>197</a>.  </span>Moor-killer.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f198'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r198'>198</a>.  </span>The original word is Mendoza, the name of a great family in Spain, one of whom +was remarkably superstitious.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f199'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r199'>199</a>.  </span>The Moors are said to be descended from Hagar.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f200'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r200'>200</a>.  </span>Sancho must have been very simple indeed, to be satisfied with this explanation, which +does not even hint at the main point of his question; namely, Why do the Spanish soldiers, +when they charge their enemy, cry, ‘Close, Spain?’ A phrase of encouragement, by +which the soldiers exhort one another to do their duty, and close with the foe.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f201'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r201'>201</a>.  </span>Why might not this innkeeper have had eggs in his house, as he had sent no less than +fifty pullets to market the very day before?</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f202'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r202'>202</a>.  </span>I am apt to believe that this remark was intended as an ironical sarcasm on the trivial +observations of hypercriticks: for we cannot suppose Cervantes did not know, by this time, +that he himself had more than once, in the first part of this history, actually called Sancho’s +wife by the name of Mary Gutierrez; an oversight which I have taken notice of in the +proper place.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f203'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r203'>203</a>.  </span>The proverb in the original, alludes to a kind of tabor: as if one should say, ‘He +alone should attempt to play, who knows how to beat the tabor.’</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f204'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r204'>204</a>.  </span>This rhime is substituted in lieu of Sancho’s playing on the word <span lang="es"><i>fuera</i></span>, in the +original.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f205'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r205'>205</a>.  </span>Literally, ‘Use the times as I find them.’</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f206'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r206'>206</a>.  </span>This was Michael Scot, who lived in the thirteenth century, and was such an adept +in medicine, mathematicks, chymistry, alchymy, and other branches of natural knowledge, +that the vulgar looked upon him as a wizard or magician. But as this philosopher +died in 1291, and this conversation between Don Antonio and our knight must have happened +after the year 1605, when the first part of Don Quixote was licensed, how could the +disciple of Scot be in the house of Don Antonio? Yet this anachronism might easily pass +upon Don Quixote, as it related to matters of inchantment.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f207'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r207'>207</a>.  </span>But in this very chapter he has already told Don Quixote, that he knew the virtue of +the head from experience.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f208'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r208'>208</a>.  </span>Antonio’s wife must have been here before the others entered: for she is not in the +list of those who went in with her husband.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f209'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r209'>209</a>.  </span>Trifles.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f210'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r210'>210</a>.  </span>About Martinmas they killed the hogs designed for bacon.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f211'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r211'>211</a>.  </span>‘Wherever it may hit:’ an answer that has no affinity with the question, but the +faint resemblance of sound.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f212'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r212'>212</a>.  </span>In the original, ‘as fine as Mingo,’ who was a bad poet, and tawdry beau, contemporary +with Cervantes.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f213'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r213'>213</a>.  </span>Lines probably taken from some old ballad or romance.</p> +</div> +<div class='footnote' id='f214'> +<p class='c005'><span class='label'><a href='#r214'>214</a>.  </span>The author of the Second Part hinted, in his preface, a design of bringing his hero +into the field again, in Old Castile.</p> +</div> +<div> + + <ul class='ul_1 c002'> + <li>Transcriber’s Notes: + <ul class='ul_2'> + <li>Footnotes have been collected at the end of the text, and are linked for ease of + reference. + </li> + </ul> + </li> + </ul> + +</div> + +<div style='text-align:center'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 77095 ***</div> + </body> + <!-- created with ppgen.py 3.57e on 2025-10-20 13:47:26 GMT --> +</html> + |